Vermont one step closer to welcoming Afghan refugees

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

With a key federal decision this week, Vermont's plan to welcome Afghan refugees to the Green Mountains is moving forward. 

Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday announced the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) was approved by the U.S. Department of State to welcome up to 100 Afghans in Vermont in the weeks ahead. An exact timeline of arrivals is not yet established.

USCRI is a national nonprofit resettlement agency that assists people who have migrated to the U.S. to help them live safe and dignified lives, as Thursday's announcement said. USCRI’s Vermont Office, the Scott administration, the State Refugee Office at the Vermont Agency of Human Services and other refugee programs have been pursuing opportunities to welcome refugees over the last several weeks. The goal is to accommodate some of the many Afghans who are being targeted due to support of the U.S. military and U.S. government agencies, as well as media and non-governmental organizations, following the end of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, according to state officials.

“We have a moral obligation to help the people of Afghanistan, who did so much to help us in the War on Terror,” Scott said in a statement. “In addition to this being the right thing to do, we know that welcoming more refugees also strengthens communities, schools, our workforce, culture and economy.” 

For years, the governor has requested annual increases in refugee resettlement in Vermont as part of a strategy to increase economic growth and expand Vermont’s workforce. In Thursday's announcement, Tracy Dolan, the director of the State Refugee Office, noted the interest shown by businesses. 

“It is an honor to help those who have helped our service members overseas and it is a wonderful opportunity for Vermont’s communities and for our businesses who are very interested in expanding our workforce and filling our job vacancies,” Dolan said.

She added, “We are learning from our colleagues at military bases and arrival centers across the country that employment is one of the highest priorities mentioned by these newly arriving Afghans. They are eager to find jobs and rebuild their lives.” 

USCRI Vermont will work closely with the state, as well as with schools, employers, landlords, and health and social service programs, to meet the needs of arriving Afghans and of the community. Before they arrive in Vermont, Afghans will have completed medical and security screenings, and will be authorized to work, officials explained. USCRI is continuing to respond to Vermont volunteers and businesses interested in offering support.

“I want to thank Vermonters for the outpouring of support we are receiving — we are not always fast to respond immediately to your offers due to the preparations we are making but want you to know we are thankful as we work together to extend a warm welcome to our Afghan neighbors,” said Amila Merdzanovic, director of USCRI Vermont. 

The State Department also approved the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) to open a new field office in Brattleboro. ECDC is a resettlement agency that works with refugees from around the world and hired Joe Wiah, who will begin his new role as director of the Brattleboro Office on September 20. ECDC plans to submit a proposal to the State Department to welcome 25 Afghans to Brattleboro in the coming months. Jessica Chapman, community outreach manager for the ECDC, thanked the Brattleboro community and local, regional and national partners for supporting this effort.

“After many months of planning and discussions we look forward to starting the work of welcoming refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders to the southern part of Vermont,” Chapman said in a statement.  

Also in southern Vermont, Rutland has shown interest in welcoming Afghan refugees to its community. In a recent report in the Rutland Herald, Merdzanovic told local officials the resettlement effort would start in Chittenden County, Vermont's most populous county, and USCRI would reach out to supporters in other communities. 

The state plans to provide further information on the resettlement of Afghans in Vermont as more details become available.

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont seeking input on wildlife management

A Vermont buck observes its surroundings. (VF&W Photo by John Hall)

What do peregrine falcons, deer and bear have in common? They all share a natural habitat that’s at the center of a wildlife management effort in southern Vermont.

The state is developing a new long-range management plan for the Castleton Management Unit, which encompasses over 4,200 acres of land in the Birdseye and Blueberry Hill Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). This long-range plan serves as a guide for management of Agency of Natural Resources land, and typically lasts for 20 years. Currently, the state’s focus is hearing from Vermonters. 

“Soliciting input from the public is an important part of the management planning process, and it is a chance for us to hear from the public early in the process about how they use and what they value about these lands,” said Travis Hart, a state wildlife biologist involved with developing the plan, in a statement. 

Part of this early stage is an upcoming public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 29, to explain the proposal and gather input from Vermonters. The in-person meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton, and the public can also share comments online. 

The Birdseye and Blueberry Hill WMAs are iconic in Vermont, forming a uniquely rugged set of mountains and valleys in a part of Vermont popular with outdoor enthusiasts.  In total, these WMAs span 4,285 acres of important wildlife habitat, including the geologically remarkable Birdseye WMA cliffs where peregrine falcons nest each spring.  These WMAs are popular destinations for deer, bear and upland bird hunters during the fall hunting seasons and turkey hunters in the spring.  Given the large size of these WMAs, people can also enjoy backcountry experiences with wildlife. 

The online survey will be open until Dec. 3. The same information to be presented at the Sept. 29 meeting is on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website, www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

The public will get another chance to weigh in after the first draft of the long-range plan is complete, officials said. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is administering the long-range planning process through the Fish and Wildlife Department, and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

— Gareth Henderson

Greeted by harmony along the coast

A stunning scene from the ferry on the way to Peaks Island in Maine on Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The open air, the brilliant sun, the peace as the sea breeze moves across your face. All these things are part of the coastal experience during the summer, and we enjoyed it to the fullest during a recent trip to Maine. 

This past weekend, we returned to our camping ways in Maine, staying at the Durham/Freeport KOA. On Saturday, we drove to Portland and joined the family on the ferry to Peaks Island in Casco Bay. The sun was doing beautiful things that day, as it illuminated the land and ocean. There were several schooners in full sail, gliding through the water. Everything seemed to glow, beneath the sweeping patchwork of clouds and pure light. 

After the ferry landed and we had a quintessential Maine lunch, we rented bikes and went for a scenic ride around the island. At one photo stop, I was able to capture some spray from the water, as a lighthouse kept watch very far in the distance. It was tremendous to see up close, numerous times, the many layers of the coastal landscape, between water, sand, rock, and vegetation. These layers combine to create a true treasure, as seen in their innate harmony in this incredible ecosystem.

The water splashes against rock along the coast of Peaks Island, with a lighthouse far in the distance. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Before we headed back home to Vermont, we went down to Old Orchard Beach, where we joined a friend for the afternoon and enjoyed letting our feet touch the sand along the beach during a walk. The hightide greeted us multiple times. At one point, I didn't know if my feet would get used to that cold ocean water. But they did before too long. It was a beautiful day, and a perfect way to wrap up the weekend. 

Nature always reminds us that we are one harmonious whole with the natural world, never separate from it. Looking out on the water, taking the Peaks Island Ferry for the first time, I felt perfectly at home with what I was seeing. It was natural for us all to be there appreciating the great beauty surrounding us. In a world that can feel made of islands, it’s moments like that which unify us, and bring home the greatness that underpins the world we share with one another.

— Gareth Henderson

Hightide along Old Orchard Beach on Sunday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A changed world, and the good that remains

The American and Vermont flags outside the town offices in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Weary-eyed but wide awake with excitement, my flight landed in Lima, Peru, around 3 a.m. I was about to join my travel group from Principia College for an abroad program for my Spanish major — my first journey to a non-English speaking country. But as we embarked on that experience, we didn’t know how the world was about to change.

As several friends and I went down to breakfast in our hotel the next morning on Sept. 11, 2001, we saw the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on TV, with massive columns of smoke rising from them. I wondered if I was watching a movie clip, but I soon learned the tragic reality.

From the newsroom in the Christian Science Monitor in Boston minutes before, my dad, a longtime journalist, saw the second plane strike on the TV screen. He and multiple friends called my mom that morning to make sure I’d made it out, which we all had. My trip leaders made sure we emailed our parents to convey that news.

A world away from Ground Zero, I was able to find comfort and solace as we went about our first day in Lima. Back home in the U.S., nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, including at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and on United Flight 93. Many more confronted the rawness of the aftermath. A fellow Vermonter, Stuart Crawford Hult, from Williston, was a vice president for a Credit Suisse First Boston at 5 World Trade Center, and was on site that morning. After the first plane hit the building, he sprinted through the office, screaming for everyone to get out. Once his colleagues were on their way to safety, Hult made his escape down the stairwell before the second plane hit the next tower. Later, he discovered that everyone who’d been on duty at the firehouse near his office, Fire Department Rescue Company 1, had died that day. He now sends a wreath of remembrance to the station every year.

I heard Hult's story for the first time this past week, when I stopped to listen to part of Vermont Public Radio’s tremendous project, "20 Years Later: Vermonters Remember Sept. 11". It was such a profound listening experience, and a visceral reminder of how that morning altered the lives of so many. How important it is, to remember these individual experiences and honor their meaning.

Collectively, these stories still touch our hearts, and uniquely so. Indeed, 9/11 brought the country together, even if briefly. Today, the ability to embrace one another as a country seems quite distant, and just as susceptible to political turmoil and disagreement. However, I trust that somewhere within the fabric of our nation, there is a more expansive desire for genuine unity and genuine progress. They can co-exist, because in our recent struggles, we’ve shown we can still lift each other up in times of need.

This feels like a different nation than the one that saw the 9/11 attacks. Today, political and societal tensions are more ubiquitous, more shared through social media and iPhones, and the partisanship is more rife on the surface. Divisiveness would make us believe we don’t need one another quite as much, that perhaps we could persist in separateness. But in reality the opposite is true — we do need each other, in order to be truly successful as a nation and overcome our challenges. Every day provides another opportunity to show the love and care that remains in our national community, by looking out for one another despite our differences. Twenty years after 9/11, we can prove the good that touched us in the aftermath of 9/11 is not fleeting, and still remains foundational in the soul of our nation.

— Gareth Henderson

President requires vaccines for 100M American workers

President Joe Biden announced new vaccine mandates for as many as 100 million American workers, two-thirds of the nation’s workforce, on Thursday. 

Under the new rules, companies with over 100 workers must require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly tests — that’s estimated to affect about 80 million people. Full vaccination is also required for workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid, as well as federal executive branch employees and contractors that work for the U.S. government, according to The Associated Press. 

These new requirements are part of a national plan by the Biden administration to stem the rise in COVID-19 cases and increase vaccination rates. The mandate already faces stern criticism from some lawmakers and union leaders, while others praised the move Thursday night. Biden’s order for executive branch employees and contractors has exceptions for those seeking religious or medical exemptions, the AP reported. 

More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases recently rose to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The federal change came just a day after a new vaccine rule was announced for Vermont state employees. Effective Sept. 15, all state of Vermont executive branch employees will be required to attest they are vaccinated, or be subject to at least weekly testing and mandatory masking at work, as announced at a Wednesday press conference. This comes after a vaccine requirement went into place on Sept. 1 for state employees working in prisons and other state-run residential facilities. 

Currently, Vermont’s state government employs over 8,000 people. Leadership of the Vermont State Employees Association says most of the workers they represent approve of the Scott administration’s new requirement, the AP reported, though the union and state have some details to work out. 

Vermont adjusts masking guidance for schools

This week, Vermont also updated its public health advisory for schools, which almost all local school districts have followed since the school year began recently. 

Originally, the state recommended that masks be required for all students for the first 10 days of school, allowing that masking rules can be lifted when 80% of a school’s students age 12 and over have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. On Wednesday, state officials asked that school masking requirements stay in place until October 4, regardless of the school’s vaccination rate.  

“We hope by then the Delta wave that has impacted the entire country — though fortunately not anywhere near as severely in Vermont — will have begun to subside,” Scott told the media Wednesday. 

In recent weeks, some have urged the governor to reinstall a state of emergency and bring back a statewide mask mandate. Scott has said there isn’t a need to do so currently, and in his Wednesday remarks, he noted that all schools except for one have implemented masking requirements. The Canaan School Board voted 5-0 last month to not require masks. 

“By encouraging schools to implement the state’s recommendations, we’ve essentially achieved a universal masking requirement in schools, without a state of emergency (order),” Scott said.

Under the state’s recommendations, it’s asking that all students under 12 continue to wear masks at school until they become eligible for the vaccine. A COVID-19 vaccine for children under age 12 is expected to receive federal emergency use authorization later in October, experts say. The approvals could come in waves for smaller groups within that age range, NBC5 reported.

According to Vermont Public Radio, state officials want to understand more about how the virus is circulating through communities before they encourage schools to lift mask mandates. In Vermont, more than 1,000 tested positive for COVID in the past week, VPR reported. However, state officials are encouraged that cases in Chittenden County have trended downward in the past seven days, as reported at Wednesday’s press conference.

In a bid to increase vaccination, the Vermont Agency of Education is reserving $2 million in grant dollars for schools who receive high vaccination rates. The Scott administration is still finalizing details for the school vaccine incentive program.

The state is continuing to offer school-based vaccination clinics throughout Vermont in collaboration with local district officials.

Statewide, the rate of eligible Vermonters with at least one dose of the vaccine is 86.7% as of Thursday.

— Gareth Henderson

Hundreds of acres conserved in Killington’s AT corridor

One can follow the Thundering Falls boardwalk, pictured here, up to the newly conserved 629 acres. (Photo by the Green Mountain Club)

In another step forward for conservation, 629 acres of land surrounding the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Killington, Vermont, will now be protected for generations to come. 

The Conservation Fund recently conveyed the property to the National Park Service (NPS), thanks to funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

This action secures the immediate viewshed and day-hike entry on both sides of a 1.3-mile stretch of the AT, according to the official announcement. With that, the newly conserved land will continue to provide recreational access for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. 

“This acquisition highlights the power of partnership in preserving and protecting the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The National Park Service thanks all those involved for their commitment and support to secure this property and its critical viewshed for the enjoyment and benefit of all,” said Wendy Janssen, superintendent of the AT.

The Conservation Fund, a national environmental nonprofit, purchased the property in 2014 through its Working Forest Fund with support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation as part of 30,000 acres of former industrial timberland threatened by conversion across Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Maine. The organization managed it as a sustainable working forest until the NPS could secure the necessary LWCF funding to acquire and protect the land. 

Those scenic 629 acres are now being managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) and provides critical habitat for black bears, moose and migratory birds, as well as important wintering areas for deer.

“The GMNF is excited about the new acquisition along the Appalachian Trail in Killington because the lands will provide extra protection of the trail and add valuable wildlife value and habitat connectivity along this high use trail section,” said Christopher Mattrick, ranger for the Rochester and Middlebury District.

This latest acquisition complements decades of local efforts to conserve over 16,000 acres of natural lands in the region and enhance protection for the AT corridor, including 1,017 acres adjacent to the state-owned Les Newell Wildlife Management Area that The Conservation Fund conveyed to NPS in 2012 through the Chateauguay No Town Conservation Project.

“The rugged ridgeline traversed by the Appalachian Trail in the Chateauguay region is at the heart of this high priority and vulnerable landscape of wilderness amidst an increasingly developed area of Vermont,” said Sally Manikian, The Conservation Fund’s New Hampshire and Vermont representative. “The Conservation Fund’s efforts over the last three decades to ensure habitat connectivity, recreational beauty, and watershed protection here have been driven by partnerships and bolstered by local community support.”

This is one of Vermont’s first conservation wins since the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, which fully and permanently funded the LWCF, the announcement noted. LWCF is a bipartisan program that conserves ecologically and scenically valuable land across the U.S. — including many of Vermont’s iconic natural places, like the GMNF, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Vermont’s Congressional delegation — U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch — supported the use of federal LWCF funding for this project.

Leahy, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said: “This trail in Killington is perhaps the most important gateway to the Appalachian Trail and to the National Forest in Vermont and the region. … This is a legacy for generations of Vermonters now, and to come.”

“We have a long history of conservation in Vermont,” Sanders said. “And it’s because of conservation efforts like this that we are able to safeguard our ecological heritage, our proud tradition of working the land, our local economies, and some of the most extensive, accessible and scenic outdoor spaces in the U.S.”

“Vermont’s outdoor recreation opportunities are world-renowned and our shared commitment to conservation and sustainability is critical to our way of life,” Welch said. “The protection of these acres around the Appalachian Trail will preserve Vermont’s wildlife and ensure this historic area remains accessible and safe for recreators.”

Management and stewardship of the AT in the Northeast is accomplished by a unique array of partnerships, all of whom helped design and implement this acquisition, according to the recent announcement. Through a partnership agreement between the NPS and the U.S. Forest Service, the lands will be added to the GMNF Appalachian Trail Corridor management unit. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Green Mountain Club support the AT in Vermont through stewardship and maintenance.

— Gareth Henderson

The power of brilliant moments

A scene along River Road in Woodstock, Vt., on Monday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The late afternoon sun is setting a bit earlier these days, reminding me that the first sparkle of light on a sunny day is a precious moment. Many of us miss that first glimmer of brilliance, edging its way over the hills until subtlety gives way to splendor. 

That last part, the splendor filling the sky, is what we remember most. But the entire display begins with one ray of light, leading to many. That single ray is powerful enough to illuminate any point of darkness, because it’s never separate from the greater light source. 

Stunning, ever-present illumination filled the Ottauquechee River corridor on Monday afternoon, as my wife and I walked the dog along River Road in Woodstock. I felt life coursing through the landscape, from the squirrel scampering up a tree, and the birds soaring over the water, to runner and cyclists enjoying same stretch of road. Plants glimmered in the sun, even in the forest shadows along the road, catching what light they could. We felt the gentle breeze passing by as it moved the plants and tree branches nearby. Reaching a stone wall, the view opened up to a wider scene with the river and surrounding landscape, seamlessly existing together, seasoned partners through decades of changes. 

Indeed, though change comes and goes, there still are many expressions of good in the world, like the progress of a river current, or the strength of roots underground giving life a firm foundation. Some of those expressions are seen, others unseen. Some deeds receive public reward, while others quietly move forward outside of the spotlight. We may not always see goodness in its most conspicuous forms, but it is still powerful, persistent, and existing among us. Even its smallest expressions carry profound meaning, though they may struggle sometimes to be noticed. Whatever is happening today, we should remember that even the faintest glimmers of light can grow, top the dark hills, and fill the sky of tomorrow.

— Gareth Henderson

Sharing a new tomorrow

A brook at the Green Mountain Horse Association in South Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

One of the gifts of writing is that it’s elastic, broad, expansive. It can capture things that may otherwise go unnoticed. Sometimes, those things enter into the written word by way of the camera lens. 

When we were walking late in the day on Saturday, on the grounds of the Green Mountain Horse Association in beautiful South Woodstock, we crossed a small bridge with a quiet brook running underneath it. Unassuming and serene, the sound of the bubbling water came to my ear, and then the sunlight dancing on the surface amid the shadows caught my eye. The camera lens wasn’t far behind. 

That quiet moment came on a busy holiday weekend. GMHA’s historic 100-Mile Competitive Trail Ride was back in town, bringing equestrians and spectators from near and far. On Friday night, tackle football returned to Woodstock Union High School, where WUHS notched a big 35-16 win over Springfield. Also returning to the area this weekend is the Quechee Balloon Festival, with entertainment for all ages. On a yet larger scale: The school year began this past week for the Woodstock area and many other districts, with Vermont students able to see their teachers and each other once again, five days a week. 

Taken together, these events and many others mark a return to familiar ground, more progress toward more normalcy. Though the pandemic and numerous other issues present challenges, the opportunity to visit loved ones more often, see our kids return to school, and enjoy the events and activities we missed for so many months, does have a powerful impact. Being out and about gives you another lens through which to process the changes of life and come to terms with its challenges and further opportunities for progress. And you understand more fully that others are having this experience as well; we are one world going through this next chapter of existence, together. 

That said, “together” doesn’t always feel comfortable. We’ll encounter obstacles as the world grows into a new future, and people will confront the tough questions about what we’ve really learned from the past 18 months. But right now, we are building from moments, quiet moments of reflection, whether it’s walking past a bubbling brook, or spending time catching up with family or friends. Those times let the light of good pour in and illuminate our experiences every day. They give us opportunities to ponder concepts bigger than ourselves, and be aware of issues that merit more of our attention. If we approach life, right now, with a more expansive, compassionate thought, that’s fertile ground where lasting progress can take root. And that’s the way to nurture and care for this vast, precious world we all share.

— Gareth Henderson

State to drivers: Look out for moose

Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning. (VTF&W Photo by Benjamin Young)

It’s that time of year again: Moose are on the move, and state officials are warning people to keep an eye out for them when driving. 

Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning, because this is breeding season for moose, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. 

“We are asking drivers to be especially careful and for people to enjoy watching moose from a distance,” said State Game Warden Lt. Carl Wedin in a statement. “Moose can be unpredictable and dangerous if you get too close and they feel cornered or get irritated.”

Motorists hit 39 moose on Vermont highways during 2020 and 41 so far this year, the state reported. Wildlife officials said there are measures people can take to avoid them on the roads: 

• Always be alert — moose cross the road randomly, as well as at their regular crossings.

• Increase your roadside awareness and reduce your speed when you see Moose Crossing signs along the road. When on secondary roads, the recommended speed is 40 mph or less in these moose crossing areas.

• Drive defensively. Moose are more active at night and early morning, and they are difficult to see because of their dark color.

• If you see a moose ahead, slow down or stop. Trying to speed past them before they can move can be a serious mistake.

Vermont highway sections most frequented by moose include the following:

-Rt.105 from Island Pond to Bloomfield.

-Rt.114 from East Burke to Canaan.

-Rt.2 from Lunenburg to East St. Johnsbury.

-Interstate 91 at Sheffield Heights.

-Interstate 89 from Bolton to Montpelier.

-Rt. 12 from Worcester to Elmore.

-Rt 118 near Belvidere Corners and the Rt. 109 intersection.

The breeding season for moose lasts from mid-September to mid-October. To learn more about moose, click here for more information from Vermont wildlife officials.

— Gareth Henderson

Federal aid going out to Vt. towns and villages

A view from North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont’s cities, towns and villages are receiving a new round of federal pandemic relief funds over the next several days, and some payments have already come through.

The money comes from the local fiscal recovery funds tied to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). From this funding, the state on Thursday disbursed another payment of $60.6 million to 276 eligible local governments, according to state officials. 

“These funds will play an important role for municipalities as we work to build stronger, more resilient communities,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a Thursday announcement. “In addition to the historic investments with state ARPA funds that I’ve proposed for climate change mitigation, housing, broadband, water and sewer infrastructure, and more, this municipal money can help strengthen support in these and other critical areas.”

This is the first of two rounds of funding for municipalities. In Woodstock, the town has received a check for $107,933, and the village is expecting a $44,911 payment, according to Municipal Manager William Kerbin. He said the town and village will receive the same amounts next year. The Village Trustees and Select Board held a recent joint meeting to discuss the funds, but that discussion was preliminary, Kerbin said, and no firm decisions have been reached on how to use the money. He expected another joint meeting in the next couple of months. 

Right now, municipalities are anticipating more guidance from the U.S. Treasury. 

“What we’re really waiting for is the final rule from the Treasury department to determine what we can use the funding for, the specific purposes and activities,” Kerbin said Thursday. 

On Aug. 5, Vermont received 50% of the $121 million of funds that the U.S. Treasury originally designated for distribution to the state’s 14 counties. The Treasury is required to distribute these funds to the states for distribution to local governments in two equal payments; the $60.6 million distributed Thursday represents the first round of payments. The county funds are distributed to eligible local governments based on the proportion of the municipality’s population to the county population, state officials explained. In separate funding, a total of $29 million was distributed to Vermont municipal governments in July.

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Vermont’s 11 regional planning commissions continue to assist cities, towns and villages with navigating federal rules related to this funding through webinars and multiple resources, including an ARPA resource webpage. For more information, visit https://finance.vermont.gov/covid-19-guidance.  

— Gareth Henderson

Helping those inside, and outside, our borders

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

It’s been an honor to recognize how Vermonters have helped each other, but today we’d like to highlight how the state has extended a helping hand to those from outside the Green Mountains. 

The state of Vermont is hoping to take in up to 100 refugees from Afghanistan who are fleeing the danger they face back home now that the Taliban are in power. A number of volunteers and businesses have reportedly offered to help refugees who end up settling in Vermont.

The last U.S. soldiers departed Afghanistan on Monday, following the collapse of the Afghan government in August and the Taliban’s rapid takeover. From Aug. 14 to 31, the U.S. evacuated more than 122,000 individuals from Kabul airport, including 6,000 U.S. citizens, according to news reports. Thirteen U.S. service members died in a suicide bombing at the airport on Aug. 26, while the evacuation effort was in its final days.

The U.S. is currently housing 20,000 Afghan evacuees in five states, with another 40,000 overseas. 

On Wednesday, the Vermont office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants said it submitted a proposal to the State Department, WCAX reported. That came after Vermont Gov. Phil Scott recently told the White House his administration would like to help with the resettlement. 

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) released a statement of support on Wednesday. He noted, as the governor has, that a number of these refugees helped the U.S. during the Afghanistan War over the past two decades. 

“I am gratified that Vermont is volunteering to welcome and resettle one hundred Afghans who have fled their country in recent weeks,” Leahy said. “Many of these Afghans supported the U.S. military and our government over the past two decades, risking their lives and the safety of their families. Vermonters recognize that it is our moral obligation to provide them refuge from retaliation and persecution by the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan.”

He added, “Vermont has a long history of warmly welcoming refugees who have become an integral part of communities across our state. They have made Vermont stronger. It is fitting that Vermont is stepping up yet again to offer safe haven to vulnerable Afghans in their hour of need.” 

For some here in the Green Mountains, the current situation in Afghanistan is a personal, heartbreaking struggle to help family and friends escape the country. Vermont Public Radio spoke to Wazir, who is working to get his family out of Kabul (his last name was withheld for his family’s protection). Wazir left Afghanistan at age 16, went to college in Vermont and now runs a business in the state. Like others who have settled here and made their home in Vermont, he is part of our community, and now, he faces the challenge of helping his family come here so they, too, can experience a new sense of security and success.

Many are working and praying to help people like Wazir’s family and others who seek refuge and a new life outside Afghanistan. We hope these kind, steadfast efforts help them find a path to safety and fulfillment, despite current obstacles. We hope the love being expressed to them from afar helps build the path to freedom they earnestly seek.

— Gareth Henderson

How far we’ve come

Kat Wright and The Indomitable Soul Band perform at the Community Heroes Concert last Friday at the East End Park in Woodstock, Vt. From left are Leon Campos, Kat Wright, Phil Rodriguez, Josh Weinstein and Bob Wagner. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After we’ve completed a great accomplishment, one often looks back in awe, and says, “Wow, I did that.’” 

The greater Woodstock region had such a moment last Friday at the Community Heroes Concert, organized by Pentangle Arts, as it celebrated the work so many did over the past 18 months to help the community during the pandemic. It was special, and also moving, to thoughtfully consider what was accomplished and honor the sacrifices people made, week after week, amid the uncertainty of 2020. 

The heartfelt moments of the past year and half were many, and Sherry Sousa, WCSU superintendent in Woodstock, remembered when students and parents held a parade in Woodstock Village to thank the educators for their long hours during the pandemic. Educators were on the Green, as the parade graced the village.

“That moved us in so many ways, and teachers were in tears,” Sousa said in her remarks at the Friday concert, addressing well over 200 people. “So we met today as a full faculty for the first time, in the auditorium with our masks on, and I will tell you, your teachers are ready for you to arrive, and we are ready to be in school full time, and we can’t wait to have everyone back on Wednesday.” 

From left: Jill Davies of the Woodstock Area Relief Fund; Beth Robinson, grants coordinator for the Ottauquechee Health Foundation; WCSU Superintendent Sherry Sousa; Deanna Jones, executive director of the Thompson Senior Center; and Dr. Claire Drebitko of the Ottauquechee Health Center. Farthest to the right, Alita Wilson, executive director of Pentangle Arts, announces the speakers. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

That Wednesday, that first day of school, is now arriving in Woodstock. And it’s a testament to the progress made during this life-changing time of the pandemic. Teachers, first responders, grocery store clerks, health care workers, municipal staff, volunteers, and countless others all played a role in getting us to this proud moment. 

In her remarks on Friday, Dr. Claire Drebitko, a local pediatrician at the Ottauquechee Health Center, thanked community members for following public health protocols over the past year and getting vaccinated. 

“I think I speak for everyone at the Health Center, when I say we have felt incredibly grateful to this community for doing such a wonderful job of taking care of one another,” Drebitko said. 

Deanna Jones, executive director of the Thompson Senior Center, noted “the community stepped forward in so many ways” to help seniors over the past 18 months.

Helping each other was a continuous theme throughout Friday evening, including after Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band took to the stage. Wright, who’s lived in Vermont for 12 years, thanked everyone for being there for their neighbors and the community. 

“I don’t think we’ve ever been more proud to be from Vermont than during the past year and a half,” she told the crowd. 

Part of the crowd at the Community Heroes Concert in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Many of us share that sentiment when looking at how Vermont responded to the slew of challenges the pandemic brought, including those who moved to ease the towering economic burden businesses and individuals faced. Along those lines: For the Woodstock Area Relief Fund formed last year, 46 volunteers and hundreds of donors gave their support to raise funds for individuals and families struggling financially during the pandemic. Over $820,000 was raised and given to over 240 families and individuals, said Jill Davies, one of the fund’s organizers.

Throughout Vermont, even as the crisis deepened, more and more stories of community support came out. We all have a story about how we’ve helped someone, and been helped, during this unprecedented time in our lives. As 2021 continues, we’ll undoubtedly keep looking back — there’s always more to learn, and it’s important to consider the lessons we carry forward. In many ways, this period of time has supplied us with awareness of struggles we hadn’t known about before, some of which happen daily. In some aspects, we’ve also learned about ways we can help others.  

Speaking to Friday’s crowd, Beth Robinson, grants coordinator for the Ottauquechee Health Foundation, spoke about working with the Woodstock Community Food Shelf, the Thompson Senior Center and others to get assistance to those in need. However, Robinson pointed out that there’s always a need for this help: 

“Before you leave tonight, just keep this thought in your mind: There are people in our communities, every day of every year, who need our help. So keep your eyes and ears open.”

Though a huge amount of progress has been made against the pandemic, we’ll still need each other in the coming weeks and months. Financial impacts loom large, individuals and businesses face challenges, and the colder months will eventually arrive. We must remain aware of opportunities to help our neighbors, and act on them. The more we continue that work, the more our communities will benefit.

— Gareth Henderson

The Eames Brothers were the opening band at last Friday’s concert. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Community Heroes Concert set for Friday in Woodstock

The Community Heroes Concert will be held at Woodstock’s East End Park on Friday, starting at 5 p.m. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When the pandemic first arrived in Vermont, no one knew what would happen, but Vermont communities met this new challenge with perseverance and putting their neighbors first. This Friday, Aug. 27, a concert in Woodstock is celebrating the constant efforts of so many individuals, nonprofits and essential workers who helped the community survive the past 18 months. 

The Community Heroes Concert, organized by Pentangle Arts, takes place at the East End Park. The music begins at 5 p.m. with the opening act of The Eames Brothers and features Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band from 6 to 8 p.m. At about 5:45 p.m., local workers, groups and individuals will be recognized and some will share remarks. The concert is free with a suggested $10 donation.

For those on the front lines of the community’s response to COVID-19, the memories of having to quickly reorganize, learn brand new health protocols and proceed into a new and uncertain reality remain fresh in thought. 

Deanna Jones, executive director of the Thompson Senior Center, recalled the rapid effort to arrange contactless meal delivery to seniors, as well as their curbside service, after the senior center closed to all in-person programs. But they also delivered medical equipment and prescription drugs to seniors, and also added a shop-and-delivery grocery service. 

A major theme was people helping the senior center, and quickly. Right off the bat, over 40 people volunteered as new delivery drivers, and over 100 people volunteered to support essential services for seniors. Jones said it’s hard to express the profound inspiration from seeing the community respond so quickly to help during the pandemic.

“I just can’t imagine anything in my career previously or in the future that would be more moving or fulfilling,” Jones said.  

From March 2020, the senior center had seven delivery routes (at its peak), an increase of more than 2,500 Meals on Wheels, and provided a total of over 20,000 meals. Jones said the staff and volunteers showed an incredible level of dedication through all the challenges. 

“It’s just amazing to see how people come forward, and especially the staff, too. They just put the Thompson’s mission so high up on their priority list,” she said. “Even when they would've loved to be home, they were still there. It’s just so incredible to be a part of.” 

David Green, Woodstock’s fire chief and health officer, said he and his fellow first responders would help check on community members isolated at home. Any request for help was amply met — which is normal, he said, for this region. 

“Woodstock and actually all of Vermont are very outstanding in helping their neighbors in times of need,” Green said. “I put calls out, like, ‘I need groceries delivered to this house.’ And I got 60 responses within minutes.” 

Helping to make deliveries, Green and his colleagues got a chance to interact with people and gauge how they were doing. 

“Most people were pretty resilient. They didn't like being locked down, they didn't like wearing a mask, but they all made it through,” he said. “Hopefully we don't have to again." 

From the start, Green said one of the biggest changes for his department was following the strict health guidelines around how to interact with patients. Those are rules they’re still following now, he added. 

In March 2020, delivering meals to students also became a great need. Gretchen Czaja is the school nutrition program director for the WCUUSD, the school district serving Woodstock, Barnard, Bridgewater, Reading, Pomfret, Killington and Plymouth. When school shut down and went remote due to the pandemic, the district-wide food service team had a week to consolidate operations into the Woodstock Union High School kitchen, create a menu, and make a delivery plan. 

From March to June 2020, district staff distributed 250-300 meals per day to students district wide. Along with the food, however, they delivered familiarity — a chance for the students to see, from a distance, the people they’d usually see in their school days. 

“It did help to keep some kind of normalcy in their school day,” Czaja said. “At one point we were getting thank-you notes and signs they would leave outside, saying how much they were enjoying the food.”  

Most of the students who received deliveries were receiving free and reduced-price lunch. The federal government eventually instated universal free meals, and the district’s food program was able to provide curbside meals during the summer of 2020. In the holidays, Czaja and her team put together food boxes with holiday meals to deliver for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The universal free meals are continuing into this year, Czaja said.

The high school was also a site sponsor for Veggie Van Go, a statewide Vermont Foodbank program delivering produce for free, which went curbside during the pandemic and added key items like milk and eggs. 

“We were able to have a great number of volunteers to help load people’s cars with food,” Czaja said.

She also noted the efforts of local community partners working to reduce hunger, such as the Woodstock Community Food Shelf and the Ottauquechee Health Foundation. 

“This community is amazing, the way people step up,” Czaja said.

From helping seniors to other community efforts, the younger generations also had a role in the COVID response. Over this past winter, the nonprofit Change the World Kids, which provides service opportunities for local youth, joined with Ken Woodhead and the Soup Kit Project to deliver warm soup to seniors and families in the cold months. Adi Wilson, a high school senior this year in Woodstock, and about 10 of her fellow students participated and worked in shifts to help make the soup and deliver it.

With the group’s Anti-Cabin Fever Dinner called off, Wilson said the soup deliveries were a great way the students could help their neighbors. 

“It seemed to be the best way we could help the community in a safe way and also make that connection through food,” she said. “It was so nice to be able to connect with the community again. It was the first time I had done that in months.”

— Gareth Henderson

Celebrating pollinators: the cornerstone of our food supply

A butterfly visiting the Sunflower House at Billings Farm. (Billings Farm & Museum Photo)

The bees, butterflies, birds and moths we see zipping from flower to flower in the summer are integral for growing close to 90% of our food supply. This weekend, an event in Woodstock is focusing on exactly that. 

Billings Farm & Museum’s Pollination Celebration will highlight this big contribution from such small creatures with hands-on activities and interactive programs for all ages, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For example, people will get a chance to meet local beekeepers from Hall Apiaries and Vermont Beekeepers Association. You can also explore the Sunflower House in full bloom, and hear a talk with the team from the Woodstock Inn & Resort that created it. Games and activities for kids will also be part of the weekend, as will some foods. People can sample herbal tea or corn and tomato salad made with ingredients pollinated in the Billings Farm gardens. Good news for culinary enthusiasts: They’ll be able to take home some pollinator recipes.

The event underscores the great importance of pollinators to our way of life. Earlier in the year, the state released information on this very topic, including a quote from state zoologist Mark Ferguson. 

“The majority of our flowering plants need pollinators in order to produce seeds,” Ferguson said. “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.” 

The upcoming celebration is one more way to learn about and appreciate these animals, and what they mean to the sustainability of the world. For more details on the Pollination Celebration, visit billingsfarm.org.

— Gareth Henderson

Governor shares vaccine news, reiterates school guidance

The flag at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School campus. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

With the new school year starting this month, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott shared some vaccine news and repeated the state’s recommendations for schools. 

Coming from a weekly governors’ call with the White House, Scott learned that clinical trials are going well for the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 2-11. He said Pfizer will be able to submit their application for emergency use authorization as soon as early or mid-September. 

He also noted the recent news that Pfizer just received full federal approval for its current vaccine. The full approval applies to those age 16 and older, though the Pfizer vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization for individuals 12 through 15 years of age (read more details here).

Scott said many who haven’t been vaccinated have expressed concern that the vaccine was approved only under emergency authorization. The governor hoped the new Pfizer status might make a difference. 

“So, if you’ve been on the fence, I hope this news will help inspire you to join well over 400,000 of your fellow Vermonters and get vaccinated,” Scott said at a Tuesday press briefing. 

To date, 85.6% of eligible Vermonters have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 76.4% are fully vaccinated. 

Scott reiterated the state’s health guidance for schools, that masks be required for all students of all ages at the start of the year. For students under 12, the state is asking all school districts to mandate masking for them until vaccines are available and they’re fully vaccinated. These are recommendations, as the state can’t mandate masking requirements without implementing a state of emergency. It removed all state restrictions and the state of emergency in mid-June. 

Scott noted how important it is for kids to return to a five-day, in-person learning schedule, as they’re about to do. He said the state released its health recommendations weeks ago to give schools time to plan at the local level. 

“We believe this common-sense approach will allow our kids to get back on track and make up some of the lost ground in a safe and productive way,” Scott said.  

Officials said the health department will support schools with contact tracing services if needed, just like they did during the prior school year. Heather Boucher, the state’s deputy secretary of education, said Vermont is “starting from a good place” thanks to everyone’s efforts over the past year, including people getting vaccinated. As both an educator and a parent, Boucher said she appreciated the great value in in-person school for students’ educational development, and so the kids can see their friends. 

“We’re hearing from educators, parents and community members that students are excited to return to school with less worry and restrictions than there were last year, and I just want to say, I’m profoundly grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make this possible,” Boucher said. 

— Gareth Henderson

‘Puppies & Pooches’ returning to Woodstock this week

“Puppies and Pooches on Parade” benefits the Norman Williams Public Library, shown here in Woodstock. The event takes place on the scenic Village Green nearby. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Dogs of all shapes and sizes will take part in “Puppies and Pooches on Parade” this coming weekend in Woodstock Village, as yet another favorite local tradition returns to the area in 2021. All proceeds benefit the Norman Williams Public Library, and an active team of volunteers has spent many weeks preparing for this event.

The fun begins Saturday, Aug. 28, on the Village Green, which will feature a 10:30 a.m. dog parade down the main path grouped in categories: Most Precious Petites, Mightiest Mid-size, Gentle Giants, Ms. Fashionistas and Mr. Beau Geste. Then it’s off to the Ring to see each category of dogs.

The judges will select a Best in Show from the category winners, but the spectators will decide the Crowd Favorite by cheering and clapping. Without a doubt, all dogs are winners and will receive ribbons and bandanas. Additionally, Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society will be present so people can learn about pet adoption. 

This event, which began seven years ago, is sponsored by the Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library and enables the community to make valuable contributions to the library. All dogs must be registered before Aug. 26. Registration forms are available at www.puppiesandpoochesonparade.com, at the library’s front desk, or by contacting Peggy Fraser at fraserusa@gmail.com. Raffle tickets are on sale most days outside of the library.

Organizers are inviting everyone to come by and celebrate the return of this live event that brings good cheer, fun memories and great moments for all to enjoy.

New leadership for Friends of NWPL

The Executive Committee of the Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library recently introduced Jarret Adams of Woodstock as the new president of the Friends, and Jennifer Baxter of Woodstock as the new vice president. 

In their new roles, Adams succeeds Peggy Fraser, and Baxter succeeds Jennifer Falvey. As past president, Fraser will remain on the executive committee.

Adams and his wife Heather are the new owners of The Village Inn of Woodstock. Heather is an accomplished chef, and Jarret runs a boutique public relations firm, Full On Communications. In moving to Woodstock, they’ve returned to their New England roots after years of living near Washington, D.C., and abroad.

Jennifer Baxter grew up in North Brunswick, New Jersey. She moved to Vermont with her family in 2006 to own and operate a country inn in Killington. She lives in Woodstock with her husband Rich Kozlowski, and she has many years of experience as a finance officer and human resources professional. Most recently, Jennifer was the director of finance and human resources for Advance Transit, the Upper Valley’s bus transportation agency. 

The Friends of the NWPL has grown into an organization of 100 members whose mission is to foster and encourage community support and participation that benefit the library in its role as a cultural center in the greater Woodstock area.

— Gareth Henderson

Hurricane Henri closes in on New England

Rainfall in the summer of 2020 in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Now a category-1 storm, Hurricane Henri is on track to make landfall in Long Island or southern New England late Sunday. 

However, coastal flooding from storm surge may begin as early as tonight and intensify throughout Sunday. The storm surge along the coast is forecasted at three to five feet from Long Island to Cape Cod, leading to multiple storm surge watches and warnings along the northeastern coast, The Weather Channel reported. Officials also warn of inland flooding in the Northeast, due to forecasted rain of 3-6 inches from Sunday into Monday. 

In Massachusetts, flood barriers have been put up in Boston, and the National Guard has been activated. Parts of New York are under a state of emergency. Throughout the coastal regions, people have been urged to delay all non-essential travel, especially Sunday.  

This news comes after the Northeast has experienced significant rain in recent weeks, including some stray showers and thunderstorms in parts of northern New England on Saturday.

In Vermont, emergency management officials are zeroing in on southern Vermont, where Henri could have the most impact for the state, including up to six inches of rain. In Bennington and Windham counties, flooding just a few weeks ago damaged roads, bridges and culverts. 

“We hope for the best but we have to prepare for the worst-case scenarios,” Chip Deasy of Vermont Emergency Management told NBC5. The storm system could also bring wind gusts of up to 50 mph. 

Officials whose areas are in the storm’s path have urged people to be prepared, including making sure they have flashlights, batteries, canned food, water, and other essentials in case they lose electric service or are stranded at home for an extended period. The greatest impact in Vermont is likely to be “heavy rain Sunday into Monday in central to southern areas of the state,” according to a statement by emergency management officials on Saturday.

Check out hurricanes.gov for the latest updates.

— Gareth Henderson

A journey of camping, and patience

A rural scene just off Interstate 81 in Wytheville, Virginia. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Camping is booming business, and we saw that first hand on our recent journey westward and back. The entire industry is thriving, from gear to RVs and campgrounds.

We camped in or passed through 15 states in 12 days. Our first stop was in upstate New York, where we set up our tent at a KOA campground outside of Cooperstown. Many of the people there brought the whole family with them, reflecting a growing trend of parents and young children visiting campgrounds, many for the first time, according to KOA data in North America. From 2014 to 2020, the total percentage of KOA campers with minor children in the household went up from 41 to 54%. The industry continues to skyrocket this year, even above summer 2019 levels, as we learned in Cooperstown.

Before last week, our camping experience had been limited to tenting in Maine — and usually in the same spot in early June, just after dropping off our daughter at summer camp. But over the states we traveled, the great interest in getting outside was clear, even if some of the experience, well, wasn't exactly "roughing it". I'm at the point in life where campgrounds with better amenities do help me sleep at night. We became KOA members, and KOA sites have a baseline of amenities in most of their franchised locations.

Along the way, we stayed almost entirely at KOA campgrounds, and there were plenty of people enjoying their RVs, cabins and tents. Some of our favorite tenting was at KOAs in Cooperstown, New York, and also one outside of Nashville, Tennessee — where the individual sites were nicely spaced out and on grass. We stayed in cabins near St. Louis and also Columbus, Ohio, and we attempted to tent in the rain in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, before intensifying weather put the damper on that plan. We ended up driving for a little while, before the little while turned into 90 minutes, and we finally — after many attempts — found a nice hotel room in Washington D.C. It was a blessing in disguise, allowing us to get an earlier start on touring D.C. the next day and a very comfortable bed.

Farmland along our detour from Route 24, passing through Cadiz, Kentucky. (Gareth Henderson)

On the whole, the camping experience was an enjoyable one, which can be done on a minimal budget. But it's really the experience that sticks with you — the time with family, the kind folks who help along the way, and the fresh air and scenic sunrises out in the open. Most of the campsites were just a bit off the highway, offering some beautiful rolling hills and plains along the route. We were able to see farms and life in each of these communities. The humanity that we saw, and how everyday Americans are living, cannot be captured in a highway hotel or interstate. The stories of people passing through were priceless. They are also grounded the fundamental goodness of neighbor helping neighbor, an age-old story.

One of the overarching themes of the trip was patience, because at any point, plans can change — and a couple times they did. The night we spent outside of Nashville was a surprise-tenting night. A major highway, Route 24, was shut down for several miles due to paving with a detour over a narrow county road that had backed-up highway traffic as far as the eye could see. My wife took a left on an unmarked road. For part of the way, we had no cell service and it was a leap of faith into some of the most beautiful country. We had no idea where the road went at first, but we eventually went from western Kentucky to Tennessee and found a wonderful little campground, right by a cow pasture, which very much reminded us of home. It was another proof that patience, with a bit of waiting and trusting, can go a long way, even when the long way head of you seems like a lot to handle. On the road, its rewards were great, and interlaced with some beautiful, scenic camping we hope to repeat some day. The road is always waiting.

— Gareth Henderson

Permanent increase coming for US food aid program

The setting sun in West Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As of Oct. 1, low-income Americans relying on monthly food assistance from the federal government will see a permanent increase in the funding.

Officials recently announced a 27% increase in grocery benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), media reports stated. About 42 million people currently receive SNAP benefits, and the change will impact about 70,000 Vermonters, according to Vermont Public Radio.

Anore Horton, the director of Hunger Free Vermont, said an increase has been needed for a long time.

"Advocates across the country have been saying for years and years and years SNAP benefits are inadequate; they have no relationship to the real cost of food," Horton told VPR. "And this is, while not a complete step toward fixing that, a very significant and important one."

This announcement comes as a temporary 15% increase in these benefits is set to expire next month.

The upcoming 27% increase will add, on an average per-person basis, about $36 per month to the pre-pandemic monthly amount of about $121 per person, according to CBS News.

The SNAP benefits were recently recalculated based on a program-wide assessment that Congress requested in 2018. The reassessment found that the benefits were too low, officials said.

Speaking to the media earlier this week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the adjustments to the program are responding to higher food prices, evolving nutritional guidance, and changes in how Americans cook.

"We need to modernize those assumptions based on what is happening in kitchens and homes across America," Vilsack said.

— Gareth Henderson

Road trips, playlists and artwork

The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Knoxville’s historic Old City. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Long road trips were made for hours of music and family memories, seeing each state as a square in a quilt, with the highways as the thread that sews them together. We were treated to lots of great tunes that served as the backdrop to our trip as we made our way West last week crisscrossing 15 states. That's thanks to the Chuck Worrell playlist on Spotify, grounded in distinct guitar-picking Texas country music — a classic (thanks, Perrin!). What better way to make the trip?

Each day of the trip was the beginning of a new adventure with twists and surprises. As we pulled into the historic Old City of Knoxville, Tennessee, there was no plan except exploring with an open mind, and being curious. I recently learned one of Chuck's favorite novels was Lonesome Dove. And it so happened, we were greeted in the Old City by a restaurant named Lonesome Dove Western Bistro — you never know what you'll find when you travel. This historic area had a number of interesting architectural specimens, including the bistro building layout spanning the block. It was a moment in history, just waiting for the camera lens to happen by.

One of the greatest gifts of traveling is taking in each place with a fresh perspective — one that sees things others may miss. I took that perspective into Knoxville’s downtown, where the arts are alive. Amid the hustle and bustle of the city, I discovered some artwork in a place I didn't expect to find it just a block from the famed Tennessee Theatre.

A mural of Dolly Parton in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Walking by the alleyway of a one-way street, some brilliant colors caught my eye. I looked back to see country music icon Dolly Parton smiling back, from what would otherwise be a non-descript brick wall. This artwork was part of brightening up an alleyway in Knoxville which had been an eyesore for some time, until a local effort to enliven this alley took place about 5 years ago. It’s further proof that art, and the inspiration accompanying it, can always surprise you, by showing up where you might not usually look for it.

However, there was also plenty of art out in the open, where you would expect it. A major example is "Postcard from Knoxville", a mural created in 2013 to honor the "artists, musicians and visionaries that continue to make Knoxville a great place to work, live, play and visit." Crafted by artists Bobbie Crews, Ken Britton, Walt Fieldsa, Curtis Glover and Randall Starnes, the mural adorns the side of the Knoxville Visitors Center building. It was indeed an inspiration to capture this piece of the city's creative soul. And I love the opportunity to bring this postcard home and share it with all of you. The world's creativity, and its unlimited reflections, never cease to amaze.

— Gareth Henderson

“Postcard from Knoxville,” created by artists Bobbie Crews, Ken Britton, Walt Fieldsa, Curtis Glover and Randall Starnes. (Gareth Henderson Photo)