By Dom Cioffi I just spent the past week in Florida with my mother. She’s been returning to the same little community on the Gulf Coast seasonally for over 50 years. Over the years, on the occasions when I’ve visited, the nostalgia of the area has always overwhelmed me. When I drove in this past…

By Merisa J. Sherman “The next challenge,” I yelled out, “is to see who can stand on one foot the longest!” The kids all scrambled into position, making sure they had just enough room to flail their arms as they were going down. It was a tight space, but not a single one of them was…

By Sandra Dee Owens I  bought another half gallon of eggnog—my fourth of the season. Dammit.  What began years earlier as a benign, seasonal treat, has blossomed into a full-blown, eggnog addiction.  How did I get here? Each year, when eggnog arrived on grocery store shelves, I gleefully bought a carton, raced home to drink…

Valentine's Day is fast approaching when you might want to play an appropriate song or two, or perhaps get some ideas for the day. We love music, song, and the people who make it, so on Wednesday, February 1st,  come along and join our song circle from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., at the Godnick Adult Center in Rutland. Music…

Feb. 4-25—VIRTUAL—The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center has announced a new workshop exploring polymer clay. Participants ages 12-16 will meet online over four Saturdays Feb. 4-25. Instructor Amelia LaChance will discuss the process to create a successful and meaningful sculpture, from molding and carving to final painting and finishing. The Carving Studio is located at 636 Marble…

Saturday, February 4 — HARTFORD/QUEECHEE— Learn the basics of ice fishing during a free clinic at Dewey’s Mills Pond. Topics covered will include safety, equipment, regulations and more, providing you with the skills to ice fish on your own. All equipment will be provided. Participants should dress for the weather and for walking on ice. Consider…

Sunday, Feb. 5 from 6-8 p.m.—LUDLOW—Grab your snowshoes and meet at 6 p.m. at the Ice House parking lot at Okemo Mountain Resort. This free community event is a great way to enjoy winter in beautiful Vermont. The guided snowshoe hike starts at 6 p.m. and we will have Nature Valley granola bars for all…

Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.— WEST RUTLAND — Two noted Rutland musicians will return and team up for an evening of rock and roots, when George Nostrand and Phil Henry each brings his own band to West Rutland. The two bands, called George’s Back Pocket and Phil Henry and the News Feed, will present…

Trees beautify, help save energy and protect our waterways. For these reasons and others, the Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District (RNRCD) is offering a spring planting program. All stock is bare root and is offered at a reasonable cost. It is necessary to plant bare-root trees immediately, to keep the roots from drying out. The…

The Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District (PMNRCD) has opened its annual plant sale fundraiser. This year it’s offering a variety of native trees and shrubs for landscaping, naturalizing and foraging including balsam fir, sugar maple, serviceberry, elderberry, and winterberry) as well as a variety of berries (blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry) and fruit trees (apple,…

RUTLAND—Since the Imagination Library at Rutland Free Library program began on Feb. 1, 2021, an astounding 7,352 (and still counting) free age-appropriate books have been mailed out to children, from birth through their 5th birthdays, living in Rutland City, Rutland Town, Mendon, Tinmouth, and Ira. Approximately 400 books are distributed per month. The Imagination Library…

Through a generous donation, Rutland County Audubon has been able to successfully refurbish nearly the entire boardwalk on Marble Street at the West Rutland marsh. Carpenter Dennis Duhaine did a wonderful job of making the well-worn, oft-used, (and unfortunately, vandalized) structure look fresh and new, as well as making it safer for all to use. Please…

BARNARD—Registration is now open for “The most beautiful race in Vermont:” The Race Around the Lake, which will take place Sunday, May 21, around Silver Lake State Park in Barnard. The events include a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and virtual 10K and 5K. Early registration for adult 10K is $45, 12 & under: $25. For adult…

Saturday, Feb. 4 from 11-11:45 a.m. — RUTLAND—  "Sheryl Faye Presents Historical Women" is coming to Rutland! Join in for this immersive experience as we learn about Sally Ride, the United States' first woman astronaut. Part play and part interactive science lesson, Sheryl (or, rather, Sally Ride) will invite kids to help with science experiments and…

Friday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. — CAVENDISH— Noted wildlife photographer and Proctorsville resident Tim O’Donoghue will present a slideshow and talk entitled “How to Photograph Wildlife” illustrated with his wildlife photos Friday evening. The presentation will take place at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, 573 Main St. in Proctorsville. O’Donoghue is an accomplished photographer,…