By Cal Garrison, a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Libra Moon. It’s time to run out and get our Advent calendars because the 12 Days of Christmas started on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The song that we sing to honor this period of time starts with…

Cal Garrison (a.k.a Mother of the Skye) writes weekly horoscopes for The Mountain Times. If you would like an emailed notification sent to you weekly, sign up for the newsletter, below. Want to hear more from Mother of the Skye? Check out Mother's Celestial Inspirations for a deeper look into this weeks horoscopes Mother of the Skye…

By Brett Yates If you had asked me in 2015 to name three people from Minnesota, I probably would have thought for a moment and then come up with iconic pop star Prince, Senator Al Franken, and the public radio raconteur Garrison Keillor. In 2016, Prince died of a fentanyl overdose. Now, two concurrent sexual…

CASTLETON—The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Board of Trustees announced Friday, Dec. 1, that Castleton University’s Spartan Stadium will be renamed Dave Wolk Stadium in honor of his 16 years of visionary service as University President. Governor Phil Scott was on hand to read the official VSCS resolution, which lauded Wolk’s vision, values, passion, and dedication. The…

WOODSTOCK—Woodstock’s 33rd annual Wassail Weekend takes place Dec. 8-10. The weekend is filled with twinkling lights, historic decorated homes, breakfast with Santa, holiday spirit, and highlighted with sleigh bells and the clip-clop of hooves as riders dressed in Victorian-era costumes ride through and around the Village Green during the Wassail Parade. Full schedule of events…

Saturday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Wrensong presents “A Christmas Carol Concert” at the Norman Williams Library, Saturday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. Wrensong is an a cappella choral group from Vermont’s Upper Valley. Nine singers and one instrumentalist will sing songs primarily from the Renaissance period. The program will include English, German, and French carols tracing the…

CASTLETON—Karen M. Scolforo, Ed.D., has began her tenure as President of Castleton University. Officially, her first day at the helm was Dec. 4. Scolforo is the fourth woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787, and the tenth president of the modern era. She joins the Castleton family after spending four years as…

Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Vienna Boys’ Choir (VBC), a beloved exponent of the choral repertoire for more than 500 years, plays the Paramount Theatre in Rutland, on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The evening’s program will include favorites such as “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”), “Sleigh Ride” (“Troika”), and their compelling rendition of “Carol of the…

Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m.—RUPERT—Join the Merck Forest and Farmland and the Vermont Woodlands Association on a winter tree identification walk at Merck Forest and Farmland on Saturday, Dec. 9, 1-3 p.m. Learn how to identify trees and shrubs in our winter landscape through this hands-on workshop. Bennington County Forester Kyle Mason will teach participants…

Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.—RANDOLPH—Seven-time, All-Ireland accordion champion John Whelan teams up with American roots band Low Lily and Scottish-style fiddler Katie McNally for a spectacular holiday mini-fest of Celtic and Americana music at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. “This diverse and energetic show will usher in…

Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.—QUECHEE—The Vermont Institute of Natural Science will host an important and captivating talk with Tom Rogers from VT Fish and Wildlife Department on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the VINS Nature Center Classroom. An evening of colorful photos and captivating stories aims to answer many questions about a changing…

Friday, Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Come enjoy a holiday musical festival at Trinity Episcopal Church, Rutland, Friday, Dec. 8. The evening features a meal catered by Table 24 chef Steve Sawyer and a varied selection of live music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a silent auction, and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Call 802-775-4368 for tickets ($40/person).…

Saturday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m.—MIDDLEBURY—The excitement is building as Maiden Vermont prepares for its holiday show, “Come Fly With Us,” to be held on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. With their rich harmony and bell ringing tones, Maiden Vermont will sing songs of the season, and renditions of…

Thursday, Dec. 7, 5:15 p.m.—CHESTER—Tom Bock, Vermont state representative from the Windsor 3-1 District which includes Chester, Andover, Baltimore and North Springfield, will be the First Thursday Chester Rotary speaker Thursday, Dec. 7. The event will start at 5:15 p.m. and take place at the Fullerton Inn. Representative Bock will transport attendees to the Vermont capitol in…