Top Stories for Tuesday March 7, 2017

Celebrating Mt. Abraham Wrestling And Founder Rod Cousino
By Cookie Steponaitis
There was palpable electricity in the air at the 2017 Vermont State High School Wrestling Championships as 26 teams took to the mat over a two-day period and stories were written, heroes emerged and all present witnessed a sport that forever changes those who compete in it. Don’t believe it? Just ask Shelly Cousino, wife of Mt. Abraham Union High School Wrestling program founder Rod Cousino who was in the stands and calling home with almost a blow by blow chronology of the event.
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MUMS Students Exceed Charitable Goal
By Cookie Steponaitis
When the students of Middlebury Union Middle School take on a cause they set their goals high. Two teacher advisories, the Quinn TA grade 7 and the Santa Maria/Gero grade 8 have collaborated for the past two years in leading a school wide charitable fundraising effort. The groups selected the Big Change Roundup charity because so many friends and families have benefitted from the excellent care provided by the University of Vermont’s Children’s Hospital and 100% of the funds raised goes to providing direct services to the local children who receive life-saving care and supporting the patients’ families. Last year some MUMS students visited the hospital and learned first-hand how the funds address the needs of sick children.  [ more ]

Spending Time With The Masters Of The Air
By Cookie Steponaitis
LaNell DeCosta simply has loved birds since she was a child. Some of her earliest dreams involved being able to fly and she has always been happily attracted to wild creatures with wings and especially fascinated with owls. About a year ago, DeCosta began an earnest search of the Champlain Valley to capture images and enjoy her flighted friends. After receiving a more advanced camera as a Christmas gift from her son she has dedicated weekends to the search and capturing a glimpse into the world of birds of prey. Boosting DeCosta’s efforts are the increased numbers of eagles and other birds of prey present in the valley. “Between 2004 and 2006 they released twenty-nine Bald Eagles into Addison County,” shared DeCosta. “Now there are fifty-one confirmed Bald Eagles in Vermont as of the last counting by Vermont Fish & Wildlife.”  [ more ]