Fay forecast: Week of rain getting started

Clouds roll in over Lake Nineveh in Mount Holly early Friday evening. (Sherry Boudro Photo)

It looks like we’re about to get all that rain we’ve been missing, after two weeks of moderate drought conditions in Vermont.

At the same time, forecasters warn there may be localized road washouts, so use caution if you need to be out and about.

Moderate to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fay are expected to intensify Saturday and last into most of next week, according to the National Weather Service. As the ever-deepening dark clouds suggest, the more moderate showers are arriving tonight.

The system will impact most of Vermont, essentially Windsor and Rutland counties and everything to the north, as well as northern New York State. The heaviest downpours appear poised for Saturday, with accumulations of up to 1.5 inches and winds of 10 to 15 mph. Some areas to the north may see up to 2 inches of rain.

Tropical Storm Fay hit New Jersey earlier on Friday, prompting some coastal flooding and road closures as it moved northward. Gusts of up to 25 mph were reported along the coast.

As the system visits the Green Mountains, it obviously brings welcome rains for farmers and gardeners after weeks of drought. But as I mentioned before, caution is urged on the roads as local flooding may occur in some spots depending on rainfall.

Once this storm has passed, hopefully the heat wave will have passed, too. It’s time for Mother Nature to let us out of the oven, at least for a little while.

— Gareth Henderson

Bear necessities: Food tops the list

With more cubs to feed this year, Vermont black bears have been all the more relentless in finding food sources . (Photo Courtesy Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)

You might call it the year of the bear. The state has received a record number of sightings, especially in June, as black bears often neared human dwellings in search of food and finding it, in bird feeders, compost piles and other plentiful sources. 

Humans are witnessing the impact of multiple factors, according to state bear biologist Forrest Hammond. He said the short winter was followed by a delay in vegetation growth, turning bears away from their usual food sources. The ongoing drought is having the same effect. 

"With bears, it's always about food," Hammond said. "They go five months without eating at all, and their whole social structure is based on size."

He urged people to bring in their bird-feeders and secure any bags of bird seed — a major attraction. When a bear strikes bird-seed gold, or some other abundant source, it's likely to keep returning every night and visit the neighbors, too. 

"A bear gets more nutrition from those five pounds of bird seed than a whole day of eating vegetation in the woods," Hammond said. 

With the recent composting law in effect, that's proving to be a big bear attraction, as well. Hammond said there are a lot of people who haven't composted before, and if they're composting incorrectly or odors are getting out, the bears will show up. 

"There's probably a lot more compost in people's backyards than there's ever been," Hammond said. He noted there has also been more food waste, with a large number of people at home for many weeks. 

Not only are there a lot of reasons for bears to drift closer to houses, but there are more bears, too. Hammond explained that in the past decade, bear food sources in the wild have become more cyclical, with a good food year followed by a poor one. The adult females have begun synchronized reproduction, so that a lot more cubs are born after a good food year, he said. 

"Every adult female we knew of, in Vermont and New Hampshire, all produced cubs this past year, so there are more females with little cubs out and about this year," Hammond said. "The females have been desperate to find enough food to lactate and feed their little cubs, so they survive."   

Though there are many ursine roamers this year, there is something people can do if they catch a bear in the act: just holler. Hammond said if you make some noise, it can make the bear retreat. 

"The angry tone of your voice is something animals recognize," he said. 

That can be an important deterrent, Hammond said. He noted that a family at a second home in Waitsfield recently saw a bear at the property line while they were eating a meal at their picnic table. They all went inside, and the bear readily wandered over and got a buffet some bears could only dream of. And it won’t soon forget about it, either.

"That bear is emboldened and empowered," Hammond said. When that happens, he added, it will come back for many weeks looking for more. 

The state has an online form people can use to report black bear incidents. When it comes to responding to reports, the state prioritizes incidents of significant property damage, such as bears breaking into houses or cars, Hammond said. Fortunately, incidents of injury to people are rare. 

"Bears go to great lengths to avoid people, and not to touch people," Hammond said.

More information on living with black bears is available online through the Vermont  Fish & Wildlife Department. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Doing business, mercantile style

Suzi Curtis, owner of Woody’s Mercantile in Woodstock, Vermont, re-stocks some of the candy in her new shop on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Suzi Curtis couldn't be happier about her new shop. As soon as the doors opened on July 1, Woody's Mercantile at 7 Central Street in downtown Woodstock, Vermont, was off to the races. Fourth of July weekend brought even more traffic into the store, she said. 

"The register didn't stop ringing." 

Curtis had originally planned to open the shop last year in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she and her husband, Geoff, have lived for 25 years. But the timing just didn't work business-wise.  Woodstock, a place that often intrigued her, came to mind. When Curtis found out the former Whippletree space was available, she jumped at the opportunity. 

"I always loved Woodstock," Curtis said. "With both locals and tourists, I think it's more of a consistent year-round business." 

She said the concept of the shop morphed into more of a "home goods and gifts" store, with some variety that lets her change up the offerings as needed.

"The mercantile allows me to be more nimble," Curtis said. 

So far, she said the shop has sold a number of candles, pillows and napkins, for example. Small items that can easily fit in the car or suitcase have been popular, Curtis mentioned. The biggest seller has been pet toys; and yes, dogs are allowed in. 

"And welcomed with treats," she added. 

It's Curtis' first time owning a store, but she's no stranger to making a sale. She's been a sales rep for 25 years, through her enterprise Curtis Group Sales in the ski and outdoor clothing industry. The Woodstock shop is named after longtime friend Woody Weider, a sales rep for Merrell who was beloved in the Upper Valley and throughout the outdoor industry. Weider lived in Thetford until he passed away three years ago.

"He was the life of the party," Curtis said. "Just a fun-loving Vermonter." 

Not all the items in her new shop would appeal to him, Curtis said with a laugh. 

"He loved candy, loved cool stuff," she said.

Going forward, Curtis plans to work a lot with local artisans to bring custom projects to the store, such as special prints or maybe hats. 

Thus far, Woody's Mercantile has also seen some customers from Hanover. 

"There was so much buzz about Woody's (there last year); now they're coming here," Curtis said. 

Woody's Mercantile, located at 7 Central Street in Woodstock, Vermont, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Monday. The shop can be reached at 802-457-1600 or by emailing suzi@woodysmercantile.com. Find more information at www.woodysmercantile.com.

— Gareth Henderson

Celebrating Vermont on a T-shirt

Mark Scully, owner of Vermont Eclectic Company in Woodstock, Vermont, sells a couple of the shop’s Vermont-made T-shirts to Tom Giapponi, of Quechee, on Tuesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Mark Scully's new shop not only celebrates Vermont, but it also celebrates Vermont-made art — with T-shirts. 

That's the main event at Vermont Eclectic Company on Central Street in downtown Woodstock, Vermont, a store offering a variety of T-shirts are all designed and made in the Green Mountain State. And the creators are front and center. 

"It's trying to create the sense of a gallery, highlighting the designs of the shirts and the artists' bios," Scully said. 

The new venture came about following some big changes. Scully left his human resources job in Boston, after a 30-year career in that sector, looking for a new path in life. He and his wife, Maura, eventually sold their house in Boston and their seasonal home in Plymouth, and then moved to Woodstock, arriving at their home in Linden Hill last September. 

While taking a stroll around Woodstock one day, the beginnings of an idea took root. 

"People were walking around town with T-shirts, but none were T-shirts about Vermont," Scully said. "They were all about other places." He later found a survey online which said about half of Americans have a T-shirt they hold onto for years for nostalgia, and about half of those are bought on vacation. 

Thus was born the idea for Vermont Eclectic Company, which opened on July 3, when Scully saw plenty of customers (even with the 3-person capacity limit in the shop). 

Meet “Clucky,” the mascot of Vermont Eclectic Company, whose creation was inspired by one of the T-shirt designs at the shop. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The store opened after a three-month renovation which wrapped up just a couple days before the doors opened to the public. 

"I didn't know what to expect, especially with COVID," Scully said, noting the capacity limit and mask requirement. "But everyone's been super respectful." 

Customers coming into the store find several other Vermont-made items, including candles, birdhouses and guestbooks. The biggest attraction at the shop — literally the biggest, by size — is the giant chicken sculpture named "Clucky." He was made in Vermont, too, built at The Arcana Workshop in Barre, and inspired by the T-shirt design from artist Sarah Rosedahl. 

The T-shirts are all screen-printed in Vermont by New Duds in Colchester, except for several of the kids' shirts, which artist Heather Drury did by hand. 

Going forward, Scully plans to keep switching up the T-shirt offerings, much like a gallery would.

"So there's always a reason to come in and check it out," he said. Three new Vermont designs are coming soon. 

Vermont Eclectic, located at 12B Central Street in Woodstock, Vermont, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Contact the shop at 802-281-0885, email vteclecticco.com, or visit www.vteclecticco.com. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Going wild: From chipmunks to bears

We’re getting into wildlife a bit more this week on Omni Reporter, starting with a couple notes about chipmunks, which have been out and about quite a lot in 2020. 

Those speedy critters were apparently working on a surge in population for a while. A bumper crop of beechnuts and acorns in Vermont last fall helped greatly, allowing chipmunks to hoard those food supplies for the winter, as biologist and University of Vermont professor emeritus Bill Kilpatrick recently said on Vermont Public Radio. This led to “high survivorship from their first litter of young” in the early spring, he told VPR. And of course, spring came earlier, which helped them gain even more momentum.

Other creatures have been enjoying the mild spring, too, one of them being much larger than a chipmunk. Bears have been running a sort of neighborhood patrol lately, it seems; many are the Facebook posts about bear sightings. Could one factor be that people are just at home, walking more often, and noticing them more? Perhaps, but sightings appear to be occurring at all times of day. 

More about that on Thursday, when I speak with wildlife biologist Forrest Hammond, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s leading bear expert. Until then, enjoy the outdoors, and if you encounter a bear, here are some safety tips to follow. 

— Gareth Henderson

Strength during the journey

As Vermont continues to reopen its economy amid the pandemic, we’ve each experienced the impact of that journey in different ways and viewed it through different lenses. But it’s been all too common to see the highs followed by the lows, or vice versa.
In the past week, many downtowns saw an uptick in traffic on July 4th, which was obviously a welcome sight. That was juxtaposed with recent news that over 1,000 workers with U.S Customs and Immigration Services in St. Albans and Essex are to be furloughed in August.
That was a grim reminder of the nature of economic recovery: Even the best of news may be followed by a more jarring development. Experts say it’s likely to be a long road back to sustained economic strength.
But remember something about that last word, strength. As a people, Vermonters have plenty of it. We already have many examples of the goodness of a neighbor carrying someone else through a difficult time in recent months. Put those experiences together, and you can see the fabric of our community remains strong, despite the highs and lows, and discouraging political tension. Within that, we can empower each other to overcome even the most severe difficulties. I’m convinced we’re equal to that task, the challenge of working to help each other, even as significant hurdles might try to obstruct that focus. The good news is, as we rise above the trouble and find paths to progress, we will be encouraged to find others walking them, too.

— Gareth Henderson

Independence

Independence is a powerful word, one that takes on greater meaning when July 4th comes around. But it needs careful thought in 2020, given the great weight of the issues facing us as a nation. 

To me, independence is not only having the strength to find one’s own path in life, but having the strength to summon one’s best attributes and help others, especially when it's a really tough road ahead. The result? A strong community that draws on its own strength, and can be a light to other people. 

As I write this, I'm proud of Vermont. We, the Vermont community, have been a light of leadership during the pandemic, at the state and community levels. We can continue that by remembering the wonderful moments of neighborly love and care that inspired us in recent months, and emulating them. 

I'm also proud because, through voices of all ages, Vermont has sent a strong message of standing up to injustice and inequality. So far, state, regional and local leaders have fostered an inclusive and poised approach that welcomes others to the discussion. That's the Vermont way, and it's a comforting example amid ongoing national tensions. 

Going forward, let's strive for inclusive problem-solving that rises above negative, reactive thinking. For progress to be made, we must continue to seek a better, meeker understanding of one another, as the state seeks a constructive path into our future. Vermont has laid the groundwork for such an approach, and it sparks rays of hope.

Fortunately, we each have opportunities to learn anew, and help build solutions that benefit all of us. Let's seize this moment to build progress together, while crafting an example for the nation.

— Gareth Henderson

A summer boost for commerce

Shoppers flock to Woodstock Village on Friday for the annual Sidewalk Sale Days. The sale resumes Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Outdoor seating filled and shoppers going from store to store — that’s what you want in your downtown. And that’s what Woodstock Village had when the annual Sidewalk Sale Days got rolling on Friday. The event continues on Saturday.

The village had vibrant traffic throughout Friday, certainly more so than in some recent weeks following the reopening of different sectors including retail. Lodging capacity is limited to 50 percent, but the Woodstock Inn reopened on Wednesday — likely adding to that influx of visitors strolling the sidewalks.

Indeed, except for the wearing of masks and the capacity limits in shops, Friday would have seemed like a fairly normal July 3, with lots of local commerce leading into the big holiday weekend. Kimbel Biele and her husband, Jon, the new owners of Elevation Clothing, chose Friday to open their doors, setting up their sidewalk-sale location outside. That choice worked out nicely.

“It’s a great day already,” Kimbel Biele said just before 1 p.m., noting a mix of visitors and local shoppers. She saw a number of families come through in the morning, many enjoying the in-person commerce experience. “People are definitely excited to be out and seeing other people.”

Across the street at the Yankee Bookshop, small lines formed several times as people waited their turn to go in because of the store’s capacity limit of 10 people, including the 2 staff inside. The shop took part in the sidewalk sale as well.

“We’ve been busy, I think it’s more people than we anticipated,” said co-owner Kristian Preylowski.

If you’ve been concerned lately about the pace of business, about seeing less traffic than you’re used to in June, being in Woodstock on Friday afternoon was a nice dose of encouragement. It felt like a busy downtown should feel going into a major summer weekend: families strolling through town, people smiling as they go to the next shop, music outside, and plenty of traffic on the road.

Though it still may not match a comparable weekend last year business-wise, it gave the infusion of commerce, joy and momentum any downtown needs these days. Based on the many inquiries to lodging establishments in recent weeks, there is a strong interest in summer travel. It seems people are acting on that interest, and local shops are starting to benefit from it. These are good signs for the local and regional economy.

Friday was the biggest local example yet, of a return to normal summer activity. And it felt good. There was happiness and togetherness in the air. It was palpable, and that’s the kind of momentum we need today. I expect we can look forward to more of that positive energy as reopening continues. As today showed, we still have it in us.

— Gareth Henderson

Reemerging

A couple bikes down South Street in Woodstock as rays of sunshine burst through the sky Thursday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The headline summarizes what every downtown has been doing ever since different sectors have been able to reopen in Vermont and the wider region. For so long, we’ve been looking for some signs of normalcy. And to some extent, we've been finding them. 

We've all gone out to local shops, thrilled to see familiar faces. We've dropped by our favorite coffee spot, grabbed some takeout for a picnic, and maybe even gone for some outdoor (or indoor) dining. We've become used to seeing masks, distancing, and other signs things remain pretty different. 

Other signs we don't get to see, because they're behind walls and doors, in the hearts of the many who are struggling to hang on to their businesses. They were referred to by Gov. Phil Scott at yesterday's announcement about new business relief grants, coupled with the note that $70 million won't be enough. 

Indeed, the next several rounds of grants — because there will be more — won't scratch the surface of that great need, either. It will take more federal aid and a more collective relief effort over a much longer period of time. Much of that won't come clear until later this summer, with U.S. Senators leaving for a two-week recess. Congress is considering a new COVID-19 stimulus package, part of which has more relief money for businesses.

Heading into the Fourth of July weekend, there are a number of efforts afoot throughout the region to keep traditions alive, safely. It will be good to see the Sidewalk Sale Days in downtown Woodstock on Friday and Saturday. True, travel to Vermont has not fully reopened, and that has had its impacts. But we have to keep moving forward. All signs of progress help the greater good. They help us reemerge. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Grants on tap for businesses

The state hopes new relief grants can give businesses a boost during the pandemic. Downtown Woodstock is shown here on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The application process opens Monday for $70 million in new grants meant to help struggling businesses amid the pandemic, state officials announced Wednesday. 

This money is part of the $1 billion in pandemic relief the Legislature approved through various bills in recent weeks, funded by federal aid. More of those bills will be reviewed by the governor’s team in the coming days. Next up for Gov. Phil Scott’s signature: a package with $96 million in additional grant relief.

In his Wednesday remarks, Scott said the state has a couple of resources to help businesses with the process. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) will host a series of webinars for grant applicants, the first of which takes place Thursday. There will also be one place, at accd.vermont.gov, where businesses can send questions about the program. 

Though the $70 million announced today will help, Scott said, he knew it was not enough and the recovery would be long. 

“Even though we’ve begun cautiously and methodically reopening our economy, and putting more Vermonters back to work, I realize that many of you, especially our small businesses, are still on the brink of ruin,” Scott said at the press briefing. 

He also gave a nod to the perseverance of Vermonters through the toughest times.

“We’ve seen the strength of Vermonters and what a powerful impact we have when we stick together,” he said. 

The Economic Recovery Grants Program unveiled Wednesday has several eligibility requirements. Among them: “Business has experienced a 75% or greater drop in total revenue in any one-month period from March 1, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2020, when compared with the same month in 2019.”

There are two ways to apply for funding, depending on the following factor. Businesses that file rooms and meals or sales and use taxes will apply through the “MYVTAX” portal through the Vermont Department of Taxes. All other businesses or nonprofits must apply through a new grant management system organized by ACCD.

“It is our goal to distribute these funds as quickly and as seamlessly as possible within weeks of an approved application,” said Joan Goldstein, the state’s commissioner of economic development. 

The maximum grant award will be $50,000 and each business or organization may receive only one grant. Applicants are encouraged to review program details at accd.vermont.gov and have the necessary documents ready before Monday, Goldstein added. 

The state is expected to announce recovery grant programs for the health care and agricultural sectors in the coming weeks.

— Gareth Henderson

Reflecting on love

It's been three months since Omni Reporter launched. With that realization, my mind raced back to March when the pandemic was so new in Vermont, and I reflected on how we got from there to here. 

There was a rising level of urgent need, blended with a fear and confusion we had to confront. Yet, over the coming weeks, we made progress. The secret behind that progress was no secret, because it was everywhere, even amid the worst of the pandemic. It was love, expressed in kindness and compassion for others. It was a willingness to check on our neighbors and let them know we care. We all remember the various proofs of this unselfed love, seen in every community, day upon day. It was beautiful, and it inspired us to persevere. 

An important part of that approach was the ongoing willingness to follow certain guidelines in daily life, including social distancing and wearing masks, because it was better for the health of the community to do so. At his Monday press briefing, Gov. Phil Scott emphasized that commitment to one another. Though we’ve come a long way, he said, “it will be a while longer before we’re truly back to normal.” 

“But if we continue with the same spirit and commitment ... I know we’ll get through this and be stronger than we were before,” Scott said. 

That loving approach, underpinning our strong commitment to community, is the true foundation of who we are. It includes poise amid adversity and a strong resolve for what is right — qualities which define Vermont. We must keep this in mind as we confront two viruses, COVID-19 and racism. Disagreements may seem to separate us, but a poised sense of love always points toward the best of solutions and shows how connected we really are. The road ahead is long, but Vermont can lead the way on both issues. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Concert series to begin in July

Burlington-based trio Pete’s Posse will kick off Pentangle Arts’ “Music by the River” summer concert series at the North Chapel’s back lawn on July 24. From left are Pete Sutherland, Oliver Scanlon and Tristan Henderson of Pete’s Posse. (Photo Provided)

Amid a year of constant change, Pentangle Arts in Woodstock, Vermont, just confirmed its summer concert series will begin later this month. 

It was exciting news, following a springtime that saw the schedule wiped clean due to the pandemic. 

"It feels really good to have some programming, I can tell you that," said Alita Wilson, Pentangle's executive director. "Any opportunity to support artists and present entertainment to our community and visitors is welcome."   

The weekly concerts are in partnership with the North Chapel, which will still be hosting the series on its back lawn at 5:30 p.m. The line-up for 2020: Pete's Posse on July 24; Interplay Jazz on July 31; Emerald Rae on Aug. 7; VSO's Jukebox Quartet on Aug. 14; and Jay Nash on Aug. 21. 

"I think it's a good representation of Vermont artists," Wilson said, noting the addition of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's Jukebox Quartet this year.  "I'm thrilled to have them; it's classical with a twist." 

Wilson said she's looking for some clarification from the state on what the mask requirement will be, since a number of patrons usually bring something to eat. She said there will be social distancing, with groups asked to enter the event six feet apart. Wilson said there will be sufficient distance between the performers and the audience, as well. 

"We will ask when patrons leave, that they put their masks back on," she said. There will be no tables at the concerts, and no food served. 

Despite the changes, Wilson is just glad to have this series going forward, noting how important it is to support the musicians. 

"This is going to be part of our new world, trying to support our local artists in our state, so they can get their feet underneath them and have the opportunity to perform," she said.   

Throughout that very long, difficult springtime we had, music and the outdoors are two things that gave people a sense of peace, and continue to do so. This series combines them, and people are sure to love the opportunity to enjoy both. 

This welcome news follows several statewide reopenings connected with outdoor fun in the warmer weather — still a very attractive notion after those many weeks stuck at home.  On Monday, Vermont cleared playgrounds to reopen amid guidelines such as six feet of social distancing. State parks reopened Friday. 

For more information about "Music by the River", go to www.pentanglearts.org or send an email to info@pentanglearts.org. 

— Gareth Henderson

Bag ban to start this week

Vermont’s single-use plastic-bag ban, aiming to keep plastic pollution out of the environment, takes effect this week. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont’s ban on single-use plastic bags takes effect on Wednesday, though some states, like Maine and New Hampshire, have postponed theirs amid the pandemic. 

The postponements stem from a fear that reusable bags could be vectors for the coronavirus, though officials in Vermont did not agree. The state says reusable bags can be used safely and are not any more of a risk than other surfaces customers and employees come in contact with, according to a recent report from the Associated Press. 

It appears the ban, passed by Vermont lawmakers in 2019, will have the first desired effect: cutting back on some plastic pollution. The new law prohibits grocers, retailers and restaurants from providing plastic bags. It makes exceptions for plastic bags used for dry cleaning, flowers, packaging loose produce and other food items inside stores.

Much of the focus when this bill first hit the Vermont Legislature centered on grocery stores. But the ban may not cause the hoped-for surge in reusable bags, amid the current trepidation around them. In addition, some stores ask customers to refrain from bringing their own bags during the pandemic. One good thing: Many businesses that have opened to in-store traffic still offer curbside service, as a way for people to still get their food if they feel safer remaining outside. With that, the ban won’t change many things amid the current situation. The long term impact will be the aspect to watch. 

— Gareth Henderson

New day at the market

Laurel Boyd checks out the flowers for sale at the Woodstock Farmers Market in Woodstock, Vermont, on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

It’s been over two weeks since the Woodstock Farmers Market opened to in-store traffic, and so far, so good, said longtime owner Patrick Crowl in a recent interview.

On June 9, he wasn’t so sure how customers would react to new safety protocols, shortened hours and other changes. There is a 15 to 20-customer limit in the store, masks are required, social distancing implemented, and customers must sanitize their hands at the store entrance before heading in.

But on Thursday, Crowl said the response was positive from the start.

“People were very, very appreciative, polite, respectful, and played within the rules really, really well,” he said. “It all worked out.” 

Customers depart the Woodstock Farmers Market with their purchases on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Before June 9, the store had seen 12 weeks of only curbside — a service Crowl said is here to stay. However, they are running the curbside operation and their in-store business on limited staff availability, which Crowl said is a big reason for the scaled back hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. He noted that staffing is down due to several reasons, including the fact that some can’t get child care.

“The pressure right now on the payroll is extreme, meaning we have more work than we have people for,” Crowl said. “It’s an hour to set up, an hour to close. Then we have to social distance as best we can. … We try to fulfill all the webcart orders in the store before opening in the morning.”  

Federal assistance has been a huge factor. The market received a loan from the Payroll Protection Program meant to keep workers paid, and the business has 24 weeks (until the end of the year) to spend it, Crowl said. 

“Without that money, we’d probably be upside down,” he added. “That’s been a godsend.” 

Employee Nick Becker sanitizes a basket at the Woodstock Farmers Market on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Among changes to in-store offerings, a big one involves a customer favorite: sandwiches. Rather than made-to-order, there is a set offering of pre-made sandwiches available each day. Some customers will miss the on-site sandwich ordering, but Crowl said some workers who want to avoid waiting may like the grab-and-go model.

“Now you can come in and grab a sandwich, a bag of chips and a Coke and be out of the store in five minutes,” Crowl said. He added it’s a much different approach from the daily sandwich line, which is very heavy on staff time. “I think that’s interesting, so, stay tuned.” 

Throughout the day, the staff follows strict sanitizing protocols, including sanitizing all surfaces regularly and wiping down all carts and baskets before use. Customers are asked to line up at the front door and wait to enter, if 15 to 20 shoppers are already inside. 

More information is available at www.woodstockfarmersmarket.com. 

— Gareth Henderson

Travel restrictions to loosen

Vermont plans to ease travel restrictions next week as the hospitality sector continues to struggle under the network of rules meant to counter the pandemic. 

Effective on Wednesday, counties from seven more states will be included in Vermont’s quarantine-free travel policy, Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday. Currently, the policy lifts the 14-day quarantine requirement for travel to and from counties in New England and New York with less than 400 active cases of COVID-19 per one million residents. Next week, that will expand to include counties below this threshold in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia.

“Our hospitality sector and the thousands of jobs it provides Vermonters has been one of the worst hit by this pandemic, and even as we’ve reopened, it hasn’t been enough to help them make ends meet or put all of their employees back to work,” Scott said in a statement. “With this data-based approach to determine low-risk counties, we can welcome more people to Vermont and support these jobs while continuing to limit the spread of the virus in Vermont.”

Throughout the spring, the governor has continued to loosen restrictions as Vermont’s COVID-19 data continues to be favorable to reopening, despite two small clusters of new cases in Rutland and Windham Counties. A recent outbreak in Winooski now appears to be under control. Despite that, the Scott administration has still been cautious heading into travel season amid the growing number of cases throughout the country.  

Moving forward, the biggest need for hospitality establishments is for restrictions to be eased while allowing for travelers from major markets to safely come to Vermont. Within that, they need travel to flow freely again between Boston and New York City - the two biggest providers of tourism for the state. Clearly, restrictions are preventing that as the pandemic is still with us, but both of those urban markets have made steady progress against the coronavirus, and New England is heading in the right direction. With continued collaboration and support among the states, this positive trend is set to continue. Together, we await more progress in the weeks to come. 

— Gareth Henderson

Lodging industry: Reopening urgent

Karim Houry, of The Woodstocker Bed and Breakfast in Woodstock, Vermont, mows the lawn on Tuesday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After three months without revenue, the Vermont lodging industry is looking to save their summer after seeing a wave of cancellations amid tight state restrictions on travel and occupancy due to COVID-19.

Gov. Phil Scott’s emergency order allows multi-room operations to only book 50 percent of rooms or have a maximum of 25 guests and staff on site, “whichever is greater.” However, quarantine requirements have expunged the out-of-state traffic they depend on, lodging owners say. That’s even true under the eased quarantine restrictions, which limit incoming travel based on COVID-19 caseloads in New England and New York counties. Their greatest need is to allow more guests in, after weeks of issuing refunds for cancelled reservations. In some cases, the customer has agreed to move a reservation to a later date. On Friday, the governor intends to unveil a plan to bring more out-of-state traffic into Vermont. 

That could line up well for the Woodstock Inn & Resort, which plans to reopen on July 1. The inn is close to the 50-percent occupancy for most of July, according to Courtney Lowe, the inn’s vice president of marketing and business development. 

“It's something, it’s a start,” he said. 

The toughest part has been the state restrictions.  

“They are very conservative, and we understand their reasoning to a certain extent, but at the same time, with what we’ve done, and most of the hotel industry has done, we really feel like we’re one of the safer places for people to go to.”   

Lowe mentioned the inn’s grab-and-go options for food, dining with social distancing, separate rooms and local outdoor recreation opportunities. 

Karim Houry, co-owner of The Woodstocker Bed and Breakfast, also plans to reopen on July 1. He said the calls keep coming in from potential customers wondering when restrictions might be eased. For the moment, there’s no good answer to give them.  

“One thing we have a hard time dealing with, frankly, is the fact that we can’t plan ahead,” Houry said, noting the loss in guests. “The risk there is, they’re going to go elsewhere.” 

Patrick Fultz, co-owner of the Sleep Woodstock Motel in West Woodstock, said Vermont is losing business to states like New Hampshire and Connecticut, whose restrictions are less rigid. This comes after cancellations of major events, like the Covered Bridges Half Marathon and the Quechee Balloon Festival, which usually mean dependable revenue. 

“We’re typically booked solid, at higher rates, every weekend in June, and then we go into summer,” Fultz said. “To lose June, that was tough.” 

A traveler on his motorcycle from New Jersey called up for a place to stay the other night, but it didn’t work under state restrictions, Fultz said.

“I had to say ‘no’, and I basically sent him to Leb (Lebanon, New Hampshire).”

Houry and Fultz both said they keep to high cleaning standards, so their buildings are safe for guests. Now, it’s the traffic they need, to get revenue flowing again.

“It’s that balance that needs to be struck between the continued shut down of tourism to the entire state, and safely allowing people to start coming to Vermont,” Houry said. 

In recent days, the Legislature has been working on relief funding for businesses. Rep. Charlie Kimbell, who represents Woodstock, Reading and Plymouth, said the House has proposed to the Senate over $1 billion in relief spending via federal aid. He wasn’t sure how much would be available to the lodging industry, though about $88 million in grants for businesses was passed by the House last week. The grant application process still needs to be set up by the administration. 

“We’re looking at money hopefully starting to flow next week, but haven’t seen a lot of the details yet,” Kimbell said. 

Lawmakers continue to hope for more federal assistance in the coming months. 

“The financial damage and the emotional toll this is taking on businesses and individuals is real, and the need far exceeds the money that we have available to make them whole,” Kimbell said. 

For the lodging industry, Lowe saw indications Boston’s restrictions could lift entirely within the next two weeks. 

“Counties seem to be opening up a bit more every week,” he said of areas outside the state.

— Gareth Henderson

The Census effect

The Census helps bring federal dollars to the state to support major programs like infrastructure, Gov. Phil Scott said. Above is a view of Route 12 in Woodstock in April. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Vermont needs federal aid, and your 2020 Census form helps ensure that funding.

Gov. Phil Scott drove that point home at his Wednesday media briefing, explaining that the Census helps determine the amount of federal funds the state receives. So far, about half of all Vermonters have filled out the Census, putting the state at 47th in the nation when it comes to response rate. The governor urged Vermonters who haven't done so, to take five minutes to complete the Census form.

“As we face a global pandemic and the economic crisis that has followed, making sure we get every dollar of federal relief we can is so important to our recovery,” Scott said.

He noted the Census impact goes well beyond relief funds and also brings in federal dollars for infrastructure projects, school lunches and other needs.

About $2.5 billion in federal funding comes back to Vermont because of the Census. Counting efforts have been more difficult this year, with no in-person data collection allowed due to the pandemic. Planning for the restart of field operations in Vermont is underway in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, according to state librarian Jason Broughton, who is leading the state's Census counting efforts. The Bureau is looking to extend the Census into October and to allow the reporting requirements to be conducted in 2021, Broughton said Wednesday.

The Census can be completed online at 2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020.

— Gareth Henderson

The ongoing struggle

Every day brings sobering reminders that even amid Vermont’s progress, there are always challenges to confront during the pandemic. The favorably low numbers of new COVID-19 cases in the state don’t tell the whole story. 

For me, the big reminder this week was seeing Northfield-based sock-maker Darn Tough cut nearly 50 jobs, which is a lot for a small Vermont community. That turned my head, because, in my nearly 18 years as a Vermont journalist, Darn Tough had always been one of those companies that was innovating and surging upward. Their quarterly announcements always yielded impressive progress. As the company said in its Facebook announcement on Monday, “A few months ago we couldn’t grow fast enough.” (Employees were informed of the decision on June 19, Vermont Public Radio reported.) Darn Tough, while it has brought back about half of its workers, will not meet its financial projections for 2020, according to VPR.

This reinforced a stubborn fact that someone told me early on during Vermont’s response to the pandemic: No one is immune to its financial impact. Clearly, dealing with the economic fallout will be an ongoing factor for many months, perhaps years. Summer revenue — the lifeblood of so many businesses here — hangs very much in the balance. 

State lawmakers continue to advance relief packages for businesses using federal aid, and they hope more federal assistance is on the way. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, of Vermont, was in Burlington to unveil bipartisan legislation called the Restaurants Act, which creates a $120 billion grant program to help local restaurants weather the financial storm during and after the pandemic. During the first 14 days of the program, the funds would only be made available to restaurants with $1.5 million or less in profit, to ensure that small establishments can benefit. 

Hopefully this bill and others offering more COVID aid will make their way to final approval soon at the federal level. That would allow the state to keep working toward stabilizing the economy in the coming months. Now is the time for Vermont’s collaborative spirit to make an impact. We know it works, and it’s never been more important. 

— Gareth Henderson

Feeling the heat

Motorists cross the Route 4 bridge that usually sees steady tourist traffic coming into Woodstock Village this time of year. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

It’s perhaps no surprise that we’re hitting a heatwave in Vermont while the government has felt some heat in recent weeks to accelerate the pace of reopening. 

Much of that pressure has come from businesses in the tourism sector, which have withstood capacity limitations at their places of business for weeks, at a time when they would normally see their income go up. 

This sector has its eyes keenly on 4th of July weekend, typically a very reliable time for good business, which has a different look amid the pandemic. The state is allowing a drive-in format for July 4th celebrations, which are being planned in Killington and Fairfax, according to Lindsay Kurrle, the state’s commerce secretary. 

“Town-organized firework celebrations, if done as a drive-in event, with people in their cars and properly distanced, can happen,” Kurrle said at a Friday briefing. 

Many towns have cancelled their July 4th events amid prior restrictions on gatherings. That said, for those still holding them, there’s room for innovation and collaborations with other businesses that may help everyone make it through a difficult summer. Some cities and towns have created outdoor seating plans they hope will help struggling restaurants and local shops. In the coming days, we might see more announcements about ways to boost downtowns; there are likely many ideas being exchanged.

Still, this summer is a never-ending train of unique challenges for businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has dealt them a crushing economic blow. But throughout this crisis, our communities have shown their resilience, determination and love for one another. This warm season is another opportunity to show our strength together, despite the circumstances. As one, we will see Vermont through the next set of hurdles.

— Gareth Henderson

Edging forward

As Vermont continues reopening efforts, some parts of the tourism sector will see increased allowed capacity for customers next week, but the lodging industry saw no changes to its restrictions in the state's Friday announcement. 

Effective June 26, restaurants, as well as event, arts, culture and entertainment venues, can go from 25 percent of allowable capacity to 50 percent. That percentage is based on fire occupancy limits. The updated restrictions also include maximum gathering sizes of 75 people for indoor events and 150 people for outdoor events.

Gov. Phil Scott and other officials acknowledged that many businesses in the tourism sector are barely surviving, and some lodging establishments are worried about bankruptcy.  

"We realize the incredible burden this sector has taken on, and we are working diligently to open things up as fast as we can," said Lindsay Kurrle, the state's commerce secretary. 

The past six weeks have seen increasing calls on the state by lodging establishments to provide assistance to help their operations survive the pandemic. For many of these businesses, including restaurants and others, partial allowed capacity has been inadequate to make ends meet, especially after weeks of quarantine regulations that were only recently relaxed. This is especially important during the summer, the season that normally yields the most income for this sector. Each time a crowded weekend goes by at partial capacity and limited guest numbers, lodging businesses lose many thousands of dollars, which is hard to recup. 

With July 4 rapidly approaching, the whole tourism sector is hoping for a solid weekend, which they desperately need. Between now and then, we'll be looking for good news for lodging establishments, which form the business hub of many downtowns. Communities need these and other tourism-related operations to do well, this year more than ever. The reopening has been promising for the most part, and as the state looks to keep that going, we cheer on our local tourism sector and support those businesses as much as we possibly can. They employ local people, help keep our downtowns vibrant, and have close ties to local nonprofits. Hopefully, further news will speed the recovery of this sector, a key part of our economic heartbeat.

— Gareth Henderson