The Lake Placid Film Festival returns November 7-10, 2024!

The Festival’s screenings will be held at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and the historic Palace Theatre. This year’s lineup features 20 feature films and more than 30 short films, celebrating diverse cinematic talents from around the world and Upstate New York.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE COURTESY OF ADIRONDACK.NET

Head to the Milton Artists’ Guild’s 18th Annual Art Fest this Saturday, November 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You’ll find live tunes, raffles, wine tasting, and unique art and handmade treasures from 150 local artists—perfect for getting a head start on holiday gifts. Find the Guild at Milton Square behind the post office on Route 7 in Milton, VT.

Plus, MAG is running a fall fundraiser with an online auction featuring Lorraine Manley’s “Woodlands” painting (24″ x 48″). To bid or make a donation, visit givebutter.com/c/yWVBGA. Every bit helps keep local art thriving!

READ THE FULL STORY COURTESY OF MILTON INDEPENDENT HERE:

Local sensation Taylor LaValley is bringing home two Josie Awards after her standout debut at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry! Hailing from Plattsburgh, NY, Taylor isn’t just making waves – she’s creating her own current. She’s rocked the stage opening for legends like The Kentucky Headhunters, captivated crowds at hometown venues, and added her own magic to countless weddings. This summer, she threw her name into the Josie Awards ring with six nominations and scored big with two wins on Sunday, Oct. 27th.

What are the Josies? Think of it as the Grammys for independent artists. They celebrate musicians from all genres, bringing together a diverse crowd each year in Nashville. This year’s awards – the biggest indie music awards in the world – dished out over 196 honors from an impressive 75,000 submissions.

Founded by the mother-daughter powerhouse Josie Passantino-Boone and Tinamarie Passantino in 2015, the Josie Awards were born out of a passion for giving indie artists a space to shine. This year’s star-studded show included live performances by icons like Tiffany, Neal McCoy, Buddy Jewell, JD Shelburne, and more.

So, next time you see Taylor LaValley’s name on the lineup at your local venue, just know she’s not only rocking our local scene – she’s representing us on one of the biggest stages in independent music!

READ MORE ABOUT THE JOSIE AWARDS IN NASHVILLE COURTESY OF THE TENNESEAN HERE:

Rick Hubbard, an 82-year-old retired attorney from South Burlington, Vermont, set out on his cross-country walk in October 2022, starting in Los Angeles to advocate for campaign finance reform and a more equitable democracy. His journey, inspired by Doris “Granny D” Haddock’s walk for similar causes, took a sudden pause when his life partner, Sally Howe, was diagnosed with cancer. Rick returned to Vermont in December 2022 to support her, and after Sally’s passing in April 2023, he resumed his walk with renewed dedication, carrying her memory as he continued his mission.

Rick, who holds degrees from the University of Vermont, Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, and Georgetown University Law Center, has long championed democracy reform. He co-founded Vermont’s chapter of Common Cause and served on its National Governing Board. His journey is set to conclude in January 2025 on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, symbolizing his commitment to reducing the influence of big money in politics.

For more on Rick’s journey, visit fixourdemocracy.us​

The Vermont International Film Festival is taking place at Main Street Landing in Burlington from October 18 to 27, 2024. This 10-day event showcases a wide variety of independent films from across the globe, offering opportunities to watch thought-provoking films and engage in discussions with filmmakers. Attendees can participate in post-film Q&A sessions and network with industry professionals. The festival is a must-attend for cinephiles and those interested in diverse, artistic storytelling. For more details, visit Vermont Tourism​

The U.S. Coast Guard Haunted House in Burlington promises a thrilling Halloween experience on October 26, 2024. Hosted at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, this spooky event is family-friendly, offering chills and fun for all ages. It’s a great way to celebrate Halloween in a unique setting along Burlington’s waterfront. More information can be found here​

Looking for the Top Dog in this year’s Dog Costume Contest on the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington October 26th. Get your pooch ready to strike the pose to take home the top dog honors in either “Silliest Costume”, “Most Original,” “Best Pup & Owner” and “Best in Show.”

READ THE FULL STORY COURTESY OF WPTZ HERE

From free movie nights to “trunk-or-treating,” Ticonderoga has a full slate of events to keep the entire family in the Halloween spirit. Zombie hikes, Fright Nights and even a Hocus Pocus magic show! See the entire lineup of festivities here:

TICONDEROGA HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES HERE:

As Hurricane Milton bore down on Florida, people in Vermont are heading down to help those affected by both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE COURTESY OF WPTZ

TechJam comes our way Oct 26th where “techies” can find careers, training and mingle at Hula. Not only are there on-the-spot interviews, but some multi-millionaire entrepreneurs who bootstrapped their enterprises will give talks including:

• Matty Benedetto of Burlington’s “Unnecessary Inventions” with a jaw-dropping social media following of 10 million
• Roland Groenveld and Lauren Lavallee of OnLogic’s bootstrapping story from humble beginnings in the Groenveld apartment to it’s present-day 150,000 square foot South Burlington headquarters behind the “Whales Tails.”

Tech Jam is a free event at Hula happening October 26th in Burlington.

READ THE FULL STORY COURTESY OF SEVEN DAYS VT HERE