Occasional Musings by Kevin Russell
July 18, 2021 It was a day in the Green Mountain National Rain Forest. Intermittent, sometimes strong and steady, the rain did not deter our progress along the Oak Ridge and Moosalamoo Trails. Long-distance hiker Denali (trail name) and I were off on her 4,700-mile mission to complete the North Country Trail. We were traversing the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, near Ripton, Vermont, a proposed route … Continue Reading →
July 12, 2021 “It was like the stadium was wrapped in a curtain of love,” remarked Tim Martin following the opening night of DCI. Tim had just been inducted into the Carolina Crown Hall of Fame with three other deserving Crown Family members – Jim Williams, and Susan and Ron Murphy. “I’m just a drum corps kid from a drum corps family,” Tim said … Continue Reading →
July 9, 2021 The anticipation is palpable. After 22 months of no live drum corps, I am heading to Charlotte, North Carolina to join friends, the Martin Family, for a night of music and celebration with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. These past several months I have enjoyed the online content and virtual performance of the various corps, frequently checking out YouTube … Continue Reading →
September 13, 2020 I’m a little behind in my putting down some words here along the Mill Brook, so it is time to catch up a little. This is the time of year that we enjoy the crack between the seasons here in the Mad River Valley. That is, the time when we get the Valley back to ourselves, with visitors and second homeowners … Continue Reading →
By Kevin Russell I recently returned from two days immersed in Vermont’s forests, though I spent most of my time indoors, seated at a conference table. I attended the Vermont Forest Industry Summit, a Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund conference held at the Burke Hotel and Conference Center at the venerable ski area in the Northeast Kingdom. This was the second annual gathering of representatives … Continue Reading →
October 17, 2019 – Fayston, Vermont Everyone should spend a day substitute teaching in their local Kindergarten Class. Ok, since this is not practical or possible, let me share my thoughts about how restorative this can be to your hopefulness for the future and how important it is to continue supporting our small elementary schools. Maybe you read my blog last year: A Day … Continue Reading →
August 31, 2019 As I am in my sixty-fifth year, I have begun to enjoy the fruits of my labor and have semi-retired. In Vermont, that means I only have seven sources of income this year. Of course, I am not really idle, managing one remaining sidewalk project as Municipal Project Manager. I also teach skiing in the winter, coach high school golf in … Continue Reading →
June 20, 2019 – Detroit 9:50am Yesterday, I arrived at the Detroit airport (DTW) on a non-stop flight from Burlington, VT (BTV) to visit friends and see the premiere DCI event at Ford Field tonight. Each airport could not be more uniquely different. At Burlington International Airport the parking garage, check in counter, and gates are all within a few yards of each other. … Continue Reading →
June 6, 2018 – Warren, Vermont If you think the world is upside down these days, spend a day at your local school. Recently, I have been substitute teaching at the Warren School, and each day I spend there bolsters my hope for the future. I have been a parent and am now a grandparent of the neighboring Fayston School. Volunteering as a ski … Continue Reading →