Berry season is almost here. As you’ve probably heard, the list of health benefits associated with these bite-size superfoods is long. They’re loaded with antioxidants, help fight inflammation and are a great source of fiber, vitamins and nutrients. In addition to being nutritious, berries require little to no prep and appeal to kids and adults alike. All those reasons make berries a great “pick” for an easy, crowd-pleasing snack or addition to a meal. (fb)

Well-Versed in the Multiverse: StaciAnne Grove In the expanse of the multiverse, I exist as countless versions of myself, each shaped by different choices and realities. Some versions feel familiar, nearly identical to my life, while others stretch the limits of imagination. I am a midwife. I worked for years as a bookseller, promoting author signings and appearances. There is a character partially based on me in Chris Bohjalian’s Midwives. She always arrives with books, flowers… and plenty of opinions. I’m a comic book heroine. In the universe of Noiduttu created by A.P. Delchi, I am cast as a witch among goddesses, vampires, goths, DJs, and other supernatural beings in the heart of Manhattan’s East Village. I bring music and magic to life and transform those around me, helping to protect an ancient secret the city has held since its inception. I am a creator. Photography gives me courage. With a camera in my hand, I venture to places I would not normally go —to the edge of a raging waterfall, the mosh pit of a concert, or covering a plane crash in 1990 when I worked at New York Newsday. More quietly, I create origami cranes, one at a time, each a wish for health or hope. I’m currently folding my 22nd set of 1,000 for a friend with cancer. I am a martial artist and competitive board breaker. My love of taekwondo fills my soul – and every summer I volunteer to help my instructor run his camp. Taekwondo introduced me to power breaking, where I stack up and smash up to 11 boards at a time. I was the United States Breaking Association champion for the most boards broken in 2021. To me, every board represents a broken barrier, a challenge overcome. My multiverse is endless, but at my core, I am a seeker — of knowledge, stories and connections. In each version of me, both real and fantastical, I search for what makes life meaningful and magical, while trying to foster joy and hope in those around me — one song, one board, one origami crane at a time. StaciAnne Grove is a community relations coordinator and executive assistant for UVM Health Network. She has been with us nine years. (fb)