Why don’t toads croak in winter? By Tiffany Soukup I manage a lodge in the Groton Forest on behalf of Vermont State Parks. One warm fall day, while standing outside the lodge, I noticed movement inside one of the window wells around the basement. Realizing that something noteworthy was about to happen, I ran inside…

One of the most confusing aspects of Christmas is the beloved ritual of Christmas dinner. For those who celebrate the holiday, there is no doubt that a special family feast should occur on the most special day of the year, yet as a nation we have still not agreed upon what, exactly, we should serve.…

Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, UVM Do you like trivia, or at least learning more about the top-selling holiday plant? If so, perhaps you will be interested in a dozen fun facts about the poinsettia plants you buy and see everywhere each December. Fact 1: Did you know that the poinsettia’s main attraction is not…

By Karen D. Lorentz Instead of dreading winter, which admittedly can be challenging, there are steps we can take to enjoy a fun, rewarding, and injury-free snow season as well as a warm time outdoors! Yes, many fear falls and accidents on slippery surfaces and others dread the cold. Reality check: life in general is…

By Tony Crespi Each season the ski industry unveils new ski collections boasting advancements and refinements in technology and design. Often unrecognized by the public are the complexity of engineering and design principles involved in this process. The tip to tail shapes and dimensions used in a ski are crucial to its performance as even…

By Tammy Landon We all know we should be getting regular exercise and eating right, but we also know that actually doing that is easier said than done. We have busy work and family schedules that often get in the way of our own personal health and wellness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

The Rutland Raiders only managed a 5-4 season this year, earning the school the seventh spot overall for Vermont high school football rankings, but that doesn’t mean the school didn’t play a crucial role in the state championships through to the end of the season. Rutland High School hosted the three-division state championships at the…

  CASTLETON — Proving to be a leader in Vermont health, physical education and athletic training, the Castleton College community was recently recognized and presented at the annual Vermont Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference (VTAHPRED) on Nov. 14. This year’s event was held at the Killington Grand Resort and focused on…

Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. — MENDON — The Mendon Historical Society will hold a special meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Mendon Town Office at 70 p.m. Greg Sharrow, Executive Director of the Vermont Folklife Center, will present a program entitled “Vermonters of Many Cultures.” Vermont is often described as culturally homogeneous, and yet…

Friday, Dec. 5 at 12 p.m. — RUTLAND — College of St. Joseph will present “Health for the Holidays: Helping Make the Holidays More Restful than Stressful” at 12-noon on Friday, Dec. 5, at Speakeasy Cafe in Rutland. For many, the holidays season is a favorite time of year. But, with all of the revelry, wassailing, decorating,…

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. — LUDLOW — The holiday season is upon us and Black River Good Neighbor Services has announced that it will hold its annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Shaw’s Market parking lot in Ludlow. This is one of the most important…

Friday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. — LUDLOW —  The Garden Club of Ludlow is having a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. at the mini park. Members of the Ludlow community are invited to join in this joyous event. Members of the club have joined together to form the…

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. — POULTNEY — On Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. the Green Mountain College Choirs, GMC Festival Brass and guest musicians will present their annual spirited holiday concert in the Clara Hitchcock Fitzpatrick Jones Concert Hall (in Ackley Auditorium). This popular event will offer lively music for the season and…

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. — WEST PAWLET — A busy day is planned for Saturday, Dec. 6 in West Pawlet. Santa himself, will be coming to the Christmas festival, craft fair, and flea market, including a large bake sale, luncheon, and raffles, held from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department’s fire…

Dec. 6 & 7 — WOODSTOCK — Discover the traditions of a late 19th century Vermont Christmas with a visit to the Billings Farm & Museum.  Christmas at the Billings Farm will be featured on weekends in December and Dec. 20 – Jan. 1, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.(excluding Christmas Day). Tours of the authentically decorated farmhouse,…