Every out-of-state visitor to Vermont or new resident quickly learns that having wardrobe layers at the ready is a MUST. The weather here can turn on a dime, and temps can shift thirty degrees up or down within a few hours — so much so that, at times, even the weather apps can hardly keep up. Locals have learned to adapt, even if there’s some grumbling along the way. In the end it’s simple, really: one adapts or one never returns … Wintering in a cave like the bear on this logo is not everyone’s cup of tea!

It turns out that the sensible clothing reference was key to my takeaway from this year’s Button-up Brandon event. It so happens that my original professional background is in fashion and textiles, so the connection clicked for me instantly when guest speaker Brad Long of Efficiency Vermont compared the layers we wear to the ways we protect our homes — a helpful way to explain things to less home improvement-savvy attendees like myself.

Just as we dress in loose layers of breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen to stay cool in summer and layer wool under wet-weather gear to keep warm in winter, our homes need the right layers, too. As Brad illustrated in helpful slides, just like our bodies, our homes need similar thoughtful care to provide effective shelter from the elements, preserve their structural integrity, and maintain a health-promoting living environment.

It reminded me of half-forgotten wisdom handed down through generations. Growing up, I remember my mother’s daily routine of opening and closing windows, airing out rooms and bedding, wiping condensation from window sills and adjusting curtains to shield from the blazing sun in summer or the sneaky drafts in winter. At the time, I took these little rituals for granted, or even occasionally felt annoyed by them. She managed daily climate comfort quietly, responsibly, appropriately without a fuss or complaint — an approach that became a necessity during the heating fuel crisis in the 1970s when we had to keep most parts of the house at temperatures that were far from comfortable.

On those winter mornings she’d bring our clothes for the day into the kitchen — the warmest part of our home — so we could dress in relative comfort. I’m sure her wartime childhood had made her much more sensitive to such seemingly small gestures. At that time, simple measures were often all that was available, and survival depended on folks pooling resources, lending a hand, and sharing tools and know-how. Wartime children learned not from books or slideshow presentations, but by necessity, by observing, and by applying simple strategies.

Over the years I’ve heard similar stories from locals who remember being raised with modest means. Frugality and ingenuity were key, whether that meant wearing empty bread bags inside winter boots to keep socks dry or donning sensible Vermont attire like long johns and snow pants from Halloween to Easter. Often, it’s a lot of little measures that do the trick.

There is certainly great merit in considering what we learned from our ancestors, all while employing new, smart technologies to — hopefully — make things easier. 

But enough reminiscing. Let’s get to the fixing bit! 

What I learned at this event is that there may be no ONE person, resource, or measure that can address all the challenges involved in making a home more comfortable and energy-efficient. Sometimes there is a simple answer. Other times one problem leads to another and it creates a domino effect — a seemingly small improvement becomes a much larger project. 

I remember very well being that overwhelmed homeowner myself in the past. I distinctly remember the sense of overwhelm when it came to matters of homestead upkeep and upgrades obviously needed, particularly during and after the terminal illness of my husband. The unfamiliar choices, conflicting advice, and flood of facts and figures could be downright bewildering. 

And older houses have their own special mysteries. It’s one thing to maintain a home you’ve built yourself, where you know every screw placement. It’s another when the building has seen generations of occupants and no one knows where that odd pipe sticking out of the basement wall might lead. (A true story, according to Brad!)

The homeowners attending Button Up Brandon brought a wide range of questions. Some had very specific challenges. Others were dealing with once-comfortable homes that had become drafty, leaky, or moldy. And then there were the head-scratchers of the “I don’t even know where to begin” variety. One attendee mentioned the gap in her bathroom wall getting noticeably larger over time, suggesting an unsettling settling of the floor underneath…

 Could an hourlong presentation and conversations with experts over a slice of pizza solve every individual homestead hiccup? Of course not. But I don’t think anyone expected that. Most seemed to be looking for the next plausible puzzle piece in their particular home improvement jigsaw.

And that’s where the Brandon community really shone. 

The Brandon Energy Committee had gathered an impressive collection of local resources: Shannon from Energy Navigators; Tim, with his extensive experience in DIY solar installations (22 and counting!); Robert, offering an architect’s perspective; and David, Tim, and others sharing their firsthand experiences with heat pumps.

There was no pressure to buy anything, and it didn’t cost a penny to ask questions. Attendees could also take home complimentary weatherization supplies, including caulking, weatherstripping, and pipe insulation.

 And there’s no shame in admitting we need a little help. Everyone does at times! That point was nicely illustrated when Cecil, Joyous!, and David compared the results of their home energy audits. Their playful banter over whose house had scored highest for leaking warm air was a reminder that many of us have more common ground than we might imagine.

Perhaps that’s what I appreciated most about this gathering: the sense that we don’t have to figure everything out alone. In the olden days, neighbors shared tools, resources, and practical know-how. The technology may have changed, but the value of helping one another certainly hasn’t.

Sometimes it’s simply about taking that first step — perhaps by attending an event like Button Up Brandon — to tip the first domino in the right direction.

Last but certainly not least, I want to express a heartfelt thank you to the members of the Brandon Energy Committee, who volunteer their time and expertise to make events like this possible. Much of their work, from organizing community gatherings to securing funding, happens quietly behind the scenes.

And if all this hasn’t inspired you to attend a future event, there were even ACE Hardware gift cards as door prizes. Just saying!

Some resources for taking your own first steps: