From the Front Lines of the Addiction Crisis Page 4

A pril 21 M ay 4, 2016

Food & Farming

One of three vineyards at Fresh Tracks Farm in Berlin.

Photo courtesy of Fresh Tracks Farm.

IN THIS ISSUE:
Pg. 9 The Future of
Farming
Pg. 10 GMO Labeling
Pg. 12 The Birth of
Positive Pie

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Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery:

A Labor of Love That Stems From a
Love of Labor
story and photos by Marichel Vaught

hen one thinks of vineyards and

wineries, it is often within a setting
akin to Californias Sonoma and
Napa valleys or the rolling Italian village
landscapes. An image of Vermonts green
mountains would more likely evoke maple
tapping, rather than harvesting grapes for wine.
Sure Northern California produces some of
the best merlots and pinots on the market,
but what about marquettes, le crescents and
frontenacs? Not familiar with these varietals?
They are among the limited number of grapes
that can tolerate Vermonts gelid winters. Fresh
Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery on Route
12 in Berlin has three vineyards, soon to be
four, growing such grapes on 14 acres of their
property.
Fresh Tracks owner and winemaker, Christina
Castegren, bought the land in Berlin in 2002
with the goal of crafting wine from grapes
grown on-site. This was to be the first winery
and vineyard to open in the capital region.
Armed with a background in plant and soil
science earned at the University of Vermont, she
set to work planting 17 varieties of grapes. Over
the following five years, through an immense
amount of trial and error, she learned what

Fresh Tracks'
proprietor and
winemaker
Christina
Castegren

successfully grew and produced well. Ultimately,

it was the cold-hardy varieties, hybrids created
by the University of Minnesota, that matched
best with the local environment as they can
withstand extremely cold temperatures, ripen
in a shorter season and are resistant to disease.
Keep in mind that grape vines remain above
ground all year long. At Fresh Tracks, the vines
are kept untouched during the coldest months,
pruned as the temperatures become warmer
and harvested early fall. The grapes they grow
are St. Croix, Frontenac Gris, Adalmiina and
the earlier mentioned Marquette, La Crescent
and Frontenac. Some or all of these grapes
are also grown at the 30-plus vineyards now
found throughout Vermont. But there can be
a noticeable difference in flavor, vineyard to
vineyard. For instance, Marquette grapes grown
in the Lake Champlain region could produce a
wine thats more spicy and less fruity or vice
versa than wines made from the same variety of
grapes grown in southern Vermont due to the
lake effect or lack of snow cover for the vine.
Castegren isnt forcing merlot grapes or any
other more familiar varieties because they are
not conducive to this climate. Her success in
achieving flavorful wines is simply use what
you can grow. The distinct difference between
the grapes grown here and those grown in a
warmer climate is that here, the level of acidity
is higher. Acidity affects the wine's tart, sour
and crisp notes, and is crucial to manage and
balance in order to produce good wine. Fresh
Tracks does this extremely well. I am not a wine
connoisseur by any means. But I know I love
wine, especially bold reds. Im not particularly a
fan of white wines or ross, but when it comes
to these lighter-colored wines made in Vermont,
I am. The Vermont Ros, made with St. Croix

grapes, is crisp yet bold and earthy rather than

sweet and perfumey, which is how most ross
affect my palate.
Not surprisingly, since this is Vermont, Fresh
Tracks also taps maple from their own trees.
However, this maple isnt necessarily for your
morning pancakes. Fresh Tracks produces a
maple wine that is sweet yet complex and
considered a dessert wine. Other suggested uses
are as a topping for ice cream and as a flavor
enhancer when caramelizing onions.
A bit more than 40 barrels produce an average
of 2,500 cases a year. These are distributed
throughout Vermont and the bottles can be
purchased at their Berlin location. They dont
push fermentation or the aging process to meet
a set quota. They only bottle and release the
wines once it reaches the quality for which they
strive, so their production numbers may vary
from year to year.
Fresh Tracks is fully operated on-site and is
completely hands-on a tiny tasting lab is set
up amongst the barrels that hold the fermenting
grapes and the full-time staff of six are all
prepared to jump into different roles without
question in order to ensure a successful harvest.
Assistant winemaker, Hannah Swanson may be
found pruning the vines if shes not checking
the barrels or hosting tastings for visitors. Fresh
Tracks defines themselves as a labor of love
that stems from a love of labor. This could

Continued on Page 11

The Law Office of Amy K. Butler,

Esquire, PLLC
Bankruptcy Family Law
Estate Planning
64 Main St., Ste. 26, Montpelier
802-371-0077
akbutler@amykbutlerlaw.com

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PAG E 2 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

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Thank you for supporting The Bridge!

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 3

T H E B R I D G E

HEARD ON
THE STRE ET
Frasers Contract Extended Pending Council Vote

MONTPELIER City Manager William Fraser is likely staying in town ... for now.
The council and Bill reached an agreement on Friday, April 15 for an extension of his contract
for one year. The contract will be on the council's agenda for ratification at our next meeting
on April 27, Hollar told The Bridge via email.
Fraser agreed. I am confirming that we renewed the contract for another year, Fraser told The
Bridge by phone April 20. An agreement was reach at executive session. The terms are the same
as the previous years contract. The city managers salary was listed as $104,515.00 in the most
recent city budget posted online.

Two Proposals In For Rec Center

MONTPELIER Food Hub? Maker Space? Mixed-use commercial? Rec Center? Time
will tell.
The City of Montpelier received two proposals to purchase city-owned 55 Barre Street submitted April 15, according to a memorandum issued by City Manager William Fraser and
Assistant City Manager Jessie Baker April 20. The proposals were in response to a request for
proposal released by the city March 9.
The companies who entered proposals are Morningstar Properties under the signature of Steven Ribolini and Overlake Park LLC signed by Jesse Jacobs.
The memo states that neither proposal fully satisfies the request for proposal criteria, therefore
I have reviewed the responses and recommend that, as neither fully complies with the RFP
requirements, we do not move forward with either proposal at this point, the memo states.

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Morningstars proposal is to pay $212,000 and turn the building into mixed-use space.
Overlake Parks proposal is to pay $375,000 and use it for three purposes, the first is labelled
confidential, the second is Maker Space and the third is Food Hub.
The memo further states that the proposals present great ideas, but that there are not businesses committed to the projects. And, since both respondents are local property owners
who have exciting economic development concepts, the city will further explore the ideas.
In addition, the city needs to figure out how this would fit into the plan to develop a multigenerational recreation department.

Hels Kitchen Closing

MONTPELIER Hels Kitchen, run by Helen Labun, will close April 30. The takeout
restaurant went into business in August 2015 at the Salt Restaurant building on Barre Street.
Labun, who has an agriculture and food systems degree, turned skills honed during informal
potluck gatherings at her home into a complicated study of new flavors, according to an
article on Labun by Marichel Vaught last fall. This weeks menu items for April 19 to 22 follow
a Middle Eastern theme. Takeout items include chicken kofta (meatballs) with tahini-za'atar
sauce, phyllo pastries with greens and orange blossom caramels. Website: Helskitchenvt.com.

Opera Fest Gala and Auction Announced

PLAINFIELD Echo Valley Community Arts will be presenting Operafest VIII on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at The Plainfield Opera Houae in Plainfield, Vermont. Spring has
arrived! This gala event will be a chance to dress up, listen to glorious voices, eat delicious food,
take chances with a raffle or vie for an item in a silent auction! Featured singers include: John
Andrew Fernandez, Lillian Broderick, Annalise Shelmandine, Kevin Ginter, Meghan McCormack, Marek Pyka and Brian Vandenberge with Eliza Thomas accompanist. Proceeds will go
toward Echo Valley Community Arts's fall production of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" which will
run October 14 to 16 and 21 to 23 at The Plainfield Opera House. For more information on
the opera go to echovalleycommunityarts.com.

Kiwanis Honors Scholars

BARRE Kiwanis Club of Barre's 35th annual Honors for Scholars Banquet. Honoring
Spaulding High School seniors who are members of the Pro Merito Society. Pro Merito Society
members are required to have an accumulative average of 3.0 or greater for seven semesters.
Forty-one members of the Spaulding High School Class of 2016 are members of the Pro Merito
Society.
The banquet was held at the Canadian Club in Barre Town on Monday, April 11. Guest speakers were Keith Paxman and Rich McSheffrey, Class of 1992 Spaulding H.S. graduates and
co-owners of the Cornerstone Restaurant Group.

Nature Watch

by Nona Estrin

Edibles Emerge In Our Woodland Domain

Watercolor by Nona Estrin

t last, the green in our morning eggs

and on our dinner plates is gathered
mere yards from where we eat it!
Wild, cooked leek greens are in everything
now, our go-to for so many meals. Their deep
woodland domain is on the slope next to the
yard. It's a different world there, and even a
few hurried minutes before a meal, can re-set
your frame of mind. We visit various beds,
and pull them or cut them off, rather than
dig. That way this ancient resource has continued to thrive and expand over the 35 years
we've lived here. Got to go now. Omelettes
on the menu!

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PAG E 4 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

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On the Front Lines of the Addiction Crisis

y now, we all know there is a serious drug addiction crisis in Vermont and across the
nation. We heard Gov. Peter Shumlins 2014 description of an addiction epidemic in
Vermont, and many of us know or have heard of someone locally who has become addicted to opioid painkillers, heroin or fentanyl, a drug that can be laced in with heroin or used
on its own. Addiction is disrupting the lives of addicts, their families and society as a whole,
and leading to death for too many. According to the Department of Health, in 2015 there
were 34 people in Vermont who died in an accidental or undetermined manner from using
heroin, 32 who died from using prescription opioids and 29 who died from taking fentanyl.
These drugs are behind many of our news headlines these days, whether it is a string of
burglaries or the huge increase in the number of infants and toddlers being taken away from
their parents because the parents are addicted. Every day, it seems, there is a news story about
someone busted on the highway for transporting drugs from out of state, or a murder trial involving drugs or an overdose, or a new plan to deal with the addiction issue, like Montpeliers
new policy of encouraging addicts to turn themselves in to the police without facing legal
consequences or several new federal anti-drug initiatives announced recently by President
Barack Obama.
Progress is being made in the battle against addiction, including an increase in the arrests of
major dealers and a reduction in the time it takes for an addict in Vermont to get into treatment. But the issue persists. At The Bridge, we decided to invite comment from some local
individuals who are trying to deal with the addiction crisis in their work or in their lives.
What follows are reports from five people on the front lines of the crisis who were generous
enough to take the time to answer two questions: (1) What is the scope of the addiction crisis
today? (2) What can be done to improve the situation?

Kevin Griffin, Washington County Judge

Kevin Griffin is the presiding judge in both the Washington County Criminal Division and the
Juvenile Court Division, part of the Family Court. He was appointed to the judiciary in January
2013. Prior to becoming a judge, Griffin worked in private law practice in White River Junction,
primarily doing criminal defense and family law.
The scope of the addiction problem in the courts is great and it has put a tremendous amount
of pressure on court resources. In the Criminal Division, it is rare to have a case that is not
linked to the issue of drugs or alcohol. In the juvenile docket of the Family Division, we are
consistently seeing the consequences of addiction, where one or both parents are struggling
with addiction issues that have brought them to the attention of the Department of Children
and Families. The number of cases involving children in need of care and supervision has
risen dramatically over the past several years. The overwhelming majority of the abuse and
neglect cases which result in children being removed from the home are directly attributable
to the opiate problem.
While we have a major problem with opiates in Washington County, we are not alone.
Every county in the state has been hit hard by the opiate epidemic. Fortunately, Washington
County has a lot of great resources to support people struggling with addiction if they want
help. The challenge is getting them in the door to access the resources.
The reasons underlying our addiction crisis are complicated and often depend on the individual. There has been extensive publicity surrounding the over prescription of opioid
medication. For sure, in some cases this has led to an easy transition to heroin use when the
opioid medication is no longer available. Heroin is cheaper and available everywhere. But the
pill mills leading to heroin abuse are not the major reasons for societys addiction problem.
Addiction is a health crisis that we are still trying to understand. Addiction can be partially
rooted in socio-economic issues, some of it may have a genetic link, and we now know that
people with significant trauma histories are particularly susceptible to opioid abuse. In fact,
some researchers argue that addiction can best be understood as learned behaviors developed
over a significant period of time to avoid negative experiences. Since not every person who is
poor or who has experienced trauma in their lives become addicted, identifying those at risk
and getting them help early in the process is the big challenge.

by Phil Dodd

Charging people struggling with addictions with criminal offenses and simply ordering them
to stop using with the threat of incarceration usually does not work. There is a growing consensus that society is better served by approaching the addiction problem as a public health
crisis desperately in need of more creative treatment options. But more resources are needed.
We have drug treatment courts in Washington, Rutland and Chittenden Counties, and we
have a DUI treatment court in Windsor County. There are no treatment courts in the remaining counties. An increase in resources could expand the availability of treatment courts
statewide. Sadly, we just dont have the resources to do that right now.

Deborah Hopkins, Outpatient Clinic Director

Deborah Hopkins is the operations director at Central Vermont Substance Abuse Services, an
outpatient clinic in Berlin that provides everything from outpatient programs to individual counseling.
Today we are seeing an increase in the use of harder drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, and
seeing younger and younger people with life-threatening addictions. I dont believe we see
quite as much intravenous use as other areas, but the majority of people we serve inhale their
drugs and so they may not be as obvious as the greater community would expect.
Many of these young people have never developed a lifestyle that doesnt include drug use.
This shifts the role of therapist from just providing therapy and includes providing crucial
follow-up care and education to the people they see.
Also, more of the people we are serving are involved with or known to the police and criminal
justice system. Many people we serve say they cant believe what they have done, but they
needed to do it in order to feed their addiction. We are also seeing the influence of people
coming from other areas and engaging people in the drug trade to help feed their addictions.
This makes the dynamic of getting clean more challenging. We also must not forget there
are still many people we serve who continue to struggle with alcohol addiction, and this has
not gone away.
To make progress, we must not lose the momentum of what has been created over the last
several years in seeing this issue as the disease it is, and not optional behavior. There have been
infrastructures put in place that help the service agencies and community resources come
together and combat this issue. For example, Central Vermont Medical Center Emergency
Services has a group working to share resources and cross-educate organizations so we can
serve people more efficiently and cost effectively.
Also in our region we have created a program called Project Safe Catch, which allows the
police to offer assistance to anyone who wants treatment for addiction issues. If financial
resources, such as emergency response teams or responders, are reduced, these kinds of initiatives will fall away as demand to make up that manpower is shifted to basic coverage.
We have really helped integrate the role of medication-assisted treatment, using methadone
and suboxone, through a new dosing clinic in Central Vermont. We now need to take away
disincentives, or better yet, incentivize private doctors and personal care providers to treat
their own patients with medication while partnering with community substance abuse providers, and to provide counseling as they would for any other disease a patient might have.

Raina Lowell, Mother and Recovering Addict

Raina Lowell, a mother of two and a recovering addict, was the owner of the now closed Paseo shoe
store in Montpelier when back pain led her to get a prescription for Vicodin. She quickly became
addicted to the painkillers. Her business and marriage failed, and like many people who become
addicted to prescription opiates she eventually progressed to IV heroin use. After multiple failed
attempts at rehabilitation, she spent a year at the Brattleboro Retreat and has now been sober for
five years. Lowell works as a community outreach coordinator for Burlington Labs and is a public
speaker and advocate for those who suffer from substance abuse disorder.
With the ever-growing availability and accessibility of pharmaceutical narcotics, weve found

Cody Chevrolet Congratulates The Bridge

On Over 20 Years of Business!

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 5

T H E B R I D G E

ourselves in a whole new ball game from when I was growing up. It used to be that if you
wanted to use drugs you had to go to a drug dealer or you had to know someone (who
knew someone, who knew someone) who could get something you had to really WANT
it. Typically, you knew exactly what you were doing.
It just isnt like that anymore. Nowadays you can find narcotics right in your own home. Or
get them from your doctor, or a friend, or your grandmother. Nowadays people are doing
drugs equally as potent and addictive as cocaine or heroin and they dont even know it! It
comes as no surprise to me that were facing a nationwide epidemic (often referred to as the
modern day black plague). I fell prey to this disease and was completely unprepared for the
consequences of what that meant because I had NO idea what I had gotten myself into.
When people ask me, What can we do?, I always say the same thing: education, education,
education. As soon as our culture comes to view addiction as a disease of the brain, rather
than a moral failing or self-inflicted character defect, we will begin making real headway.
We must begin to educate our communities and we must accept and acknowledge that we
are all at risk. We cannot shy away from these conversations. We cannot avoid discussing it
with our children. We cannot condemn addicts to live in the shadows, saturated in shame
and remorse, as we have always done. We cannot continue to tolerate the inevitable judgment
that rains down on an addict when they dare to speak out.
Today, I am proud to call myself a recovering addict because I know what it took to get here.
But when I was still sick and suffering and I needed help, I couldnt bring myself to ask for it
because I felt like I shouldve known better. I thought I was too smart to let something like
this happen. I was ashamed, because everything I was taught about drug addicts well,
that just wasnt me. Until we begin to view addiction as a non-discriminatory disease; until
we begin to treat active addicts and alcoholics as sick rather than disgraceful, and until
we begin educating our youth accordingly, this epidemic will continue to be unstoppable.

Bert Klavens, Youth Counselor

Bert Klavens is the Director of the Healthy Youth Program, a service of the Washington County
Youth Service Bureau in Montpelier. The program serves youths 12 to 26 with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues. Klavens is a licensed addictions counselor who has worked
with youths, adults, and families in central Vermont for over 20 years.
The familiar issue of youth substance abuse and dependency has been changed by the increased prevalence of opioid and heroin use in Washington County and throughout Vermont,
and it presents new challenges.
For many types of substances the development of chemical dependency proceeds at a fairly
slow pace, but with opioids, one of the most addictive classes of drugs, everything can happen much more quickly. Growing numbers of young people are now presenting with fully
manifested chemical dependency at much younger ages.
The current landscape for opioid and heroin use reflects the increase in prescriptions being
written for opiate-based painkillers. These medications continue to be valuable for the treatment and management of pain, but their rising use has also led to increased opioid dependency and the diversion of the medications for illegal resale. Heroin, an opiate that satisfies
the same receptors in the brain as painkillers, is much less expensive to purchase illegally, so
addiction to opiate painkillers has become a common precursor to heroin use and addiction.
Our community is doing good work to address this important issue. Actions you can take
include:
Make sure the young people in your lives have the information they need to guide their
choices. Substances are a hazard that is made much more dangerous by a lack of information.

Local prevention programs or treatment providers such as The Healthy Youth Program
can provide guidance on effective ways to have these conversations with young people.
Keep painkillers prescribed to you in a safe place and properly dispose of any leftover
pills. Raiding the medicine cabinet has become a much more common way for young
people to acquire substances for use.
Remember that people, young and old, tend to use substances for a very simple reason
to change the way they feel, hoping to feel better. Learning how to deal with challenging
emotions is one of the biggest developmental hurdles for young people, so teaching them
healthy ways to do this is an excellent prevention strategy.
Get professional help if you think there might be a problem. The earlier people get
help, the easier it is to improve their condition. The Washington County Youth Service
Bureaus treatment services are available throughout Washington County in Northfield,
Barre, East Montpelier, Montpelier, the Mad River Valley and Williamstown, and we are
continuing to grow our services.

Stuart Friedman, Counselor

Stuart Friedman is a drug and alcohol counselor in Montpelier. He has been working in mental
health and substance abuse in Vermont since 1974, and is a member of the Governor's Advisory
Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Drug dependence is a chronic illness and shares characteristics with other chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. A cure is not the goal,
but proper management can reduce the long-term health risks.
If drug dependence were treated like these other illnesses, our approach would be different
(and better). Hospitals would offer free classes in how to reduce or eliminate use, similar to
smoking cessation classes. People seeking treatment would go to their primary care clinician and either get some help or get a referral to a specialist, as happens now with diabetes.
Treatment would be offered that met the specific requirements of the individual, and low
levels of motivation would not be regarded as denial or resistance.
We know from treating other chronic conditions that successful treatment begins not with
a command from an expert, nor with threats to ones freedom and participation in family
life, but an engagement with the client in how they see the problem, what steps they think
need to be taken to improve things, and how to integrate any progress in an overall plan
and what might stand in the way of progress. When a patient recovering from cardiac
bypass surgery is told to lose weight, stop smoking, eat a better diet, get exercise and take
a medication, they are not dismissed from treatment because they have only taken the
medication. Rather, that is used as a platform for further steps and the patient is encouraged to identify and overcome obstacles.
Current laws make opiate treatment inaccessible to many, often requiring daily visits to a
clinic for months on end, decreasing employment opportunities, interfering with family
life and further scapegoating the individual in need of treatment, this after waiting as long
as a year to gain access. Deviations from an imposed treatment plan are regarded as denial.
There is a bias toward suspecting the worst of the patient, a bias that is reinforced by interfering legislators trying to practice medicine, federal agencies threatening clinicians and
programs with serious sanctions, and a failure to offer comprehensive pain management
services for those in chronic pain.
It is not a simple task, nor one that yields instant success, but it is one that we can address if we are willing to discard old, ineffective approaches and adopt approaches that are
shown to have long-term benefits.

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 May 5.

To adverstise in The Bridge, call 223-5112 ext. 11

PAG E 6 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Beth Rusnock, April 11, at The

Capitol Plaza Hotel.

National Life Message:

Do Good
by Carla Occaso

MONTPELIER One of the oldest (and certainly largest) businesses in Montpelier has
learned over time to do what they do best.
What we really think we do well is do good, said Beth Rusnock, president of the
National Life Group Foundation and associate vice president of corporate marketing and
community relations. Rusnock was the guest speaker for the Montpelier Rotary Club
April 11 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.
Rusnock said National Life has found that as it concentrates on reaching out to the community and increases giving back efforts, it does better financially.
In fact, the company caught the attention of bestselling authors Jackie and Kevin Freiberg, who, in 2015, published CAUSE! A Business Strategy for Standing Out in a Sea of
Sameness. This book centers on how National Lifes focus on mission gives the employees
a sense of cause and belonging that propels them to work harder and achieve more in
their jobs. They just printed a new batch of 15,000 books, according to Rusnock.
Our cause is protecting people and helping communities, Rusnock said. Corporate
marketing programs, such as the Life Changer of the Year award, recognize and reward
people (particularly educators) all over the country. The Life Changer of the Year award
is given to workers in the education field, but is not restricted to teachers. A custodian in
Texas is just one example of a non-teacher winning the award. This awardee was considered a life changer because of the extra attention he gave to students who sought advice
and support. He wasnt just there to sweep the halls, Rusnock said, but to foster the
kids. Kids went to him. Other recipients included school lunch workers and a librarian.
The grand prize is $10,000, with $5,000 going to the individual and $5,000 going to
the school.
Before giving her presentation, Rusnock noted to those seated near her that she finds the
sense of community in Central Vermont noteworthy, especially how a network of support has been created to help those in need. For example, people in poverty who dont
have enough food. A community can help its own which is fabulous. That is what
community is, she said.
To bring additional good feelings to the fold, the Montpelier office of National Life has
begun an event called the Do Good festival. This years festival is scheduled for July
16. The event motto is: Do Good. Be Good. Make Good. The Bridge plans to cover
this event in more detail at a later date, but what it involves is a big lawn party to raise
funds for the hospital and other good causes. We invite the public to our back lawn. It is
gorgeous especially when the sun is setting. Rusnock described how last year a band
of bad weather happened to speed across the state. At a certain point the clouds opened
just as the fireworks were set off. Event sponsors include National Life, Montpelier Alive,
The Point radio station and Harpoon Brewery.
Another feature of the festival is a nonprofit village that allows nonprofit organizations
to give out information to introduce themselves to the public.
Rotary Club President Ed Rousse introduced Rusnock. Rousse also spoke of the giving
program set up by the Rotary Club. The Club is holding a fundraising event called Mud
Season Charity Raffle on May 6 at Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center. Six hundred tickets are being sold for the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize. Tickets include
cocktails and hors doeuvres and will benefit the Montpelier Rotary Backpack program,
which sends food home with elementary school children for the weekend and for school
vacations. The Montpelier Senior Activity Center, Just Basics, Central Vermont Home
and Hospice, Peoples Health and Wellness, Central Vermont Adult Basic Education and
many others also will benefit. We formalized the grant process. We can do matching
grants, Rousse said. For more information, contact Cody Patno at 249-8777 or email
montpelierrotaryraffle@gmail.com for more information or to purchase a ticket.

Got a news tip? We want to know!

Send it to us at:
editorial@montpelierbridge.com

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 7

T H E B R I D G E

Pot Bill Passes Ways and Means

and Hits Appropriations
by Carla Occaso

he pot bill (S.241) has taken as many training ($63,500.00).

twists and turns as the stems of a In addition, the bill called for establishing a
hookah pipe.
three-year Marijuana Advisory Commission
The Senate-initiated bill pertaining to the to provide guidance to the general assembly
regulation and retail sales of legalized mari- and make recommendations on the topic by
juana for recreational use laid out an elabo- November 1, 2017.
rate system to allow state-sanctioned cultiva- Barely passing out of House Judiciary in
tion in strictly monitored areas overseen by a 6 to 5 vote, the House Ways and Means
a state agency. That version dictated that pot Committee picked up the bill and tweaked it
could be sold in restricted quantities to people more than a bit. Although the original Senover the age of 21 first only through exist- ate bill outlawed growing pot plants at home
ing state regulated medical marijuana as of course the final Judiciary bill did
dispensaries. Montpelier has one of the four Ways and Means version allows it. A person
such dispensaries. Tourists from out of town under the Ways and Means committees bill
could also buy it, but in smaller quantities.
may possess an ounce of marijuana or five
Then, after the program is up and running,
sales would extend to tightly administered
licensed retailers. A whole host of issues relating to health impacts, marketing, advertising, paraphrenalia, money, taxes, edibles,
oils, home cultivation, youth use, prevention
education, tourism, drugged driving and law
enforcement came into play. That bill, as introduced and passed by the senate, wound up
being 95 pages long and did not allow home
cultivation.

Then, the bill crossed over to the House

of Representatives and landed first in the
House Judiciary Committee. That committees majority opposed legalizing marijuana for
recreational use and performed a strike all
to the Senate bill. House Judiciary removed
language pertaining to the regulation and sale
of legalized recreational marijuana and left, in
its wake, a direction to develop and administer
prevention programs to youth. The bill also
addressed civil and criminal penalties, impaired driving and appropriating money to the
Department of Public Safety for forensic lab
equipment ($124,000.00), forensic lab construction costs ($460,000.00) and matching
funds for additional drug recognition expert

grams of hashish and they may cultivate two

marijuana plants. This bill dictates pot is
still illegal for people under the age of 21 to
possess, smoke or grow. Then, some caveats
follow about how many plants may be grown
per household, to wit, No more than two
marijuana plants are possessed at a dwelling
unit, regardless of how many persons 21 years
of age or older reside at that dwelling unit
etc. The only restriction other than that is a
person is allowed to grow it with a permit for
an annual fee of $125.00 paid to the Vermont
Department of Health. Permits will be kept
secret and exempt from public inspection
and copying under the Public Records Act.
Permit money is earmarked to pay for the
Substance Abuse Youth Prevention and Education fund. The bill finally goes on to call
for a Marijuana Advisory Committee to
further study the situation.
But nothing is final until S.241 goes before
the floor after passing out of the House
Appropriations Committee. The bill came
into possession of the House Appropriations
Committee the week of April 19 to 22.
Stay tuned.

PAG E 8 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Chucks Tale
by Larry Floersch

ike any other red-blooded American

man who watches football occasionally and maybe a NASCAR race
now and then, Id like to believe that I can protect my property from
any form of assault. At least I felt that way until Chuck moved
in. Chuck was a woodchuck, or groundhog, or whistlepig, or
whatever you want to call him, and when he burrowed in
under the porch, I suddenly began to feel like Bill Murray
not Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, but Bill Murray
as assistant greenskeeper Carl Spackler in Caddyshack.
At first I tried to discourage Chuck by simply yelling at him, thinking that if he came to realize the superior intellect I displayed through my choice of coarse words and insulting epithets,
he would leave. Instead hed just slip back under the porch into his burrow, then pop out later
when I wasnt looking, munch on a few flowers in the garden and sun himself on the porch step.
I became more aggressive and tried poking a stick down into the burrow, figuring that he would
understand he wasnt welcome and make living arrangements elsewhere. He did not get the hint.
I resisted the water-down-the-burrow treatment because I did not know where it might flow
under the porch, but I did try a spray repellent. The repellent, I think, reminded Chuck of
patchouli.
Next came smoke bombs. Not the smoke bombs you can buy at the farm and garden store
intended to get rid of woodchucks, skunks, rabbits and every living thing within a five-mile
radius. Those, according to the label, should not be used next to buildings because of the risk
of nuclear devastation, and Chuck had arranged his burrow right next to the foundation of the
house under the porch floor. So I tried those little Fourth-of-July smoke bombs you can buy at
the grocery store. I am convinced he laughed at the ineptitude of my efforts as he waited for the
red, white and blue smoke to dissipate.
Then I remembered the words of a master gardener who had a segment on the radio many years
ago. This guy had humane and harmless solutions for almost all standard garden pests. But
when it came to woodchucks, he said the best thing to do was to just shoot them. I got my old
shotgun out of the closet and removed the dust that was plugging up the barrel. I only had a
few old shells of number 6 shot that I had purchased back in 1986. I wasnt sure number 6 shot

was the right size and I wasnt sure they would even fire after all those years, so I headed to the
sporting goods store for some fresh ammunition.
At the gun shop I displayed my American manliness by looking in the wrong section of the ammunition department. When the guy behind the counter was free, the conversation went something like this: (Me): Wow, shotgun shells cost a lot now! (Him): Those are for waterfowl.
Because they cant use lead shot for waterfowl anymore, they cost more to make. What are you
hunting? (Me) A woodchuck. Big bruiser. About the size of a black angus. I need something to
put him down with one shot. What do you recommend? (I figured he would sell me something
with shot the size of tennis balls). (Him) Good ol number 6 will do the job, he said with a
smile that had a hint of disdain. By now he had sensed I did not have NFL Sunday Ticket and
only watched NASCAR races occasionally. I left with a box of fresh number 6 shells and the
feeling that my brain was the size of BB (thats .177 caliber for you enthusiasts).
Now armed and dangerous, I waited for the final showdown. Whenever Id catch a glimpse of
Chuck moving about, I would grab my gun. But Chuck was too smart. He would stay so close
to the house that I could not risk a shot out of fear of damaging the house or of just winging
him and allowing him to slip back into his burrow to die under the porch.
I decided a trap was in order. To be honest, at this point the thought of relocating Chuck never
crossed my mind. I figured if I could trap Chuck, I could shoot him on my terms. Sure, it would
be outright murder, but he had already murdered a lot of the flower garden. I bought one of
those have-a-heart-type traps at the farm-and-garden store, baited it with some nice lettuce and
carrot tops, placed it in Chucks favorite sunning spot on the porch step and waited.
Chuck was too wary to enter the trap. He did, however, try to pull some of the carrot tops
through the side of the wire grid. After a week of frustration, I removed the trap.
Id like to say that this all turned out well for Chuck and that he just moved away, found a nice
woman woodchuck and raised a family. But the trap in a way had done its job. Bothered that
the trap had taken over his favorite sunning spot on the top step, Chuck began sunning on the
second step. One Saturday around High Noon, my wife called out that Chuck was on the step. I
grabbed my gun, and sure enough, he moved down to the second step. That gave me just enough
of an angle for what I thought was a reasonably clear shot.
In these situations there often are no clear winners and collateral damage. The crocosmia lost a
number of leaves, as did the rudbeckia maxima and the hosta. And did I mention the damage
to the metal trellis for the honeysuckle or the chunk missing from the plastic downspout for the
gutter? As a distant relative of mine said, War is Hell. I buried Chuck with military honors.

Tell them you

saw it in
The Bridge!

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 9

T H E B R I D G E

The Future of Farming

ast Thursday, at lunchtime, there was a

tractor and a very large manure spreader,
fully loaded, parked at the Tunbridge
Elementary School. Gary Mullen, an organic
dairy farmer, had timed it just right; he was
hauling manure from his farm to a field 2.5
miles away, a trip that led him down Monarch
Hill and up Vermont Route 110. Mid-voyage,
he stopped at the school to mentor his nephew,
third grader Ellis Bogardus, as part of the reading program Everybody Wins! Any discussion about the future of farming in Vermont
could begin here: Once the possibility of a
shitspreader being parked at a school is gone,
its probable that agriculture is gone too. Where
would you see such a scene these days? Not
in Connecticut, not in Massachusetts, not in
South Burlington. Yes in upstate New York or
Quebec. Yes in much of Vermont, too.
Tunbridge is an average Vermont town, historically a farming town. According to Gary Mullen, in 1960, Tunbridge had 60 operating dairy
farms. In 1983, the number had dropped to 23.
Today, its got six. What it didnt have in 1960,
but has now: one big vegetable farm and one
beef-pork-vegetable farm that both do booming
business with farmers markets. Also, equines
are ascendant: Tunbridge now has five horse
farms with indoor riding arenas.
The Internal Revenue Service defines a farmer
as someone who makes at least two-thirds of
his or her gross income from farming. What
is apparent about agriculture in Vermont is that
the farmer who makes a living from farming is
becoming a rare breed. What isnt so obvious,
obscured by the shrinking number of dairy
farms, is how rooted the culture of agriculture is
in our state. If I drive up the Justin Smith Morrill Highway (named after Vermonts famous
Senator/farmer) from the village of Tunbridge,
headed for Strafford, a survey of my neighbors

by John OBrien

will give one an indication of our enduring and sheep. Bucky, a lineman for Green Mountain wards Tunbridge, we end our tour at Jena
evolving relationship with agriculture.
Power, also sugars. This year: 3,100 taps, 1,700 Trombly and Shane Youngs. They raise pigs,
work draft horses and Shane recently completed
Deb Tuttle and Sean Tangney own the Joe and gallons of maple syrup.
Fred Tuttle farm. Sean investigated the pos- Across from Larocques is the former Kermit a new sugarhouse thats a work of art. Inside the
sibility of using some of the open land for solar Glines farm, now owned by Jim and Carrie sugarhouse, youll find Lorens Maple Museum.
arrays, but for now the fields are hayed by Ted Juergens. At the foot of the driveway, theres Loren Young, age 9, is the Museum Director.
and Linda Hoyt. Ted and Linda milk a herd of always a cooler with a sign, Eggs for sale. Jims Loren has amassed a collection of maple sugarmostly Ayrshires. Theyre organic. As the last relative, Steve Thomas, sells eggs on the honor ing paraphernalia and equipage that would be
dairy farmers on the hill, they hay most of the system. Someone stole the money and eggs one the envy of the Smithsonian. Admission is free.
fields on all the former dairy farms. Next door day, but mostly the exchange works. Jim and By appointment or chance.
we find Thomas and Becky Hoyt. Thomas
works on the road crew (hes Michelangelo
with a grader) and Becky is the treasurer for the
town. They raise beef and hogs, Thomas makes
hay for himself and other farmers, Becky trains
horses and teaches riding. The Hoyts also make
maple syrup. This year: 2,900 taps, 920 gallons
of syrup.

Bill Chester, ninetysomething, a widower, still

driving, retired from a family business in Milwaukee, owns the former Camp William James,
a Civilian Conservation Corps camp that was
an experimental farm in the 1940s. Bills farm
is conserved. Bill has horses, llamas and goats.
Next to Chesters is Danforths sugarhouse. Bill
and Marie Danforth and Bills son, Ken, make
maple syrup. This year: approximately 6,500
taps, 3,000 gallons of syrup.
Up Moody Road youll find Jim and Lindsay
Sweeney. Jim is a farrier, Lindsay ran the former
Braleys Feed Store in South Royalton. They
have Norwegian Fjord ponies and chickens.
Up Baptist Hill Road, if you follow the braying, live Sheila Metcalf and Francis Miller and
their donkeys and histrionic miniature horse,
Studley. Dr. Mike Sporn, eightysomething, a
widower, still drives, still works at DartmouthHitchcock, lives across Morrill Highway. Mike
once had bison on his farm, but now it is hayed
and grazed by the Larocques. Bucky and Sonia
Larocque raise Red Devon cattle and Tunis

Cary have Oreo cattle Im not sure if theyre This casual census represents one hill in one
Dutch Belted or Belted Galloway.
town and I didnt even mention everyone
If we shoot to the top of the hill, where youll on the hill or catalog every garden. Farming,
find one of the best views in all of Vermont, as the Internal Revenue Service defines it, may
you cant miss Solheimar Farm, populated with be dying in Vermont, but it might be easier to
Icelandic horses and Icelandic chickens, owned uproot Japanese knotweed than eradicate our
connection to agriculture.
by Sigrun Brynjarsdottir.
I see Ive missed one place. Turning back to- John OBrien and his wife, Emily Howe, raise
Romney sheep and board Icelandic horses.

PAG E 10 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Food Industry Scrambles

to Adopt Vermont's GMO
Labeling
by Carl Etnier

ith a little over two months until Vermont's genetically modified organism labeling law takes effect on July 1, corporations in the food business are scrambling
to comply. It's not just billion-dollar food conglomerates that must change their
labels, but also little general stores that make and package egg salad and other food.
People familiar with the grocery business expect the new labels to be on the shelves generally as scheduled, but they also expect some hiccups. And it seems the law in little Vermont
will affect how food is labeled in the rest of the country, or at least the northeast. What
Vermonters and others will do with the new information how it will affect their buying
choices is a multi-billion dollar experiment.
In 2014, Vermont passed the nation's first law mandating labeling of broad classes of food
that contains or may contain genetically modified organisms. The law has (so far) survived
both a federal court challenge and attempts in congress to pre-empt it.
Some foods are exempt, most notably food sold to be eaten immediately (say, restaurant
meals or hot soup at a deli) and food that is entirely an animal product (meat, milk, honey,
etc.).
In recent months, an increasing number of large national food conglomerates have announced they are readying their Vermont-compliant labels. Jim Harrison, director of the
Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, pointed to Kellogg's, General Mills, Mars and
ConAgra. "There's a lot of activity going on in the food trade," he said in an interview.
It's not just the big players that are required to change their labeling. While large food companies are responsible for labels on most packaged food, Vermont grocers are responsible for
labeling raw agricultural products (like sweet corn sold by the ear) or processed bulk food
(like granola sold by the pound). When grocery stores make food in-house for retail sale,
like bread loaves at an in-store bakery, the store is also responsible for the labels.
Harrison said, "Many retailers are not fully informed of what their responsibilities are."
He said his organization is holding a seminar at the end of April to educate members on
what the law requires of them. He added, "There are many smaller, regional companies not
necessarily located in Vermont that are just learning about the law. We're getting calls and
emails on a daily basis."
Managers at the Montpelier Shaw's and the Berlin Price Chopper referred all press inquiries
to corporate headquarters. Neither company's spokesperson responded before deadline for
an interview about progress towards compliance; Shaw's spokesperson Teresa Edington
emailed a statement that said, "We offer a large selection of United States Department
Agriculture certified organic products, which by USDA standards do not allow the use of
genetically modified organism ingredients. In addition, we will continue to work diligently
to ensure that our 19 Shaws stores located in the State of Vermont are compliant with the
genetically modified organism law that takes effect on July 1, 2016."
Hunger Mountain Coop in Montpelier has worked for years to pass on to customers what
they know about genetic engineering in the food the store sells, according to general manager Kari Bradley. "There has been an effort to label the products certified as non-GMO.
We from time to time will go around the store and update shelf labels, and even put them
so they are sticking out from the shelf three dimensionally to bring attention to the fact
these are certified non-GMO products." He described it as a voluntary process using a third
party to certify the product.
Still, Bradley acknowledged the store has some work to do in the areas where it will be
responsible for the labels. "Our produce department happens to be almost entirely certified organic, so there's not really an issue there. We've identified that our bakery is really
minimal. So we're focused on our bulk department. And where there are products containing non-organic corn, soy, canola, and the like, we have to do the work of contacting the
manufacturer, asking them to verify with an affidavit or not whether their product
contains genetic engineering. If they don't know or don't respond, we're going to have to put
on a 'may contain genetic engineering' label."
Bradley said the store will not, initially, discontinue any product it sells that turns out to
contain genetically modified organisms. However, he continued, "I think over time there
will likely, in some cases, be a slowing of sales, or we may get negative feedback about certain products. Then we'll have to make decisions about whether we're going to continue
stocking the products."
Bradley minimized the co-op's cost of investigating the origins of ingredients in its bulk
products, saying it will take "several hours" of staff members' time. "I don't feel like it's onerous on our behalf. I feel like the manufacturers bear the main liability here."
For the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, Harrison has previously spoken against Vermont's labeling law, arguing that it is difficult and expensive for manufacturers to change
labels for a single state. Now, however, when asked about the cost to grocers of complying
with the law, he describes it as a moot point. "That's the policy of the state, enacted by the
legislature. We have a very strong responsibility as the food industry to get that information
together, regardless of what it costs."
With the law about to take effect, Harrison thinks it will end up not just affecting the single
state of Vermont, for the same reasons his organization initially opposed the law. "It's really
difficult, if not impossible, to label differently for different states. Many companies will
label their products country-wide, or at least throughout the region."
Harrison is not confident that the industry will be able to completely make the change by
July 1, but he emphasizes its efforts to do so. "We ask customers to bear with us as we learn
to comply," he said. "Hopefully we'll be okay for July 1."
Disclosure: Carl Etnier is a member-owner of Hunger Mountain Coop and a member of its
board. The co-op is a member of Vermont Retail & Grocers Association. Etnier is also the host
of Relocalizing Vermont on WGDR Goddard Community Radio.

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 11

T H E B R I D G E

Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery: A Labor of

Love That Stems From a Love of Labor
Continued from Page 1

The Marquette vines on April 13

Wine display in the tasting room.

not be any truer. The passion for what they do and the pride they have for what they craft is
undeniable while listening to Castegren talk about Fresh Tracks beginnings and plans for the
future, and seeing Swansons excitement in detailing the wine-creation process. The operation is
so personal and meaningful to them that Swanson said she literally touches every bottle that is
ready to go out to the public. Fresh Tracks is a family, where each member is enthusiastic about
growing food. Within the acreage is a private farm with a vegetable garden, berry bushes and
egg-laying chickens that each staff member tends to and is able to harvest from for personal use.
In 2009, Fresh Tracks opened their tasting room to allow visitors to sample wines and purchase
products. It has the capacity to hold small celebrations where Fresh Tracks hosts special events
from time to time. Starting May 6, the Friday Night Fires music series will start up again during
the evenings on the grounds of the winery during which guests can enjoy wine and a picnic
while listening to local musicians amidst a serene setting. Watch out for the return of their Yoga
and Wine Nights, which is exactly that join in on a yoga class and reward yourself afterwards
with a glass of wine. Castegren said that another popular event involves painting while sipping
wine and that should be starting soon also.
Non-alcoholic products are also available in their shop Castegren hand-makes maple candy
and their grapes are used to make jams and vinegars as well.
You can visit Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery FridaysSundays, 15 p.m. For more
information about the winery and to see a list of their wines go to freshtracksfarm.com.

Winemaker
Hannah Swanson
in Fresh Tracks'
onsite wine lab.

PAG E 12 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE
Carlo Rovetto, right, with cousin Filippo Labaro.

Photos courtesy of Carlo Rovetto.

A Pie Is Born:
How Carlo Rovetto Created Positive Pie

s a boy growing up in Little Falls, New York, Carlo

Rovetto remembers food fresh food at the center of family life. Talking about his mothers cooking,
he said, We grew up in a culture where food was made from
scratch and fresh. My mom had four or five spices. It was
basic.
At a very young age, Rovettos Uncle John started making
pizza out of a bakery. This was just as pizza was rolling into
America, just at the start of the pizza craze.
Uncle John decided to open his pizzeria in Mohawk, New
York and Rovettos older brothers started working for him.
Shortly thereafter his older brothers opened their own pizzeria in Little Falls.
I grew up in it, said Rovetto, about the pizza business. I
would sleep on a sack of flour. I would sweep the floors. I
would help out. Soon enough Rovetto was making and delivering pizza and spinning pizza dough in the air.
In the 1990s, Rovetto and his future wife, Melissa, both
avid snowboarders, loaded up an old Chevy and headed out
to Colorado where the mountains were higher and steeper,
where snow was plentiful and where snowboarding was said to
be phenomenal. They lived in Durango, Colorado for about a
year. But Rovettos family ties were strong and he wanted to
move back east. Vermont had mountains and snowboarding.
We loved Vermont. We loved snowboarding.
Rovetto thought about opening a pizza shop in Vermont.
We started looking, looking, looking, he said. Burlington
was too expensive. He tried Waterbury. We had a building
there that didnt quite work out. At the time he was commuting from Little Falls to Vermont.
I ended up finding an apartment in Plainfield at a place the
locals called Heartbreak Hotel, a seven-or-eight unit apartment building.
Twenty thousand dollars thats the money that Rovetto
had to put into his first pizza shop. He had looked at Burlington, tried Waterbury. Now he had an apartment in Plainfield
and he liked what he saw there. The crowds at the River Run
Restaurant suggested there were people around who liked
good food. During the summer, a group of adults and kids
would sit out on a low stone wall in front of a white church
and enjoy their coffee. Plainfield Village had a local scene.
But there was something else that drew Rovetto to Plainfield
something about the river going through the town, the
waterfall there. It was beautiful, said Rovetto.
So he made contact with Tim Roberts of Tims Convenience
Store out on Route 2 who owned the big brick block in the
center of Plainfield Village. He told me what the rent was
$400. Amazingly affordable. Roberts also took a close look
at Rovettos plans for the business, plans he had developed
when he was trying to get a building in Waterbury. I was

really prepared, said Rovetto. He (Roberts) saw my plans

and said, This kid is for real.
Next, Rovetto met with Plainfield officials to get his restaurant permit. The meeting lasted all of 10 minutes and
Rovetto left thinking This is the town we want to be
in. I just felt so welcome there.
Rovetto opened Positive Pie in Plainfield in 1999. Then,
in 2005, he opened a second Positive Pie on State Street in
Montpelier. The State Street location is at once a restaurant
and a bar out front and out back a place to quickly order a
slice to eat on the spot or to order a pizza to take out. Thats
what happens during the day. But at night, things change.
Out front its still a dining experience with a bar. But as the
evening progresses the restaurant becomes a night spot with
entertainment bands, stand-up acts, dancing.
Today, Rovetto owns and manages three locations: Positive
Pie in Plainfield, Positive Pie in Montpelier and the former
Black Door restaurant and bar (now La Puerta Negra) in
Montpelier. The other Positive Pie restaurants in Barre
and Hardwick are operated by RBI Restaurant Group.
More about that later.
Starting and running these businesses hasnt always been a
piece of cake. Weve struggled. Ive struggled. The first three
or four winters were tough with very little revenue and losing
dollars every week. It takes tenacity not to give up, to figure
it out, he said.
But things have smoothed out. Now, Rovetto is also involved with his brothers and a cousin in a larger enterprise.
It all began with a Christmas dinner three or four years ago.
Said Carlo, We all own our own individual stores. But at
Christmas dinner we said to each other, Why dont we work
together? That led to the forming the RBI Restaurant Group
a group of brothers including Carlo, Ed, Eduardo, Iggy
and Giovanni who own and manage 11 separate pizzabased eating places in Vermont and in the Saratoga and Lake
George regions of New York State.
The RBI group decided to go forward with the Positive Pie
name. We love the word positive and pie of course.
Last year, Rovetto realized a long-held dream. He was able
to free himself from his day-to-day responsibilities for the
restaurants and spend seven months on a family visit to Sicily
with his wife, Melissa, his son Paolo, 14, and his daughter
Solena, 9.
As a boy, Carlo had visited Sicily. I wanted to make sure that
my kids had this experience with this culture, he said.
He didnt want his children to lose track of their Sicilian
roots. He wanted them to know their cousins. He wanted
them to know how to speak Italian. He wanted his children
to see all this history, to see the churches, the medieval clock
towers, the 2,000-year-old temples. He wanted them to see

by Nat Frothingham

a culture where everyone stonecutters, farmers, barbers,

bread makers take pride in their work. They master what
they do. I wanted them to see that, he said.
Try as he could, Rovetto couldnt seem to break loose for
the family visit to Sicily. It took me 14 years to leave the
restaurant business he had started. We wanted to go five
years ago, Rovetto said. We were never ready. Then he
thought, Were never going to be able to do this. Well
always be busy. So hard was it to pull away that Rovetto
finally believed or made himself believe that taking the
seven-month trip to Sicily was more important even than
his businesses. I had to put my foot down and say, Were
going to go.
When he left, it was hardest on the people he left behind.
But in Benjamin Draper, he had a director of operations he
could trust. And the net effect was that his leaving actually
empowered those who were left behind to run the business.
It made them stronger.
During Rovettos interview with The Bridge, he sat upstairs
at Puerto Negra in front of his laptop computer and he
became almost lyrical as he brought up photographs on the
screen from his visit to Sicily photographs that showed
pictures of daily life in his familys village of San Giuseppe
Jata, not far from Palermo.
In San Giuseppe Jato, at 7 a.m., comes the sound of a vendor loudly announcing himself in the narrow street. The
bread vendor beeps his horn twice and cries out: Pane.
Or the vegetable vendor, or dress vendor, or fruit vendor.
In the morning, its buzzing from the vendors yelling to
the women who are raining down complaints about their
husbands from the upstairs balconies.
And the food: peaches, olives, fresh fish, ricotta cheese thats
still warm, bread thats still hot. Women from an upstairs
balcony sending down money in a basket and hoisting up a
loaf or two of bread.
Rovetto wanted his children to see all that, wanted his children to join the family in harvesting olives. Wanted them to
see other kids helping the family without being told to do it.
Its just in the culture, Rovetto said. If theres a meal to
cook, the kids get up and do it. Someone says, Its time to
clean the house. They start cleaning the house.
Looking back on the years since he started Positive Pie in
Plainfield, Rovetto said, Ive been in the community for
about 18 years I, my wife and my kids. Weve worked
hard to grow our business. We follow the trends. We try not
to get stuck in any one place.
The basic (pizza) recipe is a solid recipe, he said. Theres
a magic in that recipe thats hard to explain. We tried other
products, this and that. We replaced the cheese. It didnt
have that magic. So we went back to the old recipe. The way
everything mixes its really good.

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 13

T H E B R I D G E

Local Harvest: A Month by Month Guide

ack in the fall, I wrote an article about apple season in Vermont and readers were rightfully impressed with our little states ability to produce such a diverse crop something
in the neighborhood of 70 varieties of apple pass through Hunger Mountain Coop
alone every year. Now that winter has passed, and weve eaten up most of the apples, we can all
rejoice in the sun as new crops begin to spring from the earth. Its a very exciting time of year.

Five years ago in May, I returned home to Vermont after an extended sojourn in Florida, and
did so via the volunteer program World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or as it was
called at the time, Willing Workers On Organic Farms. It was my first experience with farming, and I found myself living and working on land atop Danby Mountain (Rutland county,
just off Route 7 about 10 miles north of Manchester), surrounded by 1,000 acres of conservation land, waterfalls, sugar maples, 40-year-old blueberry bushes, organic vegetable gardens,
hoop houses and a greenhouse for seeding. And six grass-fed cows and six happy pigs. And the
two dogs the farm was named after It was called Two Dogs Farm, but if youre familiar with
the area, it is the land that has been owned and operated by the educational program Smokey
House Center for decades.
It was at this farm where I first fully appreciated the arrival of new vegetables, week after week,
as we harvested for our 35 community shared agriculture shares and three weekly farmers
markets. As spring led into summer, seeds and seedlings that wed put in the ground began to
mature at their own rates, and, thanks to proper greenhouse management and an experienced
farm manager, we were able to predict with very good accuracy, what would be ready when.
This article is an attempt to give you a wide angle lens of Vermonts growing season, and give
you a calendar of sorts that will indicate what produce you can expect to see showing up at
our local farmers markets and co-ops. If you know me, or you read the aforementioned apple
season article (Cover Sept. 1730, 2015 issue), you know I work at Hunger Mountain Coop
here in town, and, more specifically, in the produce department. I mention this only to reveal
to the reader that I have a unique insiders perspective of the buying schedules we maintain
with our local farms and farmers.
Like many regions, farming in Vermont has its own rhythm. Sure, some of the big guys out
there like Petes Greens in Craftsbury can grow pretty much anything, anytime, thanks to
large, temperature controlled greenhouses, but when they, like most farmers, grow primarily
outside, you have to work with the few-months window youre given, and you have to manage
your space according to the individual maturation schedules of the fruits and vegetables that
youre seeding. And there are a lot of choices ... High Mowing Seed company of Wolcott (soon
moving to Hyde Park), started with just 28 seed varieties in 1996 and now has over 600, when
you include fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers.
So, now that the sun is out and things are starting to green up, what should we be looking
forward to in the weeks and months to come?
I spoke with Annie Coughlin, a produce buyer and colleague, and she was very helpful in detailing which farms we would be sourcing which vegetables from, and when. A cross reference
with vendors from the Capital City Farmers' Market which will be kicking off here in May and
run through October (in the parking lot between Julios and Christ Church on State Street)
confirmed that the following is a pretty good indicator of specific vegetables harvest debuts.

by Garrett Heaney

Here we are in mid-April and this is the season we start seeing some of our local greens
start rolling in. We see some local chard, kale, mustard greens and mizuna. Herbwise we can
expect to see local cilantro very soon.
In May things really start popping and we see more greens, along with some brassicas and
herbs. Well have local cucumbers (slicer and European varieties), radishes, Napa cabbage,
mesclun, spinach, arugula, braising greens, dandelion, cress, lettuce (red leaf, green leaf and
romaine), parsley (flat/Italian and curly), dill, basil, oregano, mint, lemon balm and the much
anticipated rhubarb!
In June some of the bigger vegetables have begun to mature and make their way onto the
shelves and into the markets: Eggplant (traditional and Japanese varieties), broccoli, kohlrabi,
TOMATOES! (cluster, cherry and heirloom varieties). Our leeks and scallions are ready and
we also get some beet greens and collards. By mid-June we get our first green beans, wax beans
and the always coveted (and easier to spot during harvest) purple string beans! Also the
beginning of the short-lived strawberry season!
In July things are really in full swing at most Vermont farms and we get to taste our bell
peppers (if youve never grown peppers, you might be surprised to learn that green peppers
are simply red, yellow, orange or purple peppers that havent grown all the way to maturity,
and hence arent quite as sweet), hot peppers (jalapeo, poblano, cayenne, ornamental), snap
peas, snow peas and shell peas, summer squashes and zucchinis, cabbages (red, green, savoy
and arrowhead varieties), cauliflower, celery, beets, onions, potatoes (red, gold, russet, purple
and various fingerling varieties), valentine radishes, rutabaga, fennel, turnip and thyme! And
dont forget the blueberries!
In August farmers start to dig up their carrots (if they hadnt already in July), daikon and
shallots. Radicchio has also had its full three months to mature and sweet corn is in full swing!
The early winter squashes also become available and the raspberries are ripe for the picking!
In September we see celeriac, brussels sprouts and rainbow roots.
In no way is this list complete or exact while there are trends in the vegetable farming business, it is also dependent on things like weather, rainfall, irrigation practices, weeding practices, fertilization, pest and greenhouse management, along with a thousand other elements
that are either within or outside a farmers control. What I hope this article will do is get you
excited and help you to appreciate the season that is upon us, to start thinking about the
food that is growing all around you and for many of you, right in your own backyard!

PAG E 14 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

The Capital City is ALIVE During

Montpelier Mayfest Weekend

by Ashley Witzenberger

he first weekend in May has

grown into quite the time to be in
Montpelier. Each year, this weekend
is host to several fun events in the capital
city, many taking place outside, giving folks
a chance to enjoy lovely spring weather with
friends, family and neighbors. While you are
downtown, stop in our specialty shops, and
if the weather is nice, there will be outdoor
seating at many of the amazing restaurants.
This year, on May 6 and 7, Montpelier will
once again be bustling with multiple events
taking place all over the city. Friday, May 6,
Spring Art Walk kicks-off the festivities from
4 to 6 p.m. Take a stroll through downtown
Montpelier venues as stores turn into art
galleries for the evening. The theme is maple
and art walkers will enjoy locally made maple
treats in many venues. Look for Art Walk
guide books in stores the week of May 2.

Also on Friday, May 6, you will have a

chance to support the good work of the
Montpelier Rotary with the Mud Season
Charity Raffle at 7 p.m. at the Central
Vermont Civic Center.
You will want to fuel up a busy day on
Saturday, May 7 at one of two breakfasts
happening in town including the All-YouCan-Eat Breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis
Club at the Boutwell Masonic Center, 7 to
11 a.m. Tickets are available at the door with
any Kiwanian, $7/adults and children under
12/$4. The money enables the organization
to continue funding for important programs
and community service for children.
Do you have a sweet tooth? You can support
the Orchard Valley Waldorf School's 10th
Annual Sweet 'N Savory Pie Breakfast
happening at 8:30 a.m. at the Trinity United

Methodist where you will find mouthwatering treats and something for everyone.
Start digging out those old bikes you never
ride, clean em up, and bring em down to
Onion River Sports for the annual Bike
Swap on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m.
to noon. Find great bikes for the whole
family at bargain prices. The Onion River
Sports staff will be on hand to help you
choose the perfect new-to-you bike from
the HUNDREDS of bicycles in the Onion
River Sports parking lot. Plan to show up
early the best bikes go first, and the line
usually starts sometime between 6:30 and
7:30 a.m.
Ride your new bike over to the opening day
of the Capital City Farmers Market where
you'll find a full marketplace of artisanal goat
and cow cheeses, grass-fed beef, free-range
chicken, maple syrup, flowers, vegetable and
flower starts and crafts, plus much more.
Cyclists can drop off their bicycle, or stroller,
at the first ever Bike Valet on State Street
by the farmers market. Volunteers from
the Montpelier Bike Advisory Committee
will take care of your bicycle while you
enjoy events, shopping, the market or lunch.
When you are done, return to the Bike Valet
with your claim ticket and pick up your
bicycle, its that simple! Leave your car at
home.
While you are on State Street, stop by
Montpelier Alives Green Up Day table and
grab trash bags, gloves and a coupon sheet
good for many goodies around town on
Green Up Day. Green Up Volunteers will
be assigned an area for clean up in the city
and trash can be picked up any time over
the weekend. Leave your trash bags curbside
within city limits and the wonderful crew
from the department of public works will
pick up bags on Monday morning.
You wont want to miss two new events
this year. One is Yoga on State Street. Have
you ever wanted to
do yoga on State

Street? This is your chance to join a free,

family-friendly event celebrating health
and wellness in the community and raising
money for Prevent Child Abuse Vermont.
The event takes place from 10 to 11:30
a.m. with a raffle at noon all on State Street
between Main and Elm.
Also new this year is the Capital City Classic
Ultimate Tournament. On Saturday, May
7 and Sunday May 8 from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. at Montpelier High School, you can
enjoy watching ultimate Frisbee teams from
around New England as they gather to
compete for the tournament title. Open
teams will play on Saturday and girls teams
on Sunday and a concession stand and
bouncy house will be open on site.
End your Saturday by celebrating Three
Penny Taprooms 7th anniversary at
Montbeerlier, featuring live music, a beer
garden, and rare and special cask beer from
3 to 7 p.m.
Looking for some more culture? Head over
to Lost Nation Theater to enjoy Hairspray,
the big, bold, Broadway musical about one
girls passionate dream to dance. Set in
Baltimore in 1962, this show is piled high
with laughter, romance and deliriously
tuneful, soulful songs. Hairspray runs
April 21 to May 8, Thursdays through
Sundays.
Please be aware that both State Street,
between Elm and Main, as well as Langdon
Street will be closed the morning of Saturday,
May 7 to host events. Have no fear; there
will be plenty of parking behind City Hall
and Bear Pond Books, in the parking lot
behind Positive Pie, along Main and East
State Streets and the lower part of State
Street and behind Christ Church. There is
also parking in the Department of Labor
parking lot on weekends. All downtown
parking will reopen at 1 p.m.
The author is the executive director of
Montpelier Alive.

T H E B R I D G E

Events happening
April 21 May 7
THURSDAY, APRIL 21

ROTC Centennial Symposium: Preparing the

Next Generation Leaders in a Complex World.
April 2123. Norwich University will celebrate
ROTCs centennial anniversary. For schedule,
locations, registration and more information:
http://www.norwich.edu/rotc100/symposiumregistration/
PoemCity: Poem in Your Pocket Day. Every year
during National Poetry Month, the Academy of
American Poets leads the nation in celebrating
Poem in Your Pocket Day. With a poem in your
pocket, you have a poem to give, trade, leave someplace anonymously, read out loud at your meeting
or read to yourself at lunch (among many other
possibilities). Poem City participates by offering
free poems at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, the
Welcome Center downtown, Bear Pond Books,
and North Branch Cafe. poem-city.org
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.
Innovations in the Forest and Food Economy
Our Own Story. Stewardship, Forestry, Cuisine
and Land Planning. Shawn Smith Hoffman and
Melissa Smith Hoffman, of Earth Asset Partnership and Living Future Foundation, describe
several key projects, the Permaculture Food
Lab, Growing a Nutrient Economy, and Forest
Management for Medical-Mycological yields. A
Transition Town program series. 6 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 2233338. kellogghubbard.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.
Todd Lecture Series: U.S. Army Chief of Staff
General Mark A. Milley. ROTC Centennial
Symposium Keynote. Q&A session follows. 7 p.m.
Norwich University, Kreitzberg Arena, Northfield.
Free. http://tls.norwich.edu/

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

Earth Day at the Coop. Face painting, bouncy

house, seedling planting, story hour. Bike tuneups, book and clothing swap, cell phone and battery recycling. Demos, workshops, samples, raffles.
Hunger Mountain Coop, 623 Stone Cutters Way,
Montpelier. 223-8000. hungermountain.coop
ROTC Centennial Symposium: Preparing the
Next Generation Leaders in a Complex World.
April 2123. Norwich University will celebrate
ROTCs centennial anniversary. For schedule,
locations, registration and more information:
http://www.norwich.edu/rotc100/symposiumregistration/
Poem City: Earth Day Kids & Poetry. Join
librarian Nicole Westborn to write poems, listen
to great stories and take part in other hands-on
activities in the kids tent at the Hunger Mountain
Coop Earth Day Celebration. 10 a.m.4 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Coop, 623 Stone Cutters Way,
Montpelier. poem-city.org
Pork Loin Take-out Dinner. Pork Loin, gravy,
mashed potato, corn, salad, roll, applesauce and
dessert. Meal pick-up 46 p.m. Waterbury Center
Community Church, Rt. 100 (next to Cold Hollow Cider Mill), Waterbury Center. $9. Church
trustee fundraiser. Reservations: 244-8089.
PoemCity: An Evening with Reuben Jackson.
Host of VPRs Friday Night Jazz Reuben Jackson
will read his poetry accompanied with music by
Tom Morse and Jerome Monachino. Wine and

Calendar of Events

cheese tastings. 57 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop

Caf, 623 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier. poemcity.org

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, APRIL 23

ROTC Centennial Symposium: Preparing the

Next Generation Leaders in a Complex World.
April 2123. Norwich University will celebrate
ROTCs centennial anniversary. For schedule,
locations, registration and more information:
http://www.norwich.edu/rotc100/symposiumregistration/
Animal Masks with Janice Walrafen. Construct
wearable 3-D animal masks with posterboard and
decorate them with colorful acrylic paints. 9:30
a.m. noon. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School
St., Marshfield. $4 materials fee. 426-3581 jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com. jaquithpubliclibrary.
org Join us for All Species Day in Montpelier on
May 1.
Legislative Update Featuring Barre City and
Town House Representatives. Walz, Poirier,
Laclair, McFaun. 10 a.m.noon. Aldrich Public
Library, 6 Washington St., Barre. Free. 476-4185.
Spring Trunk Sale and Seed Swap. Support your
local herbalists, crafters and farmers and get fabulous handmade crafts and foods, and bring/take
home seeds for the growing season. Noon4 p.m.
Plainfield Opera House, Rt. 2, Plainfield. https://
www.facebook.com/events/474787552717528/
PoemCity: Generative Poetry Workshop with
Chloe Viner. Viner will use several prompts to
highlight different lessons and spur creativity. She
will guide a discussion on the difference between
concrete and abstract writing in poetry and
examine how to create vivid and original images
through metaphor. 1:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. poem-city.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

Spaghetti Lunch & Raffle Drawing. Eleven

chances to win. Salad, garlic bread, strawberry
shortcake. Eat-in or take-out. 13 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Blueberry Commons, 4583 Rt.
2, E. Montpelier. By donation. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.org
Haiku Workshop. Hosted by the Northeast
Storyteller. This year's themes are brevity and the
Vermont, haiku and zen minds. Participants are
asked to bring haiku that you are working on and
your own writing materials. Attendants will go on
an inspirational walk. 1 p.m. West Burke Library,
123 Rt. 5A, W. Burke. Free. 751-5432. brookequillen@yahoo.com

MONDAY, APRIL 25

PoemCity: Poetry on Tap: Beer, Bread and

Soup! Enjoy a delicious light supper made with
local ingredients while listening to local poets
Mary Elder Jacobsen, Kerrin McCadden, Emilie
Stigliani, Alison Prine and Kristin Fogdall. Supper
6 p.m.; readings 7 p.m. Down Home Kitchen, 100
Main St., Montpelier. poem-city.org
Women's Writing Workgroup. Quiet, supportive space for women to write who otherwise
have difficulty finding the time or space to do
so. Writing prompts provided or bring your own
projects. Drop in first and third Mon., 6:308:30
p.m. River Arts Center, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. $5 suggested donation. Register: 888-1261 or
riverartsvt.org
NAMI Vermont Family Support Group. Support
group for families and friends of individuals living
with mental illness. Fourth Mon., 7 p.m. Central
Vermont Medical Center, room 3, Berlin. 800639-6480 or namivt.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26

Landlord Energy Workshop. Learn about new

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 15

hired by a company making a film about a

tragic incident which occurred in Baghdad.
A winner in Chandler's 2015 competition
for new plays on current social issues written
by Vermont playwrights. Talkback follows.
7 p.m. Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73
Main St., Randolph. $10 advance; $12 day of
show; students $5. 728-6464.

Performing Arts
THEATER, STORYTELLING,
COMEDY

April 21May 8: Lost Nation Theater presents

Hairspray. Musical by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by
Scott Wittman and Shaiman and book by Mark
O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan based on the
1988 John Waters film. Thurs., Fri. and Sat., 7:30
p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 2 p.m. Lost Nation Theater,
City Hall Arts Center, Main St., Montpelier. $30
Fri. and Sat. evenings; $25 Thurs. and matinees;
$15 April 21 and April 23 Sat. matinee. 2290492. lostnationtheater.org
April 22 and 24: Hansel and Gretel. Presented
by Bald Mountain Theater. April 22: 2 p.m. and
7 p.m. Valley Players Theater, Rt. 100, Waitsfield.
April 24: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Plainfield Opera
House, Rt. 2, Plainfield. Adults $12; $8 children
under 16. baldmountaintheater.org
April 22: Bueno Comedy Showcase. This
month features the standup of: Michael Kingsbury, Danny Killea, Bryan Muenzer, Hunter
Congleton, David Klein, and Josh Star. 8:30 p.m.
Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. $6.
479-0896. events@espressobueno.com. espressobueno.com.
April 24: Social Issues Play Series: Shot in
Baghdad. A young Iraqi-American actor is

April 28: Bread and Puppet Theater. The

Underneath the Above Show #1 (inspired by the
forthcoming elections in the greatest country in the
history of the universe). Free bread and aioli and
Bread and Puppet Cheap Art sale follow the
show. Brassband and/or fiddleband beforehand. 6
p.m. Christ Episcopal Church, Taplin Auditorium, 64 State St., Montpelier. $1020 sliding
scale; no one is turned away due to lack of funds.
525-3031. breadandpuppet.org
May 7: FEMCOM. Standup comedy by women
for women (and enlightened men). 8:30 p.m.
Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre. Free;
donations accepted. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com.espressobueno.com

AUDITIONS

April 23: Auditions for Jeffrey. Auditions for

Paul Rudnick's Obie-award-winning 1992 play
Jeffrey, directed by Richard Waterhouse, are
being held at Chandler Music Hall. To complete
the 8-person cast, Mr. Waterhouse is seeking
men in their 20s50s. Performances will be July
23 and during Vermont Pride Theater's sixth
annual summer pride festival. 1:304 p.m.
Chandler Music Hall, 71-73 Main St., Randolph.
646-656-0879. rikwala@gmail.com

programs that offer rebates and/or low-cost financing for energy conservation work in your buildings. 8:3010 a.m. VSECU, 3rd fl., 27 S. Main St.,
Waterbury. Register: lbiren@montpelier-vt.org

a walk at lunch. Informational booths and organized, self-led walks will be available. noon1 p.m.
State House lawn, Montpelier. www.bcbsvt.com/
national-walk-at-lunch-day

Moving From Scarcity to Abundance. Join in

on the conversation about food security and food
justice in central Vermont. Discuss how the food
pantry and Just Basics Inc. helps the community.
Also a permaculture discussion on food growth,
food security and just, sustainable community
practices. 7:15 p.m. Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
Montpelier. Lbiren@montpelier-vt.org

Films of Louis Malle: Vanya on 42nd Street.

With Rick Winston. Malles final film is an
ingenious restaging of the Chekhov play. An Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute program. 12:302:30
p.m. Savoy Theatre, 26 Main St., Montpelier. By
donation. pdaggett@myfairpoint.net

A Night Of Politics The Vermont Way! Join

Ken Dean, native Vermonter, contributor to the
Huffington Post, veteran organizer on seven presidential campaigns (1972 to 2016), and an elected
national delegate to several Democratic National
Conventions, for an hour of political updates and
analysis, followed by Q&A. 6:308 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free. 223-2518
PoemCity: Annual Open Mic Reading. Readers
will be chosen by a lottery. Put your name in a
hat at the door and they will pull out names for
20 readers. Please prepare five minutes (or less) of
material. 7 p.m. Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St.,
Montpelier poem-city.org

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Small Farm Action Day at State House. Opportunity for farmers and customers to educate
lawmakers about the unique challenges that small
farms face and to urge them to support commonsense, scale-appropriate legislation in these final
weeks of the 2016 session. Advocacy training, a
meet & greet with lawmakers and farm samples
over the lunch hour, farmer-to-farmer networking.
For more info. farmer stipend applications and
register: ruralvermont.org, 223-7222.
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.
National Walk@Lunch Day. Participation is fun
and easy. Blue Cross and Blue Shield encourages
you to wear comfortable walking and simply take

PoemCity: Book Discussion: The Prince of

Los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood by Richard
Blanco. Inspiring memoir from the first Latino
and openly gay inaugural poet. Discussion led by
UVM Professor John Waldron. Copies of book
available at the library. 6:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338. kellogghubbard.org
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.
Central VT Trans* Group. Monthly peer support
group for folks who self-identify along the trans
and gender nonconforming (GNC) spectrum.
Meets the last Wed. of the month, 79 p.m. in
Montpelier. Contact centralvttrans@gmail.com for
more information.
Song Circle: Community-Sing-A-Long. Last
sing-a-long of the season with Rich and Laura Atkinson. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122 School
St., Marshfield. 426-3581 jaquithpubliclibrary@
gmail.com. jaquithpubliclibrary.org
The Waterbury Historical Society's Annual
Meeting. Program features the newly released
documentary by Bryce Douglass that integrates
the talent and vision of Sarah-Lee Terrat with the
history of Vermont State Hospital and the life of
Jean Killary. 7 p.m. Waterbury Municipal Center,
Steele Community Room, N. Main St., Waterbury.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28

American Art: 1960-2000, Part II Sculpture.

The abstract sculpture of David Smith, Louise
Nevilson and Noguci use space, shapes and

PAG E 16 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

Live Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 2299212. Open mic every Wed. bagitos.com.
April 23: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.; Nathan Sargent
(country/blues) 68 p.m.
April 24: Pat Lambdin (bluegrass/country/blues/
soul) 11 a.m.1 p.m.
April 28: Italian Session, 68 p.m.
April 29: Dave & Rory Loughran (acoustic classic rock) 68 p.m.
April 30: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.; Justin LaPoint,
68 p.m.
May 1: Bleecker & MacDouga (folk ballads) 11
a.m.1 p.m.
May 3: Jimmy Ruin (blues/alt-folk) 68 p.m.
May 5: Colin McCaffrey & Friends, 68 p.m.
May 6: Art Herttua & Ray Carroll Jazz Duo,
68 p.m.
May 7: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.; Alec Chambers,
68 p.m.
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Montpelier. Free. 223-6820.
Every Mon.: Comedy Caf Open Mic, 8:30 p.m.
Every Tues.: Godfather Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.
April 22: Scott Graves (rock) 6 p.m.; Jay Kila &
Special Guests (hip-hop) 9 p.m.
April 29: Julia Kate Davis (indie folk) 6 p.m;
Victim of Metal (classic metal) 9 p.m.
April 30: DJ Disco Phantom (dance) 9 p.m.
Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre. 4790896. Free/by donation. events@espressobueno.
com. espressobueno.com.
April 23: Red Clover & the Hermit Thrush
(cowpunk) 8 p.m.
volumes in new ways. Personal identity and social
issues spawn a progression of styles to end the century and start the new one, including feminist art,
pop sculpture, junk sculpture, land art, minimalism and more. Join art historian Debby Tait for a
discussion. 12:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity
Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free. 223-2518
PoemCity: Popcorn & Poetry (Kids). Join us after
school for popcorn and poetry in the Hayes Room.
Bring a piece of original poetry to read and get a
prize. 3:154:15 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. poem-city.org
Vermonts Tomorrow. With Republican candidate Bruce Lisman. Norwich University presents a
series of town hall style open forums with gubernatorial candidates. 4:305:30 p.m. Short reception
follows. Norwich University, Cabot Hall, Room
85, Northfield.
Kick-off Party for Walk for Animals. A brief informational session on how to participate in Walk
for Animals will offer fundraising tips on how to
collect money to help the shelter animals. Socialize
with other people who love animals! 5:30 p.m.
Central Vermont Humane Society, 1589 VT Rt.
14 S., E. Montpelier. centralvermonthumane.org
Skinny Pancakes Greendrinks. Informal networking event for people who work and volunteer
in the environmental field and for those interested

THE BRIDGE

Calendar of Events

Apr. 29: Country Magic (country-rock) 8 p.m.

May 7: Abby Jenne (rock) 7:30 p.m.
Positive Pie. 10:30 p.m. 22 State St., Montpelier. $5. 229- 0453. positivepie.com.
April 22: The Big Bang Bhangra Brass Band
April 29: The Too Hot To Handle
Sweet Melissa's. 4 Langdon St., Montpelier.
Free unless otherwise noted. Other shows
T.B.A. 225-6012. facebook.com/sweetmelissasvt.
April 21: Sara Grace, 8 p.m.
April 22: Mark LeGrand, 5:30 p.m.; Feel the
Bern Dance Party, 9 p.m.
April 23: Dave Slangevin, 6 p.m.; Soul Creek,
9 p.m.
Whammy Bar. 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30
p.m. 31 County Rd., Calais. Thurs., Free.
whammybar1.com.
Every Wed.: Open mic
April 21: Barroom Girls
April 22: Big Hat No Cattle (Texas swing)
April 23: Nothing Quite Yet
April 28: Not Quite Dead (Jonathon Kaplan)
April 29: Kelly Ravin from Waylon Speed
April 30: Kava Express (funk/soul/rock)

SPECIAL EVENTS
April 22: Jazzyaoke. Sing the standards while
backed by a live six-piece jazz band; all lyrics
provided. 7:30 p.m. The North Branch Caf, 41
State St., Montpelier. $5. 552-8105. info@wooo.
tv. wooo.tv
April 23: Walsh/Drucker/Cooper Trio: The
Three B's. Eugene Drucker, founding violinist with the world-renowned Emerson String
Quartet, pianist Diane Walsh, and cellist Roberta
Cooper will perform Beethoven's Piano Trio Op.
1, #2, and the Brahms Trio in C minor, Op. 101.
They will be joined by Vermont flutist Karen Kevra for a performance of J.S. Bach's monumental
Trio Sonata from the "Musical Offering" to cap
off this satisfying program by the "holy trinity"
of classical music. Capital City Concerts season
finale. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
in getting involved. Eat, drink and learn about the
featured green groups. Free drinks. Hosted by 350
Vermont and Central Vermont Climate Action.
68 p.m. Skinny Pancake, 89 Main St., Montpelier. centralvtclimateaction@gmail.com
PoemCity: Reading with Poets Kate Farrell &
Baron Wormser. Wormser, past Poet Laureate of
Maine, is the author and co-author of numerous
books. Writer and actress Farrell has been working
in poetry, art, and theater in New York for over
three decades. 7 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. poem-city.org
Agriculture and Climate Change with Grace
Gershuny. In her new book, Organic Revolutionary: A Memoir of the Movement for Real Food,
Planetary Healing, and Human Liberation, Gershuny argues for encouraging as many farmers as
possible to convert to organic methods as quickly
as possible as the most immediate route to reversing the increase in greenhouse gas emissions that
now endangers communities everywhere. 7 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield.
Jaquithpubliclibrary.org
Green Mountain Dog Club Monthly Meeting.
Learn about the club and events. All dog lovers
welcome. Fourth Thurs., 7:30 p.m. Commodores
Inn, Stowe. 479-9843 or greenmountaindogclub.
org.

Montpelier. $1525. www.capitalcityconcerts.org.

Tickets also available (cash or check only) at Bear
Pond Books.
April 24: Violinist Paul Huang. One of the
worlds finest young classical violinists offers a
program that includes Beethoven, Tchaikovsky,
Stravinksy and Debussy accompanied by pianist
Helen Huang. Part of the TD Bank Celebration
Series. 2 p.m. Barre Opera House, 6 N. Main St.,
Barre. $1527. 476-8188. barreoperahouse.org
April 29: Vermont Mozart Festival Chamber
Players. Celebrate the return of the beloved
Vermont Mozart Festival's summer series with an
evening of Mozart's string quartets. All written
at around age 15-16. 7 p.m. Union Elementary
School, 1 Park Ave., Montpelier. Adults $15; students under 18 free. vermontmozartfestival.org
April 29, May 1: Vermont Choral Union. The 33
singers present In that time, In this place featuring rich a cappella harmonies of works by Monteverdi, Vaughn Williams, Bernstein and more.
April 29: 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St., Montpelier. May 1: 3 p.m., St. Michael's College, Colchester. Adults $15; seniors/students $10;
family $40. 238-9848. infor@vtchoralunion.org
April 30: Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra.
The spring concert includes work by Carl Maria
von Weber, Luigi Boccherini, Wallingford Riegger and Charles Ives and features 11-year-old
cellist Mia Kim Bernard. 7:30 p.m. Chandler
Music Hall, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. Adults
$15; seniors $12; students $5. 728-6464. vermontphilharmonic.org
April 30: North Country Chorus Spring Concert. Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest
and Mass in G by Franz Schubert. In collaboration with St. Johnsbury Academy Hilltones. 7:30
p.m. Bradford Congregational Church, Bradford.
Advance tickets through catamountarts.org:
adults $10; students $5. At door: Adults $12;
students $5.
May 1: Concert And Dance Party To Benefit
Shrimp, Local Musician. Didgeridoo master
Pitz Quattrone emcees the show which features
Chad Hollister's Big Band, the Dave Keller Band,

FRIDAY, APRIL 29

Branding for Brilliance: Building your Personal

Brand. Develop positioning that fuels your professional growth. The National Life Administrative
Professional Group will host a workshop and networking session celebrating Administrative Professionals Week. 2:304 p.m. Snacks, treats and door
prizes. More info. and location: 229-7401.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

Walk East Montpelier Center with Green

Mountain Club. Moderate. 7.8 miles. Center Loop
plus the Four Corners Extension. A long but fairly
flat walk through peaceful countryside. Meet at
Montpelier High School at 9 a.m. Kevin Ryan:
249-8849.
World Tai Chi Day. Tai Chi eases symptoms of
arthritis, hypertension, back pain and aids balance and fall prevention. Demonstrations offered.
Beginners and advanced. Refreshments. 10 a.m.
noon. Twin Valley Senior Center, Blueberry Commons, 4583 Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org
Open House at Orchard Valley Waldorf School.
Tour campus and ask questions of faculty, staff and
parents. Children welcome! Guided walks through
the fields and forest. Ongoing art activities. 10
a.m.12:30 p.m. 10:15 a.m.: Grades walk-through
including sample lesson. 11 a.m.: Early Childhood
classroom visits to learn about all of our programs,
including Farm & Forest, Little Lambs childcare,
and Montpelier Childs Garden.2290 VT Rt. 14
N., E. Montpelier. 456-7400. Morgan.i@ovws.org
ovws.org
Youth Maker Programs. Kids 10+ can learn how
to make e-textiles. Learn basic circuit design, how
to sew LED lights into fabric and build simple
circuits sewing with conductive thread. 10 a.m.1
p.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N. Main St.,
Waterbury. Limited space. Register: 244-7036
Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Clean out
your medicine cabinets and safely dispose of expired or unwanted prescription medications. Pills
and capsules only, no liquids. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Free
and anonymous disposal at six local sites:
Washington County Sheriff's Department,
10 Elm St., Montpelier
Montpelier Police Department, 1 Pitkin Ct,
Montpelier
Barre City Police Department, 15 Fourth St,
Barre
Northfield Police Department, 110 Wall St.,
Northfield
Kinney Drugs, 800 Rt. 302, Berlin
Kinney Drugs, 80 S. Main St., Waterbury

Funky Crustaceans and Mono Malo. Food and

drink available. Silent auction. Proceeds benefit
local musician Glenn McElwain (Shrimp) as he
battles cancer and the establishment of a nonprofit foundation to provide assistance to artists
who lose income while undergoing cancer treatment. 48 p.m.; doors open 3:30 p.m. The Round
Barn Farm, 1661 E. Warren Rd., Waitsfield. $15
suggested donation. 917-4403. Bump.vt@gmail.
com
May 1: A Thousand Peacocks: Indonesian
and American Music for Javanese Gamelan.
Javanese Gamelan is a group, or orchestra, of
about 30 instruments ranging from huge gongs to
tiny flutes with lots of xylophone and kettle type
instruments in between. 4 p.m. Plainfield Opera
House, Rt. 2, Plainfield. Adults $10; families $15.
498-3173. steven.light@jsc.edu
May 6: Friday Night Fires. With The Dupont
Brothers. Live music. Picnicking encouraged. 79
p.m. Fresh Tracks Farm, 4373 VT Rt. 12, Berlin.
223-1151. Freshtracksfarm.com
May 6: Vermont Virtuosi: Open Windows. Pairing of Brahms masterful Clarinet Quintet with
the premiere of Vermont composer David Gunns
sextet, The View from Six Windows, along with
music by Rossini and Ravel. 7:30 p.m. Bethany
Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. $10 suggested
donation. vermontvirtuosi@gmail.com.
May 7: Iain MacHarg Fundraiser Concert. Concert on the Scottish bagpipes. MacHarg is one of
the regions leading pipers and is a founder of the
Celtic rock bands Whiskey Before Breakfast and
Prydein. Fundraiser to benefit youth services. 7
p.m. Fritzs Barn, Marshfield. $810; children
free. Call for directions: 426-3581.
May 78: Onion River Chorus Spring Concert:
Solid Ground: American Composers Celebrate
our Home on Earth. A program of contemporary
American choral works, whose texts address our
relationship with the land we live on. Conducted
by Donia Prince and accompanied by Lynette
Combs. 7:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main
St., Montpelier. Adults $15; students/seniors $10;
families $30.
For more information: agilbert@cvndc.org or
Central VT New Directions Coalition: 223-4949,
www.cvndc.org
Freeride Montpelier Spring Bike Sale. Many
sizes and styles including mountain, road, cruiser,
hybrid. Also car racks, tire pumps, fenders and
other accessories. Many cheap/by donation used
parts. Freeride Montpelier is a bicycle repair co-op.
Tools, assistance and education are provided so
that individuals can repair their own bicycle, with
the help of the shop volunteers (as needed). Any
and all profit made by Freeride is reinvested in
the shops mission. 10 a.m.2 p.m. 89 Barre St.,
Montpelier. freeridemontpelier.org
PoemCity: Poetry, Meet Art: Letterpress
Broadsides. Incorporate meaningful texts and
watch the words take on new meaning and new
life on broadsides. Use handset type and decorative
elements to create large format prints of poems
that inspire us. 10:30 a.m.4 p.m. May Day
Studio, 190 River St., Montpelier. $110 includes
cotton paper for five 11x17 prints and sandwich
lunch. Pre-register: 229-0639 or maydaystudio@
gmail.com. poem-city.org
PoemCity: Nature Poems, Favorite Poems. Join
Diana Whitney, the poetry columnist for the San
Francisco Chronicle and Dede Cummings, publisher and editor at Green Writers Press, for a lively
discussion of some of their favorite nature poetry.
Bring a copy of your favorite poem if you wish.
1:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier. poem-city.org
Maple Poems and Stories. Readings of maple
stories in prose and verse will be hosted by
the Northeast Storytellers during the 2016 St.
Johnsbury World Maple Festival. 24 p.m. St.
Johnsbury Welcome Center lawn, St. Johnsbury.
Free. 751-5432. brookequillen@yahoo.com
Primo Maggio: Traditional Scottish Music.
Featuring singer Norman Kennedy, singer/harpist Domnique Dodge and piper Ian Gauthier.
Traditional community dinner 6 p.m.; concert 7
p.m. Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St., Barre. $25.
479-5600. oldlaborhall.org
Man Bites Barre. A cross between a game show, a
variety show, and a talk show before a live studio
audience 8 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St.,
Barre. Free. 479-0896.events@espressobueno.com.
espressobueno.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 1

All Species Day. Come dressed as your favorite

species! Noon: Calling all species, awakening the
Spring Goddess, spring play at Old Shelter, arrival
of the Stag King. Hubbard Park soccer field; 1
p.m.: Parade to State House via Spring, Main and
State streets. Line up at Hubbard Park main gate

T H E B R I D G E

Visual Arts
EXHIBITS

Through April 23: Off The Wall. Annual exhibit

spotlighting area students grades K12. Fri.,
36 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., noon3 p.m. Chandler
Gallery, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. outreach@
chandler-arts.org
Through April 30: Annie Rodrigue Art Exhibit.
Canadian artist exhibit of abstract contemporary
works of art. T. W. Wood Gallery, Center for Arts
& Learning, 46 Barre St., Montpelier. 262-6035.
twwoodgallery@gmail.com. twwoodgallery.org
Through April 30: ARA Exhibits at the Library.
Collective gathering of paintings, collage and
photography of Art Resource Association artists,
celebrating 40 years. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier. artresourceassociation.
com. colormuse@gmail.com. 279-0774
Through April 30: April Art Show at The Front
Gallery. The Front Gallerys artist-members
celebrate the opening of their April exhibition of
art work produced by the 16 local Vermont artist
that comprise the artist collective gallery. The
Front Gallery, 6 Barre St., Montpelier. hannah@
draw-lucky.com. http://www.thefrontvt.com
Through April 30: Cindy Griffith Art Exhibit.
Native Vermont artist exhibits pastel paintings
in her magical realism style. T. W. Wood Gallery, Center for Arts & Learning, 46 Barre St.,
Montpelier. 262-6035. twwoodgallery@gmail.
com. twwoodgallery.org Artist website: www.
hungermountainarts.com
Through April 30: Cindy Griffith Art Exhibit,
Larger Works. Native Vermont artist exhibits
some larger works which include oil, acrylic and
pastel paintings. The Shoe Horn; 8 Langdon St.,
Montpelier. Artist website: www.hungermountainarts.com
Winter Street entrance; 2:30 p.m. Birth of Spring
Pageant. State House lawn. alltogethernowvt.org
Friends of the Waterbury Public Annual Spring
Tea. Featuring program from the Vermont Humanities Council Speakers Bureau "Wolf Peaches,
Poisoned Peas, and Madame Pompadours Underwear: The Surprising History of Common Garden
Vegetables. Science and history writer Rebecca
Rupp will discuss the stories behind many common garden vegetables. 2 p.m. Warerbury Public
Library, Steele Community Room, 28 N. Main
St., Waterbury. Free. waterburypubliclibrary.com
Primo Maggio: Solid Men in the Granite City:
Barres Socialist Mayors. illustrated talk by Prof.
Robert E. Weir. 4 p.m. Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St., Barre. Free. 479-5600. oldlaborhall.org

MONDAY, MAY 2

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.
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.
Classic Book Club. New members always welcome. Most first Mon., 68 p.m. Cutler Memorial
Library, 151 High St. (Rte. 2), Plainfield. Free.
454-8504. cutlerlibrary.org/resources/bookclub.
Break Free of Fossil Fuels Action Info. & Training. Learn about the upcoming regional mass
action for climate justice in Albany, NY and how
to get involved. Snacks provided. 6:308:30 p.m.
Unitarian Church, 130 Main St., Montpelier.
centralvtclimateaction@gmail.com

TUESDAY, MAY 3

ADA Advisory Committee Meeting. First Tues.

City managers conference room, City Hall, 39
Main St., Montpelier. 223-9502.
Rainbow Umbrella of Central Vermont. Rainbow Umbrella brings LGBTQ individuals from
Central Vermont together to plan and hold events
such as bowling, discussion group, ukulele and tea
dances to foster community and increase LGBTQ
visibility in the region. Meets every other Tues.
57 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. rucvtadmin@pridecentervt.
org
MBAC Meeting. Meeting of the Montpelier Bicycle
Advisory Committee. First Tues., 67:30 p.m.
City Managers Conference Room, 39 Main St.,
Montpelier. Montpelier. 262-6273.
Ballroom Dance Classes Begin. With instructor, Samir Elabd. Six-week session, Every Tues.,

Calendar of Events
Through April 30: Three Vermont Artists Exhibit. Paintings of Cindy Griffith, masks of Ellis
Jacobson and prints of Phillip Robertson. Reception: April 14, 57 p.m. T. W. Wood Gallery
at the Center for Arts & Learning, 46 Barre St.,
Montpelier. 262-6035. twwoodgallery@gmail.
com. twwoodgallery.org
Through April 30: Vermont Water and Light.
Fine art landscape photography captured in and
around Central Vermont. Capitol Grounds, 27
State St., Montpelier. paulerichardson.com
Through May 1: Michael Zebrowski, SURVEY.
Inaugural artist-in-residence project on the
grounds of Spruce Peak at Stowe. For information: Helen Day Art Center, 253-8358, helenday.
com
Through May 2: Galen Cheney, To China and
Back. Paper constructions and paintings. The
Gallery at River Arts, 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville.
888-1261. riverartsvt.org
Through May 28: The Paletteers of Vermont
Spring Art Show. Aldrich Public Library, Milne
Room, 6 Washington St., Barre.
April 26May 29: Studio Place Arts. New exhibits. Gallery hours: Tues.Fri., 11 a.m.5 p.m.;
Sat., noon4 p.m. 479-7069. studioplacearts.com
Main floor: Encountering Yellow. Yellow artwork in a variety of traditional and nontraditional media.
Second floor: Silent auction to benefit SPA
programs. Bidding starts April 26 and concludes at the Big Arty SPA Happening (BASH)
on May 13.
Third floor: Vermont Landscape Through Time
by Carolyn Enz Hack

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 17

Through May 31: Sarah Adelaide, Plant Portrait Series. Watercolor roots using all organic
handmade paints and pigments. Bagitos, 28 Main
St., Montpelier.
May 6May 31: Clay Masks by Steve Barrows.
Since retiring from U-32, Barrows has been busy
at The Mud Studio hand-building extraordinary clay masks. Reception: May 6, 48 p.m.
Cheshire Cat, 28 Elm St., Montpelier. 223-1981.
cheshirecatclothing.com.
May 6June 6: Anniversary Art Show at The
Front Gallery. Celebrate the one-year anniversary
of The Front Gallery. The 16 local Vermont artistmembers of the collective gallery will present
new work in a month-long exhibition. Opening
reception: May 6, 48 p.m. during ArtWalk.
6 Barre St., Montpelier. glen@thefrontvt.com.
www.thefrontvt.com
April 30June 11: Area Artists Show, Locally
Grown. Themed paintings, photographs, prints,
sculptures, artists books, mixed media and more.
Opening reception: May 1, 46 p.m. Chandler
Gallery, 71-73 Main St., Randolph. gallery@
chandler-arts.org
April 25June 17: Robert M. Fisher, Abstract
Expressionist Paintings. Gallery hours: Mon.
Fri., 9 a.m.4 p.m. Goddard College, Eliot Pratt
Art Gallery, Plainfield.
Through June 30: Saddle Up! Norwich Cavalry:
Training, Touring and Tactics on Horseback.
The story of the Norwich Cavalry and its establishment is full of wonderful images of the days
when equines were part of the daily life at the
University. Norwich University, Sullivan Museum
and History Center, 158 Harmon Dr., Northfield.
485-2183. academics.norwich.edu/museum/

May 229: Student Art Show. Artwork from

Stowe Elementary, Middle and High School, plus
U-32, Montpelier and Spaulding High Schools.
Opening reception: May 2, 37 p.m. Gallery
hours: Wed.Sun. noon5 p.m. Helen Day Art
Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. 253-8358. Free. education@helenday.com. http://www.helenday.com/
exhibitions/upcoming/125-student-art-show-2016

Through June 30: Fauna and Floral, paper

cut-outs by Adrienne Ginter. Exquisitely
detailed hand-cut paper and archival foam-core
constructions that explore elements of the natural
world as well as fanciful narratives depicting
ancient myths, history and the artists personal
experience. Art Walk reception: May 6, 47

May 3June 7. Two classes offered: Tango and Introduction to Foxtrot, 67 p.m.; Swing and Salsa,
78 p.m. Singles welcome, no prior experience
necessary. Union Elementary School, 1 Park Ave.,
Montpelier. Register by calling the Montpelier
Rec. Dept. 225-8699.

Wood Turtles in Vermont: Ecology and Conservation. Spend an evening with River Conservation Specialist, Lydia Menendez Parker, and Herpetologist, Chris Jenkins to learn more about the
ecology and conservation of wood turtles and the
rivers they call home. 7 p.m. North Branch Nature
Center, 713 Elm St., Montpelier. Free. 229-6206.
northbranchnaturecenter.org

After the Haiku of Yosa Buson With David

Budbill. 78:30 p.m. Bear Pond Books, 77 Main
St., Montpelier. bearpondbooks.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

Grandparents Raising Their Childrens Children. First Wed., 10 a.m.Noon. Barre Presbyterian Church, Summer St. 476-1480.
League of Women Voters Annual Meeting. Gettogether dinner celebrating the year. Guest speaker
Hanna Ross on Human Trafficking. 5:30 p.m.
Angelino's, 15 Barre St., Montpelier. Attendees
pay for their own dinner. Reservations required:
lwvofvt@gmail.com
Traditional Herbalism in a Globalized World:
A Case Study of Cuba. With Kenzie McDonald,
VCIH Clinical Intern. Discussion on the reality
of traditional herbalism in the context of Cuban
culture, specifically focusing on Havana and the
surrounding region. 6 p.m. Vermont Center for
Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St., Montpelier.
$12; $10 for members. Pre-registration required.
224-7100. info@vtherbcenter.org. vtherbcenter.org
Cancer Support Group. First Wed., 6 p.m.
Potluck. For location, call Carole MacIntyre 2295931.
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.
Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis. Writer
Reeve Lindbergh will share the family story surrounding her fathers famous plane, The Spirit
of St. Louis. Part of The Vermont Humanities
Councils First Wednesdays series. 7 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
vermonthumanities.org
Jaquith Library Classic Film Series. With Tom
Blachly and Rick Winston. The Visitor. Last film
of the season. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, 122
School St., Marshfield. Tom Blachly: 229-5290.
blachly@together.net

THURSDAY, MAY 5

Diabetes Support Group. First Thurs., 78 p.m.

Conference room 3, Central Vermont Medical
Center. 371-4152.

FRIDAY, MAY 6

p.m. Pavilion Building, 109 State St., Montpelier. Photo ID required for admission. adrienne.
ginter@gmail.com
Through June 30: Ships and Shadows: Collages
by Arthur Schaller. These original works are collages assembled on board of cut or ripped pieces
of printed matter from assorted publications.
Art Walk reception: May 6, 47 p.m. Vermont
Supreme Court Gallery, Montpelier.
Through June 30: James Vogler, Who Turned
On the Light. Spring show. Abstract oil paintings.
White River Gallery at BALE, 35 S. Windsor St.,
S. Royalton. 498-8438. balevt.org
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

SPECIAL EVENTS

May 6: May Art Walk. Stroll beautiful downtown

Montpelier and enjoy art from local artists more
than 20 shops and galleries. May's Art Walk
theme is maple. Art Walkers will find maple products from local producers at each venue, including
maple cookies, popcorn, candy and more. 48
p.m. For a list of venues and maple products visit,
montpelieralive.org one week prior to the event.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

Chandler Gallery in Randolph. Area artists and

craftspeople are invited to submit one example
of their recent best work to be included in
the exhibit, Locally Grown. Variety of media
accepted. Work from artists will be accepted
April 24, 46 p.m. and April 25, 67:30 p.m.
Opening reception is May 1, 46 p.m. $10
participation fee. For more information contact
Emily: 431-0204 or gallery@chandler-arts.org
Main St., Montpelier. $8; $30 family; children
under 5 free. 456-7400. ovws.org
Onion River Sports Bike Swap. 9 a.m.noon. 20
Langdon St., Montpelier. Accepting bikes to sell
April 30May 6. 229-9409. onionriver.com
Capital City Farmers Market. Opening day of
the summer market. 50+ vendors including more
than 30 farmers. 9 a.m.1 p.m. 60 State St., Montpelier. montpelierfarmersmarket.com

Death Caf. Group discussion about death with

no agenda, objectives or themes. First Fri., 11:45
a.m.1 p.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, Rte. 2,
Blueberry Commons, E. Montpelier. Bring your
own lunch or eat at the center for $4. 223-3322.

8th annual Perennial Plant & Yard Sale. Plus

hamburgers, hot dogs and more. 9 a.m.3 p.m.
Twin Valley Senior Center, Blueberry Commons,
4583 Rt. 2, E. Montpelier. To donate a perennial:
223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.org

Color Your Heart Out At Bear Pond Books.

78:30 p.m. Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St.,
Montpelier. bearpondbooks.com

Potted Fairy Gardens. Maker program for adults

and teens. Let your imagination run wild as you
create a small world out of succulents, and other
small trinkets such as shells and rocks. If you
have an old shallow pan, glass dish or unique
planter youd like to use, feel free to bring it along.
9:3011:30 a.m. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N.
Main St., Montpelier. $10 materials fee. Limited to
12 paricipants. Register: 244-7036

Coffeehouse. Enjoy live music and share your

own. Fellowship, potluck snacks and beverages.
First Fri., 79 p.m. Trinity United Methodist
Church, 137 Main St., Montpelier (park and enter
at rear). Free. 244-5191, 472-8297 or rawilburjr@
comcast.net.
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

SATURDAY, MAY 7

National Federation of the Blind, Montpelier

Chapter. First Sat. Lane Shops community room,
1 Mechanic St., Montpelier. 229-0093.
Green Up Day. Join volunteers to remove litter
from Vermonts roadsides. In Montpelier, bags
can be picked up at the registration table at the
Farmers Market. Full bags can be left curbside for
DPW to pick up. For information on each towns
process visit: greenupvermont.org
Green Mountain Club Work Hike. Duxbury. All
abilities. Long Trail to Bamforth Ridge Shelter.
Bring lunch. Wear sturdy boots, work clothes and
gloves. Meet at Montpelier High School parking
lot at 8 a.m. Contact Steve Bailey: 1-609-4249238 or trails@gmcmontpelier.org.
Montpelier Kiwanis Club All-You-Can-Eat
Breakfast. Delicious breakfast to raise money
to send central Vermont kids to summer camp.
Scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, VT maple
syrup, toast, coffee, tea, orange juice and milk.
711:30 a.m. Boutwell Masonic Center, 288 Gallison Hill Rd., Montpelier. Adults $7; children
under 12 $4.
Orchard Valley Waldorf Schools 10th Annual
Sweet N Savory Pie Breakfast. 8:30 a.m.noon
(or when the pie runs out!) Trinity Church, 137

CVMC Rehabilitation Therapy Open House.

Explore the expanded sports therapy gym, meet
sports therapy experts, get a Running Gait Analysis and more. 100 free bike helmets for kids ages
512 (first come, first served). 10 a.m.2 p.m. 1311
Barre-Montpelier Rd., Berlin. Cvmc.or/springintosports
Peoples Health & Wellness Clinic Bowl-A-Thon.
Form a team and register. All ages and skills
welcome. Teams ideally consist of five bowlers,
and are asked to raise a minimum of $50 each for
a team total of $250. Benefits the Peoples Health
& Wellness Clinic. 13 p.m. Twin City Family
Fun Center, Rt. 302. Barre. Register: 479-1229 or
download form at phwcvt.org
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.

Send your listing to

calendar@
montpelierbridge.com
Deadline for next issue is April 28.
Send information for events
happening May 521.

PAG E 18 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

Weekly Events
ARTS & CRAFTS
Beaders Group. All levels of beading experience
welcome. Free instruction available. Come with
a project for creativity and community. Sat., 11
a.m.2 p.m. The Bead Hive, Plainfield. 454-1615.
Life Drawing at The Front. Draw from life with
a model in a series of poses. Bring your own
materials. Come early to get a good seat. Every
Wed., 6:308:30 p.m. The Front Gallery, 6
Barre St., Montpelier. $10. www.thefrontvt.com.
meldan@together.net
Drop-in River Arts Elder Art Group. Work
on art, share techniques and get creative with
others. Bring your own art supplies. For elders
60+. Every Fri., 10 a.m.noon. River Arts Center,
74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. Free. 888-1261.
riverartsvt.org.

BICYCLING
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.org.

BOOKS & WORDS

Lunch in a Foreign Language. Bring lunch and
practice your language skills with neighbors.
Noon1 p.m. Mon., Hebrew; Tues., Italian;
Wed., Spanish; Thurs., French. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier. 223-3338.

Calendar of Events

Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,

11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Fri.: St. Augustine Church, 18 Barre St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Sun.: Last Sunday only, Bethany Church, 115
Main St. (hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue),
4:305:30 p.m.
Lunches for Seniors. Mon., Wed., Fri., Noon.
Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rt. 2, E.
Montpelier. $4 suggested donation. 223-3322.
twinvalleyseniors.org.
Feast Together or Feast To Go. All proceeds
benefit the Feast Senior Meal program. Tues. and
Fri., noon1 p.m. Live music every Tues., 10:30
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.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Turning Point Center. Safe, supportive place
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.
Tues.: Making Recovery Easier workshops,
67:30 p.m.
Wed.: Wits End Parent Support Group, 6 p.m.
Thurs.: Narcotics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m.
Bone Building Exercises. Open to all ages. Every
Mon. and Wed.. 7:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:40
a.m. Every Fri.. 7:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. Twin
Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S. Rte. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalleyseniors.org.

Tai Chi for Seniors. Led by trained volunteers.

Every Mon. and Fri., 12 p.m.; Tues. and Thurs.
1011 a.m. Twin Valley Senior Center, 4583 U.S.
Rte. 2, E. Montpelier. Free. 223-3322. twinvalEnglish Conversation Practice Group. For
students learning English for the first time. Tues., leyseniors.org.
45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic EducaLiving Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.
tion, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.
Sing while exercising. Open to all seniors.
223-3403.
Every Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri.,
Ongoing Reading Group. Improve your reading
and share some good books. Books chosen by
group. Thurs., 910 a.m. Central Vermont Adult
Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center,
100 State St. 223-3403.

23 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58

Barre St., Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518.
msac@montpelier-vt.org.

BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION

Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Program.

Education and support to help adults at high risk
of developing type 2 diabetes adopt healthier
eating and exercise habits that can lead to weight
loss and reduced risk. Every Tues., 10:3011:30
a.m. Kingwood Health Center Conference Room
(lower level), 1422 Rt. 66, Randolph. Free. Register: 728-7714.

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.
CRC Pro Health and Human Services. This
course will help participants build professional
and career skills in preparation for a variety of
entry-level positions in direct health care professions. Every Wed. and Thurs., through May 18,
5:308 p.m. Capstone Community Action, 20
Gable Pl., Barre. Free. The enrollment code for
this course is WFE-0603-VM40.

FOOD & DRINK

Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.
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.

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. Two 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. 249-3970.
Every Mon., 5:306:30 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
The Rockinghorse Circle of Support. Opportunity for young women and children to meet
once a week for friendship, good conversation and
fun. Facilitated by a licensed alcohol and drug
counselor and another person with child and family background. Topics reflects on how substance
abuse, whether it's ours or someone else's, affects
our decisions and lives. Child care provided. Every
Wed. through June 8. 9:3011:30 a.m. Hedding
United Methodist Church, 40 Washington St.,
Barre. 479-1086 or 476-4328.
Weight Loss Support Group. Get help and support on your weight loss journey every Wed., 67

p.m. Giffords Conference Center, 44 S. Main St.,

Randolph. Free. No registration required. Open to
all regardless of where you are in your weight loss.
Wits End. Support group for parents, siblings,
children, spouses and/or relationship partners of
someone suffering with addiction whether it is
to alcohol, opiates, cocaine, heroin, marijuana or
something else. Every Wed., 68 p.m. Turning
Point Center, 489 N. Main St., Barre. Louise:
279-6378.
HIV Testing. Vermont CARES offers fast oral
testing. Wed., 25 p.m. 29 State St., Ste. 14
(above Rite Aid), Montpelier. Free and anonymous. 371-6224. vtcares.org.

KIDS & TEENS

Robins Nest Nature Playgroup. Outdoor
playgroup for parents, caregivers and children
ages birth5. Spontaneous play, exploration,
discovery, song, nature inspired crafts and storytelling. Every Mon. through June 6, 9:3011:30
a.m. North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm
St., Montpelier. By donation. 229-6206.
northbranchnaturecenter.org
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
Barre Rock City Chorus. We sing songs from
the 60s80s and beyond. All songs are taught by

THE BRIDGE

rote using word sheets, so ability to read music is

not required. All ages welcome; children under
13 should come with a parent. Every Thurs.,
6:308:30 p.m. Church of the Good Shepherd,
39 Washington St., Barre.
Gamelan Rehearsals. Sun., 79 p.m. Pratt Center, Goddard College. Free. 426-3498. steven.
light@jsc.edu. light.kathy@gmail.com.

OUTDOORS
Spring Migration Bird Walks. Learn birding basics, expand your birding ear and discover more
about the birds that inhabit the fields and forests.
Walks are led North Branch Nature Center naturalist staff. Every Fri. through May 27. Locations
change weekly. April 22: Cow Pasture. April 29:
North Branch Nature Center. May 6: Hubbard
Park. 78:30 a.m. Cow Pasture, Montpelier. $10;
free for members. NBNC: 229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org

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 explore important
issues and challenges in their lives in a warm and
supportive environment. Facilitated by psychotherapist Kathleen Zura. Two different group
meetings: every Mon., 5:307:30 p.m. and every
Wed., 34:30 p.m. 138 Main St., Montpelier.
324-4611. 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.
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.
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.

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.

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 19

T H E B R I D G E

Classifieds

P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601

Phone: 802-223-5112
Fax: 802-223-7852

WORKSHOP
THE FIVE SLOGANS OF MACHIK LABDRON
APRIL 30 MAY 1
Buddhist teacher and author, Elizabeth Mattis
Namgyel, will lead a weekend of teachings,
guided meditations and discussions based on
the 11th century Tibetan female saint Machik
Labdrons slogans, whose approach provides us
with a path to transform our inner demons by
invoking, embracing, and nurturing them.
Pema Osel Do Ngak Choling
322 Eastman Cross Rd. Vershire, VT.
Live video streaming available.
For information /registration visit
http://www.mangalashribhuti.org/events/tba-2
or call 802-333-4521.

WE WANT YOU!
Volunteer Opportunities
with The Bridge

Design & Build

Custom Energy-Efficient Homes
Additions Timber Frames
Weatherization Remodeling

Rocque Long
Painting

Kitchens Bathrooms Flooring

Tiling Cabinetry Fine Woodwork

Insured
30+ years professional
experience
local references.

802-223-0389

* Write News Stories, Interviews

or Profiles
* Take Photos
* Edit/Proofread
* Mentor Young Writers
* Day-of-Publication Help
Interested?
Call Marichel at 223-5112 ext 12.
or email
marichel@montpelierbridge.com

Editor & Publisher: Nat Frothingham

Managing Editor: Carla Occaso
Calendar Editor, Design & Layout:
Marichel Vaught
Copy Editing Consultant:
Larry Floersch
Proofreader: Garrett Heaney
Sales Representatives: Michael Jermyn,
Rick McMahan
Distribution: Tim Johnson, Kevin Fair, Diana
Koliander-Hart, Daniel Renfro
Editorial: 223-5112, ext. 14, or
editorial@montpelierbridge.com.
Location: The Bridge office is located at the
Vermont College of Fine Arts,
on the main level of Stone Science Hall.
Subscriptions: You can receive The Bridge by
mail for $50 a year. Make out your check to
The Bridge, and mail to The Bridge, PO Box 1143,
Montpelier VT 05601.
montpelierbridge.com
facebook.com/thebridgenewspapervt
Twitter: @montpbridge
Copyright 2016 by The Bridge

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802-479-2733

223-3447

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Taking You from Frustration to Enthusiasm
802 778 0626
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Repairs New floors and walls
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Consulting ICF foundations
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gendronbuilding@aol.com gendronconcrete.com

PAG E 2 0 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

Opinion
D

THE BRIDGE

Sounding the Alarm Agencies Must Have

Sustainable Funding Now
by Mary Moulton from Washington County Mental Health Services and Bill Ashe from Upper Valley Services

uring this legislative session, attention has been

given to the need for an increase in the Medicaid
rates being paid to the non-profit designated and
specialized service agencies that support many of Vermonts
most vulnerable citizens, because these agencies are at a
breaking point. The state relies on them to provide services and
supports to nearly 50,000 children and adults, who experience
a serious mental health issue, substance abuse or developmental
disability. These are people for whom the state would need to
intervene directly if the services and supports provided by these
organizations were not available. Most assuredly, if the state
supported these persons through state operated programs, the
cost would be much higher.

mightily to recruit and retain the staff it needs so it can meet

its programmatic and statutory mission. This statement is
not only true about the Howard Center, but equally reflective
of the fiscal status of the entire network of designated and
specialized service agencies that the State of Vermont relies
upon each and every day.

Agencies requested a Medicaid rate increase of three percent

for each of the next four fiscal years. Attracting trained staff
is paramount to the continued ability for agencies to render
quality services. Staff members working for these agencies
are dedicated and skilled. They deserve wages similar to
workers in other health care settings in order to deal with the
economic realities. Turnover rate in service agencies averages
Underfunding of these programs has been a chronic problem. 27.5 percent. In addition, with chronic underfunding, other
As agencies statewide struggle to deliver services to all of financial pressures multiply, such as providing health insurance
those in need, they find their organizations are now in a fiscal where increases in costs can be well over 10 percent.
crisis. The seriousness of these funding issues was recently Upper Valley Services and Washington County Mental
documented by the Green Mountain Care Board following Health Services provide services throughout Central Vermont
its independent financial review of the Howard Center in to some of our most vulnerable community members. Upper
Burlington. The board concluded that Howard Centers Valley supports nearly 200 people with developmental
current budget does not adequately fund the institutions desire disabilities in Orange County and surrounding towns.
to accomplish its client services missions. Despite its responsible Washington County supports approximately 5,000 people
budgeting practices, as presently funded, the agency struggles with developmental disabilities and mental health needs.

Opinion

Vote for Bernie

ernie Sanders keeps saying, This

campaign is not just about nominating
a candidate for president. Its about
a political revolution. At the core of this
revolution is the manner in which a presidential
campaign is financed; that is, a refusal to
accept money from super-PACS, Wall Street
banks, lobbyists, etc., and a complete reliance
on support from individual citizens.

Both organizations are called upon by the state when there

are community crises and/or individual crises. For instance,
with the recent closure of a single residential care facility
in South Barre serving 16 people, Washington County
immediately moved four individuals from the residential care
facility, provided nursing to maintain those who were still
waiting placement and sent a crisis clinician to the home to
provide psychological support to those who were experiencing
this sad and traumatic event of losing their home. Any critical
incident causing significant stress can cause a need for these
specialized supports.
The state of Vermont must not allow any of the designated
and specialized service organizations to fail due to the huge
need for these services. As the executive directors of two of
these agencies, we will continue to do the very best we can
with our incredibly dedicated staff. However, we must be
clear that our ability to maintain service integrity and fiscal
viability of our organizations is being compromised. There
must be legislative action now, as well as over the next several
years, to assure that the designated and specialized agency
system, which the state relies upon so heavily, is placed back
on solid financial footing.
Edited for length.

by Thomas Mulholland, Worcester

believe Bernie Sanders would win. Lets keep

in mind that there are many Republicans
who strongly oppose Trump. Many of these
disaffected voters would cross over to Sanders
because Trump shares Sanders repudiation of
free trade agreements, which have resulted in
the loss of American jobs as well as his refusal
to accept money from corporate America
and Wall Street. However, Sanders is not
If Sanders is not nominated at the Democratic expressing Trumps extreme intolerance of
National Convention I will vote for him as a immigrants, Muslims and pro-choice women.
write-in candidate. To vote for Hillary Clinton All too often our democracy resembles an
is a disavowal of the revolution. This I will oligarchy, but its certainly not a dictatorship
not do.
or a monarchy. I would like to remind people
For those who say, not voting for Hillary that the two most egregious mistakes President
Clinton is supporting the Republican George W. Bush made in office the war in
candidate, and oh my god, what if thats Iraq and the Wall Street bailout were only
possible because the United States Congress
Donald Trump? It would be a disaster!
(Clinton included) approved of them.
I disagree. If there was a three-way race
involving Sanders, Clinton and Trump, I This is a rare moment in the history of American
politics. People like Sanders are a rarity. He

says the campaign is doing something truly Lets not squander this opportunity.
extraordinary: telling the truth.
Vote Bernie Sanders.
No doubt we will be seeing people parroting Bernie Sanders for President: Plan B
what Sanders is saying because it will be seen
as politically expedient to do so (Clinton has Forty-three states allow write-in ballots for
president. States not allowing it are: Arkansas,
already started).
Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada,
The message may be mimicked but the man Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
cannot be mimicked. For his entire life,
from the time he was arrested in Chicago Most states require a candidate to register.
Wyoming,
Oregon,
New
as a student trying to desegregate university Vermont,
housing to the present day a span of some Hampshire, New Jersey, Iowa, Delaware and
50 years he has been constant and true in Alabama do not.
what he says. This is so rare in politics. It is the Thirty-five states require a write-in candidate
reason he generates so much excitement and to submit some form of affidavit and
enthusiasm: because he is honest and speaks sometimes a filing fee one month before the
truth.
election. In North Carolina, these candidates
Incremental changes and slight shifting must circulate a petition. Then their names
of agendas are not sufficient. Politically, are posted on a list at the polling, though not
economically and environmentally, we are in on the official ballot. All other write-in votes
are tossed.
crisis. We need bold action.

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 21

T H E B R I D G E

The Birth of Chat With

Nat
by Nat Frothingham

Editorial

et me brag a little about our Managing Editor Carla

L
Occaso.

In addition to her writing career as a reporter for the

daily Caledonian Record in St. Johnsbury and as a staff
writer for the Times-Argus (and she has an impressive list of other writing credits as well)
Carla has a BFA degree in Film/TV production from New York Universitys Tisch School of
the Arts and an MFA degree in writing from Goddard College.
Lots of academic credits. Lots of writing and publishing experience. And also, lots of practical
experience in Vermont and across the country in filmmaking and video.
Let me mention something else as well. The word I think is chutzpah which is variously defined, but as I apply it to Carla, it means guts, nerve, audacity.
Its true that Carla thinks things through in advance. Shes not reckless. But its equally true
that shes not afraid to take risks and move forward.
Let me go to an instance of that.
Late last fall, Carla suggested that I sit down with some of the fascinating people who walk
into our newspaper office or who we bump into on assignment. I liked the idea because Im
drawn to people. But Im also impatient, impatient with my time because I dont have a lot
of it or dont feel I have a lot of it.
What Carla was suggesting was a series of splendidly short almost casual most definitely unrehearsed interviews with the delightful spread of people we run into at the office
and out in public. The series is called Chat with Nat. Or when Nat is unavailable its called
Chat (without) Nat. The shortest of these episodes was a minute-and-half long. The longest
to date was four minutes.
The series began almost impulsively. Carla and I were talking with Helen Labun who had
produced some baked goods for a little pop-up caf at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Carla
had a camera. Helen was willing. It was easy. It was informal. It was fun to do.
Over the past five months or so (including the exchange with Helen) Ive interviewed 14 very
different people for Chat with Nat. The charm of these very short conversations is their
complete freshness nothing heavy, nothing studied, nothing ponderous. Quick as a wink,
they begin. Just as quick, they end. And yet, like a great snapshot, they can tell us a lot.
A most recent Chat with Nat featured Carlo Rovetto, owner of Montpeliers Positive Pie,
talking happily about his family roots in Sicily.
Another Chat with Nat was an interview with Loyce Maturu from Zimbabwe (southern
Africa). Maturu is a tuberculosis survivor who is successfully living with HIV AIDS. She
was in Vermont to seek renewed United States private sector and government support for
the Global Fund, Swiss-based program that provides desperately needed help to people with
AIDS, malaria and/or tuberculosis.
One of my favorite chats was with Josh Blouin who grew up in Central Vermont and who
was just back from Yosemite National Park where his study of bats was producing some pretty
amazing scientific findings. We cant even hear bats. But they can hear each other and thats
just for starters.
Im a great believer in the printed word and what a well-written story can tell us about the
richness and diversity of the people in our midst. But these little video clips add a further dimension of understanding. You can see and hear and be amused or stirred or even enchanted
by the people interviewed in these deliciously short exchanges.
The YouTube channel
MCelmoPancakking.

for

Chat

with

Nat

is

https://www.youtube.com/user/

PASSING THE TORCH From left, Ashton Kirol, new manager of the Capital City
Farmers Market, stands with Carolyn Grodinsky, former manager. Grodinsky recently
stepped down after seven years of managing the market.
Grodinsky listed her major achievements as fostering partnerships between the market and
such organizations as Montpelier Alive, the New England Culinary Institute, Vermont
College of Fine Arts and Montpelier High School. I would say the market got bigger,
another achievement during her tenure, with more vendors and more customers. My goal
was to make the market the place where people came to get their local farm foods and meet
the farmer. Her plans include working with businesses in recycling for Lamoille Solid Waste.
The markets new manager, Ashton Kirol, will fly solo at the market on Saturday, May 7.
He is a Community College of Vermont graduate with a degree in environmental science.
Before his employment with the Capital City Farmers Market, Kirol was the lead distiller
at Caledonia Spirits in Hardwick. He has also worked as a restaurant manager where he
regularly brought in locally produced food. I am really looking forward to meeting all the
vendors and helping them expand their reach in the community, he said.

PAG E 2 2 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

Letters
People Need Rec Center
Editor:
Forgive me if I missed any article mentioning
the fact that the city is planning on selling the
recreation facility on Barre Street. I recently
began exercising there several times a week at a
very reasonable fee. I believe that a fair amount
of people use that facility for a wide variety of
healthy community building activities.
I saw a letter posted on the board there last
week asking for interested parties to submit
proposals by April 15th ... has the public been
informed? Has there been a debate? You must
forgive me once again for any prejudice. I
have been living very near to Montpelier for
24 years and have found it lacking in amenities for its citizens ... attractions as simple as
a nice public park, centrally located, where
kids can play and people gather, are missing.
Your citizens look to Montpelier as home, a
place to live, work, grow and participate in the
things that enhance the quality of life. Selling
the Recreation Department building will take
away much joy, needed opportunities for sharing good and healthy times with neighbors,
and for what a business to tax? You can't put
a price on a healthy community, which is made
up of healthy people, which the recreation
department's open doors have been inviting.
You might not have a visible attractive park
that tourists might take advantage of, but the
hidden gem, old bricks and all, is well known
to, and used by many. I'd hate to see it lost.
PS: Please feel free to do the research. I might
be overzealous about how many people participate, but it is a decent place and deserves to be
used by many more to come.
Bill Kelly, East Montpelier

Suicide Prevention Needs Senate Help

Editor:
Over the past 10 years, Vermonts state suicide
death rates have averaged 30 percent higher
than the national rates. It is the second leading
cause of death of all Vermonters age 14 to 35
and the third leading cause for ages 35 to 44

THE BRIDGE

and in the top ten for all Vermonters. It turns

out that the idea that if someone wants to kill
themselves, they will find a way is a myth.
Studies that follow people who made serious
suicide attempts find that more than 90 percent of them do not go on to die by suicide
(Owens, 2002) when they are identified as
suicidal and get effective treatment and follow up services. The Vermont Department of
Mental Health has made a small new request
of $72,000 to the Veront Suicide Prevention
Center which was removed from the house
budget. Presently the state allocates $100,000
for suicide prevention, a woefully small commitment to a pressing public health problem
for which there are effective means of prevention if they can be adopted into best practice across multiple sectors: education, health
care and community providers. It is a complex
problem which requires multiple solutions and
many people play an important role. The first
place to start is to prioritize this very small
request in the version of the senate budget to
be approved this week, so we can build on the
work we have done in Vermont to address this
problem.
The Vermont Suicide Prevention Center is a program of the Center for Healthy Living.
Board of Directors, Center for Health and Learning
Richard Paul
Gene Fullam
Dan MacArthur
Jan Bouch
Connie Gavin
Frank Dike
JoEllen Tarallo-Falk

Thank You, Good People

Editor:
Some months ago, I required surgery for
detached retinas in both eyes. Dr. Michelle
Young repaired first one and then the other.
Both surgeries went well but required a long
recovery, with my lying first on my side for
one eye and face down for a longer period
for the other. It wasn't painful, but it was
awkward and boring. Fortunately, I had the
support of my wife Laurie, my family and
friends. I'd like to thank Lenore Broughton,
Brian Dubie and his wife Penny for their
great, great encouragement and support. The
good people of the New School in Montpelier
were wonderful. Diane Baker shoveled our
snow in the middle of a frigid night. Susan

Kimmerly lent me a massage table that made

the face down experience easier. Linda Copping and the school's staff helped with our
autistic son Ned, even gritting our driveway
so he wouldn't slip going to his bus. I no
longer have to fumble around wearing an eye
patch like a seasick pirate and can see clearly.
One thing that is clear is how good people
can be. Thank you all. You were a blessing.
Ed Morrow, Montpelier

No Rush To Legalize Pot

Editor:

both cigarette and marijuana smoke by indicating that in the first bill proposed (which
now looks dead) there would have been no
restrictions regarding marijuana smoking in
outdoor areas. And if I literally have to gag
for breath when cigarette or marijuana smoke
wafts in my direction, what about asthma
sufferers? These concerns were hardly ameliorated when a friend who recently returned
from Colorado told me she noticed quite a
few people smoking marijuana on the streets
there.
In response to constituent appeals, a significantly modified bill S.241 recently originated
in the state house and revamped in the senate
would legalize only one ounce of marijuana
possession. That sounds like a step in the
right direction; because of my allergy I hope
it won't eventually lead to legalization allowing marijuana smoking in outdoor areas. To
reiterate, I'm one Montpelierer who agrees
with Nat Frothingham on this. What, exactly
is motivating the rush?

The "Don't Wait For Details to Legalize Pot"

letter to the editor in The Bridge's last issue
correctly summarizes historical "mis-reasons"
for illegalizing marijuana in the past. But
overlooked were some modern day concerns
which make much more convincing Nat
Frothingham's editorial two issues ago urging
detailed research before the passage of any
legalization. (Why, actually, is there such a
rush?)
Ron Merkin, Montpelier
A study recently released by the Rocky
Mountain High Intensity Trafficking Area
My Source Claims MS Curable
found that during the first year marijuana
was legally available for sale in Colorado's re- Editor:
tail stores, the rise in accident fatalities related The Montpelier Bridge story, April 720 p.
to pot missed doubling by only one percent 10, What Exactly is Multiple Sclerosis and
not only in Colorado but also the sur- Why Should We Care About It? by Marichel
rounding states of Montana, Utah and Wyo- Vaught is wrong ... stupid and harmful, handming. In 2009 ... about 10 percent of traffic holding crap.
fatalities ... were marijuana related, said Tom MS (multiple sclerosis) is caused by a simple
Gorman, director of the Rocky Mountain environmental toxin called methanol (wood
HIDTA. "Now [2014] it's 19 percent. You'd alcohol) which humans are uniquely vulnerhave to be in total denial to say this is not able to, but other (lab test) animals are not ...
related to legalizing marijuana." The statistics It is not a known chronic disease. It is poisonare based on findings from coroners deter- ing. And this is now known.
mining causes of death, police and sheriffs.
If this occurred in Colorado who's to say it I know it and others know it. And it is curwon't in Vermont and our own neighboring able. But we chronically ingest the poison.
states? What, after all, would prevent driv- See for openers: "While Science Sleeps a
ers from states like Massachusetts and New Sweetener Kills" by Dr. Woodrow C. Monte.
Hampshire from buying legal marijuana here, Yes Asparatame is indicted and a huge
smoking a joint, then getting back in their cause of multiple sclerosis ... as is smoking
cars to take highways on their ways home?
but methanol poisoning is ubiquitous
Another issue raised by more and more in modern industrial society, and there are
people I've spoken with lately is the un- many sources of it ... though avoidance is an
known effect of second hand marijuana in- easy matter and health can be regained by
halation on children. Washington County simple steps that are generally either wholly
senator Anthony Pollina recently answered unknown to modern U.S. medical science
a letter I sent him expressing concerns about or they are known but overlooked for
this and adults like myself who are allergic to god knows what reason. I suspect profit and
profitable (for someone) dependence upon expensive, lengthy-til-death-do-us-part, "medical" non-solutions are the real problem.
And bullshit.
(Like this story)

Some people are likely more susceptible to

methanol poisoning than others, but we are
all vulnerable to this poison to some degree;
and MS, Alzheimers, many cancers, diabetes
and sclerosis of all sorts are the direct result
of prolonged contact with this ubiquitous
deadly toxin ... WHILE MAINSTREAM
MEDICINE GRINDS AWAY AT US ALL ...
Who is Marichel Vaught and whom does she
represent?

Poetry

by Reuben Jackson

4/4/68

I saw DC burn
from the roof of my folks house.
King felled in Memphis.
Bouquets of anger
bum rushing the horizon.
My eyes drank the flames.
Broken glass covered
sidewalks where my Dad
explained

Emmett Till's blue fate.

When school reopenedBobby Murray became white:
a hard, angry punch.
The last white playmate
wore a sad, astonished face.
He was still our boy.
Reuben Jackson is the
host of Friday Night Jazz on
Vermont Public Radio

Dennis Morrisseau, West Pawlet

Editors Note: Marichel Vaught is the
calendar editor and designer of The Bridge. She
is the lead contact for The Bridges sponsorship
of the Montpelier MS Walk. Donate or join
the team at: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/
goto/bridgebeat.

What Do You Think?

Read something that you would like to

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 April 29.

A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016 PAG E 2 3

T H E B R I D G E

Multiple Sclerosis: Taking Care of It and Living With It

by Marichel Vaught

n the previous issue (April 7) of The

Bridge, we covered what multiple sclerosis
is, whom it affects, the different types
and the symptoms a body with the disease
can experience.
Medical Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis

Proven studies still show that there is no single cause or cure for multiple sclerosis. Eighty
percent of patients with multiple sclerosis are
diagnosed with remitting-relapsing, which
means there is a recovery time (remitting)
after experiencing symptoms (relapsing). A
variety of treatments and therapies are available to help prevent relapses that would cause
disability. However, if a patient is in one of
the progressive stages, which means there is
no recovery period and disability is present,
then the only treatment, right now, are those
to administer relief from symptoms such as
pain and bladder problems.
Currently, there are several studies and clinical trials to develop more effective treatment.
According to Dr. Andrew Solomon, assistant
professor of neurology and division chief of
the multiple sclerosis center at the University
of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington,
a drug called Ocrelizumab is in trial that
would be the first to help with progressive
multiple sclerosis and should be available
in about a year. The International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Alliance, made up
of about a dozen multiple sclerosis societies
from around the world, was developed to
provide research funding for treatment of the
progressive forms of the disease. The Alliance
reports that Ocrelizumab has been granted
Breakthrough Therapy designation by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This
type of designation can expedite the development and review of medications.
Matching the patient with the most effective
therapy for them is a challenge Our goal
is to administer not only the most effective
treatment but also the safest, said Solomon.
Right now, there are 13 medications that
work to prevent relapses and new inflammation. Depending on the drug, the medication
can be administered through an injection or
orally. There was a lot of excitement with the
oral pills, said Solomon. But last year, more
risks were found with taking oral therapies.
In the future, he hopes to see better biomarkers to determine which treatment would best
complement the patient, taking into account
the severity of the disease and how long
theyve had it.

and what is most cost-effective for them.

Solomon has seen the success acupuncture
and medical marijuana have had in relieving
pain while change of diet has given other
patients more energy.

down. She has little bladder control, fatigues

easily and is experiencing hearing loss. She
describes her balance as horrible. She has
endured several injuries due to the imbalance such as cracked ribs, a broken shoulder
Many factors increase the risk of having mul- and numerous bruises. Sancibrian either uses
tiple sclerosis age, race, gender, genetics, two canes or a wheelchair for mobility. But
despite her disability, she is fiercely indepenviral infections, environment.
dent. Emotionally, it took a lot but its not
There is overwhelming evidence that this me to dwell, said Sancibrian.
is an autoimmune disease with 150 genes
that influence the risk, said Solomon. He Sancibrian was lucky to be surrounded by
explains that two people can have the same supportive family, friends and colleagues.
genes but only one of them has multiple At around the time she was diagnosed, she
sclerosis, which means that something in the started working at Blue Cross Blue Shield
environment triggers the immune system to of Vermont in Berlin, where she is still emfail. But again, studies show, there is not one ployed. Many of her co-workers were in
the medical profession and understood, even
single cause of the disease and no cure.
better than Sancibrian, what she needed and
Dr. Solomon feels that overall, patients are what to expect.
doing better because they are being diagSancibrian has learned to cope with the disnosed and treated earlier.
ease. Ive learned to be comfortable with
The MS Center at the University of Vermont what I can do. Ive had to learn new ways of
is involved in a lot of active research in collab- doing things, to adapt. I run a lot of my eroration with National Institutes of Health, rands, like grocery shopping, at night when I
Mayo Clinic, Oregon Health and Science have more energy. If I did it in the morning,
University and Washington University. Such Id be exhausted the rest of the day I do
studies include better and new MRI tech- things for myself as much as I can.
niques in detecting multiple sclerosis and improving balance and gait in patients. A larger In October of 1996, Sancibrian saw a flyer
study is looking at the standards of care for for Walk MS in Montpelier for the following
spring and ended up putting together the
patients with multiple sclerosis.
largest team the Montpelier walk had seen.
The MS Center itself is growing. Dr. Solo- She was later asked to coordinate the Montmon will be joined by another specialist pelier walk and did so for the next few years.
in September from the Mayo Clinic. The Twenty years later, Sancibrian still volunteers
center also has a urologist and nurse practi- at the MS Walk but at the registration table
tioners that specialize in multiple sclerosis. rather than as a walk participant. She also is
The center currently sees up to 1,500 patients on the committee for the authors luncheon
from Vermont and upstate New York. They hosted annually by the Greater New England
collaborate with Sue Kasser at the Human Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis
Motions Lab at the University of Vermont Society.
to learn about beneficial exercises for balance
in patients.
Meet Julie Sancibrian

A tingling in the legs that was more annoying

than painful was what got Julie Sancibrian
to visit a doctor 20 years ago. According
to Sancibrian, her doctor said it was an
easy diagnosis because all the tests and her
symptoms clearly revealed the problem. She
had multiple sclerosis. After one year, Sancibrian became a candidate for a clinical trial
of chemotherapy treatment at Brigham and
Womens Hospital in Boston. The treatment
worked well but it couldnt go on forever.
Eventually, Sancibrian transitioned into secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis. At that
Solomon says he supports patients who time and still to this day there are no courses
choose to seek complementary alternative of treatment to lessen relapses for patients
treatments. He ultimately likes to steer pa- with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.
tients towards what makes them feel better Today, Sancibrian is numb from the waist

More effective therapies and a treatment for

the progressive forms of multiple sclerosis,
such as Ocrelizumab could be a life-changer
for Sancibrian and the 2.3 million people
with multiple sclerosis. As studies and research advance our understanding of the
disease, we can hopefully be closer to a cure
as well.

Julie Sancibrian.
Photo by Karen Pike.

The Bridge is proud to be a media sponsor

of Walk MS 2016 in Montpelier. If you are
interested in participating in the walk or
making a donation, visit walkms.org and
enter 05602 in the Find a Walk section.
People are also welcome to join The Bridges
own walking team, The Bridge Beat. Register
for that particular team at http://main.
nationalmssociety.org/goto/bridgebeat.

PAG E 24 A P R I L 21 M AY 4 , 2 016

THE BRIDGE

Wish Mom or someone

very special
A Happy Mother's Day
in The Bridge!
See details on Page 3