Mont pel ier Busi ne s s A n n iver sar ie s Page 13
May 4May 17, 2017
Capital City Farmers
Market Celebrates
40th Year
Ellie's Farm Market. Courtesy photo
IN THIS ISSUE: Capital City Farmers Market
Pg. 4 Policing Policy Outdoor Venue Opens May 6
Changes MONTPELIER There is nothing like a
warm season Saturday in Montpelier to bring
out conviviality and adventurous tastebuds.
Pg. 6 Medical Marijuana Adding to the ambience, and opening outdoors
Update on May 6, comes the annual colorful, musical
and aromatic farmers market on State Street,
with some new features on display this year.
Pg. 8 Redstone Eyed for
Ashton Kirol, now in his second year as
Rec manager of the Capital City Farmers Market,
said outdoor food and craft demonstrations
are expected. Restaurants, such as those run
Pg. 12 Thoughts About by New England Culinary Institute, as well
Moms as many others, are planning to prepare food
on-site using vendor-supplied edibles such as
fruits, vegetables and meats.
We are reaching out to some of the
Montpelier restaurants to have people come
CAR-RT SORT
Permit NO. 123
Montpelier, VT
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
in, Kirol said. We are also going to be doing
PAID
vendor demonstrations. Some potters will do
clay demonstrations, there will be cooking
demonstrations with vendors, plus wool
spinning and different vendor skills and things
they have to offer throughout the season.
Shoppers can also expect to see some new faces
in the produce category, while some familiar
ones will be taking a much-deserved break.
For example, Ellies Farm Market of Northfield
is taking a year off, as is Highland Gardens of
Middlesex.Those are two of our longstanding
anchor vendors, Kirol said. Filling their shoes
will be Bare Roots Farm of the winter market
in Barre, Ananda Gardens of Montpelier and
Montpelier, VT 05601
Fusda Farm out of Craftsbury. In addition,
Owl Hill Farm will return and occupy an
expanded space.
P.O. Box 1143
There are 50 vendors per week, with probably
The Bridge
80 individual vendors overall. We have some
rotating spots, Kirol said, adding that last
We're online! montpelierbridge.com or vtbridge.com
years sales were consistent to the year before.
This year Kirol said the Farmers Market
will also have more woodworkers, including
Vermont Custom (homemade wooden
coffins); Chestnut Woodworks (wooden
utensils) and Jeffrey Ott (hardwood cutting
boards).
A music lineup will start the fourth Saturday
in May and kick off 20 weeks of music. The
outdoor market runs May through October.
Q & A Between Capital City Farmers
Market and The Bridge:
The Bridge: What do you think it shows that
the farmers market has been around for 40
years?
Ashton Kirol: It shows how important local
food is to the community. Even as local
food becomes more accessible through other
channels, the market maintains a large base of
weekly shoppers.
Last year the market supported over 80
local farms and businesses. It also supported
nearly 1,700 acres of farmland and kept over
$800,000 in the community. I think it also
shows the importance of being able to connect
directly with the farmers and producers. Every
week I overhear customers asking growers
how to prepare a new vegetable, or discussing
production methods with our crafters.
The Bridge: How did last year go? What were
the triumphs and challenges?
Kirol: Last year went really well, but came
with a few changes. Carolyn Grodinsky,
manager for six years, left the market and I
joined the market at the start of the outdoor
season.
The Bridge: What are the new vendors/
by Carla Occaso
features this year?
Kirol: We have a new selection of craft vendors
including Earth Rhythm Herbal, Middlesex;
Cardblooms, Montpelier; Chestnut
Woodworks, Middlesex; and Shamans Touch
Apiary, Cabot.
The Bridge: Can anyone be a vendor? What
is the criteria?
Kirol: We are a producer-only market, which
means that each vendor must grow or make
the products they sell. Business owners must
also be the ones selling at the market for
most of the year. Our market is stronger
because this fosters a strong connection with
the community. Shoppers can get to know the
vendors personally, and ask them questions
about their products.
To stay local, we look for vendors from
Washington County and surrounding
counties.
The Bridge: Are there any vendors who have
been with the market for 40 straight years?
Kirol: LePage Farm and Ellies Farm Market
are both founding members that are still with
the market. Ellies is one of the vendors taking
a sabbatical this summer.
The Bridge: What do you hope to see in the
future?
Kirol: One of the priorities of the market
is to ensure local food access to everyone
in the community. Shoppers that receive
3SquaresVT (SNAP) benefits can use them
at the market, and they can receive matching
funds (up to $10) through a NOFA Vermont
program each week to purchase additional
fruits and vegetables. We are working hard to
grow awareness of these programs.
PAG E 2 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 3

HEARD ON THE STREET

McGillicuddys Closed April 29 To Reopen
Under New Ownership
MONTPELIER After 21 years owned by Dave Nelson,
McGillicuddys Irish Pub closed up April 29. But dont
worry, it will reopen, hopefully by May 4.
Responding to a phone call from The Bridge, Brad Lamell
said he and another person are in the process of purchasing
the bar from Dave Nelson, who owned it since 1996.
Were going to shut down after Saturday night, Lamell
said. Then they will do some interior work, and then the
plan is to reopen by Thursday, May 4. In addition to a
refurbished interior, to include a new bar, there will be an
updated menu as well.
The popular pub and eatery is located on 14 Langdon St.
and used to be home to the D.W. Edison Press.
Vermonts Capital City Launches Flag Design
Contest
MONTPELIER The City of Montpelier, Vermont
announced the kickoff of a contest to design the new
flag for the nations smallest state capital. This follows a
2015 TED talk from flag expert Roman Mars in which
he identified the current Montpelier flag as his example of
what a flag should not look like.
The contest will be held online, and is being coordinated
through the office of the City Clerk. Participants can upload
an original design through a form on the city website over
the coming weeks. A committee will then vet the submitted
designs and finalists will be posted for voting by the general
public. The city will accept entries now through May 28
and public voting on finalists will run from June 5 to 23.
The winners will be announced at the citys Independence
Day festivities on July 3, and the winners flag will be flown
in front of the City Hall.
The URL of the contest web page is http://www.
montpelier-vt.org/941/FLAG-CONTEST.
Pierre Bensusan Plays Guitar at The Unitarian
Church!
MONTPELIER On Sunday May 7, France's acoustic
guitar master Pierre Bensusan will perform. Winner of the
Independent Music Award in the Live Performance Album
category for his latest triple live album "Encore" (2014),
"Rose d'Or" of the Montreux Festival for his first album,
"Prs de Paris" (Switzerland, 1976), "Best World Music
Guitar Player " by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine
(USA, 2008).
Born in Oran, French-Algeria, in 1957, Bensusan began
formal studies on piano at the age of 7 and at 11 taught
himself guitar. The performance will be May 7, 7:30 p.m.
at the Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier. Tickets
are $20 advance or $25 at the door.
Order tickets at: http://www.pierrebensusan.com/store_
viewproduct.asp?ID=432 For more information contact
msmonde@gmavt.net or 225-6132 .
Like Sushi? Come to Montpelier!
MONTPELIER Hunger Mountain Coop and
Uncommon Market have both recently started offering
sushi.
Karlyn Proulx, assistant prepared foods manager at Hunger
Mountain said they recently have been putting out nori
rolls Monday through Friday. We're making them right
here in our kitchen, Proulx said. We make them fresh
Monday through Friday in the a.m. put out at 10 a.m. Items
include smoked Alaskan maki roll, cucumber avocado and a
tempeh and avocado roll.
Over at The Uncommon Market, deliveries of sushi from
the Vermont Sushi Factory in Hardwick are coming in
daily. There is a baby portabella with goat cheese roll,
a vegan option, a tofu roll and an organic salmon roll,
according to the Uncommon Markets blog. So if you
aren't feeling the sandwich thing you can grab some sushi
instead.
On The Road Montpelier
The Makeover Montpelier construction projects will kick-
off on Monday May 8. New pavement for Main and State
Streets will include the roundabout at Spring and Main.
Much of the resurfacing work on these streets will be night
work. Along with the road resurfacing, extensive sidewalk
improvements and drainage is included. Please note that all
businesses will be accessible during construction. Motorists
will see a parking restriction that will prohibit parking in
construction areas. The good news is that much of that
parking will be restored when there is no work being done.
A very important part of this project is that the paving crews
are looking to complete the paving before the Fourth of July
parade.
Motorists should expect to find daytime roadwork on RT
12/Elm Street between Spring Street and Bolduc Road.
Milling and paving will be done for more than three miles.
ADA accessible ramps at crosswalks, guardrail and shoulder
work are included in the RT12/Elm Street project.
We are not done yet. Also on tap for this summer is the
reconstruction of Northfield Street/RT12 and Taylor Street.
You should know that you will see lots of signage and
flaggers to help you navigate the city.
Montpelier has done a great job getting information out to
the public. The websites are updated regularly and a Project
Outreach person, Francine Perkins of FRP Enterprises, has
been hired to communicate construction activities. VTrans
will feature weekly updates in our On The Road Colum
in the Times Argus and Burlington Free Press as well
as a special Montpelier On The Road in the Times
Argus. We will also have reports on Radio Vermont WDEV
on Monday morning and a special Montpelier report on
Tuesday morning.
Here are some of the places you can go for information:
http://www.montpelier-vt.org/923/2017-Construction-
Communications-Homepag
www.roadworkupdates.com
jfp1999@myfairpoint.net
Montpeliers Front Porch Forum, the Citys Facebook page,
and Twitter feed.
Francine Perkins Outreach Coordinator at 479-6994
Safe Travels!
Brent Curtis if the Public Outreach Coordinator for the
Vermont Agency of Transportation. Brent.curtis@vermont.gov.

Be Sure To Look For the Lipstick Logo!

This is the Place to Find Montpeliers Summer Construction Info.
From Francine Perkins, VTrans project outreach coordinator:
Construction is expected to begin the week of May 8. Crews will start milling at
night on Main Street during the first week of work. Milling operations consist of
grinding off the top layer of pavement leaving a grooved surface.
The work plan for the week of May 15 includes finishing up the milling and construction areas. As construction operations progress along the street, parking
paving the first course of new pavement on State and Main Street. Following the will be re-opened.
first course of new pavement, sidewalk work is expected to start on State Street You are invited to shop local as our roads and sidewalks get beautified.
near Bailey Ave and progress towards Main Street. There is extensive sidewalk Check out:
replacement work on State Street from in front of the State House to Governor
Davis Street, which will be done during daytime work hours. http://www.montpelier-vt.org/923/2017-Construction-Communications-
Homepage
Manhole and drainage structure adjustment may also start during the week of May https://www.facebook.com/makeovermontpelier/
15. This work will also occur at night. https://www.facebook.com/MontpelierAlive/
Street parking on Main Street and State Street will be closed off within active

Nature Watch
Sugar Maples A Support The Bridge
Flowering Become a Community Contributor!
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F
by Nona Estrin
orget the dreary
weather and step
outside! The sugar
maples are flowering! Only
a couple or three times each
decade, sugar maples all over
the Northeast use chemical
signaling to achieve
synchronous flowering and
this year is one of those
precious springs! That haze
of white-green, so etherial,
is made up of thousands
of dangle-down flowers,
on their way to becoming
maple seed samaras. Just
looking at them produces
bliss!
Photo by Karren Wcisel
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Donations may also be made online at montpelierbridge.com You!
PAG E 4 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE
City Changes Policing Policy Due to Trumps Threats
by Ivan Shadis
MONTPELIER If Montpelier and other municipalities around Vermont want to stand up
to President Trumps deportation machine, we hope they will forego such unnecessary changes
to this vital policy, Jay Diaz, of the Vermont American Civil Liberties Union, said in light of
policy changes by Montpelier which seem to undercut the citys sanctuary resolution.
Based on recent changes it appears Montpelier has softened its policing policy in the face of
federal pressure. After being named in a federal list targeting sanctuary jurisdictions, the citys
policy was revised to remove limits on communication with federal immigration authorities.
Montpelier Police Chief Anthony Facos said changes were made to bring the policy into
compliance with federal law. The revised policy, implemented April 4, removes two clauses
designed to protect undocumented immigrants from federal authorities when they interact with
local police.
These are the removed clauses:
[Agency members] shall not contact CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) or ICE (U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement) for assistance on the basis of a suspects or arrestees
race, ethnicity, national origin, or actual or suspected immigration status.
(Agency members) shall not expend public time or resources responding to ICE or CBP
inquiries or communicating with ICE or CBP by providing information beyond what is
available to the general public under open records laws.
Since 2014, the department had operated under the full Fair and Impartial policing policy,
a bias-free policy developed by the state and mandated in its essential elements for law
enforcement statewide.
Montpelier was one of 16 state and local agencies to adopt the full policy, including optional
elements.
The two clauses struck April 4 were among the optional elements.
The policy was changed just two weeks after Montpelier appeared on a federal list of jurisdictions
which limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The publication of the list is one of the steps called for in President Trumps January 25 executive
order targeting sanctuary jurisdictions. That order also calls for federal funding to be withheld
from jurisdictions which violate 8 U.S. Code 1373, a federal law prohibiting local and state law
enforcement from withholding immigration status information from federal authorities.
Richard Gauthier, who heads the group which developed the Fair and Impartial Policing policy,
identified the two clauses removed by Facos as the most problematic sections from a legal
perspective, and likely in violation of federal law.
Diaz disagreed, saying that The intent of these sections, when read in context and plainly in
comparison to the federal law in question, shows that they do not violate federal law, and that
the government would likely be banned from punishing state and local governments with loss of
funding under the law, given U.S. Supreme Court precedent. He added If Montpelier and other
municipalities around Vermont want to stand up to President Trumps deportation machine, we
hope they will forego such unnecessary changes to this vital policy.
A guide to cities and towns on immigration enforcement put out by the State Attorney Generals
office explains that the law forbids state and local government from prohibiting employees
from sharing information on individuals citizenship and immigration status then reads
municipalities should not adopt any policies or practices that prohibit or punish voluntary
disclosure of immigration status information to federal authorities.
Repeated requests to the Attorney Generals office for its explicit position on the legality of the
clauses under 8 U.S. Code 1373, and how the guidelines should be read by the 15 state and local
agencies still operating with the clauses in question, went unanswered. As of this writing it is not
clear if these agencies are also changing their policies.
Montpelier Mayor John Hollar said that he supported both the citys Sanctuary City resolution,
which calls on city departments to codify policies to refuse requests for information on residents
immigration status, and the fair and impartial policing policies, but acknowledged that changes
were made to the policy to ensure that it is fully compliant with federal law.
When the city council adopted the Sanctuary City Resolution last November, Facos testified
before them saying It goes to the heart of Fair and Impartial Policing that we dont become
an extension of the federal government in terms of immigration law, and called sanctuary
protections important to police work. Its just making sure that if youre the victim of a crime,
or need services, you will come we dont care about your status being here, and we will take
care of you as we would anyone.
City Manager Bill Fraser and Hollar both identified the police departments Fair and Impartial
Policing as the only city policy to explicitly reflect the citys status as a sanctuary city.
With the April revision, Montpelier thus has fewer sanctuary protections than when it declared
itself a sanctuary city in November.
However, it is important to note that the diminished policing policy has retained some sanctuary
protections: Police will still refuse to detain people on administrative warrants issued by U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. To the extent that the federal government may insist
that Montpelier detain individuals based on administrative warrants, that is unconstitutional
and will not be part of our policing standards said Hollar.
When asked, prior to the April 4 changes, how the city was preparing for federal action against
sanctuary jurisdictions, District 2 council member Anne Watson said "we're very tuned into the
potential loss of funding, particularly for the Taylor Street project, which has significant federal
funds.
Montpelier received $1,127,436.65 in 2016 federal funding and expects $8,911,883.98 in 2017.
Potential funding loss was not explicitly mentioned as a motivation for the police policy revisions
by either Facos or Hollar.
On April 25, a California federal district judge, William Orrick, defanged the executive order
by issuing an injunction against its enforcement mechanism, thereby quashing the threat to
federal funding.
Diaz, who presaged Orricks ruling against the federal government, urged the city to repeal
its policy change saying (The Vermont American Civil Liberties Union) hopes Montpelier
reconsiders and continues to stand up for the immigrant residents of Vermont.
Advertise in the NEXT ISSUE:
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RESERVATIONS DUE FRIDAY, APRIL 28.
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and the design of your ad, contact one of our representatives:
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Michael Jermyn: 223-5112 ext.11 michael@montpelierbridge.com
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 5

City Council Continues Taking in Scrutiny of Zoning

Update by Michael Bielawski

MONTPELIER The zoning portion of the April 26 City
Council meeting was prefaced with a statement by Mayor
John Hollar that it was not a public hearing, but nonetheless
about a half dozen residents were lined up and ready to have
their say on the new unified development bylaws (popularly
known as the revised zoning plan).
Director of Planning and Community Development Michael
Miller was again on hand to take the heat. Once again, the
public scrutinized the proposals generally along the theme
that these new rules might allow an undesired make-over of
the citys 19th and early 20th century architecture.
One concern Miller addressed up front was to assure that their
attorneys said the bylaws conform with the citys master plan
and would survive any challenge on that front.
The comments were all over the map. According to City
Council member Jean Olson, some of her constituents are
concerned about where development will take place.
Most of us I think want to keep the density and the growth
downtown in the core to the extent that we can and there are
folks commenting that they are concerned that this proposal
encourages growth beyond the downtown at an equal rate,
she said. Some folks have said this proposal would encourage
growth well beyond the walkable area, perhaps off Towne
Hill, perhaps off College Street, sort of the outreaches.
Barbara Conrey, Montpelier Planning Commission member,
responded.
Certainly, we want to increase the density downtown, she
said. But it might also behoove people to have to move into a
smaller house or a smaller half of a house out in the residential
areas as well. Thats sort of what I call invisible infill. Theres
no additional buildings, it just might be two families in place
of where there used to be one.
Conrey addressed concerns about properties converting into
duplexes. She explained that for her family three decades
ago, turning their property into a duplex helped significantly,
without negative impact.
We have had two families in there since we created it, she
said. In some cases, it almost pays the taxes. Its been a really
good experience for us and I think for some people who have
concerns about duplexing existing buildings, it really has not
had an impact on the property values on Liberty Street.
Resident Joe Castellano asked about a matter brought up in
previous meetings, namely why there is so much pressure
to have zoning modified so that existing neighborhoods are
more compliant?
Its my experience that I dont often see a 90 percent
compliance, what would you say is more typical of a
compliance ratio as far as legal, nonconforming, small lots?
he asked.
Miller didnt have an exact number offhand regarding other
communities percentage of compliance. He did reference a
movement in the 1990s to bring about new development of
traditional neighborhood styles from the 1910s, 1920s and
1930s.
Part of those studies was that people actually went back and
looked at the zoning bylaws and found that the reason we
arent building those great neighborhoods is our zoning says
that you cant, that youre not allowed to, he said. So, a lot
of the communities are now trying to bring their zoning back
to conformance to allow these neighborhoods to happen.
Resident Anthony Iarrapino said there needs to be more
affordable housing.
Like the rest of Vermont, I think it is a challenge to sustain
what is excellent about this city and I think a huge portion of
that challenge is we have people who want to live here, people
who would make tremendous contributions to the civic life
and the economic life of this city, and there is not any place
for them to live.
He went on to say despite some strong reaction hes read in
media to the zoning, hes not sure that the zoning actually
goes far enough to encourage growth.
More of the public spoke, mostly critical of the zoning
documents. Some warned against overreacting to the changes,
cautioning against irrational fears.
Miller said after the meeting that its important for those
participating in this zoning process to be mindful that the
"final" document will still be amendable going forward.
He gave the example of building footprint standards, if its
not working out and enough people are unhappy about
it, the conversation can continue and changes can still be
implemented.

Council Talks Nuisance Ordinance Aimed at Econo Lodge by

Michael Bielawski

MONTPELIER - City Council is considering stronger penalties for property owners who neglect
falling-apart buildings which could cause safety hazards and/or bring down property values. The
ordinance was first reviewed April 26, and it will be on their agenda again next week.
A former restaurant on Northfield Street the former Brown Derby Supper Club adjacent to
the Econo Lodge has been one apparent target that this bill may be intended for. By the time
of this hearing, City Manager Bill Fraser indicated that the property owners had at least taken
initial steps to address safety concerns.
Even since our last conversation theyve made more improvements, boarded up windows and
things, said Fraser. Theres really no way we can consider this an unsafe building.
He still acknowledged that the old structure is nonetheless unsightly.
Director of Planning and Community Development Michael Miller warned that time and
resources for the city are spread thin as it is, so undertaking lengthy conflicts with property
owners may not be in the citys best interest. He added that existing building safety codes could
accomplish what this ordinance is going for.
We have ordinances in place that can secure those buildings, and make them safe, said Miller.
So, the intent of this ordinance, if it comes back that demolition isnt an option for a public
nuisance, then we would certainly want you to reconsider if you really want to move forward.
Regarding the ordinance itself, there was some debate over what the implications would be. If
its implementation would simply result in some daily fines around $100 per day, or if it could
amount to the city ordering a property owner to completely take down a structure.
Mayor John Hollar said he would like to at least have the demolition option on the table.
My concern is that this could lead to just the owner doesnt pay, then we have to go to court,
then we have to get a lien, then we have to go through some additional proceeding before we have
to enforce that lien, said Hollar. I mean this could last years.
Hollar stressed that hes not suggesting that an order to take down a building should be the first
step.
The plan in mediation is to fix the property so that its inhabitable and its not in a state of
dilapidation. But if an owner refuses that then it seems to me that ought to be one of the remedies
thats available to the city if it is a property that is in a significant state of disrepair.
Although this was a public hearing, there were only a few people in the audience at this point
later in the evening, and no one commented. This topic will come up again on the agenda when
the council meets again next week.
PAG E 6 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE

Senate Regulated Marijuana Bill Piggy-backs House Drug

Penalty Bill House Vote Expected May 3
MONTPELIER A bill intended to loosen penalties on
misdemeanor drug charges will have an extra amendment
that changes its dynamic just a bit, with full-scale legalization
of marijuana. Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham, offered the
amendment on April 21 to H.167, which passed the House
last month that directs the Legislative Council to study
modifying penalties for small-scale drug possession.
Whites amendment is a slightly modified version of last
years failed S.241 with some minor changes. This time
Vermonters would be allowed to grow marijuana in small
amounts within their home and it asks the Agency of
Agriculture, Food and Markets to take up some of the
regulation efforts.
The amendment to the bill passed 21-to-9. When the
amendment was first introduced, Sen. Peg Flory, R-Rutland
asked if the amendment was relevant enough to the
underlying bill. Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman indicated that it
was not.
After about 10 minutes including two recesses which had
senators huddle together and regroup their strategy, it
was finally voted that rules would be suspended to allow
presentation of the amendment to go forward. Twenty-two
votes were needed to suspend rules, they just skipped by with
23 votes.
Until the vote, it was about 20 minutes of a conventional pros
versus cons of legalization debate which very much echoed the
debates in the same chamber over S.241 a year ago.
Those in favor cited that many Vermonters are already using it
anyway, without any regulation or quality control, and those
who were against talked about second-hand smoke, called it a
wasted use of taxpayer dollars, and ultimately felt it would go
on to die in the House again.
White opened-up with her legalization arguments.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT WEED Lieutenant Governor David
Zuckerman , left, in red shirt, listens in as Senator John Bloomer,
center, tunes in to Senator Bobby Starr, in light colored suit with
back facing the camera April 21.
We know that prohibition has not worked, she said. Its an
underground market, it doesnt serve kids, adults, (the general
publics best interest), except for the drug dealers.
White stressed that there would still be tangible limitations
on marijuana use. For instance, it would not allow for
driving under the influence, it would not prohibit schools,
municipalities, parole boards, employers or landlords from
regulating or penalizing marijuana use. The bill also does not
allow for edible forms of marijuana.
Flory was first to interrogate White on the bill. One of her
primary concerns was second-hand smoke. She offered the
hypothetical scenario of a mother with a young infant, asking
if smoking would be permissible in that case with this bill.
White responded that yes it would be permissible, but
ultimately so is smoking a cigarette or cigar today. She said just
by Micheal Bielawski
like with tobacco, users would need to use sensible discretion
and there would be education efforts to better inform the
public on this matter.
Sen. Robert Starr, D-Essex Orleans, made the argument that
taxpayer money would be better spent on other efforts, and
he added that the bill is likely not to pass the House anyway.
Ive heard from nurses, doctors, police (other public servants)
about how bad this would be to pass, yet you are passing a bill
that is going to the next chamber probably to die, said Starr.
Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, responded to Starr with
some stats from a Rand Corporation Study on marijuana
legalization. He said the study concluded there are around
80,000 users in Vermont as it is, and to criminalize what
would amount to 12 percent of the population would be
unrealistic.
Are they all criminals? Sears said Thats a lot of
lawbreakers.
He also reminded his Senate colleagues that legalization is
spreading across the country and is already reaching Vermont
borders.
I live approximately 8 miles from the Massachusetts border,
he said. My neighbors will be able to get a regulated from
seed-to-sale product that is probably safer (than what comes
from the street).
In an April 19 Vermont Digger story, White is quoted saying
that she does not expect legalization to pass this year, but does
believe that getting this bill passed by the Senate will help
accelerate the process for next year's legislative session.
(This story will be updated on our website www.
montpelierbridge.com)
Michael Bielawski is a freelance writer for The Bridge, he can be
reached at bielawski82@yahoo.com.

Medical Marijuana Update House Approves Doubling

Dispensaries, Adding Qualifying Conditions by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER The Vermont House of Representatives on May 2 passed S. 16 a bill to
expand patient access to medical marijuana. The state now has four state-sanctioned facilities,
one in Montpelier, one in Burlington, one in Brandon and one in Rutland. After this session,
four more will be allowed. In addition to allowing twice as many centers, regulations for how
the dispensaries operate will loosen. Dispensaries will now allow patient caregivers to cultivate
marijuana and expand the list of qualifying medical conditions to include PTSD, Crohns and
Parkinsons. Also, lawmakers upped the maximum amount of pot that can be given out at one
time from two to three ounces.
Qualifying medical conditions now include: Cancer, multiple sclerosis, positive status
for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, glaucoma,
post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohns disease, Parkinsons disease, or the treatment of
these conditions, if the disease or the treatment results in severe, persistent, and intractable
symptoms. Also now included are a disease, or medical condition, or its treatment that
is chronic, debilitating, and produces one or more of the following intractable symptoms:
cachexia or wasting syndrome; chronic pain; severe nausea; or seizures.
Dispensary means a nonprofit entity registered under section 4474e of this title that acquires,
possesses, cultivates, manufactures, transfers, transports, supplies, sells, or dispenses marijuana,
marijuana-infused products, and marijuana-related supplies and educational materials for or
to a registered patient who has designated it as his or her center and to his or her registered
caregiver for the registered patients use for symptom relief. A dispensary may provide marijuana
for symptom relief to registered patients at only one facility or location, but may have a second
location associated with the dispensary where the marijuana is cultivated or processed.
The bill was approved by a vote of 130 to 16, according to the House Journal.
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 7

This essay was written as part of a pretty dry structure writing class in Advanced Expository writing for Classification and Division. I was a student teacher at U-32 this past fall in the class
when this was written. Nate Morris chose the subject of memes. If you dont use the internet, particularly social media, or are older than I am, you may have no idea what he is talking about.
I know just enough about technology to think this is very witty, but not enough to really get it all the way.
Carla Occaso, managing editor.

What Does It All Meme? by Nate Morris

T
Essay
he internet is an incredible place. It has altered the landscape of
business, allowed us to reconnect with childhood friends and given
us common (though not necessarily neutral) platforms to discuss our
opinions with millions of other users. On a less serious note, the internet has
developed its own subculture with its own tropes and its own humor. The
staple source of laughs come in the form of what is called an internet meme.
On the surface they can seem like simple puns or jokes when in fact they
mean so much more to the people posting them or the audience its intended for. Memes have
distinct audiences, historic icons, mechanics such as the meme economy, and oftentimes
second meanings that put it in a very different light.
A meme is a concept, catchphrase or piece of media that spreads from person to person, gaining
an audience, and with the endless stream of information thrown at you on the internet, memes
have become widely accessible by all audiences. Examples such as grumpy cat or rickrolling
have been adapted by all kinds of people, and thanks the the straightforward format of the
original image macros, anything can be made into a meme. Everyone is able to use or create a
meme, but due to how broad its spectrum has become, not everyone will understand a joke or
even the fact that there was a joke. Ironically, in a medium meant to connect everyone, memes
can be more divisive than they are connective.
Some internet users go past the base definition of memes, and assimilate with what is called
meme culture. They dedicate time to studying memes to understand all aspects and corners
of the meme spectrum. They see the term meme as the broadest descriptor of one of these
pieces of entertainment. In reality, memes can go much deeper than what you see viewing it
for the first time. There are subcultures of memes and subcultures within those subcultures.
To get an idea of how deep a meme can go, the perfect example is the rise and fall of Pepe
The Frog. Over the course of its lifetime, Pepe has been reiterated the most out of any
meme, changing appearance and meaning to the point where it has no core message or joke.
Pepe became the apex meme because it encompassed broad portions of the humor spectrum.
However, every meme that exists will eventually cease to do so, and Pepe went down in flames.
Pepe The Frog originated in a comic called Boys Club by Matt Furie, depicting Pepe as
a laidback dude enjoying life. A specific panel in the comic shows Pepe saying feels good
man when asked about why he goes to the bathroom with his pants all the way down. This
panel was used as a reaction image on the internet when it started to gain popularity. Users
took a liking to the friendly amphibian and began producing their own pictures of Pepe,
building their own character over years of reiteration. For the majority of Pepes lifetime, he
was depicted as a smug, racy frog with heavy depression. From this base, users changed Pepes
appearance, keeping his general look while altering things such as his color, shape and clothing
while making sure it could be identified as Pepe. These are called Rare Pepes, theyre referred
to by that name because they are posted on obscure sites or forums. Pepe thrived and during
this period was referred to as the best meme or the king of memes, until it kicked the curb
hard when it intermingled with hate groups. The KKK and Neo Nazis adopted Pepe as a
mascot and used iterations of him in uniform for propaganda. Around this time Donald
Turnip also began posting pictures of Pepe in his image on twitter. Pepe was marked as a
hate symbol because of his adoption by these hate groups and he tanked. The landscape of
Pepe memes became barren as no morally-sound person would use them after
what happened, and as a result the true Pepe fans got what they wanted. Pepe
is considered obscure now and thats exactly what Rare Pepe creators desire,
allowing them to create Rare Pepes in peace.
All memes collect and converge in what has been dubbed the meme economy,
a metaphor for how the lifetime of a meme works and its popularity. Similarly
to how a new stock acts, a new meme is under the radar at first, and then it
begins to gain recognition. It picks up steam and then spikes in usage. Then it plateaus before
gradually losing footing before it stops being used completely. Some memes stick around
longer than others due to when and how long it takes them to plateau, too fast and people will
lose interest quickly. Too slow and its apex will be lackluster. The parallels to the stock market
are strikingly close.
Sometimes, memes can have a darker meaning behind the initial joke for reasons other than
ironic or black humor. A study showed that the admins running popular internet meme pages
on facebook actually use memes as a coping method for crippling depression. Some memes
would have double meanings that only dedicated fans would perceive, hinting that they are
unhappy; others would straight up be ironic jokes about suicide or self harm. Many Pepe
memes alluded to this and became a popular outlet for expressing these feelings.
Groups involved in the the Rare Pepes or the distorted hood memes take the basics of
these memes and further its definition to the point where only those involved after weeks of
following the way it changes will understand the humor it has to offer. The most prominent
subculture is by far ironic memeing. It takes any meme and uses its first meaning as a mask
for a new joke. The original meme will experience either subtle tweaks or a complete overhaul,
rewriting the joke while making sure it still identifies with the original meaning. These people
create ironic memes as a way to set themselves apart from the regular Joes of the internet,
referring to them as normies who steal memes and dont give proper credit to its maker,
therefore classifying memes as art in a strange turn of events.
When you take a step back, memes really are just a way to express humor or opinions in a
variety of ways. The people viewing or creating them all want the same thing whether they
claim to be unique or not. Normie or memelord we all want to laugh, and memes do a
great job with that, no matter how many layers of irony its on.
Cartoon by Ben Merrylees

See what's happening

We want to hear
around town in the
what's on your mind.
calendar on pages 1518.
More detailed event
listings are on Email us at E
montpelierbridge.com editorial@montpelierbridge.com
PAG E 8 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE
Redstone? New Community Center Proposal Comes with
Cost by Michael Bielawski
MONTPELIER Community leaders took to the microphone before city council Wednesday
evening to review preliminary plans for a new fitness center. So far, the top-prospect location
in town is an old historical structure known as the Redstone property, which may be a bit of a
fixer-upper. The Redstone building most recently housed the Secretary of States office.
The facility would have a swimming pool, probably a basketball court, potentially an indoor
track, a climbing wall and other such amenities. The initial goal is to have it open by 2020.
This effort largely got started to fill the gap left when First in Fitness in Berlin closed last August.
It was sadly missed by a lot of people, said resident Sandra Vitzthum, one of the leaders of this
project. We gathered together starting around September and weve been working about seven
or eight months in a very methodical way. Right now, I think there are about eight of us, we
have a number of professionals with different backgrounds.
This citizens group called Jump & Splash, includes an accountant, a swim-coach, an architect
(Vitzthum) and other talents.
We have entrepreneurs who all have this united vision of not just a new fitness center, but really
improving health and wellness for the whole community, she said. We have banded together,
we are in the process of forming a nonprofit. We have been mostly focused on the commitment
we made to voters when we handed out a survey around November.
One of the primary obstacles going forward is the Redstone property itself, on Terrace Street. It
may need a lot of work and hence a lot of money.
I mean its a beautiful old building, but I am told that it needs as much as $4 million worth
of work in addition to the acquisition of the parcel, said Mayor John Hollar And it doesnt
seem to fit the needs that weve identified for a rec-center.
Arne McMullen, the Recreation Department Director, said the costs may not be that bad.
My understanding is those are pretty loose numbers, he said. It could be as much as $1
million, it could be as much as $4 million for the property. I think it depends on what you are
doing with the property and how the potential partners want to use the building.
There wasnt much said about another mystery building number 2.
Theres been one other property offered that is quite attractive to us, it has some challenges
as well, said McMullen. I dont think we should be mentioning names outside of executive
session.
One of the key themes stressed throughout the presentation was that this project would be self-
sustaining financially.
A lot of people said that was important to them, said Vitzthum. And thats kind of the
underpinning of our group and we are hoping to find a sweet spot where the income can match
our expenses. We have been approaching the whole project from that business plan, and we met
with the city early last fall to talk about a way that we might be able to collaborate.
Council Member Anne Watson asked why they need the citys help.
Im just curious about how committed that group is to working with the city? she asked. If
its financially sustainable then why do you need us?
Vitzthum said they look at a potential partnership with the city as more of an opportunity, to
make the center even better.
This center has a real potential to be a catalyst and an energy center for all of Montpelier, she
said.
McMullen said that he believes there is demand for a community center that goes beyond
Montpelier boundaries. He said for example the local swim teams could use a more local pool.
We are quite certain that would be part of the operational sustainability of this, that there are
a number of groups in the region that would draw to this, he said.
A motion was at the end of the City Council meeting to ask for the state legislature for a delay
in the sale of the Redstone building. The council asked the legislature to continue to support a
feasibility study. The motion was approved.
RecyclE This Paper!
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 9
Construction Underway at North Branch Nature Center
by Nat Frothingham
MONTPELIER On a recent Monday
morning, some half dozen workmen from
the concrete contracting company Gendron
Building were out in force making last-minute
adjustments to the metal forms they had put
in place for a concrete foundation soon to
be poured for a new North Branch Nature
Center addition.
Construction of a new building has been made
possible by contributions from individuals,
corporations and foundations as part of
what is already a largely successful North
Branch Nature center capital campaign. That
campaign has an overall goal of $1.6 million.
More than $1 million has already been raised
and a further $540,000 needs to be raised to
complete the campaign.
In the 20-plus years since the center first
opened in 1996, it has operated out of a small
farmhouse and then later on, that farmhouse
and a small, renovated barn.
For some time now, the farmhouse and the
barn have been too small to accommodate the
growing number of visitors. Visitors include
elementary school children, teens, adults,
schoolteachers, citizen-scientists, summer
campers and the general public.
On that recent morning, Chip Darmstadt,
the Nature Centers Director walked me
through the renovated barn that in its own
way has become a modest energy conservation
showcase with its double-glazed windows, heat
pump and solar panels.
But the smart energy showcase doesnt end
with the renovated barn. Outdoors within
view of the Nature Center is a solar panel array.
In the near distance are community gardens.
And looking toward the North Branch River is
the City of Montpeliers Street Tree Nursery.
As Darmstadt and I walked the short distance
from the renovated barn to the old farmhouse,
he pointed toward a broad-winged hawk
then a second broad-winged hawk.
As Darmstadt and I sat around a conference
table in the old farmhouse we were joined by
Emily Seiffert, capital campaign coordinator
for the $1.6 million project.
Why the new building? Darmstadt said
provocatively.
Then he answered his own question. To
accommodate as many as 100 people in an
assembly space. Or a big hall for special events.
Or a big multi-purpose room.
And those special events? I asked.
Darmstadt replied, The Centers Caterpillar
Fest in the fall. Or the ECO Initiative for
teachers to help schoolteachers figure out
how to work with schoolchildren outdoors.
Teachers are looking for guidance, he said.
Or what about a typical summer day,
Darmstadt continued, with two camps in
progress. And then it pours with rain. Or its
winter and its bitter-cold.
Clearly, the centers emphasis is on whats
happening outdoors not indoors. But said
Darmstadt, You need a launching space.
Then Darmstadt and Seiffert pointed out that
the center also needs a space to welcome
visitors. It needs some storage space, a program
Photo by Wayne Fawbush
room, a meeting room, a kitchen, bathrooms,
office space. Thats what the new building
supplies.
The North Branch Nature Center has come a
long way since it first opened in 1996.
In 2006, the North Branch Nature Center
spun off from its original parent organization,
the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. In
2013, the center purchased the 28 acres of
property that makes up its campus really a
small nature preserve at a gentle bend in the
North Branch River about two miles north of
downtown Montpelier at 713 Elm St. along
Route 12.
Then there are the various programs the
summer camps, the Centers ECO program
that works with 1,080 (K through 4)
schoolchildren from nine different schools
with strong educational impacts in Montpelier
and Washington County and as faraway
as Lamoille, Chittenden and Orange counties
as well.
Last year, said Darmstadt, we celebrated
our 20th anniversary.
In discussing the slow but steady development,
Darmstadt introduced an unusual scientific
term punctuated equilibrium first
articulated by evolutionary biologist and
popular science writer Stephen Jay Gould.
Goulds notion runs like this. That a given
species continues without too much change
for years and years and years. Then something
happens like the disappearance of the
dinosaurs. Then suddenly many new
species arrive and many things change almost
at once.
When the dinosaurs disappeared, Darmstadt
said with a smile, there was this explosion of
life.
Well, the Nature Center started in 1996. Then
it went along for some time. And for several
years, it seemed, just clicking along, virtually
unchanged.
Then suddenly, like today, theres a new
Nature Center Building under construction
and what had been for a time, two or three
people on staff is now Five full-time,
said Darmstadt. No, make it six, he said
cheerfully.
PAG E 10 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE

Beth Jacob Synagogue Hosts Youth-led

Fundraiser for Shelter Story and photo by Michael Bielawski

MONTPELIER Without Noah Rubel, 14, was one of the

pushing or prompting, a newly- organizers of the Good Samaritan
formed youth group, Bridging benefit. He performed piano jazz
the Mitzvah at Beth Jacob at the concert. Rubel said of the
Synagogue, took the initiative hardest parts of organizing the
to organize a benefit concert on event was all the work involved,
Sunday afternoon to help the Good such as putting up flyers and
Samaritan Haven Homeless Shelter. getting the word out. He said the
In total, they were able to raise best part of the performance was
$1,051.50 for the cause. Around 70 the wide variety of talent.
to 80 people attended the concert. This is all for Good Samaritan
This is such a bright, engaging, Haven, he said.
captivating group of kids, said The concert featured a broad cross-
Good Samaritans Chelsea Boston, section of musical and literary
who also works with Americorps. talent ranging in age from 11 to 90
They dreamed this up themselves. years old. Performers included the
We had discussions about synagogue's own Dave Keller on
homelessness and they came to visit solo guitar along with his daughters
at this shelter. By the time I came Havvah and Idalee.
to have dinner with them at their
youth group meetings, they had tons YOUNG TALENT Noah Samuelsen of the newly formed youth Performances included jazz piano, a
of ideas about how they wanted to group Bridging the Mitzvah plays violin at Beth Jacob Synagogue, Yiddish theater song, classical violin,
help with this issue. as part of a benefit concert on Sunday afternoon for the Good a 17th century Venetian recorder
Samaritan Haven Homeless Shelter. sonata, poetry and more.
Good Samaritan is located in Barre
with 30 beds, all currently full. They largely rely on a grant from Its really nice to be able to see
Capstone Community Action to run their operations, but that has a young person reading her poetry and an older person reading
apparently run dry. The shelters work includes providing shelter, food his poetry, and the crowd really responding, said Beth Liberman,
and beds to homeless citizens, while also helping to get people back on director of school and programming.
their feet through helping them find homes and employment. Liberman said this is not the first charity project the kids have taken
They helped us big time, said Lawrence Seiler, a media professional on for the shelter.
who, with his family, was helped by the shelter to get an apartment "The kids had another project at their Hanukkah party to alert the
and a job. They are the most top-notch organization I know. community about the Good Samaritan Haven and what the Haven
When the synagogues teens had learned that the shelters grant funds does for the people it serves. They set up a table and had a raffle," she
were used up, they collaborated with Boston to raise new funds and said.
awareness. In that process, they stayed over at the shelter one night She added that they are planning more events for the near future,
cooking meals for the next day. Through these experiences they including another benefit concert for the Hebrew Immigration Aid
learned a lot about homelessness in Vermont. Society, happening on May 14 at the Waterbury Center.

Barre Community Justice Center Names New

Executive Director
BARRE The Greater Barre Community
Justice Center has named Jeannie MacLeod
as its new executive director. MacLeod brings
many years of restorative justice experience to
this position as well as her experience as the
acting executive director since October 2016.
MacLeod received an A.S. in Prevention
and Community Development, a B.S.
in Family and Conflict Resolution and
from Woodbury College a Certificate in
Mediation at Woodbury College. She has
also pursued studies in Psychology, Trauma
and Leadership.
In commenting on MacLeod's appointment,
City of Barre's public safety director Tim
Bombardier, had this to say. I am very
happy that Jeannie has been chosen to take
over the position of director at the Greater
Barre Community Justice Center. As the
acting director she demonstrated that she
was working diligently in the best interest
of our community and keeping things
running. Jeannie was the logical choice for
the director's position and we look forward to
our continued relationship with the justice
center and some of the new initiatives that
have recently developed. For the past 15
years, the Greater Barre Community Justice
by Roni Coleman
Jeannie MacLeod
Center has addressed the issues of conflict
and crime by promoting shared responsibility
for a safe and healthy community. The center
engages citizens in restoring relationships,
repairing past harms, and building
community connections through education
and involvement.
It is a citizen-governed non-profit that operates
with input from the City of Barre and its
residents, and responds to stated needs and
priorities from them and other surrounding
towns. We are committed to providing a
safe environment for resolving conflicts, and
to promoting restorative justice and victim
sensitivity throughout the entire community,
based on the following principles:
Crimes and disputes are best resolved in
the local communities where they occur.
The victim has special needs and claims
that are at the center of the resolution
process.
The offender has an opportunity to
understand the impact of the crime,
express remorse and repair the harm done
to the victim and to the wider community.
Community members have a right to feel
safe, respected and involved in the issues
that affect their quality of life and sense of
personal well-being.
Restorative justice engages all those
affected by crime, in an effort to put
things right.
For more information visit http://www.gbcjc.
org or call 476-0276.
Roni Coleman is the chair of the board of
directors for The Greater Barre Community
Justice Center.

Granite City Groove

T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 11

Artist Uses Recycled Materials by Judy Greenwald

MONTPELIER Spring has Sprung, at least in front of Beverage Barn on Main Street in
Montpelier (last year). The entrepreneurial artist of this floral installation is Gene Leon, the
king of upcycling.
Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials
or products of better quality or for better environmental value.
These particular lawn ornaments are made from 100 percent salvaged old vinyl records
sculptured to resemble real flowers.
Eugenio "Gene" Leon is a native of Miami, Fla. born of Cuban parents and has lived in
Vermont for 13 years. He specializes in new and experimental creations linking ideas, colors,
spaces, expression and form utilizing recycled materials.
This jack of all trades is very well known for his unique outdoor furniture, benches, bars and
Adirondack chairs recreated Afrom recycled skis. He recently received an order from CBS
Television for the Adirondack chairs which will be featured in a new series.
The list of his repurposed materials made into upcycled art is unending:
Old shutters are converted into end tables
Planters and bowls are made from vintage records that are not playable or saleable any
more
60s and 70s rock and folk music record album covers are newly created as notebooks that This gifted and creative artist lives by several mottos:
come with matching bookmarks
ski tips from damaged skis are turned into incense holders Create, Innovate, Inspire, Aspire
Discarded objects like tapes, Dixie cups and metal scraps are converted into beautiful Reuse, Recycle, Upcycle
mixed media three dimensional works of art for which he has won many awards
No expectations, no disappointments.
Between all his art projects and restorations he maintains a website that features antiquities
"My gift of being highly creative is also a burden as I am constantly buried in simultaneous
and vintage items for sale. He also writes and plays music, has many gigs as a DJ., is a
projects." said Gene.
certified bartender for hire and even co-owned a Cuban restaurant in Shelburne.

Auto Heaney Exhibit at Hunger Mountain Coop

T
he Auto Heaney exhibit
opens Today (May 4) at
Hunger Mountain Coop
on 623 Stone Cutters Way in
Montpelier. Auto Heaney is the
signature of local artist Garrett
Heaney who currently works at
the Coop and proofreads and
writes for The Bridge. Rumor has
it that Heaney is in talks with
local shop-owner Hayden Durkee
who opened Downtown T's in
the former "Splash" storefront
(between the pocket park and
Charlie O's) about printing his
designs on high quality tees from
the shop which opened earlier this
week. May is a huge month for
the arts in central Vermont, with
Art Walk commencing tomorrow
(Friday, May 6). Heaney's show
will hang throughout the month
"Blockhead" of May. More of his work can
"A Letter A" "Pursuit of Peace" be viewed on his website: www.
autoheaney.com.
PAG E 12 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE
What Do You Think of When You Think of Mother?
The Bridge reached out by email to a random sampling of community members asking for thoughts on mothers for Mothers Day.
The results are as follows:
Kindness, Love and Fierce Protection
I am incredibly fortunate to know many wonderful mothers.
I celebrate my wife as an amazing mother, who parents with
a gentleness that teaches our boys kindness and love, who
protects with a fierceness that teaches them loyalty and respect
and who loves with every fiber of her being, which gives them
safety and boundaries. While a tremendous mother, she is an
even better wife and friend. I am utterly blessed to spend my
life with this woman.
Brian Ricca, superintendent of the Montpelier Public Schools
Willing To Die For Her Child
I suppose it is a great thing to appreciate our mothers with a
special day, but to institutionalize it and make it commercial
steals from it the profound nature of the mother/child bond.
To me, a mothers day is a day like June 6, 1944. As they lay
there, their lives draining out of their shattered bodies into the
sands of Omaha, Utah, Sword and Gold, thousands of men,
boys really, in their last moments called out repeatedly for
the only person who could soothe their pain and calm their
fears Momma. And I doubt there is not one of those
mothers who would not have willingly traded places with her
child. Thus is the nature of children, and thus is the nature
of mothers.
Larry Floersch, columnist for The Bridge
Two Girls and a Boy
I've been hearing how important it is to "follow my dreams"
all my life and I love a lot of things: literature, writing,
dancing, travel, nature, thrift stores, frogs. I feel passionately
about all of them yet my "dream," the thing I wanted more
than anything else in the world, didn't involved any of them.
In the third grade, I dressed up as a mom for Halloween. I
carried three Cabbage Patch Kids to school, two girls and one
boy, and my teacher took a photo of me. There came a day in
my life when I sat down for a photo with...my three kids, two
girls and one boy. Parenting is not everyone's dream and does
not need to be. It was mine. It's the thing I have been willing
to work the hardest at, to give up the most for, and to stretch
to be good enough at. What I would like is for the beautifully
scripted quote, "Follow Your Dreams" to occasionally be
accompanied not by a photo of a ballerina, or a potter, or
a musician, but something more simple. Something more
common. A mom laughing at her kid's joke. The volunteer
softball coach that makes the team possible. Respect for all
the work we do in the name of love that is ultimately our
greatest contribution.
Michelle Amy Lakey Singer, writer
Courage, Kahlua and Parallel Parking Lessons
My mother taught me patience by example (though I'll
never have as much as she did), courage, kindness and
the importance of celebrating the little things in life. Like
daffodils and roses. Toenail polish. Janet Lanes homemade
Kahlua. She also taught me how to parallel park and to sew
and to make paper doll chains. And an important motto: If
there is no sign up there saying you cant do something, you
told you so."
can! She said I should be forgiving of people no matter how
they act though I am not very good at this. At least I try.
Sort of. Thanks to my mother.
Carla Occaso, managing editor of The Bridge
Moms Don't Let Us Screw Up
My mom
My mother is a saint. I think she is anyway. It takes alot
to ruffle her feathers and she never has said an ill word
about anyone. Clearly, I did not inherit sainthood from her.
Growing up as one out of 16 siblings, she learned to be very
independent but always made sure to make herself available to
be an anchor to anyone who needed support. People tend to
turn to her in times of heartache and grief. She's very honest
and not afraid to talk about loss or suffering. I admire that
about her.
She has always encouraged me to be independent and has
never questioned any of my life decisions, even though she
probably should have. But I am grateful that she let me take
my own journey never meeting me at the end with an "I
My mother-in-law
My mother-in-law shaped the man I married. She raised her
son to be a loving husband and partner. She taught Aron to be
the person he is so he can have an affect on other people that
is positive. Any mother who spends her life doing that is a-ok
in my book! If it werent for his moms influence, he could've
easily become someone who doesn't give a shit. I guess we owe
that to all of our moms!
Marichel Vaught, designer and calendar editor of The Bridge
Happy
Mother's
Day!
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 13
Courtesy Photo: Customers lined up for our opening. I understand we were giving away free puppies at the time, said owner Eric Bigglestone.
Happy Birthday! Downtown Businesses
Celebrate Anniversaries
MONTPELIER May must be an auspicious month for opening a business in Downtown
Montpelier. Just ask the owners of Capitol Stationers, Julios Cantina, Capital Kitchen and
Wilaiwans. These eclectic businesses are all very different, but they all have one thing in
common: They opened their doors on May 1.
Capitol Stationors, 65 Main St.
We opened May 1, 1950, said Eric Bigglestone, owner of Capitol Stationers. His grandparents,
William H. and Norah Bigglestone, started out selling typewriters, typewriter ribbon,
staplers, pencils, paper and all things office supply which was the latest and greatest in the
1950s through early 90s. But an inventory that used to be all office supplies grew smaller.
Technology replaces a lot of things that used to be done on paper, Bigglestone said.
Nowadays Capitol Stationers is still the go-to place for calendars, pens, stationary, envelopes,
handmade paper and other stationary-type items, but they also have a prominent boutique of
gifts and souvenirs such as tee-shirts, maple syrup and novelty items. Everything has changed
alot. I have been doing it 26 years now, Bigglestone said. The office supply business is what
we started out in, but it isnt our bread and butter these days. You find what works for you,
adapt and move on.
Julios Cantina, 54 State St.
A big 35th anniversary party is planned for Saturday, May 13, with margarita specials and
giveaways, said Amanda Hebert, Julios general manager. That night representatives from
liquor companies will be on hand to give out tee-shirts, key chains and other swag.
Well have a bunch of drinks specials. We are also launching our new Julios shirts, Hebert
said. We are going to make shirts that say Julios on them they used to be crazy popular. Owners Wilaiwan Dang and Tim Azarian started their restaurant in a foodcart in downtown
Hebert noted it is also Norwich graduation so students and parents can have something fun
to do May 13.
Julios most popular dishes are taco salad, fajitas and street tacos. Owner is John Mayfield,
who plans to attend the event.
Capital Kitchen, 18 State St.
This popular kitchen store opened May 1, 2008. Owner Jessica Turner said recently runnning
the store is the best job she has ever had. We feel really well supported and I have since the
first day I opened, said Turner. When I peeled off the brown paper off the window, there was
already a line of people out there. It is still going really great and a lot has changed in my life
doing this. Turner said since the doors opened, she has become a mom and has had to learn
how to balance many responsibilities, but her great employees two who have been with her
by Carla Occaso
for over eight years make it possible.
Her enthusiasm for the store is obvious. I find such joy in finding cool things, she said, and
that enthusiasm has been contagious. She posts on social media when new items come in and
sometimes her customers show up within the hour to get a closer look. Her best sellers? A
vegetable spiralizer that takes almost any vegetable, such as zucchini, and turns it into a batch
of noodles. She has sold so many the manufacturer awarded her with a gold pin in 2016. Also
popular is a reusable Swedish dish cloth sold by a little company in Connecticut. She said she
sells a few thousands of those per year.
Three Penny Taproom, 108 Main St.
Three Penny Taproom opened May 1, 2009, and each year they celebrate their birthday by
holding a big bash called Montbeerlier whereby Langdon Street is closed to traffic and beer
flows freely.
We celebrate the first Saturday every May, said Kevin Kerner, managerial partner. Owners
are Matt McCarthy, Scott Kerner and Wes Hamilton.
This year the musical entertainment will be live band karaoke. It should be great! Kerner
said they ask brewers to put the golden elixir in wooden casks for the occasion. And for food?
Were doing roasted pork sandwiches and falafel sandwiches outside. Inside will be the
normal food menu of their famous burgers and munchies.
The event is rain or shine.
Wilaiwans, 31 State St.
Montpelier in 2009, but moved into a small storefront a few years later and Dang Azarian says
it makes all the difference. It is hard work to have a food cart, Dang told The Bridge, saying
that it hinders business when weather is bad. But she loves her work of cooking. What is her
favorite aspect of running a restaurant? My favorite is I cook what I want to eat and share my
food, she said. And of her customers? Everybody is smiling and that is a good sign.
Her husband, Tim, told The Bridge they had opened the business as a street cart with the idea
of just operating in summer months, but it was so popular he decided to open a small shop
on State Street May 1, 2012. The biggest reason we do it is because of all the support from
our customers. Our shop is so small it only fits four or five people inside, so there is a line out
the door.
Tim Azarian said the most popular feature of the restaurant is that the food is fresh and made
in the tradition of Thailand Street food even though we are not on the street any more.
PAG E 14 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE

A Taste of Live Band Karaoke at Sweet Melissas by Michael Jermyn

MONTPELIER I now know what it feels like to be
Mick Jagger singing Jumpin Jack Flash with the Rolling
Stones behind me. I know how it feels to be David Bowie
singing Ziggy Stardust. I know what it feels like to be Elton
John singing Bennie, Bennie... Bennie and the Jets! The
excitement, the nerves, the satisfaction of pulling off a great
song in front of the public, is absolutely unparalleled. And you
can too. All you have to do is go down to Sweet Melissas (4
Langdon St.) on Sunday nights for live-band karaoke and sign
up, jump onstage and sing your heart out.
This is not your grandmothers karaoke. This is the real deal.
You get to perform with a full band composed of some of
the finest musicians in Vermont, with a repertoire of some
300 songs under their belt. On any Sunday night you will
hear a varied selection of music: from Willie Nelson to Otis
Redding, Janis Joplin to Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse
to Nirvana. Anything goes, and anyone can be a rock star
here. All you have to do is bring the love and the band will
provide the rest. Recently I heard Marissa Mattogno perform
a blistering version of Joan Jetts Bad Reputation that even
Joan would be proud of. Melissa Merrihew, part owner
and bartender of the cafe, sang a spirited version of White
Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane. For a few moments, I felt
like I was back in the Swingin Sixties, hanging out in San
Franciscos Haight-Ashbury district.
Beside the excellent music and the all-night food (the
homemade smoked Gouda poppers are amazing!), the main
draw of this cozy bar is the relaxed vibe. There is no
competition; all the singers are encouraged and congratulated
equally. Newcomers are welcome to jump onstage and belt singing along, it seems like the feeling is mutual.
something out. Its like one big family, with Melissa making Karaoke is outdoors at 6 p.m. this Saturday, May 6, on Langdon
everyone regulars and strangers alike feel like theyre in Street, for the Montbeerlier fest, part of Three Penny Taproom's
their own living room. This friendly and inviting atmosphere 8th birthday bash.
is what keeps me coming back week after week.
Its an opinion shared by Howard Coffin, local writer and
Civil War historian, and a regular at the bar. I walked into
Sweet Melissas one year ago, and here I am still, Coffin said.
I always found standard karaoke a bore, but this is different.
Live-band karaoke at Sweet Melissas is superstar soloists, and
one of the best bands in the northeast. Vermont is talent-deep
and it shows here. I asked Cobalt Tolbert, 23, the house
bands energetic guitarist, why live-band karaoke appeals to
him. This is a community here, he said. We noticed when
it first got started how quickly people took to it, but what was
really apparent is how everyone started mingling over a shared
activity: the songs. Every Sunday night, fun is definitely had.
Then its my turn to sing. Ever since Bowie died in January
2016, I make it a point of doing at least one of his songs at
karaoke. Tolbert looks at me and starts softly strumming the
C major to E minor intro of Bowies classic 1969 song, Space
Oddity. A few minutes later were full-blown rocking. This
is Major Tom to Ground Control, I'm stepping through the
door, and Im floating in a most peculiar way, and the stars
look very different todayyyyyyyyy!'' At this moment, there is
nowhere else in the world where I would rather be than right
here, right now, in this magical little bar on the corner of Elm
and Langdon streets in the capital city.
Tricia Collins belts one out
Looking out at the smiling faces in the crowd, all merrily

Onion River Chorus Spring Concert Planned

Masterworks from the German Choral Tradition: Bach,
Schutz, Distler
MONTPELIER Onion River Chorus
presents German choral masterworks from
three centuries by J.S. Bach, Heinrich
Schtz and Hugo Distler in two concerts:
Saturday May 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday
May 14 at 7 p.m., both at the Unitarian
Church in Montpelier. The Montpelier
community chorus of 65 voices is led by
Larry Gordon and will be accompanied
by Lynnette Combs on organ and Tom
Jocks on cello. Admission to the concerts at
the door is $15, $10 for students. Advance
tickets are available from chorus members or
at North Branch Cafe.
Johann Sebastian Bach (16851750)
composed six motets, and of these "Jesu
Meine Freude," in 11 movements, is
the longest and most complex. Six odd
numbered movements with texts from the
hymn by Johann Franck from 1650 alternate
with the even numbered movements with
texts from the Epistle to the Romans 8:12,
911. The hymn movements all use the
basic chorale melody in the top soprano line
but with highly varied harmonizations in
the other voices. The other movements are
freely composed, including several massive
fugues and also more lyrical settings in
the style of trio sonatas. The extremely
dramatic German poetry abounds with stark
contrasts between images of heaven and hell,
often within a single section. For example
the fifth movement: Despite of the old
dragons, Despite the jaws of death, Despite
the fear thereof; Rage, world, and attack; I
stand here and sing in certain peace! Bach's
vivid setting of the words heightens these
dramatic contrasts resulting in a motet with
an uncommonly wide dramatic range.
The second Bach motet is Lobet den Herrn,
which contains some of his most virtuosic
writing for chorus. It begins with two
separate fugues with extremely long running
lines for the voices. Then comes more
chordal sections, sometimes contrasting the
womens and the mens voices. The piece
climaxes with a final fugue on the Alleluja.
Heinrich Schtz (15851672), was the first
great composer to really capture the cadences
of Martin Luthers German in choral music,
and he had an immense influence on Bach
a hundred years later. The ORC program
includes three of his dramatic short motets.
In Die mit Trnen sen he sets the opening
phrase They that sow with tears in
slow suspended chords which then abruptly
contrasts with dancing triple time on the
second phrase shall reap with joy. Similar
contrasts and word painting abounds in the
other motets. Das is je gewisslich wahr
That is indeed a true and precious word
uses a similar alternation of slow suspensions
and lilting triple time. Was betrbst du dich
meine Seele Why are thou so troubled o
my soul opens and closes with a heart-
rending downward chromatic theme taken
up by all the parts with intense suspensions.
Hugo Distler (19081942) was steeped in
the German chorale tradition. He became
aligned with the Renewal Movement,
a campaign to reform Protestant music
and liturgy, removing Romantic excess,
restoring the directness and clarity of early
Lutheran practice. Distlers music for the
church epitomized Renewal principles
rhythmically energetic, harmonically
sophisticated, but heavily indebted to older
composers, especially Bach and Heinrich
Schtz. The rise of the Nazis eventually
brought intolerable pressures to bear on
his life. He encountered official opposition
to his sacred subject matter; Hitler Youth
members repeatedly sabotaged his rehearsals
of sacred choral music; the war separated
him from his family; he was threatened
with conscription. Finally, in 1942, Distler,
34 years old, committed suicide. However,
in his short career he produced some of the
greatest choral works of the 20th century,
certainly the finest by a German composer.
His two major works on the program use
classic German texts: Wachet auf Wake
up you city of Jerusalem - as set by Bach
in his famous Christmas cantata, and Das is
je gewisslich wahr, as set earlier by Schtz.
The latter is probably the most challenging
work on the program with unusual, jagged
but somehow lyrical melodic lines, and
fiendishly complicated rhythmic structures
that defy barlines. Wachet auf begins with
an extended meditation on the opening
words Wake up! The second movement
contrasts two solo sopranos in canon with
the remaining five part choir singing more
chordal harmonies. The third movement
matches the joyous text with a final alleluia.
He ends each movement with a fanciful
rhythmic cadenza in one or more of the
vocal lines.
Onion River Chorus, now in its 39th year,
is a non-auditioned community chorus
based in Montpelier, open to any singers
interested in singing challenging choral
repertoire from all time periods. The fall
program, to be conducted by Dick Riley,
will feature music by 20th century Latvian
composers, and will begin rehearsals Sept.
11. For more information contact David
Grundy: ddgrundy@comcast.net or www.
Onionriverchorus.org

Tell them you saw it in The Bridge!

T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 15
Calendar of Events
Community Events
Events happening
May 4 to May 20
THURSDAY, MAY 4
The Art of Empire: World War 2 Influences
in Star Wars. Writer and editor Andrew Liptak
will look at how Lucas used imagery and icons
from the World War II era to inform his Galaxy
Far, Far Away, and why it holds up four decades
later. Noon. Norwich University, Sullivan
Museum and History Center, Northfield.
Free. 485-2183. http://academics.norwich.edu/
museum.
Friends of the Stowe Free Library Annual
Meeting. With guest speakers Peter Forbes
and Helen Whybrow, authors of A Man Apart
Bill Coperthwaites Radical Experiment in
Living. 45 p.m. 90 Pond St., Stowe. 253-6145.
librarian@stowelibrary.org
Elemental Queenship. Let the four queens of
the Tarot illuminate your path to sovereignty.
Mind, body, soul, spirit. 67 p.m. Hunger
Mountain Coop, Montpelier. $8 members; $10
non-members.
First Amendment, Freedom of the Press.
Panel Discussion. Moderated by Garrett Graff,
distinguished magazine journalist and historian.
7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. 223-3338.
FRIDAY, MAY 5
Death Caf. Discussions of events past, present,
and future. All are welcome and discussions are
confidential. 11:45 a.m.1 p.m. Twin Valley
Senior Center, Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint.net
Wellness Center Open House. Free services
throughout the day: Stress Less Workshop 23
p.m., chair massage 6:308 p.m., astrology
readings, facial cupping 25 p.m., tarot readings
3:305:30 p.m. Art Walk, 48 p.m., with
photos from Tanzania by Iris Gage. Grian Herbs
Apothecary, 34 Elm St., Montpelier. grianherbs.
com 223-0043
ArtWalk: Coleen Kearon Book Launch
& Reading. Celebrate Montpelier
Artwalk with Montpelier author Coleen
Kearon as she launches her new novel
#triggerwarningSigning 5 p.m., reading 6
p.m.; cake 6:30 p.m. Free. Bear Pond Books, 77
Main St., Montpelier. info@bearpondbooks.
com, www.bearpondbooks.com, 229-0774
Environmental Justice and Nuclear Waste:
The Road from Vermont Yankee to Texas.
Forum on high-level nuclear waste (HLNW),
the federal waste policy and environmental
racism of the nuclear waste industry. Potluck
5:30 p.m., program 6:30 p.m. Christ Church, 64
State St., Montpelier.
Art and Author Night. See event description
under the Special Events section in Art Exhibits.
Coffee House Benefit Evening. Fundraiser to
benefit Northfield Middle High School students
going to Tanzania, and United Church of
Northfields energy efficiency renovation project.
Coffee, tea, cider and desserts. Entertainment,
music and readings for all ages. 6:309 p.m.
United Church of Northfield, 58 S. Main St.,
Northfield. $4 includes first beverage; family
$20.
SATURDAY, MAY 6
Hike Northfield with Green Mountain
Club. Moderate, about 8 miles. Car spot.
Bushwhack from Paine Mountain to Irish
Hill. Contact Phyllis, 793-6313 or Phyllis@
PhyllisRubensteinLaw.comcastbiz.net for
meeting time and place.
Montpelier Kiwanis All You Can Eat
Breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, sausage and
VT maple syrup. help raise money to send
Central Vermont children to summer camp at
EarthWalk, T.W. Wood Art camp, Lotus Lake,
Community Connections, VT Mountaineers
and VT Trout Camp. 711:30 a.m. Boutwell
Masonic Building, 288 Gallison Hill Road,
Montpelier. Adults $8; kids under 12 $4.
Spring Migration Bird Walks. Explore the Cow
Pasture for spring migrants, such as warblers,
vireos, thrushes and waterfowl. Learn birding
basics, expand your birding ear and discover
more. 78:30 a.m. North Branch Nature
Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $10; free for
members. Directions to Cow Pasture: www.
northbranchnaturecenter.org
Color Run. Hosted by U-32. Color Run Hosts
splash racers with color as they run or walk
through the course. Distance options are 1, 2,
or 3 miles you choose! Registration 9 a.m.;
race starts 10:30 a.m. U-32, Gallison Hill
Rd., Montpelier. Registration $25. Advance
registration includes a t-shirt and color packet.
www.u32mscr@eventbrite.com
Calais Green Up Day. Volunteers can drop off
bags of roadside litter. Metal also accepted (no
refrigerators, liquids or tires on rims). Household
trash and recyclables accepted for the usual fee.
No personal tires, please! 9 a.m.noon. Trash/
recycling depot, Moscow Woods Rd., E. Calais.
456-8924, fletcherd@hotmail.
Capital City Farmers' Market Opening Day.
Shop from 50 local farmers and producers every
Sat. through Oct. 28. Featuring regular live
music, vendor demonstrations, and local chef
run cooking demos. 9 a.m.1 p.m. 60 State St.,
Montpelier. www.montpelierfarmersmarket.com
All Species Day. Come dressed as your favorite
The Onion River Sports Bike Swap. Choose
from hundreds of bikes of every size and style
in the Onion River parking lot, including
mountain, road, hybrid, kids, fat bikes,
commuters even bike trailers, baby joggers,
tag-a-longs, and more. To sell a bike, bring it
in during regular store hours through May 5. 9
a.m.noon. Onion River Sports, Langdon St.,
Montpelier. http://www.onionriver.com/the-
bike-swap/
Orchard Valley Waldorf Schools Annual
Sweet N Savory Pie Breakfast. 10:30
a.m.12:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St., Montpelier. $8 per person; $30 per family;
Performing Arts
THEATER, DANCE,
STORYTELLING, COMEDY
Through May 7: David Budbills Judevine. A tribute
to and portrait of back roads Vermont, by one of her best poets, and a 10th Anniversary production
of one of Lost Nation Theaters signature shows. Thurs.Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 2 p.m. Lost
Nation Theater, 39 Main St., Montpelier. $1530. 229-0492. lostnationtheater.org
May 5: Comedy Open Mic at Charlie O's. 6 p.m. 70 Main St., Montpelier.
May 56: Danceland. An evening of student dance performances set to music. End-of-semester
performance by JSCs Dance Club. 710 p.m. Johnson State College, Dibden Center for the Arts,
Johnson. Free. 636-1476. jscBoxOffice@jsc.edu.
May 67: North Country Chorus presents "Elijah." Felix Mendelssohns popular oratorio. Advance:
$12; students $5. At door: $15; students $5. Catamountarts.org. northcountrychorus.org.
May 6: 7:30 p.m. Wells River Congregational Church, 76 N. Main St., Wells River
May 7: 3 p.m. United Community Church, South Building, 1325 Main St., St. Johnsbury
May 6: FEMCOM. All-female standup comedy. 8:30 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre.
Free/by donation. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com.espressobueno.com.
May 1921: Contemporary Dance & Fitness Studio Performances. 43rd annual performances. May
19 and 20, 7 p.m.; May 21, 1 p.m. Barre Opera House, 6 N. Main St., Barre. Adults $15; seniors/kids
$12. 229-4676.
children under 5 free. www.ovws.org. 456-7400
Free Comic Book Day. 5 million comic books MONDAY, MAY 8
will be given away FREE in comic shops Complete Stress Management for Health
worldwide in 2017, the 14th year of this event. & Wellness. Identify what stresses you and
Each person can get up to 6 free comics this why. Learn how your stress is affecting your
Saturday only! A very kid friendly promote health. Learn the 4 step process to reduce and
literacy event. 11 a.m.5 p.m. Wonder cards & manage stress to better health. 67 p.m. Hunger
Comics, 445 US Route 302, Berlin. 476-4706. Mountain Coop, Montpelier. $4 members; $8
non-members.
11th Annual Peoples' Health & Wellness Clinic
Bowl-A-Thon. Fundraising event. Ideally, teams LGBTQ Book Discussion: Under the Udala
Trees. Inspired by Nigerias folktales and
consist of five bowlers, and are asked to raise a
minimum of $50 each for a team total of $250.
Form a team and register now! Its time to put
its war, Under the Udala Trees is a deeply
searching, powerful debut about the dangers
your teams together, have some fun, and help out of living and loving openly. Copies of the book
a good cause at the same time. 13 p.m. Twin are available at the library. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-
City Family Fun Center, US. Rt. 302, Barre. All Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
ages and skills welcome. Register: 479-1229 or 223-3338
www.phwcvt.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 9
The Art of the Conscious and Connected
SUNDAY, MAY 7 Breath. Learn how to inhale and exhale
properly. Add awareness and the ability to heal
Gravel Grinder. Join several hundred fellow
riders to welcome back the return of mountain whatever is in the way of an optimal breathing
bike season with a 25+ mile ride on the pattern. 67:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop,
Montpelier. Free.
scenic unpaved back roads of Waterbury and
Waterbury Center. 9 a.m. The ride starts in front Exploring the Psychological Novel.
of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, 5 Pilgrim Psychotherapist and organic farmer, Peter
Park Rd, Waterbury. bikereg.com/waterbury- Burmeister will read Chaim Potoks novels My
gravel-grinder Name is Asher Lev, and The Gift of Asher
Lev as the basis for a discussion of the way in
which works of fiction present the reader with
species! Begins at noon at Hubbard Park
soccerfield. Parade line-up at 1 p.m. at Hubbard insights into significant aspects of personality.
First of a four-part series. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-
Park Main Gate Winter St. entrance. Parade
to State House via Spring, Main and State Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Streets. Birth of Spring Pageant at 2:30 p.m. on 223-3338.
the State House lawn. Rehearsals for pageant, Jennifer McMahon Book Launch & Reading:
maypole and opening circle on May 6. For more BURNTOWN. celebrate the release of Jennifer
info. visit http://alltogethernowvt.org/seasonal- McMahons newest novel. Wine and
celebrations/all-species-day refreshments served. 78:30 p.m. Bear Pond
Community Song Circle. All ages are welcome Books, 77 Main Street, Montpelier. 229-0774.
Bearpondbooks.com
and no musical experience is necessary just a
love of group singing! 68 p.m. Center for Arts For more event listings and event
and Learning, 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 595-
5252. gsfrombucks@gmail.com
details visit montpelierbridge.com
PAG E 16 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE
Live Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Open mic every
Wed. Other shows T.B.A. bagitos.com.
Center for Arts and Learning Free Music Fridays.
46 Barre St., Montpelier. 1 p.m. Held outside with
good weather.
May 5: Lizzy Mandell
May 12: Luke Rackers
May 19: John Smyth & Jenn
May 26: Lisa Carlson
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St.
Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
Every Tues.: Karaoke, 9 p.m1 a.m.
May 5: Comedy Open Mic, 6 p.m.; Yankee
Cockfight/Zack Silk/Matt Olson (blues/
Americana) 9 p.m.
May 6: Jacob Green, 6 p.m.; Fresh Patterns/ Poe
Mack/ Maiden Voyage (hip-hop) 9 p.m.
May 12: Blue Fox (delta blues) 6 p.m.; Heartless
(Heart/Led Zeppelin tribute) 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10
Grief & Bereavement Support Group. Open to
anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 10 a.m.11:30 a.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger
Rd., Barre. Diana Moore at 802-223-1878.
Kick the Sugar Habit. Come learn how to kick
this, how to balance our cravings, how to create
new and great habits! 67:30 p.m. Hunger
Mountain Coop, Montpelier. $3 members; $5
non-members.
Living with Black Bears: A talk with Jaclyn
Comeau. The presentation will give the audience
an understanding of bear biology, ecology, and
the driving forces behind conflicts between
people and bears. 6 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
Song Circle and Circle-songs with Heidi
Wilson. Explore some circle singing: lifting our
voices in spontaneous harmony-rich songs. Well
sing renditions of both traditional songs and
fresh brand new songs. 6:458:15 p.m. Jaquith
Public Library, School St., Marshfield
Capital City Band Rehearsal Band. See event
description under Music: Special Events
THURSDAY, MAY 11
Bike Montpelier with Green Mountain Club.
Easy. 12 miles. Montpelier to Middlesex and
return. Helmet required. We will stop at the Red
Hen for lunch. Meet at 10:30 a.m. in the parking
lot behind the Dept. of Labor near the bike path.
Leaders: Mary Garcia, 622-0585 and Mary
Smith, 505-0603.
Red Cross Blood Drive. 16 p.m. Twin Valley
Senior Center, 4583 US Rt. 2, East Montpelier.
223-3332 or 1800-RED-CROSS
Pacem School FEASTival. A celebration of
cooking and food food competition, and a
delicious meal. 57:30 p.m. 32 College Street,
Montpelier. Fee is $10 or submission of food to
the event. 223-1010. http://pacemschool.org/
feastival/
Creating Consistency in Your Running
Practice. If youre stuck in a quit & start cycle
and want to get back into a steady practice, learn
whats keeping you stuck and how to create
a sustainable practice you love. 67:30 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Coop, Montpelier. Free.
Calendar of Events
May 13: Johnny Drop (indie acoustic) 6 p.m.;
Robin Gottfried Band (rock) 9 p.m.
May 16: Drag, Costume, Come As You Are
Karaoke Night!
May 19: Bird Full of Trees (folk) 6 p.m.;
Tsunamibots/Blowtorch (surf punk) 9 p.m.
May 20: Scott Graves & Chris Martin (acoustic
rock) 6 p.m.; Megan Jean & the KFB (Americana)
9 p.m.
Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre. 479-0896.
Free/by donation unless otherwise noted. events@
espressobueno.com.
May 6: Danielle OHallisey (jazz/fusion) 7:30 p.m.
May 12: Erin Cassels-Brown (alt country), 7 p.m;
Justin LaPoint (folk/blues) 8 p.m.; Bishop LaVey
(alt punk) 9 p.m.
May 20: James Graham (blues/soul) 7:30 p.m.;
Happy Folk (Americana) 8:30 p.m.
Whammy Bar. 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m. 31
County Rd., Calais. Thurs., Free. whammybar1.com.
Every Wed.: Open Mic
May 4: Dupont Brothers
May 5: Kava Express (funk/rock)
May 6: Bob Hannan w/ Seamus Hannan and
FRIDAY, MAY 12
Spring-Summer Soft Rummage Sale. May 12
and 13. Spring and summer clothes, light weight
jackets, sheets, towels. Fri., 9 a.m.6 p.m.; Sat.,
9 a.m.1 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier.
Make-up and Nail Care Techniques.
Demonstrations by Rachael Biggers. 11 a.m.2
p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 US Rt.
2, East Montpelier. Free. Contact 223-3322 or
twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint.net for more info.
SATURDAY, MAY 13
Green Mountain Club Work Hike. Duxbury.
Rain Date: May 14. All abilities are welcome and
needed as we work on the Long Trail south of the
Winooski River to Bamforth Ridge Shelter, and
farther south on Camels Hump, snow conditions
permitting. Bring lunch and work gloves. Wear
sturdy boots and work clothes. Tools provided.
Meet at Montpelier High School at 8 a.m.
Contact Andrew Nuquist, 223-3550, or trails@
gmcmontpelier.org.
Spring-Summer Soft Rummage Sale. May 12
and 13. Spring and summer clothes, light weight
jackets, sheets, towels. Fri., 9 a.m.6 p.m.; Sat.,
9 a.m.1 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier.
Friends Annual Plant Swap. Bring plants to
swap, make sure to label them, no invasive plants
please. 9 a.m.noon. Jaquith Public Library,
School St., Marshfield
TVSC 9th Annual Perennial Plant Sale.
Featuring perennials, vegetable, and houseplants.
Plant donations are always welcome. This year
we are also having a Flea Market. 9 a.m.3
p.m. Country Chorus Singers, 11 a.m.noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 US Rt. 2, East
Montpelier. 223-3322
Walk MS: Montpelier. Walk MS raises critical
funds and awareness for the National MS Society.
9 a.m.1 p.m. Montpelier High School, 5 High
School Dr., Montpelier. www.walkMS.org.
fundraisingsupport@nmss.org. 855-372-1331
Geof Hewitt
May 12: Dark Star
May 13: Beatles Sing-a-long with Bob Sassaman
SPECIAL EVENTS
May 7: Vermont Virtuosi: Tales of Takeaki.
Featuring the internationally renowned flutist
Takeaki Miyamae performing music of Louis Moyse, 5 free. http://bit.ly/NavaTehilaTKTS
C.P.E. Bach, Philippe Gaubert, Franz Doppler
and Jean Francaix. Also performing are flutist
artistic director Laurel Ann Maurer and pianist
Mary Jane Austin. 3 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. $10 suggested donation.
LAMaurerFlute.com. 881-9153.
May 10: Capital City Band Rehearsal Band.
Instrumentalists of all ages and levels welcome.
Bring a music stand. The Capital City Band plays
free outdoor concerts every Wednesday, 78 p.m.,
on the State House lawn June 14Aug. 16. 78 p.m. Scottish Bagpipes. MacHarg is one of the regions
Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 456-
7054. On Facebook: capitalcityband
May 1314: Onion River Chorus Spring Concert.
Masterworks from the German Choral Tradition:
Bach, Schutz, Distler. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church,
1970s Movies & Crafts. Visit exhibits, tie-dye a
handkerchief or stay for a 1970s movie. 9 a.m.4
p.m. Vermont History Center, 60 Washington
St., Barre. Activities free with admission to
History Center. Adults $7; seniors/students $5.
479-8500. Vermonthistory.org
Montpelier Downsizing Group Meeting. The
agenda will have time for group discussion
and presentations by developers, including
Doug Nedde, who has plans to turn the second
and third floors of the TD Bank building
in downtown Montpelier into market-rate
apartments. 10:30noon. Vermont College
of Fine Arts. Noble Hall, 39 College St.,
Montpelier. MontpelierDownsizingGroup@
gmail.com
Bird Language Workshop. Explore the language
of birds, share how to interpret it and discuss
what we can learn from it. 14 p.m. Goddard
College Campus, Plainfield. Pre-registration is
required. $25; children ages 612 accompanied
by adult $10. Discounts available for groups and
AmeriCorps members. 454-8500. https://www.
earthwalkvermont.org/single-post/2017/04/12/
Bird-Language-Workshop
SUNDAY, MAY 14
Mothers Day Spring Wildflower Walk with
Brett Engstrom. Sponsored by the Marshfield
Conservation Commission and the Jaquith
Library. We will meet at the Stranahan Forest
parking lot at the beginning of Thompson Road
(right off of Hollister Hill Road). 14 p.m. 426-
3581
MONDAY, MAY 15
Grief & Bereavement Support Group. Open to
anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 67:30 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Rd.,
Barre. Free. Diana Moore: 223-1878.
TUESDAY, MAY 16
New Laws for Farmers and the People They
Feed. Get an overview of new laws impacting
farmers, food producers, and eaters, as well as a
preview of what may be considered in the 2018
session. 67:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop,
Montpelier. Free.
130 Main St., Montpelier. $15; students/seniors $12;
family $30. Onionriverchorus.org
May 14: Joyous Benefit Concert in Support of
Refugees. With the Nava Tehila Ensemble from
Jerusalem and followed by a traditional bonfire
sing-a-long. 46 p.m. Zenbarn, 179 Guptil Rd.,
Waterbury Center. $18; kids ages 618 $6; under age
May 1920: Capital City Concerts presents The
Sublime and the Mellifluous. Featuring longtime
cellist of the Julliard String Quartet Joel Krosnick,
and NYC violinist Laurie Smukler. 7:30 p.m.
$1525. capitalcityconcerts.org.
May 19: Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist
Society, Middlebury.
May 20: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier.
May 20: Concert with Iain MacHarg on the
leading pipers. This is a fundraiser and the proceeds
will go toward youth services. 7 p.m. Fritzs Barn,
Marshfield. $810. Call for directions: 426-3581.
Exploring the Psychological Novel. See event
description under May 2. Part two of a four-part
series. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135
Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
Walk-Through Wednesday at Orchard Valley.
Includes an introductory visit to the OVWS
grades school (8:309:30 a.m.), and our mixed-
age kindergarten and Farm & Forest classes
(9:3010:30 a.m.). Campus tour and Q&A
time during each. 2290 VT Route 14N, East
Montpelier. enrollment@ovws.org. call 456-
7400. Registration required by noon on May 16.
1970s Cook Off. Showcase your cooking skills
and win prizes using 1970s inspired recipes and
tastes. 68 p.m. Vermont History Center, 60
Washington St., Barre. $5 VHS members; $10
non-members. 479-8500. vermonthistory.org
Moving Pictures: Films about Immigration.
Join Anne Miller for this thought provoking film
series. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, School St.,
Marshfield
THURSDAY, MAY 18
American Faces: A Cultural History of
Portraiture and Identity. Talk by Middlebury
Colleges Richard Saunders exploring our
collective understanding of portraiture and its
history in America. Noon. Vermont History
Museum, 109 State St, Montpelier. Free. 479-
8500. vermonthistory.org
Creating Consistency in Your Running
Practice. See event description on May
10. 67:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop,
Montpelier. Free.
FRIDAY, MAY 19
Spring Migration Bird Walks. Explore NBNC
and other local hotspots for spring migrants,
such as warblers, vireos, thrushes and waterfowl.
Learn birding basics, expand your birding ear
and discover more. 78:30 a.m. North Branch
Nature Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. $10;
free for members. northbranchnaturecenter.org
Friends of the Cutler Memorial Library
Plant and Book Sale. May 1920. Annuals,
perennials, and vegetables plants of many kinds
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 17
Visual Arts
EXHIBITS
Through May 7. Johnson State College B.F.A.
Exhibit. JSC, Dibden Center for the Arts,
Johnson. sc.edu/Dibden. 635-1469
Through May 9: Ted Zilius, Jazz and Sad. Mixed
media paintings. River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant
St., Morrisville. www.RiverArtsVT.org
Through May 9: Carolyn Mecklosky, Women,
Beasts and Dreams. Acrylic painting. River
Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. www.
RiverArtsVT.org
Through May 25: Laura Jane Walker, Studies in
the Art of Chance. Works are built on plywood
panels manipulated through staining, burning,
and carving to form a textured background.
Reception: May 5, 47 p.m. Spotlight Gallery,
Vermont Arts Council office, 136 State St.,
Montpelier. http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/
about-us/spotlight-gallery.
Through May 26: Paletteers Spring Art Show.
Aldrich Library, Milne Room, 6 Washington St.,
Barre.
Through May 26: Vermont Pastel Society Art
Exhibit Color Comes Alive. Reception: May 5,
57 p.m. Gallery hours: Tues.Sat. noon4 p.m.
TW Wood Gallery, 46 Barre St., Montpelier.
Through May 27: Helen Day Art Centers
Student Art Show. Stowe Elementary, Middle
and thousands of books on all subjects. Fri., 9
a.m.5 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.3 p.m. Cutler Memorial
Library, Rt. 2, Plainfield. 454-8306.
Guided Partner Thai Yoga Bodywork. Come
with a friend and relax your nervous system
through grounded, healing touch. 67 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Coop, Montpelier. $8
members; $10 non-members
Remedies for Detoxification and Personal
Growth. Just as we need to bathe regularly, our
inner organs also need regular cleansing and
detoxification to maintain good healthy function.
Dynamic evening of conversation and practice
where you can learn simple remedies to detoxify
and grow in the process. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public
Library, School St., Marshfield
Calendar of Events
and High school students exhibit their artwork
along with students from guest schools Peoples
Academy Middle Level and High School. 90 Pond
St., Stowe. www.helenday.com. 802.253.8358
Through May 28: Studio Place Arts presents.
Three floors of exhibits. SPA, 201 N. Main St.,
Barre. studioplacearts.com
Main Floor: Seeing the Forests for the Trees.
Inspired by the diversity of woody plants and
forests; it involves more than 25 artists and
includes nontraditional and traditional media.
Second Floor: Silent Auction to Benefit SPA
Programs: including artwork, crafts and other
items. Wendy James and Rene Schall are featured
artists. Bidding starts April 25 and concludes at
the BASH on May 12.
Third Floor: Visual Jazz-Homage to the Earth
by Roger Goldenberg, includes oil on canvas
assemblages and a series of monotypes inspired by
our Earths climate, weather and geology.
May 531: Jayne Shoup. Shoup draws inspiration
from the beauty of central Vermont. Brilliantly
colored pastel paintings depict scenes from her
rural neighborhood. Opening: May 5, 48 p.m.
Cheshire Cat, 28 Elm St., Montpelier. 223-1981.
cheshirecatclothing.com
Through June 2: Spring Four-Ward. Watercolors
by four award-winning members of the Vermont
Watercolor Society: Lisa Forster Beach, Annelein
Beukenkamp, Gary C. Eckhart and Robert
OBrien. The Gallery at Central Vermont Medical Montpelier. Photo ID required for admission.
Center, 130 Fisher Rd., Berlin.
May 8June 3: Artists as Witness. Presented by
Dragon Dance Theatre and ARA. 22 watercolour
SATURDAY, MAY 20
Spring Bird Walk. Rain date: May 27. Led by
Taber Allison and his son Alexander. We will
meet at the Stranahan Forest parking lot at
the beginning of Thompson Road (right off of
Hollister Hill Road). 7:3010 a.m. For info call
Jaquith Public Library at 426-3581
Friends of the Cutler Memorial Library Plant
and Book Sale. May 1920. Annuals, perennials,
and vegetables plants of many kinds and
thousands of books on all subjects. Fri., 9 a.m.5
p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.3 p.m. Cutler Memorial Library,
Rt. 2, Plainfield. 454-8306.
images from the Straits of Mytilini, the refugee
crisis and the effects of war on population
movements. These works were created by Sam and
Katah in a cooperative process that included all the
steps of investigating, preparing and making and
exhibiting the images. City Center, 89 Main St.,
Montpelier
May 5June 10: The Front presents SHOW
17. SHOW 17 is part of Vermont Arts 2017, a
project of the Vermont Arts Council. Featuring
the latest works of the collective gallerys Vermont-
based contemporary artists. Opening reception:
May 5, 48 p.m. With live music by Ben
Cosgrove. 6 Barre St., Montpelier. http://www.
vermontartscouncil.org/explore-vermont-arts/
vermont-arts-2017
Through June 16: Harriet Wood. Solo show of
paintings and sculpture. Reception: May 5, 46
p.m. Goddard College Art Gallery. Pratt Center,
Plainfield. 802-322-1604.
Through June 30: From Nature to Abstract:
Works by Maria Anghelache. Anghelache
blends abstract objects and form directly from her
observation of the natural world. The Vermont
Supreme Court Gallery, State St., Montpelier.
Through June 30: Jo MacKenzie, Moments.
Watercolor paintings on paper bring the bright,
airy, fresh light of spring and summer. Art Walk
reception: May 5, 47 p.m. The Governors
Gallery, Pavilion Building, 109 State St., 5th fl.,
Through June 30: Los Colores de Oaxaca.
Photographs by John Douglas (Flying Squirrel
Graphics) of Vershire. Chelsea Public Library, 296
VT-110, Chelsea.685-2188.
Through July 7: A Change in the Weather. Joint
exhibit of photographs of the Alaska Arctic by
Adelaide Murphy Tyrol and Richard Murphy.
Opening reception: May 5, 48 p.m. TW Wood
Gallery and Museum, 46 Barre St., Montpelier.
262-6035 twwoodgallery@gmail.com. www.
twwoodgallery.org
SPECIAL EVENTS
May 5: Montpelier Art Walk. 20+ downtown
businesses host an art exhibit and reception with
work by local artists. Start at any location and visit
as many venues as you have time for! 48 p.m.
Downtown Montpelier.
May 5: Art and Author Night. You Are Here,
photography exhibit by Jennifer Barlow, celebrates
the moments in life when we are really able to see
the exquisiteness of this place we call home, 6 p.m.;
Reading with Poet Laureate Sydney Lea, 7 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, School St., Marshfield.
May 12: Big Arty SPA Happening (B.A.S.H.)
Enjoy great art, music and eats and help
raise funds for SPAs art programs. Musical
performances by Mayfly and Ira Friedman.
Cash bar. Studio Place Arts, 201 N. Main St.,
Barre. $15 advance; $25 day of event. 479-7069.
Studioplacearts.com
Send your event listing to
calendar@montpelierbridge.com.
Deadline for print in the
next issue is May 11

PAG E 18 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE
Weekly
ARTS & CRAFTS
Beaders Group. All levels of beading
experience welcome. Free instruction available.
Come with a project for creativity and
community. Sat., 11 a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive,
Plainfield. 454-1615.
Drop-in River Arts Elder Art Group. Work
on art, share techniques and get creative with
others. Bring your own art supplies. For elders
60+. Every Fri., 10 a.m.noon. River Arts
Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. Free. 888-
1261. riverartsvt.org.
The Craftees. Crafts social group led by Nancy
Moran every Fri. Bring craft and potluck. 10
a.m.2 p.m. Barre Area Senior Center, 131 S.
Main St., #4, Barre. $3. Register: 479-9512
Art Classes. Fridays Jan. 27March 3, 35
p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rte 2, East
Montpelier. To sign up or for more information
call Susan Crampton at 223-6954 or email
cramptonsr@hotmail.com.
BICYCLING
Open Shop Nights. Volunteer-run community
bike shop: bike donations and repairs. Wed., 46
p.m.; other nights. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre
St., Montpelier. 552-3521. freeridemontpelier.
org.
BOOKS & WORDS
Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and
practice your language skills with neighbors.
Noon1 p.m. Mon., American Sign Language;
Tues., Italian; Wed., Spanish; Thurs., French.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. 223-3338.
English Conversation Practice Group. For
students learning English for the first time.
Tues., 45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic
Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100
State St. 223-3403.
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading
and share some good books. Books chosen by
group. Thurs., 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult
Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center,
100 State St. 223-3403.
BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION
One-on-One Technology Help Sessions.
Free assistance to patrons needing help with
their computers and other personal electronic
devices. 30 min. one-on-one sessions every
Tues., 10 a.m.noon. Waterbury Public Library,
28 N. Main St., Waterbury. Free. Registration
required: 244-7036.
FOOD & DRINK
Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.
Free.
Mon.: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., 11
a.m.1 p.m.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St., 11:30
a.m.1 p.m.
Wed.: Christ Church, 64 State St., 11
a.m.12:30 p.m.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St., 11:30
a.m.1 p.m.
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St., 11
a.m.12:30 p.m.
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
4:305:30 p.m.
Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
Feast Together or Feast To Go. All proceeds
benefit the Feast Senior Meal program. Tues.
and Fri., noon1 p.m. Live music every Tues.,
10:3011:30 a.m. Montpelier Senior Activity
Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Seniors 60+
Do What You Do Best.
Bookkeeping Payroll Consulting
802.262.6013 evenkeelvt.com
Calendar of Events
free with $7 suggested donation; under 60 $7.
Reservations: 262-6288 or justbasicsinc@gmail.
com.
HEALTH & WELLNESS KIDS & TEENS
Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place
for individuals and their families in or seeking
recovery. Daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main
St., Barre. 479-7373.
Sun.: Alchoholics Anonymous, 8:30 a.m.
Tues.: Making Recovery Easier workshops,
67:30 p.m.
Wed.: Wits End Parent Support Group, 6 p.m.
Thurs.: Narcotics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m.
Al-Anon. Help for friends and families of
Alcoholics.
Sun.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
Montpelier (back door) 6:157:30 p.m.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St.,
Montpelier (basement) noon1 p.m. hold the program the days Twinfield is closed.
Wed.: Bethany Church,115 Main St.,
Montpelier (basement) 78 p.m.
Thurs.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St.,
Montpelier (basement) noon1 p.m
Sat.: Turning Point, N. Main St., Barre, 5
p.m. (child friendly meeting)
Bone Building Exercises. Open to all ages.
Every Mon., Wed. and Fri. 7:30 a.m. and
9:15 a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583
U.S. Rte. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
Tai Chi for Seniors. Led by trained volunteers.
Advanced class: every Mon. and Fri., 12 p.m.
Beginners class: Tues. and Thurs. 1011 a.m.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rte. 2, E.
Montpelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.
org.
Living Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.
Sing while exercising. Open to all seniors. Every
Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri., 23 p.m.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518. msac@
montpelier-vt.org.
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier.
552-3483.
Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Program.
Education and support to help adults at high risk
of developing type 2 diabetes adopt healthier
eating and exercise habits that can lead to weight
loss and reduced risk. Every Tues., 10:3011:30
a.m. Kingwood Health Center Conference
Room (lower level), 1422 Rt. 66, Randolph.
Free. Register: 728-7714.
Tai Chi for Falls Prevention. With Diane Des
Bois. Beginners and mixed levels welcome. 2:15
p.m. Barre Area Senior Center, 131 S., Main St.,
#4, Barre. Free. Register: 479-9512.
Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step program
for physically, emotionally and spiritually
overcoming overeating. Two meeting days and
locations. Every Tues., 5:306:30 p.m. and
Sat., 8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal Church of the
Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre. 279-
0385. Every Mon., 5:306:30 p.m. at Bethany
Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3079.
www.oavermont.org
Tai Chi Classes for All Ages. Every Tues. and
Thurs., 1011 a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center,
Rte. 2, Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier.
Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint.
net
Mooditude Support Group. A professional and
peer-led support group, not a therapy group.
For people with depression, bipolar disorder,
seasonal affective disorder, dysthymia etc.).
Every Wed., 45 p.m. Bethany Church,115
Main St., Montpelier. (downstairs at end of
hallway). Free. 223-4111 or 522-0775.
Weight Loss Support Group. Get help and
support on your weight loss journey every
Wed., 67 p.m. Giffords Conference Center,
44 S. Main St., Randolph. Free. No registration
required. Open to all regardless of where you are
in your weight loss.
Wits End. Support group for parents, siblings,
children, spouses and/or relationship partners of
someone suffering with addiction whether it
is to alcohol, opiates, cocaine, heroin, marijuana
or something else. Every Wed., 68 p.m.
Turning Point Center, 489 N. Main St., Barre.
Louise: 279-6378.
HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast
oral testing. Wed., 25 p.m. 29 State St., Ste.
14 (above Rite Aid), Montpelier. Free and
anonymous. 371-6224. vtcares.org.
NAMI Vermont Connection Recovery Support
Group. For individuals living with mental
illness. Every Fri., 34 p.m. Another Way, 125
Barre St., Montpelier. 876-7949. info@namivt.
org
The Basement Teen Center. Safe drop-in space
to hang out, make music, play pool, ping-pong
and board games and eat free food. All activities
are free. Mon.Thurs., 26 p.m., Fridays 3-10
p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St.,
Montpelier. BasementTeenCenter.org
Read to Clara. Sign up for a 20-minute slot and
choose your books beforehand to read to this
special canine pal. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. Sign up ahead: 223-
4665 or at the childrens desk. kellogghubbard.
org.
Story Time and Playgroup. With Sylvia Smith
for story time and Cassie Bickford for playgroup.
For ages birth6 and their grown-ups. We follow
the Twinfield Union School calendar and do not
Wed., 1011:30 a.m. Jaquith Public Library,
122 School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Story Time for Kids. Meet your neighbors
and share quality time with the pre-schooler
in your life. Each week well read stories and
spend time together. A great way to introduce
your pre-schooler to your local library. For ages
25. Every Thurs., 10:30 a.m. Cutler Memorial
Library, 151 High St., Plainfield. 454-8504.
cutlerlibrary.org.
Lego Club. Use our large Lego collection to
create and play. All ages. Thurs., 34:30 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Dads & Kids Playgroup. Playtime and free
dinner. Every Thurs., 57 p.m. For Dads and
their children ages birth5. Family Center
of Washington County, 383 Sherwood Dr.,
Montpelier. fcwcvt.org
Drop-in Kinder Arts Program. Innovative
exploratory arts program with artist/instructor
Kelly Holt. Age 35. Fri., 10:30 a.m.noon.
River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville.
888-1261. RiverArtsVT.org.
Teen Fridays. Find out about the latest teen
books, use the gym, make art, play games and
if you need to, do your homework. Fri., 35
p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St.,
Marshfield. 426-3581.
Musical Story Time. Join us for a melodious
good time. Ages birth6. Sat., 10:30 a.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Mad River Valley Youth Group. Sun., 79 p.m.
Meets at various area churches. Call 497-4516
for location and information.
MUSIC & DANCE
Barre-Tones Womens Chorus. Open rehearsal.
Find your voice with 50 other women. Mon.,
7 p.m. Capital City Grange, Rt. 12, Berlin.
BarretonesVT.com. 552-3489.
Dance or Play with the Swinging Over 60
Band. Danceable tunes from the 1930s to the
1960s. Recruiting musicians. Tues., 10:30 a.m.
noon. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Ballroom Dance Classes. Tuesdays, April 25
May 30. Sponsored by Montpelier Recreation
Dept., Instructed by Samir Elabd. 67 p.m.
waltz and foxtrot; 78 p.m. rumba and swing.
Singles welcome, no experience necessary. Union
Elementary School, Montpelier. To register, call
Montpelier Rec. Dept.: 225-8699. More info.:
223-2921.
Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal.
New chorus members welcome. Wed., 45 p.m.
Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and
more information.
Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs., 68
p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St. 223-2518.
Barre Rock City Chorus. We sing songs from
the 60s80s and beyond. All songs are taught by
rote using word sheets, so ability to read music is
not required. All ages welcome; children under
13 should come with a parent. Every Thurs.,
6:308:30 p.m. Church of the Good Shepherd,
39 Washington St., Barre.
Gamelan Rehearsals. Sun., 79 p.m. Pratt
Center, Goddard College. Free. 426-3498.
steven.light@jsc.edu. light.kathy@gmail.com.
RECYCLING
Additional Recycling. The Additional
Recyclables Collection Center accepts scores of
hard-to-recycle items. Mon., Wed., Fri., noon6
p.m.; Third Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m. ARCC, 540
North Main St., Barre. $3 per carload. 229-9383
x106. For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.
org/arcc.
RESOURCES
Onion River Exchange Tool Library. More
than 100 tools both power and manual. Onion
River Exchange is located at 46 Barre Street
in Montpelier. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday from 9-4. For more information
or to donate tools call 802.661.8959. info@
orexchange.com.
SOLIDARITY/IDENTITY
Rainbow Umbrella of Central Vermont.
An adult LGBTQ group, meets every third
Tues., 5:307 p.m. All LGBT adults and
allies are welcome to attend for socializing,
community building and advocating for
LGBT issues. MSAC, 58 Barre St., Montpelier.
RUCVTAdmin@PrideCenterVT.org
Friday Night Group. Social gathering of
LGBTQ youth, ages 13 22. 2nd and 4th
Fridays of the month, 6:30 8:00 pm. Free
pizza and soft drinks. Supervised by LGBT
adults trained by Outright Vermont. Unitarian
Church, Montpelier. For more info, email
Nancy: SaddleShoes2@gmail.com
Bowling. Rainbow Umbrella of Central
Vermont, an adult LGBTQ group, bowls
at Twin City Lanes on Sunday afternoons
twice a month. For dates and times, write to
RUCVTAdmin@PrideCenterVT.org
SPIRITUALITY
Christian Science Reading Room. You're
invited to visit the Reading Room and see what
we have for your spiritual growth. You can
borrow, purchase or simply enjoy material in a
quiet study room. Hours: Hours: Hours: Wed.
Sat., 11 a.m.2 p.m.; Wed., 57:15 p.m. 145
State St., Montpelier. 223-2477.
A Course in Miracles. A study in spiritual
transformation. Group meets each Tues., 78
p.m. Christ Episcopal Church, 64 State St.,
Montpelier. 279-1495.
Christian Counseling. Tues. and Thurs. Daniel
Dr., Barre. Reasonable cost. By appt. only: 479-
0302.
Prayer Meeting. Ecumenical and charismatic
prayer meeting. Every 1st and 3rd Thurs.,
6:308 p.m. 8 Daniels Dr., Barre. 479-0302
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For those
interested in learning about the Catholic faith,
or current Catholics who want to learn more.
Wed., 7 p.m. St. Monica Church, 79 Summer
St., Barre. Register: 479-3253.
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging
text study and discussion on Jewish spirituality.
Sun., 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning for Learning
Center, Montpelier. 223-0583. info@
yearning4learning.org.
SPORTS & GAMES
Bingo. Every Tuesday. Doors open 5 p.m.;
games start 6 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center,
4583 U.S. Rte. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-
3322. twinvalleyseniors.org.
Roller Derby Open Recruitment and
Recreational Practice. Central Vermonts
Wrecking Doll Society invites quad skaters age
18 and up. No experience necessary. Equipment
provided: first come, first served. Sat., 56:30
p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre St.
First skate free. centralvermontrollerderby.com.
YOGA & MEDITATION
Christian Meditation Group. People of all
faiths welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ
Church, Montpelier. 223-6043.
Zen Meditation. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.
Wed., 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River St., Montpelier.
Free. Call for orientation: 229-0164.
Montpelier Shambhala Meditation. Group
meditation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.noon; Wed.,
67 p.m; learn to meditate free instruction
the 1st Wed. of the month. New location:
5 State Street, 2nd floor, Montpelier. info@
montpeliershambhala.org, www.montpelier.
shambhala.org
Sunday Sangha: Community Ashtanga Yoga.
Every Sun., 5:407 p.m. Grateful Yoga, 15 State
St., 3F, Montpelier. By donation.
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 19
Classifieds A
HELP WANTED
TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT &
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont is
seeking a temporary Development
and Administrative Assistant with
other programmatic duties. Based in
Montpelier. Ideal candidate will have
successful development and admin.
experience. Send resume' and three
references to Search Committee, Box 829,
Montpelier, VT 05602.
ESTATE SALE
THOUSANDS OF ITEMS FOR SALE
FROM JACKIE WILDERS TROVE
Quilts and Craft Supplies
Xmas decorations & antique items
Saturday, 6 May: 10 AM- 5PM
Old Town Hall (inside)
Brookfield, Vermont
something for everyone
Call: 276-3959 for more info
Text-only class listings and
classifieds are 50 words for $25.
Call 249-8666 or 223-5112 ext. 11
Tell them
you saw it in
The Bridge!
Repairs New floors and walls
Crane work Decorative concrete
Consulting ICF foundations
114 Three Mile Bridge Rd., Middlesex, VT (802) 229-0480
gendronbuilding@aol.com gendronconcrete.com
Finding a Voice
s we survey the political landscape
there are many who decry the seeming
apathy among young people who did
not vote in the recent election.
Some young adults, no doubt, are apathetic.
Children learn what they see. Maybe Mom
and Dad didnt vote from a 60s-era conviction
that it wont make any difference, or maybe
it goes back farther than that to Grandpa
and Grandma saying, All I want is to be left
alone and have government stay out of my
business. As if by the act of voting you give
everything and get nothing.
But it wasnt the government that stopped
the war and got out of Vietnam or Iraq. It
was a concerted, day to day, laborious process
by individuals willing to get arrested and
unwilling to be shouted down.
In some cases, young parents are too
overwhelmed with responsibilities.
Another segment of the population would
vote if they could but they lost that privilege
when they made bad choices. Once a felon
never a voter. It seems like no big deal when a
person is 18 and agreeing to anything offered
to stay out of jail. Then maturity sets in at 25
and maybe they have someone they love and a
child on the way and a low paying but steady
job and they see things more clearly and
understand what they gave up.
There should be a process in place whereby the
privilege and right could be earned back a
process that might mimic the one refugees go
through to become citizens. At some point,
every punishment needs to end.
Students need to be taught change can only
occur in incremental steps someone is not
going to come along and fix all the worlds
problems by leading the brave and strong in
one great battle of good against evil. And if
Rocque Long
Painting
Insured
30+ years professional
experience
local references.
802-223-0389
Since 1972
by Glennis Drew
Essay
that did happen, there is no guarantee good
would win.
There is something you can do to score a
personal touchdown.
You can make a money donation to a cause
you believe in.
You can learn to knit and make pink hats.
You can volunteer to pack boxes or stuff
envelopes at the Vermont Foodbank
You can serve the free lunch at your church for
the hungry and lonely.
You can mentor a child.
You can volunteer to drive for Green
Mountain Transit so a senior can get to a
doctor appointment.
Many years ago, I wrote a letter to the Editor
of The Times Argus. I was appalled by the way
a high school student was being portrayed in
the media a young boy whose poor choices
and decisions on one fateful night led
to the accidental death of his older brother. In
spite of feeling that I was alone in my opinion,
I knew I had to write, so I did.
After my letter appeared, my phone rang.
It was the mother of the boy. The district
attorney told us that EVERYONE wanted our
son to be convicted. THANK YOU so much
for your letter!
Another time I saw an accident. I had stopped
my car and was waiting for someone to cross
the street when that person was hit by another
car. I stayed where I was, waiting for police
to arrive and take my statement. When the
police did arrive, the officer kept waving me
away. I stuck to my spot. I am a witness. I
saw what happened and I want to make a
statement, I said. All he would do was write
down my name and number.
I didnt hear a thing for two years. Then my
phone rang one day and a woman asked me
if I had witnessed an accident two years ago.
She was the victim. Her lawyer never got the
accident report. She had been through two
years of litigation where they denied that she
had been hit until she, herself went to the
police and got their report. There, on the top
margin, was my name and number. She asked
me to write a statement and send it to her
lawyer. I did. I never heard from her but I am
certain I helped her.
It is hard to get up and be among people who
are not part of your inner circle. Our cave-
dwelling ancestors learned that the one who
makes noise and stands out is the one that
becomes dinner for a predator. Even now, it
is the one leading the march who is the target
for the sniper. Not everyone has the fortitude
to lead the march. But everyone can be part of
the movement. And sometimes, all you have
to do is stand your ground.
If you care about the planet or the government
or the next generation, if you care about
people, DO something. Join in the march,
write the letter, wear the hat, step into the
school and read to a child.
In the words of Margaret Mead, Never doubt
that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world; ... indeed, it's
the only thing that ever has. ...
The writer is a mentor coordinator at Barre City
Elementary and Middle School.
Design & Build
Custom Energy-Efficient Homes
Additions Timber Frames
Weatherization Remodeling
Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring
Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork
New Construction
Renovations
Woodworking
General Contracting
223-3447
clarconstruction.com
PAG E 2 0 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE

Opinion Student Voices

Montpelier High School Social Studies Teacher Heather McLane assigned her students to write paragraphs
sharing their opinion about an issue that they have studied, support their opinion with a bit of evidence
and include a call to action. Below are some of the results.
by Juna Nagle by Faith Bolques

IMMIGRATION O n November 30, the City of Montpelier signed a

resolution declaring Montpelier a sanctuary city to M ontpelier is the smallest capital city in the United
States, but recently it has done something to make a
protect all people, no matter their race, religious affiliation bigger name for itself. Montpelier is a sanctuary city, meaning
by Jason Tomasi or immigration background. By doing so, Montpelier shows that we as a city will allow undocumented immigrants to

T rumps travel ban has made the United States appear
racist to the world. The ban states that all citizens from
Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia have to
wait four months before traveling to the United States. If
citizens of these countries who are already in the United States
want to return home to visit their families, they may not be
able to come back to the U.S. Trumps travel ban is unethical
and assumes that these Muslim countries will send terrorists
to America. Many people have stated that the travel ban is
a violation of civil rights because it discriminates against
Muslims. This could be helpful to terrorists. If Muslims
believe that the United States hates them, more Muslims may
want to join terrorist groups. The United Nations Human
Rights chief said, The United States ban is mean-spirited,
and wastes resources needed for proper counter-terrorism.
Donald Trump thinks that he is keeping the country safe
while in reality he is making America more dangerous by
creating an anti-Muslim culture. To help stop this ban from
going into effect, you can protest, write to your senator and
representative and stand up for the citizens of these countries.
Bookmark:
montpelierbridge.com
what a caring community we are. Having been raised in our
small town, I have found we are deeply connected to the
people around us. Whenever someone falls on hard times,
we find ways to pick them back up. Many people move to
Montpelier specifically to provide this kind of community
and nurturing environment for their kids. Montpelier has
been, and should continue to be, safe for everyone. Due to
new actions and declarations from our current President
of the United States, it has become much too prevalent
that immigrants are being targeted and afraid to go to the
authorities because of the fear of deportation. Undocumented
women and girls are especially at risk in these situations.
According to the Office of Victims of Crimes, in the United
States by 2050, the number of raped women and girls from
Latino origin could reach 10.8 million. With immigrants
being afraid of going to the authorities for help, many of these
cases will go unreported and enable predators to target people
who are unable to turn to the law. We need to make sure that
everyone has the right to seek justice in these situations. I urge
you to keep supporting Montpelier as a sanctuary city, and
to reach out to other cities and state senators to propose the
same idea. We want every city to be a safe haven for all people,
like the Montpelier that I love and know. By speaking up and
taking a stand, we ensure that the United States continues
the tradition and history of the melting pot, serving as a
sanctuary for all.
reside here. However, there has been some push-back against
this move. People say that this move will automatically cut
all of our federal funding (something that Donald Trump
has threatened towards sanctuary cities), or that allowing
undocumented immigrants will hurt our economy or cause
more crime. Those are all incorrect thoughts that have been
disproven by scientific studies. Mayor Seth Leonard spoke
about the threat of federal funding cuts with reporters from
Vtdigger.org, saying that it would take a long time to lose
our federal funding because theres no magic faucet that
causes funds to go away. There was a study done by Tom K.
Wong, a professor of political science, about sanctuary cities.
He countered the idea that sanctuary cities have negative
effects on the economy and increase the levels of crime. He
found that there are 35.5 fewer crimes per 10,000 people in
sanctuary counties, and that households earn $4,353 more
on average in sanctuary cities versus non-sanctuary counties.
Therefore, there are few negative impacts on sanctuary
cities, meaning that there is no reason to stop supporting
Montpeliers choice to stay one. If you, as a voter, believe
that everyone should be given an equal chance in life in the
United States of America, you should encourage Montpelier
to continue being a sanctuary city.
The Bridge will feature more Student Voices in each of the
next issues.

Opinion The Winds of Woe by Annette Smith, Danby

P
rospective neighbors of wind turbines heard all the promises: Quiet as a library. The
same decibel-level as a refrigerator. More brazen wind developers claimed you will
not hear them.
Then the 450-foot wind towers with their bus-size (generator housing) and three-bladed fans
were built. Sixteen in Sheffield, four on Georgia Mountain, 21 in Lowell. And neighbors
learned the truth. Yes, you can hear them. They sound like a jet plane that never lands, or
sneakers in a drier, or there is a whoosh whoosh whoosh as the blade passes the tower,
causing something called amplitude modulation.
Neighbors talk about feeling a deep rhythmic rumble inside their homes. We feel the
vibrations over the TV set, they say. That is the low frequency noise.
Some farmers living five miles from the Lowell wind turbines talk about the side of the barn
vibrating. (Donald and Shirley Nelson), who had no choice but to sell their farm in Lowell
to Green Mountain Power (for $1.3 million) due to their deteriorating health and quality of
life, said their windows vibrated, and the vibrations were visible in a bowl of water on the
kitchen counter.
Some experience the barometric pressure waves that hit their homes, turning the house
into a drum, producing inaudible infrasound inside the home at higher levels than outside.
Imagine you are sitting at your kitchen table and are seasick, except you are not on a boat
and nowhere near water, says one former neighbor whose family became so sick after living
3,500-feet from the wind turbines that they abandoned their home of 17 years.
Infrasound cannot be heard, but it has been scientifically proven by recent studies to be a
component of the acoustical profile of wind turbines. The vortexing pressure waves do not
dissipate and can go out for miles.
This acoustical profile of wind turbines creates a challenge for regulators and experts they
rely on. Typical noise control measures such as insulating the source or insulating the
receptor do not work with an open air source and a receptor that experiences higher levels
of infrasound inside the home than outside. And people have a right to have their windows
open. Insulation does not work.
The noise produced by wind turbines does not create a problem for the wind industry,
though. There are no problems, is their attitude. Its all in their heads, they say. The
nocebo effect is at work, they claim, alleging that peoples beliefs are making them sick.
They heap ridicule on neighbors who are victimized once by the wind turbines themselves,
a second time by the industry which refuses to accept responsibility and a third time by
regulators who have turned a deaf ear to complaints filed since mountaintop wind turbines
began operating.
A unanimous vote by the Vermont House last year affirmed that there is a problem. The
legislature directed the Public Service Board to right the wrong.
The board issued a rule that sets a night-time level of 35 audible decibels. This has resulted
in a shrill response from wind proponents who claim that this standard would outlaw bird
songs.
On wind turbines and decibel levels:
Nighttime background noise levels in the areas where wind turbines have been constructed
are about 20 audible decibels. Ten audible decibels above background results in complaints.
The correct standard for wind turbines in the very quiet areas where wind turbines are
being built would be 30 audible decibels lower than the board is proposing.
The board rule has a 10 times total height setback, or 5,000-feet for 500-foot-tall wind
turbines. It may not be far enough, but it is a step in the right direction.
The wind developers have made big promises. Now they have promises to keep so their
neighbors don't have miles to go before they sleep. And the Vermont Public Service Board
should establish standards that reflect those promises.
The writer is executive director of Vermonters for a Clean Environment
Note: Edited for length.

BE SEEN! BE HEARD!
Advertise in The Bridge:
249-8666 or rick@montpelierbridge.com
223-5112 ext. 11 or michael@montpelierbridge.com
T H E B R I D G E M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 PAG E 21

Editorial Berlin Pond, Who Will Pay? by Nat Frothingham

A bout the struggle over Berlin Pond and by extension the struggle to protect Montpeliers
drinking water supplies to begin with lets acknowledge the sharp disagreements.
In October 2011, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that the City of Montpelier had no
authority to prohibit recreational uses on the Pond a ruling that ended more than 100
years of Montpeliers control of the pond.
The Supreme Court didnt necessarily open up the pond to a range of recreational uses. It
simply said very clearly that Montpelier did not control the pond. Instead the court ruled
that the State of Vermont was the controlling authority under the states public trust doctrine
and that doctrine is enshrined by these words from the Vermont Constitution:
The inhabitants of this State shall have liberty in seasonable times, to hunt and fowl on the lands
they hold, and on other land not inclosed, and in like manner to fish in all boatable and other
waters (not private property) under proper regulations.
The 2011 Supreme Court decision soon had public impacts.
In November 2012, citizens in the Town of Berlin voted essential by a 2-1 margin (793 to
441) to allow public access and recreational use on the pond.
But over time Montpelier residents began to be aware of what public recreational access
might do to the quality of the water supply from Berlin Pond. In due course the Montpelier
City Council and the Citys representative in the Vermont House went to the Legislature to
seek state authority to regulate the pond.
Twice the City with the help of its Vermont House delegation went to the Legislature seeking
authority to regulate the pond and twice the Legislature refused to act.
Then in March 2016, the City of Montpelier put the following resolution before voters at
the March 1 City meeting.
The City shall have the authority to regulate its public water supply and public water sources
in order to protect the water supply and sources from corruption. The citys water supply sources
include Berlin Pond in the Town of Berlin.
In this country, theres a widely held notion that if you win election or if you win passage of
a hotly contested piece of legislation here in Vermont or in Washington, D.C. the winners
were right and the losers were wrong.
Some will argue that its wise, that it may be in the best interest of the City of Montpelier to
attend the working group meeting, seek common ground, get the best deal we can get with
the Town of Berlin, the State of Vermont and the sporting organizations that have pressed
to open the pond.
Its true that some concessions have already been made: no gasoline-powered boats on the
pond, no motors, no swimming.
But we havent paid attention to the New England Water Works Association that warns that
recreational access to a drinking water supply increases the likelihood of microbial, physical
and chemical contaminants in the drinking water produced from these source waters.
And we've ignored the advice of Marco Philippon, Water Treatment Superintendent for
the City of Concord, New Hampshire who wrote; Concord continues to protect the water
shed, recently acquiring a grant to purchase another 110 acres which will keep any potential
contamination sources away from the supply. We have seen the benefit of zero access
and communicated that to the city and state. We would encourage any community that
maintains a surface water supply to follow Concords example.
The City of Montpelier has taken a loss from the Government Operations Committee of the
Vermont Legislature. The protection of our drinking water may well be compromised. We've
lost an irreplaceable resource, protected for more than 100 years.
Once a resource is degraded it is seldom brought back from degradation. And if, and whos to
say when, but if public access to the pond contaminates the pond, who will pay the $750,000
to $1 million for an enhanced or upgraded water treatment plant?
Will the State of Vermont pay? Or the Town of Berlin.
No, its likely that Montpelier citizens and taxpayers will pay.

That resolution won the overwhelming (86 percent) support of Montpelier voters with 2,791
in favor and 455 opposed.
In recent weeks the Citys drive to seek legislative authority to control the pond has once About Montpeliers Berlin Pond Drinking Water Supply
again stalled this time in the Vermont House Government Operations Committee.
Vermont lakes/ponds available for fishing & boating: 263,000 acres
According to Rep. Warren Kitzmiller who has consistently advocated for Montpeliers
control of the pond H.6 the bill that would grant the City the authority to regulate Vermont towns/cities served by small pond for their drinking water supply: 11
the Pond is still on the wall in the committee room. It could therefore still be considered towns with 10 percent of Vermonts population.
in 2018, the second year of the current legislative biennium. Berlin Pond: 286 acres
But according to observers close to the committee a fresh look at H.6 in 2018 is unlikely to
Number of bodies of water within 30 miles of Montpelier that provide recreational
happen because committee support for the bill, they say, just isnt there.
enjoyment: 25 bodies of water
Based on that assessment, on April 7 Committee Chair Maida Townsend sent a letter
suggesting that a broad-based working group be assembled to see if common ground could be
Cost of Montpeliers water treatment plant: $11-plus million.Month and year when
discovered between the major players the City of Montpelier and the Town of Berlin. And Montpelier water treatment plant bond is paid off: December 2024
also the towns of Northfield and Williamstown. And also major public officials representing Montpeliers debt service for water treatment plant: $494,195
the State of Vermonts Fish & Wildlife Department and drinking water specialists.
This working group has already met once and Department of Public Works Director Tom
McArdle and City Manager Bill Fraser, along with City Councilor Dona Bate attended.
The talk now has changed. The official City of Montpelier talk is about seeing if theres good
faith, seeing if theres common ground.
As Fraser said in a phone call with The Bridge, This is an opportunity for us to talk with
some of the people to let them know why we are fighting so hard to keep it regulated.
How long do you fall on the sword? he asked about repeated attempts to get legislative
action.
When I asked him about compatible uses, he said, Its too early for me to say, I dont know
yet.
When I objected again, he said Thats great when you control the answer. Meaning, Im
sure, its okay to rule out public access and certain public uses when you control the pond.
But Montpelier does not control the pond. And the votes in favor of granting the City that
control, were not forthcoming within the Government Operations Committee.

Please support The Bridge by

making a financial contribution.
Visit montpelierbridge.com
and click on Make a Donation.
PAG E 2 2 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE
What Do You Think?
Read something that you would
like to respond to? We welcome
your letters and opinion pieces.
Letters must be fewer than 300
words. Opinion pieces should not
exceed 600 words. The Bridge
reserves the right to edit and
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com.
Deadline for the next issue
May 12.
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Letters
Councilor Hogs Parking with
Porsches, Van and Volvo
Editor:
No wonder there are parking problems
in Montpelier which are to be discussed
in the upcoming council meeting. A
good example of this is an owner of a
five-apartment building. The landlord
has two drivers. However, owns a large
van, a Volvo and two, yes, two, Porsche
(including a new pricey Boxster) vehicles.
The apartment building as is has no lawn
and not enough space to accommodate all
these vehicles for the landlord plus any the
tenants own. So frequently the landlord
vehicles are taking up public parking
space on a very small street. A relative of
this person on a connecting street does the
same with the truck and car that person
owns. A home business is located in this
residence which needs client parking as
well. So are spaces on this street really
public parking? The number of vehicles
and spaces needed at residences needs
to address the multi-vehicle ownership
nowadays so it does not spill out onto
street parking.
This landlord fought hard for the winter
parking to change so vehicles could be out
on the streets yearlong. Guess we know
why. Oh! I forgot to say, the landlord is on
the Montpelier City Council.
William Carpenter, Montpelier
Poetry
Kitten
The kitten's plaintive
cry
led me to think
she'd turned on
the tv.
No, she snapped
neglected litter box.
by Reuben Jackson, host of Friday Night
Jazz on Vermont Public Radio
Support Affordable Housing
by Eileen Peltier, executive director, Downstreet Housing and Community Development
T
Opinion
wo weeks ago I testified at the State
House to ask the legislature to support
the governors proposed $35 million bond
for affordable housing; last week Vermont mayors
and other advocates of the bond gathered at the
State House for a press conference. In supporting
this bond, my organization and our partners can
build great new affordable housing while also adding short-term
jobs in construction and related industries. The long-term benefits
include strengthened communities through the growing of our
city and town grand lists and healthier, safer and more sustainable
communities through smart growth and green design.
Nearly one third of families live in households that are housing
cost burdened, meaning that they pay more than 30 percent of
their income on housing costs. That number translates to about
36,000 children living on the edge of homelessness, food insecurity
and the many other risks of poverty. According to a report released
by Voices for Vermont Children, there are approximately 2,000
children experiencing homelessness defined as lacking a fixed,
regular and adequate nighttime residence. Some recent data from
Barres Good Samaritan Haven states they served from 2014 to 2016
54 veterans, 26 elderly adults and 62 victims of domestic violence.
Kudos to Legislature for Passing Shield Law
for Journalists
by Michael Donoghue, executive director of the Vermont Press Association
Opinion
T
he Vermont Press Association praises
and thanks the Vermont Legislature for
approving a shield law designed to protect
journalists from unwarranted subpoenas concerning
their sources.
The House of Representatives gave final approval
to the legislation, 140 to 2, April 20 and is sending the measure to
Gov. Phil Scott for his signature.
This is an important piece of legislation that is designed to prohibit
any governmental body from trying to compel the news media
to divulge a confidential source or being forced to testify about
information that is readily available from other sources, Vermont
Press Association President Adam Silverman said. He added the bill
also protects the media under some circumstances from disclosing
information obtained in the normal course of newsgathering.
We are in a time now where its important that whistleblowers and
other sources of information who wish to speak with journalists
know that the threat of jail or fines to reporters cannot be made,
said Silverman, an editor and reporter at the Burlington Free Press.
Shield laws, as they exist in many other jurisdictions, work only to
enhance the First Amendment by preventing government overreach.
All Vermonters ultimately are beneficiaries of this legislation.
The Vermont Senate unanimously passed the bill March 23, and
the House Judiciary Committee approved it with no opposition on
April 13 before sending it to the full House.
The Vermont legislation is designed to provide further protection
to journalists in cases where courts have not recognized a First
Amendment privilege. The law also provides protections to sources,
including the accused, crime victims and whistleblowers,
BARRE-TONES GO
GLOBAL The
Barre-Tones women's
barbershop chorus
recently returned from
a regional singing
competition where it
qualified for International
competition and one of its
competing quartets won
the quartet competition.
Pictured are the winning
quartet members from left,
April Knight, Burlington;
Trecia Hamilton, Stowe;
Carol Hollenbeck and
Carolyn O'Donnell, both of
Colchester.
In this beautiful state that offers so much to so
many, this is simply unacceptable.
The challenge we all face to address the affordable
housing crisis lies not only in adding new affordable
homes. At Downstreet we often say that housing
provides the first critical need for security and
stability, but it is not enough. For many families to be successful,
Vermont needs to invest in the necessary social services that are an
integral part of the wrap-around approach to addressing poverty.
Affordable housing providers collaborate every day with mental
health agencies, community action agencies and a host of other
critical support agencies. Whether it is providing homes and services
through the Family Center of Washington County to homeless
families, or offering financial wellness classes to our communities,
we are committed to comprehensive solutions to poverty.
Investing $35 million in affordable housing through the governors
bond proposal is the right tool to reduce the unacceptable number
of Vermonters living day to day and being forced to choose between
paying the rent and buying groceries. A stable, secure, affordable
home is the first step toward reducing poverty and providing all
of Vermonts children and families the opportunity to live the
Vermont dream.
who can expose waste and wrongdoing. Some
have said they have been reluctant to speak with
reporters knowing there was little or no protection
for journalists from a court order compelling
disclosure of a source.
A broad coalition of radio, television, online and
freelance journalists joined the VPA in advocating for the legislation.
The bill, known as S.96, was the top legislative priority this year for
the VPA, which represents the interests of the 11 daily and four-
dozen non-daily printed newspapers circulating in Vermont.
The association thanks several legislators who either up front or
behind the scenes championed the need to protect journalists from
becoming investigative arms of the state, defense lawyers or other
entities.
Special praise goes to Sens. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, and Jeanette
White, D-Windham, for introducing the bill and seeking testimony
from all interested parties to make the measure stronger. The
VPA also thanks Reps. Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, and Martin
LaLonde, D-South Burlington, for shepherding the bill through
the House. The VPA also appreciates the tri-partisan support S.96
received from Democrats, Republicans and Progressives. It took
eight weeks from introduction to passage in both chambers.
The bill had widespread support outside the State House, including
endorsements from Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos, Vermont
Attorney General T.J. Donovan, the American Civil Liberties
Union of Vermont, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and
Sexual Violence and the Society for Professional Journalists.
With Gov. Scotts expected signature on the bill, Vermont would
join about 40 states that previously have enacted some kind of
media shield law.
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Cody Chevrolet Congratulates The Bridge

On Over 20 Years of Business!
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PAG E 24 M AY 4 M AY 17, 2 017 THE BRIDGE