Citing “extensive and pervasive” damage to crops, Gov. Phil Scott is requesting that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issue a disaster declaration because temperatures plunged into the low 20s across Vermont for hours in mid-May, freezing vulnerable young buds on thousands of fruits. In a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on June 19, Scott described the “debilitating damage” to crops of apples, grapes, blueberries, peaches and other stone fruit across the state. He asked that a...
For a musical group that turns family conflict into identity and branding, the members of the Dysfunctional Family Jazz Band demonstrate some exceptional functionality. The band, which has released its second CD, Come Over, features longtime area musician Patty Carpenter singing duets with her daughter, Melissa Shetler, 38, now of Brooklyn. Shetler's father, Scott Shetler, complements the women's smooth, warm harmonies, accompanying them with tenor and baritone saxophone, clarinet, mandolin, clarinet and penny whistle. He is also Carpenter's ex-husband. A...
JAMAICA-My name is Lilian Newton, and I'm 13 years old, and I'm writing this letter in response to Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation's proposed development plans for Hamilton Falls Natural Area in Jamaica. For my entire life, I've lived a very short walk from Hamilton Falls, in the same house my great-grandparents lived in when they sold the falls property in 1972. As I've grown up, I've gone to the falls on most any hot day I can. Despite having...
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