Vermont
Obituary: Dr. Michelle Leigh Perron, 1968-2024
Dr.
Michelle Leigh Perron, “Michelle,” age 56, beloved daughter,
wife, sister, aunt, friend and dedicated medical provider, passed
away unexpectedly on May 17, 2024, at home in Waterbury, Vt. Michelle
embodied how to live a life grounded in caring, compassion and love.
Michelle
was born on March 23, 1968, in Northfield, Vt. She was the beloved
daughter of Winston “Win” and Marylou Perron. Michelle grew up in
Montpelier and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1986. She
also graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and later
from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Michelle’s
greatest passion in life was being a pediatrician. Michelle was a
dedicated partner in the Timberlane Pediatrics Group, providing care
for many families in the community. She exemplified her passion for
her work and care for others through her focus, commitment and
tireless dedication.
Michelle
was always driving herself to improve and succeed. In school, she
stayed focused on learning; the result was good grades, the reward
was knowledge. She pushed herself and her teammates, whether on the
basketball court or the softball diamond. She was inspired to follow
her Grandmother Clark, “Ginn,” who lived with the family, to
pursue a career in the medical field. Ginn spent her life as a nurse,
serving others and baking for the family, two passions Michelle
carried on in her life. She would take care of all of her patients,
get home late, and still find the time to make homemade birthday
cakes for her nieces and nephews or that famous Christmas tree bread
for Christmas morning. These behaviors were core to who she was, both
growing up and as an adult. Who she was at heart never changed for
Michelle.
On
August 21, 2010, Michelle married James “Jim” Percy, and they
made their home in Waterbury. Michelle and Jim shared their home with
Michelle’s parents and many canine and feline “children.”
Michelle and Jim graciously offered their home as the gathering place
for Thanksgiving and other family events. Michelle was the consummate
homemaker, aka Superwoman, too. Over the years, many nieces, nephews
and cousins from all parts of the family attended her cookie-making
sessions, while elders enjoyed her rum balls. Other hobbies and
interests included gardening along with her adoring pets, Booker,
Brise, Bruce and Baxter.
Survivors
include her parents, Win and Marylou Perron; husband, Jim Percy;
brother, Kevin Perron, and his wife, Christine; and many uncles,
aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Calling
hours will be held on Thursday, May 30, 5 to 8 p.m., at Guare &
Sons Funeral Home, 30 School St., Montpelier, VT 05602.
The
family will have a private interment ceremony at a future date. In
lieu of flowers, please consider supporting local charities that were
important to Michelle. You can make memorial contributions in memory
of Michelle Leigh Perron, MD, to the UVM Children’s Hospital, 111
Colchester Ave., Burlington, VT 05401, or to Central Vermont Humane Society, 1589 VT Route 14 S, E. Montpelier, VT 05651.
Vermont
Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter
How to see a reindeer in Vermont
Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.
Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?
While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.
Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.
Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink
This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.
Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe
Ice Haus Arena
Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.
General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.
When: Online schedule updated daily
Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay
C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena
This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.
Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.
When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..
Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington
Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort
Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.
Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.
When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday
Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain
Riley Rink at Hunter Park
A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.
When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates
Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center
Vermont
Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week
Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.
New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.
U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.
USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.
Vermont
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26
The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
THURSDAY’S H.S. GAMES (REGULAR SEASON)
Boys basketball
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
Peoples at North Country, 6:30 p.m.
Northfield at Stowe
Hazen at U-32
Oxbow at BFA-Fairfax
Winooski at Middlebury
Watch Vermont high school games on NFHS Network
Mount Mansfield at South Burlington
Essex at St. Johnsbury
BFA-St. Albans at Colchester
Lamoille at Spaulding
Lyndon at Harwood
Williamstown at Twinfield/Cabot
Rice at Champlain Valley
Randolph at Montpelier
Lake Region at Thetford
(Subject to change)
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