When the temperature climbs into the low nineties and the sun beats down from a cloudless Vermont sky, the temptation to cool off can be irresistible. Who hasn’t wanted to plunge into a lake or river on a sweltering summer day? From a rope swing, a floating dock, or simply wading into cool water from a hot shoreline, swimming holes have long been part of New England summers.

In Quechee, that tradition has taken on a life of its own.

Climbing the rocks under the Quechee Covered Bridge

When school is out and the mercury rises, it is not unusual to find people stretched across the sun-warmed rocks down-river from the Quechee Covered Bridge, picnicking, swimming, and wading into the Ottaquechee River. Others seek a bigger thrill, launching themselves from the bridge or nearby rocks into the dark pool below — to the delight, shock, or horror of those watching.

Is it a community rite of passage? An easy way to beat the heat? Or a ticket to serious injury?

Guests dining at the nearby Simon Pearce restaurant have occasionally asked staff to call the police after witnessing people jump from the bridge, fearing someone was about to be killed. Restaurant employees, familiar with the local tradition, have politely declined.

On the hot Fourth of July weekend, the river was packed, with parking at a premium. Young and not so young made their way to leap from the base of the covered bridge, from the rocks rimming the swimming hole, and from a rope swing hanging beneath the bridge. Laughter echoed off the granite riverbank boulders as friends counted down, cameras rolled, and one jumper after another splashed into the cool water below.

Everyone was having fun. Some had parental permission. Some undoubtedly did not. Others, being adults, accepted responsibility for their own decisions. On this day, everyone climbed out of the river smiling.

People disagree on exactly how high the bridge is because river levels and jumping points vary, but estimates generally range from 30 to 45 feet above the water — roughly the height of a three- to four-story building.

“It almost feels like a tradition that’s passed from one generation to the next,” said one longtime Upper Valley resident. “Your parents tell you about it, your older brothers and sisters did it, and eventually you decide you’re going to try it yourself.”

Ascending the rock face

For many families, that tradition comes with rules.

Janis Boulbol of Woodstock said she often serves as chauffeur for her teenage children and their friends.

“I lay down the law in advance,” she said. “I tell them exactly what they may and may not do.”

Jumping from the bridge abutment or the rocks is permitted, she said.

“But absolutely no flips.”

The lagoon beneath the bridge, at the base of the falls, appears deceptively narrow but is surprisingly deep.

“It’s 15 to 20 feet deep,” added a nearby father watching the activity. “I’ve jumped there a thousand times and never hit bottom.”

Still, experienced locals are quick to point out that familiarity should never be mistaken for certainty.

The Ottaquechee River conditions are constantly changing

“This river changes every day,” Boulbol said. “Last night we had a big storm. A lot of water could have moved boulders, laid trees in the river — who knows what’s down there? It’s absolutely necessary to assess the area first.”

Nearby resident Brian, of Norwich, had brought his girlfriend, Bridgit, to experience the jump for the first time.

“Today there’s a lot more water than yesterday,” he said. “I didn’t know if we’d be able to jump after last night’s rain.”

Some regulars dive beneath the surface before anyone jumps, checking for submerged trees, rocks, or debris that may have washed into the pool overnight. It’s an unwritten safety ritual born from experience.

Unlike a swimming pool, the Ottaquechee River is constantly changing. Heavy rains can move boulders, shift gravel bars, or deposit submerged logs where none existed before. A landing area that was safe one summer may not be safe the next — or even the next day.

Emergency responders know those dangers all too well. While no documented fatalities have been linked specifically to recreational jumping from the covered bridge, serious injuries have occurred, including a teenager who struck a submerged rock after jumping into the river several years ago.

Hartford Fire Chief Scott Cooney shared that Fire-Rescue responds to approximately one call per year at the Quechee Covered Bridge. “These are not always related specifically to bridge jumping, but they do involve injuries to individuals using that location for recreation,” he said. He emphasized that there is an inherent level of risk with any outdoor activity. The Hartford Fire Department is prepared to respond with an ambulance and rescue truck, and skilled staff to safely administer care and perform carry-out from the site.

Quechee Falls Park, technically a small scenic overlook beside the Simon Pearce Dam, was designed to give visitors a postcard view of one of Vermont’s iconic covered bridges. The steep descent over boulders to the river below is not a maintained public access trail.

Hartford Parks and Recreation Director Scott Hausler emphasized that the park was never intended as an entrance to the river or a jumping platform.

Jumping into the river has become a Quechee tradition.

Hartford Police Information Officer Lt. Will Furnari said officers receive three to six calls each year involving incidents in the area, though not all are related to swimmers or jumpers.

He acknowledged the risks but noted that people — “mostly younger people” — have been jumping there “for as long as I can remember.”

The Hartford Police and Fire Departments have produced a water safety video, posted on the Fire Department’s Facebook page, encouraging swimmers to recognize changing river conditions and understand the hazards before entering the water.

One Hartford police officer perhaps summed up the local attitude best.

“It’s not illegal to jump,” he said with a shrug. “And it’s not illegal to be stupid.”

As the afternoon sun begins to sink behind the hills, the crowds slowly disappear. Towels are gathered, picnic coolers packed away, and the laughter fades into the steady sound of rushing water. The Quechee Covered Bridge remains, its weathered timbers glowing in the evening light.

Tomorrow, if the weather stays hot, another group of swimmers will arrive. Some will come simply to admire one of Vermont’s most photographed landmarks. Others will edge to the railing or the base of the bridge, glance once more at the river below, take a deep breath, and leap into a summer tradition that has endured for generations.

Soon, some residents you know will become celebrities, and local haunts you love will become recognizable to those from different areas of the world, all because the Upper Valley will soon grace the silver screen. JAM (Junction Arts & Media) is making its first feature-length film, Valley Transit, about an intergenerational relationship that occurs on a bus.

The nonprofit community-building organization has served Norwich, Hartford, Hartland, Hanover, and Lebanon for the last five years. JAM helps residents work their way into roles in the film industry and supports those with big ideas, but even still, their newest project is one of their most community-focused to date. A grassroots-funded film featuring local businesses and organizations, Valley Transit will be an opportunity for new filmmakers to learn about the world of filmmaking on set.

Cast table reading with Noah Schutzius (playing “Woody”), Samantha Davidson Green (writer and director,
second from left), Bailey Burcham (playing “bartender”), and Chelsea Cassady (playing “Señora Midory”).

This ambitious goal first came about last year in the fall when JAM decided to “[raise] the quality bar of media production in [the] area,” says Executive Director Samantha Davidson Green. As the director and writer of Valley Transit, Green’s goal was to tell a “quintessential Upper Valley [story] about what it’s like to come of age…and what it’s like to age here.”

Green noted that the story’s inspiration came from the “unusual mixing of generations” JAM has as a community resource, as it provides programs for both younger and older demographics. Over the next month, Green developed the project into a full-fledged script, which was further workshopped during the White River Indie Films Festival with a community table read and staff feedback.

Many signs showed this was the right time for the film to be made. First, last fall, film producer Wei Dai had recently moved from Los Angeles to the area. Though Dai was looking to apply for another job on JAM’s board for media coverage, by spring, he was brought on by Green to produce the project. Additionally, JAM found cinematographer Quinn Thomashow, who grew up in Stratford and came back from LA to help. Then, JAM also received a grant from the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant Program on June 1, allowing the team to film Valley Transit on high-quality Panavision film, which Green believes “will give everyone a higher quality learning experience and results in the film.”

Production designer Cedar O’Dowd leading puppet and prop making.

From the beginning, the entire project has had the Upper Valley community in mind. When JAM hosted the community table read, the organization invited Upper Valley residents interested in reading parts to attend. In addition, JAM also encouraged those attending to complete paper surveys for feedback. Also, JAM held a brief discussion to take comments and have conversations, because although the film is a comedy, Green said it “does tackle, in a gentle way, some of the culture divides around political points of view” and expresses that “the spirit of the story is very much about bringing people together” across those rifts.

Many different types of locations are featured within Valley Transit to show the burgeoning diversity of the Upper Valley. The shooting plan included the Lebanon Salt Hill Pub, Shyrl’s Diner, Dan and Whit’s, the Lebanon Opera House, the Norwich Fair, Hanover Food Co-op, Lyman Bridge, the American Legion in Windsor, and of course, the Advanced Transit Bus System, the catalyst for the entire film. Local musicians will also contribute to the film’s soundtrack, including Norwich resident Hans Williams and Hanover resident Sir Babygirl. Some will even be on camera, like folk/bluegrass musicians Jakob Breitbach, Jes Raymond, and Allison Faye Brown.

Valley Transit, Green explained, provides a “real resume item and a real IMDb credit if any of these folks end up wanting to continue to do this work.” She says that the 15 high school and college interns working on this project have real responsibilities, including directing, casting, and filming. Because of higher stakes, participants will be held accountable to “reach for the highest quality bar we can achieve.”

Crew, interns, and cast at the HCC Block Party: Liam Kelly-Thompson (2nd Assistant Director),Brooklyn Gramling
(SFFI intern), Adelaide Jones (SFFI intern), Noah Schutzius (playing “Woody”), and Reeve Green ( playing “Drew”).

Fundraising efforts also came from the community, including residents, the nonprofit Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, and corporations like Mascoma Bank. The project has raised $267,311 to date, 89% of its $299,858 goal. Green said the organization has raised enough to “cover all of [their] commitments for production,” and they are working on raising the last bit to cover post-production. Many businesses and residents have also offered their locations or residencies, and Northern Stage and North Country Community Theater (NCCT) are sharing a selection of costumes.

Dai explained that Valley Transit’s plan is in flux, depending on how production progresses. The current schedule (at press time for this publication) was to film over a month, beginning on July 18 and ending on August 16. Post-production would take another five or six months, which Dai said is a “conservative” estimate. After that, JAM will submit Valley Transit to film festivals. Dai noted that a lot of these festivals have requirements on the premiere status of the film, meaning you can’t screen it publicly until they host the festival. Dai said it will be in local theaters about a year and a half from now.

Richard Noble (playing “George”) and Alicia Sanyal (playing “Lizzie”).

Green and Dai explained how important the film is to highlight the Upper Valley’s unique community and culture as a lens for seeing the world at large. Dai said that though he’s not originally from the area, he hopes the project will help people see that they should support the local businesses and meet more people.

Green hopes Valley Transit will resonate for local audiences, allowing them to see the Upper Valley differently while also feeling a sense of pride and appreciation. Additionally, she hopes that the film will “convey something about the heart of our community out into the world for outside audiences who’ve never been here and may or may not [know] about the Upper Valley.”

For those who want to help support this exciting community project, Green said Valley Transit is still open to accepting donations.
To make a donation, visit givebutter.com/jam-summer-feature-film-intensive-2026-ooh4fo

As we celebrate this summer the 250th anniversary of our nation, it is only fitting that we also honor the memory and accomplishments of Vermont’s own fighting militia — the Green Mountain Boys.

The Green Mountain Boys were originally organized to protect the property rights of settlers holding New Hampshire land grants against competing claims from New York. When those disputes turned bitter, the Boys defended what they believed was rightfully theirs with a determination that sometimes meant driving settlers from disputed lands, confiscating cattle, or burning buildings. Their methods could be rough, but without the Green Mountain Boys, we would not know the Vermont we know today.

When the American Revolution began, the Green Mountain Boys were among the first to answer the call. Under the leadership of Ethan Allen, and alongside Benedict Arnold, just a few hundred men captured Fort Ticonderoga. It was one of the first American victories of the Revolution and inspired countless others to lay down their scythes, leave their farms, and take up arms in the cause of liberty.

Although he was born more than 130 years after those events, Theron Boyd carried their stories as though he had lived them himself.

He could recite song after song and story after story of the Green Mountain Boys’ exploits, the battles won and the battles lost. He spoke of Ethan Allen’s imprisonment as if he had been there beside him. Wearing his Green Mountain Boys cap, he would sing along with the old ballads playing on the Victrola, every verse committed to memory.

The fortieth anniversary of winning back Theron’s farm is fast approaching, and I still think about the last day of that trial.

That morning, Theron would not get out of bed.

He was exhausted. He was traumatized. The courtroom drama had simply become too much for him. The day before, he had looked at the judges in their black robes and quietly repeated, over and over, “I’m a farmer. I’m not a lawyer.”

Theron Boyd and Chris Clark

There was no convincing him. I had all but given up. As I turned to leave his room, one last thought came to me. I began to recite the words of an old Green Mountain Boys ballad:

On our south came the Hessians, our land to police,


And arming for battle while canting of peace.


On our east came the British, the red-coated band,


To hang up our leaders and eat up our land…

Then I continued:

We owe no allegiance; we bow to no throne.


Our rule is the law, and the law is our own.


Our leaders themselves are our own fellow men,


Who can handle the sword, the scythe, or the pen.

Theron slept between two feather mattresses. Without saying a word, he pushed one aside, sat straight up — fully dressed beneath the covers — and belted out:

Then cheer, cheer for the Green Mountaineer!


Hurrah for Vermont, for the land which we till


Must have sons that defend her from valley and hill.


Our vow is recorded, our banner unfurled;


In the name of Vermont we defy all the world!


Then cheer, cheer for the Green Mountaineer!

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, looked at me, and said, “We better go.”

We drove to Woodstock like Ira and Ethan riding into battle.

The lawsuit sought to take half of Theron’s property. We came home with all of it. One hundred percent of the farm remained his, protected from development and secured for generations to come. What happened in that courtroom forty years ago still feels a little magical.

Theron was famous for saying, “The world runs on emotion and greed.” That day, emotion won.

Whenever I hear those old Vermont ballads, I think back to that morning. I can still see Theron throwing back the feather bed, singing at the top of his lungs, and marching out the door ready for one last fight.

Cheer, cheer for the Green Mountaineer.

Publisher’s Note: “Wisdom Stories” is an ongoing column featuring the life, times, and wisdom of Theron Boyd, a Quechee old timer in the 1970s, as told by an unlikely best friend, Chris Clark, a teenager at the time. If you have any ‘Theron’ stories you would like to contribute, contact the Quechee Times at editor@quecheetimes.com.

Photos courtesy of VINS

On a Friday afternoon in June, from the top of the Forest Canopy Walk tower, we watched a Bald Eagle fly right by us, then turn several spirals in the breeze. At that moment, I was photographing a family of five, using one of their phones, and I called for them to turn around. “Look at Windsor!” I knew it was Windsor because I had been pointing her out to visitors for the past hour, perched in a White Pine. Her eaglet, V-2, was sleeping in the nest 400 yards away to the North.

Dewey and V-2 in June.

By now thousands of people know Windsor, her mate Dewey, and V-2, from having watched them on the VINS Eagle Cam since February 2026. For 24 hours a day, the livestream chronicled the life of V-2 and their parents on the nest — from the egg laying on March 24 to the eaglet’s first flight in July. These, of course, are wild eagles who chose to nest along the Ottauquechee River on VINS property, not captive or rehabbed eagles — though VINS has those, too.

You can still see these and other eagles by visiting VINS in Quechee. You can start by getting a close view of Wyoming and Minnesota, two Bald Eagles who live in an enclosure, alongside dozens of other ambassador birds — mostly birds of prey too injured to be released into the wild. Then walk out to the Forest Canopy Walk and climb 99 stairs to the viewing platform, above the canopy 100 feet above the forest floor. From there you see the Bald Eagle nest in the distance and may catch sight of Windsor and Dewey flying around Dewey’s Pond.

The VINS Eagle Cam chronicles wild eagles that nest along the Ottauquechee River.

We’ve been humbled and heartened by the way Quechee and the Upper Valley have rallied around Windsor and Dewey. While the purpose of the Eagle Cam was to provide a free education about eagles, it’s been inspiring to hear stories about the joy and mental health boost this eagle family has brought to so many. We’ve read grateful messages from teachers of young children, from the families of memory care patients, and from separated families brought together by their fascination with the eagle nest.

Part of why watching the Eagle Cam gives me such hope is that the Bald Eagle, after nearly going extinct in the mid-20th century, is enjoying a remarkable comeback. Over the past quarter century in Vermont, we’ve surged from zero nesting pairs of Bald Eagles to 38! There are lots of people to thank for this recovery: icons like Rachel Carson, who proved the toxic potency of DDT, and lesser-known heroes like David Laughlin, a dentist in Woodstock who led the clean-up of a polluted Ottauquechee River and later went on to help found VINS.

The Bald Eagle is enjoying a remarkable comeback.

When I think back to that Friday in June, when Windsor did her spiraling fly-by, I wish I had had the presence of mind to switch the family’s phone camera to video mode and take some footage of them watching Winsor fly at eye level. Next year! For now, we turn our focus at VINS to improving the livestream setup for next year’s nesting season. And we invite you this fall and winter to join us on the Forest Canopy Walk to catch a glimpse of Windsor and Dewey in action.

Long before the first tee time of the morning, Quechee Club’s Agronomy Team is already hard at work prepping Highland and Lakeland — two of Vermont’s top-ranked courses — for the day ahead. No two days look the same, but one thing never changes: the crew’s commitment to excellent course conditions. From daily maintenance to whatever New England’s weather throws their way, they work from sunup to sundown, shaping the Quechee Club golf experience from the ground up.

Brett Bailey, Quechee Club’s Golf Course Superintendent

A Team That Grows, Together

For Brett Bailey, Quechee Club’s Golf Course Superintendent, great course conditions start with a great crew. With decades at the Club and ten years leading both Highland and Lakeland, Brett is all-in on developing the team behind the on-course experience.

It’s a hands-on culture where people learn the craft, take on responsibility and grow their careers. He calls his crew “SITs,” decoded as “Superstars in Training,” and many go on to build careers across the golf industry. “Our staff has two assistant superintendents on each course, many of whom have degrees in golf course-related majors or business,” explained Bailey, who earned his Plant and and Soil Science degree from the University of Massachusetts. “Our goal is to help move the assistants on to their own golf courses in superintendent roles. I am proud to say that between interns and assistants, we have sent many people out into the industry over the years.”

And when it comes to who keeps everything functioning in Brett’s world of moving parts, he points to the Equipment Maintenance Team. “They are our unsung heroes,” he said. “Due to the size of our operation and the multiple seasons we support, our equipment staff work behind the scenes on everything we do, as well as supporting equipment needs club-wide.”

June 2026 microburst course cleanup

Rain, Shine, or Microburst!

No matter the season, adaptability comes with the job. Spring and fall bring the heaviest demands, while summer shifts toward more daily care and conditioning across both courses. But the natural elements always have the final word.

“Our biggest challenge is Mother Nature,” Bailey said. “You can have the best plan in place, then get to work in the morning and have to audible just to keep up with the weather.”

That reality shows up in moments like this summer’s microburst, which brought down more than 30 trees across the property in mid-June. In Bailey’s words, “it’s a herculean effort,” as his crew quickly pulled together a plan and worked to bring Quechee Club’s courses back to playable conditions. Reflecting on the many storms he’s weathered alongside Property Manager Ken Lallier, Bailey joked, “Ken and I have been through so many natural disasters together, I would say we are the ‘Kings of Chaos.’”

Quechee Club’s Highland Course, ranked Best in the State by Golf Digest

Keeping Quechee Growing

When asked what he’s most proud of, Brett doesn’t hesitate to brag about his crew. “I cannot tell you how fortunate I have been to work with a multitude of superstars over the years,” he said. “I’m proud of them all.” The Quechee Club Agronomy Team is about so much more than course maintenance. It’s mentorship, career development, and teamwork at its finest. And while pristine course conditions may be what stands out first, it’s the people behind them that truly define the Quechee Club experience, on and off the golf course.

Mid Vermont Christian School in Quechee is transforming its academic framework by adopting a classical education model. The pre-K through 12th-grade institution, founded in 1987, is executing a multi-year transition to align its curriculum with traditional classical Christian principles.  By prioritizing a classical philosophy, MVCS aims to provide a distinctive, historically grounded alternative for Christian families in the Upper Valley region.

The school prepares the next generation for
academics and leadership in the future.

This shift focuses on the liberal arts and the Great Books of Western Civilization, the pursuit of wisdom, and the formation of moral and intellectual virtue. The goal of classical Christian education is to form the human person in wisdom and virtue while enculturating him in the rich classical and Christian traditions. The rigorous traditional curriculum will engage students with the foundational ideas and works of Western Civilization, continue to employ methods such as the teaching of phonics and memorization of math facts, poetry, and Scripture; and develop readers and thinkers who, through the study of logic and rhetoric, communicate competently as writers and speakers. This pedagogical transition is a natural evolution of MVCS’s long-standing mission to integrate academic excellence with spiritual growth, ensuring students are deeply grounded in both faith and intellect.

Since the school already employs a largely traditional pedagogy, including teaching phonics in the primary grades, a solid grounding in American and world history and civics, and exposing students to great works of the world- and American-literary canons, the school does not see itself as starting from scratch but, rather, expanding on a good foundation. Sciences and mathematics will continue to be a strong component of our education.

The school takes a holistic approach to developing the whole child.

Beyond purely academic adjustments, the classical model will reshape the school culture around virtue and positive habit formation. Purposeful development of habits will encourage students to grow in core virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control.

In addition, athletics remain an important aspect of MVCS. The athletic programs at MVCS complement the classical classroom experience by serving as a vehicle for physical development, virtue formation, teamwork, and personal discipline. On the court and on the field, students learn to apply the same core virtues that they study in their academic texts, reinforcing the school’s holistic approach to developing the whole child.

Through athletic programs, students learn to apply the same core virtues that they study in the classroom.

Through this comprehensive transformation, Mid Vermont Christian School seeks to solidify an identity as a premier center for classical-Christian learning in the Upper Valley. By retrieving time-tested methods and curricula, once the staples of Christian education, the school provides Upper Valley area families with a robust, distinctive alternative to contemporary trends in modern schooling, fully preparing the next generation for future academic and leadership pursuits.

As if sixteen-year-old Eleia Bouton’s life were not busy enough with six siblings, home-school studies, foreign languages, piano, flute, ballet, and a growing schedule of musical performances, she continues to pursue a passion that began just two years ago — the pipe organ.

Conveniently, she has a pipe organ at her disposal. Her father, Ryan, is the pastor at The Quechee Church, home to an organ rumored to have been built in the 1880s. What began as curiosity has blossomed into remarkable achievement. In the two years since she first sat at the organ bench, Eleia has developed into an accomplished young organist whose talent is drawing attention well beyond the Upper Valley.

Most recently, Eleia was invited to attend the prestigious Westminster Organ Institute at Rider University in New Jersey, where gifted young organists from across the country study with internationally recognized performers and teachers. The invitation is a testament not only to Eleia’s natural musical gifts, but also to the discipline and determination she brings to every practice session.

At the Westminster Organ Institute, Eleia will study with Dr. Michael Diorio, one of the nation’s respected organ educators. Her assigned repertoire includes Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 559,” a cornerstone of the organ literature that demands technical precision, musical maturity, and stylistic understanding. She will also study “Crimond (Hymn No. 663),” the beloved hymn tune associated with “The Lord’s My Shepherd.” Together, these selections reflect both the technical challenges and expressive beauty that await her during this intensive summer program.

The organ is not an instrument for the faint of heart. While it is a cousin of the piano, in that they both have keyboards, that is where the similarity ends. Mastery of the organ requires extraordinary focus, concentration, and coordination of both hands and feet. And practice. Lots of practice.

When interviewed at The Quechee Church shortly after beginning her studies, Eleia explained the transition from piano to organ.

The Bouton Clan

“There are a lot of differences,” she said. “The organ requires nuances and technique so the sound is smooth. The length of time that a key is held is the length of time its sound is produced. A fraction of a second can make a big difference.”

Eleia credits her ballet training with helping her understand that the gracefulness essential to a dancer is equally important to an organist. Moving her feet across the pedalboard to play the bass line requires precision and fluidity while her hands independently perform music on two keyboards.

“It is very much like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time,” explained her Quechee-based instructor, Alice Maleski, organist and music director at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lebanon. “It’s harder than it looks!”

An organist is essentially playing three instruments at once. The eyes read the music while the brain directs the right hand, left hand, and feet independently. Then there are the stops — the knob-like controls that direct pressurized air through ranks of pipes and shape the instrument’s rich palette of sounds. Every movement must be carefully timed to produce the magnificent sound for which the pipe organ is renowned.

Eleia’s musical scores are filled with penciled-in hieroglyphics that indicate fingerings, phrasing, expression markings, and specialized pedal notation indicating whether notes should be played with the heel or toe. Learning music theory and reading music is challenging enough; mastering an entirely new language for the feet adds another level of complexity. Eleia has embraced every challenge with confidence.

“Eleia’s progress has been extraordinary,” said Maleski. “She has always been far ahead of other students with the same level of training. It is rare to find this combination of natural talent, dedication, and genuine joy in making music.”

Recently, Eleia was invited to play the organ at the Norwich Congregational Church, where she also played Bach on a Steinway piano. “I was totally surprised at her proficiency on piano!” remarked Maleski.

Maleski also credits Eleia’s parents with fostering a home where music and creativity flourish. Ryan plays guitar and sings, while Jenny plays piano and flute. Together they have nurtured a family in which all seven children share a love of music.

Visitors to The Quechee Church have long enjoyed hearing Ryan lead worship and Eleia accompany hymns or perform preludes on the historic pipe organ. Today, those who hear her perform are witnessing a gifted young musician whose dedication has carried her from promising beginner to scholarship recipient in just a few short years.

For Eleia Bouton, the Westminster Organ Institute is not a destination, but another milestone in an already remarkable musical journey. As she prepares to study with some of the nation’s finest organ educators, her hometown will be cheering her on, eager to see where her talent, hard work, and love of music will lead next.

Quechee DEI Council continued events even during summer’s sun and a plethora of outdoor activities.

On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass gave a speech at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York, at a meeting organized by the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. Douglass himself escaped slavery in 1838 and became a leader of the abolitionist movement.

On July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the DEI Council, in conjunction with the Quechee Library, presented its tenth annual reading of Douglass’ speech: “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro.”

DEI chair Matt Donahue moderated the participatory reading and Vermont State Senator Joe Major gave a brief commentary, noting that Frederick Douglass gave his speech not on July 4, but on July 5, because of how it confronted hypocrisy: the hypocrisy that people of African descent were still in the bondage of slavery and not at all free.

DEI chair Matt Donahue moderated the participatory reading.

Joe Major asked the audience prior to the reading, “What can you do to truly make it [the US] a more perfect union?”

The reading aloud was shared by the audience, the words still reverberating with not only logical content but also great emotion, and, unfortunately, still great relevance.

Douglass admonishes the country: “You profess to believe that, of one blood, God made all nations of men to dwell on the face of all the earth, and hath commanded all men, everywhere, to love on another; yet you notoriously hate, (and glory in your hatred), all men whose skins are not colored like your own.”

Douglass emphatically lays out the irony embedded in the Declaration of Independence and reminds us that that which is inhuman cannot be divine! “The feeling of the nation must be pondered; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced. What to the American slave, is your fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”

Comments garnered from the participants included Andrea Pitera, who said, “I wish these words didn’t still hold true today.” Earl Hatley remarked, “As an Abenaki citizen, I find this interesting … the speech is about slaves, but the Abenakis were also enslaved and taken to the Caribbean … [later] the Abenaki fought with the Green Mountain Boys and with [other indigenous people] had a peaceful dialogue at Ticonderoga … After the Abenakis saved Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, Ethan Allen turned on them.” This is history rarely considered. (Earl Hatley continues to be the diligent steward of the Abenaki Garden!)

Despite the darkness Douglass points to, he does not despair but has hope still “showing encouragement” from the Declaration of Independence. Likewise, Joe Major, in a closing remark said, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not a train!”

To continue the hope, the DEI Council held an essay contest on Frederick Douglass’ speech and the Declaration of Independence. The winning Hartford High School student was Jackson Whitney, who received a $1,000 scholarship. The DEI Council plans to reach out beyond Hartford High School students to enter the essay contest and trusts that the participants of the event will continue grow! n

At the end of Douglass’s speech he quoted William Lloyd Garrison:
All God speed the day when human blood
Shall cease to flow! In every clime be understood,

The Claims of human brotherhood, 
And each return for evil, good, Not blow for blow;
That day will come all feuds to end,
And change into a faithful friend Each foe. ~ William Lloyd Garrison

Deciding on a career path is extremely difficult, especially when you’re a high schooler navigating the other demands of being a teenager. Thankfully, programs like the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) exist to help the youth make these complex decisions. A 43-year-old nonprofit organization located in Winooski, Vermont, the organization serves the Upper Valley’s 9th through 11th graders by offering a wide variety of summer programs under different institute umbrellas (Engineering, Arts, Health & Medicine, Mathematical Sciences, etc.). Hosted on college campuses, these programs involve various local career professionals, who give their time back to the community to help students find the pathway that works for them.

Elizabeth Frascoia, executive director GIV. Photo: Matthew Binginot

Taftsville, Vermont resident Elizabeth Frascoia, the executive director of the GIV, said the organization changed her life, leading her to become a career musician after completing the program. Though her father was also a musician, Frascoia explained that when she attended GIV’s Arts program 30-something years ago as a 15-year-old, she found people her own age who were excited to be spontaneous and try new things. This experience inspired Frascoia to pursue her preferred profession. In the program, she built connections with attendees and mentors, one of whom is still a good friend of hers in music.

Students sing on stage during the GIV Summer Arts Institute.

Propelled by the program’s initial spark, Frascoia became a professional musician in New York City playing trombone and singing. In addition to teaching, Frascoia was a freelancer and session musician who often toured with the likes of Michael Bolton, Adele, and St. Vincent.

Then, in 2020, Frascoia had the chance to give back to the organization that initially changed her life. The previous executive director, Kaomi Taylor Mitchell, who served for 11 years, let Frascoia know the position was opening, so she applied.

“I wasn’t necessarily looking for a job at that time, but when this job opened up, I thought it was the coolest job you could have,” Frascoia said. “Because you get to talk to folks in all kinds of different fields.” Even though Frascoia is now an executive director, she still plays in The Dropoffs, a band that includes Quechee resident Alex Beram.

Frascoia also explained that GIV’s impact on the local community is dynamic, and said after this program students go back to school, carrying “so much spark that they are infectious in a positive way. They want to give back and inspire their friends.”

With examples of students who left their Global Issues and Youth Action Institute advocating for laws, and others that won the organization’s business plan pitch competition and plan to submit their idea to the University of Vermont, it’s clear these programs often inspire participants.

Students dissect a sheep heart during the GIV Summer Health & Medicine Institute.

Though the GIV may be aimed at high school students, the organization is always looking for more volunteers. If you’re one of many, as Frascoia puts it, “dedicated folks who want to pass on their love for their fields,” perhaps you can help a student find a lifelong passion worth pursuing. Volunteers can reach out via the contact form on the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont website at giv.org or through the organization’s social media. Also, if you want to check out Frascoia’s band, the Drop Offs have a show scheduled November 20 at Woodstock’s Town Hall Theater.

The Hartford Heat 10U All-Star baseball team entered the summer expecting to learn and improve. It finished as a Vermont Cal Ripken State Champion and proved it belonged among New England’s best.

Hartford won six consecutive games during District and State tournament play, including a 4-3 comeback victory over Twin Rivers in the State Championship game. The Heat then traveled to New Milford, Conn., for the New England Cal Ripken Regional Tournament, where it added two more victories to complete an eight-game winning streak.

The postseason success was difficult to envision during the team’s first tournament in Swanzey, N.H. “At Swanzey, we were getting eaten alive,” Heat player and Quechee resident Henry Ogden said. “But by the start of Districts, I think we had a good rhythm as a team, so we had a shot.”

Coach Sam Ogden had a similar reaction to Hartford’s early games. “At our first tournament as a team, my initial thought was, ‘Oh, I see. This is going to be a learning year,’” he said.

With a roster that included experienced players as well as several children playing their first season of summer baseball, the coaches concentrated on improvement rather than results. They encouraged the players to work hard, support one another and continue enjoying the game, even as the stakes grew higher.

Four Quechee Residents received Player of the Game designations for outstanding play and sportsmanship. The designation was given at the end of each game played at the Cal Ripken Regional Tournament and voted on by the opposing team’s coaches. From left to right: Tyler Lieberman, Mason Vahey, Henry Ogden, Teddy Anthoine.

“We really emphasized that having fun is what baseball is about,” Sam said. “The most fun you can have in baseball, as in life, involves working hard, working together, doing your best, helping others through tough times, and being prepared to lose with your heads held high.”

That approach began producing results sooner than the coaches expected. “The more they had fun, the more they won,” Sam said. “And the more they won, the more they got to play.”

Rather than relying on overpowering pitching or home-run hitters, Hartford advanced by playing consistently and limiting mistakes.

Hartford’s hitters remained patient, its pitchers threw strikes, and its defense avoided giving opponents extra opportunities. “We continued to make enough plays, throw strikes when we needed them, and get some timely hits,” Coach Joel Klein said. “Our fielders were solid. We just didn’t give many outs away.”

The team’s steady play carried it undefeated through both the Vermont District and State tournaments. Hartford then arrived at Regionals facing state champions and other top teams from throughout New England. “The teams at Regionals were really good,” said First Baseman and Quechee resident Teddy Anthoine. “But I think we surprised a lot of them. We were ready to play our best, and I think we did.”

The Heat’s confidence increased once regional play began. “We went from, ‘We’re happy to be here,’ to, ‘Hey, we’re pretty good,’” Joel said.

Tyler Lieberman and Henry Ogden delivered dominant performances on the mound in Hartford’s two regional victories, Joel said, but the wins were a full-team effort. “There were consistent contributions from all 11 players,” he said. “Everyone did their part.”

For catcher Mason Vahey, another Quechee resident, who was competing in his third season with the Hartford Heat, reaching regionals was a new experience. “It was really exciting to win States and then actually win two games at the Regional tournament,” Mason said. “It was a great experience, and I hope to go back next year.”

The players’ progress extended beyond their performance on the field. Coaches said the team developed close relationships and learned to respond constructively to both success and adversity. “This summer’s team far surpassed expectations at the beginning of the season,” Coach Shane Vahey said. “Their success is a testament to them working hard on the things the coaches asked them to work on and simply wanting to improve as ballplayers.”

Shane said the players also became close friends away from the field and consistently supported each other during games. “They were great teammates to one another,” he said.

Although Hartford’s Regional run eventually came to an end, the team returned home with a State Championship, two Regional victories, and a summer its players and coaches are unlikely to forget. “It was a magical run with a special group of kids,” Joel said.