Howard Dean on healthcare reform, today on Vermont Edition

Listen to the full interview of Howard Dean by VPR's Bob Kinzel here.

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean was the guest today on Vermont Edition.  Gov. Dean discusses his new book, "Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform."  Dean also reveals why, after seven years of silence, he is speaking out against the Douglas Administration's policies for the Housing and Conservation Fund and the Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Fund. 

VPR Presents Gloria Steinem

"I know someone is really smart when I can understand everything they say." This was one of many notes I took during Gloria Steinem's appearance in Burlington Thursday night.

At 75, Steinem's energy still fills a room, uniting the crowd of 600 women who came to hear her. She covered a wide range of topics including the connection between sex discrimination and racism, the fact that slavery is more prevalent today than it was in the 1800s, and her warning that America is in a time of transition that holds both promise and danger.

One moment stood out for me: a girl celebrating her 15th birthday asked Steinem what advice she had for her and her young friends. Steinem replied, "Don't listen to me, listen to your dreams." And the whole room sang Happy Birthday.

One of my favorite books that I have reread many times is Steinem's memoir "Revolution From Within." We see a woman who has always looked so strong and has been such a powerful force for change here and around the world - we assume she's always been that way, right?  Not quite. "Revolution From Within" reveals Steinem's inner struggles and charts her personal growth as she became a woman with an unstoppable vision.

VPR Presents Steinem's talk and the discussion that followed here.

Steinem was brought to Vermont by Vermont Woman Newspaper.

Franny Bastian

Senior Producer

Vermont Public Radio

A Century of Service

Last Friday, we gathered for our annual employee recognition lunch to honor staff members who have reached milestone years of service to VPR in 2009. This year, we celebrated six staffers:

Left to right, that's Steve Zind (15 years), Cheryl Willoughby (5 years), Sam Sanders (30 years), Walter Parker (25 years), Tim Johnson (5 years), and Robin Turnau (20 years). We did the math; that's 100 years! Every person who works at VPR makes it a stronger organization, but as a staff working as a team and family it becomes worth even more than a century of service. Congratulations!

An epic candlepin series

The second stop on the Vermont Public Radio tour of Vermont Candlepin Bowling centers was made on Saturday, June 6 when VPR Classical's Joe Goetz and VPR's Ric Cengeri traveled to Upper Valley Lanes & Games in White River Junction.

In a battle reminiscent of the 1964 World Series between the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals, this one wasn't decided until the late frames of Game 7. It was the young upstart (Joe) taking on the seasoned veteran (I previously bowled two games of candlepin a few weeks before in Derby). Joe made up for his lack of experience by viewing hours of old candlepin broadcasts on youtube. He spent as much time preparing for his candlepin debut as he did when learning Chopin's Scherzo No.2 in B Flat Minor.

The two bowlers had contrasting styles. Joe started at the back of the lane, taking long strides, throwing the ball hard and fast. I reduced my approach to three steps and took a slow steady swing with the ball.

Amazingly, through six games and seven frames, we were locked in a tie. We had each won three games and had the exact same cumulative score through those 67 frames. Then in the 8th frame of the seventh and deciding game, Joe notched a spare while I scored 9. It proved to be the difference as Joe went on to win the final game, 81-79. His cumulative score was also better: 550-549.

So for now, Joe Goetz, the classically trained pianist and self-taught bowler stands as VPR's Candlepin Champ.

Click here to learn more about Candlepin bowling in Vermont.

(In addition to White River Junction and Derby, there are candlepin bowling centers in Canaan and Wilmington, Vermont)

Work today on Mount Mansfield

WVPS will be at low power today starting at 9AM to allow removal of towers and antennas on Mt. Mansfield. In addition, WVPS may be off completely occasionally throughout the day. WVTI and WVPA HD may also be affected. We apologize for the inconvenience. You can listen online during the interruption.

You Have to Hook'em While They're Young

We often have visitors to our studios, but it's an extra-special treat to welcome young people to Vermont Public Radio. On Wednesday, VPR President Robin Turnau gave a tour to her daughter Maddie's 6th grade class from the Charlotte Central School.

I've never met a listener who doesn't feel lucky to have discovered public radio. I didn't get hooked until after college when I drove a lot for my job, and remember wondering why I didn't start listening sooner. Truth is, it just never crossed my radar.

Maybe these sixth-graders won't start listening right away, but we hope that introducing young people to public radio while they're young will set them on a path to living a curious, engaged, and informed life.

Click here to hear an audio clip recorded by the class.

Job Opening at VPR

Here are just a few of the reasons why we love working at VPR:

People who are: creative, energetic, enthusiastic, love food, share their favorite books, collaborate, have interesting lives and play well with others.

Nice digs: Modern studios, cozy cubicles, and Fort Ethan Allen is a great place to walk at lunch time.

Awesome food: at staff parties and VPR events, donated during pledge drives, and occasionally shared in the VPR kitchen.

When you tell people where you work, they exclaim "You work at VPR? I love VPR!"

To learn about our current opening for a producer/announcer, click here.

Vermont Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer.