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“Sharing Our Past — Shaping Our Future” Since 1974 |
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For more information contact VHC or 802.262.2626 |
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Humanities Commentaries on VPR (cont'd) |
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Poets and Lawyers (7-23-2007) The upcoming public ceremony at the State House honoring Ruth Stone of Middlebury as Vermont's new State Poet has commentator Peter Gilbert thinking about the relationship between poets and — of all people — lawyers. Memorial Day (5-25-2007) This Memorial Day commentator Peter Gilbert will be in his family's hometown of Dorset. Each year, there's a brief ceremony in the church before the parade to the cemetery, where the honor guard's three-volley salute and the playing of taps literally brings home the meaning of the day. Barbarians (5-18-2007) Commentator Peter Gilbert says that lessons about not making convenient excuses for inaction — either as a society or as individuals — can be found in an anniversary coming up tomorrow — and a modern Greek poem. Graduation (5-4-2007) This is the time of year for graduations and commencement addresses. And commentator Peter Gilbert is reminded of a classic commencement address that is as inspiring today as it was when it was given — in 1954. Empathy (4-15-2007) An address to fellow VPR commentators and friends on the topic of “common ground.” Frost on Spring (4-6-2007) With spring more or less at hand, commentator Peter Gilbert has been thinking of Robert Frost's poem "A Prayer in Spring", which, he says, is about one of those beautiful spring days that doesn't just give you spring fever; it touches your heart and soul at the deepest level. Dred Scott Anniversary (3-14-2007) Commentator Peter Gilbert says that last Tuesday, March 6th, marked the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of one of the most well-known Supreme Court decisions in U.S. History. But the occasion was largely ignored, perhaps because the decision in the Dred Scott case was one of the worst ever issued by the Court. Auden (2-20-2007) Tomorrow, February 21, is the hundredth birthday of one of the great literary figures of the twentieth century. And commentator Peter Gilbert thinks it's an event worth celebrating. Williamsburg (1-18-2007) During the holidays, commentator Peter Gilbert traveled with his family to Williamsburg, Virginia — back in time, to the days of the American Revolution. What he found surprised him. State House Anniversary (1-5-2007) On a cold night exactly one hundred and fifty years ago, Vermont lost a unique treasure. Ironically however, from that tragic loss came another handsome treasure, which we now have cause to celebrate. Here's commentator Peter Gilbert. To a Young Wretch (12-21-2006) Across Vermont thousands of people are buying Christmas trees — or cutting their own. Commentator Peter Gilbert tells us about a Robert Frost poem in which the narrator struggles to feel the holiday spirit toward a neighbor who' s cut a Christmas tree on his land without asking. Blackberry Haiku (12-11-2006) Commentator Peter Gilbert is wondering whether new communication technology may be creating a new poetic form. Twig Season (11-27-2006) Many of us have a favorite season in Vermont. Commentator Peter Gilbert's favorite may surprise you. Literacy (10-26-2006) As election day approaches, commentator Peter Gilbert has been thinking that if there were a silver bullet for creating both good and successful citizens, it would be education. Education starts with the ability to read. And in Vermont, literacy programs to promote reading and books can be found everywhere from play pens to prisons. Keats Poem “To Autumn” (10-9-2006) Fall colors were at their peak in much of Vermont this past weekend, and for commentator Peter Gilbert they brought to mind a famous poem that's been called "… as close to perfect as any shorter poem in the English language." Chester A. Arthur (9-19-2006) Calvin Coolidge is only one of two American presidents who hailed from Vermont. The other is not as well known — or as beloved — as Coolidge, but the two men have more in common than one might think. Here's commentator Peter Gilbert. Richard III Society (8-21-2006) Commentator Peter Gilbert will be reading the "In Memoriam" notices in The New York Times carefully tomorrow — to see if a notice honoring a man who died 521 years ago will be printed again this year. |
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