SUMMER 2019
VOLUME 12 NO 3
HEALING WINDS
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
SOAK UP SUMMER AT SPOT ON THE DOCK
AT CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP CLIENTS JOIN THE CREATIVE TEAM
Discover, Dine, Stay & Shop
Shelburne, Vermont Dutch Mill Family Restaurant and Catering 4309 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT
Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Tap House
6000 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT
2989 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT
www.shelburnemuseum.org
(802) 985-4040 www.shelburnetaphouse.com
(802) 985-3568 www.dutchmillvt.com Mon–Sun 7:30am–2pm
Village Wine and Coffee
Yoga Roots
5288 Shelburne Road #1 Shelburne, VT
Daily Yoga • Workshops Teacher Trainings
(802) 985-8925 www.villagewineandcoffee.com
Shelburne & Williston, VT (802) 985-0090 www.yogarootsvt.com
Mon–Sat 7am–6pm Sun 8:30am–4pm
Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery
A Little Something
Custom Framing • Fine Art Restoration • Gifts
Gifts, Jewelry, and More!
86 Falls Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3848 www.fsgallery.com
Shelburne Bay Plaza 2989 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-9909 www.alittlesomethingvt.com FB: A Little Something (Gifts)
Jamie Two Coats Toy Shop 54 Falls Road In the of Village Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3221 Open daily 10am–6pm
Contents Summer features
30 42 60
COVER PHOTO BY WHIT WALES/ENDEAVOR FILMS COURTESY OF HEALING WINDS
SOAK UP SUMMER
Relax with good food and drinks in a spectacular setting. BY SUZANNE PODHAIZER
A WELCOME CHANGE Healing Winds provides a breath of fresh air. BY SYLVIA OBLAK
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AS A MEANS OF CREATION Cushman Design Group’s clients join the creative team to realize their projects. BY MORGAN CLARK
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20
74
17 PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 18 ONLINE HUB 20 GATHERINGS South Burlington celebrates summer.
22 PETS AND PEOPLE News, products, and furry facts.
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26 ART SCENE
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
24
Sweet, Sweet Summertime! Shopping and fun things to do in the local Burlington area.
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Eco-artist transforms waste into beauty. BY LORI LUSTBERG
38 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Burlington Farmers Market.
BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY
50 BRIGHT IDEAS
E-bikes in Vermont.
52 GREAT FINDS
Willow House.
BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY
58 OUTDOOR LIVING
Vermont Stone & Horticulture.
68 PHYSICAL RX
REV studio expands.
BY PHYL NEWBECK
74 HAPPENINGS
A calendar of events.
80 ADVERTISERS INDEX
Coffee Table Publishing, LLC 32 Hermit Thrush Lane South Burlington, VT 05403 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
PUBLISHERS
Robin Gales John Gales Bob Frisch CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Deb Thompson COPY EDITOR
Jennifer Goss Duby ART DIRECTION/DESIGN
Robbie Alterio ADVERTISING DESIGN
Hutchens Media, LLC WEB DESIGN
Locable ADVERTISING
Robin Gales (802) 299-9086 John Gales (802) 558-2719 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, 32 Hermit Thrush Lane, South Burlington, VT 05403. 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, ©2019. 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
I
Happy Summer!
t sure took a while to be able to say that, but it looks like we’re on our way! Let’s hope it lasts just as long as winter did. There are few, if any, better places in the world to spend summer than in the Champlain Valley. Our issue is a reflection of this. We fill you in on the e-bike scene with a look at this awesome energy-saving and clean air program. They’re fun, safe, easy to use, and so good to help reduce the release of harmful emissions into the environment. We take a look at REV Indoor Cycling and physical therapy with PT 360 in South Burlington, a nice team effort of combining the benefits of cycling and healing from injury. And speaking of healing, we check in again with our friends at Healing Winds, a nonprofit organization that provides a day on the lake for cancer patients, their families, and those that provide the health care needed. Since it’s summer, how can we not tell the tale of one of our favorite places on the lake, Spot on the Dock? It’s our go-to when friends and family are visiting, and you’ll see why. So here’s to summer! Plan a picnic. Go to a festival. Take in some live music at one of the many outdoor concerts. Now that it’s here, make the most of it!
John and Robin Gales Publishers
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3 AUGU
CLICK ON our online calendar to see local events happening in our community, and you can add your own event free!
GATHERINGS
South Burlington Celebrates Summer
Music, food, and friends—what could be better?
G
etting together with friends and family to enjoy great food is a hallmark of summers in Vermont. Pair it with live music in beautiful Veterans Memorial Park and you have SoBu Nite Out. This summer series brings food trucks, live bands, and plenty of space for playing games or relaxing with friends in South Burlington. On Thursday nights during July and August, a series of local bands plays in the bandshell, while a variety of culinary delights is served up by food trucks lining the park. Beer and wine are available for purchase as well. There is something for everyone, including kids’ fare and ice cream! If you live nearby, you are encouraged to walk or ride your bike. The South Burlington Recreation Path runs through the park, and a bike valet is available to check your bike for free. In its fourth year, the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks pulls the event together, but it is really those who come out each night who make it special. Looking around the park, smiles light up the faces of folks as they see old friends and make new ones. Parents and kids play lawn games, and the end-of-day sun casts a warm glow over folks swaying to the music. Call your friends and mark your calendar to spend an evening in South Burlington’s Veterans Memorial Park this summer.
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Music Schedule
July 11–August 29, 5–8pm Veterans Memorial Park, South Burlington July 11 Josh Panda July 18 Shake July 25 Sticks & Stones August 1 The Devon McGarry Band August 8 The Chad Hollister Band August 15 Quadra August 22 The Hitmen August 29 Grippo Funk Band For more information, contact South Burlington Recreation and Parks at (802) 846-4108.
PETS AND PEOPLE SPONSORED BY BEVS
24/7 Pet Care Need expert advice and attention for your best friend any time of the day or night? Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists (BEVS) are there for you. Beginning as a part-time emergency room in 1999, BEVS is now housed in their beautiful new facility located at 1417 Marshall Avenue in Williston, Vermont. The 18,000-square-foot facility offers round-the-clock emergency and critical care services as well as advanced care in surgery, internal medicine, oncology, and rehabilitation by board-certified veterinary specialists and credentialed experts.
PHOTOS BY AARON SMITH, MEDIA MANAGER AT REARCH COMPANY
tirelessly to make our dream become a reality so quickly. We remain focused on making a positive impact on our community and being the leader in the region for emergency and specialty veterinary care.”
THE STATE-OF-THE-ART SPACE INCLUDES 12 consultation rooms Dedicated intensive care unit Three operating rooms Separate dental suite Rehabilitation services with underwater treadmill, acupuncture, and low-level laser therapy Isolation ward The new facility boasts the latest technology and most advanced diagnostic equipment such as MRI and CT as well as more than 60 experienced, dedicated professionals. “It has been only 10 months since we broke ground to start construction on this beautiful facility for ill and injured pets,” says Bryan Harnett, DVM, DACVIM, BEVS owner and medical director. “I have been humbled by the devotion and commitment of hundreds of professionals who worked 22 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
BEVS 1417 Marshall Avenue, Williston, VT (802) 863-2387 bevsvt.com
Walk, Run, Fun! Dog Days of Summer Summer in Vermont is short but, oh, so sweet! Seize the season and maximize the fun with your loyal fur friends. Burlington and the surrounding area host an abundance of dog-friendly destinations. From Oakledge Park in the south to Starr Farm Park in the north, the shores of Lake Champlain offer green spaces galore. “When the mercury rises and Vermont starts roasting, finding ways to keep Fido cool and content is key,” says Ginny Henwood at Pet Food Warehouse, Vermont’s favorite locally owned pet food and supply store. “We carry a variety of products to keep your best friend comfortable all summer long.” She suggests letting your dogs lounge with the K&H brand Pet Cot with a shade canopy and cooling pet pad. Or set them up to frolic and splash in Alcott’s inflatable dog pool and splash toys from Outward Hound and Zippy Paws. Don’t let summer storms and fireworks dampen the party. Help ease pet anxieties with one of the many CBD supplements at Pet Food Warehouse. Most importantly, when you are considering whether to bring your pups with you on a summertime adventure, keep in mind it is never appropriate to leave them unattended in the car. A quick errand is not justification to let your pets suffer in what quickly becomes a dangerously hot enclosure. When in doubt, let your best friend relax at home without you. And remember, pets are always welcome at Pet Food Warehouse!
PHOTOS BY JULIE C. RICHARDS PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
Join the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC) for their 25th Annual Walk for the Animals & 5K Doggie Fun Run. The event takes place on Sunday, June 9 at Veterans Memorial Park, 600 Swift Street, South Burlington. Grab your athletic shoes, your pooch, and a leash and enjoy a morning outside with your family, friends, and canine companions while supporting HSCC. The event features a one-mile walk, 5K run, entertainment, contests, and more. “We’re expecting a crowd of hundreds of people and their furry companions for Vermont’s largest dogfriendly event,” says Diana Hill, Director of Development at HSCC. “This event is our largest fundraiser and supports our annual efforts in a big way. Donations provide care for more than 1,000 animals each year, so we hope you will register for the walk or 5K, or make a gift and support a participant.” EVENT SCHEDULE 8am – Registration 9am – Start of 5K Doggie Fun Run and Walk for the Animals 10:30am – Ceremony For more information and to register, go to www.chittendenhumane.org/News-and-Events or call (802) 862-0135.
BEVS
ACT QUICKLY! If your dog or cat ingested something poisonous, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680 for help immediately! Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 23
Sweet, Sweet Summertime!
ECCO Clothes Boutique
ECCO, Burlington’s original designer boutique, has been your favorite store with top brands for over 30 years! From denim to dresses, boots to stilettos, ECCO has it all! Premium denim lines like J Brand, AG, Paige, Mother, DL1961, and Citizens of Humanity; tops by Velvet, Bella Dahl, and Greylin; basics by James Perse and Michael Stars; dresses by French Connection, Adrianna Papell, Susana Monaco, and Amanda Uprichard; shoes from Steve Madden, Seychelles, and Dolce Vita; and handbags by Hobo and Day & Mood. From basic to anything but, ECCO has you covered including a great selection of denim for men too! Visit ECCO on the Church Street Marketplace in the heart of Burlington. 81 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 860-2220 www.EccoClothesBoutique.com
Morse Farm Summertime means creemees! And the best creemee, according to Yankee Magazine, is one from Morse Farm in Montpelier—it made the “Editor’s Choice” list for Best Maple Creemee. Morse Farm is an eight-generation maple farm. Come see the sugarhouse, woodshed theater, maple trail, and a huge gift shop with mail ordering and free tastings. 1168 County Road Montpelier, VT (800) 242-2740 www.morsefarm.com Open daily 9am–8pm during the summer www.facebook.com/themorsefarm
Shelburne Vineyard and Wine Tasting Room Spend a summer afternoon enjoying a tasting and tour as we share our adventure growing grapes and making award-winning wines in Northern Vermont. Then stay a while with a glass of your favorite wine and a cheese plate on the patio, or return for one of our festive evening events. Go to www.shelburnevineyard.com or visit us on Facebook to see our schedule of concerts, storytelling, and special events or to contact us to plan your own special event here. 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
Shopping & Fun Things to do in the Burlington Area!
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PierVana Hair. Spa. Jewels. “I moved to Vermont two years ago and was nervous about finding someone who would know how to color and cut my hair. I’ve moved a lot and had my hair ruined several times. I was introduced to Jennifer by a friend whose hair l love, so I thought I’d give her a try. Jennifer did an amazing job! I love my hair! I love the color and the cut so much and I get compliments on my hair everywhere I go. Jennifer is the best!” –Lisa Schermerhorn, Fayston, VT 1233 Shelburne Rd South Burlington, VT (802) 658-9000 contact@piervanahair.com www.piervanahair.com
Vermont Singing Drum A meditation drum for everyone, artfully crafted to perfection in both sight and sound. These musical pieces of art are handmade, hand finished, and hand tuned. Choose from the Zen Drum, a traditional steel tongue drum with tank drum overtones, or the Bliss Drum, made from heavier steel with a dreamy sound and clear, crisp tones. Visit our workshop and showroom in the heart of Burlington’s Art District. 4 Howard Street Burlington, VT (802) 448-4223 www.vermontsingingdrum. com
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
Istanbul Kebab House Offering Burlington’s only rooftop dining, Istanbul Kebab House in downtown Burlington takes you to Istanbul and back with every bite. Delicious and healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and takeout, all made with 100 percent fresh Turkish ingredients. A truly authentic Turkish dining experience. 175 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 857-5091 www.istanbulkebabhousevt.com
ART SCENE BY LORI LUSTBERG PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ARTIST
ANNE CUMMINGS LIVES HER VALUES WHILE ENCOURAGING US TO THINK ABOUT OURS
Eco-Artist Transforms Waste into Beauty
Artist-in-residence Amelia Devoid, who 26 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
A
nne Cummings of Westford has been an artist her whole life and has been an environmentalist for as long as she can remember. Now she has found a way to merge her two passions—by creating beauty from garbage. At the same time, she makes us think deeply about what we consume and where our waste ends up. On a recent Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of chatting with Anne over chai (me) and a smoothie (her) at Sweet Alchemy Bakery & Cafe.
Above: Amber Waves, from the Local Foods series, 100 percent post-consumer waste. Opposite, top: Waiting for Winter, or Have a Nice Day, from the Climate Change series, 100 percent postconsumer waste, detail. Below: Pastoral Packaging, from the Local Foods series, 100 percent post-consumer waste.
FROM ARTIST TO ECO-ARTIST About ten years ago, Anne was working as a fiber artist and was searching for a new medium. The thought of buying materials and further contributing to the waste stream didn’t sit well with her. In addition, she wanted the materials she used to be in alignment with her environmental principles, so oil paints (which are toxic) and acrylic paints (which are plastic) were out. That’s when Anne had the inspiration to use post-consumer waste as her medium. Around the same time, Anne’s mother told her she had a dream that Anne was going to create a work of art that would have an impact on people. Little did Anne know that the seeds of Vermont Wastescapes had been planted. LIVING HER VALUES Vermont Wastescapes is a large, stunning composite of 14 individual pieces, each representing a natural scene from one of Vermont’s counties, and fitting together like a puzzle of Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 27
the State of Vermont. To create Vermont Wastescapes, Anne visited a site in each county, taking photographs and collecting waste from the area. Back in her Westford studio, she projected a photograph onto a panel, organized the waste by color, and recreated the scene using only the waste. Part of the magic of Anne’s work is that, like an Impressionist painting, when you first encounter it from afar, all you see is the beautiful, natural scene depicted. As you get closer, you notice more of the detail. Finally, when you are next to it, you see that the entire piece is made up of torn plastic, paper, cardboard, and packaging from consumables that have been carelessly discarded. For example, the piece representing Chittenden County, Westford Falls, and Ferns is a beautiful, evocative image of a natural site she 28 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
visited in Westford. From afar, it looks like a magical spot in the woods on a beautiful summer day. But when you home in on the detail, it becomes apparent that what looks like joyous brushstrokes of color and texture is actually a composite made of pieces of packaging from consumables such as Coca-Cola, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Cabot Cheddar Cheese, Marlboro Lights, and Milky Way. “Have It Your Way” reads a torn-off piece from a Burger King wrapper. After Vermont Wastescapes was completed, Anne had leftover waste, which she put to use in creating new pieces, including a Local Foods Series and a Climate Change Series. Four of her pieces are on display in Senator Bernie Sanders’s Washington, DC, office. Anne is currently accepting commissions for Carbon
Footprint Portraits, in which she uses materials collected by the subject. The end result is a beautiful portrait of an individual made up of their own trash which represents their unique history, environment, and choices. THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE Through her artwork, Anne wants us to notice what we consume, what we leave behind in the form of trash, and what the effects are on our environment. She hopes her work will make us think about our garbage in a different light. Environmental message or not, Anne’s creations are beautiful, colorful, extraordinary works of art. The deeper meaning of her work and the integrity with which she creates her pieces, however, elevate them to a higher level.
Carbon Footprint Portraits and Local Foods series pieces in a solo exhibition installation at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, Vermont.
Back at Sweet Alchemy, I finished my chai and Anne took the last sips of her smoothie. As we got up to say goodbye, I put my ceramic mug in the dish bin and threw my napkin into the bin marked “compost.” Anne hesitated for a moment, contemplating the fate of her plastic smoothie cup and straw. As if peering into her mind and soul, the woman behind the counter told her the plastic cup was compostable. Anne looked like she had just won the lottery, overjoyed to hear her smoothie cup wasn’t going to end up in the landfill. “I’m definitely coming back here,” she said. How fitting, I thought to myself, as “sweet alchemy” is precisely what happens to our trash in the hands of this magical artist. For more information, visit Anne’s website at annecummingsecoartist.com. Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 29
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BY SUZANNE PODHAIZER PHOTOS BY JAMIE CARVALHO
Soak Up
SUMMER Relax with good food and drinks in a spectacular setting At Spot on the Dock (SOTD), customers can arrive by land or by water. “We encourage people to arrive by paddleboard or kayak,” says owner Russ Scully. “We make it really easy to stash boards and boats. Forget the dress code. People come in boardshorts, wetsuits, whatever.”
T
he seasonal Burlington restaurant is open from mid-May through the end of September. Since it opened in the summer of 2017, SOTD, with its capacity of 400 seated or standing guests, has been so busy that the wait for a table can crest the two-hour mark. Because of demand, the restaurant doesn’t accept reservations. “There’s nothing that makes people madder than waiting in line when they can see empty tables,” says Russ. Both he and manager Shannon Lipkin attribute the restaurant’s success to a simple and foolproof formula: take an enviable location and add simple, delightful food. Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 31
“You don’t have a better sunset in the world than you do here,”
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Spot on the Dock’s preferred method of travel: the restaurant has ample dockside racks so you can paddle over to enjoy a surf-inspired meal, a drink in the Tiki-style outdoor lounge, and one of the best sunsets around.
“You don’t have a better sunset in the world than you do here,” Shannon suggests. Some waterfront eateries lean on the pretty location and ignore the quality of the ingredients they use, but not Spot on the Dock, she says. “To have good, fresh food along with that [view] is pretty special.” ORDER UP What’s on the menu? The entrées honor the restaurant’s waterside location with a heavy roster of seafood dishes: there’s ahi tuna crusted in black sesame and served with veggie fried rice, a coconut-crusted mahi sandwich, and shrimp in red curry sauce. There’s plenty of lighter fare, too, in the form of sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and shakes. When it comes to starters, classic items such as crispy chicken wings and fried calamari share real estate with a less ordinary best seller. “Avocado fries are one thing that’s different that people really fell in love with,” says Russ. Those pale green fries, and some of the entrées, are unique to this location, but much of Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 33
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From top: Sunny skies, Adirondack views, and cool breezes off the lake make this lunch spot one of the most ideal settings on the Burlington waterfront. Plenty of room to get cozy in the lounge and take in some spectacular lake views with 100 of your closest friends. Another spectacular sunset with good drink, good food, and great friends.
the rest of the menu is available year-round at Russ and Shannon’s other location, The Spot on Shelburne Road, which opened in July of 2009. Located in a former gas station, the original restaurant has a fun, tropical vibe. Unlike its lakeside sister, it’s open all year. How did The Spot crew make the jump from the commuter corridor to the water’s edge? It happened because Trey Pecor, who owns the SOTD building, is a frequent customer of the original Spot, Shannon explains: “Three years ago, he said ‘I would love for your guys to open a second location.’” Russ was initially skeptical. “We were pretty happy with the one,” he says. “We were worried we’d screw things up if we tried to get any bigger.” Running a seasonal business has its challenges—staffing can get tricky—but at SOTD, dealing with the shifting Vermont weather isn’t one of them. Russ invested in an automatic awning that shelters the outdoor tables with the touch of a button. “We can hang on to a lot of customers by offering them a place to escape the rain,” he explains. Rain or shine, the SOTD bar is a hot spot. There are DJs, including Craig Mitchell and Fattie B, spinning Thursday through Saturday nights and on Sunday afternoons. In keeping with the tropical vibe, the bartenders specialize in drinks made with tequila and rum. “We do a variety of different spins on those liquors, including a bunch of Margaritas,” says Russ. “The bartenders are great at coaching people through the kinds of cocktails you should have when you’re down here. They’re willing to coax people out of their typical behaviors and patterns and get them to try something different.” There’s some cool art on the walls, too. “There’s a surfer we sponsor,” says Russ, “Chuck Patterson, who was just launching his photography career [last summer]. We thought it would be a lot of fun to do a gallery opening for him.” They exhibited his first showing at the end of the 2018 season and plan to decorate with some of his newer work this year. Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 35
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Opposite: There’s plenty of room to relax. Above: Approaching the bar makes you feel like you’ve just taken a spontaneous trip to the tropics with an open-ended plane ticket. Weekly DJs supply the vibe for music and fun under the stars.
As they ramp up for their third year, though, Shannon says that she’s incredibly grateful they decided to jump on the opportunity to expand. “It’s pretty special to have both restaurants.” One of her favorite moments last summer, she recalls, was watching a mom and her two kids hang out on the SOTD couches and read books while sipping on smoothies. “The tourists come, but you still have a community feel,” she muses. Russ agrees. “I’m so happy we did it, because the community really, really enjoys it,” he says. “We have a lot of positive feedback from our customers. They feel like they’re on vacation.”
Spot on the Dock 1 King Street Burlington, VT (802) 540-0480 www.spotonthedock.com
ONLINE EXTRA Find more photos at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 37
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY
Burlington
FARMERS MARKET New Location for an Old Favorite
E
very summer Saturday for over 30 years, the Burlington Farmers Market has called City Hall Park its home, but beginning May 11 of this year, the market will temporarily move to new digs on Pine Street in the South End. The relocation is necessitated by the upcoming renovation of City Hall Park. “We love the park,” says Chris Wagner, executive director of Burlington Farmers Market. “Our vendors love the park and our customers love the park.” But after eight years of research and planning, the project to revitalize the heart of Burlington’s downtown will commence this spring. The Burlington Farmers Market will use the Pine Street location this summer and next, while City Hall Park receives over 1,500 new shrubs and perennials, improved access
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in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, improved storm water drainage, and a new fountain, among other changes. LOCAL GOODS FOR LOCAL SHOPPERS The Burlington Farmers Market hosts over 90 vendors, including farmers, artisans, and producers from all across Vermont. On Saturdays from May through October, customers find locally grown produce from early peas and spinach to rutabagas, tomatoes, pumpkins, and more. Shoppers can also count on a wide selection of wood crafts; fiber arts; baked goods; handcrafted lotions, soaps, and salves; craft brews, artisan cheeses and spirits; farm-raised fresh and cured meats; and preserves, jams, and jellies. The Farmers
Explore the Farmers Market, where more than 90 vendors offer a wide range of products every Saturday from May through October.
Market is well attended—nearly 10,000 visitors crisscross the park each Saturday. AMPLE ACCOMMODATION Great diligence was put into searching out a suitable location to house the market during the park’s renovations, starting with an initial list of a dozen and a half possible sites. Eventually the list was whittled down to three locations, and obstacles were analyzed and pros and cons weighed. Ultimately, the former Greyhound bus terminal on Pine Street was selected. The size of the terminal is large enough to accommodate all of the market’s vendors. In addition, the large building will allow space for more community groups and nonprofits. With bus stops along the Pine Street line, ample free parking, and space for bicycle parking, the former bus terminal made the most sense. The market’s committee is exploring solutions to a number of issues in an effort to make Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 39
the transition to the new space as seamless as possible, including safer street crossings near the market entrance, more bicycle parking, improving signage to direct drivers to the free parking, and the possibility of bringing in seating. Despite the disruption to tradition caused by the temporary relocation of the market, efforts have been made to keep the essence of the market the same. It will be held at the same day and time, Saturdays from 8:30am to 2pm. Parking will accommodate cars as well as bikes, and visitors will enjoy the same vendors and entertainment as in the past.
Burlington Farmers Market Pine Street Burlington, VT (802) 310-5172 www.burlingtonfarmersmarket.org
ONLINE EXTRA Find recipes for fresh fruit at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
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BY SYLVIA OBLAK
PHOTOS BY WHIT WALES/ENDEAVOR FILMS
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Above: Tina enjoys time away from her challenge with cancer. Below: Suzanne Johnson, executive director of Healing Winds, at the helm, where her heart soars.
A Welcome Change Healing Winds provides a breath of fresh air
Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 43
Above: 2018 nominee Josie L. is “thrilled to be in charge” on her respite cancer sail on Lake Champlain. Right: A North Shore nominee enjoys a sail in Salem Harbor, Massachusetts, with his wife and friends. Opposite: Another beautiful day of sailing in Salem.
T
he middle-aged woman at the stern of the sailboat, aptly named Chaos, grasped the rail and peered past the boom into the widening mouth of Salem Harbor. She’d never experienced sailing, and living in one of Boston’s homeless shelters with stage 4 cancer, she would never in her wildest imagination have thought it possible. Yet here she was with her beloved caregivers, beginning to relax with the warm sun on her face while the wind therapeutically fanned her tired, stressed body—a dream come true, made possible by the generous donors of the nonprofit organization, Healing Winds Vermont.
WORKING TO SERVE OTHERS The organization started in Burlington with a slip at Perkins Pier at the bottom of Maple 44 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Street. Their second chapter, North Shore, Massachusetts, likewise offers respite sails to those currently challenged by cancer and those who love them. Although several communities across the nation have requested to have a chapter opened in their town, the Burlington-based nonprofit is being very careful and intentional with their growth. “We have developed a model that’s community-driven, supported by volunteers, where donations and support go directly to the local chapter. Our purpose is to be able to take our model and successfully serve other communities, like North Shore,” says Suzanne Johnson, founder of Healing Winds. It was in 2010 that Suzanne, single mother of three and busy Burlington entrepreneur, received the devastating verdict, “You have cancer.” Numbed, grief-stricken, and frightened, she underwent countless rounds of treatments for breast cancer, beginning the long road to recovery. “I experienced first-hand how emotionally devastating and overwhelming cancer can be, not only for the patient but also for their caregivers and families,” says Suzanne. “We all needed a break, a respite, a time-out from cancer, but there was none.” A VITAL SERVICE IS LAUNCHED That experience inspired Suzanne in 2014 to start a nonprofit organization to provide private, three-hour respite sails free of charge for Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 45
Above: Celebrating life with good friends, good health, and good times on Lake Champlain. Right: Reflecting and feeling grateful aboard Gypsy Wind on Lake Champlain.
those who have been coping with any stage of cancer—beginning, middle, or end-of-life—any cancer, anyone, any age. What makes this nonprofit different from others is that while focusing on the cancer patient, they also simultaneously provide respite for the caregivers and families. These sailing excursions on Lake Champlain provide relaxing, rejuvenating, and spirit-lifting experiences, an event where nominated cancer patients and their caregivers could forge lasting memories together. 46 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Suzanne named her organization Healing Winds, and, having received a donation of a 28-foot O’Day sailboat named Jubilee, she began to offer “A Day Without Cancer.” She formed a board of directors, welcomed volunteers to help her, and together they began to accept nominations for patients to go sailing. After just three seasons, it became apparent that a larger vessel was needed to accommodate demand, and Healing Winds gratefully accepted the generous donation of the 39-foot O’Day sloop Gypsy Wind. Word of mouth within the community— doctors, neighbors, co-workers—were directly responsible for an upsurge of nominations, going from bringing out just 110 people during their first summer of operations to more than Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 47
Above: Burlington nominee Harry acts as captain as his daughter saves the memory. Below: Much joy is experienced during Healing Winds sails. Opposite: Enjoying the view on the mooring after a long sail in Salem Harbor.
585 passengers in 2018. In just five seasons, Healing Winds has brought over 1,500 passengers out on the water together. “Our goal is to serve as many people as possible. Anyone can nominate someone with cancer for our sails,” Suzanne explains. “They can even nominate themselves and can bring as many as eight guests with them for a private, three-hour sail, enjoying an excursion tailored specifically to their needs and wishes.” IT TAKES A VILLAGE World class triathlete, nutritionist, wife, and mother of three sons, Karen Newman was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 46. Karen recalls, “There were so many appointments, so many days on end spent inside the hospital and doctor’s offices that to have somebody give something like this to you just because they love you and want to help out was a miracle. This was more than just a boat ride. This was a life-changing experience for the whole family.” 48 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
While Karen’s tumors shrank in her pelvis and disappeared completely from her spine, sadly they returned years later in full force. “It takes a village to heal cancer patients, and maybe you can’t document in doctor’s reports the healing that takes place out on the water,”
says Karen, “but there is definite healing that takes place on a spiritual and emotional level. You come back better than when you left. Love heals and wins, and when you are out with Healing Winds, laughing and smiling, that’s powerful stuff!”
Sometimes just being able to enjoy healing experiences, such as leaving cancer behind for a sun-filled afternoon of love and laughter, creating memories with loved ones, resets and strengthens the spirit on the road to recovery. It takes a village to support those affected by cancer. The teamwork approach by oncologists and their medical teams, caregivers and families, and corporations and individuals giving donations to charities such as Healing Winds all play an integral part. To nominate, donate, or volunteer at Healing Winds, please go to the website www.healingwindsusa.org.
Healing Winds Operating Location Burlington Community Boathouse A Dock, Slip 2 Burlington, VT (802) 673-SAIL Operating Location Brewer Hawthorn Creek Marina Salem, MA (978) 549-SAIL
ONLINE EXTRA Watch a video of Healing Winds at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 49
BRIGHT IDEAS
Start pedaling to reduce air pollution
E-BIKES IN VERMONT
The e-bike creates more opportunities for people to use bicycles for transportation. What is an e-bike? It is a bicycle that was built with or later modified to include an electric motor powered by a battery. The motor gives an assist to the pedaler, making it easier to climb hills and go farther distances than it would without.
E
-bikes are versatile and can be equipped with panniers, child seats, or other accessories that enable riders to carry cargo. These types of bicycles are called, naturally enough, cargo bikes, and have been popular in many places in the world where bicycles are routinely used for transportation. REPLACING THE AUTOMOBILE In cities like Burlington, an e-bike or cargo e-bike can replace many, if not most, car trips. In rural areas of Vermont, with its many hills and lack of bike lanes, electric-assist bicycles are a viable alternative to a traditional bicycle. According to Local Motion, a statewide advocacy organization working to make biking and walking a way of life across Vermont, “the average Vermonter thinks three miles is a feasible distance to travel on a conventional
50 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
bike, while those who have ridden an e-bike feel that nine miles is a feasible distance to travel on an e-bike.� A significant benefit of trading an e-bike for a car is its reduced carbon footprint, contributing much less to air pollution. And the use of e-bikes is not limited to in-town commuting or grocery runs. People use e-bikes for hunting, food delivery, and even their annual Christmas tree trip. Last summer, Burlington Parks borrowed an e-bike and trailer to experiment with replacing an ATV on the Greenway bike path for maintenance. The e-bike was able to easily tow a lawnmower and weed whacker. BRINGING E-BIKES TO THE PEOPLE In 2016, Local Motion started the E-bike Lending Library as a way to introduce e-bikes to the public. The program has been
NEED MORE INFORMATION? For more information about e-bikes and where to buy or borrow them in Vermont, visit the following websites: www.localmotion.org/ebikes www.burlingtonelectric.com/ebike www.skirack.com/electric-bike -lending-program www.vbikesolutions.org www.oldspokeshome.com/bikes /e-bikes
DID YOU KNOW? Replacing a second car with an e-bike can save you more than $5,000 a year. very successful. “We estimate that about 30+ e-bikes have been purchased as a result of people borrowing e-bikes from the lending library,” says Ross Saxton of Local Motion, “which means about one in every five e-bike borrowers purchases an e-bike within a year of borrowing one.” In an effort to help reduce carbon pollution, the Burlington Electric Department partnered with Local Motion to expand the e-bike lending library to include six bikes. In addition, BED is offering $200 rebates to Burlington Electric customers towards a purchase of an e-bike, and Green Mountain Power now also offers $200 e-bike rebates to their customers at participating bike shops.
ONLINE EXTRA Find more facts on e-bikes and scooters at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com. Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 51
GREAT FINDS BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY PHOTOS BY MARY BOSLEY
WILLOW HOUSE Unique treasures in a charming setting
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Opposite: Treasures in every nook and cranny of the shop—both floors! Above: A dress form is displayed among other treasures. Left: Collectors love the look of old bottles. Many here have been dug in Chittenden County, Vermont.
T
he Willow House in Shelburne is a charming shop neatly packed with all manner of home décor, both vintage and modern, cottage and primitive, locally made, and shabby chic. The big green house is nestled on Falls Road between the Shelburne Country Store and the Bearded Frog Bar and Grill.
CHILDHOOD INFLUENCES Owner Jessica Humphrey acquired the Willow House in 2011 and added vintage and antique offerings to its selection of country, primitive, and cottage wares. Antiques have been a passion for Jessica since she was a young girl—her parents regularly went to auctions, estate sales, and antique shops. Especially important was Jessica’s dear Grandma Peg, who had a great eye and aspired to own a shop one day—if only Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 53
Below: Willow House proprietor Jessica Humphrey. Right: Start your own collection at Willow House. How about cookie cutters?
she could learn to part with her finds. Jessica’s parents and Grandma Peg decorated mainly with antiques, and Jessica learned her love of old, beautiful things from them. As a kid, she would ride her bike to yard sales, starting her own collections, and hosted a couple yard sales of her own each year. When she was a student in nursing school, she would set up a table at the Waterbury market. This practice of scouting for worthwhile acquisitions and then selling them developed Jessica’s sense of what had value, what would sell, and how to find treasures and rehome them. Over time, Jessica has developed a mental map of her favorite antique shops and flea markets in New England as well as New York, Florida, and other locations on the east coast. “I’m pretty much always shopping, always on the lookout,” she says. 54 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
As an adult homeowner, Jessica recreated the style she grew up with, using antiques to decorate with. One of her favorite shops to visit was the Willow House. One day she went in and discovered the business was for sale. It was an opportunity she couldn’t resist. One of her biggest boosters was her Grandma Peg, who was Jessica’s partner in yard sale and auction hunts for many years, even after Grandma Peg moved to Florida and eventually had to use a wheelchair. Grandma Peg wanted
every detail about purchasing and running the business, including press clippings and pictures of Jessica’s finds. It was a great loss to Jessica when her grandmother passed away two years ago. “She was an inspiration to me, and I miss her terribly.” Throughout the year, Jessica takes a representative selection of items from Willow House to shows. She goes to the three antique shows held each year in Brimfield, Massachusetts, as well as shows in Round Lake,
New York; Craftsbury, Vermont; Sage Farm in N. Hampton, New Hampshire; and the Maple Festival in St. Albans, Vermont, among others. RARE FINDS FROM OLD TO NEW Visitors to the Willow House often note how carefully the shop is curated. Jessica’s aim was always to create a collection that combined the old and the new, and was “the real thing,” not the mass-produced stuff you can find in any chain store. Although one regular visitor has said, “you should call this a curiosity shop,” the Willow House is no thrown-together hodgepodge. Jessica takes great care to organize items in the store into themes and vignettes. There will be perhaps an assortment of garden-themed items here, an array of vintage bottles there, a circular rack of notecards, and a display of heirloom linens in an antique bureau. Customers can find sterling and estate jewelry, vintage maps and ephemera, stickers and notecards. Upstairs, customers can see a kitchen decked out in vintage and antique wares, a seasonal room, and a bathroom vignette decorated just so. CUSTOMERS MATTER As much as Jessica loves the treasures she finds for Willow House, her other great love is the relationship she has with her clientele. Customer service is a point of pride for Jessica. Many visitors are repeat customers, and Jessica remembers them and what they like. She loves the rapport that develops with customers who return time and again. She keeps a wish list so that when she is out shopping, she can find things her customers have been looking for. Sometimes she’ll purchase something she suspects a customer might like, knowing that the person may not buy it. In those cases, Jessica finds a place for it in the shop, where in all likelihood it will become someone else’s treasure. “I’m not going to become a millionaire doing this, but I love hunting for things and finding just the right piece.” Jessica does custom orders and she also has a number of wholesale distributors she works with. This allows her to provide a range of price points, from as little as 50 cents to upwards of hundreds of dollars. Being able to offer items from the inexpensive and very affordable up to the rare and precious broadens the appeal of Willow House so that anyone can Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 55
shop there and know they can find something within their budget. When Jessica first purchased Willow House, it was on Patchen Road in South Burlington then moved to the Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace before Jessica found its current home on Falls Road in Shelburne in early 2017. They expanded to the second floor in the summer of 2018. This location is a perfect fit. “Shelburne has a strong sense of community,” Jessica says. “People love to shop locally and support local businesses. I love the rapport.” For information about upcoming shows Jessica will bring Willow House wares to, visit her website.
Willow House 11 Falls Road Shelburne, VT (802) 489-5571 www.willowhousevt.com 56 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 57
OUTDOOR LIVING
Vermont Stone and Horticulture Rely on the experts for landscape design, stonework, horticulture, and maintenance
I
t’s the season for enjoying the outdoors in Vermont, whether you’re relaxing at the lake or in the mountains. But what about relaxing at home? Could you and your family be enjoying your outdoor spaces more by making some modifications? Why not consult Josh Cohen, owner of the award-winning Vermont Stone and Horticulture, and make the most of summer, not just this year but for many years to come? Josh and his crew have been installing Vermont landscapes since 2006 and have the knowledge and expertise to turn your ideas into beautiful, comfortable spaces that fit your taste and your lifestyle. From the pattern of your patio pavers to stone walkways and from shade trees to colorful flowers and shrubs, you’ll finally be able to have the landscape of your dreams. Have you ever considered installing a water feature, a rock wall, or pathway lighting? Maybe this is the year to make it happen!
Vermont Stone and Horticulture 1869 Main Street Colchester, VT www.vermontstone.com (802) 876-7801 58 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 59
A screened porch for gathering and making memories lies at the heart of this lakefront property.
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BY MORGAN CLARK PHOTOS BY SUSAN TEARE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Collaborative Learning as a means of creation
CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP’S
clients join the creative team to realize their projects
Whether solving a problem or realizing a dream, perhaps both, you begin with an intention. A creative, intuitive, and emotional seed that has the potential to actualize. You long to create something. Thoughtfully designed spaces manifest the sacredness of everyday life. They inspire us and hold us. They help us to live healthier lives by connecting us to the natural world and to each other. As
MILFORD CUSHMAN Founder and president
Milford Cushman is a professional designer with over 30 years of practice committed to creative, functional, intuitive, and efficient design solutions. “My skills and intuition to fully appreciate the unique qualities and features of land were developed over the accumulated two and a half years of living outdoors as a wilderness guide and Outward Bound Instructor. With each of our client’s projects, their land is the most sacred of the voices at the design table and the location, placement, and integration of their building(s) into the land is where we cohesively and seamlessly connect the architecture with the landscape.”
a collaborator in the ecosystem of contractors, engineers, and designers it takes to create a building or space, Cushman Design Group has supported clients in translating their intentions into beautifully crafted architectural forms since 1988.
WHY CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP? After more than 30 years in business and 1,000-plus projects, Cushman Design Group’s team of professional designers and architects is still thirsty—thirsty to learn who their clients are, thirsty to lead meaningful conversations and to expertly guide the design process, and thirsty for the rich collaboration between client, designer, and craftsperson that creates beautifully unique architecture, interiors, and landscapes.
Founder and president Milford Cushman thinks of his colleagues and himself as a jazz band, with each member of the ensemble contributing to make CDG’s work and relationships with clients “sing.” “Not only do we each have to master our own ‘instruments,’ we have to be able to play with the other members of our band to create beautiful music together,” says Milford. The anchor of CDG’s process is listening to clients so that they are prepared to offer client-centric and site-specific solutions that are
TERRI L. GREGORY Interior Design Specialist
Terri trained and worked as a studio potter for 29 years before joining CDG in 2006 to concentrate on providing clients with personalized interior design solutions. “I love the work of Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 61
collaborating with clients as their projects move from the architectural design into the interior design phase where selected colors, textures, and materials will reflect their unique personality and tastes.”
DAVID KOSCHAK Designer
David’s interest in architecture arises from asking how our homes and communities reflect the stories of our lives, and how these stories impact what we build. Through graduate studies in the Pacific Northwest, work as a Historic Architect in Alaska, 5 years designing with the nationally recognized firm BCJ, and various design work throughout New England, he aims to “find designs which speak to our current lives with a combination of simplicity, thoughtful composition, and respect for our humanness and history.”
Above: This kitchen renovation removed several interior walls and added larger windows, exterior doors, and skylights to create a wonderful social space for family gatherings. Below: The Albany Community Store is a community led project to revive the town’s general store, upgrading the structure and adding character to the existing 1970s building. Bottom: In Bristol, Vermont, Cushman has designed this pocket neighborhood consisting of single-story cottages, two-level cottages, and row houses. Each two-bedroom home is “just big enough,” from between 846 and 1,100 square feet with all ground level homes accessible to owners with disabilities.
CHAD FORCIER Project Manager
With 20 years of experience at CDG, Chad’s primary design philosophy is facilitation of design as a process, and stewardship of the relationship with the client and the built environment. “The highest compliment I’ve received from a client was that 62 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
a synthesis of experience, talent, and technical know-how. By working collaboratively to listen and educate, CDG aims to align each client’s design goals with technical and emotional qualities fundamental to an intentionally designed
space, including efficient use of space, thermal comfort, energy efficiency, sustainable and local materials, as well as quality daylighting, nurturing refuge, and a sheltered vantage point from which to view the world.
they felt not that I had designed a home for them but rather that I had facilitated their process of designing their own home. Many of our clients have a vision but need help prioritizing and developing their project, along with guidance toward functionality and cohesion of design. Deep knowledge of building systems, years of project planning, and compositional vision provide the background knowledge to execute the work.”
JONATHAN SEVERINGHAUS Drafter
Jon’s interest in architecture began with observing the buildings near his family’s home in Vermont’s Upper Connecticut River Valley. Building his own home in 2014 reinvigorated this passion, and in May 2018 he completed a degree in Architectural & Building Engineering Technology from Vermont Technical College. “I am continually fascinated by the interplay between creativity and technical expertise in our field, and using this dynamic as the catalyst for exploratory problem solving with our clients.”
MICHAEL PERPALL Architect
Michael is an Architect and LEED Accredited Professional who holds licenses in Massachusetts and Vermont. Since graduating from Tulane Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 63
Above: Breathing new life into a Stowe home, this renovation and addition project dramatically connects the home to the surrounding mountain views while the telescope in the silo connects the homeowners to a more celestial view. Left: Built in the 1950s in the central Adirondacks, this multi-generational lake front camp was envisioned as a summer refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Cushman team is working with the family to stabilize, preserve, and eventually renew the property’s main house, boat house, and outbuildings.
aspects of how a space is designed as the basis for beginning a conversation, CDG’s designers are able to address a multitude of questions and establish trust and common ground to truly learn who their clients are and how they will use their space. Empathy, compassion, enthusiasm, and an open mind are the catalysts that enable their clients to become their best design inspiration.
This approach of creating “architecture for people” has given CDG the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of clients with requests from the humble to the extraordinary, whose unique passion and curiosity for their projects are equally enlivening. As the firm’s president, the “leader of the band,” Milford draws upon a lifetime of experience designing for people to continually reinvigorate this core ethos of listening, and he finds sustaining energy 64 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
in seeing the firm’s guiding philosophy shared by CDG’s talented and committed team. LISTENING DEEPLY “We want our clients to tell us their ideas, what details matter and why, how important is a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, are they morning or evening people, is cooking a social activity for them, and much more.” By using the more tangible and readily apparent
COST OF CONSTRUCTION AS A CONSTITUENT Necessarily, design decisions will depend upon the client’s budget. “Because CDG understands and appreciates what it costs to build today, cost can become an informed constituent of the design process whose voice is constantly respected and relied upon,” Milford says. “As a firm with up to 30 projects active at one time, we have accurate cross-referencing information about the current cost of construction at varying levels of finish, which helps us develop an opinion of
University with a Master of Architecture in 2001, he has worked for several esteemed architecture offices in the Northeast. “I think that collaboration always leads to better design outcomes. Having input from the client and the builder (among others) allows our designs and detailing to be more thoughtful, and helps the project establish its own identity.”
NITA HULTSTROM Business Manager
For the past 22 years, Nita has brought strong organizational and financial skills as well as a detail-oriented mindset to CDG while overseeing the business and marketing aspects of the firm. “I enjoy the collaborative process that is an integral part of CDG’s culture, and I embrace how the firm’s work enables environmentally conscious design decisions to have a lasting impact on the built environment.”
KELLEY OSGOOD Project Manager
A 1997 graduate of Vermont Technical Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 65
cost for our clients at every stage of the design process, beginning with the first time we meet them. Being able to have a discerning eye as to what it actually costs to build has become even more critical.” To balance costs and client’s dreams, Milford and his team rely on a concept they call the “just big enough house,” a twist on the book The Not So Big House by architect Sarah Susanka. He explains, “We vigorously set out to determine what ‘just big enough’ may mean for each client. It can be about detail, artistry, beauty, energy efficiency, volume, space within a space, materials, and more. This approach is always about optimizing a unique combination of priorities to use the client’s financial resources to give them the space they want for what they want to spend.” Milford says, “I consider CDG’s job fulfilled and satisfied if our client, the building, and the land are content.”
Cushman Design Group 100 Mountain Road Stowe, VT (802) 253-2169 cushmandesign.com 66 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Above: Set in a remote location high above a pristine Vermont trout stream, this off-grid fly fishing camp is completely self-sufficient. Photo by Derrick Barrett. Below: The deliciously detailed open floor plan of this “just big enough” home speaks to how Cushman uses their design skills to integrate material selection, craftsmanship, natural and artificial lighting solutions, and color to create refuge and beauty for the owners.
College, Kelley knew he wanted a career in architecture from as early as the sixth grade. He honed his architectural skills at Wiemann Lamphere Architects before joining the CDG team in 2006. Kelley grew up in a family of masons and worked in the trade into his college years. This field experience has been invaluable in solving practical problems in building designs. “I love the strong team ethic at CDG and working hand-in-hand with contractors and artisans.”
RYAN BEAULIEU Designer
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Norwich University. After graduating in 2000, he worked for a firm in the Mad River Valley until he joined CDG in 2010. He appreciates the harmonious balance the firm achieves among collaboration, project leadership, and good business sense. “A visit to Europe in high school struck me with what great architecture can do for people. I found the Old World buildings and pedestrian-centric streets astounding in their beauty and detail. I feel that good architecture gives people a sense of comfort.”
Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 67
PHYSICAL RX BY PHYL NEWBECK
REVers warm up under cool blue lights before the cycling room goes dark. Photo by Shem Roose Imagery.
68 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
REV Studio EXPANDS Indoor cycling and the mind-body connection Sarah DeGray was a 21-year-old college student studying abroad in the Netherlands when she took her first indoor cycling class. She didn’t speak Dutch but that didn’t diminish her enjoyment as she cycled to the universal language of music. She visited that studio almost every day of her four-month stay and was disappointed when she returned home and found no comparable experience.
POPULARITY GENERATES GROWTH Sarah became a certified indoor cycling instructor in the fall of 2011 and began teaching indoor cycling at The Edge Sports & Fitness. In November of 2012, she opened REV Indoor Cycling on Pine Street in Burlington. In less than two years, she outgrew that location and moved to Flynn Avenue in South Burlington. Three years later, she was forced to move again. “It wasn’t of our choosing,” she says, “but it ended up being a wonderful thing.” Sarah’s 4,000-squarefoot Farrell Street location provided a blank slate. “I know it sounds cheesy,” she says, “but I got to build the studio of my dreams.” This year, Sarah doubled the size of the studio by adding 4,000 square feet, which allowed for the addition of new programming while still retaining room for 50 bicycles. Sarah sees her studio as more than just a place for people to get a physical workout. “I’m a really big proponent for achieving a mindbody connection,” she says. “What makes us unique is we don’t have mirrors, computers, or metrics. It’s a room of total darkness with Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 69
Above: Sarah DeGray is proud to lead her team into the next decade of fitness and wellness. Photo by Kelsey Regan Photography. Right: REV welcomes all ages and abilities to experience cycling and cross-training. Photo by Dillon Bonk. Opposite: The expanded field house features 60 feet of Astroturf. Photo by Dillon Bonk.
just a few candles so people can completely unplug from technology and the material world and connect with their breath, mind, and body. They can achieve a meditative state on the bike.” Some REV customers (known as REVers) have told Sarah that indoor cycling helped them cope with or even overcome grief or depression. “It’s not just about coming in and burning calories,” she says. “That’s not our 70 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
focus. We are a more holistic place and a place of community. That’s been central to my teaching and really popular with our REVers.” REV-X IS BORN When REV was on Flynn Street, Sarah launched REV-X, which consisted of small group circuit training using suspension straps, free weights, and medicine balls. She didn’t advertise the programming, but it became popular because many visitors to the studio had dropped their gym memberships in favor of indoor cycling and wanted to have some additional workouts. In her new location, Sarah has been able to expand that space and has hired additional instructors. The new area also hosts staff from PT360 who provide physical therapy and athletic training to the community. Not counting the visiting PT360 staff, Sarah has a total of 16 instructors for indoor cycling and REV-X. Krystn Perettine of Huntington loves the new facility, having started working out at REV when the studio was on Flynn Avenue. “I started casually,” she says, “and I was hopping around with my fitness adventure, but by last November I was completely committed to REV.” Krystn does some indoor cycling, but the REV-X program is what draws her to the studio. “My fitness passion is cross-training,” Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 71
she says. “The program puts a heavy focus on fitness as a sport. The people are really motivated, but there is no added pressure about missing workouts or goals; it’s the bigger picture of wellness and that really speaks to me.” CYCLING TO THE MUSIC An important part of indoor cycling at REV is the music, which includes pop, rhythm and blues, rock, and hip-hop. There are “tribute rides,” which are done entirely to the music of a singer or band like Tom Petty or Queen, and decade-themed rides with music from the 70s, 80s, or 90s. “Honestly, I don’t think indoor cycling on its own is a lot of fun,” Sarah concedes. “Our instructors take you out of that element and make it fun so you don’t even realize you’re not going anywhere. It’s an almost out-of-body experience.” Sarah thinks having fun is more important than working out and notes that often class members sing along to the music. Josh Brown of South Burlington used to pedal at home on a bicycle trainer during the off-season before he discovered REV in October of 2015. “There’s no comparison in terms
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Opposite: REV-X stretches you past your limits. Above: Conditioning REV-X classes feature Concept2 rowing machines. Photos by Dillon Bonk.
of motivation and camaraderie,” he says, adding that he was hooked after his very first class at REV. “The coaches are inspiring and they have great playlists. It’s low impact and I’ve made some good friends there.” Josh cycles outdoors from May to September but spends the off-season at REV and takes classes during the winter months when the weather isn’t suitable for road riding. While traveling, he visited two other indoor cycling studios and didn’t think they measured up. “They tried to fit as many bikes as possible and it was claustrophobic,” he says. “They also didn’t keep their equipment in as good condition as Sarah does.” A former triathlete, Sarah sold her outdoor bike when she opened REV. She has been teaching indoor cycling for nine years and still loves her work. “This hasn’t gotten old for me,” she says. “Part of the reason is people keep coming in and wanting this experience. When we get people who have never tried it before, I’m reminded of that 21-year-old who fell in love with it. It’s amazing to be on the other side of that now. As long as I’m still feeling that, I’m happy to keep doing it.”
REV Indoor Cycling 10 Farrell Street South Burlington, VT (802) 497-2737 revindoor.com Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 73
SUMMER HAPPENINGS 2019 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FLYNN THEATER PATTY LABELLE
BRIAN WILSON
JUNE 1
JUNE 9
Flynn Lobby, 10am
Flynn Space, 6pm
JUNE 1
JULY 8
Birdcode
Flynn Space, 6pm
Flash Mobs & Pop-Up Performances
JUNE 1
Chase Dance Studio, 1st floor of Flynn Space, Noon
Main Stage, 8pm
JULY 17–20
JUNE 2
Flynn Space, Check website for times.
Chris Potter Circuits Trio
Pharoah Sanders
PATTON OSWALT
Patti LaBelle
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Matilda The Musical
Main Stage, 7pm
JULY 24
JUNE 5
Main Stage, 8pm
Leyla McCalla 153 Main Street Burlington, VT (802) 86-Flynn www.flynncenter.org
Brian Wilson
Patton Oswalt
Flynn Space, 6pm
JULY 26
JUNE 6
Main Stage, 8pm
Christian Sands Trio
Gregory Isakov
Flynn Space, 6pm
AUGUST 11
JUNE 7
Take It Down Tour Main Stage, 7pm
Broa Skonberg Flynn Space, 6pm
Tom Segura
VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2019 TD Summer Festival Tour
Pack a picnic basket and celebrate the sound of summer in Vermont with the VSO! This year’s program, “Strike Up the Orchestra!” was crafted by guest conductor Sharon Lavery, making her VSO debut. The orchestra showcases the composers who set America to music: Gershwin, Joplin, Bernstein, Copland, and the foremost film composer of our generation, John Williams. VSO Principal Clarinet Kelli O’Connor is our featured soloist in a jazzy concerto written by Artie Shaw. Each concert closes with a dazzling fireworks display accompanying Tchaikovsky’s famous 1812 Overture and the beloved marches of John Philip Sousa. Please visit website for additional information.
JULY 1 Chittenden, Mountain Top Inn & Resort
JULY 2 Manchester, Hunter Park
JULY 3 Grafton, Grafton Ponds
JULY 4 Shelburne, Shelburne Museum
JULY 5 South Pomfret, Suicide Six Ski Area
JULY 6 Randolph, Brunswick School
JULY 7 Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge
2 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 864-5741 (800) VSO-9293 ext. 10 www.vso.org Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 75
SUMMER HAPPENINGS 2019 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BURLINGTON WINE AND FOOD In honor of the 10th anniversary of the event, we are thrilled to announce the addition of three celebrity chefs joining us on the all-new Culinary Stage in the main tent. Kevin Des Chenes, Private Chef to the stars and author of Beyond My Chef Coat. Michele Ragussis is a Food Network star as well as being a judge on Beat Bobby Flay. Chef Plum is a winner on the Food Network, appearing on Chopped, Guy’s Grocery Games, and America’s Best Cook: Regional Championship. For details go to www.burlingtonwineandfood.com
JUNE 18
Great Shakes Cocktail Competition at Waterworks JUNE 19–21
Butcher Room Series at Hen of The Wood JUNE 20
Round Table Winemakers with E.B. Strong’s JUNE 20
Chef Michele Ragussis wine dinner at Waterworks JUNE 20
Winemaker dinner with Kendall Mix of Milbrandt Vineyard
JUNE 21
JUNE 22
Featuring Chef De Cuisine Nicole Lapierre
The Essex
Burlington Waterfront
JUNE 21
JUNE 23
JUNE 20
Chef Kevin Des Chenes and winemaker Brianne Day at The Great Northern
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Chef Kevin Des Chenes wine dinner
Ladies Night at Stone Cutter’s High Ball Social
Grand Tasting
Join Chef Plum for Brunch The Essex
BURLINGTON CITY ARTS Burlington City Arts’ annual summer concert series presented by VSECU kicks off on June 12! All are welcome to enjoy 22 free concerts this year on lower Church Street near City Hall. The series takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:30pm from June 12 to August 28. Below are some of the highlights. Check the website for full listings.
JUNE 19 The Talbott Brothers
JUNE 21 Useless Cans
JUNE 26 Lowell Thompson Music
JUNE 28 The Revenants
JULY 5 Mikahely
JULY 10 The Starline Rhythm Boys
JULY 12 Alex2e
JULY 17 The Green Mountain Playboys
JULY 26 Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots
JULY 31 Bella and The Notables
AUGUST 7 Moose Crossing Band
AUGUST 9 The Zeichner Trio
AUGUST 16 Bessette Quartet
AUGUST 21 Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers
135 Church Street Burlington, VT www.burlingtoncityarts.org Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 77
SUMMER HAPPENINGS 2019 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SHELBURNE FARMS 1611 Harbor Road Shelburne, VT www.shelburnefarms.org JULY 10, 17, 24, 30
Shelburne Town Concert Series 6:30 to 8pm, Gates open at 5pm See additional dates on website
JULY 20 TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS JUNE THROUGH AUGUST
House and Formal Garden Tour at the inn
Mozart In the Courtyard 7–11pm, Gates open at 5pm
JULY 21
Farm to Ballet
2:30–3:45pm
6:30pm, Gates open at 5:30
EVERY FRIDAY FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST
AUGUST 3
Sun to Cheese Tour
7–11pm, Gates open at 5pm
1:45–3:45pm
AUGUST 11
Mozart in the Barn
SHELBURNE MUSEUM 6000 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT www.ShelburneMuseum.org JUNE 15–16
JUNE 15
The Eleventh Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival
Shelburne Museum Classic Auto Festival
Noon to 6pm
10am–4pm
JUNE 22
Sounds of the Earth
Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with vintage cars and trucks and a BBQ
Opening of William Wegman: Outside In
JUNE 25
The renowned artist gives a rare look inside his work and process.
Afternoon tea and floral arranging
JULY 5, AUGUST 2 & SEPTEMBER 6
Free First Friday Evenings Series celebrating the farm families who own Cabot Live music, games, and picnicking plus free admission to entire Museum.
JULY 14
Circus Palooza Feats under the Big Top, games, food, and fun all over the Museum grounds!
VERMONT BREWERS FESTIVAL Burlington Waterfront www.vermontbrewers.com JULY 19–20 The Vermont Brewers Festival is one of the premier beer festivals in the world, held on the waterfront of Lake Champlain overlooking the Adirondack Mountains, on the third weekend of July. Established in 1991, this year marks the 27th anniversary of the festival. It’s hosted by the Vermont Brewers Association, a nonprofit membership organization that was founded in 1995 to promote and strengthen the culture of craft brewing in Vermont through marketing, education, and advocacy for Vermont-made beer. 78 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
VERMONT COMEDY CLUB 101 Main Street Burlington, VT (802) 859-0100 www.vermontcomedyclub.com JUNE 13
Gareth Reynolds 7:30pm
JUNE 14–15
Gareth Reynolds 7:30 & 9:30pm
JUNE 26–30
Spelling Bee 7pm
JULY 11–13
Summer Comedy Revue 7:30pm
JULY 18
Summer Comedy Revue 7:30pm
JUNE 19–20
Summer Comedy Revue 7pm
JUNE 25–27
Summer Comedy Revue 7:30pm
AUGUST 2–3
Summer Comedy Revue 7pm
AUGUST 9–10
Bobcat Goldthwait 2 shows 7:30 & 9:30pm
AUGUST 15–17
Big Pond Improv 7pm
Discover Jazz Festival MAY 31–JUNE 9 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival is a 10-day celebration of live music for all ages. With free live music on four stages in downtown Burlington, headlining shows at the historic Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and the Waterfront Tent, and nightly showcases in restaurants and venues all over the city, the festival brings this community to life with a 10-day-long party.
Church Street Market Place www.discoverjazz.com Summer 2019 | Best of Burlington | 79
ADVERTISERS INDEX A Little Something........................................................................................ 8, 56 Ann Roche Casual Furniture............................................................................ 37 Bare Medical Spa................................................................................................... 1 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont................................................................65 Burlington City Arts........................................................................................... 75 Burlington Country Club................................................................................... 57 Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Services......................................... 23 Burlington Furniture..............................................................Inside Front Cover Burlington Harbor Hotel................................................................................... 57 Burlington Marble and Granite........................................................................15 Burlington Mattress...........................................................................................29 Burlington Paint and Sip...................................................................................45 Burlington Surf Club.......................................................................................... 75 Catamount Physical Therapy..........................................................................49 Chroma Optics....................................................................................................55 Church Hill Landscapes.................................................................................... 35 Circus Smirkus...................................................................................................... 4 City Market..........................................................................................................34 Cushman Design Group...................................................................................80 Davis and Hodgdon Associates...................................................................... 76 Dear Lucy..............................................................................................................13 di Stefano Landscaping......................................................................................41 Ecco Clothes....................................................................................................3, 24 Fetch the Leash...................................................................................................29 Flynn Theater.......................................................................................................59 Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery................................................................................ 8 Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty.................................................7 Green Envy Boutique/Mirror Mirror................................................................5 Healing Winds....................................................................................................80 Hickok and Boardman Real Estate.................................Outside Back Cover Inspired Closets.................................................................................................. 35 Istanbul Kebab House.......................................................................................25 Jamie Two Coats................................................................................................... 8 Jess Boutique......................................................................................................... 9 Karlise Fine Jewelers......................................................................................... 72 Kiss the Cook........................................................................................................71 Landshapes.......................................................................................................... 33 Marketplace Fitness.......................................................................................... 67 Morse Farm..........................................................................................................24 Otter Creek Awnings......................................................................................... 37 Outdoor Gear Exchange................................................................................... 33 Pauline’s Café...................................................................................................... 73 Peregrine Design/Build......................................................................................51 Petra Cliffs............................................................................................................25 PierVana Hair. Salon. Jewels............................................................................25 Play Dog Play........................................................................................................71 Red House............................................................................................................79 REV Indoor Cycling........................................................................................... 40 Saint Michael’s Playhouse................................................................................45 Saratoga Olive Oil Company........................................................................... 67 Shelburne Museum....................................................................................... 8, 79 Shelburne Tap House...................................................................................8, 49 Shelburne Vineyard and Wine Tasting Room.............................................24 Slate........................................................................................................................16 Spalon Euphoria..................................................................................................47 Spot on the Dock Restaurant..........................................................................63 Sterling College....................................................................................................10 Stern Ctr. For Language and Learning ...........................................................17 The Automaster.................................................................................................... 2 The Dutch Mill Family Restaurant and Catering.......................................... 8 The Essex Resort and Spa ........................................................................ 21, 40 The Residence at Quarry Hill and Shelburne Bay........................................11 Tina’s Home Design............................................................................................. 6 Tom Moore Builders............................................................. Inside Back Cover Total Fitness Equipment...................................................................................47 Vermont Real Estate Company.......................................................................55 Vermont Kitchen Design by Bouchard-Pierce Candlelight.......................51 Vermont Kitchen Design by Bouchard-Pierce Wolf/Sub.........................65 Vermont Singing Drum.....................................................................................25 Vermont Stone and Horticulture.....................................................................19 Village Wine and Coffee................................................................................ 8,16 Wake Robin..........................................................................................................36 Whim Boutique...................................................................................................63 Willow House......................................................................................................78 Windows and Doors by Brownell...................................................................77 Yoga Roots............................................................................................................. 8
80 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
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