By Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus, UVM Shrubs with red berries come in handy this time of year for use in holiday decorations and arrangements, for feeding wildlife, and for brightening landscapes. Although the well-known American and Chinese hollies can’t be grown in many cold northern climates, other fine red-berried shrubs are suitable and…

Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.—LUDLOW—In keeping with tradition, FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) put up the annual Christmas tree on the stage of Ludlow Town Hall’s Auditorium recently. The tree was decorated by FOLA members and friends. It will be featured on the stage of the auditorium throughout the Christmas season which will be highlighted…

There are nearly 150 children in DCF foster care this holiday season, between Rutland, Middlebury, and Bennington. Many are without basic necessities moving into their foster homes. Head Over Heels Gymnastics and Tatum’s Totes, along with Liz Grimes, are organizing a last minute toy and gift drive to help children have a little happier Christmas…

LUDLOW—There is no greater joy than a child receiving a Christmas gift on Christmas Day and again this year Benson’s Chevrolet at 25 Pond Street in Ludlow will be a drop-off location for Toys for Tots. They will be collecting toys for children in need in the Ludlow area until Dec. 22. Donated items can…

By Julia Purdy “I have been fortunate to live in complex cluttered spaces,” wrote painter Diane Fitch in the statement for her show, “Interiors,” now on display at the Castleton Downtown Gallery until Jan. 7. While persistent clutter defies our best attempts to organize and cull, Fitch sees something much different: lines and spaces, enclosures…

Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON—Maple Jam is Vermont’s own a cappella jazz octet specializing in close-harmony vocal arrangements of sweet love songs and swinging big band favorites. On Dec. 17, they visit Brandon Music, bringing some of their wintry mix along, with seasonal songs, snow, and Santa appearing in many of them. The repertoire will…

Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—Trinity Episcopal Church will reprise its festive feast which was so successful last year. The concert and banquet will take place Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. with guests congregating in the church for the concert. Trinity Church is located at 85 West St. in downtown Rutland. Dinner will be…

Sunday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.—RANDOLPH—The Chandler Film Society will present the Oscar-winning Danish film “Babette’s Feast” on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Based on a short story by Isak Dinesen, Gabriel Axel’s film is the second of the Film Society’s movies about food. It tells the story of pious sisters Martine and Philippa,…

Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 —BROWNSVILLE—On Sunday, Dec. 18, Brownsville Community Church will sponsor an Advent & Christmas Concert & Carol sing, the third of a series of free concerts this year open to the public. Talent from the Church community and the wider community will come together to offer a seasonal concert and concert goers…

Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.—KILLINGTON—The Greater Killington Women’s Club (GKWC) will be celebrating its annual holiday dinner Thursday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m. at the Summit Lodge located at 200 Summit Road, Killington. Current and potential members are invited to join them for this annual club tradition which includes the Yankee Swap kicking off the holiday season…

Thursday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.—POULTNEY—With the December holidays approaching, Green Mountain College’s Wellness Center is hosting a public nutrition workshop titled “Avoiding the Freshman 15 and Holiday Weight Gain—Eating for Health” at the GMC campus on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 4-6 p.m. The workshop will be led by Nutritional Life Coach Kacie Winston-Shelvey. The program begins at 4 p.m. in the…

The Vermont Holiday Festival returned to the ballroom at the Killington Grand Hotel in its 12th year on Dec. 2-3. One hundred uniquely decorate holiday trees filled the venue with sights, sounds, and scents of the holiday season. Children and adults alike strolled the aisles with “ohs” and “ahs” at the sight of the beautifully…

Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.—The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) kicks off its Sunday Matinee Series in southwestern Vermont this season with three performances at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland. The series opens with a Holiday Pops concert on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. featuring the VSO Chorus, José Daniel Flores-Carraballo, director and Anthony Princiotti conducting…

Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON—The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble, an a cappella group from Russia, presents Masterpieces of Russian Choral Music: From Baroque to Classical at Brandon Music Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. as part of their popular annual tour through the U.S. As usual, the first part of the program will be…

Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m.—QUECHEE—The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) will celebrate Snowy Owl Appreciation Day on Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This full-day event is just one of the many winter-themed environmental education experiences VINS will offer throughout the season. Join VINS for a special day dedicated to the majesty of…