

Cover Story
Year of the Dogs: Stories of Grit and Grace From UVM Men’s Soccer’s Championship Run
Tales of hardship and triumph explain a lot about the culture of the Vermont team and the characters who created it. Just don’t call them underdogs.
Obituary: Doris Jewell, 1939-2025
New York native readily adapted to Vermont life and once received a chainsaw for Mother’s Day
Tariff Pause a Relief for Vermonters Scrambling to Prepare
The Trump administration backed off its pledge to levy tariffs against Mexico and Canada starting on Tuesday. That gave business leaders some breathing room.
Details Emerge on School Funding Plan — but Big Questions Remain
Under the administration’s proposal, the state would provide $13,200 per student. Certain students that cost more to educate would receive additional money.
Obituary: Pauline (Marcotte) Lapierre, 1936-2025
Burlington woman was a matriarch with a contagious sense of humor who cared for all in her circle of love
Obituary: Geoffrey Paul Penar, 1988-2025
Naturally talented musician specialized in classic voice and performed across the US. and Canada
Obituary: Mary Duffy Scollins, 1943-2025
Physician dedicated her career to serving children with special needs
Obituary: Alfred Felix Rosa, 1942-2025
Professor at the University of Vermont for 34 years coauthored multiple books and cofounded the New England Press
Obituary: William “Bill” Vincent Nulty, 1949-2025
U.S. Army veteran and 40-year Burlington Electric supervisor loved hunting, riding his Harley and his log cabin in Canaan.
Obituary: Lydia Marie Bauman, 1943-2025
After her first airplane ride to New Zealand, RN developed a lifelong passion for travel
Obituary: Edward Thompson Bolin, 1973-2025
Avid sports fan, music lover and media sales professional had a mischievous sense of humor and charm that could light up any room
Obituary: Sara Lynn Owen Hawkins, 1938-2025
Teacher for more than 36 years found joy in serving her community and sponsored generations of students to Arkansas Girls State
Vermont Braces After White House Says Canadian Tariffs to Start
President Trump said he’ll impose higher tariffs on goods from China, Mexico and Canada on Saturday. Vermont business owners are watching and waiting.
‘Very Dearly Sorry’: Mafuta Sentenced for Killing Cellmate
After two years behind bars, the 23-year-old man will spend at least six more years in prison in a plea deal that accounted for his serious mental illness.
Vermont Orgs Announce Layoffs, Cutbacks After Funding Freeze
About 50 people participated in a virtual roundtable hosted by U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Friday to discuss the local ramifications of a chaotic week.
Obituary: Cynthia Ames Haselton, 1955-2024
Beloved family doctor and volunteer embraced adventure and never stopped moving
Vermont Officials Still Wary After Trump Cancels Funding Freeze
“We’ve just got to name it for what it is: President Trump believes chaos is an instrument of persuasion,” U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said on Wednesday.
Obituary: Matthew A. Kaseta, 1962-2025
Realtor and youth lacrosse coach loved spending time outdoors and lived life to the fullest in every way
Obituary: Gail Worthen, 1955-2025
Accomplished telemark skier, watercolor artist, gardener and chef loved to entertain at family cottage in Maine
On the Beat: A Benefit Concert at Chandler
The local music scene raises money for Dan Rudell and Lisa Kippen after a house fire. Plus, new music from Lily Seabird and a live sitcom at Vermont Comedy Club.
Ask the Rev: Can I Bleach My Butt Crack at Home?
It’s common for the intergluteal cleft to be darker than other parts of the body. Before you try anal bleaching, here’s what you need to know about your bum.
Renée Greenlee Creates in Collaboration With the Watershed
The Huntington artist makes cyanotype prints on paper and fabric that record the water’s activity and influence.
Highway to the Stars: New Sculpture Lifts Off in South Burlington
The central Vermont sculptor has temporarily installed his monumental work “That Place in the Stars” near the Whale Tails in South Burlington’s Technology Park.
Mothership Monthly Film Fest Screens DIY Movies in Burlington
No concept is too zany or abstract when amateur moviemakers screen their short films at Spiral House Art Collective on the first Saturday of every month.
Q&A: Vermont SportsCar Builds Champion Subaru Rally Cars in Milton
A team of rally enthusiasts in Milton has been racing under the radar in Vermont for years. Go behind the scenes of this “Stuck in Vermont” video.
Theater Review: ‘The Effect,’ Shaker Bridge Theatre
Laura Prebble’s 2012 play about a clinical drug trial churns up emotion while limiting its story to elemental statements about love, depression and the brain.
Volunteer Rescuers Find a Lost Dog on Spruce Mountain
Bruin, a 100-pound brown Lab, left the trail while he was hiking with his owner and five other dogs. He was lost in the snowy woods for three days.
Head Stretchers Society Films Spotlight Diverse Vermonters
Lakekeeper Julie Silverman, dumpling virtuoso Hong Wu and farmer Mike Isham are among the subjects of seven short films playing at the VTIFF Screening Room.
Letters to the Editor (1/29/25)
‘Well Worth a Road Trip’ In “Barre Locals Oppose Purchase of Vacant Downtown Building” [January 10, online], the author used a limiting and dismissive description…
To Address a Teacher Shortage, North Country Union High School Looked to the Philippines
The Northeast Kingdom school hired three Filipina educators. Though other states have used the strategy to fill vacancies, it’s a novel approach in Vermont.
Art Clashes With Commerce in the Engrossing Immigrant Story ‘The Brutalist’
Director Brady Corbet immerses us in the refugee characters’ plight from the first scene and uses bold visual and stylistic choices to keep us riveted to the end.
Free Will Astrology (1/29/25)
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): As I envision your life in the coming weeks, I am moved to compare you to certain birds. First, there will…
Burlington Considers Leashing Free-Roaming Felines
A city task force recommended the ordinance to keep outdoor cats from killing birds and defecating in gardens. Cat people are not impressed.
Album Review: Lisa Piccirillo, ‘Radiate’
The Vermont singer-songwriter is back after a 16-year recording hiatus and drops an album suffused with the joy of returning to music.
Now Playing in Theaters: January 29-February 4
In addition to Companion, here’s what is playing in Northern and Central Vermont movie theaters this week. Listings include new movies, vintage films and a directory of open theaters.
Album Review: Adam Tendler, ‘Inheritances’
The Vermont-born pianist used his inheritance — an envelope stuffed with cash — to commission 16 solo works to reconcile his relationship with his late father.
From the Publisher: All Write
On top of putting out a good issue, Seven Days writers and editors share another common goal: to learn from each other and become better journalists.
Matt Lorenz of the Suitcase Junket Is Feeling It All
With two new records soon to be released, the singer-songwriter and Vermont native is back onstage after a season of death and heavy reflection.
Flooding Is Affecting Vermont’s Drinking Water Quality
More and more water districts across the state have detected potentially toxic disinfection byproducts. Experts say it’s a result of changing weather patterns.
In a New Colchester Clubhouse, Adventure Dinner Throws More Parties
With a new headquarters, Sas Stewart’s 5-year-old event and catering biz has expanded its calendar of themed dinners and public pop-ups.
Sweet Simone’s Goes Savory in Richmond
The bakery’s expansion into the storefront next door brings sandwiches, pizza and a specialty foods market to the longtime Bridge Street staple.
Magnificent 7: Must See, Must Do, January 29-February 5
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including the Winter Renaissance Faire at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction.
Burlington’s Wilder Wines to Move, Open Wine Bar Downtown
After four years on Cherry Street, Sipha Lam will move her tiny shop to a larger space in the former Tinkering Turtle toy store and add a bar with wine and snacks.
Vermont Chefs, Restaurateurs and Bar Named 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists
The awards known as the “Oscars of the food world” recognized Vermonters in national and regional categories on its semifinalist list announced on January 22.






