Mandatory flu vaccinations for K-12 students considered Staff report Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD said at a press conference Friday, Aug. 28, that preparations are beginning for flu season, with the goals of keeping Vermonters healthy and to have the rate of flu be as low as possible to ensure that Vermonters do not face…

By Katy Savage If you want to ski or ride at Okemo this winter you’ll have to make a reservation first. Vail Resorts, which owns Okemo, Mount Snow and Stowe along with 31 other resorts, released its winter operating plan on Aug. 27. Guests will be required to wear facial coverings at all times and…

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 4: There are now 17 Covid-19 cases associated with the outbreak in Killington, including 11 people who attended the private party Aug. 19 and six from subsequent transmission. Two of the new cases had already been identified as close contacts, and were in quarantine, preventing further spread, according to State Epidemiologist Patsy…

By Cassandra Tyndall When you’re in the midst of an emotive situation, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or consumed by it. Emotions can run high and before you know it, you’re not able to see the forest for the trees. Gaining perspective isn’t easy when you’re in the eye of the storm. This week, this…

By Gary Salmon Aging in place, that’s exactly what trees do – from seed to standing dead. Some take longer than others but the difficulty lies in determining just how old a tree is at any point in time. For non-foresters the only way is to count the rings but that leaves you the answer…

By Merisa Sherman With my eyes focused upward, my feet found their places without hesitation. My feet didn’t need my eyes to tell them where the rocks and roots were, they just slid into place like they had so many times before. I felt my right femur swing outward, moving around a larger boulder and…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg In baseball and softball, players dream of winning with a walk-off. Definition: A walk-off occurs in softball when the home team takes the lead in the bottom of the seventh or extra innings. Because the visiting team will not get another turn at-bat, the game ends immediately, with the home team…

By Dom Cioffi When I was in school, I never took a note. Not one. I relied on class memory, my ability to absorb content just prior to a test, and my capacity to BS. My son is exactly like me in that he also has never taken a note. However, his class memory is…

By Sandra Dee Owens Before we begin, let me introduce my new column. My name is Sandra Dee Owens and I am a custom engagement and wedding ring designer, in the lower Champlain Valley town of Benson. Though interested in writing since the second grade, life took other directions until 10 years ago, when I…

by Kevin Theissen Some people in recent weeks may have been feeling that “the stock market seems to be doing so well but I’m not participating.” A look behind the headlines helps tell the story. A CNBC study found that between the stock market high on Feb. 19, 2020—and the new market high on Aug.…

By Susan Shea One summer day I lifted the black plastic top of our composter and jumped back, startled – a large snake was curled up on top of the compost. The yellow stripe down the center of its dark back and two yellow stripes along its sides identified it as a garter snake, our…

Starting your own walking program has benefits By Sindy Hassig, MSPT RUTLAND—The coronavirus is taking its toll worldwide and will continue to do so for some time to come. Much is known about transmission, infection, and symptoms, but there are still many unanswered questions. However, there is one thing that is almost certain to help…

Saturday, Sept 5 at 11 a.m.—RUTLAND—Castleton Indivisible is inviting the public and postal workers to join them in a peaceful show of support for the United States Postal Service (USPS) this Labor Day in front of USPS on 173 West St. in Rutland. They are calling on Congress to fully fund the USPS and on…

POULTNEY— Join Slate Valley Trails and the Rutland County Audubon Society for weekly bird walks in the Poultney area, on the trails of the SVT system, Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. All levels of birding experience are welcome. Bring water and a snack, binoculars, cameras, or field guides, if you have them. They are at a…

Sunday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m.—RANDOLPH—Chandler’s New World Festival will stream music live from Chandler Music Hall’s main stage in Randolph and premier virtual performances from around the world. Seventy-five lucky audience members can see the full show live in the socially-distanced live audience, and all other NWF fans can buy a livestream ticket to enjoy the…