Discover More from This Author: Polly

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans

November 9, 2022
Remembering Captain John Vincent By Julia Purdy Captain John Vincent was regarded in his own time as the last Indian left in Mendon. He appears in town histories as a mysterious Indian who traded in town occasionally; neighbors and the townspeople knew him as “Indian John.” Thanks to diligent U.S. military recordkeeping and painstaking research…

Open Enrollment 2023: Vermonters can now sign up for health insurance

November 9, 2022
Nov. 1 marks the first day Vermonters can sign up for or change their health and dental plans for 2023. Thanks to a new law that extends financial help through 2025, Vermonters can get lower-cost health plans that cover preventive care like mental health services and annual check-ups. Vermonters can save money on the amount…

Hunters help manage moose population

November 9, 2022
With high moose numbers in northeastern Vermont contributing to the abundance and negative impact of winter ticks, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is pleased to report on the results of a successful, regulated 2022 moose hunting season. “Moose are relatively abundant in Vermont’s northeastern Wildlife Management Unit—WMU E,” said Nick Fortin, the department’s moose…

The trouble with rodenticides

November 9, 2022
By Anna Morris Last autumn, around the same time I was laying the winter quilt on our bed, my cat became very interested in the space beneath the kitchen sink. Unsurprisingly, a mouse was huddled down there, seeking shelter in the warmth. Though I was sympathetic, and all wildlife is welcome in our yard, I’d…

Committee submits new names for WCSU school district

November 9, 2022
By Curt Peterson The Windsor Central Supervisory Union configuration and enrollment growth working group met Thursday, Nov. 3, with a primary goal to complete a step in the district renaming process and to present suggestions for full board consideration. Nine names were winnowed from a public survey and solicitations from the elementary schools and middle/high…

Killington Elementary School seeks donations for its annual holiday store

November 9, 2022
The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Killington Elementary School (KES) are reopening their holiday store after a two-year pandemic hiatus and are looking for donations of like-new scarves, jewelry, knickknacks, games, puzzles, books, toys, holiday decorations, housewares, and other valuables. All donations to the store are inventoried, priced, sold and wrapped by students. Other…

Bear attacks person in Stratton in 2nd Vermont bear attack in 3 months

November 9, 2022
By Emma Cotton/VTDigger A bear attacked a person in Stratton on Wednesday, Nov. 2, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The victim, who was not identified, was treated for injuries that were not life threatening and released from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, according to a press release issued by the department Thursday…

Let’s talk about Covid mitigation in our schools

November 9, 2022
By Life Legros Editor’s note: LeGeros, a professional educator who lives in Duxbury, sits on the steering team of the Waterbury Area Anti-Racism Coalition and is a member of the Harwood Union school board. The views expressed here do not represent any organizations with which he is affiliated. Community means being there for each other,…

Expansion of border policy increases risk for asylum seekers

November 9, 2022
Dear Editor, For months, the Biden Administration has committed to ending Title 42, a Trump-era border policy that has deported tens of thousands of asylum-seekers. Last week, instead of fulfilling those promises, the administration announced that it would be expanding Title 42 to prevent Venezuelans who seek asylum from gaining access to safety. Seeking asylum…

Senate candidate Peter Welch visits Rutland

November 2, 2022
By Curt Peterson U. S. Senate candidate Peter Welch, who lives in Norwich, received a warm welcome from 20 Rutlanders who gathered to greet him at Phoenix Books Saturday afternoon. The appearance was part of his “Welch Wagon Tour,” visiting all 14 Vermont counties. He had appeared with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Congressional candidate Becca…

‘Roe-vember’

November 2, 2022
Prop. 5: Liberty and dignity, word for word By Liz DiMarco Weinmann Editor's note: Liz DiMarco Weinmann, MBA, is principal and owner of Liz DiMarco Weinmann Consulting, L3C, based in Rutland, serving charitable and educational institutions.  As the deadline for voting in the midterm elections is less than a week away, countless women are sharing…

Three run for position of Windsor County assistant judge

November 2, 2022
Three are seeking two positions as assistant judge for Windsor County. Incumbent Michael Ricci, a 69-year-old Independent, is against Democrats Alison Johannensen and former assistant judge David Singer of Hartland. The position is unique. Each of the state’s 14 counties has two assistant judges — a tradition that dates back to the 1700s. Assistant judges sit…

Droege and Sammis compete for Castleton House seat

November 2, 2022
Two candidates are seeking election to the newly created Rutland 3 district serving Castelton. Democrat Mary Droege, 60, is running against Republican Jarrod Sammis, 32. Q&A with Mary Droege, Democrat Droege is a faculty member at Castleton University where she teaches in the natural sciences department and manages the biology labs and the university greenhouse.…

Six candidates, three Democrats and three Republicans, seek three Rutland county Senate seats

November 2, 2022
Republican Brian Collamore of Rutland Town is the only incumbent as Sens. Cheryl Hooker, a Democrat, and Joshua Terenzini, a Republican, aren’t seeking re-election. Collamore is running against fellow Republicans Dave Weeks of Proctor and Terry Williams of Poultney. The Republicans face Democrats Anna Tadio of Rutland City, Joshua Ferguson, of Fair Haven and Bridgettte…

Two compete for Rut-6 House seat

November 2, 2022
Republican Cindy Laskevich, 58, is challenging Democrat incumbent Rep. Mary Howard for the Rut-6 House seat, Nov. 8. Incumbent Mary Howard, Democrat Howard has lived in Rutland County for more than 40 years. She was elected to office in 2016 after serving as state’s attorney for Rutland county. Attempts to reach Howard were unsuccessful. Q&A…