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…]
Poetry
A VerseVillage poem
With limbs reaching out, does the hemlock see itself in the lake’s mirror? In her snug small nest, does the chipping sparrow dream about her children? On his morning walk, does the black bear praise the sun for warming his fur? SURELY.
“Ash Bucket,” a VerseVillage poem
March thaw revealed the ash bucket’s cinders strewn into my daughter’s rock garden, dead coals squashing tender moss, staining her cherished hens and chicks. Had I carried the bucket three steps further, set it on the barn’s cement ramp: none of this damage, no repair needed. Ahead lies April’s tedious[Read More…]
All-ages poetry slam, April 25
HARDWICK – Saturday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m., VerseVillage and the Jeudevine Memorial Library invite poets and poem performers an all-ages, all-acoustic poetry slam in the Parker Ladd Community Room at the Jeudevine Memorial Library in Hardwick. Poets take the stage for up to five minutes to be judged to win[Read More…]
The timeless pastoral: reading, reception, April 18
GREENBSORO – The Highland Center for the Arts will present “Vermont Pastoral,” on Saturday, April 18, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a paired reading and artists’ reception. The “Salt, Stone & Stars: exhibit features two literary pastoral works, “The Salt Stones: by Helen Whybrow and “The Serpent of Stars,” translated by Jody Gladding. “Seasons[Read More…]
Billy’s birthday
SHELBURNE – My dear husband, Bill Alley, will be 90 years old on April 20. He asked me the other day, “How can this be?” I told him he’s been working on it for 90 years. We laughed about being a piece of work! Laughter is a gift at 90. [Read More…]
Verse Village 2026 begins April 1
HARDWICK – Once again the town will be participating in VerseVillage this April, with fifty poems posted in the windows of Hardwick businesses. An open mic event at Front Seat Coffee, April 1 at 6 p.m., will kick off Poetry Month. Twenty-four towns are represented, with the majority of poets[Read More…]
Poetry event, April 3
WOODBURY – The bi-monthly poetry and prose sharing group meets Friday, April 3. There will be a light meal from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by readings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Poetry walk, April 11
HARDWICK – On April 11 any and all can meet in front of Hardwick Elementary School to then walk with Janet Slayton and others for a live reading and living history. Participants will view and read the VerseVillage poems as well as hear about how Hardwick used to be.
Helms wins awards in art, writing competition
HARDWICK – The Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union has announced Hazen Union student Will Helms (grade 11) is among 167 young artists and writers from across Vermont who have been recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for their exceptional artistic and literary talent. Helms earned a silver key for[Read More…]
The Little School in Calais
by Jennifer Bliss There’s a little school in Calais town, With creaky doors and swings worn down. Not lots of kids in every class, Some desks empty as days go past. They count the numbers — one, two, three. “Not many students,” they say sadly. “Maybe it’s time to close the doors, There[Read More…]
Helms advances to regional Poetry Out Loud competition
HARDWICK – Will Helms, an 11th-grade student at Hazen Union School, has been announced as the school winner of the Poetry Out Loud competition held on December 23. Helms will advance to the regional Poetry Out Loud contest, coordinated by the Vermont Arts Council and the Flynn, February 12 at[Read More…]
