Vermont Viewpoint

Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray begins a series called Seat at the Table this afternoon. The first will focus on broadband access. She joins us to discuss what she hopes to learn from these forums. VTDigger business reporter Anne Wallace Allen provides the latest news on the 1099 tax form kerfuffle at the Department of Labor and looks at the pandemic unemployment numbers that show a high percentage of those unemployed in Vermont being women. Then we hear the latest from Vermont’s palindrome king, Mark Saltveit.

Break out the Cabernets, the Chardonnays and the Pinot Noirs. The first hour is Vermont Viewpoint’s first wine show. We’ll get suggestions and pairing help from Kitchen Table Bistro chef/owner Lara Atkins and master sommelier David Keck of the Vermont Wine Shepherd. National correspondent Bob Ney provides an update on top world and international news stories. Then Colin Flanders of Seven Days explains why some Vermont health care workers are still waiting for their COVID vaccine shots. And we finish the show by hearing about a new book - “The Inland Sea” - by Vermont author Sam Clark.

COVID took care of wiping our Vermont’s Music Festivals last year. We’ll hear from Burlington Free Press Entertainment Reporter Brent Hallenbeck on potential festival plans for this year. Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington will discuss how 1099s were mailed to the wrong people and what his department is doing to rectify the situation. State Architectural Historian Devin Colman joins us to talk about the Modern movement in Vermont and we’ll revisit what was happening on Prickly Mountain 50 years ago.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering three Farm to School Grants this year. We’ll get the details on these programs. Then we speak with music producer Jim Rooney of Sharon who has worked with everyone from John Prine and Garth Brooks to Emmy Lou Harris and Iris DeMent in his long, storied career.  Incumbent Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger talks about his run for a fourth term in charge. And we finish the show discussing the spring Snow Goose Hunting season and looking at Vermont’s other waterfowl.  

Pat McDonald hosts the show while Ric takes the day off. Sue Minter, Executive Director of Capstone Community Action, updates us on the Fuel Your Neighbor fundraising campaign and other Capstone initiatives helping people through the pandemic. Ben Kinsley, a member of the Board of Directors for Campaign for Vermont, talks about the organizations goals and current projects. Gary Frymire, President of the USS Vermont Support Group, discusses his work organizing volunteers and supporting the families of the crew of the new submarine sharing Vermont's name. Mary Moulton, CEO of Washington County Mental Health, tells us the importance of caring for one's mental health, addresses the mental health challenges of the pandemic, and gives us resources in the community for mental Health.

Lee Kittel hosts the show while Ric takes a couple days off. Lee invites Rabbi David Fainsilber of the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe on the show to talk about his and his community's connection to their faith. Writer Larry Olmstead talks about his new book "Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Understanding."

During the first hour, Liz Scharf of Capstone Community Action joins us to discuss the financial counseling and coaching services that they offer. And she’ll discuss some of the programs that community members can participate in. National correspondent Bob Ney provides an update on top world and international news stories. Kevin McCallum of Seven Days will discuss Gov. Phil Scott’s surprise executive order to modernize Act 250, the state’s land-use law. And we finish the show in a festive mood when we hear about the Waterbury Winterfest Wanderlust Challenge.

The USDA has three Dairy Business Innovation Centers across the country. The one that serves all of the Northeast is based in Vermont. We’ll learn what the center is and the many projects it has going on or is about to launch. Next, we stop in Brandon to meet the owners of Swan & Stone Millinery, makers of fashionable and funky hats. And they’ve recently sent one of their designs off to Vice President Kamala Harris. It’s all things Maple with Mark Isselhardt, the UVM Extension Maple Specialist and host of the Vermont Maple Minute. We’ll learn how to sugar, the importance of forestry practices, what it to takes to do backyard sugaring and how to grade your syrup.

We learn about the state’s river system from Richarda Ericson of the Vermont River Conservancy and the work her organization is doing to keep them vibrant. And programs they’ve instituted to give students a better understanding of our river network. Olga Peters, staff reporter for The Commons, provides an update of the Brattleboro selectboard elections, a report calling for expanded restorative justice efforts and reforms to dismantle bias in the police force, and the state library board’s consideration of a name change for Negro Brook in Townshend.

Get ready to start your day with some belly laughs as Rusty DeWees joins us. And he’s got some big news that involves a Mack Truck and a CDL. That’s right, Rusty’s got himself a Commercial Drivers License! Next, we learn all about the historic Northeast Slopes in East Corinth. We’ll talk t-bars, rope tows and family fun. Burlington’s new Director of Police Transformation Kyle Dodson talks about his work to forge a new consensus on policing in the city.  And we finish the show with VTDigger’s projects editor Jim Welch to discuss the controversy surrounding Slate Ridge, a center for military-style training and “professional gunfighting” in Rutland County.