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Less of a Medicare Advantage

by RDavis | Health

Medicare Advantage (MA) was created in 1997 to move the Medicare program further into the private insurance marketplace. It was a Republican led effort to privatize Medicare by offering people cheaper premiums and enticing them with things like gym memberships and cheaper drugs.

Over the years the plan has been so successful that more than 50% of Medicare beneficiaries have moved to the plans. The federal government was paying private insurers handsomely to offer the plans and they were rolling in a new source of income. But things are changing and some insurance companies are dropping the plans because they are not continuing to make the level of profit they have become accustomed to.

Health insurance is not about health because it treats individuals as if they were profit centers. Insurers count on people not using their product too much. But when a company insures seniors they will eventually end up having too many sick people use their insurance and that is not a good thing for them.

NXT Gallery: Life in Vermont and Mexico – Paintings by Carol Keiser

by hahrenholz | Arts

Next Stage Arts presents a vibrant new exhibition by Carol Keiser, showcasing her colorful and evocative paintings inspired by life in Putney, Vermont, and her time in Mexico. The opening reception is Sunday, Nov. 16, from 4–6 PM at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney. RSVP at nextstagearts.org.

Keiser’s work is a visual diary, capturing the places she’s been, the experiences she’s had, and the emotions she encounters. Her focus on color—its energy, magic, and contrasts—drives each piece, whether a still life, landscape, or figure study. She often draws inspiration from memory, sketches, or her hand-painted tile designs, blending ceramics and painting in a joyful exploration of hue and composition.

Brattleboro No Kings 2.0

by cgrotke | Activism
all roads

A few more photos (below) from the No Kings protest march in Brattleboro on Saturday October 18, 2025. I didn’t do any official counting but it appeared to be bigger than any other protest in Brattleboro in the last 20+ years.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes October 14, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Committed support for the Student Representatives to the Board on their initiative to explore the process of transitioning from elementary to middle to high school.
● The WSESD Board has been awarded the BCTV Government/Education Partner Award. All are invited to a celebration at the Producer Party on 11/14/25 at 6 pm at the Stone Church.
● Linda Alvarez was recognized by the Board for being awarded the Vermont Teacher of the Year Award.

Community Survey for Vermont’s Commission on the Future of Public Education

by Not Signed In | Education

In 2024, the Vermont legislature created the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont, with the intent to study and make recommendations for the vision, structure and funding of education in Vermont with input from the public and other stakeholders. The Commission is reaching out for feedback on Act 73, a law which was enacted in response to residents’ concerns about high and rising property taxes and a desire to increase quality educational opportunities for students. The intent of the law is to strengthen the public education system, mitigate costs, and improve educational opportunities for students.

What’s Cooking at Leda’s Kitchen This Week

by LedaS | Food

Orders are due this Tuesday, October 21, by 7PM for Thursday, October 23 pickup. Questions? Message me at 802-246-7592 or ledaskitchen@gmail.com

Orders are due Tuesday by 7PM for Thursday pickup. Questions? Message me at 802-246-7592 or ledaskitchen@gmail.com

KALA MASALA CHICKEN CURRY GF, DF
The chicken curry that fed countless Dosa Kitchen customers over the last ten years. Free-range chicken in a base of tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, and a spice mix (kala masala) created for us in India.
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)

Brattleboro No Kings in the Guardian

by cgrotke | Media

Brattleboro’s No Kings Day protest got some additional exposure. A photo by Kristopher Radder got picked up by the AP and the Guardian has decided to use it:

Brattleboro photo in the Guardian.

Their full caption reads “People attend the national “No Kings” protest against president Donald Trump at the Brattleboro Common park in Brattleboro, Vt., on Saturday, Oct 18, 2025. Photograph: Kristopher Radder/AP”

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – October 21, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will again hold a meeting on a Tuesday evening, and they will discuss a new pedestrian and bike path being planned for along the Connecticut River.

They’ll also get annual updates from Interaction, and BDCC and SeVEDS. They’ll also learn about housing possibilities in town-owned properties and review their legislative priorities. You can bring up other items during public participation if they aren’t already on the agenda.

Brattleboro VTrans Paving Project Construction Update 10/17/2025

by Not Signed In | Town News

Between Vermont Avenue and Noah’s Lane, crews will work on bridge joints and the painting operation will move to this location after paint is complete in the downtown area.

Once this section is complete and in the next few weeks, crews plan to move the active work zone from night shift to day shift and to continue to make progress on U.S. 5 from the Brattleboro/Dummerston town line north toward Putney.

Mandolin Masters Matt Flinner & Joe K. Walsh Bring an Intimate Evening of Acoustic Brilliance

by hahrenholz | Music

Two of the finest mandolinists in the modern acoustic world are coming together for a special evening of music that promises to delight fans of bluegrass, roots, and contemporary string band sounds.

Matt Flinner, a National Banjo and Mandolin Champion, has spent decades pushing the boundaries of acoustic music. From performing at bluegrass festivals before his teens to touring and recording with artists ranging from Steve Martin to the Modern Mandolin Quartet, Flinner’s artistry is widely celebrated for its musicality, innovation, and versatility.

Brattleboro Installs Automated Defibrillator at Living Memorial Park

by Not Signed In | Health

The Town of Brattleboro has installed its first publicly accessible, outdoor automated external defibrillator (AED) at Living Memorial Park, located outside the front entrance of the Nelson Withington Skating Facility. An AED is a portable electronic device that can analyze a person’s heart rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electric shock (called defibrillation) to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest. The device was donated by Brattleboro Senior Corp.

“This project shows what Brattleboro does best — working together to make our community safer and stronger. Thanks to our partners and Town staff, we now have a lifesaving resource right where people gather every day,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter.

Resist / Aggressive Next Step

by Kurt Daims | Activism

The Strongest Action against Mr. Trump began here in Brattleboro in 2008.

Now (again) it is time for ACTIVE resistance to Mr. Trump. Brattleboro Common Sense (BCS) in common cause with people protesting nationwide and around the world, proposes this action, to block unlawful military orders from him; an emergency ordinance per Brattleboro charter article IV section 6AA, as follows.

The people of Brattleboro honor the courage and the sacrifices of our troops. We remind them that they took an oath of allegiance NOT to the president, but to the Constitution of the United States — the enduring doctrines of liberty and justice of our nation. We implore their vigilance “against all enemies, foreign or domestic”, and in accordance with the Nuremberg Principles we exhort them to refuse unlawful orders and to file charges against anyone giving an order to start a war of aggression or commit any war crime.

Jen Karpin on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Creative

Great Vintage! Walk into MORNING GLORIOUS, one of downtown’s coolest, most colorful stores, and say hello to JEN KARPIN – she’s created a warm and friendly place filled with ever-changing inventory sure to raise your dopamine levels! Jen also talks about growing up amidst antiques and auctions, sustainable textiles, the Vintage Fashion Guild, and the “joyful wardrobe”. Tune in !

WSESD Policy and Amendment Committee Minutes Oct 8, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Policies

Note: The committee did not review two policies that were at the top of the agenda (the proposed Asthma Friendly Schools policy and D15 Travel Reimbursement) as the invited guests were unable to attend the meeting.

Gender Freedom in Schools

The committee reviewed and discussed the final section of the policy, School Activities.

What’s Cooking at Leda’s Kitchen This Week?

by LedaS | Food

Here’s the menu for this week–several Indian dishes plus a mild and deeply flavorful Mexican pork stew with fixings that you can make into taco night. Orders are due Tuesday by 7PM for Thursday pickup. Questions? Message me at 802-246-7592 or ledaskitchen@gmail.com

ANDHARA-STYLE CHICKEN CURRY GF, DF
This dish features free-range chicken that is marinated in lemon and chili powder, then simmered in a slightly creamy and spicy sauce made from tomatoes, cashews, coconut, and aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)

Engage with State Rep Ian Goodnow (Windham 9)

by fidel | State News

All are invited to a community dialogue with featured guest Brattleboro (Windham District 9) State Rep. Ian Goodnow on Wednesday October 15, 2025 – 6:30 pm in the Community Room at Brooks Memorial Library
While there is no formal agenda for this meeting, one might say it is divided in three parts:

• What happened in the last legislative session?
• What can we expect in the session starting January 2026?
• What legislative issues are front of mind for you?

Fiscal Shock

by RDavis | Op/Ed

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH), our small community non-profit hospital, is facing what looks like its most challenging financial situation in its 121 year history. It is frightening for the 807 employees (as of 2023 according to an August 2025 IRS 990 filing) who depend on the institution for their livelihood. The prospect of having to lose access to a local hospital would also change the lives of 40,000 people who live in Windham County.

Sadly, it is not clear what is going on at the hospital because the board of directors has not said much other than putting the CEO on leave. Hospitals are notorious for hiding their dirty laundry and BMH is no exception. I worked there on and off for about 14 years and I was always at odds with many of the higher level management team.