LUDLOW—With the start of the 2024-2025 school year on Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Expeditionary School at Black River (ESBR) has announced several new updates.  There’ll be a new head of school, Michael Kell, at the helm this year to guide the vision of ESBR. Kell has an extensive educational background and he is always eager…

By Victoria Gaither PITTSFORD—When Lothrop Elementary School students return to the classrooms on Wednesday, Aug. 28, administrators and teachers have been busy as bees in the summer preparing for the big day. “As soon as students leave, we have a schedule for the summer of what needs to get done,” explained Principal Stacey Farrington. This…

Staff report Otter Valley Union Middle and High School in Leicester is one of a few Vermont schools that has had to scramble ahead of the first day of school — rearranging classes, or in some cases have delaying the start of the school year begins due to mold. Otter Valley Union Middle and High…

Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25—LUDLOW—The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the fourth annual Best of Vermont Summer Festival on Saturday, Aug. 24, from noon-7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The event will take place at Okemo Field (Bixby Field) at the intersection of Route 103 & Bixby Road in…

Saturday, Aug. 24—BARNARD— Block off your calendar for 7 hours of fun on Saturday as the Barnard Street Dance owns the day! This beloved, family-friendly event is in its third year of revival by BarnArts, and takes place primarily around Barnard Town Hall from 2-9 p.m. Local food vendors and a lineup of local bands…

Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.—LUDLOW—Friends of Ludlow Auditorium (FOLA) will celebrate the return of its annual Classic Silent Festival on Saturday, at 7 p.m. in the Heald Auditorium at Ludlow Town Hall. To make this a very special event, the main feature will be the classic comedy, “The Last Laugh”, which was first screened…

Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. —BRIDGEWATER— Cyndy Bittinger author of “Vermont Women, Native Americans & African Americans: Out of the Shadows of History,” will speak at the Bridgewater Grange on Sunday. Her book takes a fresh look at Vermont’s history, uncovering hidden stories, from the earliest inhabitants to present day citizens. One section includes Achsa Sprague of Plymouth,…

Saturday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m.—WOODSTOCK—A amateur dog show, Puppies and Pooches on Parade, will be held on the Woodstock Green this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone “with adorable pooches” were invited to register (registration closed Tuesday, Aug. 20). Prizes will be awarded to winners in several categories. The Vermont State Police…

Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.—CASTLETON — The summer rodeo season is nearing its end. This Saturday is the second to last rodeo of the 10-week season, which began June 29 and ends Aug. 31. Events begin at 7:30 p.m. each week.  Pond Hill Pro Rodeo Company has produced rodeos for over 50 years at…

Saturday, Aug. 24 at 12 p.m.—LUDLOW—It’s that time of year, when the ducks are preparing for race down the Black River in the Ralph D. Hogancamp Memorial Duck Race to help a local group on Aug. 24 at noon.  This year the race proceeds will go to Lake Rescue Association of Ludlow. The Ludlow Rotary…

Saturday, Aug. 24—CHITTENDEN—The town of Chittenden will celebrate Chittenden Day on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Barstow School, 223 Chittenden Road.  The Barstow PTO-sponsored Bobcat Bolt Fun Runs begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration opening at 8 a.m.  At noon enjoy a barbecue lunch put on by the Chittenden Volunteer Fire Dept. — this is their…

Saturday, Aug. 24—QUECHEE— A fun-filled day of competitions, clans, vendors, food and entertainment will be held during The celebration of tradition Scottish Games at the Quechee Polo Field, Quechee Main Street, Saturday. Step onto the field and experience decades of timeless tradition. Immerse yourself in the vibrant essence of Scots culture as clans encircle the main…

Sunday, Aug. 25 at 11 a.m.—KILLINGTON— This Sunday, Mission Farm in Killington will host its second annual Meadows & Mountains Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will take place at the beautiful 180-acre cooperative space at 316 Mission Farm Road in Killington.  There will be live music featuring talented local musicians, raffle…

WED 8/21 BETHEL7 p.m. Bandshell – Scott Forrest BOMOSEEN6 p.m. Lakehouse Pub & Grille – Shakey Pines BRANDON6 p.m. Brandon Inn (Behind) – Music on the Riverbend with Extra Stout KILLINGTON5 p.m. The Umbrella Bar at Snowshed – Bike Bum Party with music by Chris Pallutto LUDLOW6 p.m. Off the Rails – Learn to Line…

Soulshine Revival is making their triumphant return to the Cooler in the Mountains concert series this Saturday outside the K-1 Base Lodge in Killington at 3 p.m. This will be their second year in a row playing it. If you don’t know, the band is an Allman Brothers Tribute. I can only attend one Cooler…