Calendar of Events July 26, 2018
July 26 & 27
Join the Hour-Glass Youth Theatre for its exciting new production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The play follows a young woman and her best friend as they flee a society in ruins from conflict and an imbalance of power. Love blossoms as paths cross, mischief abounds, people grow and change. While on the crumbling streets of the city, society is losing its humanity, the world outside reveals a vast beauty that may be able to re-awaken the magic of life. A sort of dystopian Robin Hood tale.
Show dates are: Monday, July 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston; Thursday, July 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Bixby Memorial Library in Vergennes; and Friday, July 27, at 1:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. Tickets for the Off Center shows are available online. All other shows by donation.
July 29
Chittenden County Historical Society Annual Meeting & Program: The Legacy of Michael C. Dorn; A Carbonated History at 2:00 p.m. Community Center at 245 Pine St. (Bobbin Mill Apts.) — right across Pine St. from the old Soda Plant where the original Venetian Ginger Ale was made! Join us for the 2018 Annual Meeting and program by Justin Bunnell. Justin is the current owner and re-established Venetian Beverages in 2017 exactly 100 years after the original. He is the great-great-grandson of Michael C. Dorn a German immigrant that moved to Vermont in search of a better life.
Michael C. Dorn established an eatery in the old Strong building labeled Dorn’s Cafe where he first started experimenting with carbonated beverages. Later they moved to Pine street into where the Soda Plant currently sits today. Allegedly, during prohibition, soda trucks were traveling back and forth from Canada. Whether the trucks were carrying back empty Venetian Ginger Ale bottles or other more potent liquids, only Michael C. Dorn himself knew. Venetian Ginger Ale has a deep and exciting Vermont history and Justin as a direct descendant has been able to uncover parts of the fragmented Burlington History. Please visit the Venetian Ginger Ale website for more information. Free admission and light refreshments will be available.
August 3
Author Judy Chaves to present her new book, “Secrets of Mount Philo” At Charlotte Grange from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Refreshments to be served. Contact Heather Manning for more information. Secrets of Mount Philo guides you to more than 30 historic sites in the park, detailing what’s there and placing it within the context of the park’s, state’s and region’s landscape history. In addition, the book contains: a brief narrative of the mountain’s history, from its probable use by indigenous people to the present, focusing on the early 1800s to mid-1900s; more than 25 historic photos and maps, allowing for chill-inducing comparison with what’s there now; a brief section on the mountain’s natural landscape (geology, wildlife, natural communities) and, for the sure-footed and sharp-of-eye, two treasure hunts!
August 25
Vergennes Day at City Park in Vergennes from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The 37th annual Vergennes Day is Saturday, August 25, with a street dance the night before featuring “The Hitmen” from 7 to 10 p.m. Check out 60+ vendor booths in City Park, live music on the bandstand, pancake breakfast at the fire station, horse and wagon rides, Little City Road Race, Lions Club chicken BBQ, and merchant sales throughout downtown.
September 22
Bristol Harvest Festival at the Bristol Town Green, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 22, will be the 20th annual Bristol Harvest Festival, co-hosted by the Addison County Chamber and the Bristol Recreation Department. Activities are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. when the Town Green will come alive with 65+ crafters and vendors, demonstrations, and live musical entertainment on the bandstand throughout the day.
Ongoing
Tours of the historic Clemmons Farm Barn House and exhibits, Saturdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Jackson Clemmons designed the Barn House, restoring and combining two farm buildings from the early 19th century to create what is now transitioning into a space for the community to celebrate African American art, culture and heritage. A work of art itself, the Barn House houses posters from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a superb collection of African art from Jack and Lydia’s travels in Africa, including a selection of West African textiles, Clemmons Family photographs and stories over the generations, and creative works by Charlotte environmental artist Nancy Winship Milliken. More information on the tours and ticket purchases available online.