Discover More from This Author: Polly

Winter activity passport program available for kids and adults

January 12, 2022
Come Alive Outside has winter passports for adults and kids in 2022. The winter passports for kids and adults are chockful of activities to help people have fun outside this winter. This year, Come Alive Outside will distribute over 8,000 winter passports to kids and adults. Come Alive Outside’s winter passport for kids has been…

Governor Scott appoints three superior court judges, including Heather Gray of Quechee

January 12, 2022
Governor Phil Scott announced his appointment of three Vermont Superior Court judges: Elizabeth Novotny of Jericho, Heather Gray of Quechee and of Underhill, Dec. 20. “I have often said there are few responsibilities more important than governors making judicial appointments,” said Governor Scott. “The people who are entrusted with interpreting the law and upholding justice…

Snowy owls erupt in number

January 12, 2022
By Meghan McCarthy McPhaul Here’s a quiz for Harry Potter fans: What kind of owl played Hedwig in the movies? If you guessed a snowy owl, you’re correct. With their bright yellow eyes, bulky-looking bodies, and white feathers that cover everything from their beaks to their large feet, these owls strike an impressive pose. And…

We need to end fossil fuels

January 12, 2022
Dear Editor, We, the older Vermonters (including voters and taxpayers), must make it clear to younger Vermonters that our most crucial task and the most urgent job is to fix the broken two-party political system. Why, you ask? Only younger Vermonters can achieve the political transformation in the shortest amount of time to break up…

New Chaffee Art Center exhibit opens

January 12, 2022
Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. — RUTLAND — The Chaffee Art Center, Your Center for Creativity, invites the community to the opening of a new exhibit, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” with solo featured galleries of work by photographer Lowell Snowden Klock and fine artist Heather Wilson. There will also be an installation to celebrate Black…

State: Vermont Farmers Food Center needs to fix soil contamination

January 12, 2022
By Katy Savage An attempt to expand the Vermont Farmers Market Food Center on West Street in Rutland has uncovered a contamination problem in the air and soil. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources sent current and former owners of the property a letter on Dec. 30 explaining they need to provide a corrective action…

‘A pretty serious crisis’

January 12, 2022
Students and staff return to school closures, surging cases, expired tests, changing guidance, frustration By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger As students returned from the holiday break, some Vermont schools made it just three days before closing under the weight of Covid-19 cases. There were so many cases in the building which houses JFK Elementary as well as…

Raising the bar

January 12, 2022
By Dom Cioffi There’s a little bar a mile up the road from where I live. It’s part of a strip mall that houses the prerequisite pizza joint, nail salon, drug store, and karate center. There’s also a grocery store sitting on the end that acts as the anchor for the property. The couple who…

Hartland dog named hero for rescuing owner

January 12, 2022
By Katy Savage A Hartland dog is being called a hero after leading police officers to a serious crash on Interstate 91 in Hartford, where its owner was badly injured. The New Hampshire State Police and Lebanon Police Department responded to a report of a loose dog on Veterans Memorial Bridge on I-89 above the…

Henry Sheldon Museum’s virtual lecture ‘Picturing Difference: Photography, Democracy, and Race in the 19th Century’

January 12, 2022
Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.— VIRTUAL — The Henry Sheldon Museum presents a lecture by historian Michelle Smiley via Zoom. This is the fourth talk in the “Elephant in the Room: Exploring the Future of Museums” series convened by the Stewart-Swift Research Center. In this talk, Dr. Smiley will discuss American daguerreotype portraiture, its uses…

For the Greater Good: Vermonters working on diversity, equity and inclusion

January 12, 2022
By Liz DiMarco Weinmann This Monday, Jan. 17, there will be countless commemorations honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest civil rights leaders in the world, who was assassinated in 1968. Across Vermont, several groups working to increase justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, have taken Dr. King’s legacy to heart, and are…

Changes are coming to state’s incentivized relocation program

January 12, 2022
Money could flow in advance of move to incite decision, officials propose By Fred Thys/VTDigger The Scott administration and state senators are considering overhauling Vermont’s programs that pay people to move to the state. “(M)y budget will support the Senate’s worker relocation incentive program — with some changes — to bring in more families who…

Vermont launches ‘Tests For Tots’

January 12, 2022
On Friday, Jan. 7, Governor Phil Scott announced the launch of the state’s “Tests for Tots” program, which will provide rapid antigen Covid-19 test kits to regulated child care providers across Vermont. Child care providers can enroll in the program effective immediately. Test to Stay has been an important tool in Vermont’s K-12 schools, saving…

Killington tax rate up 1.8 cents

January 12, 2022
By Curt Peterson Killington Select Board’s amendments resulted in an estimated municipal property tax rate of $.5569 per $100 of assessed value. “This is an increase of about 1.8 cents over last year’s rate,” Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth said at the meeting on Jan. 4. “But remember, the final tax rate isn’t decided until about…

The demo ride: is testing key to new skis

January 12, 2022
By Tony Crespi For many skiers, new skis lining the racks of our area mountain shops bring a distinct appeal. And, with the pandemic impacting skiing dramatically last winter, many of us deferred on new skis and boots. Still, new, sharp skis are enticing. The graphics are unmarred! Still, how can you find the ski…