Vermont

Defense shines as women’s hockey topples UConn on Senior Day

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2024

Defense shines as women’s hockey topples UConn on Senior Day

Just four weeks ago, the Catamounts were in the midst of a losing streak that threatened to swallow their season. After scraping out a tie on the road in Storrs, CT, the Cats have been able to hold their own in the Hockey East standings for the last month.

On Saturday, Vermont took another crack at the No. 11 ranked Connecticut Huskies, this time defeating their first place opponent with a final score of 3-0.

Just under 10 minutes into the first period, first-year defender Brook George fired off a shot from the high slot to notch her first-ever collegiate goal and give Vermont the early advantage.

Just under four minutes later, the Cats doubled their lead when first-year forward Kaylee Lewis pounced on the puck to secure a rebound goal following a shot on the net from sophomore defenseman Krista Parkkonen.

Vermont held its 2-0 lead over the Huskies through a scoreless second period before senior forward Natálie Mlýnková found the puck at the blue line with the power play on.

Mlýnková was able to hand off the puck to Parkkonen, who uncoiled a one-timer slap shot that found the back of the UConn net for her sixth goal of the season and the third of the night for the Catamounts.

The Vermont defense, which has anchored the team all year, excelled yet again against the Huskies on Saturday. Senior goalie Jessie Mcpherson saved each of the 33 shots UConn took on Saturday.

The Catamounts will complete their regular season schedule this weekend against the No. 2 ranked Northeastern before the Hockey East playoffs get underway on Feb. 28. Vermont, who currently rank No. 6 in the Hockey East, will have a chance to secure a first-round bye if they maintain this position in the standings.

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Vermont

74-year-old woman fulfills childhood dream as EMT at fair in Vermont

Published

11 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

74-year-old woman fulfills childhood dream as EMT at fair in Vermont

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. (Aging Untold) — For 10 days, the Champlain Valley Fair, a county fair in Vermont, becomes its own little town with thousands of people, hot afternoons and the occasional emergency.

Charlene Phelps, 74, runs the fair’s emergency response team.

“We have a lot of seniors that come and people don’t drink enough water,” Phelps said.

The team handles sprains, bee stings, heat exhaustion and whatever comes through.

“I like taking care of people, I like helping people,” Phelps said.

Living out a childhood dream

It’s also a childhood dream.

Phelps wanted to be a nurse, but college wasn’t possible, so she found another route into care and has been showing up year after year at the fair.

Aging Untold expert Amy O’Rourke said living out your purpose can improve mental and spiritual well-being.

“When you tap into that, you’re tapping in on a place that’s a risk, that’s a challenge that inevitably creates growth inside you, gives you confidence so that if you’re in another situation you can build on that,” O’Rourke said. “Or, if you’re in an everyday situation where you’re a little anxious, it’ll help create stabilization in that place as well.”

Saving lives at the fair

Sometimes it’s bigger than a bandage.

“Over on there near the swings way over there is Gustovo, and we saved his life,” Phelps said.

Gustovo had gone into cardiac arrest at the fair a few years ago.

“I mean he was gone,” Phelps said.

Now he’s back and working the rides.

“Came for my hug, Gustovo,” Phelps said.

O’Rourke said stories like this are also why some people keep working past retirement age. Purpose isn’t a number, it’s a role.

“I’ve seen a 92-year-old still working as a nurse’s aid. I’ve seen people in my neighborhood chilling out and loving it,” O’Rourke said. “So, I think it’s being really self-aware of what you need and making sure that you’re getting those needs met.”

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Vermont

Vermont lawmakers reject digital lottery initiative – Valley News

Published

24 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Vermont lawmakers reject digital lottery initiative – Valley News

A plan by Gov. Phil Scott’s administration to make all of the state’s lottery games, including scratch-off tickets, available on a person’s phone never got off the ground at the Statehouse this year.

Lottery Commissioner Wendy Knight told lawmakers in January that the plan was a way to modernize the lottery “because you need to keep pace with technology — you need to meet your players where they are.”

Fifteen states have created a “digital” lottery system, and many have discovered there’s a distinct market of people who don’t buy lottery tickets at retail outlets but will do so on their phones, according to Knight. “We’re trying to ensure the future of the Vermont Lottery, ” the commissioner said.

But state lawmakers have not been persuaded.

Vergennes Rep. Matt Birong, the Democratic chair of the House government operations committee, said members of the panel felt this year was not the time to move forward with this plan, especially given the recent legalization of sports betting.

“It is digitizing a current system and after moving forward with the sports wagering — people just wanted to take their time with it — so my committee decided to tap the brakes on further testimony.”

The administration estimated that the plan would have raised roughly $5 million a year for the state’s education fund after two years of implementation.

The prospect of that additional revenue is appealing to lawmakers, and Birong said they may reconsider the plan next year.

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