By Sally D. Curtis
KILLINGTON — Several years ago when Mike Miller, Killington resident and owner of Base Camp Outfitters, was contemplating a new trail in the cross-country ski area behind the store, he felt someone watching him in a forested section of the land. He finally spotted a very small owl high in a hole in a tree gazing at him intently. This experience has stayed with him and he has great affection for the tiny owls. He reported that he did not build a trail near this owl’s home. Northern saw-whet owls possess a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes but to mice and other small mammals these fierce, silent owls are anything but cute.
Miller related that when he knocked on the tree the saw-whet would poke out its face and gaze at him intently. He then brought Diane and their two sons down into the woods to see the owl. Even though the saw-whet owls are nocturnal and seldom seen, one can often hear their high-pitched, penetrating “too-too-too” call that they give many times in succession in the evenings here in the Green Mountains.
The Killington Arts Guild recently presented Diane and Mike Miller with a marble sculpture of a saw-whet owl carved by Robert Pye of Chittenden, a member of the Guild. This holiday gift was in recognition of the Millers providing the Guild with Gallery space on the second-floor of their shops. The Guild offers in this upstairs space four shows per year which run consecutively.
The current show had its opening reception on Nov. 22 and will continue to be open to the public until Feb. 8. Local artists, who are members of the Guild, have their work on display and included are photography, watercolors, acrylic on slate, sculpture in both wood and marble, furniture, and works of blown glass as well as other pieces in various artistic mediums. Anytime the shops are open, the Gallery is open to visitors.
The next art show will be mounted in mid-February and the opening reception will be held on Friday, Feb. 13. Additionally the Guild hosts evening programs at the Sherburne Memorial Library from 6-8 the first Monday of each month. These programs are announced in the Mountain Times as well as on posters distributed in local businesses. For more info visit killingtonartsguild.org.
