My mom moved here, to Killington, seven years ago, after the passing of my father. She was the first widow of her friend group and no one knew what to do with her in a world where everyone was coupled up. She was lonely and alone, so when the needlepoint shop that she worked at started…

Years ago, a hitchhiker found a baby red squirrel beneath a tree and brought it to the nature center where I worked as a naturalist and wildlife rehabilitator. The squirrel kit had not yet opened its eyes, so we estimated it was only 3 weeks old.  Most squirrels are born in the spring, but this…

Back and forth, The waves crash against the sand, With a beautiful sound of calmness, The waves breathe in, And they let out a big sigh, In and out, In and out, The beautiful blue ocean goes, Maybe it’s sending a little message, A message telling you, That it is important to always be calm,…

After the month that was, chances are that by now, you need a little resolve. This week brings one of the most calm and quiet weeks we’ll see in some time. Though collectively, we’ve grown grossly unused to it, there is a magic in the stillness,  in the calm and quiet where nothing seemingly happens.…

By Mary Ellen Shaw A flower garden is not for everyone. Perhaps there is not enough space or it’s just more work than you care to undertake. You can still enjoy beautiful flowers from spring until fall by placing them in containers such as planter boxes or pots. A nice feature of gardening this way…

By Curt Peterson With anti-Gaza war protests on multiple college campuses dominating the news, one might not notice the “High Noon” situation promised between the Hartland Select Board and the Hartland Garden Club (HGC) at the May 6 Select Board meeting. Town manager John Broker-Campbell had resurrected a 1995 ordinance prohibiting any organization using the…

Thursday, May 9 at 6 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—What was the last fish you ate? Where did it originate? How was it produced? More importantly, who was impacted? Fish farming is the fastest growing sector of food production, described as the ‘sustainable answer for food security’. Aquaculture attracts billions in public and private investment, but as the world…

Friday, May 10, 6-8 p.m.— BRIDGEWATER—Come to Katie Roberts Studio, 102 Mill Road, Bridgewater,  with  friends, family, or even come solo and celebrate Mother's Day with a little spring cheer.  You don't have to bring or be a mom to participate. These events are a fun time getting creative, while enjoying time with your favorite…

Rutland City has a new bakery! The Pies the Limit opened at 6 a.m. May 1 and has posted “sold out” nearly every day since on Facebook. The shop is located at 56 Strongs Ave, Rutland City. For more information visit: thepiesthelimitbakery.com.

Killington Resort is charging into summer with a loaded events lineup including golf tournaments, mountain bike competitions, food celebrations, free concerts and more. “When the snow melts, we switch gears at The Beast and celebrate all the great things summer in Vermont has to offer,” said Mike Sutcliffe Killington Resort events manager. “We’ve got a…

Saturday, May 11 at 1 p.m.—STRAFFORD—Join the Homestead’s master gardeners for a free event at the Justin Morrill Homestead, 214 Justin Morrill Memorial Hwy, Strafford to help prepare the Victorian gardens for the 2024 season. This collaborative effort aims to nurture the colorful annual beds in the pleasure ground and expand the kitchen garden, featuring…

Saturday, May 11 at  5:30 p.m.—BARNARD—Join BarnArts in welcoming New Inca Son, musicians from Bolivia and Peru, for a week-long Spring Global Music Residency in Barnard, engaging with the community and local youth in schools.  Celebrate their Andean heritage with a culminating outdoor performance at Barnard Town Hall, 274 Barnard Road, Woodstock. Doors open at…

Wednesday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Join the Chaffee Art Center, 16 So. Main St., Rutland for an enlightening workshop on the power of color in art and design. Featured speaker is Jason Bemis, local and native Vermont artist, head lecturer for the AICCE Academy (The American Institute for Color and The Environment).  Discover the profound…

Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m.—WOODSTOCK—For those curious about starting a vineyard or looking for creative ways to use grapes, this workshop at Billings Farm & Museum, 69 Old River Road, Woodstock, will explore the evolving landscape of grape growing in Vermont. Guided by viticulturist Sharen Conner, this class will delve into key considerations for…

Friday, May 10 at 8:45 a.m.—WHITE RIVER JUNCTION—The Vermont Historical Society (VHS) announced this year’s League of Local Historical Societies & Museums (LLHSM) annual conference will take place at Hotel Coolidge, Hotel Coolidge, 39 S Main St., White River Junction. Now in its 70th year, the event is the state’s largest gathering of local history…