Submitted Raising Cane Thursday, May 28 — BENSON, SUDBURY — The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s “Raising Cane” Woodwind Trio will present performances at schools in Benson, Sudbury, and Addison on May 28. “Raising Cane” is always a big hit in schools, say VSO organizers. Oboist Ann Greenawalt, clarinetist Steve Klimowski, and bassoonist Janet Polk are all excellent…

Thursday, May 28 — LUDLOW — The Friends of the Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow will hold a book discussion on Thursday evening, May 28 at 7 p.m. The book This book is a gripping tale of two boys in Poland, once as close as brothers, who are divided by the Holocaust and who meet…

By Robert Eddy Arioso Saturday, May 30 — BRANDON — On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Central Vermont’s acclaimed chamber music ensemble performs at Brandon Music with varied music for piano, voice, and viola. At this spring concert, Arioso will perform music of Henry Purcell, J.S. Bach, Charles Ives, and Rebecca Clarke, plus two works by…

Submitted Two young boys, with a little help from their canine companion, are busy transplanting plants for the upcoming gardening festival in Middletown Springs. Saturday, May 30 — MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS — Experienced and novice gardeners alike are in for a delightful day on Saturday, May 30, at the Friends of the Library’s Gardening Festival in…

Submitted A seminar for landowners at the Kehoe Education Center in Castleton on May 30 will discuss improving land for wildlife and forestry through the federal Farm Bill. Saturday, May 30 — CASTLETON — A free seminar for landowners entitled “Understanding Farm Bill Programs for Forestry and Wildlife Management” will be offered on Saturday, May…

Courtesy of VINS Many wild plants in our local forests are edible; learn which ones in VINS talk. Sunday, May 31 — QUECHEE — The Vermont Institute of Natural Science presents “Foraging for Wild Plants with Arthur Haines” on Sunday, May 31, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee, Vt.…

By Beth Roberts We are back with a new group of challenge participants with new goals and obstacles to overcome. Over the next six weeks we will individually help them transform their lifestyles just in time for Independence Day. Beginning this Tuesday, May 26, three males and three females from the area will embark on…

The meaning of transformation is simple, yet interesting, especially when applied in the contest of our Body Transformation Challenge. “Transformation” is a noun with synonyms including: change, alteration, mutation, conversion, metamorphosis, transfiguration, remodeling, reshaping, redoing, reconstruction, rebuilding, reorganization, rearrangement, reworking, renewal, revamp, remaking, remake. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines transformation as “a complete or major change…

By Amy Lewis, Fusion Fitness Are you struggling with self motivation? Having a hard time getting yourself to your regularly scheduled workouts? Finding more and more reasons to cheat on your healthy diet? You’re not alone! A healthy dose of motivation coupled with determination will get you almost anything in life. So how do you…

By Kyle Finneron Many people have approached me and are frustrated that they have just started a new program and they are not seeing the results on the scale they want, or they feel like they are not getting any stronger. The first thing I usually ask them is “Have you taken a before picture?”…

Submitted Jim Rooney Sunday, May 31 — TUNBRIDGE — Grammy award winning record producer Jim Rooney and Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter Pat Alger will share a musical evening along with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Chris Brashear, long a member of Robin and Linda Williams “Fine Group,” Sunday, May 31, 7:30 p.m., at the Tunbridge Town…

Courtesy of Paramount Theatre David Alerod Wednesday, June 3 — RUTLAND — The Paramount Theatre continues their third live in HD programming initiative: LIVE in HD from the 92nd Street “Y” Speakers Series and the second half of the LIVE in HD from the NATIONAL THEATRE Series.  In a commitment to the continued exploration of…

As the unofficial start to the summer season, Memorial Day Weekend marks the re-opening of Vermont’s legendary state parks. Vermont’s 52 state parks offer a wide variety of day use activities (such as boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking and hiking) and camping experiences, including drive-in camp sites, lean-to’s, cabins, cottages, remote campsites, group camping areas, and…

Rare first lady gowns on display in Plymouth; sites statewide plan exhibits Elegant and sophisticated, First Lady Grace Coolidge offered a couture counterpoint to the more flamboyant flapper style of the Roaring Twenties. A new collection of her gowns, jewelry, and elaborate accessories will be on temporary display beginning May 23 when the President Calvin…

WOODSTOCK — Vermont’s only National Park, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park began its 18th summer season on Saturday, May 23. The park, set in the lovely pastoral surroundings of Woodstock, tells the story of the beginning of the American conservation movement through the lens of a triptych of three unique families (George Perkins Marsh, Frederick Billings,…