Brookfielders Throng
Vermont Statehouse
By M. D. Drysdale

Never throughout recorded time, probably, have so many people from Brookfield (population 1149) been packed into the legislative chambers at the Vermont Statehouse as there were last Friday afternoon.

Dozens of townsfolk were there to see one of their own, illustrator/cartoonist Ed Koren, presented with the 2007 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

As a sort of metaphor for Ed Koren’s life however, the place was packed not only with Brookfield residents but with representatives of the highest arts and political circles in Vermont and elsewhere. The crowd was a tribute to the fact that though Koren pretends to hide away in Brookfield, he actually is a star of the first magnitude in the arts world outside.

The crowd of about 250 was welcomed by Alexander L. Aldrich, executive director of the Vermont Arts Council.

Filmmaker John O’Brien of Tunbridge got a lot of laughs in a speech that was part roast and part affectionate tribute. Congressman Peter Welch said Koren’s art hangs in his Washington, DC office.

"At first you’re drawn to the beauty of the work but then you are inspired by the words and the way it helps us try to make some sense of this world we’re in. What a gift Ed gives us for the rocky road of life."

U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy and James Jeffords each sent personal letters of congratulation to Koren.

In presenting the award, Gov. Douglas described Koren as "a humorist whose generosity to local charitable causes is well known, and whose service as a volunteer firefighter in Brookfield is a classic reminder of what it means to live in Vermont and serve one’s neighbor."

Koren got the best laughs of the evening, though, as he showed slides of a couple dozen of his best cartoons and commented on them briefly.

"As a satirist I am a bit of a public servant myself," he said, "trying to make a social difference by making us laugh at ourselves.

"I’ve always been a little suspicious of awards given for excellence, especially in the arts—until right now," he quipped.

The presentation was followed with a reception in the Cedar Creek Room, where Brookfielders scarfed up a good percentage of the goodies.

Previous recipients include musician Rudolf Serkin, poet Hayden Carruth, playwright David Mamet, filmmaker Jay Craven, and last year’s recipient, author Howard Frank Mosher.