How a Pair of Roller Skates Helped One Woman Rediscover Joy
For 16 years Susan Barrientos felt trapped in an abusive marriage. Through it all she held onto a beloved pair of roller skates that would eventually set her free.
StoryCorps
“I Was Born In A Refugee Camp.” Two Sisters Reflect On Struggle And Survival
Sisters Mai Lo Lee and Beth Lo grew up in a large Hmong family on a ginseng farm in Wisconsin. But their story dates back to the American War in Vietnam.
Originally from Laos, the Lo family fled persecution after the country fell to communist forces in the mid 1970s. The new regime declared the Hmong people enemies of the state, as they’d fought alongside the U.S. against the communist government.
The Lo family in the Ban Vinai Holding Center, Thailand, in 1980. Photo courtesy of Mai Lo Lee.
Originally from Laos, the Lo family fled persecution after the country fell to communist forces in the mid 1970s. The new regime declared the Hmong people enemies of the state, as they’d fought alongside the U.S. against the communist government.
The Lo family in the Ban Vinai Holding Center, Thailand, in 1980. Photo courtesy of Mai Lo Lee.
Divers Reflect on Discovering Their History
In 1959, Albert t José Jones founded the first Black Scuba Diving Club in the U.S. as a senior in college.
Since then the club has grown to over 3,000 members and traveled all over the world training Black divers and coming face to face with history.
At StoryCorps Albert shared memories of 65 years of underwater exploring with his colleague Jay Hailger.
Albert Jones in diving gear in Key West, Florida in 2000. Courtesy of Albert Jones.
Top Photo: Albert Jones scuba diving in the Great Barrie
Since then the club has grown to over 3,000 members and traveled all over the world training Black divers and coming face to face with history.
At StoryCorps Albert shared memories of 65 years of underwater exploring with his colleague Jay Hailger.
Albert Jones in diving gear in Key West, Florida in 2000. Courtesy of Albert Jones.
Top Photo: Albert Jones scuba diving in the Great Barrie
Vermont Public
Explore a featured selection of my Vermont Public stories below.
Donated school supplies help students impacted by summer flooding
On a recent drizzly morning at Barre City Elementary & Middle School, middle school teachers Laura Pratt and Tana Cosgrove are unloading heavy cardboard boxes of school supplies.
“Let's see, so there are backpacks, lunchboxes, we had a bunch of water bottles, lots of crayons and colored pencils, lots of notebooks, binders, folders, pencils, eraser caps, the typical daily needs of really any age level,” Pratt says.
Pratt teaches seventh and eighth grade science in Essex, which is part of the st
“Let's see, so there are backpacks, lunchboxes, we had a bunch of water bottles, lots of crayons and colored pencils, lots of notebooks, binders, folders, pencils, eraser caps, the typical daily needs of really any age level,” Pratt says.
Pratt teaches seventh and eighth grade science in Essex, which is part of the st
Brave Little State’s 6th Annual Brief History Of Vermont Road Names
Segment starts at 23:00
We continue our favorite summer tradition. We’re now in our sixth consecutive year investigating the origins of unusual Vermont road names submitted and voted on by you, our listeners. Our state turns out to be a hotbed for road name creativity!
We continue our favorite summer tradition. We’re now in our sixth consecutive year investigating the origins of unusual Vermont road names submitted and voted on by you, our listeners. Our state turns out to be a hotbed for road name creativity!
What recovery means to a health center in Johnson after the floods
This past November, The Johnson Health Center opened its doors to the community — bringing both primary care and substance use recovery services to Lamoille County.
Nine months later, those same doors went underwater when the Gihon and Lamoille Rivers both overflowed in early July.
The Johnson Health Center is run by Geoff and Caroline Butler, and it’s part of a community-wide network centered around substance use recovery that is now tasked with rebuilding after the flooding.
Geoff is the ex
Nine months later, those same doors went underwater when the Gihon and Lamoille Rivers both overflowed in early July.
The Johnson Health Center is run by Geoff and Caroline Butler, and it’s part of a community-wide network centered around substance use recovery that is now tasked with rebuilding after the flooding.
Geoff is the ex
Vermont's floods washed away gardens providing food security, community for these Burlington farmers
When the Winooski River jumped its banks last week, Alisha Laramee had roughly 100 farmers to notify — in five different languages.
Laramee manages New Farms for New Americans , which is part of the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, or AALV. The program has farming space at the Winooski Valley Park District and the Intervale Center — both areas which were flooded.
By last Friday, the water had receded enough for Laramee to finally survey the damage.
Walking through the fields, Larame
Laramee manages New Farms for New Americans , which is part of the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, or AALV. The program has farming space at the Winooski Valley Park District and the Intervale Center — both areas which were flooded.
By last Friday, the water had receded enough for Laramee to finally survey the damage.
Walking through the fields, Larame
Preservation Burlington Homes Tour returns after three-year hiatus
For the past 20 years, Preservation Burlington has run their annual homes tour. It is their largest event, and it attracts history lovers from all over the state, as well as Canada. It also doubles as a fundraiser.
The group’s tagline reads “keeping history relevant," and the homes tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to peak into some of the city's oldest homes. The pandemic put the tour on pause for a few years, but this year was a return to tradition.
Matt Viens is chairperson of the Pre
The group’s tagline reads “keeping history relevant," and the homes tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to peak into some of the city's oldest homes. The pandemic put the tour on pause for a few years, but this year was a return to tradition.
Matt Viens is chairperson of the Pre
A new documentary with Vermont ties explores a road trip toward shared humanity
These are some of the topics that 10 local high school students grappled with on a three-week road trip from Vermont to Oregon last year. They met with community leaders along the way — ultimately exploring questions about shared humanity.
It’s all captured in a new documentary called "Conversations from the Open Road." It was directed by Alex DeLuise, a recent University of Vermont graduate. And the film chronicles a trip organized by educator Mary Simons.
The film will play 6:30 p.m. Thursda
It’s all captured in a new documentary called "Conversations from the Open Road." It was directed by Alex DeLuise, a recent University of Vermont graduate. And the film chronicles a trip organized by educator Mary Simons.
The film will play 6:30 p.m. Thursda
In surprise, Vermont's deer test negative for COVID-19 virus
New data released late last month shows no evidence of COVID-19 in Vermont's white-tailed deer population.
Federal data shows about 30 states around the country have tested their deer populations for the virus. Some mammals, like deer, are reservoirs for the virus, and scientists have been closely watching to see if the virus mutates.
Vermont is the first state to receive negative results from testing their wildlife for the virus.
“Surprisingly, we didn’t find any positives of the RNA from th
Federal data shows about 30 states around the country have tested their deer populations for the virus. Some mammals, like deer, are reservoirs for the virus, and scientists have been closely watching to see if the virus mutates.
Vermont is the first state to receive negative results from testing their wildlife for the virus.
“Surprisingly, we didn’t find any positives of the RNA from th
Vermont students demand climate action in Montpelier
Friday marked the 7th annual Rally For the Planet — an event which gathered students from all across Vermont to advocate for climate action. The event was hosted by Youth Lobby, a grassroots coalition of young Vermonters fighting for climate justice.
Students gathered at Montpelier High School this morning to begin their march to the Statehouse to demand urgent legislative solutions to climate change.
After the march, a panel of student speakers took turns addressing the crowd. Among the stude
Students gathered at Montpelier High School this morning to begin their march to the Statehouse to demand urgent legislative solutions to climate change.
After the march, a panel of student speakers took turns addressing the crowd. Among the stude
Jill Biden in Vermont: 'What you are doing in this community is the future of our workforce'
First lady Jill Biden visited South Burlington on Wednesday to highlight the importance of connecting the next working generation to technical education programs.
Biden and Gov. Phil Scott toured Beta Technologies, an electric aerospace company based at the Burlington International Airport. And they viewed presentations by students from North Country Technical Center in Newport.
Biden praised Beta Technologies, the Community College of Vermont and others for making it possible for high school
Biden and Gov. Phil Scott toured Beta Technologies, an electric aerospace company based at the Burlington International Airport. And they viewed presentations by students from North Country Technical Center in Newport.
Biden praised Beta Technologies, the Community College of Vermont and others for making it possible for high school
How salad greens stay warm – but not too warm – in Vermont cold snaps
It’s early March, and there is snow on the ground, but inside a hoop house at Bread & Butter Farm in Shelburne it’s at least 25 degrees warmer.
Rayna Joyce is a vegetable production manager at the farm.
A hoop house is a lightweight greenhouse made up of heavy plastic sheeting and a series of arch-like tubes. Bread & Butter has three, and they use them to grow winter greens during Vermont’s harsh winter.
While warm is good in the winter, too warm is a problem. On a full sun day, Joyce says, t
Rayna Joyce is a vegetable production manager at the farm.
A hoop house is a lightweight greenhouse made up of heavy plastic sheeting and a series of arch-like tubes. Bread & Butter has three, and they use them to grow winter greens during Vermont’s harsh winter.
While warm is good in the winter, too warm is a problem. On a full sun day, Joyce says, t
Why doesn't Vermont have freestanding birth centers?
Brave Little State is Vermont Public's listener-powered journalism show. We answer questions about Vermont that have been asked and voted on by you, our audience, because we want our journalism to be more inclusive, more transparent and more fun.
Note: Our show is made for the ear. We recommend listening to the audio posted here if you're able; we also provide a written version of the episode below.
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When it comes to givin
Note: Our show is made for the ear. We recommend listening to the audio posted here if you're able; we also provide a written version of the episode below.
Subscribe to Brave Little State for free, so you never miss an episode:
When it comes to givin
'Time out for turtles': Volunteers prepare Vermont beaches for spiny softshell hatchlings
On a recent clear and breezy Saturday morning in North Hero, dozens of volunteers of all ages gather at a picnic table on the sandy beach.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Toni Mikula collects the group and gets them started clearing the beach.
From August to October of this year, more than 1,200 spiny softshell turtles hatched on beaches in the northeast quadrant of Lake Champlain. According to Mikula, this is the third best year since monitoring began in 2002.
As hatchlings, the spiny so
Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Toni Mikula collects the group and gets them started clearing the beach.
From August to October of this year, more than 1,200 spiny softshell turtles hatched on beaches in the northeast quadrant of Lake Champlain. According to Mikula, this is the third best year since monitoring began in 2002.
As hatchlings, the spiny so
New USDA grant will increase local access to culturally responsive food grown by Vermont farmers
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is receiving a $500,000 federal grant so the state can buy locally-grown food from underserved farmers, then distribute it to Vermonters facing food insecurity.
Julia Scheier with the state Agency of Agriculture says inflation and an increasingly large population of refugees has created a bigger need for accessible, local and culturally appropriate food. That's food that holds significance and meaning in someone's culture.
Scheier said that while the agency re
Julia Scheier with the state Agency of Agriculture says inflation and an increasingly large population of refugees has created a bigger need for accessible, local and culturally appropriate food. That's food that holds significance and meaning in someone's culture.
Scheier said that while the agency re
Food insecurity in Vermont reached all-time highs during the pandemic. Then came inflation
Vermont food banks say they are seeing an increase in the number of people in need of services, driven in part by inflation and the high cost of living.
This comes on the heels of the pandemic, when Vermont experienced record-high levels of food insecurity.
The Vermont Foodbank, which is the state’s largest anti-hunger organization, said increased need can be measured by the number of households that are served at the fresh food direct distribution sites. Over the past three months, the averag
This comes on the heels of the pandemic, when Vermont experienced record-high levels of food insecurity.
The Vermont Foodbank, which is the state’s largest anti-hunger organization, said increased need can be measured by the number of households that are served at the fresh food direct distribution sites. Over the past three months, the averag
The youngest Vermonters have waited the longest for a COVID vaccine. Here's why this rollout is different
On a recent Wednesday morning, 2-year-old Millie Soares enters a walk-in COVID vaccine clinic at the Shelburne Town Offices. She’s holding her dad Bruno’s hand. In the other, a green plastic alien.
After filling out some paperwork, Bruno scoops Millie onto his lap for the big moment while a health care worker cleans Millie’s leg to prepare her for the vaccine.
To distract Millie from the needle, Bruno holds up a bright yellow lollipop, but it turns out they didn’t even need it.
“I was actuall
After filling out some paperwork, Bruno scoops Millie onto his lap for the big moment while a health care worker cleans Millie’s leg to prepare her for the vaccine.
To distract Millie from the needle, Bruno holds up a bright yellow lollipop, but it turns out they didn’t even need it.
“I was actuall
The Frequency: Vermont Public's Daily News Podcast
Inside a temporary pet shelter
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
Undeclared Counties
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
Thru Hiking a Natural Disaster – Or Not
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
A queer comic strip turns 40.
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
Why scientists are helping a vampiric fish
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
Breaking Down Biodigesters
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
Using Tech To Help See
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
The Poetry Experience
The Frequency is Vermont Public's daily news podcast. Get up to speed on what's happening in Vermont, in under 15 minutes. Available every weekday morning by 6 a.m.
Hinesburg Record
Explore a featured selection of my Hinesburg Record articles below.
Major housing development proposed on Mechanicsville Road – The Hinesburg Record
A plan for one of Hinesburg’s largest-ever housing development projects will begin to make its way through a years-long vetting process.
The 106 acre property is on the east side of Mechanicsville Road, and new property-owner Joe Laster — head of Atlanta-based Abraham Properties — has ground-breaking plans for the plot.
The project would develop the land into a 55-unit subdivision with three neighborhood parks and expanded walking trails. The development would include some solar, according to
The 106 acre property is on the east side of Mechanicsville Road, and new property-owner Joe Laster — head of Atlanta-based Abraham Properties — has ground-breaking plans for the plot.
The project would develop the land into a 55-unit subdivision with three neighborhood parks and expanded walking trails. The development would include some solar, according to
Hinesburg’s weekly Concerts in the Park are back in motion – The Hinesburg Record
The community gathered behind the Hinesburg Community School to enjoy some live music for the first time since the pandemic Wednesday, July 14.
Taking the stage was Hinesburg’s Rodney Putnam, a singer and songwriter who has been performing at the Concerts in the Park for many years. Putnam’s performance coincided with the sunset, leaving the audience to bask in a golden field of neighbors, families and friends spectating the show.
At the center of the event’s organization is Hinesburg’s Recrea
Taking the stage was Hinesburg’s Rodney Putnam, a singer and songwriter who has been performing at the Concerts in the Park for many years. Putnam’s performance coincided with the sunset, leaving the audience to bask in a golden field of neighbors, families and friends spectating the show.
At the center of the event’s organization is Hinesburg’s Recrea
Effort to categorize Hinesburg’s natural resources launched – The Hinesburg Record
Development is underway of a map that details an “inventory” of Hinesburg’s unique natural resources.
Creating the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) map is phase one of a two-part effort geared towards protecting Hinesburg’s natural resources through data and site visits. The first part, which involved creating an inventory of Hinesburg’s Natural Resources, took a year and a half. Phase two will involve going out into the field through “boots on the ground work,” which will add to the data coll
Creating the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) map is phase one of a two-part effort geared towards protecting Hinesburg’s natural resources through data and site visits. The first part, which involved creating an inventory of Hinesburg’s Natural Resources, took a year and a half. Phase two will involve going out into the field through “boots on the ground work,” which will add to the data coll
Herbicide treatment to kill milfoil in Lake Iroquois 7 years in the making – The Hinesburg Record
Milfoil — an invasive water-weed that forms dense mats of vegetation and readily reproduces when boats chop up the strands — may soon be tamed in Lake Iroquois after recent treatment with an herbicide.
On June 28, members of the Lake Iroquois Association (LIA) gathered at the lake’s boat launch to watch and celebrate the herbicide application that was seven years in the making.
Eurasian Watermilfoil has invaded Lake Iroquois for decades, with evidence tracing back to the 1990s. By 2014, the sc
On June 28, members of the Lake Iroquois Association (LIA) gathered at the lake’s boat launch to watch and celebrate the herbicide application that was seven years in the making.
Eurasian Watermilfoil has invaded Lake Iroquois for decades, with evidence tracing back to the 1990s. By 2014, the sc
Featured Work
Bonus Episode: Granfran in the Uber
While we’re hard at work on our fall season, which launches Sept 12, enjoy this bonus episode from Joia Putnoi. Joia recorded this conversation with her grandmother Fran Putnoi, or “Granfran,” for a college class. It's about passing recipes and stories from one generation of Jewish women to the next. We think you’ll love it.
Till Forever
A short audio piece exploring how a 50 year old marriage survived the pandemic