In the (tiny) footsteps of a chipmunk
Community Anissa Bejaoui Community Anissa Bejaoui

In the (tiny) footsteps of a chipmunk

As autumn nears, I find myself returning to botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer’s line in her book, “Gathering Moss,” where she describes ecological succession as “a tale of the interwoven fates of mosses, fungi, and the footfall of chipmunks.” 

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Obituary: Ruth Stewart Sugg
Obituaries Waterbury Roundabout Obituaries Waterbury Roundabout

Obituary: Ruth Stewart Sugg

Ruth Stewart Sugg (Tunie), 77, passed away on Monday night, September 15, 2025, at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin after a long battle with dementia and Alzheimer's. 

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Sumac galls offer proof of an ancient association
Community Loren Merrill Community Loren Merrill

Sumac galls offer proof of an ancient association

With the onset of late summer’s cooler nighttime temperatures and shorter days, staghorn sumacs (Rhus typhina) are among the first leafy plants to lose chlorophyll from their cells. The breakdown of this pigment triggers the transition from green foliage to yellow, orange, and red, often starting as early as mid-August. After a striking autumnal display, their rich red to burgundy-colored fruit clusters remain all winter. 

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