KILLINGTON— Divas of Dirt, an initiative led by pro down hill and endro racer Amy Alton and the Killington Bike Park to foster a community of passionate female mountain bikers, is returning to Killington Resort July 13 with bi-weekly Friday night rides from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. “I continue to be astounded by Killington’s…

Tuesday, July 17, 2 p.m.—BRANDON—Bring family and friends to Brandon on Tuesday, July 17 for the 30th annual Great Brandon Auction sponsored by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce to benefit the Community Projects of the Chamber. The auction is being held in Estabrook Park, one mile north of town on Route 7. Preview begins…

Saturday, July 14, 7:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—In a benefit for the Vermont State Troopers Association, the American Vinyl All Star Band will be giving a concert on Saturday, July 14 at the Woodstock Town Hall Theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; showtime is at 7:30 p.m. The American Vinyl All Star Band is made up of members…

By Marguerite Jill Dye A family friend of 60 years responded to my open letter to Pope Francis, printed in last week’s Mountain Times. She sent me a beautiful message in response to my comments that “America has lost its compassion for the suffering” and that my hope is “nearly gone.” She offered a way of…

By Becca Zidik July heat got you down? Don’t worry, us too. Cue Domain Pichot Vouvray Chenin Blanc. This semi-dry, medium-bodied wine will give you the best of both worlds from one of the oldest family-owned wineries in a petit village: Vouvray, France. Tropical senses from grapefruit, pineapple, lychee, mango and pear will have your…

In an attempt to close a tax loophole enjoyed by operators of short-term rentals such as Airbnb, and to assure visitors and paying guests of safe and sanitary conditions, the Vermont General Assembly passed Act 10, requiring that certain conditions must be met. Effective July 1, all short-term rental operators must post a Vermont meals…

By Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon With the conclusion of the Vermont legislative session, I will be taking a break from the regular updates until after the elections. I hope you have enjoyed the reports via email or in this paper. If elected to a new term, I plan to continue with…

Photos by Paul Holmes Rep. Jim Harrison celebrates Independence Day in the Killington Parade. Fireworks ended the day of celebrations in Killington. Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim Jim

By Katy Savage PITTSFIELD—As Vermont’s youth flee, the Roger Clark Memorial Library has a new program to get Pittsfield children interested in the area’s businesses. About 30 students are participating in the All About Pittsfield program. Children take passports to different business owners and ask survey questions such as, “What did you want to be…

By Alan J. Keays/VTDigger BARRE—The killing of 29-year-old Courtney Gaboriault in Barre earlier this week was the fifth domestic violence related homicide in Vermont this year, the state attorney general’s office said on Friday. “Right now,” said Auburn Watersong, policy director at the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, “we’re kind of unfortunately on…

July 12-15—WOODSTOCK—On July 12 -15, members of the Downing College Chapel Choir from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom will be hosted by St. James Episcopal Church in Woodstock for the Sixth Liturgy Festival, “From Contemplation to Celebration: The Power of Words, Music and Silence in Worship and Prayer.” The event includes a keynote…

By John Young, VTDigger As temperatures climbed into the 90s again Monday, the Vermont Department of Health is again warning Vermonters to take precautions to fight the effects of record-high heat. Spokesman Ben Truman said that residents should pay special attention to older adults, children and those with chronic illnesses to make sure they have access…

Staff report RUTLAND—The community has rallied to raise close to $200,000 for a local family injured after their boat exploded in the Bahamas. The Schaffer family, including Stefanie, 22, her sister Brooke, 13, their mother Stacey and stepfather Paul Bender, were on a wildlife excursion with 10 U.S. tourists and two tour guides when their…

By Karen D. Lorentz As Okemo Mountain Resort enters into its 63rd ski season, it will be as a member of the Vail Resorts family of ski areas, if regulatory approvals are secured. Vail Resorts, now the largest global operator of ski resorts, had its genesis in the vision of 10th Mountain Division veterans who…

Staff report POULTNEY—A former high school teacher, known for cracking jokes and caring for his students far beyond school, died in a boating accident on Lake St. Catherine last week. State police pronounced Thomas Flood, 61, of Schenectady, N.Y., drowned after police discovered his body around 3:20 p.m. Friday, July 6 in about 50 feet…