Families today come in many shapes, but the bonds that knit them together remain familiar. Katie Palmer is a native Vermonter who grew up in Williston, starred in musicals at CVU High School, and went on to an acting career in New York City. After completing Circle in the Square and other professional training, she sang and danced in Manhattan and in shows that toured the country. Always she yearned for Vermont and for a family. Upon returning, she starred in Lyric shows and appeared in commercials, while pursuing her second passion: teaching. Then she met and married Bob Paul, an expert in renewable energy. They married and had their first son Dylan, but with wind power growing rapidly in California, they relocated. Charlie was born out West, and when the marriage ended, Katie and her two sons returned to Vermont in 2005.

Since then Katie has taught in several schools, worked with the Vermont Stage Company, appeared in shows with the Middlebury Actors Workshop, earned a masters degree in education and a red belt in Moo Gong Do, and raised her sons single-handedly. As with many single-parent households, the cycle of renting and working hard to just make ends meet has meant no opportunity to save for home ownership in the traditional market. More than ever, this family wants to have a home that won’t change anymore, meaning the stability of friendships, schools, and community.

Dylan is 12; a quiet boy, with a subtle and dark sense of humor. He has written comic books and produced computer videos and is a master of Legos. Charlie is 7; a noisy boy, full of enthusiasm for airplanes, mu sic, tree climbing and jokes. They get along wonderfully, except when they don’t. Today Katie works for the Counseling Service of Addison County, working with developmentally disabled and autistic students in Monkton and Vergennes. She moonlights as a dance, acting, and Zumba instructor. Dylan is entering seventh grade and Charlie is starting second grade this fall.