The Middlebury Campus

Wild Mountain Thyme closes after 48 years

February 13, 2020

After 48 years of supplying the town of Middlebury with handpicked clothing and eclectic thrift finds, Wild Mountain Thyme closed its doors on Sunday, Jan. 9. Paula Israel ’76, the boutique’s owner, cited retirement as the reason for its closure. “I’ve known I wanted to transition to retirement...

Love…Really: Bundle attendees share amor through stories and song

Bundle’s “Love, Really.?!” moth-style storytelling event on Jan. 24 was attended by dozens of local residents. Among a long queue of live readings and song, organizers hosted an emcee and provided refreshments.

By CHARLOTTE CRUTCHLOW

February 13, 2020

Bundle hosted the second installment of the Middlebury Underground storytelling series on Friday, Jan. 24, where students, professors and locals shared short, Moth-style stories. The subject of these stories was love, chosen by organizers Lisa Mitchell, Matt Laux and Kelly Hickey. “The theme of love is special ...

Considerations from the capital: Vermont legislative updates

Members of the House of Representatives discuss with each other before being called to order by the Speaker on February 6. There was unease before the floor session as Democrats were talking with legislators who voted to sustain the governor’s veto on paid family leave, asking for them to reconsider.

By KAITLYN GIROUARD

February 13, 2020

Electronic cigarettes, climate change, marijuana, the safety of sex workers and paid family-leave are all topics that have come before the Vermont General Assembly this year. The topics have caused consequential debates about what is, and what is not, best for the state. Electronic cigarettes and vaping products have...

College solar farm proposal ignites town-wide debate

Both the initial and current College Solar Farm location proposals were on South Street Extension (pictured above). The current proposed location is on a plot just west of the Eddy Farm School.

By JACK SUMMERSBY

February 13, 2020

Middlebury College is developing a new five megawatt solar farm south of campus in an effort to reach 100% renewable energy usage. The solar installation, which will cost between 8 and $9 million, is being built in collaboration with Encore Renewables, a Burlington-based energy services company, and is expected ...

Otter Creek Bakery maintains essence among changing leadership

Last Fall, Otter Creek Bakery’s previous owners, Ben and Sarah Wood, handed over the 34-year-old establishment to Ned Horton. With new leadership, Horton hopes to retain the essence of the well-loved bakery, with potential expansion projects and menu updates.

By HATTIE LeFAVOUR

January 23, 2020

Otter Creek Bakery, a bastion of baked goods and cardinal coffee counter in the town of Middlebury since 1989, is preparing to take its first steps without the guidance of founders Ben and Sarah Wood. After serving as the business’s right and left hands for more than thirty years, the couple has sold the culinary mainst...

Burlington International Airport to receive federal funding to aid expansion

Burlington International Airport will receive a $10 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, used to fund a Terminal expansion project. Airport administrators hope the addition with alleviate lines at security checkpoints, and reduce the amount of personnel required for passenger processing.

By HAEUN PARK

January 23, 2020

As Burlington International Airport (BTV) celebrates its 100-year-anniversary, it is projected to receive a $10 million federal grant in the fall of 2020, which will be used to expand the size of the airport’s main terminal. In a press release last November, U.S. Secretary of Transportation...

Zuckerman challenges Scott in race for governorship

Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, in a challenge to incumbent Governor Phil Scott, cited the climate crisis as a primary motive for running.

By HATTIE LeFAVOUR

January 23, 2020

Lt. Governor David Zuckerman announced Monday that he will run for governor of Vermont in 2020 in an effort to oust incumbent Governor Phil Scott. Zuckerman, a Progressive who has served as lieutenant governor since 2017, will join former Vermont Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe on the Democ...

Vermont Gas to be Zero Emission by 2050

Vermont Gas Systems, in partnership with Middlebury College and Vanguard Renewables, started construction on an anaerobic digester at Goodrich Family Farm last summer that will produce renewable natural gas (RNG). The utility company plans increase its focus on RNG as part of its mission to become zero emission by 2050.

By JACK SUMMERSBY

January 23, 2020

Vermont Gas Systems, the state’s sole provider of natural gas, announced a plan last year to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions from their operations by 2050. The company also unveiled plans to double energy efficiency savings, outlined strategies to reduce home and business emissions and p...

Tiny houses in Middlebury gain ground

Homes First is a Middlebury-based grassroots organization focused on bringing a tiny house village to Middlebury as a solution to a lack of affordable housing.

By LUCY TOWNEND

December 5, 2019

The nationwide tiny house movement has come to Middlebury in the latest solution to affordable housing. Homes First, a grassroots organization founded and based in Middlebury, is hoping to bring a village of tiny houses to town as a form of affordable, dignified housing. “It all started wi...

Jake Burton leaves legacy as snowboarding industry pioneer

Jake Carpenter (right) passed away two weeks ago after battling on and off with cancer for 8 years.

By FLORENCE WU

December 5, 2019

The snowboarding industry and Vermont community mourns the loss of Jake Burton Carpenter, the founder of the major Burlington-based snowboarding company Burton Snowboards. Carpenter died on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the age of 65. The Stowe resident “passed away peacefully” from complications related ...

Adaptive bike manufacturer teams up with Middlebury Consulting Group

Co-owner of RAD-Innovations, David Black (right), has worked on manufacturing RaceRunning bikes for the last 25 years. It was only in the last year when he was approached by Middlebury Consulting Group as a project partner.

By ALVARO SAENZ

November 21, 2019

Middlebury Consulting Group (MCG) has teamed up with RAD-Innovations LLC, a Cornwall-based adaptive-bike manufacturer currently focused on producing a RaceRunning bike for differently-abled people. In RaceRunning, participants operate a pedal-free custom-built tricycle called the RaceRunner. The...

Alterra Mountain Company acquires Sugarbush Resort

Sugarbush Mountain will continue its operations under the leadership of Alterra Mountain Company.

By ALLY MURPHY

November 21, 2019

This past Wednesday, many Midd students like myself were likely confused when an email with the subject line “Changing But Not Saying Goodbye” landed in their inboxes. In it, Sugarbush Resort owner Win Smith explained that Summit Ventures NE LLC had agreed to sell the majority of its Sugarbush assets to Alterra Mountain Company. Alterra cu...