Musician, chimney sweep and outdoor enthusiast had a deep connection to his Vermont roots Graydon Barron Stevens passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on December 27, 2024, in Burlington, Vt., at the age of 72. Born on March 27, 1952, in Barton, Vt., Graydon was the beloved son of Bruce and Priscilla Stevens. Graydon spent the early years of his life on his family farm in West Glover. At the age of 10, his family moved to a house that had several rental cabins, known as Mack’s Cottages, on Lake Salem in Derby, Vt. These formative years, surrounded by Vermont’s natural beauty, shaped his love for the outdoors and close-knit community living. Graydon attended grade school in Barton and went on to graduate from North Country Union High School in Newport, Vt., in 1970. During his high school years, he participated in theater, excelled as a soccer and basketball player, and showcased his passion for music by forming a party band with his classmates. This early musical endeavor led him to a lifelong journey as a folk musician, performing and organizing events, such as the Cabin Fever Folk Festival, that brought people together through the power of music. In the mid-1980s and early 1990s, Graydon was a chimney sweep, operating a business called Soot n’ Cinder Chimney Sweeps. He grew the business to service about 1,600 properties per year in Chittenden and Addison counties. He will always be remembered as a championship horseshoe player and for creating the political bumper sticker, “Moonlight in Vermont OR STARVE.” In the mid-1990s, Graydon founded a business called Adventure Guides of Vermont, Inc., which served as a precursor to the nonprofit organization VOGA (Vermont Outdoor Guide Association). In 2001 he launched Vermont Outdoors Woman and Doe Camp. Graydon served as the executive director of these initiatives for the remainder of his life, passionately championing their impact. His efforts advocated for outdoor professionals and enhanced access to Vermont's natural resources, bolstering the state's image as a premier destination for outdoor adventure and skill development. In 2019 Graydon collaborated with senator John Rodgers to establish September as River Cleanup Month in Vermont. Additionally, Graydon stepped up to help ensure the LCI Father’s Day Derby would continue when its existence was threatened in 1997. He served for many years as a volunteer on the board of its parent organization, Lake Champlain International, helping to guarantee that its mission of protecting fisheries and water quality continues to this day…