Best of Central Vermont - Spring 2020

Central Vermont best of

SPRING 2020 VOLUME 8, NO. 2

BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT

COMMUNITIES AND LIFESTYLE IN THE HEART OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS

CAPSTONE COMMUNITY ACTION CREATING OPPORTUNITY

SPRING 2020

TILL THE LAST WHISTLE BLOWS

NORWICH UNIVERSITY RUGBY SPECIAL SECTION

Central Vermont

HOME

FEATURES 53 CAPSTONE COMMUNITY ACTION Creating Opportunity in the Green Mountain State

BY PHYL NEWBECK

58 TILL THE LAST WHISTLE BLOWS Norwich University Rugby

BY BILL WALSH SPECIAL SECTION

Central Vermont

HOME 32 CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP 35 CULLIGAN WATER

DEPARTMENTS 7 PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 8 ONLINE HUB 10 OCCASIONS 12 OUT & ABOUT

BY CASSIE HORNER

ON THE TABLE

18 SPRING BRUNCH SO EASY AND SO DELICIOUS VERMONT VIEWS

21 GET OUT AND EXPLORE WITH GREAT HIKES

BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

24 THE STORE—READY TO

GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL

BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY

SEASONAL VIEWS

28 LINCOLN GAP PHOTOGRAPHY 63 CALENDAR

36 PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD 40 INSPIRED CLOSETS 42 VOLANSKY STUDIO ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING 46 WINDOWS & DOORS

BY BROWNELL 48 KNAUF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 50 ANN ROCHE CASUAL FURNITURE 51 TRUE COLORS 52 CLOSE TO HOME

Contents

best of

Central Vermont SPRING 2020 | VOLUME 8 NO.2

COFFEE TABLE PUBLISHING 32 Hermit Thrush Lane South Burlington, VT 05403 PUBLISHERS

Robin Gales John Gales Bob Frisch COPY EDITOR

Jennifer Goss Duby ART DIRECTOR

Robbie Alterio ADVERTISING DESIGN

Hutchens Media, LLC WEB DESIGN

Locable ADVERTISING

Robin Gales (802) 299-9086 John Gales (802) 558-2719 coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net Keep us posted. Best of Central Vermont wants to hear from our readers. Correspondence may be addressed to letters to the editor, Best of Central Vermont, 32 Hermit Thrush Lane, South Burlington, VT 05403. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing ctpublishing@comcast.net or coffeetablepublishing@ comcast.net. Best of Central Vermont is published quarterly

by Coffee Table Publishing, LLC, ©2020. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Best of Central Vermont accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

IT’S SCARY TO THINK THAT WHEN ROBIN AND I first started talking about the publishers’ note for this issue, it was three weeks ago. How much has changed. First, we hope you are safe and healthy.

In discussing our options, we decided that we would continue with our spring issue, if for no other reason than to maintain a little normalcy in all of our lives. In this issue, you’ll find our home section with great ideas. We’ve put a spotlight on Norwich Rugby, a sport that takes a unique individual for sure. We have a beautiful spring photo essay, and some delicious recipes for the season.

We hope you enjoy the issue. Things will be back to normal soon. In the meantime, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help your local businesses. Order takeout or delivery.

Shop a local store online. And in our case, please let all of our advertisers know that you saw their ad in the issue. We only generate revenue through advertising sales, so please help us as you can so that we can continue to put out a great publication.

Be Safe, Be Healthy, and most importantly, Be Kind to one another.

With Strength there is a Community, with a Community there is Strength.

Publishers

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What are the seven steps to prepare for a home remodel?

Find out what you can do to get ready for your home remodel at www.bestofcentralvt.com

SWEET TOOTH?

No menu is complete without desserts! Learn more about delicious desserts with spring blueberies and cherries at www.bestofcentralvt.com

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MOTHER’S DAY! Make this Mother’s Day one to remember by hosting a brunch get-together for the special ladies in your life. We have some delicious recipes at www.bestofcentralvt.com

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

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

OCCASIONS | BY KATE ALBERGHINI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREEN UP VERMONT

50 Years of Getting Vermont Greener GREEN UP DAY CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON SATURDAY, MAY 2

G

reen Up Day, always the first Saturday in May, was launched in 1970 by Governor Deane Davis.

It is an annual statewide event, activating over 22,000 volunteers to get outside and pick up litter from Vermont’s roadsides and waterways. It is the organization’s mission to promote the stewardship of our state’s natural landscape and the livability of our communities by involving people in Green Up Day. Work includes educating and involving the state’s youth to develop their sense of pride for taking care of the environment they live in, so it becomes a lifelong commitment to our planet.

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A HEALTHIER VERMONT 365 DAYS A YEAR Green Up Vermont, the private nonprofit that produces Green Up Day, works year-round with Vermont’s 251 municipalities, solid waste districts, and private corporations to discover innovative ways to achieve a cleaner, healthier Vermont. Green Up Day is a culmination of that work and is celebrated every year as a day of action across the state that builds strong communities for the good of all our residents, our businesses, our visitors, and our future.

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS To celebrate Green Up Day’s 50th anniversary, the group will participate in a special art show

at the statehouse during the month of March in conjunction with the Vermont Art Teachers Association and Youth Art Month. They will also be sharing special groups’ stories on their unique ways of Greening Up, and they are providing all towns with sugar maple saplings to plant in common areas to highlight the beautification aspect that has always been a tradition of Green Up Day. Visit the website at www.greenupvermont .org for information on how you can get involved with Green Up. You can also find the group on Facebook at www.facebook .com/GreenUpVermont and Instagram at www.instagram.com/greenup vermont.

OUT & ABOUT | BY CASSIE HORNER

1st Annual Barre

HOME BREW FESTIVAL & Competition

B

eer enthusiasts unite! Join friends and relations for a big welcome to spring at the 1st Annual Barre Home Brew Fest & Competition on Saturday, May 16 in Barre. Enjoy sampling a wide selection of beer, live music by two bands, and plenty of food choices offered by vendors.

If you home brew or are interested in learning the tricks of the trade, this is the place to be.

From 11am to 6pm, it’s a parking lot party at 16 Auditorium Hill in Downtown Barre. The event is for folks 21 years and up. The ticket price includes a souvenir sampling glass.

The competition is a great opportunity for homebrewers to take home one of three prizes.

There is the $500 Judges’ Winner and the $500 Fan Favorite. There is also the coveted Corral Cup Winner. This special award winner will be chosen

by Stone Corral Brewery. The prize is an invitation to brew a production-sized batch of the winning brew at Stone Corral Brewery. That special batch of home brew will go public and be offered on tap at select bars and restaurants in Downtown Barre.

It will also be canned and sold locally.

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

The event will be held rain or shine, thanks to tents. In case the day is a cool spring one, there will be a bonfire. ID is required for all ages. Parking is free. No

babies, children under 21, pets, backpacks, outside food, drinks, or coolers allowed.

For more information, visit thebarre partnership.com.

www.bestofcentralvt.com 13

OUT & ABOUT

Walk for Animals

O

ver the past several years, Montpelier has been the lively setting for the annual Walk for Animals on the last Saturday in May. This year, however, due to restrictions put in place to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, this major fundraiser for Central Vermont Humane Society (CVHS) will be a virtual event.

The 2020 Walk for Animals Stay Home, Save Lives Edition will be held on May 30. What is a virtual walk? “We are still asking people to fundraise, but not leave their homes, and not come to Montpelier,” says Linnea Cecere, Development and Marketing Associate. “With adoption fees only covering one-fifth of the cost of care for animals at CVHS, Walk for Animals is a crucial fundraiser to help bridge that funding gap.”

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

The goal of the event is to raise $80,000 to benefit the over 1,000 homeless animals CVHS serves each year in Central Vermont. “CVHS has had a loss of revenue due to COVID-19,” Linnea explains, “so now more than ever, the Walk is crucial to provide all the necessary funds to care for homeless animals.”

The mission of CVHS is “to protect and advocate for animals in need, and to build a humane community that promotes compassion and seeks to strengthen the human-animal bond.” CVHS shelters and adopts domestic dogs, cats, and small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. The organization offers many programs, including community clinics for low-cost rabies vaccinations and microchips, dog training classes, and a summer camp.

An important part of the group’s initiative is preventing animal cruelty. Dozens of volunteers and interns make the work of the society possible. The Adoption Center location is 1589 VT Route 14 S in East Montpelier.

For more information about Walk for Animals, and how to get involved as a fundraiser or donor, visit centralvermonthumane.org www.bestofcentralvt.com 15

OUT & ABOUT

AUTHORS VISIT

North Branch Nature Center

I

n conjunction with Bear Pond Books, North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier is hosting three local authors this spring. On Saturday, April 11, at 3:30 pm, Nick Neddo’s new book, The Organic Artist for Kids: A DIY Guide to Making Your Own Eco-Friendly Art Supplies from Nature, will be celebrated at a Book Launch Party. The book inspires creativity in kids and adults as they make strong connections to the natural world. It encourages kids to learn new skills as they investigate

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

nature. There are lots of projects such as making prints using nature printing techniques, crafting your own paintbrushes, making paint from rocks, and much more.

Nick Neddo is a sixth generation Vermonter.

He has been making art and exploring nature since childhood. His gallery exhibit, “Biophilia,” at North Branch Nature Center, opens on April 3. It is a multidisciplinary exhibit with sculptural forms of willow and papier mâché, as well as paintings, prints, and

Opposite: Artist Nick Neddo. Below: Nick’s book shows how to use nature as a source of art supplies.

drawings. Everything is made with tools and materials from nature.

On May 7 at 6:30 pm, beekeepers and co-authors Bill Mares and Kim Greenwood will be at North Branch Nature Center for a book signing and a talk about The Land of Milk and Honey: A History of Beekeeping in Vermont.

It explores the world of beekeeping in the state, from the early 1800s into the present, looking at the relationships between the land and people and how that impacts bees and beekeepers.

Bill Mares has over 45 years of experience as a backyard beekeeper. He attended Harvard and has worked as a journalist, state representative, and high school teacher. Kim Greenwood worked at Vermont Natural Resources Council. She is an engineer, and has served on many boards and commissions, including the Vermont Beekeepers Association.

She and her husband, Ian Ormon, run Camel’s Hump Honey.

For more information about the events, visit northbranchnaturecenter.org or bearpond books.com. www.bestofcentralvt.com 17

ON THE TABLE

GATHERINGS

Kick-start spring with one of these delightful brunch recipe ideas. Whether you crave something sweet, like our Spring Berry Pizza, or a savory sensation, like our Sausage Egg Bread Bake, these recipes will make your spring brunch a hit. Don’t forget a festive spring cocktail to bring it all together!

Spring Brunch So Easy & So Delicious

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

Spring Berry Pizza INGREDIENTS

Sausage Egg Bread Bake INGREDIENTS

2 14 x 4-inch unsliced loaves of Italian or French bread 8 oz uncooked sweet or mild Italian sausage, casings removed ¾ cup chopped bell pepper ½ cup sliced green onions 10 eggs, lightly beaten M cup heavy cream or half-and-half ¼ cup chopped fresh basil ½ tsp salt 1 ½ cups shredded fontina, mozzarella, or provolone cheese (6 oz.)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using a serrated knife, cut a wedge into tops of loaves. Using a spoon or your fingers, hollow out the center of each loaf. Place bread shells on prepared baking sheet.

2. In a 10-inch skillet cook sausage and bell pepper over medium 8 minutes or until sausage is browned and pepper is just tender, stirring in green onions the last 1 minute. Drain off fat.

3. In a large bowl combine eggs, cream, basil, and salt. Stir in sausage mixture and 1 cup cheese.

4. Pour egg mixture into bread shells. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until eggs are set (at least 160°F). Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. If desired, sprinkle with additional basil. Makes 10 servings.

Recipe courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

¼ cup granulated sugar 4 teaspoons cornstarch Dash salt ½ cup water 2 cups mixed fresh blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries 1 tsp butter 1 tsp finely shredded orange peel 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened 2 tbsp orange marmalade 2 tsp granulated sugar ¼ tsp ground cardamom 2 pita bread rounds, split 2 tbsp butter, melted Powdered sugar (optional) 1. For the berry topping, in a medium saucepan combine ¼ cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in the water. Stir in ½ cup of the berries.

Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat. Add the additional 1 cup of berries and 1 teaspoon butter, stirring until butter is melted. Gently stir in orange peel.

2. In a medium bowl combine cream cheese and orange marmalade; beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until smooth. In a small bowl stir together 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and cardamom.

3. Toast the split pita rounds. Brush pita rounds with 2 tablespoons melted butter; sprinkle with sugar-cardamom mixture. Spread cream cheese mixture over split pita rounds. Spread berry topping over cream cheese mixture. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup berries. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

TIP: Make the berry topping and cool completely. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours before using. Recipe courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens www.bestofcentralvt.com 19

Ruby Red Grapefruit Cocktail This Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail recipe is the perfect easy drink to celebrate with! This tops the list of the best pink champagne cocktails.

INGREDIENTS

2 oz Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice 4 oz Prosecco chilled Fresh grapefruit to garnish 1 sprig of rosemary 1. Cut wedges of grapefruit and cut a sprig of rosemary.

2. Pour vodka and grapefruit juice into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake.

3. Pour into champagne glass and top with the Prosecco.

4. Add garnish and serve immediately.

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TAKE A HIKE

Spring in Vermont brings the promise of warmer weather, longer days, and of course, mud.

Winter has us locked down with cold temperatures for weeks on end, and when the mercury starts trending up, we want—need—to get outside. What better way to replenish those vitamin D supplies than by taking a hike?

MIND YOUR HIKING MANNERS Not so fast! Mud season hiking calls for some prior planning. Hiking on muddy trails can do a lot of damage, causing erosion and soil compaction. Often, hikers will go off-trail to hike around boggy areas or large puddles,

which destroys vegetation alongside the trail.

But with a little care and some judicious trail selection, the housebound looking to break free from cabin fever can still get out on the trails.

• Choose trails with southern exposure. They dry out sooner.

• Avoid the conifer forests and higher elevations. Stick to the hardwood forested areas at lower elevations.

• Abide by trail closures. Volunteers put a lot of hard work into maintaining the trails for the rest of us to enjoy all summer. By staying off closed trails, hikers don’t add to their labor.

• If a trail gets impassably muddy, your best bet is to turn back and choose another hike.

HIKES FOR SPRING—OR ANYTIME To find out where to go, we turned to the experts at Outdoor Gear Exchange, who recommend the following locations: MALLET’S BAY CAUSEWAY affords spectacular views as it takes you out into Lake Champlain.

MOUNT PHILO in Charlotte is less than a mile

long and not quite a thousand feet of elevation but well worth the visit.

MOUNT ELMORE in Wolcott is a 4.3-mile loop with a fire tower at the summit.

CROSS-VERMONT TRAIL is a network of trails across the state.

LIBERTY HILL TRAIL is an easy point-to-point hike in Pittsfield.

WEST RIVER TRAIL follows a former railbed.

MOUNT TOM in Woodstock is part of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.

STOWE RECREATION PATH is over 5 miles of paved trail from Stowe Village to Top Notch Resort.

TRAIL AROUND MIDDLEBURY (TAM) is 16 miles long and circumnavigates the town of Middlebury.

ALBURGH RECREATIONAL RAIL-TRAIL is 3.5 miles long and is known for its opportunities for wildlife sightings and birdwatching.

See page 22 for all your hiking gear! www.bestofcentralvt.com 21

TAKE A HIKE

ONION RIVER OUTDOORS in Montpelier has got you covered for your outdoor adventures

AMC’S BEST DAY HIKES IN VERMONT A four-season guide to 60 hikes within the Green Mountain State. It includes turn-by-turn directions, detailed maps, and essays on the history and nature of Vermont.

PATAGONIA NINE TRAILS PACK 14L This day pack is great for all your adventures on the trails. Featuring a two-liter hydration bladder and enough pockets and storage compartments to organize layers, food, maps, and cameras, this lightweight pack will keep you prepared and on the move.

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

OBOZ SAWTOOTH

GOOD TO-GOÂ GRANOLA

This classic waterproof mid-height boot is comfortable enough to wear on every day dog walks, but stands up to the rigors of backpacking. The B-DRY waterproof/breathability system lets sweat out while protecting the foot from mud and rain. The Oboz proprietary insole, asymmetrical collar, and supportive heel cup deliver on fit and feel.

This is a shop favorite for days out on the trail. Based in Maine, Good To-Go creates meals and snacks from clean ingredients. This granola is vegetarian and gluten-free, and full of raw nuts and seeds, blueberries, and figs. Real New England maple syrup gives it just the right sweetness.

KATADYN BEFREE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM The BeFree 0.6LÂ water filtration system uses the EZ-Clean Membrane to remove water, cysts, and sediment. To use, just fill the flask and the membrane does the work. With a 59g filter and collapsible flask, the BeFree is convenient, lightweight, and very portable.

DARN TOUGH WOOL SOCKS Made right here in Vermont, these socks are going to be a make-or-break difference in your enjoyment on the trail. Wool keeps your feet warm and dry and the structured design is comfort defined. Darn tough offers a lifetime warranty on their products, so these really are a lifelong purchase! www.bestofcentralvt.com 23

COMMUNIT Y SP OTLIGHT | BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY PHOTOS CO UR TE S Y OF THE S TORE

Ready to Go

to the next

lEvEl

Kathy Rose grew up helping at The Store. A fixture in Waitsfield for decades, The Store is an independent gourmet kitchen store started in 1965 by Kathy’s mom, Jackie.

When asked what year she took over from Jackie, Kathy says, “Call it 2000,” because there was no one definitive moment.

She had just always been there.

O

ne of Kathy’s fondest childhood memories was “the penny candy.

And if we were really good, my mom would take us to Capitol Candy in Montpelier to help her buy it.”

THE BENEFIT OF LOUD BOOTS The Store has seen a lot of changes over the years. In 1965, it was one room upstairs from Chez Henri at Sugarbush. They sold kitchen goods to skiers who could ski right up to the building and tromp inside wearing their ski boots. Kathy’s mom had the idea to put down river rocks to protect the floor. The added benefit was the terrific noise it made, those heavy boots on the big rocks. Jackie could bring the kids downstairs to Chez Henri to socialize, and when they heard the trip-trap of ski boots upstairs, would “tell us, ‘Run up there and see if someone wants to buy something,’” says Kathy.

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

BOOM TIME The decade of the 1980s was a booming time for the whole valley, with condos going in left and right. The Store got into outfitting whole condos, “from soup to nuts.” The developers would outfit the Open House unit through The Store, and buyers could then choose how to outfit their new condo—everything from couches and mattresses to draperies, dishes, and silverware. The marked uptick in business meant The Store had outgrown their spot

above Chez Henri, prompting the move to the current location in the renovated 1834 Methodist Meeting House in Waitsfield.

In 2008, The Store began offering cooking classes in The Kitchen at The Store, which is a fully outfitted kitchen that can accommodate up to 12 learners.

A huge hit, the cooking classes are offered multiple times a week and cover topics such as how to correctly use kitchen tools, global cuisine—everything from Italian and

LONGTIME INSTITUTION THE STORE TO CLOSE THIS SPRING

www.bestofcentralvt.com 25

French cuisine to the dishes of the Near and Far East—as well as cooking with certain ingredients like beer or wine.

Over the years, The Store has become something of an institution in the Mad River Valley.

A visit to The Store is more than just a shopping trip. “People come and it’s an experience,” explains Kathy. “They’re not just walking in and going, ‘hello,’ and turning around and walking back out again.” Employees know everybody by name and “everybody who comes in the door is offered coffee or tea.” Kathy and her employees 26

BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

have customers who have been coming to The Store for decades and knew Kathy’s mom Jackie.

“And now we’re into the next generations,” Kathy notes. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, I’m bringing my daughter next time.’” One couple drives up from Tennessee and makes a point of buying their maple syrup at The Store. Customers say, “I love coming here.”

TIME FOR A NEW BEGINNING Talking to Kathy about her time at The Store, it’s clear that it’s more than just a job. “We

like to make it as if they’re coming home to us,” she says. “People come in and say, ‘What’s new, how’s it going, how was your year?’” And so it is with a definite sadness that Kathy and her family have decided that, after 55 years in business, it is time to close The Store. “I think this area is ready for The Store to be taken to a whole new level.”

The Mad River Valley, like a number of other places in Vermont, is a ferment of new businesses focused on the craft of artisanal foods and beverages. Places like Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Worthy Burger Too, and Mad River Taste are making Waitsfield a magnet for young people, and more and more are moving in. Kathy sees a place for The Store in that movement, guided by someone with the social media savvy to create a fresh buzz.

As sure as Kathy is that, “it’s time” for her to move on, it was a difficult decision. “I love my employees. They’ve been here for a really long time,” says Kathy. “This is the hardest part.

Some people have been here over 20 years.

They have given their lives to this business.”

As for the response from longtime customers of The Store, “People are devastated.”

The whole transition is a not unlike a grieving process. “We have multi-decades of people who are used to you being here,” Kathy observes. “I feel very bad. Very sad. It’s hard to take that away from them.”

Kathy planned to keep The Store open through the process of finding a buyer, but recommendations for public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic have required them to close. If a buyer is not found by the time officials call the all-clear, The Store will reopen with a closeout sale and then the building alone will be sold. As with so many things at the time of this writing, the timeline for these events is uncertain. Ads will be placed in local papers and on social media to inform the public of updates and changes.

Come what may, Kathy is looking forward to putting some time into activities that operating a year-round retail store have prevented—gardening perhaps, or travel.

“I can’t write the ending yet,” says Kathy.

“But I’ll find something to do.”

>>> THE STORE 5275 Main Street Waitsfield, VT (802) 496-4465 www.vermontstore.com/the-store www.bestofcentralvt.com 27

SE A SONAL VIE WS PHOTOS BY S TEPHANIE DIX OF LINCOLN G AP PHOTO GR APHY

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”

— Sarah Ban Breathnach

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

SprinG is poppinG up All OveR

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

Central Vermont

HOME BUILD, REMODEL, DECORATE & LANDSCAPE

PHOTO BY LINDSAY RAYMONDJACK PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF VOLANSKY STUDIO ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING

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Emodiam quo dolutet et voluptate invel modipient vent alia que non nimodis audiciatque consequam volore nobis rest excepedi quundebit ipitati cullaboriore dolorio rerio. Ique nos

BY MILFORD CUSHMAN PHOTOS BY LINDSAY SELIN

CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP California Design in the Heart of Vermont CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP 100 Mountain Road PO Box 655 Stowe, VT (802) 253-2169 inquiry@cushmandesign.com www.cushmandesign.com

W

hen trendy and designsavvy California clients of Cushman Design Group (CDG) asked for a clean, bright, and spacious full-time home here in the mountains of northern Vermont, they set to work on a collaboration with general contractor Gristmill Builders.

As the project manager overseeing the design of this new home, CDG's Kelley

Osgood coordinated the creation of all the important features of the build, resulting in this beautiful, energy-efficient, two-level home. Situated on the edge of a steep wooded hillside, the home offers panoramic views of the Worcester Range to the north and a broad horizontal spread of the Green Mountains to the west.

Significant considerations that Kelley integrated into the final design concept www.bestofcentralvt.com 33

Kelley Osgood produced this exterior rendering to clearly illustrate the color and textural palette of the materials proposed for the client’s new home in northern Vermont. These colors were selected to help the building to be visually quiet and non-reflective in accordance with local viewshed protection bylaws.

were the client’s budget and their deep appreciation of a home that is “just big enough.” Typical of the work of Cushman Design Group, the generous use of stone and wood with accents of copper and stainless steel for both exterior and

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

interior finishes helps the owners feel connected to the natural beauty of Vermont. Their contemporary home here in the mountains is a peaceful and nurturing sanctuary, ready for their return from traveling the world.

CULLIGAN WATER Benefits of a Water Softening System

A

water softener can help prolong the life of your water-using appliances.

Targeting hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium eliminates scale buildup, which has a number of benefits.

People who live in homes with water softening systems may notice softer hair and skin, softer laundry, clearer water, and spot-free dishes.

SAVE MONEY, SAVE TIME

CULLIGAN WATER

154 Brentwood Drive, Suite 1 Green Mountains, VT (802) 552-8741

culligan4u.com

Not only that, water softeners help consumers save money. Appliances in a home with soft water perform more efficiently and need fewer repairs. Washing machines require less detergent and use less energy to get clothes clean, saving you money on detergent as well as your energy bill. You’ll save even more money by not having to replace fixtures that have corroded due to the buildup.

And who would miss spending time scrubbing scale buildup off of faucets, showerheads, and shower doors?

WHAT’S THE BEST WATER SOFTENING SYSTEM? Culligan’s water softening systems were designed with you and your home in mind.

Backed by one of the most inclusive warranties in the industry, their high-quality systems deliver better water when and where you need it most. Whether you need flexibility, affordability, or dependability, find the best water softener for your home: HIGH EFFICIENCY WATER SOFTENER This advanced water softener uses state-ofthe-art technology to adapt to your household’s water needs. Customize the water softness for your home and your system will auto-adjust to meet your preferences. Enjoy an endless supply of better drinking water and control your system from virtually anywhere in your home. With daily updates from your system using the HE Connect App, you can keep track of your household water usage so you’re always informed.

MEDALLIST SERIES HOME WATER SOFTENER This is the most affordable design, and it offers the water softening benefits you want at the price you need. The Medallist Series Home Water Softener seamlessly integrates into your plumbing to provide durability and efficiency throughout each use. www.bestofcentralvt.com 35

BY RACHEL CLOUTIER

Peregrine Design/ Build clients have a desire to share the story of what makes their home and family unique. Using natural elements in the home is a great way to express these sentiments.

These examples demonstrate five ways to incorporate natural elements into your space.

PHOTOS THIS PAGE BY SUSAN TEARE

PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD Elements of Design DAYLIGHT Opening your space with wellproportioned and properly functioning windows is one of the first things Peregrine Design/Build will suggest to bring the outdoors in. New energy-efficient windows add value to your home, expand the spatial quality of a room, and improve your daily outlook—literally.

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PHOTO BY RYAN BENT

PHOTOS LEFT AND RIGHT BY SUSAN TEARE

STONE

PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD 49 Commerce Avenue South Burlington, VT (802) 383-1808 peregrinedesignbuild.com

As an accent element, stone makes a powerful statement when incorporated into your home. Colors, cuts, and finishes that range from rough to highly polished can be used in a variety of settings. Adding radiant heat beneath a stone floor makes it even more functional and wonderfully comforting underfoot. Stone will retain warmth, so it’s a great way to dry items in a mudroom or entryway.

www.bestofcentralvt.com 37

PHOTO BY SUSAN TEARE

PHOTO BY PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD

PHOTO BY SUSAN TEARE

WOOD With so many species of wood, there are almost unlimited choices in using its natural character, colors, and textures to add personality to your home. Mixing styles from farmhouse to contemporary can be bridged through wood.

Wood creates warmth and a sense of history in your space. Wood has been used for generations to build homes that are both functional and beautiful. Not only can this be achieved in new wood builds, but by reclaiming and reusing wood from historical structures, the past is brought into the present.

Wallpaper can make a statement about your style, from bold to subtle or traditional to contemporary. The use of this historical wall treatment has been making a comeback. A little nervous about taking the plunge?

The new peel and stick wallpaper is a great way to experiment without making a huge commitment.

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PHOTO BY PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD

PAPER

PHOTO BY RYAN BENT

METAL

PHOTO BY SUSAN TEARE

Metals in your living spaces, whether in a staircase or stove hood, can be expressed in a variety of finishes, such as natural, burnished, or painted, to suit your style. The blending of hard surfaces with warm wood tops and floors creates a pleasing layering effect. The use of natural elements in the design of a home has the ability to create a space as unique as the family that lives in it.

ONLINE EXTRA See more of the great work by Peregrine Design/Build! Go to www.bestofcentralvt.com

www.bestofcentralvt.com 39

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY INSPIRED CLOSETS

INSPIRED CLOSETS Create Peaceful Mornings…

And a Peaceful Life mountains of clothes and shoes so large that you need to put your hiking boots on to traverse them. Or the garage that resembles an obstacle course. Perhaps it’s a mudroom overflowing with sports equipment.

DESIGN Inspiration comes easy at the 3,000 square-foot show room. With so many design possibilities out there, it can be hard to settle on just one.

But with 14 full-size vignettes to look at, customers can easily visualize the possibilities and turn a dream into something attainable.

PREPARE The goal at Inspired Closets is to make your life easier. To that end, they take on the hassle. From providing you with complimentary clothing racks prior to the installation to removing and disposing of the old closet system, they make the process easy and stress-free. They even manage the tear out and patch of your current closet.

INSTALL

I

t’s 9am and you’re on time for work, feeling relaxed, organized, and inspired. There’s confidence in your steps because you know you look put together. Stylish. Assured.

Mornings are a breeze because you have a closet system that really works for you. Your outfits come together in a snap, no matter how rushed you are.

That’s the magic of Inspired Closets. Personalized designs mean a stress-free lifestyle. To bring organization to even the wildest closets, the team at Inspired Closets starts with an easy four-step process.

CONSULT Chat with a professional designer during your free in-home design consultation about what’s irking you. Maybe it’s maneuvering around 40

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Inspired Closets installers are perfectionists who pay attention to the smallest of details. They never rely on subcontractors but instead have a professional staff of year-round full-time installers. They take pride in punctuality and will leave your space cleaner than before.

If there’s one thing experience has taught the experts at Inspired Closets, it’s that people don’t want things to be overdesigned.

Whether you need help with a closet, mudroom, garage, laundry room, home office, or a Murphy Bed design, they take the time to listen to exactly what the client wants so they can fulfill the dream of a stress-free lifestyle.

INSPIRED CLOSETS 17 Echo Place Williston, VT InspiredClosetsVT.com (802) 658-0000

The 3,000 sq. ft. showroom in Williston, Vermont, has 14 full-size vignettes. Your personalized design comes to life in 3D with a free in-home or virtual design consultation.

www.bestofcentralvt.com 41

Design Style Uniquely Suited to the Green Mountain State 42

BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SPRING 2020

PHOTO BY LINDSAY RAYMONDJACK PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VOLANSKY STUDIO ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING

VERMONT MOUNTAIN MODERN

E

very region has a design ethos that is born of its geography, climate, and the temperament of its people. Vermont Mountain Modern is a term Volansky Studio uses to describe its emerging design style that is uniquely suited to Vermont.

The Vermont Mountain Modern designs of Volansky Studio, in business in Stowe since 2015, are contemporary, clean, crisp, fresh, and simple. Plans are site-specific and responsive to the environment.

EVERY PROJECT IS UNIQUE Volansky Studio is committed to welcoming input from all team members on design projects, and the growing firm has had the opportunity to work with many bright lights in construction throughout northern New England.

Part of that commitment is recognizing that every project is unique. One of the core beliefs at Volansky Studio is the importance of actively listening to the desires of clients and transforming those desires into physical form. When the project is finished, clients recognize their ideas, personality, and desires within the design.

CONNECTING THE INDOORS TO THE OUTDOORS “Many of our clients are either living here or are coming here from someplace else because of the incredible beauty of Vermont and the lifestyle afforded by the Green Mountains,” says Andrew Volansky, principal architect and founder. “Our designs are informed by the way the buildings are used and the activities that they support, whether it is to ski or ride, trail

run, canoe, or mountain bike.” Connecting the indoors to the outdoors is important to those who choose to have a home in Vermont.

Vermont Mountain Modern is a design style that blurs the lines between inside and outside.

Mudrooms, screened porches, and outdoor patios with firepits are all examples of design elements that create that connection between

VOLANSKY STUDIO ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING 1815 Mountain Road Stowe, VT (802) 793-4999 volanskystudio.com

www.bestofcentralvt.com 43

MULTIGENERATIONAL PLANNING “A significant portion of our projects include multigenerational planning,” says Andrew.

“Our clients want their homes to be welcoming and to encourage their families to visit.”

This means that homes need to function as well with two occupants as they do with a dozen or more. “Looking for thoughtful ways to create efficient spaces with flexibility and 44

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PHOTOS THIS PAGE BY LINDSAY RAYMONDJACK PHOTOGRAPHY

a home’s interior and its exterior. The use of natural materials like stone, wood, and metal in their raw forms lend to that ethos by simply being what they are. Strategic and proportional blending of these elemental materials creates a beauty in the architecture with no need for ornamentation.

scalability in the dining room, living room, and kitchen, as well as looking for overflow spaces that can accommodate additional guests but be useful during quieter times are key to our design work.”

availability, Volansky Studio thoroughly explores any project’s true potential for renovation. “Although it can be challenging at the onset to overcome existing conditions, these projects are also incredibly rewarding,” notes Andrew.

FINDING POSSIBILITIES IN RENOVATION

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

With current building trends leaning towards renovations due to limited land

“Helping clients understand the process is an important part of our responsibility,” says

Andrew. “Throughout the design process, there are highs and lows of energy that resemble those of music.” Some clients find the volume of decisions required by a building project to be daunting. Volansky Studio takes leadership on guiding clients through the process from beginning to end to maintain the alignment of design intent, scope of work, and budget.

“It’s important to follow the project all the way through construction to assure proper interpretation of the construction drawings into built form,” says Andrew. “From the first day that we welcome them into the studio to the day the contractor hands the keys over, we are there to represent our client’s best interests.”

IN TUNE WITH THE VERMONT CLIMATE Winters are cold and summer months can be hot in Vermont. Passive solar design, where a building’s design takes climate, location, and materials into account in order to minimize energy use, results in a high-quality, energy-efficient building envelope that both retains heat in the winter and protects the interior environment from the heat of the summer sun. Design of fenestration and roof overhangs play an integral part in creating a comfortable home. “We design our homes to have shading in the summer, cross ventilation for cooling and fresh air, and landscaping that shades the south and west,” explains Andrew. www.bestofcentralvt.com 45

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WINDOWS & DOORS BY BROWNELL

New Design Tool Brings Architectural Plans to Life

WINDOWS & DOORS

BY BROWNELL

C

reating a dream home necessitates answering a thousand questions. What size windows will you have? What proportions? Do you want a sliding patio door or a bi-fold scenic door? Perhaps you want an unobstructed view of the mountains from the dining room table. Being able to envision how each choice might look is challenging, even impossible for some.

A visit to a design showroom can show some of the possibilities, but it’s impossible to have everything in stock for viewing.

“Even with more than 7,000 square feet of

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showroom space, we are still challenged to show the range of sizing options available today,” says Les Brownell, of Windows & Doors By Brownell. “So when Marvin came to the table with a technology solution to help our customers visualize proportions on a oneto-one scale ratio, we were eager to explore the opportunity.”

MARVIN WINDOW VISUALIZATION TECHNOLOGY Available at the Williston showroom, the Marvin Window Visualization Technology is an

application program that allows window and door configurations to be instantly projected via a large ceiling-mounted projector that is specifically calibrated to display exact sizes.

Configurations can be modified on the fly, giving customers and designers the ability to see an unlimited number of possibilities. The application is controlled on an iPad by one of Windows & Doors By Brownell’s window designers. The tool enables customers to explore window and door possibilities up to 16 feet wide and 10 feet high, all at a one-to-one scale ratio. This efficient technology allows fast, easy changes to window

and door configurations—without having to redraw the plans each time.

NO SURPRISES “As a designer, one of the unspoken parts of my job is managing the client’s expectations.

With big budget items like windows and doors, you really don’t want your client to be surprised at how something looks or where it is positioned,” says Ashley Carlow of Highline Design Studio.

Carlow speaks about her recent experience working with the Marvin Window Visualization Technology on a personal renovation project of hers. “[With the Marvin Window Visualization Technology], I viewed both the multi slide and French door slider.

I had a good grasp on windows but when deciding between two types of sliders with big budget swings it was critical for me to get the physical experience seeing it and standing next to it.” Carlow knew it was important for her to feel how the configuration would relate to the space and called the technology an “invaluable” design tool.

A comfortable meeting space is positioned in front of the projection wall so configurations are easily viewed by all of the decision makers. Although, Windows & Doors By Brownell finds most clients are up and down from their seats, standing next to door configurations as Carlow did, or assessing various window possibilities. A Windows & Doors By Brownell window designer helps guide the

conversation, digitally drawing the windows and doors in real time as the conversation between client and designer advances.

COLLABORATION IN A SINGLE MEETING Use the Marvin Window Visualization Technology in com­bination with the collection of physical window and door displays in order to make design decisions, and what could take many emails and conversations between clients and designers can be done in a single meeting. This combination of technology and physical displays creates the ultimate window design experience, allowing designers and their clients to gain confidence in making important, informed decisions that allow the project to progress.

To utilize the Marvin Window Visualization Technology at the Williston showroom, call or email to make an appointment.

WINDOWS & DOORS BY BROWNELL 800 Marshall Avenue Williston, VT wdbrownell@gmail.com www.wdbrownell.com (802) 862-4800

www.bestofcentralvt.com 47

PHOTOS BY SUSAN TEARE

Outdoor Lighting Trends for 2020

T

KNAUF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

he trend of creating beautiful landscape spaces which stretch the number of months we can live comfortably outdoors is still going strong. Many of the same features that provide intimacy and coziness inside, whether in your living room, dining room, kitchen, or even bedroom, are being designed and constructed for durability outside. We’re seeing tables, stoves, fireplaces, and beds and sofas in materials and construction that allow for their outside use.

Outdoor lighting is another way to entice us to stay outdoors longer, and it’s exciting to see the rapid advance of fixture designs that meet every illumination need. The right lighting can create a relaxing or cheerful ambiance, accent interesting architectural or natural features, as well as enhance safety and convenience. Step

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lights, path lights, chandeliers, lamps, pendants, and pool water illumination invite us to enjoy an outdoor place for hours.

Some fixtures have become so tiny that they remain hidden while providing the desired glow or accent for a space or feature. Or the fixture itself can be highlighted through a stylish design in a material and color that blends with your furniture composition. Natural woven materials, metal, and recycled glass in geometric and modern shapes are going to be popular this year.

And don’t forget fire as another element for illuminating your space. Your choices are not limited to just fire places. There are also fire tables, bowls, and rings, and all can provide either an exhilarating or restful setting.

In addition to fabulous new designs and applications, LED bulbs are becoming better

and better. They offer a wider range of brightness and color, efficiency, and lifespan so that they will rarely need replacement.

Also, automated light logic systems allow you to simply and conveniently control any part of your landscape lighting from your phone, tablet, or computer wherever you are—inside your house or remotely away from home.

KNAUF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

525 Hercules Drive, Suite 2b Colchester, VT (802) 522-0676 cynthiaknauf.com

www.bestofcentralvt.com 49

ANN ROCHE

CASUAL FURNITURE New ways to chill this spring, summer, and fall

A

fter the winter Vermonters and other New Englanders have endured, we share a common goal—enjoy the outdoors from early spring to late fall as often as we can. And Ann Roche Casual Furniture can help us achieve that goal, whether we want aluminum, wrought iron, or wicker seating and tables; Adirondack-style chairs and swings; durable hammocks; or deep and comfy seating around a fire pit—all built to last for years.

Whether you plan to relax on a deck, patio, porch, or three-season room, Ann Roche offers extensive collections for your prime chillin’ spot. You’ll find high-quality casual furniture and more to fit every budget, all made by a

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large number of manufacturers.

Trending this season is comfortable deep-seating furniture where family and friends gather around the fire table. Fire pits include tabletop pillars, outdoor heaters, and gas varieties that are safe and simple to maintain. This spring there are boundless furniture options in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and colors, all available in Sunbrella fabrics. Countless solutions to provide shade include state of the art cantilever styles, wall-mounted options, and fashionable market umbrellas to make an impact in your space. As grilling season approaches, the Big Green Egg remains a popular choice for the outdoor chef.

The versatile Egg, available in seven sizes to accommodate any size family, can grill, roast, smoke, and bake.

Visit Ann Roche Casual Furniture to uniquely design your sunroom, porch, patio, or outdoor space.

ANN ROCHE CASUAL FURNITURE 370 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT (802) 985-5300 www.annroche.com

TRUE COLORS BLINDS AND DESIGN In-home Consultations Make Window Design Stress Free

T

he only window treatment show room between West Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Burlington, Vermont, True Colors Blinds and Design opened its doors in 1989. This family-owned business sells, services, and installs custom window treatment products from Graber, World Wide, Comfortex, and Norman Window fashions. Because they are not exclusive to any one manufacturer, they have the freedom to design the perfect combination of materials to update your home’s interior in a way that works best for you.

The experts at True Colors help Vermont homeowners solve their window covering issues with high-quality custom window treatments.

There is a window treatment solution to

TRUE COLORS BLINDS AND DESIGN 141 River Street Montpelier, VT (802) 223-1616 truecolorshd@gmail.com

address any need, whether you’re looking to keep out the bitter cold, darken a room with blackout blinds, or fit an out-of-reach window with motorized blinds. Perhaps it’s time to refresh the look of your home’s interior.

Creating custom window coverings can feel like a long complicated process, but this is where experience makes the difference. True Colors can bring the showroom to you and help you find the ideal window treatments for your home, guiding you through every step of the process. End result? A stress-free and personalized remodel. www.bestofcentralvt.com 51

Decorative Plumbing and Hardware at

CLOSE

TO HOME Made in the USA: A Trend that Lasts Trends come and go. Some come back. Some never should have been. But Made in the USA is a trend that has stood the test of time.

VERMONTERS KNOW WHAT’S GOOD The interest in fixtures made here in the USA isn’t new. Even before the recent global trade disputes, discerning homeowners, architects, designers, and contractors in Vermont were requesting American-made products for their kitchen and bath remodels and new builds.

MADE IN THE USA MEANS QUALITY And while it’s no secret the label “American Made” often means a higher price point than say, “Made in China,” it typically comes with other benefits that directly affect the consumer, including better warranties (often lifetime), easier access to customer support, and more efficient technical assistance.

SHOPPERS PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR VALUES ARE Consumer awareness today is also more in tune with issues beyond appearance, functionality, personal convenience, and cost. Factors that take certain values into account have become an important consideration. Safe and fair 52

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conditions for workers, the environmental impacts of manufacturing, and effects on the American economy all play into a customer’s decision-making process.

Manufacturers like Watermark Designs of Brooklyn, New York, Rocky Mountain Hardware of Hailey, Idaho, and Waterstone Faucets out of Murrieta, California, have always been widely respected. With their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and

commitment to the environment as well as their employees, companies like these are a trend that is here to stay.

CLOSE TO HOME 257 Pine Street Burlington, VT (802) 861-3200 closetohomevt.com

BY PHYL NEWBECK PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAPSTONE COMMUNITY ACTION

Creating Opportunity in the Green Mountain State Capstone Community Action makes life easier for Vermonters in need� Capstone Community Action’s Executive Director Sue Minter has one important message for the people of central Vermont and beyond. “Poverty isn’t an intractable challenge,” she says.

“It’s not permanent.” Sue would know.

Through the myriad of programs run by Capstone, she has seen many people rise out of the cycle of poverty.

F

ormerly known as the Central Vermont Community Action Council, Capstone Community Action was born out of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty in 1965. It is part of a network of over 1,000 nonprofit community action organizations in the country and one of five in Vermont. Sue has been Executive Director for just over a year but she continues to be impressed with the organization’s work. “I’m enormously proud of the way Capstone has grown and evolved over 50 years,” she says. “I’m hugely impressed by the impact we have.”

HELPING VERMONTERS MEET BASIC NEEDS

HELPING VERMONTERS BUILD FAMILIES

Capstone’s work can be divided into roughly four categories. The first is helping Vermonters make ends meet and includes crisis services like heating fuel, housing, homelessness prevention, and food security.

For the latter, Capstone runs the largest food shelf in central Vermont. A second category is Capstone’s warm and healthy homes program, which provides assistance with home weatherization and promotes energy efficiency.

A third area where Capstone provides assistance is building stronger families. Sue says this is done primarily through Head Start, which serves children birth through age five from disadvantaged families. Capstone runs two early learning centers in Barre and Morrisville. The Barre center has two classrooms for children less than three years of age and another two for those in the four-to-five year range. The top floor of the building is a pregnancy and parenting teen center, which provides parenting www.bestofcentralvt.com 53

Above: Capstone Community Action's weatherization crew made 181 homes warmer and energy efficient for residents eligible for the no-cost weatherization program.

Right: Community Kitchen Academy graduate Terrance Coley in the kitchen of his new position at Stowe Mountain Resort. Photo by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur.

Opposite: Delbert Wood’s home was weatherized, saving his family half the cost of fuel from the prior year. Photo by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

and lactation support and helps young mothers get their high school diplomas.

OPENING UP ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY The fourth category—opening doors to economic opportunity—is one for which Capstone is less well known. Sue describes this as a financial empowerment program that helps people find economic self-sufficiency through financial coaching. “We help people who haven’t grown up in families with an understanding of financial management or even kept a budget,” she says. “This helps people get out of debt, establish credit, and build assets. Fourteen percent of Vermonters are a paycheck away from poverty and maybe homelessness.” Through the Vermont Matched Savings program, Capstone matches dollar for dollar the money that participants save for postsecondary education, transportation, or buying a home.

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MICRO-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT As part of the fourth category, Capstone has a micro-business development program that uses training workshops and one-onone sessions to help participants start their own business. They also have a Community Kitchen Academy that, in partnership with the Vermont Foodbank, offers a 12-week program to help unemployed Vermonters gain work in the food industry. The kitchen is connected to the food shelf and every day Academy students turn food shelf donations into nutritious meals. After finishing the course they get certification and nine credits toward a diploma from the Community College of Vermont. Sue says 90 percent had jobs at the conclusion of the program. www.bestofcentralvt.com 55

Above and left: Early Head Start kids at play at the early learning centers located in Barre and Morrisville.

Below: Community Kitchen Academy students learn knife skills as part of the day's instruction.

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Terrance Coley is one of those gainfully employed graduates of the Community Kitchen Academy. Terrance’s only culinary experience had been during incarceration, but he says he learned a lot from the Community Kitchen Academy. “I got out of prison and came up here and everything has been looking up since,” he says. “I have a job at Stoweflake Mountain Resort and it’s 100 percent because of this program.” Terrance has been working on the side to develop his own barbecue sauce and although he hasn’t tried to produce it commercially, he says it has gotten good reviews.

He credits Capstone and Stoweflake for looking past his criminal record and giving him a chance to succeed. “They gave me an opportunity,” he says, “and I work as hard as I do and do what I need to do because of that opportunity.”

Capstone’s programs cover Washington, Lamoille, and Orange Counties. With 165 employees, they provide services to 13,360 people in 7,256 central Vermont households.

“Until I walked through these doors, I didn’t understand the breadth of the programs and the impact,” Sue says. “We have a real problem in Vermont with growing poverty and the intensification of need.” Sue notes that older Vermonters are having more and more difficulty keeping their homes heated. The winter of 2018–2019 saw a 36 percent increase in people needing fuel assistance.

Other Capstone clients are single mothers, people with disabilities, those who have developed acute health care issues, and the youngest victims of the opioid epidemic who are being cared for by grandparents who lack an income stream, but Sue notes that even some dual income families need assistance.

“We see people of all ages in need,” she says.

“We treat everyone with respect and dignity.

We need to destigmatize poverty.”

“Poverty is complicated,” Sue says. “We see the whole picture for our families and work with partners in areas like housing and mental health. The key thing we do for people is believe in them and help them believe in themselves. Self-confidence and self-esteem are the most important ingredients to success.”

>>> CAPSTONE COMMUNITY ACTION 20 Gable Place Barre, VT (802) 479-1053

www.capstonevt.org www.bestofcentralvt.com 57

Above: Norwich junior Kyle Clark dives over for a try against Furman University.

Below: Senior Norwich kicker Jeff Minicucci ties the match with a 2-point conversion with no seconds remaining.

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BY BILL WALSH PHOTOS BY RONNY DIMASI PHOTOGRAPHY

Norwich University Rugby

Till the Last Whistle Blows

PAINFUL MEMORIES

M

ost athletes have games or matches they would like to erase from their minds, bodies, hearts, and souls.

These young men and NU’s coach graciously talked about one such match. The 2017 match took place at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. NU, ranked third, faced off against Virginia Military Institute (VMI), ranked fourth, in the Sweet 16 National Championship Tournament.

Will recalled seeing the VMI players.

“They were a bunch of really big guys.

Everyone looked to be the same height and weight. VMI had a really big crowd and they were loud. We were used to playing under the clouds with wind and 45 degrees, but it was so hot and humid that every NU player got a cramp, and we were in really good shape.

VMI guys were vomiting.”

What were the chances it would happen twice? Two historic rugby matches played two years apart, at the same place, to contest the same national championship college rugby tournament?

I interviewed Norwich University (NU) varsity men’s rugby Coach Bob Weggler and two NU ruggers who played in the matches: Will Rambin, a six-foot-one, 220-pound junior, and Nate Rolling, a fivefoot-six, 185-pound senior and two-time All-American.

Nate added, “We were tied after 80 minutes (a full match) and scored two unconverted tries (another 20 minutes) in the extreme conditions.” He hesitated, drew a deep breath, and continued while slowly shaking his head, “Then, we missed tackles, missed kicks, and missed opportunities. We ended up losing. I still

haven’t watched that game and I don’t think I will watch it.” I could see the pain in his face as he bowed his head after reliving the loss.

Will shook his head in agreement and added, “There are always games like that.

I was upset that we lost, especially for the seniors because the year before, the same thing www.bestofcentralvt.com 59

Senior winger Mike Del Priore dashes down the touchline with ball in hand while dodging a tackle from a Furman defender. Norwich trailed by 17 points three times in the dramatic come-frombehind win in overtime, on the same pitch where they had lost two years prior.

happened. Those guys built up the team. We did not do our best for the seniors, for the ton of alumni there. The whole game and loss were kind of surreal. It was the most emotional 105 minutes I ever went through, and never want to go through again.” Nate nodded his head in agreement. The final score was 41–36.

Coach Weggler said, “It was the agony of defeat. The game had many lead changes. It was a real roller coaster. After being up in the first overtime period it looked like it was ours to win, then VMI came back to tie it. Then it looked like we would win in sudden death, then the penalty kick was wide right, then VMI scored to win it. Wow, what a game!

Unfortunately we were on the short side of the stick.” He proudly pointed out that the

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match was voted match of the year by Goff Rugby Report.

TWO YEARS LATER: SAME SOUTH CAROLINA FIELD, SAME REFEREE In late November of 2019, the NU ruggers, now ranked number one, were back at Furman in the same tournament, on the same pitch, with the same referee. This time their opponent was Furman, ranked second, and with the home-field advantage.

Nate said, “It was cold, muddy, and windy.

The forwards loved it. Furman’s backs were slippery guys, so until our backs could figure out what their backs were doing with dummy passes or switches, the forwards needed to get out there and support the backs. And we were having troubles with line-outs all day. The wind was a big factor.”

THREE TIMES NU FOUGHT BACK FROM 17-POINT DEFICITS NU’s players remembered the defeat of two years before and were determined not to let it happen again. Nate stated, “Our forwards were more physical than any forwards we played against all year.” They included Ahmad Bitang, a six-foot-one, 245-pound freshman and Paul Latona, a six-foot-one, 280-pound senior.

Trailing 41–34 with no time left on the clock, NU had one last chance to finish fighting back for a third time from a 17-point deficit.

Will made an outstanding catch as Nate’s throw-in was carried by the wind. NU needed to do the next-to-the-impossible by moving the ball 20 meters to score a 5-point try, and kick the 2-point conversion to tie Furman at 41 and head into overtime. An NU mistake, however, such as a penalty or losing ball possession, would result in the referee blowing the last whistle to end the match with NU suffering another devastating loss.

After Will’s catch, the NU forwards held onto the ball and slowly drove the Furman players back 15 meters. When they reached the 5 meter line, what looked similar to a goal line stand in football lasted three minutes. NU employed a “pick and go” strategy where only designated players would carry the ball, then drive as low as possible while their teammates pushed Furman’s players back. When the ball carrier could no longer go forward, he would put the ball on the ground and another player would pick it up and go. Finally, Kyle Clark, a www.bestofcentralvt.com 61

The Norwich University Rugby team celebrates after their 60–41 win over Furman University.

five-foot-eight, 200-pound junior, crossed the try line for the 5-point try. Then, with all eyes and incredible pressure on him, Jeff Minicucci, a five-foot-ten, 195-pound senior, kicked the 2-point conversion to tie the match and go into overtime. NU scored 19 overtime points to win the match 60–41.

In a tired voice Will said, “For me, it

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was a sigh of relief. There was genuine happiness.” Nate added, “I’m tired of overtimes. I was very happy, especially since we silenced the Furman crowd.”

Simultaneously, the young men looked at me with gratified smiles. The interview was over.

There have been many stellar NU rugby victories and some painful losses. These matches exemplified NU’s dual mottos of “I Will Try” and “Essayons,” which translates to

“let us try.” They are also examples of what excellent rugby coaches like Bob Weggler preach: “Play hard till the last whistle blows.”

ONLINE EXTRA Check out the Norwich Rugby team in action at www.bestofcentralvt.com

SPRING EVENTS Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic we are not listing events at this time. See below for a list of our usual venues and their contact information for when they return to normal operations.

SPRUCE PEAK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 122 Hourglass Drive Stowe, VT www.sprucepeakarts.org

LOST NATION THEATER 39 Main Street Montpelier, VT (802) 229-0492 www.lostnationtheater.org

STUDIO PLACE ARTS

201 N. Main Street Barre, VT (802) 479-7069 www.studioplacearts.com

MONTPELIER ALIVE 39 Main Street Montpelier, VT (802) 223-9604 www.montpelieralive.org

STOWE ASSOCIATION 51 Main Street Stowe, VT www.gostowe.com askus@gostowe.com

NORTH BRANCH NATURE CENTER 713 Elm Street Montpelier, VT info@northbranchnaturecenter.org

BARRE OPERA HOUSE 6 N. Main Street Barre, VT (802) 476-8188 www.barreoperahouse.org

BARRE PARTNERSHIP

135 N. Main Street Barre, VT (802) 477-2967 www.barrepartnership.com

VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2 Church Street Burlington, VT (802) 864-5741 www.vso.org

www.bestofcentralvt.com 63

COFFEE TABLE PUBLISHING, LLC 32 Hermit Thrush Lane South Burlington, VT 05403