Brooke Geery - Rutland Vermont photography and digital media

May 23, 2023August 13, 2026

Legendary Snowmaker Greg Hiltz Retires After 45 Years

Not many people can say they’ve covered New York’s Central Park with snow, but Greg Hiltz can. A select few people can say they’ve pulled off making enough snow for a World Cup course in one night, and they’d probably have to thank Hiltz for it. In his 45-year career making snow at Killington Resort, he created, innovated, and made so many laugh, but on March 21, 2023, Hiltz took out his channel locks and turned off his final snow gun at The Beast. “That’s true, I’m done. Love the mountain, love the people, love the job, but I’ve done my time,” Greg says with the authority he’s become so…

November 19, 2020August 13, 2026

Sound Barrier pop-up shop coming to Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times- November, 18, 2020 By Brooke Geery If you grew up in Rutland in the 90s, you likely have a memory of the Sound Barrier and its brightly colored banner on Center Street. Whether you were after music, clothing or skate and snowboard supplies, the store provided anything and everything an alt-teen could desire. Owner Jeff Sanborn helped rural kids keep up with the trends and always had a line on that obscure CD or T-shirt. But in 2003, burnt out on the retail scene, he closed his doors to the public and moved his business online. “It’s funny ‘cuz when I closed people were…

November 4, 2020August 13, 2026

Killington featured in latest Warren Miller film ‘Future Retro’

Originally published in the Mountain Times- November 4, 2020 Lexi duPont. Photo: Oskar Enander Warren Miller’s 71st feature film will stream Nov. 7 By Brooke Geery For the past 71 years, the start of the season has been marked by a new Warren Miller movie, and although Covid-19 has changed the premiere format, skiers will still delight in a new film which takes them around the globe from top to bottom, including a trip to the Beast of the East. The Killington segment explores everything that goes into putting on the World Cup event, and also includes some freeskiing from Killington-bred skier Jim Ryan and Minnesota native Kaylin Richardson. In…

October 29, 2020August 13, 2026

Everyone Eats continues to feed Rutland

Originally published in the Mountain Times- Oct. 28, 2020 One of the most notable programs to came out of the federal CARES act in Vermont is Everyone Eats. Using $5 million in coronavirus relief dollars, the Southeastern Vermont Community Action Agency launched hubs across the state where those experiencing food insecurity could pick up restaurant-prepared meals a few times per week. In Rutland, the giveaways are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Farmers’ Food Center in Rutland. Organizer Harry DiPrinzio takes great pride in not just the amount, but the quality food they have been able to provide to the community. In addition to being prepared by professional chefs,…

October 14, 2020August 13, 2026

Taso on Center braces for winter

Originally published Oct. 14, 2020 To-go meals all packed and ready. Area restaurants face uncertainty and challenges due to Covid restrictions and approaching cold weather By Brooke Geery Downtown Rutland restaurants, including Taso on Center (22 Center St.), took full advantage of the warm weather and additional outdoor seating possibilities this summer in order to stay afloat amid Covid restrictions. But now, as winter approaches, a new strategy is required. “We are not in normal times,” Taso owner Jay Sabataso said. “We are adapting and thinking outside the box. The seating downtown has been awesome outside, we’ve had good weather and the Downtown Partnership has been great, but the weather…

September 30, 2020August 13, 2026

Annual Autumn Round Up in Ludlow offers window to the past

Originally published on the Mountain Times- Sept. 30, 2020 By Brooke Geery High in the hills above Ludlow, after the paved road turns to dirt, sits Barker Farm, a massive 155-acre property dotted with giant maple trees and buildings in various states of disrepair. On the right side of the street is a reminder that it’s 2020—the Coolidge Solar Project, with rows of massive panels, covering over 88 acres of the property. But on the left side of the road, a massive antique wrecker stands as a literal welcome sign to the 22nd annual Autumn Round Up, a small-engine and antique tractor show held on Sept. 26-27. You probably didn’t…

September 16, 2020August 13, 2026

Local hurricane relief efforts send supplies to Louisiana

Originally published in the Mountain Times- Sept. 16, 2020 Current and former students of McNeese State University in Louisiana raise their fingers in the official college salute, send the message “Geaux Pokes” to their friends down south. By Brooke Geery Early in the morning of Aug. 27, Hurricane Laura slammed into DeRidder, Louisiana, causing widespread destruction. Ruth Tolar, a 30-year resident of Killington, watched from afar as her hometown, and her entire family, sat directly in the hurricane’s path. “Even though the floods were not what was expected, there is extreme damage done to the area,” Tolar said on Facebook. “Most of the areas are looking at 6-8 weeks—at least—before…

September 9, 2020August 13, 2026

Forests full of fungi

Originally published in the Mountain Times Deadly Amanita in all its stages. Mushroom hunting in Vermont provides hours of entertainment and health benefits, too By Brooke Geery A vast network of underground mycelium lies hidden in the forests of Vermont. This is, until the right combo of water and heat cause it to spring forth as wild mushrooms in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are edible, some are poisonous, some are just plain cool to see. With a little research and training, you can learn not only to spot them, but identify which are delicious and vitamin rich. This article is by no means a comprehensive guide, but…

September 2, 2020August 13, 2026

Bike Bum races move to KMTB club trails

Originally published in the Mountain Times Tony Sudol. By Brooke Geery By Brooke Geery Much like their winter brethren, mountain bikers are a hardy sort. They’re not going to let a little thing like a global pandemic spoil all the fun. So, although the Bike Bum race series, normally held on Killington Resort’s network of trails, was not able to happen at the resort this year, organizers regrouped and moved things just down the road to the Killington Mountain Bike Club’s trails behind Base Camp Outfitters on Route 4. This year, riders negotiate the TBR (Thundering Brook Road) trail, which was created in seven days by KSA Built. KSA Built…

August 12, 2020August 13, 2026

Art in the Park survives Covid-19

Originally published in the Mountain Times By Brooke Geery With nearly all events cancelled due to Covid-19, no one would have been surprised if Rutland’s annual Art in the Park festival didn’t happen this year. But by limiting the number of vendors and attendees, the Chaffee Art Gallery was able to host the event for the 59th year on Aug. 8-9. Main Street Park in Rutland was neatly fenced off and instead of compact rows of tents filling the space, vendors were spread around the park with arrows on the ground leading people in a one-way figure 8 path around them. St. Albans-based Green Mountain Kettle Corn was one of…