WHITE RIVER JUNCTION – Peer into a woodland vernal pool in New England right now, and you’re liable to find masses of developing spotted salamander eggs. Many of them have a green hue visible throughout the gelatinous mass. Most things lying in water eventually get coated in algae. But in[Read More…]
Columns
Scattered Showers, Thunderstorms Followed by Seasonable
HARDWICK – After a wet start to the last forecast period, conditions slowly dried out as temperatures moderated into the 70s. By Sunday, many areas were reporting highs reaching the mid-70s, although geographically a significant spread existed from the upper 60s in the rural portions of Essex County, to the[Read More…]
A One-in-ten Chance
EAST MONTPELIER – When my wife and I were married, back in 1959, our prospects were so grim that the priest to whom we went for our church-mandated counseling gave our union – “frankly,” he said – a one-in-ten chance of survival. She went to work in an S&H Green[Read More…]
Then Again: The State of Vermont vs. Earl Woodward, Part III
Part One is here. RANDOLPH – An alleged kidnapper faced the legal system and the court of public opinion. The public assumed the worst when Earl Woodward and Lucille Chatterton disappeared one evening in April 1925 from the Granville farm where they both lived. It seemed obvious that the 27-year-old farmhand had[Read More…]
Are Dandelions Foe or Friend?
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – It’s that time of year again. Sunny yellow blossoms pop up all over the landscape, bringing smiles to children’s faces and frowns to those who favor manicured lawns. Love ‘em, hate ‘em or don’t pay them much attention, there’s a lot to be said about dandelions[Read More…]
Jesup’s Milk-Vetch is Rare Beauty
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A few ledges along the Connecticut River are home to a rare plant commonly known as Jesup’s milk-vetch (Astragalus robbinsii var. jesupii). In fact, this species, which has been listed as federally endangered since 1987, only grows at six sites along a 16-mile stretch of the river[Read More…]
An Up-and-Coming Place
HARDWICK – The October 12, 1899, issue of the Hardwick Gazette, announced that J. W. Hersey’s new two-story store on South Main Street – measuring 40’ x 50’ – was in the final phase of completion. In April, Hersey had begun to advertise clothes, groceries and feed, perhaps selling out[Read More…]
Jean Hackett is a Teacher and Volunteer Extraordinaire
A Vermonter, Jean Hackett grew up in Albany. At Craftsbury Academy (CA), she wrote for and then became editor of the school paper, served on the student council, and represented the Academy at Green Mountain Girls State. She played saxophone in the band, sang in the choirs, and was chosen[Read More…]
Seasonably Warm and Showery for the Next Week
HARDWICK – We continue to be in a showery pattern for the next week; very similar to what we saw last week in north central and northeastern Vermont. Multiple rounds of showers came through throughout the forecast period last week, with several opportunities for breaks in the sunshine throughout the[Read More…]
Shouting Importantly into Their Phones
EAST MONTPELIER –Tom’s Taxi, of Lynn, Mass., has been faithful as the sun for us. If you tell them that one of you uses a cane, they usually send a van. Which I do, and which they did. About half an hour later we pulled up in front of Portugal[Read More…]
Native Cherry Trees Have Spring Beauty, Ecological Gold
HOPKINTON, N.H. – Each spring, cities from New York to Texas celebrate the spectacular blooming of ornamental cherry trees. In many cultures, the lovely, delicate pink and white cherry blossoms symbolize rebirth and renewal, as well as the fleeting nature of life. Beyond these showy cultivated trees, our region boasts[Read More…]
Red Admirals are on the Move
HARDWICK – Have you seen this butterfly? The Red Admiral (Vanessa Atalanta), because of it’s 50 or so larval host plants in the nettle family (Urticaceae), is found worldwide, and is one of our most abundant butterfly species in the U.S. They are fast flyers, moving rapidly out of the[Read More…]
