GOOD MORNING, UPPER VALLEY!
Heads up: Just early notice that there'll be no Daybreak next Thursday or Friday.Rain likely in the morning, then maybe a dry patch; more rain overnight, with snow mixing in. It's an interesting picture out there. For starters, if you're in or just east of the southern Greens, there could be some slick roads out there first thing today. And while we could see periods of rain today, yesterday's system is moving off—while another coastal system heads our way, bringing a good chance of rain tonight, along with some wet snow east of the Greens and in northern NH. Highs today in the mid 40s, lows in the low or mid 30s. Precipitation will last off and on through the weekend.
Boy, bobcats know how to blend in. "Been seen around our neighborhood," Mike Zwikelmaier writes along with this video from Sharon.So, did you check out "Dear Daybreak" yesterday? If not, you missed Linette Wermager's poem about how quiet the woods are in November... and why; Aleah Sommers' encounters with a "master porch-sitter" in WRJ; Lynn Ujlaky's barred-owl encounter; and Barbara Krinitz's videos on the region's "hidden treasures" in "Little-Known Gems of the Upper Valley". You'll find it all at the link, and if you've got a good story or unusual photo to submit, do it here.Stretch of I-91 southbound between Bradford and Fairlee to reopen later today. In a news release yesterday (no link), VTrans didn't give a specific time other than "the end of the day Friday, 11/22." But this brings to an end the months-long closure between Exits 16 and 15 as workers stabilized the Fairlee rock face that partially collapsed back in February. "Once the interstate has reopened," VTrans writes, "the detour will no longer be in effect. The temporary signals on U.S. Route 5 will be turned off." Hartford PD turns to data to help it get a grip on non-crime challenges. More than 80 percent of the calls the police department fields are non-criminal: They have to do with mental health issues, or homelessness, or substance use. Looking for a way to ease the load on its officers so they can deal with crime, reports Matt Golec for Daybreak, the HPD has hired data analyst Amie Wunderlich, whose job is to identify trends, find problem areas and people where the police and social-service partners can focus attention, and report on it all to the public. Coming in February: the HPD's first statistics meeting.Woodstock police chief still on leave. Town manager won't say why. It's been more than two weeks since the VT State Police closed an investigation into Joe Swanson's involvement in trying to separate two motorists who'd gotten into a traffic altercation. Though Swanson "was never the intended target" and the investigation ended with no conclusions, reports Mike Donoghue in the VT Standard, Swanson hasn't regained his post. Municipal manager Eric Duffy, who placed Swanson on leave in October, would only respond with "No comment"—twice—when asked when that might change.Plainfield, Cornish school boards vote to move ahead with middle-school merger consideration. The plan still has a long way to go—the boards aren't even sure they'll send it to the voters in March, writes Christina Dolan in the Valley News. If it happens, a merger would move about 40 Cornish middle school students to Plainfield—where the elementary school would be renovated to accommodate both towns' students. The move would come with a redesigned curriculum to emphasize project-based learning and, a planning committee believes, better student outcomes.SPONSORED: Donate to the Holiday Book Angels and give local kids the gift of reading this holiday season! Each holiday season, the Book Angels help get books into the hands of Upper Valley kids! Organized by the Norwich Bookstore and some amazing volunteers, this program is supported by the community's donations. Check our website or visit the Norwich Bookstore to learn how you can help by picking out a kid to shop for, buying pre-selected books, or donating funds. Your contribution will make a huge difference to young readers in our community! Sponsored by the Norwich Bookstore.Empty nests. Here in this third week of November, Northern Woodlands' Jackson Saul takes a close look at two of them. There's a red-eyed vireo nest in Lyme: The females use everything from spider webs to pine needles to the paper from wasps' nests. "The nests appear as tidy cups in the horizontal, Y-shaped forks of deciduous trees or shrubs and, unlike most of our other songbirds’ nests, hang below the hosting limbs," he writes. And then there's a bald-faced hornet nest in Fairlee: Queens begin nests as single chambers, he writes; workers expand them over the course of the summer."The valley and its hills are waiting for rain." That was yesterday morning, and as usual, naturalist Ted Levin was out early on Hurricane Hill in WRJ. "Fourteen doves, wings in conversation, settle into a larch and remain settled (bumps on branches). A blue jay and a hairy woodpecker join the doves. With a touch of ADHD, neither bird stays put," he writes. And to continue a theme, "Walking the Hill on a sunless morning becomes a revelation in bird nests": a robin's nest, a red-eyed vireo's, a gray squirrel's. "Squirrel sleeps in," he notes, "leaving the damp, late November morning to unfold independently."SPONSORED: Free Jam Day at Blake Hill Preserves! Celebrate FREE Jam Day with us tomorrow, November 23rd, only! Stop by our Artisan Preserve Shop in Windsor, grab your jammy gifts for the holiday season, and receive a free jar of Blake Hill Preserves. We are located at 60 Artisans Way in Windsor, open from 10am-5pm daily, and ready for all of your holiday gift needs. Visit us at www.blakehillpreserves.com to view our sweet, savory, and spicy preserves for the modern pantry. Sponsored by Blake Hill Preserves.In S. Tunbridge, congregation looks to sell church, community building. The church on Route 110 hasn't been used much since Tunbridge's three congregations merged in the early 1970s; they now call the church in Tunbridge village home. But as Tim Calabro writes in The Herald, the parish council "has concluded that it can no longer sustain the property"—in fact, it just transferred the N. Tunbridge church to the town historical society, which is seeking grants to preserve it. That's the hope for the S. Tunbridge church, too. “It’s not just a building; it’s part of who we are," says the council's Nancy Rogers.As The Herald basks in celebration that drew 450 people, it eyes the future. Last Saturday's huge get-together at the Chandler drew a lot of reminiscences, writes Darren Marcy in the paper—like the time now-publisher (then college-student and photo stringer) Tim Calabro ran a 7-minute mile from NYU to Ground Zero on 9/11 with his camera. But there was also news: The paper's inked an agreement for BALE to serve as a fiscal sponsor, so that it can take tax-deductible donations; it's digitizing its 150-year-long archives; and it's working with VTDigger founder Anne Galloway on a new business plan. Lots more stories at the link, including the 74-year reign of the Drysdales.Wheeling Close to Home: Sugar River Recreational Rail Trail, Newport and Claremont, NH. The 9.7-mile multi-use trail begins at the Newport Rec Dept. and ends at Washington Street in Claremont, notes the Upper Valley Trails Alliance. Along the way, it crosses a dozen bridges, including two historic spans built by the Boston & Maine, and meanders along the Sugar River and through surrounding forest. The wide, hard-surfaced trail is open to all user groups including equestrians, snow machines, and ATVs up to 50 inches wide and under 1000 pounds.Been paying attention to Daybreak? Because Daybreak's Upper Valley News Quiz has some questions. Like, what epic route did Dartmouth junior Bond Almand just finish in a record-breaking ride? And what substances have CRREL researchers just demonstrated you can use for 3D printing in the cold? Those and other questions at the link.But wait! How closely were you following VT and NH?
Because Seven Days wants to know if you know: What are Senate Democrats now saying is their top priority for the year?
And NHPR's got a whole set of questions about doings around the Granite State—like, what should you do if you receive a text from E-ZPass about owing money?
Across New Hampshire, "every river in the state is in the lowest 5 percent of observed levels for this day in recorded history,” the assistant director of the state's water division told NHPR's Mara Hoplamazian yesterday. Those records go back as far as a century. The problem isn't so much lakes and rivers, which will get a boost, but groundwater: To refill aquifers before the ground freezes, Hoplamazian reports, the state would need to get some two inches of precipitation every week for four or five weeks.
In Concord, legislative panel sends proposed new landfill rules back for more work. In essence, writes Claire Sullivan in NH Bulletin, the panel's Republicans and Democrats alike rebuffed the updated regulations proposed by the Dept. of Environmental Services, after both advocates and residents argued that the new regs were "overly molded by industry and that they were not adequately protective." In particular, Sullivan writes, objectors focused on standards affecting liquid pollution seeping into the ground.VT losing dentists faster than almost every other state. According to a new report by the nonprofit Voices for Vermont’s Children, Vermont had about 60 dentists per 100,000 residents in 2019, roughly the national average. By last year, it was down to 53 per 100,000—the second-steepest rate of decline, writes Peter D'Auria in VTDigger. The report also contends that children in the state have seen a drop in dental health, and that the state has been slow to roll out new procedures "that could easily and cheaply improve oral health."Landscape candy. The winners of the International Landscape Photograph awards aren't exactly the kind of thing you see on your smartphone every day. Some of them are jaw-dropping; some are more like paintings than photos; all are stunning. Sadly, most of them just carry titles that don't identify where they were taken, but if you're in the mood to be transported, check out PetaPixel's portfolio at the burgundy link.Daybreak doesn't get to exist without your support. Help it stick around by hitting the maroon button:
We may be the middle of nowhere to everyone else in VT and NH, but
we
know what's good! Strong Rabbit's Morgan Brophy has come up with the perfect design for "We Make Our Own Fun" t-shirts and tote bags for proud Upper Valleyites. Plus you'll find the Daybreak jigsaw puzzle, as well as sweatshirts, tees, a fleece hoodie, and, as always, the fits-every-hand-perfectly Daybreak mug. Check it all out at the link!
Today, starting at 2 pm, Xmas With a Difference, led by a small group of nonprofits, debuts at the Norwich Congregational Church; tomorrow, it's the holiday bazaar at the West Leb Congregational Church and holiday craft fair at Seven Stars Arts in Sharon. Pods for the Pulpit and Tip Top Makers Market are next weekend. Plus lots more at the link.
The grounds twinkle with thousands of lights, with some new features this year, including the Snow Shower Tower, Snow Globe, Whimsical Woodland, and Mandala Trees. Various dates from now through Jan. 4. Some evenings are already filling up.
The musical, based on the 1984 film, follows a teen from Chicago who moves to a small, buttoned-up town where dancing and rock music have been banned—and his fight for the right to dance. 7 pm tonight and tomorrow.
A one-night-only appearance by the World Ballet Company, which is based in Los Angeles but, as the name suggests, puts in a lot of road and air miles. "See the iconic Dance of the Little Swans, count the 32 fouettés performed by the Odile, and immerse yourself in Tchaikovsky’s magical music," LOH writes. 7 pm.
Burgess, who put in a long career in health care, including at DH, is now an entrepreneur, speaker, and podcast host
.
Her new book's subtitle tells you what it's about: "
Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset, and Achieve Success". 7 pm.
The Woodstock-based band of music veterans first began getting together to rehearse after school drop-off, and features some well-known talent:
Ben Kogan (Ben Kogan Band),
Mike Calabrese (Lake Street Dive),
Avi Salloway (Bombino and Billy Wylder), Michael Zsoldos: (Paquito D’Rivera), Elizabeth Frascoia: St. Vincent, Michael Bolton), and Alex Beram (John Brown's Body). The Freeze Brothers (Dan Paczkowski and Sefton Stallard) at 7:30, the Drop Offs at 8:30.
Tonight's show opens up at 7:30 pm with
Burlington-based singer-songwriter Grace Palmer and music that draws from pop, folk, and rock. Boston's Dean Stevens takes the stage at 8 pm with his exuberant singing and intricate guitar accompaniment. A 9 pm, it's Canadian folkies Moonfruits (husband and wife Alex Millaire and Kaitlin Milroy).
"
HIFI was sparked by the love of vintage house," they write. "With DJ Fidelma Wyse on the Maschine, Jofus on bass, and Phil Carr on drums, we bring an original house music experience." Doors at 7, music at 7:30
The six-piece VT band plays a blend of funk, blues, pop, rock, country and alternative. 9 pm.
Saturday
Pentangle Arts starts its run of the new film starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande with a costume contest before the screening and a singalong during it. Contest at 11:30 tomorrow morning, screening starts at noon. Woodstock Town Hall Theatre.
Along with music by Kip Opperman, it'll feature work by artists including Barbara Bellows, Kelly Carney, Althea and Paul Goundrey, Aimee Howard, Erin Levy, Kip Opperman, and Don and Robin Weisburger. 2-6 pm tomorrow at Wright's Mountain Wellness Collective in Bradford.
Led by director Annie Arrington, with pianist Will Ogmundson, the chorus features more than 60 singers from throughout the Upper Valley. The program, titled “There’s a Place for Us”, will include a mix of popular songs, folk music from around the world, and contemporary compositions. 4 pm tomorrow at the First Congregational Church of Lebanon.
Craven's latest feature film is set in the Revolutionary War-era Republic of Vermont; it traces the parallel stories of Ethan Allen and Lucy Terry Prince. Filmed throughout VT and MA, it features Kenyan actress Eva Ndach as Prince, Irish actor Kevin Ryan as Ethan Allen, and—among many others—Samuel Adams as his ancestor of the same name. 3 pm tomorrow and Sunday, and Craven will be on hand to talk about it all.
It's an evening of songs and scenes from various community musicals presented in Woodstock Town Hall over the decades, with performers reprising songs and roles in everything from
South Pacific
and
Guys & Dolls
to
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
,
Cabaret
, and
Rent
. Emceed by former Kedron Valley Inn owner and community theater veteran Max Comins. 7 pm tomorrow.
The
musician, composer, ethnic dance artist, DJ, and dance and drum teacher is originally from Egypt. And though he specializes in traditional Arab music, his
14 albums range into fusion and electronica, as well. 7 pm tomorrow at Woodstock's North Chapel.
This year's showcase with three dozen dancers features belly dance "from Morocco to Marrakesh, Istanbul to Iran, the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea and beyond." As they write, "treat yourself to an explosion of color, fabric and lights in honor of...our two decade journey of dance and sisterhood." 7:30 pm tomorrow in the Mascoma Community Theater as well as livestreamed.
Well, no, actually, it's The Machine, the NYC-based quartet that performs the legendary band's repertoire and "explores collective improvisation rivaling the Floyd of the early ‘70s and incorporates elaborate stage displays and lighting which recall the band’s ‘80s era." 7:30 pm tomorrow.
Sunday
Led by Mark Nelson, Upper Valley Music Center's community ensemble features over 50 local musicians, with a program that includes works by Mozart, Schoenberg, and Mendelssohn. 3 pm Sunday.
And anytime...
Well, between now and Dec. 8, anyway:
to raise money for next year's all-night celebration for graduating Leb High School seniors. It features everything from Andrew Pearce bowls to skis from Omer & Bob's to gourmet cupcakes to a gift certificate at Wayne's World Elite Fitness Training. Plus a whole lot more. You'll find it all at the link.
And as we head into the weekend...
Let's get a send-off from The Bygones—really, Allison Young and Josh Lee Turner—
Kinda '60s good-mood pop-ish.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.
Want to catch up on Daybreak music?
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Written and published by Rob Gurwitt Poetry editor: Michael Lipson Associate Editor: Jonea Gurwitt About Rob About Michael
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