VERMONT
Destination
April / May 2011
Burlington International Airport
Swing Into Spring
Thousands of people select Burlington International Airport as their choice for business and pleasure travel. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.
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Airport DVT full page ad 2010
contents
DestinationVERMONT April / May 2011
features
16 Get Away From It All Wiilderness and Backcountry Camping
6
20 Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Da Zip-line Adventures in Vermont
23 Antiquing A Vermont Tradition
13
departments
6 Calendar of Events April / May 2011
13 Out and About
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Winooski
26 & 28 Fabulous Fare
Leunig’s Bistro & Café Shelburne Steakhouse & Saloon
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Welcome
W
elcome to the Burlington International Airport; we are happy that you chose to fly from BTV. Business and leisure travelers alike appreciate BTV’s friendliness, excellent on-schedule record, and direct flights to many major cities. Located adjacent to Burlington Vermont, BTV is also just ten minutes from Lake Champlain and is easily accessible to the many hotels and fine restaurants in the area. In addition, it is also an hour from five world-class mountain resorts. While you are at the airport, we hope you will visit our observation tower that is one of our early air traffic control sites. There you will enjoy a great view of aircraft operations with the beautiful Green Mountains in the background while listening to real-time communications between our current ATC tower and the aircraft coming and going. The observation tower is located on the second floor of the terminal and is open from 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Whether you are coming or going from the Burlington International, we hope your experience here is an enjoyable part of your trip.
Destination
VERMONT Official Magazine of the Burlington International Airport April / May 2011 Destination Vermont is published six times per year, and is associated with the Burlington International Airport. It is produced and published by Wind Ridge Publishing, Inc. of Shelburne, Vermont. Destination Vermont is dedicated to informing and entertaining the thousands of people who travel through Vermont’s largest airport each year. Please direct all inquiries to: PO Box 752, Shelburne, VT 05482 (802) 985-3091 kathy@windridgepublishing.com
Publisher Holly Johnson
Editor Kathy Howard
Director of Advertising Cheryl Bodette
Advertising Sales Liz Schick Design Laurie Thomas Greg Forber
Contributing Writers Lin Stone Rowen Beck Brianne Taylor
Cover Photo courtesy of The Shelburne Museum Shelburne, Vermont
Printed by Dartmouth Printing Co.
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airport essentials Burlington International Airport (BTV) burlingtonintlairport.com Airport Administration (802) 863-2874 Domestic Airlines Carrier Telephone Web site
Continental Delta JetBlue United US Airways
(800) 525-0280 (800) 221-1212 (800) 538-2583 (800) 241-6522 (800) 428-4322
continental.com delta.com jetblue.com ual.com usair.com
Bus Service Greyhound (800) 231-2222 greyhound.com Air Charter Companies Heritage Flight (800) 782-0773 flyheritage.com Atlantic Aviation (802) 657-3100 atlanticaviation.com Emergency 911 Airport Police (802) 658-7663 Restaurant One Flight Up (802) 862-6410 Gift Shop Hudson News (802) 862-6950 VT Chamber of Commerce (802) 223-3443 vtchamber.com
White River Flyer Summer Hours: July 21 - August 28, Thurs - Sun.
April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 5
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Photo courtesy of Mt. Snow Resort
calendar
April / May 2011 April /calendar May 2011
Ongoing
on the shores of Lake Champlain. Walking trails are open year round, weather permitting, from 10am-4pm. Please check in at the Welcome Center. (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.org
the Big Top: the Circus Photography of Elliot Fenander; Paperwork in 3D, and A Passion for Quilts: Joan Lintault Collects. (802) 985-3346 www.shelburnemuseum.org
ECHO LAKE AQUARIUM AND SCIENCE CENTER, Burlington ECHO is Vermont’s world-class attraction on the Burlington T_SPANTHEGLOBE_NEWS_4.77x4.65_DESTINATIONVERMONT_020111_Layout 1 1/4/11 1:44 PM Page 1 waterfront. Discover the Ecology, Culture, BILLINGS FARM & MUSEUM, History, and Opportunity for stewardship Woodstock Visit this National Historical of the Lake Champlain basin at the ECHO Park, working dairy farm, and a museum of center. Every day is an adventure with daily Vermont’s rural past offering a great variety WINTER BREWERS FESTIVAL animal feedings and demonstrations, 70 of year-round programs and activities Mount Snow Resort, Mount Snow species of fish amphibians, invertebrates, indoors and out. First hand sampling of Celebrate the end of winter with and reptiles; more than 100 interactive actual farm work and animals: Jersey beer! The festival features some of experiences; changing and permanent cows, sheep, horses, oxen, and chickens. A the top breweries from across New exhibits; seasonal events; the multimedia gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage. England and the Northeast including Awesome Forces Theatre. Hungry? Relax on (802) 457-2355 the likes of Magic Hat, Allagash, the upper deck and grab a bite to eat in the www.billingsfarm.org Long Trail, Harpoon, Rock Art, Red ecology themed Think! Café for local fare Hook, Stone, North Coast, Stoudt’s, and lake and mountain views. SHELBURNE MUSEUM, Shelburne Woodchuck Cider, Olde Burnside, (802) 864-1848 One of the country’s most diverse museums Brooklyn, and Budweiser. Admission www.echovermont.org of paintings, folk art, quilts and textiles. Over is $10 (cash only) for adults from the 150,000 works are exhibited in 39 buildings, hours of 1-6pm Saturday afternoon SHELBURNE FARMS, Shelburne 25 of which are historic and were relocated to stretching into the evening hours. Shelburne Farms is a 1,400-acre working the 45-acre museum grounds first established Receive a souvenir Winter Brewers farm and National Historic Landmark and by Electra Havemeyer Webb in 1947. Festival pint glass and a free drink nonprofit environmental education center. Ongoing exhibitions featured from with paid admission. Shelburne Farms welcomes visitors to enjoy May 15-Oct. 30 include Lock Stock (802) 464-3333 its spectacular landscape, historic buildings, and Barrel: The Terry Tyler Collection of www.mountsnow.com children’s farm barn, inn, and restaurant Vermont Firearms; Behind the Lens, Under
April 9
Come see our spectacular views!!
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April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 7
calendar
16 SUNSHINE DAYDREAM FESTIVAL, Killington Resort, Killington As a way to welcome in the spring season, Killington will host the 12th Annual Sunshine Daydream Festival, a tribute to the Grateful Dead. Listen to a great lineup of Dead-inspired tunes, rock a tie-dye and check out Shakedown Street as you groove to the live music. This all-ages concert is free of charge with all the bands performing live on the Bud Light Outdoor Stage from 12-5:30pm rain or shine. (802) 422-6200 www.killington.com
10 SCOTT STAPP OF CREED ACOUSTIC 12 FREE CONE DAY AT BEN & JERRYS!
12 GARDENING WITH NATIVE
PLANTS, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Join the Vermont Nature Conservancy’s Species Coordinator, Sharon Plumb, as she presents a lively slide show and discussion on the native trees, shrubs, and perennials to plant in your garden to improve wildlife habitat, reduce maintenance, and avoid non-native invasives. The discussion will take place from 5:30-7pm. Light refreshments will be provided. (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.com
Statewide Celebrating over 30 years of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, scoop shops around the state dish out free cones today from noon to 8pm. www.benjerry.com
15 to 17 THE 45TH ANNUAL
VERMONT MAPLE FESTIVAL, St. Albans In celebrating Vermont’s world-renowned maple harvest, the city of St. Albans plays host to the Vermont Maple Festival. The festival features numerous events, including maple product exhibits, pancake breakfasts, New England craft exhibits, antique shows and markets, a specialty foods show, maple candy-making demonstrations, a variety of concessions, carnival rides, an 8.5 mile Sap Run, and a huge parade, all in honor of maple syrup. (802) 524-5800 www.vtmaplefestival.org
Classic Limo Service Vermont’s Original Classic Car & Limo Service Arrive in Style Brad Kirby 802-985-5460
www.ClassicLimos.org
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Photo courtesy of Don Lockhart/Perceptions
SHOW, Performing Arts Center at Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe Lead singer Scott Stapp will perform his solo songs and songs from Creed in a rare intimate acoustic show at 7pm. Tickets range from $60-$75. (802) 760-4634 www.sprucepeakarts.org
See crossword puzzle on page 31
April / May 2011
18 to 20 VACATION DAY: FARMER
FOR A DAY, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Ready the farm for spring by skirting fleece, prepping garden beds, and forking winter bedding in this one, two, or three day farming experience specifically for ages 5-12. Children may register for one, two, or all three days held from 9am-3:30pm daily. Member: $45 per day; nonmember: $50 per day (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.com
29 to May 1 STOWE WEEKEND OF
HOPE, Stowe The Stowe Weekend of Hope, through a partnership of Vermont’s medical community and Stowe’s hospitality businesses, is an annual forum for education, enlightenment, and recreation for cancer patients and survivors with any type of cancer and their families. The focus is to inspire, educate, and celebrate the lives of people living with cancer. This unique event addresses the complex challenges and needs of people with cancer at any stage in their disease. (877) 467-8693 www.stowehope.org
30 to May 1 BILLINGS FARM FESTIVAL,
Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock Celebrate the start of the 29th season with an entire weekend of traditional spring farm activities, including the annual shearing of the Southdown flock. Farmers from the region will match
Receive a free chocolate snowflake with this ad.
Established in 1965, The Store has been a cook’s first choice for the tools to get the job done with flair and good taste. Now The Kitchen at The Store offers classes for anyone who loves to cook—or would like to learn. From Pastry Basics, We Love Chocolate and Fish 101 to A Better Brunch, or your own custom designed private class, our talented instructors help you learn the skills and techniques that bring new inspiration to any kitchen.
Teago Volunteer Fire Department will provide lunch, with proceeds benefitting the Teago Volunteer Fire Dept. Various admissions. 10am-4pm (802) 457-2355 www.billingsfarm.org
plowing skills in the fields with their teams of draft animals: oxen on Saturday; draft horses on Sunday. We’ll offer visitor plowing with the Billings’ teams and our firstever visitor-plowing competition. Also: horse-drawn wagon rides, programs, and activities. The
Distinctive Kitchenware & Home Accessories Visit us online for our new menu of classes:
vermontstore.com kitchenatthestore.com
Route 100, Waitsfield, Vt. 05673 [ 802-496-4465
Come taste our handcrafted truffles, chocolates and fudge made from family recipes handed down over four generations. Free samples, Open daily
The Blue Mall, 150 Dorset St, So Burlington (just off exit 14 on I-89) (802) 863-8306 Factory Location, 81A Vermont Route 15, Jericho, (802) 899-3373 www.snowflakechocolate.com April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 9
calendar calendar
30 to May 1 EVERYTHING EQUINE
& HORSES, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction A weekend for the horse enthusiast featuring seminars, hands-on demonstrations, 4-H exhibitions in the ring, horse show and trade floor featuring the latest equine equipment, feed, accessories, and training techniques. From the newcomer to the experts there’s something for everyone. (802) 878-5545 www.cvexpo.org
7 GREEN UP DAY VERMONT,
Statewide clean up This annual event began in 1970 and is held in towns and cities across the state. Volunteers are needed to participate in this great annual clean up and very green Vermont event. (802) 229-4586 www.greenupvermont.org
Photo courtesy of Rich Lewis
7 to 8 15TH ANNUAL ESSEX
May 5 to 8 EARTHTIME: LIVING
PRACTICE/PRACTICE FOR LIVING, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne This residential retreat for adults will focus on principles for ritual and creative participation with the Earth’s rhythms, cycles, and patterns. Instructed by Kaylynn Sullivan Two Trees and Matt Kolan the retreat incorporates listening and awareness practices, awakening energy centers (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) and reciprocal communication with the seen and unseen worlds. Fee: $350/person for meals and accommodations. (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.com
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SPRING CRAFT & FINE ART SHOW, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Don’t miss this annual Essex Spring Craft and Fine Art Show: artisans, country crafts, and folk art. This event features 200 juried artisans and is the region’s largest show of its kind. (802) 878-4786 www.vtcrafts.com
8 MOTHERS’ DAY TOURS AND
OPEN HOUSE AT THE INN AT SHELBURNE FARMS, Shelburne One hundred and twenty-four years of history, a continuing tradition of gracious hospitality, a spectacular setting on the shores of Lake Champlain, and a fascinating restoration underway in the gardens. Find it all in this once-a-year chance to explore The Inn, upstairs and down from 12-4pm. Tickets $12/adult; $11/senior; $10/member. (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.com
11 SUN TO CHEESE TOUR Shelburne
Farms, Shelburne A behind-the-scenes look at dairy farming and cheesemaking from 2-4pm the second Wednesday of every month thru Oct for $15 per person. Hear farmers and cheesemakers explain the process of turning fresh milk into farmhouse cheddar, tour the dairy, taste cheese with the cheesemakers, and take a block of cheese home. Tours meet at the Welcome Center. (802)985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.com
13 to 15 BEDROCK TO BIRDS: THE
NATURAL HISTORY OF SHELBURNE FARMS’ WORKING LANDSCAPE, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Enjoy a weekend rich in discovery and friendship as you explore the natural history of the Farm’s rural working landscape from bedrock to birds and from forest to furniture. This residential program, includes morning bird walks during the year’s most diverse bird-watching season, wildflower identification, geology explorations and wildlife observation. Led by naturalists Walter Poleman and Matt Kolan. Fee: $325 per person includes tuition and meals, optional accommodations: +$60 per person per night (double occupancy). (802) 985-0342 www.shelburnefarms.com
April / May 2011
15 LILAC AND GARDENING
SUNDAY, Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Celebrate a new season at Shelburne Museum, the regions’ most anticipated gardening event. The museum’s grounds are in fragrant full bloom with over 400 lilacs in 90 varieties. Activities include guided lilac tours, gardening tips, planting demonstrations, and presentations by expert gardeners and live music from 10am-5pm. (802) 985-3346 www.shelburnemuseum.org
19 THE COMPLETE KITCHEN
GARDEN BOOK TALK AND LUNCHEON, Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Ellen Ecker Ogden’s newest book, The Complete Kitchen Garden features garden designs and 100 recipes for the vegetable gardeners seeking creative ideas and organic techniques for growing food. Join her for an illustrated talk from noon to 2pm on vegetable garden designs. Lunch features early produce from the Farms’ Market Garden and is included in the $25/per person fee. Ogden will also sign copies of the book, available for sale at the program. (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.com
Judith Reilly in her Brandon Studio. Photo courtesy of George Reilly
25 to 26 VERMONT BUSINESS AND 28 to 29 WOODSTOCK VERMONT INDUSTRY EXPO Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center, South Burlington With nearly 200 exhibitors and 3,000 attendees, the EXPO is a must for anyone looking to market a Vermont business. EXPO highlights some of the region’s finest large and small businesses while providing two full days of cutting-edge seminars, a stellar line-up of special events, and plenty of networking opportunities. For more information contact the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. (802) 223-3443 www.vtexpo.com
BILLINGS FARM COWS & CAMEMBERT WEEKEND, Billings Farm, Woodstock Celebrate Vermont’s rich dairy heritage during this two-day event that will showcase many of Vermont’s artisan cheesemakers who will offer cheese samples, discuss their products, and have cheese on hand for purchase. Admission includes the operating dairy farm, farm life exhibits, and the restored and furnished farmhouse. (802) 457-2355 www.billingsfarm.com
28 to 29 VERMONT OPEN STUDIO 29 23RD ANNUAL KEYBANK WEEKEND, Statewide Every Memorial Day weekend, craftspeople and artists throughout the Green Mountain State open their studios to the public. Don’t miss the chance to see real Vermont craftspeople at work. While you’re there, you can purchase some handmade pieces for yourself or friends and family. Visitors can find their way to studios by using the Vermont Studio Tour Map, which contains directions to over 200 studios in the state. For more information contact the Vermont Crafts Council. (802) 223-3380 www.vermontcrafts.com
VERMONT CITY MARATHON & RELAY, Burlington Runner’s World Magazine has ranked this annual event one of the Top 20 best marathons in the country. This 26.2-mile running event is held on the streets and bike paths of Burlington. The scenic course begins at Battery Park and finishes in Waterfront Park with post race festivities for runners and spectators. Pre-race activities include a two-day sports and fitness exposition that features over 50 venders and a buffet dinner. (802) 863-8412 www.vermontcitymarathon.org
April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 11
June 2011
calendar
June 3 to 5 ANNUAL STROLLING OF THE HEIFERS
WEEKEND, Brattleboro This event is fun for everyone! Come to downtown Brattleboro to see hundreds of cows strut their stuff down Main Street! A dairy and local foods festival follows the cow parade. Activities during this weekend-long festival include the dairy fest featuring the best chefs of Vermont and children’s farm fun tent, a royal farmer’s feast, and farm tours. The parade will be held on Saturday, June 4 at 10am. (802) 258-9177 www.strollingoftheheifers.com
3 to 12 BURLINGTON DISCOVER JAZZ FESTIVAL,
Burlington Enjoy a unique mix of concerts, dances, jams, street parties, cruises on Lake Champlain, workshops and more at various Burlington locations. Highlights of the 10-day event include performances on the Flynn MainStage by Herbie Hancock, Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Band with special guest Terence Blanchard, the JD Allen Trio, and Bela Fleck and the Original Flecktones. (802) 863-7992 www.discoverjazz.com
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out and about
Winooski Where the Water Falls
and the Wild
Onions Grow
A
long the banks and the waterfalls of the Winooski River, and a stone’s throw from bustling Burlington, lies the little riverfront city of Winooski. First settled 5,000 years ago on the banks of the Onion river, by a single family of native Americans, the city‘s name is taken from the Abenaki language for “this is where the wild onions grow.” In the mid 1800s, the water- powered mills on either side of the Onion River, now named the Winooski River, provided energy for the textile mills that made this an active and economically-stable blue-collar community. However, once the textile industry faded, in the early 1930s, so did the towns’ vibrancy. Winooski’s first shot at revitalization was in the 1980s when the two mills were re-developed into housing, a museum, and retail locations. Today’s Winooski boasts another big investment with its innovative new city center—a model of smart growth development combining housing, work, education, shopping, dining, and recreation all within walking distance. This major revitalization effort includes commercial, office, and retail space along with attractive luxury and affordable housing. Worthy of note is the Livable
Communities Award-winning condominium development, The Cascades at Winooski Falls. Fueled by students from the new Community College of Vermont (CCV) buildings, little Winooski boasts big time dining, with a dozen restaurants surrounding the roundabout across the bridge from Burlington’s Colchester or Riverside Avenues. (Or exit 10 of I-89N.) From Asian Bistro, nestled in The Cascades on Winooski Falls Way, up to the top of the roundabout is McKee’s Pub, with its outdoor patio in the summer and cozy sports bar inside, and the Block Gallery and Coffee House, which showcases local art and organic beverages. You can even get an artistic tattoo at Aartistic, Inc. inbetween. Our House restaurant on Main Street is filled with family photos and foods like frickles (fried pickles) April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 13
Winooski Zip code: 05404 Population: 7,267 Estimated median house/ condominium value in 2009: $217,640 ($115,000 in 2000) Median gross rent in 2009: $935
and the ever-popular, build-yourown mac n’ cheese. Pass a few more restaurants and play late at The Monkey House, a rockin’ live music venue. Around the corner is Papa Frank’s, the area’s venerable Italian family restaurant – no reservations and long lines on weekend nights. Peking Duck House, serving the area’s finest Chinese cuisine is in a spectacular building at 79 W. Canal Street, which is on the Historic Preservation’s list, having been a mill-owned boarding house in the 1880s. Ask owner Linda Chen and she’ll give you the building’s written history. (There’s a museum in The
The Champlain Mill sits along the Winooski River and contains a museum showcasing the city’s bygone era in the wool textile trade.
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m-f 8-5 1 East Allen Street, Winooski www.blockgalleryvt.com sat & sun 10-5
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Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm • Fri & Sat 11am-10:30pm Sun 12pm-9:30pm
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M-Sat 11:30am-10:00pm
Sunday Brunch 9am-2pm Sunday Dinner 2:30pm-10:00pm Pub open til 2AM Daily 15 LCD TVs to watch all sports!!!
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Looking down the Winooski River from below the bridge.
Champlain Woolen Mills across from The Cascades, which contains a fascinating history of the mills’ times and people.) If you feel the need to walk off all that delicious dining, Winooski’s recreational opportunities include the downtown Riverwalk and Casavant Park, as well as the Gilbrook Natural Area, which offer footpaths and nature trails. So consider parking your car and enjoy the new-old city of Winooski. Hang out, have lunch or dinner, go for a walk, sit by the waterfalls, and you might find that you’ll want to stay.
Winooski’s recent revitalization is a model of smart growth development and has garnered a Livable Communities Award.
Life Style (your)
Our House BISTRO LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY BRUNCH 36 Main Street • Winooski, VT (802) 497-1884 www.ourhousebistro.com
(with)
The Burlington area’s Landmark
Riverfront Condominiums
Overlooking the historic Winooski Falls, the Cascades condominiums offer spectacular riverfront views within an award winning, revitalized downtown neighborhood.
One bedrooms starting at $185,000. Two bedrooms starting at $285,000. Open House 11-3 Daily www.cascadesvt.com
60 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski • 802.654.7444
April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 15
Wilderness and Backcountry Camping 16 www.destinationvermont.com
By Lin Stone
D
o you ever want to get away from it all? Have you envisioned sneaking off for the weekend to a peaceful place with no distractions? Maybe you’ve gone for a long walk in the woods and found a grey sit-upon boulder set beside a long spill of waterfall, or hiked up to a mountaintop vista and watched a swoop of wind-hovering falcons taking wing. Have you ever slept outdoors in the midst of a forest?
Photo courtesy of Anne Hemingway
Fortunately, in Vermont, you don’t have to venture far to get away from life’s hubbub and commotion to find that it’s just a short hike to seventh heaven or a perch pretty close to cloud nine. Within just a short drive from Burlington there are hundreds of miles of protected Green Mountain National Forest trails and wilderness camping areas. It is not too far from civilization; you can go home if you get blisters or cold feet, but the effect is as though you are light years away – you shake out a bedroll on earth’s mossy mattress, wake up to the peek-a-boo of a rose-gold sun, the wind stirring a cathedral of trees, and the songbirds’ dawn chorus. It’s as close to the power and beauty of nature as you can get. Starksboro residents, Lynn Stewart Parker, her husband Charley, and their four children have paddled and trekked throughout the Green and Adirondack Mountains and share in extolling the pleasures of outdoor adventures and wilderness or primitive camping. According to Lynn, the whole family shares that feeling. She notes, “We’ve tried it all. We’ve paddled all along the lake and slept under the stars at designated primitive campsites a few hundred feet from the water’s edge. We have canoed and portaged along the rivers and hiked up to mountaintops and camped in forests below treeline. We all love being out in the wilderness and camping. Our daughter Lucy, 25, has gone on to earn her degree in eco tourism. Last summer, in celebration, she
hiked the 2,181 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. She was well prepared because she has done this throughout her life, had a good store of backcountry experience, and is a wilderness first responder as well. Nonetheless, it was a life-changing event. I think it was the happiest time of her life, although it was not the easiest time of her life. You are taking on a challenge that requires planning and the perseverance to overcome obstacles—to keep going when it’s raining and you’re wet as well as when its sunny and 100 degrees. And to get up and do it again the next day. It’s an enormous accomplishment.” The Stewart Parkers are not the only fans of Vermont’s wilderness. In fact, as of March 11, 2011, Vermont’s Green Mountain Club (GMC) garnered its ten-thousandth member just in time to celebrate the organization’s 101-year anniversary. The GMC’s founder, James P. Taylor, set out to make Vermont’s mountains “play a larger part in the life of the people” and began blazing and building the Long Trail, the oldest long distance wilderness footpath in the United States, and what also became the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. The Long Trail’s 273 miles follows the spine of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to the Canadian border, in addition it has 175 side trails and 70 overnight shelters. Today the GMC primarily cares for the Long Trail and fosters the stewardship of all of Vermont’s hiking trails and mountains through teaching low-impact practices and safety skills to outdoor enthusiasts. GMC’s visitor center is located in Waterbury Center, about a 40-minute drive from Burlington’s airport. The center and its staff offer many resources to help visitors—novices and experts—figure out where to go and what is needed, based on fitness level, weather conditions, and experience. The club encourages visitors to stop at the center before setting out on the trails April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 17
for updated and timely advice and to be well prepared for the weather and existing trail conditions. An important case in point is that Vermont has what is referred to as the “fifth season,” mud season, from about April 1 through Memorial Day when hikers are urged to stay off mountain trails to prevent erosion as well as slips and falls. So what is a hiker and camper to do in mud season? Take a hike up Mount Philo on the paved road, or get in shape walking the Stowe, Burlington, Alburg, or Mallets Bay recreational paths. On the other hand, seriously hone your outdoor skills and attend one of GMC’s many educational workshops, or join a training session to become a volunteer. GMC offers outdoor skills for hikers and campers and natural resource protection skills for volunteers to help with trail maintenance. According to the GMC’s director of Stewardship, Peter Antos-Ketcham, education, more than regulations,
Photo courtesy of Reidun Nuquist
empowers people who visit the mountains and wilderness to protect and care for the environment they love and use. Information and understanding provides its own impetus, as well as the necessary tools and skills to become good land stewards. AntosKetcham explained further, “It’s more compelling to learn the reasons behind the principles of Leave no Trace, such as “carry in carry out,” or cooking with camp stoves rather than impromptu campfires. Then, the outdoor enthusiast is equipped with knowledge and his or her own motivation to conduct themselves thoughtfully anywhere they go—from the Green Mountains to the Rockies. There has been a tremendous difference in trail conditions since the seven principles of Leave no Trace were established in the early 90s. Prior to this, trails were overused and seriously damaged. Things had to change… and they did. Today you will find that Leave no Trace and education have made a tremendous
The Seven Principles of “Leave No Trace”
1
Plan Ahead and Prepare Thoroughly
familiarize yourself with local regulations. Visit in small groups; split larger parties into groups of four to eight. Repackage food to minimize waste. Prepare adequately for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Purify all drinking water. Carry and know how to use a compass and localized maps. Bring enough tents for everyone.
2
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Keep
to the trail; shortcuts erode soil and damage vegetation. Camp in designated sites. Concentrate activities on existing trails and campsites. Avoid spots where impact is just beginning. Good campsites are found, not made. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy, to avoid
widening the treadway. Walk on rocks whenever possible, especially in fragile areas such as shorelines and alpine zones.
3
Dispose of Waste Properly If you pack
it in, pack it out! Shelters and campsites are equipped with privies. When not at a campsite, bury human and pet waste in 6-8 inch cat holes at least 70 steps away from water sources. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products (do not burn or bury; opaque bags are helpful!). To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 70 steps away from streams or ponds and use little or no soap. Strain and pack food particles out; scatter dishwater.
4
Leave What you Find Take only pictures,
leave only footprints. Flowers and other naturally occurring objects are best enjoyed in their natural states.
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Removal of these items is illegal on state and federal lands. Altering a site is not necessary. Let others enjoy nature and cultural artifacts as you originally found them. After breaking down camp, leave a place cleaner than you found it.
5
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Know local regulations as campfires may be prohibited. Campfires cause lasting impacts to the backcountry and are discouraged along the Long Trail. Use a portable stove for simple, one-pot meals instead of a fire. Where permitted, if you choose to build a fire, use only pre-existing fire rings. Keep fires small using only dead, downed wood. To minimize impacts to the campsite, collect wood on the way in. Burn all wood and coals to ash, extinguish completely, then scatter cool ashes.
6
Respect Wildlife
Bring binoculars and observe wildlife from a distance. Feeding animals damages their health, alters natural behaviors and exposes them to predators, do not feed wildlife. Protect wildlife and your food by storing food securely. If you must bring a pet, keep it leashed.
7
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect other trail users and protect the quality of their experience. Keep your group size small; no more than 10 on overnighters or trips to fragile areas (alpine summits, shorelines, and designated wilderness areas) and no more than 20 on day trips. Be courteous and yield to others on the trail. Take breaks away from the trail and other visitors on durable surfaces. Let nature’s sounds prevail by avoiding loud voices and noises.
GMC Education Workshop Sch edule
Outdoor Skills Map and Compass I: Land Navig ation Basics Saturday,
April 9, 9am-4pm Saturday, May 7, 9am-4pm GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Cen ter Develop your navigation skills in the woods with a map and compass. Build your confidence in using these essential outdoor tools as we practice “getting lost” and finding ourselves in indoor and outdoor exer cises. Learn what to do when you run into a cliff or river, how to interpret terrain, and estimate distances. No experience necessary. Compasses provided. Snowshoes may be required . Be prepared to spend most of the day outdoors. Distance not to exceed 4 miles or 1,500 feet elevation gain. Hike ratin g: easy to moderate. Instructors: GMC education staff. Lim it: 15. Fee: $60. Age limit: 16 and up. Register at least two weeks in advance.
Backcountry Cooking: The Portab le Go
Photo courtesy of Dan Lane
difference. In fact, the resulting changes in behavior on the trails now allows more than 200,000 visitors to use the Green Mountains trails and wilderness without the litter, wear and tear, and damaged environment that was seen with far fewer people years ago. This bears witness to and demonstrates that education changes behaviors, and resonates more than regulations and authority do alone. The people who use the resources are now selfmotivated to protect the land without relying on an outside authority to do so. This in itself helps to maintain the freedom that people seek in the wilderness, and they become its own empowered legion of protectors.” So, when that urge to get away from it all calls, Vermont’s Green Mountains and blue lakes hold a heavenly and earthly answer: take a paddle, a walk, or a hike, and sleep out under the stars. As Sierra Club Founder John Muir said, “Keep close to nature’s heart, break clear away once in a while and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” And I’m sure you’ll agree that life doesn’t get any more peaceful than that. Resources Plan your trip well with the knowledgeable help and extensive resources of the Green Mountain Club in Waterbury. gmc@greenmountainclub.org (802) 244-7037 Rent camping gear and kayaks at Eastern Mountain Sports on Dorset Street in South Burlington. (802) 864-0473
urmet Thursday, April 28, 6:30-9pm GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Cen ter Learn how to prepare easy, nutritiou s backcountry meals on your one-burner stove. This workshop covers important cooking skills like meal plan ning, preparation, and baking. There is no reason not to eat well in the mountains! Instructors: GMC educatio n staff. Limit: 20. Fee: $30. Register at least two weeks in advance.
End-to-Ender ’s Workshop
Thursday, May 26, 6:30-9pm GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Cen ter Planning to hike the Long Trail or ano ther long-distance trail end-to-end this year? If you hav e questions for hikers who have completed the Long Trail or are looking for tips on planning, equipment, and food, join us for this informative evening with a panel of end-to-enders. Instructors: Volunteer panel, GMC edu cation staff. Fee: $30. Register at least two weeks in advance.
FIRST AID SOLO Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Saturday and Sunday, April 9 & 10, 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, May 14 & 15, 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, June 18 & 19, 9am-5pm GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Cen ter Sign up early—this course fills fast! This sixteen-hour, hands-on course will prepare you to deal with medical emergencies in the field. The focus is on the prevention, recognition, and treatment of backcou ntry injuries and illnesses. WFA certification or WFR recertification provided upon completion. Please con tact GMC if you need WFR recertification or CPR (add itional fees may apply). Instructors: SOLO staff. Lim it: 30. Fee: $180. Contact GMC for a list of overnight accommodations. Register at least three weeks in advance .
April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 19
Photo courtesy of Bromley Mountain
p i z
-a-dee-do-da
Z
ip-line adventure crossings are an exhilarating and quickly growing recreational trend. What was once a simple and functional means to transport materials from one side of a riverbank to another has resurged to become a thrilling experience that both bold and timid outdoor adventurers can enjoy.
Zip-lines have been in use since the late nineteenth century. Author H.G. Wells referred to one in his book, The Invisible Man, first published in 1897. The specific origin of the zip-line is unclear, although it is assumed to come from a mountaineering term called the Tryolean traverse. In the early 20 www.destinationvermont.com
By Rowan Beck
Zip-line Adventures in Vermont twentieth century, zip-lines were a simple pulley and cable system used to transport goods or people across rivers. Worldwide, the military perfected their use in order to refuel ships, deliver mail, food, or other supplies in challenging areas. In the early 1970s, rainforests were quickly becoming the last frontier in zoology, botany, entomology, and ecology. Initially, zip-line canopy tours were created primarily to assist graduate students in scientific studies. The students found that it was faster and easier to zip from tree to tree, rather than to climb up and down repeatedly. Additionally, they could move within the forest’s canopy at the same level as its
inhabitants. Not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for entrepreneurs to catch on to the idea’s appealing and educational possibilities. By the early 1990s, Darren Hrenuik and his partner Rick Graham created one of the first rainforest canopy tours in Costa Rica to raise environmental awareness. Over the years, the zip-line has evolved from environmental canopy tours to exhilarating recreational rides. It has become an integral part of many adventure learning ropes courses, which are designed to build confidence, teamwork, and empower participants. Today, zip-lines have as many different uses as they do names. In South
Africa adventurers could ride one of the world’s tallest zip-lines where it would be called a “foofy,” or go to Haiti and ride the “dragon’s breath,” or visit Strait Point, Alaska where there are six zip-line cables side-by-side. This ride is 5,600 feet long and drops over 1,300 feet with speed topping out at 60 mph—a hair-raising speed and perhaps an understandable explanation of its unique moniker: “death-slide.” Vermont has all types of zip-lines. Ski areas have added them to bolster their summer business and tap into another exciting outdoor activity that takes good advantage of the beautiful mountain scenery. Although many ski areas have created adventure parks, to date, only a few have included a zip-line as its featured attraction. Smugglers’ Notch Resort is the only area that can lay claim to having an actual canopy tour. Additionally, many in the outdoor recreation industry have created ropes courses with zip-lines, realizing the value as an empowering and team-building tool.
Photo courtesy of Arbortrek Canopy Adventures
NLRI’s courses are universally accessible; people in wheelchairs have ridden the zip-line. You have to weigh more than forty pounds to ride alone, but if you are a lightweight, you can ride tandem! The zip-line can be accessed by a climb up a cargo net. each ride costs approximately twenty dollars per person. The entire course takes between one to two hours, the staff is knowledgeable and engaging, and the instructors and students are supportive. According to Chris Fahner one of NLRI’s instructors,
Photos courtesy of Sugarbush Resort
Northern Lights Rock and Ice (NLRI) opened in August of 2008 and has a ropes course and a zip-line. The rope course is located in Essex Junction, adjacent to the Inn at Essex, and was designed by Mike Anderson, the chief recreation officer at Petra Cliffs Group. Christine Bacon, NLRI’s owner, had a “life changing experience” and an “amazing instructor” on one of Anderson’s ropes courses at Petra Cliffs. She felt empowered by what she had learned and wanted to share her experience with others, hence the business’ creation.
April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 21
Photos courtesy of Northern Lights Rock and Ice
participants discover that “If you can climb a ladder you can do it!”
Photo courtesy of ArborTrek Canopy Adventures
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In July of 2009, Bromley Mountain opened the Sun Mountain Flyer. It’s a half-mile zip with a descent of 500 feet: the height of a five-story building. Speeds can reach 50 mph—a rider can feel like a swift bird as he or she soars through the air. As of 2010, Bromley has doubled capacity, adding two more lines and allowing four riders to go down side-by-side. It was sold out every day this past summer. A single ride costs twenty dollars, but with an Adventure Pass that allows access to the entire park, its cost is just fifteen dollars. There are a few restrictions: you must be over seventyfive pounds, less than 250 pounds, and forty-eight inches tall to enjoy the ride. During the summer, the zip-line will operate in all weather, except of course, during a thunderstorm. Sugarbush Resort, in Warren, also has a thrilling zip-line accessible only in the summer. It is located on Lincoln Peak, behind the Gatehouse Lodge. A single ride costs fifteen dollars, or people can buy an all day pass with limitless rides for forty-five dollars. The line is 800feet long and riders must be at least seven-years-old to ride. In addition, you must weigh at least fifty pounds and less than 300, and be able to run a short distance at the dismount. Arbor Trek, at Smugglers’ Notch, is the only canopy tour in Vermont and it takes approximately three hours to complete. There can be eight to nine people in a group. This is similar to a canopy tour in Costa Rica, without the jungle but with the northern forest. Vermont may not have the monkeys, but riders can float through the forest canopy to learn about an old town that no longer exists, as well as plant and animal life indigenous to the area. There are eight zip-lines, one bridge, and two rappels. There is also a short hike in the middle, which riders might feel as if they’ve been transported back to the era of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, or young children as though they’ve entered
a fairyland. The knowledgeable staff has the ability to transport groups imaginatively back to a time when Vermont was less populated. On this tour visitors can see the dense forest filled with wild flowers while zipping over a babbling brook. “It’s very beautiful and tranquil,” commented the creator of the tour, Mike Smith. Smith, like Petra Cliff’s Anderson, is also no stranger to zip-lines, canopy tours, or ropes courses. Smith has a business plan proposing at least five more canopy tours throughout New England. Both believe that the zip-line resurgence is propelled by ski areas that are looking to round out their seasons. “It’s the single fastest growing portion of ropes courses and has become its own industry. It’s going gangbusters,” stated Anderson, who has built six courses in Vermont and 150 worldwide. Additionally, he attributes the growth to increased exposure and awareness. “People can do them anywhere,” he concluded. He is setting up at least two temporary zip-lines this summer. One will be for the Maritime Festival held on Burlington’s Waterfront, another for the Make-A-Wish Event at Oak Ledge Park, also in Burlington. The lines will be approximately 250-feet long. Anderson also runs the zip-line and ropes course at Bolton Valley Resort. Regardless of where or how you zip—ropes courses or on canopy tours—the views from the air are breathtaking and it is a thrilling experience not to be missed. The rider must let go of fear, hang on, and trust: a cable, pulley, and harness holds you safely, 100-feet in the air. To ride, you can curl your body up into a ball, spread your limbs out like a starfish, lean back, or hang loose, but you can’t start off hanging upside down like a jungle monkey; it will take a little more time and experience to master that! For more information and rates, please visit the following websites: www.northernlightsvt.com www.arbortrek.com www.sugarbush.com www.summer.bromley.com www.petracliffs.com
T
Story and Photos by Brianne Taylor
here are many things that Vermonters equate with the spring season… mud, farmers markets, turkey hunting, and gardening to name a few. However, for me, it also means the beginning of the outdoor antique season. Of course, spring doesn’t come around to Vermont
until the month of May, so after a long cold winter there is a lot of built-up excitement to get out and do some picking—an antique hunter’s term for ferreting out and purchasing that perfect item. Vermont is known for its charming quintessential antique shops, and whether your home follows a modern or more traditional theme, who would
Antiquing… a Vermont Tradition April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 23
not want to bring a special piece of Vermont-abilia into their home? Antiquing in Vermont is not only about the items you find. It is also about the experience and the people you meet along the way. Each shop owner has his or her own signature style that is reflected in the collection of pieces they put together. Some proprietors feature a functional point of view, which translates into tools, gadgets, and furniture. Some approach antiques from a collector’s perspective, which equals pottery and glass. Personally, I see antiques with a decorator’s eye. I like to find distinctive pieces that will go into a home and stand out as a one of a kind; to me, that is best part about an antique (in case you hadn’t heard, they’re not making them anymore!) In my little shop on Route 7 in Shelburne Village, Brianne’s, my own penchants and inclinations are reflected: folk art rugs, oil on canvas pansy paintings, apothecary jars, French linen curtains, early 1900s tapestry, ironstone pitchers, and an Eastlake velvet settee. Shelburne is a picturesque New England village that has several desirable antique shops to visit, all within walking distance. In addition to my shop, there is Patina, Chez Boheme, and you can’t forget about the Shelburne Country store—it doesn’t sell antiques per se, but it is itself an authentic antique at more than 100-years-old (and because of its to die for fudge and other Vermont made products)! Like so many other towns in Vermont, Shelburne Village awakes from a long sleepy winter in the spring, when antique dealers start to fling open their doors and bring displays of furniture right out onto the lawn and stoops. Farmers markets also begin to open for the season and people come “out of the woodwork” and enjoy walking around. Springtime is not only a good time for antique buyers, but for 24 www.destinationvermont.com
This Victorian vanity is an antique picker’s charming and nostalgic find.
the dealers as well. Big outdoor antique shows, such as in Brimfield, Mass., start taking place which means fresh new items for all the shops. Whether it’s Brimfield, flea markets, or garage sales, dealers are refreshed and ready to get outside to start picking for their shops. So where else should one travel in Vermont for antique hot spots? Middlebury, Brandon, and Chester are just a few towns to start with. The great part is they are all located either right on, or a few miles from, Route 7. So, after spending a morning in Shelburne Village, continue on Route 7 heading south and you will run into all of the following antique destinations. You can’t beat a
scenic Vermont drive on a crisp spring morning, so grab a cup of coffee, a pile of cash (no credit cards or checks accepted here!) and get ready to experience a piece of antiquing, a tradition in Vermont. Middlebury is mostly known for its prestigious college, but is also home to Belladonna and the Middlebury Antique Center, two spots worth the stop. Belladonna is two shops combined in one. This great antique and florist shop is figuratively like hitting two birds with one stone. Here you can find a fabulous antique side table and bring home a fresh bouquet of flowers to set right on top. Instantly your home is ready for spring. Afterward head over
Antique textiles never go out of style.
to the Middlebury Antique Center for a more traditional antiquing experience. This group shop has rows and rows of about 50 dealers right at your fingertips. You can find a vast range of items, from Roseware Pottery to a Wallace Nutting print. Keep heading south and you will reach Brandon, home to Branford House Antiques, which is a big deal for such a little town. This antique destination is located in an 1850s farmhouse on a scenic dairy farm. You don’t get more authentic Vermont than that! Once inside you will find that the antiques can be broken up into sub-categories: folk art, tobacco, barware, and bait and tackle, to name just a few.
This great shop is every collectors’ dream, organized by theme to help the picking go a little faster. Next on the drive is the town of Chester, where you will find Ironstone Antiques and the Stone House Antique Center, two places that I consider my introduction to the antique business. Ironstone Antiques brings ten-plus years of business to the table, focusing on New England country and primitive items at affordable prices. Not only will you find something you can’t live without at this shop, owners Tim and Aiden will welcome you through their doors and remember you each time you return. Your next stop will be the Stone House Antique
Center, a cooperative with about 100 dealers. This is where you can fine-tune your picking skills, so don’t walk through too fast otherwise you will miss something. Vermont is full of antique shops and each one is unique; what they share in common is the proprietor’s enthusiasm for collecting pieces of our past and for authenticity. Antique dealers are not in the business to make millions, but rather to discover treasures, a bit of history, and share a passion. So this spring, dust off your rain boots, throw on a baseball cap, hit the road, become a picker, and discover something special that you can tell an old story about too. April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 25
fabulous fare
Armchair travelers’ delight
Leunig’s Bistro & Café By Lin Stone Photos by Molly Stone
I
walked a little faster and stepped a little lighter to make my way across the windy brick walkways of Church Street Marketplace to reach my anticipated destination: Leunig’s Bistro & Café. I arrived a bit earlier than my reservation, but was received with ease and ushered inside to a cozy corner table perfect for people watching. Leunig’s casual, convivial, warm atmosphere and its scrumptious bistro fare have made it the marketplace’s base camp; I can’t imagine Church Street without Leunig’s as its cornerstone. Its well-crafted pleasures kindle four out of five senses: savory, simmering smells foretell tender, tantalizing tastes; ambient sights and sounds are reminiscent of Paris bistros. French music from legendaries such as Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel plays in the background, many little tables of people sit engaged in laughter and tête a têtes, and solo diners immerse their noses in books and lift steaming soupspoons to their mouths. This is quite an easy, tantalizing way for an armchair traveler to slip away from it all for an hour or two. I held a bowl of steaming café au lait in my
26 www.destinationvermont.com
hands while I waited for the others; well, that’s not quite true—I had two bowls. Then my hungry lunchtime companions arrived, Holly Johnson and Molly Stone, and we ordered quickly; our ever patient and solicitous waiter, Shannon, returned just as quickly with our hot appetizers. For starters, Holly and I shared an order of Citrus Garlic and Herb Infused Shrimp and Beef Skewers with Peppadew Compote. The citrus mixture with its fresh lime, orange, and lemon juices, along with the soy sauce, garlic, and herb infusion was a flawless balance of light and tangy flavors. I didn’t know what a peppadew was, but I did discover that it was delightful: the compote was slightly similar to a spicy, sweet red pepper salsa but without the Mexican seasonings and with a smidgeon of fruit: I suspect mango. Holly opted for that quintessential midday French comfort food: Croque Monsieur. Here it is served open-faced with French ham and Swiss cheese served atop toasted brioche and crested with a warm béchamel parsley crème sauce, which was melt in your mouth delicious and light—so much so that you would have thought it flourless and whipped. The French ham was a welcome émigré when paired with the brioche and béchamel because stronger or smokier flavors would have overwhelmed the other more delicate tastes. Served on a sweet egg-y toasted brioche, this dish became a slightly decadent and sublime comfort food. In contrast, I chose the Slow-Roasted Duck Confit Leg, served on a steamy pilaf of tiny Beluga lentils, roasted vegetables, and small juicy smoked tidbits of Vermont Smoke and Cure slab bacon. The crispy, golden duck leg sat atop sautéed green
spinach. The duck was tender, moist, and without a visible drop of grease—a coup when cooking duck and likely due to the slow-roasting process. I loved the presentation as well: an earthy bed of lentils, carrots, and spinach topped with the golden duck and a final bouffant of curled burgundy shredded beets. Molly had a tall glass of a sparkling maple-infused drink that she proclaimed worthy of daily supping. For lunch, she wanted a straightforward Angus burger with French fries: American comfort food done well. She was surprised to find that she liked the slightly nutty soft whole-wheat roll, and not so surprised that she loved the hot and crispy fries. Leunig’s also offers French fries cooked in truffle oil, so we also ordered these to share and compare. The flavor difference is lovely and subtle, but distinct; Holly and I preferred the subterranean flavor of the white truffle oil infused version; Molly preferred the classic. Well, after all of this armchair travelers’ comfort food we thought it best to highstep it home to give the devil his due on the treadmill. But you can trust this guide – any adventurous trek up Church Street requires a rejuvenating stop for sustenance at base camp—Continental style. For full menus or more information: www.leunigsbistro.com 863-3759 Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 9am-2pm Lunch: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5-10pm Friday and Saturday 5-11pm
From top: A melt-in-your-mouth chocolate ganache peanut butter pie with choclate caramel sauces and sea salt. A cone of French Fries cooked in white truffle.
Live Jazz Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings 7-10pm
Opposite: Leunig’s Bistro offers comforting continental fare such as Croque Monsieur; and an appetizer of Citrus, Garlic, and Herb Infused Shrimp and Beef Skewers with Peppadew Compote.
OPEN EVERY DAY ~ 11:30 to 9:00 Lunch, Dinner & In Between! Sizzling Fajitas, Bountiful Salads, Fish Tacos, Swiss Chard Enchiladas! Something to please everyone ..including children and gringos! 30 Main Street • Burlington • 658-9000 April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 27
fabulous fare
Eat, Drink, and Dance American Style
Shelburne Steakhouse & Saloon
L
et me state unequivocally that at the Shelburne Steakhouse & Saloon the dark days are gone: the sunlight poured onto the dance floor of the restaurant’s great room where we were happily seated next to big, light-filled windows and greenery. We arrived for an early Sunday dinner just as the bustling 10am-2pm brunch buffet was over and that weekend’s Farm Fresh Music were long gone. There is live music from Wednesday through Saturday night. On weekends, the restaurant teams up with local AM/ FM station 102.9 Farm Fresh Radio to
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By Lin Stone x Photos by Molly Stone present Vermont’s rising stars such as Bow Thayer & Holy Plow, Chad Hollister, and Patrick Fitzsimmons just to name a few. This Vermont Farm Music vision fits with the restaurant’s consistent efforts to offer and shop locally for farm fresh food every day. That sunny window isn’t all that’s green: behind the restaurant co-owner Joanne Paquette has three gardens she’s just waiting to see thaw: last year she planted 200 tomato plants, plenty of herbs, particularly basil, and a smattering of her own sweet corn. There is also a field that she is hoping to till this year to lay a sweep of wildflowers
for beauty and table bouquets. JoAnne Paquette and her partner Eric Frizeen own the restaurant and it is very much a family-run business. Fortunately, as Joanne’s brother and chef Joe Paquette comments, “We’re a big family.” In fact, he recalled, one day in November there were eight employees at work and seven of them were family members. “We all pitch in to help and we all do whatever needs to be done,” he continued. The restaurant’s cozy ambiance, sunlight, and cheery staff were most welcoming and we were well-tended, but nowhere
In addition to its full lineup of farm fresh food at the salad bar, live music on the dance floor, and milky fountains of chocolate at the dessert bar, the restaurant offers its signature tender hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood daily. Pictured at far left are a grilled swordfish steak with lemon pepper butter, baked yam, and garlicky broccoli along with a salad and shrimp.
milk chocolate. We did have to add a few to our plate for dessert.
more so than in the good food. We had ordered the Steakhouse Filet and the Grilled Swordfish with salad from the salad bar. The salad bar began with diced fresh fruits moved onto a good variety of greens, vegetables, legumes, antipasto meats, and finished with large fresh pink curls of shrimp with cocktail sauce. Around the final bend of the curved serving station one very sweet final temptation lay in wait: a bowl of fresh strawberries next to a three-tiered fountain of velvety smooth running
Next, the restaurant’s entrees more than lived up to their claims: a handcut steak filet perfectly chosen and prepared for its melt-in-yourmouth tenderness: it truly could have been cut with a fork. The homemade béarnaise sauce was made with sherry, shallots, and fresh tarragon, which was the perfect light, bright, finishing touch. The fresh grilled swordfish steak was also very tender and moist, with the zesty addition of lemon pepper butter. Paired with a sweet orange yam and garlicky broccoli, the plate was well balanced and full of pizzazz. Although the Shelburne Steakhouse
& Saloon has a full list of homemade desserts, alas, for us, we had eaten so well that with one juicy chocolate dipped strawberry each; we couldn’t hold one more bite. Visit the Shelburne Steakhouse & Saloon on the weekends to sing and dance and dine; roll out of bed on Sunday after 10am and have brunch, come on a weeknight to unwind, but come one and all. The sun is shining, the family is friendly, the ambiance warm, and the food and music are truly Vermont fresh and fun. For full menus or more information: www.shelburnesteakhouse.com 985-5009 Monday-Friday 4pm to closing Saturdays noon to closing Sundays 10am to closing
Shelburne SteakhouSe & Saloon
• Live Entertainment • Sunday Brunch • Early Bird Specials • Buy one get one half price: coupon available at www.shelburnesteakhouse.com 2545 Shelburne Rd. (802) 985-5009 April / May 2011 Destination Vermont 29
viewpoint
The secret to success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. —Benjamin Disraeli
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while you wait...
crossword
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INFO@ 160 Ban k Street Burlington, VT
802.859.0888
LOCALLY GROWN LOCALLY SERVED Farm-to-table gastropub featuring gourmet local burgers, housemade Charcuterie, local cheeses and farm style comfort food all with a goal of supporting our many talented Vermont farmers and food producers. Rare and prized beers from Vermont’s backyard and beyond offered at the bar, in the outdoor beer garden, and in the downstairs speakeasy.
32 www.destinationvermont.com