Editorial

Art is all around us

The valley is undergoing an arts renaissance. In case you haven’t noticed, just about every local town seems to be awash in art.
While the arts have always played an important role in the valley and in greater Vermont, there certainly seems to be a recent increase in artistic activity...

The state giveth, and the state taketh away

Last week we had a report by Mike Eldred about changes to the property transfer tax rates here in Vermont. The changes were enacted as part of a larger land use bill passed by the Legislature after Gov. Phil Scott vetoed it earlier this year.
The transfer tax changes should benefit folks...

Nature is ready to paint another masterpiece

“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.”
Vincent Van Gogh Well, it’s here. Autumn, which also means it’s foliage season. Veteran leaf peepers have already noted the change in colors appears to be on the early...

Never forget 9/11

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.” ...

Volunteers help create a stronger community

In so many ways, volunteers make the valley go ‘round.
We’ve said that countless times here in this space, but it bears repeating again. So much of what gets done around here happens because of volunteers. People are more than willing to speak up, step up, roll up their sleeves, and help...

Vermont needs workers

Monday is Labor Day, so this seems like a good time to take a look at labor trends in Vermont.
The quick snapshot shows that Vermont’s unemployment rate is low. According to the Vermont Department of Labor, the July unemployment rate was at 2.1%. That’s the same as it was in June, and...

Trump, Harris are a pair of political anomalies

Stargazers this week were treated to a rare occurrence. That was the combination of a blue moon and a supermoon, which began Monday night and continued through Wednesday morning.
A blue moon is when a calendar month has two full moon cycles. We’re having that right now. According to...

New school year a fresh start despite challenges

It’s the middle of August and we’re coming out of the dog days of summer, headed toward Labor Day and fall. For many, it’s also time to head back to school.
Students at every level, from preschool to postgraduates, are getting ready to step into the hallowed halls of some institution and...

Time to vote Tuesday

Tuesday, August 13, is election day in Vermont!
No, not THAT election. We’re talking about the Vermont primary.
Wait, didn’t we have a primary in March? Yes, Vermont held its presidential primary. But this Tuesday is the state primary that, in many ways, matters so much more. ...

An ode to the blues

Here we are, August 1, and the valley is smack dab in the middle of the Blueberry Festival. What a week it’s been, with event after event, large and small, taking over state roads, village streets, local businesses, valley libraries, and school gyms.
By most accounts the festival has...