Discover More from This Author: Polly

Castleton joint programs continue to expand

May 20, 2016
CASTLETON—Castleton University and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS), a private and independent college with campuses located in Albany, N.Y., and Colchester, Vt., recently announced that an articulation agreement has been reached, promising ACPHS admission to select Castleton graduates. The agreement states that any Castleton University student with a bachelor of science in…

Mary Powell named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business

May 20, 2016
Powell honored for her leadership transforming the electrical grid On Monday, May 16, Fast Company announced its annual ranking of the 100 Most Creative People in Business for 2016. Green Mountain Power CEO and President Mary Powell was selected to be on the list for her transformational leadership, helping customers transition away from the traditional grid.…

Rachael Ray—a success story in giving back

May 20, 2016
Dear Editor, Rachael Ray, alumna of Lake George, N.Y., cooked, entertained and gave back to over 400 admiring fans, mentors, lifelong friends and family in her high school auditorium on April 29 for her 14th annual cooking show to raise money for the school and town she calls home. At the start of the show,…

Those who know Congress best are shaking their heads

May 20, 2016
By Lee H. Hamilton I had the good fortune last week to spend some time in Washington, D.C., with about a dozen former members of Congress. As you’d expect, we got to talking about the current Congress. Very quickly it turned out that the same question was troubling all of us: Why is it held…

A new standard: state-funded programs must be measurable, performances audited

May 20, 2016
By Douglas R. Hoffer, Vermont State Auditor The unfortunate situation with the EB-5 program presents an opportunity to reflect on the state’s approach to economic development. Among other responsibilities, the state auditor’s office examines various programs to determine whether they achieve the goals established by the legislature. That is, are we getting our money’s worth? To…

Legislative wrap: more than “housekeeping”

May 20, 2016
By Maxine Grad and Willem Jewett It may be accurate to observe that Governor Shumlin’s accomplishments during his final legislative session have been modest but it goes a bit too far to cast off the work of the General Assembly as “an uninspired, housekeeping session that was remarkable for how few initiatives lawmakers tackled,” as…

Whirlwind: life on a presidential campaign

May 20, 2016
Courtesy of Lindsay Hunn Lindsay Hunn introduces Sen. Sanders at a rally in Claremont, N.H. ,in January. By Elaine Ezerins, St. Albans Messenger Two years ago, Lindsay Hunn walked into an office building on South Main Street in St. Albans, Vt., looking for a job in the legal world. As fate would have it, she…

At forum, Lisman is the only gubernatorial candidate who doesn’t disavow Trump

May 20, 2016
By Mark Johnson, VTDigger.org The Republican candidates for governor differed in their support for their party’s presumptive presidential nominee, Donald Trump, while the three Democratic candidates were unified behind Bernie Sanders. Lt. Gov. Phil Scott rejected any idea of voting for Trump, while businessman Bruce Lisman said he would wait and see how Trump conducted…

Vermont secures $3 million for affordable housing, Sanders announces

May 20, 2016
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders recently announced that Vermont will receive $3 million from the National Housing Trust Fund. The funds are part of $174 million that is being dispersed nationally to build, preserve, and rehabilitate affordable rental housing. Sanders helped lead a 15-year effort to pass and fund the National Housing Trust Fund. “Since my…

4,156 acres of state-owned wildlife habitat improved in 2015

May 20, 2016
On May 10, 2016, the state announced that its Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are thriving. In its recently released annual report, the state claimed that 4,156 acres of habitat were improved over the course of 2015. WMAs are increasingly important in providing a place for people to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation as more of the state…

America the beautiful

May 20, 2016
By Dom Cioffi Like so many other people, I arrived at work on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, thinking my day would be fairly routine. Within a few hours, however, the world as we knew would be permanently changed. I worked for a military veteran at the time so when the magnitude of the…

BRGNS gears up for annual spring rummage sale

May 20, 2016
Courtesy of BRGNS Thrifty shoppers peruse the well-organized clothing tables at a past rummage sale in Ludlow. May 20-22 — LUDLOW — Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual spring rummage sale at Fletcher Farms, 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.…

Hands-On Music starts five-hour drum-a-thon

May 20, 2016
Courtesy of Hands-On Music Rob Zollman, owner of Hands-On Music in Brandon, leads a drum circle outside of the shop on Center Street. Saturday, May 21 at 12 p.m. — BRANDON — Be part of something big!  Join Hands-On Music, 27 Center Street in Brandon on Saturday, May 21 for the 3rd annual Drumstrong Vermont, a five-hour drum-a-thon…

Organizing professional to help declutter your surroundings

May 20, 2016
Courtesy of Book Nook MAXINE GAUTIER Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m. — LUDLOW — The Friends of the Fletcher Memorial Library will host Maxine Gautier for an organizing workshop on Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Fletcher Memorial Library. The event, entitled “Wouldn’t you like to Lighten Your Load?” organizing workshop will take place in…