Latest News
Locals taking potshots at you
EAST MONTPELIER – One of the most New England of poems was published by James Russell Lowell in 1864. “The Courtin” became popular enough to be published subsequently as a separate volume, with period-type illustrations by none other than Winslow Homer. A charming story, it depicts perfectly the knots that[Read More…]
Heller’s World by Joe Heller
The business of division
WALDEN – A recent Vermont Digger piece “Vermont House poised to roll back portions of Act 181” included a quote from House Energy and Environment Committee Chair, Amy Sheldon: “We don’t need our shared interest in protecting our environment to divide Vermont.” There’s certainly plenty of division in Vermont, but[Read More…]
This isn’t the time to throw people onto the street
PLAINFIELD – I didn’t mean to become a landlord. My husband and I simply had extra rooms in our old farmhouse. As we began spending part of the year away, and with Vermont in the midst of a housing crisis, we chose to rent those rooms to four individuals. We[Read More…]
Heller’s World by Joe Heller
School consolidation through voluntary process
MONTPELIER – I need to take a moment to update you all on some very important legislation that was passed out of the Vermont House and is now headed toward the Senate. H. 955, a bill detailing the next steps in Act 73, sets Vermont on the path towards school[Read More…]
Education reform front-and-center
MONTPELIER – Education reform is once again front and center at the statehouse. Behind closed doors, as well as in public hearings, there is significant debate about what path Vermont should take. I voted against the House reform bill. Why? The bill, H 955, would not reduce property taxes until[Read More…]
Billingsley stepping back after seeing town through flood recovery
PLAINFIELD – Michael Billingsley may be stepping down as the town’s emergency management director, but he’s not retiring just yet. Because the incoming emergency management director cannot always be in Plainfield, Billingsley views a gradual succession plan as the most practical path forward. “I volunteered myself to be the eyes[Read More…]
Weeks Gone By
100 years ago in The Hardwick Gazette, April 22, 1926 CHURCH NOTES Congregational Church Rev. L. H. Stoughton, Pastor 10:45 A. M., Morning Worship. Sermon theme, “The Great Sin.” 11:55 A. m., Sunday School. 7:00 P. M., Community Service in Congregational Church. Mr. Stoughton will speak on “Better Homes.” Better[Read More…]
Spring ephemerals and the forest
Every year I know that spring has arrived when it’s time for my family to forage for ramps on a two-acre patch on the hill above my house. We have just a few weeks to enjoy their spiciness before they disappear from the landscape, along with other spring ephemerals. While[Read More…]
Plant Spring bulbs for Summer flowers
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Spring isn’t the only season where bulbs can produce an array of flowers to enjoy. Spring bulbs planted in the coming weeks will produce flowers this summer. Bulbs are easy to obtain, easy to plant and offer a wide variety of options. Consider such familiar choices[Read More…]
