By Kimberly Rupe Rutland Young Professionals’ mission statement, in part, highlights our work to “build a Rutland Region that attracts and retains young professionals.” We continue to do exactly this through new and creative ways to engage young professionals in our community. However, we know that engaging with young professionals goes far beyond providing our…

By Dr. Glenn Mollette Democrats have proven once again that they can find fault in President Donald Trump. Faults and flaws were found in him before the election. Many years before politics there were never any rave reviews about him being perfect. During the recent impeachment trial, Democrats and Republicans hammered home their perspectives and…

By Dom Cioffi Like most people, the year-long lockdown has worn me out. I know I shouldn’t complain since so many others have suffered truly life-altering experiences during the past twelve months, but I would be lying if I said I hadn’t felt an impact. The blending of days is palpable, as is the sense…

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation published a report that found “…financial literacy has significant predictive power for future financial outcomes, even after controlling for baseline financial characteristics and a wide set of demographic and individual characteristics that influence financial decision making.” Financial literacy may be more important today than ever. That’s because the responsibility for…

By Rachael Mirrus In a February forest, evergreens provide welcome color. But look more closely on the bark of trees, both conifers and hardwoods, and you’ll find other bright hues, from sunny yellows to blue-greens. These are lichens, common but often overlooked members of the winter woods. Lichens have varied and intricate growth patterns, but…

By Brooke Geery Like many ski bums over the years, 25-year-old Austin Oesterle’s dream of moving up to Killington from Long Island, New York to snowboard hit a speed bump when he tore his ACL. Down but not out, he headed back to Long Island and shifted his creative efforts into learning to blow and…

Up until now, February has been marked by a kind of cosmic holding pattern. So many ideas filtering through the ether about how things could and should be, but wth  little means for making progress or taking action. Fortunately, this week brings the much-needed break in the weather. Mercury, the planet of communication and logistics,…

How to enjoy yourself and stay safe on the ice this winter As winter sets in, many Vermonters are preparing for one of the most popular cold weather pastimes in the state – ice fishing.  Anglers spend more than 400,000 days each winter ice fishing in Vermont, and the state’s Fish & Wildlife Dept. is…

Despite the challenges facing students and teachers this year, the Brandon Artists Guild (BAG) proudly announces its annual show of new artwork by local students from grades K to 12. The exhibit runs from Feb. 5 through Feb. 28. The exhibit includes work from students from Otter Valley UHS, Barstow Memorial,  Neshobe Elementary, and Lothrop,…

By Melinda Myers The beginning of a new year finds many gardeners preparing for the growing season ahead. Clearing space to start seeds indoors, inventorying seeds and supplies, and ordering seeds, plants, and more are usually part of the process. While organizing, you may uncover seeds from past seasons. Do not discard these just yet.…

SVAC is proud to announce a new program that brings customized art lessons with professional artists and art supplies to schools struggling to provide quality art education through its art backpack and virtual classroom project. The program will launch with 11 local schools—Currier Memorial School, The Dorset School, Long Trail School, Manchester Elementary Middle School,…

Elected to three-year terms beginning in January 2021 were Emily Bernard (South Burlington); Will Kasso Condry (Burlington); Sharon Fantl (Brattleboro); and Holly Groschner (Corinth). Elected for a three-year term beginning June 2021 was Mark Foley (Rutland). “We are fortunate to be welcoming these five exceptional Vermonters to our board,” said Board Chair Gail Nunziata. “They…

The Castleton Community Center offers a new Great Courses class on Mondays at 1 p.m. entitled “England, the 60s, and the Triumph of the Beatles.” The course begins with a 30-minute video by instructor Michael Sheldon of Indiana State University. He will talk about how the Beatles began their musical careers in a northern English…

Simpler fishing rules designed to protect fish and encourage fishing The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. wants to make it easier for people to go fishing by simplifying its fishing regulations. Fishing regulations have become increasingly complex over time as amendments were added, making the rules more difficult for anglers to understand and challenging for…

Feel the chill this winter with a visit to see A Winter of Hope ice sculpture exhibition created by “The Ice Man,” Charles Jones. The exhibition will feature three new art inspired sculptures each week for two weeks — Feb. 12 through Feb. 26 and will be located on the front lawn of The Hyde. The sculptures are in honor…