Photos courtesy of Lisa C. Houde Three generations raised at Pico. Pictured (l-r): Grandpa Normand J. Houde, Grandson Christopher J. Houde, and Son Normand Jay Houde,. By Robin Alberti Pico Mountain Resort has been know as “The Friendly Mountain,” “The Family Mountain,” and now remind people that it has “Big Mountain Skiing, Small Mountain Charm.”…

The residential market in New England flourished in July, with all six New England states experiencing impressive double-digit growth in sales year-over-year. Throughout the region, sales are up 17.8 percent, pending sales are up 19.9 percent and average days on market are down 9.7 percent. In total, 21,108 home sales were recorded in July, accounting…

Submitted Robert DeCormier (left) performs with Pete Seeger (right) many years ago. By Christopher Biddle The Vermont choral group Counterpoint has recorded “All Mixed Up!” an album of songs written by folk music legend Pete Seeger. The songs were arranged by the group’s founding artistic director and Mt. Holly resident Robert DeCormier, a longtime friend…

Courtesy of Sara Gilbert, business development director for NeighborWorks of Western Vermont NeighborWorks is taking down this house to make room for the park. RUTLAND — The Rutland City Recreation and Parks Department and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont are creating a new mini park at 65 Baxter Street in Rutland City. The park will be…

SPRINGFIELD—Shortly after midnight on Aug. 21, the Springfield Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at 80 Main Street in Springfield, a senior housing building. Upon arrival crews found a fourth-floor apartment unit filled with smoke. Two residents were transported to Springfield Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police reported. Damages are estimated to be around…

Drivers reminded to yield, slow down when approaching emergency scenes RUTLAND TOWN—On Wednesday, Aug. 19, at about 4:30 p.m., the Vermont State Police responded to Route 7 just south of Carriage Run Road in the Town of Rutland for a report of a single-car accident. The police found a motor vehicle had rolled over just…

Dorr Drive saga continues Site issues have continue to drive back the opening of Dorr Drive; the road remains closed north of the River Street intersection through the end of September. Crews began pouring concrete on the bridge deck on Aug. 20. More work must wait until all the concrete is poured and then the…

Charging cars and the economy FAIR HAVEN—Fair Haven has joined the growing list of communities with an electric vehicle charging station, fully operational as of August 7. The charging station is located at the south end of the town green on Main Street. Officials are optimistic that it will help bring a little more business…

Submitted Local quilting guilds have created seven quilts contributing to CSJ’s STEPS program. RUTLAND — When Kathy Budd sews a quilt, it becomes much more than just pieces of fabric stitched together. For her, she says, it’s more than just the physical task, or even the final product. For her, every quilt has a story.…

Courtesy of Okemo Okemo Peak Performer Derek Miles was the winner of a trip to St. Thomas. LUDLOW – Among its employee recognition programs, Okemo Mountain Resort’s Peak Performers program acknowledges employees for giving exceptional service to resort guests and fellow employees. Managers nominate employees based on factors such as job performance, safety awareness, dependability…

Submitted Bret Williamson By Karen Lorentz Killington Valley Real Estate Realtor Bret Williamson began working in seasonal rentals in 2004 and soon after got his license to sell real estate. He also works at the Basin Ski Shop, where he had gained retail experience (during college in 1993) and now is the sales manager and…

By Leif Richardson A bumblebee lands on a flower, pollinating the plant. Global warming is putting the squeeze on bumblebees. In the most comprehensive study ever conducted of the impacts of climate change on critical pollinators, scientists have discovered that global warming is rapidly shrinking the area where these bees are found in both North…

By Lani Duke Fore! POULTNEY—Organizers, players, and sponsors of the 7th annual Perry Moyer Memorial Golf Tournament recently raised $1,175 to benefit the Poultney Cemetery Association. Money raised will help with costs repairing damage caused by the storm that struck the town July 3, 2014. No, not that Alice CASTLETON—Castleton police department officer Scott Stevens…

PITTSFIELD—The Pittsfield Select Board received an update on the proposed Tweed River Park from Mary Russ of the White River Partnership, Kevin Geiger of Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC), and John Steele of Dubois & King, followed by public comments and questions. The planning commission agreed to present multiple options, from the very basic requirements…

The Vermont Community Foundation, in partnership with some of its fundholders, awarded a total of $57,435 in Small and Inspiring Grants to 29 organizations for local projects in communities across the state this spring. One of a number of competitive grant rounds at the Community Foundation, the Small and Inspiring Grants program funds work that…