By Katy Savage Vermont’s animal shelters have achieved a “no-kill” status for the first time. The status comes from Best Friends Animal Society, a Utah-based  national nonprofit animal welfare organization. To achieve that status, all shelters in the state have to have at least a 90% save rate for animals.  “That’s a tremendous achievement,”…

  Rutland family, evacuated Friday, reflects By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger The water on Clover Street rose to the roof of Billy and Danielle Quintana’s car and rushed into their basement, last Friday, Aug. 7.  “It was life-changing,” Billy said, sitting on his porch next to his wife Monday morning. Inside their rental home, where they live…

  Stone craftsman Dan Snow completed a dry laid stone odeon (amphitheater) at Mission Farm in Killington, Aug. 3 after three months of diligent work. Rev. Lisa Ransom, vicar and executive director, said: “This project is a part of a ‘Radical Invitation’ that we are creating here, we hope the community will come see it,…

  New shed is part of school district allocation for outdoor classrooms By Polly Mikula The recent floods not only washed out roads and flooded buildings but the urgency of the resulting remediation work meant has meant redirecting workers. Priorities at the Mountain Views School District (formerly Windsor Central) included. One such project that was…

  Our grandchildren have come to our Killington lodge to spend a week with “Gammy and Papa.” Cora Irene (2 1/2 years old) joined brother Silas who just turned 8 in mid-July. Silas has his dad’s disposition—calm, centered and often serene — but his toddler sister is strong and defiant, very determined and cute as…

  There’s a cradling, a sense of calm that takes over you as the water moves gently beneath your boat. A soft bounce that you can feel almost immediately as you step foot into your craft and shove off from the shore. You almost don’t need to go anywhere, you can simply float in place…

  I grew up in a family with two older brothers; one was 8 years older and the other was 13 years older. Given the age gap, we did not play together much. So, by default, I was left to fend for myself, and while there were plenty of neighbor kids around, when I was…

  At first, I suspected it was the deer that had almost completely defoliated the northern spicebush sapling I had planted just weeks earlier. Only days prior, it had been brimming with new growth, and now all that remained were two leaves wrapped into cigarlike cylinders. Curious, I inspected this pair of surviving leaves. At…

Flowing over rocks and stones, Crystal clear, Beautiful, too, Singing its song of love to you. Gurgling and swishing, Then the birds join in, Little tweets and chirps of happiness, All start blending in. To a beautiful song of nature, The wind starts to blow, Rustling the tree’s leaves, Creating a beautiful scene. Nature’s beautiful…

  The month of August is set to be a month of illumination and clarity, with this week being no exception. Beginning with a Full Moon in Aquarius, the chance to realign priorities in terms of how much you’ve sacrificed your needs and desires for the sake of something or someone else is highlighted. Distancing…

   Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. — CHITTENDEN —This Tuesday evening, two distinguished local  Chittenden residents will present their research into two radically different subjects.  The first program's  topic  will be given by this year’s recipient for the Society’s Muzzy Davenport Award, an award given for outstanding work in history and interest in local…

  Monday-Friday, Aug. 7-11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.—Woodstock—Farm Discovery Camp is a hands-on program for young people, ages 11-14. At Farm Discovery Camp, campers will meet local professionals and farmers who are leaders in their fields — the Billings Dairy Farm manager, local beekeepers, and a large-animal veterinarian. Activities will include the opportunity to work alongside…

  Sunday, Aug. 6 at 4 p.m. — RUTLAND — Grace Congregational Church will offer a concert on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary.  The event, Clash of Gold and Silver, will include Grace Church’s music minister, Alastair Stout, and Vermont musicians Bill Keck (tuba) and Ron Wold (French horn). The program will include contemporary dancer Zoe…

  Saturday, Aug. 5 at 9 a.m.—Brandon—Every year, hundreds of people descend upon Brandon for its annual yard sale day, which helps recycle and reuse. With dozens of yard sales registered on the official listing and scores more set up around town, Brandon will be a busy place. Although most sales will not start until…

  Saturday, Aug. 5, at 9:30 a.m.—Mount. Holly—A self-guided tour of diverse high-altitude gardens that display truly creative landscaping ideas is available for interested garden aficionados. The gardens are designed around Vermont’s natural features, such as huge rock formations, ledges, hills, and valleys. All touch the senses with colorful plants, wonderful scents, and the sounds…