W O O D S T O C K M A G A Z I N E S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
SPRING 2021
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Vo l u m e 2 1 , N o . 1
Spring Fling 10 Fun Family Activities
Wildflower Look-Alikes Baby Animals at Billings Farm & Museum
Thomas O’Brien Tables Focus Gallery
2021 G olf w e ek Top 20 0 R e sident i a l U. S . C ou r s e 2020 C l u b & R e s o r t B u s in e s s “ Top I n nov at or” i n R e c r e at ion & Fit ne s s
xperience E QUECHEE
L E A R N A B O U T A S S O C I AT E M E M B E R S H I P S T O DA Y Membership@QuecheeClub.com Q ue c he e C lu b.c om • (8 02) 295 - 9356
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Gates & Dickson
CONTENTS
58 the World’s Beauty 44 Putting into Focus
by Stephen D’Agostino A Woodstock fine-art photography gallery reminds us of the splendor that surrounds us.
52 58 Bicycling in Woodstock
Thomas
O’Brien Tables
by E. Senteio Tables that tell a story.
44
by Cassie Horner Its popularity has endured for centuries.
Cover photo ©Drewrawcliffe | Dreamstime.com
10 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M
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CONTENTS
32 65
30 In Every Issue
Departments
15 Editor’s Note 16 Contributors 18 Online Exclusives &
20 Everyday Essentials
68 Happenings 71 Advertisers Index 72 Last Glance
Business Directory
Tips for healthy living.
40
Unique Shopping, Dining & Services In & Around Woodstock
51
Shop, Support & Enjoy Quechee This Spring
24 Around & About
by Cassie Horner
30 Great Ideas Spring fling.
32 Season’s Best
by Lisa Ballard
Wildflower look-alikes.
65 Seasonal Foods
by Susan Nye
The sandwich.
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Inspiring Design Interior Design Custom Fabrication Renovations
Contact us for an appointment to visit our dedicated Bath & Kitchen showroom for a level of selection and expertise unrivaled in Northern New England. Aharon@gilberteinteriors.com ■ 603-643-3727 10 Allen St, Hanover, NH ■ gilberteinteriors.com
Mountain View Publishing, LLC 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 867-9339
mountainviewpublishing.com
Publishers
Bob Frisch Cheryl Frisch Executive Editor
Deborah Thompson Associate Editor
Kristy Erickson Creative Director
Ellen Klempner-Beguin Art Director
Brad Wuorinen Ad Design
Cathy Meyer Web Design
Locable Inbound Marketing Manager
Erin Frisch Advertising
Bob Frisch
KEEP US POSTED. Woodstock Magazine wants to hear from readers. Correspondence may be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Woodstock Magazine, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or email us at: dthompson@mountainviewpublishing .com. Advertising inquiries may be made by email to rcfrisch1@comcast .net. Woodstock Magazine is published quarterly by Mountain View Publishing, LLC ©2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. Woodstock Magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.
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E D I TO R ’ S N OT E
IAN RAYMOND
Spring Is in the Air! With snow, ice, and single-digit temperatures on the way out, it’s time to welcome warm sunshine, tiny buds, and chirping birds as nature comes back to life all around us. Consider some of our favorite activities on page 30, and head outdoors with your family or a friend or two to revel in the world around us as it bursts forth in all its glory. Set out on one of many hiking trails in the area or take a cue from the past and get your bike out of storage. Pump up the tires, dust off the seat, and be part of the long history of bicycling around town. Matt Powers, executive director of the Woodstock History Center, has authored a new book on the history of the sport and is sharing many charming old photos from the past in the story beginning on page 58. Some of those early two-wheelers must have been challenging to ride! While you’re out and about, you’re likely to see wildflowers growing beside the road or in fields and woods. Lisa Ballard gives us tips for identifying many common varieties in her article “Wildflower Look-Alikes” (page 32). See how many you can find—but never pick them! Around town, we’re dropping in for a tour of Focus¬A Vermont Gallery, coowned by three local photographers who display their remarkable work there (page 44). You’ll see stunning views of Vermont and many other scenic locales around the world. We’re also paying a visit to Tom O’Brien, who creates one-ofa-kind handmade tables in his Woodstock workshop. To say they’re beautiful and unique doesn’t quite describe them—see for yourself beginning on page 52. Make the most of the season while staying safe, wearing a mask, and social distancing until the all-clear is sounded. (I can hear my mom’s voice in my head: “better safe than sorry.”) Wherever you go and whatever you do, enjoy!
Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com
like us www.mountainviewpublishing.com/facebook S P R I N G 2021
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OPEN DAILY YEAR-ROUND
NATURE CENTER
C O N T R I B U TO R S
Included with admission:
Forest Canopy Walk Exhibits & Trails Details at vinsweb.org
Lisa Ballard
Lynn is a photographer with a studio in Woodstock, where she loves to photograph and create. Her specialties are people and product, but her current passion is flowers. Among her favorite things to do are kayaking, cross-country skiing, and being the number-one groupie for her daughter’s band.
We require that you reserve your tickets in advance.
vinsweb.org/visit
A full-time freelance writer and photographer, Lisa is a graduate of Dartmouth College who resided in the Upper Valley for another 25 years. She is the author of ten books, including Best Hikes with Dogs: New Hampshire and Vermont, Hiking the White Mountains, and Hiking the Green Mountains. She covers all types of outdoor recreation, travel, and conservation topics for more than 25 magazines. www.LisaBallardOutdoors.com
Lynn Bohannon
VINS asks all visitors to follow our COVID Safety Policy. 149 NATURES WAY / QUECHEE, VT / 802.359.5000
Stephen is a freelance writer living in Reading, Vermont. His work has appeared in local publications in Boston and New York City, museum catalogs, Night Sky magazine, and weekly in the Vermont Standard. He’s always writing a novel and is working with an agent to get his first book published. When he’s not writing, he’s knitting, gardening, baking, or struggling with his ukulele.
Stephen D’Agostino
Cassie is a writer, editor, and publisher and the author of a historical novel, Lucy E.—Road to Victory. Her roots in Vermont go back almost 200 years and inspire her love of the natural world and history. She lives in Plymouth, Vermont, with her husband and two dogs—an English Shepherd and a mini Dachshund.
Cassie Horner
Susan lives in New London and writes for magazines throughout New England. Over the last 11 years, she has shared the stories of hundreds of people, places, and events. You can find many of them on her award-winning blog at www.susannye.wordpress.com.
Susan Nye
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ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Check out these local businesses in our directory. ANNEMARIE SCHMIDT EUROPEAN FACE AND BODY STUDIO ARTISTREE/PURPLE CRAYON PRODUCTIONS BENJAMIN F. EDWARDS & CO. BLOOD’S CATERING & PARTY RENTALS BRAESIDE LODGING BROWN’S AUTO & MARINE CALDWELL LAW
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LOCABLE MARTHA E. DIEBOLD REAL ESTATE MASCOMA BANK MB PRO LANDSCAPE DESIGN MORNINGSIDE FLIGHT PARK MOUNTAIN VALLEY TREATMENT CENTER NATURE CALLS NEW ENGLAND BEAUTY & WELLNESS
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NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTRIC BOATS
DATAMANN
NEW LONDON INN & COACH
db LANDSCAPING DEAD RIVER COMPANY DONALD J. NEELY, DMD, MSD DOWDS’ COUNTRY INN DOWDS’ INN EVENTS CENTER
HOUSE RESTAURANT NORTHERN MOTORSPORT LTD QUALITY INN QUECHEE RICHARD ELECTRIC RIVER ROAD VETERINARY CLINIC
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FOUR SEASONS SOTHEBY’S
ROGER A. PHILLIPS, DMD
INTERNATIONAL REALTY GILBERTE INTERIORS GUARALDI AGENCY HANOVER EYECARE JEFF WILMOT PAINTING & WALLPAPERING, INC.
THE DORR MILL STORE THE GRANITE GROUP, THE ULTIMATE BATH STORE THE HANOVER INN AT DARTMOUTH
Wednesdays
June 2 - Oct 13 3PM - 6PM
TUCKERBOX VERMOD HOMES
KING ARTHUR BAKING COMPANY
WHITE RIVER FAMILY EYECARE
LATHAM HOUSE TAVERN
WOODSTOCK AREA CHAMBER
LITTLE ISTANBUL
Market on the Green
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OF COMMERCE
Farmers Market Artisan Market Prepared Foods, Spirits Ice Cream Live Music
WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT
For more information about how your business can get listed on our ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY or for other online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 867-9339 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net.
Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce
woodstockvt.com
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E V E RY DAY E S S E N T I A L S Tips for Healthy Living
Reach for a
Healthy Snack F
ruit is a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that boost health. Eating fruit is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, only about 24 percent of women and 14 percent of men in the United States eat the recommended four servings of fruit every day, according to the National Cancer Institute. To increase your daily fruit intake, snack on dried fruit. In a recent study, people tended to consume more key nutrients on the days they ate dried fruit, including fiber and potassium. “Dried fruit can be a great choice for a nutritious snack, but consumers want to be sure they’re choosing unsweetened versions without added sugar,” says lead study author Valerie Sullivan. “Portion sizes can also be tricky because a serving of dried fruit is smaller than a serving of fresh, since the water has been taken out. But the positive is that dried fruit can help people potentially consume more fruit because it’s portable, it’s shelfstable, and can even be cheaper.”
The Benefits of ColdWeather Exercise
A
lthough the end of winter is in sight, it will still be a while before we get to enjoy the warmth of spring in Woodstock. One advantage to our lingering chilly weather? Exercising vigorously outdoors in the cold may burn more fat than working out indoors. It can also improve your endurance since your heart doesn’t have to work as hard, you sweat less, and you expend less energy. Before your cold-weather workout, be sure to warm up your muscles with dynamic stretches that keep your body parts moving, like arm swings, high steps, and lunges. Dress in layers, and protect your head, hands, and feet with a wool cap, fleece glove liners, and heavy socks —when it’s cold, blood flow concentrates in your core to help you stay warm, leaving your head, hands, and feet vulnerable. Wear shoes with good traction, and don’t forget your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
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Spring Cleaners: Beware of Vinegar
Y
ou’ve probably heard that vinegar is a nontoxic cleaning powerhouse. When diluted with water, this natural disinfectant can descale your coffee maker, cut through mildew, and make windows sparkle. But for certain cleaning jobs, you should skip the vinegar. Just as the acid in vinegar dissolves hard water and grime, it can damage some surfaces in your home. Countertops: Vinegar can etch and dull natural stone such as marble and limestone. With other stones, such as granite, vinegar can break down any sealers that have been applied. Ceramic tile: Vinegar may eat into grout and dissolve the finish on some tiles. Hot water and gentle dish soap are usually the safest option. Washing machines and dishwashers: Vinegar may harm the rubber parts inside a washing machine or dishwasher, eventually leading to leaks. Instead, use products specifically designed to clean these appliances.
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Knives: The acid in vinegar can corrode metal and dull knife edges. Use soap and warm water instead. Cell phones and computer screens: While you may be tempted to disinfect your phone with vinegar, the acid can strip off the protective coating from your screen. Instead, wipe the screens of your devices with a gentle microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol to eliminate germs (but check manufacturers’ cleaning instructions first).
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E V E RY DAY E S S E N T I A L S
Professional Tree, Trail & landscaPe services for The UPPer valley ArborScape Inc. Pomfret, Vermont arborscapevt.com (802) 457-5797
A Dog-Safe Lawn
O
nce the snow melts and mud season starts to dry up, it’s time to get the yard back in order. Just remember that dogs find fresh green grass irresistible to roll in and eat, and fertilizers (even organic ones) can cause vomiting, breathing difficulties, burns, and ulcerations in the GI tract. If you fertilize your lawn, keep kids and pets off the grass for at least 72 hours—or even better, wait until after it rains and the chemicals have been diluted and washed into the soil.
Spring Clean Your Makeup Drawer
W
e’ve all used makeup past its expiration date—after all, most quality products aren’t cheap! But old makeup not only works less efficiently but also affects your skin. The composition of makeup changes over time, so as molecules break down into something else, they can cause irritation, rashes, and infections. Additionally, active ingredients (like SPF) become less active. Old makeup can also harbor bacteria. As a general rule, replace your mascara after three months, eyeliner and eye shadow every 6 to 12 months, and foundation and powder after a year.
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We Are So Happy Mom Is Thriving.”
“
Ward Off Parkinson’s Disease
P
eople who consume high levels of vitamins C and E may lower their risk of Parkinson’s disease by almost a third. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, and red and yellow peppers. Vitamin E–rich foods include spinach, pumpkins, beet greens, almonds, sunflower seeds, and peanuts.
“As Mom aged, we thought it best if she stayed in her house, but, even with hours of expensive home care, Mom wasn’t thriving. She needed more. She especially needed more socialization — not isolation. And more affordable and reliable access to care when she needed it. So she made the move to Woodstock Terrace. She truly loves her elegant new home! Life is more complete in a community with lots of friends and activities, chef-prepared meals, daily care, medication management, and even transportation to appointments and outings. I know Mom is happier and more relaxed now… and I am too. We only wish she’d moved sooner.” Please call Gretchen Stoddard at
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Woodstock Terrace 456 Woodstock Road, Woodstock, VT 05091 (802) 457-2228 SIC ILIA
Serving our seafood lovers of the north.
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THE DAILY CATCH 61 Central Street. Woodstock Vermont | 802.332.4005 | www.thedailycatch.com
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A RO U N D & A B O U T By Cassie Horner
Photographer
Lisa Lacasse
L
isa Lacasse, a photographer in Quechee, Vermont, was selected by the United States Postal Service last year for a special honor when five of her photographs were chosen for a new stamp series, “Winter Scenes.” To be chosen for five of the ten photos in the series was, she says, “an incredible honor.” Lisa’s connection to the stamp series began when a company contacted her on behalf of the USPS. They were looking for photos of red barns in snow for stamps and found her images on her website. Her photographs
Lisa Lacasse. Photo by George Scotten.
in the series include two iconic red barns (one in Stowe and one in Woodstock), the Belgian draft horses Mike and Burt, and two Quechee landscapes. Lisa has stories about her relationship to each image. To capture the spirit of Mike and Burt, the team that pulls the sleigh transporting skiers from the base lodge to the Quechee Ski Hill, she recalls, “I had to position myself low to the ground so they were larger than life. You can see the snow kicking up. I wanted to get the feel of the horses coming right at you.” The Woodstock barn is known as the McKenzie Barn, built circa 1900, and is significant for its three-story height with a gambrel roof. “What’s not to love about a red barn and snow?” she says. “The light was just perfect for this shot and what drew me in was the three stories—the windows and the lines of the barn make it such an original structure.” Lisa has a long connection to the Upper Valley, so it is no surprise that it is a continual source of inspiration for her as
Above: USPS “Winter Scenes” stamp series featuring five photos by Lisa Lacasse. Right: Dragonfly reflection. Far right: Closeup of a bee on an early summer flower.
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a photographer, whether she is kayaking at dawn or employing a drone to take golf course photos. She grew up in Hanover, New Hampshire, where her father worked for 30 years as the Dartmouth College photographer. “I always had a camera in hand to take pictures of my friends, but I was not a photographer,” she says. “With grandkids, suddenly this changed because point and shoot didn’t capture the moment. I bought my first DSR in about 2011. I fell in love with taking photographs.” She got serious about photography, joining the Florida Center for Creative Photography as its thousandth member. In 2012, she started the Quechee Area Camera Club, which now has 60 to 70 members. She took workshops in Iceland and out west. She has also taught some workshops in Vermont and Acadia National Park, and she mentors other photographers. “I am always looking for my own adventure,” Lisa says. One new adventure has been learning to use a drone, including getting her license from the FAA. Lisa has a small business doing family photoshoots in the Quechee area. “I have an affinity for catching people’s personalities,” she says. “I am with a family for just an hour, but it is a momentous hour.” Lisa continues, “I love both New Hampshire and Vermont. The beauty
Above: Spring painterly morning in Quechee. Left: Waterlily reflection.
here is amazing.” One of her favorite experiences is taking photos of loons from her kayak. “I’m out just before sunrise. It’s a quiet time. I’m alone. It’s just me and nature. You feel the stress sink out of your feet. It’s a magical, mystical time. I love the light, and much of my photography is about chasing it.” She recalls arriving at the pond before dawn and seeing everything come to life with the sunrise. For more information about Lisa and to view more of her photographs, visit lisalacassephotography.com. S P R I N G 2021
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A RO U N D & A B O U T
Top: The farmhouse at Happy Valley Farm was home to seven generations of the Harvey family.
Joan Harvey
P
lace forms a strong bond with people, reminding them of family and friends, events both big and small, and special traditions. For Joan Harvey, her connection to Happy Valley Farm in Taftsville goes back way before her birth on Thanksgiving Day 1939 to the late 1700s when the first Harveys, Nathan and Martha, made their way from Attleboro, Massachusetts, to Vermont. Over a period of many years, Joan wrote a series of essays about this place
Left inset: Joan (right) and her sister Nancy Anderson enjoy lunch at Simon Pearce in Quechee. Right: The book cover depicts a painting by Joan’s mother Marion.
and her people. Her writing came together in a memoir, The Harveys of Happy Valley. Reading the book is like sitting with an old friend sharing stories. Joan invites the reader into her thoughtful exploration of her family history that not only includes people but also the farmhouse, farm life, the school, and community life. There is a lot of fun and joy but also heartache in a memoir that brings the Harvey connection to Happy Valley Farm to a close when her father becomes ill and then dies. The
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family moved to Florida but, for Joan, the memories of her childhood stayed alive. After years away, she returns to Woodstock and works in the Woodstock Union High School guidance office. She writes, “. . . I stayed here in Vermont
Clockwise from top left: Joan’s parents Marion and Ray Harvey. The Harveys and the Doubledays often got together for summer picnics. Ray Harvey brings in the hay wagon with his father Frank Harvey and daughter Nancy.
where I always felt I belonged.” Joan’s memories became a book thanks to a memoir-writing course she took at the Norman Williams Public Library with Margaret Edwards, a retired professor of English (who had taught for 30 years at the University of Vermont). “Joan was always very lively, upbeat in the anecdotes and stories she shared in class,” Margaret says. “Many people don’t see themselves very well as living in history. Joan did. She reminds people who are still alive of the people they cherished.” Nancy Anderson reflects on the importance of the book. “The memoir means a lot to the family,” she says. “Joan put in print so well all of the fabulous memories we had of our parents and relatives.” An important influence in Joan’s life
was her grandfather, Frank Harvey. Although he died when she was only four years old, she remembered him as a warm, kind man. Years after his death, he “helped” her write her memoirs because of his extensive diaries that he started in 1877 when he was 13. Lives were centered on the farm, with forays into the community for school and other activities. Joan writes lovingly of her mother, Marion, whose painting of a country church graces the cover of the memoir. “I know fairly little of her as a girl and young woman, but I knew her very well as my courageous mother,” Joan writes. “She said many times that after she’d met Ray Harvey at a local dance, ‘I knew I had found the love of my life.’ Yet after the untimely death of that great love, she somehow found a way to move forward.” One story Joan recalls about her father
Ray was how he invited her one evening to accompany him to the barn while he checked on an ailing calf. It was a cold, still evening, and when they left the barn to head for the house, the sky suddenly was filled with a gauzy curtain of bright green. It was the northern lights, something she had never seen before. “Daddy and I stood there for quite some time drinking in the beauty of that November night sky.” In writing The Harveys of Happy Valley, Joan has offered readers a long view into the past. Reading her stories reminds people who grew up in the Woodstock area what made it so special and helps newcomers who love it here understand how deeply that connection to place reaches back in time. The book is available for purchase at the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock.
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A RO U N D & A B O U T
Playwrighting Festival
A
rtistree, the community arts center in South Pomfret, is calling Vermont- and New Hampshire–based playwrights to submit short plays for the third annual Two Days in May: A Short Playwrighting Festival. The event, held Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15 at 7pm via Zoom, accommodates COVID-19 safety precautions with readings streamed online. The plays will be read by local actors and professionals and filmed safely in the Grange Theatre or outdoors. “Last year, we had winners selected, but due to COVID-19 we couldn’t proceed further,” says Ashley Barrow, theater programming coordinator. “Last year was also the first year that we added a writing
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element for local writers. We had some wonderful submissions! The year prior we partnered with Dartmouth College’s theater department and the students performed 10-minute plays written by professional playwrights.” The 2021 competition is looking for short plays, 10 minutes long, to one-act plays up to 30 minutes long, preferably with two to three characters. Since the plays will be read, there are no restrictions on the setting, costumes, or technical aspects. Playwrights of high school age and older may submit their work. Submissions are limited to one play per person. Writers must have a connection to Vermont or New Hampshire, either living there or having grown up there. The submission
deadline is April 16. Since the 2020 festival was cancelled due to COVID-19 after plays were selected, plays may be
“We will pick two winners and two runners up, and all four will have a recorded professional play reading of some sort in the Grange Theatre or outside, depending on COVID-19 restrictions.” — Ashley Barrow, theater programming coordinator
resubmitted for 2021. Four scripts will be selected by a local theatrically experienced panel. “The panel of judges will be comprised of three to four local theater professionals and playwrights,” says Ashley. “We will pick two winners and two runners up, and all four will have a recorded professional play reading of some sort in the Grange Theatre or outside, depending on COVID-19 restrictions. Those recordings will then be streamed on two nights for all to enjoy.” Artistree offers year-round classes, workshops, gallery exhibits, and events in the visual arts, movement, theater, and music. For more information about submitting plays and buying tickets for Two Days in May, visit artistreevt.org.
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G R E AT I D E A S
Spring F ling Get outside in the sunshine Warmer weather is here! Have fun with 10 of our favorite activities.
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Fly a kite. All you need is an open space and a windy day to be a kid again. Spread a blanket on the ground and have a picnic with a friend. Pack a baguette, cheese, a few pieces of fruit, and a bottle of wine for a perfect outdoor lunch. Decorate a birdhouse or make a bird feeder. Your feathered friends will enjoy your efforts until cold weather returns. Add sliced strawberries and blueberries to your salad. Delicious, nutritious berries are packed with healthboosting antioxidants. Check out yard sales and flea markets. Your neighbors have been cleaning out their closets, garages, and basements, so you can find lots of treasures. Wash your car. And don’t forget to clean and vacuum the interior. Visit the Woodstock Farmers’ Market. It’s time for fresh spring produce and plants for your garden. Fill an Easter basket with potted flowers. Primroses and pansies are great choices—so colorful! Visit Billings Farm & Museum. The whole family will enjoy seeing baby farm animals on April 10 or 11. Celebrate Earth Day on April 21. Pick up trash and plant trees, shrubs, and flowers to beautify your neighborhood. Check www.woodstockvt .com for local activities.
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Online Extra Find tips for planting a container garden at www.woodstockmagazine.com.
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SEASON'S BEST
Wildflower Look-Alikes Helpful clues for identifying flowers Story and photos by Lisa Ballard
O
ne of spring’s wonderful pleasures is the plethora of wildflowers that burst from the earth. They might be in your lawn, beside the Ottauquechee River, or along a trail on Mount Tom. Some are widespread. Others are rare. Do you know the difference between, say, the delicate white blooms of endangered diapensia and the more common mountain sandwort? Both of these dime-sized flowers grow on mountaintops in small white bouquets. Mountain sandwort is more common, whereas the only place you can see diapensia in Vermont is atop Mount Mansfield. There’s a practical side of knowing your flowers, too. For example, dandelions are edible, but a remarkably similar flower, hawkweed, is not. In the case of wood sorrel and its near twin, a spring beauty, the former’s leaves and latter’s tubers are rather tasty, but not vice versa. Whether you’re a casual observer of wildflowers or have an avid interest in them, it can be tough to tell a number of species apart. Sometimes a wildflower offers a subtle hint, such as the color or shape of its stamens. Other times, you have to look past the bloom to the leaves, stem, and the size of the plant. Location and time that it’s blooming can also be giveaways. Here are some wildflowers around Vermont that are frequently mistaken for each other, with clues to tell them apart.
RECOMMENDED READING Wildflowers of Vermont, 3rd Edition by Kate Carter (Cotton Brook Publications, 2017) 3 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M
Boltonia
New England Aster versus Boltonia New England asters (Aster novae-angliae) look bushy, whereas boltonia (Boltonia asteroides) grow as singular upright plants. The center of a New England aster extends higher than its petals and is completely yellow. The center of a boltonia bloom can have a greenish hue and is recessed below its petals.
New England Aster
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SEASON'S BEST
Goldthread
Dewdrop
Dewdrop versus Goldthread Dewdrops (Dalibarda repens) have whisker-like stamens. Goldthread (Coptis groenlandica) do not. Dewdrops are less common and bloom longer. If it’s June or August, it’s more likely a dewdrop. While both of these delicate white flowers typically have five petals, goldthread can have up to seven petals.
Clintonia versus Trout Lily
Trout Lily
Clintonia flowers (Clintonia borealis) are smaller—an inch or less—and droop in clusters of three to six bells. Trout lilies (Erythronium americanum) have one flower per stem with petals that curl back, and its mottled green and brown leaves resemble the color and markings of a trout. Though their ranges and bloom periods overlap, during the summer on a mountainside, it’s probably clintonia. In Clintonia springtime in the woods, it’s probably a trout lily.
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Pickerelweed versus Self-Heal
Pickerelweed
Habitat is the easiest way to tell these violet wildflowers apart. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) is an aquatic plant emerging from the surface of quiet, shallow water. Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) grows in the woods, though it can spread onto a shady lawn.
Self-Heal
Diapensia
Diapensia versus Mountain Sandwort Check the leaves of these two alpine flowers. Diapensia (Diapensia lapponica) blooms atop dense, dark green, cushion-like tufts. Mountain sandwort (Arenaria Groenlandica) is slightly taller with medium green or graygreen lacy foliage.
Mountain Sandwort
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SEASON'S BEST
Spring Beauty versus Common Wood Sorrel
Spring Beauty
Spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) have smaller flowers (under one inch) growing above one pair of narrow, dark green leaves, and they bloom in the spring. Wood sorrel flowers (Oxalis montana) are an inch or slightly larger in diameter. It has edible leaves that look like clover, and it blooms during the summer.
Common Wood Sorrel
Queen Anne’s Lace versus Cow Parsnip, Yarrow, White Snake Root, Poison Hemlock, and Spotted Water Hemlock
Queen Anne’s Lace
All six of these wildflowers have flat or nearly flat clusters of small white flowers. If the clusters are huge—6 inches to 12 inches in diameter—atop a hollow woody stem with giant leaves, it’s cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum). Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) and yarrow (Achilla millefolium) prefer drier fields and roadsides. Queen Anne’s lace has a single red dot in its center and a prickly stem, whereas the filaments on yarrow feel like hair.
Cow Parsnip
Yarrow
White snake root (Ageratina altissima) is a smooth-stemmed, shade-loving member of the aster family found in woodlands and thickets. Its flower clusters are tuft-like, and its leaves are long with deep teeth along the edges. This plant contains a toxin, which if eaten by dairy cows, can harm humans who drink the milk.
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White Snake Root A member of the carrot family, poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a nonnative wildflower that has naturalized in Vermont. Poison hemlock is famous for killing Socrates in ancient Greece. It grows five to eight feet tall with smooth, hollow, purple-streaked stems. Its leaves resemble broad triangles.
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Poison Hemlock
Spotted water hemlock (Cicuta maculate) is extremely toxic! It grows three to five feet tall. Its long, shiny leaves are actually made up of several lance-shaped, pointed, serrated leaflets. Its flower clusters often look circular with an empty space in the middle.
Spotted Water Hemlock
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SEASON'S BEST
Common Dandelion
Common Dandelion versus Yellow Hawkweed
donate. volunteer. make an impact.
If it has a big bloom, over an inch in diameter, and long jagged leaves, it’s a dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). If its flowers are in small clusters and its leaves Yellow Hawkweed and stem are bristly, it’s hawkweed (Hieracium pretense).
Common Wild Strawberry
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Swamp Dewberry
Canada Mayflower
Canada Mayflower versus Foam Flower At higher elevations, it’s likely a Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). In moist woodlands, check the shape of the flower cluster and the leaves. A mayflower has a tighter cluster of blooms, like a bottlebrush, and only two to three leaves partway up its stem. The maple-like leaves of a foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia) form a ground Foam Flower cover.
Swamp Dewberry versus Common Wild Strawberry Swamp dewberry (Rubus hispidus) has a greener middle and brown-tipped stamens. Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) has a yellow center. Though both grow low to the ground, dewberries are bramble-like with red, bristly stems. Strawberry plants are more pliant and have sharply toothed leaves of three.
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Gallery on the Green ONLINE
The Yankee Bookshop
P.O. Box 178 Woodstock, VT (802) 457-4956 www.galleryonthegreen.com www.chipevansprints.com
12 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2411 www.yankeebookshop.com @yankeebookshop
Pizza Chef
Soulfully Good Café
Route 4 Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1444
67 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7395 Soulfullygood.com Facebook & Instagram
Sun–Thu 11am–9pm Fri & Sat 11am–10pm
NT Ferro Jewelers 11 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1901 www.ferrojewelers.com Mon–Sat 10am–5pm Closed Sun
Sleep Woodstock Motel
Woodstock’s Budget-Friendly Motel 4324 West Woodstock Road Woodstock, VT (802) 332-6336 www.sleepwoodstock.com reservations@sleepwoodstock.com Reopening May 1
Red Wagon Toy Co.
Mon Vert Cafe
41 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-9300 www.redwagontoy.com @redwagontoyco
28 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7143 www.monvertcafe.com Fri–Wed 8am–4pm Closed Thu
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The Vermont Horse Country Store
5331 South Road, Route 106 South Woodstock, VT (802) 457-HORS (4677) TheStore@vthorseco.com www.vermonthorsecountry.com Always available. Please call (802) 356-6748 anytime.
,
The Village Butcher
506 On The River Inn
Unicorn
18 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2756
1653 West Woodstock Road 1653 West Woodstock Woodstock, VT Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-5000 www.ontheriverwoodstock.com (802) 457-5000
15 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2480 www.unicornvt.com
Open daily
www.ontheriverwoodstock.com
Mon–Fri 9:30am–5pm Sat 9:30am–5:30pm Sun 10:30am–4:30pm
Clover Gift Shop
Woodstock Hops & Barley
37 Central Clothiers
10 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2527 @clovergiftshop
446 Woodstock Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2472 www.woodstockhopsnbarley.com
37 Central Street Woodstock, VT
Woodstock, VT W c o
ts o co
Gifts - Home Decor - Apothecary
The Woodstocker Bed & Breakfast 61 River Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3896 www.TheWoodstockerBnB.com
43 South Main Street Hanover, NH
Open daily
FH Gillingham & Sons 16 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2100 www.gillinghams.com Mon–Sat 8:30am–6:30pm Sun 10am–5pm
@37centralclothiers @37central_hanover
The Barnard Inn Restaurant & Max’s Tavern 5518 Vermont Route 12 | Barnard, VT (802) 234-9961 www.barnardinn.com Booking Events 2021 Wedding, Rehearsal, Birthday, Safe Outdoor Options S P R I N G 2021
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Splendid Chaos 58 Pleasant Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7084 www.splendidchaosvt.com Open Tue–Sat
The Blue Horse Inn
“In the very heart of Woodstock Village” 3 Church Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-9999 www.thebluehorseinn.com
Collective–The Art of Craft 47 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1298 www.collective-theartofcraft.com Mon, Wed–Sun 11am–4pm Closed Tue
Please Support Our Local Businesses!
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Above: Images from Woodstock, Bridgewater, Reading, and Harland are part of the main gallery. Right inset: From left, Ron Lake, Loren Fisher, and Bob Wagner are the photographer/owners of Focus–A Vermont Gallery.
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Putting the World’s Beauty into
Focus
A Woodstock fine-art photography gallery reminds us of the splendor that surrounds us
By Stephen D’Agostino Photos by Lynn Bohannon
R
on Lake, co-owner of Focus– A Vermont Gallery, relates a story of capturing one of the photographs displayed on the gallery’s walls. He was tagging along with coowner Loren Fisher on one of Loren’s Vermont winter photography classes, and he came across a barn that intrigued him.
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Above: Located in Woodstock’s old building, part of the gallery now occupies the room where the first American ski tow rope was devised. Opposite, clockwise from top: An ice cave in Iceland. A street watcher in Nice, France. Red barns in Quechee. A Riva Classica boat in Positano, Italy.
“It was six degrees out,” Ron says. “I was freezing. I couldn’t get the picture to work, and I was just about to give up on it.” Before he did, he asked himself a question he asks aspiring photographers: “What do I bring to the picture?” Ron grabbed a different lens and focused tightly on the worn boards and the barn’s windows—broken, iced over, and askew. Looking through the camera, he saw something he hadn’t seen before. He took the shot. He named the photograph Ode to Andrew Wyeth because the photograph has a watercolor quality to it. It also has a story. Once red, the barn is cherishing its former glory under the protection of the windowsills. The copper nails have bled their color onto the window casings. Before becoming gallery owners, Ron, Loren, and Bridgewater resident Bob Wagner, a relative newcomer to photography, were friends who bonded over finding beauty in places as unexpected as a dilapidated barn. Loren, a transplant to Woodstock from New Jersey, started his career as a photojournalist. “I saw everything horrible in the world,” Loren says. “Death, destruction, riots, shootings. I decided a few years back that I had seen enough of that, and I was going to focus on the beauty that surrounds me. And when I really started looking, because I didn’t for a long time, I discovered there is beauty in every place I know.” Wanting to share that beauty and his knowledge, Loren
made fine-art photography his career. It meshed well with another endeavor of his, LorenPhotos, small-group workshops that help people hone their skills with a camera. At around the same time, Ron, who holds an MFA in photography from Pratt Institute in New York City, began a similar life transition. After spending 35 years teaching photography at the high school level, he, too, decided to devote more time to fine-art photography. Ron and Loren met, not surprisingly, at an art show in Connecticut. The meeting was serendipitous. “Loren wanted to expand his art classes to Europe,” says Ron, “and I know France and Italy like the back of my hand.” In one of his Vermont photo classes, Loren met Bob, who had recently retired from electrical engineering and moved to Vermont from the Boston area. He had bought a digital camera and began to take a more serious interest in what had been a hobby. Trips around Vermont enticed Bob to travel with LorenPhotos to Provence, France, to shoot its famed lavender fields. It was on this trip that Bob met Ron. Over the next few years, the three of them continued to build their friendship as they saw each other in Loren’s photography classes here in Vermont, where Ron tagged along, and in Europe. OPENING THE GALLERY
In the prepandemic winter months of 2020, Loren eyed the few vacant storefronts in Woodstock and floated the idea of opening a gallery with Ron and Bob. However, before they could act, other businesses snapped up the spaces, including Woody’s Mercantile (see “A Store for Our Times” in the Winter 2020–2021 issue). S P R I N G 2021
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Time of day and season play heavily into the types of photographs the owners of Focus take and the subject matter they chose to capture.
Top: The gallery is reflected in night photos from around the area. Above: An old chapel in Tuscany.
When the gallery that occupied 1 The Green closed, the retail space in this historic building (see “A Tour Through Time, Part 2” in the Fall 2020 issue) sat empty for a couple of months. Again, Loren brought up the idea of opening a gallery, and again, his friends said yes.
FAVORITE TIME OF DAY
FAVORITE SEASON
Loren
Sunrise if the sun is out. Anytime if it is cloudy.
Winter
Ron
The golden hour, 30 to 90 minutes before sunset.
Summer, in Europe
Bob
Sunrise
Autumn
Work commenced, and on August 1, while the coronavirus pandemic was in a bit of a summer lull, Focus–A Vermont Gallery opened its doors. Walking into the gallery from Elm Street, Ron’s large photograph Riva Classica Positano greets you from a distance. It’s an image of timeless allure: in the background are brightly colored buildings hugging the hillside, and in the foreground, a classic wooden boat ready for its closeup, though Ron admits it took a lot of time and work to get the boat just right. The warmth conveyed by the im-
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age puts you in mind, especially on a cold day, of glorious, carefree summer. To get close to that photograph, you have to walk through winter, presented photographically on the gallery’s walls. Though the images aren’t as warm as Riva Classica Positano, they are no less inviting. Each one begs you to slow down and ponder. Loren points out one of the photographs, Red Barn, the gallery’s bestseller. Its composition is simple: the namesake of the title contrasted with the gray of the trees and the white of the snow.
“The photograph is relatable in some way,” Loren says, “even if you don’t have a barn. Part of it is the calmness and serenity that fluffy, snowy photos can pass on. It brings on a reminiscence of something in the past.” WALL-WORTHY ART
Bob uses a different term to describe relatability. “I call it wall-worthy,” he says. “It’s something you can put on the wall and enjoy time and time again, whenever you look at it. It brings a smile to your face. It brings back a memory or just creates a feeling that you like.” What makes a photograph wallworthy isn’t just the subject matter. People can look at the photographs in the gallery and say they have been there. Some people might have even taken a shot of the same scenes with their phones. It’s the gallery owners’ expertise that transforms the things we see every day—or can see if we allow ourselves to—into art. Bob has several photographs in the gallery of the majestic night sky draped behind a barn or some other humanmade object, a juxtaposition that relates the connection of nature and the Vermont spirit. To capture Dark Horse Over Barn and his other night shots required planning, patience, the right equipment, and a little meteorological luck. It’s not all work, though, Bob says. “There is nothing like hanging out in a field in the middle of the night in June or July.” Loren, too, relates the technical expertise required to take some of the shots in the gallery. Autumn Island is composed of four aspects of nature. The cloud-draped, twilight sky provides a backdrop over the shoulder of a dark mountain. At the mountain’s feet is a serene body of water, the Chittenden Reservoir, and in the water is a copse of trees on an island just large enough to support it. Despite the approaching darkness (the blue hour, as Loren calls it), the trees are ablaze in color and light. “I used an 18-million candlepower flashlight,” Loren says. “My camera is open for 30 seconds. I shone the light
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We’re Here to Help You when you need Outpatient Therapies When you’re recovering from injury, illness, or surgery, rehabilitation therapy is crucial to regaining your strength and mobility. The region’s rehabilitation leader, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center has expanded access to appointments and programs, so you can get the high-quality therapy you need now.
Proceeding with care. We have implemented new policies and protocols across our rehabilitation facilities, from patient rooms to rehab gyms, to help keep you safe as you improve function.
Don’t delay progress on your therapy goals. Our trained physical, occupational, and speech therapists are ready to help you move forward as our region moves forward. Appointments are being scheduled now, at both our Windsor and Woodstock locations. To learn more, call Outpatient Therapies at (802) 674-7100 or talk to your Primary Care Provider. Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center 289 County Road, Windsor, VT 05089
Ottauquechee Health Center 32 Pleasant Street, Woodstock, VT 05091
across the water from 250 feet away. I lit up the island and moved the light across it. In 30 seconds, I painted the light across the island.” MORE THAN ONE WAY TO WALL-WORTHY
It may be hard to choose your favorite image in the gallery. Once you do, there are other choices to be made. Of course, you can go old school and get your favorite photograph on paper. It’s not just any paper though. Some papers available lend their texture to the picture, giving it an almost painterly appearance. Certain photographs lend themselves to being presented on canvas. Looking at A Visitor, a shot of a single yellow maple leaf resting on birch logs, your brain may think photograph, but your eyes see painting. Once you figure out the media, the next decision is size, and that depends, of course, on where you want to display it. Snowy Afternoon, at 12 by 18 inches, might look good over your desk as a cue on a busy day to slow down. Missing One, at 30 by 90 inches, on metal might be the perfect image on a white wall over the mantel, a reminder of the hardscrabble beauty that makes Vermont a special place. The choice of photograph is yours depending on your taste, but Loren, Ron, or Bob can help you determine the best size and media for the space you’ve chosen to display the work of art. Whether you buy or browse at Focus, you can be grateful for the chance to slow down and experience the unexpected beauty in the world around us. It is Loren, Ron, and Bob’s passion to capture it. It is our privilege to be moved by it. Focus–A Vermont Gallery 1 The Green Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7327 focusvermont.com
Online Extra Loren explains how he created the Autumn Island photograph in a video at www.woodstockmagazine.com.
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Massage Eminence
Quechee Home
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Quechee Gorge Village Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 281-6274
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Quechee Gorge Village Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 369-2966 www.perfectfursalon.com
Open daily 10am–5pm
Public House Pub Public House Diner Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 295-8500 www.publichousevt.com FB: PublicHouseVT | PublicHouseDiner
For appointments call (802) 457-1116 or email Eleanor@shepardvt.com
Quechee Cuts 6985 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 291-2648 Mon 9am–2pm Tue, Wed 9am–4pm Thu 10am–6pm, Fri 9am–4pm Sat 9am–12pm
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Radiant Wellness Massage
Professional Therapy in a Tranquil Setting
Farmhouse Professional Building 176 Waterman Hill Road, Suite 3 (on Route 4) Quechee, VT (862) 205-1678 www.RadiantWellnessMassage.net S P R I N G 2021
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Clockwise from left: The “Sisters” end table features black walnut with black EcoPoxy. Photo by Thomas O'Brien. A black walnut and charcoal black EcoPoxy charcuterie board. Tom with his slab-flattening jig.
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By E. Senteio Photos by Lynn Bohannon unless otherwise noted
Thomas O’Brien Tables Tables that tell a story
T
homas O’Brien is a self-described “maker” of tables. Most days, you’ll find him in his shop—a converted barn on picturesque Atwood Lane in Woodstock, Vermont. A wooden sign hangs on a tree: Thomas O’Brien Tables. “It’s a simple way to tell people what I do, even though I do more than tables.”
Tom is both a craftsman and a preservationist. The raw simplicity of his designs is both bold and striking. Each piece he crafts—and he crafts much more than tables—is unique, resonant in the lives and memories of his clients. Tom creates heirlooms for the future while preserving the past.
IF TABLES COULD TALK
“Tables,” Tom says, “tell a story.” He titles some pieces like storybooks: 87 Barrow Street Table is the adventure of a New York City kitchen countertop— made years earlier of cherrywood from a family property in Vermont—that is now a stunning side-table in sunny
California. The New York City address was engraved as a memento, and as requested, Tom preserved every scratch, ding, and cup ring, creating a rich piece of family history. The Sister Tables is the tale of black walnut slabs bracing a flowing black river whose design was inspired by two muses
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Clockwise from top: Scale model of a waterfall-edge coffee table. EcoPoxy sample colors. The office “idea wall” displays completed projects and design cues for future work. Every shop needs a shop dog! Tom with his rescue hound Bode.
speaking almost in unison—and who happened to be Tom’s sisters, Melissa and Kristin. Titled or not, there are always stories: the neighbor whose cleared trees Tom shaped into cutting boards the neighbor then gifted to his children so they would always have a piece of home, or the sentimental and striking butcher-block top of alternating maple and cherry that Tom designed and built for the counter in a new home from trees that were cleared and stored when the previous house was built 25 years earlier. Many of the stories are captured on Tom’s website; others bubble up from him as happy memories. Although he’s since developed a custom signature line for (Forbesrated five-star) Twin Farms resort in southern Vermont, he still loves the story that the first charcuterie board he ever sold “is in Bermuda!” THE JOURNEY TO ATWOOD
“I grew up making things,” Tom recalls. His grandfather was a precision machinist, and his father a mechanical engineer who taught him mechanical drafting. “When 5 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M
Items on a shop table include cherry burl for a coffee table project, a maple butcher-block carving board, and a maple rocking horse.
I was in tenth grade, we put an addition on our house. My best friend and I used to build tree forts in the woods. Until I was in my 20s, I didn’t realize there were people you hired to fix things because my dad and I did everything.” That was the beginning of Tom’s circuitous route to the shop on Atwood Lane. He did a stint in the Army, spent time in retail, ran a ski business, worked construction, built custom homes, managed and then owned a cabinetry shop, and made his way from Saratoga Springs, New York, to Woodstock, Vermont. Along the way, he reconnected with a friend, Stacey Gerrish. “She’d recently purchased a home in Woodstock to be near her grandmother but was still living out of state and asked me if I wanted to stay at the Woodstock house and renovate the basement.” The renovation turned into a full remodel,
and the friendship turned into a marriage. Equally serendipitous, his wife’s grandmother was Barbara Kaufman, a well-known Vermont sculptor and artist. “She lived right down the road, so I was able to spend a lot of time with her and see the joy she brought to people’s lives by creating works of art.” Tom’s conversations with Barbara got him thinking. While he enjoyed his earlier careers, he says, “something was missing. But what I always loved was talking with people—connecting with
cut from a dead maple taken down on our street. When I saw people’s reaction to that table, I thought, there is something here. That evolved into what I’m doing now.” THE BUSINESS OF BESPOKE
Whether working with raw wood and ribbons of metal, designing a Scandinavian-inspired suite of all wood/no epoxy modular furniture, or building an elevated pet-feeding station, Tom says: “Nothing makes me happier than seeing
“When I saw people’s reaction to that table, I thought, there is something here. That evolved into what I’m doing now.” them and their stories and adventures. I thought, what if I could combine my retail experience with my creativity and connect with people? One of the first things I made in this new headspace was a dining room table from a trunk section
a client who loves something I made for them. I’m honored, first of all, that they would spend their hard-earned money with me, and I’m thinking, they love this table now, wouldn’t it be great if years from now their grandchildren are saying S P R I N G 2021
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Clockwise from top: Debarking some live-edge black walnut slabs. The “reMaple Table.” Photo by Thomas O'Brien. Cherry boards in the form are ready for EcoPoxy. Flattening a spalted maple slab. Choosing the EcoPoxy color for the spalted maple end tables.
‘this was Grandma and Grandpa’s table’ or ‘this was made from the tree we climbed as kids,’ and there would be a story behind it. It doesn’t get any better than that.” It always comes back to people and their stories for Tom; however, Thomas O’Brien Tables is a business. Tom’s bespoke designs often come from collaborations with clients. A client may know in detail what they want, have a rough sketch on a napkin, or only have a tree or wood and somehow want to memorialize it. Or, they could simply have a space in their home they would like to fill with something unique and high quality but aren’t sure what. “We put our heads together and figure it out.” During the pandemic, Tom says, people are spending a lot more time in their homes, and “there’s a resurgence and appreciation for quality pieces that matter.” Tom builds things to last and is always open to a discussing ideas and possibilities. His work is evolving as he experiments with new materials and treatments. He’s exuberant when he talks about currently working on a fly-fishing 5 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M
rod rack for a client’s husband. It’s a small project but a “fun” use of EcoPoxy—the nontoxic, flowing resin used to create stunning river tables and charcuterie boards that can be displayed as works of art. “I do a lot of mockups and modeling before I begin a project. And I usually provide wood and color samples to take home and test out.” This way, he says, a client can see how a piece fits into their home and ensure it’s what they have in mind. Tom welcomes people to stop by his studio, and in these days of COVID-19, his mask is close at hand. “We can also meet outside of the shop; I can go to their home, do Zoom, talk or text on the phone, touch base through email. That’s one of the things I love about what I do, connection. I get to meet really cool people, and we become friends and do cool things together. I love it, and they love it. It’s just really fun. It may be a business, but it’s definitely not work.”
“THE HUB OF THE HOUSE”
“I love connecting the materials and objects that I’m using with the people I’m making them for or the place that it’s from.” That, he says, is something special about Vermont and the community: “I get to see and touch the wood, feel the raw edges, and imagine EcoPoxy running through the shape. And I collaborate with a local metal shop that works from my designs and a guy at the sawmill who will slice anything into slabs and has a kiln to dry out wood that otherwise could take years. I love working with the other local craftsmen and artisans. ‘Made in Vermont’ means something. I ask myself what I can do to elevate the beauty of natural wood and not to mask it.” So why the focus on tables? Tom wants what he designs and builds to be a part of people’s lives for generations, whether creating memories or preserving them and “tables are the hub of
the house.” Children grow up around tables, adults have meaningful conversations, friends collaborate, and grandparents hold hands. Each ring stain and cut mark is a memory, each mar a moment in life. And if that table is made from materials that already have meaning in someone’s life or from recently found driftwood from a trip to the sea, all the better. Then a table is not just a beautifully crafted heirloom; it becomes a keepsake and a great conversation piece laced with adventures and history. And when everyone gathers around to make new memories, they hear the tale of the table. That, Tom says, is how “tables tell a story.” Thomas O’Brien Tables 373 Atwood Lane Woodstock, VT (802) 989-4743 (call or text) tom@obriendesignworks.com www.thomasobrientables.com
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Bicycling in
Woodstock Its popularity has endured for centuries
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Bicycle Rally in the Village Square, 1895.
B
— by Cassie Horner — Photos courtesy of the Woodstock History Center
icycling in Woodstock is such a common, well-loved sport that it is hard to imagine a day when these two-wheeled vehicles didn’t exist. A wonderful photo from the 19th century shows a group of men and boys posing with their high wheelers in front of the Norman Williams Public Library. Although the bikes look ungainly, like something a circus clown might ride, they were a big improvement on the first ones that had two equal-sized wheels but no chain, no pedals, and no brakes. When the so-called “safety bicycle” came along, it opened up the sport to a wide audience that included women. By the 1890s, Woodstock, always progressive in its attention to visitors and activities, was holding bicycle rallies that attracted dozens of participants.
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THE BICYCLE BOOM
Top: Peddling in the village, early 1890s. Above: Revere bicycles for sale at A.L. Wood's store on Central Street.
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“The bicycle boom of the 1890s ushered in a profound love of ‘out-of-door’ life. Bicyclists across the country were seeking opportunities to explore new areas of adventure and fellowship,” says Matt Powers, executive director of the Woodstock History Center. “Woodstock, with its established railroad, became an accessible haven for emerging tourist and bicycle communities. Woodstock became known as a genteel town with ‘open’ roads, unspoiled and scenic countryside, and historic buildings.” Creating a book, The History of Bicycling in Woodstock, Vermont, that is laced with intriguing photos grew out of Matt’s interest in the history and growth of the sport. It covers the 1870s to the 1970s and pulls readers into an amazing story that unfolded in Woodstock and reflected the enthusiasms of the different eras.
Clockwise from top: High wheelers and riders in front of the Norman Williams Public Library. A man on a Rambler bicycle at Dearborn Spring. A young woman poses with her bicycle on College Hill. Front cover of the new bicycle booklet.
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MANY OPPORTUNITIES
Top: A group of young riders poses with their bicycles. Above: Bicycle parade on Central Street, 1980s.
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The sport continues to grow nationally. Vermont and Woodstock are part of the craze, attracting people on bicycle tours, mountain bikers who like the backcountry, and even people with bikes equipped with fat tires for snowy trails, beaches, and rough trails. “There are new advantages to our existing bicycling infrastructure, which adds to the area’s appeal,” Matt says. “The development of a welldesigned and easily accessible trail system on Mt. Peg and the Woodstock Aqueduct property contributes greatly to the popularity of the sport. Also, the local ski mountains have created new recreational possibilities with their terrain parks. Overall, the success of local bicycling rests on the healthy relationship and cooperation of local and private landowners, bicyclists, clubs such as the Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association, and recreationally based organizations such as
Provider We Listen to Your Concerns Custom Treatment Alternatives Long Experience Fine Esthetic Judgement VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS At www.drneely.com
Top: Demonstration of early bicycling at Billings Farm & Museum, 1990s. Above: Advertisement for Columbia bicycles at F.H. Gillingham, 1894.
the Woodstock Inn & Resort. Those collaborations lead to an exciting experience for bicyclists both locally and abroad.” BICYCLING THROUGHOUT HISTORY
The Woodstock History Center is fortunate to have an extensive collection of bicycling photographs through the centuries, starting in the 1800s. “These photographs are some of the greatest artifacts that this museum has the privilege of owning and sharing,” Matt says. “Like so many, I have loved bicycling ever since I was
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Mary Gould Marble with her bicycle on Elm Street.
young. My first Huffy bicycle (with a banana seat) led me to great adventures and it left an indelible mark on my life. I am recently astounded by the profound innovations in bicycle technology and the once again rise in the popularity of the sport. You can literally see and feel that recreation is changing, and the bicycle can be seen in the center of that change.” Research for the book was a labor of love for Matt as he engaged in the fun of unearthing and interpreting numerous sources. The book is a guide for readers interested in exploring the history of bicycling in Woodstock. “Everything in the photos tells a story,” Matt observes. “When you walk the streets and landscape of Woodstock (in the same locations) and find newspaper references to those events and people, they become alive. The photos contribute to our understanding of Woodstock within the context of American culture.” The History of Bicycling in Woodstock, Vermont, is available for purchase from woodstockhistorycenter. org or from the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock.
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SEASONAL FOODS
By Susan Nye
The Sandwich
Inspiration and innovation between two slices of bread
T
he ever-popular sandwich: we eat them first thing in the morning for breakfast and snack on them late at night. We love them for lunch, but this all-time favorite is also welcome at casual suppers and elegant afternoon teas. Truth be told, we can’t get enough of them and chow down on somewhere around 300 million every day. That’s a whole lot of PB&J, tuna, and grilled cheese. The sandwich has its origins in the mezze platters of Turkey and Greece. Beautiful dips, vegetables, cheeses, and meats were served with flat bread and an open invitation to combine them into something delicious. However, this well-loved food gets its name from England and John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. A notorious gambler, the earl spent so many hours at the card table that his cook borrowed the idea to keep him from starving. Across the United States, regional favorites rule. New England’s lobster rolls and fluffernutters cannot be undone by a Miami Cuban sandwich, a Philadelphia cheese steak, or Los Angeles French dip. Hot or cold, a great sandwich is not so much made as built with layers of flavors and textures. After a long, lonely COVID winter, everyone is more than ready to
reconnect. Light the firepit and invite friends and family over for an outdoor sandwich fest. While more and more people have received their vaccinations,
be careful—don’t forget to mask up and keep your distance. Share air hugs, good conversation, and optimism for happy, healthy days to come.
Online Extra Find a recipe for an Alpine grilled cheese sandwich at www.woodstockmagazine.com. S P R I N G 2021
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SEASONAL FOODS
Brilliant on a Baguette
Sandwiches are a great way to use up all kinds of leftovers. Roasted or grilled meats (veggies too) are the perfect centerpiece for your creativity. Whether you serve these culinary masterpieces for lunch or dinner, enjoy a not-your-average sandwich.
of a large baguette
1–2 tsp tapenade, store bought or homemade 1–2 tsp mayonnaise 1 oz goat cheese at room temperature Small handful arugula 3–4 oz thinly sliced grilled or roasted lamb or chicken
1 2 3 4
8 oz dry-pack, oil-cured black Greek olives, pitted Grated zest and juice of ½ lemon
F o r each sandwich: 1 mini baguette or about
Tapenade
Split the baguette vertically.
1 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp dry white wine 3 cloves garlic 1 tsp anchovy paste 1 Tbsp capers 1 tsp herbs de Provence ½ tsp hot pepper flakes or to taste
Whisk together the tapenade and mayonnaise.
1
Spread goat cheese on the bottom half of each baguette, and top with a handful of arugula and the lamb or chicken.
2
Slather the top half of each baguette with the tapenademayonnaise and place on top of each sandwich. Cut into wedges and serve.
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Throw everything into a small food processor and process until the mixture becomes a nice paste; you may need to add a little more olive oil.
Cover and let sit for 1 hour at room temperature (or overnight in the refrigerator) before using to combine the flavors. Store leftover tapenade in the refrigerator. It is delicious on sandwiches and pizza and as a dip for fresh vegetables.
Lemon-Tarragon Lobster Rolls
This classic New England sandwich conjures up family picnics on sun-kissed beaches. It is perfect for your first postCOVID party. A portable feast, your guests can delight on lobster while they enjoy long-delayed, socially distanced conversation.
S erves 8 2 lb cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-sized pieces ½ medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped Creamy Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette 8 New England–style split-top hot dog buns Butter, at room temperature 1–2 Tbsp chopped chives
1
Put the lobster and cucumber in a bowl, add enough lemon-tarragon vinaigrette to lightly coat, and toss to combine.
2
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spread the flat sides of the buns with a little butter and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
3
Fill the buns with lobster, sprinkle with chives, and serve.
Creamy Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette 3 Tbsp mayonnaise 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, finely minced ½ shallot, minced Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 Tbsp fresh tarragon, finely chopped 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or to taste
1
Put the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and mustard in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Add all the remaining ingredients and whisk until well combined.
2
Let the vinaigrette sit for at least 30 minutes to combine the flavors.
Store extra vinaigrette in the refrigerator.
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HAPPENINGS
SPRING 2021
MARCH | APRIL | MAY
April 24–25
Sheep Shearing & Herding See the spring shearing of the farm’s ewes and herding demonstrations by Border Collies.
Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–5pm BILLINGSFARM.ORG
Many events have been canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. Check the venue website or call before planning to attend an event. 6 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M
Online Exhibit: Character: Unforgettable People of Woodstock An ongoing exhibit featuring some of the unforgettable people who have made Woodstock such a special place throughout its history. Several profiles are on display at the museum; we will continue to add individuals from the physical exhibit to our online version. Woodstock History Center WOODSTOCKHISTORYCENTER.ORG
April 9 Opening Day Celebrate the beginning of our 39th season with us and receive a free Vermont-made ice cream. Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–5pm BILLINGSFARM.ORG
Pentangle Council on the Arts 31 The Green, Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3981 WWW.PENTANGLEARTS.ORG
April 27–29 A Place at the Table This film examines the issue of hunger in America through the lens of three people struggling with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader; and Tremonica, a Mississippi secondgrader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the food she eats. Free screening. Register at placeatthetable_2021.eventbrite .com.
April 10–11 Baby Farm Animal Celebration This popular event offers the opportunity for visitors to get up close with the farm’s baby animals, plant an heirloom seed, participate in fun craft activities, and more. Visitors can meet and learn about the farm’s calves, lambs, steers, goats, chicks, and bunnies while enjoying spring on the farm. Start planning your garden! Get your hands dirty by planting an heirloom seed to take home. Create a cute animal plant marker to remember your visit. Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–5pm BILLINGSFARM.ORG
Pentangle’s live in-theater programs are paused during COVID. In the meantime, visit pentanglearts.org for virtual screenings and other upcoming events.
March 27 Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Stream of Consciousness Join us when the “doors” to the waiting room open 15 minutes before the event’s start time. We’ll get you checked in for the event at this time. Zoom, 8pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG
May 15 Short Films: Homesick and Lowland Kids As part of this month’s Climate Change and Sustainability Film Series, Sustainable Woodstock will screen two short films featuring stories of humans displacement. The first film, Homesick, is the fictional story of a father willing to enter the Fukushima disaster no-go-zone to spend time with his eight-year-old son. The second short film, Lowland Kids, is a documentary that tells the story of the last teenagers on the Isle de Jean Charles, a sinking island off the coast of Louisiana. For the two siblings, this place has always been home. After losing their parents, their uncle has raised them on this island, passing on his love and appreciation for the land. But the island is running out of time. Free screening. Visit pentanglearts. org for updated registration info. Short films are open to watch 6:30am–11:30pm.
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HAPPENINGS April 11 The History of Agriculture as Told by Barns Barns can tell us a great deal about the history of agriculture. This presentation will follow the progression of barn styles that evolved to handle the increased productivity required to meet the needs of a growing population and respond to changes in society caused by the railroad and the Industrial Revolution. John C. Porter, author of Preserving Old Barns: Preventing the Loss of a Valuable Resource, will demonstrate how these majestic barn structures represent Yankee ingenuity, hard work, and skilled craftsmanship, as well as providing a link to our past that adds to the state’s scenic beauty. Zoom, 2pm WOODSTOCKHISTORYCENTER.ORG
April 13, May 11 What’s on Your Nightstand? The Not-a-Book-Club Book Club This is NOT the usual book club. We chat
about books you are reading, the books you’ve loved, and the books you’ve always wanted to read. Along with great book recommendations, our discussions have ranged from the design and appeal of book jackets, the ebook revolution, which books we reread and why, modern writers, the craft of writing, and the elements of great writing. Norman Williams Public Library via Zoom, 10:30am NORMANWILLIAMS.ORG
April 13, May 11 Recite! A Poetry Event Professional poets, amateurs, and firsttimers all join in, as well as those who want to just come and listen. Join us in celebrating the spoken word! Bring along original and/or favorite works. To sign up to be a presenter or for more information, email programs@ normanwilliams.org. Norman Williams Public Library via Zoom, 7pm NORMANWILLIAMS.ORG
dinner is served Thursday- Sunday
Show off your talents in a prerecorded video. Videos should be submitted to Ashley Barrow, theatre@artistreevt .org, by April 5. We will select videos and stream them along with some live featured talent and an in-house MC! Artistree, 7pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG
May 9 Draft Animal Day Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–5pm BILLINGSFARM.ORG
May 14–15 2 Days in May: A Short Playwriting Festival! Zoom, 7pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG
Online Extra Find more events online at www.woodstockmagazine.com.
THE
THE RANSOM TAVERN Our menu celebrates the Neapolitan tradition of antipasti, salads and pizza. Join us for dinner paired with a local craft beer, signature cocktail or a glass of wine.
April 24 Time to Shine: A (Virtual) Talent Show
South Woodstock Country Store
Book a stay at our historical Inn located in the heart of South Woodstock!
Rooted in a love for our community, creativity, food, and fun we aim to honor our 200-year history. Serving breakfast and lunch daily.
(802)457-1473 info@southwoodstock.com www.kedronvalleyinn.com
Monday-Saturday: 7:30AM - 5:00PM Sunday: 8:30AM - 4:00PM
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ADVERTISERS INDEX 37 Central Clothiers................................................. 41
Kedron Valley Inn.................................................... 70
The Blue Horse Inn.................................................. 42
506 on the River Inn................................................ 41
Kimball Union Academy......................................... 67
The Carriage Shed................................................... 43
APD Lifecare............................................................ 21
Landshapes.............................................................. 38
The Daily Catch........................................................ 23
Anichini...................................................................... 4
LaValley Building Supply........................................ 17
The Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center.......... 37
ArborScape.............................................................. 22
Massage Eminence.................................................. 51
The Gilded Edge Custom Picture Framing............. 69
Billings Farm & Museum......................................... 39
Mertens House ....................................................... 19
The Jackson House Inn............................................ 37
Brown Furniture........................................................ 9
Mon Vert Café......................................................... 40
The Public House..................................................... 51
Clover Gift Shop...................................................... 41
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center............. 50
The Quechee Club..................................................... 1
Collective–The Art of Craft..................................... 42
NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers................40 & 49
The Vermont Horse Country Store......................... 40
Crown Point Cabinetry............................................ 11
Perfect Fur Daycare and Salon............................... 51
The Vermont Spot................................................... 51
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Orthopaedics........................ 6
Piecemeal Pies......................................................... 64
The Village at White River Junction......................... 8
Davis Frame............................................................... 2
Pizza Chef................................................................ 40
The Village Butcher................................................. 41
Donald J. Neely, DMD, MSD................................... 63
Quality Inn............................................................... 51
The Woodstocker Bed & Breakfast........................ 41
Elevation Clothing................................................... 14
Quechee Cuts........................................................... 51
The Yankee Bookshop............................................ 40
Ennis Construction.................................................. 49
Quechee Home, Porch & Closet.............................. 51
Thomas O’Brien Tables............................................ 16
FH Gillingham & Sons.............................................. 41
Radiant Wellness Massage Therapy....................... 51
Unicorn.................................................................... 41
First Impressions Salon & Spa................................. 67
Red Wagon Toy Co.................................................. 40
Upper Valley Haven................................................ 38
Focus–A Vermont Gallery....................................... 64
Shepard Interior Selections..................................... 51
VINS.......................................................................... 16
Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty........... 5
Sleep Woodstock Motel.......................................... 40
Vermont Cabinetry.................................................... 7
GR Porter & Sons..................................................... 63
Snyder Donegan Real Estate Group........................Inside front cover
WISE......................................................................... 50
Gallery on the Green Online.................................. 40 GeoBarns.................................................... Back cover
Soulfully Good Café................................................ 40
Williamson Group...........................Inside back cover
Gilberte Interiors..................................................... 13
Splendid Chaos........................................................ 42
Woodstock Beverage.............................................. 21
Wagner Hodgson.................................................... 42
Hull Maynard Hersey Insurance.............................. 15
Squechee Clean....................................................... 57
Woodstock Chamber of Commerce....................... 19
Jake’s Quechee Market........................................... 57
Studio Nexus Architects + Planners........................ 39
Woodstock Farmers’ Market.................................. 14
Jeff Wilmot Painting & Wallpapering.................... 63
Terrace Communities.............................................. 23
Woodstock Hops & Barley...................................... 41
Junction Frame Shop............................................... 22
The Barnard Inn Restaurant & Max’s Tavern......... 41
Woody’s Mercantile.................................................. 3
For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 867-9339 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net.
GET CONNECTED Get listed on the woodstockmagazine.com BUSINESS DIRECTORY and you will also be included on our printed list in every issue of WOODSTOCK MAGAZINE. (See page 19.)
HERE’S HOW! Email Bob Frisch at rcfrisch1@comcast.net, or call Bob at (603) 867-9339. Find out how you can connect with our readers. It’s easy, inexpensive, and another way to reach an affluent and educated audience.
SUBSCRIBE Share the wonder of our beautiful area and the latest news all year long with a gift subscription. Friends and family who have moved away from the area will be especially appreciative. Be sure to order a subscription for yourself too! Send a check for $19.95 for one year (4 issues) to Woodstock Magazine, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or conveniently pay online using PayPal at www.woodstockmagazine.com.
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LAST GLANCE
Spring in the world! And all things are made new! — Richard Hovey
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Custom Homes • Commercial Venues • Fine Design