The Champlain Valley Union High field hockey team’s semifinal playoff game is scheduled for today, Oct. 29, at South Burlington High School. The game, originally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, has been postponed twice.

The Redhawks will take on Mount Anthony Union High School at 3 p.m. The winner will play in the Division 1 championship game, scheduled for Saturday at Castleton State College.

According to an e-mail sent to parents Friday from Williston Central School Nurse Sue Leister, the Allen Brook School vaccination clinic for the H1N1 virus on Tuesday, Oct. 27 has been postponed. There has been no new date decided upon as of yet. According to the e-mail, there are insufficient supplies within Vermont to hold the clinic.

The Williston Central clinic is still scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. Leister said in the e-mail that that vaccination time might be rescheduled as well. She said updates on new vaccination clinic dates will be made available as soon as school nurses become aware.

I’d like to say the reason behind the fact I haven’t updated this blog in a few weeks is because I’ve been outside enjoying the summer. That hasn’t been the case, so much. Unfortunately, Mother Nature apparently has told summer to not bother visiting New England this year. Instead, we seem to be enjoying a perpetual spring. And according to the Farmer’s Almanac, we’re going to be in for more of the same: cool temps, rainy days, and violent thunderstorms. Thanks to all this instability in the air, we’ve had some storms that’ll send you running for the basement. Just the other day, thunder shook my house so hard that stuff was falling off my shelves. Don’t even get me started about the hail.

I only got caught in one storm this summer while hiking around Vermont, so I guess I’ve been lucky. And I was real lucky last week when my wife and I decided to do some exploring around Groton State Forest. This park is located between Montpelier and St. Johnsbury, along the scenic VT Route 232. Along with the rolling hills and mountains, there is an abundance of lakes and rivers, including Lake Groton and Kettle Pond. We hiked the long, but scenic trail around Kettle Pond last weekend and enjoyed the rare, but warm, sunshine. Later, we climbed to the top of Owl’s Head mountain, which offers amazing views back towards the western slopes of the Green Mountains and a few peaks in New Hampshire. While it was July 4 weekend, it was actually pretty quiet, with just a few boats out on the lakes and a handful of hikers.

From the Champlain Valley, Groton State Forest is an hours drive down either Routes 2 or 302. Both roads get you the different ends of the park. I recommend at least one visit there this summer. It’s a great place for bikers, hikers, and boaters alike.

Free is always better. That’s why I’m going to try and see as many Vermont State Parks this weekend. The state parks department is hosting its annual Vermont Days, where entry to all Vermont State Parks and Historic Sites is free. From Molly Stark State Park in Wilmington to Lake Carmi State Park in Franklin - no charge!

And for all you anglers out there, it’s a free fishing weekend, too. So leave those fishing licenses at home. You don’t need ‘em.

Close to where I live is Little River State Park, which is home to the Waterbury Reservoir and old village ruins. It’s a great place to hike or mountain bike. But as I said, I’m going to be traveling the state this weekend to find some undiscovered gems. Ever heard of Maidstone State Park? Neither have I. And so there I will go.

This Saturday is National Trail Day, where local hiking clubs and groups urge people to hit the trails or help them in maintaining popular route. Groups like the Green Mountain Club are hosting trail work events in places such as Camel’s Hump, Mount Abraham, Killington Peak, Lye Brook Falls in Manchester, among other places. Visit the organization’s Web site for more information on how to volunteer and where to meet.

As for myself, I spent last weekend hiking the hills and trails around Lake Willoughby. This weekend I might hit up Camel’s Hump and see if I can find the remnants of the World War Two bomber that crashed into the mountain in 1944. Then off to the lake to find Champy. Rumor has it he’s been making cameo appearances around Oak Ledge Park.

Hi, my name is Allyson Condie and have worked at the Observer for about 5 years. I am originally from Montreal and then moved to Toronto to follow my fashion career. I am writing a fashion blog because fashion has always been a part of my life. I look forward to hearing everyones fashion fabs and woes. Here is my first blog about jeans in the workplace.

Casual Fridays has turned to casual everyday at some businesses, so dressing up denim can be a fun, yet challenging fashion mission. This everyday staple can look just as dressy with some must-have finishing touches.

- Trousers jeans in a darker denim shade, which instantly makes the look more dressed up. Some come with a wider leg, which is similar to wide leg dress pants.

- Black jeans can be dressed up with boots or heels and a dressy top.

- The little jean dress. Forget the little black dress; it’s time for the little jean dress. Pair with a little belt and bold jewelry would really make this look hip.

- The jean jacket. Go for tailored and sleek with small details. New cropped style is nice.

- Dark boot cut jeans can be dressed up with a button down shirt or any other dressy shirt. Make it unique with sparkly cuff links. And some bold jewelry.

- Add a Jacket or Blazer to dress up the look.

- Keep the makeup and hair pulled together, which will keep your denim look dressier.

The darker your shade of denim the better, because indigo shades of blue tend to look dressier than lighter shades. This goes for everything from dresses, to jeans to skirts. And always accessorize. When dressing up anything, you know that adding certain accessories can make any look extra dramatic. The same goes for dressing up denim. Don’t be afraid to add some extra sparkly jewelry to the look. Pearls would be a nice touch for extra glamour or a charm necklace would make the look funky, yet interesting. Gold jewelry would also offset denim nicely, like large gold hoops and several gold bangles. For shoes, anything with a heel will instantly give your outfit a dressier feel.

My name is Angela Baker and I have worked at the Williston Observer for eight years as an advertising representative. I have six animals at home, three dogs and three cats. I volunteer as a transporter for Vermont Wildlife Rehab and that has given me the opportunity to see and care for sick and injured wild animals I never imagined I would be able to get close to. I have also fostered puppies for Golden Huggs rescue located in Williston.
I will soon be posting photos of my animals with brief bios. I would love to hear about your pets.
Just a quick reminder with spring here:
Birds are nesting now so please keep this in mind when pruning your trees. Nests are very cleverly camouflaged and easy to overlook. I normally prune my trees in the fall to avoid upsetting nesting birds.
Please feel free to respond with any animal tips of funny stories you would like to share.

Slowly, but surely, this Friday afternoon will see an invasion of vehicles into our fair state bearing New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts license plates. We’ll probably see a few Connecticut plates as well, with a token New Hampshire car thrown into the mix for good measure. Traffic will slow along the Route 7 heading to all points along the lake. The tour busses will rumble through Burlington, Stowe and everywhere in between. There will be a guaranteed traffic jam at the entrance of Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury. Williston might escape some of the brunt, but don’t forget about Lake Iroquois. Yes it’s Memorial Day – the unofficial start to the summer tourist season.

Actually, I’ve always been a big fan of Memorial Day weekend. It’s the official start of hiking season here in Vermont, when the Green Mountain Club lifts its ban on hiking during Mud Season. Not that the ban has really stopped anyone before, judging by the number of cars in the overflow parking lot at Camel’s Hump last weekend.

The state parks are also open this weekend and the campgrounds are ready for use. Most libraries across the state are offering a state parks pass for local residents to check out. The free pass will allow a vehicle free entry to any park in the state. Even if you’ve packed you’re 1997 Dodge Caravan with 20 college friends, they’re all free with the pass. Most libraries only have one pass available, so it might be difficult to get lucky enough to snag one. But it’s worth a shot. If not, a punch card good for 10 visits is available at the parks for $20. A full seasons pass is available for $80 as well.

For the most part, the weather looks pretty good for the weekend. The National Weather Service is calling for a 40 percent chance of thunderboomers (as Tom Messner calls them) on Saturday. Sunday and Monday are looking spectacular, with plenty of sunshine and high temperature in the 70’s.

I’m looking at visiting Lake Willoughby in the Northeast Kingdom this Sunday. Perhaps some mountain biking will be thrown in for good measure. The trails on Perry Hill in Waterbury have firmed up quite nicely.

Anyone else have big plans for the weekend?

With temps in the high 80s on a recent Saturday, I decided to check out a hill in Addison called Snake Mountain, which stands at a small 1,200-feet in elevation. I saw it as chance to stretch my hiking legs this season on a moderate 1.8-mile climb that promised great views of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. First off, the views deliver. The mighty ruggedness of those New York mountain neighbors juxtaposed with the shimmering blue ribbon of the lower lake made the quick climb well worth it. For those that don’t know, there used to be a hotel in the 1870s on top of the mountain. In fact, I think every prominent hill and mountain from here to Maine at some sort of hotel on its summit. And just like all the rest, Snake Mountain’s very own Holiday Inn burnt to the ground soon after it was built. But the footprint still stands and you can thank whoever built it for the lovely views.

I wasn’t the only one enjoying Snake Mountain that day. Besides the packs of Middlebury College students who I frequently came across, I discovered the real residents of the mountain. And why the hill gets its slithery name. I saw three medium-sized snakes on my way up and down the trail. They slinked away whenever I found them, but I was able to snap a few photos. One snake briefly tried to climb a tree to get away from me, but he gave that idea up pretty quickly. Does anyone have more information on the reason why there is a high propensity of snakes on the appropriately titled Snake Mountain?

Welcome to the first entry of many in the Williston Observer’s new outdoor blog – Black Fly in My Eye! First, I should probably introduce myself. My name is Tim Simard, a reporter with the paper, and when not typing away at my desk, you can usually find me slathered in bug juice and high SPF sun block skiing, hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and what not outside.

I prefer hitting the trail as often as I can. For instance, I usually go through one pair of hiking boots a season. That should tell you how much I beat on my feet any given summer and fall. I can also leave my apartment in Waterbury and take a series of paths, roads and backyard dashes to the trailhead of Hunger Mountain and then hike to its famous summit. I haven’t actually tried this yet, but just knowing I can is more than satisfying.

I started hiking as soon as I could walk, mostly in the White Mountains of New Hampshire near where I grew up. Since then, I’ve tramped all over New England and New York, serving as a wilderness guide during my time at St. Michael’s College. Contrary to popular belief, I have not had to be rescued off Mount Washington… yet.

I also guided trips for the school in Big Bend National Park in Texas (where everything is probably bigger, and possibly better) and took several personal excursions to other parts of the states and even Europe. I’ve learned that no two hikes are the same – some are better when it’s raining, some are better in the sun, some are better on the hottest of days, others during an arctic freeze. For instance, I enjoy snowshoeing at 2 a.m. under a full moon. Try it. It’s fun.
In between leaping through mud puddles and running away from swarms of mosquitoes, you can find me out around Vermont on my mountain bike splashing through mud puddles and peddling away from swarms of mosquitoes. As the seasons change, I’ll break out the skis and snowshoes. If you live in this state, you might as well embrace what it throws at you. Or serious cabin fever can set in. I’ve seen it happen. Not good.

Basically, this blog will be brief journal about a new hike or ride I discovered, plus information about upcoming outdoor events in Vermont and in the Champlain Valley. And whatever irreverent thoughts pop into my head. So check in frequently. For now, I’m off!