

Barre Locals Oppose Purchase of Vacant Downtown Building
Barre Area Development Corporation wants to buy the building using $400,000 from the city and $600,000 it plans to raise from donations.
Feds: School District’s Response to Racial Harassment Was Lacking
The U.S Department of Justice and the Elmore-Morristown Unified Union School District have entered an agreement to improve policies and practices.
Krowinski Wins Another Term as House Speaker
As the Vermont House convened for the session, its first order of business was deciding the contest for speaker — which was done by secret ballot.
Obituary: Christopher “Ossie” Winter aka Christopher Andrew Pryse Engisch, 1964-2024
Passionate music fan and powerful drummer was a great lover of everything British
In Memoriam: Philip A. Ades, MD, 1951-2024
Prominent cardiologist and pioneer in the field of cardiac rehabilitation was also a dedicated teacher, devoted husband and loving father.
Obituary: Graydon Barron Stevens, 1952-2024
Musician, chimney sweep and outdoor enthusiast had a deep connection to his Vermont roots
Future of Public Education Commission Questions Its Own Future
Five months in, and as the legislature prepares to convene this week, commission members are wrestling with how its work fits into larger policy conversations.
Obituary: Karen Flanagan (Jette) Dowling, 1955-2024
Colchester woman encouraged young women to take leadership roles and leaves a legacy of kindness and service to others
Obituary: Janice Chandler, 1943-2024
Beloved mother and grandmother was active in the community
Obituary: Clarice Fisher, 1934-2024
Lifelong Vermonter loved gardening, family and spending time in Ripton
Obituary: Kempton Evans Webb, 1931-2024
Expert on Brazil and Latin America loved sailing on Lake Champlain and was revered for his whimsical sense of humor
Free Will Astrology (1/2/25)
CAPRICORN (Dec.22-Jan.19): You’re the most pragmatic sign of the zodiac and are most highly skilled at getting constructive things done. It’s also true that you…
Obituary: Jacquelyn F. Arbuckle, 1942-2024
First executive director of McClure Miller Respite House had long career of service to others
Obituary: Norman Joseph Lacharite, 1930-2024
St. Mike’s professor emeritus chaired ESL program and “was generous to all”
Obituary: Janet Hauser Franz, 1939-2024
Westford resident participated in numerous community programs and helped establish the Westford Farmers Market
Obituary: Judy Stilwell Podgorny, 1947-2024
Professor of nursing was passionate about nurturing the next generation of nurses
Obituary: Jeanne Parsley, 1927-2024
Educator and volunteer “made lifelong friends around the world”
Backstory: Two Reporters Scramble to Cover Burlington’s Historic Mayoral Election
Writers Courtney Lamdin and Rachel Hellman played an unexpected game of switcheroo while reporting on Emma Mulvaney-Stanak’s mayoral win.
Life Story: Donald Pleasant Was ‘the Poster Child for Resilience’
Pleasant was known for his tireless work ethic as the custodian at Burlington’s Federal Building and Post Office.
Backstory: Why a Vermont Reporter Visited a Safe-Injection Site in New York City
As lawmakers in Montpelier were debating the state’s first overdose-prevention center, Kevin McCallum traveled beyond Vermont’s borders to see one in action.
Magnificent 14: Must See, Must Do, Dec. 25, 2024-Jan. 8, 2025
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont, including New Year’s at Noon at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich.
Backstory: A Journalist’s Ethical Lapse Posing for a Photo With Bernie Sanders
Reporters aren’t supposed to ask sources — especially politicians — for favors. But when grandparents were involved, Colin Flanders made a minor exception.
Life Story: Architect Marcel Beaudin ‘Had a Vision’
During the architect’s almost 70-year career, he completed roughly 1,000 modern and contemporary projects and put his stamp on the Burlington waterfront.
Six Vermont Art Venues to Keep an Eye On in 2025
Small galleries across Vermont are doing big things. From Burlington to Bellows Falls, here are some well worth a visit in the coming year.
From the Publisher: Behind the Backstories
Paula Routly explains why Seven Days writers revisit the stories they published in 2024 — and shares a by-the-numbers review of the year.
Backstory: Least Scenic Place to Watch Vermont’s Total Solar Eclipse
Reporter Derek Brouwer’s search for an eclipse adventure led him to a parking lot, a Porta-Potty and a memorable vignette.
Life Stories: Remembering Vermonters Who Died in 2024
Each year we recount the lives of a handful of Vermonters who have died. One undeniable truth has emerged over and over: Everyone has a compelling story.
Stuck in Vermont: Looking Back on 2024 With Eva Sollberger
Seven Days senior multimedia producer looks back on the highlights of the past year and is joined by her 90-year-old mom, Sophie Quest.
Backstory: A Cannabis Reporter Gets Too High for His Own Good
A Vermont cannabis podcaster turned the tables on his interviewer in a mind-altering way. Here’s how reporter Ken Picard got roped into a blunt conversation.
Life Story: For Gregg Blasdel, ‘Every Day Was About Art’
Artist Gregg Blasdel, who died in June 2024, helped bring the study of self-taught artists into the mainstream and created surprising and experimental work of his own.
Backstory: Interviewing a Woman Days Before Her ‘Death With Dignity’
After meeting Rita Mannebach, who had traveled from Florida to Vermont to end her life, reporter Alison Novak felt intense pressure to honor her memory.
Backstory: A High-Drama Interview With Broadway Star Shaina Taub
A recording equipment failure hours before a high-stakes interview with the Suffs creator sent panicky reporter Mary Ann Lickteig scrambling for backup.
Backstory: When Interviewing a Centenarian, Nap Breaks Are Key
Documenting Jules Rabin’s 100-year life took energy from interviewee and interviewer, reporter Melissa Pasanen found. Both took naps, but only one did push-ups.
Backstory: How We Got the Vermont Statehouse ‘Wet-Bagging’ Videos
Rep. Jim Carroll released spy camera videos of a colleague soaking his stuff, but only after reporter Kevin McCallum forced his hand.
Life Story: Barbara Nolfi ‘Had This View of How Things Ought to Be’
After arriving in Vermont in 1969 to start a commune, Nolfi spent her life building and shaping local institutions that work for the common good.
Backstory: A New Visual Art Editor Learns She Has Big Shoes to Fill
When reporter Alice Dodge took over visual art duties from Seven Days cofounder Pamela Polston, it was a tall task — and everyone let her know.
Backstory: Seeing a Pet Psychic With the Least Telepathic Dog Ever
In an interview with animal medium Amy Wild, reporter Chris Farnsworth tried to understand the mind of an inscrutable dog — and save a few socks.
Soundbites: The Best Vermont Albums, Singles and Music Videos of 2024
Music editor Chris Farnsworth shouts out the year’s top music in the Green Mountain State, including Robber Robber, Caleb Lodish, McAsh and Lily Seabird.
Backstory: A News Reporter Finds the Best Excuse for a Blown Deadline
When journalist Derek Brouwer misses a deadline, it’s usually for good reason. Under the gun for a story on cyber scams, he got a tip that changed everything.
Backstory: Not Everyone Can Stomach Being a Food Writer
Who doesn’t want to be a food writer? But few have what it takes to scarf down back-to-back diner meals, as Jordan Barry and her stuffed plus-one learned.
Life Story: Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne Was ‘A Purple-Lycra’d Superhero’
The director of UVM’s Spatial Analysis Lab was a beloved figure known for his extreme athleticism, integrity and commitment to helping others succeed.
Backstories 2024: Seven Days Journalists Recap a Year of Storytelling
Read behind-the-scenes accounts of this year’s most memorable articles — the odd origins, sudden twists, mid-reporting freak-outs and affecting epilogues.
Backstory: A Close-to-Home Heartbreak After the Plainfield Flood
When flooding again devastated central Vermont, Plainfield welcomed helpers, journalists and gawkers. Reporter Anne Wallace Allen was there in all three roles.
Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz Is Ready for the Revolution
The Ukrainian immigrant, Burlington expat and punk-rock agitator sees a new dawn of independent music on the horizon as he launches Casa Gogol Records.
Backstory: A Reporter Loses Sleep Over a Courageous Source
When a former Afghan soldier agreed to share his story, despite the risks, journalist Colin Flanders experienced 11th-hour anxieties over the portrayal.
Life Story: Melinda Arceneaux-Swearingen’s ‘Work Was Seminal’
In her home state of Texas, the photographer spent years capturing some of the biggest names of rock and country music. Then she left the scene entirely.
Backstory: Reflecting on the Life of Mark Utter, Who Died in October
The Colchester writer and filmmaker, whose nonverbal autism kept him silent for his early life, had a special relationship with Seven Days writer Ken Picard.
Life Story: Sarah Dopp Was ‘Like the Sinews That Held Us Together’
The South Burlington native founded the city’s land trust, which has driven conservation of more than 750 acres. She lived her faith, treasured history and music.
The Year in Film: The End of an Era and Too Many Sequels
While this year saw the closure of two beloved Vermont theaters and a record number of successful sequels, it also had no shortage of good original films.
Backstory: When Noah Kahan Ghosts, a Music Editor Gets Creative
When the Vermont singer-songwriter got too big for an interview with Seven Days, music editor Chris Farnsworth faced a unique reporting challenge.
Ask the Rev: Should I Kiss My Crush at Midnight on New Year’s Eve?
A friend wonders about revealing a crush with a midnight smooch. Here’s a history of the New Year’s Eve tradition and advice for setting romantic resolutions.
Free Will Astrology (12/25/24)
CAPRICORN(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Since 1985, musician David Gilmour has led Pink Floyd. The band has sold over 250 million records. He’s in the Rock and…
Backstory: A Health Scare While Reporting on Health Care
Journalist Colin Flanders dove into Vermont’s thorny health care affordability problem while recovering from his own (minor) surgery.
Letters to the Editor (12/25/24)
A Spoonful of Humor’ Here’s to Rachel Noyes of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, who clearly understands that a spoonful of humor helps the healthy…
Life Story: Henri de Marne ‘Reinvented Himself Many Times’
The World War II vet from France lived a long and varied life, from working as a ski instructor to penning a syndicated newspaper column
Backstory: A Reporter Unwittingly Lands a Cameo in a Christmas Movie
Culture writer Hannah Feuer showed up to the Christmas Cowboy film shoot — and suddenly found herself cast in the movie.
Starry Eyed: A Photographic Review of 2024
These snapshots recall Vermont’s cultural moments that collectively filled us with wonder — from the eclipse to the northern lights to our local Olympians.
‘Seven Days’ Food Writers Share Their Favorite Bites of 2024
What were the best things we ate and drank in Vermont this year? From clams that slap to biscuits to pawpaws to dan dan noodles, 2024 was a tasty one.






