Daybreak Friday, 8/22/25

Sunny, into the 80s. High pressure’s taken over, and the next few days are looking like nothing but warmth and sun (though we may get some rain on Sunday). Winds are calm, highs today will be in the low 80s (and mid or upper 80s tomorrow). Lows tonight in the mid 50s.

A quick note: I’ve had enough feedback on the Daybreak platform change this week to know that for some people, Daybreak’s now landing in their “junk” or spam folders even if they added it to their contacts or “safe sender” list in the past. This likely has to do with a change in the address it comes from—so if you happen to find any one of this week’s in junk or spam, mark it “not junk” or “not spam.” Right at the moment, adding it to your contacts or “safe sender” list will only be a temporary fix, but in a few weeks it should be more useful. Still it can’t hurt: instructions at the burgundy link.

VT State Police arrest three suspects in Hartford shooting. In an overnight press release, the VSP identified both suspects and victims in yesterday morning’s shooting on Verna Court in Hartford Village that left one man dead and a woman injured. The victims are David Labrecque, 65, of Canaan, NH, who was dead at the scene; and Jessica Lemay, also of Canaan, who remains at DHMC. Officers yesterday took into custody 30-year-old Demetrius Drew of New Haven, CT on murder charges; and Jeffrey Mullins, 46, and Michelle Mullins, 48, both of Rindge, NH, on charges of being accessories before the fact. They’re due to be arraigned at 12:30 pm today.

Strafford closes town office after “worrying emails.” For the next 60 days, in-person business will need an appointment, reports Darren Marcy in The Herald, after “persistent emails from a town resident made some town employees fearful for their safety.” The emails, sent by Strafford resident Keith Billian to the town clerk, Selectboard Chair Toni Pippi, and others, accuse various people of wrongdoing and Pippi of ruining the town. “The office staff was getting very nervous about the tone of the emails and the behavior,” Pippi told the selectboard last week. Billian was served a restraining order last Saturday—and allegedly emailed the town clerk shortly after.

Claremont parents, teachers face uncertain school opening. At a packed-to-overflowing community meeting Wednesday night, School Board Chair Heather Whitney told the crowd that at the moment, schools are still scheduled to open next Thursday, reports Patrick O’Grady in the Valley News. But the district’s grim financial picture could force a change: It faces a $1-5 million deficit for the last fiscal year, a recently discovered $2 million deficit from 2020 and 2021, and potentially more once a 2022 audit is finished. The district just brought on a new comptroller, who told the audience he’ll need a solid month to get a handle on the books.

1.3 million blueberries. At least, that’s how many Willing Hands estimates its volunteer gleaners picked at eight local farms and orchards this year, based on the total weight: 2,635 pounds, or well over a ton. It’s the most the organization has ever gathered, thanks to the 104 volunteers who got into the bushes over seven weeks. In all, Willing Hands says in its announcement, they amassed some 3,000 pints, worth between $12,000 and $15,000 for families to take home from food shelves and hunger relief groups this year.

Court okays feds’ Lake Tarleton logging project. In a 44-page opinion Wednesday, reports Alex Nuti-de Biasi in the Journal Opinion’s newsletter, US District Judge Joseph N. Laplante rejected a bid by the environmental group Standing Trees to challenge the US Forest Service plan to log 755 acres around Lake Tarleton in Warren and Piermont, NH, as well as a similar project in Gorham. “The court is not called upon to consider the propriety” of the projects, Laplante wrote. Instead, the question was whether the USFS “followed the correct procedures and applied the correct statutory and regulatory standards in approving” them. He concluded it had.

And a federal judge also okays ECFiber’s bid to switch operators. The Aug. 11 decision by US District Court Judge Mary Kay Lanthier ends a months-long legal set-to between the broadband provider and Great Works Internet, which ECFiber had brought on board a couple years back to operate its systems. Late last year, in response to changes it had learned GWI was planning, ECFiber created a new nonprofit operating company with the goal of putting operations in its hands. GWI sued board chair F. X. Flinn, ECFiber sought a preliminary injunction, and Lanthier sided with the latter. VTDigger’s Theo Wells-Spackman digs into the case and the financial reverberations.

The Bruin Chronicles. On a recent evening, writer and naturalist Ted Levin writes in his latest Another Morning in Paradise Substack post, he was sitting reading when he was “startled by the sound of outdoor footfalls and displaced outdoor furniture. Something (or somebody) was on the deck.” Turned out to be a young black bear—which jumped off after Ted clapped and stomped to chase it off. “What would I have done next if the bear hadn't listened, hadn't jumped down (about ten feet), and trundled into the woods? I'm not sure.” What he did do was turn his thoughts to bear breeding habits and how they boost genetic diversity. Includes bear photos.

Been paying attention to Daybreak? Because this week's Upper Valley News Quiz has some questions. Like, what do the Upper Valley Vixens do? And what could you legit call a large group of loons? Those and more at the link.

But wait! How closely were you following VT and NH?

If you live in NH, what can you do as electric rates go up? Which they’re doing, the Globe’s Amanda Gokee writes in the Morning Report newsletter (no paywall). One answer, from state Consumer Advocate Don Kreis: switch providers. Especially if you’re in the Community Power aggregation program, which when it debuted offered lower rates to its member cities and towns than the private utilities. But not right now: its 13.2-13.7 cents per kilowatt-hour is higher than the rates being charged by Unitil, Liberty, Eversource, and the NH Electric Coop. You can shop for rates on the Public Utilities Commission’s website.

VT sees record loon count. In all, the VT Center for Ecostudies reported yesterday, the state has 92 successful nests (seven more than last year), 136 chicks hatched (11 more than last year), and on July 19, volunteers counted 416 adults and 104 chicks on 171 bodies of water. There were also three new nesting pairs, bringing the total to 115—compared to just seven 30 years ago. The report stands in contrast to last week’s news that the 2025 New Hampshire Loon Census found declining—though still strong—numbers compared to last year

Do-si-do for the record, folks! The world record for the largest square dance is a piffling 1,600 people, and Vermont is aiming to allemande that to smithereens. Next Tuesday at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, writes Chris Farnsworth in Seven Days, guitarist Bob Wagner and Phish bassist Mike Gordon will lead the charge, along with Kat Wright and plenty of others, with Mary Wesley calling the dance. Aside from bragging rights, the goal is to support the Northeast Organic Farming Association-VT, which has been struggling since DC clawed back more than half a million dollars earmarked for some 55 VT farms. No experience or partner necessary. 

Yeah, you’d stop, too. If you were mountain-biking hell-bent down a trail and a cow stepped into your path. And then hung around, inspecting Jason Reiter’s bike—”Is it roadworthy?” Reiter politely asks the cow on his GoPro video—before letting him continue on his way.

Today's Wordbreak. With a word from yesterday's Daybreak. And if you find yourself missing Wordbreak over the weekend, you just have to hit this link and you'll find brand new words tomorrow and Sunday—though not necessarily from Daybreak. 

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THERE'S SOME GREAT DAYBREAK SWAG! Like Daybreak tote bags, 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!

HEADS UP
Opening celebration for the “Dan & Whit’s at 70” exhibit. The Norwich Historical Society’s new exhibit on the iconic general store’s history—documentary photographs, oral histories, memorabilia, and the history of stores on the site since 1829—opens with a celebration at the NHS from 4-6 pm and food, music and more at the store from 5-7.

Sterling String Quartet at Seven Stars Arts in Sharon. It’s the local quartet’s third annual concert there: They’ll be playing works by Gershwin, Ellington, Kern, Harold Arlen, and other composers of the big band era, “but with a string quartet twist.” 7 pm.

Annual stargazing party at Mountain View Farm in Orford. The Upper Valley Land Trust and the Orford Conservation Commission host this chance to get out, lie back, and get a guided tour of the night sky. Opens at 7:30 if you want a prime viewing spot, tour begins at 8. Mountain View Farm on Mousley Brook Road.

Play Every Town arrives in Windsor. UVM prof and pianist David Feurzeig is doing two concerts in the Upper Valley this weekend (see tomorrow for the second). Tonight at 7 at Windsor’s Old South Church, Mozart’s earliest compositions, Beethoven’s Sonata in G major (composed the year the Old South Church was designed), Chopin, and more, all tied in to dates in Windsor’s history. Rebecca Wood and Laura Compton will join for pieces celebrating the natural world (concert donation beneficiary is VINS).

Wolfman Jack at Sawtooth Kitchen. Not the legendary DJ, but the New England band devoted to the Grateful Dead’s early years, 1965-1972. 8 pm.

Saturday
Quechee Scottish Games & Festival. It’s the 50th anniversary, and it’s a full day tomorrow: solo piping begins at 8:30 am, followed by athletics, sheep dog demos, the annual clan parade, band and drum major competitions, plenty of music and food, and lots more. At the Quechee Polo Field (45 Deweys Mills Road).

Garden Day at Billings Farm. Actually, not just at Billings: They’re also celebrating gardens at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and the Woodstock Inn’s Kelly Way Gardens. It’s your chance to tour Billings’ Sunflower House and pollinator garden; M-B-R’s estate gardens (music by the VT Fiddle Orchestra 11-2); and Kelly Way (with the Inn’s 10th Annual Great Tomato Tasting of 50+ varieties from 1-2 pm). Plus lots more activities. It all runs from 10 am to 5 pm.

The Vermont Summer Festival at Okemo Field in Ludlow. It runs tomorrow and Sunday, with a full music lineup, craft beer, wine, and distillery vendors, artisan products, specialty foods, antique tractors & vintage equipment, a kids zone, and more. 11-5 both days.

Fledge Fest and Royalton Community Radio’s 12th annual Pedal Power to the People gravel rides. The rides, which benefit the station, offer a choice of ride levels (10, 17 & 30 miles) and admission to Fledge Fest. They take off from Fledgling Farmstead in Tunbridge at 8 am and you’ll need to register. The farm’s festival starts up at 11 am with music from 2 pm to midnight, food trucks starting at 2, and lots more.

Barnard Street Dance. The town’s big annual party begins at 2 pm with boat races at Silver Lake State Park and an open mic at Barnard Town Hall. Contra dance with Blind Squirrel and caller Kevin Donohue at 4 pm, the Pointe Noir Cajun Band at 5:30 pm, and food, games, art-making, and more all afternoon.

David Feurzeig and Play Every Town in Norwich. He’ll playing Mozart, Haydn, two pieces celebrate the King Arthur Baking Company (a Beethoven sonatina composed the year the company was founded and J.H. Ellis’ “Remus Takes the Cake”, composed the year the King Arthur brand was launched), and more, and will be joined by Norwich musicians Jenny Keller (flute) and Judy Pond (fiddle) will join David and his spouse Annelies McVoy for a couple of dance tunes. 3 pm, Norwich Congregational Church.

Sunday
Uncommon Jam in Haverhill. Court Street Arts hosts three bands on Sunday afternoon: the VT quintet The FAERIE Godbrothers with country, bluegrass, Texas Swing, and waltzes; rocking bluesman Dave Keller; and popular dance band The Party Crashers. Local food trucks and a beer tent. 1-6 pm.

Back Bay Transit at the John Hay Estate at the Fells in Newbury, NH. The New England-based band “features 3-part harmonies with exceptional horn arrangements” and covers artists like Aretha Franklin; Steely Dan; Grover Washington Jr.; Billy Preston; Bill Withers; and others. 5-7 pm.

And for today...

How could you resist an Australian psych-rock group called King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard? Who have brought the world an entire gizzverse (as some fans like to call it) over 27 albums and packed shows (including one with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl a couple of years back). Here’s “Aerodynamic” off their newest.

Want to catch up on Daybreak itself (or find that item you trashed by mistake the other day)? You can find everything on the Daybreak Facebook page, or on Daybreak’s homepage.

Written and published by Rob Gurwitt      Poetry editor: Michael Lipson    Associate Editor: Jonea Gurwitt   About Rob                                                 About Michael

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