Fall in the Champlain Valley is a reminder to us all that even though it’s chillier, and the days are shorter, there is beauty everywhere! The transition of our seasons here in the Champlain Valley is unique with each having their own special beauty.
s you’re enjoying this fall season, please enjoy our fall issue. In every fall issue you’ll find our Burlington Home special section, with spotlights, tips, and interesting finds. We have so much fun putting it together.
One of the things we love to do on a Saturday afternoon in fall is grab our dog and enjoy a walk on the lake, with a stop to enjoy a hot latte, or cold beverage, sitting on Church street. Our seven-year-old mix loves it as much as we do. He’s sure to get a treat or two in there somewhere. Which brings us to Meet Me Downtown. Please enjoy this section that comes with a map of the Lakefront and Church Street areas, dining examples, and shopping.
We celebrate an incredible fifty-year milestone coming from outh Burlington High School’s participation in “The International Experience” student exchange program. Fifty years What great experiences and stories can be told.
And to go with our cover, we get to know the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association. Music, education, persistence. We’re lucky to have such a great group.
Enjoy your Autumn!
John and Robin Gales
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
GET YOUR CAR READY FOR THE SEASON
The fall nip is in the air and reminds us, what’s coming! It’s time for fall car maintenance. Go to www.bestofburlingtonvt.com and get all the tips.
THE HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN IS ON!
What’s trendy for 2024? Family parties, adult parties, food, drinks, and costumes. Check it out at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
VSO’s 90th anniversary at the Flynn kicks o with an all-American program and two living greats: virtuoso banjoist Béla Fleck and composer Adolphus Hailstork.
VSO explores the music of two iconic and powerful 20th century ballets, alongside Boulanger’s bright celebration of spring.
In this year’s Jukebox, we look to our friends for help to curate a program. Audience members are given a chance to help us plan the music for this concert, featuring our Jukebox string quartet.
THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPES
THAT WILL RIVAL YOUR FEAST
Take a seat and sit a spell
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, you have a lot of items on your to-do list. From the pre-feast cooking to the post-feast cleaning, it’s stressful to say the least. So allow us to take one task o your plate with our favorite Thanksgiving table decor ideas.
Eat your fruits and veggies
This clever take on the fruit bowl as a centerpiece is a good idea for anyone who doesn't want to spend a lot on table decor. Just head to the grocery store and pick out a selection of the most beautifully colored seasonal produce. Pears, pumpkins, gourds and grapes pair well together, but the options are limitless.
Don't want to cook?
These wonderful local options are serving Thanksgiving dinner for dining in or taking home. Give them a shout and your guests will never know you didn't slave over a hot oven for days to create your Thanksgiving feast.
Decorate the whole room
The table is often the star of the show during Thanksgiving, but don't forget about the rest of the room. We suggest using your table design elements around the living room and dining area. If your centerpieces feature certain flowers, incorporate those same flowers on the mantle, on the console, and on the bu et table.
The Essex Resort and Spa
For dining in or a fully prepared meal for your table. www.esexresort.com
Healthy Living Market
Prepared side dishes for your table. www.healthylivingmarket.com
Use a table runner
If you like the look of a classic white table, but don't think it feels appropriate for Thanksgiving, which often celebrates autumnal colors, opt for a tablescape like this. The whole spread, from the tablecloth to the dishes, is white, but the leafy table runner reflects all of the fall foliage hues we love.
City Market, Onion River Co-op
Take home prepared side dishes. www.citymarket.coop
Le Marché Cafe
Prepared side dishes and desserts to take home. www.lemarchevt.com
Calling all dog pawrents!
Are you ready to share your comely canine with the world? Do your family, friends, and neighbors agree that your pup is Top Dog? Do you love locally made Vermont
cider? Well, we’ve got a contest for you!
Through September 30, 2024, the Humane Society of Chittenden County will be welcoming a photo and short bio about
your dog and asking the community to vote for their favorite pooch. The winner will be featured on cans of a delicious, limitededition batch of Vermont Cider Lab fallthemed cider!
Each entry ($20) and vote ($1 per vote) go directly to the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC) to support their life-saving work. You may vote as much and as often as you like! (Example: Give $20 for 20 votes, $25 for 25 votes, and $100 for 100 votes!) The Top Dog, with the most votes wins, and will be the face (and name!) of Vermont Cider Lab’s 2024 fall cider!
Donations help strengthen HSCC’s community programs and services, which include caring for thousands of animals in need each year, assisting with humane investigations, our low-cost Community Pet Clinic, and other surrender prevention initiatives designed to keep families and their pets together. Visit www.hsccvt.org for more information and to vote for your favorites.
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.
—Albert Schweitzer
>> JAMIE TWO COAT
Jamie Two Coats, an old-fashioned children’s toy shop in the heart of Shelburne Village, is lled to the brim with the best of toys and clothing for your little ones! facebook.com/jamietwocoats and instagram.com/jamietwocoats
>> FURCHGOTT SOURDIFFE GALLERY
Enjoy the gallery’s diverse range of contemporary art by established and emerging artists in a variety of media. Museum-quality, custom framing services include hand- nished frames, design experience, and conservation specialists. You’ll also nd a collection of handmade jewelry, glass, and ceramics, plus readymade photo frames. www.fsgallery.com
>> RADIANCE MEDICAL AESTHETICS AND WELLNESS SPA
Take the time to care for yourself at Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Spa. At Radiance, we can provide you with a spa treatment to unwind, a laser facial that will boost your con dence, or perhaps a candle and skin care product so you can bring relaxation straight to the comfort of your own home. Whichever you choose, we promise it will have a lasting impact on your happiness, health, and well-being. www.radiancevt.com
>> NUSANTARA
Shop and explore our 6,000-square-foot retail store at the Essex Experience in Essex, VT. The store is lled with goods from around the world, like our Tree of Enchantment orbs, handblown in a hot glass studio in Ontario, Canada. Each orb is individually crafted with its own personality, making it a very special gift for the holidays or any occasion. Contact us at (802) 764-0758 or nusantarashopvt@gmail.com
>> LIVRESSE LINGERIE
Bra shopping made easy! L’ivresse Lingerie is your bra- tting, lingerie. and loungewear destination, featuring A-K cups and 28-50 bands in stock, sizing XS-3X. We help you through the bra shopping experience, with an extensive size and style selection to meet every need. From rst bra ttings through body changes and major life events, a little help makes bra shopping a breeze. www.shoplivresse.com
>> BARE MEDICAL SPA
+ LASER CENTER
No matter who you are or where you come from, Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center is ready to help you achieve your aesthetic desires. As regional leaders in the industry, we’re proud to o er comprehensive care, state-of-theart technology, and a welcoming, inclusive environment that prioritizes our clientele. Whether you’re looking for laser treatments or the latest in regenerative care, our team will take care of all your needs. www.barevt.com
>> COCO GOOSE
Shop fall trends and coveted layers from Veronica Beard, TWP, Autumn Cashmere, and Closed. Find elevated essentials from all your favorite brands, including Ulla Johnson, Frank & Eileen, Herno, Zadig & Voltaire, Agolde, Aviator Nation, Kinross Cashmere, Moussy, Misa, and more. Visit us in Burlington, Stowe, Manchester Center, and Providence, RI. Shop at www.shopcocogoose.com
>> ELLI PARR
Elli Parr is an independent women’s lifestyle boutique and modern jewelry brand focusing on quality, handcrafted pieces that are stylish yet sophisticated. Our stones are sourced from all over the world and are carefully selected to ensure the best quality and cut. We collaborate with skilled artisans to bring you unique pieces, and take pride in each piece that we make. Our jewelry is truly about the woman wearing it. We want you to feel con dent and beautiful at all times, so we create pieces to help you do just that! www.elliparr.com
>> 4T2D
Support local manufacturing and shop 4T2D {FOUR-TI-TUDE}, where we create high-quality apparel and beanies made with care by Vermonters. Visit our retail showroom or shop us online. From t to function, we strive to make apparel that you can wear anywhere and do it with style. www.4T2D.com
>> ADDIE & GRACE BOUTIQUE
Addie & Grace o ers chic, sophisticated women’s clothing and accessories in a welcoming environment by the designers you know and love. We represent dozens of top brands, including Joseph Ribko , AG Jeans, Autumn Cashmere, French Connection, Hutch, HOBO, Z Supply, and many more. Addie & Grace’s stylists tailor each shopping experience to help dress you for everyday, work, travel, and special occasions. www.addieandgrace.com
>> A LITTLE SOMETHING
All you need to shop locally is A Little Something. We’re stocked with clothing, jewelry, and accessories and have the area’s best assortment of gifts and greeting cards. A Little Something is just a short ride from Burlington on Route 7. For unique items from small companies and local and independent designers, free gift wrapping, and easy parking, look no further. www.alittlesomethingvt.com
>> CHEEKS LUXURY SKIN CLINIC
Cheeks will help you look and feel your best at any age through advanced treatments, like Emface, a nonsurgical facelift series that o ers amazing results that last. One of our 80-yearold clients is literally aging backward after undergoing a series of Emface treatments a year ago. www.cheeks.cc
BY WENDIE PECHARSKY | PHOTOS BY ARIELLE THOMAS
Sound of Music The
Sixty years ago, the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association (VYOA) consisted of a single orchestra. Today, it has three orchestras and a host of training programs open to all, plus an early childhood program aimed at children under the age of five. It also boasts a program where students of an orchestral instrument can come and take lessons.
“All of this is possible,” says Mark Alpizar, VYOA’s musical director for the past four years, “because we have acquired the lleyLong Music Center, and that is what makes it all come together. The fact that we have this
wonderful home is what got us through the pandemic and has given us the ability to have a lesson program.”
The lley-Long Music Center, once a riding hall used by the Black cavalry troops known as the Buffalo oldiers for horse training after the Civil War, has been retrofitted into classrooms and a performance space. “It’s quite large,” Mark says. “The soldiers would use it for parties, get-togethers, and sometimes musical performances. So, the legacy is that it’s been retrofitted to do the same thing that it once did.”
SPACE FOR LEARNING AND PERFORMING
The Center, located on the campus of Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, has a performance hall in the back of the building that can seat about 350. “The stage is particularly wonderful,” Mark says. “ veryone raves about the acoustics. nd that is where our Vermont Youth Philharmonia and our ermont outh trings have their secondsemester performance in April.”
Mark works side by side with Rosina Cannizzaro, the executive director of , who has overseen all aspects of the
organization since 2012. In that time, Rosina says VYOA has undergone a great deal of expansion. “We started a lesson program about five or six years ago with just strings, and last year, we expanded it to include all woodwinds, brass, and percussion. We
have thirteen studios now within our lesson program,” she says. “What’s really wonderful is that it makes private lessons affordable for students. ver half of our students are receiving some sort of financial aid to take private lessons.”
Previous page: Vermont Youth Orchestra prepares for their OrchestraPalooza concert at Flynn in downtown Burlington.
This page, clockwise from upper left: The cello section of Vermont Youth Orchestra rehearses at Flynn. Vermont Youth Orchestra senior soloist Avery Cochran performs "Suite Antique" by John Rutter. Vermont Youth Philharmonia winds and percussion musicians perform at Flynn.
PARTNERING WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS
VYOA also launched its after-school partnership program, Music Inspires, in 2 12. “We have been providing free after-school group violin classes in Winooski since then,” Rosina says.
“ Winooski was our first partner, and over the years, we’ve done other after-school programs in ewport and Bakersfield, not just for strings but for woodwinds and brass as well.”
Says Mark, “When the Vermont Youth rchestra launched in 1 , the original mission statement included a lot about partnering with public schools and being a way to enhance what’s already going on in ermont. I try to cultivate in each of our students and each of our musicians the ability to take what they learn in and bring it back to their school programs and enhance them because I think only really works in partnership with the school programs. They
Upcoming Concerts at Flynn
October 20 at 3pm: Terror & Triumph features spooky standards like Danse Macabre and A Night on Bald Mountain
December 15 at 4pm: OrchestraPalooza is a diverse celebration of Vermont's musical tapestry, featuring an immersive performance of Sleigh Ride
Tickets are available at www.vyo.org
Vermont Youth Orchestra Association
Elley-Long Music Center at St. Michael’s College
223 Ethan Allen Avenue Colchester, VT www.vyo.org
send us so many musicians, and we, in turn, cultivate them and help them grow, and we all benefit from it. ven the public benefits from it. veryone who comes to our concerts can hear that. We have a nationally reputable orchestra here in rural ermont.”
MUSIC EDUCATION FOR ALL
But middle and high school students are not the only ones to benefit from ’s mission. osina says, “We have an early childhood department now where we’re offering Music Together classes, and our ug Concert series for kids five and under was launched eight years ago. That’s a very interactive performance opportunity for them. We try to find an entryway for every skill level and every age.”
Mark heartily agrees. “The ermont outh rchestra ssociation is a welcoming place for children ages zero to eighteen. It’s really comprehensive, and we believe in musical excellence for everyone of all ages and abilities. Music education offers kids so many valuable skills that transfer to anything they want to do in life. I think that’s why every kid should be involved in music in some way, shape or form. It helps foster a sense of creativity. It helps create lifelong habits of study and commitment. It’s like a team sport but with an artistic element.”
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES
“There are thirty to forty performance opportunities that come up every year,” osina says, “and the students are all keeping their eye on touring internationally, which we do every three years. That’s something they have to look forward to.” In the past decade, has performed concert
tours to China, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and Greece.
But in Vermont, Mark says, “I have the VYO break up into chamber groups. I have what I like to call the String Squad. Then, we have the Winds, Brass, and Percussion Ensemble, and we also have smaller groups like wind quintets and string quartets. I put them together, I teach them and coach them on the music, and then they go out into the various opera houses throughout Vermont and retirement homes and community centers and play for as many Vermonters as we possibly can each season.”
TWO PROGRAMS FOR THE STUDY OF JAZZ
ne of the organization’s newest offerings is VYOA Jazz, a high school program that brings together the best players in the state and gives them an opportunity to play together outside of the All-State Festival. “It was really successful,” Mark says. “All of the students in every section play in an ensemble
with a professional musician. They get mentorship from professionals from the area every single week.”
In fact, the jazz program was such a success that, this year, they’re launching VYOAGrooves, a jazz program for middle schoolers. Both jazz programs are open to anyone who wants to participate. “[VYOAGrooves provides] a chance for them to really explore the fundamentals of jazz, play in an ensemble, and learn to improvise,” Mark says.
NURTURING A GENERATION THAT VALUES MUSIC
Even after graduating high school, many VYO participants continue studying music in some form. “What’s always so heartwarming,” says Rosina, “is how many students really try to find a way to keep music in their lives when they go to college. And that is what I think is the success of our program, to have a group of young people who know the value of music and make time for it.”
Mark says, “The vast majority of our students do not go on to pursue music as a vocation or as a career. But that’s all the more reason why they take it so seriously now. I really feel the sense that each of them is realizing: ‘This is my opportunity to [increase my] repertoire. This is my opportunity to feel like a professional musician and get a chance to learn at a high level how to perform music and how to wear an artistic filter for the rest of my life.’”
DEDICATED STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
“It’s a tremendous commitment, not only on the part of the student musicians but also of the parents and the families,” Rosina says. “We have kids who are traveling from the Northeast Kingdom, from Plattsburgh [NY], and the Hanover [NH] area, so you know they’re making a serious commitment on Sunday to be with us. We have nothing but gratitude for their commitment and dedication to us, and, in return, they’re building friendships and a love of music,” she says. “That’s success.”
For some, retirement is a time to do little to nothing at all. But the people who choose to live at Wake Robin Life Plan Community in Shelburne, Vermont have a different perspective.
They’re still giving back to their community. They’re learning and growing. And they’re living life to its fullest. If that sounds like you, come and see for yourself.
Wake Robin. It’s where you live.
BY WENDIE PECHARSKY
ON OCTOBER 12, 2024
Elli Parr Boutique
WILL MAKE A SHELBURNE SQUARE STOREFRONT ITS NEW HOME
Trading a tiny footprint for a luxe new flagship
Little did Sara Nelson know that when she started making beaded bracelets while on maternity leave from her corporate marketing job, it would turn into a successful jewelry and lifestyle brand sold in more than 90 stores across New England, including her own brick-and-mortar boutiques in Vermont.
But when Sara discovered that pursuing her “hobby” gave her more pleasure than working
for a large corporation, she decided to turn it into a business, and that’s when her brand, Elli Parr, was born.
THE BOUTIQUE’S BEGINNINGS
For close to four years, the Elli Parr Boutique has been housed on the second oor of the old Shelburne Inn, selling not only her own brand of handmade jewelry but accessories,
homewares, and beauty products from other small brands. There, ara and her staff created a space not only for retail sales, jewelry production, and order fulfillment but also to host jewelry-making workshops, kids’ birthday parties, ear piercing, and even bridal showers. “A lot happens in a tiny little footprint,” Sara says. Then, in 2023, Sara opened a second Elli Parr shop in Middlebury that was solely
PHOTOS COURTESY OF
a retail space. “Our model was working well in helburne, and we wanted to offer our products to more Vermonters in other markets. Middlebury was one of our first choices due to the proximity from home and the “small-town feel” that resembled Shelburne village,” Sara says.
CONSOLIDATING TO CREATE A NEW FLAGSHIP LOCATION
Now, however, because of a new sales strategy and the need for even more space, Sara has decided to create a agship lli Parr location in Shelburne Square on IDX Drive in South
Burlington, where it will occupy a ground- oor space and have the necessary square footage not only for retail sales but also for production and order fulfillment as well as to host workshops and other community events.
“We’ve experienced exponential growth in our current location in Shelburne, but it is hard for people to see and get to because it’s on the second oor,” ara says. “But our new location in Shelburne Square is only a few minutes from our current location and is much more convenient for our customers. It’s street level and has ample parking. It’s a much bigger space than our present location
[in Shelburne], which will allow us to create a much stronger customer experience and a more efficient business operation. We’ll have separate creative offices for design and production and a luxe ear-piercing studio.”
The new flagship will also offer “open beading” opportunities, which means
Opposite: Sara Nelson, owner of Elli Parr. This page, clockwise from above: The checkout area at Elli Parr’s new flagship location in Shelburne Square in South Burlington. Green onyx Lennox earrings. Jewelry production at Elli Parr.
customers can come in any day of the week to make their own jewelry, whereas before, the stores offered that service only on Tuesdays.
Once Sara decided to move her primary store to Shelburne Square, she also decided to part ways with her Middlebury storefront and merge with a collective down the road. “This will allow our team to focus on the new flagship store and its widespread offerings but still keep our brand alive in Middlebury, just in a new way.
A GRAND OPENING IS SET FOR OCTOBER
The big move will take place on October 12, Sara says, and the Shelburne Inn and Middlebury shops will remain open until the new space is up and running. “For our grand opening, we’ll do a three-day event that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
Sara is excited to showcase her bestselling items in the new space. “Our beaded bracelets are probably our best sellers,” Sara says. “And what’s interesting is that beaded
bracelets were some of the first styles I made almost ten years ago. Of course, our styles have evolved, but we have noticed that our customers create custom bracelet
stacks with pieces they have acquired over the years.
“Another big seller is our Huggies. They’re mini hoops that kind of hug the earlobe.
They’re simple and small enough that you never have to take them off. And we make a variety of those.”
When asked if she has a favorite collection, Sara says, “We do these chunky, one-of-akind opal necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. And what’s so fun about those is we get a big shipment of authentic Indian and African opals, which come on a strand of yarn, and we dump every single bead in a large bowl, and then we make custom pieces with those stones in a variety of different patterns. Every single piece we design in a collection like this is exclusive and bespoke,” she reiterates. “Those jewelry pieces are not only the most fun to create because they’re all unique but also the most fun to sell because you know whoever’s buying one is getting a piece like no other.”
A COLLECTIVE AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
Though she owns the business and is the brains behind the operation, Sara is not the only jewelry maker. “Every person who works with us has a hand in production and fulfillment, which is another reason I love that it’s not my name on the company. It’s all of us; it’s a very collective collaborative effort.”
In fact, as a brand, Elli Parr has grown far beyond Sara’s initial expectations. “Not only do we offer our products direct to consumers but we also wholesale our pieces to other retailers throughout the US and Canada. We’re in over ninety independent retail and specialty stores, including about a dozen retailers right here in Vermont, including Common Deer in Burlington, Addie & Grace in Essex, Woody’s Mercantile in Woodstock, Addison West in Waitsfield, and Mirror Mirror in Stowe.”
That’s quite an achievement for a brand that started as a hobby. “I want to thank everyone for their continued support,” Sara says. “We are thrilled about this next step in our small business journey, and we can’t wait to offer a bigger and better customer experience than ever before.”
ELLI PARR
Shelburne Square 41 IDX Drive South Burlington VT www.elliparr.com
MARIE EDINGER
goes beyond gifting to make sho ing a eeze WHAT’S
STEPHANIE OLSON AND COURTESY
OF A LITTLE SOMETHING
FROM LOCAL ARTISTRY TO GLOBAL TREASURES
a little something
Since 2010, A Little Something, a gift and clothing boutique, has been livening up Shelburne. Most of the products they sell are from small companies or independent designers. “I’m always reminded of how many talented people there are in the world,” says Deidre Senior, the owner.
“Often I’m looking at something, and I think, ‘Oh my gosh, I know somebody is going to love this.’ It might feel a bit extra than I would choose,” Deidre says with a laugh, “but you’ve seen women who are amazing dressers and accessorizers. They have a cool style and look confident in their skin. I want that person to know they can be our customer. They can shop here for themselves as well as for friends and family.”
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HER FRIENDS
Deidre says the whole business started thanks to the encouragement of friends. She had been focusing mainly on raising her two children and working part-time. But one day, her friends mentioned a space that was a jewelry store was for sale.
“Oh, that’s nice,” Deidre recalled responding. Her friends told her they thought she should buy the place. “And I’m like, ‘What?’” she says, laughing.
But she soon realized that the area could use a gift shop, and she was looking for a job that provided exibility and creativity, so she went for it.
SMALL BUSINESSES KEEP INVENTORY FRESH
irst, Deidre wanted to dramatically expand the inventory to include not only gifts and jewelry. She brought in accessories like purses and scarves. Then, her customers suggested she begin offering greeting cards, and the shop now offers a complimentary card with the purchase of five cards. In the last few years, Deidre has added clothing. The majority of the places she sources from are small businesses, and now there’s “A Little Something” for everyone.
“It’s been really gratifying because there’s always something new out there,” Deidre says. “And that’s also been tremendous for our customers,” Deidre explains. “ lot of our pieces are unique to the area. You’re not going to find anybody carrying the exact same item.”
The boutique does carry classic pieces. But, Deidre clarifies, most designers she works with are artists who go through a creative journey; they might make one thing consistently, then decide one day to stop, and suddenly, that item simply isn’t available anymore.
“And that’s actually pretty great because it keeps our merchandise and offerings fresh,” Deidre says.
A GLOBAL TREASURE HUNT
She’s also constantly doing what she calls “retail reconnaissance”—traveling across the United States and even the world to meet with designers. Treks to India, Nicaragua, Morocco, Mexico, and across the have yielded unique products for her customers.
Items made in-house include this peridot, pearl, and pink quartz necklace and earrings.
Above: Multicolor beaded necklaces, chunky stretch bracelets, and Mexican wall hangings are among the diverse items sold in the store.
“I was down in South Carolina last spring and discovered this wonderful little familyowned business that makes beautiful soaps, candles, and lotions. I’m looking at them right now—absolutely beautiful things!”
That example also explains one of the benefits of working with small companies and independent designers. Large companies often require minimums for orders, but small businesses don’t demand the same thresholds. This lets her experiment a bit more, too, buying up funky and distinctive pieces without the risk of costly errors.
KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR THE UNIQUE
Deidre keeps her eyes peeled for things that stick out to her. She’s in tune with fashion and gift trends. But she also recognizes that most of her customers are after something unique, not an item that would be found at a department store or online.
Deidre loves helping people show their unique personality and style. She wants to
inspire people and help them feel good in their own bodies. The shop not only carries a full range of sizes in clothing but has also had tremendous success carrying pieces that are one size fits most or have easy sizing that makes it easy to gift clothing without worrying about the exact size needed.
“There’s so many talented people in the world. And it’s great that we can bring a little bit of that here to Shelburne,” Deidre says.
JEWELRY SALES BENEFIT HOWARD CENTER, A LOCAL NONPROFIT
A Little Something makes its own jewelry, too. Through the purchase of a local jewelry business whose owner had passed away and the hire of a professional jewelry designer, the shop discovered a way to provide beautiful jewelry and support Howard Center, a local nonprofit that provides mental health and substance abuse services and supports developmental needs. Some of the people who create that jewelry were brought on directly from the
Previous page, clockwise from top right: Dierdre Senior, owner of A Little Something. Scented candles, a labradorite and sterling necklace, velvet pumpkins, and golden birds are all fun discoveries at the shop.
Howard Center through Project Hire. Deidre says she loves providing that creative outlet and a job to folks who may otherwise have difficulty securing meaningful employment.
“And the work they do here is really important. There’s so much that goes into running a small business. There’s always so much to do. And so having these folks here, being part of our team, I think is important. These folks belong in the world—and they belong here with us. We’re really happy we can do this.”
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Deidre says it isn’t just the merchandise that makes the shop so unique it’s the staff, too.
The boutique’s workforce includes twelve part-time employees, most of whom have been with A Little Something for many years. Some are retired schoolteachers; one woman started working there at age fifteen and has continued working there for over a decade, even as she attended the University of Vermont full-time.
“I’d be lost without their energy, enthusiasm,and excellent customer service,” Deidre said. “They love and appreciate our customersas much as I do and provide so much to what we do at A Little Something.”
In addition to free and easy parking, the shop offers complimentary gift wrapping and an easy exchange process.
14TH ANNIVERSARY PROMOTIONS
For fall and the holiday season, Deidre is excited to continue the tradition of being a one-stop shop for folks with a disparate list to fulfill. The shop stocks sweaters, scarves, and winter accessories, plus candles, housewares, and, of course, their handmade jewelry.
As they celebrate fourteen years in business this October, A Little Something looks forward to hosting a series of promotions as a way to give back to their customers. They’ll run their beloved “Beat Black Friday” promotion in ovember. This event offers customers gift cards for use during the month of December. “It’s one of our customers’ favorite promotions,” Deidre says.
A LITTLE SOMETHING
Shelburne Bay Plaza
2989 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT www.alittlesomethingvt.com
Photo: Ryan Bent
BY MERYL SIEGMAN
WORLD-CLASS PLASTIC SURGERY in an intimate setting
Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery in Colchester offers a personalized, patient-focused experience
If you’ve tried noninvasive face or body treatments over the years but haven’t gotten the results you are looking for, it’s time to consider Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery (MLPS) in Colchester. The only private plastic surgery practice in Vermont, MLPS offers high-quality, individualized care in a friendly, nurturing environment.
Susan MacLennan, MD, and Alexandra Schmidt, MD, both American Board of Plastic urgery-certified plastic surgeons, have extensive training and experience and share a passion for providing their patients with beautiful, natural-looking results.
A BROAD SPECTRUM OF EXPERIENCE
Both doctors bring years of training and experience in plastic surgery to the practice. Dr. MacLennan grew up in ova cotia and relocated to the US to attend undergraduate and medical school at Dartmouth College. After doing her residency at the University of Cincinnati, she spent fifteen years on the faculty of the UVM College of Medicine, where she became deeply involved in the care of breast cancer patients and extended that experience to bring innovative aesthetic surgery to Vermont. Mountain Lake Plastic urgery re ects her vision for an intimate, patient-focused practice catering to the local community. She continues to focus on cutting-edge breast and body surgery and also serves as an examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.
native of orwich, T, and graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Dr. chmidt completed her residency at
Washington niversity and a prestigious fellowship in orth Carolina focusing on aesthetic surgery. Eager to return to Vermont, she joined Dr. MacLennan at Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery in 2021. Dr. chmidt performs a full range of cosmetic surgery on the breast, body, and face.
Dr. Maclennan notes, “Although our
Opposite: Dr. Susan MacLennan
and Dr. Alexandra Schmidt.
Above from top: Dr. MacLennan and Killian, RN, discuss patient care. Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery's o ice in Colchester is bright, modern, and private.
(left)
Above: Drs. MacLennan and Schmidt often collaborate to bring patients comprehensive care.
training and expertise overlap, Dr. Schmidt is particularly interested in facial surgery. As a result, we offer a broad spectrum of plastic surgery that is innovative and advanced, somewhat unusual for a small city in Vermont.”
PARTNERING WITH A LOCAL SURGERY CENTER
At the same time that Dr. MacLennan was establishing her practice, the Green Mountain Care Board granted permission to a group of doctors to build a multi-specialty surgery center in Colchester. This led to the opening of the Green Mountain urgery Center GM C in 2 1 , the first multi-specialty outpatient surgery center in Vermont. She explains, “A great part of what we can offer to patients is the excellent care at GM C, which is small, efficient, collaborative, and patient-focused. It’s one of the best things to happen in health care in the state, and it provides us with a wonderful venue for our surgical procedures. Patients from Vermont no longer need to feel they have to travel to larger cities to access experienced aesthetic surgery care.”
PLASTIC SURGERY EXPLAINED
Acknowledging that not everyone understands exactly what plastic surgery is or how it differs from cosmetic surgery, Dr. MacLennan explains, “The term plastic’ stems from the Greek word plastikos, which means to mold or shape.” The discipline of plastic surgery focuses on the techniques used to surgically repair and restore the appearance and function of damaged or abnormal body parts.” he continues, “While the certificate that plastic surgeons earn from the American Board of Plastic Surgery reads ‘Plastic, Reconstructive
and Hand Surgery,’ plastic surgery is the name given to our specialty.” She notes that the specialty requires a minimum of six years of surgical training after medical school and even more time to earn board certification.
However, she adds, “Many of the procedures we offer are cosmetic, which means they focus on changing the appearance of the breasts, body, or face. Unfortunately, any doctor can hang up a shingle that claims they’re a ‘cosmetic’ surgeon without having the training and board certification that plastic surgeons do. We’re the real deal, with years of training and continuing education to back it up.”
CURRENT TRENDS IN THE FIELD
Dr. MacLennan is best known for breast and body surgery. She notes that a recent trend in the field is a natural, athletic look that some patients call the “ballerina body.” She says, “Vermonters, in general, seem to prefer that natural look, not the large implants and unnatural contours we have seen in the past.” Because she also performs breast reduction, she notes that many reduction patients also seek smaller breasts that fit their active, athletic lifestyle.
LESS INVASIVE TREATMENTS
While both surgeons have busy surgical practices, they also offer office-based, less invasive procedures such as Botox, fillers, and chemical peels. Dr. MacLennan explains, “We’re uniquely qualified to treat patients with injectables because we have a surgical understanding of anatomy from our years of experience with surgical repair of facial trauma as well as aesthetic facial surgery.”
She acknowledges that many less invasive treatments have surfaced in recent years, some more effective than others, but adds, “When the patient needs more than what injectables or other noninvasive treatments can address, we have the experience to treat them with surgery. Nonsurgical options have their place, but our ability to offer both surgical and nonsurgical alternatives is what sets us apart.”
Mountain Lake Plastic Surgery, PLC
105 Westview Road, Suite 120 Colchester, VT www.mountainlakeplasticsurgery.com
BY WENDIE PECHARSKY
Celebrating 50 Years of Student
Fifty years is a long time for any relationship to endure, be it a marriage, a business, or another kind of partnership. So, it’s rather a big deal that The International Experience (TIE), an international exchange program that gives South Burlington High School (SBHS) students the opportunity to live with a family in a foreign country while attending classes at a partner
secondary school, is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this fall.
Chair of the Department of World Languages at SBHS, Theresa Mazza, who is also a Spanish language instructor and has overseen the program since 2013, says that she is “thrilled to celebrate a half-century of educational and cultural exchange between South Burlington High School and Schiller Gymnasium in
Hameln, Germany,” adding that “it is the longest continuous exchange between an American and a German high school in Vermont and, we believe, the second longest in the nation.”
SPECIAL EVENTS MARK THE OCCASION
To commemorate this significant milestone, Theresa says the school district is organizing a series of events to honor the history of
Exchange
the partnership and the continuation of cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
“We will be having an all-school assembly at SBHS on the morning of Monday, September 30, and an evening celebration on Thursday, October 3, from 5-9pm.”
everal public figures have been invited to attend and speak at the assembly, including Rep. Becca Balint, Gov. Phil Scott, Sen. Bernie
The International Experience bridges the culture gap between South Burlington High School students and students from Germany, Spain, France, and Japan
Sanders, and Sen. Peter Welch. Theresa says she even sent an invitation to the German Embassy in New York City.
A LOOK BACK AT TIE’S BEGINNINGS
Established in 1974 by Tim Kahn (World Language Department Chair from 19731997) with the help of CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) and later guided by the participation of German instructor Robert Schermer, this program has provided the opportunity for an average of seventeen students per year from SBHS and two chaperones to welcome students from Schiller Gymnasium every other fall and then to travel to Germany for about two and a half weeks. They spend time in
Munich, Berlin and then with host families in Hameln, Germany.
Hameln is the historic town of the Pied Piper in northern Germany, not far from Hannover. Students have been exchanged regularly since the program bega n in 1974, and several faculty members and the principals of both SBHS and Schiller Gymnasium have participated in the program as chaperones.
FOUR COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE
The exchange program also is in partnership with Lycée Laure Gatet, located in Périgueux, France; Colegio Montessori, located in Salamanca, Spain, and Futaba High School in Otaru, Japan. In all four participating countries,
Left: South Burlington students from TIE 2017 in Munich, Germany.
Below: Students from the Schiller Gymnasium welcoming their South Burlington partners as they arrive in Hameln, Germany.
Opposite: South Burlington students in Hameln, Germany, the home of the Pied Piper.
students partake in family life, school life, and many excursions arranged by the host school.
“TIE is a program for students interested in meeting and interacting with people from a different country and cultures,” Theresa says, stressing that it is not a travel program or a vacation. “Students are challenged socially, emotionally, and intellectually, and they will experience a mixture of joy and frustration as they interact with new friends and adjust to new situations in a foreign environment.”
Parents and students acknowledge that TIE is a one-on-one exchange program. That is, students who are hosted by families in Vermont, in turn, host students from Vermont in their homes.
FIVE DECADES OF DIVERSE EXPERIENCES
SBHS Principal Patrick Burke, who has wholeheartedly supported and participated in this program over the years, is quoted as saying, “ ver the past five decades, the students, educators from across all disciplines who taught in our school, principals and superintendents, counselors, school support staff, families, and communities involved in this remarkable program have cultivated enduring bonds, enriched their lives with diverse experiences, and fostered a deeper understanding of our global interconnectedness. The exchange program has bridged continents and shaped the lives and perspectives of countless youth and adults alike.”
In fact, Theresa says, “Two students who met in the program are now married and live abroad.”
SBHS hosts students from Germany, France, and Spain in the fall, while groups of Vermont students go to Spain, France, and Germany in late February and March. SBHS hosts Japanese students in mid-March, and students travel to Japan in mid-June.
KNOWING A LANGUAGE IS BENEFICIAL
Students traveling to Spain and France are often in situations where no one speaks English. Because of this, students who apply for these programs must be enrolled in at least Spanish 3 or French 3 during the academic year in which they
Opposite: South Burlington and German students from TIE 2017 standing in front of Schiller Gymnasium in Hameln, Germany.
will be going abroad, and they must demonstrate proficiency in spoken panish or rench.
nrollment in a German language course is not required to participate in the German program however, some preference is given to students currently enrolled in German and who will be enrolled in the academic year in which they will be going abroad.
There is also no language requirement to participate in the apan program. When asked how students handle the language gap, Theresa says, “We get a lot of help from the teachers at utaba High chool in taru. In fact, this past year was the first time we sent a group of students from our school without their apanese teacher. They did fine.”
MOST WHO APPLY ARE ACCEPTED
n average, Theresa says, around twenty-five students apply for the pain and rance programs each school year and between twenty to twenty-five are accepted. pproximately eight to fifteen apply for the apan and German programs, and most are accepted.
“There is an application process,” Theresa says. “ tudents write an essay, must submit two letters of recommendation, and are interviewed. They must also have a C- or above average in all classes to be considered.”
BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
In all, she says, since the program began, about fifteen hundred BH students have participated in all four exchanges. “The best part of the program for me,” Theresa says, “aside from seeing the obvious boost in confidence, cultural awareness, and social skills it provides our students, is getting to know the exchange students and watching them learn and grow while experiencing ermont hospitality and culture for the first time.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the 5 th nniversary of the TI German program, go to the TI website at www.sites.google.com sbschools.net the-international-experience home.
MEET ME DOWNTOWN
OPTICAL CENTER
Garrett Leight’s eyewear is independently crafted and captures the spirit of its home base in Venice, CA. Whether you want frames made from eco-friendly bio-resin material, lenses with unique coloring, or intricately carved detail on the temples, Leight’s designs are less about the logo and more about the look. www.opticalcentervt.com
Two distilleries in on stop on Church Street! Maple Bourbon, Maple Cream Liqueur, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Straight Bourbon, Honey Bourbon, Raspberry Liqueur, Blueberry Liqueur, and more! Check out our Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, Glassware, Brand Merchandise, Cocktail Supplies, Canned Cocktails and Giftpacks. Online at www.vermontdistillers.com or www.smugglersnotchdistillery.com.
HOME AND GARDEN
Step into Home and Garden Vermont and enjoy all the scents and colors of the summer season! With goods inspired by the great outdoors, we are ready to make your home feel as light as a summer day. Looking for the perfect gift? We’ll help you find that special something to delight anyone from 9 days to 99 years! www.homeandgardenvermont.com
BARE MEDICAL SPA + LASER CENTER
A gift card from Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center is a treat in itself. From personalized skin care and sought-after services, including DiamondGlow Signature Facials, CoolSculpting Elite, hair laser removal, IV therapy, dermal fillers, and medical weight loss. Give the transformative gift of rejuvenation and self-care today from Vermont’s No. 1 medical spa! www.barevt.com
COCO GOOSE
Shop fall trends and coveted layers from Veronica Beard, TWP, Autumn Cashmere, and Closed. Find elevated essentials from all your favorite brands, including Ulla Johnson, Frank & Eileen, Herno, Zadig & Voltaire, Agolde, Aviator Nation, Kinross Cashmere, Moussy, Misa, and more. Visit us in Burlington, Stowe, Manchester Center, and Providence, RI. Shop at www.shopcocogoose.com
PHOENIX BOOKS
Phoenix Books is now on Church Street! All the things you love about Phoenix Books AND new events, signings, promotions! Come see us! www.phoenixbooks.biz.
NU CHOCOLAT
Located on the Lake Champlain Waterfront in Burlington, Nu Chocolat makes all its chocolate on-site at its Vermont family-owned-and-operated chocolate boutique. Stop in for free samples of their world-class chocolate tru les or sit and enjoy an iced chocolate in their bright and contemporary cafe. You can even watch the chocolatiers creating the finest European-style chocolate confections through our viewing window. www.nuchocolat.com
DOWNTOWN
Dining
JUNIPER AT HOTEL VERMONT
Every week, grab a drink and a snack at Juniper Bar & Restaurant in Hotel Vermont and enjoy Jazz Wednesday with Ray Vega, Vinyl Thursday on the Juniper terrace, acoustic sets every Friday, and Brunch Tunes on Sunday morning. Explore our full calendar of events at hotelvt.com/calendarwww.hotelvt.com/eat-drink/juniper/ www.hotelvt.com/eat-drink/juniper
HEN OF THE WOOD
Did someone say oysters? After a day of shopping, and soaking in the Lake, sharing a plate of Little Pilgrim oysters with mignonette at Hen of the Wood is the perfect ending. www.henofthewood.com/burlington
BISTRO DE MARGOT
Favorite entrees and desserts include escargot, venison loin with fall vegetables and sauce grand veneur, poire belle Hélène, and lemon tart meringuée in a jar. Bon appètite! . www.bistrodemargot.com
RESTAURANT NEWS
From the mind of visionary restaurateur Eric Warnstedt, founder of the legendary Hen of the Wood, comes Original Ski Fish + Oysters. Inspired by the quintessential oyster bars and coastal taverns from Bar Harbor to the Florida Keys, Original Ski , located in the Hotel Champlain, pays tribute to the heroes, hustlers, and helmsmen who lived amidst the lakes, harbors, inlets, and waterways. www.orginalski oyster.com
EL CORTIJO TAQUERIA
RESTAURANT NEWS
Leunig’s Bistro announces new ownership. Amy Bernhardt takes the reigns of Leunig’s Bistro and Petite Bistro. No changes to things, and Bob (yes that Bob), will be greeting new and old friends time to time. www.leunigsbistro.com
BLEU NORTHEAST KITCHEN
Our new bar menu features fresh takes on pub classics. A guest favorite is our fried feta with tru le honey; it’s like a “grown-up” mozzarella stick! www.bleuvt.com
We’re serving breakfast seven days a week! Mexican-inspired classics such as breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and some diner classics like pancakes and breakfast plates. www.cotijovt.com
FARMHOUSE TAP AND GRILL
Join us for weekend brunch! We feature Benedicts, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, and more. Don’t forget a mimosa or bloody Mary with a bacon skewer. www.farmhousetg.com
PASCOLO RISTORANTE
Like the green, white, and red of the Italian flag, the Caprese salad at Pascolo’s is made with sliced fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and drizzled with basil-pine nut pesto. www.pascolovt.com
FRANKIE’S
Find the best of what Vermont has to o er at Frankie’s with seasonally focused dishes from local farms, prepared with love by our chefs. www.frankiesvt.com
Flynn Theater www. ynnvt.org
Burlington City Arts www.burlingtoncityarts.org
Pascolo Ristorante www.pascolovt.com 4. The Gryphon www.gryphonvt.com 5. Church Street Tavern www.tavernvt.com
6. Leunig’s Bistro www.leunigsbistro.com
7. Bistro De Margot www.bistrodemargot.com 12. El Cotijo Taqueria www.cotijovt.com 13. Farmhouse Tap and Grill www.farmhousetg.com
7 Lily May’s Co ee and Café www.hotelchamplainvermont.com/ dine/lily/
8 Original Ski Fish + Oyster www.hotelchamplainvermont.com/ dine/ski /
10 Splash at the Boathouse www.splashattheboathouse.com
12 Spirit of Ethan Allen Dinner, brunch, day cruises all summer www.soea.com 13 Spot on the Dock www.spotonthedock.com
1 Courtyard By Marriott Hotel Burlington Harbor www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ btvdt-courtyard-burlington-harbor/ overview/
3 Hotel Vermont www.hotelvt.com
6 Hotel Champlain www.hotelchamplainvermont.com
www.milnetravel.com
It’s so important to our health and well-being to remain active no matter the season. Our beautiful area offers a variety of outdoor exercise options that are perfect for enjoying the crisp weather and scenic landscapes. But if you can’t get outdoors, you can still stay fit. Here’s how.
OUTDOOR OPTIONS
HIKING AND TRAIL RUNNING
Mount Philo State Park: Offers moderate hiking with stunning views of the Champlain Valley and Lake Champlain.
Ethan Allen Park: Features easy trails with forested paths and the historic Ethan Allen Tower.
Red Rocks Park: Discover beautiful trails along the shoreline of Lake Champlain with some moderate terrain.
Intervale Trails: Perfect for walking, running, or biking along the river through meadows and woodlands.
CYCLING
Island Line Trail: One of the most scenic bike paths in the area, it follows the shoreline of Lake Champlain with views of the water and mountains.
Millstone Trails: Great for mountain biking with varied terrain, located just outside of Burlington.
KAYAKING AND PADDLEBOARDING
Lake Champlain: Before the colder temperatures hit, enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding on the lake. Many outfitters in the area, like Wnd & Wvs on Pine Street, Outdoor Gear Exchange on
Church Street, and the Essex Experience offer equipment to get you started.
RUNNING
Burlington Bike Path (Waterfront Park): Popular with runners, this path stretches along the lake and offers scenic views. Oakledge Park: Features trails through woods and along the water, great for a mix of terrain.
OUTDOOR FITNESS CLASSES
Burlington City Parks and Leddy Park offer outdoor yoga classes, boot camps, and group fitness classes.
INDOOR OPTIONS:
INDOOR CLIMBING
Petra Cliffs Indoor Climbing Center in Burlington: Offers lessons, family climbing, and mountaineering school.
SWIMMING
Greater Burlington YMCA: Offers lap swimming, water aerobics, and open swim times.
SEASONAL FUN
Corn Mazes and Hayrides: Places like Sam Mazza’s Farm and Shelburne Orchards often host fun fall activities that can get you moving. Fall Foliage Walks: Simply strolling through the town or nearby parks during peak foliage can be a beautiful way to enjoy the season.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:
Apple Picking at Allenholm Farm
A great spot for kids to pick their own apples and enjoy the farm’s animals, including mini horses and donkeys.
PUMPKIN PATCHES AND CORN MAZES
Visit places like Sam Mazza’s Farm for a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and hayrides. Perfect for an afternoon of fall-themed fun.
ECHO LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN
This science and nature museum often hosts seasonal activities for kids, such as fall-themed crafts, special exhibits, and interactive learning experiences.
FALL FOLIAGE HIKES
Take the family on a scenic hike at places like Mount Philo State Park or Red Rocks Park. These are kid-friendly trails where you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors together.
HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Check out local trick-or-treating events or haunted house experiences designed for kids. Burlington’s Trick-or-Treat Street is a popular event.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
In 2024, The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 310,720 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancers. It accounts for about one in three new female cancers each year. The American Cancer Society’s new guidelines for 2024 recommend that women can opt to start breast screenings at the age of forty but should definitely have annual mammograms by the age of forty-five.
We operate on a walk-in basis, accept most insurances, and most of our patients are registered, treated and discharged in less than an hour. Our center offers board-certified providers, state-of-the-art facilities with on-site laboratory services and X-ray. ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care is dedicated to meeting all the needs of the community, from infants to elders, school to industry and everywhere in between.
ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care offers walk-ins or pre-registration online for:
✓ Cold/Flu
✓ Flu Shots
✓ Fractures and X-Rays
✓ Lyme Disease
✓ Pediatric Care
✓ Physicals - DOT and Sports
✓ Pink Eye
✓ Sports Injuries
✓ Sprains and Strains
✓ Dislocations
✓ STD Screening
✓ Strep Throat
✓ UTIs
BURLINGTON home
A SOUTH BURLINGTON SHOP IS YOUR GO-TO FOR INSPIRED DESIGN
JOY OF HOME Featuring an array of custom services
Arelative newcomer to the Burlington shopping scene, Joy of Home is poised to become your go-to store when it’s time to refresh your home decor. With the opening of the store in January 2024, owner lisa Darmstadt has fulfilled a lifelong dream of running her own shop specializing in interior design.
oy of Home offers a wide range of items that complete a room, including pillows, lamps, wall décor, table linens, throws, bowls, vases, candle holders, and personality-filled objects. It
also has first-rate custom workrooms that can make anything in fabric for the home. Imagine all of that plus an emphasis on community commitment and sustainability.
A STORE OWNER FULFILLS HER DREAMS
A native of Burlington, Alisa moved to central Vermont after college with her husband to raise a family. With a degree in human ecology, it was only then that she discovered her love of home decorating. She began her new career with a consulting business that helped homeowners
with DI interior decoration, offering assistance in choosing paint colors and furniture layouts and using design elements to make their spaces more beautiful and functional.
After relocating to Burlington several years ago as an empty nester, Alisa was ready for
JOY OF HOME
1140 Williston Road South Burlington, VT www.joyofhomevt.com
more. A harmonic combination of a desire to open a store, a passion for fabric, and patience waiting for the stars to align finally coincided with the availability of the perfect space on Williston oad in outh Burlington. Thus, oy of Home was born.
STOP IN FOR A VISIT
The best way to appreciate all that oy of Home has to offer is to see it for yourself. When
you arrive at the storefront on Williston oad, you’ll immediately be attracted by the colorful decor and lighted lamps visible through the windows Once inside the 2,000-square-foot space, you can meander through its three sections. irst, explore the array of d cor items that have been carefully chosen to help complete any room in the home.
“I try to find things that you won’t typically find in the area,” lisa explains. “While many
items can be given as gifts, the emphasis is on helping homeowners decorate their homes. I love patterns, colors, and textures, and that is evident in many of our offerings.”
Alisa also focuses on merchandise that is sustainable in some way, whether recycled, upcycled, or fair trade. n exclusive line of handmade oy of Home products, such as pillows, pennant bunting, and wall pockets, made from remnants and discontinued fabric samples, is also available.
ext, enjoy seeing and touching the bolts of home decor fabrics. “We have over 100 bolts of home d cor fabric in stock,” she says. “We also carry hundreds of fabric and trim samples that people can order.” In the bustling back room, supplies and extra inventory are piled high, and orders are prepped to go to a workroom or be picked up by a delighted owner.
AN ARRAY OF CUSTOM SERVICES
The heartbeat of oy of Home is its bespoke custom services. While some clients stop by to purchase gifts or buy fabrics to sew things themselves, most come in for the custom services. Alisa continues, “You can recover old furniture, buy accent pillows and cushions,
Clockwise from top left: Customers can explore over 100 bolts of fabric in person. Joy of Home is a value-driven business that supports the local community. A unique collection of sustainable home decor is combined with fabric displays.
adorn your windows with drapes, shades, and valances, and commission table and bed linens exactly to your specifications. We believe that our homes should bring us joy— whatever that means to you and however you envision it.”
A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Alisa also values community and sustainability, evidenced by her selection of products that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and have the least impact on our planet.
She sources materials that contain recycled elements or organic components, are handmade by artisans earning a fair wage, or are made locally. The store gives back to its community and environment by donating to local organizations, creating home decor from fabric remnants, and reducing its consumption of plastics and the generation of waste.
“We have a goal of being active in our community, so we host fundraisers for local organizations such as food banks, homeless shelters, and youth LGBT I groups,” lisa says. “We are very community-minded and share our profits with the community.”
AN EMPHASIS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE
“At Joy of Home, we are very focused on customer service,” lisa goes on to say. We love helping clients find what they are looking for, whether it’s fabric, a lamp, or candlesticks. ur goal is to provide as much product information as we can, including where the product comes from and what it’s made of. That translates to custom work as well we are communicative and transparent. ”
WHAT LIES AHEAD
Alisa has lots on her agenda in the days to come. he wants to work with more artisans and creators, representing their work in her store. he would also like to host workshops and expand her inventory to include small furnishings and rugs in addition to carrying more fabrics. he says, “I have a lot of ideas for products we can produce here.” he concludes by saying she looks forward to having a steady ow of orders and restocking favorite decor items frequently. he is well on her way.
BY MERYL SIEGMAN
A LANDSCAPE COMPANY MAKES OUTDOOR LIVING A BREEZE
LANDSHAPES has your complete landscaping job covered
“Abeautiful landscape is the result of vast experience and a solid plan.”
That is the mantra of Landshapes, a full-service landscape design build firm offering an extensive selection of landscape features, including swimming pools, natural swimming ponds, water features, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, stone walls, patios, walkways, driveways, plantings, living roofs, and rain gardens.
Established in 1992 and today one of the largest landscaping companies in northern New England, Landshapes serves residential and commercial clients in Vermont, New England, and upstate New York, providing personalized service throughout the design and installation process.
We spoke with Andrew Ward, project manager and director of sales at Landshapes.
A ten-year veteran, he brings two decades of practical experience, vast horticultural knowledge, and a master’s degree in landscape design and sustainable land-use planning to the company. But he is also quick to credit the company’s success to its partnerships with regional businesses. “We are very fortunate to partner with some of the best landscape architects, architects, and builders in the area.”
WHAT’S NEW IN LANDSCAPING
One of the beauties of landscaping is that it can be eternal. What has worked in the past continues to be relevant now. However, every year or so some new trends emerge. One trend is the use of new materials like reclaimed granite. Andrew explains that when a bridge gets updated or replaced or a road is repaved, the old granite is typically salvaged, and purchased by companies that repurpose it, cutting it into pavers and large slabs.
“Each piece is unique. It has a weathered multicolored look that is marvelous,” Andrew says. “We show clients how versatile it is. Although it can be expensive, it lasts forever and requires very little maintenance.”
Another trend is a newfound interest in outdoor swimming pools, which began during the pandemic, when homeowners began investing in improving their properties instead of traveling. “The demand [for swimming pools] is very high,” Andrew explains.
Left, from top: A custom-designed and built French potager garden. A Landshapes-designed pool and outdoor living space.
“Although we are not a ‘pool company’ per se, we are happy to do them along with other parts of a client’s project.” He believes this new excitement about in-ground pools is partly due to the warmer summer temperatures. “In the past, pool season was very short in northern New England. Pools had to be heated more during the summer months. But these days, the season is longer, and people don’t have to heat their pools as frequently because they get warm on their own.”
AN INTEREST IN OUTDOOR SPACE
The professional project managers and experienced installation teams at Landshapes are adept at helping homeowners transform their properties with the thoughtful selection of plants and hardscape materials, garden accessories, and structures. Whether the project involves new construction or the renovation of an existing landscape, the company’s professionals develop timeless landscape design and landscape architecture plans that are unique, taking into consideration a home’s architecture, site characteristics, natural surroundings, and the client’s personal style.
“Clients are looking for functional outdoor space, whether it’s a living area for entertaining or a place to dine,” Andrew continues. “We have many small and mediumsized projects coming up. We do plantings, install fire pits, or even reshape the land to convert it into functional, useful space.”
He mentions that many of his clients have purchased older houses or have lived in their homes for a long time. “The planting grows old and becomes a maintenance burden,”
LANDSHAPES
88 Rogers Street
Richmond, VT www.landshapes.net
Andrew says. Landshapes’ job, as he sees it, is to provide a beautiful plant palette that requires as little maintenance as possible.
With decades of combined experience, the landscape designers at the company know what works. He points to hydrangeas as an example, saying, “They have always been popular. They are tried and true, providing owers and color for most of the summer.
Although we can’t grow the stunning blue mophead variety you see in Massachusetts, white [hydrangeas] work quite well here. And the owers turn to blush pink or red later in the summer.”
A STELLAR PROJECT
When asked about a favorite project of his, Andrew talks about a private estate in the Adirondacks, just outside Saranac Lake. “We built large multi-level patios within a massive water feature, including an island patio with a fire pit,” he tells us. “We used a large-format agstone with a bush-hammered finish, which gives it a fine texture. It is really unique,” he says. So unique in fact, that only a single quarry in Toronto was able to supply it.
He says that the job took two years to complete. He explains, “Landscape is a living thing, not just something we install and then walk away [from]. We try to be upfront with customers, so they don’t have unrealistic expectations about time frames. They have to be patient. I advise them that, in the first year, watering and occasional feeding are very important. It takes at least two years for [plants] to start growing and reach [their] potential.”
Andrew doesn’t hesitate when it comes to explaining what sets Landshapes apart from other landscaping companies, saying that the company is staffed with talented craftspeople, experienced project managers, and a knowledgeable and helpful sales staff, many of whom have been in the industry for at least twenty to thirty years. “The original owner is still out there managing crews and training young ones coming up to become great at their profession. We are not just out there to sell a job, but to let clients know how we operate and what should be done based on our recommendations.”
BY RACHAEL GOMEZ PHOTOS
LET THERE BE LIGHT
THE LIGHTING HOUSE HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING VERMONT FOR OVER FOUR DECADES
The Lighting House, located in the picturesque town of Shelburne, is a fantastic destination for lighting enthusiasts. This charming store offers an extensive selection of lighting solutions, ranging from elegant chandeliers to modern floor lamps, and caters to every taste and style. With a commitment to quality and personalized service, The Lighting Housing illuminates homes with a
unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.
THE LIGHTING HOUSE DEBUTS
It all began in 1977 when John Blanchard launched a lighting store in Shelburne with his partner, Peter Bay. decade later, a fire burned the entire building to the ground, but John didn’t miss a beat. He rebuilt the structure that is still the home of The Lighting House
today. At 8,000 square feet, it quickly became Vermont’s largest lighting showroom, proudly serving homeowners, designers, architects,
THE LIGHTING HOUSE
3002 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT www.vermontlightinghouse.com
contractors, and builders with a meticulously curated collection of lighting fixtures and outdoor furniture.
A FAMILY BUSINESS FROM THE START
The Lighting House has always been a family affair. ll four of John’s children worked at The Lighting House at some point over its half-century in business. Today, you will find ohn’s son, ach, hard at work at The Lighting House. ach started working at the company when he was just sixteen, first on the loading dock, then managing shipments and inventory. He was on the sales oor for many years before taking on the role of president in 2018, when his dad retired. Daughter manda came on board almost two years ago, overseeing the company’s marketing.
AN UNPARALLELED LIGHT SELECTION
The showroom represents a roster of lighting vendors, ranging from top-name brands to local ermont artisans. The store’s sales team associates travel to the top lighting conventions around the country to find the newest and most exciting products. “ ll the top vendors in the industry are there, displaying their recent introductions, latest styles, and ever-evolving technologies,” ach says.
LED –THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
The Lighting House offers the latest in L D technology, which was introduced more than ten years ago. “It’s not the traditional socket and light bulb,” ach says, explaining that one of the most prominent trends is the rise of tunable L D lights, which allow users to adjust color temperatures and brightness levels to suit different settings and activities, enhancing comfort and ambiance. “ mart L D lighting systems integrated with voice control and smartphone apps are also gaining popularity,
offering users the convenience of automation and customization,” Zach says.
Amanda adds, “LED technology continues to improve. It’s often stigmatized as the bright white light associated with doctors’ offices, but you can still get the warm tone you get from an incandescent bulb with an LED bulb.”
WHAT’S TRENDING IN LIGHTING
According to Zach and Amanda, natural materials, such as textured woods, bamboo, and woven rattans, are the hot-ticket items in lighting these days. “They tie in well with our customer base in ermont,” manda explains. “There’s a lot of interest in materials such as
alabaster stone or slate rock because they create a sense of unity with nature.” In fact, the showroom recently held a workshop about biophilic lighting design.
Amanda also mentions a recent trend in layered lighting, saying, “Customers no longer want just overheads. We’re helping them select task lights and oor lamps that are at eye level, which supports one’s circadian rhythms.” Zach contributes, “Layered lighting gives you more control of the intensity of the lighting at each time of day based on the ambiance you are trying to achieve.”
OUTDOOR LIGHTING IN THE SPOTLIGHT
According to Amanda, outdoor lighting trends in 2024 are all about blending technology with nature to create stunning and functional spaces. One trend is using “smart” lighting systems, which allow homeowners to control their outdoor lights remotely and customize settings for different moods and occasions. Sustainable lighting solutions, such as solarpowered lights and L D fixtures, are also becoming increasingly popular as they offer
energy efficiency and less environmental impact. inally, homeowners are gravitating toward minimalist designs that emphasize clean lines and soft, ambient lighting to enhance their landscapes.
ach adds, “Whether it’s L D strips along a path wall or well lights to illuminate a water feature, outdoor lighting is fun. It helps our clients enjoy the outside more, and as the sun starts setting earlier, they can hang out longer into the night.”
WHY YOU’LL LOVE SHOPPING AT THE LIGHTING HOUSE
ach explains why The Lighting House is the largest showroom of its kind in ermont, saying that in addition to its ample space, it offers numerous displays and a vast selection of styles and brands to choose from. “We pride ourselves on customer service, and we have great employees, some of whom have been here twenty-five to thirty years, back when our dad was running the company.”
ach says the staff is very knowledgeable and can make suggestions that help clients understand the process of buying and installing new lighting.
manda adds, “ nlike in big-box online stores, customers can come in, see, and touch the actual lights and chat with a real person, not a bot.” ach chimes in, “We spare customers the headaches of online shopping, helping them make the right decisions from the get-go.”
Product: Marvin Skycove
BY MERYL
THE CUSTOM CABINETRY COMPANY OF CHOICE IN NEW ENGLAND
CROWN POINT CABINETRY
Offering more budget-friendly options an ever
Crown Point Cabinetry has always been a trendsetter. Founded in 1979 by Norm and Deanna Stowell in a humble garage, the New Hampshire company has established itself as the cabinetmaker of choice throughout the US.
Early on, all seven of the couple’s children joined Norm and Dee in the family business.
CROWN POINT CABINETRY
462 River Road Claremont, NH
www.crown-point.com
Working for Dad wasn’t new to the three oldest boys, who, at the tender ages of eight, ten, and twelve, spent the summer of 1969 working with Norm in his construction business.
Twenty-five years later, at the age of thirtyfive, Brian was tasked with running Crown Point. Teaming up with his wife, Becky, they reinvented how they would build and sell their fine-quality custom cabinetry. Backed by a team of skilled artisans, Brian and Becky implemented many brilliant changes, landing the company in a class of its own. Content that the family business would succeed in the next generation, Norm and Dee retired in 2001.
INNOVATION FROM EARLY ON
Brian’s first prescient innovation occurred in 1990 when he came up with the novel idea of selling directly to customers rather than requiring them to purchase cabinets through a dealer. Although Norm was skeptical about the concept, he trusted Brian’s instincts, and it wasn’t long before Crown Point Cabinetry became the first cabinetmaker in the country to sell direct on a national and international scale. t the helm, Brian took the business to the next level, creating a larger footprint through advertising and, more importantly, relationship building. Brian says of his strategy, “We focus
on quality craftsmanship. We use fine-quality materials. We keep our word. We provide outstanding service. We have to be better
because we don’t have a network of showrooms.” He says, “To be able to build custom cabinetry, have it beautifully crafted as promised, deliver it
Opposite: This Crown Select kitchen beautifully reflects the ocean in Dockside Blue and White Flour. Left: With cabinetry in handsome Clary Sage, this Crown Select kitchen o ers ample storage and breakfast seating. Below: This neutral-toned Crown Select kitchen features an integrated refrigerator with custom appliance panels matching the Enfield door style.
on schedule, make sure it fits, and have extremely happy clients is no small task. But that is what we do at Crown Point Cabinetry. It isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work and an incredibly dedicated team to do this every day.”
or his next act, Brian fine-tuned Crown Point’s operations to make the company run more efficiently without sacrificing quality. He says, “Dad let me reinvent the way we built cabinetry. We used to have too much re-work through the building process because it wasn’t quality-first focused. Clients were always happy when they received their cabinetry, but it was unprofitable to have so much re-work during the initial process.” This is no longer a problem. Brian says that, with the change, every one of the company’s employees is responsible for quality the first time around. The results are apparent. “You can’t ship custom cabinetry to the Caribbean and sleep at night if you don’t trust your cabinetmakers. And I do. We built a great program, but it is our amazing crew that is famous for delivering quality work on time. This only works if we focus on quality first through the process.”
Today, the company runs a modern 1 , -square-foot facility, which Brian describes as “the most beautiful showroom you’ve ever set foot in.” Clients come from all over the country to tour the facility and work with a designer to plan their projects for virtually every room in the house, including kitchens, bathrooms, pantries, mud rooms, and laundry rooms.
CROWN SELECT—A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT
veryone knows that fine-quality custom cabinetry can be expensive, certainly costing more than shopping at a big box store. ware of this fact, Brian, for years, had been tossing around the idea of a line of Crown Point cabinetry that was more affordable for homeowners with limited budgets. “Builders have repeatedly told us that they wished all their clients could afford our
product,” he says. “But unfortunately, it is not in everyone’s budget.”
Two prior attempts to create a lower-cost line came up short. “When you put your name on something, you have to be careful. I wanted to offer a line of custom cabinetry that sold for 25 percent less but with the quality we are known for.” Fortunately for Brian, the third try was the charm: He and his team came up with a solution. “Part of the cost of custom cabinetry is the ability to reinvent the wheel. o, we simplified the offerings without reducing the quality. There is ninimal value engineering in this line. We have the same craftspeople working with quality materials. All wood construction, dovetail drawers, and our oven-baked finish allow us to be proud to put our name on this product.”
The majority of the savings were realized by limiting the offerings that can make the entire cabinetmaking process excessively challenging. Brian puts it simply: “We can build Crown elect cabinets efficiently and give our customers what they want at a different price point. I tell people that Crown Select is our Toyota, while Crown Point is our Lexus.”
In many ways, the Crown Select line is hard to distinguish from its more expensive, fully customized counterpart. The most visible evidence is maple interiors and drawers vs. walnut interior and drawers, with Crown Select being handcrafted to Crown Point Cabinetry’s extremely high-quality standards.
A CROWN SELECT SUCCESS STORY
After its introduction, Brian saw the Crown Select line grow to 50 percent of the company’s sales. Despite this success, Brian decided to shift gears once again. In response to the escalating costs of home construction and concern over a coming recession, Brian wanted to make the Crown Select line even more enticing to potential buyers. Brian emphasizes, “Because of these reasons, we put a focus on expanding the Crown Select line, adding three times as many options, accessories, sizes, and styles, guaranteeing our success no matter what the market does.”
Sales have continued to climb in 2024. Brian concludes, “People want a quality fit and finish without breaking the bank. The other option is to go to a big box retailer. When you make that comparison, this is where Crown Select shines!”
PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2024
PEACH FUZZ
“Peach Fuzz” is a warm, soft pastel shade that brings a sense of calm to any space. This subtle peachy hue pairs beautifully with neutral tones like beige and cream, making it an excellent choice for adding warmth without overwhelming a room. To incorporate “Peach Fuzz” into your home, use it on accent walls, throw pillows, or curtains. It also works well with natural materials like wood and rattan, evoking a relaxed, earthy vibe.
A PAINTING SERVICE WITH THE GREATER GOOD IN MIND
PAINTING with PURPOSE
helps homeowners as well as the community
The name says it all: Painting With Purpose doesn’t just paint homes. It’s on a mission to end homelessness in Vermont. It all started during the pandemic, when Zach Dunn, a business major at UVM, and his younger brother wanted to fill the time they had on their hands and earn a few bucks during summer break. With the help and
PAINTING WITH PURPOSE
133 Elm Street
Winooski. , VT
www.PWPVT.com
advice of their dad, they started a car washing business. It soon became Dunn Brothers Mobile uto Detailing, offering home cleaning services for cars, boats, and RVs.
IT STARTED WITH AN INTERNSHIP
As a junior back at college, Zach signed up for an internship with Collegiate Entrepreneurs, the most widely used college painting service in theNortheast. It took only a week before Zach figured out he could go it alone. Before long, he became an apprentice for Job Well Done, LLC, a local painting company in Burlington. It was there that he met Josh Malek, who would become his business partner at Painting With
Purpose. ffering exceptional customer service, experienced painters, in-budget pricing, and topquality results, the company, founded in 2022, has since established itself as Vermont’s premier painting company.
IT CONTINUED WITH A LEADERSHIP CLASS
A class in Leadership and Organizational Behaviors was another turning point for Zach. Inspired by a speech by Paul Dragon, the president of Champlain alley ffice of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO), the largest humanitarian nonprofit in ermont, ach realized that his past experience in running
Left: Josh Malek points to a freshly painted house in Milton.
Above: The Painting With Purpose team ten days prior to the Meyers Cup Finals presentation, which netted the business $200,000 and various in-kind business services.
his own business could be leveraged to help those in need. With a desire to set Painting With Purpose apart and do what they could for the local community, the partners adopted a mission of, as Zach put it, “Helping people get their houses painted and get people into houses.” What started with three initial projects turned into a thriving company with ten full-time employees and a full-time manager. It even helps members of its own team find suitable housing for themselves.
SUCCESS AT LAST
“The first winter was the toughest hurdle,” Zach recalls. “We were new to the industry and had no social media presence, but we pulled every string we could to make it through.” But after bailing the company out with his own money, Zach helped the business thrive. “We structured our company based on the mistakes we made and how to avoid them. We built a clean path from first point of contact through the job being done.”
As of the summer of 2023, Painting With Purpose had completed over 100 projects, contributing a total of $17,700 to their cause to help end Vermont’s homelessness crisis. In addition, the company won the Joy and Jerry Meyers Cup, the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business’s annual initiative to help fund the businesses of outstanding undergraduate entrepreneurs at UVM who profitably contribute to the greater economic, social, and environmental fabric of Vermont.
In August 2024, Painting With Purpose relocated to an upgraded spot on Elm Street in Winooski, sharing space with a home improvement home improvement business, a logistics company, and a Cabot Cold Storage facility. In addition to expanding the office space, ach and osh intend to use the 3,000-square-foot warehouse for their operations, including spray-painting small items such as cabinet doors. The office will serve as the venue for conducting interviews, meetings, and demos.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
This ambitious young man wastes no time answering the question of where he plans to take his company, saying “I want to be the company that offers the best employee benefits.” He believes there’s lots of room for growth, musing that, “There are a lot of commercial painters out there unhappy with their jobs, so I’d like to start taking on commercial jobs.”
But most important, Zach expresses a keen interest in expanding the community action aspect of the business, helping more people find homes. He concludes, “ ou can still run a profitable business, arguably an even more profitable one, if you involve yourself in the community. Some people have a cynical view about corporations. I want our company to be a family friend to our clients, rather than act like a stone wall. I don’t want to just operate. I want to run a company with a heartbeat.”
OUTDOOR SPACE REDEFINED
PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD
puts a new spin on e meaning of alfresco living
Summertime in Vermont means savoring every moment outdoors. There’s no better place to enjoy the season’s glory than at home, sipping coffee on the deck in the morning, lounging on the patio with a book in the afternoon, or relaxing by the fire pit at night, long after the sun has gone down.
We spoke with a pro who knows how to make the most of outdoor spaces Cliff Deetjen, an
architectural designer at Peregrine Design Build in South Burlington. Founded in 1991, the award-winning company specializes in providing design services integrated with the professional remodeling and building of custom homes and commercial fit-ups. We were dazzled by Cliff’s take on outdoor space, inspiring us to think beyond the front porch and the backyard pool to settings we’ve never before imagined.
AN “OUTDOOR SPACE” DEFINED
“An outdoor space can be an entrance, or a place of repose, or an area with a specific function like a pool or a fire pit,” Cliff opines. “People often imagine it exists only in the rear of a home, but some of the most wonderful spaces are in front, such as a charming pathway from the driveway to the front door. The transition from the car to the front entrance or the back
of the house, the architectural episodes that you walk through from the exterior to the interior, is like a storybook. It is further enhanced by all your senses: what surface you walk upon, the railing you touch, the smells of the gardens, and the interesting viewpoints beyond.”
PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD
49 Commerce Avenue
South Burlington, VT www.peregrinedesignbuild.com
He describes his work on numerous outstanding projects at Peregrine, inspiring homeowners to reimagine what they previously regarded as merely “outdoor space.”
With Cliff’s guidance, the firm has created hundreds of outdoor spaces, including decks, patios, and screened-in porches. He says of his experience, “As a residential designer, I believe the entry to a home is not simply the front or side door. It begins when you park your car and progress through a series of phases as you get to your entryway. It’s also
Clockwise from top left: Step into relaxation with multiple layers of outdoor space in which to dine, observe nature, and unwind. A light-filled, threeseason porch addition is a bonus area for a family to play and entertain. Tiered open-air spaces seamlessly connect the fire-pit to the home.
the first place you greet the outdoors when you step outside your home.”
AN “IMPLIED ROOM”
Cliff likes to think of an outdoor space as an “implied room” specifically linked to the design of the house. It could be functional, such as a roof overhang that keeps you dry when trying to find your house keys or a covered area where guests can wait as you come outside to greet them. “It’s an integration of outdoor space and the architecture of the home,” he says. “When you’re inside your home looking out, you can appreciate how that outdoor space creates a scene. Maybe it’s the rench doors opening onto a deck or patio, and you notice how the lines of the space etched by the hardscape form a big arm from the house, an extension of the indoor experience.” He goes on to say that this can be accomplished with a patio, deck, trellis, or pergola, which implies a ceiling over an out-
door space to create the sense of a room. s for the side- and rear-entry doors, Cliff imagines a vertical approach rather than just a deck with a set of stairs down to the ground level. A person can enjoy moving effortlessly from one level to another, which transitions as you move through the outdoor spaces. He cautions homeowners to consider where covered or screened-in porches are located. Designed in concert with the home’s architecture and interior spaces, they can offer wonderful dimension to the exterior with delightful shadows and provide shade to the home’s spaces from the hot summer sun.
Cliff thoroughly enjoys working with clients on their outdoor space projects, taking them through the process, which might include selecting from a plethora of natural or composite decking materials or types of railing designs. “Do they want an architectural statement railing, or would they prefer it to be ‘invisible,’ in which case we might recommend cable rail systems or glass panels?” he asks. He riffs on the endless choices of hardscape for the patios and garden sitting walls, saying that Peregrine can fashion something out of concrete, brick, composite, or many natural local stone materials.
BRING ON THE LIGHTING
Cliff concludes that it’s important to consider how to light these outdoor spaces, saying, “You don’t want them to look ‘lit up,’ but rather enhanced by soft or hidden lighting, so you can’t tell where it’s coming from.” He sings the praises of uplighting or downlighting on trees, saying, “It’s wonderful, giving you an ambiance and perspective. The softly lit foliage creates a formed space, so you’re not just looking out into the darkness.”
As summer unfolds in Vermont, embracing the beauty of outdoor spaces becomes a delightful priority. With insights from experts like Cliff Deetjen, homeowners can transform their surroundings into enchanting extensions of their indoor living areas. Every outdoor space can become a personalized haven, perfect for savoring the season’s glory right at home.
For more photos of Peregrine’s beautiful designs and builds go to www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
BY MERYL SIEGMAN
Want to benefit from an energy-efficient home?
MILLWORK CENTER & LOEWEN WINDOW CENTER LOOK NO
Perhaps you’ve never given much thought to your home’s windows and doors. Chad Lacasse, the owner of Millwork Center & Loewen Window Center, one of New England’s premier window and door companies, thinks you should. Windows and doors not only provide a decorative touch to your home and increase its curb appeal but also play a bigger role than you might think in keeping you cool in the summer and toasty in the winter.
Millwork Center & Loewen Window
Center operates a large door and window showroom in West Lebanon, NH, with an impressive variety of products on display. Serving architects, design-build, and custom home builders, as well as end users who want to benefit from a high-quality and energyefficient home, they sell a vast selection of premium products from their network of over thirty-two national and international manufacturers.
SUCCESS BASED ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Chad has been in the building industry for almost thirty years. Over the years, his company has assembled a knowledgeable, customerservice-oriented team that includes inside and
MILLWORK CENTER & LOEWEN WINDOW CENTER
82 Benning Street, Building #4
West Lebanon, NH www.loewenVTNH.com
outside salespeople, estimators, administrative staff, service technicians, and installers. perating as the Loewen Window Center of ermont and ew Hampshire since 2 , Chad purchased the company in 2 21 and added Millwork Center to its name, wanting to highlight all the additional products they provide to builders and their customers. They still specialize in premium, high-efficiency windows and doors but now offer other premium products such as installation supplies, hardware, and specialty items.
EDUCATING BUYERS IS KEY
The company is committed to providing buyers with the necessary information to make an educated decision about their purchases. “Windows and doors have become more technologically advanced than ever,” Chad says. “The industry has its own lingo and processes, so we make it our priority to educate our clients. We teach them how windows and doors, as component parts, play a major role in their home-building project. If we’re working with an architect, they need to pass that information along to homeowners as well.”
Since 2006, the company has specialized in energye icient, premium-quality window and door products. While they primarily serve architects and builders, they can also assist homeowners with their projects, such as purchasing and installing triple-pane windows, which save energy and create a quieter, more comfortable home. Traditional and European-style options are available.
Chad explains that, in the window and door industry, almost all purchases are made to order. o, instead of carrying a top-heavy supply of inventory, Millwork Center assists builders with their timeline by warehousing their orders until they are ready. He says, “We can hold them here rather than force-feed them. We can work within their schedule. We want to be seen as an extension of their building project and subcontractor team.”
ENERGY EFFICIENCY GETS TOP BILLING
Chad explains that energy-efficient windows are an essential component of energy-efficient building design. Designed to minimize heat transfer between a building’s interior and exterior, energy-efficient windows, like those with triple panes, offer greater insulation and energy efficiency due to an additional layer of glass and extra airspace. This results in better thermal performance and reduced heat loss or gain. “The main goal of the products we sell is energy efficiency,” Chad mentions. “Loewen has been making triple-pane windows and doors for fifty years. Kohltech, another of our brands that produces triple-pane, is our other go-to source for clients looking for the greatest level of efficiency.” He continues, “We also sell doublepane windows like everyone else, but demand is highest for triple-pane. In addition to being energy-efficient, they also make interiors more comfortable and quieter, blocking out unwanted noise from the outside.”
Chad goes on to explain that many door and window products have been certified “green” by various organizations, including Passive House, Phius, and Green Building. But official certification comes with a cost. He says, “Most of our customers, particularly homeowners, want performance and don’t care if the product is certified green. We try to help clients save money where they can and value-engineer for them. We ensure they have a good experience with us from the beginning of their project to the end.”
The beauty of triple-pane doors and windows, Chad concludes, is that homeowners don’t feel the radiance of cold in the winter or the heat in the summer. “It may add 12 to 15 percent to the project’s cost to go with triplepane, but the most important thing for them is comfort. They are going to have their windows for a long time.”
SEPTEMBER 14, 7PM
DANCING WITH THE BURLINGTON STARS
SEPTEMBER 27, 7:30PM VSO: BELA FLECK AND AMERICAN EXCELLENCE
SEPTEMBER 30, 7PM BALLET HISPANICO
OCTOBER 2, 7:30 PM BRIAN REGAN
OCTOBER 3, 9AM KICKLINE
Burlington Waterfront
OCTOBER 3, 7PM PECHAKUCHA NIGHT BURLINGTON
OCTOBER 4, 7:30 PM BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS
OCTOBER 10, 7:30 PM GRAHAM NASH
OCTOBER 12, 7:30PM KATHLEEN MADIGAN: THE POTLUCK PARTY
OCTOBER 15–17, 7:30PM HADESTOWN
OCTOBER 18, 7:30PM ABA DIOP
OCTOBER 21, 7PM PINK MARTINI
OCTOBER 23, 7:30 PM MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE
OCTOBER 26, 7:30PM VSO: ROMEO, JULIET, AND THE FIREBIRD
OCTOBER 30, 6PM CIRQUE KALABANTÉ
NOVEMBER 1, 8PM SAMMY RAE & THE FRIENDS
NOVEMBER 2, 7:30PM PATTON OSWALT
NOVEMBER 21, 7PM SWAN LAKE
NOVEMBER 22, 7PM SAL VULCANO
DECEMBER 6, 7 PM JIM JEFFERIES
DECEMBER 7, 7:30 PM VSO: HOLIDAY POPS
DECEMBER 8, 7PM THE SNOW QUEEN
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY EXPOSITION
SEPTEMBER 19, 6:30PM HIGHER GROUND PRESENTS NOAH KAHAN
SEPTEMBER 22, 8AM VT HIGH SCHOOL RODEO ASSOCIATION–BARREL & POLE RACING
SEPTEMBER 27–29, 8AM NSRA NORTHEAST STREET ROD NATIONALS
OCTOBER 6, 8AM VT HIGH SCHOOL RODEO ASSOCIATION–BARREL & POLE RACING
OCTOBER 6, 10:30AM MT. SINAI SHRINERS BINGO
OCTOBER 13, 8:30AM WOKO FLEA MARKET
OCTOBER 18–20, 10AM CHAMPLAIN VALLEY CRAFT SHOW & ANTIQUE EXPO
VERMONT COMEDY CLUB
SEPTEMBER 19, 7:30PM
SEPTEMBER 20–21, 7:30 & 9:30PM GIANMARCO SORESI: THE LEANING IN TOUR
NOVEMBER 9, 5PM GOOD CLEAN FUN
SEPTEMBER 26, 7:30PM TOMMY BRENNAN
SEPTEMBER 27–28, 6 & 8PM STEALING FROM WORK: ARTIFICIAL IRRELEVANCE
OCTOBER 3, 7PM KATIE BOYLE
OCTOBER 4–5, 7 & 9PM OCTOBER 6, 7PM MONET X CHANGE
OCTOBER 10, 7PM
OCTOBER 11–12, 7 & 9PM KURT BRAUNOHLER
OCTOBER 17, 7PM
OCTOBER 18–19, 7PM & 9PM CHRIS REDD
OCTOBER 20, 7PM STANZI POTENZA: HOT GIRL ACTIVISM
OCTOBER 22–23, 7PM VT’S FUNNIEST: PRELIMS
OCTOBER 24, 7PM
OCTOBER 25–26, 7PM & 9PM DEANNE SMITH
OCTOBER 31, 7PM POSSESSED! COMEDIANS CHANNEL COMEDIANS
NOVEMBER 1, 7PM & 9:30PM
VT’S FUNNIEST: SEMIS
NOVEMBER 2, 7PM
VT’S FUNNIEST: FINALS
NOVEMBER 7, 7PM
NOVEMBER 8–9, 7PM & 9PM
JACKIE KASHIAN
NOVEMBER 14, 7PM GABBY BRYAN IS MY BEST FRIEND
NOVEMBER 15, 7PM
NOVEMBER 16, 7 & 9PM GARY GULMAN
NOVEMBER 21, 7PM NOVEMBER 22–23, 7 & 9PM STEPH TOLEV
NOVEMBER 29–30, 7PM & 9PM JACKIE FABULOUS
CHURCH ST MARKETPLACE
SEPTEMBER 12–15, 12PM ESSENTIAL FIGURE
SEPTEMBER 12–15, 12PM
RACHEL ROSE: LAKE VALLEY BCA Center 135 Church Street Burlington, VT
SEPTEMBER 28
OUTRIGHT FIRE TRUCK PULL
EVERY SATURDAY, 11AM FAMILY ART SATURDAY
OCTOBER 26
HOWL’WEEN DOG COSTUME CONTEST
OCTOBER 27 HALLOWEEN BIKE RIDE City Hall Park
NOVEMBER 29, 5PM TREE LIGHTING
NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 31
HOLIDAYS ON THE MARKETPLACE
131 Church Street #209-211 Burlington, VT www.churchstmarketplace.com
JACKIE FABULOUS
HIGHER GROUND
OCTOBER 2, 7:30PM HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER
OCTOBER 4, 8PM PHANTOGRAM
OCTOBER 5, 8PM LOTUS
OCTOBER 6, 8PM MDOU MOCTAR
OCTOBER 7, 7:30PM LIGHTNING BOLT
OCTOBER 8, 8PM JOHN VINCENT III
OCTOBER 10, 7:30PM AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT
OCTOBER 11, 7:30PM THE MALLETT BROTHERS BAND
OCTOBER 11, 8PM THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS
OCTOBER 12, 7:30PM SARAH KINSLEY
OCTOBER 12, 8PM THE MOSS
OCTOBER 13, 8PM LITTLE STRANGER
OCTOBER 14, 7:30PM EVAN HONER
OCTOBER 15, 7:30PM ILLUMINATI HOTTIES
OCTOBER 16, 7PM SAM GRISMAN PROJECT
OCTOBER 17, 7:30PM EDWIN RAPHAEL
OCTOBER 18, 7:30PM JAKE BLOUNT AND MALI OBOMSAWIN
OCTOBER 20, 7PM COLUM TYRRELL
OCTOBER 21, 7:30PM BENDIGO FLETCHER
OCTOBER 23, 7:30PM TVBOO
OCTOBER 25, 7:30PM SURFER GIRL
OCTOBER 26, 8PM CAVETOWN
OCTOBER 29, 8PM KITCHEN DWELLERS
OCTOBER 30, 8:30PM ALLEYCVT
NOVEMBER 3, 8PM MACHINE GIRL
NOVEMBER 4, 7PM SATURDAYS AT YOUR PLACE
NOVEMBER 6, 7:30PM JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN
NOVEMBER 7, 7:15PM PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG
NOVEMBER 8, 8PM ODIE LEIGH
NOVEMBER 9, 8PM SLOW PULP
NOVEMBER 10, 7:30PM SARAH SHOOK & THE DISARMERS
NOVEMBER 14, 8PM VUNDABAR
NOVEMBER 15, 9PM STEVE HOFSTETTER
NOVEMBER 16, 7:30PM MADAILA
NOVEMBER 16, 8PM CARBON LEAF
NOVEMBER 17, 8PM BIT BRIGADE
NOVEMBER 19, 8PM OCIE ELLIOTT
NOVEMBER 20, 7:30PM FUTUREBIRDS
VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
SEPTEMBER 27, 7:30PM
BÉLA FLECK & AMERICAN EXCELLENCE
Flynn 153 Main Street Burlington, VT
OCTOBER 25, 10AM STUDENT MATINEE SERIES
Flynn Center 153 Main Street Burlington, VT
OCTOBER 26, 7:30PM
ROMEO, JULIET, AND THE FIREBIRD
Flynn 153 Main Street Burlington, VT
NOVEMBER 14, 7PM
JUKEBOX: WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
The Hayloft at Artistree 2095 Pomfret Road South Pomfret, VT
NOVEMBER 15, 7:30PM
JUKEBOX: WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
ArtsRiot
400 Pine Street Burlington, VT
DECEMBER 6, 7:30 PM HOLIDAY POPS WITH THE VSO CHORUS
Barre Opera House
6 North Main Street Barre, VT
DECEMBER 7, 7:30PM HOLIDAY POPS WITH THE VSO CHORUS
Flynn 153 Main Street Burlington, VT
2 Church Street, Suite 3B Burlington, VT www.vso.org
DECEMBER 8, 3PM
HOLIDAY POPS WITH THE VSO CHORUS
Paramount Theatre 30 Center Street Rutland, VT
OTHER NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
OCTOBER 5–26, SATURDAYS, 12PM CHOCTOBER FEST!
Lake Champlain Chocolates Flagship Store
750 Pine Street Burlington, VT
www.lakechamplainchocolates.com
SEPTEMBER 29, 10AM
BURLINGTON ANIME-FEST
Hilton Doubletree Hotel 870 Williston Road South Burlington, VT www.facebook.com/burlingtonanimefest
OCTOBER 11–13
STOWE FOLIAGE ARTS FESTIVAL
Topnotch Field 3420 Mountain Road Stowe, VT www.stoweartsfest.com
OCTOBER 20, 9:30AM THE KINTSUGI BOWL EXPERIENCE
Expressive Arts Burlington 208 Flynn Avenue, Suite#3A Burlington, VT
