GOOD MORNING, UPPER VALLEY!
Mostly sunny, warmer. With light winds, last night's low pressure moving off to the east, and not much in the way of moisture up above, we should see mostly clear skies today and temps getting into the upper 20s ahead of a weekend warmup. It'll be mostly cloudy tonight, keeping lows to either side of 20.The birds and the trees.
Like this one defying the snow in Woodstock, from Dawn Niles.
And this owl doing an excellent camouflage job in N. Thetford, from Randall White.
And this pileated woodpecker doing some carpentry in Hanover. "I don’t know how big woodpeckers get but this one has to be on the far end of the scale toward 'enormous,'" writes Jim Lustenader.
So, did you check out "Dear Daybreak" yesterday? If not, you missed Tori Holt stumbling on a family in trouble late at night on the Ledyard Bridge, and how it led to some fast-thinking ingenuity by a pair of young CVS employees; and Skip Sturman taking us along as he ponders all the post-retirement advice he got—and where it led. And if you've got a good story about life in these parts, send it in!And about that story from Tori Holt... "Tori's story about helping the stranded traveler really hit home for us, and showcases the neighborly spirit of the Upper Valley that we are all so proud of," Hanover Police Communications Officer Michael Trottier wrote yesterday, adding a nod to "the ingenuity and actions of the CVS employees." But the HPD also wants you to know, "if you ever find yourself in a similar situation in Hanover, we encourage you to call us anytime, 24 hours a day, at 603-643-2222. We are here to help, even with things like running out of gas or locking your keys in the car." Full letter at the link.Investigator's report on Woodstock police chief released. This is a little complicated, but bear with me. In the Standard, Mike Donoghue writes that, after initially refusing to disclose the results of an investigation into Chief Joe Swanson, who has been on leave since a traffic incident in October, municipal manager Eric Duffy on Monday released the report—with redactions. In a separate letter to Swanson enumerating some of the report's findings, Duffy writes, “As a result of your conduct described below, I am contemplating discipline, up to and including your termination.” A hearing's expected soon.
In his letter to Swanson, Duffy lists a series of complaints against him, including that he told staff he would handle collections on outstanding parking tickets from a police officer, fireman, and fireman's wife, but took no action; shared police evidence with his husband; often "conduct[s] personal business while on duty, including swimming, going to the gym, getting a haircut and walking [his] dog"; failed to properly log evidence in a kidnapping investigation; and more.
Not surprisingly, Swanson challenges those allegations, some of which were made by unnamed police officers and staff interviewed in the investigation. In a statement to the Standard on Swanson's behalf, his lawyers charge Duffy with "conducting a witch hunt regarding Chief Swanson" and write that "Mr. Duffy has also made numerous material misrepresentations of facts in the recent letter sent to Chief Swanson," several of which they go on to address.
The case involving Roan Wade and Kevin Engel stems from their refusal to leave the Parkhurst Hall lawn back in October, 2023—after being told to do say by college safety and security officials. In a verdict reached last Friday and issued on Tuesday, report
The Dartmouth
's Kelsey Wang and Annabelle Zhang, District Court Judge Michael Mace wrote that prosecutors had proven "beyond reasonable doubt” that Wade and Engel “knew they lacked the requisite permit.” They face a potential fine of up to $1,200 and probation.
SPONSORED: Tickets are going fast for acclaimed comic storyteller, author, innkeeper, and educator Cindy Pierce! She'll be at the Lebanon Opera House with a hilarious new show, Glitchy Business, to benefit the Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valley on Saturday, Jan. 26th at 7 pm. Pierce's brand of outrageous, bawdy, and honest humor will be on full display. Tickets cost $35-40. You'll also be able to livestream the show here. Due to the show's mature content, it's for adults only. Sponsored by Pinzer Productions, LLC. Police seize some 100 weapons in Haverhill searches. In the Journal-Opinion newsletter, Alex Nuti-de Biasi reports that the Haverhill Police Department conducted concurrently on two different properties as part of a criminal investigation into Jeffrey Gaudette, 32, of Haverhill. In a press release, the department says that as a convicted felon, Gaudette is prohibited from possessing firearms—and that they also seized "ammunition, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen dirt bike.""Grabill Backers Seek Answers; Coach Sanguine in Wake of Forced Exit". That's the headline atop Tris Wykes' new Octopus Athletics article. Though Dresden Supt. Jay Badams told the Valley News that the longtime Hanover High soccer coach had been asked to change his approach for several years, Wykes finds plenty of onlookers—former players and parents, other coaches—who argue that, at a minimum, Grabill's departure "was really handled badly,” as one puts it. Among other testimonials, Leb coach Rob Johnstone cites the "bond between the two towns’ soccer communities" Grabill created.SPONSORED: Celebrate women who make music in a family-friendly bilingual journey of song. On February 1, Latin Grammy-nominated Sonia De Los Santos cheers on the women who inspired her and her bandmates at the Hop in a program featuring Latin American rhythms ranging from festejo to cumbia to traditional Mexican folk. Come ready to dance, clap, and sing. Get tickets today! Sponsored by the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth.Speaking of (young) women who make music... Hartford High senior Macy Bettwieser will be in NYC this weekend for the final step in her unanticipated run through Broadway World's Next On Stage competition for high schoolers around the country. As you well know by now, it began with a whim, and it all culminates Sunday in a performance at 54 Below in front of a panel of judges—and a live audience streaming in from all over. At the burgundy link, the VN's Marion Umpleby charts the story until now. The livestream can be found Sunday at 12:30 on YouTube or embedded on Broadway World's webpage.So, what happens when maple sap starts flowing really early? Well, Randolph Center's Cody Armstrong can tell you. With the recent warm-up that began right after Christmas and ran into the early January, Armstrong—who owns CDA Maple—has about 2,000 trees tapped for early runs, he tells The Herald's Darren Marcy, and that week they produced about 80 gallons of syrup. The sap was way low in sugar content—he needed almost 90 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup, when during the season the average is 40:1—but it was "sweet with a mild flavor." He fills Marcy in on what it takes.
Hiking Not Quite Close to Home: Arms Forest, Burlington, VT. Arms Forest is a new, blazed 2-mile network of trails in Burlington. The Upper Valley Trails Alliance says that this small network, once part of a tract containing a dairy farm that has regrown to be an area of rich biodiversity, hosts many rare plants and is a thriving habitat to animals in an urban setting. The trails are easily accessible and can be used for biking as well as hiking.Been paying attention to Daybreak? Because Daybreak's Upper Valley News Quiz has some questions. Like, what beloved local business did a fire damage last week? And which winter sport is nicknamed "The Roaring Game"? Those and more at the link.But wait! How closely were you following VT and NH?
Because Seven Days wants to know if you know what some attorneys say is threatening the integrity of Vermont's justice system?
And NHPR's got a whole set of questionsabout doings around the Granite State—like, how much illegal immigration activity did the Northern Border Alliance report in the last six months at the NH-Canada border?
In a transcript of an interview Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald gave to the AG's office, reports NHPR's Todd Bookman, MacDonald said he didn't know that Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, currently on leave, had set up a meeting with then-Gov. Chris Sununu to talk about an investigation into her husband. He also told the AG's office that he "was angry" when he learned she'd said that because she'd been forced to recuse herself, the investigation was burdening the courts.
That allegation, reports
VTDigger
's Peter D'Auria, comes in a lawsuit filed on behalf of a Lamoille County woman after DCF "allegedly used confidential medical information to secure custody of her daughter before she had even given birth." The suit names Copley Hospital and a nonprofit social service provide as co-defendants. Later in the day yesterday, DCF Commissioner Chris Winters said the department is still reviewing the lawsuit,
In VT, a "blinking red light" on health care and insurance. That's how VT's chief health care advocate describes a letter from the president of BlueCross BlueShield of VT this week to legislators and others. The company, Don George wrote, spends 42.7 percent more than the national average for BCBS plans—and, reports VT Public's Lexi Krupp, lost $100 million in five of the past six years. The issue, BCBSVT and some analysts say: hospital costs, both inpatient and outpatient, which its premiums aren't enough to cover—even though VT has the highest employer-based premiums in the country.Meanwhile, physicians and medical administrators are burning out on prior authorizations. That survey by the VT Medical Society, the Bi-State Primary Care Assn and other groups, was requested by the legislature ahead of a new law limiting prior authorizations. It found not only near-universal reports that prior authorizations increase "burnout", but most physicians reported that they delayed access to necessary care, led to higher use of medical resources like additional office visits or ER visits, and sometimes led to hospitalization or death. (h/t to the JO's Alex Nuti-de Biasi for noticing).
Everyone’s a winner. The summer Olympics provided plenty of moments (and split seconds) for inspiring photos, but this year’s World Sports Photography Awards also include a boatload of less-famous competitions. You may not be a fan of all these sports, but it’s easy to appreciate the incredible photography. Take Gareth Quinn’s shot of a biking competitor in Leicestershire, UK—black and white and mud all over. And Anton Anestiev’s punny Zebra Crossing, in the motor sports category. Scroll down for Volodya Voronin’s Cliff Diving—molten sun, sparkling sea, and a diver suspended in the air. (Use Firefox? Be patient.)And a bit more inspiration. A few months ago, world champion downhill skateboarder Diego Poncelet went up with this unreal ride down a mountain road in the Swiss Alps. He reached speeds of 100 km an hour, with photographer Max Heaton right behind. One commenter puts it nicely: "I have no interest in skateboarding whatsoever! Yet I spent 11 mins with my mouth wide open watching someone do something incredible in some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen!" And those switchbacks? Jaw-dropping.
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Fleece vests, sweatshirts, head-warming beanies... Strong Rabbit has updated the Daybreak page to keep up with the changing weather. Plus, of course, the usual: t-shirts, long-sleeved tees, the Daybreak jigsaw, those perfect hand-fitting coffee/tea mugs, and as always, "We Make Our Own Fun" t-shirts and tote bags for proud Upper Valleyites. Check it all out at the link!
Time to lace up! The rink on the Dartmouth Green opened for the season yesterday. It's a collaboration between the college and the town of Hanover, and Dartmouth community members and the general public who don't have skates can borrow them from Campion Arena for free. Lights were just installed, so the rink will be open from 9 am to 9 pm. (No link.) And if you're interested in a bigger stretch of ice,
on the newly reopened Lake Morey skating trail.
As they write, "S
nowshoe, ski, or stroll along a torchlit path through the beautiful Billings Farm pastures. Along the way, meet National Park Rangers from the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and Billings Farm & Museum staff, and learn about local wildlife, the history of the land, and the people who lived here." Starts at 4:30 pm.
. Raised both in Houston and on the
Chemehuevi reservation in California's Mojave Desert, Romero is known for her large-format fine-art photography. R
emarks by the artist and Dartmouth President Sian Beilock, gallery activities for all ages, exhibition swag, raffles, refreshments, and live music by the Grace Wallace Quintet. 5-6:30 pm.
For its first 2025 event, Bookstock brings Genova—author of Still Alice and Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, among others—and Columbia U neurology prof Winawer to talk about the brain, mental illness, Genova's new novel
More or Less Maddy
, and more. "This definitely is not going to be dry,"
. 6:45 pm, no charge but you'll need tickets.
All three are local, regional, and national music-scene veterans and consummate performers. Doors at 6:30, music at 7.
An evening of shorts: Lakota teens in a traditional horse race, kayakers in Zambia, climate activists documenting bird migration patterns, sky-divers, mountain bikers...and skiers throwing turns at an abandoned resort in Japan. 7 pm in the Loew Auditorium.
Choreographer and performer Trebien Pollard, a Hop artist-in-residence (and co-choreographer of the Hop-produced
The Ritual of Breath Is the Rite to Resist
), performs his 80-minute "provocative and personal work [that] challenges us to see the symbols and regulations imposed on the body, pulling us into an uncertain vortex of Blackness." 7:30 pm at the Theater on Currier. Tonight's performance may be sold out, but there are tix for tomorrow's.
The music festival kicks off tonight with the Ithaca-based Cajun/country/dance band Rose and the Bros. Tomorrow, it's a full day and night of music and workshops, including a few central VT bands like the Pointe Noir Cajun Band, Atom and the Orbits, and others. Runs Sunday, as well.
The evening kicks off at 7:30 pm at the First Congregational Church of Lebanon with Almost Olive (New England Conservatory-trained cellist Karl Henry and fiddler Jacqui Ambruster), fresh off their first recording project; at 8:00 pm, the Boston-based duo Crowes Pasture returns, towing, among other things, a 2024 International Acoustic Music Award for best country/bluegrass song; and at 9 pm, an a capella set by 2X2 (Valerie Kosednar, Mark Grieco, and Betsy and Lee Rybeck Lynd).
The Brandon, VT-based musician's music "is dripping with plenty of earthy folk sounds, but also has undertones of rock, country and even punk. She performs a mix of originals as well as a wide array of covers on both guitar and banjo," runs her publicity. She'll have her full band along. 9 pm.
Saturday
It's a HopStop family show, with the inventive puppet pair Rose Friedman and Justin Lander offering up "a fragile universe of cardboard, where the Baffo Brothers keep the sun running on schedule, negotiate with a demanding neighbor and attempt to keep a changing world from coming apart." 11 am tomorrow at Hanover's RWB Community Center, and 3 pm tomorrow at the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center. No cost for either.
. Maite Alberdi's 2023 documentary (in Spanish w/subtitles), paints an intimate portrait of Augusto Góngora (a Chilean TV journalist who helped create underground newscasts during the Pinochet regime) and his wife, Paulina Urrutia, as he struggles with Alzheimer's and she unflappably cares for and engages him. 3 pm tomorrow and Sunday in the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater.
The "club" is
. The band, from NJ, features guitarist Leonard Meranus, drummer Adrian Tramontano, saxophonist Rob Somerville, and bassist Mick Hargreaves (who also runs a recording studio in the Hamptons). 7 pm tomorrow evening, and then same time Sunday at River Roost Brewery in WRJ.
Saturday's Villalobos Brothers concert at the Richmond School is sold out, but you could always console yourself with this equally accomplished pair: Grammy-winner and genre-buster Block, a member of the Silkroad Ensemble; and Malian kora master Sissoko. 7:30 pm tomorrow, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney.
And anytime...
a full roster of videos related to Martin Luther King, Jr., including Upper Valleyites' tributes and readings from his works, and King's own Selma, "I Have a Dream", and other speeches; the mock US Supreme Court hearing on the TikTok ban with Leb High School students as the justices; and poet Inua Ellams at JAM, with a panel of guests exploring the stories and meanings behind their own names.
including a Sunday-afternoon collaboration between the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir, Shidaa Projects, and pianist/composer Michael Arnowitt at City Hall.
And hey, it's the weekend (almost)!
So here's indie-folk/rock original M. Ward,
Have a fine weekend! See you Monday for CoffeeBreak.
The Hiking Close to Home Archives. A list of hikes around the Upper Valley, some easy, some more difficult, compiled by the Upper Valley Trails Alliance. It grows every week.
The Enthusiasms Archives. A list of book recommendations by Daybreak's rotating crew of local booksellers, writers, and librarians who think you should read. this. book. now!
Daybreak Where You Are: The Album. Photos of daybreak around the Upper Valley, Vermont, New Hampshire, and the US, sent in by readers.
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