School Tax Up History of Music Scene on Local Climate Activists 8.3 Percent / p.6 Lightning Ridge / p.15 Face Sentencing / p.25

Health & FitnessF r e e , Jan 20–FebIndependent 16, 2021 and Local City Voters To Decide Could Immersing Yourself in On Marijuana Cold Water be By Tom Brown Good ontpelier residents on Town for You? Meeting Day will vote up or Mdown on whether to allow the sale of recreational marijuana to adults beginning in 2022. The City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 13, unanimously approved a ballot item for Town Meeting Day that reads: “Shall the City of Montpelier permit the opera- tion of cannabis Retailers and Integrated Licensees which are licensed by the State of Vermont pursuant to Act 164 of 2020, subject to such municipal ordinance and regulation as the City Council may law- fully adopt and implement”? Under the law passed in the Legislature last fall, each town must vote to allow the sale of recreational marijuana before any individual licenses can be obtained. The “opt-in” vote, as opposed to an “opt- out” method, was a compromise between House and Senate negotiators that helped pass the long-debated bill. Gov. Phil Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature. Middlebury was the first community to set a Town Meeting Day vote. Even though retail marijuana sales won’t begin until May 1, 2022 at the ear- see Marijuana, page 17 Lucinda Newman splashes in the icy Mad River on January 2. Photo by Nic Newman.

By Phil Dodd

ooking for a way to juice up your immune system, im- But a growing number of cold-water enthusiasts believe in

ECRWSS prove your mood, and get a jolt of energy? More and staying cold for extended periods and doing it on a regular basis PRSRT STD Montpelier, VT Montpelier, Permit NO. 123 U.S. Postage PAID Lmore people, including many Vermonters, say you can for its health and psychological benefits. There is even a guru accomplish those things by going for a winter swim or taking for the practice, a 61-year-old Dutch man named Wim Hof. a bracing cold shower. Hof, who is nicknamed “The Iceman” and has been known Of course, this is not a new idea. Many of us have seen pho- to swim among icebergs for 30 minutes at a time, has trained tos of Russians jumping into holes cut into ice on the Russian about 600 Wim Hof instructors, according to Outside maga- Orthodox Church’s Epiphany feast day. And polar plunges, zine. Thousands have taken Wim Hof workshops that conclude where people run and jump into lakes or the ocean in winter (and get out just as quickly) are a popular way to raise money. see Cold Water, page 16

Free, Independent and Local since 1993 / montpelierbridge.org PAGE 2 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Montpelier Police News

Arrest and Release in April 2020. Officers and detectives of Title 12, Vermont Statutes Annotated, Community Feedback Wanted Montpelier for Sex Crimes the department arrested Darnell for en- section 2802(a) (2), and disturbing the The Montpelier Police Department is Against a Child gaging in open and gross lewdness and peace by phone, in violation of Title working to implement a trial period of Montpelier Police report that on Dec. lascivious behavior in violation of Title 13, Vermont Statutes Annotated, sec- a community feedback system called 21, 2020, the police department con- 13, Vermont Statutes Annotated, sec- tion 1027(a). Darnell was arraigned at Officer Survey. For approximately one cluded an investigation regarding David tion 2601, Possessing Indecent Material Washington County Court and released month, the MPD will evaluate the Of- C. Darnell, Sr., 40, which started in Disseminated by a Minor, in violation of on conditions. ficer Survey platform, which will allow for community members to provide Vermont Internet Crimes feedback to the department about inter- Against Children Task Force actions with officers. Officers will have The Montpelier Police Department survey cards that can be provided to has become an affiliate agency of the individuals after interactions or calls for Vermont Internet Crimes Against Chil- service. For more information on Of- dren Task Force. The task force works ficer Survey, please visit officersurvey. to prevent the victimization and exploi- com/company. tation of children through the use of computers, technology, or the internet. Then & Now Historic photos courtesy of Vermont Historical Society; modern photo and caption by Paul Carnahan.

This little house at 34 Barre Street was replaced by a low, Mod- erne-style brick building with great fanfare in 1947. It was occu- pied by a co-op that processed meat and rented freezer lockers to families for fruit and vegetable storage. The large brick house on the left, built circa 1810 and now painted white, was the home of liveryman C.G. Downing, who developed the street that bears his name between these two properties in 1888. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 3 HEARD ON THE STREET

Changes Afoot at the Golf Course Alternate Side Parking The Elks club is giving up its lease on Montpelier’s only golf course and will be Getting the Message Out! Public Works has been posting messages on social media vacating the building there as well, according to the owner of the property, Steve and on its web page informing residents of key changes, and directing readers to go Ribolini. However, the nine-hole golf course will continue to operate next summer to the city website to look up specifics for where they typically park, whether that as the Capital City Country Club. Ribolini’s brother Lynn — who had helped man- be during the daytime, evenings, or both. Please feel free to email any questions or age the Montpelier Elks Country Club — is listed as the manager of the new club comments to Jasmine Benson (jbenson@montpelier vt.org). on the state business registration for Capital City Country Club, LLC, which was filed January 5. Vermont Rail Systems According to a recent Facebook post by the new club, it has ordered 14 new golf carts as well as new large mowing equipment. Membership applications will report- Work to Resume This edly be available soon. Nationally, golfing participation had been declining in recent Spring years, but it jumped last summer during the pandemic. Montpelier City officials report that work on the last segment of the Sergeant Pearson Awarded Team Two Mental Health new rail line that parallels the Si- Services Award boinebi (pronounced see-bo-WEE- neh-bee) Recreation Path will not Sgt. Jeff Pearson has won the Frank Silfies Award. The award recognizes a first resume until Spring. The Vermont Rail Systems project will provide a “run around” responder who exemplifies collaborative work in responding to mental health cri- for freight trains to avoid two aging bridges on the original route. ses: creative collaboration that affects a peaceful, safe, and effective outcome. Sgt. Pearson was nominated for two cases: one involving a traffic stop during which the operator was in a mental health crisis, and the other regarding a domestic incident Police Department Lobby Currently Locked with a threatening male subject who refused to be arrested. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Police Department’s front lobby is cur- rently locked. We ask that anyone needing police assistance to please contact MPD Zoning Permits May Need to Be Extended by telephone at 802-223-3445. If you come in person to the Police Department, please press the button on the front intercom and a dispatcher will speak directly to In response to some questions presented to city councilors, the Planning and Com- you. If you need an officer, an officer will come to the front of the Police Depart- munity Development department wants to remind everyone how to renew permits ment to assist you. for projects that may have been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zon- ing permits are valid for two years and are allowed to receive a single 12-month ex- tension. The permit holder has to request the extension, in writing (email preferred), Social Worker Available to Residents before the original expiration date. There is no fee for the extension, and requests The Montpelier Police Department, the Barre City Police Department, and Wash- should be made to Audra Brown ([email protected]) or Meredith Crandall ington County Mental Health have partnered in providing an onsite social worker to ([email protected]). Building permits are valid for a year and can be help residents in crisis or needing an extra hand during the pandemic. Susan Lemere renewed multiple times. If they are renewed before expiration, there is no fee. If has been a friendly and effective presence in town for the last several months, but renewed after expiration, there is a $10 fee. If you have a building permit for which the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed outreach efforts. If you would like to speak you need an extension, contact Chris Lumbra ([email protected] ). As to Susan Lemere, please contact her through email at [email protected] or always, if you have any questions about projects you are working on or considering, contact the MPD and we can assist with connecting you to Susan. please reach out to the permitting staff cited above and they can guide you through the process. Community Justice Center Seeking Volunteers The Montpelier Community Justice Center, despite seeing fewer referrals for cases resolved in the courts, is receiving a steady flow of pre-charge referrals for a Re- storative Justice Panel process from the Montpelier, Northfield, and Berlin police departments. Additionally, the organization is receiving a consistent level of referrals NATURE WATCH for its Circles of Support and Accountability and transitional housing programs, Artwork and Words by Nona Estrin through which they assist people who are returning to the community. The Conflict Assistance Program has helped residents settle neighbor disputes throughout this teadily, predictably, unlike the af- time, restoring relationships and creating more peaceful neighborhoods. Sfairs of humans, winter nights with The program has 60-plus volunteers who, in FY 2020, conducted nearly 2000 their cold clear skies, shorten. Neighbor hours of service in the implementation programs and while serving on the commu- and friend Rob Halpert has been watch- nity advisory board. Anyone interested in learning more about volunteer opportu- ing this progress and has this to say: nities can contact Carol Plante, director, at 802-522-5566. “My new nightly ritual — sitting out- side by a fire and losing myself in Bridge Community Media, Inc. the night sky — brings comfort and P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601 • Ph: 802-223-5112 certainty, even as life on Earth grows Editor: Carla Occaso more fragile and unmoored. Each night Contributing Editor: Tom Brown Mars will rise high into the southern Publisher Emeritus: Nat Frothingham sky; Orion appears in the east, lying on Operations Manager: Chris Meiman his side, keeping a close watch on Rigel Copy Editor: Larry Floersch and Betelgeuse; Vega shines in the west. Staff Writer: Olivia White Layout: Dana Dwinell-Yardley And later, Sirius, the brightest of all the Ad Director: Rick McMahan stars we can see, will make a shimmer- Board Members: Phil Dodd, Larry Floersch, J. Gregory Gerdel, Irene Racz, Linda Radtke, Nancy Reid, ing, showy entrance over the arbor in Jen Roberts, Mason Singer our yard. Fire and sky: the ancients were Editorial: 223-5112 • [email protected] on to something with this ritual that I Location: The Bridge office is located at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Stone Science Hall. repeat a million years later. The stars, in Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge by mail for $40 a year. Make out your check to The Bridge, and mail to The Bridge, PO Box 1143, Montpelier VT 05601. their constancy reassure us that, some- montpelierbridge.org • facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt how, things will be okay.” Twitter: @montpbridge • Instagram: @montpelierbridge PAGE 4 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE Backing Our Green Future: A Capital Idea

By Will Lindner

alk about your slow starts. The But they, like he did when he was here only thing “new” about renewable earlier and lived in Waterbury Center, Tenergy is its sudden emergence as want to be reasonably well-paid for their a port in the storm, to rescue civilization skills and experience — all the more from the destruction caused by climate so considering the increasingly critical change. These means have been available nature of the work they perform. At for a while, if we’d only looked there the time, though, that wasn’t happen- instead of to fossil fuels. New Yorker ing. “It’s the age-old Vermont story of Charles Fritz created a solar cell that ‘You can’t make good money here,’” says converted sunlight to energy in 1883, Murphy, 39. and mounted solar panels on his rooftop Otherwise, though, he and his wife, the following year. In Scotland, James whom he met in Vermont, were hooked Blythe built a wind turbine to light his on the lifestyle they found here. “The cottage in 1887. day we left we were already thinking Now, some 135 years later — and, we about, ‘How can we settle down in Ver- hope, just in time — renewable energy is mont for the rest of our lives?’” a dynamic growth industry. Fortuitously, His ticket back was Greenbacker Capi- one of the characteristics of growth indus- tal, a company founded by veteran in- tries such as renewable resources is that vestment professionals in New York City they require employees. Since Matt Mur- in 2011, with satellite offices in Portland, phy arrived in Montpelier from Massachu- Maine, and Denver, Colorado. In Mas- Greenbacker Chief Operating Officer Matt Murphy, in the conference setts in 2016 to establish a Vermont branch sachusetts, Murphy worked for Borrego room at the New York-based company’s satellite office on Main Street for Greenbacker Capital, its staff has in- Solar in its operations and maintenance in Montpelier. The gleaming conference table is made from repurposed creased to 13. Post-pandemic, he envisions department. That job increased his ex- solar panels, as are all the desks in the suite of offices that opened in perhaps expanding the total to 20 people. posure in the renewables industry, and in 2019. Photo by Will Lindner. Vermont is a good fit for Greenbacker 2016 Greenbacker hired him to be a vice Capital, in Murphy’s opinion. Despite president for engineering and technical- sons and an Australian cattle dog named • investing, for the most part, in proj- the wealth-management ring to its cor- asset management. The company has Waffles, bought a house in Montpelier, ects that are already in operation or porate title, the company provides lots assets — installations — in 29 states, so where he established a home office. In far along in development, in order to of jobs for operations workers with tech- working remotely was part of the plan. 2019, however, when an acquaintance avoid costly surprises; nical and digital skills. Murphy, who “The deal with Greenbacker was I get purchased a building on Main Street and • citing the comparative certainty of had lived in Vermont and helped Peck to live where I want,” says Murphy. renovated the first floor to house Rabble- its energy sources — the sun and Electric of South Burlington found its Plus, he was certain he could tap into Rouser Chocolate and Craft Co., he wind — compared with the gambles solar division before moving to Massa- the skillsets he had found to be abundant created a spacious second-floor suite for inherent in extracting, shipping, and chusetts in 2011, considers this state fer- among people who were still here and Greenbacker Capital. Thoroughly mod- refining fossil fuels; tile ground for professionals in renewable others who had left. ern, in the 21st-century-workspace style, • mentioning growth, pointing out energy technologies. They are drawn to “I knew I was going to be able to bring with lots of natural light and a kitchen that the costs of renewable-energy nature, he says, and quotes a saying that some of those people back,” he says, with an upscale pingpong table, it also technologies have dropped signifi- “if you want to find operations people “with good wages and good jobs. That contains a half-dozen private offices and cantly and are increasingly competi- [for those industries], you’ll find them at has been a goal of mine.” a conference room with equipment for tive with non-renewable power; the bottom of a mountain.” Murphy and his wife, who have two linking in distant conferees by video. • noting that electricity sales for its The most striking feature, though, is a installations are fully guaranteed Why Renewables? Greenbacker Explains large operations room with a dozen or so through long-term power purchase raisable desks, the surfaces of which are agreements (PPAs) with such cus- n 2020, according to a graph titled “US Energy Consumption by Source,” made of repurposed solar panels. (The tomers as municipal electric depart- Ipublished on “greenbackercapital.com,” renewable resources provided about desks elsewhere are also of this design.) ments. 13 percent of the electricity we consumed in the United States. Right now, because of the pandemic, the Yet Greenbacker Capital is a multi- Not much, but an improvement. The graph goes back to 1970, and it wasn’t office very often is empty, and no more faceted organization. Greenbacker Re- until about 2005 that renewables even showed up. There’s a pale green line than two employees are permitted to be newable Energy Company, LLC, is the across the top of the graph representing an amorphous category of “other,” ac- there at a time. But when the place is division chiefly involved in development, counting for about 2 percent of the total; below it swarm big, fat spaces — in jumping, Murphy says, the operations ownership, and management of individ- black (oil), blue (hydro), and shades of gray (gas, oil, and nuclear) — that show room serves as a monitoring station, with ual projects. It’s an entity, Murphy says, where our real, consequential power was coming from. Renewables, in green some 10,000 sets of data entering each with some of the most extensive holdings (for wind), begin to show up just before 2010, and soon after solar (in yellow) hour from the company’s assets spread in Vermont. makes an entry. throughout the region. “We own 10 megawatts (MW) of But it’s what comes next — the projections — that really matters. From now As for his stated goal of luring young wind, and 50-plus MW of solar some- through 2030, then 2040, and finally 2050 (when the graph ends), the gray line professionals to, or back to, Vermont, where between construction and opera- for oil shrivels and practically disappears; big, black coal, stretched along the that’s happening. One of his early hires tion,” he says. bottom, plummets to about 10 percent; and wind and solar (fairly evenly split) was a former Vermonter returning from Greenbacker Renewable Energy pur- approach 50 percent. Add in hydro — which Greenbacker does — and that Sweden; another came back from Texas; chased Georgia Mountain Community still-small sliver of “other,” and the category of “renewables” becomes dominant a first-time Vermonter moved here from Wind from developer David Blittersdorf, at 64 percent. Colorado. And Murphy was promoted of AllEarth Renewables, for $25.1 mil- The point? Renewable energy is a growth industry. to COO. lion in 2017. (The modest four-turbine Which is a good thing, because it has to be. As Greenbacker Capital explains Greenbacker, as its name indicates, facility, built by a dairy farmer in 2011, on its homepage, “The risk of extreme weather and the need to reduce our aggregates investments, whether from in- originally sported the provocative title, carbon footprint are not the stuff of some distant future — they are realities dividuals, brokers, or investment firms, “Dairy Air Wind.”) today… (I)individual investors have the power to make a difference by direct- to finance renewable energy projects. Its Greenbacker’s solar facilities are scat- ing their capital into socially responsible investments with a focus on Environ- website stresses its cautious risk-manage- mental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.” ment philosophy: see Greenbacker, page 5 THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 5 Alternate Winter Parking Plan Tweaked

by J. Gregory Gerdel

hile city officials say the Amaral reminds callers that “when alternate-day winter park- they get home in the evening, they need Wing plan has been successful to park according to the odd or even date overall, Public Works is still dealing it will be tomorrow.” She also noted that with some challenges. That effort has the greatest number of the tickets issued included strategic changes in some areas in the city is for parking meter violations, and responding to complaints. not alternate-side parking problems. “Once we acquainted the community The redesign of the winter parking with the process, it has gone beautifully regulations was aimed at improving in many of the neighborhoods,” Public snowbank removal and, in a city where Works Director Donna Barlow Casey many people walk, keeping sidewalks said. “A variety of situations have re- clear and safe. With the city’s mainte- quired clarification, and we have made nance staff reduced because of budget re- some changes after talking with resi- strictions caused by the pandemic, it has dents. There have been occasions where been essential to operate snow removal people have been aggravated that they efficiently, Barlow Casey explained. could no longer park where they used While the modest snowfall this winter On January 21, 2019, a moderate snowfall, substantial snowbanks, to park.” has been helpful, the new system has al- and parked cars choked the traffic on Elm Street. Photo by J. Gregory She emphasized that Operations Man- lowed “clearing the streets to the curb,” Gerdel. ager Zach Blodgett’s ability to listen to she added. concerns and implement changes in spe- Blodgett said that the alternate-side area where alternate parking proved an served. “If anyone had statistics about cific locations has been instrumental in restriction is in force throughout the day, awkward fit was in front of the North the number of clipped side-view mirrors making the transition successful. “Of midnight to 5 p.m. and does not end in Branch Apartments on Elm Street. on Barre Street, they’re going to be way course, it has helped that we haven’t had the morning as the winter parking bans Blodgett explained that he worked with down this winter.” any major storms so far this winter,” she did in previous years. Downstreet Housing and Community During the first weeks of the new plan, added. Development, the organization that Public Works staff placed information Adjustments Are Ongoing manages the buildings, to agree on a fliers on cars parked along the streets Confused? Just Ask The City has changed the parking system that allows daytime parking, mir- where alternate parking was required Some people remain confused about designations in some locations — near roring the downtown schedule, Blodgett after Nov. 15. And until mid-December how alternate-side parking works. Mi- Birchgrove Bakery, for instance. That said. warning tickets were issued. chelle Amaral, who administers parking section of Elm Street, where during the The map of the parking regulations, ticket appeals at the Montpelier Police day customers are making brief stops for Reducing Collateral Damage which Blodgett expects to be updated Department, reports that some people coffee and pastries, has been changed to Timely snowbank removal has kept soon to reflect changes, can be found have had difficulty understanding the No Parking 1 a.m. – 7 a.m., the same the traffic flow on Montpelier’s many on the City’s website: montpelier-vt. change from previous years. She notes schedule as downtown. narrow streets safer, city officials say. org/1209/Mapping-Application that if people are confused about where Several of the modifications to the “When we had snow banks and park- “If I had to give us a grade, an A minus to park, they can call the department for original plan were made to accommodate ing on both sides of Barre Street, it to B plus would probably be about right,” clarification 24/7 at 223-3445. accessibility concerns for residents. An became very hazardous,” Blodgett ob- Barlow Casey said.

Greenbacker tiple purposes: easier vegetation manage- so-called “brownfield” that would oth- ergy, “Our company is pretty heads- ment, a cooling effect that protects the erwise serve no valuable purpose. It is down right now. We’re expanding year Continued from page 4 panels from excess heat reflected from reportedly the state’s largest net-meter- after year.” Besides wind and solar, new the ground, and habitat for population- ing project, enabling power customers opportunities could emerge as technolo- tered throughout the state. In 2015, ac- threatened bees and other pollinators. to lease shares of the array and thereby gies such as battery storage expand in cording to Business Wire (businesswire. In another instance of pairing envi- receive discounts on their electric bills. Vermont. (Greenbacker is particularly com), it purchased rights to expand exist- ronmental benefits, last July in south- According to the Brattleboro Reformer, active in this field in California.) ing solar projects in Proctor and Hart- ern Vermont, Greenbacker purchased a “In addition to cost savings, in 2019, the Meanwhile, there’s this yawning space ford. And in December 2019, Business 5.73-MW solar array from Sky Solar. site saved 4,799 metric tons of carbon above Rabble-Rouser Chocolates on Wire reported that Greenbacker had pur- Location (“location, location, location,” emissions, equivalent to 1,037 passenger Main Street — a hive that, like those chased a 14-project, 27.7-MWdc (direct as the saying goes) is the key to mak- vehicles driven for one year.” pollinator-friendly solar fields, is waiting current) Vermont solar portfolio from ing vast solar arrays palatable to a pub- Murphy acknowledges that having a to be repopulated by engineers, techni- frequent partner Encore Renewable. lic that sometimes laments their usage satellite office in the state capital could cians, project managers, IT specialists, A notable feature of that transac- of large tracts of open land. This one present opportunities to lobby for po- accountants, and a certain COO, all tion was that the companies agreed to straddles 25 acres of capped and closed litical reforms helpful to the industry. busy as bees in the growth industry of plant pollinator-friendly ground cover landfill formerly used by the Windham And although he believes Vermont could saving the planet. within the developments. It serves mul- Solid Waste Management District — a improve its stance toward renewable en- PAGE 6 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE School Tax Rate to Rise 8.3 Percent That’s About Half of Original Projection

Bridge Staff Report

oard members of the Montpelier on a home appraised at $200,000 (see Proposed Property Tax Increases Roxbury Public Schools district chart for comparison). Roxbury property Bare expected this week to approve taxpayers would see a reduction of $129 on Assessed Municipal School Combined a budget that would add 14.4 cents to the a home appraised at $200,000. Montpe- Value Tax Tax Tax city’s educational tax rate. The board will lier’s tax rate would increase from $1.726 meet Jan. 20 to approve the $25.7 mil- to $1.87 per $100 of assessed home value. $100,000 +$7 +$144 +$151 lion FY2022 budget proposal that will Overall spending increases 2.8 per- go before voters on Town Meeting Day. cent, or $709,494, over FY2021 under School officials were concerned about the plan, and education spending would $200,000 +$14 +$288 +$302 earlier versions of the budget that pro- increase by about 2 percent, $379,574. jected a 17.9 cent increase in Montpelier’s The budget contains no reduction in $300,000 +$21 +$432 +$453 school tax rate. The revised plan reflects teaching staff. the use of $150,000 more ($400,000 The 14.4 cent increase in the tax rate total) in budget reserves to offset spend- breaks down this way: 3.1 cents for the $400,000 +$28 +$576 +$604 ing increases and assumes a slightly less increase in education spending; 1.2 cents dire reduction in anticipated state fund- due to a drop in equalized pupils; 2.4 The table above shows the Montpelier residential property tax bill ing. An original projection of a $235-per- cents due to the drop in the state yield; increases that will occur if the latest municipal and school budgets are pupil drop in state funding was modified 2.4 cents because of a decline in the state adopted and pass and all other ballot items are approved, including to $100. incentive for merging with Roxbury; and petitioned requests. The increase in the total tax bills from the current Grant Geisler, Business Manager for 5.3 cents due to the state’s Common tax year would be about 5.2 percent. Most Montpelier homeowners MRPS, said school officials were not Level of Appraisal (CLA) adjustment. receive state property tax credits that reduce their property tax bills; comfortable seeking an increase greater Montpelier’s CLA came in at 84.44 the figures above reflect the proposed increases for those who do not than 10 percent. As a result of revenue percent, down from 86.86 percent last receive any of these credits. shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pan- year, reflecting rising property values. demic, Tax Commissioner Craig Bolio Roxbury’s CLA jumped from 97.64 per- sessed at 85 percent of fair market value. City Tax Rate Would Rise a has warned that school tax bills would cent last year to 102.19 percent this year, The CLA is calculated by the state each Fraction rise by about 9 percent statewide. reflecting declining property values. Be- year and used to make sure education City Councilors left the $14.7 mil- “We have prepared a new budget that cause of its CLA adjustment, Roxbury’s taxes are fair from town to town by ad- lion municipal budget as is during their would result in an 8.3 percent increase in residential school tax rate will drop 4 justing the actual education tax rate used meeting Jan. 13. The FY2022 budget Montpelier’s residential tax rate,” Geisler percent, from $1.61 to $1.54 per $100 of in each town. calls for an increase in the tax rate of said. “That increase is down from the assessed value. This is the fourth budget to be pre- 0.7 cents to $1.1955. The overall budget 10.2 percent increase in the prior version The CLA is a measure of the average sented to residents of the two communi- proposal is more than $371,000 below of the budget.” assessed property value in a town com- ties since the Montpelier and Roxbury last year’s budget. If approved by voters on March 2, Mont- pared with fair market value. A CLA of school districts voted to merge in 2017. During a public hearing on the bud- pelier school tax bills would increase $288 0.85 means the average property is as- For the first time, the budget document get Jan. 13, about a dozen residents depicts the per-pupil cost of running the expressed concern about a roughly four schools in the district and reflects $150,000 increase in General Fund the imbalance in running a small school. spending for police operations. Follow- The per-pupil cost to operate Rox- ing the killing of George Floyd by Min- bury Village School, with its 32 stu- neapolis police last summer, several resi- dents, is $33,382 a year, markedly higher dents have questioned why the city pays than Union Elementary ($21,925), Main $2.2 million on policing. Street Middle School ($19,863), and City Manager Bill Fraser said the Montpelier High School ($23,158). increase represents a transfer of funding Roughly two-thirds of Vermont prop- obligations from other sources, such as erty taxpayers receive state credits toward parking receipts, to the General Fund. their tax bills based on income. Some of the police budget was derived from those sources, which have shriv- eled under the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilors said they are committed to a broader discussion of community policing and are expected to name members of a newly created Police Re- view Committee at the next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 21. It is virtually certain that Town Meeting Day ballots will be mailed to all Montpelier residents ahead of the March 2 election. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 7

Green Mountain Fitness Reopens Health & Fitness

By Olivia White

o anyone whose New at home successfully,” he said. He Year’s resolution is to believes that providing a hybrid Tget in shape, you’re in model of in-person and virtual fit- luck: Green Mountain Com- ness programs is a crucial step in munity Fitness plans to fully adapting his business to the “new reopen on Jan. 18. The gym, normal.” located on Granger Road in Of course, Petterssen could not Barre next to Airport Road, foresee a global pandemic when he has been closed for the past six and his wife, Cady Hart-Petters- weeks in response to the recent sen, purchased the fitness center spike in COVID-19 cases in back in January 2020. The couple central Vermont. Executive Di- previously owned Green Moun- rector Nick Petterssen told The tain Crossfit for 10 years before Bridge that he is excited to get acquiring the former First in Fit- back to “fitness, full hours, and ness gym and expanding it to be- business as usual.” come Green Mountain Commu- The GMCF facilities include nity Fitness. Since March, the two a fully equipped weight room, have had to rethink their business a CrossFit area, and multiple model in order to comply with exercise studios, as well as a COVID-19 restrictions. pool that offers both open-swim Petterssen said that this is espe- times and classes, and courts for cially hard for the fitness center, tennis, racquetball, pickleball, since they rely on operating as a and basketball. They also offer community. Normally, the center personal training, nutrition, and often hosts social events such as wellness coaching services. Classes at Green Mountain Fitness. Photo by Nick Petterssen. competitions and fundraisers. But The fitness center also offers any type of large group gathering virtual classes that members can has been put on hold indefinitely. attend from home. During the gym’s the more popular classes include Pilates While the gym will be fully open for Petterssen said that his goal for the two shutdowns — a mandatory closure and HomeFIT, 45-minute classes that do in-person workouts, Petterssen said that new year is to get back to a sense of nor- in Spring 2020, and a voluntary closure not require any training or equipment. they plan to continue holding most of mality. “We really look forward to being in December 2020 — GMCF began to They also created an equipment rental the virtual classes. “There is definitely able to get back to paying attention to hold virtual classes so that people could program, and loaned over 100 packages an awareness in the entire fitness facility the community part of our name, as we keep their gym memberships active. So of equipment during the closure. People industry recognizing that people have continue to deliver on the fitness side of far, Petterssen said, going virtual has could request combinations of weights learned how to stay fit and take classes things.” been a success. They have increased the and kettlebells, tennis balls, jump ropes, program to over 30 classes a day. Some of and “anything that can fit in a car.” PAGE 8 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Quiet Riot: Armed Trump Supporters Steer Clear of Montpelier; Antifa Shows Up at City Hall

By Carla Occaso

olice — some in full tactical ers took stationary posts. In addition to gear — appeared ready, but the guarding the State House, law enforce- Ppro-Trump protest stayed away ment also staked out the DMV build- from the Vermont Capitol on Sunday, ing and the Vermont Supreme Court Jan. 17. Following a nationwide call for building. all state capitals to be on the alert for The Bridge asked one of the troop- armed supporters causing unrest, Mont- ers when “they (armed Trump support- pelier got prepared. Mayor Anne Wat- ers)” were expected, and the officer said son urged potential counter-protesters he had no specific information. Adam (and other citizens) to stay away from Silverman, Vermont State Police Public the State House to avoid confrontation Information Officer, sent out a joint and stay safe in a public address earlier statement from the Vermont State Police, in the week. State police, Capitol police, the Montpelier Police Department, and and the Montpelier Police Department the Capitol Police. beefed up their presence around town “Police agencies are continuing their throughout the weekend. enhanced presence at the Capitol Com- On Sunday, one of the expected days plex in Montpelier this afternoon. State of unrest, more police and members of Street in front of the Vermont State An armed riot failed to materialize at the Montpelier State House on the media showed up between 11:30 a.m. House remains open. No incidents have January 17, but police converged on the Capitol Complex to keep it safe. and 1 p.m., when The Bridge monitored been reported,” Silverman wrote in a Photo by John Lazenby. the situation. Police from all over the release. Around 11:20 a.m., Silverman state appeared to have joined local po- notified the press that “multiple law- credible threats, but the Department of at least through the inauguration of Pres- lice in town. Cars from the Shelburne enforcement agencies have established Public Safety wanted to be ready just in ident-elect Joe Biden and Vice President- and Burlington police departments were an enhanced presence, as planned, on case anything happened requiring police. elect Kamala Harris on Wednesday, Jan. seen driving around near the downtown Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Vermont Capitol “As noted previously, police are un- 20. area, including in the Meadow and on Complex in Montpelier.” able to provide details of any security No incidents were reported at the State Elm Street. Quite a few dark green State He elaborated that the agencies that measures, seen and unseen, that agencies House on Jan. 17, but police continue to Police cruisers were parked around the were present showed up as a precaution- are taking. Periodic updates will be is- ask the public to be vigilant and report State House lawn. There were also some ary response to potential disruptions or sued throughout the day. If at any point any suspicious people, incidents, or possi- unmarked black vehicles with policemen violence following the Jan. 6 insurrec- a threat to public safety in Vermont be- ble threats to local law enforcement. Tips wearing what looked like riot helmets tion in Washington, D.C., “and calls for comes known, the authorities will update also may be submitted anonymously on- and body armour. Some pairs and small nationwide action including an ‘armed the community immediately,” the release line at www.vtips.us. groups of law enforcement, including a march’ in all state capitals.” states. Meanwhile, a group claiming to align K-9 unit, circled the grounds, while oth- Vermont did not receive any specific Precautions will likely remain in place themselves with the anti-fascism group Antifa showed up at Montpelier City Hall. The group of about 30 carrying mostly handmade signs mostly just stood quietly. The Bridge asked them where they were from and if they were an or- ganized group, and here is how one man responded: “Antifa , despite everything you heard, is not really an organization, we’re ac- tively anti-fascism,” said Traven Leyshon, of Calais. He said he is also president of the local labor council and a member of the Vermont Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. Leyshon said those present were “from all over,” but he, per- sonally, lives in Calais. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 9

Improve Your Health With Health & Fitness Better Food Choices

By Suzanne Weaver-Goss

any of us are relieved to see of eating sweets (such as cookies, ice country that is weeks old. I never eat the end of 2020 and are look- cream, desserts) can be hard to break. strawberries until they are in season. Our Ming forward to a fresh start in Try substituting less damaging sweeten- bodies naturally crave soups and stews in 2021. A new year often prompts a com- ers for white sugar: honey, maple syrup, the winter when all those yummy root mitment to changing unhealthy habits. or coconut sugar. Be mindful about your vegetables and squashes are available. In COVID-19 has shown us that the salt intake, as eating salty foods can the summer, I eat a salad every day and most vulnerable to the ravages of the cause a sugar craving as our bodies search in the winter I eat lots of my vegetables virus are those with underlying health for balance. Crowd out unhealthy sweets cooked. If you adopt this habit, you conditions or those of us who are older. by eating more sweet vegetables. You will find yourself naturally eating more Many of the diseases that make us more don’t have to just rely on your willpower vegetables. vulnerable can be helped or prevented to resist foods. Instead, increase your Cook at home. Many of us have with diet. consumption of the foods that support been forced to cook at home more dur- How do we know what is the best diet your health and fill you up. There are so ing the COVID-19 pandemic. I love for us? When I did my training as a holis- many wonderful sweet squashes. Other eating out and am eager to get back out tic health coach, I studied many different sweet cooked vegetables are corn, carrots, into restaurants. I enjoy eating chefs’ dietary theories and concluded that no onions, beets, sweet potatoes, and yams. cooking, getting ideas, the atmosphere one diet works for everyone. Some thrive Some semi-sweet ones to try are parsnips, at restaurants, and relaxing while being on a vegan diet, while others feel better turnips, and rutabagas. served, but I also know that I eat the with some animal-based food. Your own Eat complex carbohydrates. healthiest when I cook and eat at home. ancestry, genetics, age, activity level, envi- Carbohydrates get a bad rap these days, I can choose the ingredients, as well as A seasonal salad. Courtesy photo. ronment, and metabolism all impact your but you have to separate simple carbohy- the amount of salt, sweetness, or fat that individual nutritional requirements. drates (highly processed and containing I want to consume. Cooking at home There are certain habits that I’ve seen simple sugars) from the carbohydrates is an important step in improving your burger that he bought at a drive-up for benefit everyone. that come from nature, such as vegeta- health. lunch every day. She asked him just to Lots of leafy greens. It is widely bles and whole grains. Complex carbohy- Improper diet can put stress on the pull over after getting his lunch and turn accepted that eating more vegetables drates provide much of the energy needed kidneys and liver as they work harder off the car and slowly savor every bite of is one change that will improve your for normal body functions. Focus on eat- to eliminate toxins that can weaken the that burger. The next day he bought his health. Increasing the amount of leafy ing a variety of complex carbohydrates, immune system. To reduce toxicity and burger and ate it slowly, trying to savor greens in your diet, either cooked or raw, like whole grains and beans, which can restore health and vitality, health practi- every bite. He found that it tasted awful is particularly important. Eating dark often be purchased more cheaply in bulk. tioners often recommend drinking fresh and he couldn’t believe that he had eaten leafy greens helps kidney and liver func- Upgrade your food choices to juices and water only for a period of one every day for so long! tion, strengthens your immune system, the extent your budget allows. time. I have never been great at fasting When we are not eating mindfully we and promotes healthy intestinal flora. If you eat meat, find a source of local even though many in the health com- often eat too much or consume food that Rotate different greens, and — especially organic pastured meat. The same goes munity recommend it. One way I have isn’t healthy. This step alone can bring in the winter months — eat more cooked for dairy products — organic if possible incorporated fasting into a habit is by weight loss, better digestion, and better greens: bok choy, napa cabbage, kale, and pastured. Fruits and vegetables are fasting every day. I make note of what choices. After you prepare your food, use collards, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. best when organically grown; however, it time I eat my last bite in the evening. I your senses: look at it, smell it, and really Arugula, watercress, mesclun, micro- is better to eat more fruits and vegetables try for 6 or 7 p.m. I don’t eat anything chew and taste it. Most of all, be grateful greens, and dark leafy lettuces are best no matter the source. All of these items (water only) until at least 14 hours later. for all the work that got it to your plate. eaten raw. can be more affordable if bought at the So I give my digestion and my body a Turn off the TV, close the book, and More water. When I first wake up farmers market or directly from a farmer. break before I have my breakfast. Some- just eat. in the morning, I drink water with a If you choose to eat sweets, make them times I can stretch my fast for 16 hours. little fresh squeezed lemon. It hydrates yourself and substitute natural ingredi- I wait until I am really hungry. Suzanne Weaver-Goss has been study- me after a long night of sleep. Have some ents, such as whole grain flours, alterna- In addition, it is important how you ing, practicing, and educating about lemon water before coffee or tea, which is tive non-grain flours (almond/coconut), eat. Digestion starts in the mouth, so to healthy lifestyles for over four decades, dehydrating. In the winter, I drink warm and natural sweeteners. get the most nutrition out of your food including as a certified Holistic Health lemon water and drink it throughout the Eat seasonally. The taste of a to- you need to start by chewing well. Coach. Her small family business, Gimme day, sometimes with a bit of honey. mato in the summer is so much better There is a funny story about a guy who the Good Stuff, (www.gimmethegoodstuff. Change your sweets to whole and a locally grown tomato is more hired a health coach but told her that he org), is a resource that helps families iden- foods. Everyone loves sweets. A habit nutritious than one shipped across the wasn’t going to give up his McDonald’s tify and avoid toxins in their homes. PAGE 10 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Bone Builders Classes Develop Health & Fitness Strength and Community by Nancy Schulz

rior to the pandemic, were you ever strolling past the Senior Ac- Ptivity Center on Barre Street and had your attention drawn to the second floor windows? Perhaps you heard a group of people singing? Perhaps you looked up to see a group of people danc- ing to the music? If so, you might have witnessed the energetic ending of a Bone Builders class. Bone Builders is a group exercise pro- gram that involves a combination of weight-lifting, stretching, and balance training. It’s an ideal way for people of diverse ages and fitness levels to exer- cise together and improve their personal health. This type of exercise first ap- peared at the Montpelier Senior Activ- ity Center (MSAC) in the form of the Strong Living program in 2002. The Strong Living program, an outgrowth of Dr. Miriam Nelson’s research with older adults at Tufts University, was designed to slow or halt the loss of bone density and muscle mass as a consequence of A Halloween-themed Bone Builders class over Zoom. Courtesy photo. aging. When a funding shortfall brought an end to Strong Living several years ago, room. For the current winter term, which are always a mix of new and returning exercises and a cool-down follow. Many the Retired Senior Volunteer Program runs from the beginning of January until students; new students find themselves classes end with the opportunity to do a via the Central Vermont Council on the end of March, MSAC is offering five quickly integrated into the group. grapevine dance step around the room to Aging stepped in and provided training twice-weekly Bone Builders classes on Unlike many exercise classes, which peppy music. The grapevine step crosses for new and existing instructors in the weekdays at various times ranging from cater to a specific fitness level, what the midline of the body, which is good Bone Builders program. The goals and early morning to early evening. At pres- makes Bone Builders special is the fact for brain function. Dancing of any kind methods of the Bone Builders program ent, there are 161 students enrolled. that a 60-year-old man who is recovering improves coordination and usually gives are very similar to those of the Strong Each of the five strength-training from a joint replacement can be found a further boost to moods that have al- Living program. classes has its own distinctive vibe, and sitting next to an 80-year-old woman ready been boosted by exercising. Bone Builders classes at MSAC are very many students have been taking a par- who is focused on maintaining her upper Before the pandemic, MSAC offered popular and often are among the first ticular class for decades. Some classes body strength. Both individuals can find over 80 weekly classes in a wide vari- classes to fill as registration opens for each are chatty, and others are more serious the same level of challenge by lifting dif- ety of areas including arts, humanities, term. When the pandemic shutdown oc- in style, but all involve a liberal dose of ferent amounts of weight with their arms and movement; all were very reasonably curred in mid-March last year, most Bone socializing before and after class (and and legs. Despite the disparity, they both priced, both for residents of Montpelier Builders instructors began offering their sometimes during). Being together twice challenge themselves and improve their as well as for residents of surrounding classes online via Zoom. This transition a week, year after year, creates an envi- fitness levels by doing what’s appropriate towns. This winter there are twenty-four allowed many more people to register, ronment that sparks new friendships and for their personal situations. Veteran stu- classes online, and many are open to since enrollment was no longer restricted encourages students to bond with each dents of Bone Builders classes frequently younger people, too. So, if you’re seeking by the dimensions of MSAC’s activity other and with their instructors. Classes report enhanced range of motion, greater a fun, communal experience, check out stamina, and more strength for chores the offerings at MSAC: montpelier-vt. such as shoveling snow. They also report org/msac more enjoyment of their beloved hobbies You might find yourself singing and such as gardening or kayaking. dancing afterwards. Most Bone Builders classes run for 60 minutes, but a couple of them are 75 Nancy Schulz was first trained in the minutes long. Generally, they begin with Strong Living program in 2002 and now a warm-up, which is followed by a series teaches a Bone Builders class online at of arm and leg exercises with weights. MSAC. She looks forward to the day when Then there is core work to strengthen the she will once again be able to exercise with abdominal muscles. Typically, balancing her students in person. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 11

Where to Cross-Country Ski: Nordic Club Clarifies Access

By J. Gregory Gerdel

fter many skiers parked along ation with the trails on either side of North Street to access the new, North Street: Abut thin, snow cover that arrived over the weekend, their helter-skelter Hey folks, Brief update on trails... meanderings through the neighborhood MHS and U-32 are both groomed for annoyed some of the resident property skiing. North Branch Nature Center and owners. David Sparrow, for one, has said North Branch Park are both skiing well for skiers are parking in obstructive ways, kick-and-glide fans. and are overwhelming the road. This is The trails along North Street — both a problem particularly at the intersec- the east and west sides of North Street — tion of North Street and Sparrow Farm including Sparrow Farm field, Morse’s Road. He is working with Town of East Meadow, and Sherwood Forest need more Montpelier and Montpelier officials to snow to be groomable and safe. Please re- place signs and keep the road safe and frain from skiing there until we have a bit orderly. Parking is available down in more snow to work with. the field on the County Road by Morse When the North Street trails do open, Farm. please do not park on roads, particularly Earlier in the fall, the Onion River near the intersection of Sparrow Farm Nordic Club contacted key property Road and North Street. Parking lots will owners for permission to re-create the be created in Morse’s Meadow across from winter-only trail from North Street the gray barn and on Cummings at the across the Sparrow Farm field to connect northwest corner of West Wind. with the Sparrow Farm Trail that climbs Dogs are not allowed on the North Street from the city’s North Branch Park. But trails per our access agreements. signage and markers for the trail were not Please respect all landowner signs and yet in place when the new snow arrived privacy! This is critical! Landowner ac- during the first weekend in January. cess is the foundation of these trails. Please In response to the concerns raised on show utmost respect and courtesy at all social media, club president Dan Voisin times. posted an update about the current situ- Thank you.

Top, cars parked along North Street. Photo by Carla Occaso. Above, members of the Main Street Middle School cross-country ski team ski on the Sparrow Farm fields Monday, Jan 18. Photo by John Lazenby. For another ski photo, see page 27. PAGE 12 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Hanna Satterlee Aims for Fun and Fitness Health & Fitness with New Barre Series

By Mike Dunphy

ug your belly back,” in- through all these forms of exercise for structs fitness instructor strengthening. Sometimes they are com- “HHanna Satterlee as she de- bined; sometimes they are specific.” scends into a perfect 90-degree squat. The 30-minute sessions now offered “Deep lift,” she follows, lifting out of Tuesdays and Thursdays on Zoom take it with the elegance, flow, and control of students through a relatively fast-paced the professionally trained dancer she is. sequence of squats, lunges, lifts, crunches, “Deep lift?” she suddenly questions, folds, and are designed to target the entire recognizing the oxymoron. “Interesting!” body, not just a specific part. “I try to So goes the opening moments of Sat- go in and out of different muscle groups terlee’s new Zoom-based “Barre Fusion” quickly, so at the end you feel it’s a full- classes, running through January and body experience.” February, and perhaps more. The changes also ensure that any exer- For Vermonters unacquainted with the cises students may find challenging — or barre fad sweeping fitness classes across downright unpleasant — are quickly left the country, the term is not a reference behind. That’s particularly important for to Central Vermont’s Granite City, but Satterlee, who aims for pleasure in con- rather the barre (pronounced “bar”) that scious pushback on certain pressures of Photo courtesy Hanna Satterlee. ballet students use to warm up at the start the workout industry. of class. This “barre” combines dance ex- “Sometimes I think the workout cul- “I’ve done various forms of teaching for to drive around all over the place to dif- ercises with elements of yoga and Pilates ture has a tendency to push for perfection so long that I actually have found the less ferent classes and different studios,” she in a dynamic and energetic flow in the of certain outcomes,” she explains. “My that I plan and the more in tune that I am explains. “For me and my own personal space of a yoga mat and with no more emphasis is really just to feel good.” with the students, the weather, world, and life and energy, it’s been such a relief to equipment than a few hand weights. It also allows her to further share her my own body, the better teacher I am.” not have to do the commuting, set-up, Satterlee calls her classes “Barre Fu- passion for dance and tap into 14 years That matters all the more in a Zoom- and clean-up in every space.” sion,” which not only allows her to skirt of professional experience in several U.S. based world, where she must only interact As enthusiastic as Satterlee is for her the patented set structure (a la hot yoga dance companies and collaborative per- with students on a computer screen. It sessions, she’s quick to point out that the versus Bikram yoga) but also create a formance groups. “I always love when makes it a lot more difficult to pay close classes alone are not enough for signifi- more flexible routine drawn from her dance can be opened up to a broader au- attention to the nuances of the move- cant improvements in health. “I’m a huge extensive experience as a dancer and yoga dience or population and shift the mind- ments and making sure people are prop- believer in a holistic lifestyle, so if you are instructor and training in fitness and set that it’s a specific form only for people erly aligned. Plus, because students can’t looking for a body change, that has to be Pilates. who choose to study it intensively,” she see or interact with each other, they lose inclusive — how much you sleep, how “That’s part of the reason I use ‘fu- explains. “This breaks that barrier by the additional reference points. much you are active, how many breaks sion,’” she explains. “You are traveling calling it an exercise class, but it allows Nevertheless, she describes the response you take when you are at your desk, bal- a lot more expression of the upper body.” to the classes as “huge” and is consider- ance of water and caffeine, and so on,” While Satterlee may sketch out a rough ing continuing the series past February she explains. But there’s one improvement outline for each session, she generally if all goes well. Plus, the new landscape she is sure her classes can bring, and bring follows her intuition, which she believes of Zoom classes actually frees up the quickly. “In one class, it will help lift your serves her — and her students — well. time and energy to do just that. “I used spirits; that’s the goal.” THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 13

Shaken, Not Stirred Opinion

the Dead Creek Wildlife Management not want to come along willingly, so Area in Addison County. I imagined a scene similar to the old To get to iceberg alley you have to days of whaling, where, using a long drive north and east in Newfoundland boat, Captain Ed and the crew sneak about as far as you can go, past the place up on an unsuspecting iceberg (appar- where Columbus lost his fourth ship ently icebergs have not yet learned to because it fell off the edge of the earth. be afraid of humans), plunge a special By Larry But take heart, should you choose to fol- iceberg “harpoon” into it, then sit back Floersch low in my footsteps, the roads there are to enjoy a “Nantucket sleigh ride” as almost still paved. the berg struggles to get away from its his issue of The Bridge contains The clever Newfoundlanders have tormentors just as fast as the wind and an article about plunging your found a way to monetize this iceberg currents will allow. I imagine this can Tbody into cold water to enhance resource beyond just piling bunches of reach speeds, in nautical terms, of 0.43 your mental and physical health (see p. tourists into Zodiac boats, driving them knots or thereabout. 1). It is an intriguing topic, and I hope around the bergs in rough seas, and Consider my disappointment when, you will read the piece from the warmth making them all seasick. They drill holes upon returning home, I researched it and and comfort of your La-Z-Boy near the in the bergs, drive in maple taps, and found that Captain Ed and his crew sim- About 100,000 bottles of vodka woodstove. Even the author suggests extract . . . water! ply tow a large barge up to a “grounded” before processing. Photo by Larry that perhaps sitting in warm clothing Okay, I made up that last part. They iceberg and use a backhoe on the barge Floersch. with a thermos of hot beverage and don’t use maple taps. They melt the to tear large chunks from the iceberg and watching others plunge through the ice icebergs and use the water to make . . . put them through an ice crusher. is the best way to go. vodka! They can do this because icebergs Back on shore, according to the web do as the author of that piece suggested: I’m not claiming to be a Hare Krishna that come from glaciers are made of site, the melted iceberg water is then put on some warm clothing. But replace person offering sublimity to your life, fresh water even though they are floating mixed with triple-distilled neutral spir- that thermos of hot beverage with one but I think there may be a middle road around in polluted, microplastics-filled its to achieve an 80-proof “gluten-free full of iceberg vodka. Toss in some ice (if here that still involves a tremendous brine. vodka spirit that’s crystal clear . . . with you’re as lucky as I was, that ice will also amount of ice. According to the website of a company delicate aromas of citrus.” be from an iceberg). If you prefer, add a In the summer of 2019 I traveled to that makes vodka from icebergs, the ice in The website also assures readers that hint of vermouth and shake well. Strain the outermost reaches of Newfoundland some icebergs is more than 20,000 years any unharvested icebergs are left un- into a coupe, add an olive or two, and and even crossed over into Labrador old, which means the water froze long harmed to simply melt away into the toast the brave souls splashing in the icy — a place where I’ve heard they have before humans began to foul their own summer sea. water. After a few sips, I guarantee that vast farms that raise the world’s supply nest. It therefore contains no pollutants. So if you want to witness others plung- you, too, will experience a warm glow of yellow, black, and chocolate Labra- According to that website, each spring, ing through the ice into freezing water and sense of contentedness that will last dor retrievers. I did not actually witness a guy named Captain Ed and his crew to enhance their health and well being, for hours. any of these farms, with their hundreds sail into the “wild, untamed waters” of of thousands of Lab puppies slobbering the North Atlantic to harvest icebergs. over tennis balls thrown by automated Having cruised in the North Atlantic in pitching machines in the warm summer 12-foot seas aboard one of those afore- sunshine, because it was still colder than mentioned 18-foot Zodiac boats, I will all get out and the landscape looked attest to the “wild and untamed” nature similar to what Neil Armstrong viewed of the ocean up there just as soon as the during his historic stroll on the moon. nausea brought on by my fond memories But I digress. of the voyage subsides. While in Newfoundland, I discovered The website does not explain exactly that icebergs are in ample supply even in how they do the harvesting, and I did June, especially in “iceberg alley,” which not witness any harvesting because I was is a place to which the icebergs flock in busy hanging over the side of the Zodiac. great numbers, sort of like snow geese to Icebergs can be rather large, and may PAGE 14 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE Remembering Music on Lightning Ridge

By Rick Winston

hanks to both Will Lindner and all there were if not for a call from a nary guitarists — musicians, for that The appearance of one Philo artist then Danny Coane, two articles friend that fall. His Berkeley, California- matter — that I’ve ever seen. Pierre was was especially memorable: the Scot- Tin The Bridge have brought back based band, the Arkansas Sheiks, was just 19 when he came to Montpelier. … tish singer Jean Redpath, who was re- the richness of the local music scene of looking for dates in New England, and The music just knocked me out — for cording a multi-volume set of songs by the 1960s and 1970s. I’d like to fill in did I know of any venues? So the Sheiks, Pierre’s virtuosity, originality, musicality, Robert Burns. Sound person Marshall another part of this musical portrait — with their infectious old-time sound, and mature emotionalism.” Freedland was waiting in the Unitarian one that brought musicians from out- filled the basement of the Unitarian Another old friend, multi-instrumen- Church sanctuary when Jean arrived for side Vermont, and sometimes outside Church one fall evening in 1974. With talist and singer Jody Stecher, awed an her sound check. She looked at the room, the United States, to Montpelier. That the assistance of the Vermont Arts Coun- audience in Plainfield. R.D. Eno, who stood at the back of the stage, sent a was Lightning Ridge Concerts, which cil, many other concerts soon followed. covered these concerts for the Plainfield- single note upward, then waited — and had a lively existence from 1974 until An old friend from teenage years, Eric based “Country Journal,” still vividly waited — for it to die out. “Please,” she 1980. Schoenberg, had become a masterful recalls Jody frailing banjo-style on the said, “no microphones tonight!” These concerts had their origin in two ragtime guitarist, and he was a natural ukulele, singing the bluegrass standard, The Unitarian Church was also the concerts at the Plainfield Coop (or Plain- candidate for an invitation. Eric returned “Got No Use for that Red Rocking site of a concert by Bruce “Utah” Phil- field Grange Hall, as some longtime several times, and in one instance recom- Chair.” Jody returned several times with lips, who came to a pre-concert WNCS residents still describe it). Sid Blum and mended that we book a young friend his musical partner at the time, Krishna interview with no idea of the concert I had been playing together as part of of his, a phenomenal guitarist making Bhatt, playing a unique amalgam of Ap- venue. When informed by host Mark the Jack Hill Contra Band, and one day his first trip to the United States. So palachian and classical Indian music. Greenberg, Phillips let loose with a string got to talking about how many talented it was that Montpelier was the site of Musicians who came to North Ferris- of good-natured Unitarian jokes (he (and non-professional) musicians lived Pierre Bensusan’s second American en- burgh to record for Philo Records were claimed to have compiled a Unitarian in the area. We presented two evenings gagement. always eager to play live on a free night. folk song book with such standards as at the Coop featuring some of these per- Mark Greenberg, musician and host Philo owners Bill Schubart and Michael “Goin’ Down That Road Feelin’ Per- formers. There was shape-note singing, of the WNCS radio show “On and On,” Couture were helpful in making these turbed”). And when Dave Van Ronk some Balkan music, a few English bal- remembers: “Lightning Ridge concerts dates happen, as was my brother Winnie stopped by the radio station for a similar lads from Jack Hill caller (and Goddard were key to expanding the cultural life Winston, who had become Philo’s resi- interview with Mark, he confounded the instructor) Charles Woodard, and future of Central Vermont in the 1970s, by pre- dent pedal-steel guitarist. I remember the entire staff by lighting up a particularly Vermont Supreme Court Justice Marilyn senting significant folk musicians from sweet-harmony duo of Jim Ringer and ill-smelling cigar during the program. Skoglund channeling Tammy Wynette a variety of genres. For me, a few stand Mary McCaslin, the phenomenal swing The odor quickly permeated the entire in a rendition of “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.” out, perhaps first and foremost Pierre guitarist Lew London, and the mandolin Those two evenings might have been Bensusan, one of the most extraordi- virtuoso Kenny Hall. continued on page 15 THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 15 continued from page 14 One concert that took place in nei- ther Plainfield nor Montpelier was that station, but no one wanted to risk upset- of the Scottish husband-and-wife duo ting Dave in mid-interview. Cilla Fisher and Artie Tresize. I thought During this time, I had my own folk — mistakenly, as it turned out — that music radio show on WDEV, “Diamonds Barre and its Presbyterian Church would in the Rough,” which came with no pay be an ideal place for the duo, but the but free promo LPs. There were many response was very polite and disappoint- musicians I discovered through small ingly tepid for such an energetic duo. labels such as Flying Fish, Shanachie, “You should have consulted us,” said Arhoolie, and Green Linnet whom I Cilla afterward, explaining that in Scot- then invited to Montpelier. Joe and An- land the Presbyterians were an infa- toinette McKenna, playing Irish pipes mously dour audience. After the concert, and harp, came from Ireland to Mont- we went across the street to the Coun- pelier this way, as did the Berkeley-based try Cuzzin’ lounge, where a different Klezmorim, who inspired the formation kind of audience listened in amazement of our home-grown Night Geferlach as Cilla belted out Loretta Lynn songs Klezmer Band. along with the jukebox. Helen and Ricky Schneyer. Courtesy photo. It was especially exciting — and In the summertime of 1978 and 1979, sometimes nerve-wracking — to pro- the concert series became the Lightning Senauke). Boston-based Rick and Lor- ship of Mark Greenberg, kept folk music mote performers who were legends in Ridge Folk Festival for a weekend, with raine Lee played their haunting blend of a vital part of Central Vermont’s arts the folk music world. But invariably, daytime workshops at Goddard College banjo and dulcimer; and local musicians scene. these musicians, such as New Lost City and evening concerts at the Unitarian such as Dennis Murphy, Neal Converse, Lightning Ridge Concerts had a short Ramblers founding member Tom Paley, Church. Helen Schneyer, who had re- Louis Beaudoin, and the Arm and Ham- but lively life. This month, I am donat- British guitarist Martin Carthy, and fid- cently moved from Washington D.C. mer String Band filled out the bill. ing my collection of concert flyers and dler Allan Block, were open and friendly, to Plainfield, performed spellbinding By 1980, the opportunity arose for me press coverage to the Vermont Historical responding with enthusiasm to the in- gospel songs and long-forgotten “par- to establish the Savoy Theater, and the Society. You can learn about the many formality of Central Vermont venues. lor songs.” There was world-class Irish end of Lightning Ridge Concerts was other performances not listed here, and Robin Williamson, whose Incredible music from Mick Maloney and Eugene in sight. I quickly realized that I didn’t if you were among those in attendance String Band approached cult status in O’Donnell and thrilling instrumental have the time or energy to continue the during those evenings in the 1970s, the 1960s, was as unpretentious as a and vocal harmonies from The Fiction concert series — but soon the Onion you’ll perhaps recall more indelible mu- “star” could be. Brothers (Howie Tarnower and Alan River Arts Council, under the leader- sical moments. PAGE 16 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Cold Water

Continued from page 1 with participants sitting in kiddie pools filled with water chilled by ice cubes. The Wim Hof Method, as described in YouTube videos, involves breathing exercises, cold exposure, and mental focus. According to Outside magazine, researchers have studied Hof “and found solid evidence he can control his own body temperature, nervous system, and immune response.” Advocates of cold exposure believe it contributes to overall wellness. And ap- parently it feels good, at least when it is over. Immersion in cold water triggers a massive release of endorphins, as well as cortisol, a pain-relieving hormone that creates a euphoria in some people for hours afterward. Nikki Boothby, left, and Bo Moore take an icy bath in Stowe. Courtesy photo. These days getting cold is a hot topic. The New York Times in its Jan. 1 edition to do it once a week. “I love water and shower, then turn the handle all the way One of the swimmers, Charlotte resi- carried a first-person account of cold- I love being outside,” she said. “Winters to cold for one to two minutes,” she said. dent Julie Postlewaite, told Seven Days water swimming by a woman who said it are long here and I can’t ski due to knee “It’s scream-worthy.” Budreski dedicates she took up winter swimming in her makes her feel good and keeps her sane. injuries. So I came up with this idea from her cold showers to a person or a cause, mid-40s, after she became overly sensi- There are cold water swimming meets Wim Hof.” which “helps me last it out,” she said. tive to the cold. She thought it was around the world, including in Vermont. Boothby, who also practices yoga and For Budreski, her commitment to cold because of her age until she read a book And President-elect Joe Biden is said to meditation, says the cold-water dunks are showering is based more on the emo- by Wim Hof. Now she is hooked. “If have indulged in New Year’s Day swims “another way to become present and fol- tional and psychological benefits than you try it for three days, you’ll prob- on Nantucket in the past. low my breath.” She cautioned that the for health. “It wakes you up and you ex- ably become addicted to it,” she told the Locally, there seem to be more people cold water takes some getting used to: perience a mental cleansing and feel clar- newspaper. taking up the practice. Lucinda Newman “The first time it is a shock. After a few ity and calm,” she said. “After the shock, The Seven Days article included some of Moretown can be found swimming times, I became more comfortable with when I am done, I feel clear and happy.” important advice about cold-water swim- in the Mad River throughout the year. it and now I feel warm when I get out of John Goss says he first learned about ming. First, plunging into cold water can Montpelier’s Bo Moore — the “Eat More the water.” the potential benefits of cold while scroll- cause a “cold shock response,” so it may Kale” guy — and his girlfriend Nikki She said getting into the cold water ing through a meditation app that be- be better to ease in. Second, set a limit on Boothby regularly take wintertime dips. elevates her mood for a couple of days. longed to his wife Suzanne and coming how long you stay in. Another Charlotte And Anjali Budreski and John Goss, She also thinks it is reducing the inflam- across a blurb about Wim Hof. swimmer, Susan Blood, explained there both Montpelier residents, like finishing mation in her knees and her lower back, “It made sense to me,” said Goss, who is a rule that for every one degree Celsius, up their showers by turning the handle which gets tired from the lifting she has began ending his showers with a blast of it is safe to stay in for one minute, so if to “C” for a few seconds or minutes on to do as a nurse. cold water about a year and a half ago. the water is 52 degrees Fahrenheit, or 11 most days. Moore said he started cold water swim- “At first, it wasn’t that much fun, even degrees Celsius, 11 minutes is safe. Newman, an educator and leadership ming to keep up with Boothby. “She when I wasn’t turning the temperature Finally, avoid warming up too quickly coach who operates Horses & Pathfind- doesn’t seem to get cold, frankly,” he that low. Now, I can’t end a shower with- after a cold-water swim. When cold blood ers, says she got interested in the practice said. “After the first time I did it, I didn’t out it. I come out of the shower pumped in the extremities returns to the body’s four years ago and eventually took a think I would do it again. But now it’s up and ready to do stuff.” core during rewarming, the body’s tem- 10-week course offered by Hof. “The got its hooks into me.” He said he spent The technique Goss has developed is perature can plummet and a person can first time I did the breathing retention five minutes in chest deep water on New to take his regular shower, then turn the lose consciousness. The article said that’s practice, I couldn’t stop laughing,” she Year’s Day and that the cold water “makes temperature down in several stages, with why those with hypothermia should not said. “I was hooked.” my brain feel good in the hours after.” each stage lasting 20 to 30 seconds, to be re-warmed too quickly. Three times a week, Newman either Moore and Boothby like to make a avoid getting a shock. When he gets to If, after hearing about all the risks, takes a cold shower by cranking the ritual of their dips, which they do at the lowest setting, “I dance and swing you’re still interested to see if getting water temperature down and holding places like Bingham Falls in Stowe or the my arm for 10 or 15 seconds and that’s cold might be good for you, try turn- her breath for one minute, or she takes a Cascades Trail in Worcester. “We light a it.” He says he had not had a cold since ing down that shower handle or tossing dunk in the Mad River. She started the fire and have extra clothing and blankets he started taking cold showers. some ice cubes into your bath. If you swimming practice last April or May, she on hand,” Moore said. “It requires focus Goss, who is part-owner of the health- want to jump into cold-weather swim- says, and continued swimming across the and mindset. Boothby gets excited as oriented website GimmeTheGoodStuff. ming, maybe you should start train- river and back until November, which they prepare for the dip, she said, pos- org, recently moved back to Vermont ing for the races at the Memphremagog takes her about two and a half minutes. sibly due to an adrenaline rush. after a number of years living in Penn- Winter Swimming Festival, February 26 “Now, when the ice allows, I dunk in the Anjali Budreski, a yoga teacher and sylvania. He said he has found Hof’s to 28, in Newport. At previous festivals, river for between one and a half to three soul coach, says she has always been theories helpful now that he is back in water temperatures were 30 to 31 degrees minutes,” she said. drawn to cold water, and as a teenager in a colder climate: “If my fingers or hands Fahrenheit and air temperatures ranged According to Newman, the cold-water Massachusetts took some polar plunges. are cold or my coat is too thin, I think from 0 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, accord- swims boost her energy and vitality. “I But it was only in the late summer of about Wim Hof saying that being cold ing to the festival’s website. am more fit and have more energy,” she 2019 that she started extending outdoor requires a psychological adjustment. And Or maybe, if you are like me, you’d said. “It is very special for me. My mind swimming into October. “I already loved after a while I find that being a bit cold rather put on your warmest winter clears and I feel peaceful. I sleep great it, and then I heard about Wim Hof and is not that bad.” clothes, prepare a thermos of hot tea, and and I have gone from being a worrier to got intrigued and started researching it,” Vermonters in other parts of the state go watch from the sidelines as impas- having no anxiety.” she said. are also adopting the Wim Hof phi- sioned cold-water enthusiasts swim their Nikki Boothby, a nurse at Central Ver- Budreski likes swimming, but because losophy. A Nov. 11 story in Seven Days races in 25-meter lanes cut with a huge mont Medical Center, also started jump- she does not live close to a body of water, described a group of swimmers who go ice saw out of Lake Memphremagog’s ing into cold water early last spring, with she has committed to taking a cold into Lake Champlain during most of the thick winter ice. her boyfriend Bo Moore. Now she tries shower every day. “I take my regular hot winter. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 17

Marijuana 2014) and I haven’t seen any harm to the community. It could be good for the Continued from page 1 retail sector that has been hit hard by COVID.” liest, District 2 Councilor Conor Casey, The Vermont bill calls for a 20 percent who sponsored the ballot item, said it tax on retail marijuana sales, made up makes sense to find out early whether of a 14-percent excise tax and a 6-per- Montpelier residents support the idea. cent sales tax. Act 164 also mentions a “The big issue is that I think we mechanism for money to be shared with should do this early. Even though it’s communities that choose to house a re- in 2022 you wouldn’t want to put it on tail store but those details have not been the ballot a year from now,” he said. “By worked out. During legislative debate, deciding now we can take the time to go the figure of 2 percent was discussed but through zoning, have community dis- not agreed to. cussion about how we want to do it, and The bill allows existing medical mari- have transparency.” juana dispensaries to get the jump on The Council approved the request recreational sales allowing them to apply with little debate. for a license and begin sales on May 1, It is unclear how much revenue the 2022. New retail licensees can begin sale of recreational pot would generate in operation on Oct. 1, 2022. Montpelier. Under the bill, a Cannabis Montpelier has a medical dispensary Control Commission will be established under the auspices of the Vermont Pa- to set the rules and regulations for an tients Alliance, but it is unclear whether adult market. The governor has yet to it will apply for a retail license. Virginia submit his selection of the three-member Renfrew, a lobbyist for the Vermont commission to the Senate for confirma- Cannabis Trade Association, said she tion. A nominating committee must first expects all of the state’s five medicinal sift through about 90 applicants for the dispensaries to consider entering the re- panel. tail market. A 2015 study by the Rand Drug Policy Casey said the potential revenue from Research Center estimated that Vermont pot sales was an obvious factor in his de- could receive $20 million to $75 million cision to introduce the ballot item. in tax revenue, and perhaps much more, “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking from a recreational pot market. Since at the revenue piece of this,” he said. then, retail sales have begun in nearby “We have a $14 million budget, we have Massachusetts and Maine. a huge hole here, and we’re very limited Sen. Andrew Perchlik (P/D Washing- in what we can do to increase revenue to ton), a Montpelier resident and a co- fill some of those gaps. So I think this is sponsor of Act 164, said he supports a good way to generate visitors and kind Montpelier voters will decide on Town Meeting Day whether to allow placing the question on the town meet- of jump start the economy again once recreational marijuna sales. Photo Creative Commons/Neon Tommy. ing day ballot. we get past the pandemic. It deserves its “It could be good for the city,” he said. day in court and I think Montpelier is a “I’m from Colorado and have visited little more progressive when it comes to since they legalized cannabis sales (in cannabis.” PAGE 18 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE CALENDAR OF EVENTS WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20 ture mix of vocal styles. The event pres- SATURDAY, JAN. 23 THURSDAY, FEB. 4 Northern Harmony Concert. Chan- ents a selection of music from many dif- Staged Reading of Theater in Your Mountainfilm on Tour Comes to dler Center for the Arts, 71 N. Main St., ferent countries including 15th and 16th Home. Valley Players based in Waits- Stowe. February 4 through 7, Spruce Randolph, 7 p.m., $12. The Northern century Spanish Renaissance works, tra- field. 7 p.m. See listing on Jan. 21 There Peak Performing Arts Center. Come see Harmony singers are back with another ditional songs from Bulgaria, Bosnia, will be a Talk Back session with the cast a selection of environmentally minded thrilling program featuring their signa- Georgia and Corsica, an English carol and crew that audiences can attend on films for a virtual film festival from noon and a West Gallery anthem, and contem- Saturday, Jan. 23. on Thursday, February 4 through noon porary and traditional American shape- on Sunday, February 7, 2021. Tickets note songs. Call 728-9878 or check out MONDAY, JAN. 25 are free for this event, but need to be Chandler-Arts.org for more information. ONGOING Reading with Karen Hill Anton. reserved in advance by visiting Spru- THURSDAY, JAN. 21 Hosted by the Kellogg Hubbard Library cePeakArts.org. These culturally rich, EVENTS via Zoom, 7 p.m. Karen Hill Anton, adventure-packed and incredibly inspir- Staged Reading of Theater in Your author of “The View From Breast Pocket ing documentary films are curated from Kellogg-Hubbard Library Home. Valley Players based in Waits- Mountain” joins via Zoom from Japan the annual Mountainfilm festival held book group. Meets Mondays field. 7 p.m. Directed by Doug Bergstein to discuss her memoir of her time spent in Telluride, Colorado. In lieu of a tradi- via Zoom, 5 to 6 p.m. The book with technical design by Ruth Ann Pat- between New York, Vermont, Turkey, tional in-person gathering, Spruce Peak group is open and free to all tee. A “contemporary, suspenseful two Iran, Afghanistan and Japan. With Tama Arts will host this virtual screening of patrons. If interested, contact act play taking place over a few days in Cole, writer, writing coach and mediator. Mountainfilm on Tour with an inspir- Heather Kralik, outreach coor- the life of a Massachusetts couple, Judith Free and open to the public, co-sponsored ing program of films that explore themes dinator: 802-272-4492 or out- and Dan. For more information, con- with Bear Pond Books. Registration is connected to Mountainfilm’s mission of [email protected]. tact: Ruth Ann Pattee, 802-793-4220 or required for the Zoom link. Register at using the power of film, art and ideas to New Year book group selection email [email protected]. Admis- kellogghubbard.org/adult-program. inspire audiences to create a better world. is “The Map of Salt and Stars” sion to watch the production is free, and by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar. donations are gratefully accepted. Other TUESDAY, FEB. 2 FRIDAY, FEB. 5 staged readings in the series are avail- We will start reading the third Mid-Day Reset! Move, Breathe, and Mountainfilm on Tour Comes to week of January. able for viewing on the Valley Players Stowe. See listing Thursday, Feb. 4. YouTube page. More information about Feel Better. Gentle Somatic Movement Monthly Book Group for and Therapeutic Yoga you can do at Adults, Jaquith Library, all the productions is available at valley- SATURDAY, FEB. 6 players.com. home, in the office...anywhere, Tues- Marshfield. Currently run- days 12:15 – 1 p.m. Start this new year Mountainfilm on Tour Comes to ning virtually on Zoom, fourth FRIDAY, JAN. 22 with a positive step toward your health Stowe. See listing Thursday, Feb. 4. Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. and wellbeing. Learn simple tools to New members are always wel- Staged Reading of Theater in Your use throughout your day to counter the SUNDAY, FEB. 7 come, and it’s only one hour a Home. Valley Players based in Waits- strain from computers, stress, lots of sit- field. 7 p.m. See listing on Jan. 21. Mountainfilm on Tour Comes to month! January 25: “The Giver ting, and postural habits. Register at kel- Stowe. See listing Thursday, Feb. 4. of Stars” by Jojo Moyes. logghubbard.org/adult-programs ART GALLERIES The Front. 6 Barre Street, Montpelier. “Untitled,” re- cent work by Ned Richardson through Jan. 31. Richardson has been exploring connections be- tween digital and natural worlds through a variety of methods and media, from intuitive ana- log ink drawings to glass lay- ered collaborations with deep learning systems. The Front is open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., or by appointment. Contact [email protected] for more details. Studio Place Arts. 201 N. Main Street, Barre. Janu- ary 26 to March 6, Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Rolling On,” a salute to the ingenious qualities and uses of the wheel, the 3,500 B.C. innovation that has kept the world rolling. This show includes 2-D and 3-D works, and constructions. Also, “Con- sider the Book,” featured work from the Book Lab artist group, and “Seedpods: Promises of the Future,” an exhibition of quilts by Marya Low. studioplacearts. com. For more information, call 802-479-7069. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 19

Walk into a New ‘Storybook’ Store in Montpelier By Olivia White

Kelly Tackett in her new store, Minikin. Photo by Carla Occaso.

hopping at Minikin, Montpe- hit. But she was not deterred by the pan- lier’s newest children’s toy and demic. Tackett acquired the State Street Sclothing store, is like walking location in the spring, spent the summer into the pages of a storybook. working on construction and figuring out The shop, located on State Street, sells logistics, and launched a soft opening in “beautiful, ethically sourced children’s October. She said that opening her store clothing, decor, and heirloom quality toys during COVID-19 has actually given her made to spark imagination & play,” as de- time to adjust. scribed on the store’s Instagram page. And “I’ve never had a store before, so I have spark imagination it does: walking into the nothing to compare it to. I’m learning as I shop, customers enter into a pastel rainbow go. And business has been steady … I’ve of wooden trains and baby dolls, with got enough business and enough time to racks of soft sweaters and coats throughout figure out what I’m doing now.” the space. House-shaped shelves that were The store’s products and design were custom made to mimic the skyline of a curated by Tackett herself. The items she northern European village line the walls. sells are mostly made of wood, with very In the middle of the floor is a horse taken little plastic and nothing battery-operated. from a carousel, and hanging from the “Not only are they just beautiful to look at, pink-painted ceiling is a chandelier made but they last forever,” said Tackett. Many of antlers. The owner, Kelly Tackett, greets of her products are from small brands in customers from the counter. Europe, although some come from hand- Tackett, who has lived in Montpelier for crafters in the U.S. The animal-shaped six years, was inspired to open a children’s wood lamps, for example, are made in Po- toy and clothing store by her own experi- land. The Minikane collectible dolls come ence as a mother to three children. The from France.“I wanted to be able to offer items she sells, she explained, are from the brands that people maybe have never heard same brands she has bought her kids over of … hopefully nothing you could find on the years, and she was interested in selling Amazon.” the types of toys that one would find at a Waldorf school. Minikin is open Monday through Fri- She began plans for Minikin back in Jan- day, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 uary 2020, two months before COVID-19 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. PAGE 20 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Are You Smarter Than a 19th Century Education School Teacher? By Mary Cole Mello

God seems to have made women precisely suited to judge and develop the infant mind and it seems very poor policy to pay a man $20 or $22 dollars a month for teaching children the ABC’s when a female could do the work more successfully and at one third the price. — Littleton School Committee, Littleton, Mass., 1846

ou have to admire those frugal old New Englanders, so quick to Yspot a bargain. They may have felt magnanimous in offering the job to any woman. In the early 1800s, nine out of ten American teachers were men, generally white, relatively well-educated men for whom teaching was often part- time work, perhaps as a sideline on the way to the practice of law or entering the church. However, as the Ameri- can population grew and more jobs in industry appeared, it was becom- ing difficult to find enough men who were willing to teach. School commit- tees were forced to recruit women and, apparently, discovered hidden benefits. Despite the assertion that women were best fit to teach “the infant mind,” teach- ers often found themselves presiding over one room schoolhouses that might include a variety of students from 6 to 14 years of age. The older

boys were more likely to attend mont, in 1871, you would have to sit for only when the farms had less the exam shown here. In addition to a set need of them and may have re- of general questions (e.g., Can you sing?) garded teasing and flirting with the applicants wrote answers to 50 ques- a young teacher as an agreeable tions in five categories. way to pass the time during Modern elementary and secondary the long winters. teachers must also take an exam, the ap- Although the profession was propriate version on an online multiple opening up to women, the choice test called the Praxis. You can see a requirements were becom- sample of this by going to a website such as ing more codified. In the Khan Academy (khanacademy.org). mid 1800s, Vermont, like Like her modern counterpart, the 19th other states, began to create century candidate took the exam in a dedi- “Normal Schools.” These cated and supervised space. Which test is would be dedicated to the harder? You be the judge, but remember, establishment of teach- in 1871, the hopeful candidate needed to ing norms. Written exams come up with only 18 names for question were also required in Ver- 10 in the History section. mont from the middle of the 19th century. If you were to apply for a teaching job in Wash- Advertise. call rick: 802-249-8666 ington County, Ver- THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 21

Writing for Change in a “Bold Little State”

By Ariel Wish

o far, my book has reached one hundred people, maybe “Sone thousand. I want it to reach one million,” Montpelier author Mark Laxer said in August, only a few weeks after he digitally self-published his third book, “Rama Trauma Trump: I Left the Cult and Now Look What Happened.” A 32-page nonfiction graphic novel illustrated by Vermont artist Marcie Val- lette, “Rama Trauma Trump” recounts the story of a young man who leaves a destructive cult only to look around and realize that the current United States president seems an awful lot like the narcissistic, deceptive, totalitarian cult leader he just escaped. Author Mark Laxer, left. This storyline is reminiscent of Laxer’s Courtesy photo. first book, “Take Me for a Ride: Coming of Age in a Destructive Cult,” in which Trauma Trump: The Movie,” Laxer nar- and reached “tens of thousands” more he describes his first-hand experience of rates the story while Vallette’s illustra- people. “Maybe I’ve reached a million by “Rama Trauma Trump” as well as a link “watching a cult leader rise to power.” tions come to life. The drawn characters now,” Laxer said. to the film can be found at ramatrau- Soon after he published “Take Me for a can be seen rallying, biking, and even While the book has been well received matrump.com. The website also features Ride,” Laxer was sued for $30 million. In golfing across the screen. “That’s the lan- by individuals, it has gained little trac- a quote on the book from author and response, he made the entire memoir free guage young people speak — YouTube tion in the media, which Laxer attri- activist Jon Atack, information about on the internet hoping to further expose videos,” Laxer said. He remarked that he butes to the fact that “cults are taboo” the author and illustrator, interviews, the group. “It did not silence me, it did thinks Spike made the movie “even bet- in today’s culture. “It’s time that people acknowledgments, and a whimsical but not scare me,” Laxer said. ter than the book,” although he is very hold up a mirror and say, ‘Wow, there’s clever cartoon of a person blowing up a “Rama Trauma Trump” is also free of fond of both formats. something happening here that we need Trump-shaped balloon with the warn- cost. Instead of earning money off the Laxer reflected that he owes some of to face as a society,’” said Laxer. ing, “Let’s be careful who we inflate.” book, Laxer hopes to “warn the Ameri- his fighting spirit to his time in Vermont Access to the free digital download of can people that we are in danger,” he — a state which, though lacking the said. “Our president is not a destructive muscle mass of Pennsylvania, New York, cult leader, but he looks like one.” Massachusetts, or the like, has an “in- Laxer believes that stopping Trump’s domitable” spirit. “There’s boldness here, cult-like rule will take educating, in- it’s a bold little state,” he said. He hopes forming, and encouraging young people his “little book” will have a similarly to vote — all of which his book is in- bold impact on the American people. tended to accomplish. “This is beyond Months later, it seems Laxer may have politics, it’s beyond Democrat or Repub- achieved his goal of reaching one million lican. I feel the U.S. Constitution is in people. As the November election rolled grave danger right now. I’ve never felt around, he took out advertisements for that in my entire life,” he said. the book in a number of swing states Hoping to make his message more including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, inviting and accessible to his targeted Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Ohio, and audience, Laxer, with the help of local New Hampshire. After the presidential animator Spike Robinson, translated the election ended, he again took out adver- story from graphic novel to film. In the tisements in Georgia to encourage voter 23-minute YouTube video called “Rama turnout in the Georgia senate runoffs, PAGE 22 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Local Builder Releases Book Pet of the am Clark, of Week: Plainfield, has Sreleased a mys- Nutmeg tery novel titled “The Inland Sea: A Mystery” utmeg is an affectionate kitty published December Nonce she gets over being 2020 by Rootstock bashful and gets to know you. Publishing. She was brought in because her Clark came up with family was overwhelmed with the idea while boat- their feline population and knew ing on Keeler Bay in it was best for Nutmeg to get Lake Champlain on spayed and go up for adoption. the eastern side of She is familiar with indoor/ South Hero accord- outdoor options, lived in an ing to his publisher’s active home with other felines website, Rootstock and children, and can spook Publishing — Au- at the sound of the vacuum. thor Sam Clark. The body of water Central Vermont in the title was also Humane Society inspired by his East Montpelier childhood fam- 802-476-3811 or ily retreat on an centralvermonthumane.org island in Upper Saranac Lake. The story fol- lows a “detective on the case of the corpse of a man who had been missing for almost 20 years,” according to a story published Dec. 2, 2020, in Mountain Times. He wrote it while recovering from a bicycle accident that left him immobilized. This is Clark’s first mystery, but he has written other books, including “The CLASSIFIED AD Motion Minded Kitchen” and “The In- dependent Builder.” Clark lives in Plain- First Class Office Space field and works as a designer, builder, near Capitol at 149 State and cabinet maker. Street, Montpelier, VT. Perfect location within a 3-minute walk to Capitol. Beautiful Greek Revival building renovated throughout. Handicap accessible, foyer, waiting room and restroom. Includes off-street parking, office cleaning weekly, heat, AC, hot water, snow removal, landscaping and full maintenance. Suites and single offices starting at $345.00 per month. Call 508-259-7941.

BE SEEN! BE HEARD! Advertise. Call Rick, 802-249-8666. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 23

Local Builder Releases Book The Way I See It Opinion Winter Refuge

By Anjali Budreski

“Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our During those four days, I quickly much I needed space for solitude and True refuge, by contrast, is resting endless pursuit of getting somewhere else, settled into a simple rhythm that nour- introspection. For stepping out of my into the truth of the moment, no mat- is perhaps the most beautiful offering we ished my soul. I went to bed early and normal routine and into what philoso- ter what is happening; leaning into our can make to our spirit.” woke up refreshed. I walked, journaled, pher Micheal Meade calls “deep time.” support circles of friends and healthy —Tara Brach, “True Refuge: Finding read, and savored simple meals cooked Going “on retreat” was not on my connections; and waking up to our Peace and Freedom in Your Own mindfully. I ate in front of a picture list of New Year’s intentions. In fact, own “buddha (or true) nature,” beyond Awakened Heart” window instead of my computer. these days it’s felt pretty impossible. I’ve the layers of fear, shame, doubt, and Sometimes I just listened. I felt pres- made peace with letting go of the yearly conditioning. ecently, I was ent, alive, grateful, and content. I mar- pilgrimage to my favorite yoga center In essence, it’s resting at home in our- gifted the veled that I had no plans for this brief and the necessity of cancelling all the selves and the full raw, wild experience Rcompletely winter respite, but there it was, laid out retreats I lead as part of my business. of life without reaching for things to unexpected plea- before me like a sacred opportunity. Fully accustomed to a totally new “pan- numb, suppress, or control it. It’s also sure of a four-day Slowly, my pandemic-weary spirit demic rhythm” that requires much time our sense of deep belonging to each solo retreat, not too awakened to the simple beauty of sun- at home, grounded, I had forgotten how other and to the life that is right in far from where I rises, morning birdsong, the flow of much my spirit craves intermittent time front of us. live, but just far enough to make a dif- crystal clear water in the brook behind away. Quite honestly, we don’t have to “go ference. the house, the immense quiet of a starry Recently, I attended a weekly medita- somewhere” on retreat to find this ref- My retreat — a small, cozy home, winter night, and an intimacy with my tion with Tara Brach, one of my favorite uge that lives right inside of our souls. nestled on the eastern flank of the own spirit that I hadn’t felt so acutely in teachers, who explained the Buddhist Yet sometimes a little distance from our Green Mountains — was perfect for a quite some time. concept of “true refuge.” I found it to be daily hustle can help support us in gain- few days to myself. At other times, I might have been a perfect contemplation for the new year. ing a new perspective or just refilling I even savored the novelty of visiting afraid. I haven’t always relished being False refuges are the “easy buttons” the well of our spirit. the local grocery store to purchase some “way out in the country,” alone, in rural we reach for when we don’t want to feel I am grateful for a few days of retreat supplies for retreating: candles, cheese, Vermont. This time was different. I felt our feelings. They include things such as during this quiet, contemplative time pasta, chocolate chip cookies, and some a sense of true belonging, of welcome addictions, over-consumption of televi- of year, for the refuge of a cozy home extra rolls of toilet paper. In the store, I and even hospitality. It was as if the tall sion and media, workaholism, seeking in the mountains, and the renewal that relished the feeling of anonymity, even trees were saying “Welcome, you have approval, and even over-thinking. In es- comes when we allow ourselves to slow though geographically I was just a few arrived, you are home.” sence, anything that keeps us from being down for a while. rolling hills and valleys from home. Upon reflection, I had no idea how truly present with the moment, as it is. PAGE 24 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

A Sign of Changing Times Opinion

By Sandy Vitzthum

t seems quite a few Montpelier resi- What Went Wrong? a developer, it is fully obligated to ensure dents were startled to see a new entry Mike Miller, director of planning and its entire population is informed. Why? Isign on Memorial Drive at the Main community development for Montpelier, Because the city’s collective mind makes Street Bridge. While its appearance and explained in an interview with the Times the best decisions. And when informa- location are debatable, and may be de- Argus that because the signs are in the tion is shared regularly through a project, bated further, the deeper concern is that city’s right-of-way, they are exempt from that collective mind can work linearly. so many were startled. review. This exemption was intended for Will a city of 8,000 people ever reach This entry sign is one of 48 new way- street name signs and traffic direction unanimous agreement? Rarely, if ever. finding signs in Montpelier’s downtown. (such as stop signs). But consensus is a time-honored prin- They are the products of many years of While one could argue the entry sign ciple of democracy. It takes time and is discussion about how best to mark “gate- is a name sign, and take a minimalist ap- often tedious. It is this collective process ways” into the city and newer discussions proach to the city’s obligations, the city that reinforces community itself. Ver- about how the city could brand itself. has lost a tremendous opportunity to monters were very good at this until the They also reflect well-founded concerns build community and to model good be- decline of town meetings. about visitors trying to find parking, havior. In fact, the sign is far more than I would like to share the example of specific shops, and attractions. directional; it is 20 feet tall and sculp- Craftsbury’s public library. That build- According to recent articles in The tural. Its creators said explicitly it is a ing is owned by a private corporation in Bridge and Times Argus, the branding branding, an advertisement, a billboard. a town with no zoning, so they had no discussion began in 2014 and resulted in If any private developer erected such a obligation to work with the public. Yet at a Wayfinding Plan by 2018 with fund- sign anywhere in the legal boundaries of every step every individual was kept in- ing in 2019. A scan of city documents Montpelier without approval, it would formed and encouraged to speak, meet- found online reveals multiple references raise an uproar from neighbors. ings were held, and concerns addressed to a plan, along with review by the City with care and respect. The conception of Council, but little to no graphic specif- Ways Forward the library itself strengthened the com- ics. It seems there was never a public The underlying problem, I think, is munity. And every Craftsbury resident warning to notify citizens of documents that city councilors — who are basically fiercely loves their library, considering it on display either online or in the City volunteers — get worn out from public a second home. Hall itself. debates about many subjects. Projects Craftsbury is smaller than Montpelier, It is worth noting that any other sign such as the wayfinding plan require an but collective democracy is no less valid in the downtown area must be warned incredible number of hours from volun- here. Yes, it takes time. Yes, every Mont- New wayfinding sign in front of publicly, then reviewed and approved by teers. City staff members have limited pelier citizen, merchant, and city repre- Montpelier City Hall. Photo by the Design Review Committee. time. It is probably tempting to limit full sentative is short on time. But it is the Olivia White. So while citizens were made aware of public discussion of built changes. Mike preciousness of time spent for the collec- the planning process, it is understand- Miller summed it up with these words: tive good that makes our town so sweet. able they were surprised to see signs “Some of what the city does could be at I don’t think we’re at the final chapter moved somewhere more useful. Who erected, especially when zoning regula- risk of delay from those who don’t want of the entry sign’s story yet. I hope that knows what other healing solutions can tions subject all signs to public review. a certain project.” the City Council will hold a discussion be imagined. Let’s model democracy for But I believe that when the city acts as of what can be done (rather than focus other Americans. on what is already done). We now own an entry sign. It could, for example, be Sandy Vitzthum lives in Montpelier. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 25 Local Climate Activist Faces Sentencing for New Hampshire Coal Plant Protest

ana Dwinell-Yardley of Montpe- who choose to exercise their full constitu- lier, and 19 other climate justice tional right to a trial by jury. These sen- Dactivists, appeared virtually be- tencing recommendations are a reminder fore Judge Edwin Kelly on Thursday, that justice is out of reach for so many Jan. 14, in Concord District Court, in in the criminal legal system, especially Concord, New Hampshire, for provi- those Black, brown, Indigenous and low- sional sentencing en-route to trial by income people who are systematically a jury of her peers under Rule 21a. pressured to plead guilty and resolve Dwinell-Yardley and her co-defendants their cases without the benefit of a trial.” are charged with criminal trespass fol- Jeff Gang, an Eagle Scout from Somer- lowing a September 2019 protest at the ville, Massachusetts, recalled years of Merrimack Generating Station in Bow, working to avert climate catastrophe and New Hampshire, which is the last coal- how the experience led him to Bow on fired power plant remaining in the re- September 28, 2019, “I didn’t arrive at gion without a shutdown date. this decision lightly. Since my college “I traveled to Bow, New Hampshire, days, I have been involved in efforts to 16 months ago because the speed of bu- get our government to act on climate reaucracy is not going to cut it when we change, and it has shaped my entire have a mere seven years left to avert cli- career. I worked for years professionally mate catastrophe,” said Dwinell-Yardley to help elect climate champions. Then I when she spoke before Judge Kelly. “I worked in green finance, trying to help was there, with my body, to say that Dana Dwinell-Yardley and fellow activists at the Merrimack Generating move money toward climate solutions. I burning coal in 2019 — and 2020, and Station in Bow, New Hampshire, in September 2019. Photo courtesy No later worked on projects with the Sierra 2021 — is unnecessary and immoral in Coal No Gas / Johnny Sanchez. Club and League of Conservation Voters the face of the massive and well-docu- to educate and inform people and help mented climate crisis that we are in.” He keeps calling us back to the world as behavior.” Activists with alleged breaches make sure they cast their votes. In a nearly three-and-a-half-hour ses- it is. And I can see and feel the losses that of bail conditions or other alleged viola- “In each of these avenues, I saw some sion, Judge Kelly heard an offer of proof are coming.” tions were recommended higher fines signs of hope: an election we won, or and sentencing recommendation from “That’s what brought me to Bow, New and 30 or 60 days of jail time, suspended another cosponsor signed-on to a legisla- the prosecution, a counter recommenda- Hampshire in September 2019,” Johnny pending a year of “good behavior.” tive solution, or billions of dollars slated tion from the defense, and up to five- Sanchez of Orono, Maine, told Judge In light of the impacts of catastrophic for renewable energy.” Gang continued, minute allocutions from 18 of the 19 Kelly. “A search for any semblance of a global climate change, defense attorney “I’m not giving up on these avenues defendants who are part of the No Coal reassurance that everything wasn’t al- Kira Kelley argued, “That’s the impor- of change, but none of them has been No Gas campaign to close Merrimack ready a forgone cause, that there were tant question that we keep raising … enough — we’re still drastically off track Station and end the use of coal in the people who hadn’t already given up hope. what IS bad behavior in this context?” from what science says we must do.” region. What I found was a community of peo- Kelley and other defense attorneys ar- New Hampshire statute permits the Additional defendants from Vermont ple ready to step into their courage and gued that all defendants should receive potential for rehabilitation as a grounds include Emma Schoenberg and Kent make their voices heard. Those peaceful unconditional discharge, suggesting that for sentencing. In making her case for Overstreet of Burlington, Marcy Kass of voices rose up in song, in the face of riot the record of a criminal conviction is unconditional discharge, defense Attor- Williston, Erik Krauss of Hartford, and gear and helicopters.” sufficient sanction for this act of com- ney Logan Perkins closed saying, “My Laura Simon of Wilder. That vision of community and nonvio- munity defense. client does not need to be rehabilitated The Reverend Kendra Ford of Ports- lence echoed throughout the proceedings Attorney Connolly’s tough sentenc- from his determination to fight climate mouth, New Hampshire, spoke of her (sometimes literally, with audio trouble ing recommendation stood in marked change.” commitment and motivation to take ac- on the telephonic court system), as ac- contrast to her offer to other activists Merrimack Generating Station contin- tion to end the burning of coal in the tivists shared facts about global climate involved with the 2019 protest, many of ues to operate, propped up annually by region. In her testimony, Ford shared change and the coal industry, mingled whom took an offer of “placed on hold tens of millions of dollars of subsidizing some of the challenges of parenting a with personal stories about what moti- without a finding” for as little as two “forward capacity payments” that are 7-year-old as the climate becomes more vated them to participate in the Septem- months of “good behavior.” These 19 taken from electrical ratepayers and fun- unstable. ber 28, 2019, protest. defendants refused that offer, asserting neled through ISO-New England, the “With a young child who is immersed Concord City Prosecutor Attorney their right to a trial by jury. region’s energy grid operator. On Febru- in the world, we have to navigate the Tracy Connolly, however, painted the Marla Marcum, of the Climate Dis- ary 8, Merrimack Station will bid again pain of talking about the harm and losses activists as dangerous, proposing stiff obedience Center, who has been working for subsidies to operate into 2025. of climate change all the time,” she said. sentences for nonviolent trespass on the with the defendants since their arrest, “He sees and experiences the effects on a coal plant’s property. Attorney Connolly said, “the prosecution’s sentencing rec- Editor’s Note: Dana Dwinell-Yardley is daily basis. We all do, but mostly we can recommended at minimum $1,000 fines, ommendations are typical of the height- the layout designer for The Bridge. get busy and ignore them. He doesn’t. with $500 suspended for a year of “good ened penalties often faced by defendants PAGE 26 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

Coping With Fear in a Changing World Opinion

By Jan Hare

e’re in the first months of surge the vaccine or the fact that I know only lion following 15 feet behind me. The are us. It wants to survive. My deepest 2 and here I am again, wonder- one person who’s been infected. It’s prob- amygdala perceives if the threat is real. fear is for our grandchildren. There will Wing where we all are, where ably all these things, but clearly I’m feel- So maybe living in a relatively safe little be more fires, more floods, new and we’re headed and when will this end? ing somewhat disconnected from the di- state with fewer people willing to act as more potent viruses. The lives of these This time my fear has significantly di- saster all around us. Los Angeles County superspreaders has silenced any alarms children cannot possibly resemble ours. minished in ways that make me consider will soon begin to explicitly ration ICU that might otherwise be blaring. Every month I put a little money in whether I’m just too weary to worry, beds and that will likely move across My spouse thinks humans are simply their 529 accounts. I want them to go to more blasé than my circumstances war- the country. Again, the elderly with co- incapable of sustaining high levels of college. When we visited our 16-year-old rant, or just feeling lucky to be where morbidities. How could it be otherwise? anxiety for too long. She reminds me the grand-daughter in Oregon last February, COVID-19 cases and deaths are lowest. Every time CNN shows us the face of a Syrians don’t sit in their houses quaking I encouraged her to think about achieve- Last March my predominant thought death, I cry. But then the 352,000 of us with fear. They still read to their kids, ments and activities she would need for was that the planet is purging the toxins who aren’t here anymore leaves me only make dinner, and take out the trash. But her college applications. Less than a year of us humans. What could make more a little astonished. no, I disagree. We already have evidence later that sounds absurd to me. I’d rather sense than to start by purging the older Lately I’ve been thinking how our that the hippocampus of children who encourage them all to paint, plant gar- people, maybe too addicted to our bad brains perceive and manage danger/ live with chronic fear/anxiety shrinks in dens, write and tell stories, make and behaviors to make the necessary repara- threat. The amygdala is good at helping size. The Syrians carry on because crisis store food, knit, sing, conserve water, tive changes? us respond immediately to threat. Con- competence accelerates when circum- learn the phases of the moon, learn to be What accounts for my greatly dimin- text is important. Watching the video of stances demand it. quiet enough to hear. ished fear and dread compared with the that mountain lion that recently stalked So for now, I try to focus on my good Be happy with less, which is no doubt early days of the COVID-19 pandemic? a young hiker in Utah, I felt anxiety, but fortune to live where I do. Nevertheless, more. Perhaps the increase in knowledge about not the terror I would have felt if I’d been I see turbulence ahead. I still believe the the virus and how to treat it. Maybe it’s the one on the trail with the mountain planet is purging toxins and the toxins Jan Hare lives in Montpelier.

Say you saw it in the bridge. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 27

Ice Fishing for Questions Outdoors

ew to ice fishing? Looking for “This is a great opportunity for anglers fishing tips? Wondering how the new to fishing who are looking to im- Nfish survive a winter under the prove their success or who have questions ice? Want to meet your local state game about fishing regulations,” said Chief warden? The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Warden Colonel Jason Batchelder. Department will be conducting edu- The educational patrols will last one cational patrols during winter 2021 on to two hours. Participants should bring Vermont lakes and ponds. their own equipment and set up on the “We know many anglers have ques- ice and start fishing. Department staff tions they would like to ask a warden, members will be roaming among the and we also know anglers are always anglers and plan to spend at least 10 min- looking to learn new tips and tricks,” utes per group depending on the number said Education Specialist Corey Hart. of anglers on the ice and the number of “Vermont state game wardens and edu- questions. cational staff will be teaming up to con- A list of dates, times, and locations for duct educational patrols this winter.” the sessions are available at this link on The current pandemic prohibits for- Fish and Wildlife’s website: vtfishand- mal educational programs, so as an al- wildlife.com/fish/fishing-events-and- ternative, anglers are encouraged to fish programs/fishing-clinics-and-events/ lakes hosting these educational patrols. educational-patrols Staff members will be roaming the ice For more information, you can email and will stop by to offer pointers or just [email protected] or call him at chat with anglers about their season. 802-505-5562. An ice fishing shelter. Photo courtesy freeimages.com / Paul Cioca.

Sunset Ski

Members of the Main Street Middle School cross-country ski team ski on the Sparrow Farm fields Monday, January 18. For more information about local trail access and where to ski, see story on page 11. Photo by John Lazenby. PAGE 28 • JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 THE BRIDGE

OBITUARY Susan Lee (Ablett) Maywood usan Lee (Ablett) Maywood and then as a librarian in the of Upland, California, for- Montpelier school system (includ- Smerly of Montpelier, died ing Union Elementary School and on December 31, 2020 at San An- Montpelier High School), where tonio Regional Hospital in Upland she remained for 25 years. She re- as a result of complications from tired in 2009. In 2011 she moved to COVID-19. southern California to be near her Sue was born in Carbondale, brother Dan and his family. Illinois, on May 3, 1947, the daugh- Sue was an active member of ter of Beulah (Leukering) and LTC Bethany United Church of Christ Charles Ablett. Her dad was a ca- in Montpelier for many years. In reer Army officer and for the next those years, she served as Church 20 years the family moved to a President, Church Clerk, Deacon, new Army base almost every year, and as a member of the Board including West Germany, Virginia, of Outreach. She supported the and Kansas. Sue never got to call church’s ministry in El Salvador any place home for long and was and traveled there in 2007 as part constantly going to new schools of a delegation of 11 women. She and trying to make new friends, also served as a lay reader and which she did with quiet courage. as a member of the Flower Com- Sue graduated from Leaven- mittee. She enjoyed the church’s worth (Kansas) High School in Annual Variety Show and got her 1965. She attended Kansas State start as an author writing and di- University, but interrupted her ed- recting some very humorous skits ucation to move to Los Altos, Cali- about church life. fornia, to help her mother and her Sue loved animals, including younger brother Dan while their Mattie, her black standard poodle, father was stationed in Vietnam in and Lotte, her long-haired black Sue on her birthday in 2017. 1966. The next year she continued dachshund. She had a wry sense her education at the University of of humor and had compassion for Time: The Hunting Horn;” “Back Melissa and Elizabeth). She is Kansas. all, especially her students, her in Thyme,” and “Harvesting Fruits also survived by her cousins Anne Sue moved to Vermont in 1970 women’s group, and her family. from the Past.” Her most recent Johnson, Bob Martin, Bill Martin and, except for two years of grad- Sue loved hiking and camping; publication was a novel entitled of California, Marian Downing of uate school, lived there for over 40 she was a member of the Green “Northern Light” (March, 2020). Kentucky, and by her former hus- years. She worked for the State Mountain Club Montpelier Sec- Sue is survived by two broth- band George E. Longenecker of of Vermont and the University of tion. She cared deeply about ers: Daniel R. Ablett (his wife Middlesex. Vermont, and went on to earn a peace and the environment and Joyce, niece Cara, and nephew A memorial service to honor bachelor’s degree in English from was never one to tolerate injustice Ryan) and Tim Ablett, MD (his wife Sue’s life will be held virtually at a the University of Vermont in 1975, quietly. Marlene, nephew Joshua, nieces date yet to be determined. and a Master of Library Science Sue loved literature and the arts. from the University of Denver in In California she joined the La 1977. Verne Writer’s Group, where she Memorialize your loved one in the pages Upon her return to Vermont, wrote and collaborated with other Sue worked as a librarian for the regional authors. She was the of The Bridge. State of Vermont Energy Office, author of the young adult time- the Agency of Human Services, travel fantasy trilogy, “Scraps of he Bridge is pleased to offer space for death no- tices, obituaries, and memorial announcements, all Tat an affordable price. The fee is 35 cents a word, with a minimum purchase of 250 words at $88. A single photo is free of charge. Ap- proved submissions 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 edition, please contact us to discuss web-only advertising options. Send submissions or inquiries to editor@montpelier- bridge.com. Please include the name, email address, and phone number of the person submitting, and we will touch base with you to arrange payment. The Bridge reserves the right to edit submissions to conform to the paper’s style or for clarity. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 29

In case you missed it on MontpelierBridge.org Check out some of the stories you may have missed on MontpelierBridge.org. You can read these and other stories in full on our website, which features frequent updates.

I checked my voicemail, not expecting food after farmers harvest their land, ac- a call from the Vermont State Depart- cording to the organization. ment of Health on a Sunday. It was indeed a call from the state, asking me Lawson’s Finest Liquids to call back. They don’t call you if you test negative — I knew this from having Honored by Business tested negative three times prior. Organization Waitsfield craft brewer, Lawson’s Community Harvest A Finest Liquids, has been chosen by Donated About 68 Tons of Vermont Businesses for Social Respon- Food in 2020 sibility to join the organization’s group of Champion Members. This group in- ave a carrot! Organizers with Com- cludes 22 other companies, including Hmunity Harvest of Central Vermont King Arthur Baking Company, Garden- announced recently their volunteers have er’s Supply, Vermont State Employees gleaned a ton and a half of carrots Dec. 3 Credit Union, Northfield Savings Bank, alone. All told for the year, the group has and Green Mountain Power. Champion 38 Elm Street, future site of new apartments. Photo by Phil Dodd. gathered 137,000 pounds, or 68.5 tons of Members represent the state’s leaders in surplus food. social responsibility and use business as New Apartments Planned signs, vehicle directional signs, informa- Gleaning is the process of picking up a catalyst for good in areas such as com- for Elm Street tion kiosks, street light pole banners, and food from farm fields after the farm- munity engagement, governance, sus- a landmark sign that reads “Downtown ers have finished their regular harvest, tainability, workplace culture, and public eveloper Steve Ribolini plans to cre- Montpelier.” according to their website community- policy. They also use business as a plat- Date six new apartments in a building Almost immediately after the signs harvestvt.org. The types of food they form for good and a generator of social at 38 Elm Street in Montpelier that had went up, community members began glean includes carrots, squash, peppers, change by valuing their employees, cus- for many years housed the Washington to share their opinions on social media. tomatoes, and apples. There is plenty of tomers, community, and environment. County Youth Service Bureau. The Bu- Enough negative comments were posted reau moved a few months ago to new to elicit a response from Montpelier Alive offices at the Green Mountain Commu- defending their and the city’s decision to nity Fitness building on Granger Road install the signs. in Berlin. Bridge Editor Contracts Downtown Signs Have COVID-19 Tongues Wagging t took a year, as of today, Dec. 31, he new downtown signage contin- I2020, for COVID-19 to travel from Tues to spark comment around town. its first known appearance in faraway The Wayfinding Project, a collaboration Wuhan, China, to my body in Central between the City Council and Montpe- Vermont. lier Alive, which cost $200,000, was in- Well, it officially arrived in my body a stalled in mid-November to help visitors few days earlier. On Dec. 27, several calls navigate the capital. The project includes came in on my phone, but I don’t an- parking signs, pedestrian directional swer calls from unknown origins. Later Volunteers glean carrots. Photo courtesy CHCV.

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Letters to the Editor Opinion

Thank You For student in the Roxbury school building And in the meantime, we are all paying and more Central Vermonters are strug- Publishing B. Lambek each year than in any other school in $10,000 more per student each year at gling with food security now than in and B. Floersch Montpelier. No, that is not because the Roxbury. And we wonder why a budget years. Cameron was intent on helping education in Roxbury is superior to the might come to us with close to a 10-per- with both. Editor, Montpelier elementary school. It is be- cent increase? After a busy shopping spree down- I would like to say how much I en- cause a small school with only 30-some- There are many people in town who town, she delivered a bevy of gift cards, joyed reading Bernie Lambek’s “Lunch thing students is very expensive to run. own houses that are paid for. However, sweets, and pet supplies on December 22 With My Father at the Tao” and Barbara I was part of the merger committee, they are now paying more per month for to the Montpelier Food Pantry at Trin- Floersch’s “Every Precious Thing.” They and we knew that was the case as we their taxes than they paid for their mort- ity Church where volunteers and staff are beautifully written and touching re- investigated the merger. Therefore, I am gage payment. Do we want a city where filled food orders for patrons. Patrons minders of what is most important in not surprised by the added expense per only wealthy people can afford to live? picked out gifts from shops all over life, especially as we get older. Thank student for education at Roxbury. What I love this town. I love the people who town: Namaste Indian-Nepali Kitchen, you to the writers for sharing their talents is disappointing is that the school board live here. And, yes, I love our children. Three Penny Taproom, Woodbelly Pizza, and to The Bridge for printing the fruits has not had any discussions about how to Roxbury’s taxes have consistently gone Skinny Pancake, Mad Taco, Quirky Pet, of their pens so we all could enjoy them. solve this problem. down since the merger. It is time for the Capital Stationers, The Drawing Board, Nancy Price Graff, Montpelier There are many possibilities other than school board to start discussing if they and Bear Pond Books. It was a wonderful closing that school. What we need is are going to keep the Roxbury School surprise — neighbors who came for pan- We Need To Curb High imagination. How could we use that open, how they will make it more afford- try staples left with gifts that help keep Cost of Roxbury Students building to improve the education for able for all of us. folks supporting downtown businesses. all students in the Montpelier Roxbury Tina Muncy, Montpelier Though we’ve felt the hard economic im- Editor, school system? (A magnet school, a lan- pact of the pandemic, residents like Ms. During the budget presentations, the guage-immersion school, a project-based Support Our Neighbors O’Connor remind us of the incredible Montpelier Roxbury school administra- middle school, etc.) My concern is that giving community that is Montpelier. tion offered figures to show that it costs none of these or other better ideas will and Local Businesses Jolynda Burton, Development and about $10,000 more to educate each be possible unless we begin discussing it! Editor, Communications Manager, Just Basics, Inc. With the strain this year has brought, long-time Montpelier resident and Just Basics, Inc. runs the Montpelier Just Basics donor Cameron O’Connor Food Pantry and structures programs that wanted to do more than write a check work with members of greater Montpelier this holiday season. Local businesses are to address their basic needs and confront seeing much lower numbers than usual, cycles of injustice. THE BRIDGE JANUARY 20, 2021–FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • PAGE 31 The Funny Page Covid Runners By Merrill Creagh Strips by local cartoonists

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InTown Circulation Meeting Feb 17 & Cabin Fever

All Ad Materials and For more information about advertising deadlines, Ad Space Reservations rates, and the design of your ad, contact: Due Friday, February 12 Rick McMahan 802-249-8666 or [email protected]