Issue #726
From river’s depths, a vestige of Bellows Falls history emerges
During the first week of August, Great River Hydro, which owns the hydropower dam on the Connecticut River between Bellows Falls and North Walpole, New Hampshire, began a drawdown of the river upstream of the dam in order to repair one of the dam's spillways, damaged during the July 10–11 flood.
The low water revealed what is left of the series of more than a dozen stone piers on the bottom of the main river channel, upriver from the dam.
Retreat Farm gives back to nonprofits
This is a shout-out to the wonderful people at the Retreat Farm, especially the new executive director, Kristin Sullivan, and the director of development, Jenny Crowell. For the first Food Truck Roundup of the season, the Retreat Farm made the Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP) the first beneficiary of...
Vermont Center for Photography artists display work at NXT Gallery
NXT Gallery is hosting an exhibit of diverse photographic works from Aug. 19 though Nov. 12 on the second floor of Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill. Entitled "Four Perspectives," the exhibit represents the work of Al Karevy, Davida Carta, Joshua Farr, and Vaune Trachtman - four local artists...
More
Would it be better for Brattleboro to use ARPA funds for other capital projects?
Town staff have estimated the startup costs for a Brattleboro Fire Department municipal ambulance service to be between $1.3 million and $1.9 million. The Selectboard would like to use one-time ARPA funds to pay for these costs. I want to say at the start that I deeply appreciate our BFD. They are skilled, they are very hard-working, and they risk their lives for us when they fight fires. They have also been skilled EMS first responders when Rescue was last...
Next Stage Bandwagon Series presents Afrobeat ensemble Armo
The Next Stage "Bandwagon Summer Series" presents Afrobeat ensemble Armo on Friday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m., at the Retreat Farm, 45 Farmhouse Square. Armo's sound focuses on classic and contemporary Afrobeat. Founded by longtime Antibalas bandmates Amayo (vocals, keyboards), Jordan McLean (trumpet, percussion), Marcus Farrar (percussion, vocals), Nikhil P. Yerawadekar (guitar, keyboards), Kevin Raczka (drums), and Justin Kimmel (bass), Armo creates spontaneous arrangements of the music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, The Daktaris, Ebo Taylor, William Onyeabor, The Art Ensemble...
In-Sight Photography Project launches its first Youth Photo Contest & Fair
In-Sight Photography Project announces its first Youth Photo Contest & Fair. For 30 years, In-Sight Photography Project has been nurturing the creativity of young artists in the Brattleboro community and across the country. "Seeing an opportunity to give young artists an opportunity to have their work exhibited in the community and seen by professionals in the field, this year, instead of our Annual Benefit Art Auction, we made a choice to ask the community to support an event that will...
Around the Towns
Wildlife tales told at RFPL BELLOWS FALLS - The Southern Vermont Natural History Museum offers an exciting journey around the world in "Wildlife Tales" on Friday, Aug. 11, at 5 p.m., at the Rockingham Free Public Library. Each story will feature a live animal, including raptors, reptiles, and more to bring a natural history element to the myths and legends. This free, all-ages program is part of "All Together Now," the 2023 summer reading program. For more information, contact 802-463-4270,
Entries sought for Rockingham Old House Awards
Nominations are open for Rockingham Old House Awards 2023. "Inaugurated by the Bellows Falls Historical Society over 25 years ago, the Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission carries the baton to celebrate with property owners their ongoing restoration and renewal of historic homes and commercial buildings," John Leppman, Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission chair, said in a news release. The awards program is sponsored by the Commission. Multiple award categories include awards for best private residence, commercial building, and apartment building. There will...
Guilford author will talk about his new book
Join author Chuck Collins in conversation with Frida Berrigan as they explore the ethics and evolution of environmental activism through the lens of his novel, Altar to an Erupting Sun, Monday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m., in the Main Reading Room of Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St. The novel's main character, Rae Kelliher, is a veteran environmental activist and pioneer in the death-with-dignity movement. Her husband, Reggie, calls her "party in a box" and "a weaver of people and...
In support of Dover library director
John Flores was the librarian at the Dover Free Library for 24 years. He has been a dedicated community servant, putting on creative and interesting programs and thoughtfully buying books locally whenever possible. In June, John was fired from the library with no cause. After 24 years, he was escorted out of his former workplace like a criminal. No notice. No "thank you for your service." Just walked out as if he was a thief. In the news article in...
Little Free Library offers free books
Visitors to Greater Rockingham Area Services (GRAS) can now pick up a book to pass the time while they wait for an appointment, thanks to a Little Free Library recently installed in the lobby by the Bellows Falls Woman's Club. The books are free for the taking in the take-one, leave-one philosophy of Little Free Library, a nonprofit whose mission is to promote reading by making books accessible to all. The Bellows Falls library is one of 150,000 in 120...
Big Woods Voices to perform at Manitou
The Manitou Project will offer a musical experience with Big Woods Voices (BWV) on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 3 p.m., in the woods on Manitou's forest land. BWV celebrates a cappella vocal harmony through arrangements grown from American roots genres, world folk styles, poets old and new, and BWV member Will Danforth's deep creative well. "From heart-stopping to foot-stomping, prayerful to fun-filled, dissonant to dulcet, Big Woods Voices interweaves harmony and dissonance in riveting and melodic soundscapes," they say. The...
Music Under the Stars concludes with Keith Murphy & Becky Tracy
The "Music Under the Stars" concert series presented by the Brattleboro Music Center and Retreat Farm concludes Saturday, Aug. 19, with a performance by Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy and special guests. "We always love playing at the Retreat Farm," Murphy said in a news release. "It is such a beautiful setting and atmosphere and a fun chance for us to invite some favorite musical friends to join us for a few tunes, which always feels festive for us." Murphy...
Museum to honor ‘service to art and humanity’
The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) will present its inaugural Award for Service to Art & Humanity to artist Aurora Robson at the museum's annual gala on Saturday, Aug. 19, beginning at 6 p.m. "BMAC believes in the power of art and artists to imagine new possibilities, to communicate across political and cultural divides, and to encourage empathy and collaboration," BMAC Director Danny Lichtenfeld said in a news release. "We have great admiration for artists who apply their creative...
Retreat Farm hosts Community Days celebration
On July 30, Retreat Farm hosted the first Community Days to celebrate the locals and regular visitors who call the farm home. One highlight of the event was the animal meet-and-greet. Animal Care Manager Emma Recchi provided a special opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with Carlos the Ox, Sassy the Donkey, and the farm's herd of goats, including Pip, Trouble, Sundae, Cinnamon, with Noon and Meridien visiting from Big Picture Farm. "The farm is a platform...
Planning Commission invites comments on Draft 2023 Town Plan
The Planning Commission will present and receive comments in person and virtually on its Draft 2023 Town Plan on Thursday, Aug. 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Putney Friends Meeting House, 17 Bellows Falls Rd. The Draft 2023 Putney Town Plan covers the entire Town of Putney. Drafted with community input, it addresses State municipal planning goals as well as the aspirations and priorities of Putney community members. The eight-year plan includes eight topical chapters, each with recommended objectives,
Bard Owl to perform benefit concert for Loaves and Fishes on Aug. 12
Under the maple trees at the Historic Springs Farm, 49 Carpenter Hill Rd., in Guilford Center, Bard Owl, the acoustic duo of T. Breeze Verdant and Annie Landenberger, present a concert to benefit Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen in Brattleboro, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12. Bard Owl's playlist includes jazz, ballads, blues, sweet and slow tunes - new, old, original, and familiar. According to the artists' website, "Verdant's sound, honed over 50 years, is driven by...
Northeast Men’s Summer Chorus offers three concerts at local venues
The Northeast Men's Summer Chorus (NMSC) gets together in August each year to perform a variety of music, including musical theater, pop, patriotic, glee club, and spiritual selections. The singers and their families come from many states, including South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Conductor Walt Sayre is from Keene, New Hampshire. Concert performances will be on Thursday, Aug. 10, at First Congregational Church of West Brattleboro; Friday, Aug. 11, at First Congregational Church...
Milestones
College news • Jem Cohen of Brattleboro, a member of the Class of 2024 who is majoring in economics and business in the liberal arts, and Hana Kusumi of South Londonderry, a member of the Class of 2023 who majored in government and philosophy, were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2023 semester at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Transitions • The Southern Vermont Board of Realtors (SVBR) recently appointed Jacki Murano as its new...
Brattleboro Concert Choir announces 2023–24 season, offers auditions
The Brattleboro Concert Choir has announced its 2023–24 season and is offering auditions to those interested in joining its numbers. Starting Wednesday, Sept. 6, the Brattleboro Concert Choir will prepare "Songs for the People," a program of music by living American composers speaking to issues of our time, including immigration, civil rights, climate change, and global conflict. Composers include Eric Whitacre, Ysaye Barnwell, Frank Ticheli, Joel Thompson, Mari Esabel Valverde, Melissa Dunphy, B. E. Boykin, Sydney Guillaume, and J. Andrés...
Credit union donates to region’s nonprofits
On Aug. 2, 802 Credit Union commemorated 802 Day in Vermont. This unique celebration, held on the 2nd of August, or 8/02, pays homage to Vermont's sole area code. "802 Day presents an opportunity for us to honor Vermont as a whole through acts of kindness, thoughtful initiatives, and heartfelt donations to our nonprofit partners," said Sean Gammon, president and CEO at 802 Credit Union, in a news release. "The strong bonds we have formed, the meaningful relationships we've built,
For one restaurant, it’s three strikes but definitely not out
When Judith Platt married her husband, Tom, in 1970, they chose Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as their wedding song for its vow of rising above any torrent of misfortune. Going on to open this town's Garden Market, Café and Gallery, the couple didn't foresee the lyrics would flow so literally. Just before the Main Street business debuted in 1973, a flood soaked everything and scared off the hired help. Platt, then a new mother working as a...
Celtic Music Festival with Cantrip, House of Hamill, and Hildaland comes to Scott Farm on Aug. 13
Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present a Celtic Music Festival featuring bands Cantrip, House of Hamill, and Hildaland, as part of the "Bandwagon Summer Series," on Sunday, August 13, at 4 p.m. at Scott Farm, 707 Kipling Rd. The triple bill features multi-instrumentalists and singers from both sides of the Atlantic who build upon traditional Celtic music with original songs and tunes, innovative arrangements, and three-part harmonies. Twilight Music and Next Stage Production Director Barry Stockwell said in...
Concert by Isle of Klezbos celebrates music of Yiddish cinema
Epsilon Spires, 190 Main St., presents a performance by Isle of Klezbos on Thursday, Aug. 10, from 8 to 10 p.m. The quartet will perform music inspired by Yiddish cinema soundtracks as well as exhibiting source Yiddish film clips. According to a news release, the New York City-based klezmer group "approaches tradition with playful irreverence and deepest respect to create [...] soundtracks for Yiddish films both celebrated and obscure. Their repertoire ranges from rambunctious and exuberantly original fusion to entrancing...
Marlboro Music’s 72nd season culminates with Beethoven’s ‘Choral Fantasy’
Marlboro Music concludes its 72nd Season on Sunday, Aug. 13, with the traditional Beethoven Choral Fantasy - a work of profound joy in which every community member has a voice. After a three-year hiatus and with Co-Artistic Director Jonathan Biss at the piano, the return of the Choral Fantasy is bound to be an emotional experience for musicians and audiences alike. Before Biss and the Festival Orchestra and Chorus bring another Marlboro summer to a triumphant conclusion, Marlboro Music's resident...
Serving up tasty images
Imagine one of the hottest days this summer, when the air was thick with humidity and your car is scorching hot inside. On one such day, Clare Barboza, internationally known food photographer, needed to shoot a magazine cover. The subject? Ice cream. "When I went to the store to buy it, the ice cream was already soft," says Barboza, of Brattleboro, with a hearty laugh. "You can imagine the rest." Barboza, who hails from the state of Washington, has always...
Local players help Vermont win Shrine football game
With the help of several local players, Vermont snapped a three-game losing streak in the 70th Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl with a 28-6 win over New Hampshire on Aug. 5 at Vermont State University Castleton's Dave Wolk Stadium. Vermont had a slim 7-6 lead late in the second quarter when Essex defensive back Tanner Robbins picked off a pass by Concord quarterback Zach Doward and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. That was the second New Hampshire pass that...
Project planners should offer more information
I found Maureen Tadlock's letter to be interesting and respectful. It seems to me that the controversy around the affordable housing project in Putney is really more about the size, scope, and location than it is about whether to create some. Perhaps if the planners put out more illustrations of the footprint of these buildings and the parking in relation to what is already there, people would be able to better form opinions. I regularly read the bulletin boards at...
Conversation about Guilford development plans lacks one crucial word
As a resident of Guilford, I read Jean Eastman's commentary. In chronicling the purchase of a 24-acre piece of land at the entrance of Guilford on Route 5 by GPI (Guilford Preservation Inc.) from John L. Hannigan, a former resident of Guilford (now deceased), Ms. Eastman writes, "GPI immediately conveyed a conservation easement to the Vermont Land Trust on the parcel, thus ensuring its conservation in perpetuity, with a 5.5 acre exception for future development of affordable housing [...]." (Emphasis...
Brattleboro EMS: corrections where due
In my letter regarding Brattleboro's EMS project, I listed some incorrect costs, and I strongly believe that I have an obligation to clarify things and do apologize for not doing my due diligence. After a conversation with Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland, I am able to speak on two issues where I was inaccurate. First, based upon the town's EMS projections, it appears that the fiscal year 2025 cash flow will have little impact upon the general fund. I had...
State Supreme Court decision brings 1.2-acre parcel closer to conservation in Putney
I write to highlight the importance to Green Commons of Vermont, Inc. of the Vermont Supreme Court's decision giving the green light to Windham & Windsor Housing Trust (WWHT) to purchase land for proposed mixed-income housing units in Putney on property across from the Putney Food Co-op. Green Commons of Vermont, a Putney-based nonprofit, is now one step closer to purchasing the portion of the property now occupied by the Putney Community Garden and the Sunday Putney Farmers Market. WWHT...
Music at a sacred time, in a sacred space
Hallowell is a local group of singers who volunteer to sing at the bedsides of people facing the end of their lives. Formed after a small group sang for a dying friend in 2003, Hallowell now includes dozens of singers and is publicly celebrating its 20-year anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., at the Kiwanis Shelter in Living Memorial Park. A one-of-a-kind chorus when it started, Hallowell has been instrumental in inspiring and training hundreds of...
Lies and bamboozling distractions
Let's step back for a moment. Imagine we are social scientists or anthropologists as we take an objective look at the United States. What would we see? We'd notice that the so-called "great experiment" in democracy has produced some bizarre phenomena. On the one hand, life in the U.S. for most people is highly agreeable. That doesn't mean most people talk about it that way or even think about it that way, but then, they have little to compare it...
Disputing causes of homelessness
State Treasurer Michael Pieciak thinks high rent causes homelessness. Typical of a state treasurer to think like that! Homelessness has many causes, but the majority of them are discrimination, mental crisis, and substance disorders - all of which require compassion, trust, and intensive prolonged social services. Building new housing will destroy the natural habitat and bring in tax revenue only, which should be obvious coming from the source. There is no correlation to investors building housing and ending homelessness, so...
New food project goes the extra mile
Thanks to a six-month, $5,000 grant from the United Way of Windham County, 25 people, mostly elders, have been receiving weekly deliveries of easy-to-prepare meals and groceries. These participants in the Last Mile Food Project also receive monthly deliveries of fresh vegetables from the Vermont Foodbank's VeggieVanGo program. Additionally, a local resident, Winnie Dolan, prepares homemade meals for monthly delivery. Those receiving the free groceries and meals live in the West River Valley, which includes Jamaica, Townshend, Brookline, Newfane, and...
Our quiet superheroes
For those of us who had the good fortune to grow up in quiet neighborhoods, we saw the roads as a resource and gathering place. A place to play games. An opportunity for fun. The open space and firm surface provided the raw elements for team sports like baseball and touch football. Basketball hoops on the edge of the road created the conditions for a basketball court. The curbing and telephone poles offered boundary lines that would contain games we...
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church names new music director
After a several-month search, St. Michael's Episcopal Church has called Keane Southard, Ph.D., as its next music director beginning Aug. 13. "The Music Director Search Committee was impressed by his creativity, depth of musical knowledge, international experience, devotion to social justice, and personal integrity," said the Rev. Mary Lindquist, rector. "We look forward to many years of ministry together." Responsible for music - instrumental and vocal - at weekly services, for directing both adult and children's choirs, and for developing...
A world unto themselves
Hugh Keelan isn't daunted by the herculean task of bringing not one but two of Richard Wagner's most famous operas to the Latchis. He's done it before - twice. Tundi Productions' Wagner in Vermont 2023, the festival's third visit to the Latchis Theatre, will assemble more than 70 performers from near and far from Friday, Aug. 18, to Thursday, Aug. 24. Keelan, the music director and the festival's orchestra conductor, and his wife, General Director Jenna Rae, co-founded Tundi, which...
Understanding the causes of homelessness
I just wanted to say how great I thought the article about homelessness by Joyce Marcel was in the Aug. 2 issue. I've been troubled by this issue for a long time. The explanation by Gregg Colburn makes so much sense - and it makes clear why Vermont has such a high rate of homelessness. Of course there aren't any easy solutions, but at least we can maybe start to look at different ways to tackle it. The Commons continues...
Brattleboro takes a step to improve community safety
This summer, Selectboard members have chosen the start of a path forward for the Community Safety Review that will come to fruition in about a year. In July, the board voted unanimously to adopt one of four options that had been put forth. The chosen plan includes hiring an independent consultant and incorporating at least one study session around at least two public forums to help review policy issues. It also extended the timeline from February to June 2024 as...
Time is running out to weigh in on Brattleboro Selectboard’s EMS decision
When an issue is discussed for a long time, one might experience fatigue. Or, as a prominent member of this community wrote to me, "Can we drop this issue? It happened. Let's please move on." But as Yogi Berra accurately predicted: "It ain't over till it's over." In point of fact, the Selectboard still needs to make a decision in about a month - on Tuesday, Sept. 19 - as to how emergency medical services will be delivered in Brattleboro.