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EDITOR’S NOTE
Our State, Vermont Welcome to the premiere issue of Our State Vermont! This new quarterly magazine, published by New Market Press, LLC, is a colorful showcase of all that’s fun, fascinating, and rewarding about life in our state—Vermont. From the get-go, the editorial focus of this magazine is all about the people, places, and things which make Vermont a very special place to live-in and visit. Our sincere intention is to celebrate our state’s heritage and traditions as well as our, sometimes, willingness to revel in new fangled ideas and things—of which some folks like and others not so much. That’s why, within these pages, we won’t shy away from examining some of the challenges our state faces in the coming decades. Best of all, this magazine will explore our state, in words and images, across the span of time: from the ancient past—of native peoples and European settlers—to the modern era of recreation, business, education, niche agriculture, sustainable energy, and whole new cottage industries making “Made in Vermont” a much-in-demand nameplate. One thing’s for certain, our Green Mountain State is not a monolithic place, as sometimes portrayed by national news reports. That’s why you have to be here to experience the essence of Vermont—or—you can follow our state through the color pages of this magazine. On the rural road where I live in Middlebury, Bernie Sanders voters live side-by-side Donald Trump voters. Sure, our state is a passionate state, but we Vermonters—of all political, social and religious stripes—follow the “live and let live” philosophy of life. And it’s that broadminded philosophy that makes Vermont a rare place, indeed. Our state is a place where a special kind of person can live free, learn, follow their second star to the right straight on ‘til morning, work, and raise a family. I like to recall what former Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas said about our state recently: “...The wellspring of Vermont liberty flows from Main Street, not State Street.” So, for those folks who happen to call Vermont home, and to those folks who visit regularly, or just travel through here, our state is one sweet, diverse, little package with its heart-of-gold on Main Street. We welcome reader input so if you have a comment, good or corrective, or a nice story idea, please let us know. Our door is always open to you and we welcome new ideas. Be it in our downtowns, or outside in our glorious countryside—with forests, fish-filled streams and ponds, big lakes, and rugged mountaintops—there’s something here for everyone to love and experience.
Welcome to Our State Vermont!
Louis Varricchio Editor
General Manager Ashley Charron ashley@addison-eagle.com Managing Editor Lou Varricchio lou@addison-eagle.com Office Assistant Christina Frost theeagle@addison-eagle.com Publisher Ed Coats ed@addison-eagle.com Sales Staff Ashley Charron ashley@addison-eagle.com Cyndi Armell cyndi@addison-eagle.com Heidi Littlefield heidi@addison-eagle.com Thomas Bahre tom@addison-eagle.com Graphics Team Design 2 Pro howard@design2pro.com Feature Columnist Lou Varricchio Writing Contributors Dominick Santa Maria Gail Callahan To advertise in our next issue, please contact Ashley at 802-388-6397 (office) or ashley@addison-eagle.com Published by: New Market Press 16 Creek Road, Suite 5 Middlebury, VT 05753
4 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
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Contents
08
4 16
8
FROM THE EDITOR Bidding a warm welcome to new readers of the premiere issue of Our State Vermont
HUSBAND-AND-WIFE EXPLORE VERMONT’S WATERFALLS, GORGES It must be true: the couple that explores together, stays together
16
22
22
26
28
THE LIFE OF JOHN DEERE A look at the Middlebury inventor, blacksmith who revolutionized farming during the 1800s; his memory still lives on locally
SAVING VERMONT’S BEES From scientists to girl scouts, residents of the Green Mountain State are coming to the rescue of endangered bees
MEET THE MAYOR OF VERGENNES The Little City’s Mayor Bill Benton is making a big difference on Main Street
28
“I LOVE RUTLAND”
34
HINESBURG FOOD SHELF IS A LIFESAVER FOR RESIDENTS
A grassroots, pride-of-place movement is changing Rutland City for the better
What makes a Vermont community so special is its volunteers
37
VERMONT’S FAVORITE FAIR, GIRLIE SHOW PHOTOGRAPHER A look at the engaging, visual carnival art of photographer Charles Fish
38
6 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
A SAMPLE OF VERMONT’S FAMOUS PEOPLE The first in a series of mini snapshots about Vermont’s most famous (and not so famous) folks—past and present
Vermont’s Award Winning Travelling Youth Circus is Coming to Essex Junction, VT
2016 Big Top Tour
Up, TheHUP and Away! Invention of Flight SIX BIG SHOWS - JUNE 28-30 NOON & 6:30 DAILY
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www.countrysidecarpetandpaint.com SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 7
Husband-and-wife
explore Vermont’s waterfalls, gorges By Lou Varricchio
V
ermont explorer Roderick “Rick” Pingree was never one for sitting at home in front of a television set or computer screen. An active person all his life, he is best known locally for exploring Vermont caves and abandoned underground mines, including a 19th-century gold mine located on private property in Bridgewater. Pingree was safely harnessed when he plunged in roaring, cold water to document “lost” Herb’s Falls in the Green Mountain National Forest in Mount Tabor, Vt. Pingree and his wife Kathy spent nearly 7 years visiting 230 wild locations around the Green Mountain State to write their new book, “Rodrick’s Guide to Vermont Waterfalls, Cascades and Gorges”. The Pingrees carefully surveyed all the wild sites they visited for correct elevations, slopes, and other topographic data missing from other accounts of these Vermont natural features.
8 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
American war hero U.S. Gen. John E. Wool explored the terrain around the falls which are now named after him, the Falls of Llana. “Llana” is the Spanish name for wool. Library of Congress
For example, little-known Herb’s Falls, pictured above, is a series of long cascades located in a remote section of the GMNF in Rutland County. Pingree says that the natural feature—named after it’s discoverer, a man named “Herb”—was considered lost because it had been missing from several important maps, thus few knew of its whereabouts, and the system of cascades hadn’t been properly surveyed using modern equipment until the Pingrees visited the falls. So, which are Vermont’s record-breaking waterfalls? According to Pingree, “The tallest is Lye Brook Falls in Manchester, Vt., with Herb’s Falls in Mt. Tabor, Vt., a close second. Although Herb’s Falls is not a classic falls, but a very long cascade.” And where are Vermont’s recordbreaking gorges? “Quechee Gorge, near Woodstock, is the deepest gorge in Vermont, with a highway bridge across it, but our choice
Bartlett Falls in Bristol, Vt., is a popular swimming hole on a hot summer’s day. Photo by J. Kirk Edwards
Author and cave explorer Rick Pingree of Rutland. Pingree and his wife Kathy spent nearly 7 years visiting 230 wild locations around the Green Mountain State to write their new, definitive book, “Rodrick’s Guide to Vermont Waterfalls, Cascades and Gorges”. Photo by Kathy Pingree
for the second most beautiful canyon in Vermont is ‘dry’ Cavendish Gorge near Cavendish. This feature is ancient, and while it’s only 40-feet-deep, there are amazing, eroded cliffs there and potholes in the old stream bed,” says Pingree. Pingree notes that the mini canyon in Cavendish is dry because the stream which had fed it—no doubt
for thousands of years—has been diverted to a nearby dam-reservoir. Regarding waterfalls, Pingree concurs with a popular online listing of the top 14 waterfalls in the Green Mountain State found on OnlyInYourState.com. However, Pingree has a few of his own “secret” locales that the public does not have permission to visit. The website’s list of falls are easily seen by the public. Remember, please observe caution when observing waterfalls and gorges. Also, respect the private property rights of fellow citizens: • Green River Falls: The Green River Reservoir State Park is located in Hyde Park and offers exclusive camping sites only reachable by boat. • Flower Brook Falls: When you stop by these falls in Pawlet, don’t forget to visit the Brick Oven Wood-Fired Pizza landmark across the bridge. • Texas Falls: Head over to Hancock in Addison County to see this series of cascades. For an amazing view, stand on the bridge over the stream and peer down the ravine. • Lye Brook Falls: The best time to see these 600plus foot falls in Manchester is right after the rain. The moderate hike is 100 percent worth the view! • Bingham Falls: These falls, located in Stowe, are a must-see for all. After hiking up you’ll definitely want to continue page 10
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 9
Quechee Gorge, Vermont’s most famous “Little Grand Canyon”, was formed at the end of the Ice Age, only 13,000 years ago, by a melting glacier. Photo by Edward E. Meyer
10 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
take a dip in the refreshing swimming hole at the bottom. Be careful, it can get slippery. • Falls of Llana: The Falls of Llana are named after U.S. Mexican War hero General John E. Wool (llana is the Spanish word for wool). Wool visited the area around Lake Dunmore where he explored the treacherous back country including Rattlesnake Cliffs high above the lake. Located in Salisbury, these falls are perfect for a day trip. Even if you’ve been there before, it’s easy to discover a unique area and view that you’ve never seen before. • Middlebury Falls and the Falls of the Lower Otter Creek: A historical spot and major source of water power, these falls in Middlebury have a lot of character. The Lower Falls of the Otter Creek can be viewed nearby a short distance downstream. • Buttermilk Falls: For an adventurefilled day, Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow is the spot to go. With several swimming holes and lots of outdoor activities for any season, you’ll definitely leave the Okemo Valley with a smile. • Big Falls: Almost at the border of Quebec in Troy, you’ll truly be impressed with the view from one of the state’s largest undammed waterfalls. • Hamilton Falls: While this waterfall in Jamaica is one of the most beautiful sights you might see, be sure to be careful as you climb the steep terrain. • East Willard Falls: Beautiful covered bridges and flowing cascades at the same time? You just can’t beat that. Make the drive to North Hartland to see for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. • Thundering Brook: For an easy, kidaccessible outing, head to Killington to see Thundering Brook Falls. Check out the exquisite fall foliage or luscious flowers in the spring, or even stop by for both. • Bartlett Falls: Looking for the perfect place to cool off on that excruciatingly hot summer day? These massive waterfall site in Bristol has a big swimming area perfect for a day of relaxation. • Jefferson Falls/Brewster River Gorge: Now that new trails have been made, and you no longer have to jump rock-to-rock to cross the river, this “gorge-ous” sight in Cambridge is easier to visit and should be experienced by all nature-lovers.
So, what’s left to do in the wilds for the adventurous Pingrees? Pingree and his wife sold their Rutland home in order to travel across the USA in a motor home in search of other waterfalls and natural features. “It’s a personal passion with us,” Pingree says. “We spent all our vacation time, days off, and weekends, in the field and writing the guidebook. We want to explore America and see more waterfalls and gorges elsewhere.” While writing their definitive guide to Vermont’s waterfalls and gorges, the Pingrees camped or slept in a small, economic car. Which brings up another question: Will their new wild adventures—this time, in a motor home across the USA—provide a few more creature comforts than experienced while they explored Vermont’s waterfalls and gorges? A built-in microwave oven, music player, and shower stall sound like roughing it on the American frontier to us. Pingree’s book is available at local bookstores and online at Amazon.com.
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 11
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12 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
SO EASY...
DIY
outdoor seating
easy... cinder blocks with piece of wood on top, done.
wooden spool finds new life with a coat of paint and stapled cinder blocks, pillows... and you’re sitting pretty! underneath batten filled pillow on top. cinder blocks (painted in the color you like), place weathered wood on top (again, painted if you like) makes the perfect bench.
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 13
paint a wooden bowl red/ white spots, flip over onto stump... toad stool.
trunk stools... cut plywood into a circle cover with batten and fabric, secure.
landscape stones, stacked to desired height, top with weathered wood.
glowing idea... paint stumps with glow in the dark paint.
easy, affordable and fun... do it yourself seating
14 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
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SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 15
130th Memorial Anniversary
The John Deere Story John Deere, 1804-1886
O “ I will never put my name on a product that does not have in it the best that is in me.” John Deere
ne hundred and thirty years ago, a Vermont-born man died and left behind an enduring legacy of inventiveness, craftsmanship, and quality. The life story of John Deere began in Vermont and, 82 years later, ended in Illinois. Worldwide, the name “John Deere” is synonymous with made-in-the-USA, state-of-the-art agricultural, forestry, and residential motor vehicles and engines, including everything from sit-down lawn mowers to large farm tractors and combines. For many end users, the “John Deere” brand means craftsmanship and reliability. But during the decades of the early 1800s, Americans didn’t know the name John Deere from, well, Adam. It took the revolutionary invention of the steel plow to put the man—John Deere—and his legend on the map. The rest, as they say, is history.
His birth and youth John Deere was born on Feb. 7, 1804, to tailor William Deere and wife, seamstress Sarah Deere, in a simple house—no longer standing—situated along Main Street in Rutland. In 2012, a state historical marker was erected in downtown Rutland, across the street from where John Deere’s birth house once stood. It is the newest stops on the “Camino de Santiago” traveled by John Deere fans across New England and the Midwest. However, within a year, William and Sarah (with children in tow) moved north, to Middlebury, to seek tailor work after hard times in Rutland befell the family. Things in Middlebury weren’t much better for tailors, but the couple struggled to stay afloat financially. The in 1808, there was promise of a light in the darkness. Leaving his wife and children behind in Addison County’s shire town, William set off to board a Boston sailing ship bound to England where he planned to collect a surprise family inheritance.
16 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
The Deere’s had placed much hope on this stroke of unbelievably good luck—treasure from heaven. But when it came to William Deere, the words of Roger d’Hautville seemed to apply: “Bad luck is always just around the corner.” Somewhere at sea in late 1808, Deere vanished in a storm never to be found. At home in Middlebury, Sarah turned to tailoring work full time to support her now fatherless children. At 17, Sarah helped arrange for oldest son to attend a few classes at Middlebury College. We surmise that she must have had some help to do so, and thus came John’s apprenticeship term in the blacksmith’s trade in 1821. Below Middlebury’s Main Street, in Frog Hollow, the In October 1958 , re young John Deere apprenticed at the blacksmith shop Here two horses al horsepower was still in use on pu so of Capt. Benjamin Lawrence (small-town gossip linked Pictured at the La ll a John Deere 14T Baler with a me Vermont farms. TFD Wisconsin en Vigne Farm on Lo gine. we ll Mountain, Vt. Sarah with Capt. Lawrence romantically, but it has never been substantiated). By 1827, John Deere had demonstrated a technical talent for smithing. Soon after his rise to master blacksmith, he married Demarius Lamb on Jan. 28, 1827, at the Lamb residence in Granville, Vt. The happy couple went on to parent nine children. According to the Deere & Company archives, “... While attending a large neighborhood get together in Middlebury, John Deere became fascinated with a young woman named Demarius Lamb. Demarius apparently was the center of attention, not only because of her charm and beauty, but because of her refinement, as well.” Demarius’ well-to-do family lived over the Green Mountain range from Middlebury in Granville. “John Deere began courting Demarius while an John Deere re turns to apprentice and during subsequent work as a jour- shipment of John Deere traMiddlebury: February 1958 marke ctors to Addison
ashington Street ership was on W cated next to al de st fir ’ rs he was lo ndy Brot In June 1958, He hased from Marshall Tractor. It rc pu y, ur eb dl id in M y. permarket is toda where Shaw’s Su
d the first wn via rail.
County’s shire to
Hendy Brothers ’ original dealer sh dealership. This car has “1” on th ip also included a G.M. Pontia c e Vermont Gov. Le e Emerson, in of license plate and was sold to th fice 1945–49. e
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 17
The John Deere Heritage “I will never put my name on a product that doesn’t have in it the best that is in me” --John Deere From its very inception, the John Deere name has been synonymous with quality and ingenuity. From the very first plow to the latest downloadable app for measuring lawn performance, John Deere is on the cutting edge of knowledge and technology. With a multitude of tools and implements to make modern life so much simpler, those who own John Deere lawn mowers, tractors and agricultural equipment know life is better when you can depend on what you need. So come visit us at Mountain View Equipment today and let us show you the quality, ingenuity and affordability of John Deere.
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Save Even More on Attachments! Deduct up to an additional $1500 if 2 or more attachments are purchased at time of tractor purchase 1 Series = Save $500 2R Series = Save $1200 3E Series = Save $1500 Middlebury, VT 1137 US RT 7 North 802-388-4482 M-F 7-5 Sat 7-12 Plattsburgh, NY 8092 State Route 9 518-561-3682 M-F 7-5 Sat 8-4
Rutland, VT 101 Route 4 East 802-775-0710 M-F 8-5 Sat 8-1 Malone, NY 4041 State Route 11 518-483-0420 M-F 8-5 Sat 8-12
www.mountainviewequip.com All Low monthly advertised payments are based on approved financing through John Deere Financial. *$99 payment per month on 1023E is based on 0% financing for 84 months and does not include sales tax, freight, set-up or delivery. Other payments include sales tax, freight, set-up and delivery. A 20% down payment is required at signing on all payments listed above. Offer only for a limited time and only in certain Vermont and New York counties. Other Restrictions Apply. Pricing offers end August 2, 2016. Please see dealer for “No Money Down” payment options. New six year powertrain warranty offer comes standard on all compact utility tractors (series 1-4) purchased on or after 1/1/2016. The powertrain warranty, the best in the industry, covers up to 6 years or 2000 hours (whichever comes first). Restrictions apply. Please see Mountain View Equipment for full details and other great offers.
His Invention Across the street from Middlebury’s Ilsley Public Library, a monument marks the site of the nearby shop where John Deere learned the blacksmith trade. It memorializes the inventor of the “Plow that Broke the Plains”. But there has been much fiction in the story of the invention of John Deere’s famous, revolutionary steel plow of 1837. “Deere found that cast-iron plows were not working very well in the tough prairie soil of Illinois and remembered the needles he had previously polished by running them through sand as he grew up in his father’s tailor shop in... (Middlebury),” according to Marti Attoun, author of “American Innovator, Agricultural Icon”. “Deere came to the conclusion that a plow made out of highly polished steel and a correctIowa, to rloo, Wate in ry facto e Deer John the to led ly shaped moldboard (the self-scouring steel In 1957, Hendy Brothers officials trave Hendy, coor. Pictured: Second from right, Anthony plow) would be better able to handle the soil conwatch the unveiling of a new 730 tract with his brother, John Hendy, Sr. founder of the Hendy Brothers dealership ditions of the prairie, especially its sticky clay.” Attoun points out that there are several verneyman with two Middlebury blacksmiths,” the sions of the inventor’s story. Deere & Company history continues. “He waited “In... (a) version he recalled the way the polished until he had launched out on his own, working as steel pitchfork tines moved through hay and soil and a blacksmith in Colchester Falls before he proposed thought that same effect could be obtained for a plow.” to her... In 1828, John and Demarius welcomed Fran- Attoun notes. “By early 1838, Deere completed his first cis Albert, the first of nine children. The next year, steel plow and sold it to a local farmer... By 1841, Deere John purchased a piece of property and started his was manufacturing 75-100 plows per year.” first blacksmith shop in the Town of Leicester, loIn 1858, Deere left his thriving Moline, Ill.-based cated at a crossroads for main stagecoach lines that business to his son Charles. By 1868, Deere had incorconnected Vermont with Boston.” porated as Deere & Company. Like so many families in Vermont, the Deeres were deeply impacted by the rolling, regional recessions of the 1830s. In addition to his home base in Leicester, Deere traveled to do custom work in Middlebury, Vergennes, Salisbury, Hancock even north into Chittenden County and south into Rutland County. Then, two shop fires at Deere’s smithy in Leicester took their toll on the future inventor income. “On Nov. 7, 1836, leaving his debts behind and with $73 in his pocket, John Deere bid farewell to Demarius and his four children to seek a living on the great prairie,” says the Deere & Company archives. “Son Francis was just eight, and daughters Jeannette, Ellen and Frances Alma were six, four and two. Demarius was six months pregnant with son Charles.” Eventually, Demarius joined John and the family settled in Illinois. Sadly, no markthe er graces the site of John Deere’s smithy in Hendy Brothers’ team of service techs and managers pose with a John Deere tractor at 7. e Rout lebury, along U.S. Leicester. location of present day dealership in Midd SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 19
John Deere: At home in Vermont Mt. View Equipment & John Deere
By Lou Varricchio
J
Hendy Brothers’ original dealership was located in Barton Vt. Pictured in June 1957 are dealership’s Ray Nault and Lee Jenney (also Barton P.D. chief). The equipment pictured is a John Deere 420 dozer “crawler”. According to John “Butch” Hendy, “Almost every single farmer had one of those. They all did a little logging and maple syrup production and the 420 dozer was perfect for that.”
His later life and death During his twilight years in Moline, Ill., John Deere became more engaged in politics. He also found more time to become civically engaged. He became a local bank president, public library trustee and congregational church trustee. Not often mentioned by historians is the fact that John Deere successfully ran for mayor of Moline and served a one-year term. A man of the people, Mayor Deere was a popular mayor, but health issues loomed large. While asked to run for a second, two-year term, he declined. John Deere died at home, with family by his side, on May 17, 1886. He is buried in Moline’s Riverside Cemetery. 20 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
ohn Deere dealer Mountain View Equipment (Hendy Brothers), located at 1137 U.S. Route 7, in Middlebury, has a long, successful history in Vermont. Formed Jan. 1, 2012, Mountain View Equipment LLC, is a result of the merger between two long standing dealerships, Hendy Bros Inc. and Giroux Brothers LLC. Both businesses were third generation John Deere dealerships with a long history of customer support. While this John Deere agribusiness has a proud base in the same town where inventor John Deere began his career, it also has stores in Rutland, Malone, N.Y., and Plattsburgh, N.Y. Our State Vermont (OSV) asked the folks at Mountain View Equipment (MVE) about their links to John Deere’s Vermont heritage: OSV: We guess that there are a lot of Vermonters who don’t even know that John Deere began his career here. Is this perception true? MVE: There may be a lot of Vermonters who may not know that John Deere was born here, but he was a Vermonter. His mother is buried in a cemetery in Middlebury and he definitely grew up in this area. I guess some people might not make that connection or think that it’s not really relevant to us. But I think the important point is that there is so much ingenuity in our community. For generations, Vermonters have proven themselves to be smart, hard-working and resilient... OSV: What does the “John Deere” nameplate on a tractor or other equipment mean to your customers? Again, what is the perception of the brand today? MVE: John Deere means quality. I think anyone who is familiar with the brand can tell you that John Deere is synonymous with quality. A John Deere will last you a very long time—John Deere tractors that my grandfather sold 60 years ago are still running strong today. Many people will collect old John Deeres and fix them up as a hobby because they are such solid machines and they last forever. OSV: Have you been to the John Deere manufacturing plant? What are your impressions? Still made in the USA? MVE: Our impression from visiting the manufacturing facilities was that it was amazing. In one door comes the raw steel and out the other end of the plant comes a living, breathing tractor or other piece of machinery. We were impressed by how clean they are, as well as the amount of technology which is employed to be able to run production at such an efficient and accurate level. OSV: What is the level of loyalty to the “John Deere” name from local farmers, other consumers? MVE: People who are “Deere People” are “Deere People” for life. Some people grew up on the farms with John Deere and even though they might not be in farming anymore, are dedicated to John Deere for their residential mowers or garden tractors... We attract new consumers every day who are looking for a smart purchase—one that guarantees the pinnacle of quality and reliability at a very fair price. Before our dealership was known as Mountain View Equipment, we were known as Hendy Brothers in Middlebury and Rutland... It’s exciting to see the changes in agriculture and to see more people get involved in food production and sustainable practices... Like John Deere is famously quoted, “I will never put my name on any product that does not have in it the best that is in me.” We should all strive for that. We put our name on things we can be proud of—a great quote from a great Vermonter.
BRISTOL
AMERICAN LEGION
Post 19 The Bristol American Legion Post 19 is a community-based family with an inherent philosophy based on service and support… to our Nation, State and most importantly, to the communities in which we live.
Serving Your Five Town Community 56 Airport Drive, Bristol 802-453-2951• Follow us on Facebook www.bristolamericanlegion.com
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 21
Saving
Vermont’s
BEES
A UVM research team led by Insu Koh (right) and Taylor Ricketts, bee experts at the University of Vermont’s Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, estimates that wild bee abundance between 2008 and 2013 declined in 23 percent of the contiguous U.S., potentially threatening crop production. - Photo by Sally McCay
By Lou Varricchio
B
ees are a familiar part of Vermont rural landscape, especially for those farmers and hobbyists who enjoy the challenges and rewards of beekeeping for either fun or profit—or both. Within the Green Mountain State, UVM, the University of Vermont, is the best source for the latest scientific findings about bees, especially about how bees are integral part of our environment. Now, according to a new study by two scientists at UVM and Harvard University,
According to a new study by two scientists at UVM and Harvard University, more than half the people in some developing countries could become at-risk for malnutrition if crop-pollinating animals—especially bees—continue to decline. Pictured: Close up of a Vermont bee. - UVM photo by Jon Sullivan
22 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
Honeybees on a brood comb with eggs and larvae in cells. - Public domain photo by Waugsberg
more than half the people in some developing countries could become at-risk for malnutrition if crop-pollinating animals—notably bees—continue to decline. The new UVM-Harvard research has clearly demonstrated that what people eat, at least in the four developing countries that were part of the study, is essential to pollination requirements of the crops that provide their food and nutrients. “The take-home is,” said UVM biologist Taylor Ricketts who co-led the work, “pollinator declines can really matter to human health, with quite scary numbers for vitamin A deficiencies, for example, which can lead to blindness and increase death rates for some diseases, including malaria.”
And it’s not just about the plummeting populations of bees we read about in the newspaper. UVM’s Ricketts said that scientists around the world have observed the worrisome decline of many pollinator species, not just bees, which threaten the world’s food supply. Noting the impact on vitamin A sources, Ricketts said the study found that the disappearance of pollinators could push as many as 56 percent of people over the edge into malnutrition. The study, “Do Pollinators Contribute to Nutritional Health?” was spearheaded by Alicia Ellis and Taylor Ricketts at UVM’s Gund Institute for Ecological Economics and Samuel Myers at the Harvard School of Public Health. It appears in the current issue of the journal PLOS ONE. “Continued declines of pollinator populations could have drastic consequences for global public health,” the Ricketts and Ellis write in their report. “This is the first study that quantifies the potential human health impacts of animal pollinator declines,”
Myers said. “But to evaluate whether pollinator declines will really affect human nutrition, you need to know what people are eating.” The new study examined the full pathway from pollinators through to detailed survey data about people’s daily diets in parts of Zambia, Mozambique, Uganda and Bangladesh. “How much mango? How much fish?” Ricketts noted. “And from that kind of data we can find out if they get enough vitamin A, calcium, folate, iron and zinc.” Then the scientists were able to examine the likely impact a future without pollinators would have on these diets. According to both scientists, the new study exposes how rapid transformation of Earth’s natural systems affects human health. “Ecosystem damage can damage human health,” Ricketts said, “so conservation can be thought of as an investment in public health.” continue page 24
Beekeeper inspecting bees housed in Langstroth-style hives. - Photo by Migco
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 23
Saving Vermont’s bees by “bee”ing helpful Hopefully by now most people have heard honeybees locally, and throughout the United States, are in trouble. The Vermont news media has done a great job of making sure the public is aware that within years these bees could become extinct, but when I started the Girl Scout Gold Award program I was determined not to let that happen. In Vermont we take great pride in our natural environment and many people rely on agricultural businesses for their livelihood. However, recently three different types of wild bees have been added to the threatened and endangered list in Vermont. What’s unfortunate is that it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the bees go down as well, and most are already struggling to keep their numbers up. Middlebury, Vt., beekeeper Charles Mraz of Champlain Valley Apiaries was generous enough to help with my research. He says that Dutch White Clover, the kind that grows on your lawn a few days after a mow, is a great source of nutrients for Honeybees and pollinators alike. “If everyone just waited a little longer to mow their lawns” Mraz said, “the bees would be stronger against parasites.” Really, all Vermont residents have to do is wait one or two more days before taking out the lawn mower and Honeybee and pollinator populations could increase. Foraging for food is healthy for the bees, in fact, it accounts for about 43 percent of their diet, but when the drones expend more energy than the pollen they collect can supply, the hive starts to run into trouble. Beekeepers suggest planting at least a four by four foot area of colorful, single petaled flowers will help. This allows for a great deal of pollen to be collected over a smaller area, increasing efficiency and making a stronger population. Lastly, one category of extremely harmful pesticides are Neonicotinoids. Pesticides of any sort have horrible side effects for pollinators, and can make Honeybees more susceptible to the parasites that are accounting for their drastic downfall in numbers. Mraz suggested that if, “you have to use pesticides, spray them at night before or after bloom,” that way the actual pollen of the plant isn’t affected. If everyone in the state of Vermont was willing to make these small changes to their gardens and yards the pollinators could see a huge increase in numbers. Please join me in keeping our bees off the endangered species list. Award-winning Girl Scout Carolyn Balparda lives in Middlebury, Vt. 24 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
UVM biologist Dr. Taylor Ricketts said bees have a long natural history on the Earth. And the fossil record seems to bear that out, said beekeeper Karen Bean of Brookfield Farm, “Honeybees have been around a long time, about 60 million years. They were offshoots of bumblebees, which—along with other bees—had branched off of wasps over 100 million years ago. Prior to 100 million years ago, most of the trees were wind-pollinated conifers.” Our State Vermont asked Dr. Ricketts about the life of bees, their place in our world, and especially how they fit into the Vermont environment. Our State: What do most scientists think is behind the decline in bees in our area? Is there more than just one impactor? And is it ultimately linked to climate change? Ricketts: “Bee declines, most scientists agree, are due to three main factors: loss of bee habitats, pesticides, and other chemicals and diseases introduced from other continents. There may be a climate change link, but that’s uncertain now.” Our State Vermont: What’s the state of bee health in Europe, in Asia, and elsewhere? Ricketts: “Bee population is declining in many parts of the world, due to the same set of factors. The relative importance and details of those factors vary from place to place, but usually all three are present everywhere.” Our State Vermont: So how do bees fit into the pollination cycle locally? What about other important insects in this regard here in Vermont? Ricketts: “Bees move pollen from plant to plant, allowing them to reproduce. In Vermont, many native plants and crop plants rely on bees for reproduction. Iconic crops like blueberry, apple, pumpkin, and others all require pollinators to produce well. While many farmers keep honeybees, these three crops are all pollinated more fully and efficiently by native bees that live here in our landscapes. There are roughly 300 species of bees in Vermont, in fact. Bumblebees are some of the most important pollinators for crops.”
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WILLIAM BENTON
Mayor
Of Vergennes By Dominick Santa Maria
A
s a 6th generation Addison County resident, William Benton, Mayor of Vergennes, has his pulse on the community. He graduated from University of Vermont in 1978, with his B.A. in economics. William Benton is also a local business owner, operating W.D. Benton Inc. Appraisers since 1981- just three short years after getting his college degree, while his wife, Kristen Benton, is co-owner of Hollyhocks Flowers in downtown Vergennes. Mayor Benton credits both his experience as a lifetime resident, and also as a business owner, to help with his mayoral duties. “It has given me an understanding of local history, both societal and political.” He stated, also mentioning how being a Vergennes area native has helped him view the changing of the Vergennes community over time. As for his business experiences, Mayor Benton is able to meet and converse with numerous people through his business dealings, assisting him with understanding the causes and concerns of Vergennes’ residents. This allows him to not just grasp the identity 26 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
of Vergennes, but also how Vergennes’ place in the county, giving Mayor Benton a “breadth of knowledge and understanding of the county”. Since becoming mayor, Benton has facilitated Vergennes with revitalization of the Downtown area, cleaning up the Otter Creek River, and created a Vergennes Downtown-Basin Master Plan. This plan, which Mayor Benton credits a lot of the progress to Vergennes City Manager Mel Hawley, consists of items such as a traffic feasibility study, market assessments, and public recommendations and concerns. The Downtown-Basin Master plans lays out a step-bystep process for creating synergy and tying the downtown marketplace with the Otter Creek River basin. The river basin includes walking paths, MacDonough and Falls parks, and accommodates between 800 and 900 boats during the summer season. The goal is to help create a flow between downtown and the basin, as boating tourists coming into the city will help the continue page 27
financial health of downtown, while people dining, shopping, and just spending time downtown will be able to enjoy everything the river basin has to offer. One of the ways the Mayor expects to help with tourism is with a wi-fi network for the basin, encompassing the parks and boats on the river. Another major item on the mayor’s political agenda is the truck bypass through Vergennes, to try to help alleviate Vergennes’ traffic issues. Being mayor is a redoubtable responsibility; one Benton does not take for granted. He receives community feedback through emails and phone calls, and not too many of them are complaints, he joked. In the last mayoral election Benton ran unopposed, a sign he thinks shows his support within the community, “I think that people have seen the job I have done and are pleased with it”. When asked what his biggest struggle with being mayor is, Benton replied that it was the pace that frustrated him the most. “Coming from the private sector, I am used to getting things accomplished”, Benton said, while politics can be a slow business. If the biggest shortcoming of the Vergennes Mayor is impatience with the progress and productive success of the city, Vergennes is in good hands.
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“I Love Rutland” organizers sent out a big thank you to Shar Wielis who created this picture of her hard-working group that helped a neighbor. The 91-year-old homeowner was so grateful. We were so happy to help.” - Photo courtesy of Shar Wielis
“I Love Rutland”
City residents are proud of their hometown By Lou Varricchio
R
UTLAND — “I Love Rutland” is a new promotional campaign created by Mike Napolitano of Awesome Graphics in Rutland City. Like the classic New York State tourism advertising campaign of years ago, “I Love Rutland”
28 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
is Napolitano’s way of expressing his love while hopefully getting similar pubic results. “Recently, I told some Burlington folks that I was from Rutland, and they gave me a double take as if I was from prison or lived in a gnarly place,” Napolitano
said. “I told them that I love Rutland. And then I thought this slogan should become a sticker.” ewel l F Rutland City Mayor Chris Louras gives a big thumbs wen ove kid G th an “I L tral r up to Napolitano’s project. e i Sup osed w r in Cen t“We identify our challenges, celebrate our victories, il ng p d” sticke k City. Ru r i n r Rutla n New Yo aking the and do this as a team, and as a community,” the mayor i Park rs are m places. y e n said. d a n la in m mark provided “We think it’s really important that there be a Photo positive message about Rutland out there,” said Green Mountain Power Vice President Steve Costello. Costello is a co-founder of the citywide love fest campaign “There are challenges and the campaign isn’t about pretending that all of those are solved.” With a focus on the rebirth of the city and the qualities of Rutland, a group of community leaders formally kicked off “I Love Rutland,” a campaign to herald and engender love for the city and region. “As a third-generation Rutland resident who has married, raised a family and run a small business here, I love my community and want to declare it to the world,” said Mike Napolitano, owner of Awesome Graphics, who developed ent resid fts the campaign with Green Mountain d n tla day gi ld Ru h ear-o ld-be birt ociety. It Power’s Steve Costello. “This is a great y 9 S d u e o he e n her w k to t uman y tur Newl outed all County H iving bac need of community, filled with people powg ered by determination and compasTori r Rutland s way of nimals in e s a h e t d fl l n e to a s y t r sion, surrounded by some of the ni he was d commu r. n e a t l most beautiful mountains, lakes and l t e u h R and s care rivers in the world. I think we need to express that at every opportunity.” The campaign will include a Facebook page, “I Love Rutland, Vermont,” bumper stickers, T-shirts, banners and window decals. Local residents and businesses can e post any kind of positive news on the Facebook site, but v es lo ploye historic m negativity will simply not exist. e y’s and
cit n hildre e up the c n i c Cost rs spru ided nter ov tee continue page 30 Carpe d. Volun Photo pr n a l . t e u s R u o H e Dodg “I Love Rutland” is a new promotional campaign created by Mike Napolitano of Awesome Graphics in Rutland City. Photo by Dave Allaire
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 29
Rutlanders love Project Vision, embodying the best of the “I Love Rutland” philosophy. As part of its amazing work to improve quality of life in Rutland, volunteers from Neighborworks and other organizations are going door-to-door in pairs doing a survey of life in the Northwest neighborhood. More volunteers are needed. To learn more or sign up, visit this link: www.facebook.com/events/1677007759230943/ — Photo courtesy of Pam Favreau Zugaro.
The campaign will also include “The Heart of Rutland,” a regular web and Facebook feature, similar to Humans of New York, produced by Donna GoodHale, owner of Expressions by Donna. GoodHale, a wellknown local portrait photographer, will shoot portraits of everyday Rutland County residents and with her husband, Brad, write up short stories about them and what they love about Rutland. “We love this community and jumped at the opportunity to be part of I Love Rutland,” Donna GoodHale said. “Just planning the Heart of Rutland makes me love Rutland even more.” A website, www.iloverutlandvt.com, will feature GoodHale’s portraits along with the Facebook page, and will offer T-shirts and bumper stickers. T-shirt sales will benefit Wonderfeet Children’s Museum. “There are plenty of places to address problems, debate politics or air concerns,” Costello said. “I Love Rutland won’t be one of them. Everyone involved in this is intimately connected to problem-solving across Rutland County, but this one effort will focus exclusively on why we love to live, work and play here.“ “It will be a celebration of Rutland and the people, places, events and things people love about Rutland,” Costello said. “It will be a way to promote the positives 30 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
we all enjoy, from great schools and colleges to amazing architecture, crystal-clear lakes, wildlife and the spirit of the community at large.” Besides donations from Awesome Graphics and GMP, “I Love Rutland” is funded by several entities and individuals including Carpenter and Costin, Casella Resource Solutions, Castleton University, College of St. Joseph, Heritage Family Credit Union, Kathy Harm, Magic Brush Painting, Mark Foley Jr., Roots, and Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, to name only a few. “We both share a love for this community and frustration with the fact that Rutland residents are often the community’s harshest critics,” Napolitano said. “There is plenty of work to do to continue Rutland’s rebirth, but we believe positivity can be a big part of it. That includes responding to inaccurate negativity when it pops up.” At last week’s kickoff event, attended by dozens of community leaders, organizers slapped “I Love Rutland” stickers on cars, passed out T-shirts and encouraged the community to rally around itself. Castleton University President Dave Wolk, a proud Rutland native, said the campaign struck a chord with him immediately. In one of the first “I Love Rutland” acts of love to emerge was the result of city resident Shar Wielis and friends.
During late April and early May, Wieles’s hardworking group of neighbors helped an elderly Rutland resident. “My group did yard work, scraped and painted a garage, and did the window trim, at a house in Rutland City,” Wielis said “The 91-year-old homeowner was so grateful. We were so happy to help.” Rutlanders are also making their marks via Project Vision, an effort which embodies the best of the “I Love Rutland” philosophy. As part of its amazing work to improve quality of life in Rutland, volunteers from Neighborworks and other organizations are going door-to-door in pairs doing a survey of life in the Northwest neighborhood. More volunteers are needed. With community minded residents such as Wieles and the volunteers of Project Vision (to name just a few), the “I Love Rutland” movement can only grow. “Rutland has made enormous strides in recent years, and is making progress on virtually every measure possible, from housing and retail to community development and crime,” Castleton’s Wolk said. “As a community, we need to talk about that progress and stand up for our community. The people are what make Rutland special, and when we ignore negativity or even add to it, we’re ultimately hurting ourselves.” “As a community we still have much to do, but it would be a terrible mistake not to celebrate the positives and the successes we are currently enjoying – simply because it is the right thing to do and to fortify ourselves for challenges still to come,” said William Notte, president of the Rutland Board of Aldermen. “I see the ‘I Love Rutland’ movement as another arrow in our quiver to show everyone, most importantly ourselves, what a wonderful place this is to live, work, and raise a family. I am delighted to celebrate its launch.” Share the Love, Rutland If “I Love Rutland” struck a positive chord in the City of Rutland starting in the early spring of 2016, so, too, did “Share the Love”, an even earlier program spearheaded by Meals on Wheels of Rutland County. As the Solar City celebrates its past, present and future, community leaders are also mindful of challenges, such as drug abuse, poverty and hunger, requiring direct action. Meals on Wheels of Rutland County partipcates in the Share the Love event to help fight senior isolation and hunger, a concern not only in the Rutland region, but throughout the Green Mountain State. “The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging cannot do its work or fulfill its mission unless we are united in partnership with a broad coalition of community members and partners, private businesses and nationwide associations such as Subaru and Meals on Wheels
America. By joining forces we boost our effectiveness and continue our mutual efforts in providing nutritious meals to home bound seniors within Rutland County. For that, we thank all who made this donation possible,” according to Sandy Conrad, executive director of Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging. This local effort is part of Meals on Wheels America’s annual participation in Subaru’s national year-end Share the Love Event. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the active program period, Subaru donates $250 to the purchaser’s choice of participating charity, one of which being Meals on Wheels. By the end of 2015, Subaru and its retailers donated more than $65 million to charity through the Share the Love Event. The event at the end of 2016 promises to be even more fruitful. Local Meals on Wheels America Member programs, like Rutland County Meals on Wheels, that partner with Subaru retailers to raise awareness for the Share the Love Event can earn grants of up to $20,000. This provides an extra layer of support to help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to seniors in Rutland County. For Rutland residents, there’s a lot to celebrate through grassroots efforts such as “I Love Vermont”. But there’s also a lot to be thankful, too, with ongoing programs such as “Share the Love, Rutland” to help our neighbors in need.
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 31
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Vermont’s favorite fair, r girlie show photographe
By Lou Varricchio
trical illusion, the pursuit hibit at the Vermont History thea excellence, and even the Museum titled “Blue Ribbons of ty pleasures of fair food,” & Burlesque: The Country-Fair guil ie she said. “This remarkable ex- in the freak shows and girl Photography of Charles Fish”. will be included with the shows; striptease did not othThe photo exhibit is a hibit ission fee to the museum erwise exist in rural and small feast for the eye; it explores adm town Vermont. Returning to il July 2016.” the evolution of our country unt Urbane and relaxed, Fish Vermont some 35 years ago, fairs from Addison County inds one of actor Edward I revisited the fairs, camera to Franklin County and ev- rem rmann who portrayed in hand. From these forays ery place in between, north, Her FDR in the 1970s PBS-TV se- came the approximately 200 south, east and west. anor and Franklin”. black and white photographs Included in the VHS ex- ries “Ele e four decades, Fish (accompanied by text) that apt is a delightful trip down For som hibi a keen pear in my book titled ‘Blue The black and white fair-and-field days uding im- has been described as incl lane ory mem photography of Rutland-born Charles erver of Vermont’s fair Ribbons and Burlesque’.” ages of local interest such as obs popularFish is the focus of a special exhibit In a 2015 interview with nty Fair & circuit—from the Cou in ison um Add Muse the ry Histo ont Verm the at of Roxie’s French Fries at the Windham County ComField Days and the Vermont ity Montpelier through July 2016. A walk mont State Fair to the mon, Fish size d up the many around the Midway, a clown face, Fere Fair held at the Rutland the Ver Stat oxymoron of the provincial fair and girlie images he has ris wheel, horse power in Addison . nds grou Fair ge World’s Fair. created over the years. County, and a Champlain Valley strip What sparked an inter- Tunbrid e wer s) fair per takes a break between shows. ntry (cou “There are informal porey “Th est in documenting VerPhotos courtesy of Vermont s, rich with images and wonders traits—twin babies in carriage Historical Society mont’s fairs? s— e when entertainment a man with many piercing “It was the biggest fair at a tim e restrained, the pan- and then they move along to mor in Vermont, The Champlain was uthor and photogorama of the wide world less the things people do at a fair, rapher Charles Fish Valley Exposition (in Essex brutally revealed,” Fish said. ringing the bell with the big grew up just one mile Junction), and I lived just a ac- hammer, shopping, looking at ,” Fish “...The boundaries of the from a fairground in Vermont, mile or so down the road back the displays, riding the Merrywas the ceptable were pushed so it’s easy to see why he’s had says. “I was 9 or 10, it Go-Round,” he notes. “Then friends a lifelong fascination—and pas- mid 1940s, and my there are the freak shows, the in and sion—for the rural ways of the and I used to sneak banners proclaiming a man were Green Mountain State’s fair jump over the fence. We who can drive nails into his young and spry. The guards and farm field days circuit. skull, and another man who ldn’t catch cou and r olde e wer Vt., , land Rut in “I was born can eat broken glass. There was adult thinkan as h oug alth in us, e larg ed loom s in 1936... fair a lot of fakery too. I remember der how hard won I k, bac ing and boy a of tion the imagina hearing a story about a set of try. I’d go to to ted wan they farm of r nda cale in the yearly Siamese twins, who were suptimes before it y man fair the Fish ” e, alik folk n ers and tow posedly joined at the hip, who on.” seas each ed clos with ir -affa love says of his had an argument on stage and anda Gustin Am S’ VH al “Loc s. fair y man Vermont’s walked off separately. Even Fish’s unusunize orga ed help the in ored hon was excellence their manager hadn’t known . ibit exh fair dal han , ects proj 4-H exhibits of they were fakes.” “The black and white crafts, needlework, vegetables, If you love the roar of the Charles Fish of s aph togr se pho Hor . ning can baking, and crowd--and the smell of the re and nurture, natu ture cap the in d pete com s and ox team fries--at Vermont’s many rural and rs pace and , pulling ring fairs, then you’ll enjoy Fish’s on f stuf r thei wed trotters sho photographic legacy. But if you the track...” can’t make the trip to the VHS the both e brat cele To help museum in Montpelier, then and s fair t mon Ver world of at least pickup a copy of “Blue aph togr pho ing Fish’s outstand Ribbons and Burlesque” online the , ject sub the ut ic work abo or at a local bookshop. Vermont Historical Society (VHS) showcased a 2015-16 ex-
A
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 33
Hinesburg Food Shelf is A LIFESAVER FOR RESIDENTS By Gail Callahan
A
s soon as the doors opened on a recent, sunny Friday morning, clients started to stream through the Hinesburg Food Shelf’s front door. Our State Vermont (OSV) got a feel of just how important one local food shelf program is to the local community. About 90 families are served from the 51 Ballard’s Corner Road Food Shelf. The organization fits into an array of social service and community programs overseen by the Hinesburg Community Resource Center. The local, non-profit also offers a wide spectrum of programming that connects everyone from young families up to seniors with an array of programs and services that helps them deal with challenges in their lives. Some of its offerings include Hinesburg Rides, a volunteer driver program, a weekly playgroup for toddlers, a group for new parents and a clothing swap event that occurs twice annually. Open Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. to noon, the Food Shelf partners with the Vermont Food Bank for about 70 percent of their food, according to Laura Hoopes, a Hinesburg resident, who coordinates the Hinesburg Community Resources Center. Food is purchased from the Food Bank at low costs to be distributed at the Hinesburg Food Shelf.Also, the orga-
nization has offered fresh produce for the past two years, paving the way for clients to add additional healthy choices into their diets. Conscious of the environment, the Food Shelf also provides clients with reusable shopping bags. Several years ago, students from the Hinesburg Community School’s art classes came up with decorative designs for the bags. The Food Shelf also received a donation of about 360 large, cloth reusable bags to kick-off the program and “for the most part, people do bring their own shopping bags,” Hoopes says. In addition to purchasing food from the Vermont Food Bank, local town and educational organizations, such as the Hinesburg Community Police Dept., the Hinesburg Community School, and the Hinesburg Fire Department also hold food drives to help boost the Food Shelf’s stock, Hoopes added. Dairy products also come from a local farm, she says. Hoopes also points out that the town’s local churches are very generous to the Food Shelf. At the same time, the Town
Staffers and volunteers on a recent Friday morning at the Hinesburg Food Shelf.
Michael Grillo and Richard DeGraff.
34 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
of Hinesburg also inserts a budget line item annually in their March Town Meeting fiscal plan, aiding the Food Shelf. The Rev. Jared Hamilton, pastor of the United Church of Hinesburg, says that the Food Shelf provides opportunities for service through donations of time and food to neighbors who require assistance. “It meets a real need in the community,” he notes. Back at the Food Shelf, which is driven by volunteers, the bright, airy space, equipped with a loading dock, handicap ramp and a series of wooden steps into the building, resembles a small store and that design is no accident, according to Mike Grillo, who oversees the Friday shift at the agency. “It’s set up like a market so the clients get to choose. It’s more like a shopping experience,” he says. Volunteers escort clients through the aisles of the Food Shelf, picking out their groceries and at the same time become familiar with the stories of the people who come to the Food Shelf for things to eat. The selection includes fresh food, meat, cheese, eggs, peanut butter, jelly, milk, canned products, food for pets, along with items to care for furry members of a client’s family and condiments. Refrigerators line the back wall of the building and shiny, steel carts to ferry groceries to the waiting cars of clients are also on hand. After one older client pushed a cart down a ramp, crowding every space with bags overflowing with groceries, Grillo helped the man to his car, assisting him with the stock. The older man says his household includes a handful of relatives and that the supplies from the Food Shelf would help feed his family for several weeks up to a month. Hoopes says clients can come to the agency for groceries once a month. There is a simple, screening process every person must participate in to be eligible to receive food and a driver’s license and piece of mail that shows a potential client’s address must also be handed in. The agency welcomes residents from Hinesburg, Charlotte, Huntington, St. George, Shelburne and Monkton.
Left to Right: Michael Grillo, Anne Carter Zadig, Jean Isham, Mel Moore and Mary Tegel.
While communities, such as Charlotte and Shelburne, each have their own respective food shelves, the Hinesburg Food Shelf will assist residents from those towns who live “on the line” and it’s easier for those people to come to the Hinesburg Food Shelf, Hoopes tells OSV. “The majority of our clients are on a fixed income,” Hoopes said. “There are many seniors in the community and a family member might have a disability.” The Food Shelf got its start in the basement of the United Church of Hinesburg. Volunteers would fill a box with groceries and hand it to waiting clients, Hoopes says. After a while, the quarters grew cramped and those involved with the organization found the needs of the community outpaced the building’s capacity. About six years ago, the current, ranch-style space that the Hinesburg Food Shelf calls home opened up and was provided by a local company, Renewable NRG Associates. While Hoopes balances the needs of the Hinesburg Resource Community Center, its outreach is slated for expansion including a thrift store. Located on Vermont Route 116, across from Lantman’s Market, the shop, which Hoopes called “a sweet space,” is meeting shoppers’ needs Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hoopes points out that the store is brimming with donations of clothes and other items from the community.
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 35
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Vermont leads the United States in per capita farmers’ markets. At the markets there are organic fruits and vegetables, locally raised meat, and many handcrafted goodies among the wares. Many markets have live entertainment, and all offer a fantastic way to support the local economy. MIDDLEBURY FARMERS’ MARKET Location: Marble Works parking lot Dates Open: Saturdays - May 7 through October 29, Wednesdays - June 15 through October 12 Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM SHELBURNE FARMERS’ MARKET Location: Parade Grounds Dates Open: Saturdays- May 28 through October 15 Hours: 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM RUTLAND COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKET Location: Depot Park Dates Open: Saturdays and Wednesdays, May through November Hours: Saturday 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM, Wednesday 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM
BRISTOL FARMERS’ MARKET Location: Bristol Town Green Dates Open: Saturdays Hours: 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM VERGENNES FARMERS’ MARKET Location: Vergennes City Green Dates Open: Thursdays, Mid-June through October Hours: 3:00 PM- 6:30 PM BRANDON FARMERS’ MARKET Location: Brandon Central Park Dates Open: Fridays, Mid-May through Mid-October Hours: 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM CHARLOTTE FARMERS’ MARKET Location: Charlotte Town Green Dates Open: Saturdays, July through October Hours: 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM.
A sampler of Vermont’s By Lou Varricchio
F
or a tiny state, Vermont has a long history of larger-thanlife personalities—from artists to rabble rousers, the fourteenth state has produced dozens of authors, two U.S. presidents, entertainers, and patriotic heroes—among others. Famous men and women have walked the landscape of the Green Mountain State since its founding in the 18th century. In this issue of Our State Vermont, we present part of an ongoing series of mini biographies showcasing famous —and infamous—Vermonters from the past and present. We have chosen to assign our spotlighted celebrities from all four compass quadrants of the state—northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast. We thank the State of Vermont, the Vermont Historical Society, the Vermont History Explorer, the Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, and the Vermont Welcome Center in Fair Haven, Vt., for assistance in planning this series.
Ann Story Pioneer Ann Story’s life would make a thrilling motion picture drama. As Vermont’s own Pathfinder—like James Fenimore Cooper’s fictional Pathfinder, a.k.a. Hawkeye—Ann helped clear a path in the Vermont wilderness for homesteaders. In addition to being a pioneer, she was an Indian fighter and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. Ann and husband Amos Story left Connecticut—with five children—to pioneer the northern frontier of Vermont, still a part of New Hampshire in those days. In 1774, Amos and Ann, and their children in tow, arrived at Fort Rutland before setting off into the forest. Until it was replaced by Fort Ranger a short time later, Fort Rutland was located along what is now U.S. Route 7. Within a few days, Amos and 13-year-old son Amos left Fort Rutland en route to a parcel of wilderness which the Storys 38 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
claimed, near today’s SalisburyMiddlebury town line. While Ann stayed with her younger children at the fort, Amos and Solomon made their way north, along the Otter Creek. Near the intersection of today’s Three Mile Bridge and Creek Road along the Middlebury-Salisbury line, they began to clear a dense copse of ash, maple and hickory trees. While clearing the trees to make way for the Story’s planned cabin, Amos apparently misjudged where he wanted to bring down a giant sugar maple tree that he and Amos had cut through. In an instant, the mass of the big tree pivoted and fell right on top of Amos. Solomon raced for help at the nearby cabin of neighbor Benjamin Smalley, but the effort was too late. Amos had succumbed to internal injuries. Solomon and Benjamin buried Amos right on the site. Meanwhile, Ann Story, now a widow, learned of the sad news. Shrugging off the family tragedy, she made her way to the family land
Ann Story and children
as a way to vindicate her husband’s labors and their dream of a new life on America’s new, northern frontier. With the help of Solomon and her new neighbor, she built the cabin Amos had died preparing. And it was there where she raised her children as a single mother. In 1776, Ann’s cabin was burned down by Indian raiders who were allies of the British. She quickly rebuilt the house which now included an escape hatch to the outdoors. Ann is said to have discovered a natural cave along the Otter Creek, near the cabin, where she could hide her kids, a canoe, and supplies from the prying eyes of British and Indians alike. The exact site of Ann’s secret cave has been lost to us. Ann is celebrated as an American patriot for providing the Green Mountain Boys with intelligence about British troop movements nearby. Her simple grave is located in the Farmingdale Cemetery, located across the road from where her cabin once stood.
famous people Snowflake Bentley
Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley was a Jericho, Vt., dairy farmer and amateur weather hydrolohydrolo gist. Bentley left us a rich legacy in the form of detailed snow, frost and rain readings and im images recorded in notebooks. “In the winter, he observed snowflakes and frost. In the summer, he studied dewdrops and rain clouds,” according to the Vermont Histo History Explorer. “He used his observations to learn more about the weather. ‘Snowflake’ Bentley earned his nickname by taking photomicro photomicroSnowflake Bentley graphs of snow crystals.” A photomicrograph is a photograph taken through the magnifying lens of a microscope. Starting in 1885, Bentley photographed over 5,000 thousands of ephemeral snow crystals—he discovered that no two snowflakes are alike. “Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others,” Bentley said. “Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind.” According to the Jericho Historical Society’s biography of Bentley, “In 1931 his book ‘Snow Crystals’, containing more than 2,400 snow crystal images, was published by McGraw-Hill... A soft cover copy, identical in all respects, can be obtained today from Dover Publications, Inc.” On Dec. 23, 1931, Bentley died at his farmhouse in Jericho.
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Like so many Vermont residents, author Dorothy Canfield Fisher wasn’t born here. She was born in Kansas in 1879. She grew to love the Green Mountain State after spending several summers with relatives in Arlington, Vt. In 1907, Dorothy met and married James Fisher and they decided to make Arlington their home. There, the couple stayed for half a century. Dorothy liked to set her stories in Vermont. Dorothy Canfield Fisher The children’s book, “Understood Betsy”, published in 1917 during World War I, is semi-autobiographical. Its heroine is a big city girl who lives with her country cousins on a Vermont farm. At the dairy farm, fictional Betsy learns to do chores which include milking cows and churning butter. Betsy walks to school everyday where she learns about the world in a one-room schoolhouse. The book celebrates the Vermont way of life. Dorothy wrote books for adults, too. “At a time when many women did not go to college, Dorothy earned a Ph.D in French literature from Colombia University,” according to the Vermont History Explorer. “She was the first woman to serve on the Vermont State Board of Education.” Dorothy died in 1958.
Justin Morgan
Justin Morgan
Today’s UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge and the Morgan Horse Museum in Middlebury keep alive the proud heritage of the Morgan breed. Namesake Justin Morgan of Randolph, Vt., is remembered for babying a horse named Figure. Figure, the famous 18th century horse, was the father of the entire breed of Morgan horses still popular among horse enthusiasts today. Morgan, a lifelong lover of horses, was a teacher of both singing and writing music. He moved to Vermont from Massachusetts with his family and bought Figure in 1792. After just three years, Morgan traded Figure for new acres of farmland. And while Morgan died in 1798, and his beloved Figure slipped out of the Morgan family’s possession forever, the horse’s offspring retained the Morgan name. Thus was born the world-famous Morgan horse breed.
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 39
SUMMER EVENTS 2016
Jun. 14 Summer Sunset Race 1 2 Oak Extension , Rutland, 6:30 PM Come run or walk through the woods in this 1K and 5K trail race. All ages are welcome. Kids race for free. There is a $5 registration for all others. Jun. 14 Satin and Steel Concert Castleton Pavillion, Castleton, 7:00 PM Come enjoy some fantastic music immediately following the concert is the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Meeting. Jun. 14 Art at Hand Highlighting Bird of A Feather Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, 9:30am - 11:30am Art at Hand tours allow visitors who are blind or visually impaired to explore Shelburne Museum with specially trained guides. Participants will visit a gallery space, hear detailed descriptions of works of art, and feel tactile pieces related to our collections. June’s tour explores Shelburne Museum’s decoy collection. Tours are free, but pre-registration is required. To register by phone, call (802) 985-3346 x 3392. Jun. 17 – Jun. 18 BYP/Lake Champlain Chamber Relay For Life Champlain Valley Expo 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, 6:00pm - 6:00am Join us in the fight against cancer! Burlington Young Professionals and the Lake Champlain Chamber are teaming up to participate in the Chittenden County Relay for Life on June 17th at the Champlain Valley Expo center. The relay kicks off at 6pm, and we will have a tent there to hang out, network and play yard games--so bring your family and friends! Our team goal is to raise $1,000 for the American Cancer Society and to support all of those affected by cancer. Jun. 17 – Jun. 18 Burlington Wine and Food Festival Waterfront, Burlington Top-notch talent is back on deck for both sessions of this year’s festival! Nothing goes better with food and wine than live jazz as you take in the breathtaking views of Lake Champlain. Jun. 18 – Oct. 20 Grandma Moses Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, All Day Event This show takes a new look at this iconic artist through a modernist lens. Co-organized with Bennington Museum in Vermont, the exhibition showcases more than 60 paintings, works on paper, and related materials by Moses alongside work by other 19th- and 20thcentury folk and modern artists. Jun. 18 Little City Town Wide Yard Sale Locations throughout Town, Vergennes, 9:00am - 3:00pm Dozens of yard sales all around the city, plus on the City Green. Official map will be available online or at the information booth on the green. Sales will be held rain or shine. Details. 802-388-7951
40 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
MOPAR MAGIC CAR SHOW JUNE 19 Jun. 18 Pococks Rocks Bristol Town Green, Bristol, 3:00pm - 8:00pm In its 7th year, the Pocock Rocks! Music Festival & Street Fair celebrates Bristol, Vermont as a great place to shop, dine, live, work, and visit. The event will feature live musical performances from eight well-known and loved regional bands, and host over 30 vendors from microbrews, wine, hard ciders, and spirits, to specialty foods, gifts, and crafts. There will also be activities for the kids, the SunCommon Bouncy House, the Vermont National Guard Climbing Wall, Photo Booth Planet’s VW Bus, and, of course, our own incredible restaurants and shops. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor for the event, please contact Ian Albinson - ian@bristolcore.org or (802) 760-6076. Jun. 18 – Jun. 19 Kid’s Pirate Festival Maritime Museum , Vergennes, 10:00am - 5:00pm Come in costume and enjoy exciting piratethemed activities, sing-alongs, and makeand-take crafts for the whole family. Listen and sing along with the shanty stylings of Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate! Build model Pirate Ship, visit the Pirate Fleet on Lake Champlain, visit the Pirate Camp to learn all about life on the high seas, and join in the Great Pirate Tug-o-War. Admissions: adults $12, seniors $11, youth 6-17 $8, children under 5 and members are free. Jun. 18 Vermont Sun Triathalon Branbury State Park, Salisbury, 8:30 AM 600 yard Swim | 14 mile Bike | 3.1 mile Run Lake Dunmore, Vermont Nestled against the Green Mountains, just below Rattlesnake Point is Branbury State Park. The lake region is a most spectacular and pristine place to swim, bike and run. Novice and advanced athletes alike marvel the beauty of our courses and enjoy the mountains, lakes and streams of Central Vermont. For single person $80 for teams $115
Jun. 19 Father’s Day Train Ride Union Station, Burlington 12:00pm - 5:00pm Let Dad kick back and read the paper while we do the driving! Relax on a train ride to Middlebury and spend time visiting museums, shops, and restaurants. Jun. 19 Mopar Magic Car Show Foster Motors, Middlebury, 9:00am - 4:00pm There will be fun, food, music and cars – lots of cars. Over a hundred vehicles will be showcased including vintage cars, muscle cars, trucks, and even the latest models like the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and 2016 Ram trucks. Don’t miss out on seeing the best of the best from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, Ram, AMC and Fiat. Back this year – the Burnout Contest. Test the capability of your muscle car’s horsepower and torque. Jun. 20 – Jun. 24 Design, Doodle and Draw Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland 9:00AM - 12:00PM Zentangles, Mandalas, and Kaleidoscope art, jump into the mix while learning the basics of composition and formal design. This program is designed for children ages 8 - 12. Details 802-775-0356 Jun. 23 Strawberry Festival Shoreham Congregational Church, Shoreham 5:00PM - 7:00PM Come enjoy strawberries in a variety of ways. In sundaes, pies, plain, or in ice cream. Jun. 24 – Jun. 25 Annual Book Sale Proctor Free Library, Proctor Gently used books for all ages available. Friday 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Details: 802-459-3539.
Jun. 24 Vermont Quilt Festival Champlain Valley Expo 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, 9:00am - 6:00pm Join us for the four-day celebration of the Ruby Jubilee of New England’s largest and oldest quilt event. Be inspired by the eye-popping color and design in the hundreds of new and antique quilts on display. The exhibits include contest quilts, antique quilts from the book Plain and Fancy: Vermont’s People and Their Quilts, the Ruth McDowell retrospective, the SewBatik Challenge and more. Enjoy shopping the colorful array of wares offered by 90 vendors from across the nation! Learn more in fabulous classes and lectures with noted instructors, quilt appraisals, and the Judge’s Panel. Free gallery talks and Textile Detectives add to the excitement. And not to be missed is the always festive Champagne and Chocolate Preview that opens the show on Thursday evening, June 23. Jun. 25 Prcotor Town Wide Tag Sale Locations throughout Town, Proctor 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Residents and businesses will hold tag sales throughout town. Maps will be available. Details: Jun. 25 Vergennes Junior Fishing Derby Vergennes Falls Basin, Vergennes, 8:00am - 6:00pm The Vergennes Junior Fishing Derby is a 3-day event packed with learning activities, boat rides, music, food and — of course — lots of fishing. It is sponsored by the City of Vergennes, and it is free for kids ages 3-15. Jun. 25 Vermont Teddy Bear 35th Anniversary Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Shelburne 11:00am - 3:00pm Vermont Teddy Bear is celebrating 35 amazing years this summer! Join us on June 25th from 11:00am-3:00pm for free factory tours, games from the Big Blue Trunk and much more! Details. 802-985-3001
Jun. 25 The Iron Horse Brandon Town Hall, Brandon, 7:00 PM The battle to complete the transcontinental railroad provides the setting for ‘The Iron Horse,’ a John Ford-directed silent film epic that mixes history and fiction.The screening is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted to help support the town hall’s ongoing renovation and restoration. The screening is sponsored by Brandon residents Nancy and Gary Meffe. Jun. 25 –Jun. 26 The Vermont Renaissance Fair Locations throughout Town, Stowe, All Day Event The Faire will include artisans and craft vendors from across New England; beer, wine, mead and cider makers from around Vermont; tasty local food vendors, a dedicated kids area, a living chess board, a medieval encampment, fight demos, a joust and much more. The Vermont Renaissance Faire...Kid Friendly...Odin Approved Jun. 26 3rd Annual Proctor Home Run Derby Proctor Youth League Field, Proctor, 10:00 a.m. Event to support the PHS Class of 2021. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the first contestant will step up to the plate at 11 a.m. There will be concessions including snacks, drinks, candy and the famous “Long Ball Dogs” and the colossal “Grand Slam Burgers”. Details: www.facebook.com/ProctorHRDerby. Jun. 26 5th Annual Festival of Fidos Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, All Day Event 5k Run, Iron Dog ½, vendors, demonstrations, food and family fun! The goal of this event is to raise awareness and funds for Lacey’s Fund. Details: 800-622-4000 or basinharbor.com. Jun. 26 Foodaroo Foodaroo Second Annual Street Festival, Middlebury 3:00pm - 9:00pm Food trucks and craft purveyors from across Vermont converge on town square, offering Foodaroo attendees a taste of the best our state has to offer. Its a celebration of summer, shining the spotlight on the farm-to-table lifestyle. Jun. 26 Festival of Fidos Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, 7:30am - 3:00pm A day for the dogs at Basin Harbor Club to benefit Laceys Fund! For a schedule of events please visit our website.
Jun. 27 – Jun. 30 Photography Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland 9:00AM - 12:00PM Learn the fundamentals of photography and photo editing. Bring your own camera, take photo walks and meet with professional photographers. This program is designed for children ages 8 - 12. Details 802-775-0356 Jul. 1 Sheldon Pop Concert Pop Concert and Fireworks, Middlebury, 7:00pm - 9:00pm The Sheldon Museum presents its annual Pops Concert featuring the Vermont Philharmonic followed by fabulous fireworks. The Concert will take place at Middlebury College in the field behind the Mahaney Center for the Arts (rain site: Kenyon Arena). This is the 24th annual concert celebrating the nation’s independence. It has become a Lake Champlain region not-to-be missed event. The grounds open at 5:30 for picnics; Concert begins at 7:30. Bring chairs, blankets, and flashlights. Ticket prices: Adult $25, Youth $10; children under 12 admitted free; adult tickets purchased by June 26: $20. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Sheldon at 802-388-2117, online at www.henrysheldonmuseum.org or in person at the Sheldon, One Park Street in Middlebury. For information about the musical program or other details, call the Sheldon at 388-2117 or visit the Museum’s website. Jul. 1 – Jul. 2 Independence Day Celebration Central Park, Brandon, 5:00 PM The fun begins Friday at 5:00 pm in Central Park when hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and more goes on sale to fortify the dancing frenzy soon to take place. At 6:00 the DJ from Jam Man Entertainment begins the music, and stays until the last dancer drops. Be sure to stick around to see if you’ve won the 50/50 raffle! The fun and festivities will continue Saturday starting at 10AM. Jul. 1 Melissa Ethridge Paramount Theatre 30 Center Street, Rutland, 8:00 PM Known for her iconic voice, profound lyrics, and riveting stage presence, Melissa will share personal stories about her remarkable journey through life and the inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs. - Details - 802-775-0903 Jul. 3 Burlington Firework Train Ride Charlotte Station, Charlotte/Burlington, 5:15pm - 10:30pm Avoid the backups and parking hassles by taking the train to the Burlington waterfront for the Independence Day Fireworks. Adults and all children $15. Children 3 and under are free.
Jul. 3 Fireworks Show Red Mill at Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes 8:00PM - 9:00PM Enjoy Basin Harbor’s annual fireworks show on July 3rd, sundown. Details - 802-475-2317 Jul. 3 The Big ShaBand Lake Champlain Maritime Museum 4472 Basin Harbor Road, Vergennes, 6:30 PM Bring your lawn chairs and join us for an evening of food, fun, and a front row seat to Basin Harbor Club’s fireworks display and listen to the Bessette Jazz Quartet. Cookout, Cash Bar, Prizes & Games Rain? No problem! Rain date: July 5, 2016 Details - 802-475-2022 Jul. 5 – Jul. 8 Pirates and Merepeople Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland 9:00AM - 12:00PM Camper’s will explore the pretend world of pirates and mermaids and mermen by creating their own costumes and ocean based art. Details 802-775-0356 This event is aimed at children ages 5-7. Jul. 5 – Jul. 8 Architecture Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland 1:00PM - 4:00PM Campers will learn architecture basics while creating & designing their own floor plans and models. This program is aimed at children ages 8 - 12. Details - 802-775-0356 Jul. 7 – Jul. 10 Basin Bluegrass Festival Bluegrass Festival, Brandon, 5:00 PM The 22nd annual four-day event. Spaghetti supper at 5 p.m., $9 per person, followed by a classic country concert with Corey Zink and County Line (with Punky and Gloria). Concert free with weekend ticket, others $10. Jul. 9 Summer Suppers at the Farm 2263 Greenbush Road, North Ferrisburgh 5:00pm - 8:00pm Summer Suppers at the Farm We are excited to welcome everyone back to the farm for these events. We will be offering local farm raised food in ala carte fashion, live entertainment, hay rides, farm tours, and family fun! Hope you’ll join us and reconnect with where your food comes from! Suppers will run at least once per month, two farm markets will be offered in addition to the supper in August and September. Jul. 9 Brass Band Concert Vergennes Opera House, Vergennes, 7:00 PM U.S Air Force Heritage Brass will be performing a free public concert while they tour Northern New England.
Jul. 10 – Jul. 16 38th Annual Festival on the Green 88 Mary Hogan Drive, Middlebury, 10:00am - 6:00pm Top Ten 2016 Summer Events Winner - Join us for the free, family-friendly event supported by community donations. The opening act is on Sunday evening, followed by the “Brown Bag” family-friendly programs at noon and evening musical performances Monday through Friday, and the Vermont Jazz Ensemble Dance on Saturday evening. Events held rain or shine, free admission.
SUMMER EVENTS 2016
Jun. 25 Abenaki Heritage Weekend Lake Champlain Maritime Museum 4472 Basin Harbor Road, Vergennes, 10:00am - 5:00pm This special weekend hosted by Lake Champlain Maritime Museum gives visitors an Abenaki perspective on life in the Champlain Valley. Members of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe, the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk and Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation, and the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association work with Museum staff to plan and present the event. Admissions: Adults $12, seniors $11, youth ages 6-17 $8, children 5 and under and members are free.
Jul. 11 – Jul. 15 Mural Camp Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 9:00AM - 12:00PM Design and create a community mural to be hung on public display while learning about street art and developing their own art to take home. This program is aimed at children 12 and up. Details - 802-775-0356 Jul. 11 – Jul. 15 Illustration: Comic Superheros Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 12:30PM - 4:00PM Explore illustration and comic techniques, while creating your own comic figure poster. This program is designed for children 12 and older. Details - 802-775-0356 Jul. 13 American Girls Tea Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, 3:00PM - 5:00PM Enjoy a delightful afternoon with your daughter and her doll! Activity and craft tables to enjoy and hairdressers to arrange your dolls hair. It’s so much fun for the girls and their dolls. Glamor shots are available….great gift ideas for later on. Then retire to the “tea room” and enjoy a miniature themed tea party. It’s a very special time that we are thrilled to offer again and again. The magic never ceases. More details available soon. Details - 802-475-7830 Jul. 15 – Jul. 16 Vermont Brewers Festival Burlington Waterfront, Burlington, 12:00PM - 9:00PM The Vermont Brewers Association, Inc. is organized for the purpose of promoting craft brewing in Vermont.The Corporation is formed to operate without profit, and so that no part of its earnings or assets shall ever be distributed as a dividend or inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. This is a 21+ event, photo ID required. No persons under 21 years of age will be admitted to the festival site. Jul. 16 Vermont Brewers Fest Train Ride 1 Main Street , Burlington, 4:00pm - 9:00pm Take a break from the hops to hop on the train! Visit downtown Middlebury where you can grab dinner with friends after an afternoon of craft beer tasting at the Burlington Brewers Festival. Adults $35, children $30, 3 and under are free. Jul. 17 Vermont Cheesemaker Festival Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, 10:00AM - 4:00PM Join us in 2016 as we celebrate the 8th Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival. Vermont is a world class cheese state with the highest number of cheese makers per capita: 50 of them. You are invited to share their passion for making exceptional cheeses, taste great local foods, wines, craft beers and spirits, and meet the artisans who make them. Spend a high summer day on the shores of Lake Champlain at historic Shelburne Farms Coach Barn sampling, buying, learning and making new friends. This festival includes over 45 cheesemakers, 80 artisan food, wine, beer, cider and spirit producers. Details - 802-985-8686
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 41
SUMMER EVENTS 2016
Jul. 18 – Jul. 22 Sculptural Camp Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 9:00AM - 3:00PM Sculpt and build 3D artwork with clay, paper mache, and mixed media. This program is aimed at children ages 8 - 12. Details 802775-0356 Jul. 25 – Jul. 29 Arts of Science Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 9:00AM - 12:00PM Explore the area where art and science intersect through experiments such as creating homemade puffy paint & play dough. This program is designed for children ages 5 - 7. Details 802-775-0356
Aug. 9 – Aug. 12 Dribble Drabble Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 9:30AM - 12:30PM Based on the Start with Arts literacy based arts model will feature primarily visual art activities but also may include music, dance, & drama. Details - 802-775-0356. This event is aimed at children ages 4 and 5.
Jul. 29 – Jul. 31 Three Day Stampede Bristol Recreation Field, Bristol, 8:00 AM Walk/Run/Silent Auction/Giant Yard Sale to raise money toward a cure for Cystic Fybrosis
Aug. 6 – Aug. 8 Aug. 1 Rabble Beauty In Arms and The Beast ANIMAL PORTRAITS AUGUST 2-4 Maritime Museum, Main Street Town Green, Vergennes, 10:00am - 5:00pm Bristol, 6:30pm - 7:30pm Join the crew of Philadelphia II as we Rain location is Holley Hall. This preformance return to the roots of our Rabble in Arms is free and open to the public. Very Merry is Reenactment, exploring life aboard a a theatre company for children that preforms one-of-a-kind plays all over Vermont. We are gunboat of the American Revolution and celebrating 13 years of performing in Bristol. learning about her and her crew’s place in the pivotal Battle of Valcour Island of 1776. Aug. 1 – Aug. 5 Admissions: adults $12, seniors $11, youth The Magical Pen 6-17 $8 children 5 and under and members Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 2:00PM - 4:00PM are free. Develop techniques to get your thoughts and ideas on paper. Explore your journaling and Aug. 7 storytelling. This program is aimed at children Lake Champlain Dragon 12 and up. Details - 802-775-0356 Boat Festival Aug. 2 – Aug. 4 Burlington Waterfront, Burlington, Animal Portraits All Day Event Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 10:00AM - 2:00PM Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont presents Draw inspiration from the animals of the the liveliest event of the summer: the Lake humane society to create your own animal Champlain Dragon Boat Festival! It’s 1,600 portrait. Paintings are donated to the humane dedicated Vermonters racing 41-foot long society and children will get a print of the dragon boats for an unforgettable day of painting. This program is aimed at children fitness, fun, and fundraising. Our community ages 9 - 13. Details 802-775-0356 teams are made up of local businesses, Aug. 2 – Aug. 4 non-profits, service groups, neighbors, and Digital Arts: Gaming families like YOU who know that together Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 1:00PM - 3:30PM we can make a real difference in the lives of Design and Develop your own video game our friends and neighbors with cancer. No using Flash. This program is aimed at children experience necessary. Come join the fun ages 9 - 13. Details 802-775-0356
Jul. 31 Guided Walk Across the Champlain Bridge Champlain Bridge, Addison, 1:00PM - 3:00PM Meet at the Crown Point (N.Y.) State Historic Site Museum. Crown Point site manager Michael Roets and Chimney Point site manager Elsa Gilbertson lead a round-trip walk to Chimney Point and back. Rain or shine. Dress for the weather. Cost $6. Info: 802-759-241
Aug. 5 Summer Suppers at the Farm 2263 Greenbush Road, North Ferrisburgh, 5:00pm - 8:00pm Summer Suppers at the Farm We are excited to welcome everyone back to the farm for these events. We will be offering local farm raised food in ala carte fashion, live entertainment, hay rides, farm tours, and family fun! Hope you’ll join us and reconnect with where your food comes from! Suppers will run at least once per month, two farm markets will be offered in addition to the supper in August and September.
Jul. 25 – Jul. 29 Journey Around The World Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 10:00AM - 4:00PM Explore the world through art! Each visit a different continent & create art inspired by the cultures. This program is aimed at children 9 - 13. Details - 802-775-0356 Jul. 28 – Jul. 31 Lake Champlain Vermont Maritime Festival Burlington Waterfront, Burlington, All Day Event Stroll along the shores from venue to venue, view the classic boats, long boats, canoe, kayak and Dragon boat demonstrations as we commemorate the past, present, and future of Lake Champlain. Experience boat building, sample local fare, enjoy music and bring the children for hands-on exhibits along the spectacular shores of Burlington Vermont’s Waterfront
Aug. 9 – Aug. 13 Addison County Fair and Field Days 790 Field Days Road, New Haven 8:00am - 8:00pm Vermont’s largest agricultural fair. Children’s barnyard, cattle judging, tractor pulls, kiddie rides, crafts, exhibits, live entertainment, pony and ox pulling, midway, parade, youth activities, and Vermont products dinner. Times vary depending on the day.
Aug. 9 – Aug. 12 Painting Color Theory Chaffee Arts Center, Rutland, 1:00PM - 4:00PM Delving into colors campers will paint a different painting each day. This program is aimed at children ages 12 and up. Details - 802-775-0356 Aug. 10 Harry Potter Banquet Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, 4:00PM - 6:00PM We had Alice in Wonderland in 2015, now we have a Harry Potter inspired garden. To truely celebrate the tribute to Harry, join us for this afternoon of fun and feasting. Themed activities and games, scrumptious food & drink and the perfect setting. More details to follow. Details - 802-475-7830 Aug. 12 – Aug. 13 The Vermont Opera Project Vermont Marble Museum 52 Main Street, Proctor 8:00pm - 9:30pm The Vermont Opera Project will present Ricky Ian Gordon’s Orpheus and Euridice at the Vermont Marble Museum in Proctor. Set in an abandoned manufacturing space of the former Vermont Marble Museum, the production will feature Soprano Suzanne Kantorski as Euridice and Clarinetist Wesley Christensen at Orpheus as well as dancers and a chamber ensemble. We will be joined by Composer Ricky Ian Gordon for pre show discussions. Aug. 14 Rokeby Museum’s Annual Ice Cream Social 4334 Route 7N , Ferrisburgh, 1:00 - 4:00pm Grab a friend and head to Rokeby for music, chat and pie! This great tradition features homemade pies of every type, plain or à la mode, served in the Museum’s shady back yard. Proceeds support the Museum’s work, so have a second piece!.
VISIT THE BEATIFUL ESSEX, VT
42 | Our State Vermont | SUMMER 2016
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 43
THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Now open Tuesday - Saturday, 4pm
TUESDAY $6 Burgers $3 VT Pints
THURSDAY Date Night: Dinner for two $40 51% OFF all bottles of wine
WEDNESDAY Family Night: Kids Eat Free!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY FREE Live Music
51 MAIN STREET • MIDDLEBURY, VT 05753 • 388.8209 • GO51MAIN.COM
SUMMER 2016 | Our State Vermont | 45
Whether your looking for fabulous local brews and a burger or a setting for that special occasion with family... There is a reason we have been serving Vermonters for over four decades. Come in today and see what we are all about.
Fire & Ice
Vermont’s Iconic steakhouse
26 Seymour Street | Middlebury | 802.388.7166 | fireandicerestaurant.com
1 | SUMMER 2016 46 |7NFP-fire&ice16.indd Our State Vermont
3/18/16 11:07 AM
Morgan’s Tavern at the
Middlebury inn
Creative new menu made with the freshest of ingredients!
Offering Breakfast Daily {7am—10am}
Lunch Monday through Friday {11am—2pm} Dinner Tuesday through Sunday {5:30pm—9pm} Dine on our beautiful veranda during any meal!
MORGAN’S TAVERN DINNER MENU Cup...4 | Bowl...6
Duck Breast
Soup du Jour | New England Clam Chowder
Pan Seared Medium Rare and Served with Farro and Grilled Asparagus & Bourbon Jus 28 - G
Middlebury Onion & Fennel Soup
Served Over a Bed of Israeli Cous Cous With Sauteed Fresh Vegetables and Topped With Fresh Spinach, Garlic, Shallots and Mushrooms 26 - G
Grilled Ahi Tuna
Otter Creek Stout & Fennel Broth, Housemade Sourdough Croutons, Melted Swiss. Crock 6
Daily Egg Roll
Freshly Prepared Egg Roll, House-Made Daily Served with a Special Dipping Sauce 9
Asian Stir Fry
Soaked in Buttermilk and Lightly Breaded in Seasoned Flour Tossed in a Sweet Chili Sauce 10
Onions, Peppers, Carrots, Mushroom, Snow Peas, Brocollini and Served on a Bed of Jasmine Rice 18 -G Add: Tofu or Chicken 4 Beef or Shrimp 6 - G
Vermont Charcuterie Plate (Serves One or Two)
Murray’s Chicken Breast
Calamari
House Made Pork, Ham & Lamb Pate, Local Cured Meats from Vermont Smoke and Cure Local Vermont Cheese, House Made Pickled Vegetables and Condiments to Accompany the Selections 15
Roasted Local Chicken Breast with Farro and Butternut Squash Puree, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Caramelized Onions 24 - G
Duclos Farms Lamb Chops
House Greens
Mixed Field Greens, Cucumber, Grape Tomatoes, Pickled Red Onion, Radishes, Carrots, House-Made Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette. 8 - G
Cobb
Chopped Romaine, Cucumber, Grape Tomato, Avocado, Bacon, Hard Cooked Egg, Cabot Cheddar, Crispy Onions and House-Made Buttermilk Bleu Cheese Dressing 10 - G
Caesar
Shallot and Whole Grain Mustard Sauce. Served with Brocollini and Herb Roasted Red Potatoes - 34 - G
Pork Schnitzel
Local Pork Tenderloin, House-Made Fetucchini, Sautéed Baby Spinach, Grape Tomatoes, Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc. 25
14 Oz. Ribeye
Topped with Mushroom Demi-Glace, Crispy Tobacco Onions and Served with Herb Roasted Red Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus 32
Daily House Made Pasta
Your Server will fill you in on our Savory House Made Pasta Creation Changes Every Few Days - Market$
Black Angus Burger
Boyden Farms Beef Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Choice of Cheese, Hand Cut Fries 14 Add: Caramelized Onions, Bacon, Mushrooms, Fried Egg 2
Portobello Sandwich
Marinated and Grilled, Caramelized Onion, Tomato, Lettuce, Choice of Cheese on a Toasted Bun, Hand Cut Fries 12
Morgan’s Tavern Proudly Presents Seasonal Desserts :: Your choice of dessert for $6 House-made Ice Cream made daily with Monument Farms Dairy.
Rediscover the Middlebury Inn
Romaine, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic Croutons, Creamy Caesar Dressing :: Anchovies by request :: 9
Are you looking for a unique and flexible meeting or event space?
Butternut & Kale
We offer customized event planning for Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal
Baby Kale, Roasted Butternut Squash, Dried Cherries, Baby Brussels Sprouts, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Quinoa, Cider Shallot Vinaigrette. 11 - G
Showers, Family Reunions, Corporate Retreats and many other events.
14 court square Middlebury | 802.388.4961 | www.Middleburyinn.coM
E T A R B E CEL R E M SUM A WITH
ALL
! G N BA
2-FOR-1 SALE! Buy One, Get One FREE on all retail fireworks
That’s 50% off everything* in our stores!
*Sale blackout dates: June 27-July 6 Our Expanding Universe: Our newest, biggest retail store is now open in Saint Johnsbury with a huge selection, and our Castleton & Clarendon stores are open for the summer! And if you’ve got an event (wedding, birthday, graduation, family reunion, etc.), our professional pyrotechnicians can put on an affordable, memorable show for you! OUR STORES ARE ALL OPEN! Call or check site for hours. E. Montpelier VT Route 14S 802.229.9659 Castleton VT Route 4A 802.229.9659
St. Johnsbury 1306 Memorial Dr. 802.424.1530 Fairlee 404 Route 5 802.333.3033
Not valid with any other offer. You must be at least 18 years old to purchase fireworks. Check with the local fire dept or town officials regarding fireworks permits in your community.
northstarfireworks.com