By Beth Roberts Everywhere we look there are different challenges designed to improve your health. There are exercises to add to your daily routine: a month of 30 burpees each day, a month of daily planks, a month of 100 push ups a day. Clean eating challenges to eliminate cravings for unhealthy foods that offer…

Justin Cipriano (left) plays the part of Professor John; David Eastman (center) directs, and Memory Apata (right) portrays Carol in  BarnArts production of “Oleanna.” June 19-21 — WOODSTOCK — Pete Seeger and the Kingston Trio brought the song “Oleanna” to international audiences long before David Mamet chose to give the same name to his three-act play published…

By Paul Holmes Cloudy skies and colorful balloons make for quintessential photo opportunities. June 19-21 — QUECHEE — Once again, the skies over Quechee and the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire will be filled with hot air balloons ushering in the annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft & Music Festival, one of the longest running…

By Peter Yang Trevor Noah RUTLAND — The Paramount Theatre welcomes Trevor Noah (recently announced replacement for outgoing host Jon Stewart of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show”) on Sunday, July 19 at 8 p.m. Noah joined "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in 2014 as a contributor. Tickets have recently gone on sale, June 12, and…

Courtesy of RCMS PETER STUMPF  Sunday, June 21 at 4 p.m. — ROCHESTER — The Rochester Chamber Music Society opens their 21st season on Sunday, June 21 at 4 p.m. with acclaimed cellist Peter Stumpf. Hailed for his “faultless technique and panache” (Symphony Orchestra Reviews), Stumpf, a longtime member of the Johannes Quartet, will give his first…

Courtesy of  Vermont Division for Historic Preservation Calvin Coolidge (left) and his father Colonel John in a photograph taken shortly before Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President by his father in Plymouth Notch, Vt. in 1923. Calvin is wearing his grandfather’s frock, a practical farmer’s garment dating from the mid-19th century.  The frock is preserved…

Courtesy of Compass A youth displays her handmade t-shirt at a Create Camp held at Compass in the past. June 22-27 — BRANDON — Kids ages 5-12 can create and have fun at the CREATE camp at Compass Music and Arts Center June 22-27. Running daily from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., the camp is an opportunity for young people…

June 18-19 at 7 p.m. — RUTLAND — Rutland High School’s music and theatre departments will present the musical “Pippin” on June 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. each night, at the Paramount Theatre. Over 60 students including some alumni will bring this classic Tony award winning musical to life. “Pippin” is a play within a…

Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. — TINMOUTH — Tinmouth’s June contra dance will take place on Friday, June 19, featuring caller Luke Donforth with live music by local favorites, The Plumb Bobs. The dance will be held at the Tinmouth Community Center on from 8-11 p.m. All dances are taught, and you do not need a partner. If…

Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. — RUTLAND — The Castleton Downtown Gallery in Rutland will feature the works of local Vermont artist Joan Curtis running from June 10 through July 11, with an artist reception scheduled for Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. Entitled “Rough Edges: Recent Explorations,” the exhibit will feature an array of mixed…

Saturday, June 20 at 11:30 a.m. — KILLINGTON — The Sherburne Memorial Library hosts its third annual Ann Wallen Day celebration on Saturday, June 20 starting at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy music, bring a dish to share for the potluck, and honor local artists. From life as a commercial artist in New York City, Ann Wallen came to…

Friday, June 19 at 5 p.m. — WOODSTOCK — Join the Central Vermont volunteer leaders on June 19 at 5 p.m. at the home of Michael and Carol Moriarty, 932 Cabot Road, Woodstock, to learn more about The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program. Volunteer hosts will share their experiences hosting New York City children and…

Saturday, June 20 at 9 a.m. — WOODSTOCK — Join the Working Woodlands Workshop, “Fern Fun” on Saturday, June 20 at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Ferns are a beautiful inhabitant of the forest. Come learn how to identify the native ferns of northern New England. Vermont has more than 50 different species, and the Park is home…

Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. — WOODSTOCK — On Saturday, June 20t from 10-11:30 a.m., Juneberry Music will be offering singing for fun and for individual and community wellness at Woodstock’s Norman Williams Public Library. The Woodstock community sing will be the first of the series held on Saturdays in various Upper Valley locations. Singers may join…

Saturday, June 20 at 9 a.m. — RUTLAND — What better way to celebrate the summer solstice (sunshine!) than a morning yoga session right next to a clean energy generating rooftop solar array? Join the group on Saturday, June 20 at 9 a.m. for some Sun Salutations then find out how you can put the sun to…