By Karen D. Lorentz Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Kayla Sarajian moved to Medford, New York, a suburb on Long Island, when she was 5 years old and graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 2007. Acknowledging that she didn’t really know what she wanted to do after high school, Sarajian said, “I did a lot of…

Did you grab your L.O.L. Surprise dolls last year? What about Hatchimals the year before? Each year, a new crop of must-have toys surfaces. Smart shoppers who do their research and prepare in advance of the holidays can grab these coveted gifts. Others are not so lucky, as they sell out quickly. Each year, industry…

 Tradition is a hallmark of the holiday season. Religious services, family gatherings and trips to see Santa Claus are just a few of the many traditions people adhere to during the holiday season. Many holiday shoppers also adhere to the time-honored tradition of last-minute shopping. The perfect gift can sometimes prove elusive, especially as the…

The new Snowdon Six Express chairlift is open. Killington President and CEO Mike Solimano cut the ribbon and the new lifts started spinning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. The new high-speed lift seats six people.  It’s manufactured by Leitner-Poma and features a bubble shield that will protect skiers and riders from wind and weather…

By Katy Savage KILLINGTON—A new restaurant and tasting room is coming to town. Dale Patterson, the owner of Hop’n Moose and Rutland Beer Works, LLC, is opening a tasting room in the Mountain Green condominiums across from the Killington Grand Hotel this Thursday. He plans to call the restaurant/tasting room Rutland Beer Works. The menu…

By Curt Peterson Holiday season commuters will have to get used to not seeing the lavishly decorated Christmas tree in Larry and Pat Fortier’s yard on Route 12 in Hartland after many years. The Fortiers’ son Kevin planted the tree 30 years ago, but it’s now proudly standing in front of the State House in…

By Katy Savage Stefanie Taylor had her first experience playing in an orchestra when she was 13. Taylor attended a two-week summer camp in Poultney, led by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. She played violin among some of the best players in the Northeast. “When you’re sitting in the middle of an orchestra playing, the sound,…

By Katy Savage RUTLAND TOWN—About a month before Friendly’s abruptly closed its doors in Rutland Dec. 2, the building and property was purchased by the Friendly’s parent corporation. According to Rutland Town records, the 1.27-acre property sold to SIC Property ,LLC in Boca Raton, Florida, for $250,000 on Nov. 1. SIC Property is owned by…

Staff report Mason Zeglen had 30 minutes to purchase his ingredients and cook the meal. Zeglen, of Killington, competing on the Food Network Show, Guy’s Grocery Games,  ran through the grocery store, in competition with three other chefs. The challenge was to use ingredients of a gingerbread house, such as candy canes and M&M’s, in…

Staff report Vail Resorts plans to invest about $180 million in the next two years to improve the guest experience across its 18 resorts. Vail is making a two-year $35 million commitment to investments across its recent acquisitions, including Okemo Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire, Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado and Stevens…

Board moves to appeal decision By Curt Peterson KILLINGTON—Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth had bad news for the Select Board at its Dec. 3  meeting. Not only did he report a negative response from FEMA to the April request for more money for a Tropical Storm Irene repair – the federal disaster relief agency wants the…

RUTLAND—On Nov. 18, the first annual Colenne Whalen Memorial Scholarship Tournament was held at the Rutland Bowlerama. The Youth Bowling Program was very important to Whalen. One could find her at any event that put youth and bowling together. Whatever needed to be done to make the event successful, Whalen did it. She encouraged bowlers…

Community College of Vermont Job Hunt Helper Mariah Vilbrin is now available at the Rutland Free Library  for six hours a week to offer career services to library patrons and job seekers. Job Hunt Helpers can help you find employment opportunities in your area, write a resume and cover letter, apply for jobs online, assess…

The new Snowdon Six Express is opening this weekend at Killington. The new lift, part of Killington's $25 million, single-year capital improvement project, starts spinning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. There will be a Grand Opening Celebration and ribbon cutting. In addition to the grand opening of the Snowdon Six Express, this weekend will also mark the debut of…

Pico Mountain is scheduled to kick off its 2018-19 winter season at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. The sixth annual Opening Weekend Food Raiser will take place Dec. 14-16, 2018, offering discounted lift tickets in exchange for food donations for low-income Vermonters. The Food Raiser is a partnership with Pico Mountain and local nonprofit…