Mark your calendars and adopt a (plastic) duckie or two The duckies will have masks this year and will distance socially as they swim! Join the Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) for our annual Duck Derby to raise needed funds for the homeless animals in Rutland County. On Thursday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m., adopted (plastic)…

Vermont River Conservancy announced a new set of guidelines to follow at swimming holes given the pandemic, according to a news release May 22. The Vermont River Conservancy (VRC) anticipates swimming holes throughout the state will see many visitors with the warm weather forecast this week. VRC’s core mission is protecting public access to places…

LUDLOW—As Governor Scott eases restrictions on businesses, the staff at Black River Good Neighbors’ thrift stores has begun to plan a strategic reopening. No date has been set yet for either the actual reopening or for receiving donations. Some things are quite clear, however. Because the store has been closed there’s a surplus of inventory…

With so many Vermonters staying home and staying safe, there is an increased interest in gardening. To protect each other and find safe activities that connect us with the living world, gardens present a unique opportunity. If you would like to start composting but aren’t sure how to begin, satisfy your compost curiosity by exploring the…

By Melinda Myers Fill your gardens with beautiful plants that produce an abundance of seeds the birds will love. You’ll enjoy the flowers as well as the birds that visit to dine on the seeds. Best of all, there is no feeder to refill or clean. Sunflowers are likely the first seed-producing plant that comes…

June 1–5—WOODSTOCK— Visit Billings Farm online June 1-5, 2020 to get in tune with the life cycles on the farm.  See how much the baby farm animals have grown since the baby farm animal celebration in April. Check in on the peeping Black Copper Maran chicks, the adorable lambs Maple and Marvin, and with Jersey calf Billings Casino Vegas, named by online visitors during April’s Name the Calf contest. The gardens are growing too! Take a…

Bee rescue available in Mt. Holly MounT HOLLY—Warmer weather can cause honeybee colonies to form swarms and go looking for a new home.  If you see a mass of honeybees hanging somewhere in the open like on your house, a tree or shrub, or anyplace else, this might be a swarm.  They are not aggressive…

Saturday, May 30 at 12:30 p.m.—BRIDGEWATER—The Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals (VVSA) Humane Society is offering a drive-up-and-poke rabies clinic on Saturday, May 30, rain or shine, in the parking lot of the Bridgewater Mill Mall, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The cost is $12 per shot. Animals will stay in the car. Check in…

Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m.—LUDLOW— While Covid-19 has changed much in our regular lifestyle, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) has decided that it would not stop it from presenting a planned musical concert featuring Susan Haefner and her guest, Lisa Brigantino. So, on Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m., FOLA presents “An Evening with Susan Haefner”…

Saturday, May 30—VERMONT—Vermont is believed to have the oldest statewide yearly clean up event in the country and will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Green Up Day with various events leading up to Saturday, May 30, 2020. In celebration of 50 years of success and 50 more to come, Green Up Vermont is introducing…

Vermont’s auction for three moose hunting permits is open until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 12.  Bids will be opened and winners notified on Aug. 13. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife board authorized a total of 55 permits for the 2020 moose season.  Auction winners of three of those permits will hunt in Wildlife Management Unit E in…

WOODSTOCK—Calling all kids, adults and unicorns! Do snowflakes on thistles inspire you?  Does the first spring daffodil make you smile?  Show your talent in paintings, drawings and photos. If you like it, Pentangle is  sure to love it. Your creativity is part of what makes this community shine! You create it, they’ll share it. Send…

KILLINGTON— The Killington Farmers’ Market is scheduled to return this summer to Killington Sports every Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The season will run from July 10 to September 25. Max Elles has taken the lead for promoting, organizing, and directing the Killington Farmers’ Market for summer 2020. Interested vendors should submit the…

By Brooke Geery A summer staple in the Rutland area, the Village Snack Bar is officially open for the season. Brian and Mark Fothergill purchased the restaurant earlier this year, and have been making some changes and improvements, including ordering 24 brand new, custom-built picnic tables for additional seating. Due to Covid-19, the tables have…

RUTLAND— The Rutland Recreation Depart. has openings in all three of its community gardens. The gardens are open to anyone and each one is unique! The Northeast gardens have a range of sizes with trails right off the gardens. The Northwest garden is in the middle of a neighborhood and has 16 plots available in…