Each February just before Valentine’s Day, a group of women  get together in the wine cellar at the Norwich Inn with a mission: to craft as many valentines cards as they can for Veterans at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction.

Around 15 years ago, Norwich resident Becky Munsterer Sabky read a newspaper column about Veterans hospitals welcoming valentines from strangers for Valentine’s Day – a holiday that is sometimes cautiously celebrated, especially by those who have experienced loss or other traumas throughout their life.

Becky reached out to the VA Medical Center in White River Junction to inquire about getting involved. At first, “It was just a couple friends and me getting together,” she says. Now, the group has grown to involve lots of local women (20 participated this year); as they grew, they dubbed themselves first “The Ladies of the Upper Valley”, and then as the group evolved to be mostly women from Norwich, they became “The Ladies of Norwich”, and they sign their homemade valentines as such. “It became a social and community event that took off,” Becky adds. “It’s an invitation to friends and family to get together, craft valentines, and then deliver them to the VA hospital.”

Norwich residents and honorary “Ladies of Norwich”,
Laura Brown and Helena Gardner, show their
Valentines creations before they get delivered to the
VA medical center in White River Junction.

When the Ladies of Norwich first started making and delivering valentines to Veterans, they were able to visit the hospital and deliver the cards door-to-door. Post-Covid, some rules have changed, and now their valentines cards are delivered to the hospital and placed on patients’ lunch trays as a nice surprise. The number one rule that the Ladies of Norwich and other area Valentines-for-Veterans card-makers have to abide by is “no glitter!”. For anyone who has crafted with glitter before, you probably understand why.

But that doesn’t limit The Ladies of Norwich. From stickers and markers to crayons and cutouts, their valentines make a statement in pretty pinks, purples, and reds. For Becky and her friends, it’s as fun as it is charitable, to get together and mingle while crafting, sharing appetizers and wine. “We feel like kindergarteners again,” Becky remarks.

This year, the Ladies of Norwich made 80 valentines cards to distribute to patients at the VA Medical Center. Becky sees it as a small contribution in the grand scheme of things, but, “You do something so little, and yet it really inspires people to think about how they can think of others on Valentine’s Day,” she says. “It was hard to deliver cards to people who were inpatients at the hospital, but I felt like they were so inspirational, and it was such a little thing that seemed to brighten their day.”

The Ladies of Norwich plan to get together again soon to craft cards for Veterans for Memorial Day. In the meantime, the VA is always welcoming volunteers to interact with Veterans in a variety of ways.

During National Salute to Veteran Patients Week (Valentine’s week: February 9-15), “The community is encouraged to send in valentines for the patients,” says Karen Campbell, VHA-CM, Chief of Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the White River Junction VA Medical Center. For local information regarding this activity or opportunities to engage with Veterans, you can contact the medical center at:

White River Junction VA HCS
215 North Main Street
White River Junction, VT  05009
802-295-9363 x5392

Imagine: You’re a kid, it’s a beautiful day, and you want to visit Huntley Meadow, but riding or walking from Beaver Meadow Road – which has no sidewalk or bike lane – is tricky. What if you had a bridge, just for walkers and bikers like you, crossing Blood Brook to the playground and sports fields? Would you take it?

The Kids Bridge Project is in the home stretch for assembling an aluminum pedestrian and biker bridge at Huntley Meadow for all who visit Norwich. The volunteer team of outdoor recreation professionals, trail
developers, civil engineers, and builders – led by Bridge McDowell – has been planning the Kids Bridge for months in its current configuration, a fifty-six-foot truss span designed to endure extreme weather events.

The necessary state and local permits have been issued, and the manufacturer – RollingBarge – will deliver the package to the site next to the children’s playground, which has been approved by the town.

Thanks to over seventy-five Norwich families who have donated to the project – some more than once – the funds to purchase the $27,539.00 bridge have been received and the bridge package is expected to be delivered shortly before or after Thanksgiving. Fundraising will continue until donations for the project reach 100% of the budget of $31,800. In addition to local donors, several Upper Valley foundations have shown interest in the project.

In past years, there wa s a suspension bridge over Blood Brook, built by Norwich resident Scott Miller as his Eagle Scout project. Then came extreme weather events, shaking the bridge from its tree moorings until the town removed it due to safety concerns.

Many Norwich folks have fond memories of crossing that bridge. The home of the old suspension bridge will be home to the new Kids Bridge, and when completed, the volunteers who’ve given their time and energy to the project will gift the bridge to the town.

Our short building season may delay the opening of the Kids Bridge until spring, but Norwich families can look forward to a quiet walk or a speedy bike ride via the Kids Bridge on their way to school, sports practice, playground, and social events at Huntley Meadow, which, for many of us, is the heart of Norwich.

Soon, thanks to all who helped to fund and build the Kids Bridge, the dream of a safe and convenient crossing over Blood Brook to Huntley Meadow will be a reality.

Upper Valley consumers relish locally grown, raised, and produced food items. One need only visit the Norwich Farmers Market on a Saturday morning in the summertime to realize how true that is. Knowing where and how the food we consume is raised and comes to market is becoming vitally important for more and more people every year.

Local food producers have responded to this trend. Producers and growers such as the Robie Farm in Piermont, Root 5 Farm in Fairlee, Crossroads Farm of Post Mills, Sunrise Farm of White River Junction, and our own Honey Field and Sweetland Farms here in Norwich, respond to consumers’ needs and wants with a variety of local meat, cheese, and fresh produce offerings.

Historically, Vermont has a renowned reputation as a dairy-producing state. And despite the fact that the number of dairy farms has declined in the state in recent decades, locally produced dairy products are widely available to area consumers, thanks in part to one Norwich dairy enterprise.

The Norwich Farm Creamery (NFC) operates out of the historic Norwich Farm, a long-time dairy farm in Norwich, on Turnpike Road. The managers and partners in the farming endeavor are Laura Brown and Chris Gray. Their Creamery leases its facility from and works in close cooperation with the non-profit Norwich Farm Foundation (NFF), which owns the Norwich Farm.

In 2022, the NFF bought the Norwich Farm from the Vermont State Colleges, with the purpose of it developing into and remaining a self-sustaining agricultural asset for the community.

The NFC began operation in 2017, with the goal of producing and selling local and sustainable dairy products to the Upper Valley community. “The Norwich Creamery focuses on fresh, pasteurized dairy and we appreciate that everything we make each week is sold and consumed within a thirty mile radius of the farm,” explains Laura Brown.  “Feeding our community directly is so rewarding. Each week we make and sell about 750 individual items, which are in turn feeding thousands of our neighbors.”

A series of responsibilities shared between the co-manager couple are what make the Creamery a success. “We are a small-scale Grade A creamery…We do everything between the two of us. Chris hauls the milk, processes it in the creamery, and delivers to our customers,” Brown says. “Laura takes care of a lot of the packaging, all the sales, marketing, and books, and runs our farm store. We also have a (Richmond Middle School) 7th grader, our daughter Gigi, who is our all-around backup system and milk crate washing specialist,” Chris Gray adds.

Though Norwich Farm has a history of dairy operations, no dairy herd exists on the site at present, and the NFC relies on milk for its products from another Upper Valley farm – Billings Farm in Woodstock.  “When we found ourselves without an on-farm milk supply, we reached out to Billings Farm and Museum, home to a legendary dairy herd,” says Brown. “Their Jersey breed cows are fed a grass-based diet and are impeccably well cared for.”

This working relationship with Billings Farm benefits both operations.  “The Creamery adds value to the raw milk by processing it and marketing it. Part of this value is then returned to Billings in the form of an above-market premium that we pay for the raw milk.”

The taste derived from the Billings cows is an added benefit. “The high butterfat from this herd gives our products their delicious flavor,” Brown says.

 Being closely associated with the Norwich Farm Foundation, the Creamery is also involved in numerous community and educational volunteer efforts. “We pour hot cocoa at the MCS (Marion Cross School) skating party, scoop ice cream at the Women’s Club concert on the green, and are full-time at the Norwich Farmers Market,” says Brown. “We have hosted students from King Arthur Baking and will be having a Hanover High School class visit in March. We ran a ‘milk-to-school’ pilot program with MCS in the past, which is something we want to build on in the future,” she adds.

The future of the Farm is of paramount importance to both the Farm Creamery and the NFF.  For it to remain a sustaining agriculture entity – and serve as a community and educational asset – is the overarching goal of all involved. A major component of that goal is returning the Farm to a dairy-farming operation. “Over the next five years, we will be increasing our processing infrastructure and bringing back a working herd of cows. The goal is a milking herd of twenty cows, which means keeping about forty animals on the farm,” says Brown.

Being sustainable depends on an economic plan that works. “When we process all that milk directly through the on-farm creamery and sell it locally and regionally, then the financial model works. That means this farm system has a long-term future,” Brown adds.

Fundraising was critical in coming up with the initial down payment for the of the Farm, and remains so for its long-term goals. The Norwich Farm Foundation continues fundraising efforts through grant applications, a GoFundMe campaign, and community outreach. A visit to their website, (norwichfarmfoundation.org), will bring you up-to-date on their plans, goals, and fundraising opportunities.

As far as the Norwich Farm Creamery, one can find their products at area stores such as Dan & Whit’s, at the Norwich Farmers Market, and at their Farm Store at 701 Turnpike Road. The self-service store is accessible to customers at any time of day. Besides their own dairy products, the store features produce, meat, cheese, and dry goods. Norwich Farm Creamery products are either, “All from local,” Brown says, or “The best in the world we can get.” 

After a decade of closure and ongoing restoration work, on August 28th, 2021, the Root Schoolhouse reopened as a community space for events.

“It’s an exciting time!” exclaimed Courtney Dobyns, President, Root District Game Club (the schoolhouse Board of Directors). “The needs and visions of our supporters are so important to us as we get ready to move into this wonderful historic building and make this community venue come alive. The future of the schoolhouse will evolve as people come forward with their energies and special interests. We look forward to the collaboration.”

The project began in the summer of 2019 when the historic schoolhouse was jacked up from its crumbling foundation, the site was excavated, concrete was poured, the drainage issues were addressed, and the schoolhouse was placed back down on a new solid base. The finishing touches were wrapped up in the fall. But little did anyone know what lay ahead during 2020 while planning for the next phase in the building’s restoration. 

“We had just applied for several grants, only to be turned down for three in the spring and one more in the fall due to the immediate pandemic needs and stiff competition for grant funding,” Dobyns said. “It felt like the world had been turned upside down socially and economically. The Board saw that we needed to take a deep breath and evaluate our plan.”

Fast forward to the spring of 2020, when contractors moved forward on the occupancy permit requirements with a complete rewiring of the building, widening the back door for ADA access, building the ADA access ramp, and excavating for the special parking space near the ramp. Although all jobs were not completed, a year’s extension on the state occupancy permit was granted.

With deep determination to move forward despite the challenges, and with an anonymous donation of $30,000, the dedicated Root Schoolhouse board gave a big push to get the code requirements funded so the schoolhouse could open this summer. Forty-eight supporters generously raised $10,000. 

The Root Schoolhouse has gained significant recognition within the community, and Dobyns expressed her gratitude to all the volunteers who have stepped up to help. Some highlights of the evolution of the schoolhouse have included the first annual pie sale in October, holiday candles in the newly painted windows facing Union Village Road and receiving a special sign recognizing the schoolhouse’s inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Still left to do in 2021, is to erect the historical designation sign; hang and wire refurbished globe lights and kitchen lights; build ADA ramp, gutters, path, parking, and ADA portable toilet pad; install front step railings; repair the roof, finish basement insulation; mitigate poison ivy on property; and plant along the fence line.

Future projects to complete within three years include repairing the inside stairwell and main room ceiling; replacing the kitchen counter; finishing the backdoor to match other trim; repointing the chimney; cleaning and oiling the woodwork; painting the walls; tuning the piano; and repairing the slate blackboard ceiling.

“Beyond its historic preservation, our goal is to open the schoolhouse as a community space hosting educational and cultural events such as readings, musical gatherings, and maybe even collaborative events with neighboring farms for children and families,” said Dobyns. “There are limitless possibilities within our collective imagination. The enthusiasm expressed by our volunteers and townspeople makes the future look bright for this wonderful gem.”  

The celebration was held from 3-6 p.m, Saturday, August 28th; inside and outside the schoolhouse at 987 Union Village in Norwich. All were welcome. There were games, music, appreciations and refreshments. For more information about the Schoolhouse, contact vtrootschoolhouse@gmail.com or Courtney Dobyns at cdobyns1@myfairpoint.com.

One of the favorite recreational opportunities residents and visitors to the Upper Valley enjoy in the fall is hiking the many area trails. Hiking allows an intimate relationship with nature and, in some cases, a birds-eye view of the spectacular fall color. Residents and visitors are particularly blessed with many local trails from which to choose.

One of the best sources for information on area trails in our area is the Upper Valley Trails Alliance located in Norwich. UVTA executive director, Russ Hirschler, says hikers should be able to thoroughly enjoy the area’s trails this fall, while keeping in mind that the trails get some of their heaviest use this time of year.

Norwich’s Gile Mountain Trail is undoubtedly the most popular of all Norwich trails, Hirschler says. A few years back, the trail received an upgrade with the installation of a series of stone steps, which resulted in the decline of trail erosion and added to the ease of use for hikers. This wooded trail makes its way to a fire tower, the top of which offers great views of the area.

With limited parking available for this trail and heavy use in the fall, Hirschler adds, “Please be respectful of the landowners when choosing a parking place.”

Another trail Hirschler recommends in Norwich is the Ballard Trail, a four-mile long trail located off Beaver Meadow Road. This trail runs close to the Charles Brown Brook, and takes hikers to Norwich’s ‘Grand Canyon.’ Crossing many wet areas and run-off streams, volunteer crews recently installed a new boardwalk, stepping stones, and improved drainage to make this trail more accessible during wetter periods.

Erosion after heavy downpours or a quick spring warm-up followed by a run-off causes trail damage requiring repair. Thanks to the employment of drainage standards when building – or rehabilitating older ones – trails are better able to weather damage from storms or run-off. Most problems occur on older trails where these standards have yet to be employed. Fortunately, Hirschler says there haven’t been any major storms in the recent past to raise havoc with area trails.

For families with younger children looking for a pleasant walk in the woods of Norwich, Hirschler recommends the King Arthur trail next to the King Arthur Store and Bakery. Accessible from the King Arthur parking lot, he says this trail, “is a great place for families.” Ending up at the Dresden athletic fields, this trail allows for non-technical biking as well. What better way to end your breakfast or lunch at King Arthur than by a short, pleasant hike through the adjacent woods?

Another great opportunity for family hikes are the trails around the Montshire Museum. Accessible from the museum grounds, trail maps for these walks are obtained from the museum.

Those looking for maps and descriptions of the area trails can access that information from the UVTA’s website. Descriptions of some area trails are on also on an app called Trail Finder which gives great information on many potential hikes in the area.

Volunteers Michelle Townsend and Nathan Chickering

Hirschler explains that the UVTA works closely with area trails groups – such as the Norwich Trail Commission – to assess trail conditions, help find funding and volunteer assistance for trail work, and to provide professional guidance in determining work needed. As area trail organizations establish themselves and take on the work of maintaining and expanding trail networks, the work of the UVTA expands.

A recent project the UVTA completed with the Mascoma River Greenway (MRG) is one example. The MRG is a multi-use trail running through Lebanon and West Lebanon and is used by pedestrians and bicyclists. The UVTA built an access trail behind the Alice Peck Day Hospital which allows anyone – including disabled folks using wheelchairs or walkers – to reach the MRG. The 250-foot-long gravel and hardpack access trail has numerous switchbacks, which lessens the grade considerably. Lebanon is considering making the trail asphalt in the future. The dedication for this access trail to the MRG took place in August.

With so many trail opportunities available locally, residents and visitors alike should take advantage of the beautiful autumn colors and view them from one of these well-maintained walkways. Dress warm, be ready for some wet patches, and enjoy autumn from the trailside.

Jill Kearney Niles and Doug Robinson Named Stewards of Norwich

If you live in Norwich, you’ve encountered Demo Sofronas. You might not know it — but face it, the man and his works are everywhere. Maybe you’ve watched him crossing kids to Marion Cross in the morning. Or stopped to ponder the new monument honoring Norwich residents who served in the armed forces post-Vietnam, which he helped create. Or you read his “About Norwich” blog on DailyUV, which knits townspeople together. Or you’ve seen him at the Norwich Fair, sat on one of the benches he helped put together behind the library, or come across some other Norwich Lions Club service project he’s been involved in. Or you encountered him when he was postmaster here. Or you’ve used the library, on whose board he sits. Or, until a month ago or so, you watched the Selectboard on CATV—though you wouldn’t have seen Demo, because he was the guy behind the camera.

Here’s the other thing about Demo: If you do have occasion to work with him, you can count on two things — he’ll always be upbeat, friendly, and constructive; and he doesn’t wait to be asked to roll up his sleeves.  If there’s a building project, he’s got hammer in hand. If things need setting straight or organizing, he plunges in. If a conversation is getting testy  — on a nonprofit board, planning some volunteer event, in a town gathering — he cheerfully reminds everyone that we’re all just trying to do the best we can, and that everything will turn out okay. Plain and simple, Norwich would not work as well as it does without him.

All of this may be why, when the Norwich Citizen of the Year Committee asked townspeople for nominations this year, the “Demo!” emails came flooding in. And it is also why the committee is tickled pink to be able to announce that Demo Sofronas is the 2019 Norwich Citizen of the Year. When you see Demo around town, please congratulate him.

The committee is equally pleased to say that we’re also honoring two town employees, Recreation Director Jill Kearney Niles and Police Chief Doug Robinson, whose longstanding contributions to the quality of life in town are so overwhelming that naming them Stewards of Norwich can’t even begin to describe their impact. Both are stepping down this spring, and we’ll miss them tremendously.

Jill has been running town recreation programs for 26 years. It’s tempting to say that all you have to do is look at any recreation brochure to see her impact: a range of programs and resources for kids and adults that towns twice this size would envy. But her impact has actually been far greater: She’s not only made it possible for townspeople and their kids to exercise, learn a sport, and learn the life skills that sports can teach, she’s also set a tone of generosity and good will.

“Jill treats all families as special and makes exceptions and dispensations that restore humanity to the business of raising children,” one former member of the town Rec Council says. “She nurtures relationships with Norwich families in ways that make us want to volunteer to coach and assist.  She follows through providing support all along the way, including having a presence at many recreation events and games.  The children all know Jill and feel safe under her leadership because of her friendly presence at their games.  She knows so many of them by name, saying hello to them and inquiring about them long after they have graduated from Norwich recreation sports.”

By comparison, Doug is a short-timer, having worked for the Norwich Police Department for a mere 17 years — the first three as sergeant, then 14 years as chief. There’s a lot we could say about how Norwich has benefited from the shift he led to a community-centered model of policing, and about the ways in which he encouraged the town’s police officers to serve Norwich as resources as well as law enforcers. But Doug will probably be remembered most for his sheer humanity and compassion.

Reminiscing after he announced his retirement, he said this: “Way back, when I was a school resource officer, a young lady comes up at high-school graduation, gives me a big hug, and says she wouldn’t have made it without me. And I remembered all the times I had to deal with her truancy and getting her to go to school, and now she was going off to the Navy. It’s moments like that that you go, ‘Wow, I really did make a difference!’ You don’t realize, when you just go and stop a car for speeding, that you might just have saved that person’s life.”

“Doug looked out for a lot of people,” says Marion Cross School Principal Bill Hammond. “But he had a soft spot for the kids here. One of his most reliable and memorable contributions was during Bike-to-School Day. He showed up early at Huntley Meadows, chatted with kids and adults, and then led the parade to Marion Cross School in his cruiser. He set the pace. He made sure the traffic was controlled while the kids biked down Main Street. He came with a smile and left us in good, safe shape. I can’t tell you about all of our interactions, but I can tell you that his goal was always about finding a solution that was in the best interest of the child.”

So please! Make sure you come to the Norwich Women’s Club Gala on Saturday, March 16 from 6 to 10pm, as the town comes together to honor and celebrate Demo Sofronas, Jill Kearney Niles, and Doug Robinson.

Norwich has many fantastic trails around town, where people can enjoy exercising, botanizing, wildlife watching, or simply walking in the woods. The Trails Committee does an excellent job of monitoring and maintaining all the public trails, and many land owners are very generous in allowing trails across their properties. Fellow trail users, trail workers, and land owners are greatly deserving of courtesies and respectful treatment from all of us. What follows is a list of reminders about important components of trail etiquette. If you do not agree with what we lay out as appropriate trail etiquette, please do not hesitate to come and share your ideas and concerns with us.

In a previous article, we mentioned the importance of controlling dogs on the trails. It is worth repeating how off-leash dogs can upset fellow trail users and wildlife. There are many people who are not comfortable being approached by dogs they do not know. There are also many people who would rather see un-spooked wildlife in the forest beside the trail instead of a dog running rampant.

Recent work on Green Up Day reminds many of us that not all our fellow citizens adhere to the adage ‘leave no trace.’ People especially do not want to see refuse, including dog droppings, during their walk in the woods. Please ‘leave only footprints.’

And leave those footprints only on the trail. The trails are constructed to handle foot traffic, the forest floor is not. If the trail is a single-track, use it as such. Please don’t walk in a group four wide if the trail cannot accommodate that width of humanity.

Further speaking of footprints, it is important that all posted trail instructions be followed, even if the instruction is that the trail is closed. Permitted uses, redirected trails, trail closures (for mud season for example), and other trail instructions are decisions made by people dedicated to the long-term care and maintenance of trails, people who spend time learning about best trail practices. Those instructions about and temporary closures of trails are done to alleviate the damage that too many footprints can have on fragile trailside areas and soft, wet trails.

Regarding trailside areas, remember to also take only photographs.’ The plants within our trail corridors are part of natural communities and they have roles to play in their ecosystem. They are not there for a few of us to take, take, take. Collecting has already made wild ginsing very rare and cucumber root much less common. Let’s not add to the list of the over-harvested; let’s instead have all the plant species remain part of their ecosystem and be there for all to see.

Many of our trails are multi-use and these different ways of using trails can lead to some questions, the proper etiquette of which may be conditional. For example, on flat terrain it may well be appropriate for bikers to yield to walkers, whereas on steep terrain it may well be better for walkers to step aside for bikers; however, a biker should never expect a hiker to yield on a multi-use trail.

There can also be winter multi-use etiquette questions. If someone has gone to the effort of breaking trail and setting a ski track, be courteous by not obliterating their work with your snowshoes. Why not simply snowshoe beside the ski trail? Besides, snowshoes are designed to provide loft in unbroken snow, not tramp around on packed trails and ski tracks.

Well, mud season is a memory. Get out there, be courteous, and enjoy the trails!

~ Norwich Conservation Commission

Don’t forget to get your tickets to see Dark Star Orchestra to benefit the Rusty Berrings Skatepark in memory of Tyler Kirschner.

Dark Star Orchestra recreates set lists from some of the most legendary Grateful Dead shows in the Dead’s 30 years of touring. If you’ve ever wondered why the fans were/are so loyal to what the Dead was offering, you now have a chance to experience what it was like to be in an intimate venue, with a couple thousand of your now closest friends (because that’s what seems to happen), and just let the music carry the evening. When the seven members of DSO play, they remind us that the music never stopped and it definitely isn’t stopping any time soon.

“Quite possibly the most talented and accomplished tribute band out there…they’ve definitely mastered their inspiration’s vagabond nature.”

-Rolling Stone 

Help keep the Rusty Berrings Skatepark, located at the Riverside Community Park in Lebanon, a permanent and free recreational venue for the entire Upper Valley!

www.gofundme.com/lebanonnhskatepark

Montshire Museum of Science Executive Director David Goudy has announced his plans to retire the end of March 2015, following 34 years as the Museum’s executive director.
During his tenure, Goudy led the Museum from a fledgling enterprise to a nationally recognized center for science learning. He has taken special interest in developing the Museum’s capacity for high-quality science education particularly in the context of the special challenges of serving a rural region. Montshire has become a national model, attracting research and program support from numerous private foundations and federal agencies.

Shortly after being appointed as executive director in 1981, Goudy negotiated the acquisition of 100 acres bordering the Connecticut River in Norwich, Vermont, and in 1989 the Museum moved from the former Golfside Bowling Lanes in Hanover, New Hampshire, to its current location.

He received the first annual New Hampshire Corporate Fund Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, and represented Montshire at a White House reception with President Clinton recognizing Montshire as the first recipient of the National Award for Museum Service.

“David Goudy has made the Montshire Museum his life’s work. Over the three decades of his vigorous and enlightened service, his stewardship has made a lasting mark,” remarked Senator Patrick Leahy. “The Montshire Museum is one of Vermont’s great treasures. The Montshire offers exhibits that are both educational and interactive, for children and adults alike. Every time I have visited with Marcelle and, especially, our grandchildren, we have left thrilled and fulfilled.”

Upon announcing his retirement, Goudy said, “I have been immensely privileged to work with superb staff and trustees as well as an engaged, supportive community. No executive director could ask for a more creative environment to support development of a community cultural and educational asset like Montshire.”

“David has provided the Montshire with many years of remarkable service and his lasting legacy is immediately clear to anyone who visits the museum. While we will miss his exemplary leadership, the Board of Trustees is fully committed to maintaining the high standards that he has established for the Montshire’s educational programs, exhibits, facilities and visitor services,” said Norwich resident, Cinny Bensen, Chair of Montshire’s Board of Trustees.