By Dom Cioffi A high-profile kidnapping case captured the country’s attention over the last few months. It involved a 50-year-old Tennessee teacher who left his wife and children (and grandchildren!) to run away with his 15-year-old student. It took authorities over a month to track the couple down in a remote California forest, thwarting his…

Thursday, May 18, 7 p.m.—RUTLAND—On Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m., author Laurie Forest will appear at Phoenix Books Rutland to discuss her new young adult novel, “The Black Witch.” The book is about Elloren Gardner, the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the…

May 19-21—LUDLOW—The Society of Vermont Artists and Craftsmen, which runs Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, announces upcoming classes. Located at 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow, the school offers hundreds of classes to the public annually. Explorations in Metal Clay will be offered May 19-21. This class is designed for individuals of…

Thursday, May 18—RUTLAND COUNTY—The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Fiddlesticks string trio will present performances at three Rutland County schools on May 18: 9 a.m. at Poultney Elementary School; 10:30 a.m. at Wells Village School; and 1:30 p.m. at Mettawee Community School. Members of Fiddlesticks are: David Gusakov, of Bristol, violin; Hilary Hatch, of Leicester, violin and…

Sunday, May 21, 1 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Rutland Kiwanis Club, Killington/Pico Cycling Club and the Rutland Recreation & Parks Department will be hosting a free bike safety day for children up to age 13 Sunday, May 21, 1-4 p.m. at Giorgetti Park, 2 Oak St. Ext., Rutland. A parent/guardian must accompany the child. There will be a…

Sunday, May 21, 9 a.m.—RUTLAND—The city of Rutland will once again host the cars and stars of Devil’s Bowl Speedway at the annual Devil’s Bowl Downtown car show Sunday, May 21. Stock car racing machines and local drivers will be on hand for the fun, free, and family-friendly event in the heart of Vermont’s third-largest city,…

Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m.—RUTLAND—The Rutland Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale will take place Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. until plants are sold. The sale will be located in front of the Hull Maynard Hersey Insurance Agency, 105 Center Street, Rutland. A wide variety of assorted perennials and hosta appropriate for zone 4 planting…

Saturday, May 20, 8 a.m.—ORWELL—Take a guided walk on the wild side to look for and identify birds during the annual early bird nature walk at Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Saturday, May 20. Gather outside the museum at 8 a.m. with leader and bird expert Sue Wetmore of Brandon. Many birds fly…

Friday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.—RANDOLPH—On Friday, May 19, 25 young classical musicians from high schools and home-schools in 11 towns across Vermont and the Upper Valley will showcase their performing artistry in Chandler’s ninth annual NPR “From the Top” look-alike program, “The Next Generation.” The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Chandler Music Hall in…

May 19-21—LUDLOW—Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The sale will feature clothing, housewares, books, linens, furniture and more. “We’ve been stockpiling good quality items for…

May 20-21, 9 a.m.—RUTLAND—Since the Vermont Farmers Market moved to its summer location, the Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) location is open and ready for a new venture. The venue is opening its Farmers’ Hall doors May 20-21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. to host its first big gala of the season, a reuse, repurpose & recycle…

Sunday, May 21, 4 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Nisht Geferlach Klezmer Band will perform a free concert at Rutland Jewish Center, 96 Grove St., Sunday, May 21 at 4 p.m. The whole community is invited to hear the soulful, stirring music of the Jews of Eastern Europe, with its foot-tapping rhythms and Dixieland influences, which promises to have…

Saturday, May 20, 7 p.m.—LUDLOW—FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) will present its second streamed Broadway musical, “Cats,” Saturday, May 20 at 7 p.m. in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium. “Cats” is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Eliot, and produced by Cameron Mackintosh.…

Tuesday, May 25, 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—Communities across the state have been facing the challenge of opiate addiction. Faith Stone, director of the West Ridge Center, will present an overview on this important issue Tuesday, May 25, 6- p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Rutland. Among the topics to be discussed are the dangers of substance abuse; how…

Thursday, May 18, 8 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Homeless Prevention Center is hosting a comedy fundraiser Thursday, May 18, 8 p.m. at the Franklin Conference Center located at 1 Scale Ave. in Rutland. The Homeless Prevention Center is a non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness in Rutland County. The organization provides direct client assistance to carry out its mission…