Paper is rapidly disappearing from our day-to-day world. Many readers prefer to view newspapers, magazines, and books in digital format. However, I heard recently that young people, particularly Gen Z, are trending toward paper versions. This is an unexpected discovery as that generation is a “tech-savvy” group. If you are anything like me, you don’t…

The Rutland Free Library has been in the news quite a bit lately. Moving the library to a new location is under discussion. It has been in its current location since 1935. An addition to the original building was added in 1966. My love of books most likely began at that library. My mother used…

Young people in Rutland City experienced a true a “neighborhood concept” as they were growing up back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. There were neighborhood schools, playgrounds, tennis courts and skating rinks. Back in that time period, most families had only one car. For that reason children walked to school and to activities with their…

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. In today’s world it’s a holiday filled with romance and love as shown through flowers, candy and a special dinner. However, the origin of this day does not have romance associated with it. According to history it began as Saint Valentine’s Day and was added to the Catholic…

When snow arrives and I see cars with skis passing through Rutland, I can’t help but think about my ski days, which began on some small slopes. The areas where I skied in the ‘50s and ‘60s no longer exist. But the memories remain! Like many kids who grew up in the Rutland area the…

Well, the holidays are behind us and hopefully you enjoyed that special time of year. Once January rolls around, my mind gravitates toward spring and gardening. I want to forget that it’s winter. My apologies to those of you who still want to be skiing while I am tending to my daffodils! As many of…

Plans are in the making for a new downtown hotel in Rutland. Reading about it prompted me to think about the lodging options available to people in the 1950s when I was growing up. My friend Mary Jane and I took a fun trip down memory lane, recalling the places we could remember. But to…

Each generation has its own memories associated with Christmas. When I was growing up back in the 50s, there were certain trends from that period that are unlike those of today. I think it’s safe to say that there were more “real” trees than “fake” trees in people’s homes back then. Those looking for a…

The holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving through New Year’s is a busy time for most people. Was it like that back in the ‘50s? Let’s take a look! Preparing Thanksgiving dinner took a lot more time and effort back then. There were no microwave ovens to heat the various components of the meal. Usually…

There are many things that we do in life because of the memories that are associated with them. When I watch garden shows on PBS or CREATE, people often say that they got into gardening when they were kids by planting and caring for gardens along with their parents. It’s fascinating for children to plant…

Every generation has its fads and they produce some fond memories as you look back at what they were. I grew up in the ‘50s and ‘60s and will share with you some interesting fads from that time period. Drive-in movie theaters were very popular during those years. There was one located in Rutland Town…

In my last column I mentioned that I would be taking a look back at my college days in the ‘60s. Join me as I revisit those days. I spent four years at Trinity College in Burlington. It was an all girls’ school staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. Unfortunately, it is no longer in…

By now the school year is in full swing. Students have decided if they like their classes and their teachers. Going to a Catholic school back in the 1950s meant having a teacher clothed in a black and white habit with only her face and hands showing. The teachers at Christ the King School in…

As sometimes happens when you are sitting next to a stranger for a period of time a conversation begins. Recently a woman asked me if I was from Rutland. I said that I was and then she told me that she had lived in Proctor all of her life. I followed by commenting that not…

If you have gardens you will probably agree that they are always a “work in progress.” Garden areas can consist of more than just flowers. Shrubs and flowering bushes also play a role in your home’s landscape. The time will come when you need to get rid of old overgrown shrubs and start over. If…