Maribeth Gero’s daughter Jessica was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was 13 years old. Jessica has been in remission for 21 months, but her mother remains an advocate of cancer awareness.
“Cancer is extremely hard,” said Maribeth Gero. “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
Maribeth Gero joined activists of the same mindset at the Spin for Hope fundraiser on March 7.
The American Cancer Society organized Spin for Hope, which was held at Middlebury Fitness. The Middlebury gym was one of 37 fitness centers across New England hosting the cycling …

3/5 – Governor Jim Douglas announced $630,000 in funding for an affordable housing project for the elderly as well as money to make the Georgia and Bristol municipal buildings handicapped accessible. These grants will reach five communities in Vermont. Vergennes will receive the $500,000 Community Development Block Grant that will be used toward improvements to infrastructure in the town.
3/4 – Health Commissioner Wendy Davis announced that almost one-third of Vermonters have been vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza. He celebrated this report as a great achievement but also cautioned Vermonters …

On Wednesday, March 2, Middlebury residents came as they were to the Ilsley Public Library in downtown Middlebury for the lecture “Nirvana and Religion.” The lecture was part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays series, held on the first Wednesday of every month at Ilsley and other locations statewide. The monthly series is designed to bring esteemed speakers to Vermont to discuss a wide range of humanities subjects.
Giving the lecture was George Dennis O’Brien, former president of Bucknell University and the University of Rochester, and former Dean …

Located in picturesque downtown Bristol, Art on Main has been supporting local artists and their endeavors for the past nine years. Art on Main is a “non-profit, community-supported artist-cooperative gallery” that exhibits and sells pieces of art of various mediums ranging from woodwork and photography to textiles and paintings.
The gallery is sustained by the Bristol Friends of the Arts — a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to providing opportunities for community members to engage in and appreciate artistic endeavors in the Bristol Area. In addition, featured artists play a role …

Holly Stark, the work-study coordinator at Mary Johnson Children’s Center, has traveled a long, winding path from Vermont and back again.
“When I was growing up I was just like some of the kids you may see here at the high school, just thinking, ‘I gotta leave!’ And I did leave,” Stark said.
Stark grew up in Westford, Vt., “a small farm town,” and she went to Essex High School, which Stark described as “one of Vermont’s bigger high schools.” After graduating, Stark, who did gymnastics, track, cross-country and soccer as a …

Town swing dance
March 11, 8 – 9 p.m.
The Sound Investment Jazz Ensemble, the College’s big band, is sure to get your feet tapping at the Town Hall Theater. Grab a partner (or just your dancing shoes) and step out to a night on the town. Tickets are $10, $6 for students with ID, and they are available at the THT box office, http://www.townhalltheater.org, (802)382-9222 or at the door.
Zumba lessons
March 12, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Get into the groove at the Municipal Gym and burn some calories in this fusion of Latin …

The former Neil and Otto’s Pizzeria has not changed drastically since Paul Neri bought it from its previous owners in August 2009.

This old Vermont town is establishing a winter tradition by rallying around a food that originated in the American Southwest, of all places. Chili, the official dish of Texas, is bringing Middlebury, Vt., together.
For the second consecutive year, local residents, students and tourists filled the sidewalks of downtown Middlebury for the town’s Winter Carnival and Chili Contest on Feb. 27.
Megan Brady, the event chair for the Better Middlebury Partnership, the volunteer organization that planned the event, estimated that her group sold over 2,000 entry buttons.
Buttons cost $2 for unlimited sampling …

Middlebury’s annual town meeting was held in the Town Hall Theater on Monday evening at 7 p.m. In the absence of Governor Jim Douglas, who was away on state business, proceedings commenced on Monday night with the nomination and election of Thomas Beyer, chairman of the school board of Middlebury Union High School and Middle School, as moderator.

“Find yourself your feet and stand on them,” said Lausanne Allen, the caller at the Haiti Benefit Dance at Middlebury Town Hall on Friday, Feb. 26. Middlebury community members partnered with Mercy Corps to organize the event.