Virtual Bookstock Festival starts Thursday

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

For the first time, Woodstock's annual literary festival will go virtual on Thursday night, kicking off a series of four author appearances this year.

Virtual Bookstock 2020 is one of many "firsts" in the world, as large events navigate life in the pandemic. Alison Hankey, the festival’s coordinator, said a small team took on the effort to "reorganize and rethink" Bookstock’s 12th year. The response to the virtual announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, Hankey said. 

"I think people really are craving cultural connection at this time, and Bookstock is kind of an anchor event for that," she said.    

The Vermont festival is still free, with registration open right up until the last minute. Audiences will be able to take part in online Q&A in real time.

The first author in the 2020 line-up is poet, jazz historian and music reviewer Reuben Jackson, of Washington, D.C., who will take the virtual stage on Thursday at 7 p.m. He will read from his newest book of poetry, "Scattered Clouds," and is well-known to Vermont as the former host of "Friday Night Jazz" on Vermont Public Radio. 

"The programming we've set up, starting with Reuben Jackson, is just highly relevant to the times we're living in," Hankey said. "Three of the authors are African American, and we felt really strongly we wanted to make sure we're amplifying Black voices."

Additionally, the program maintains the event's strong ties to the Green Mountains, as each author has a connection to Vermont. 

"Bookstock is very much a Vermont literary event, and we are trying to highlight that with this programming," Hankey said.       

After Thursday, this series continues in the coming months with cartoonist, game designer, and author Jason Lutes (Hartland, Vermont) reading from and discussing his graphic novel “Berlin”, which has been published in 15 languages; Dr. François S. Clemmons (Middlebury, Vermont), the Grammy Award-winning founder and director of the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and author of “Officer Clemmons”, his memoir titled after the role he created on the PBS television series “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood”; and New York Times reporter and author Nikita Stewart ("Troop 6000: The Girl Scout Troop That Began in a Shelter and Inspired the World"). These appearances are on Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, respectively. 

Bookstock 2020's core team includes Hankey; program coordinator Pam Ahlen; communications director Meg Brazill, who works for event partner Norman Williams Public Library; and Peter Rousmaniere, Bookstock's head of donor and partner relations. 

As for 2021, Bookstock is planning two events. The traditional book sale on the Woodstock Village Green will be in late July as usual, and the author presentations will be in September. That said, Hankey noted it's unclear whether small venues will be available for those presentations.

"It's very much aspirational at this point," she said. 

Hankey said this fall's program will be a "learning opportunity" for the Bookstock group, just as many groups are having to learn about Zoom to deliver events.     

"We as a committee, as a group, are learning from this, and once we do that, we'll have a better idea of what we can do in years to come," she said. 

Hankey is a content manager for LinkedIn Learning, where she develops online courses for businesses professionals. 

"It's wonderful to bring an iconic festival into the world of technology," she said. "It's a great learning experience."    

Bookstock 2020’s sponsors and partners are Mascoma Bank, The Byrne Foundation and the Norman Williams Public Library, with additional critical support from Pauline Davenport Children’s Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, as well as Vermont Poetry Center.

— Gareth Henderson

Fauci: Vermont a ‘model’ for COVID response

Outdoor fun has continued throughout the summer in Vermont. Here, kayakers enjoy Silver Lake in Barnard. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The nation's leading infectious disease expert called Vermont a "model for the country" when it comes to handling the coronavirus. 

On Tuesday at a state press briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said Vermonters should stay cautious and keep following precautionary measures that gave the state its good results. He said Vermont has made progress against COVID-19 because of mask-wearing, social distancing, frequent hand-washing and other health practices.

Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and has advised six U.S. administrations. He said Vermont's approach to curbing the pandemic is one that any region of the country can successfully use.

"It should be the model of how you get to such a low test positivity that you can actually start opening up the economy in a safe and prudent way," Fauci said, joining the briefing by video. 

Vermont has a COVID-19 test positivity rate of 0.2 percent, the lowest in the nation, as well as the fewest COVID-19 cases of any state. School resumed on Sept. 8, and college students have returned to the state. Some have feared a "second wave" of COVID-19 infections late this year. Fauci said visitor traffic and people spending more time indoors are factors, but so are the precautions people take.
"I don't think you inevitably are going to have a second wave," he said. "It's going to be challenging as you get into the fall and the winter, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to have a problem, if you do the kind of prudent health measures that you've been doing."  

In response to a media question, Fauci said the political divisiveness in the country is a factor. He recalled when dealing with the anthrax attacks after 9/11, that the nation was unified around the action needed. Fauci said this was also the case regarding HIV in the U.S. Though there was stigmatization of the disease for some years, he said there was a universal push to address the issue, which helped lead to progress. 

"When you have a situation of a combination of inherent divisiveness in society, a lot of politicization, during a climate such as an election year where it really brings out differences among groups, it makes it much more difficult than in other situations that I have found myself in when we were challenged," Fauci said. 

He was confident in the multiple levels of "checkpoints" and safeguards during the vaccine development process, and he also said certain technological advances allowed trials to get started more quickly than in the past. Fauci said he trusted the Food and Drug Administration to follow scientific guidance on the issue.

"They have pledged that they will do what the science tells them to do," Fauci said. "So I can tell you, based on my experience and what I'm seeing, if there's a vaccine, which I'm fairly certain there will be — that's safe and effective — I, for one, would not hesitate to take it, nor would I hesitate to recommend that my entire family do it." 

Fauci said he expected a safe vaccine to be completed by November or December, and for doses to be available by January or February.      

— Gareth Henderson

Keeping up with the legislative session

Sunlight shines through the woods in West Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As expected, the 2020 Vermont Legislature has spent a ton of time on the state budget, amid the financial pressures of the pandemic. But other bills have also been working their way through the House and Senate. 

A climate change-related bill now awaits the governor's signature, after it received approval from both chambers. The Global Warming Solutions Act would require Vermont to meet targeted reduced carbon emissions, and the bill forms a climate council to create a plan to reduce pollution. Some opponents of the bill, including Gov. Phil Scott, have said the responsibility for that plan should not be placed in the hands of an unelected council. Supporters argue it's time for the state to take bold action on climate change. Lawmakers appear to have the votes to override an expected veto from Scott, according to NBC5.

Also making progress is legislation that would require the state to automatically purge criminal records for people convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana. Rep. Tom Burditt, of West Rutland, told Vermont Public Radio on Monday that since the state has legalized possession of an ounce or less, criminal records from those convictions should also be expunged. That bill is up for a final vote in the House on Tuesday, according to VPR. 

Another bill which creates a tax-and-regulate system for cannabis was in a House and Senate conference committee as of Monday. 

As this unusual legislative session continues, the above bills are several proposals prioritized by lawmakers. There are clear differences between some lawmakers and the governor on the climate change legislation. Additionally, it will be interesting to see what transpires regarding the tax-and-regulate bill — a topic that has sparked some debate in the past. With several measures nearing the legislative finish line, it appears we have another important week ahead of us. 

— Gareth Henderson

State budget heading to Senate

The Ottauquechee River is shown in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After the House passed it last week, the $7.1 billion Vermont state budget plan is on its way to the Senate.

The proposal, which covers the last three quarters of the current fiscal year, includes $23.8 million in bridge funding to keep the Vermont State Colleges system functioning this year through the fiscal challenges of the pandemic. The Legislature passed a first-quarter budget in June.

Rep. Charlie Kimbell, representing Woodstock, Reading and Plymouth, said the House's budget includes much of the governor's initial proposal, with several exceptions. Overall, the House proposal includes $100 million in new grants and incentives to aid the economy. Additionally, the plan makes more sole proprietors eligible for economic recovery grants, Kimbell added. It also leaves major social assistance programs intact. 

The $7.1 billion plan is inflated over last year's budget because it includes federal COVID-19 relief money, Kimbell said. In the proposal, the House spends the remainder of the CARES Act funding, about $200 million. Kimbell said some voters have asked him about funding for the state colleges for the following year, fiscal year 2022. 

"We don't have that answer at all yet," he said. In total, the state colleges system is getting over $98 million in the budget, including the $23.8 million in bridge funding and also $29.8 million for the colleges' annual general fund appropriation.

A statewide committee which includes some legislators is discussing the long-term future of the college system. Kimbell pointed out that Southern New Hampshire University, for example, is laser-focused on its remote learning program. SNHU has unveiled a plan to revamp on-campus learning to a model that would cost students $10,000 per year.

"This (situation) could permanently change how people think of higher education," Kimbell said. 

Maintaining the funding for the college system is a top priority for Windsor County Sen. Alison Clarkson, of Woodstock. The main struggle is how to spend the remaining federal relief money, she said, adding there are many businesses, organizations and programs in great need of funding.

"They're all areas that we care about," Clarkson said. "That's very hard when the slice of the pie is not very big." 

She lamented the fact that the U.S. Congress hadn't been able to agree on a second stimulus package. 

"Need is not a partisan thing," Clarkson said. "Every state has municipal needs, health care needs, educational needs, business needs, individual needs."  

On a positive note, Clarkson pointed out that the federal relief money has allowed the state to fund some permanent housing, which is crucial because of the housing situation in Vermont. The pandemic's financial strain has exacerbated the already-challenging issues of homelessness and low-income housing. And winter is just around the corner.

"We need 10,000 new housing units tomorrow, but ... every permanent unit is a blessing," Clarkson said. "That's a good example of taking CARES Act money and using it for maximum long-term benefit." 

After the state Senate creates and approves its version of the budget bill, it's back to the House to reconcile the two proposals. Then, the finalized budget bill will head to the governor's desk. The process might be a more rapid one than usual. The House Appropriations Committee spent under three weeks reviewing the governor's proposal. As Kimbell noted, that's usually a two-month process. 

— Gareth Henderson

Working toward a common goal

The American flag at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

It's undeniable that more unity is needed throughout the country, especially at a time when even one of the bedrocks of our democracy, the voting system, is feeling the strain of politics. Specifically, that refers to the discussions about mail-in voting, which has become an understandable trend amid the pandemic, and a point of contention for some. It is worth noting that Oregon, the first state to go to universal mail-in voting, has experienced a voter-fraud rate of .00001 percent since 2000, according to the PBS NewsHour. 

Unfortunately, the vote is just one of many areas of our democracy which has become increasingly tainted by politics in recent years. That is greatly troubling, given the importance of this November's presidential contest. It is also revealing, because it shows how doubt can be spread quickly online, about a method of voting which has largely been able to avoid fraud issues, as The Washington Post previously reported.

A major issue is that, in a politically charged environment, someone who feels their vote has never counted may still believe this, perhaps more so, if political strife and USPS logistical issues feed into a sense of hopelessness. Still, there are a number of groups working to encourage people to vote, and that should be done for the good of the country. The more people participating in the vote, the better. That has never been more true. 

Voting remains key to the functionality of the nation, and hopefully efforts to assist with that process in 2020 can continue unencumbered, whether it's organizing mail-in voting efforts, polling stations, or related aspects of the process. Many people are committed to making sure that process works, and now is the time to support them in their efforts. As one united people, we can accomplish great things. We still have the heart, and the resolve, to do exactly that.

— Gareth Henderson

Restrictions on lodging may loosen soon

Sun and shadow blend in this mountain view from Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The Vermont lodging industry might see a loosening of restrictions before foliage season, if the state's COVID-19 metrics stay low. Hotels, inns and other lodging businesses have been among the hardest hit during the pandemic, being required to keep capacity at no more than 50 percent of total rooms since early summer.  

At a Friday press conference, Gov. Phil Scott said the state may "open that spigot a bit more" on the economy, if the data remains favorable. Vermont still has the nation's lowest positivity rate for COVID-19. In the past week, the state conducted 15,000 tests of college and university students who returned and just five were positive, bringing the total number of students who have tested positive to 38. That's well below any number that would spark concern about community spread, officials noted. 

With those kinds of numbers, the governor said he could see loosening restrictions on the hospitality sector in a couple of weeks or sooner. 

"If things continue the way they are, we'll be announcing some opening of the spigot possibly next week ... but again, it's all reliant on the data and the science, making sure it's safe to do so," Scott said.

Earlier in the summer, the state slowed down its reopening activity due to the multiple spikes in cases around the country. Regionally, Friday bought the good news that overall COVID-19 cases dropped slightly last week in the Northeast. Also, there were some improvements reported on the regional travel map showing who can travel to Vermont without having to quarantine, with more areas in the Northeast fitting that definition, including Cape Cod and parts of New York. From the states on that map, total of 5.5 million individuals can now come to Vermont without a quarantine, up from 5.2 million last week. Those numbers may also help turn the state toward further reopening activity for lodging and hospitality. 

Also on Friday, Scott extended the state of emergency to Oct. 15, which allows the state to quickly adjust or add to the statewide measures put in place. The governor said he knows many will be disappointed at the idea of having to continue with economic restrictions, but he said these decisions are based on data and science to keep Vermonters safe. 

"Rest assured we'll get through this. I know we will, and with Vermont ingenuity and perseverance, we'll be stronger as a result."  

— Gareth Henderson

Confronting challenges together

A scenic view along High Pastures Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the country heads toward the fall season, the economic challenges facing U.S. communities are steep.

In New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, "at least half of people say they have experienced the loss of a job or a reduction in wages or work hours in their household since the start of the coronavirus outbreak," National Public Radio reported from its recent poll. In each of America's four largest cities, a wide range of financial issues appear to be deepening for families, just as schools are restarting and health concerns persist amid the pandemic. 

These converging factors loom in rural states as well, as communities try to make the most of grant funding and other solutions. Vermont has the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the U.S., but financial assistance is still a major need.  More than 40,000 people remain unemployed, and 1 in 4 Vermonters are food insecure, Vermont Business Magazine reported. 

That said, some local efforts to help those in need are ongoing. The Woodstock Area Relief Fund is continuing to provide assistance to those financially struggling due to the pandemic. Also, on Wednesday, the Vermont Community Foundation announced five COVID-19 recovery initiatives, according to Vermont Business Magazine. They focus grant funding for five areas: rural entrepreneurship, food system resilience, rural internet connectivity, career learning and skill-building, and creating anti-racist communities. Grants totaling $238,000 went to organizations working on those issues, and the community foundation expects more grantmaking in 2020, the VBM report stated.

Such community-based efforts will be critically important, especially while Congressional efforts to create a second stimulus package remain stalled. With no further federal aid on the way, it's up to Vermonters to pull together and use teamwork to boost state and local initiatives. The way forward is truly to help each other, using that community strength for which Vermont is known, because we know what that strength can do. That unity has seen us through challenges before, and it is poised to face this one and lead us to progress.

— Gareth Henderson

Mail-in voting preparations underway

Sun illuminates the countryside along North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Nine states will be sending out ballots to all voters for the November general election, in an effort to ensure safe voting during the pandemic. 

One of those states is Vermont, and Gov. Phil Scott is confident in the mail-in voting plan, Vermont Public Radio reported. All active registered voters in Vermont will be sent a general election ballot in two weeks. The governor disagreed with some of his fellow Republicans, who have raised concerns about voter fraud.

"I think the mail-in type of approach is new," Scott told VPR Wednesday. "I think it could have been done in a different way. The reality is that's the way it's going to be done in Vermont, and I believe it will be done successfully."  

The Washington Post reported that their analysis of three states with universal mail voting "found a minuscule number of potentially fraudulent ballots in recent elections, undercutting assertions that such practices open the door to rampant fraud."

In that same August report, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey — which is also doing universal mail-in voting in November — emphasized keeping the process safe while maintaining voting access.

“Ensuring that every voter has the ability to securely cast their ballot, while protecting public health, is our paramount concern," Murphy told the Post. "The recent primary election gave us the opportunity to see what worked and where we could make improvements.”  

Massachusetts is doing the same. On Wednesday, Secretary of State William Galvin said the state's mail-in voting effort was a "great success" in the primary, NBC Boston reported Wednesday, but more funding was needed for the November election to go smoothly.

As states move forward with their plans, the concerns surrounding the Postal Service still loom very large. About 20 states have expanded or eased access to mail-in voting for the Nov. 3 election, according to The Washington Post. States and voters have important roles in protecting the integrity of mail-in voting systems, especially in such a crucial election. It will be challenging, but it's a duty that must be done, and now is the time for everyone to work to support these efforts.

— Gareth Henderson

The Community Campus debuts

The Community Campus team is shown in Woodstock, Vermont. At left (bottom to top) are Kate Kardashian, Tesha Buss, Kristiana Ploss and Carolyn Shaw, and at right are Izzy Jenne and (top) Heather Todd-Perham. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A new venture in Woodstock, Vermont, is providing working parents with some much-needed support for children during remote learning days. 

That need led to the formation of The Community Campus (TCC),  a new nonprofit providing academic support and creative enrichment opportunities on remote learning days and after school. It shares a building with the Rainbow Playschool at the foot of Mount Tom on Route 12 and serves children in grades K-7. Rainbow and TCC operate in separate parts of the building, and a few spaces are shared, though used at different times.

The impetus for the TCC concept formed when Kate Kardashian, a special education teacher in the local Windsor Central Supervisory Union, went through the difficult experience that so many parents did this spring, when the pandemic hit and suddenly remote learning was the new reality. Kardashian knew working parents would need help this school year, including those who could not get essential worker status.  

"We needed to do something for families and kids," she said.   

A view from the second-floor back steps of The Community Campus offers this scenic view of Mount Tom. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

She spoke with her friend, Tesha Buss, then-president of the Rainbow Playschool Board. Buss had anticipated remote learning would be a struggle again for her staff, and she suggested Rainbow's building as a possible option, and the process began from there. 

Collaboration with the school district is centrally important to this effort. Kristiana Ploss, the educational director for TCC, said the program is designed to be a help to the district and teachers. 

"We're supporting the school district and their remote menus of learning," Ploss said. 

There are different schedule options, and the cost is $50 per day for the 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. program option, and $20 per day for 3-5 p.m. after-school care. There are options for tuition assistance, including through the Woodstock Area Relief Fund. Buss, the TCC business manager, said the main focus for TCC is the current need in the community.

"What the (long-term) looks like, that's not fully determined," Buss said, adding the nonprofit is working on start-up costs. It recently received its state license as a school-aged child care center. "Right now, we're just doing what we have to do." 

Kardashian, whose TCC role is on a volunteer basis, remains working for the local school district and felt the need to get this project off the ground to help the community.   

"It's really a grassroots effort that's meeting an immediate need," she said.   

The classroom for grades 6 and 7 is shown at The Community Campus. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

TCC began its year on Tuesday, when all Vermont public schools reopened. As of Monday, 35 kids were enrolled and more spots were available.

In the morning, TCC staff help the students get through their remote assignments and projects, Ploss said. In the afternoon, students get to experience "genius work," inspired by Google's "genius hour" concept, believing that better results come from letting workers pursue projects they’re passionate about. At TCC, students can choose a project they're interested in, make a plan, and tackle it, involving a topic relevant to school studies. It's a chance to "build on their school work" using a subject which interests them, Ploss explained. The campus at the base of Mount Tom provides plenty of ways to involve the outdoors in these projects.

"We really want them to make it their own," she said.

TCC also partners with local entities. The staff will regularly pick up books from the Norman Williams Public Library for the students. Also, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park plans to collaborate on some learning programs. 

Additionally, TCC has applied to become a child care hub, under a new state program trying to address the needs around school-aged child care and remote learning. If approved, the program would help with TCC's start-up costs. That application is pending. 

— Gareth Henderson

Celebrating the new East End Park

The sign for the long-awaited East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont, greets the community on Monday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A decade of work to transform Woodstock's East End into a new park by the Ottauquechee River has come to fruition. 

On Monday, volunteers who made the project happen welcomed the public to a grand opening for the park and also for the new Ottauquechee River Trail, which offers public access to the scenic waterway.

The park area, running alongside the river at Woodstock's East End, has an amphitheater with stone work by Olde World Masonry, with a labyrinth just below it created by Toby Bartles. Just a couple more elements are being completed at the other end: a slide for kids to enjoy, and also a rock scramble, being made by stone mason Dan Snow,  which will offer a rock climbing experience at the site. 

This blending of scenic beauty and fun is a world apart from the East End's earlier days, when it was used as a snow dump in the winter and was an overgrown eyesore the rest of the year. The community coalesced around this project and was led by Sustainable Woodstock's East End Action Group. Joby Thompson, a member of that very group, was part of discussions in 2009, when the park was just an idea. 

Joby Thompson (center) shows Townsend Belisle and his daughter, Devi, plans for the slide and rock scramble at the East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

"It's a dream come true, after 10 years of hard labor and many processes," Thompson said Monday, standing next to the labyrinth named in her honor. 

Barbara Barry and Mary MacVey were also there along the way, with Thompson and many other volunteers, through numerous work days of clearing brush where the park now stands. 

"What it was before was a waste of a gorgeous view," Barry said, highlighting the river’s grandeur. "Now it's a great place for events and for the kids to run around." 

MacVey said it may still be an undiscovered space for some, who are used to driving by the area. But based on Monday's steady turnout, that is changing. 

"Our new entrance makes a huge announcement, that you have arrived," she said. 

Part of the amphitheater at the new East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont, is shown. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The East End Park sign — created by Jeff Sass, Jim Dow and Art Garges — stands at the entrance by Route 4 and is topped with a railroad bell, donated by Polly Bigham. From 1875 to 1933, the park and adjacent land was the terminus and turnabout for the train that ran the 14-mile line from White River Junction to Woodstock. Also adding to the site's history, is a stunning view across the river of Billings Farm land, part of the legacy of conservation here. Sustainable Woodstock Director Michael Caduto called it a "nexus" of Woodstock land use history. 

"It's just a fantastic collaborative project for the good of the people in Woodstock and the people who visit here," Caduto said of the park, noting all project funds were privately raised. He also said it's rare to have a trail which offers such great access to a river. 

Windsor County Sen. Dick McCormack, who joined Monday's crowd, agreed and said a river offers something special to the place. 

"It's something people want to share," he said. 

Jack Rossi, a local architect and longtime member of the East End Action Group, was enjoying this moment. 

"It's really exciting and rewarding to see it come to fruition." 

— Gareth Henderson

Focusing on the vote

American flags are displayed in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo).

The right to vote forms the bedrock of democracy, and many Americans are worried about hurdles to exercising that right in November’s general election, according to the Pew Research Center.

In the Pew study, nearly half of Americans surveyed in July and August said they anticipate logistical difficulties casting a ballot in this pivotal election. To have that level of concern around the vote in 2020 is troubling; no doubt the worries over the USPS and delivery of mail-in ballots during the pandemic play into that. 

In the coming weeks, these concerns may prompt more people to vote early, in order to ensure their votes are counted and their voices heard. Another virtue of that option: There are typically smaller numbers of people at a time, and in many locations, it should be easy to socially distance. In Vermont, early voting begins on Monday, Sept. 21. 

Additionally, the NBA's plan to use arenas as voting centers has taken shape, and will have a profound impact on voter participation by providing safe venues for in-person voting. Most of the NBA's 30 arenas are now involved, and many are providing for early voting.

Though the Nov. 3 election is just under two months away, there's still time to address logistical hurdles causing concerns among voters. Some of these issues may be addressed on a more local level, and hopefully, even in the weeks remaining, some creative solutions can come to the forefront. 

— Gareth Henderson

Being the light

People enjoy the Village Green in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When light shines through the darkness, it makes a difference, one beam at a time. 

That holds true even in the toughest of times, and it has certainly been true today as people have stepped up to help their neighbors through the pandemic throughout the country. 

Barney Corrigan did that in Westville, New Jersey, even after he lost his job as a catering chef, CNN reported Saturday. In April, Corrigan built a small cabinet outside near his home for people in need to come and pick up food. The new service grew in popularity, but so many people pitched in to give donations that he moved the operation to his garage. There, he established Barney's Place Food Pantry, CNN states, and recently received his nonprofit status. Given the great demand for the food he offers, Corrigan is thinking about starting a warehouse. New people continue to contact him every day to arrange donations.

"It's a good problem to have. People really want to help each other right now," Corrigan told CNN.  

In Vermont and throughout the country, stories about good deeds have formed a recurring theme in recent months: There is a lot of good in the world. As Corrigan states on his website, "You will be surprised how quickly love and compassion can change your life." For certain, many have experienced that feeling. It's the natural result of doing good for others, and most importantly, our love and compassion empower us to help and can inspire others to do so. It's always encouraging to read about people who are helping others. They show all of us there is still hope. 

— Gareth Henderson

Frontline workers honored

A view from Fletcher Hill Road in Woodstock, Vermont (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the state of Vermont headed into Labor Day Weekend, Gov. Phil Scott recognized those workers on the front lines of the efforts to keep people safe and sustain the economy during the pandemic. 

Scott noted that this time of year honors the workers who keep the economy and our communities going. But as we all know, 2020 is an unprecedented time.

"This year, I especially want to recognize the frontline heroes of this once-in-a-century health emergency," Scott said in a Friday statement, including "the nurses, custodians, grocery store workers, childcare providers, and all of those who have helped to keep Vermont one of the safest states in the country during one of most uncertain times many of us can remember."  

Vermont continues to have the lowest COVID-19 infection rate in the U.S., and Scott said achieving that result is a statewide effort. 

“Our success has been earned by the labor of so many Vermonters: Those who volunteered to deliver lunches to students at home, spent their own money to make homemade masks to distribute to frontline workers, our teachers and school employees getting ready for the start of the school year, and those who have found ways to do their work from home to slow the spread and protect our most vulnerable," Scott said.

Still, this Labor Day Weekend comes at a time when many are still out of a job due to COVID-19, as the governor noted. State data shows 40,000 people are receiving unemployment benefits. Leading up to the long weekend, officials in Vermont and other states have again encouraged people to wear masks, follow social distancing, keep their hands washed, and stay home when not feeling well. That’s not only the road to better public health; it's the road to reopening further.

"Being smart this weekend will help make sure we can continue to responsibly reopen our economy so these hardworking Vermonters can get back to work. So, while we celebrate this weekend, please do so responsibly," Scott said. “Let’s continue to show the nation that by listening to the data and science, and working together, we will get through this unprecedented time."

— Gareth Henderson

Arenas prep to get out the vote

An American flag flies in the breeze on Fourth of July in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

At least 20 National Basketball Association teams have announced plans to turn their arenas into voting centers for the November election, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. 

This development is part of a social justice plan agreed to by the NBA and its players following a recent boycott of postseason play to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Other sports leagues joined the walkout, which gained international attention. Along with the voting centers in arenas, the agreement between the NBA and players includes creating a social justice coalition and new advertising that promotes more civic engagement in elections.

The playoff push continued after the agreement was reached, but the move to comply with the accord was swift, especially considering teams are large organizations. On Wednesday, the Orlando Magic announced their arena, the Amway Center, will be an early voting site, according to The Washington Post. The same report said the Amway Center will host a voter registration event on Sept. 22, and will then be open for early voting for all of Orange County each day from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1 to take early ballots.

Having this service set up in Florida alone is a major impact for the Nov. 3 general election, given the Sunshine State's pivotal role in presidential contests. But the national impact is clear when listing the other NBA teams that made similar commitments with their arenas: Brooklyn, Dallas, Houston, Indiana, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers (in two different arenas), Milwaukee, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Utah and Phoenix. The Post reported these other teams planned voting or registration centers even before the boycott: Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington and Sacramento.

An important focus of these plans is creating a safe environment for in-person voting during the pandemic. Fortunately, the NBA has learned a lot about wide-scale sanitation and safety, by creating the "bubble" in Walt Disney World in Orlando, where 22 out of 30 teams landed weeks ago to resume the season under strict health protocols. The NBA can easily share the knowledge it has gained from that experience with its teams as additional arena plans materialize.

This NBA initiative has been inspiring already, due to its broad impact, notably how it can reach a diversity of individuals and, just maybe, welcome people into the voting process who may not have ever trusted that their voice counts. It fits nicely with More Than a Vote, an organization co-founded by NBA superstar Lebron James, which is busy recruiting young poll workers in Black communities to boost access to voting. 

Certainly, these efforts are no easy matter. Making a whole arena safe for voting during a pandemic is challenging, and getting people to participate poses its own hurdles these days. However, with the NBA’s powerful marketing arm behind it, this initiative could increase access to the vote by tens of thousands of people. In a close election, those votes could be the difference.

— Gareth Henderson

U.S. Senate eyes new relief package

Clouds hide the late-afternoon Vermont sun in Woodstock by Route 12. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The U.S. Senate is expected to discuss a new pandemic relief package next week, and Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and others are pushing for more flexibility for states in how to spend the money. 

Vermont has received $1.3 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funding, and the money must be spent by Dec. 31, according to the rules governing the CARES Act passed earlier this year. Speaking with Vermont Public Radio, Leahy agreed with Gov. Phil Scott that states should have more of a say in how they use these funds.

“I've heard the same complaint from other states,” Leahy told VPR Wednesday. “I think we should have a lot more flexibility. Republicans and Democrats I've talked to are for that."

Leahy, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in the same interview he sees bipartisan support for extending special unemployment aid, providing direct grants to taxpayers and giving much-needed relief to states to plug revenue gaps.

Considering the news this week, there still seems to be a desire on both sides to craft a new relief package, just very different ideas about how to achieve it. A recent call between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went nowhere, according to The Washington Post. 

The overall size of the new legislation remains a point of contention. The Democrat-led House passed the $3.4 trillion Heroes Act in May, hoping that would become the second COVID-19 relief bill coming out of Congress. The Senate did not take up the bill, and stimulus negotiations between Democratic leaders and White House officials stalled in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported Senate Republicans continue to work on a smaller plan of about $1 trillion — which may hit the Senate floor next week. The GOP has so far rejected Democratic suggestions of a larger amount, the Post stated.

Despite the steep challenges facing the country, there remains the opportunity for both sides to come together and start the work of crafting this legislation. As Congress returns from its summer recess next week, hopefully discussions in the Senate will lead to a positive result for Vermonters and all Americans. Many are waiting for the moment a new relief bill reaches the finish line.  

— Gareth Henderson

A bold step for change

When National Basketball Association teams boycotted playoff games last week to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake, players expressed the desire to take concrete action for real change. With November right around the corner, it was encouraging to see players focus on protecting the right to vote in 2020.

The players and the league agreed to turn NBA arenas into polling places for the November election, as part of an accord to resume postseason play on Saturday. It’s also a move to fight voter suppression ahead of November’s vote, by improving access to safe, in-person voting. Also in the new agreement, NBA leadership said they would form a social justice coalition and create new advertising that promotes "greater civic engagement in national and local elections."

All this began after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to play their playoff game against the Orlando Magic last Wednesday, in protest of the Aug. 23 police shooting of Blake, an unarmed Black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Multiple gunshots from an officer left him paralyzed, and a state investigation is ongoing.

On Wednesday, events moved quickly: The Magic and other NBA teams followed the Bucks’ lead, and all that day’s games were postponed. Then other leagues joined the walkout, including the Women’s National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. The National Hockey League postponed playoff games later in the week, and some National Football League teams cancelled practices. With Thursday’s NBA games also postponed, the players met that day and agreed to continue the playoffs Saturday after the league agreed to the now-released plan.

The Bucks’ action led to an unprecedented moment in sports, when players took the reins completely, and forced the national spotlight to re-focus on racial justice and the importance of voting. If people want to make the biggest difference this year, it will be at the ballot box. The NBA’s strong, collective voice will have an important national impact, and the recent agreement with its players is a great step forward to ensure all people have access to the vote. This is the kind of decisive action the country needs in order to affect true change.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. DMV to reopen 3 offices for appointments

Motorists cross the Route 4 bridge at the western end of Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermonters who need to do in-person business with the Department of Motor Vehicles will get that opportunity soon at three locations, though access will be limited due to the pandemic. 

Offices in Rutland, Montpelier and South Burlington will be opening for appointments only, as DMV Commissioner Wanda Minoli announced on Tuesday. An online scheduling system goes live on Thursday, and appointments begin at those three locations on Monday. 

Minoli said the online appointment system is here to stay and will cut back on - and in some cases eliminate - wait times. 

"This is yet another step toward our full modernization," she said.    

Starting Monday, appointment times will begin daily at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. at all three locations. DMV customers are asked to arrive 10 minutes early, and no guests are allowed unless necessary, such as a parent accompanying a minor, or a translator helping a customer. 

"We hope to learn a lot during the first days that the new scheduling system is in use," Minoli said. She added that this information will allow them to make any necessary changes and move toward offering the appointment-based service at other locations around the state.   

In other DMV news from Tuesday, Minoli said the department averages a three-week backlog for purchases made through private sales, and for the transfer of vehicle registrations.  The DMV is now finalizing another online system to meet that need, which will allow customers to receive a temporary registration and plate electronically.

Also on Tuesday, Minoli wanted to assure Vermonters that the DMV provisions of the state of emergency order remain in place. That means all license and registration renewals still hold a 90-day extension from due date. Notices for photo renewals for driver's licenses have been extended for 4 years.  

Minoli encouraged Vermonters to continue to use the many services available on the DMV website, including license and registration renewals, learner permit exams and many commercial vehicle transactions. She thanked people for their patience and understanding during this time, acknowledging the difficulties caused by having to close the local offices.

“While DMV employees have continued to work daily covering mail, online, and email requests, our goal always has been to reopen as quickly as possible with health and safety protocols in place.” 

— Gareth Henderson 

Momentous weeks on the horizon

The mountains are painted with light and shadow in this view from Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The next couple of weeks will be important ones for many states, especially with the reopening of schools. But many other factors are in the mix as well. 

In Vermont, we have the return of the Legislature on Tuesday, and then schools reopen on Sept. 8. All this comes amid a swirling national political environment, stoked by the concerns around the USPS and the run-up to the November general election. Even so, the local scene here in the Green Mountains keeps moving forward. 

On the good news front: Vermont continues to have the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate in the country, which is one of the reasons the state proceeded steadily this summer on school reopening guidance. Most school districts in Vermont are implementing hybrid plans that blend remote and in-person learning, but the details vary district to district. So far, COVID-19 data, coupled with the state's testing and contact tracing capabilities, still shows it's safe to return to some level of in-person learning, state officials say.

By now, the Legislature, the schools, towns and all organizations know that plans can change quickly these days. And so, one has to be nimble, monitor the situation on the ground closely and prepare to make quick changes if needed. Working together, our Vermont schools and communities can meet this challenging time and keep moving forward, so that fall 2020 will be remembered as a time of great accomplishment. We have the ability to find — and hold onto — that success as a statewide community working toward a common purpose. We’ve come this far, and even amid adversity, we’ve paved the way together for more progress.

— Gareth Henderson

All eyes on the USPS

Sunbeams shine down on South Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Votes on Saturdays are rare in the U.S. House of Representatives during the summer, but this weekend was an exception. 

The House passed a bill Saturday that would allocate $25 billion in emergency funds to the U.S. Postal Service and ban operational changes which recently sparked controversy. The bill comes amid growing concerns over delivery delays ahead of the November election. Many Americans hope to vote by mail to stay safe and avoid long waiting lines during the pandemic. The delivery of prescriptions through the mail is also a major concern for millions.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, of Vermont, voted in favor of the Delivering for America Act, saying it is meant to reverse recent delays. 

“This legislation will make sure that the Postal Service has the support and the funding it needs to quickly deliver medicines, unemployment checks and ballots all across America,” Welch said in a statement released Saturday after the vote. 

Though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders had anticipated more bipartisan support, the final tally was 257-150, mostly along party lines with Democrats supporting it, according to CNN. But that could be a short-lived success, as the bill is unlikely to get a vote in the Senate, the CCN report further states.   

Controversial USPS changes were recently put into motion by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who recently said he would halt them until after the election. DeJoy defended those moves as efforts to boost efficiency and save money, while Democrats accused the Trump administration of trying to obstruct mail-in voting. In his statement, Welch listed the changes DeJoy initiated: 

• Removing efficient mail sorting machines from sorting facilities across the country.

• Removing post office boxes from communities.

• Ending the longstanding practice of prioritizing the delivery of election mail.

• Curtailing overtime and directing employees to leave mail behind at distribution centers.

• Reassigning 23 senior career postal employees.

Though the House bill appears dead on arrival in the Senate, the USPS worries will stick around, given the widespread concerns around potential election impact. It’s an important time to make our voices heard on important issues like this, even if legislative solutions seem non-existent. The vote can no longer be taken for granted; it must be defended. 

— Gareth Henderson

Learning outside

A scene by the Kedron Brook in Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Throughout the country, there’s a growing interest in using the outdoors for education, and here in Vermont we’re blessed with many opportunities to do just that. Amid the pandemic, experts say outdoors is also one of the safest places to be, while using distancing and other precautions of course. 

Naturally, taking the classroom outside requires some new approaches to learning, since so much of education traditionally happens indoors. In a recent interview, Paul Gambill, executive director of the Montpelier-based Community Engagement Lab (CEL), spoke about some solutions from a think tank with educators and teaching artists in June. A big theme was exploring safe ways to get kids outdoors for learning opportunities, especially amid the pandemic. 

“Across the state, there’s exciting energy around engaging in new ways of learning, around learning how to make the move towards personalized learning that Vermont’s been trying to put in place,” Gambill said. “We have to find those entry points that really activate the student’s intrinsic motivation to learn.”  

One idea led to the Watershed Project, part of CEL’s annual Project Design Lab for fall. The Project Design Lab helps school teams create an arts-integrated project working with master teaching artists and national leaders in project-based learning. 

In the watershed initiative, school teams have the opportunity to work with the artists and project partners to teach students about the importance of watersheds, while using art as a central part of the process. The specific goal of this project is “to deepen our understanding and sense of ownership in the health of the watershed, and how the health of the watershed is interwoven with the health of our communities.”  

Gambill said such outdoor education opportunities in Vermont can harness the expertise that exists in areas such as farming, forestry and conservation, which offer rich educational experiences. 

“Those are such a part of the Vermont culture already,” he said.

Artist Alissa Faber and photographer Renee Greenlee are the teaching artists on the Watershed Project, and its partners include the Vermont Energy Education Program, Friends of the Winooski River and Friends of the Mad River. A grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program is funding the project’s implementation. The Watershed Project is limited to six schools; find more information at this link. 

Gambill said CEL will work with school teams in the Project Design Lab (via Zoom) in late September or early October, and then start implementing the various projects after that.

In the planning process, each school team identifies community partners for their project, as well. Gambill thought community organizations might be able to expand their role in educational initiatives in the months ahead. 

“I think there’s a real opportunity for communities to look at their role as a learning partner,” he said.  

It will be exciting to see the educational innovation taking place in the coming months and years, as outdoor learning will likely become a larger part of the overall picture. Naturally, this will look different at different schools, but it’s certainly an opportunity to re-imagine educational design and delivery, and perhaps pave the way for new, local programs that provide students with valuable experiences. The time for innovation is here. 

— Gareth Henderson