Community:
the Heartbeat of VERGENNES
Two years into a world pandemic, several have expressed their reawakening of simple things and the importance of connection to others both locally and across the globe. We love the Bixby Memorial Free Library's initiative that's happening this Saturday - read on...

All ages are welcome to join us in front of the Bixby Library to plant sunflowers in solidarity, then take your sunflowers home and watch them blossom and grow. We’re heartbroken and appalled by the ongoing crisis unfolding in Ukraine. Find additional information and resources here. Sunflowers are a symbol of peace in Ukraine and are connected to the agrarian culture found there. Seeds and cups will be available until supplies last from 10:30am-2:30pm, Saturday March 26th.
Support for Ukraine; watch for details next week at Linda's Apparel.
/pēs/
Sunflowers, symbol of Ukraine. Birdhouses at
Honoring all Women of Vergennes
Up, Down & Around Main!
Dozens and dozens of women - entrepreneurs, managers, volunteers and more play a huge roll in the fabric of the Little City's downtown and beyond. While stories of each could fill volumes, today we highlight Karlene Devine. Suggested to be featured by a friend, Karlene has given a lifetime of service to the Vergennes community. Kudos to Karlene as well as others who give panache and power to Vergennes!
Karlene Devine
From Bixby Executive Director, Catharine Hays...
Please give a cheer for the incomparable Karlene Devine! We know Karlene best as the intrepid leader of the Friends of The Bixby Library. With her leadership, this volunteer group had raised thousands of dollars through popular book sales, plant sales, and more to fund library services and programming for community members. Most recently, she was the brainchild behind the friendly gnomes that decorated the downtown. Those of you who know her, know that she is among the best organizers in her ability to “get things done”, and we are not the only ones who benefit from her generous volunteering. She has served as the American Legion Oratorical Program Chair since 2009, on the Ferrisburgh’s Rogers and Hazard Relief Society and the local chapter of the Forty and Eight, a national veterans organization that offers scholarships to qualified undergraduate students enrolled in academic programs of study in Vermont leading to either Associates or Bachelor Degrees in nursing. She generously shares her beaming smile, bountiful new ideas, and compassionate heart. Thank you for all you do, Karlene!

Vergennes Residents Voted "YES"!

With special thanks to Angelo Lynn, Addison Independent Publisher and Editor, reprinted from the 3/17 edition...
87% of community support sends a deeper message.
Angelo Lynn

Vergennes is on a Roll
The passage on Town Meeting Day of the Little City’s $25.5 million bond to finance a new city wastewater treatment facility is more than good news for Vergennes. The fact the measure passed with 87% of the community’s support sends a deeper message.
It not only means the city is galvanized behind a key project that will largely prevent sewage overflows from entering the Otter Creek and Lake Champlain and will add capacity for further commercial and residential growth when needed, but that city leaders are willing to build needed infrastructure today for tomorrow’s successes.
In the long-term, the project will be a crucial building block in the city’s economic future. It’s one of several steps that will keep the Little City on a roll for the foreseeable future.
Vergennes residents owe congratulations to city leaders who worked hard to develop a solid project, and then were able to convey the importance of the project — and its once-in-a-lifetime value — to voters. Kudos to those involved, and to city residents for recognizing when a pricey project is still an opportunity that’s too good to pass by.
Angelo Lynn
FOMO - Fear of Missing Out
What did I miss? Back issues of VP News are available on our website: www.VergnnesDowntown.org. Got news? Want to sponsor the next e-newsletter? Give Julie a call; contact information below!
VP News is brought to you by Vergennes Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the Little City reach its full potential. Through the Partnership, the City has earned over a million dollars since 1999 with tax credits and grants which have greatly improved the health, appearance and vitality of the downtown and beyond.
To become a member or simply donate to the Partnership, click here.