This coming Monday, Sept. 6, is Labor Day, a federal holiday that pays tribute to American workers’ contributions and accomplishments. Banks, government offices and public transit — including ACTR/TriValley Transit will be closed. Labor Day is also the traditional day that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders barnstorms around the state talking to constituents. This year is no exception. Bernie will speak at the Middlebury town green at 4 p.m., plus there will be food and live music. Masks are encouraged, regardless of vaccination status. As chair of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, Sanders introduced a historic budget resolution that passed the Senate on Aug. 11, and included a blueprint for the crafting of sweeping legislation to invest in the long-neglected needs of the working class.

Two things were omitted from Wendy Wilson’s excellent article on the lasting impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library free book program in the Aug. 12 edition of the paper. One was how to enroll children in the program. Interested parents should go to imaginationlibrary.com The second was noting that a generous grant from the Walter Cerf Community Foundation provides funding for the Books At Birth that are given to each newborn at Porter Birthing Center before leaving the hospital.

The Middlebury-based nonprofit Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects is seeking volunteer drivers for food shelf delivery routes. One route is on the western side of Middlebury, the other is in the center of Bristol. Time commitment is a couple of hours, once a month. You must have a reliable vehicle, clean driving record, be able to lift up to 25 pounds, and must not be listed on adult abuse registry. If you’re interested, call HOPE at 388-3608, or email [email protected].

The town of Bristol is seeking feedback for potential changes to the intersection of Lincoln Road and Route 116, the site of several crashes and near-crashes. Also, the nearby Briggs Hill Road intersection with Lincoln Road can be dangerous and harrowing, particularly in winter conditions. And parking at Bartlett Falls along Lincoln Road — sometimes in the road — creates hazardous conditions for motorists and visitors. Bristol officials are exploring some potential improvements that could be made to the Route 116-Lincoln Road-Briggs Hill intersection that could improve sight-distance concerns, reduce safety concerns and address concerns of the steep slope of Briggs Hill Road approaching Lincoln Road. The firm DuBois & King was hired through a grant from the Addison County Regional Planning Commission to study these challenges and develop potential alternatives that could be implemented by the town at these locations. Those who travel this area regularly are encouraged to add to the record by filling out a survey at surveymonkey.com/r/Bristol-Intersection. The Bristol selectboard will review the results of this survey and the final recommendations of the study at their meeting on Monday, Sept. 13, at Holley Hall and remotely via Zoom.

This Labor Day Holiday, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. It’s the name of a new campaign involving multiple public safety organizations intent on preventing deaths on the state’s highways during the upcoming long weekend. The Vermont State Highway Safety Office is partnering with the Vermont State Police, county sheriffs and local police departments in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Participating agencies will be intently monitoring roads statewide for cases of impaired driving, speeding, seatbelt use and distracted driving. As of Aug. 24, there have been 41 fatal crashes on Vermont’s roadways that have taken the lives of 45 people. Tragically, this is the highest number of fatalities that Vermont has had to this point in the year since 2012. Impaired driving, speed, and failure to wear a seatbelt continue to be the leading causes of these fatalities, according to state police. So during this Labor Day holiday, as always, slow down, wear your seatbelt, put your phone down, don’t drive impaired. Remember: driving impaired is a crime that’s 100% preventable.

Has your house (or apartment) been stifling hot this summer? Is it drafty in the winter? Are your energy expenses unexpectedly high? You aren’t alone. Efficiency Vermont’s energy experts are offering free virtual home energy visits to Vermont homeowners and renters. They’ll walk (virtually) through your home and take a look at your attic, basement, appliances and more. By the end of the consultation, you’ll have a personalized list of energy-saving opportunities (big and small) that you can do to cut your energy costs and improve the comfort of your home. September openings are already filling up. Schedule your virtual home energy visit at tinyurl.com/dmaajnkb.

At its convocation ceremony last week, Champlain College honored Monkton resident Jane Lindholm with its 2021 Distinguished Citizen Award for her significant contributions to the Vermont community. Champlain Interim President David Finney toasted the former host of Vermont Public Radio’s “Vermont Edition” for her “thoughtful, incisive and inclusive approach to unearthing and sharing the many stories within and beyond Vermont, and now she continues to educate and enlighten through her popular podcast. Through her trusted voice, she has created and strengthened our community and enhanced our learning about each other and the world that surrounds us.” Lindholm currently serves as host, executive producer and creator of VPR’s “But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids,” a nationally recognized podcast that collects and answers questions from children all over the world. In a speech at convocation, Lindholm said, “Curiosity teaches us about things we never knew existed. It can lead us down paths we never could have dreamed of. And makes life vibrant, powerful, and fun. … You CAN make a career out of curiosity,” she told Champlain students.

Come enjoy a good time and help the county’s largest affordable housing organization at the same time. The Addison County Community Trust will host a “We Made It Home” outdoor event that will serve as a celebration and as a fundraiser to support further affordable housing efforts in our area. “We Made it Home” is slated for Sept. 24, from 4-6 p.m., at the Vergennes Community Apartments at 45 Armory Lane. It will include building tours, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza from Pizzeria Verita, music by Deb Brisson & The Hay Burners, raffles, door prizes, and more. Event tickets are free; the raffles will generate funds for the ACCT, which has a goal of raising $75,000 this year. To reserve your FREE tickets, or pre-purchase raffle tickets, visit bit.ly/3fLV1kk.