How Vermont State University is training students for life, not just school BY MARIE
EDINGER
28 Dining in Montpelier
A town that celebrates its history—and its food BY MARIE
EDINGER
34 Tackling Microfiber Pollution
How the Cora Ball is leading the way BY EMILY PARKER
Welcome Back to The Best of Central Vermont
Or should we say, it’s so good to be back telling the stories of Central Vermont, from the ski areas of Smuggs’, Stowe, and Sugarbush to the towns of Waterbury, Montpelier, Barre, Northfield, and Randolph, and all the beautiful towns in between. We are thrilled to bring it all to you—the people, communities, events, and heritage that make living in Central Vermont so special.
So we’re back, and we hope you enjoy what you discover in our issues, including this first one, which spotlights Don Hirsch Theater Design. Who would have thought Montpelier would be home to such an industry-leading business?
And speaking of Montpelier, we visited the T.W. Wood Art Gallery—beautiful! Learn more about this gift of a gallery in our Art Scene article, and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
We also have put together a Central Vermont Home section for this issue, highlighting local design experts and companies, and high-quality home goods available to you. As we always remind our readers: Shop local whenever you can!
So please enjoy our issue and contact us with any feedback, story ideas, or events you’d like to publicize. And please let our advertisers know that you heard about them through Best of Central Vermont
Cheers,
John and Robin Gales
Central Vermont
Central Vermont
Timeless Designs Architecture
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Mountaineers Baseball
Nothing
VERMONT in spring
Clockwise from top: Emily soaks up some afternoon sunshine along Vermont’s Mad River.
Maiana prepares to plant a few small trees she started from seed. Emily follows a faint trail before heading back into the woods.
thegift of a gallery
THE T.W. WOOD ART GALLERY IS DEDICATED TO MAKING ART ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
No one would have guessed that Thomas Waterman Wood, the son of a humble cabinetmaker, would one day gift his hometown of Montpelier with a museum dedicated to preserving and exhibiting historic and contemporary art, offer life-affirming art education to all ages, and collaborate within the community to ensure art is available to everyone.
VISIT THE EXHIBITS
T.W. Wood Gallery, a museum of American art, was conceived as an institution that would bring the transformative power of art to the people. It contains several galleries:
The Wood Room Gallery—This gallery features the portraits and genre painting of T.W. Wood and the paintings of other 19th-century artists.
Vermont’s Federal Works Progress
Administration Art—This gallery is the sole repository for the State of Vermont for the WPA artwork that employed many out-ofwork artists during the Great Depression.
Contemporary Hall and Nuquist Gallery— These galleries feature rotating exhibitions by different groups and artists.
The gallery also hosts kids’ programs, hands-on workshops, drink & draw events, and costume murder mystery fundraisers.
ERICA ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Opposite page: Locally made soaps and other artisan crafts, along with reproductions of the artist's work, are for sale in the T.W. Wood Gallery's gift shop.
WOOD'S GENRE PAINTINGS DEPICT EVERYDAY LIFE
In the late 1850s, Wood stayed busy painting portraits, but also did some genre paintings, which captured ordinary people living their everyday lives, and he increasingly focused on African American subjects, one of the first white American painters to do so.
It was a later painting, American Citizens (To The Polls), that introduced the nobility of suffrage for the emancipation of enslaved people. The remarkable watercolor from 1867 is a character study of four men of different demographic types, standing in line to cast their votes. The three white men look bored, while the one Black man is excited about what is undoubtedly his first election.
CREATING SLY COMMENTARY
Wood’s 1878 painting The Quack Doctor depicts an early medicine show at the intersection of Main and East State streets in Montpelier. In Wood’s painting, the “doctor” is pitching his elixir to the assembled throng, while an exotic Turk is standing at the rear of the wagon, ready to deliver bottles of the “medicine” to the attentive buyers. A parade of ducks under the wagon is a sly commentary 0 on the quack cure being peddled.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about the gallery and review its schedule of events, go to www.twwoodgallery.org. The museum is open from 12pm-4pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
T.W. WOOD GALLERY
46 Barre Street
Montpelier, VT www.twwoodgallery.org
Photo: Ryan Bent
BY MARIE EDINGER
HOW VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY IS TRAINING STUDENTS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST SCHOOL
With a push toward online learning, overcrowded lecture halls, and nationwide disillusionment with higher education, Vermont State University (VTSU) is trying to set itself apart.
Paul Winters, one of the associate directors of admissions at Vermont State’s Randolph Campus, explains that the school emphasizes a hands-on, career-focused approach to education.
“Our goal is to get students working in
the field right from day one. Almost all of our majors require some type of co-op or internship opportunity,” Paul says. “You’re going to have done the work; you’re going to have experienced it; you’re going to have seen it for yourself.”
That isn’t the only thing Paul says sets Vermont State apart.
MANY CAMPUSES, ONE UNIVERSITY
Paul explains that, previously, there were individual campuses with registered
This page, clockwise from top: Green Hall, where science and engineering courses are taught, on the VTSU-Randolph Campus. Students work hands-on with industry-standard equipment in lab spaces at VTSU-Randolph. Students work with beagles in the Veterinary Technology clinic.
ONLINE AND HYBRID COURSES
Of course, students will still have to take the typical prerequisite courses, and online and hybrid courses, where classes are divided between online learning and in-person labs, are available. The hybrid model is especially convenient for students who are based at one campus but want to take courses offered at
another Vermont State site.
The Architectural Engineering path is a good example of this. Students who may prefer a different type of architecture, where they consider the aesthetics of a building, might be more interested in the inner workings of the structure, like the load-bearing beams and heating system. Those programs have had an extremely
strong job outcome so far, Paul says. In fact, the Randolph Campus’ Civil Engineering program has a direct career path to VTrans, Vermont’s government transportation agency.
“They’re desperately looking for folks in that field, so they hire our graduates almost immediately from these programs,” Paul says. “So it’s a great pathway for students looking to jump into high-paying careers.”
TWO- AND FOUR-YEAR OPTIONS
That’s true for both the two- and four-year degree programs. Students who don’t want a full four-year certification, for instance, can do a two-year Civil Engineering certification or Ground Transportation program. Some students like to do a fouryear degree with an engineering focus and get a business degree on a two-year track, so they can open up their own business down the line.
“Most of us going to college can just find our way through and we get a degree, and then we go, ‘Now what?’” Paul says. “But now, a lot more students are being very intentional about their college search and what they want to do. And I think that’s smart.”
TRY A MAJOR DAY
Vermont State is trying to find new ways to flaunt its merits. They host “Try a Major Day,” where high school students come to campus and work in a lab, or on a manufacturing project, to see what the majors are actually like and what might be a good fit for them. Potential nursing students get to see the simulation lab; the civil engineering lab has a sand cable space, and the list goes on.
“You get a flavor of what that looks like,” Paul says. “It’s just a great way for them to immerse themselves in those programs for the day, to see what might be a good fit for them later on.”
WORK WITH A SUCCESS ADVISOR
Vermont State also emphasizes its relationship between students and faculty. Class sizes are small by design, with a fourteen-to-one student-to-faculty ratio.
Every student works with a Success Advisor, who promotes relationships with department heads, so students have a way to speak up if they’re struggling or if they need help with job placement after graduation.
“They’re going to help you to find that career,” Paul says. “It doesn’t just happen at graduation. They work with you through all four years to make sure you’re ready to go.”
Above, from left: Students enjoy some late-summer weather on the Randolph Campus of VTSU. A student conducts a lab experiment in Green Hall on the Randolph Campus.
BY MARIE EDINGER
Dining in Montpelier
A TOWN THAT CELEBRATES ITS HISTORY—AND ITS
FOOD
When people think of Montpelier, they likely picture the golddomed state house, home to some of the country’s oldest legislative halls. But Vermont’s capital isn’t known only for its historic buildings: It also has a bustling arts and culture scene, as well as some truly phenomenal restaurants.
Best of Central Vermont chatted with restaurant folks from the state’s capital to find out where to go to experience some of the city’s best cuisine.
SARDUCCI’S
According to co-owner and chef Jeff Butterfield, Sarducci’s is “a place for any
occasion,” from birthdays to date nights to business meetings to get-togethers with friends. “The goal is always to make the customers happy and feel welcome, and we strive for that over everything,” Jeff says. “The staff is one big extended family, and I believe it shows in our day-to-day operation.”
The restaurant was founded in 1994, and Jeff joined the staff in 2012. Now, he runs the place with his business partner, Connor Blouin. The front of house and kitchen have undergone major renovations, but the original brick oven, built on-site, remains, along with the bar, which was repurposed from a restaurant in Chicago.
Since it first opened, the restaurant has more than doubled its seating capacity, and its stone patio offers guests a “real riverside dining experience.”
During the pandemic, the restaurant developed different to-go menus for both lunch and dinner, and both are worth checking out.
The penne alla vodka arrabbiata is a dinnertime pasta staple, and the Mediterranean chicken comes with a sherry-butter sauce. The vitello alla parmigiana is a classic, and the scampi e cape sante is served with scallops and baked in the wood-burning oven. The restaurant also offers gluten-free versions of their pasta and pizza.
At lunch, those specials are traded for a sandwich list, featuring delectable options like caprese flatbread and fried chicken Caesar wrap.
Sarducci’s imports all its pasta from Italy, but they’re looking to add a commercial space in the building where they can produce it themselves –
Opposite: Sarducci's oven-roasted polenta with sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and mushrooms. This page, from left: Sarducci’s on a perfect summer day. Sarducci's wood-roasted salmon with creamy risotto, artichokes, roasted red peppers, capers, and a lemon buerre blanc.
something Jeff says has always been his dream.
OAKES AND EVELYN
Owner chef Justin Dain describes Oakes and Evelyn as a spot that offers a “delicious take on American cuisine with hints of Japanese and Thai flavors.”
The menu at the farm-to-table restaurant includes flavor combinations that come together with the help of local farms and artisans and is “the culmination of decades of toil and more dreams than can be counted,” Justin says.
Menu highlights include dishes like General Tso’s octopus, roasted bone marrow with bacon jam and pickled herbs,
HUGO’S BAR AND GRILL
A neighborhood bistro and music venue, Hugo’s Bar and Grill is owned by Tom Greene, a novelist and founding president emeritus of the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Tom says the opportunity to own a restaurant came about as a happy accident. When he left the college during the pandemic, he asked people what they wanted in their community, and the answer was a mid-priced restaurant. “And so I decided to launch Hugo’s.”
Tom says the space informs the food at his new location, which he opened after the flood destroyed the original building. The new location has a smaller capacity and smaller kitchen, but it also features a phenomenal rooftop deck with a gorgeous view and a New Orleans speakeasy vibe. “It’s kind of casual, fun, and convivial. The
Hugo's rooftop deck features a gorgeous view and a New Orleans speakeasy vibe.
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food is built to mirror that,” Tom says. Their menu includes steak frites, burgers, salads, and other favorites, including fresh oysters every day. Their Korean fried chicken is a best seller. They have live music Thursday through Saturday, everything from jazz to rock ’n’ roll to folk. They have a weekly salsa dancing night as well.
“The way we’re set up, it’s like a jazz club,” Tom says. “You can sit down at a table, and you can eat dinner, and the music’s right in front of you.”
3 Main Street Montpelier, VT www.sarduccis.com
52 State Street Montpelier, VT, www.oakesandevelyn.com
44 Main Street Montpelier, VT www.hugosbarandgrill.com
Grilled flatiron steak frites with compound butter at Hugo's Bar and Grill.
149 Main Street Montpelier, VT www.courtneyreckord.com
wwwcheshirecatclothing.com
Montpelier, VT www.fluidlymoving.com
3 Main Street Montpelier, VT www.sarduccis.com
27 State Street Montpelier, VT www.capitolgrounds.com
Opposite: The Coral Ball, ithe world's first microfiber-preventing and catching laundry ball. This page left: The Cora Board is made from one plank of naturally antimicrobial Vermont maple wood by Vermont craftspeople. Above and below: The Cora Clip for hanging your laundry.
THE BIRTH OF THE CORA BALL
The inspiration for the Cora Ball came in 2013, when Rachael first read about microfiber pollution in a popular science article. “The problem screamed at us, and right away we set about learning more about it and spreading the word,” she says. Understanding that an immediate solution was necessary, Rachael and her team at Rozalia Project began
working on what would eventually become the Cora Ball.
The device was inspired by natural coral, which naturally filters tiny particles from water. Using a similar structure, the Cora Ball is designed to both prevent microfiber shedding and capture fibers that would otherwise flow down the drain. Independent tests have shown that the device reduces microfiber
pollution by 26 to 31 percent, even before visible accumulation occurs, making it a significant tool in protecting both clothing and aquatic ecosystems.
Rachael’s work with Rozalia Project, which she founded in 2009, played a major role in the Cora Ball’s development. The Burlington-based organization focuses on four key strategies to combat marine debris: data-driven cleanups, education,
The Cora Ball can be used in any washing machine, including condensing hybrid washer/dryers. Above: Spot-cleaning with products like soap sticks can help reduce microfiber pollution by keeping clothes clean without needing to wash the whole garment.
technology, and solutions-based research. In 2012, the team conducted an early study of microplastics in the sediment of Lake Champlain. Since then, they have expanded their research to the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, publishing data that highlights the widespread impact of microplastics on marine environments.
KEEPING PRODUCTION LOCAL: THE VERMONT CONNECTION
From the beginning, Rachael’s organization was committed to manufacturing the Cora Ball in Vermont. “Human connections are powerful, and we found amazing teams of people who shared our goals of sustainability and social responsibility,” she says. These partnerships allowed the team to develop eco-friendly production strategies, such as reusing shipping boxes between manufacturing and assembly facilities to minimize waste.
The Cora Ball itself is made from synthetic rubber that includes recycled materials—including old Cora Balls. Durability was a key factor in its
SIMPLE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
• Wash clothes in cold water to reduce fiber shedding.
• Spot-clean clothes instead of washing garments after every wear.
• Air-dry clothes whenever possible.
• Shop secondhand before buying new clothing.
• Suppor t legislation that promotes sustainable manufacturing and filtration.
design, with the product lasting at least eight years despite the harsh conditions inside washing machines. Additionally, the Cora Ball is repairable—if a piece breaks, it can be replaced rather than discarding the entire unit. At the end of its lifespan, consumers can return used Cora Balls through a take-back program, ensuring that materials are recycled into new products rather than ending up in landfills.
EXPANDING ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY BEYOND THE LAUNDRY
While washing machines are a major source of microfiber pollution, the company recognizes that they are not the
only source. One lesser-known contributor is plastic cutting boards, which release tiny plastic particles into food with every use.
To address this issue, the team recently launched the Cora Board, a single-piece, hardwood cutting board free from glues, resins, waxes, and oils. “Studies have quantified just how much microplastic is being introduced into our food from plastic cutting boards,” Rachael explains. “We saw an opportunity to create a solution that is not only better for the environment but also directly impacts human health by making food preparation safer.”
The Cora Board is sourced from Vermont maple trees and crafted in
Opposite:
Middlebury, VT, further reinforcing the organization’s commitment to local, sustainable production.
A COLLECTIVE EFFORT IS ESSENTIAL
Microfiber and microplastic pollution requires solutions at multiple levels. While government regulations, industry changes, and scientific research play a crucial roles, individual actions are also essential.
“We all have a role to play, as this problem requires several solutions that neither fall entirely on consumers nor exist only upstream in the manufacturing process,” Rachael says. She advocates for laws that require better filtration in washing machines and encourage textile companies to create more resilient, recyclable fabrics. At the same time, she urges individuals to adopt small changes to their daily habits that reduce microfiber pollution.
“Everyone who wears and launders clothing is part of the problem of microfiber pollution,” Rachael notes. “But the good news is that everyone can also be part of the solution.”
THE FUTURE OF MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION SOLUTIONS
As awareness of microfiber pollution grows, Rachael and her team remain focused on expanding solutions that help individuals and businesses take action. With their success with the Cora Ball and the introduction of the Cora Board, they continue to develop products that address both environmental and human health concerns.
Through ongoing research, education, and community engagement, Rachael and her team hope to inspire policy changes, industry improvements, and individual action that collectively reduce the impact of microplastic pollution. By providing practical, science-backed solutions, her work ensures that cleaner oceans and healthier lives are within reach.
For more information about the Cora Ball, Rozalia Project, and ways to reduce microfiber pollution, visit www.coraball.com.
CORA BALL
P.O. Box 75 Granville, VT www.coraball.com
BEHIND THE CURTAIN w Don Hirsch Design Studio
A VERMONT-BASED DESIGNER BRINGS
STORIES TO LIFE THROUGH IMAGINATIVE,
COMMUNITY-CENTERED PERFORMANCE SPACES
Ask Don Hirsch how he got into theater design, and you won’t hear about a childhood dream or a degree in architecture—you’ll hear about a school play. “I was teaching middle school English and helped with the set and lights. That was it. I fell in love with theater,” Don says. That
moment sparked a journey from Vermont classrooms to grad school, then on to designing for regional theaters and dance companies, and eventually, founding his own firm: Don Hirsch Design Studio, LLC. Based in Montpelier, the studio blends Don’s love of the performing arts with a practical, people-first approach to
design. Over the years, he’s worked on everything, from black box theaters to historic restorations, always with an eye toward spaces that bring people together.
“What gets me up every day is knowing we’re building places where communities can connect—where students and neighbors can laugh, learn,
Adaptive use/new design for the new home of the Pendragon Theatre Company in Saranac Lake, NY.
The Performing Arts Center, utilizing space in a former grocery store, features a flexible studio theatre, dressing, green, and rehearsal rooms; costume and scene shops; administrative offices; and public space.
and experience something live,” he says.
A turning point came when Don was invited to consult on the restoration of a historic theater in Central Vermont.
“That combination of bringing a theater back to life and helping a downtown feel vibrant again—that was powerful,” he recalls.
That moment not only shifted his career toward consulting, but also sparked a deep appreciation for how the arts can contribute to the revitalization of downtown communities. It has been a hallmark of his work ever since.
From high school auditoriums to university campuses, Don’s projects span
the Northeast. His current work includes projects in Augusta and Portland, Maine; Saranac Lake, New York; Burlington, VT; and beyond. Each one is a reflection of his belief that performance spaces should be as inspiring as the stories told within them. Whether designing a thrust stage or planning backstage support areas, Don
Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Production design for a future-themed university gala celebration for 1,200 guests. Historic restoration of an 850-seat neoclassic proscenium theater, including fully restored seating and lobby. Major renovation of an outdated multi-use studio theater at Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, NY. This page: Historic theater restoration architectural detail.
always starts with the people who’ll use the space. “Every project begins with conversations—lots of them,” he says. “We’re designing for artists, audiences, and educators. We have to listen first.”
When asked what advice he’d give someone interested in this field, Don doesn’t hesitate: “Learn how theaters work from the inside out. Get experience in both technical theater and arts admin, and always remember—it’s a team process.”
For Don, design is about more than acoustics and sightlines. It’s about community, creativity, and creating spaces that support both performance and place. And judging by his body of work, he’s doing just that.
DON HIRSCH DESIGN STUDIO, LLC
95 Upper Barnett Hill Montpelier, VT www.donhirschstudio.com
Hubbard Park’s Stone Tower
A MONUMENT TO PRESERVING WILDNERNESS
Opposite: Hubbard Park Tower is located at the highest point of the park. Above: A view of the red pines that flank Hubbard Park. Left: The plaque at the base of the tower designating the gift of the land to the city by John E. Hubbard. Next page: Another view of the tower, begun in 1915 and completed in 1930.
In 1962, Mavis Doyle, longtime reporter for the Burlington Free Press ’ Montpelier Bureau, wrote a feature about the Hubbard Stone Tower in Hubbard Park, an idyllic retreat on the hill behind the Vermont State House. For fun, Doyle asked a dozen residents if they knew when and why the fifty-twofoot structure was built. “None of them had any idea,” she reported, nor did they know that the irregular-shaped parapet atop the tower was an intentional design
To reach the Hubbard Stone Tower, follow the Tower Loop Trail.
feature meant to evoke a medieval ruin and not a signal that the tower was left unfinished.
A QUEST TO PRESERVE THE WILDERNESS
That’s when the veteran reporter decided to do her research. She found that, in 1899, John E. Hubbard bequeathed the City of Montpelier 134 acres to create a park or, in his words, “preserve wilderness” for future generations. In response, the city established a Parks Commission to manage the new lands.
In 1907, they invited Dana Dow, a landscape architect from Boston, to consult on the project, and the following year he submitted a detailed proposal that included contour maps, walking paths, picnic areas, and a proposal for a road leading hikers to the highest point in the park.
PLANNING AN OBSERVATORY
He wrote: “The objective point of the road is the summit of the park and here some suitable structure should mark the spot. To attract people, there must be something for them to visit, and hence here is the proper place for a building which might be termed the ‘Observatory.’”
The highest point was on the land behind the Capitol, which was owned by Jesse S. Viles, and was, at that time, located just outside the park. But the idea for the observatory won over Viles and, in 1911, he deeded the Capitol Hill parcel to the park.
REPURPOSING ANCIENT STONES
Park Commissioner Harry Cutler took over the design of the tower and hired stone mason John Miglierini to execute the plans. Miglierini and his crew began work
on the observation tower in 1915. They used stones gathered from nearby abandoned walls and fences previously used to mark the hillside as a grazing pasture.
The tower was completed in 1930 for a total cost of $8,000. The inner terrace
was added at a later date. The base of the tower features picnic tables and benches, as well as a large grassy field for picnicking. Surrounding the tower are fruit and nut trees that were planted to attract wildlife to the area.
BEAUTIFUL VIEWS AND THEN SOME
The tower offers a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. While much of the view of downtown Montpelier is obstructed by maturing stands of red pines, several mountain ranges can still be seen from the top of the tower.
You can find the tower by driving to the end of Hubbard Park Drive and walking around the loop.
Clockwise from above: A vintage postcard of the Stone Tower. John E. Hubbard, for whom the park is named. Commissioner of Hubbard Park, Harry Cutler.
CENTRAL VERMONT home
ART in the home
Handcrafted pieces from local artisans are a great way to add character to your space. Whether it's handmade pottery, a blown-glass vase, a carved wooden sculpture, or one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, handcrafted pieces elevate your home’s aesthetic and foster a deeper connection to your community, turning everyday objects into something truly special. All these artisans currently have their work on display at Artisans' Gallery.
David and Melanie Leppla of Mad River Glass Gallery in Waitsfield, VT, have been creating distinctive glassworks, like this blue sea fan vase, for more than thirty years. Their pieces are beautiful, organic, and colorful.
Elizabeth Saslow of York Hill
Pottery in Lincoln, VT, has been creating handmade stoneware, like this ceramic crock, for thirty years. Her shop offers a variety of items, including coffee mugs, bowls, and vases.
in Fayston, VT, creates serene, fluid, graceful pieces with a water theme, focusing on patterns formed in vertical ice and water-carved rock, like these ceramic tumblers.
John Armstrong says the final look and shape of his pieces comes from the wood as much as from him. Each piece is transformed from a living forest tree into unique, warm, friendly, functional furniture.
Tossy Garrett of Tossi Custom Jewelry Design Northfield, VT, is inspired by antique and heirloom jewelry, natural forms, and her travels to Italy, Turkey, and Ireland. Tossy's chosen medium for creating her jewelry is wax carving. A sculptural form is carved out of jeweler's wax and, after making a mold, the form is cast in silver, gold, or platinum.
Scott Duffy of Rockledge Farm Woodworks in Reading, VT, and his son, Ian, have been making wooden wares and furniture since the early 1980s. On a 200-year-old “hill farm,” they craft a wonderful selection of furniture and gifts of the finest hardwoods and burls native to this area.
Green Village Soap Co. of Craftsbury, VT, handcrafts its soap in small batches, using organic, food-grade ingredients and essential oils. Their soap is pleasantly fragrant and minimally packaged.
Glass Gallery also offer stone creations, like these cairns, which symbolize balance and stability, and represent a connection to the earth.
In collaboration with their client, the firm recently reimagined a former blacksmith shop in Stowe Village (see inset). Rebuilt and renovated with contemporary gestures, the mixed-use building contains residential and retail spaces.
explains. “In new construction, you can adjust the layout freely. In renovation, you’re often solving design problems within a fixed framework.”
One kitchen project showcases that ingenuity. Limited by the existing floor plan, the team reworked the layout to include multiple work zones, making the space more accommodating for a household with multiple cooks. Strategic features, such as placing a beverage fridge just outside the kitchen, helped improve flow and functionality without moving a single wall.
RESPECTING A PROPERTY'S HISTORIC PAST WHILE BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Renovating historic properties presents a unique challenge, one that Volansky Studio welcomes. When working on a former blacksmith shop located in a historic district,
A well-loved vacation home in need of structural upgrades was transformed into the tree house–inspired wonder, with views and modernization of materials, inviting the owners to relax.
the team took extra care to preserve the building’s heritage while introducing modern amenities.
“We always start with a thorough analysis,” Andrew says. “That often includes working closely with structural engineers and consulting with local historical preservation groups. Our goal is to honor the original character while making the space livable by today’s standards.”
This philosophy has helped the studio gain trust among clients who want to preserve a sense of place while modernizing their homes. Whether it’s updating aging structures or designing additions that blend seamlessly with the original structure, each project benefits from the team’s technical skill and artistic sensitivity.
WHAT HOMEOWNERS WANT TODAY
Homeowners today are increasingly seeking spaces that reflect their person-
alities, habits, and values. Andrew sees a growing desire to personalize homes, especially in ways that integrate elements of past homes or cherished memories.
“Sometimes a client will come to us with a beautifully built home that just doesn’t feel like theirs,” he says. “They want to make it their own without tearing it down. That’s where we find opportunities
to make simple yet meaningful design changes, adjusting roof lines, rethinking windows, or adding materials that shift the tone of a space.”
These subtle changes can have a major emotional impact. Andrew described the moment when a client sees the first design rendering and begins to feel a sense of ownership. “That’s what we’re aiming
for, giving them a home that has their fingerprints on it.”
BRINGING DESIGNS TO LIFE THROUGH 3D MODELING
A key part of Volansky Studio’s process is helping clients truly see what their homes
will become. That’s why the team relies heavily on 3D modeling throughout the design phase. Clients are able to visualize both exterior and interior spaces, explore different design options, and better understand how each element contributes to the whole.
“We live with these designs every day,” Andrew says. “But our clients are coming in fresh. We take time to let them absorb what they’re seeing, ask questions, and feel confident in the direction we’re heading.”
This collaborative visual approach has helped the firm streamline decisionmaking and improve the overall design experience for clients.
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN RENOVATION
As interest in sustainability grows, Volansky Studio incorporates energy efficiency into nearly every renovation. From upgrading insulation systems and addressing thermal performance to selecting environmentally conscious materials, each project is analyzed in regard to how well it will stand up in the long term.
“The homes we design should be beautiful and functional, but they should also be responsible,” Andrew says. “We want to create spaces that are comfortable and efficient for years to come.”
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE: A GROWING NEED FOR RENOVATION
With new construction becoming more costly and complex, renovations are poised to become even more central to the future of residential design. Andrew believes this trend is just beginning.
“Renovation will be a big part of the conversation moving forward,” he says. “It’s a way to preserve what works, fix what doesn’t, and help people stay rooted in the places they love.”
For homeowners considering a renovation, Andrew offers this advice:
“Be open to the process, be honest about your needs, and choose a team that’s willing to listen and collaborate. A good renovation can completely transform how you live in your home.”
With an approach that blends creative vision, technical expertise, and a deep respect for the homes and communities
they work in, Volansky Studio is helping shape the future of Vermont’s residential landscape—one renovation at a time.
VOLANSKY STUDIO
135 Luce Hill Road Stowe, VT www.volanskystudio.com
Volansky Studio renovated a 70s ski condo, creating spaces that work more with the needs of today's lifestyle, visually and functionally, while staying within the confines of the structure.
WAKE UP WITH BROWS YOU LOVE
At Fringe Salon & Lash Bar, we believe beauty is an experience. Our latest offering, Hairstroke Brows, utilizes advanced techniques to create soft, realistic brows that mimic natural hair. Ideal for those with sparse, thinning, or uneven brows—or anyone ready to simplify their beauty routine.
LIGHTING TRENDS for 2025
This pendant light from Accord Lighting features natural wood in an organic-shaped pendant, which gives the feeling of bringing the outdoors in . Pendants are perfect for hanging over a kitchen island, dining table, or nightstand, or in an entryway or hallway.
This pendant is part of the Archer Collection from Capital that features handcrafted slats of mango wood that create the sensation of motion in a visually intriguing wave, grounded by a matte black metal frame. Earthy and textural, the pendant would be great paired with two or more over a kitchen island.
The Pisces Collection from Modern Forms consists of a multitude of natural Spanish alabaster orbs shimmering at different heights from a multi-point canopy, casting an entrancing celestial glow. The first-class-quality Spanish alabaster has subtle veining that makes each crafted piece unique. With its customizable cord length, this epic piece is perfect for a tall stairwell or entryway.
The Irvine pendant light from Troy's Chandler McLellan Collection recalls a traditional Vietnamese hanging lantern but with a modern, sculptural twist. Featuring two tiers of rounded shapes that cinch in the center, the balanced silhouette appears to gently undulate overhead. The loose rattan weave allows light to sift through, casting a warm and inviting glow throughout your space. Suspended from a bronze chain, It evokes an elevated lighting experience. This pendant light captures the eye paired or tripled over a kitchen table, dining table, or on its own in a hallway or entryway.
Artisan-crafted slats of mango wood in a wave-like pattern anchored by a matte black base create this visually stunning chandelier, part of the Archer Collection by Capital. Earthy and textural, this chandelier would be ideal over a dining table.
The Huntly lamp from Troy is part of the Chandler McLellan collection. It's a ceramic ivory breakstone lamp with concave cutouts. Sculpted from matte ceramic with an overscale natural linen shade, this lamp is reminiscent of surfaces worn smooth by flowing water. It is a lovely neutral piece for a living room or bedroom.
This shapely, natural wood light from Accord Lighting hangs from a set of thin wires. The smooth sides turn gracefully, creating an abstract shape that would be ideal over a dining table.
SPRUCE PEAK
PERFORMING ARTS
122 Hour Glass Drive
Stowe, VT www.sprucepeakarts.org
May 4, 2pm MISS VERMONT & MISS VERMONT’S TEEN 2025
May 18, 3pm & 6pm EVENING OF DANCE
May 25, 1pm & 5pm
STOWE DANCE ACADEMY: WIZARD OF OZ, A BALLET
May 30, 7pm May 31, 1pm TOGETHER WE DANCE
June 5, 7pm THE BROOK & THE BLUFF
June 8, 11am & 2pm THE TREEHOUSE SHAKERS PRESENT THE LITTLEST COVE
June 22, 3pm
AN AFTERNOON WITH CHAMBER
MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER: Dvorak, Mozart and Weber
BARRE OPERA HOUSE
6 N. Main Street #4 Barre, VT www.barreoperahouse.org
May 16, 7pm
May 17, 2pm & 5pm
May 18, 1pm
CONTEMPORARY DANCE & FITNESS 2025
May 24, 7pm
OPERA VERMONT PRESENTS VERDI’S LA TRAVIATA
June 7, 7pm
June 8, 2pm
MOVING LIGHT DANCE PRESENTS A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
June 20 , 7pm
June 21, 2pm & 7pm
June 22, 2pm RENT presented by Acorn Youth Arts
LOST NATION THEATER
39 Main Street Montpelier, VT www.lostnationtheater.org
May 15, 7pm BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
June 5–June 15 THE REVOLUTIONISTS Thursday– Saturday, 7:30pm Sunday, 2pm
GOOD MEASURE PUB & BREWERY
17 East Street, Northfield, VT www.goodmeasurebrewing.com
Every Monday, 7:30pm KARAOKE
Every Tuesday, 7:30pm PUB TRIVIA
SMUGGLER’S NOTCH RESORT
4323 Vermont Route 108 South Jeffersonville, VT (800) 419-4615 www.smuggs.com
May 25, 7am VERMONT CITY MARATHON & RELAY
June 20–June 22
BREWSTER RIDGE OPEN
June 20, 8pm CELEBRATE SUMMER SOLSTICE AT SMUGGS!
The Brook & The Bluff, appearing at Spruce Peak Performing Arts.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, appearing at The Barre Opera House.
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY EXPOSITION
105 Pearl Street Essex Junction, VT www.cvexpo.org
May 24, 3pm
GREEN MOUNTAIN ROLLER DERBY PUNK’S NOT DEAD DOUBLE HEADER
May 27, 6pm
HIGHER GROUND PRESENTS: VAMPIRE WEEKEND
June 3, 4pm RONALD McDONALD CHARITIES BINGO
June 4, 6:30pm
HIGHER GROUND PRESENTS: WALLOWS
June 8, 10:30am MT. SINAI SHRINERS BINGO
June 10, 6:30pm HIGHER GROUND PRESENTS: MT. JOY
June 13, 6:30pm RELAY FOR LIFE
June 21 & June 22, 10am THE VERMONT RENAISSANCE FAIRE
