Vermont Viewpoint

On this episode of Vermont Viewpoint, Guest Host Jim Douglas talks with Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, The President of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, Secretary of Agriculture, and Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College.

We’re back on the road for one last stop on the WDEV 90th anniversary tour and this time we’re in Hardwick at The Scale House. If Ric can avoid eating for the entire two hours, we’ll get to hear about the area’s history, learn about plans for the town’s pedestrian bridge, the Yellow Barn Business Accelerator and downtown development. We’ll also hear about what’s happening in East Hardwick and dive back into the long, great history of the Hardwick Gazette. Listen live or stop in at The Scale House for our live, remote broadcast from Hardwick. 

You can view a video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/ZG1aqqsYsdQ

We’ll spend the 9:00 hour with Vermont author and historian Andrew Liptak discussing his new book, “Cosplay: A History.” After that, Vermont State Police Captain Matthew Daley dives into the work of the VSP’s SCUBA Team. And we finish the morning meeting WDEV All-Star Craig Ladd, currently at Radio Vermont’s WLVB. 

We continue meeting statewide candidates by opening the show with Democratic Secretary of State candidate Sarah Copeland Hanzas of Bradford. Then we chat with WDEV All-Star Tim Lewis and learn how the Friendly Pioneer helped launch him into a career in the media and beyond. After that, national correspondent Bob Ney checks in with news happening around the country and the world. Sally Pollak of Seven Days follows with an update on what’s happening with the Vermont College of Fine Arts. And we finish by discussing Lyme Disease and the Lone Star Tick with State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso. 

This morning, we’re full of candidates and hot dogs. We’ll hear from two Lieutenant Governor candidates – Democrat David Zuckerman and Republican Joe Benning – to start and end the show, respectively. After that, Democratic Attorney General candidate Charity Clark joins us. In between all of the politics, we’ll enjoy some sustenance as we get ready for a month-long celebration in Plattsburgh feting the wonderful Michigan dog.  

We’ll open the show by meeting Chris Winter, a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State. Next, we’ll get ready for Thursday’s Rock the Capital event and hear some new music from Junes, whose new record, “Nothing Feels Right,” will be released there. After that, we’ll get the results of the recent Vermont Wild Bee Survey and discuss what they mean for our pollinator friends. And we finish the morning by talking with Governor Phil Scott.  

It’s time to kick your summer reading into high gear and we’ll spend the first hour getting recommendations from Katya D’Angelo of Bridgeside Books in Waterbury and Diane Grenkow of the Jeudevine Library in Hardwick. After that, we’ll learn all about Waterbury’s Not Quite Independence Day parade and celebration. And then we meet Stephen Bellows of Grand Isle, who is running for Governor in the Republican primary. 

On this episode of Vermont Viewpoint, Guest Host Lee Kittell talks with Keith Longmore- a local resident and businessman recently voted off the St. Albans Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. During the second half of the show, he speaks with Rick and Genevieve Drutchas of the Bee Haven Honey Farm in Putnamville. This farm produced honey that was recently chosen as the Best Tasting Honey in the World, by a National Association of Beekeepers.

Listeners were also encouraged to share their thoughts and memories of fathers or father figures, in honor of Fathers Day.

Break out your lance, shield and sword and get in line for turkey legs. Yes, the Vermont Renaissance Faire is back next weekend in Stowe. We’ll learn all about the special events planned this year. Then Hinesburg singer/songwriter Rik Palieri gets us primed for a few prime music events planned in Vermont. After that, national correspondent Bob Ney checks in with news happening around the country and the world. We’ll also hear from Alison Novak of Seven Days about the Wake Robin Tag Sale.  And we’ll finish the morning with open phone. 

Back on the road again as part of WDEV’s 90th anniversary and this time we’re in Billtown. We’ll be broadcasting live from Bergamot + Amor, makers of beautifully hand-crafted leather bags and gear in Williamstown. Throughout the morning, we’ll learn about the history of the town, meet makers of sweet treats (maple syrup, honey and creemees) and a farm that raises beautiful flowers. And we’ll learn about Williamstown’s iconic Spider Web Farm. Join us on the penultimate stop of this 12-town tour as we hunker down high atop Williamstown.   

If you’d like to watch a live version of this podcast, you can click here