Vermont

‘Tomorrow is not promised:’ Community remembers Tammy and Lucas Menard – VTDigger

Published

1 month ago

November 30, 2024

‘Tomorrow is not promised:’ Community remembers Tammy and Lucas Menard – VTDigger

New tent encampments, like this one in Montpelier this past summer, have been established by people who lost or were unable to access housing or shelter in the wake of protracted state-sponsored cutbacks. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

Housing advocate Brenda Siegel first met Tammy Menard on the steps of the Vermont Statehouse during a 2021 protest that asked state leaders to give shelter to people who needed it through a state-sponsored motel program.

In September, after facing housing insecurity for years, Tammy and her husband, Lucas Menard, were forced to leave their motel room when their 80-day voucher ended, according to Siegel.

Since then, the couple had been living outside on land in Wolcott. Late Wednesday afternoon, Tammy and Lucas were found dead in their tent. What caused their deaths has not been determined, and the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department, which responded to the scene, had no further information Friday afternoon. Foul play is not suspected, the department said in a press release.

“People can’t live outside,” Siegel said on Friday, her voice breaking. “They’re at risk of dying when they live outside.”

Despite facing housing insecurity themselves, Tammy and Lucas organized and advocated for others in their position, according to a number of people who knew them.

At the 2021 protest, Tammy connected several people who were struggling to find housing with End Homelessness Vermont, Siegel’s organization.

“We had our hotline started while we were on the steps, and she would contact us when she had someone in the overflow, or when she had someone at the day shelter, or when she was interacting with somebody who was outside who needed help getting inside,” Siegel said.

Around 2017, Tammy and Lucas — or “Troll,” a childhood nickname that stuck — met Matthew and Kathryn Nunnelley at Capital Community Church in Montpelier, where Matthew is the pastor.

The Menards were living in a van, which was having mechanical problems and was stationed in a nearby parking lot, Matthew said. At the church’s Thursday night dinner, he noticed the couple, who seemed stranded because of their car, and invited them in. Tammy came in right away, Matthew said, but Lucas needed some convincing. Tammy started coming more regularly, and slowly but surely, Lucas followed suit.

“There were a lot of times when he introduced me as his pastor, and people would cock their heads like, you go to church?” Matthew said with a laugh.

While Tammy was widely described as people-oriented and ready to help, Lucas was more reserved, Kathryn said. Kathryn and Lucas were the same age, with birthdays in September, so Lucas proposed a cookout with burgers before the church service, she said.

“Troll, he definitely kind of had a gruff, tough exterior, but he was definitely tender inside,” Kathryn said. “You just had to get to that place where he trusted you to see that. I would just say that I feel honored to have seen that part of him.”

The Nunnelleys considered the Menards family.

“I can’t believe that I’ll never see them or talk to them again,” Kathryn said, “and they won’t be there in the pews with us. Tammy made her stuffing for our meal last week, and, you know, she’ll never do that again for us.”

Brenda Siegel, center, joined housing policy advocates and faith leaders for a press conference to raise awareness about changes to the state’s housing assistance program on Nov. 1, 2021. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger

‘Two strikes against them’

Rick DeAngelis, who recently retired from his post as the director of Good Samaritan Haven, a shelter in Barre, said he met the Menards when they stayed at the Econo Lodge in Montpelier, where the shelter operated during the pandemic. Then, a few years later, Tammy was a staff member at Another Way, a drop-in center in Montpelier.

“We were jointly operating a warming shelter at the bus station in Montpelier with Another Way, and Tammy was often there,” DeAngelis said. “She was there more than anybody else as the staff person.”

At times, he said, Tammy was eligible for housing assistance and Lucas wasn’t, and so he couldn’t live with her.

“She wanted to be with him, even if that meant being homeless,” DeAngelis said.

The Menards went in and out of housing over the last few years. After the 2021 protest on the Statehouse lawn, Siegel next encountered Tammy and Lucas when a colleague happened upon an encampment.

“They were struggling to get back in the hotels,” she said. “We were able to help them get back in, and they’ve remained our clients since then.”

Both struggled with health problems that made the lack of housing especially difficult, Siegel said. Tammy had diabetes and needed refrigerated insulin. She had both her knees replaced. Lucas had a blood clot in a vein going to his liver. In January 2024, Tammy lost most of her belongings in a fire at an encampment, including warm winter gear, blankets “and all my medicine,” she wrote in a GoFundMe post.

“Unfortunately, I’m homeless due to medical conditions that prevent me from being able to hold a full time job to afford housing,” she wrote.

Because of their health conditions, Siegel said her organization had been advocating to get them back into the state’s motel program, but they were denied.

Vermont’s motel program poised for more limited winter access

by Carly Berlin
November 25, 2024, 4:39 pmNovember 27, 2024, 4:20 pm

Chris Winters, commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, did not immediately respond to a reporters’ phone call on Friday.

DeAngelis said recent knee surgeries had helped Tammy become more mobile, and it seemed like things were taking a turn for the better. Only a week ago, Tammy asked if DeAngelis would serve as a reference for her. She wanted to work at Good Samaritan Haven, he said, and help people who were experiencing homelessness, too. He told her that maybe she could start looking for an apartment.

“The juxtaposition of this horrible thing and how well she was doing, it seemed — looking for a job,” he said, was “homelessness in a nutshell.”

“The folks that are experiencing homelessness, they’ve got two strikes against them,” he said. “It’s so hard to re-establish themselves in the system. And it feels like there’s no justice.”

Siegel said she and her staff members had spoken with Tammy in the days leading up to her death. The couple had recently been cleared to re-enter the hotel program on Dec. 1, but they hadn’t yet found a place that had availability.

“They were not doing well,” Siegel said. “She presented with high spirits, and in those days she told me that they would make it, but she just was really starting to worry about their health, so she was regularly checking in to see, had we found a spot?”

Siegel said Tammy was “always thinking about how she could help other people, even in her most high-need moments.”

In 2023, Tammy posted an image to Facebook that said: “Love your family. Spend time, be kind and serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised and today is short.”

A vigil will be held for Tammy and Lucas Menard at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at Montpelier City Hall.

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Vermont

When will the polar vortex reach Vermont? See forecast of when cold temps are coming

Published

44 minutes ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

When will the polar vortex reach Vermont? See forecast of when cold temps are coming

What is the polar vortex?

The polar vortex is a large area of low-pressure and cold air that typically swirls around the Earth’s poles, particularly the North Pole.

unbranded – Newsworthy

The new year brings a wave of cold temperatures to much of the country, including Vermont.

A polar vortex, which is a large pocket of cold air that swirls in place over the North and South Poles, is expected to spill south and push Arctic-level temperatures across the country next week.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, the surge of cold temperatures is expected to hit most of the eastern part of the country.

NOAA’s latest forecast has most of Vermont likely to see below freezing temperatures throughout most of next week. Here’s what to know.

When will polar vortex reach Vermont?

A polar vortex bringing a surge of Arctic temperatures is expected to reach most of the country, including Vermont, mid-next week through Jan. 14, according to NOAA.

According to AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva, the polar vortex blasts are expected to hit from Jan. 3 to 4, Jan. 7 to 8 and Jan. 11 to 12.

Some parts of the country, like the northern Plains, could face a risk of heavy snow next week.

AccuWeather forecasters are predicting a possible snowstorm impacting metro areas including Boston later next week.

How cold will it be in Vermont during polar vortex? Temperature forecast

During next week’s polar vortex, some parts of the country could reach temperatures as low as -30°F, according to the latest AccuWeather forecast.

Temperatures in Vermont are expected to reach peak lows between Jan. 8 and Jan. 10. AccuWeather’s forecast has the northeast, including Vermont, hitting somewhere between 0 and 10°F on those days.

“This could end up being the coldest January since 2011 for the U.S. as a whole,” said AccuWeather’s lead long-range expert Paul Pastelok.

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Vermont

Vermont H.S. sports scores for Thursday, Jan. 2: See how your favorite team fared

Published

8 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

Vermont H.S. sports scores for Thursday, Jan. 2: See how your favorite team fared

Emma Hodgson 24-point performance leads Essex girls basketball to win

Emma Hodgson was dominant in the paint, scoring 24 points leading Essex girls basketball to the champions game in the MMU Holiday tournament.

The 2024-2025 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

►Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter:@aabrami5.

►Contact Judith Altneu at jaltneu@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

THURSDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Girls basketball

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Northfield at Vergennes, 6 p.m.

Randolph at Williamstown, 6 p.m.

Burlington at Colchester

Stowe at Peoples

Harwood at U-32

Lamoille at North Country

Rutland at Mount Mansfield

BFA-Fairfax at Missisquoi

Richford at Milton

Lyndon at Lake Region

Enosburg at South Burlington

Brattleboro at St. Johnsbury

Rivendell at Oxbow

Hazen at West Rutland

Thetford at White River Valley

Mount Abraham at Fair Haven

Rice at Essex, 7:30 p.m.

Middlebury at BFA-St. Albans, 7:30 p.m.

Alpine skiing

St, Johnsbury, Rice, Harwood, Stowe, Lyndon at U-32 (at Bolton), 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Boys basketball

Games at 7 p.m unless noted

Williamstown at Twinfield/Cabot, 6 p.m.

Colchester at Lyndon, 6:30 p.m

Northfield at BFA-Fairfax

Missisquoi at Richford

North Country at Lamoille

Mount Mansfield at South Burlington

BFA-St. Albans at St. Johnsbury

Burlington at Champlain Valley

Randolph at Thetford

Enosburg at Mount St. Joseph

Mount Abraham at Otter Valley

Rice at Essex, 7:30 p.m.

Stowe at Danville, 7:30 p.m.

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

7 Best Downtowns In Vermont

Published

16 hours ago

January 1, 2025

Press Room

Vermont is famous for many reasons. Between 19th-century covered bridges steeped in history, gorgeous mountainous backdrops, and being the top maple syrup producer in the US, there are plenty of reasons to fall in love with The Green Mountain State. With their incredible scenery, architectural gems, and mouthwatering delicacies, these towns have extraordinary centers to explore. Whether you start with the historic art spaces of Brattleboro or the tale-ridden landmarks of Stowe, discover the best downtowns in Vermont.

Burlington

Festival of Fool in Burlington, Vermont. Editorial credit: John Zegar / Shutterstock.com.

Not only is Burlington, also referred to as “The Queen City,” a wonderful winter sports destination surrounded by five ski areas—but the beautiful city also has a charming downtown area with pedestrian-only streets and quaint boutiques that will capture your heart.

Church Street Marketplace, a bustling open-air mall known for its historic architecture, has over 100 shops and restaurants. You will also find incredible local breweries, year-round festivals, music performances, and street entertainers here. Sip on a warm latte from a local cafe as you make your way from shop to shop, wandering through the captivating cobblestone streets covered in lights.

From there, head west to Waterfront Park. You can see breathtaking views of Lake Champlain—named after French Explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1609, and New York’s Adirondack Mountains in the back. Pay a visit to ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a nature and science museum with over 100 interactive exhibits and 70 species where you can learn more about the lake.

Stowe

Home to the iconic Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe is not only known as the “Ski Capital of the East “ but also has a picturesque, walkable downtown area explorable by foot. With quaint streets surrounding the foot of Mount Mansfield—the tallest mountain in Vermont, sitting at a peak of 1,339 metres, this New England village is particularly charming with its 19th-century buildings.

Capture some captivating photos of the Stowe Community Church, one of the oldest non-denominational churches in the US, founded in 1863. Enjoy a rich cup of gourmet hot chocolate as you indulge in premium truffles and shop for mouthwatering gifts at Lake Champlain Chocolates.

Discover how vibrant flower boxes perfectly line Main Street in the summer, or see how the white lights illuminate the winter path. If you head further east, you can visit the legendary Gold Brook Covered Bridge, constructed in 1844. This landmark is also known as “Emily’s Bridge” and has become famous for its reported supernatural sightings following the tale of a young woman’s ghost.

Brattleboro

From Greek Revival to Victorian and Modernist buildings, Brattleboro has a fascinating mix of architectural styles. It is no surprise the Brattleboro Downtown Historic District, located by the Connecticut River, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

This beautiful town features unique landmarks like the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Founded in 1972, the contemporary art museum was opened in the 1915-built Union Station and is the perfect place to see how Brattleboro perfectly combines its preserved history with a thriving arts scene. For a unique sensory experience, book a ticket to a concert in The Stone Church. This 140-year-old Victorian Gothic Church was transformed into a live music venue in 2017, hosting international artists while preserving its original character.

Explore the galleries, cafes, restaurants, and museums as you meander from shop to shop. Choose from a rich collection of books by progressive, original authors in Everyone’s Books. Plus, since Vermont is recognized for its award-winning cheese, stop by the community-owned Brattleboro Food Co-op to taste and pick up some delicious locally-made varieties.

Newport

On the southern shores of Lake Memphremagog lies Newport, the northernmost city in Vermont. This fascinating outdoor adventure destination also has a charming small-town vibe with an activity-packed downtown area.

See the stunning lake from Newport City Dock, the perfect place for a picnic, jog, or stroll. You can also rent a bike and cycle along the lake’s shores, exploring one of the Rail Trails—transportation corridors that connect the state’s towns with landscapes—up to the Quebec-Vermont border.

Discover the Goodrich Memorial Library, the largest public library in Orleans County and a historic site that opened in 1899. The Haskell Free Library & Opera House is another unique attraction—a library spanning two countries! You can find French and English material across the Canada-US border, separated by a black line made from tape.

Manchester

If you head further southwest, you will find Manchester. Nestled within the Green Mountains, at the foothills of Mount Equinox, this quaint town is not only known for its immense natural beauty, but also for its rich history and famed cultural attractions.

See the extraordinary exhibits at Hildene The Lincoln Family Home, built by Robert (the only son of former US President Abraham Lincoln) and his wife Mary in 1905. Head on a blast into the past as you explore the family home of the Lincolns, with its famous pipe organ, iconic Pullman car, incredible goat farm, and breathtaking gardens.

Dive into the history of pinball at the Pastime Pinball Museum arcade, where you will find 66 machines dating from the 1950s to today. Soak up the beauty of the town as you venture through the Manchester Designer Outlets, an outdoor mall known for its eateries, New England-style buildings, and brand-name items. Enjoy a scenic drive west to the Southern Vermont Arts Center, featuring art from both US and international artists across a diverse range of exhibits.

Montpelier

Dubbed the smallest capital city in the US with a population of roughly 8,000 people, Montpelier may be one of the most underrated destinations in America. This gorgeous green city has natural attractions like Hubbard Park, home to seven miles of scenic trails and a 54-foot stone observation tower, in addition to its notable historic buildings.

After nearly 160 years, the Vermont State House is one of America’s oldest state capitols. This Greek Revival site, with its legendary gold dome, is an architectural gem housing significant pieces of state art. Make sure you visit the legislative chambers and see the Governor’s Office here.

The Vermont History Museum holds interactive exhibits to teach visitors about the state’s past. Head on a fascinating journey from the 1600s to present-day Vermont with the Freedom and Unity: One Ideal, Many Stories exhibit, amongst others. From there, head slightly north to visit Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. You can try some of the finest maple products in the US and learn about the heritage of Vermont sugar-making on a family farm.

Middlebury

Every traveler is bound to fall in love with Middlebury. Between the gorgeous backdrops of the Green and Adirondack Mountains, the stunning views of the 18-foot Middlebury Falls from Otter Creek Bridge, and the lovely 18-mile TAM (Trail Around Middlebury) path surrounding the village, nature fanatics will have plenty to see.

Creatives will be happy to hear that the Middlebury College Museum of Art strives to create an inclusive environment with diversity in its collections. Six to eight temporary exhibits are offered per year in addition to their permanent artwork. See a variety of arts in the Edgewater Gallery, where you will find jewelry, photography, sculptures, paintings, and mixed media.

The Henry Sheldon Museum opened in 1884, is also filled with paintings, documents, household objects, furniture, and artifacts to give you a glimpse into Addison County and Vermont’s past. From there, shop until you drop as you venture through Mill Street, passing by Stone Mill Public Market with its gifts, home goods, drinks, snacks, and more.

Explore The Best Downtowns in Vermont

History buffs, nature fanatics, creatives, foodies, and shopaholics are bound to fall in love with The Green Mountain State. Between the interactive exhibits and legendary landmarks of Montpelier, the mountainous backdrops and tranquil trails of Middlebury, and the boutique shops and renowned eateries of Burlington, there is no shortage of adventures. Now is the time to get your journey started and start exploring one of the best downtowns in Vermont.

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