The Bridge, December 17, 2015

Com muni t y M e m ber s Se n d B a sic Needs to S y r i a n R ef ugees Page 4
December 17, 2015 January 6, 2016
Cele
brat
Unsu ing
n
Hero g
es
Unsung Heroes:
Montpelier Firefighters Battle
Much More Than Blazes
Firefighter Chad Morse

taking down holiday
decorations Spring 2015
story and photo by Carla Occaso
IN THIS ISSUE:
Pg. 5 Pot Bust Follow-Up
Pg. 6 The Med Shed
Pg. 9 People's Health
and Wellness Clinic
PRSRT STD
CAR-RT SORT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Montpelier, VT
Permit NO. 123
Pg. 12 Pullout:
2016 Calendar
MONTPELIER Major fires rarely ignite to maximum fury

in Montpelier, so why do we need a full-time professional fire
department? To answer that, just make a note of the correct complete name of the department: Montpelier Fire and Ambulance
Department. Emergency medical services made up most of their
calls in 2015 with 1,229 ambulance calls out of a total 1,943
calls. All members of the department must be completely trained
in firefighting and emergency response, Deputy Fire Chief Jim
Quinn told The Bridge December 14 at his office in headquarters.
Still, when there IS a serious structure fire, as there is sure to be
around five to six times per year on average, it is nice to have a
group of fit, trained responders who know the city.
Amost daily we preplan buildings in town, Quinn said. We
walk through a building checking for power shutoff, water shutoff
and any hazards there could be to us in a fire sitution.
The most memorable response in 2015, Quinn said, was the water
rescue on April 15 in which a woman was found alive, but swept
up in the current of the Winooski River. Our water rescue on
April 15 was a rapidly evolving situation with the challenges of
swift moving water and limited access points, Quinn wrote to
The Bridge. The event lasted less than 30 minutes, but covered
over a mile of river. The rescue required collaboration among
Montpelier Fire and Ambulance, Montpelier Police Department
and the Vermont State Police. In the end, the woman was rescued
by Montpelier Fire Department member Nick Bresette.
The most damaging structure fire in 2015 happened Friday,
March 13 around 6 p.m. when a police officer noted smoke com-
ing out of the Department of Public Works building. It was a

substantial fire that caused serious damage to the sidewalk plow.
No people were present. (The fire originated in the ignition of
the plow). This is not uncommon, Quinn said. Several vehicle
fires a year are reported, and this year, a car that had been sitting
for most of the day at the old New England Culinary Institute
building (the gray one at the top of Main Street) burst into flames.
It was engulfed in fire when responders arrived.
The most memorable house fire this year happened on a very cold
early winters day on Judson Street. It was absolutely freezing. It
makes everything a challenge when everything gets slippery and
wants to freeze, Quinn said. However, most of the day-to-day
calls have to do with burn permits, fire alarms going off accidentally, motor vehicle accidents and citizen assists. For example, the
department will respond if an elderly or disabled person needs
help getting out of a car or the like.
But rescuing cats up trees? Nope. It is too dangerous to put up the
ladders and go face to face with an unfamiliar animal. Besides,
Quinn said, cats usually come down unassisted, eventually.
However, the department has been known to help rescue cats from
water pipes. It is not infrequent for people think there is a cat in
a drain. We have to pop off a receiver. From there, all they can do
is wait for the cat to come out on its own.
The department also assists in holiday decoration, but only take
responsibility for City Hall and the Fire Department building.
The rest of town is paid for by Montpelier Alive. However, Montpelier Alive tends to hire firefighters to do the work, Quinn said.
The Bridge
P.O. Box 1143
Montpelier, VT 05601
Quinn embodies why the Montpelier Fire and Ambulance workers are unsung heroes. He did not want a photo taken of him
nor did he want to take up any limelight, he says the success of
the department is owing to a great staff. My job is easy because
they do such a great job, he said. Quinn has been with the fire
department for 11 and a half years. He was born and raised in
Montpelier and was inspired to join the departments volunteer
call force shortly after 9-11, 2001. Not long afterwards, he was
hired. I joined the call force and kind of fell in love with the job.
The department has 17 full-time employees including Chief Robert Gowans and Deputy Chief Quinn.
From left:
Firefighter Chad Morse,
Firefighter Ken Christman
and Lieutenant Leon Eggleston
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T H E B R I D G E
HEARD ON THE STREET

City Council Poposes New
Luxury Tax
MONTPELIER At its December 9 meeting, the Montpelier City Council discussed

the advisability of checking to see if voters
are willing to support a one percent added
municipal tax on rooms, meals and alcohol.
If approved, this added tax could produce as
much as $200,000 of additional revenue for
the city.
While there was some discussion of an added
municipal tax on sales this option failed
to gain much support. Some councilors said
they did not want to create additional burdens on downtown retailers and merchants
who are facing increasing competition from
Internet sales.
Mayor John Hollar noted that members of
the public who attended two city-sponsored
budget forums during October expressed
support for a local options rooms, meals and
alcohol tax.
Some council members wanted the added
tax money to be designated for infrastructure
improvements. Other councilors wanted the
money specifically designated for property
tax relief.
The council had less support for the idea
of raising additional money from an added
local options tax on sales. An added tax

on sales, some council members said, might
have negative impacts on downtown retail
establishments. But an added tax on lodging and restaurants was not seen to have the
same negative impacts on hotels, bars and
eating places.
MONTPELIER It is a month into what

is usually snow season in central Vermont,
but so far, it aint very flaky. Does this mean
the taxpayers of Montpelier have saved a ton
of money on snow removal for the year? Not
if you are a skeptic (maybe more accurately:
At the end of the discussion, the council a realist) like Department of Public Works
asked the city manager Bill Fraser to bring in Director Tom McArdle.
language that could be put on the March city
It is way too early to tell. Certainly no funds
meeting ballot so that voters could consider
are being spent for snow fighting now. (But)
an added tax on rooms, meals and alcohol.
we are barely a fifth of the way through a five
The councils December 9 discussion of local and-a-half-month season, so we could see a
options taxes was essentially exploratory. dramatic change in a hurry, McArdle told
After the city manager brings in specific The Bridge by telephone.
language for a city charter change, there
We are saving right now ... but that could
will be opportunities during January for the
change. We could get a Valentines Day
public to comment on specific local options
storm and spend $50,000, McArdle said.
tax proposals.
Sometimes, as McArdle described, regular
During January 2016, the Montpelier City seasonal snow events are continuous and reCouncil will be meeting on Wednesday, Janu- lentless with a little snow every day for
ary 6, Wednesday, January 13 and Thursday, a couple of weeks. Those storms rack up
January 21.
thousands of dollars in fuel and workers
saleries with regular, constant plowing and
From a report by Nat Frothingham
cleaning up.
Tell them you saw it in

The Bridge!
Nature Watch
O
Does No Snow Mean Xtra Dough? dump trucks at an upwards cost of $30,000.
A typical entire year of keeping Montpelier

streets safe costs around $1,000,000, including salaries, overtime, contractors, salt, supplies and other fleet expenditures. Smaller
storms cost around $10,000 to $15,000,
while larger ones average at a cost of $35,000.
The city has saved the money they would
have typically spent this season so far, but
predicting weather is one thing McArdle refuses to do.
Our winter starts mid-November and it is
mid-December. It could run to mid-April,
he said.
City Rec/Management Merger

Moves Ahead
MONTPELIER The recreation department, the Montpelier Senior Activity Center

and the city managers office met recently to
continue conversations about the potential
for staff from those departments to find efficiencies. The teams discussed the need to
come up with a vision for what a merged
department might look like in the future and
the potential of sharing and/or better coordiThen there are the monster storms; the larger nating administrative and facilities support.
ones, which result in late night plowing, then The work of moving toward integration will
winging back the banks and ultimately re- continue over the next six months to a year.
moving giant snow piles with backhoes and
From a report by City Manager William Fraser
Focus on Photography
by Chip Darmstadt
Waterfowl Tarry As Warmth Continues
ur snowless landscape and warm weather have been an inevitable topic of conversation lately. Ponds and other water bodies are still ice-free. A recent ramble
around Berlin Pond yielded eight different species of waterfowl, including a
very rare Rosss Goose. This diminutive arctic species closely resembles the much more
common Snow Goose. Aside from its smaller size, it sports a stubbier bill and lacks the
so-called grinning patch of its larger relative.
Canada Goose flocks flying overhead, dozens of mallards feeding with tails in the air,
Hooded and Common Mergansers diving for fish. These and other aquatic species will
take advantage of the mild conditions until the ice and snow settle in for the winter. Even
then waterfowl can still be found mid-winter provided there are patches of open water
and food to be found.
Chip Darmstadt is the executive director of North Branch Nature Center.
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by Daniel A. Neary, Jr.
t was in the 1930s that a group of

photographers organized to form f/64.
This collection of lensmen and women
opened up the meaning of the words art
and photography with images based,
in part, from the forces of nature. Their
work challenged the stiff-collared portraits
of the period and the romantic paintings
which competed for the limited space. Peppers, shells, benches and just about anything that was thought to be beautiful or
significant became subjects.
In the beginning, there was opposition
to these photographs from photo editors
in the media, but by entering photo contests with their supreme printing, the word
spread. Peppers by Edward Weston was
an example. Basically, an unusually shaped
vegetable, which with Weston's acute vision
resembled a nude couple locked in a hot
embrace. f/64 gets its name from the use of
the sharpest point on the lens. f/64 is at the
point where the light ia focused on the flattest portion of the curved lens. It was, for
the most part, 4 by 5 inch negatives were
the choice of these photographers. Some of
them, Weston, Willard Van Dyke and Paul

Strand were well-known.
Van Dyke bought an old farmhouse in
southern Vermont.
f/64 added to the world of seeing something which generates that is a beautiful
picture as a response.
Photo by Daniel A. Neary, Jr.
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THE BRIDGE
Locals Send Relief to Syrian Refugees
Local Couple Helped by MHS Students Gathers 250 items
Celeb
ra
Unsu ting
n
Hero g
es
by Carla Occaso
MONTPELIER It is one thing to think, We should help
refugees. It is another thing to actually roll up your sleeves
and help the refugees depicted in the news media drowning,
suffering and freezing in faraway lands. Some people in our
community, though, have rolled up their sleeves.
Erin Aguayo, a 34-year-old mother who lives on Kemp
Street in Montpelier, heard news reports about hundreds
of thousands of children, women and men leaving behind
everything to flee the violence and devastation occurring in
their countries. She felt heartsick. She wanted to do more
than feel badly about it. She wanted to help in a hands-on
way. But how?
She learned of an effort by a dedicated network of activists
helping refugees coming out of Turkey, Greece and Jordan
get at least two basic needs met: clothing and blankets. I
cant hop a flight to Greece and pull rafts in, though I would
like to, Aguayo said, explaining she has two small children
at home. She learned about a man named Yusuf Demir, board
chair of the Turkish Culture Center in Burlington, who has
organized a drop-off spot for relief items in Burlington.
Erin Aguayo
Nowlan hit the ground running as soon a she heard about

it. I saw the notice on Front Porch Forum and I thought it
would be nice to contribute, Nowlan told The Bridge. Nowlan contacted Erin Aguayo and asked if she could maximize
contributions by setting something up at the school. I went
to the principal to get approval, she said.
Then, with the full support of new principal Mike McRaith
and the school staff, she publicized the campaign seeking
donations. After that she contacted principals at Main Street
Middle School and Union Elementary and did the same. By
Friday, December 4, Nowlan had single-handedly rounded
up 150 coats and blankets among the three schools. But she
couldnt single-handedly deliver them all. It was a couple
of carloads, she said. I started Tuesday (December 1) and
ended Friday (December 4). On Friday, Nowlan enlisted
the help of fellow students, including Ben Crane, Delaney
Goodman, Asa Richardson-Skinderson, Eleanor Braun, and
Henry Valentine. Also, Grace Valentine helped at Main
Street Middle School. Together they sorted everything, put
items in bags, and dropped it all off at the Aguayo residence.
Her efforts took about 10 hours, she said. The school was
really supportive. We have a new principal here, so big props
to him and the staff was really supportive. The credit really goes to the people who brought stuff in, I just set up the
boxes, Nowlan said. Also, to Erin Aguayo. I wouldnt have
ered two truckloads of coats and blankets to a drop off spot in done it if she hadnt (put a notice on Front Porch Forum).
New Jersey that will see to it that the items arrive in the hands
Erin Aguayo said Nowlans efforts really paid off. She was
of refugees. More items are needed and will be accepted until
very motivated, so between us I think we came up with about
December 30.
260 coats and blankets that are on their way.
Donations came in from Burlington, Stowe, Morrisville and
Anyone who would still like to contribute may call Yusuf
other places, but Demir said Montpelier gave the most imSince we have more than two million registered refugees in
Demir at 448-0458 or send him an email at info@tccvt.org.
pressive contribution, thanks to Erin Aguayo, her husband,
Turkey, we know how serious it is, Demir said. We decided
Most desperately needed are blankets, coats and boats. Yep.
Jose Aguayo and an industrious Montpelier High School
to collaborate. He said the Burlington office alone has delivDemir said boats are needed.
senior, Maggie Nowlan, 17.
Demir, speaking by mobile phone to The Bridge December
11, said his center started organizing cultural and humanitarian activities about five years ago in collaboration with a New
Jersey-based organization called Embrace Relief (founded by
Turkish Americans). They have been involved in a number
of projects, including bringing water wells to Uganda and
Kenya, helping tornado victims and helping victims of the
Haitian earthquake. Most recently, Demir said, they set up
a drive to get coats and blankets to Syrians who arrived in
Turkey and are being relocated to colder climes.
Got a news tip? We want to know!

Send it to us at: editorial@montpelierbridge.com
T H E B R I D G E
Dispensary Worker Pot Bust:

Husband Charged, Wife Off The Hook
by Carla Occaso
MONTPELIER One half of a Moretown couple, who both worked at Montpeliers
Medical Marijuana Dispensary, appeared in court after being busted together for having
pot at their home this fall. The other came out unscathed. Both Benjamin Jenkins, 38, and
his wife, Nicole (Brooke) Jenkins, 36, were employed at the medical dispensary at the time
of a felony marijuana cultivation and possession arrest October 14. Benjamin worked as the
cultivation manager and Nicole as dispensary manager.
During the December 10 arraignment, Washington County States Attorney Scott Williams
charged Benjamin Jenkins with growing less than three plants of marijuana (misdemeanor),
possession of two or more ounces of marijuana (felony) and possession of a narcotic. He was
released on conditions. However, charges were not pressed against his wife. Although she
was initially arrested and processed at the Middlesex barracks along with her husband, further investigation led authorities to believe she was not responsible for the crime. A spouse
is not culpable for the other spouses behavior, Williams said.
think that the criminalization has met the intended goal to get people to stop using marijuana. We have an entire generation of people that have convictions, which makes getting
a job, education and living a productive life more difficult. I believe having it (marijuana)
regulated and taxed and legal is a better option than having it illegal and completely unregulated.
The Bridge unsuccessfully tried to find a way to contact Benjamin (by telephone or online).
And, when seeking input from Vermont Patients Alliance, the person who answered the
phone said Ill take your name and number and pass it onto my board. Brooke Jenkins,
reached through social media, wrote, Thank you for reaching out. I look forward to being
able to tell my side of the story, but for now I have no comment.
Authorities discovered the plants growing on the Jenkins property when a neighbor reported his young children followed a path through the tall brush behind the residences
on Gravel Lane. At the end of the path, behind a neighbors house [], they observed what
they described to be marijuana growing in planters pots. The neighbor further reported to
police that the property was owned by employees of the marijuana dispensary in Montpelier. He advised he knows that his neighbors bring home recycled potting soil and wasnt
sure if other items from the dispensary were brought with it, the Vermont State Police
affidavit states.
Lindsey Wells, Vermont State marijuana program director, told troopers employees may
take home old potting soil, but are not allowed to remove anything from the dispensary that
would contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive constituent of the plant,
the affidavit states.
When troopers went to the Jenkins community on October 13, neighbors invited them on
to their own properties to view the plants without entering the Jenkins property. While
there, Trooper Brandon Degre reported seeing plants and a pile of potting soil and roots in
the (Jenkins) backyard. As a result, troopers executed a search warrant at 2 p.m. October
14 at the Jenkins residence while they were away. A trooper called Nicole (Brooke) at work
to let her know what was going on so she could either intercept or redirect her children
due home at 2:30 p.m. During the search, troopers found three marijuana plants, branches
and stems outside, and inside they found a green leafy substance, which looked like processed marijuana that later tested positive for marijuana. A total of 1.81 pounds of pot
were seized. In addition, authorities obtained brown bottles with an unknown liquid, and
one with a label describing the contents as THC oil, which provided a lot number from
Vermont Patients Alliance, the nonprofit organization that runs Montpeliers dispensary.
Also, found in the master bedroom of the home were pills, including hydrocodone prescribed to a different person. Troopers called both Jenkins at work and asked them to report
to the barracks where they were processed.
Both Jenkins were suspended without pay, Wells said. Still, despite the incident, there were
no obvious consequences for patients who use the dispensary, Wells said. And yet, it may
have created a wrinkle for those who want to legalize marijuana.
Washington County States Attorney Scott Williams said he favors the legalization of marijuana for many reasons and that this case has jeopardized it.
As the states attorney of Washington County, I am in favor of regulated legalization of
marijuana, Williams said. This case concerns me because they have involvement with the
dispensary. Williams said that people who get involved with legal production and distribution of medical marijuana should make an extra effort to abide by the law, because, when
something like this happens it could be seen as ammunition for the anti-legalization folks.
Williams said he supports regulated legalization of marijuana because, he said, I dont
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montpelierbridge.com
P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone: 802-223-5112
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RecyclE
This Paper!
The Med Shed

MONTPELIER If youre a medical patient, have a disability, are elderly, poor or
eco-conscious and want free medical equipment that is recycled, then The Med Shed at
Wayward Wheels is the place for you.
by Stephen Mills
homes.
THE BRIDGE
Celeb
rati
Unsun ng
g
Heroe
s
During her time at Vermont Center of Independent Living, Sue met Marcella
Ryan of Winooski who started a
nonprofit business called Wayward
Wheels, Inc. She recovers perfectly usable, discarded medical equipment to loan
out.
For the past 20 years, Sue and Raymond

Toolan have offered the free loan of a multitude of medical equipment to anyone who
needs it. Their mission of mercy is driven
by personal experience, by empathy and We were helping Marcie and storing equipsympathy for the disadvantaged and less- ment, and then we moved to the scale we
fortunate, and by an energetic embrace of have now (at our home), said Raymond.
environmentalism.
The Toolans live in a two-story yellow clapSince 1973, Wayward Wheels, Inc. has board house on a steep hill on Sunnyside
worked to improve the lives of people with Terrace near the State House. The Med
disabilities locally, nationally and abroad by Shed is situated directly behind the home,
scavenging, cannibalizing, rebuilding and and is crammed with an assortment of
recycling medical equipment to keep people medical equipment and spare parts.
mobile, safe and comfortable. The organization works with state and federal agencies to After our kids were grown and gone, we
voice and support their needs and with local decided to build a branch office in support
nonprofits that help individuals remain self- of Marcella who is technically the president
sufficient, independent and in their own of the organization, said Raymond. Sue is
the vice-president, and Im the treasurer and
homes.
secretary. Marcelle has multiple disabilities
My wife is someone who works with people but she keeps going. She runs the operation
with disabilities because she has a disability from Winooski, and we run it from here in
herself, said Raymond.
Montpelier.
I have retinitus pigmentosis, said Sue. We need more people like Marcie, Sue
Most of the retina in my eyes is simply added simply, when asked for a testimonial
missing. I am also hearing impaired.
of her colleagues life work.
Her disability has led to a life devoted to
helping and caring for others with disabilities, and a home-grown business supporting
their physical needs.
Referrals to Wayward Wheels in central

Vermont still come through Vermont Center
for Independent Living, Central Vermont
Home Health and Hospice and University
For 20 years, I worked as a peer advocate of Vermont Health Network Central Vercounselor with Vermont Center of Indepen- mont Medical Center.
dent Living in Montpelier, said Sue. One We call our storage unit The Med Shed,
of the criteria for being an advocate was which is next to our wood shed, said Rayhaving a disability yourself. A peer advocate mond. Everything we have here has been
works with people that have disabilities to donated. We simply recycle it. We make
assist them in finding ways and strategies to sure its serviceable and safe. When people
remain independent and living in their own need it, they come and get it. When theyre
Raymond and Sue Toolan sit on recycled medical equipment at the entrance
to The Med Shed in Montpelier, a branch distribution center of Wayward
Wheels Inc., available free to anyone who needs it.
done with it, we ask them to bring it back, We simply provide a conduit where people
and we clean it up and put it away.
may donate items they no longer need so
Anyone who has ever had to pay full price they can be used by others who do. We are
for medical equipment will appreciate get- a stand-alone Vermont nonprofit and we are
not affiliated with any other organization;
ting a free loan of it.
it is just us.
Wayward Wheels has motorized hospital
beds that would cost $800 new, simple There is no means or income test for the cliwalking canes that can cost $15 to $30, ents. Everyone is welcome to ask for loans of
walkers costing $20 to $50 and crutches equipment for as long as they need it. We
had someone drive up in a $75,000 Jaguar
costing $40 to $50.
to pick up a $30 walker, said Raymond.
Standard wheelchairs can cost as much as We dont judge anyone in terms of income.
$500. All told, we have 130 wheelchairs, If they need it, we provide it. We also have
but how many do you see here? Raymond people on fixed incomes that are economiasked. Only a few were visible. The rest were cally challenged. If they come and say they
on loan, indicating how much demand there need something, they get it.
is for their equipment.
Raymond is aged 66 and Sue is 68, and they
We have a powered wheelchair that cost have three children and four grandchildren.
$26,000 new about the price of a nice Theyve been married 45 years after meeting
car, Raymond continued. This chair does while Raymond was at New York State Unieverything but cook a pizza. We also have versity College of Forestry in Syracuse, and
a powered pediatric chair for a child that Sue was at the nearby Syracuse Universitys
cost more than $1000. They come in all School of Russian Studies. Students at Rayshapes and sizes, and some are tremendously monds university would take liberal studies
expensive. When you specialize a chair, the at the other university, and students at Sues
price can go up a lot.
university would take science courses at
Other equipment includes shower chairs, Raymonds college and they met at a school
function.
transfer seating benches and commodes.
Raymond officially retired this year after 37
years as a forest biology scientist working
for the State of Vermont. For the past 17
years, he worked for the state as a county
forester in Lamoille County for the DepartThe couple also has a range of spare parts
ment of Forests, Parks and Recreation under
from equipment that is damaged or unsafe
the Agency of Natural Resources, helping
that has been salvaged to make repairs when
private non-industrial landowners manage
possible.
their forested land.
They have boxes of new glucose meters for
Asked to describe a range of responses from
diabetics that have passed their sell-by date
recipients of loaned equipment, Sue replied:
and can no longer be sold, but are still perUsually people simply say thank you.
fectly good.
Terry Williams, of Bradford, and her
All told, we have over 4,000 things in our
brother, Dondi Wallbridge, of Barre, came
collection, said Raymond. Then there are
by during the interview to pick up an electhings that come in and I have no idea what
tric powered hospital bed, and were more
theyre used for. He will do research to try
effusive about their loan.
and learn their use.
This will definitely help, said Williams.
Distribution is not limited to the local area
My dad is terminally ill with cancer at his
either. Raymond said they have sent equiphome in an apartment in Barre, so were tryment abroad and within the United States
ing to make him as comfortable as possible.
to support humanitarian efforts.
Ive been staying with him in Barre so hes
Five lightweight sports chairs went to not alone.
Ukraine, said Raymond. At least one
We heard about this place from Central
high-end manual wheelchair went to MosVermont Home Health and Hospice. Weve
cow with a visiting physician who had her
been looking for months and months to find
10-year-old son push her through customs
him a bed.
in it to avoid import issues. A truckload of
items went to the Rosebud Reservation in Williams said the height-adjustment and
South Dakota with the Vermont Air Guard. side rails on the bed would make it easier
Another truckload went to the Hurricane and safer for him to get in and out of bed.
Katrina effort in New Orleans with a con- Its been scary watching him get in and out
voy. Its all about getting equipment to the of his own bed. Instead, hes been sleeping
hunched over in his electric wheelchair.
people who need it.
People can use the transfer seating bench
to slide over to the shower chair, said Raymond. The commodes can save a difficult
trip to the bathroom, he added.
Philanthropy and philosophy are integral This bed is a godsend. These are really
to the business, and strong motivations for great people doing good for people who
need things, she added.
the couple.
Its a matter of being a part of the larger Wayward Wheels is always looking for docommunity, said Raymond. Also, every- nations of unused medical equipment and
one talks about recycling, thinking globally supplies.
and acting on it. Sue and I do it.
For more information, contact Sue and RayIt is simply a part of being a part of a com- mond Toolan at Wayward Wheels Inc., 1 Sunmunity, Sue added. There are so many nyside Terrace, Montpelier, VT 05602-2153,
resources available, but so much is wasted. tel. 229-0093 or e-mail: sylak@comcast.net
T H E B R I D G E
A Message From City Hall

This page was paid for by the City of Montpelier.
City Managers Proposed Budget

by William Fraser, City Manager
long with the holidays, the Citys annual budget process is in full swing. After holding public forums this fall, the City Council had a couple of preliminary sessions
to lay out budget guidelines for the City Manager and staff.
The City Managers formal budget was presented last night and outlined here. The Council will hold a budget workshop on January 6th and two formal public hearings on January
13th and January 21st (note its a Thursday). I encourage public participation.
The City Managers budget proposes a 1.2% increase in overall spending and revenues and
requires a 1.8% increase in municipal property taxes.
Guidelines:
The following guidelines were issued for preparation of this budget proposal:
Budget must reflect the City Councils adopted goals and priorities and enable those
goals to be advanced.
Property tax rate increase target is 2%
Must continue increased funding for infrastructure and capital needs based on the
Steady State plan adopted by the City Council.
Must deliver responsible levels of service to the residents of Montpelier.
Must incorporate the Recreation Department into the Citys Budget
Property Tax Impact:

The net result of revenues and expenses is that $8,410,417 in property tax revenues are
required for the citys portion (non school, non ballot item) of the budget. This is an
increase of $209,100 or 2.4% over FY15. Unlike FY14, 15 and 16 the increases are for
general operating expenses.
Requires a 1.85 cent increase in the property tax rate. This 1.8% property tax rate
increase is below the Councils goal of 2%. This follows a 0.5 cent (0.25%) increase in
FY14, a 1.5 cent (1.6%) increase in FY15, a 2.4 cent (2.5%) increase in FY16. For the
average residential property, this tax rate represents an additional $41.36 on the tax bill.
The four year combined increase of 6.2% compares to a four-year combined inflation
rate of 4.8% (1.7%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 0.5%) respectively).
Budget Numbers:
FY17 General Fund Budget totals $12,809,144 which is an increase of $147,088 (1.2%)
from the comparable FY16 spending plan.
FY17 General Fund non-tax revenues total $3,990,304 which is a decrease of $79,012
(-1.9%) from FY16 non-tax revenues.
accounts consistent with collective bargaining agreements

and personnel policies. For this budget that represents a 1.75% to 2.5% contracted
adjustment for Public Works union employees, a 1.25% contracted adjustment for Fire
Department employees and a 2.0% contracted adjustment for Police Department employees. A 1.0% adjustment for all other employees is budgeted. Overall wage costs are
up by 4.8% in this budget. Overall benefit costs are up by 5.9% in this budget.
Operating:
Reductions of $90,000 to operating costs from FY16 are proposed. This represents approximately $275,000 in reductions from initial requests. As with prior years, many lines
have been cut to stay within fiscal guidelines.
Police: The Police budget includes the contractual relationship with Capital Fire Mutual
Aid System for dispatching services. This provides additional revenue and improved services for Montpelier. A Dispatch Supervisor is now on board. School Resource Officer
shared 50% with school is included. The Police Department is now sharing administrative support with the Fire Department.
Fire & Emergency Services: Call response and training is unchanged. Funds for call
force have been reduced due to lack of participation in the program. The budget brings
ambulance billing back as an internal function rather than contracting out which saves
$50,000 which will be done by a shared administrative position with the Police Department.
Planning, Zoning & Community/Economic Development: The Planning & Development department budget has been left largely unchanged. The Zoning Administrator
position has been increased from 0.5 FTE to 0.6 FTE. One VISTA position remains
funded.
Public Works: Staffing levels are essentially unchanged in order to keep up with infrastructure project demands. Operating funds have been reduced to extremely minimal
levels.
Finance: The Finance department is consolidating 1.5 FTE into 0.5. Work will be reallocated between the Finance Department and City Clerks office.
Community Justice Center budget includes all funding for all programs with commensurate revenue offsets. There is no net property tax funding projected.
Other Funds:
The Water and Wastewater budgets are balanced and, at this time, do not appear to
require rate increases.
Consistent with the councils fund balance policy, no general fund balance is used to
offset the budget and reduce taxes.
Tax funding for the Senior Center is reduced $15,368 below the FY16 level. Center expenses are offset by program revenues including larger contributions from neighboring
towns. This will result in slight service adjustments and additional fundraising efforts.
Revenues from the State of Vermont such as Highway Aid and Grand List Maintenance
funding have been assumed to remain at their present funding levels. Payment in Lieu
of Taxes (PILOT) was adjusted downward to reflect actual collection in FY16.
The Recreation Department has reduced 0.5 FTE and will consolidate registration work
with the Senior Center. They will also be increasing user fees. The Recreation tax appropriation is reduced by $40,453 from FY16.
Grand list value is calculated at 0.5% increase from the FY16 level. With the projected
grand list, $85,751 represents one cent on the tax rate.
The Parking fund is balanced while including a 5% set aside for alternate transportation
funding.
Infrastructure:
The District Heat Fund budget will cover the third full year of complete operation.
The Capital Projects, Equipment and Debt Service Program is funded at $2,016,996. Of
this $891,317 is in annual funding, $661,280 is in existing debt service and $464,399 is
for equipment. This represents an overall decrease for these combined items of $54,308.
This results in an additional $15,338 (1.8%) in annual funding for FY17 infrastructure
improvements. Bike/Ped priorities are included.
Community Services:
A $710,000 infrastructure bond is proposed as planned. This bond is needed for bike
path matching funds, matching funds for the One Taylor Street project and retaining
walls. Subsequent bonds - general fund infrastructure of $705,000 in FY20 and water/
sewer fund (Northfield Street) of over $2 million in FY18 - are anticipated.
The Capital/Equipment Plan anticipates additional increases of $166,300 in each of the
next two budget years FY18 and FY19 in order to bring funding levels to a projected
steady state of maintenance and improvements. These funding levels and needs will be
re-evaluated and updated during this year.
Personnel:
Total number of Full Time Equivalent Employees (FTEs), adding in the Recreation
Department, is 111.86 which is 1.23 FTE less than FY16. Reductions were 1.0 FTE in
Finance and 0.5 FTE in Recreation. Other minor adjustments netted out to a 0.27 FTE
increase.
Cost of living allowances and step increases are built into all employee wage and salary
Funding for the Housing Trust Fund remains at $21,000 from FY16.
The Montpelier Community & Arts Fund remains at $110,175 from FY16.
Community enhancements funding, including Montpelier Alive, remains at $31,000
from FY16.
The Parks and Public Works budgets reduced $7,000 for maintaining dog waste stations.
The GMTA circulator bus route remains at $40,000 from FY16.
The budget includes funding for the monthly Montpelier Bridge article.
Unmet Needs:
Both city staff and the Matrix consultant study had identified previously existing capacity shortcomings in the areas of human resources management, facilities management
and communications. We have made some progress in these areas but nothing in this
budget specifically addresses the concerns.
No direct funding (other than existing staff) is included for Economic Development
Strategic Plan implementation housing initiatives, community survey, Net Zero initiatives.
The budget does not meet the goal of increasing infrastructure spending. Current funding is adequate to make many more improvements. Additional State Class Two paving
money will be sought which, if received, will allow for all work as planned.
Equipment funding has been reduced from its annual target amount.
I appreciate the hard work of our management team and all city employees. We are pleased
to present a fiscally responsible budget which maintains services.
Thank you for reading this article, your interest in the budget and in Montpelier city
government. Please feel free to contact me at wfraser@montpelier-vt.org or 802-223-9502
with any questions or concerns. I wish you the happiest of holidays.
THE BRIDGE
Lukas Huffman filming with his camera team
Holiday
Services
Award-Winning Film
Director Lukas Huffman
Seeks Indiegogo Support
by Nat Frothingham
MONTPELIER Last March, Lukas
Huffman came back home and won the
audience award for best film at the 2015
Green Mountain Film Festival. Huffman
grew up in Montpelier and is a 1996
graduate of Montpelier High School.
His award-winning film that won Best
Picture last spring is a dramatic comedy
called When the Ocean Met the Sky.
The film is about three brothers whose
parents have died. But if they are to qualify for their inheritance they must first go
on a long hike together into the woods and
survive that encounter together.
Talking by phone to The Bridge about
the three brothers, Huffman said, They
have their ups and downs. They dont
necessarily like each other when (their trip
together) ends, but they understand each
other more.
Now, Huffman is hard at work on his
second feature film that draws heavily
on his own experience as a snowboarder.
He cut his teeth on snowboarding here in
Vermont at Sugarbush and Stowe. Then
he went out West to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, where he became
a professional snowboarder, appearing in
magazines and endorsing snowboarding
product lines.
Happy Holidays from The Bridge!
Huffmans second feature film called

Aeris will star a rough, defiant, 19-yearold woman whos not looking for a guy to
be fulfilled, Huffman said.
When Huffman and his partners tried
to interest some of the larger Hollywood
studios in the film they said no. It was
too edgy. Too raw, Huffman said.
Huffman and his partners are trying to
raise $25,000 between now and January

1 through the Indiegogo crowd sourcing
website. If that $25,000 can be raised, it
will make it possible to make a short version of the longer feature film.
Lukas Huffman is hoping that his roots in
Montpelier and his audience success last
March at the Green Mountain Film Festival will encourage people in this part of
Vermont to support his new feature film.
To support Lukas Huffmans new feature
film Aeris please go online to: http://igg.
me/at/aerismovie
Filming "Aeris" in British Columbia.

Photo by Adam Moran
T H E B R I D G E
Cecile Gendron Shines at People's Health

and Wellness Clinic
by Nat Frothingham
Celeb
rati
Unsun ng
g
Heroe
s
the old Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, New

Hampshire.
At Hanover, she found herself working in the rudimentary days of doing open heart surgery. She took a special course at Mary Hitchcock to prepare for this new work. When
the patients came out of surgery, I was there. Back then they came directly to the intensive
care unit room. They didnt go to the recovery area.
Gendron was at Mary Hitchcock for two years. When she had an illness of her own, she
returned to her parents home in Montpelier. In September 1975, when she was able to
work again, she started at Central Vermont Hospital and was a nurse there for 35 years.
My whole career was oriented around staying up-to-date, Gendron said.
She was a certified critical care nurse and a certified post-anesthesia care nurse. Gendron
said she found Central Vermont Hospital challenging.
Dr. Allan Ramsay with a patient at the

People's Health & Wellness Clinic in Barre.
he recently activated federal Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, has had the clear result of increasing the number of Vermonters who are
covered by health insurance. Health care reformers would probably call this an
improvement. But while Obamacare has addressed the U.S. health care problem and is
offering health insurance to more people, it still doesnt completely solve the problem
because critical gaps in health care coverage remain.
The Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic in Barre is a free clinic thats been in place for 22
years. Talking about the clinic, its executive director, Peter Youngbaer, said, We are a
gap-filler for people without insurance, without the means to self-pay.
And these people who are they?
Well, if youre unemployed or homeless and you need medical help, you might not be able
to pay. If you have a health insurance plan with a $5,000 deductible, you have to pay for
your health care until that $5,000 has been spent. Only when that deductible has been
met does the health insurance kick in. Or you might be a recent immigrant to the United
States. You might not speak English. You might need money to pay for medical help, and
you might also need a translator.
Youngbaers description of the clinic as well as the clinics 2014 Annual Report tell a
pretty impressive story.
The clinic offers a range of services that include primary health care, mental health care,
oral (dental) health care and a navigator service that links clients to Vermont Health
Connect. In 2014, these free services attracted 726 unduplicated client visits at a total
budget of just under $300,000 per year.
Part of that $300,000 budget supports five paid (full and part-time) staff members. But
whats impressive is that $300,000 budget leverages more than 100 volunteer clinicians
such as doctors, nurse-practitioners, nurses, mental health counselors and psychiatrists,
nutritionists, bodyworkers and the like. Their work is donated. They dont get paid. And
yet their value according to the 2014 Annual Report was $136,845. And the donated value
of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies came in at $118,617.
What would happen if there was no Health & Wellness Clinic? Well, the people getting help wouldnt get help. Their health would deteriorate. And eventually they would
become a burden and a cost to existing health care providers and hospitals. And the cost
of their care would be passed along to the health care costs and premiums of people who
do have insurance.
When the Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic was founded some 22 years ago, it was modeled on the Berkeley Free Clinic in Berkeley, California. Like the Berkeley Free Clinic,
the Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic relies on donations and offers its services at no
charge to its clients.
Speaking to the clinics overall mission, Youngbaer said, We can get them well get
them well and keep them well.
Please note that the Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic will be holding a fundraising event
to benefit the clinic featuring the Vermont Comedy Divas at Montpelier City Halls upstairs performance space on Saturday evening, March 5, 2016.
Anyone who wants to contact the Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic should phone the
main number at 479-1229 or visit the clinics website at phwcvt.org.
When he was asked for the name of someone at the Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic
whose service is consistently exemplary, executive director Peter Youngbaer mentioned
Cecile Gendron.
Cecile is terrific here, Youngbaer said. She comes in more than any other nurse. She
sees the whole clinic. She knows the patients. She knows how they are doing.
Whats more, when there was a need for someone at the clinic to fill in for the paid nurse
manager, it was Cecile who stepped in and helped.
In a recent phone conversation with Gendron, she quickly described herself as an experienced nurse. Oh yes. Definitely, she said. Im a seasoned nurse. I have a lot of experience. Yes, thats right.
Gendron was born and raised in Montpelier and in 1967 was a member of the final graduating class at St. Michaels High School here.
After high school, she studied nursing at St. Vincents School of Nursing in Worcester,
Massachusetts, and graduated from Yale-New Haven Hospital. Yale-New Haven is the
teaching hospital for Yale University. From Yale-New Haven she went to what she called,
I did charge nurse duty on a medical-surgical floor, she said. I did that nights and
evenings. As she explained it, you might have registered nurses on the floor or licensed
practical nurses (LPNs.) You have to make assignments according to peoples skills and
you are in charge.
In talking with Cecile Gendron, it was easy to imagine the range of her nursing service
over her 35-year career. She knew what it was like to work in the intensive care unit or
a recovery room or during nights and evenings in charge of the med-surg floor. Later in
her career she worked with postoperative patients to make sure they had everything they
needed and knew everything they needed to know to take care of themselves when they
went home.
When she retired from full-time nursing work at Central Vermont Hospital in 2010, she
wanted to keep her nursing license. To do that you have to log in a certain number of
hours nursing, and the Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic was close to perfect for that
purpose.
Talking about her work at the clinic, she said, I work at least 12 hours a month. When
we work as volunteer nurses there are no paid positions. Typically, you go for two or three
hours at a time. Patients are scheduled to meet with a doctor or a nurse-practitioner when
these professionals are available.
When she left full-time nursing at Central Vermont Hospital, she wondered if she would
like volunteering at the clinic. But there was nothing to worry about. I love it, she said
declaratively. Its a whole new challenge. You have a range of opportunities that you never
had before. You work with people who are under-insured. Sometimes they are homeless.
Sometimes they have good jobs but have high deductibles and they dont have money to
pay for medical treatment.
Gendron showed no interest in making harsh judgments about the people who show up at
the clinic and need medical help. Im very passionate about this place, she said. Those
who want to be helped we have a place for them to come. I think there are a lot of
people out there who go without health care or they dont have the money. Some people
have a misperception about us. Were not an emergency room, she said. We dont fix
busted fingers. Were here to help people on an ongoing basis. If a patient needs 45 minutes, they are going to get it. Were probably a lot more personable with our clients than
a regular doctors office. Sometimes, Gendron said, there are people who need medical
help but they dont know how to advocate for themselves.
Granite City Groove
THE BRIDGE
Nelsons Ace Hardware Store Has It All

by Joshua Jerome
s the holiday shopping season ramps up, I found myself with not a lot of time and
the most peculiar shopping list one day. On it, I needed a cherry de-pitter, a gallon
of paint, tube insulation, a coffee machine and a box of shotgun shells. I thought
to myself, Boy, I wish I could just stop at one store. And thats when I headed down to
Nelsons Ace Hardware in downtown Barre. I knew I had a good chance of knocking off
all of the items on my list in one stop. And, I was not disappointed.
While perusing through the aisles I ran into Bob Nelson, and it occurred to me that
I didnt know the history of his store, and Bob was eager to tell it. As it turns out, the
Nelsons have a long history of retailing in central Vermont. It began with his great grandfather, Milo A. Nelson who sold tractors and milking equipment in Montpelier. Then
his grandfather, Meriden H. Nelson who also sold milking equipment and Philco brand
radios. And, Bobs father and uncles started Nelson Brothers in 1952 and sold large and
small appliances. The brothers grew the business to four stores and became a True Value
dealer in 1969.
As Bob was graduating high school and trying to decide which college to go to, his father
Carroll saw an opportunity to open up a hardware store. However, Carroll would only
open the store if Bob would come on board. So, Bob decided not to go to college and
would help his father open up the store, despite there already being three hardware stores
in town. And in 1983, Nelsons True Value Hardware opened. Within five years, two of
the other hardware stores were out of business and Nelsons was one of the top ten True
Value stores in the country for selling microwaves. Bob explained to me that they would
have a consultant come in to demonstrate how to cook with a microwave and in turn sold
around 400 microwaves a year.
As the market has changed, so has Nelsons, changing product lines to accommodate
consumer demand and following sound business practices. In the mid-90s, operational
control of the business was transitioned to Bob and it was soon after that another national
cooperative, Ace Hardware, began vying for his support to join their cooperative. And in
2000, Bob made the change from True Value to Ace and it wasnt because of the different
products or price points Ace offered; it was their dedication to customer service. Thats
been the hallmark of Nelsons from day one.
And Bob explained to me that to stay competitive against the power of internet shopping
made so ubiquitous and easy with the advances of smartphones, Nelsons is continually
educating their staff through Aces training program. And not only does this dedication
create a culture of exceptional customer service, but it also encourages employee loyalty
as can be seen with a couple employees, Annette Boisvert, who has worked at Nelsons for
24 years and Kelly Newton for 15 years.
After doing this for over 30 years, I wondered what continued to keep Bob excited everyday and he said every day, we have customers walk in with a problem nobody has had
to deal with before. The challenge of resolving that problem and ensuring that both
my employees and customers are successful, gets me excited. So, as I walked through
the store checking off items on my list, I thought how wonderful it is to be able to get
everything I needed, in one location in downtown Barre.
The writer is executive director of The Barre Partnership.
Left to right: Kelly Newton, Bob Nelson, Annette Boisvert (owner and employees)
SHOP
LOCAL!
T H E B R I D G E
Epsteins One-Man Show (through Jan. 8)

at the Medical Center Gallery
by Nat Frothingham
BERLIN Ed Epstein, a local artist who

is also a musician and builder of stoves,
furnaces, houses and boats is showing a
range of his acrylic paintings at the Central
Vermont Medical Center Gallery.
Paintings include portraits of his friends,
his children, a few landscapes, some gardens and flowers, a few paintings of abandoned cars, pick-up trucks and discarded
drilling rigs and farm equipment also
a handful of lush dream-like sailing
vessels plying through the water under
blue skies, their sails shimmering in the
sun.
Epsteins paintings memorable because
they are his alone 32 in all are on
exhibition from now through Friday, January 8.
Epstein is a man of prodigiously diverse
talents, skills and passions.
One of the paintings is based on a photograph taken of Epstein when he was 17.
That was the summer when he hitchhiked
across the country playing his banjo and
singing. He started by going west, first
travelling through the south to Mississippi
all the way to California. Then after a few
weeks in California he turned around and
started east.
On his way back somewhere in Illinois he got a ride with a migrant
farm worker who was driving a very old
Plymouth and, to make his car last, he was
driving at 20 miles an hour.
I was with him most of the day coming
east, coming east on Route 40 back
when the east-west roads were still onelane in each direction, before the coming
of the interstate highway system. Somewhere in Indiana, the migrant farm worker
was about to turn north toward Michigan.
But before he headed north, he took a picture of Epstein with his banjo in front of
that cadaverous, old Plymouth.
I gave him my mothers address in New
York City, Epstein said and that moment
the photo disappeared from his life. Years
later after his mother had died, he was visiting his sister in San Francisco. And there
among his mothers things was that photo
of Epstein at 17 with his banjo standing in
front of that old Plymouth.
Epstein took the photo and said to himself,
I have to do a painting of this thing and
that painting hangs in the exhibit.
But back to Epsteins youth. For a few
years, Epstein said, I had been playing
banjo. When I was 19, I discovered Bach.
I put down the banjo and started playing
the cello.
Epstein came to Vermont in 1969 and
when he was not pounding nails for mini-
mum wage and building houses, or building Dynamite stoves, he was learning to
play Bach Suites and chamber music on
the cello. I was a cellist for 35 years until
my fingers started going numb, he said.
Then I started playing the steel drum.
Epstein spent 10 years in the Caribbean
playing calypso music on the steel drum.
It was a great experience world music
from Africa and the Caribbean. In my
early years, the folk music of Europe
Russia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. The calypso music I was playing
in the Caribbean was jazz. What we were
playing in Trinidad is very sophisticated,
complex. Its got the modern, jazz-oriented
character and quality to it. Its the rich
African music, very much influenced by
American jazz with a lot of reverberations
in Africa.
Music as in playing the banjo, the cello,
steel drums building as in houses,
stoves, sailing boats travel over land
and water these and more such experiences have crowded into Epsteins life and
informed his art.
In the 1950s, Epstein began as an artist
with dreams of making it big in the New
York City arts world. He worked in advertising for awhile. Then he worked as a
technical illustrator. A lot of his work was
with small companies working for large
corporations producing such things as
manuals for some of the major armament
suppliers Raytheon, Sikorsky, General
Electric.
At the time, said Epstein, I was active
in the anti-war movement during the early
days of the Vietnam War. I would come to
work and the guy sitting next to me would
say, Do you know what you are working
on? Then this guy would answer his own
question, A missile firing panel.
I started out doing representation art, Epstein said. Then I did some abstract work.
But I lost interest in it. It didnt satisfy me.
I moved back to representational art.
After he left New York City and came to
Vermont, as an artist and painter, what has
absorbed Epstein is the human face. Most
of what Ive done all my life is the study of
the human personality through the human
face. I find it the most difficult, the most
intriguing, the most satisfying and the
most difficult, he said.
Some of the people whose faces are represented in the exhibit are Bob and Joanna
Messing, a young woman whose name is
Jazmine Lamb and Janet Van Fleet, another well-known local artist.
Another of the paintings is of Alma Mueller who was a nurse at the hospital for
years. Said Epstein, She died last year. She
was very well loved by the staff and nurses.

Her portrait really belongs here.
For all of his versatility and achievement,
Epstein is disarmingly humble as he confronts the possibilities and impossibilities
of creating art. Talking about light, he
said, Its part of the mystery of how to
paint. Choosing colors I cant imagine
how I would explain it. Its partly unconscious. We all respond to colors in our
own way. What the artist is trying to do
is almost impossible painting on a flat
surface and making it come alive.
Ive said often, Epstein continued, Every
painting is a disappointment. Just as writers would understand that. It never comes
out perfect. But once in a while, it comes
out pretty good.
Self Portrait by Ed Epstein
THE BRIDGE
Nature Watch
2016
Artwork by Nona Estrin
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All images from the book "In Season: A Natural History of the New England Year" by Nona Bell Estrin and Charles W. Johnson.
THE BRIDGE
SHOP LOCAL, SHOP MONTPELIER!
T H E B R I D G E
Events happening
December 17 January 9
Through December 24:
Enjoy FREE parking in
downtown Montpelier while
you do your holiday shopping!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17
Brain Injury Support Group. Open to all survivors, caregivers and adult family members. Third
Thurs., 1:302:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. 244-6850.
Diabetes Discussion Group. Focus on selfmanagement. Open to anyone with diabetes
and their families. Third Thurs., 1:30 p.m. The
Health Center, Plainfield. Free. Don 322-6600 or
dgrabowski@the-health-center.org.
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support. Monthly
group for people affected by a suicide death. Third
Thurs., 67:30 p.m. Central Vermont Medical
Center, conference rm. 1, Fisher Rd., Berlin. 2230924. calakel@comcast.com.afsp.org.
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens Children. Third Thurs., 68 p.m. Child care provided.
Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main St.,
Montpelier. 476-1480.
River Arts Photo Co-op. Gather, promote and
share your experience and knowledge of photography with other photography enthusiasts in an
atmosphere of camaraderie and fun. Adults/teens.
Third Thurs., 68 p.m. River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
Songwriters Meeting. Meeting of the Northern
VT/NH chapter of the Nashville Songwriters
Association International. Bring copies of your
work. Third Thurs., 6:45 p.m. Catamount Arts, St.
Johnsbury. John, 633-2204.
Dare to be Square Dance. Join the square dance
revival! Tunes by fiddling Zac Johnson and friends.
Calling by Lausanne Allen. All dances taught. No
experience needed. 7:30 p.m. Montpelier American Legion Post #3, 21 Main St., Montpelier.
$510 sliding scale. 793-4650. kathleen1moore@
gmail.com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
Family Fun Day at Middleground, Middlesex.

Red Hen, Nutty Steph's, The Hive, Montpelier
Mudd, Regal Flower Design and Heise Metal
Sculpture will share the love with free activities
and treats for children and kidults alike. 36
p.m. 961 US-2, Middlesex. https://www.facebook.
com/events/435949789946922/
Fresh Tracks Farm Holiday Gala. Vermont wine,
free appetizers, live music. 5:308:30 p.m. Fresh
Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery, 4373 Rt. 12,
Berlin. 223-1151. freshtracksfarm.com
SHOP
LOCAL,
SHOP
MONTPELIER!
Calendar of Events
WORD!CRAFT: Experimental Art Rhymes. Spoken word/hip-hop event for all ages. This months
theme is Winter, so whatever that means to you,
bring it in written and/or improvised verse. You
can also just come to listen and support lyrical
artists. 6:309 p.m.; community meal 57 p.m.
Another Way, 125 Barre St., Montpelier. Free;
donations accepted. mcmycelium74@gmail.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
55th Plainfield Christmas Bird Count. We will

scour the greater Montpelier area for every bird
we can find, leaving no chickadee uncounted in
our attempt to census birds in central Vermont.
7 a.m.5 p.m. Potluck and results take place at
Grace Methodist Church, Plainfield. For information: northbranchnaturecenter.org Pre-registration
required: 229-6206
Additional Recyclables Collection Center. Accepting scores of hard-to-recycle items. Third Sat.,
9 a.m.1 p.m. 540 N. Main St. (old Times-Argus
building), Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org.
Capital City Indoor Farmers Market. Pick up
local foods for your holiday feast and crafts for
gift-giving. Over 30 vendors in all, more than half
of them selling farm products. Music by Kick em
Jenny. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Montpelier City Hall, 39
Main St., Montpelier. montpelierfarmersmarket.
com
Holiday with the Animals. A fun, family-friendly
holiday party with food and festivities. Enjoy some
holiday refreshments, greeting shelter animals, face
painting and fun with other Humane Heroes.
Special guests: Santa and Mrs. Claus! Please
bring donations to help spread good cheer to
shelter animals. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Central Vermont
Humane Society, 1589 VT Rt. 14S, E. Montpelier.
centralvermonthumane.org
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
Childrens Outdoor Christmas Pageant. With

live animals. 9:30 a.m. The Old Meeting House,
1620 Center Rd., E. Montpelier. 229-9593.
oldmeetinghouse.org
Christmas Services at Bethany. Fourth Sunday
in Advent worship. 10 a.m. Bethany Church, 115
Main St., Montpelier. 223-2424. bethanychurchvt.
org
Memorial Gathering for Jean Lathrop. Friends
of Jean Lathrop are invited to a memorial gathering. Early supper potluck to follow. 2 p.m. The
Haybarn Theatre at Goddard College, 123 Pitkin
Rd., Plainfield. Michelle: 479-5793.
Families of Color. Open to all. Play, eat and
discuss issues of adoption, race and multiculturalism. Bring snacks and games to share; dress for the
weather. Third Sun., 35 p.m. Unitarian Church,
130 Main St., Montpelier. Alyson 439-6096 or
alyson@suncatchervt.com.
Performing Arts
THEATER, STORYTELLING & COMEDY
Dec. 18: Stroke Yer Joke. Sign up in advance on facebook, or sign up at the door a half hour before
show time, and try five minutes of your best open-mic stand-up comedy before a live audience. 8 p.m.
Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. Free. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com.espressobueno.
com.
Dec. 1920: Green Mountain Nutcracker. Presented by Moving Light Dance Company. A cast of
65 talented dancers performs in fabulous hand-made costumes amidst glorious set pieces. Dec. 19, 7
p.m.; Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Barre Opera House, 6 N. Main St., Barre. $1428. 476-8188. barreoperahouse.org
Jan. 2: FEMCOM. Comedy by women for women (and enlightened men), featuring the standup of Liz
Thompson, Maggie Lenz, Josie Leavitt, Ashley Watson and Melissa Moran. 9 p.m. Espresso Bueno,
248 N. Main St., Barre. Free. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com. espressobueno.com.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open to

anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 6-7:30 p.m. Conference Center. 600 Granger
Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.
oldmeetinghouse.org
Christmas Eve Service at Bethany. Candlelight and carols. Hear the story of Christmas
as told through story and song. 7 p.m. Bethany
Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-2424.
bethanychurchvt.org
Information on Home Share Now. Curious about

home sharing? Stop by the Home Share Now table.
A brief presentation will be given prior to lunch
being served. 11 a.m.1 p.m. Twin Valley Senior
Christmas Day Masses at St. Monica Church. 8
Center, Blueberry Commons, Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. a.m. and 10 a.m. St Monica Church, 79 Summer
479-8544. information@homesharenow.org
St., Barre. 479-3253. stmonicabarre.weconnect.
com
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Medicare and You Workshop. New to Medicare?

Have questions? We have answers. Second and
fourth Tues., 34:30 p.m. 59 N. Main St., Ste.
200, Barre. Free, donations gratefully accepted.
479-0531. cvcoa@cvcoa.org. cvcoa.org.
Christmas Day Mass at North American

Martyrs. 9 a.m. Rt. 2, Marshfield. saintaugustinechurch.com/35
Christmas Day Mass at St. Augustine Church.
10 a.m. St. Augustine Church, 16 Barre St., Montpelier. saintaugustinechurch.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26

Montpelier City Council Meeting. Second and
fourth Wed., 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers,
Montpelier City Hall. 39 Main St., Montpelier.
montpelier-vt.org.
Christmas Eve Masses at St. Monica Church.

Mass 4 p.m.; Christmas pageant 6 p.m.; mass 6:30
p.m.; Christmas concert 11:30 p.m.; midnight
mass 12 a.m. St Monica Church, 79 Summer St.,
Barre. 479-3253. stmonicabarre.weconnect.com
Christmas Eve Mass at St. Augustine Church. 4
p.m. and 7 p.m. St. Augustine Church, 16 Barre
St., Montpelier. saintaugustinechurch.com
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. 5 p.m. family; 7:30 p.m. traditional. The Old Meeting House,
1620 Center Rd., E. Montpelier. 229-9593.
Re-Gift B-I-N-G-O. This aint yo mamas bingo,

and you should also definitely leave the kids at
home. To play more than one free card, bring a
present you got that you dont actually want. 8
p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre.
Free. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com.
espressobueno.com.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27
Christmas Service at Bethany. Christmas

carol sing and worship. 10 a.m. Bethany
Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-2424.
bethanychurchvt.org
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28
NAMI Vermont Family Support Group. Support

group for families and friends of individuals living
Live Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 2299212. Open mic every Wed. Other shows T.B.A.
bagitos.com.
Dec. 17: Dave Loughran (acoustic classic rock)
68 p.m.
Dec. 18: Pinedrop (folk/Americana/bluegrass)
68 p.m.
Dec. 19: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.; Reid (singersongwriter) 68 p.m.
Dec. 20: Bleecker & MacDougal (folk ballads)
11 a.m.1 p.m.
Dec. 22: Nancy Reid Taube Holiday Student
Party and Recital, 68 p.m.
Dec. 25: Squirrels Crackers (blues/country/bluegrass) 68 p.m.
Dec. 26: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
Every Mon.: Open Mic Comedy Caf, 8 p.m.
Every Tues.: Karaoke Night, 9:30 p.m.
Dec. 18: Abby Jenne & Doug Perkins (folk rock)
6 p.m.; Pistol Fist/Violet UltraViolet (rock) 8:30
p.m.
Dec. 26: Bingo Night! 9 p.m.
Dec. 31: Sequin Dance Party DJ Disco Phantom
with mental illness. Fourth Mon., 7 p.m. Central
Vermont Medical Center, room 3, Berlin. 800639-6480 or namivt.org.
Montpelier New Year's Eve Celebration.

Ring in the new year in downtown Montpelier
with family and friends. There is something for
everyone and don't forget to stop in one of our
many restaurants and bars for a special dinner,
music or just a drink. Presented by Montpelier
Alive. 223-9604. events@montpelieralive.org.
montpelieralive.org
2 p.m.: Central Vermont Runners NYE 5K, at
the Pavilion (more information below)
4:305:15 p.m.: Marko the Magician at Montpelier High School
5:457 p.m.: Hypnosis Magic Show at Montpelier High School
7:30 p.m.: Fireworks!
8 p.m.: Dave Kellers NYE Extravaganza at
City Hall 8:00 pm (more information below)
New Years Eve Run. Registration now open.
Forms available online at Central Vermont
Runners website. 5k race for all ages, walkers
welcome. Prizes, refreshments. First race in the
popular Onion River Sports Race Series. Race-day
registration, noon. Pavilion Building, State St.,
Montpelier. $10 per runner. Prizes and refreshments, all at the Pavilion building, State Street,
(dance) 9 p.m.
Calendar of Events
Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre. 4790896. Free/by donation. events@espressobueno.
com. espressobueno.com.
Dec. 19: The Metal Outlaws (country/rock) 8 p.m.
Jan. 8: Danielle OHallisey (jazz) 7:30 p.m.;
Become Lovable Problem Child (free jazz) 9 p.m.
Positive Pie. 10 p.m. 22 State St., Montpelier. $5.
229-0453. positivepie.com.
Dec. 18: Oneness: A Conscious Dancehall with
Satta Sound
Dec. 23: White Out
Sweet Melissa's. 4 Langdon St., Montpelier. Free
unless otherwise noted. Other shows T.B.A. 2256012. facebook.com/sweetmelissasvt
Dec. 17: Wes Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18: Mark LeGrand, 5 p.m.; Tim Brick
Band, 9 p.m. $5.
Dec. 19: Andy Pitt, 5 p.m.; Coquette, 9 p.m. $5.
Dec. 20: Live Band Rock & Roll Karaoke, 8 p.m.
Dec. 21: Kelly Ravin, 8 p.m.
Dec. 22: Cyrus Graves, 5 p.m.; Open Mic
Night, 7 p.m.
Dec. 23: The Brevity Band, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 26: The Odd Wednesdays, 9 p.m. $5.
Dec. 27: Live Band Rock & Roll Karaoke, 8 p.m.
Dec. 28: Kelly Ravin, 8 p.m.
Dec. 29: Bruce Jones, 5 p.m.; Open Mic Night,
7 p.m.
Dec. 30: The Shanty Rats, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 31: Eames Brothers Band New Years Eve
Party, 10 p.m. $10
Jan. 2: The Odd Wednesdays, 9 p.m. $5.
com.
Every Wed.: Open mic
Dec. 17: Paul Cataldo (singer-songwriter)
Dec. 18: Big Hat No Cattle
Jan. 2: Metal Outlaws (country/bluegrass/
Americana)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Dec. 17: Bacon Revival One Night to Revel.
Bacon Night returns to Nutty Steph for one night
only! Beer, bacon ad music from Two Cents in
the Til. 6 p.m.midnight. Nutty Stephs, 961
US-2, Middlesex. $5; limited space. https://www.
facebook.com/events/534626363371235/
Dec. 19: Stories for a Winter's Eve with Patti
Casey. Original Vermont stories and music with
Patti Casey and guests in ta warm lovely setting.
3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Old Meeting House, 1620
Center Rd., E. Montpelier. $15 advance; $18 at
door; $50 4-pack. 229-9593. oldmeetinghouse.org
Dec. 19: The Gathering. Featuring Will Ackerman (guitar), Peter Jennison (piano), Marika
Takeuchi (piano) and Vin Downs (guitar).
7:30 p.m. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center,
122 Hourglass Dr., Stowe. $2035. 760-4634.
sprucepeakarts.org
THE BRIDGE
Dec. 27: Christmas Ornaments. New arrangement of carols. With Denise Ricker (flute) and
Arthur Zorn (piano). Christmas CD release
concert to benefit scholarship and development
projects in Bethany's sister parish in El Salvador. 2
p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier.
Admission by donation. arthurzorn@hotmail.com
Jan. 2: Green Mountain Mahler Festival:
Beethovens Ninth Symphony. Features vocal
soloists Allison Devery, Linda Radtke, Cameron
Steinmetz and Erik Kroncke along with more
than 120 members of the Green Mountain
Mahler Festival Orchestra and Chorus. Benefits
the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program. 7:30
p.m. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 122
Hourglass Dr., Stowe. Adults $25; ages 60+ $20;
students $10. vtmahler.org
Jan. 23: Village Harmony Alumni Ensemble.
Unique world music vocal ensemble. Program
features songs and dances from South Africa,
American shape-note songs, quartet gospel and
contemporary compositions, traditional songs
from Corsica and the Balkans, Spanish renaissance works and contemporary Estonian pieces.
Suggested admission: adults $10; students $5.
426-3210.
Jan. 2: 4 p.m. Greensboro United Church, 165
E. Craftsbury Rd., Greensboro
Jan. 3: 4 p.m. Christ Church, 64 State St.,
Montpelier.
Whammy Bar. 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m. 31

County Rd., Calais. Thurs., Free. whammybar1.
Dec. 1920: Onion River Winter Concert. With

Larry Gordon, conductor. 50-voice choir features
Renaissance Christmas music from Spain and
Latin America, particularly compositions from the
16th and early 17th centuries. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.;
Dec. 20, 4 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St., Montpelier. Adults $15; students/seniors $10;
families $30.
Montpelier. busheya@wssu.org
1 Mechanic St., Montpelier. 229-0093.
comcast.net
Dave Kellers 3rd annual New Years Eve Extravaganza. Dance to The Dave Keller Band, a
DJ spinning classic soul and funk between band
sets, plus special musical guests. Drinks and desserts from Sweet Melissa's, wood-fired pizza from
Woodbelly Pizza, free champagne toast, countdown and disco ball drop at midnight, dance
contests and door prizes. Fine attire suggested
but not required. All ages are welcome. 7:30 p.m.
Montpelier City Hall, 39 Main St., Montpelier.
$15 advance; $20 at door. Free for ages 17 and
under. Tickets: lostnationtheater.org
Northeast Storytellers. Writers, readers and

appreciators of prose and verse meet regularly
the first Saturday of every month. The public is
welcome to attend and new members are always
encouraged to join. 11:30 a.m.2 p.m. Catamount
Arts, 115 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury. 751-5432.
brookequillen@yahoo.com.
Dance, Sing, and Jump Around! An intergenerational fun afternoon; a lively time for folks of all
ages. Circle and line dances, singing games, all
taught and called. Live music by Kenric Kite and
friends. Caller is Liz Benjamin. Snacks. 34:30
p.m. Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, 18 High
St. (Rt. 2), Plainfield. Suggested donation: $5;
$10 per family. No one turned away. merrykays@
yahoo.com. lizbenjamin64@gmail.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1
Skate for the Cure: Norwich Men's Hockey &

American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of
Central Vermont. Community effort to raise
money for cancer research. Skate with the Norwich Men's Hockey Team and Coach McShane,
get autographs from players and enter a raffle
to win Norwich hockey tickets for their hockey
tournament. 79 p.m. Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center, Gallison Hill Rd., Montpelier.
$20; $10 for ages 12 and under. relayforlife.org/
centralvt
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2
National Federation of the Blind, Montpelier

Chapter. First Sat. Lane Shops community room,
Osteoporosis Education and Support Group.

For those who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, have a family member
who has been diagnosed or want to learn about
osteoporosis. Learn from a variety of guest speakers and medical specialists. First Sat., 13 p.m.
Community National Bank, Community Room,
Crawford Rd., Derby. 535-2011. mary@betterbonesnek.org. betterbonesnek.org.
Espresso Brain-o. Muster your best small team,
and come eat, drink and think your way through
a dynamic live trivia game! 7 p.m. Espresso
Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $5. 479-0896.
events@espressobueno.com. espressobueno.com.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3
Hike Woodstock-Pomfret Green Mountain

Club. Moderate. 7.6 miles. Snowshoe or hike
to Winturi Shelter via the Appalachian Trail.
Bring lunch and water. Meet at Montpelier High
School, 5 High School Dr., Montpelier. Contact
Michael for details: 249-0520 or chernick5@
Jan. 9: Jazzyaoke. Sing the standards backed

by a live six-piece jazz band; all lyrics provided.
7:30 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St.,
Barre. $5. 479 0896. events@espressobueno.com.
espressobueno.com
MONDAY, JANUARY 4
Parent Meet-Up. Come meet other parents, share

information and chat over light snacks, coffee
and tea. First Mon., 1011:30 a.m. Hayes Room,
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. mamasayszine@gmail.com.
Birthing From Within: Pain Coping Practice.
Class utilizes specific practices to strengthen self
awareness and build communication between
partners to support a strong coping mindset.
Prepare and review for the integration of self
development that arises in the process of birth
and in the care of a new baby. With Marianne
Donohue Perchlik. 68 p.m. Good Beginnings of
Central Vermont, 174 River St., Montpelier. Free.
Register: 595-7953. gbcvinfo@gmail.com. https://
www.facebook.com/events/1662084570702908/
Classic Book Club. New members always welcome. Most first Mon., 68 p.m. Cutler Memo-
T H E B R I D G E
Calendar of Events
Visual Arts
Through Dec. 31: The Governors Gallery

Presents Interface. Works by Almuth Palinkas
and sculpture by Jeanne Cariati. Photo I.D. required. The Pavilion Building, 109 State St., 5F,
Montpelier. david.schutz@vermont.gov
EXHIBITS
Through Dec. 31: Celebrate. Annual local arts

exhibit featuring a wide variety of fine art and
crafts created by SPA member artists. The show
is on all three floors of the historic SPA building
and includes hundreds of one-of-a-kind gifts.
Tues.Fri., 11 a.m.5 p.m.; Sat., noon4 p.m.
Studio Place Arts, 201 N. Main St., Barre. 4797069. studioplacearts.com
Through Dec. 18: The Paletteers of Vermont

Fall Art Show. Open during regular library
hours. Aldrich Public Library, Milne Room, 6
Washington St., Barre.
Through Dec. 23: ANIMAL: Photo Retrospective Exhibit. ANIMAL is dance-based interdisciplinary project directed by Montpelier-based
artist Hanna Satterlee. A two-year creation
period was used to draft the work in public indoor and outdooe performances. Contemporary
Dance & Fitness Studio Foyer Gallery, 18 Langdon St., 3F, Montpelier. Donations welcome.
hannasatt@gmail.com
Through Dec. 31: Neysa Russo, Felt Tapestry Exhibit. The tapestries are created using a
combination of wet felting and needle felting
techniques using mostly local wool. Bagitos,
Main St., Montpelier. 249-4715. neysa.russo@
live.com. spinningstudio.com.
Through Dec. 31: Bob Aiken, Vermont Impressionist. Vermont landscapes depicting rural
fields, rivers, mountains and small villages.
Acrylic with palette knife. Mon.Fri., 11 a.m.3
p.m. Festival Gallery, #2 Village Square, Waitsfield. 496-6682. vermontartfest.com
rial Library, 151 High St. (Rte. 2), Plainfield. Free.
454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org/resources/bookclub.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5
ADA Advisory Committee Meeting. First Tues.

City managers conference room, City Hall, 39
Main St., Montpelier. 223-9502.
Winter Whispers. For children ages 3.56.
Children will spend a portion of every morning
outdoors discovering winter's many wonders.
In addition, our program offers time to cozy up
indoors for winter related stories, songs, art as well
as exploration of Vermont wildlifes winter habits.
Every Tues. and Wed., Jan. 5Feb. 17. 9 a.m.
noon. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St.,
Montpelier. Fee applies. northbranchnaturecenter.org
Poetry Clinic. The first hour of the clinic will be
devoted to generative poetry writing exercises; the
second hour will be devoted to respectful critiques
of work you bring to or make in class. Every first
and third Tues., 68 p.m. River Arts Center, 74
Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6
Cross-country Ski Stowe with Green Mountain Club. Various distances. All abilities. Stowe
Mountain Resort. Trail fee. Bring lunch. Call for
meeting time and place: Mary G.: 622-0585 or
Mary S.:505-0603.
Winter Whispers. For children ages 3.56.
Children will spend a portion of every morning
outdoors discovering winter's many wonders.
In addition, our program offers time to cozy up
indoors for winter related stories, songs, art as well
as exploration of Vermont wildlifes winter habits.
Every Tues. and Wed., Jan. 5Feb. 17. 9 a.m.
noon. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm St.,
Montpelier. Fee applies. northbranchnaturecenter.org
Bereavement/Grief Support Group. Open to
anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 1011:30 a.m. Conference Center. 600
Granger Road, Berlin. Free. 223-1878.
Grandparents Raising Their Childrens Children. First Wed., 10 a.m.Noon. Barre Presbyterian Church, Summer St. 476-1480.
Cancer Support Group. First Wed., 6 p.m.
Potluck. For location, call Carole MacIntyre
229-5931.
U-32 School Board Meeting. Open to the public
and community members are always welcome to
attend. 6 p.m. U-32, Rm. 131, 930 Gallison Hill
Rd., Montpelier. 229-0321.
Montpelier School Board Meeting. 7 p.m.
Montpelier High School library, 5 High School
Dr., Montpelier. 225-8000.
Todays Latino Writers: Making Great American Literature. Middlebury College Professor
Gloria Estela Gonzlez Zenteno provides an
overview of work by a new generation of U.S.Latino authors writing about migration, identity
and otherness. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338 kellogghubbard.org
Through Dec. 31: 1st annual MSAC Member

Art Show. More than a dozen MSAC members
will showcase their work, including photographs,
pastels and watercolors. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Through Dec. 31: Josh Blouin. Vermont images
and landscapes. Capitol Grounds, 27 State St.,
Montpelier. joshblouin55@gmail.com
Through Jan. 3: Art Resource Association
Show. City Center, 89 Main St., Montpelier.
Through Jan. 4: Larry Golden, Traditional
Painter. Landscape paintings on canvas. Gallery
hours: Mon.Thurs., 9 a.m.4 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.
2 p.m. The Gallery at River Arts, 74 Pleasant St.,
Morrisville. Free. 888-1261. riverartsvt.org.
Through Jan. 6: Joann and Lou DiNicola.
Art and photographs by the Randolph couple.
Gifford Medical Center gallery, 44 S. Main St.,
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7
MBAC Meeting. Meeting of the Montpelier

Bicycle Advisory Committee. First Thurs., 8 a.m.
Police Station Community Room, 534 Washington St., Montpelier. 262-6273.
Diabetes Support Group. First Thurs., 78 p.m.
Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical
Center. 371-4152.
Book Reading: Chloe Vine. While earning her JD
from Vermont Law School, Vine went on a crosscountry road trip that inspired her book Naked
Under an Umbrella. Viners poetry appears in
many literary journals. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
kellogghubbard.org
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8
Friday Night Group. For youth age 1322 who

are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or
questioning. Pizza, soft drinks and conversation.
Cofacilitated by two trained, adult volunteers
from Outright VT. Second and fourth Fri.,
6:308 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier. Free. 223-7035. Micah@OutrightVT.
org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9
Snowshoe Elmore with Green Mountain

Club. Moderate. 5.3 miles round trip. Elmore
Mountain loop. 1,400' elevation gain. Contact
Charlene for meeting time and place: 229-9908 or
charlenebohl@comcast.net
Capital City Indoor Farmers Market. Over 30
vendors in all, more than half of them selling farm
products. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Montpelier City Hall,
39 Main St., Montpelier. montpelierfarmersmarket.com
Inspiring a Love of Reading in Your K-3 Child.
Examine how reading skills develop, tools to
support your child while they are learning to
read and strategies to make reading more fun for
the reluctant reader. 1 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338
kellogghubbard.org
Send your listing to

calendar@montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is Dec. 31.
Send information for events
happening Jan. 7Jan. 23
Randolph. 728-7000.
Through Jan. 8: Ed Epstein, Friends & Stories.

Paintings. Central Vermont Medical Center
gallery, 130 Fisher Rd., Berlin. cvmc.org/aboutcvmc/cvmc-art-gallery
Through Jan 9: Holiday Group Exhibition.
Eight Vermont artists bring cheer to the holidays
with sculpture, assemblage, collage and more.
Axels Gallery and Frame Shop, 5 Stowe St.,
Waterbury. axelsgallery.com
p.m. Bundy Modern Gallery, 361 Bundy Rd.,

Waitsfield. 583-5832. info@bundymodern.com
Through July 19: Blue Ribbons & Burlesque:
The Country Fair Photography of Charles
Fish. Black and white photographs capture nature and nurture, theatrical illusion, the pursuit
of excellence and even the guilty pleasures of fair
food. Vermont History Museum, 109 State St.,
Montpelier. Free with admission to museum.
828-2180. vermonthistory.org/calendar
Through Jan. 15: Cross-stitch and Multimedia by Heidi Chamberlain & Upcycled
Christmas Stockings by Nancy Gadue.
Heidi Chamberlain is an eclectic artist who
does collages and cross stitch. Nancy Gadue,
crafter extraordinaire, creates Christmas stockings with boiled wool and recycled sweaters.
Cheshire Cat, 28 Elm St., Montpelier. 223-1981.
cheshirecatclothing.com
SPECIAL EVENTS
Through Jan . 15: Mathew Peake, Barbara

Baker-Bury and Scott J Morgan, Turn, Turn,
Turn Art Exhibit. Includes paintings that have
been turned in the making, resulting in finished
pieces that can be viewed with interest from any
direction. Gallery hours: Tues.Sat., noon4
p.m. T.W. Wood Gallery, 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 262-6035. twwoodgallery@gmail.com.
twwoodgallery.org
Jan. 7: Tom Cullins and Kelly Holt, Alternatives Opening Reception. Exhibit of photographs and mixed media on display through
March 1. Reception 57 p.m.; artist talk 6 p.m.
The Gallery at River Arts, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. 888-1261. riverartsvt.org
Dec. 12Jan. 18: Blake Larsen, Introducing

Color. Color saturated abstract expressionist
and abstract figure paintings. Sat.Sun., noon5
Dec. 17: Capstones Family Literacy Center

Student Art Show and Reception. Artwork
from the collaborative project will be on display
as well as artwork created by the children of
Brook Street Schools Learning Together Center.
Noon1 p.m. Brook Street School, 45 Brook St.,
Barre. capstonevt.org
Jan. 7: Caroline McKinney, Humans and Other

Animals Opening Reception. Unique collection
of watercolor portraits on display through March
1. 57 p.m. Common Space Gallery, River Arts
Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. 888-1261.
riverartsvt.org
PoemCity 2016
The Kellogg-Hubbard Library invites Vermont poets professional or amateur to
submit their original poems for PoemCity 2016, a citywide event, now in its seventh
year, that displays poetry on local business storefronts as a way to celebrate National Poetry Month. Chosen poems will appear throughout the downtown district of Montpelier
for the month of April 2016.
Poets of all ages are welcome to submit up to three poems no longer than 24 lines each
for consideration for public display. Each poem should be original work by the author,
who must be a Vermont resident or VCFA / Norwich University student or alum. Deadline to submit is January 31, 2016.
Visit www.kellogghubbardlibrary.submittable.com to submit.
Weekly Events
Calendar of Events
Free.
Mon.: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
11 a.m.1 p.m.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Wed.: Christ Church, 64 State St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
welcome. Free instruction available. Come with
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St.,
a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
Noontime Knitters. All abilities welcome. Basics
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
taught. Crocheting, needlepoint and tatting also
4:305:30 p.m.
welcome. Tues., noon1 p.m. Waterbury Public
Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.
Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury. 244-7036.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Drop-in River Arts Elder Art Group. Work
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
on art, share techniques and get creative with
twinvalleyseniors.org.
others. Bring your own art supplies. For elders
60+. Every Fri., 10 a.m.noon. River Arts Center, Feast Together or Feast To Go. All proceeds
benefit the Feast Senior Meal program. Tues. and
74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. Free. 888-1261.
Fri., noon1 p.m. Live music every Tues., 10:30
riverartsvt.org.
11:30 a.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. Seniors 60+ free with $7
suggested donation; under 60 $9. Reservations:
262-6288 or justbasicsinc@gmail.com.
Open Shop Nights. Volunteer-run community
bike shop: bike donations and repairs. Wed., 46
p.m.; other nights. Freeride Montpelier, 89 Barre
St., Montpelier. 552-3521. freeridemontpelier.
Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place
org.
for individuals and their families in or seeking
recovery. Daily, 10 a.m.5 p.m. 489 North Main
St., Barre. 479-7373.
Sun.: Alchoholics Anonymous, 8:30 a.m.
Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and
Tues.: Making Recovery Easier workshops,
practice your language skills with neighbors.
67:30 p.m.
Noon1 p.m. Mon., Hebrew; Tues., Italian;
Wed.: Wits End Parent Support Group, 6 p.m.
Wed., Spanish; Thurs., French. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.
Thurs.: Narcotics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m.
English Conversation Practice Group. For
Early Bird Bone Builders Class. With Cort
students learning English for the first time. Tues., Richardson. Osteoporosis exercise and preven45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education program. Wear comfortable clothing and
tion, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.
sturdy shoes. Light weights provided or bring
223-3403.
your own. All ages. Every Mon., Wed. and Fri.,
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading 7:308:30 a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rt. 2,
Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier. Free. Cort:
and share some good books. Books chosen by
group. Thurs., 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult 223-3174 or 238-0789.
Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center,
Bone Building Exercises. All seniors welcome.
100 State St. 223-3403.
Every Mon., Wed. and Fri. 10:4511:45 a.m.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.
org.
ART & CRAFT
BICYCLING
HEALTH & WELLNESS
BOOKS & WORDS
BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION
Computer and Online Help. One-on-one computer help. Tues. and Fri., 10 a.m.1 p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main St., Waterbury.
Free. Registration required: 244-7036.
Personal Financial Management Workshops.
Learn about credit/debit cards, credit building and repair, budgeting and identity theft,
insurance, investing, retirement. Tues., 68 p.m.
Central Vermont Medical Center, Conference
Room 3. Registration: 371-4191.
FOOD & DRINK

Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.
Tai Chi for Seniors. Led by trained volunteers.

Every Mon. and Fri., 12 p.m.; Mon. and Wed.,
5:306:30 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center,
4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
Living Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.
Sing while exercising. Open to all seniors. Every
Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri., 23 p.m.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518. msac@
montpelier-vt.org.
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier.
552-3483.
Overeaters Anonymous. Twelve-step
program for physically, emotionally and spiritually overcoming overeating. Note meeting days
and locations. Every Tues., 5:306:30 p.m. and
Sat., 8:309:30 a.m. at Episcopal Church of the
Good Shepherd, 39 Washington St., Barre. 2493970. Every Mon., 56 p.m. at Bethany Church,
115 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3079.
Tai Chi Classes for All Ages. Every Tues. and
Thurs., 1011 a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center,
Rte. 2, Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier.
Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors@myfairpoint.
net
HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral
testing. Thurs., 25 p.m. 58 East State St., Ste. 3
(entrance at back), Montpelier. Free. 371-6222.
vtcares.org.
KIDS & TEENS

The Basement Teen Center. Safe drop-in space
to hang out, make music, play pool, ping-pong
and board games and eat free food. All activities
are free. Mon.Thurs., 26 p.m., Fridays 3-10
p.m. Basement Teen Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier. BasementTeenCenter.org
Read to Clara. Sign up for a 20-minute slot and
choose your books beforehand to read to this
special canine pal. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135
Main St., Montpelier. Sign up ahead: 223-4665
or at the childrens desk. kellogghubbard.org.
Story Time and Playgroup. With Sylvia Smith
for story time and Cassie Bickford for playgroup.
For ages birth6 and their grown-ups. We follow
the Twinfield Union School calendar and do not
hold the program the days Twinfield is closed.
Wed., 1011:30 a.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122
School St., Marshfield. Free. 426-3581.
jaquithpubliclibrary.org.
Story Time for Kids. Meet your neighbors and
share quality time with the pre-schooler in your
life. Each week well read stories and spend time
together. A great way to introduce your preschooler to your local library. For ages 25. Every
Thurs., 10:30 a.m. Cutler Memorial Library, 151
High St., Plainfield. 454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org.
Lego Club. Use our large Lego collection to
create and play. All ages. Thurs., 34:30 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Drop-in Kinder Arts Program. Innovative
exploratory arts program with artist/instructor
Kelly Holt. Age 35. Fri., 10:30 a.m.noon.
River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville.
888-1261. RiverArtsVT.org.
THE BRIDGE
refresh your skills and get feedback if desired

with other supportive musicians. Singers and
listeners welcome. Thurs., 45:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.,
Montpelier. Free; open to the public. 223-2518.
msac@montpelier-vt.org.
Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs., 68
p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
St. 223-2518.
Gamelan Rehearsals. Sun., 79 p.m. Pratt Center, Goddard College. Free. 426-3498. steven.
light@jsc.edu. light.kathy@gmail.com.
RECYCLING
Additional Recycling. The Additional Recyclables Collection Center accepts scores of hardto-recycle items. Mon., Wed., Fri., noon6 p.m.;
Third Sat., 9 a.m.1 p.m. ARCC, 540 North
Main St., Barre. $1 per carload. 229-9383 x106.
For list of accepted items, go to cvswmd.org/arcc.
RESOURCES
Onion River Exchange Tool Library. 80 tools
both power and manual. Wed., 46 p.m.; Sat.,
911 a.m. 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 661-8959.
info@orexchange.com.
SOLIDARITY/IDENTITY
Womens Group. Women age 40 and older
explore important issues and challenges in their
lives in a warm and supportive environment. Facilitated by psychotherapist Kathleen Zura. Every
Mon., 5:307:30 p.m. 41 Elm St., Montpelier.
223-6564. Insurances accepted.
SPIRITUALITY
Christian Science Reading Room. You're invited
to visit the Reading Room and see what we
have for your spiritual growth. You can borrow,
purchase or simply enjoy material in a quiet study
room. Hours: Wed., 11 a.m.7:15 p.m.; Thurs.
Sat., 11 a.m.1 p.m. 145 State St., Montpelier.
223-2477.
A Course in Miracles. A study in spiritual transformation. Group meets each Tues., 78 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, 64 State St., Montpelier. 279-1495.
Christian Counseling. Tues. and Thurs. Daniel
Dr., Barre. Reasonable cost. By appt. only:
479-0302.
Teen Fridays. Find out about the latest teen

books, use the gym, make art, play games and if
you need to, do your homework. Fri., 35 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield. 426-3581.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For those

interested in learning about the Catholic faith, or
current Catholics who want to learn more. Wed.,
7 p.m. St. Monica Church, 79 Summer St.,
Barre. Register: 479-3253.
Musical Story Time. Join us for a melodious

good time. Ages birth6. Sat., 10:30 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Free. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org.
Deepening Our Jewish Roots. Fun, engaging text study and discussion on Jewish
spirituality. Sun., 4:456:15 p.m. Yearning
for Learning Center, Montpelier. 223-0583.
info@yearning4learning.org.
Mad River Valley Youth Group. Sun., 79 p.m.

Meets at various area churches. Call 497-4516 for
location and information.
MUSIC & DANCE

Barre-Tones Womens Chorus. Open rehearsal. Find your voice with 50 other women.
Mon., 7 p.m. Alumni Hall, Barre. 223-2039.
BarretonesVT.com.
Dance or Play with the Swinging Over 60
Band. Danceable tunes from the 1930s to the
1960s. Recruiting musicians. Tues., 10:30 a.m.
noon. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal.
New chorus members welcome. Wed., 45 p.m.
Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more
information.
Piano Workshop. Informal time to play,
SPORTS & GAMES

Roller Derby Open Recruitment and Recreational Practice. Central Vermonts Wrecking
Doll Society invites quad skaters age 18 and up.
No experience necessary. Equipment provided:
first come, first served. Sat., 56:30 p.m. Montpelier Recreation Center, Barre St. First skate
free. centralvermontrollerderby.com.
YOGA & MEDITATION

Christian Meditation Group. People of all faiths
welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ Church,
Montpelier. 223-6043.
Zen Meditation. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont.
Wed., 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River St., Montpelier.
Free. Call for orientation: 229-0164.
Shambhala Buddhist Meditation. Group meditation practice. Sun., 10 a.m.noon; Tues., 78
p.m.; Wed., 67 p.m. New location: Center for
Culture and Learning, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier. Free. 223-5137. montpeliershambala.org.
Sunday Sangha: Community Ashtanga Yoga.
Every Sun., 5:407 p.m. Grateful Yoga, 15 State
St., 3F, Montpelier. By donation.
Send your listing to

calendar@montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is Dec. 31.
Send information for events
happening Jan. 7Jan. 23
T H E B R I D G E
Classifieds
Text-only class listings and
classifieds are 50 words for $25.
To place an ad, call Michael,
223-5112 ext. 11.
Design & Build

Custom Energy-Efficient Homes
Additions Timber Frames
Weatherization Remodeling
ARTS
Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring

Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork
A POCKET CHATAUQUA
Internationally recognized folk performing artists present theater of the mind in an intimate
setting. Adults, children, and multigenerational
audiences, your place or ours. Tim Jennings
and Leanne Ponder are simply Vermont treasures, 7 Days. Two of the best Times Argus.
www.folktale.net
CLASSES
CLASSES IN SPINNING, KNITTING, FELTING AND SILK PAPER are being offered this
winter at The Spinning Studio in Bradford,
Vermont. Visit www.thespinningstudio.com or
call Robin Russo at 802-222-9240 for a class
schedule.
CLASSES
LEARN ITALIAN in a fun and stress-free
beginner class with native teacher from Rome.
10 classes of 60 minutes each for a total of $
240, all material included. Starting Thursday
01/07/2016 at 5:00 in Montpelier. For more
info., email maddalena.devitovt@gmail.com
HEALING SERVICE
HEALING DEEP TRAUMA
With Isabelle Meulnet
Since 2005
802-279-9144
www.bodymindsoulhealing.net
Deep trauma-release energy work:
aims to liberate the body from frozen imprints
rewires the nervous system out of the trauma
loop
releases the Healer within
Initial consultation and session: free
Sunday sessions available
OFFICE SPACE
OUTSTANDING OFFICE SPACE
Montpelier, Vermont
149 State Street. Perfect location
three minute walk to capital. Beautiful Greek
Revival building, renovated inside and out.
Includes on-site parking, heat, hot water,
electricity, utilities, office cleaning, trash and
recycling, snow plowing, and landscaping.
Handicap accessible.
1400 sq ft. $1435 per month. Can subdivide.
Call 508-259-7941
SERVICES
PLUMBING
Plumbing repairs to remodeling
Fred Blakely: 272-3818
JOB OPPORTUNITY
JAVA DEVELOPER: Write codes, work on and
develop advanced web design and framework.
BA in Computer Science/Software Engineering or any related field plus at least 1 year of
web application development exp is required.
$55,328/year. Send resume to Michael Howe
85 Granite Shed Lane, Unit 1, Montpelier, VT
05602 or email:mhowe@bear-code.com.
Do What You Do Best.
Bookkeeping Payroll Consulting
New Construction
Renovations
Woodworking
General Contracting
802.262.6013 evenkeelvt.com
Rocque Long
Painting
Insured
30+ years professional
experience
local references.
223-3447
clarconstruction.com
Tell them you saw it in
The Bridge!
802-223-0389
Since 1972
Repairs New floors and walls
Crane work Decorative concrete
Consulting ICF foundations
114 Three Mile Bridge Rd., Middlesex, VT (802) 229-0480
gendronbuilding@aol.com gendronconcrete.com
PAG E 2 0 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016
Opinion
Zero-Sort (of) Recycling
n the last issue of The Bridge, Larry Floersch provided a

bit of entertainment with his tongue-in-cheek analysis
of Zero-Sort recycling in A State of Mind: ZeroSort Recycling? Recycling nerds like me can use a shot of
humor about a subject we occasionally take too seriously,
so Im not knocking it. But Id like to respond to Floerschs
eloquently-illustrated frustration with recycling in central
Vermont.
THE BRIDGE
by Cassandra Hemenway
tics into different bins. Many people detest the idea of sorting out their materials. We in the solid waste management
biz call the act of sorting materials source separating.
Source separating, unlike single-stream recycling, captures
a higher value of the materials.
things you wish were recyclable, but arent on the list.
Staffers are available to help you figure this stuff out. We

offer talks and presentations about recycling, composting
and reducing waste. If your community group or business
would like us to come, please call us at 229-9383 or email
For example, glass sorted by color can be marketed and comments@cvswmd.org. Go to cvswmd.org for informasold. But mixed glass gets crushed and used for landfill tion about where to bring your hard-to-recycle materials.
cover. Some plastics are worth more than others. Separat- Cassandra Hemenway is the Outreach Manager for the CenFirst, a clarification: the term Zero-Sort is actually a ing out the higher value plastics such as 1s and 2s, means tral Vermont Solid Waste Management District.
branded phrase used by one for-profit company. Its a mar- theyre worth more. Office paper and glossy magazines
keting tool. Im not crazy about the phrase because some have a higher resell value than newspaper.
people interpret it to mean they can toss trash, compost, In a way, even single-stream recycling is a kind of source
Have something important to say?
dog hair, you name it, into the recycle bin. No. Please dont separating. We do this all the time in our daily lives.
We want to hear it!
do that.
Send it to us at:
The minute you walk in the door and put away your groThe term Zero-Sort means single-stream recycling, ceries, you are source separating when the pasta goes in
editorial@montpelierbridge.com
which is a system in which people can toss all their listed the cabinet and the ice cream goes in the freezer. In order
recyclables into one bin. Trash goes into a different bin. to retain the value of those materials, you have to source
Single-stream recyclables DO get sorted by machinery separate them. Applying this concept to what goes OUT
and people at the Materials Recovery Facility in Chitten- of our homes as well as what comes in enables materials to
den County. Montpelier gets a break. You dont have to sort have longer lives and higher values. It also extends the life
recyclables into more than one bin. In Barre, some haulers of Vermonts one operating landfill.
do require sorted recyclables.
In the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management DisAs to that term listed. Mandated recycling went into ef- trict, we only have one company, Earth Waste, sorting its
fect on July 1. It calls for six items to be recycled. These recyclables and marketing them at a better rate. Again,
are the listed recyclables: glass, rigid plastics, paper, card- in Montpelier, this isnt an issue unless another company
board, aluminum and steel. Nothing else goes into the re- catches on and also starts wanting to capture higher values
cycling bin. It would be misleading to pretend there arent out of recyclables. In the meantime its single-sort in the
nuances and odd rules that only make sense if you work capital city.
behind the scenes, but the basic idea is that those six items
A lonely trumpet
get recycled. Lots of other things besides listed materials As an aside, I was thrilled to read that Floerschs garbage
men (to his understandable annoyance) were picking concan be recycled, but not in your recycling bin.
In a room the size of life.
taminants out of his recycle bin. Its good to know the
Most people prefer single-stream recycling. You dont have boots-on- the-ground folks are fully aware of the need for
I dance anyway.
to think about it. (Though we recycling nerds would be recycling to be contaminant-free in order to retain its value.
much happier if you WOULD please think about what
you throw away). More people recycle now in part because You may have heard that the recycling markets have botby Reuben Jackson,
single sort makes it easy. It doesnt capture the highest tomed out in recent months. Part of the reason for that is
that
contaminated
loads
no
longer
have
a
market.
Its
essenhost
of
Friday Night Jazz on
value of the materials, however.
tial for the stream to remain clean meaning no StyroVermont Public Radio
Floersch tapped into a common complaint when he be- foam, no plastic bags, no milk or juice cartons, no recycling
moaned the days of meting out differently numbered plas-
Poetry
Lonely Trumpet
T H E B R I D G E
Editorial
Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe

and David F. Kelley to Discuss Key
Educational Issues
by Nat Frothingham
he Bridge is presenting Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe and Hazen Union

School Board Chair David F. Kelley in a public discussion of critical educational
issues moderated by former Vermont House member Donny Osman who served
on the House Education Committee.
That discussion will take place on Thursday evening, January 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in
the Hayes Room of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier.
The discussion will concentrate on Act 77 and Act 46, two recently passed laws with
large impacts on Vermont education. Act 77 was signed into law in 2014 and Act 46 was
signed into law in 2015.
Broadly speaking, Act 77 provides expanded educational opportunities for high school
students including out-of-school learning and an early college option. Act 46 encourages
school districts across Vermont to share resources through voluntary partnerships or
school consolidations and mergers.
The Bridge publishes every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month,
except in July when we publish only on the 3rd Thursday.
Our next issue comes out January 7.
Featur
ed
Photo
Road, Tree, Sky by Michael Jermyn on display at City Center

in Montpelier through Jan. 3 as part of the ARA Group Show
Discussion panelist David Kelley has written the following

paragraph to set a context for the January 14 public discussion:
This is an extraordinary time for schools in Vermont. The skills required to navigate
the future are being changed dramatically by the revolution in information technologies and our globalizing economy. The schools where we expect to teach those skills
must likewise adapt and change if we expect to meet that challenge. Our challenge
in Vermont is compounded by the demographics of an aging population, a shrinking
number of students and a property tax base that is under severe strain. We live in a
time when "we must think anew" and in Vermont we are doing that. We are beginning
to envision educational opportunities beyond the walls of the traditional school house
and to imagine larger communities of learning. With Personalized Learning Plans,
Proficiency Based Learning and Flexible Pathways we are seeking to nurture more
individualized learning, more creative thinking, a passion for lifelong learning and
greater community engagement. At the same time, we are looking at new ways to
achieve efficiencies through consolidation and mergers. As our schools transition to
meet the challenges of our time there will be controversy and debate, but there will also
be common ground. As Vermonters we share a commitment to insure that all students
are empowered with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their full potential
and become successful, responsible, contributing members, both locally and globally,
in our rapidly changing society.
PAG E 2 2 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016
Letters
Wind Turbines Too Loud To Sleep
Dear Santa:
All I want for Christmas is a good nights
sleep. You can find me on Georgia Mountain
in Vermont, 3,800-feet from the Georgia
Mountain Wind project. Ive tried to be a
good little neighbor and not complain every
time that I cant sleep because the turbines
are too loud. I know that this creates a lot of
paperwork for the folks at the Vermont Public Service Board and my guess is that it creates hardship for Georgia Mountain Wind as
well. Quite honestly it isnt fun for me either,
because if by a small Christmas miracle my
complaint is addressed, I get to take off from
work and drive an hour to Montpelier and
then file a bunch of paperwork myself in the
subsequent months. It would be much easier
if you would just wave your magic candy
cane and make the noise go away.
While you are at it can you please ask the
legislators this session to introduce some sensible bills to prevent this from happening
to our neighbors in Swanton, Fairfield and
Irasburg? If you could please help them to
craft something that would address the fact
that the current acceptable noise levels emitted from wind projects are too high it would
be great. Another thing that would be very
helpful would be to have some stringent setback distances from homes in the future. Oh
what the heck, I may as well ask for it all,
how about full-time monitoring of existing
projects so that if I cant sleep, I can look at
a webpage and see what the true noise levels
are and call Georgia Mountain Wind and
ask them to turn them back?
I know that I really shouldnt be asking for
all of these things and accept the fact that
Im just collateral damage in our fast-paced
quest to meet Governor Shumlins ambitious
green energy goal, but I promise to be good
for the rest of my life if you can just make it
so that I can sleep.
Oh, by the way, if I could ask for just one
more thing? Could you please stop the sun
from shining on weekend afternoons? You
see, if I cant sleep during the work week,
THE BRIDGE
I like to try and catch up on sleep on the
weekend afternoons. But when the sun starts
to set behind the turbines around mid-afternoon, it causes shadows to flicker in my bedroom. The constant strobing effect through
the shades wakes me up.
Thank you in advance for any of these things
that you may be able to deliver to my home.
Melodie McLane
Fairfax
Bike Path Essential

I Support Removing Building By
Eminent Domain
Editor:
The space occupied by the M&M Beverage building is essential to completing the
recreation path and adding a roundabout to
the Barre-Main Street intersection per the
Greening Americas Capitals plan. I support using eminent domain if necessary to
obtain the M&M Beverage building for the
following reasons:
The Barre-Main Street intersection is dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers in its
current configuration. The 2005 Downtown
Circulation Study rated this intersection an
F for vehicles. As someone who regularly
walks, bikes and drives from Main Street to
Barre Street, I can attest that it functions just
as poorly for pedestrians and bicyclists. The

city plan to install a roundabout is the best
solution to improve safety at this intersection
for all users.
The recreation path will provide a safer option for bicyclists through downtown. The
current options of State and Main Streets
or Memorial Drive leave bicyclists in vehicle
lanes, close to parked cars. One of the most
common bicycle accidents occurs when the
door of a parallel parked car is opened onto
an oncoming bicyclist. Additionally, many
would-be bicyclists are afraid to bike in vehicle lanes the only option currently available for bicyclists to get through downtown.
Detractors of eminent domain for this property have stated that the loss of this property
will reduce the grand list and thereby reduce
tax revenue. Studies from around the country have found that trails increase tax revenue, increase spending at nearby businesses
and increase value of nearby properties.
Economic benefits still exist even after the
land acquisition and construction costs have
been taken into account. (Source: http://
conservationtools.org/guides/97-economicbenefits-of-trails). Both the Stowe Bike Path
and the Burlington Bike Path have spurred
economic development. A UVM study estimated that tourist using the Bike Path spent
over $1 million in 2008 (source: https://
www.uvm.edu/~transctr/trc_reports/UVMTRC-10-003.pdf).
Suzanne Eikenberry
Montpelier
What Do You Think?

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respond to? We welcome your letters
and opinion pieces. Letters must be
fewer than 300 words. Opinion pieces
should not exceed 600 words. The Bridge
reserves the right to edit and cut pieces.
Send your piece to:
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Deadline for the next issue
is December 31.
The Center for Leadership Skills

BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Lindel James coaching & consulting

Taking You from Frustration to Enthusiasm
802 778 0626
lindel@lindeljames.com
lindeljames.com
Cody Chevrolet Congratulates The Bridge

On Over 20 Years of Business!
T H E B R I D G E
D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016 PAG E 2 3
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THE BRIDGE

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Com muni t y M e m ber s Se n d B a sic Needs to S y r i a n R ef ugees Page 4

December 17, 2015 January 6, 2016

Firefighter Chad Morse

story and photo by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER Major fires rarely ignite to maximum fury

ing out of the Department of Public Works building. It was a

YOUR BOX AD HERE!

The Law Office of Amy K. Butler,

PAG E 2 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016

D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016 PAG E 3

HEARD ON THE STREET

MONTPELIER At its December 9 meeting, the Montpelier City Council discussed

local options tax on sales. An added tax

MONTPELIER It is a month into what

Tell them you saw it in

A typical entire year of keeping Montpelier

City Rec/Management Merger

MONTPELIER The recreation department, the Montpelier Senior Activity Center

Waterfowl Tarry As Warmth Continues

Thank You For Your Support

by Daniel A. Neary, Jr.

t was in the 1930s that a group of

them, Weston, Willard Van Dyke and Paul

Photo by Daniel A. Neary, Jr.

Support The Bridge

All community contributions, whatever

Friends of The Bridge will be periodically acknowledged in future issues of

Send this form and your check to:

PAG E 4 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016

Locals Send Relief to Syrian Refugees

Local Couple Helped by MHS Students Gathers 250 items

Nowlan hit the ground running as soon a she heard about

Got a news tip? We want to know!

D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016 PAG E 5

Dispensary Worker Pot Bust:

PAG E 6 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016

The Med Shed

For the past 20 years, Sue and Raymond

Referrals to Wayward Wheels in central

D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016 PAG E 7

A Message From City Hall

City Managers Proposed Budget

Property Tax Impact:

accounts consistent with collective bargaining agreements

PAG E 8 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016

Lukas Huffman filming with his camera team

Happy Holidays from The Bridge!

Huffmans second feature film called

raise $25,000 between now and January

Filming "Aeris" in British Columbia.

D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016 PAG E 9

Cecile Gendron Shines at People's Health

the old Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, New

Dr. Allan Ramsay with a patient at the

PAG E 10 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016

Granite City Groove

Nelsons Ace Hardware Store Has It All

D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016 PAG E 11

Epsteins One-Man Show (through Jan. 8)

BERLIN Ed Epstein, a local artist who

was very well loved by the staff and nurses.

Self Portrait by Ed Epstein

PAG E 12 D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016

D E C E M B E R 17, 2 015 J A N UA RY 6 , 2 016 PAG E 13