By Carolyn Dean “Ahhh,” the middle of July has finally arrived and it is what we’ve been waiting for all year. The chance to take long winding hikes, swim in countless mirrored lakes, and work the gardens for fresh homegrown veggies and flowers. Vermont is peaking with vivacious nature and recreational splendor that makes us…

In my 26 years I’ve spent an unusual amount of time taking long road trips, including enough coast-to-coast journeys that I can no longer remember how many times I’ve been out to California and back. For me, one of the more significant minor pleasures of these adventures is the moment where, pausing at a gas…

By Dom Cioffi What do Luke Skywalker, the Buddha, Odysseus and Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” all have in common? Answer: They are all the same person on the same journey. I know that statement sounds a little absurd, but according to the great writer, philosopher and mythologist, Joseph Campbell, these four individuals along…

By Cindy Phillips I know I recently wrote a column about my impending 60th birthday. I shared my accumulated wisdom with those who were younger, but who aspired to be wiser. But at the time I wrote those cranial nuggets, I was still technically 59. Well as much as I tried to ward off that…

By Dave Hoffenberg I had the honor and pleasure of speaking to the Gathering of the Vibes Festival pioneer, Ken Hays. The Vibes, as it’s called by the fans, is about to put on its 19th annual event. This festival has grown over the years from a weekend festival with 3,500 people to a four-day…

By Dom Cioffi “What are you, a vegetarian?” the old guy said with a snide slant to his delivery. My ears perked up at this statement as I stood in line behind two men, each ordering their lunch special at a local Chinese restaurant. The younger guy accompanying the old man looked concerned by the question,…

By Cindy Phillips … but words can hurt like heck, too. Cyber bullying is just plain sad. We hear tragic stories on a regular basis, especially involving teens. Social media sites pose a venue for people to lash out at others in an undercover format. Is it human nature to be more brazen when we…

The Outside Story: The skinny on snakes By Susan Shea If you have a wood pile, you may have come across a shed snake skin ― a translucent, onion skin-like wrapper imprinted with the snake’s scale pattern. Or perhaps you’ve seen one along a foundation or stone wall. Why do snakes shed their skin? Most…

The summer of LeBron, part II Four years have passed since the last Summer of LeBron, when NBA fans and execs waited to see whether LeBron James – the best basketball player in the world – would sign a new contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers or jump ship to the Miami Heat. He stunned the…

By Dave Hoffenberg There is no better way to spend a Saturday then by giving back to the Rutland Community while enjoying a rocking and rolling country luau pig roast. If that sounds like a great time then head to The Local in Rutland July 19 at 5 p.m. It’s only $5 to get in…

By Dom Cioffi Have you ever been driving down the road, flipping through radio stations, when suddenly a song comes on that jettisons you back to a time or place when that particular melody played a role your life? It doesn’t have to be a song that you liked either. When I hear the Fine…

By Cindy Phillips posted Aug 9, 2012 We all have a claim to fame at some point in our lives. Some refer to it as a "brush with greatness." It's that time when we come in contact with a movie star, sports giant, political figure or other person of perceived stature. It's catching a foul…

By Cindy Phillips posted May 30, 2012 As I write this column, I am preparing for a Memorial Day weekend trip to the beach. I am making a mental packing list that includes bathing suits, sundresses, shorts, tank tops and an array of polka-dotted flip-flops. I will be putting my toes in the sand, slathering…

By Cindy Phillips updated Wed, Apr 18, 2012 08:17 AM I can recall my parents, and their friends, using the expression "the only thing certain in life is paying taxes and dying." I thought this was not only a curious view on life, but certainly a maudlin one as well. I vowed never to become…

By Cindy Phillips updated Wed, Apr 4, 2012 09:19 AM I went shoe shopping today. Well, let me rephrase that. I attempted to go shoe shopping today. Similar to jeans shopping, I have a difficult time finding the right fit, and the right height, and the right style, and shall I go on? Much like…