VERMONT
This is
Bennington – Manchester
! e e r F GUIDE TO Summer
2016
Manchester 7 Bennington 9
The Shires
EVENT LISTINGS • REGIONAL MAP • TOWN MAPS
INSIDERS GUIDE TO
Guide to Shopping, Dining, Lodging, Attractions, Events, Outdoor Recreation & Local Lore
Home Brew Festival story pg. 8
Biking in The Shires story pg. 16
Discover the places where memories are made!
Milton Avery story pg. 13
Covered Bridge Guide story pg. 14
Towns - Town Maps Bennington . . . . . . . . . .pg. 4 Downtown Bennington pg. 6 North Bennington . . . .pg. 8 Shaftsbury . . . . . . . . .pg. 15 Arlington . . . . . . . . . .pg. 15 Sunderland . . . . . . . . .pg. 15 Manchester . . . . . . . . .pg. 18
Regional & Recreation Map Centerfold . . . . . . .pg. 10-11 Itineraries . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 16
SCAN and READ ONLINE
Stories on the arts, parks, suggested itineraries, recreation map, town maps, calendar of events, local lore, shopping, interesting facts, craft fairs, museums, farmer’s markets, and as much good stuff as we can fit!
Event Listings . . . . . . . . . .pg. 9 Published by Spectrum Design www.thisisvermont.com Summer 2016 Our 33rd year! For advertising information contact Jonah Spivak 802-447-1778 or email thisisvermont@gmail.com 262 North Street Bennington, VT 05201
www.thisisvermont.com • Guide to The Shires of VT
Spend the weekend in The Shires!
Fly fishing at the Henry Bridge in Bennington. One of five covered bridges in The Shires of Vermont. See covered bridge guide on page 14.
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his beautiful region nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains is know as The Shires of Vermont. It has the singular distinction of having two shire towns, Manchester and Bennington, historically referred to as county seats and includes 15 Vermont towns and villages. Recently, the region was recognized as the 15th most culturally vibrant region in the United States with a population under one million by the National Center for Arts Research. Surrounded by mountains and enriched by the waters of the famous Battenkill that runs through the valley, The Shires has historically been a popular four season destination for those seeking the authentic Vermont experience. It is within
The Bennington Battle Monument with statue of Seth Warner in the foreground. The Battlefield is located several miles to the west on Route 67. See center map for locations.
a 4 hour drive from New York City, Hartford, Boston, Northern New Jersey and Canada and is just across the border from the neighboring Berkshires. The Shires boast a proud agricultural heritage and a robust entrepreneurial spirit. The region is set against the backdrop of Vermont’s famous pastoral landscape, complete with red covered bridges, barns and sugarhouses, corn rows, apple orchards and farmer’s markets in season. Its many scenic towns and villages are both vibrant and engaging. Quite simply they are quintessential Vermont. Those in pursuit of history will discover The Museums of The Shires, seven cultural heritage sites that cover periods of American
Fall foliage graces the approach to the Wilburton Inn, located in Manchester.
History from pre-Revolutionary War to present day. For outdoor enthusiasts recreational opportunities abound, from alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling to hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking and golf. Some of the nation’s best professional theater can be found here as well as regional music festivals and wonderful fine art museums and galleries. And if shopping is one’s passion, there’s antiquing, exquisite handcrafts, specialty shops and fashion designer outlets aplenty. The people of The Shires invite you to visit their region soon. It is... So Vermont. So near!
Standoff at the Henry Covered Bridge and the McWaters Park
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by Marty Cummings
he original Henry Bridge was built in the late 1760s and was the site of a historically important event. Early Vermont settlers purchased their homesteads from Benning Wentworth, the colonial Governor of New Hampshire. But New York land speculators sued, claiming that the land was actually part of the colony of New York and that the Vermonter’s deeds were invalid. Their suit succeeded and In July of 1774 a posse of three hundred men, led by the sheriff of Albany, attempted to evict James Breckenridge from his farm on the south side of the Walloomsac. They were confronted at the site of the Henry Bridge by the Green Mountain Boys. After a tense armed standoff, the posse turned around and marched back to New York. Breckenridge kept his farm, and Vermont was born. The land east of the Henry Bridge and north of the Walloomsac is a park named in honor of Rob and Jeanne McWaters a couple who have devoted much of their lives to the benefit of the village of North Bennington. The area nearest the covered bridge includes a small parking lot, picnic tables and a bench where visitors may relax and contemplate the river. A group of local organic gardeners is planting a “permanent forest garden” at the western end of the park. This
See our Covered Bridge Guide on page 14 for locations.
is a combination of nut and fruit trees, berries, legumes and other carefully chosen plants which are ecologically compatible and which will produce food indefinitely without the use of fertilizers or pesticides.
The Shires of Vermont Byway T he Shires of Vermont Byway is named for the scenic region it passes through from Vermont’s southern border with Massachusetts to its northern point where it intersects with the Stone Valley Byway in the heart of Manchester. This ribbon of road, US Route 7 from Pownal to Bennington, and VT Historic Route 7A from Bennington to Manchester, is the historic stretch that has connected the communities of the north shire and south shire for centuries. Historically, a “shire town” was a county seat otherwise known as the governmental center of the county.
Created in 2010, The Shires of Vermont Byway links the existing Molly Start Byway (Route 9, in the Southshire)
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and the Stone Valley Byway (Route 30, in the Northshire), to afford travelers a complete route through our region and is part of an almost complete circuit of byways across the entire state.
The Shires of Vermont Byway winds its way from south to north through the towns of Pownal,Bennington, North Bennington Village, Shaftsbury, Arlington, Sunderland, Manchester Village and Manchester Center for approximately 75 miles including side trips. For more information about Vermont Byways, visit www.vermontvacation.com/byways
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
The Shires of Vermont: From Conflict to Cooperation
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hat are the “Shires of Vermont?” During the American Revolution(1775-1783) Vermont declared its independence in 1777 and became an independent country, the Republic of Vermont. Subsequently, Bennington County, the oldest county still in existence was established in 1781. However, the Vermont legislature left the designation of the county seat, the “Shire Town”, to each Vermont county. However, the 17 towns of Bennington County could not agree on which town would be the Shire town.
Visitors enjoy the weather by an outdoor sculpture honoring Thomas Jefferson next to the iconic Northshire Bookstore. Jefferson visited the area with James Madison in 1791.
A compromise was reached naming both Bennington and Manchester a “half shire” town therefore Bennington County became the Shires of Vermont as it was only Vermont County with two Shire Towns. Manchester became known as the Northshire and Bennington became the Southshire. In Manchester, the first court house was in the group of buildings located opposite the Equinox Hotel. In 1822, the present day “Queen of the Northshire” courthouse was built just north of the original building in Manchester Village. Bennington has had several court houses. One was near the 306 foot Battle Monument and another was next to the Old First Church in Old Bennington. The current courthouse on South Street is an almost identical replica of the latter. Vermont’s only two shire town county seemed to work until the early 1900s when there were efforts to “center” the courts in Bennington but Manchester disapproved. The Vermont Supreme court resolved the issue and the two shire town system survived and has flourished. As time moved on into the latter 1900s, both shire towns began to cooperate more because there were common ties and would be enhanced benefits. Geology had placed both Bennington and Manchester in the Valley of Vermont between two beautiful mountain ranges, the Taconics and the Green Mountains. The train route to Burlington from Albany passed through both Bennington and Manchester. Both towns were to benefit from the mutual promotion of the growing skiing and recreation industries in the late 1900s. The Long Trail, the oldest long distance hiking trail in the US went through both Bennington and Manchester. Similarly, the beauty in the Shires, led to increased
11th Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow
VT Veterans Home, Bennington • August 13 & 14
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celebration of cultures, values, and traditions. Healing Winds is excited to invite the community and public to the 11th Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow set to take place Saturday, August 13th and Sunday August 14th, 2016 at the Vermont Veterans Home, 325 North Street, Bennington, Vermont. This will be a family friendly event of authentic American Indian dancing, drumming, arts, crafts, demonstrations and food. Everyone is welcome. This year's intertribal Pow Wow will bring to life the rich history and culture of Native America through song, dance, wisdom, food and games. It will be a weekend to celebrate and experience cultures, values, and traditions with a gathering of Native American tribes from across the country. A pow wow, derived from the Narragansett word powwaw meaning "spiritual leader," has historically been a gathering of North America's Native people. More modern pow wows have become a cultural celebration for Native American and First Nations people to meet, dance, sing, socialize and honor their cultures. For eleven years, our pow wow has been a space for the community to meet old friends, make new ones, have fun and dance. Drawing participants from all across North America, the weekend features some spectacular events not to be missed. These include: • Traditional Veterans’ Honoring • Nammy award winning performances by Arvel Bird • Danza Azteca, more than thirty Aztec Dancers
The 11th Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow is a unique opportunity for the public to come together to celebrate and learn about the history of our land and is an event not to be missed. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities still exist and local businesses are encouraged to participate. For information regarding these opportunities or for more information about the Pow Wow, please contact Susan Jame-
This whimsical horse sculpture graces a lawn in the Southshire.
commercial activity. Orvis in Manchester invented a fly fishing reel, Mack in Arlington built machine tools, and world class pottery would be made in Bennington. The creation of the scenic Shires Byway (essentially route 7A) in 2010 linking Manchester and Bennington further enhanced the visitor’s experience. Taken together all the art experiences in the towns of the Shires of Vermont create a wonderful reason to visit the Shires. Recently the entire region, the Shires of Vermont, was selected as the 15th most vibrant art region in the US. History buffs can now travel the scenic Shires Byway to see where Ethan Allen left from (Bennington) to capture Fort Ticonderoga and where he recruited his largest family of Green Mountain Boys(Manchester). There is so much to do and see in the Shires of Vermont: recreation, culture, history and shopping. www.shiresofvermont.com —Story by Dick Smith Dick Smith is a best selling author of history books on Vermont. His books are available locally at the Northshire Bookstore, the Bennington Museum, and The Bennington Bookshop.
From the Farm
For wonderful local produce, baked goods, cheeses, and entertainment, visit our local farmers markets and farm stands.
Farmers Markets
Bennington - Walloomsac Farmers Market www.walloomsac.org Located at Depot Street in Bennington, adjacent to the Bennington Station Restaurant, and at the terminus of the pedestrian River Walk. The market is open on Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm, and on Tuesdays 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Manchester Farmers Market www.manchestermarket.org Located at Adams Park near the Chamber of Commerce office on Main Street. The market is open on Thursdays from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Dorset Farmers Market www.dorsetfarmersmarket.com Located on the grounds of the HN Williams Store on Route 30, in Dorset. The market is open on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Farm Stands
Shaftsbury - Clearbrook Farm Open daily, this organic farmstand is located on Historic Route 7A and is a must for local produce and artisan foods. See ad and map on page 16.
Danza Azteca and more than thirty Aztec Dancers demonstrates traditional dancing as part of the 11th annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow in Bennington, VT.
son at 802-753-6835, humanityinconcert@earthlink.net or Fidel Moreno at 832-777-8081. Pow Wow one day admission, $8, adults, $5 youth 11-17, $5 seniors, children 10 and under, $1. Saturday, August 13th, 10am – 8pm. Grand Entry is 1:00pm Sunday, August 14th, 10am – 6pm. Grand Entry is 1:00pm
Bennington - The Apple Barn Open daily, with their own bakery famous for cider donuts. Soft serve, including Maple Syrup flavors, tons of souvenirs, and a fun place to visit and shop. Located just 2 miles south of Downtown Bennington on Route 7. See ad and map on page 5.
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
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Plus the villages of North Bennington, Old Bennington, Shaftsbury & Pownal
Bennington ~ Incorporated 1749 • Population 15,473 ~
Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce - 802-447-3311 • www.bennington.com Bennington Town Office - 802-442-1037 • www.bennington.com/town Map not to scale. Not all roads shown.
HISTORIC ROUTE
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VT Arts Exchange
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See our center map for hiking trails, swimming holes, fishing spots, and paddling.
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Get Outdoors!
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309 County St • Bennington, VT
Grandview St.
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Growlers to go!
Hillside Street
Map Key
See centermap for numerical advertiser index.
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Downtown area see page 6 Street #’s Union 20 to 40
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Eastbound into Vermont: TURN RIGHT at blinking yellow light to avoid 279 and follow VT RT. 9 for Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Wilmington and Mount Snow.
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Bennington Vermont Welcome Center
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Vermont’s first town, named after Benning Wentworth, the New Hampshire Governor who chartered the town despite the fact that the area in question was also claimed by New York. The Green Mountain Boys of Revolutionary fame started as settlers defending their claims from New York officials.
Lake Paran
Benmont Avenue
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Vermont started with Bennington!
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Robert Frost Stone House Museum
Paran Rd .
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Lake Shaftsbury
ad
Did you know?
Pownal was the site of Vermont’s only witch trial... the Widow Kriegger was dumped in the Hoosic River on the theory that if she was innocent she would sink, and if she floated it was due to the support of the Devil and would be guilty. Legend has it that the Widow Kriegger sank like a stone, and it was with difficulty that she was fished back out to enjoy her aquittal.
To Williamstown, MA
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Jensen’s
Family Style Restaurant Since 1961
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Yankee Magazine Editor’s Pick Bennington Banner Readers’ Choice Award for best Antiquing
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 7 Days 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Bus Tours Welcome • Beer - Wine To-Go Orders Welcomed 14
Explore Vermont’s largest antique center. Antique and vintage treasures galore, as well as over 5,000 sf of antique and vintage furniture.
332 North Street (Rt 7 North) • Bennington, VT (802) 442-3333 • www.jensensfamilyrestaurant.com
SECOND HAND ROSE New and gently used clothing and accessories for the entire family.
THE HARWOOD HILL 18
Route 9, Bennington, VT 05201 GPS "66 Colgate Heights" (1/2 Mile West of Bennington Museum)
Open 7 Days 9:30 to 5:30 • Open Year Round
(802) 447-0039
Please send us an e-mail camelot1@sover.net
802.447.1563 New - Local Artisan’s Corner
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An eclectic assortment of antique and vintage collectibles. Come and learn about our direct connection to the Titanic.
303 Depot Street • Bennington, Vermont 05201 Open 7 days a week Located across om Tractor Supply Co.
Where the Arts Meet Hospitality
www.secondhandrosevt.com
864 Harwood Hill Road Bennington, Vermont • 802-442-6278
Open 7 Days 9:30 to 5:30 • Year Round
www.theharwoodhill.com • reservations@theharwoodhill.com
Extraordinary selection of jewelry and fine gifts
jewelry • pottery • glass • wood accessories • bags • toys
See our ad on 12 back page!
.net
craftsmarket & gallery
open 7 days • free gift wrap
Vermont’s Farmstand Experience!
The Barn is packed full of your favorites: Apple Cider Donuts Home-made Fudge Our Own Orchard Apples Pick-Your-Own Berries (June - September) Vermont Maple Syrup Vermont Gifts & Souvenirs
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262 north street • bennington, vt • 802-447-0488
604 US Route 7South Bennington, VT 802-447-7780
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2 mi. south of Downtown Bennington Open May to November
Johnny Appleseed says
Visit us at www.TheAppleBarn.com and find us on: Insta
FINE ARTS SALES EXHIBITIONS
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44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, VT | 802-442-7158 | www.TheBennington.org
Milton Avery's Vermont
July 2 through November 6
1863 Jane Stickle Quilt
September 3 through October 10
Vermont Life Gallery Opening this Fall
Grandma Moses
American Modern Coming June 2017
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Milton Avery (1885-1965) Blue Trees, 1945. Oil on canvas, 28 x 36 inches. Collection Neuberger Museum of Art. Purchase College, State University of NewYork. Gift of Roy Neuberger. © 2015 The Milton Avery Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NewYork. Photo Credit: Jim Frank
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
ART HISTORY INNOVATION
75 Main Street, Bennington, VT 802-447-1571 benningtonmuseum.org
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Downtown Bennington
Walking Tours Event Information
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Main Street
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Come visit the Downtown Welcome Center located just south of four corners (where the clock is) on South Street (US 7).
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Shops & Galleries • Restaurants • Free Parking • Bakeries & Cafés • Walking Tours
Library
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Elm St
FIsh and chip shop
802-442-5059 Open 7 Days
11:30am - 8:00pm Tuesday - Saturday www.lilbritainfishandchips.com
benningtonbookshop.com
626 Main Street • Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-3794
Chakra Balancing Zero Balancing Health Coaching Body Treatments
Making Hearts Flutter 23
Vermont’s Largest Art Supply Store Art Gallery/Prints • Fine Custom Framing Vermont Products, T-Shirts and Sweatshirts Gis • Collectibles • Cards Large selection of
Quilt • Fabric • Alterations • Yarn • DMC Floss
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343 West Main Street, Bennington, VT www.thegiftgardenvt.com 802-447-7222
FEATURING:
New & Used Video Games Collectible Card Games Magic the Gathering, Pokemon
Miniatures Games
802-447-0091
457 Main Street • Bennington, VT Open Sun - Thurs 11-8pm • Fri 11-11pm • Sat 10-9pm
www.thegamersgrotto.com
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Warhammer 40,000
Dungeons & Dragons Books Retro Video Games Used DVDs Friday Night Magic Paints & Accessories
Children’s Consignment Shop
802-753-7375
From clothing, newborn to big kids 12, to cribs, toys, books and more.
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Party Games & Board Games Free WiFi Birthday Parties Weekly Game Play & Tournaments In-Store TV Rentals for game play Table space for casual game play
28 473 Main Street Bennington, VT
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Since 1976
Unique Line of Gifts Soaps & Lotions, Candles, Sachets, Flour Sack Towels, Garden & Home Decor, Maple & Gourmet Products, Fresh and Custom Designed Permanent Arrangements, Gift Baskets and Much More
Find us on Facebook! www.jaysartshop.com 113-115 South Street • Downtown Bennington, VT 802 -447-2342 • Open Daily
burgess_scottie@hotmail.com
Manicure Pedicure Waxing Reflexology
532 Main Street 802-442-9404 www.JophielsBeauty.com
A must see store! You will be sure to find the perfect gi for anyone, or even something for yourself!
www.thescarlettcreation.com Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 6pm
Scarlett Burgess, owner
Hair Massage Facials Reiki
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THE SCARLETT CREATION 38
We offer a harmonious balance of techniques to help unite your senses and promote wellness for mind, body & spirit.
POTTERY
802-442-2447
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You CAN Afford Your Health & Well Being!
•
116 North Street, Downtown Bennington, VT
• •
HAMMOCKS
467 Main Street Bennington, VT 05201
Eat in our 22 seat restaurant or call ahead for take out. Serving traditional British favorites including Fish and Chips, Meat Pies, Sausage Rolls and Mushy Peas, as well as American fare including chicken tenders and burgers.
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GLASS • PEWTER • PINATAS
LIL’ BRITAIN
The Bennington 34 Bookshop
We even have maternity clothing!
www.facebook.com HereWeGrowChildrensConsignmentShop Jamie Lane-Owner
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
RAMUNTO’S PIZZA AND PUB
You’ve tried the Rest ... Now try the Best!
23 Beers on Tap!
519 Main Street Bennington, Vermont 05201 39
802-442-6622
Sunday 11 am-9pm Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm
Tell our advertisers your saw them in The Guide to The Shires of Vermont!
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This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
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North Bennington ~ Incorporated 1866 • Population 1,324 ~
NBOSS 19
HISTORIC ROUTE
Map not to scale. Not all roads shown.
Great Food • Great Prices • Great7Atmosphere US
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North Bennington, VT Outdoor Sculpture Show
To Bennington Battlefield
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Henry Bridge
Song of David by Rita Dee
KevinsSportsPubAndRestaurant.com • 27 Main St., North Bennington, VT HISTORIC ROUTE
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Daily Specials Amazing Seafood Live Music Fri.& Sat.
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bustling with Vermont craft beer on tap and food vendors offering local farm to table fare. All this in the beautiful atmosphere that only Southern Vermont can offer. On Friday downtown is alive with First Friday. On Saturday August 6, the Homebrew Festival takes place at Four Corners North (County Street) from 12 noon to 4 with a free shuttle running to the craft show at Camelot Village. The Homebrew Festival is in it’s second year and features sampling from 40-50 different homebrews, as well as music and beer brewing related vendors. The Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival runs 10-5 on Friday and Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday. The adult admission is $8 and kids and parking are free. All Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival details can be found at www.craftproducers.com . So, come spend the weekend. Enjoy Vermont’s first town. Visit the festivals, eat good food, drink good beer, walk the downtown. Breath the air, relax, and become a Vermonter. For a complete schedule keep checking http://www.betterbennington.com/BenningtonArtsWeekend
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or the fourth consecutive year the Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival will be the jewel in the crown of an ever expanding Bennington Arts Weekend. The Art and Craft Festival will be held at Camelot Village on route 9 about two miles west of downtown. 150 artists, artisans, and specialty food producers will showcase their creations under enormous gleaming white Camelot tents. Along with craft shopping the ambiance is festive: live music, craft demos, kids activities, and a food court serving a menu to please any palate featuring Vermont craft beers. Several Bennington organizations work together to in staging the Arts Weekend; The Bennington Chamber of Commerce, Better Bennington Corporation, Bennington Potters, and The Four Corners North group including Hawkins House Craftsmarket. And The Tap House at Catamount Glass, the Bennington Banner, as well as other galleries, The Bennington Museum, and The Old Castle Theatre Company. While the Southern Vermont Art & Craft Festival is taking place at Camelot Village, the town of Bennington is busy and
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Beer • Shopping • Entertainment • Music Vail Rd.
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
ad
VT
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Event Listings March 26 - June 15 - Bennington “3D Digital: Here and Now” Who knew that the quintessential New England town of Bennington, VT was a hub of digital design and technology? Over the last fifteen years, there has been a profound transformation taking place in the way things are made, all across the world, and here in Bennington too. Artists, including Jon Isherwood, Willard Boepple, and Karolina Kawiaka have been exploiting the potential of new technologies to push material practice, while commercial design and manufacturing firms such Nahanco, Plasan NA, and Kaman Composites have been making products ranging from clothes hangers to cancer treatment beds all used quite literally around the world. Explore the unique works on view in 3D Digital: Here and Now, March 26 through June 15 at the Bennington Museum. ww.benningtonmuseum.org
April 23 - July 10 - Bennington “Out of This World” Lush Abstract Landscapes by Sally Gil. Bennington Museum presents Out of This World, an exhibition of new and recent work by visual artist Sally Gil. This is the first exhibition of Gil’s work in her native state of Vermont. The artist will create a site specific installation directly on the gallery walls; a further three large scale works and a number of smaller scale works will complete the show. www.benningtonmuseum.org
May 7 - July 30 - Bennington “It Is All a Mystery” Opening in Bennington Museum’s Works on Paper Gallery is ‘it is all a mystery’, Drawings by Marcy Hermansader, 1981-2015. At first this exhibition may appear to be a group show. But upon closer examination the viewer will see a selective retrospective, featuring four distinct bodies of work by the same artist dating from 1981 through 2015. Drawing on a deep well of intuitive, often deeply personal symbols and images, Hermansader’s work is akin to sophisticated visual poetry. www.bennintonmuseum.org
May 28 - Bennington “Mayfest” Downtown Bennington transforms into a festival of arts, crafts, activities, food, & entertainment. In 2016 there will be over 100 crafters and artisans from throughout New England featuring handmade crafts of wood, pottery, glass, metal, fabric, jewelry, and more. As always, School Street will be lined with ethnic treats including Indian, German, Italian, and American. You’ll also find favorites such as fried dough, gourmet seafood, wood fired pizza, baked potatoes, ice cream, and more! www.betterbennington.org.
June 11-12 - Manchester “30th Annual Manchester Antique & Classic Car Show” The show will be on the Dorr Farm on Route 30, just north of Manchester Center-a spectacular setting surrounded by the Green Mountains. Thousands of spectators and hundreds of car
collectors turn out each year to enjoy an exciting array of vintage vehicles. This great family event offers activities for all ages plus great food, silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, tractor rides and strolls on the show field. Show hours are Saturday 8am-4pm and Sunday 8am-3pm. Adults $10.00/Children Under 12 Free. www.manchestercarshow.com July 4 - Bennington "Hometown Fun and Fireworks" Games, entertainment and fireworks. Encampment and reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Bennington Battle Monument. (802) 447-0550
July 5- Aug. 7 - Dorset "Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show" Celebrating its 23rd year as Vermont’s premier hunter/jumper competition. The Vermont Summer Festival is a six week show on the Beebe Farm in East Dorset. See Olympic equestrians participating in events for $750,000 in prizes. www.vt-summerfestival.com
July 9 - Bennington "Bennington Bike Night" A free event sponsored by the Bennington International Motorcycle Club held at the Bennington Station. Roll in and join the show, compete for best in show, live music by “Moose” Bell, and local vendors. www.bimcvt.org
July 10 - Manchester "3rd Annual Barnyard Ball" Please join The Dorset Equine Rescue on Sunday July 10th at 5:30 pm for their 3rd annual Barnyard Ball! This year it will be held at The Inn at Manchester in their beautiful new event barn. There will be a live band, mechanical bull rides, silent auction, door prizes and great food! Wear your best boots and maybe your cowboy hat and come on out and have some fun!
July 15-16 - Manchester "Solarfest Sunrise Festival" SolarFest 2016 will continue the 20-year legacy of integrating high quality sustainable energy education, music and arts. is a community activity fueled by the passion of hundreds of knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced volunteers. This year will mark a new home for SolarFest at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, VT (map). Solarfest and SVAC have joined together due, in large part, to their shared missions to connect people, the arts and ideas. Together we can further art in all its aspects, promoting artistic excellence and community-building with the foremost goal of education to create a vibrant present and a sustainable future. SolarFest will utilize lecture and classroom facilities for workshops, the Arkell Pavilion auditorium and outdoor stages for musical performances, the botany trail and gardens to host Theater-in-the-Woods, fields and parking areas for exhibitors and vendor booths, and the beautiful wooded areas of the grounds for camping, including selected areas of the Sculpture Park. www.SolarFest.org
While great effort has been made to ensure accuracy, it is best to call ahead to confirm dates and times for events.
Event listings are updated regularly on our website: www.thisisvermont.com
July 16-17 - Manchester "Sheepdog Trial and Farm Festival" Annual two day event featuring some of the Northeast’s best border collies in timed trials. A fun event and farm festival for the whole family with farm activities, vendors and local foods. www.merckforest.org
July 7-23 - Dorset "Dear Elizabeth by Sarah Ruhl" Dorset Theatre Festival is excited to produce Dear Elizabeth by Sarah Ruhl, one of the most renowned playwrights of her generation. Dear Elizabeth chronicles the remarkable thirty-year friendship between two of the most celebrated and honored American poets of the 20th century: Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. With postmarks from Maine to Key West, and as far away as London and South America, Dear Elizabeth is a lyrical and moving portrait of two lives that unfold in letters. A recent hit Off-Broadway at The Women’s Project, the production will be helmed by director Adrienne Campbell-Holt, known to regional audiences for her acclaimed work on DTF’s productions of Red starring Tim Daly, and The Scene by Theresa Rebeck. The production will feature a rotating cast of Broadway actors. July 21 - Bennington "Midnight Madness" Midnight Madness returns on Thursday, July 21 2016 to Downtown Bennington. This downtown retail extravaganza is a terrific family event and community institution with incredible bargains all throughout downtown. 7pm 12pm All Downtown Shops open late, some til Midnight. The biggest sales event of the year! www.betterbennington.com
August 5-7 - Bennington “Bennington Arts and Crafts Weekend” Southern Vermont Art & Craft Festival. The Festival is located at Camelot Village on Rt. 9 West. Here visitors to the area can enjoy an incredible variety of Fine Art and Craftwork for sale including jewelry, textiles, pottery, handmade wooden pieces, and so much more. Enjoy live music, beer, food, shopping, entertainment and fine arts. 802-447-3311. www.bennington.com
Aug 6 - Bennington “4 Corners North Homebrew Festival” The same people who brought you the 2015 Craft of Beer Home Brew Challenge have done it again! This time as 4 Corners North but bigger and better. Are you are a home brewer? Want to find out what people think of your brew? Want to challenge yourself to make the best homebrew? Then join us for the Second Annual Homebrew Festival on August 6th from noon to 4pm. The 4 Corners North section of County St., Bennington, VT will be closed for this unique event. Enjoy a street fair atmosphere with a live band, food and other vendors, and of course the best home brewed beer in the area. This is a family friendly event and there will be homemade root beer available. www.craftofbeer.weebly.com
Aug 13 - Arlington "19th Annual Norman’s Attic" The place to be if you’re looking for unique items, gifts, crafts and collectibles. A celebrated community wide tag sale in with local vendors and food along Main Street. www.stjamesarlingtonvt.org Aug 12-14 - Bennington “Battle Day Festivities & Parade” A Living History Encampment will take place on the grounds of the Bennington Battle Monument. Drill presentations, musket and artillery demonstrations, educational exhibits, and activities for children will be ongoing hourly. Authentic cannons will be on display and fired periodically during the day Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the Public. A downtown parade and local road race the 13th.
Aug 13-14 - Bennington “11th Annual Rock, Rattle and Drum American Indian Pow Wow” We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Authentic American Indian dancing, drumming, arts, crafts, and demonstrations. With “Lord of the Strings” Arvel Bird, and Danza Azteca – The Aztec Dancers. At the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington. Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm, rain or shine. One day admission is $8, $5 for seniors and youths age 11-17, children under 10 for $1. www.healingwinds.net
Sep 3-4 - Bennington “Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival” Everything from garlic ice cream to garlic jelly, pickled garlic, roasted garlic, garlic braids and, of course, plain garlic bulbs of every variety will be available for sampling and purchase, along with planting and braiding and cooking demonstrations. www.lovegarlic.com
Sept. 17-18 - Bennington “23rd Annual Bennington Quiltfest” Offering one of the best quilt shows in the northeast. Show offers new quilts, demonstrations, queen size quilt raffle, challenge quilts, special exhibist, many vendors and mouthwatering fare from the Quiltfest Cafe. Our featured quilter and lecturer is Pat Delaney is an award winning quilter from New England, specializing in color, home machine quilting, appliqué, and embroidery. Her teaching has taken her to shows in Chattanooga, Des Moines, Vermont, Minnesota, and Virginia among others and she has visited many, many, guilds. www.benningtonquiltfest.com CHECK CURRENT THEATER LISTINGS:
Oldcastle Theatre
www.oldcastletheatre.org See ad page 6
Dorset Theatre
www.dorsettheatrefestival.org
11th ANNUAL ROCK, RATTLE & DRUM AMERICAN INDIAN POW WOW
We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For. Sat. August 13th Sun. August 14th, 2016
Authentic American Indian Dancing, Drumming, Arts, Crafts and Demonstrations RAIN OR SHINE at THE VERMONT VETERAN’S HOME
325 North Street, Bennington, VT www.healingwinds.net 802-753-6835
19
“Lord of the Strings” Arvel Bird and DANZA AZTECA
Sat. 10-8, Sun. 10-6, GRAND ENTRY: 1PM SAT. & SUN. 1 Day Admission $8, Seniors: $5, Children 11-17: $5, Children Under 10: $1
5:30 - 8:00 PM
Hemmings Cruise-Ins
at Hemmings Sunoco 214 Main Street. Bennington, VT
Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Thursday Thursday Thursday
May 26 June 9 June 23 July 8* July 21 August 4 August 18
Cruise-ins often are cancelled when rain threatens, so it's a good idea to call 800-227-4373 shortly beforehand to be sure the event is still on
Collector Car Appreciation Day
* Friday, July 8th is the sixth annual Collector Car Appreciation Day, the nationwide celebration of automotive passion that is officially proclaimed by the U.S. Senate. This "holiday" celebrates the preservation of historic, classic and specialty cars in the United States. Enthusiasts are encouraged to show their support by bringing out their classic car to where everyone can see it, and hopefully create more interest in the hobby of preserving everyone's automotive heritage
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Page 9
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires Of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
North Hoosick
RT 22
Cambridge
Salem
RT 22
New York
313
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153
ROUTE
Vermont
Bennington Battlefield
East Hebron
St on
By wa
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RUPERT
ey
30
Arlington Green Bridge
67
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Whit e Cre ek Rd
30
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ROUTE
67
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E. A rl
Lake Shaftsbury
Buck Hill Rd
EAST
Old Mill Rd.
Chiselville Bridge
11/30
ROUTE
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313
ROUTE
Exit 2
7
US
E. M a n c
Exit 4
Exit 3
ARLINGTON
in g t o n
52
59
SHAFTSBURY
48
7A
a W
91
River R oa d
62 61
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7A
HISTORIC ROUTE
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St ton
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54 53
Arlington Recreation Area
ARLINGTON
Robert Frost Stone House Museum
67
56
60
74 70
78
87
Dorset Mountain 3804’
SUNDERLAND
HISTORIC ROUTE
50
ROUTE
The Ball 2755’
West Mountain 2401’
42 46
ve. Hawks A
NORTH BENNINGTON
Sporting three covered bridges, this is a very scenic river with good trout fishing to boot. For canoes, put in at the Henry Bridge to avoid dams.
Walloomsac River
August 16, 1777. This Revolutionary War battle was an American victory that led to the defeat of the British at Saratoga by reducing British forces, preventing the capture of needed supplies, and galvanizing the American forces. Located 10 miles west of it’s namesake Bennington, VT, in the town of Walloomsac.
Battle of Bennington
“Kill” is Dutch for “river.” Famous for fly fishing, the river is also popular for canoeing and tubing. Best for paddling in spring or after a rain as it can get low during drier months.
Batten Kill
Batten Kill
Red Mountain 2846’
(see coupon page 15)
Skyline Drive to top of Mt. Equinox
Mount Equinox 3852’
See detailed town map page 18
Merck Forest
DORSET
Dorset Quarry
Local favorite swimming hole. Former quarry, with deep cold water and tall cliffs. Not for small children.
MANCHESTER
315
ROUTE
Norman Rockwell moved to Arlington in 1939 where he began to paint pictures that "grew out of the everyday life of my neighbors," and painted some of his best known works including “The Four Freedoms” and “Saying Grace” using local people for models.
Rockwell Country
315
ROUTE
eV al l
ROUTE
Dorset Quarry
Rd West
Emerald Lake State Park
M
a i n St re et
Map not to scale. Not all roads shown.
Paran Rd .
Rd
The Shires of VT Byway
South Rd
rm
ter Rd h
Lye B
d.
oa d
Glen R roo
7
US
Tra il
Lon gT rai l/
True wilderness pond; .4 mile portage for canoes.
Pick your own, on Route 7A at the top of Harwood Hill (just north of Bennington). Blueberry picking follow signs at Houghton Rd, late July early August. Apple picking is right on the corner of Historic Route 7A and Houghton Lane at Terry’s Orchard Starting September to
Glastenbury Mountain 3748’
Our main gateway to the southern section of the Green Mountain National Forest! Rebuilt in 2014 after it’s destruction during tropical storm Irene.
Kelly Stand Road
Apple Picking, Berry Picking
Ap pa lac hia n
Spruce Peak 2060’
Branch Pond
Bourn Pond
Rd.
Branch Pond
kF alls
Rootville
11/30
ROUTE
Bromley Mountain 3260’
Branch Pond Access Rd
Bro ok R
Rd .
d oa
ill Center H l Rock Trai
N
R on br e H
ille hv Ric es
Page 10 l Trai
t Prospec
OS E R VI C ES
g Lon l Trai ian lach a p / Ap Tra il
Gale Meadows Pond
(sea sona
l roa d-c
lose d
in w inte r)
Lovely day hike from the Kelly Stand 3.7 miles each way. Moderate hike.
Stratton Pond
Lo ng Tra il /
Ap pa lac hia n
Tra il
With good access, picnic areas, trails, and decent fishing, this is one of my favorite spots. The small mouth bass are very perky with lots of leaping out of the water, the water is very clean and cold. Mini beaches provide secluded options for swimming. A 2 mile hike will take you to the back side of Somerset Reservoir where you may hear the cry of nesting loons.
Grout Pond
Kelly Stan d
Stratton Pond
AT/LT - Begin at parking lot on Kelly Stand road. Hike 3.3 miles to top, great views and fire tower. Challenging hike. Stratton Mountain
30
ROUTE
Stratton Mountain
11
ROUTE
Grout Pond
Stratton Pond Trail
ail idge Tr West R
Hawkins House Craftsmarket ........pg. 5 & 20 4 Corners North Home Brew Festival ..pg. 20 Jensen’s Restaurant ................................pg. 5
12. 13. 14.
Knapps Toys & Music ..............................pg. 6 Jophiels Beauty Salon & Wellness Loft....pg. 6 Gamer’s Grotto ......................................pg. 6 Bennington Bookshop, The ....................pg. 6 Bringing You Vermont & NE Cafe..........pg. 20 The Scarlett Creation..............................pg. 6 Ramuntos Pizza ......................................pg. 7 NBOSS - North Benn. Sculpture Show ..pg. 8 Pangaea Restaurant ................................pg. 8
28. 31. 33. 34. 37. 38. 39. 42. 44.
48.
46.
Clearbrook Farm ..................................pg. 15
Kevin’s Restaurant and Sports Pub ..........pg. 8
Powers Market ......................................pg. 8
Here We Grow ......................................pg. 6
26.
45.
Jay’s Cards & Gifts ..................................pg. 6
The Gift Garden ....................................pg. 6
23. 24.
Oldcastle Theatre ..................................pg. 6
Cake Gallery ..........................................pg. 7 22.
21.
Lil’ Britain ..............................................pg. 6
Rock, Rattle and Roll Pow Wow ............pg. 9
19. 20.
The Harwood Hill ..................................pg. 5
Billy T’s Northside Dairy Bar ..................pg. 5 18.
17.
Bennington Potters ................................pg. 5
Second Hand Rose..................................pg. 5
11.
16.
Catamount Tap House ............................pg. 4
Apple Barn, The ......................................pg. 5
9. 10.
Bennington Station, The..........................pg. 5
8.
Bennington Museum ..............................pg. 5
5.
The Grille at Mt Anthony CC ..................pg. 4
Camelot Village Antiques........................pg. 5
3.
6.
Garlic and Herb Festival ......................pg. 20
2.
Mt Anthony Country Club ......................pg. 4
Southern VT Art & Craft Festival ..........pg. 20
2.
6.
The Bennington Center for the Arts ........pg. 5
Page #
1.
Map # Business Name
NUMERICAL INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Hoosick Falls
RT 22
New York
North Petersburg
RT 22
Hoosick
7
NY
ER
Vermont
To A l b any, NY
RT 346
Mu
P
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires Of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Blinking Light
? Information
So. Vermont College
The iconic mountain viewable from everywhere in Bennington.
St. nk
Elm S treet
Old First Church
5
Ba
6
Deer ticks are common in the Shires, and can carry Lyme Disease. Protect yourself by using regular bug repellant, and checking for ticks after being outdoors. Removing any ticks within 48 hours prevents the transmission of Lyme Disease. Note: the deer tick nymphs are even smaller than adults, not much bigger than a speck, and have six legs instead of eight. You will sometimes notice the itchiness around the tick before you actually see it.
Tick Warning:
Bus Station
Swimming Playground Hiking Biking
Picnic Area Canoeing
Fishing
Fish Hatchery
Map Key
Recreation Ctr.
Picnic Area
Library
2 3
Mount Anthony 2340’
way
OLD BENNINGTON
Open to the public
Golf Course
Nor ths 17 ide Dr i ve
Exit 1
M
H
on m en tA ve nu
P
Vermont Massachusetts
P
Weeks St.
Elm St.
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d
RT 346
North Pown al R
POWNAL
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xt en sio n
20
7
US
9
nT rai l
North Branch
un tai
ad
To Williamstown, MA
The view of the Pownal Valley with the Hoosick River is truly striking. Best viewed southbound on US 7 heading to Massachusetts.
Amazing View
d Ro Pon ers b r Ba
Good canoe access, mostly surrounded by houses, but good fishing for bass and overall a pretty pond. Barbers Pond Largest crayfish I’ve seen and pretty tasty.
Barbers Pond
Red Mill Pond
A short but challenging 1.8 mile hike. Start at Route 9. Very steep first quarter mile, then mostly VT State a ridge walk with Fish Hatchery some up and down. Great views over Bennington.
Harmon Hill
Woodford State Park
9
VT
Molly Stark Byway
Harmon Hill
279
Running the length of the Shires, you can access the trail at Route 9 in Bennington, or Route 11/30 in Manchester. The stretch from Route 9 to the Kelly Stand is the longest roadless section of the entire Appalachian Trail. AT/LT are white blazes. Other trails are blue blazes.
Appalachian Trail / Long Trail
Str ee t
This extended marsh and pond is quite weedy but lots of Stream Pond wildlife and good canoe South (duck reserve) access. Fish between the lilly pads for nice pickerel and bass. Mostly pristine shoreline.
South Stream Pond / Duck Reserve
Grandview St.
Hillside Street
Pleasant Street
P
Gage Street
10 13 County Street
16
Mo
BENNINGTON
enter lower park from Performance Drive
Ba ld
NO SER VICE S
Bald Mountain 2857’
38 37 31 Main Street 22 23 28 33 34 26 39 21 24 Union Street
P
12
19
Kocher Drive
Per formance
Willow Park
Main entrance off East Rd.
October. Pick your own berries at the Apple Barn on US 7 south (ad on page 5). See fruit icons on map!
Deer Park
11
?
Rd r Hill nte pe
eE
8
14
7
US
Bennington Vermont Welcome Center
Located on the north side of Route 346, shortly before the village of North Pownal. Owned by the Nature Conservancy, it is home to rare species of plants & flowers.It is also popular as a rappelling / climbing area and has cliffs from 30’ to 90’. Poison ivy is also abundant here, so take care! Hard to find, no signage. Cliffs visible as you approach from east, entrance just past road cut on the right.
Traffic Light
Parking
H Hospital
Post Office
Bennington Battle Monument 308’ tall elevator to top
Silk Rd Bridge
18
7A
HISTORIC ROUTE
Mount Anthony
Mt. Anthony Rd.
Pownal Quarry
Enlarged to show detail. Note dime for scale.
Bennington College
Molly Stark By
1
Walloomsac R d
Vail Rd.
r p hy R d .
Paper Mill Bridge
67A
ROUTE
44
Eastbound into Vermont: TURN RIGHT at blinking yellow light to avoid 279 and follow VT RT. 9 for Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Wilmington and Mt Snow.
9
VT
ES 279 VIC
Austin Hill Rd
Road River
Henry Bridge
Mile Around Woods n R d.
School St
West S t.
45
Gyps y Lan e
d.
kR
Sil
Park St.
Lake Paran
Convent Avenue
g Hou
Benmont Avenue Dewey Street
S
NO
New York
Depot Street Washintgton Av e
Wal l o o m sac R iver
Houran Rd.
Vermont
North Street
South Street
et re St
Ave. Silver Street
Ca r
Valentine St.
The Shires of VT Byway
iew ir v Fa
Bradford Street Lo n
nt ume Mon t. ch S B ee Ap
gto Drive School Street
Road Stream
gT ra il /
d Roa East reet pa lac h i an Tr ail
Ha r r i n
Branch St
South
Page 11
Manchester Hot Glass ..........................pg. 18
91.
Tell our advertisers you found them using the Guide to the Shires! —Thank you!
Gringo Jacks ........................................pg. 18
Hildene, Lincoln Family Home ............pg. 18
62.
87.
Equinox Valley Nursery ........................pg. 18
61.
Lighting Place, The................................pg. 18
Skyline Drive ........................................pg. 15
60.
78.
Battenkill Stitchery ..............................pg. 15
59.
Northshire Bookstore ..........................pg. 18
Christmas Days ....................................pg. 14
56.
74.
Cheese House, The ..............................pg. 15
54.
Mother Myricks Confectionery ............pg. 18
Sugar Shack, The ..................................pg. 15
53.
70.
Arlington Inn ........................................pg. 15
West Mountain Inn ..............................pg. 15
52.
50.
Summer Schedule Manchester Music Festival
JUNE 7 (TUESDAY) Palaver Strings Concert @ First Congregational Church | Manchester 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm First Congregational Church
Manchester Music Festival T
he Manchester Music Festival operates year-round and offers classical music performances and music education of the highest caliber. As a non-profit corporation, under the guidance of our Board of Directors, we produce classical music concerts throughout the year. These include seven summer concerts at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, the Manchester Chamber Orchestra’s Fall Tour, and Holiday Concerts around the Northshire. We host renowned musicians and operate a full-scholarship summer chamber music program for pre-professional performers. For children, MMF operates the Michael Rudiakov Music Academy offering private lessons in violin, viola and cello, and a youth ensemble for string players. We offer free concerts and residencies to local schools, and each July we offer Music Discovery Week when children can take a week of instrumental lessons with a member of our Young Artists Program. www.mmfvt.org
JULY 7 (THURSDAY) Opening Night – If it Sounds Good… @ Southern Vermont Arts Center | Manchester 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
JULY 11 (MONDAY) Opening Night- Young Artists Concert Series @ Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
JULY 14 (THURSDAY) Flirting with Fusion @ Southern Vermont Arts Center | Manchester 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Southern Vermont Arts Center
JULY 18 (MONDAY) Young Artists Concert @ Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy | Manchester 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
JULY 21 (THURSDAY) Music from Russia & Armenia @ Southern Vermont Arts Center | Manchester 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
JULY 25 (MONDAY) Young Artists Concert @ Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy | Manchester 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
JULY 28 (THURSDAY) Handel to Modern @ Southern Vermont Arts Center | Manchester 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
AUGUST 1 (MONDAY) Young Artists Concert @ Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy | Manchester 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
AUGUST 4 (THURSDAY) Around the World with Music @ Southern Vermont Arts Center | Manchester 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
AUGUST 8 (MONDAY) Young Artists Concert @ Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy | Manchester 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
AUGUST 11 (THURSDAY) Voices Together! An Orchestral Experience. @ Southern Vermont Arts Center | Manchester 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
AUGUST 15 (MONDAY) Young Artists Concert- Season Finale @ Riley Center for the Arts at Burr and Burton Academy | Manchester 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
AUGUST 18 (THURSDAY) A Night at the Opera @ Southern Vermont Arts Center | Manchester 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Oldcastle Theatre Company Presents Summer Season
A
long running Broadway comedy mixes a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, adds a dash of Monty Python to create a fast-paced whodunit for everyone who loves the magic of theatre. A two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs over 150 zany characters and an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance! In "39 Steps", a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she's a spy When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon a mysterious organization called "The 39 Steps" is hot on the man's trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive The City of Conversation stagecraft, "The 39 Steps" amounts to an unforgettable by Anthony Giardina evening of pure pleasure. Show opens June 3 and closes Opens – August 5 Closes August 21 June 19. Other shows at Oldcastle this summer include:
The Consul, the Tramp & America’s Sweetheart ~ World Premiere! by John Morogiello Opens Sept. 2 Closes – Sept. 18
BIG RIVER, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Music & Lyrics by Roger Miller Book by William Hauptman Opens – July 8 Closes – July 24–There will be one additional performance For more information, call (802)-447-0564 or online at each week on Sunday evening. Bring the kids, and the http://www.oldcastletheatre.org grand-kids to this family show
Summer Sonatina Piano Camp Offers Free Summer Concerts A
t Summer Sonatina, the teaching philosophy encourages students to become dedicated, serious musicians who develop resourcefulness, thoughtfulness and self-discipline. Emphasis is on all aspects of music, and also on lasting personal relationships with fellow musicians. At Summer Sonatina, a group atmosphere is created which allows children to grow responsibly with peers and as a member of a wider musical family. The camp inlcudes all levels of ability, in a non-competitive, supportive, nurturing environment. No auditions required to join the camp, and group isze is limited to 42 participants/week. The camp features intensive piano instruction, including private lessons, group classes, master classes, chorus, public performances and recreational activities. Students participate in chorus and group musicianship classes.
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Evening events include classes, master classes, bowling, one movie night, and concerts. Live-streaming of masterclasses and concerts are available on our website. Students present two concerts each week; Thursday (7:00 pm at the Bennington Center for the Arts) and the more informal Saturday afternoon (at 1:30 pm on the back lawn) The public, family and friends are welcome to attend.
Thursdays at 7 pm at Bennington Center for the Arts: 44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, VT 05201. 802-442-7158, www.thebennington.org Dates: June 23, June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21 Saturdays at 1:30 pm at 5 Catamount Lane: Bennington, VT 05201 802-442-9197, www.sonatina.com Dates: June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Arts, Culture, and Local Lore in The Shires of Vermont
19th Annual North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show (NBOSS)
T
he 19th Annual North Bennington Sculpture Show will open Saturday, July 23, 2016 with a reception and party from 4 to 8 PM in the North Bennington Sculpture Park, 48 Main Street adjacent to the North Bennington Post Office and next to the new home of the Vermont Arts Exchange. The show will be on view throughout the village of North Bennington at various locations until October 25, 2016. In addition to the sculpture park, works will also be on view at the North Bennington Train Depot, and at other locations on Main Street. The show will feature works by 38 nationally known and local area artists, many coming from Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey to participate. The show is also sponsored in part from the Fund for North Bennington and the Sage City Syndicate and has been curated by Joe Chirchirillo for the past four years. This year’s show has also been recognized by the Vermont Arts Council as a Vermont Arts 2016 Event. The show had its beginnings when local mason, Joe McGovern, asked Willard Boepple, local sculptor, to install
a few works on open land next to his shop and garage. Willard was also a sculpture professor at Bennington College and thought it would be a great opportunity to showcase the works of his students. Anthony Cafritz, founder of Salem Art Works, was a student at the time, and took over curating duties for several years. The students brought a sense of fun to the exhibit, siting experimental sculpture and performance pieces. Other local sculptors involved during the early years included John Uphlett, Fred X Brownstein, and Stephan Fowlkes. The openings were typically big and raucous affairs with students past and present and local artists showing their work, enjoying hot dogs and cheap beer. The show has since evolved to include artists from all over the country and has been gaining national attention. Works are now sited throughout the Village of North Bennington and installation will take place during the week before the opening on July 23rd. Expect to see some heavy equipment while the various pieces are being installed in time for the opening party. Some of the local area sculptors participating this year
will include Michael Biddy, Kristen Blaker, Bill Botzow, Fred X Brownstein, Joe Chirchirillo, Rita Dee, Autumn Doyle, Matthew Marks, and Gregory Smith. Artists from Salem Art Works, which has a long history with the show include Michael Bonadio and Chase Winker. Other sculptors from the Northeast and other states include Ethan Ames, Taylor Apostol, Freedom Baird, Peter Barrett, Patrick Camut, Jodi Carlson, Dave Channon, Charlet Davenport, Drew Goerlitz, Michael Guadagno, Bruce Hathaway, Stephen Klema, Eric David Laxman, Lin Lisberger, Peter Lundberg, Philip Marshal, Evan Morse, Phil Pappas, Nick Santoro, Mariam Shah, Christopher Spinozzi, Jamie Townsend, Bob Turan, miChelle Vara, Zac Ward, John Wilkinson, and Bernie Zubrowski. For more information, contact Joe Chirchirillo at 201983-9062 or email jrc373@comcast.net Information about the show can be found on the show’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NBoutdoorsculptureshow
“Creative Collisions” at the Bennington Museum
B
ennington Museum engages and transforms its visitors and community by connecting them to the region’s diverse arts, rich history, and culture of innovation as it collects, interprets, and celebrates the creativity of the region and of Vermont across time. “Creative Collisions” can be found around every corner when exploring the wide-range of American art, focusing on the arts of Vermont, ranging from 18th-century portraits and decorative arts to Folk Art, Vermont landscape paintings, and 20th-century Modernism. This summer, Bennington Museum presents a new exhibition of paintings by Grandma Moses including a selection from The Night Before Christmas. In 2017 these paintings will be joined by Grandma Moses: American Modern, an exhibition that looks at the work of this famous folk artist through a modernist lens. This exhibition will also include key paintings and ephemera by iconic artists such as Joseph Cornell, Helen Frankenthaler, Edward Hicks, Morris Hirshield, Joseph Pickett, and Andy Warhol. Together these two exhibitions will feature close to 70 works by Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses. The story of the Battle of Bennington is told in the Military Gallery while Gilded Age Vermont highlights the industrial and cultural innovation of the region during the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. Among the works in this gallery are Frederick MacMonnies’ sumptuous portrait of May Suydam Palmer, the Martin Wasp luxury automobile, made in Bennington by Karl Martin between 1920 and 1924, along with glass and metal works by Lewis Comfort Tiffany. Collectively, these objects paint a vivid picture of innovation and prosperity from Vermont’s past. Bennington Modernism features changing works created in the early 1950s through the mid-1970s by a group of avant-garde artists working in and around Bennington who led the nation in artistic thought and innovation. Among the artists of national and international stature with local ties
Vermont work vividly captures his family's summer activities, and sketching both family members and the artist's personal response to the Vermont landscape. Milton Avery’s Vermont examines Avery's artistic process, featuring pencil sketches executed en plein air, wonderfully fresh watercolors that were based on his sketches and executed at his Vermont cabin, and many of his major oil paintings that were drawn from these sources and typically completed during the winter months in his New York studio. The works in the exhibition are drawn from Milton Avery Trust; The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, State University of New York; the Peabody College Collection, Vanderbilt University of Fine Arts Gallery; and private collectors who wish to remain anonymous.
1863 Jane Stickle Quilt The quilt that inspires quilters all over the world will be on its yearly display at the Bennington Museum from Septemare Pat Adams, Paul Feeley, and Jules Olitski. This dis- ber 3 through October 10. The 1863 Jane Stickle Quilt is parate group of artists collectively explored such diverse comprised of 169 five-inch blocks, each in different patstrategies as Color Field painting, Minimalism, an early terns, containing a remarkable total of 5,602 pieces surrounded by a unique scalloped border. Conceptualism, and even proto-Pop. Milton Avery (1885-1965) Blue Trees, 1945. Oil on canvas, 28 x 36 inches. Collection Neuberger Museum of Art. Purchase College, State University of New York. Gift of Roy Neuberger. © 2015 The Milton Avery Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo Credit: Jim Frank
Major 2016 Exhibition July 2 through November 6, Bennington Museum presents Milton Avery's Vermont the first exhibition to take a focused look at the work this great American modernist created based upon his summers spent in southern Vermont, from the mid-1930s through the mid-1940s. Noted for his simultaneous commitment to exploring the formal, abstract qualities of art (line, texture, composition and, especially color) and the creation of representational images drawn from his daily encounters with people and places, Avery's
About the Museum Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Route 9), Bennington. VT in The Shires of Vermont. The museum is open daily through October and is wheelchair accessible. Regular admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students over 18. Admission is never charged for younger students or to visit the museum shop. Visit the museum’s website www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information.
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
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e Shires of Vermont Byway
(Historic Route 7A)
Shaftsbury • Arlington • Sunderland The Spirit of Christmas Year-Round
Shaftsbury Incorporated 1761 • Pop. 3,767 ~ Arlington Incorporated 1761 • Pop. 2,397 ~ Sunderland Incorporated 1761 • Pop. 850
Arlington Recreation Park
The public is invited to use park facilities, without charge (exception: a $5 donation for golf is requested), on a non-reserved basis. Park facilities can be reserved for private functions and special events. Applicatoins available at the park office.
Basketball • Baseball • Canoeing • Cookouts Fishing • Fitness Circuit • 9-Hole Golf ($5 fee) Nature Trail • Playground • Putting Green Soccer • Swimming • Tennis • Tubing • Vollyball
Featuring
Heritage Village • Old World Glass Santa Collectibles • Williraye Nativity Sets • Byers Choice and more!
Southern Vermont’s Largest Christmas Shoppe!
Parking located on 313 by bridge, and on 7A just north of the village.
Covered Bridge Guide 6279 Vermont Rte. 7A between Arlington and Manchester
Paper Mill Village Bridge
Chiselville Bridge
The Paper Mill Village Covered Bridge was built in 1889 and carries Murphy Road, spanning the Walloomsac River. It was originally named for a 1790 paper mill that was one of Vermont’s first; in fact the paper used to draft Vermont’s constitution came from this mill. The mill has provided hydroelectric power for most of the 20th century. The original dam was built at an existing falls in 1784. The present 85’ concrete dam was built in 1889. The site has had hydroelectric power since at least 1907. The hydro electric works generated power for the mill from 1907 until around 1958.
The name Chiselville Bridge comes from a former chisel factory nearby, but the bridge was previously named High Bridge and the Roaring Branch Bridge. The Chiselville Bridge s p a n s t h e Ro a r i n g Branch Brook and was built by Daniel Oatman in 1870. At that time, the cost to build this bridge was $2,307.31 including the builder’s fee. The Chiselville Bridge survived the flood of 1927, which destroyed hundreds of Vermont covered bridges. It appears that the strategic placement of this bridge allowed the flooded Roaring Branch Brook to pass harmlessly underneath.
Route 67A .5 mile west of the Silk Road Bridge (watch for sign). Dimensions: 125.5 feet long. 14.25 feet wide. 8.67 feet high at truss. 11.17 feet high at center.
Just off Route 7A in Arlington. Turn right onto East Arlington Road 1.9 miles to bridge. Dimensions 117 feet long, 11.8 feet wide, 8.7 feet high at truss, 10.9 feet high at center.
For over 50 years, the site has languished until restauranteur/visionary William Scully took up the challenge to bring the hydro electric plant back online. Due to his efforts, the old mill is now one of the first hydro electric sites approved to be redeveloped in the state in over 30 years. Once work is completed, the facility will provide electricity to power over 100 homes. The public is invited to visit the site which features a small informational kiosk and parking area next to the covered bridge. From there, you can access a short walking trail with views of the bridge, and a canoe access.
West Arlington Bridge This bridge spans the Battenkill River which is well known by canoeists, kayakers and fly fisherman. The Battenkill is also famous for some great swimming holes. In addition, inner tube rides along the Battenkill are popular during the summer months. The West Arlington Bridge is one of Vermont’s best loved and most photographed covered bridges. The picturesque setting includes views of a local church steeple and the former home of artist Norman Rockwell. Rockwell’s home is now known as the Inn on Covered Bridge Green and operates as a Bed & Breakfast Inn.
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Take a left off Route 7A in Arlington onto Route 313 west 4.4 miles on left side.
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Bring in this ad for a FREE ornament
802-362-2516 • www.xmasdays.com
See our center map and town maps for bridge locations.
Silk Road Bridge This bridge spans the Wallomsac River and was built about 1840 probably by Benjamin Sears. The original name for this bridge was the Locust Grove Bridge. Located just across from the entrance to Bennington College on Route 67A. Dimensions: 88 feet long, 14.25 feet wide, 10 feet high at truss, 11.9 feet high at center.
Henry Bridge This bridge received its name from Elnathan Henry who bought the land from James Breckenridge and constructed the Henry House in 1769. The Henry House operates today as a Bed and Breakfast Inn and is located directly across from the bridge. The Henry Bridge spans the Wallomsac River. The original bridge was constructed in 1840. In 1989 a complete restructuring was done by Blow and Cote, Inc. The site has off street parking and picnic areas. This is also near the site of the Breakenridge Farm Standoff, the first armed resistance to NY claims to VT lands, and start of the Green Mountain Boys. Located just off Route 67A- turn left on Murphy Road (watch for signs). Dimensions: 117 feet long, 11.8 feet wide, 8.7 feet high at center.
Covered Bridge Facts You may pass through All Five Bennington County Covered Bridges in a standard size automobile – one lane only. Bridges were covered to keep the wood dry and thereby avoid rot. This became the trend in 1805 when a bridge designed by Timothy Palmer proved most durable. Most covered bridges are painted red because iron ochre was an inexpensive pigment. The most common type of covered bridge is Town Lattice. All Bennington County Bridges are of this type.
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
e Shires of Vermont Byway
(Historic Route 7A)
Shaftsbury • Arlington • Sunderland Shaftsbury Incorporated 1761 • Pop. 3,767 ~ Arlington Incorporated 1761 • Pop. 2,397 ~ Sunderland Incorporated 1761 • Pop. 850 Sunderland Town Office - 802-375-6106 • Shaftsbury Town Office - 802-442-4038 Arlington Town Office - 802-375-2332 • www.arlingtonVT.org • Capitol of Vermont 1787
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Open Daily May-Oct • Rte. 7A in Shaftsbury 48
802-442-4273 • ClearBrookFarm.com
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SugarShackVT.com
An unforgettable drive to the summit of Mount Equinox, the highest peak in the Taconic Range. plus visit the Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center Equinox Skyline Drive
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Only 15 min. between Manchester & Bennington (one mile north of Arlington Village)
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Stop. Shop.
1A Saint Bruno Drive, Arlington, VT 05250
802-362-1114 or 1115 www.equinoxmountain.com
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29 Sugar Shack Lane Historic Route 7A, Arlington, VT
Br fo ing Li r $2 in t m O hi i ve t 1 p FF s ad hi e
Exit 3
Featuring hundreds of examples of Rockwell’s printed works; 15 minute ďŹ lm and Giî†? Shop featuring Rockwell prints & collectibles! - Open Daily -
7A SHAFTSBURY
Also at Manchester and Londonderry Farmer’s Markets
Norman Rockwell Exhibition
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HISTORIC ROUTE
Plus a wide selection of other LOCAL farm and artisan food products including Fruits, Baked Goods, Cheese, Yogurt, and Vermont Organic Milk!
313
d Roa East
Visit our Farmstand for the freshest Tomatoes, Strawberries, Beans, Peas, Lettuce, Arugula, Spinach, Carrots, Raspberries, Broccoli, Beets & more!
in g t o n
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Old Mill Rd.
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ARLINGTON
The Shires of Vermo nt B yw ay
West Arlington Bridge
Chiselville Bridge
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Battenkill River
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Arlington Recreation Park
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SUNDERLAND
Quarts of our own maple syrup just $17 each with this coupon!
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See our center map for recreational information.
And remember to say, CHEESE! Vermont Provisions and Souvenirs ~ You’ll ďŹ nd it all here at the Cheese House, located on Historic Route 7A, Arlington, Vermont îƒŤe Cheese House is the place to shop for Vermont Cheeses. We oer a great selection of Vermont Farmstead Cheeses.
We’re more than just Cheese! Gis, Vermont Souvenirs, Sweats, Tees and Clothes!
Southern Vermont’s Needlepoint Shop
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For all your Needlepoint and Cross Stitch supplies
Be sure to visit Battenkill Stitchery 6350 Historic Route 7A, Sunderland, Vermont 05250 802-362-0654 • Email: battenkillstitchery@yahoo.com Hours: Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 4pm • Closed: Monday & Tuesday
www.battenkillstitchery.com
Historic Route 7A Arlington, Vermont
Just South of Manchester
www.thevermontcheesehouse.com Open Daily 10 to 5 - Closed Tuesday’s
802-375-9033
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Page 15
All Around The Shires
H
aving grown up in The Shires, I’ve come to appreciate just how much our region has to offer. It was not always so. Like many kids growing up, I could not wait to move away from my home town and explore the world. So I traveled around the country and around the world, and in so doing made a surprising discovery… that the place I most loved was right back where I had started. Many agree and our region has long been a destination for travelers to Vermont. Famous for it’s foliage, but not just that, I hope these suggestions will give you some ideas on how you can create your own memories of a lifetime in The Shires of Vermont!
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES Each of these suggestions represent a full day of activity. For a more relaxed pace, split over two days and include a night’s stay at a local motel or bed and breakfast. To include a show, do a half tour and then an early dinner to leave time to see a play at Oldcastle Theatre or the Dorset Theatre. Arts & Culture Tour #1
• Visit Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home in Manchester • Drive Route 7A (The Shires Byway) to Bennington • Lunch on Main Street and walk the downtown. • Visit “The Bennington” Center for The Arts • See a play at Oldcastle Theatre • Dinner at Pangaea in North Bennington
Arts & Culture Tour #2
• Breakfast at the Rooster Cafe in Manchester • Visit the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester • Lunch on Main Street in Manchester and walk the downtown area • Drive Route 7A (The Shires Byway) to Bennington • Visit the Bennington Museum • Dinner at the Bennington Station Restaurant
Historic Figures: Lincoln, Rockwell, Frost
• Breakfast in Manchester at Up for Breakfast on Main Street • Visit Hildene - the Lincoln Family Home • Drive Route 7A (The Shires Byway) • Stop at the Battenkill Gallery in Arlington to see the Norman Rockwell Exhibit • Stop at Robert Frost Stone House Museum in Shaftsbury • Visit the Old First Church just down from the monument to visit Robert Frost's grave. • Dinner in Bennington at Lil' Britain (authentic British fish & chips at it’s best!)
History Tour
• Breakfast at the famous Blue Benn Diner in Bennington located on North Street (route 7) • Visit the Bennington Museum - Military Gallery and Regional History • Visit the Bennington Battle Monument • Take a walking tour of Downtown Bennington (available at Downtown Welcome ctr., see pg. 6) • Lunch in Bennington on Main Street • Drive Route 7A (The Shires Byway) to Manchester • Visit Museum of American Fly Fishing • Shop historic Main Street in Manchester • Dinner in Manchester at Gringo Jacks on the northern end of Main Street
Nature Enthusiast (mellow)
• For the Northshire: Fill a lunch basket and walk the trails at the Equinox Preserve and have a picnic lunch at Equinox Pond. • For the Southshire: fill a lunch basket at Powers Market in North Bennington and walk the trails in the Mile-Around Woods by the Historic Park McCullough Mansion in North Bennington, or at Woodford State Park, on Route 9 east of Bennington.
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State Parks in The Shires
V
ermont State Parks offer a place to camp, play, relax, and explore! There are 52 state parks across the state, three of which are in The Shires, all offering a range of unique opportunities, such as great hiking, swimming, boat rentals, concession, vistas, wildlife viewing, and prime camp sites. Vermont State Parks’ website www.vtstateparks.com lists each park and the activities and amenities they offer as well as information on reservations, and lots photos of the parks and the people who enjoy them each year.
Woodford State Park (in Woodford, VT) is the highest elevation campground in the state at 2400’ above sea level. With easy trails, an open lake, and a bog to explore, it’s great for all ages. Woodford has boat rentals (canoe, kayak, and rowboats) 103 campsites, and is also a popular fishing location. If you stay overnight, be prepared to be awakened by an outstanding chorus of birds which serenade visitors, especially in the spring.
Lake Shaftsbury State Park (in Shaftsbury, VT) offers visitors a great beach and picnic areas, easy hikes around the lake, and a rental cottage. Row boats, pedal boats, kayaks, and canoes are all available for rent as well as a pic- Kayaking in The Shires of Vermont. Photo by Lee Krohn. nic shelter for large group gatherings. For those that need to refuel, a concession stand located in the park offers yummy Day entry into the parks is $4/per person if you’re 14 or older, $3 for kids 4-13 yrs. old and free for kids 3 yrs. old snacks at reasonable prices. and younger. When you pay for entry into one park, you can Emerald Lake State Park (in East Dorset, VT) includes a get into all other for free that same day, so you can visit small clear, clean, and cold lake where visitors can rent a multiple parks if you’d like. For more information or to make a reservation call our kayak, canoe, pedal boat or rowboat. A concession stand, lakeside picnic tables, and a picnic pavilion for large groups reservation center, 888-409-7579, Monday – Friday 9am – are also available. 104 campsites are scattered on the heavily 4pm, visit www.vtstateparks.com, or send an email to parks@state.vt.us. wooded ridge above the lake.
Bike in The Shires Mount Anthony Loop
Suggested Start/Finish Location: Old Bennington
Route Directions: From the Bennington Battle Monument, head west on Wallomsac Rd to Gypsy Ln. (2/3 mi). Turn left and continue on Gypsy Ln. and continue to Vt. Rt. Route 9. (1/4 mi). Turn right and continue on busy Vt. Route 9 until Mt. Anthony Rd. (gravel). (1/3 mi). Turn left on Mt. Anthony Rd. (gravel). After a hard climb and a rapid descent, turn left at the first intersection, which is still Mt. Anthony Road. (3 2/3 mi). Continue on Mt. Anthony Rd. until you reach North Pownal Road (paved). (2 1/4 mi). Continue on North Pownal Rd. until you reach Carpenter Hill Rd. (gravel). (2/3 mi). Turn left and continue on Carpenter Hill Road until reaching Monument Ave. (NOT Rt. 7). Make a left on Monument Ave. (NOT Rt. 7) and proceed back to the Monument. (2 2/3 mi).
Mount Anthony Loop Route Length: 26 miles
Route Terrain: Hilly
Vehicular Traffic: Light to Moderate
This route includes winding gravel roads through dense forests, great mountain views and rolling farmland. Visit historic Old Bennington, the Bennington Museum, or the Arts Center before or after your ride.
Manchester-Arlington Tour
Suggested Start/Finish Location: Adams Park (on Main Street north of roundabout at Northshire Bookstore)
Route Directions: From Adams Park on Route 7A just north of Manchester’s Downtown, head down Center Hill, through the traffic signals at Route 11/30, and onto Richville Road. Continue south on Richville Road to River Road where a left turn continues you on your way downstream into Sunderland. At the Sunderland town highway garage, stay left and climb and then descend Sunderland Hill Road through the Chiselville Covered Bridge into East Arlington. Turn left at the Chippenhook Store onto Old Mill Road. After passing through East Arlington Village and climbing a short hill turn right onto South Road. At Route 313 turn right and continue over a rise to Warm Brook Road. Turn right and proceed a short distance to Ice Pond Road. Follow Ice Pond Road back into East Arlington Village, turn left onto Old Mill Road, and then right back onto Maple Street (Sunderland Hill Road). Retrace your route back through the Chiselville Covered Bridge along Sunderland Hill Road all the way to Richville Road, but now continue straight on River Road. After a short climb River Road intersects Route 7A in Manchester Village. At the Mark Skinner Library veer left onto West Road and proceed north to Ways Lane and follow it back down to Route 7A in Manchester Center. Turn left and continue back to Adams Park.
© courtesy of BCRC
Manchester-Arlington Tour Route Length: 25 miles
Route Terrain: Hilly
Vehicular Traffic: Light to Moderate
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
© courtesy of BCRC
Hike at the Equinox Preservation Trust
Chiselville Covered Bridge
he Equinox Preserve covers 914 acres of forest lands on the eastern slopes of Mount Equinox in Manchester, Vermont. It is open to the public for year-round, non-motorized recreation. Over 11 miles of marked and maintained trails provide access to these unique mountainous woodlands.
The land’s owner, the Equinox Resort & Spa, first donated conservation easements on 850 acres to the Vermont Land Trust & The Nature Conservancy of Vermont in 1996. An additional 64 acres of conserved lands were placed under the protection of the Vermont Land Trust in Septem-
Hildene For The Summer:
Tracks to Trails… Pollinators to Presidents!
The guest experience at Hildene begins at the Welcome Center where visitors get a glimpse of all that Hildene’s mission: Values into Action, encompasses. There they can also access information on the estate’s many venues, approximately 12 miles of walking trails, and transportation. Introductory films focus on the history of the family and restoration of the 1903 Pullman Palace car, Sunbeam. The tour of Robert and Mary Lincoln’s home brings the family’s story to life. Robert built Hildene in 1905, during his tenure as president of the Pullman Company. Home to three generations of Lincoln descendants, it is here that Robert’s famous father, Abraham Lincoln is honored in a thought provoking exhibit: “The American Ideal: Abraham Lincoln and The Second Inaugural” which includes one of only three of Abe’s iconic stovepipes in existence. A visit to the home includes the family’s formal garden nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains, with the Battenkill running through the valley below. The setting was inspiration for the name Hildene which means “hill and valley with stream.” The garden is designed to resemble a cathedral style stained glass window. Late May through mid-June it is abloom with more than 1,000 peony blossoms. Summer to fall, the floral hues are provided by perennials. This is only one of the estates’ many gardens. A short walk from the house is the meticulously restored 1903 wooden Pullman car, Sunbeam, a 1903 Pullman Palace car that came off the line during Robert’s tenure as president of the company. Sunbeam tells the story of the car’s “Many Voices,” those of the company, society, Black porters, as well as Hildene visitors as they experience this provocative exhibit. The voices are portrayed within the historical context of the timeline, between the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the Civil Rights Movement in 1963. The rarely told story of the Black porters places this exhibit on the Vermont African American Heritage Trail. The family’s agricultural legacy is honored at both levels of the 412 acre estate. At the goat dairy and cheese-mak-
Kids visit with a goat kid at the farm at Hildene.
ing facility, guests discover a 21st century solar powered barn where the cheese-making is publically viewed within the farm environment, complete with the Nubian goats in residence. Dene Farm, located in the valley portion of the property, is testimony to Hildene’s commitment to conservation, sustainable agriculture, and environmental education. The project includes a teaching greenhouse, compost facility, songbird habitat, pollinator sanctuary, and 600’ floating wetland boardwalk. This area is all about interacting with the rich natural environment in the dene. Visits usually end as they started at The Welcome Center where guests can taste Hildene artisanal cheeses in The Museum Store while discovering items from heirloom peony seeds and seedlings to all things goats and bees. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home is as much about the future as it is about the past. Open daily, year round from 9:30 to 4:30. For more information visit www.hildene.org or like us on Facebook.
ber 2006. The Equinox Preservation Trust was formed in 1996 to oversee the management of these protected lands. Land and trail maintenance and educational programs in the Preserve are managed by the Equinox Preservation Trust Forest and Trails Steward.
One World Conservation Center
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Connecting The Community To Our World
he One World Conservation Center (OWCC) is a nature center in Bennington, Vermont, and works to connect the community and visitors to our natural world. Its Norman and Selma Greenberg Conservation Reserve, located across the street from the Education Center, provides 96 acres of meadow, wetland, and wooded hillside. Trails are open to the public. One World Conservation Center education programs serve adults, families, children, and students of all ages. From natural history lectures held at our Education Center to hands-on science lessons in local classrooms to summer programs, we offer a variety of engaging experiences. For More Information Contact; 802-447-7419 or Email; info@oneworldconservationcenter.org Located At 413 US Route 7S • Bennington, VT
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Photo by Holly Pelczynski: Bennington Banner.
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Manchester ~ Incorporated 1761 • Population 4,285 ~
www.manchestervermont.net • www.manchesterandthemountains.com • Manchester Town Office - 802-362-4824 • www.manchester-vt.gov 87
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Vermont’s Best BUTTERCRUNCH! Artisan Chocolates ~ Specialty Cakes ~ Pastries
70 4367 Main Street • Manchester Center, VT 802-362-1560 • www.mothermyricks.com
expires 12/30/16 – not available with other coupons
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THE LIGHTING PLACE “LIFE IS COLOR AND WARMTH AND LIGHT” —J. Grenfell
A wide selection of lighting from Country to Contemporary Lamp Shades & Lamp Repairs
4919 Main Street • Manchester, Vermont 802-362-2077 ~or~ 800-799-0891 www.thelightingplace.com
Daily 10-5 • Sunday 1-5
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A Lovely Place to Visit Delightful Miniature & fairy Garden Plants & Accessories! Come explore our extensive garden centre and gift shop!
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Choice Perennials Featuring New and Unusual Varieties Acres of Premium Nursery Stock Extensive Alpine and Dwarf Conifer Collections
A FANTASTIC SELECTION OF VEGGIES, HERBS, & EUROPEAN GARDENS! Open Daily Mon-Sat 8:30-5 & Sun 9-4 Historic Route 7A, Manchester, VT ~ 3 Miles South of Town ~ 802-362-2610 www.equinoxvalleynursery.com
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This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Manchester Sto ne Va l
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MANCHESTER
89
Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park Recreation Area
Bonnet
West Road
74
11 30
98
Bike Rentals
Road Richville
Did you know? Charles F. Orvis began his fly fishing tackle shop in 1856. He created the first “modern” fly reel and began what is now the oldest mail order business in the United States.
Exit 4
By way
nt
d Roa ene Hild
Ro ad
Roo
ester Rd
To Arlington
Ri ve r
62 Hildene:
91
Elm St .
E. Manches ter RD
Union Street
7A
61
Spruc e St.
American Museum of Fly Fishing
MANCHESTER VILLAGE
HISTORIC ROUTE
o rm Ve f o s ire Sh
De pot Stre et
To Ski Areas
Glen Rd
Equinox Preserve Trust Hiking Trails See story on page 17 for details.
Factory Point Cemetery
Visitor Ctr.
et re St
To Bondville
h E. Manc
7A
ain
?
d oa
HISTORIC ROUTE
M
t Stree Main
R ill
70
78
For hiking trails, swimming holes, and recreation info, see our center map!
Barnumville Road
87
rH nte Ce
So. VT Arts Center
Street
Featured Swimming Hole: Dorset Quarry (Located on Route 30)
Map Key
Highla nd Ave nu e
30
Library Picnic Area
tvill e Rd .
Prospect Rock Trail
To Dorset To Rupert To Dorset Quarry
To Rutland
For additional hiking information see centermap.
Lye Brook Falls Trail
Skyline Drive - A view to remember
The Lincoln Family Home
T
For locals and travelers alike... treat yourself to a drive to the top of Mount Equinox. Views are amazing! Bring a picnic and hike the summit trails. A $15 fee is charged for vehicle & driver, plus $5 per passenger. Children under 10 are free. See coupon pg. 15.
here's no better way to enjoy the splendor of the Green Mountain State and the surrounding areas of New England than from the privately owned summit of Mount Equinox and the Skyline Drive! At 3,848 feet above sea level, the summit offers breathtaking sunsets and panoramic views of the Green, White, Adirondack, Berkshire and Taconic mountain ranges. Several paved parking areas provide spectacular views, but most outstanding is the Skyline Drive itself as you drive along the crest of the mountain on your way to the summit. The Green Mountains, The Valley of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire may be seen to the east. The Adirondack Mountains of New York provide the backdrop to the west, and the Taconic and Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts to the south. Guard rails have been installed almost the entire length of the drive making it one of the safest, best engineered, well
constructed toll roads in the country. Construction of Skyline drive began in 1941, but was suspended because of the war US until 1947, 7 when it was completed. Today it remains as the longest, privately owned, paved toll road in the United States. Begin your adventure at the Toll House on Historic Route 7A in Sunderland at an elevation of 800 feet. As Skyline Drive winds and twist its way up the mountain, it provides panoramic views of lakes, rivers and valley communities below. There are many vistas and areas for picnics along the 5.2 mile drive, which has a vertical gain of 3,248 feet to the summit. The serenity and beauty of the world famous Battenkill River may be seen meandering thru town, farm and woodland below. There is so much natural beauty that the drive to the summit is half the experience. However, the view from the summit is truly breathtaking and an experience you'll not soon forget.
See coupon for $2 off located on page 15.
This Is Vermont: Guide to The Shires of Vermont – www.thisisvermont.com – Summer 2016
Page 19
TWO Event-full Weekends!
AUG. 6
1
AUG. 5, 6 & 7 1
13
Southern Vermont
September 3-4, 2016 Bennington, VT
Homebrew Festival Art & Craft Festival BENNINGTON FOUR CORNERS NORTH
Spend the weekend!
AUG. 5, 6 & 7
Shops • Galleries • Food • Music
21st Annual
Camelot Village, Rt 9
Over 180 Vendors • Live Music • Beer Great Food • Garlic Demonstrations
Explore Vermont’s first town. Visit the festivals, eat good food, drink good beer, walk the downtown. Breath the air, relax, and become a Vermonter!
Admission
New • Brown Paper Tickets (online) - $6.00 benning • At the Gate - $8.00 ton • Children Under 12 - $2.00
www.bennington.com 802-447-3311
lovegarlic.com
bennington.com | 802-447-3311
vt
be
gin
s h ere.c o m
37
The place to shop for jewelery and fine gifts! HH ad
jewelry • accessories • bags toys • pottery • glass • wood 12
craftsmarket & gallery
open 7 days a week
262 north
mon-sat 10-5:30 • sun 11-4
free gift wrapping
st • bennington, vt • 802-447-0488 • hawkinshouse.net
BrownPaperTickets.com