What would you do if you found your dog outside fighting with a raccoon? Or if you found your inside-only cat playing with a dying bat inside your home? You might think that these are uncommon occurrences, but these scenarios do happen and could have a deadly outcome. Rabies remains a major concern worldwide, killing…

Among the most fascinating men I have met are two athletes, both well into their 80s. Both, when we met, appeared remarkably healthy, strong and robust. The odd thing is that what I learned most from each was not about fitness, but about aging. We will call the triathlete “Pete”. Pete competed in triathlons around…

You’ve discovered a tiny evergreen forest of what looks like diminutive hemlock or cedar trees, barely taller than a chipmunk. They’re spread across the cool shade cast by a canopy of hardwood or coniferous trees. This Lilliputian forest is actually a clump of clubmosses. Clubmosses are among the oldest plants on Earth, having evolved over…

What do you get when you combine a chemist, a farmer, and a wine salesman? Quite possibly one of the healthier alcohol choices and perhaps the tastiest! Hard apple cider has made its way into the alcoholic beverage market with clout, as substantiated by the number of cider enthusiasts in attendance at the first ever…

There are a lot of similarities between me and Chris Bohjalian. We both grew up in the New York City metropolitan area. We both write fiction. We both additionally serve as columnists for Vermont newspapers: he writes weekly for the Burlington Free Press, I fortnightly for The Mountain Times. There are also a fair number…

By Maxx Steinmetz Rutland Rugby hosted a home game, on Sept. 20, against Berkshire, last year’s division 4 champions. The week prior, the Rutland Roosters suffered their first defeat of the season to Mad River in Stowe. Meanwhile, Berkshire put up an impressive 132-15 display against the visiting, under-manned Black River. This past weekend’s match, however,…

WEST HAVEN–Vermont’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway can lay claim to the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the Northeast in 2014, as details for the first-ever Battle at the Bowl dirt series have been announced. The series will span three successive weekends: Sept. 26, Oct. 4, and Oct. 18. Originally planned to be…

A public hearing on a proposed regulation controlling the use of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones for hunting will be held by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board on Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Montpelier. The proposed regulation would make it unlawful for any person to take or attempt to take wild animals while flying in…

Ottauquechee Community Partnership board members and friends competed in the Spartan Charity Race to raise $5,000 for OCP on Sunday, Sept 21, in Killington. OCP team gathered for a photo before their workout on Thursday. Pictured (l-r) Crys Szeleky, banquet manager at the Woodstock Inn; Paul Ramsey, general manager, Woodstock Inn; Alex LaFlamme, personal trainer at…

Tree stands get hunters out of sight and smell of wary deer, but they can also get hunters into trouble. Here are some tips from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to help you stay safe and get the most out of your tree-stand hunting experience: Choose a live, straight tree. Buy smart. Use stands…

KILLINGTON—The Killington Mountain School Cycling team traveled to Clinton, N.Y., on Sept. 13-14 to compete in the Kirkland Cyclocross Race. This race was the first of the New York Cross series. Coach Brad Ramsay reported that it was a great course, with “power sections, sand pits, mud, run-ups, off-camber corners, and all the fun stuff!”…

What affects leaf color? New England, and Vermont in particular, is known for its vibrant displays of fall foliage colors. While, in one sense, it seems odd that we get such joy from the annual death of leaves off deciduous trees, in another, it show appreciation for natural cyles of change. But  why do leaves…

Fall is the time most fruits on woody plants, not just on fruit trees, mature and become most colorful. These come in various forms, types, and colors, with names such as berries, pomes, and drupes. In addition, there are other attractive fruiting or seed structures on some landscape plants and vines. The following and more…

Historical perspective holds true today By Karen D. Lorentz In a July 2008 interview, Powdr Corp CEO John D. Cumming shared his story and philosophy of skiing. He spoke simply and directly as he discussed his love of skiing and mountaineering, expressing an all-encompassing appreciation of the outdoors. He was as at ease and eloquent…

By Laura Krantz, VTDigger.org Gov. Peter Shumlin released his 2013 tax return Friday, reporting $721,445 in gross income and total assets worth $10.3 million. Shumlin’s 1040 IRS form shows most of his income comes from real estate he owns and rents. He reported $128,639 in wages and $349,091 in income from real estate, royalties, supplemental…