No need to cancel carbs this holiday season By Katharine A. Jameson
Vermont Country Homes
On
the cover
Luis Sanchez, owner of Amaru Gourmet at Bar 580 in Brattleboro, cooks up unique and tasty dishes inside his kitchen.
President and Publisher
Jordan Brechenser jbrechenser@reformer.com
Editor
Gen Louise Mangiaratti gmangiaratti@reformer.com
Designer
Cicely M. Eastman ceastman@reformer.com
Windham County
Sales Manager
Lylah Wright lwright@reformer.com
Account Executives
Richard Lolatte rlolatte@reformer.com
Richard Battista rbattista@reformer.com
Karli Knapp kknapp@reformer.com
Bennington County
Sales Manager
Susan Plaisance splaisance @benningtonbanner.com
Account Executives
Ahmad Yassir ayassir @benningtonbanner.com
Gabriel Schatz gschatz @manchesterjournal.com
Vermont Country magazine is a publication of
Photo by Kristopher Radder
Pick up a courtesy copy at one of our Distributer Partner locations
BENNINGTON, V T DROP LOCATIONS
1. The Knott y Pine
130 Nor thside Dr, Bennington, V T • 802- 4 4 2-5 4 87
2 . Sou thwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce
100 Veterans Memorial Drive, Bennington, V T
• 802- 4 4 7-3 311
3. Better Bennington Corp.
2 15 South S treet , Bennington, V T 05201 802- 4 4 2-57 58
4 Madison’s
4 28 Main S treet , Bennington, V T 05201 802- 4 4 2-7 397
5. Bennington Welcome Center
100 V T-2 79 Bennington, V T 05201
6. Avocado Pit 201 South S t , Bennington, V T 05201
7. Juniper L ane
4 4 5 Main S t Bennington, V T • 802- 4 40-57 55
8. The 421 Craft Bar and Kitchen
4 2 1 Main S t , Bennington, VT
• 802- 4 40-597 2
9. Jay ’s Ar t & Frame Galler y 115 South S t Bennington, VT
• 802- 4 4 7-2 3 4 2
10. Elm S treet Market
251 Elm S t , Bennington, VT 802-7 53-7 366
11. Bennington Bookshop
109 south S t , Bennington, VT 0501 802- 4 4 2-5059
12 . Bennington Museum
7 5 Main S t , Bennington, V T • (802) 4 4 7-157 1
13. Sou th Shire
124 Elm S treet , Bennington
MANCHESTER, V T DROP LOCATIONS
1. Equinox Golf Resor t & Spa
3567 Main S treet , Manchester, V T 0525 4 802-362- 4 700
2. Kimpton Taconic Hotel
3835 Main S treet , Manchester, V T 0525 4 802-362-014 7
3. Manchester Business Assoc
4 826 Main S treet , Manchester Center, V T 05255 617-869-3591
4. Nor thshire Bookstore
4 869 Main S treet , Manchester Center, V T 05255 802-362-2 200
5. Reluc tant Panther
9W Road, Manchester, V T • 802-362-2568
6. Casablanca Motel
592 7 Main S t , Manchester Center, V T 05255
1. Berkshire Roots
501 Dalton Avenue, Pitt sf ield, MA 01201 • 413-553-93 3 3 PIT TSFIELD, MA & TROY, NY DROP LOCATIONS
NORTH BENNINGTON, V T DROP LOCATIONS
1. Park McCullough Historic Governors Mansion
1 Park S t , Nor th Bennington, VT • 802- 4 4 2-5 4 41
2. Pangaea
3 Prospec t S t . Nor th Bennington • 802- 4 4 2- 4 466
3. Powers Market
9 Main S t Nor th Bennington, VT 802- 4 40-087 1
4. Prospec t Coffee House
1 Prospec t S t , Nor th Bennington 802-7 53-784 7
BRAT TLEBORO, V T DROP LOCATIONS
1. Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce
180 Main S treet , Brattleboro, V T 05301
• 802-25 4 - 4 565
2 . Hempicurean
257 Marlboro Road, Unit 102 , West Brattleboro, V T 05301 • 802-246- 4 367
3. Brattleboro Food Coop
2 Main S treet , Brattleboro, V T 05301
4 L atchis Hotel
50 Main S treet , Brattleboro, V T 05301 802-25 4 -6300
5. Vermont Countr y Deli
4 36 Western Avenue, Brattleboro, V T 05301
• 802-257-925 4
6. Vermont Market Place
580 Canal S treet , Brattleboro, V T 05301
• 802-25 4 -5861
7. Vermont Welcome Center
I-91 Nor th MM 5, 4, Guilford, V T 05301
8. Holiday Inn E xpress
100 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro, V T 05301
• 802-257-2400
OTHER V T DROP LOCATIONS
1. Greater Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce
17 Depot S treet , Bellows Falls, V T
• 802- 463- 4 280
2 . The Dorset Inn
8 Church S treet , Dorset , V T • 802-867-5500
3. Vermont Distillers
7 7 55 Route 9 East , Marlboro, V T 802- 464 -2003
4. The New fane S tore 596 V T-30 New fane, V T • 802-365-7 7 7 5
5. Harmonyville S tore 1412 V t-30 Townsend, V T • 802-365-9 417
6. Riverbend Farm Market
625 V t-30 Townsend, V T • 802-365- 4600
7. HN Williams, Dorset
2 7 32 V T-30 Dorset , V T 802-867-5353
8. Smitt y ’s Chester Market 526 Depot S t Chester, V T
9. The Arlington Inn 3904 Vermont R te 7a, Arlington, V T 05250 • (802)
3 7 5-6532
10. S tone House Antique Center 557 - V T-103 Chester, V T
11 West River Lodge 1086 V T Route 30 New fane, V T 053 4 5 802-365-5001
12 . Vermont Antique Mall Route 4 Quechee, V T
13. Farm Road Estate
7 Cross Town Road, Dover, V T 05356 802- 464 -8131
14. Londonderr y Village Market 5700 V T-100, Londonderr y, V T 0514 8
• 802-824 -314 4
15. Communit y Bank
97 E Main S treet , Wilmington, V T 802- 464 -8688
16. Sugar Maple inn
14 5 Vermont R te 100, West Dover, V T
1 7. Trail 87
2 7 1 V T Route 100 West Dover, V T
PUTNE Y, V T DROP LOCATIONS
10. Pu tney General S tore
4 K imball Hill, Putney, V T 053 46
11 Pu tney Diner
128 Main S t Putney, V T 802-387-5 4 3 3
12 Pu tney Food Co - op
8 Carol Brown Way, Putney, V T
Contac t us at info@vermontcountr y.com - Follow us @v tcomagazine on Facebook and Instagram - www.vermontcountr y.com
Find all your holiday gifts right in town
Brattleboro offers inspiration for everyone on your list
By Bob Audette, Vermont Country
If you're making a list and checking it twice, downtown Brattleboro is the place to go for many things nice.
In fact, a sharp-eyed shopper can find everything from a chainsaw to delicate glasswork, a comfy pair of shoes to a rock-hopping mountain bike, comic books to bagels and cream cheese, all within a short walk of each other.
Maybe you need a book or a new vase or a gift certificate for a tattoo, home decor or a hand-crafted bottle of maple liquor to scratch someone's name off your list.
There are so many shops you might want to visit that you are bound to want a snack or a meal, and downtown has everything from vegan delights to pizza to burgers, fresh-brewed beer and fresh-ground coffee, as well as pastries and sandwiches.
For those who need more than one day to do all their shopping, the Latchis Hotel on the corner of Main and Flat streets is happy to put you up for the night. There, you can catch a flick, have a drink at the bar or wander across the street to look at antiques, browse records and CDs or maybe stop in to see the collections at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.
Kicking back with a meal and a beer can't get more relaxing than visiting the River and Rail Tavern overlooking the Connecticut River, newly renovated and serving up craft ales.
With the new General John Stark Memorial Bridge connecting downtown to nearby Hinsdale, N.H., the old Charles Dana and Anna Hunt Marsh bridges are closed to traffic but open to pedestrians to stroll.
On Elliot Street, a shopper can find just about everything they need, including genuine handmade finery from Guatemala at Altiplano, brilliant puzzles to challenge even the most earnest dissectologist. Looking for a book to give? Elliot Street is also the
place with Everyone's Books and Brattleboro Books and you can even find a nice piece of furniture at Emerson's Furniture for your loved one to recline while reading.
Curious gifts can be found at two charming shops on Elliot Street, Verdigris and 3 Ring Traveling Apothecary. Plus, Harmony Collective showcases fine crafts from artisans all over the region.
Up and down Main Street you can find exquisite jewelry, diamond rings and wedding bands at Evan James Limited, Cara Wolff, and Brattleboro Gold and Silver.
Over at Vermont Artisan Designs on Main Street, art lovers can find fine paintings, craftwork and other creations to satisfy even the most discerning on their Christmas lists. And next door, at Kitchen Sync, can be found all the best bake- and cookware for your favorite chef.
Brattleboro has a lot more going for it than just its charming and unique shops that offer a quirky variety of locally and ethically sourced goods. The stores are all locally owned, so shopping downtown supports local business owners who support the community they live in.
On a bustling pre-holiday morning, Brattleboro's historic downtown is the quintessential New England experience, with charming architecture and a welcoming ambience, easily walkable from shop to shop to cafe to shop again.
Vermont Artisan Designs and Kitchen Sync: A one-stop shop for everything you might need
Vermont Artisan Designs on Main Street is a one-stop shop for all your gift needs.
"We like to help people find things that are meaningful to both the giver and the receiver," said Greg Worden, who has owned and
All the products at Vermont Artisan Designs on Main Street, Brattleboro, are American-made, co-owner Greg Worden said, with about 90 percent coming from Vermont.
operated with his wife, Suzy, Vermont Artisan Designs and Kitchen Sync since 1988. "Something that tells a story."
All the products are American-made, he said, with about 90 percent coming from Vermont.
"We have people come back year after year," said Worden. "And local people bring their friends here when they come to visit. We're one of the stops on the tour."
Vermont Artisan Designs offers gifts, crafts and art of all sizes and offers layaway for its pricier items, including high-quality work by artists such as John Dimick, Will Moses, Greg Hentzi, Mary Iselin, Woody Jackson, Claire Payne, H.M. Saffer II and more, including Simon Pearce, Josh Simpson and Wolf Kahn.
You’ll find a wide array of painting styles and media in the galleries, such as original watercolors, oils, pastels, acrylics, egg tempera, collage and mixed media of landscapes, still life, portraiture, fantasy and abstraction.
Worden said in addition to the well-established artists and crafters, Vermont Artisan Designs also features emerging artists, including art and craftwork from the region’s refugee community.
Hand-painted silk and hand-woven chenille scarves are just some of the fiber art that you’ll find at Vermont Artisan Designs, which also features incredibly comfortable rocking chairs handbuilt by Jim Geier. There are glasswork and handblown perfume bottles available, fine Vermont pottery, sculptures by local artists, and gift certificates if you just can't make up your mind.
In all, more than 300 artists have their work on display at Vermont Artisan Designs.
Next door, at Kitchen Sync, gift givers can find a variety of kitchen-related items including cookware, table linens, cutlery, gadgets, cook books, bakeware, glassware, spices, dishes and dish towels.
And this one-stop shop even carries formal wear for weddings, proms and other special occasions, including a full-service tuxedo rental and
sales shop featuring top designers such as Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and Tony Bowls.
Holiday shopping at Vermont Artisan Designs, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., directly supports local craftspeople and artists who enliven the communities they live in.
'We've got you covered':
Altiplano a fun and inspiring place to shop
Finding a unique gift for everyone on your list is a snap at Altiplano, a lifestyle shop on Elliot Street in downtown Brattleboro.
"We love our shop. We put a lot of effort into making it an enjoyable experience," said owner Shari Zarin. “The feedback we get is that it's a fun and inspiring place to shop.”
Kristopher Radder — Vermont Country "We love our shop. We put a lot of effort into making it an enjoyable experience," said Altiplano owner Shari Zarin.
Zarin and longtime shop manager Quinn Cartelli carefully choose every item for sale at Altiplano. You will find a spectrum of prices and products that all have in common beauty and functionality. In addition to the inspiring selection of women’s clothing and jewelry, the offering includes beautiful cards and stationery, colorful puzzles, creative toys, family games, home goods, art supplies, natural body care, leather bags and wallets, as well as Altiplano’s own designs of jewelry and accessories.
"We have so many different things here," said Cartelli. "We've got you covered."
"There's lots of little things for everybody to appreciate," said Zarin, who opened the store 20 years ago with her husband, John von Wodtke, as a compliment to their work in Guatemala, where she designs jewelry and accessories that are handcrafted by Mayan artisans and sold in shops across the U.S., online and internationally.
Zarin started making beaded jewelry as a young artist and anthropology student. She says of her work in Guatemala:
"I strive to inspire and reflect beauty through items of personal adornment," she said. "The magic begins in Guatemala where my
Photo provided by Naomi Lindenfeld
designs are lovingly crafted by the Mayan people, working together to create beautiful things and a future for their families. Each piece has a unique journey to being ultimately chosen by the wearer as a creative form of self-expression. It’s a whole beautiful story that brings my life joy and meaning.”
That spirit embraces you when you walk through the door of Altiplano and are greeted warmly by Zarin and Cartelli who thoughtfully take care of each customer.
Altiplano values their place in the fabric of downtown Brattleboro and the camaraderie between store owners and customers.
"A community that has a small downtown where people actually shop and eat and work and do classes and are members of a co-op is a community that cares," she said. "Brattleboro is a special place!"
Altiplano, at 42 Elliot St., Brattleboro, and at altiplano.com, is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Vermont Gift Emporium has delights for every age and character
What started out as a pop-up shop during the 2021 holiday season, our second Christmas living with COVID, has become the place to shop for all things intriguing from artisans in the tri-state region.
Kristopher Radder — Vermont Country "There's something here for everyone," said Kathleen Gurney, owner of the Vermont Gift Emporium at the Vermont Marketplace on Canal Street in Brattleboro. "And we're always adding new stock because there are a lot of one-of-a-kind things being made by our members."
"There's something here for everyone," said Kathleen Gurney, owner of the Vermont Gift Emporium at the Vermont Marketplace on Canal Street in Brattleboro. "And we're always adding new stock because there are a lot of one-of-a-kind things being made by our members."
The shop features the works of more than 65 artists, craftspeople and makers, including ceramics from Four Leaf Pottery and jewelry by Barb Miller, Geographic Gems, Gigi & Papa, Mountain Chick and Kaylin's Kreations.
But that's not all. Even browsers and folks looking for gift ideas are in for a big treat. They can also find aprons and dog leashes by Andsewon, freeze-dried candy from Honeybear Party Boutique, baked goods, repurposed farm bags, dinner plates-turned-garden decorations from Paula's Perennials, candles, soap from Amy's Soap Petals and Goat Soap, flags, wall art, hats and mittens from Betty Rounds, and purses and wraps and jackets.
If that doesn't tickle your imagination, look for handmade gnomes from Deb Tosi, stuffies by Nadia Vosniuk Crochet & Vera, and wine-bottle racks made from old flexible flyers from NE Wood & Stone.
"And we have gift cards," said Gurney. "If you can't make up your mind."
The space at the Marketplace is stuffed full of gifts like 802 Hot Sauce from Paula and Dave Vanguilder, Kara Peters Fire Cider, wood signs by Amy Powling, dog biscuits from Angel's Biscuits, woodworked items from Calvin Powling, Kyle Parker, Living Roots and Don Tacy, and shadow boxes by Cheryl Aaron.
You can also find books from the Brattleboro Jewish Community, Guru Kids, Naima Wade and Susan Avery.
Condiments and items for snacking include Chubby's Sauces & Butcher Bills sauces and spice mixes, Curio Spice's mulling mixes, Frenchy & Balloo's BBQ sauces, jerky and season mixes, Highland Ledge Farm jams and jellies, Hot Shot hot pepper mixes, Loffredo's Italian Bakery cakes, cookies, and biscotti, Loon Chocolates chocolate bars and espresso beans, Plantaizin plantain chips, maple syrup from Viking Farms and Salsa Sisters salsa.
Other vendors include Daisy's Candles & Scents, Deb Shaw's painted gourds, Dorothy Ely DAE Cement Works, JB Originals pillows, purses and clothing, John King pencil art, and Karen Domina painted faux eggs.
Looking for children's clothing? You can find it from Easy Peasy Apparel, Ellie & Her Friends, and Happy Colors Clothing & Home.
Gift ideas include stained glass from Kelly Mulhall, rope bowls and ceramics from Lajoie de Clay/Twisted Rope rope bowls and ceramic pieces, wallets and passport folders from Leather Fairy, silk scarves and alcohol prints from Lisa Murray, coasters and cutting boards from M&K Designs, cups and keychains from Michelle's Creations, and photos from Monroe Phillips Photography.
And still, that's not everything. Other vendors include Mountain Top Folk Art, Mountains to Seas Knits jewelry, hats, scarves and shawls, Mountain View Woodworking, Nest Soap & Candle Co.,
Kristopher Radder — Vermont Country The selection at Vermont Gift Emporium includes stuffies for the young and the lighthearted.
Noah's Rejects, PH Rustics, Sharon's Crafts, Sky High Trash to Treasures, Snow Ridge Farm, Stuart Copans, Susan Kachmar, Tabatha Martinelli Dinosaurs, Terra Troves/Earth Treasures, The Bead Lady, The Dotting P, Tina Clay, Wayne Farrell and Wild Woods.
Open Wed-Sun 10am-Close
58 0 Canal St. Brattleboro, V T
Your L ocal Holiday Gi ft Destination
Museum gift shops offer local, classy shopping options
By Anne Archer
Vermont Country correspondent
MANCHESTER — It has been said, the best holiday gift is one you make yourself.
However, if your artistry is on par with a 4-year-old, the second-best option is buying a handmade gift from a local museum gift shop.
Southern Vermont Arts Center
Stepping inside Southern Vermont Arts Center’s thoughtfully curated gift shop is like walking into a mini museum — the only difference, you can buy the art. Eye-catching objects — textiles, jewelry, paintings and ceramics — are displayed against the shop’s white walls and shelving, creating a bright and cheerful space lit up like a Christmas tree by the natural light flowing through the windows (even on a gray December day).
Many local artists can be found, including Elinor Katz of Jamaica who has taught a class at SVAC called pique assiette — the art of creating mosaics with pieces of broken
China and other trinkets — and Brattleboro artist Marcie Becker whose unique ceramics will start a conversation.
Shelves in almost every corner of the gift shop abound with jewelry options ranging from large and colorful to metallic sleek (there may even be an elf or two).
Glass artist Ann Conlin of Massachusetts makes individually crafted, one-of-a-kind glass focal bead necklaces that are reminiscent of holiday baubles.
If sterling silver, brass or copper is on someone’s holiday gift list this year, Aron Lifschultz of Designs by Aron makes metal bracelets, cuffs, pendants, rings and earrings.
“Jewelry should be of original design, well crafted, uniquely suited to each individual, and perhaps most importantly, beautiful in its creation,” Lifschultz said, describing his approach to his art.
For kids of all ages, there is a variety of books ranging from “How To” draw, sketch, watercolor and calligraphy to Lyman Orton’s book “For the Love of Vermont: The Lyman Orton Collection,” which is filled with Orton’s storytelling
Gen Louise Mangiaratti — Vermont Country "Mini hand paintings," pressed flowers, books, maple syrup and more can be found at the Bennington Museum gift shop.
Eye-catching objects — textiles, jewelry, paintings and ceramics — are displayed against the shop’s white walls and shelving at the SVAC gift shop.
as well as 107 works of art depicting pre-1970s Vermont landscapes, traditions and people.
At 860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Drive, Southern Vermont Arts Center’s gift shop is in Manchester in the Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, svac.org/museum-shop.
Monument Arts and Cultural Center
Over in Bennington, Monument Arts and Cultural Center's gift shop is heavily inspired by local culture, including covered bridge-themed gifts. On a recent day during the fall, ornaments in the shape of miniature covered bridges adorned a small evergreen.
Other wares included: well-made adult- and child-sized aprons covered in whimsical prints such as flowers, music, roosters and owls; jewelry made with large, distinctive charms; pottery; prints that ranged from local artists' prints to New Yorker cartoons; books on local history; and a whole table of Vermont maple syrup.
"The Monument Arts and Cultural Center gift shop in Bennington, Vermont, offers a delightful array of merchandise that captures the essence of local culture," said Shelli DuBoff, a member of the center's executive board.
The center's galleries and gift shop, 44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, are open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Bennington Museum
At Bennington Museum, the bright, inviting gift shop greeted visitors on a recent day with: glass art by Michael Egan; mini paintings of animals, hearts and more by Amy Cloud, pressed flowers by Ellie Roden, goat milk soap, prints that resembled Vermont's green license plates, and more. A cen-
tral display of jewelry included necklaces with large, striking pendants, and earrings shaped like gummy bears.
For those who love sugar, there were maple leaf-shaped cookies, maple flavored cotton candy, and plenty of shapes and sizes of maple syrup.
Bennington Museum is at 75 Main St., Bennington, and is currently open every day except Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It closes from January to March.
Gen Louise Mangiaratti contributed reporting.
a recent day during the fall, ornaments in the shape of miniature covered bridges adorned a small evergreen in the Monument
Photo provided by Stewart Cairns On
Arts and Cultural Center's gift shop.
Anne Archer — Vermont Country correspondent
Welcome to the Northshire
The Northshire region of Bennington County is a picturesque and culturally rich area of southern Vermont, nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains. Known for quaint villages, rich history, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, this region encompasses several towns, including Manchester, Dorset, Arlington, and Sunderland. Each town contributes its own unique flavor to the Northshire experience, offering visitors a variety of things to do and see year-round.
At the heart of the Northshire is Manchester, a small town with the convenient amenities of a much larger city. Known for its bustling downtown and variety of shopping, dining, and cultural experiences, Manchester is an excellent starting point for anyone exploring the region. Visitors can enjoy a mix of boutique shops, high-quality resellers, eateries, art galleries, and more, all while
soaking in the community spirit that defines the Green Mountain State.
For history buffs, Manchester holds a wealth of attractions. Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, is a must-see. Built by Robert Todd Lincoln, the estate gives visitors a glimpse into the early 20th- century lifestyle in New England. For those fascinated by Vermont's long-standing love affair with the outdoors, the American Museum of Fly Fishing may be the place to go. Another notable destination is the Southern Vermont Arts Center, which showcases regional and national artwork on a gorgeous campus, complete with multiple galleries and a network of trails from which visitors can admire the many sculptures scattered throughout the grounds.
When it comes to shopping, Manchester has something for
Photos by Gabriel Schatz — Vermont Country Northshire Bookstore on Bonnet Street in downtown Manchester.
everyone. Northshire Bookstore is the quintessential local bookstore, offering an extensive collection of new and used books, and gifts. For those with a passion for the outdoors, Manchester is home to excellent gear stores like The Mountain Goat and Gear Haus, where you can find everything you need for hiking, skiing, and more.
Just north of Manchester, the town of Dorset provides a quieter, more rustic lifestyle. Known for its historic inns and breathtaking countryside, Dorset is home to the Dorset Playhouse, a regional theater with a history of producing exceptional plays. If you’re visiting Dorset in the summer, make time to stop by the Dorset Quarry, a marble quarry-turned-swimming-hole that has become an iconic destination for cooling off on hot days.
covered bridges. Arlington is also known as the former home of Norman Rockwell, the legendary artist who captured small-town American life. Stop by the Norman Rockwell Museum inside The Sugar Shack, and be sure to treat yourself to a maple creemee while you’re there!
Further south, Arlington offers excellent opportunities for outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, and exploring nearby
For visitors who crave the outdoors, the Northshire region offers year-round opportunities for recreation. In the winter, skiing and
snowboarding enthusiasts can head to nearby Bromley Mountain or Stratton Mountain for some of the best slopes in the state. Warmer months bring opportunities for hiking on popular local trails like Lye Brook Falls or Mount Equinox, both of which culminate in stunning views.
Food lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in the Northshire region. From award-winning dining at restaurant’s like Raven’s Den Steakhouse, to local confectioneries like Mother Myrick's, the area boasts an impressive array of culinary experiences, ranging from fast-casual street-food to fine dining establishments. Whether you’re enjoying a five-star meal or grabbing a sandwich for a picnic in the mountains, the Northshire’s food scene is just one more (mouthwatering) reason to start planning your visit!
An exhibit displayed at SVAC in 2022.
'It's
been a great 52 years'
Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery up for sale to 'the right person'
Jay Zwynenburg, of Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery, said though his business is for sale, he's "not in a rush" to sell. "I'd like to have the right person who has the capital to sustain the business.”
The shop includes arts and drafting supplies, gifts, custom framing, clothing and greeting cards.
By Mark Rondeau, Vermont Country
BENNINGTON — Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery (plus Cards and Gifts), a venerable downtown institution, is for sale.
A flyer taped to the front counter offers details: “Do you want to take over the largest independently owned art supply store in Vermont? Steeped in history and brimming with character, Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Bennington’s rich heritage.
“Established in 1972, this beloved local institution has been a fixture of the community for over 50 years,” it states.
The business, at 115 South St., is for sale for $200,000, according to the flyer.
Owner Jay Zwynenburg, 91, took some time from his work one recent morning to talk about the desire to sell and the 52year history of the business.
“I'm not in a rush,” he said. “I'm still in good health. I'm in no hurry to sell the business, but I'd like to have the right person who has the capital to sustain the business.”
The business is in the historic Drysdale building, which dates to 1865. It “boasts approximately 5,000 square feet of retail space, plus the same in basement storage,” according to the flyer.
A woman in the store heard him talking about the sale. “You’re selling your property?” she asked. “You’ve been here for years.”
“(Since) May 1, 1972. I'm in my 90s now,” he said. “I'm getting close to retirement.”
She was looking for canvas in roll. The man with her was looking for a palate knife. The man said he was 80 and still worked and worked out, too.
“Good for you. That will keep you young,” Zwynenburg said. “I still work. That's my workout.”
Photos by Mark Rondeau — Vermont Country The interior of Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery.
Zwynenburg noted that the store has 10 departments, which include arts and drafting supplies, gifts, custom framing, clothing and greeting cards. “We do all custom framing downstairs, and so that keeps us quite busy and active.”
A native of northern New Jersey, Zwynenburg first came to Bennington to work on a farm as part of a Scouting program. Right after high school, he entered the military and served during the Korean War.
“And then I got out in June of '53 and I applied to four colleges, and I got accepted in all four. And since I had some experience enjoying Vermont, I went to the University of Vermont up in Burlington,” he said. “And then I stayed up there. I graduated on a Sunday, and I reported to work at IBM on Monday morning at eight o'clock. Yeah, none of this nine o'clock baloney, eight o'clock, and I had a good career with them for many years.”
Jay and Joan Zwynenburg, the founders of Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery, met in 1955 as students at the University of Vermont, according to a 2022 joint Vermont House and Senate resolution honoring the business for its 50th anniversary.
“Jay Zwynenburg stunned his colleagues by abandoning his corporate career to open a bookstore in Bennington, the first of seven stores the Zwynenburgs have owned in the community,” it continues. “Although the Zwynenburgs ultimately sold six of their stores, they retained Jay’s Art Shop & Frame Gallery, which, in its earlier days, featured an adjoining art gallery, and which was highly successful.”
On May 1, 2022, the store hosted a 50th anniversary celebration at which the Better Bennington Corporation presented a plaque marking the occasion. Bennington Town Manager Stuart Hurd and other officials conducted an honorary ribbon-cutting.
“So, it’s been a nice run. I’ve really enjoyed it,” Zwynenburg said. “It's been a great 52 years, and I've enjoyed every moment.”
"I still enjoy coming to work every day,” he said. “And so it's not a chore for me. I just want to make sure I find the right person to buy the business, because I want to see it continue.”~
Theatre
Snow Playgrounds
Bennington Museum
Old First Church
Snowy Sunsets
Fall Foliage
Craft Breweries
Bennington Monument
Park-McCullough
Covered Bridges
Walkable Downtown
Unique Lodging
A treasure trove of adventure in Quechee this holiday season
By Gabriel Schatz, Vermont Country
Tucked in the heart of Quechee Gorge Village on Route 4, the Vermont Antique Mall and Quechee General Store combine history, community, and local craftsmanship for a shopping experience unlike any other in the state. Whether you're a seasoned antique hunter or a family out for a day of adventuring, there’s a treasure at Vermont Antique Mall that is just waiting for you to find it.
Vermont Antique Mall
The Vermont Antique Mall is the antique store that all antique stores aspire to be, offering over 18,000 square feet and three floors packed with curated collections from more than 150 dealers. The mall is stocked with a colossal assortment of items, including vintage clothing, cookware, pottery, jewelry, fine porcelain, hand and power tools,
artwork, and furniture. You’ll also find collectibles like comic books, rare coins, trading cards, knives, action figures, books, records, and movies.
Cindy and Mark Walker purchased the Vermont Antique Mall in 2016, and have since turned it into a community landmark. For Cindy, part of the joy in the job comes from meeting folks who are visiting Vermont from all over the world. “There’s rarely a dull moment,” she says, noting that the vast variety of items makes it easy to spark conversations with visitors. The Walkers work closely with their dealers to ensure that the mall has something for everyone, regardless of age or interests.
Quechee General Store
Vermont’s general stores are iconic fixtures in the state’s small business landscape, and the Quechee General Store
Vermont Antique Mall.
is a prime example of why they’re so beloved. These rustic, often historic hubs serve their communities as one-stop-shops, offering everything from baked goods and groceries to clothing. After a day of treasure-hunting at the Vermont Antique Mall, the Quechee General Store is the perfect place to explore.
Inside, you’ll discover an impressive selection of locally sourced products, including maple syrup, artisanal cheeses, honey, coffee, Vermont-made beer, wine, and cider, unique souvenirs, apparel, home décor, puzzles, hot sauces, and preserves. As the first independently owned affiliate of Cabot, Vermont’s famous cheese company, the store is also an ideal spot to pick up some of their renowned Extra-Sharp Vermont Cheddar—perfect for pairing with a slice of fresh apple pie. One bite, and you might just want to stay forever!
With a blend of history, local charm, and the touch of adventure that comes from discovering the unexpected, The Vermont Antique Mall and Quechee General Store offer an unforgettable shopping experience. Each visit offers the chance to uncover something new, from unique vintage items at the antique mall to the sumptuous array of local goods at the general store. So next time you’re in the Quechee area, carve out some time to visit these destinations—you never know what you might find!
Quechee General Store.
Thanksgiving weekend on Putney’s artisan trail
Putney Craft Tour offers gifts with a personal touch
By Lynn Barrett
PUTNEY — Looking to buy a gift directly from the local artist who made it?
The day after Thanksgiving, the studios of 24 of Vermont’s most prominent makers invite the public in to discover, ask questions and snag one-of-a-kind gifts directly from the crafters. Glassblowers, potters, jewelers, woodworkers, painters, sculptors, stained glass artisans, an aromatherapist, and even wine- and cheesemakers welcome visitors to their studios.
"Holiday shopping at just any box store is so generic — finding and giving a unique gift is so much more rewarding."
Maureen Clark, Green Mountain Spinnery
The Putney Craft Tour, America’s oldest continuous craft tour, conceived in the late 1970s and timed to coincide with Thanksgiving and holiday shopping, celebrates its 46th anniversary Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, in the historic town of Putney.
Every year, the tour draws art lovers, shoppers and the curious. “The opportunity to experience the uniqueness of the number and the variety of craftspeople and artists in a small rural environment — is the real draw of such tours,” says glassblower Robert Burch, one of the founders of the tour.
Well-marked signs and tour maps lead the way. Start at the Putney Mountain Winery & Spirits welcome center, where you will find an exhibition of the artisans’ work, maps and brochures, and be able to ask any questions about the tour.
Green Mountain Spinnery’s Maureen Clark guesses why people come back year after
As people look on, Robert Burch, owner annual Putney Craft Tour in 2021.
year. “It’s due to the variety of artists on the tour, and seeing how other people thrive in an artistic lifestyle making beautiful things.”
Also, she adds, “holiday shopping at just any box store is so generic — finding and giving a unique gift is so much more rewarding.”
Jewelry designer Jeanne Bennett adds: “More than anything, the tour is great entertainment. Driving through the Vermont countryside and finding the studios is an adventure in itself.”
Guest artisans new to the tour this year include Blake Johnson, specializing in furniture, sculpture, wall art and useful wooden objects, Marcie Maynard (oil paintings), Kerrianne Harlow (needle felted and soft sculptured wool dolls and animals), Mucey Bolles (Mayan inspired ceramics), Candace Jensen (calligraphy, letterpress and drawing) and Laurie Alberts (oil painting inspired by rowing).
Tour goers are advised to enjoy the tour in a leisurely fashion. Don’t try to do it in one day. Spend at least a couple of days and take in the rich community of artists and the Putney Historic District that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For details about wheelchair accessibility, call each studio. To learn more about the artists, download the map and sign up for the tour’s newsletter, go to PutneyCrafts.com.
Lynn Barrett is the Putney Craft Tour’s public relations person.
Kristopher Radder — Vermont Country file photo of Robert Burch Glass, in Putney, shapes a glass cup during the
Kelly Fletcher — Vermont Country file photo Lumen Lang, of Putney, purchases some teal colored yarn to knit her first hat during the Putney Craft Tour on Nov. 25, 2023. Also pictured are Danny Lang, Chloe Lee and Holly Partridge.
Kelly Fletcher — Vermont Country file photo Spools of yarn at Green Mountain Spinnery during the 45th annual Putney Craft Tour.
Kelly Fletcher — Vermont Country file photo Samples of pottery by Joshua Gold in his studio in Westminster West during the 45th annual Putney Craft Tour.
Photo courtesy of Amaru Gourmet. See our article on page 20 and 21
From Finance to Brattleboro: The True Story of Chef Luis and Amaru’s Peruvian Culinary Journey— Seasoned
Luiswas born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in a culturally rich environment with an Italian mother and a Peruvian father. His journey into the international scene began in Switzerland, where he spent 20 formative years and acquired Swiss citizenship. This European Alps influence instilled in him a sense of precision and sophistication that would later define his culinary style.
His adventurous spirit and career took him to Dubai for five years, where he gained a deep understanding of Arabic culture, spices, cooking methods, and personal habits—a culture known for being closed and challenging to penetrate. He developed a deep appreciation for their culture.
with a Pinch of Love
Following this, he spent another five years in remote towns in inland China, untouched by Western influences. Living in these less-traveled areas, which he described as "no-name towns in the middle of nowhere," allowed Luis to fully immerse himself in Chinese culture, gaining profound insights into its traditions, culinary techniques, and unique ingredients. He loved China and respected the country tremendously.
After China, Luis spent five transformative years in Saigon, Vietnam. There, he expanded his expertise in Asian cuisine, particularly through street food, which offered unparalleled learning experiences. Luis and his partner, Lana, devoted countless hours to embracing local life by moving from a high-end compound to a traditional Vietnamese building where no foreigners lived, enriching their understanding of Vietnamese culture, behavior, and cooking methods.
Throughout his journeys to over 60 countries across five continents, Luis cultivated a global vision and connection to the culinary world. He became captivated by diverse techniques, unique flavors, and exotic ingredients found in both high-end dining and vibrant street markets.
While his heart was drawn to the culinary world, Luis's professional life flourished in finance, where he advanced from an executive at a Swiss bank to the CEO of an international investment company. However, at the age of 50, inspired by a longstanding dream shared with his mother—who was a chef before her passing in 2016—Luis decided to leave the finance world behind to pursue his passion
for cooking. He made the bold decision to open a restaurant, transitioning from managing numbers in finance to skillfully handling a knife in the kitchen.
In 2022, Luis and Chef Lana devoted nearly a year to perfecting their skills in Peruvian cuisine in Lima, Peru. They trained at Estadio, a bustling restaurant featuring over 600 seats and a talented team of over 20 chefs and cooks, owned by his uncle Pochini and his cousin Chef Omar.
Eleven out of ten people ask us, “Why and how did you end up in the small town of Brattleboro?”
Let me take you on a journey that led us here, filled with unexpected twists and delightful surprises.
We were ready to open our restaurant in Saigon. A close friend and business partner traveled to Vietnam to explore my bold idea—one that drew skepticism from friends and family. They thought I was crazy for leaving my solid finance career for a dream of becoming a chef—a drastic 180-degree life change.
My partner saw potential but had different ideas. “You don’t speak Vietnamese,” he said. I smiled, replying, “bạn nghĩ vạy à?” meaning "You think so?" After five years there, I knew some words. He suggested, “Your assistant can handle things. Explore opening a restaurant in the U.S. too.
Curious about this opportunity, I asked him, “Where are you living now in the U.S.—not where you lived before, not where you want to live, and definitely not where your friends live?” He smiled and replied, “I’m in Boston.”
My journey took a pivotal turn when I flew to Boston while Chef Lana departed to Lima for her training. After a grueling 25-hour flight, I finally landed at Logan Airport, filled with excitement and anticipation. My partner was there to pick me up, and I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm. “Take me to the location of the potential restaurant!” I exclaimed, eager to see our new adventure unfold in Boston.
As we drove, my partner pointed out landmarks like MIT and Harvard University. I nodded politely, asking, "That's nice, but where's the restaurant?" He replied, “It’s a little to the north,” all the while distracting me with chatter about traffic and other diversions, ensuring I wouldn’t realize where we were headed. After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived in Brattleboro, over 2.5 hours later.
I stepped out of the car in shock. The first thing I did was Google
the population: 8,000—maybe 12,000 at most. Meanwhile, Saigon thrummed with a vibrant population of 14 million. I thought, "No way, this is a ghost town! I’m going back tomorrow!"
Despite my initial thoughts, I decided to stay for a few months and give it a chance. As I navigated Zoom calls and dealt with my ongoing business plans in Vietnam, I began to explore Brattleboro and its surroundings.
“You mentioned you have a house for me to stay in, right?” I asked my partner. “Of course!” he replied, “It’s a big house, and the neighbors are calm and quiet—not like the fast-paced life in Saigon.” In the building where we lived, neighbors kept their doors open most of the day, creating a lot of noise as part of their culture, which I love and respect a lot.
What I didn’t expect was for the house to be in the middle of nowhere—35 minutes from the nearest mountain, with no internet along the road. It was completely isolated, surrounded by woods with no houses in sight. However, he was right; neighbors wouldn’t bother me, as there were “none at all.” Ha! The town’s name was Halifax.
I struggled to sleep for months, haunted by bizarre sounds that echoed in the night. A fear gripped me, with thoughts of someone potentially kidnapping me running through my mind. And don’t even mention the basement—I dreaded going downstairs, wondering what could be lurking down there! Coyotes and deer roamed the landscape—wildlife that only added to my growing anxiety. To be honest, I was terrified. Ironically, I now love the place, the house, and the town—but definitely not the basement! Ha!
Then, when I thought things couldn’t get more challenging, winter and mud season arrived. My electric Kia, which I had initially thought would be a convenient car, ended up stuck in the mud and abandoned on the roadside for nearly two months. There was simply no way to retrieve it.
As if that weren’t enough, the electricity in the house often went out repeatedly. I vividly remember the first time it happened: I was in the shower with shampoo in my hair when the power cut out, leaving me without water or any means to rinse off. Picture me standing there, shampooed and stranded, with no car and no internet. What an unforgettable experience! I started contemplating a return to Saigon.
While navigating these challenges, I traveled back and forth to Switzerland to see my son, Theo, gather some belongings, and to Lima for training. One day, as I was driving back to Halifax, I caught sight of a stunning lake surrounded by birds, nature, trees, and falling leaves. That breathtaking view struck a chord deep within me. In that moment, Vermont captivated me, and I immediately thought, “Why not? Let’s give Brattleboro and Amaru an opportunity.” That's when I decided to open the restaurant here.
I opted to start with a small kitchen window inside the Vermont Marketplace. You might ask, "Why that route?" Many would immediately think it was to see if people liked my food. But for me, it was about something deeper. It was to test if I could adapt to living here for at least a year. However, the main reason was to connect with the community. By working at the kitchen window, I had the chance to meet customers, share my story, and let them see who was behind each dish. It was an opportunity to help them understand my culture while building a network through word of mouth.
Ultimately, I envisioned my dream of opening a cozy restaurant with eight to ten tables, white tablecloths, red wine, champagne, and candles. When that day arrived, I wanted people to know Amaru and, more importantly, to know Chef Luis. This felt like a brilliant way to secure baby steps toward our goal.
Just four months after opening Amaru, we were thrilled to be named the Best Ethnic Restaurant of 2024 in Brattleboro. This achievement took us by surprise. As Chef Luis, I started writing articles about health and sharing recipes that highlight our commitment to authentic cuisine, twice a month for the food section of
the Reformer. Amaru also featured in a display at the Guilford Welcome Center, showcasing our vibrant flavors.
I expanded my reach by writing for VM and Vermont Country Magazine about health and gourmet dishes. Additionally, we forged a partnership with Brattleboro Community TV to launch cooking shows in 2025, allowing us to connect even more with our audience and share our passion.
Our restaurant quickly garnered five-star reviews on Google, and word about Amaru spread like wildfire. Many locals began sharing their experiences and stories about our dishes, creating a strong sense of community around our mission. In just four months, we took pride in the impact we made—not only through our food but also in contributing to the local community by helping people discover a new way to enjoy healthy, gourmet dining.
With this foundation, we looked forward to continuing our journey and making a lasting impact on Brattleboro's culinary scene.
As we look to the future, one thing is certain: we will continue to do what we do best—wielding our knives in the kitchen, igniting our passion for cooking, and infusing everything we create with our secret ingredient: “a pinch of love.”
I am excited to announce our collaboration with Rail & River, where Chef Lana will serve as the head chef while I contribute on a part-time basis. This collaboration not only enhances our culinary skills but also allows us to create even more exciting dishes for our community, helping the industry as a whole. It's what I call a win-win-win scenario.
After Rail & River opens, Amaru Gourmet will continue to operate from 5 to 9 PM.
In conclusion, I extend my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us on this incredible journey. Words cannot fully capture the depth of our thanks. To all who have visited us, to our suppliers, collaborators, and partners, to our cherished friends and family, to my father, and in heaven, my mother, and most importantly, to YOU, our valued clients—without you, we would not be where we are today. And where we are today is a place in Vermont that we proudly call home.
A hunt for the BEST pizza
By Gordon Dossett, Vermont Country
On a wintry day, sometimes the prospect of ordering or going out for pizza is more appealing than cooking. What are your best
The Crooked Ram
4026 Main St., Manchester
MANCHESTER — The Crooked Ram recently expanded from a small-scale charcuterie and cheese spot. It added The Yard, a covered, outdoor seating spot for 80, practical in its early days, but now simply cozy and natural. It is home to a Valoriani pizza oven straight from Naples, which fires up to an internal temperature of 800°. It is insulated enough to be 500° the next morning; stand behind it and you feel only the ambient air temperature.
Under the guidance of Emily Shore, general manager, and Tiara Adorno, head chef, The Crooked Ram runs seemingly effortlessly.
My friend Cathy and I tried the Margherita, which features DOP San Marzano tomatoes. (DOP stands for Denominazione di Origine Protetta, literally, Protected Designation of Origin) — which in this case means plum tomatoes certified from San Marzano, a volcanic region which creates a sweet, intense and lightly acidic tomato flavor.)
Yes, after all that, it's yummy.
But we like, even more, the Bianca Roni. OK, on the menu, you'll find only the Bianca: aged provolone, ricotta, aged parmesan, garlic and onion. But the staff started adding pepperoni — and the Bianca Roni appeared — replete with a little cartoon figure that later popped up on our to-go pizza box, drawn by one of the chefs.
options this winter?
This series, compiled here, answers the urgent question of where should you go for tasty pizza in and around Southern Vermont.
The little figure, it turns out, was first created by owner Peter Campbell. It's now on T-shirts for sale at the restaurant.
On the Bianca Roni, the cheese drifts to the edges of the roughly 12-inch pizza, giving the crust a buttery crispness. The crust relies on dough made from organic, Canadian flour and fermented overnight.
The creamy inner parts of the pizza are offset by the spice and salt of pepperoni. The Bianca Roni is scrumptious.
It comes with a side of Boorn Brook honey and garlic sauce. Originally, this sauce accompanied the cheese boards, until someone asked: "Why not try this on the pizza?" Exactly: Why not?
Chef Adorno serves up gourmet pizzas. We found them full of flavor and entirely satisfying.
CRUST
46 Spring St., Williamstown, Mass.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — If you name your restaurant “Crust,” the crust better be, well, scrumptious. And the crust at Crust (stylized in all caps), a spot across the state line in Williamstown, is scrumptious — thin and chewy with a hint of sweetness, perfect for holding the pepperoni and cheese or just nibbling at the end of a meal.
In August 2020, Jim and Lisa Cervone — owners of Ayelada, the popular frozen yogurt place in Pittsfield — opened Crust in the same city. In December, 2023, another Crust opened in Williamstown.
For the red sauce, Jim, an effusive and generous fellow, said he gets Roma tomatoes from Los Gatos, Calif. Are they outrageously expensive? Yes.
“These meatballs are my grandma’s recipe from Italy.”
He didn’t have pepperoni at first, because he wanted healthy and natural ingredients — no nitrates. Finally, he found all-natural
Gordon Dossett — Vermont Country
The Bianca Roni pairs beautifully with Mount Holly X TCR — Pinot Noir Oneo Lager.
pepperoni from a butcher in Ohio (pepperoni which tastes delicious, slightly curled on the pizza, salty — a nice pop of spice. Olives are from Greece.“The dough (for the crust) took a little bit of work, I have to say,” finally addressing the question of the crust. He settled on flour from Italy, which worked perfectly in the oven — set to 500°. The dough has a 68% hydration level, which Cervone patiently explains and then sums up this way: “That’s a lot of water.” It was necessary for the light texture he sought.
Start with the Neo, a margherita pizza — tangy, balanced, the crust chewy and slightly sweet. Tasty.
A standout for me is Grandma’s pizza, a variation of a cheese pizza. It uses Avoria mozzarella cheese, put directly on the dough, covered with tomato sauce so the cheese avoids the direct heat, allowing it to melt but not burn. The full, mellow cheesiness leaps tall buildings in a single bound.
The White Mushroom pizza features mushroom truffle cream sauce, and local crimini and shiitake mushrooms topped with Mike’s hot honey and Truff sauce. This was my colleague Gen’s favorite — for its smooth, mushroomy goodness, set off with a touch of heat.
At first, Crust did not have a chicken pizza, but Cervone yielded to the demands of his young staff and put it on as a special. Of course, he roasted his own chicken and made a house buffalo sauce. It’s now on the menu full-time.
You can order gluten-free pizzas as well as cauliflower crusts.
A pleasant surprise awaits after eating Crust’s pizza. You know that heavy feeling that follows a good pizza meal, when you feel like glomming onto your couch and pursuing a temporary somnolent lifestyle?
Strangely, it didn’t happen on the evening of the Crust visit.
The lighter and healthier ingredients and balanced cheese, I guess, kept me from lethargy — which I appreciated.
Sam’s Wood Fired Pizza Co.
4572 Main St., Manchester Center
MANCHESTER — Many locals know of Sam’s Pizza, of its sudden closing and of its delayed reopening, now just a few hundred yards from the old spot near the Shaw’s roundabout to its new spot near the grocery store and the Hound Dog food truck. Sadly, the move meant destroying the old pizza oven built by local
mason Peter Moore.
At the new location, Maine Wood Heat Company assembled the current oven, its ceramics coming from the clay of a river in France. It cost about $50,000 (half the cost of one built on-site from scratch) and is more efficient and ecological: It reaches its 700° base temperature (900° air) by burning just 10 cords of wood annually (compared to 40 cords in the old oven). Pizzas bake in just three minutes, 60 to 80 pies (maximum) in an hour. The oven’s copper sheathing gives a glow to the dining room.
And the pizza?
The Margarita is a play on the traditional Margherita. When Sam had trouble sourcing the required basil, he used basil pesto, which could be found year-round. The pesto subtly blends with the Buffalo mozzarella and tomato sauce.
Sam also served us the Hangover: “sausage and bacon on a
pizza oven at
Pizza, heats the air inside to 900° and can bake up to 80 pies an hour.
cheese pizza, drizzled with warm VT maple syrup.” Traditionalists might scoff at syrup on a pizza, but its sweetness plays off the spiciness of the sausage. Its name, Sam says, came from two workers who made the pizza to combat the effects of occasional excess in the young, specifically the two workers. (Note: There is no health claim advanced in the making of this pizza. We were not hungover during the tasting of this pizza; we can say that it did not induce a hangover.)
The menu reveals Sam’s links to the community. The Big Poppa (pepperoni) is named for a chef on Stratton; Jack’s (olive oil and garlic, with shredded mozzarella) for Sam’s son; Ben’s (garlic and olive oil base with spinach, caramelized onions, and goat cheese) for a former employee; The Donnie B (pepperoni, sausage, onions, peppers, garlic, mushrooms) — a regular from Orvis; and J-Lewis (ham, bacon, sausage, pepperoni, and meatballs) — another local.
And, of course, even the oven is named — Big Mike, after Sam’s cousin. (Gazing on the size of the oven, a rowdy patron would think twice of going up against Sam’s cousin, presumably.)
Gordon Dossett — Vermont Country Big Mike, the
Sam's Wood Fired
Danielle M. Crosier — Vermont Country Three of the specialty pizzas offered by Crust in Williamstown.
Martocci's
75 Elliot St., Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO — When Shelby Brimmer and her boyfriend, Paul Martocci, bought the old Hazel’s restaurant on Elliot Street, they had a question: What would they call it? Brimmer’s did not sound good — especially for an Italian restaurant, so Martocci’s it was.
Hazel’s had a reputation for its pizzas, so when Martocci’s opened in April 2023, it continued with Hazel’s recipe for dough and sauce. Paul Martocci makes his own sausage and meatballs in-house — “Paul’s claim to fame,” says Brimmer.
As you might expect, the restaurant has a casual feel. Martocci slides easily in back of the bar. A blackboard lists a tempting selection of drafts.
We order the S & P pizza. Brimmer laughingly says it’s not named after the two owners — Shelby and Paul — but it should be. It’s delicious — sausage and green pepper (the "S" for sausage and the "P" for pepper), red onions and mushroom. The sauce is good, not overpowering, and the crust is chewy and slightly sweet.
Gen, my partner in tasting, wants to try the Fungi Pie, featuring goat cheese, olives and, of course, mushrooms (no red sauce). The mushrooms, surprisingly, are not the predominant flavor, edged out by the salty, chewy olives.
The menu highlights local sources: King Arthur Flour, Vermont Creamery, Dutton’s Farm, Grateful Greens, North Country Smokehouse and Rebop Farm.
Martocci’s is the kind of restaurant that’s easy to support. The friendly owners greet customers, buy locally and offer personal touches to their food. And, most importantly, they make a mean pizza.
Hillside Pizza in Bernardston
77 Church St., Bernardston, Mass.
BERNARDSTON, Mass. — The Crooked Ram (Manchester) makes a gourmet pizza in a cozy setting with scrumptious food and drink. Crust (Williamstown) makes a gourmet pizza in a clean, well-lit setting — accompanied by fancy froyo. Sam’s Wood-Fired Pizza (Manchester) and Martocci’s (Brattleboro) draw in the community to meet, eat and take away.
And now, Hillside Pizza in Bernardston (just across the state line) extends this community model, making tasty pizza that responds to the community in several ways.
The beginnings of Hillside Pizza hint at its community side. Owners Amy and Craig White began in 2001, selling frozen pizzas to promote fundraising for local organizations. Craig was working as a school chef. The pizzas’ popularity has led to four stores, including the one in Bernardston, and one next to the Yankee Candle Store in Deerfield.
As many restaurants do in this farm-to-table era, Hillside relies on local suppliers. The Whites find out which crops are plentiful and plan menus around them — good for farmers, Hillside and local residents who get fresh, organic ingredients made with creativity. Plentiful crops of butternut squash several years ago, for example, led to Autumn Comfort Pizza,
My friend Janet and I tried the Margherita and Valley pizza. The Margherita featured mozzarella, fresh basil, tomato sauce, parmesan and spices — but it added sliced tomatoes — and (even greater shock to purists) Cabot cheddar cheese! The taste, I must say, was delicious: full-flavored and satisfying.
The Valley pizza consisted of “asiago almond pesto, onions, portobello mushroom and turkey sausage.” Although we couldn’t taste the almond, which we were curious about, we enjoyed the other individual flavors. They were like jazz soloists, each having a moment.
We liked the Valley. Overall, we leaned toward the cheesy harmony of the Margherita.
Hillside offers gluten-free and whole wheat crusts. And, not surprisingly, you can get a pizza to take and bake later.
Looking ahead …
When temperatures get warmer, keep in mind Marigold Kitchen Pizza in North Bennington, a seasonal business that reopens in early spring and celebrates sourcing its ingredients from “farm to pizza.”
Gordon Dossett — Vermont Country Paul Martocci and Shelby Brimmer own Martocci's Restaurant in Brattleboro.
Gordon Dossett — Vermont Country
The Hillside Margherita Pizza features sliced tomatoes and a mixture of cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT WITH
Counting carbs
No need to cancel this nutritional staple
By Katharine A. Jameson Vermont Country correspondent
With the holidays upon us, many of us will set a goal to get through the holidays without gaining too much weight. We will swear to adopt resolutions once the new year rolls around.
Not too far into the new year, however, many of us will return to old our habits. There are many reasons we step back into our old groove (or rut as the case may be). Perhaps it’s our schedule. Or maybe it’s because we just miss what we’ve told ourselves not to eat. Whatever the reason, slowly, but surely, life (and Super Bowl snacks) gets in the way of our plans for new year transformation.
It’s easy to look forward to better times in the future. When things are better, or more settled. When we have the money, when we lose the pounds. But, what if things in this moment are as good as they’re gonna get? What if dieting is what’s keeping those extra 5 pounds on our frame? What if the stress of restriction is what makes us binge? As a society, we strive for the next best thing, which is, of course, human instinct. We want more money, better jobs or a bigger house. We want more muscle tone and less fat.
More and more research is that diets, and restriction for that matter, do not work. Yet, we still cut not only calories, but entire food groups from our diet hoping that it will make us better … healthier … skinnier.
We’re fickle when it comes to foods. One minute we’re vegan, the next we’re omitting carbs. Fat used to be the one to hate in the early 2000s, but now it’s carbs that are canceled.
Canceling carbs
At a table of ladies who were all animatedly bashing carbs, I raised my hand to insert a reminder that vegetables are carbs! Fruits are carbs! Omitting all carbs is unsustainable, not to mention unpleasant.
Ever heard of the term carbo-loading? Carbs are the most frequently used energy source of the human diet and while simple carbs may not be the ones on which to focus, carbohydrates in their whole and pure form are nothing to avoid.
Before garnering my certification in nutrition counseling, I had little idea of what to eat. Valued at only half a point a slice on my Weight Watchers
scale, I often opted for low-fat bread, as I could have two or even three slices without feeling guilty. My main goal was volume. Quantity over quality, a sheer departure from where I am today. I wouldn’t TOUCH brown rice or oats with a 10-foot pole, preferring half a sleeve of fat-free Devil’s food cookies instead.
Many arguments have been made claiming that humans are not created to digest grains. Some of these positions make sense. People often feel better (especially those who suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity) when they avoid grains, but that’s not to say it’s the right choice for everyone. There was most certainly a time that grains and processed carbohydrates weren’t part of a
Katharine A. Jameson — Vermont Country correspondent No need to swear off carbs, but if you'd like to cut back, try this homemade low-carb bagel alternative.
human’s daily diet (think back to the days of hunting and gathering), but at this point, for those of us living in the developed world, they’re unavoidable. It’s easy to say we’re ditching carbs or going grain-free, but the first road trip or night out with friends makes that declaration sail right out the window. And when we’ve given up once, it’s easy to throw our hands up and start again tomorrow.
While bleached, enriched and chemically treated white flour is certainly something we want to avoid when at all possible, many whole grains supply us with nutrients and fiber, not to mention protein. Complex grains rich in these things sustain us longer than their simpler counterparts.
Uncancel carbs
After swearing off whole grains for years, the first time I was led to eat a grain-heavy breakfast was when I was working with a nutritionist during my certification program. I concocted a bowl of millet and oats with a sprinkle of granola, peanut butter, raisins and honey: all foods that were in my no-no group. I tentatively lifted the spoon to my lips, afraid to set off the sirens, bells and alarms I was sure were coming. Nothing. Just a mouthful of flavor. I ate until I was satisfied and went about my day. This had been an experiment about how long this meal kept me from getting hungry and it took hours and hours before I was hungry again.
Fiber-rich foods take longer to break down and spike our blood sugar less, which are desirable effects during digestion. This is where the quality over quantity rule takes over. When we are eating something that is high-quality, we needn’t think so much about the amount. So, choose high-quality, fiber-rich, tasty grains that contain protein and experience with them to see which ones keep you full longer. You may not need to carbo-load, but going no-carb isn’t the way, either.
Investigate these nutrient-rich grains. (Nutrients are listed per cup of cooked grain.) Make them part of a bowl, pairing with veggies, additional protein or both.
Teff
(10 grams protein, 7 grams fiber)
Like quinoa, teff is technically a seed. Naturally gluten-free, it’s packed with iron and phosphorus and also contains calcium and potassium.
Khorasan wheat (9.8 grams protein, 7 grams fiber)
Khorasan wheat is loaded with many B vitamins and contains iron, magnesium, tons of manganese, phosphorus, zinc and potassium. Kamut may sound more familiar, but that’s the name for this type of wheat that has been trademarked.
Amaranth (9 grams protein, 5 grams fiber)
Along with its anti-inflammatory ef-
fects, amaranth is packed with manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and selenium. Manganese supports brain function and is thought to help stave off some neurological conditions. Studies have documented reduction in LDL levels (bad cholesterol) in hamsters and chickens who were fed amaranth.
Quinoa
(8 grams protein per cup, 5 grams fiber per cup)
High in protein and fiber, this superstar grain not only contains B vitamins, but is high in zinc manganese and phosphorus. Quinoa contains antioxidants and is naturally gluten-free. Perhaps this is why it’s been deemed a superfood for decades.
Sorghum (4 grams protein, 8 grams fiber)
Naturally gluten-free, sorghum is rich in polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. A great substitute for pearl cous cous, this grain contains B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and selenium, among others.
If you’re still not ready to invite carbs back into your life, try these bagel substitutes while you mull it over.
Katharine A. Jameson, a certified nutrition counselor who grew up in Williamsville and Townshend, writes about food and health for Vermont News & Media. For more tricks, tips and hacks, find her on Instagram: @foodforthoughtwithkat
Four-ingredient everything bagels
Ingredients
2 cups almond flour
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Everything bagel seasoning (or seasoning of your choice)
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix flour with yogurt.
Form into 3/4-inch-high flat pancakes. Punch hole in the middle with the end of a wooden spatula.
Season both sides with everything bagel seasoning
Gently brush both sides of bagels with egg wash.
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Allow to cool and enjoy this high-protein, low-carb bagel alternative.
Stitching together the fabric of a town
Photo by Danielle M. Crosier — Vermont Country
Jeanne Mintrone, executive director of the Better Bennington Corporation, displays one of the completed quilt square art pieces ready for installation on the exterior walls of businesses in the historic downtown area.
Downtown Bennington celebrates creativity, culture with Quilt Square Project
By Danielle M. Crosier Vermont Country
BENNINGTON — Together with the Better Bennington Corporation (BBC) Design Committee, BBC Executive Director Jeanne Mintrone has been working to beautify and bring vitality to Bennington’s historic downtown.
The majority of the district covered by the BBC includes the merchants of the downtown district, but there are also a few businesses “just on the outskirts” of that area that are included in the BBC network.
“We support them by driving business to downtown, bringing people in for festivals, putting out different events, like the
Thursday Night Live Music Series combined with the Hemmings Cruise-Ins on Thursday nights, where we close off Main Street and School Street, and it's lined with classic cars,” explained Mintrone, adding that Mayfest and the Winter Festival Gathering are also BBC events.
The Thursday Night Music Series and the Hemmings Cruise-Ins take place on the third Thursday of every month during the months of May through September.
“They’ve been wonderful — and it brings a lot of business downtown, which is what our goal is,” said Mintrone. “We want to boost the economy by keeping people in the downtown area.”
The BBC also does a Beans and Bagels event every other month, hosted by local businesses such as the Bennington Community Market, The Local, CAT-TV, and the Gift Garden — where merchants can come together to network, plan, explore each other's businesses and strategies, give feedback, connect on issues, drink coffee and have breakfast.
“It's really blown up, and people really enjoy it,” said Mintrone, and added that the networking experience inspires collaboration and communication, and works to build community from the inside out. “The hosts are really excited to showcase their business to other businesses. It’s been a great initiative overall to connect merchants to merchants, merchants to the BBC, and merchants to the town officials.”
One of the newest projects that Mintrone and the BBC Design Committee are working on is the Quilt Square Project, an installation of 2-foot-square and 4-foot-square boards on businesses throughout downtown, with each quilt square representing an authentic and historic quilt pattern.
"They're painted on aluminum composite," said Mintrone. "The Local — they used to be Bringing You Vermont. The building’s been completely transformed, and they’re actually home to one of the quilt squares. It’s on the side of the building.”
Other locations for installation of the painted quilt squares include the Elm Street Market, Ramunto’s, Sunnyside Diner, the Bennington Community Market and the Town of Bennington building. More will be forthcoming as the project develops and grows.
The Quilt Square Project is really in its infancy, said Mintrone, but the future of the project is wide open.
Mintrone sees possible applications everywhere — partnering with the math department at the local high school for a geometry or fractal lesson, collaborating with the local elementary schools, opening the project up to community organizations and social groups, making 1-footsquare boards for individuals, and even possibly
creating an interactive quilt square scavenger hunt for tourists and locals to tour the downtown area.
“That’s all down the road,” said Mintrone, excited and invigorated about the project. Involving and engaging the local youth in the project would bring them downtown, Mintrone said, and it would give them a sense of investment in the community. Hopefully, it would bring their parents and friends to the historic downtown area, as well.
In addition, expanding the project to include various community organizations and social groups would create a sense of togetherness, pride and collaboration.
“A great community member Vickie Lampron, who is a quilter, brought this project idea to the BBC when I first started,” recalled Mintrone, detailing the origin of the Quilt Square Project initiative. “I was a co-director at that point, but I knew. I knew I was interested. And, when I became the director, I immediately went back to the emails and contacted Vickie and said, ‘I want to hear all about this.’”
Lampron’s efforts to pioneer the Quilt Square Project have been instrumental in its success, said Mintrone, but what really sold her on the Quilt Square Project was the symbolism.
“To me, quilts are Americana,” said Mintrone. “They connect to our country in so many ways. And, so many of these patterns represent something — so many (life moments) that they depict — and I knew it would connect us. You know? Each of them, it tells a story — and that’s what I want this Quilt Square Project to do.”
According to Mintrone, each quilt square design is from the Quilters Guild and meets all of the requirements, with a number of the patterns originating directly from the Guild. “They even have one that's called Vermont, and it's the design that was made for Vermont out of the 50 that were made for the country. So there's a story behind every one of them.”
As each quilt square has a story, Mintrone envisions these being printed onto plaques which would eventually be mounted near their corresponding installations. Giving meaning and context, and credit to those who painted the individual pieces, is what will pull the concept together and create that authentic sense of community cohesion, accomplishment and identity.
Historically, Mintrone believes, the quilt squares also represent community as a form of cultural expression.
Quilts are literally and figuratively ingrained in the fabric of our country’s history and identity, reflecting the rich heritage of our pioneering nation, from quilting as a social and communal activity that bridged distance and generations to quilting as a sacred art that communicates identity.
In these ways, quilts have served to preserve, commemorate and exchange cultural ideas. They represent connection and the forming of bonds.
One of the larger quilt boards installed at the BBC office in the old Blacksmith Shop at 215 South St. in Bennington.
In a more tactile sense, quilts represent warmth. They represent family, and they represent a sense of safety and protection — and, as a labor of love, they represent home.
Most importantly, perhaps to Mintrone, a quilt can symbolize the many fractured parts of society being stitched together to form a whole.
“Wouldn't it be amazing, if downtown was just filled with these,” asked Mintrone, mentioning that there are hopes for possible future collaborations with the Bennington Quiltfest, the Downtown Bennington Harvest Festival and the Bennington Museum’s renowned 1863 Jane Stickle Quilt Exhibition, which is shown on a brief annual basis due to the fragility of the fabric.
This is Mintrone’s first year as the executive director for the BBC, but she envisions the continued growth and beautification of Bennington’s historic downtown district.
“One of the things BBC does, is it keeps communication going in the downtown area,” said Mintrone. “And, then, we bring in the revitalization. We want to see green spaces in the downtown area. We want to see fountains. We want to see people coming downtown — not just to shop, but also to enjoy themselves.”
Mintrone believes that creating beautiful space that is meaningful and purposeful is about creating culture.
Sharing one of the BBC Design Committee’s signature initiatives — “one of the most beautiful spots in the downtown area” — Mintrone referenced the Pocket Park near Katie Cleaver. “I could just sit there — and probably fall asleep. That is the most beauti-
ful waterfall and little nook. And, how it's all curved — it's just very peaceful — and, we want to see more of that.”
“Bennington is one of 24 towns in the State of Vermont that’s been designated as a ‘Main Street America Downtown,’” said Mintrone, explaining that the goal of maintaining this preferential status is to continue to improve the vitality of the downtown area.
“For the Quilt Square Project, we really see this as Phase One,” said Mintrone. “So, we see Phase Two, Phase Three — like, we see a real future for this. And, the part that I'm so excited about is that we've had different organizations and different people get to paint these, including kids.”
Lampron has already coordinated multiple collaborative painting sessions in venues throughout the downtown area, “Turning Point did one, (Greater Bennington Community Services) painted one at the potluck dinner that they do. We set one up at The Community Market and people who came to shop got to sit and paint.”
Looking toward the future, Mintrone envisions more and more networking and collaborations. “Next harvest season, we’re going to have a real chance to do something big, so I’m — I’m excited. We’re engaging people who might not normally ever be asked to do something. They’re working together on something, and they’re excited about it.”
"I absolutely love downtown Bennington: its beauty, vibrant community and sense of promise in its bright future. It truly is a hidden gem — full of charm and potential — just waiting to be experienced and appreciated."~
Photo provided byMichael McDonough
Bright Lights Craft Fair tradition continues under I Love Art Space
By Chris Mays, Vermont Country
WILMINGTON — Bright Lights Craft Fair has become synonymous with the holiday season in the Deerfield Valley.
It's returning to Memorial Hall in Wilmington on Dec. 14, with a companion show the same day in Dover Town Hall.
Last year, I Love Art Space took over the art and craft
show. Ellie Roden, with help from Mary Ann Barno, had previously put on the event from 2011 until the COVID-19 pandemic. The downtown organization Wilmington Works organized the show in 2022.
"We decided to bring it back," said Jane Jones, who leads the nonprofit I Love Art Space. "We're attempting to do four craft fairs every year."
Bright Lights was the first show her group put on.
Photo provided by I Love Art Gallery Space Ornaments by Angel Colford were sold at last year's Bright Lights Craft Fair.
"It was good," she said. "The attendance was not as good as what it was in the day, before it stopped. But you know, we have to build on it."
Artists from last year were happy with the response, Jones said. Several are returning this year.
Although I Love Art Space opened a cooperative gallery in West Dover in August, the group decided it would keep the tradition of hosting Bright Lights at Memorial Hall. They also will help Jeanette Eckert, a member of the group, with her long-standing craft fair at Dover Town Hall the same day.
A raffle will be held at Bright Lights to benefit I Love Art Space. The show will feature items such as watercolor paintings, collages, paper-framed pieces, pottery, jewelry, jams, jellies, tables and other furnishings.
At the time of the interview, Jones anticipated Twin Valley High School students might host another fundraiser. Last year, a bake sale raised money for a class trip to the Galapagos Island.
"In the years we organized Bright Lights, high school kids came early in the morning and again late afternoon to help artists/crafters unload and load their cars," Roden said. "The kids did it for community service credit and they were fabulous. The person in charge of the community service program expected those kids to be prompt, respectful and responsible, and they were. I was very impressed."
With Santa visits and a holiday concert benefiting the Deerfield Food Pantry, Roden said, "it was always a busy weekend in downtown Wilmington and Memorial Hall was filled with lots of holiday spirit." She recounted starting the craft fair at at time when the community was "still pretty dark after the flood caused by Tropical Storm Irene."
"I wanted to give people a reason to come to town and also to generate some funds from crafters booth fees to give to the town," she said, citing several local groups that received donations. "Then for the next nine years, we partnered with downtown businesses, which was a success for all involved."
Roden said she was ready to step down and turned the craft fair over to Wilmington Works, which ran it for a year. ~
More fairs and bazaars
Robert Frost Stone House Holiday
Makers Market (Shaftsbury)
On Nov. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum at Bennington College (121 VT Route 7A, Shaftsbury), this free, intimate holiday market features music, fine handmade goods, pastries and craft cider for your holiday celebrations.
Vendors and wares include: baked goods from Moon Scones, beautiful handmade wood candlesticks, spoons and bowls from Arakawa Turning Company, cards, paper goods, and artwork from Dancey Pants Disco and Rhonda Ratray; handmade sewn items from Berta Winker, fun macrame planters, wall hangings and jewelry from Vermont Macrame, winter vegetables and teas from Purple Carrot Farm, Hard Cider from Watson Wheeler Cider, dried wreaths from Farm Field Forage, and regeneratively-raised/organically tanned sheepskins and other farm crafts from Studio Hill Farm.
There will also be plenty of Vermont honey and beeswax candles, as well as handmade soap, and an array of books and gifts in the Museum Shop.
Santa Paws Photo Shoot & Craft Fair (Bennington)
On Dec. 7, Vermont Paws & Boots will be hosting its 2nd annual Santa Paws fundraiser, at 89 Colgate Heights in Bennington. The indoor event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a photo shoot with Santa Claus, a basket raffle, refreshments and a donation box for the Vermont Veterans' Home.
This year, the event is adding craft vendors, to include wreath makers, dog bow ties and bags, freeze dried candy, baked goods and wooden signs, to name a few.
The Santa Paws photo shoot is for humans and/or their beloved furry family members. All photos are taken and processed into a 5x7 print and digital copies by Danny Zaffarano, who is donating his professional experience and time.
Rumor has it, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be joined by a couple of Elves and the Grinch.
"It's a good joyful time for a great cause," said volunteer Lisa Hornung. Vermont Paws & Boots is also taking donations of Christmas gifts for the Vermont Veterans' Home, to be distributed to the residents.
Molly Stark Elementary School Holiday Bazaar (Bennington)
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7, at Molly Stark Elementary School (181 Orchard Road, Bennington), all are invited to enjoy: food, face painting, craft vendors, a kids' craft corner, a dessert walk, silent raffle, 50/50 raffles, door prizes, pictures with Santa and much more. The Molly Stark Elementary School Holiday Bazaar kicked off in 2017.
Santa will be at Molly Stark from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Paddington Bear will be visiting throughout the day as well. There will be a lunch and snack spread donated by local businesses, as well as prepared by our Molly Stark School Community.
For the silent raffle, local businesses and vendors donate items as prizes. One of the biggest draws is a gift certificate tree for local area businesses.
Vendors include The Crafty Duo, Lady Kane's Sweet Treats, PlateCraft, Highland Ledge Farm, Crafty Mama, Larry Woodworking, Wicked Sniffer Aromatherapy and many other local artists and crafters. There are also Mary Kay, Scentsy and Color Street consultants attending.
'Nothing's too much trouble for Christmas'
Named for Maxine Linehan’s holiday album “This Time of Year” that came out in 2020, the songs performed during her show at Southern Vermont Arts Center conjure memories of loved ones — past and present — in a passionately beautiful voice that opens her soul to audiences.
Musicians gear up for holiday shows
By Gen Louise Mangiaratti, Vermont Country and Anne Archer, Vermont Country correspondent
For Brattleboro musician Zara Bode, preparations for her winter holiday-themed shows begin as soon as the previous season ends.
"My tradition is to, after every Christmas season, I go around and I buy all the clearance Christmas items in town and at various box stores, and kind of plant ideas for the
following year," Bode said.
She said last year's loot has inspired a "Christmas Island" theme for this season's shows.
"I've got some pink flamingos and AstroTurf planned," she said with a laugh. "So we'll probably go for some more tropical Christmas vibes this year."
Bode, a member of the Sweetback Sisters, will take the lead on the group's annual Christmas show while fellow front-
Photo provided by Dave Barnum
woman Emily Miller stays home with her young children. On Dec. 17, the "Country Christmas Singalong Spectacular with Zara Bode" comes to The Stone Church in Brattleboro.
"It's gonna be a lot of the same joy and trivia and schmaltz and tons of harmonies and all about the singalong," Bode said. "We've always had a slogan. We say: 'Nothing's too much trouble for Christmas.' Honestly, that is the idea I'm taking with me through this tour."
Bode is among many local musicians gearing up for holiday-themed concerts this winter. Though winter brings dark days and icy temperatures, there is still live music to lift our spirits. Southern Vermont is home to several concerts this winter, with songs that of course celebrate Christmas, but also that honor big feelings and the human condition. Shows include Bode's family-friendly singalong, a classical music concert in Brattleboro, an emotional journey at Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, and for the more low-key audiences, an intimate coffeehouse show in Bennington.
As well as the show at The Stone Church, Bode is also gearing up to bring her singalong to Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 18, to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, and to the Academy of Music in Northampton, Mass., on Dec. 22.
"Every year, there's some point in the show where you feel an authentic sense of Christmas spirit. It happens every year, without doubt, no matter how hard a year it's been, how difficult the rehearsals were, or how bad the traffic was," Bode said. "At some point, I feel so deeply connected with the audience as we're all singing together. I'm just really looking forward to feeling that again. That kind of joy is really, really special."
For more information on Bode and her band's holiday show at The Stone Church, check the venue's website, stonechurchvt.com.
For a classical take on the holiday season, Windham Philharmonic brings "Beethoven in December with Holiday Treats" to Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Admission is by donation.
Music director Hugh Keelan said the show at the Latchis follows the success of last December's concert at Winston Prouty, which featured the Fifth Symphony by Beethoven along with seasonal favorites such as "Sleigh Ride" and “Waltz of the Flowers” from The Nutcracker.
That concert was so popularly attended, Keelan recalls, that several carloads of hopeful attendees had to turn around and go home.
"I mean, it was awful — and the most wonderful, awful problem to have. We were busting at the seams and people were just so enthusiastic about it," Keelan remembers.
This year, he said, the plan is to ride on this success with Beethoven's Eighth Symphony, which he describes as far more boisterous than last year's selection. "It doesn't go into tragedy or darkness," he said — though maybe at times,
In Manchester, a new Vermont tradition has begun as Maxine Linehan, a renowned concert and recording artist, returns to Southern Vermont Arts Center after three years of sold-out performances to entertain music lovers with her critically acclaimed holiday concert “This Time of Year.”
irony. "It's simply enjoyable."
When asked if he considers classical pieces more inclusive than traditional holiday music, which may fall along religious or cultural lines, Keelan agreed.
"Beethoven is more challenging than doing the simplest form of holiday fare, and it's inclusive, yes, because it
“
Photo provided by Dave Barnum
completely avoids kind of siding with one religious or even secular tradition or another," he said. "It's quite the expression of the human spirit, and you know, let's relate that to the holidays — why not, right? It gives something that is really, really in favor of us celebrating our
experiences, you know, being alive."
Connie Green, flutist in the group, noted that the Beethoven symphonies are both familiar to people who follow classical music, and enjoyable and accessible to everyone else.
Then, there is the experience of performing these classical pieces.
"There's no feeling like sitting in the midst of a lot of musicians performing a work together. The music is wonderful, and we're all working together to form a whole that's much greater than than each one of us individually," Green said. "I enjoy the challenge of learning the part and trying to perform it as best I can, and the outcome of it is very satisfying. We have people come up to us afterwards and just express how much it means to them. And that's really a special part of it."
For more information on "Beethoven in December with Holiday Treats," visit windhamphilharmonic.org.
Over in Manchester, a new Vermont tradition has begun as Maxine Linehan, a renowned concert and recording artist, returns to Southern Vermont Arts Center after three years of sold-out performances to entertain music lovers with her critically acclaimed holiday concert “This Time of Year.”
Named for Linehan’s holiday album “This Time of Year” that came out in
Gen Louise Mangiaratti — Vermont Country file photo
Tyler Bolles, Kat Wright and Brett Hughes perform their holiday concert at The Coffee Bar in Bennington in 2023.
2020, the songs performed during her show conjure memories of loved ones — past and present — in a passionately beautiful voice that opens her soul to audiences.
According to Linehan, the majority of the concert’s set list will be tracks from the album, consisting of holiday classics like “Silent Night,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and some not-so-obvious holiday songs such as Maroon 5’s “Memories,” and Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal’s “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
The well-rounded collection creates a treasure chest of mixed emotions.
“It’s not just all twinkling lights and frosty snowmen, and sugar cookies,” Linehan said, explaining her vision for the concert. “We have those moments in the show where we sing about presents and gifts and the joy of the season, but I also love to share with people the other side of the holidays, which can be profoundly different for some people, and I think it’s important to recognize that.”
On a stage decorated with fragrant pine
VINS NATURE CENTER
EXHIBITS & ACTIVITIES
* Forest Canopy Walk
* Live Animal Programs
* Nature Store & Trails
* Private Experience
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“This Time of Year” kicks off the holiday season on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.) with a live performance held in the Arkell Pavilion at Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester.
trees, Linehan leans into the bittersweet feelings brought on by the holidays with the help of a 10-piece concert orchestra.
Linehan’s accompaniment includes an enriching array of instruments, a special guest or two, and a string quartet featuring Taconic Music’s Joana Genova on violin and Ari Rudiakov on viola — a combination sure to embrace Arkell Pavilion in a rich, full sound.
To experience the event to its fullest, Linehan recommends coming early to enjoy a festive dinner at CurATE Café
(on Southern Vermont Arts Center campus) or to imbibe in a cocktail before the show in the Arkell Pavilion lobby.
After the concert, Linehan’s holiday album and trees from the set will be on sale, allowing audience members to bring a touch of this Vermont tradition into their homes.
“This Time of Year” kicks off the holiday season on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.) with a live performance held in the Arkell Pavilion at Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester.
Tickets, ranging from $40 to $125, are on sale at svac.org. Attendees are advised to purchase in advance as the show is expected to sell out.
For those who prefer the banter of a coffee shop over the grandeur of a theater, the Kat & Brett Holiday Show, featuring popular Vermont musicians Kat Wright and Brett Hughes, comes to The Coffee Bar in Bennington at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30. For more information and tickets, which are $20, search for "Kat & Brett" on eventbrite.com.~
‘Never
Book review:
Too Late’
to
get
the
old glove out Novel by Dorset author gives sports fans hope
By Don Keelan
Every generation of baseball fans is fortunate to have a novel about baseball and a chance to imagine themselves as the novel’s hero.
In 1952, Bernard Malamud told the baseball world (and others) about a Midwest farm boy who takes a fallen tree's remnants and converts them into a baseball bat. As we read on in Malamud’s superb novel, "The Natural," what a bat it would become.
Some 30 years later, the baseball world was accorded another story that ignited the reader’s imagination of what could be. This time, it was provided by movie director/writer Phil Alden.
Alden’s work is not about a bat but a field, not in Nebraska, where Malamud’s story initially takes place, but in Iowa, in a cornfield. Yes, "Field of Dreams," which Alden adapted from W.P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel "Shoeless Joe."
In "Never Too Late," David Meiselman helps us appreciate the importance of having friends, family, and especially dreams in life, regardless of age.
Image provided by Hawes & Jenkins
For those who might not remember the plot, it is about a corn farmer who creates a baseball field where the farm’s corn stalks majestically once stood. Farmer Ray hopes that if he builds a ball field, "they will come" — the infamous Chicago Black Sox 1919 baseball team players, including Shoeless
Joe Jackson.
A generation later, in 2024, we have our own author of a baseball story — a tale right up there in plot creation, suspense, and imagination, as witnessed in "The Natural" and "Field of Dreams." For our generation, David
Meiselman, of Dorset, Vermont, shares his baseball hero in "Never Too Late."
In "The Natural," we were introduced to the brilliant pitching and especially the batting talents of the 36-year-old Roy Hobbs. In Alden’s creative work, Ray Kinsella built the baseball field in his late twenties. In "Never Too Late," we are introduced to a retiree who is also a grandfather, widower and devoted New York Yankee fan from a suburb of New York City, 75-year-old Melvin Klapper.
Mr. Meiselman, a retired attorney and Vietnam-decorated United States Marine, grew up in nearby Brooklyn and knows Melvin's journey from his home to Yankee Stadium.
It is only a 45-minute subway ride from downtown Manhattan to 161st Street in the Bronx, where each spring and summer, thousands of baseball enthusiasts exit the elevated train, go down the stairs, and cross the street to Yankee Stadium, “The Home That Ruth Built.”
In "Never Too Late," we are treated to a day at Yankee Stadium, joining Melvin and his grandson, Billy, after they made the train and subway journey to the stadium’s bleacher seats.
Melvin and Billy, along with longtime bleacher seat fans, bring along not
only something to eat and drink but, most importantly, a baseball glove, hoping that they will be the ones to snag a homerun ball. Such a feat would be rare at Yankee Stadium, given that the bleacher seats are well over 400 feet from home plate.
But that was not the case on this sunny late spring afternoon. The Boston Red Sox batter smashed a pitch with such velocity and distance that it was heading right for Billy’s face. Melvin, a grayhaired retired grocery store worker, snared the drive, not with Billy’s glove but his bare hand. Grandson Billy was in disbelief; Grandpa caught a home run ball. Also in amazement were the millions of fans who witnessed the remarkable catch on the Jumbotron and ESPN.
Longtime tradition in the bleacher section mandates that a home run ball by the opposing team, captured by a Yankee fan, is thrown back onto the field. Thousands of fans were watching what Melvin’s next move would be. Billy did not want the ball thrown back, but Melvin Klapper reluctantly conceded to tradition. Klapper stands up and throws the home run ball back. With the throw completed, Mr. Meiselman takes his readers back to the "Field of Dreams" and "The Natural."
Melvin fires a line-drive strike right to the Yankee catcher. The perfect and most unusual throw was not lost on the Yankees’ dugout personnel, the general manager, or the team’s owners, sitting and watching from their private box seats.
Not only does Mr. Meiselman capture so much of what it was like to be on the subway and the anticipation of going to a game, but his writing takes this writer back to the Bronx and 161st Street. His description of the game Melvin and Bill are at is such that I felt I was sitting next to Klapper and his grandson. You can just smell the popcorn, hot dogs, mustard, and, of course, the pretzels.
In turning the pages, Mr. Meiselman allowed me to turn back the years to when I once sat in the bleacher seats at Yankee Stadium, now occupied by Melvin and Billy. For me, it was a time when a kid from Oklahoma would replace my hero, the legendary Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio. The kid was Micky Mantle.
The Yankee management wastes no time bringing Melvin to the clubhouse, where he is interviewed, provided with a uniform, spike shoes, and a mitt, and then taken to the field for a tryout in fielding, throwing and batting. His performance amazes the Yankee players, coaches, the manager, and most importantly, the owners. He’s hired and given a contract.
The contract is not anywhere near what was recently given to Shohei Ohtani, pitcher and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, $700 million over 10 years. The amount given to Klapper will be left to the readers to discover. Also,
how Klapper performs will remain a secret for now.
In "Never Too Late," Mr. Meiselman helps us appreciate the importance of having friends, family, and especially dreams in life, regardless of age. His fourth published book takes us back to what we were given in "The Natural" and "Field of Dreams" — the gift of imagining what could be.
This writer has some sense of what that means, having spent a week in February 1991 at the New York Mets baseball fantasy camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Along with 65 other dreamers, we trained and played baseball with 18 former New York Mets. For seven days, two games each day, I thought I could be a Roy Hobbs. Now, thanks to Mr. Meiselman, I can once more dream that someday I just might be a Melvin Klapper. It is never too late.
If you wish to obtain a copy of "Never Too Late" before you pick up your baseball glove or as a holiday gift, you can do so by going to hawesjenkins.com/books/?book=never-too-late or asking your local bookstore.~
Don Keelan lives in Arlington and is a longtime columnist for Vermont News & Media.
Shop local, shop small, make holiday shopping easy and affordable!
So much more than a bookstore!
So much more than a bookstore!
hand-crafted ceramics, magical beasts, local artwork
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Photo provided by Myra Packman Author and Dorset resident David Meiselman poses in fall foliage.
By Victor C. Capelli
He slowly rises out of the pond like some kind of ancient antediluvian prehistoric apparition, his massive 5-foot rack of antlers dripping with water and brown muzzle festooned with the lily pads he was eating. He shakes his head slowly, blowing vapor into the misty autumn morning air and looks about his special domain of Vermont with imperious commanding eyes at the surrounding landscape of crimson and orange leaves of sugar and red maple, dark spruce,
The bull of the woods
hemlock and white pines; an imposing creature of cold sphagnum bogs, glistening lakes and boreal forests.
He shakes his shaggy head and snorts again, blowing droplets of spray out into the chilly air as he walks through the pond shallows, his gigantic brown frame and antler rack dripping with the cold moisture gleaned from the pond’s depths. Seeing no apparent threat, danger or challenge from a potential male rival, he slowly submerges again into the cold murky waters with only a little stream of bubbles marking his disappearance deep below the gray green lily-padded surface.
The moose (Algonquin word for “eater of twigs”) is the quintessential ecological archetype and biological product of untold missing millennia that has escaped the mortal claw of unknown ascertained human lifetimes, which brought forth his majestic kind out of the deep morass of muskeg and impenetrable unknown evergreen darkness which once covered the northern reaches of North America, Canada and Alaska in an empire of glacial unconquered cold. The moose, like the greatly vanquished buffalo to his once limitless prairies, is a unique living example of boreal forest adaptation.
A bronze behemoth of the sepulchral swamps, the moose (Alces alces) is the largest member of the deer family and of unrivaled relict magnificence dating back to the long-ago Pleistocene or Ice Age more than 11,000 years ago, when huge mammalian denizens of prehistoric North America and Eurasia like the mastodons, mammoths, giant bison and saber-toothed cats roamed the icy permafrost tundra, dark forests and windswept plains and meadows in their teeming millions beneath the mile-high overhanging, towering, splintering and rumbling blue and white crevassed ramparts of the advancing continental glaciers.
The moose is a true native son out of the land of the Northern sun, where the Arctic tundra and the Canadian taiga meet in the cold air elixir of the frozen horizons.
The average weight of the female moose or cow is around 600 pounds, while the adult male ranges from 700 to over 900 pounds. The male has a 20-to-30 pound rack of antlers spanning 5 to 6 feet and an average height of 6 feet at the shoulders. The weight of an adult bull moose over the age of 5 can be impressive. As recently as 2022, the recorded weight and height of an Alaskan moose was 1,808 pounds and a height of 7.6 feet! In 2015, a female bow-hunter shot a moose in the Northeast Kingdom town of Norton in Essex County, Vermont (where the majority of moose live), weighing 931 pounds, a record for the state.
Only the extinct European Irish Elk (Megaloceros) of the Ice Age, a giant deer which grazed the glacial tundra and grasslands of Ireland, Scotland, England, Scandinavia and Eurasia, had antlers larger than the moose with stags bearing racks 12-feet-wide tip to tip and with an average body weight exceeding 1,500 pounds.
Master of the northern wetlands and woods, the moose has no equal in the forbidding world of the boreal north and commands respect from all the other animals who share this world with him.
The nearby Green Mountain Range, the deep, tree-cloaked deciduous and boreal forest vastness that stretches from the Massachusetts border almost up to Canada and the mixed deciduous coniferous nook of the Northeast Kingdom (Essex County) are the two main habitats and haunts of the moose in Vermont. According to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the now stable moose population of 2,100 is mostly found in the Northeast Kingdom, but approximately 388 are supported by favorable
Photos provided by Zura Capelli A moose display at the New York State Museum in Albany, N.Y.
The moose in Vermont
habitat here in Southern Vermont.
Moose, like all deer, are selective browsing herbivores, whose diet in summer mainly consists of submerged aquatic vegetation and in the winter, the bark, twigs and leaves of willow, aspen, birch, maple, pin cherry and mountain ash. A moose needs to eat more than 50 pounds of plants a day in order to stay healthy, and that is why they are always on the move. Balsam fir in winter is a common choice, but the high sodium content of aquatic plants is preferred because that is a required and missing nutrient in a moose’s diet. Moose crave salt. A moose will often frequent salt runoff from roads in winter.
There is a limited one-week moose hunting season (Oct. 1 to 7) in Vermont, primarily in the Northeast Kingdom (WMU3E) with a license lottery system based on the carrying capacity of the present managed population. This is mostly formulated on the population density dependent mortality impacts from the winter tick and brain worm (cyclic with fluctuating white tailed deer populations), and moose over-browsing impacts on regenerating forest trees. In April of 2024, Vermont’s Fish and Wildlife Department voted to grant 80 either sex and 100 anterless hunting licenses in the WMUE (Wildlife Management Unit) of Essex County.
Traffic accidents account for most moose non-hunting deaths since 1980, around 67%. Winter tick mortality has been particularly devastating to the moose population in nearby Maine of approximately 77,000. Thousands of winter ticks can heavily infest a moose which causes anemia, weakness and in severely debilitated individualsdeath. In 2012, the moose population was as high as 5,000 in Vermont but
that managed number has declined in recent years to the present 2,100. Vermont’s 2020-2030 Big Game Management Plan of biological data and sound management system strictly determines the moose hunting licenses presently awarded based on the State monitored moose population status, their browsing impact on the local forest and parasites like the winter tick and brain worm.
Bouncing back from near extinction due to overhunting, agricultural development, urbanization and deforestation, the moose is now recovering due to sound conservation and management practices. The moose can now be found throughout Canada, Alaska, the Rocky Mountains to Colorado and North Dakota, Maine, (population 77,000), New Hampshire, (4,000), the Adirondacks of New York (600 to 700), Upper Michigan, Wisconsin and almost all of Eurasia. The moose also claims habitat in least 8 of the western states, including Oklahoma. The small Adirondack Park population of moose, interestingly, is a direct beneficiary of recent migration from Vermont, with the first known moose calf being born in 1990.
Above all, the moose proclaims his undisputed reign of unsurpassed dominance in the forested and wetland biomes of the Green Mountain State. The still gray and green tree silhouetted edge of the boreal wetland pond full of bulrushes and floating lily pads dotting the surface and cattails fringing the shore is suddenly disturbed by the ripples of the arising dark form of the bull moose breaking the glistening mirror of evergreen forest of spruce, hemlock and white pines spreading beneath the lowering dark slopes of the nearby Green Mountain Massif. A young bull moose, with the last
A moose display at the New York State Museum in Albany, N.Y.
pieces of dangling shedding red velvet still adhering to the huge palmate tines of the 5-foot rack, strides out of the pond shallows toward the shore, his long legs and semi-webbed feet (an adaptation to his semi aquatic lifestyle), and thick brown pelt (impervious to cold) dripping with water and his pendulous mouth still half-full of the aquatic vegetation he was eating. He slowly turns his head and suddenly stops in mid-stride, hearing an unfamiliar sound, a rustling coming from the obscuring shoreline vegetation, and
with keen eyes and massive antlered head focused and frozen in that direction, he awaits the unknown author of this forest sound.
Moose are solitary for the most part, except for the rutting and territorial breeding season (mid-September to mid-October) when bulls spar with each other for the purpose of securing a female and breeding dominance. Moose become adults when they are 5 years old and cows are of breeding age when they are either 2 or 3 years old, giving birth in the spring to 1 or 2 (usually twins) calves after 243 days. In the fall rut, bulls will shred tree branches with their antlers and dig urination pits in the forest floor where they leave scent for breeding cows to find.
Bull moose are often notoriously dangerous in fall mating season aggression and wander for many miles, often crossing roads. They can collide with cars while in search of a suitable female. A 900-pound bull moose can easily total a car traveling at 55 miles an hour. In years past, moose collisions with trains have even derailed locomotives. Stay alert while driving through moose habitat (boggy ponds, swamps, evergreen forests and lakes) and heed moose crossing signs!
Out of the thick underbrush, another bull moose with a comparable rack of antlers, charged out to meet the other big male standing in the pond and the two met in a fury of clashing head butts and entwined antlers and a shoving match, each pushing against one another in a test of rutting strength and straining muscles beneath the cold blue sky and the flaming foliage of a Vermont morning. The two tussled for a few minutes, each seemingly an equal match, both trying to get a wrestling advantage.
They backed off from each other for a brief moment, huffing and puffing, then the two reengaged, but the one who had emerged from the woods challenging the one in the pond was slowly pushed back to the edge of the shoreline, snorting and straining, eyes red with the madness and intensity of the conflict. But suddenly, the challenger had enough. Backing away slowly from his opponent, who stood with his rack lowered at the ready, the defeated bull moose shook his head from side to side sending sprays of water into the air and he turned tail back into the woods, stomping and splashing loudly through the reeds and lily pads. The breaking of branches receded as the vanquished bull made his way into the deep recesses of the Vermont forest.
A glowing amber blast of sunset sunshine slanted in from the west, coating all the trees in the autumn hills of sugar maple, birch and balsam with an eerie surreal and supernatural glow that suffused the old glaciated ridges surrounding the pond. The victorious bull bellowed in triumph and strode back through the shimmering waters holding his massive antlers high aloft against the gathering darkness. He snorted loudly and shook his head once more before plunging down into the cold depths with scarcely a line of bubbles to mark his stealthy disappearance.
The moose, a regal symbol of the Northlands, majestic in bearing and powerfully awesome in all his guises, is our Vermont natural treasure that has no equal amongst the other wild creatures sharing the woodlands of our great Green Mountain State. He is a continuing living legacy of the wilderness, a resident of the boreal forest vastness, but still reigning and roaming proud and free here in the wild Vermont wonderland of sugar maple, balsam and bogs that he calls home.~
Victor C. Capelli is a retired environmental educator, environmental analyst and nature illustrator.
Smoke Couple aims Vermont Grower Spotlight
By Ivy Kirby GreenMountain Cannabis News correspondent
GUILFORD — Matt LaPlante originally grew up in Portland, Oregon, but moved to the East Coast to be closer to the family of his wife, Lane LaPlante, in late 2020. Two years ago, the couple's small, growing company, Smoke Ranch Redemption, became licensed.
From Portland to Vermont:
A family's cannabis journey
“My wife’s the east coaster. We’d always planned to come back somewhere closer to her family,” said LaPlante. “I've been growing in the black market for almost 20 years, since I was around 20, and I’m almost 40 now,” said LaPlante.
The rainy climate of Portland, Oregon, prepared LaPlante for the challenges of growing in the temperate rainforest of Vermont.
Botany expertise and small-scale cannabis growing
Matt holds a bachelor's degree in botany and is a certified agronomist. Lane has a master's in business administration. Their current growing operation is 600 square feet indoors and they have 125 plants outdoors.
“Her thesis was actually about entering new cannabis markets and the challenges of entering them,” said LaPlante.
“We’re small and self-funded, basically just a small family-run business, but there’s a lot of those in Vermont,” said LaPlante. “It’s unique. I think the next category that would make us stand out from other growers is my background in botany.”
Ranch Redemption: to keep operation small
Matt works as the main grower and takes on most of the physical labor. His wife Lane handles logistics like labeling and marketing while working full-time as a grants manager. “Every once in a while, if a relative is over, they might sit in front of the TV and put stickers on jars,” said LaPlante.
“I enjoy being my own boss, also growing plants in general was a pretty big hobby for me before I started growing cannabis. I don’t think I’d survive in an office space,” said LaPlante.
“We pour basically everything we have into the business. If you’re getting a jar of flower from us, it’s almost certain that I've looked at the flower myself or trimmed it myself,” said LaPlante.
Overcoming challenges in Vermont's cannabis market
They’ve faced some challenges since their business became operational. “Cannabis is still stigmatized and sometimes people get upset when
their neighborhood stinks. The whole hillside stinks and unfortunately not everyone likes the smell,” said LaPlante. They grow and live on a hill with a dozen other houses in the next square mile.
LaPlante and his family are looking forward to more free time in the coming years. “We’d like to do more outdoorsy type stuff with the kid,” said LaPlante about the couple’s 2-year-old son.
With the regulation challenges that come with upgrading a cannabis business to a tier 2 licensure, the LaPlantes are happy with their tier 1 status.
“Vermont is maybe the only state that would allow for a chance for us to operate at this size. The consumer decisions seem to make it viable,” said LaPlante. Vermont’s small population has allowed the business to survive a market that’s beginning to boom.
“Ten years ago, if you’d have asked me about the state of federal legalization, I
would've said it would have been done but it could go on for another 10 years. It would open up interstate commerce and things will get tougher for small businesses,” said LaPlante.
Smoke Ranch Redemption's popular strains and retail partners
Their most popular strain in 2024 was called Bob Ross, a strain that helps folks relax at the end of the day. With many great cultivators in the state, the company has learned how to develop a strong relationship with retailers. Their product can be found at Winooski Organics, True 802 Cannabis, Float On Cannabis Co., Something Wicked Cannabis Company and Vermont Bud Barn, among others.
For more information about the company or to contact them directly, visit smokeranchvt.com or follow their Instagram, @smokeranchvt~.
Photo provided by Smoke Ranch Redemption
Lane LaPlante with her son.
The devil went down to the multiplex Beelzebub on the big screen
By Dan Tebo Vermont Country correspondent
Well, folks, the holidays are bearing down on us once again, which can only mean one thing: Time for another article about Santa flicks! At least — that’s what my editor had in mind when she sent me my bi-monthly assignment. Unfortunately, I wasn’t paying close
The Exorcist (1973): A 12-year-old child becomes possessed by a demon who causes her to vomit several gallons worth of pea soup and commit a host of acts unprintable in a family publication. After a half-century’s worth of sequels, spoofs, books, documentaries and think pieces, William Friedken’s unsettling horror/drama somehow remains the scariest film of all time.
Oh God! You Devil (1984): Vaudevillian George Burns, who was born in 1896, became a breakout comedy star in the late 1970s when he signed on to play the man upstairs in "Oh God!" — a film that inexplicably spawned a successful mini-franchise. For the final film in the series, Burns did double duty as God and the devil, both of whom end up sounding like the same wisecracking octogenarian.
Crossroads (1986): This puzzling flick attempts to tell the true-ish tale of
attention while scanning my emails and briefly thought she’d requested an article about Satan. Instead of course-correcting, I just went ahead and watched 10 films about the prince of darkness.
So … Satan! Another fella with a penchant for histrionics and an affinity for the color red. Certainly knows when you’ve been naughty and such. The
mysterious blues legend
Robert Johnson and the pact he made with the devil at the titular intersection … by casting Ralph Macchio, the white Italian boy from “Karate Kid,” as an anonymous guitar slinger traveling the South in search for a lost Johnson recording. Real-life shredder Steve Vai cameos as a devil’s henchman.
Prince of Darkness (1987): If schlocky 1980s horror is your jam, maestro John Carpenter has always got you covered. A group of scientists hole up in a dilapidated monastery to study a cylinder of green gunk that may or may not be Satan in liquid form. Things go from poor to quite poor when the students spill said gunk and become possessed. Shock rocker Alice Cooper appears as “Street Schizo.”
The Witches of Eastwick (1987): The lives of the residents of a sleepy New England town are upended by the arrival of self-proclaimed “horny little devil” (Jack Nicholson) who may or may not be the genuine article. A fiendishly entertaining comedy with a murderers' row of a supporting cast headlined by the indomitable Cher.
devil has always been low-hanging fruit for horror filmmakers. I mean — who’s scarier than The Man Downstairs!? As always, we took a deep dive into various representations of Beelzebub across all genres. It turns out, in addition to tormenting your soul for all eternity, Satan can also yuk it up with the best of 'em! Happy holidays, everyone.
The Devil's Advocate (1997): For those of you who thought Al Pacino was too subdued in “Scarface,” there’s always his turn as John Milton (get it?), a nefarious bigwig lawyer who lures country boy Keanu Reeves to NYC and slowly destroys his life. Profoundly ridiculous but never boring. Bedazzled (2000): For viewers interested in seeing Old Scratch portrayed by someone who isn’t a scenery-chewing white male, well, I guess there’s this comedy. Liz Hurley’s devil drops in on Brendan Fraser’s nerdy office worker and offers him seven wishes in exchange for his soul. Hurley is straight fire but Fraser thoroughly debases himself in the ensuing series of painfully unfunny vignettes.
Constantine (2005): Somewhere between Johnny Utah and John Wick, Keanu Reeves slid into the role of John Constantine, a terminally ill demon hunter who travels around Los Angeles apathetically
performing exorcisms. Unreasonably handsome Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale appears as a half-demon, proving again that rock stars love showing up in movies about the devil.
Devil (2010): Perennial Vermont Country magazine punching bag M. Night Shyamalan wrote the screenplay for this thriller about five strangers stuck in an elevator in a Philadelphia high rise. The police begin to suspect that one of the passengers might be the devil. Spoiler alert: It’s the unassuming grandmotherly lady. There, I just saved you 80 minutes.
Late Night with the Devil (2023): While I won’t say found footage horror films that go straight to streaming are never good, I will say that few of them are THIS good. In the late ’70s, a fledgling late-night TV host invites a possessed teen onto his show in an attempt to juice ratings. The results will stay with you long after the closing credits roll.
Warner Bros IFC Films
20th Century Fox
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