By Susan Shea Zzz-zzzt. Sitting on my deck on a summer afternoon, I’m often distracted by a hummingbird whizzing by. The tiny bundle of energy hovers in front of a row of jewelweed, probing each pendulous orange flower with its long beak, then backs up and darts to the next. My dozing cat raises his…

Submitted David M. Simmons WOODSTOCK—On July 7, the Woodstock Foundation announced that David M. Simmons has been appointed director of the Billings Farm & Museum, one of Vermont’s premier outdoor museums and the only site in the nation that combines a fully operational award-winning dairy farm with an immersive museum experience. “Billings Farm & Museum,…

POULTNEY — Do you know a Poultney citizen who goes above and beyond the call of duty to enrich the Poultney community in sharing their time and talents?, the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce asks. If so, nominate them for the Citizen of the Year award. Presented annually since 1990, the Citizen of the Year…

By Lani Duke Schools offer summer breakfast-lunch program Fair Haven Grade School and Wells Village School both offer breakfast and lunch to children age 18 or younger through Aug. 5. Fair Haven offers breakfast, 8-9 a.m., and lunch, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., five days a week. Wells Village School offers breakfast, 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. and…

By Lani Duke Solar array comment period resumes WEST RUTLAND—The Public Service Board ordered the 21-day comment period to be resumed on an application for a Certificate of Public Good on a proposed 500-kw net-metering solar array at 280 Clarendon Ave., West Rutland. The application had been filed April 12 by Westside Solar, LLC, based…

On July 6, Vermont Student Assistance Corp. announced it will award over $700,000 in scholarships to college-bound seniors who graduated from high school in June 2016. Funded by VSAC’s federal GEAR UP grant, each of these 350-plus high school graduates who enroll at a postsecondary institution in the fall will receive the $2,000 scholarship. GEAR…

Courtesy of CSJ Doreen McCullough, CSJ’s librarian for 30 years, has seen many changes over that time. This is the second major library renovation that McCullough has seen during her time at CSJ. RUTLAND—Giorgetti Library is the hub of College of St. Joseph’s academic community. It’s where students spend hours studying and exploring the numerous…

By Dave Hoffenberg Get out the brooms because Clearly Moguls just got swept by Garlic McGraths. For the first time in a long time, C.M. suffered a series sweep. They’re hoping to get their first win in the playoffs when it counts the most. There are only three nights left in the regular season and…

LUDLOW – June was a lucky month for two Okemo Valley Golf Club Men’s League players who got holes-in-one during League play, according to a news release from the resort July 8. On June 14, Lou Falango, of Weston, Vt., had the honor of making a hole-in-one on the 4th hole from the white tee,…

Courtesy of Farm to Fork Fondo Riders line up at the start of a past year’s Farm to Fork Fondo ride. The 2016 event is this weekend in Pittsfield. PITTSFIELD — Ride through Vermont’s Green Mountains and quaint villages on quiet meandering roads, and taste fresh and fantastic local foods—this is Vermont, the heart of…

Ariel Kent   By Ariel Kent There are two main types of mountain biking trails, flow and tech. Flow is typically wide machined trails that are smooth, fast, require minimal braking, and are full of bermed turns and oftentimes jumps. Flow is a fairly new style of mountain bike trail, whereas tech is rocky, rooty…

  Most of Lewis Crain is in Lake Dunmore. The reason for this is that my mother and two of our friends and I put him there. It is where he wanted to be, and so we puttered around the shore of Lake Dunmore putting his ashes in the water. Slowly at first, but then…

Ever since I found out that 2016 would include an extra second—as announced on July 6 by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service—I’ve been planning what to do with all the extra time I’ve now got on my hands. Since 1972, “ leap seconds ” have been added to certain years so that…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org A Starksboro man has died after jumping into the water off Button Bay State Park to help his son, who was struggling while swimming, according to Vermont State Police. Jason Russell, age 36, died at 4 a.m. Thursday, July 7, after being pulled from the water unresponsive Wednesday at approximately 5…

Courtesy of Dave Hoffenberg THE BACON BROTHERS The Bacon Brothers make their return to Vermont to bring their band to the Paramount Theatre this Wednesday, July 13. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin and Michael Bacon, who talked about life in the band. I have never seen the band but told them…