Nona Estrin Celebrates 80th Birthday with Surprise Parade

East Montpelier artist Nona Estrin, author of the popular Nature Watch feature in The Bridge, celebrated her 80th birthday on Tuesday, May 12, with a surprise parade of dozens of friends and admirers. The event kicked off with an East Montpelier fire truck leading the way, sirens blazing, down Karen Clark Trail at 1pm. A seemingly endless stream of cars followed, with passengers waving balloons, streamers, banners, and signs, in celebration of Estrin’s milestone day. Estrin, for whom the parade had been a surprise, wiped away tears while waving to friends as they drove by, honking their horns and calling out “Happy Birthday!”