The Bridge

08/21/2025

Rick Winston and Sandal Cate serve up an array of decadent desserts at the annual summer cookouts at the Adamant Co-op, the oldest continuously operating food co-op in the U.S. The cookouts run Friday evenings from mid-July through August. Volunteers feed a hundred or so hungry neighbors and friends. Community and co-op members donate salads and desserts and grillers cook up hot dogs, burgers, and veggie burgers. The funds raised help keep the lights on at the co-op during the cold winter months.

Photo by Terry J. Allen.

08/20/2025

Montpelier Alive noted in a recent e-newsletter that last fall, young photographers from Wilder Arts Studio explored the changing seasons through a landscape photography class, all within walking distance of downtown. Now their 15 stunning photos are on display in the windows at the former Rabble-Rouser storefront on Main Street and there’s a challenge for the community:

Can you guess where each photo was taken? (Hint: it’s not as easy as you might think).

Those who can name all 15 locations correctly could win a $40 gift card to Wilder Arts Studio. The most accurate and specific guesses win, and there’s even a bonus round for extra points.

Stop by 64 Main Street to see the photos, then put your Montpelier knowledge to the test by filling out the answers at bit.ly/montpelierphotos.

Montpelier Alive

https://thebridgevt.org/2025/08/think-you-know-montpelier-prove-it/

08/19/2025

“So this is a different sort of story of immigration because they’re not people who came to America with a plan or even a dream,” an immigration attorney said.

When Nathan Fry served in Afghanistan, he said he met dozens of people who believed in the idea of a free, democratic society and worked tirelessly alongside the U.S. military toward that dream, often at the risk of their own safety.

Photo credit: Glenn Russell/VTDigger Caption: Afghan families from around the state gather in Burlington on Sunday, March 19, 2023, to celebrate Nowruz, a holiday that marks the start of spring and new year in Afghanistan.

VTDigger

https://thebridgevt.org/2025/08/4-years-after-the-fall-of-kabul-afghans-in-vermont-face-a-really-difficult-period/

08/16/2025

“Sorry, Baby,” currently playing at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier, is deservedly one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2025. It astounded me with its impeccable characterization, biting humor, sophisticated narrative structure, and brilliant cinematography.

Screenshot from "Sorry, Baby" playing at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier through Aug. 14.

The Savoy Theater
https://thebridgevt.org/2025/08/sorry-baby-brings-it-all-home-a-film-review/

08/14/2025

By Natalie Bankmann, via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship ELMORE — A pair of environmental stewards have spent the summer trudging through Vermont forests with chainsaws, griphoists to lift and pull wood and rock bars, heavy-duty rods that can move large objec...

08/14/2025

The United States Department of Energy has granted up to $1.2 million (with a required match of 20% — up to $300,000 — from the city) to replace the heating and electrical systems at the Barre Street Recreation Center. Approximately 5,712 gallons of oil use could be eliminated, which represents a reduction in the city’s heating oil usage of approximately 22%, per the city manager’s July 11 report.

Photo by Avi Zimet.

U.S. Department of Energy

https://thebridgevt.org/2025/07/heard-on-the-street-july-23-2025/

08/13/2025

Julia Watson remembers standing on crates with her sister Elizabeth, while working the register at Capitol Grounds in Montpelier in order to reach the counter.

Now things are a bit different.

Since her father, Bob Watson, sold her the business in 2019, Julia has experienced the kinds of business hardships faced by much of downtown Montpelier in the past few years.

Photo by Terry J. Allen.

https://thebridgevt.org/2025/07/montpeliers-capitol-grounds-keeps-the-coffee-and-community-flowing/

08/12/2025

For the past seven years, volunteers have been pulling and clipping Japanese knotweed from riverbanks, open fields, roadsides and plenty of places in between.

They’re part of a joint effort between conservation commissions in three towns — Waitsfield, Warren and Fayston — to fight the invasive plant, which has taken hold along the Mad River.

https://thebridgevt.org/2025/08/to-fight-knotweed-mad-river-valley-towns-let-goats-pig-out/

08/12/2025

Thanks to for the story share.

Wildfires are supposed to be less common in the summer, when the state is usually lush and green, but they appear to be popping up more frequently, the state forest fire supervisor said. by Erin Petenko Most of the state was under a “very high” fire risk warning as of Monday due to dry condition...

08/12/2025

Check out our latest film review by Joe Moser. This one is playing locally for two more days.

“Sorry, Baby,” currently playing at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier, is deservedly one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2025. It astounded me with its impeccable characterization, biting humor, sophisticated narrative structure, and brilliant cinematography. The movie is wise but not cy...

08/11/2025

Bats are everywhere! It may feel that way to some of Vermont’s human residents. Summer is when some species of bats gather in colonies to raise their young in human-made structures such as houses, barns, office buildings, and bat houses.



Photo courtesy of Vermont Fish and Wildlife.

https://thebridgevt.org/2025/08/living-with-wildlife-bats-in-your-house/

08/09/2025

Two water main breaks in Montpelier have shut down Jordan Street and created problems in the area of Country Club Road in Montpelier Aug. 8. The Jordan Street break looked like a big bubbling cauldron about 10 feet in diameter at around 6:30 p.m., but at 4:40 p.m., when it initially blew, it shot water high into the air according to several witnesses in the neighborhood. “It was a straight up geyser,” said Tim Sinnott of Parkside Drive, who was checking out the site with his family. Sinnott said water shot 120 feet into the air.



https://thebridgevt.org/2025/08/two-water-main-breaks-plague-montpelier-one-shot-water-above-the-tree-line/