Heart & Soul of Essex

21/04/2021

15/04/2021

Across the Dotted Line will continue to accept photos and story captions from Essex residents through the end of April. Here is the latest submission: Dongdong and Yen first met at the Brownell Library and became close friends soon after. They danced together in the Vermont Chinese School dance group, and their kids took piano lessons with the same teacher. Today, they enjoy hiking and improving their cooking skills together, and they are thankful to have bonded over their shared Chinese culture.
-Dongdong Lin and Yen Sun

13/04/2021

Lisa and Annie first met 15+ years ago, when Lisa's children took swim lessons with Annie. They have remained in one another's lives and are now very close friends. Annie's son, Kayhl, taught Lisa's children film as an instructor with EJRP. Throughout the pandemic, Lisa and Annie have gone on many walks throughout the Town. Annie has enjoyed the ab workout from Lisa making her laugh so hard while they walk. Both Lisa and Annie have worked with children and families in Essex for many years.
Lisa Allen and her family lived for 17 years in the Village and for the past 5 years in the Town. Annie Cooper lived and raised her children in the Town from 1996, and in the Village since 2009.

11/04/2021

"Mom Mary-Ellen and son Andrew not only share a love of good food and many genes, they also share a love for all of Essex. Whether it be a hike or fishing at Indian Brook, playing in one of the many parks, listening to a fair concert from the comfort of their own home, and more, they know Essex is more alike than different." Mary-Ellen and son Andrew Brown, President of the Essex Junction Board of Trustees

09/04/2021

Another submission to ! Tim Miller, Essex Junction firefighter, and Tracey Delphia, newest member of the Town Selectboard, share an appreciation for all things Essex. Whatever side of the dotted line they find themselves on, rest assured these two are enjoying everything Essex has to offer. With so much to do, it's easy to love where we live!

08/04/2021

Athena and Saramichelle met because of a shared interest to become one community of Essex. They have also learned that they have many things in common. They both adore and cherish their children, love their families, love to dance, hike and run, and discuss politics. They look forward to getting together in person soon after Covid to go for a hike or celebrate with their families together!

-Athena Newhard, Town of Essex resident, and Saramichelle Stultz, Town and Village of Essex Junction resident

07/04/2021

Thanks to the Essex Reporter for the coverage of Across the Dotted Line! We hope to see lots of new photos on Facebook in the coming days. with your photo and story of 100 words or less.

As the April 13 town-wide revote on merger and the village-only vote on a non-binding advisory question about separation get closer, opinions, conversations, and debate have been plenty popular on

06/04/2021

We're excited to see young people participating in the "Across the Dotted Line" photo project! If you have a story of friendship similar to these students, we encourage you to participate by using the hashtag on social media or emailing a photo and short caption to [email protected].

"Even before Henry and Nathan lived in Essex, we shared a common bond through soccer. Throughout middle and high school, we competed against and with each other in soccer, track and field, cross country, Nordic skiing, and Scholars' Bowl. Even as we prepare to go off to college, we still run together and are grateful for our friendship formed through academic and athletic pursuits." -Henry Wu, Patrick Herrin, and Nathan Wu

05/04/2021

Across the Dotted Line photo story initiative is focusing residents on our community connections. It is also about getting out the vote across Essex in advance of April 13th.
Share a photo of you and someone who lives across the "dotted line" that is the border of the village within the town. Use an existing photo, or take one especially for the intiative, like Andy and Pat have in this photo. Residents can optionally choose to make and hold a sign to remind your neighbors to vote. The only language allowed: Vote on April 13th. Here is another photo and story caption from the gallery at www.heartandsoulofessex.org:
"As senior members of the Essex Town Selectboard, Pat Murray and Andy Watts understand the need for Essex Town and Essex Junction to work together for the best interests of all residents regardless of the outcome of the upcoming vote. Together, they worked many volunteer hours getting the revote ballots ready to mail out to all active voters. Andy and Pat have served together for 2 years and look forward to continued collaboration in the year to come."