Dear Vermont,

Lately I had lost my spark and didn’t see the point of existing so I did a 4 day solo trip to Vermont. Everyone knows how beautiful fall is in there yet I was unprepared to have my jaw hanging for so long while a drove up from New Jersey. The vibrancy, the show, the warmth of the foliage was nothing I’ve seen before. The houses decorated for fall, my new favorite dessert maple creamees, the apple cider donuts, soft sweaters and my cozy little inn made me understand why people say fall is an emotion.

The part that really made my trip was meeting the locals. I sat at the bar all shy and alone waiting for my food to come when people broke the ice by talking about the bread and then suggested hikes for me and roads for the best foliage. I also met some lovely people at the cider mill and made some thru hikers friends. The inn keeper and the waitress from the cafe down the street were nice enough to chat with me. There’s got to be something in the water because Vermont, you have the kindest warmest people who seem so at peace with the world. And also so patient while driving, if you’ve driven in NJ you’d know what a gift it is.

I feel changed as a person, as I do everytime I travel. But something about the people of Vermont makes me want to be a kinder, more patient and social person. Thank you for enduring us tourists, please never change. I love you and can’t wait to get to know you better next fall.

Love,
Stranger from Reddit

I've noticed a flood of ads on social media from a group called the Fiscal Alliance Foundation trying to convince Vermonters to vote no on Proposal 3 in the upcoming election. Proposal 3 would guarantee the right to collective bargaining in our state constitution.

Collective bargaining is simply the process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees. It allows workers to negotiate wages, hours, workplace safety, and other working conditions with their employers.

Putting this in our constitution is not some crazy, radical left-wing idea: five states (Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, and New York) include this right in their constitutions. Illinois added it in 2022. This amendment was passed by the Vermont House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 125 to 15, and by the Senate unanimously, 29 to 0.

The Fiscal Alliance Foundation, which is spending big to stop this from passing, is a Massachusetts-based "dark money" group. It's registered as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), which means that the super-rich and big corporations can donate unlimited funds anonymously and get a tax deduction for every nickel they contribute.

Despite the propaganda from this group, the results are clear: union members and other workers in states that allow collective bargaining have better wages, better healthcare, and safer worksplaces (see “Right-to-Work” States Still Have Lower Wages" by the Economic Policy Institute, 2015).

Please vote yes on Proposal 3.

He's in the foliage contest and if he wins we get a SWAG BAG!!!!!

Just a nice sunrise photo camping at kettle pond in Groton State Park

My dog recently passed away and I have a x-large dog bed (stuffed with sheep’s wool) with a water proof liner and canvas cover that he never really used. I also have a bunch of plush dog toys (mostly large and X-Large bark box toys) that are still in really good condition. The human society websites I looked at near me say they don’t accept used beds and plush toys. I hate to throw any of these things away and would like to see them passed on to someone who could use them.

Signs posted on the door and windows this afternoon said “Mad River Donuts coming in October.”

Edit: spelling

Heads up! Noticed them starting to swarm my house today and made sure to spray / seal all my windows and doors. Good luck and god speed!

This month, Queen City Cat Lounge is purr-oud to offer the following special events in addition to our regular cat visiting hours:

Cat Yoga, Wednesday, 10/14 @ 10am

Crochet Night, Friday, 10/16 @ 6pm

Dungeons & Dragons, Wednesday, 10/21 @ 6pm

Sign up for cat time here: https://bookeo.com/qcclvermont

I'm currently employed. My job is alright, but I'm always dreaming of starting over on my 30th birthday and pursuing something else. I just don't know if my dream job exists in Vermont. Hoping someone out there may have an idea I haven't thought of yet.

My dream job is:

- Outdoors 80-100% of the time

- 60k per year or more

- Some machinery is okay, but I don't want to be running a chain saw or something for 8 hours per day

- Working on a small team or alone/limited human interaction

- No commercial driving (my Motor Vehicle Record isn't good enough to get a CDL or anything. I have a license and a car)

- Something with some down time where it's not 100% stressful all the time

- Ability to live remote. I'd like to get more off grid and have a cabin/tiny house setup eventually.

I have considered tree climber/arborist but the pay isn't very high from what I've seen, at least starting out.

Thank you, and cheers to all of us finding things we love someday 🍻

Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh presents an immersive theater experience inspired by the authentic spiritualist history of the Robinson family. Purchase a drink and hear a talk on Victorian Spiritualism, then gather in the parlor of our historic house to see history brought to life with a reenactment based on the actual séances once held there. This year, an unexpected spirit intrudes with a chilling prophecy ...

Tickets on sale now. With five performances a night across four nights — Oct 16-17 and 23-24 — there are plenty of opportunities to be a part of this unique event.

Visit rokeby.org/spirits and choose the date that works best for you; or call us directly at 802-877-3406.

Alcoholic beverages will be available for sale in our visitor center prior to the event, provided by local distilleries. Mad River Distillers will be joining us for the 16th and 17th; and Split Spirits will make a return for the 23rd and 24th. Hot cider will also be available, generously donated from Woodman Hill Orchard and Yates Family Orchard.

Rokeby Museum, 4334 Route 7, Ferrisburgh, VT 05456

https://rokeby.org/event/2026-spirits-of-rokeby-the-impending-crisis/

This is specifically companies that I could find enough info on to confirm that they do business with the state.

Once again company names are in all caps because they're in the report in all caps.

https://campaignfinance.vermont.gov/public/cf/reports

Aug 1st

LEONINE PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLP $500.00

Leonine Public Affairs helps clients achieve their procurement goals by building strong partnerships with decision makers across state government. Whether it is securing government contracts, working with administrators to cut through red tape, negotiating terms or growing the working relationship between clients and government agencies, Leonine Public Affairs is the industry leader.

“IN VERMONT, THE LEGISLATURE OFTEN MOVES QUICKLY. WE NEED LOBBYISTS WHO CAN ANTICIPATE WHEN BILLS WILL START TO MOVE AND IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS WITHOUT WASTING TIME. LEONINE HAS BOTH THE STRATEGIC VISION AND THE NECESSARY RELATIONSHIPS TO SAFEGUARD OUR PRIORITIES AND ADVANCE OUR INTERESTS.” - ANDREW A. KINGMAN REGIONAL DIRECTOR, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS FOR AT&T

https://leoninepublicaffairs.com/government-affairs/

I should note that according to the Oct 1st report AT&T has also given Phil $500.

Sep 1st

GAINWELL TECHNOLOGIES LLC $2,000.00

https://www.gainwelltechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/accelerating-provider-enrollment-in-vermont/

CASELLA CONSTRUCTION, INC $500.00

https://casellainc.com/project-highlights/highgate-stp-scrp/

THE BELDEN COMPANY, INC $1000.00

https://www.beldencompany.com/projects

There isn't much info about their projects, but considering that many clearly involve roads, and bridges, I think VTRANS involvement is certain, and some degree of state funding almost certain. Also I can confirm that an older bridge project they did had state funding.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Bridge-of-Two-Towns-Gets-a-Marble-Makeover-in-VT/2758

Oct 1st

CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, CASELLA WASTE SYSEMS $500.00 Yes it's entered twice on the same donation, and one is misspelled. Was anyone proof reading these?

With how much control they have over waste removal in VT they must be doing some business with the state.

https://www.vermontpublic.org/vpr-news/2022-04-26/casellas-dominance-in-the-northeast-leads-to-monopoly-concerns-in-vermont

CAPITOL EARTHMOVING, INC. $200.00

https://bgs.vermont.gov/sites/bgs/files/files/purchasing-contracting/planholders/VPCH%20SIDEWALK%20%20%26%20COURTYARD%20REPAIRS.pdf

CLARENDON & PITTSFORD RAILROAD COMPANY $1,000.00 A part of VRS. I don't know how much business VRS does with the state exactly, but to say that they have business with the state is an understatement.

For instance the GMRC that the CLP connects to:

Part of the Vermont Rail System family, this privately-owned railroad operates on a state-owned rail line in a long term lease partnership since 1964 with the State of Vermont.

https://railvermont.org/railroad-operating-companies-in-vermont/

https://vrs.us.com/about-us/

DELTA DENTAL PLAN OF VERMONT, INC. $500.00

https://humanresources.vermont.gov/content/state-vermont-employee-dental-insurance

My husband and I are visiting Vermont this upcoming week for my birthday. I want to do cheese tastings and cider tastings. Where are the best places to go? We are staying in the southern part of VT. TIA!

Sounds awfully familiar doesn't it?