

Cover Story
How Wanda Audette Transformed Vermont’s Oldest Adoption Agency
Lund has found families for more than 12,000 children in its 135-year history. Audette, who retired in June, arranged nearly half of them.
News
Healthy Living Appeals to NLRB Not to Recognize Its Labor Union
The company accuses Workers United of flooding its workforce with workers to win a unionization vote. The union calls that claim “delusional.”
A Woman Accused of Faking Credentials Faces Deportation to Iran
An Iranian woman who lectures on surgeries crossed illegally into Vermont from Canada. She says she fears torture if she is sent home.
In Lincoln, Neighbors Feed Each Other With a Pay-It-Forward Program
At the Lincoln General Store, pink heart stickers mark food that customers can take home for free, as part of a new program from community group We Feed Each Other.
From the Publisher: For the Record
Only select stories from the earliest issues of Seven Days have been properly digitized — until now. Getting our full archives online preserves local history.
Arts+Culture
‘Valley Transit’ Films in the Upper Valley
Spearheaded by Junction Arts & Media with an all-local cast and crew, the movie is believed to be the first feature film shot entirely in the region.
Phil Acimovic Creates a Soundtrack for Cold Hollow Sculpture Park
The Yale lecturer and composer performs an original score inspired by the works of artist David Stromeyer at the Enosburg Falls park.
Wagner in Vermont Festival Features ‘Tristan und Isolde’
Brattleboro couple Hugh Keelan and Jenna Rae bring the composer’s epic operas to small-town Vermont. This year’s fest plays out August 14 to 19 at Latchis Theatre.
The Museum of Everyday Life Examines the Chair and Its Meanings
The Glover barn turned museum explores this year’s quotidian subject, the chair, via history, philosophy, anthropology and wit.
New Barn Quilts Grace Affordable-Housing Properties in the NEK
Nonprofit RuralEdge has organized a series of barn quilts designed and painted by residents that will welcome visitors to towns across the Northeast Kingdom.
Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, August 12-19
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including laid-back alt-rockers G. Love & Special Sauce at the Double E in Essex.
Food+Drink
Montréal Critic Lesley Chesterman Shares Her Restaurant Intel
The former Gazette writer believes her hometown’s culinary scene is underestimated. She kick-started a museum exhibit and offered recs for a weekend of eats.
Sneakers Bistro Goes Nighttime With Sneakeasy Cocktail Lounge
The Winooski breakfast spot has transformed its upstairs space into an eclectic bar, serving drinks and small bites when the restaurant used to be closed.
Three Teens Run the Show at Essex Junction’s Black Ice Premium Ice Cream
On Park Street, the McMillan brothers dish out a customizable menu of ice cream, creemees, açai bowls and more, learning to run a business in the process.
Music+Nightlife
David Schein Prepares to Premiere ‘Queen City Songs’ at Off Center
The Queen City native, writer and musician has created a musical walking tour of his hometown, full of quirky stories and ghosts of the past.
On the Beat: New Music From Brunch
The Burlington rockers release a double A-side. Plus, Vermont Reggae Fest returns, a new bluegrass fest debuts, and new music from expat Francesca Blanchard.
Album Review: The Mountain Goats, ‘Days’
The indie-rock band’s latest album is a collage of ’90s nostalgia sprinkled with obscure pop-culture references that invites retrospection.
On Screen
‘One Night Only’ Doesn’t Make a Good Case for Dystopian Rom-Com
Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner play strangers who collide on the only night of the year when single people are allowed to have sex in Will Gluck’s comedy.
Now Playing in Theaters, August 12-19
In addition to ‘Hadestown: The Musical’ here’s what is playing in Northern and Central Vermont movie theaters this week. Listings include new movies, vintage films and a directory of open theaters.
Fun Stuff
Should I Reach Out to My Long-Lost Childhood Friend?
A ghosted woman wonders about reconnecting with an old pal and fizzled romantic flame. Here’s how to decide whether the past is better left in the history books.
Free Will Astrology (8/12/26)
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888.
Life Lines
Obituary: Christopher Edward Klesch, 1971-2026
Engineer enjoyed a long and meaningful career and was well served by his natural tenacity and curiosity
Obituary: Barbara Oski Beane, 1935-2026
Activist, real estate agent, gallery manager, singer and pianist had a zest for life and a passion for protest
Obituary: Nancy Noyes Thayer, 1925-2026
Centenarian made friends everywhere she went through her love of entertaining, volunteer work and people and was a passionate supporter of the arts
Obituary: Walter “Gator” Mumford, 1953-2026
Co-owner of Gator’s convenience store in Bristol supported other laryngectomees in Vermont and was active in the local rotary club
Obituary: Roy “Hap” W. Fox Jr., 1952-2026
Skilled electrical engineer, patent holder and artist was a wanderer and independent spirit who had the gift of gab
Obituary: Donald Patrick MacDonald, 1943-2026
Burlington man who helped bring professional baseball to Vermont carried his free spirit and love of learning into every career
In Memoriam: Nancy Fitch, 1941-2026
Family and friends celebrate the life of the “keeper of the garden”
Obituary: Anneliese Monika Shor, 1943-2026
Adventurer was inspired by music, beauty, simplicity and nature
Obituary: Theodore B. Ruszas, 1942-2026
U.S. Air Force veteran served as a Scoutmaster in South Burlington and St. Albans for 24 years
Obituary: Timothy A. Sargent, 1949-2026
Gifted counselor’s empathetic and pragmatic approach to helping others was a hallmark of his life
Obituary: Benjamin “Ben” Learned, 1982-2026
Devoted husband and father had an infectious sense of humor, a generous heart, and a way of making everyone around him feel welcome and cared for
Obituary: Dorothy K. Lavallee, 1940-2026
Nurse of more than 40 years always cared for others with an infectious laugh, a kind demeanor and a warm smile






