The conservation paradox: why hunting matters for wildlife

“Whether in the dryland forests of southern Africa or the hardwood hills of Addison County, successful conservation depends on finding a balance between people and nature.”

The No Kings Day rallies on Saturday in Middlebury, Vergennes and Brandon at least matched the excitement at the 2,700 No Kings protests around the country. The message to our elected president was simple: Be nice, follow the law, tell the truth, stop tre … (read more)

Time for harvestSOYBEANS ARE NOT the most widely planted crop in Addison County, but as this field of yellowing beans in New Haven show, there are farmers who plant the nutritious legume. We saw these plants in late September, probably not long after they … (read more)

STUDENTS AT BRISTOL Elementary School made signs to encourage school administrators as they completed a “Kiss the Cow” challenge last week.Photo by Nicole Heffernan MANY NOTICED THIS huge wooden sculpture that went up in Middlebury’s Riverfront Park just … (read more)

WHILE EAGLE FIELD hockey players dodged puddles and Raiders (that’s the U-32 mascot) during this past Thursday’s game in Bristol, those on the pitch didn’t enjoy the luxury of an umbrella during the rainy afternoon.Independent photo/John S. McCright THE H … (read more)

A LONE RUNNER makes his way along the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) just west of the college off Route 125 on Sunday during the Middlebury Area Land Trust’s annual TAM Trek. Several hundred other runners took part in the day’s activities. MALT photo by Ca … (read more)

TWO GIRAFFE PUPPETS bring their heads together for a private conference during their performance at Middlebury Union Middle School last week. They were among four 26-foot-tall giraffes operated by a dozen members of the French performance troupe Compagnie … (read more)

Turning Point Center of Addison County officials and builders mark the start of their renovation and expansion of their newly acquired headquarters with a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 5. Pictured at the groundbreaking are, from left, TPC Peer Support … (read more)

THE BANDS ON these two butterfly chrysalises found in Weybridge late last month glitter just like gold. The caterpillars inside are going through their metamorphosis and after a few weeks will suddenly emerge from these cases as incredible monarchs. Peggy … (read more)

NEW YORK COMEDY star Tina Friml took a break from a national tour last Thursday to appear in her hometown on a Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival panel called “Lies, Truth & Laughs: Comedy as Social Commentary.” She also performed a hilarious comedy s … (read more)

There was plenty of action on Monday, Aug. 11 at a camp for young soccer enthusiasts at the Middlebury Recreation Park. Independent photo/Steve James The first-ever Monkton Day this past Sunday featured activities at locations around town aimed at celebra … (read more)

Brennan Officer, of Orwell, shows off her moves at basketball camp at the Middlebury Rec Center. Photo: Steve James Elijah Brown of Ferrisburgh at basketball camp at the Middlebury Rec Center. Photo: Steve James Weston Crossman, of Vergennes, at basketbal … (read more)

ROWDY POPE, 12, of Iroquois Acres Farm in Bridport is tickled to show his award-winning Holstein, Gypsy, at Addison County Fair & Field Days this week. We’re not so sure what Gypsy thinks of the honor.Independent photo/Steve James At Addison County Fa … (read more)