He’s Also an Umpire!
Wow! I loved reading the article in last week’s Nest about Stu McGowan [“Moving On: The Old North End’s Most Distinctive Landlord, Stu McGowan, Is Getting Out of Real Estate,” July 2]. What a powerful and lovely tribute to one of the Old North End’s most iconic and influential community members.
However, I want to note that while Stu might have coached Little League back in the day, anyone involved in Burlington youth baseball, at least in the past decade, knows him as Center City Little League’s primary behind-the-plate umpire, not coach. Burlington has far fewer umps than coaches, all with distinctive styles and commanding personalities. The kids and teams know each of them well. For this generation of Burlington ballplayers, a game at Roosevelt Park for the most part means a towering, green-haired Stu is going to be there making the calls behind the plate.
I recognize the focus of the article to be his real estate presence, but I couldn’t let the lack of acknowledgment around his role as Center City’s beloved ump go unnoticed.
Cayenne MacHarg
Burlington
Editor’s note: McGowan’s umpire credentials have been added to the online story.
‘Brilliant’ From Bassett
That was a brilliant and insightful article Hannah Bassett wrote about the two first-year legislators, one of whom I know from my time in Shelburne [“Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Boutin Go to Montpelier: Two Newly Elected Representatives Headed to the Vermont Statehouse Full of Ambition. Their Inaugural Session Delivered a Dose of Reality,” June 25].
Her attention to detail, thorough research and clarity of writing made me feel like I was right there with her — and them — throughout the entire piece.
Really well done! Thank you.
Lee Krohn
Charlotte
‘Give the Money Back’
I am dismayed that your cover story concerning Barre City Rep. Michael Boutin failed to delve into his extremist political leanings [“Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Boutin Go to Montpelier,” June 25]. In his time as a city councilor in Barre City, Boutin sought to block the sale of city-owned properties to LGBTQ+ people and to obstruct the flying of a Black Lives Matter flag in our community. He has muted or silenced individuals on Zoom in public school board meetings when he disagreed with what they were saying.
Seven Days has instead chosen to sketch, in the very broadest of strokes, the typical learning curve experienced by anyone newly elected to a political office. This is not the journalism I have come to expect from your publication. I suppose it might have to do with who is sponsoring these articles. Give the money back and do more with less, Seven Days.
Becky Wigg
Barre
Editor’s note: The people who help pay for our journalism — advertisers, Super Readers, philanthropists, foundations — have no influence over story selection or content. For a refresher on the “Ways and Means” series and how it’s funded, read the January 8 “From the Publisher” column.
Great Statehouse Story
I thought the story on Reps. Michael Boutin and Shawn Sweeney was one of the best things I’ve ever read about Montpelier — and, indeed, about state-level legislative politics [“Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Boutin Go to Montpelier,” June 25]. I’ve been a reporter long enough to know how much work it took and also how interesting it must have been; thank you for putting in the effort. It’s one of those rare stories that will live a long time.
Bill McKibben
Ripton
‘White-Guy Energy’
I’m disappointed in the editorial decision making that went into [“Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Boutin Go to Montpelier,” June 25] and culminated in a front-page photo of two white guys in the Statehouse. We are trapped in a capitalist, patriarchal, white supremacist system that benefits white men. It is not news to see representations of white men in elected positions.
White men have always been in the Statehouse. White men will continue to be in decision-making spaces because the system is designed to make sure they are on top. This system is killing trans and queer folks; killing people of color; killing women and poor children; killing immigrants; and killing everyone who doesn’t look the white men on this cover.
I can’t imagine the amount of editorial work and decisions that went into this cover photo. All the work and time and energy it took to end up with yet another representation of the white guys at the top. It’s giving mediocre white-guy energy, for sure.
Emily Wheeler Reynolds
Graniteville
RIP, Gardener’s Supply
Gardener’s Supply is bankrupt, and a star has fallen from Vermont’s universe of socially responsible, employee-owned, certified benefit corporations [“Gardener’s Supply Files for Bankruptcy as Its Sale Is Pending,” June 23]. These businesses invest in the health of their people, communities and environment with as much fervor as they invest in their financial welfare.
Gardener’s was born of Will Raap’s Intervale miracle, which transformed a dump into acres of lush vegetable gardens and helped scores of “agripreneurs” start their own businesses. Will taught us the joy of working in the warm spring soil and eating our own fresh produce.
But businesses and corporations are just assemblages of people with a single focus, and they are as organic as the people comprising them. They take seed, struggle, blossom and eventually die. Their lifespan is determined by how well they adapt to an ever-changing world.
Socially responsible, employee-owned B corporations are not immune to competition and market changes. As a retailer, Gardener’s had to compete with behemoths like Amazon, eBay and Walmart. As a values-led company, it had strengths and weaknesses.
Gardener’s made decisions that involved risks and failed to provide a return. It happens to businesses every day. I will miss them.
Will Patten
Charlotte
Pro Perrywinkle’s
I needed new batteries for my two watches and thought of Perrywinkle’s but worried I couldn’t get there because of the closure of Main Street in downtown Burlington, a situation that seemingly has lasted years [“Burlington’s Main Street Will Reopen for Two-Way Traffic on Nights, Weekends,” June 23; “Main Street Construction Is Hurting Burlington Businesses,” April 9]. However, I was able to navigate to the back entrance of their parking area. I explained what I needed to the salesperson. He was exceedingly courteous and set to work immediately, completing the job while I waited. I heartily recommend their service under the difficult conditions currently affecting downtown stores.
Matthys Levy
Shelburne
Related Stories
The Old North End’s Most Distinctive Landlord, Stu McGowan, Is Getting Out of Real Estate
Letters to the Editor (7/16/25)
Letters to the Editor (7/30/25)
This article appears in The Cartoon Issue 2025.
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