BURLINGTON, Vt. — Courtesy of WPTZ

First responders and organizations from across Vermont took on the role of Santa’s Helpers on Thursday afternoon at the 13th annual Operation Fire Cuffs.

Around 45 organizations took part in the event, donating and collecting gifts throughout the year, that were brought to the University of Vermont Medical Center. Volunteers said on Friday, families of children spending their holidays in the hospital will pick out presents for their kids.

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Last week, a familiar face was thought to have been in the littlest city, Vergennes.  A sighting of the famous couple– Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster, made quick local news and then a few more confirmations about Rod’s whereabouts proved that it wasn’t the celebrity couple after all.  Darn.

See the follow up to the full ORIGINAL story here. written by Dan Bolles of Seven Days.

Courtesy of WPTZ – PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —

In the spirit of holiday cheer, the Christmas Bureau in Plattsburgh is working tirelessly to ensure that children in Clinton County wake up to presents under the tree this festive season.

Volunteers at the Christmas Bureau have embraced the role of Santa’s helpers, meticulously crafting lists and checking them twice to bring joy to families in need.

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In their 25th year of the “It’s Kool to Send a Kid to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta” fundraiser, KOOL 105 Morning Host John Brooks and Afternoon Host Mark Knight teamed up once again to help make a record-breaking fundraising effort of $211,365.69. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is Vermont and New York’s camp for kids with cancer. Each year, the radio station and volunteers raise enough funds to send as many kids to camp as possible.

This year, EVERYONE who needs camp can go, thanks to the generosity of the KOOL 105 listeners, volunteers and the crew at the radio station. There’s still time to donate to this worthy cause HERE:

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A long-standing Vermont brand, Johnson Woolen Mills, has a  new chief in charge.  How Gene Richards went from aviation to plaid.

SEE ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM SEVEN DAYS HERE written by Colin Flanders

After the devastating flooding Vermont farmers faced this past summer, St. Albans farmers have banded together for a celebratory Tractor Parade thatwinds through St. Albans this Friday night. Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Anson Tebbetts said “Farmers of Franklin County and beyond are doing this to thank the community for supporting them all the years that they’ve been there,” Over 60 farmers will participate with lighted tractors, trucks and more to celebrate.

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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.

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

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.

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

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.

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE