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The Herald’s Oct. 6 editorial, about the mounting challenges facing small newspapers, likely touched many loyal readers who agree it is essential we all support this public good. Yet plenty of people in this region boast they don’t read the Herald at all, let alone subscribe to it. They bleat such a conceit as if…

For nearly three decades, Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County (BGCRC) has navigated challenges as well as triumphs in providing safe and supportive places for kids 5-15 years old, to learn, play, and grow. The need to nurture Vermont’s youth has never been greater — a cause that Caitlin Perry has been intensely involved…

Autumn is the busiest season for nonprofit fundraising, during which many nonprofits are preparing year-end reports, planning fundraising events, and crafting impact-focused requests for donations. The majority of these activities are the responsibility of the nonprofits’ fundraisers. Whether they are salaried staff, paid consultants, or volunteers, many of these fundraisers are women, persons of color,…

Crises like the weather events of the past few weeks and the senseless death of a young police officer in the line of duty, remind us how fortunate we are if we have treasured family, generous friends, good neighbors, and essential workers in our lives. But what about those who don’t have people to depend…

The question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has become one that requires innovative solutions to address such issues as, the shortage of essential workers, the changing socio-economic landscape, and the value of lifelong learning. Over the past three years, for example, the challenge of finding a reputable electrician, plumber, or…

While many area residents and visitors sadly noted the end of the ski season, others are rejoicing that summer is finally here. We’re the ones who counted the days until we could enjoy Vermont’s picturesque scenery, quaint downtowns, and abundant arts offerings – in comfortable sandals and sundresses. There are older adults reading this, however,…

As most adults know, even a small contingent of cantankerous kiddoes stuck at home can wreak havoc: turning lamps into projectiles, beds into trampolines, and all species of house pets into scaredy-cats. For that kind of mayhem, grownups need to muster up some major magic. They need a solid action plan, one that keeps even…

One evening last week, I received a phone call from one of our region’s most thoughtful volunteer fundraisers, a soft-spoken community leader I admire tremendously. After we discussed the purpose of her call — to secure hosts for an event to benefit a vital housing nonprofit — we proceeded to other topics. When she signaled…

A week that included the Herald editorial “Good for all,” about Vermont’s progress toward diversity, equity and inclusion, and Gov. Scott’s bills to protect medication abortion and gender-affirming rights, was almost marred by the bad and the ugly. The dehumanizing comment by smug House Rep. Art Peterson, R-Clarendon, against the drag performer Justin Marsh, and…

It doesn’t require a deep dive into current Vermont economic data to see why VSU’s administration has made workforce development a key focus of its mission — a human-centered one, despite various academics’ objections. As the daughter of immigrants, both of whom worked labor-intensive jobs when my siblings and I were young, I was taught…