By Dom Cioffi As a lifelong sportsman, I’ve always had the opinion that, given enough time and effort, I could probably become adept at most any activity. I’m not saying that I’m a gifted athlete, but rather, I’m coordinated enough to be able to transfer those abilities to a myriad of disciplines. For example, I’ve…

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Rutland Regional Medical Center as a 2022-2023 high performing hospital for urology, hip fracture, hip replacement and knee replacement. These rankings recognize hospitals for providing care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such…

Phylis Mae Wilmoth Henry Savage, a quick-witted woman with a charm that lit up the room, died July 25 at her home in Chester at age 99 years, seven months and 17 days. She made all the difference in the lives of so many and her work here is done. Phylis lived through the Great…

Friday, July 29 — POULTNEY —Retired veterinarian Scott MacLacklan will share his many years of working with loons at the Poultney Library on July 29. Dr. MacLackan first encountered loons in 1979 as a biologist for the Loon Preservation Committee at New Hampshire Audubon, where he documented loon nesting on waters north of the White…

By Dom Cioffi While I was traveling last week, I decided to pop into a bakery that I’ve frequented over the years. It’s one of those quaint little places that, as soon as you walk into, you know it’s good simply based on the smell. Filled with breads, pastries, pies, and fresh brewed coffee, I…

By Meghan McCarthy McPhaul Several years ago, I was awakened nearly every day of late spring by a recurring – and very loud – bird sound. I say “sound,” rather than “song” because this particular noise was not so melodious as the cheery whistling of the robin or the musical trilling of the hermit thrush.…

Dear Editor, The No. 1 issue facing Vermonters is the state of our economy. As Bill Clinton once said, “It’s the economy, stupid.” I fault the Democratic leadership and legislators who voted' yes' on the annual budget. Yes, there are items in the budget that are needed, but the overspending is out of pace with…

By Jacob Knipes The pick is in for Rutland’s Board of Aldermen vacancy. At the July 18 Aldermen meeting, Mayor David Allaire nominated former Alderman Matt Reveal to fill the vacancy left by Devon Neary. Reveal, who currently serves as a member of the Rutland Redevelopment Authority and as chairman for the Rutland City Republican…

By Katy Savage The Sparkle Barn in Wallingford has acquired the neighboring Barn at White Rocks. Sparkle Barn owner Stacy Harshman bought the 17.5-acre property with a six-bedroom house and 1800s barn for $825,000 on a whim Monday, July 18. “I wasn’t in the market,” she said. “I’m kind of a real estate junkie. I…

Friday, July 29 — RUTLAND —The Chaffee Art Center, Your Center for Creativity, invites the community to the opening reception of our new exhibit Cultural Mosaic on Friday, July 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by for delicious Haitian Blue artisan coffee, wine, music, art, poetry and great company.  There is no charge…

By Curt Peterson The Hartland listserv has been buzzing with bear sightings. David Cooper, who lives on Mace Hill Road, photographed a wandering ursine on his road July 15 at 5:20 p.m. and posted the image on the listserv. That inspired Rob Sangster, farther up Mace Hill, to say his composter was “visited” on July…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg I’m really looking forward to seeing Erin’s Guild this weekend at McGrath’s Irish Pub. They play Friday and Saturday, July 29-30 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. I got to hear a sample of these guys when I was deejaying Brogan and Karen McGrath’s wedding back in May. They grabbed some instruments around the…

Saturday, July 30 — RUTLAND — This November, Vermont will elect a new person to its single Congressional House seat, and on Saturday July 30 at 2 p.m., the Vermont branches of the NAACP will host a forum to discuss racial equity and related issues. All candidates were invited and six have confirmed they will…

By Liz DiMarco Weinmann At this time of year, many people are heading to lakes, ponds, beaches, and pools, perhaps toting their mobile devices, and booting up a frothy beach read or two, or an intellectual nonfiction bestseller. If you’re one of them, either you’re doing everything you can to escape from work, or you’re…

First Stop vs. Rivershed Sluggers First Stop (FS) battled the Rivershed Sluggers (RS) all the way to extra innings, which were not even needed. For the second game in a row, FS went to extras by mistake. More on that later. RS came out swinging, scoring two runs off a long single by Judd “Magnum”…