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
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
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
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
Middlebury College racer Beth McIntosh, of Ripton, and Ava Schneider practice some sprints in the meadow at Rikert Outdoor Center this past Sunday.
Independent photo/Angelo Lynn
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
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 by Jonathan Blake
Photo by Jonathan Blake