Vermont Viewpoint

The first hour of the show is the Book Show! Get ready for a full hour of excellent suggestions that will make great gifts for those who aren’t on the naughty list. After that, national correspondent Bob Ney brings us up to date on national and international news. Then Chris Farnsworth of Seven Days digs into the history of Burlington’s Memorial Auditorium and its possible future. And, following President Biden’s lead of releasing some of the country’s oil reserves, Quebec’s maple syrup cartel is releasing half of its reserves. We’ll learn about the organization and its decision to sell off some of the syrup. If you're interested in seeing a list of the books discussed during the Book Show, check out our Facebook Post Here

The morning begins with us learning about the radio play, “It’s a Wonderful Life” being performed at UVM with many new and different twists. Next, we visit Winooski’s Pleasant Ranch. It doesn’t have any cattle, but it does have plenty of amazing pieces crafted from wood, including the most stylish bird houses you’ve ever seen. After that, we learn about the work an NEK organization called Umbrella. It elevates the voices of women, families, and survivors of interpersonal violence. And we finish the program speaking with VTDigger’s Emma Cotton about the latest on Act 250 and the curious case of the Hoyt Hill Farmstead cows.  

We open the show discussing COVID, the flu and the ethics of doctors who choose not to treat unvaccinated patients. Then we hear about the beautiful, new work performed by the Vermont Choral Union, “Mass in the Time of Pandemic.” After that, we head to Bridport, where some outstanding varieties of cheese curds are being produced. And we finish the show meeting the Bethel woman who zipped around to all 251 of the state’s cities and towns on an e-bike in 32 days. 

Maybe the Vermont Long Trail is out of your league. Then try the Cross Vermont Trail. We’ll start the show learning about this trail that runs from Burlington to Wells River.  Next, we open up the phones for a half hour. Then national correspondent Bob Ney checks in. After that, Ken Picard of Seven Days shares what he’s learned about the Vermont Vanity plates that you’ll never see on the highways and bi-ways of our state. And then Governor Phil Scott joins us to finish off the morning.  

For over six decades, there has been a group in the state righting and cleaning grave markers, clearing brush, fixing fences, repairing damaged markers and recording inscriptions. We’ll hear about the work of the Vermont Old Cemetery Association. Then, we open the phones for a half hour. After that, we’ll discuss why Vermont has seen such a steep rise in opioid deaths and what can be done about it, when Health Department Deputy Commissioner Kelly Dougherty joins us. And we end the show by learning about the Just Food Hub, which distributes ethically sourced food to buying clubs formed by local charities and nonprofit organizations.  

We open the show hearing about the novel “Horodno Burning” from author Michael Freed-Thall. It’s set in late-19th century czarist Russia, when Jews were persecuted and women had few opportunities. Then we spend time with a Vermonter who has been the 8-time world boomerang champion and has 30 patents, Eric Darnell of Strafford. And we finish speaking with Senator Patrick Leahy, who has decided to end his political career after eight terms in Washington. 

On this episode of Vermont Viewpoint, Guest Host Gov. James Douglas talks about the Border Closure with Canada, the retirement of Tom Messner, and he checks in with Bob Ney. He then speaks with Jason Gibbs about elections here in Vermont, and lastly with Matt Dickinson a professor of Political Science at Middlebury College

The Global Warming Solutions Act created the Vermont Climate Council. We’ll talk to one of its members, Abbie Corse, about the council’s work and about her family’s dairy farm in Whitingham. Next, we’ll meet a Marine veteran who turned to ultra-marathoning as a way to outrun the demons that haunted him during his military stint. Since the beginning of the pandemic, pet owners have noticed that it is taking longer to get appointments at their veterinarians for visits, surgeries, and even urgent cases. We’ll speak with Dr. Bradley Temple of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association to learn why. And we finish by meeting the Vermonter who won two equestrian Olympic gold medals in Montreal and learn about the company he’s founded making saddles that can relieve back pain for both the horse and the rider. 

We’ll open the show with open the phones and see what our brilliant listeners have to say. After that, we’ll hear from national correspondent Bob Ney and get his reaction to Sen. Patrick Leahy’s decision not to run for re-election.  That’s followed by Jordan Barry of Seven Days explaining how a new wave of Vermont distillers are pushing for legislators to modernize liquor laws. After then, we get seriously jazzy as Eugene Uman from the Vermont Jazz Center joins us. And we finish off the morning discussing Alzheimer’s and the challenges of those providing care for their loved ones.  

We’ll let you chat us up for the first half hour as we open the phones. Then we hear from State Sen. Phil Baruth on the 2017 biography he wrote about Sen. Patrick Leahy. Next, Lt. Gov. Molly Gray joins us to discuss what she learned from her statewide “Recover Stronger” Tour and what will happen on her upcoming White House visit. And we finish the show speaking with VTDigger’s Sarah Mearhoff about how the Leahy decision not to run again could shake up Vermont’s 2022 election season.