Issue #675

Artu: progressive ideas, collaborative problem solving

Wichie Artu is the right person to be Windham County's next senator.

His experience with state policy making and helping craft state legislation has given him a strong foundation in the workings of Vermont state government.

Wichie has immense experience organizing large groups of people with differing viewpoints and bringing them all to the table. He also has a background in consensus-based decision-making that will put him in good stead for nuts-and-bolts policy making in the State House.

He is a policy and data nerd who is happy to go the extra mile to make sure he understands all sides of an issue before making a decision, and his recent “listening tours“ have shown how that will bear out when he gets to in Montpelier.

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Gray can bring the Vermont way of living to D.C.

Molly Gray experienced the privilege of growing up the Vermont way, having been born family's farm in Newbury. That Vermont upbringing instilled in her experience, understanding, and a sense of responsibility to the Vermont way of living that has informed her approach to policy making. Whether working in Congress,

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Copeland Hanzas: a fighter (ask our mom)

Democracy is under attack like never before. We see it in the headlines every day as the Jan. 6 Commission continues its work. While it would be nice to think of the events of that dark day as safely behind us, the truth is that the forces at work...

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Hashim: the experienced candidate

Nader Hashim of Dummerston is the experienced candidate to replace retiring Windham County Senators Becca Balint and Jeanette White. A former Windham-4 state representative (Dummerston, Putney, Westminster), Hashim knows firsthand how our Legislature works and how to work in our Legislature. A former Vermont state trooper, Hashim knows firsthand real-life Vermont and real-life Vermonters. A law clerk becoming a lawyer, Hashim knows firsthand how laws that our legislators pass work in practice as he prepares to practice law. I have...

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Bos-Lun: committed to helping neighbors face the community

With the Aug. 9 primary election fast approaching, I encourage the voters of Rockingham and Brookline to familiarize themselves with Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, who is running as one of two candidates who will represent the newly formed Windham 3 district (Westminster, Dummerston, Rockingham, and Brookline.) Michelle represented Westminster and Putney in the previous biennium as an effective legislator with diverse, real-life experiences in local community, U.S, and international organizations. She has worked widely as an educator and continues to focus...

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Harrison: transporation, LGBTQ rights, right to choose

This is to encourage your vote in the upcoming primary for Wendy Harrison (D) for Windham County state senator. Here is why I'm supporting Wendy in a field of good candidates: • Wendy and I served on the Windham Regional Commission's Transportation Committee. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, and open to different perspectives. She was committed to making pubic transportation available and usable by everyone and will work to ensure funding for safe biking and walking. • Wendy has spent her...

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Clark: ready on day one to be attorney general

Vermont has never elected a woman to be our state's Attorney General, but we have the opportunity this year! My cousin, Charity Clark, is running in the August primary to be the Democratic candidate on the ballot in November. I believe she is the most qualified candidate for this important job. With so much at stake at this moment - reproductive freedom, public safety, criminal justice reform, environmental protection - it is critical that we elect an attorney general who...

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Vermont's primary season comes down to the wire

There are several contested races in the Aug. 9 Democratic Party primary, but the bulk of the attention has been focused on one race and two candidates. Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray are the clear frontrunners in the contest to decide the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Peter Welch, who is running for his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate seat of the soon-to-retire Patrick Leahy. Two progressive Democrats,

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A ‘festival of friends’

118 Elliot is launching Nu Mu Festival, featuring more than 20 new music events by visiting and local musicians exploring a mix of improvisational styles, and the “Visions of a Sound” exhibition on Friday, Aug. 5 during Gallery Walk and extending throughout the month. Opening night will feature music by saxophonist Jeff Lederer and Jimmy Bosch with Los Sazones, who will play the Center Stage at Gallery Walk. The music will continue after hours at 118 Elliot with a Cuban...

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Amazing Hunt fundraiser will benefit Hospice

A black cat, a woman in a Hawaiian shirt, a license plate from Nevada - these are some of the possible items that people will seek out during the Brattleboro Area Hospice's Amazing Hunt on Saturday, Aug. 13. Teams compete to score the most points while navigating downtown Brattleboro, and having fun, all while raising money to benefit Brattleboro Area Hospice. The fee to participate is a minimum of $200 per team - four-member teams are encouraged - and funds...

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Vermont Theatre Company to perform ‘The Winter’s Tale’

Vermont Theatre Company's upcoming performances of William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, directed by Shannon Ward, will take place on Friday through Sunday, Aug. 5 , 6, and 7 and Aug. 12, 13, and 14, at the Hooker Dunham Theater & Gallery, 139 Main St. “August may seem like an unusual month to produce The Winter's Tale,” Ward said in a news release. “Despite the name, this show is not necessarily set in winter. A 'winter's tale' refers to a story...

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Camerata hosts Renaissance music workshop

The Brattleboro Camerata will host a free outdoor Renaissance Music Workshop and Sing on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Brattleboro Music Center. The morning and afternoon periods will be divided by a bring-your-own picnic lunch together. “In this workshop, we'll get the chance to really dig into issues of performance practice and interpretation,” Music Director Jonathan Harvey said in a news release. “We'll look at how text and harmony inform phrasing and dynamics, how...

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Around the Towns

Reduced hours for Living Memorial Park swimming pool BRATTLEBORO - The Living Memorial Park swimming pool hours of operation will be reduced, starting this week, to 1 to 6 p.m. The pool will close for the season on Sunday, Aug. 21, at 5 p.m., according to the Recreation & Parks Department. Hospital Fair Day returns to Townshend TOWNSHEND - The town common will be buzzing with activity on Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Grace Cottage Hospital Fair Day. All proceeds...

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SEVCA seeks community members to serve on board of directors

Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) is actively seeking community members who live in Windham or Windsor counties to consider joining the nonprofit's board of directors. “As a member of the SEVCA board, you will participate in our work, and together we will continue to implement solutions to the deep-seated problems of poverty, largely by empowering and collaborating with those whose lives are affected by it daily,” representatives of SEVCA wrote in a news release. The organization is seeking people who...

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Milestones

College news • Aaron Boles of Wilmington, Acesta Frye-Panther of Marlboro, and James Surfus of Brattleboro all were awarded bachelor's degrees with the Class of 2022 at Emerson College in Boston. • The following local students graduated after the spring 2022 semester at Champlain College in Burlington: Jacob Lazarek of Westminster, B.S. in game art and animation; Jane Young of Brattleboro, B.F.A in filmmaking; Thomas Szpila of Brattleboro, B.S. in computer science and innovation; and Barbara Yanke of Wilmington, B.S.

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Windham County side judge won’t seek reelection

An assistant judge from Windham County who will appear on the Aug. 9 primary ballot said she has dropped out of the race following her resignation from the post earlier this month. Democrat Patricia Duff, who's held the role since 2006, said three bouts with COVID-19 and associated health issues prompted her to resign. Her health made coming to work difficult, she said. Duff's colleague, Assistant Judge Lamont Barnett, also a Democrat, is seeking reelection. According to the Vermont Secretary...

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Rockingham Old House Awards honor historic preservation efforts

Kicking off with the Aug. 6 and 7 Old Home Days and the Meeting House Pilgrimage weekend, nominations are open for Rockingham Old House Awards 2022. “During our Awards Silver Jubilee year we want to celebrate with property owners their ongoing restoration and renewal of historic homes and commercial buildings,” said John Leppman, Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission chair in a news release. The program, sponsored by the commission, offers awards to multiple recipients in a number of categories, including best...

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Harrison: cares about bread-and-butter issues and actually wants to do something about them

I met Wendy Harrison shortly after she moved to Brattleboro, and I'm so glad that I did. She was working for the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust, and she volunteered to help with Tiny House Fest Vermont, which I was co-producing. From our first encounter, I learned that when Wendy says she cares about bread-and-butter issues, she actually wants to do something about them, and she wants to hear every angle. Over time, Wendy has shared stories of her life...

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Artu, Hashim: pragmatic visionaries

I am thrilled that we have such incredible candidates running for state senate in Windham County. Wichie Artu and Nadar Hashim are both visionaries with the pragmatic skills needed to address the challenges we're facing, from covid to addiction to climate change. Nadar Hashim, who has already served as state representative from Windham-4, views and crafts policy through the lens of equity and justice. Most notably -especially with the state senate losing Sen. Becca Balint - he is a bridge...

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Hashim: commitment to our communities and our concerns

When Nader Hashim ran for the Vermont House of Representatives, I was impressed at his outreach into the community. His meet-and-greets with the firefighters at the diner and one-on-ones with folks at the Putney General Store, his listening and asking questions - all demonstrated his commitment to our communities and our concerns. After winning his election and serving in the House, he made sure to communicate what he was seeing and hearing through email and constituent events. His background as...

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Hashim: Sincere state trooper demonstrates good social values

I vote for my values, and that is why I am voting for Nader Hashim for state senate. I knew Nader as a state trooper in my area who I would talk to sometimes and see on social media. I liked his sincerity and honesty, his mind and memory for people, and the time that he gave to help causes and people in the community. Now, after seeing what he has accomplished in the Legislature, I know that Nader is...

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Brattleboro wins state Little League title

The undefeated Brattleboro 12-U All-Stars completed an amazingly dominant run through the 2022 Vermont Little League Baseball playoffs on July 30 with an 8-1 win over Williston at Cioffi Park in St. Albans. How dominant? Brattleboro outscored their opponents, 67-11, on the way to a perfect 9-0 record in the district and state tournaments. With the victory over Williston, Brattleboro won the 12-year-old Little League state championship for the 18th time since 1957. It was their first title since 2016.

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Psychedelic Cinema Orchestra returns to Brattleboro with Antarctic exploration film ‘South’

South, a silent documentary created by Frank Hurley, the cameraman recruited by Ernest Shackleton to record his harrowing 1914–1916 attempt to reach the South Pole, will be screened at Epsilon Spires on Saturday, Aug. 6. The film will be scored live with an improvised soundtrack by the Psychedelic Cinema Orchestra, which accompanied the Super 8 film collages of Ken Brown at the venue last year. Shackleton and his crew were stranded in the Antarctic when their ship, the HMS Endurance,

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Hashim: trust and compassion to keep county well served

Nader Hasim is ready to lead and use his skills, experience, and dedication to serving Windham County residents in the Vermont Senate. He has my vote and I hope he has yours as well. I've gotten to know Nader over the last four years, serving with him in the Vermont House of Representatives. Our relationship continued outside the Legislature, and I've come to know him as a man open to learning, who listens to his own heart and those of...

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Town clerk lists information for Brattleboro voters

Here is some information from Town Clerk Hilary Francis that might be helpful to know about voting in Brattleboro in the Aug. 9 State Primary elections. The polling place for all three districts in Brattleboro is the American Legion, 32 Linden St., from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Masks are no longer required to enter the American Legion for voting, but they are certainly welcome and will be provided, along with hand sanitizer. Parking is available at the American Legion...

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Old Home Days this weekend

The 45th annual Rockingham Old Home Days celebration will take place on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6, at the Waypoint Center, 17 Depot St., in Bellows Falls, from 4 to 10 p.m. Rockingham Old Home Days celebrates a tradition that started in the early 1900s. All-day events include the Guinness Book of World Records barbecue, tiny homes on display, a flea market and a flea market flip contest, dunk tank, live entertainment, food booths, a climbing wall, live animals, craft...

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‘I am profoundly sorry’

Your Honor, I want to be unequivocal. I am solely accountable for the decision to transfer the funds the government identified. I wish every single day that I had not done so. My actions caused harm to Democracy Prep public schools in ways that I deeply regret. I feel a constant sense of remorse and shame. And I especially do not blame the victim. On the contrary, I have now and always have had the utmost respect for, and enthusiastic...

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‘The crime was serious. It had a real victim and must be punished.’

I will start by explaining the factors I've considered in arriving at Seth Andrew's sentence. First, as required, I've considered the advisory guidelines range, which I have determined to be 21 to 27 months' imprisonment. The guidelines range is only one factor that I must consider in deciding the appropriate sentence. I am also required to consider the other factors, including the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; the need for the...

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Artist Ven Voisey performs ‘choral work for disembodied voices’ at Epsilon Spires

Multimedia artist Ven Voisey will perform his solo choral work “No Noumenon” in the sanctuary of Epsilon Spires on Friday, Aug. 5, directly following Gallery Walk downtown at 8 p.m. In his free performance, Voisey will use live and recorded vocals amplified through an array of bullhorn speakers to create a layered composition that is in conversation with the multi-part music for choirs that would have historically been performed in the former church. “Throughout my work, I find myself continually...

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A mural with meaning

Sitting at tables under a large tent that provides cover from a strong sun on this summer Saturday, a group of young artists excitedly but quietly work with markers, paint, and other art supplies. Several teens paint on three sturdy wood panels where the stark outlines of large, plain swaths of warm, bright colors have just begun coming into focus. Under the creative guidance of Juniper Creative Arts, a Black- and Dominican-based family arts collective based in Brandon, the young...

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What’s the good word?

By day she is a warehouse worker, but her true passion lies with the moving of tiles on the Scrabble board. Word lover and Brattleboro resident Sara Corbin has recently returned from the 2022 Scrabble Players Championship, held in late July in Baltimore, where her proudest moment was when she earned 212 points for the word “squatter.” She positioned the tiles for that word on the top right-hand edge of the board, placing two onto triple-word-score squares and another onto...

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