Best of Central Vermont - Summer 2018

Central Vermont best of

SUMMER 2018 VOLUME 6, NO. 3

COMMUNITIES AND LIFESTYLE IN THE HEART OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS

A PASSION TO RACE GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT TAKES THE WHEEL

STOWE MT LODGE CLASSIC SCORING LOVE WITH PLAYERS AND FANS IN STOWE

THE WAYSIDE

A VERMONT INSTITUTION MARKS A CENTURY

contents FEATURES

38

THE STOWE MT. LODGE CLASSIC

46

A PASSION TO RACE

54

THE WAYSIDE

SCORING LOVE WITH PLAYERS AND FANS IN STOWE

BY MARK AIKEN

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT TAKES THE WHEEL

BY JD GREEN

A VERMONT INSTITUTION MARKS A CENTURY

BY MARK AIKEN

D E PA RTM E N TS

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13 PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 14 ONLINE HUB 16 CONTRIBUTORS 18 OCCASIONS OUT & ABOUT 20

BY CASSIE HORNER

CHEERS!

26 POURABLE PRODUCE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

28 WATERCOLOR FESTIVAL

BY MARY GOW

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

BY PHYL NEWBECK

GOOD NEIGHBORS

32 MILLSTONE TRAILS

28

62 BOY SCOUTS

BY JAY MURRY

BRIGHT IDEAS

68 THE VERMONT TRAVELERS SERVICE CENTER

BY TOM BRANDES

CALENDAR

74 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 79 AD INDEX

Contents

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BEST OF

Central Vermont SUMMER 2018 | VOLUME 6 NO.3

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

PUBLISHERS

Robin Gales John Gales Bob Frisch COPY EDITOR

Elaine Ambrose 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, ©2018. 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 | SUMMER 2018

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

HAPPY SUMMER!

I

f you need examples of the variety of things to do during summer in central Vermont, look no further than this issue. Tennis anyone? We take a look at the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic coming this August. It’s professional tennis right here in our backyard and probably one of the most beautiful settings for enjoying a match.

Have a need for speed? The governor of the Green Mountain State has felt that need for some time and fulfills it by racing his stock car at Thunder Road Speedway in Barre. We talk with Governor Scott about his racing and what it takes to be successful on the track. And if you’d enjoy seeing the racers “trade paint” in person, Thunder Road races are held weekly just outside of Barre.

Whatever outdoor activity you enjoy, you’re sure to work up an appetite. And a trip to the Wayside Restaurant can fuel your next adventure and take you on a trip down “Memory Lane” at the same time. If you haven’t stopped by the Wayside sometime in the last 100 years, don’t worry—you can stop in over the next 100! The Wayside is celebrating a century of good food and service. We talk with current owners Brian and Karen about the past, the present, and what’s in store for the future of this central Vermont institution.

If art is your thing, be sure to check out the 7th Annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition at Lareau Farm in Waitsfield, which enjoys national recognition. And on your travels, if you need fuel for your ride or yourself, stop in at the new Vermont Travelers Service Center just off Exit 7 on I-89.

We’ll also stop in to see what Boy Scouts are doing at camp this summer, check out the excitement at the Stowe Tango Music Festival, and visit the fabulous vistas, bridges, and more at Barre’s Millstone Trails.

Once you’ve enjoyed this issue, we think you’ll agree, “There’s so much to do in central Vermont in summer!”

Have a great summer, and take us along on all your adventures!

www.facebook.com/ BestOfCentralVermont

Follow us on Instagram @bestofcentralvermontmag www.bestofcentralvt.com 13

VISIT US ONLINE

| W W W. B E S TO F C E N T R A LV T.CO M

ONION RIVER OUTDOORS In a move that will make central Vermont outdoor enthusiasts smile again, Onion River Outdoors is open and has you covered for all the gear you need before you hit the trails. For more about mountain biking, visit www.bestofcentralvt.com.

THE 2020 DEADLINE In a visionary development, in 2012 Vermont’s legislature passed Act 148, the Universal Recycling and Composting Law. It makes recycling mandatory in the Green Mountain State and bans food scraps from landfills beginning in July 2020. To learn more and how you’ll be affected, go to www.best ofcentralvt.com.

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WARREN FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION For the 70th consecutive year, the town of Warren will celebrate not only our nation’s independence but also the independent spirit of Vermonters.

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AUGU

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SUMMER 2018

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

CO N T R I B U TO R S

MARK AIKEN is a freelance writer from Richmond, Vermont. He teaches skiing in the winter and trains for marathons in the summer. Together, he and his wife are involved in another endurance sport—parenting.

CASSIE HORNER is a writer, editor, and publisher, and the author of Lucy E.— Road to Victory, a historical novel. Her roots in Vermont go way back almost 200 years and inspire her love of the natural world and history. She lives in Plymouth, Vermont, with her husband and three dogs—an English Shepherd and two Dachshunds.

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JD GREEN has been a local morning radio personality in Central Vermont for almost 20 years. He enjoys spending time outdoors exploring Vermont’s mountains and camping with his family, including their two dogs.

JAY MURRY On any given day, Jay Murry wears three hats. He is a special education paraprofessional at Fort Zumwalt West High School in O’Fallon, Missouri; the play-by-play “Voice of the Bears” at Washington University in St. Louis; and a published freelance writer whose work has been featured in Marathon & Beyond and Ultrarunning magazines.

MARY GOW is a journalist, freelance writer and an arts correspondent for the Times Argus, a contributor to numerous regional magazines, and the author of history of science books for middle school students. Mary lives in Warren and can be reached at mgow@gmavt.net.

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

OCCASIONS

Vermont Mountaineers FROM MONTPELIER TO THE MAJORS

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n Tuesday, June 5, the Vermont Mountaineers opened their 16th season at historic Montpelier Recreation Field.

One of summer’s most popular attractions in the central Vermont area, the team offers affordable family fun for fans of all ages. While playing in the smallest market in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), this local team has consistently been rated in the top three for attendance, and their home field has been called “the gem” of the League.

Hundreds of college players have come from campuses across the US and Canada to Montpelier for an opportunity to improve their skills while competing in one of the best wooden bat leagues in the country, in addition to having fun and giving back to their newly adopted hometown. Thirteen former Mountaineers have gone from “Montpelier to the Majors,” and scores more have been drafted by Major League teams.

This season, 22 home games are scheduled from June 5 to August 1, followed by the NECBL playoffs. In its first 15 seasons, this highly successful program has made the playoffs 12 times, played in the league championship five times, and won the Fay Vincent Championship Trophy three times. This year, they’re under new field manager Blake Nation, who brings lots of enthusiasm, excitement, and experience.

An added attraction and value of the Mountaineers’ program is the opportunity for area families to host one or more of the 30plus players who proudly represent Vermont each summer. In addition, three weeks of baseball camps (for kids ages 6–13) run by the Mountaineers’ coaching staff and players are offered during the summer.

For more information, go to www.thevermont mountaineers.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SUMMER 2018

Above: Vermont Mountaineers mascot Skip enjoys a laugh with two bat kids.

Below: NECBL All-Star catcher Jesse Forestell (Western Michigan University) digs in at the plate.

Stowe, Vermont

Discover, Dine, Stay & Shop

The Body Lounge

Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers

Commodities Natural Market

1799 Mountain Road Red Barn Shops Stowe, VT

91 Main Street Stowe, VT

512 Mountain Road Stowe, VT

(802) 253-7333 www.bodyloungevt.com

(802) 253-3033 stowe@ferrojewelers.com www.ferrojewelers.com/stowe

(802) 253-4464 www.commoditiesnaturalmarket.com Open 7 Days

Stowe Village Massage

The Bench

Green Mountain Inn

49 Depot Street Stowe, VT

492 Mountain Road Stowe, VT

18 Main Street Stowe, VT

(802) 253-6555 info@stowevillagemassage.com www.stowevillagemassage.com

(802) 253-5100 www.benchvt.com www.facebook.com/benchvt/

(802) 253-7301 www.greenmountaininn.com

4 Points

von Trapp Brewing & Bierhall

The Country Store on Main 109 Main Street Stowe, VT (802) 253-7653 info@countrystorevt.com www.countrystorevt.com

Brewery Tours rick@4pointsvt.com (802) 793-9246 www.4pointsvt.com

1333 Luce Hill Road Stowe, VT (802) 253-5750 info@trappfamily.com www.trappfamily.com

OUT AND ABOUT | BY CASSIE HORNER

Vermont Open Farm Week CULTIVATING MOTHER EARTH, FRIENDSHIP, AND TANGO

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xperience life on the farm during Vermont Open Farm Week from August 13–19. Visitors will have opportunities to go behind the scenes at several hot spots on the state’s agricultural landscape. Interaction is at the forefront, and an outing might include milking a cow, harvesting a carrot, sitting on a tractor, or just enjoying the smell of freshly cut hay. Some farms will offer wagon rides, scavenger hunts, and animals to meet.

In Plainfield, award-winning Shat Acres Farm/Greenfield Highland Beef is one of the farms that will welcome visitors. This property features majestic highland cattle in a setting with photogenic mountain and valley views. The owners, husband and wife Ray Shatney and Janet Steward, will be on hand to

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Opposite top: Award-winning Shat Acres Farm/ Greenfield Highland Beef in Plainfield welcomes visitors.

Bottom: On Saturday, August 18, Sandiwood Farm in Wolcott will host a family-friendly dinner buffet and movie as part of Open Farm Week.

Below: Good Heart Farmstead in Worcester invites families to experience life on a farm.

introduce people to the intricacies of their business of providing customers with 100 percent grass-fed beef raised in a healthy, humane, and local environment. Visitors will be able to comb a Highland calf, and if the weather cooperates, people are encouraged to bring a picnic, a blanket, and even a good book, and spend time relaxing.

Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear are recommended to get the most fun out of a farm visit. Sturdy shoes with closed toes along with layers of clothing are most practical.

Other accessories to increase comfort include a water bottle, bug spray, rain gear, and sunscreen. Some farms, such as Shat Acres, will be selling their products, so a cooler might come in handy.

Vermont Open Farm Week is promoted

by DigInVermont, an online portal that, since 2011, has offered information to help Vermont residents and visitors find great food and farm experiences. DigInVermont is the effort of partnerships between such groups as the Vermont Cheese Council, the Northeast Organic Farmers’ Association/Vermont Farmers’ Market Association, the Vermont Maple Sugarmakers’ Association, and many more.

Visit DigInVT.com to learn which farms will be participating in Vermont Open Farm Week.

The list will be posted in July. www.bestofcentralvt.com 21

OUT AND ABOUT

Stowe Tango Music FESTIVAL

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he Fifth Annual Stowe Tango Music Festival is set for August 6–19. This event has grown steadily in popularity, drawing musicians and dancers from the US and abroad.

“The idea of the festival took fire when I was having coffee with the chairman of the Argentine Tango Society,” recalls Hector Del Curto, artistic director of the Stowe Tango Music Festival. “He sort of joked that it was his wish we should make Stowe the ‘capital of tango.’ I said, ‘If you really want to do it, we will do it.’ We not only bring tango to Stowe but Stowe to tango.” Hector is a Grammy-award winning bandoneon player. This instrument is an integral part of tango music.

His wife, cellist Jisoo Ok, is the executive director of the festival.

Three categories of participants attend the festival. The first group comprises musicians from around the world—from Germany and Finland

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to Japan and Argentina. The second features dancers, mainly from the Boston, Montreal, and New York City areas. The third group is a general audience of locals and visitors for events that run August 16–19.

A popular activity is the “tango jam,” where musicians play a wide variety of instruments to create a huge orchestra and inspire people to dance. The concert at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center features professional dancers and an orchestra. There will also be workshops, talks, and opportunities to tango.

“We are very happy that Stowe is embracing the festival,” Hector says. “People are joining us. Businesses are joining us. It has become a Stowe event.”

For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.stowetangomusicfestival.com.

Above: Professional tango dancers Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo, the champions of NBC’s Superstars of Dance and the choreographers of Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent, and So You Think You Can Dance perform at the Stowe Tango Music Festival.

Below: The Stowe Tango Music Festival brings guest musicians from all over the world to Stowe in August.

Here, renowned pianist Jose Colangelo engages the crowd during the Festival Concert at Spruce Peak Performing Arts.

www.bestofcentralvt.com 23

OUT AND ABOUT

A FRENDLY GATHERING Clockwise from top: Festivalgoers make new friends; Danny Davis and Jack Mitrani host the annual Frendly Gathering; mountain camping adds to the gathering’s camaraderie.

Opposite page: The 2018 lineup features 30 bands playing mainly bluegrass and rock.

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M

usic, community, friendship, and camping all come together at the annual Frendly Gathering June 28–30 at the Mount Ellen area of Sugarbush Resort in Waitsfield. About 4,000 people will gather to enjoy 30 bands (playing mainly bluegrass and rock), workshops, good food, and camaraderie. What started as a small venue with 250 people and an iPod to celebrate friendship grew quickly in popularity.

“My best friend and I were professional snowboarders traveling the world,” says Jack Mitrani. “We started the Frends Crew with the belief that life is better lived together and that there is no “I” in frend. In 2010, two members of the crew got seriously injured while training for the Olympics, so I wanted to put together a Frendly Gathering to regroup after what had happened. With the right intentions and the right people, it has grown organically.”

An important facet of the Frendly Gathering is sustainability. “The gathering has an impact on Mother Earth, so we are working to grow into a more sustainable event,” Jack says. There are lots of guidelines for recycling and composting, and food vendors can use only 100 percent compostable flatware. One tree is planted for every ticket sold. In 2017, 3,500 trees were planted in Madagascar through Eden Projects.

“The spirit of the event is all in the name,” Jack says. “By the end of the three days, we are all one giant family. A sense of community spreads through the gathering.”

Visit www.frendlygathering.com to purchase passes and to find out more about the event. www.bestofcentralvt.com 25

CHEERS! | BY JEN ROSE SMITH

Cocktails for the Sweetest Season I’m not a patient gardener. The first warm days get me out in the yard sowing seeds, but by the time the plants are growing, I’ve been distracted by trips to the river, mountaintop picnics, and sunshine. That makes it even sweeter when the fruits of the garden turn ripe all of a sudden when I’m not paying attention.

And at the height of the season, Vermont’s farms and gardens are filled with fruit. Blueberry branches droop under garlands of delectable fruit, and red jewels peek out from underneath strawberry leaves. My own yard is lined with black currant bushes, gooseberries, red currants, and plum trees, and everyone makes a beeline for the raspberries at the farmers’ markets.

For Vermont craft bartenders, the season’s bounty pairs with locally distilled spirits for “of the moment” summertime drinks. From ripe-raspberry syrups to crushed blueberries, these cocktail recipes are the perfect way to raise a glass to Vermont’s sweetest season.

Blueberry Mate Mojito Neil Goldberg, Mad River Distillers This fresh, lighthearted drink uses blueberries two ways: muddled into the drink and fizzing in a blueberry kombucha from Queen City Kombucha.

Small handful of fresh blueberries 2 oz vanilla rum 6 mint leaves K oz fresh lime juice K oz simple syrup Blueberry Mate Kombucha from Queen City Kombucha Sprig of fresh mint Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, lightly crush the blueberries in a cocktail mixing glass. Pour in the next four ingredients, add ice, then shake for 30 seconds. Strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into a chilled highball glass, and then top with kombucha. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

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Vermont Porch Swing Don Horrigan, Sumptuous Syrups A lively harvest of fresh produce makes this the perfect drink for warm afternoons.

1 oz Smugglers’ Notch Distillery gin 3 oz Boyden Valley Winery rhubarb wine L oz Yellow Ginger Syrup from Sumptuous Syrups K oz freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 thin slices of strawberry 1 thin slice of peach 1 thin slice of cucumber Garnish with 2 sprigs of fresh mint Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and then shake for 30 seconds.

Strain into an ice-filled wine glass and top with fresh mint.

DIY Drinks: 4 Ways to Use Fresh Fruit in Cocktails MUDDLE IT. Lightly crush the fruit in the cocktail shaker before adding other ingredients.

ADD IT TO SYRUP. Almost any fruit lends its flavor to a basic simple syrup recipe.

And it’s a great way to preserve an abundant crop. If you’d rather not make it yourself, Vermont-made Sumptuous Syrups are sold at liquor stores around the state.

BLEND IT. Many classic cocktail recipes, from margaritas to daiquiris, benefit from a whirl in the blender with soft fruits such as strawberries, peaches, and raspberries.

MAKE A CORDIAL. Cover fruit with high-proof vodka, let it sit for six months, then add simple syrup to taste—it’s an instant cocktail for patient drinkers. This works especially well with fruits that have a good backbone of acid or tannins, such as black currants, plums, or sour cherries.

Summer 2017 | Best of Burlington | 27 www.bestofcentralvt.com 27

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT | BY MARY GOW PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GREEN MOUNTAIN WATERCOLOR EXHIBITION

7th Annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition A LOCAL SHOW GAINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

U

nexpected, unannounced, and unpromoted, a modest watercolor exhibition put together on short order in the Mad River Valley in 2012 turned out to be a spectacular success. Although it had only 16 paintings, the breadth of the works and their luminous quality drew enthusiastic viewers.

From the exuberant response, Festival of the Arts organizers recognized that audiences wanted to see more watercolors. On a much faster track than they ever imagined, that modest show has grown to a multiweek exhibition of national prominence. Resplendent in a beautifully restored historic dairy barn, the show is now an annual summer event that draws over 3,000 viewers.

The 7th Annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition, featuring over 80 paintings by artists from around the country, opens at the Red Barn Gallery at Lareau Farm in Waitsfield on June 17 and runs to July 28. The artwork in the show was selected by a panel of jurors holding membership in national watercolor societies. Nationally acclaimed watercolor plein air artist, Richard Sneary, National Watercolor Society,

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is serving as this year’s Judge of Awards, and $6,000 in prizes will be awarded.

“The exhibit is really amazing. It has grown from a very small local show to one in which watercolor artists from across North America apply to show their work. It has achieved national recognition. The breadth and quality of the work is outstanding,” says Barbara Greene, executive director of Valley Arts, the organizing body of the Vermont Festival of the Arts. “It’s terrific to have this in the valley. It’s an incredible opportunity to see what is going on in the world of watercolor.”

AN UNFORGIVING MEDIUM Considered one of the earliest forms of painting—remember the Paleolithic Lascaux cave paintings and their ilk—watercolor has lots of history and is enjoying a new wave of acclaim. “Watercolor is quickly becoming one of the most popular art forms in the world. Museums are now showing watercolor on a regular basis,” says Gary Eckhart, an award-winning watercolorist and founder of the Green Mountain Exhibition. “A big

Opposite: American Draft by Janet LairdLagasse of Auburn, Maine, a nationally recognized artist and consistent exhibitor at the American Watercolor Society.

Above: Diane Bell of Weston, Vermont, a signature member of the Vermont Watercolor Society, painted The Parsonage, with its porch and flag on a summer day.

Left: Contemplation is this year’s entry by Natalie Smyth of Glendale, California.

Natalie won Best in Show in the 2017 Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition for her American Patriot.

lure is the fact that it has a brilliance that can rarely be matched in oil painting. There are techniques that you can do with it that are almost impossible in any other medium, for example, allowing watercolors to run and blend by themselves.�

Watercolor is notoriously unforgiving. For the paints, pigment is suspended in water, with a binder added to hold the pigment to the surface.

Once the paint is applied, mistakes are nearly impossible to cover up. At the same time, this fluid medium has www.bestofcentralvt.com 29

Above: Susanna Spann of Cortez, Florida, is a relatively new exhibitor in the show. Dianna in Wonderland is her second entry.

Opposite top: A Dry Fly and Fast Water is by Jan Palmer of North River, New York, who frequently paints the Adirondacks and moments on the region’s rivers.

Opposite bottom: Lynn Pratt of Pawlet, Vermont, who has been with the exhibition since 2013, is known for her photo realist paintings, this year bringing All Aboard! to the show.

unique attributes. It allows light to reflect off the underlying paper. The reflected light passing through the pigment is akin to light passing through a stained glass window, giving the color an almost magical translucence.

Watercolor artists work with this quality to stunning effect. Historically, this brilliance is seen in works from Renaissance illuminated manuscripts to John James Audubon’s birds to J.M.W. Turner’s seascapes and John Singer Sargent’s portraits. And the versatility of watercolor is evident in the Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition.

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ART & FLATBREAD SYNERGY Serendipity and resourcefulness launched the Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition, and local support for the arts has given it the conditions to thrive. That first year, 2012, an artist was scheduled to present a solo show at the Vermont Festival of the Arts Gallery, an event in the Mad River Valley’s monthlong summer arts extravaganza. When the artist had to cancel at the last minute, Gary Eckhart, who was serving as the organization’s president, was determined to present a high-quality exhibition in spite of the short time line.

A member of the Vermont Watercolor Society, Gary reached out to other artists in the group, and by opening day, they had a show—a hit, in fact. From the overwhelming response, Gary recognized the interest in developing a larger show and laid out a thoughtful five-year plan.

Coincidentally, George Schenk, owner of Lareau Farm, home of American Flatbread, reached out to Gary and Valley Arts about expanding arts offerings in the farm’s historic barn. Lareau Farm is one of Waitsfield’s oldest

farmsteads and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its recently restored classic barn dates from 1895 and includes elements from an earlier structure. The annual Big Red Barn Art show, an August exhibition of work by local artists, is a Festival of the Arts tradition.

7th ANNUAL GREEN MOUNTAIN WATERCOLOR EXHIBITION June 17 to July 28, 2018 Big Red Barn Gallery at Lareau Farm 48 Lareau Road Waitsfield, VT FREE ADMISSION Hours: Thu–Sun, Noon–9pm OPENING RECEPTION: Sun, June 17, 5–7pm Curator-led tour/conversation: Sun, June 17, 3:30pm For more information, call (802) 496-6682 or email info@valleyartsvt.com.

There’s a wonderful synergy between art and flatbread—in creativity and in nurturing body and spirit. Flatbread patrons stop in to see the artwork as they wait for open tables.

For artists, the rustic barn with its high-quality lighting shows off their work against the walls and sturdy beams.

The ample space of the barn allowed the exhibition to grow and it did—quickly. In 2013, it included artists from around Vermont. In 2014,

Gary recalls, “word had spread, and we started getting entries from across the country.” Qualified jurors select the artwork from among the applicants, and the show is judged by a nationally acclaimed expert. One of the many signs of the exhibition’s popularity is the generosity of volunteers who staff the show and donors who contribute for a range of prizes. “There are other New England watercolor exhibitions,” says Gary, “but no others like this.” 4 www.bestofcentralvt.com 31

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE | BY PHYL NEWBECK PHOTOS BY JEB WALLACE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

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Millstone

TRAILS A gem hidden in plain sight

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ooking for a break from the summer heat but still want to get some exercise? Grab your mountain bike and head to Millstone Trails in Barre. There, you can ride through 1,500 acres of diverse terrain, some of it naturally air-conditioned thanks to quarry grout piles that hold ice and snow throughout most of the summer, lowering the air temperature by 10 to 20 degrees. Trail maps even indicate the coolest areas for riding.

FANS FROM BARRE AND BEYOND It started as just a series of trails overseen by local riders, but Millstone Trails Association (MTA) grew, and the organization obtained nonprofit status in 2007. Board President Stephen J. Maas says the initial trailbuilding was on private land, but subsequently, through purchase and donation, most of that land was conserved by the Vermont Land Trust with the creation of the Barre Town Forest. Close to 70 percent of the Millstone trails are in the forest, and the majority of the private land is owned by the Rock of Ages Quarry. “It progressed from private land to more of a town-based resource,” Stephen says.

MTA is a chapter of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association.

Mountain bikers can purchase annual memberships or $10 day-use passes, available online and at local stores. This year, the nonprofit is hoping to add a locked box to the premises for on-site cash payments.

Others who use the trails for walking, hiking, or snow sports don’t have to pay a trail fee. www.bestofcentralvt.com 33

Above: Bridges are a way of life at Millstone. Because of their unique setting, the Millstone Trails traverse some complex geological features, making bridges more than just a way to get over wet spots.

Below: MTA’s Trail Crew Chief Kevin Jacques rolls by the Capitol Quarry.

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PHOTO BY BETH MUELLER

Ideally, Millstone’s board of directors would like to avoid charging fees entirely, but money is needed to maintain the trails. “We’re a multipurpose property,” Stephen says, “but mountain biking is our bread and butter.” The demographic profile of the trail users is wider than one might expect. At least two-thirds are from beyond Barre, from across New England and Canada. There are even a few visitors from Western states.

Opening spread: Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity completed this East Montpelier passive house in June 2017. Celebrating at the Closing Dedication party were Thomas Weiss, Stephanie Boucher, Nick Dentico, Denny Ingrisano, Chris Miksic, Bruce Landry, Debbie Goodwin, and Lisa Lemieux. Also shown is an interior view of a 1,300-square-foot home. Above: Groundbreaking Day with Stephanie, Amelie, and Nick Partner. At right: Whirpool donated kitchen appliances while Ken Stevens hand built the cabinets. Far right: Chris Miksic and Bruce Landry. Page 65: Nick Dentico works on the attic insulation. Photos courtesy of CVHFH.

THE MAD RIVER GLEN OF MOUNTAIN BIKING Jay Hollingsworth of Barre heads to Millstone on a weekly basis for cycling and running, including headlamp-lit runs during winter evenings after work. “Millstone is like no other trail network in Vermont,” he says. “You feel like you are running through the industrial granite history that put Barre on the world map.”

Jay enjoys the fact that several artifacts remain on the land, providing a connection to Barre’s past. “The trails wind through this terrain scattered with abandoned quarries and huge overburden piles slowly being reclaimed by nature,” he says.

Stephen says Millstone is often referred to as the Mad River Glen of mountain biking since it is small and has a lot of technically difficult terrain.

“There is a lot of single track,” he says, “and a lot of features like bridges and rails, as well as natural granite features like weird rock piles and ledges.”

Last year, a new beginner trail was added, but the area is better known for its expert terrain.

Millstone has three distinct sections: The Canyonlands, Barre Town Forest, and Gnome Man’s Land. The Canyonlands is named for www.bestofcentralvt.com 35

active quarries filled with clear turquoise water to its north. It is one of the least-used sections of the area and has been described by Bike Magazine as having “a backcountry feel.” The 400-plus acres in the Barre Town Forest have the greatest diversity and include trails suitable for novice riders. Bike Magazine calls it “beautifully old school.” It also has the terrain most suitable for winter use. Jay enjoys bringing his 11- and 13-year-old kids to the forest trails for mountain biking as they grow more comfortable with the sport.

By contrast, Gnome Man’s Land has the most difficult trails and includes sculptures carved by local artists. Jay describes the trails as including “lots of steep, fast sections with drops and narrow, high, no-fall bridges and narrow rock spines.” One member of the Millstone trail crew has been known to hide garden gnomes along the routes. The Angry Gnome trail, which includes wooden bridges that span rocky gaps, is a favorite for experienced riders, and Harrington Heights, Harrington Ridge, and Vortex provide challenges with roots, rocks, and a few stretches of exposed granite. The trails in this section are primarily used for mountain biking.

Millstone hosts summer group rides with a “no-drop” policy of making sure no rider gets left behind. Occasional mountain bike races also take place. A weekly walking group visits the trails every Tuesday morning and has put together a walking guide for the area. In addition to trail use, there is a free 18-hole disc golf course in the middle of the town forest that features a regular schedule of tournaments.

A VOLUNTEER EFFORT Millstone has a core of volunteers who make up the trail crew, while others come more intermittently or for special events. Almost all the work is done by volunteers. Kevin Jacques of Williamstown is the head of the Millstone trail crew. When he first learned that the area was looking for volunteers, he helped out with existing trails, but since that time, he and his brother and several friends have created new trails in the Gnome Man’s Land area.

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PHOTO BY BETH MUELLER

Right, above and below: After decades of regrowth, the forests around Barre’s ancestral quarrying sites have reclaimed dominion. What were once enormous piles of discarded waste rock have become living mountains, and what were once industrial graniteextraction sites are now serene freshwater pools.

PHOTO BY BETH MUELLER

“I’m a carpenter,” Kevin says, “and if I couldn’t dig something out, I’d build a bridge.

We built a lot more bridges than we thought we would.” The group created trails named Roller Coaster, Screaming Daemon, and Angry Gnome.

Kevin has a full-time job and a family, but it was important to him to give back to his community. Although at the onset he had no trailbuilding experience, he felt that he had spent enough time in the woods as a biker, hunter, and hiker to have the skills to take on the work.

“You spend some time walking through the woods,” he says, “and you find some cool resources and iconic things to build your trails on like a big rock or waterfall. You weave your trail around that and start putting the puzzle pieces together to figure out how to connect point A and point B. Once you’ve got the outline, the sky’s the limit.”

Kevin is thankful that he’s been able to get volunteers to help him build the trails, as well as others who provided assistance after last fall’s windstorm. There are people who wonder why he doesn’t ask to get paid for his work, but he gets his reward in other ways.

“There are things in life that are more important than money,” he says. “Sometimes I’ll be out in the woods working on a trail, and I hear someone hooting and hollering and having fun, and that’s way more important than any dollar amount for me. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

For more information about the Millstone Trails, visit www.millstonetrails.org. 4 www.bestofcentralvt.com 37

The

Stowe

Mountain Lodge Classic Scoring love with players and fans in Stowe

Frances Tiafoe (left), the top 20-year-old player in the world, plays Frenchman Jeremy Chardy (right), preparing for a forehand in the 2017 edition of the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic.

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BY MARK AIKEN PHOTOS BY JESSE SCHLOFF PHOTOGRAPHY

For tennis players and spectators, the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic offers unique opportunities. For the players, the exhibition tournament is an opportunity to escape the rigors of the pro tennis circuit for a few days but still prepare for tennis’s biggest stage—the US Open held a week later. For fans, it’s an opportunity to witness professional tennis in their backyard on a summer afternoon.

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Opposite: 2017 SMLC champion Albert Ramos-ViĂąolas demonstrates world-class form on his serve.

Top photo: President of Grand Slam Tennis Tours, Andrew Chmura, and Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic Tournament Director, Kyle Ross, at the Player Party hosted at the Stowe Alpine Clubhouse.

Above: French Davis Cup star Jeremy Chardy watches ball boy Cannon Parsons struggle to retrieve a ball from the fence.

PRO TENNIS IN STOWE Professional tennis is nothing new in Stowe.

Jimmy Connors, Ilie Nastase, and Brad Gilbert competed in the annual Head Classic in the 1980s. In 2007, some of the world’s top female players, including Venus Williams, competed in

a Fed Cup event. The organizer was Andrew Chmura, former tennis pro at Topnotch Resort on the Mountain Road.

Andrew is owner of Grand Slam Tennis Tours (GSTT), a Stowe-based tourism and travel company specializing in high-end travel www.bestofcentralvt.com 41

The inaugural Spruce Peak Stadium was built with a capacity of 2,500 attendees, including a hospitality space over the North seating section.

Below: The crowd cheers their favorite players on.

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packages to major tennis events worldwide.

He came up with the idea for the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic with Sam Duvall, his business partner in another venture, Topnotch Management, an agency that represents world-class tennis players. Grand Slam Tennis Tours knows the spectator experience inside and out, while Topnotch Management has all the contacts and insights regarding players and their wants and needs. Who better to organize a tennis tournament?

According to Kyle Ross, marketing director for GSTT and tournament director for the Classic, the first year went well. “There were no refund requests,” he laughs, adding that the spectator and player responses were overwhelmingly positive.

Entering its second year, the 2018 Classic, to be held August 18–22, will add a fourth day and two more players, bringing the field of six to a field of eight.

Although the inaugural event paid players for participating, this year there’s an additional $5,000 bonus for each victory, with a total $35,000 up for grabs. “We’re pretty excited about all of these improvements,” says Kyle.

TUNING UP FOR THE OPEN The concept for the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic comes from similar exhibitions that precede other tennis Grand Slam events, for example, the Boodles Challenge before Wimbledon and the Kooyong Classic ahead of the Australian Open. The US Open had nothing similar until now. “The court surface and balls are exactly the same as at the US Open,” Kyle says.

Jeremy Chardy of France, who has been ranked as high as 25th in the world, participated in the Classic. “I wanted to find a good place to train and relax before the Open,” he says. “It’s a strong field of players, and we were guaranteed three competitive matches. The tournament management was great; the hotel was perfect; and it’s easy to get to New York after the tournament ends. Why wouldn’t I go?”

American tennis player Frances Tiafoe concurs. “I think Stowe was a great place to relax and change the pace a bit,” he says. “Other tournaments usually don’t try to distract me with beautiful mountain views.”

Frances, who was 19 years old at the time, went straight from Stowe to Queens, where he drew Roger Federer for his first-round match www.bestofcentralvt.com 43

Seating at the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic is as intimate as you’ll find on tour, and every seat in the house would be considered “courtside” at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

at the Open. It was a battle—a hard-fought five-setter that Frances eventually dropped by the slimmest of margins. Minutes before their match, Roger approached him, saying, “Hi, I’m Roger Federer, nice to meet you.” Frances, who had practiced with him many times, remembers the exchange. “I was like, ‘This guy’s messing with my head!’” By the end of the match, nobody was messing around. “I had one of the best matches of my life,” Frances says. “I clearly left Stowe well prepared.”

A LOCAL EVENT Meanwhile, there were no line judges—unusual for a professional event—so players called their own points. This gave the matches a casual feel, almost as if they were friendly matches being played at Stowe Tennis Club (although, notes Kyle, the players were “insanely competitive”).

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“It was fun,” says Jeremy Chardy of the line calls, “only a few arguments.” At one point, former world number-two player Tommy Haas, disagreeing with his opponent’s call, asked spectators to vote in or out.

The most endearing participants in the event were the ball kids—youth tennis players, ages 8 to 14, mostly from the Stowe area. The kids trained in the weeks leading up to the Classic under the tutelage of locals Joanna Graves, Jacquie Crittenberger-Geissler, and Annie Parsons.

“We worked on catching, throwing, rolling, bouncing, running, and the positions, at the net or at the baseline,” says 11-year-old ball boy Cannon Parsons. “We also worked on catering to the players’ needs by giving them a fresh towel, handing them a drink or a banana, and giving them shade with an umbrella during a changeover.”

During one match, a ball got lodged in the fence behind Jeremy Chardy. Cannon sprinted to retrieve the ball, leaped up to grab it, but came down empty-handed. He leaped again, but the ball was a foot higher than Cannon

could jump. Play had stopped, so a thousand sets of eyes were on Cannon, including Jeremy, who strolled over with hands on his hips.

Cannon made a few more futile attempts before Jeremy lifted him to dislodge the ball to the cheers and delight of the crowd. Cannon’s eight-year-old brother Boone, also a ball boy, watched all this from his post on the other side of the court. “I was jealous, not in a bad way,” Boone says. “I just wanted to get lifted up too.”

But everyone, Boone included, was lifted up by the match. At the least, it was tennis played in a beautiful setting. But all the factors together—the intimacy of the stadium, the players making their own calls, the local organizer being on top of every detail— inspired all involved. “The event really brought people together,” says Kyle. “It was incredibly rewarding.” 4

SPRUCE PEAK STADIUM 122 Hourglass Drive Stowe, VT (802) 549-4658 www.stowetennis.com

BY JD GREEN PHOTOS BY AL WARD (BIG AL’S PHOTOS) AND BUZZ FISHER (CREATIVE OUTBURSTS)

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a passion to race

GOVERNOR

PHIL SCOTT takes the wheel

To race or not to race—that’s just one of many questions that Vermont Governor Phil Scott is fielding these days, as the “Nation’s Site of Excitement” prepares to open its gates to fans for its 59th year on May 6. Thunder Road, one of the toughest stock car short-tracks in the country, is home to generations of drivers and fans, including Governor Scott, who’s been “trading paint” there with other drivers since 1991.

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lthough the governor is registered as a returning participant, whether he’ll suit up and get behind the wheel of his #14 latemodel stock car this season is still a question. His uncertainty involves his consideration for fellow racing competitors as well as fans. “I don’t want to bring a distraction into the track or into a sport that I love

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Previous page: Governor Phil Scott stands by his stock car, suited up and ready to race.

Above: Stock cars racing on the tough short-track at Thunder Road offer fans thrills and excitement.

Right: Governor Scott enjoys being interviewed after his win last year on July 8.

Opposite bottom: Governor Phil Scott in Victory Lane last July.

so much,” he says. “I respect the fans and the institution too much to drag my politics onto the racetrack, and that’s the bottom line.”

Governor Scott says he anticipates being part of the car show, an annual tradition showcasing the cars and their drivers before the start of each season. “I might even practice. I might not. I just don’t know about this year,” he says, adding that it was one thing to be the lieutenant governor on the track, but it’s an entirely different one being governor. “It’s something I enjoy doing, but my responsibility as governor comes first.”

AN IMPRESSIVE TRACK RECORD Even those who follow his track record in politics rather than on the track itself might be astounded by our governor’s statistics.

To begin with, he has 30 career Late Model wins—more than any driver. Add three Thunder Road “King of The Road” 48

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trophies, an American-Canadian Tour Late Model Championship, nine overall American Canadian Tour wins, a Late Model Championship at Airborne Raceway, two Milk Bowl Championships, and first-place trophies for both the Community Bank 150 and Memorial Day Classic, and he’s got quite

an amazing track record. It’s almost startling to think that, for 1,084 laps, he’s had the entire pack behind him.

BITTEN BY THE BUG Where does this passion to race come from?

“My dad enjoyed racing, but it was actually my

mom who got my brothers and me into it,” says the governor, who grew up in Barre. Then, as today, everything revolved around racing—the “social fabric of Central Vermont” as he puts it. “My mom was an enthusiast. We had our heroes,” he says with a chuckle.

Phil’s dad was a veteran and double amputee who passed away when Phil was just 11 years old. His mother took him and

his two brothers to Thunder Road because their neighbor, “The Flying Frenchman” (Norm Chaloux), was one of the track stars of the 1960s. Sitting back comfortably on his couch, Governor Scott recalls when he and his brothers and friends raced their wooden buggies down the streets of Barre.

“We had our favorites, and that’s how it all got started,” he says recalling his early www.bestofcentralvt.com 49

Above: The excitement brings an appreciative crowd to its feet at the Milk Bowl last year.

Right: Governor Scott during 2017 Class Day ceremonies.

days of racing. “US Snowmobile Associationsanctioned races were a big deal. Joey Laquerre lived right near us and had a shop where he repaired them,” Phil says of his memories growing up near Strawberry Hill. “Joey even mowed our lawn,” he chuckles.

Growing up, anything with an engine was of particular interest to Phil and other area teens. His affection for stock cars kicked into gear when he was 17 and got involved with his brother turning wrenches on Robby Crouch’s car. By then, he also had a stepdad, Bob Dubois, who owned Dubois Construction.

Phil instantly had three new relatives. One was Ruie Dubois, who ran the dirt-track races at Northfield’s Dog River Fairgrounds.

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Ruie and teen-aged track announcer Ken Squier got the ball rolling on an even bigger plan to break ground on a new racetrack in the heart of Barre. “When Dubois Construction

finished the job on Thunder Road, the two didn’t have the money to pay for it, so they made a deal with the construction company.

They would get a certain percentage of the

gate fees on Thursday nights. That’s why my uncle, who had more interest in business than racing, would be at the track on Thursday nights—to collect his money,” says the governor laughing.

Fast forwarding to his 30s, Phil got involved with Cooper MacRitchie’s crew and a step closer to his dream of getting behind the wheel of a stock car himself. From there, he never looked back. “I’ll never forget my first big win in 1997,” he says.

A CLASS ACT, ON AND OFF THE TRACK Anyone who knows racing knows that tempers can flare on and off the track. When asked how his time on the track compares to his daily work as governor, Phil had the answer on his lips before I had completed the question.

“There are many similarities between racing and politics and business. It’s about strategy, team building, surrounding yourself with people who are better than you,” he says. “I’ve always considered myself an average driver, but www.bestofcentralvt.com 51

Above: The crowd stands during the National Anthem at last year’s Vermont Governor’s Cup. Right: No. 14 with its talented driver at the wheel in action.

I’ve been fortunate to surround myself with talented people who have given me the equipment to succeed.

You can be the most talented driver in the world, but you just can’t win if you have a bad car. An average driver with a great car and team can win, but the team has to give you the car.”

When it comes to success in politics, there are even more similarities to the governor’s racing career. He says you have to believe in humility and respect—the 52

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“Golden Rule”—and treat others the way you want to be treated. “I would never take someone out running second, last lap, last quarter. I couldn’t do it. It would be a hollow victory for me,” he says. “If I can’t pass somebody clean, outside or inside, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want the win.”

This is how it was for Phil when he raced the “Tampa Tornado,” Robby Crouch, one of the greatest drivers of a 40-year span. Crouch gave him a run for his money, and it was a race few have forgotten. Crouch won, but Phil didn’t feel bad about it. “That’s what it’s supposed to be about,” he says. “I don’t want to be like those guys that bump and run on the track. It’s just not my style.” 4 www.bestofcentralvt.com 53

BY MARK AIKEN PHOTOS COURTESY OF WAYSIDE RESTAURANT EXCEPT WHERE NOTED

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The Wayside

Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery A VERMONT INSTITUTION MARKS A CENTURY Staying in business for 100 years is a feat. To do things the right way and stay in business for 100 years is even better. This summer, the Wayside Restaurant in Montpelier celebrates its centennial.

Owners Brian and Karen Zecchinelli try to do the right things when they make decisions for their business, which they have owned for over 20 years.

B

ut Brian and Karen were not born knowing how to handle every situation; they had strong role models. They took ownership of the iconic eating establishment along Vermont Route 302 from Karen’s parents, Harriet and Eugene “Geno” Galfetti,

who owned and operated the Wayside for the 32 years prior. “We constantly ask ourselves, ‘What would Mom and Dad do?’” says Karen.

Their strategy is working. The Wayside Restaurant has a product that has withstood the test of time but, at the same time, has been

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Below: Owners Brian and Karen Zecchinelli.

Bottom right: Jay and Nicholas Zecchinelli when they were boys. Photo by Beltrami Studios. Jay, now 20, has just finished his junior year at Fordham University in New York. Nick, 22, is working at the Wayside and has just begun his own maple-sugaring operation, providing fresh sap in season for cooking.

Opposite: Karen Galfetti Zecchinelli and her father, Eugene Galfetti.

able to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Meanwhile, Brian and Karen have a deep appreciation for their staff, their customers, and for the history of their restaurant. “We understand that the Wayside has been a diamond in the rough with a story to tell,” says Brian. “And we enjoy telling that story.”

A WOMAN AHEAD OF HER TIME Effie Ballou, who lived in the grey house set back from Route 302 (home to every owner of the Wayside including the Zecchinellis), opened the Wayside as a lunch stand in 1918. Baking pies and donuts in the house and selling them at the stand, Effie ran her business until 1945.

“She was a pioneer,” says Brian. “A female business owner in 1918.” Descendants of Effie will be in attendance at the Wayside’s anniversary celebration in July.

The Fish family ( Joseph and Amy, and then their son George and his wife Vivian) purchased the Wayside from Effie. “We don’t know as much about them,” explains Brian, noting efforts to find descendants have been unsuccessful. The Fishes owned and operated the 56

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Wayside for 21 years before selling to Karen’s parents, who, having run a seasonal restaurant, wanted something year-round.

Karen was a toddler when her parents bought the Wayside. “I was a shadow to my dad,” she says. “I loved coming down here.”

Karen learned by watching her parents—and by working from a young age. Her first job

was washing dishes, and she had to stand on a milk crate to do the job.

Throughout college, she hosted and waited tables (“If nothing else, I learned time management,” she says) before working at a bank and an investment company. Karen always planned to return to the Wayside, but her dad didn’t let her for many years after college. “It was

smart to work someplace else first,” Karen says, “because once you’re in, you’re all in.”

A BUSINESS WITH A SOCIAL MISSION Walking in the front door, the first thing you see is a counter with vinyl-covered stools. “With the counter, we’ll always be known as a diner,” says Brian. But to label the Wayside as a diner wouldn’t tell the whole story. The restaurant is large (Geno and Harriet oversaw no fewer than seven additions as owners—usually building without closing the business), and the menu is extensive. The Wayside also offers patrons a full-service bar. Serving everything from typical diner fare to homemade soups to full sit-down dinners, the Wayside employs over 60 people and is open daily for three meals a day.

Geno and Harriet recognized that the Wayside was special, but (as the seven additions attest) they strived to make it better. Geno bought locally sourced foods before buying local was a “thing.” “My dad wanted to be a leader,” says Karen. The Wayside is a small, local business, yet it has implemented over 50 green initiatives including using solar energy to preheat the dish machine water, composting, and installing 24-square-feet of windows to illuminate the kitchen and promote a healthier (and happier) work space. “We’re a business that recognizes how our daily operation affects www.bestofcentralvt.com 57

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Opposite: Owners, managers, and staff all take great pride in minimizing the Wayside’s carbon footprint.

the health of the planet,” says Brian.

“Imagine our 100th anniversary party,” he adds. “It will be illuminated by wonderful, daylight-like LED floodlights.” Green Mountain Power installed the higher-efficiency parking lot lights this spring. “These sorts of initiatives take time, persistence, and effort from many people,” says Brian.

For example, composting requires buy-in from the entire organization. Servers and bussers throw out non-recyclable, non-compostable materials. Then dishwashers put food scraps in a separate large tote—not in the trash. Grow Compost of Vermont collects all these food scraps every Tuesday and Friday, diverting them from local landfills and thereby reducing methane emissions.

Different seasons dictate what initiatives the Wayside can take and what food they can serve.

In late spring, they buy fresh fiddleheads from local foragers; in winter, they serve perch caught by local ice fishermen; and in early spring they poach eggs, boil hot dogs, and poach salmon in maple sap collected on the property by their son Nicholas. “We’re really just building on something that Geno started,” says Brian.

THE TRUE DIFFERENCE MAKER For Karen Zecchinelli, the most important aspect of the business is also her favorite. “The people just lift your spirits,” she says. Karen means everyone—the staff (for example, the many members of the 25-year club), her family (as well as generational employees—those whose parents are also employees), and above all, the customers.

“My mom and dad brought me here for lunch after my eighth-grade graduation,” says Rose Wheeler of Barre. “That was in 1948.”

Rose continues to eat at the Wayside once a week with her son and daughter-in-law, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

She always gets the same thing: fried shrimp with applesauce and cottage cheese.

When I (Mark Aiken) first visited the Wayside, Brian greeted me. Hearing my last name, he immediately asked if I was related to Lola Aiken. Lola, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 102, was my great-grandmother and a frequent customer at the Wayside. “She loved the pecan pie,” Brian says, noting that she always chose a booth near the counter where www.bestofcentralvt.com 59

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Above: Effie Ballou (bottom right) and her family.

Opposite top: Local farmers, foragers, fishermen, and friends.

Opposite middle: The Wayside under the Fish family, 1940s–1960s.

Opposite bottom: Love the old-fashioned uniforms!

she could catch up on all the day’s events, news, and gossip. “She liked to be smack-dab in the middle of the action.”

“If you’re working the counter,” adds Karen, “do not bother buying a paper. You’re going to hear all the news, events . . . and opinions!” Dubbed “Counter Intelligence,” the counter regulars have a great time sharing, visiting, and dining. “Oh, if these walls could talk!” Karen laughs.

The Wayside Restaurant, a true Vermont institution, will celebrate its centennial in July, but really, every visit is a celebration.

Says Carla Hannigan, Rose Wheeler’s granddaughter, “I always notice how friendly—how happy—everyone is here.”

“We have some understanding of what this place means to the community and to our employees,” says Brian. “It’s evolved to be more than just a place to eat. It gets to the point where it’s just a privilege to be a part of the history and the experience.” 4 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: JULY 29, 6:30PM–9:30PM

WAYSIDE RESTAURANT, BAKERY & CREAMERY 1873 US Route 302 Montpelier, VT (802) 223-6611 waysiderestaurant.com www.bestofcentralvt.com 61

GOOD NEIGHBORS | BY JAY MURRY PHOTOS COURTESY OF GREEN MOUNTAIN COUNCIL’S BOY SCOUT SUMMER CAMPS

The Green Mountain Boys of the 21st Century Green Mountain Council’s Boy Scout summer camps offer fun and adventure

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ack in the day, circa 1770, the Green Mountain Boys led lives of adventure. They repelled efforts by the British crown to allow New Yorkers to take land held by Vermont settlers and achieved America’s first victory in the Revolutionary War by capturing Fort Ticonderoga from British troops. Ethan Allen’s armed militia certainly had its fair share of excitement helping America gain its independence.

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Adventure still abounds in the Green Mountains, but fortunately it no longer involves warfare. Instead, Boy Scouts are offered fun, adventure, and excitement at two Vermont summer camps administered by the Green Mountain Council. The Mount Norris Scout Reservation and Camp Sunrise are weeklong camps with a nearly limitless number of robust and fascinating activities and avenues for advance-

Opposite: Cub Scouts marching in the Scouting Salute to the Veteran’s Parade held annually the first Saturday in November. The honor rotates to different towns in the state. It will be in Barre in 2018.

Above: Scouts saluting the flag during a morning flag-raising ceremony at Camp Sunrise.

Left: Bromley campsite at Mount Norris Scout Reservation.

www.bestofcentralvt.com 63

Above: Scouts learning to canoe and kayak on Lake Eden at Mount Norris Scout Reservation.

Right: Troop 635, Essex Junction, posing to show a score of 100% on a uniform inspection competition.

“. . .We keep them so busy and so entertained that they just can’t wait to come back.”

— Edward McCollin, Scout Executive/ CEO of the Green Mountain Council

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ment through the ranks of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Edward McCollin, Scout Executive/ CEO of the Green Mountain Council, says the camps also help scouts stay motivated to remain in the scouting program. “A week of Boy Scout camp provides so much more for the young scouts, and I will tell you that their odds of staying in the program increase immensely because they get hooked.” Here is a detailed look at both camps.

CAMP SUNRISE Camp Sunrise has been in existence since 1925 for younger Cub Scouts. One would think in this day and age that it would be difficult to pull kids away from their electronics, screens, and computer games. But Edward says that when the kids see the variety of activities featured at Camp Sunrise, they are eager to attend.

“It’s amazing when you think a boy who’s seven or eight years old may have a tough time staying for a week in a tent, but it’s not a problem at all.” Edward says, “We keep them so busy and so entertained that they just can’t wait to come back.”

Located in the southwestern part of the state between two lakes, Camp Sunrise seems to pack a year’s worth of activities into one fun-filled week. Camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, archery, shooting sports, fishing, cooking, sewing, and dodgeball are just some of the activities the Cub Scouts enjoy—and all of them allow campers to test the skills they’ve learned in their dens throughout the year.

Edward says fun and learning at Camp Sunrise go hand-in-hand. “Scouting is fun with a purpose. Sometimes they are learning and don’t even realize it.” That should be sweet music to the ears of parents, along with the campfire sing-alongs that are part of the Camp Sunrise experience. And, as stated on the Green Mountain Council website (www.scoutingvermont.org), Camp Sunrise offers “outstanding opportunities for boys to develop and grow while having the time of their lives.” What more could parents and Cub Scouts ask for?

MOUNT NORRIS SCOUT RESERVATION Designed for older Boy Scouts, the Mount Norris weeklong camp itinerary is as diverse as that of Camp Sunrise. Campers live at any of nine different campsites and are busy from sunrise to sunset. The Mount Norris www.bestofcentralvt.com 65

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Opposite top: Scouts sing a rousing song in the dining hall at Mount Norris Scout Reservation.

Opposite middle: Scouts simply having a good time with friends at Mount Norris after a meal.

Opposite bottom: Sign in front of the Green Mountain Council Service Center and Headquarters in Waterbury, VT.

camp sprawls over 1,000 acres in the northern part of the state, offering plenty of room for hiking, climbing, backpacking, wilderness survival, canoeing and kayaking, climbing and ropes courses, and other physically vigorous programs.

Scouts also enjoy opportunities to earn merit badges. There are over 30 to choose from, ranging from Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Science, Orienteering, and Cooking to Art Sculpture, Geology, Weather, Astronomy, and Indian Lore. That’s just the short list of merit badges available to help campers advance through the ranks of the Boy Scout system.

There is a STEM Week option as well, where classes in science, technology, engineering, and math are highlighted. Nightly group activities range from Movie Night, Game Night, and Chess Night to camp-wide games and moonlight cruises. To stoke the campers’ energy, three meals a day are served in the comfort of a camp dining hall.

In short, when assessing the Mount Norris Scout Reservation experience to come, Norm Bedard says it best on scoutingvermont.org: “I think we’re going to be blown away.”

LONG-TERM BENEFITS Camp Sunrise and the Mount Norris Scout Reservation provide the obvious—memories of fun, friendship, and new skills learned at each annual session. But in addition, Edward has discovered a long-term benefit that campers take with them into their adult lives. “I have talked to so many adults over the years and found that their hobby or their profession or their career came from an initial interest as a scout through a Merit Badge program,” he says. Parents looking for a rewarding summer camp experience for their kids won’t find a better selling point than that. 4

Boy Scouts of America Green Mountain Council 838 US Route 2 Moretown, VT (802) 244-5189 www.scoutingvermont.org www.bestofcentralvt.com 67

BRIGHT IDEAS | BY TOM BRANDES PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VERMONT TRAVELERS SERVICE CENTER

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The Vermont Travelers Service Center If you build it, they will come

T

he famous and frequently repeated Field of Dreams mantra rings true for a unique public–private partnership in Berlin, Vermont.

Eight years ago, Randy LaGue and Wayne Lamberton, who own the Maplewood Company, initiated a conversation with officials at the Vermont Information Centers Division of the Department of Buildings and General Services. They were confident that local residents and roadweary travelers would patronize a new type of travelers center.

The two visionaries saw great possibilities in building a 24-hour center with hot food, coffee, groceries, fuel, and restrooms, as well as state maps and information about local businesses and other attractions. Their conversations ultimately resulted in the two men building and operating the Vermont Travelers Service Center, with its Maplewood Convenience Store, just off Exit 7 on I-89.

A WELCOMING REST STOP When Randy and Wayne bought the Comfort Inn and the 2,000-squarefoot convenience store next to it eight and a half years ago, there wasn’t a Vermont Travelers Service Center anywhere nearby, and the state’s other travelers centers are only open until 9pm.

“Everyone needs to use a restroom or get a cup of coffee from time to time when traveling, and it’s disappointing to pull into a travelers center that’s closed for the night,” says Wayne. “We thought a 24-hour travelers center that had more amenities would be well received by travelers.”

Although the State of Vermont couldn’t participate financially, it did contribute four “Travel Center Open 24 hours” signs to alert I-89 travelers that a welcoming rest area beckoned. The state also provides www.bestofcentralvt.com 69

Above: With a spacious layout, it’s easy to refuel and park even on the busiest travel days.

Right: Attractive architecture makes the Center a welcome part of the environment.

Opposite: Travelers can find many options for refueling and rehydrating themselves on the well-stocked shelves.

maps and information on recreational, cultural, agricultural, and natural attractions in every region of Vermont.

Photos from Vermont Life state archives were also provided. These distinctive photos give the Travelers Center a distinctly Vermont ambience and help illustrate the state’s unique beauty and charm.

LOTS OF REASONS TO TAKE EXIT 7 Opened in September 2016, the 11,000square-foot Vermont Travelers Service Center offers visitors a wide variety of hot foods including pizza, burgers, chicken sandwiches, deli sandwiches with homemade bread, salads, and daily specials. For those who are pressed for time, an extensive grab-and-go section features hot dogs, prepared sandwiches, and cold salads.

“Last year the Maplewood Vermont Travelers Service Center had more than 771,000 visitors. Having a 24-hour destination with excellent hot food, sparkling clean restrooms, and a variety of maps and literature gives people a reason to get off the highway at Exit 7,” explains Wayne.

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The center also features an extensive selection of products made in Vermont, including a range of maple syrup and other maple items and Vermont craft beers. The Buy Local movement is big in Vermont, and offering these products helps local businesses, increases awareness of Vermont products, and enables visitors to purchase them 24 hours a day.

Because visitors often need to fuel their vehicles, the center offers gas and diesel, as well as eight electric-car charging stations for Teslas.

These supercharging stations can fully charge a Tesla in an hour or less. There are also two level 3 car-charging stations that can charge other types of electric cars.

“It’s amazing how many Teslas we see stop in. I’ve seen four charging at once,” adds Wayne. “Electric cars are growing in popularity, and we have about 200 of them charging here each month.”

A 500-kilowatt solar farm located two miles away supplies enough power for the hotel plus three convenience stores, including the Travelers Service Center, so all those electric cars are charging up with solar power. The highly efwww.bestofcentralvt.com 71

Electric cars can power up at the Travelers Service Center, and they do it the green way—with solar power!

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ficient center has a popular screen that shows visitors current and historic output from the solar farm.

“This is a good partnership with the state, and no money has changed hands. I think this serves the state well, and we’re still afloat,” says Wayne. “It’s quite a leap of faith that ‘if you build it, they will come.’ It’s hard

to spend $6.5 million on a convenience store and provide state information, but I think it’s working great.” 4

www.bestofcentralvt.com 73

SUMMER 2018 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

SPRUCE PEAK PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTER

Jeff Daniels

JULY 29 at 11AM

Cirque Us Workshop

JULY 29 at 3PM

Starstruck: A Cosmic Circus by Cirque Us

AUGUST 1 at 7PM

Jeff Daniels and the Ben Daniels Band, Emmy-winning actor and musician Jeff Daniels

Paula Cole

AUGUST 11 at 1PM JUNE 22–23

Castle on the Hill: A Tale of King Arthur 7pm & Saturday 2pm

Starstruck: A Cosmic Circus by Cirque Us

Spruce Peak Folk Festival Join us on the Green at Spruce Peak

AUGUST 18 at 8PM

JUNE 28 at 7PM

Stowe Tango Music Festival

JULY 7 at 7PM

John Pizzarelli Trio

Paula Cole and Jane Monheit Two powerful singers in one amazing evening

JULY 19 at 7PM

SEPTEMBER 8 at 7PM

10,000 Maniacs

Mary Chapin Carpenter with special guest Caitlin Canty

JULY 21 at 7PM Tab Benoit

Spruce Peak Arts Center 122 Hourglass Drive, Stowe (802) 760-4634 www.sprucepeakarts.org 74

BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SUMMER 2018

AUGUST 25 at 7PM

Rickie Lee Jones

SEPTEMBER 13 at 2PM

VIP Songwriter Showcase with Livingston Taylor

SEPTEMBER 13 at 7PM Livingston Taylor

SUMMER 2018 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

SHELBURNE MUSEUM JULY 13 at 6PM

Sylvan Esso

Dispatch with Raye Zaragoza

JULY 16 from 9AM–3PM

Summer Camp: Wild, Wild West!

JULY 21 at 6:30PM

Guster with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra

JULY 22 at 6PM

Old Crow Medicine Show

JULY 23 from 9AM–3PM

Summer Camp: Learn to Sew: In the Kitchen

JULY 30 from 9AM–3PM

Summer Camp: Learn to Sew: Totes

AUGUST 2 at 7PM

AUGUST 1 at 7PM

AUGUST 13 from 9AM–3PM

Good Vibes with Jason Mraz

Shelburne Museum 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne www.shelburnemuseum.org 76

BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | SUMMER 2018

Sylvan Esso

Summer Camp: Quilt Camp

SUMMMER 2018 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Sarah Hicks

VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2018 TD SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR This summer the VSO celebrates the gifts of nature through music with guest conductor Sarah Hicks. Experience musically depicted majestic rivers, verdant fields, gardens in bloom, and the clear night sky, along with an extraterrestrial visitor reminding us to keep our sense of wonder at the bounty that surrounds us.

Visit www.vso.org or call (800) VSO-9293 ext. 10 for additional information.

JULY 1

JULY 5

JULY 2

JULY 7

JULY 3

JULY 8

South Pomfret Manchester Grafton

Chittenden Randolph Stowe

JULY 4

Shelburne

JULY 3

INDEPENDENCE DAY “Best Parade in Vermont” Montpelier, VT All-day festival, family fun events FIREWORKS AT DUSK www.bestofcentralvt.com 77

SUMMER 2018 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

STUDIO ARTS PLACE JULY 10–AUGUST 25 SCORCHED – Artwork that feels the burn. A group show illustrating the effects of heat and fire.

Main Floor Gallery ODE TO COMMON THINGS – Found object paintings

by Julia Pavone Second Floor Gallery ANARCHIST PORTRAITS – Paintings and drawings

by Nitya Brighenti Third Floor Gallery

PHOTO BY JOHN SNELL

MONTPELIER ALIVE

201 North Main Street, Barre Tue–Fri 11am–5pm, Sat Noon–4pm www.studioplacearts.com

OTHER NOTEWORTHY EVENTS JULY 6–8

JULY 25–29

JULY 8

JULY 27

Stoweflake Balloon Fest Stowe Harpoon Stowe Miler & 5K

Barre Heritage Festival Barre Vermont Mountain Bike Festival

JULY 8

Mad River Marathon

THE HUNGER MOUNTAIN CO-OP BROWN BAG SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 2018 All concerts take place at: Christ Church Courtyard, 64 State Street, Montpelier

JULY 5 at NOON Pitz Quattrone

JULY 12 at NOON

Twangtown Paramours (from Nashville)

JULY19 at NOON

Dana & Sue Robinson

JULY 26 at NOON Allison Mann

AUGUST 2 at NOON

Patti Casey and Colin McCaffrey Central Vermont New Directions

AUGUST 2 at 6PM

Starline Rhythm Boys

AUGUST 9 at NOON

Alex Smith and Mountain Folk

AUGUST 16 at NOON Big Hat No Cattle

AUGUST 23 (TIME TBD)

Gerry Grimo and East Bay Jazz

AUGUST 30 at NOON Dave Keller 78

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best of

Central Vermont ADVERTISERS INDEX

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

4 Points Tour .......................................................................................................................................19 Aaron Flint Builders...........................................................................................................................35 alla vita..................................................................................................................................................27 Ann Roche Furniture..........................................................................................................................25 Arbortrek................................................................................................................. Inside Back Cover Artisans’ Gallery..................................................................................................................................31 Artisans Hand.....................................................................................................................................27 Bare Medical Spa.................................................................................................................................. 3 Barre Country Club........................................................................................................................... 80 Bouchard Pierce Candlelight...........................................................................................................59 Bouchard Pierce Wolf.........................................................................................................................51 Brenna B Interiors...............................................................................................................................45 Burlington Furniture............................................................................................................................15 Burlington Marble and Granite.........................................................................................................11 J Morgan’s Steak House/Capital Plaza..........................................................................................12 Central Vermont Medical Center....................................................................................................71 Church Hill Landscapes....................................................................................................................23 Circus Smirkus...................................................................................................................................... 7 Cody Chevrolet...................................................................................................................................79 Coldwell Banker/Classic Homes....................................................................Outside Back Cover Commodities Natural Market .........................................................................................................19 Cornerstone Restaurants ................................................................................................................. 9 Cushman Design Group...................................................................................................................35 CW Print + Design .............................................................................................................................61 Ecco Clothes .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Evergreen Gardens of Vermont.......................................................................................................71 Ferro Estate and Custom Jewelers.................................................................................................19 Fresh Tracks Winery...........................................................................................................................41 Fringe Salon......................................................................................................................................... 60 Gillespie Fuels.....................................................................................................................................58 Green Mountain Inn...........................................................................................................................19 Harvest Market...................................................................................................................................25 Landshapes..........................................................................................................................................66 Mad River Fiber Arts.........................................................................................................................49 Mayo Health Center..........................................................................................................................67 McKernon Group.................................................................................................................................. 2 Mid State Dodge.................................................................................................................................. 6

Montpelier Alive.................................................................................................................................57 Montpelier Orthodontics..................................................................................................................51 Morse Farm..........................................................................................................................................65 Noyle Johnson Insurance.................................................................................................................65 Outdoor Gear Exchange...................................................................................................................37 Patterson and Smith Construction.................................................................................................43 Paul Richardson Photography.........................................................................................................45 Peregrine Design/Build ....................................................................................................................13 Pink Colony...........................................................................................................................................41 Red House Builders............................................................................................................................53 Richard Wobby Jewelers..................................................................................................................59 River Street Wellness........................................................................................................................37 Saratoga Olive Oil Company............................................................................................................21 Sarducci’s Restaurant and Bar ........................................................................................................17 Shelburne Museum............................................................................................................................53 Spruce Performing Arts....................................................................................................................77 Stowe Area Realty..............................................................................................................................43 Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic......................................................................................................... 5 Stowe Soaring......................................................................................................................................77 Stowe Village Massage......................................................................................................................19 Sugarbush Resort .............................................................................................................................57 Sundara Day Spa.................................................................................................................................21 The Automaster.....................................................................................................Inside Front Cover The Bench..............................................................................................................................................19 The Body Lounge.................................................................................................................................19 The Carriage Shed..............................................................................................................................67 The Country Store on Main .............................................................................................................19 The Store...............................................................................................................................................12 Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea........................................................................................................49 Vermont Bed Store/Wendell’s Furniture........................................................................................ 4 Vermont Symphony Orchestra.......................................................................................................75 Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall...............................................................................................................19 Wagner Hodgson...............................................................................................................................73 Wake Robin..........................................................................................................................................73 Wayside Restaurant ........................................................................................................................ 60 Windows and Doors by Brownell....................................................................................................61

www.bestofcentralvt.com 79

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