By Julia Purdy The day after Christmas, in Vermont’s Washington County a woodstove ignited the wall behind it as the family was watching television, reported WPTZ. The previous week, WCAX reported a pre-dawn, total house fire in Bethel that killed […]
Tag: By Julia Purdy
Commentary, Opinion
Christmas spirit, 2022
By Julia Purdy After the Gospel, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is probably the best known story of Christmas in the English language. Since 1900, the entertainment industry alone has produced at least 50 versions for film and TV. We […]
Local News
A tree goes to Washington
Vermont inaugurated a national tradition By Julia Purdy High on Bethel Mountain Road outside Rochester, observant travelers might notice two prominent brown wooden signs flanking the road, with carved letters announcing the Riley Bostwick Wildlife Management Area and the Millionth […]
Featured
Veterans Day, Nov. 11, celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans
Remembering Captain John Vincent By Julia Purdy Captain John Vincent was regarded in his own time as the last Indian left in Mendon. He appears in town histories as a mysterious Indian who traded in town occasionally; neighbors and the […]
Local News
The conjurors of Chittenden: fact or fable?
By Julia Purdy The small farming community of Chittenden, lying between Mendon and Pittsford, was about as peaceful and out-of-the-way as one could want … with one exception: the Eddys. And on everyone’s mind: were they for real? This is […]
Featured, State News
Colors delight leaf peepers
By Julia Purdy Well, fall foliage has done it again… in spite of a slow start and drought that has hit some trees hard, Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend (formerly Columbus Day) rewarded visitors and locals like with the progression of color […]
Arts, Dining & Entertainment
Backroad leaf-peeping itineraries to enjoy before it’s too late
By Julia Purdy Here are two itineraries for foliage viewing in Rutland County. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as we do. Colvin Hill Road loop Whether you approach this road from Danby or Wallingford, you will be treated […]
Local News
The road less traveled by Backroad leaf-peeping: tips to safely navigating dirt roads
By Julia Purdy There are some knockout foliage drives along major highways in southern Vermont. Route 4 through the Sherburne Flats north from West Bridgewater and over Sherburne Pass into Mendon rewards leaf-peepers year after year, as does Route 7 […]
Local News
TEDxHartlandHill: ‘Community is also a verb’
By Julia Purdy How is community created, and how is it sustained? That was the overarching theme of the inaugural TEDxHartland Hill program, held last Saturday at Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, titled, “Community: It’s also a verb.” Twelve […]
Arts, Dining & Entertainment
The covered bridges of Rutland County: tour No. 2
A roadtrip through Proctor, Pittsford, Florence, Brandon, Shoreham By Julia Purdy Who doesn’t love the romance, intrigue and bucolic setting of a covered bridge? Vermonters are no different — Vermonters cherish our heritage of covered bridges, and the Vermont Historic […]