It’s the day before the Spartan Race, and I don’t know if I am doing it. I don’t even know if there are open spots left in the race. I have stayed ignorant of this fact for a reason. Last week I successfully put together some very steep climbs for a tough day and insured…

By: Marguerite Jill Dye We headed west with our Rutland friends, Sandy and Allen, on a five day road trip to Canada. First stop was Seneca Falls, N.Y., the setting for “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It is also the home of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. When two…

By Benjamin Lord “I’ve got a botanical question for you,” my friend said as he came into my classroom the other day. “Is black nightshade edible?” He’d found some growing near his chicken coop. “I took the tiniest bite,” he said. “I’m not sure if I felt funny because of what I ate, or because…

By Brett Yates As we enter autumn, the fare at the movies starts to get a little more serious, which means that, from here on out, Hollywood’s offerings won’t consist solely of sequels and comic book adaptations. Some of the films out there—like the recently released “Sully” and “Snowden,” with their stern single-word titles demanding…

By Cal Garrison, a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Taurus Moon. By Sept. 22, the Sun will enter Libra, and Mercury will turn direct. It’s almost 4 a.m. as I write and I am in a post-birthday haze (I turned 68 on the 18th) wondering…

Saturday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m.—RUTLAND—Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum will be holding the 2nd annual Wonderpaws Festival and Paw Parade on Center Street in downtown Rutland on Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wonderpaws Festival is a community event that provides an opportunity for kids, families and community members to celebrate a day in downtown with…

SPARTAN SPRINT 2016 1. Miles Bartlett         1:11:12 2. Brent Trail        1:11:54 3. Raymond Mendoza      1:13:50 4. Jared Rawson          1:14:48 5. Stephen Vassallo      1:16:48 SPARTAN BEAST 2016 1. Matthew Kempson    3:32:48 2. Ethan Nedeau        3:38:28 3. Benjamin Rodkey    3:39:18 4. Brent Trail        3:42:08 5. William Ferullo   …

Sunday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m.—WESTON—Multi-talented musician Arvel Bird will give a performance on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 4 p.m. in Weston’s Old Parish Church (OPC). It is the latest edition of OPC’s “Hearts & Voices Performance Series.” Award- winning recording artist Arvel Bird’s music draws upon his dual heritage—Celtic and American Indian—plus tunes drawn…

Friday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.—RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center is pleased to share “Eye on Nature: Photographs by Steve Costello” on Friday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and again on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The public is welcome to visit the Chaffee Art Center located at 16 South Main Street, for a pop-up exhibit…

Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m.—KILLINGTON—Friends and family of Steven “Deli Steve” Van Nostrand invite the community to share in his celebration of life on Sunday, Sept. 25, 3-7 p.m. at the Summit Lodge in Killington. There will be a light-fare buffet and refreshments available. “Deli” has impacted many lives in so many ways, be…

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 23-25—SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield Steampunk Festival kicks off Friday night, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hartness House Inn. Festival-goers will arrive to the strings of the Springfield Springers with George Ainley rolling back the time machine to before bluegrass was born. Social hour will run from 6:30–7:30 p.m. with Citizens…

By Karrie Etzler FAIR HAVEN—The usually tranquil town green of Fair Haven became abuzz with activities last Saturday, Sept. 17, as students and community members alike, turned out in droves to support the Fair Haven Grade School’s annual Applefest. Sunny skies and warm temperatures in the low 70s provided the perfect conditions for the family-centered…

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 24-25—WOODSTOCK—Families, lovers of the forests, and woodworking fans are invited to the annual Vermont Forest Festival, which will held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25 in Woodstock. The Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, and the Billings Farm & Museum will once again come together as partners to host…

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 23-25—LUDLOW—Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual fall rummage sale at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This year in particular they need donations of housewares and furniture.…

Sunday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.—RUTLAND—On Sunday, Sept. 25, the Rutland Area VNA & Hospice (RAVNAH) will celebrate a beautiful night of giving at “Bella Notte,” an annual fundraiser to benefit the hospice program. Hosted at Southside Steakhouse in Rutland, the event will feature cocktails starting at 5 p.m. and a delicious dinner along with…