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WSESD Independent Budget Review Committee Minutes – Feb 2, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

On a Motion by Elie and seconded by Maggie the committee unanimously approved the draft for publication pending any comments from Frank Rucker, WSESD business manager.

Kristina referred the committee to the motion from the past meeting authorizing Maggie and Kristina to incorporate edits before releasing the report if Frank has minor changes. The committee agreed to let the motion stand, and Kristina agreed to hold an emergency meeting if any issues arise in the next few days which would require substantive rewrites.

Windham Southeast School District Board Windham & Southeast School Union Board Special Board Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”

Dan McArthur Rural School Alliance gave an overview of the Governor’s proposal for educational reforms and gave remarks on behalf of the rural school alliance.

Emilie Kornheiser also gave remarks regarding educational reform proposal and various funding mechanisms

Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting Minutes Feb 12, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

The committee discussed the question of whether a policy in support of immigrant students should be developed, a topic that was also under discussion at the board meeting on 2/11/25. MS cautioned that Pietro has advised to stay away from a new policy, and instead to focus on law and procedure. A vision statement would be fine and would be a way to send a message to the community.

Julie Moir Messervy on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Think Spring and Gardens!  JULIE MESSERVY is known world-wide as a stellar innovator in landscape design. She collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma for a public garden in Toronto. Julie also won the 2024 Vermont Woman-owned Business of the Year Award. Check out this show – her presence is dynamic and inspiring!

Sol y Canto and The Soubrettes Set to Perform at Next Stage Arts on March 15th

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts is thrilled to present a special evening of live music on Saturday, March 15, 2025, featuring two dynamic and highly acclaimed musical groups: Sol y Canto and The Soubrettes. The concert will take place at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT, starting at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available now:
$22 in advance / $25 at the door / $10 for livestream access.

Sol y Canto: A Celebration of Pan-Latin Sound

Sol y Canto is an award-winning, Pan-Latin ensemble led by Rosi Amador (Puerto Rican/Argentine singer and percussionist) and Brian Amador (New Mexican guitarist, singer, and composer). For over 30 years, this innovative duo has brought Latin rhythms, soulful vocals, and evocative lyrics to audiences across the country and beyond.

Putney Community Song-Along at Next Stage Arts – A Night of Music and Celebration

by hahrenholz | Music

Get ready to sing your heart out at the Putney Community Song-Along on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 7:15 PM at Next Stage Arts in Putney, VT. This fun-filled evening of music is part of the March Putney Community Supper and invites everyone to join in for a lively sing-along experience!

Led by local musician Rich Grumbine, the song circle will feature a wide variety of well-known tunes, ranging from folk and gospel to Beatles hits, golden oldies, classic pop and rock, children’s songs, and even show tunes. With over 100 songs in the digital songbook, audience members will take turns choosing their favorites, and the lyrics will be projected on a screen so everyone can sing along.

Sons Of Town Hall and Alice Howe & Freebo at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present folk music duos Sons Of Town Hall and Alice Howe & Freebo on Friday, March 7 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage.

Sons of Town Hall, the transatlantic folk duo of American songwriter/author David Berkeley and British songwriter/producer Ben Parker, is creating an entirely new performance genre. Part live concept album, part performance art, they conjure their timeless mythic universe under the aliases Josiah Chester Jones and George Ulysses Brown, 19th-century vagabonds who travel the world in a hand-built boat to escape troubled pasts and search for adventure and love. Designed as a live companion experience to their gorgeous radio-theater podcast “Madmen Cross The Water,” The Sons weave their wild and hilarious stories between their heartbreaking and rousing songs, taking audiences on a deeply imaginative trip every show. Both the Sons of Town Hall concert and the podcast offer escapes from the everyday, temporary relief from the woes of the modern world. Listeners and concertgoers alike are left transfixed and transformed, in awe of Sons of Town Hall’s harmonies, and drunk on adventure and the tragic beauty of the human condition.

Vermont Slide Guitarist Joel Veena Releases New Album CARDINAL

by ragajoel | Music

Joel “Veena” Eisenkramer has released his latest album of original and traditional music played on the 20 stringed Hindustani slide guitar on February 7 on his website, JoelVeena.com, and through Bandcamp. “CARDINAL is a sonic journey I designed to be listened to from beginning to end. I’m inspired by the popular albums of my youth and I think it’s meaningful to try placing traditional music in new contexts that new listeners can relate to.” says Eisenkramer.

Featuring 8 original tracks (plus one bonus track for those who purchase online), CARDINAL is a self-produced labor of love several years in the making. It opens with a sung poem and then launches into Eisenkramer’s original fusion track ´Resistance´, which melds the Indian slide guitar with electronic drums and deep bass. From there, listeners are taken through original music composed within the traditional idiom of North Indian raga progressing towards a full, multiple movement treatment of the traditional evening raga Bageshree. Eventually wrapping up with a Hindi version of the opening poem, composed and performed by Eisenkramer’s spouse, cultural arts curator Vidhi Salla.

Bo Foard on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Culture

One of the folks in town who brings great work, great food and always, great vibes into the heart of our community. BO FOARD’s expertise and energy support many local organizations, and he has a magic touch in collaborating….and the kitchen!

Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards, plus Emily Margaret at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present roots music trio Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards, plus singer/songwriter Emily Margaret, on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage.

Laura Cortese is a prolific songwriter, vocalist, and fiddler who artfully blends American roots music with indie, electronic grooves, and pop powerhouse vocals – all the while appealing to a broad audience from millennials to seasoned folkies. Along with Laura, Valerie Thompson and Isa Burke feature a nearly symphonic hybrid of countless traditions and influences, full of rich interplays of virtuosic string instrumentation. Drawing upon their combined decades of experience in a rich variety of styles, the trio uplifts songs with orchestral string arrangements and layered vocal harmonies.

Glen David Andrews Dance Party Coming to Putney: A Night of Explosive New Orleans Funk and Soul

by hahrenholz | Music

The vibrant sounds of New Orleans are coming to Putney this Valentine’s Day! Glen David Andrews, a native son of the legendary Treme neighborhood, will bring his electrifying performance to Next Stage Arts on Friday, February 14th at 7:30 pm. Known for his commanding voice, fierce trombone sound, and unforgettable stage presence, Andrews will light up the night with a powerful blend of jazz, funk, gospel, and rock that will have you dancing in the aisles.

With a career that spans across genres and continents, Andrews has earned his reputation as one of New Orleans’ most dynamic musical forces. Whether collaborating with iconic acts like Galactic, Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, and Allen Toussaint, or headlining major festivals like the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Andrews’ music transcends boundaries and captures the heart and soul of New Orleans culture. Expect a high-energy, feel-good show that blends explosive brass sounds, soul-stirring grooves, and the infectious energy that only a true New Orleans legend can bring.

WSESD Board Appointment

by Not Signed In | Education

At a special meeting on January 21st, the WSESD Board appointed Dummerston resident Jessica Everlith to temporarily fill a vacancy on the board. Ms. Everlith will fill this seat until such time as a candidate can be elected to fill the remaining year of the vacancy created by a recent resignation. On the March 4th Town Meeting Day, registered voters of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford and Putney will be able to vote for the candidate of their choice to fill this Dummerston seat on the board.