Dec. 11, 19-21—RUTLAND—The 2018 annual Gift-of-Life Marathon blood drive is scheduled for four days in December. It comes at a time when the American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to give now to ensure that blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season. Please mark your calendar and plan to…

By Russell Jones BRANDON — From in-store discounts and sales to a chance to get cash back or win money, the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Brandon Alliance have teamed up with the town to offer residents more reasons than ever to shop local this year as Moonlight Madness kicks off Wednesday,…

Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m.—BRANDON—The Brandon Festival Singers, under the direction of Gene Childers and accompanied by Jean Childers, will present the 38th annual Brandon Carol Festival featuring a wide variety of Christmas choral arrangements of traditional, contemporary and original music for the season on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Brandon Congregational Church, 1 Carver St.,…

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2 p.m.—RUTLAND—Community College of Vermont (CCV)-Rutland invites the public to an open house on Wednesday, Dec. 12 to learn about its certified production technician (CPT) training program. The CPT is a nationally recognized credential designed to boost career opportunities in the field of manufacturing. Open house guests will have the chance to…

Thursday, Dec. 6—CHESTER—Five newly elected legislators will speak on Dec. 6 at the Chester Rotary First Thursday event. Three senators – Alison Clarkson, Alice Nitka and Dick McCormack – along with representatives Tom Bock and Annmarie Christensen will provide an overview of their legislative work in Montpelier. They will talk about upcoming state initiatives and budget issues. Each…

By DJ Dave Hoffenberg Come to McGrath’s Irish Pub, Sunday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. for the first ever Killington appearance of Pam and Dan. Hailing from Carbondale, Colorado, they are embarking on their Ikon ski and music tour. They plan to play music at all of the Ikon pass resorts in North America to…

Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.—PLYMOUTH NOTCH— Step back in time to celebrate the traditions of the season at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. The Coolidge Holiday Open House has been recognized as a 2018-2019 “Top 10 Winter Event” by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The event is free, open to the public, ADA…

Sunday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m.—CAVENDISH— Dec. 11, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Soviet dissident and Nobel Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Author of such books as “Gulag Archipelago, “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich,” and “Cancer Ward,” Solzhenitsyn used his experiences and writing to draw the world’s attention to conditions in the Soviet…

Saturday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON— Vermont’s own Va-et-vient is a trio performing French, Québecois, Cajun, and Créole music. Carol Reed, Suzanne Germain, and Lausanne Allen each have backgrounds rich in French cultures and language through lifelong experiences living and traveling in French-speaking lands. They create beautiful harmonies, teaching and engaging audiences on both sides of…

Saturday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m.—WOODSTOCK— The ninth annual Woodstock Vermont Film Series at the Billings Farm & Museum will feature the award-winning documentary, “Puzzle,” on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in HD projection and surround sound, with complimentary refreshments. Reservations are strongly recommended. Marc Turtletaub’s first narrative feature, “Puzzle” provides a closely observed portrait of Agnes,…

Monday, Dec. 3, 8 a.m.—PITTSFORD— The Rutland County Humane Society (RCHS) is working with VT-CAN (a low cost spay/neuter clinic in Vermont) to host a low cost spay/neuter clinic for Rutland County cats on Monday, Dec. 3 in Pittsford. Prior registration is required. Female cat spays and male cat neuters are $65 including rabies and…

Sunday, Dec. 2, 7 a.m.—LUDLOW— Okemo Mountain Resort invites skiers and snowboarders to consider the needs of those less fortunate as the holidays approach. On Sunday, Dec. 2, Okemo will host its annual December Cares and Shares Food Drive. When guests donate at least five non-perishable food items, a new child’s toy, or new clothing…

Saturday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.—LUDLOW— "Hello, My Name is Doris" will be the next FOLA movie shown on Saturday, Dec.1 at 7 p.m. at Heald Auditorium at the Ludlow Town Hall. The film is a 2015 American romantic comedy-drama film about a woman in her 60s who tries to act on her attraction to a…

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m.—RUTLAND— The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) will host its 30th annual Tree of Remembrance ceremony at the Franklin Conference Center, Howe Square in Rutland on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Tree of Remembrance ceremony is…

Sunday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m.—BRANDON— The Friends of the Brandon Free Public Library’s annual holiday auction will take place on Sunday, Dec. 2 beginning at 2 p.m. Over 50 local patrons, artists and Brandon businesses have donated wreaths, ornaments and other seasonal decorations, works of art, hand crafted wooden items, dinners for two, birdhouses, gift…