Vermont

The Valley Reporter – Re-wilding –

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2024

By Sarah E. Zschau

In this time of planet uncertainty, there is a movement toward re-wilding and creating spaces for habitat. Embracing this does not have to be arduous, in fact it’s easy. Want more time on the weekends for fun instead of giving up half of the weekend mowing the lawn? Then you, too, can do more by doing less. Let your yard be a host for species and you will benefit too. Let go, and our earth’s natural balance will do the rest. Here’s how.

MOW WHERE YOU GO

Look at your space and figure out the pathways that you use and any play areas. Mow there only. Get creative with pathways if your space is large enough. Pathways through a meadow create a sense of whimsy and wonder. They can have destinations or shapes and they can change annually if you like. If you only have a tiny yard let the edges go and play with the shape of your mown area.

It is beneficial for insect species to leave wild spaces under trees, so try mowing a wide birth around a canopy. Mowing two stripes wide, about 5-6 feet will feel less claustrophobic for some. Also, if this seems like too much wildness for you, try an open fence such as a split-rail in front of your spaces and contain some of the chaos. Wildness does not have to mean out of control as these spaces can be managed.

Add some native trees, shrubs, or perennials of your choosing, if you like, or you can just wait and see what shows up, and pick and choose, removing any unwanted as they appear. You might want to mulch around new plantings with wood chips and mow around them the first couple of years until they get established, depending on size.

LET IT BE

When these spaces are let go, what happens is that succession will begin to take place. This means, in the first year, annual and biennial plants, such as wild daisy’s, jewel weed, fleabane and celandine, will begin to tuck themselves into spaces in the lawn.

The second year, the beautiful flowering perennials, such as asters, milkweed, Joe pye weed and goldenrod appear. I know what you’re going to say, but you are not allergic to goldenrod. It is the ragweed that blooms at the same time that becomes an allergen. Ragweed has tiny, lightweight, pollen that becomes airborne, and goldenrod’s pollen is heavy, and they do not rely on wind for dispersal; so therefore, cannot be the allergen. Goldenrods are of a huge benefit to so many pollinators.

The third year is where your brambles and saplings start to show up. These can be a nuisance but also fruitful and yummy. Perhaps leave a patch somewhere if you have the space. You can wait and see what woody saplings show up and pick and choose a few that are in choice spots, and cut around them.

ONCE A YEAR

Brush hog or weed-whack once a year, waiting at least until year two, to begin this cycle. This keeps the meadow from reforesting. This cycle will ensure perennial flowers, and remain manageable in terms of mowing. You can weed-whack if your space is small. When you do mow the wild spaces, the recommendation is to do it in the early spring, which is of benefit to many species that over winter in the foliage of last year’s growth. If that’s not possible because you are in a really wet spot, do it in late fall, after the latest blooms have gone by. This helps the bees with the late food that is so necessary.

When we allow spaces to re-wild, we let Mother Nature do her thing, and it’s amazing. We may see flowers that are new to us, or familiar as weeds. Try to look at them with fresh eyes to appreciate their beauty. All have value. We humans get the view and scent of the flowers, the insect world is in balance, the pollinators are happy, and it makes room for the natural balance of predators and prey by providing coverage for creatures to move through the landscape. This helps keep all kinds of infestations at bay, including ticks.

FEWER TICKS

When we have wild spaces, things are more in balance, and there is less likelihood of ticks. Predators such as owls, hawks, coyotes, possums, or foxes that hunt in meadows will help keep the mice and vole problem down. This in turn will likely keep the tick population in check, as they are a major host. Roving turkeys will also lower tick populations. You are actually reducing the likelihood of ticks, by increasing the wildness of your space.

These checks and balances cannot happen on a mown lawn, as it is a lifeless wasteland. If you are still not convinced, try standing on the edge of a mown lawn and a meadow. Listen with an ear toward each. The mown lawn will be silent, devoid of activity and the meadow will be teeming with sound. Fireflies cannot survive in lawn situations, but become abundant in a meadow situation, another amazing perk.

WHY NOT?

Famed ecologist, E.O. Wilson has theorized that we could potentially save our planet by preserving half of the earth for species. On a small scale, what can we as individuals do? Why not try giving up half your lawn space, and reaping the countless rewards of re-wilding parts of your property?

Zschau of Zone 4 Design, Moretown is a Vermont Master Naturalist and Vermont Certified Horticulturist who has been managing landscapes for over 35 years, and is still learning to let go.

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Vermont

VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for Feb. 20, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at Feb. 20, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 20 drawing

15-40-48-58-63, Mega Ball: 02

Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Feb. 20 drawing

05-18-25-32-37

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life VT numbers from Feb. 20 drawing

10-24-30-36-42, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life VT payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 20 drawing

Day: 5-5-2

Evening: 2-8-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 20 drawing

Day: 6-1-0-7

Evening: 3-5-5-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Vermont

See schedules, scores for Feb. 20-21 UVM basketball, hockey, lacrosse games

Published

20 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Press Room

See schedules, scores for Feb. 20-21 UVM basketball, hockey, lacrosse games

Vermont basketball’s Gus Yalden on Catamounts’ rout of Bryant

Gus Yalden talks to local media after Vermont basketball’s home win over Bryant on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.

The University of Vermont winter sports teams are winding down their regular seasons. The women’s hockey team plays the final two game of its regular season on the road this weekend. It still feels like winter in Vermont with both lacrosse games being moved due to the icy conditions on Virtue Field.

Still there is plenty of action in Catamount Country with Vermont women’s basketball hosting its annual Senior Day celebration on Feb. 21 and the men’s hockey team back at home this weekend.

For schedules, scores and stats from all games, read on below:

Friday, Feb. 20

Men’s lacrosse

Dartmouth 15, Vermont 10 (at Hooksett, NH)

D: Quinn Stankovits 5G, 1A. Stu Gates 2G, 1A. Tyler Juhlin 2G, 1A. Thomas Power 2G, 2A. Alex Jessey 2G, 1A. Max Becker 5 saves.

V: Harrison Josloff 3G, 1A. Max Frattaroli 2G. Tristan Whitaker 1G, 2A. Ethan Pearson 3A. Ryan Daly 6 saves.

Note: Dartmouth outscored Vermont 9-3 in the first quarter.

Women’s hockey

Vermont 2, Holy Cross 1 OT

V: Ashley Kokavec 1G. Kaylee Lewis 1G. Rose-Marie Brochu 1A. Brooke George 1A. Ashley Kokavec 1A. Natalie Zarcone 1A. Lily Prendergast 15 saves.

HC: Charlotte Sonntag 1G. Sarah 1A. Emily Crovo 1A. Abby Hornung 39 saves.

Note: Lewis scored the game winner 3:31 into overtime.

Men’s hockey

Providence 5, Vermont 2

P: Will Elger 1G, 1A. John Mustard 1G, 1A. Tanner Adams 1G. Kale McCallum 1G. Roger McQueen 1G. Graham Gamache 1A. Jonathan Fauchoni 1A. Quinn Mantei 1A. Julius Sumpf 1A. Logan Sawyer 1A. Jack Parsons 25 saves.

V: Colin Kessler 1G. Sebastian Tornqvist 1G. Jonah Aegerter 1A. Cedrick Guindon 1A. Ethan Burroughs 1A. Jens Richards 1A. Axel Mangbo 8 saves. Aiden Wright 17 saves.

Saturday, Feb. 21

Women’s lacrosse

Vermont at Marist, 1 p.m.

Women’s basketball

NJIT at Vermont, 4 p.m.

Men’s basketball

Vermont at NJIT, 7 p.m.

Women’s hockey

Vermont at New Hampshire, 2 p.m.

Men’s hockey

Providence at Vermont, 7:30 p.m.

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.

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Vermont

Town-by-town snow and ski resort forecast for Vermont, New York, and the Upper Valley Friday evening

Published

1 day ago

February 20, 2026

Press Room

Town-by-town snow and ski resort forecast for Vermont, New York, and the Upper Valley Friday evening

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont, New York, and the Upper Valley will get a round of heavy wet snow Friday that begins during the afternoon and transitions to a dry and powdery snow that lingers into Saturday morning.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday for Bennington, Windham, Windsor, eastern Addison and eastern Rutland Counties in Vermont; Sullivan and southern Grafton Counties in New Hampshire; and all of Essex County in N.Y. These areas will likely see the most difficult travel conditions and highest snow accumulations.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday for the rest of the viewing area except northern Coös County in N.H.. Locations in the Winter Weather Advisory will likely see lower snow totals, but should still plan for potentially hazardous travel Friday afternoon and evening.

10 AM Friday to 10AM Saturday(Gunnar Consol)

Snow will be heavy, wet, and slushy when it begins. The heaviest and most intense snowfall will occur during the late afternoon and evening. A general 4-8″ of snow is expected to fall across the region. Areas that could see less snow include the southern St. Lawrence Valley, southern Champlain Valley, the low terrain of Rutland and Bennington County, and northern parts of the Northeast Kingdom.

Friday afternoon into Saturday(Gunnar Consol)

SKI RESORT FORECAST


Bolton Valley: 9-12″	Northeast Slopes: 6-9″
Bretton Woods: 6-9″	Okemo Mountain: 9-12″
Bromley Mountain: 9-12″	Pico Mountain: 6-9″
Burke Mountain: 3-6″	Saskadena Six: 6-9″
Cannon Mountain: 9-12″	Ski Quechee: 6-9″
Dartmouth Skiway: 6-9″	Smugglers’ Notch: 9-12″
Jay Peak: 6-9″	Stowe Mountain: 9-12″
Killington: 9-12″	Stratton Mountain: 9-12″
Loon Mountain: 6-9″	Sugarbush: 9-12″
Mad River Glen: 9-12″	Waterville Valley: 6-9″
Magic Mountain: 9-12″	Whaleback Mountain: 6-9″
Middlebury Snowbowl: 9-12″	Whiteface Mountain: 9-12″
Mount Snow: 9-12″	Wildcat Mountain: 6-9″
Mount Sunapee: 9-12″