As the dust begins to settle upon the chaos that April has been, thus far, don’t be fooled into thinking the storm is over. While the skies are quiet comparatively to what they’ve been, this is simply a chance to calm down, regroup and refocus. In times of war (real or metaphorical), in times of…

Courtesy Bookstock Book lovers seen at a recent Bookstock event selceting from a wide variety of  literature. Bookstock, the  summer literary festival in Woodstock, cancels its annual event after 14 years. After 14 years of annual literary festivals, Bookstock is closing down. Its festival planned this summer for June 21-23 will not take place. The…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge: Part 9 Dad was on a mission to build our ski lodge so wasn’t thrilled by invitations to escape our Killington work camp. But Mom and I were elated and ready to get off “the reservation” whenever we could. When our friend Ann relayed an invitation from Walter and Emile…

By Bruce Bouchard, a Q&A with John Turchiano John Turchiano, a retired union official and a close friend of 50 years, and I often talk baseball. What follows is from a chat we had recently about Jackie Robinson and the reversal of the color barrier in baseball, which happened 80 years ago this week — April…

“Old age comes at a bad time!” – Sam Banducci I think retirees will agree with that statement. We work all our lives and once we retire we finally have time to do all the things we dreamed of doing. But after awhile bad knees, backs and feet may put some restrictions on activities such…

  We look into the sky at the wonder above us, the damp ground squishing beneath our feet. The moon slowly moved in front of the sun, covering it completely. The warm sun rays left our faces and were replaced with cold darkness. For a few minutes, day turned to night as we peered up…

Settling into my lawn chair in the parking lot, I extend both legs outward. My toes are pointing straight up, my forward lean angle set by my ski boots — super soggy and full of water. I don’t want to even think about touching my wet socks. And the aroma that wafts through the parking…

The Masters ended this past weekend, and like so many other golf fans, I was glued to my phone and television for four days as the pageantry and competition unfolded. The event did not disappoint as the world’s No. 1 Scottie Scheffler struck precision golf shots for four days, outlasting any challenges his competitors made.…

If you take to the water this spring, there’s a good chance you’ll spot a great blue heron, New England’s most recognizable large wading bird. But you might also see one of several other similar species that breed in or pass through our region’s wetlands. Telling these large waders apart can be tricky. What distinguishes…

Bears, Big beautiful creatures, Wandering through the forests, And fields of flowers. Beautiful sweet flowers. And it is not only the flowers that are sweet, But the bears, too. They are misunderstood creatures, Big gentle giants, They don’t want to hurt you, They just want to protect their families. They are amazing creatures, And you…

Arguably 2024’s most dynamic astrological event occurs this week — yes, I remember the Eclipse from last week. But this week, Jupiter and Uranus conjoin in Taurus. Renowned for its exciting, expansive and innovative potential, this combination can also bring turbulence and discomfort, too. You don’t have to be a Taurus to feel this. Somewhere…

By Erda Estemera/Unsplash Lettuce grows best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, so soil should be amended accordingly before starting this cool-season vegetable in a cold frame. By Andrea Knepper, UVM Extension Master Gardener Get a jump start on the growing season by adding a cold frame to your garden. A cold frame allows you to start…

Hal Borland, American author, journalist, and naturalist once said, “No Winter lasts forever, no Spring skips its turn. April is a promise that May is bound to keep, and we know it.” English writer Samuel Johnson said that April can be a moment of joy for those who have survived the winter. This April seems…

  I found myself stopping every few minutes. Not to catch my breath or recalibrate my route, but simply to stop moving for a moment and let myself really take it all in. Too much all at once, when there hasn’t been enough at all. From one of the most boring winters that I can…

Growing up, I was never the kid who caused a lot of trouble. I did my homework, played sports, and did my best to endear myself to girls. I suppose you could call me boring, but I looked at it as the easiest way to navigate childhood.  Not surprisingly, I had an older brother who…