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Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Thomas Paine at War: The Times That Tried Men’s Souls 01/18/2026

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Presented by Jack Kelly, author & historian.

In the final months of 1775, Thomas Paine, a recent immigrant from England wrote Common Sense, the most influential pamphlet of the era. He convinced reluctant Americans to declare themselves independent. Paine then volunteered with the Pennsylvania militia and marched to war as a private. He transferred to the Continental Army and stayed on the front lines of the war during 1776. He accompanied George Washington’s army on their harrowing retreat across New Jersey. He then wrote The American Crisis, the most stirring rallying cry in American history. The new pamphlet boosted morale just as Washington was deciding to cross the Delaware River and counterattack the enemy at Trenton.

In later years, Paine’s stature was diminished because of his enthusiasm for the French Revolution and his publication of a tract defending his deist faith. His reputation never recovered, but he remains for many a towering figure in early American history and one of the most insightful and large-hearted of the founders.

Jack Kelly is an award-winning author and historian whose most recent book is TOM PAINE’S WAR. His other works include BAND OF GIANTS, which received the DAR History Medal, and GOD SAVE BENEDICT ARNOLD, a Finalist for the New England Book Awards. He has published five novels, and is a New York Foundation for the Arts fellow in Nonfiction Literature. He lives in New York's Hudson Valley. 

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Vermont National Guard 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Send-off Ceremony 01/12/2026

From the Vermont National Guard:

Soldiers from the Vermont National Guard’s 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) were honored during a deployment ceremony Jan. 12, 2026, at the Green Mountain Armory here.

Part of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 86th IBCT (MTN), will deploy to Germany where they will serve with Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine (JMTG-U) leading collective and individual training efforts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

JMTG-U is the name given to the mission of training the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is supported by numerous Army units. JMTG-U has trained the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2015. In 2022, it relocated to Grafenwoehr, Germany and resumed its role. Since then, the training continues to evolve based on the needs of and in coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The deployment ceremony allows civilian and military leaders to recognize the Soldiers and their families of the 86th IBCT(MTN) for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice as they embark on this important mission. The highlight of the ceremony will be the official hand off of the Vermont battle flag; between the Major General Gregory Knight, The Adjutant General, and COL Frank Tantillo, Commander, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The Soldiers and their families were praised for their dedication to duty and selfless service. Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, the Adjutant General of Vermont, also shared remarks during the ceremony.  

The 86th IBCT(MTN), which is headquartered in Vermont, includes units in six states, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Colorado. The brigade's mission is to provide trained and ready mountain Soldiers capable of deploying anywhere in the world, under any climactic conditions.

For more information visit: https://vt.public.ng.mil/About/Units/86th-Infantry-Brigade-Combat-Team-MTN-/

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: How Vermont Became Iconic: From Backwater to Wonderland 11/16/2025

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Presented by Dr. Douglas Slaybaugh.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: The "Losers" of the American Revolution: Loyalists, What They Lost, and Why We Should Care 10/19/2025

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Presented by Alexandra Garrett, professor of early American history at Saint Michael’s College.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Uncovering Artifacts in the Attic: the Archaeology of the Archaeology at Ethan Allen Homestead and Interpreting its Changing Landscape 09/28/2025

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Presented by Niels Rinehart, archaeologist and Lands Administration and Historic Resources Coordinator with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

This presentation is part of a 3-year conservation project sponsored in part by grants from Vermont Humanities and the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership — as well as over 1,000 volunteer hours from over 100 volunteers!

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

St. Paul's Cathedral Weekly Silent Witness & Vigil for Peace 09/20/2025

From the organizer:

St. Paul's Cathedral hosts a weekly silent witness and vigil for peace.

St. Paul's Cathedral is located just a few blocks west of Burlington's vibrant Church Street Marketplace with views of Lake Champlain. We are at the corner of Cherry and Battery Streets, across from Battery Street Park.

For more information visit: https://www.stpaulscathedralvt.org/

4th Annual Town of Essex Community Day Festival 09/20/2025

From the Town of Essex:

Join us for our 4th annual Town of Essex Community Day Festival!

Our Community Day Festival celebrates everything that makes the Town of Essex Special. Town residents and neighbors from surrounding communities are invited to join us for a day of fun and entertainment. Kids will enjoy hay rides, festival games, and treats at our Kids Carnival, while adults can shop local vendors, enjoy fare from area food trucks, and network with local businesses and organizations. Whether you explore our expansive touch a truck, relax on a hay-drawn wagon ride, or dance to the live music, there's sure to be something for everyone.

Essex is a great place to live, work, and play. We strive to build a culture of community through fun events for all ages. Join us for Community Day.  

For more information visit: https://www.essexvt.gov/1466/Community-Day-Festival-2025

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Vermont: The State with an Outsized Influence on our Country 08/17/2025

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Presented by Jim Douglas, former Governor of Vermont.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Thomas M. Achenbach Memorial Talk - Was This Owned By Ethan Allen?: A Look at the Artifacts (and Legacy) Ethan Allen Left Behind 07/20/2025

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Presented by Katie Grant, Collections Manager at Vermont Historical Society.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Lafayette 200 - Bicentennial Farewell Tour of America: Winooski Farmer’s Market 06/29/2025

From Lafeyette 200:

Now in its 20th year, French Heritage Day celebrates Vermont’s rich French history and heritage, as well as Québecois culture. The celebration features: live French music, guest market vendors with French-inspired goods, a French Bread and Pouding Chomeur baking contest, kids and professional Waiter Races, a visit from Revolutionary War General Marquis de Lafayette, Plein Air painting, Petanque lawn games, local history and genealogy resources, and French language speaking, all in addition to a full farmers market. The Heritage Winooski Mill Museum will be open in the Champlain Mill.

For more information visit: https://lafayette200.org/

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