/Best-of-Burlington-Winter-2011

BURLINGTON

BEST OF

WINTER 2011/2012

L I F E A N D C U LT U R E I N T H E C H A M P L A I N VA L L E Y

Celebrate

Winter

Chappell’s Florist Mater Christi School Vermont Glades Youth Hockey

VOLUME 5 NO. 1 $4.95

Fall 2010 / Best of Burlington

1

2

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Winter 2011 / Best of Burlington

3

Contents

26

FE AT U R E S

26 Vermont Glades Youth Hockey

Another way to play.

by Jim Hall

32 Flower Power

Chappell’s Florist grows a new branch in South Burlington.

by Sarah Tuff

32 4

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

58 Champlain Housing Trust

A model for communities around the globe.

by Nancy Humphrey Case

Winter 2011 / Best of Burlington

5

9 Editor’s Note 10 Contributors 12 Online Exclusives

14 Gatherings

16 Art Scene The Fleming Museum of Art. by pat goudey o’brien

20 On the Town VSO Waltz Night. by nancy humphrey case

46

22 Cooking Healthy

d e p art m ents

Festive recipes from the Windjammer Restaurant.

by JJ Vezina

37 What’s in Store Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers. by tony lolli

46 Get Smart Mater Christi School approaches 50. by mark aiken

53 People to Know Dorset Street Dermatology. by sarah zobel

64 In the Kitchen All about olives. by susan nye

37 42 Holiday Gems For the best gifts, dining, and services, keep it local.

Cover photo by istockphoto.com 6

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

71 Dining & Entertainment Guide Top restaurants in the Burlington area.

73 Happenings A calendar of events.

80 Burlington Buzz Larry Blanford of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.

by Mike Morin

Fall 2011 / Best of Burlington

7

BEST OF

BURLINGTON

Coffee Table Publishing, LLC P.O. Box 1460, Quechee, VT 05059 (802) 295-5295 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com Publishers

Robin Gales John Gales Bob Frisch editor

Deborah Thompson ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kristy Erickson Copy EDITOR

Elaine Ambrose Art direction/Design

CW Design Solutions, Inc. advertising design

Hutchens Design, LLC web design

Ryan Frisch advertising

Robin Gales John Gales (802) 295-5295 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, P.O. Box 1460 Quechee, VT 05059. Or e-mail editor@bestofburlingtonvt.com.

Advertising inquires may be made by e-mailing ctpublish ing@comcast.net or coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net.

Best of Burlington is published quarterly by Coffee Table Publishing, LLC Š, 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Best of Burlington accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

8

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

e d i t o r ’ s n o te

Best of the Season

What’s better than holiday gatherings with family and friends, the aroma of a turkey roasting in the oven, and packages under the tree? I can’t think of anything I enjoy more. An evening in front of the fireplace sipping hot cocoa and munching Grandma’s special cookies is the perfect end to a busy day.

Besides favorite indoor activities, winter means it’s time to head out to the slopes for a fun-filled day of skiing or snowboarding, or you may prefer finding a quiet trail for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Snow and ice transform the outdoors into a winter wonderland, so take some time to get outside. Even if it’s just for a short walk, the fresh air and the crunch of the snow beneath your boots will revive you.

We’re taking you to many places of interest in this issue. Our first stop is Chappell’s Florist, where you will find anything you can imagine for your holiday decorating needs. Valentine’s Day is coming soon too, so delight your special someone with a beautiful bouquet. Chappell’s Vermont Recycles Flowers program captured our interest, and you can read all about it beginning on page 32.

You’ll also want to pay a visit to Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers, where you’ll discover more than 200 made-in-Vermont products (page 37). Bring some of their specialties home for your family to enjoy, or select items for a custom-made gift basket to ship anywhere in the US. It’s game time for players of the Vermont Glades Youth Hockey program! Thanks to Coach Jim Hall for bringing this great organization to our attention (page 26).

Jim and many other dedicated parents have worked hard to organize the league and teach the youngsters hockey skills—not to mention sportsmanship and life lessons.

We think you’ll enjoy reading about the kids as much as we enjoyed working on this story. We’re also pleased to bring you articles about the good work of the Champlain Housing Trust (page 58), Mater Christi School (page 46), and Dorset Street Dermatology (page 53).

The staff and I wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with all the things you love. Enjoy!

Deborah Thompson Editor editor@bestofburlingtonvt.com

Our apologies to Jim Westphalen for not crediting him for his beautiful photographs in the TruexCullins article that ran in the fall issue.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

9

B ES T O F B U R L I N G T O N

Contributors Mark Aiken

Mike Morin

Mark Aiken, a freelance writer from Richmond, Vermont, is an avid biker, and he ran his lucky 13th marathon this fall. During the winter months, he’s a ski instructor. His work has been published in the New York Times, Vermont Magazine, and EatingWell. In this issue Mark writes about Mater Christi School.

Mike Morin is a 41-year radio and TV personality who has worked in New York City and Boston, and currently cohosts New Hampshire in the Morning on WZID-FM in Manchester. In addition to his regular humor column in the Nashua Telegraph, he serves as the celebrity chef writer for Northeast Flavor magazine and has written for the Boston Globe, Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and New Hampshire Magazine.

Paul Boisvert Photographer Paul O. Boisvert was born and raised in Shelburne, Vermont. His love of photography began when his father gave him a Hero Imperial 120 camera when he was eight years old. He began a full-time freelance photography business upon leaving school, and he now takes acclaimed photographs for the New York Times, Vermont Life, Ski Magazine, and many commercial clients as well.

Nancy Humphrey Case Nancy is a contributor for The Christian Science Monitor and has been published in a wide variety of publications, including Northern Woodlands, Chicago Tribune, Mothering, and Cricket. She enjoys writing about Vermont’s landscape and culture, planning the next project at her home in Hyde Park, and riding her horses in the woods.

10

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Susan Nye Writer, photographer, and chef, Susan Nye is a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers throughout New England. Susan recently took the plunge into fiction. Her short story “Murder on the Mountain” is one of 20 in Live Free or Die, Die, Die! (Plaidswede Publishing, October 2011), an anthology of murder and mayhem in the Granite State. When she’s not writing or cooking, Susan is skiing or snowshoeing.

Sarah Tuff Sarah writes on health, fitness, travel, and more for a variety of regional and national publications. She lives with her husband, Carlton Dunn, and their two young children in Shelburne, Vermont.

B ES T O F B U R L I N G T O N O N L I N E

Online Exclusives Only at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Winning Showroom Windows & Doors by Brownell of Williston receives Excellence in Retail Award from Window & Door magazine.

Vermont Teddy Bear Send a cute cuddly friend with chocolates, or treat your special someone to a Pajamagram.

Top Bike Shop Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness named one of the Top 100 Bicycle Stores by Bicycling Magazine.

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com 12

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Winter 2011 / Best of Burlington

13

Gatherings

3

ENJOYING EVENTS AROUND TOWN

Holiday lights and snow transform Church Street into a greeting card scene.

Young and old alike come out for the Santa Parade and the tree lighting downtown. Photos by Adna Karabegovic, courtesy of Church Street Marketplace.

14

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Send photos of your event to editor@bestofburlingtonvt.com.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

11

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

15

ART SCENE SPONSORED BY VON BARGEN’S JEWELRY B Y pat go u dey O ’ br i en

The Fleming Museum of Art highlighting winter exhibits

Images of the Middle East

Just a smattering of what’s available at the University of Vermont’s Robert Hull Fleming Museum reveals the museum as a destination for Vermonters and visitors of all ages. This winter, the museum brings the Middle East into focus with Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran, a groundbreaking exhibition of Iranian photography opening on January 25 and running through May 12. This is the first time such a collection by Iranian photographers has appeared in this country; more than 60 photographs reveal the breadth and complexity of everyday life in Iran today.

16

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Continuing the Middle Eastern theme and running concurrently, Imagining the Orient: 19th Century Travel Photography of the Middle East appears in the Annex. This exhibition features travel photographs from the collection of J. Brooks Buxton that depict iconic modern and ancient Persian monuments and locales, some that tourists can visit today and others that have been altered or destroyed and exist now only in the culture’s historical memory.

“This exhibition will hopefully provide a counterpoint to the view of Iranian life created by the American media and offer the University of Vermont and Burlington communities a framework for engagement with Iranian culture today,” says Aimee Marcereau DeGalan, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions for the Fleming. “I assembled the smaller photography show [Imagining the Orient] from the larger

Far left: View of the European and American Gallery, Fleming Museum of Art. Winged Figure, Ancient Assyria, c. 880 B.C.E. Alabaster. Gift of John Converse.

Center: Lambert Doomer, Couple with a Globe, 1684. Oil on canvas.

Gift of Mr. Prentis Cobb Hale, Jr. Buddha Head, Thailand, c. 1500.

Stone. Gift of Doris Duke Southeast Asian Art Collection. Black Figure Lekythos (Jug), Greek, c.

530 B.C.E. Ceramic. Gift of Oliver S. Orton. Left: Theodore Hopkins, Burlington Bay, 1850. Oil on wood panel. Gift of Walter Cerf.

body of Mr. Buxton’s work, as I thought it offered a rare historical counterpoint to the contemporary photographs of Iran in Persian Visions.”

Buxton is a seventh generation Vermonter who lived for many years in London and the Middle East. Appearing in the Wolcott Gallery from January 31 through June 3, A Discerning Eye: Selections from the J. Brooks Buxton Collection features items from his broader collection of fine and decorative artworks from Vermont as well as from around the world. This exhibit includes 19th century Vermont landscapes, fine furniture, antique Chinese porcelain, and more from the Middle East and Britain.

A Systems Theme Some of the Fleming’s fall exhibitions carry into winter during December, including a riveting exhibit depicting the work of printmaker Andrew Raftery through December 16. The exhibit follows Raftery’s technical Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

17

Clockwise from top left: From the temporary exhibition: Wosene Worke Kosrof, Paintings from the Paul Herzog and Jolene Tritt Collection—Wosene Worke Kosrof, Quilt of Memory, 2005. Acrylic on linen. Collection of Paul Herzog and Jolene Tritt. From the temporary exhibition: Imagining the Orient: 19th Century Travel Photography of the Middle East— Jersualem, c. 1870. Albumen print. Collection of J. Brooks Buxton. From the temporary exhibition: Andrew Raftery: Open House—Andrew Raftery, Open House: Scene One, 2008.

Engraving. Courtesy of the artist and Mary Ryan Gallery, New York. The Fleming Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Vermont. From the temporary exhibition: Up in Smoke—Waterpipe, China, late 19th century. White brass. Gift of Katherine Wolcott. From the temporary exhibition: Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran—Ahmed Nateghi, Untitled, 1998. Silver gelatin print. Courtesy of International Arts and Artists, Washington, DC. From the temporary exhibition: Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran—Arman Stepanian, Untitled, 2001. “C” print. Courtesy of International Arts and Artists, Washington, DC. Center: From the temporary exhibition: A Discerning Eye: Selections from the J. Brooks Buxton Collection—James Hope, Wedding Cake House, Iron Furnace Road, Pittsford, Vermont, c. early 1850s. Oil on canvas. Collection of J. Brooks Buxton.

18

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

process through the design and creation of a series of copperplate prints, while revealing how the artist’s vision gives rise to his imagery. In addition to the precision and artistry brought to the creation of the work, the whole of the series touches on themes as deep as our cultural definitions of home and family.

Bringing context to Raftery’s work with engraving, a related exhibition, The Incised Line: Engravings from the Fleming Museum Collection, is mounted in a gallery adjacent to the Raftery work through December 16.

“We do try to relate the shows thematically,” DeGalan says of all the Fleming’s programming throughout each season. “This fall the shows were all more or less about systems. The spring theme manifested itself somewhat organically, as once we booked the Persian Visions exhibition and really began to dissect the Buxton collection, we realized a lot of connections to the Middle East and decided to highlight those aspects of the spring exhibitions.”

DeGalan says an awareness of theme helps the museum’s Curator of Education, Christina Fearon, as she works to develop additional programming and workshops.

With exhibitions, workshops, films, literary readings, and more, the Fleming provides a wide scope of programming that appeals to visitors of all ages.

Fleming Museum of Art University of Vermont 61 Colchester Avenue Burlington, VT (802) 656-0750 www.uvm.edu/~fleming

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

19

ON THE TOWN

by NANCY HUMPHREY CASE P hotos b y F i nest Ima g e

VSOWaltz Night a n e n c h a n t i n g w ay to support the arts On February 4, those interested in the continuity of live classical music will have an opportunity that presents itself only once a year—the chance to be wined, dined, and accompanied in dance by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra as well as Pine Street Jazz. Called “Vermont’s most elegant evening,” the black-tie fundraiser will be held in the Grand Maple Ballroom at the Dudley H. Davis Center, University of Vermont (590 Main Street, Burlington). All proceeds will support the VSO’s musical and educational outreach programs. These programs include youth concerts at the Flynn; Musicians-inthe-Schools, where ensembles of VSO musicians present instruments and classical music to K–8 students in fun-filled, interactive sessions; and the Musical Petting Zoo, during which students may try playing an orchestral instrument. (See the video on www.vso.org, Education page.)

Mike Peluse, development director for the VSO, calls these outreach programs “one of the most important things we do” and says the money raised at the VSO Waltz Night benefits more than 30,000

20

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

kids—half of all the schoolchildren in the state. “It’s a deep outreach,” he says, “and we take this mission very seriously.”

Tickets to the 34th annual VSO Waltz Night, which also includes an auction and “Instant Wine Cellar” raffle, cost $175 per person and must be reserved by January 15. The price includes complimentary ballroom dance lessons, special hotel room rates, and discounted tuxedo rentals. For an invitation, please e-mail Mike Peluse (mike@vso.org) or call him at (800) VSO9293, extension 25.

For more information, please visit www.vso. org/support-the-vso-waltz-night.php.

Former Governors Madeleine Kunin and Jim Douglas were the guest masters of ceremonies.

Waltzers enjoy the music of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

Waltz contest winners Lisa Belanger and George Sawyer from Norwich University.

Waltz Night co-chairs Richard Nair and Katie Banks with former VSO Governing Board Chairman Ken Squier (center).

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

21

CO O K I N G H E A LT H Y f r o m E x ec u ti v e che f j j Ve z ina at the w in d j a m m e r r e s ta u r ant P hoto s b y B r ent ha r r e w yn

Menu Ideas for

Entertaining F e s t i v e r e s ta u r a n t r e c i p e s y o u c a n m a k e at h o m e ’Tis the season for gatherings of all kinds. I’ve put together some fun recipes that are popular at the Windjammer and converted them for you to try at home.

Whether you are hosting an intimate dinner for two or a gathering for friends and family, the colors and flavors of these recipes are sure to wow them all.

22

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Hazelnut Encrusted Salmon with Black Currant Compote & Mission Fig-Kiwi Relish The flavors of this dish cover the full spectrum of your palate and it’s gorgeous with the contrasting colors. The nuts really complement the flavor of the salmon while adding a little bit of crunch to the meal. The balance of the sweetness of the kiwi and strawberries and flavors of the figs accent each other well. The fruit relish and acidic notes of the compote along with natural fat of the salmon and nuts combine to make a sweet, savory, and tart taste.

Salmon

Serves 4 4 pieces of salmon cut into 8-oz fillets

Hazelnut Crust

⁄2 cup hazelnuts (Turkish filberts can also be used and they cost less)

1

1. In a food processor, pulse the nuts for about 15 seconds or until they’re small enough to adhere to the salmon. If you don’t have a food processor, place the nuts between two kitchen towels or parchment paper and crush with a sauté pan by leaning into the pan as you roll over the nuts.

2. Place the nuts on the salmon and bake until desired temperature. I find good-quality salmon is best around medium to medium-well with a nice dark-brown, roasted nut crust (400° oven for approximately 8 minutes).

Mission Fig-Kiwi Relish

(Make while salmon is cooking or prepare one hour ahead) 10 oz figs, stems removed 5 kiwis, peeled and diced into small to medium squares 1 ⁄2 cup strawberries, diced 1 Tbsp local honey Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Slice figs in half lengthwise and then dice into mini half-moons.

2. Lightly toss together with the fruit, honey, and salt and pepper.

Black Currant Compote

(Make in advance, up to a day if desired) 11⁄2 Tbsp virgin olive oil 3 ⁄4 cup minced shallots Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 cup red wine 1 oz Anisette anise-flavored liqueur

⁄3 cup soy sauce 3 Tbsp sugar 1 cup currant puree 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar 11⁄2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 ⁄4 cup minced strawberries 1

1. In a hot sauté pan, add a touch of oil. Add shallots and sauté until caramelized on medium-high heat. Add salt and pepper and sauté for 1 minute.

2. Deglaze with red wine and Anisette. Bring up to high heat and add soy sauce and remaining ingredients. Reduce the mixture on high until slightly thickened.

To serve: Using a serving spoon, add the compote to the plate in a circular motion and spread into an oval shape slightly larger than the piece of salmon.

Place the salmon onto the plate in the center of the sauce. Top the salmon with the mission fig-kiwi relish and garnish with a sprig of mint (optional).

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

23

Vermont Chevre Bruschetta Makes 16 pieces

There is something magical about the combination of fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil over grilled bread. This has to be one of my favorite dishes to eat when I go out to dinner. I use a rustic Italian Pugliese bread here at the Windjammer, but a nice French baguette or batard would certainly work well.

1 French baguette or your favorite bread Extra-virgin olive oil Freshly cracked pepper Garnish: mesclun mix

1. Prepare Signature Chevre Boursin, VineRipe Bruschetta, and Kalamata Mosto Oil in advance.

2. Slice bread 1⁄2-inch thick and brush with extra-virgin olive oil. Lightly toast the bread in the oven until golden brown and firm.

3. Spread a light layer of Signature Chevre Boursin onto the grilled bread. Scoop the tomato mixture (see Vine-Ripe Bruschetta recipe) onto each slice (don’t be afraid to pile it on). Drizzle the bruschetta with the Kalamata Mosto Oil and freshly cracked pepper. Serve with a small amount of mesclun mix for garnish.

Signature Chevre Boursin

8 oz Vermont Butter & Cheese Co. chevre 4 oz cream cheese 11⁄2 tsp chopped garlic 11⁄2 tsp fresh thyme 1 ⁄2 tsp fresh tarragon 1 Tbsp chopped chives Freshly ground pepper (5 cranks of the pepper mill) 1 ⁄4 tsp salt

1. Lightly warm cheeses in microwave (roughly 1 minute in 30-second bursts).

2. Add everything but cheese in a food processor. Add softened cheeses and blend for 2 minutes or until smooth.

Vine-Ripe Bruschetta

2 cups diced yellow vine-ripe tomatoes 2 cups diced red vine-ripe tomatoes 1 cup julienne oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes* 1 ⁄4 cup fresh basil 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 ⁄4 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp freshly ground pepper

1. Add all tomatoes to a strainer and lightly press to remove excess liquid.

2. Stack fresh basil leaves on top of each other, roll up tightly, and chiffonade (cut into very thin strips).

3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and lightly mix. * If you can’t find oil-packed, used dried tomatoes and add to lightly salted boiling water for 3 minutes.

24

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Kalamata Mosto Oil

1 cup pitted Kalamata olives (tightly packed) 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 3 ⁄4 Tbsp Sambal Oelek chili sauce* 1 ⁄4 tsp salt and freshly ground pepper blend 1 ⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 ⁄4 cup virgin olive oil

1. Roast olives at 425° for approximately 40 minutes.

2. Place roasted olives and all other ingredients except oils in a blender. Blend for 10 seconds and then drizzle in oil and blend for 11⁄2 minutes.

3. Pour mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Oil can be kept for several weeks in a sealed container. Serve chilled or at room temperature. * This ground chili paste can be found at Asian markets and some grocery stores.

For a special ending to your meal, go to www. bestofburlingtonvt.com for a luscious dessert, 24k Cake.

Summer 2011 / Best of Burlington

25

a n o t h e r w ay t o p l ay

BY jim hall

P H O T O S B Y p a u l o . bo i s v e r t

The Vermont Glades Youth Hockey program offers young hockey players another level of opportunity—think Nordic or Far Post soccer on ice. Most hockey parents in the Green Mountain State are familiar with their towns’ programs, such as the St. Albans Skating Association, Chittenden-South Burlington Youth Hockey, and Burlington Amateur Hockey, as the only ways for their sons and daughters to participate in organized hockey. But the Glades Youth Hockey program offers players an alternative opportunity to play a more advanced game of hockey—an opportunity that is growing each year.

Changing Lines The Glades Youth Hockey Program launched its inaugural season in 2005–2006 with the kids playing a non-league, independent schedule. The following season, 2006–2007, saw all age groups represented, and the Vermont Glades joined the highly touted New England Hockey League (NEHL) based in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Since that first season in the NEHL, the Glades youth teams have won six NEHL championships. Dozens of players have gone on to represent Vermont at the USA Yankee Conference All-Star tournaments, and a handful of kids have attended the USA Hockey National Development Camps.

Costs for the Glades program are comparable to those of local associations and, as with local associations, fundraising plays a big role in keeping expenses low. Every player has his or her own page in the Glades program books, which contain tournament information and facts about participating players, as well as photos of each one. Players sell space on their pages to local businesses, parents, grandparents, other relatives, and friends. The programs are distributed at games and make great souvenirs. 4 26

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Opposite: Two Glades players await the start of the game. Top: NEHL action as the Glades host rival Valley Jr. Warriors. Left: Glades receive instruction from Coach Jim Hall between periods. Above: Two players go for a loose puck.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

27

A Family Affair Glades Youth Hockey starts in early September and usually finishes by the end of February or early March, and both players and their families form deep and lasting friendships. Traveling to games has become a hockey-family ritual. “Some of my fondest memories come from our road trips,” says Lon Finkelstein, who’s had two sons play in the Glades organization. “Whether it was in anticipation of some of the jokes that would be played out, connecting with parents of other teams who have now become friends, or just being a fly on the wall in the car listening to the kids talk about the games, the opponents, or the latest music.”

First-year parent Tonya Guyette says, “I love looking on the ice during a Glades practice to see a collection of hockey players so passionate about the game. They are skating hard, improving their skills, and having fun every time.”

Not Just Hockey

The Glades control action off the face-off.

Tim Thomas’s Biggest Fan Fans up and down the Green Mountain State cheered deliriously as Tim Thomas, former UVM star, backstopped the Bruins all the way to the Stanley Cup. But Thomas’s greatest fan might be 10-year-old Glades goalie Blaine Moore of Montpelier, who has attended several of the star’s hockey camps, and whose room is a shrine to the goalie. One of Blaine’s prized possessions? His Glades helmet with number 30, same as his idol, and Thomas’s autograph. Says Blaine, “He’s just a really nice guy.”

28

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

There is a misconception that the Glades organization aims to have young athletes specialize in the sport, but that’s not the case. Every Glades Youth coach encourages all players to take part in other fall sports, such as soccer or football, and expects players to miss early-season hockey practices to fulfill those other responsibilities. “We’re not here to attempt to get kids in the NHL; we’re here to provide an opportunity for local hockey players to compete at a higher level if they choose to,” says Jeff Peck,

Friends get ready to take the ice.

Glades Youth Hockey vice president. “Our organization allows kids from all over the state to play at a more challenging level.

When kids come to the Glades program, more spots open up on local A-level teams and players who might not otherwise get a chance to participate can fill those spots,� says Peck.

Glades youth teams play between 45 and 55 games in a season, with teams at the Squirt Major level (9/10), the Pee Wee Minor (11/12), Pee Wee Major (12), Bantam Minor (13/14), and Bantam Major (14/15). 4 The Glades take a timeout for a team photo.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

29

The NEHL includes the Vermont Glades, Albany River Rats (New York), Valley Junior Warriors (Haverhill, Massachusetts), New England Falcons (Enfield, Connecticut), New Hampshire Avalanche (Hooksett), Greater Boston Vipers, Assabet Valley Patriots (Concord, Massachusetts), Boston Red Rangers (Tewksbury), Boston Advantage (Hingham), and Wonderland Wizards (Bridgeport, Connecticut). Playing teams from these areas means that the Glades travel more than teams playing in town leagues, but the schedule is structured so that when teams travel, they play two games in a day, and then return home. The NEHL requirement for games is usually 30 per season, so teams travel for half the required number of games and host half for the NEHL. In addition, any independent games can be scheduled within Vermont by youth coaches.

Above: The Jr. Warriors generate a breakout. Left: The Glades go in for the steal.

Right: Taking a shot.

Competitive at Every Level Hockey is a sport of community in any organization and at every level. And within the Glades organization and the NEHL, hockey friendships are made and nurtured. The friendships made with players from opposing teams are priceless as well.

“You love coming to Vermont to play the Glades because you know the games will be competitive, hard-nosed hockey, and then, 30

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

after the games, the boys and families will all get along,” says Sean Provost, a dad and director of hockey operations for the New England Falcons. “Some of my best memories are the great times spent hanging out with the Glades families.”

Ron Kuhl, president of the Albany River Rats Youth Hockey and owner of the Hockey Hut in Albany, says, “The Vermont Glades program is a model triple-A association. They work very well with their local Tier II programs to give interested players

the opportunity to play triple-A hockey starting at the squirt level.” Kuhl continues, “The Glades youth program gives each top player an opportunity to develop into a Junior A or Junior B player without leaving home. The Glades are competitive at every level, well run, and very well respected among New England and Quebec hockey associations. It is always a pleasure to face off against them.”

Filled with passionate volunteers who love the game, the Vermont Glades program is a great opportunity for local hockey players. For more information and this season’s schedule, visit the Glades website at www.vtglades.com or call Jim Hall at (802) 578-3406.

Jim Hall is a parent and coach with Vermont Glades Youth Hockey.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

31

Flower Power C h a p p e l l’ s f l o r i s t g r o w s a n e w b r a n c h i n s o u t h b u r l i n g t o n BY sarah tuff

Holidays at Chappell’s include miniature tabletop trees with lights; locally grown poinsettias; and fragrant tablescapes with flowers, candles, ribbons, and balsam.

It’s amazing what you can recycle these days around Burlington— packing peanuts, antifreeze, toner cartridges. Even VHS tape can be recycled into yarn. But flowers?

Yep. Thanks to a new venture by Chappell’s Florist co-owner Diane Boucher, arrangements and bouquets of every imaginable variety—daisies, tulips, carnations, lilies—are getting a second life in nursing homes, churches, libraries, and beyond. No blue bins, no curbside trips. Just a seed of an idea that is blossoming into something big. 4

32

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

P H O T O S B Y P AU L O . B O I S V E RT

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

33

Left: Miniature holiday tree of boxwood decorated with lights, silk botanicals, and fresh roses. Near left and below: The cooler overflows with fresh-cut flowers.

The Holidays and Beyond Chappell’s, a cheery landmark on Williston Road in South Burlington, was founded in 1966 by Norman and Marietta Chappell.

In 1993, Boucher, a seventh-generation Vermonter who grew up in the Northeast Kingdom and earned a horticultural degree from the University of Vermont, and her business partner, Steve Juiffre, took over.

Chappell’s has seen its staff grow to 15 employees, including part-time drivers, over the last two decades. They are certainly busy around Mother’s Day, and spring and summer abound with flowers for weddings. But in the winter, when stepping into the warm and fragrant shop feels like going on a mini vacation to Maui, there are tiny Christmas trees to make out of balsam and boxwood and a demand for narcissus and amaryllis. “At the holidays, people still like the traditional and giving something that’s alive,” says Boucher.

And the week of Valentine’s Day—well, that’s another story. Last year, Chappell’s had 22 drivers delivering thousands of roses around Chittenden County. “Everything has to be working like a fine-tuned instrument,” says Boucher, laughing as she reveals how she composes her own Valentine’s message to her husband only after days of hearing those of others.

It’s the long-lasting power of their South American-grown roses, she says, that keeps the shop hopping. “We built a reputation and we’re able to maintain it,” says Boucher. “When it comes to the love holiday, guys are streaming through the door.”

34

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Giving Flowers a Second Life And it was love, actually, that led to the idea for Vermont Recycles Flowers.

After Juiffre’s daughter was married at a Burlington hotel, Boucher discovered that the roses and orchids were headed for the dumpster. “They said they had to clear them out of the way for the next event,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘I cannot believe these gorgeous orchids and roses are going in the garbage’—I felt really bad about it.”

By last spring, Boucher was ready to take action and began calling a few places to see if they would donate their used flowers for a good cause. (She can’t divulge her sources, she says, because they haven’t given her permission.) Not surprisingly, folks said “yes,” and in the late summer, Boucher officially began Vermont Recycles Flowers.

The premise is simple: Take fresh, fabulous arrangements that would otherwise be thrown out, bring them back to Chappell’s, and then redesign them to brighten even more lives. Or simply leave them as loose flowers and greenery for assisted-living facilities where residents can arrange them as an afternoon activity. Boucher, with four “elves” who have volunteered for the new operation, started delivering to Fletcher Allen’s ICU waiting rooms and expanded her “nice” list to include nursing homes, churches, schools, Meals on Wheels, and libraries.

“They’re lasting about a week, which is phenomenal,” Boucher says of the “new again” bouquets, adding that she keeps them short and compact—perfect for counters or front desks. “The shorter they are, the longer they’ll last, because the water doesn’t go up a great big stem.

They may not always be high-end flowers, but they’ll last a long time.”

Growing Strong Chappell’s Vermont Recycles Flowers program is a way of giving back to the community, but the success of local florists has been challenged lately by out-of-state Internet companies trying to make a buck. These “deceptive order gatherers,” Juiffre explains, represent themselves as being local, but instead they pocket a chunk of the cost before relaying an order to Chappell’s. Last winter he and other florists helped

Above: Deck your home with holiday inspirations from Chappell’s. Bottom row from left: Jane Starkweather designs bright bouquets for Vermont Recycles Flowers. A Vermont bride’s bouquet of roses, orchids, heather, and delphinium designed by Kris Eaton, store manager.

Autumn-inspired door decorations by Diane Boucher, co-owner.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

35

IMAGE 20

introduce a bill to the Vermont legislature that would prohibit this fraud. For now, he advises consumers to make sure websites are legitimate and locally based before ordering. To be safe, order from Chappell’s website, www.chappellsflorist.com.

When Juiffre and Boucher bought Chappell’s, he reports, it was about 35 percent walk-in orders. Today, the number strolling in to place an order or to browse among the holiday wreaths, Lake Champlain chocolates, teddy bears, and a cooler full of long-stemmed roses has dropped to 20 percent. Customers are relying more on technology and order flowers on Chappell’s website.

But just as people still send flowers, many still send letters. Since Boucher began Vermont Recycles Flowers, she’s been receiving note after note from those touched by the simple gift of petals and stems, leaves and stamens—St. Joseph’s, Hinesburg Community Resource Center, Trinity Baptist. “Our guests appreciate the cheer brought to a room with the addition of flowers,” reads one note from the Ronald McDonald House.

“It’s just nice to be liked so much—it’s a very feel-good thing,” says Boucher. “And it’s just growing and growing.”

Chappell’s Florist

Top: Thousands of roses and cuddly bears deliver a special message on Valentine’s Day. Above: Kris Eaton, Bob Racine, co-owners Steve Juiffre and Diane Boucher, and Jane Starkweather.

36

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

1437 Williston Road South Burlington, VT (802) 658-4733 www.chappellsflorist.com

w h at ’ s in s to r e B Y t o n y L o ll i

Cheese traders and wine sellers

e n j o y t h e ta s t e s o f v e r m o n t a n d b e y o n d

The holidays are fast approaching, but don’t panic. The Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers (CT&WS) store in South Burlington is the solution to the perennial problem of selecting the perfect gift.

The CT&WS has been in business since 1991, starting as a wholesale food store specializing in cheese, wine, and discounted gourmet foods. In 2006, business partners and long-time friends Robert and Maye Bachofen and Charles and Ana Alexander acquired CT&WS. Under new ownership, CT&WS has further expanded its wine and cheese selections to become one of the largest private purveyors in Vermont. 4

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

37

Can’t find your favorite wine?

Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers will special order as little as one bottle, if available in Vermont.

With more than 1,500 different wine labels in stock, CT&WS offers one of the largest wine and champagne collections in the state. The most popular wines range from $8 to $12 a bottle and come from France, Spain, and Argentina, as well as the US and other countries. General manager Stefan Bachofen says, “If you’re unsure about which wine to choose, let our staff of wine experts assist you. In addition, we hold wine tastings in the shop and can introduce you to wines you may never before have considered.”

CT&WS also offers 150 different cheeses, as well as pate, salami, and Vermont sausages that are great in gift baskets—thoughtful and appropriate for all occasions. There are dozens of premade baskets with all manner of goodies from which to choose. Not enough choices? CT&WS specializes in creating custom-made baskets and has a seasoned team of experts ready to fill a basket with your selections.

If you missed the popular, sold-out Vermont Cheesemaker’s Festival last summer, you can still experience the Best of the Fest with a variety of four- and six-cheese samplers. Bachofen explains,

Top: The expert members of the CT&WS team are extremely knowledgeable, and eager to help with any question you may have.

Center: Offering a vast array of snacks, candies, fruit mixes, and freshly roasted nuts. Right: Best of the Fest selection of Vermont-made cheeses changes monthly.

38

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

“They can be ordered for one-time delivery or as a cheese-of-the-month subscription.” CT&WS’s cheese experts will package a varied selection of Best of the Fest items, including at least one cow, goat, and sheep milk cheese, depending on the season. The Best of the Fest will also include at least one smoked or blue

cheese, and customers can count on one of Vermont’s famous aged cheddars.

Cheese sizes range from four to eight ounces.

The four-cheese Best of the Fest sampler is $49; the six-cheese sampler is $69. In the greater Burlington area, local deliveries can be made right from the Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

39

Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers proudly presents in excess of 200 quality Vermont-made products.

shop. Shipments anywhere in the US will be shipped free via USPS and will arrive at their destination in two to three days.

Here are a few of our favorite Vermont cheeses you can expect to find in CT&WS baskets: Plymouth Cheese Factory Cheddar

is full bodied, with sharp notes of butter, fruit, and nuts; it’s favored by those who want a stronger taste. Just for the record, The Plymouth Cheese Factory was opened in 1890 by John Coolidge, President Coolidge’s father.

Lazy Lady Farm’s Thin Red Line gets its name from a dusting of paprika. It also boasts a thin line of smoked paprika running through its center, giving it a smoky, meaty flavor. This Westfield farm cheese maker is credited with more varieties than can be found in some regions of France.

Grafton Village Cheese’s Bismark, a sheep’s milk cheese named for a legendary Vermont ram from the late 19th century, is tender, tangy, and sweet; it builds to a creamy hazelnut finish. This Grafton farm is famous for its award-winning, handcrafted raw-milk cheddars, now aged in Grafton’s cave aging facility.

40

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Chee s

e Tra d 1186 ers & Win Willis e Sel South to lers Burlin n Road g (8 to www 02) 863–0 n, VT .chee 143 set Open daily raders.com 10am -7pm

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

41

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Holiday

Many great gift ideas for the holidays are right here!

Shop local!

Village Wine Shop Let us help you find the perfect wines for your holiday dinners and parties. We have in-store wine tastings, case lot discounts, specials, and new wines arriving weekly. Stop in during your holiday trips and enjoy a great cup of coffee and homemade pastries.

Gems Hannoush Jewelers Make this the holiday of a lifetime with this elegant diamond solitaire ring. One classic karat, in round or princess cut, set in your choice of 14k yellow or white gold. Special price of $2,495 while supplies last. From a family-owned jeweler trusted for more than 30 years.

University Mall South Burlington, VT (802) 658-0707 www.hannoush.com

5288 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-8922 www.villagewineandcoffee.com

The Vermont Farm Table Store Massage Envy This season give the gift of comfort and joy with a Massage Envy gift card. Our professional therapists can provide soothing one-hour massage sessions to your family, friends, and business associates.

2141 Essex Road Williston, VT (802) 879-0888 Mon–Fri 8am–10pm; Sat 8am–6pm; Sun 10am–6pm

42

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Handcrafted, solid wood furniture built from new and reclaimed materials. Stop by to chat about your custom table and view our unique wood selections!

197 College Street Burlington, VT (888) 425-8838 www.vermontfarmtable.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Vermont Ballet A true Vermont holiday gem—The Nutcracker! Don’t miss the excitement surrounding Vermont’s own Christmas tradition, performed by the talented dancers of Vermont Ballet Theater with guest artists from the Dance Theatre of Harlem, at the Flynn Center in Burlington on Dec. 17, 2 and 7pm, and Dec. 18, 1 and 6:30pm. For tickets call 86-FLYNN or visit www.flynncenter.org.

153 Main Street Burlington, VT (802) 652-4500 (802) 863-5966 tickets www.flynncenter.org

The Willow House Our best-selling arrow collection features a wide variety of designs for each and every season, collection, or holiday. They are the perfect addition to any home. The replacements are sold individually, with the black wooden arrow hanger sold separately to help start your collection. A great gift for yourself and your friends and family.

101 Patchen Road South Burlington, VT (802) 864-3540 www.countryhomevermont.com

Moon Studio You will find the perfect holiday gifts at Moon Studio Day Spa. In addition to our full day spa we are proud to present 100 percent organic therapeutic-grade oils, custom infused into body lotions, massage oils, room atomizers, and more, made by our own aromatherapist Candace Carson-Hoffmann. We offer gift certificates and handcrafted jewelry (PierVana). Save on certain boutique items this holiday season. Hope to see you soon! Happy holidays!

4070 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT moonstudiodayspa.com

Jamie Two Coats A magical place in the heart of Shelburne Village filled to the brim with your favorite things! Beautiful dolls, wonderful wooden toys, fun dress up, creative art supplies, Lego, Playmobil, and Bruder trucks. A great place to pick up that last-minute holiday or birthday gift.

54 Falls Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3221 Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

43

Holiday

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Gems

Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery For over 20 years FS Gallery has been a destination for discerning art lovers seeking the finest in original art, museum-quality custom framing, and restoration services.

We also offer an eclectic and affordable selection of handmade and fair trade crafts and gifts. Local shopping made easy!

Shelburne Vineyard and Wine Tasting Room Visit us this season for a wine tasting and tour with friends, to plan a festive party, or just to find some of your favorite red, white, and dessert wines, produced here in our winery, for holiday gifts and celebrations.

Explore our carefully chosen selection of Vermont-made gifts and specialty foods, and enjoy the work of local artists displayed in our warm and friendly Tasting Room. Gift certificates and corporate gift packages available.

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

6308 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-8222 www.shelburnevineyard.com

Designers’ Circle Designers’ Circle is proud to offer designs by Cheri Dori.

Whimsical, colorful, creative, and fun! At Designers’ Circle Jewelers we specialize in custom design and expert repairs. Come in and check us out!

52B Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 864-4238 www.vermontjeweler.com

Evolution Yoga Evolution Physical Therapy, Yoga & Massage offers a warm, inviting space where you can come to care for yourself, body and mind. This holiday season, treat yourself and loved ones to a massage with Annemarie or Natalia, or pick up a gift certificate for a yoga pass to relax and restore.

20 Kilburn Street Burlington, VT (802) 864-9642 www.evolutionyoga.com

44

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Shelburne Farms Shelburne Farms award-winning cheddar—the perfect gift for friends near and far, the star of your holiday entertaining table. Talk to our mail order staff or visit the Welcome Center (open daily 10am to 5pm). And consider a gift certificate for the Inn at Shelburne Farms, for dining and accommodations.

1611 Harbor Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-8686 www.shelburnefarms.org

Photo Garden PhotoGarden has a fabulous selection of all new personalized holiday cards for 2011. Whether you like a flat card, folded, or fun new tri-fold card, we have all the styles that will accommodate one or more photos. Stop in to see our beautiful samples or

visit our website to order from home.

10 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT (802) 863-1256 www.thephotogarden.com

Cynthea’s Spa Yes, she wants a spa treatment! Easy for you, perfect for her. Facials, massages, body treatments, and more.

Purchase your gift certificate online—anytime! Preview, pay, print—DONE. Your petite urban day spa in the heart of Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace.

102 Church Street, Second Floor Burlington, VT (802) 238-7524 www.cyntheaspa.com

ECCO Clothes ECCO, Vermont’s original designer boutique, has everything you need to spoil the one you love this holiday season. Wrap her up in cashmere sweaters, jeans from top designers, or an amazing dress. ECCO also has shoes, jewelry, and handbags, as well as men’s clothing, including designer denim!

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

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

45

46

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

get smart

BY Mark aiken P h o t o s by A m b i e n t P h o t o g r a p h y

MATER CHRISTI APPROACHES 50 looking toward the future while preserving core va l u e s

Studying subatomic particles is hard work. Just ask eighth-graders Alexis Sirotta, Cameron Cousino, Connor Plante, Warren Ouellette, and Savannah Sherman, who took the roles of electrons in a recent discussion about the parts of an atom in their science class at Mater Christi School. To illustrate a scale to which electrons may stray from the nucleus of an atom, science teacher Mark Pendergrass brought his class outside to set up a human-sized model. Most classmates served as protons, hovering near the atom’s center. But electrons, Mr. Pendergrass explained, could zip back and forth anywhere on the school’s vast playground at top speed.

Electrons Sirotta, Cousino, Plante, Ouellette, and Sherman sprang into action and sprinted to the farthest reaches of the playground, running this way and that while their positively charged proton classmates huddled together, making what Mr. Pendergrass described as “proton noises.” The exercise continued for several minutes until Mr. Pendergrass called in his electrons—all of whom had just run distances that would have left most track athletes gasping for breath. “Are there any questions?” asked Pendergrass. “Yes,” said Cousino, raising his hand. “Can I get some water?” 4 Clockwise from top center: Kindergarten students enjoy the MCS playground.

Fifth-graders experiment in the MCS science lab. Eighth-graders study together. English teacher Patrick Welsch in his classroom.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

47

Above: Second-grade students create projects during art class. Right: Eighth-grader Claudia Tarrant. Below: Happy MCS students.

The class headed inside to wrap up the morning’s lesson and to allow the five students who had served as electrons the chance to refuel and replenish. It is unlikely that any of them will forget the amount of territory electrons cover— or the energy required to do so. “Our teachers make us work hard,” said eighth-grader Claudia Tarrant. “But they make it interesting.”

History 101 Much has changed in the 49 years since Sister Barbara Denning served as Mater Christi’s first principal. The Sisters of Mercy opened the Catholic school under the current name in 1963 when construction was completed on the building next door to their original school, Mount St. Mary Academy. All told, 22 sisters still live in the convent attached to the middle-school building, 48

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

and the sisters have 125 years of elementaryschool history at this site.

Most likely, Sister Denning never would have imagined the technology at work in the 21st century version of her school. “We have more than 200 computers,” says principal Paul Jette.

“And most of our classrooms are equipped with SMART Boards.” SMART Boards—interactive whiteboards that are part overhead projector, part giant computer monitor, and part Web tool—are found most commonly in college classrooms. “A professor from Saint Michael’s told me he admired the technology our teachers have,” says Jette enthusiastically.

Jette’s leadership style is probably different from that of Sister Denning, nearly a half century ago.

For example, Jette writes a personalized birthday card to each student on his or her birthday.

Recently he dressed up as a Jedi knight to honor student efforts in a recent schoolwide fundraiser. A diehard Red Sox fan, on April Fool’s Day he called all Yankee fans to his office for detention. “I feel it’s important for students to see a principal who is a regular guy,” says Jette.

Despite changes through the years, many of the school’s founding principles still ring true. In fact, inside the entrance to the Mater Christi middle-school building, the school’s original Core Values are on display: Spiritual Growth and Development, Personal and Educational Excellence, Concern for Human Dignity, Global Vision and Responsibility, Compassion and Service, and Collaboration. Says Sister Joanne LaFreniere, Mater Christi’s director of spiritual life, “The school is the same in that we work with families who are interested in the education of their children.” Jette concurs.

“I never knew Sister Denning,” he says. “But I imagine that our styles are the same in that we both love to work with kids.”

Keeping the Faith Every morning students arrive at the two buildings that make up Mater Christi School—preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students entering one building and middle schoolers the other, just like at any other school. Because the school is small, with just 233 students through eighth grade, each grade shares its own homeroom. At 8:15, an administrator comes on the intercom to lead the school in Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

49

Right: Glenda Bedard’s students participate in an outdoor lesson on the MCS campus.

Below: Eighth-grader Bobby Treadwell.

the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer— one of which is the Children’s Suscipe, which is paraphrased from the Suscipe of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy in 19th century Ireland.

A small, independent Catholic school like Mater Christi has flexibility. Having prayer in school is an obvious example. “We don’t have to be afraid to say ‘God,’” explains Jette. Spirituality, prayer, and Mass are parts of the Mater Christi curriculum and experience, although 40 percent of the student population is non-Catholic. “Mater Christi welcomes students of all faiths,” Jette says.

“Sharing religious and cultural differences is part of our educational experience.”

Eighth-grader Bobby Treadwell agrees with this assessment. “I’m non-Catholic, but I have learned about it,” he says. NonCatholic students gain an understanding of Catholicism through religion classes. At the same time, everyone is expected to uphold the school’s core values, which apply to everyday student life—Catholic or not. “The

50

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

core values are everywhere at school,” says Treadwell. “Especially if you take a step back and look for them; they’re there.”

A Place to Learn In a setting where faith is part of the equation, teachers can address faith in any of their classes. For example, English teacher Patrick Welsch did a unit on social justice in one of his middle-school classes last year. “I could incorporate a faith aspect without a second thought,” he says.

Meanwhile, student responses and projects showed maturity, creativity, humor, and empathy. “It was a case of a teacher being inspired by his students!” Welsch says.

One may wonder, why send a non-

Catholic child to a Catholic school? One of the fundamental differences between Mater Christi and a local public school is that every family whose child attends Mater Christi has made a decision regarding their child’s education. Whatever the reason, parents chose to pay Mater Christi’s tuition and come here as an alternative. “Parents are invested in their children’s education,” says fourth-grade teacher Glenda Bedard.

She should know; she not only teaches at Mater Christi but also sends her own son to school here. “We believe the climate of this school and its core values are so positive that it’s the best place for him.”

Meanwhile, there is again the flexibility that Jette speaks of; although budgets are

tight even for private schools, Mater Christi has full control over its curriculum. Art and music classes thrive, and students take French starting in kindergarten. Teachers set their expectations high. “Sometimes I step back and wonder if I’m asking too much,” says Bedard. “But the students always rise to the occasion.”

The atmosphere in classrooms and the halls of Mater Christi is playful, fun, and respectful. “Student interactions are respectful and gentle,” says Welsch. “The staff is enthusiastic, and you can tell families are behind their students. The result is a very cohesive group.”

As Mater Christi School looks ahead to its 50th year, it moves with one foot firmly rooted in its history and one stepping toward the future. “We encourage technology, but we also think kids should know how to pick a book off a library shelf,” says Ellen Gerke, the school’s director of enrollment. A small student population and a supportive atmosphere create a tight community and students who care about the world around them. “The students and our teachers are all part of a group,” says Bobby Treadwell, who plans to attend Burlington High School after eighth-grade graduation.

“We have had really good times together.”

Principal Paul Jette.

50 Mansfield Avenue Burlington, VT (802) 658–3992 www.mcschool.org

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

51

52

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

PEOPLE TO KNOW

BY SARAH ZOBEL PHOTOS BY PAUL O. BOISVERT

Dorset Street

DERMATOLOGY

MEET MITCHELL SCHWARTz, MD

M

Mitchell Schwartz, MD, was walking on a

beach this past summer when he spotted an umbrella in the distance. Dr. Schwartz, a dermatologist, is always pleased to see people protecting their skin from the sun.

But as he neared, he realized that the figure relaxing in the umbrella’s shade was a dog; its tanned owner was lying a few feet away on a blanket, in full sun. Though disappointed, Dr. Schwartz was not surprised.

“It’s taking a long time to change behaviors,” he says, noting the push by doctors to educate people on the very real dangers of too much sun exposure. “Most younger people don’t really care about skin cancer so much, but when I talk about how much older they’ll look from sun damage, how much coarser the skin will be, and how much more wrinkled and leathery, as well as how hard it can be to reverse that later on, they tend to listen.” 4 Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

53

Above: Advanced skin care products. Right, from top: Christina and Stacey in the reception area. The friendly staff at Dorset Street Dermatology. Moles often require closer examination.

G

Spreading the Word Getting the word out about skin cancer prevention is paramount to Dr. Schwartz’s practice, Dorset Street Dermatology. He began conducting free one-day clinics when he first opened a dermatology office, nearly three decades ago in Manchester, New Hampshire. He’d hold the clinics a couple of times a year as a goodwill gesture to the community and to get his name out to the public. In 1985, the American Academy of Dermatology decided to do something similar on a national level and enlisted members to volunteer. Screenings across the country were scheduled for one week in May, which is Skin Cancer Awareness month; since then, Dr. Schwartz has participated annually in the event, reportedly the only Vermont dermatologist to do so. He’s even in the 2009 Guinness World Records book for doing the most skin cancer screenings in a single day, as part of that year’s AAD screening week!

54

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

The message must be getting through, if slowly. The days when the majority of Dr. Schwartz’s patients were senior citizens are over. Now, patients of all ages come in for regular skin checks, often after conducting them on themselves.

“I’m really impressed with how often a patient will come in and say, ‘I have this mole and it’s changing,’” says Dr. Schwartz.

“And I’ll look at it, and it doesn’t look dramatically bad, like cancer, but it doesn’t look normal either. It’s often the first time I’ve seen it, but I’ll almost always biopsy it, and I’m surprised how often it’s a precancerous mole.” That’s key, he explains, because those kinds of growths have a higher likelihood of turning into melanoma, which can be fatal.

Other times, a patient will come in with something he or she wants looked at; it turns out to be nothing, but Dr. Schwartz will notice something else that does bear closer examination. “People will say, ‘The sun never shines there. How could I have cancer?’” he says. “But that’s what we’re trying to teach people: statistically, these growths can occur any place on the body.”

But the sun continues to cause the most avoidable damage. Dr. Schwartz wants people to cover up outdoors. Sunscreen is essential year-round, but on the beach in summer, it’s important to supplement with a long-sleeved shirt and wide-brimmed hat. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on high-tech fabrics; Dr. Schwartz recommends lightweight nylon shirts that you can wear right in the water. He also recommends applying topical antioxidants in tandem with sunscreen. As with everything, the main thing is to find products you like and will use daily. Another threat is from tanning beds, long suspected but now definitively proven to cause melanoma.

D

Cosmetic Options & More Dorset Street Dermatology recently expanded to a second building, in part because of rapid growth on the cosmetic side of the practice. Dr. Schwartz is the only Vermont physician certified to use Sculptra, known in Europe as the liquid facelift. He also offers Radiesse, a volume filler that targets specific areas of the face and neck. Both stimulate collagen growth gradually and last for years. 4 Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

55

Five Tips for Healthy Vermont Winter Skin 1 U se a cool air humidifier. They’re

2

3

4

5

easy to clean so there’s no risk of mold, as with warm air humidifiers. A whole-house system is best, but the bedroom and near your desk at work are important locations if you’re using a smaller humidifier.

C hoose a synthetic detergent body soap. Dr. Schwartz recommends unscented Dove because it’s mild. Limit cleaning to areas that really need it: underarms, groin; the rest of your body will get clean just by having water wash over it.

W ith the right soap, daily showers or baths are fine—all that water can be hydrating. As soon as you’re out of the tub, pat skin dry and apply whatever kind of moisturizer has a texture and scent that appeal to you.

U se sunscreen, even when it’s cloudy!

Snow acts like a million tiny mirrors, reflecting the sun back at your skin, so even a brimmed hat won’t provide enough protection.

G o south (not west) for a break if you can. The humid air in Florida, for example, can do wonders for dry Vermont skin.

And Botox continues to grow in popularity. It took Dr. Schwartz a while to come around on Botox—he hadn’t taken the Hippocratic Oath to then inject a toxin, he says. But he changed his mind after reading psychological studies showing that Botox treatments can have a positive effect on depression and self-esteem. Indeed, its use keeps increasing around the country—even during the current economic recession— because it makes people feel good.

The practice also offers a variety of skin care products, medical spa services, and general and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Schwartz is assisted in his work by a large staff that includes Phoebe Pelkey, a physician’s assistant specializing in medical dermatology; nurse-practitioner Katherine Wright; and medical aesthetician Chelsea Carmichael.

Dr. Schwartz understands personally the need to limit sun exposure. Like so many, he and his wife and two sons—now grown—first came to the area to ski and 56

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Dr. Schwartz enjoying his new office.

ended up buying property on the shores of Lake Champlain. These days, in his limited free time, Dr. Schwartz is often found out on the water windsurfing and in the mountains skiing—two locations that can lead to plenty of sun damage. In fact, Dr. Schwartz has undergone treatment with products he prescribes to his patients. His own beforeand-after photographs are on display in his waiting room.

Dr. Schwartz and his wife also visit Florida frequently, where you can’t miss him on the beach. He’s the one wearing the broad-brimmed hat and long sleeves, the man with the healthy, untanned skin.

Dorset Street Dermatology 325 and 329 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT (802) 600-8808, (800) 946-8808 www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

57

Above: The Champlain Housing Trust’s headquarters on King Street in Burlington is LEEDcertified and also has 20 affordable apartments. Right: This downtown block in Enosburg Falls has shops on the ground floor and 28 apartments above; it was rebuilt after the block was gutted by fire in 2005.

58

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

a model for communities around the globe by nancy humphrey case Photos courtesy of Champlain Housing Trust

In 2000, when housing prices were going up, Jodi Whalen and her husband found themselves in an unfortunate bind. They’d lived in Burlington for 10 years, had just married, and wanted to settle down here. Both had worked their way through college; they had good jobs and good credit. But without families who could help them with a down payment for a mortgage, they found there was no way to buy even a modest home of their own. With rents also on the rise, it looked unlikely that they’d ever be able to save enough for a down payment on a house in Burlington. 4 Above: The Champlain Housing Trust’s Park Place in Burlington offers affordable living above retail shops right in the heart of downtown. Left: Jodi Whalen was able to become a homeowner through the Champlain Housing Trust, and she shared that opportunity with the family she sold to. “It works,” she says.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

59

Making a Dream a Reality Then a friend told them about the Champlain Housing Trust (CHT)—a community land trust that owns a bank of affordable housing in the Burlington area and makes it accessible to low- and middle-income buyers through a creative system of shared equity. Jodi and her husband attended one of CHT’s home ownership workshops, and a short time later, they were able to buy their first home through a down payment grant provided by the organization.

Two years later, having built up some equity in a strong market, they sold that home back to CHT, received 25 percent of its appreciation (a condition of their original purchase), and bought another home in the private market. Seventy-five percent of the appreciation, along with the original down payment grant, stayed with the home, thus lowering the price for the next prospective home buyer. “It works,” Jodi says. “It’s fantastic.”

The idea behind community land trusts is that affordable housing is an asset to the community; if you can take land off the open market and lock it up for the benefit of the community, you can preserve that asset forever. But unlike conventional programs, which offer a new subsidy for every new buyer, the Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) is modeled on the concept that you raise public funds only once, and every time a house is sold, the original subsidy is retained and passed on to the new buyer.

John E. Davis, who serves on the CHT Board, sees this model as stemming from Yankee frugality. “In 1989, when Burlington asked voters if they’d be willing to increase their tax rate by one penny (per thousand valuation) to be used for a per60 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

The Champlain Housing Trust received a World Habitat Award from the United Nations in 2008, recognizing its innovative programs.

manent stock of affordable housing,” Davis says, “the response was: If we’re going to put big money into subsidizing affordable housing, we’d better get a big bang for our buck and pay for it once.” Support for the idea came from all quarters, including the conservative one. “They didn’t see it as creeping socialism,” Davis says, “but as fiscal prudence.”

Burlington—A Fertile Seedbed The roots of the program go back to the early ’80s, when an activist city government was concerned about an expanding downtown and the trend toward gentrification of the old North End, displacing people who had supported the new administration.

Burlington’s history of neighborhood activism and a search for solutions by proactive local organizers were also conducive to the founding of a community land trust here.

With seed money from the city government, two organizations were created in 1984: the Burlington Community Land Trust, which focused on neighborhood improvement and expanding home ownership, and the Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation, which encouraged the building of affordable rental housing.

In 2006, with resources shrinking, the two groups recognized their common mission and decided to merge as the Champlain Housing Trust. Today, 60 percent of CHT’s funding comes from rents and fees, 30 percent from public sources, and 10 percent from private donations and other Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

61

Left: The Champlain Housing Trust recently celebrated the 500th home entering into its affordable homeownership program.

CEO Brenda Torpy has led the Champlain Housing Trust for 20 years.

sources, including the Lois H. McClure Homes Forever Fund—CHT’s endowment hosted by the Vermont Community Foundation.

Five years after the merger, it’s clear the organization is succeeding. In September, CHT added its 500th home. In addition, it owns 1,500 rental units in Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties. As a result of its efforts, local communities benefit from a more stable workforce that commutes less and has stronger ties to the community. People who might have been homeless for an extended period are in secure, basic rental housing. Others are on a path to building equity and are less likely to default on their mortgages.

A Model for the US and Beyond Studies by three different researchers, conducted before the national rate of foreclosure began to rise, found that only half of low-income, first-time home owners are still home owners five years after buying a market-rate home. Among CHT’s home owners, that figure is 95 percent. Another study, commissioned by the National Community Land Trust Network, found that in 2010, the rate of foreclosure for Community Land Trust (CLT) home owners was 10 times less than the national average, even though CLTs serve low-income households.

Part of CHT’s success comes from its strong educational component. Prospective 62

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

home buyers are coached in understanding the hidden costs of home ownership, managing credit, and budgeting. Prospective renters are also educated in the skills necessary to keep up with the rent.

Of the 240 community land trusts in the US, CHT is one of the oldest and is by far the largest, owning twice as many homes as the next largest trust. In 2008, CHT was recognized by the United Nations with the World Habitat Award. The following year, 25 representatives of 13 countries spent a week in Burlington, including visitors from London, Brussels, and Australia who subsequently started similar programs in their home cities. They refer to their programs as “the Burlington model.”

Brenda Torpy, one of the founders of the Burlington Community Land Trust and the CEO of CHT for the past 20 years, shares Burlington’s experience by serving on the board of a national association of community land trusts (CLT Network). John E. Davis is active in the training arm of that organization, the National CLT Academy.

Recently, the CHT Board was one of three nonprofit boards in the country to receive national recognition by BoardSource for its effectiveness and service.

“We’re at a teachable moment in home ownership,” Brenda says. “Up until the market crash, housing costs were increasing at an astronomical rate. Home ownership was out of reach for many people, but two-

thirds of the population was building equity as home owners. After the crash, people began saying, ‘Actually, home ownership doesn’t work for low-income people.’ But we can make home ownership possible for them if we do it this way.” For most working people, Brenda points out, home equity is the only big asset they’ll ever have, and it can be tapped into to pay for college or help one of their children start a business or buy a home. “Home ownership helps people get on the asset-building ladder,” she says.

With the tightening of credit in recent years, CHT has had to distinguish itself from subprime mortgages and other questionable programs in the eyes of lenders.

Most banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies in the Burlington area have been supportive of the program and provide mortgages to CHT buyers.

Revitalizing Communities “CHT is not just about creating affordable housing,” says Chris Donnelly, CHT’s director of community relations. “In a holistic sense, it’s about community development.”

For example, a fire in Enosburg Falls left a gutted building downtown. Private investors were unwilling to pick it up because they could not make enough money on it. CHT bought the building, which now houses a hardware store on the ground level and apartments upstairs. “We saw we could bring life back to downtowns like that,” Chris says.

Brenda Torpy remembers a lot of houses in Burlington’s North End boarded up in the early ’90s. CHT began acquiring those homes under foreclosure and turning them around, thereby sustaining neighborhoods.

Now CHT is rehabilitating foreclosed homes in Burlington, St. Albans, and Swanton, and creating permanently affordable homes for sale. Besides having a direct impact on the value of every home on an affected block, the work of CHT is rippling out to make the entire region a better place to live and to provide an example for communities around the world.

Champlain Housing Trust 88 King Street #100 Burlington, VT (802) 862-6244 www.champlainhousingtrust.org Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

63

All About

Olives

64

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

THE PERFECT GO-TO GIFT & H O L I D AY S N A C K

IN THE KITCHEN

by SUSAN NYE

The olive tree is surely the richest gift of heaven.

—Thomas Jefferson

It’s the holidays—that time of year when your already busy life goes into overdrive. With dinners and cocktail parties to host and attend, the office party to survive, and a long list of gifts to track down, you might wonder if there are enough hours in the day. It’s time to find a shortcut or two to help you through the holidays. Whether for nibbling or gifting, make sure you have plenty of olives on hand over the busy holiday season.

From the Balmy Mediterranean to Frosty Vermont Olives? Yes, olives. Found throughout the hot, dry, windblown coast of the Mediterranean, olives will bring a bit of warmth and sunshine—and a smile—to a chilly Vermont evening. From pale, golden green to midnight black, olives come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They’ll brighten up your cocktail hour with a little color and zing. Olives are perfect when the neighbors stop by for just a minute and end up staying for a glass of wine. A bowl of marinated olives or a tasty tapenade and a chunk of ParmigianoReggiano cheese are all you need to create a warm welcome. Susan Tarpey at Fresh Market recommends olives for the holidays because “With so many varieties, olives are a perfect addition to a cheese or charcuterie plate.” She is particularly fond of castelvetrano and alfonso olives. Susan adds, “They look beautiful together on a platter and just draw you in. Castelvetrano olives are bright green, crunchy, and mild. Dark purple alfonso olives are cured in red wine and have

a meaty texture and full flavor.”

Then again, why not stir things up with a pitcher of Dirty Martinis? They’ll make a great addition to your annual holiday bash. James Bond may have taken his shaken-not-stirred martinis with a twist, but olive aficionados know there is nothing like a Dirty Martini.

Finally, when you need yet another small token or gift of appreciation, look no further than olives or maybe a gorgeous olive oil. They won’t solve all your gift-giving problems, but a jar of spicy marinated olives comes in handy when you need a last-minute host or hostess gift. Need something for the Yankee Swap? Homemade tapenade or a beautiful bottle of extra-virgin olive oil is just the thing.

A Gift of Good Health Long touted by nutritionists as a heart-healthy choice, olive oil is a great addition to any kitchen and a welcome gift. Olive oil comes in three basic grades, extra-virgin, virgin, and pure. Both extra-virgin and virgin olive oils are from the olives’ first pressing and Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

65

Entertaining & Gift Giving— Great Recipes with Olives

come in many variations like fine and very fine. An artisanal extra-virgin olive oil is a wonderful gift and a great alternative to the tried-and-true but hardly original bottle of wine that many guests bring to a party. Especially if your host is an avid cook!

While you’re at it, you might want to pair the olive oil with some really good vinegar. You can find wonderful, aged balsamic vinegars from the north of Italy, or turn to France for artisanal champagne or herb-infused vinegars. 4 Continued on page 69

Spicy Marinated Olives So Many Varieties . . . What to Choose?

Arbequina: These small, dark-brown Spanish olives have a unique nuttiness. Marinate them in olive oil with a touch of citrus for a great snack.

Castelvetrano: Their bright green color is so vivid it almost seems unnatural. These Italian olives have a mild, buttery flavor.

Cerignola: Large Italian olives, cerignolas come in green and black. The ripe black olives are softer, sweeter, and easier to pit.

Gaeta: These small brown olives can be hard to pit, but the nutty flavor is worth the effort.

Kalamata: Add them to salads, pastas, pizzas, or any recipe calling for black olives. These plump purple Greek olives are a popular choice.

Niçoise: You’ll find them in tapenade and salad Niçoise.

Grown in southern France, these small purple olives are chewy and flavorful.

Oil-Cured: These wrinkled black olives have a meaty, chewy texture and are often very salty. They make a wonderfully rich and dark tapenade.

Queen: These oversized green olives from Spain are often pitted and stuffed with pimento, almonds, or garlic.

Their tart flavor is excellent in martinis.

Sicilian: These green olives are wonderful in a marinade of herbs and spices. They have a tart flavor and make a great snack. Sicilian olives are a good choice for recipes calling for green olives.

Manzanilla: You can find these mild Spanish olives in every supermarket (and in many a martini).

Picholine: These tiny olives from the south of France have a tangy, fruity flavor.

66

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Double or triple the recipe, and pop the olives into old-fashioned Mason jars. Bring a jar along to holiday parties; they make great gifts.

Makes about 1 quart About 4 cups olives, a nice mix of your favorite varieties, drained Zest and juice of 1 lemon 2 Tbsp dry white wine 4 cloves garlic, slivered 1 ⁄2 tsp dried thyme 1 bay leaf 1 ⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste) Freshly ground pepper to taste Extra-virgin olive oil 1. Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a medium-sized bowl and toss to combine. Transfer the olives to a clean, wide-mouth jar. Add enough olive oil to cover the olives.

2. Store in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for at least 24 hours before serving. Use a slotted spoon to remove the olives from the jar.

The olives will keep for a month or more in the refrigerator.

Dirty Martini The perfect accessory to go with that little black dress.

Serves 1 2 oz gin or vodka 1 Tbsp dry vermouth 1 Tbsp olive brine 1–2 olives Combine the vodka or gin, vermouth, and olive brine in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and give it a good shake. Pour into a chilled cocktail or martini glass. Garnish with one or two olives.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

67

Tapenade Traditionally made with Niçoise olives, keep a jar of tapenade on hand throughout the holidays. It’s great for parties, planned and impromptu. Make up a big batch, and pack it into four-ounce jelly jars for host and hostess gifts and stocking stuffers.

Makes about 1 cup 8 oz Niçoise or your favorite oil-cured black olives, pitted Grated zest and juice of 1⁄2 lemon About 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2–3 Tbsp dry white wine 3 cloves garlic 1 tsp anchovy paste 1 Tbsp capers 1 ⁄2 tsp dried herbes de Provence or thyme 1 ⁄2 tsp hot pepper flakes or to taste 1. Put all ingredients in a small food processor. Process until the ingredients are well combined and form a fine paste.

2. Transfer to a container and store in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to mix and meld the flavors before using.

3. Serve with crackers, bread, or raw vegetables. It also makes a great spread for sandwiches, or dab small spoonfuls on pizza.

The tapenade will keep for a month or more in the refrigerator.

68

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Nina Lesser-Goldsmith, co-owner of Healthy Living Market, believes that olive oil and vinegars make great gifts. She says, “A lovely bottle of Tenuta del Numero Uno Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is a terrific host or hostess gift. It has an elegant, grassy flavor without being overpowering. Another favorite is Agrumato Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Pressed with Lemons. Whole lemons are pressed with the olives and it’s awesome.” For vinegar, she suggests Cepa Vieja, a sherry vinegar from Spain. Nina recommends, “Olive oils and vinegars are perfect gifts for foodies. As we head into the holiday season, make sure you stock up on plenty of olives, oils, and vinegars.” Bon appétit and joyeuses fêtes!

You can find wonderful olives, olive oils, and vinegars at: Fresh Market 400 Pine Street Burlington, VT (802) 863–3968 www.freshmarketgourmetvt.com Healthy Living Natural Foods Market 222 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT (802) 863–2569 www.healthylivingmarket.com

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

69

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

trend watch

Coming in our Spring 2012 issue

TEXT BY MARY GOW

BUILD, REMODEL & DECORATE

Don’t miss out! Showcase your products and services in our special Trend Watch section. We’ll feature the latest in home construction and improvement, landscaping, kitchens, baths, interior design, energy-efficient heating systems and appliances, furniture, best new materials, and more.

|landscaping & outdoor spaces|

s p e c i a l a dv e rt i s i n g s e c t i o n

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

special advertising section

TIPS FROM LOCAL EXPERTS

GREAT

ADDITIONS

TRanquiliTy

FOR THE OUTDOORS

create

spring 2011 | ar ound concord 4 3

THE GREAT OUTDOORS “Overall, people are enlarging their outdoor living spaces as they are spending more time eating, lounging, and entertaining outdoors.”

COURTESY OF CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE

George Pellettieri, President, ASLA Pellettieri Associates, Inc. Warner, NH

Opposite: Residential pool with plants to add color and texture.

Top: Natural stone patio and pool with water feature. Top right: A relaxing backyard pool.

Below: Relax outdoors with furniture by Telescope Casual Furniture.

W

hether it’s due to the economic challenges of the past few years or it’s simply a nod toward comfort and convenience, families are staying home more than they used to. This nationwide trend means homeowners are investing to make their living spaces more functional, more beautiful, and—quite simply— more fun.

Indoor living is moving out as boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces are changing.

Well-appointed outdoor kitchens bring alfresco meal preparation and dining together. Beyond fabulous grills, outdoor kitchens feature refrigerators, sinks, even espresso machines and pizza ovens.

From a morning cup of coffee to a gracious dinner party, outdoor meals are becoming part of daily life.

4 4 w w w. a r o u n d c o n c o r d n h . c o m

Must-have outdoor items include (clockwise from top) Weber’s Summit Grill Center with Social Area, patio heater, mahogany bench, French garden urn, settee and fabrics from Telescope Casual Furniture, ebony fire pit.

Patio Heater with Anti-tilt Switch and Automatic Shut-off Device

spring 2011 | ar ound concord 4 9

spring 2011 | ar ound concord 4 5

For advertising information, contact John and Robin Gales at (802) 295-5295, or e-mail them at ctpublishing@comcast.net.

=

Give the gift of Best of Burlington

Share the wonder of our beautiful area and the latest news all year long with a Best of Burlington gift subscription. Friends and family who have moved away from the area will be especially appreciative. Be sure to order a subscription for yourself, too!

Send a check for $19.95 for one year (4 issues) to Best of Burlington, PO Box 1460, Quechee, VT 05059. Or conveniently pay online using PayPal at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.

70

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

special advertising section

2011 best of

burlington

Dining & Entertainment Guide Key to Symbols $ most entrées under $10 $$ most entrées $10 to $25 $$$ most entrées over $25

Enjoy a night out with dinner and a show.

Discover great places to eat locally in and around Burlington.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

71

special advertising section

Beyond the Menu

The Bearded Frog An American bistro. Whether it’s the delicious pub fare or dinner with friends, the menu will never disappoint.

Located in the recently renovated historic Shelburne Inn. Complete selection of food-friendly wines by the glass, half bottle, or full bottle. $$ 5247 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT (802) 985-9877 www.thebeardedfrog.com

Miguel’s on Main Serving the best Mex for over 30 years.

There is something for everyone on our menu. Our homemade recipes are time tested and prepared with the finest allnatural ingredients incorporating local Vermont products. $-$$ 30 Main Street Burlington, VT (802) 658-9000 www.miguelsonmain.com

/

Eat Well, Stay Healthy & Enjoy the Arts Best of Burlington wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

/

72 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

entertainment and dining guide for burlington and the surrounding area

The Farmhouse Tap & Grill A farm-to-table gastropub serving award-winning local burgers, Vermont cheeses, charcuterie, and innovative entrees. The taproom features unique beers from Vermont’s backyard and beyond. $$ 160 Bank Street Burlington, VT (802) 859-0888 www.farmhousetg.com

Leunig’s Bistro & Café Burlington’s best bistro for over 30 years. Serving local food with a worldly accent. Every meal provides the panache of Paris and the value of Vermont, right in the center of town. Lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. $–$$ Between Church and College Streets Burlington, VT (802) 863-3759 www.leunigsbistro.com

Pauline’s Café

The Spot

Chef owned, featuring American cuisine, from casual to fine dining, local and wild food, and our famous crab cakes! Open seven days for lunch and dinner. Private dining rooms. $–$$

Enjoy our surf-style ambiance and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees. Conveniently located on Shelburne Road in Burlington. Free parking, free Wi-Fi. $–$$

1834 Shelburne Road South Burlington, VT (802) 862-1081 www.paulinescafe.com Open daily. Lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch.

210 Shelburne Road Burlington, VT (802) 540-1778 www.thespotvt.com

The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts presents its winter lineup, including Cherish the Ladies, A Christmas Carol, Darlene Love, Mamma Mia!, Intergalactic Nemesis, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Circa, Le Vent du Nord, Hugh Masekela, and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet.

153 Main Street, Burlington, VT (802) 652-4509 (802) 86-FLYNN FlynnTix box office www.flynncenter.org www.flynntix.org

discover

Happenings

A Calendar of Events

December 2

wi n t e r 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2

December 11

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts 153 Main Street Burlington, VT Tickets: (802) 863-5966 Info: (802) 652-4500 www.flynncenter.org

December 2

Missy Mazzoli and Victoire FlynnSpace, 8pm December 3

Robert Glasper

December 21

FlynnSpace, 8pm December 7

Cherish the Ladies MainStage, 7:30pm December 11

A Christmas Carol MainStage, 7pm December 14

Darlene Love MainStage, 7:30pm December 21

Film: Troop 1500 At the Gatesville Prison in Texas, a unique Girl Scout troop unites daughters with mothers who have been convicted of serious crimes.

FlynnSpace, 7pm

December 3

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

73

H A P P EN I N G S

January 27 February 4

Circa Circa is Australia’s most innovative circus company—a theater of acrobatics, sound, and light images.

MainStage, 8pm

January 10

January 10

January 27

Film: Daisy Bates

Carolina Chocolate Drops

As a black woman who was a feminist before the term was invented, Daisy Bates refused to accept her assigned place in society. This film tells the story of her life and her public support of nine black students to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

FlynnSpace, 7pm

MainStage, 8pm February 3

Paul Taylor Dance Company MainStage, 8pm

January 15

Mamma Mia! A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

MainStage, 2:30 & 8pm January 19

Intergalactic Nemesis This period sci-fi/horror/suspense/comedy/ romance is presented for all ages and in a fresh new format. As three actors, one Foley artist, and a keyboardist perform live voices, sound effects, and music, more than 1,000 hand-drawn, full-color, comic book images blast from the screen.

MainStage, 7:30pm

74

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

January 19

February 4

February 17

Le Vent du Nord and the Pine Leaf Boys MainStage, 8pm February 20

Film: More Than a Month

February 17 & 18 February 17 & 18

Everett Dance Theatre The critically acclaimed Everett Dance Theatre takes audiences on a journey into the universe’s most complex structure: the human brain, in all its mystery and beauty.

FlynnSpace, 8pm

Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African American filmmaker, is on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. Through this tongue-in-cheek journey, More Than a Month investigates what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America.

FlynnSpace, 7pm February 22

Hugh Masekela MainStage, 7:30pm February 23–25

Mike Daisey FlynnSpace, 23 & 24, 8pm; 25, 2pm February 24

The Suzanne Farrell Ballet

February 22

MainStage, 8pm

Masterworks 2011/2012 Series Held at the Flynn Center in Burlington.

Concerts begin at 8pm; free preconcert discussion at 7pm.

Vermont Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Celebrate Christmas 2011 with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra as we take a look at the youthful side of the holiday.

December 9, Barre Opera House,

Barre, 7:30pm December 10, Flynn Center, Burlington, 7:30pm December 11, Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 3pm

VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts The perfect mix of brass and voices to ring in the season.

December 15, Warren United Church,

Warren, 7:30pm December 16, International Room at Jay Peak Resort, Jay, 7:30pm December 17, The White Church, Grafton, 5pm December 18, First Congregational Church, Manchester, 4pm December 19, Brandon Congregational Church, Brandon, 7pm

December 3

Beethoven, Coriolan Overture Prokofiev, Violin Concerto No. 2 Schumann, Symphony No. 2 (Anthony Princiotti, conductor; Katherine Winterstein, violin) January 28 (also January 29, Paramount Theater, Rutland, 4pm)

Faure, Requiem Mozart, Requiem (Robert De Cormier, conductor; Jonita Lattimore, soprano; Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano; Richard Clement, tenor; Kevin Deas, bass; VSO Chorus) January 25

Farmers’ Night Our thank you to the state of Vermont.

Statehouse, Montpelier, 7:30pm February 4

Waltz Night Vermont’s most elegant evening.

Dudley H. Davis Center, UVM, Burlington

Please check the VSO website at www.vso.org or call (800) VSO-9293, ext. 10 for additional information.

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

75

H A P P EN I N G S

Other Noteworthy Winter Events

December 3 & 4

December 31

The Toys Take Over Christmas

New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Torchlight Parade

Tickets go FAST, so purchase early!

Info: (802) 656-2094, www.uvmtheatre.org UVM Theatre, 10am, 2pm & 6pm December 17

Holiday Skating Exhibition Come and enjoy the spectacle of local skaters performing in the special holiday show on ice!

Leddy Park Arena, 4:30pm December 31

First Night Burlington Our family-oriented, substance-free event has performances for all ages and interests.

Info: www.firstnightburlington.com

76

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Info: www.sugarbush.com Sugarbush Resort

H A P P EN I N G S

January 28

January 28

Shelburne Winterfest Enjoy a day of wintery activities: sledding, snow play, and tasty treats. Bring your warm clothes and your winter spirit.

Info: (802) 985-8442, www.shelburnefarms.org Shelburne Farms, 12–3pm February 4

Burlington Winter Festival 2012 Activities include family expo with activities and crafts, entertainment at the Boathouse, a performance spotlighting youth music and dance, and more.

Info: (802) 864-0123, http://www.enjoyburling ton.com/Programs/SpecialEvents/Winter Festival.cfm Church Street Marketplace, ECHO Family Center

Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain 1 College Street Burlington, VT (877) ECHOFUN www.echovermont.org

Through January 8

Exhibit: Grossology, The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body This remarkable, engaging, and somewhat hilarious exhibit is back to entertain and educate visitors of all ages. Topics such as snot, vomit, gas, and scabs are completely fascinating to the average 6-to-14-year-old, and intriguing to adults too.

10am–5pm December 8

That’s Brilliant!

An ECHO After Dark evening of original inventions created by Vermonters. Useful, quirky, clever, and amazing. Meet the inventors and learn about their special creations.

6:30–8:30pm

78

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

January 28

February 4

Vermont State Snow Sculpture Competition Held during the Burlington Winter Festival, this sanctioned statewide competition features teams vying for the opportunity to represent Vermont in the national competition in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in February 2013. Teams must follow specific guidelines.

Info and entry form: (802) 865-7247 Waterfront Park

December 10

The Realities of Cooties!

Explore the science of the sneeze and the evolution of the scab. Meet staff from Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care for a Grossology Q & A. Climb aboard the FACT ambulance.

10am–3pm

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

77

Photos courtesy of First Night Burlington

February 16–26

The Beaux’ Stratagem Three centuries in the making, this play is a raucous romp through the minefields of love, money, and marriage.

Info: (802) 656-2094, www.uvmtheatre.org UVM Theatre, 16–18 & 23–25, 7:30pm; 18 & 26, 2pm

January 14

Exhibit: Seasons of Change Believer, skeptic, or bystander, few would deny that climate change is a hot topic.

From extreme weather patterns to the recent flooding of Lake Champlain, the effects of global warming and climate change in general are hard to ignore.

Curious kids play a full-sized game of operation. © Advanced Exhibits (A division of Advanced Animations, LLC.)

Winter 2011-2012 / Best of Burlington

79

BURLINGTON BUZZ

by MIKE MORIN

A Moment with

Larry Blanford

PRESIDENT AND CEO G R E E N M O U N TA I N C O F F E E ROASTERS, INC. (GMCR)

Is it true that founder Bob Stiller had a cup of coffee in Waitsfield then decided to buy into the coffee shop?

Yes! Thirty years ago, our founder Bob Stiller enjoyed an excellent cup of coffee in a café in Waitsfield. It struck him that everyone should have access to great coffee. He bought into the coffee shop and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters was born. We are excited and humbled by the growth we’ve experienced since then and the opportunity we see ahead.

How has the Keurig Single-Cup Brewing System changed the way GMCR markets its products?

The Keurig system is truly changing the way people brew and enjoy coffee at home and at work, and we now offer a family of brands that appeal to different taste preferences of coffee drinkers across North America. While coffee is at the heart of what we do, a significant recent development has been the expansion of our portion pack offerings to include Brew Over Ice coffees and teas, as well as other beverages like hot apple cider. This has allowed us to continuously deliver on what people love about the Keurig system—convenience, variety, and quality—and broadened our opportunity in the larger beverage marketplace.

GMCR takes its social responsibilities seriously. Explain “Brewing a Better World.”

“Brewing a Better World” is how we communicate our approach to corporate social responsibility. Over its 30 years, GMCR has been on a journey to create and sustain a valuesdriven company that views profit as a means to achieve a higher purpose. That purpose is to create the ultimate beverage experience in every life we touch from tree to cup— transforming the way the world understands business. We believe that it is the synergy of financial results, care and concern for our people, and a focus on environmental and social responsibility that drives our success.

80

www.bestofburlingtonvt.com

Larry lives in South Burlington, Vermont.

As the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the world, how does this commitment help farmers globally?

By supporting fair trade coffee, we provide a fair price to coffee farmers for their beans, which results in high-quality coffee and a higher quality of life in coffee-farming communities. Since we began offering Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, GMCR’s fair trade coffee purchases have delivered more than $9.8 million in community development funds, which co-ops use to improve their community infrastructures. For example, in Mexico, members of the Huatusco Cooperative built educational facilities in rural areas, and health care centers for several villages. In Sumatra, farmers near Lake Tawar have been able to build new roads and ensure a clean water supply. Helping to ensure a healthy and prosperous supply chain not only makes sense for our business, it’s the right thing to do, and I’m proud of our commitment to those efforts.

Coffee Table Publishing, LLC P.O. Box 1460 Quechee, VT 05059

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 59 Hanover, NH