By Nicole Sanchez, master gardener Oregon State University extension service For those seeking to “spruce” up their interior spaces during the holidays, fresh evergreens are a great place to start. In addition to the natural feel and fragrance, evergreens are especially forgiving to work with. Even those with little experience in floral design can effectively…

By Brooke Geery Portland, Oregon-based professional snowboarder Erik Leon kicked off his "CORENATION" jam session tour on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Killington. The charity event — this stop to benefit Vermont Adaptive — has a goal of making snowboarding fun and accessible, in response to the insane level of riding the general public sees in…

Dec. 17-18 — CHESTER — The Stone Village Art Guild and the First Universalist Parish in Chester are holding a fine art and craft sale Friday, Dec. 17 from 12-5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the First Universalist Parish on Rt 103/211 North St. in Chester’s "stone village."…

Free filming of holiday greetings for Rutland County residents, businesses, and organizations Spread holiday cheer and reach over 20,000 homes! Rutland Region Community Television (PEGTV) invites the public to send in or reserve a time to record a non-commercial, short holiday greeting to be aired on television throughout the upcoming holiday season. It’s a great…

By Nadie VanZandt, Extension master gardener, University of Vermont Hung in doorways to spread holiday cheer, mistletoe is rich in mythology and tradition. Mistletoe comes from the Old English word “mistiltan” in which “mistil” means “dung” and “tan” means “twig.” This reference to bird droppings is certainly counterintuitive to mistletoe’s romantic symbolism. Mistletoe is the…

Christmas trees for personal use only may now be cut on Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) lands, subject to purchase of a permit. Christmas tree cutting area maps Trees may be cut only within designated areas within both north and south sections of the GMNF. Downloadable maps are available online at recreation.gov/tree-permits/gmfl, or by visiting…

By Virginia Dean Local resident Matt Buck had always dreamed of opening a soup eatery, and this past November, his wish came true. Soup Dog is now open for business and offers a wide selection of soups and a variety of hotdogs and toppings to go with them. “I’ve been a big fan of soups…

Saturday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. — CASTLETON — The 2021 Tree of Remembrance Lighting will be take place in front of the Castleton Free Library, hosted by the library and the Castleton Woman’s Club. The lighting will kick off the tractor parade. This year there are six concurrent events in the village and in…

Thursday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. — KILLINGTON — The Greater Killington Women’s Club invites you to attend a Cookie swap party at the Summit Lodge from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $10, with proceeds going to support the club’s scholarship program and community charitable giving. Here is how it works: Bring 4 dozen cookies (all…

Friday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. — RANDOLPH — Multi-award-winning bluegrass mandolinist Matt Flinner will team up with American roots band Low Lily to mark the Winter Solstice at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Chandler Center for the Arts. Tickets are $10-$50 in person and $20 to watch the livestream. The high-energy show will…

By Alan Sculley It’s been a particularly prolific year for holiday albums – so much so that I’ll stop the introduction here to save space and just get right to reviewing the albums themselves. The headliners Kelly Clarkson: “When Christmas Comes Around…” – Clarkson’s second holiday album opens with a real show stopper – “Merry…

Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. — RANDOLPH — For the final concert of 2021 Brandon Music welcomes Bloodroot to Brandon Music. Performing their special combination of bluegrass, jazz, Celtic and traditional American string music, steeped in the hills of Vermont, this concert promises to provide an incredible night of entertainment from some of Vermont’s…

Dec. 1-20 — LUDLOW —This holiday season, get on out of the house with the kids and spouse and head down to the village. Elves have been hidden around town with care, in hopes that you will find all 12 that are there! Spy an elf? They are all the same size. Identify its number,…

Join Chef Emery in this live online workshop from the Billings Backyard Series Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. — WOODSTOCK — Get inspired this season! Learn to make homemade, delicious gifts for family and friends to complement their holiday table from start to finish. Follow along with Chef Emery as she makes an appetizer:…

A virtual book discussion Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. — VIRTUAL — Please join Phoenix Books to celebrate the release of Sarah Strohmeyer’s new novel, “Do I Know You?”, a psychological thriller about two women, a tragedy that connects them as teenagers, and the terrible reckoning that will decide their fates a decade later.…