By Kevin Theissen Some big news recently was the announcement from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that fully vaccinated Americans can resume normal activities without wearing masks or social distancing, except where required by law. People are more than ready to return to normal. Results from the latest Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus survey, conducted in early…

By Dom Cioffi I generally weigh myself on the scale in my bathroom once a week. And almost every time I step on it, the numbers register around the same spot. There’s some natural fluctuation up and down through the year, but only by a pound or two. I guess I’m lucky because it’s been…

By Gabriel Johnson Editor’s note: Johnson is a Killington Mountain School student-athlete from Mendon.  Most people know that cycling can be good for your health, but did you know that it can also make you a more well-rounded and better athlete overall? Whether it be downhill mountain bike racing, free riding on local trails, road biking,…

By Nadie VanZandt, UVM Extension master gardener Community-organized sales of donated perennial plants are popular and profitable fundraisers for many garden clubs and organizations. Regrettably, they can become “super-spreader” events if care is not used to avoid spreading diseases, pests or invasive species. Basic hygiene and disease prevention strategies have been front and center in…

By Dom Cioffi I recently received an email from my son’s art teacher that explained how far behind he was in her class. She listed four outstanding assignments that my son has never handed in and was critical of his perceived lack of interest. She then requested that I speak with him so that he…

3-year-old. Spayed female. Pit mix. White with black. I have my sun bonnet on and am ready to do some gardening or maybe go to the beach for a little swim or sit in the sun. My name means “beautiful” and that I am! People are the best and I just want to be with…

By Hanna Holcomb I often watch out for stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) while hiking in central Vermont. As you might guess from its name, brushing against this plant causes a bee sting-like burn that can last for hours. Despite this irritation, humans have used stinging nettles for centuries as food, fiber, and medicine, including as…

By Kevin Theissen Have you ever considered buying a property in your favorite vacation spot?  If you are practical, maybe you’re tired of paying high rental prices. Or your family needs more room than you can get in a hotel or reasonably priced vacation rental. Or maybe you just want a place for your family…

By Merisa Sherman It’s that fun time of year, when there’s a fly in my ear. And my eye, and nose and also my beer. There is so much greatness in Vermont and such wonderful people, oftentimes it feels like we are living in a dream world. The green mountains, trails that wind through and…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Well, planting time is just around the corner! On Memorial Day weekend garden centers will be overflowing with people who are full of enthusiasm. They are excited about planting flowers to beautify their yards and planting veggies to enjoy throughout the summer and into fall. I love gardening to the point…

By Cassandra Tyndall It’s quite possible that things may generally go awry this week. Issues involving logistics, details and dates may seem skewed or misunderstood. The words you speak may not land the way you intend or, you could interpret a message the wrong way. Something you thought was done and dusted may require your…

By Susan Shea One summer, I took a nature drawing class, and we hiked up Stowe Pinnacle to sketch in the cool, mountain forest. I chose to draw a big yellow birch that had established itself on the steep slope. For a couple of hours, I stared at the base of the tree, trying to…

1-year-old. Spayed female. German shepherd mix. Black and beige. Adorable young lady with lots of energy looking for a new home! I am the perfect size to take for a ride in the car, sit on your lap and yes, maybe even snuggle with you on the bed! I love to play with all sorts…

The world’s 65 and older population is expanding rapidly By Kevin Theissen According to the most recent population estimates from the United Nations, “1 in 6 people in the world will be over the age 65 by 2050, up from 1 in 11 in 2019. The latest projections also show the number of people aged…

By Dom Cioffi My company held an event at its corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, this past week. We flew in select customers from all over the country to join us in our first in-person get-together in over a year. That strange sense of pandemic uneasiness loomed as folks arrived, but with all the…