We’re broadcasting live from Norwich University’s Military Writers’ Symposium. During the morning, we’ll hear about the Indigenous perspective on the Arctic and the Russian Arctic defense strategy. We’ll also speak with Adam Higginbotham about his book, “Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster.” And we’ll meet Norwich Corps of Cadets member Larenz Simpson, a triple major and the 2021 Symposium Fellow.  

CVFiber has received a $2.8 million grant in its quest to provide high-speed internet for all of Central Vermont. We open the show hearing about those plans. Next, we learn how a long-abandoned ski resort in southern Vermont is coming back to life through the help of a group of skiers and hikers. Then we hear from adoption experts about Vermont’s efforts to find permanency for every child in the state. And we finish with open phones and want to hear about the wildest coincidences you’ve ever experienced.  

It’s up to the Islands to start the show as we meet the owners of Two Heroes Brewing in South Hero. Next, we learn about the Vermont Specialty Foods Association, its food producers and what they’re making that will enhance your Thanksgiving Day meal. After that, Vermont singer Taryn Noelle has created a dance-based musical called “Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night” that she’ll tell us about. And we finish hearing about Vermont’s Weatherization Program and how you might be eligible for beneficial services.  

As Vermont awaits the resettlement of as many as 100 Afghan refugees, we’ll speak with UVM Geography Professor Pablo Bose about the challenges they’ll face and the benefits of welcoming refugees to the state. After that, we open up the phones for a half-hour. Then we’ll speak with Dr. Allan Kellehear about end-of-life and palliative care. And with long-haul drivers in great demand, we’ll talk to a Milton company that offers training courses for those interested in entering the industry. 

The Vermont Development Conference is being held next Thursday, and we’ll get a primer from Champlain Housing Trust CEO Michael Monte and hear about the work of the Trust. Next, Vermont musician Rik Palieri saw the Monkees with Jimi Hendrix in 1967 and at the Flynn Theater on Tuesday night. We’ll get his thoughts on the two shows, 54 years apart. After that, national correspondent Boy Ney checks in. Then we get a report from Colin Flanders of Seven Days on why hyper-vaccinated Vermont is still seeing COVID cases in big numbers. And we finish learning about getting Barton to be part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program.   

Vermont Principals Association Executive Director Jay Nichols joins us to discuss policies to prevent hate speech during athletic contests and also mask rules for the upcoming winter sport season. Then we speak with St. Michael’s College Psychology Professor Ari Kirshenbaum about his research on e-cigarette addiction. And during the last hour, we hike Vermont’s Long Trail with Dennis and Jane Blanchard, authors of the book, “A Short Walk on a Long Trail.”  

We start off the show discussing the Wheels for Warmth program, now in its 16th year of providing heating assistance for our Vermont neighbors. We then learn about the work being done by UVM’s Center for Research on Vermont and hear from one of the students taking part in their legislative internship practice. After that, we’ll talk to the executive director of the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation and hear about the work they do. And we finish by speaking with a member of Vermont Independent Restaurants about the organization and the challenges their members have been facing throughout the pandemic. 

On this episode, Guest Host Pat McDonald talks with Carrie Stahler from the Government and Public Affairs Office for the Vermont Foodbank, Dr. Meredith Niles from UVM, and Faye Mack from the Hunger Free Vermont Organization.

A coalition of Vermont non-profit organizations rallied in support of the Build Back Better Act last week. We’ll speak to representatives of several of them about the legislation. After that, listen to an interview with The Monkees by Zeb Norris. Then we’ll speak with author and retired Vermont College of Fine Arts president Thomas Christopher Greene about being a Red Sox fan. And we finish by heading to Cuttingsville to learn about the history of the Bowman Family Mansion and Mausoleum and whether it might be haunted.

Star of the Week Corinne Cooper starts off the show with the fascinating history of the town of Berlin. Next, the Pie Guy stops by in time for pie season with some tips on making great pies. National correspondent Bob Ney checks in after that. Then we hear from Chelsea Edgar of Seven Days who has written about the “motor ninja” in this week’s edition. And finally, we get pumped up for this weekend’s Vermont Tech Jam.