The pandemic took a toll on Vermont’s creative economy in 2020. Karen Mittleman and Amy Cunningham of the Vermont Arts Council discuss how they developed partnerships to help artists throughout the state and the impact the creative economy has on the state. Then Lee Kittel takes over talking with Wood Energy Coordinator Emma Hanson of Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation about heating and cooling efficiency.

We start the program by learning how to build really strong grant proposals from Barbara Floersch, author of the new book, “You Have a Hammer”. Then we head into the NEK to talk with Kingdom Trails director Abby Long. The Trails have become a wonderful recreational venue and economic driver for the region. Next, CVHHH Executive Director Sandy Rousse joins us to discuss the safety of their staff and patients, how telemedicine is playing a greater role in their work, and the recruitment efforts undertaken by the organization. Then we finish with a century-old Vermont company that you’re going to love learning about – Vermont Glove. 

We begin by learning about Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s new initiative to acquire and restore wetlands in response to funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Listener David Pratt then joins us with his idea to attract more artists to Vermont. Writer and editor Erika Nichols-Frazer discusses a new anthology she’s developed that shares mental health recovery stories. And we finish the show with VTDigger’s Anne Wallace-Allen talking about the scrutiny State Auditor Doug Hoffer has come under recently. 

We go on a trip all around the state with the executive director of the 251 Club of Vermont, Stephanie Young. The group promotes every city and town in the state. We hear about the work of the Vermont Women’s Fund, which supports the self-sufficiency, and economic and social equality of Vermont’s women and girls. 

We’ll start the show learning about the work of the Vermont State Archivist and if there’s been any precedence for the remote opening of the Legislature. Then we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Montpelier’s Savoy Theater. We check in with national correspondent Bob Ney. Chef Emery Gray tells us about some of the wonderful programs going on at the Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. And Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski gives us a look at her position and what she hopes will be accomplished during this biennium.

It was to be a simple act of ratifying the electoral college results. The final step before Joe Biden will be inaugurated as President of the United States in two weeks. But, after listening to President Donald Trump earlier in the day, protestors moved to the U.S. Capitol. There they tore down barriers and eventually forced their way into the Capitol building itself. It is a seminal moment in the history of the country. So, we will allow you to share your thoughts all morning on what you observed in our nation’s capital yesterday.

He is a hero in both the United States and France and a statue of him sits prominently on UVM’s green. But who was the Marquis de Lafayette and what did he do? Historian and author Willard Sterne Randall lets us know. We learn about the Burlington brewery that’s making a beer with all the flavor of an IPA but with no alcohol! And then we hear from a group that is working diligently to protect our pollinators.

With just a day before the new biennium, we continue speaking with lawmakers about what they hope to accomplish in this session. New Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint leads of the Legislative roundup. We hear about the Progressive Party priorities from Burlington Representative Selene Colburn. Then Washington-Chittenden Representatives Theresa Wood and Tom Stevens discuss their district’s needs, which incorporates Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington and Buel’s Gore. We finish off the show by learning about those skiing Cochrans by chatting with Olympic gold medalist Barbara Ann Cochran, mother of recent World Cup Super G event-winner Ryan Cochran-Siegle. 

We’ll start the show by learning about a group in Newport hoping to restore community pride and momentum with the purchase of a boat called the Northern Star. We talk to neighborhood groups in Hardwick and East Hardwick about how they’re boosting their community with cookies, winter hats, gnomes and more. And we talk with House Minority Leader Patti McCoy about the upcoming legislative session.

Farmers Markets are an important part of Vermont’s food economy. We’ll check in with three of the state’s markets to see how they fared in this pandemic year. Bob Ney updates us on what’s happening around the country and the world. Pamela Poulston of Seven Days provides a roundup of some of the top Arts stories in Vermont in the past year. And VTDigger’s Alan Keays joins us to discuss his recent “Tarnished Badge” series. The three-part series looked at what happens to law enforcement officers whose truthfulness has been called into question.