Discover More from This Author: Polly
It doesn’t take a meteorologist
December 28, 2022
Dear Editor, National weather services have been calling the latest storm to strike the Northeast a “Nor’easter.” But it wasn’t. The term Nor’easter has been used by generations along the coast of the far northeastern U.S. to describe a coastal storm swirling counterclockwise in a westerly direction from the north Atlantic Ocean, with the winds…
In many ways, it’s a wonderful year for freedom and democracy
December 28, 2022
By Narain Batra Editor’s note: Narain Batra is a media and First Amendment scholar affiliated with the diplomacy and international program in the graduate college at Norwich University. He lives in Hartford. Joy to the world! Freedom is rising. On Dec. 6, we saw another embodiment of what the American dream is made of: A…
Chittenden Reservoir Walleye fishing restrictions revised starting Jan. 1
December 28, 2022
Sunday, Jan. 1 — RUTLAND — Walleye fishing restrictions on Chittenden Reservoir have been modified to help improve fishing opportunities and natural reproduction of the walleye population, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Starting Jan. 1, walleye fishing on Chittenden Reservoir will be as follows: Legal Length Limit: 18 to 20 inches. All…
Refugee turned resettlement director now an award-winning Vermonter
December 28, 2022
By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Joe Wiah grew up in the African republic of Liberia, fled its civil war at age 21 and has gone on to help the Ethiopian Community Development Council resettle refugees from Afghanistan. That’s why Wiah is now an award-winning Vermonter. The 49-year-old director of the ECDC’s branch office in Brattleboro — the…
Blue Cross to pause relationship with OneCare in 2023
December 28, 2022
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) will forgo a contract with OneCare Vermont (OCV) for the 2023 plan year. Despite having collaborated with OCV every year since its inception, Blue Cross is unable to reach an agreement this year due to the lack of tangible quality outcomes, inability to bend the cost…
Housing crisis: Killington Forward plan aims to address need at all levels
December 28, 2022
Once the foliage photos started flooding the Killington Locals+ page on Facebook this fall, so did the queries for seasonal housing. Securing one of the approximately 1,800 jobs on the mountain isn’t the challenge. Finding a place to rest one’s head is the chore. While Killington Resort, with the recent purchase of the Hillside Inn…
2022 Christmas albums: A guide to the best of the season
December 22, 2022
By Alan Sculley, Last Word Features Whoever says the full-length album is a dying art form hasn’t been watching the Christmas music. This year brings another sleigh full of full-length albums. Here’s my take on this year’s albums vying for your Christmas music dollars. Lindsey Stirling: “Snow Waltz” — Stirling brings her unique signature mix…
VFFC brings delicious local food into the homes of older adults referred to by SVCOA
December 22, 2022
RUTLAND — Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) in partnership with the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) are finishing up the last few weeks of a new meal kit program, Eat At Home (EAH), with older adults in Rutland County. Over 15 participants, identified and referred by SVCOA, are older adults, living at home and…
Killington/Pico’s Dan Bergeron receives prestigious Einar Aas Award
December 22, 2022
Long-time snow sports manager recognized for excellence by PSIA Killington Resort announced Tuesday, Dec. 13, that Killington/Pico Snow Sports Operations Manager Dan Bergeron has been named the recipient of the prestigious Einar Aas Award from the Eastern Division of the Professional Ski Instructors of America for 2022. This award recognizes dynamic leadership within a snow sports…
Online hunting and fishing license gift certificates are available
December 22, 2022
STATEWIDE – Finding a gift that will continue to give for a full year is a challenge, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. has a solution: a license gift certificate for hunting and fishing licenses. “It’s a perfect gift for a friend or family member who hunts or fishes,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner…
Hartland intersection redo estimates is high
December 22, 2022
By Curt Peterson The controversial Hartland Three Corners intersection of Route 5, Route 12 and Quechee Road redesign and renovation project came close to demise at the Monday, Dec. 19 Select Board meeting. Members were asked to commit to a planned Jan. 4 “request for proposals” (bid invitations) based on engineers’ latest estimate of total…
WCSU voters will be asked to approve $1.65M toward new school
December 22, 2022
By Curt Peterson Windsor Central school district voters will be asked to approve integrating $1.65 million to cover next steps in building a new middle school/high school complex into the district’s budget at March 2023 Town Meetings in seven towns, to be spread out over five years. Board member Ben Ford of Woodstock and Finance…
Kathleen Ann Judge, 79
December 22, 2022
Kathleen (Kathy) Ann Judge (née Garahan) passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 11 in Dallas, Texas. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, James (Jim) J. Judge, in August 2020. Kathy was born at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina on July 20, 1943, the first child of Tom and Kate Garahan. During…
Meet ambassador program manager Pete Duffy
December 22, 2022
By Karen D. Lorentz Pete Duffy has seen enough of the world and skied in so many places that when he expresses a preference for living in Vermont, you know he’s found his home — the place that completes him. The same can be said for his position as the Killington ambassador program manager, where…
Gone but not forgotten: Early Rutland region ski areas
December 22, 2022
By Karen D. Lorentz Editor’s Note: This is the first of a three-part series on the early “lost” ski areas that propelled several generations of skiers in the greater Rutland Region. Vermont skiing dates back to 1892 when the Woodstock Inn opened and winter guests took cross-country ski treks to the nearby country club. By…