We saw a faint glimmer of light at the end of this long COVID tunnel this week when we heard that the Marquis Theater in downtown Middlebury will begin renting its main theater — the one with the couches — out for private parties beginning Thursday, Feb. 18. It’s only available a couple days a week, you have to bring your own movie on DVD, and it’s available for single households only — no group gatherings. But, hey, who wouldn’t want to be back in a theater again? And they will have popcorn! (Pre-order only for the popcorn.) Let’s keep that vaccine rolling.
Gov. Scott this week appointed Wendy Knight of Panton to serve a four-year term on the Vermont Commission on Women, the state’s non-partisan commission that works to advance rights and opportunities for women and girls. Knight is a communications and marketing executive with over 20 years of government, corporate and entrepreneurial experience in the advertising and marketing, food and beverage, healthcare, media, nonprofit, and publishing sectors. She’s also a former Panton selectboard member and freelance New York Times journalist. She has held several leadership positions in Scott’s administration, including Vermont Tourism and Marketing Commissioner. Knight is now the chief marketing officer of Knight Automotive and a consultant to On the Fly, a women-led collective supporting Vermont hospitality and tourism businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Children still need books — especially during this pandemic. And children residing in Addison County can get a free new book mailed to their homes every month by signing up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, sponsored by Addison County Readers. There are no strings attached. The books are classic and new, high-quality, colorful with engaging text, some bilingual, and all encourage the love of reading. To learn more about the Imagination Library, see a list of the books and sign up, go to addisoncountyreaders.org. Any questions? Contact Dinah Bain at [email protected].