By Steve Costello As a  former journalist who has seen a lot over the years, I’m not one to be easily impressed or inspired.  But as Gordon Dritschilo wrote (Gift of Life kicks off, Dec. 11) Stefanie Schaffer has recently done both. Read on, and I hope you’ll be inspired by Stefanie as well –…

Vermont is once again the healthiest state in the nation, according to the United Health Foundation’s newly released America’s Heath Rankings annual report. The state moved up three steps to reclaim the top spot in the Foundation’s 30th year documenting the nation’s health trends, challenges and opportunities. For nearly two decades, Vermont has ranked among the top five…

By Lee J. Kahrs/ Brandon Reporter BRANDON — Brandon’s favorite birder has received a high honor from one of Vermont’s premier natural science organizations. Sue Wetmore has been named the 2019 Julie Nicholson Citizen Scientist by The Vermont Center for Ecostudies. The Norwich-based wildlife conservation organization works across North and South America conducting research and…

More than 400 highly-trained volunteer instructors make Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ mission of empowering individuals with disabilities possible. Out of that dedicated pool of volunteers, Vermont Adaptive program coordinators recognized this year’s four Volunteers of the Year at off-snow trainings this fall, according to a Dec. 16 news realease. Liz Mead of North Chittenden…

Gov. Phil Scott joined the community of West Windsor to celebrate the success of the Brownsville Butcher & Pantry, located at 871 Rte. 44, which opened in November 2018, during his weekly press conference Friday, Dec. 13. Through individual, local and state support, the Friends of the Brownsville General Store purchased and redeveloped the vacant…

By Karen D. Lorentz Okemo to set receive upgrades as part of Vail Resorts, Inc.’s $215 million investment for 2020 across its resorts. This investment builds on the approximately $190-$195 million that Vail Resorts had planned to spend on capital improvement projects in calendar year 2019. The majority of the new investment at Okemo will…

Killington to be featured in next year’s Warren Miller film By Katy Savage Rutland local and Killington Ski Club alum Jim Ryan and Olympian Kaylin Richardson rang cowbells. They jumped and oohed and aahed collectively with a crowd of about 20,000 people while women skied down Killington Resort’s Superstar trail during the World Cup this…

By Virginia Dean It may have become an extinct 19th-century tradition among English villagers who used to celebrate the dawning of Christmas by splashing trees with cider while firing guns or beating pots and pans, but wassailing is alive and well in this tiny 21st-century New England town in which the impending festive season takes…

By Katy Savage Rene Rinnekangas’ childhood dreams came true in Killington last week. The 20-year-old snowboarder from Finland was named to the global pro team for Waterbury-based Rome Snowboards at a ceremony Dec. 4 at Darkside Snowboards. “It was a surprise,” Rinnekangas said. “It was amazing.” Rinnekangas, who has made it to several podiums in…

Pico Mountain opened for the season Saturday, Dec. 7,   the earliest opening in the past 20 years and on the heels of installing a 16,850 foot pipeline to bring snowmaking water from Killington. Since installment of the new pipeline, Pico ponds have been refilled twice, allowing the mountain to recharge the snowmaking system faster…

By Polly Mikula KILLINGTON—Teddy Arbo’s 33rd annual Holiday Toy Party broke a record this year collecting over $37,000 for local charities along with 750 toys. The event was held at the Foundry at Summit Pond in Killington this past Saturday, Dec. 7. Hundreds showed up for the event. Attendees who brought a new, unwrapped toy…

by DJ Dave Hoffenberg The Nite Spot is new in town and so is Julia Rose who plays there every Sunday 4:30 p.m. Julia Rose calls her music, “Folk-Pop Jazz with some Indie Soul.” She’s a violist and a vocalist that uses a looper pedal to build 5-8 part harmonies. She plays the ukulele and…

The Vermont State Police bomb squad arrived at Rochester Elementary School around noon Thursday, Dec. 5 after a child brought what looked like a hand grenade to class. Explosives technicians later determined the device was an inert training grenade that wouldn’t have exploded. Sgt. Eric Hudson said the device was brought to school by an…

Staff report Barnard voters decided 119-85 to merge with Windsor Central Supervisory Union on Tuesday. Residents had long debated joining Windsor Central prior to the vote. Some in Barnard wanted to turn Barnard Academy into an independent school to avoid the school’s potential closure in the future. About 29% of the 715 registered voters turned…

By Curt Peterson Barnard Town Offices will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 for voters to decide by Australian ballot whether Barnard Academy will merge into the Windsor Central Modified Unified Union School District. Pam Fraser, Barnard WCUSD board representative for the middle and high school and Carin Park, Barnard…