Oral History

Moments with Melinda: Interview with Thea Alvin - Stone Mason, Stone Artist of International Acclaim 08/26/2022

From Thea Alvin:

The summer of 2022 will be my 38th year as a stonemason. I began at the age of sixteen working for my father as his mason tender (yes, I expect you to be doing the math right now, and that's OK). I mixed mortar and carried bricks as fast as I could.

When other little girls were playing with dolls... I was eating my fifteen pounds of dirt.

I live in a funky farm house in rural Vermont where we are allowed to freely express our feelings. We experiment with color and texture and dance in the rain and play in the mud. Life is full and rich. I look at life with a smile and find the humor in the silliest of things. When I look at the stars at night I know, like many, that I am insignificant.

The work I do happens with me, through me and not so much because of me. My plans for the year include loving and working with lovers of earth and stone all around the globe, if I root in a place, I will stay there and cultivate it.

I've recently completed the building of a new house and barn: My sculpture park is expanding and I invite you to visit, especially if you want to tell stories and wave your hands in the air and laugh. If you dance you are also welcome, or sing and dance, that's OK too.

Artful Word: Futures Collegiate Baseball - Lake Monsters 08/16/2022

The Futures Collegiate Baseball League Championship took place in Burlington, VT. Vermont's Lake Monsters team finished in second place.

The Juxtaposition: Walk In Power 08/11/2022

From the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance:

A program about issues affecting Black Folks and Black Folks effecting change.

The struggles and advances of Black folks throughout our national history of slavery and its current legacy have infused in our DNA an indisputable resilience. Realizing the untapped power that exists in us is a life altering awakening. It is liberating, exhilarating and infectious. It is our challenge to walk in this power and cultivate it in others. We’re joined today by a community member who walks in power.

Guests: Rajnii Eddins, Spoken Word Poet/Emcee and Teaching Artist; Christine Hughes, Director of the Richard Kemp Center

Originally from Seattle Washington, Spoken Word Poet/Emcee and Teaching Artist Rajnii Eddins has been engaging diverse community audiences for over 27 years. He was the youngest member of the Afrikan American Writers Alliance at age 11 and has been actively sharing with youth and community in Vermont since 2010.

Christine co-founded Uncommon Alliance, the first grassroots, local effort to initiate race data collection with the local police department. She is the Principal of New SeasonsVT and the Director of CALEOVT. She served as the first Chair of the Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Advisory Panel. Christine also created a Workforce Development program at the Burlington CJC as a contractor for the state for 12 years. Most recently she served as Senior Employment Consultant for Hireability and VABIR over the past four years.

Dennis Lutz - Essex Public Works Facility Dedication 08/03/2022

From the Town of Essex:

The Town of Essex highway garage and other buildings at the public works site is officially dedicated as the Dennis E. Lutz Public Works Facility. Public Works Director Dennis Lutz recently retired from his position after working for the Town for 38 years. Dennis shared his vision for the community as he developed, created, innovated, and led his department and the Town to reach incredible milestones.

Vermont Breakfast on the Farm 2022 07/16/2022

The Vermont Breakfast on the Farm event at Gosiglia Farm in Addison County was celebrated by 2,500 visitors. VBoTF is a volunteer-run nonprofit supported by members of the VT agriculture community including the VT Agency on Agriculture.

For more information on future events: vermontbreakfastonthefarm.com

Interview with Jake Hollenbach 07/15/2022

Town Meeting TV Intern Theo Wilton interviews Jake Hollenbach, pro cyclist who has been racing for over ten years.

Celebrate Life: Rich Feeley 07/15/2022

From Gary De Carolis:

Five words: Dedicated, driven, loyal, compassionate, and sober

Rich Feeley

Born: 3/24/44, Newark, NJ

Graduate: St. Michael’s College 1967 (BA)

Married: Theresa Gouvin 9/9/67

Two children: Brad and Seth

Two granddaughters: Mollie and Summer

Disability: I’m an above the knee leg amputee. Lost my leg as a result of a horrific injury in a rugby match in 1970 playing for UVM Rugby Club.

Athletics: I was very active as a kid in all sports. I’ve also been involved as a disabled athlete in competitive downhill skiing, wheelchair racing and golf. Still play golf regularly.

Democrat

Recovering alcoholic. Sober since 1983.

Currently reside in Colchester, Vermont and Ocala, Florida with my wife Terri of 55 years.

Hussein Mubarak Celebration of Life 07/12/2022

Celebration of life for Hussein Mubarak led by family and friends. Hussein was a neighborhood youth who grew up in the ONE and who was killed in Burlington's Old North End on July 7, 2022.

Nat Ayer Service 07/09/2022

Family and friends gather at All Souls Gathering for a service for Nat Ayer, Founder of CCTV.

Pride 1983 Historic Marker Commemoration 06/26/2022

From Pride Center VT:

June 25, 2022 marks the 39th anniversary of the Lesbian and Gay Pride March and Celebration in Burlington. The Vermont Agency of Historic Preservation has forged a Historic Marker to commemorate the courage of the original marchers and the many in our State who have sustained our ongoing movement that evolved into the vibrant LGBTQ+ communities we see throughout our state.

More info: pridecentervt.org/event/pride-1983-historic-marker-commemoration

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!