Middletown Middle / Chapter Five – The New Girl

Chapter Five – The New Girl September 1953 The Cold War was a scary time for America. The big bad Soviets were the classic villains, with their missiles aimed at the US. It got so bad that folks started building bunkers under their homes, which were strong enough to withstand the end of the world….

Dee Dee McGee and Her Musical Knee

Have a scab-picker living under your roof? Imagine what would happen if instead of blood, loud music was released each time the body’s healing powers were interrupted. Here’s a poem about a young girl with a proclivity for picking scabs, and how her knee took it to the next level to stop her. Dee Dee…

Middletown Middle: The Girls Who Never Left

“All the best times in my life happen at camp,” ten-year-old Sally declares, hugging her bunkmate on the first day of camp. They hadn’t seen each other since the previous summer, but they pick up right where they left off. “It’s because the rules are different here,” Nancy, Sally’s bunkmate, remarks as she finds a…

Is HBO, a Surprising Necessary Art Form, Dying?

After watching The Sopranos for the third time I’m still trying to figure out what the show was about.  It’s not about the mafia.  It’s mostly mortality.   The mortality of human life, the death of America in its banal suburbs, and how humans react to circumstances.  By the end, he included us all as viewers. …

Monsters Never Sleep (Preview) – Chapter 1

In this gripping first chapter of Chris Rodgers’ novel Monsters Never Sleep, we delve into the mind of a young billionaire named Cody as he spirals into a state of deep paranoia. Chapter 1 “You don’t hear that?” Cody asks. “The humming sound?.” Cody’s dad shakes his head. “Can I please read this? It’s about…

Get Lost in Vermont – The Vermont Sasquash

Hey, let me tell you a story about the time I ran into the Vermont Sasquatch at the brewery in Middleton. I was just trying to grab some cheap brews when I heard a strange noise coming from the back of the brewery. Being the curious (and slightly inebriated) man that I am, I decided…

New Venture – Ready Steady! Marketing, Events & Coaching

A New Marketing and Events Firm for Good People We are excited to announce the launch of Ready Steady, a new marketing and events firm based in Vermont. Ready Steady was founded by Chris Rodgers and Candice Bryan Broe, two experienced professionals who are passionate about helping businesses and non-profits thrive. Ready Steady specializes in…

Tesla Y Review: 10 Things I Love and 10 Things I Wish Were Different

The Tesla WHAT I LOVE : THE INSTANT ACCELERATION I’m not talking about taking off at a red light in a race acceleration.  Although that’s cool today, it’ll be pretty mundane in a few years.  My favorite thing is how smoothly the Y can find its spot on the highway.   Merging on a highway that’s…

The Tiny House that Could

Hey, guess what? We won a tiny but perfect house in a raffle held by an organization called Way of the Bard. The house was actually built by a group of teens with the help of a master craftsman, and the raffle was held to raise money for a trip to Wales, Iceland, and some…