By Katy Savage WOODSTOCK—Brandon Sharkey was hustling about the kitchen of his new restaurant, Eat Woodstock – making eggs and muffins, opening and closing the refrigerator while the other kitchen employees were doing the same. “It’s hectic,” said Sharkey, the chef and owner who was learning how to organize the kitchen. “I need a station…

Saturday, June 2, 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON—With a captivating soprano voice and award-winning songwriting, Caroline Cotter’s travel inspired songs take listeners all over the world and into the depths of the human heart. Cotter is currently touring to support her second major release, “Home on The River.” Catch Cotter when she stops in Brandon at Brandon Music on Saturday, June 2 at…

By Dom Cioffi  My teenage son looked at me the other night and stated, “Dad, can you stop being a coach and just be my father?” That hit home, not only because it was a pretty insightful comment from such a young mind, but also because it was painfully true. I’ve been coaching sports in…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month. The ribbon color is gray because gray matters. On Saturday, June 10 at 11 a.m. you can help the cause by participating in the first ever Wander to Wonder 5K Walk at Castleton University. There will be signs around campus directing where to go; or GPS…

By Marguerite Jill Dye Sometimes we just need to click “pause” to escape from the craziness of everyday life. Full schedules, obligations, media, and events cause many to live in constant distraction. But when we take a few minutes within, our inner nature reveals itself. Pushing the pause button gives us the time to turn experiences…

Saturday & Sunday, May 26-27—VERMONT—Bright yellow signs compete with a multitude of greens along Vermont’s roads enticing visitors to the studios of craftspeople and other artists across Vermont during the 2018 Spring Open Studio Weekend taking place May 26-27, over Memorial Day weekend. Open Studio Weekend is a statewide celebration of the visual arts and…

Tao Smith, head of Killington Mountain School, catches a large rainbow trout in a local stream. (Photo Submitted)

Saturday & Sunday, May 26-27—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage, will feature sheep shearing and herding on Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This event showcases herdsman Jim McRae’s team of border collies herding sheep in the farm fields during narrated programs at 11:30 a.m., 1:30, and 3:30 p.m. each day. The spring shearing of the…

Thursday, May 24, 6:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—On Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m., Phoenix Books Rutland will host a talk on Jackson Ellis’ new novel, “Lords of St. Thomas.” Jackson Ellis will be joined by Rachel Carter and Asher Ellis. About “Lords of St. Thomas:” In the Mojave Desert, at the southern end of the isolated Moapa Valley, sat the town…

May 24-27—WHITE RIVER JUNCTION—JAG Productions will present the profound jazz musical “ Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” by Lanie Robertson. The show will run from May 24-27 at the Engine Room in White River Junction; May 31-June 3 at The Grange Theater in Pomfret; and June 7-10 at Main Street Landing’s Black Box…

Thursday, May 24, 7 p.m.—QUECHEE—VINS will present a program on neotropical migratory birds on Thursday, May 24, from 7-8:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public, with a $10 suggested donation. Migratory birds such as the warblers, flycatchers, and even raptors are some of the most enjoyable and anticipated birds to watch during…

Photo by Jerry LeBlond Courtesy of Killington EDT May 26-28—KILLINGTON—The Killington region welcomes back the 22nd edition of the legendary New England Stage Race, which started back in 1987. For 2018, the race will have eight stage race categories and three days of racing: Friday-Sunday, May 26-28. Stage One is contested on a historic, fun and…

Wednesday, May 23, 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—In late April, hundreds of Confederate Flag/Jewish Star flyers were stuffed between books in the Holocaust section of the Rutland Free Library. In response, the Rutland Jewish Center and the Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP are holding a forum on hate speech and the First Amendment. The forum will be…

Wednesday & Thursday, May 23-24—POULTNEY, BRANDON—Youth substance abuse is a concern in Rutland County. Here are some grim statistics: In Rutland County, 43 percent of young adults binge-drank in the last 30 days; 44 percent of young adults used marijuana in the last 30 days; and 12 percent of young adults used prescription stimulants for…