Warm week puts Vermont under flood watch
Vermont and northern New York are under a flood watch for the next 24 hours, with rain, snowmelt and ice jams expected to swell local waterways during that time.
Vermont and northern New York are under a flood watch for the next 24 hours, with rain, snowmelt and ice jams expected to swell local waterways during that time.
The flood watch starts at 1 p.m. today and is due to last until Friday at 4 p.m.
Along with larger rivers, experts warn that creeks and streams may rise out of their banks and low-water crossings may be flooded. Motorists are urged to use caution and to never drive through any flooded areas.
The combination of snow melt and moderate to heavy rainfall may see sharp rises for many waterways, the National Weather Service reported. Rivers being closely monitored include: Ausable, Saranac, Salmon, Lamoille, Winooski, Mad and Otter Creek.
Rainfall totals will range from about three quarters of an inch in the Connecticut River valley up to two inches in parts of northern New York, where isolated higher amounts are possible, NWS stated.
Those who need to travel are asked to track the weather and be prepared to make alternate plans should flooding occur.
Additionally, a wind advisory is in effect for Windsor and Rutland counties in Vermont. Read more from both weather alerts at this link.
— Gareth Henderson
Endangered no more: Bald eagle reaches Vt. milestone
This week, officials revealed that the bald eagle was no longer endangered in the Green Mountain State. But this bird of prey wasn’t the only animal to make statewide news this week.
A nesting pair of bald eagles in Barnet, Vermont. (VTF&W Photo by John Hall)
It was a big week for conservation in Vermont. On Thursday, officials revealed that the bald eagle was no longer endangered in the Green Mountain State. Wildlife officials announced this upcoming change in spring of 2021, after years of restoration efforts throughout Vermont.
“The bald eagle’s de-listing is a milestone for Vermont,” Wildlife Division Director Mark Scott said in a statement. “This reflects more than a decade of dedicated work by Vermont Fish & Wildlife and partners. It shows that Vermonters have the capacity to restore and protect the species and habitats that we cherish.”
That conservation capacity will be essential moving forward, officials noted. But the bald eagle wasn’t the only animal to make statewide news this week. Seven species and three critical habitats were the subjects of changes on Vermont’s Endangered and Threatened Species List.
Along with de-listings for the bald eagle and short-styled snakeroot, a flowering plant of dry woodland habitats, Thursday’s update included a range of new listings. Two invertebrate species, the American bumblebee and a species of freshwater mussel known as the brook floater, and two plant species, Houghton’s sedge and rue anemone, have been listed as endangered. State endangered species are considered at immediate risk of becoming locally extinct in Vermont.
One bird species, the Eastern meadowlark, received a new designation as threatened. State threatened species are considered at risk of becoming endangered without timely conservation action.
Three Vermont landscapes also received new designations as critical habitats that are essential for the survival of threatened or endangered species, according to Thursday’s official announcement. The newly listed sites support species including the common tern and Eastern spiny softshell turtle, as well as little brown, Northern long-eared, and tricolored bats.
“These new listings reflect the stressors affecting Vermont’s plant, fish, and wildlife species,” said Wildlife Diversity Program Manager Dr. Rosalind Renfrew. “In the face of climate change and habitat loss, our mission is to conserve these species and others to the very best of our ability on behalf of all Vermonters, who demonstrate time and again that they care about the survival of wildlife populations.”
The new listings are a vital step towards enabling the department to carry out that mission, officials said. They trigger additions to existing species and habitat management plans, development of recovery metrics, initiation of population monitoring, and strengthening or establishing critical partnerships.
“We dedicate incredible resources through population monitoring, habitat conservation and improvement, and education and outreach to preventing species from reaching these thresholds in the first place,” said Scott, the Wildlife Division director. “But, when necessary, we also draw on our successful track record leading endangered species recovery efforts including restoring Vermont’s populations of common loon, osprey, peregrine falcon, and now the bald eagle. We will bring that same dedication to each of these new listings.”
— Gareth Henderson
Click here to find out more about Vermont’s endangered species and related recovery plans.
Vermonters making history at the 2022 Winter Olympics
"No matter what's been happening politically, the Olympics have always been a beacon of hope, pride and unity. During these times of uncertainty, it's more important than ever to show the world all the good we have to offer." - Vermont Gov. Phil Scott
A winter scene from Starksboro, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)
Not everyone gets to witness a home-spun connection when it comes to the Olympics, but Vermont is making it an historic year at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
This week, Vermonter Ryan Cochran-Siegle won the silver medal in the super-G, becoming the first Vermonter to medal in Alpine skiing since his mother, Barbara Ann Cochran, took home the gold in 1972.
On that same day, Tuesday, Jessie Diggins, who lives in Stratton, became the first American woman to win an individual cross-country skiing medal, taking the bronze in the 1.5km sprint.
A day later, the winning ways continued, when Lindsey Jacobellis from Stratton won the USA's first gold medal of the 2022 Winter Olympics, competing in the snowboard cross.
Some members of the Vermont Army National Guard are also competing in Beijing, and one of them, Jericho resident Deedra Irwin, finished seventh in the 15k individual Biathlon. That's the best Olympic result ever by an American biathlete.
Irwin's history-making moment on Monday came just a couple days after Team USA's best-ever Olympic finish in the Biathlon mixed relay. Surging into seventh place were Vermonter Susan Dunklee and teammates Sean Doherty, Clare Egan and Paul Schommer.
Olympic glory indeed has its brightest and most memorable expression on the snow and ice. But the impact moves far beyond that, into the hearts of athletes and the many fans around the world. The greatest Olympic feat is the unity of purpose that expels any sense of division when athletes gather for these amazing, unforgettable events. And that resonates with people.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott captured this spirit well, in his recent video remarks congratulating the Vermonters competing in the 2022 Winter Games.
"Every four years, athletes from around the globe show the value of preparation, perseverance and patriotism," Scott said. "No matter what's been happening politically, the Olympics have always been a beacon of hope, pride and unity. During these times of uncertainty, it's more important than ever to show the world all the good we have to offer."
— Gareth Henderson
All-encompassing freedom
Like the sharp winter sun enveloping the brilliant landscape, we can let peace, goodness and love surround our hearts and bring us to a better moment where harmony reigns.
A wintry scene near Lake Pinneo in Quechee, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
As the snow blankets the landscape around us, it embraces its surroundings with a special stillness, an all-encompassing sense of freedom.
Even amid frigid conditions, we’ve all felt the serenity of winter. Its sense of peace envelops the land and all that takes place on it. To see this in action is a joy, including Saturday as we once again visited the trails by Lake Pinneo in Quechee. As the cross-country skis hit the tracks in the snow, they added their own sound amid the gentle silence. A graceful mix of light and shadow danced over many parts of earth’s snowy blanket.
As we go by so many of nature’s splendid scenes, we do so in a world that is struggling with challenges of lack, economy, health, division, and other issues. These can lead us to feeling trapped, like there’s nothing which can settle or resolve these challenges. In truth, embracing and connecting with that feeling of peace is an important place to start, because any productive thought we cultivate within ourselves can be shared with others, even through just a kind interaction. The vastness of peace that nature so easily provides, can be ours to express, too. This can happen even amid political tension and places where ideas of peace and unity face an uphill climb. We can know those more productive ideas have their allies, and that in the end the very peacefulness expressed so naturally in the outdoors is a point of commonality — it means something to all of us.
That peace, that broad sense of good and harmony, isn’t far away from any of us. It’s accessible, its power is immediate, and it’s something we can embrace and cultivate in all our endeavors. Feeling a growing sense of natural peace can start right this very moment, and we can calmly welcome more of it into our lives right now. Like the brilliant winter sun enveloping the landscape, we can let peace, goodness and love surround our hearts and bring us to a better moment where harmony reigns. With that, the daylight in our lives can keep expanding and has more than enough grace to help every heart it touches.
— Gareth Henderson
Vt. looks to strengthen career and technical education
The state of Vermont is focusing on ways to enhance career and technical education opportunities and grow the state’s workforce, in the face of recent workforce declines.
A winter scene by the Ottauquechee River Trail in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
As Career and Technical Education Month continues nationwide, the state of Vermont is focusing on ways to enhance career and technical education opportunities and grow the state’s workforce, in the face of recent workforce declines.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a proclamation establishing that same month-long recognition for February in the Green Mountains. Scott’s recent state budget address emphasized career education, and the Legislature is also exploring ways to support these programs. The governor said the state “desperately needs to grow its workforce,” especially in the trades, and he looks forward to working with lawmakers on that goal.
“Whether it’s plumbers, electricians, line workers, fiber splicers, or mechanics, Vermont has thousands of these jobs that need to be filled,” Scott said at a Tuesday press conference.
In his Tuesday remarks, the governor noted his budget plan has $10 million for reducing education costs for those working toward careers in the trades, which includes $3 million to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation for those enrolling in training or certification programs. Scott also said the state is launching a $1.4 million recruitment campaign for career and technical education enrollment, which includes engaging with students and parents at the middle and high school levels.
He also said Vermont has to work to reduce the stigma around career and technical education.
“It’s time we recognize that going into the trades is just as impressive, and in fact can be just as lucrative, as a four-year degree,” Scott said.
Additionally, with a $90 million surplus projected for the education fund, Scott is proposing putting $45 million of that money toward upgrades for career and technical education centers in Vermont. There are 17 such educational centers across the state.
“As we spend billions in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding, in addition to all the money from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we’re going to need more people who have the skills to weatherize homes, build bridges, install and connect fiber optic cables, and so much more,” Scott said. “We can’t let this moment pass, because the time to invest is now.”
— Gareth Henderson
The calming presence of music
A brief but meaningful message, such as that contained in a song, can uplift us in any situation, adding to those lighter, heartfelt layers of inspiration that bring grace into our lives.
A scene by Hartland Hill Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
So often, music sends a message to the heart just when we need to hear it. Such was the case this week, when I came across a version of “Simple Gifts” performed by cello master Yo-Yo Ma. His gentle, soulful performance of this song drove home its much-needed message of simplicity over complexity, as shown with the opening verse:
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
To me, it was a timely message for today, which invites us to find peace in the simpler things in life, things that goodness and love guides us to cherish and share. This universal good counters any heavier, more complicated layers of negativity, and any pressure that can overwhelm. Whatever the world may throw our way, it’s still true that cultivating and building our thoughts in the opposite direction — the direction of only good — has a powerful effect on us and those we interact with. A brief but meaningful message, such as that contained in this song, can be part of that process and can uplift us in any situation. It adds to those lighter, heartfelt layers of inspiration that bring grace into our lives. Grace invigorates us, brings freedom, and allows each of us to have the patience to go forward, letting feelings of burden and heaviness fall away like layers of yesterday's laundry.
That process is reflected in the tangible harmony of Yo-Yo Ma’s rendition of this beautiful song. After the familiar opening verse, several layers of graceful notes build, and then the performance ends on a simple, fitting note as the perfect conclusion, followed by a tender word of gratitude for the audience. It’s another shared experience, calming the soul as only music can. And I’m grateful to share it with all of you.
— Gareth Henderson
Statewide effort aims to create vibrant public places
Creating vibrant public places throughout Vermont is at the heart of a statewide economic development effort that officially launched this week.
A view of the Ottauquechee River from the East End Park in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Creating vibrant public places throughout Vermont is at the heart of a statewide economic development effort that officially launched this week.
This partnership, “Better Places”, gives residents the opportunity to use crowdfunding to develop strategic, locally led projects in their communities and be supported with a 2:1 matching grant from the state, according to a Thursday announcement.
“The Better Places program provides municipalities and nonprofits with funding for community-driven projects in our downtowns and village centers,” said Vermont Gov. Phil Scott in a statement. “These grants will help increase activity at local shops, restaurants, and other small businesses in all corners of Vermont.”
Teaming up for this effort are the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont Community Foundation, and the company Patronicity.
The program provides one-on-one project coaching, fundraising support, and matching grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 to advance local projects that create and revitalize public spaces. Whether communities are dreaming for more parks and green spaces, a vibrant main street, colorful public art projects, community gardens, or cultural events, Better Places grants can help turn these ideas into reality, state officials said.
“At the heart of economic development is creating places where people want to be, spend time, belong, and thrive,” said Lindsay Kurrle, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “From public art to pop-up parks to outdoor seating, we’re excited to support community-driven placemaking efforts that add vibrancy, social life, and pride to Vermont’s communities.”
In December of 2020, the Better Places pilot program began, and the state’s program partners invested $130,000 dollars into eight collaborative projects around the state. With the success of the pilot program, the Vermont Legislature allocated $1.5 million for the formal launch of this program.
“The Better Places pilot program was key to strengthening collaboration between the arts, community development leaders, Vermont-based funders, and local leaders, and has led to transformative investments in Vermont with wide-ranging benefits to our health, economy, and social connections,” said Dan Smith, CEO and president of the Vermont Community Foundation.
To review projects that were part of the pilot program click here.
For full details on the program including eligibility and application process, visit the program website.
A program launch webinar will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m. Registration is required.
— Gareth Henderson
New program to help with overdue housing payments
A new statewide program is offering grants of up to $30,000 towards a variety of overdue housing payments.
A view of Wyman Lane in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)
A new statewide program is offering grants of up to $30,000 towards a variety of overdue housing payments.
Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP), which will help Vermont homeowners facing pandemic hardships, is now accepting applications. The program, funded by $50 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will provide grants of up to $30,000 per household to cover overdue mortgage payments, utility bills, property taxes, and property association charges.
The HAP is being managed through the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and is expected to run for multiple years to help reduce the long-term risk of foreclosure and home loss.
“As we move forward in our recovery, my administration is making housing a top priority,” said Gov. Phil Scott in a Monday announcement. “In addition to supporting those experiencing homelessness and building new housing stock, we must also work to keep Vermonters in their homes, to stabilize neighborhoods and preserve the health of our communities. This program offers another tool to help accomplish this.”
Passed as a part of ARPA, this program was supported by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.). In a joint statement, the Vermont Delegation said: “As foreclosure moratoriums and forbearance agreements end, many Vermonters are facing an uncertain future. These funds will help homeowners harmed by the pandemic get caught up on their bills and move forward.”
Earlier in the pandemic, VHFA organized the Mortgage Assistance Program, which assisted nearly 900 households with a total of $10 million in mortgage and property tax assistance. The additional federal ARPA funding allows the HAP to offer expanded criteria to support homeowners who do not have a mortgage or who have a reverse mortgage, state officials said, and it will also cover utility bills and homeowner and condominium association fees, to help even more households facing financial challenges.
The program is available to any Vermont homeowner who meets the eligibility criteria, and is not just for VHFA mortgage borrowers. The program is available to Vermont homeowners for expenses related to their primary home, who meet income limits, and who are behind on their bills due to a financial hardship associated with the coronavirus pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020.
“Since the HAP funding is provided as a one-time-only grant, we highly encourage homeowners to talk with a local HUD-approved housing counselor prior to applying,” remarked Eric Hoffman, VHFA’s manager of homeownership business development. “Their free counseling services can help applicants make sure they are taking advantage of all the loss-mitigation tools that may be available to them.”
More information and application materials are available at vermonthap.vhfa.org. The website is available in several languages and includes information about how applicants can access additional translation and application assistance. A Homeowner Assistance Program information hotline is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 833-221-4208.
— Gareth Henderson
A higher hope
Even during a long, cold night of challenges, we can lean on the good that drives a higher hope for mankind. We can know the dawn is coming, and that a brighter day is unfolding.
The moon on Wednesday night, as seen from Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Nature has a way of lifting your heart and calming your thoughts with its innate grandeur. And sometimes such a scene appears when we least expect it.
I had such an experience Wednesday night, when I arrived home thinking I’d head straight to my front door. But the brilliant sky above me captured my attention, and pulled my gaze upward. At that moment I saw the moon, shining down from the sky, surrounded by a field of clouds illuminated by white light. From the one source, came the brilliance that filled the sky, unlimited in its beauty, and powerful by its reach.
As I write, I’m viewing the picture I took of this inspiring scene, and I remember the moment I saw that tapestry of moon and clouds. How incredible that from the darkness and depth of space, there could come such pure and piercing light. In just a short time, in earth — and in thought — that light can quickly become the dominant force in a particular moment. Night is not the overarching theme — radiance and beauty are. They shine out from the sky, unlimited.
The same can be said for love, hope, and good deeds. Even the tough times leave enough room for incredibly bright moments to appear. They break through the darkness with light, inspiration and kindness. Hopeful moments we read about, even small acts of tender kindness we see, help to reveal that light in the human experience. We’re never cut off from experiencing those precious moments and the good they do in our hearts, and the good they propel us to share. Like moonlight, one beam of good radiates to another location, and then another, and multiple people are touched by that embrace of all-encompassing goodness.
That’s the repeating, active motion of good in the world. And so it continues, beaming out from our true, loving nature, not letting clouds remain in the way, and letting humility shine. Even during a long, cold night of challenges, we can lean on the good that drives a higher hope for mankind. We can know the dawn is coming, and that a brighter day is unfolding.
— Gareth Henderson
Vermonters urged to order at-home COVID tests
Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday strongly encouraged Vermonters to order at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests at covidtests.gov, made possible by a new program.
A trail near Lake Pinneo in Quechee, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday strongly encouraged Vermonters to order at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests at covidtests.gov.
This Biden Administration’s initiative – which launched this week – is similar to a program piloted by the State, according to a Thursday statement from the governor. Through this new federal program, each household is eligible to receive four tests, which are expected to ship within 7-12 days of ordering, state officials said. Supplies are limited.
“Rapid at-home tests are a useful tool that will help us continue to move forward,” Scott said in the statement. “Vermont has worked hard to gain supply of these tests, and I appreciate President Biden’s recent efforts to do the same. The USPS website is up and running now, but federal supplies remain limited, so Vermonters should act fast.”
Any Vermonter without internet access can call the Governor’s Constituent Services Office at 802-828-3333. “My team will help complete the online request form for you,” the Governor continued.
The federal effort is similar to the state of Vermont’s pilot partnership with the National Institutes of Health, which sent 350,000 tests to Vermonters. Many of these tests have already arrived at Vermonters’ homes.
As the state awaits the arrival of an additional 150,000 tests it ordered for the pilot program, it is reevaluating the best use of these tests – including potentially allocating them directly to schools, child care programs and long-term care facilities – now that the general public has access to the new federal program.
Vermont is the national leader in both PCR testing and the distribution of at-home tests, according to state officials. They noted Vermont has consistently performed the most PCR tests per capita of any state. Since late December, the state has also distributed about one million at-home tests directly to Vermonters, schools, child care programs, long term care facilities and other community partners.
States’ access to supplies of at-home tests continues to be a challenge, and the state of Vermont will continue to work to acquire more. The nation’s governors are working with the federal government to improve coordination in procurement and distribution, according to the governor’s statement on Thursday.
— Gareth Henderson
Seeing beyond the noise
The sunlight of good still shines for us all. And the more our minds remain open to even the slightest glimpse of light shining in, the more we will see that love is shining all around us, everywhere.
A view of the Ottauquechee River from River Street in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)
Fittingly, on the most frigid morning of the year, I happened upon a documentary on Saturday about climbing Mount Everest. What a breathtaking history, of determination, learning, overcoming obstacles, and of those who reached the summit and those who did not.
What struck me the most about the history was the collective fellowship among all Everest explorers, from George Mallory and Andrew Irvine right up to the present day, and how they did not view each other through a lens of victory and failure. Instead, they’ve shared a mutual sense of community as fellow mountaineers and explorers, forever joined together by the virtue of the journey. In the earliest expeditions, their equipment was woefully unprepared for the conditions, and yet great achievements were made. The driving force was something bigger than themselves, and it was that spirit that urged them on to heights many thought were impossible.
Today, the world finds itself on a long journey, and, like those climbing Everest, we can’t tell what the outcome will be. The fabric of society indeed feels awfully strained, not only because of the pandemic and the economy, but also the partisan division that seems to grow more acute with each passing day. There is a strong focus on who wins and who loses with each decision made, each bill passed, each ruling handed down.
However, at the same time, we each have an opportunity to take our own experience, our own consciousness, beyond the present struggle and know that goodness can still unfold amid challenges. We can help bring any situation to a higher place — a healing place — by bringing thoughts of love and goodness to it, because thoughts of peace impact the whole situation for the better, even from a distance.
With that approach, we can advance beyond a view limited to personal gains and losses into a new space where everyone can benefit from a wholesome sense of community that works for the good of everyone.
We are greater than any conflict, or any apparent victory or failure. We’re part of the world’s grand journey, and as such, we exist within a network of lovingkindness that is continual, available to all, and constantly with each of us. Challenges abound during life’s uphill climb, and hope can at times appear distant. But the sunlight of good still shines for us all. And the more our minds remain open to even the slightest glimpse of light shining in, the more we will see that love is shining all around us, everywhere.
— Gareth Henderson
Vermont Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale running for Congress
A Vermont senator from Chittenden County has announced her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, joining a race that has grown quickly in recent weeks.
The U.S. and Vermont flags flying in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)
A Vermont senator from Chittenden County has announced her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, joining a race that has grown quickly in recent weeks.
Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, a Shelburne resident who also served seven years in the Vermont House, will face Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray in this year’s Democratic primary. Vermont has never sent a woman to Congress, and if elected, Ram Hinsdale would also become the first person of color to join the Vermont Congressional Delegation. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, is running for the Senate after U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy announced he would not seek reelection.
Advocacy for Vermont’s working families and for action on climate change are prominent issues for Ram Hinsdale, as expressed in a campaign statement Thursday.
“I’m running for Congress to be Vermont’s fighter for working families, our democracy, and our climate,” Ram Hinsdale said in the statement. “Now is the time to dream and deliver, to advance a bold vision for our multicultural democracy while building a responsive government that meets the everyday needs of Vermonters.”
She told Vermont Public Radio that her commitment to progressive environmental policies began years ago.
“I was fighting for the Green New Deal before it had a name — that’s how I got into politics in Vermont,” she told VPR. “I introduced Vermont’s first environmental justice bill in 2007 as a senior in college.”
She also mentioned the impact of her upbringing in a multicultural, working class family, noting she felt the economic insecurity when the family’s restaurant failed.
“And I think my lived experience has propelled me to be someone who’s on the steps of the Statehouse with teachers fighting for their pensions, to be alongside working Vermonters fighting to create more access to housing and homeownership, and to recognize that the fight for our climate is also one that matters deeply to people who are mobile home park residents or migrant farmers,” she told VPR.
Ram Hinsdale moved from Los Angeles to the Green Mountains to attend the University of Vermont, and she graduated from UVM in 2008. She served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016. Ram Hinsdale lost a bid for lieutenant governor in 2016, but returned to the Legislature when she was elected in 2020, becoming the first woman of color to serve in the Vermont Senate. She is a member of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.
— Gareth Henderson
Woodstock Village enacts indoor masking requirement
Woodstock Village has enacted a masking requirement for all indoor public spaces in the village, and it's effective until Feb. 8.
Woodstock Village has enacted a masking requirement for all indoor public spaces in the village, and it's effective until Feb. 8. It does not apply to the town.
Village Trustees put the requirement in place by a 4-1 vote this week, out of concern about the surge in the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the impact on Vermont, according to Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn. He also said the trustees "really want to raise the public consciousness" about masking, social distancing, vaccination, and other ways people can guard against the virus.
"If you haven't had a booster, the trustees all recommend: Get your booster," Kahn said.
On Feb. 8, the requirement expires and can be reconsidered by the trustees at that time.
The new indoor masking requirement does not stipulate a particular kind of mask. Kahn acknowledged that the N95 mask is recommended by the CDC, and added that double-layering masks is indeed an option.
“Certainly we recommend people use the most efficient masks they can get their hands on,” he said.
— Gareth Henderson
State to Vermonters: Give ice fishing a try
As winter sets in, many Vermonters are preparing for one of the most popular cold weather pastimes in the state: ice fishing. Anglers spend more than 400,000 days each winter ice fishing in Vermont, and the state is encouraging more people to give it a try.
A late-afternoon winter scene in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
As winter sets in, many Vermonters are preparing for one of the most popular cold weather pastimes in the state: ice fishing. Anglers spend more than 400,000 days each winter ice fishing in Vermont, and the state’s Fish and Wildlife Department is encouraging more people to give it a try.
State fisheries biologist Shawn Good describes ice fishing as a fun, social, family-oriented activity.
“Ice fishing is generally more accessible than open water fishing,” Good said. “Almost anyone can walk out on a frozen lake or pond and fish through the ice. And once you’re out there, there’s lots of room to spread out.”
Ice fishing can also be more sociable than open water fishing, with friends and family gathering on the ice for cookouts and winter fun along with the fishing. With an uptick in anglers trying the sport last year as a way to get outside with friends during the pandemic, Good expects to see a lot of action on the ice this winter.
“For many, it’s not just about the fish,” he said. “Kids love ice fishing because they can run around and slide on the ice or play in the snow. I’ve seen families with grills, food and hot drinks having a great time. They set their tip-ups, build snowmen, play football, and even skate in between bouts of fishing.”
Ice fishing is inexpensive and simple to get started.
“An auger used for cutting holes in the ice is the most expensive piece of equipment you’ll need,” Good said. “But you can get a 4-inch or 6-inch hand auger for under $50 and share it with others, so not everyone needs one. Add a scoop for cleaning out the holes and an ice fishing rod and reel combo or a couple tip-ups with hooks, weights and bait and you’re set for a fun day on the ice.”
When you’ve had a successful outing, bringing home a meal of healthy, locally caught fresh fish is a delicious benefit. Videos from the department’s Vermont Wild Kitchen partnership are a great place to find fun recipes for fresh caught fish, like lake trout or crappie.
“I think fish taste better in the winter,” Good said. “There’s something different about pulling a tasty perch, bluegill or bass from ice cold water. They tend to be firmer and have a milder taste than in the summer.”
It is normal for new anglers to worry about venturing out on frozen water, Good said, but with a few basic precautions and common sense, ice fishing is safe.
“A minimum of three to four inches of clear black ice is safe to walk on,” he advised. “If you’re unsure about ice thickness in your area, call your local bait and tackle shop. They’re always up on current conditions and can help you get started with gear and advice, too. You can also look for other people out fishing. Experienced anglers know how to read the ice, so if you’re unsure, go where others are or have been.”
Good says that with the mild winter so far this year, most anglers are finding that ice fishing opportunities have been restricted primarily to Vermont’s smaller ponds or higher elevation areas that have formed good ice. Where ice is thick enough for safe fishing, access has been broadly simplified this year with Vermont’s new 2022 Fishing Regulations.
“Many large lakes still have not developed thick, solid black ice,” Good noted. “Some haven’t frozen over at all yet. Anglers looking to get out should focus on smaller waters and make the effort to check ice thickness frequently as they venture across the ice.”
It is important to know that ice is not always uniform in thickness. Areas around pressure cracks or near stream or river inlets can be thinner and weaker than surrounding ice. Good advised anglers to carry a set of ice picks, head out with a partner, and let someone know where you will be fishing, your access point, and when you plan on returning home. Dressing properly is key.
“On a calm sunny day, you’ll be surprised how comfortable you feel. Even with the thermometer showing single digits, the sun will warm you right up. Make sure you dress in layers and keep your head, hands and feet covered and dry, and you’ll be quite toasty,” Good said.
No matter where you are in Vermont, an ice fishing opportunity is close by. Ice fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in winter, offering a fun, unique winter experience.
To learn more about ice fishing for beginners, visit Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s “Ice Fishing Basics” webpage.
— Gareth Henderson
Seeing the world through a lens of good
We can make each day a new step toward seeing the world through a clearer lens: the goodness that is always alive within us.
Sun rises above the mountains in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)
In a world facing many challenges, we have a constant opportunity to contribute to the greater good by something we can do each day, within ourselves.
It’s easy to think progress is temporary, akin to a gestured drawing with lines that intersect to give the appearance of an image. The quick gesture line glides over the paper and reveals an insight about that moment. There are two ways to look at a gesture drawing: a bunch of scribbled lines that that are imperfect and chaotic; or seeing the beautiful curves and quick lines that express life, joy, freshness, and activity as they capture that suspended moment.
Reflecting on the past two years, progress can seem fleeting, similar to the constant change we see and hear about on a daily basis. But there’s another kind of constancy which has been around far longer than any pandemic: the goodness that is always alive within us. For every kind word, every hungry family helped, and every generous donation to a good cause, there are numerous other gifts of kindness being shared among mankind every day. This can be seen daily in our communities, here in New England and farther afield as well. I was touched to read this encouraging line up of positive community efforts in the Sarasota, Florida, area, including a recent work by a local artist, depicting the planet Earth and children of diverse backgrounds holding hands all the way around it.
The above story comes with the headline, “A world of good thoughts”. As we start 2022, it’s important to remember that we truly do have that world, where loving thinking is a powerful force and goodness has a lasting impact on people’s lives. In spite of conflict or fear, we have the opportunity to reject those negative influences and choose the good, which is deeply rooted in each of us. Then we can freely use that elevated thinking to uplift others and show the world there is a better path. Let’s cultivate that encouraging concept in our lives this year, and know we have the strength to bring out the good in our experience. Each instance of this is a step more hopeful not only for us, but for all our brothers and sisters around the globe. We can make each day a new step toward seeing the world through a clearer lens — one that’s illuminated by the goodness we all share.
— Gareth Henderson
Goodness without limits
We have an ever-present opportunity to bring good into the world, at any moment, on any day.
A view of the Ottauquechee River from Bridgewater Center Road in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
On Saturday we were once again guests amid nature’s glory, with the Green Mountains wrapped up in a bright blanket of snowfall.
The winter experience often prompts us to think about weather as a barrier, or at least a very influential inconvenience in our day. It’s easy to embrace that thought, without considering the bigger picture, one of a scene that lightens thought and inspires. A snow-filled scene is another show of nature with a deeper expression: one reflecting a sense of unlimited good reaching all of us, and inspiring each place that witnesses it.
During a drive to Rutland just before noon on Saturday, heading over the Killington pass as the snow intensified, it was easy to become a bit fearful. Should we turn back? But in a short time, as I calmed my thought, the existence of harmony became more apparent. I observed the tall trees lined with snow, the graceful snowfall floating down and caressing the earth. Peace was reflected, I was part of it, and I felt I always had been.
That sense of the permanence of peace is an available comfort for each of us, today and every day. The pull of negativity can feel particularly strong, with the various issues of the world competing for our attention and demanding space in our thought. This time of year, we can sometimes feel the pressure of the holiday season, rather than the joy we all have a right to experience.
But it’s possible for each person to demand and expect to see good, because it is available to ready to be embraced, each moment. Examples of people uplifting each other, whether in grand ways or simple, are abounding even in the most difficult times. With every shop visited, every phone call made, and every card written, we can expect good to be realized. Even if we’re confronting a day that seems fraught with limits, that boundless good can shine through, and change our day for the better. That’s true for us all, and this means we have an ever-present opportunity to bring good into the world by witnessing it, cultivating it, and sharing it. That's a light we can bring into any moment, on any day.
— Gareth Henderson
In run for Congress, Balint focuses on unity, working families
In a time of division, Vermont Sen. Becca Balint is looking to bring people together — and now she hopes to do that in Washington as Vermont’s next representative to Congress. She announced her candidacy for the U.S. House this week.
The U.S. and Vermont flags flying in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)
In a time of division, Vermont Sen. Becca Balint is looking to bring people together — and now she hopes to do that in Washington as Vermont’s next representative to Congress.
She announced her candidacy for the U.S. House on Monday, a week after fellow Democrat Lt. Gov. Molly Gray did the same. They'll square off in the Democratic primary next year for the opportunity to become the first woman to serve Vermont in Congress. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), is running for Senate for the seat that will be vacated when longtime U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) retires next year.
Balint is no stranger to breaking barriers. In January, she became the first woman and the first openly gay Vermonter to serve as the state Senate’s president pro tempore. For the first time, the top four leadership roles in Vermont’s General Assembly are all held by women.
In Balint’s U.S. House campaign, the needs of working families are front and center. She often hears from Vermonters who are exhausted from dealing with the pandemic and its many impacts.
“Many folks are at their wits’ end dealing with childcare center closures, COVID infections at their kids’ schools, and having to miss work due to quarantining,” Balint said in an email Wednesday. “Our businesses, our schools, and even our medical centers are struggling. I’m going to DC to fight for Vermont working families. We need a progressive agenda that lifts up working people.”
Balint, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014, said we need to be dedicated to working together to succeed.
“We can’t tackle these challenges if we remain divided,” Balint said. “We have deep — sometimes dangerous — divisions in our country, our state, and sometimes even with our neighbors and families. But despite all the darkness around us, I know we can still get to a better place.”
She expressed a perseverance in working with others, even with those who disagree.
“As a leader, I know that the way to make change and to bring people together is to keep showing up. To never turn away from one another,” Balint said. “Growing up I knew I was gay, and I felt like I didn’t belong. I learned that even with people who said hateful things, if I had the courage to keep showing up and engaging, change was possible.”
In her prior role as Senate majority leader, she worked intensively on paid family leave legislation, which ran into a veto from Gov. Phil Scott, but the issue remains a top priority for Balint. She was also a key part of the effort to pass a minimum wage increase. Additionally, Balint was involved in passing the state’s largest-ever investment in affordable housing. As pro tem, she worked to make a huge $150 million investment in broadband access for rural Vermonters.
“These were all tough fights,” Balint said. “But I never turned away from those who disagreed, and I stayed in the fight. That’s who I am. That’s everyday courage. If there was ever a place that needed everyday courage right now it’s Washington.”
Balint, 53, lives in Brattleboro with her wife and two children and represents Windham County in the Senate. Balint has earned degrees from Smith College, the School of Education at Harvard University, and, after teaching social studies for several years, a master’s degree in history from the University of Massachusetts.
— Gareth Henderson
The holiday season arrives, including changes for Omni
Holiday decorations along Elm Street in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
With the snow on the ground, and Wassail Weekend returning, it’s official: The holiday season is here. It’s a profound time, with much to be grateful for, much to do, and much to reflect on, as the beautiful winter days visit us with their stark contrasts and unique grace. That grace combines with the joy of favorite traditions. And they all beautifully lead up to Christmas and New Year’s, those joyful times we love and cherish.
While I’ve long cherished being a writer, I also enjoy the outdoors, including cross-country skiing with the family, a nice drive, or just a leisurely downtown stroll in just about any weather. There’s nothing like the holiday lights and decorations that adorn Woodstock Village, so serene on a quiet winter’s night — as well as the nice cup of hot chocolate at home afterward.
With those great times in mind, following Wassail Weekend, Omni Reporter is taking some time off during the holidays, to recharge and regroup and get out there on the skis more often. We’ll return to regular posting in early January, but rest assured, Omni won’t leave you post-less. We’ll still be publishing a weekend editorial during this time, to provide that uplifting content and end the week on a positive note.
As for the New Year, it will come with a new schedule for Omni. When early January comes around, we will be posting three days a week. As always, (and during December, too) we’ll keep an eye out for breaking news so we can share those items when the need arises.
This isn’t the first change Omni Reporter has undergone, so we thank you for your patience and your dedication to this humble venture and your continued efforts to support it. Being part of this community of readers has been inspiring, and it’s truly a joy to join you as we take Omni Reporter into its second holiday season.
Ready to launch into 2022 — with your help
It’s incredible to think of it, but yes, we’re closing in on the year 2022. That also means the two-year anniversary of Omni Reporter is just a few months away. (I can’t believe it!)
To help us arrive at that much-anticipated milestone, please consider including Omni Reporter as you think about local ventures to support this holiday season. It's an honor to bring news and insights to you, with that uplifting Omni perspective many readers have come to enjoy. I’ve been humbled by and deeply thankful for the contributions from many supporters, which have helped this operation grow its base of readership and gain more support as a positive source of information and perspective.
As this season moves forward, please know any amount is graciously welcome, and I appreciate each of you for your help. Together, let’s keep moving forward.
— Gareth Henderson
Thank you for reading Omni Reporter. This is truly a reader-supported venture. To contribute, click on the yellow button at the bottom of this page. To mail a contribution, please send it to PO Box 732, Woodstock, VT 05091.
New Vt. program aims to expand housing stock
Vermont has launched a new program meant to increase housing units throughout the state. This effort comes amid an ongoing housing shortage in Vermont — an issue which has been emphasized by local and state officials during the pandemic.
The winter landscape as seen from River Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)
Vermont has launched a new program meant to increase housing units throughout the state. This effort comes amid an ongoing housing shortage in Vermont — an issue which has been emphasized by local and state officials during the pandemic.
Announced this week, the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP) is designed to bring housing units back online by investing in existing, but under-utilized structures, the announcement said. VHIP builds upon past rental rehabilitation pilot programs that used modest public investment to revitalize housing in Vermont’s downtown areas, while helping renters and property owners who are most in need of assistance, according to the state.
The program, funded using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, will invest a total of $5 million into the state’s aging housing stock. VHIP will provide grants of up to $30,000 per unit with a 20% funding match required to bring code non-compliant units back into habitability. This round of grants is dedicated to units serving renters who are exiting homelessness, officials said.
“In addition to building new housing, VHIP will be critical for bringing housing that has fallen into disrepair back online, helping to provide more housing for the workforce, lifting people out of homelessness, and aiding in the transformational change we are seeking to create stronger communities,” said Gov. Phil Scott in a Wednesday statement.
Scott joined the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development and other statewide partners in launching the program.
“Throughout the course of the pandemic many businesses received financial assistance, but one of the populations that has been overlooked is the mom-and-pop landlords across the state,” said Josh Hanford, the state’s commissioner of housing and community development. “We designed this program for the long run with the success of the landlord and the tenant in mind. With this program, you are creating permanent housing and improving neighborhoods.”
Shaun Gilpin, director of the state government’s housing division, said a major goal is to address the needs of the most vulnerable Vermonters.
“We have been working with Vermont’s five homeownership centers to create a new program that is based on successful models and improves upon past efforts to bring more housing on-line,” Gilpin said.
VHIP partners include Champlain Housing Trust, Rural Edge, Downstreet Housing and Community Development, Windham and Windsor Housing Trust, and Neighborworks of Western Vermont.
For more information, click here.
— Gareth Henderson
Wassail Weekend returning to Woodstock
Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend is back this year, including its famous Wassail Parade in the village this coming Saturday.
Mike Johnson (left) and Rob Tracy lead a team of horses in a prior Wassail Parade in Woodstock, Vt. Click here for the 2021 Wassail Weekend schedule. (Photo Provided)
Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend is back this year, including its famous Wassail Parade in the village this coming Saturday.
A host of festivities will take place Friday through Sunday, Dec. 10-12, with the parade starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday as usual. The parade includes 35 entries and starts at the East End, heads downtown, and circles The Green with the crowds looking on. For another transportation option, a free shuttle bus will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, going from Woodstock Union High School to the Welcome Center in the village.
Wassail Weekend didn’t happen last year due to the pandemic, and a virtual parade was held online. People can’t wait to see the real thing again and take part in a festive weekend of holiday fun, said Beth Finlayson, executive director of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce. And, visitors have been planning on this for some time.
“Everyone’s so excited,” Finlayson said. “People have had their reservations for months.”
She also received multiple calls from people wanting to make sure the traditional parade was back on.
“The people in the parade do such a great job, dressing up both themselves and their horses,” Finlayson said.
On Friday to start things off, Billings Farm & Museum is holding its annual “Christmas at the Farm” activities throughout the day and weekend. Pentangle Arts gets the season’s music going on Friday night, with a concert by “Irish Christmas in America” starting at 7:30 p.m.
There are several new things in the festivities this year. Phil Warren will be giving horse-drawn carriage rides around Woodstock Village, starting at People’s United Bank, on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, the Chamber is holding its first-ever Gingerbread contest, with winners being announced Saturday. Also on Saturday, Artistree will offer Drop-In Ornament Making from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be a craft fair at the Masonic Lodge in Woodstock Village on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Some refreshments will be available on The Green as well. Vicki Ferentinos and Shannon Lee will offer some festive treats, with their set-up adorned by a six-foot tall Nutcracker they built. Also, the Chamber will be serving Wassail punch and the WUHS Hockey Team will offer hot chocolate and coffee.
On Saturday at 4 p.m., Woodstock Rotary continues its cherished tradition of brightening The Green with 400 luminaries for the evening.
For some, this will be their first Wassail Weekend in Woodstock, and that includes Alex Beram and his family. He and his wife, Christy, purchased The Village Butcher earlier this year. He’ll be part of what’s historically been a bustling downtown during the second weekend in December, with shoppers and diners heading around to various businesses.
“Being new to the community, I’ve been so impressed with the events and the organization, just the way that the town and the whole community come together,” Alex said, saying of Wassail: “It should be a great couple of days, and we’re excited to be part of it.”
For the full schedule of Wassail Weekend events, click here for details. To reach the Chamber of Commerce, call 802-457-3555 or send an email to info@woodstockvt.com.
— Gareth Henderson