We looked forward to venturing out in Marseille since the Spine Whisperer healed my back. But walking down a long corridor behind a woman who was coughing her head off exposed us to a lousy virus that kept us house-bound for the last week. It was another unexpected pause during our seven week holiday in…

By James Kent On Sept. 25, the Rutland area received word that its derelict and defunct anachronism of a retail mecca, the Diamond Run Mall, will soon receive its long-awaited transformation into something more purposeful. In Rutland’s future, the decision-makers and innovators of progress decided on — a Super Walmart. Not exactly the stuff to…

By now the school year is in full swing. Students have decided if they like their classes and their teachers. Going to a Catholic school back in the 1950s meant having a teacher clothed in a black and white habit with only her face and hands showing. The teachers at Christ the King School in…

A girlfriend and I made a new tradition a few months ago. We decided that no matter what, how busy our schedules were or how far away we now live from each other, that at one point this autumn we would call a Hump Day.   It would have to be the perfect day, where…

October is the month where cozy sweaters become a fashion statement and leggings become an  essential food group. The cool air, the color and the smell of pumpkin spice make me a happy camper.  There is also the anticipation of Halloween. It also provides an excuse to be a perfect witch. But, the scariest thing…

I’ve lived through one major hurricane in my life…and it wasn’t pretty. It was 2016 and my wife, mother, mother-in-law, and I were living in Jacksonville, Florida, in a vacation home directly on the beach. In fact, it was so “on the beach” that you could walk out the back steps and down a set…

On warm days through early fall, you can find two large species of “digger” wasps flitting about late-blooming flowers. Like many wasps, these species elicit strong, often negative reactions in humans. But digger wasps inhabit a critical niche in invertebrate communities – and can lend a natural hand in pest control. Two of the most…

By Bruce Bouchard and John Turchiano Editor’s note: Bruce Bouchard is former executive director of The Paramount Theatre. John Turchiano, his friend for 52 years, was formerly the editor of Hotel Voice, a weekly newspaper on the New York Hotel Trades Council. They are co-authoring this column to tell short stories on a wide range…

Tucked away In a sea of brown and gray Just beyond the travelers smog Lives a specimen of unadulterated beauty Thriving in solidarity Harmoniously lending guidance to the kingdom  A single organism Promoting unity in the shadow of the mountain  Your supple, verdant wings spread wide Ignoring your stagnant surroundings Your crimson tiara reaching for…

T’would be wise to tread gently over the next few days. Notice I didn’t say, “back down,” “retreat” or “give up?” Alas, it’s even more important than ever to hold your ground and fight for what’s right. With many voices of confusion lying, scheming and twisting things, it can be easy for some to lack…

I was in terrible pain when we arrived in Valence to spend several days with our dear friends. My guardian angels, the DonCoeurs, rescued me from a Pyrenees storm 20 years ago. I was alone on the Camino de Santiago when a violent tempest arrived, leaving me exposed on a cliff top, shivering and terrified.…

The World Stroke Organization notes that more than 12.2 million individuals experience stroke each year across the globe. Perhaps even more telling, the WSO reports that, globally, one in four people over age 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Stroke is indeed a threat to public health. However, despite the prevalence of stroke,…

Besides Vermont in general, where do you like to watch your foliage from? We always talk about where the color is the best via location — the state of Vermont even puts out an interactive map where tourists and locals alike can figure out where to spend the day across our great little state. But…

 Last Monday, I put my 20-year-old son on a plane to Melbourne, Australia. All in, he was in the air for over 20 hours. I fly regularly and anything over three hours makes me insane. Sitting in such a cramped space for an extended time makes my body ache and exhausts my mind. I can…

By Meira Droznah  Ah, synchronicity. When you know the Creator  is still arranging  the universe just  for your passage  through it  And you are part of the Arrangement For someone Else.  One big puzzle That fits Together perfectly This is Joy.