February events – Feb. 10 through Feb. 23, 2022

Please email Mary Landon your event listings.
Some events will be cancelled due to COVID and weather. Guidelines for venues are available on individual websites.

Ongoing through February
Shelburne Museum has available on its website two Virtual Escape Rooms, recommended for ages 8 and up. Search for clues, solve puzzles and decipher secret codes to escape the  museum’s virtual general store or apothecary shop. Best played on a personal computer. Great activity for an inside day.

Thursday, Feb. 10, 7–8 p.m.
Bird enthusiasts will enjoy a webinar called Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds, co-hosted by Audubon Vermont and the Green Mountain Audubon Society. This free Zoom event features author, naturalist and researcher Scott Weidensaul discussing his recent book, A World on the Wing. Scott takes participants around the world to see how citizens and researchers make efforts to preserve bird populations and migrations. Pre-registration is required.

Thursday, Feb. 10, 7–8 p.m.
Media Literacy is the topic of this free Zoom discussion featuring Adam Davidson, Chea Waters-Evans and Jesse Wegman. The conversation will revolve around widespread concerns such as disinformation, declining trust in news organizations and conspiracy theorists. The three discussion leaders live locally and are known for varied journalistic careers. Pre-register.

Friday, Feb. 11, 3–8 p.m.
Every Friday when the weather cooperates, Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond hosts their traditional Friday Night Lights, a community evening with dinner and inexpensive skiing for ages 6 and up. A fun event for all levels. Click for more info  or call 802-434-2479.

Saturday, Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Learn how to build an insulated and sturdy igloo at the Montshire Museum in Norwich. Igloo Build and the Science of Winter introduces participants to the structural secrets of building with snow. Author and engineer Dr. Bert Yankielun offers a lesson, as well as assistance building your own igloo. Perfect for families; free with museum admission. Click for more info or call 802-649-2200.

Saturday, Feb. 12, 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Identifying Winter Trees with Master Naturalist Alicia Daniel will be held at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. Participants will explore common trees found in the floodplains and riverside forests near the NBNC. Winter is the time to tune in to the subtle clues  of bud, bark, silhouette and scent. Dress for being outside. Appropriate for ages 12 and up. Click to register, or for more info.

Saturday, Feb. 12, 5 and 7:30 p.m.
The crew at Adventure Dinner is hosting a sumptuous Valentine’s Day feast as a tribute to the many kinds of love. The intimate Italian dinner, held at the Love Lodge in Vergennes, brings romance, great food and a celebratory atmosphere to the wintry Vermont landscape. Limited seatings. Click here for tickets or call 248-224-7539.

Sunday, Feb. 13, 1-3 p.m.
Red Rocks Park in South Burlington is the location for a Pride Hike, co-hosted by Audubon Vermont, Outright Vermont, and Pride Center of Vermont. Meet other hikers and birders at the park entrance, dressed for an easy walk on the trails. It’s an opportunity to prepare for bird observation when the Great Backyard Bird Count happens the following weekend.

Sunday, Feb. 13, 1-3 p.m.
A family-friendly Snowshoe Winter Walk happens at the Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Williston. The event raises funds for the Vermont Garden Network (VGN), allowing them to prepare community and school gardens, distribute seeds and plants, and improve food access. Prizes, hot chocolate, fun activities and s’mores entice individuals and teams to register (free) and raise funds through the VGN website. For more info, visit the website or call 802-879-6001.

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
A walk in the woods for Wildlife Tracking with staff naturalists is an informative way to spend an early morning hour. The North Branch Nature Center hosts all experience levels at this free event (donations welcome). This is a casual outing for a community of curious nature lovers looking for trails and scat. The property is a wildlife corridor for a variety of animals. Click for more info.

Wednesday, Feb. 16, noon
As part of its Winter Speaker series, the Vermont Historical Society hosts author and history professor Van Gosse for a free Zoom talk. His subject, Black Politics in the Yankee Republic, 1775-1860, examines the political world in Vermont from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War, with attention given to notable black Vermonters like Lemuel Haynes and Alexander Twilight. Click to register, or for more info.

Wednesday, Feb. 16, noon-1 p.m.
Join Shelburne Museum Director of Conservation Nancy Ravenel for a free webinar called What the Conservator Saw: Looking at Works by Luigi Lucioni. Ravenel uses lighting and photographic techniques to gain insight into how the Italian artist worked. Lucioni was known for  being the youngest painter to have a picture hung in the Metropolitan Museum (in 1932, at age 31). From 1932 until his death in 1988, Lucioni visited and painted in Vermont, later owning a home in Manchester. There will be an exhibition of Lucioni’s works later in the year at the Museum. Click to register for the webinar.

Wednesday, Feb. 16
JumpStart is a product-focused 10-week program organized by the folks at Generator in Burlington. Early-stage entrepreneurs connect with necessary resources and mentors to turn a product prototype into a market-ready business. The program runs from March 15 to May 17. The  application deadline for the program is February 16. Click for more info.

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 7-9 p.m.
Candidates Night at The Grange will take place via Zoom. Get to know the local candidates standing for election on Town Meeting Day. Ask questions, express concerns about issues facing the town, be informed. The meeting is co-sponsored by the Charlotte Public Library, The Charlotte Grange and The Charlotte News. Submitting questions ahead of time is encouraged by emailing The Charlotte Grange.  Click for more info, or join the meeting.

Thursday, Feb. 17, noon-1 p.m.
Join Women Owning Woodlands Vermont for an online Winter Tree ID program. Speakers for this free Zoom event will share information and strategies geared toward women who want to learn more about their woodlands. Click to register, or for more info.

Thursday, Feb. 17 to Saturday, March 5
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) holds its 40th Annual Winter Conference. This year’s theme is Dream Into Being. Online activities include workshops, speakers, a film screening and much more. This vibrant event brings together the wide community of growers, educators, policy makers, homesteaders, farmers and students who want to share ideas, resources and skills. Click to register, or for more info or call  802-434-4122.

February 18 through June 5
Burlington City Arts Center on Church St. features accomplished Saxtons River artist Eric Aho in a show called Headwater. Aho’s new series of paintings features captivating scenes of nature and landscape around his home, often painted en plein air. Open during gallery hours. Click for more info or call 802-865-7165.

Friday, Feb. 18, 3-8 p.m.
Every Friday when the weather cooperates, Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond has a tradition of hosting Friday Night Lights, a community dinner and inexpensive skiing for ages six and up. A fun event for all levels. Click for more info or call 802-434-2479.

Friday, Feb. 18 – Sunday, Feb. 20
Held in and around North Hero village and bay is the Great Ice Event on Lake Champlain. The frozen bay serves as a weekend focal point for winter recreation: sled dog rides, hockey, skating, fireworks, a snow building competition, a bonfire and a walk to Knight Island. Most events are free. Click for more info, or call 802-372-4121.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 10-11:30 a.m.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Forester For a Day? This popular event at Shelburne Farms appeals to all ages, and gives everyone a chance to wear a hard hat and learn about the work of a forester. Appropriate for ages five and up, with accompanying adult. Dress to be outside. Registration required.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-noon
Here’s one more chance to buy some cookies and support Girl Scout Troop 30066. The troop will be selling cookies at the Charlotte Senior Center on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by, say hello, and stock up.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Get Out, Give Back Winter Race Series to benefit Special Olympics Vermont holds a 5K (or virtual 5K) at Waterfront Park in Burlington. Raceday packet pickup begins at 10:30 a.m.; relaxed start line allows runners to start anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Walkers welcome. Click for more info or to sign up.

Sunday, Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
The WOKO Giant Indoor Flea Market has tag sale items, crafts, and antiques. Visitors may shop, or rent a table to sell their own treasures. The market takes place at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Jct. To reserve a table, call 802-878-5545. Click here for more info.

Sunday, Feb. 20, 2-4 p.m.
The PG movie Duma is screened at the Middlebury New Filmmaker’s Festival. This is an award-winning family film about a young South African boy’s friendship with an orphaned cheetah. This touching film, based on true events, is at the Town Hall Theater. Click for tickets, trailer, and more info.

Sunday, Feb. 20, 4-6 p.m.
World-class mandolin player Joe K. Walsh is joined by an ensemble of other musicians at the Richmond Congregational Church for an entertaining evening of fine music. Valley Stage Productions presents this concert as part of their P.M. Sundays music series. Tickets available at Valley Stage for in-person as well as streaming options. Call 802-434-4563 for more info.

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 1 p.m.
The Burlington Garden Club hosts Dr. Mark Starrett for a public presentation called Propagating Plants — By Seeds, Cuttings, Layering and Grafting. This hands-on workshop is held at Faith United Methodist Church in S. Burlington. Dr. Starrett will demonstrate a variety of propagation techniques for houseplants, perennials, trees and shrubs. Click for more info about this free workshop.

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 12:30-3 p.m.
Enjoy a few hours at Shelburne Pond participating in an Ice Fishing Clinic offered by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. All ages and experience levels are encouraged to learn about regulations, techniques, fish identification, ice safety and more. Equipment provided for this free event; dress for being outside on the ice. Bring a warm drink and a bucket to sit on, if desired. For more info, call 802-505-5562. Pre-registration required.

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 6-7 p.m.
All bodies age differently, and exercise can affect that process. Author and marathon runner Bernd Heinrich speaks to these topics in a free Zoom presentation hosted by the North Branch Nature Center and Bear Pond Books. Heinrich recently wrote Racing The Clock: part memoir, part scientific investigation into the human body, how it ages, and how it changes with exercise. Heinrich is known for other books on running as well as insect and bird behavior. Click to register, or for more info.