HISTORY LESSON
Roughly 100 people gathered Monday afternoon at Arnold’s Bay in Panton as about a dozen Revolutionary War reenactors marked the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island (Oct. 11-13, 1776). The American patriots lost around 80 men and 120 were captured in the first naval engagement of the Revolutionary War. After the battle, the remaining American ships, under the command of Gen. Benedict Arnold, sailed to this spot in Vermont, burned their vessels and retreated to Crown Point. Gen. Arnold (portrayed by Cameron Green of Ticonderoga, N.Y.) at the historic marker introduces a Ferrisburgh native Ian Gramling, who is laying a wreath for the Americans who lost their lives in the battle.
Independent photo/Steve James
MIDDPRIDE
The parade down Main Street on Saturday afternoon was shimmering with excitement and the whole southern half of the town green was vibrating with energy — it must be Pride. The annual middpride party celebrates Vermonters in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and affiliated community. The goal is to show respect for and give visibility to LGBTQ+ youth in and around the county. The tone of the event is decidedly UPBEAT. It started with pre-party poster-making, face painting. The Parade from College Park up Main Street to the town green was led by Grand Marshal Ruth Hardy. Scores joined in — including a big orange gorilla. Once the party got to the green, celebrants found live music, drag performances, food, lawn games, and, of course, rainbows. Middteens plays an active role in middpride, but it was a truly multi-generational crowd.
Photos by Rafaela Botti and Andy Mitchell
