New England American-asters are the stars of late summer
Community Angela Cannon-Crothers Community Angela Cannon-Crothers

New England American-asters are the stars of late summer

Before the trees put on their colorful autumnal cloaks, the newly rewilded fields at my home turn to gold and purple. New England American-aster begins blooming in August or September and continues to splash the meadows with deep purple color well into October, mixing with the bright yellow of goldenrod flowers.


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Obituary: Sandra W. Thurston
Obituaries Waterbury Roundabout Obituaries Waterbury Roundabout

Obituary: Sandra W. Thurston

Sandra W. Thurston first came into this world on April 21, 1941, the daughter of Doris (Rankin) Wimble and Owen Wimble Sr. Surrounded by her children, she passed away August 8, 2024.

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Obituary: William (Bill) T. Doyle 
Obituaries Waterbury Roundabout Obituaries Waterbury Roundabout

Obituary: William (Bill) T. Doyle 

William (Bill) T. Doyle, a cherished member of the Washington County community, passed away on August 15, 2024, at the age of 98, at Mayo Healthcare in Northfield. A longtime educator and public servant, Doyle was Vermont's longest-serving state senator having represented Washington County for 48 years.

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How water striders manage raindrops
Community Rachel Sargent Mirus Community Rachel Sargent Mirus

How water striders manage raindrops

Water striders are a common sight on ponds, vernal pools, and puddles. During clear summer days, these insects seem to walk on water – a feat they accomplish through a combination of long legs that distribute their weight across the water’s surface and micro hairs that make these invertebrates extremely water-repellent. But what happens to these water walkers when it rains? 

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Living with wildlife: Bats in your house?
Community Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. Community Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept.

Living with wildlife: Bats in your house?

Bats are everywhere! It may feel that way to some of Vermont’s human residents. Summer is when some species of bats gather in colonies to raise their young in human-made structures such as houses, barns, office buildings, and bat houses, but fall is the safe time to get them out.

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The world according to ferns
Community Catherine Schmitt Community Catherine Schmitt

The world according to ferns

Ferns have grown on Earth for longer than trees and flowers, and existed well before Homo sapiens. In our region, the oldest lineage, emerging 200 million years ago, is the royal fern family (Osmundaceae), including royal, cinnamon, and interrupted ferns. 

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