Best of Burlington Magazine - Summer 2018

SUMMER 2018

VOLUME 11 NO 3 $4.95

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB AHEAD OF ITS TIME

A MIDSUMMER’S FEAST AT

THE INTERVALE CENTER BARE MEDICAL SPA + LASER CENTER A PASSION FOR BEAUTY LAUNCHES A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

TOM MOORE & SONS A Tradition of Craftsmanship

All season rooms add a new dimension to living.

tommoorebu i Id er.com

Custom Homes

♦

Remodeling

802.899.2376 ♦

Distinctive Cabinetry

Summer features

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A MIDSUMMER'S FEAST AT THE INTERVALE CENTER

A delectable farm to table celebration

BY DIAN PARKER

54

BARE MEDICAL SPA + LASER CENTER

A passion for beauty launches a successful business

BY KELSEY WEIDMANN

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THE GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB Bringing out the best in people and Vermont

BY PHYL NEWBECK Cover Photo by Jeremy Hebert.

Courtesy of the Green Mountain Club.

Contents summer departments

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17 PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 18 ONLINE HUB 20 CONTRIBUTORS 22 GATHERINGS A Shelburne Museum Summer.

24 PETS AND PEOPLE

News, products, and furry facts.

26 SUMMER OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS

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28 GOING GREEN

Greenride Bikeshare.

40 ART SCENE

Frog Hollow: Bringing crafts to the people.

BY PAM HUNT

40

46 EXCURSIONS

Riding the Rails: The Champlain Valley Dinner Train.

BY SUSAN NYE

72 COMMUNITY

The 2020 Deadline.

74 HAPPENINGS

A calendar of events.

80 ADVERTISERS INDEX

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

62 Summer Shopping Shopping and fun things to do in our local Burlington area.

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Coffee Table Publishing, LLC 32 Hermit Thrush Lane South Burlington, VT 05403 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

PUBLISHERS

Robin Gales John Gales Bob Frisch CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Mike Dunphy COPY EDITOR

Elaine Ambrose ART DIRECTION/DESIGN

Robbie Alterio ADVERTISING DESIGN

Hutchens Media, LLC WEB DESIGN

Locable ADVERTISING

Robin Gales (802) 299-9086 John Gales (802) 558-2719 coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net Keep us posted. Best of Burlington wants to hear from our readers. Correspondence may be addressed to Letters to the Editor, Best of Burlington, 32 Hermit Thrush Lane, South Burlington, VT 05403. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing ctpublishing@comcast.net or coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net. Best of Burlington is published quarterly by Coffee Table Publishing, LLC, ©2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Best of Burlington accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

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PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

Happy Summer Champlain Valley!

S

ummer in the Champlain Valley is filled with so many things to do. It’s amazing to see just how many great events and activities are offered while the sun is strong and the days are long. Arts and crafts, music festivals, walks and runs, and fresh foods locally grown or produced—the menu of ways to have fun and make the most of the season seems almost endless.

Our summer issue adds to that list in many different ways. We’re taking a ride on the Champlain Valley Dinner Train, which leaves Union Station in downtown Burlington every Friday and Saturday evening. What a treat to sip a cocktail and be served a delicious meal while admiring some of Vermont’s loveliest scenery as it slides by. Then, we’re meeting up with the Green Mountain Club, an incredible organization that’s fundamental to the success of Vermont’s system of beloved and enduring hiking trails.

We also drop into Frog Hollow in the Church Street Marketplace. Not just a gallery showcasing incredibly talented Vermont artisans, this organization has made it its mission to educate the public about traditional crafts. Then, we get to know Jamie Clayton, owner and founder of Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center, who has made it her mission to help people gain self-confidence and well-being by looking their best. After that, it’s off for a bike ride around town on a “flavorful” set of wheels, courtesy of the Greenride Bikeshare program, followed by a midsummer’s feast at the Intervale Center that you won’t want to miss.

Happy summertime, Champlain Valley! Make hay while the sun shines, and enjoy your summer no matter what your list of favorite activities includes!

John and Robin Gales Publishers

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@bestofburlingtonmag Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 17

ONLINE HUB WWW.BESTOFBURLINGTONVT.COM

PHOTO OF SYLVAN ESSO COURTESY OF SHELBURNE MUSEUM

DINNER TRAIN Leaf Peepers, all aboard! The only way the Champlain Valley Dinner Train gets any better than its summertime trips along Lake Champlain is to add Vermont’s radiant fall foliage. As with many activities during the state’s peak tourism season, it’s best to book ahead. Go to www.bestofburlingtonvt.com for more information.

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BEN & JERRY’S CONCERTS

These concerts on the green at Shelburne Museum celebrate everything wonderful about the season with nationally renowned artists like Sturgill Simpson, Fleet Foxes, and Sylvan Esso. No matter what your musical tastes are, you’re bound to find a concert or two that will set your fingers snapping and your toes tapping. Find out more at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.

SUMMERTIME MEANS BIG MOVIES!

Following other blockbusters this year, Avengers: Infinity War and Solo: A Star Wars Story kick off the summer season with thrills and excitement.

Hereditary offers chills to cool down the hottest weather, and when you need a good laugh or two, check out Incredibles 2 or Show Dogs. Get a large popcorn and find out more at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.

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6 AUGUS

CLICK ON our online calendar to see local events happening in our community, and you can add your own event free!

contributors

ROGER CROWLEY

PHYL NEWBECK

NATALIE STULTZ

Roger is a freelance Vermont photographer from East Montpelier specializing in event, sport, and portrait photography.

Roger’s photography career began in the 1970s serving local newspapers and teaching darkroom film techniques. A list of his published works includes Sports Illustrated, Runner’s World, Golf Week, and many others.

Phyl is a former flatlander from New York City. She lives in Jericho, where she has learned to stack a mean pile of firewood. When not skiing, skating, bicycling, swimming, or kayaking, she writes for several local publications. Phyl is the author of Virginia Hasn’t Always Been for Lovers: Interracial Marriage Bans and the Case of Richard and Mildred Loving.

Natalie is a photographer and filmmaker in South Burlington. She enjoys creating images and stories about artists, business people, and entrepreneurs of all kinds. Her work appears in magazines, digital media, and on Vermont Public Televison. Visit her online at www.nataliestultz.com.

DIAN PARKER

SUSAN NYE Writer, photographer, and chef, Susan is a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers throughout New England. Her blog, Around the Table (www.susannye. wordpress.com), is filled with her favorite recipes and stories about family and friendship. When she’s not writing or cooking, Susan is hiking, biking, or kayaking near her New Hampshire home.

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Dian is a freelance writer published in a number of literary journals and magazines. She is also an oil painter and the curator for White River Gallery in Vermont. A solo exhibit of her paintings and drawings will be at the Zollikofer Gallery in Vermont this summer. She has traveled extensively, including in Syria before its heartbreaking devastation. dianparker9@gmail.com

KELSEY WEIDMANN Kelsey is a New Jersey native who considers Vermont her second home, as she has been skiing at Mad River Glen since she was a toddler. When she isn’t writing or blogging, the Rutgers graduate is experimenting in the kitchen or snuggling up with a mystery novel. She can be reached at keweidmann@gmail.com.

GATHERINGS

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Shelburne MUSEUM Summer SHELBURNE MUSEUM CLASSIC AUTO FESTIVAL Fine weather brings out classic and antique automobiles all over the Northeast. And the Classic Auto Festival hosted by the Shelburne Museum is one that draws car fanciers from all over New England and Upstate New York and beyond. This year marks the event’s 65th anniversary of the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts as well as the 15th annual Classic Auto Festival in collaboration with the Shelburne Museum.

It’s a perfect way to spend Father’s Day weekend!

Electric vehicles will be in the spotlight as the Vermont Auto Enthusiasts and Shelburne Museum celebrate the long history and innovation of electric vehicles. Enjoy vintage cars, hands-on activities for all ages, talks, and more. The festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17, from 10am to 5pm.

SUMMER IS CIRCUS TIME! Saturday, July 14 and 15, the Museum celebrates all things circus, first with its Night Circus Goes West fundraising party and auction for education S aturday evening. Inspired by the summer exhibition, Playing Cowboy, the event includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a light barbecue supper, and a “Circus Palooza Goes West” evening performance. Proceeds from ticket sales, the multiprize raffle, and an exciting array of auction items will support a special project to ensure Museum access for Vermont students. The fun takes place from 7 to 10pm.

CIRCUS PALOOZA GOES WEST Sunday, July 15, from 10am to 4pm, Shelburne Museum presents its annual Circus Palooza with a Wild West twist! Inspired by the special exhibition, Playing Cowboy, this event guarantees a honkytonk time with a circus show extravaganza, rodeo carnival games, square dancing, live Western music from the Starline Rhythm Boys, delicious barbecue, and more. The fun is free with your museum admission.

There’s much more to do at the Shelburne Museum this summer and something for everyone. Check the schedule of events at www.shelburnemuseum.org.

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IT’S THE SEASON FOR CIRCUS AND CLASSIC CARS!

PETS AND PEOPLE SPONSORED BY BEVS

Passion 4 Paws

Vermont’s Largest Dog-Friendly Event!

The Humane Society of Chittenden County will hold its 24th Annual Walk for Animals and 5k Doggie Fun Run on June 10 at Veterans Memorial Park, 8–11am.

It’s their largest fundraising event of the year, bringing in almost $100,000.

Participants can walk or run as individuals or teams to fundraise for HSCC. Awards will be presented to the top adult, youth, team, and corporate challenge team fundraisers during the ceremony that follows. This exciting morning includes music, snacks, contests, prizes and more! The event draws about 500 people and 100 dogs, and the walk itself is a mile long.

Last year, HSCC found homes for 1,057 cats, dogs, and small mammals.

It takes time, money, volunteers, and many resources to treat, feed, care for, house, and find homes for so many animals looking for new homes. For more

A foster-based dog rescue organization founded by Robin Shover and Tamara Clarke of Shelburne, Vermont, Passion 4 Paws comprises an amazing team of professional, highly dedicated volunteers who help rescue dogs from high-kill shelters, provide them with safe environments with foster families and adopters, educate the community, and advocate for animal rights.

Robin has invested years learning about best practices for rescuing dogs, especially those from high-kill shelters. Working with other rescues, she met fellow advocate and friend Tamara. The two decided the most effective way to save even more dogs was to establish a new entity for Chittenden County and surrounding areas.

Passion 4 Paws is staffed entirely by volunteers and served by a board of directors. Their efforts are supported through donations, charity events, corporate/employee benefit tax-deductible donation programs, and the generosity of animal lovers. One hundred percent of all funds go directly toward saving dogs and are used strictly for shelter, boarding, and transport fees; medical bills; food; and supplies to support their vital mission.

You know who must be very secure in their masculinity? Male ladybugs.

— Jay Leno

Critter Connections Did You Know?

High blood pressure, a serious health risk for almost half of all American adults, can also affect our pets. Animal hypertension studies are still in the early stages, but research has already shown that it can be associated with damage to the eyes, heart, brain, and kidneys of cats and dogs.

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Summertime offers opportunities for kids and grandkids to get up close and personal with salamanders, frogs, grasshoppers, and other wildlife. Teach kids to treat them gently and with respect. Safer than a glass or plastic jar and better for kids and critters is the Backyard Exploration Critter Case. Make sure that your nature lovers and scientists release their critters where they found them after taking an hour or so to observe.

Safe All Summer As we transition from kitchen to deck or patio for barbecues and to the yard for gardening and lawn care, be aware of potential summertime dangers to four-legged family members.

Here are two helpful lists to clip and save, thanks to the caring veterinary professionals at Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists. If you have horses, some of the plants may also be toxic to them.

Keep the following handy too: Pet Poison Hot Line (844) 492-9842 or www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

DOGS AND CATS ARE MOST AT RISK FROM: Chocolate Rodent poisons, including those used to deter moles in lawns Anti-inflammatory medications Xylitol (in sugar-free gum, candy, and other edibles) Grapes and raisins Antidepressant medications Acetaminophen Vitamin D in multivitamins, supplements, and elsewhere Stimulant medications (for example, for ADD/ADHD) Fertilizers for lawns, gardens, potted plants  PLANTS THAT ARE TOXIC TO PETS INCLUDE: Lilies: Tiger, Easter, and Calla varieties Tulips Baby’s Breath Bird of Paradise Carnations Daffodils Peonies Dahlias Irises Daisies

Woof, Sip The Humane Society of Chittenden County will hold four Bark & Brew events in August and September. Check the website, www .chittendenhumane.org, for updates as information becomes available.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 25

summer outdoor essentials Campfire Games and Campfire Poker sets include waterproof playing cards and all you need for your fireside games. Let the adventures begin! Find them at Slate. www.slatehome.co

Step up your serving game with enameled dinnerware, cotton napkins, and stoneware serving pieces—perfect for your outdoor cookouts and picnics and fun for casual indoor meals as well!

Find them at Slate. www.slatehome.co

Nothing says summer like Birkenstock sandals! Versatile, stylish, and environmentally friendly. Birkenstock sandals allow toes to move naturally, wick away moisture, and provide optimal support. Find your Birkenstocks at Dear Lucy, Church Street. www.dearlucy.com

The MountainSmith Sixer is perfect for packing a picnic for any outdoor adventure. It can keep food and drink cold for hours. Find it at Outdoor Gear Exchange. www.gearx.com

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Outdoor Tech’s Turtle Shell speaker lets you feel the beat at the crag, campsite, or swimming hole. It’s shock and water resistant, and its battery lasts hours. Purchase one at Outdoor Gear Exchange. www.gearx.com

Marmot’s tungsten tent is lightweight enough for backpacking but roomy enough for camping. Quality tents mean comfort while camping. Pick up your tent at Outdoor Gear Exchange. www.gearx.com

12-in-1 stainless steel kitchen multi-tool includes a cheese grater, channel knife, zester, sharp knife, serrated knife, garlic crusher, corkscrew, peeler, carving fork, can opener, bottle opener, and stirring spoon.

Perfect for your outdoor culinary adventures!

Find it at Slate. www.slatehome.co

When you take home a Big Green Egg, you’re getting the finest, highest quality outdoor cooker ever made. It offers more versatility and delivers better cooking results than anything you’ve ever used! Grill, roast, smoke or bake—this one amazing tool will do it all. Find the collection at Ann Roche Casual Furniture. www.annroche.com

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 27

GOING GREEN

Greenride Bikeshare T

Enjoy the ride!

here’s a new way to get around Burlington. It’s convenient, ecofriendly, and interactive. For as little as $2 (for the first half hour), Greenride Bikeshare provides the public with 80 bikes, dispersed among 17 hubs located throughout Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski. Users can sign up on their smartphones or desktop computers quickly and easily. And once you’re a member, you can reserve a bike using the app, or simply sidle up to one, punch in your account number, and ride away. It’s a fast, easy, and fun way to get around the Burlington region, with multiple plans to choose from that fit the needs of visitors and locals alike.

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“FLAVORFUL” TRAVEL “Burlington is a small city, just three by two miles,” says Christine Hill, general manager, “which is just 5 or 10 minutes on a bike. And there’s so much to see! Funky colorful homes, public art, historic buildings, interesting people, and lake views. A car seals you off from the environment, but a bike gets you into the nooks and crannies and lets you breathe the air, smell the smells, and sense what makes this place truly unique.”

The bikes themselves are hard to miss. They’re painted green and blue and emblazoned with

logos of Ben & Jerry’s and Seventh Generation, the two local companies that sponsored the bike share program as a way of giving back to their community and supporting sustainable transportation. Like the famous ice cream, the Ben & Jerry’s bikes are “flavored”—so take a ride on Phish Food, Cherry Garcia, and more.

Greenride has three hubs on Church Street, four on UVM’s campus, and others at popular destinations including Champlain College, the South End Arts District, Winooski, and near the waterfront bike path. Officially launched in April 2018, there’s already buzz about

HUBS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, VISIT GREENRIDEBIKESHARE.COM TO SEE AN UP-TO-DATE-SYSTEM MAP

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 29

expanding Greenride with more bikes and hubs in locations throughout Chittenden County for a truly regional bike share.

Bike-sharing programs have existed since the 1960s, and advances in GPS and bike technology over the past decade have made it more user-friendly and a part of many modern urban transportation plans. Popular systems in Paris; New York; Washington, DC; and Montreal paved the way for bike sharing in college towns like Burlington.

A SERVICE FOR ALL Greenride Bikeshare cares about more than providing transportation. The organization works with city governments and nonprofits to make sure the program is accessible and benefits all residents.

Greenride contracts with local bike shops and the nonprofit Old Spokes Home to perform bike fleet maintenance and redistribution. “In addition to performing professional mechanical service, Old Spokes Home is using their involvement with Greenride to provide work experiences to young people in our city,” says Christine. “It’s extremely important that Greenride be accessible and useful for all residents, and Old Spokes Home and other nonprofits are helping enroll income-eligible folks in our discounted membership program, Greenride for All.” Ready to ride? Visit greenridebikeshare.com to sign up and follow @greenride_bikeshare for inspiration. ✿ 30 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

BY DIAN PARKER

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A delectable farm to table celebration Pide with local cheese, farm egg, lamb sausage, and cherry tomatoes.

Photo by Allison Gibson.

August in Vermont is enchanting. Colorful flowers are dancing— happy gladiolas and poppies, fragrant lilies and sweet peas, perky snapdragons and zinnias. And homegrown food is bountiful, with fresh greens, plump tomatoes, delicata squash, and yellow beans crowned by the sun for many long hours.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 33

Above: Guests enjoy dinner in the historic barn.

Photo by Tad Cooke.

Right: Chef George Lambertson and guest, Joe Speidel. Photo by Tad Cooke.

Opposite top: Some of Burlington’s best chefs prepare food from farms that the Intervale Center works with. Photo by Tad Cooke.

Opposite bottom: Friends of the Intervale Center come together to celebrate the best of Vermont.

Photo by Jessica Sipe.

A

gainst this backdrop, the Intervale Center in Burlington offers an irresistible and joyful Midsummer’s Feast. On the lush lawn shaded by grand trees, women in cotton summer dresses and big hats, and men in linen pants and shirts mingle while sipping chilled white wine and specialty gin cocktails and nibbling on an extraordinary array of appetizers. Music enriches the congeniality further, as does an evening stroll beside the tranquil pond and through the blooming gardens.

The Midsummer’s Feast and Auction is the Intervale Center’s annual fundraiser to

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help achieve its mission of supporting farms, farmers, and communities by strengthening food sources and enabling healthy living for everyone through the power of vital, local food.

HELPING FARMS AND FARMERS TO THRIVE The Intervale Center manages 350 acres of farmland, trails, and open spaces along the Winooski River in Burlington, including community gardens and wildlife areas. The organization also assists farmers old and new with business planning to ensure that the next generation of farmers can grow and thrive

in the Green Mountain State. Every year, the Intervale Center also distributes 50,000 pounds of fresh food for free to families experiencing hunger in Vermont.

Furthermore, the Intervale Center’s Farm Program, founded in 1988, is one of the oldest incubator farm programs in the United States.

They lease land, equipment, greenhouses, irrigation, and storage facilities to small, independent farms, including 130 farms in 2017.

In fact, the Intervale Center’s work to enhance farm viability and land sustainability has become a model throughout the world.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 35

Above: Last year’s menu included crisp squash blossom with fresh corn salad and roasted lamb with Greek spices and lemon. Photo by Abby Portman.

Right: Baby carrots with tahini, dried cherries, and pistachio dukkah. Photo by Allison Gibson.

Below: Serving last year’s feast. Photo by Jessica Sipe.

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS This year, the Midsummer’s Feast will be held on August 12, celebrating the Intervale Center’s 30th anniversary of leading the goodfood revolution. In past years, the event has raised over $80,000 to help fund their many activities. Allison Gibson and Cara ChigazolaTobin, co-owners of Honey Road Restaurant, are on the organizing committee for this year’s Midsummer’s Feast.

Honey Road opened in July of last year and features Eastern Mediterranean meze. The restaurant is one of 28 semifinalists nominated for best new restaurant in the country by the James Beard Society, and Cara was one of 15 semifinalists for best chef in the Northeast. She’ll be creating the menu for the main sit-down course in the historic barn. It will be Eastern Mediterranean fare served family style for sharing, featuring lamb sausage with local cheese and cherry tomatoes, sweet harissa chicken wings, and baby carrots with tahini and dried cherries.

During the outdoor reception, local chefs will serve a number of delectable appetizers; this esteemed group includes Jordan Ware of Hen of the Wood, Doug Paine of Juniper/Bleu, Phil Clayton of the Farmhouse Group, Luke Stone of Hindquarter Catering, Jon Morin of American Flatbread, and Tim Peters of Trattoria Delia, all top-notch chefs. They gather most of their produce from the farms with which the Center has worked (about 100 farms a year).

How about broccoli served three ways: tempura, stir-fry, and roasted—on a bed of poppies?

At the bar, Alice and the Magician and Barr Hill will create a specialty gin cocktail. The beer is donated by Zero Gravity and the soda by craft soda Savouré in Bristol. Wine is also available. All chefs and waitstaff volunteer their services for this event.

The Midsummer’s Feast at the Intervale Center is an opportunity for these food specialists to work together in a celebratory environment to create beautiful and delicious foods and beverages. Following the full course, an auction will offer guests opportunities to bid on unique food experiences such as a year’s membership to a cheese of the month club, a wine tasting for 12, or a food truck pop-up in your own driveway. These were just a few of the offerings at last year’s auction, in addition to seven nights at an upscale resort in Costa Rica for four. During the live and lively auction, guests can nibble on artisan cheeses and Lake Champlain Chocolates.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 37

Above: Last year’s menu. Photo by Tad Cooke. ​​Sweet harissa chicken wings with dried lime labne. Photo by Allison Gibson.

Below: The incredible chef and waitstaff team.

Photo by Abby Portman.

Opposite: A Midsummer’s Feast.

Photo by Jessica Sipe.

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In July and August, the Intervale Center runs Summervale, a series of fun family events with Slow Food Vermont tastings, live music, and kids’ activities. Admission is free, and these events take place every Thursday from July 5 to August 30 from 5:30 to 8pm. Plan to bike, hike, or jog on the Intervale Center’s recreational trails while you’re there, and come back to snowshoe or cross-country ski in the winter. The Intervale Center is open 365 days a year, so don’t worry about when you can go. It’s always open.

The Intervale Center is a nonprofit organization committed to restoring the health of Vermont’s agricultural economy and waterways. It is leading the community food system movement and works enthusiastically to maintain healthy stewardship of the land. The Midsummer’s Feast and Auction is one way the community can help make this happen. It’s a festive, welcoming affair where you’ll have opportunities to taste superb local food handcrafted by Burlington’s top chefs, bid on some fine items, and perhaps find yourself on a beach in Costa Rica next winter—all for a good cause. ✿

INTERVALE CENTER 180 Intervale Road Burlington, VT (802) 660-0440 www.intervale.org

HONEY ROAD RESTAURANT

156 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 497-2145 www.honeyroadrestaurant.com Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 39

ART SCENE

BY PAM HUNT PHOTOS COURTESY OF FROG HOLLOW

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Frog Hollow creative founder Richard Wissler and Executive Director Rob Hunter stand with one of Richard’s clay works during the opening of a retrospective of his art in early 2018.

Opposite: Sculptural assemblage by Robin Kent, one of the most recent artists to be profiled in The Frog Hollow Green Mountain Artisans PBS series.

I

Frog Hollow

nside the door of Frog Hollow on Church Street, a magical world awaits. On the walls, in display cases, and pretty much on any open space, works reflecting the diverse skills of Vermont’s numerous artisans greet visitors.

But Frog Hollow isn’t just a gallery—it’s an organization with a mission to educate the public about traditional crafts.

HISTORY AND MISSION Frog Hollow was established in Middlebury in 1971 to serve as an educational resource for the community through on-site, hands-on classes and outreach to area schools. After receiving recognition as the country’s first state craft center in 1975, the center expanded in the 1980s and early ’90s with galleries opening in Burlington and Manchester.

As more artists and artisans began developing their own classes, it became clear that Frog Hollow needed to change its direction. “We found that we were competing against the people we were trying to help,” says outgoing director Rob Hunter. To continue its mission of educating the public about the crafts and the people behind them, Frog Hollow was broken into two different organizations: a nonprofit center that handles the educational mission and a for-profit art gallery that assists member artists with sales.

In recent years, the nonprofit component of Frog Hollow has focused on three educational initiatives: the artisan grant program, mobile live demonstrations, and a Vermont PBS TV series featuring its talented members.

Bringing crafts to the people

GRANTS AND MEMBERSHIP Through artisan grants, Frog Hollow provides both established and emerging craftspeople—those who work with clay, fiber, glass, metal, stone, wood, jewelry, or basket-making materials, which are the media defined by the Vermont State Craft Center Oversight Committee as being “crafts”—the means to grow their work.

Some recipients have used the funds to purchase new equipment; others have attended workshops and seminars. Some even break completely away from their typical style to experiment with different materials or techniques. “The grants are open to all artists and craftspeople, not just Frog Hollow artists,” says Rob. “However, we do reserve one of our larger grants for a member.”

And what does it take to become an artisan member of Frog Hollow? Members are selected by their peers and the Frog Hollow team, based on the quality and uniqueness of their work.

“What we’re looking for is something that’s dramatically different from or excels beyond what we have in the gallery,” Rob explains.

Applicants fill out an online form, which is reviewed by the artisan committee. Those whose work passes the first jury round receive a 30-day show

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 41

Above: Visitors to Church Street gather around a glass-blowing demonstration in the cART. Right: Works created by 2017 Frog Hollow Grant recipients were showcased in a March 2018 Gallery exhibit.

Opposite top: Frog Hollow featured works by emerging artists in an April 2018 show in the Gallery exhibit space.

Opposite bottom: A safe environment to get up close and learn more about glass blowing with local artist Eric Nelson in the cART.

at the gallery, during which time other Frog Hollow members can comment on the work via ballots. At the end of the show, the committee reviews the ballots to select new members. “We give the review information to the artists—regardless of whether they get in—as kind of a critique of their work,” Rob says.

Although many drawings, paintings, prints, and photographic works—all considered fine arts—are on display in the gallery, Frog Hollow isn’t accepting membership applications from artists in these media at the moment. “We don’t make the distinction between what is a fine art and what is a craft,” Rob says, “but the state of Vermont does. They require 80 percent of our exhibiting artists to be traditional craftspeople.”

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THE cART BRINGS ART OUTSIDE A couple of summers ago, Frog Hollow hit the road in a customized Airstream camper to bring Vermont crafts to different parts of the state. A video loop of the Regional Educational Television Network (RETN) series (described

later), The Artists of Frog Hollow, played on a TV inside. Though the tour was considered successful, Rob says they realized a couple of things about using the upscale vehicle. “Half the people went into the Airstream because it was an Airstream,” he says.

In a search for a better way to engage the public, the Frog Hollow team came up with the cART. “People have vending carts, and customers go right up to them. So we took that model and adapted it to be a demonstration vehicle.” Local artists Aaron Stein and Aaron Grossman designed and built the portable cart using reclaimed metal and Plexiglas. “There is some window channel that was reclaimed from a building on Church Street, so the cart is actually made from Church Street in a sense,” says Rob. The cART enables people to get up close to watch an artisan create—whether a glassblower

twirling a molten lump of glass or a potter putting the finishing touches on an oversized vessel.

A mirror placed above the cart displays the artist’s hands, and the Plexiglas surround keeps the audience safe from sparks or other dangers.

Rob says this demo vehicle has been a great success. “I was out in the crowd during a glassblowing demo—when you have fire, people usually gather. I heard a boy say to his father, ‘Dad, that’s so cool. Can I learn how to do that?’ And the dad said, ‘Well, we’ll find you a class.’ And I said, ‘We’ve got information on classes inside.’ So that was a direct contact Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 43

Above: The cART serves as a tool for community outreach. Here partnering organization Project Healing Waters shows the craft of fly-tying in the cART. Right: Artist Eric Nelson puts the finishing touches on a glass ornament in front of another Church Street crowd.

Opposite: Artist Maxine Hugon’s demonstration is reflected in the cART mirror above as she shows passersby how she carves designs into her pottery.

to what our mission is, which is educating the public about the process, and that just kind of sealed the deal for me.”

FROG TV Viewers of Vermont PBS can learn about some of Frog Hollow’s members by watching the series, The Frog Hollow Green Mountain Artisans.

“These shows are great because the audience can see there’s a human being behind these pieces in the shop,” Rob says. The PBS show was created from Frog Hollow’s first video production, made with RETN, based in 44 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Burlington’s South End. The original show, The Artists of Frog Hollow, featured episodes about 12 of the center’s artists.

Besides focusing on the art itself, both the RETN and PBS shows tell the artisans’ stories—how one artist is building back from a studio fire, how another is still recovering from flooding during Tropical Storm Irene, and how another is dealing with paralysis following a complication during surgery.

“I don’t think people realize the hardships that artists go through,” Rob says. “There are financial burdens, insurance—all those factors come into play.” Another video features three of the original artists from the Middlebury location: potter Dick Wissler, silversmith Clarisse Schecter, and pipe-maker Andrew Marks. “It’s kind of neat to look back and see that these are the three people who started it all in 1971, the visual arts and education aspect of Frog Hollow,” says Rob. ✿

Frog Hollow 85 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 863-6458 www.froghollow.org Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 45

BY SUSAN NYE PHOTOS BY ROGER CROWLEY AND PROVIDED BY GREEN MOUNTAIN RAILROAD

The three-hour round trip includes a three-course meal in classic dining cars.

46 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

RIDING THE RAILS the

Champlain Valley Dinner Train

W

hat’s not to love about a train ride?

The railways are part of our American roots and full of romance and nostalgia, from the opening of the Wild West to that backpacking trip through Europe. In Vermont, the Champlain Valley Dinner Train adds top-notch food and amazing views of Lake Champlain, not to mention the soft, sweet breezes of a warm summer evening.

The family-owned Vermont Rail Service (VRS), which runs the dinner train, has been operating since 1963. That’s when Jay Wulfson bought the abandoned assets of the Rutland Railroad. A true enthusiast, Jay built a model railroad and engine in his backyard when he was just 12 years old. He renamed, revived, and reinvigorated the failing operations. Today, the railroad and 350 miles of track continue to modernize.

Jay’s son David now runs the company, and throughout the year, VRS’s freight service carries everything from road salt, fuel, and propane to livestock feed, barley, and wheat. David says, “I never really thought of doing anything else. Many Vermonters grow up on a family farm. We grew up with a family railroad. It’s all I’ve ever known.”

More than just employees, David considers the staff as an extension of his own family. “We have a great team. Many are the second, third, and even fourth generation to work with us,” he says. “They Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 47

Above: The dinner train opens for boarding at 4:30pm, with dinner service beginning after departure.

Right: After a first course of salad, diners can choose from several main course options.

Opposite: The Green Mountain Railroad is committed to providing a unique and memorable dining experience for each guest.

RAIL & SAIL WITH DAD ON FATHER’S DAY Show Dad how much you love him with a day filled with fun. It all starts with brunch on the train and ends with a sail on Lake Champlain on the Spirit of Ethan Allen.

48 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

are more than employees—they’re like family.”

While 90 percent of VRS operations are in freight, the railroad offers special passenger services through its Green Mountain Railroad division. Tourists, train enthusiasts, and locals can all enjoy a few hours on the train. “Tourism is an important part of Vermont’s economy. Our passenger service is a way for us to contribute to this industry,” says David.

Nicole, David’s daughter, joined the family business a few years ago and now oversees passenger marketing and customer service.

Unlike Amtrak and commuter rail services, the Wulfsons operate refurbished vintage cars.

Stepping up into a Green Mountain Railroad car is a special experience. “Everyone loves a train, especially the old trains,” Nicole says. To understand this unique experience, imagine the charm of a 1937 dining car with Wi-Fi and air conditioning. It’s the perfect setting for an extraordinary evening.

The Champlain Valley Classic Dinner train runs on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the summer. The journey starts at

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 49

Burlington’s Union Station. Designed by famed architect Alfred T. Fellheimer—also the lead architect for New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and Cincinnati’s Union Terminal— Union Station was built in 1916 in the classic simplicity of the Beaux-Arts style.

From Burlington, the train travels south to Middlebury and returns with no stops. Lush scenery, complete with cows and a dramatic gorge, provides the entertainment for the three-hour trip. Train enthusiasts, in particular, will enjoy seeing the Burlington yard as well as several rural depots. “We have a lot of repeat customers,” Nicole says. “The service has tremendous appeal to train enthusiasts.”

The pace is leisurely, as befits a 1937 beauty, and attentive servers bring cocktails followed by a three-course dinner expertly prepared in the kitchen car. Once owned by a circus, it is fondly call the PIE Car. According to legend, PIE stands for Privileged Individuals and Employees. Chef Paul Seal leads the team that provides riders with excellent food and service.

While limited—it is a train, after all—the menu has enough variety to ensure that everyone from meat lovers to vegetarians will have a delicious option.

Starting as a dishwasher, Chef Seal grew up in the restaurant and catering business.

“Cooking on a train creates its own special challenges,” he says. Once the train leaves the station, there is no dashing out to the store for another box of strawberries or an extra pound of butter. He credits their success to organization and planning, and he says, “It’s all about lists, lists, and more lists.” He adds, “We have a highly skilled crew and we work well together.

It makes all the difference.”

When the conductor shouts, “All aboard!” this summer, get ready for a trip into yesteryear.

As you arrive back in Burlington, the sky will 50 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Opposite top: GMR rep Nicole Wulfson works to ensure the best passenger experience.

Opposite bottom: No meal is complete without something for the sweet tooth.

Above: Conductor Alexander Schwartzmueller welcomes passengers.

RIDE THE FIREWORKS EXPRESS AND AVOID TRAFFIC AND PARKING HASSLES! It’s the perfect way to get to and from Burlington’s fabulous fireworks show on July 3. Parking is free at the Charlotte, Shelburne, and South Burlington depots. With three trips into Burlington, you can come into town early for dinner or a picnic, or relax at home and arrive closer to the start of the show.

You can also take the train to the Rockingham Old Home Days fireworks show on August 4.

Forget the frustration of snarled traffic in Bellows Falls and enjoy free parking at the Chester Depot.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 51

Above: The three-hour trip runs from Burlington to Middlebury and back.

Below: The Champlain Valley Dinner Car offers plenty of romance on the rails.

SPECIAL EVENT?

52 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Passenger equipment is available year-round for chartered trips. Imagine an afternoon or evening on the rails to celebrate that special birthday, family reunion, or company party. The classic style of the vintage cars will create a memorable event. Be sure to check out the holiday fundraisers supporting children’s charities in December.

turn a brilliant gold as the sun sets over Lake Champlain. It’s a fitting end to a spectacular evening riding the rails. ✿

GREEN MOUNTAIN RAILROAD 1 Railway Lane Burlington, VT (800) 707-3530 www.rails-vt.com

ONLINE EXTRA The only way the Champlain Valley Dinner Train gets any better is to add Vermont’s radiant fall foliage. Visit www.bestofburlingtonvt.com for more.

Discover, Dine, Stay & Shop

Shelburne, Vermont Shelburne Country Store 29 Falls Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3657 www.shelburnecountrystore.com Open daily 9am–6pm

A Little Something

Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery

Gifts, Jewelry, and More!

Custom Framing • Fine Art Restoration • Gifts

Shelburne Bay Plaza 2989 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-9909 www.alittelsomethingvt.com FB: A Little Something (Gifts)

86 Falls Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3848 www.fsgallery.com

Yoga Roots

Willow House

Daily Yoga • Workshops Teacher Trainings

Vintage, Antiques, and Treasures 11 Falls Road Shelburne, VT (802) 489-5571

Shelburne & Williston, VT (802) 985-0090 www.yogarootsvt.com

www.WillowHouseVT.com

Village Wine and Coffee

Chef Contos Kitchen & Store

5288 Shelburne Road #1 Shelburne, VT

65 Falls Road Shelburne, VT

www.mvillagewineandcoffee.com Mon–Sat 7am–6pm Sun 8:30am–4pm

(802) 497-3942 www.chefcontos.com

Jamie Two Coats Toy Shop 54 Falls Road In the of Village Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3221 Open daily 10am–6pm Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 53

BY KELSEY WEIDMANN

PHOTOS BY NATALIE STULTZ

Chef Contos Kitchen and Store..................................................

53

Jamie Clayton, owner and founder of Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center, wants to help clients feel confident and look their best.

54 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

bare MEDICAL SPA + LASER CENTER

A passion for beauty launches a successful business It all began with a single laser, one tiny room, and a woman with a desire to do something fun and enjoyable. Interested in a career change, owner and founder Jamie Clayton was ready for a break from the corporate world. With a passion for beauty, she decided to enroll in a course for aesthetics. The rest, as they say, is history.

After graduating, one of Jamie’s first positions was at a Vermont medical spa. It was there that she discovered just how much she loved helping clients feel and look their best. Her extensive background in human resources and business management, however, gave her a different perspective, and she realized that she had lots of ideas of her own for providing enhanced services to the community, and she did just that. One year later, Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center opened its doors.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 55

Increased confidence is an important aspect of good social and emotional health and well-being, no matter what your age or circumstances.

DEFINING ITSELF That was in 2012. Today, Bare’s team of service professionals includes a medical director, physician assistant, and registered nurse, as well as several laser technicians and estheticians.

Each of them advises clients on the best way to meet the aesthetic goals they seek. Although Jamie refers to her field as “fun,” she by no means takes her profession lightly. At Bare, she and her team offer medical skin care treatments that require extensive skill and training.

All staff members have completed comprehensive trainings that go above and beyond the already intense rules and regulations required by the state of Vermont. Continuing professional development in the form of coursework and workshops further defines Jamie and her staff at Bare, and she prides her business on these high standards that distinguish it from the competition. “We strive to be the best in the business,” Jamie says. Another of Bare’s valuable assets is its unique atmosphere. “It’s modern and very chic when you first enter, but remains comfortable, friendly, and inviting.”

Underscoring Bare’s individuality are the tastefully sensual photos on its website, creating a vibe unlike that of most other medical spas in Vermont. “I definitely enjoy pushing the envelope,” Jamie laughs. “After all, we all want to look and feel our best.”

56 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

EVERYONE CAN BENEFIT Bare’s bold branding receives positive responses, and the medical spa’s diverse clientele is evidence of its effectiveness. “We see people from all walks of life,” Jamie says.

It might be a teen whose confidence soars dramatically with the clearing of acne or an

individual who would like to slow the aging process. No matter their age or circumstance, Jamie says everybody has one thing they would like to change about themselves aesthetically. “It’s gratifying for us to be able to make a change that helps a client see him or herself in a better light,” she adds.

Opposite: Medical esthetician and cosmetic laser technician Lindsay Keppler is also a certified Lash Extension Artist trained by Xtreme Lash.

Below: Jamie Clayton believes skin health determines the overall health of the body, especially one’s emotional well-being.

The team at Bare devotes time to each client to help them achieve their unique personal goals. “We’re not sales-oriented,” notes Jamie.

“We listen carefully and strive to provide each client with what he or she is looking for.” The aim is to give clients the best service they can so that they leave Bare satisfied and with amazing results. After all, with her background in business, Jamie knows the importance of word of mouth to any business endeavor.

Jamie understands that her clients come in to Bare with a purpose and goal for themselves, despite the criticisms leveled at the beauty industry. “They leave here feeling amazing about themselves, and when they look in the mirror later, they smile at what they see,” she says. “And that happiness is reflected at home, at their job, and with family and friends.” Jamie knows that increased confidence is an important aspect of good social and emotional health Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 57

58 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

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Opposite: Jamie Clayton focuses her business on providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Above: Spa manager Shelby Gillespie has traveled all over the world on leadership teams opening boutiques.

and well-being, no matter what your age or circumstances.

ALWAYS GROWING A first-time business owner, Jamie is proud of how far Bare has come. “I never in a million years thought it would grow as rapidly as it has,” she says. “We’ve enjoyed phenomenal growth each year.” She’s quick to add that this is, in large part, attributable to her fabulous and professional staff.

Bare offers an array of services, specializing in laser treatments; cosmetic injections; vein, tattoo, and scar removal; and CoolSculpting, the popular procedure that provides permanent fat removal.

Their newest laser option is vaginal rejuvenation. Rounding out the list are various skin care treatments and services for fuller lashes and brows.

Learn more at www.barevt.com.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 59

Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center staff earn full-time salaries while working part-time and have access to benefits such as extra weeks of vacation and free treatments. “There are not many places in this state where people can work 20 or 30 hours a week and still make a comfortable salary. Bare has proven to be one of those employers, and I think that’s a great advantage in Vermont, and one that keeps people here.”

The success of Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center makes Jamie more excited about the future. The owner-operated establishment will be expanding its existing location in the near future as well as adding additional staff and service options. “That is really what Bare is about—making clients feel beautiful and sexy in their own eyes.” ✿

bare MEDICAL SPA + LASER CENTER 95 St. Paul Street, Suite 110 Burlington, VT (802) 861-2273 www.barevt.com 60 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 61

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Oh, the Joys

Shopping & Fun Things to do in the Burlington Area!

of Summer!

Vermont Singing Drum A meditation drum for everyone, artfully crafted to perfection in both sight and sound. These musical pieces of art are handmade, hand finished, and hand tuned. Choose from the Zen Drum, a traditional steel tongue drum with tank drum overtones, or the Bliss Drum, made from heavier steel with a dreamy sound and clear, crisp tones. Visit our workshop and showroom in the heart of Burlington’s Art District.

4 Howard Street Burlington, VT (802) 448-4223 www.vermontsingingdrum.com

Morse Farm Summertime means creemees! And the best creemee, according to Yankee Magazine, is one from Morse Farm in Montpelier—it made the “Editor’s Choice” list for Best Maple Creemee. Morse Farm is an eight-generation maple farm. Come see the sugarhouse, woodshed theater, maple trail, and a huge gift shop with mail ordering and free tastings.

1168 County Road Montpelier, VT (800) 242-2740 www.morsefarm.com Open daily 9am–8pm during the summer www.facebook.com/themorsefarm

Petra Cliffs Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School focuses on climbing and mountain-related education and recreation, accessible to all ages and abilities. We offer premium instruction and services through experience-based education in an inspiring atmosphere for families and friends to gather for a challenge and fun. Petra Cliffs is also home to an indoor ropes course for birthday parties, teams, and groups.

105 Briggs Street Burlington, VT (802) 657-3872 www.PetraCliffs.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ECCO Clothes ECCO, Burlington’s original designer boutique, has been dressing Vermonters in top brands for over 20 years! From denim to dresses, boots to stilettos, ECCO has it all! Premium denim lines like J Brand, AG, Paige, and Citizens of Humanity; sweaters by Velvet, Vince, and Repeat Cashmere; basics by James Perse and Michael Stars; dresses by Susana Monaco, BCBG, Amanda Uprichard, and Laundry; shoes from Steve Madden, Seychelles, and Dolce Vita; and handbags by Liebeskind, Hobo, and Day & Mood. From basic to anything but, ECCO has you covered. Visit ECCO on the corner of Church Street and Bank Street in the heart of Burlington.

81 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 860-2220 www.EccoClothesBoutique.com

Istanbul Kebab House Offering Burlington’s only rooftop dining, Istanbul Kebab House in downtown Burlington takes you to Istanbul and back with every bite. Delicious and healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and takeout, all made with 100 percent fresh Turkish ingredients. A truly authentic Turkish dining experience.

175 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 857-5091 www.istanbulkebabhousevt.com

Shelburne Vineyard and Wine Tasting Room Spend a summer afternoon enjoying a tasting and tour as we share our adventure growing grapes and making award-winning wines in Northern Vermont. Then stay a while with a glass of your favorite wine and a cheese plate on the patio, or return for one of our festive evening events.

Go to www.shelburnevineyard.com or visit us on Facebook to see our schedule of concerts, storytelling, and special events or to contact us to plan your own special event here.

6308 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-8222 www.shelburnevineyard.com Open 7 days a week all year May–Oct 11am–6pm Nov–Apr 11am–5pm

the

Green Mountain Club BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE AND VERMONT

64 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

BY PHYL NEWBECK

The Green Mountain Club was ahead of its time. When James P. Taylor brought a group of 23 outdoorsmen together in Burlington in 1910, he presented the vision of a hiking trail stretching from the southern border of Vermont all the way to the northern end—the first long-distance trail in the United States.

Hiker on Camel’s Hump.

Photo by Matt Larson.

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 65

Above: A hiker heading north on the Long Trail.

Photo by Kristin McLane.

Below: Michael DeBonis at Middlebury Gap on his retro hike. Photo by Jennifer Muldoon.

Right: Lookout at Theron Dean Shelter. Photo by Jocelyn Hebert.

The first section of what would become the Long Trail—from Sterling Pond to Camel’s Hump—was cleared by 1912, and by 1920, more than two-thirds of the trail had been completed. In 1930, the final section leading to Journey’s End over Jay Peak was finished.

The Long Trail is 272 miles long and includes 64 overnight sites, nine of which have caretakers. The Green Mountain Club also maintains 166 miles of side trails. The main trail is marked by white blazes painted on trees 66 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

and rocks, while the side trails are identified by blue blazes. Roughly 200,000 people hike a portion of the trail annually. Last year, 294 people registered as end-to-enders, hiking the entire trail either in short stretches over a period of time or in a single trek called a thru-hike.

MORE THAN A TRAIL Rob Hanson, a sixth-grade teacher at the South Pomfret's Prosper Valley School, did a 17-day thru-hike in 2016. “The Long Trail is not only a path through the woods,” Rob says.

“The trail is also a community.” As codirector of the Horizons Observatory, Rob has a love of the night sky, but that was only one of the reasons he chose the trail name Gazer.

“It was also for my rather idiosyncratic habit of stopping mid trail throughout the day and slowly turning 360 degrees,” he says.

“This ritual served to remind me to look beyond the confines of the trail to the confines of myself. These short breaks occurred for only a couple of minutes a few times each day, yet many of my vivid memories come

from this simple, seemingly silly practice. The ritual allowed me to slow down the stream of thoughts flowing through my mind, to become still enough to let in the woods, streams, mountains, and silence.”

Rob hiked the trail in 21st century gear, but last year, another hiker did it with decidedly less modern equipment. In an effort to showcase the history of the trail and the printing of the centennial edition of the Long Trail guidebook, GMC Executive Director Michael DeBonis hiked the trail Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 67

Above: Thru-hikers at Skyline Lodge.

Photo by Pennie Rand.

Right: GMC caretakers on Mount Mansfield's summit. Photo by Elisabeth Fenn.

using only equipment available when the first guidebook was published in 1917.

Wearing wool and fashioning gaiters from cotton bandanas, Mike carried a homemade Adirondack pack basket with a waxed canvas cover. He slept with a wool blanket and a waterproof (but definitely not mosquito-proof) cotton sheet, and he dined on bread, waxed cheese, and meat, supplemented with chocolate and dried fruit.

VOLUNTEERS LEAD THE WAY Every year, caretakers oversee the more popular shelters on the trail during the summer months. Their job includes educating hikers as well as maintaining the shelters, trails, and privies. Now 27, Isaac Alexandre-Leach spent the 68 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

2016 field season as the Sterling Pond caretaker and the following year served as lead caretaker on Camel’s Hump. “The hard parts of the job are very hard,” Isaac says, “but the highlights are really incredible. To live in the Green Mountains and have as your home these places that are destinations is really great.”

Isaac concedes that the job isn’t for everyone since there is a great deal of physical labor and not much pay, but for him the trade-off has been worth it. “I love being able to see the sunrise from Camel’s Hump whenever I want,” he says. “You’re not making a lot of money, but the cost of living is low when you’re living in a tent on a trail. It shrinks your life down in a way that you can make feasible.”

In addition to the paid employees, there are volunteers who build and maintain portions of the Long Trail and some of the corridor trails. Other volunteers lead weekend hikes or assist with the Taylor Series, providing multimedia travelogues and educational presentations at the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center in Waterbury Center and other locations across the state.

Rebuilt in 2009 after a fire, the timberframed Visitor Center was constructed from local wood and has energy-efficient natural lighting, which, combined with stand-alone solar panels, allows it to produce 100 percent of the on-site energy it uses. It also features composting toilets and a biomass gasification heating system. There is a picnic area and a short walking trail just outside the back door.

GIVING BACK There is something about the Green Mountain Club that brings out the best in people.

David Hathaway joined the club in 1996, but after hearing a talk by the Burlington section’s outings chair, Rich Larsen, in 2006, he started leading some of the group hikes held almost every weekend. He also “adopted” the Rock Garden Trail on Mt. Mansfield, making a minimum of three trips a year to ensure that it’s kept in good shape.

When David retired from IBM in 2014, he became more active in trail maintenance and is frequently called upon to do chainsaw work to clear blowdowns. He also Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 69

Above: Hiking up Bromley Mountain. Photo by Jeremy Hebert.

Opposite top: Hiker on Jay Peak. Photo by Jocelyn Hebert.

Opposite bottom: The Long Trail. Photo by Katherine Merrill.

70 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

monitors a trail corridor in Lowell, teaches classes in map and compass use, maintains the Burlington section’s web page, and serves as the section’s outings chair.

“My number-one reason for doing this is because I enjoy it,” he says, “but I also feel that since I’ve taken advantage of these trails, I should give back.”

David, who has done most of his hiking solo, also enjoys the opportunity to hike with like-minded friends, but he notes that he has another reason for taking on so many duties. “I like helping people enjoy the outdoors,” he says, “and getting people to have an appreciation for the wonderful environment we have here is the best way to get people to care about it.” ✿

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 71

COMMUNITY

The 2020 Deadline PLAN AHEAD!

Do you know what a carrot looks like after a decade in the landfill? It looks pretty much like . . . a carrot! That’s because food and other organic materials don’t break down into compost when they’re trapped in an airless environment like a modern landfill. They rot—slowly.

W

hen organic matter rots, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas up to 36 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. In the US, landfills are the third-largest human-created source of methane.

In 2012, the Vermont Legislature decided to do something about it. It unanimously passed Act 148, the Universal Recycling &

72 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Composting Law. Not only does this law make recycling mandatory statewide, it also states that food scraps will be banned from the landfill beginning on July 1, 2020.

Does that mean you’ll have to start composting? Not exactly. But if you’re not already doing something more productive with your food scraps than burying them in an airless tomb, you have two

years to initiate a new habit. Exactly what that habit looks like is up to you. You may choose to start a backyard compost pile (bonus: your garden will love it!), hire a company to pick up your food scraps, feed them to your chickens, or bring them to a local drop-off site.

One option you should avoid? In-sink disposal. Wastewater treatment plants aren’t designed for food and other solid items (even when shredded), which can jam up the filters and cause backups. A few carrot peelings won’t hurt. But your family’s annual supply of apple cores and leftover lasagna can cause major problems.

Learn more at www.cswd.net/recyle. ✿ Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 73

SUMMER HAPPENINGS 2018 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUNE 30

Ry Cooder

FLYNN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS JUNE 8

Leslie Odom Jr. MainStage, 8pm

JUNE 8

Sasha Berliner Quartet FlynnSpace, 10pm

JUNE 9

Belizbeha Madaila Waterfront Tent, 5pm

JUNE 9

Anat Cohen and Choro Aventuroso FlynnSpace 7 & 9:30pm

JUNE 10

Nicole Mitchell & Christina Wheeler FlynnSpace, 6pm

JUNE 10

Rhiannon Giddens MainStage, 8pm

JUNE 9

Anat Cohen and Choro Aventuroso

JUNE 12

The Bake Off

FlynnSpace, 7:30pm See website for additional dates and times

JUNE 13

John Prine

MainStage, 8pm 74 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

SUMMER HAPPENINGS 2018

JUNE 10

Rhiannon Giddens

JUNE 16

Anthony Jeselnik – Funny Games World Tour MainStage, 8pm

JUNE 20

David Cross

MainStage, 8pm

JUNE 21

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Palace 9 Cinemas See website for additional dates and times

JUNE 30

Ry Cooder

MainStage, 8pm

JULY 8

Joe Jackson MainStage, 8pm

JULY 19

Cry-Baby the musical

FlynnSpace, 7pm See website for additional dates and times

JULY 19

Gillian Welch MainStage, 8pm

JULY 20

Bruce Hornsby MainStage, 8pm

153 Main Street, Burlington, VT (802) 863-5966 www.flynncenter.org

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 75

SUMMER HAPPENINGS 2018 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA This summer the VSO celebrates the gifts of nature through music with guest conductor Sarah Hicks. Experience musically depicted majestic rivers, verdant fields, gardens in bloom, and the clear night sky, along with an extraterrestrial visitor reminding us to keep our

76 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

sense of wonder at the bounty that surrounds us.

Enjoy pyrotechnics not only during the concert finale but also courtesy of naturally gifted 22-yearold violin virtuoso Rubén Rengel, fresh from his recent first-place award at the prestigious Sphinx Competition.

2018 TD Summer Festival Tour JULY 1 South Pomfret

JULY 2 Manchester

JULY 3 Grafton

JULY 4 Shelburne

JULY 5 Chittenden

JULY 7 Randolph

JULY 8 Stowe

JULY 21

VSO – Ben & Jerry’s Concert

On the Green at the Shelburne Museum

Visit www.vso.org or call (800) VSO9293 ext. 10 for additional information.

OTHER EVENTS JULY 3

Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront is proud to present the annual July 3rd Independence Day Celebration in our parks overlooking Lake Champlain.

Fireworks begin at 9:30pm, but food and activities kick off at 5pm.

JULY 26–29

Lake Champlain Maritime Festival AUGUST 4

Festival of Fools AUGUST 5

Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival AUGUST 8–10

Sidewalk Sale AUGUST 16

Bennington Battle Day SEPTEMBER 3

Criterium Bike Race SEPTEMBER 7

South End Art Hop Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 77

SUMMER HAPPENINGS 2018 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Enjoy lunchtime tunes all summer long with free City Hall Park Summer Concerts. Bring your lunch, meet up with friends or coworkers, AUGUST 29 Daddy Longlegs and enjoy free music. See website for additional daily concerts.

JUNE 7 at NOON

AUGUST 1 at NOON

JUNE 8 at NOON

AUGUST 3 at NOON

JUNE 13 at NOON

AUGUST 10 at NOON

JUNE 15 at NOON

AUGUST 15 at 5:30PM

JULY 6 at NOON

AUGUST 29 at NOON

Myra Flynn and Paul Boffa The Jazz Thieves USAF American Clarinet Quartet Pappy

Birdcode

Violet and Bel Just for Kicks

Vermont Youth Orchestra Francesca Blanchard Daddy Longlegs

JULY 11 at NOON

John Dunlop and Laura Markowitz JULY 13 at NOON

Moose Crossing JULY 18 at 5:30PM

Low Lily

BURLINGTON CITY ARTS 133 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 865-7166 www.burlingtoncityarts.org

SHELBURNE MUSEUM JUNE 9 at 7PM

JULY 21 at 6:30PM

On the Green

Museum Grounds

The Decemberists

Guster with the VSO

JUNE 14 at 6PM

JULY 22 at 6PM

Museum Grounds

On the Green

Sturgill Simpson JUNE 25 at 9AM

Summer Camp: The Vermonter Way Museum Grounds

JULY 13 at 6PM

Dispatch with Raye Zaragoza On the Green

JULY 16 at 9AM

Wild Wild West Camp Museum Grounds

Old Crow Medicine Show JULY 23 at 9AM

Summer Camp: Learn to Sew: In the Kitchen Museum Grounds

JULY 30 at 9AM

Summer Camp: Learn to Sew: Totes Museum Grounds

AUGUST 1 at 7PM

Good Vibes with Jason Mraz Museum Grounds

AUGUST 2 at 7PM

6000 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3346 info@shelburnemuseum.org 78 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Sylvan Esso On the Green

AUGUST 13 at 9AM

Summer Camp: Camp Quilt Museum Grounds

Summer 2018 | Best of Burlington | 79

ADVERTISERS INDEX For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact John or Robin Gales at (802) 558-2719 or email coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net.

A Little Luxury . ..............................................................................................37 A Little Something.........................................................................................53 Ann Roche Casual Furniture.........................................................................51 Arbortrek...........................................................................................................31 Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center..................................................................1 Bennington Potters North............................................................................59 Bouchard Pierce Candlelight.......................................................................37 Burlington City Arts...................................................................................... 69 Burlington Country Club.............................................................................. 49 Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Services.....................................25 Burlington Furniture.......................................................... Inside Back Cover Burlington Harbor Hotel...............................................................................58 Burlington Marble and Granite....................................................................15 Burlington Surf Club...................................................................................... 61 Champlain Valley Dinner Train................................................................... 16 Chef Contos Kitchen and Store..................................................................53 Chroma Optics ............................................................................................ 45 Church Hill Landscapes................................................................................35 Circus Smirkus................................................................................................23 City Market......................................................................................................67 Common Deer.................................................................................................39 CSWD.............................................................................................................. 80 Culligan Water Systems................................................................................21 Cushman Design Group.............................................................................. 45 Davis and Hodgdon Associates..................................................................76 Dear Lucy..........................................................................................................13 Ecco Clothes............................................................................................... 3, 63 Flynn Theater.................................................................................................. 43 Four Seasons/Sotheby’s International Realty...................................... 4, 5 Frog Hollow......................................................................................................77 Furchgott Sourdiff Gallery............................................................................53 Habitat for Humanity....................................................................................52 Hickok and Boardman Real Estate............................ Outside Back Cover Istanbul Kebab House...................................................................................63 Jamie Two Coats.............................................................................................53 Jess Boutique................................................................................................... 19 Karlise Fine Jewelers......................................................................................51 Kiss the Cook...................................................................................................57 Knauf Landscape Architecture...................................................................59 Landshapes......................................................................................................78 Marketplace Fitness..................................................................................... 30 Morse Farm......................................................................................................62 Old Spokes Home........................................................................................... 71 Outdoor Gear Exchange.............................................................................. 69 Overhead Door Company of Burlington . ...................................10, 39, 73 Patterson and Smith Construction............................................................ 80 Pauline’s Café................................................................................................. 60 Peregrine Design/Build..................................................................................17 Petra Cliffs........................................................................................................62 Red House Builders....................................................................................... 30 Saint Michael’s Playhouse............................................................................75 Shelburne Country Store..............................................................................53 Shelburne Museum........................................................................................25 Shelburne Vineyard and Wine Tasting Room.........................................63 Slate................................................................................................................... 16 SportStyle . ......................................................................................................77 Stern Center for Language and Learning..................................................29 Stoweflake Resort...........................................................................................75 Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic..................................................................... 7 The Automaster................................................................................................6 The Essex Resort and Spa..............................................................................9 The Grass Gauchos........................................................................................73 The Optical Center .......................................................................................79 The Spot Restaurant......................................................................................79 Tom Moore Builders........................................................ Inside Front Cover Vermont Bed Store/Wendells Furniture.................................................... 2 Vermont Comedy Club.................................................................................52 Vermont Furniture Designs........................................................................... 11 Vermont Singing Drum.................................................................................62 Vermont Symphony Orchestra.....................................................................8 Village Wine and Coffee...............................................................................53 Wake Robin...................................................................................................... 61 Willow House..................................................................................................53 Whim Boutique...............................................................................................57 Windows & Doors By Brownell................................................................... 71 Yoga Roots.......................................................................................................53

80 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

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