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…

The state identified 71 new coronavirus positive cases Saturday — the largest increase of any single day so far — and reported three new deaths in Vermont. Sunday brought 52 more. The new cases bring the total number of positive coronavirus tests in the state since the beginning of the outbreak to 512. Thus far,…

On Friday, April 3, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, recommended that Vermonters wear cloth facial masks, or coverings, if they need to leave their homes for essential purposes. This advice is based on new data about how COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms. Because people may have COVID-19 but no symptoms, wearing…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imXVykm-5PY&feature=youtu.be Mike Coppinger, Executive Director of the Killington Pico Area Association, interviews owner and publisher of the Mountain Times Polly Mikula. They talk about the Killington community's response in the wake of COVID-19. This interview was taped on April 1, 2020

Medical surge preparations Gov. Phil Scott today (April 2) announced additional medical surge locations to prepare for a surge of COVID-19 patients and the need for additional hospital and medical capacity. In partnership with the Vermont National Guard, the state is creating two additional high capacity care sites for surge: one in Essex Junction at…

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Pranks, practical jokes and various goofs are Hallmarks of April 1st, April Fools’ Day — a tradition that dates back several centuries. Media has been a prime vehicle for some April tomfoolery over the years, too. Here are a few favorites: In 1957, the BBC told viewers there was a great spaghetti crop in Switzerland…