By Sandra Dee Owens We don’t have to follow the first voice A woman passed through my line at the grocery store with a brightly colored box I knew so well. Without hesitation, I jostled my cart and went searching for the Pop-Tart aisle. That first voice had whispered in my ear, “oooooh, Pop-Tarts, have…

By Susan Shea I saw a new bird at my feeder last winter. In mid-December, a small, reddish-brown bird with an upturned tail, a white eyebrow-stripe, and a long, slender, down curved bill was on the deck below our feeder. Looking at its cocked tail, I suspected it was a type of wren —  a…

By Dom Cioffi Recently, my wife and I (along with another couple), went to a jazz club in the city. I haven’t been to many jazz shows in my life, but I do appreciate the genre so I was happy and curious to go. We bought tickets on the advice of another friend who assured…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Winter is not the favorite season for most seniors! We don’t like to walk around wondering if there is black ice underfoot. Nor do we like driving on it. Hearing that a snow storm is coming makes us want to hunker down and stay inside. Whatever happened to our childhood feelings…

Dear Editor, Founded in 2007 Appalachian Trail Adventures, the company has enjoyed steady growth each year since—with a focus on providing fun adventures and premier customer service. Escapades range from guided hikes on the Appalachian Trail, to kayaking on rivers, to exploring a cave, to taking a sightseeing tour and much more. Given the scope…

RUTLAND — The Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) is partnering with Ocean State Job Lot in Rutland and the Rutland Area Disaster Animal Response Team (RADART) by distributing gift cards to Rutland County food shelves. As part of the RCHS Community Pet Food program, those in need of pet supplies and food will benefit from…

Monday, Jan. 2 — OKEMO — For over 20 years, Okemo has staged a weekly locals ski and snowboard race called Innkeepers. Traditionally held on Tuesdays, the race has been switched to Mondays this year. Both individuals and teams of up to seven sponsored by local restaurants, ski shops and  businesses  compete in this weekly…

Friday, Dec. 30 — OKEMO — Jackson Gore at Okemo will be kick off the Aprés Afternoons series with a 3 day event, so you can Après for the holidays, and then will be run every Saturday until the end of the season. The event starts on Friday, Dec. 30. Jackson Gore will feature music…

Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 28 -29 at 7 p.m.— RUTLAND — Join Paramount Theater for two free after-Christmas movies – "Happy Feet"and "The Croods" on the big screen. No tickets required. This is a family friendly event. "Happy Feet"  (Dec. 28) Run time 109 minutes Movie synopsis: Son of Memphis and Norma, sweet little penguin…

Rutland County Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count will take place this year on Jan. 1. Birds spotted within a 7 1/2 mile radius of Mead's Falls in Center Rutland will be counted by teams of field birders and feeder-watchers in this count circle. Results will be tallied and posted on e-Bird. Interested persons can contact…

KILLINGTON — Join Killington Resort for fun events over the course of the week leading up to New Year's. Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 28 -30 Kids Corner Holiday Activities After an amazing afternoon on the hill with the family, make sure to join Killington this holiday season in the Snowshed Base Lodge for kid-friendly activities for the…

By Deborah J. Benoit Editor’s note: Deborah Benoit is a University of Vermont extension master gardener.  During the holidays, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) show off in shades of red, pink, and cream. They’ve been hybridized to decorate our homes during a season when the garden outdoors is fast asleep. Most people treat them as a holiday…

By Karen D. Lorentz Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Anne Reynolds grew up in Elkton, Maryland and graduated from the Wilmington Friends School in 1989. Not knowing what she wanted to do after earning a college degree in art history, Reynolds chose warm weather living and working in Florida where she could enjoy “lots of beautiful…

By Merisa Sherman I have been and always shall be a ski bum. While throughout my life, the journey has varied greatly, the message has always been the same: there is no peace, no salvation, without the feeling of floating across the surface of the earth. This may appear in different forms, in varying forms…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger A former teacher at Green Mountain Union High School in Chester has pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials and faces up to 10 years in prison. Norman Merrill II, 46, of Chester entered his guilty plea to the federal charge Tuesday, Dec. 20, during a video hearing held…