Time to get up and out! Spring in the Champlain Valley is filled with reawakenings and new growth. And because this our health and wellness issue, we give you lots of ways to feel better, eat better, sleep better, and be more active. In that vein, we take a look at the fitness and wellness options at Shelburne Athletic Club; explore lesser-known hiking trails out of Burlington, courtesy of Outdoor Gear Exchange; and get a few health-related reading suggestions from Phoenix Books, with locations in Essex and Downtown Burlington.
Business spotlights include Otter Creek Awnings, which has been providing shade and comfort to the area for years, plus we bring you an updated list of tax tips from Davis and Hodgdon Advisory Group.
Finally, don’t miss the chance to enjoy sitting outside in Downtown Burlington on a sunny spring afternoon.
We hope your spring is filled with sunshine, beautiful flowers, and wonderful beginnings.
John and Robin Gales Publishers
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
BELLE
Jennifer Duby, former copy editor and writer for Best of Burlington, has written a book with Eden Francis Compton!! Go to www.bestofburlingtonvt.com to see what Belle is all about.
EASTER RECIPES FROM KING ARTHUR FLOUR
Enhance the holiday with these spring recipes from King Arthur Flour. From bread wreaths to lemon loaves to robin egg cakes to, yes, brunch ideas. See the recipes at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
Put Some “Spring” in Fido’s Step: Laser Therapy for Dogs
Springtime Safety Tips for your Furry Friends
Spring is a great time to get outside with your pet, but the season also brings some seasonal hazards you should be aware of. Here are a few safety tips to help keep your furry friends happy and healthy this spring.
WATCH OUT FOR TICKS AND FLEAS
As temperatures rise, ticks and fleas become more active, increasing the risk of Lyme disease and other infections. Be sure to:
• Use veterinarian-recommended flea and tick preventatives.
• Check your pet after walks, especially in wooded or grassy areas.
• Keep grass trimmed to reduce tick populations in your yard.
As the days grow longer and the snow melts away, spring is a time of renewal—for both people and their pets. This season brings exciting opportunities to explore the outdoors with our furry companions, but it also comes with some unique challenges and important considerations. As pets age or recover from injuries, many owners seek gentle and effective ways to relieve their pain. One emerging treatment gaining popularity in Burlington-area veterinary clinics is laser therapy. This noninvasive, drug-free therapy uses low-level laser light to stimulate cell regeneration, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain—making it an excellent option for dogs suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, post-surgical pain, or muscle injuries.
HOW IT WORKS
Laser therapy, also known as cold laser therapy or photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into the tissue. This process stimulates the cells and encourages faster healing and pain relief. Sessions typically last five to fifteen minutes, and many dogs find it relaxing, as the treatment is painless and soothing.
BENEFITS OF LASER THERAPY FOR DOGS
• Reduces inflammation and swelling
• Enhances mobility for senior dogs or pets with joint pain
• Speeds up recovery after surgery or injury
• A drug-free alternative for chronic pain management
Many veterinarians in the Burlington area, including Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists (BEVS) and local animal hospitals, now offer laser therapy as part of their treatment plans. If your dog is struggling with pain or stiffness, consider asking your veterinarian if laser therapy could be a good option.
BE CAUTIOUS WITH SPRING CLEANING PRODUCTS
Many cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to pets. Always store bleach, disinfectants, and other chemicals out of reach, and consider pet-safe cleaning alternatives.
KEEP AN EYE ON SEASONAL ALLERGIES
Just like humans, pets can develop seasonal allergies to pollen, mold, and grasses. Common symptoms include itchy skin, watery eyes, and sneezing. If you notice any signs of allergy, consult your veterinarian for appropriate treatment options.
BEWARE OF TOXIC SPRING PLANTS
Many spring plants and flowers are toxic to pets, including:
• Lilies (extremely toxic to cats)
• Daffodils
• Tulips
• Azaleas
If you have these plants in your garden, make sure your pet does not have access to them.
Calling All Dog and Cat Lovers
Do you love animals and want to make a difference? The Humane Society of Chittenden County offers a volunteer program where pet lovers can help care for animals, support adoptions, and assist with community outreach.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Volunteers play a vital role in the shelter’s daily operations. Opportunities include:
• Dog walking and cat socialization – Help animals get the exercise and attention they need.
• Adoption counseling – Assist families in finding the perfect pet.
• Fostering – Provide a temporary home for animals in need.
• Event support – Help with fundraising and educational events.
Volunteering is a rewarding way to support homeless pets while making a positive impact in the Burlington community. If you are interested, visit www.hsccvt.org to learn more.
GIVING SENIOR DOGS A SECOND CHANCE
Senior dogs are often overlooked in shelters by potential adopters, but Passion 4 Paws, a Vermontbased rescue organization, is working hard to change that. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs in need, with a special focus on finding loving homes for senior dogs.
WHY ADOPT A SENIOR DOG?
While many adopters look for puppies, senior dogs make incredible companions. They are often:
• Already trained and well-behaved
• Less energetic but still loving and loyal
• Grateful for a second chance at a happy home
HOW TO ADOPT OR HELP
If you are considering adopting, Passion 4 Paws frequently has wonderful older dogs looking for a home. Even if you cannot adopt, you can foster, donate, or volunteer to help give these dogs the love they deserve.
To learn more about available dogs or ways to help, visit www.passion-4-paws.org.
Photo: Ryan Bent
OPEN Your Heart, FABRIC SPEAK!
Widen Your EYES, and Let the
A new arts display highlights the work of an outcast and often overlooked community
Most think of art as something personal—how it makes you feel and what it makes you think. Considered less frequently is how the artist was feeling during the piece’s creation. A new exhibition on display at the Fleming Museum of Art, through a partnership with the Howard Center Arts Collective, lays bare the heart and soul of the artists themselves. The new exhibition, Let the Fabric Speak!, shows off textiles personal to artists’ life stories.
The Fleming Museum of Art opened to the public in 1931, though its collections began at the University of Vermont years before. Founded as a teaching resource, faculty use
the displays as teaching aides, and students use them to augment their studies. To date, the museum still acquires new pieces, frequently rotates works in its galleries, and brings in new exhibitions every semester.
Rachel Moreau, manager of marketing and communications for the museum, says its current team is intent on keeping things fresh and interesting and finding new ways to engage with the community. “Our aim is to create a museum for all, where everyone is welcome,” Rachel explains. “Part of that is expanding to include groups that were not traditionally shown in our collections and exhibitions.”
That’s where the Howard Center Arts
Collective comes in. Kara Greenblott, coordinator of the Arts Collective, says she read about Fleming Reimagined, the museum’s directive to become a more responsive institution with a dedication to inclusivity, “and I thought, ‘Well, perfect match.’”
Kara explains that the Arts Collective identifies as an alternative arts program, promoting wellness, self-esteem, and dignity by creating opportunities for artists affected by mental illness and substance use. The Collective’s members encounter a lot of daily challenges and, as a result, often face isolation. Having a community of like-minded, creative individuals is a saving grace for so many.
“One of the most important benefits of participating in the Arts Collective is the sense of belonging and community that we share,” Kara says. “Art is healing, therapeutic, and allows us to express our voice. And to me, that’s the very obvious part of why we exist.
But our artists [embrace it] because of the friendships and community we’ve formed.”
Both Rachel and Kara feel the partnership between the Fleming Museum of Art and the Howard Center Arts Collective is invaluable. The two entities have worked together before,
but for this exhibit, the emphasis is on the personal stories shared by the artists, which they hope will prompt questions from and connections with visitors.
“How does artwork personally connect to your own story? What is the artist trying to
say?” Rachel says by way of an explanation for the exhibit. “Walking through the gallery, you may find an unexpected connection with someone you have never met.”
Let the Fabric Speak! started with what Kara calls a fabric swap. The members of the Arts Collective came into the studio with pieces of fabric or textiles from their lives, explaining the story behind them. One woman brought in a wedding veil, another, a portion of a curtain.
“They talked about their childhood home, the curtains that hung in the living room, and the daily lives that those curtains witnessed,” she says. “If you walk into the exhibition today, you’ll see pieces of those fabrics incorporated into much of their artwork.”
The artists in the Collective took those pieces and their stories and crafted their own creations, sometimes incorporating fabric from their own lives as well.
“[It’s] a commentary on community and how we depend on one another,” Kara says. “We spend time with one another through good times, and depend on one another through the more difficult times of anxiety, depression, or relapse after a period of sobriety.”
Let the Fabric Speak! is joined by two other featured exhibitions at the Fleming this spring. First, an intimate portrait series by photographer
JuanCarlos González, Vermont Female Farmers brings focus to the daily life, labor, and passion of contemporary women farmers, and second, Rooted in Nature: Collecting Histories at UVM. Curated from across many eras of the museum’s collections, the exhibition explores how artists engage with the natural world and how collections shape knowledge over time. Let the Fabric Speak! will be on view through May 17, 2025, but both the Howard Center Arts Collective and the Fleming Museum of Art consider theirs an ongoing collaboration, which will probably result in future exhibitions.
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SHELBURNE FIELD HOUSE
BY EMILY PARKER
THE MADE HERE FILM FESTIVAL A Home for Regional Filmmaking in Burlington
Independent film festivals are vital spaces for storytelling, community engagement, and artistic expression. In Burlington, the Made Here Film Festival (MHFF) has emerged as a key platform for filmmakers from New England and Quebec, offering a dedicated space for regional cinema to thrive. Hosted by the Vermont International Film Festival (VTIFF) in partnership with Vermont Public, MHFF is a celebration of local talent, unique narratives, and independent voices in film.
As MHFF continues to evolve, its roots, impact, and future direction provide insight into the broader challenges and opportunities facing regional film festivals today.
A FESTIVAL BUILT ON REGIONAL STORYTELLING
The origins of MHFF can be traced back to the Vermont Filmmakers Showcase, a long-standing component of VTIFF’s annual Fall Festival. However, in 2021, then-VTIFF
director Orly Yadin saw an opportunity to expand the showcase into a stand-alone festival dedicated solely to films from New England and Quebec. The festival’s first edition was held virtually due to COVID19, but by 2022 and 2023, MHFF adopted a hybrid format with both in-person and remote screenings.
Steve MacQueen, executive director of VTIFF, explains that MHFF fits seamlessly into VTIFF’s broader mission. “An explicit part of
Opposite page: Filmmaker Noah Mauchly. This page, from top: A still from Quebec filmmaker Alexandre Isabelle's musically comical short, A toi les oreilles. A riot of colors from Maine filmmaker's Neil Needleman's experimental piece, Dance of the Painterly Gesture. a portrait of the title character from Vermont filmmaker Meredith Holch’s animated short, Brother Bird
our mission is to be a vibrant year-round hub and resource for the film community, and this festival directly supports that vision,” Steve says. Unlike VTIFF’s Fall Festival, which features a global selection of films, MHFF is strictly regional, providing an exclusive space for local filmmakers to share their work with audiences and industry professionals.
Similarly, Eric Ford, director of programming partnerships at Vermont Public, emphasizes how MHFF expands upon the ideas behind the network’s Made Here broadcast series, which has been highlighting regional films since 2017. “This festival gives a voice to those in the region who exist outside the commercial film industry, featuring stories that might otherwise go unheard in today’s vast media landscape,” he says.
TAPPING INTO BURLINGTON’S DEEP CINEMATIC ROOTS
Burlington serves as the perfect home for MHFF, both as a cultural hub and because of its unique film history. With several colleges and universities, a thriving arts scene, and its proximity to Montreal, Burlington is a natural gathering place for filmmakers and cinephiles alike.
MHFF is currently held at Burlington Beer Company’s Lumiere Room, a space rich with film history. In a fascinating twist of fate, the Lumière brothers—pioneers of early cinema—built a factory in Burlington in 1905 to produce parts for motion-picture cameras. Steve calls the venue “an absurdly perfect location” for a film festival dedicated to regional storytelling.
Beyond the venue itself, local film organizations, such as the Vermont Production Collective and the Media Factory, play a crucial role in shaping MHFF. These groups help provide mentorship
Yelda del Carmen dangles from a Cuban cliff face in Rachel Trudeau’s documentary Mataperra
Two dancers strike a dramatic pose in Chantal Caron’s dance film Somber Tides
that each film must have a direct connection to New England or Quebec, but beyond that, it is all about quality.
Eric added that MHFF embraces all genres and styles, from narrative features to short documentaries, experimental films, and animations. “We look for great films of all types and lengths—anything that would be exciting to see at a film festival.”
The festival’s programming is designed to showcase new and mostly unscreened films, with a strong emphasis on bringing filmmakers to Burlington for in-person screenings, discussions, and community engagement.
CHALLENGES AND THE FUTURE OF MHFF
Like many independent film festivals, MHFF faces the challenge of shifting audience tastes. The rise of streaming services and on-demand content has made it harder
to draw audiences away from their screens and into theaters. However, Steve sees this as an opportunity rather than a threat. “Regional film festivals are places for people who love film to gather and see unique, interesting new films. We’re adapting to the challenge by making these screenings ‘events’—things you want to leave your house to experience.”
Despite these challenges, MHFF looks ahead with optimism. As Steve notes, 2025 marks only the festival’s second year in its current format and venue, making it a crucial time to establish its identity. With a strong foundation in place, the festival has limitless potential for growth and innovation.
Eric and Steve both emphasize the need for continued community and business support to sustain and expand MHFF. The festival operates on a donation-based model, meaning audiences pay what they can
rather than purchasing traditional tickets. This makes MHFF more accessible but also increases its reliance on donations and sponsorships.
Eric encourages local businesses and community members to get involved, noting, “If you’re interested in supporting the festival, reach out to us. We want to keep MHFF free and open to all, and that requires strong community support.”
HOW TO SUPPORT MHFF AND GET INVOLVED
For those passionate about film, there are several ways to support MHFF and VTIFF:
ATTEND THE FESTIVAL: Experience some of the best films from New England and Quebec while supporting local filmmakers.
DONATE OR SPONSOR: Contributions help keep MHFF free and accessible.
VOLUNTEER: Assist with event logistics,
filmmaker support, and audience engagement.
SPREAD THE WORD: Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to attend and participate.
As MHFF continues to grow, it remains a beacon for independent regional cinema. By fostering a space where local voices can be heard, filmmakers are supported, and audiences engage with unique stories, MHFF ensures that the future of independent film in New England and Quebec remains bright.
For more information about the festival, sponsorship opportunities, and upcoming events, visit www.vtiff.org.
Vermont International Film Festival
156 Bank Street Burlington, VT www.vtiff.org
The Dawning of an Awning Empire
Otter Creek Awnings celebrates nearly 50 years of product excellence
Otter Creek Awnings will reach its fiftieth anniversary next year. They’re the largest awning company in the state, serving all of Vermont along with upstate New York and western New Hampshire. The company gets its name from Otter Creek, a stream in Middlebury, VT, where the company started in 1976. Initially manufacturing canvas bags, they then moved on to manufacturing and installing awnings.
Sarah Larson is the co-owner and CFO, along with her husband, Kristopher, who is president. Kristopher had been a designer and sales manager for the company when he was offered the opportunity to purchase the business
in 2018. “And here we are,” Sarah says, her passion for the business clear in her voice.
GET TO KNOW THE NEW-AGE OPTIONS
But there is one thing Sarah wants to make perfectly clear: Today’s awnings are nothing like they used to be. Today, there is an incredibly wide range of styles and options when it comes to outdoor shading products, and many new-age lines feature more pergola style features.
In addition, there have also been a lot of engineering advancements and innovations and when it comes to durability. There’s even a style that’s hurricane-rated, so it can withstand high winds and can be retracted,
making it perfect for anyone who lives near a lake or anywhere strong winds are common. “[With hurricane-rated awnings,] people can really have the best of both worlds. They can have the coverage but also have the ability to pull the awning in,” Sarah explains. “We also cater to commercial businesses with outdoor seating that want to guarantee their customers protection from the elements.”
Also, Sarah says that awnings are a yearround product and stresses that Otter Creek does installations during every season. In winter, for example, they install fixed-frame awnings on building entryways to block the wind and keep doorways clear of snow and ice buildup.
OTTER CREEK AWNINGS: BUILT TO LAST
Tim Robinson, an awning designer, has been in the business for nearly forty years, and his knowledge of all shading products is unmatched. He says that the one downside to selling high-quality products is that they’re built to last and don’t often need replacing. That’s a big part of why the company covers the vast territory they do, he says. “We have to go all over the place because the product lasts so darn long,” Tim says with a laugh. “It’s a great problem to have, but it is reality.” In fact,
though Otter Creek is headquartered in Williston, their designers spend multiple days a week traveling to offer free estimates within about a three-hour radius.
NEW ENGLAND’S LARGEST SHOWROOM
But customers who would rather check out Otter Creek’s awnings in person can visit their showroom, also in Williston, the largest awning
Opposite page: Otter Creek moved into this building on Exchange Street in Middlebury after outgrowing its original location. This page, from top: Otter Creek created these awnings for MK Clothing as the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington began to develop almost 45 years ago. Otter Creek's original location was a building on Pulp Mill Bridge Road in Middlebury.
showroom in New England—if not the country, Sarah says. “[Because of our showroom,] we can offer people a chance to look at what they were imagining. But sometimes, people just drive by and say, ‘I want to stop in and take a peek.’”
In addition, much of the company’s business comes from word of mouth. People will see an awning, love it, and ask the owner who made it. The answer nine times out of ten is Otter Creek.
AN IMPECCABLE REPUTATION
Tim explains that when people are looking online for a reputable awning company, a few hundred dollars one way or the other doesn’t typically make a difference. Instead, it’s the company’s reputation that sends customers their way. “You want someone to come work on your home who’s been doing this a long time,” he says.
And installation takes less time than you might think. A retractable awning can go up in as little as an hour and a half or two hours, so Otter Creek is able to install multiple awnings in a day. Certain installs, like fixed canopies, are more complicated and take more time, but, mostly, Sarah says, it’s a much less painful process than people expect.
That, too, could be what’s earned the business happy customer after happy customer for nearly five decades. Says Kristopher Larson, “Many of our customers end by saying, ‘That was easy, I should have done it years ago!’”
Otter Creek Awnings
19 Echo Place Willison, VT www.ottercreekawnings.com
In 1997, Otter Creek Awnings moved its offices to a new building on Echo Place, off Brownell Road, in Williston, the location of their spacious showroom.
GET YOUR FINANCIAL DUCKS IN A ROW
As tax season approaches, we at Davis & Hodgdon Advisory Group recommend doing an annual review of your personal finances. We consider it the key to proactive tax strategizing and allowing you to reach your long-term goals, and the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s how to start:
CREATE A FINANCIAL CHECKLIST
Our firm used client feedback to create a 5-step checklist with tasks to address each year.
STEP 1: Consolidate your 401(k) and IRA retirement plans from previous employers: This has a direct impact on tax and expense considerations, so consolidating your accounts instantly improves your finances.
STEP 2: Review investment allocation: Are your investments well diversified? Consider whether your target allocation is still appropriate for your goals and time horizon.
STEP 3: Review all insurance policies: Homeowners/renters, auto, life, umbrella, disability, etc. Do you have too little coverage— or too much?
STEP 4: Review estate planning documents and see what’s missing: At a minimum, you should have an advance directive, will, and medical and financial powers of attorney in place.
STEP 5: Consider tax strategies throughout 2025: Inflation adjustments to tax brackets can mean more in your paycheck in 2025, so monitor your federal and state withholdings to avoid a tax bill. This is especially critical during major income or life changes. If you withhold too much, you can expect a refund, but if you don’t withhold enough, you could end up owing money come tax time.
ALSO KEEP IN MIND
Beginning in 2025, some contribution limits to retirement accounts like 401(k), IRA, and Roth
IRA have increased, providing an opportunity to maximize your contributions and reduce your taxable income.
You should also watch for updates to tax laws, especially as some provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless extended by Congress. This could impact standard deductions, personal exemptions, and tax rates.
DEFINE YOUR FINANCIAL PRIORITIES
Financial goals should align with what matters most to you, and this can change from year to year. Here are some examples of common goals we see clients set:
Build an Emergency Fund—Aim to save three to six months’ worth of living expenses
in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical emergency or job loss.
Debt Reduction—Pay down high-interest debts, such as credit card balances or loans, and create a strategy for reducing student loans or mortgage debt.
Home Ownership—If buying a house is in your near future, start saving for your down payment.
Retirement Planning—Contribute to retirement accounts such as 401(k)s or IRAs to help ensure you can live comfortably later in life. If you are already retired, ensure that you are using the most appropriate, tax-savvy distribution strategy.
Education Funding—Set clear, achievable targets if you’re saving for your child’s college fund or your own education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Davis & Hodgdon Advisory Group assists individuals and businesses throughout Vermont and New England. D&H offers tax planning, financial and investment planning, and client accounting services. You can reach out to the firm to talk with a tax professional who can help you create a strategy to fit your specific needs.
Davis & Hodgdon Advisory Group
33 Blair Park Road Suite 201 Williston, VT www.dh-cpa.com
Everything to know about our vibrant downtown and waterfront areas—shopping, dining, news, and more! Plus a handy map to help you locate where you want to be.
BY MARIE EDINGER
The WOMEN
of Downtown Burlington
THREE WOMEN WHO HELP MAKE DOWNTOWN UNIQUE
Downtown Burlington has gone through several transformations in its lifetime. The most influential is perhaps the decision to create the Church Street Marketplace, an outdoor, pedestrian-
only mall that’s earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. What also stands out about the Downtown area is the number of smart, entrepreneurial women who are helping the district prosper.
The contribution female entrepreneurs have made to Downtown Burlington is irrefutable, and it’s palpable. Best of Burlington reached out to a few of them to learn more about their impact.
KELLY DEVINE BURLINGTON BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Our first stop was Kelly Devine, the longtime director of the Burlington Business Association. She and her colleagues at the BBA have weighed in on city budgets and tax policy, spearheaded improvement projects, helped increase the number of police officers Downtown, cleaned up graffiti and replaced it with murals, publicized major events in the area, and support the large number of locally owned and operated shops and restaurants in the area that reflect the happy and welcoming feel of the city as a whole.
But according to Kelly, what makes Downtown Burlington special is the people, who have a strong sense of compassion and humanity. “People always talk about all the social services we have Downtown,” she says. “Well, it’s the businesses in a lot of ways that keep that whole system going— serving on boards, raising money. And I think it reflects on the fact—especially as a woman—that I sometimes have to ask people to give for causes that don’t directly benefit me but benefit the Downtown, and people are always willing.”
JANA QUALEY HOME & GARDEN VERMONT
We also chatted with Jana Qualey, the owner of Home & Garden Vermont. Jana says that the first thing to know about the store is that they don’t sell gardening supplies. Instead, Jana says, it’s a shop where you’ll find things inspired by flowers and nature, such as their “Send Love” fresh flower bouquet. And this spring, they’ll have new merchandise from the Atlanta Gift Show. “Most of all, we fill the shop with items that inspire joy and encouragement,” Jana says.
That joy extends to how Jana feels about the Downtown space. She doesn’t just own a shop there; she lives there, too, and loves that her walk to work includes beautiful views of the lake and mountains. “We love our local customers who come back over and over again to encourage and support us. With all the challenges the Downtown area is experiencing right now, that’s what keeps us there,” she says.
Qualey also says she loves how being a female business owner could inspire young girls like her nine-year-old granddaughter, Willa, who’s in the shop frequently. Her advice to other young girls? “Work hard, be humble, be kind, be considerate, be patient, and make sure you grab some rest when you can.”
DANA CARVER COURTYARD BURLINGTON HARBOR
Asked the same question about being a woman in a position of authority, Dana Carver, the general manager of the Courtyard Burlington Harbor hotel in Downtown Burlington, told us her advice was: “Be willing to try new things, to stretch outside your comfort zone.”
Dana started in hospitality while she was in high school and says she fell in love with the fast-paced environment and opportunity to meet people. She’s had five different job titles within the hotel, and says she loves that being there gives her the opportunity to be close to so many restaurants, breweries, wine bars, live music, farmers’ markets, and more. Those are the same farmers’ markets and breweries the hotel draws on.
“There is something so special about a college town and the energy it brings to the Downtown. Couple that with being right on Lake Champlain and the Island Line trail for a bike ride with impressive views, and I do not think there is anywhere else I would rather be!” she says.
MEET ME
DOWNTOWNNews
OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE
Throughout 2025. Outdoor Gear Exchange is celebrating their thirtieth year in business. They’ve planned special events for vendors and customers alike. It’s going to be a great year for your outdoor adventures! www.gearx.com
LAKE ADVENTURES
Now is the time to look into planning an adventure on Burlington’s lakefront. Whether booking a private sailing with friends and family or dinner on the Spirit of Ethan Allen while enjoying the sunset, don't miss seeing Downtown Burlington from the lake. www.soea.com
HOT DOGS! GET YOUR HOT DOGS!
If you’re on Church Street, stop in at Weenies Hot Dogs, now open on the corner of Bank and Church. www.eatweenies.com
RIKO’S PIZZA
Have you tried the recently opened Riko’s Pizza on Church Street? They specialize in thin-crust pies and have some unique menu options. Riko’s is a locally owned franchise of a Connecticut-based company. www.ricospizza.com/burlingon
MEET ME DOWNTOWNShopping
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>> BATTERY STREET JEANS
Located on College Street in Downtown Burlington, Battery Street Jeans Exchange is a local thrift store with tons of secondhand clothing of every kind and size, including shoes, old media, video games, trinkets, local art, jewelry, accessories and so much more! We also take in clothing and items for store credit to spend anywhere in the shop! Any items not taken will be donated to our local free bin for the community. www.batterystjeans.com
BARE MEDICAL SPA
+ LASER
CENTER >>
From personalized skin care and sought-after services, including DiamondGlow Signature Facials, CoolSculpting Elite, hair laser removal, IV therapy, dermal fillers, and medical weight loss, Vermont’s No. 1 medical spa does it all! www.barevt.com
Outdoor Gear Exchange has been outfitting Vermonters with adventure gear for thirty years. Located at 37 Church Street, we offer everything you need for skiing, snowboarding, biking, hiking, camping, backpacking, trail running, traveling, paddling, and more. Our extensive inventory includes high-quality new, used, and discounted outdoor gear, clothing, and footwear. Be sure to check out our revamped consignment basement for amazing deals. Thanks to our expert staff and service technicians, OGE has been voted Burlington’s Best Outdoor Outfitter for twenty-one consecutive years. www.gearx.com
NU CHOCOLAT >>
Located on the Lake Champlain Waterfront in Burlington, Nu Chocolat makes all their chocolate on-site at their Vermont family-owned-and-operated chocolate boutique. Stop in for free samples of their world-class chocolate truffles or sit and enjoy an iced chocolate in their bright and contemporary cafe. You can even watch the chocolatiers creating the finest European-style chocolate confections through their viewing window. www.nuchocolat.com
>> THE OPTICAL CENTER
As one of the Northeast’s few truly independent optical stores, we dispense quality prescription eyewear and a wide range of sunglasses from our unique location in one of the oldest intact structures on Church Street. Come check us out. Just look for the iconic street clock that hangs outside our door as it has for the last seventy-five years. www.opticalcentervt.com
>> VERMONT DISTILLERS/ SMUGGLERS NOTCH DISTILLERY
Vermont Distillers of Marlboro, and Smugglers’ Notch Distillery of Jeffersonville have been working together since 2017 and now have opened their joint venture: Smugglers’ Notch Distillery & Vermont Distillers Tasting Room. Located at 28 Church Street in Downtown Burlington, the shop also sells traditional liquors as well as canned cocktails, supplies, glassware, gift packs, and Vermont-themed merchandise like barrel-aged maple syrup. www.vermontdistillers.com
>> HOME & GARDEN
Step into Home & Garden Vermont and enjoy all the scents and colors of the spring season! With goods inspired by the great outdoors, we are ready to make your home a cozy habitat. Looking for the perfect gift? We’ll help you find that special something for anyone from nine days to ninety-nine years! www.homeandgardenvermont.com
M E D O W N T OWN
MEET ME
DOWNTOWNDining
>> THE GRYPHON
Our popular shepherd’s pie boasts an incredible combination of fresh ground lamb, carrots, onions, and mashed potatoes. It’s served with salad on the side. Yum! www.gryphonvt.com
>> BISTRO DE MARGOT
Try our pan-seared wild striped bass with potato “ondante,” white asparagus, roasted cherry tomatoes, baby chanterelles, and English peas in a white wine sauce. www.bistrodemargot.com
>> EL CORJITO TAQUERIA
Flavored margs and tostadas are here! Our house margarita is topped with fruit pureé, blackberries, and mangos. Our carnitas tostada is a crispy tortilla topped with refried beans, carnitas, fermented cabbage, chipotle crema, smoked queso fresco, scallion, and cilantro. Our shrimp tostada is a crispy tortilla topped with plantains, fried shrimp, pineapple, tequila lime crema, scallion, and cilantro. www.cortijovt.com
>> THE DAILY PLANET
We’re serving dinner seven nights a week and brunch Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday! Experience our award-winning cocktails and locally sourced seasonal cuisine in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. With over twelve vegan options and even more gluten-free dishes, we have a little something for everyone! www.dailyplanetvt.com
>>
HEN OF THE WOOD
Did someone say oysters? After a day of browsing the shops and soaking in the lake, sharing a plate of Little Pilgrim oysters with mignonette at Hen of the Wood is a delightful way to end the day. www.henofthewood.com/burlington
CHURCH STREET TAVERN >>
Our crunchy Caesar wrap with grilled chicken, crispy romaine, and creamy dressing is the ultimate lunch after a day of shopping on Church Street. Paired with a side of crispy sweet potato fries? Now that’s what we call perfection on a plate! www.tavernvt.com
>> BLEU
Sometimes you don’t want anything fancy. At Bleu, a classic beer and chicken wing combo fills the bill. Served with house-made hot sauce and ranch dressing, it makes a great afternoon snack with coworkers, friends, or to keep for yourself! www.bleuvt.com
>> PASCOLO
RISTORANTE
Burlington is going wild for our house-made gnocchi alla bava, swimming in taleggio cream sauce, with grappa, winter squash, kale, and grated Woodlawn Creamery Pawlet. www.pascolovt.com
>> FARMHOUSE TAP AND GRILL
The Stonewood Farm turkey burger at the Farmhouse comes with a Pitchfork pickle, spicy squickles (Burlington, VT), Bayley Hazen blue cheese (Greensboro, VT), arugula, apricot mustard, and a side of hand-cut fries. www.farmhousetg.com
7 Lily May’s Coffee and Café www.hotelchamplainvermont.com/ dine/lily/
8 Original Skiff Fish + Oyster www.hotelchamplainvermont.com/ dine/skiff/
10 Splash at the Boathouse www.splashattheboathouse.com
12 Spirit of Ethan Allen Dinner, brunch, day cruises all summer www.soea.com
13 Spot on the Dock www.spotonthedock.com
1 Courtyard By Marriott Hotel Burlington Harbor www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ btvdt-courtyard-burlington-harbor/ overview/
3 Hotel Vermont www.hotelvt.com
6 Hotel Champlain www.hotelchamplainvermont.com
www.milnetravel.com
ALLERGIES GOT YOU DOWN...
Is it allergies or something else? ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care can help you determine and get you back in the game..
We operate on a walk-in basis, accept most insurances, and most of our patients are registered, treated and discharged with high quality care. Our center offers board-certified providers, state-of-the-art facilities with on-site laboratory services and X-ray. ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care is dedicated to meeting all the needs of the community, from infants to elders, school to industry and everywhere in between.
ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care offers walk-ins or pre-registration online for:
✓ Cold/Flu
✓ Flu Shots
✓ Fractures and X-Rays
✓ Lyme Disease
✓ Pediatric Care
✓ Physicals - DOT and Sports
✓ Pink Eye
✓ Sports Injuries
✓ Sprains and Strains
✓ Dislocations
✓ STD Screening
✓ Strep Throat
✓ UTIs
ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care
Playing a leading role in Vermont’s evolving healthcare landscape
Access to timely, high-quality medical care is essential for every community.
In Vermont, ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care has become a vital resource for individuals and families in need of immediate, nonemergency healthcare. With locations in South Burlington, Williston, and Berlin, ClearChoiceMD provides walk-in urgent care services that complement the work of primary care providers and emergency rooms.
As urgent care continues to play an increasingly important role in the healthcare system, ClearChoiceMD remains committed to innovation, patient-centered care, and community engagement. By offering extended hours, virtual care, and on-site diagnostic capabilities, the organization ensures that high-quality medical care is both accessible and convenient.
THE CLEARCHOICEMD DIFFERENCE
Founded with the mission of delivering efficient, compassionate care, ClearChoiceMD has established itself as a trusted provider in the New England region. Each center is staffed by experienced medical professionals who specialize in treating non-life-threatening conditions, such as respiratory infections, minor injuries, and common illnesses.
Unlike traditional healthcare settings, ClearChoiceMD offers a seamless patient experience, with digital checkin, transparent wait times, and walk-in access—eliminating the need for lengthy appointment scheduling. Additionally, services such as on-site X-rays, lab testing, and Workers' Compensation services make ClearChoiceMD a one-stop destination for urgent medical needs.
“Urgent care centers fill an important gap between primary care and emergency rooms,” says Mary Williams, practice manager of ClearChoiceMD’s South Burlington location. “By providing immediate treatment for non-life-threatening conditions, we help reduce ER overcrowding and ensure patients receive timely care when their primary provider isn’t available ”
URGENT CARE’S EXPANDING ROLE
As healthcare demands evolve, urgent care centers have become an integral part of the system, bridging the divide between routine primary care and hospital emergency departments. ClearChoiceMD’s ability to quickly assess, diagnose, and treat patients ensures that individuals receive appropriate care without unnecessary ER visits.
To further enhance accessibility and convenience, ClearChoiceMD has invested in virtual care, allowing patients to consult with a provider remotely for certain conditions. Additionally, advances in diagnostic
Lindsay Kligerman, clinical support staff (left), and Danielle Diorio, registration staff, at ClearChioiceMD Urgent Care in South Burlington.
technology and workflow optimization have led to reduced wait times and improved patient satisfaction. “We recognize the growing need for urgent care services,” Mary explains. “That’s why we’ve expanded our offerings to include virtual care, enhanced diagnostic tools, and coordinated follow-up care with local providers ”
STRENGTHENING LOCAL COLLABORATIONS
One of ClearChoiceMD’s core principles is collaboration. The organization works closely with local hospitals, primary care physicians, and specialists to ensure patients receive proper follow-up care when needed. This approach not only improves continuity of care but also reduces strain on emergency departments.
Through partnerships with local employers, schools, and community organizations, ClearChoiceMD also provides Workers’ Compensation and DOT physical exams, sports physicals, and wellness education, reinforcing its role as a key healthcare partner in the Burlington area.
URGENT CARE VS. EMERGENCY CARE
A common challenge in healthcare is ensuring that patients seek the right level of care for their condition. ClearChoiceMD actively engages in community education to help individuals understand when urgent care is the best option compared to an emergency room visit. “Educating patients on when to choose urgent care versus the ER is a priority for us,” Mary says. “Through outreach programs, educational materials, and direct patient interactions, we guide individuals toward the most appropriate care while emphasizing preventive health measures. ”
By raising awareness, ClearChoiceMD empowers patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare, ultimately leading to better outcomes and lower costs for both individuals and the broader healthcare system.
INDUSTRY CHALLENGES AND FUTURE GROWTH
Like many healthcare organizations, urgent care providers face challenges such as staffing
shortages and increasing patient demand. To address these issues, ClearChoiceMD focuses on investing in provider training, optimizing clinic operations, and expanding service offerings to meet evolving community needs.
“Our goal is to remain at the forefront of urgent care innovation,” Mary explains. “We are continuously enhancing our services, from expanding virtual care options to strengthening partnerships with local healthcare
Looking ahead, ClearChoiceMD plans to further integrate virtual care, refine patient-centered processes, and explore new ways to expand urgent care access. As the demand for convenient, high-quality healthcare grows, ClearChoiceMD remains committed to meeting that need in Vermont
A RESOURCE FOR TRUSTED HEALTHCARE
As ClearChoiceMD continues to expand its role in the Burlington area, the organization remains focused on its core mission: providing high-quality, accessible, and compassionate care for individuals and families.
With state-of-the-art facilities, extended hours, and a commitment to innovation, ClearChoiceMD is helping to shape the future of urgent care in Vermont. Whether through walk-in clinics, virtual care, or community partnerships, the organization ensures that patients receive the care they need—when they need it most.
Five Lesser-Known Day Hikes Near Burlington
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking to get outside, these lesser-known spots offer something for everyone and are perfect for spring. Keep these low-elevation hikes in your back pocket in case big mountain trails are too muddy to tackle.
Getting outside for a hike is one of the best ways to refresh both your body and mind, especially during stressful times. If you’re in the Burlington, VT, area, here are five lesser-known hikes that are perfect for spring—no matter your hiking level.
In the months between March and June, Vermont experiences a “fifth” season— Mud Season. During this time, it is extremely tempting to get out and hike as far and as high as you can. However, proper etiquette and ethics dictate moderation for the sake of the trails and the local ecosystem. If folks hike on snowy, muddy, flooded trails, that terrain is then destroyed for the next users and erosion degrades the health of the surrounding soil and forest.
Instead, practice patience and try these low-elevation hiking trails. They are a great alternative to the higher-elevation hikes, which can be muddy and tricky to navigate until the weather warms up. Plus, it’s easier to travel over drier trails than the slippery, rocky, icy terrain that lingers in the mountains.
Opposite page, from top: Hiking during "Mud Season" can be detrimental to the terrain, so it's best to wait for the weather to warm up. Liza Cannon of Outdoor Gear Exchange. This Page: The Rock Point & Arms Forest trail takes you through a peaceful forest and along a scenic cliffside ridge with amazing views.
1. ROCK POINT & ARMS FOREST, BURLINGTON
In Burlington’s North End, Rock Point offers a peaceful forest with a web of up to 7 miles of trails connecting to Lake Champlain’s shores. A 1.7-mile loop from the Rock Point trailhead takes you along a scenic cliffside ridge with amazing views. You can also access these trails using the stone steps off the Burlington Bike Path, just a short bike ride north of Downtown. It’s a wonderful spot for a romantic picnic, birdwatching, or even a secluded swim. Keep an eye out for spring wildflowers, like the delicate and rare yellow lady’s slipper (pictured above left).
2. EAGLE MOUNTAIN, MILTON
This quiet spot is perfect for a quick getaway. The Eagle Mountain Natural Area covers 250 acres of protected sugar maple forest, hayfields, and rocky outcrops. You can explore it in about 40 minutes to an hour. Spring is especially
lovely here for wildflower enthusiasts, with species like dutchman’s breeches, trilliums, bunchberry, and wood violets in bloom. The 1.4-mile out-and-back trail leads to the Hoyt Lookout, offering beautiful views of the Lake Champlain Islands.
3. RAVEN’S RIDGE, MONKTON
A short drive from Burlington, Raven’s Ridge offers a 2.6-mile loop with 488 feet of elevation gain. Popular with birders, wildflower
lovers, and geologists, the trail takes you through forests, bogs, and rocky outcrops with incredible views of the Champlain Valley. While the trail can be a bit hilly and rocky, the reward at the top is worth it. Note: Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
4.
COLCHESTER WOODS,
COLCHESTER Colchester Woods has over 15 interconnected trails that span about 12 miles, making it an excellent spot to explore for a few days. The
Top and above: Spring on the Eagle Mountain trail is lovely for wildflower enthusiasts. Right: The Raven's Ridge trail takes you through forests, bogs, and rocky outcrops with incredible views of the Champlain Valley.
This page: Colchester Woods trails wind through riparian zones along the Winooski River, home to wildflowers, beavers, osprey, and woodpeckers.
trails wind through riparian zones along the Winooski River, home to wildflowers, beavers, osprey, and woodpeckers. Whether you’re hiking, trail running, or biking, the classic backwoods feel makes it a favorite for many outdoor enthusiasts.
They’re still giving back to their community. They’re learning and growing. And they’re living life to its
5. PEASE MOUNTAIN, CHARLOTTE
Pease Mountain offers a beautiful 3.2-mile loop with 695 feet of elevation gain. The trails here can be muddy in the spring, but it’s worth it for the peaceful woods and incredible views of the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain from the summit. This is a great spot for foraging mushrooms, wildflower viewing, birdwatching, or just a quiet walk. Park at the west end of the Charlotte Elementary School parking lot and walk up along the skating rink area up to a large informational sign marking the new trailhead.
This page: Pease Mountain trails are a great spot for foraging mushrooms, wildflower viewing, birdwatching, or just a quiet walk.
Read Your Way to Better Health
WE ASKED THE STAFF AT PHOENIX BOOKS TO RECOMMEND THEIR TOP HEALTH BOOKS. HERE’S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY
The Culinary Pharmacy
by Lisa Masé
Exploring the healing power of food, holistic nutritionist Lisa Masé weaves together three ancestral healing philosophies—Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the Mediterranean diet—with modern nutrition science to help you discover your ideal foods for vibrant health.
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
by Peter
Attia, MD, and Bill Gifford
From a visionary physician and leading longevity expert comes a groundbreaking manifesto on living better and longer that challenges the conventional medical thinking on aging and reveals a new approach to preventing chronic disease and extending long-term health.
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs
by Rosemary Gladstar
In this best-selling book from the godmother of modern herbalism, learn how to grow, harvest, prepare, and use the thirty-three most common and versatile healing plants.
The Body Keeps the Score
by Bessel
van der Kolk, MD
A pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing.
I Heard There Was a Secret Chord
by Daniel J. Levitin
Neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author of This Is Your Brain on Music, reveals the deep connections between music and healing.
You can find all of these titles at one of the three Phoenix Books locations: Essex Junction, Burlington, and Rutland, or order online at www.phoenixbooks.biz.
HEALTH NEWS YOU CAN USE Because feeling good matters!
WHAT’S YOUR SLEEP TYPE?
ARE YOU A BEAR, LION, WOLF, OR DOLPHIN?
You may be familiar with circadian rhythms, which control the release of melatonin, but your sleep type, or chronotype, is more of a permanent internal clock that is less easily manipulated. Knowing your chronotype may help you understand how your internal clock works and how you can synchronize it with your daily activities and duties to use your time most efficiently. What’s more, understanding your sleep chronotype can help you sleep better and boost your productivity so you can make the most of each day.
THE FOUR SLEEP CHRONOTYPES
There are four sleep chronotypes: bear, lion, wolf, and dolphin, and each is distinctly different. Bears are the most common, and dolphins are rare. Your chronotype is likely to be different in adulthood than it was when you were a child and will likely change again when you get into your later years.
THE BEAR Most people fall under this sleep category. This means their sleep and wake cycle goes according to the sun. Bear chronotypes wake easily and typically fall asleep with no problem. Productivity seems best before noon, and they’re prone to a “post-lunch” dip between 2pm and 4pm.
THE LION The lion is the chronotype most closely associated with being an “early bird.” Lions are most productive in the morning up until noon. Typically, lion types wind down in the evening and end up falling asleep by 9pm or 10pm.
THE WOLF Wolves are the “night owls” among the sleep chronotypes. A wolf stays up after dark and often has trouble waking up in the morning. In fact, wolf chronotypes feel more energetic when they wake up at noon, which is when their peak productivity starts, ending at 4pm. Wolf types get another boost around 6pm, and find they can get a lot done while everyone else is winding down.
THE DOLPHIN Dolphins are the outliers. In stark contrast to bears, dolphins don’t stick to any particular sleep schedule. Dolphins are easily disturbed by environmental factors, such as light and sound. If you go to sleep at different times and find yourself awake at odd hours, you’re probably a dolphin. A dolphin’s window of productivity is 10am to 2pm.
BERRIES ARE SO BENEFICIAL FOR YOU!
Berries are among the healthiest foods you can eat. They are among the top sources of vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting nutrients, and they can help reduce the risk of many age-related conditions.
WHAT’S IN A BERRY?
Berries provide potassium, magnesium, vitamins C and K, fiber, and prebiotics— carbohydrates that help promote a healthy gut. Researchers have found that eating blueberries can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes; that eating foods high in anthocyanins (mostly blueberries and strawberries) can help people keep weight off; and that berry consumption can reduce the risk of heart attack and boost learning and memory.
WHICH
BERRIES ARE BEST?
• Blackberries have the most potassium (233 mg per cup) and almost as much fiber as raspberries.
• Blueberries have compounds that help generate new nerve cells in the brain and increase their communication.
• Raspberries (red, black, and golden) have the highest amount of fiber—8 grams per cup— of any of these berries.
BE GOOD TO YOUR GUT WITH PROBIOTICS
Your gut microbiome—the community of microbes living in your GI tract—plays a complex role in your digestive system, helping to break down and absorb certain nutrients and medications, and helping train your immune system to recognize and eliminate harmful microbes. Probiotics are the “good guys” of gut microbes that help strengthen and maintain the GI tract.
PROBIOTIC-RICH FOOD VS SUPPLEMENTS
One of the most important jobs probiotics do is fight off the more harmful types of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites that might want to take up residence in your gut. Some probiotic-rich foods include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread, and some cheeses. There are also many probiotic supplements on the market that will do the same thing, but they are not recommended for everyday use and not approved by the FDA.
RECHARGE, REFRESH, RECOVER WITH ELECTROLYTE DRINKS
Staying hydrated is a health topic that never gets old because of how many of our bodily functions rely on water. But water is not the only element our bodies lose when we sweat; they also lose essential minerals called electrolytes.
WHAT ARE ELECTROLYTES?
Electrolytes are essential elements that contain minerals like bicarbonate, calcium, chloride,
from food, such as after an illness; before, during, and after prolonged exercise or heavy sweating; and when exposed to extreme heat for a long time.
But many electrolyte beverages contain large amounts of added sugar, artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors, which you should avoid. Instead, check the labels and opt for products that are sweetened with natural sugars. You should also avoid products that contain added vitamins, minerals, and performance enhancements. Anything over 100 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for sodium and other
magnesium, phosphate, potassium, and sodium, which help regulate nerve and muscle function and maintain blood pressure and pH balance in our bodies.
One medically recognized way to replenish these minerals is with products sold as powders or sports drinks. These drinks and powders generally contain carbohydrates and a small amount of an electrolyte such as sodium. When they are dissolved in fluid, they gain an electrical charge that influences nerve function, muscle contraction, blood pressure, pH balance, hydration status, and more.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN ELECTROLYTE DRINK
There are times you may need an electrolyte drink to supplement the electrolytes you get
vitamins and minerals may cause elevated blood pressure, gastrointestinal issues, muscle cramps, weakness, and headaches.
DIY ELECTROLYTE DRINK
If you’re overwhelmed with options at the grocery store, why not whip up a liter of electrolyte water at home? Here’s the recipe:
2 cups cold water
1 cup coconut water
1 cup fruit juice of choice
1/8 teaspoon salt
Combine all ingredients and stir. Chill before serving.
SHELBURNE ATHLETIC CLUB
It's more than just a gym
Do you have fitness goals that you want to accomplish but are not sure where to turn? Are you tired of gyms that make you feel insecure, inhibited, or anonymous? The people at Shelburne Athletic Club have created a welcoming fitness club where everyone belongs.
Shelburne Field House & Athletic Club, conveniently located just two minutes off Route 7/Shelburne Road, is a large facility that offers a wide range of health, sports, and fitness options. The Field House, with two indoor turf fields, is well-known in the area. However, the Shelburne Athletic Club and other businesses housed in the adjoining building are a welcome discovery.
Natale Partners, a local, family-owned business, owns several of these interconnected businesses at 166 Athletic Drive, including Shelburne Field House, Shelburne Athletic Club, CrossFit Shelburne, RaceVermont.com, and the Wellness Center.
Shelburne Athletic Club caters to people during all stages of their fitness journey. ‘’We strive to provide fitness options for all interests and levels, whether members are just starting out or are dedicated athletes,” says Katie Natale, one of the owners. “Having a friendly and supportive atmosphere is important to us.”
Members range in age from thirteen to ninety years old, and the majority live in Shelburne,
Charlotte, South Burlington, Hinesburg, and Burlington, but some even drive from Vergennes (while en route to Burlington).
Shelburne Athletic Club was founded in 1998 by Rayne Herzog, the general manager. Rayne has consistently been a prominent figure at the Club, fostering a welcoming and clean environment that is dedicated to promoting health and fitness.
FITNESS CLASSES AND SPACES
No matter what form of exercise you’re into, Shelburne Athletic Club has you covered. The gym boasts 8,000 square feet of fitness space,
including a new powerlifting and Olympic lifting room, and other separate rooms for cardio, yoga/ Pilates, Spinning, and group fitness. The Club offers almost thirty classes a week, including Spinning, yoga, Pilates Reformer, Mat & Strength, Eccentrics, and CrossFit Breathe. If you would like a personal trainer to help you get motivated or provide direction, the Athletic Club has several experienced, well-respected trainers as well.
NORDIC SPA AND COLD PLUNGE
After your workout (or maybe instead of it), you can experience “contrast therapy” in the Club’s
Nordic Spa, with a ten-person sauna and cold plunge tub. Contrast therapy is a centuriesold practice used for therapeutic, health, and athletic recovery. “We added the Nordic Spa as ‘something extra’ for our gym members but have been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who have joined as just Nordic Spa members,” Katie says.
Nordic Spa offers monthly memberships ($65/month), add-on memberships to gym memberships ($35/month), or Day Passes (includes robe/towels and gym access ($35/visit).
CROSSFIT SHELBURNE
Nick Mead, the operations director and manager of the Field House, created CrossFit Shelburne, a thriving CrossFit box (gym) within the Field House, which has the advantage of access to two indoor turf fields. CrossFit is a fitness program involving varied functional movements executed at a high intensity.
CLUB MEMBERSHIPS
The Club offers various options, including shortand long-term memberships, senior, student, and military discounts, and day/week passes for visitors. Memberships include access to all classes (except Pilates Reformer) and locker room saunas.
Enhanced benefits of full-time, one-year memberships include daily towel service and an introductory session with one of the Club’s trainers. Monthly rates range from $59–$85, depending on the type and contract term.
THE WELLNESS CENTER
Shelburne Athletic Club’s Wellness Center is a healing sanctuary dedicated to health and well-being. Six experienced practitioners offer a range of therapeutic services: massage (including lymphatic drainage), Reiki, facials, sound therapy, acupuncture, and Feldenkrais Movement therapy. “I can’t say enough about the soothing environment these warm, grounded women have created and the services they offer,” Katie raves.
If you’ve ever struggled with pain that won’t go away, you know how frustrating it can be to chase solutions that only work temporarily. What if real, lasting relief wasn’t about choosing between treatments, but combining the best of both worlds?
Chiropractic care and physical therapy are often seen as separate paths—but when combined, they create a powerful synergy that helps patients heal more completely, move more freely, and build long-term resilience.
At Wayfinder Wellness & Physical Therapy and Compass Chiropractic, our practices are built around this philosophy: The best results come when experts work together.
MOBILITY, STABILITY, AND THE SCIENCE OF HEALING
For chiropractic physician Dr. Sarah Paquette, owner of Compass Chiropractic, movement is everything. “Chiropractic care optimizes mobility by restoring joint function and recalibrating how the brain and body communicate through the nervous system,” she explains.
But mobility alone isn’t enough. Dr. Emelia Brogna, PT, DPT, founder of Wayfinder Wellness and Physical Therapy, sees what happens when unstable movement leads to injury. “Physical therapy reinforces and sustains those gains,” she says. “It strengthens the body’s support system, retrains movement patterns, and enhances stability so that progress lasts.”
It’s the difference between unlocking a door and making sure it stays open. Chiropractic removes the barriers restricting movement, while physical therapy builds the strength and control needed to maintain those improvements over time.
Beyond pain relief, this partnership also enhances overall health. Chiropractic care has been shown to support reflexes, nervous system function, and even immune response, while physical therapy strengthens muscles,
prevents injury, and retrains movement to keep the body resilient.
“The body already knows how to heal itself,” says Dr. Paquette. “Our job is to give it the right support, removing obstacles and reinforcing what works so that healing happens faster and more completely.”
WHY THIS PARTNERSHIP WORKS
Dr. Paquette and Dr. Brogna have seen firsthand how collaboration leads to better results, especially for complex cases where one approach alone isn’t enough.
“There’s a misconception that physical therapists and chiropractors compete,” says Dr. Paquette, “but structure and function are inseparable. Chiropractic care restores alignment and optimizes joint function, while physical therapy reinforces those changes by strengthening movement patterns, improving stability, and building resilience.”
Dr. Brogna expands on this. “Physical therapy is more than movement; it’s about teaching the nervous system, refining motor control, and restoring efficient biomechanics for long-term
work together to assess and diagnose injuries, then develop personalized treatment plans that address mobility, stability, and long-term function. Dr. Brogna works with a patient to strengthen and improve balance at Wayfinder Wellness and PT in South Burlington.
health. I look at how a patient’s body adapts to stress, compensates for dysfunction, and integrates complex movement patterns. Dr. Paquette focuses on structural integrity and alignment, identifying joint restrictions or neurological barriers that may limit recovery. Together, we take a comprehensive approach, not only restoring movement but optimizing it for lasting strength and function.”
The best part? Their patients don’t just get better. They stay better.
A SHARED PHILOSOPHY, A SHARED PURPOSE
What makes this partnership different isn’t just the treatments, it’s the shared philosophy that drives them. At Wayfinder and Compass, they believe in more than just fixing what’s broken. Their focus
Opposite page: Dr. Emilia Brogna (left) and Dr. Sarah Paquette. This page, from left: The doctors
Clockwise from top left: Dr. Brogna guides a patient through a targeted exercise to build strength and improve movement patterns. Dr. Paquette performs a spinal adjustment at Compass Chiropractic in Richmond to restore proper alignment and enhance nervous system function. Dr. Paquette explains spinal anatomy, helping a young patient understand how posture and movement impact her body.
is on restoring strength, resilience, and long-term well-being, in addition to teaching patients how to optimize their bodies for the long run.
Both doctors specialize in neurology. Their expertise, in everything from concussion recovery to chronic pain conditions, goes beyond basic musculoskeletal care.
Both doctors treat complicated cases. Many of their patients come in struggling with pain or dysfunction that has persisted for years. They need a team—not just one provider—to rebuild their function.
Both doctors value honesty, authenticity, and humor. Healing is serious work, but it doesn’t have to feel clinical or cold. “We meet people where they are, and we walk with them through their recovery,” says Dr. Brogna.
This level of trust and collaboration makes a difference, not just in treatment, but in the patient
experience. “When Dr. Brogna asks me to check something, I listen. When I suggest a stability plan for a patient, I know she’s factoring it into their rehab. That kind of mutual respect means our patients get the best of both worlds,” says Dr. Paquette.
WHAT’S NEXT?
A NEW STANDARD OF CARE
For years, healthcare has struggled with siloed care, where providers work separately instead of together. But at Wayfinder and Compass, collaboration isn’t just encouraged—it’s the standard.
“We’d love to see more providers build networks like ours,” says Dr. Brogna. “Not just where co-treatment is possible, but where it’s second nature, seamless, collaborative, and enjoyable. A place where patients don’t feel like they’re being passed around but instead experience truly integrated care designed around their progress and long-term health.”
At the end of the day, the patients are the real winners. Many arrive unable to stand long enough to make coffee, and a few months later, they are hiking, golfing, gardening, or playing with their kids pain-free. That’s why this work matters.
This isn’t about choosing between PT or chiropractic care, it’s about harnessing the best of both worlds. Because when movement, strength, and structure come together, patients don’t just recover, they thrive.
www.compasschirovt.com
SPRING HAPPENINGS
Sponsored by Champlain Valley Expo
MARCH 15, 7PM TURNMUSIC
MARCH 20, 5:30PM SESAME STREET LIVE!
MARCH 21, 7:30PM PATTON OSWALT
MARCH 22, 7:30PM GRACE POTTER WITH THE VSO
MARCH 26, 7:30PM LESLIE JONES
MARCH 28 & 29, 7:30PM THE ADDAMS FAMILY
MARCH 31, 7:30PM DAVID SEDARIS
APRIL 1, 6PM JIM HENSON’S FRAGGLE ROCK
APRIL 10 & 11, 7:30PM
APRIL 12, 1PM & 7:30PM
APRIL 13, 1PM & 6PM THE LITTLE MERMAID
APRIL 12, 10AM GRANDMA’S SONGBOOK
APRIL 15, 7PM COMPLEXIONS BALLET
APRIL 17, 8PM THE BURLINGTON GRANDSLAM CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
APRIL 18, 8PM DWEEZIL ZAPPA
APRIL 19, 8PM MOE
APRIL 23, 8PM
APRIL 24, 7:30PM DEAR EVAN HANSEN
APRIL 26, 7:30PM THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY
APRIL 29, 6PM DRAGONS AND MYTHICAL BEASTS
MAY 4, 3PM VYOA AMERICAN RHAPSODY
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MAY 7, 7:30PM WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?
MAY 10, 10AM ANIMAL DANCE
MAY 10, 7:30PM VSO: MAHLER’S TITAN
MAY 13, 5:30PM TREKKING MEXICO
MAY 14, 7PM THE GREAT GATSBY BALLET
MAY 16, 7PM AMERICAN PATCHWORK QUARTET
MAY 16, 7PM DAN SODER
MAY 27, 6PM AGATHE & ADRIEN: N.ORMES
GRACE POTTER
CHURCHSTREET MARKETPLACE
MARCH 19, 6PM
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN FILM SERIES: TWYLA MOVES
APRIL 16, 6PM
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN FILM SERIES: FASHION REIMAGINED
www.burlingtoncityarts.org
VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2 Church Street, Suite 3B Burlington, VT www.vso.org
MARCH 21, 7:30PM
GRACE POTTER WITH THE VSO
Paramount Theatre 30 Center Street Rutland, VT
APRIL 4, 7PM
JUKEBOX: HEAVY METAL STRINGS
Paramount Theatre 30 Center Street Rutland, VT
APRIL 5, 3PM
JUICEBOX: A CONCERT FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
Brattleboro Music Center 72 Blanche Moyes Way Brattleboro, VT
APRIL 5, 7PM
JUKEBOX: HEAVY METAL STRINGS
Brattleboro Music Center
72 Blanche Moyes Way Brattleboro, VT
APRIL 6, 11AM
JUICEBOX: A CONCERT FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
Northern Stage 74 Gates Street White River Junction, VT
APRIL 6, 2PM
JUKEBOX: HEAVY METAL STRINGS
Northern Stage 74 Gates Street White River Junction, VT
APRIL 11, 6PM & 8:30PM
JUKEBOX: HEAVY METAL STRINGS
ArtsRiot 400 Pine Street Burlington, VT
APRIL 12, 2PM
JUKEBOX: HEAVY METAL STRINGS
Bennington Museum 75 Main Street
Bennington, VT
MAY 10, 7:30PM
SEASON FINALE: MAHLER’S TITAN
Flynn 153 Main Street Burlington, VT
Sponsored
Burlington, VT www.vermontcomedyclub.com SPRING HAPPENINGS
VERMONT COMEDY CLUB
MARCH 13, 7PM
MARCH 14 & 15, 7PM & 9PM EMIL WAKIM
MARCH 15, 5PM GOOD CLEAN FUN
MARCH 20, 7PM
MARCH 21 &22, 7PM & 9PM JOE PERA
MARCH 27, 7PM
MARCH 28 & 29, 7PM & 9PM LANGSTON KERMAN
APRIL 2, 7PM CHICKEN SKETCHATORE!
APRIL 11 & 12, 7:30PM & 9:30PM CARMEN LAGALA
APRIL 19, 7:30PM & 9:30PM WINNER’S SHOWCASE: TOP FIVE!
APRIL 22, 7PM PARKS & RECREATION TRIVIA!
APRIL 24, 7PM
APRIL 25 & 26, 7PM & 9PM KYLE DUNNIGAN
MAY 1, 7:30PM
MAY 2 & 3, 7:30PM & 9:30PM TINA FRIML
MAY 5 & 6, 7PM
MARC MARON
MAY 8, 7PM
MAY 9 & 10, 7PM & 9PM RACHEL FEINSTEIN
MAY 13, 7PM FRIENDS TRIVIA!
MAY 15, 7:30PM MAY 16 & 17, 7:30PM & 9:30PM
101 Main Street
OTHER NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
MARCH 22, 1PM REVOLVE VERMONT CLOTHES SWAP
294 N. Winooski Avenue, Suite 125 Burlington, VT www.facebook.com/events/ 1817967788947733
MARCH 27, 7PM HARD TRUTHS
Vermont International Film Festival 60 Lake Street, 1st Floor Burlington, VT vtiff.org/events/hard-truths/
APRIL 24–27
MADE HERE FILM FESTIVAL Burlington Beer Company
Lumiere Hall 180 Flynn Avenue Burlington, VT vtiff.org/festivals/mhff2025
APRIL 25–27 2025 VERMONT MAPLE FESTIVAL St. Albans, VT www.vtmaplefestival.org
APRIL 25–27
THE LOG & TIMBER HOME DESIGN-BUILD EXPO
Doubletree by Hilton 870 Williston Road South Burlington, VT www.facebook.com/ events/885900796803988
APRIL 26, 8AM 14TH ANNUAL GREG NOONAN MEMORIAL HOMEBREW COMPETITION
Queen City Brewery 703 Pine Street Burlington, VT www. masherscomp.com
APRIL 26 & 27, 11AM BLOOM FLOWER & HOME MARKET Hula 50 Lakeside Avenue Burlington, VT www.bloomflowerandhome.com
MAY 4, 10AM
BURLINGTON ANIME FEST
Doubletree by Hilton 870 Williston Road
South Burlington, VT www.facebook.com/burlingtonanimefest
MAY 17, 10AM
EMPTY ARMS VERMONT 5K RUN & WALK
Veterans Memorial Park South Burlington, VT runsignup.com/Race/VT/SouthBurlington/ EmptyArmsVT5K
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY EXPOSITION
105 Pearl Street
Essex Junction, VT www.cvexpo.org
MARCH 16, 8:30AM WOKO FLEA MARKET
MARCH 18 & MARCH 25, 4PM RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES BINGO
MARCH 22 & 23, 9AM LAMOILLE VALLEY FISH & GAME CLUB SHOW
MARCH 29, 8AM JR IRON CHEF VT
MARCH 30, 10AM CAMP TA-KUM-TA SUPER BINGO
APRIL 1–22, EVERY TUESDAY, 4PM RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES BINGO
APRIL 5 & 6, 10AM VERMONT SPRING MARKET
APRIL 13, 8:30AM WOKO FLEA MARKET
APRIL 26 & 27, 10AM THE VERMONT SCI-FI, FANTASY & HORROR EXPO
MAY 2 & 3, 10AM THE VERMONT CANNABIS & HEMP CONVENTION
