Vermont continues to lead the nation by a commanding margin as the top maple producing state. Total U.S. maple syrup production in 2020 was 4.37 million gallons, with Vermont’s contribution accounting for 2.22 million of those gallons (that’s about 51% of U.S. production). The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association (VMSMA) offers the statewide annual Maple…

Dorset Theatre Festival is taking its acclaimed Art of storytelling and playwriting workshops online to students this spring. Building on the success of their first online workshop in fall 2020, the festival is expanding its offerings to reach as many middle and high school students in Vermont as possible and provide support to Vermont teachers.…

All are welcome to attend a free virtual Abenaki speaker series this spring, hosted by the Community College of Vermont (CCV). The series is part of CCV’s ongoing effort to honor the Abenaki people, who originally stewarded the land on which the college’s 12 academic centers are located. “We are pleased to have three accomplished…

Feb. 19 – 28—This series by the Vermont International Film Festival will feature recorded conversations with directors Natasha NGaiza and Ashley O’Shay.  The series will be available for 10 days on VTIFF’s online portal at watch.vtiff.org. More information, tickets and passes on vtiff.org/vtiff-now/split-screen/ The six films  1. “Losing Ground” by Kathleen Collins  One of the first American features directed by a Black woman, Kathleen Collins’s 1982 film was released…

Home renovation trends are ever-changing. Renovations that might have been de rigueur 20 years ago may seem dated now. Recognizing the potentially popular trends of tomorrow is a great way for homeowners to give their homes a fresh new look and put themselves in position to capitalize on popular trends when they put their homes…

The Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) would like to remind you that February is National Pet Dental Health Month. An astonishing 80% of dogs and 70% of cats shows signs of oral disease by age 3. Symptoms of gum disease in dogs and cats include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line,…

Being a good babysitter involves more than just knowing how to keep kids entertained. To help middle school youths learn the skills needed to be a responsible, caring and capable babysitter, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H is offering a free six-hour babysitting course via Zoom. Anyone in grades 5-8 may register for one of three…

Sundog Poetry Center is pleased to announce that “the blue-collar sun” by Lucas Farrell of Townshend is the winner of the 2020 Sundog Poetry Book Award for a first or second manuscript by a Vermont-based poet. “the blue-collar sun” will be published in partnership with Green Writers Press of Brattleboro  this spring. The award also includes a $500 cash prize, 50…

Rootstock Publishing, a Montpelier-based publisher and imprint of Multicultural Media, Inc., announces the release of “A Lawyer’s Life to Live”, a memoir by Kimberly B. Cheney, Vermont Attorney General (1973-1975), of Montpelier. “A Lawyer’s Life to Live” is about a unique time when Vermont culture was ready for change, and one young lawyer heeded the…

Liz ONeill, a third-generation Vermonter currently residing in Brookline, is a retired teacher having taught for over 25 years and spent 30 plus years volunteering and working at a woman’s advocacy shelter and as a mental health worker for those dealing with substance abuse. Through her experience in education and mental wellness, ONeill was inspired to…

By Brooke Geery Painter Maurie Harrington has been called the “traveling artist” for her penchant for jet-setting to exotic locales around the globe, but she is happy to call Vermont home. “Travel and art have been a big part of my life,” Harrington said. “I love painting snow scenes in Killington. I only have to…

By Brooke Geery Sunday is Valentine’s Day, and like everything else in the last year, it won’t look like ever before. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate safely with your sweetie, and to help you we’ve put together a list of local ideas and happenings to make the 14th day of February special. Travel…

Splitboard Vermont organizers were feeling a bit isolated and lonely while working hard to do their part in fighting the current world health crisis. In trying to figure out ways to hang with the splitboard community at festivals like Pico Hiko and Bolton Valley Split and Surf-fest, they realized there was just no way to…

Ingredients 3/4 cup Sugarmaker’s Cut pure maple syrup ½ cup apple cider vinegar ½ cup fresh apple cider pinch kosher salt 1 lb Brussels sprouts vegetable oil for frying Directions Combine maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, apple cider and salt in a medium sized pot. Reduce by 1/4 over medium heat stirring constantly. Set aside.…

Saturday, Feb. 13 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.—RUTLAND—Snowmobile enthusiasts are encouraged to pre-register their snowmobiles— new or vintage —for judging at the 2nd annual Snowmobile Festival, Feb. 13 at the Vermont State Fairgrounds,175 South Main St. in Rutland. The show and judging begin at 10 a.m. Admission is free and all are welcome. This year please…