The Outside Story: Yellow birches thrive for long lives in some precarious places
One summer, I took a nature drawing class, and we hiked up Vermont’s Stowe Pinnacle to sketch in the cool mountain forest.
Household hazardous waste collection Saturday at Harwood
The Mad River Resource Management Alliance will host its annual spring Household Hazardous Waste collection Saturday, May 8, at Harwood Union High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vermont State Police trailblazer Maj. Ingrid Jonas retires after 23 years
Making a difference through criminal investigative work — not breaking glass ceilings — is what drew Maj. Ingrid Jonas of Waterbury to the Vermont State Police.
Zenbarn helps Everyone Eats reach 1 million free meals
Zenbarn’s participation in the Everyone Eats free meals program to assist those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has now ramped up to weekly production every Tuesday.
The Outside Story: Denizens of the bark
On certain afternoons if I time it just right, I may spot a brown creeper on the trunk of a tree in my front yard. Moving stealthily, almost imperceptibly up the tree, the brown creeper hunts for food amongst the bark. I watch this avian mission with a sense of appreciation, as the bird flies to other trees to repeat the process.
The Outside Story: Pesky flies are built to evade the swatter
On sunny, warm days, house flies hatch and buzz around homes and offices. These flies complete aerobatic stunts that easily evade human efforts at swatting or shooing. That aerial agility, so frustrating to the would-be swatters, is thanks to a pair of highly specialized sense organs called halteres.
Wildlife group offers advice on handling black bear conflicts
Bears should be out from their winter dens and the wildlife conservation group, Protect Our Wildlife has released a new bear report aimed to help the public avoid run-ins with bears and ultimately, to preserve bears as a wild species in Vermont.
CLiF hosts online poetry workshop April 23
It’s national poetry month and the Waterbury-based Children’s Literacy Foundation has a special event planned for Friday at 7 p.m. with Guilford poet Verandah Porche. “Poetry Without Tears” is a free interactive workshop for teens and adults of all skill levels and experience.
Waterbury-Duxbury readies for Green Up Day, May 1
Vermont’s 51st Green Up Day is Saturday, May 1, and volunteers are needed to pitch in to pick up trash along roadsides, in and near parks and other public places around town.
The Outside Story: Kidneys of the landscape
Climate change has increased flooding in the Northeast, but with forethought and wetland protections, floods can be quiet affairs to watch with fascination, rather than devastating and destructive events.
Waterbury Ambulance Service names Currier Volunteer of the Year
Waterbury Ambulance Service, Inc. announced this week that EMT Stacey Currier has received the organization’s Volunteer of The Year award for 2020.
Library Director Landauer stepping down June 2
Waterbury Public Library Director Almy Landauer made an unexpected announcement this week, telling the community via the library newsletter that she will be stepping down June 2.
Harwood student spring blood drive may also help COVID-19 patients
Harwood Union High School’s bi-annual Red Cross blood drive returns to Waterbury on Wednesday, April 28, with the usual goal to help replenish the community’s blood supply and the added bonus that donations this year could help those battling COVID-19.
Dog license late fees waived; animal control position still vacant
The Waterbury Select Board at its last meeting agreed to a request by Town Clerk Carla Lawrence to waive the late fee for dog owners registering their canine pets after April 1 this year.
The Outside Story: A most unusual hawk
Erie was perched on a sunny branch when I met her on a cold day in March. She turned her head this way and that to survey her surroundings at the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences in Quechee. She is a slender hawk, brown above, with a dark-streaked, buff breast and a long, barred tail.
Waterbury Area Trails Alliance hosts virtual kick-off
The Waterbury Area Trails Alliance is ready for the 2021 biking season and plans to kick things off next week with a virtual party starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 15.
Waterbury Winterfest offers recreation grants
Waterbury Winterfest has announced the return of its recreation grants program with an April 23 due date. Waterbury area nonprofit organizations are invited to submit grant proposals ranging from $500 to $1,500 for projects that will expand access to recreation. Deadline is April 23.
Locals appointed to state boards, commissions
Gov. Phil Scott announced last week appointments of 168 Vermonters to state boards and commissions since Jan. 1.
No hunt, but lots of waves, as Bunny and friends usher in spring tradition
There was plenty of sunshine and no shortage of youngsters who managed to coax their parents and even some grandparents to make it to the Waterbury Rotary Club’s 2021 twist on the annual Easter parade, egg hunt and visit with the larger-than-life Bunny himself this weekend in downtown Waterbury.
Attention hikers: COVID-19, mud, and nesting falcons could affect trail access
Vermont hikers have multiple factors to consider before heading out to the trails this spring. Some trails may be closed to limit the spread of COVID-19.