Discover More from This Category: Columns

The Nicholas Green story: An American family tragedy abroad transforms seven lives  

May 29, 2024
Taken two years after the tragedy, members of the Green family gathered with the recipients of Nicholas’s organs. Back row (l-r): Reg Green, Maggie Green, Andrea Mongiardo (heart), Francesco Mondello (cornea), Tino Motta (kidney), Anna Maria Di Ceglie (kidney), Eleanor Green. Front row (l-r): Laura Green, Maria Pia Pedala (liver), Domenica Galleta (cornea), Silvia Ciampi…

Remembering the Woolworth store

May 29, 2024
Rutland City back in the ‘50s had three stores that could be considered “variety stores.” They were well known “chain stores” namely F. W. Woolworth, M.H. Fishman and SS Kresge. They were located just doors away from one another on Merchants Row. Of the three variety stores F.W. Woolworth was my mother’s favorite. We often…

‘Shiffrin Gold’

May 29, 2024
The K Cloud had its way with us this Memorial Day, with a fog so thick that you didn’t realize you had gotten to the bottom of Superstar until you saw the two bright orange slow signs ahead in the mist. It was like being in a whole other world, our world, where only the craziest…

A rock in a hard place

May 29, 2024
My wife and were out shopping recently when we stumbled upon a small concert taking place in a nearby park. It was one of those early evening performances that most cities sponsor throughout the summer months. There were people sitting on blankets in the grass while others had brought beach chairs. A few daring folks…

The wonders of aerialinsectivore flight 

May 29, 2024
When I worked at a barn one summer during college, I marveled at the swallows that nested in the structure’s eaves and corners. I watched the iridescent birds swoop, flutter, and dart with amazing dexterity between the small spaces above the stalls. These acrobatic birds are aerial insectivores, a group that also includes other swallows,…

Mountain Meditation: Our magical mountain retreat in an upside down world

May 29, 2024
Building our Killington Dream Lodge, Part 15 Dad, a mechanical engineer, understood the principles of levers, pulleys and gears. He used them to lift heavy beams to the second floor and on top of the frame. It had to be done methodically, piece by piece with planning and forethought. He bought the materials as his…

Jump

May 29, 2024
By Isabelle Gieder My tires whiz as I zip down the mountain, darting through rock and sticks. I lean into a turn and whip my bike around. I see a jump in front of me. I steady the bike and pump. I launch off of the jump. Time seems to slow as I fly through…

The cost of conformity

May 29, 2024
The threshold has been crossed that will define the next 12 months.  To face towards the light, you must first face the depths of doubt, your shadows from the past and decimate all uncertainty. Bow only to those who can place judgement upon you. And that will not be who you think.Strike the match. Light…

Moving sticks and rocks

May 22, 2024
By Merisa Sherman Then the tough choice of how to play today:ski, bike, paddle, fish, hike, run?  The bug went down my throat. Literally, flew down my throat and landed in the back at such speed that I had no choice but to just swallow. Mmmmm, gotta love that extra protein that Vermont provides during…

What are the chances?

May 22, 2024
Vesna Vulovic is a name etched in the annals of miraculous survival — perhaps the most unlikely survival story of all time. She was thrust into the spotlight on Jan. 26, 1972, when she unwittingly became a symbol of human resilience.  A native of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Vesna’s journey to that fateful day began like that…

The Outside Story: Jesup’s milk-vetch: A rare beauty

May 22, 2024
By Emily Haynes A few ledges along the Connecticut River are home to a rare plant commonly known as Jesup’s milk-vetch (Astragalus robbinsii var. jesupii). In fact, this species, which has been listed as federally endangered since 1987, only grows at six sites along a 16-mile stretch of the river in New Hampshire and Vermont. But…

Boys, brothers, dad, Vermont

May 22, 2024
Building a Killington Dream Lodge: part 14 By Marguerite Jill Dye Dad made progress and forged ahead on our Killington ski lodge while Mom, Billie, and I toured Europe. Our extensive European whirlwind trip was the very beginning of my awakening to understand the world and how I fit in. I had no idea what…

With the Bees

May 22, 2024
Save the bees, It’s what we must do, Try not to harm them, Even if it seems like they may harm you. Try to be their friend, Observe their beauty, I can live in harmony with the bees, You can too.

Truth is revealed through paradoxes

May 22, 2024
Scroll through any social media platform and you’ll notice titles such as “The truth About” Why are these titles so effective when the “truth” shared is merely an opinion? I guess somewhere along the timeline, humans became accustomed to the idea of believing in one thing, one supposed truth, a savior. Let’s be honest, it’s…

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, dig deep and delivered with heart

May 22, 2024
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 collaborating to tell short stories on a wide…