Bernie Buzz

Vermonters love July 4th events. So do I. On July 3rd I joined the annual Montpelier celebration: food, music, a one mile run and a parade. Despite the heat, thousands turned out for a great time — including Senator Peter Welch and Congresswoman Becca Balint.

Our very first Youth Soccer Day will be held on Saturday, June 11 from 1 p.m. — 4 p.m. at Virtue Field on UVM’s Campus in Burlington. The day will include a Learn to Play session for young people who are totally new to the game, as well as some Drills and Skills for more experienced players. Throughout the day, young participants will have the chance to meet and get tips from members of the Vermont Green and their coaches.

Starting July 1, the Trump administration will remove over seven million Americans, including hundreds in Vermont, from the country’s most affordable income-driven student loan repayment plan (known as the SAVE plan). The impact of that decision is that the average college graduate will be forced to pay up to $4,000 more each year on their student loan payments — about $244 a month.

Summer Meals feeds kids for free all summer long, while Crop Cash doubles your food dollar at the farmers market. It’s a simple way to feed your family fresh healthy food grown right here in Vermont while also supporting local farmers. Both programs are easy to use: Summer Meals is open to any child 18 and under and Crop Cash is available for Vermonters who receive 3SquaresVT benefits.

Every year, Vermonters turn out for these “Big Nights,” to help migrating amphibians safely cross roads near ponds and wetlands. In April, the Bernie Buzz caught up with the organizers and more than 200 local volunteers on Pond Road for the town of Shelburne’s Big Night to learn about why these evenings are important — and to get a look at some of the creatures that were migrating.

What a Saturday. I want to thank the 450 Vermonters who joined me on Saturday for a fun walk on the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail in Castleton. The weather was great, the bagels and coffee hit the spot and we all got a bit of healthy exercise on an absolutely beautiful day. I also want to thank local musician and educator Phil Henry for some truly excellent music. After a short discussion, we kicked off the hike with one of my favorite parts of this event: inviting young Vermonters up to the stage to lead everyone in These Green Mountains, our state song.