The Bridge, November 3, 2016

Q & A with Mayor John Hollar Pg.
November 3November 16, 2016
Photo by Michael Jermyn
IN THIS ISSUE:
Pg. 4 Early Voting in
Montpelier
Pg. 9 Atty. General
Candidates on
Opiate Issue
Pg. 11 Vermontisms
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Montpelier, VT
Permit NO. 123
Pg. 14 Poet James Facos
Stranded in the ER with a

Mental Health Crisis
by Nat Frothingham
A Phone Call to The Bridge
During the last week of September, I picked up
the following message on the office answering
machine at The Bridge a message from a
local woman with strong ties to Montpelier.
Here, in part, is what she said:
I see that your next issue will be a Mental Health
issue and our daughter just spent eight and a
half days in Central Vermont Medical Center
(Emergency Room) waiting for a psychiatric
acute care bed.
Then she went on to suggest that The Bridge
take a serious look at Emergency Room wait
times for people with serious mental health
situations.
Based on a subsequent phone conversation
with the mother, here are further details of her
daughter's stay at Central Vermont Medical
Center.
The Bridge
P.O. Box 1143
Montpelier, VT 05601
According to the mother, her adult daughter

who has been struggling with mental illness
for a number of years and who needed a new
medication was taken to the hospital on Sept.
1 where she waited in the ER from Sept. 1 to
9 when she finally got a bed at the Brattleboro
Retreat.
I wont say she didnt have care, her mother
said. She was seen by a psychiatrist. And her
mother said, The ER nursing people were
very sympathetic to the situation." Describing
the eight-and-a-half day stay, her mother
said, For the first three days or so she got
more distressed and agitated. They put her on
medication and she began to calm down. But
there were no programs they were extending.
She was sitting there all day.
As to the limitations of the emergency room,

her mother described it as a special section of
the ER with its own nurses station, a waiting
area with a table and two chairs, nailed to the
floor, and three or four bedrooms. And thats
it. Theres no way to go outside.
As for finding an acute care bed, the mother
said, The local crisis workers they were
phoning. They were trying as hard as they
can for help. If its not there, they cant make
it be there."
I feel," she concluded, "there are not enough
acute beds. If you are very ill, there may not be
a place for you.
A Shortage of Acute Care Beds
Many of Vermonts health care providers and
lay experts like Vermont House member Anne
Donahue agree that for Vermonters facing a
mental health crisis, theres a current, (systemwide) problem of having to wait in a hospital
emergency room sometimes for days at a
time before someone in need can get an
acute care bed.
What looks very much like a shortage of acute
care beds has been with us for some time.
Writing earlier this year on Jan. 3, 2016
in an article in the Valley News, reporter Rick
Jurgens cited these September 2015 statistics.
Wrote Jurgens, During September (2015), 28
adults who presented a danger to themselves
or others due to psychiatric illness were held
in Vermont hospital emergency rooms because
no space was available in facilities with highlevel psychiatric care.
Jurgens also provided a little short-term
history. That history begins with Tropical
Storm Irene that struck Vermont at the end

of August 2011 and destroyed and closed the
Vermont State Hospital, the key facility for
serving Vermonters whose psychiatric needs
were most severe.
In 2012, the Vermont Legislature, along with
Gov. Peter Shumlin, signed Act 79 into law
and committed the state to build a new $31
million, 25-bed psychiatric hospital in Berlin.
After the Psychiatric Hospital opened in 2014
those new 25 acute care beds were added to 14
such beds at the Brattleboro Retreat and six
acute beds at the Rutland Regional Hospital
for a total of 45 acute beds in all.
That was the bed-available situation in
January 2016 when Vermont Department of
Mental Health Commissioner Frank Reed said
he was seeing improvements in the "waiting
for beds" situation. But those improvements
have proved to be short-lived. Just last week
Commissioner Reed in testimony at the Joint
Health Oversight Committee, said there has
been a recent new spike in the number of
persons waiting in emergency rooms. And
some of the time those who are waiting
include children.
Looking back to September 2015, Reed
said that on an average day there were five
psychiatric patients in Vermont emergency
rooms waiting for transfers. Then in October,
Reed said to Jurgens that average fell to four
and in November (a year ago) to two.
As reported by Jurgens in his January 2016
Valley News story, Commissioner Reed said
the problems were growing pains rather than
basic flaws in the Act 79 system.
Continued on Page 8
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T H E B R I D G E
HEARD ON
THE STREET
Montpelier City Clerks Office: Open Saturday for Early Voting
MONTPELIER City Clerk John Odum announced that his office will again be open for
early voting on Saturday, Nov. 5, for four hours (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to accommodate
residents who would like to cast their November 8 general election ballots prior to next
Tuesdays election day.
Early voting numbers suggest a record-breaking turnout for next Tuesdays general election.
The Odum encourages citizens to take advantage of early voting opportunities to avoid lines
on election day.
If the Saturday hours are inconvenient for some voters who would like to take advantage of
early voting, ballots can also be cast at the City Clerks office during regular business hours up
until election day (the offices regular hours are 8 a.m.4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Election day polls open at 7 a.m. at City Hall, and close statewide at 7 p.m.
Butcher/Deli/Bar To Open On Barre Street

MONTPELIER Beau is the name of a new butcher shop, delicatessen and bar that may
open as soon as early December at 207 Barre Street in Montpelier, the former location of Salt
restaurant, and more recently, Hels Kitchen. The site has been undergoing renovations for
the past couple of months.
The two owners of Beau are Jules Guillmette, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America,
and Crystal Maderia, chef-owner of Kismet, a popular State Street restaurant that originally
opened 10 years ago in the same Barre Street space. Kismet will continue operating at its
existing location.
Maderia said that Beau, like Kismet, will feature locally-sourced meats, vegetables and
cheeses. The website for Beau states it will be a tasteful, inspiring space for people to eat and
drink. It's bold. It's beautiful. It's a place to buy delicious prepared foods, nutrient dense broths
and offers Montpelier's first authentic butcher service.
Draft Zoning to be Subject of Public Hearing Dec. 12

MONTPELIER After many years of working on a complete overhaul of the citys zoning,
the Montpelier Planning Commission has voted out a new draft that will be the subject of a
public hearing on Monday, Dec. 12. The time has not yet been set.
Planning Director Mike Miller said the final changes to the proposed zoning made by the
commission are being incorporated into a written document by zoning consultant Brandy
Saxton and should be finished in a week or so. Following the public hearing, the commission
may or may not make additional changes to the draft zoning, and will then send a final draft
to the city council, Miller said.
The council will hold at least two public hearings of its own on the proposal. Miller has been
working on the zoning with the planning commission ever since he became planning director
two and a half years ago, but said he thought the commission had been wrestling with the
topic ever since the 2010 Master Plan was adopted. Some aspects of the zoning proposal have
proven controversial and several changes have been made since the commissions last public
hearing, including some alterations suggested by the city council. Miller said he understands
the citys historic preservation commission is still unhappy with aspects of the draft. The
Bridge will include a full explanation of the complex proposal in our next issue.
Flooding, Sewage Damages Food Shelf, Benefit Shop

MONTPELIER In the late evening of Aug. 16 and early morning Aug. 17, sewage backed
up at the Trinity Methodist Church in Montpelier, flooding the basement where the Just
Basics Food Shelf and The Benefit Shop are located. Even though sewage only flooded a
couple inches, much was destroyed because the porous walls and other materials wicked
moisture up. A professional cleaning service was hired to remove everything necessary, which
included flooring, walls (up two feet high), shelving and a freezer. The plumbing fixtures in
both bathrooms also had to be replaced. Food that was refrigerated and frozen was distributed.
Since then, the offerings of the Food Shelf have been much depleted. The Church has
generously provided tables in their Fellowship Hall for the Food Shelf to display some of
their offerings. Commodities in the basement can be accessed by staff. While the staff and
volunteers of Just Basics are doing their best to offer the much needed service (on the first
floor) without the physical infrastructure of their former location, there are many more limits.
Jaime Bedard, executive director of Just Basics estimates they are able to provide as much as
two thirds of their former services if recipients ask for things on the basement levels.
This service is critical as we are going into winter, a time for great need.
Development Corp. Members Named

MONTPELIER Recent appointments to the newly formed Montpelier Corporation are as
follows: Elinor Bacon, Tim Heney, Sarah Jarvis, Harrison Kahn, Bill Kaplan, Robert Kasow,
Cheryl LaFrance, Michael Nobles and Steve Ribolini. The group is in place to stimulate local
economic development.
Vermont Stars Come out for Lost Nation Theater

in LNT-Aid Nov. 17
An all-star concert to benefit Montpelier's theater company will feature, in alphabetical order,
actor and writer Rusty DeWees, singer-songwriter Jon Gailmor, bluesman Dave Keller, stand-up
comic Maggie Lenz, physical comedian Tom Murphy and singing raconteur George Woodard in
concert. Soundman Bennett Shapiro of MadTech Sound will provide the audio engineering. Tom
Moog of Sweet Melissas will supply the cash bar.
The show will be held on Thurs., Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Montpelier City Hall Arts Center
located at 39 Main St. All tickets are $25. For tickets and more information call 229-0492 or visit
lostnationtheater.org.
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Nature Watch
Thank
You!
by Nona Estrin
Cascades of Golden Leaves, then Grey
his week we celebrated

gold. On October 27, Barbe
called, "The gingko leaves
are falling!" I hurried down
the hill to Barre street to stand with
others, in the still morning, and witness countless yellow fans letting loose
in a flurry of pattering, whirling leaf
drop. And today when the sun finally
came out, after two weeks of grey, off
we went to Chickering Fen where we
basked for a while in the brassy glow
of the tameracks ringing the bog in
warm light.
THE BRIDGE
Breaking Early Voting Records in Montpelier

by Nat Frothingham
MONTPELIER In a quick weekend phone conversation
on Oct. 30 with Montpelier City Clerk John Odum, he
said that early voting for the upcoming Nov. 8 presidential
election has already broken local records.
Were seeing early voting like nothing weve seen before, he
told The Bridge.
From his listening post at the clerks office at City Hall, he
explained the increased enthusiasm for early voting in two or
three ways.
First, Odum said that more people are aware of the early
voting option. Its not new anymore.
Second, he said, Its being driven in part by the (political)
campaigns. Yes, yes, he said, they are pushing for early
voting.
Third, and here he emphasized that he was frankly
speculating, But Ill tell you what Im hearing from voters
every day. That the presidential election has exhausted them.
And a lot of people are coming in early to vote to be done
with it at a personal level.
When Odum was asked for an up-to-the-minute number of
early voters, he said, Well, by the time you go to print, the
number will no longer be accurate. But by Thursday when
you publish, I expect the early voting number to be about
1,300 people.
Odum went from talking about early voting to talking about
the current size of the Montpelier checklist of registered voters.
Our checklist is bloated right now, he said. Registered
voters are now at 6,300 people. Its high. We need to do some
work on that.
But whether the checklist is high or not, Odum thinks that
about one out of five Montpelier voters are voting by early
ballot right now. And he thinks that by polling day on Nov.
8, that number could rise to one out of four voters.
Odum doesnt think that early voting means that fewer
Montpelier voters will vote. Its not suppressing turnout, he
said about early voting.
Odum is highly confident about the security of Montpeliers

voting system. Im not worried about rigging or hacking
the voting machines, he said. Theyre impenetrable.
When Odum was reminded that a recent report found a
very high incidence of embezzlement in Vermont including
town and municipal offices, Odum said he thought our
voting system was not at all like a town or city computerized
financial system. He said municipal financial systems are
linked meaning that more than just one person has access
to financial systems. But voting system are stand-alone
systems, he emphasized.
Odum added that the City of Montpeliers voting machines
have a paper ballot back-up. He said that the federal
government requires that these paper ballots have to be
saved for 22 months after the election.
On Election Day, Nov. 8, polls in Montpelier will open at
7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Odum is inviting anyone who wants to vote with an early
ballot to visit the City Clerks office at Montpelier City
Hall during regular hours from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
As he has done in other recent elections, Odum is inviting
voters to vote early at City Hall on Saturday, Nov. 5 from
10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
When he was asked why the presidential election was being
held on Nov. 8 instead of on Tuesday, Nov. 1 Odum was
momentarily at a loss for words.
But only momentarily. He went right online and found the
federal language from early in the 19th century to explain
whats happening.
The presidential election is to be held on the first Tuesday
of November, except that the first Tuesday must follow
the first Monday in November. If like this year, the first
Tuesday follows Oct. 31 that doesnt work. Thus Election
Day this year is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Montpelier City Clerk John Odum.

Photo by Michael Jermyn
VOTE!
Election Day is
November 8
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T H E B R I D G E
Vermont Press Assocation Debate: Gubernatorial

Candidates Talk Economy, Environment
by Abby LeDoux
COLCHESTER Candidates for Vermonts top

political office squared off Oct. 23 in a 90-minute debate
that focused heavily on the economy, environment and
education.
Republican Phil Scott of Berlin and Democrat Sue Minter
of Waterbury both participated in the Vermont Press
Associations Debate Sunday at St. Michaels College in
Colchester. Liberty Union candidate Bill Spaceman Lee
of Craftsbury did not attend.
Scott and Minter both called for a more affordable Vermont
with greater opportunity but differed in their strategies to
achieve it.
Scott, the three-term lieutenant governor and former state
senator, pledged a departure from the last six years of over
promising and under achieving. Minter, former secretary
of transportation and state representative, vowed to level
the playing field for working families.
The candidates agreed a lack of affordable housing and a
highly trained workforce are barriers to growing Vermonts
economy. Scott argued for tax incentives to expand
affordable housing and for more technical education.
Minter offered her plan of two years of tuition-free
community and technical college to all eligible Vermonters
to prepare high school graduates for employment in sectors
like advanced manufacturing and clean energy.
Already responsible for more than 16,000 jobs in Vermont,
the latter is key to economic growth and attracting young
people to the state, Minter said.
Both candidates are committed to the states goal of
meeting 90 percent of its energy needs from renewable
sources by 2050. Minters energy plan includes reducing
peak electric demand by 10 percent over the next five
years, and Scotts emphasizes the importance of storage and
power on demand.
Scott said wind power, though, has cost Vermonts pristine
ridgelines. Minter said shes for well-sited wind to reduce
carbon emissions.
I know that climate change is not just real, it is here, she
said. We need a leader whos ready to take it on.
Minter suggested Scott is beholden to special interest
contributors like the oil tycoon Koch brothers who partly
fund the Republican Governors Association, which
supports Scotts campaign.
I dont know who the Koch brothers are; Ive never met
them, Scott rebutted. My understanding is they dont
invest in moderate centrists like myself.
He challenged Minter for supporting a carbon tax, a charge
she flatly denied.
I do not support a carbon tax, Phil, and you continue to
say that I do, Minter said last Sunday. I do not support
Vermont going it alone. I think it will hurt Vermonters.

Minter was less unequivocal in her response to the same
question at an Oct. 18 debate hosted by WCAX. VTDigger
reported Minter said then she would have to wait and see,
noting there was no bill in front of her, but was against
Vermont taking on the issue alone.
Scott said in both debates he would veto a carbon tax bill
if he was governor.
On Sunday, Scott asked how Vermonters could trust
Minter would make the state more affordable given a
record he said reflects approving higher taxes.
Minter insisted she would hold the line on income and
sales taxes, pledging not to hurt the middle class. Instead,
she said, she will close loopholes that benefit the wealthy,
alleging her opponent would do the opposite.
Phils plan for economic development really looks like
something out of national Republican talking points,
Minter said. I think we have learned that trickle-down
economics does not work.
The candidates found some common ground in education,
agreeing declining student enrollment and rising per pupil
costs are unsustainable.
The legislatures attempt to remedy that was Act 46,
which Scott deemed a hurried attempt to help Vermonters
screaming for relief from property taxes. He said the law
fell short in promises to contain costs and maintain high
school choice.
Minter acknowledged these conversations are far more
difficult in rural areas and said shed extend the laws
timeline by one year to reduce the pressure on critical
decision-making.
Though quick to distance himself from the Democratic
governor, Scott credited Gov. Peter Shumlin for his
approach to the states opiate crisis. Scott said he would
implement a plan that appeared similar to Minters: Both
call for a dedicated taskforce with a point-person reporting
directly to the governor.
Minter likened that position to hers as the states Tropical
Storm Irene recovery officer. She also emphasized
prevention and treatment efforts, proposing the state
examine prescribing patterns and better coordinate law
enforcement agencies.
The addiction discussion dovetailed with that of mental
health, an area both candidates agreed needs improvement.
Scott wants designated agencies to have proper staffing and
resources and to consider another facility beyond the 25bed state hospital for long-term placement.
Im not convinced we need more acute care facilities, but
we need better treatment when people need it, Minter
countered. She called for parity of mental and physical
health, an objective she said requires de-stigmatizing

mental illness.
For Scott, mental health was at the core of gun violence.
When Minter asked Scott to join her in supporting
universal background checks for gun sales, he declined.
We need to focus on the root of the problem, which is
going to require a lot more hard work than simply reducing
our constitutional right, he said. If I thought further gun
restrictions would stop any violent crimes, I would consider
it.
Minter said in states requiring background checks for
private gun sales, nearly 50 percent fewer women are shot
to death by their partners.
Those seeking to do harm will use whatever sources are
available to them to fulfill their act, Scott countered,
advocating for enforcing current gun laws.
As the debate neared its end, candidates were asked to
identify five specific people excluding family they
would seek counsel from as governor.
Minter named only one, her predecessor, former
Transportation Secretary Brian Searles, calling him
a mentor. She offered groups, including legislators and
teachers. Scott offered only two by name: former Gov. Jim
Douglas and Grand Isle-Chittenden Sen. Dick Mazza,
a Colchester Democrat that Scott counts as an ardent
supporter. Scott said the other advisers might not be happy
to hear their names mentioned in public.
Scott argued an effective leader reaches across the aisle,
and an Oct. 19 Vermont Public Radio poll conducted by
the Castleton Polling Institute suggested hes successful
in that: Though the poll showed Scott and Minter in a
dead heat overall, it also found Scott winning 14 percent
of Democrats votes with Minter getting 4 percent of
Republicans.
Scott has broken with party rule in supporting abortion
rights and marriage equality, the latter which cost him
some friendships, he said. He was also far quicker than
fellow Vermont Republicans to rebuke GOP presidential
nominee Donald Trump, saying that hurt him in the
primary.
Minter identified integrity as her core defining principle, a
trait she said her father instilled with Shakespeares credo,
to thine own self be true, one she passed on through
coaching youth sports for 13 years.
Scott said his top value is the golden rule to treat others
the way one wants to be treated in his case, with respect
and dignity.
Our nation is so deeply divided and politics have become
so polarized, but it doesnt have to be that way in Vermont,
he said. Hillary Clinton is right: Our children are watching
us.
THE BRIDGE
Whats the Scoop with the City Managers Job?

by Nat Frothingham and Carla Occaso
n a recent status update interview between The Bridges publisher Nat Frothingham and
Montpelier Mayor John Hollar, they discussed the topic of City Manager Bill Frasers
employment contract. It turns out, according to further research, the six-member city
council is split three to three about whether to renew Frasers contract. Hollar is the tie-splitting
opinion, and he has sided with nonrenewal. The Bridge reached out to other council members
and also to Fraser to see what is going on. The news of Frasers employment status came to
light following a story published October 28 written by Eric Blaisdell for the Times Argus
newspaper.
The Bridge: Can you comment about whats been happening with the employment status of
City Manager Bill Fraser?
John Hollar: Bill Fraser had requested input from the council on his performance. That
precipitated the discussion last week, although it is likely we would have had a meeting in any
event to discuss his contract.
This has been a very difficult issue for the council. We have been sharply divided for more than
a year as to whether or not to renew Bills contract. In order to be successful and effective, the
manager needs to have the confidence of the majority of the council and that has not been the
case for a long time. A significant reason for me (for not renewing his contract) is the need to
have a manager who enjoys the support of the council.
Councilors have shared a variety of concerns with the manager over the past year. Some of these
issues have improved. Others have not. I sided with those who chose not to renew the contract.
The Bridge: How specific can you be about the pluses or minuses of his performance?
Hollar: Im not comfortable about going into the specifics of a personnel matter. I dont think
its respectful of Bill or good for the City to have a public debate about his job performance.
This is not a position with lifetime tenure. Our charter authorizes the council by majority vote
to terminate a city manager and our contract with Bill provides the same terms.
Its unfortunate that some very personal attacks have been made about the decision. I dont
think negative personal attacks should have a place in this discussion or in our community.
(Editor's Note: The above section was part of a longer interview by Nat Frothingham with
Mayor Hollar. The rest of Hollars Q&A, regarding other topics, is on page 7.)
Following this interview, The Bridge asked the six city councilors and Fraser to weigh in by
email. Below is input from those who chose to respond:
Councilor Dona Bate:
Bate told The Bridge she did not have time to fully answer, and referred us to another news
outlet, but not before saying, I would add that if the council followed Bill's example of
leadership, we would have a council that worked together as a team, which would welcome
innovative management ideas.
In an article published by vtdigger.org on October 27, Bate said, Its against the law to
do what they did. The process was not a fair, due process. Three council members and
the mayor had discussions, conversations, outside the open meeting process, and made this
decision, and then shared it with the rest of us after the fact.
Bate learned of her peers intention to seek a new city manager on Monday, the same day
Hollar informed Fraser. Bate accused Hollar of orchestrating the decision. Hollar said he had
brought concerns of his own to both council members and Fraser about a year ago, but said in
recent months council members had approached him to express their own concerns.
Councilor Anne Watson:
I think the council should renew Bill's contract because he has managed the city well for more
than two decades. He continues to serve the city expertly and with integrity, and we continue
to make progress on a lot of really exciting projects. Every council meeting we review the goals
of the city council, and you can see the progress that's been made on each one, and while some
goals take longer to achieve than others, we're very clearly making progress on all fronts.
Councilor Jean Olson
As the newest elected city councilor, my vision has consistently included grand list growth,
population expansion and creating opportunity for transformational projects building on
Montpeliers significant strengths. Effective leadership is based on the right skills at the right
time in an organizations development. As someone who is looking forward, I believe we
will benefit from a creator/innovator at this time more than a maintainer. Neither skill set is
inherently better than the other; the true value is based on timing. I want us to maximize our
opportunity for the future, therefore, I voted for change in our leadership.
Councilor Jessica Edgarly Walsh:
City councils difficult task in contracting any manager is to match the managers skills,
experience and leadership style with the needs of the community, and the vision of the elected
council. Few managers serve a single community for as long as Bill has served Montpelier,
and he has led our community through much from emergency management of floods and
a rock slide, to development projects on Stone Cutters Way and the transition to our central
biomass heating plant.
Still, Montpelier continues to lose population and struggles to add housing, while nearby
communities like Waterbury, Berlin, and Middlesex maintain or grow. I believe a change in
City Hall leadership will help our community make some of the changes we want, but have
struggled to attain.
From Council Member Justin Turcotte:
Thank you taking the time to reach out to me on this matter. It is not one that I take lightly.
Out of respect for Bill's future I have been reluctant to make public statements about the factors
that have contributed to my decision not to renew his contract. I would also like to be clear
that this decision was not because of illegal behavior on the city managers part and is not in
anyway a reflection on city staff.
I am glad that that folks want to better understand how we arrived at our decision, it means
they care about our city. The information that was used in the public and private evaluations
I have participated in, is personal to the city manager and part of a typical human resources
process.
There is an understandable amount of anger, and mud slinging going on right now and out
of respect for my fellow councillors the mayor, and the city manager, I am choosing not to
fan those flames. Rest assured that after being directly involved, listening to the residents of
my district, consulting with other community members who have been directly involved, and
attempting to work with the city manager during the last contract renewal, this is a decision
that I came to on my own.
For the benefit of city staff, residents and the city manager my focus is on our transition
timeline and making sure city staff has the support they need as we move forward.
City Manager William Fraser:
Its been my honor and privilege to serve as city manager in Montpelier for over two decades.
I would certainly like to continue with the good work that our team is doing and with the
exciting projects that are on the way. I am proud of my work here. While I disagree with
certain statements of fact, I do agree that it is important for the council and manager to work
well together. The majority of the current council told me last week that their intention is not
to renew my contract. Until we reach final resolution of my status, I will continue to work
professionally for the best interests of the city.
Got a news tip? We want to know!

Send it to us at: editorial@montpelierbridge.com
T H E B R I D G E
A Status Update on Montpelier:
Sidewalks, Berlin Pond,

Development and Beyond
by Nat Frothingham
The Bridge: Can you comment on paving and sidewalk improvements?
Montpelier Mayor John Hollar: There have been some noticeable improvements this
year, including the new sidewalk along East State Street that I used to walk here.Next
year, we will see some substantial repaving, including all of Main Street and Route 12
to the city line, and all of State Street from Bailey to Main. A number of smaller streets
will be paved as well.
The Bridge: And the bike path?
Hollar: We are close to acquiring the necessary easements for that project, with
construction scheduled for next year.
The Bridge: What about redeveloping the block above Aubuchons?
Hollar: That project is almost certainly going to happen. We are waiting for a decision
on a grant from the State of Vermont, and that is the last piece of major funding that
Downstreet Housing needs to move forward. That organization has done tremendous
work in putting this project together. It will be a great addition to downtown Montpelier.
The Bridge: I understand that a boat launch is to be built out onto Berlin Pond next
spring. Whats the impact of that?
Hollar: The city engineers believe that recreational access to the pond could have an
impact on the quality of citys water supply. Those impacts could force us to make a
sizeable investment to our water treatment infrastructure. A boat launch will increase
those risks.
The Bridge: Are there actions the city can take?
Hollar: Were still exploring options. There is a question as to whether the state has
access to the right-of-way to build that boat ramp. Were exploring that option, along
with options related to our Source Water Protection Plan.
The Bridge: The city has created a local development corporation. How is it to be paid
for?
Hollar: The new local development corporation will be charged with attracting new
private sector investment in Montpelier to increase jobs and economic growth. Weve
committed $100,000 per year to support it. Those are fund that are dedicated from the
new local options tax. We said at the outset that those funds would be used for roads and
sidewalks, housing and economic development.
We often have outstanding applications for the citys boards and commissions. In the case
of the new local development corporation, Im particularly impressed by the quality of the
individuals who applied and were appointed to sit on that board.
The Bridge: In the long-term, we need to rebuild our water and sewer systems. How will
we do that?
Hollar: We do have a plan for that. It will require some modest increase in sewer and
water rates over the years. Its a 50-year plan. But it will address our aging infrastructure.
The Bridge: Zoning changes, it strikes me we have made large compromises. How do
you feel about the proposed zoning changes?
Hollar: In terms of the overall product, I am going to withhold judgment until I see what
the planning commission gives us.
The Bridge: Im aware that the city is thinking about a new Community Services
Department to include recreation, the senior center, parks and trees, and the cemetery.
Will this new department add employees?
Hollar: No, this will not add employees. These departments provide services that often
overlap. By consolidating those department, we can hopefully deliver those services more
effectively at the same or lower cost. The cemetery commission, which is a separately
chartered entity, has opted not to be included in these plans.
The Bridge: How are you feeling about Montpelier these days?
Hollar: We have a lot of work to do, but there are some good projects in the works and
some exciting potential investment in Montpelier that I hope I can talk about soon. Im
very bullish.
THE BRIDGE
Vermonters with Severe Mental Health Problems Stranded in Emergency Rooms

Continued from Page 1
Rep. Anne Donahue
Rep. Anne Donahue who has served in the Vermont House
since 2003 has had a long involvement in mental health affairs.
She is editor of Counterpoint, a newspaper on mental health
issues that circulates across Vermont and she is also the ranking
(Republican) member of the House Committee on Health.
In the Summer 2016 issue of Counterpoint and in a phone
contact with The Bridge, Donahue weighed in on the current
question of mental health care in general and what some people
claim is an insufficiency of acute care beds in the state system.
As part of the phone discussion Donahue hit on a few of the
subtleties that influence the state's ability to supply enough beds
to meet the demand.
In Vermont, we place a value on finding an acute care bed
for patients close to where they live. Then there's a difference
between going to the hospital to set a broken bone or to treat a
heart problem.
With someone who is facing a mental health crisis, that person
(and these are a minority of patient admissions) may not think
they need to be at the hospital. Or as Donahue said, "You
are taken against your will. And you are in the custody of
the mental health system. That means the State of Vermont
has an obligation to provide the care you
need," she pointed out. Once such care is
mandated, she said, "there's an extra level
of responsibility. The state is responsible."
In planning the number of acute care beds
that are needed in Vermont, Donahue said
there would always be "an ebb and flow"
of need. "You need a certain amount of
excess capacity to address that ebb and
flow," she said.
bed and that person is getting better and could be transferred

to a less intensive level of care. But there might be court-ordered
medication. That can keep people in the system for months
and months, he said. Or if there is violence. In that situation,
they may not choose to expedite.
In a follow-up comment about violence, Anne Donahue suggested
that it be clearly stated that "the number of involuntary patients
in Vermont, and the further subset of those with a 'propensity
for violence' represent a very small minority of individuals."
Very, very few of the people in Vermont who are facing a
mental health crisis are violent. But there's still a problem. Said
Donahue, "The problem is that even one person who cannot
be discharged for, say, six months, is tying up a bed that would
serve six patients, if the average length of stay is a month."
Gifford Hospital Reacts
In the Valley News story on wait times in Vermont hospital
emergency rooms, writer Rick Jurgens interviewed Jill Olson
who is vice president for policy and legislative affairs for the
Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems.
Olson described Gifford as a small Vermont hospital, and these
were her words, a 25-bed facility with four private rooms and
one shared bay in its emergency department ... Such hospitals
Olson observed, are especially vulnerable
to any sudden ebb and flow of arriving
patients, waiting patients, patients being
discharged.
This is our emergency

in the emergency room ...
Were not providing good
care. Were not capable
of doing a good job. Were
not doing the right thing
for these patients.
Then as Commissioner Reed pointed out in a phone contact

with The Bridge, you may have someone whose placement is
governed by the judicial system. Perhaps someone was judged
not competent to stand trial. OK. So now that person is
stabilized. Can that person be released? The court might well
take this position, This was a serious crime. Were not ready to
have them released yet.
So on any day, there may be a complicated push-pull between a
nursing home, or a hospital, or the judicial system as psychiatric
patients wait in emergency rooms for placement.
In his phone contact with The Bridge, Commissioner Reed
referred to another impediment that could further complicate
efforts to deal with overlong wait times for severely ill mental
health patients.
He was referring to the (2016) Kuligoski vs. Brattleboro Retreat
case involving a man with severe mental illness who had been
a patient at the Brattleboro Retreat, but then released. Some
months after his release, this man attacked and seriously injured
a furnace repairman at work in his apartment. In a case that
divided the Supreme Court, the majority issued a ruling that
said mental health care providers have a responsibility to inform
and educate patients and patient caretakers of known risks in
caring for dangerously mentally ill patients.
We are seeing a spike in our wait times, said Commissioner
Reed about the situation at present. Then Reed took note of the
Supreme Court decision that he said, places a higher burden on
inpatient and outpatient (mental health) providers.
We are seeing a significant increase in individuals being held
involuntarily, Reed said. And some of these individuals may
have a propensity for violence or may be (in the language of the
Vermont Supreme Court) in the zone of danger after release.
This is slowing down the system. We have inpatient providers
who are slower at discharging patients. So the beds are not
available.
Reed further explained the bottleneck of what he called a stepdown situation. Lets say you have someone in an acute care
When asked if the problem was state budgets, Knapp replied,

Thats a large driver of it state budgets, he agreed.
Weve created a decentralized system that has fewer beds than it
had in the past. Im not knowledgeable about the state budget,
he added parenthetically. We created a decentralized system
with less capacity.
Dr. Phil Brown talked about different levels of acuity.
Because of our staffing model (at Central Vermont Medical
Center), we are able to take care of most patients. But our
facility is not equipped to take care of level one, the sickest of
the sick, patients. Then he named the three facilities that are
so equipped, the Rutland Regional Hospital, the Brattleboro
Retreat and the new Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital in
Berlin.
Knapp reported on the present moment. In the past month our
(psychiatric) unit has been consistently full. Ive had a full unit
all week. Then he mentioned three to five persons who have
been waiting in the hospitals emergency room.
This is an active problem, he said. Its not going away. There
may be times when it appears to be improving. Every time we
think it will improve, we are proved wrong.
On this subject his final comment was, Theres a lack of
capacity in the system.
Rep. Mary Hooper
Even one patient overnight has a big

effect on the ability to provide care for
that patient (and) to provide care for other
patients, she said in the Valley News
article.
In a phone conversation with The Bridge former Montpelier

Mayor and Vermont House member Mary Hooper expressed a
ready concern for people facing a severe mental health crisis who
have to wait sometimes for days to get the help they need.
And the subsequent comment from

Gifford's Jessica Ryan who is director of
nursing adds a general understanding to
what it means to be a small hospital faced
with someone with a mental health crisis
who needs a bed and appropriate care.
But Hooper did not immediately call for adding to the states
number of acute care psychiatric beds.
When you are placing a person who has

a severe psychiatric problem, they may
have an important relationship with
a psychiatrist. Or they may be suited Joseph Woodin, Gifford
for transfer to a nursing home. But as
Donahue advised, "In Vermont, there are no nursing homes In discussing Gifford's emergency room, Ryan cited some
with a specialty for patients who need both nursing home care interesting figures. She said that Gifford's emergency room sees
and psychiatric care." Donahue added another concern as well. about 7,800 patients each year (and) treated 687 patients with
She said that in general, nursing homes "don't want to admit psychiatric complaints during the four-month period that ended
people who need psychiatric care. Such people might be stable Sept. 30 (2015), including six patients who remained there for
upon admission, but then they could experience an episode and more than two days.
need to be hospitalized again, and there would be no beds to Ryan also added, One patient waited for nine days and, at one
accommodate them.
point, there were three psychiatric patients in the ER, she said.
Vermont Mental Health Commissioner Frank Reed
needs a great deal of attention) into that unit.
Ryan went on to talk about care for some of the more challenging
psychiatric patients. Treating psychiatric patients can be labor
intensive. When chemical or physical restraints are used to
subdue a patient, at least four and optimally six staff members
are needed, Ryan said in the Valley News article.
Speaking about the big picture issues, Gifford Hospital
Administrator Joseph Woodin talked about what it was like for
Gifford when their ER was swamped with psychiatric patients.
This is our emergency in the emergency room, he said about
the impacts of helping psychiatric patients at a smaller hospital.
Were not providing good care. Were not capable of doing a
good job. Were not doing the right thing for these patients.
Two Central Vermont Medical Center Doctors Weigh In
In a conversation about long waiting times and a shortage of
acute care psychiatric beds, two CVMC doctors spoke by phone
with The Bridge.
Dr. Justin Knapp is the hospitals Medical Director of Psychiatry
and Dr. Phil Brown is the hospital's Chief Medical Officer.
The lead-off question was the obvious one, Could such an
event have happened where someone with a mental health crisis
waited for more than eight days to get an acute care bed?
Absolutely, yes, said Knapp, noting that this problem extends
beyond Vermont? Its across the country where state mental
health budgets are getting cut.
If you break your leg or have a stroke, you will get acute care
and rehab across the continuum. But if you have an acute mental
health emergency you may get good community mental health
care which he said was good in Vermont. But our problem is
access to level one beds.
When asked again, and pointedly, in the specific case of the
woman who waited in the hospitals emergency room for more
than eight days what happened? Knapp said bluntly,
Our unit was full. And there were no beds anywhere else.
Then Knapp suggested a complication, saying, There are times
when I have responsibilities to everyone in our unit. There may
be times when it may not work to bring in another patient (who
Its not right for the patient, not right for the care providers, the
doctors, nurses aides all of them, she said.
Instead, in delivering mental health care services, she started by

talking about the states commitment to a continuum of care
model.
We created a continuum of care, from services in the community
on an ongoing basis for people who have a non-acute issue, all
the way up to folks in a desperate situation who need the highest
level of care.
That was the model we adopted, she continued. I am
concerned that we stand by our word on that model. I dont
know that we have the right number of acute care beds. I do
know that something is very wrong. And we need to sort it out.
Hooper suggested that the problem may be more complicated
than simply adding acute care beds. It may be that people who
are taking up the acute care beds need to go to a step down
situation. But I dont want to throw money at the problem. That
would be easy to say. We might build those beds and they get
filled up and we would not have solved the problem.
Hooper acknowledged a clear difference between treating
ordinary medical problems like a broken bone or a heart
condition and treating people with severe mental health
problems.
Its not just my leg is broken and I need it taken care of. Thats
a discrete and defined problem, she said. Then she discussed
people with some of the more severe mental health problems.
These are people with complex health care needs. Its hard to
find the right solution for these people. Even though its hard, its
our responsibility to provide care for these people with difficult
situations.
Hooper said that she finds it disturbing that we dont have
the same commitment to people who have problems with
mental health issues as we do with others. In my mind, its the
same obligation, she said.
T H E B R I D G E
Attorney General Candidates Make Opiate Fight A Priority

by Courtney Lamdin
COLCHESTER The two major party candidates for
Vermonts next attorney general faced off at the Vermont
Press Associations debate last Sunday afternoon, drawing
out their differences but also finding some common ground,
particularly with the states opioid crisis.
Democrat TJ Donovan of South Burlington and Republican
Deb Bucknam of Walden debated for the fourth time this
election season as part of Debate Sunday, this time at the
McCarthy Arts Center at St. Michaels College.
VOTE!
Election Day is
November 8
Liberty Union Party member Rosemarie Jackowski of Bennington was invited but did not
attend.
The candidates also considered police body camera

footage and prosecutors sometimes-hesitation to release
it, particularly in the latest officer-involved shooting in
Winooski.
Bucknam thinks police too often use the excuse that
releasing information could help suspects. She also cited the
states refusal to release documents pertaining to the EB-5
investment program scandal.
There is an investigation going on, but that doesnt give the state carte blanche to keep all its
records. That investigation could be five years long, and the public has a need to know, she said.
Vermont is not doing that well in regard to transparency.
Both candidates named Vermonts opiate epidemic a top priority. Donovan, the states attorney
in Chittenden County for 10 years, said his approach includes taking down drug dealers,
holding pharmaceutical companies responsible and expanding treatment opportunities.
Donovan deals with this issue daily, saying attorneys must consider the investigations integrity.
He also said all first-responders should carry Narcan, an overdose reversal drug that he credited
for saving 700 lives in Burlington over two years.
The candidates also discussed the importance of helping everyday Vermonters.
Bucknam, a St. Johnsbury attorney, said she has a seven-point plan to combat the terrible
disease of addiction, which includes both treatment and prevention. Bucknam wants to form a
taskforce of law enforcement, educators and human services agencies to analyze what programs
work in Vermont.
Bucknam added police should leverage the states small size and collaborate, and as attorney
general, shed facilitate meetings between stakeholder agencies.
Donovan said all Vermonters dont have the same access to justice, including a program like his
Rapid Intervention Community Court Program that diverts addicts from prosecution in favor
of treatment after arrest.
Theres no jail cell thats going to cure that disease, he said. We need to invest in the
community. We need to invest in breaking down the barriers in access to care.
But for offenders who are sentenced to prison time, for drug offenses or otherwise, Donovan and
Bucknam disagreed on Vermonts practice of sending prisoners to out-of-state, private prisons.
Donovan said it seems less expensive, but the cost doesnt account for recidivism, which is higher
for those inmates. He said Vermont needs to reduce its in-state prison population, suggesting the
state adopt a compassionate release program and consider mental illness in prison.
Our jails should not be our largest mental health facility in this state but unfortunately are,
he said.
Bucknam said the state should conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the prison contracts, which
she said saves $9 million annually. Those funds could be used to address housing and drug
treatment for offenders, she said.
If we can bring them all back (to Vermont), I think thats a great idea, she said, noting her
own clients have family members doing time outside Vermont, but with any organization, there
must be priorities.
Why would you ever put some evidence out to the public that could possibly taint an
eyewitness testimony? he said. That is the issue with body cameras.
Donovan said hed focus on kitchen table issues with a small business resource center. Before
Vermonts GMO labeling law became effective, Donovan said he spoke with a shop owner
concerned about compliance. The AGs office sent him a pamphlet, which instructed, Do not
call us, Donovan said.
Thats exactly what has to change, he said. We should be doing everything we can to help.
Bucknam agreed but said shell focus on small businesses by creating a protection unit, which
will contact state agencies on Vermonters behalf and work with them to clarify regulations.
Later in the debate, the candidates considered if Donovan was elected, whether he would resign
early to allow Gov. Peter Shumlin to appoint a new states attorney, or if the new governor should
appoint one in January.
Donovan and Bucknam both called the question presumptuous, but Donovan said hed serve
until January, allowing the new governor to find his successor. He hopes that person would be a
Democrat recommended from a party caucus, he said. He said the tradition is for both parties
to send names to the governor.
Bucknam chose instead to say if shes elected, she would have to close her practice, and her clients
would have to find new representation.
The candidates were also both asked whom theyre supporting in the presidential election.
Donovan said, unequivocally, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Bucknam eventually said
shes undecided but stressed her political beliefs wont affect her decisions if elected attorney
general.
THE BRIDGE
Time For The Hunger Mountain

Co-op Wellness Fair
by Ashley Witzenberger
MONTPELIER Its that time of year again! The Hunger Mountain Co-op will host the
23rd annual Food & Wellness Fair this Saturday, Nov. 5. More than 60 vendors will gather in
Montpelier City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Food & Wellness Fair is a free community
event that showcases local foods as well as an array of health and wellness resources available in
our community. Indulge in copious amounts of food, drink and wellness product and services.
You will be amazed at all of the local talent and offerings in one place.
Start your morning with a tasting of hometown favorite, Capitol Grounds sampling Hermit
Thrush, Ethiopian Sidamo, Full City Nicaragua and Peru Decaf coffees. If you are getting ready
for the holidays, stop by the Red Hen Bread booth and taste their Polenta, Miche and whole
wheat breads. The Flack Family Farm from Enosburg Falls will be at the fair with servings of
kimchi and sauerkraut.
While you are sampling some of the best products from local culinary artists, you can also learn
more about the rapidly growing field of holistic wellness with local practitioners and healers.
There will be opportunities to learn more about acupuncture, herbalism, the use of essential oils
and more. Highlights include Urban Moonshine from Burlington, who will be on hand with
bitters, herbal first aid and tonics, and OPEN Community Acupuncture from Waterbury will
facilitate mini acupuncture sessions.
This isnt just another food fair, it truly is a family-friendly event. Stop by the special kids area
where this year the little ones can use their creativity to make sculptures with soap and paint
their own pumpkins. Dont miss the photo booth where you can take fun photos with your
friends and family showing your Co-op pride. While you are at the photo booth, you can also
enter to win a $100 gift card to the Co-op.
As always, the Co-op gives back to the community and works to combat hunger locally, and
you can help. The first 500 attendees to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the
UMC Community Lunch Program will receive a $3 off coupon to the co-op. "Our co-op is
committed to building a dynamic community of healthy individuals and sustainable local food
systems. The Food & Wellness Fair is a perfect example of our mission in action. This Saturday
will be our 23rd year of bringing the community together in downtown Montpelier to celebrate
and explore healthy food, products and services" says Stephani Kononan, Community Relations
Manager.
If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the Fair, visit http://hungermountain.coop.
The writer is executive director of Montpelier Alive
Patchwork Farm. Photo by Curtis B. Johnson
A New Look at an Old

Tragedy: Local Author
and Artist Delia Robinson
Releases A Shirtwaist Story
MONTPELIER The 1911 fire at the Triangle
Shirtwaist factory in Manhattan is one of the
most notorious chapters in American labor history.
Prevented from escaping due to locked doors,
146 women garment workers perished, some
by jumping out of windows. The workers were
immigrants, mostly Jewish but others as well. Two
were 14 years old.
The shirtwaist story has been told many times, but
this new book takes an entirely different approach.
A Shirtwaist Story, by Montpelier artist and
writer Delia Bell Robinson focuses on the haunting
memories of Peter, a descendant of the family that
owned the sweatshop. The book is published by
Fomite Press, of Burlington.
Part graphic biography, part art book, Shirtwaist
uses colorful, imaginative cartoons and handwritten text to portray Peters relationship to his
family and to tell the story of the fire. Stark
paintings illustrate New Yorks Lower East Side,
victims of the fire and the familys origins in the Russian Pale of Settlement, in which Jews
were confined from 1791 to 1917.
The book began with a chance meeting of Robinson and Peter, who became friends. His story
emerged over time, and Robinson documented his recollections, writing and drawing on the
pages of an old book. An exhibit of some of the pages at a concert produced by the Barre
Historical Society/Old Labor Hall commemorating the fires 100th anniversary, led Robinson
to expand the work into an exploration of memory, history and family secrets.
Robinson is perhaps best known for her clay whistles depicting narrative scenes. She is
currently working on a series of essays and whistles based on the ballads collected in the
British Isles by Harvard professor Francis James Child in the 19th century, which will also be
published by Fomite Press.
A Shirtwaist Story is available through Fomite Press, and Robinsons website. For more
information go to delia-robinson.com or email robinson.delia@gmail.com
T H E B R I D G E
Vermontisms and Vermont

Quirks
by Dot Helling
ver wonder how to properly pronounce those down country words and names? Or
how it is we can't get there from here when you ask a crusty Vermonter for directions?
Or why it is we go down to Burlington when it's located on the map as Northwest of
here? I don't pretend to have answers but hopefully some insights, idears, and fodder for
discussion. Take note Central Vermont influencers of these Vermontisms.
During my first visit to Vermont I took the Bar exit. That's Barre. The funniest
mispronunciation of this City's name came to me recently when a friend told about his nephew
from Canada who called it Baree. Then there's the town of Calais, not Calay, while Berlin
is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable not the second. And how about the
Vermont phenomenon where one's mailing address, residential address and post office may all
be located in different towns.
Vermonters like to nickname places, like Mascara Mountain for Sugarbush, Btown
for Burlington, the Valley for Waitsfield and neighborhoods like Toytown and The
Meadow in Montpelier. And why is it all roads lead to Adamant? Have you seen that
bumper sticker? I have one, a great conversation piece when I'm on the road. Where the heck
is Adamant? people ask. (It's actually in the town of Calais, but has its own post office.)
There are banana belt towns west of the Green Mountains and The Islands are north
of Burlington. Southern Vermont folk, especially in Bennington, are viewed as a Vermont
extension of Massachusetts, and those flatlanders are derogatorily called Massholes. If you
live in northeastern Vermont, you're from The Kingdom.
Some of us remember the I-89 interstate sign that directed you to Montpelier, the 'Capitol'
city. That eventually got corrected since the city is the Capital, while the State House is
the Capitol. The distinctions in those spellings were an elementary school English grammar
lesson. Vermont does have its own dialect and Montpeculiar its own slang. Locals use
Jeezum Crow as a way to say Jesus Christ without offending the religious. Vermont
speak includes Waa Mot, a department store in Berlin, Key Pa, a fish you don't throw
back in the water, Thun da rud, a place in Barre where you race cars, Onda cab, the way
to eat corn, and Pee pahs, out of staters who look at foliage a.k.a leafpeepers. In Vermont
it's a liquor store not package store. You go downstreet not downtown and you go upta
the mountains to ski freshies. And what are the Freep and TA? Well, of course, those are the
Burlington Free Press and Times Argus, our newspapers.
So how do you get there from here? Eh? says the farmer you stop to ask along the road, you
can't get there from here. What he or she means is not directly, especially if you are looking to
go East or West. Forget traveling as the crow flies. Add to that the fact that most Vermonters
describe distance in minutes as opposed to miles. Forty five minutes from here to there could
be 10 miles or 60, depending on whether you travel a Class 4 back road or the Interstate. Plus
there are seasonal conditions, especially mud season and frost heaves to consider. Sometimes
you have to explain to out-of-staters just where Vermont is.
What are these Take Back Vermont? signs still posted around the state? I see them along
Route 25 heading from Orange to Bradford. One out-of-stater commented that the slogan was
clever. She thought it was a reminder to take back a piece of Vermont when she left, meaning
a souvenir like maple syrup or cheddar cheese. The true meaning of the signs appalled her.
Vermonters talk daily, often hourly, about the weather, especially when forecasting winters. We
know the death knell of winter is coming when the snakes start moving through the woods,
the bunnies and turkeys are standing in the road, hordes of crows fly in to overnight in our
backyards or the turkey vultures rest in the trees on East State Street. Many of us believe
winter is imminent when the woolly bears start crossing the road, those fuzzy black and
blonde caterpillars. Did you know that the thickness of the woolly bear's band around its
middle is a predictor of the amount of snow to expect? The wider the band the more snow.
Did you also know that if woolly bears are traveling south it means a hard, cold winter, and, if
north, a mild one? So, if they travel eastward it must mean a wet winter, and west a dry one.
Using this analysis skiers will wish for them to travel southeast and have a wide band.
When the cows lay down in the fields, we predict rain. What does it mean when the cows
come home? When the creemee stand opens, it's summer. But what are creemees ask visitors?
Ah, it's that soft serve ice cream, also known as custard and DQ's. Vermonters describe many
foods differently. It's a grinder not a sub, hoagie or hero sandwich. Our chili dog is
a Michigan dog. We line up for heady and sugar on snow. And Vermonters don't trust
people who like fake maple syrup.
In Vermont you go down cellar not into the basement. You cook on the stove not the range
and cool food in the ice box or the fridge. Some of these differences are generational. Your
grandma's yummy ice box cookies for instance were created and named when there were only
ice boxes, no refrigerators or freezers. Back then Vermonters cooked on a wood burning cook
stove. But some things never change e.g. in Vermont if you can't fix it with duct tape it's
not worth fixing.
Vermont has many quirks. We'd like to stand alone as a Republic, and did stand as an
independent country for 14 years before statehood. We have Bernie Sanders and a large hippie
population. Our highest ratio is cows to people. Our craft beer industry is booming. Ben
and Jerry's, maple syrup, Cabot cheddar and autumn leaves are an annual draw. We believe
in Champ, our own Loch Ness monster. We have extra seasons, namely mud and stick. We
have a Green Mountain State of Mind, progressive, hard working, fiercely independent
and community minded. We hibernate in winter. Our old timers are called woodchucks,
their offspring known as hoodchucks. We are said to be profoundly different from the rest
of America, so much so that no matter who wins our elections we feel confident about our
governance. Roberta MacDonald of Cabot brands Vermont as a cool name that sounds like
a heart beat, drumming with a strong consonant staccato. I take that as the beat goes on
here no matter what, making it very special to be a Vermonter.
THE BRIDGE
Lt. Governor Candidates Talk EB-5,

Marijuana
by Michaela Halnon
VOTE!
Election Day is
November 8
COLCHESTER The stakes were high as the major party candidates for Vermonts next
lieutenant governor squared off during Debate Sunday sponsored by the Vermont Press
Association Oct. 23, with just two weeks until Election Day.
Zuckerman took issue with that, saying, I would never promote a wealth test for people to
move into Vermont. Im not really a fan of giving folks who have huge sums of money an
advantage over others in immigrating into this country.
Republican Randy Brock of Swanton and Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman of

Hinesburg remained unruffled throughout, despite laying out key policy differences in
several controversial arenas.
Brock later clarified he would not support any preferential treatment for well-off immigrants.
Boots Wardinski of Newbury, a Liberty Union Party candidate, was invited but did not
attend the debate, held in the McCarthy Arts Center at St. Michaels College in Colchester.
On healthcare, the candidates agreed: Both said Vermont Health Connect needs serious
amending or abandoning.
An early question about college affordability quickly pivoted to marijuana legalization after
Zuckerman, a Chittenden County senator, suggested using some revenue generated through
a state-sponsored cannabis industry to bankroll higher education trust funds.
Zuckerman said he sees the irony in funding education with a restricted substance, but
thought it would allow the government to stop the underground system of drug use and
address it in an honest way.
Many people who are younger get into drugs and alcohol when they dont see a path to a
future, Zuckerman said. If we make higher education an affordable option, we erase that
deterrent and instead create hope.
Brock flatly disagreed. This is not the time to legalize, he said, going on to challenge
Zuckermans revenue calculations.
The former elected Vermont state auditor also said legalization would directly contradict
the federal government and warned the stroke of a bureaucrats pen could wipe out any
statewide industry.
Essentially, I see that as pot smoke and mirrors, Brock said. It is not something you can
build an economy on.
Later, both Zuckerman and Brock voiced support for accepting refugees into Vermont,
saying it would increase diversity.
Brock connected the question to the EB-5 immigrant investment program, the subject of a
fraud investigation at Jay Peak.
Wouldnt it be nice to invite EB-5 investors, instead of locating in California and New
York, to become Vermont residents? Brock asked. Wouldnt it be great to have a few
immigrants that are actually wealthy?
I dont think theres anything wrong with having some wealthy immigrants, Zuckerman
said. I just dont think they should get a free card to the front of the line.
Zuckerman suggested a less complex system, like universal primary care or Doctor
Dinosaur 2.0. Brock said the state should head to the federal exchange, insulating itself from
potentially costly changes likely to crop up along the way.
We have this tendency in Vermont to say were going to be first in the nation in doing
something, Brock said. Well, I dont want to be first in the nation to have a heart
transplant. I want to look at whats working elsewhere.
Zuckerman said he thought Vermonters were proud to be first to support civil rights and
marriage equality issues, among others.
Im OK with us being first and leading the way, Zuckerman said. We are small and were
nimble, and we can make corrections when weve made mistakes.
The candidates were later asked to imagine how they would spend their days in office,
especially in a position known for its relative flexibility and embedded freedom.
As a Progressive and a Republican, Zuckerman and Brock both said they knew what it was
like to be a political minority in Vermont and would work to integrate a variety of voices
while presiding over the Senate.
When not in session, Zuckerman said he planned to take a page from Sen. Bernie Sanders
book, helping ordinary Vermonters influence the political process. He said he hoped to
travel Vermont and bring the State House to the people.
Brock also promised to be an ambassador, but said hed focus on reaching out to people who
can create new jobs and enterprises.
He promised to be a set of eyes and ears for government.
As Zuckerman pointed out, however, the future lieutenant governors biggest responsibility
is the potential call to step into the states highest office if the governor cannot serve. Thats
happened five times in Vermont history.
T H E B R I D G E
Matter at Hand: Current

Exhibits at SPA
by Matthew Maitland Thomas
BARRE Art that flows directly from the environment of its maker is uniquely bewitching.
When that environment, that natural context, is our own, our bewitchment becomes exhilarating,
as our immediate world ripples with possibility every familiar stone a statue, every bit of trash
a component of a collage, every glance out of the window an elegy on the passing of a season.
Currently exhibiting at Studio Place Arts in Barre are three artists who reshape the everyday into
objects and images that delight but also give pause for deeper reflection on the surrounding world
into which we are thrown.
Rock Solid XVI, by Giuliano Cecchinelli, is on display in the main floor gallery. Born in
Carrara, Italy, in 1961 Cecchinelli immigrated to Vermont where his father worked for the
Vermont Marble Company. After graduating from high school, Cecchinelli went to work with
his father before moving to Barre to work for the Buttura & Sons Granite Company.
It is with Barre Granite,
the local substance, that Sculptures by Giuliano Cecchinelli.
Cecchinelli makes much Courtesy of studioplacearts.com
of his sculpture. The
many pieces on display
run the gamut from
representational
works,
such as a bust of Lyndon
B. Johnson, to pieces more
concerned with movement.
Although the figurative
pieces
are
exquisitely
made and mesmerize
with their exacting details
(Cecchinellis
haunting
Three Phases of Life
stands out in this category),
it is the latter that seduce
the eye. In Once Upon a Rock and Repose Cecchinelli charms fluid action from the rock.
Both pieces, featuring figures reclining on their backs so dramatically its as though they are
wrapped supinely around the curvature of the earth, perform a kind of contortionists hypnosis.
The figures achieve rest in a heightened state of ecstasy, as though theyve somehow found
stillness in the throes of orgasm.
That many of these pieces were conjured from local rocks by an artist who has spent his life
working with local rocks, like his father, only adds to the pleasure of the experience. Granite
dominates Barre. One wont go long before encountering a quarry or a slag pile, granite shed,
wholesalers warehouse, family connection or memory. We can take a cue from Cecchinellis eye
and imagination and peer into the deeper layers of our immediate surroundings and there, below
the surface, find beauty.
In Our Hands, by Shannon Lee Gilman, is on display in SPAs second floor gallery.
Repurposing discarded materials such as wrappers and garbage bags, Gilman makes pictures
of strong color and architectural complexity. Her palette is vibrant, bold and loud, but not in
such a way as to over stimulate, or overwhelm. Considering the context of their construction,
Gilmans pictures are celebrations of recycling. Where the practice has focused on utilitarian
goals, Gilman finds aesthetic bliss through recycling. These pieces are playful. The bright, solid
colors of packaging (designed, in their first life, to seize our gaze in cacophonous supermarkets,
where shelves are riots of text and design, all intended to manipulate) are here reconfigured into
objects of nature. Baby Albatross and Pineland Passion Flower are two particularly exquisite
examples of Gilmans splendid reclamation.
November and Solstice to Equinox, by Paul Calter, are on display in the third floor gallery.
November comprises a series of landscapes, captured in morning and evening, in November.
The pictures, Calter says in his artist statement, were inspired by the vistas he encountered during
his morning and evening commutes. The stronger half of this series renders light viewed through
the silhouetted skeletons of dormant foliage. The contrast between the muddled luminescence of
the November sky and the sharp foregrounded objects is striking. Harvest time has passed, but
before the light, before commencing the pale fade into winter, still holds traces of its summer
vibrancy and vitality. But those traces are more idea than actuality, vanishing notions, of warmer,
lusher times. Solstice to Equinox is a repetition of the view from Calters study window. Each
piece was painted in fifteen minute bursts. The results of this exercise open a window on the
space behind the artists eye, but also on the perceptual framework of human wonderment. No
two pictures in this series are the same, and all feel like they were dictated largely by mood or
emotion. In some of the paintings the landscape is tighter and more well-defined. In others,
the view from Calters window is a riot of color and shape, and its left to the viewer to excavate
the physical subject. Calters work contemplates the apparent, but illusory, fixity of things. As
the only beings (that we know of) capable of marking and mourning our own transition into
afterlife or oblivion, depending on ones belief, we have the nervous, insatiable hunger for the
richness of what we shall never again see. Calter reminds us why we are so stirred by evanescent
things: although the spell is cast, these things light filtered through bare branches, sunrises
and sunsets, drifting clouds have already passed us by.
Cecchinelli, Gilman and Calters work will be on display through November 5th at Studio Place
Arts at 201 N. Main St, Barre.
November 12 Youth Variety Show

Please join us on Saturday evening, November 12, for a family-friendly potluck
dinner at 6 p.m. to be followed by a 7 p.m. Youth Variety Show at Bethany
Church on Main Street in Montpelier. Join the potluck. Hang out with
friends. Enjoy the Youth Variety Show. Support The Bridge.
If you are between the ages of 5 and 25 and would like to perform in
the show or display creative projects, please call the event's organizer
at 223-5112 ext. 12 or email marichel@montpelierbridge.com.
THE BRIDGE
James Facos Reads from His Collected Lyrics at

Kellogg-Hubbard Library
by Nat Frothingham
uch honored Montpelier poet, playwright, novelist,

teacher and World War II U.S. Army Air Corps
veteran James Facos visited Kellogg-Hubbard Library
on Thursday evening, Oct. 6 and read from his Collected
Lyrics.
near Denver, Colorado for training to become an aerial gunner

with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Facos is a traditionalist who has little interest in the ramblings of

so-called modern poets whose poems he criticizes as not
poems at all but prose.
Facos was soon in England serving as a ball turret gunner on

a B-17 with bombing missions that took him over wartime
Europe including Nazi Germany.
Elaborating on this theme, Facos said, It had taken over 800

years to produce one Robert Frost and 800 years to develop the
techniques of poetry techniques like the measured line (vital
to verbal music) and various forms, shaping the music of the
lines, to give the reader or listener the joy of experiencing
poetry through word-music and meaning.
But, of course, he continued, that is in the past. To some
modern poets, poetry reeked too much of the past, especially
by its imposing on them those very techniques. They flinched
at being shackled so. They wanted freedom, freedom from the
past, freedom to be themselves, in their own time unchained.
So, as Frost had once predicted, They let down the nets.
Given his strong convictions of what poetry is or ought to be, and
often is not, it was no surprise that Facos opened his presentation
by reading aloud from the introduction to the Pocket Book of
Verse by M.E. Speare. That passage follows here.
A lyric is a subjective poem of intense personal emotions whose
principal quality is its musical form. It is the special function of
lyrical poetry to give pleasure through the musical quality no less
than through the contemplation of the beauty it inspires: beauty
of thought, of feeling, of expression and of technical skill.
Facos was 18 years old when he enlisted and said, he wanted to

experience combat, to find out, in his words, Who I was and
what life was all about.
About the hazards of flying as a ball turret gunner with the B-17
bombing missions from a base in England, he said, Im not
being melodramatic, but facing reality.
Once you survived 11 missions, you were living on borrowed
time.
This Moment, Now that follows here is a meditation on life
and death in a time of war.
This Moment, Now
Lines Before Combat
Were I to see another spring,
The lilac tree alive with rain,
Or only hear the orioles sing
Their songs again another year,
I would go by and never know
The orioles low, melodious sway
Along the sky, nor pause to see
A single bough, a single spray
Of lilac tree as I do now.
For the first poem of evening Facos chose a lyric titled, This
Moment, Now: Lines Before Combat.
I, Too, Miss Dickinson is another poem that Facos read at

the library event. It recalls a day in October 1959 when Facos,
his wife Cleo and first-born daughter, Tina, came to Vermont
as Facos took up his duties as an English teacher at Vermont
College.
Facos told his library audience that he wrote this poem in a

penny notebook in March 1943. At the time, he was on a troop
train that was taking him from Miami, Florida to Buckley Field
As he recalled that moment, Facos told his audience, The hills

then were aflame with color, the foliage alive and shimmering.
And the poem that follows remembers that October day.
In these (words), said Facos, I found my anchor as a poet.
James Facos. Photo by Rachel Senechal

I, Too, Miss Dickinson
Magnificence in magniture
Stunned the narrow heart
It shattered periphery
And tore design apart.
It burst like Revelation,
Dimensional as pain,
With splendor that forbade the heart
Its boundary again.
In a good news part of the evening, Facos said that his highly
regarded novel The Silver Lady (Atheneum Publishers, 1972)
is being brought out again, this time by Merriam Press in Hoosic
Falls, N.Y. and can be ordered through Bear Pond Books.
Facos is the recipient of this countrys Distinguished Flying
Cross and a number of other honors, including this past summer
his installation by French President Francoise Holland as a
chevalier (or knight) of that countrys Legion of Honor.
In an Associated Press story on July 3, 2016 AP reporter
David Gram said that in a letter that notified James Facos of
his selection for the French honor, Valery Freland, Frances
consul general in Boston, wrote that the award is a sign of
Frances infinite gratitude and appreciation for your personal
and precious contribution to the United States decisive role in
the liberation of our country in World War II.
Calendar of Events
T H E B R I D G E
Community Events
Events happening
November 3 19
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Lecture at T.W. Art Gallery. Devin Coleman, Vermont State Architectural Historian will discuss New
Deal murals and building around the state. 7 p.m. 46
Barre St., Montpelier.
Composer/Performer Angelica Negron. Composer/
Performer Angelica Negron will give a presentation
and discussion followed by a performance. 4 p.m. La
Puerta Negra, 44 Main St., Montpelier. Free.
DamNation: Film and Discussion. A provocative and
engaging film about the challenges that dams present
to river health. Rose Paul of The Nature Conservancy will lead a discussion about the merits of dam
removal. 79 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135
Main St., Montpelier
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Christmas Sale. Nov. 45. Annual Santa Workshop

Sale for the Waterbury Center Community Church.
Homemade crafts, baked goods and more. 95 p.m.
Rt. 100 (next to Cold Hollow Cider Mill), Waterbury
Ctr.
Peacham Corner Guild Annual Christmas Show.
Nov. 45. Unique handcrafted gifts, small antiques,
specialty foods, ornaments, invited guests. Market
Cafe & Catering open during the show. Nov. 4, 10
a.m.7 p.m. Nov. 5, 10 a.m.3 p.m. Peacham Town
Hall, Church St., Peacham.
Start the Conversation A Community Discussion About Family, Aging & End-of-Life Choices.
Planning for end-of-life care before it becomes a
worry, or a financial burden, is as important as all the
other life plans we make. 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., Montpelier. Free; open to the public. 223-2518.
DISCUSSION: Nurturing Communities: Finding
the Intersection of Food and Economy. What
is a durable economy, and how is it created and
sustained? How are our food systems incorporated
into our communities? What roles do local farms and
food distributors play in developing a healthy, vibrant
community? 5 p.m. Vermont Food Venture Center,
Hardwick.
Scientific Aromatherapy. Learn how to navigate the
many misconceptions of the aromatherapy world. We
will sample and learn about the top 10 aromatherapy
uses and benefits. 5:307 p.m. Hunger Mountain
Coop community room. Free.
Slide Show: Mount Katahdin and the Hundred
Mile Wilderness. Green Mountain Club Montpeliers membership/social meeting featuring a slide
show by Morgan Irons and Alan Paschell. In 2014
they hiked the Hundred Mile Wilderness from Abol
Bridge to Monson, Maine. All are welcome. 7 p.m.
T W Wood Gallery, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier.

publicity@gmcmontpelier.org.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Walk the Stowe Bike Path with Green Mountain

Club. Moderate. 3-4 miles. Enjoy a late fall walk
on the bike path, followed by lunch at McCarthys.
Contact Mary Smith, 505-0603 or Mary Garcia,
622-0585 for meeting time and place.
Winter Clothing Drive. Free good quality clothing
is available at the Old Schoolhouse Common gym. If
you have good quality clothes to donate, please drop
them off at the library during the week before the
event. 9 a.m.1 p.m. Jaquith Public Library, School
St., Marshfield. 426-3581.
Christmas Sale. Nov. 45. Annual Santa Workshop
Sale for the Waterbury Center Community Church.
Homemade crafts, baked goods and more. 93 p.m.
Rt. 100 (next to Cold Hollow Cider Mill), Waterbury
Ctr.
Creativity Fair. Creative challenges for kids of all
ages and their grownups. Intro to Destination Imagination. 10 a.m.noon. Cabot School, 25 Common
Rd., Cabot. Free. www.creativeimagination.org
Peacham Corner Guild Annual Christmas Show.
Nov. 45. Unique handcrafted gifts, small antiques,
specialty foods, ornaments, invited guests. Market
Cafe & Catering open during the show. Nov. 4, 10
a.m.7 p.m. Nov. 5, 10 a.m.3 p.m. Peacham Town
Hall, Church St., Peacham.
Hunger Mountain Coops Food and Wellness Fair.
Free family-friendly event. Enjoy free samples of the
best artisan breads, cheeses, sweets and treats that
Vermont has to offer. Learn about different wellness
resources in your community! kids area includes
soap sculpting and paint-your-own pumpkins.
10:30 a.m.3 p.m. Montpelier City Hall, Main St.,
Montpelier.
Plan and Deliver: Childbirth Essentials. This interactive class focuses on evidence-based knowledge and
holistic care for late pregnancy, labor and immediate
postpartum. 35 p.m. Good Beginnings of Central
Vermont, 174 River St., Montpelier. http://www.
goodbeginningscentralvt.org/the-birthing-year.html
595-7953
Viva Las Artes! River Arts fall fundraiser, featuring
a delicious dinner, intriguing art installations and an
exciting live auction. Held at the River Arts Center in
Morrisville. Call 802-888-1261 or visit RiverArtsVT.
org for more details or to register. 69 p.m.
ORE November Fundraiser and Silent Auction.
Quebecois Music + Cajun Food = Ooh La La. The
night will be filled with music, appetizers, member
art and the biggest bonanza of silent auction items
EVER. 69 p.m. All held at the TW Wood Gallery,
46 Barre St., Montpelier. $20 advanced tickets; $25
at the door. Contact Heather or Marci: 661.8959,
info@orexchange.org
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Dance, Sing, and Jump Around! Live traditional
music by young, local musicians. Last dance of the

season! 34:30 p.m. Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, Rt. 2, Plainfield. Suggested donation:
$5/$10 per family. No one is turned away! merrykays@yahoo.com. lizbenjamin64@gmail.com.
http://dancesingandjumparound.weebly.com
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Grief & Bereavement Support Group. Open to

anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one.
67:30 p.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Rd., Barre.
Free. 223-1878
Community Forum on Tobacco Use in Montpelier. Forum to discuss tobacco issues in downtown
including input regarding implementing smoke free
areas, cessation services available, addressing butt
litter, concerns about teen smoking and the harms of
flavored tobacco product advertising aimed at youth.
6:308 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main
St., Montpelier.
Todd Lecture Series: Marilyn Tam. The Happiness
Choice: 5 Decisions that Take You From Where You
Are to Where You Want to Be, a presentation by author, entrepreneur and renowned leadership speaker
Marilyn Tam, PhD. 7 p.m., Norwich University,
Plumley Armory, Northfield. Free.
Performing Arts
THEATER, STORYTELLING,
COMEDY
Nov. 36: Much Ado About Nothing. The
Johnson State College student theater troupes
rendition will feature an experimental set,
beaded camo costumes in some scenes and
interaction with the audience, including singing
and serving refreshments. Nov. 35, 7 p.m.;
Nov. 6, 2 p.m. Johnson State College, Dibden
Center for the Arts, Johnson. $10; free for
children 11 and under and JSC students.
Nov. 46: Stage 32 presents The Tempest.
The Tempest is Shakespeares magical tale of
forgiveness, reconciliation and second chances
set on an island haunted by spirits. Nov. 4, 7
p.m.; Nov. 5, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Nov. 6, 2 p.m.
U-32 High School Auditorium, Gallison Hill
Rd., Montpelier. Adults $12; student/seniors
$10. 229-0321 ext. 5903
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Nov. 4: Ailey II Dance Company. 12-member

ensemble will perform two of the companys
new commissions, Stream of Consciousness
and Sketches of Flames, as well as Alvin Aileys
signature masterpiece, Revelations. 7 p.m.
Lyndon Institute Alumni Auditorium, 168
Institute Circle, Lyndon Center. $1554. 7482600. KCPpresents.org.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Nov. 5: FEMCOM. All-female standup comedy.

8:30 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St.,
Barre. Free/by donation. 479-0896. events@
espressobueno.com. espressobueno.com.
Re-Wilding Our Bodies: Embodied Anatomy

and Movement. Tap into your body intelligence
and change the way you know the world. Movement exercises to re-inhabit yourself as bones, blood
and breath. 67:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop,
Montpelier. Free.
Trinity Community Thrift Store Christmas in November Sale. Nov. 912. 10 a.m.4 p.m. 137 Main
St., Montpelier. tctsvt@yahoo.com
Scientist Bobby Farlice-Rubio: Lives of the Stars!
Explore new knowledge about the life cycles of stars
and our interdependence on them. An Osher Lifelong Learning program. 1:30 p.m.; doors open 1 p.m.
Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington St., Barre. $5
suggested donation. www.learn.uvm.edu/osher
Special Event Milk Money: Invest Local! Learn
how you can invest as little as $250 directly into
your favorite local businesses and participate in their
financial success to keep money circulating within
Vermonts economy. 5:307 p.m. Hunger Mountain
Coop, Montpelier. Free.
Planetary gods and goddesses: astronomy
and myths of the newsolar system. Astronomers are discovering more and more planetoids in
the far reaches of our solar system, naming them
for lesser-known gods and goddesses from many
cultures around the world. 78:30 p.m. Jaquith
Public Library, Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield. 426-3581 jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org
Water, Water Everywhere. Join members of the
Berlin Historical Society as they look back at the
Nov. 1012: Spaulding High School Drama

Club presents The Crucible. Alumnus Alison
Brodie directs Arthur Millers classic. 7:30 p.m.
Spaulding High School Auditorium, 155 Ayers
St., Barre. Adults $10; students/seniors $7.
www.shsu61.org
Nov. 12: Dance Performance: Faculty
& Student Works in Progress. 7 p.m.
Contemporary Dance & Fitness Studio, 18
Langdon St., Montpelier. Suggested donation:
adults $10; kids $5. 229-4676. www.cdandfs.
com
Nov. 18: Stroke Yer Joke. Try five minutes of
your best open-mic stand-up comedy before
a live audience. 8 p.m. Espresso Bueno, 248
N. Main St., Barre. Free. 479-0896. events@
For more event listings

and event details visit
montpelierbridge.com
Live Music
VENUES
Bagitos. 28 Main St., Montpelier. Open mic every
Wed. Other shows T.B.A. bagitos.com.
Nov. 3: Colin McCaffrey and Friends, 68 p.m.
Nov. 5: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.
Nov. 6: Bleecker & MacDougal (folk ballads) 11
a.m.1 p.m.
Nov. 8: Mike Tedesco (songwriter/pianist) 68
p.m.
Nov. 10: Ron Sweet (folk/Americana) 68 p.m.
Nov. 11: Stefani Capizzi (folk/country/blues) 68
p.m.
Nov. 12: Irish Session with Sarah Blair, Hilari
Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina VanTyne,
Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.; Timothy Fitzgerald
(honky-tonk) 68 p.m.
Nov. 13: Southern Old Time Music Jam, 10 a.m.1
p.m.
Nov. 15: Old Time Music Session (bluegrass/
Americana/Quebecois) 68 p.m.
Nov. 16: Papa Graybeard (blues/folk) 68 p.m.
Nov. 17: Art Herttua & Ray Carroll Jazz Duo, 68
p.m.
Nov. 18: Dave & Rory Loughran (acoustic classic
rock/folk) 68 p.m.
Nov. 19: Nov. 5: Irish Session with Sarah Blair,
Hilari Farrington, Benedict Koehler, Katrina
VanTyne, Bob Ryan and others, 25 p.m.
Charlie Os World Famous. 70 Main St., Montpelier.
Free. 223-6820.
Every Mon.: Comedy Caf Open Mic, 8:30 p.m.
Every Tues.: Godfather Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.
Espresso Bueno. 248 N. Main St., Barre. 479-0896.
Free/by donation unless otherwise noted. events@
Nov. 4: Andy Plante (singer-songwriter), 7:30 p.m.;
Calendar of Events
Tin Penny (singer-songwriter duo), 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 5: Danielle OHallisey (jazz fusion) 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 12: Jazzyaoke (live jazz karaoke) 7:30 p.m. $5.
La Puerta Negra. 44 Main St., Montpelier. 6133172.
Nov. 3: Composer/performer Angelica Negron
gives presentation and discussion, 4 p.m.
Performance 7 p.m.
Whammy Bar. 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m. 31

County Rd., Calais. Thurs., Free. whammybar1.com.
Nov. 3: Cooie Sings
Nov. 4: Joe Franco and His Elders featuring an all
Maple Corner lineup
Nov. 5: Duffy Gardner and Voyager1
Nov. 11: Jess Novak
Nov. 12: Taylor Rich
Nov. 17: Jenn and John (John Smythe)
Nov. 18: Chad Hollister
SPECIAL EVENTS
Nov. 4: Elle Carpenter. Carpenter celebrates the
CD release of Sincerely Yours. Featuring Colin
McCaffrey and Jonny Morrow. Potluck 5 p.m.;
music 6:30 p.m. Maple Corner Community Center,
Calais. Sliding scale $515. Free for children. 4547303.
Nov. 4: The Lark Quartet. Program includes
Debussy String Quartet, Five Songs by Gershwin
arranged for string quartet, Chinese Folk Songs
written for string quartet by Zhou Long, and
Dvoraks String Quartet in G, #13, opus 106.
A greet-the-artists reception follows. 7:30 p.m.
Chandler Music Hall, Main St., Randolph. $36.
728-6464. Chandler-arts.org
Nov. 5: Vermonts Own 40th Army Band
Concert. The program will feature traditional
patriotic American tunes, as well as contemporary
musical favorites. 7 p.m. Williamstown High School
auditorium, 120 Hebert Rd., Williamstown. Free.
338-3480.
Nov. 56: Montpelier chamber orchestra
presents American Celebration. With Anne
many ways water has played a role in our history.

The discussion will cover the Main Street bridges,
the Pioneer Mills, Benjamin Falls, and more. A
Celebrating Berlin Event. 78:30 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Tait. This period includes paintings of American

life for its citizens, and art in articles of everyday
life, including quilts, weavings, baskets, and more.
12:30 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. 223-2518.
Washington State Novelist Sam Ligon. Author

of Among the Dead and Dreaming and Safe in
Heaven Dead will give a reading. 7 p.m. Johnson
State College, Ellsworth Room at the Willey
Library, Johnson. Free.
Addison County Pipeline: What is it and why

do we care? Join Central Vermont Climate Action
for a presentation on the fracked gas pipeline being
built in Addison County. Learn what it is, why we
are concerned about it, and how to plug into ongoing efforts to stop the pipeline. 67 p.m. Hunger
Mountain Coop, Montpelier.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Trinity Community Thrift Store Christmas in

November Sale. Nov. 912. 10 a.m.4 p.m. 137
Main St., Montpelier. tctsvt@yahoo.com
Folk Art in America. With art historian Debby
Rural Vermont Annual Meeting. The event

starts at 6 p.m. with a potluck supper, followed
by a brief business meeting and a dynamic
conversation about the power and potential of
regenerative agriculture. Unitarian Church, 130
Decker, Conductor. Montpelierchamberorchestra.org

Nov. 5: 7 p.m., Waterbury Congregational
Church, 8 N. Main St., Waterbury
Nov. 6: 4 p.m., College Hall Chapel at the
Vermont College of Fine Arts, 36 College St.,
Montpelier.
Nov. 6: Vermont Virtuosi presents Twilight
at the Opera. Features soprano Sarah Cullins,
mezzo-soprano Wendy Hoffman, flutists Anne
Janson and Laurel Ann Maurer, and pianist Claire
Black performing music by Puccini, Delibes,
Humperdinck, Bizet, Mozart, Donizetti, Massenet,
Barber, Offenbach, Vermont composer Gwyneth
Walker and more. 3 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130
Main St., Montpelier. Free; suggested donation
$510. 881-9153. Vermontvirtuosi@mail.com. www.
LAMaurerFlute.com
Nov 10: Musical Chat and Wine with Eleva
Chamber Players. An informal discussion hosted by
musical adviser John Welsh of Seattle, Washington
along with Elevas concertmaster John Lindsey and
Elevas founder Willie Docto. 6:308 p.m. Cork
Wine Bar, Bidwell Lane, Waterbury. Free; cash
bar. RSVP: rsvp@elevachamberplayers.org. www.
elevachamberplayers.org
Nov. 11: Trio Da Kali & Derek Gripper. Trio Da
Kali is a group of musicians from the Mande
culture of southern Mali. Grippers exploration of
Malis greatest instrumental virtuosos: kora players
Toumani Diabat and Ballak Sissoko alongside the
music of guitarist Ali Farka Tour creates a new form
of classical guitar music out of Africas richest musical
traditions. 8 p.m. Haybarn Theatre at Goddard
College, Plainfield. $25 advance; $30 day-of. meg.
hammond@goddard.edu. http://www.goddard.edu/
event/trio-da-kali/
Nov. 12: NRBQ and The Whole Wheat Horns.
Over the past five decades, the groups spontaneous
live shows and its take on everything from power
pop to barrel house blues to free jazz has earned
it a cult following. 7:30 p.m. Barre Opera House,
6 N. Main St., Barre. $2226. 476-8188. www.
barreoperahouse.org.
Main St., Montpelier. Free; open to all. 223-7222.
ruralvermont.org
1800 and Frozen to Death. Lecture by Howard
Coffin will discuss the causes of the dark cold year
of 1816 and its effects in Vermont and worldwide
with many anecdotes. 78 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Climate Degradation and Local Preparedness. Rapidly-warming Arctic oceans, melting
Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, and other big
effects such as the warming of Russian and Alaskan
permafrost tundra, are shifting ocean currents,
affecting our health and changing our weather. 7
p.m. Jaquith Public Library, Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary@
gmail.com. www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org
New York Times Best-selling Author, War
Correspondent Sebastian Junger. Talk given by
Junger, author of Tribe: On Homecoming and
Belonging, The Perfect Storm, Fire, A Death
in Belmont and War. 89:30 p.m. Johnson State
College, Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson. $10;
free for military vets and JSC students, faculty and
staff. 635-1476
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Remedies for Digestion & Energy. Join Baylen
Slote of Black Turtle TCM to learn about remedies
for digestion and energy. The practice of these
remedies will be followed by tea and Q&A. 7 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, Schoolhouse Common,
Marshfield. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.
com. www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org
THE BRIDGE
Nov. 12: InoraBrass presents: Classic Brass

& Patriotic Tribute. Featuring music of Bach,
Gabrieli and Joplin as well as several contemporary
pieces written for brass quintet. In commemoration
of Veterans Day, the second half of the program
will be a special tribute to the Armed Forces and be
dedicated to all Veterans and active duty military
personnel. 7:30 p.m. Waitsfield United Church, 4335
Main St., Waitsfield. Free. 496-4205. programs@
joslinmemoriallibrary.com
Nov. 1213: Eleva Chamber Players Presents A
Lush Life: Music For Strings, Piano and Clarinet.
The program will include Ernest Blochs Concerto
Grosso for String Orchestra with Piano Obbligato,
Sergei Prokofievs Overture to Hebrew Themes, Op.
34 and Leo Janceks Suite for String Orchestra.
$20; $10 for seniors, students and members of the
Vermont Philharmonic or Montpelier Chamber
Orchestra. www.elevachamberplayers.org.
Nov. 12: 7:30 p.m., Waterbury Congrational
Church, 8 N. Main St., Waterbury
Nov. 13: 3 p.m., First Church Universalist, 19
Church St., Barre.
Nov. 13: Nisht Geferlach Klezmer Band. The
band plays songs from the golden age of New Yorks
Yiddish Theater as well as freilachs, bulgars and
other lively instrumentals that display the Dixieland
influence on Jewish immigrant musicians. 4 p.m.
Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, Rt. 2, Plainfield.
Suggested donation: $10; $15 families. Benefits
future programming at the opera house.
Nov. 19: Tenores de Atere. The only ensemble
outside of Sardinia that is dedicated to singing cantu
a tenore music. 7 p.m. Christ Church, 64 State St.,
Montpelier. Suggested donation $1015.
Nov. 19: WORST.SONG.EVER. Musicians, hobbyists,
& hacks sign up in advance to cover their least
favorite pop music from any era. Semiannual
special event with audience voting & trophies!
8 p.m.Espresso Bueno, 248 N. Main St., Barre.
$5. 479-0896. events@espressobueno.com.
espressobueno.com
Berlin Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament. Open

to players of all abilities in grades K-12 no membership required. Players grouped by grade level.
Trophies/medals to top finishers in each group.
Full details and registration information is available
at http://vtchess.info/Events/14th_Berlin_VT_
Fall_Scholastic.htm. Berlin Elementary School.
Youth Variety Show presented by The Bridge.
Talented young people from the area will take to
the stage to tell comedy, sing, act and more. 7 p.m.
A community potluck precedes at 6 p.m. Bethany
Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. Suggested
donation: adults $15; kids $10; families $30. Cash
or checks only please. For more information or to
perform in the show call 223-5112 ext 12 or email
marichel@montpelierbridge.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Walk North Calais with Green Mountain Club.

Moderate. 6.2 miles. Enjoy a relaxed road walk.
The loop starts at No. 10 Pond and follows Foster
Hill, Dog Pond, Tebbets, Chartier Hill, and
Nelson Pond Roads. Bring lunch and water. Meet
at Montpelier High School. Contact Reidun and
Andrew Nuquist, 223-3550 for meeting time.
Sewing Sundays. Gather together to share new
skills and sewing projects in community. Bring
pants to mend, garments to alter, and sewing problems seeking solutions. No instruction open
sewing time. Sewing machines and basic notions
provided. 14 p.m. Helen Day Art Center, 90
Pond St., Stowe. Free http://www.helenday.com/
education/adults#Sewing_Sundays
T H E B R I D G E
Visual Arts
EXHIBITS
Through Nov. 5: Chuck Bohn and Frederick Rudi,

Two Views from Hollister Hill. While living on
the same hill for many years, the two painters have
developed highly contrasting styles in their art while
somehow still remaining friends. Jaquith Public
Library, Marshfield. 426-3581 or jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com. www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org
Through Nov. 5: Fall Exhibits at Studio Place Arts.
SPA, 201 N. Main St., Barre. Gallery hrs: Tues-Fri:
11 a.m.5 p.m., Sat: noon4 p.m. 479-7069. www.
studioplacearts.com
Main floor: Rock Solid XVI: Giuliano Cecchinelli. A lifetime show that includes a variety of
sculptures, models, and sketches.
Second floor: In Our Hands An environmental
art and architecture exhibit by artist and designer
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Spinal Dynamics: A Study of the Bio-Mechanics

of the Spine. Guided movement explorations and
anatomical education to gain understanding, invite
ease, negotiate pain and build healthier patterns.
67:30 p.m. Hunger Mountain Coop, Montpelier.
Free.
Diastasis Care + Repair. Diastasis recti means
your belly sticks out because the space between
your left and right belly muscles has widened.
This is a common body change among pregnant
women (about two-thirds have it). 68 p.m. Good
Beginnings of Central Vermont, 174 River St.,
Montpelier. http://www.goodbeginningscentralvt.
org/the-birthing-year.html. 595-7953
LBGTQ Reading and Discussion. "Call Me By
Your Name" by Andr Aciman. Copies of the book
are available at the library. 6:308 p.m. KelloggHubbard Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Film Screening: Blue Gold. Free film and
discussion to raise awareness about our water supply. The post film discussion will be a community
based discussion rather than a panel of experts. We
will invite everyone to speak for up to one minute,
sharing their reactions or concerns about water.
6:308:30 p.m. Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
Montpelier. http://bit.ly/BluegoldNov14
Screening of The Welcome. The awardwinning film chronicles a five-day healing
retreat for veterans and their families. A panel
discussion follows. 79 p.m. Johnson State College, Bentley Hall, room 207, Johnson. Free.
thewelcomethemovie.com/
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Free Special Electronic-Waste Collection.

Accepting TVs, desk top computers, laptops and
all computer peripherals such as computer mice,
keyboards, printers, scanners, tablets, power adapters, servers and any random spare computer parts.
9 a.m.5 p.m. ARCC, 540 N. Main St., Barre.
Free. 229-9383 ext. 102, cassandrah@cvswmd.org.
cvswmd.org
An Introduction to Qigong. Learn the very basics
of this ancient Shamanic energy healing technique
and how we can use it to heal ourselves. 67 p.m.
Hunger Mountain Coop, Montpelier. Free.
Maiden Flight with Harry Haskell. Maiden Flight
is the fictionalized telling of Katharine Wright
Calendar of Events
Shannon Lee Gilmour using post-consumer

plastic.
Third floor: November and Equinox to Solstice
Paintings and Daily Sketches by Paul Calter
Through Nov. 6: Land and Light and Water and

Air. Annual juried landscape exhibition, featuring
over 100 landscape paintings by New England artists
in the Main Gallery at Bryan Gallery, Jeffersonville.
bryangallery.org
Through Nov. 11: New Deal Art. Large exhibit of the
Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal art
collection along with a satellite show at the Central
VT Medical Center. Closing reception: Nov. 10,
57 p.m. T.W. Wood Art Gallery, 46 Barre St.,
Montpelier. 262-6035
Through Nov. 13: Pat Steir: Drawings & Prints
with video by Molly Davies. World renowned NYC
painter Pat Steir will exhibit her prints and drawings
for a large solo exhibition. Video of Pat Steir by
Stowe artist Molly Davies will accompany the work.
Gallery hours: noon5 p.m., Wed.Sun. Helen Day
Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. 253-8358. mail@

helenday.com. helenday.com
Through Nov. 13: Sally Gil, Intergalactic Current.

Collaged paintings. Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond
St., Stowe. director@helenday.com. 253 8358
Through Nov. 30: A Fishing Tale. A photography
exhibit of the fishing adventures of Linda Hogan
and Rachel Senechal. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
Kitzmiller Room, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Through Nov. 30: The Art of Lynn Spencer. This
exhibition is a part of Celebrating Berlin. KelloggHubbard Library, Non-Fiction Room, 135 Main St.,
Montpelier.
Through Dec. 9: Paletteers of Vermont Fall Art
Show. Aldrich Public Library, Milne Room, 6
Washington St., Barre.
Through Dec. 30: Shedding Light On The Working Forest. Paintings and poetry by visual artist
Kathleen Kolb and poet Verandah Porche. Vermont
Supreme Court Gallery, Montpelier.
Through Dec. 30: Mary Admasian, Shadowlands.

Paintings, assemblages and sculptures, mixed-media
paintings are created on birch panels. Her application
technique of spray-paint, acrylic paint, graphite, cold
wax, colored pencil, and watercolor pencil materials
creates a surface that layers the visual space and imagery of each painting. Pavilion Building, 109 State St.,
Montpelier. http://MaryAdmasianART.com
Through Jan. 7: Annual Holiday Group Exhibition.
Illustration, mixed media, photography, pastel and
oil painting. Reception: Nov. 18, 68 p.m. Axels
Gallery and Frame Shop, 5 Stowe St., Waterbury.
axelsgallery.com
Nov. 15Jan. 13: Michael Strauss, Making
Thought Visible. Strausss paintings are a form of
visual reasoning in brightly colored compositions,
mainly in pastel and ink. Opening reception and
talk: Dec. 2, 68 p.m. T.W. Wood Gallery, 46 Barre
St., Montpelier. 262-6035. twwoodgallery@gmail.
com. www.twwoodgallery.org
and Henry J. Haskells love affair. Presentation

and book signing. 78:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard
Library, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Grief & Bereavement Support Group. Open to
anyone who has experienced the death of a loved
one. 1011:30 a.m. CVHHH, 600 Granger Rd.,
Barre. Free. 223-1878.
Walk St. Johnsbury with Green Mountain Club.

Moderate. 3.5 miles on streets/roads. Walk through
familiar and not-so-familiar neighborhoods. Bring
snacks/lunch. Meet at East Montpelier park-andride at 11 a.m. Contact: Steve Lightholder, 4792304 or steve.lightholder@yahoo.com.
Green Mountain Girls: Women of the Long Trail.
Known as the Three Musketeers, the first women
to hike the 270-mile Long Trail in 1927 were true
female pioneers. Learn about them and other remarkable outdoors women of Vermont. An Osher
Lifelong Learning program. 1:30 p.m.; doors open
1 p.m. Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington St.,
Barre. $5 suggested donation. www.learn.uvm.
edu/osher
Central Vermont Career Center Open House.
For those interested in a career or tech education.
Snacks and treats by culinary and baking arts
students. Door prizes. 5:307:30 p.m. 155 Ayers
St., Barre. cvtcc org
Moving Pictures: Films about Immigration.
Every third Wed. 7 p.m. Jaquith Public Library,
Schoolhouse Common, Marshfield. Call library for
film title: : 426-jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Natural Immunity. Discuss immune-boosting

herbs and foods, how to identify stressors that compromise your immune system and solutions to get
rid of those unwanted bugs. 67:30 p.m. Hunger
Mountain Coop, Montpelier.
"Crostic" Talk and Community Puzzle Construction with Rick Winston. Winston will talk
about the history of these puzzles and how they are
constructed, with tips on how to solve them; then
the group will all construct one from scratch, to
be published in the Times-Argus in Dec. 7 p.m.
Jaquith Public Library, Schoolhouse Common,
Marshfield. Free. 426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary@
gmail.com. www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org
The Nisht Geferlach Klezmer Band will play at the Plainfield Town Hall Opera House on Nov.
13. See listing in the Music section for more details.
The 3 Secrets: Unlocking Each Phase of the

Writing Process with Author Doug Wilhelm. An
interactive live stream program, geared for youth,
open to all. 10 a.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
Hayes Room, 135 Main St., Montpelier.
Orchard Valley's Second Annual Holiday Market. Beautiful crafts, body care products, books,
local products and so much more. Soups and
snacks in the caf, too! 10:303:30 p.m. Vermont
College of Fine Arts, 36 College St., Montpelier.
456-7400, www.ovws.org
Summit School Sampler. During the day, enjoy
an instrument petting zoo, workshops, jam sessions, teacher and student showcases, shape note
singing, senior center ukulele orchestra and the
Trad Camp All Stars. In the evening enjoy dinner/
raffle, dance and cash bar. 11 a.m. 1 p.m. City
Hall, Main St., Montpelier. $25 all inclusive ticket.
793-3016. director@summet-school.org
The World is Round: Celebrating the Poetry of
Sherry Olson. A reading of the works of Sherry
Olson by her friends. Reception and refreshments
to follow. 12:30 p.m. Kellogg-Hubbard Library,
135 Main St., Montpelier.
Dinner/Dance Fundraiser for Rise Up Bakery.
Eat Woodbelly Pizza, 68 p.m. Hear stories about
the bakery and Barre, 7 p.m. Dance to Green
Mountain Swing, 810 p.m. Old Labor Hall, 46
Granite St., Barre. $25 dinner/dance; $10 children
under 12; $15 dance only. 479-5600. info@
oldlaborhall.org
Send your event listing to

calendar@montpelierbridge.com
or visit montpelierbridge.com
THE BRIDGE
For more event listings and event details visit montpelierbridge.com
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.
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.
English Conversation Practice Group. For
students learning English for the first time. Tues.,
45 p.m. Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Montpelier Learning Center, 100 State St.
223-3403.
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.
BUSINESS, FINANCE,
COMPUTERS, EDUCATION
One-on-One Technology Help Sessions. Free

assistance to patrons needing help with their
computers and other personal electronic devices.
30 min. one-on-one sessions every Tues., 10
a.m.noon. Waterbury Public Library, 28 N.
Main St., Waterbury. Free. Registration required:
244-7036.
Personal Financial Management Workshops.
Learn about credit/debit cards, credit building
and repair, budgeting and identity theft, insurance, investing, retirement. Tues., 68 p.m.
Central Vermont Medical Center, Conference
Room 3. Registration: 371-4191.
FOOD & DRINK
Community Meals in Montpelier. All welcome.

Free.
Mon.: Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.,
11 a.m.1 p.m.
Tues.: Bethany Church, 115 Main St.,
11:30 a.m.1 p.m.
Wed.: Christ Church, 64 State St.,
11 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Thurs.: Trinity Church, 137 Main St.,
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.
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.
NAMI Vermont Connection Recovery Support Group. For ondividuals living with mental
illness. Every Fri., 34 p.m. Another Way, 125
Barre St., Montpelier. 876-7949. info@namivt.
org
KIDS & TEENS
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.
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
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.
twinvalleyseniors.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.
Living Strong Group. Volunteer-led group.

Sing while exercising. Open to all seniors.
Every Mon., 2:303:30 p.m. and every Fri.,
23 p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58
Barre St., Montpelier. Free. Register: 223-2518.
msac@montpelier-vt.org.
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.
Sex Addicts Anonymous. Mon., 6:30 p.m. Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. 552-3483.
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.
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
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. Capital City Grange, Rt. 12, Berlin. BarretonesVT.com. 552-3489.
St. 223-2518.
Barre Rock City Chorus. We sing songs from
the 60s80s and beyond. All songs are taught by
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.
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.
Rainbow Umbrella of Central Vermont, an
adult LGBTQ group, meets every other Tuesday,
5:30 to 7:00 pm, at the Montpelier Senior
Center. For specifics, write toRUCVTAdmin@
PrideCenterVT.org
Bowling. Rainbow Umbrella of Central Vermont, an adult LGBTQ group, bowls at Twin
City Lanes on Sunday afternoons twice a month.
For dates and times, write to RUCVTAdmin@
PrideCenterVT.org
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: 4790302.
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.
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.
YOGA & MEDITATION
Monteverdi Young Singers Chorus Rehearsal.

New chorus members welcome. Wed., 45 p.m.
Montpelier. Call 229-9000 for location and more
information.
Zen Meditation. With Zen Affiliate of Vermont. Wed., 6:307:30 p.m. 174 River St.,
Montpelier. Free. Call for orientation: 2290164.
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.
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.
Ukelele Group. All levels welcome. Thurs., 68

p.m. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre
Christian Meditation Group. People of all

faiths welcome. Mon., noon1 p.m. Christ
Church, Montpelier. 223-6043.
Send your event listing to calendar@montpelierbridge.com.

Deadline for print in the next issue is November 10.
T H E B R I D G E
Classifieds
Text-only class listings and

classifieds are 50 words for $25.
Call 223-5112 ext. 11
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P.O. Box 1143, Montpelier, VT 05601

Phone: 802-223-5112
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THE BRIDGE
Capital City Concerts presents A Feast of Suites

Nov. 20 at Montpelier High School
or its second offering in the 2016-2017 season, Capital

City Concerts (CCE) presents Lou Kosma conducting
three orchestral suites that celebrate autumn.
Kosma who played in the bass section of the Metropolitan

Opera for 36 years and who has conducted widely has
bought together a professional orchestra of musicians from
the East Coast to play three orchestral suites by Holst,
Telemann and Schoenberg.
According to a CCC press release, Schoenberg's Suite in the
Old Style is a distinctly tonal homage to Johann Sebastian
Bach. All three suites are evocative of landscape with a
strong sense of place, just in time for the annual celebration
of Vermont's fall bounty this Thanksgiving season.
Flutist Karen Kevra. Photo by Caleb Kenna
Opinion
Schoenberg composed the "Suite in G for String Orchestra"

in 1934 shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles upon fleeing
Germany in the wake of the growing Nazi regime. "Too
many people think of Schoenberg as a composer of "runfor-the exits" music," said Capital City Concerts Artistic
Director Karen Kevra. "The father of atonality also wrote
accessible, beautiful and engaging music. His Suite in
the Old Style invites you in with its rich harmonies and
evocative sense of landscape. This is a major orchestral
work much more than a novelty. It is a masterpiece and

a salute to Schoenberg's new life in America."
Kevra, a Grammy-nominated flutist will be the soloist in
Telemann's "Suite in A minor" for flute and string orchestra,
widely considered to be the greatest flute suite of the Baroque
period. I adore this piece because it is so inventive. It
has dazzling virtuoso movements, an overtly expressive and
gorgeous Italian style aria, swashbuckling dances for the
strings, plus it opens with a grand overture in the French
Baroque style.
The concert to be held on Nov. 20, 3 p.m. at the Montpelier
High School Smilie Auditorium will open with Gustav
Holst's Green Brook Suite, an inviting and picturesque work
from the composer who is best know for his gigantic suite
The Planets."
This concert is sponsored in part by Capital Copy,
Vermont State Employees Credit Union and Maple Capital
Management, with media sponsorship from VPR.
To learn more about the musicians, venues, programs and to
charge tickets ($15$25) go to www.capitalcityconcerts.org.
Tickets may also be purchased (cash or check only) in person
at Bear Pond Books, Montpelier and at the door.
Wind Turbines Wont Cure Climate Change

by Suzanne Seymour, Fairfield
istening to the drone of a plane flying overhead as I begin renovations on my cabin

on Fairfield Pond, I'm struck by just how quiet it is here. Usually, just the sound of
the loons, waves lapping on the rocks and children laughing are the things that stand
out here on the water. As the plane finally flies off and away from my little slice of Vermont
paradise, I'm again reminded that this could very well be my future: 499-Foot Industrial
Wind Turbine Engines, courtesy of Swanton Wind, on the other side of the pond that will
sound like a jet flying overhead ... but will never cease.
And I start thinking: "What is the point of doing anymore renovation on property repair?
If it's only a matter time before sleeplessness, fatigue, headaches and more become the
norm, like most other industrial wind victims, why even bother?" I'm depressed just
thinking about how I will have to leave my land and property, my childhood home filled
with warm memories of sacredness, peace, quiet and beauty, due to infrasound. Property
values also plummet where wind projects are built. No one wants to live near one,
especially one that would be visible right from their picture window. This feels like another
version of government's eminent domain.
I am being asked to sacrifice for the greater good. If only those words held truth! A
conversation about climate change WITHOUT taking into consideration a state's terrain
and the needs of its citizens is sheer lunacy. A goal without a viable plan is not a goal with
vision or integrity. Wind turbines are carbon-neutral at best. Do your homework. There
are better solutions out there being invented every day. It's not that I don't want them in
my backyard; I don't want them in anyone's!
If only wind turbines were the magic cure for climate change, or a substitute for replacing
carbon emissions, I'd be willing to do my part. That's one reason why I never had children
... huge carbon footprint, having more people on the planet. And, that's the main reason I
became a vegetarian (which reduces your carbon footprint by 65 percent ... really!).
I usually vote Liberal Progressive Democrat, although I'm a registered Independent. ( I
have more Bernie gear than you can imagine). But that's going to change. As 'my party'
has embraced a new god called Power, Greed and Corruption, putting industry and
corporations before people, I'll be voting the Green Mountain P(R)otection Party for
Governor this time around, thank you very much.
Advertise in the NEXT ISSUE:
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RESERVATIONS DUE FRIDAY, NOV. 11.
The Bridge publishes every 1st and
3rd Thursday of each month, except
in July when we only publish on the
3rd Thursday.
For more information

about advertising deadlines,
rates and the design of
your ad, contact one of our
representatives
Rick McMahan: 249-8666

rick@montpelierbridge.com
Michael Jermyn: 223-5112 ext.11
michael@montpelierbridge.com
T H E B R I D G E
The Bridge Presents
We'Ve GOT Talent!

Youth variety show
Saturday, November 12
7:00 p.m.
Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier
A Community Potluck Precedes Event at 6 p.m.
Cheer on our local young people as they sing, tell jokes,
share art and much more at this fun, family-friendly event!
Admission is by donation. Suggested donation: $15 general; $10 kids; $30 families
There is still space in the line-up and room to display your

creative works. If you are between the ages of 5 and 25 and
would like to be in the show, call 223-5112 ext. 12
or email marichel@montpelierbridge.com
PAG E 2 2 N OV E M B E R 3 N OV E M B E R 16 , 2 016
Editor:
Meat Industry Is Scary
I have no fear of all the goblins, the witches,

or even the evil clowns lurking on Halloween.
What really scares me are the latest reports
about the meat industry.
Like news of pig farms dumping millions
of gallons of pig feces into North Carolina's
water supplies during Hurricane Matthew.
Or of saturating their neighborhoods with
windborne fecal waste spray. Or of animal
farming accounting for more greenhouse gases
than transportation.
Like recurring media exposs of horrific
atrocities against animals on factory farms.
Or of subjecting slaughterhouse workers to
crippling workplace injuries at slave wages. Or
of exploiting farmers by controlling prices.
Like repeated reports of studies linking
consumption of animal products with elevated
risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer
and other killer diseases. Or reports of the meat
industry bullying health authorities to remove
warnings from dietary guidelines.
Now, thats really scary.
I fought back by dropping animal products
from my menu and my local supermarket has
rewarded me with a colorful display of fresh
fruits and veggies, as well as a rich selection
of plant-based meats, milks, cheeses and ice
creams. I am no longer scared, though I still
fear for my friends and neighbors.
Maxwell Branset, Montpelier
Scott Beats Minter On The Issues

Editor:
When it comes to the issues that impact how
affordable Vermont will be, Phil Scott beats Sue
Minter. Just look at a few of these key issues:
Phil Scott will move us off Vermont Health
Connect, which has cost $200+ million in
implementation costs (plus another $50+
million annually in operating costs) and still
doesnt work. Hed move to the less-costly
federal exchange, or a state partnership.
In contrast, Sue Minter has promised, like
Governor Shumlin did in 2013, 2014, 2015
and 2016, to make VHC functional.
Scott will not raise taxes on already tapped-out
Vermonters. In contrast, Minter said she would
raise taxes, and her record reflects that. She
THE BRIDGE
Letters
introduced a gasoline
tax, a mileage tax
and an income tax
hike for middle-class
Vermonters making
above $46,700. She
voted for the 2009 budget bill, which raised
taxes on Vermonters by $26 million, during the
Great Recession.
Scott will limit the growth of the state budget

to economic growth to ensure state government
lives within its means. The Minter record is
different. In 2009, Minter voted to raise
spending well beyond the economys capacity,
leading to a projected $200+ million budget
shortfall the next year. Scott would reform Act
46 to allow districts to preserve school choice
and keep what they save from mergers, rather
than having to send it back to Montpelier. Sue
Minter doesnt have a specific set of reforms for
Act 46.
Scott released a comprehensive, 10-point opiate
plan which covers prevention, treatment and
enforcement. It will expand the number of
counselors and treatment options, and build
on community approaches such as Rutlands
Project VISION. Minter has five vague
sentences about opiates on her website.
Scotts transportation plan will oppose a carbon
tax; encourage innovation in transportation
through targeted tax credits; ensure the
Transportation Fund is used for transportation
purposes only; advocate for federal flexibility;
and update the Transportation Agencys longterm plan. Ironically, Minter, the former
Transportation Secretary, doesnt have a
comprehensive transportation plan.
When you vote on Nov. 8, support the candidate
who will make Vermont affordable: Phil Scott.
Colette Dublois, Manchester Center
Jerry Trudell for U.S. Senate
Editor:
I would like to tell your readers about my

Independent Candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
Please visit my website jerrytrudellforsenate.
com to read about my"10 point plan, "which
is a blueprint for prosperity as well as the only
comprehensive set of solutions to the problem of
climate change.
We are the poorest rich country in the world,
and there is no excuse for the permanent
recession
economy
that we seem to be
stuck with. Families
and individuals are
working harder than
ever to make ends
meet, working for low wages and at part time
jobs. Senior citizens on fixed incomes are
struggling harder than ever to survive. What we
actually have is chronic underemployment, as
more and more people work multiple part time
jobs to try to stitch together enough income to
scrape by. I know what this is like, because I
am one of those people! In times like this we
need new ideas and innovation, not more of
the same old pork barreling approach to solving
our economic problems, as this is obviously not
working!
That is why I urge you to read my 10 point
plan and to please vote for your future when
you go to the polls next week. Please also tell
your friends.
Jerry Trudell, Chelsea
Scott Milne is the Man to Trust in

the U.S. Senate
Editor:
Like a lot of Vermonters, I didnt know Scott
before he ran for governor. But I have gotten
to know him since then. You can take it from
me he is a good man in this race for the right
reasons. Hes a successful small businessman,
father, and community member, with strong
ideas and ideals.
I had a chance to catch up with Scott last week.
He believes that public servants in Washington
without big money and special interests best
serve America. And he has designed a campaign
to amplify that message. He hasnt asked
anyone for money. He and his all-volunteer
team are on the road talking to Vermonters,
campaigning the George Aiken way.
Imagine the effect of a common citizen
defeating a man who collects millions from
out-of-state lobbyists, a man who embodies a
partisan and dysfunctional Washington, a man
who has worked less in the private sector in the
last 50 years than Scott does every morning
before hitting the campaign trail.
Scotts election would show the rest of the
country that Vermont cannot be bought by big
out-of-state money.
Please join my family and me in standing up,
saying that the status quo isnt serving us well,

and voting for Scott Milne.
Susie Markowski, Florence
Editor:
Milne is the Man
I will proudly cast a ballot for Scott Milne

next week. Not only because I agree with
him that we need to put an end to this age
of lobbyists drafting our legislation through
an elite class of career politicians, but also
because I know he is a man we can trust.
I grew up a neighbor to Scott in Pomfret. Only
a short walk through the woods separated our
homes, and as a friend of his son Keith, I spent
a lot of time at the Milne house. Scott was
the kind of dad who coached baseball and
basketball, came on our field trips and went
out of his way to make us kids laugh and feel
included. I recall fighting with classmates for
who got to ride in Scotts car on one field
trip in particular. Over the years I saw how
hard Scott worked. He would often come to a
sports practice, or home for dinner, and head
back to the office. He grew his family business
through tough times. I agree with Scott that
powerful special interests writing our laws
must come to an end. As a nurse, I see the
negative consequences of the pharmaceutical
industry lobby firsthand every day. If he
defeats the six-million-dollar-incumbent
with his grassroots campaign, not soliciting
donations or accepting special-interest money,
it will signal to the country that our system,
and status quo, must change. His election
would send a powerful, positive message from
Vermont to Washington, D.C.
If we want a Senate to be proud of, we need
Senators who are willing to take the road
less traveled and lead by example. Ive known
Scott Milne for decades, and trust
him to be that man.
Melissa Potter, Hartland
Loved Piece by Brianna Stallings
Editor:
Id just like to thank Brianna Stallings for her

essay The Day I Kicked A Murderer in the
Oct. 10 edition of The Bridge. This was great
writing and storytelling and I hope she had as
much fun writing it as I did reading it.
Conrad Boucher, Montpelier
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 November 11.
N OV E M B E R 3 N OV E M B E R 16 , 2 016 PAG E 2 3
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Q & A with Mayor John Hollar Pg.

November 3November 16, 2016

Photo by Michael Jermyn

Pg. 14 Poet James Facos

Stranded in the ER with a

According to the mother, her adult daughter

As to the limitations of the emergency room,

Storm Irene that struck Vermont at the end

We're online! montpelierbridge.com or vtbridge.com

Butcher/Deli/Bar To Open On Barre Street

Draft Zoning to be Subject of Public Hearing Dec. 12

Flooding, Sewage Damages Food Shelf, Benefit Shop

Development Corp. Members Named

Vermont Stars Come out for Lost Nation Theater

Support The Bridge

All community contributions, whatever

*Contributions of $50 or more are eligible to receive a one-year subscription.

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

Send this form and your check to:

Cascades of Golden Leaves, then Grey

his week we celebrated

Breaking Early Voting Records in Montpelier

Odum is highly confident about the security of Montpeliers

Montpelier City Clerk John Odum.

The issue The Bridge publishes on the third Thursday

Vermont Press Assocation Debate: Gubernatorial

COLCHESTER Candidates for Vermonts top

Vermont going it alone. I think it will hurt Vermonters.

health, an objective she said requires de-stigmatizing

Whats the Scoop with the City Managers Job?

Got a news tip? We want to know!

A Status Update on Montpelier:

Sidewalks, Berlin Pond,

Vermonters with Severe Mental Health Problems Stranded in Emergency Rooms

bed and that person is getting better and could be transferred

This is our emergency

Then as Commissioner Reed pointed out in a phone contact

When asked if the problem was state budgets, Knapp replied,

Even one patient overnight has a big

In a phone conversation with The Bridge former Montpelier

And the subsequent comment from

When you are placing a person who has

needs a great deal of attention) into that unit.

Instead, in delivering mental health care services, she started by

Attorney General Candidates Make Opiate Fight A Priority

The candidates also considered police body camera

The candidates also discussed the importance of helping everyday Vermonters.

Time For The Hunger Mountain

Patchwork Farm. Photo by Curtis B. Johnson

A New Look at an Old

Vermontisms and Vermont

Lt. Governor Candidates Talk EB-5,

Republican Randy Brock of Swanton and Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman of

Matter at Hand: Current

by Matthew Maitland Thomas

November 12 Youth Variety Show

James Facos Reads from His Collected Lyrics at

uch honored Montpelier poet, playwright, novelist,

near Denver, Colorado for training to become an aerial gunner

Facos is a traditionalist who has little interest in the ramblings of

Facos was soon in England serving as a ball turret gunner on

Elaborating on this theme, Facos said, It had taken over 800

Facos was 18 years old when he enlisted and said, he wanted to

I, Too, Miss Dickinson is another poem that Facos read at