By Brooke Geery Rutland-based author Peter Hogankamp announced the cover art for his latest book, “The Vatican Secret” as well as offering pre-orders of the title on his website. “The original title of the book was ‘Doubt,’ but the publisher decided to change it to match ‘The Vatican Conspiracy,’ he said. “I am still not sure…

By Brooke Geery Sometime during the middle of December, a large metal monolith appeared on top of a mountain in Pittsfield. Like the other monoliths that have showed up in Utah, Romania and California recently, its appearance was a mystery. Then, late in the day on Wednesday, Dec. 23, it disappeared. Not, however, before some…

By Brooke Geery If ever there was a year we were ready to have in the rearview it’s 2020. Thank goodness 2021 is almost here. While like most other things this year, celebrations will look different than ever before, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat, drink and be merry from a safe social distance. Sure,…

Start the new year on the right foot with a hike in a Vermont state park. On Jan. 1, 2021, Vermont State Parks is inviting everyone to celebrate the New Year by heading out on the trails at one of Vermont’s 55 state parks. Park entry is free on New Year’s Day (and all winter…

By Brooke Geery KILLINGTON— Pre-Covid, The Backroom was a “dinner party style” venue in Pittsfield, an intimate experience created by Chef Kevin Lasko and his wife Katie Stiles. However, in today’s socially-distant climate, the space became unsafe for guests. So for this winter, the couple pivoted, moving operations into a truck and offering a to-go…

By Brooke Geery For local fried chicken fans, there is a bright side to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Rollin’ Rooster food trucks have pumped out so much food for hungry Vermonters since the pandemic began in March, that owners Nicole and Scott Bower have expanded to multiple trucks, and now, a brick and mortar location…

  Always at the forefront of ensuring Vermont’s great outdoors is accessible for all, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, the nationally recognized non-profit that provides sports and recreation year-round for people with disabilities, continues to work closely with multiple organizations and groups in the state to build inclusive and to adapt existing mountain bike trails…

You keep meaning to buy one... Now’s the time!  The Rutland Jewish center’s Kosher Yankee Cookbook boasts nearly 600 of its members’ best recipes in a beautiful three-ring binder— grab one or a few for holiday gifts! Cookbooks are $22 each, and all proceeds support the RJC. Shipping is $5 per book, and you can…

2021 hunting, fishing, trapping licenses are available online Vermont hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for 2021 and license gift certificates are available at vtfishandwildlife.com. Proceeds go to manage wildlife and conserve habitat. “Our licenses for the New Year will be popular based on the increased interest we are seeing from people who want to enjoy…

Vagrants,  in partnership with Parlor Skis and presented by Life is Good, introduce “Made Back East,” a natively New England ski film that explores the love affair with backcountry skiing in our own backyard. The ski community refers to our home as “Back East,” assuming that anybody who grew up skiing here would eventually find…

New to ice fishing? Looking for fishing tips? Wondering how the fish survive a winter under the ice? Want to meet your local state game warden? The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. will be conducting educational patrols during winter 2021 on Vermont lakes and ponds. “We know many anglers have questions they would like to…

Comedian Joel Chasnoff hosts the 8th annual Chrismas Eve for the Jews—this time, virtually! Joel welcomes stand-up comedian Mark Normand (The Tonight Show, Conan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), Ophira Eisenberg (Host of NPR’s quiz show “Ask Me Another”), Jessica Kirson (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The View, The Comedian), sketch comedy from…

“A book for our time of isolation, and a reminder ‘home’ is our real destination” Cara Armstrong, director of Norwich University’s School of Architecture+Art and Design+Build Collaborative has published “A Trick of Living,” a book of digital sketches and poems. The digital sketching adventure began for Armstrong, who also teaches classes in design and architecture,when…

By Nadie VanZandt / Extension Master Gardener Intern, University of Vermont Amaryllis, a popular holiday plant, is cherished for its showy flowers in hues ranging from stark white to dazzling red. This species was discovered in 1828 by a German botanist in Chile and classified as Hippeastrum, a genus of the Amaryllidacaea family. Growers hybridized…

Join on Zoom from the warmth of your home on Christmas Eve to celebrate the joy of Christmas! Church of Our Saviour at Mission Farm will offer a Christmas Eve celebration from the heart of the Green Mountains. Its service of lessons and carols will begin with a children’s story and continue with telling of the…