Kids VT, Spring 2024
April 8 Eclipse Activities; Birding Tips From the Bird Diva; Recipe: Swedish Cinnamon Rolls; Seven Spring Events
Obituary: Nancy Looby, 1935-2024
Librarian and voracious reader passed down her love of books to her children and grandchildren
Obituary: Elizabeth Ruane, 1959-2024
Shelburne artist’s legacy lives on in the many organizations she supported
Swedish Cinnamon Rolls: A Recipe for ‘Kanelbullar’
In Sweden, the traditional coffee break, known as fika, is an institution. Dating back to the 19th century, fika is not just about grabbing a cup of joe — it’s also about the treats, the conversation, the actual break. Along with coffee, it’s common practice for the host to serve seven types of baked goods,…
Imagine the World We Expect From Kids
This article was originally published in Seven Days’ monthly parenting magazine, Kids VT.
Addressing a Crisis Among Young Men
Fewer boys are going to college or joining the workforce these days. Just 36 percent of University of Vermont students are male; at Community College of Vermont, it’s 32 percent. According to data from the Vermont Department of Labor, just 58.5 percent of Vermont men ages 16 to 24 had a job in 2022, down…
Save the Dates: Spring Fun for the Whole Family
Wiz of a Wiz April 11-14 Theatergoers journey over the rainbow and down the yellow brick road with Lyric Theatre at the beloved local troupe’s 50th anniversary performance of The Wizard of Oz. Lavish costumes, spectacular sets, iconic musical numbers and plenty of magic make this a trip to Oz unlike any other. Thursday, April…
Competition for Young Composers
On May 4, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of Nico Muhly’s new concerto at the Flynn in Burlington. While he’s in town for the performance, the renowned Vermont-born composer will also work with the finalists of the VSO’s third annual MasterClef competition. Open to students in grades 6 through 12, MasterClef…
Picture Book Celebrates a Pioneering Female Scientist
Ever heard of Nobel Prize winners James Watson and Francis Crick? If you took high school biology, you’ll recognize them as two of the famous scientists who discovered DNA. Less well known is Rosalind Franklin, a researcher at King’s College in London who provided some key information that influenced their work. Franklin, who died in…
Editor’s Note: Eclipse, Baby
I first heard about the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse way back in 2021 — when my cousin from North Carolina called dibs on my couch — but it wasn’t until January that I realized what a big deal it would be here. A pregnant friend who’s due on April 6 told me she…
‘In This Together’: A Doula and Birth Photographer Has Her Third Baby at Home
My first baby was born in September 2017. I became pregnant right after graduating college, and although it was an unexpected pregnancy, I dove into reading books and planning for the birth. Nine months later, I ended up with a 36-hour labor, an epidural, Pitocin, coached pushing, a few stitches and my sweet baby boy.…
Teen Tweets: Burlington Middle Schoolers Make Colorful Avian Collages
Black, brown, white and gray are the dominant tones of Vermont’s natural landscape in the first few months of the year. Birds provide a welcome burst of color before flowers start blooming — and their chirping is also a sign of spring. In Burlington, Edmunds Middle School art teacher Judy Klima asked her students to…
Favorite Camp Memories From 2023
We asked camp directors whose programs participated in this year’s Kids VT Camp and School Fair to share a favorite memory from last summer to summon the sunshine. They’re looking forward to the start of camp season and hope you are, too! It’s just a few months away now. If you’re still searching for spots…
Everything Eclipse: Help Your Kids Understand the Once-in-a-Lifetime Event on April 8
You’ve probably heard that something big is coming to a sky near you. On Monday, April 8, parts of Vermont will be in the “path of totality” for a full solar eclipse. Starting a little after 2 p.m., the moon will begin to obscure the sun, covering it completely at 3:26 p.m. The full eclipse…
In Case You Missed It: Recent Stories From ‘Seven Days’ Reporter Alison Novak
Award-winning education reporter Alison Novak covers K-12 schools and childcare for Seven Days, our parent publication. As a former elementary school teacher — and the parent of two teens — Novak draws from firsthand experience to cover her beat. Here are a few stories she’s written since the Winter Issue of Kids VT. Follow Alison’s…
Birding Tips From the Bird Diva
Want to get outside this spring and look for birds with your kids? Naturalist Bridget Butler, aka the Bird Diva, has some suggestions for you. Butler has been helping Vermonters explore and understand the outdoors for years, through work with organizations including the Green Mountain Audubon Society and ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. She’s…
