RUTLAND – Whether offering a farm stay experience, farm stand, pick-your-own operation or barn tours for groups, many Vermont farms are turning to agritourism, education and direct sales to supplement their farm income and increase profits. On April 7-8, farmers, agricultural service providers, educators and others interested in exploring agritourism opportunities came to Rutland for…

RUTLAND — Want to know what the future holds for building new electric transmission lines in Vermont? Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) will hold two public input sessions — April 8 and 15 — to share the findings and receive feedback on the draft 2015 Vermont Long-Range Transmission Plan. The plan's central purpose is to identify…

By Lani Duke GMC helps develop innovative study tour POULTNEY—Green Mountain prof Philip Ackerman-Leist has spent the current academic year working with sustainable agricultural leaders at other Vermont colleges and the Vermont Council on Rural Development to create the first Vermont food systems study tour. The tour, worth three credits, takes undergraduate and graduate students…

Courtesy of BRGNS Okemo volunteers Sarah, Heather, Dan and Michelle collect food from skiers at the Okemo base lodge on March 29. LUDLOW — On Sunday, March 29, Okemo held their annual Cares and Shares spring food drive. On a beautiful Sunday morning, Okemo Mountain Ambassadors helped collect nonperishable food items and cash in exchange…

By Lani Duke Electric car owners with “range anxiety” find relief RUTLAND—With the weather's cooperation, Rutland's electric car drivers may have the convenience of a public car charging station available. Installed on Cottage Street near West Street, the new Freedom Station was due to go into service the first week of April. It will provide…

RUTLAND—The Mentor Connector board announced March 26 that Christopher Hultquist will serve as its new executive director, replacing Rebecca Majoya, who resigned to pursue other interests. Mr. Hultquist formerly served as director of outreach for the Pregnancy Center of the Upper Valley. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Capella University and…

By Lani Duke In the 1880s, trains played a critical role in the development of local industry as well as tourism. Central Vermont's economic prosperity relied on trains, which carried the state's maple products, apples, other goods, marble and slate to New York and beyond. The building on Evelyn Street that now houses TD Bank…

RUTLAND–Organizers of Rutland Blooms are hoping to grow the city beautification effort significantly this year and are looking for civic-minded citizens and businesses to help make it happen. “Rutland Blooms is already making a big impact on the look and feel of Rutland, and we want to grow the effort substantially this year,” said Steve…

Photo by Bruce Pike Lynn Dyer Pratt uses watercolor paint to create realistic, yet contemporary, works of art. By Gerrie Russell KILLINGTON — The annual meeting of the Killington Arts Guild was held on Sunday, March 22 at the gallery above Base Camp Outfitters. A special guest for the afternoon was Lynn Dyer Pratt, a signature…

By Rutland Regional Medical Center Olivia Lyons, a senior at Rutland High School presents a check to Sarah Bache and Amy Walters of the Women and Children’s Unit at RRMC. RUTLAND – Rutland High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society presented a check for over $500 to the Women and Children’s Unit at Rutland…

RUTLAND — Maple Leaf Treatment Center has recently completed a two year long effort to restructure and strengthen programming to address and meet the changing needs of people struggling with addiction, announced William Young, the executive director of the newly re-named Maple Leaf Treatment Center, March 19. Last year 142 people from Rutland County were treated…

RUTLAND—Trees beautify our surroundings, help save energy, nurture wildlife and protect our waterways. For over 15 years the Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District has offered its annual spring sale of tree seedlings, berry bushes and other plants. All stock is bare-root and is available at a very reasonable cost. The Rutland Conservation District has sold…

By Lani Duke Pawlet revises town plan, asks for citzen input PAWLET—The Pawlet Planning Commission is asking town residents for input as it works to revise the Town Plan, using data gathered by a townwide survey that is available online. Questions include respondents' years in Pawlet, age, use of social and other media, and a…

Courtesy of KES KES students think like engineers, using creativity for problem solving skills. Third-graders visualize fractions Third-graders are using pattern blocks, paper rectangles, pizza circles and drawings to help them develop visual images of how fractions or combinations of fractions can equal a whole. Using these tools, third-graders come to understand that two halves,…

By Lani Duke Spring is just around the corner in area community gardens CLARENDON—Clarendon Congregational Church at 279 Middle Road has begun to plan its community garden's 2015 planting season, which will begin May 23. Registration/liability release forms are due May 7. Although plots are free, the church asks registrants for a $25 deposit with…