Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More

Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe opens in Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery A frequent staple at the Rutland Farmer’s Market, Pattanit Smansook opened a brick and mortar store front serving Thai food and sushi in Rutland on April 13, 2020. Little Bangkok Thai and Sushi Cafe, located at 162 No. Main St. in Rutland, in the Stonybrook plaza, is a welcome addition to the central Vermont dining scene. Smansook has been cooking and serving Thai food to Rutland residents at the Farmer’s Market for a couple of years. When Covid-19 hit and the Farmer’s Market stopped being a stable source of work, Smansook decided to open the space. “Everything shut down, so I…
Read More

Obituary: Fred R. Geery

Originally published in the Mountain Times- May 6, 2020 Fred R. Geery left the world too soon on May 2, 2020. He started his life homeless on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and suffered abuse, including a broken back before the age of 8 months old. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan who brought him to the Multnomah County animal shelter, where he was rescued by Aaron Cope and Brooke Geery. His early abuse in life left him with a limp, which made him run like an adorable drunken sailor. Though his exact lineage is unknown, he was likely part Boston terrier, boxer, English Staffordshire terrier and salamander. He…
Read More

Local physician publishes book, ‘The Intern’

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery Peter Hogenkamp’s first officially published novel, “The Intern,” hit shelves on Tuesday, April 13, an accomplishment nearly 20 years in the making. The Rutland-based physician actually began the project as a sort of promotional tool for another book he’d written called “Absolution,” on the story-sharing site Wattpadd. “The idea of writing about an interaction I had had during my pediatric rotation (20 years earlier) had been kicking around in my head, and I figured Wattpad would be a good way of getting it out of my head and onto (virtual) paper,” Hogenkamp said. “The Intern” tells the story of Maggie Johnson, a…
Read More

Get your garden started early this spring

Originally published in the Mountain Times Sprouts! By Carol Geery By Brooke Geery The old idiom about waiting until after Memorial Day to plant a garden here in Vermont, doesn’t have to apply if you start your garden indoors! In this uncertain world, there has never been a better time to get your hands dirty and plant a vegetable garden. Even minimal success will provide you with some joy (and additional food security) over the coming summer, and homegrown veggies just taste better. In addition to the obvious benefit of edibles, gardening is a great activity for your mental and physical health. It gets you outside and in touch with…
Read More

10 bright sides to social distancing

Originally published in the Mountain Times With life upended for everyone in the world, it’s important to stay positive and look for whatever rays of sunshine may come. Things may not be perfect, but they’re definitely going to get better eventually. In the meantime, be thankful for what you have. Here are 10 bright sides, or silver linings, to appreciate during this pandemic: Way better delivery/takeout options – I recently moved back to Vermont from a real food city— a place where you could literally find any type of cuisine whenever you wanted it. So, pulling up Uber Eats in Rutland to see a choice between fast food and pizza was…
Read More

Rutland County Little League shares a love of baseball with area youth

Originally published in the Mountain Times It may be difficult to think about summer when your windshield wipers are frozen to your car and simply opening the door requires bundling up, but the warm weather will be here before you know it. And what better way to celebrate summer than with a little baseball? Enter Rutland County Little League. Chartered with Little League International in 2017, the league has grown from seven Majors teams, to 13 total teams (including tee ball and coach pitch) with over 150 players ages 4-12. “Our purpose was to revive excitement for the game of baseball for the youth of Rutland County,” League president Paul…
Read More

Little Haveli spices up Rutland’s dining scene

Originally published in the Mountain Times Rutland’s food scene leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the ethnic department. However, things are looking up with the opening of Little Haveli on North Main Street. The Indian joint is set up for quick grab and go, with a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and made-to-order dinner served every day but Sunday. There is also a sizable beer cooler and wine selection, as well as a small market with Indian staples such as chickpea flour and lentils — everything you need to make the dishes served. There is a small seating area, but consuming alcoholic beverages on premises is not permitted. I ordered…
Read More

Alastair Stout brings harmonies and much more to Grace Congregational Church

Originally published in the Mountain Times Alastair Stout sits at the organ in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Stout is the minister of music at Grace Congregational. By Brooke Geery At Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, music is an important part of the program, but it’s not just church hymns that echo through the tabernacle. The music ministry includes jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre and classical, and at the helm of it all is Alastair Stout. Born and bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, the organist, director and composer joined the church in 2017, ably filling the boisterous shoes of long-time music minister Rip Jackson. Stout’s interest in music began at a…
Read More

Jeweler Shannon Parker hosts hands-on workshop

Originally published in the Mountain Times Shannon Parker will share her inspiration and techniques for creating custom jewelry at a hands-on workshop Friday evening. Above: Parker wears some of her own designs. By Brooke Geery Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.—CHESTER— Shannon Parker finds no shortage of inspiration in the natural world. “The color combination of flowers, the details on a fern frond or the ice formations in a puddle,” she said. “There is never a lack of inspiration when you look to nature.” She has turned that inspiration into a line of jewelry that melds stones and metal into unique pieces called Wisdom River Designs. On Friday, Nov. 22,…
Read More

For the Birds: Gordon Ellmers presents his Avian Photography

Originally published in the Mountain Times From the mighty bald eagle to the tiny chickadee, no bird is safe from Gordon Ellmers’ shots. Luckily for our feathered friends, Ellmers prefers a camera to a gun. The native of Fort Edward, New York, has been shooting stunning images of birds nearly every day for 20 years, since purchasing his first digital camera for his day job as a veterinarian. “I bought my first digital camera 20 years ago to email digital photos of radiographs to radiologists and quickly receive replies. This was when we all had film X-ray machines,” he said. “ Today everyone uses digital machines.” That’s not the only thing…
Read More