

Life Stories
Life Stories: Remembering Vermonters Who Died in 2025
From a clever Weybridge farmer to a beloved rock-and-roll roadie in Burlington to a pioneering trans-rights advocate, they reflect what it is to be a Vermonter.
Life Story: Activist Brenda Churchill Was a ‘Fierce’ Advocate
The transgender activist from Bakersfield had an abiding belief that everyone deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.
Life Story: Todd ‘Highway’ Sica Was ‘Like a Human Version of a Pitbull’
Burlington’s most beloved roadie trafficked in tales of adventure and street wisdom gleaned from his life on the road and was like a second father to at-risk youth.
Life Story: Jay Stevens Loved ‘Being a Good Ancestor’
The Vermont author, poet and “warrior scholar” penned the definitive book on LSD. He traveled far and wide but was always drawn back to life on the family farm.
Life Story: Sister Sankofa, aka Shanda Williams, ‘Was a Force’
The Montpelier entrepreneur, actor and activist worked to dismantle racism and heal the trauma it inflicts — and changed her name to reflect her mission.
Life Story: Roger Wales ‘Was Not Bound by Convention.’
The seventh-generation Weybridge farmer quit milking cows but raised buckwheat and goats. He could fix anything and was a straight shooter, with guns and words.
Life Story: Linda Danziger ‘Believed Everyone Has an Artist Inside Them’
The Plainfield art teacher had a gift for convincing people to try new activities, drawing people into her orbit by creating beautiful and inviting spaces.
Backstories
Backstories 2025: Behind the Scenes of Our Most Memorable Stories
If you think the news cycle is full of twists and turns, hear how our reporters get the news. Their dogged journalism is crucial to our community and democracy.
Backstory: A Food Writer Surprises a Chef With James Beard News
The James Beard Awards are a big deal in the food world. But sometimes, the journalists covering them are paying more attention than the chefs being honored.
Backstory: As Congress Dithered, a Reporter Blew Past His Deadlines
Writer Kevin McCallum missed all of his deadlines for a story about U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ “Fight Oligarchy” tour. He claims it was Congress’ fault.
Backstory: A Story on Alcohol Abuse Hits Close to Home for One Reporter
Writer Colin Flanders began to reconsider his own relationship to alcohol while reporting about Vermont’s booze problem.
Backstory: How a Reporter Caught City Councilors Gossiping in a Group Chat
From her seat in Burlington City Hall, writer Courtney Lamdin spied city councilors texting during meetings. The practice skirts the boundaries of state law.
Backstory: A Reporter Struggles With a Reluctant Subject
It was difficult for writer Alison Novak to finagle an interview with Education Secretary Zoie Saunders, who eventually relented but still resisted opening up.
Backstory: A Reporter Pulls Off Feverish Multitasking in Montréal
While on assignment in Montréal, visual art editor Alice Dodge also tried to get Canadian passports for her kids. A frenzied February school break ensued.
Backstory: A Story Snowballs as a Reporter Connects the Dots
Writer Alison Novak’s deep-dive research into an assault at the Vermont School for Girls led to a bigger story about state-level decision making.
Backstory: With Mohsen Mahdawi’s Release, a Reporter Feels the Weight of History
As Vermont got swept up in Trump’s crackdown on student protesters, writer Colin Flanders felt the rush of witnessing history in the making.
Backstory: A Reporting Trip Proves That One Good Story Leads to Another
Culture coeditor Dan Bolles went to New York City for a cover story about comedian Tina Friml and came back with a lead about a quirky Vermont yard game.
Backstory: Why Our ‘Hater’s Guide to Creemees’ Was an Act of Love
Reporter Chelsea Edgar doesn’t believe Vermont’s beloved creemee is beyond reproach. In fact, there are a few more hater’s guides she’d like to write.
Backstory: A Reporter and a Bishop Walk Into a Courthouse…
Writer Derek Brouwer went to court to cover sex-abuse survivors testifying against the Roman Catholic Diocese. The story changed when he ran into the bishop.
Backstory: A Rookie Lawmaker Shares His Surprising Use of AI
While reporting on Vermont’s newest representatives, Statehouse writer Hannah Bassett discovered one using ChatGPT to make sense of a high-profile bill.
Backstory: Good News Derails a Story on Deadline
A story about Trump’s ban on South Sudanese passport holders was ready to go to press — and then a last-minute twist caused writer Courtney Lamdin to scramble.
Backstory: How a Story Tipster Became Its Subject
A Burlington park ranger stopped by the Seven Days office with a story tip about homelessness. Reporter Derek Brouwer turned the tipster into the story.
Backstory: A Reporter Spends a Surreal Overnight by the Vermont Border
While covering U.S.-Canada border tensions, writer Lucy Tompkins was nearly arrested and spent a night in a hobbit house with a baby raccoon.
Backstory: A ‘Last Rites’ Box Finds a Holier Home
After readers were appalled by a story about Seven Days’ office bathroom, brimming with religious art and objects, a writer gifted a last rites box to a bishop.
Backstory: Writing About Other Seven Dayzers Has Its Dangers
When music editor Chris Farnsworth interviewed and wrote about his coworkers’ band, he found himself in an uncomfortable, and conflicted, position.
Backstory: A Reporter Goes to Great Heights, Literally, to Get the Shot
Seven Days writers often shoot photos for their stories. For reporter Kevin McCallum, photojournalism is an art that sometimes requires scaling a roof.
Backstory: A Reporter Follows the ‘Write What You Know’ Axiom
In a case of uncanny timing, writer Ken Picard takes his 16-year-old daughter for her road test as he wraps up a story on driver ed in Vermont.
Backstory: A Cider Doughnut Run-In Brings a Reporter Full Circle
It’s not unusual for a journalist to discover an unexpected connection when out on assignment, but a serendipitous farmstand encounter was extra sweet.
Backstory: A Story Took a Dramatic Turn During a Reporter’s Vacation in Thailand
While writer Alison Novak was on a family trip in Bangkok, she received an email that became national news and changed the trajectory of her cover story.
Backstory: How VTIFF Got Its T-Shirt to President Clinton
Sometimes a great anecdote doesn’t serve a story. Here’s one left on the cutting-room floor, involving a president, the Secret Service and a Vermont film festival.
Backstory: An Immigration Reporter Relies on Her Childhood Spanish
When reporting on Vermont’s immigrant communities, Lucy Tompkins uses the Spanish she learned as a child in central Mexico to build trust.
News
From the Publisher: Turning the Page on 2025
Publisher Paula Routly sums up Vermont’s standout moments of 2025, captured in Seven Days’ pages. News, food, arts and culture — we cover it all.
Food+Drink
Seven Days Food Writers Share Their Best Bites of 2025
What were the best things we ate and drank in Vermont this year? From Colombian hot dogs to a summer spritz to farm-fresh feasts, 2025 tickled our taste buds.
Arts+Culture
Stuck in Vermont: Eva Sollberger and Her Mom, Sophie Quest, Say Goodbye to 2025
Episode 757: Another year is coming to a close, and it’s time for the annual “Stuck in Vermont” video reflecting on 2025’s most memorable moments.
Standout Vermont Artists to Keep an Eye On in 2026
Here are seven artists — painters, sculptors, a photographer and a papermaker — whose work stood out in the group shows we covered this year.
‘The Things He Left Behind’: An Essay by Tim Brookes
Fifty years after making Burlington his home, British author Tim Brookes examines what drew him to the city and what it means to leave.
Magnificent 14: Must See, Must Do, December 26-January 7
Explore our editor’s picks for can’t-miss events in Vermont, including punk-rock icons Gogol Bordello at Higher Ground in South Burlington.
Music+Nightlife
The Best Vermont Music of 2025
Music editor Chris Farnsworth picks his favorite albums, songs and moments of the year, from buzzworthy indie records to major releases by local heavy hitters.
On Screen
The Year in Film: Theaters, Streaming and the Rise of FOMO Viewing
Seeing original movies in theaters keeps getting harder, but Vermont’s festivals and art houses expand the options. Here are some of our favorite 2025 films
Life Lines
In Memoriam: Peter J. Vlahos, July 3, 1942-December 24, 2004
“Love is love and not fade away.”—Buddy Holly Missing you.Love,Maury
Obituary: Patricia Burgmeier, 1943-2025
Cofounder of the ‘Other Paper’ was an accomplished artist and cook who was always smiling and loved her family dearly
Obituary: Leo “Lee” Alberry, 1941-2025
Leo “Lee” Alberry passed away on December 18, 2025. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 136 Locust St., Burlington. Arrangements are under the care of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. For a full obituary or to send online condolences,…
Fun Stuff
Free Will Astrology (1/1/26)
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888
Ask the Rev: What Can I Do to Effect Positive Change in the New Year?
Resolving to spread more light and love next year? Here are some ways to take action — while also taking good care of yourself.
Free Will Astrology (12/24/25)
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888






