As prime-time backpacking season approaches, the Green Mountain National Forest is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic by restricting overnight camping at designated campgrounds and shelters, in addition to closing pit toilets along the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail segments.  The majority of the National Forest remains open. After Secretary of Natural Resources Julie Moore announced,…

KILLINGTON—In response to Gov. Phil Scott’s announcement Friday, May 8, that summer camps can open if they “can meet strict health and safety requirements,” Killington’s Department of Parks and Recreation will offer a modified summer camp. The regulations put in place by the state of Vermont include measures to increase social distancing, allowances for easier…

By Julia Purdy Even when schoolchildren are required to stay home, the school meals program must go on. And this year, in addition to seeing that kids don’t miss out on nourishment, the program helps to relieve the extra financial hardship of parents being out of work as well as offering paid work to paraeducators,…

Lowe honored for helping to save American Kestrels RANDOLPH—Brian Lowe, of Randolph, has helped hundreds of American kestrels successfully hatch and fledge in Vermont and was named the winner of the 2019 GMP-Zetterstrom Environmental Award. Lowe was announced as the 2020 winner rather than receiving the honor in person, in keeping with current Covid-19 physical…

Anyone with even mild symptoms is encouraged to contact a health care provider, to get tested WHITE RIVER JCT—Vermont health officials announced three pop-up testing sites will open this week for Covid-19 specimen collection, including one locally at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Jct. Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Over…

CASTLETON—The Vermont State Colleges board of trustees named Dr. Jonathan Spiro interim president of Castleton University, according to a news release Thursday, May 7. Dr. Spiro will begin June 1 and serve until a permanent president is named. “It’s an honor to be named Castleton’s interim president. I’m confident our amazing and hard-working team of…

Rutland’s Summer Market will open at Depot Park downtown Saturday, May 16 By Katy Savage RUTLAND—After a four-week mandated closure, the Vermont Farmers’ Market in Rutland is coming back Saturday, May 16. Gov. Phil Scott gave farmers’ markets permission to open May 2, but only if they follow certain guidelines. Vermont Farmers’ Market president Paul…

Child care centers and day camps can reopen, overnight camps in question Staff report Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday, May 8, that child care centers can reopen June 1 and summer day camps will be able to open this summer, provided they can follow specified safety guidelines. State officials acknowledged opening child care programs will…

The Movie Diary by Dom Cioffi The backyard of my property is framed in a thick cluster of trees that blocks almost any hint of other homes. I can hear voices and lawnmowers in a number of directions, but my visual range sees only greenery. Obviously, this is the case during the spring and summer…

By Merisa Sherman Tarentaise. Ascutney Mountain. Grafton Maple Smoked Cheddar. Vermont Smoke & Cure Summer and Fortuna’s Cacciatorini Sausages paired with some fresh made six-grain bread and all washed down with some Mac & Maple Cider. It’s amazing to think of all the wonderful foods we have in Vermont just at the tip of our…

By Laurie D Morrisey One of the first spring wildflowers you’ll see – perhaps even before the last shaded patches of snow disappear – is the violet. This common flower, which blooms from April through June, is widely known and easily identified. There is more than one violet, however. The genus Viola contains some 500…

By Cal Garrison, a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Capricorn Moon. The big news this week is that a bunch of planets are going retrograde, and a couple of them are changing signs. Here is the list: Saturn goes retrograde on May 11, at the…

Walk, run or bike to help the homeless animals at RCHS The Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) is participating in the Pets 2 The Rescue 1-mile and 5K virtual run/walk or bike ride fundraising event. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful spring weather with or without your furry friend, while helping to…

36-hour any distance, any surface ride/run/hike/walk takes place this weekend With trails closed and so many of our favorite events cancelled or postponed it’s been too easy to focus on all of the wrong things. So, in an effort to help us all stay connected and motivated during these crazy times, and maybe do a little…

Eateries caught between a rock and a hard place anticipate future business By Curt Peterson Three iconic Killington eateries applied to the Select Board for expanded outdoor dining approval and won unanimous approval on May 5 – The Foundry, The Lookout Tavern and Sushi Yoshi. The restaurants, closed since Governor Phil Scott’s March 17 shut-down…