Culture

Culture story sections

Windham Southeast School District Finance Committee Meeting Minutes – FY25 Legislative Update School Funding

by Not Signed In | Education

Frank reviewed the memorandum from the VT Agency of Education that summarized funding statistics in the Bill The result was favorable (Yield @ $9,893), being close to what was presented at the Annual Meeting ($9,899). This will result in our projected CLA adjusted tax rate to be very accurate unless the Governor vetoes the bill. The Income Yield of $10,110 is a bit lower than the estimate from 3/19/24 (we used 10,300). This adjusts the various calculations that go with Income Sensitivity. The Non-Homestead Rate (business properties and non-residents second homes, etc.) is set at $1.39 prior to the CLA adjustment for each town.

The Legacy of Brattleboro’s Jacob Estey Featured on Local Podcast “That’s One for the History Books”

by cohnpr | History

In episode 47 of their podcast “That’s One for the History Books”, Springfield VT resident Marty Cohn and his colleague Hugh Ryan of Westerly, RI featured the remarkable life and legacy of Jacob Estey, a Brattleboro pioneer in the world of musical instruments.

Jacob Estey, born in 1814, was a visionary entrepreneur and inventor who revolutionized the music industry. Although his name may not be widely recognized today, his contributions are undeniable. Estey began his working life as a plumber’s apprentice at the age of 17 and, before the age of 35, was a partner in plumbing, lumber, slate, and marble businesses. Sensing a business opportunity, Estey took over a share of a small melodeon business in 1852 in Brattleboro, Vermont. A melodeon is a type of 19th-century reed organ.

Tucker Barrett on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

A master and innovator in the art of stringed instruments, Tucker is one of the nicest and most talented guys in town. Tune in for a peek into 80’s & 90’s rock ‘n roll in NYC, and folks who work the music scene back here in Brattleboro.

Some More Funky Music

by cgrotke | Music

I invested some free time in a new musical project that resulted in a new EP of funky tunes, so I thought I’d share. If you like dancing around, or driving around to a funky soundtrack, this might be something that interests you.

As some of you know, my first project had lyrics. Of course I didn’t like my voice, so the second EP, “Kitten In My Funk,” was all instrumentals.

For this EP, the decision was to slowly work back into lyrics – one word at a time. Each song here has a single word lyric, hence the name of the project: ONE.

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents an Odyssey of American Music with Bristol Lightning on June 8

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents an odyssey of American music with Bristol Lightning, on Saturday, June 8 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road, in Putney.

“Bluegrass from Tennessee from Grammy-award winning musicians – what’s not to love?” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Dave Eggar has been on stages around the world in pop, classical, jazz, and so many more settings. He’s an award-winning cellist who infuses a sense of virtuosity and freshness into the Bluegrass genre. We’re excited to host Bristol Lightning.”

In 1927, the first country music records were cut in Bristol, TN/VA, by ordinary people with ordinary stories and the courage to create. Now, almost 100 years later, Bristol Lighting is born in the same town, celebrating the American stories of today. From Aaron Copland to American roots music, blues, bluegrass, and beyond, Bristol Lightning’s live shows take the audience on a high-energy adventure of bluegrass cello and mandolin, blues guitars, tap dance, and storytelling, weaving a powerful and poignant tapestry of the true creativity and resilience of the American spirit.

WSESD Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Education

The Windham Southeast School District Policy & Amendment Committee will meet Wednesday, May 8 2024 at 0:00 p.m. in the WSESU Central Office Conference Room, 53 Green Street, and remotely via Zoom.

Windham Southeast School District Board Meeting Minutes – April 30, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Board revisited Meeting Norms and Code of Ethics, Code of Ethics signed by all board members.
● To determine what the best way is to express appreciation to the staff, the LC Board liaisons will work with the principals to determine what would be best for their school.
● The Board voted to move the June 11th Board meeting to June 4th due to scheduling conflicts
● The Board voted to incur the cost of Doodle Pro.
● The Board tabled a vote on dependent care stipend to an upcoming meeting TBD
● The Board voted against recommending administration hold all retreats, meetings and other events be held within the local district.
● Admin presented comprehensive physical plan/capital plans
● Numerous policies approved for adoptions

Dar Tavernier on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Creative

2024 GOOD FOOD AWARD goes to TAVERNIER CHOCOLATES !! Congratulations Dar & John for First Place in Confections. Take a look at this show and hear all about how and why Tavernier is the best of the best.

Machining Advisory Board Meeting April 29, 2024 Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

Rich Thompson started at 3:00 with a meet and greet. Then went into what we are teaching in Man 1 and 2. Showed students projects and pics of projects that were made in the Welding/Fab shop and the Machine shop. We also discussed that we will be teaching Solidworks next year to some of our Manufacturing 2 students. They will be eligible after completing the class to test so they can earn a certification. It was also discussed that the plan was to have the manufacturing 2 students that are interested in a pathway of welding to earn credentials in welding.Kurt asked what are the details of the certification that we wish to achieve. Rich said this is something we are working towards and do not have all the details currently. He did say that his hope was to work with a company like AirGas to get a certification program started for next year.

Singer/songwriter John Gorka Returns to Next Stage on June 2nd

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present singer/songwriter John Gorka at Next Stage on Sunday, June 2 at 7:00 pm.

Rising from a milieu of lovelorn singer-songwriters, John Gorka illuminates instead with his trademark wordplay, twisting, turning, and tying words and phrases in the way a balloon artist creates complex creatures from simple balloons. Few contemporary songwriters coax language as deftly as Gorka.

For over two decades, Gorka’s keen ear has picked up the stories of those along his path, folding them into poetry and song. His keen perceptiveness inspires people from all over the world to share their stories. By involving those tales in his music, he escapes the trap of introspection that hobbles less-gifted singer-songwriters.

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Contemporary Klezmer/rock Ensemble Midwood on June 1st

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents contemporary klezmer/rock ensemble Midwood, on Saturday, June 1 at 6:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road, in Putney.

“Midwood is a who’s who of klezmer, jazz, and world music. Richie Barshay, the drummer, has played with Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. The violinist, Jake Shulman-Ment, is one of the most sought after Klezmer and traditional violinists in the world,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “We’re bringing some of the old world to Putney for a Klezmer dance party with Midwood. This one will be history in the making.”

Led by violinist Jake Shulman-Ment, Midwood is a contemporary klezmer/rock celebration of freedom and the Jewish tradition of wandering and migration. This new supergroup, featuring some of the most exciting young performers on the international world music stage, seamlessly traverses borders through original compositions, expansive improvisations on traditional melodies, and heart-wrenching re-imaginings of Yiddish folk songs. Their debut album on Chant Records, Out of the Narrows (2018) draws from deep Eastern European Jewish roots to explore the power of love, movement, and wilderness to transform the human mind and heart.