…for Generations to Come

Vermont Humanities Council Annual Report 2017

From our Predecessors… for Generations to Come

t falls to the executive director and the board of the Humanities Council to both steward and lead the Council. The dual responsibility speaks not only to preserving what is good so that it can be passed on to those who follow, but also to envisioning and advancing the future. The humanities themselves play the same dual role: they both preserve all that Ihas been part of the human story and enable us to envision and work toward a better tomorrow. Without memory and cognizance of the present, there can be no vision for the future. And as Proverbs tells us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” An approaching change in leadership at the Council reminds us that we begin our work where our predecessors left off, and that, in due time, others will pick up that work and advance it further. The current moment is just that: things will change in time. Things will get better, or they will get worse, and that depends in part upon us. This Annual Report serves as a reminder of the enormous power of the humanities to change both society and individuals. What has been true throughout our nation’s history remains true today: the humanities are perhaps the greatest tool we have to Peter A. Gilbert address whatever ails our society, its ethos, culture, and politics. From these pages, you’ll learn that an impressive 94 towns held activities related to our 2017 Vermont Reads book, Brown Girl Dreaming. The themes of Jacqueline Woodson’s memoir, including the scourge of racism and the importance of family history, resonated strongly with readers of all ages. You’ll see the continuing growth of the Reading Frederick Douglass program, which involved 30 communities last year, up from just four in 2014; countless participants report that Douglass’s fiery Independence Day address provides as much food for thought today as it did when he gave it in 1852. You’ll learn that there were 14 Humanities Camps last summer, the most in the Carol Lafayette Roach made this quilt after reading program’s history. These week-long day camps for at-risk middle school students rolf Diamant Brown Girl Dreaming, VHC’s Vermont Reads book for 2017. Its panels depict characters and scenes from the book. represent just one of several VHC humanities-based literacy programs that change the A raffle to win the quilt helped Edmunds Middle School lives of thousands of Vermonters by opening up to them books and the world of ideas. purchase library materials about diversity. And you’ll learn how VHC’s other programs, including First Wednesdays and Veterans Book Groups, continue to contribute to Vermont’s cultural and community character—all thanks to the work and generosity of many people. Thank you for being part of this ambitious ongoing endeavor.

Peter A. Gilbert Rolf Diamant Executive Director VHC Board Chair

1 Vermont Reads

VHC chose Jacqueline Woodson’s Edmunds Middle School beautiful memoir Brown Girl

Dreaming as its Vermont Reads book for 2017, the fifteenth year of the statewide program. Written in verse, Brown Girl Dreaming draws from the author’s childhood to tell the story of a young person finding her voice. Through reading and community activities—such as book discussions, writing workshops, and storytelling events— Vermont towns explored the book’s rich themes, including family history, civil rights, and growing up. Woodson made a special appearance at Burlington High School in October, speaking about and signing copies of her book with 450 people in attendance.

“When you read Participants: 9348 Locations: 94 towns in Vermont a book alone, Old friends Jacqueline Woodson (right) and Katherine Paterson reunited at Burlington High School. Paterson’s Bread and Roses, Too is the Vermont Librarians Carole Renca (left) and Amy Cudney Free books distributed: Reads choice for 2018. gathered books about the Civil Rights Movement 4200 it’s not quite and the Great Migration to help Edmunds Middle Vermont Reads and Literacy School teachers lead Brown Girl Dreaming projects. “Brown Girl Dreaming deals with tough issues (race, divorce, feeling different) in a very Four adult education centers chose Brown Girl Dreaming for the same.” gentle way. It provided avenues to discuss their classes as part of VHC’s Voices program. One site, Vermont these issues through poetry, class discussions Teachers and students in the Burlington School District Carole Renca gathered additional books about the Adult Learning in St. Albans, used the book in their curriculum and book discussions. Many dinner-time for Black History Month, in which students wrote their own poetry found much to value in Brown Girl Dreaming, the Civil Rights Movement and the Great Migration for conversations came from this book. and life reflections on loss or discrimination. Vermont Reads book for 2017. Multiple projects that teachers to weave into their lesson plans. “I think [the book and the discussions] Humanities Camps in Grand Isle were inspired by the book culminated in a reading by Protest signs, artwork, and poetry created by the made the kids see me and their teachers in author Jacqueline Woodson at Burlington High School students were displayed in a gallery at the Fletcher Free a different light—that we were kids too once and Brattleboro selected Brown in late October. Library in Burlington. The centerpiece of the display and shared in some of the same struggles.” Girl Dreaming as their camp theme. Campers read and discussed the book During her visit, Woodson spoke about how literature was a quilt that was also inspired by Woodson’s memoir. – Bree Drapa, Westford Public Library can provide both “mirrors and windows” for young readers: It was raffled to help Edmunds purchase more library and participated in numerous related reflections of their own experiences and a glimpse into materials about diversity. vermonthumanities.org/vermont-reads activities, including drawing “life maps,” different worlds and ways of living. The capacity crowd at Renca noted that a community-wide reading project writing poetry, creating graffiti wall Vermont Reads Supporters the talk included a busload of students from Middletown like Vermont Reads opens unusual opportunities for memoirs on large paper sheets, and Springs Elementary School who traveled two hours to making connections and sharing experiences. “Getting Since 2007, Vermont Reads has been generously underwritten visiting an exhibit on the Underground by Renewable NRG Systems of Hinesburg, Vermont. Railroad at Ferrisburgh’s Rokeby A busload of students from hear Woodson speak. to understand one another and appreciate the humanity Middletown Springs traveled VHC is also grateful for the generous support of the Museum. One camp teacher observed, To complement a school-wide reading of Woodson’s in all of us are what mean the most to me,” she said. two hours to hear author Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation. “The topic of discovering your own poetic memoir at Edmunds Middle School, librarian “When you read a book alone, it’s not quite the same.” Jacqueline Woodson speak identity so you can change the world at Burlington High School. was so relevant for middle schoolers.”

2 3 First Wednesdays

A long-standing statewide program that draws thousands of attendees each year, VHC’s First Wednesdays lecture series offered numerous new talks in 2017, while bringing previous favorites to new venues. Lectures included Yale professor David Blight on America’s memory of the Civil War, Alexander Hamilton biographer Willard Sterne Randall on “Hamilton: the Man and the Musical,” and Vermont author Katherine Paterson on the importance of reading. Continuing a tradition of partnerships with larger venues, the series also included New Yorker humorist Calvin Noted author and New Yorker contributor Calvin Trillin opened the Trillin speaking about his writing life at UVM’s 2017-2018 First Wednesdays season with a talk at UVM in September. Ann DeMarle from spoke about video games at Ira Allen Chapel and NPR’s All Things Considered Brownell Library in Essex Junction in May. co-host Robert Siegel reflecting on 30 years in “You can find journalism at Middlebury College’s Wilson Hall. something to Attendees: 6579 do most nights Number of talks: 71 Hosted in hub communities: that is a learning Brattleboro, Essex Junction, Manchester, Middlebury, Montpelier, Newport, Norwich, Rutland, and St. Johnsbury opportunity.” Poet and actor David Mills portrayed Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a special Farmers’ Night performance at the State House in February.

John Graf is the Social Studies Department Chair at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, which U.S. photo by PAOArmy Mike Strasser/USMA “The human facial recognition and emotions has helped sponsor First Wednesdays lectures hosted by the Manchester Community Library. talk was terrific—and worth the exciting The school has also served as a venue for several talks. Graf encourages his history and humanities drive through several snow squalls. And what students to attend the lectures and has helped plan potential topics for the series. an engaged and erudite audience! I sensed the speaker would have happily taken “I’ve always looked for opportunities for kids to see that “We’re far enough away from colleges and universities questions all night if the library hadn’t learning can take place outside the classroom. I check the that it’s not a short trip. But we do have these great needed to close up.” First Wednesdays schedule to see which lectures are tied to ways we can access those opportunities, like the First – Attendee at “Face to Face with the what we are studying, and I encourage the students to go. Wednesdays talks, and other events the library puts on. Emotional Brain” lecture at the “They’re seeing this part of our community who are If you’re willing to take a minute and look in the local St. Johnsbury Athenaeum out there learning, intrigued, interested, and engaged. news guides you can find something to do most nights “I love this program—interesting subjects, And then the community sees our students in a really that is a learning opportunity. I think that’s great.” entertaining speakers, great audience positive light. The kids often pose good questions that questions. I would miss it if it stopped.” elicit good responses from the speaker and discussion UVM professor Emily Bernard explored Beloved by Toni Morrison (left) from the group. at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. NPR’s Robert Siegel looked back on his vermonthumanities.org/first-wednesdays 30 years of radio broadcasting in a talk at Middlebury College.

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Humanities Camps Literacy Programs

Never Too Early “They loved the time we Early literacy professional development for childcare Participants: 257 Highlights: providers, and family literacy training for parents, childcare providers VHC staff led professional especially low-income households and teen parents. and parents development trainings in 292 ten counties for childcare spent reading aloud.” “The program helps me to pick out what providers, who in turn hosted books would be good to read with my son and Number 13 Family Book Share events. helps me to start something new with him.” of events: 97 Childcare and correctional – Read with Me participant at Southern facilities hosted Read with Me State Correctional Facility, Springfield workshops for parents, who Free books received free books for vermonthumanities.org/never-too-early distributed: 5676 their children.

Connections Free books Participants:122 distributed: 768 A reading and discussion program offered with the Community High School of Vermont,

Campers at the St. Johnsbury School created projects around the “It’s a Mystery!” theme. Activities at the Waits River Valley School the Vermont Department of Corrections, adult Number of (including in correctional facilities) learning, and other community organizations. in East Corinth included a field trip to a local farm. Students at all camps—including Camels Hump Middle School in Richmond— group events: enjoyed the free books provided by VHC. 23 11 “Some of the participants really opened up and spoke about personal matters. It was Fourteen Vermont middle schools held Humanities Free books Highlights: rewarding to know that they considered Participants: students Camps in 2017, more than in any previous year. These 218 distributed: At Vermont Adult Learning in Burlington, English Language the class a safe place.” week-long summer day camps engage at-risk middle from14 Vermont public schools Learners read poetry, oral histories, and other books focusing – Judith Hertog, leader of a “What’s Your Story?” school students with reading and the humanities and 1018 on the immigrant experience in America. Journaling and program at Southern State Correctional are hosted by public schools across the state. group sharing fostered greater understandings of identity, Facility, Springfield assimilation, economics, and cultural diversity. Camp directors who chose the new “Food for Locations: vermonthumanities.org/connections Thought” theme led students in activities such as Brattleboro Area Middle School, Camels Hump Middle making pizza in a wood-fired oven, taking a field trip School (Richmond), Canaan Schools, Castleton Village to a local farm, and organizing a street fair. Local School, Grand Isle School, Irasburg Village School, authors Joe Citro and Beth Kanell visited camps in North Country Union Junior High School (Derby), Voices Windsor and St. Johnsbury, respectively, to enhance Northfield Middle/High School, Richford Junior/Senior Participants: Highlights: the “It’s a Mystery!” theme. Other camps used the High School, St. Albans City School, St. Johnsbury Professional development program for adult literacy adult Vermont Reads 2017 choice, Brown Girl Dreaming, School, Stowe Middle School, Waits River Valley educators to learn how to facilitate engaging reading Adult literacy and ELL students 11 educators at Vermont Adult Learning in to explore issues of civil rights and family history. School (East Corinth), Windsor Schools and discussion groups. Includes gift books for host St. Albans read and discussed One constant at Humanities Camps is time for organizations, teachers, and students. VHC’s 2017 Vermont Reads reading and reflection. “[The campers] repeated, Free books “The Voices program allows me to select a book book, Jacqueline Woodson’s over and over again, how much they loved both the “My week in camp was awesome! We read lots of great distributed: that will interest the whole group rather than Brown Girl Dreaming, and wrote books, took a couple of field trips and overall had a book and the time we spent reading aloud,” said use what I have on the shelves. It’s wonderful free-verse poetry about their lot of fun. One of the things I enjoyed was getting to books to Sarah Miller, Co-Director of the “It’s a Mystery!” that the students get to keep the books. Most 824 own life experiences for go to our local history museum.” camp at Camels Hump Middle School. “One day, of them have very few books of their own.” teachers and their program during Black – Camper in the St. Albans City School’s students due to a schedule change, our read-aloud was after – Nancy Wuttke, Parenting theme, 375 History Month. “It’s a Mystery!” camp lunch instead of in the morning...and the students Family Literacy Center, Barre were soooo anxious for us to get to the book.” vermonthumanities.org/humanities-camps vermonthumanities.org/voices

6 7 Reading and Discussion

Veterans Book Groups Highlights: A reading and discussion program open Participants: 54 to former service members, including Interest in these book groups continued to two groups of female veterans. Locations: grow in their third year. Group coordinators “There were thoughtful discussions White River Junction VA Medical Center (two groups), Burlington made a presentation at on well-chosen books. It would be Lakeside Veterans Clinic, and the a statewide Veterans hard to improve on this group.” Veterans’ Place in Northfield Summit in March. – Participant in a combat group, White River Junction VA Medical Center Number of Programs: groups met for a total of sessions vermonthumanities.org/veterans 4 31

Literature and Medicine Attendees: 52 Locations: 4 A hospital-based reading and discussion Copley Hospital, program open to all hospital staff. “This sort of event is just Northeastern Readings included: Vermont Regional “Far from the Tree was the strongest book I ever Refugees, a short story Hospital, Rutland read. It was like taking a course in cultural collection by Viet Thanh Regional Medical diversity. Every year I look forward to our group perfect. Because people Nguyen; Hummingbird by Center, White River meetings and the book selections chosen for us.” Vermont author Stephen Junction Veterans – Literature and Medicine participant Kiernan; and God’s Hotel, a Affairs Medical at Rutland Regional Medical Center memoir by Victoria Sweet. Center are interacting with vermonthumanities.org/medicine each other and hearing different viewpoints.” Reading and Discussion Led by a VHC-trained scholar, participants make Attendees: Locations: Emily Heidenreich (at right in the photo above) is the director of the Blake Memorial Library 1226 connections reading and talking about books. towns in in East Corinth. The library has hosted at least one VHC Reading and Discussion series every 22 Vermont year for the past ten years, including Don Quixote in 2017, which was led by VHC facilitator “I enjoyed being in a group, talking in an intellectual Number of Suzanne Brown (at left). manner, [with] each person having a chance to add Programs: 99 their two cents [and] everyone respectful of each “When I first started this job, the question I was most And this sort of event is just perfect. Because people other. I didn’t get into many of these types of often asked was: ‘Are we going to keep doing those Suzanne are interacting with each other and hearing different conversations when I was younger, and I appreciate Highlights: Brown discussions with the Vermont Humanities Council?’ viewpoints. You may even find out something that you the chance to flex my brain muscle. I think it is a An eclectic variety of readings, including the good lesson on how to think through your thoughts Many patrons wanted to make sure they would continue. didn’t know about a neighbor as they talk about their Declaration of Independence, Ta-Nehisi Coates’s and convey a concept or opinion.” “How do we stay relevant when people can access media experiences and relate that to the book.” Between the World and Me, and Marilynne Robinson’s all of the time [via the ]? Well, one way is by being – Attendee at the “Revenge” series at the Gilead, provided rich fodder for this long-standing Kimball Public Library in Randolph discussion program. a community center. By being the heart of the town. vermonthumanities.org/reading 8 9 Talks and Living History

Speakers Bureau Speakers and living history presenters are Participants: 4 421 Highlights: made available for public lectures at libraries The increasing popularity and other community centers statewide. of our Speakers Bureau Number program continued “This is an excellent resource for libraries and of Programs: in 2017. VHC reviewed other educational institutions. The catalog of 133 new presentation speakers is excellent, the application process proposals in 2017, and is not onerous, and the assistance with towns in rolled out 12 new advertising by sharing events and providing Locations: Vermont 83 programs in early 2018. a press release and poster is very helpful.” – Susan O’Connell, Craftsbury Public Library vermonthumanities.org/speakers

Before Your Time 2017 Episode topics: A new monthly podcast series produced by VHC, the Vermont The Great Flood of 1927, the nature Historical Society, and VTDigger that explores Vermont’s history, “It allows us to fulfill of “Vermont’s music.” one object at a time.

“I am a podcast fanatic and a Northeast Kingdom native who now our mission of offering Number of episodes: lives in Connecticut. Both my wife’s family and my family still live 2 in Vermont. I really appreciate you doing this. So interesting!” – Before Your Time listener, via free educational beforeyourtime.org Downloads/plays: 1500 experiences.”

Jennie Shurtleff and Matthew Powers from the Woodstock History Center enjoy hosting talks from VHC’s Speakers Bureau program, which offers nonprofits a wide variety of inexpensive, Ideas on Tap informative lectures. One talk, “Vermont vs. Hollywood: 100 Years of Vermont in Film,” brought A series exploring engaging topics in a Participants: Location: 100 attendees to Woodstock’s Town Hall Theatre for a screening of Vermont-related film clips 186 casual setting. ArtsRiot, a Burlington in a lecture by Amanda Kay Gustin. restaurant/bar and “This was a wonderful discussion I attended performance space. Shurtleff: “Admission to our museum is free, because— Powers: “I find that it sparks a lot of energy to look at tonight. I was amazed by how much of it Number of events: 6 like the Humanities Council—we feel that a well-educated the speakers list. You say, ‘Oh, my gosh look at that, we touched on both things that I have read and populace is essential, and that education should be could do this. Would that work in our space?’ We serve a experiences that I have had. Looking forward to available to everyone. By having the Humanities Council very small population area, but when we’re affiliated with future programs with the Vermont Humanities Highlights: essentially subsidize these programs, it allows us to fulfill a statewide organization that people know, recognize, Council, Fleming Museum, and UVM.” Six spirited evenings at ArtsRiot included an anthropological that mission of offering free educational experiences to and love, that absolutely affects us in a positive way.” – Attendee at “Sacred Objects/Secular exploration of nature films, a discussion about the history the broader community. We’re really grateful for it.” Spaces” evening of street art, and a panel discussion about food and vermonthumanities.org/ideas cultural identity.

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Fall Conference 2017 Reading Frederick Douglass

Kathy Johnson helped organize a reading of Frederick afterwards, and many picked up free copies of a Douglass Douglass’s fiery 1852 Independence Day speech on the biography provided by VHC. Johnson said that a robust— Worcester village green. “The Fourth of July event is the and respectful—dialogue on by townspeople after one thing in Worcester that everyone comes out for,” the event was another pleasant outcome of the day. Johnson said. “The reading seemed to bring a context “Many people told me that the reading was so meaningful to the day that helped ground us in the true history of that we should do it every year.” what we were celebrating.” She coordinated the joint effort among Central Vermont Showing Up for Racial Justice, the Worcester Historical towns in Participants: Locations: Vermont Society, and the Worcester Fourth of July Planning 997 31 Committee to add the program to the town’s festivities. Twenty-nine people read the 35-minute speech aloud, Highlights: and another 60 listened on a beautiful summer’s day. Events took place in libraries and historical sites, Noting that some listeners may have never heard on town greens and city hall steps, and in museum anything written by Frederick Douglass, Johnson felt galleries, gazebos, churches, and even a welcome “The Double-Edged Sword that “having your neighbors read this speech aloud made center. Organizers distributed free copies of the it especially powerful.” Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass to attendees. Many listeners commented on how contemporary of Technology” the speech seemed, even though it was written over 165 years ago. People lingered to discuss the speech vermonthumanities.org/douglass

David Moats (left) from the Rutland Herald moderated a discussion about economic progress between Northwestern professors Joel Mokyr (center) and Robert Gordon. (Below) Journalist Virginia Heffernan raised questions about video games during Mokyr and Gordon’s presentation. Heffernan later led a breakout session, and gave the final plenary talk of the conference.

Over 250 people attended VHC’s 44th annual Fall Conference, “The Double-Edged Sword of Technology,” held at the on November 17 and 18. On Friday evening, Rutland Herald/Times Argus Editorial Editor and VHC board member David Moats moderated a conversation between Northwestern University economics professors Robert Gordon and Joel Mokyr on the topic of “Will Technology Save Us?” Gordon said that contemporary advances in information and communications pale when compared to technologies developed from 1870 to 1920. Electricity, the internal combustion engine, the telephone, indoor plumbing, and modern medicine had a far greater impact on our standard by [Virginia Heffernan] about optimizing data, cognitive of living than more recent, computer-driven improvements. security, and the internet as life’s uncanny valley! (Plus she Other plenary talks included “Sociable Solitude” with was as fun to talk to as I’d hoped.)” Amy Hungerford, literature professor and Dean of Thanks to a grant from the Bay and Paul Foundations, Humanities at Yale; and “Magic and Loss: The Internet as VHC provided full scholarships for 27 humanities educators “The reading was so meaningful, Art” with journalist Virginia Heffernan. Commenting on from around the state. “I cannot recommend this experience the rise of “fake news” on platforms, Heffernan highly enough,” said A.H. McPhee, recipient of a teacher said, “There is a long-established way to tell reality from scholarship. “As an educator I appreciate everything that we should do it every year.” artifice: it’s called literacy.” the Vermont Humanities Council offers to communities Attendee Jason Mittel posted on Twitter during the and learners across the state...Please continue to be a voice Kathy Johnson helped organize the Reading Frederick Douglass event in Worcester in July, 2017. Twenty-nine people read aloud from conference: “Great day at #vhcfc, featuring two stellar talks for reason, empathy, and humanity.” Douglass’s speech that day, including State Representative (right).

12 13 2017 Grant Recipients

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association Vermont Abenaki Artists $40,000 Awarded to Film Study Short Course: Public Philosophy Week “Coming of Age: An Exploration UVM Philosophy Department, Twenty Organizations of Identity Creation in Film” Burlington Focus on Film, Inc., Montpelier $1,500 to support a week of conversations, Afro-Atlantic Sacred Arts $2,600 to support a Film Study Short lectures, readings, tastings, and viewings Robert Hull Fleming Museum Course during the Green Mountain on issues of public concern. $3,000 to support public programming Film Festival. Solzhenitsyn at 100 related to an exhibition of Afro-Atlantic Telling Our Stories: sacred arts. Vermont Historical Society, Barre An Oral History of Place, $3,000 to support programs about the Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage Race, and Education life and work of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Maritime Museum, Goddard College, Plainfield in honor of his 100th birthday. “These events have Vergennes $1,000 to support the college in examining $2,000 to support programming related its racial history through interviews and Time Travelers Camp 2017: to an exhibition that presents Abenaki sharing the results with the public. Medicine in the Kingdom garments and accessories as reflections Orleans County Historical Society, brought us a lot History Camp 2017 Brownington of culture, history, and identity. Swanton Public Library $1,000 to support an in-depth Vermont Abenaki artists gathered in front of Bookstock Literary Festival 2017 $1,000 to support a free summer camp history program for youth ages 8-12. photographs of their ancestors in the (8th Annual) that introduces kids to American and of self-esteem Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage exhibit “To Sing of Common Things” Sustainable Woodstock world history. at the Amy Tarrant Gallery in Burlington. $2,000 to support a three-day literary Humanities Speakers’ Series festival featuring local and national authors. History, Race, and Inclusive Clemmons Family Farm, Charlotte and pride.” Education $1,500 to support a series to guide Brattleboro Literary Festival The Flow of History, Windsor audiences through landmark African (16th Annual) American/African literature, music, “Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage” is a groundbreaking exhibit that shows how traditional clothing $2,000 to support a year-long program for Building a Better Brattleboro teachers that uses history to help discuss and performances. and accessories have expressed—and continue to express—cultural identity for Vermont’s original $2,500 to support a free, weekend-long race and racism in the classroom. inhabitants, the Abenaki. A $2,000 grant from VHC helped the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association book festival. 2018 Teacher Workshop and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum offer programs related to the exhibit in 2017, including Latchis Arts Enriched (18th Annual) Film Screenings a summer seminar for educators and several panel discussions at Vermont libraries. Bringing the World to Our Weston Playhouse Theatre Company Community Latchis Arts, Inc., Brattleboro $2,000 to support the Teachers Workshop. One World Library Project, Bristol “Presenting Abenaki Culture in the Classroom” was with and learn from Abenaki musicians, basket makers, $1,000 to support a film series that seeks $2,500 to support public programs to enrich conversations with scholars, Eloise Beil from the Lake Champlain held at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in August. carvers, storytellers, and canoe makers. that foster an exchange of ideas about speakers, and journalists. Maritime Museum helped create programs It included presentations from multiple tribal experts Eloise Beil, Director of Collections and Exhibits at the world cultures. related to the “Alnobak: Wearing Our about Abenaki history, spirituality, foods, and other Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, noted that the panel Lectures to Enhance the Heritage” exhibit, including panel discussions topics, and concluded with a guided tour through the discussions stimulated conversation among the Abenaki Burlington Book Festival 2017 Ambrose Classical Play with Abenaki artists. (13th Annual) UVM Department of Classics, Burlington “Wearing Our Heritage” exhibit. artists and the audience, and among audience members Vermont Performing Arts League, $2,000 to support four public lectures to Vera Longtoe Sheehan, the Director of the Vermont themselves, some of whom identified as Abenaki. “This Burlington complement the play Helen by Euripides. Abenaki Artists Association, said, “These 38 educators dialogue lasted at least as long as the formal presentations,” $2,000 to support Burlington’s annual engaged with Native American culture, and they’re going she said. “The events really served the purpose we had celebration of the written word. Oral Histories of Canaan, Vermont to bring that knowledge back to 25 or 30 kids in their intended.” Alice M. Ward Memorial Library, Canaan Community Conservation Series: classrooms year after year,” she said. “That’s a pretty “These exhibits, teacher trainings, and panel discussions $1,400 to support a participatory Relationship Across Difference big deal.” are powerful ways of engaging with the Vermont community,” public oral history program. Shelburne Farms A series of panel discussions featuring Abenaki artists says Longtoe Sheehan. “We have been pretty much overlooked $2,000 to support a collaboration PoemCity 2018 were held at the Bixby Library in Vergennes, the Pierson in Vermont’s history, so these events have brought us a lot of to engage Vermonters in the lost art Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier Library in Shelburne, and the Brooks Memorial Library in self-esteem and pride.” of conversation. $4,000 to support a month-long Brattleboro. The free events allowed attendees to interact celebration of poetry in April.

14 Thank Yo u to Our Donors January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017

Our work depends on the generosity of our many donors and volunteers. In 2017, the Vermont Humanities Council received 905 donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations committed to providing literacy and public humanities programs in every county in Vermont. We are grateful to each of you!

$50,000 $1,000+ $500+ Amy E. Tarrant Foundation Katy Smith Abbott Anonymous (1) Jim Alic Louis & Pam Ahlen Randall Balmer Robert Z. Aliber $20,000 Al & Dottie Bergendahl George & Paula Bellerose Fletcher Proctor Trust for Destitute Children Al Besser & Gretchen Rous Besser Jack & Mary Ellen Bixby John & Brenda Bisbee Joseph Bocchino Jan Blomstrann Linda D’Onofrio $10,000+ Bern Collins Pat Daley Mary Jane Dickerson Sarah L. Dopp Anonymous (2) Sergine Dixon Gail Dougherty Renewable NRG Systems Dick Dreissigacker & Judy Geer Joy Facos The Alma Gibbs Donchian Charitable Daniel Fogel & Rachel Kahn-Fogel Carole & Geoffrey Gaddis Foundation, Inc. Charles & Marie Kireker Mary Jane Gentry The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation Walter & Lois Liggett Peter A. Gilbert & Cynthia Char The Windham Foundation Ron Miller Al & Susan Gillotti Lowell & Sandra Mintz Paul Gruhler & Jane Marlin $5,000+ Hartley & Ginny Neel Michael Katzenberg & Linda Prescott “The humanities are Lisa Newton Dick & Helene Lang Anonymous (1) David & Christina Nichols Syd Lea & Robin Barone Judith Buechner Darrilyn Peters Marty & Barbara LeWinter Victor Henningsen & Susan Z. Ritz/Larsen Fund Reeve Lindbergh Susan McCaslin Sylvia Robison Christopher McVeigh for all of us.” Elizabeth Steele Katherine Schubart Jean E. Miller Bill & Jane Stetson Fred & Eleanor Smith Donald & Stephanie Miner Gilbert & Cynthia Steil David Moats Brenda Bisbee is a retired elementary school teacher of students having something valuable, interesting, and Argosy Foundation The Arthur D. Dana Foundation Victor Swenson & Judy Yarnall Katherine Paterson who served on the VHC board from 2000 to 2007. She is fun to do during the summer,” she said. “And I think it The Bay and Paul Foundations Gaetano & Susan Vicinelli Nancy & Hugh Pennell a member of the Living Legacy Society, which includes helped some of them not feel so lonesome.” The Donley Foundation Bob & Barbara Wells James & Judith Pizzagalli Walter & Kate Scott individuals who have utilized planned giving to help Although Brenda’s first exposure to the Humanities The Wisdom Connection Berkshire Bank Steven Sinding & Monica Knorr Vermont Department of Libraries Bisbee Pratt Fund ensure VHC’s long-term financial health. Council was attending the Fall Conference, she especially Stephen & Roberta Smith Hypertherm Hope Foundation Bill Stritzler Brenda chaired the capital campaign committee when values the Vermont Reads statewide reading program. Indian Tree Foundation Phyllis & Michael Wells VHC purchased a building on Loomis Street and moved “When it was getting started,” she said, “some people $2,500+ Laurance and Mary Rockefeller/ its offices from Morrisville. “It was so exciting to get to felt that Vermont Reads should focus on the classics.” Bob & Sherri Alper Woodstock Foundation Fund Bear Pond Books Montpelier because it increased the visibility of the Executive Director Peter Gilbert instead advocated that Rolf Diamant & Nora Mitchell Lionheart Charitable Trust Crossroads Academy Susan & Don Foster The Powell Family Charitable Trust Friends of Ilsley Library humanities,” she said. “And I think it was a gift to the the program reach as broad an audience as possible, a Aaron & Barbarina Heyerdahl Schultz-Blackwell Trust Goodrich Memorial Library city for the Council to buy that beautiful old home and direction that Brenda supported. “The humanities are Wolfgang & Barbara Mieder St. Johnsbury Academy Husky Injection Molding Systems, Inc. renovate it.” for all of us,” she said. David & Mary Otto The Keelan Family Foundation Kellogg-Hubbard Library David & Sarah Roberts The Residence at Otter Creek Main Street Landing Company During her time on the board, Brenda enjoyed visiting To learn more about the Living Legacy Society, Two Green Angels The Valentine Fund Manchester Community Library the Humanities Camps that are held for at-risk middle visit vermonthumanities.org/living-legacy, or contact The Vermont Country Store Norwich Public Library National Life Group Foundation Town of Brattleboro Rutland Free Library schoolers at schools around the state. “I loved the idea Peter Gilbert at (802) 262-1351. Peter & Claudia Kinder Charitable Fund Union Institute & University St. Johnsbury Athenaeum Walter Cerf Community Fund Vermont Council on World Affairs The Marble Valley Regional Village of Essex Junction Correctional Facility

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Our Donors Our Donors

$250+ Jim & Susan Heckman Cal & Ann Low Paul & Rosemary Reiss Mary L. Trammel Michael & Susan Heitner The Marvin Family Douglas Richards & Colleen Brown Sara Urban Anonymous (4) Ward & Cheryl Heneveld Robert McElwain Steve & Martha Richardson John W. Vorder Bruegge Natalie Q. Albers Ann Herrick Joseph & Carol McEntee Veronica Richel Margery Walker Ann Aspell & Leigh Seddon Mariel Hess Barbara McGrew Alban & Margaret Richey Janet Wallstein & Jane Dewey Anne August Randy & Karen Hesse Robert & Elaine McIntyre Kenneth C. Roberts Jr. Patrick & Alison Walsh William & Sharon Biddle Ted Hilles & Jane Osgood Tom McKone John & Nancy Rosenthal Cynthia Waters Adam & Mary Ann Boyce Peter & Mary Hood John McWilliams Ronald & Nancy Rucker Susan B. Weber Richard & Sarah Brock Don & Allison Hooper Ed & Peg Merrens Mary S. Rutherford Barbara Weedon Barbara Lande Bronfman Jennifer Hopkins David & Charlotte Merrill Lois H. Ruttenberg Harry Welch Scott & Mary Brown Gerald & Virginia Hornung John M. Miller James & Margaret Schmidt Peter Welch & Margaret Cheney Dick Conrad & Judith Irven Barbara Howland John & Robin Milne Norman Schnayer Sarah Wesson Doug & Lisa Cox J. Parker Huber Jim Mindling Jeffrey & Dawn Schneiderman Reeve Williams & Sandra Anderson Mark Curran & Margaret Straub Elaine A. Hubert Michael Mittag Jerome & Diana Senturia Patrick & Kim Winburn Frank & Ducky Donath Durant & Sara Hunter & Penelope Tompkins Geoffrey Sewake Frank & Janet Winkler Ben Doyle & Angela Shea Gene E. Irons Harrison & Margo Monane Gilbert T. Sewall Paul E. Wood David Feidner Penrose Jackson Bob Moore Tim Shafer & Deborah Luskin Chris & Jaqueline Wren Mary Feidner Douglas & Martha James John & Kay Morton Jon & Catherine Shapiro Scott Yeager & Christine Packard Dover R. Ford Owen & Wendy Jenkins Dr. & Mrs. Michael Moynihan Theodore & Carolyn Shattuck Joyce Yoo Babbitt Jill Fox Corlan Johnson H. Nicholas Muller III Peter & Anne Silberfarb Prospero Gogo & Amy Lilly The Boutin Family Foundation Tom Johnson & Ina Smith Timothy & Jo Anne Murad Daniel & Sybil Silver Chris & Nancy Graff Case Management Solutions, Inc. Win & Rita Johnson Radetta Nemcosky Marc & Fronia Simpson Huck Gutman & Buff Lindau The Mailing Center Kathryn Jorgensen Hubie & Sherry Norton Peter & Jacqueline Sinclair Chris Hadsel & Bill Mares Northshire Bookstore Diane Kemble Rosamond Orford George Singer Jonathan Heaton Russian Life magazine Ron & Sandy Kilburn Meg Ostrum Jack & Betsy Sinnott Lewis & Madelyn Holmes Deep learning and big ideas are interspersed with times to connect and have a laugh at VHC’s Fall Conferences. Walden Community Library Liisa Kissel John Pane & Elizabeth Bassett Ben & Torrey Smith Wolf & Emily Kahn Warren F. Kitzmiller Henry & Pauline Parker Bill & Elsie Smith Christopher Kaufman Illstrup Tapia & Huckabay, P.C. Timothy & Susan Breen William J. Doelger Tony Klein Leslie R. Parr Syd & Mundi Smithers & Chris Illstrup The Norwich Bookstore Deborah Brighton & Linda Normandeau Ed & Curtis Koren Matthew Peake & Jessie P. Snyder Up to $99 Kathleen Kelleher & George Lee Woolmington, Campbell, Peter & Susan Brink Prudence Doherty Kate Kruesi Kari Penkoff Woody Starkweather & Janet Givens Max & Paige Kempner Bernal & Bent, P.C. Peter & Jennifer Brock Anonymous (23) & Thomas Buckley Ann La Fiandra Michael & Sally Penrod Scott E. Stearns A. Paul & Arlene F. Krapcho Peter Brooke Michael & Marion Abajian Jerry & Claudia Dole Marc Lefebvre Natalie Peters Will & Judy Stevens Joan R. Lang Richard & Molly Brooks Thomas Achenbach William & Ellen Dorsch Robert Leidy & Faye Baker Bill & Joan Pinchbeck Skip & Marilyn Sturman Peter & Isabella Martin $100+ Ben & Jeanne Brumaghim Murray & Cecilia Dry Carol Adams Carolyn L. Leighton Emil & Elaine Pollak Dan & Mary Swainbank Jim & Brooke Adler Sandy McCall Anonymous (11) Tim & Patty Burch Frankie Dunleavy & Dana Yeaton Charles & Elinor Levy Mike Powers Bob & Pat Swartz Janet Alexander Betty Miles Steve & Lisa Adler Joan R. Burchenal Al & Jane Eckhardt George & Carol Little Anne Proctor Wally & Mona Tapia Harvey & Paula Alpart Joe Piscotty & Carol Maulhardt Bob & Lee Albern Scott Campbell & Mary Ready Sandy & Lissa England Charles & Wendy Love Robert & Cathy Rachlin Rob Taylor & Toni Egger Meredith U. Anderson Philip Pope Susan B. Alden Jerry Carbone & Kathleen Maisto John & Mary English Laurie Loveland David & Susan Rahr Rolland Tetreault Dawn K. Andrews Charles & Linda Putney David & Beth Almond Jack Carter Sylvia Ewerts Chris Lovell Jerry & Judith Rankin Nick & Joan Thorndike Marilee Attley Relatives of E. B. White Z. Philip Ambrose Paul & Sandal Cate Stephen L. Ferber & Ellen McCullouch-Lovell Shanna Ratner Aubrey Tobey Jason & Nina Bacon Pat Robins & Lisa Schamberg Joel Ario & Diana Myrvang Gene & Jean Ceglowski Milton & Carolyn Frye Jean Badger Donald Robisky Peter Areson & Cyndy Guy Gene & Judy Cesari Betty A. Gaechter VHC bid farewell to Jan Steinbauer, Director of Literacy Programs since 2005, at a surprise retirement Fred & Jennifer Bagley Steve & Ann Singiser Don & Lela Avery Bob & Mary Ann Chaffee Connell & Nancy Gallagher party held in her honor in January. Paul & Ann Bakeman Jr. Charlie Smith & Amy Mellencamp Sarah Axtell Phil & Mary Lou Chalupa Dave & Fran Ganter Judith Ballinger Sigrid Snell Charles & Diana Bain Philip & Linda Chapman Robert & Leslie Gensburg Ed & Irene Barna Ronald & Joanne Sobel Mimi Baird Paul & Lynn Chernoff Arthur & Pam Gilbert Starr & Deborah Barnum Peter Stein & Lisa Cashdan S. Carol Bam William Chester H. Allen Gilbert & Lila Richardson Harold Barton Dan & Jan Steinbauer Michele Barale Daniel Childs & Marda Donner Ruth Goldstone Thomas Beach Charles Sullivan John W. Barnett Jane S. Childs Jeff & Susan Goodell Timothy Beaman Len Swyer & Allison Hall Donald & Christine Bartlett Art & Anne Cohn Oliver Goodenough & Sylvia Lazarnick Peter Tenney Jane Bartrum Paul Costello & Alison Clarkson Lois Miller Beardwood Aggie Underwood George & Doris Bergeron Constance Counts Wayne & Deborah Granquist Philip & Janie Bell Constance West Jean Berggren Anne Cramer Charles Grant & Cathy Miles Grant Elizabeth Benedict Richard L. Berkowitz Stefanie Ayers Cravedi Linda Gray Iris Berezin Anonymous (1) James & Judith Bernat Fred & Sophia Crawford Phil Gray Debbie Bergh Downs Rachlin Martin Jeff Bernstein & Stacey Cushner David & Edna Curtin Suzanne Grenier Ellen Perry Berkeley Dunham-Mason Fund Faith Bieler Vincent C. D’Amico Hobie Guion & Apple Faulkner James & Janet Berrier Gil Steil Associates May Bigelow Bill & Leigh Dakin Jane Harding Gurney Rick & Carla Berry Healthy Living Fund Tom Blinkhorn Todd Daloz Robert & Barbara Haas Peter Bien MMR, LLC Nancy G. Boardman Will & Laurie Danforth Bob Hagen & Kathy Astrauckas Les Blomberg & Brenda Hausauer Passumpsic Savings Bank Bill & Ruth Botzow Allen Davis Robert & Honore Hager Donna Bonang Smith & Vansant Architects PC Karen Bowles Nancy M. Davis Rick & Emmy Hausman Faith Boone Southern Vermont Arts Center Edward & Marie-Helen Bradley Rick & Lynn Davis Michael Healy & Debra Blumberg Naomi Bossom Stanstead College Dan Brand Nancy E. DiMauro Michael K. Heaney

18 19 Our Donors Our Donors

Allan & Frances Boucher Jane Lendway Scott & Cheryl Mullins Robert A. Reiber Charlotte Stetson Betsy Bourdon Kathleen Linde Michael Munson & Mary Jane Neale Mark & Liz Richards Sharon Stewart Mark Bowen Bill Lipke Pam Murphy William Richardson & Lauren Dever Mark Stoler & Diane Gabriel Elizabeth Brandt Robert A. Lloyd Bradley D. Myerson Genevieve Rideout Yvonne Straus Don Bredes & Eileen Boland Jack Long & Delight Wing Ashar Nelson & Anton Rifelj Dorothy Sullivan Elissa Breiling Ann J. Lourie Lee Nemlich Andy Robinson & Jan Waterman William P. Sullivan Louis & Lois Bresee Mary MacEwan Julia S. Northrop Jay & Maureen Rogers Fred & Diane Swan Dean & Connie Bresnahan Allan Mackey Sheldon Novick & Carolyn Clinton Alan & Gale Rome Betsy Swift David & Patti Buck Thomas & Charlotte MacLeay Margo Nutt Barry & Arline Rotman Lenny Targonski Rodney & Sandra Buck Melitta Maddox Duncan & Sally Ogden Alan A. Rozycki Linnea Taylor Robert & Ann Buermann Stephen & Adrienne Major Gary Olney Jed Rubin John & Natalie Thanassi Anne G. Bugbee Katherine Malley Pat Olson Donald & Lucille Sargent Barbara S. Thompson Barbara Bull Theodore & Patricia Mandeville Joyce Ordinetz Ellen H. Satterthwaite Hanna Thurber Kenneth Butcher & Heidi Peterson Bill & Donna Marshall Ralph & Ghita Orth Stuart & Sylvia Saunders Smith Jim and Felicia Tober Charles & Susan Burdick Jeffrey D. Marshall Chris & Mary Osgood Michael Sawdey and Laurel Church Thomas L. Toleno Eric A. Bye Ben & Nan Mason Solveig Overby Jim & Nancy Scherer & Andrea J. Matthews Mary E. Byrnes Mary Mathias Ralph Pace Robert & Gail Schermer Bob & Karen Tortolani Karen M. Cady Robert McCafferty Pamela L. Parker Ted & Maida F. Townsend Paul Calter Betty McCaffrey David & Wendy Parsons Sue A. Schiller Nancy Tracy Daniel & Marta Cambra John McClaughry Loraine Pease Mark Schlefer Heidi Tringe Lester & Lois Carbonneau Penny McConnel & James Gold Linda Peavy & Ursula Smith Rosie Harlow Segal Amanda S. Tucker John & Mary Carnahan Daisy McCoy Neil & Carleen Pelsue Wayne Senville & Lila Shapiro Roger Turner & Linda Rood Thomas & Sandra Carpenter Patrick McGarry Paul & Dorothea Penar Betty Myers Shapiro Cecile M. Valcour Sarah Carter Scott & Catherine McGee Peter & Kari Penkoff Jerry & Shelagh Shapiro John & Jeannette Van Blarcom Marsha Cassel Leslie-Burl McLemore Faith Pepe Allen G. Shepherd Alice Van Tuyl Ann Vanneman Maureen Chaffee Champlain College professor David Mills led an Ideas on Tap discussion about street art in Burlington in October. Bruce McNallie Bob Perkins Michael & Nancy Sherman Robert J. & Janice H. Chapman & Lindra Moerdyk Dave & Ellie Peters Joel & Elizabeth Silverstein Suzanne B. Vaughn Anne Chase Robert & Joan Menson Edward & Joan Pfeifer Catherine Simpson Bill & Pat Vibert Jean Cincotta Joe & Betty Dye Daniel Gottlieb Judith Hishikawa Claire Merritt Jack & Joyce Phillips Ruth Skiff Suzanne Ward David Clark & David Colman Jim & Margaret Eagan Bill & Valerie Graham Phil Holland John B. Meyer Edson S. Pierce Marjorie Skott Mary Jane Washburn Peter Clarke Zon Eastes & Margaret Spencer Theodore & Barbara Graham Robin Hopps & Wendy Sue Harper Marc & Christy Mihaly Robin Ploof Beverley Slocum Andy & Aurea Webster Richard Clattenburg Katherine Eaton Priscilla Grayson Jeffrey & Irene Horbar William & Elaine Miles Meg Pond & Jim Rader E.M. Smith Stephen W. Webster Jack Clay & Juanita Burch-Clay Thomas Ehrenberg Tom & Connie Green David R. Houston Ken & Carol Miner Will Porter & Martha Alexander Dave & Polly Sobel & Susan E. Cliff Geoffrey & Nancy Cobden & Jean Giddings Chip Greenberg Cathy Howell Stephanie Miner Jonathan & Elisabeth Prial Fern Sparks Michael & Ethel Weinberger Michael Cohen & Alison Hill William Eichner & Julia Alvarez & Linda Rubinstein Rick Hubbard Sally R. Molnar Tom & Vivian Prunier Mr and Mrs David Spencer Jonathan & Alice Wells Steve & Mags Conant Sandra Ershow Dan & Dana Grossman Paul & Peggy Irons Cecilia Ann Mooney Kimberley Spensley Mary West Ann E. Cooper Malcolm Ewen Kelli Guss Hartley & Dona Jackson Edwin S. Morley Thomas B. Ragle Christina Stearns John M. Whalen, Esq. Stuart & Mary Copans Bob & Nancy Faesy Peter & Linda Gustafson Geraldine M. Jacobson Meris Morrison James R. Ralph John & Anne Steel Billings & Sally Wheeler Katherine L. Coppock Priscilla Fagginger-Auer Richard & Susan Haedrich Julie Jaquith Sharon Mount Ann Reading Fran Stelz Barbara Whelan Grant Crichfield Peter Falion & Elizabeth Carole Haehnel David & Carol Jarmy Nancy White Carl Crook & Marni Rosner Tannenbaum Leslie Haines Robert & Patricia Jauch Organizers of the 14 Humanities Camps met at the VHC offices in March to brainstorm ideas, discuss Al & Anna Wilkinson Dian Williams Louise H. Cross Hilari Farrington Margot Hall Susan Jerome themes, and choose books. Jack & Susan Crowther Wayne Fawbush & Roberta Harold Marie A. Hall Jim Johnson & Meg Lyons John & Pat Williams Amy Cunningham Steve & Marty Feltus Natalie Hall Mr and Mrs Pete Johnson Joyce M. Williams Brian & Janice Cunningham Bob & Connie Ferguson Ann M. Hampton Anna Johnston William & Mary Wilson Mark & Terrie Curran Erin Flanders Recille Hamrell Bert Jones & Mary Bilz Rick Winston & Andrea Serota Stephen & Judy Dardeck Jon Gilbert Fox Jim & Marilyn Hand Gerard & Emily Jones Richard Wizansky & Todd Mandell Sylvia Davatz Bill & Bev Frank Paul D. Hansen Elvin Kaplan & Lee Monro Carol K. Wood Neil & Helena Davidoff Deena Frankel Eric H. Hanson John & Jane Katz Field The Wrazen family Elizabeth J. Davis Bathsheba Freedman Marge Harper Kevin & Irene Wrenner Jane G. Denker Richard & Virginia Freeman Chris & Sally Harris Jason Kelley Bruce & Carol Wyatt Jordan & Derry Dickinson Peter W. Galbraith Jonathan Harris & Linda Streeter Mark Kennedy & Cathy Rude Don & Karen Yaggy Judith Larson DiMario Kathleen P. Galop John & Joanna Hawkins Sarah C. Kinter Allen & Kathleen Yale John & Alida Dinklage The Gardner-Morse Family Lucy Haworth Alison Kirk Suzanne Yeager Nancy Disenhaus Edward Gartner George & Rose Haynes Robert & Jane Kitchel Joanna Tebbs Young Patricia L. DiSilvio Susan Gay Mary Hays & Stephen Long Bill & Barbara Koptis Alan & Karen Zaur E. Keith Gaylord E. Paul & Regina Hazel Bettina Krampetz Sylvia Dodge Aetna Foundation, Inc. Lenny Gerardi & Lauren Jarvi Gerald Heffernan David & Judy Kurtz Deidre Donaldson AmazonSmile Foundation Holley Gilbert Cal Heile David & Barbara Lacy John & Sandra Dooley GE Foundation Walt & Dana Gilbert George & Jill Helmer Patricia Laggis Ellen S. Doyle Green Mountain Civil War Catherine Girard Georges & Lynn Herzog Dorothy Larsen John P. Dumville Round Table Jeff & Ellen Gold Geof & Janet Hewitt Ann Lawless Jay Dunlap & Jennifer Loros Merck Foundation Janet Goldberger Kathie J. Hickman Barry & Lynne Lawson Patricia Dupree Anonymous David & Catherine Dwyer Phil & Carol Goldsmith Beth Hindmarsh Gladwyn Leiman

20 21 Our Donors

John Foley by Lenny Targonski James O. Freedman by Bathsheba Freedman Jos. W. P. Frost by Vincent C. D’Amico Jim Gilbert by Anonymous Peggy Gilbert by Sergine Dixon Jim and Peg Gilbert by Bob and Connie Ferguson Robert J. Grenier by Suzanne Grenier William H. Haines by Leslie Haines Marian Halsted by Anonymous Financial Statements 2017 Karen B. Kitzmiller by Warren F. Kitzmiller January 1 through December 31, 2017 Nick and Jean Lewis by The Wrazen family David Littlefield by Frank and Janet Winkler Mr. and Mrs. Earle R. “Grumpy” Mayo by Erin Flanders Tricia McVeigh Vermont Humanities Council Statement of Financial Position by Christopher McVeigh Otto M. Marx MD Assets Brian Murphy from Champlain College led a breakout session about “Dystopian Fiction and by Anonymous Revenue and Expenses Cash $ 473,359 the Future” at November’s Fall Conference. Diana Francis Morgan by Jean Badger Revenue Other current assets 245,463 Cindy Oas National Endowment for the Humanities $ 621,020 Fixed assets 318,605 Gifts in Honor of by Dorothy Sullivan State of Vermont 217,959 Other assets 251,638 Gretchen Rous Besser and Al Besser’s Alexandra Vlasic Helen and Martin Schwartz Long-term investment 1,063,109 65th Anniversary by Anonymous by Anonymous Contributions and grants 387,550 by Barbara Whelan and Peter Gilbert Donald V. and Beverly S. Webster Susan Demarest Graham Seeley Program and other income 123,954 Total assets $ 2,352,174 by Theodore and Barbara Graham Mary Ann Chaffee by Andy and Aurea Webster Total revenue $ 1,350,483 by Maureen Chaffee Linda Wrazen A. Joshua Sherman Liabilities Rolf Diamant by Nancy and Hugh Pennell by Anonymous Payroll expenses payable $ 49,818 by Green Mountain Civil War Round Table Neal Slocum Expenses Grants payable 18,100 Estelle Diamond by Beverley Slocum Programs and program management $ 937,071 by Janet Goldberger Gifts in Memory of Marilyn B. Stout General and administration 225,208 Other payables 14,241 Rachel Aliber Duffy Ann by John Pane and Elizabeth Bassett Development 134,145 Total liabilities $ 82,159 by Robert Z. Aliber Harriett Winslow by Bob and Lee Albern Total expenses $ 1,296,424 Mary Feidner Mildred Farr Boyce by Fred and Diane Swan Net assets by David Feidner by Adam and Mary Ann Boyce Kit Wright Other changes Undesignated $ 547,761 David Littlefield T. Alan Broughton by Katherine Schubart Investment in plant, property, and equipment 318,605 by Victor Swenson and Judy Yarnall by Mary Jane Dickerson Change in net assets from operations $ 54,059 Peter Gilbert David Budbill Nonoperating investment return 125,364 Board-designated long-term investments 1,158,404 by Linda D’Onofrio, Sandy McCall, by Anonymous If your name is not listed in this report Total changes in net assets $ 179,423 Temporarily restricted 167,503 Victor Henningsen and Susan McCaslin Peter Collins of gifts, it may be because you asked to Permanently restricted 77,742 Amy Mellencamp by Bern Collins remain anonymous or because your gift Total net assets $ 2,270,015 by Steve and Mags Conant Alan Dann was received after December 31, 2017. Mary Otto by Deidre Donaldson by Jeff and Susan Goodell Nathan and Henrietta Disenhaus In the latter case, your generosity will be Total liabilities and net assets $ 2,352,174 Above: The roster of yearly Vermont Reads book selections, Zakary Pratt by Nancy Disenhaus acknowledged in the 2018 Annual Report. by Anonymous Alex Duranleau If we made an error, please accept our from the start of the program in 2003 through 2018. Under grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed Victor Swenson by Allen and Kathleen Yale apologies and notify us to ensure that our by Louise Cross, and Lewis and in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the The Zahradka-Urban family records are correct. Madelyn Holmes by Sara Urban National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Victor R. Swenson Award Vermont Humanities Council

STAFF Vermont Joan M. Black, Administrative Assistant Humanities Jeff Euber,Program and Communications Coordinator Humanities Richelle Franzoni, Community Programs Assistant Because Ideas Matter Peter A. Gilbert, Executive Director Mission Statement Ryan Newswanger, Director of Communications Ali Palmer, Director of Literacy Programs The Vermont Humanities Council seeks to engage Tess Taylor, Director of Community Programs all Vermonters in the world of ideas, foster a Ali White, First Wednesdays Director, Consultant culture of thoughtfulness, and inspire a lifelong Linda Winter, Chief Financial Officer love of reading and learning. A state affiliate of Linda Wrazen, Development Officer the National Endowment for the Humanities, VHC relies on private donations to do its work. Former Staff Amy Cunningham, Director of Community Programs Vermont Humanities Council 11 Loomis Street Montpelier, Vermont 05602 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 802.262.2626 Katy Smith Abbott, Middlebury [email protected] Jim Alic, Ludlow, Treasurer vermonthumanities.org Randall Balmer, Norwich Jane Beck, Middlebury “Through the humanities Follow Vermont Humanities Online Todd Daloz, Middlesex Learn about upcoming events and other VHC activities Rolf Diamant, Woodstock, Chair we narrate, celebrate and on our social media accounts. Sarah Dopp, South Burlington, Secretary Ben Doyle, Montpelier @VermontHumanities Joy Facos Montpelier sometimes commiserate Carole Gaddis, Putney Huck Gutman, Burlington 2017 Swenson Award winner @VtHumanities Christine Hadsel, Burlington our individual and Marsha Cassel with Rutland High School students. Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup, Montpelier David Moats, Salisbury @VtHumanities collective journeys.” David Nichols, Manchester Mary Otto, Norwich, Vice Chair Marsha Cassel, a World Language teacher at Rutland the humanities that we narrate, celebrate and sometimes Geoffrey Sewake,Peacham High School, was the winner of the 2017 Victor R. commiserate our individual and collective journeys. It’s Annual Report managing editor: Ryan Newswanger Robert F. Wells, South Londonderry Swenson Award, which recognizes a Vermont educator how we express our struggle with the mysteries inside us Annual Report design: Laughing Bear Associates RETIRING DIRECTORS who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the and the mysteries outside of us all. Printed on FSC certified recycled paper by Stillwater Graphics Joyce Yoo Babbitt, Underhill humanities. Cassel has been a teacher at Rutland High “Our stories, our poetry, our music, our theater, our Front cover: Image by qinghill School since 2011 and is regarded among colleagues as film, our paintings, our dances, and all of our artifacts Daniel Fogel, Colchester an innovator for her work modernizing and expanding remind us of where we came from; where we got lost; where Kathleen Kelleher, South Burlington the school’s curriculum and teaching environment. we stumbled. They also point to where we are destined to Nancy Pennell, Chester In a stirring speech at VHC’s 2017 Fall Conference, go because of our yearnings or due to the choices that we’ve Gilbert Steil, Jr., Ryegate Cassel said, “We have to affirm that it is, in fact, through already made. The humanities make up our playbook.”

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Vermont Non-Profit Org. US Postage Humanities PAID Because Ideas Matter The Mailing Center 11 Loomis Street 05641 Montpelier, Vermont 05602

Programs for All

• FALL CONFERENCE • Ideas on Tap • READING AND DISCUSSION • FIRST WEDNESDAYS • LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR • Reading Frederick Douglass • GRANTS TO OTHER UNDERSERVED CHILDREN • SPEAKERS BUREAU NONPROFITS AND ADULTS • VERMONT READS • HUMANITIES CAMPS • LITERATURE AND MEDICINE • Veterans Book Groups