Thursday, July 2 People always seem to ask me for advice on flowers. Those who know me well also know that, as the son of a (now long retired) florist, I've always favored flowers as tokens of appreciation over other gestures. In this light, the questions never cease: What kind do you usually send?   Full Story

Thursday, July 2 Republican Handbook Chapter 6 Extramarital Encounters Heterosexual: Hotel/Motel/Cozy Love Nest/Office Note: See Chapter 7 for back seats, cathouses, and public toilets. Politically speaking, love is hardly ever lovelier the second time around. The initial step on the road to a real reconciliation with your God, your country, your family, and your constituency is   Full Story

Thursday, July 2 The news for our local hospital hasn't been good lately. It has been reported that there will be a $22.1 million deficit at the end of the fiscal year by Southwestern Vermont Health Care. How could this have happened? What were Harvey Yorke and the old administration doing? Why didn't bells and whistles go off when they were short $5 million or $10 million?   Full Story

Tuesday, June 30 Health care "reform" is at the head of the national agenda right now. President Obama and his Democratic allies make this case for "change: "Americans are spending far too much for health care. That is because of waste and inefficiency among our health care providers. At the same time there are 45 million Americans without health insurance.   Full Story

Tuesday, June 30 I know that it was unkind and even slightly irrational, especially in church, but,rightbefore Father Pat began his homily last weekend, I said a silent prayer: "Please God, don't let this be about Michael Jackson." It might possibly have been a forgivable reaction to the fact that, at 6:55 on the evening before, I heard Brian Williams state, "We'll be right back with the   Full Story

Monday, June 29 Now that the legislative session has ended and the state has a budget for the coming 2010 fiscal year, I want to commend our representatives and the governor for their efforts to minimize cuts to the system of care for Vermonters with mental illness and developmental disabilities. I'm pleased that Vermont has not abandoned its neediest citizens — people like "Robert,"   Full Story

Monday, June 29 As you read this, I am somewhere in rural China, probably disoriented, perhaps eating a fish eye, and certainly not paying attention to the news. This column was the last thing I wrote before embarking on what's become an all-too-rare experiment in human life: I decided to see what will happen when I go fully off the grid.   Full Story

Saturday, June 27 It's another peaceful day in rural Vermont. Nothing new for most folks, because just about every day is a peaceful day in Vermont. But the day will not end peacefully. The sirens break the silence that was previously only interrupted by an occasional bird singing merrily on a tree branch.   Full Story

Friday, June 26 Well, if the weather keeps up like this I'm going to have to move somewhere significantly drier. Right now, the list pretty much consists of Seattle since they have great coffee and the Space Needle. I had also put the Amazon Rain Forest on the list, but I have a thing against bugs the size of a 1980 Honda Civic and natives who could shoot poisoned darts at me (needles give   Full Story

Friday, June 26 Red juicy strawberries, crunchy peas, colorful lush salad greens, round or icicle shaped radishes with green tops, crinkled and curly leaves of spinach, fresh herbs, Vermont maple syrup and honey, fresh bread, meats, and flowers are just a sampling of the weekly offerings at local farmers' markets throughout Vermont.   Full Story

Thursday, June 25 ForOldcastle Theatre Company and its foundingdirector Eric Peterson, the start of a new season is a cause for celebration and reflection, particularly with how tough the economy has been on small, professional theater companies. From its inception, OTC's goal was to produce the best theater it could for the community and the surrounding region.   Full Story

Thursday, June 25 President Obama calls the healthcare crisis "the greatest threat" to our nation's economy. He wants a public option to compete with private insurance. Given our experience with Catamount Health, Vermonters know half-measures won't solve the crisis. We need fundamental change. The lack of political will to stand up to the healthcare corporations results in nothing more   Full Story

Wednesday, June 24 What an informative article about Bennington Museum's library appeared in a May edition of The Banner. And a picture of smiling Tyler Resch who knows so much about this library and Vermont. Well, I was going through my "archives" a few months ago and found a real surprise. It was a brown, tacky-around-the-edges tabloid sheet of Editor and Publisher dated February 1, 1936.   Full Story

Wednesday, June 24 I don't know about you, but one thing that really bugs me is false or misleading advertising and promotions that misrepresent or misconstrue a product or service to lure customers. I recently received a flier in bold block letters that promised an automotive brake job for $99, but when I inquired about it, I was told that the price of $99 only pertained to the brake   Full Story

Wednesday, June 24 Like many soldiers after the Civil War, Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) was trying to make his way back home on foot. The horror of the war behind him, he was unknowingly headed towards another kind of horror. Exhausted and starving, he came upon an isolated cabin in the woods one stormy night.   Full Story