Come Alive Outside has created a new 5x5 Challenge for people to complete five  healthy outdoor activities a week for five weeks while we are all social distancing! Participants can download an activity guide and tracking sheet at comealiveoutside.com/5x5. The challenge encourages everyone to get active outside, grow something edible, learn with their hands in…

By Merisa Sherman My internal alarm clock woke up a little bit extra that morning and I could feel the change in the air even from inside our house. Instead of pulling the blankets back around me, I quietly snuck out of bed and down the stairs. The curtains were down in the main room,…

Tradeoffs when taking care of business by Dom Cioffi I told my son at the start of mass quarantine that this was not going to be a vacation, that we — individually and as a family — would be getting things accomplished throughout the duration of our home confinement, no matter how long it lasted.…

By Kevin Theissen The American Public Education Foundation recently found that Vermont schools are woefully short in helping prepare students to be financially literate. With a grade of “D,” many students are not learning to handle their finances smartly, avoid debt, better understand the economy and learn to make good decisions about their life and…

The Outside Story By Olivia Box One spring-like afternoon this winter, I was skiing near Middlebury, Vermont. The trail followed Otter Creek, weaving through cedar patches, hemlock groves, and past the occasional hardwood. It was one of those days where you can shed a few layers and still break a sweat when the sun spills…

By Cal Garrison a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out in the wake of the Easter rituals, under the light of a Capricorn Moon. This week, I decided to keep it simple and look at the aspects that will be in play for the next seven days. This approach paid off…

Rutland County Humane Society RCHS and COVID-19: In light of the recent and ongoing concerns about COVID-19, the Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) will implement new procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, adopters, supporters and the public. Beginning immediately new policies are in place.  Appointments will need to be made…

RANDOLPH—Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph is pleased to announce its fourth “Issues Playwriting Contest.” With the renewed support of the Walter Cerf Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, Chandler will again be using the contest to promote excellent writing for the stage, giving particular focus to plays that address social issues. “Social issue” plays are, for…

RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center is proud to again showcase young artists in the annual student exhibit.  This year’s theme, The Arts Light Up The World, expresses how art gives light to people in difficult times, such as now, as we cope with the current health crisis. This year, the annual student exhibit will be structured…

QUEECHEE—With thousands losing jobs across Vermont, and state food shelves inundated with people to feed, ShiftMeals provides nourishing meals for those in need. The Skinny Pancake will serve anyone and everyone who needs a meal: laid-off restaurant workers, musicians, artists, gig workers, farmers, anyone affected by this crisis. For those that might not have the cash or…

By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Brattleboro Retreat psychologist Dr. Jilisa Snyder is used to counseling Vermonters on how to cope with personal upheaval ranging from anxiety and depression to illness and death. She has been surprised to see the coronavirus squeeze all those challenges together into a particularly dizzying punch. “We’re living in the midst of an unprecedented…

Tuesday, April 22 at 1 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm and Museum will join in the celebration of Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary with a week of special activities beginning April 20. Visit us online at billingsfarm.org/billings-farm-at-home, where you will find a series of presentations with informative ideas and suggestions on what we can do to help protect our earth, along with children’s…

Tuesday, April 21 at 3 pm.—RUTLAND— Rutland-area residents are invited to attend a basic everyday bicycling workshop provided by Local Motion and hosted by the Rutland Recreation Department and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. This online workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at 3 p.m., and the recording of the live workshop will be…

HARTLAND – The Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland will have a delayed tentative opening of Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m. The delay is due to Governor Scott’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Order placed on the state of Vermont to lessen the spread of Covid-19, which was extended through May 15 on Friday, April…

Wednesday, April 22 at 8 p.m.— On Earth Day, PBS will premiere a compelling new documentary, “Climate Change—The Facts,” presenting scientific evidence of the impact of global warming. The program also examines possible solutions to the crisis, including the latest innovations, technology and actions individuals can take to prevent further damage. The one-hour special, hosted by…