Ten years ago, Burlington education officials were considering shutting down H.O. Wheeler and Lawrence Barnes, the Old North End’s two elementary schools. Both were failing, demoralized institutions with declining enrollments and the lowest test scores among the city’s six primary schools.... Read more

Ben & Jerry’s holds a federal trademark on the shape of the fish-shaped fudge pieces in Phish Food ice cream — thanks to Peter B. Kunin. Before it was sold to Unilever, Vermont’s Finest relied on Kunin to protect its quirky brand from imitators.... Read more

Rusty DeWees thought he might have to stop the show. The comedian, known throughout Vermont as the muscle-flexing, thong-shilling, redneck Logger, was halfway through an hourlong standup set for 90 inmates at the Caledonia County Work Camp last week when he accidentally sparked a near riot. ... Read more

Anyone want to adopt a gigantic Humpty Dumpty? Dude’s roly-poly fun, even if he is a bit fragile.

We’re talking about the Humpty Dumpty sitting on a roof at the eastern edge of Fort Ethan Allen, right before the intersection with Susie Wilson Road. If you’ve noticed the nursery rhyme character’s Colchester gig, you’re probably thinking, “WTF?”... Read more

If you’ve used Canus Goat’s Milk skin-care products, you can thank Andree Falardeau, who started the business in Montréal in the mid-1990s. It had international distribution by 2000, when Falardeau moved to the Mad River Valley.... Read more

For most of the spring, chef Brian Garvison has had his hands full as part of the team opening Griffin’s Publick House in Rutland. With that gastropub now in its soft-opening stage, Garvison is turning his attention back to another passion — Vermont Underground Supper Club.... Read more

Water is the theme but not the medium of Gail Salzman’s sensual solo show of abstract paintings currently at the BCA Center. The veteran Vermont artist is here conducting a “metaphorical investigation of water’s seen and unseen influence on our lives,” according to a wall text introducing her show “Soundings.” Most of the 10 large-scale and three dozen smaller works can readily be read as inspired by the pond outside Salzman’s Fairfield studio and by the Maine seashore, where she paints each June.... Read more

Different Drummer
Gretchen Parlato just needs to get herself another drummer or tell him to play the brushes instead [“Finding Her Voice,” May 29]. His ticketyticketytickety loud rim strikes interfere horribly with her beautiful singing.

James Dylan Rivis
Montpelier

Dutch Treat? ... Read more

“We’re running out of food.” That was the word at 7 p.m. last Friday from Felix Wai, one half of the ArtsRiot team and an organizer of the South End Truck Stop.... Read more

New Orleans’ Dumpstaphunk are an all-star band of sorts, featuring a funkdafied gumbo of ace Crescent City players, including drummer Nikki Glaspie (Jay-Z, Beyoncé) and the two-pronged, low-end thump of bassists Tony Hall (Dave Matthews) and Nick Daniels III (Neville Brothers, Cyril Neville). It also boasts a pair of Nevilles, guitarist Ian and keyboardist Ivan — the sons of Art and Aaron Neville, respectively.... Read more