FALL 2016
VOLUME 9 NO 4 $4.95
QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK Tales of our haunted history
AL’S FRENCH FRYS
An American classic in Burlington
HOWARD CENTER Changing lives for the better
Contents FEATURES 52
Al’s French Frys
An American classic in Burlington. by mark aiken
60
di Stefano Landscaping Sensitive to the preferences and passions of their clients. by mary gow
68
Help Is Here
Howard Center is changing lives for the better. by tom brandes
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Contents DEPARTMENTS 17 PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 18 ONLINE HUB 20 CONTRIBUTORS
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22 GATHERINGS 24 ART SCENE The art of nature.
30 CHEERS! Raise a glass to autumn. By Jen Rose Smith
33 IN GOOD HEALTH Timberlane Dental Group. By Michelle Fischer
38 HOT SPOT Foam Brewers. By Sarah Tuff Dunn
44 SEASON’S BEST Queen City Ghostwalk. By Phyl Newbeck
76 DINING GUIDE 79 Happenings A calendar of events.
83 Advertisers Index
24 62
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
50 Autumn adventures Shopping and fun things to do in our local Burlington area.
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Coffee Table Publishing, LLC P.O. Box 1460, Quechee, VT 05059 (802) 295-5295 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Publishers
Robin Gales John Gales Bob Frisch Associate Editor
Kristy Erickson copy editor
Elaine Ambrose Art Direction/Design
Robbie Alterio Advertising Design
Hutchens Media, LLC Web Design
Locable Advertising
Robin Gales John Gales (802) 295-5295 coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net Keep us posted. Best of Burlington wants to hear from our readers. Correspondence may be addressed to Letters to the Editor, Best of Burlington, P.O. Box 1460, Quechee, VT 05059. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing ctpublishing@comcast.net or coffeetablepublishing@ comcast.net. Best of Burlington is published quarterly by Coffee Table Publishing, LLC, Š2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Best of Burlington accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.
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Publishers’ note
Fall in the Champlain Valley
REDS! YELLOWS! GOLDS! That neon color that looks like the tree is on fire! Fall in the Champlain Valley is something to behold. And we’re lucky to live here and experience it every year. Robin and I always love putting together the fall issue; it’s filled with vibrant colors and harvest-themed ideas, recipes, and more. In this issue we dare you to consider accompanying Thea Lewis of Queen City Ghostwalk on a tour of Burlington’s haunted history. We never knew the area had so many dark tales to tell! After your tour, head over to Foam Brewers—just a bunch of Vermonters living their dream and putting out some of the best brews around. A big part of staying healthy is good dental health. We shine the light on the Timberlane Dental Group, highlighting their phenomenal staff and strong commitment to the community. You’ll love this issue’s Art Scene with our fall foliage photo spread, and be sure and check out the calendar of events happening throughout the season. For a deeper look into our community and its needs, we bring you the informative insights of Howard Center. Howard Center offers so much to those in need and continues to work to improve the lives of many in the area. We are truly blessed to have such an organization. Fall brings a time of winding down the yardwork and getting ready for, dare we say it, winter. Our feature on di Stefano Landscaping with Chris and crew is a fun read about a group of people who truly love their work of blending beauty and conservation to maximize your outside sanctuary. And last but certainly not least, we pay tribute to the landmark itself! To the place that offers indulgence, satisfaction, and a wicked good order of French fries! Yes, we finally feature Al’s French Frys! We’ll just leave this here and let you imagine the smell of fresh-cooked fries in the air. Go ahead, stop by. Treat yourself. Happy fall everyone! Enjoy the beauty and the crisp fall air that the Champlain Valley provides.
John and Robin Gales Publishers
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ITY QUEGEHNOSTCWALK Tales of
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FRYS S FRicEanNclCasHsic in Burlington AL’Am An er ENTER HOWAgRlivDes foCr the better
5 Best Fall Foliage Hikes
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9 NO 4
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CONTRIBUTORS BEST OF BURLINGTON
Mark is a freelance writer from Richmond, Vermont. He teaches skiing in the winter and trains for marathons in the summer. Together, he and his wife are involved in another endurance sport—parenting.
Mark Aiken
Tom Brandes
Paul Boisvert Tom is a freelance writer in Plymouth, Minnesota, where he writes on a variety of subjects including technology, health care, manufacturing, sustainability, and more. His work has appeared in a number of publications including New Hampshire Wildlife Journal, Auto Magazine, Fire Chief, and Urban Land. He enjoys hiking, biking, and canoeing during annual visits to New England with his family.
Michelle lives in Hinesburg, Vermont, with her husband and two dogs. She loves to ski in the winter and to mountain bike and hike in the summer. She enjoys recreation, the outdoors, and all that Vermont has to offer. Michelle is also an avid cook and master gardener.
Michelle Fischer
Jen writes about travel and beverages from from her home base in Winooski. She’s the author of the Moon handbook to Vermont, and when not exploring every corner of New England, she can usually be found in the kitchen wielding a whisk and a cocktail shaker.
Jen Rose Smith 20 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Paul was born and raised in Shelburne, Vermont. His love of photography began when his father gave him a Hero Imperial 120 camera when he was eight years old. He began a full-time freelance photography business when he left school, and he now takes acclaimed photographs for such publications as the New York Times and Ski Magazine as well as local magazines and many commercial clients.
Mary is a journalist, freelance writer, and arts correspondent for the Times Argus, as well as a contributor to numerous regional magazines. She is also the author of history of science books for middle school students. She lives in Warren, Vermont.
Mary Gow
gatherings Photos by Daria Bishop
ll a F
unless otherwise noted
at
Shelburne Vineyard
Locals and visitors alike enjoy Vermont’s fall landscape, and what could be better than relaxing beside the vines at Shelburne Vineyard for a family-friendly concert, barbecue, or other event? The vineyard hosts free First Thursday of the Month concerts (outdoors during warm weather and indoors as the weather cools), and the schedule expands in early fall with the free monthly Bluegrass and BBQ concert series on Friday nights. Settle in on the lawn and patios to listen to local musicians, feast on fare from Burlington’s Bluebird Barbecue food truck, and enjoy wine by the glass and Fiddlehead on tap. On the third Tuesday of the month, come to tell or just listen to stories at Wine and Story. As the weather cools, the harvest winds down, and the holiday season approaches, fall marks one of Shelburne Vineyard’s signature events— the Autumn Wine & Food Festival and Food Shelf Benefit. Now in its eighth year, the festival will take place on November 5 from 11am to 5pm. The vineyard welcomes the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, along with about 14 of Vermont’s local food producers who set up a market in the Tasting Room and under a patio tent where visitors can sample and purchase their wares. In lieu of the usual tasting fee, the vineyard asks visitors to bring donations of nonperishable goods. Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf staff are on hand to share news of their work and graciously receive donations. In addition, each vendor contributes a gift to a raffle with drawings throughout the day, generating additional cash donations to the Food Shelf. The day typically nets the equivalent of 3,000 pounds of food, a bounty that helps the Food Shelf meet the rising demand as the weather cools. For more information about events at the vineyard, go to www. shelburnevineyard.com or visit Shelburne Vineyard on Facebook. Bluebird Barbecue brings their food truck to the last Bluegrass and BBQ event so people at the concert can picnic while they listen. The Annual Autumn Wine & Food Festival and Food Shelf Benefit. Photo by David A. Seaver.
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Nature
ART SCENE
The Art of
Vermont’s season of spectacular color
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I
n the autumn in Vermont, there are days that call us out of doors, no matter how busy we
are. School is back in session. Summer vacations are behind us, there is wood to stack, and a chimney to clean. Gardens must be put to bed. Yet the best days are these. The frantic flowering and fruiting are coming to their cyclical end, and nature has saved the best for last. Art is integral to the soul of humankind, but nature represents the art of the universe, or if you prefer Dante’s interpretation, “Nature is the art of God.�
Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 25
If medicine is an art, nature is surely its most ancient practitioner. Scottish naturalist and environmental philosopher John Muir said, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” He must have had autumn in mind, for what could heal us better than golden days when azure skies and leaves the colors of flame light up our world and reflect it in calm ponds and lakes. Aristotle noted that “Art takes nature as its model.” And it is true that art owes its origins to nature and does its best to imitate it. 26 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 27
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Jimmy Carter said, “Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.” This fall finds us in particular need of just such a common language. Frank Lloyd Wright understood its power too, when he said, “… stay close to nature; it will never fail you.” In any season here in Northern Vermont, one
online EXTRA! Check out five hikes to enjoy the brilliant autumn show at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
need not travel far to find art in nature and nature in art. But of the four seasons, autumn is the most accomplished artist. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 29
cheers! By Jen Rose Smith
Raise a Glass
Autumn to
Celebrate the best of the season
O
n a quiet, back road outside Groton State Forest is one of my favorite signs in Vermont,
a hand-painted piece of plywood that reads: “peak foliage Monday 2pm.” I don’t know who put it up, but I love the joke. Out-of-state visitors schedule trips to Vermont
months in advance, hoping to arrive on a perfect afternoon when the maples are flaming red against a blue sky, and warm afternoons give way to crisp, cool evenings.
Those afternoons do exist—look for one somewhere between late September and Election Day. But watching autumn unfurl from beginning to end offers a more expansive view of the perfect fall afternoon. Early September brings some of the finest days for swimming in Lake Champlain, along with a heavy crop of McIntosh apples. Foliage turns bright toward the end of the month, then brighter still, illuminating brooding weather. When the leaves are on the ground, tree branches are laid bare above a mosaic of color, then the first dusting of snow. For Vermonters, the best of fall lingers far longer than picture-postcard, peak foliage season.
To celebrate that transition from sunny afternoons to snowflakes, we asked some of Vermont’s craft distillers to share recipes for autumn drinks that reflect their favorite aspects of fall. Raise a glass to the season, from a warming Manhattan scented with campfire smoke to a rum martini that tastes like a sunny, late September day. Cheers!
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Leaf Pile
Sas Stewart, Stonecutter Spirits, Middlebury
Subtle oak and a complex bouquet of aromatics make Stonecutter Spirits’ aged gin both warm and vibrant—this is a refreshing drink for toasting (or raking) the foliage. 2 oz Stonecutter Spirits Single Barrel Gin K oz Pimm’s liqueur K oz maple syrup Club soda (Sas prefers Boylan Heritage) Garnish: lemon slice, cucumber slice Combine the first three ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Shake for 8 to 12 seconds and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Top with club soda and garnish with lemon and cucumber slices.
Smoky Maple Manhattan Aaron Wisniewski, Alice & the Magician, Burlington
With smoky notes that recall wood fires and cool evenings, Aaron’s Autumn Bonfire fragrance pairs perfectly with Smugglers’ Notch smooth bourbon. 2 oz Smugglers’ Notch bourbon 1 oz Carpano Antica or other sweet vermouth 2 dashes Angostura bitters K oz maple syrup Alice & the Magician’s Autumn Bonfire Garnish: brandied cherry Combine the first four ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Mist once with Autumn Bonfire and garnish with a cherry. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 31
Banana Syrup
2 cups brown sugar 1 cup water 2 bananas, peeled and sliced into 2-inch pieces
Stir the brown sugar into the water in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add bananas and remove from heat, leaving bananas to steep in the syrup as it cools. Every 15 minutes, use a knife to slice the bananas into smaller pieces, exposing more of the fruit to the steeping syrup. When fully cooled, pour through a fine-mesh strainer and refrigerate.
Meet the Magician
Talking Aromas with Alice & the Magician Founder Aaron Wisniewski
Tiny bottles of Aaron’s “cocktail aromatics” have been appearing on bars around Vermont. We asked the former bartender and certified sommelier for tips on using aromas at home. What’s a good way to get started with cocktail aromatics? I think about it like any sort of garnish, from a lemon twist to an orange wedge or a sprig of mint—it’s the last thing to go in, and you get maximum flavor with minimum dilution of spirit. In a citrus cocktail, you can turn the volume up dramatically by misting some Citrus Blossom Harvest or add an element that’s not in the drink, like smoke or rosemary. How do aromas change a cocktail? From a scientific standpoint, 90 percent of your perception of flavor is aroma. We can smell literally trillions of things, and because aroma is directly linked to the memory and emotion part your brain, it’s one of the most powerful of your senses. The first taste is the most exciting one, when the aromatics are the most intense. By the time you’ve finished your drink, the aromatics have dissipated. What are some of the most distinctive scents of autumn for you? I grew up in Hinesburg, where we all had fireplaces and woodstoves to heat our houses. I didn’t have TV or video games, so I’d be walking around, playing, existing outside, and the smell that I remember is the sweet, smoky smell that would hang in the air, mixed with the dried leaves and damp ground that’s such a classic New England fragrance. To me, that says autumn like nothing else, and it inspired the Autumn Bonfire scent. 32 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Bananarac
Neil Goldberg, Mad River Distillers, Warren
Balanced between tropical fruit flavors and the heat of rye whiskey, this drink is perfect for enjoying the last warm evenings in late September. 2 oz Mad River Distillers rye whiskey K oz banana syrup (see recipe) 3 dashes Scrappy’s Orleans Bitters Garnish: lemon twist Combine the first three ingredients with ice. Stir and strain into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
Vermont Rum Martini Duncan Holiday, Dunc’s Mill, Barnet
Duncan likes to mix his unaged, organic rum into this crystal-clear cocktail, a New England twist on the classic martini. 2 oz Dunc’s Mill rum K oz dry vermouth Garnish: citrus twist or olive Combine the rum and vermouth in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Finish with your preferred garnish.
in good health By michelle fischer Photos by Paul Boisvert
Locally Grown
Timberlane Dental Group A bounty of healthy, happy smiles Mindy welcomes a pediatric patient and discusses dental care.
A larger-than-life set of teeth attracts a young boy (yes, the mouth really does open and close). A girl admires her new purple glitter toothbrush and another, her reflection in the mirror. Every day the Brushing Room at Timberlane Dental Group’s South Burlington office hums cheerfully as children explore all things dental to start their appointment. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 33
Clockwise from right: Gina is ready to help in the business office. Tsering shows her warmth and compassion as she readies for the next patient. Timberlane Dental front entrance, established in 1973. Diane offers a pleasant welcome at the front desk.
“We engage children in their dental care from the start,” explains pediatric coordinator Annie Bosher on a tour of the practice. “They learn brushing and flossing, and they notice spots their brushing has missed.” Young patients, who receive continuous lifetime dental care at Timberlane, can reasonably expect to have their teeth forever, free of cavities, straight, and even gleaming white if they opt for it. This is an expectation of their parents, many of whom choose Timberlane for their own dental care.
Patient-Focused Care Timberlane Dental is a locally conceived and grown concept, in the innovative Vermont tradition that has produced ice-cream makers, coffee roasters, and snow-sport innovators. Vermont welcomes employers offering jobs, and Timberlane employs around 130 skilled professionals at four locations. As general dentist Dr. Jeffrey Berkowitz notes, “A typical dental group might have two or three practitioners, but the size and depth of our practice with more than a dozen dentists offering multiple specialties is rare in New England and perhaps even the country.” The practice grew organically by responding to needs in the community, adding new locations and practitioners. They enticed Champlain Dental Lab to open at the South Burlington site to enable real-time adjustments for aesthetic work and custom fit, critical in assuring quality for such a permanent addition to the patient’s body. Consulting another dentist or specialty is just steps away. On his day at the Essex location, pediatric dentist Dr. Tom Ruescher explains, “We might determine that a middle-school patient could benefit from an orthodontic consultation, which can happen at the same location during the next dental hygiene appointment.” 34 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
achieving excellent care, fostering close-knit connections akin to a large family. While today’s youth enjoy the confidence intrinsic to a healthy attractive smile, this eluded some adults who are now ready to explore their options. Timberlane is prepared. “The technological advances are astounding, with quicker results and more comfortable and attractive options,” says orthodontist Dr. Chris Lundberg. He mentions a recent complex adult case as a pinnacle of the practice, engaging the breadth of Timberlane specialties such as orthodontics, dental implants, and periodontics, with all care conveniently provided at the same location. He happily reports that the patient’s smile is broader than ever.
Cultivating Relationships
This patient-focused multigenerational practice was formed 43 years ago, when like-minded colleagues conceived a multispecialty group practice under one roof offering comprehensive care, from dental hygiene to general dentistry and periodontics. Founders Drs. Bob Watson, Bill Lovett, Richard Conklin, Bob Perrin (all retired), and George “Spin” Richardson (still mourned
by all) were soon joined by Drs. Dan Ferraris and Tom Fischer. Their practice emphasizes prevention and avoiding the harmful effects of dental disease through proper hygiene and regular care. “Imagine if health care could achieve the equivalent!” Dr. Perrin, one of the retired founders, muses. The practice has always valued the role of each staff member in
Most often a Timberlane patient is there for routine care. Such repeated visits allow for personal relationships with all staff—from reception and dental hygiene to those who coordinate insurance and schedules. Patients are confident in the care they receive and the concern for their overall well-being. One Timberlane clinician is pleased to have influenced a longtime patient who expanded good oral health practices to other areas of his life, such as physical fitness. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 35
Loyal employees abound; some have been with the group since its inception. Rich in experience and stimulated by continuing training opportunities, they are now the mentors, in turn welcoming the infusion of energy and ideas from new staff. From the start, Timberlane has reached out to the community with preventive dentistry events, providing education on good oral care that’s accompanied by free toothpaste, brightly colored toothbrushes, and floss giveaways. Their travels take them to elementary schools as well as senior housing. “Over the years we’ve handed out thousands of toothbrushes and dental swag and participated in countless community events,” coordinator Terry Griffith reflects. From a Brite Nite fun run in Essex to sponsoring the 36 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
youth division of the Vermont City Marathon to coaching youth sports, Timberlane’s staff members contribute a low-key presence at events consistent with their message of good health. Dental swag accompanied Edge Sports & Fitness’s tennis pro Jake Agna’s service visit to Cuba, where toothbrushes are in especially short supply. Tee shirts were also well received. Timberlane’s long-standing commitment to the Vermont community is evident at Free Dental Day. This could be the first time the greater community learns about them, and that is by design. “It’s simply the right thing to do,” says Dr. Berkowitz. Unlike other national free care programs, where patients queue for hours in makeshift settings, Timberlane redefined the concept
Nizama reviews hygiene charts at the beginning of the day. Opposite page: Dr. Steve Fischer and Dr. Emily Keeton confer in their office.
with a personalized approach, offering a quality experience and the dignified, respectful discretion all patients deserve. Partner community agencies referred those who hadn’t accessed dental care for varying reasons such as finances, apprehension, or lack of access. Volunteers recruited from area practitioners, clinicians, and support staff opt to return each year, as do grateful community members who visit for annual dental care. “Timberlaners” also enjoy the group’s long-standing commitment to its staff. The Timberlane ethos is perpetuated through gestures as simple as cleaning snow from another’s car, on-site yoga classes offered after work, and memorable family-day barbecues such as those once hosted by Dr. Spin and his wife Marilyn. A bocce ball set, a vestige of Dr. Ferraris’s heritage, resurfaced recently, sparking a boisterous lunchtime tournament. And then there was the time doctors surprised staff with a visit from the ice cream truck. Apparently good dental health can include an occasional frozen treat.
Timberlane Dental Group 60 Timber Lane South Burlington, VT (802) 864-6881 www.timberlanedental.com Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 37
hot spot By Sarah Tuff Dunn
38 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Foam Brewers Conjuring up mixtures of malt and hops to ferment into a crowning moment of beer
I
t’s happy hour at a downtown Burlington bar— which means that Bob Grim is wearing rubber gloves, rubber boots, and safety goggles as Todd
Haire delicately adds dried hibiscus leaves to a glass beaker. Welcome to Foam Brewers, the latest and perhaps most eclectic addition to Burlington’s craft-beer offerings. Five friends with deep beer-making roots opened
Dani Casey and Jon Farmer.
its doors on the waterfront in April 2016, and it’s already making waves among aficionados. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 39
Left to right: Todd Haire, Bob Grim, Dani Casey, Sam Keane, and Jon Farmer. Right: Cheese and charcuterie slate plate. Opposite page: Roselle, Hibiscus saison.
A Perfect Recipe “When the bar is packed, and there’s only two of us out here, we’re almost cracking up and trying to keep our heads above water,” says co-owner Todd. “But it’s like, ‘Holy smokes, there are some thirsty people out there, and they’re enjoying our beer.’” Todd has just been experimenting with different flavors for a saison—a highly carbonated French or Belgian-style farmhouse ale—which explains the hibiscus leaves. Bob, meanwhile, has just been cleaning the tanks after brewing another batch of “Built to Spill,” a double IPA that was such a smash that its taps ran dry after two weeks. That explains the rubber gloves and safety goggles. What’s harder to nail down is the perfect recipe for a place for people to gather, listen to music, drink and eat delicious offerings, and appreciate local art. Foam, however, seems to have all the right ingredients. First, there’s the Lake Street location, where the patio is the perfect spot to watch 40 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
paddlers and sailors take to Champlain, not to mention dog walkers, runners, and cyclists recreating on the Burlington Bike Path and at Waterfont Park. Indoors, a stage offers a platform for performances by Smalltalker and the Renegade Groove, among other Burlington bands that have played so far. The beers, however, are the superstars— seven special blends that range from the light gose-style beer named Indie to a new double IPA called Pavement. House of Fermentology Kombucha, Citizen Cider, and Brio Coffeeworks—all Burlington brands—round out the
beverage offerings, while August First’s baked bread, fine cheeses, and charcuterie (Bayley Hazen Blue, Seattle-sourced sopressata) elevate the art of the bar snack. As the weather turns toward winter, a cozy atmosphere comes from the brick walls refurbished under the eye of builder Russ Bennett.
A Little History It’s hard to imagine this space as a sushi restaurant, but that’s just what it was. Shortly before San Sai shuttered its doors, a vision for Foam was coming to fruition. In 2015, Todd
and Bob had been working at Switchback Brewing along with Sam Keane. Bob and Sam began talking about starting a new brewery and invited Todd to Manhattan Pizza. “I thought they were giving notice that they were leaving Switchback,” recalls Todd. “But they wanted me to be a part of this business plan they’d been writing. I took a moment to ponder it and said I would love to be a part of it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do, as a brewer, for 20 years.” The trio also brought on board Dani Casey and Jon Farmer and set about putting Foam at the top. “Vermont’s a tough place to make beer,” admits Todd. “There are a lot of great breweries, and if you’re not hitting it out, people will let you know.” They knew they had to pay attention to every detail and get their hands dirty, literally, in gutting the 3,072-square-foot space. They filled nearly a dozen 30-yard containers with debris not only from San Sai but also from O and Isabelle’s. “It was like an archaeological dig of restaurants,” says Todd. “We found some quail eggs in the back!” adds Bob. Ripping all the pipes out was “like a surgeon going into a triple bypass on somebody,” says Todd of the grease buildup. But the hard work paid off on opening day when word-of-mouth and social media led to a packed house. “It was like setting a stage for a performance, and Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 41
Refreshment: Foam-Brewed Beers Built to Spill Glass Ceiling Indie Lupi Fresh Mellow Gold Pavement Saison de Foam Tranquil Pils Ciders Citizen Cider Unified Press NON-ALCOHOLIC OFFERINGS Citizen Sweet House of Fermentology Mango Ginger Kombucha Nitro Cold-Pressed Coffee from Brio and Death Before Decaf
Nourishment: Cheese Clothbound Cheddar, Cabot & Jasper Hill Cellars, Greensboro Bend, Vermont Fontina, Aosta Valley, Italy Fresh Chevre, Salisbury, Vermont Taleggio, Ciresa, Italy Meat Agrumi Salami and Sopressata, Salumi Artisan Cured Meats, Seattle Culatello, Salumeria Biellese, New York
we happened to be the actors,” recalls Todd. “The curtain went up, and all of a sudden we had to get behind the bar and pretend we knew what we were doing. We just rolled with it.” And the name? Taken from An Ode to Foam that Todd wrote: “I have spent my working life in foam, beer foam that is, brewing beer, conjuring up mixtures of malt and hops to ferment into a crowning moment of beer. Great beer has always sat under foam.”
Foam Brewers 112 Lake Street Burlington, VT www.foambrewers.com 42 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Sam Keane prepares beer for the taps. Opposite top: Bob Grim milling in for a brew. Opposite bottom: Foam’s fermentation cellar. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 43
season’s best By Phyl Newbeck
In autumn, Thea lights the way on tours with her authentic oil lantern. Opposite: Thea enjoys wearing different period costumes. Photos by Roger Lewis.
44 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Burlington’s Ghostly Past
“Scaring up history” in the Queen City
W
hen Thea Lewis strides down the streets of Burlington resplendent in her black dress, boots, cape, and hat, she commands attention. Those following her listen raptly as she tells them stories of the ghosts and otherworldly spirits who inhabit the Queen City. Thea has been “scaring up history” in Burlington for almost 15 years. She had been working at WCAX when she visited the town of Salem, Massachusetts, on vacation. The stories she heard about witches and ghosts absolutely captivated her, and she decided that Burlington should have a similar guide to the paranormal. The week after she returned home, she came up with the idea for the Queen City Ghostwalk and registered the name. After a year of research, she led her first tour in 2002.
Thea’s favorite story on the Darkness Falls tour is one she once tried to omit; she brought it back when people bemoaned its absence. Gideon King was one of the first proprietors in the city of Burlington, and he lived in the building that now houses American Flatbread. During a trade embargo in the 1800s, he sent boats to Canada with their hulls covered with black tar to avoid detection. It’s rumored that his men dug a tunnel from the harbor to his house to conceal their trade. Thea says lots of strange happenings have taken place in that building. “Women have been pushed and had their hair yanked by invisible forces,” she says. “One woman who cleaned there refused to work by herself because there were too many unexplained noises and shadows, and her vacuum cleaner often became unplugged.”
The Ghostwalk Tours
Surrounded by Paranormal Activity
Thea’s inaugural tour, Darkness Falls, is offered in downtown Burlington and changes from year to year. It was followed by the Ghosts of UVM, which is now offered on special occasions. Later, Thea added Wicked Waterfront, which she describes as “a big mixed bag of paranormal like Bigfoot, UFOs, Champ, and other spirits.” In addition, she offers cemetery tours. “There’s nothing better,” Thea says, “than walking in a dark cemetery with your closest friends and some ghosts.”
Queen City Ghostwalk tours have become a family affair. In addition to her husband Roger, Thea’s children occasionally pitch in. In the summer, most of the tour goers are tourists, but as the weather gets colder, more and more locals take part. Thea also does tours for schools and camps. There is no age limit for taking part in the tour, but she cautions that young children and those who are especially sensitive may not react well to stories of serial killers and railroad tragedies. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 45
Thea visits with spirits at Burlington’s Lakeview Cemetery. Photos by Josie Lewis.
“Halloween has exploded in Vermont with Nightmare Vermont and the Haunted Forest,” Thea says, “but I think we were the first to make a business out of a walking tour of Burlington.” Although the trip to Salem was the impetus for Thea’s business, she admits she has been surrounded by paranormal activity all her life. “In my family, most of the women and some of the men have experienced things that others have not,” she says. “I had an aunt who, whenever someone close passed away, would see a character clothed all in black in her peripheral vision or sitting in the corner of a room, and that would tip her off that something unpleasant had happened or was about to happen. Of course, as a teenager wanting to fit in, that was the last thing I wanted because it wasn’t something I could talk about.”
Learning and Sharing Burlington’s History Thea continued working in television during the early days of the tour, but when she was contacted by the publisher of the Haunted America books looking for someone to write about Burlington, she decided it was time for a career change. She wrote Haunted Burlington in 2009, and two years later, she decided to make Queen City Ghostwalk a full-time job. Thea followed her first book with Ghosts and Legends
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Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 47
of Lake Champlain and then Haunted Inns and Ghostly Getaways of Vermont. She also penned a children’s book called There’s a Witch in My Sock Drawer! Queen City Ghostwalk takes place from July 1 to October 31. Thea enjoys dressing up for the tour, occasionally wearing Victorian costumes during the day but usually clothed entirely in black with her trademark hats that are often adorned with skulls or feathers. Sometimes she wears a lace covering over her face as she approaches the crowd. For the Darkness Falls tour, she often appears carrying an old railroad lantern with a real flame just as the clock is striking for the meeting hour. Although she’s been leading the tours for almost 15 years, Thea continues to try to learn as much as she can about her subject matter. She hopes to add the story of railroad tycoon Timothy Follett to her tour since his house reportedly has a ghost. As she continues to dig into his life, her husband accuses her of having a crush on him. Thea responds that as long as his only competition is a man who died in the 1800s, he should be okay. “I think the joy is that I am a person who as a student in middle school and high school did not find history captivating, and now I love it,” she says. “It’s not what I thought I’d do when I grew up, but it’s a lot of fun. I love sharing these stories with others.”
Queen City Ghostwalk Tickets: Flynn Regional Box Office 153 Main Street Burlington, VT www.flynntix.org Info: www.queencityghostwalk.com
online EXTRA! For more spooky attractions around the state, visit www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
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UVM's Converse Hall is home to the famous “Henry� and other ghosts. Photo by Roger Lewis. Opposite: The fantastically haunted Follett House on College Street in Burlington. Photo by Urvi Shaw.
Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 49
Autumn Adventures
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Smugglers’ Notch Distillery Our latest product, Maple Straight Bourbon Whiskey in 750mL and 50mL, combines the delights of two SND favorites: Smugglers’ Notch Bourbon and 100 percent pure maple syrup aged in SND bourbon barrels! Along with our vodka, gins, wheat whiskey, embossed glassware, and flasks, these all make irresistible gifts to keep you, your family, colleagues, friends, or wedding party in great spirits! Come visit from 11am to 5pm at either tasting room to sample and shop.
Shopping & Fun Things to do in the Burlington area! Morse Farm Whether you’re sharing the taste of Vermont with friends and family across the country or across the street, Morse Farm has a selection of the finest Vermont products in gift combinations for any budget. Stop by or shop online. Sure, there’s the finest Vermont maple syrup you’ll ever taste, but there’s also so much more to choose from. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area, stop by with the whole family for sugarhouse tours, the woodshed theater, maple trail, and more. 1168 County Road Montpelier, VT (800) 242-2740 maple@morsefarm.com www.morsefarm.com
Barrel House Tasting Room 2657 Waterbury Stowe Road Waterbury Center, VT Distillery Tasting Room 276 Main Street Jeffersonville, VT (802) 309-3077 www.smugglersnotchdistillery.com www.facebook.com/SmugglersNotch-Distillery-344700296691 www.instagram.com/snd_spirits/
ECCO Clothes ECCO, Burlington’s original designer boutique, has been dressing Vermonters in top brands for over 20 years! From denim to dresses, boots to stilettos, ECCO has it all! Premium denim lines like J Brand, AG, Paige, and Citizens of Humanity; sweaters by Vince, Velvet by Graham & Spencer, and Repeat Cashmere; dresses by Susana Monaco, BCBG, Aidan Mattox, and Amanda Uprichard; and handbags by Liebeskind, HOBO, and Day & Mood. From basic to anything but, ECCO has you covered. Visit ECCO on the corner of Church Street and Bank Street in the heart of Burlington. 81 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 860-2220 www.eccoclothesboutique.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Shelburne Vineyard and Wine Tasting Room Visit us for a taste and tour and let us share our adventure growing grapes and making wine in northern Vermont. Then stay a while to enjoy fall colors with a glass of wine on our canopied patio overlooking the vineyard. Visit our website or Shelburne Vineyard on Facebook to learn about concerts and events, and don’t forget to ask about planning your own special event here! Open 7 days a week, all year. Gift baskets and certificates available. 6308 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-8222 www.shelburnevineyard.com Open 7 days a week all year May–Oct 11am–6pm Nov–Apr 11am–5pm
Petra Cliffs Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School focuses on climbing and mountain-related education and recreation, accessible to all ages and abilities. We offer premium instruction and services through experience-based education in an inspiring atmosphere for families and friends to gather for a challenge and fun. Petra Cliffs is also home to an indoor ropes course for birthday parties, teams, and groups. 105 Briggs Street Burlington, VT (802) 657-3872 www.petracliffs.com
Stella Mae Located on the Church Street Marketplace, Stella Mae carries a curated selection of footwear, clothing, and accessories. Brands include Frye, Dolce Vita, FreeBird, Kork-ease, AS98, Danner, For Love and Lemons, Mink Pink, Chaser, and Gentle Fawn. We also offer an online experience at Stella-mae.com. Warner Supply, our lifestyle store for men that also features gifts, will be opening in our basement soon. 96 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 864-2800 www.stella-mae.com
Bill and Shane Bissonette, owners of Al’s French Frys.
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by mark aiken
Al’s French Frys An American Classic in Burlington
S
elf-described foodie and retired English professor Al Rosa loves to eat a late dinner at Vin Wine Bar, where he can enjoy a small plate and a glass of wine. He loves the fine French food and drink at Bistro de Margot on College Street and the fresh seafood and stylish bar at Bleu in the Marriott. He dines out often, and he knows and appreciates good food. And Al Rosa also loves Al’s French Frys. “It’s really all about the fries,” he explains. Double-fried, crispy but not overdone, Al’s uses real russet potatoes from Prince Edward Island. “Really, the only place where I’ve had fries like theirs is in Brussels,” Al says. Under strict orders from his wife not to reveal exactly how often they eat at Al’s (“It’s a lot,” he confides), Al Rosa offers an anecdote to illustrate both the restaurant’s location (on Williston
Road in South Burlington near Burlington International Airport) and what it has meant to generations of local families. Having raised his family in Burlington, Al’s daughter has grown and moved away. When she does fly in for a visit, she always makes the same request—can we stop at Al’s? Flying out, the drill is the same. The first and last stop she makes each time she visits her hometown is Al’s French Frys.
A Burlington Institution Like Al Rosa’s daughter, I was raised on Al’s. We didn’t eat out often, so every visit to the restaurant was a special treat. Despite the sheer numbers of people who come through the doors at Al’s Frys, Bill Bissonette, who I knew simply as “the Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 53
The front line during lunch. Below: The picnic and playground area. Opposite top: Burgers about to go on the grill. Bottom: A single cheeseburger, cup of Al’s Frys, and a small Coke.
guy behind the counter at Al’s,” would talk to me about sports. Not only would he remember my name; he’d know whether or not I had scored during my last high school hockey game. Years later, I admit to being a bit nervous sitting with Bill, co-owner of Al’s and an icon from my childhood. My nervousness doesn’t stem from Al’s French Frys being a Burlington institution. And it’s not the famous fries (seasoned with enough salt to keep all four lanes of Williston Road safe in winter snow) or the fact that everyone who knows Burlington knows Al’s. Rather, I’m apprehensive about the question that I know I—as a writer of words—must ask. I delay for a bit but finally take a breath and let it fly. “F-R-Y-S,” I say. “Are you aware that this is a misspelling?” Bill laughs. He and his brother Lee bought Al’s French Frys in 1982 from original founders Al and Genevieve Rusterholz, who opened the shop in 1946. “Genevieve was a sharp business person,” Bill says, 54 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
noting that she moved the operation to Williston Road when the surroundings were nothing but fields and swamps, and farmers could boat from Kennedy Drive to Williston Road in particularly wet springs. To give herself every possible advantage, she misspelled “Frys” on purpose. “She wanted to catch people’s eye,” he says. When Bill and Lee bought Al’s, their only prior experience was working for their dad,
a painting contractor. “We had no business or restaurant experience—none,” says Bill. We had to stick to what was here.” While they went with the tried-and-true, the brothers also had a natural knack for customer service. “Everyone has to have a good experience,” Bill says. “They have to get good quality food for a reasonable price.” In times when change is often the only constant, Al’s still
thrives—a testament to the Rusterholzes’ enduring vision and the Bissonettes’ ability to bring the business into a new century.
Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same The core of the menu remains the same as in 1946 with additions like chicken, clams, pepper steaks, and most recently, salads. The original building has undergone several
additions and remodels; today, the décor is 1950s diner with black-and-white checkerboard floors, red vinyl booths, and immovable bar stools. In the back of the building is Al’s Ice Cream, an add-on to encourage patrons to come in the summer when things got hot inside. “That was before we had central air,” explains Bill. Other changes included adding a second grill line (“A brilliant move,” says Al Rosa), Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 55
Parking and Al’s ice cream window. Below: The original Williston Road Snack Bar. Opposite top: Roger Lawrence frying a batch of Al’s Frys. Bottom: Tyler Gray at the grill.
computerizing order-taking (“Twenty years ago, the grill guy had to cook and memorize every single order—stressful,” says Bill), providing an ATM in the corner for people who didn’t have cash, and finally, accepting credit cards. Every change has had an impact on customer experience while preserving some basics—customers still interact with the staff, and they get to see their food being prepared. According to Al Rosa, there’s little staff turnover. “We try to treat our employees well,” says Bill. “We want them to be able to own their own home.” Al also notes 56 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 57
that employees are (and have always been) friendly but all business. “They say hello, but they actually pay attention to what they are doing,” he says. Consistency of production is important in the food business, and Al’s has a dedicated person standing over the fries, cooking and watching them. “They have remarkable consistency,” Al Rosa says. Many Bissonette family members, nieces, nephews, and in-laws work or have worked at Al’s Frys. In fact, this summer Lee Bissonette retired after 34 years, and Bill Bissonette’s son Shane bought Lee’s share of the business. “It was a great place to grow up,” Shane says. “I wanted my son to have a place like this.” Then, of course, there’s Jim McHugh, who worked for founders Al and Genevieve and still works the grill in 2016. His son Ben works there too. “I’ve seen so many people grow up here, staff and customers,” says Jim.
Special Recognition Several years ago, Bill received a confusing phone call. “I thought it was someone trying to sell us something,” he says. It turns out the call was from the James Beard Foundation, a nonprofit named for a celebrated American chef and author whose mission is to celebrate, nurture, and honor American culinary heritage. “The James Beard Awards are like the Academy Awards,” says Al. “They are highly respected by all in the food industry.” The James Beard Foundation recognized Al’s French Frys with an America’s Classics award. Bill sat in the front row at the awards ceremony held at the former Avery Fisher Hall in New York City’s Lincoln Center with 2,800 of the nation’s most famous chefs and foodies (to add context, says Al, who accompanied Bill to the ceremony, famous chef, restaurateur, and media personality Mario Batali sat about 15 rows back). The award confirmed on a national level what Burlingtonians have known for decades—Al’s Frys is an American classic. After the ceremony, Bill returned home to continue doing what he’s been doing all along—serving up American food in a welcoming environment. Although he is clearly moved by the recognition, for those that frequent Al’s, the award is that much 58 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
View from the back line during lunch (Shane Bissonette dishing out French fries). Below: A fresh basket of Al’s Frys.
sweeter because it recognized people who were doing what they do and not seeking accolades. Their food is fresh, never frozen, and delivered five days per week. “We’ve been lucky,” Bill says. “We’ve got a great group and a great clientele.” He remembers one customer who approached him on the date of his 50th wedding anniversary. “He told us he brought his wife to Al’s on their first date,” says Bill. “It’s nice to be a part of people’s memories.”
Al’s French Frys 1251 Williston Road (I-89 Exit 14E) South Burlington, VT (802) 862-9203 Ext. 4 www.alsfrenchfrys.com Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 59
di Stefano Landscaping Sensitive to the preferences and passions of their clients
60 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
by mary gow
“Isn’t it beautiful? Look—it’s got these little garnet inclusions,” says Chris di Stefano, pointing to burgundy crystals in the rough-faced rectangular building stone he holds. “Every stone is a little different; that’s why we love working with it so much. The colors are great— there are blues, greens, some are reddish. The walls we build with these are just beautiful.” The Adirondack quarried rock that Chris praises can be seen in scores of di Stefano Landscaping projects— spectacular and handsome landscapes that will be lived with and enjoyed for many decades to come. Based in Essex, di Stefano Landscaping designs, builds, and maintains landscape projects in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire. Founded by Chris over a decade ago, this family-owned and managed company has grown to a full-time team of 20 besides Chris and his wife Jennifer, the firm’s office manager. From expansive public spaces to intimate home environments, di Stefano Landscaping has built its reputation on superb quality in settings of all sizes. Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 61
The entrance to Champlain College’s Center for Communication and Creative Media. Below: Fun use of plants and stone blend this little pocket garden with its natural surroundings.
A Passion for Their Craft “We are known for bringing workmanship, pride, and professionalism to every project,” says Chris. The designers, masons, horticulturalists, and office staff at di Stefano Landscaping “have a deeply rooted enthusiasm for crafting beautiful spaces,” he explains. The expertise of the di Stefano team has earned the company many design awards and a loyal customer base. Hard work, vision, and a passion for creating enduring environments have fueled di Stefano’s growth and long-term relationships with clients. In 2004, when Chris founded di Stefano Landscaping, he already had a lot of experience. He grew up in Cabot, where, from a young age, he helped plant and work at his family’s Christmas tree and ornamental tree and shrub business. The majority of the endeavor was wholesale, but his father did some local landscape contracting. “There are probably thousands of plants around central Vermont from our farm,” Chris notes. He still takes his daughters to see landscapes that are part of their grandfather’s legacy. According to Chris, it was his childhood that piqued his interest in design. “Being around it, I developed my taste and flair that I like to see in the landscape,” he said, noting that his mother has a superb sense of design. As an adult, besides his full-time career, he began doing part-time work in landscaping in Chittenden County where he was living. His success and the fulfillment he found in the work led him to strike out on his own. Early on, the company was small, just between three and seven people on the crew. The business grew steadily as the company built its reputation and attracted a steady stream of jobs. And then the 2008 financial crisis struck.
Leaving a Mark “It was just ramping up when the bottom fell out of the economy,” recalls Chris. “It forced us to be really lean, to really focus on what people want and hustle to get those jobs. We grew every year, but slowly. When the economy 62 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
started to come back, we were ready for it.” With economic recovery, demand for landscaping rebounded. “People like our work and people keep adding—a garden, a wall, a water feature. It’s exciting to have a great client base that wants to work with us and likes our work, so as long as we continue to produce quality jobs, let’s keep going.” In the post-recession years, business picked up. They were able to move from their home-based location to a larger rented space, which allowed their business to expand. But they saw a need for more space and a permanent base to house the machinery and materials integral to their work and to accommodate their future growth. “I really like to create things,” Chris says. “I think I have a drive to leave a mark of some sort. Something permanent like stone or trees makes me feel like I’m contributing and making something that people will see and enjoy for a long time.” The philosophy of frugality and economy honed from necessity during the recession, along with a good sense of business and a clear vision, helped them as they searched for and eventually found a property to buy. Serendipity (and a fortuitous “For Sale” sign) led them to the perfect fit: a home in Essex framed by oak trees and situated on three acres of property. They bought the property last fall and set about renovating it to meet the needs of the business.
pine senior living
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The designers at di Stefano Landscaping have a broad skill set and look at each project individually to create a truly unique landscape that fits the property and the client’s needs.
Since then, they have built a 2,000-squarefoot shop that shelters everything from shovels to excavators, tractors, and loaders. Drawing on Chris’s horticultural experience from childhood, they put in the beginnings of a tree nursery. Construction of their gardens and landscaping starts this fall. Meanwhile, the house serves as the hub of the business. Jennifer runs the central office there; clients come to meet in the meeting room; and designers, including Chris and Marie Limoge, devise projects in the studio. 64 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
An Impressive Portfolio Design-conscious Vermonters may well have noticed di Stefano Landscaping’s work around the state. Their commercial portfolio includes projects designed by other local landscape architects, such as the intricate promenade by Champlain College’s Center for Communication and Creative Media, as well as the sophisticated exterior, including many stone walls, stone terraces, and a fire pit, at a Topnotch Resort in Stowe.
The firm is taking on new high-profile projects, including landscaping around a new St. Michael’s College dorm and stone work in the multiyear streetscape revitalization in St. Albans, as well as a historical restoration of a Burlington estate. As solar panels become more common in Vermont, di Stefano Landscaping is playing a role by helping to mitigate the sight lines around the developments. Landscaping tends to be a summer business, but the company stays busy year-round, doing masonry projects and managing snow removal and other winter tasks. Though di Stefano Landscaping’s resume includes plenty of high-profile sites around Vermont, the firm excels at smaller-scale residential projects too, from simple garden work to soup-to-nuts overhauls of private outdoor spaces. The di Stefanos are particularly proud of a project that began when clients approached them about a partial redesign of the area in front of their house. However, when di Stefano landscape designer Marie Limoge became familiar with the space, she recognized that even with the home’s lakeside setting and views, the property was underutilized. The access to the pool was awkward, and the focus was not on the site’s assets. Marie and the di Stefano team are sensitive to the preferences and passions of clients. Marie proposed a more extensive redesign, which the owners embraced. A broad stone Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 65
staircase of crisp edged quarried stone, a poolside terrace, lighting, and plantings with an eye toward the sculptural shapes of the plants as well as their color are among the elements of her plan. The design is sensitive to the homeowners’ tastes for a somewhat formal yet solidly Vermont style. The homeowners embraced the plan but were on a tight timeline. The di Stefano team kicked into full speed. They completed the entire project in eight weeks, allowing the family to move fully into the space to enjoy summer sunsets over Lake Champlain from their gracious poolside. Owners of another residence the firm worked on envisioned creating an organic, natural environment around their home. Marie incorporated boulders and large stones into their plan to create and define living and planting spaces. The stone circle fire pit she designed for their patio provides a focus for evenings outdoors. The easy versatility of the firm, enabling it to take on projects of seemingly any scale, is perhaps due to the passion behind each undertaking. “We love what we do,” Chris says. “We have a lot to look forward to, a great group of people, and we’re all making a living doing what we love.”
di Stefano Landscaping 302 Colchester Road Essex, VT (802) 279-5900 distefanolandscaping.com 66 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
68 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
by tom brandes
Help Here is
Howard Center
is changing lives for the better
L
Ingrid Temer from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont presents a sponsorship check to Denise Vignoe and Bob Bick from Howard Center.
ike many children, Bob Bick remembers going on group outings as a 10-year-old with his mother. She worked as an executive assistant to the director of United Cerebral Palsy of Merrimack Valley (Massachusetts). But unlike many, what he especially remembers are the looks those kids had to endure because of their disabilities. Bob’s experiences with the children and parents in that program were among a number in his life that had a profound impact on his worldview and career direction. Today he’s the chief executive officer of Howard Center, a nonprofit social service agency with 1,500 employees who deliver a broad range of community-based services that reach 16,000 people and families annually at 50 program sites in and around Burlington. “Howard Center serves three primary populations—adults and children with serious mental illnesses, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities,” says Bob. “We strongly believe in person-centered care by having individuals and family members decide the level of support they wish to receive.” Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 69
Jessica Guter, laboratory technician at the Chittenden Clinic, conducts a urinalysis. Opposite top: Members of Howard Center’s Street Outreach Team take a break on the Church Street Marketplace. Bottom: The staff at the Chittenden Clinic do a spring cleanup outside the offices on San Remo Drive in South Burlington.
An Important Mission The current Howard Center is the result of a 1994 merger of three providers of community-based care, but the center’s roots stretch back more than 150 years. Those original providers were the Home for the Destitute (founded in 1865 to serve Civil War widows and orphans), the Ladies’ Aid Society (founded in 1873 to serve the needy), and the Champlain Drug and Alcohol Services (founded in 1969 to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation services).
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The merger brought together the skills, resources, and expertise of three diverse staffs with three distinct cultures and unique missions. The only multiple social-service agency merger in Vermont history was challenging, yet ultimately successful. This success was due, in part, to commitments made to staff members and clients that no one would be laid off and no client services would be eliminated as a result of the merger, and none were. The Howard Center name honors John Purple Howard, a Burlington native and philanthropist who funded the early organization. “Howard Center’s mission is to improve the well-being of children, adults, families, and communities,” says Bob. “We take our mission seriously, and as an organization we’ve always respected the dignity of the people we serve, and we are honored to do so.”
To fulfill its mission, Howard Center operates approximately 50 programs, including outpatient services, 19 group homes, 220 shared living providers, school clinicians, a detox program, four independent licensed therapeutic schools, a needle exchange program, a nationally recognized street outreach program, and three crisis lines. Thanks to efforts by the Center staff, anyone in Vermont can request naloxone (commonly known as Narcan), an opioid anti-overdose drug. This action has accounted for more than 500 overdose reversals, and community members are encouraged to have it on hand to combat overdoses.
Adapting to Changing Needs Despite having roots that go back a century and a half, Howard Center remains relevant and vibrant by adapting to meet the community’s needs. For example, at
one time the nonprofit operated a large, residential facility to serve its clients. Now, as treatment philosophies have evolved, facilities look and feel more like family homes. “To ensure we continue to meet our clients’ needs, we conduct an annual needs assessment, and that includes a public forum where community members
are encouraged to stop by and talk to our Board of Trustees,” says Bob. “As a United Way agency, the United Way also conducts an annual assessment.” In addition, 51 percent of the Board of Trustees are service consumers or family members of service recipients. Having an engaged board that’s closely connected to the Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 71
Teams take to the ice at Cairns Arena for the Curling Challenge fundraiser, an annual benefit for Howard Center. Right: Staff from Project SEARCH congratulate a student at the program’s first completion ceremony in June 2016.
organization helps keep it focused on and responsive to community needs. As community needs change, the Center strives to create services designed around evidence-based best practices. The organization is always looking into new ways to deliver services, including the greater use of technology to connect with clients, monitor at-risk clients, and develop new models of service delivery.
A Constant Challenge Similar to virtually all nonprofit organizations, despite a long, rich history of success in offering a myriad of services that improve lives, adequate funding is a constant challenge for Howard Center. “State funding 72 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Get Involved Howard Center can’t depend on the state or federal governments to reliably fund its operations at an appropriate level to achieve its mission. Now more than ever, volunteers and donations are vital to helping Howard Center continue to perform its important work. Donations are a great way to get involved, or consider serving on the Board of Trustees, or any of Howard Center’s standing committees. Everyone has a special talent to share. Consider being a mentor or helping someone learn how to cook, or other opportunities to share your talents. Volunteers help in numerous ways, from helping families of individuals with developmental disabilities to retrofit their homes to assisting at fundraising events in the community. Many people know about one or two Howard Center programs but may not know the wide range of services the organization provides. Learn more about Howard Center and share your knowledge with your social networks, in person or electronically, to help spread the word. Visit howardcenter.org/How-You-Can-Help to learn about ways you can help or to make a donation.
Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 73
is authorized by members of the legislature who have two-year terms. Their priorities often change and may conflict with social needs that change less,” adds Bob. Medicaid is the primary funding source, followed by Vermont Health Connect, private insurance, grants and funding from the state and federal governments. Donations, both corporate and individual, as well as United Way funding for specific programs that are consistent with United Way priorities, round out Howard Center’s funding. “Community-based services represent 60 percent of health care costs in this country, yet they receive only 35 percent of the funding,” says Bob. “Health care reform will result in new payment models that will increase the funding challenges we face if our resources are not brought to parity.” An unfortunate reality is the need to combat the stigma and discrimination clients continue to experience in overt and subtle ways, similar to the looks Bob remembers from long ago. Attracting and retaining a good workforce are also huge challenges as many younger workers move away to pursue opportunities in larger communities. 74 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Despite the challenges, Howard Center employees help transform lives on a daily basis. Here’s what some Howard Center clients have expressed to Bob about their experiences: “I used to be underground; now I’m a beautiful, colorful flower.” “I used to be broken; now I’m soaring.” “I’m 52 years old. Since age 18, I’ve been in jail for more than half of my life. This is the first program that treated me with respect and made me feel worthy.” For Bob this means Howard Center is part of the community—not apart from it. “The most frustrating parts of my job are the stigma and discrimination that continue to exist, and the most rewarding parts are helping this organization combat stigma and discrimination,” says Bob. “Every day I come to work knowing we make a positive difference in people’s lives. The purpose of life is to be useful, and I believe satisfaction comes from being useful. I’m satisfied.”
Howard Center 208 Flynn Avenue, Suite 3J Burlington, VT (802) 488-6000 www.howardcenter.org Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 75
special advertising section
Fall 2016
Dining Guide
Key to Symbols $ most entrées under $10 $$ most entrées $10 to $25 $$$ most entrées over $25
Bistro de Margot
Pascolo Ristorante
Cactus Cafe
Classic French cuisine with a modern twist. Seasonally inspired menu. Wine list features small French wineries, many of them organic. Classically trained French chef/owner. A perfect place for dinner with family and friends or an individually tailored private event. A Vermont Fresh Network member. $$–$$$
Handmade Italian cuisine, featuring fresh pastas, wood-fired pizza, house salumi, Northeast seafood, and homemade gelato sundaes. An exciting Italian wine menu complements the casual fare, celebrating everything from the subtle complex wines of Piemonte to the bold beauties of Italy’s Southern regions. $–$$
Celebrate the flavors of Mexico and the American Southwest in our warm adobe atmosphere. Delight in our imaginative approach to sizzling fajitas, tacos, fresh guacamole, salsa, and more. Handmade 16-oz. margaritas featuring over 34 tequilas. Dinner nightly from 4:30pm. $–$$
126 College Street Burlington, VT (802) 863-5200 www.bistrodemargot.com
83 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 497-1613 www.PascoloVT.com
2160 Mountain Road Stowe, VT (802) 253-7770 www.thecactuscafe.com
Windjammer Restaurant
A classic steak and seafood restaurant with an extensive salad bar. Specialty cocktails, craft beers, and a Wine Spectator wine list complement both the restaurant and pub menus. Supporting Vermont farms, producers, and businesses since 1977. $–$$ 1076 Williston Road South Burlington, VT (802) 862-6585 www.WindJammerRestaurant.com
Guild Tavern
Wood-fired grill featuring dry-aged, locally sourced beef, pork, and poultry. Casual tavern fare, classic steakhouse entrées, seafood and vegetarian options, innovative cocktail program, awardwinning wine list, and weekly specials. $$ Key to Symbols 1633entrées Williston Road $ most under $10 Southentrées Burlington, VT$25 $$ most $10 to (802) 497-1207 $$$ most entrées over $25 www.GuildTavern.com
The Spot
Enjoy our surf-style ambience and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrées. Conveniently located on Shelburne Road in Burlington. Free parking, free Wi-Fi. $–$$ 210 Shelburne Road Burlington, VT (802) 540-1778 www.TheSpotVT.com
dining guide for burlington
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
Dedicated to showcasing local farms and food producers, our menu features award-winning burgers, comfort entrées, artisan cheeses, vegetarian options, and nightly innovations. The Tap Room delivers highly prized and rare beers. “Special Happenins” Wed nights. $$ 160 Bank Street Burlington, VT (802) 859-0888 www.FarmhouseTG.com
J Morgans Steakhouse
Vermont’s cutting-edge steakhouse featuring over 20 steaks aged and hand cut in-house, 12 daily seafood dishes, and an award-winning Sunday brunch. Located on Montpelier’s historic State Street. $$ 100 State Street Montpelier, VT (802) 223-5222 www.JMorgansSteakHouse.com
El Cortijo
Farm-to-taco experience in the historic 1950s’ Oasis Diner. Tacos, burritos, and Mexican-style entrées made with local ingredients and expressed in fun, fresh ways. Fresh-squeezed margaritas and handcrafted cocktails served in a lively, vibrant atmosphere. Full menu available all day. Lunch, dinner, and takeout. $–$$ 189 Bank Street Burlington, VT (802) 497-1668 www.CortijoVT.com
Beyond the Menu
FALL 2016 HAPPENINGS | calendar of events
OCTOBER 14
Esperanza Spalding
OCTOBER 9
Flip Fabrique September 3
September 30
Over the Edge for the Flynn
Ifrikya Spirit
September 6
October 1
Amos Lee
S.I.N.siZZle, A2VT, and Benny Nduwayo
September 8
October 6
Leon Bridges
National Theatre Live Encore Series: The Deep Blue Sea
Courtyard Marriott Harbor Hotel, 9am
MainStage, 8pm
MainStage, 8pm
FlynnSpace, 8pm
FlynnSpace, 8pm
September 12
Palace 9
Jenny Lewis
October 7
September 15
MainStage, 8pm
National Theatre Live Encore Series: A View from the Bridge
October 9
September 19
October 11
Gordon Lightfoot
Jason Isbell
September 20
October 13
The Sleeping Beauty
Art Garfunkel
September 24
October 14
Ben Folds
Esperanza Spalding Presents: Emily’s D+Evolution
September 27–28
October 15
About Kazuo Ohno
Marc Maron
MainStage, 8pm
Palace 9
MainStage, 8pm
MainStage, 7:30pm
MainStage, 8pm
FlynnSpace, 8pm
OCTOBER 15
Mark Maron
Rennie Harris Puremovement Flip Fabrique
MainStage, 3pm
MainStage, 7:30pm
MainStage, 7:30pm
8pm
SEPTEMBER 24
Ben Folds
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts 153 Main Street Burlington, VT (802) 863-5966 www.flynncenter.org
MainStage, 8pm Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 79
October 22
The Price Is Right Live! October 22
The Price Is Right Live! MainStage, 8pm
October 25
The Capitol Steps
MainStage, 7:30pm
October 27
The Triplets of Belleville with Live Music by Le Terrible Orchestre de Belleville MainStage, 7:30pm
October 27
National Theatre Live Encore Series: Frankenstein Palace 9
October 30
The US Jazz Ambassadors MainStage, 3pm
November 1
Middlebury Actors Workshop: Macbeth MainStage, 7:30pm
November 2
Rent 20th Anniversary Tour MainStage, 7:30pm
November 4
Ray Vega’s Latin Jazz All-Stars FlynnSpace, 7pm
November 5
Noveller
FlynnSpace, 8pm
November 9–10
Mike Daisey
FlynnSpace, 7:30pm
November 10–13
Lyric Theatre Company: The Who’s Tommy
MainStage, Thu & Fri 7:30pm; Sat 2 & 7:30pm; Sun 3pm 80 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
FALL 2016 HAPPENINGS | calendar of events November 18
AXIS Dance Company
November 11
My Brightest Diamond FlynnSpace, 8pm
Vermont Symphony Orchestra 2016 Made in Vermont Statewide Tour
November 12–13
Parker Quartet
FlynnSpace, 8pm Sat; 2pm Sun
November 17
The Bad Plus
FlynnSpace, 7 & 9:30pm
November 17
National Theatre Live Encore Series: Hamlet Palace 9
November 18
AXIS Dance Company MainStage, 8pm
November 19
Grup Anwar and Tashi Sherpa FlynnSpace, 8pm
November 29
Enchantment Theatre: Peter Rabbit MainStage, 6pm
September 23
September 28
Dibden Center, 7:30pm
Castleton State College Fine Arts Center, 7pm
September 24
September 29
Vergennes Opera House, 7:30pm
Alexander Twilight Theater, 7:30pm
September 25
September 30
Haskell Opera House, 4pm
Latchis Theater, 7:30pm Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 81
October 15
VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Sound and Soil Arts Riot, 6pm
October 23
VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A Symphony of Whales
Waterbury Congregational Church, 2pm
October 29
VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Masterworks: Burlington
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, 8pm Please visit www.vso.org or call (800) VSO-9293, ext. 10 for additional information.
Shelburne Farms 1611 Harbor Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.org
September 1, 13, 15, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, October 4, 6, 11, 13
House & Formal Gardens Tour at the Inn 2:30–4pm
September 10, 13, 15, 17
Raptors in Residence 1–1:30pm
Life and culture in the champlain valley
Subscribe today In every issue, you will find... • interesting in-depth stories • beautiful photography • coverage of local businesses • and so much more!
One year subscription only $19.95 plus tax (4 issues) Pay online at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
or send your check to BEST OF BURLINGTON PO Box 1460, Quechee VT 05059 82 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
FALL 2016
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10
Historic Barn Tour VOLUME 9 NO 4 $4.95
2:30–4:15
September 17
38th Annual Harvest Festival 10am–4pm
QUEEN CITY GHOSTWALK Tales of our haunted history
AL’S FRENCH FRYS
An American classic in Burlington
HOWARD CENTER Changing lives for the better
September 24–25
Champlain Mini Maker Faire 11am–4pm
September 29–October 23
Of Land & Local: Watershed: Art Exhibition 10am–5pm
FALL 2016 HAPPENINGS | calendar of events Other Noteworthy Events Through September 4
Through October 31
Champlain Valley Fair
Exhibit: Wind, Waves, and Light: Kinetic Sculpture by George Sherwood
Pearl Street, Essex Junction, VT
Through September 11
Shelburne Museum, shelburnemuseum.org
Exhibit: Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action
Through October 31
September
Shelburne Museum, shelburnemuseum.org
Archaeology Month
Through December 31
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, www. echovermont.org
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, www.lcmm.org
September 29–October 1, October 6–9
Exhibit: Dominique Ehrmann: Once Upon a Quilt
Exhibit: Dominique Ehrmann: Once Upon a Quilt
Exhibit: Painting a Nation: American Art at Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum, shelburnemuseum.org
September 23
Fashion’s Night Burlington
Church Street Marketplace, www.churchstmarketplace.com
Stupid F#cking Bird
Through January 22
Exhibit: Papering the Town: Circus Posters in America
November 3–5, 10–13
October 8
Shelburne Museum, shelburnemuseum.org
UVM Theatre, www.uvmtheatre.org
September 7
November 19–January 22
UVM Theatre, www.uvmtheatre.org
James Wakefield Rescue Row
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, www.lcmm.org
Through October 20
Exhibit: Grandma Moses: American Modern Shelburne Museum, shelburnemuseum.org
Advertisers Index Ann Roche Casual Furniture................................................. 47 ArborTrek.....................................................................................4 Baystate Financial.................................................................... 16 Bennington Potters North..................................................... 58 Bistro di Margot........................................................................76 Bouchard-Pierce................................................................57, 80 Burlington Country Club........................................................ 49 Burlington Harbor Hotel.........................................................67 Burlington Marble & Granite................................................. 15 Cactus Café...............................................................................76 Catamount Restaurant Group..................Inside Back Cover City Market............................................................................... 28 ClearChoiceMD........................................................................57 Close to Home.............................................................................1 Cushman Design Group.........................................................73 Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design........................................27 Danform Shoes........................................................................ 47 Davis & Hodgdon Associates................................................67 Dear Lucy Shoes & Bags.........................................................63 di Stefano Landscaping........................................................... 10 Ecco Clothes.........................................................................3, 50 El Cortijo.....................................................................................77 Farmhouse Tap & Grill.............................................................77 Flynn Center for the Performing Arts................................. 64 Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Real Estate........... 19 Frog Hollow............................................................................... 43
Science Loves Art
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, www.echovermont.org, 11:30am
Dracula
Exhibit: Hard-Edge Cool: The Routhier Collection of Mid-Century Prints
Shelburne Museum, shelburnemuseum.org
For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact John or Robin Gales at (802) 295-5295 or email coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net. Grand Isle Art Works and Café.............................................37 Guild Tavern...............................................................................76 Haven Design and Build......................................................... 43 Hickok & Boardman Realty................................... Back Cover Inside Out Gallery.................................................................... 41 Inspire Kitchen and Bath Design..........................................55 J. Morgan’s Steakhouse..........................................................77 Jacob Albee Goldsmith............................................................. 7 Jess Boutique...............................................................................6 Kiss the Cook.............................................................................77 Landshapes............................................................................... 58 Little Citizen............................................................................... 16 MD Cosmetics Medical Spa....................................................8 Massage Envy...........................................................................27 Mirror Mirror............................................................................... 5 Morse Farm............................................................................... 50 Outdoor Gear Exchange........................................................ 65 Overhead Door Company of Burlington.............................23 Pascolo Ristorante....................................................................76 Peregrine Design/Build........................................................... 17 Personal Fitness Interiors...................................................... 65 Petra Cliffs.................................................................................. 51 Pines Senior Living.............................................................................63 Red House................................................................................. 48 Rodd Roofing............................................................................ 84
Shelburne Meat Market..........................................................78 Shelburne Vineyard and Wine Tasting Room................... 51 Smugglers’ Notch Distillery.................................................. 50 Smugglers’ Notch Resort........................................................78 SportStyle . ................................................................................37 Stella Mae............................................................................ 13, 51 Stern Center for Language and Learning............................36 The Automaster........................................................................ 21 The Fitting Curve........................................................................9 The Grass Gauchos................................................................. 80 The Optical Center...................................................................75 The Spot ............................................................................ 66, 76 Timberlane Dental Group..................................................... 66 Tom Moore Builder, Inc............................. Inside Front Cover University Mall.......................................................................... 71 Vermont Bed Store/Wendell’s Furniture............................. 11 Vermont Comedy Club........................................................... 71 Vermont Furniture Designs...................................................... 2 Vermont Mortgage Company...............................................75 Wake Robin............................................................................... 48 Whim Boutique......................................................................... 41 Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub................76 Windows & Doors by Brownell............................................ 82 WND&WVS..............................................................................73
Fall 2016 | Best of Burlington 83
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