By Dom Cioffi Between the 17th and 20th centuries, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire fought 12 separate wars. These wars make up one of the longest series of military conflicts in European history. Overall, these conflicts ended disastrously for the Ottoman Empire, which was stagnating as a world power. Conversely, the wars highlighted how Russia…

By Mary Ellen Shaw At this time of year your garden can be pretty full and sometimes you have too much of a good thing! What can you do to get the most out of your crops? The easiest solution is to freeze the items. That may involve a little work before they go in…

By Kevin Theissen We hear over and over again how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But being healthy for its own sake isn’t easy — especially when you’re facing down temptation or battling procrastination. For some, the monetary benefits of a healthy lifestyle may offer helpful incentive. Being healthy not only makes…

By Susan Shea There was a sucking sound as my rubber boot sank into the deep black muck. Naturalist Jon Binhammer and I were standing in the middle of a hardwood swamp in central Vermont. Above us, dainty red flowers clung to the still-bare branches of red maple trees and fat black buds encircled the…

Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.—SPRINGFIELD—Have fun learning an updated version of vinegar graining to transform wooden surfaces and objects. There are infinite combinations of colors and patterns that can be achieved with a variety of household “tools,” such as bubble wrap, plastic cling wrap, cork, feathers, sponges, or even just fingers.  It involves base…

The current pandemic has changed the lives of many individuals, and businesses and non-profits are no exception. The annual FUNdraiser for the American Cancer Society, Hops for Hope 5K, for example, has usually taken place at Mount Snow in Dover, in the morning of their annual Brewers Festival. But to ensure the safety of its…

Do you love cartoons? Did you know you can make your own? It’s easy! And guess what? You don’t even need to know how to draw! Kids ages 9-13 can sign up for Gallery at the Vault’s Online Cartooning Workshop, scheduled for Mondays, Aug. 3, 10, and 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and learn the basics of…

Wednesday, July 29 at 6 p.m.—PROCTORSVILLE—The Gully Boys were scheduled to play in the Cavendish summer concert series but were canceled when thunderstorms loomed. Cavendish has now announced that the band has re-scheduled its concert to July 29 at 6 p.m. on the Svec Memorial Green in Proctorsville. The Gully Boys, a professional rock/jam band…

Wild turkeys are found throughout most of Vermont, but their reproductive success is monitored annually by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. with help from “citizen scientists” who report the number and size of turkey families they see. Fish & Wildlife is again asking the public for help.  If you see a group of young…

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is holding a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 5, to answer questions and record public comment on the draft 2020-2030 Vermont Big Game Plan. The meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on a computer or smart phone at this link:  tinyurl.com/y6w6tauv (please download the Microsoft Teams app ahead…

Aug. 1-3—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum, “gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage,” will host Tractor Days, a three-day celebration. On Aug. 1 - 2 the events will take place onsite at Billings Farm & Museum. On Aug. 3, Tractor Days will continue online at billingsfarm.org. Each day will have a theme. Saturday, Aug. 1 will feature tractor-drawn wagon rides from 11 a.m.– 3 p.m. (riders will be limited by social distancing). The…

Israel Congregation (ICM) is pleased to present its acclaimed Jewish Film Series once again this summer, in a virtual format, subtitled “Watch, Listen, Chat.” this series includes opportunities to watch three exceptional documentaries, listen to presenters associated with these productions, and ask questions via an online chat. “They Ain’t Ready for Me” (2020) is a…

WOODSTOCK—Summer in Your Backyard is a free community collaborative summer series that will take place two days a week for three weeks from July 27 - Aug. 11, outside of the community room at Safford Commons in West Woodstock.  It is open to all children in the Windsor Central Supervisory Union from  kindergarten through 6th…

Saturday, Aug. 1 at 11 a.m.—BRANDON— Due to the Covid-19 issues, Brandon Chamber of Commerces’s 32nd annual Great Brandon Auction will be taking place in a non-traditional way this year. The organizers have had to think outside the tent and decided to move into a downtown storefront! With the kind donation from Heather and John Bierschenk, the…

QUECHEE— The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is proud to announce that it is developing a series of new research projects. As stewards of its 47-acre Nature Center in Quechee, and 327 acres of managed forest at Old Pepper Place Nature Reserve in Washington, Vermont, VINS is in a unique position to observe and record…