Ingredients: 6lb Long Island duckling Salt and pepper 1 Tb butter 1 shallot, diced ¼ cup Runamok ginger infused maple syrup ¼ cup white wine vinegar 1 cup chicken broth ¼ cup orange juice 4 strips orange zest 1 tsp chopped rosemary Directions: Preheat the oven to 475. Check the duck for any innards or…

A fascinating tale of science, gender and giraffe conservation Dec. 31 - Jan. 3—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum’s 11th annual Woodstock Vermont film series features “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes,” a fascinating tale of science, gender and giraffe conservation. In 1956, four years before Jane Goodall ventured into the world of chimpanzees and seven years before Dian Fossey left to…

By Brooke Geery Rutland-based author Peter Hogankamp announced the cover art for his latest book, “The Vatican Secret” as well as offering pre-orders of the title on his website. “The original title of the book was ‘Doubt,’ but the publisher decided to change it to match ‘The Vatican Conspiracy,’ he said. “I am still not sure…

By Brooke Geery Sometime during the middle of December, a large metal monolith appeared on top of a mountain in Pittsfield. Like the other monoliths that have showed up in Utah, Romania and California recently, its appearance was a mystery. Then, late in the day on Wednesday, Dec. 23, it disappeared. Not, however, before some…

By Brooke Geery If ever there was a year we were ready to have in the rearview it’s 2020. Thank goodness 2021 is almost here. While like most other things this year, celebrations will look different than ever before, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat, drink and be merry from a safe social distance. Sure,…

Start the new year on the right foot with a hike in a Vermont state park. On Jan. 1, 2021, Vermont State Parks is inviting everyone to celebrate the New Year by heading out on the trails at one of Vermont’s 55 state parks. Park entry is free on New Year’s Day (and all winter…

The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) announced Dec. 29 expanded outreach and services to municipalities and the public to enhance water quality and tactical basin planning efforts for South Lake Champlain (Basins 2 & 4). RRPC staff will assist by facilitating enhanced municipal and public input during the drafting process.  A formal draft of the…

On Dec. 27, at about 2:45 a.m., troopers responded to an active burglary alarm at Super Shoes store on Route 4 in Mendon. Upon arrival, troopers observed a shattered front window with numerous items missing from the store. These items consisted of Carhartt footwear and apparel. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to…

Green Mountain Power (GMP) has alerted customers to be alert to the forecast, as meteorologist predict a region-wide storm system bringing the possibility of strong winds that could take down trees and power lines, along with one to two inches of rain (possibly snow in the higher elevations) and the potential for localized flooding Thursday…

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By Karen D. Lorentz Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, this will be a unique ski season, one like no other and yet like all others. A paradox to be sure, but at the same time an uplifting one. The one thing that has stayed the same during this new reality of staying away from so…

By Molly Gray, lieutenant governor-elect Editor's note: this commentary was originally written as an open letter to the Biden-Harris Administration. Over the last year, rural Vermont much like rural America has been hit hard by this pandemic. While our small rural state has much to be proud of in terms of the collective sacrifice of…

By Karen Tronsgard-Scott Editor's note: Tronsgard-Scott is the executive director of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Every Vermonter has the right to thrive and live their life free from violence. Unfortunately, the reality is that too many Vermonters aren’t safe. Each year, thousands of Vermonters experience domestic or sexual violence. What would…

Dear Editor, The long-anticipated Christmas holiday is nearly upon us. It conjures visions of happy families gathered by a warm fireplace, opening presents, sharing their love, and... feasting on ham and turkey. It’s the happiest time of the year, but not for the animals. The 222 million turkeys killed in the U.S. this year were…

Dear Editor, “If you build it, they will come,” is a phrase that haunts the main character in the movie “Field of Dreams.” In that film, the thing to be built is a baseball field for spectral players from the early 1900s, but it got me thinking, and not about baseball. It got me thinking…