Physical Distancing vs. Social Distancing
Some say that handshaking as a social exchange is only 150 years old; others suggest this tradition beginning as far back as 5th century BC. Regardless of its origins, new social norms are developing and will soon become more comfortable.One thing for sure, we're all in this together!
With the loosening of the spigot the 'gradual reopening' of retail on May 18 provides further steps toward local support for our businesses. As a community, we are committed to working together, putting life saving measures in place that will help us stay open while keeping our customers safe. We urge your to pledge and support the Little City with the Big Heart .
Vergennes Partnership invites you to participate in the VERGENNES 500 GIVEAWAY ! Promotion runs through Friday, May 15 , purchase a gift certificate* from any (or all!) of our downtown shops & restaurants.

For each gift certificate purchased, your name will go into a hat for a drawing for a chance to win one of five $100 Vergennes Green Gift Certificates. Five winners; $500 to be put right back into our community! Take the pledge and act now to support the Little City's downtown. Vergennes Green Gift Certificates can be used (like a check) at over 30 businesses throughout the Little City.
* Suggested minimum gift certificate amount: $20
Continue the Support ~ Help support local business AND a local nonprofit at the same time. Purchase a gift certificate and donate it to the Addison County Community Trust ’s silent auction! Held in the fall, the auction raises money for ACCT’s affordable housing programs; doing so will help your neighbors in need as well! You can mail gift certificate donations to ACCT, PO Box 311, Vergennes, VT 05491, or email digital gift cards to  michelle@addisontrust.org . 
Meet New Partnership Board Member, Elise Shanbacker
A resident since 2018, Elise Shanbacker has worked in Vergennes since 2008 when her organization, the Addison County Community Trust (ACCT), moved to 272 Main Street. A Washington, DC native, Elise first fell in love with Vermont as a student at Middlebury College. She now serves as the Executive Director of ACCT, a nonprofit affordable housing provider that has helped thousands of Vermonters find homes since 1989. ACCT is currently under construction on an apartment building on Armory Lane with 24 energy efficient, affordable homes that will serve both low and moderate income families and individuals. Her interest in economic and community development goes back to her time as a policy analyst at the National Governors Associat ion . She curr ently finds an outlet as a board member of the Vermont Community Development Association . In her spare time, she enjoys skiing (uphill and downhill), SUPing, hiking, and going on walks around town (read: to LuLu! ) with her husband, baby daughter, and rescue pup. Join us in welcoming Elise to the VP board!  
Main St. Improvement Project, Take 2:
Back and forth, uncertain starts, milling is set to begin tomorrow! For the latest updates, read on ....
FREE ONLINE STAYCATION ART LESSONS continues biweekly...
Continue to immerse yourself in art! N ow bi-weekly, Lillian has just released art lesson #8 , Putting figures into your landscape drawings (part 1).
VP News is brought to you by Vergennes Partnership, a non-profit organization
dedicated to helping the Little City reach its full potential. Through the Partnership, the City has earned over a million dollars over the years in tax credits and grants which have greatly improved the health, appearance and vitality of the downtown.
Consider a donation to the Partnership: click here .