Traditional coffee cake is a moist, tender pastry that might be topped with streusel or crumbs and is often served as the perfect accompaniment to coffee or tea at breakfast or in the afternoon. The British version of this cake is a sponge variety that actually is flavored with coffee and coffee butter icing. Coffee…

  RUTLAND—Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) has launched a new grocery and supply shopping service to support older Vermonters in Rutland and Bennington counties during the COVID-19 issue. “We’re excited to make this critical service available to older Vermonters in our region so they are able to get the essential food and supplies they…

RUTLAND— Congregate meals have been cancelled due to social distancing, but the Godnick Center still aims to feed seniors. In place of Meals on Wheels congregate meals, the Godnick Center and Meals on Wheels are providing drive-up pickup meals on Mondays and Thursdays at noon at the Godnick Center, 1 Deer St. in Rutland. If…

The supply of surgical masks is at a critical all-time low throughout the entire nation. Orders for the standard disposable masks used in hospitals are back-ordered, due to the high demand for protective equipment. Because of these supply concerns, many hospitals across the country have requested homemade surgical masks as an emergency stopgap measure. According…

RUTLAND—In these uncertain times, the Grace Congregational Church doors may be locked, but their hearts are wide open. Grace Church is offering various online videos including Sunday morning worship, services of interactive Holy Communion, Holy Week special services and midweekly meditations. You can view these as YouTube videos, which can be accessed via the Grace…

Sunday, April 12 at 9 a.m.—BARNARD— The Barnard General Store (BGS) will be hosting a “Socially Distant Egg Hunt” on Easter Sunday, April 12. This is an opportunity for kids to search for eggs without leaving the safety of their parents’ car. Success will include solving riddles as well as scouting eggs out the window…

Follow the parade online at Billings Farm & Museum WOODSTOCK—Celebrate springtime with a virtual parade of Baby Farm Animals at Billings Farm and Museum online, Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 at billingsfarm.org. Through “Billings Farm at Home,” they bring their farm, history, cooking, crafts and events home to you! On Friday and Saturday, see fuzzy, baby chicks,…

Saturday, April 8 at 1 p.m.—WOODSTOCK— Beginning April 8th at 1 p.m.  Billings Farm & Museum will launch “Ask Billings Farm Live,” a Facebook Live series where viewers can ask questions of Billings Farm and Museum’s resident experts and learn more about its collections, farm, and programs. The first program features Interpretation & Education Coordinator  Christine Scales, who…

QUECHEE—With Vermont children out of school through the end of the school year, parents and families are facing a new reality and a completely different educational experience. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science has played a significant and growing role in providing STEM education to children and adults across the Upper Valley, New England and beyond,…

Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation hopes to reduce the risk of wildland fires during the COVID-19 emergency, by strongly advising the public to postpone all outdoor burning through at least May 30, 2020. The advisory came out April 3. Open burning creates the risk of an escaped fire and puts pressure on emergency personnel.…

The Killington Community comes together over a common love for their pets By Brooke Geery This week Flor Bolige posted a call for people to share pictures of their four legged friends (rather than attacking each other for having out of state plates) on the Killington Locals+ Facebook group.  The request worked, and over 100…

Curious about how scientists study fish populations or climate change? Or how drones are used to map streams and lakes? Then check out Zoom a Scientist, an interactive, virtual webinar series focused on watershed and aquatic science. It’s hosted by the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Lake Champlain Sea Grant Education Team every Tuesday and…

By Julia Purdy Voices who opposed the ban on single-use plastic bags as more hygienic and utilitarian may be getting some support from an unanticipated source: COVID-19. Since at least 2010, when the University of Arizona, partnering with Loma Linda University, randomly examined 84 reusable grocery bags in actual use and found significant traces of e.coli and…

By Brooke Geery Lucas Geller of Bridgewater turned 10 on April 4. Due to social distancing, the normal birthday party with friends and cake was out of the question, so his faaamily and friends came up with a creative solution. Outside Drewski’s restaurant, Lucas was treated to a surprise parade of drive-by honks. Some cars…

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Law Enforcement Division is increasing patrols on closed Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) snowmobile trails and other areas where all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders or others without permission may be causing damage, according to a news release, April 3. Wardens are actively discouraging illegal riding and trail use, doing…