By Julia Purdy RUTLAND— Chaplin Ave. is a short, quiet dead-end street that climbs a gentle hill above Route 7 across from the state fairgrounds. It’s a neighborhood of modest homes of various vintages, some with front porches and the the railroad tracks that are screened by a thick row of deciduous trees. It’s the…

Wednesday, July 18—BRANDON—Due to the forecast for thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain the 2018 auction is being postponed one day to Wednesday, July 18. It will occur at the same time and place: 2 p.m. preview, 4 p.m. gavel falls at Estabrook Park, (1 mile north of Brandon). This will be the 30th year for the annual…

July 19, 21—RUTLAND—On Thursday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m., Phoenix Books Rutland will host Donald and Carol Thompson for a talk on their book, “Perseverance: The Life and Work of Painter James Hope.” James Hope (1818-1892) was an American portrait and landscape painter who excelled at capturing the beauty of mid-19th century Vermont. He is best known for his…

RUTLAND—Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre will hold auditions for its 2018- 2019 season on Friday, Aug. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the College of St. Joseph’s Tuttle Hall Theatre, 71 Clement Road in Rutland. The 14th season will be filled with comedy, drama and…

Friday, July 13, 5 p.m.—Downtown Rutland’s Friday Night Live is a free concert series featuring live music, outdoor dining, children’s activities and more. Headliners perform in the “Pit” parking lot, which is transformed into a unique, amphitheater-like concert venue. Merchants and vendors set up along the street in open air fashion with fun for the…

Saturday & Sunday, July 14-15—RUTLAND—The Rutland Area Vehicle Enthusiasts (R.A.V.E.) are pleased to invite everyone to attend the 39th annual R.A.V.E. Car Show and Flea Market on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland. 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Chevy truck as well as the 40th…

Sunday, July 15, 4 p.m.—ROCHESTER—A popular destination on a Sunday afternoon, with chamber music as it was meant to be, the small venue and intimate setting at the Rochester Federated church is a mainstay of the Rochester Chamber Music Society. Known for the high quality of chamber music, and presenting world-class musicians for the past…

By Dom Cioffi So, as I outlined in last week’s column, prior to the start of the summer break, my wife and I made the decision to send our teenage son to a 30-day camp meant to enrich lives and motivate young men to become confident adults. While a great kid in most respects, we…

By Anne Galloway/ VTDigger The former developers of Jay Peak Resort gave $5 million in kickbacks to more than 100 immigration attorneys, according to a lawsuit pending in federal court. Bill Stenger, the former CEO of Jay Peak, gave immigration lawyers a $25,000 payment for every foreign investor they brought into the Northeast Kingdom EB-5 program.…

By Dave Hoffenberg While most people were clinging to their air conditioners, the Killington Softball League had games in the 90-plus degree heat. Not all games though. Apparently, it was too hot to play in Killington, but Bridgewater is where men play softball. Fans in attendance saw a game for the ages. Some are calling…

July 12-14—LUDLOW—Okemo Mountain Resort will be celebrating some of the biggest musical acts of our time during New England’s premier tribute-band event that will feature the music of Neil Diamond, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Queen, The Beatles and more. Okemo’s All Come Home Music Festival is scheduled for July 12, 13 and 14 at Okemo Jackson Gore base area. The festival includes two concert venues.…

Saturday, July 14, 9 a.m.—KILLINGTON—Join Killington Boot Camp for its fourth annual Race to the Peak, Saturday, July 14 with a 9 a.m. start time. Organizers have dubbed it “The hardest 5K you’ll ever run.” The race starts from Snowshed Base Lodge at Killington Resort. Participants will run or hike to the peak of Killington…

By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—Tuesday afternoon, July 10, was unusually exciting at the Northstar Lodge in Killington. Becky Piteau is used to welcoming new guests to the lodge, but never did she expect to see a black bear wander through the front doors. But that’s exactly what happened at 2:30 p.m. “We had the doors…

July 12-15—TUNBRIDGE—The Woodstock Dog Club has joined forces with the Green Mountain Dog Club once again to bring dog lovers the annual Vermont Scenic Circuit Dog Show. Hundreds of dogs and their owners will get the chance to strut their stuff in the show ring Thursday through Sunday, July 12-15 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds, 1 Fairground Lane, Route 110, Tunbridge. Events…

By Katy Savage KILLINGTON—More than 140 golfers, ages 12-19, braved the heat wave for the American Junior Golf Association championship at Green Mountain National Golf Course (GMNGC), July 2-5. The championship brings the best junior golfers in the world to Killington once a year. Players and their families came from places like California, Texas and…