GOOD MORNING, UPPER VALLEY!
Heads up: No Daybreak Monday. Back in your inbox with a late "CoffeeBreak" edition on Tuesday.Well, at least there might be some sun today. Mostly cloudy to start, but it should get sunnier as the afternoon wears on, with high pressure off to our west (though, of course, there's also Fiona over the Atlantic to our east). On the other hand, it's going to be much cooler than yesterday: We won't get much above 50. Also, pretty steady winds from the northwest. Temps tonight down [blinks, double-checks] into the 30s. Oh. And welcome to fall...There's been lots of good rain, but still...Yesterday's reports from the US Drought Monitor show at best modest improvement:
Most of Sullivan County and the stretch of Grafton County along the river remain in moderate drought, but a small swath of Sullivan County is back to Abnormally Dry. The southern third of the state remains in severe drought;
Meanwhile, over on the Vermont sidemost of southern Windsor County is back to Abnormally Dry, though northern Windsor and all of Orange counties remain in moderate drought.
What yesterday afternoon's sudden squall was really good for? Sky drama. Here's the view looking upriver from Wilson's Landing in Hanover just after it passed, by Steven Atkins.Weasel in the woods... on Erin Donahue's trail cam in E. Thetford. "Of the three species of North American weasels," writes naturalist Ted Levin, "the long-tailed (Mustela frenata) is the largest. Males are 18 inches long, including a six-and-a-half-inch tail, and weigh half a pound. In Vermont, females are half as heavy. Besides leopards in the Old World, mountain lions in the New World, and humans in both worlds, long-tailed weasels have the most extensive north-south distribution of any wild mammal. They dine on small rodents, rabbits, and sometimes day-old piglets, from southern Canada to Peru.""I am my own best walking companion." Henry's out for a... well, he prefers to call it a "saunter"... and Wally's trying to up his writing game—though none of it involves actual writing. As he does every week in this spot, Lebanon writer and illustrator DB Johnson chronicles the doings in Lost Woods—and on his blog he ponders the syndication game (and what a cartoonist can do with an envelope).Leb City Council votes unanimously to keep Cape Air. The move came at its meeting Wednesday, reports Laura Koes in the Valley News, after council members reviewed proposals from Cape Air, which since 2008 has held the contract to carry passengers from Lebanon to Boston and White Plains, and Southern Airways Express, which had proposed flying to Newark. Though an airport committee had favored switching, area residents at the meeting spoke entirely for Cape Air. “I think changing at this time presents too many risks," said Councilor Karen Liot Hill. The USDOT has to approve a new contract.SPONSORED: As summer ends and the holiday season approaches, are you looking to get more organized or searching for inspired gift ideas? Luminta can help! Our talented designers and photo experts can bring your old photos and videos back to life through our scanning and conversion services, and create a stunning photo story through one of our photobooks! Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of reliving your precious memories this year. Based in Lebanon—hit the link above for details, email [email protected], or call us at 1.833.LUMINTA. Sponsored by Luminta.Sesquicentennial Tunbridge World's Fair rebounds, comes close to breaking record. After a meh 2021, fairgoers returned by the thousands last weekend, reports Tim Calabro in the Herald. The 150th fair broke attendance records on both Thursday and Saturday, and fell just a bit short of its 2017 mark of 33,000 visitors, administrator Ingrid Van Steamburg tells Calabro. This year's fair also marked the end of harness racing: "As competitors in the event have aged, its popularity has waned. With few new drivers, the organizers decided this year would be the event’s last," Calabro writes.Evernorth announces $8.95 million loan fund for Upper Valley workforce housing. The nonprofit housing finance group, which is based in Burlington, will use the fund to help developers build or preserve apartments for people who can afford rents of $1,200 to $1,600 per month, and expects it to create up to 260 new homes, it says in its press release. The capital for the effort comes from eight Upper Valley employers: Bar Harbor Bank, Citizens Bank, Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Health, the Hanover Co-op Food Stores, Hypertherm, King Arthur, and Mascoma Bank.Leaf Peeping Close to Home. Sure, you could drive over to the Whites or the Greens. No one would blame you. But there's plenty to do right around here, as the Upper Valley Trails Alliance's Kaitie Eddington makes clear in a reprise of last year's guide to great foliage hikes around the Upper Valley, including Mt. Peg in Woodstock, several stretches of the Cross Rivendell Trail, Holt's Ledge in Hanover, Wright's Mountain in Bradford, and Cole Pond in Enfield.SPONSORED: Upper Valley Aquatic Center SEPTEMBER CELEBRATION tomorrow 10am-2pm! Celebrate getting ready for exercising indoors! Admission is free and you won't want to miss the Membership Specials, local food trucks, DJ spinning tunes, car show, and touch-a-truck. Swim in the Splash Park and try free classes like deep-water volleyball, indoor cycling, Mommy and Me Training class, or Parent and Kid workout session. FREE CAKE at 1pm for all! Sponsored by UVAC.Foliage season is "kind of long for the coffers, but kind of rejuvenating for the soul." Remember the fall foliage color chart that Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill, NH has been keeping since 1975? Well, that's owner Kathie Cote talking to Vermont Public's Mary Williams Engisch about the hordes of visitors who descend on the region looking for colors, and about the chart itself—"if you could see it, you would laugh, but it's a clipboard with graph paper on it"—and why her mom, Nancy, started it. People still call to check in, though what with online foliage trackers, not as many as once did.What goes into building a trail bridge. It's a momentary convenience on a hike, easy to cross without a second thought. But as the Norwich Trails Committee's blog post about a bridge project last Sunday on the town's Tucker Trail shows, actually building the thing requires plenty of first thoughts. The project was to span a short section of bog—and how to get stringers and decking aligned and level. Steve Flanders tells the story in words and step-by-step photos.Bethel, W. Windsor, Groton: "Adventure towns." That's what Vermont Sports calls communities that in May received a slice of $4,549,313 handed out by the VT Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative to spur rec opportunities and economic growth. Back then, the mag looked at some of the bigger names. Now, it's profiling 10 more towns and what the grant money will mean, including improving the old Montpelier and Wells River railbed in Groton; three new trails in Bethel; and funding Ascutney Outdoors' new flow trails and rope tow replacement. Plus advice on where to eat and stay in all 10 towns.Meals on Wheels providers in Windsor, Windham counties asked to cut number of recipients. Senior Solutions, the agency that distributes funding for the program, is facing budget constraints because funding from the Older Americans Act "has not kept up with Vermont’s aging demographics," reports Liz Sauchelli in the VN. "These are long-term system issues that have caused our funds to be depleted,” the agency's director wrote in a memo to staff. There are 20 meal providers in the two counties facing 25 percent cuts in their rosters.Been paying attention this week? Daybreak's Upper Valley News Quiz has some questions for you. Like, why are Baker's Store and the Village Store in Thetford closed? And where's the "planetary epicenter" of sugar maples? And what's Dartmouth going to be doing on the energy front next week? You'll find those and other questions at the maroon link.But wait! How closely were you following Vermont and New Hampshire news this week? Because Seven Days and NHPR have their own versions of the News Quiz. You'll find Seven Days' quiz about VT events this past week here. And NHPR's questions about the Granite State week here.“This feels very much to me like the year of biomass.” That was NH GOP state Rep. Michael Vose talking to a statewide energy summit on Monday. Vose wants to bring four shuttered wood-fired power plants in the North Country back online, reports NH Bulletin’s Amanda Gokee. Skeptics argue they may look good while natural gas prices are high, but they’re expensive and hardly carbon-neutral. “I can’t imagine we would bring forth a bill that would lower electric rates by bringing back ancient wood-fired electricity plants," says Clean Energy NH's Sam Evans-Brown.Despite new investment, VT slaughterhouses still can't keep up with demand. Over the last ten years, beef cattle and pigs in the state have more than doubled, reports Vermont Public's Howard Weiss-Tisman, as demand has grown for locally raised meat. Yet despite an influx of more than $1 million in pandemic relief money to help processing facilities, constraints are still holding farmers back. Part of it is pure numbers, the Agency of Ag's Abbey Willard says, and part is a shortage of freezer space and old equipment.From summer days off searching New England for antique tools, a museum. Paul Zlotoff's dad, Arnold, was an industrial arts teacher in NYC and summer-camp maintenance man. He was also a collector, over the years amassing several thousand tools used by 19th century woodworkers, wheelwrights, carriage makers, coopers, loggers, and others. They now sit in a restored barn on the grounds of an old RV park in South Hero, VT, where anyone can go check them out, writes Sally Pollak in Seven Days. Also there: Paul's 40-car collection, which includes Jags, Triumphs and Ferraris.There's kayaking Grafton Pond. And then there's this. Back in June, 46-year-old Cyril Derreumaux, who lives in Marin County, CA, left Monterey in his kayak. On Tuesday, 92 days and 2,400 miles later, he arrived in Hilo, Hawaii, becoming the first person to kayak solo from the Golden State to the Aloha State entirely under his own power (Ed Gillet did it in 1987, but he got help from a kite). "It's been a spiritual experience," Derreumaux told the SF Chronicle (here via Axios, scroll to item #3).Kaboom! Only a metaphorical explosion, though. Kaboom is an 8-year-old border collie from Bedford, NH. Earlier this year, he won his overall height class for the third time at the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship. 31.93 seconds. A master at work.The Friday Vordle. If you're new to Vordle, you should know that fresh ones appear on weekends using words from the Friday Daybreak, and you can get a reminder email each weekend morning. That will go for Monday, too. If you'd like that, sign up here.
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There's a ton going on this weekend, so let's run through it all...
At 4 this afternoon and again at 7 pm, Telluride @ Dartmouth kicks off its seven-film run in Spaulding Auditorium at the Hop with The Wonder, Sebastián Lelio's suspenseful period thriller starring Florence Pugh as an English nurse called out to remote Ireland in the 1860s to investigate a purported miracle. A remarkable lineup of films that haven't hit theaters yet, including Wildcat and Women Talking, through Sept. 30.
At 5 this afternoon, Junction Arts & Media (you used to know it as CATV) is celebrating its new name and broadened mission with a launch party at its new location in WRJ, the former Newberry Market in back of Piecemeal Pies and the Tuckerbox. Food, drinks, a confessional booth, and a lot of media gadgets.
Also starting at 5 this afternoon and running until 9 pm, the annual Autumn Moon Festival takes over Main Street in downtown Windsor. Magic, pro wrestling, stilt walkers and fire dancers, craft and product vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, and bands including About Gladys, the Dave Legacy Band, and Brooks Hubbard. It’s all sponsored by the Windsor Rotary Club, with proceeds plowed back into the community.
And just up the road at the Path of Life Garden in Windsor's Artisans Park from 6-9 pm, you'll find a firelit sculpture park, live music by VT state Sen. Dick McCormack and others, a drumming circle, spoken word poetry, and plenty of other activities all focused on nature, light, and wellness as part of "Light Up Your Life." It's a fundraiser for Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, the mental health agency serving Windsor and Windham counties.
Meanwhile, at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow, the Hop brings in Camille A. Brown and Dancers. Brown, the pathbreaking choreographer who was the first Black director of a Metropolitan Opera mainstage production, is presenting highlights from her trilogy on race, culture and identity using modern, hip hop, African, ballet and tap dance to tell her pieces' stories. Pre-show talk with Brown at the Top of the Hop at 6:15 this evening, post-performance conversations with the artists both nights. Moore Theater.
Tomorrow from 9 am to 1 pm, Community Care of Lyme is hosting a health and wellness fair on the Lyme Common with several dozen organizations there to talk over what they do, from the Dartmouth Skiway to the Upper Valley Running Club to Vermont Bike & Brew to Headrest and Open Door and Waypoint and WISE... You'll find yoga and movement, tango and salsa, and plenty of prizes.
And starting at 9:30 am tomorrow and lasting into the evening, it's the inaugural TEDxHartlandHill at Billings Farm and Museum. The day is organized around a theme of community, innovation, and sustainability, with a full schedule of speakers including Woodstock's Jeff Kahn, COVER's Helen Hong, filmmaker Ben Silberfarb, photographer Robert Sturman, Thato Ratsebe of the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, former neo-nazi recruiter Tony McAleer, bestselling writer Ben Mezrich, and plenty of others. Things close out with an after-party at Artistree featuring KeruBo.
Also starting at 9:30 tomorrow morning (for check-in and safety check) the Cross Vermont Trail is holding a fall foliage ride on the trail from Groton to Lanesboro and back. Starts in the parking lot next to the Upper Valley Grill in Groton, heads past Ricker Pond and Lake Groton to the 4 corners at Lanesboro, then back the other way, about 18 miles in all (there's also an 11-mile family ride).
Three times a year, the Hartford Tree Board hosts tree walks around town to introduce people to the town's great variety of trees. Tomorrow at 10, in addition to the regular walk, a local native of Ukraine will be talking about the trees in his country and the board will plant a viburnum bush in honor of the people of Ukraine. The group meets by the stage behind Hartford Town Hall. No link.
From 10:30 am to 2 pm tomorrow, the Cornerstone Community Center in Wilder is holding an apple festival and apple pie bake-off, with raffles, pumpkin painting, an apple pie auction, and, of course, pie judging.
But if pie's not your thing—or if baked goods are totally your thing—tomorrow at 11 am the Bugbee Senior Center in WRJ holds its second annual cupcake bake-off. At least 16 local bakers will have made 100 cupcakes each, there for attendees to sample and judge. Admission ($10) gets you a feast for the eyes and the taste buds; proceeds support Meals on Wheels.
From noon to 4 tomorrow, it's your chance to do a photo shoot with your dog (or other pet) at West Leb Feed and Supply, with proceeds going to the Walk to End Alzheimer's.
Tomorrow from noon to 5, it's the grand opening of Bradford's new dog park, with food, music, a dog show and obstacle course, locally made dog treats, and live music starting at 2 by the James Graham Trio and the John Lackard Band.
And for something it's a guarantee you've never done before, at 7 pm tomorrow Burlington's Flynn Theater—which is trying to get out and around Vermont more—brings "The Money" to Hartford High School. Let's just let them explain it: "A thrilling cross between a high-stakes game, a social experiment, and an intelligent theatrical experience. Your ticket purchase goes directly to a pot of real cash. A group of complete strangers—the players—has 60 minutes to agree how to spend the pot. The watching audience can buy their way in at any moment, right up until the last second, and that can change everything. Every event is totally unique and completely unpredictable—full of drama, frustrations, opportunism, generosity, and excitement—all set to a ticking clock." In Seven Days, Dan Bolles talks to the show's British creator, Seth Honnor—including about what's been done with the money in the past. Like, buying a time-share boat for cruising Dutch canals, cleaning them up along the way.
And wait! There's one more. On Sunday at 3 at the First Congregational Church of Lebanon, Upper Valley Music Center's new "collaborative pianist" William Ögmundson will perform Schubert, Gershwin, ragtime, his own original compositions—and engage the audience by inviting suggestions for a spontaneous improvisational composition during the concert.
And let's just ease into this weekend with...
from Yinguica's album of slower-paced Mozambican Marrabenta music.
Have a lovely weekend. See you Tuesday 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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