Natural motivator "Every day, you should do something that scares you a little and excites you a lot." -Eleanor Roosevelt I was ready to wander. My completed book manuscript had been sent to the printer. I packed for a solo trip that I was afraid to take. As a happy, busy grandmother for 10…

  Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 4-5 at 3 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Billings Farm and Museum will present the film, “Whitman Brook: An Apple Orchard and the Nature of Time,” directed by Ben Silberfarb, in the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater.  “This film is about life’s pace. It’s about our place in time, environmental stewardship, and it’s a love…

  Thursday-Friday, Nov. 2-3—LUDLOW—Benson’s Chevrolet Inc. in Ludlow has partnered with an amazing team of superheroes without capes to spread more HOPE (Hold On, Possibilities Exist) at Green Mountain Union High School and within the local community. Pat Fish, of Sweethearts & Heroes, will be at Green Mountain Union High School on Thursday, Nov. 2…

  RUTLAND—“I Am Vermont Too” a photo-story project on view at VTSU Castleton Bank Gallery  on 104 Merchants Row in Rutland, began in March of 2014. Modeled after the “I, Too, Am Harvard” initiative, the “I Am Vermont Too” photo-story project shines a light on the diversity of identities and experiences of Black, Indigenous and People…

  Friday-Saturday, Nov. 3-4—RUTLAND—The 3rd annual Holiday Artisan Gift Show at the Chaffee Art Center Friday, Nov. 3 from 4–7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. will feature items that are unique, handmade and affordable.  This event is perfect for gift giving or to treating yourself.  Vendors will be selling pottery, ornaments,…

  CASTLETON—Castleton’s neighborhood hot spot, Blue Cat Bistro, has partnered with George Nostrand of Rutland’s A Sound Space to bring 10 shows to their venue, every Friday through the end of the year, starting Nov. 3. The bar/ bistro is owned by John Rehlen, who also ownsthe Castleton Pizza Place & Deli, the Castleton Village…

  Thursday, Nov.  2, 5-7 p.m. —PITTSFIELD — Same Sun of Vermont welcomes participants to the Clear River Inn & Tavern to learn about the benefits of solar energy.   Complementary food, drinks and giveaways will be offered to all.  The evening is part of a series known as The River Events, celebrating Same Sun’s 13th year in…

  Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 2-5 —CASTLETON—VTSU Castleton Theatre Arts Presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Happiness is great musical theatre! With charm, wit, and heart, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the "Peanuts" gang. This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the…

  Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—“Mindful Musings,” an exhibition of paintings by D. Scotti Hanson, is on display in the Mezzanine Gallery of Norman Williams Public Library from Nov. 1-Dec.  31. Hanson will be on hand on Saturday for a reception and artist talk. Hanson discussed his art style: “My artistic development stems from…

  Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND— Railroad Earth, a celebrated quintet from New Jersey, has been captivating audiences with their unpredictable live shows and eloquent studio output for over two decades. The group introduced their signature sound, bluegrass-influenced Americana, on 2001’s "The Black Bear Sessions. "Since then, they have sold out hallowed venues such…

  Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.—SHREWSBURY—Joan Aleshire, Vermont author and founder of SAGE, an organization that supports sustainable agricultural education and the arts, will be at the Shrewsbury Library to read from her new novel, "Belfield," out now from Green Writers Press.   The novel is based on an incident in the life of Charles Willson…

  Courtesy Paramount Theatre “Vanish” will be screened Friday at the Paramount Theatre.   Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.—RUTLAND­—“Vanish —Disappearing Icons of a Rural America” is a remarkable story of past and present. “Vanish” chronicles the “visual preservation” adventures of fine art photographer Jim Westphalen as he travels across the country seeking out and…

Q&A with homeowner/creator Barbara Spaulding sheds light on two decade of spook By Karly Haven/Real Rutland       Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 5-8:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Head to 52 Bellevue Avenue in Rutland, the Spaulding’s house and experience a masterpiece of spook that’s been perfected for two decades. They’re trying to hit a new record for attendance!…

Submitted Bat Week takes place Oct. 24-31 and aims to raise awareness about the vital ecological functions of bats and to dispel the many myths and misinformation about them.   Bat Week takes place Oct. 24-31 and aims to raise awareness about the vital ecological functions of bats and to dispel the many myths and…

Karen Montanaro     Tuesday-Saturday, Oct. 24-28—POULTNEY—Internationally acclaimed mime/movement artist Karen Montanaro  performed at the Young at Heart Senior Center 206 Furnace St. in Poultney Tuesday, Oct. 24, and will perform a culminating show on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Stone Valley Arts, 145 E. Main St., Poultney.  A workshop for adults will be held from 4:15-5:45 p.m. ($15 fee) and a public performance…