CABOT— Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1960, the Peace Corps organization has been a longtime pillar of volunteer organizations, serving international communities with the mission of promoting world peace and friendship through community-based development and intercultural understanding. Peace Corps Week 2025 is February 23 to March 1. This[Read More…]
Our Neighborhood
“You Can Just Come and Be Here”
HARDWICK – As head librarian, Diane Grenkow tries to cultivate a welcoming environment. With its accessibility issues, the historic Jeudevine Public Library hasn’t made it easy. “You can’t get in here if you can’t navigate a set of steps,” Grenkow said. “Once inside, everything is too close together, and the[Read More…]
Brodericks Raise Feral Hops, Saxon Merino Sheep for Beer, Beanies
HARDWICK — On Center Road, peeking slightly through and above the trees, sits a field of atypical appearance: eighteen-foot tall poles arranged in rows are interconnected via wire and rope. Absent of vines and greenery in the winter months, stands the Whitefield Hop Yard. Kevin and Karen Broderick returned hops[Read More…]
How Saxon Merino Sheep Got to Tasmania
EAST HARDWICK – Eliza Forlong was a remarkable woman who in the 1820s walked 1,500 miles throughout Saxony (now part of the Federal Republic of Germany) selecting from the best flock of Saxon Merino sheep. This was an outstanding achievement. Eliza Jack was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1784, and[Read More…]
The Thompsons Do the Right Thing
GREENSBORO BEND – Landon and Jen Thompson do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. The Thompsons own Smith’s Store in Greensboro Bend, where they adjust their schedules so one of them is there as often as possible. When she hears of community needs, Jen can’t help[Read More…]
Mary Bothfeld Golden Grew up in Cabot
CABOT – Mary Bothfeld Golden recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She came from her home in Maine in August for the annual Bothfeld reunion at the family farm in Cabot. Golden graduated from Cabot High School in 1942, in a class of 11 students. She now has great grandchildren who enjoy[Read More…]
Just a Bump in the (Flooded) Road for Long-time Lovebirds
HARDWICK – Local couple Candy Parchment and Mike Morin recalled their experience with the historic July 9 flooding of 2023, on Parchment’s property on Route 15 West, across from the Lamoille River. In their nine years of partnership, the two had not witnessed a weather event so devastating to our[Read More…]
Lucie Hobbs-Johnson Attends Dental Hygiene School with VSAC funding
by VSAC Staff HARDWICK – “I’m a late bloomer,” says Lucie Hobbs-Johnson with a broad smile. At the age of 49, she’s just finished her first year of dental hygiene school at Vermont State University-Williston (VTSU). Going back to school and becoming a hygienist represents the fulfillment of a longtime[Read More…]
Jean Hackett is a Teacher and Volunteer Extraordinaire
A Vermonter, Jean Hackett grew up in Albany. At Craftsbury Academy (CA), she wrote for and then became editor of the school paper, served on the student council, and represented the Academy at Green Mountain Girls State. She played saxophone in the band, sang in the choirs, and was chosen[Read More…]
Willette and Peak are now too Busy for Retirement
WALDEN – Colleen Willette and George Peak of Walden seem to have worked themselves right out of retirement with their Top of the Mountain Vegetable Farm and Bakery. The two native Vermonters began their lives pretty typically. Colleen grew up in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School in 1974.[Read More…]
Kathleen and George Take Care of Each Other
HARDWICK – Kathleen Hayes, of Marshfield and George Philcox of Hardwick are a brother and sister with a special bond because Kathleen is George’s legal guardian. About 10 years ago while at a hearing to transfer guardianship from their mother, Gemma Philcox, to Kathleen, George was asked what he thought[Read More…]
Lori Ferland Digs Digs
HARDWICK – When some people think of vacations, they may envision days at the beach, camping or visiting a theme park. For Lori Ferland of Hardwick, her vacations tend to lean more towards adventures. Over roughly the last 15 years, Lori has worked on archaeological digs in Pompei and Malta,[Read More…]
