How’s Biz a Year Into For the Love of Dogs A Fun Way to Spark The Pandemic? / p.6 During COVID / p.13 Tough Talks / p.22

Senior Living F r e e , March 17–AprilIndependent 6, 2021 and Local

City Seeks VIEW FROM THE SCHOOL STREET BRIDGE Paintings of Montpelier by Susan Riley are on sale at The Drawing Board in Montpelier to benefit the To Require Sustainable Montpelier Coalition. See story on page 5. Energy Cost Disclosure

By Tom Brown

ontpelier residents would be re- quired to disclose their home’s Mannual energy cost when selling their property under an ordinance pro- posed by the city council. If approved, the measure would require home sellers to obtain a free Vermont Home Energy Profile (VHEP) and pro- vide the results to realtors and prospective buyers. The profile includes an annual cost estimate for heating, cooling, and electric- ity use and applies an algorithm that scores the home on its energy consumption. City officials say the profile is good for buyers and sellers by informing the owner of his or her current energy use and offers consumer protection for buyers by educat- ing them on what improvements might be needed to lower energy costs. “The most important aspect of this for me is that this is a way to encourage people to make energy improvements to their homes without mandating it,” Mayor Anne Watson said. “It turns out in world- wide studies that have been done about this type of ordinance is that it actually ends up increasing the amount of energy see Energy Disclosure, page 18 New Plan in the Works to Help Seniors ‘Age in Place’ By Phil Dodd ECRWSS PRSRT STD Montpelier, VT Montpelier, Permit NO. 123

U.S. Postage PAID f a group of local volunteers and the Montpelier Senior Andrea Stander, Erica Garfin, Jeanne Kern, Polly Nichol, Activity Center (MSAC) have their way, many older and Mike Harris. Iresidents of Montpelier will soon have access to services A Village is not a physical place. Instead, members of a and support that will make it easier for them to age in place Village can usually expect help at their homes with outdoor in their current homes, whether that is a house, condo, or and indoor chores, referrals to subcontractors, help with apartment. shopping, simple technology assistance, social activities, The approach, which could eventually lead to a re-exami- and, if desired, “reassurance” calls or visits. The goal is to nation of the center’s overall role in the community, is based promote healthy and vibrant aging so that members remain on a “Village” model that was first tried in this country in connected to their communities, with reduced isolation, Boston in 2001 and has now popped up in 280 communi- increased independence, and enhanced purpose of life, ac- ties nationwide. cording to the Village to Village Network website. A Village “makes it possible for people to remain safely Typically, a Village is made up of a network of volunteers and independently in their homes and communities as they and trusted service advisors organized as a member-driven grow older,” according to a handout prepared by a group of nonprofit. However, in Montpelier’s case, the MSAC, after Montpelier volunteers who have been talking about the idea being approached by Village advocates, is taking the lead in for the past few years and who approached the MSAC to discuss collaboration. The core volunteers at this point are see Aging in Place, page 2

Free, Independent and Local since 1993 / montpelierbridge.org PAGE 2 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Aging in Place would have to be obtained,” she noted. the 355 residents surveyed, 71 said they At another point she indicated “there are were willing to help launch a Village Continued from page 1 a lot of decisions to make, and it will take and volunteer in delivering services. That some time to sort out.” suggests that, citywide, as many as 500 helping to organize Village-type services Hiring a new employee in the next year residents might be willing to help out locally. Some are already being offered, or so is not possible because of the city’s with the project. However, Village mem- but the expectation is that such services hiring freeze, she said, but the program is bers do not have to volunteer themselves will greatly expand over time and might supporting the expenses involved in con- to join, organizers say. involve hiring an additional full-time tinuing Gribbin’s AmeriCorps position. According to the survey, the services employee in the future. “We are researching the potential costs and opportunities most desired by re- For now, the initial legwork at the of upgrading that to an employee status spondents now or in the future were MSAC is being handled by Andrew in the future and considering some grant handyperson help (64 percent), service Gribbin, an AmeriCorps worker with applications that might make it possible provider referrals (64 percent), rides (62 the title of Aging-in-Place Coordinator. sooner than later,” Clar said. percent), buddies (61 percent), snow A 2009 graduate of Montpelier High Financial support could also come via clearing (58 percent), getting together School, Gribbin’s AmeriCorps appoint- fees to participate in the program, al- (56 percent), help with shopping (53 per- ment ends in August, but he said there is though not in the near term. “For the cent), house cleaning (53 percent), infor- hope another AmeriCorps worker can be Andrew Gribbin will coordinate time being, we are not charging fees for mation about community resources (52 lined up to take his place. Gribbin said the Aging in Place program for the any of our Village-generated services and percent), gardening (48 percent), clean- surveys indicate 90 percent of seniors Montpelier Senior Activity Center. do not anticipate doing that in the up- ing out stuff (46 percent), and help with want to remain in their homes as they Courtesy photo. coming membership year of July 2021 to computers (43 percent). age. “A Village is one way to help meet June 2022,” Clar told The Bridge. “That The responses were broken down be- that need,” he said. in the late spring or early summer, with said, some services may add ‘suggested tween services needed now and those Last fall, Gribbin offered his own ser- more volunteers participating. donations’ at some point in the coming that might be needed in the future. The vices for outdoor chores such as raking Eventually, Montpelier supporters of year for those who choose to support most pressing current need identified was and stacking wood to a limited number the Village concept hope it could provide them in that way.” handyperson services (28 percent), while of Montpelier seniors, including one who the full range of the additional services Annual fees in Village groups across the service that respondents thought they was scheduled for knee surgery. More found in other Villages around the coun- the country can range anywhere from might need the most in the future was recently he has been working with about try, although Montpelier organizers are $50 to $1,500 a year and are often based rides (55 percent). 16 volunteers to make “wellness” calls to leaving transportation services off their on a sliding scale depending on what Village services will initially be limited local seniors to make sure they are aware list until they see how the new “My members can afford, according to news to Montpelier residents who are 50 or of community resources during the pan- Ride with GMT” service works out in articles. A late 2018 survey of 355 of older, although services such as tech help demic and to fill them in on COVID-19 Montpelier. Montpelier’s roughly 2,750 over-50 resi- and phone calls could be offered to non- vaccine availability. Gribbin has also of- In a Zoom presentation about the dents found 184 were willing to pay to residents early on, with more services for fered technical help to seniors, such as Village concept in December, MSAC join, 137 were unsure, and 20 would not nonresidents possible in the future, Clar instruction on using Zoom. Director Janna Clar said she is “very pay. Of those who provided an amount said. In response to comments at the “We’re very much in the pilot stage,” enthusiastic” about the idea, noting that they would be willing to pay, the median Zoom presentation, she also said Village Gribbin said. “We want to start out with because of the pandemic, the center has was $200 per year. services could someday be offered to all realistic offerings and then grow over already moved in the direction of sup- The key to making a Village work is ages. “That is a model that could evolve time.” He said the plan is to ramp up the porting people in their homes. But to volunteers, and the survey results ap- if the community wants,” she said. outdoor chore portion of the program fully implement the idea, “new resources pear encouraging in that respect. Of NATURE WATCH Artwork and Words by Nona Estrin

arch, not MApril, is the cruelest month. Predators teeter between feast and famine. Feast dur- ing days and nights above freezing as voles leave their flooded grass-level tunnels and run across the snow to higher ground. Then days of ice and hun- ger, before the next thaw. The thaws are glorious. All life catches a minute to bask in the sun, and we listen for the first red-winged black- bird, the first song sparrow! THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 3 HEARD ON THE STREET

Eye on the Local Sushi Situation Note, in our February issue, The Bridge published a story about a host of exciting Middlesex ventures, including a new restaurant called the Filling Station. Describ- Then & Now ing his offerings, the proprietor mentioned there being no sushi locally, including in Montpelier. Historic photos courtesy of Vermont Historical Society; However, our readers have pointed out there are local places that offer sushi. And modern photo and caption by Paul Carnahan. as many satisfied customers already know, Montpelier’s very own North Branch Cafe is one of them, serving sushi Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It can be pre-ordered online in a single serving or as a platter for a group. In 1886, when state’s attorney Harlan W. Kemp built a new house Owner Lauren Parker explained that the cafe started serving sushi back in July, at 30 School Street, a newspaper called it “an ornament to the experimenting with local vegetables to create traditional and custom organic rolls. street.” Kemp lived in his beautiful Second Empire home until The cafe also started serving spring rolls last June. his death in 1922. He had been a prominent citizen of the Capital “We have worked hard to adapt our takeout to fill the holes in Montpelier restau- City: a state representative, an officer of the Union Mutual Fire rant offerings,” said Parker. “We identified specialty year-round spring rolls and sushi Insurance Company for 35 years, and the developer (with his part- as a significant need in Montpelier and took it upon ourselves to learn the trade from ner A.J. Sibley) of a neighborhood off of College Street. In 1956 experts.” Kemp’s home became the T.J. Guare Funeral Home, a business Anyone who has tried either type of roll knows that daughter Becky Parker, an that is still located there today. accomplished painter, has brought her art skills to bear in designing and assembling rolls that are not just delicious but also beautiful to look at. In addition, you can regularly get handmade sushi at Shaw’s supermarket and at Hunger Mountain Coop. Also, just down the road in Barre, a resplendent array of sushi is available at the Asian Gourmet.

Former Montpelier Assistant City Manager Hired in South Burlington Jessie Baker, Montpelier’s former Assistant City Manager from 2013 to 2017, has been chosen by South Burlington officials to be their new City Manager. She will begin June 1 and will replace longtime South Burlington City Manager Kevin Dorn, according to the South Burlington municipal website. “The entire South Burlington City Council was incredibly impressed with the caliber, competence, and persona of Jessie Baker. We are ecstatic that she will become both the first female and the next City Manager. We are confident that she will continue the legacy of excellence set by Kevin Dorn,” said Helen Riehle, South Burlington city council chair. With this move, Baker leaves the post of Winooski City Manager, which she has held since 2017. She will leave her post in Winooski on May 15, according to the Winooski government website.

Shaw’s Premieres “DriveUp and Go” Grocery Service When shopping and walking around downtown Montpelier this past week, The Bridge noticed new signs at Shaw’s supermarkets (both Montpelier and Berlin), which reserve parking for delivery service. The Bridge overheard workers in the Montpelier Shaw’s talking about a new service while standing in front of a new cart with several bins. The Shaw’s website describes how customers can order ahead and have groceries ready for pickup with the new “New DriveUp & Go™” service.

City Rebuilds Water Pumps Montpelier’s Water Treatment Plant workers, along with a contractor, are rebuild- ing the water pumps at the facility.

Correction A person was misidentified in a story about Middlesex in the February issue Bridge Community Media, Inc. of The Bridge. The person in the Filling Station window was Brian Lewis. P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601 • Ph: 802-223-5112 Editor: Carla Occaso Contributors to This Issue Contributing Editor: Tom Brown Publisher Emeritus: Nat Frothingham Paul Carnahan Will Lindner Operations Manager: Chris Meiman Cari Clement Mary Mello Copy Editor: Larry Floersch Layout: Dana Dwinell-Yardley Merill Creagh Carla Occaso Ad Director: Rick McMahan Rickey Gard Diamond Gwynned Rowe O’Hanratty Board Members: Phil Dodd, Larry Floersch, J. Gregory Gerdel, John Lazenby, Irene Racz, Linda Radtke, Phil Dodd Zoe Plummer-Tripp Nancy Reid, Mike Dunphy Linda Radtke Jen Roberts, Mason Singer Nona Estrin Ellie Stubbs Editorial: 223-5112 • [email protected] Kathleen Fechter Anika Turcotte Location: The Bridge office is located at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Stone Science Hall. Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge by mail for $40 a year. Make out your check to The Bridge, and Larry Floersch Ariel Wish mail to The Bridge, PO Box 1143, Montpelier VT 05601. J. Gregory Gerdel montpelierbridge.org • facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt Twitter: @montpbridge • Instagram: @montpelierbridge PAGE 4 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Charred Church Leaves a Hole in Middlesex

By Carla Occaso

nly a charred black church bell church. Firefighters from Waterbury also and piles of blackened, burnt entered the church. Their efforts helped, Oremains were piled up where but they were not able to quash the blaze. the United Methodist Church used to “It seemed to help for a little while, but stand after a fire broke out Feb. 24. the fire was so far advanced even before Middlesex Town Clerk Sarah Merri- we got there we were not able to extin- man called 9-1-1 at 11:07 a.m. to report guish it,” Morse said, adding that they seeing smoke coming out of the church, also ran out of water and did not have an according to Montpelier Fire Department easy water source nearby. And when they Lieutenant Chad Morse, who spoke with got out of the building, the fire was very The Bridge by phone Feb. 26. Morse, one far advanced. of the first on the scene, said when he got Some of the tankers went to Water- there he could see quite a bit of smoke bury to fill up with water. Morse said coming from the steeple. It looked like it the building had completely burned in The remains of the United Methodist Church in MIddlesex. Photo by was coming out of a vent under the eaves. about an hour. Nobody was hurt during Carla Occaso. Morse and Firefighter Daniel Peterson the event, and the cause of the fire is still then entered the building with a hose under investigation. being there,” Zorn told The Bridge. The Montpelier, Waterbury, Barre City, line through a side door. They used the Organist Arthur Zorn remembers church had a food shelf, which was open Moretown, and Waitsfield responded, hose to spray water for nearly a quarter playing for Sunday services with Pastor every Saturday morning, and hosted Morse said. of an hour. “There was quite a bit of fire Kim Marcy, when folding chairs had to other community gatherings. up in the ceiling,” Morse said, describ- be set up to hold the crowd. The church Other news outlets reported the church Linda Radtke contributed to this story. ing how the smoke was thick inside the was “filled with people who really loved was built in 1906. Editor’s note: See tributes to the church on Fire departments from Middlesex, page 24. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 5

Sale of Paintings Benefits Sustainable Montpelier Coalition

by J. Gregory Gerdel

t is a blessing to wind up living in a place that you love. And for those of Ius living in Montpelier, it is a double blessing when an accomplished artist shares her vision of this beautiful little city, nestled in the hills at the junction of two rivers. Because of her personal interest in the values and vision of the Sustainable Montpelier Coalition, artist Susan Bull Riley is staging a special sale of several of her paintings that will benefit the or- ganization and its focus on the future of the city. The paintings will be displayed through the end of March at The Draw- ing Board on Main Street, including the Above, “On the Cusp of Spring,” by Susan Bull Riley. The artist is special pricing that Riley has set for this pictured at right. Courtesy photos. sale. The Drawing Board is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. “My donated paintings that hang at ing the first years it was transformed to a Riley, who has been painting scenes The Drawing Board . . . are weighted co-ed institution. Playing the flute took looking vision of the Sustainable Mont- and landscapes in and around Montpe- toward the North Branch River because I priority over cross-country ski racing, pelier Coalition. Noting that the or- lier for a decade, purposefully adopted see the downtown stretch of the river sev- and she met her husband Richard Riley, ganization has spearheaded a novel, Montpelier as home, “My husband and I eral times a week and I am constantly in- who is now the director of music for the on-demand micro-transit system and moved here in 2011, choosing Montpelier spired by how light plays upon the brick Unitarian Church of Montpelier and the helped to bring together and revitalize over every other city in New England. We buildings, the architecture with mag- Burlington Choral Society. our neighborhoods, Riley said, “Since want to spend the rest of our lives here. nificent cupolas, and the ever-changing Living in southern New England, she it was founded in 2017, the Sustainable For me, Vermont is home,” she explained. reflections on the water. I frequently worked as a special education reading Montpelier Coalition has brought to- “I want to see Montpelier thrive over paint the view of Montpelier from Berlin specialist and discovered a growing pas- gether diverse stakeholders who under- the long haul. I am impressed by how the Street and from North Street, where the sion for painting, which has become stand the urgent need to create sustain- Sustainable Montpelier Coalition looks sight of the church steeples, gracing a central to her creative life. “I paint what able local systems in transportation, land urgent problems in the face without city embraced by surrounding hills, is I love every day. Sharing my response to use, and food security.” flinching. I support them and all orga- irresistible.” this world, and this set of Montpelier For anyone interested in seeing more nizations that are working to address the After growing up in South Burling- paintings in particular, offers me the of Riley’s painting, 16 canvases are cur- challenges posed by the dramatic ways in ton, where her father Wilbur Bull was chance to transcend my life and reach rently on display in the lobby of the which our lives are affected by complex the high-school cross-country ski coach, beyond it,” Riley explained. Central Vermont Medical Center. Her factors,” Riley said. Riley attended Dartmouth College dur- She also has passion for the forward- website is susanbullriley.com. PAGE 6 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE How’s Business? One Year Later, Businesses Say PPP Loans and Grants Kept Doors Open

By Mike Dunphy

hen the word COVID first in late March 2020, the possibility of fi- began creeping into our nancial support became more real, albeit Wlunchtime lexicon, little with far more questions than answers. more than a year ago, many Mont- Happily, Montpelier Alive stepped con- pelier area businesses hardly noticed. fidently in to provide much needed guid- At Rabble-Rouser, the Savoy Theater, ance and support, earning praise from the North Branch Café, Green Moun- just about everyone. tain Community Fitness, and beyond, “Montpelier Alive was one of our best minds were far more focused on clear- sources of information,” relates Pivetti, ing off what was on the plate in front They were really, really communicative of them and planning the menu for the in the beginning, which was super, super Montpelier’s Savoy Theater made it through the pandemic thanks to coming year. helpful.” business funding opportunities. Photo by Carla Occaso. At Green Mountain Community Fit- Parker echoes the praise, particularly ness, Gail Pivetti and the team were try- for Executive Director Dan Groberg. Other grants helped fill in the gaps, Sharon Whyte Estes, who opened Al- ing to merge two different membership “I’ve talked to businesses in other parts including MEND, the EIDL Advance thea’s Attic in November 2020, also did systems, the one they inherited from of the state similar to ours. Nowhere else ($1,000 per employee), the State Emer- not qualify for PPP and grants, which First in Fitness and the one from their was there anybody like Dan. We knew gency Economic Recovery grants, left her to forge a new, sustainable busi- former business, Green Mountain Cross- everything, because he was on it, he HartBeat of Main Street grants, the ness model. Nonetheless, in the need to Fit. At Rabble-Rouser, owner Jacquelyn learned it, he figured it out. He distrib- E.M.B.R.A.C.E micro business recovery pivot online, she wishes more support Rieke was still trying to catch her breath, uted it to our Facebook group. We had grants, and the State Sole Proprietor was given to businesses to upgrade tech- as the business had grown at least three meetings every week, instead of once a grants, among others. nological capabilities. times larger in the six months prior. Lau- month.” If the support seems significant, the “Some people were frustrated that ren Parker at North Branch was basking The diligence and attention soon need was even more, and remains so, they didn’t qualify for the first round in the success of January and February, began to pay off as PPP money flowed according to Groberg. “On the whole, of state aid because their losses were her two best months ever, and consider- into Montpelier business coffers, but businesses have seen significant losses significant enough, especially those who ing how to further the good fortune. not without trouble, particularly in the due to the pandemic,” he points out. had hustled extra hard,” Groberg said, Then Tom Hanks got the virus, and first rush, when there seemed a limited “Businesses were on average down about but he adds, “There are ongoing efforts the world collapsed. amount of funds and time available to 25 percent on the year, with restaurants to rectify this,” noting the upcoming Two days later, Governor Phil Scott obtain them, as well as no clear system. being down more. About 60 percent Shuttered Venue Operator grants. “Some issued an executive order to declare a “They had the first round,” Parker re- of their losses were covered by grants,” businesses, especially newer businesses, state of emergency in Vermont, followed members, “and it was immediately eaten again noting the wide disparity in situ- haven’t qualified yet for any state aid but shortly by the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” up by all these giant corporations in ations. “The impact from business to may be eligible for the new $10 million order that closed “in-person operations the country. Everybody was terrified the business varies dramatically based on pool that the Vermont House approved for all non-essential businesses.” money was going to run out and there individual circumstances. For some, cut- yesterday.” This was a particularly bitter pill to was so much pressure.” Even the bank ting payroll and reducing inventory pur- Looking ahead at the remaining swallow for the Montpelier area business could make a difference,” Parker notes. chasing might make up a good chunk of months of the pandemic, most busi- community, who relied heavily on the “Our bank is TD Bank, which is a bigger the uncovered loss. For others, especially nesses appear optimistic at their ability organic, face-to-face foot traffic, even if bank…so it took forever for the forms restaurants, we are looking at hundreds to survive but believe more support will most assumed the pandemic would only to be ready. I felt like people who had of thousands of dollars of loss.” be needed. last a few months, if not weeks. As each Northfield Savings Bank or Community Not every area business was able to “I think it’s absolutely necessary,” day in March and April brought new National Bank…were already getting find support, thanks to quirks and loop- Pivetti explains. “Honestly, I think the gloom and a harsher reality, businesses paid before I was even able to apply. It holes in the law. Newly opening busi- tragedy would be for people to have re- began to calculate and fret, assuming felt like, ‘Oh, my God, the money’s going nesses that either started just before the ceived two rounds of funding and then they’d be going through this alone and to be gone.’” pandemic or soon after were able to go under. That feels like such a sunk without much support from the govern- James O’Hanlon at the Savoy Theater provide enough of a history to show a cost, from the government’s perspective, ment in D.C. also recalls people simply not applying 25 percent or greater reduction in gross if they put in two rounds of funding for “I didn’t think we’d get anything,” because the process was so overwhelm- revenue from 2019 to 2020. At Green a business and it still couldn’t make it Lauren Parker remembers. “I didn’t ex- ing at first. For his own business, he also Mountain Community Fitness, efforts because they didn’t ride it out.” pect it under Trump. I didn’t think that questioned whether it was even worth ap- to obtain the necessary grants were chal- Rieke, while confident about the fu- administration would give two hoots plying for a PPP loan as there was a real lenged by the change in the business. ture, also notes the huge ongoing losses about a small business in Vermont.” danger he would never open again or be “The grant money was based on the pre- to her business. “January, we saw a Rieke had no idea either. “It didn’t able to use the money in the stipulated vious year’s tax records,” Pivetti noted, $15,000 loss, and depending, we could dawn on me that we would get support,” timeline, potentially leaving him with “We had spun up a business that was lose $10,000–$15,000 in February, she remembers. It wasn’t even on my the debt. going to have a higher tax base than March, and April. So getting that second mind.” For all the confusion and scrambling, the one we purchased, so we were in a round of CARES Act money, or getting Gail Pivetti at Green Mountain luck- most who applied ultimately received situation where the rules and the guides third round PPP, would be amazing for ily had some friends who gave her hope. support. Of arguably more value than weren’t super applicable.” our stability.” “We have some members here and some the money was the hope the funds Parker also points to issues with the Groburg also stresses the need. “For folks who we know, who were fairly brought to businesses, as many ques- determinations based on the tax base, the most part, I see that businesses are plugged in government wise, and they tioned whether or not they’d survive. noting that significant parts of her busi- hanging on and hoping for a return to told us, ‘Hang on, we think some stuff “PPP just allowed us to breathe and ness, such as food, are not taxed. “It was normalcy. Almost a quarter of local busi- is going to start to happen,’ but we had think, okay, we might be able to keep hard for us to fit into a category because nesses tell us that they aren’t sure they no idea how much money was going to our doors metaphorically open,” Pivetti they did 10 percent of your reported will make it through this. We are hope- come through and how long that was remembers. “Had it not been for PPP, I tax income. I think [the grant] ended ful that additional federal funds like PPP, going to last.” think that the situation would have been up being like 55 percent of our total SVOG, and whatever comes out of the With the passage of the CARES Act much, much worse.” income.” latest stimulus will help.” THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 7 PAGE 8 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE A Message From City Hall This page was paid for by the City of Montpelier. Spring Cleaning By William Fraser, City Manager

s everyone knows, we have I, again, thank the voters of Montpe- restrictions or requirements. Depending city staff members and residents to learn reached the one year mark of the lier for their strong support of the city on the allowable uses, we hope to fund more about the work environment, unin- ACOVID-19 pandemic with its and school budgets. The city budget many of the recently delayed infrastruc- tentional biases, community perceptions, related restrictions and complications. had 84.4 percent “yes” votes. This is up ture projects. There is certainly no short- etc. Thus far the meetings have been well All of us have seen drastic changes in 3.7 percent from last year’s 80.7 percent age of possible uses for this money. received by our employees and residents. our lifestyles, work habits, and social and is the seventh consecutive year that interactions. With vaccinations now un- the city budget has received 80 percent Public Meeting on Community Information derway, some optimism is appearing for or greater support. The school budget Safety and Policing in For those of you who want to stay a potential return to more familiar ac- received 72.7 percent, slightly down 1.3 Montpelier abreast of information about city govern- tivity. We must all remain diligent and percent from last year’s 74.0 percent. Montpelier’s Police Review Commit- ment, there are several ways to do so: patient until that time. This is the sixth straight year of 70 tee is seeking community input on public • All meetings of city boards, commis- Like all businesses and organizations, percent or greater support for the school safety and policing in Montpelier. Please sions, committees and the like are open the city had to make significant adjust- budget. Each year the council and staff attend this virtual public meeting and to the public. ments to our operations. The first chal- struggle with finding the balance be- share your vision for public safety for our • This article in The Bridge is written lenge was the immediate loss of revenue tween delivering service and presenting community. Your input will help shape by the mayor or me and is published in the last quarter of FY20. (March reasonable budgets for consideration. We the committee’s report to the city coun- monthly. 2020 through June 30, 2020). We pro- are grateful for your support and will cil, due June 30, 2021. • The city’s website www.montpelier-vt. jected a budget gap of $400,000 for that continue to strive to provide the best pos- Monday, April 5, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. org includes news, updates, notices and short period of time. Through furloughs, sible services for you. to 6:30 p.m. Location: Zoom: information about projects as well as project delays, equipment delays, and A total of 2,842 people voted on the • zoom.us/j/96781976356?pwd=eHdu agendas, minutes, and other meeting open vacancies, we managed to close the city budget. The actual overall turnout SC9ETnc5SHZocFhZZDZKRmw documents. All documents which go to fiscal year with a very slight $4,000 posi- was about 2,950. 3Zz09 the city council for meetings are posted tive budget balance. Since 1985, this year’s city budget vote • Meeting ID: 967 8197 6356 publicly. The quarterly shortfall was even more total was the fourth highest Town Meet- • Passcode: 156959 • The City Manager and department pronounced as we moved into the cur- ing total. It was, by far, the highest city • Call in: +1 929 205 6099 US (New heads write a weekly memo to the city rent fiscal year 2021. The city council voter total for a non-presidential primary York) council providing updates and infor- approved a budget mitigation plan de- year. The next highest was 2,385 in 1990 Background: On October 28, 2020 mation about city activity. This memo signed to close a projected $1.5 million and 2,326 in 2014. the Montpelier City Council established is posted for all to see on the city’s gap for a full year. This required more a Police Review Committee and charged website. project and equipment delays, continued A New “Year” that committee with: • All (or most) council meetings and furloughs through the summer, hold- There are three distinct 12-month • Reviewing the historic functions of the meetings of major boards and com- ing vacant positions open, reducing pur- periods (years) in the city government Montpelier police department; mittees are broadcast — and often chases, closing programs, and — with world. The first is the obvious calendar • Reviewing modern policing trends rebroadcast — on local cable TV. great cooperation from our employees year, which tracks with the rest of soci- and practices, such as those embodied • All (or most) of the above meetings are — holding back cost-of-living pay ad- ety. The second is the fiscal year, which in the President’s Task Force on 21st both streamed and archived for view- justments. runs from July 1 to June 30 and is the Century Policing and other reference ing on the city’s website. All of this led to the preparation of the basis for our budget, accounting, and materials; • The city has a Facebook page “City FY22 annual budget, which was recently financial management. • Meeting with community stakeholders of Montpelier, VT — official”, which voted upon. This budget was 2.5 percent The third, less formal, year is from for feedback on the role and function posts updates and also links some up- lower than the approved FY21 budget. Town Meeting to Town Meeting. This of the Montpelier Police Department. dates from the website. Once again, a large budget gap due to is the cycle of elections, city council • Reviewing existing historic law en- • The city has a Twitter account “@VT- revenue losses and increased costs had to changes, budget approvals, and voter- forcement data for trends, significant Montpelier”, which also posts updates be overcome. provided feedback about how the gov- issues, and other observations or con- and links from the website. Over the last year the city has closed ernment is doing. Each March, the new clusions that are relevant to current • The city regularly posts items of in- City Hall, closed the pool for the sum- city council is sworn in. They revisit and future planning and funding of terest, including council agendas, on mer, suspended recreation and senior their rules of procedure, ethics policy, the Montpelier Police Department. Front Porch Forum. center programming, cancelled events, group norms, committee assignments, • Reviewing and analyzing the functions • The annual report, distributed in Feb- operated with short staff, delayed proj- and council officers. of the Montpelier Police Department, ruary, provides an overview of the city ects and purchases, conducted remote/ One key effort each year is updating its existing policies, and helping create government’s year. It is available on virtual meetings, and increased online and adopting the strategic plan, which the department’s current strategic plan. line or in print at City Hall. service delivery. All of this while keeping highlights the council’s short- and long- • Compiling the information into a re- • ALL emergency notifications are is- basic services such as police, fire, ambu- term priorities. This discussion will port to be delivered to the city council sued using VT-Alert. People can re- lance, and public works functioning. begin in March and April. The current by June 30, 2021. The report will in- ceive phone calls, text messages, e-mail, These necessary decisions for now will strategic plan along with quarterly prog- clude recommendations for this com- or all. Register for VT-Alert through create some very real challenges in the ress updates can be found on the city’s mittee’s future charge and function. vtalert.gov or by calling 802-347-0488. near future as we seek to catch up from website. delays and restore programming and ser- Social and Economic Justice Finally, of course, please feel free to vices. Federal Funds Advisory Committee contact me or your elected officials with The federal government has recently The Social and Economic Justice Advi- questions or comments about the city gov- Annual Meeting Wrap Up approved a major COVID-19 relief bill. sory Committee has begun working with ernment. I can be reached at wfraser@ We congratulate council members This bill includes significant funding for the consulting firm Creative Discourses, montpelier-vt.org or 802-223-9502. The Lauren Hierl, Jack McCullough, and states, counties, and municipalities. We Inc. to develop information about the email addresses and phone numbers for Dan Richardson on re-election to their are anxious to learn the amount of fund- community. Creative Discourses has other city officials are available on the council seats. ing Montpelier may receive as well as any begun holding a series of meetings with web. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 9 Grana & Grandaddy: From Dirt Floors to Skyscrapers to Montpelier By Zoe Plummer-Tripp

Editor’s note: Zoe Plummer-Tripp has mon feeling of being foreign and an out- written this story about her grandparents sider, no matter what the environment. as an educational mentorship between The Grandaddy considers himself American, Bridge Community Media and Mont- but in the most literal sense of the term pelier High School through a program — from Canada to Argentina, North, called Community-Based Learning. Many Central, and South. thanks to Heather McClane for reaching His first connection to Vermont came out to us and connecting us with Zoe. Zoe during his junior year of high school, went from blank page to a very compelling when he transferred to Vermont Acad- tale. And, of course, we thank Zoe for her emy, a boarding school in Rockingham. incredible hard work, talent, and willing- Grandaddy broke several academic re- ness to work with us. Additionally, thanks cords during his time at the academy to Grana and Grandaddy for sharing your despite being two years younger than story with us all. his classmates, and graduated at the age of 16. He followed in his brother’s foot- Grandaddy’s Childhood and steps and attended Yale, but took a gap Early Adulthood 1934–1966 year after freshman year to pursue the James “Jim” Avery Plummer, known violin more seriously. He graduated in as Grandaddy to me, was raised in Ar- 1956 with a major in East Asian history gentina during World War II. He moved Jim Plummer (Grandaddy) and Julie Thacher (Grana) in their early years. and a minor in music composition and there with his family from Delaware Courtesy photo. pursued a brief and unsuccessful career when he was 10 months of age for his in advertising and a first marriage in father’s engineering job. They resided in He was interestingly secluded from the These were his first positive interac- Mexico before meeting my grandmother, Buenos Aires, and later in the country second World War though, and remem- tions with the United States and Ameri- Grana, in 1966. outside of the city. Grandaddy devel- bers hearing only minimal news about can culture, coming almost a decade Grandaddy has been an avid musician oped a particular viewpoint on American it because of Argentina’s position as a after his birth. The contradictions in since his childhood. He learned to play politics and foreign affairs as a result of neutral country. One of the only connec- culture returned when they moved to violin at the age of 7 and continued that living abroad for the first 10 years of his tions he felt to the war occurred when Mexico City a year later for his father’s through college. This is one of the only life. This would inevitably impact his a ship carrying a car for the family was job. For two years, Grandaddy attended constants throughout his life, because of activism efforts in the civil rights move- sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor. a Mexican high school and was presented various drastic changes in settings and ment and, later, his dissent regarding Grandaddy and his family would travel with a new perspective on Americans careers. the Vietnam War. Grandaddy remains to the United States every three years to and their interactions with foreigners. A a women’s rights activist to this day, a visit extended family, but besides that, he sort of embarrassment emerged from this Grana’s Childhood and Early strong supporter of accessible abortions lived a life completely free of influence experience: he was American by blood Adulthood 1939–1966 and a woman’s right to choose, and he by American culture. His parents were but had lived the majority of his life in Juliana “Julie” Thacher, or Grana to attended the famous Women’s March in the only kind of exposure he received, so Spanish-speaking countries with a cul- me, was born in 1939, the youngest of 2016. Some of these opinions made life Grandaddy was raised multicultural and tural distaste for the United States. The five children. This resulted in her having extra interesting during the decades he bilingual. two sides of his cultural heritage were at a virtually only-child experience during resided in the profoundly conservative At the age of 10 in 1944, shortly after odds with each other then and remain county of Piscataquis, Maine. the beginning of the Normandy inva- that way to this day. This created a com- continued on page 10 Returning to childhood though, Gran- sion, his family relocated to New York daddy speaks incredibly highly of the Ar- City for a year. Grandaddy missed the gentinian public school system and says countryside, a pattern that would repeat that it was the highest quality education he itself as he aged. After the year in New ever received (despite later attending Yale York, they moved to Washington, D.C., University). This was because of a combi- and Grandaddy sang in the National nation of elements, including the rigor it Cathedral Choir, perpetuating the role entailed and the shorter school days. of music in his life. PAGE 10 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE continued from page 9 schoolwork. This made getting into col- neighborhood, for two years and quickly months pregnant, and that perfectly en- lege a bit of a challenge, but despite that became involved with the civil rights capsulated the amount of work this life- her childhood because of the massive age she followed her father’s footsteps and at- and anti-war movements. They both de- style required. gap between her and her sibling closest tended Brown University. She remembers scribed the environment of East Harlem In May of 1972, my mother, Rebecca, to her in age (7 years older). Grana was only doing well in the hardest classes, as safe and welcoming, a stark contrast was born, and Grana and Grandaddy raised on the campus of Amherst College, while in anything easy she would fail. to the racist perception of most white briefly raised two children in rural Can- where her father was the superintendent Graduating in 1961 with a major in reli- people at the time. ada with no running water and not much of buildings and grounds. She recalls her gious studies, she used her religious con- Grandaddy moved to Guatemala for money. They lived off the “beautiful but personality being one of tom-boyishness nections to follow her college boyfriend two months in an attempt to join the impoverished land,” including but not and “horse-crazy,” and she spent the be- to Japan, where he served in the Marine guerilla movement against the dictator- limited to weeding neighbors gardens ginning of her life roaming the campus Corps. Grana lived in Japan for three ship. He left Grana in New York to for greens, collecting wild food from the freely. This entailed following workers and a half years, working as a teacher continue her work, but she briefly visited nearby salt marshes, making their own around and exploring the nearby woods. at a women’s junior college in Tokyo. him there. His attempt was unsuccessful, bread out of homemade grain, fishing, Her main companion was the family For her final six months abroad, she and and two months after his return to East canning various things from their gar- dog, which was taken away from her her best friend (to this day) travelled in Harlem in December 1967 they were den, and brewing their own beer. They when Grana and her mother moved to Asia as the American involvement in the married in the storefront of a “defunct” still use some of these techniques; for California to live with her aunt. This Vietnam war was intensifying. During supermarket. The flowers used to deco- example, Grana picks all of the dande- occurred because of her father’s death her time abroad, Grana grew apart from rate for the wedding were gathered from lion greens out of our yard to eat. They when she was 12, which deeply impacted Western ideals and the Christian and funeral homes to save money, and Grana resided near a small town on the coast both her and her mother. Grana was conservative background of her youth. describes this as a metaphor for their re- of the Bay of Fundy, which meant more exposed to a “fundamentalist” Christian She developed a distaste for American lationship, “twisted but beautiful.” snow than Vermont winters. sect while on the West Coast because of wars and the superior viewpoint that was After marriage, the couple moved to Grandaddy thinks they would have her aunt’s involvement in that sect. (and is) common in Americans. Connecticut, where Grandaddy began stayed there more permanently, but in They moved back east after a year, but Moving back to the United States, teaching at the same boarding school 1973, he was offered a job at the Man- her mother still struggled severely with she experienced a definite culture shock, as before, and a pregnant Grana helped hattan Country School’s farm in Rox- depression because of the death of her and she described the Americans she a mental health professional with typ- bury, New York, and for the next three husband. During Grana’s high school was reintroduced to as “impolite, crude, ing her clinical notes. Her water broke and a half years they lived and worked years, her mother went through extensive and hairy,” especially compared with the six weeks early, causing a health emer- there. electroshock therapy, and Grana became intensely polite Japanese people. Similar gency, and the couple drove back to her primary caretaker because of how in- to Grandaddy, this time abroad caused East Harlem. Grana remembers urinat- Manhattan Country School capable the “treatment” left her. Despite intense doubts about American politics ing frequently in a two-pound coffee can Farm 1973–1977 this, they were close, because Grana was and foreign policy. during the drive. Their first daughter, In 1973, the family moved to Roxbury, the only child left in the house by the Soon after returning from the four Katherine, was born in August of 1969, New York, a small town in the Catskills time she reached high school. years she spent abroad, she met Gran- and was raised initially in East Harlem. about a three-hour drive from Manhat- She got along well with almost every- daddy, and the rest is history. Both Grana and Grandaddy remember it tan. Grandaddy was hired as the direc- one, regardless of economic status, which being a very supportive place to live and tor of the Manhattan Country School is a quality that would be hugely benefi- Early Marriage 1966–1970 raise a child, and they felt like “part of Farm. He had previously taught at the cial later in her life and careers. During Grana and Grandaddy met upon Gra- the family” in the neighborhood. school. The farm is a unique addition her high-quality high school education, na’s return to the United States in 1966. to the already unique set-up of MCS, a she participated in orchestra, chorus, and She visited her brother in Connecticut, Canada 1971–1973 school built on the civil rights movement the tumbling team. She also dated a who was working at the same board- In 1970, Grandaddy built a 16-by- and the principle of diversity. The school trumpet player named Tommy, whom ing school as Grandaddy. They were 21-foot log cabin in New Brunswick, focuses on reflecting the demographics she described as “a child prodigy” and introduced, hit it off immediately, and Canada, and in the fall of the next year, of New York City, such as race, ethnicity, also “mentally unwell.” moved to New York City a month later. the family of three moved there as tem- economic class (they have a sliding-scale Grana remembers being a non-devoted They lived in a small apartment in East porary residents. This move was partially tuition system to this day), and gender. student: smart, but not dedicated to her Harlem, an entirely Black and Latino because it was easier to find cheap land The farm program allowed the students in rural Canada, and partially to briefly to experience a lifestyle different from escape the U.S. and its never-ending that in the city, specifically rural life. political tensions. Grana and Grandaddy Students from the school would go to owned 100 acres of land, and attempted the farm with their class and teachers for to live mostly off of those resources. up to a week at a time. The curriculum The community in Canada was very was built around farm chores and rural welcoming and helped the family stay activities, such as tending to animals, afloat during their two years there. They gardening, working with textiles (pre- provide recipes and advice, as well as paring wool, making yarn, and weaving help hauling wood, free of cost. This on a loom), and cooking. Grandaddy was the start of an ongoing journey with acted as the director of the farm, and homesteading that would be on and off oversaw the maintenance of the farm, for several decades. Grana hauled 5-gal- in addition to interacting with the stu- lon buckets of water when she was eight continued on page 11 THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 11 continued from page 10 attitudes in Maine and Canada was ex- as interesting, because she was “the only treme. In terms of homesteading, the white person around” and the “societies dents. Grana worked as a housewife to real changes came later, but in Abbot the were hugely separated.” Grana talks about raise two kids in the farm environment family had a steady source of income, New York City as full of opportunities, and taught classes in the garden as well whereas in Canada they were not permit- in everything from culture, to art, to lan- as dealing with the animals. She acted ted to work because of their temporary guages, to food. This was something the as the slaughterer-in-chief, and briefly visas. During the first period of time family could never experience in Abbot. oversaw the kitchen, cooking meals for in Maine, they were still living pretty Grandaddy continued to pursue music, 30 or more people at a time. They imple- “primitively” with an explicit focus on this time singing at restaurants full-time mented homesteading techniques on the staying “warm, dry, and fed,” as Grana with a busy schedule of performing and farm, and exclusively used horsepower. puts it. practicing. He would play international Katie attended kindergarten and first Meanwhile, Grandaddy was intensely folk music in English, Spanish, French, grade in Roxbury village, and Rebecca practicing his music, and started to pur- and Portuguese, and well as classical attended nursery school. Eventually, the sue it as a source of income for the fam- guitar. He was also able to speak Spanish family transitioned to working part- ily. He would play at restaurants and with the neighboring Puerto Ricans. time on the farm, and moved to Abbot, lounges on the coast of Maine, where Grana and Grandaddy both preferred Maine. The transition took about a year more money was available. He played the city socially, because the group of while Grandaddy built a second cabin folk songs in English and Spanish, as well people who lived near them was much and the farm found other leadership. as classical guitar. Grana simultaneously more diverse and shared similar politi- By 1977, they were living full-time in Grana and Grandaddy in the got promoted to assistant director at her cal views. They lived in a tenement Maine. middle of their journey. Courtesy job, but hostile new management created building, or as Grandaddy phrases it, “a photo. an undesirable work environment. She slum building for poor people,” on 101st Abbot, Maine 1977–1980 reached out to an old colleague from Street. The community was multi-racial, Piscataquis County in Maine is about encouraged a more supportive environ- New York City, and found employment. but politics weren’t as big a deal as they as conservative as it gets in New England, ment for undereducated and unemployed The family moved back to New York were in the 60s when Grana and Gran- and it is where Grana and Grandaddy re- young people. She enjoyed this work and City in the fall of 1980 for Grana’s new daddy first resided there. Katie finished located to next despite their strongly con- recalls that it helped her get to know the job and for Grandaddy to more fully middle school and Rebecca finished fifth trasting politics. Piscataquis was the only community on a more profound level. pursue his musical career where there grade at MCS in 1983, and the family Republican county east of the Hudson in The community, it turns out, wasn’t were more opportunities. the 2008 presidential election, and those anywhere near as welcoming as that in continued on page 12 views were prevalent when the Plummers New Brunswick, never taking the actions New York City 1980–1983 moved there in 1977. that had once made my grandparents feel In October of 1980, the family of four Grandaddy built another cabin, about so at home in Canada. The locals were moved back to East Harlem. They did 31 by 21 feet, double the size of the cabin also not used to young progressives, as this for several reasons, including to ex- in Canada. It took him a full month to Grana and Grandaddy described them- pose the girls to an urban and non-white build the shell, and another two years to selves. Grana and Grandaddy were also community. Rebecca and Katie received finish it completely. He took care of the disturbed by the blatant racism that was this by living in East Harlem and attend- girls when they returned from school, prevalent in Abbot. ing Manhattan Country School, which grew and cooked food, and cut firewood. The family continued their journey prioritizes diversity and is “unusual ra- Among the people for whom he cut with homesteading, and the move to cially,” as Grandaddy puts it. Another wood were their close neighbors, Isabel Abbot advanced their practices even fur- reason for the move was employment for and Bill Goodrich, an elderly duo. The ther. They both describe the move to both parents. Grana got a job in the family was close with the pair, and my Abbot as one that brought some newness entirely Black and Puerto Rican neigh- mom mentions them frequently when in terms of the social scene and their borhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant at a sec- talking about her childhood in Maine. approach to homesteading. The juxta- retarial training program for high school Katie and Rebecca would wait for the position between the people and their dropouts. She describes this experience school bus at the Goodrich house, which was located across the road from the end of the Plummers’ long driveway. The family mostly socialized with people from the next town over whom Grana knew from her work as a voca- tional counselor for the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). This was similar to her work in New York City. She would aid young unem- ployed high school dropouts to get hired and stay employed. She would keep tabs on them and stay in touch with their employers to help with issues such as manners and hygiene or suitability for the specific job. Grana also worked to spread information about CETA, and PAGE 12 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE continued from page 11 and put in a basement. This business. It grew quickly, and was one of many modern- she gained a large number of moved back to Abbot in the summer of izations they made in the regular customers. For her, that that same year. Grandaddy missed na- homestead after their return, was one of the hardest things to ture and states that he was never cut out including getting electricity leave behind when they moved to live in the city. as well as upgrading their to Montpelier. well and acquiring running Maine 1983–1997 water. One element of the Montpelier, Vermont After the school year ended, the fam- improvements that Gran- 2011–Present ily moved back to Abbot, Maine, be- daddy is especially proud of In 2011, when I was 5 years cause they still owned property and the was their composting toilet. old, Grana and Grandaddy cabin, and Grandaddy missed living in This is one of the only things moved into a condo in Mont- a rural setting. Rebecca skipped sixth I remember from visiting the pelier, Vermont to be near their grade because of how advanced Manhat- cabin at a very young age, so daughters and grandchildren. tan Country School was compared with it must have made a lasting They still reside there, about the schools in Maine, and Katie started impression. The composting a seven- minute walk from my at Piscataquis Community High School, toilet incorporated a complex house. They played a large role home of the Pirates. ventilation system and cost in raising my brother. Gran- Grana started work as a community about 60 dollars to install. daddy took care of him be- educator for WomanCare/AEGIS, an The family also upped fore he was old enough to go early victim-protection organization that their gardening game, add- to preschool, and they com- helped victims of sexual assault and do- ing to their already massive municated entirely in Spanish. mestic abuse. They ran community safe garden. The garden was a Grana continues her massage houses and several emergency hotlines point of pride for both Grana therapy business here, but part- and provided volunteer programs, com- and Grandaddy. It also was time now. Grandaddy worked munity education, and legal representa- well known throughout the Grana and Grandaddy in recent years. Courtesy as a substitute teacher in the tion. Grana worked there for 14 years, community. They were also photo. Montpelier school district for and was director for the last 10 years. incredibly eco-friendly before several years and is now re- She remembers there was some backlash it was socially prioritized. At tired. He plays guitar and sings from the community, especially religious the Plummer household, 100 percent of that job. He was known as the toughest at family gatherings still, and Grana groups. She says that everyone was dis- human and food waste was recycled and teacher, but always was stuck with the still collects fiddleheads and dandelion missive and scornful of the work until it would act as fertilizer for the garden. unacademic students, making his job greens to cook and eat. impacted their own family. For the first After the upgrades, Grandaddy started quite difficult. Grana and Grandaddy both lived and three years, during her time as a com- teaching at a school in Bangor, Maine, In 1989, Rebecca, the younger of the continue to live intensely unusual and munity educator, she would travel three almost an hour’s drive away. He acted two daughters, followed Katie to attend interesting lives, never conforming or nights a week to make presentations as a longtime kindergarten substitute, Harvard, and Grana and Grandaddy complying with societal norms. They about WomanCare’s work. Grana later which evolved into being a French and started to consider the idea of moving remain outspoken about various politi- worked as a paralegal and was supervised Spanish teacher at Bangor High School. again. Additionally, Grana was looking to cal topics and are highly involved in the by a local attorney. She would help sur- In the beginning he wasn’t a technically pursue a new career in massage therapy, community here. They have been and vivors go to court and file for divorce certified teacher, so he had to teach on a and the best educational opportunity was continue to be the center of our familial or custody. These services were extra conditional certificate and get certified in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1997, the solar system, and exhibit symptoms of impactful for women without enough simultaneously. Grandaddy got his certi- two of them moved to the southwest for immortality (Grandaddy learned how to money to hire a lawyer. fication by 1987 and taught very success- Grana’s education. While in New Mexico, scooter in his 80s). Theirs is a story that Meanwhile, after the family returned fully for 12 years, despite hating it. He Grandaddy started performing music full- requires retelling, and I hope this writing to Maine, Grandaddy jacked up the en- still receives a pension from the Maine time again, instead of just in the summer sheds light on the immeasurable impact tire cabin 5 feet into the air by himself retirement system to this day because of like his previous teaching job allowed. Six they have had on my life and the lives of months later they moved back to Abbot, everyone they know. and Grana opened a massage therapy THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 13 Getting By, With a Little Help from Our Friends Dogs: Nature’s Gift in Times of COVID

By Will Lindner

assandra Hemenway’s kids For Mind and Body in need of a sympathetic ear. He’s active wanted a new dog and they If dogs were not dogs, but pills, they with the National Alliance on Mental Cweren’t subtle about letting her would be so widely efficacious that we Illness; he helps train and facilitate sup- know. could toss out nearly everything else in port groups. He testified recently before There was the direct approach: “We our medicine cabinets. Internet searches the Committee on Health Care in Ver- want a dog,” they would intone. reveal a veritable cosmos of scientific mont’s House of Representatives. There was the indirect approach: studies documenting how bonding with “I consider myself open, proud, and scouring the internet and emailing her a canine lowers our blood pressure and out of the closet,” says Dan, summariz- pictures of adorable puppies. reduces our triglyceride levels, improving ing his public engagement with issues Then there was this: “They would cardiovascular health and reducing the that caused private turmoil for much of go on my computer and go to adoption risk of heart attacks. his life. sites, and leave pictures of puppies up so Merely patting a dog lowers our stress Nevertheless, the pandemic tossed him I would immediately see them when I levels by increasing our output of se- a curveball. opened my computer.” rotonin and dopamine, hormones that “COVID was definitely a stressor for But for her, the timing wasn’t right. stimulate our sense of comfort and ease. me, more and more.” She was a single mom, with a demand- Gazing into our dogs’ eyes, as they gaze He had owned retrievers in Connecti- ing job as the outreach manager for the back at us, prompts our amygdala — the cut and knew a dog would be helpful. He Central Vermont Solid Waste Manage- part of the brain that handles fear and tried an adoption, but the dog’s anxieties ment District. stress — to produce more oxytocin, the were the opposite of what Dan needed. “I couldn’t handle the idea of tak- “love” drug. (Happily, reciprocal; dogs Fortunately, his close friend Carolyn ing on an additional responsibility,” she benefit in similar ways.) Grodinsky has a sister in Oak Ridge, says. And, perhaps more than the kids Jasper, the Hemenways’ retriever But dogs are not pills. To gain these Tennessee, who provides temporary care — Emery, Aurora, and Alex (the young- rescue. Courtesy photo. benefits, you gotta have the real thing for homeless dogs. One day last summer est and most persistent) — she was still — which is so much the better, because she called to say, “Dan, I found the per- grieving Princess, their German shep- Instagram account: instagram.com/jas- you can’t get exercise walking a pill. Dog fect dog for you.” herd who had died. per_the_doggo12. owners are four times more likely to “At the beginning of August I hopped Gradually, though, she started coming In return, Jasper’s doing an excellent get their recommended levels of exercise, on a plane to Knoxville, rented a car, around. They began checking in with “job” for his adopted family. Jasper was these studies conclude, and people 65 and went to see her,” says Dan. “It took the Central Vermont Humane Society, kind enough to submit a proposal for and older reportedly call upon their doc- me about a minute to figure out that this and on one visit they happened across inclusion in this article, and in one sec- tors with health concerns 30 percent less was the right dog.” a picture and biography of Jasper in the tion he wrote: “My new mom thought often if they have a dog. They got tight on an intimate, two- binder of available pets. I would be a therapy dog for her kid Plus, of course, dogs are funny. day drive back to Vermont. “He was this hugely obese dog,” Cas- [Alex], but I decided to be a therapy dog Dan Towle, of Montpelier, may not There are mysteries surrounding Dou- sandra recalls, “like a golden retriever who for her instead. Before COVID she used have tallied these precise data points, but gie: how he ended up as an underweight had swallowed another golden retriever.” to take me to her office every day. Now he was well aware of dogs’ value for emo- stray, when it’s apparent to Dan that he But he checked all of the boxes. She I just hang out in her home office and tional support, and that was something was well-loved and cared-for; how old he wanted an adult dog (“I didn’t have time leave my fur all over the floor for her to he needed. is (Dan guesses about five), and what his to train a puppy”), he was mellow (his remember me by.” “I struggled throughout my career in breeds are. Dan believes he’s a retriever weight, if nothing else, would limit his Furthermore, things have changed in finance in Connecticut,” says Dan, “not mix, although he’s a bit lean for that. His energy), and he was affectionate. Jasper’s Montpelier household. Cassan- disclosing to employers my mental health most striking feature is his tail, a thick, “He has a demeanor that says, ‘I love dra is remarried, to Sandy Stevens; Alex, situation, trying to be successful in cor- sturdy handful of fur. you,’” she says. “He did that to us, and 14, is still at home, but Emery and Au- porate America despite periodic mood Dougie has adjusted well to his life in it turns out he does that to everybody.” rora are grown and gone. Six months episodes.” Dan’s apartment, where he must mind So Jasper came to live with them. He ago, Cassandra’s father and stepmother He had a home and a family, a career, his manners so as not to disturb the other was about three, and that was about moved in, having fled Florida where her and a psychiatrist and a therapist. Six residents. Dan, Carolyn, and Dougie go three years ago. And it has done all of father had endured a prolonged bout years ago he was able to retire and move cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. them a world of good. Between a better- with the virus. to Vermont, where he has devoted him- Dougie accompanies Dan on car trips to regimented diet, daily walks, and play “They had to give up their dog when self to mental health causes. He volun- visit his daughter in Connecticut. He’s a time off-leash with other dogs at Hub- they left,” she says. “This has been a hard teers at Pathways Vermont, helping staff good boy. bard Park, he lost 40 pounds, and looks time for everyone. Having a floofy, sweet a support line for callers who are often terrific. Thanks to Alex, he even has an dog to pat and love is a big deal.” homebound and alone and desperately continued on page 14 PAGE 14 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE continued from page 13 unlike Chicago, she could have a dog ful interaction forced upon us by a pet New Kid in Town here. She wasn’t commuting on public who’s not as depressed as we are; the “He arrived and immediately my When Lola showed up, everyone came transit, and wouldn’t be leaving the dog laughter they inspire with their antics; mood and whole attitude and outlook rushing over to check her out. There in an empty apartment every day. It the fresh air we enjoy, even though we changed,” says Dan. “I can’t imagine liv- was Cleo and Murphy and Scout; Basil would be her first dog on her own, and had dreaded the cold, when they go out ing without him.” and Penny arrived a bit later, and also an intimate companion for her in an to poop; the break in cyclical, predictable wanted to get a close look at (and whiff unfamiliar town. She found a reputable, routines. Put Me In, Coach of) the little Labrador puppy. Lincoln, local rescue organization, and learned of Some months into the pandemic, as If Ivy had an extra — a third — set a puppy himself, but a French bulldog, new pups that would be available soon Stephen McArthur and Rickey Gard of paws, you could almost imagine her was hesitant. from Alabama. Diamond sat in their condo in Montpe- using them to wave off the other out- Dogs socialize like mad at the Town “The coordinator sent me this picture lier, Stephen gave it voice. “Wouldn’t it fielders as she gauged the flight and er- of Barre Community Dog Park, but the of Lola, and I had to have her!” says Tori. be wonderful for our mental health and ratic descent of the floating plastic disc. newbies blend in on their own schedule. “I adopted her officially in December, our emotions to have a wonderful pet we “I got it! I got it!” Lola, four-and-a-half-months old, took then picked her up in January. could cuddle with?” he said. (In other And most of the time, she does. It’s naturally to the scene, as the grown-up Puppies are a lot of work, but it’s man- words, the dopamine — or maybe the extraordinary to watch her eyes and body dogs bounded around and their people ageable for Tori because she’s working serotonin — fix.) as she reads the wind, arc, distance, and cooed over the cute new puppy. She’ll from her apartment. “If COVID gave me By then, they had been bereft of their speed, the way the brilliant centerfielder be back. Her person, Tori Steinberg, anything,” she says, “it’s time to train my miniature poodles, Gertrude and Alice, Jackie Bradley, Jr. did for the Red Sox for a few years, as well as the cat they had for eight years. Except that Ivy is a 42- adopted after moving into town from pound Australian shepherd. Where does their spacious Berlin homestead in 2015. instinct end and intelligence begin? The pandemic, in all its stultifying glory, Christie Sternbach-Feist says her six- had settled upon them, driven home and-a-half-year-old Aussie has plenty of most poignantly when they had to cancel both. Along with athleticism. And energy. a trip to California to visit their daughter Those were precisely the qualities Christie and grandchildren. and her husband, Todd Sternbach, were Maybe a dog would be the answer. looking for when they got Ivy at about So they began searching online, and eight weeks old. They had been enthralled learned they must tread carefully. with their first Aussie, Taz; after she died, “We think there’s something of a they returned to the same breeder, in racket going on,” says Rickey. “People Cambridge, Vermont, for another go. The would post adorable pictures and then breeder, Christine Porter, assesses her cli- ask for a down payment.” Stephen traced ents and matches them with the puppy she the address in one such solicitation and deems most appropriate. found there was nothing there. “We like to hike and cross-country They wanted another poodle, but this ski,” says Christie. “I like to kayak at the time the standard size. Or possibly a Wrightsville Reservoir, and I bring her doodle. But, says Stephen, “Many, many with me. She has a little vest, so I can people were looking for those breeds, pull her in and out of the water. Aussies so there weren’t oodles of poodles and are great swimmers.” doodles to be found.” Todd, Christie says, was one of the Long story short, they eventually heard earliest disc-golf enthusiasts in Vermont, from a breeder in Readsboro, Vermont, a passion they converted to “disc dog.” who had two 10-week-olds, both with It’s not just the precision reading of the “defects” (from a show-dog perspective). disc in flight, but also the extraordinary They selected the female with the so- leap at the last moment to snag it out of called “cherry eye,” which is exactly what the air. On lousy days they keep her busy it sounds like, and in October drove inside with “mind games” and “nose down to bring her joyously home. Clockwise from top left: Ivy the Australian shepherd (and her frisbee- work,” sniffing out concealed treats. Now six months old, her name is throwing human), Zola the Labrador rescue puppy, Mango and Ollie the “With Aussies,” Christie says, “you’ve Zelda, after Zelda Fitzgerald, F. Scott’s British Labrador puppies, and Zelda the poodle. Courtesy photos. got to engage their brains.” wife, a literary reference almost inevi- The arrival of COVID last year lent table with Rickey and Stephen. Rickey is new poignancy to the outdoor pastimes of Montpelier, is sold, and that’s partly dog. It’s too easy to get trapped indoors, an author, most recently of “Screwnom- that were part of their lifestyle. Todd, because, like Lola at the dog park, Tori especially in a time like COVID and ics: How Our Economy Works Against an IT consultant, works from home in is a “new kid in town” (tip o’ the cap to with a job like mine.” Women and Real Ways to Make Lasting Montpelier. Christie is an occupational The Eagles). So now these southern transplants are Change” (2018), a columnist with Ms. therapist at the Barre Health Clinic. Tori grew up in Atlanta, in the con- finding people and canines with mutual Magazine, and organizer of a nonprofit When the clinic shut down temporarily stant company of Happy, a Lab mix the interests at Barre Town’s dog park and with a bustling, interactive website, in April, Ivy helped her adjust to her new family got when she was six. After col- exploring their new community together. www.aneconomyofourown.org. She and reality. lege, struck by wanderlust, Tori traveled “Being out with Lola,” says Tori, “re- Stephen founded Rootstock Publishing, “I felt like my time with her gave to Vietnam, where she taught English for duces my anxiety. Honestly, I feel safer. a collaborative enterprise that helps au- structure to my day. I had my own nine months, and then landed an office Humans and dogs both have pack men- thors, many of whom are local, bring workout, and also had to get Ivy out for job in Chicago with a software firm. tality. Humans are social creatures. With their works to the market. hers. I have a tendency to check in on Before a year had passed, COVID put Lola, there’s someone there. She’s defi- Immersed in these activities, whole my neighbors, and having a dog along an end to that, so she searched online nitely supporting me as much as I’m sup- days can pass by unnoticed at the com- makes it easier for people to come out for for another gig. Fast Enterprises, a tech- porting her.” puter. Zelda conspires against that. She a greeting.” nology company specializing in public- is a growing, active, delightful whirling Christie is now back working part- sector support services, hired her and Oodles… Etc. dervish of a dog who has injected en- time, but recreational outings with Ivy sent her to Montpelier on a contract with It was the dopamine rush they missed ergy and not a little serotonin into the are a part of every day. state government. She arrived last Octo- most of all, the “rush” that doesn’t feel Diamond-McArthur household. Their “And we have a fenced-in yard,” she ber, got an apartment, looked around, like a rush but rather the comforting worry now, they say, is that the COVID- adds, “so we often invite the other neigh- and realized, “This is very different from sense of well-being that we get from in- induced isolation that inspired them to borhood dogs to come play. We have a lot Chicago.” timacy with our beloved animals. Well, of pandemic puppies around here.” It soon occurred to her, however, that it was everything, really — the delight- continued on page 15 THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 15 continued from page 14 very minimally. I didn’t want to live by nudges it open, and then the door from myself in these crazy times. I wanted to the study to our bedroom almost silently search for Zelda might have a similar have someone here for company, and be- doing the same. effect upon her. cause of the weird stuff going on.” And then, in the dark, he’s rubbing his “We’ve read about COVID puppies Wendy called Waffles’ breeder, in back and side, atop those long legs, along who are closed in and develop fear and Calais, and learned that she had five the mattress beside me, and burrowing separation anxiety,” says Rickey. So they male puppies available, not doodles but his head into the overlapping sheets, cer- plan to consult a trainer. And meanwhile, British Labradors this time. Waffles had tain that I’d just be delighted to get up what’s good for the goose (the poodle) is had a dog buddy up the road who also and feed him. I put my hand down and good for the gander (the people). died, so Wendy asked her neighbors if in a moment felt his cold, wet nose upon “We have to go outside with her several they would like a puppy, too. my wrist, and then his hard, arched head times a day, and get more air, more sun,” And that’s how Mango and Ollie beneath my fingers. says Rickey. “That’s not a bad thing.” moved to Middlesex, Mango joining No matter where he has slept, I know Wendy and a tenant in her lovely wood- at this moment that it’s 6 a.m., or just a Disquiet frame home, with a nicely fenced-in yard few minutes on either side of the hour. It’s not just the pandemic. We all know (littered with sticks he carries around), Jameson, the author’s dog. And as I lie there, with Jameson snuf- that. It’s these times, and the lurking and Ollie settling in up the road. Mango Courtesy photo. fling beside me, I break into a peaceful turmoil that is almost as unsettling as is friendly as can be, and is nine months smile. the stalking virus. They are linked, of old, “almost over the hump,” as Wendy scending languidly until it rests atop his course, the forced isolation and the out- says, of his demanding puppyhood. head. It then moves down to his neck, raged rebellion against isolation being “I have to spend my time getting this which he scratches in slow motion where CLASSIFIED AD two sides of the same coin — a coin of little guy the crazy exercise he needs,” she his collar annoys him. (It’s dark, but I’m First Class Office Space insistent foreboding. says, “but it’s pet therapy for me. I have picturing these wakeup moves because I near Capitol at 149 State No time not to have a dog, Wendy a bad knee right now, but we walk or ski know them well.) Street, Montpelier, VT. two to four miles a day. It’s critical for After a few minutes of this I hear him Freundlich concluded. For her, the gen- Perfect location within a 3-minute eral, societal disquiet had been matched my mental health. If I didn’t have a dog, stand up, and then — I know it’s com- walk to Capitol. Beautiful Greek by shifts in her personal situation that on a lot of days I wouldn’t go outside.” ing — the flappy sound as he shakes and Revival building renovated left her largely on her own in rural That would make bad times worse. his collar jingles and his big hound ears throughout. Handicap accessible, Middlesex. Her children were out of the Mango’s not going to let it happen. careen wildly across his head. foyer, waiting room and restroom. house, her stepfather had died in August, If he sleeps downstairs (it’s always up Includes off-street parking, office and her mother had grown impaired and The End… and the Beginning to him), the first sound will not be of his cleaning weekly, heat, AC, hot had to move into a facility. Waffles, her And now to Jameson. toenails clicking upon the staircase, as water, snow removal, landscaping Labradoodle, should have been her help- If he sleeps upstairs, on the dog bed one might expect, but of the door lead- and full maintenance. Suites and mate in these circumstances, but she had in our room, the first I will hear of ing from the hallway to the study slid- single offices starting at $345.00 had to euthanize him in June. him in the morning will be the almost ing with a whisper across the rug as he per month. Call 508-259-7941. “I run a mentoring program for kids,” imperceptible sounds of his grooming — Wendy adds, “but because of the pan- rhythmically licking his left rear thigh, demic and life in general I’m working an occasional tiny snuffle, the paw de- PAGE 16 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE How to Get the Kids Cross Country Skiing

by J. Gregory Gerdel

he start of this year’s Bill Koch In addition to masking, finding suf- League was delayed by the ficient parking space and maintaining TCOVID-19 pandemic; however, physical distancing provoked other chal- coordinator Naima Green persevered lenges. “It’s been different this year be- and had the popular program up and cause of COVID, and we’ve had to make running by early February. Of course, some changes to the regular routine,” COVID-19 guidelines required consider- Green notes. “An example is splitting the able changes from the way the program groups up by venue so that there aren’t has been run for more than a decade. too many folks gathering at the same Established by former Olympian and parking/starting location. We’ll have one Vermonter Bill Koch, the program is part group ski the Sparrow Farm fields, the of a national program for young skiers other in Sherwood Forest, and a third aged 5–13, with the local program run group close to the Morse Farm Sugar- under the auspices of the Onion River works on County Road. Wearing masks Nordic Club. Green points out that the and trying our best to remain physically Montpelier Recreation Department also distant!” supports the program and provides ad- The Feb. 28 Bill Koch League event ministrative assistance with registration, at the Capitol City Golf Course, for- although it is now closed for the season. merly the Elks Club, with Onion River Two more sessions of the League will Nordic Club-groomed trails, might have happen on March 6 and 14. brought back memories for some who With 35 kids participating, this year are now of grandparent vintage. The has seen more parental involvement than location was reminiscent of the commu- in years past. “Whereas in previous years nity’s first BKL in the late 1980s, when the parents may have dropped off their John Lazenby and Steve Sease founded kids, apart from our oldest group of the local program. Grooming was then skiers, parents must be present to help largely limited to skied-in tracks and Jude Morse, 8, is delighted that he’s figured out how to skate-ski this their kids out if they need anything — a side-stepping to pack a path on the week. Photo by J. Gregory Gerdel. dropped mitten, a troublesome binding, steeper downhills. a hug!” Green explains. Those young skiers grew up to partici- pate on the Nordic teams at both Mont- racing. Pre-pandemic, Bill Koch League pelier High School and U-32. About ten has had as many as 80 young skiers par- years ago Dan Voisin and Brian Carlson, ticipating during the winter season. along with other members of the club, Although racing is an option for young re-energized the local Bill Koch League, skiers, the focus is having fun — learn- including creating a summer program for ing and refining technique is almost junior skiers interested in training for ski coincidental. The approach works well. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 17

Cruising the COVID Opinion Information Superhighway

pain, depression, headache, loss of taste Samba music. And it might tell you that desires, along the way you might learn or smell, diarrhea, and “brain fog” may these leg twitches can be controlled by how you can expand your collection of mean you now have, or have already rapidly consuming several caipirinhas, Ladysmith Black Mambazo albums. had, COVID-19, as opposed to, say, in- along with information on where to pur- And what about that U.K. variant? fluenza, where the signs and symptoms chase cachaça. Or that an urge to find A website’s headline might read, “You By Larry include fever, fatigue, cough, joint and and wear Carmen Miranda fruit hats know you have the U.K. variant of Floersch muscle pain, depression, headache, loss is a reliable sign of being infected with COVID if you start talking like Ringo e are fortunate that the in- of taste or smell, diarrhea, and “brain the Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Starr.” Or if you have a desire to drive on ternet has put vast amounts fog.” addition to explaining that bananas are the left side of the road. You may sud- of information at our finger- But now the medical experts, along bad for you. denly “Mind the Gap.” And in serious W with a guy named Ivan, who lives in Another website might point out that cases you may have a strong desire to tips. Some of that information is even true. his pajamas in a basement apartment you may have had the South African recolonize vast areas of the globe. (This Where else could you find details on in Moscow and controls most of the variant of COVID if you suddenly de- probably accounts for the predictions by extremely important topics, such as “50 internet from his laptop, are confronted velop an affinity for wearing safari cloth- some experts at the CDC that the U.K. Famous Actors You Probably Forgot by a new dilemma — the variants of the ing. Or you long to own a 1955 Land virus will become the dominant variant were on Grey’s Anatomy”? I mean, who original coronavirus. Rover Series I. You might inadvertently by the end of 2021.) And if you have the knew that famous actors such as Bellamy Merely listing the most obvious signs start referring to Zimbabwe as Rhodesia. U.K. variant, you will certainly want to Young, Clea Duvall, Scott Foley, and and symptoms of COVID-19 will no In rare cases, a person afflicted with the keep calm and carry on. June Squibb appeared on that show? I longer suffice. The future in dealing with South African variant may develop a Much more research is needed. I’m didn’t. Or how about the site “Things this pandemic will require more research strong aversion to anyone who has the sure that people at the CDC and Ivan are You Never Knew About the Royal Fam- into extremely subtle signs and symp- U.K. variant of the virus. And because working on it right now. ily’s Unusual Eating Habits”? I’m sure toms of the variants and more websites the internet can adapt to your needs and that site was popular right up until explaining how to distinguish the vari- Oprah’s recent interview with Harry ants from each other. and Meghan. Thanks to her, we all Suppose researchers discovered that a now know members of the royal family person suffering from all the usual signs mostly feed on each other. and symptoms also had a subtle hanker- The internet really came into its own as ing for some tasty roast pangolin? You a resource during the current pandemic. would know immediately that person is Many websites appeared that were de- infected with the original coronavirus, signed to keep you informed about the which was traced back to a wet market in details of this dreaded disease. You can Wuhan, China, where pangolin was sold. recognize these websites from headlines As research into the variants continues, such as “You know you have COVID at some point in the near future you may if . . .” or “Sure signs you’ve already had see headlines like “You know you have COVID. . .” the Brazilian variant of COVID if . . .” By just clicking “Continue” on these and then the website would go on to de- sites you are immediately connected with scribe a symptom such as uncontrollable the knowledge of experts. The signs and leg twitches brought on by listening to symptoms of COVID are described one page at a time, so you can absorb the important details as you click through them at your own pace. After hours of clicking, you almost feel like an expert yourself. Along the way you might also learn you can lease a 2021 GMC Denali for $159 a month or all about the five worst foods for real men. You will learn from these sites that fever, fatigue, cough, joint and muscle PAGE 18 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Energy Disclosure then be filed with the City Clerk, Watson said. Continued from page 1 The mayor said the ordinance is needed to incentivize more energy efficiency up- improvement, or I should say it increases grades to Monpelier’s housing stock and the number of folks who end up mak- to help the city meet its goal of being 100 ing energy improvements to their home percent net zero energy use by 2050. that they weren’t otherwise planning on Watson said the disclosure at the time making.” of sale could give sellers an opportunity to To obtain an energy profile, prospec- highlight improvements they have made tive sellers would go to a website main- but more likely might encourage buyers tained by ClearlyEnergy, which crunches to include the cost of efficiency upgrades the data according to its own algorithm into their mortgage loans. and issues the energy profile in the form “Data that I have seen is that buyers of a PDF to be shared with potential make improvements and that sort of buyers and realtors. It takes about 10 to makes sense because if you provide that A sample energy 20 minutes to fill out the form and there information at the time of listing, then disclosure. Courtesy image. is no cost for the profile for Montpelier that is a powerful piece of information residents, but there would be a $15 per that the buyer can use in negotiating back that power but allowed for the cre- if you’re really trying to make an impact page filing fee due to the clerk’s office with their lender for a mortgage,” she ation of a disclosure ordinance. on energy efficiency that’s a pretty small at closing. said. Many realtors were critical of the char- subset of the total housing stock to be pe- The Vermont Home Energy Profile The ordinance also includes a $25-a-day ter change proposal two years ago and nalizing those folks that are at a point in concept stems from years of energy la- fine for sellers who refuse to provide an argued that such decisions are better their housing process where they have all beling work by Efficiency Vermont and energy profile after listing their property. made on the state level. Longtime Mont- these other costs, all this other process, other groups to create a standard for as- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions pelier realtor Tim Heney said that senti- and overhead happening,” Heney said. sessing a home’s comparative efficiency. and preparing for the effects of climate ment applies to the disclosure profile as Watson said it makes sense for Mont- The profile is not a substitute for an in- change has been a key focus for the well. pelier to go it alone on certain issues if home energy audit. mayor in recent years. “I’m in favor of energy efficiency,” he it helps to raise the level of the conversa- When a property is listed for sale the The disclosure ordinance stems from said. “I spend a lot of money on it, I be- tion. For example, shortly after Montpe- ordinance calls for the document to be the city council’s energy efficiency char- lieve in it, and I invest in it. But I think lier residents voted to ban the use of plas- provided to real estate agents working on ter change that was narrowly approved this is kind of a punitive approach and tic grocery bags the state followed suit. the seller’s behalf; to buyers who visit the by voters in 2019. That measure, which kind of a bureaucratic approach and I “So in a sense we are leading here, and home while it is listed publicly for sale; passed by 32 votes, would have given don’t think it’s the best approach.” I think the community in general cares and to the buyer at closing. the council the authority to set energy He said he would prefer that resources about climate change and wants to be a The buyer and the seller would also efficiency standards for all residential be spent on assisting homeowners in per- leader around climate issues, and so that, be required to sign a statement at clos- and commercial property in the city. forming energy efficiency improvements I think, is something that we can be re- ing that acknowledges the presence of a The state legislature, which is required to and that there are bills pending in the ally proud of,” she said. profile. The profile and statement would approve changes to a city charter, scaled legislature to do that. The first public hearing on the pro- “There were roughly 88 single-family posed ordinance is scheduled for March home sales last year in Montpelier, and 24 via Zoom. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 19 CALENDAR OF EVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 18 tion about the New Hampshire Grants Chief Don Stevens. Community Col- and New York’s claims to the land that ART pet Theater hung in Rabble-Rouser’s lege of Vermont, 5 p.m., Free. Busi- became Vermont. Bob Hoar will dis- 8-foot windows on Main Street. The nessman, writer, and lecturer Don Ste- cuss the early conflicts with New York GALLERIES exhibit extends onto the giant brick vens, Chief of the Nulhegan band of over ownership of land in what is now wall adjacent to the alley. The gallery the Coosuk-Abenaki nation will appear Vermont. The turning of the tide was The Front. “Daryl Burtnett: Respite” includes a piano for passers-by to play. as part of the college’s Abenaki speaker the standoff between the Yorkers and March 5–28, 6 Barre Street, Montpe- series. Chief Don Stevens is the former the Green Mountain Boys at the Break- lier. Burtnett’s mixed media works ONGOING chair of the Vermont Commission on enridge farm near the Henry Bridge in on paper and canvas draw inspira- Native American Affairs and led the Bennington, sometimes described as the tion from the marks, textures, and EVENTS fight to obtain legal recognition for the birth of Vermont. Registration and more imprints time leaves on things and on Abenaki people in Vermont. Registration information at benningtonmuseum.org us. The Front is open Saturdays and 2021 Book Discussion Group. Al- and more information available at admis- or call 447-1571. Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by drich Public Library, Barre. A virtual sions.ccv.edu/portal/speakerseries or call appointment. thefrontvt.com or call monthly book group at 5 p.m. on 828-2800. TUESDAY, MARCH 23 552- 0877. the third Wednesday of each month. Melanie Finn and Chera Hammons April’s book is “Deacon King Kong” Where are all the Great Women Art- Studio Place Arts. 201 N. Main Author Talk. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Street, Barre. Three new exhibits by James McBride (April 21). aldrich- ists? Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 6:30 publiclibrary.org or call 476-7550. p.m., Free. Award-winning portrait artist 7 p.m., Free. Kellogg-Hubbard Library opened March 16. “Up & Away,” a August Burns will give a surprising and and Bear Pond Books present a virtual group show about flight; “In Place of Story Time with Miss Meliss. Kel- thought-provoking take on art history. reading and discussion with Melanie Absence,” woven and mixed media logg Hubbard Library, Montpelier. A Burns is a painter whose portraits and Finn, author of “The Hare,” and Chera works by Gail Skudera; and “De- weekly storytime for preschool chil- figures reach deep into her subject mat- Hammons, author of “Monarchs of the Functioning the Functional,” five art- dren on Tuesdays and for young read- ter, bringing the essence of each person Northeast Kingdom.” Registration and ists explore waste, grief, desire, nar- ers on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Story and touching the viewer through her more information at kellogghubbard.org rative, and communication. Open times are streamed online: facebook. paint. Registration and more informa- or call 223-3338. Tuesday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. com/KelloggHubbardLibrary tion available at kellogghubbard.org or Lissa Schneckenburger and Corey studioplacearts.com or call 479-7069 Monthly Book Group for Adults. call 223-3338. DiMario Concert. Chandler Center for Rabble-Rouser Chocolate Café Jaquith Library, Marshfield. Meets the Arts, 7 p.m., donations accepted. and Event Center. Peter Schumann: over Zoom on the fourth Monday FRIDAY, MARCH 19– Fiddler and folk singer Lissa Schneck- Bedsheet Mitigations Exhibit, Feb. of each month at 7 p.m. New mem- SUNDAY, MARCH 21 enburger takes the virtual stage with her 22–March 31, 64 Main St., Mont- bers welcome. Upcoming books: husband, double bassist and tenor gui- pelier. “The In and Out Show, ‘Off “Chances Are…” by Richard Russo A Celtic Equinox Music Festival. tar player Corey DiMario, of the band We Go’ riding through ‘The All’ (March 22) and “Cringeworthy: A Cabot Arts, $20 Suggested Donation. Crooked Still. Together they will present with Bedsheet Mitigations,” features Theory of Awkwardness” by Melissa For 2021, Cabot Arts is partnering with ballads, original fiddle tunes, and re- paintings on discarded bedsheets by Dahl (April 26). jaquithpubliclibrary. Féile na Tána festival in Carlingford, imagined pop classics. More information Peter Schumann of Bread & Pup- org or call 426-3581. Co. Louth, Ireland to present a trans- at chandlerarts.org or call 728-9878. Atlantic selection of emerging acts and established talent in the field of tradi- tional and contemporary Celtic Music called “A Celtic Equinox Music Festival.” Workshops given by festival performers are available for an additional fee of $25. Tickets and more information at cabo- tarts.org or call 793-3016. SATURDAY, MARCH 20 Beg, Steal, or Borrow Concert. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Cen- ter, 112 Hourglass Dr., Stowe, 7 p.m., $15–$25. Spruce Peak’s Winter Concert Series presents Beg, Steal, or Borrow for an evening of traditional and im- provisational bluegrass and roots music. Known for warm harmonies, virtuosic instrumentals, and tight musical inter- play, Beg, Steal, or Borrow features an ever-growing repertoire of solid original music. In-person tickets are $25, while tickets for the virtual show are $15 and available from sprucepeakarts.org or by calling 760-4634. SUNDAY, MARCH 21 Birthplace of Vermont: The 1771 Breakenridge Standoff. Bennington Historical Society, 2 p.m. Free. Join the historical society in a virtual presenta-

Advertise! PAGE 20 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE Attending College During The Pandemic Local Students Share Their Stories

By Anika Turcotte

he COVID-19 pan- demic has changed many Tthings this year, and col- lege is no different. The num- ber of students who attended a college or university this year was down 22 percent nationally compared with 2019, according to thejournal.com, and many have attended remotely. The ex- periences of three local college students illustrates the unusual nature of higher education this school year. When Nadia Scoppettone graduated from Montpelier High School in the fall, she was enrolled in Amherst College. When the college announced that they would be completely Above, Nadia Scoppettone in class, while traveling cross-country by van. virtual this year, Scoppettone Right, Ginger Knight explores Washington, D.C. Courtesy photos. decided that transferring to UVM would ultimately be a better fit. It would allow her a get motivated to do school when you are able to explore the city to- similar learning experience and be sig- are in all of these beautiful places,” said gether before attending in per- nificantly more affordable. Scoppettone. son next year,” Knight said. The remote option of UVM would She and Hughes have been on the road Knight’s classes have about 15 allow Scoppettone to attend school from for roughly five months and plan to re- to 20 students, and break-out anywhere and that was not an opportu- turn to Vermont by spring. rooms have allowed her to con- nity she was about to pass up. “I decided Ginger Knight has been in Wash- nect with fellow students. Her I wanted to go on a trip,” Scoppettone ington, D.C. since January 5. A U-32 professors host office hours as said. grad, she attends American University well, which enables a more personal felt ready to move onto the UVM cam- In June, she bought a Dodge van from of International Service. During the fall, relationship. pus. Her parents were supportive of her a friend’s dad. She spent a month reno- Knight attended classes remotely while There are many other students in decision despite rising COVID-19 cases vating the vehicle and preparing for the living with friends on Cape Cod. “We the neighborhood in similar situations, in Burlington. “They ultimately knew trip. Her boyfriend Max Hughes was all had jobs at the same resort and so which Knight values. that this would be a good experience for also attending college online and de- I would work between classes,” Knight “It’s a nice way to be a part of the me,” said Gingold. cided to come along. In early September, said. school without being on campus,” she She is currently living on campus Scoppettone departed Vermont, heading The Cape resort closed for the season said. and attends classes online. Because of for Glacier National Park, Montana. at the same time Knight was finishing When Lily Gingold started the year, COVID-19 restrictions, she cannot have Since then, she has been touring much finals, so she returned briefly to Ver- she was not as connected to her school, a roommate, so branching out in such of the United States in the van that mont for the holidays before moving to UVM, as Knight is now. After graduat- a regulated environment is slow going. doubles as home and a classroom. Stay- D.C., where she is still attending classes ing from Montpelier High School in the Still, just like thousands of others, Gin- ing in national forests and the occasional remotely. spring, she decided to take courses last gold hopes to make the best of a compli- Walmart parking lot, Scoppettone uses Knight is currently sharing an apart- fall remotely from home. “For the first cated college experience. her phone to hotspot her computer and ment with another Vermont college stu- semester, I mostly made the decision Current high school seniors planning attend her classes. dent. It was a bit of a struggle to find a based on how comfortable I would feel on college seem to be expecting a return The internet connection is often shaky, space in the right location and within and the options I had at home,” Gingold to normalcy. Lissa Knauss, a guidance and working in such a small space has its the right price range, but Knight enjoys said. counselor at Montpelier High School challenges. “It’s also a little difficult to the benefits of being near campus. ”We By staying in Montpelier she was able for 11 years, said that she has seen few to keep her job and stay in touch with changes with the Class of 2021’s college high school friends. Having the support plans. Students continue to apply at rates of family was also helpful for Gingold consistent with the past, she said, sug- and allowed her to comfortably transi- gesting that college attendance in the fu- tion into college academics, she said. ture may increase from this year’s levels By the second semester, however, she and will likely resemble previous years. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 21 E is for Engineering

By Mary Cole Mello

ot long ago, if you asked an final document was the result of col- Iris Alexander, explains, “Our challenge are investigating the possibilities of geo- eight year old what engineers laboration by leaders in science, educa- was to make something that would hold engineering. This involves intentionally Ndo, you’d probably get a quick tion, business, and industry. The actual up 18 marbles.” altering our climate through the use of answer, “They drive the trains!” This writing of the standards was completed The class also creates structures in- technology. These technologies include story makes eight-year-old Silas O’Neil by a 40-member team from 26 different tended to make life easier, a specially strategies designed to remove carbon smile. states including Vermont. After it was designed back scratcher for example. dioxide from our atmosphere as well as “Engineers solve problems,” he says, released, Vermont was one of the first Building their own games out of ping solar engineering, for example, reduc- “They fix things. They figure things six states to adopt the standards, which pong balls, egg cartons, and other found ing the effects of sunlight by reflecting out and they build new things. Engi- include “engineering design practices” objects is also popular. Children who it back into the skies. Imagine gigantic neers can drive trains, but there are all from K through 12. grow up with an awareness of engineer- airplanes flying higher than commercial kinds of engineers, like. . . electrical Is this really necessary? There’s so ing as a career are more apt to consider jets shooting aerosols into the strato- engineers.” much on the agenda for your elemen- it as an option. Many of them now busy sphere. Silas’ teacher is Nancy Mears, who tary school student. In addition to the with perfecting their structures will be Depending on who you talk to, geo- teaches second grade at Montpelier’s new standards, the curriculum includes better able to understand the scientific engineering is either our best hope for Union Elementary School. She’s also phonetics, reading comprehension, writ- issues they’ll deal with as adults and keeping the planet habitable or a weird a former architect who says, “I love ing genres, and math. And maybe your some will become our future engineers. reckless science with potentially disas- teaching engineering because it feels real mother-in-law keeps asking why the kids What problems will they be asked to trous side effects. Who’s right? Young and can incorporate many math and haven’t learned to write in cursive yet. solve? In this century, nothing may be engineers like Silas, Iris, and their literacy skills, such as graphing, infor- The authors of the framework, however, more pressing than climate change. friends who are playing with engineer- mation writing, and the understanding remind us that “In some ways, children Scientists who fear we’re way behind ing in classrooms today may have an- of nonfiction texts.” Although Mears are natural engineers. They spontane- schedule in reversing climate change swers for us tomorrow. may be uniquely suited to this study, ously build sand castles, dollhouses, and engineering is a part of the curriculum hamster enclosures. and they use a vari- for all Vermont students from kinder- ety of tools and materials for their play- garten on. ful purposes….Children’s capabilities to When did young children begin design structures can then be enhanced learning about a topic they might not by having them pay attention to points even be able to spell? of failure and asking them to create and One impetus arose from the publica- test designs of the bridge so that it is tion of the Carnegie Report in 2009. stronger.” This document focused on the impor- Teachers like Mears value the inclu- tance of science, technology, engineer- sion of this topic. “Problem solving is ing, and mathematics as “engines for one of the most important skills we can democracy.” Ultimately the report led teach,” she notes. To better understand to a framework for science instruction, engineering practices, the children in which outlined what students in grades her classroom may be offered a variety K–12 should know in the fields of life of problems to solve and many have science, earth science, physical science, to do with building structures; for ex- and engineering. The framework formed ample, a tower of straws and tape that the basis for the Next Generation Sci- can hold a baseball, a bridge that can ence Standards, but there were many span a specific distance and hold an steps in between, and the entire process apple. Silas is proud of his structure took more than two years from the sum- built out of toothpicks and clay, “Mine mer of 2011 to the winter of 2013. The was the second tallest!” His classmate,

Advertise! Call Rick, 802-249-8666. PAGE 22 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE Go Wish: A Fun Way to Spark Tough Talks

By Linda Radtke

emember the Go Fish card game However, one thing that was miss- and then from the first pile, picking the other better after 40 years as a married from your childhood, or per- ing for us was a frank discussion of the top ten and then further ranking them couple. For some families, these talks Rhaps playing it as an adult with underlying emotions and values that in- in order from 1 to 10. may happen in a hospital waiting room, young people? A variant, the Go Wish form the practical decisions of each of us, Then, together, each person shares his or may not happen at all. card decks, enable serious conversations how we are alike, and in which ways we or her individual wishes. It is instruc- Both of us wish we had meaningful about important personal values, espe- differ. A younger couple recommended tive to see where there are differences. discussions past the practical decisions of cially those about illness and end-of-life the Go Wish card deck, which they used Our friends also tried sorting the cards finances and funerals with our parents, preferences. They are especially useful to enable what is, for many of us, a diffi- as each imagined their partner would focusing on the underlying preferences in a family setting, with partners, or cult conversation on a sensitive topic that rank the top ten, and then compared each had. My father would never have parents. nobody really likes to think about much. the actual results. How well do we really initiated such a conversation, and I re- Before COVID, my husband Bob and Since death is a fearful thing for most know each other, even after decades of spected his privacy, but would he have I often used our long road trips as mar- people, it makes sense that we avoid con- marriage? been drawn in had I completed MY riage summit conferences, to have im- fronting it; but since it is inevitable, we What did Bob and I discover? Some of deck and shared it with him first? Chil- portant talks about long-range personal need to consider in a calm and clear-eyed my choices did not match my husband’s dren sometimes die before their parents, and professional goals, dreams of travel, manner what kind of life we envision. (for example, having a trusted advocate, so why should he not know about my and future house projects. These days, Here’s how it works. Each card in because I am terrified of the Alzheimer’s wishes? If he had sorted the deck, what we are home together, and even before a deck of 36 Go Wish cards contains disease in the women in my family, and parts of his values would have surprised the pandemic we visited a local lawyer to phrases such as “to have a doctor who not to be short of breath, because of me? Which would have deepened our update our wills (the last had been done knows me as a person,” “to be free from my frightening experience with double bond? Since my mother spent her last ten in 1981 by the lawyer’s father, when we pain,” “to meet with a spiritual advisor,” pneumonia). He considered other issues years with Alzheimer’s, wouldn’t it have had $86 in the bank). After the health “to have close friends near,” and my fa- that I had not ranked highly: to die at been wonderful to find out her values and concurrent complications of my par- vorite: a wild card, to which each person home and to be mentally aware. We well before she was not able to articulate ents’ final years, we felt motivated to assigns a particular phrase that repre- agreed on the importance of human them, especially about her religious faith? complete the Advance Directives as well. sents a unique wish. (For me, it was to touch, to be free from pain, and to be So for all of us: Wake up. Stuff hap- These are essential practical matters that have music as a companion in illness; for kept clean. I felt comforted that using pens. Be prepared. ease the way for those left behind. It is Bob, to be with the person he loves). the cards at home during a quiet day a loving act to take these actions well Each person sorts the deck in private, made this valuable conversation easier “Go Wish: Decide What’s Important before the need arises. first grouping the cards into three piles, and actually fun as we got to know each Together” can be found at gowish.org THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 23

Letters to the Editor

Need to Rethink Cost of sources in continuing to offer a top- ment of the Center’s FEAST program, older adults isolated at home, especially Roxbury Students notch education for all our students. ensuring more older adults have access to during the pandemic, to get a regular Jean Olson, Montpelier healthy, nutritious meals. Check out the delivery of meals they don’t have to cook Editor, offerings here: http://www.montpelier- and don’t have to worry about paying for. As I read through the presentation of Food for Seniors — Get vt.org/marchformeals . FEAST’s Meals Call FEAST to sign up: 262-6288 And the proposed 2022 budget, I was con- on Wheels program serves anyone over the best part is sharing my heart and cerned to see the cost per pupil to edu- The Word Out About the age of 60 right here in Montpelier smile with each and every one of them! cate the 32 current students at Roxbury FEAST and northern Berlin who needs regular For more information please contact School was at least $10,000 higher than Editor, access to healthy, delicious food, nutri- Sarah Lipton, FEAST Program Man- at any of the three Montpelier-based As a passionate volunteer driver for the tion, education, and social engagement. ager, Montpelier Senior Activity Center, schools. Page 24 of your budget proposal FEAST Meals on Wheels program for I contribute and volunteer for this pro- 802-262-6288. details per pupil spending. over 25 years, I am concerned. There are gram because I experience the impact Kris Clark, Barre Per-pupil cost at Roxbury School is too many older adults in our community myself. I know how much it means to $33,382.01, which is $11,456.27 higher who do not know they are eligible for than at Union Elementary School, FEAST’s delicious, nutritious, free-of- $13,518.49 higher than at Main Street charge meal delivery service. The FEAST Middle School, and $10,223.87 higher program is run by the Montpelier Senior than at Montpelier High School. While Activity Center, which is getting ready additional spending of $320,000 in one to launch a delightfully diverse series year is barely defensible, the thought of of events for their “March for Meals” $1,000,000 over the next three years is campaign. They are offering an entic- really shocking. ing menu of ten diverse, affordable, and I am writing to urge you to begin a pandemic-safe offerings — nine online, community-wide conversation immedi- one curbside — for everyone to enjoy ately about this challenge. We all support from the comfort of their own home. the best possible education for Vermont With a selection including health and students — that’s a given. What ideas wellness presentations to film, music, can we generate that would put $1 mil- and family performances as well as a lion to much better use? delicious family curbside meal pickup, Let’s start talking about this now in there is something for everyone, and all order to maximize the value of our re- proceeds will go to support the develop- PAGE 24 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Middlesex Residents Remember Methodist Church By Linda Radtke

Editor’s note: See story on page 4 about the the donated appliances that were donated the center of community activities for 60 teenagers, “swaying and singing away.” church’s recent destruction by fire. each spring; the Wiley family took in all years, and she learned from them, serv- They found life-long friends there. In the books and sorted and priced them; ing as sexton and treasurer. Her mother, later times, church attendance declined. atricia Wiley, founder of the Mid- and others wrangled the many clothing 93, is still active in the church. Both are Families no longer looked for a church dlesex Historical Society, credits donations. For many years, the spaghetti heartbroken at the recent fire. home, and sports were scheduled on Sun- Pher involvement in the church dinner on Town Meeting Day was held The church was a magnet in the rural days. One young man, she remembers, as the catalyst for her interest in town at the church, as well as the food pantry, community. Because of the large well- loved being in church but loved playing history as she heard the stories from Scouts, and other community-building equipped kitchen with tables and chairs, hockey more. But members of the older elders about the past. When she arrived events. as well as the involvement of genera- generation were committed to the con- in Middlesex with young children, she Patty Wiley shared a history of the tions of church members, the church was gregation and the life of the church. asked the town clerk where she could church: The first settlers built a meeting known in the community for frequent The building itself, Sharon remembers, find other parents for a play group and house that in 1831 became a Congrega- chicken-pie suppers and large receptions was a treasure. It held one hundred souls was pointed toward the church across tional church, a brick structure where for weddings and funerals. The large on the wooden pews; fifty padded chairs the street. Eventually, “Playful People” the Town Hall now stands. In 1837, part room below the church also served as were bought to accommodate the crowd. became an important resource for new of the church was sold to the Method- practice and rehearsal space for area mu- One of those chairs, charred, still rests families in town, and about a dozen ists, and then it became half Unitarian sicians, meetings of Weight-Watchers, on the snow in front of the remains. One families became active in the church. and half Methodist. (They used dif- and the food shelf. The annual summer window survived the fire, and there are “Little kids were allowed to ring the ferent entrances, and the green pews lawn sale was known far and wide, and hopes to restore it. She and a Montpelier church bell, and sometimes they were and organ belonged to the Methodists people spent months getting everything firefighter were able to save the life-sized lifted in the air,” she remembered. Chil- and the red pews and the pulpit were ready. A recent addition was completed “Big Jesus and the Lamb’’ wooden cut- dren also shared their musical talents at claimed by the Unitarians. After some mostly by neighborhood men. A handi- out, which had been a fixture in the services. The pastor at the time, Kim years, this arrangement became uneasy, capped restroom and an elevator were downstairs nursery area for many years; Hornung Marcy, brought many families and so the Methodists built a church installed. In recent days, with declining they laid it outside on the side of the to a growing congregation, sometimes across the street in 1906 and raised funds attendance, a few faithful members took church. But so much else was lost in the so large that folding chairs had to be set for a steeple in 1910. (The brick church care of paying the oil bill and doing regu- fast-moving fire: memorial windows of up in the sanctuary. “Marcy was great burned down in 1910). lar maintenance, and after the death of loved ones, including one for her mother, with kids.” Wiley served as organist for the minister, David Light, services were the baptismal font, the steeple, and the several years. Sharon Merchant Laments led by lay members. spacious meeting space. Throughout the years, members of the Loss of Local Church The church had at least four long- The future of the church at this point church gained a “real sense of belonging” Sharon Merchant has a life-long con- term woman ministers through the is uncertain, but Sharon Merchant speaks as they took responsibility for commu- nection with the church. She was born years, whom Sharon commended for for generations of Middlesex residents nity activities, such as the mammoth in Middlesex and baptized and married being especially welcoming to children who dedicated their time and talents to yearly lawn sale. Retired citizens repaired there. For her parents, the church was and youths, particularly Kim Hornung- the congregation and to the community Marcy. For a few years, she remembers, at large. the back wall of the church held a row of THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 25

The Nerd Choir and the Middlesex Church: A Tribute By Gwynned Rowe O’Hanratty

f a building can house a piece of the did I know I’d end up arranging my shows, followed by blissful gatherings and sultry show tunes shone among the heart, I found a huge chunk of mine life meticulously around that project for and soul-food for days. The first one brightest. Iin the Middlesex United Methodist the next five years. I discovered quite was packed full of people we’d never For as much love as he had to give, the Church — a structure that over the quickly, it directly fed my soul. even met, and everyone sang along and physical organ itself just couldn’t keep years shared so many joys and so many We adopted the narwhal as our pa- left feeling loved. The weather took up. David had a bad heart, and a long sorrows for so many people on their tron guide, and the moniker “The Nerd care of some of the attendance for the history of difficulties. A massive heart walks of life. Choir,” because that’s exactly what we second, but not one person seemed to attack ten years prior had left dam- I can’t remember how old I was when were: a bunch of misfit nerds who- mind. The third was a smashing variety age in its wake, and he was told then I first found myself there. Our fam- formed a choir. We began putting to- show that highlighted some incredible to expect a few more months, maybe a ily attended the sister church at the gether a monthly karaoke night, which local talent and included a community year. Knowing that David was living on time, the Moretown Methodist Church. we held in Middlesex, and eventually we carol-sing that sent everyone off glowing borrowed time made every moment that Mom played piano and I grew up in the gained enough momentum and were of- into the night. much more precious. His death seemed choir loft. I often found the Middlesex fered the space in Middlesex, weekly, to One of the best experiences was tragic at first, but again, as the rhythm UMC a land of wonders. At the time gather. Again I was reluctant, but hav- getting to know Pastor David Light. of life took hold, just getting to know it had a bigger congregation, a regular ing the use of the facilities, as well as the When we first found out that he’d David helped ease our grief. Now I am coffee and refreshment hour (because lovely acoustics, was rather appealing. be in regular attendance, we were a able to recognize what a gift it was. you can have nice things when you have The congregation hall was always mod- little apprehensive that our flamboy- Just like the waxing of the moon a fully stocked serve-through kitchen estly decorated with aging fake flowers, ant expression and loose lips (we were governs the ebbs and flow of the tides, that’s regularly attended by loving and refreshed seasonally with liturgi- definitely rated “SC,” for “Some Cus- all good things eventually come to an folks), and wonder of all wonders, it had cal colors, which were gently neglected sin’”) would be met with reproach and end. Life changes and circumstances not one, but two working restrooms! We until it was time to make way for the we’d need to tone it down. We were emerged, attendance dropped and we would often get together at the church next season, when things were polished pleasantly mistaken! David’s sharp wit petered out. Even though, despite our for community suppers, fundraisers, and spiffed up. cut through any conversation, leaving best efforts, we eventually ceased to and youth group events. My all-time- As soon as we settled into a rhythm either a wave of passing shocked giggles, gather, the loves, ties, and fabric of the favorites were when we would team up there, love flowed into the building. or precious notes of insight, wisdom, tapestry we wove is bullet proof. In find- and rehearse for the Christmas cantata. People found a home and a family they and experience that were only capable ing that space to call a home, we found I remember week after week of show- didn’t even know they were looking for. of provoking some deep inner reflec- our home, and our church. Yes, it was ing up early with mom in time to get We shared so many wonderful, sorrow- tion. Through it all, the amount of love a lovely building, but it was just that, a the heat moving (it took forever to get ful, glorious, and tragic bits of life and and care that was the embodiment of building. Through fellowship and song, the old furnace cranking, but it always gleaned support through our network. David lit up the space every time he was we are the ones that made it vibrate with fired and was always fervently awaited). We hosted our “Karaoke for the Strange in attendance. And the man could sing! the resonance of our love and support People would arrive, and we settled into and Delightful,” which always came My favorite part was watching people for one another, and I couldn’t be more a rhythm. I have no idea what we actu- with the promise of a killer potluck, a decide they were going to sing that one grateful for that time after the bonds ally sounded like, but that was the last free and non-judgmental environment, song and know they’d practiced their we will forever share. It was truly life- thing that mattered. occasionally a dynamite clothing swap, hearts out in preparation...the anticipa- changing, and I thank every single soul A few years down the road found me which ended in a huge donation to char- tion as they took the stage, the way the who dropped by, even if it was just once, off to college, and eventually, for what- ity, and sometimes a theme (we even anxiety would melt away as soon as they to sing a song, eat some food, or our ever reason, the churches dissolved the had a beach party and a luau!). realized this was their time to shine, favorite, to heckle. To just be. shared pastorship. My family remained I watched as people, one by one, ac- and that’s what the masses demanded. Thank you from the bottom of my in Moretown until they were called to cepted for exactly who they were (and David, with his repertoire of swanky heart. move back to the Adirondacks. Oc- maybe more importantly, who they en- casionally I’d make an appearance in deavored to be) find themselves in the Middlesex to sing a solo or play a couple glorious light of fellowship, food, com- of flute duets with my former student munity, song, support, love, and light, at the Christmas service. Otherwise my week after week. It is with pride (if we path led me in a very different direction. did not have pride when we arrived, After a couple of decades, a friend ap- we were blanketed with it upon leav- proached me about kicking off a little ing) that I exclaim we also pulled off a community choir. Initially I was put-off few very successful outings, including by the idea because I was already short a couple of open mics in Montpelier at on time, and it was one more thing Sweet Melissa’s, followed by late-night on the list. But he had a vision, and karaoke at Charlie-O’s World Famous, for some reason it very much included where, I’m not gonna lie, we mopped me, so I bit. Little by little love started the floor with the competition. We also to trickle into our tiny choir. Little put together three consecutive holiday PAGE 26 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Where to Start When Creating an Estate Plan Opinion

By Ellie Stubbs

he COVID- Last will and testament: This is member may be POA for finances and Beneficiary designations: Ben- 19 pandemic the primary document that defines how personal property while another person eficiary designations identify who you Thas made you want your property and other assets is assigned to make decisions regarding wish to receive a particular asset. These Americans even to be handled. It also assigns guardians medical care. designations typically are made within more aware of the for minor children and even pets, and the financial asset itself, such as a life in- importance of plan- it provides a place where you can name Living will: Also known as an advanced surance policy or an investment account. ning for the unex- your executor, the person who will health care directive, a living will It’s important to keep your beneficiary pected. While no manage the dissolution of your estate. conveys your wishes regarding end-of- designations up-to-date following a life one knows exactly what’s in store for Your will can also include directions life medical care. It spells out the extent change such as marriage, divorce, death the future, one thing you can do for regarding your funeral arrangements, of life-extending care you want to receive of a spouse, or birth of a child. your loved ones is create an estate plan such as whether you prefer to be buried in case you are unable to communicate that expresses your wishes in the event or cremated. these preferences yourself. For example, Inventory of key documents of incapacity or death. If you’re like a you can request that medical personnel and contacts: Once you have the lot of people, you may not know where Power of Attorney (POA): This perform invasive life-saving procedures top four legal documents in place, to start, but here are five documents legal document identifies an “agent” or such as resuscitation or tube feeding as it’s prudent to think about how your that can form the foundation of a well- person who can act on your behalf. You needed. Alternately, you can put in place loved ones will access your accounts thought-out estate plan: can choose to be very specific or very a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order and once you’re gone. A document that broad in the authority you assign to the request only comfort care. lists everything from mortgages and POA. In some cases, a different family other bills to bank accounts, insurance policies, real estate deeds, and other legal proof can be very helpful. Your executor will need passwords for online accounts and may need physical copies of birth, marriage, divorce, and Social Security records. Last, provide complete contact information for relevant parties such as your banker, lawyer, financial advisor, and insurance agent.

Although conversations about estate planning can be difficult, they’re criti- cal to leaving the legacy you want. Talk with a trusted financial advisor who can review your entire financial picture and determine what steps you need to take to safeguard your estate.

Ellie Stubbs is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, in Barre. She specializes in fee-based fi- nancial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 18 years. Contact her at ameripriseadvi- sors.com/ellie.stubbs, (802) 622-8060, 14 North Main Street, Suite 2001, Barre, VT 05641. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 27

The Way I See It Opinion My Digitalysis-Paralysis

By Rickey Gard Diamond

am old enough to sults and laughter and wild gestures. has led to my phone ringing on my Remember, we can still use our hu- remember houses Eyes met and knew one another and computer screen, without my knowing man-hand-sized computer keyboards to I with a little assessed the others’ reliability. No one how this happened, or which option it send out an email. We can even more grotto built into a stared at their phones for an answer is, called by what name. And followed slowly pen a message onto a piece of wall, a place where — because the only phone was in the by another update that stopped it with- paper and then stick it in an envelope, you could unfail- hallway in its grotto. Alexa and Siri and out my being the least bit involved. I lick a stamp, and walk it to the post ingly find a tele- Google hadn’t yet been born. am beginning to feel a little murderous office, where a human takes it from phone. It was black, Now I have an iPhone. I can carry it about it, but because we’re in a pandemic your hand, smiling, and remembers your had a dial, and up top, a receiver the size with me everywhere, except I can’t really the only candidate for this would be my name, seldom offering to update your of a turkey drumstick, the whole thing because women’s jeans or slacks typically husband trapped here with me — and options. heavy enough for good use as a murder have no pockets, or ridiculously tiny then how in god’s name would I ever You can get a lot done when there are weapon. Not that anyone ever did that. pockets, or even fake pockets stitched find my phone? days between messages, when there are It never appeared in the game of “Clue” closed so as to slim down one’s hips. Texts from strangers and calendar re- silent spots in your life like little grottos. along with the candlestick because a So, my phone has a tendency to wander minders that butt into my phone calls at These can hold and anchor deep and thick electrical cord attached the tele- here and there. I will hear it ringing key moments feel a lot like having a tod- heavy thoughts about bird migrations, phone to the wall. You couldn’t move it, from some distant spot but rarely for dler again, only not a toddler so cute as breeds of goat, and who exactly was it and its connections to unseen depths in long enough for me to actually find it. my own. It’s the bratty neighbor kid who who wrote “Candide”? Would the an- your house were known only to AT&T. Instead, I must request that my husband waits until I’m on the phone listening swer be in Volume C? In those days there was never any phone me from his iPhone. It’s one of his for some detail to yell at me, demanding question about your having to discover favorite jobs. my attention, interrupting my train of Rickey Gard Diamond is a columnist what the problem was when things Thus, I do find my phone from time thought. at Ms. Magazine and editor/co-publisher didn’t work: Is it the network? The soft- to time and try to keep my eye on it. For It’s a slow train, admittedly. But here is at Rootstock Publishing. Her most recent ware? The service provider? An unstable one thing It must be charged regularly, a question that haunts me. Who exactly book, “Screwnomics: How the Economy connection? A glitch that will disappear and if I don’t remember, it will up and was it, how OLD was the person, who Works Against Women and Real Ways to when you reboot? die in the middle of a conversation with- thought it would be a really good idea Make Lasting Change,” was a 2019 Inde- Never mind all that. You called the out warning. Right now, I’m fighting for us to have to type out messages on a pendent Book Publishers award-winner experts at Ma Bell and they came and off repeated messages from my phone tiny keyboard on our phones? Whose is and, along with her fiction, “Second Sight: fixed it. They owned the phone; you that tell me there’s a new IOS update, the artificial intelligence so smart it will A Novel” and “Whole Worlds Could Pass only rented it. which I estimate is the 73rd since I first auto-correx a word choice of “corner” Away: Collected Stories,” is widely avail- I also remember arguments at the din- purchased it. to “condom” and make you the family able at bookstores and online. She lives and ner table over obscure facts of history, or I don’t want to update but may ulti- laughingstock? writes in Montpelier. the seasons of bird migrations, or certain mately be worn down by my iPhone’s goat breeds, or who was the 15th presi- persistence. I don’t want an update be- dent, or the author of “Candide.” One of cause I will then be offered a tour of us kids would be assigned to go get the 87 new features I never asked for and encyclopedia off the shelf and look in would never have dreamed up and don’t volume G for goats, or U for U.S., which have time for. Nor would I ever be able would answer the question with author- to find the one I might possibly want, ity. If it wasn’t found there, bets would located in 69 possible places. There are be laid, reputations put on the line, no paper glossaries or maps for finding and one of us would go to the library your way through the dunes of digital and search out the answer in aisles that geography. smelled of oak, leather, and musty paper. If I let my guard down, and plug my All these debates were conducted with phone in to charge it overnight, the fiery tones of voice, punctuated by in- update can happen automatically. This PAGE 28 • MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Embracing Winter Opinion (as Opposed to Bracing for Winter)

By Diana Weggler

all me an outlier, but I have never the cancellations list. Then, we’d rush to maligned of seasons. I have observed sand works nicely), a tow rope or chain, understood why Vermont winters the coat closet and drag out our bib snow that what adults of all ages seem to com- and a shovel, just in case you encounter a Chave such a bad reputation, or pants, bulky parkas, red plastic boots (the plain about most often is the cold (as if perilous patch of ice. Because even if you why so many Vermonters head south this kind that slid over your shoes), hats, mit- they expect something different during never get stuck, you never know when time of year. Since moving to Vermont in tens, and scarves and venture out into the the four months between November 30 you’ll be called upon to help some poor 2001, I have become a devout winterphile. back yard. Waist-deep in powder, we’d and March 31!). However; lately I have out-of-stater who doesn’t know how to Far from dreading winter, I look forward tunnel under forsythia bushes that bent to come to the conclusion that it isn’t the drive on Vermont’s back roads in winter. to the days between the winter solstice the ground, beckoning to us. temperature of winter that is so both- Hazardous driving conditions not- and vernal equinox. Perhaps it is because Winter’s white landscape offered a pris- ersome to Vermonters so much as the withstanding, I still hold tight to the I prefer being a little cold to being a little tine canvas for my youthful imagination. inconvenience of it all, particularly when belief that winter is something to be hot, a warm woolen sweater to a sleeveless The year the film “Doctor Zhivago” it comes to driving. enjoyed, not endured; celebrated, not tank-top, and the radiant heat of a wood came out, I remember pretending I was Here in Vermont, most of us rely heav- cursed. And not because I ski. I don’t. stove to the annoying hum of an air con- crossing the frozen tundra, my eyelashes, ily on our personal vehicles for getting But I do enjoy snowshoeing. In fact, I ditioner. Or maybe it has something to bangs, and eyebrows painted with frost, around. In fact, our livelihood, if not embrace the many joys Vermont has to do with the happy childhood memories “Lara’s Theme” wafting through my our very lives, depends on them. We live offer at this time of year. You won’t find it conjures up for me: skating on frozen head. When daylight turned to dusk in a predominantly rural state, where, them in the land of snowbirds. Here are ponds, the comforting hiss of an iron and the dinner bell rang, my sister and for most of us, getting to a grocery a few of my favorites: radiator, the excitement of breaking off an I would trudge sadly up the back stoop, store, a pharmacy, a hardware store, a • Waking up to a winter wonderland. icicle to lick and, of course, snow! our woolen mittens stiff as blocks, our doctor’s appointment, the hairdresser, • Having a good excuse to stay home. When I recall the New England winters toes so cold we could not feel them. the post office, our workplace, a coffee • Delighting in a male cardinal’s bright of my youth, what I remember most is lots Some years after children outgrow shop, a restaurant — you name it — red plumage contrasted against a back- and lots of snow. The more inches that their snow pants, their love of playing involves getting into our cars. In the drop of white. fell during the night, the better, because it in the snow ends. Beset by adult re- winter months, this takes forethought • Playing pick-up hockey outdoors, at usually meant a day off from school. The sponsibilities, any joy formerly derived and preparation. First there is the need night, under the lights. morning after a big snowfall, my sister from winter melts like a snowman on a to “winterize” your vehicle: switch over • Sipping hot mulled cider around a and I would sit glued to the radio, pray- sunny March day, and soon it becomes to snow tires, get it undercoated, add dry bonfire with friends. ing for our school district to be named on socially acceptable to denigrate this most gas to the tank, replace the antifreeze, • Curling up with my knitting next to a make sure your battery can stand up to cast-iron wood stove. freezing temperatures, and top off the • Wearing beautiful handknit accesso- windshield washer fluid. All before you ries: hats, headbands, scarves, neck- even turn the key. warmers, legwarmers, mittens, etc. And unless you keep your car, truck, or • Walking in a silent wood and looking SUV in a garage, every time you go out for animal tracks. you have to allow sufficient time to clear • Going on a horse-drawn sleigh ride. the driveway, warm up the engine, brush • Taking in the view of a snow-capped off the snow, and scrape the windshield. ridge after snowshoeing up a mountain And before leaving the safety of home, trail. you may want to load up with extra • Eating sugar on snow. weight for ballast, (a five-gallon bucket of • Catching snowflakes on my tongue. That said, in the interest of full disclo- sure, there are some things about winter I do not relish, such as when an SUV with Massachusetts plates blows by me going 85 mph on I-89, spitting sand and rock salt onto my windshield, and enveloping me in a blinding white-out. Thankfully, it’s a small price to pay for living in this Green Mountain paradise all year round. What’s your favorite thing about win- ter? Send your responses to dweggler@ gmail.com. Diana Weggler is a retired writer living in Northfield. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 29 The Funny Page Strips by local cartoonists

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OBITUARY Stephen Keyes (“Sky”) Yardley April 18, 1950 – February 23, 2021 tephen Keyes (“Sky”) the time, Polly Jerome, hitchhiked Yardley passed away in on a freighter to Iceland, where SShelburne, Vermont, on they worked for a year in a fish February 23, 2021, after living with factory and on a chicken farm. dementia since 2015. They used their earnings to travel Sky was born on April 18, 1950, to Europe for exploring and hik- in Boston, Massachusetts, to ing. Returning to Frog Run, Sky Charles and Phillis (Ripley) Yardley. and another commune member He was raised in Needham, Mas- started Vermont Produce Cooper- sachusetts with his three sisters ative in 1979, a trucking business and spent glorious summers at that brought produce from the the family cottage on Lake Nuba- Boston Chelsea market to Ver- nusit in southern New Hampshire. mont food co-ops and eventually After graduating from high school took Vermont organic produce to in 1968, he attended Amherst Boston as well. College. After three years of aca- Sky began delivering produce demia, the “real world” called to to the Corner Cafe, a vegetarian him, and he embarked on a jour- restaurant in Randolph, Vermont, ney of discovery. This journey took in 1984. There he met Jane Dwi- Sky Yardley in the 1970s, left, and in 2007, right. Courtesy photos. him to Esalen in California, Calvin nell, the café owner, who became Creek Ranch in British Columbia, his beloved and best friend, and of dementia and was officially pelier, Vermont, and her circle the islands of Hawaii, and the Ap- in 1985 they embarked on their diagnosed in 2016. He wanted of chosen family; his son Sayer palachian Trail. life journey together. Sky and Jane to challenge the stigma around Dwinell-Yardley and his partner It was on the trail that Sky met a built their off-grid homestead, dementia, and he spent the rest Emma Tait of Burlington, Vermont; resident of Frog Run Farm, a com- Full Moon Farm, in Irasburg, of his life connecting with other his sisters Mary Yardley of Lexing- mune in the Northeast Kingdom Vermont, where they raised two people who had the disease. He ton, Massachusetts, Susan Yard- of Vermont. Sky moved to Frog children, Dana and Sayer. While and Jane traveled cross-country ley and her wife, Becky Kent, of Run in 1973, where he reveled in homesteading and parenting, Sky with their sermon and workshop, Natick, Massachusetts, and Janet learning hands-on skills, farming, attended Woodbury College in “Living with Dementia,” which they Yardley of Nelson, New Hamp- building, and tinkering. He worked Montpelier, Vermont, and became gave in 25 congregations. They shire; and his nieces Samantha in the woods with draft horses, a family mediator, a career that started a blog, alzheimerscanyon. Morgan of Freeport, Maine, and sugared, grew food, and built a built on his lifelong attention to blogspot.com, to share their jour- Cody Yardley of Medford, Mas- barn, which later housed a herd conflict resolution and healthy re- ney with others. sachusetts. He was predeceased of 20 Jerseys for the dairy that he lationships. Sky was a curious, playful, by his parents and his aunt Mary started with three other commune Sky and Jane chose to retire easygoing, and loving partner, Ellen Yardley. members. in 2006 and set off on their own parent, and friend. His greatest Sky’s family would like to thank In 1976, Sky and his partner at adventures. They traveled to New joy, beyond spending time with the skillful, caring staff of the Ar- Orleans to volunteer after Hur- family and friends, was being in bors at Shelburne, who looked ricane Katrina. They explored the the natural world: working in the after him so well for the past year. Memorialize your canals and rivers of France on woods, hiking or skiing mountains, A memorial gathering will be loved one in the their beloved houseboat, “Anti- or floating on the water. He loved held at a later date. Donations in pages of The Bridge nous.” They built a tiny house in music — especially playing the Sky’s memory may be made to which they lived, traveled, and did piano and enjoying the live music the Lake Champlain Committee, he Bridge is pleased to offer more volunteering. Sky and Jane of New Orleans — and he always 208 Flynn Ave. #3f, Burlington, Tspace for death notices, obitu- aries, and memorial announce- also traveled aboard their U.S.- had a song for every occasion. VT 05401, or lakechamplaincom- ments, all at an affordable price. based boat, “Iris,” cruising up the He is survived by his beloved life mittee.org, or the South Burling- The fee is 35 cents a word, Intracoastal Waterway from Geor- partner and wife, Jane Dwinell, of ton Community Justice Center, with a minimum purchase of 250 gia to Lake Champlain. Alburgh, Vermont; his daughter 19 Gregory Dr., S. Burlington, VT words at $88. A single photo is In 2015, Sky began to show signs Dana Dwinell-Yardley of Mont- 05403. free of charge. Approved sub- missions will be posted on The Bridge website immediately and appear in the next print edition of the paper. If you are announcing a memorial service and it will take place before the next print edi- tion, please contact us to discuss web-only advertising options. Send submissions or inquiries to editor@montpelierbridge. com. Please include the name, email address, and phone num- ber of the person submitting, and we will touch base with you to arrange payment. The Bridge reserves the right to edit submis- sions to conform to the paper’s style or for clarity. THE BRIDGE MARCH 17–APRIL 6, 2021 • PAGE 31

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