Editorial
Democracy is currently being dismantled
To the editor: Life can feel disorienting these days. The news is lurching from one emergency to another, while our day-to-day lives go on. So it can be useful to look at the big picture. The Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) is an organization that specializes in the big picture.[Read More…]
Heller’s World
The power to reverse this nightmare
To the editor: March 28, “No King’s Day,” brought thousands of Vermonters together in protest of the Trump administration’s cruel and authoritarian regime. In Morrisville alone, hundreds of people came to make their voices heard. Lamoille Valley Visibility Brigade continues to rally and organize and we invite you to join us. Our[Read More…]
Fundraising for bells and chimes
To the editor: A couple of weeks ago, Raymonda Parchment wrote a wonderful article on the St. Norbert’s Community Handbell Choir. I am a 15-year member of the bell choir and enjoy playing. In the article, Raymonda stated that the bells and chimes will be headed to Pennsylvania for repairs[Read More…]
Woodsmoke
No paywalls ever, thanks to reader support
Many newspapers have retreated behind paywalls, requiring subscriptions to access their content. Recently, Forbes Magazine profiled a billionaire with a plan to “save America’s newspapers” that will include paywalls around all the content his papers produce. Seriously, have we learned nothing from Jeff Bezos and the Washington Post? That will[Read More…]
Naming household objects and speaking to them
EAST MONTPELIER – Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of my wife’s death. I remember the day well, even though through a fog, as if I were watching from a distance what was happening only an arm’s length away. Other people, mostly family, took charge of things I couldn’t have handled.[Read More…]
Library celebrates Poetry Month
HARDWICK – I have written previously of the variety of events that have been held in the Parker Ladd Community Room since it first opened last year. This month yet another first will take place there: the “All Acoustic Anything Goes Poetry Slam,” hosted by Vermont’s reigning Slam Master Geof[Read More…]
Chance encounter on State Street
MONTPELIER – As I walked across the street in Montpelier, I noticed a little old lady standing on the corner, staring at me. As I got closer, I could see she was fixated on me. “Are you a senator?” she asked. “No,” I replied, “I’m a representative. Can I help[Read More…]
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
MORRISVILLE – On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a set of new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These updated guidelines leave out some important recommendations and information included in previous versions, including any mention or guidance on alcohol consumption by people under 21. In[Read More…]
“April,” a VerseVillage poem
Every muddened pothole laden with water, slamming tires, Looks less intense from afar, and even if slow going, we’re jolting from our seats. Again, the back road dirt life is heightened, puddled heavier than those on pavement, squelching deeper and more insistent on trapping wheels within. Soon, enchanted by peepers[Read More…]
