We are excited to hostLt. Governor David Zuckerman as he travels the state hosting a series of book readings from banned books at local bookstores and libraries. These events will feature special guests who will join the Lt. Governor to discuss with the audience the importance of free speech, inclusion, democracy, and open dialogue.
Around the country, we have seen the proliferation of book challenges and bans by school districts and local governments. These bans often target books that feature LGBTQ+ characters; talk about gender and sexuality; highlight racial disparities; or talk about difficult issues such as substance abuse and cases of police violence. Students, teachers, and curious minds should be able to access materials that spark critical thinking, cover difficult topics, and appeal to diverse interests without fear of government interference.
Protect Our Wildlife presents their new family-friendly coyote presentation, called ‘All About Coyote Families!’ This event is suitable for the whole family, including children. Participants learn about coyote families, where they sleep, what they eat and what makes them so special. The presentation will address some of the common myths about coyotes in an effort to help people better understand them and promote coexistence
Please join us as Gossens Bachman Architects, Vermont Integrated Architecture, and Weimann Lamphere + ReArch present their conceptual designs for a renovated and expanded Ilsley Public Library. Over the past several months, these design teams have been developing conceptual plans as part of a design competition. We have reached the exciting moment where the plans are being unveiled to the public, and community members can ask questions and provide feedback. Community input is critical as the Project Team works to evaluate the designs, and we hope you will attend! Producer: MCTV
Paradoxically, the Internet has made it both easier and harder to find “truth.” Almost everything we could ever want to know is available online, but how can we tell the good sources from the bad ones, discern fact from assumption, and distinguish “fake news” from the real thing? And how can we effectively communicate with others when discussing or debating public issues in the news? Veteran journalist and educator Mark Timney will explore these questions and share strategies for evaluating news sources in the rapidly changing digital information age. A Vermont Humanities Program.
Rachel Baird, Peace Ambassador for Servas International Join Rachel Elion as she shares her experience attending the March United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, (CSW67) where the Secretary General was quoted in opening statements, “gains are being erased.” Learn about how technology can harm women’s rights and how innovation in technology will help. Producer: MCTV
Sas Carey, who will travel to Mongolia for the twentieth time this summer, will speak on how nomads live in Mongolia today. Having just released a book, Marrying Mongolia, she will show slides and share stories of Mongolia, and a short film, Gobi Children’s Song, which shows a few days in the life of a nomadic family in the Gobi Desert. Sponsored by the Addison County Retired Educators Association.
Ann Hazelrigg has seen it all. Close up. Under a microscope. Vermont gardeners weed samples, garden diseases and insect infestations. It’s all part of her work as director of the University of Vermont Plant Diagnostic Clinic and her experience in the field and in her Williston home gardens. In this seminar she will tell what she saw in 2022, what is coming, what to do about them, and to give gardeners hope. Ann will include updates on spongy moth, beech leaf disease, jumping worms, leek moth and spotted lantern fly, among other invaders! (Note: This talk was presented at the Flower Show & qualifies for Master Gardener Continuing Ed hours.) This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Middlebury Garden Club.
Local author, Matthew Hongoltz-Hettling, discusses his new book, If It Sounds Like a Quack…A Journey to the Fringes of American Medicine. A bizarre, rollicking trip through the world of fringe medicine, filled with leeches, baking soda IVs, and, according to at least one person, zombies.
A talk with Sarah Stroup, Middlebury College professor of political science and director of the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation. Conflict is part of the human experience. The field of conflict transformation (CT) explores how destructive conflicts become relatively constructive and how people can conduct themselves to foster such changes. In 2022, Middlebury received a seven-year, $25 million grant to expand the work of conflict transformation throughout the institution. In this talk, Professor Stroup outlines the challenges and opportunities of this major initiative.
Local author, Meg Madden, discusses her new book, This is a Book for People Who Love Mushrooms. A celebratory compendium of nature’s weirdest and most wonderful fungi, with gorgeously illustrated profiles of notable mushrooms and information on foraging, understanding, and appreciating these magnificent living things. Recorded 3/7/23 Producer: MCTV
Staying healthy starts right in the perennial garden. Many beautiful and hardy herbs can be used to address common health complaints while doing double-duty as ornamentals, cut flowers, and pollinator attractants. Red Wagon Plants nursery herbalist Sophie Cassel will introduce some lesser known perennial medicinal plants and give tips on selecting, growing and harvesting for both garden function and therapeutic use. www.redwagonplants.com
Sponsored by the Middlebury Garden Club. Producer: MCTV
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]During his presentation McCright discusses the changes he has seen during his three decades in journalism, and offer some information on how the Addison Independent will both adjust and grow in the future — even in this coming year! “The way that a community newspaper covers the news is changing in this digital age,” says McCright, “but the role of the community newspaper continues to be the same as it has been for the last century or two: to help glue together the people and institutions in Addison County by showing what is going on.” John McCright oversees the gathering of news for the Independent, managing a staff that includes three full-time reporters, a photographer, an online editor, a copyeditor, and many outside contributors. He works closely with the publisher, production department, advertising staff, and front-office crew to make sure the news gets to the community.
Part of AAUW/Ilsley Library Speaker Series[/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Local Charlotte author, Giovanna “Jo” Brunini Congdon discusses her new book, Never a Cloud. Some things can only be hidden for so long. Some things are too difficult to talk about, and some things you have to repeat even when no one is listening . . .Never a Cloud charts the course of three women—Violet, Ava, and Margot— who find their way to a new understanding of home and family at Otyrburn, an estate in rural Scotland. We are happy to be partnering with Vermont Book Shop for this local author series. Recorded 2/7/23 [/ezcol_2third_end][ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV
Public, Educational, and Governmental Access for Middlebury, Vermont
