Governor clarifies school masking recommendation

A scene along Route 12 in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont’s governor has clarified recent public health guidance for schools regarding masking. 

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott said he wanted to “clear up some misinformation” around the state's new guidance, and he emphasized that masks are included.

“When schools open, we’re asking all students, all teachers, and all school employees to wear masks for the first two to three weeks of school,” Scott said at a press conference. “They should stay required for all those not yet eligible for the vaccine; that means kids under 12.” 

The state recommends lifting this masking requirement only when 80% of a school’s eligible population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The mask rule should remain in place for unvaccinated people, the governor added, and federal law requires everyone to wear a mask when riding a school bus. 

The state’s top recommendation is for more people to get vaccinated, and the state continues to announce a number of school-based vaccination clinics throughout Vermont. To date, over 85% of vaccine-eligible Vermonters have received their first dose, and the state has the lowest COVID hospitalization rate in the country.

Scott said anyone who has concerns about the vaccine should “talk to a trusted medical professional, not Facebook.” 

“I’m confident we can keep moving forward, but we need everyone pulling in the same direction, and we’re not going to do it blindly,” Scott said. “We’ve always watched the data, and we’ve done what’s best for Vermonters.”

Cases are growing nationally and regionally, however the rate of growth has been steadily declining in the past three weeks, according to Michael Pieciak, Vermont’s commissioner of financial regulation, who tracks COVID data for the state. He said this hopeful trend is occurring in Vermont as well. Though Vermont’s cases climbed by 41% this week, the case growth was about half of what it was last week, Pieciak noted. 

“We anticipate that cases will continue to slow and eventually decrease in the coming weeks,” he said.

— Gareth Henderson

Labor shortage, housing are key concerns during Lt. Gov. Gray’s county tour

Only in Vermont could you hike your way into a community gathering with the lieutenant governor at a country store. 

And that’s just what happened for Brice Jaggi, an Appalachian Trail through-hiker from Dallas, Texas. Last Thursday, Aug. 5, his lunch break on the back deck at Teago General Store became a front-row seat for Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray’s Windsor County tour, part of a series of visits to each of Vermont’s counties to hear local concerns about pandemic recovery. Gray's Pomfret visit came after stops in Hartford and Springfield on the same day, with Windsor County Senators Dick McCormack and Alice Nitka joining her. 

For Jaggi, it was a welcome interruption, and something he saw as unique to the Green Mountains. 

"We never see any of our politicians in Texas," he said, while picking up some ice cream at the Teago counter. "This was really interesting to watch." 

Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray listens at a recent community visit at the Teago General Store in Pomfret. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As with many such events in Vermont, local people get the opportunity to discuss key issues with state-level leaders, face to face. That Thursday, one of them was Seton McIlroy, vice chair of the Woodstock Village Trustees. She pointed out that a shortage of local employees and the pressure of high rents have made it very hard on businesses; some restaurants have had to reduce days, making it harder to find a meal out during the week. Also, the village is dealing with several store fronts being vacant, though one now has an ice cream pop up shop this summer.

“We need employees,” McIlroy said. 

Gray said this is a pattern she’s seen throughout the state, and the price of housing makes it very difficult for new workers to move here. She said Vermont must try to figure out how to keep restaurants open. 

The Pomfret conversation with the community — which followed a tour of the recently renovated Teago store — covered a range of topics, from business, to telecommunications and climate change. The Delta variant of COVID-19 also came up: McIlroy, a mother of two, said she’s worried about the impact of school staff who choose not to get vaccinated.  

In the foreground are Windsor County Sens. Dick McCormack and Alice Nitka, at the table with Jim Hurd and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, during a discussion about climate change at Teago General Store last Thursday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Gray sympathized with the concern, but emphasized the progress Vermont has made — it still has the leading COVID-19 vaccination rate in the country. Also, she thought the best way to approach the issue is to get more people vaccinated. The state has brought vaccination clinics to many community and business settings, and is adding some school-based clinics this fall. 

“The key is making (the vaccine) as accessible as possible,” Gray said. 

In an interview that afternoon, Gray said certain essential needs were greatly exposed during the past 18 months, and Vermonters have been voicing them. 

“I think the biggest thing the pandemic has exposed, that we're seeing in every corner of the state, is that we do have massive housing insecurity, to the point where we may have a housing crisis that deserves a particular designation and recognition as a crisis," Gray said. 

Issues strongly intertwined with the economy came up often last Thursday. 

“What we heard about from the community today is what we’ve been hearing about all along: housing costs, finding employees and (broadband) connectivity,” McCormack said at Teago.

Gray also said the shrinking workforce in mental health, substance abuse treatment and related services is a major problem. 

"The impact of that is that more and more people aren't getting services," Gray said. "So, if we're going to make really strategic investments now, it means listening to Vermonters, listening to the need, and then investing in infrastructure." 

She said that includes housing, mental health support services, broadband, and other key elements that have been long-term needs before the pandemic. 

Gray also said the existing partnerships involving CCV and other state colleges could help with the staffing shortage seen across multiple industries. 

“I do think we need to make sure that anyone who’s graduating from a Vermont college knows that they are fully set up to get into a job right here in the state,” she said.

— Gareth Henderson

Lt. Gov. Molly Gray visits with Piper McIlroy at Teago General Store. Piper was there with her mom, Seton McIlroy, and brother Seamus, shown in back at right. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Teago General Store Manager Christine Cole (far left) chats with Lt. Gov. Molly Gray at the store on Thursday, Aug. 5, with Marie Cross looking on. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The road of kindness

The cornfield by the Cooperstown KOA Journey in New York. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A pleasant, cool breeze, sprawling corn fields, the clip-clop of a horse-and-buggy rolling along in the distance — all these things were part of the scenic environment that waited for us on Saturday morning.

It's day 2 of our family road trip, which started in Maine, came through Massachusetts yesterday, and stayed the night in upstate New York. We spent the night in our tents at the Cooperstown KOA Journey in Richfield Springs. Waking up this morning, you can imagine, I went straight for the camera to capture the fields which buffered the lower end of the campground. The higher side of the property abuts an oat farm. It came as no surprise to find that this KOA used to be part of a 280-acre farm formed back in the 1800s — it became a campground in 1974.

This morning, several other people were out on the lawn with their cameras, too. You can't let the moment pass you by on a partly-sunny day, when the light could disappear in seconds.

What a stark contrast between the clogged-up traffic that led us to Interstate 90, and the majestic treasure nature greeted us with this morning. Life is indeed a show of contrasts, however one constant theme throughout our trip so far, is the fact that people are kind and they want to help. Humanity is grounded in expressions of love and grace. Arriving at the KOA late at night, we took a couple wrong turns on the way to our tent site (though the map we had was a good one). It didn't take long before several folks saw our plight, left their campfire and came over to patiently re-direct us. It was a pleasant, fun interaction, among people who were just loving the chance to enjoy the outdoors for a while.

And that's a theme these days. The year 2019 was a record-breaker for campgrounds, and this summer has even surpassed that industry-wide by 30 to 60% depending on location, according to Kate Kemker, co-owner of the Cooperstown KOA Journey.

"Everyone who can get out, is getting out," she said. "It's a great time to own a campground."

It's a great time to enjoy the wonders of nature, as well. We will enjoy seeing the upcoming vistas, the learning, and other new friends we’ll get to experience on the road.

— Gareth Henderson

Venue grants awarded to Pentangle, VINS

A view of the mountains surrounding Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson)

As reopening efforts continue, more financial help is on its way for the many local venues that closed their doors during the pandemic. That’s thanks to the latest round of federal shuttered venue grants. 

Among the 59 Vermont recipients are Pentangle Arts Council in Woodstock, which will get a $96,969 grant, and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee, which was awarded a grant of $248,419. Overall, $18.7 million in grant assistance will go to eligible live music venues, movie theaters, and performing arts organizations in the Green Mountain State.

Alita Wilson, executive director of Pentangle, said the local nonprofit plans to reopen its theater this Saturday for a three-night run of the movie “In the Heights” — the theater had closed in March 2020. Wilson said the federal grant will be a huge help in covering reopening expenses, including the higher wages needed to pay projection staff, after some former employees moved on. 

“We’re thrilled we got this money,” she said.

It also helps add a financial buffer, Wilson added, since it’s not clear how many people will show up or if restrictions may happen again in the future. So far, Vermont officials have kept things as they are — statewide restrictions were lifted in June, including all capacity limits.

As for VINS, the Quechee organization closed for three months in 2020, and went through the winter with all indoor spaces closed. It reopened to full capacity after the state lifted all restrictions last month. Like Pentangle, VINS has used other federal relief, including the paycheck protection loan program, to stay afloat through the many challenges of the past 18 months.

“The whole range of programs designed to help organizations make up for revenue loss have been tremendously helpful,” said Charlie Rattigan, VINS’ executive director. 

With the generosity of many friends and supporters, along with the federal money, Rattigan said VINS was able to avoid layoffs or program cuts. Now, they’re able to run the usual summer schedule of four programs, daily, including camps. 

“It’s fun every day to hear the shouts and laughter of children through the open windows,” Rattigan said. 

Other nearby venues receiving the shuttered venues operators grants (SVOG) include JAG Productions Company, of White River Junction; Northern Stage, of White River Junction; Chandler Center for the Arts, of Randolph; Friends of the Historic Playhouse Theater, of Randolph; and the Paramount Theatre, of Rutland. Click here to access the full list of grantees and amounts.

The support of the Vermont Congressional Delegation was vital to the legislation containing the grants. The money was part of the Save Our Stages Act, which was introduced last year by U.S. Rep. Peter Welch. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy played a key role in getting this legislation signed into law and funds appropriated for the grants. In a joint statement, Welch, Leahy and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders noted the importance of these venues to local communities.

“What began as the ‘Save Our Stages’ movement over a year ago, has now materialized into meaningful relief for the venues we know and love,” the delegation said. “Our independent live music and entertainment venues not only bring joy and energy to our downtowns and communities, they are economic engines that help make Vermont such a special place to live and visit.”

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. announces new public health advisory for schools

The U.S. and Vermont flags fly in the breeze outside the town office in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

With families in full preparation mode for the new school year, public health officials in multiple states have issued new recommendations for local districts in this latest phase of the pandemic. This comes after the CDC issued updated recommendations in response to the impact of the delta variant of COVID-19, especially on case growth in parts of the south and west.

Vermont officials have said the state has still been able to limit case increases and keep hospitalizations low, owing to its nation-leading vaccination rate — which is at 84.1% for its vaccine-eligible population. Speaking at a Tuesday press conference, Education Secretary Dan French said that was a major factor in Vermont’s new recommendations. 

“I’m pleased to say today, we will be able to start the school year as predicted, with full in-person instruction and nominal mitigation recommendations,” French said. He added, “As we did last year, we will need to leverage local and state partnerships to keep our communities and our schools safe from COVID-19.”

The state’s new advisory for schools includes the following: 

• For the first few weeks of school, it is recommended that districts require all students and staff to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status. 

• After the first few weeks of school, it is recommended that schools require masks only until 80% of students have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (The state will advise schools on how to determine their vaccination rates). 

• Once at least 80% of students in a school have received their first dose, it is recommended the school require masks only for unvaccinated students and staff.

• Masks may be removed for instructional or operational considerations, but masks are required for all passengers on school buses, per CDC regulations.

• Stay home when you’re sick.

Other mitigation strategies include voluntary COVID-19 testing and a contact tracing program, French said. The complete advisory for schools will be published online this week, with most schools opening later this month. 

To assist with the vaccination targets in the new guidance, the state will offer school-based vaccine clinics throughout Vermont. Though the focus will be on 12-18-year-olds, those clinics will be open to the public, officials said Tuesday. More details are expected next week.

— Gareth Henderson

Krishna Guthrie: Honoring legendary roots, and forging his own path

Krishna Guthrie, descendent of American music pioneers Woody and Arlo Guthrie, has forged his own career path in Vermont but also stays close to his roots. (Chris Lillie Photo)

Not surprisingly, Krishna Guthrie’s childhood was steeped in music. He remembers being backstage as a young child, hanging out while his family toured. His famous grandpa, Arlo, would leave the stage briefly after concerts, and come back to be with the fans. 

“The show would finish and he’d walk off-stage and maybe get a beer or something, but then he’d just come back on stage and sit there, and wait and talk with everybody who wanted to have a conversation or get something signed. And me, as a little kid, I loved that, I decided I would do that, too, even though nobody knew who I was. I was like, ‘Does anyone want an autograph from me?’”

Years later, he would join those tours, too, at age 15. Of course Arlo was there, and also Krishna’s dad, Abe — who has been joining Arlo on-stage since his teenage years. 

Fast-forward from there, and today, Krishna, 29, has a growing musical career of his own, but his deep roots running back to the earlier days of folk music are never far behind. Rock, blues and other influences drive the music of his group, the Krishna Guthrie Band, and the Woody Guthrie classic “This Land Is Your Land” shows up, too. Krishna just puts it to a reggae beat, a style that better fits the high-energy rock his band thrives on, and still gets the tune’s hopeful message across. Always a fitting way to wrap up an evening of music. 

“I’ve tried to bring a lot of those songs with me,” Krishna said. “I’m very proud of where I come from.”  

That said, it took a bit of time for young Krishna to get familiar with those substantial family roots. During those long tours, at about age 19, he got curious about what his grandfather was up to when he was his age. Luckily, his grandmother was prolific in taking video footage of the early days of Arlo’s career, which Krishna viewed. There was that awe-struck moment of discovering his family's legendary place in music history. But it also became a calling to carve out his own career from the ground up, rather than follow the footsteps of his world-famous relatives.

"I don't think it's a bad path to follow, by any means, but I don't want to look back one day and say, 'Oh, I play all these theaters just because I'm this guy's grandson, or this guy's great-grandson, or whatever the case may be," Krishna said. 

He has indeed walked a journey all his own. Originally from the small town of Washington, Mass., he played gigs on the side in Massachusetts, while also working at a store. He later accepted an invitation from a friend to play music in Killington, Vermont — that led to Krishna’s decision in 2014 to move to the Green Mountain State, where he’s made a living performing live in southern Vermont and beyond. He would eventually form the Krishna Guthrie Band, teaming up with Bobby Maguire (fiddle), Nicky Fitz (drums), Josh LaFave (bass, vocals) and Josh Cote (guitar, vocals).  

Krishna’s virtuosic guitar skills, wide-ranging solos and bluesy vocals richly express his deep passion for music. Most of his own songs line up with some kind of personal experience, such as “Milfoil Blues”, sparked by his old job uprooting Eurasian milfoil in Addison County’s Lake Dunmore for two summers. Those brutal, eight-hour shifts in scuba gear couldn't be left to the past. 

"It needed a song," as he simply put it. He would spend daytime on the lake, and then perform at night until 2 a.m., followed by a few hours’ rest. It was challenging, but there are worse things, he said. “As far as a day job goes, being on a lake every day isn’t the worst thing in the world.” 

But there are other topics in Krishna’s music, too. 

“I love the idea of alternate realities and questioning what we’re living in,” Krishna said, noting 20-30% of his songs are along that line. For example, “Blue Pill” is based on a central idea from the movie “The Matrix,” where choosing to take a red or blue pill lands an individual either in reality, or a fake simulation blissfully ignorant of the real world.

When performing, Krishna also pays homage to the wider world of rock and blues. At his shows, listeners will find a mix of originals and covers, but they aren’t the covers you might expect — and he brings an original twist to those you would. Case in point: Pink Floyd.

“I do play ‘Breathe’ and ‘Another Brick in the Wall’, but I do it way different than other people do,” he said. 

Now that the region has entered the pandemic recovery phase, more venues — and therefore more gigs — have opened up, and Krishna’s weekends are booked out through July and August. 

“It’s really nice to be able to get out and play again in an almost ‘normal’ world,” he said. “People are very appreciative to have live music back.”

And there’s a festival on the horizon — Krishna and his band will perform at the Mountain Music and Arts Festival in Warren, New Hampshire, on Aug. 14. That performance will come exactly a month after Woody’s birthday, when Krishna took to Facebook, as he often does, to share a tribute to his great-grandfather and his music. The song Krishna played July 14, a Billy Bragg & Wilco tune, "At My Window Sad and Lonely", was written with Woody’s words — out of a treasure-trove of his lyrics discovered some years back. 

Billy Bragg & Wilco crafted many other tunes from Woody’s lyrics, contained in the epic three-volume “Mermaid Avenue”. These songs will keep making appearances at Krishna’s shows, along with his own music and some Guthrie favorites, like “This Land Is Your Land” with its new, lively reggae beat.  

“It’s a nice, light, fun feeling, and just the style conveys the type of message I like to leave: ‘We’re all in this together,’” he said. “It’s kind of an uplifting thing.”

— Gareth Henderson

Peaceful waters: Building a fabric of joy

Long Lake in Maine on July 10, with Hawk Mountain in the distance, near center. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

You might call 2021 the year of travel. People are hitting the road everywhere, after emerging from the decidedly travel-less world of 2020 into their usual summer routines. 

For us, this includes driving my daughter to camp in Maine, which has been part of the summer travel schedule for the past eight years. Seeing the smile on her face, and on the faces of her friends, after seeing each other again in person for the first time in nearly two years, was a special moment. It was sheer joy and gratitude, surrounded by the wonders of nature in the Maine landscape, and the prospect of a lively, fulfilling summer. That moment was easily the pinnacle of the trip.

Leading up to that moment, however, were other joyful experiences. The first one: sharing a delicious Maine lobster dinner with friends — a treat I just have to mention. Another experience, while not directly related to culinary delights, is also related to nature. And that's the beautiful boat ride we had on Long Lake, a lovely 11-mile lake between the towns of Naples, Bridgton and Harrison. It's enjoyed by many summer camps, and the famous Charlotte's Web author E.B. White once had a vacation home on the lake. 

A loon pokes its head above the surface of Long Lake. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

That Saturday was the kind of day that brings numerous people to lakes in Maine. There's nothing like being surrounded by the expanse of water, with bright sun and wind on your face. At a couple stops, we'd see the occasional loon popping up, then plunging back down again to feed. White clouds dotted the clear blue sky, which soared above the green trees around the lake's deep-blue surface. It was an awe-inspiring contrast in color, which also blended together seamlessly. 

While we were swimming, tubing, and boating around that wonderful place, we were also, of course, in the home of the loon. And they did a pretty good job staying out of sight of my camera — except for one little fellow (picture above), who almost escaped the lens again as we scanned the surface for that one, perfect moment.

It was a series of great moments out on the lake, enjoying the ride and the company of friends and family — as were others on that summer day. Being on the water, time seems to expand and hang in the air, as your eyes move from scene to scene of graceful nature and the interplay of its elements. While boats toss the waves about, and the surface moves and changes, you realize a certain peace, revealing the lake's majesty as all-embracing, welcoming and a true treasure. That’s really part of an unfolding experience, of people being able to travel more and experience various, inspirational surroundings with others. Like the very waters of the lake, those experiences will blend together to create a fabric of joy and togetherness that blesses everyone around it. How fulfilling it will be, to keep adding to that fabric.

— Gareth Henderson

Spectacular clouds and reflections at Long Lake in Maine on July 10. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The omnipresence of music

A field along Route 106 in Weathersfield, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Music is like the abundant goodness in the world: It’s all around and inspires us when we least expect it.

That musical magic came to my virtual doorstep on Thursday afternoon, in the form of a Jakob Dylan song I hadn’t heard before. I’ve been a fan since his famous days as the frontman for The Wallflowers in the 1990s, when a slew of their songs like “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache” topped the charts. Great songwriting was already in the family, thanks to his dad Bob Dylan, but Jakob also followed his own path — ending up with some real gems during his post-band solo career. 

One of them was “Something Good This Way Comes”, which Jakob wrote in 2008. Perhaps like many who were in high school in Jakob Dylan’s chart-topping days, I lost track of him after the 90s. So, it was a treat to discover this song, with its mellow, laid-back melody and positive message. I was grateful to hear it, as we near the end of a very newsy week which has brought its share of political rumblings and related fears. A simple tune can bring us back to center, and shine a welcome light on the good in this world, giving us hope to face what lies ahead. 

That light, however, is part of a much bigger picture; it’s greater than just a fleeting feeling. When we receive that gentle, calming inspiration from a great piece of art, whatever its form, it’s really part of an ecosystem of reminders telling us about the best parts of life. Like continuous radio signals bringing songs to us, they are everywhere, and always at work. Even when the radio is off, those same ideas are all around us as we look inward and embrace that ever-present goodness and love. They drive progress, and, as we remain open to such moments, they touch the heart with that light of good, and its sweet permanence. As the younger Dylan’s song says, “This kind of day has no night.”

— Gareth Henderson

Gov. Scott meets with Biden; Democrats unveil $3.5T bill

A view from Cabot Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott visited the White House on Wednesday to talk infrastructure with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and also state and local leaders.

Scott was among a small bipartisan group of governors and mayors visiting Washington, D.C., who also met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Boston's former mayor. The main topic of the day was the Biden administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which proposes $1.2 trillion in infrastructure investments. 

In a statement released Wednesday, Scott noted the nation's great infrastructure needs and the importance of uniting around opportunities to address them. 

“As I have long said, smart infrastructure investments are needed to repair America’s roads and bridges, invest in rural broadband and clean energy systems, create good jobs, and secure our economic future,” Scott said. 

The president's proposed framework includes funding for "clean transportation infrastructure, clean water infrastructure, universal broadband infrastructure, clean power infrastructure, remediation of legacy pollution, and resilience to the changing climate," according to the White House. 

The meeting with governors came after Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a $3.5 trillion investment plan that would be in addition to the existing $1.2 trillion infrastructure proposal, Reuters reported. The Senate Democrats' proposal focuses on what Biden has called "human infrastructure", including health care and home care workers. The $3.5 trillion plan would include a substantial expansion of the Medicare program, and further details were expected to be released this week. 

So far, the Senate's 50 Republicans are not expected to back the plan, Reuters said, meaning Democrats may use the budget reconciliation process to pass the bill by a simple majority vote.

— Gareth Henderson

Free Vt. courses offered to fortify careers, grow economy

Route 12 near the Woodstock-Barnard line. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A new scholarship program is offering free career training to Vermont workers as the state looks to strengthen its pandemic recovery efforts.

Announced Tuesday, the Upskill Vermont Scholarship Program is a partnership between the University of Vermont and Community College of Vermont. UVM and CCV are giving Vermont residents the opportunity to take up to two courses for free over the next year, with the particular hope of helping those needing new skills or career paths in the aftermath of COVID-19. 

The program will be available while funds last, and it is backed by about $4 million in federal relief funds allocated this year by the state Legislature. The goal is to enroll at least 500 Vermont residents through the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters, according to state officials. The program also includes career counseling workshops that connect Vermonters with potential employers in the state.

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott said Upskill Vermont is a key part of Vermont’s focus on workforce development.

“As we recover from the pandemic, it’s so important that we take advantage of all the funding opportunities that we’ve been handed, to make transformative investments that will help us rebuild stronger than before,” Scott said at a press conference. 

The focus of the program’s courses are in three areas: the digital economy, healthcare, and leadership and management. Dr. Patricia Prelock, provost and senior vice president of UVM, is also a pediatric health care provider and researcher.

“I know first-hand just how critical it is to get more Vermonters working in these three important, high-demand areas and growing fields that the governor shared,” she said at Tuesday’s briefing.

Joyce Judy, president of CCV, said this is the perfect opportunity for any Vermonter needing to upgrade their job skills or re-direct their career. 

“This is a time that makes higher education truly affordable in Vermont,” she said. 

Judy added that Upskill Vermont was built in collaboration with local businesses, to make sure the educational training matches what’s most needed in today's marketplace. The classes include cybersecurity, bookkeeping, graphic design, and integrative health, among other major topics.

This effort also builds on the more than two-dozen collaborations between UVM and CCV over the years, Prelock noted.

“Together, our course offerings can meet the needs of more people than either institution could achieve on its own,” she said. 

While students can use the credits they earn towards a degree, this scholarship is intended to give them practical skills that can be implemented immediately within their chosen field. A number of certificate classes that can be achieved in one or two courses are offered as part of this scholarship. 

Space is limited, so interested Vermonters are encouraged to sign up soon. For more information and to begin the registration process, visit UpSkillVermont.org.

— Gareth Henderson

Composting with bears in mind

Composting without attracting wildlife takes careful planning. After an increase in bear incidents at homes, Vermont wildlife officials are sharing tips to address the issue. (VF&W Photo by John Hall)

Plenty of bears are looking for food near local residences, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department keeps hearing from concerned homeowners. With the state’s food scrap ban in effect, officials are providing tips for people who are composting at home so they can avoid attracting hungry bears. 

“We have been receiving lots of reports of bears on decks, tearing down bird feeders, wrecking beehives, killing chickens, and getting into trash, compost and garbage containers,” said bear biologist Forrest Hammond in a statement. “We are offering some guidance on how to compost at home without attracting bears.”

Hammond recommends deterring bears by taking bird feeders down until there is a foot or more of snow in December.

“Then, make sure anything else that might smell like food is picked up,” he said. “And keep your trash container secured inside a sturdy building and don’t put it outside until the morning of pickup.  Beehives, chicken coops and compost bins can be protected with electric fencing.”

If you know bears are active in your neighborhood, the best way to avoid attracting them is to take food scraps to an available drop-off station, according to the state. You can locate them by contacting your local solid waste management district or town at www.802recycles.com, or ask your trash hauler if they pick up food scraps for composting. 

Composting at home while minimizing the chances of attracting bears can best be done with these tips:

• Use three parts of brown material for one part of green material. Browns can be dried leaf and yard debris, wood chips, which often can be delivered to your house free by a local tree service company, or shredded paper. Greens include kitchen scraps, vegetables and small amounts of fruits. Adding lots of brown material minimizes smells and speeds up composting.

• No meat, bones or seafood leftovers. They do not break down quickly and are strong wildlife attractants. (The food scrap ban allows people who compost at home to dispose of meat, bones and seafood in the trash, so they can be kept in a freezer until trash day, officials added.)  

• Give your compost oxygen by frequently mixing it or turning it over if it is in a container. This reduces odors and speeds up composting.

• Does your compost smell? If so, turning it, adding more brown material and adding a layer of wood shavings or sawdust to the top should solve the issue.

• Enclose your composter with electric fencing or compost in a hard, durable container with a lid that will be challenging for a bear to open. Some types of tumblers are bear-proof.

• Electric fencing, with food scent added to the wires will discourage even persistent bears.

• If you are currently having a bear issue, delay starting your new compost pile until the bear issue resolves. Until then, keep food scraps in the freezer or bring them to a collection site.

To learn more about properly composting food waste, go to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website at www.VTrecycles.com.

The public is encouraged to contact their local warden if they are having a bear issue. You may also submit a black bear incident report. Contacting your warden or submitting a black bear incident report helps wildlife officials keep track of bear issues around the state and may help shape future regulations regarding black bears.

For more details, visit the black bear section of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website.

— Gareth Henderson

Protecting pollinators: State explains how we can help

A honey bee on an apple blossom. (VF&W Photo by John Hall)

One of today’s biggest wildlife issues is one that impacts all of us: the decline in pollinator species. These animals, such as bees, are critical to the agricultural sector and overall food supply. 

Though it’s a large-scale issue, there’s action we can take to help, according to Vermont wildlife officials. They recently shared a few suggestions that would benefit essential pollinator species, and they also laid out the factors involved.

“The majority of our flowering plants need pollinators in order to produce seeds,” said state zoologist Mark Ferguson in a statement. “Vermont is home to hundreds of species of pollinators from bees to butterflies to beetles and other bugs that play a vital role in pollinating our flowers, trees and food crops.” 

These insects are responsible for pollinating 60 to 80% of Vermont’s wild plants, Major said, and are critical to the survival of gardens, berry farms, and apple orchards.

But many pollinator species in Vermont are in trouble. Habitat loss, invasive species, single-crop farming, disease, and pesticides are a few of the threats affecting populations of these insects across the state. Vermont’s native bees, including over 300 unique species and three that are threatened or endangered, are among our pollinators being impacted the most. 

A recent examination of the state’s 17 different bumble bees concluded that several species have drastically declined or disappeared from Vermont, including the Rusty-patched Bumble Bee. 

Officials said Vermonters can help conserve native bees and other pollinators with a few simple household considerations:

• Provide a variety of vibrant flowers and native plants to attract pollinators to your yard and garden.

• Learn to live with wildflowers and weeds growing in your yard and fields.  Pollinators prefer a variety in their habitat, even if it looks untidy to humans.

• Keep an eye out for bare patches of lawn where ground-nesting bees may make their home.

• Use pesticide alternatives such as pollinator-friendly barriers to keep unwanted pests off your plants.

• Avoid using insecticides (especially those that contain neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, or clothianidin).

• Reduce the amount of property that is mowed, mow less often, and consider leaving fields un-mowed until October when most pollinators have finished their pollinating activities.

• Meadows that are narrow in shape or less than 10 acres in size are not suitable to provide habitat for grassland birds, but they can be extremely valuable pollinator habitat.  Consider leaving these small fields, and also large fields managed as grassland bird nesting habitat which are not needed for hay harvest in August or September, un-mowed until October when most pollinators have finished their pollinating activities.

To better understand not only the number and diversity of our native bee species, but also their distribution and population trends, the department and partners are conducting a three-year study of Vermont bees.  Vermont Fish and Wildlife is working closely with the Vermont Center for Ecological Studies (VCE) and is inviting any members of the public interested in contributing to this data collection to send their bee observations to iNaturalist.

Wildlife officials said people can also help these animals by contributing to Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s habitat conservation projects though the Vermont Habitat Stamp program.

To learn more about Vermont’s pollinators and additional ways to help, visit Vermont Fish and Wildlife online or contact Mark.Ferguson@vermont.gov.

— Gareth Henderson

Passion for jam leads to sweet success

Joe Hanglin and Vicky Allard, the owners of Blake Hill Preserves, in the retail space at their facility in Windsor, Vermont. (Photo by Blake Hill Preserves)

Making jam has always been a part of Vicky Allard’s life. Now, that passion is fueling a vibrant, growing business, Blake Hill Preserves, where she is co-owner and head chef.

Not only is Allard doing what she loves, but her company is winning gold medals. Blake Hill just struck it big at the World Artisan Marmalade Awards, taking home two golds, two silvers and a bronze. The company also ships to wholesale accounts nationwide, and just keeps growing — it now employs 34 people and is looking to hire more. 

If there’s one central theme to all that success, it’s staying consistent. There’s a laser-focus on using top-quality ingredients and how you work with them, Allard explained. 

“It’s being fastidious with respect to when you add the ingredients, how you add the ingredients, how you combine them together,” she said. 

An important note: Different fruits react to the process in different ways. Some jams, for example, may need to be cooked a little slower to maximize the flavor; others might be cooked faster to retain their bright color. 

“If you’ve got some beautiful peaches or some gorgeous strawberries, you want that jam to be cooked at a reasonable pace, so you retain even the beauty of the color of it,” Allard said. 

Unlabeled jars of Seville Orange Marmalade cooling. (Photo by Blake Hill Preserves)

The company offers 60 different varieties of jams, with sweet, savory and spicy flavors. Their process is highly creative, open to new ideas, and their products are always evolving. One of their latest was the result of experimenting with lemon, jasmine tea and honey — and they put it into a marmalade, Meyer Lemon with Jasmine & Honey. It won silver at the recent worldwide competition. 

“We’re continuously creating,” Allard said. 

The Blake Hill team also has something not every company in this sector has: a line of sugar-free jams. It was requested by Central Market in Texas three years ago, and quickly took off. 

“It’s done phenomenally well,” Allard said. “Beyond our wildest expectations.”

From home to the park

The company’s location is at Artisans Park, where Blake Hill Preserves and seven other businesses have their headquarters. The park is just off Route 5 in Windsor, and a stone’s throw from Interstate 91, making it an easy spot for travelers to find. 

Before Blake Hill Preserves arrived at 60 Artisans Way, however, the business began with tons of jam-making at home. Allard and her husband, Joe Hanglin, bought the Blake Hill Farm property in Grafton in 2004, and moved there the following year part-time. It didn’t take long for Allard to discover there were a number of blackberry bushes on the property — which took her straight back to the fruit-foraging days of her childhood in England, when she and her family would pick the fruit and make jam out of it. She quickly revived that routine in Grafton.

The garden beds at Blake Hill Farm in Grafton, Vermont. (Photo by Blake Hill Preserves)

“We made about 70 jars of blackberry and apple jam, just because I got carried away,” she said. 

This was even before the business came about, and Allard also made labels for her jams, which she kept organized in the pantry. In the fall, a friend came and stayed over, and when he went down to the Grafton Village Store to grab a newspaper, he took a jar of jam down with him, and asked if they’d like to try it. 

“He came back with his newspaper and an order, which was a complete surprise,” she recalled. “That was the start of the business, and totally unexpected.” 

After other local businesses expressed interest in the jam, the couple started their business as a home-based operation. They still went back to their jobs in New York City during the week, and spent the weekends up in Vermont selling jam. Allard worked for a New York financial firm in operational risk management. With the popularity of their business only going up, they decided to leave New York behind and move to Vermont full-time in 2012 to focus on their burgeoning company.

“We never imagined how much it would grow, and it happened so much faster than we’d ever envisaged,” she said.

They switched from the farm’s name to Blake Hill Preserves in 2011, to better reflect their chosen specialty of preserve making. They built their first commercial kitchen in 2012, and moved into their new facility at Artisans Park three years later. Allard raves about the park, calling it a perfect place for businesses to showcase what they do. 

“It’s got that perfect blend between having the artisan manufacturers here making their products, and having the opportunity to showcase them to the customers,” Allard said. 

The exterior of the retail shop at Blake Hill Preserves. (Photo by Blake Hill Preserves)

Just as important was a great place for the team. 

“This is just the nicest place for people to come to work,” she said during an interview outdoors, overlooking the quiet yards nearby. “You’re on grass, you can hang out, and you’ve got beautiful views from the facility.” 

After moving to Artisans Park, the organic growth of the business continued. Now, Blake Hill Preserves is renting additional warehouse space from Vermont Farmstead Cheese, to supplement the warehouse in the Blake Hill facility at 60 Artisans Way. That’s just the latest proof of local collaboration they’ve experienced consistently over the years.  

“Vermont’s an amazing place to work, because people are always happy to help you figure out the challenges,” she said. 

As for the future, Blake Hill Preserves is doing even more business with local farms than last year. Along with that, the business is looking to become a Certified B Corporation. All B Corp companies balance purpose and profit, and must consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment, according to the B Corp website. 

“It’d be a nice thing to be able to do, given that it resonates with what’s important to us,” Allard said of the certification. 

Blake Hill will also be continuing its online “Cooking with Jam” series, which has become a popular resource for customers looking to get creative in the kitchen.

But Allard and her 34 employees know, not all the good ideas come from in-house. Recently, a customer who had just moved to Vermont from Texas, came in asking if they'd be able to make a favorite snack of his which he couldn’t find here: candied jalapenos. The kitchen dove right into the new project. 

"We thought it might be a one-time batch and we'll see how it goes, but they've become really popular," Allard said, noting they're popular with wholesale customers, on the website, and also in-person. "They're one of those items where people come along and they will literally snap up five or six jars." 

— Gareth Henderson

Find more information at blakehillpreserves.com, call 802-674-4529, or email info@blakehillpreserves.com. The business is located at 60 Artisans Way in Windsor, Vermont.

Kettles at the Blake Hill Preserves facility in Windsor, Vermont. (Photo by Blake Hill Preserves)

Surprises from the sky

A view of the Monday sunset from Prosper Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

This week, Mother Nature turned it up a notch or two. I’m not talking about the temperatures, or the humidity, but the brilliant sunsets these humid days occasionally brought our way. The epic sweep of colors across the sky, illuminating clouds of all sizes, provided peaceful moments of awe and wonder as the sun gradually rolled back over the mountains and heralded the coming night.

Such an inspiring spectacle brought light to the end of a long day on Monday. Quite literally, the sun, filtered through hazy clouds, basked all our surroundings in an unforgettable pink glow. Nothing was untouched. The siding of our home, the trees, and seemingly the very air itself, carried the same pink-gold that danced on the edges of the clouds above. 

A cloud glows pink and gold at Monday’s sunset in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

There were more colors painting the sky, but my wife and I had to drive to capture those. We went to King Farm in Woodstock to photograph the yellow-orange display that was quickly receding every minute, as it illuminated the grass in the fields. A quick drive up Prosper Road revealed one more view of the brilliant but dimming colors, before darkness started to take over.

King Farm at sunset on Monday night in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

At that point, it might have felt like our photo adventure was done. But it wasn’t. I wondered if the haziness had created some more visual magic down in the valley near the Pomfret-Woodstock line. We weren’t disappointed: From where Route 12 meets Pomfret Road, enough light remained in the sky to highlight blue-gray clouds in the distance, making the lower part of the sky look like one, giant rolling cloud that was moving toward us. Dusk, a time of day not famous for great outdoor photos, had created a tapestry of color and effect that would be hard to match.

Rolling, hazy clouds at dusk on Monday along Route 12 in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The unexpected is what makes nature special; unpredictability is its greatest gift to the artist. On a week when the weather perhaps wasn’t our favorite thing, nature nonetheless has provided visual majesty that appealed to our sense of wonder, and perhaps, made us momentarily forget our cares. As the sun shines through, our thoughts are uplifted and we take that light with us. Indeed, there is light even in the darkest of days. Though we’ve got some rain in the Vermont forecast for the upcoming holiday weekend, maybe nature will surprise us again with a few more treasures for the camera lens. It’s not impossible. Inspiration is always evolving, and more is waiting on the road ahead.

— Gareth Henderson

Community honors Chuck Worrell, longtime coach and mentor

Chuck Worrell, longtime Woodstock coach, mentor and educator, passed away on June 21. Hundreds of community members gathered on Saturday to pay tribute to him. (Photo Provided)

Instilling a good work ethic and being selfless were themes throughout the life of Charles “Chuck” William Worrell Jr. 

Whether he was coaching football, teaching driver’s education, or supporting the arts, Chuck Worrell touched many lives in the Woodstock area and beyond, with his big heart and unforgettable wit and humor. That impact was greatly represented on Saturday, when hundreds of friends, family and community members gathered to pay tribute to Coach Worrell, who passed away on June 21 at age 76. 

Saturday’s crowd gathered at James T. McLaughlin Athletic Field, where head coach McLaughlin and Worrell spent many years coaching Woodstock Union High School football teams and winning multiple state championships. They coached together for nearly three decades, retiring from those roles together in 2013.

McLaughlin, “Coach Mac”, told the crowd Worrell would often help with things he knew McLaughlin would have trouble with, but without telling him so. Behind it all, was Worrell’s desire to help others do well. 

“All the good things that happened on this field — and there’ve been a lot of good things that happened on this field over the years — none of them would have happened without Chuck,” McLaughlin said. 

Worrell’s son, Ramsey, has been head coach of the WUHS Football Team for about 9 years, and has been on the coaching staff for 25 years. He loved seeing Coach Mac and his dad work together, whether it was through the headset during games, at scouting meetings, or talking strategy. 

“Those are the moments, more than anything, that I’ll take away,” Ramsey said in an interview. “They had a special bond, the two of them, a pretty special yin-to-yang kind of thing, and I had a front-row seat to it.” 

Ramsey said his dad was great at encouraging kids to participate in the football program who never thought they could, whether it was on the field, or not. 

“They had a role, and they became a part of a team and a family,” Ramsey said. “That’s kind of how we taught things: a brotherhood. He used to love to say, ‘Eleven brothers.’”

Coach Worrell in the press box during a Woodstock football game. (Photo Provided)

Chuck Worrell, born and raised in Texas, played football and baseball growing up, and went on to coach both sports. He and his wife, Harriet, had long careers as educators, including as English teachers, and each had a great love of music and the arts. When they moved to Vermont in 1986, Harriet became the director of the Yoh Theatre Players at WUHS. Chuck coached football with Coach Mac, and was a driver’s education teacher at Woodstock for 28 years. At the same time, he was one of the Yoh Theatre program’s most avid supporters, joining Harriet and the students on many theater trips.

Chuck and Harriet’s four children — Perrin, Deacon, Temple and Ramsey — all graduated from WUHS. Perrin, who took part in theater programs from sixth grade on, said she got driver’s ed instruction from her dad like many other kids, but not based out of the classroom. Oftentimes, she and several theater friends who needed driving hours would drive with Chuck to theater events out of town. 

“We would drive to the theater competitions, and that’s how we would get in some of our driving time,” Perrin said in an interview this week. 

She said many of the memories people have shared in recent days have been about her father’s ability to find humor in everything — including countless classic one-liners. That humor showed up at theater competitions as well, Perrin recalled.

“End of every festival, he would do parodies of the different shows at the very end, and they were hysterical, people loved them,” she said. 

In fact, in the Yoh Theatre program, a number of the football players got roles on the stage, or behind the scenes. At Saturday’s gathering, Jordan Larson, who used to coach football at WUHS with Ramsey, remembered his days on the team, where they were “challenged to be more, and to do more.”

“It is really the only place where you can be stabbed on a Wednesday night dress rehearsal of Hamlet, and be expected to go to battle on the gridiron by donning the green and white on a Saturday afternoon,” he recalled. 

Chuck Worrell’s focus on helping others was something he instilled in the athletes. Aside from the many hours spent on the field, he would arrange community service visits for the players to the Children’s Hospital (at Dartmouth).

“Coach was a visionary, and in my view an accepting adult, who championed numerous causes and provided opportunities for members of the student body to be part of a team, who might not otherwise have had that opportunity,” Larson said.

Chuck Worrell, enjoying his recumbent bicycle. (Photo Provided)

That approach to life continued into his later years, when Worrell became passionate about his recumbent bike, which he’d often ride along Route 4 from his home in Bridgewater. For five years, he took the bike back to Texas to ride in the MS 150, a two-day charity bike race from Houston to Austin. 

On Saturday, multiple speakers spoke of the biggest part of Worrell’s life: family. Foundational to that, were his 47 years of marriage to Harriet. 

“It is impossible to talk about Chuck without talking about Harriet,” said Michael Schroeder, Worrell’s best friend. “Chuck and Harriet, Harriet and Chuck — an incredible partnership.”

Gwen Groff, pastor of Bethany Mennonite Church in Bridgewater, delivered the eulogy on Saturday, noting Chuck’s great care for others, and how his family has cared for him and Harriet.

“When I look at the way this family loves, I know that Chuck lives on. He lives on in the people he parented, the people he coached, the people he taught, friends he loved,” she said. “May we carry him joyfully with us, in our hearts.”

— Gareth Henderson

Village looking to boost Sunday-Monday food options

Jeremy Sigl, manager of The Lazy Cow, hands an ice cream to customer Steve Panouchek at the Woodstock Village Green on Monday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After a recent decision by the Woodstock Village Trustees, permits are allowed for up to two food trucks to serve the public at the Village Green on Sunday and Monday, from now through October.

One such permit was approved for The Lazy Cow, a "mobile ice cream cafe", which began serving customers Sunday and Monday this week next to the eastern end of the Green.

This new permitting for the Green was prompted by staffing shortages in the restaurant sector, resulting in fewer eateries being open on Sunday and Monday. The Trustees are hoping this new effort can help fill in that gap during the summer and fall. However, Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn noted this wasn't a permanent decision.

"It is not perpetual, it's an experiment to see how things go this summer," Kahn said. "Maybe we'll renew this permitting, maybe we won't."

The Trustees are hoping a food truck serving lunch will apply for a permit, but none has been able to commit to the two days in Woodstock, because a number of them are having trouble finding help, Kahn added.

The specific hours for Sunday and Monday are up to the food trucks themselves. The Lazy Cow plans to be there from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays. (The schedule is different on Sunday, July 4, when they'll be at the Woodstock Fourth of July Celebration.)

The Lazy Cow is owned by Ashley Sigl, a 2015 graduate of Woodstock Union High School living in Hanover, NH, who said this past Sunday and Monday brought "perfect ice cream weather" and lots of customers.

"With the upcoming holiday weekend, and people wanting to go to the quintessential Vermont town, it all very much helps," she said. "We're happy to be back in the community again."

Her brother, Jeremy, manages the business on-site during the summer, and he's enjoying the two days in Woodstock early in the week.

"It's good to see some familiar faces," he said at the Green on Monday. Their full schedule is online, including hours in Reading and other locations in southern Vermont and New Hampshire.

— Gareth Henderson

Sculpturefest in full bloom for 2021

“Tipping Point” by Benjamin Metzger, on display at Sculpturefest 2021 in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

People of all ages, in one place, enjoying art and maybe learning something new from it. That’s the kind of atmosphere the annual Woodstock event Sculpturefest thrives on, and artists have worked hard to get ready for the Sunday opening. 

One of them is Benjamin Metzger, a Hartland-based artist, who is in graduate school at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. For Metzger, Sculpturefest 2021 is a chance to “challenge himself” by getting a large piece of work out in public. The sculpture is called “Tipping Point”, which includes a tree on the ground with a seated figure, all made of non-aggregate cement on a styrofoam substrate (the foam had been reclaimed from building foundations). The seated figure has a giant hand where the head would be, corresponding with hand-shaped “leaves” on several metal branches attached to the tree.

The hand-for-a-head design is his “nod to interconnectivity,” Metzger explained, noting that the connections between people, the environment, and society are inescapable. 

“A common thread runs through most things, whether people want to see it or not,” he said. 

“Emergence” by Nira Grannot Fox, at Sculpturefest 2021. See below for more photos. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

For over 30 years, Charlet and Peter Davenport have cultivated meaningful connections between artists, sculptures and the public, by opening their property for Sculpturefest. This annual event in Woodstock starts each summer, though people are welcome to come see the artwork in any season. This year, the opening reception is on Sunday, June 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. (See directions to the Prosper Road property here.)

On Saturday, as Metzger and other artists were arriving to complete their installations, Charlet Davenport noted how a number of families stopped by in 2020 to enjoy the sculptures. The property offered a quiet place where social distancing was easy. 

“COVID had so few options for art, and quite frankly, for kids,” she said. 

There is plenty of room for kids to play, and for people to have picnics — in the sun or shade. Davenport looks forward to welcoming everyone to the opening of Sculpturefest, where art brings people together as it always has. She said it’s special to feel the love and happiness at the event while sharing the experience with others.

“That whole feeling of just being connected, even if you don’t know someone’s name … that’s the kind of thing you just love,” Davenport said. “Just that experience.”

Along with Metzger, the other featured artists this year are Nira Grannot Fox — presenting a new sculpture, “Emergence” — and Paul Machalaba, who attended Woodstock Union High School years ago. Machalaba is showing several pieces with connected cube and triangular shapes, which he created when learning how to weld.

Several featured artists from 2020 have returned. James Payne’s prototype of his piece “Series Six” is a wooden sculpture in a spiral pattern, displayed in the main field. “Dandelion Seeds”, by Blaze Konefal, greets people at the new entrance for Sculpturefest by Prosper Road, with the dandelion-shaped sculptures leading up through part of the field.

For more information about this year’s exhibits, visit sculpturefest.org.

— Gareth Henderson

Blaze Konefal’s “Dandelion Seeds”, by the Prosper Road entrance to Sculpturefest. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A prototype of “Series Six”, by James Payne. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Bill Mehaffy (left) helps Benjamin Metzger position part of Metzger’s sculpture, “Tipping Point”, at the Sculpturefest property on Saturday. In back is Metzger’s father, Jim Metzger. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The steady move into summer, like a river

The Ottauquechee River, as seen from River Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In this year of progress, the seasons have come and gone at a rapid pace. But come and go they must — on Sunday, the first day of summer arrives. Life marches on, sustained by that profound, natural momentum we all can feel.

The transition from spring to summer is, indeed, the least pronounced of the seasonal changes. Though beautiful and always much-anticipated, the differences between fall, winter and spring are decidedly more stark.

But when it comes to human activity, like traveling and traffic, you see the change more clearly, especially with summer holidays coming up and people heading for outdoor adventures. While running some errands on Friday, I went down River Road by the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, and saw a number of people walking and biking. The most noticeable change, though, was seeing a couple of groups enjoy the rope swing into the river. That's an activity I shared with family on a regular basis, while growing up in the area. That one observation showed me that, those favorite pastimes with friends and family don't disappear, they come back — just like the blooming flowers and vegetation we've seen all around us in recent weeks and months. That's part of that momentum, like a steady river current urging us toward progress, as the warm season advances and the post-pandemic era approaches.

Indeed, all these changes track with natural progress, a collective opportunity that can't be taken away from us. Sometimes, it seems hidden for a while, like the sun behind a group of foreboding clouds. But progress, goodness, love, compassion — they still abide there, cultivated in their abundance, and quietly doing their work as we press onward. Over time, these qualities gently urge us to learn from each other and grow as a result, sometimes against great headwinds.

At those times of struggle, when the path is steeper, it's most important to claim our innate goodness and trust it to guide us forward, knowing others will recognize it and correspond to it. As seasons grow and change, and new challenges come about, sharing the good we have is the path toward continued progress. It shows us, and teaches us, that light is always there.

— Gareth Henderson

As local celebrations near, Juneteenth becomes national holiday

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

When Juneteenth celebrations begin on Saturday across the U.S., they’ll be taking place on a new national holiday that was just signed into law. 

President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on Thursday, after the bill sailed through Congress this week. The nation’s 12th federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., when General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and announced that slaves in Texas were free by order of the President of the United States. The announcement came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation — which had become official January 1, 1863.   

At Thursday’s signing ceremony, Vice President Kamala Harris and Biden acknowledged the Juneteenth bill was an important step forward for the country, but also a reminder of how much work remains on racial equity in the U.S.

“We have come far, and we have far to go, but today is a day of celebration,” said Harris, who is the first woman and first person of color to hold the office of vice president. “It is not only a day of pride, it is also a day for us to reaffirm and rededicate ourselves to action.” 

During his remarks, Biden said learning from the past is a key part of making a better future. He called Juneteenth “a day of profound weight and profound power.”

“Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and a promise of a brighter morning to come,” he said.  

For local Juneteenth celebrations, the declaration of a national holiday shines a brighter spotlight on this day, and related efforts to promote diversity and education about American history. In Hartford, Vermont, the town government and the Hartford Committee on Racial Equity and Inclusion (HCOREI) are hosting a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Lyman Point Park, at 171 Bridge St., in White River Junction. 

Hartford’s annual commemoration of African-American emancipation brings together Upper Valley communities for a casual gathering, an announcement said. It provides a space where people can honor this day and engage in “education and fellowship,” Allene Swienckowski, chairperson of HCOREI, said in the statement. 

“Juneteenth is such an important moment in history that should be acknowledged and celebrated,” she said. 

This will be Hartford’s second Juneteenth Celebration, but the first in person — last year’s inaugural event had to be held online due to the pandemic.

Joe Major, vice chair of the Hartford Select Board, said the celebration is meant to be an inclusive event, where anyone can come and learn more about this important day. He said several local residents have come up to him recently, wanting to learn more about the Juneteenth Celebration and what it means.

“It’s not just Black history; it’s American history,” Major said. “I want everyone to learn this, be a part of this, grow with this. It’s an inclusion celebration, not a segmented celebration. That’s the goal.” 

This year, speakers at the event include: Dia Draper, the assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business; Maggi Ibrahim, equity coordinator for the Hartford School District; U.S. Rep. Peter Welch; and State Rep. Kevin “Coach” Christie, who is also chair of the Hartford School Board. There will also be performances by Northern Stage and JAG Productions, and members of the Juneteenth 2021 planning committee will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

Major, who is Black, grew up celebrating Juneteenth in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, which has the oldest Juneteenth celebration in the country. He saw the new federal holiday as a chance for the nation to learn, and grow, together. 

“I’m excited, once again because we’re learning about history and what this is all about,” Major said.

— Gareth Henderson

Governor’s new order focuses on housing, food assistance

A view of the mountains around Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A day after Vermont lifted its pandemic restrictions, the state is looking to transition key housing and food programs into the future as well. 

Early last year, the state expanded its general housing assistance program and loosened requirements to provide emergency housing for low-income Vermonters during the pandemic, some of whom would otherwise be at risk of homelessness. This included an expanded motel voucher program. Today, the state is currently housing 2,295 people in 1,631 hotel and motel rooms across the state. As hospitality businesses reopen, capacity is dwindling for that program.

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order meant to sustain housing and food assistance for these families and individuals. Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said the order allows the state to draw on FEMA funding to support non-congregate housing, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) can continue to provide the maximum benefit under 3SquaresVT, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Vermont. 

As of June 1, the state has implemented new eligibility rules for the emergency housing program which are stricter than the pre-pandemic requirements. That has meant far less participation in the program over the past couple of weeks. The new rules apply to new applicants now, but these requirements will expand to everyone in the program as of July 1. After that date, the state expects that two-thirds of people currently getting assistance will meet the new criteria and be able to stay in their current housing for an additional 84 days.

“Households with children and people with disabilities may be able to have their emergency housing extended past 84 days, depending on their circumstances,” Smith said at a press conference. 

Households ineligible for continued housing as of July 1 may be eligible for an essential payment of $2,500 to help with expenses, Smith added. DCF has other programs which can help, and there is financial assistance of up to $8,000 (for eligible costs) for households transitioning into more permanent housing. 

“We are doing everything possible to assist Vermonters and allow a smooth transition into more permanent housing and support services that will meet their long-term needs,” Smith said. 

In fiscal-year 2021, the state expects to spend a total of $80 million on housing assistance, which will go down to $38 million in fiscal-year 2022. That’s still far above the pre-pandemic annual expenditure for housing aid of $5 million to $7 million.

Smith applauded the governor and the Legislature for working to include substantial funding in the new state budget for building more housing. 

“In the future, the best solution to homelessness is permanent housing,” Smith said. 

Smith wrapped up his remarks by recognizing the work done on Vermont’s vaccination program, which helped the state surpass 80% of eligible people vaccinated this week. He said it was impossible to thank everyone who has helped with this effort, but he noted that the level of dedication and sacrifice — many workers and volunteers spending countless hours away from their own families — remains a great inspiration and got Vermont to this point of progress.

“Our state may be small, but we are mighty, and I thank you all,” Smith said. 

— Gareth Henderson