By Merisa Sherman As a child, Christmas in our house was absolutely perfect – and was always a party.  Friends and family would gather, Christmas music would be blaring and trays of hors d’oeuvres were placed in different rooms as there were always too many people to squish into the one room where everyone wanted…

By Dom Cioffi I have a friend who has collected movies for years. He’s amassed a huge array of films on multiple formats that has literally commandeered an entire room of his house. I’m an obvious movie-lover but I’ve never felt the need to collect physical copies. In fact, I’ve never been much of a…

By Gary Salmon “May” and “shall” are found on legal documents and for us laypersons mean “can” and “must.” These terms are important when reading H.673 which Governor Scott signed into law on Oct. 8 and became “the law of the land” effective Nov. 1. The legislation modernizes the existing tree warden statutes which have…

By Kevin Theissen Holiday shoppers may not have been racing into brick-and-mortar retail stores, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t shopping. Consumers have earmarked about $998 for spending on winter holidays, which include Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, according to the National Retail Federation. They plan to spend: Slightly less on gifts for family, friends, and…

By Lee Emmons As winter approaches and snow coats the ground, the tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) will again become a ubiquitous backyard visitor. Familiar to even the most casual observers of nature, titmice readily come to feeders, especially those filled with sunflower seeds. Like many other birds that spend winters here, they seem to relish…

By Cassandra Tyndall One thing was for certain in 2020 and that is, that nothing was certain. As the New Year grows closer and we begin to reflect on the year that was, there is no way we could have known it would have looked quite like this. In our modern and material world, we…

Potato pancakes are traditionally served during Chanukah celebrations. This dish is often referred to as “latkes,” a Yiddish word that loosely translates to “little oily thing.” Potato pancakes are not exclusive to Jewish celebrations and cuisine. Germans have their own variation called “kartoffelpuffer” that can be served with sour cream, applesauce or  smoked salmon. The…

Saturday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m.—On Dec. 12 an international coalition of performing arts presenters invites viewers to join Sweet Honey in the Rock’s “Celebrating the Holy Days.” Audience members will stream the live concert and turn on their cameras to “be seen” by Sweet Honey in the Rock and by one another in the…

CAVENDISH—Community has never been so important. To underscore that point, the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (CCCA) has produced its 2021 Cavendish Community Calendar, which is now on sale, just in time for the holidays. You can purchase them at Crows Bakery on Depot Street in Proctorsville, or order them through the mail. Send $20…

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Cavendish Community Fund held what is hoped to become an annual event. According to Fund president Doug McBride, the drawing, held at Crow’s Bakery in Proctorsville, was for several arts prizes and capped off a successful 2020 fund-raising effort in the community. The Community Fund was created in 2007…

QUECHEE—The Ottauquechee Health Foundation offering two free community-focused events offering  multiple opportunities for community members to help those in need while at the same time offering some fun and food as a means of relief during the pandemic. Sharing the Warmth is an community knitting event inviting the community to share the warmth by creating…

RUTLAND— The Paramount Theatre is taking its annual benefit auction, The Festival of Trees, entirely virtual this year.  Twelve Days of Bidding kicked off Saturday, Dec. 5. The auction features more than $75,000 in goods, services and dining gift certificates. All bidding will be conducted via a secure, easy-to-navigate online auction platform. The theatre previously…

Generous Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) supporters have offered to donate $12,000 if the community will match it by Dec. 31, 2020!  What a great opportunity to help the homeless animals in Rutland County.  Every dollar helps and before you know it, we will have reached $12,000, and then it will be matched dollar for…

Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center (BHOC), long known as Blueberry Hill Ski Center, is now established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit company.  BHOC ensures land preservation and recreational access within a unique and historic section of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest. In 1969, Tony Clark became involved with Blueberry Hill Inn…

Finding a gift that will continue to give for a full year is a challenge, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. has a solution on its  website — a license gift certificate for hunting and fishing licenses. “It’s the perfect gift for a friend or family member who hunts or fishes,” said Fish & …