By Deb Markowitz, Secretary, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources When I was first elected to public office at the age of 37, I was lucky enough to have a mentor, Tom Lehner, who had spent most of his career in public administration. I first met him when I was a young law clerk to Supreme…

Dear Editor, Accuracy and truth matter. I read with a certain amount of both disdain and amusement Mr. Haff’s letter, who is running for Killington selectman. First he insinuates that I do not pay attention to the nuts and bolts because I am more interested in economic development. Nothing is further from the truth. Both…

Dear Editor, At the annual meeting of the town of Ludlow, Vt., Article 4 will be presented for consideration. The article deals with the renewal of tax-exempt status of the property located at 22 Buttermilk Falls Road, owned by the Ludlow Masonic Building Association a.k.a. Black River-Lafayette Lodge #85 F & AM. The Brethren of…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Joe Fusco, who is a vice president of Casella Waste Systems Inc. He served as a member of the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council. He is also co-chair of the Advisory Board for the University of Vermont’s MBA program in sustainable entrepreneurship. Over the past year, as the Vermont…

Courtesy of Pentangle Arts Council “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” tells the story of a mother and her son Abdul (above) who live in an Indian slum, that have an aim at collecting enough recycling to sell in order to purchase a home of their own. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. — WOODSTOCK — Pentangle Arts Council…

Courtesy of National Park Service Deer tracks in the snow are fairly easily identified, with two hoof imprints and drag marks. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. — WOODSTOCK — Who is making all those tracks in the snow? Youngsters will learn how to identify animal tracks and make their own animal tracking book. This free winter break program…

Courtesy of Paramount Theatre

Courtesy of Paramount Theatre

Courtesy of VINS A snowy owl blends in effortlessly with its winter background, with the exception of its marble-like eyes. Saturday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. — QUECHEE — Join the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) for its annual Owl Festival on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate all things owls. We…

Courtesy of Chandler Center for the Arts Mel Brooks’ classic  film “Young Frankenstein” shows at Chandler Center, Feb. 21. Sunday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. — RANDOLPH — Jjoin the Chandler Film Society on Sunday, Feb. 21 to see “Young Frankenstein,” a hilarious movie featuring a great cast (Gene Wilder, Teri Garr, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Madeline…

Courtesy of wikipedia.org Artist Peter Schumann is the founder and director of the popular traveling show, “Bread and Puppet.” Monday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. — CASTLETON — The Christine Price Gallery at Castleton will feature the works of local artist Peter Schumann of “Bread and Puppet” running from Feb. 22 through March 25, with an artist…

Courtesy of NWPL “Belief” is a seven-part documentary that is showing Mondays at Norman Williams Public Library, starting Feb. 22. Monday, Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m. — WOODSTOCK — The North Chapel and Norman Williams Public Library will sponsor a showing of a seven-part documentary series, “Belief,” originally presented by Oprah Winfrey, which explores humankind’s ongoing search…

Monday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. — RUTLAND — Will 2016 be the year to become an American citizen and vote in the Presidential election? Vermont Adult Learning will have a free orientation on the following days: Monday, Feb.15 at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. Call 802-797-4045…

Courtesy of parmalee.com PARMALEE Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. — KILLINGTON — The hot country band Parmalee will take the stage at the Pickle Barrel Nightclub on Wednesday, Feb. 24.  The show is open to anyone 18 years of age and older; those under 18 will be admitted with a parent or guardian.  Parmalee is…

Feb. 17-18 — POULTNEY — Green Mountain College welcomes Philip Howard, visiting scholar for the college’s M.S. in Sustainable Food Systems (MSFS) winter residency Feb. 17-19. Howard will present a pair of free public programs: “Is Food Diversity an Illusion?” on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.in Ackley Hall; and “Concentration and Power in the Food System”…