PITTSFORD–On Friday, Sept. 5, Lothrop Elementary, in partnership with ShoeBox Recycling, introduced a school-wide shoe recycling program. Students, faculty, families, and community members are all encouraged to participate by discarding gently-used shoes in the ShoeBox recycling bins placed in the front entryway of the school, U.S. Route 7 in Pittsford. With over 300 million pairs…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday that Vermont’s federally qualified health centers will receive $2.1 million in Affordable Care Act money. The money will allow 10 health centers across Vermont to hire 47 new staff, extend hours and expand services, according to a news release from the…

Saturday, Sept. 20 — MANCHESTER — The 2014 Komen Vermont Race for the Cure®, on Sept. 20, will be the 22nd race held at Hildene Meadows, in Manchester. After this year’s race, Komen will be folding its tents and heading for new digs in the Manchester area as the Meadows will be returned to its original agricultural…

VERMONT — Vermont’s pick-your-own orchards offer a chance to win an iPod during the annual “Apples to iPods” promotion that kicked off Sunday, Sept. 14. In this technology-meets-agriculture contest, one specially marked wooden apple is hidden in an apple tree at 21 Vermont pick-your-own apple orchards. The lucky apple picker who finds a wooden apple…

Thursday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. — WOODSTOCK — “Say Ahh,” the world’s first documentary on oral health, takes a sobering look at the state of our national healthcare system. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, home to some of the most advanced medicine and technology, America is suffering from a drastic decline…

Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. — WOODSTOCK — Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage, is hosting Traditional Craft Saturdays on the first four Saturdays in September, from 10 a.m. – 50 p.m.  Visitors are invited to explore a series of Vermont crafts – their history, process, and uses – through informal learning and…

Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. — PLYMOUTH NOTCH — The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site hosts the Plymouth Cheese & Harvest Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Held annually since 1997, the day features wagon rides, craft demonstrations, special presentations, culinary treats, and activities for the entire family. A variety…

Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. — BRANDON — An evening of finger-strumming, toe-tapping, good old-fashioned folk music is promised on Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. when Rick Ceballos and Matt Witten perform at Brandon Music. Together, Ceballos and Witten provide a wide range of folk music traditions. From early African banjo blues to their own modern…

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 20-21 — CHESTER — Celebrate the 40th annual Fall Festival Craft Show on the Chester Green on Sept. 20-21 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. This weekend offers something for everyone. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch demonstrations and speak with local New England artists as well as to purchase high quality handmade crafts:…

Saturday, Sept. 20 — FAIR HAVEN — The Fair Haven Historical Society is preparing for the 6th Annual Apple Pie contest to be held at the Apple Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20. This year, there is only one category, and all ages may enter. The pie competition is for amateurs. Pies will be judged on appearance, texture…

RUTLAND — Run & bike throughout the Pine Hill Trails on Sunday, Sept. 21, in the Rutland Recreation Department’s 7th annual duathlon. The course will feature a 5K trail run followed by a 10K loop for mountain biking race starts at 10 a.m. with registration starting at 9:15 a.m. You can participate as an individual or…

Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. — RUTLAND — In an expansion of the newly installed exhibition technology, The Paramount Theatre will be enhancing the HD experience by adding “Live in HD from the National Theatre of Great Britain” during the 2014-2015 season. This internationally acclaimed program, which mirrors the “Live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera”…

Sunday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. — MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS — Vermont historian Don Wickman will recount the story of the Ninth Vermont Regiment in the Civil War at the 45th annual meeting of the Middletown Springs Historical Society on Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Historical Society Building. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with a dessert…

Sunday, Sept. 21 — SHOREHAM — Delicious foods, delightful bicycling, and spectacular scenery are in store for all who participate in the 7th Annual Tour de Farms. Scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21 in Shoreham, the Tour de Farms offers two loop rides, approximately 10 and 30 miles each. At frequent designated stops, family farmers will treat bicyclists…

Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. — POULTNEY — The Annual Autumn Gathering of the Clans event of Poultney Area St. David’s Society, a 26th anniversary year Gathering of the Clans event, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21. Sponsored by Poultney Area St. David’s Society, the gathering will be held at 2 p.m. in the main floor…