

Cover Story
Scott Picks His Battles With Trump. Will That Cost Him?
The turmoil of Trump 2.0 is putting the political agility of the nation’s most popular governor to the test.
News
Emerge Vermont Has Helped Dozens of Women — All Dems — Get Elected
More women than ever served in the Vermont legislature, in no small part because of the group’s training. Some say the GOP needs a counterpart.
Prognosis: Higher Costs, Less Coverage for Vermonters
Health care costs have been rising quickly for years in Vermont. But the end of certain subsidies means people will pay more for less coverage.
A Vermont Company Reuses Those Plastic Beer Four-Pack Carriers
Ben Kogan launched his program in 2021 and picks up the plastic pieces at about a dozen locations — then sanitizes them and sells them at a discount.
From the Publisher: Human Interest
Seven Days publisher Paula Routly looks at an existential threat to journalists — AI — and explains why she’s still betting on human curiosity and drive.
Food+Drink
LedgEnd Farm Raises Venison in Middlebury
Thirty years ago, Hank Dimuzio was among several dozen Vermont deer farmers. Now he’s the only one still regularly selling farmed venison.
Garam Tava Club Pops Up With the Flavors of Western India
Hosting regular events at Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg and Tandem in Bristol, Katherine Patel spices up Vermont’s Indian food scene with Mumbai cult classics.
Jitters Café & Lounge to Open in Burlington Square
Tim LaPrade is expanding his Massachusetts-born café concept with Vermont partners in the long-awaited downtown development. It will serve from morning to night.
Old School Bagels Bakery and Café Opens in Fair Haven
Seasoned restaurant pro and baker Bob Workman will make New York-style bagels and cheesecake, Italian pizza bread, and deli rye. He promises a “kickass hot pastrami.”
Arts+Culture
Stuck in Vermont: BarnArts’ Haunted Village Theater Spooks Audiences in Barnard
Episode 753: Guides led visitors to five outdoor locations in Barnard to see original theater scenes written by local writers and a musical performance.
Gretchen Verplanck Finds Monster Success
Kind, quirky, stubborn or annoying, the Burlington artist’s ceramic Scary Monsters come with unique names and backstories. She can’t make them fast enough.
Joe Citro Resurrects His Early Short Fiction
In ‘False Memories & Eldritch Interludes,’ the Vermont horror author and folklorist collects his short stories and reveals the real-life tales behind them.
‘The Ghost Lab’ Examines How Paranormal Investigators Undermine Science
Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling’s book explores how the belief in psychics, UFO abductions and Bigfoot reflects and fosters distrust in mainstream pillars of knowledge.
Prospecting for Gold: Joel Sternfeld at the Hall Foundation
The acclaimed photographer shares images from “American Prospects,” the wilderness of New York’s pre-park High Line and a video installation in Reading.
Film Tells the Story Behind First-Ever Adaptive Bike Network
‘Best Day Ever’, which premieres in Vermont this week, examines how a local mountain biking community created an accessible — and truly gnarly — trail network.
Sowing Art at the Soda Plant in Burlington
In an exhibition at new Burlington gallery Extra Special With Cheese, Landon Newton examines the practice of caring for the landscape.
Magnificent 7: Must See, Must Do, Oct. 29-Nov. 5
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company at Lyndon Institute.
Music+Nightlife
Allan Nicholls Revives His ’60s Band J.B. and the Playboys
The Vermont director, actor and musician reconvened his old Montréal rock band for its first new album in almost 60 years.
On the Beat: Halloween Hot Spots and New Vermont Music
Follow our guide to some of Vermont’s spookier Halloween happenings, then check out a roundup of new music from local artists.
Album Review: The Wormdogs, ‘It’s for You’
The Burlington bluegrass and Americana outfit headed south to record its latest record — and got caught in a blizzard anyway.
On Screen
It’s the End of the World as We Know It in Chilling ‘A House of Dynamite’
Director Kathryn Bigelow explores the scenario of a surprise nuclear attack on the U.S. in a controversial cautionary tale that plays like a thriller.
Now Playing in Theaters October 29-November 4
In addition to ‘Bugonia,’ 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.
Life Lines
Obituary: Col. (Ret.) Albert “Albie” Lee Lewis, 1951-2025
U.S. Army veteran also served in the Vermont Air National Guard, led disaster recovery operations across the country and volunteered for decades in his community
Obituary: Julie Reid, 1972-2025
Longtime South Burlington resident and devoted mother leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication and strength
Obituary: Michael Joseph Bagiackas, 1954-2025
Educator and school administrator helped establish Maplehill’s farm school and cofounded the Central Vermont Montessori School
Obituary: William Mansfield Hubbard, 1946-2025
Special education teacher for 35 years was also a homesteader who enjoyed caring for his animals and tending his farm
Obituary: Helene Marie (Limoge) McHugh,1933-2025
Proud Vermonter generously gave her time to numerous community organizations
Obituary: Judith Ann (Pillsbury) Hebert, 1940-2025
Berlin woman’s talent, perseverance and brilliant mind earned her the respect of her colleagues and friends alike
Obituary: John Bisbee, 1926-2025
Aerospace engineer helped design cameras for space exploration; showed curiosity and kindness as a longtime volunteer
Obituary: Barbara Patch, 1945-2025
Gentle yet fierce protector was loved by her family and friends
Obituary: Sister Jacqueline Marie Kieslich, 1942-2025
Sister of Mercy played a prominent role in local education through the Diocese of Burlington and Trinity College
Obituary: Sally Ann Aldrich, 1939-2025
Underhill resident loved learning, crafting, music and animals and kept her humor to the end
Fun Stuff
Ask the Rev: Can I Celebrate Día de los Muertos Without Mexican Ancestry?
What’s the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation? As Day of the Dead nears, here’s advice for respectfully observing the holiday.
Free Will Astrology (10/29/25)
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888






