WASHINGTON, D.C. – If you take to the water this spring, there’s a good chance you’ll spot a great blue heron, New England’s most recognizable large wading bird. But you might also see one of several other similar species that breed in or pass through our region’s wetlands. Telling these[Read More…]
Columns
Know the Garden to Cut Costs
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – There’s no doubt that gardening is rewarding, but costs can get out of hand in the excitement of a new growing season. There’s always a tempting new project or plant. The solution? Buy what is needed, then buy wanted plants only after you’re sure it will[Read More…]
Totality Conditions Made Event Special
HARDWICK – Even though it was more astronomical than meteorological, Monday’s eclipse quickly became the highlight of the past week, with totality easily visible from our coverage area. The conditions were really what made this event so special, as clearing to the sky in such a manner is a rarity this time[Read More…]
Lori Ferland Digs Digs
HARDWICK – When some people think of vacations, they may envision days at the beach, camping or visiting a theme park. For Lori Ferland of Hardwick, her vacations tend to lean more towards adventures. Over roughly the last 15 years, Lori has worked on archaeological digs in Pompei and Malta,[Read More…]
People Share Seeds to Support Community
BOLTON – Communities around the world are cultivating seed libraries. A surge in new gardeners and struggling supply chains during the pandemic caused the rise of seed libraries. For many, gardening was a fail-safe during these stressful times. People generously shared seeds to support their neighbors and the larger community.[Read More…]
If it Gets You, You Won’t Hear it
EAST MONTPELIER – The sky has always been a source of wonder for us earthbound folks. For some of us who are – shall we say – more earthbound, it’s a source of portents, omens, and myths. What we call thunderstorms and explain as electrically charged clouds used to be[Read More…]
The Tale of a Lake Tsunami
BURLINGTON – The sharpest contrast between rivers and lakes is in water movement. While rivers flow inexorably downhill, lake water movement is more subtle. Anyone who has weathered a storm on a lake, however, can attest that less consistent water movement does not mean no water movement at all. In[Read More…]
Hellebores are Early-blooming, Low-maintenance
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – You may know them by different names such as Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) or Christmas rose (Helleborus niger). Don’t let those common names fool you. Hellebores (Helleborus x hybridus) aren’t related to roses at all. They’re actually part of the same family (Ranunculacaea) as buttercups, a[Read More…]
Library Offers Eclipse Walk, Free Viewing Glasses and Board Tours Addition
HARDWICK – Welcome to “I Heard it Through the Jeudevine,” a monthly report aimed at keeping readers up to date with the latest information about the people, the books and events that combine to make the library a vital center for learning, information and fun. Of course, the event dominating[Read More…]
Not Done with Winter Weather
HARDWICK – Not much precipitation fell over the forecast area last week, as a weak frontal system crossed into Wednesday morning, leaving just a couple tenths of an inch of precipitation. Clouds lingered into Friday before the rest of the weekend opened the skies up to abundant sunshine. Things were[Read More…]
We Saw Things We’d Never Seen Before
EAST MONTPELIER – “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” — Samuel Clemens If anyone[Read More…]
