Cover Story
The Best of Vermont: Locals Pick the 2024 Seven Daysies
Food, Drink, Culture, Shopping, Services, Recreation
Obituary: Thomas F. Haraden, 1944-2024
Commercial truck driver drove over two million accident-free miles over course of his career
Obituary: James “Mark” Kalbfleisch Jr., 1972-2024
Entrepreneur was passionate about the arts and dedicated to his work in live event technical services
Leunig’s Bistro & Café Is Under Contract With New Owners
Burlington’s Leunig’s Bistro & Café will soon have new owners, pending the approval of a new liquor license. Amy Bernhardt, who has worked at the Church Street Marketplace staple for 15 years, will be managing member and co-owner of the restaurant with financial investor Veaceslav Scripnic. Bernhardt declined to share the sale price but said…
Obituary: Cindy Rabidoux, 1959-2024
Loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and mother-in-law
Obituary: Edmund Halpin, 1949-2024
Passionate musician and jazz enthusiast performed with friends and family throughout Vermont and Florida
Obituary: William “Bill” J. Keogh Sr., 1930-2024
State legislator and Burlington city council member was defined by his dedication to public service
Obituary: William Joseph “Bill” McHugh, 1929-2024
Air Force veteran and small business owner loved spending time with family and friends and traveling the world with his wife
Obituary: Betsy Wales, 1925-2024
Lifelong athlete, wordsmith and artist was active in numerous community organizations
Obituary: Craig Murray, 1938-2024
Shelburne environmentalist pursued entrepreneurial project to develop a novel all-terrain vehicle, the quadractor
Obituary: William L. “Bill” Fellinger, 1943-2024
Burlington man had a deep compassion for people, a love of wordplay, and a humility and spiritual bent that opened his heart and mind
Comic Ariel Elias Tapes Special at Vermont Comedy Club
It was the shot seen ’round the internet. During her set at New Jersey comedy club Uncle Vinny’s in 2022, comedian Ariel Elias incurred the wrath of a Donald Trump supporter. “I could tell by your jokes you voted for Biden,” a woman can be heard heckling Elias in the video of the incident. “I…
Obituary: Courtney Marie Daffinrud, 1980-2024
Kirby woman built a center that became a hub of autism services in Vermont and worked tirelessly to help children access their potential
Vermont Receives $228 Million in Federal Aid for Broadband Deployment
The Vermont Community Broadband Board was awarded more than $228 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to continue its high-speed internet deployment across the state, the board announced on Thursday. That’s about $100 million more than the board members initially thought Vermont would receive. A December 2022 broadband accessibility map that was to…
Goddard College Announces the Sale of Its Campus to a Local Nonprofit
Goddard College plans to sell its Plainfield campus to a group called the Greatwood Project, which plans to use the former estate for education and housing, administrators said. The group, named after the early 20th century estate where the college started in 1938, is made up of philanthropists as well as former employees and alumni of…
Obituary: Bill Mares, 1940-2024
Journalist, author, state legislator and teacher ran 30 marathons and taught more than 1,000 potential beekeepers
Obituary: Thomas E. Williams, 1969-2024
Woodbury man had a gift of making people laugh, either by telling a story or finding humor in any situation
Obituary: Jeffrey Todd Trefethen, 1962-2024
UVM graduate was outgoing, adventurous, and enormously strong in body and spirit
Obituary: Mark Birger Benson Sr., 1943-2024
Saint Michael’s College professor for 35 years loved his students for the variety, energy and humor they added to his life
Best cannabis dispensary
Bern Gallery Smoke Shop & Cannabis (Burlington) & Zenbarn Farms (Waterbury Center)
Best sweets bakery
Mirabelles Bakery (South Burlington) & Red Hen Baking Co. (Middlesex)
Best bike shop
Earl’s Cyclery and Fitness (South Burlington) & Onion River Outdoors (Montpelier)
Best burger
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill (Burlington) & Worthy Burger (South Royalton)
Best small live music hot spot
Radio Bean (Burlington) & Zenbarn (Waterbury Center)
Best craft brewery
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery (Burlington) & Hill Farmstead Brewery (Greensboro Bend)
Best breakfast/brunch
Sneakers Bistro (Winooski) & Wayside Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery (Berlin)
Best locally owned grocery store
City Market, Onion River Co-op (Burlington) & Hunger Mountain Co-op (Montpelier)
Best restaurant
Honey Road (Burlington) & Sarducci’s Restaurant & Bar (Montpelier)
Best bagel
Burlington Bagel Bakery (Burlington, Essex Junction and South Burlington) & Wally’s Place (South Hero)
Best sandwiches
Martone’s Market & Café (Essex Junction) & Red Hen Baking Co. (Middlesex)
Best pizza (restaurant)
Folino’s (Burlington, Shelburne and Williston) & Piecasso Family Pizzeria (Stowe)
Best place to buy a unique gift
Common Deer (Burlington) & Stowe Street Emporium (Waterbury)
Best household plumbing company
Benoure Inc. Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Best creemee
Palmer Lane Maple (Jericho) & Vermont Cookie Love (North Ferrisburgh)
Best martial arts studio
Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Villari’s Martial Arts Centers (tie)
