

Cover Story
François Clemmons Remembers His Years With Mister Rogers in Advance of a New Memoir
Once upon a time, there was a nice man who lived in a nice town called Middlebury. He lived in a quiet little house on…
Obituary: Catherine Bessette-Kirby, 1975-2020
A “friend to everyone” is remembered for her loving support
Seriously: New Year, News Recap
In this episode, Bryan catches up on some Vermont news from the beginning of the year.
As Vermont Considers Legalizing Pot Sales, Some Towns Act to Ban Stores
At a November selectboard meeting, Gwynn Zakov issued an ominous warning to Barre Town officials about cannabis: Act before it’s too late. “We are 100…
Roost, ‘Basic Phases’
(Self-released, CD, digital) It’s midnight, and I’m driving past Philadelphia, fleeing like a fugitive from a holiday down south and toward a snowstorm waiting for…
Art Review: ‘Travis Shilling: Tyrannosaurus Clan,’ BCA Center
The disconnect between humans and other living creatures is not a new theme, nor is humanity’s headlong destruction of the planet. Along with scientists, philosophers,…
Old North End, ‘The War Within O.N.E.’
(Self-released, CD, digital) Old North End — usually abbreviated, like the Burlington neighborhood itself, as O.N.E. on flyers and among fans — are a band…
With Windex and Razors, Burlington ‘Vigilantes’ Target Hate-Group Stickers
After a morning of searching, Kason Hudman finally found what he was looking for. Attached to a utility pole beside Burlington’s Riverside Avenue was a…
The Wheel Life of Driver’s Ed Teacher Stanley Blicharz
Name: Stanley Blicharz Job: Driver’s education teacher Town: Rutland Stanley Blicharz spent decades as an elementary school jack-of-all-trades, including working as an assistant principal, a…
Hilary Glass Explores Gender Cues Through Drawing Birds
Since 2016, Montpelier-based artist Hilary Ann Love Glass has put out an annual calendar featuring plants, wildlife and fantastical creatures. For her 2020 calendar, she…
Terrence Malick’s World War II Drama Unearths ‘A Hidden Life’ to Devastating Effect
Early in Terrence Malick’s A Hidden Life, an Austrian farmer named Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl) chats with a painter busy decorating a church with scenes…
William Shatner on ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’
In the late 1970s and early ’80s, the “Star Trek” franchise was lost in space. It had floundered since the original TV series ended in…
Free Will Astrology (1/8/20)
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Let’s get 2020 started with a proper send-off. According to my reading of the astrological omens, the coming months will bring…
Letters to the Editor (1/8/20)
Vermont or California? Your article about the family that moved to Vermont from Santa Rosa brings back memories [“The Backstory: Burned Out,” December 25]. In…
New American Students Make a Music Video About the Thrill of School
Two recent arrivals to Winooski have released a music video of themselves singing about how much they like going to school. That’s right — Twende…
Midd Grad Katherine Arden Builds a Literary Career
Off the main thoroughfare of Vermont Route 100 in Washington County, Katherine Arden’s soft-yellow house stands on a small hill scattered with birch trees. Inside,…
Every Year I Make Resolutions, but Nothing Sticks!
Dear Reverend, Every year I make resolutions — to be healthier, to be in better financial shape, that sort of thing. Nothing ever sticks, and…
On an Avian Adventure With the Audubon Bird Count
There was something in the bushes. I was the first person down the trail, so I saw the flutter of motion first. I crouched to…
Cost of Misconduct: State Employees Placed on Leave Get Paid While Investigations Drag On
After an inmate at Vermont’s women’s prison complained last April that a guard had called her a derogatory name, the state launched a formal investigation…
Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ Is a Grand Achievement
After years of watching Greta Gerwig play variously clueless, direction-free characters — several with artistic ambitions but not enough talent to realize them — isn’t…
Four Overlooked Local Albums From 2019
Seven Days reviews two albums per week. By the end of the year, we’ve reviewed more than 100 and written about scads more in other…
Soundbites: Welcome to 2020
Back in Action Welcome to 2020. To borrow words once made famous by the legendary Nina Simone, “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day,…
Why Is a Boat on a Westford Lawn Painted to Resemble a Shark?
Vermont is amply stocked with local fishing opportunities. Whether fly fishing for rainbow trout on the Battenkill River, bass fishing on Lake Memphremagog, hooking walleye…
2020 Hindsight: Vermont Dems Vow to Quickly Pass Initiatives That Stalled Last Year
Vermont legislative leaders say they have much to accomplish this session, including modernizing Act 250, reducing vehicle emissions and reforming the state’s troubled prison system….
Chef-Legislator Matt Birong Balances Customers and Constituents
Chef Matt Birong Position: Chef-owner at 3 Squares Café, state representative (D-Vergennes) Location: Vergennes Age: 42 Cuisine type: Eclectic American Culinary training: New England Culinary…
Leunig’s General Manager/Co-owner Bob Conlon Retires
After almost 40 years, including a decade as an owner, Bob Conlon retired last week as general manager of Leunig’s Bistro & Café, a mainstay…
Kimball Brook Farm Trades Cows for CBD
The latest sign of shifts in Vermont’s agricultural landscape appeared on social media on December 28: A North Ferrisburgh dairy farm announced that it will…






