GOOD MORNING, UPPER VALLEY!
An apology on Throughlines. Wow. There was a lot more interest in the new Daybreak game yesterday than we reckoned with, so we ran out of our allotment on the test site we're using. To those of you who hit a dead end, we're sorry. We're spiffing it up so that however many of you go to check it out next Wednesday, the world's your oyster.Getting sunny. There's high pressure out there, but there's also a good jolt of colder air that came in last night, so today's high is maybe a degree or two warmer than whatever it was in your location around midnight. Temps today will hold steady around or just below the freezing mark before they start dropping toward the mid 20s overnight. Winds from the northwest, clouds starting to pile in this evening ahead of more snow tonight and overnight.Which makes the timing of this tricky. This evening, just after sunset, is going to be our best chance to see Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn in alignment. More on what's possible at the link. And if the clouds don't cooperate or you miss it, here's an annotated photo by a photographer in England who got them all the other evening.Who's checking out whooom? A barred owl on a birdfeeder, until it's not, in this video from Frank Van Santen and Alison May in Grantham.Homeless man found dead in WRJ. The man, whose identity police are withholding until they can notify kin, was found last night near a tent under the Urban Bridge, which spans the White River between the Bugbee Senior Center and the Coop food store, reports Eric Francis for Daybreak. Ben Harper, a life-long resident of Hartford who is also homeless, said he called police to check on the man: “I was worried about him. I didn’t see him anywhere and wanted to know what happened." Hartford Police Sgt. William Furnari tells Eric, “I don’t anticipate this coming to anything criminal. There’s no indication of foul play.”Woodstock municipal manager tells chief he wants to demote him. In a letter to Woodstock Police Chief Joe Swanson this week, Municipal Manager Eric Duffy said he'd considered firing him, "but in the end a demotion appeared to be more appropriate for the case," reports Mike Donoghue in the Standard. Swanson's lawyer has requested a public hearing before the village board—but has also asked that two of them recuse themselves. Swanson has been on paid leave since a November traffic accident involving his husband, though Duffy says the move stems from an investigation sparked by staff complaints.SPONSORED: Last chance to get the best discount on a Crossroad Farm CSA. Today, February 28, is the last day to take advantage of our 10 percent discount on CSA memberships. Shares can be redeemed at the farm in Post Mills and at the Norwich farmstand. They don't expire and can be used to purchase everything Crossroad carries, including hanging baskets, vegetable starts, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a wide assortment of products from other local farms. Learn more and act now at the burgundy link or here. Sponsored by Crossroad Farm.Selectboard and school board candidates in White River Valley towns, in their own words. The Herald sent its questionnaire—asking about relevant experience and what they'd bring to the office—to candidates in Bethel, Brookfield, Chelsea, Randolph, Rochester, Royalton, Sharon, and Strafford. Most responded, and you can get a good sense not only of who's running, but the issues they care about most, and why.How the federal funding freeze hits one Upper Valley farm. “We are trying to grow food for our community, but instead are forced to spend our energy triaging each day’s new cuts, tariffs, and freezes,” Norah Lake, of Norwich's Sweetland Farm, tells the Standard's Lauren Dorsey. Lake got approval for a variety of big energy-efficiency improvements under 2022's Inflation Reduction Act—now, those reimbursements are on hold. "Even a delay of several months would make us insolvent, given the sums we are fronting," Lake says. Seasonal workers are also on hold. Dorsey checks in with local nonprofits, as well. "If we are doing our jobs right, anyone who sees this production is going to be more grateful for the mundane." That's Ben Rapson, who directed the production of Our Town that opens tonight at the Chandler in Randolph, talking to Seven Days' Hannah Feuer. It weaves Noah Kahan songs into what goes on—both Kahan's lyrics and Thornton Wilder's play, he tells Feuer, "explore themes of connection to a place and accepting mortality." Rapson also wants the actors to be themselves on stage—as Feuer writes, the play "is about everyday life in rural New England, after all."Also opening tonight: Hello, Dolly! The North Country Community Theater teen production is at the Lebanon Opera House, and in the Valley News, Marion Umpleby reports that the production embraces the show's traditional effervescence: "everything about Hello, Dolly! is large and exuberant," she writes. Umpleby checks in with cast members Reeve Green (Leb High, a member of the ensemble) and Cora Winslow (Hartford High, Dolly) about the production and what it's taken to get it ready.“More than a history lesson.” In the 1950s, as the Red Scare took its toll on the nation, another equally insidious rooting-out was happening, writes Mary Ann Lickteig in Seven Days. That one, the Lavender Scare, targeted homosexuals, declaring that "the privilege of working for the United States Government should not be extended to persons of dubious moral character.” Manchester NH-based NSquared Dance brings that tumultuous era to the Briggs tomorrow in a fundraiser for the Junction Dance Festival. "Dance felt like the only language that was possible for it," artistic director Zackery Betty says.And speaking of not-your-usual-dance-performance... Down in Brattleboro tonight, dancer, choreographer, and Hopkins Center director of external affairs Michael Bodel premieres Forecasts and Findings, which as Susan Apel writes in Artful, involves "movement, object theater, a live soundscape, and one hundred pounds of grain." "It explores how throughout human history grain has been gathered, gleaned, and cataloged; or hoarded and lost," Bodel tells her. Susan also looks ahead to Waitress at Northern Stage, We the People Theatre's A Man of No Importance, and Billings Farm's quilt exhibition.Hiking Sort of Close to Home: the Seyon Lodge State Park trail network, Groton, VT. It's available for both summer (hiking and biking) and winter (skiing and snowshoeing), says the UVTA. The ski and snowshoe trails at Seyon Lodge loop around the hillside on the south side of Noyes Pond. They are groomed and range from easy to moderate. To access these trails, head west on US-302 from Groton. Turn right on Seyon Pond Road. After 1.5 miles take the left fork to continue towards Seyon Lodge. Park at the end of the road at Seyon Lodge State Park.Been paying attention to Daybreak? Because Daybreak's Upper Valley News Quiz has some questions. Like, why did the Five Colleges Book Sale get cancelled this year? And why has the cliff top at the Fairlee Palisades been closed to hikers? 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 has stymied wastewater infrastructure projects in some of Vermont's small towns?
And NHPR's got a whole set of questions about doings around the Granite State—like, what are NH residents most concerned about, according to a new Granite State poll?
NH's COGE members at pains to say they're not like their federal counterparts. Gov. Kelly Ayotte's Commission on Government Efficiency held an organizational meeting this week. “I’m not Elon Musk — nor is Andy,” former Gov. Craig Benson, one of the co-chairs, told NH Bulletin's Ethan DeWitt, pointing to co-chair Andy Crews. “We’re not trying to do things the same way.” Nor are its members looking at big state workforce cuts. "It’s not really about taking the meat cleaver to things; it’s about finding efficiencies,” said Drew Cline, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy.
Mt. Equinox plane crash survivors released from the hospital. One had been airlifted to DHMC, while two were taken to a more local hospital in an ambulance, WCAX's Conor Ullathorne reports. “Walking up and seeing that fuselage down on the ground, it was hard to believe that those subjects got themselves out,” NY Forest Ranger John Gullen—who was one of more than 100 rescuers who responded to the crash—says. Another rescuer, a New York State Police pilot, tells Ullathorne that had the crash happened any higher up the mountain, the wreckage would have been in the clouds and "we wouldn't have been able to access them."Bragging rights at Jay Peak. We'll just let Powder mag take it from here: "Jay (~350") has received more snow this season than Utah’s Alta (~348″) and Wyoming’s Jackson Hole (347″). The only resorts that have reported more snowfall this season in the Lower 48 have been Mt. Baker, Washington, and Timberline, Oregon. It’s a stunning twist: a little Vermont mountain is vying with North America’s snowfall royalty." It has to do with this excellent snow year in the Northeast in general, and Jay's unique position: it's averaged over 5 inches a day in February. Not surprisingly, "Local skiers are ecstatic."Once a symbol of two nations' closeness, Derby Line/Stanstead library struggles with rising tension. For many years, the only sign that there even was a border running through the Haskell Free Library was the black tape crossing its reading room. Even as border security around it was heightened after 9/11, writes former VTDigger editor Paul Heintz for the Boston Globe (paywall), the library itself was neutral ground, allowing residents of both countries to mingle. Now, however, US-Canada tensions have "disrupted the quiet repose of this small-town gathering spot." Heintz details what's happened, and the librarians' efforts to preserve whatever peace remains.The best wildlife images from around the world. That’s quite a claim, but not hard to believe when you scroll through this year’s Nature in Focus awards. Supun Dilshan won Photographer of the Year for his portfolio of elephants in Sri Lanka struggling to survive in a hotter, drier environment. They travel long distances for food and water, contending with train tracks, roads, electric fences, and humans. Elsewhere, this being nature, there are frenetic battles—tiger and boar, two spiny-tailed lizards—but also pure calm, like Jacquie Matechuk’s Spectacled Bear, seen through a veil of Spanish moss in Ecuador.Today's Wordbreak will be delayed. A last-minute check this morning turned up a problem, so don't hit the link right away! Ideally, it'll be fixed soon. Meanwhile, one little bit of user trivia for once it's working again: This version of the game doesn't show you your previous guesses (they're hard core, those News Games folks), but if you do need that little boost, just click the question mark icon in the top right corner and you'll see an option for your guess history.
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Daybreak tote bags! Thanks to a helpful reader's suggestion. Plus, of course, the usual: sweatshirts, head-warming beanies, 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!
will also be up and running this year (in addition to Randolph and Hartford), and the deadline for submissions is March 11. Poets of all ages welcome.
Dartmouth College organist Henry Danaher presents "a series of reflective and meditative solo organ works from diverse times and places" on the chapel's large pipe organ at 4 pm today. Things get started with student trumpeter Jake Crawford's performance of Johan Daniel Berlin's lively
Sinfonia in D.
No tickets needed.
. The Rockefeller Institute hosts the Dartmouth grad and Democrat, elected to his state's highest post last November. He'll be talking about the elections, the Democratic Party, his priorities as governor in a swing state, and "the increased importance of bipartisan efforts in a time of polarization." 5 pm in Filene and livestreamed.
The artist and writer will be online talking about her Foodstories project, which explores "the idea that food can be a bridge to who we are as individuals and as a human collective while also creating community." 5 pm.
Hike the nature trail, look for owls, and "discover the secret life of New England’s nocturnal residents." You might want snowshoes and you'll definitely want to dress in layers and bring a flashlight or headlamp. 5:30 to 7 pm.
As you saw above, it's opening night for the classic Thornton Wilder play with its Vermonty twist: a live band, and the music of Noah Kahan. 7 pm tonight and tomorrow, 2 pm Sunday, and then next weekend, same times.
From the moment
current
Doctor Who
star Ncuti Gatwa—one of the two bachelors at the heart of Oscar Wilde's classic about the convoluted tomfoolery people get into in the name of love—begins the show in a pink ballgown, you know this production is headed in a different direction from how Wilde imagined it. Or maybe not. 7 pm in the Loew Auditorium.Tommy Crawford at the Sunapee Coffeehouse. The actor, composer, and musician gives a two-hour solo concert—originals, covers, stories, previews of coming work—downstairs at the Sunapee Methodist Church. 7 pm.
"The comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a matchmaker and 'woman who arranges things' are certain to thrill and entertain audiences of all ages," LOH writes. Tonight at 7:30, tomorrow at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sunday at 3 pm.
Tonight's show opens with mandolinist and Dartmouth senior Eli Smith & Friends, moves on at 8 pm to southern NH acoustic trio Decatur Creek, and winds up at 9 with New England folk, rock, and Americana singer-songwriter Brooks Hubbard. At the First Congregational Church of Lebanon.
The Albany-based band of brothers Stephen & Reid Perry and their friends Aris Nieuwkerk and Dave Klang, has been "gaining fans all around the Northeast for their up-tempo improvisational funky jams and killer stage show," Sawtooth writes. 9 pm.
Saturday
Sustainable Woodstock and the Taftsville Chapel’s Schoolhouse for Simple Living host this workshop on sewing basics for beginners: Learn to thread a needle, sew a button, patch a rip, and mend a hem. Try out a sewing machine. And if you've got clothes that need repairing, bring them along to get some tips on what to do.
Hop Film screens The Brutalist. "Like a cross between The Godfather and The Fountainhead, this tale of a striving immigrant whose 'American Dream' might be his destruction is a throwback to the massive cinematic undertakings of an earlier age." Brady Corbet's multiple Oscar nominee stars Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce. 2 pm tomorrow in the Loew.
Democratic US Sen. Welch, former Acting Solicitor General of the US Katyal, and US News & World Report editorial director and Executive VP Linzer (who moderates) will talk over the recent actions of the Trump Administration toward federal institutions and the role Congress and the Courts will play in safeguarding those institutions. 3 pm in the Hanover Inn's Hayward Room and livestreamed.
Led by director John Heginbotham, the ensemble "shares new works-in-progress. Following the DDE event, Sugarplum, the Aires, and the Decibelles will present a winter performance." Irving Institute atrium, 3:30 pm.
It's an evening of jazz, funk, and Afro-funk fusion with the Michael Zsoldos Jazz Combo, the WUHS Jazz Funk Band, The Drop Offs, and The Lost Tribe. Plus a free taco bar and mask making. Starts at 6 pm.
This year's crop of nominees includes a Croatian film about a Bosnian train passenger who stands up to attempted ethnic cleansing during the war in 1993; producer Mindy Kaling's film about a 9-year-old working in a garment factory offered a chance to attend school; a South African game reserve and a battle to save rhinos from poachers; and more. 7 pm tomorrow in the Loew.
. Jamie Masefield, Will Patton, Matt Flinner, and bassist Pat Melvin and a night of bluegrass, roots, jazz, and JS Bach. 7 pm tomorrow.
As you read above, it's a fundraiser for the Junction Dance Festival: a choreographed history telling the story of two gay federal employees in 1950s Washington, DC—when it was not okay to be a gay federal employee. 7 pm tomorrow.
Sunday
. In Elia Kazan's 1954 classic, "a brooding Marlon Brando plays Terry Malloy, an ex-boxer who 'coulda been a contender' but has ended up as a low-level henchman of a corrupt union boss (Lee J. Cobb). Tormented by the extortion and violence he witnesses, and inspired by a young woman (Eva Marie Saint) whose brother was murdered at the hands of union goons, Terry turns on his masters." 2 pm Sunday at the Loew.
And to take us into the weekend...
Van Morrison, who's got a new studio album coming out this year. The first single to be released from it is "Down to Joy"—the song that got him his first Oscar nomination after it featured in Kenneth Branagh's
Belfast
.
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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Written and published by Rob Gurwitt Poetry editor: Michael Lipson Associate Editor: Jonea Gurwitt About Rob About Michael
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