July 2004 - Calm Before the Fall

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Calm Before the Fall

By Sue Gillis

July is Vermont’s high summer season, just one short month of a bit of sun and fun, which is eagerly anticipated by Vermonters all year.

This year it seems even more important than ever to seize a few days of quiet refuge away from the ever-present tensions of war and the threat of terror. July beckons us to take pause and turn off the TV, perhaps read a good novel or just let our senses roam, for the fall is sure to come around as quickly as July arrived.

And speaking of summer, the Vermont Woman staff sends Editor Deb Alden off to enjoy her summer with a fond farewell, as this is her last issue. As Founding Editor, Deb helped to create Vermont Woman from scratch, providing a structure, direction, and spirit that will endure as a guide for future issues. Deb leaves her position in the capable hands of Margaret Michniewicz, a fifteen-year publishing veteran, who will assume her editorial responsibilities immediately.

Even as we settle in to enjoy a few glorious days ahead, the Vermont Woman staff is preparing for what is gearing up to be a most busy fall. The latest polls reveal that approximately 78% of Americans are fully engaged in the presidential campaign and upcoming elections, an unusually high percentage. As national events continue to unfold—the war in Iraq, the results of the 9/11 commission report due out soon; the impact of Michael Moore’s disturbing film, Fahrenheight 9/11, seen by huge numbers of Americans and others throughout the world; Clinton’s book tour drawing enormously enthusiastic audiences—the next few months leading up to the November election will be rugged.

Of course, we Vermonters will be deciding our own state and local elections as well; Congressional Seats, Governor, Lt. Governor, etc. There is a lot to think about and a great deal at stake. In the coming months Vermont Woman will weigh in on the issues and provide our readers with insightful interviews with the major candidates.

As always, Vermont Woman remains committed to bringing new profiles of women who live and work as they believe and with a passion that drives them to push beyond their limits; always evolving and periodically reinventing themselves, no matter what their age. Women like those included in this month’s issue—Ellen Miller, Kate Selby and others—who inspire and move us all to another place.

And women such as the Vermont Woman Lecture Series’ next featured speaker, Eleanor Clift, speaking Sunday August 22 at 2:30pm at the Sheraton Inn in Burlington. Eleanor is the author of three books, including this month’s Pageturners review, Founding Sisters and the 19th amendment, a Newsweek magazine contributing editor and columnist, and recognizable to many as the only woman panelist on the weekly McClaughlin Group ( seen Sundays at noon on PBS).

Eleanor’s topic will be “The Next Election and What’s at Stake.” Eleanor is a feisty, opinionated, knowledgeable political pundit and scholar. So please join us for another dynamic afternoon of ideas, questions from the audience, and booksigning by the author. Be sure to save the date and buy your tickets early (www.vermontwoman.com or call Jennifer at 802-861-6200).

In the meantime try a little easy livin’ this month because there are some stormin’ days ahead.

Vermont Woman is a forum for news, issues, features, arts and entertainment from the perspective, experience, and voices of Vermont women. Vermont Woman is a bi-monthly newspaper published in South Hero, Vermont and is excerpted here on this site. All content © Copyright 2011, Vermont Woman Media.