Molly Gray, Tim Ashe seek to return to state office
January 5, 2026
News
RambleTree offers art and music with Celtic ties
December 30, 2025
The Bristol art and apparel business, run by Reagh Greenleaf Jr., shares a name with his I … (read more)
Sports
Eagle boys’ basketball team soars past the Otters
December 30, 2025
The Mount Abraham Union High School boys’ basketball team beat Otter Valley, 67-37, this p … (read more)
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
- Behold the star! AREA CHILDREN were a prominent part of last Sunday’s Christmas Family Eucharist service at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury. Yana Dempewolff, as Joseph, with her own son Martin, who played the baby Jesus at Sunday’s service. Independent photo/Steve James
- Solstice sing DON STRATTON LEADS a group in song during the annual Winter Solstice celebration at the Waterworks property in Bristol. This long-running celebration, co-sponsored by The Watershed Center and Vermont Family Forests, was held on Dec. 21 at the Norton Brook Reservoir. Festivities included a bonfire, potluck, music by Rick Ceballos and friends, community singing, and a bit of solstice pageantry. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Blake
- A solstice mandala at the annual Winter Solstice celebration at the Waterworks property in Bristol. This long-running celebration, co-sponsored by The Watershed Center and Vermont Family Forests, was held on Dec. 21 at the Norton Brook Reservoir. Festivities included a bonfire, potluck, music by Rick Ceballos and friends, community singing, and a bit of solstice pageantry. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Blake
- Behold the star! AREA CHILDREN, including these shepherds watching their flocks at night, were a prominent part of last Sunday’s Christmas Family Eucharist service at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury. Independent photo/Steve James
- Winter wonderland EARLY WINTER SNOWS in Ripton has allowed most trails at Rikert Outdoor Center to be open through much of December, including gorgeous weather Christmas Day through this past Sunday, when this photo was taken of Bergin’s Lodge off the upper Frost trail. While freezing rain made a mess of roads in the Champlain Valley on Monday, trail reports at Rikert showed most trails open on Monday with promises of excellent skiing through the rest of this week. Independent photo/Angelo Lynn
- Ponytail flying Former Middlebury Union High School teammates Ava Schneider, left, of Middlebury and Beth McIntosh of Ripton practice sprints in the meadow at Rikert Outdoor Center this past Sunday. Both athletes are first-year competitors of their respective college Nordic ski teams — McIntosh at Middlebury and Schneider at Dartmouth. Independent photo/Angelo Lynn
- Behold the star! AREA CHILDREN were a prominent part of last Sunday’s Christmas Family Eucharist service at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury. Liz Smid gets her daughters Ettason, 3, and Josie, 1, dressed for the festivities. Independent photo/Steve James
- Behold the star! AREA CHILDREN were a prominent part of last Sunday’s Christmas Family Eucharist service at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury. Liz Smid gets assorted angels and sheep ready before the Eucharist celebration. Independent photo/Steve James
- HAPPY NEW YEAR! CROWDS WENT TO the Rec Park in Middlebury on Wednesday evening to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks ring in 2026; but because they were launched high above the shire town, there were plenty of good vantage points from which to enjoy the fiery blossoms, including this spot on Main Street’s Battell Bridge. Photo by Jonathan Blake
Arts & Leisure
Provocative documentary film series to screen at Marquis
December 30, 2025
Frozen in the New Year? Heat things up with the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival Selects … (read more)
Op/Ed
Editorial: A resolution worth making
December 30, 2025
“The hope going into the upcoming legislative session is Gov. Phil Scott will work with th … (read more)





























