“Growing giant pumpkins is a radically joyful act in the face of overwhelming existential darkness,” said Ethan Nelson, who, unlike Ed Harley, has been growing his joy since he saw Dan Boyce’s Vermont record one-ton pumpkin in 2018.

The high-school years are tough on even the most focused kids. And yet they set the stage for so much of what happens later in life.

In August, new storm windows were installed on 20 of the 38 windows at the library. Gone are the old aluminum windows, originally installed more than 50 years ago. In their place are custom-made wood storm windows manufactured and delivered by H. Hirschmann LTD of West Rutland.

The issue began last May when one of Ashleigh and Jeff Heath’s dogs, a blue heeler, jumped the four-foot fence dividing their properties and bit Christie Whittemore’s whippet, Lou-Lou, who was not seriously injured.

Following its investigation, the Vermont Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) announced a settlement with Our House Residential Care Homes on August 31.