By Rachel Sargent Mirus On sunny, warm days, houseflies hatch and buzz around homes and offices. These flies complete aerobatic stunts that easily evade human efforts at swatting or shooing. That aerial agility, so frustrating to the would-be swatters, is thanks to a pair of highly specialized sense organs called halteres. Halteres are modified wings…

By Dom Cioffi I spent quite a bit of time in the water during my recent vacation to St. Martin. The Caribbean is obviously known for its pristine turquoise ocean and white sandy beaches, so I was more than happy to spend the majority of my week communing with the natural elements. Within hours of…

By Gary Salmon There is a line in the lyrics of this great Bee Gees song of the ‘70s that if I were an ash tree and John Travolta was singing it to me I would pay attention to: “Life goin’ nowhere, somebody help me.” Since emerald ash borer (EAB) began infecting Vermont ash trees…

By Kevin Theissen The impact of Covid-19 on workplaces has been profound. As we move forward, it is likely work as we once knew it will be changed forever. Employer benefits is one area in which there may be significant change. Remote work options may be necessary for businesses to remain competitive, according to the…

By Merisa Sherman Holding my mug in my hands, I stare out the window at my garden. My forehead is almost pressed to the glass, the warmth of the morning sun just starting to take effect. I empty my mind of all thoughts, letting the sun soak into my bones as I close my eyes…

By Cassandra Tyndall Emotions may run high as the week begins, thanks to a Full Moon in the moodiest of the moon’s signs. Adding to the complexity of things, the Scorpio Moon is being influenced by Mars in Cancer. Combined, this could feel like a proverbial walking on eggshells moment when it comes to the…

The 'Base Camp at Bear Mountain' development includes 156 units, capacity for 872 occupants By Curt Peterson Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners’ application to Killington's Development Review Board (DRB) went smoothly until questions came up about safety and fire protection. When Selectman Jim Haff and DRB members Roger Rivera and Vito Rasenas raised those issues, the…

1-year-old. Neutered male. Domestic shorthair. Brown tiger. I like to spend my time cozied up in a box to watch the world go by or take a nice nap. Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT • (802) 483-6700 • Tues. - Sat. 12-5p.m. Closed Sun. & Mon. • www.rchsvt.org   Crocs is a…

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week from the Rutland County Humane Society! We would like to take this time to thank all of our volunteers who graciously dedicate their time to support our shelter and ensure that our animals cared for, safe, and loved. From shelter volunteers to foster families, and everything in-between, we couldn’t do it…

By Mary Ellen Shaw When neighborhood grocery stores disappeared so did the penny candy counters. Having the opportunity to browse in front of one was a daily occurrence back in the 50s when I was a student at Christ the King School. Young’s Grocery Store was just a few feet down the street. Considering that…

By Merisa Sherman I awoke to a deafening silence. The birds of spring, so vocal in their morning song, had vanished. In fact, there was no noise at all — an eerie silence had overtaken the earth. It was almost as if a sound absorbing blanket had been spread over the earth while we had…

By Cassandra Tyndall There are times when planets enter certain signs where we can anticipate a period of heightened ease or flow in whatever that planet symbolizes. Right now, Venus — the plant of harmony, peace and connection— is in one of her favorite signs: Taurus. Usually, that denotes a time of increased comfort, serenity…

By Leonard Perry, UVM Horticulturist and Charlie Nardozzi, garden consultant Proper planting of containers, sowing greens, and pruning woody perennials are some of the gardening activities for this month. Container gardening remains a hot trend. When planting large containers for the deck or patio, save on soil by creating a false bottom. Most of the…

What may sound cute to the general public causes a shudder every year among animal shelter staff across the country. “Kitten season,” as it’s known in the animal welfare field, starts each spring and lasts through fall. Like the term implies, it’s the time of year when unspayed female cats have most of their litters and animal shelters are inundated by orphaned kittens who need intensive care. “Cats can become pregnant…

By Gloria Kigonya, of Colchester High School, and Kiran Bleakney-Eastman, of Burlington High School Editor’s note: the following article was produced as part of VTDigger’s Underground Workshop. Before the pandemic, Burlington High School junior Rose Lowry was a social butterfly. She loved meeting new people and creating long-lasting relationships. Quality time with her romantic partners…