River of Light 2024
For the 15th consecutive year, Waterbury stopped in its tracks for a glowing, waving, stomping procession through the downtown known as the River of Light lantern parade.
Hunger Mountain Winter Bird Count happens Dec. 27
Each winter, birdwatchers across the Americas don their binoculars to scour their hometowns, documenting and enjoying resident winter birds. This annual tradition, over a century old, has become a powerful tool for understanding the rise and fall of bird populations over time.
The evergreen Christmas fern
An easy fern to identify grows in fountain-like clumps and has glossy, dark green leaflets, or pinnae. This is Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), named for its evergreen habit and the shape of its leaflets.
Skatepark dream moves closer to reality
After five years of planning, the new Waterbury skatepark for Hope Davey Park is nearing the final phase of its $250,000 fundraising campaign.
The winter lives of salamanders
Salamanders are most conspicuous in early spring, when a number of terrestrial species migrate en masse on rainy nights, moving through the forest and, all too often, crossing roads to access breeding pools. Yet terrestrial salamanders have other, less spectacular seasonal movements, including summer and fall migrations, and those that are vertical, up and down in the earth.
Keeping winter coats clean
American beavers (Castor canadensis) and North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) both remain active through winter and have evolved many physiological and behavioral adaptions to live through freezing weather.
Holiday happenings for kids (& kids at heart)
In the weeks ahead of Christmas, multiple events and projects unfold in Waterbury to spread the holiday spirit. Many are kid-focused or kid-friendly. Santa Claus and Christmas trees are popular themes. Check out the list here.
Fallen logs invigorate stream life
Why document logs in streams? Because the presence of wood in the water is a key indicator of stream health.
Winter Solstice Meditation at the library
Waterbury Public Library’s regular ongoing programs continue through December with one special event scheduled to mark the Winter Solstice on Dec. 20.
Silent auction paves the way for Waterbury Winterfest 2025
Planning for Winterfest 2025 is in the home stretch and events officially kick off with a silent auction at Bridgeside Books this Saturday, Dec. 7, at Bridgeside Books.
December performances & events
The December calendar is filling up with scores of performances and events popping up.
Waterbury Roundabout will have several Community posts this month with listings for upcoming events. This one will focus on performances. Another will cover all things Santa (and reindeer) and Christmas trees.
Rotary and its ‘tree’ light up Waterbury
The holiday “tree” behind Brookside Primary School was lit on Sunday to brighten the short days of the winter season in our town.
Casting call for February stage productions in Waterbury, Waitsfield
Two local community theater groups have put out the call for auditions to cast two unique stage productions scheduled for February.
Even skunks prepare for winter
Skunks become conspicuous in autumn, including in yards and – sadly – roads. This is in large part due to dispersal, as young skunks that left their mothers at the end of summer are foraging in new home ranges.
A boxelder for Terry
Boxelder (Acer negundo) – also known as ash-leaf maple, elf maple, Manitoba maple, and other, less printable names – is the misfit cousin of the Acer family.
Lover of old things finds a niche with Waterbury’s historical society
A self-described lover of old things, Randolph resident Stacey Askew has found a new calling surrounded by Waterbury’s historical treasures.
Waterbury Acts of Kindness nominations open through Nov. 25
Revitalizing Waterbury and Ivy Computer are teaming up for the fourth year to bestow surprise gifts upon various community members nominated to acknowledge their Acts of Kindness performed over the past year.
Make reservations now for 20th annual Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors
A Thanksgiving tradition continues this year and marks a milestone as volunteers prepare for the 20th annual Thanksgiving dinner for area seniors. The free holiday meal will be served starting at noon on Thanksgiving Day at the Waterbury Area Senior Center.
Winter Overnight Parking Ban off to slow start
November 15 marks the start of its own season in many communities across Vermont including Waterbury - the Winter Overnight Parking Ban season. But, given the mild weather to date and the current extended forecast without any snow, enforcement of the ban is off to a deliberate slow start.
Veterans Day observed at memorial and by scouts in Brandon parade
At 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, the annual ceremony to observe Veterans Day unfolded at Rusty Parker Memorial Park in downtown Waterbury. And on Saturday, local scouts marched in a Veterans Day parade in Brandon.