Landmark College announced it has received a $20,000 grant from the Labor Department to support internship opportunities for its students.
The college was one of 16 businesses and organizations to be awarded a Vermont Internship Program Grant, which distributed a total of $450,000 among the organizations.
Jan Coplan, director of Career Connections at Landmark College, says the award will provide meaningful opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in the careers they are pursuing.
She adds that it will help the college's efforts to educate employers about the strengths of neurodivergent workers and to train managers to maximize their abilities.
Greater Falls Connections (GFC) will host its annual meeting and potluck barbecue dinner on Wednesday, July 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Rockingham Recreation Center, 10 Playground Road. Anyone who supports GFC's vision of a healthy, nurturing, and supportive community is encouraged to attend and participate. GFC...
The Sundays On The Hill concert series welcomes back the Counterpoint Ensemble on July 17, at 4 p.m., at the Church on the Hill (Community Church) in Weston. Counterpoint was founded by choral director and arranger Robert De Cormier in 2000 and is based in Montpelier. It is dedicated...
Vermont Humanities recently announced that The Most Costly Journey (El Viaje Más Caro), an anthology of comics that depicts the oral histories of migrant farm workers, will be its Vermont Reads book choice for 2022. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the statewide reading program. Every year the organization invites students, adults, and seniors across the state to read the same book and participate in a variety of community activities related to the book's themes. More than 200 Vermont towns,
Wendy's Jazz Soiree presents vocalist Samirah Evans with guitarist Anand Nayak on Sunday, July 17, at 6 p.m. at 2596 Tater Lane in Guilford. Samirah Evans is known for her dynamic, soulful approach to jazz and blues, among other genres. Her style is heavily influenced by the New Orleans sound, where she was one of the city's most in-demand singers. Hurricane Katrina caused Samirah to relocate to her husband's hometown of Brattleboro. Shortly after her arrival she assembled a band...
Talk highlights what social movements could gain from the Declaration of IndependenceBRATTLEBORO - With its universal claims of equality and liberty, the Declaration of Independence established the principles of a free nation. Since its promulgation, abolitionists, suffragists, civil rights leaders, and the Black Panther Party have relied on the principles of the Declaration to persuade the nation in the direction of liberty and equality. Scholar Meg Mott will present a history and context of the Declaration and its influence Wednesday,
College news • The following local members of Ithaca (N.Y.) College's Class of 2022 received their degrees in May: Colin Costa-Walsh of Putney graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in cinema and photography and Logan Cota of Bellows Falls graduated with a B.S. in business administration. • Jessie Lazelle of Wilmington was named to the spring 2022 Dean's List at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y. • Charlotte Croft, a sophomore from West Dover, and Addison Kujovsky, a sophomore from...
I supported Molly Gray in her successful bid for lieutenant governor in 2020 and am proud to be supporting her current campaign for Congress. Molly has deep roots in Vermont, with parents from Windham County, an on-farm Vermont upbringing, and a Vermont education spanning from elementary school through law school. While remaining true to her Brave Little State roots she has also gained meaningful experience in international affairs; Molly worked for years in Washington, D.C., as a congressional staffer and...
A new group exhibition at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) explores the diverse possibilities of the medium of felt, from felted family portraits to surreal felt furniture to giant, touchable felt sculptures. On view in the museum's Wolf Kahn & Emily Mason Gallery, “Felt Experience” features works by Marjolein Dallinga, Ruth Jeyaveeran, Melissa Joseph, Liam Lee, and Stephanie Metz. “'Felt Experience' can refer to understanding something through touch, and also to the deeply emotional responses evoked in the...
With 10 of Vermont's 30 state senators stepping down - including both senators from Windham County - we need someone with experience in government to represent us in Montpelier. That would be Wendy Harrison. Since moving to Vermont full time in 2015, Wendy's had firsthand experience as a municipal manager and/or administrator in the small town of Vernon (pop. 2,141), the medium-sized town of Rockingham (5,034), and the city of Winooski (7,320). She also has eight years' experience as an...
Windham County and Vermont would be well-served to have Nader Hashim back in the State House. When I served as speaker of the House, I watched Nader quickly learn the ropes to become an impactful voice in policymaking. He was a key voice on the House Committee on Judiciary for criminal justice, public safety for all Vermonters, and police reform, bringing his lived experience as a law enforcement officer and BIPOC Vermonter. He also actively supported paid family leave, raising...
I urge you to vote in the Vermont primaries. There is currently so much political angst in our country. It feels cheap to just say vote, but it is a concrete action step with clear results. Specifically, I am urging you to vote for Michelle Bos-Lun for Windham-3 representative (Westminster, Rockingham, and Brookline). I have known Michelle since 2004, when I traveled as a participant in the first Compass School global connections program that she led to India when I...
I met Wichie Artu at the start of the pandemic. Our initial work researched how COVID-19 impacted our Vermont community members of color in Windham County and statewide. We were at a place of identifying needs but needed to find ways to make an impact. We evolved into a new, more powerful identity as the NAACP Health Justice Committee. The hope for marginalized community members to successfully access high-quality and equitable health services actually impacts us all for the better.
My mom almost lost her life from an illegal abortion, way before abortion was legalized in 1973, back when she was a college student in the 1940s. With Roe v. Wade overturned, I am now compelled to tell her story, to ring out the warning of the dangers of the inevitable resurgence of “back alley” (illegal) abortions. I never knew the full story until after my mom's death, at age 65 from uterine cancer, when her lifelong friend, Nina, stepped...
When I look at the ballot, I cast my votes using a sort of mathematical equation for each candidate: supports my values + has “lived experience” to inform their values + has public service or leadership experience + shows integrity + listens to a variety of opinions + educates themselves to develop their own opinions. In adding all of this up, I have (easily) come to the conclusion that I'm voting for Nader Hashim for state Senate. When I was...
I have had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand how Wichie Artu shows up to ensure all are getting their needs met and doing what he can to serve those in his community. Yes, it is wonderful to have a state Senate candidate from our little hilltown of Athens, but that in and of itself would not be enough to garner my support. It is the honesty, transparency, and integrity that he brings to all that he takes on. I've worked...
Joyce Marcel's column is, unfortunately, a very typical and expected reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She contemplates the possible return of slavery and a parade of horribles that includes the overturning of marriage equality, the end of interracial marriage, and anything else you can imagine. This fits very well with the tactic of Democrats for the upcoming election: spread fear - plenty of fear - because they have nothing else to sell. Most of these fears are...
(1)(2)I've known Chris Winters as a friend and colleague since we attended the Vermont Leadership Institute together 15 years ago. He has worked in the Secretary of State's Office for more than two decades and for the past seven years, he has served as deputy secretary of state under Jim Condos. The way much of the country is heading, we've seen how important it's becoming for secretaries of state to stand up for voting rights. Chris is not only hands-down...
With two vacancies for Windham County, this year's Vermont Senate race brings a great opportunity to bring new faces, new leadership, new perspective, and a new way of doing things to our county. There is an unprecedented set of challenges before us - ones that require collaboration, innovation, resiliency, and infrastructure - and opportunities for each community member to be and do their best. I'm writing to endorse Wichie Artu, because he not only understands this, he lives this. I'm...
When I was 16, I knew I was a woman. This realization came from the core of my awareness. I felt an assuredness as solid and calm as a growing sapling. My feet were connected to the earth, and my spirit became attached to the wide forest of women in the world. I was to become the attendant of women's power and presence. I looked out the window of my boarding school bedroom and felt at one with the trees...
August will bring an important primary election for our state - for U.S. House seat. I will be supporting Becca Balint. Having served in the Vermont Senate with Becca for eight years, I have seen firsthand how she works, what her values are, and how she will represent Vermont. She is great on the issues, including foundations of democracy, support for working Vermonters, support of small business, equity and justice, public education, women's rights, child care, transparent government. But more...
I first met Michelle Bos-Lun in 2018 when I was running my campaign to be a state representative for the Windham-4 district. Michelle and I found plenty of common ground when it came to issues surrounding racial justice, mental health services, refugees and immigration, and helping the most marginalized Vermonters in Windham County. Beyond the policy issues, Michelle is also an extremely hard-working and dedicated person. She has a seemingly endless amount of energy when it comes to reaching out...
Many folks in Rockingham and Brookline know Rep. Leslie Goldman because she has so ably served them in the State House this biennium, but may not be as familiar with Michelle Bos-Lun, who has also served this biennium but from another district. I have known Michelle Bos-Lun for nearly 20 years, initially as a constituent; later as director of a high school career development program and as a volunteer and advocate at Windham Elementary School; and for the past two...
When David Zuckerman spoke recently in Guilford, I was again impressed by his warmth and kindness, his grasp of the important issues of the day, his willingness to stand up to those who are blocking social, political, and environmental progress. David informed us of the many ways he can use the office of lieutenant governor for the good of the state - the legislative importance of the position and, more importantly, the voice for the people in our state executive...
Throughout the past nearly two years in her first term as a legislator, Michelle Bos-Lun has made a positive impact, particularly in the areas of education, human rights, the environment, and justice reform. She approaches her role with dedication, thoroughness, and principle. She listens, asks questions, seeks diverse opinions, and takes initiative to address issues of concern. Adding to those attributes, she is accessible and a clear communicator. One example of her accessibility is the monthly meetings with constituents she...
Tristan Roberts, an honest man of deep thought and integrity, will have my vote for state representative for residents in Halifax, Whitingham (our home from 1988 to 1992), and Wilmington (our home for the last 30 years). Tristan knows Halifax well, having lived there for 17 years and having served on the Selectboard for two of those. His public service is no surprise, given his strong participation in the Marlboro College community, which brought him to Windham County 25 years...
Recently, I glanced around at the tables of new offerings at the bookstore and saw one that intrigued me: The Girl in the Yellow Pantsuit: Essays on politics, history, and culture, by Becca Balint. The fact that Becca is the author intrigued me, and so did the title, so I added the book to my pile. I had never read any of her columns, so I didn't know what to expect when I began reading. Three hours later, I put...
For all voters of Westminster, Bellows Falls, and Brookline: The elections are coming up, and all voters who believe in free elections, in government for all, and that all people are equal need to pay attention. Our freedoms are in jeopardy and our values are under attack. Political conservatives will create such a conservative series of laws it will take decades to clean up. Michelle Bos-Lun and Leslie Goldman are two candidates who are 100 percent for the people. Michelle...
One of my best and brightest students is Michelle Bossard, as she was then known. Today, she is Michelle Bos-Lun, one of your stellar state representatives, and I can still recall her when she was in my world history, my U.S. history and my level 4 Chinese Mandarin language classes in the early '80s. She was an enthusiastic and diligent student, and beyond my classes, she was active as the science club president and a member of a school program...
The best reasons for my support of Michelle Bos-Lun have to do with values. Anyone can support one cause and not another. But to know - really know - how they will operate under duress, you must ask: What is behind that person, and why do they operate as they do? Michelle has those values I admire. She serves people. Her work with Tibetan refugees struck a chord because my sister spent most of her life doing similar work. I...
When Becca Balint was launching her first run for Vermont Senate, some years ago, my wife, Christie Herbert, and I had the distinct pleasure of hosting a meet-and-greet gathering for Becca. Supporting Becca was an easy decision back then, seeing how well-suited she was for political leadership at the state level as a senator. The decision now for us voters is equally clear. Becca Balint deserves our vote on Primary Election Day Aug. 9 to send her to the general...
With the release of the census data comes redistricting in Vermont, which tries to assign one representative for every 4,200 constituents. Because Windham County lost about 17 percent of its population since the last census, Putney and Dummerston have lost one representative: Michelle Bos-Lun. This is great news for folks living in Westminster, Brookline, and Rockingham, the towns in her new district. As a current constituent, I want to introduce you to Michelle Bos-Lun. Michelle serves on the House Committee...
My name is Angela Lawrence of Dummerston, and I am running to be your next High Bailiff in Windham County. I am a first-generation Vermonter, a first-generation American, and a woman of color. I came to the U.S. 20 years ago from Kenya and grew up in Brockton, Mass. I am a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, came to Brattleboro in 2013, and recently moved with my family to Dummerston. I am married to a local carpenter and have two young...
This weekend, Yellow Barn's 53rd summer festival continues with three evening concerts and a viola masterclass on Saturday morning. On Thursday, July 14, Yellow Barn welcomes soprano Lucy Shelton back to the Big Barn for two solos for voice from John Cage's Songbooks -“songs” that provide a series of instructions to the performer, who has freedom of interpretation. Also on the program is George Benjamin's Upon Silence for mezzo-soprano and string ensemble, with text by William Butler Yeats. Additional works...
Starting July 16, Vermont is launching the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Callers will be immediately connected to compassionate, caring counselors who are trained to provide support for individuals experiencing everything from emotional distress to a mental health crisis. While they are trained to treat and address suicidality, it is not only for those individuals in crisis. The 9-8-8 Lifeline is also not only for those experiencing challenges with their own mental health. If you are the family member, loved...
An historic marker, saluting contributions Lucy Joslyn Cutler Daniels of Grafton made to the Women's Suffrage Movement in the early 1900s, will be dedicated on Saturday, July 16 at 1 p.m. in front of her former residence at 3 Main Street in Grafton. The marker is part of the National Votes for Women Trail, in cooperation with the National Collaborative for Women's History Sites. The program for the event is still being finalized; but women's historians, the Grafton Historical Society,
Next Stage Arts Project has welcomed Amirah Sackett and Ahmed Zaghbouni (MR MiC) to Putney in recent days to serve as their 2022 artists in residence. The pair gave workshops, lectures, performances, and several media interviews - all aimed to inspire everyone to follow their passion. Sackett, a Muslim American hip-hop dancer and educator, said she fell in love with hip-hop culture as a child. She lives and works in her hometown of Chicago and received a bachelor's degree in...
The late Earl Weaver, the longtime manager of the Baltimore Orioles, liked to say that “the key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three-run homers.” The Brattleboro Little League 12-year-old All-Stars are following that prescription to the letter. They have plenty of pitching, they play sound defense and keep the mistakes to minimum, and they have guys that can crush the ball for three-run homers. Brattleboro swept through the first four games of the round robin stage of...
An exhibit of works by many area artists, collected by Joy Wallens-Penford, will be on view at All Souls Church in the West Village Meeting House in West Brattleboro starting Sunday, July 17, from noon to 2 p.m. There will be an opportunity for the community to acquire items through botha silent and a live auction, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6. The silent auction's three-weeks-long preview will end at that time. Offering something for everyone, more than 55 works in...
For three decades, Vermont teenagers have gathered at the annual Governor's Institute on Global Issues and Youth Action to talk about hot topics ranging from abortion to zero-tolerance policies. Even so, some didn't know how to respond to visiting scholar Amer Latif's recent speech title, “Love my enemy! Seriously?” “It's much easier to say, 'Look at what they've done - we need to take those people down,'” Latif admitted. “But what kind of interactions are possible with those that we...
On the website of the former Marlboro College, where Jay Craven taught film, “My goal is to tell an inventive and original story,” says the Northeast Kingdom filmmaker, who genuinely engaged students there in the process of filmmaking for some 20 years. And tell a good story he does in each of his many independent narrative films, the latest of which Craven recently finished shooting in southern Vermont and Massachusetts. Lost Nation, what he calls his “last big movie,” is...
As is our custom, we have attempted to gather an avalanche of recent candidate endorsement and election letters into a special primary election Voices section. Recent events in the world have delayed our publication, and we hope that with approximately a month left before Election Day, it's just in time for voters who are still mulling over their options. In-person voting for the Vermont statewide primary election will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 9, with polls opening no later than...
If Katy Emond succeeds, in September, Putney parents like her will have a new resource to help ameliorate the challenges of being working parents. Emond - a community member for 40 years, a high school teacher for 16 years, and a swimming instructor for 25 years - is also the mother of three children. Soon, she hopes to become executive director of the Putney Community & Childcare Center, her vision to help parents who must work but too often cannot...
“Marlboro Music has been here in good times and in bad for 70 years,” says Marlboro Music Manager Philip Maneval. “And we'll be here for another 70 years and beyond.” Despite the shuffling of real estate deeds, Marlboro Music “is committed to protecting” the campus of the now-closed Marlboro College - the place that the festival has called home since 1951. “We know and love it; there are abundant and rich legacies here and we want to protect those,” Maneval...