Renewal during life’s journey

A sunlit, autumn view on national park land in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Each life is unique, and each view of the outside world marks its own path through its unique perspective. Along life’s journey, one of the greatest joys is the role that nature plays. If it isn’t changing our thought, it at least refreshes our thinking, and perhaps makes us take a healthy step back from the rumblings of daily routines. 

A recent walk along a beautiful, foliage-filled path in the woods was such an experience. My wife and I had started out in Woodstock Village, but instead of heading through downtown, we went up past the River Street cemetery and enjoyed a trail that’s part of the national park system. Fallen leaves were everywhere, leaving us with a feeling of being nestled in nature; the sun completed the picture by painting the trees with its rays, illuminating a patchwork of oranges, yellows and greens. The soft, precious glow of late-afternoon sunlight was all around and profoundly inspiring. It reminded me of foliage walks with my family as a child, when I saw that same glow lighting on tree branches. Some leaves would capture more light than others, accentuating the scene’s innate beauty by this natural contrast. 

It made me wonder at how often this incredible display of nature had inspired others, and at how many people had walked this same path, to look at this new-old, dazzling scene with fresh eyes. A few uphills and downhills took us gradually closer to the trail leading back to Faulkner Park in the village, and all the while autumn’s splendor was a constant presence. Each new turn, each new scene, offered a fresh perspective on a beautiful season we return to every year. Many scenes in life can feel repetitive, every day provides an opportunity to take a new path, think new thoughts, or at least throw a new element into an old routine. 

Our life experience isn’t made to be tired, or cloaked in same-ness; it’s made to be refreshed. Those moments of renewal, of profound learning and insight, shine that steadfast light of goodness and progress onto life’s journey. In that light there’s a sense of openness, which sometimes unveils paths we never considered, but may be right for a particular moment. Like sunlight, goodness is familiar, and it always has a calming effect. Its gentle glow is never far from anyone, and we all share a natural connection with the good that sustains life, welcomes progress and instills peace.

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont expanding home weatherization program

A mid-morning scene in Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In a bid to lower energy bills and boost energy efficiency, the state of Vermont is directing $7.9 million in federal relief money to home weatherization efforts. Officials say reducing greenhouse gas emissions is also part of the goal. 

This funding from the American Rescue Plan Act will expand the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, run by the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF). This program usually weatherizes between 800 to 1,000 homes each year, according to Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, who announced the news Wednesday. 

“This investment will allow more than 550 additional homes to be weatherized, helping create good weatherization jobs, reduce costs for Vermonters and help our planet,” Scott said in a statement. 

About $1.6 million of the additional funding will be used to provide “one-stop” comprehensive weatherization and efficiency improvements in multi-family housing, state officials confirmed. 

A household is eligible for no-cost weatherization services if their gross household income is below 80% of the median income in their area. A family of four with an annual income of about $67,000 would be eligible in most Vermont communities.

“Weatherization saves the Vermonters we serve about 35%, on average, on their home energy use,” said Sarah Phillips, director for the DCF Office of Economic Opportunity, in the Wednesday announcement. “That helps lower their energy bills, keeping money in their pockets for other necessities like food, clothing and medications.”

Priority for funding is given to households receiving seasonal fuel assistance; high-energy use homes; families with young children; older Vermonters; and people with disabilities.

Free weatherization services include energy audits with methods like blower door testing and infrared scans; energy renovations such as insulation, air sealing and heating system upgrades; health and safety improvements like addressing ventilation, carbon monoxide and unsafe heating issues; efficiency coaching; and referrals to other programs and services.

On average, the program makes about $8,500 worth of improvements per home, adds about 1,500 square feet of insulation and reduces drafts by about 40%, according to the state.

For more information, check out the program page on the DCF website.

— Gareth Henderson

Abracadabra Coffee serving at East End, planning for winter

This coffee trailer, owned by Abracadabra Coffee Co., is a recent addition to Woodstock’s East End. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

If you’re enjoying the East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont, you can also enjoy an oasis of coffee and ice cream in this same part of the village. Now, just near the park’s entrance across the road, people can grab some coffee, baked goods and creemees, along with the foliage views in the area.

At that spot, Abracadabra Coffee Co. has been operating their coffee trailer since August and it’ll be there until mid-November. Picnic tables and umbrellas are there for seating, the parking’s free, and people can enjoy locally brewed coffee and a fabulous view of the Ottauquechee River and the mountains beyond. Also available are liege waffles, canelé (a French pastry), vegan apple cider donuts, and of course, creemees. 

The company purchased the shasta trailer earlier this year, and it’s been a big hit, said co-owner Sarah Yetter. 

“It’s been really great, everyone just really loves seeing the shasta,” she said. “Everyone says it’s adorable.”

The hours of operation are Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. As for what happens after mid-November, there is a winter option on the horizon. Abracadabra is working on final plans and permitting for an indoor location where they can serve to-go orders out of the trailer.

The seating area by the Abracadabra Coffee trailer near Woodstock’s East End Park. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

For the time being, the coffee trailer remains at the East End, where it was quickly gaining more fans last week. 

On Friday morning, Reda Kongjonaj and Sarah Waldron, both of Boston and staying in Killington, came down to Woodstock looking for a bit to eat. After not finding options for a quick lunch in the village, they hit Google Maps and, well, Abracadabra. 

“It’s convenient, I think it’s cute,” Kongjonaj said, while enjoying a coffee and a creemee. 

Waldron added, “It’s nice that it’s by this park, with the view, and you can just chill at the tables.” 

Also enjoying the coffee were Hartland resident Poli Nightingale and Dave Matz of Woodstock. Nightingale has been there with his family numerous times. 

“It’s usually our Saturday morning go-to after soccer and then after skiing in the wintertime,” Nightingale said of Abracadabra Coffee. 

Matz loved the atmosphere of the park and the trailer. 

“It’s great to see these new additions to the town of Woodstock,” he said. 

Abracadabra Coffee was founded by Clint Hunt and his wife, Antoinette, who both knew Yetter when they were all living in Columbus, Ohio. Yetter ended up becoming a partner in the company after moving to Vermont in 2016. Abracadabra started renting the building at 54 Pleasant Street in Woodstock in 2017, and they now operate their roasting there. 

“We’ve really been able to expand our wholesale,” Yetter said. 

They sell their whole-bean coffee all over the U.S. and have a robust online retail business through their website. Abracadabra also sells a line of cold brew cans throughout New England, and the company now has 11 employees.

— Gareth Henderson

The mountain view near the Abracadabra Coffee trailer at the East End. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Conserving our winged friends: ‘Bat Week’ coming soon

Bat houses are a great alternative for bats you need to evict from your home, but they do require some maintenance in the late fall or winter. (VTF&W photo)

Bats are busy this time of year, and it’s not because of Halloween. Vermont has nine native bat species, and summer groups of bats that roost in buildings begin to scatter in the fall, in preparation for migration or hibernation, according to state wildlife officials. They say it’s an important time for conservation-minded Vermonters to learn about and help conserve these creatures, which play an important role in the region’s ecosystem. 

If you have noticed bats roosting in your attic, barn, or office over the summer, fall is the perfect time to safely evict these uninvited guests from your property. You can learn how to safely evict bats from your building at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s best management practices page.

You can also help bat conservation efforts by reporting large colonies of bats living in structures to the department’s website. Locations with rare colonies of one of our endangered species, the little brown bat, are eligible for free bat houses from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Bat houses provide an alternative location for safely evicted bats to remain in your yard and continue eating huge quantities of insects that may be forest, agricultural, or human pests, according to wildlife officials. Bat houses can be put up any time of year but do require some simple maintenance. Late fall or winter is the time to look up inside your bat house and make sure all the bats have left before cleaning out any abandoned wasp nests and planning any needed caulking or repainting.

“Fall also means Halloween, and scary images of bats, but this presents an opportunity to bring positive attention to bats as well,” state biologist Alyssa Bennett said in a statement. “So, we celebrate ‘Bat Week’ in the days leading up to Halloween.” Bat Week takes place Oct. 24-31 and aims to raise awareness about the vital ecological function of bats and to dispel the many myths and misinformation about them, officials said.

This year, Bennett will be giving a public talk about Vermont’s nine native bat species at the Intervale Center in Burlington. You can register for the talk on the department’s events page.  Anyone interested in learning more can visit the official Bat Week website at www.BatWeek.org, or email Alyssa.Bennett@vermont.gov for more information about what they can do right here in Vermont to promote bat conservation.

“Vermont is home to several species of threatened and endangered bats that we are working to conserve and recover — we hope Vermonters will support these efforts and come to enjoy seeing bats in their natural environment,” Bennett added. “Bats are a very important part of our natural world and now, more than ever, they need our help.”

— Gareth Henderson

Embracing a higher view

Just after sunset along Cabot Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Few images in nature are more inspiring than a hawk gracefully soaring above the landscape, viewing the world from a unique perspective. This creature moves among the windy blasts of any season, able to accelerate and rise higher at a moment’s notice. 

For a few moments this afternoon, I observed this beautiful animal, maneuvering its way through the sky. It seemed so certain of its course, and when headwinds arose, it had the ability to confidently rise above them. 

This image of grace and confidence is a welcome sight, and a reminder of the importance of these qualities amid difficult times. Indeed, there are still obstacles that challenge our best qualities every day. Economic woes, the pandemic, political confrontations, and supply-chain issues are just the short list of challenges society now faces. And it’s true, these all test our ability to persevere and feel a sense of hope for the days ahead. It may not be too surprising that, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released Oct. 8, just one-third of Americans have a positive outlook on the nation’s future. 

Today, it so often seems that any attempts at progress as a country face immediate obstacles, and efforts to change things for the better can feel futile. That’s when thought, like the hawk, has to rise above its surroundings, and a big part of the solution can be the simple things. They include seeking positive interactions with others, helping a neighbor, or just encouraging someone who’s feeling down. Those experiences automatically uplift our thought. It’s a bit like coming home, because living amid goodness, and returning to it for support, is really a natural state of existence for us. There’s no doubt that massive challenges exist in this world, but knowing there’s a sense of peace we can access is reassuring and provides comfort. It’s an experience that’s readily available to help us soar and rise above contrary winds — high enough to see progress as truly possible.

— Gareth Henderson

Historic increase announced in Vt. home energy assistance

A foliage scene at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermonters needing help to keep their homes warm this winter will benefit from a historic increase in funding from a key federal program. 

This week, state and federal officials announced Vermont is receiving $49 million from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), thanks to relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Usually, the state receives about $20 million a year in LIHEAP funding. The program supports eligible households with their heating and energy needs. With the increase, seasonal fuel assistance benefits from LIHEAP will, on average, increase from $912 to $1,522, and cover 89% of a household’s seasonal fuel bill.  

Gov. Phil Scott thanked Vermont’s Congressional Delegation for working to secure this money. 

“These additional funds will allow us to do a number of things to help the vulnerable, including increasing fuel benefits; providing more money for weatherization services, including furnace repair and replacement; increasing the number of gallons or cords of wood you can receive under the crisis fuel program; provide a one-time check of $400 to those who qualify to offset electric heat, benefitting 18,000 households; and more,” Scott said in a statement on Thursday.

U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, joined Scott and the Vermont Department for Children and Families in making the announcement. 

“I’ve supported LIHEAP since its beginning 40 years ago for one simple reason: No Vermonter, no American, should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table or purchasing an essential medication,” said Leahy, who is on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Our work in Washington is only the first step. The last step, the most important one, is when Vermont families sign up for the program and receive the home heating help they need.”

Also in the joint statement, Sanders said the delegation has a “moral responsibility” to make sure no Vermont family goes cold during the long winter months. 

“I’m very proud that this substantial increase means far more Vermonters will receive the benefits they need, and I thank the state of Vermont and our Community Action Agencies for the great work they do helping Vermonters stay warm through the winter,” Sanders said. 

Welch noted that the LIHEAP program “serves as a lifeline” for many low-income families.

“The pandemic has only increased the need for more funding to ensure our communities get relief during the challenging winter months of these already trying times,” he said. “I’ll continue to fight for the highest possible level of funding to make sure that the low-income, elderly and disabled Vermonters who rely on this program are supported in the coming months.”

— Gareth Henderson

For more information, view the Thursday press conference about this increase in LIHEAP funding.

Holiday weekend sparks return of high foliage traffic

Traffic going in and out of Woodstock Village on Route 12 near Billings Farm, Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Fall foliage traffic has surged to levels the New England region hasn’t seen for two years. The holiday weekend of Oct. 9-11 was of course the catalyst for this, but in many places, the crowds continued into the week. 

In Woodstock, Vermont, the downtown crowds quickly gathered, filling restaurants, stores and village sidewalks. Courtney Lowe, president of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, said the very busy weekend continued what’s been a strong leisure travel market since June. The resort is seeing more elderly couples now, since many switched their reservations from 2020. 

“There’s a pretty large migration of reservations coming from last year to this year, so that did fill us up pretty quickly in this time period,” Lowe said. 

Another theme: The bus tours are back, and are adding to the crowds in a big way. That’s a large part of the pent up demand bringing the huge surge in traffic throughout the week. 

“People want to get out and about,” said Jeff Kahn, owner of the Unicorn. “The number of bus tours has doubled, tripled, from most recent years.” 

Overall, Kahn said he’s seen repeat visitors, but also travelers who are coming to Woodstock for the first time — and lots of each. 

“Forty-three years in, I never expected to still be working 7 days a week, but this week it was required,” he said. 

Kim Smith, co-owner of 37 Central Clothiers and the Red Wagon Toy Co., said it was a super busy weekend, and a popular one for ice cream. Smith runs Woodstock Scoops, an ice-cream pop-up shop, just across the street from her stores.

“It was just a beautiful weekend, and we sold lots of maple creemees,” she said. 

In a sign of business looking up, Lowe said the resort has seen an increasing number of people booking over the long term, into next summer and fall. 

“It helps you build a base for the following year,” Lowe said. “I feel like every inn, every lodging business in Vermont, has been extremely busy this whole time period."

— Gareth Henderson

US to lift land border restrictions for vaccinated travelers

The U.S. and Vermont flags in the mid-day sun. Vermont and other northern states have been advocating for the U.S. to allow non-essential travel from Canada for weeks. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

U.S. officials have announced plans to lift land border restrictions in November for fully vaccinated foreign nationals. All U.S.-bound travelers over land borders will have to show proof of vaccination before crossing. 

Current restrictions on non-essential travel have been in place since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Biden administration has come under increasing pressure from governors and other groups to allow non-essential land travel, citing pressure on commerce, citizens and the economy. 

In an announcement, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the administration next month "will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings."

In early January, as part of a two-phase approach to ease land border restrictions, proof of vaccination will also be required for all travelers entering the U.S. for essential reasons. “This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated,” Mayorkas explained.

For weeks, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has added his voice to the pressure from state officials, during a scheduled Tuesday call between governors and the White House. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington State raised the question again during that Tuesday call. The White House started putting the word out about the announcement late Tuesday, though no precise November date was given for the change. 

In a statement, Scott said the border announcement was good news for many Vermont residents and communities. 

“Vermont and Canada are not just neighbors, our communities are linked by family, friends, social and cultural connections, natural resources, commerce and more,” Scott said. “Reopening the land border will allow our communities to reunite, after being separated for nearly two years.”

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington, echoed that sentiment, saying the change “will provide great relief to those waiting to see friends and loved ones from Canada,” according to Reuters.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, added, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, members of our shared cross-border community have felt the pain and economic hardship of the land border closures,” as quoted in The Buffalo News. “That pain is about to end.”

The exact date in early November for this major change in land travel restrictions will be coming “very soon”, Reuters reported, quoting a Biden administration official. Unvaccinated visitors will still be barred from crossing the U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico. 

As for Canada-bound travelers, restrictions remain in place there as well. All travelers going into Canada must submit proof of vaccination and be tested for COVID-19 up to 72 hours before arrival. More information on Canada’s border-crossing restrictions, including the required testing, are at this link.

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont roots: Centennial spotlights Morgan breed’s storied history

“Figure” stands proudly at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge, Vt. This month, the farm marked the statue’s 100th anniversary with a special Centennial Field Day. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The first weekend of October brought a major anniversary to a special part of the University of Vermont’s Morgan Horse Farm, and also a celebration of the majestic animal for which the farm is named. 

On Saturday, Oct. 2, the life-size bronze statue of “Figure”, the foundational sire of the Morgan Horse breed, passed the century mark and the community celebrated. Figure’s owner, Justin Morgan, brought the horse to Randolph in 1792, and from there the breed’s history began in the Green Mountains. The UVM Morgan Horse Farm has played a crucial role in that history in Vermont, as thousands of Morgan Horses have been raised on this long-cherished property. 

People from all around Vermont took part in the 100-year celebration last weekend at the farm in Weybridge, where the event mirrored the activities and exhibits of the site’s original field day. It was a cloudy day, but the love of the farm and its cherished place in history shone bright.

This week, Margot Smithson, operations coordinator for the UVM Morgan Horse Farm, said the Oct. 2 Centennial Field Day brought out the community's passion for the Morgan Horse breed, and also sparked some new interest. 

“Think we brought some new folks in, and we rejuvenated the passion and interest of some folks who’ve been in our community for a while,” said Smithson, who introduced the Oct. 2 speakers and delivered remarks alongside Farm Manager Kimberly Demars. “We’ve had a number of people write to us, just being very grateful for the promotion we did for the Morgan Horse, what it means for the state, and just rekindling passion for it as our state animal.” 

One of the planners for the centennial event was Nina Quinn, president of the Morgan Horse Heritage Foundation and member of the farm’s UVM Advisory Board. Her carriage mare is a granddaughter of UVM Kerry, a famous Morgan bred at the farm. Quinn was also an apprentice at the farm, adding, “I grew up here basically.” 

She’s hopeful about the farm’s future. “It takes a village; it’s a very, very important place,” Quinn said. 

A young visitor meets a new friend at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm on Oct. 2. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The 150-year-old working farm, with over 40 Morgans, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it welcomes the public annually from May through October. Time and again at the recent Centennial, a key point was driven home: the UVM Morgan Horse Farm has been an ambassador for the Morgan Horse breed. In 1878, Joseph Battell commissioned construction of the farm to preserve the Morgan breed, and also published the first volume of the Morgan Horse Registry in 1894, noted Jim McClay, director of The Lippitt Club, during his remarks at the event. In 1907, Battell sold the farm to the U.S. government, and under the Department of Agriculture, the government farm bred over 500 Morgans for their cavalry remount program between 1907 and 1951. 

“Morgan horses from his government line of breeding are known for substantial bone and very athletic abilities,” McClay said. 

By 1951, the government no longer needed the program, and divided the Morgans still at the farm between the New England land-grant colleges — one of them being UVM. For decades, the farm has provided education and training for students, while “perpetuating the Battell, government and UVM blood lines,” McClay said. Through attracting thousands of visitors over its history, the farm has also educated the wider public about Vermont’s state animal.

Speaking of the robust equine education for students, Dr. Leslie Parise, dean of UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, told the crowd at the event the farm staff recently taught a handling lab at UVM’s Miller Farm near the Burlington campus, working with several of UVM’s Morgan foals. Though some classes at the Weybridge farm are on hold due to the pandemic, Parise said the Morgan Horse Farm team was able to host their second-annual Saturday handling lab with 16 students. 

“It’s a great opportunity for these students to really get hands-on experience,” she said. The farm also offers a yearly equine reproduction course, focusing on the best practices for horse-breeding, artificial insemination, and more. 

Through working with students and promoting history and stewardship of the breed, The UVM Morgan Horse Farm has meant a great deal to the breed’s storied past, including its place in Vermont history. The farm was a favorite place for Gov. Deane C. Davis, who held the state’s top office from 1969 to 1973, owned and showed Morgan horses, and was instrumental in making the Morgan the state animal.

Horses look into the distance at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In an interview during the Oct. 2 event, Denny Emerson, an equestrian and Olympic gold-medalist based in Strafford, said the UVM Morgan Horse Farm has been a steady, positive influence over the years. He added that Vermont’s strong ties to the breed — from Justin Morgan and Figure, to the contributions of Gov. Davis and others — helped sustain the farm even as other New England colleges halted their Morgan breeding programs. That history has also turned into dollars for Vermont, with many tourists visiting the farm every year. 

“I think there's more of a tradition in Vermont than any other state, and hopefully they understand the tourist attraction and keep maintaining this place, both the University of Vermont and the state,” Emerson said.

Along with history and other aspects, the Oct. 2 speakers went to the very heart of the Morgan breed, noting its versatility, unmatched stamina, and a special closeness to its human companions. As Amanda Ryan, vice president of the Vermont Morgan Horse Association, noted about this special horse, “Above and beyond all else, he chooses you.” 

“There is a brightness that burns in them that you can see, whenever you stand in their presence,” she said. 

She added, “In Vermont, you are in the homeland. This horse irrevocably belongs to all Vermonters.” 

The Centennial crowd also heard from Anson Tebbetts, Vermont’s agriculture secretary, who thanked UVM, the Morgan Horse Farm team, and all volunteers and supporters throughout Vermont and beyond. He noted the farm’s importance to the breed, and the Morgan’s crucial place in Vermont’s long-standing equine economy.

“Horses, as we’ve learned today, are also great companions, teaching our young people responsibility and care of our animals,” Tebbetts said. “Through 4-H and horse shows, thousands of Vermonters have learned life-long skills that benefit all of us.” 

Because of the education they gained at the farm, many young people over the years have gone into careers in agriculture, a number of them becoming veterinarians, Tebbetts told the crowd. Behind these great traditions, are the great times generations have shared with this special breed, right here in the Greens. 

“The future is bright for UVM, and, as many have said earlier, the Morgan brings us joy and happiness,” he said.

— Gareth Henderson

A young Morgan greets the camera at the UVM farm in Weybridge, Vt., during the recent Centennial Field Day. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Looking toward the good

It's a familiar phrase: Life is a matter of perspective. The same holds true all year, including this fall season, when we not only welcome in the dazzling colors of autumn, but also numerous visitors to these Green Mountains we love. Some folks are making their first trip, while others have made numerous journeys north and have forged some longtime local friendships along the way. Indeed, the traffic can be tough, but it’s also a time of sharing our home — this beautiful Vermont — with others. Any time we’re going about our daily routines, that connection can happen in this land we all love. 

I had such an experience earlier in the week, when making my way through South Woodstock and stopping several times to explore some new photo angles on some favorite vistas. With the distant mountains in sight at one location, I stopped — but I wasn’t the only one. Another car approached from the opposite direction, with another behind it. For a moment I thought I might have to move, to avoid an impending mini traffic-jam. But I calmly went about my business, needing to change camera lenses for a better shot. I came back out to see the driver who had stopped near me, with camera in hand to capture the view while the late-afternoon sun still brightened the mountaintops. “Pretty irresistible isn’t it?” I said, pointing into the distance. “Oh I know!” came the cheerful reply. 

In a few minutes, we both went our separate ways, but having shared that joyful moment and a few smiles — all because we both wanted to see and remember the same beautiful, quiet place in the Greens. 

As we roll into the holiday weekend, opportunities for kindly moments of connection with others will be plentiful. They might come up where they’re least expected, too. But whatever happens, there remain many good moments in the world, even when major issues arise and appear unmovable. When we embrace even brief instances of good and share them with others, a bit more peace abides in the world at that precious moment. And those times are not the exception to any rule, but they reflect who we naturally are. As we let that spirit of peace inspire us, every interaction becomes an opportunity to see the good in others. The uplifting effect is harmonious, restful, and an open gift each of us can always experience.

— Gareth Henderson

Program extended to help food-insecure Vermonters

The Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont, on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A statewide program helping food-insecure Vermonters has been extended through the end of 2021.

This week, the "Vermont Everyone Eats" program announced it would continue through the end of the year. In an interview with Vermont Public Radio, Jean Hamilton, the program's statewide coordinator, noted that pandemic-driven needs persist in Vermont communities.

"The impact will be here for longer than we imagined, but also, we just didn't anticipate the impact of (the) Delta (variant) and the fact that numbers would actually go back up," Hamilton told VPR.

More funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is allowing this extension to move forward, according to news reports. FEMA is currently covering the restaurant-made meals at $10 each, NECN reported via NBC5, with the purpose of helping hungry Vermonters and also the local eateries and farms providing the food.

Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 1 in 3 people in the state were facing food insecurity, according to University of Vermont researchers. A year later, UVM found that over half of those affected Vermonters were still having trouble accessing nutritious meals.

In Middlebury, Bethany Farrell, of The Giving Fridge, told NECN she was glad to take part in Everyone Eats and was thrilled about the program's extension.

"It will help our communities thrive," Farrell said.

Vermont Everyone Eats has over 134 distributions sites statewide managed by 18 regional partners, according to the program’s website. For more details about its work, download the impact report on this page.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. governor remembers WWII veteran Sidney Walton

An American flag in Woodstock Village on July 4, 2020. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In public remarks on Tuesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott took some time to remember World War II veteran Sidney Walton, who famously embarked on his “No Regrets” tour in 2018 to raise awareness on veterans’ issues. 

Walton passed away on Saturday at age 102 in Santa Monica, California. A native of New York City, Walton was an Army infantryman who joined the military nine months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. In his nationwide tour, Walton’s goal was to visit all 50 governors in all 50 U.S. states, and it was two years ago that he traveled up to Vermont to meet Scott.

“I was the 24th governor he met back in November of 2019, and he met his 40th, Gov. (Kevin) Stitt in Oklahoma, just one week ago today,” Scott said at a Tuesday press conference. “As you know, while I have a great deal of respect for anyone who served our country, World War II veterans hold a special place for me, with my dad serving in the Third Army in France as a tanker under General Patton.” 

Scott said Walton’s passing shows how important it is to thank World War II veterans of the Greatest Generation “whenever you have the chance.” 

“Unfortunately, there aren’t many of them left, and they did more than we’ll ever fully know or appreciate. They literally saved the world and were the best of the best,” the governor said. “So again, whenever you’ve got the opportunity to thank someone who served, take it.” 

Seeing Walton’s dedication to his fellow veterans, he exemplified a lifetime of service, as so many veterans have. His tour drew national attention and gained more exposure for issues impacting those who have served in the armed forces. On his 99th birthday, Walton readily accepted when his son, Paul, came up with the idea for the tour. For years, Walton had told his children about one regret: how he passed up an opportunity in 1939 to meet a group of aging Civil War veterans who gathered at the World’s Fair in New York City, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

“I said, ‘How would you like to go on tour across the country, meet every governor in every state and meet people along the way and give each and every one of them an opportunity to meet a World War II veteran before it’s too late?’” Paul recalled in his interview with the Times. “He said, ‘Son, I’m up for that.’”

Paul Walton called his father’s tour “a symbol of unity” for the U.S., according to the Los Angeles Times. 

“This is not a Republican campaign, it’s not a Democrat campaign, it’s not an independent campaign,” he told the newspaper. “It’s an American campaign.”

— Gareth Henderson

A land of great connections

The historic marker for renowned poet Robert Frost along Route 125 in Ripton, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont is a small state, but with a certain greatness to offer. That quality shows up many times in moments of natural grandeur, captured in a photo or video, and other times it has to do with great talents choosing to grace these mountains and valleys. 

Driving back home from a visit to Middlebury, Vermont, today, we passed through Ripton where world-famous poet Robert Frost spent the summer and fall from 1939 until his death in 1963. His writing cabin, a National Historic Landmark, is on a 150-acre farm nestled in the scenic Green Mountains off Route 125. Over the years, he often shared his expertise with the students at Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English and its Writers’ Conference. What an experience that must have been for those young writers. 

Along Route 125, we stopped to take the above photo of the historic marker honoring Frost and his longtime connection to Vermont. The marker quotes the former Vermont Poet Laureate: 

Breathes there a bard who isn’t moved

When he finds his verse is understood

And not entirely disapproved

By his Country and his Neighborhood!

Reading Frost’s own words, and seeing his name honored there, I could not help but think that spot was the perfect place for this recognition. He lived here and shared his craft with aspiring writers, of course, but at the same time, these mountains assuredly brought some comfort and ease to his work. The Green Mountains, by their very presence, embrace the mind and paint natural scenes which give solace to thought and inspiration to the thinker. Looking out my window to see sunlit trees and a gentle blue Vermont sky, this expression of grace is like fresh water to grow new ideas, and this landscape remains an inspiration for artists of all kinds.

Indeed, when seeing Robert Frost’s name Saturday afternoon, and the trees towering behind the site, it represented the perfect combination of a beautiful landscape and a writer very much at home within it. That’s a familiar feeling for me, and it’s a joy to share the abundant inspiration gleaned from the wide world of nature. Like life itself, nature is always beaming with renewal and hope, whether the skies are cloudy or sunny. It’s a world always ready to inspire, and that goodness doesn’t diminish — it’s alive, and it’s here to uplift us all.

— Gareth Henderson

The craft I love

A view from High Pastures Road near the Pomfret-Woodstock line. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

As we near the end of another week, I’m grateful. It’s been 19 months since Omni Reporter began its journey of offering uplifting and informative content with an eye toward driving progress in the world. And I myself am always uplifted with every show of support, be it a financial contribution, a card or gift, signing up for the newsletter, or simply sending an email full of love for what this venture has become — a place people can turn to for a more positive, encouraging view on the world around us.

As many of you know, this is a craft I love. I truly enjoy writing articles and editorials, taking countryside drives to create great photography, and putting it all together in a useful way that informs and inspires. Along with that comes the best parts of journalism: learning new things, meeting new people, and telling a good story. At the heart of this reader-supported venture is sharing not only information, but also hope and encouragement — a combination people have really responded to. And because of that, some of you have recently joined Omni Reporter as newsletter subscribers. Thank you and welcome!

Moving forward, though I love focusing on the writing, I also have to zero in on the money side of things. We find ourselves in the fourth quarter of the year, a time when every financial contribution really helps to keep Omni Reporter going on a regular basis. And so, if you enjoy this service, and haven’t given a contribution before, I invite you to consider contributing in whatever amount works best for you. This is a reader-supported venture, and further contributions will help Omni continue, bringing further uplifting and informative content to even more people. 

Thank you all for your heartfelt support for Omni Reporter, the sincere encouragement you share, and the spirit of community you bring. Your support is greatly appreciated. 

— Gareth Henderson

Community shines bright in ‘Local Color’

Five works from the "Local Color" exhibit. At top, from left, are "At Silver Lake, September" (acrylic on board) and "Barn Across the River, October" (acrylic on board) by Margaret Lampe Kannenstine. Below, from left, are "On the Ottauquechee, Quechee" (pastel), "Up Lyme Pond Road, Pomfret" (acrylic on canvas), and "Pine Hollow Pond, Pomfret" (pastel), all by Karen Chalom. - (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As a young boy, Kip King found a 1920s Kodak camera in his family’s house and asked his dad if he could use it. Permission was granted, and a passion was born.

Today, King, who lives in Norwich, Vermont, is one of more than 70 local artists showing their work at Artistree Gallery’s annual “Local Color” exhibit, which opened on Friday and welcomes in the autumn season. It runs through Nov. 6.

Speaking at Friday’s opening night in Pomfret, King was enjoying the experience, but not only because of the chance to show his work here again; it’s also because of the highly collaborative Artistree community. Any artists are welcomed in, he said, whether they’re experienced or just starting out.

“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a community to make an artist,” he said. “It’s just a great community to be a part of.”

Groton State Forest, Vermont. (Photo by Kip King / kipkingphotography.com)

Sonja Olson, a printmaker and painter, is also showing her work in Local Color and praised that supportive spirit as well. Olson has lived in the area for 30 years, and is part of Artistree’s Daily Artists group which meets regularly and encourages one other on individual artistic endeavors. 

“It’s brought artists together as a community,” she said, noting the group had a gallery exhibit earlier this year. 

That inviting community feeling is also apparent in Local Color, with its great variety of expression and a range of autumn hues.  

“There’s a huge variety of work, styles and colors,” said Deborah Goodwin, exhibits coordinator at the gallery. There’s also a lot of interest from artists wanting to show their work for the first time at Artistree, Goodwin added. 

“We keep getting a lot of new participants,” she said. 

Artistree Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Read more about the work in Local Color on the website.

— Gareth Henderson

“Sunny Susie” (oil on board) by Pat Macri. - (Gareth Henderson Photo)

State seeks volunteers to conserve turtle nesting sites

A spiny softshell turtle hatchling looks out into the world. The state is looking for volunteers to help prepare nesting areas for this threatened creature. (VF&W Photo by Tom Rogers)

Wildlife officials are looking for volunteers to help a creature listed as threatened in Vermont: the spiny softshell turtle.

People are invited to join the Fish and Wildlife Department’s annual beach cleanup day, which prepares turtle nesting sites for next year. It takes place on Saturday, Oct. 16, and gives people a way to help conserve Vermont’s spiny softshell population. Loss of nesting sites through shoreline changes and development is a key reason this turtle is threatened in Vermont.

On cleanup day, participants are asked to arrive at 10 a.m. at North Hero State Park (directions below). After finishing at North Hero, the group will carpool to another site in Swanton. 

Volunteers will pull up vegetation on nesting beaches to prepare the nesting sites. They may also find a few hatchlings that occasionally remain in nests underground this late in the year, officials said. In addition to spiny softshell turtles, these nest sites are also used by map turtles, painted turtles and snapping turtles. 

State biologist Toni Mikula will have hatchling spiny softshell and other turtles on hand and will talk about the long-term turtle recovery efforts.  Some of these hatchling turtles will be raised in captivity by the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain while they are small and most vulnerable to predation, according to the state. They will be released back into Lake Champlain next spring.

“This is a great way to help conserve threatened wildlife right here in Vermont,” Mikula said in a statement. “It’s also a fun way to learn more about the turtles and to see some recently-hatched baby turtles.”

Participants are asked to dress in layers of warm clothes and to bring water, work gloves, a leaf rake, short-handled tools such as trowels, and their own lunch. Families and kids are welcome.  The cleanup may run until 4 p.m., although participants can choose how long to assist.

“This has turned into a very popular annual event for people interested in conservation,” Mikula said. “We’re always glad to see so many people care about wildlife.”

To get to North Hero State Park, follow Route 2 north past Carry Bay in North Hero. Take a right on Lakeview Drive, just before Route 2 swings west toward Alburgh. Follow Lakeview Drive almost to the end until you reach the North Hero State Park entrance sign on the left. Drive to the end of the road always bearing right. 

For more information, please contact Mikula at Toni.Mikula@vermont.gov.

— Gareth Henderson

Notice: This event is outdoors and there is enough space for social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Some hand tools will be provided but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own.

Volunteers help during a previous beach cleanup day in Vermont to help spiny softshell turtles. (VF&W Photo by Tom Rogers)

FDA authorizes booster of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Federal officials have authorized a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, with a focus on several higher-risk groups. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the booster is for people in three specific groups, at least six months after receiving the standard two doses of the vaccine. They are: people age 65 or older; ages 18-64 and at high risk of severe COVID-19; and ages 18-64 and at high risk of the virus due to “frequent institutional or occupational exposure”. 

The FDA decision amended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine's emergency use authorization. Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock noted the context of the decision. 

“This pandemic is dynamic and evolving, with new data about vaccine safety and effectiveness becoming available every day,” Woodcock said in a statement. “As we learn more about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of a booster dose, we will continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and keep the public informed.”

Before the booster is made available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its advisers still have to detail who should receive the extra shot, according to The Washington Post. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to make its recommendation on Thursday. After full approval, the booster is expected to be available at pharmacies and some doctor’s offices as soon as this week, the Post reported. 

States have been gearing up to prepare for this approval, including Vermont. At Tuesday’s state press conference, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said registration for Pfizer booster shots should start the day after they receive full approval.

“We have been actively planning for those that may qualify for boosters, making some assumptions so that we could be ready when approval comes through,” Smith said. 

All this comes as the nation continues to face the Delta variant of COVID-19, however recent statistics show that cases are beginning to come down in some western and southern states where cases skyrocketed at the beginning of the Delta wave, according to data announced at Tuesday’s Vermont press conference. That trend has not yet hit New England, Vermont officials said Tuesday. 

Statewide, 87.4% of Vermonters had received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as of Tuesday, and over 78% were fully vaccinated. Though Vermont’s hospitalizations due to the virus have trended upward in the past week, officials said Vermont continues to have the fewest COVID hospitalizations of any U.S. state.

— Gareth Henderson

Update (9/23/21): The state has issued an update at this link about starting initial Pfizer booster shots on Friday, Sept. 24, as well as details about availability in the coming weeks.

Update (9/24/21): Following this morning’s announcement from CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., the state will expand eligibility for booster shots to people aged 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions on Friday, Oct. 1. It is anticipated these conditions will be more specifically defined by the CDC later today.

Gratitude: A daily gift

A forest illuminated along River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Autumn officially arrives Wednesday, and we've all been experiencing the cooler nights, the falling leaves, the later sunsets — all harbingers of a new season dawning.

As those familiar signs build upon one another, the relative peace in nature offers a striking difference against the news we see and hear every day, as it often does. From economic peril and racial divides, to political tensions and food insecurity, there can seem to be little hope on the horizon for the world to overcome obstacles, make progress, and succeed together. The news cycle often feels like a washing machine with a broken off-switch.

The constant barrage of these ideas can quickly feel overwhelming, crushing out the reality that we still have access to hope, love and harmony. But it is important to look for that sliver of light every day, and strive to see it. That light illustrates the ever-present goodness that fuels each of us to do better. Every day, at the center of that light, is an opportunity to give gratitude for what each of us has, instead of longing for what another has, or comparing material possessions. Though we may not realize it, that comparison-mode can give root to negative thinking — even divisive thoughts.

Each day, I give gratitude for where I live, the love and safety of my community, my health, and for each day that the sun rises and sets. This brings to mind a line from the famous Ernest Hemingway novel, "The Sun Also Rises" — “Don't you ever get the feeling that all your life is going by and you're not taking advantage of it?"

Giving gratitude helps ground your day in goodness instead of lack, in harmony instead of tension, and it never stops letting in the light. When that news-cycle washing machine revs up and it feels like too much, we can always mentally look up and know we have a way to be grateful and spread goodness — even when life is sending constant challenges. And we can inspire others to do the same, making gratitude a daily gift, from us, to the world.

— Gareth Henderson

Chester festival returns, adding music and new exhibits

Acoustic trio Moon Hollow, with Tim Cardiello, Charlie Peckar and John Jamison, performs at the Chester Festival on the Green on Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Reconnecting. It’s been a theme of 2021, and it was certainly happening for those attending the Chester Festival on the Green on Saturday in downtown Chester, Vermont.

The annual two-day festival has made its return after last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic, and it’s got several new features this time around — live music and agricultural exhibits and games, with a hay maze nearby. A variety of food vendors have been added, too. All this brought a big crowd in the mid-morning hours and into the afternoon. 

“I just like the fact that I ran into a bunch of people I haven’t seen for a couple of years,” said Brendan D’Angelo, of Windsor, who was there with some friends Saturday afternoon. 

One of them, Faith Wood, is the bassist with The Break Maids, performing in the music line-up, today, Sept. 19. Wood lives in Chester and was enjoying the atmosphere on the festival’s first day back in 2021. 

“I just love the fact that it’s outside, just a nice walk in a great, little town,” she said. 

The festival has been going for over 40 years, forming an event hub for many crafters and artisans in the region. But this weekend, as people checked out the various vendor booths on the Green and nearby, they’ve heard festival committee member Barre Pinske on his bullhorn, gently reminding people there’s new stuff this time. Saturday brought a great turnout. 

“I believe we killed it,” he said. “It’s been awesome.” 

People check out the various vendor tents in Chester on Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Pinske said the new additions to the festival were well received. 

“If you drive here or you’re visiting, now you get to experience more things,” he said. 

Ashley Cormack, owner of the Little Art Supply Store downtown, which she just opened on Labor Day, said mid-afternoon Saturday that she’d seen double the amount of cars arriving in town, compared to when she moved here and experienced the festival in 2018. Some of that traffic came into the store as well. 

“We’ve gotten a lot more people than we normally get on a Saturday,” Cormack said. 

Outside, just across the street on the Green, Cormack’s grandmother, Betty Rounds, was doing what she’s done for decades: selling her hand-made sweaters for children and other knitted creations at her tent. She's been knitting since she was a child growing up in Chester, having picked up the skill from her grandparents and her aunt. 

"I guess it’s in the family," she said with a smile, as several customers checked out the items in her tent Saturday afternoon. The crowds were there in droves by late morning, she said. 

Here are some of the sweaters by Betty Rounds, a longtime vendor at Chester’s annual festival. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Some festival-goers enjoyed hanging out and listening to the live music, located behind the Fullerton Inn and Restaurant downtown. The stage was set far back from some bleachers and the lawn, with food and drink offered nearby. In the nearby parking lot, a tractor would occasionally arrive to give wagon rides. 

On Saturday, Royalton-based musician Ali T and her band were providing the musical entertainment in the evening until 8 p.m. She was excited to join her friends on stage, since she usually performs solo. The band includes Bobby Gagnier, Skip Truman and Ed Eastridge — a Grammy award-winning sound engineer.

“It’s a nice opportunity to join my full band for change,” Ali T said, after checking out the hay maze on Saturday. 

The 2021 Chester festival’s final day is today, Sept. 19, with vendors and exhibits going until 4 p.m., and music from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, check out the website. 

— Gareth Henderson

Kids, adults and pets alike enjoyed the new hay maze at the Chester festival. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

New funds to advance cleanup at dozens of Vt. brownfield sites

Vermont is investing $25 million to clean up and spur redevelopment on some major contaminated sites, which have sat vacant for years due to the cost of environmental remediation.

About 70 eligible sites are on the list to receive funding through the Brownfield Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Act. The overall $25 million comes out of a $210 million state budget surplus and was approved by the Legislature. It marks the first time state dollars have been used toward these brownfield projects, officials said in their Thursday announcement. Historically, this work has been funded exclusively by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

One of the projects benefiting from this influx of money is the 270,000-square-foot former Jones & Lamson Machine Co. building in Springfield, a huge driver of the manufacturing powerhouse this town was decades ago. The effort to demolish and remediate this 14-acre site will now receive $3.7 million from Vermont’s Brownfield Economic Revitalization Alliance program, the Valley News reported Friday. From that same program, new funding is also going to clean up a brownfield site in St. Albans and two in Burlington. 

The full amount of $25 million will be administered in parts by the state Agency of Natural Resources and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). 

This week, officials touted the significant environmental and economic impacts of this money.

“The level of funding will speed up a process which will no doubt result in business retention and expansion, job creation, and housing development, like we’ve never seen in Vermont,” said ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle in a statement.

Also in Thursday’s announcement, Peter Walke, the state’s commissioner of environmental conservation, noted the multiple ways the funding makes a difference.

“This historic state funding for brownfields will help us address longstanding environmental issues and better protect public health,” Walke said. “The benefits include everything from reducing sprawl by encouraging the use of existing infrastructure to encouraging renewable energy on brownfields.”

To help reach these goals, he also noted the importance of partnerships across state agencies, with the EPA and regional planning commissions, and many other groups and organizations. 

In Thursday’s statement, Gov. Phil Scott said this type of funding represents “exactly the kind of lasting impact” Vermont needs. 

“I hope this new level of state funding shows communities across Vermont that we are committed to helping all corners of the state recover and rebuild stronger than ever before,” Scott said.

— Gareth Henderson