Erica Heilman

Isaac McDonald is from Newport, and this year he’s a freshman at Columbia University in New York City on a full scholarship. In the latest episode of "What Class Are You," Erica Heilman caught up with Isaac on his first trip home from college, and they talked about class dynamics at Columbia, and what it feels like to be on a full scholarship there.

Kathy Quimby Johnson grew up in East Peacham before attending college out of state. In the latest installment of "What class are you?," Kathy talks with Erica Heilman about growing up blue collar and straddling two Vermont cultures.

Joe Wills is a filmmaker and software engineer from Richford, Vermont, currently living in Burlington. He put himself through the University of Vermont, working three part-time jobs, and still graduated with more debt than any of his friends. In the latest installment of our series "What class are you?," Joe talks with producer Erica Heilman about the challenges of higher education when you come from little money.

Retired Vermont State Police trooper Ingrid Jonas talks about class assumptions in law enforcement — and expensive condiments.

"The post office, the general store, the Grange, these are nodes of human connection. So you know, the big question, like, 'What are we going to lose when we lose these villages?' We're going to lose the physical infrastructure for certain kinds of unplanned connections with people."

Karen Meisner and her family, who lived in a 200 year old home in Plainfield, experienced this week's flood as fully as any family might. They spent the night upstairs, while the Winooski River tore through the downstairs. Vermont Public's Erica Heilman caught up with Meisner while she was staying temporarily with a friend in East Montpelier.

Editor's note: This piece contains some difficult and graphic scenes that may not be for everyone.A thoughtful and visceral introduction to where lamb chops come from, with sheep shearer and butcherer Mary Lake.

Armand Patoine introduces us to the tradition of cutting winterberry boughs for Christmas, with or without permission.

People come to Ernie's auctions to buy the contents of whole houses, but they also come for good food and company. Soon this long-loved pastime will come to an end.

"What class are you?" It's a question that Vermont Public reporter Erica Heilman recently asked people she encountered in the Northeast Kingdom. In the final installment of a five-part series, we hear Ethan Perry of Orleans talk about working at Family Dollar, and the challenges of dreaming about a future when there's not always enough to eat now.