Sugary water, Dripping, Dripping. Slowly filling up the buckets. Maple sap boiling, Until at last, Sugary syrup, Slowly moving. Delicious, Dripping on your pancakes. Maple sugar fills your mouth with joy. Pure Vermont, Pure love, Pure maple syrup. Maple is love because it’s made with teamwork, Everything’s better when you work as a team.

We all have our limits with certain things. Some people might call those boundaries. I like to call them non-negotiables. Try as we might to be fluid and flexible or in some instances, appear nonchalant, things can get under one’s skin. Something you once saw from a logical standpoint may now feel sensitive or emotional…

Dear Editor, In early May, during a discussion of H.483, a bill that would define Vermont’s response to the Carson v. Makin decision, Senate Education Chair Brian Campion said “Given all the issues we have in this state, this is the biggest most important bill for them? I expected better. I would much rather be…

Dear Editor, Earlier last month (April 2023), after mentioning certain health care related matters and needs to my counseling therapist, they asked me about my going to a primary care physician in order to address these health issues of mine. When I informed them that I have not had a primary care doctor for several…

Dear Editor, GunSense Vermont, the state’s leading organization working to reduce gun violence, is thrilled to celebrate the recent Vermont Senate passage of H.230, a suicide prevention bill. This critical legislation, which has now passed the Vermont House and Senate with overwhelming support, will help save lives by creating a 72-hour waiting period and safe…

Dear Editor, Mary Shelley wrote a classic novel titled,” Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus." The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein a brilliant scientist who becomes obsessed with learning the secret of life something that no one else had ever uncovered. He finally discovers it and uses the secret to create a being called,…

By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison County Independent, a sister publication of the Mountain Times. There’s a lot of wrapping-up to do as the Legislature approaches its final weeks of the session. At bat are recently passed initiatives on Act 250 reform, and the clean heat…

If you enjoy theater, you would like the final days of the legislative session. Late last week the House Speaker held a press conference announcing the House would initiate an impeachment inquiry into the conduct of the Franklin County States Attorney and the Franklin County Sheriff. The last time an elected official was impeached by…

By Kristen Fountain/VTDigger Some House legislators took a pause from amending amendments Thursday afternoon, May 4, to hear from several Vermonters about their personal experience of the healing power of magic mushrooms. For Rory VanTuinen of Waterbury, it only took one experience with psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical found in around 200 species of fungi, to start…

As a critical care specialist at Rutland Regional Medical Center, Dr. Marie Pavini always felt that her her work had tremendous positive impact. She was also gratified to be surrounded by colleagues who shared her dedication. “Intensive care is like a war zone,” said Dr. Pavini in a recent interview. “You get very close to…

By Curt Peterson Thirty Woodstock High advanced French students have participated in a virtual language and culture exchange program with 20 peers — 10 in Beirut, Lebanon and 10 in Tunis, Tunisia, using Zoom. Language teacher Colleen O’Connell has developed and managed the program for two years. She has been trained as a facilitator by Soliya,…

By Curt Peterson Following weeks of sometimes difficult meetings and negotiations, and after a brief executive session, on May 8 four Hartland selectboard members unanimously approved a separation agreement involving former town manager David Ormiston. “(It) is in their respective best interests,” the agreement begins, “to cease their employment relationship.” Ormiston was put on “paid…

By Katy Savage Margo Thompson remembers the day she decided she wanted to build robots and pursue STEM for the rest of her life.  She was about 10 years old and building lego robots at a summer camp, where she was partnered with a boy.  “I was sitting there and he was doing it all,”…

  Halley Riley-Elliott has been promoted to manager of the vehicle maintenance department at Killington Resort, continuing its tradition of promoting from within and advancing women to leadership positions.  “Halley has an attention to detail and an ability to identify mechanical issues that has earned her the nickname ‘Eagle Eyes’ in the maintenance shop,” said …

Phillip Modesti, who graduated in 1990, will deliver the commencement address at Castleton University’s 235th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13, 2023.   Modesti currently serves as global vice president for Medical Education at Establishment Labs, a global, high-tech medical device and aesthetics company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a product portfolio consisting of advanced…