Utterly Mark: A Celebration of Voice, Vision, and Heart – April 23, 1–4 PM (In Person & YouTube)

Dear Beloved Readers of Mark’s Blog Posts,

As we prepare for Mark’s memorial, it’s been a joy to revisit the behind-the-scenes video footage of I Am in Here and my wedding, where Mark officiated with his signature humor and charm. We can’t wait to share some of these never-before-seen moments with you.

It’s also been a pleasure reconnecting with the amazing people Mark met during the making of his “life-changing” movie, including Freddy Solomon—aka Jernigan Pontiac—who will be sharing a story at the celebration.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Mark Utter on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 1:00–4:00 PM at the Main Street Landing Film House in Burlington, VT.

A heartfelt thank you to Main Street Landing for generously hosting this event as our Host Sponsor!

This celebration will feature stories, video tributes, and, of course, Mark’s signature humor and artistic vision. Friends, collaborators, and self advocates who knew Mark in many ways will share memories.

Can’t join in person? We are very thankful the event will be livestreamed and recorded by Town Meeting TV so more people can take part. [Click HERE for the livestream link.]

Want to share a thought?
Our speaker program is full, but there will be open sharing time during the second half of the event. You’re also welcome to send us something for our MC, Paul Schnabel, to read aloud.

Memorial Details

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington, VT

What to Expect

1:00 – 2:00 PM | Reception in the Lake Lobby

  • Desserts and non-alcoholic drinks, hosted by Mark’s sister, Sheryl

  • A relaxed time to reconnect and share memories

  • A slideshow of Mark’s life may play in the background

2:00 – 4:00 PM | Program in the Film House

  • Presenters and video clips celebrating Mark’s life

  • Open sharing time for additional reflections

  • The joyful dance scene from Mark’s movie to close, with everyone invited to join in and return to the lobby for more conversation

We hope you’ll join us in honoring Mark’s life, humor, and unique way of seeing the world.

If you’d like to share something or contribute to the memory book, please reach out.

Looking forward to celebrating Mark together,

All the best,

Emily and Champlain Voices

Honoring Mark Utter: A Gathering of Stories, Laughter, and Legacy

Dear Beloved Readers of Mark’s Blog Posts,

As we indicated in previous messages since Mark passed, we promised to be in touch once a memorial was scheduled—and here we are.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Mark Utter’s life on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the Main Street Landing Film House in Burlington, VT. A big thank you to Main Street Landing for generously hosting Mark’s event as our Host Sponsor!

This gathering will be a mix of stories, video tributes, and, of course, Mark’s signature humor and artistic vision. We will hear from friends, colleagues, creative collaborators, and advocates who knew Mark in different ways. For those who can’t attend in person, the event will be livestreamed and recorded so more people can take part in celebrating his life.

Interested in Speaking?

We are selecting speakers to represent different areas of Mark’s life. However, we want to make sure every typer who wishes to say something has the opportunity to do so. There will also be time at the end of the program for anyone who wants to share a few words.

If you cannot attend in person but would like something shared at the event, please reach out. Your words will not only be part of the gathering but will also be included in Mark’s memory book, which his family has been collecting.

Memorial Details

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington, VT

What to Expect

1:00 – 2:00 PM | Reception in the Lake Lobby

  • Desserts and non-alcoholic drinks, organized by Mark’s sister, Sheryl.

  • A chance to reconnect, share informal memories, and celebrate Mark in a relaxed setting.

  • A slideshow of Mark’s life may run in the background.

2:00 – 4:00 PM | Program in the Film House

  • Speakers sharing memories of Mark interspersed with video clips of Mark

  • Open sharing time for additional thoughts and reflections.

  • The event will close with the dance scene from Mark’s movie, inviting everyone to dance and transition back into the Lake Lobby for more conversation.

We hope you can join us in celebrating Mark’s life, his wit, and his remarkable way of seeing the world.

If you’re interested in speaking or sharing a message for Mark’s memory book, please reach out.

Looking forward to honoring Mark together.

All the best,
Emily and Champlain Voices

Celebrating the Life and Spirit of Mark Utter

Dear Friends and Beloved Supporters of Mark,

January 20th would have been Mark’s birthday celebration, and amidst all the hustle and bustle of life, I could feel his strong spirit with us.

Mark touched so many lives with his energy, wisdom, and joy, and I’m writing to share how we plan to honor him.

Upcoming Events to Celebrate Mark

We are organizing two events to celebrate Mark’s life and legacy:

  1. Film Screening and Remembrance at Main Street Landing’s Film House

    • Thank you, Mariah, for helping make this possible!

    • This event will feature videos of Mark and opportunities to reminisce and reflect on his incredible journey.

  2. Boat Ride on the ‘Spirit of Ethan Allen’

    • Mark loved this boat, and we hope to gather for a ride in his memory.

How You Can Get Involved

If you’d like to join the planning committee, please email me at emily@gmsavt.org. Your input and ideas will make these events even more meaningful.

Alternatively, if you have any words of encouragement or thoughts to help us “get this party started,” I’d love to hear from you!

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read this wonderful article by Ken Picard, which gives some backstory to a piece he wrote shortly after Mark’s passing. You can check it out here.

Let us carry on with Mark’s smile in our eyes and the sounds of his laughter in our ears. Together, we can honor his memory by celebrating the joy, strength, and encouragement he gave to us all.

With love and gratitude,
Emily