2008 Downtown Bennington - Spring

Mayfest Arts Festival 2008!

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Live music at the Farmerʼs Market l to r: Vonnie Estes, John Guay, Patty Rutins, Paula Poulette, Steve Dalton

Natureʼs Closet

“Where the Outdoors and Main Street Meet” - Mary Ann White

photo by Tim Hunt A view of last yearʼs Mayfest Arts Festival. The event is scheduled this year for Saturday, May 24, 2008

Steve Hinchliffe and his staff at Natureʼs Closet located at 400 Main Street in Bennington not only sell hiquality sportswear, technical outerwear, and accessories, they will help you with everything from finding a great dayhike, locate the best ski areas, right down to finding a restaurant that makes a good sandwich. Opening in 2003, the store is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month. Outdoor clothing and equipment lines include Life is Good, Smith, The North Face, Marmot, Black Diamond, Salomon, Ibex, Patagonia, Mountainsmith, and Sierra Designs. Many of them utilize organic cotton, recycled fibers and fair

labor practices in their manufacturing. Also offered in the shop are guidebooks, local resource guides, daily condition reports and information on all nonmotorized outdoor activities. The mission at Natureʼs Closet is to reduce the impact on the environment and also to share information about sustainable living and business practices. The storefront uses recycled plastic molding, the sales counter, fixtures and doorways are made up of reclaimed and sustainable wood, and the store carpeting is recyclable. Also practiced is the use of recycled materials for their shopping bags, paper towels and trash bags. continued on page 3

Mayfest Arts Festival

Exhibitors For 2008

Saturday, May 24, 2008 10 am - 5 pm. Main Street, Bennington, Vermont On Saturday, May 24th from 10 am-5 pm the Better Bennington Corporation (BBC) is pleased to present the 23rd Annual Mayfest, a juried arts & crafts festival. Artisans and specialty food vendors come from all over to participate in Southern Vermontʼs premier spring kickoff event. Mayfest artisans create and design all wares sold. In 2007 over 10,000 people attended Mayfest! It all happens on Main Street, in Bennington, Vermont; located in the Shires of Vermont. Main Street becomes a pedestrian only thoroughfare for Mayfest; the street will be filled with fantastic artisans and entertainers. Approximately 10,000 people attend this rain or shine event; fair goers parade up and down the street inspecting and purchasing the handiwork of talented crafts-people. This year we are organizing the booths so that there will be four to a group in the middle of Main Street (just like 2007). Every artisan will be able to sell from two sides of their booths. There will be plenty of space to walk around and much to see resulting in a pedestrian friendly environment. Mayfest plays host to some of the finest jewelers, potters and art displays that can be seen anywhere in New England. In addition to quality crafters you will find many of the areaʼs fine non-profit organizations. The Vermont Army National Guard will bring back their 100ʼ long obstacle course and their climbing wall – these will be located in the parking lot of Alldays & Onionsʼ next to their Beer Garden (featuring Vermont beers); the Bennington 4-H Club will be hosting a family activity area and air rifle shooting range and Catamount Access Television Station will be cablecasting Mayfest live in front of the Masonic Temple too. “Why would non-profits be involved with a crafts show”, you ask? The answer is simple; The BBC believes that it is important to showcase the good work and services that these organizations provide Bennington County residents. MayFest is as much about the celebration of people as it is about great arts and crafts; join us! For the young (and young at heart), there will be numerous activities throughout the day – stay tuned for details. Fire trucks and rescue vehicles will also be on East Main Street, so come and explore these vehicles and learn of the good work that these terrific men and women do for you and your community! Mayfest Arts & Crafts Festival – Saturday May 24, downtown Bennington, Vermont from 10 am-5 pm. Free admission and parking. Dogs, skateboards and rollerblades are prohibited from Mayfest.

Andrea Hill Pottery Andy Smith, Artist Art in Heaven Art on Canvas Artik Design Beadlam! Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce Bennington Friends Meeting Bennington Museum Bennington Pride Coalition

Mayfest Arts Festival venders and participants. Bennington Rescue Squad Bibs ʻn Such Big Brothers/Big Sisters Big Dons Concessions Bittersweet Herb Farm Blueberry Haus Country Crafts Bob & Debʼs Sugarhouse BriarRoseDesigns Care Net Pregnancy Ctr. Carlanatale Catamount Access Television Center for Restorative Justice Characters of Nature Claudine Boerner Jewelry Collectible Heirloom Teddy Bears Cute Critters Deirdre Donnelly Jewelry Artist Dellamano Glassware Denise Briscoe Doll Clothes By Theresa East Wind Company Edwin Ipiales & Violet Cannistraci

A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication Tim Hunt, contributing photographer

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Melissa Miller, page design Tri-State Pennysaver News 109 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201 802-447-3381 Renee Tassone, General Manager

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Eye of Henna Floral de Vine Folk Art by Goudreau Fund-raiser for MAU Football games German Wurst Haus Good Humor Ice Cream Hawaiian Shaved Ice Jeri Canﬁeld Creations Kemper Pottery Keri Kreations

Downtown Bennington

M.O.M.Designs Magical Beadstalk Handcrafted Bead Jewelry Markiʼs French Fries&Fried Dough Marty Moore Florist Mary Ann Marshall Micheleʼs Lemonade Missionary Alliance Church Ms. Sticks Non-Proﬁt Hoosick Aeromodeler Flying Club Norboe Glass Art Nutmeg Concessions Nutmeg Concessions Old Willow Crafts Painted Gourds Phyllis Seidel Hat Designs Prairie Blossom Silver Promotions Plus, Inc. Pura Vida Essentials Relay for Life Romancing the Stone Royal Towne Fudge Ruggeri & Co. Run, We Must Scare Cro Crafts Sculptural Tiles Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Spice Root Restaurant Summit Soapworks Tables and Cabinets Primitve Folk Art - Antique The Silver Spoon Time Square Catering Tobacco-Free Community Tomarcʼs of Troy Travis Unique Sands United Way of Bennington Vietnam Veterans of America - Bennington Chapter VT Army National Guard VT Freedom to Marry Task Force Weʼre Poppinʼ Now, Inc. Whimiscal Metal Sculpture Wolffʼs Inc. Yarina Crafts

Spring 2008

Battle Day Celebrations August 14-17 2008 Bennington Battle Day Parade August 17, 2008 Schedule Vermontʼs unique holiday on August 16th is in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington. Here Brigadier General John Stark and his American forces including Colonel Seth Warner and the Green Mountain Boys defeated two detachments of the British General John Burgoyneʼs invading army in 1777. Due in large part to lack of supplies Burgoyne on October 7, 1777 surrendered

Natureʼs Closet “Where the Outdoors and Main Street Meet” continued from cover

his entire command of troops following the Battle of Saratoga, a major turning point in the Revolutionary War. A group wishing to commemorate the Battle of Bennington decided a monument should be erected at the storage site of the military supplies which had been the objective of the battle. You see that monument today in the Village of Old Bennington. Bennington Battle Day is celebrated by Benningtonians and visitors alike each August. This year commemorates the 40th year that the Bennington Fire Department will hold its annual Bennington Battle Day parade which will be held on August 17th, 2008 at 12:30pm in downtown Bennington. Battle Re-enactments are presented by the Living History Association. Area Museums and organizations hold special events to celebrate this special time in Benningtonʼs history. Please link below for a complete schedule of activities or call the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce for further details. Phone 1-800-2290252 or 1-802-447-3311.

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The staff at Natureʼs Closet is made up of people from different places in the country with varied interests, experiences, education, backgrounds and hobbies, which when combined offer a tremendous service and information to the customers. The Outdoor Information Area offers local and area weather forecasts, Vermont and Massachusettsʼ downhill and cross country skiing reports, climbing, hiking and backpacking info, fishing reports, and canoeing/kayaking info. Past events have included documentaries on mountaineering, a hikersʼ dinner and bus trips.

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Steve said that in the summer they see a lot of hikers from the Appalachian Trail who stop in for new shoes mostly or fuels (white gas or alcohol), which is sold in one-ounce containers for their convenience. Also offered for hikers are daypacks, hiking sticks, sunglasses, etc. In the winter Nordic skiers and snowshoers are seen a lot at the store. Natureʼs Closet is your source for the outdoors in Southern Vermont, so whether you are looking for a new pair of hiking boots or a new place to try them out give Steve and his staff a call at 802-442-0476. The shop is located at the northeast corner of Main Street (VT 9) and US 7 and offers off-street parking behind the store, easily accessed from US 7. For more information, you can also visit their website @www.naturescloset.net or email Steve at steve@naturescloset.net.

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Downtown Bennington

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BENNINGTON ARTS GUILD FEATURED ARTIST FOR MAY: JEANNE McWATERS

Jeanne McWaters uses handmade paper to create nature-inspired works of art. As a member of the Bennington Arts Guild, located at 103 South St. at the Four Corners intersection of downtown Bennington, McWaters is the featured Artist for the month of May. n this exhibit, McWaters has taken on a new challenge, with a selection of wall mirrors decorated with ﬁne papers and collage items. Some frames reintroduce her fondness for stitchery. The show also includes handmade paper collages, as well as her cards, boxes and earrings. Jeanne explains: “Having graduated into so-called retirement, I continue to explore new ways and means to share my love of working with my hands. Paper making opened a whole new avenue of exploration. From the simple pulling of a sheet of paper, to transforming it into a collage, a page in a book, a greeting card or a pair of earrings, it is very exciting. Paper, as a medium, allows me to have complete control over my work. The colors and textures I chose are set, but with a pair of scissors I can change the forms and shapes. My handmade papers provide me with a wide selection of colors and textures and the commercially made papers extend

that palette.” McWaters has worked diligently to bring the arts to the Bennington area. As a graduate of Parsonʼs School of Design and the Vermont State Board of Education, she taught art in the public schools for over 40 years, and has served as Director of Arts Education for the Vermont Arts Exchange. For the past 27 years, McWaters has coordinated the Annual SVSU Art Show held at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Her works have been shown in the Bennington Museum, Vermont Arts Exchange, the Arlington Library, and the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. The Bennington Arts Guild Gallery is a cooperative run by artists from Bennington and the surrounding communities with the common goal to bring public attention to, and provide a viable market for, ﬁne art and ﬁne craft, locally produced. Membership is open to artists throughout the greater Bennington Area. The B.A.G. Gallery is closed Tuesdays, but is otherwise open from 12-4 daily through the month of April, and beginning in May, from 10-5. For more information contact B.A.G. at (802)442-7838 or at www.benningtonartsguild.com.

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Downtown Bennington

Spring 2008

Benningtonʼs Summertime Market at Bennington Station Welcome to the Walloomsac Farmersʼ Market, Benningtonʼs summertime outdoor market. A “producer only” market, the Walloomsac Market showcases a wide selection of locally-grown, fresh produce, flowers, prepared foods, farm products, select local crafts and other handmade goods. Set aside Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons to gather with friends and neighbors and shop for tantalizingly fresh food. Stroll along the river walk, chat with the vendors about their wares, take in the colors and aromas of just-picked vegetables, flowers and freshly baked bread, listen to local

musicians, watch local chefs prepare their favorite dishes using seasonal produce, or see artisans demonstrate their craft. Join us each Saturday and Tuesday during the market season for this festive community event. Hours: Every Saturday May 10 – October 25, 10am – 1pm, and every Tuesday May 13 – October 21, 3:30 – 5:30pm Location: Beside the Walloomsac River walk at the Bennington Station, on the corner of Depot and River streets, in downtown Bennington, Vermont.

Aromatheraphy products and other ways to pamper Mom will be a big hit for Motherʼs Day gifts.

Use Your Nose When Gifting Mom

(MS) - Flowers are one of the most popular gifts for moms. According to The Flower Expert, an online floral resource, of fresh cut flowers purchased for Motherʼs Day, mixed flowers, roses and carnations are very popular. While flowers can be a heart-felt gift, why not think of the other scent-sational ways you can show Mom you care this year? An interesting and original gift idea is introducing Mom to aromatherapy. The science of aromatherapy involves using plant extracts and essential oils as natural ways to improve health, fitness and well-being. Different plant compounds and oils produce different effects. Proponents of aromatherapy say that it is much more than an “alternative health” practice. There is evidence that inhaling certain continued on page 7

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Some of the items available at the market * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Local Produce Fresh Berries and Fruits Fresh Meats Eggs and Poultry Homemade Pickles & Horseradish Gourmet Ravioli Quiche, Cookies, Cakes & Pies Jams & Jellies Honey & Maple Syrup Fresh Cut Flowers Beeswax Candles Herbal Teas & Remedies Potted Plants Gourds & Pumpkins Homemade Soap Indian Cuisine Fresh-squeezed Lemonade

Spring 2008

Vendors at the 2007 market included * * * * * * * * * * *

Wildstone Farm Darlingʼs Dairy & Vegetables Mighty Food Farm Graytree Farm Joneski-style Pickles Scottʼs Gourmet Saunders Meats True Love Farm Master Gardeners Alan Baker – Garlic Fresh Lemonade

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Downtown Bennington

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EVENTS CALENDAR 2008

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Join Dave Ackerson from Natureʼs Closet on this moderate hike on the trails at Southern Vermont College. This workshop is co-sponsored by Southern Vermont Medical Center and meets at the Epstein Athletic Fields parking lot on Monument Street.

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NATUREʼS CLOSET

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Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Hike May 17 10 - 12 am

Nordic Walking Workshop

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May 19 6 – 7:30 pm

Hereʼs your chance to try Nordic Walking as part of your exercise regimen. Nordic Walking is an activity that combines walking with the use of hiking poles for an all-body workout. Strengthen your legs, upper body, and core muscles while burning up to 46% more calories. This workshop will cover the fundamentals of Nordic Walking including stretching, technique, fitting equipment, and places to go in the Bennington area. Poles will be supplied. This workshop is co-sponsored by Southern Vermont Medical Center and meets in Merchants Park behind Natureʼs Closet.

Nordic Walks

Saturdays May 24 – June 28 10-11 am

Start your Saturday off with some morning exercise as we Nordic Walk along the River Walk and side streets of Bennington. Our walk will make brief stops.

Stroll!

Wednesdays June 4 – June 18 5:30 pm

Bring your stroller and kid for a little spin around town. Jen Beal will be leading these excursions through Bennington in the early evening. Get together with other parents for some exercising and socializing in the fresh air. Duration and difficulty will be tailored to meet participantsʼ desires.

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June 15

Sponsored by Spectrum Design. Adventure underground! Horizontal beginner cave. Some equipment required. Limited space! Call Jonah to reserve: (518) 686-5079 evenings or email jonah@sover.net.

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Hikerʼs Dinner August 1 5 pm

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Beginnerʼs Caving

Sponsored by Natureʼs Closet and Rattlesnake Café. Join us for the annual B-Town Chow-Down. Appalachian Trail hikers congregate for a great night of free food, beer, and music. Hikers eat and drink for free and are invited to spend the night in Merchantʼs Park. Guests are welcome and asked to make a donation of $10 for next yearʼs dinner.

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Other Important Dates

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June 7 – National Trails Day • June 21 – Summer Solstice June 21 – National Hike Naked Day

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Hiker Services

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Yellow Bikes

Pollution and cost–free transportation for residents and visitors over 18 years old. See local businesses throughout the downtown area for information and to sign out a bike.

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Local Info Crib Sheets for Hikers and Visitors

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Local information on resources for hikers including free internet, showers, post office, lodging, outfitters, dining, and more. Available at participating downtown retailers.

Downtown Bennington

Spring 2008

Itʼs Easy Living

(ARA) - Everywhere you turn, thereʼs something “green” whether itʼs a commercial for a hybrid car or a reminder to pick up reusable bags at the local grocery store. The green movement is under way and concerned Americans are looking for ways to do their part to reduce energy use and pollution, and preserve natural resources. Whether by changing their daily routines like biking to work instead of driving, or taking up a new hobby like planting trees in the community park, more and more Americans are going green. One aspect of the multifaceted greening of America is the building and buying of “green” or eco-friendly homes. According to a recent survey conducted for McGraw-Hill Research and Analytics, consumers list environmental concerns among the top three reasons to purchase a green home, along with lower operating costs and health benefits for occupants. Across the country, homebuilders and homebuyers are realizing the benefits of green building and living, from reduced construction waste to better indoor air quality. Homes planned by green developers can also reduce utility bills by more than 50 percent, minimize pollution and demands on infrastructure, and provide greater environmental protection. “Itʼs amazing how small steps can add up to big results,” says Fred Maas,

Spring 2008

president and CEO of Black Mountain Ranch LLC, the developer of Del Sur - a new green 1,800-acre master-planned residential community in San Diego, Calif. “For example, tankless water heaters are as much as 50 percent more efficient than conventional water heaters - and heating hot water is second only to heating and cooling in terms of residential energy use. If every household in the United States converted to high-efficiency, tankless water heaters, America could save the equivalent of 300 million barrels of oil a year and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 150 million tons.” Similarly, replacing just one light bulb in each American home with an efficient compact fluorescent bulb could save enough energy to light more than three million homes for an entire year. This could save more than $600 million in annual energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to removing more than 800,000 cars from Americaʼs roads. Residents of the Del Sur community

GREEN!

are learning firsthand the advantages of green home features. Del Sur used its unique size and buying power - 2,500 market-rate homes and 469 low- and moderate-income homes - to negotiate lower prices for solar, tankless hot water and weather-based irrigation systems, making these energy-saving, environmentally-friendly features more affordable for homebuyers. “All things being equal, homebuyers want to go green, but they donʼt want to pay a fortune to do so - and they shouldnʼt have to. Our vision of sustainability is to integrate a core set of ʻattainableʼ green elements into our homes that do their part for the environment and increase value and savings for the consumer,” says Maas. By providing homebuyers with green features at lower costs, homebuilders can help to reduce the nationʼs carbon footprint and preserve the environment without putting all of the burden on the homeowner. By taking advantage of available tax credits and incentives, it is possible to equip homes with solar photovoltaic technology to generate electricity at a reasonable cost, greatly reducing homeownersʼ electric bills. “Our homeowners with solar power can draw power from the grid at night and make the meter spin backwards during the day,” says Maas. “Some have cut their electric bills to nearly zero. When homeowners realize the savings, they really get a kick out of showing their new energy bills to neighbors and friends in the community.” “When I see American families living the Southern California lifestyle in 3,000-plus-square-foot homes with gourmet kitchens and all the latest appliances - and their monthly electric bill is close to zero - I know thereʼs no barrier to America going green,” says Maas. “Weʼre doing it here in San Diego and I think that, community-by-community, the entire nation can go green.” Courtesy of ARAcontent

Downtown Bennington

Use Your Nose When Gifting Mom continued from page 5 scents can trigger the nervous system and produce a variety of results, including bringing about memories or causing bodily reactions. In fact, some people say that the quickest way to evoke a memory is to use a smell. Aromatherapy is used in many ways. Realtors suggest baking cookies or simmering vanilla to create an inviting and calm environment when selling a home. Certain aromas revive and give a person energy. Others are calming and therapeutic. Depending upon the woman you love, you can choose scented gifts that will inspire, calm or energize this Motherʼs Day. Essential oils and popular aromatherapy scents can be found in many products today, such as Pur Désir from Yves Rocher. This product line features a variety of complementary scents in perfume, body lotion, shower gel, deoderant and hand soap - all of which make pampering gifts. Hereʼs a look at the aromatheraphy benefits of some popular scents. Orange blossom: This citrus and sweet scent helps one to feel refreshed and relaxed. It is known to have antidepressant capabilities, and is often used as a sedative and and antiseptic. Lavender: This scent is very well known for its calming and therapeutic properties. Lavender is often used during baths and in the evening to help a person wind down. It is also known to soothe restless infants to prepare them for sleep. Peony: This scent can produce antiinflammatory reactions in the body. It has been shown to reduce cramps and other aches and pains. Lilac: Another mood lifter, lilac evokes happiness and harmony. This year, surprise Mom in a unique way and look to aromatherapy and other delicious scents to indulge and pamper her. Learn more about Pur Désir, which contains peony, lavender, orange blossom, and lilac by visiting www.yvesrocherusa.com. Beyond the Nose: Thereʼs more to aromatherapy than just a pretty smell. Essential oils and plant extracts enter the body in three main ways: they are absorbed, inhaled or ingested. Peppermint can be eaten to calm a nausea. A mist of eucalyptus may be inhaled to ease a cough or clear up congestion. Tea tree oil can be applied to the skin to help dry up acne or other skin blemishes.

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BENNINGTON PIZZA HOUSE

The official pizza of the Bennington Bombers - Mary Ann White Frank King has been making pizzas for a long time starting out as an employee of the former owner “a Greek gentleman” who owned Bennington Pizza House for 28 years. “I worked for him for 13 years until he passed away, then I took it over. Frank and his wife Torrey put in a lot of hours at Bennington Pizza House, but they both love and enjoy it. “I couldnʼt imagine doing anything else,” Frank said. Handed down in the ownership were all the original Greek recipes followed by the former owner. The dough is made fresh daily, and the cheese is grated fresh daily. It is a full-service pizzeria serving Greek-style pizzas and house specials include Greek Veggie, Kimʼs Choice, Arthurʼs Choice, and Melpoʼs Choice. They also serve a Buffalo chicken pizza and some of the best made-to-order calzones. They also offer a 24-cut party size pizza for the low price of $15.99+tax and several kinds of salads and a great Baklava for dessert. Beer and wine are available in the eating area. Frank and Torrey also offer takeout by calling in or stopping by. Their pizza has now become the Official Pizza of the Bennington Bombers, the local baseball team. Bennington Pizza House employs some part-time help, some of who have been working for them for 5 or 6 years. “We have some college students who are coming back for the summer,” Frank said. Frank and Torreyʼs two children are already involved at the young ages of 5 and 3. “They would love to stay and help Daddy all day,” Frank said. The Kings picked the children up a play kitchen for home where they now spend time pretending they are making pizzas like Mom and Dad.

Frank and Torrey - Owners of Bennington Pizza Frank said it would be great to have them work with him when they get older, and love the pizza business as much as he and Torrey do. Bennington Bennington Pizza House is located at 430 Main St. (near the big clock) and is open Monday-Thursday from 11-10, Friday and Saturday from 11-11, and Sunday from noon to 10. I had a great conversation with Frank, and made a promise to stop by there on my next trip to Bennington for what sounded like a great meal and further conversation on the pizza-making business.

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Downtown Bennington

Spring 2008

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