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Eye on the Sky

Recent Highlights

Explore the Commentary Series Program Archive »

Recent Episodes

  • Coffin: Last Full Measure Friday, 05/25/12 7:55am Memorial Day is dedicated to all of those who - as Lincoln said - gave their last full measure of devotion. But given that we're observing the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Howard Coffin can't help but think of those who lost their lives in that conflict - and the Vermont family that suffered the greatest losses - north or south.
  • Bittinger: Native American Military Service Thursday, 05/24/12 5:55pm Cyndy Bittinger has been researching Native American history in Vermont. She says that for Native Americans who know their history - especially concerning events that followed early contact with European settlers - Memorial Day has complex meaning.
  • Wren: In Praise Of Sergeants Thursday, 05/24/12 7:55am This Memorial Day, Chris Wren will be thinking about military service and unsung heroes.
  • Kunin: Infinite Shades Of Green Wednesday, 05/23/12 5:55pm As spring turns our world green again, Madeleine Kunin reflects on the color, the season and our reaction to it.
  • Gilbert: Precision Manufacturing Wednesday, 05/23/12 7:55am This Saturday, two new exhibits will open at the American Precision Museum in Windsor, both related to the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Civil War. According to  Peter Gilbert, together they tell important stories - of individuals and the nation.
  • McCallum: Cyber Libraries Tuesday, 05/22/12 5:55pm Commentator Mary McCallum recently ran across a news item about the renovation of a Vermont high school library that left her with very mixed emotions.
  • Luskin: Old Cemeteries Tuesday, 05/22/12 7:55am Deborah Luskin likes visiting old cemeteries, despite once being cursed for doing so.
  • Lange: Campaign Rhetoric Monday, 05/21/12 5:55pm Commentator Willem Lange maintains that the political mud-slinging of campaigns today is a direct descendent of the campaign rhetoric of yesterday.
  • Nadworny: Checkbox Syndrome Monday, 05/21/12 7:55am There are lots of things in life that we want, only some of which we actually need. Rich Nadworny thinks that the more we know about what's influencing our desires and decisions, the better off we'll all be.
  • Mudgett: Bear Stories Thursday, 05/17/12 5:55pm First it was the story of the Governor and the four bears - followed by endless puns in the media about bears and bareness. Now, it's bear art in Burlington. But Jill Mudgett notes that Vermont has a long history of bear stories guaranteed to please a crowd.
  • Averyt: Goodnight Vermont Wednesday, 05/16/12 5:55pm Though she may travel far away, Anne Averyt has discovered that Vermont remains close. For her it's a place of the heart, a place she will always call home.
  • Labun Jordan: Limits of Imagination Tuesday, 05/15/12 5:55pm It's an old saying that we're limited only by our imaginations... and maybe it isn't exactly accurate. But Helen Labun Jordan has started to look at that possibility from a new perspective.

About Commentary Series

More than 50 commentators provide perspective and opinion about current events, topics of interest, and often showcase the work of writers and storytellers.  The VPR Commentary Series is produced by Betty Smith-Mastaler (pictured).

Searching for a commentary? Click here for the full Archive of Commentaries, including audio and transcripts »

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