One Month Later: Remembering Mark

Dear Beloved Readers of Mark’s Blog,

It’s been a month since Mark’s Memorial, and though life has pulled me in many directions, I’ve been holding that day close. To all who came, tuned in, shared love from afar, or have since watched the video — thank you.

What a remarkable, well-rounded celebration it was — full of laughter, tenderness, and a deeper glimpse into the many sides of Mark. We’re sure he loved it.

Hosted by Champlain Voices, the event was opened by their president, Ocean Streeter, setting the tone with strength and heart.

It meant so much to have fellow typers like Larry, Tracy (through Mark’s thoughtful, fun words about him), and Kris there — reminding us of the strong community Mark was a part of. Younger voices like Thomas Caswell and Rowan Riggs brought the house down with brilliance and energy. Rowan called Mark “the sparkle on the Jester of Joy” — a line I won’t forget.

The doodle that came to life as I sat with Rowan’s brilliant title for Mark — “the sparkle on the jester of joy” — during this week’s Green Mountain Self Advocates Leadership Retreat in Killington.

Freddy, aka Jernigan Pontiac, brought Mark’s cosmic energy of love right into the room — beautifully echoing my first memory of him as “the love monkey” in my very first puppetry class. A full-circle moment.

Jim Heltz, co-director of I Am In Here, reminded us of the life-changing movie Mark created. And Angie? She made everyone cry in the best way during her big Zoom moment. Paul Schnabel emceed the whole thing with such grace. Somehow, all the videos, transitions, and slideshows on my little computer worked — with a few sweet stumbles that kept it real.

Oh, so many wonderful people shared so much greatness. You can watch the full event on Town Meeting TV and find additional clips and photos on Mark’s Memorial Page.

Mark, we still can’t believe you’re gone. But your spark lives on in each of us. We’ll carry you forward, with joy.

All the best,
Emily and Champlain Voices

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