Sept 24-30 2025
Wilmer Chavarria Is Leading — and Advocating for — Winooski Students; Burlington Seeks a Spot for an Overdose-Prevention Center; Vermont Textile Producers Eye a “Farm-to-Closet” Movement; Eating and Drinking in Bedford, Québec
Cover Story
Wilmer Chavarria Is Leading — and Advocating for — Winooski Students
The superintendent of schools shares similarities with his diverse student body. He’s using his platform to stand up for them.
News
Burlington Seeks a Spot for an Overdose-Prevention Center
Downtown is perhaps the most obvious location, but some city councilors are fiercely opposed to the idea given the area’s myriad challenges.
Fearing Detention, Immigrant Parents Assign Legal Guardians for Their Kids
As immigration enforcement ramps up, parents are using a new program to assign legal guardians for their kids in case they are detained
From the Publisher: Screen Scene
Publisher Paula Routly attends a journalism film series hosted by Seven Days and VTIFF. ‘His Girl Friday’ gets many things wrong but a few things right.
Letters to the Editor (9/24/25)
‘Outstanding’ Issue Congratulations on the outstanding August 27 edition of Seven Days! The paper thoroughly covered four very important issues: homelessness [“Is Homelessness a Local Matter?”]; legal orders for compression of school districts and the hopeful, evolving solutions [“A Map for the Future”]; the problems and benefits of Vermont’s dams [“Power Drain”]; and the terror…
Vermont Cannabis Shops Launch a ‘Cannatrail’ to Encourage Visits
Modeled after a beer or wine trail, the cannabis version encourages people to check out 23 stores around the state. Accruing enough stamps in a booklet earns a prize.
Arts+Culture
Vermont Textile Producers Eye a ‘Farm-to-Closet’ Movement
Across the state, farmers, spinners, weavers and knitters strive to slow the runaway train called “fast fashion” as they produce natural plant and animal fibers.
Solid State: Studio Place Arts Celebrates Stone for the 25th Time
The organization made a commitment at its founding to showcase the central Vermont carving tradition, and it continues to create relevant, varied exhibitions.
‘Let It Be’ Mural Depicts the History of Burlington’s Barge Canal
Eight student artists worked with professional muralists to create the mural in only a month’s time.
Opera Company of Middlebury Celebrates Leonard Bernstein
A new festival fêtes the American composer with film screenings and performances, including of his lesser known one-act opera ‘Trouble in Tahiti’
Q&A: An Archaeological Dig Uncovers Native American Artifacts
UVM’s Consulting Archaeology Program found pottery shards and stone flakes at Sand Bar State Park. Go behind the scenes of this “Stuck in Vermont” video.
‘Fracture Point’ Looks at Old Labor From New Perspectives
The Vermont Granite Museum exhibition of works by Vermont College of Fine Arts alums explores the impact of the stone industry on workers and families.
Magnificent 7: Must See, Must Do, September 24-October 1
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including Ira Glass in Conversation at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe.
Food+Drink
Day Trip: Eating and Drinking in Bedford, Québec
An hour north of Burlington, Bedford offers excellent coffee, dueling poutine spots and a Montréal-level restaurant — minus city traffic.
Hudak Farm in Swanton Raises the Bar for Cider Doughnuts
Unlike many versions of Vermont’s fave fall treat, Hudak’s are mixed from scratch with the farm’s own boiled cider and fried fresh in lard in a vintage fryer.
The Elmore Store Brings Back Farm-to-Oven Pizza
After a complete renovation of its historic home, the general store reopened in July. About a month ago, it relaunched pizza with Elmore Mountain Bread crusts.
Music+Nightlife
Soundbites: Acqua Mossa Dive In With a Debut Album
The Burlington indie-soul outfit finally released its long-gestating debut LP with a sold-out show at the Monkey House in Winooski.
On the Beat: Stage 33 Live’s New Podcast; Benefit Shows Galore
A tiny listening room in Bellows Falls launches a new podcast. Plus, benefit concerts for Migrant Justice and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Eye on the Scene: Burlington Baroque Festival
Our intrepid photographer went to church on a Sunday for a celebration of music from the time of King Louis XIV and didn’t burst into flames.
Album Review: Scott Tournet, ‘Home’
The former Grace Potter and the Nocturnals guitarist delves into his acoustic, singer-songwriter side on his latest LP, a departure from his earlier ways.
On Screen
‘Him’ Is a Football Horror Movie About Hustle Culture
Justin Tipping’s movie is perhaps 70 percent MTV-style montages and 30 percent campy chaos, yet it all makes a twisted kind of sense.
Now Playing in Theaters, September 24-30
In addition to ‘The Long Walk,’ 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 Early Is Too Early to Put Up Halloween Decorations?
Is September too soon for skeletons and spiders? The time frame for holiday décor is subjective, but here’s advice on embracing the spirit of the season.
Free Will Astrology (9/24/25)
LIBRA (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): The ancient Mesopotamians believed each person had a personal god called an ilu who acted as a protector, guide and intercessor with the greater gods. You’re in a phase when your own ilu is extra active and ready to undergo an evolutionary transformation. So assume that you will be able to…
Life Lines
In Memoriam: Susan Boucher, 1953-2025
Susan Boucher passed away on September 15, 2025, after a long struggle with physical and emotional pain and suffering. She is survived by her son, Benjamin Boucher; sisters, Karen Forbes and Linda Champney; and longtime partner, Steve Matson. There will be no calling hours, and memorial services will be private.
Obituary: Dorothy “Dot” Ruber, 1932-2025
South Burlington woman is remembered for her legendary love for her children and grandchildren
Obituary: Jeffrey Brown, 1961-2025
Financial analyst and fly fisherman took great pride in being a parent
Obituary: Grace Elizabeth “Betsy” Patten Gardner, 1939-2025
Hospice nurse touched the lives of hundreds of families and inspired a generation of health care professionals
Obituary: David Joseph Atherton, 1971-2025
Former town manager of Brandon, Pittsford and Killington remembered for his passion for music and devotion to family and friends
Obituary: David Patrick Wright, 1951-2025
Burlington native and Reiki master worked as an energy healer for more than 35 years
Obituary: Nancy J. O’Hora, 1937-2025
Real estate broker lived a life filled with adventure, exploration, and the pursuit of social justice and equality
Celebration of Life: Nancy King Bouffard
Please join us for a Celebration of Life in loving memory of Nancy King Bouffard December 6, 1939—August 6, 2025 Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon The Inn at Grace Farm 117 Highbridge Road Fairfax, Vt. A reception will follow from 2:30-6 p.m. Please stop by and share a memory.
Obituary: Carol A. Langlais, 1959-2025
Burlington woman believed in standing up to authority in the name of human rights and treating everyone with respect and goodwill
Obituary: Robert Tyler Willey, 1933-2025
Cofounder of Vermont Systems, Inc. proudly served his company and community
Obituary: Oliver J. Gardner, 1948-2025
Master gardener, sailor and entrepreneur opened Williston’s 4 Seasons Garden Center
Obituary: Roger Marceau, 1947-2025
Vietnam veteran and successful contractor left a legacy of love
