Officials at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a nationally recognized nonprofit providing sports and recreation year-round to people with disabilities, announced Jan. 26 that Molly Tobin, program coordinator for the organization, has been awarded the 2021 Kellen Sams Memorial Leadership Award. “We are thrilled that Molly is this year’s recipient of the award,” said Christine…

Big Lazy and Mamie Minch Sunday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. — PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts in Putney announces a performance featuring two underground bands from the Brooklyn Barbés scene, on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Big Lazy has flourished for over two decades in NYC’s downtown music scene. Simultaneously noir and pastoral,…

Emergencies, especially storms, can be unpredictable and cause personal injury and costly damage to homes. The right insurance is essential to help mitigate damage from storms and soften the financial blow that such destruction can cause. Not all insurance is the same, and additional policies and riders may help reduce the impact of emergencies. Homeowners'…

By Victoria Gaither Although skiing and snowboarding dominate central Vermont this time of the year, another outdoor sport pedals along — fat biking. “Up here in Vermont, people love riding them, a lot of people do move mostly to skiing in the winter, but for the way our weather is going, I don’t see fat…

Why your local paper matters Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. — VIRTUAL — Vermont Independent Media (VIM), publisher of The Commons, will host a panel discussion with Vermont publishers/editors about the future of local journalism on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. VIM’s panelists will discuss the turmoil in local journalism today…

By Deborah J. Benoit Forsythia in February? Impossible, you say? Not so. A vase full of flowers from the garden won’t take much more effort than harvesting some branches to force them to bloom. A good time to take cuttings for forcing is when you’re doing your annual winter pruning. If pruning isn’t on your…

Home improvement projects require substantial financial investment. But just because a homeowner wants to bring a fresh look indoors doesn’t mean he or she has to break the bank along the way. Living rooms are some of the most frequently used spaces in a home, and they can use an update from time to time…

Friday, Feb. 4 — PERU — Staff of Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center (SVRCC) in Bennington, Rebecca Hewson-Steller, RN; Jenny Coutu, MSN, RN; Mary Weinfurt, RN; Naomi Bolognani; and Matthew Vernon, MD, gathered to invite members of the public to enjoy a fun day of skiing and riding on Friday, Feb. 4. That’s the day…

Warming up on cold days can be a challenge. Bundling up near the fireplace is one way to keep warm, as is dining on hearty meals that have staying power. Chili is a cold-weather staple that is full of delicious, fresh ingredients. A little chili goes a long way, and it can be spiced up…

Vermont’s Free Ice Fishing Day this year is Saturday, Jan. 29, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. “Ice fishing can be a great way to introduce people to how much fun fishing can be,” said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick. “Showing youngsters or adult new anglers how to jig for perch or…

By Angelo Lynn Mei Mei Brown, one of Brandon’s best known and prolific volunteers needs a kidney, but the message she wants to convey is to broaden the awareness of the process around organ transplants and the vital importance it has to those in need. “It’s very touching and humbling” to be in the position…

Watch on demand from Jan. 20-27, Q&A with the filmmaker held on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7:45 p.m. via Zoom “‘Petit Rat' is a portrait of three women facing their lost dreams,” explained director Wagman. Catch the film (screening on demand from Jan. 20-27) by visiting go.middlebury.edu/petitrat. On Thursday, Jan. 27, Middlebury College’s Film and…

Training is one of the most effective ways to keep companion animals safe and secure. When prospective pet owners begin looking for a new dog, one of the first thoughts that may come to mind is trainability and whether certain breeds are more readily trainable than others. The pet food manufacturers at Honest Kitchen indicate…

By Andrea Knepper Nothing brightens a dreary winter afternoon like a crisp, colorful seed catalog arriving in the mailbox. The anticipation of sunshine to come and daydreams of a bountiful harvest are welcome during these seasonally short days. I have been caught up in the excitement and found myself with enough seed packets in my…

As weather chills, that dip in temperature is often accompanied by cold and flu season. Many people are anxious to avoid feeling under the weather this time of year, and to help ward off many illnesses, one may only need to look to the kitchen stove. Chicken soups and other soup recipes long have been…