August 19 • 2026
Vermont Cracks Down on Illegal Backcountry Trails; Killington Redevelopment Plan in Limbo; Woodbelly’s Middlesex Café Serves Breakfast, Lunch and Pizza; Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival Brings Star Power
Cover Story
Mountain Biking Case Signals Crackdown on Rogue Trail Building
People have long made trails without permission in Vermont. A recent settlement in Stowe shows that the state is unwilling to tolerate that now.
News
Vermont Law Enforcement Agencies Help the Feds Patrol the Border. Should They?
Several Vermont police agencies allow their members to participate in Operation Stonegarden despite a state policy that bans collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
Turnover in Town Hall Could Impact Massive Killington Resort Project
The town is trying to manage a $110 million tax-increment financing plan for the ski area’s expansion despite workforce conflict and departures.
Sunset Lake Cannabis Goes Green by Farming Only Outdoors
Founder and CEO Sam Bellavance, who also owns Lake Effect Dispensary in South Hero, has made sustainability one of his company’s core tenets.
Jay Peak Recruits Goats to Clean Up Ski Slopes
The aptly named Chew Crew munches on grass, poison ivy, goldenrod and whatever else stands in the way of skiers and a smooth ride.
From the Deputy Publisher: Only Human
As artificial intelligence pops up everywhere, Seven Days commits to publishing journalism, photographs and artwork by humans.
Arts+Culture
Stuck in Vermont: Boating With Michael Hendrickson of Burlington Harbor Launch and Tow
Episode 774: From April 1 to the end of the boating season, Hendrickson is on the water seven days a week and on call 24-7.
Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival Brings Star Power
Jane Fonda and Anaïs Mitchell headline the 2026 fest, the first with four-time Emmy winner Andy Knight Mitchell on staff.
Ignat Solzhenitsyn at Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival
The famed composer, who grew up in Cavendish, spoke about music, soccer and his famous father, Russian exile and writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Book Review: ‘The Nobody Code,’ Miciah Bay Gault
The ambitious second novel from the former director of the Vermont Book Awards follows a new mom trying to solve a mystery grounded in her Vermont adolescence.
Will Kasso Condry Builds Worlds in Solo Show at BCA Center
The painter creates Afrofuturist mythology in studio works displayed alongside his newest collaborative mural with Juniper Creative Arts.
Bits and Pieces: Mary Tapogna’s Mosaics at Kishka
The Lyndonvile artist creates connections between disparate works, from crosses to portraits of pop-culture icons, that make intuitive sense.
Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, August 19-26
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including acclaimed comedian Gary Gulman at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington.
Food+Drink
Woodbelly’s New Middlesex Café Serves Breakfast, Lunch and Pizza
New owners have brought a fresh vision, a broad menu and consistency to the formerly freewheeling pizza business, which opened a new café in May.
The Boerie Roll Food Cart Grills Up a South African Staple
At the Stowe Farmers Market, Jeremy Greeff serves boerewors: handcrafted, spiced sausages from his native country. They are far easier to eat than to pronounce.
JJ’s to Replace Shuttered Langdon Street Tavern in Montpelier
Scott Kerner, co-owner of Good Measure Pub & Brewery and Carrier Roasting, is opening an old-school sports bar with a pub-food menu and free chili on football Sundays.
The Skinny Pancake Partners with Vermont Brewers in BTV and Quechee
The restaurant group is collaborating with Lawson’s Finest Liquids and Mount Holly Beer to create branded beer programs and “up our bar game,” Benjy Adler said.
Music+Nightlife
Singer Angélique Kidjo Sees the Bright Side on Her New Album
The West African star pays tribute to her late mother — and to keeping the faith — on ‘Hope!!’ She performs on August 21 at the Flynn in Burlington.
On the Beat: POP Montréal Announces Full Festival Lineup
The Canadian indie-music fest is back for its 25th year. Plus, Tom Banjo plays Burlington’s Junktiques, and Ruminations and Jason Baker release new singles.
Album Review: Toadstool & Rico James, ‘Know Problem’
Rhode Island emcee Toadstool teams up with Burlington producer Rico James on an album of classic-sounding boom-bap bangers
Album Review: Herb Leff, ‘COOL-FUSION FIRE’
The experimental composer, a former University of Vermont professor and utopian psychologist, drops an avant-garde freak-out.
Album Review: Evan Alsop, ‘Middle Heaven
The Burlington folk singer and country rocker drops a strong new offering with plenty of Queen City guests.
On Screen
Dinosaur Survival Flick ‘The End of Oak Street’ Has an Ending Problem
David Robert Mitchell wrote and directed the story of a flailing couple (Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway) whose neighborhood is jolted back in time.
Now Playing in Theaters, August 19-26
In addition to ‘The Invite’ 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
Ask the Rev: How Can I Get Solo Time With My Married Sister?
Married couples are often a package deal. But it’s still important to connect with loved ones as individuals. So make plans to see each other more often— and stick to them.
Free Will Astrology (8/19/26)
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888.
Life Lines
In Memoriam: Donna M. (Boutwell) Guyette
Celebration honors “the queen of random acts of kindness” who took care of others in whatever way she could
Obituary: Walter Edward “Ted” Tedford, 1927-2026
Award-winning journalist, writer and editor was active in civic organizations and cofounded a weekly writer’s group
Obituary: Sara Packard, MD
It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Sara Packard on July 21, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt. She was born on July 30, 1954 in Burlington, Vt., and lived in its environs her entire life. Sara grew up in Williston, the eldest of five…
Obituary: John MacWalters Jr., 1929-2026
Proud U.S. Marine was deeply committed to serving his community and his fellow veterans
Obituary: David Carwin Bowers Jr., 1940-2026
After a 30-year career at IBM, engineer enjoyed traveling the country in his camper-van
Obituary: Robert “Bob” William Friend, 1959-2026
Longtime butcher and devoted family man was known for his incredible work ethic, outgoing personality and handsome smile
Obituary: Michael Burditt Cadwell, 1952-2026
Professor of architecture and school director at the Ohio State University enjoyed time with his wife, son and extended family most of all
Obituary: Judith Pillsbury Siccama, 1940-2026
Beloved teacher and avid quilter found joy in sharing what she had with the people around her
Obituary: Camille Anne Cardinal, 1957-2026
Talented artist loved competing in the Special Olympics and thrived when she was with others
Obituary: Terry M. Agnelli, 1950-2026
Kind and gentle soul devoted her entire life to nursing and loved books of all kinds
Anniversary: Happy 75th, Dad & Mom!
Family celebrate Frank & Ducky Donath’s diamond anniversary
In Memoriam: Jennifer Adsit, 1953-2026
Family and friends gather to remember “beautiful life”
Obituary: Phyllis (White) Klinefelter Quinn, 1935-2026
Burlington native was a longtime volunteer, a wonderful cook, a talented pianist and a loyal friend
Obituary: Barbara Ryle Curtin, 1954-2026
“Queen of Trivia” had a remarkable curiosity about the world and stayed connected to her community through volunteering
In Memoriam: David Bumbeck, 1940-2026
Friends, neighbors and former colleagues celebrate prolific artist and influential educator
