By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Eight full-time faculty at Vermont Technical College in Randolph received layoff notices Monday, Nov. 29. The action is part of a large-scale financial reorganization that could have major implications for the school’s course offerings. Additionally, senior professors are being offered cash incentives to retire early, and up to 27 adjunct instructors…

Dear Editor, I went to the selectboard meeting back on Tuesday, Nov. 18, regarding the sales option tax. The question the board was discussing was whether to put an article for the removal of the option tax on the upcoming March Town Meeting Day vote. What amazes me is that back in 2008 we voted…

By Lee H. Hamilton Given all the words and images devoted to the midterm elections over the past few weeks, you’d think the results had told us something vital about the future of the country. In reality, they were just a curtain-raiser. It’s the next few weeks and months that really matter. The big question,…

By Dom Cioffi Thanksgiving has really transformed itself over the last several decades. No longer a one-day, solely American holiday, the Thanksgiving “festivities” now span from Wednesday, through the weekend, and into Monday. First of all, it’s become customary to throw major parties on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. These parties grew out of the…

By Dave Hoffenberg Tis the season for holidays, snow and the kickoff of the Killington concert scene. This Thursday make sure you head to the Pickle Barrel for Kung Fu’s first Killington appearance. I had the pleasure of speaking to Rob Somerville, saxophonist for the band, who has been playing up here since the early…

Vermont’s hunters will get one final chance for a deer this year during the muzzleloader deer season and the second part of the archery deer season.  The two seasons run at the same time —Dec. 6-14. A muzzleloader hunter may take one legal buck anywhere in the state. In addition, a hunter who received a muzzleloader…

By Mark Bosma Snow could affect holiday travel. A snowy Wednesday and Thursday leading up to the Thanksgiving Day feast created challenges for travelers. It’s important in Vermont to prepare for winter driving and the heightened risks on the road that are inherent to the time of year when we see snow and ice on…

By Kate Robitello In my previous article on oils, I discussed why there are only four oils that we should be consuming: flax oil, olive oil, coconut oil and advocado oil. However, just a glance at many ingredient lists of top brand food items reveals that they will almost always contain an oil that is…

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…