Growing up, I used to love watching cartoons on Saturday mornings. My mom was pretty good about letting me hang out in my pajamas, eat cereal, and take in the colorful programming, but by late morning, she was usually pushing me out the door to play.  And I was usually ready to join my friends…

       I’ve always loved the idea of watching the sky for shooting stars. But I’m much more likely to be up to watch the sunrise than I am to stay awake past midnight, when most meteor showers happen. Lucky for me, the upcoming Geminid meteor shower will provide an opportunity to wish upon…

  If you follow my columns, you know I’m an artist and writer with a vivid imagination. My spiritual mentor says it assists me in communicating with the spiritual world. Our anthropologist friend and neighbor says I’m lucky my imagination allows me to explore my unconscious like Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung did. Jung believed the…

  Dogs, Are friends, Are love, Are happiness, Are fun, Are companions. Dogs are amazing, They are so important to our lives, They brighten things up when it gets dark. They are always our friends, They listen to us, They are always positive and wanting to play, They tell us that everyone needs a friend,…

  Do you remember the good ol’l days when Saturn was in Capricorn? Concepts such as “boundaries” and “clarity” and the word “no” actually meant something. If you stood up for yourself or honored what was right for you, you were “so brave.” Then Saturn moved into Aquarius. What was right for you didn’t mean…

   Vermont’s biggest blood drive is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year — with a Rutland resident’s story of survival highlighting the need for blood. The Gift-of-Life Marathon Blood Drive (GOLM), which began in 2003, will cover four days — Dec. 5, 7, 13, and 15 — and Rutland resident Alex Adams is serving as…

Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Our Lady of the Snows Church, on 7 South St., Woodstock, holds its long standing Wassail tradition of the annual "Messiah" Sing.  The world-class ensemble and four featured soloists will perform a stirring rendition of the Christmas portions of Handel’s "Messiah." Free with suggested $10 donation.  For more information, visit:…

By Albo Südekum Bald Mountain Theater will present “Krampusnacht” for the Winter Solstice at the outdoor amphitheater in Rochester on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m.   Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9 at 7:30 p.m.—ROCHESTER—Bald Mountain Theater will once again present “Krampusnacht” for the Winter Solstice at the outdoor amphitheater in…

  Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Woodstock Town Hall Theatre will be visited by puppeteers Dan Baginski and Barbara Paulson’s traveling stage, which transforms any space into an intimate theater. Experience the seamless blend of movement, music and masterful manipulation captivates young and old alike. With puppeteers in full view, the audience sees how the…

Courtesy Pentangle Arts     Saturday, Dec. 9, 7:30-9:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—The Yale Alley Cats will perform at Woodstock Town Hall Theatre, located at 31 The Green, in Woodstock this Saturday.  Don't miss this world-renowned a cappella group from Yale University. They have been making music around the world since their founding back in 1943. The Cats…

  Sunday, Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m.­—WOODSTOCK—Santa will visit Woodstock Town Hall Theatre with holiday cookies and treats on Sunday of Wassail Weekend.  This holiday tradition is filled with fun and a wonderful chance to see your little ones make magic with Santa on stage. Parents will have a chance to take a photo with…

  Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Woodstock Town Hall Theatre, located at 31 The Green in Woodstock, will host fan favorites Prydein who will kick off Wassail Weekend with a bagpipe rock concert featuring their unique blend of Celtic tunes, including some lively holiday ones.  Prydein began in an effort to take music in new directions…

Friday-Sunday, Dec. 8-10 —WOODSTOCK —Wassail Weekend time is here. The anticipated three-day annual holiday event is filled with twinkling Christmas lights, historic decorated homes, visits with Santa Claus, live musical performances  and much more.  The town of Woodstock transforms into a holiday village wonderland of dreams. It's complete with sleigh bells and holiday decorations at…

  Submitted Novelist Jon Clinch will talk about his latest release, answer questions and autograph copies of his books during a fireside chat held at  Fletcher Free Library.     Friday, Dec.  8 at 6 p.m.—LUDLOW—Acclaimed author of "Finn," "Kings of the Earth," "The Thief of Auschwitz," "Belzoni Dreams of Egypt" and "Marley," will talk…

  By Sen. Bernie Sanders  There have been five wars in the last 15 years between Israel and Hamas. How do we end the current one and prevent a sixth from happening, sooner or later? How do we balance our desire to stop the fighting with the need to address the roots of the conflict?…