GOOD MORNING, UPPER VALLEY!
Heads Up: No CoffeeBreak Monday. Back as usual on Tuesday.The calm after the storm. Yesterday's bag 'o tricks is well off to the east now, high pressure's settling in, and though it could be a bit gusty we're pretty much back to normal: Mostly sunny, highs in the low or mid 20s, winds from the northwest, mostly clear skies tonight helping us drop into the low single digits. Ahead this weekend: "a significant winter storm" with snow and mixed precipitation in the 5"-10" range Saturday night through Sunday.Nightlights.
You may not be the sort of person who heads out on xc skis once the sun's down, but the new lighting setup at Oak Hill in Hanover is drawing people out. Here's what it looked like the other night, from Jay Davis.
And here's Whaleback last night in the full moon. Ryan Lacey writes, "The moon and cloud synergy was surreal."
Did you check out "Dear Daybreak" yesterday? Because you should definitely see Elizabeth Nestler's story about a long-tailed weasel and its unplanned car ride on dump day; Danny Dover's clear-eyed look in verse at a barred owl, with Austin Brose's photo alongside; and Lori Harriman's pointer to to an ongoing, day-by-day YouTube reading of a Hanover girl's 100-year-old-to-the-day diary. And hey, Dear Daybreak needs some good stories about life in these parts. If you've got one, send it in! (Note: at "send" time this morning, Notion, which hosts Dear Daybreak, appeared to be down. Be patient.)Brewery owners buy former Enfield laundromat, revive plans. You may remember that Hoptimystic Brewing owners Dan and Kelly Thomas last year hoped to open a brewery in the building, owned then by Brian Degnan. But the plans were put on hold when Degnan, saying he was frustrated with the town's zoning process, put the building on the market. Now, reports Liz Sauchelli in the Valley News, the Thomases have bought the building and plan to open a tasting room—and move their Springfield NH brewing operations to Enfield. Sauchelli outlines the zoning questions.Bethel company launches mobile flood-alert app. As you know if you read Daybreak at times of concern about flooding, the USGS maintains flood gauges on rivers and streams all across the country. But sometimes they can be hard to read—especially when the water's rising and you've maybe got an hour to get outta there. Which is why Stephen Farrington and his company, Transcend Engineering, have launched RiverAware, an iPhone-only (so far: Android's coming) app that lets you track water levels and get personalized flood alerts. In The Herald, Tim Calabro talks to Farrington about it all.Woodstock-area petition takes aim at schools superintendent. The call for the removal of Sherry Sousa—which now has over 100 signers, including two supervisory union board members—was spearheaded by three parents in the wake of a VTDigger story last month reporting the persistent racial harassment of a 13-year-old student. "The board is pretty much behind Sherry," its chair tells the Standard's Tom Ayres. But board member Ryan Townsend says the board hasn't been responsive enough to parents who've lost trust in it and in Sousa. For her part, Sousa says, "I know that our teachers and administration do all within their ability to address harmful events as they occur."SPONSORED: To heat or eat? The cold reality is that many Upper Valley neighbors are facing difficult choices—heating their homes or affording food, medication, or other essentials. LISTEN Community Services needs your support to provide heating assistance during these final cold months. Last year, generous donors like you helped nearly 1,800 community members stay warm and safe. You can make a difference today—and the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation will double your gift up to a total of $25,000. Donate here or at the burgundy link. Sponsored by LISTEN.A look ahead at Parish Players' Twelve Installations and BarnArts' Antigone. Both troupes are opening their productions tonight, and in the VN, Marion Umpleby delves into the backstories. The first, about an actual painting, traces its travels, bringing to life the characters it depicts—and "an industry that’s quick to reduce [its] worth to the highest bid at auction," Umpleby writes. Antigone, meanwhile, uses a 2015 translation of Sophocles' original. “(I want) people to just think about themselves ... how they handle people they disagree with and how we as people handle being wrong," says director Erin Bennett.
At VT Law & Grad School, student paintings that "are as fascinating as they are colorful." That's Upper Valley VT/NH Musings blogger Dave Celone wearing twin hats: as a writer and as a VL&GS VP. The exhibition at the school's art gallery grew out of a Paint ‘n Sip evening by members of the Black Law Student Association on campus. Dave includes several of the self-portraits for people who can't make it there. "They're small, yet powerful depictions...and potent and powerful artistic statements of who they are," he writes.SPONSORED: Forgot Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered! Chapman’s General in Fairlee has been serving the Upper Valley since 1875, and we’re your go-to for last-minute gifts that still feel thoughtful. From chocolates, tulips, and handcrafted jewelry to unique Vermont-made treats, we have everything to make your Valentine’s special. Stop by today and find the perfect gift—because love (and great gifts) never go out of style! And check out what we've got on our Facebook page! Chapman’s General – 150 Years of Local Charm! Sponsored by Chapman's General.Hiking Close to Home: Ruth Shepherd Trail, Lebanon, NH. In the heart of Leb, the Upper Valley Trails Alliance says, the Ruth Shepherd Trail is a quarter mile connector between the Northern Rail Trail and the Lebanon Memorial Pool. This section of woods provides a nice connection to nature in the bustling downtown and when not covered in snow, the trail is a five foot wide, crushed stone corridor that is accessible to users in a wheelchair or stroller.Been paying attention to Daybreak? Because Daybreak's Upper Valley News Quiz has some questions. Like, what is "The sandwich equivalent of finding out your high school crush likes you back"? And how many vehicles does Thetford's Sayre Bridge carry each day? 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 which prominent VT official has announced he'll be stepping down at the end of March.
And NHPR's got a whole set of questions about doings around the Granite State—like, which green energy-related program did NH officials recently suspend?
NH House rejects "right-to-work" legislation. In all, reports NHPR's Todd Bookman, 25 Republicans joined with 175 Democrats to block the latest in a series of unsuccessful bids by supporters of the idea, which would have barred private-sector unions from charging non-members a fee to cover collective bargaining negotiations. The effort stretches back decades, and sometimes has gotten out of the legislature only to be vetoed. “It is time for New Hampshire to look forward, solve actual problems the voters care about, and end this pointless attack on working families,” said Derry GOP Rep. Stephen Pearson.In budget address, Ayotte proposes cutting $150 million in state spending. As NHPR's Josh Rogers and Annmarie Timmins report, the new governor's address to the legislature yesterday came "as the state faces significant financial challenges, exacerbated by the expiration of pandemic-era federal spending programs that pumped more than a billion dollars into state coffers in recent years." Even so, she proposed more money for special ed, making school vouchers available to all families whose students are currently in public school, and boosting police and fire pension benefits.
As for specific cuts, as NH Bulletin's Ethan DeWitt and William Skipworth write, the administration didn't make full details available yesterday. One noteworthy point: Ayotte used her speech to endorse a one-year moratorium on new landfills in the state. “To me, it’s pretty common sense to say that our North Country, our Lakes Region, our beautiful open spaces throughout the state shouldn’t be scarred by poorly envisioned projects that detract from our quality of life."
“By every objective measure Manchester is making significant progress. The criticisms don’t pass the eye test.” That's Jay P. Ruais, and you'd expect him to say that, since he's the city's mayor. But as the Globe's Amanda Gokee writes (sorry, paywall), they're not empty words. "On a recent afternoon, even in the dead of winter, the major business district on Elm Street was lively – a significant change from just a few decades ago," she writes. Homelessness is still an issue—but the city's also got new housing, biotech companies, and a rising food scene. Gokee surveys its efforts to counter generations of barbs.NY tire shop owner removes roadside signs in VT: "It’s about advertising, not polarizing." Remember how Westport, NY farmer Raymond Rice has been advertising his tire business in VT with banners on hay wagons? Well, he took them down yesterday, reports Seven Days' Kevin McCallum, after VT officials told him he was violating the state's billboard law—which limits signs to a business's property—and gave him 14 days to remove them. "He said it was a little challenging removing the signs in the middle of a snowstorm," McCallum writes, "but made quick work of it once he got started."Not. So. New. “OMG” would already be dated if it only went back as far as the dawn of texting, in the 90s. But, says History Facts, the acronym is far older than the digital age. Turns out that a First Sea Lord and admiral named John Arbuthnot Fisher wrote the phrase in a letter to his former boss, Winston Churchill, in 1917. The two did not get along particularly well (for one thing, there were creative differences when it came to invading Turkey), but Fisher’s letter seems pretty chummy. “I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis — O.M.G. (Oh! My God!) — Shower it on the Admiralty!!” And speaking of OMG... A wingsuiter dives out of a helicopter—towing a BASE jumper behind. With GoPro POVs.
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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!
Note: You'll be fine for Friday events, but make sure to double-check things are still on before heading out the door Saturday night or Sunday.
Today at 4 pm at the Barrette Center in WRJ and tomorrow at 2 pm in Dartmouth's Filene Auditorium, it's Catherine Stewart’s "taut" 90-minute drama about tech's eye on our lives,
Intimate Surveillance
, winner of the 2024 Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award for Playwriting. Sunday at 1 pm, back at the Barrette Center, it's Talene Monahon's
Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret
, a comedy about a family vacation gone awry on the high seas.
. Directed by Terry Samwick, Gray Horan's play follows the journey of
La Parisienne
—both a painting that once hung in Greta Garbo's home and a character in the play (see above for more) from 1913 Paris to the US and then back to Europe. Its full-on production world premiere is tonight at 7 pm at the Grange Theater on Thetford Hill. Runs tomorrow at the same time, Sunday at 3 pm, and then next weekend.
As they write, "Traditionally among the year's most creative and surprising work, these gems are also the most difficult to find." Magic candies, a former ship captain with PTSD, three brothers travel to Istanbul to get hair transplants... 7 pm in the Loew Auditorium.
But there may be walk-up tickets available at the door.
. "
Anne Carson’s text focuses simply on the persistent truths of justice and honor found in Antigone that have captivated audiences from varying backgrounds for thousands of years," Olivia Piepmeier (a cast member) writes in the VT Standard. Sophocles' tragedy centers on the title character's resistance to capricious tyranny. Erin Bennett directs a cast of mostly BarnArts regulars. In Barnard Town Hall tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 2 pm, runs next Thursday and next weekend as well.
. The singer-songwriter and radio personality
blends "soulful vocals with a lyrical delivery that doesn’t let one get too comfortable"—all with a warm, generous, and wry stage presence. 7:30 pm.
At 7:30 pm, singer-songwriter Rob LeBlanc will make his Anonymous debut; at 8, it's keyboardist and guitarist Devan Tracy with songs from her new EP “Root Root to Rise”. And at 9 pm, Never Too Late takes the stage with singer-songwriter Hilde Ojibway, vocalist Bethany Nafziger, bassist Eric Bronstein, and multi-instrumentalist Adam Sorscher (the moving force behind the coffeehouse) channeling the folk harmony groups of the 1960s.
Locals Andrew Brozek, Eli Smith, Will McKinney, and Witt Lindau come together for an evening of old-time music, starting at 9 pm.
Saturday
Reindeer from the Vermont Reindeer Farm, wildlife tracking walk, a backyard bird count, winter games, and more.
Featuring works by Mexican composers, including Omar Arellano Osorio, Horacio Fernandez, Nubia Jaime Donjuan and Rodrigo Lomán, and joined by guest musicians from UNAM Banda Sinfónica and guest conductor Luis Manuel Sánchez. This was supposed to be at Keene State but got relocated at the last minute, so this is your chance! 1 pm tomorrow in Rollins Chapel.
The NH “junk rockers” are on their winter tour with comedy, music, "tons of dance energy"... and drumming. This show features Justin Spencer and Ryan Vezina, stars of the Emmy Award-winning TV show
Chaos & Kindness
. Shows at 2 pm and 7 pm.
Director Payal Kapadia's fiction-film debut won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes for its exploration of three contemporary, working-class Mumbai women and their "heartbreaking moral and spiritual battles as soon as they walk out of their homes each day." 2 pm in the Loew Auditorium.
. Thomas, who lives in Burlington and is a veteran on the state's standup scene, won the Vermont's Funniest Comedian contest in 2023 at the Vermont Comedy Club. Lorber, a former state rep from Burlington, is on tour with a new show. “I ran for office because I wanted to spend less time with my family,” he tells
The Herald
. “Now, I need other excuses. That’s partly why I’m coming to Chandler.” 7 pm.
Grammy winner, music historian, multi-instrumentalist and banjo phenom, and cofounder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Flemons has spent years deep in the roots of American music, both as a scholar and as a musician. "I try not to spend too much time belaboring the educational points with the audience, but I feel like the music tells the audience a lot of the history with the way they’re written," he once said. 7:30 pm tomorrow.
.
Chodus/, The Y Lie and Ezra Holloway start up at 9 pm, all ages until 10 pm then 21+ after.
Sunday
It's a mural created by Perkinsville artist Lisa Curry Mair that will eventually go into a house in Massachusetts (and be featured on
This Old House
this spring), but before it disappears from public view, Mair's holding an open house Sunday and Monday for locals to see it—along with initial pen and ink drawings, layouts, and full-color sketches. 10-4 Sunday, 1-4 Monday, details at the link.
"
'Bedutzed’ is a word from Pennsylvania Dutch country, where I grew up,” he tells RJ Crowley in the Standard. “It means confused or bewildered." And you've got one chance to see Zerphy—directed by his daughter and Voloz Collective actor Olivia Zerphy—bring it to life on stage. The subtitle is "The Absolutely True Nothing Made Up Story Of How I Became A Clown And Everything That Tried To Stop Me." It's at 3 pm Sunday in Hartland's Damon Hall. Crowley's story at the link.
And since there's no Daybreak Monday...
Monday
, master fly fisher Scott Biron talks and demonstrates fly tying, its history, materials, and cultural significance. 6:30 pm.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet, with dancers from the Ukrainian National Opera and Ballet Theater, brings Tchaikovsky's masterpiece to the stage. 7 pm Monday.
Well, yeah.
Have a fine weekend. See you Tuesday!
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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