Bernie Buzz

The reality is that we are facing a mental health crisis in America, and Vermont is not immune. This is especially true for our young people, who are living with enormous stress, anxiety, and loneliness as they deal with isolation and school disruptions caused by the global pandemic.

Today, we are going behind the music with one of Vermont’s many great artists: singer-songwriter Grace Potter. Born and raised in Fayston, Vermont, Grace burst onto the music scene in the early 2000s as a solo musician and with her band at the time, The Nocturnals. Since then, Grace has become a Grammy-nominated artist, written many albums, toured the country, and shared stages with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, and The Allman Brothers Band.

As we all know, Vermont is one of the most beautiful states in the country. We have extraordinary natural resources that attract people from throughout the world. On Saturday, June 10th, I went for a hike on the Long Trail in Stowe – along with 150 other Vermonters of all ages who braved the rain. We had a great time. We enjoyed bagels and coffee for breakfast, followed by a scenic hike through the woods.

My office received an overwhelming response to our upcoming event, Breakfast and Hike with Bernie: An Outdoor Town Meeting on Vermont’s Long Trail. We are thrilled to see that so many of you are interested in getting outside and appreciating the beauty of our home state.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Northeast Kingdom and speak with Vermonters involved in hospital administration, primary health care, and dental care. I also visited two high schools and met with students, faculty, and administrators. These are tough times for our state and country, but I always get inspired meeting with Vermonters who are doing the hard, day-to-day work of improving life in their communities.

Memorial Day is a time in which we honor and remember those Americans who died in battle, and recognize the unimaginable losses their families have experienced. It is also a time in which we make certain that every veteran who does return home receives the benefits they are entitled to in a timely manner.