Vermont

Merrimack tops Vermont in first game of a weekend series

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2024

Merrimack tops Vermont in first game of a weekend series

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Behind a four-goal second period, Merrimack won its second straight game on Friday night with a 5-2 victory over Vermont at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Hugo Ollas made 28 saves for the Warriors, winning his second straight start. Over the last two games, Ollas has stopped 49 out of 52 shots.

“He made a huge save in the second period,” said Merrimack coach Scott Borek. “He made a lot of big saves. He was getting hit in the chest a lot, but that’s because he was tracking the puck so well. He didn’t have to extend himself because he was in position all night.”

Merrimack’s offense had dried up during its recent losing streak, but the Warriors now have eight goals in their last two games.

“We’ve been getting chances, we’re just finally starting to bury them,” Borek said. “We were squeezing our sticks, and have been all year. That happens. But it’s nice to see guys start to relax.”

The Warriors were also the beneficiaries of some bounces. On their second goal of the game, a puck deflected off a Vermont defender’s stick and past UVM goalie Gabe Carriere.

“We’ve earned some of those bounces,” Borek said. “This group has been through a lot, and the fact that they’re still playing this hard at this point in the year is impressive.”

There were some frightening moments. Mainly, penalties late in the game put Vermont on the power play. At one point, the Catamounts had four straight power plays, including a 5-on-3.

“We made the game stressful at times,” Borek said. “About half the game, we made it stressful when we didn’t need to, and we were getting a little complicated offensively, but when we simplified things we were better. (Vermont) is a good team, and they play hard. We can’t keep giving them those (power play) chances).”

Merrimack and Vermont complete the two-game series tonight at Gutterson Fieldhouse. The Warriors are looking to string together their first three-game winning streak since the end of December.

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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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