Ferns have grown on Earth for longer than trees and flowers, and existed well before Homo sapiens. In our region, the oldest lineage, emerging 200 million years ago, is the royal fern family (Osmundaceae), including royal, cinnamon, and interrupted ferns. Named for the fertile, spore-producing pinnae that “interrupt” the rest of the leafy frond. Osmunda…

By Will O'Donnell This is an effort to shed a little light on a darker side of the mountains. To offer a sliver of peace, hope and closure to those affected by the loss of someone in our lives who fought a silent battle with themself. Behind us lies another warrior, fallen victim to the…

We can hear the wind, It howls making the trees sway, Wind is beautiful.

The events of this week are set to be spectacular as well as explosive. In fact, what occurs over the next 10 or so days will really set the scene for the rest of the year. In a world full of lies, deception and manipulated reality, staying connected to the truth can take real dedication…

Soulshine Revival is making their triumphant return to the Cooler in the Mountains concert series this Saturday outside the K-1 Base Lodge in Killington at 3 p.m. This will be their second year in a row playing it. If you don’t know, the band is an Allman Brothers Tribute. I can only attend one Cooler…

The Vermont Historical Society is publishing a new book in September, titled “Ira Allen: A Biography.” Ethan Allen is a household name here in Vermont, but this book really showcases his younger brother’s important role in the entire saga that was the founding of Vermont. With the United States Semiquincentennial kicking off in 2025, there…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge part 24 When my husband Duane and I fled to Vermont to take a break and recover from my miscarriage, we spent time with my parents who were very encouraging as they always were. Dad, also had updates on the house. He’d been hard at work completing projects, both down…

By Deborah J. Benoit, UVM Extension master gardener When someone mentions wildflowers, what comes to mind? Daisies? Black-eyed Susans? They’re as familiar as the summer days of our youth, so well-loved that we often pick wildflowers for bouquets or add them to our gardens. What we call weeds tend to be any plant claiming a…

There are certain aromas that bring back memories of people and places from long ago. I remember my father sitting on our porch and saying he could smell the rain. Since I was just a little kid it was a mystery to me how he could do that. I told him I wanted to learn…

We grew up on the water. Once you passed the swim test, a quarter of a mile swim around the boundary of the swimming area and you reached the age of 7, you were allowed to run around our community completely unattended. (Although we did find out later that the moms could see us wherever…

 My son was walking out of the house this past weekend with something tucked under his arm. I inquired what it was and he cautiously told me it was a case of poker chips (apparently, he and his friends were going to play cards and watch the UFC fights). I gave him my usual disapproving…

If you wanted to see the Sunapee trout, you might be inclined to search in its namesake, New Hampshire’s Lake Sunapee. But this elusive fish has long been extirpated from the Granite State, and from neighboring Vermont, where it once lived in the Northeast Kingdom’s Averill Lakes. Sunapee trout remains in 14 bodies of water…

“How long does it take you to get here?” “Start driving and zero pressure or expectation.” As I poured myself into my ride, with my mind racing and burnt out from the weekend, I encountered a rare playlist uncertainty. I landed on one of my favorites and cranked it up. An instrumental titled “I Feel…

I see the amazing view below us. Every time we move a new scene is revealed. There is no dull moment for my eyes. The trees are a beautiful array of yellow, red, pink, orange and purple. I hear birds chirp and wind blow through the open window. The geese honk as they get in…

Delays, confusion and general upsets can be beyond frustrating while you’re in the thick of them. Few people enjoy having to go over old data, be that paperwork, logistics or having to communicate your desires or intentions over again.  Alas, fear not! Sometimes, the chance to re-do something is the chance to make it better.…