Montpelier Writer Goes Viral
The social media outlet TikTok brought overnight global recognition to Montpelier’s Lloyd Devereux Richards, pushing his 2012 thriller “Stone Maidens” to the top of the Amazon Best Seller list. The sudden recognition came from
a TikTok video posted by his daughter, Marguerite, on Feb. 7. Viewers responded with a torrent of comments about the video, many calling Richards an inspiration to aspiring writers. The heartwarming story was covered by print, broadcast, and digital outlets all over the world, including The Washington Post, USA Today, the BBC, the Sydney Morning Herald in Sydney, Australia, and more. As of Feb. 19, “Stone Maidens” is number two on the Amazon Best Seller list after having reached number one a few days earlier. Originally from New York City, Richards is a former attorney living in Montpelier in the College Street neighborhood. He can often be seen walking the back roads of East Montpelier, as is also memorialized in one of Marguerite’s TikToks.
Penzo Pizza Co. Hits Main Street
Replacing “The Social” sign in front of the Inn at Montpelier is a new one: “Penzo Pizza Co.” “We are thrilled to be opening a restaurant after all the love the last few years in our food truck,” states their website
penzopizza.com. Now they will be serving food at 147 Main Street, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The menu includes roasted meatballs, fried calamari, salads and roasted brussel sprouts, pasta, and, of course, pizza. Pizza varieties include items called “Mary Margherita,” “Truffleufagus,” and “Lou BBQ.” The headline “Penzo Pesto” has pesto, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, artichoke, feta, and red onions.
K9 Gets Body Armor
The Montpelier Police Department’s K9, “Atlas,” is on track to get a donated set of body armor. He will get a bullet- and stab-protective vest because of a donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Delivery is expected within 10 weeks. According to the department Facebook page, “Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts donations at
vik9s.org.”
Montpelier Police Cracking Down on Illegal Parking
Be careful when you park illegally in Montpelier: your neighbor could snap a photo and forward it to the police. The Montpelier Police Department recently posted several photos of cars parked at yellow-painted curbs, spots with diagonally painted lines, and other areas where parking is prohibited. The department reiterates how Vermont law prohibits this conduct and that offending vehicles could be ticketed or towed. We all know we aren’t supposed to park illegally … but, if it is just for a quick errand … or on a weekend?
UNDERWRITING SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
