My son just started a job waitering at a local Mexican restaurant. He also works at a grocery store, but he hadn’t been getting enough hours, and since he needs money for his planned trip abroad next month, he knew he had to find additional employment. The restaurant serves authentic Mexican fare and is decorated…

When you live in Rutland City with houses very close to one another you don’t expect to see animals and critters that are prevalent in rural areas. But that hasn’t stopped these “visitors” from checking out our urban setting. Back in the ‘50s when I was a small child I remember playing in the sandbox…

By Rachel Sargent Mirus Water striders are a common sight on ponds, vernal pools, and puddles. During clear summer days, these insects seem to walk on water, a feat they accomplish through a combination of long legs that distribute their weight across the water’s surface and micro hairs that make these invertebrates extremely water repellent.…

By Will O'Donnell Part 1: The calm before the storm  After moving to Vermont in 2019 and spending the next few years there, I left for a brief outing in small town New York, just past the border. A beautiful lake, a quaint small community and an intense education in horticulture was no match for…

As we drive by I hear the cows moo. I see the green trees that sway gently, the leaves dancing on the branches. I watch squirrels and birds jumping tree to tree. I see deer feasting on the grass in a nearby field. The sun sets slowly behind them, outlining the mountains. A lake reflects…

Amidst the confusion, the change and the uncertainty there are a lot of options. One option is to see things from a pessimistic perspective. That nothing can be as good as it once was. It can be easy to fall into the trap of romanticizing the past. Was it actually that good or is it…

By Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont We purchase them at the market. We dine on them in salads and sauces. Some of us indulge in the joy of growing our own at home, but how much do you really know about tomatoes?  To begin, the botanical name for the tomato is Solanum lycopersicum.…

By Ann Hazelrigg, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Vermont     Cucumber and squash production is in full swing in the garden, but there is a key pest that can affect the yield and quality of the fruit. The striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatumare) can be a destructive pest on all cucurbits (cucumbers, summer and winter squash,…

By Ann Hazelrigg, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Vermont     Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) can be stunning in early summer when in full bloom, but this time of year they tend to look a bit worn out. There are three common problems that can impact the health of these shrubs: lilac leaf miner (Gracillaria syringella), powdery…

Heat breaks… winter is coming!  I’ve been taking a different route every time, walking through shoulder high grass and slipping on smooth rock. I’ve been exploring long abandoned bike trails and sneaking a peek at some exciting snowmaking improvements. I’ve been left with a soaked sports bra and sweating right through my wool hiking shirts.…

For the past two weeks, my wife and I sat glued to the television in anticipation of the nightly Olympic recap. In that time, we saw some amazing athletes do some amazing things. We also got to see sports that are rarely covered in the media, like badminton, table tennis, and sport climbing (I was…

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…