Since 2015, founder Troy Austin has been rounding up new, unwrapped toys to insure no child goes without a present during the holidays. This Saturday starting at 4 pm, the Albert D. Lawton school in Essex Junction will host trucks and vehicles ablaze in holiday lights, cookies and of course, Santa to accept donations of unwrapped new toys until 6:30 pm.

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Opening day for Middlebury Snowbowl is Saturday, Dec. 9th and local skiers and riders can expect new amenities and bonus advantages.  A new quad chairlift, an expanded Discovery Zone, new lights, and more après ski activities during the week.  Also enjoy night skiing which will go until 9pm.

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Getting outside, being active and exploring is important for anyone— especially those in fifth grade.  Ski Vermont announces a “Passport Program” where fifth graders can access more than 90 days of skiing and riding at participating alpine and cross-country ski areas for a $30 administration fee.  This initiative helps kids get outside skiing and riding at an age when they are exploring and potentially making their explorations lifelong activities.  Studies have shown that the earlier that a child begins skiing or riding, the more likely they are to continue to ski during their lifetime.

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Oh, hey!  Look at this!  Every streaming platform has their way of showing what their listeners’ last year in audio looked like (or sounded like.)  From the Apple Music Replay, to Spotify’s “Wrapped” this year Burlington managed to get itself on the map.

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Construction on the walk-bike bridge known as the East-West Crossing in South Burlington is expected to start at the end of 2024, city leaders say, with a target opening two years later.

The $14.5 million project, which would see a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians stretch over Interstate 89, has been in development for years now and aims to address one of the riskiest tracts of road in the state. Read more courtesy of Leah Golding, Community News Service:

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Jackson Lewis Rodriguez, a 13-year-old from Rouses Point, New York, was granted his wish in December 2022 to practice with the Anaheim Ducks, a professional hockey team in the National Hockey League. By sharing his story, Jackson was able to pay it forward by helping Make-a-Wish grant more wishes.

The Make-A-Wish chapter in Northern New York will continue accepting donations at the Champlain Centre until Saturday, Dec. 23. Read more courtesy of WPTZ:

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WPTZ reports that CVOEO (Champlain Valley Office on Economic Opportunity) received a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to create long-term, stable housing for Vermont’s Children and Families.

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Feeling lonely during the holidays? Both Vermont and New York have some excellent resources to help you break bread with your community and create lasting connections.

During the height of the pandemic, a group of Plattsburgh restaurants banded together on Facebook to offer food to the community. Their sense of community has only grown over the past few years and now, Plattsburgh Restaurants Together offers free Thanksgiving meals to the community. You can find them on Facebook here:

If you’re looking for a thanksgiving gathering in Vermont, there are several listed under Vermont’s 2-1-1 Resources here:

Have a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.

The Vermonter who built Thunder Road, the Vermonter who owned WDEV radio and the Vermonter who became a legendary piece of NASCAR history has passed at the age of 88.  We commemorate Ken Squier and all that he has contributed.

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Local horsewoman, Britta, shares her experience as an everyday person learning how to train mustangs. As a self-proclaimed “project equestrian,” Britta shares her experience of gentling these wild horses and finding new, loving homes for them to continue their journey. While she insists this is not training advice or recommendations on how to train horses, it is fascinating to watch the transformation of these beautiful horses in her care.

If you need a feel-good story, The Project Equestrian is the one to watch!

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