05/06/2026
I was reading somewhere—most likely on an Instagram story—that millennials are the burnout generation. We work hard, play hard, as if it’s a badge of honor. I’ve been living that, although lately my “play hard” is watching HGTV’s “Rock the Block” and throwing out my neck by picking up my 18-pound dog.
I feel the “work hard” acutely this time of year, when the semester’s end brings a flood of final projects and last-minute pleas for extra credit or a spot in next semester’s class. It’s also when my full-time role as executive director of Butternut Valley Alliance ramps up considerably.
We’re deep into trail clean-ups and creekside plantings, while simultaneously preparing for BVA’s two signature events: On the Trail of Art, a weekend-long forest arts festival featuring student and professional artists, roaming musicians, poetry, and crystal ball treasure hunts; and Butternut Valley Days, two weekends of music festivals, bike rides, a 5K, and community programming stretching across the Valley. The BVA board and volunteer network are absolute powerhouses who make all of these events happen.
All of that—on top of the daily work of building systems at BVA, wrapping up the semester, and publishing Townie—has me edging close to burnout. Speaking of burnished things: to avoid a total flameout, I took a day off and drove to Saratoga for a color analysis session. Apparently, I’m a burnished winter with a dash of dark autumn: a true neutral who can pull off both warm and cool tones, with standout colors in burgundy, raspberry, teal, royal blue, and vibrant purple. Mostly, the experience validated my own instincts, but it was also a welcome break from the endless cycle of emails, planning, and grading. This morning, though, I’m back at it.
This week, I’m looking forward to my “play hard” being literally at plays. It’s the only weekend to see Orpheus Theatre’s spring musical, “Rock of Ages,” featuring power ballads from the 1980s. It’s also the opening weekend of the two-week run of the Party Theater’s “In the Next Room (or the vi****or play).” We are lucky to have such wonderful theater companies in our community, and I’m looking forward to seeing both productions.
May 6-12, 2026
