Rutland school board adopts attorney’s report By Emma Cotton/VTDigger RUTLAND — After a contentious year debating the validity of the mascot for the city’s school system, it appears the new “Ravens” moniker will stick — for now. The board last fall voted to abandon the former “Raiders” mascot following concerns from students, faculty and alumni…

By Lindsey Rogers CHITTENDEN —Ms. Leslie Ladabouche’s 3rd grade class at Barstow Memorial School in Chittenden is hosting a Socktober sock drive from Oct. 1-31. This year is the debut of the event, but Ms. Ladabouche plans to make it an annual drive if it is successful. The students decorated 12 boxes, and “are going…

With a wide array of resources available, access to mental health services in Vermont continues to be ranked first in the nation, according to the annual report, State of Mental Health in America. “It’s an achievement Vermonters should be proud of,” said Emily Hawes, commissioner of the Dept. of Mental Health for Vermont. “Having equitable…

1-year-old. Spayed female. Pit mix. Brindle and white. Energetic sweet girl looking for her forever home! Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT • (802) 483-6700 • Tues. – Sat. 12-5p.m. Closed Sun. & Mon. • www.rchsvt.org "I'm a handsome, gray 15-year-old kitty looking for a retire- ment home. Troy adores people and…

By Brooke Geery This time last year, Vermont was in a drought. The woods were in danger of catching on fire, and even did once or twice. As a newbie mushroom forager, I relished the challenge (and thrill) of finding good edibles. I had some success, and when I did, I gleefully gloated on social…

Sunday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. — PITTSFORD — The Pittsford Sheep Festival has been offering free family entertainment for over 25 years. This year it will be held on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pittsford Recreation Area off Furnace Road in Pittsford. Local craft vendors, felters and spinners…

Saturday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. — LUDLOW — The Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) is sponsoring its 30th annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The cook-off will be located at the traffic light on Depot Street. Proceeds will benefit the Ludlow Rotary Charitable Fund to enable the LRC…

Oct. 9-10 — RUTLAND — Chaffee Art Center’s 60th annual Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival will be held on Oct. 9-10 in Main Street Park at the junction of routes 4 & 7 in Rutland.  The show features juried fine artists, craftspeople, and specialty food producers.  Rounding out the festival are food vendors,…

Oct. 9-10 — WOODSTOCK — Dig in the dirt and do-si-do at the Billings Farm & Museum’s Harvest Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The weekend features traditional harvest activities, homemade foods, and a barn dance set against the colorful backdrop of green, red and gold…

Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 7:15 p.m. — RUTLAND — A song circle will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer St. in Rutland, and virtually by Zoom, from 7:15-9:15 p.m. The song circle welcomes singers, players of acoustic instruments, and listeners. The so-called Wild Woods Song Circle has gathered acoustic…

Unconscious bias focus of 2021-2022 gallery season Oct. 3 - Nov. 6 —RANDOLPH — A new exhibit in the Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts counters the bias that new ideas are mostly generated by the young, by showcasing artists who have been working for seven decades or longer. Titled “Changing Seasons: Innovations After…

By Sandra Dee Owens Editor’s note: This is the fourth part in a series of The Funologist’s stories called “The Garage Years.” This column is published the first edition of each month. For previous parts visit: mountaintimes.info/category/column/funologist. Part 5 of this series will be published Nov. 3. Expectations I had had expectations. Expectations that my…

During the height of winter, people increasingly retreat indoors and look for something to within the warm confines of home. Plenty of activities can fit the bill, but some provide the rewarding prospect of a freshly made meal or dessert. When seeking recipes for cold days, consider those comfort foods that can be enjoyed warm…

By Mary Ellen Shaw It seems like my inbox has a lot of “remember when” emails that take my age group back to the “good old days.” We all seem to enjoy remembering how things were and comparing those times to the present day. Something that frequently comes into our conversations is the television of…

By Rachel Sargent Mirus “I’ve got something for you,” my husband calls from the front door. He’s found an oddly beautiful beetle in the autumn woods. It’s around of an inch long, a dark iridescent teal, and its wings and wing-covers look comically small. Something about its body shape reminds me of a fat carpenter…