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Pop quiz: Where was the first school for guitar building in North America? If you answered “South Strafford, Vt.,” you’re either a huge guitar nerd or you were probably a student of pioneering luthier Charles Fox — maybe both. In 1973, Fox opened the Earthworks School of Lutherie, which became the School of the Guitar…
After an impassioned debate over the impending eviction of homeless people from motels, Vermont lawmakers wrapped up their work in Montpelier late Friday night. But they plan to return in June to override the salvo of vetoes expected from Gov. Phil Scott. Following Thursday’s breakthrough on how to fund a $130 million boost to the…
It’s one thing to dream up a cool idea — we all have those. I wanted to start a speed metal Grateful Dead cover band called Hateful Shred just to prank some Deadheads at an open mic. Did I do it? No. Why? Because it would take work! (Also, I was assured by an assortment…
Ryan Ober’s the Romans are back with a new music video and an upcoming show to celebrate it. Or maybe it’s vice versa? “Irons in the Fire” is an easygoing Americana number, and the video, shot by director Brian Jenkins, fits the vibe perfectly. Ober and his bandmates Creston Lea (upright bass) and Lowell Thompson…
(Merge Records, digital, vinyl) The most expert, effective songwriters seem to follow their instincts on what becomes a lifelong journey to realizing and executing their vision. For more than two decades, Carl Newman has had his work cut out for him as he spearheads a team of noteworthy artists who are all accomplished songwriters or…
TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20): A famous football coach once said his main method was to manipulate, coax and even bully his players into doing things they didn’t like to do. Why? So they could build their toughness and willpower, making it more likely they would accomplish formidable feats. While this may be an approach that…
In 2021, Champlain Valley Union High School student Wylie Tharp got a part-time job at Majestic 10 Cinemas in Williston. Because of understaffing, it involved a variety of jobs. His favorite was the solitary, methodical task of cleaning the theaters after moviegoers departed. Tharp wondered if he could find a job that would allow him…
A primary care doctor at the University of Vermont Health Network will soon start treating depression with a mind-altering drug that’s shown promise in helping people who don’t respond to traditional medicine. The medication — known as esketamine and sold by Johnson & Johnson under the brand name Spravato — is chemically similar to ketamine,…
Seven Days writers can’t possibly read, much less review, all the books that arrive in a steady stream by post, email and, in one memorable case, a skulk of foxes. So this occasional feature is our way of introducing you to a handful of books by Vermont authors. To do that, we contextualize each book…
Steve Haggerty’s memories of vacations in Vermont in the 1960s and ’70s conjure images worthy of Norman Rockwell paintings. There’s a reason: Some of them literally were Rockwell paintings. “Norman got his models, most of them, within a two-mile area,” Haggerty said, referring to Arlington, the southern Vermont town where Rockwell lived and created his…
Hail to the Acting Chief [Re “The Acting Chief,” May 3]: Three cheers for Jon Murad! As someone who frequently bicycles into Burlington, I have witnessed the increase in drug dealing and have felt an increased sense of unease when walking around. Murad’s commitment and integration into the city are extraordinary. The idea of finding…
In 2014, Chelsea Levis unexpectedly lost her first child, Timothy, during childbirth in Massachusetts. Stunned, grief-stricken and at a loss for where to seek support, she was referred by her obstetrician to a Massachusetts-based nonprofit called Empty Arms Bereavement Support. There, she was able to ask questions and find answers that helped her feel less…
Given the constant buzz about Disney’s new The Little Mermaid, which will hit theaters on May 26, no one would guess that another live-action remake of one of the company’s animated stalwarts was recently released on Disney+. Granted, Peter Pan & Wendy is more a reimagining than a remake of the 1953 Peter Pan. Director…
new in theaters BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER: Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen and Diane Keaton play four friends who bring their book club to Italy in this comedy sequel, directed by Bill Holderman. (107 min, PG-13. Capitol, Majestic, Palace, Star, Welden) FOOL’S PARADISE: Charlie Day plays a shady publicist in this Hollywood satire…
On a rainy spring morning in Strafford, Steve Faccio stood thigh-deep in water, holding what looked like four globes of translucent white jelly speckled with black seeds. Around him, a small group of nature lovers craned to catch a closer look. Each mass enclosed hundreds of salamander eggs. “Welcome to the alien party,” murmured one…
“Donna” walked up the steps to her Burlington apartment building on Monday afternoon and pulled on the front door. It was locked from the inside. Four days earlier, in the middle of the night, a small electrical fire had started in a basement utility closet at the 169-year-old St. Paul Street building, smoking out Donna…
Married couple Amber Naramore and Adam Townley-Wren were living in Hawaii when they first encountered a website with historic house listings and saw images of their future home, Historic Brookside in Orwell. Also known as the Wilcox-Cutts House, it includes a 1789 farmhouse and a front-facing Greek Revival portion added in 1843. From nearby Route…
Two Franklin County law enforcement officials accused of wrongdoing do not intend to go quietly, leading Vermont lawmakers to brace themselves for a protracted impeachment battle. Some legislators initially expressed optimism that State’s Attorney John Lavoie and Sheriff John Grismore might resign instead of facing the rarely used, potentially humiliating process of being tried publicly…
Winslow Colwell has installed a lot of kites in Middlebury’s Jackson Gallery. It’s a no-fly zone, of course, but that’s OK: These kites are perfectly content just to hang around. Colwell titled his exhibition “#Skylights,” in the manner of a hashtag, but that simple weave pattern long preceded the social media signifier. Here, the crossbar…
You give us story ideas, letters to the editor, notes of encouragement, checks, Daysies nominations and, most importantly, your attention. In exchange, week after week, we give you a local newspaper that doesn’t let the size of our “market” limit our ambition to cover it. Over the weekend, Seven Days took home 20 first-place awards…
In his Vergennes studio, Ross Sheehan teaches art classes in a variety of mediums to children and adults. During the pandemic, he said, he began to offer classes outside — leading kids through downtown alleyways to find objects for making sculptures, for example. Aptly, in 2022, he dubbed his teaching enterprise the School of Psychogeographic…
Dear Reverend, I have been married almost 40 years, and I adore my wife. That being said, we have had a sexless marriage for the past few years, mostly due to medical issues that cause my wife pain. I need physical contact, which unfortunately will probably not be forthcoming. Masturbation is getting old. I have…
As is family tradition, Heidi LeVell expects to celebrate Mother’s Day at home with her husband and four children at a campsite on their farm. They will set up a buffet dinner, light a bonfire and relax in Adirondack chairs under café lights strung between birch trees. “We love sitting out there late into the…
The sun was finally shining last Friday when Amanda and Keith Bumps and Kolby Richardson drove from Barre to Burlington. They had ordered lunch online from Al’s French Frys and did not realize until they arrived that the ice cream window was open for the season. In celebration, the family decided to start with dessert.…
How brave are you? Kate Donlon and Garry Smith want to help you find out. The Bakersfield couple organize their Brave Little Spice blends “by bravery level, with the bravest spices being the really hot ones,” Donlon said. “It’s a play on the spice level and, of course, the brave little state that we love…
The Champlain Islands will be down a café this summer — at least temporarily. After 15 years of operating Wally’s Place bagel shop, café and bakery in South Hero, owners Matt and Kristen Bartle will close the biz on Sunday, June 11. Wally’s Place isn’t officially listed for sale with a broker, Matt Bartle told…
Teacher and guide inspired others to live an authentic life
Former Vermont legislator was an advocate of single-payer universal healthcare and same-sex marriage equality
Former South Burlington man had a passion for travel
Fiddle Bit of Everything Friday 12 Canadian fiddler Morgan Toney calls his signature style “Mi’kmaltic”: a blend of the ancient songs of the Mi’kmaq First Nation and the fiery Celtic fiddling of Cape Breton Island. With his performance at Woodstock’s North Universalist Chapel Society, BarnArts’ Global Music Residency artist displays heart, talent, and a reverence…
U.S. Army veteran was a dedicated volunteer who lived life to the fullest
Adventurer, foodie and caregiver was strong and brave
Vermont authors Zoë Tilley Poster, Kathryn Davis, Caren Beilin and Bianca Stone have won the 2022 Vermont Book Award. The winners were announced on Saturday at a celebration hosted by Vermont Humanities at Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier. The award, which carries a $1,000 prize, was given in four categories for work published in…
Former speech pathologist felt lucky for a life filled with happiness
South Burlington woman had many interests, including crafts, gardening and baking
Avid fisherman lived a life full of outdoor sports and travel
