By Liz DiMarco Weinmann Giving Tuesday, which falls on Nov. 29, began in New York City in 2012, as a way to intensify awareness of nonprofits, as well as generate gifts and loyalty during the holidays. Today Giving Tuesday is a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of donors. While Giving Tuesday itself has…

› The musical honking of Canada geese and their V-shaped flocks streaming overhead are classic signs of autumn. I hear the clamor of geese as they fly low over my house, preparing to land in the hayfield in our valley. Sometimes I spot the large, black-necked birds before they take off to continue their journey.Where are they com- ing from, I wonder, and where are they going?…

By Dom Cioffi My company had an in-office meeting last week that included the entire staff. I believe this was the first time since March of 2020 (pre-Covid) that we were all in the building at the same time. Initially, I loved working from home. I found the solitude relaxing and noticed my workload increased,…

By Mary Ellen Shaw At some point in our lives we seem to turn into our parents.I guess it’s inevitable as we grew up following their instructions. I thought of my father when someone commented to me that I mow the lawn in a different direction each time. Back in my youth the task of…

By Merisa Sherman Never doubt The Beast, the biggest and best in the East “Wishing and waiting and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming …” I know that’s the start of the song made famous by Dusty Springfield in 1964, but it’s also the mantra that I have been repeating to myself for the past few…

The Hub CoWorks opens downtown By Liz DiMarco Weinmann The region’s civic leaders, community advocates, business owners, nonprofit professionals, and others representing the innumerable talents of the Killington-Rutland community gathered Monday evening, Nov. 14, to celebrate the much-anticipated grand opening of The Hub CoWorks in downtown Rutland. For this former Manhattanite to compare the buzz…

By Merisa Sherman A few lights litter the shoreline across the way, seemingly more like super bright fireflies than the building that they truly are. Different colors, ranging from white to yellow to red, mark the hillside and the farthest location along the 360 degree outline of the mountain range. The dark hillside seems more…

By Kevin Theissen For reasons that may never be fully understood, September has historically been the worst month for stocks, according to the average S&P 500 return for each month dating back to 1970. In September, the Dow fell 8.8% and the S&P 500 Index was down approximately 10%. Historically, stocks turn around in October,…

By Liz DiMarco Weinmann The professionals who run our romantic country inns, family-friendly motels, cozy coffee shops, creative restaurants, unique boutiques, state-of-the-art recreational facilities, and striking jewel-box arts venues are excited to welcome guests again, so this is a friendly nudge for all of us to show our appreciation. Although a recent Wall Street Journal…

By Dom Cioffi When I was in college, I took an art course that had me sketching and painting on a weekly basis. I loved the act of creating in this way and took joy in most of the assignments. On one occasion, the instructor asked the class to paint a picture of something we…

By Anna Morris Last autumn, around the same time I was laying the winter quilt on our bed, my cat became very interested in the space beneath the kitchen sink. Unsurprisingly, a mouse was huddled down there, seeking shelter in the warmth. Though I was sympathetic, and all wildlife is welcome in our yard, I’d…

  It’s titled, “Things I Know Now...” and Nikki McCallum will teach you everything she wished she’d learned before reaching adulthood, in song. McCallum described the show and said, “It’s an hour of stand-up comedy infused with original comedy songs.”  I love this kind of comedy so I’m really hoping to make the show. I’ve…

By Dom Cioffi Several months ago, I bought my father-in-law tickets to see Frankie Valli in concert. Valli, along with his backup group, The Four Seasons, peppered the charts with hits during the 1960s and '70s. From teenage chart-toppers like “Rag Doll” and “Sherry” to pop classics like “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and…

By Gary Salmon When you are 75 and have seen fall from the same house in the heart of foliage country for 50 years, it can become a little jaded. "Seen it all before" was unfortunately my mantra and same colors/same views was my viewpoint. What I needed was a fresh set of eyes to…

By Merisa Sherman It’s hot. I mean, not like Arizona hot but way too hot for November hot. Like, who are we kidding here with the crazy non-snowmaking weather? These consecutive and beautiful sunny warm days that don’t seem to stop. I am kind of confused as to whether or not our entire state has…