Woodstock Magazine - Summer 2021

W O O D S T O C K M A G A Z I N E S U M M E R 2 0 2 1

SUMMER 2021

|

Vo l u m e 2 1 , N o . 2

Summer’s in Bloom

at Stitchdown Farm Tropical Storm Irene 10 Years Later Making History with Vermont Spirits

T ER C D RA N U NT O C

POTTERY STUDIO + RETAIL STORES

VERMONT IN A BOTTLE HAND CRAFTED IN QUECHEE RECEIVING GUESTS DAILY 10AM TO 6PM STOP IN, YOUR FIRST TASTE IS ON US!

Vermont Spirits Distilling Company 5573 Woodstock Road, Quechee, VT 05001 Please drink and share responsibly, it makes our world a better place.

On Route 4 next to the Antiques Mall, just down from The Quechee Gorge and VINS Nature Center.

European fine dining and cuisine has found its way to Vermont at The Lincoln Inn & Restaurant At The Covered Bridge. Approximately three miles from the charming downtown village of Woodstock, the historic farmhouse-turned gourmet restaurant has established itself as a top culinary destination in New England. Coupled with six cozy guest rooms, it has adopted the popular European countryside business model, described by innkeeper and proprietor Mara Mehlman as a “restaurant with rooms.”

“There are no strangers here, only friends we’ve yet to meet” quotes Mehlman. She and Chef Jevgenija Saromova put this philosophy into action by inviting locals and tourists to celebrate the beauty of the Inn and the gorgeous six acres of grounds right on the Ottauquechee River. The Lincoln Inn & Restaurant has earned their top spot on TripAdvisor’s Best Restaurants in Woodstock, not only through culinary excellence, but their dedication to turning strangers into friends, and making them feel at home.

Chef Jevgenija Saromova is a European Michelin Star trained chef and has worked in some of the finest restaurants in Italy, Switzerland, France and England before coming to Woodstock. She sources gourmet ingredients and has them flown in overnight express from France and Japan. As well, Chef Saromova proudly uses locally grown ingredients. In the summer you can find her working in her chef garden. Do not be surprised if 3 hours after picking her vegetables, they appear on her nightly dinner plates.

Dinner at The Lincoln Inn & Restaurant is a 7-course extremely high end and very gourmet dining experience. The optional wine pairing is not to be missed, 7 tasting glasses of wine each pairing perfectly for each course. Enjoy dinner under the stars in the new outside dining gazebos when weather permits, or inside in the quaint dining room. Book a party of up to eight guests in the Inns private dining room, originally created for famed actor and philanthropist Paul Newman.

By

Inspiring Design Interior Design

■

Custom Fabrication

A Comprehensive Showroom and Interior Design Service Guiding Your Project - Concept to Completion Cheryl Boghosian, ASID, Interior Designer Hanover, NH ■ 603-643-3727 gilberteinteriors.com

■

Renovations

THE UPPER VALLEY’S PREMIER

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY

Become part of our family IT’S TIME The Village at White River Junction offers round-the-clock health care and assistance, chef-prepared meals, private apartments and expansive amenities.

CALL 802-295-7500 TO LEARN MORE.

“

GRETCHEN COLE, Director of Memory Care

We are a wonderfully rich family of residents and caregivers who cherish our time together. Individual care plans guide our daily interaction and activities in the Memory Care neighborhood. No two people are the same, so we make sure to embrace each unique resident’s abilities and interests.”

8 0 2 . 2 9 5 . 7 5 0 0 | W W W. T H E V I L L A G E AT W R J . C O M 101 CURRIER STREET | WHITE RIVER JUNCTION VT 05001 The Village at White River Junction Uniform Consumer Disclosure form is available by request.

Gates & Dickson

CONTENTS

38 38 Stitchdown Farm

58

By Anne Richter Arnold

Building community through the beauty of flowers.

50 The People versus Irene

By Stephen D’Agostino

Commemorating the power of community 10 years later.

58 Vermont Spirits

By Pamela Brown

Local distillery is keeping history alive.

On the cover: Andrew and Rita have fun with Francis at Stitchdown Farm.

Photo by Lynn Bohannon.

10 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

CONTENTS

66 68

36 In Every Issue

Departments

15 Editor’s Note 16 Contributors 18 Online Exclusives &

20 Everyday Essentials

75 Happenings 79 Advertisers Index 80 Last Glance

Business Directory

Tips for healthy living.

66 What’s New

The Farm to Ballet Project.

24 Around & About

68 Great Outdoors

By Lisa Ballard

32 Great Ideas

A quest for Colorado cutthroat trout.

Music by the River.

By Cassie Horner

46

Unique Shopping, Dining & Services In & Around Woodstock

64

Enjoy Quechee this Summer

By Cassie Horner

36 Family Fun

By Peggy Fraser

Puppies and Pooches on Parade.

1 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Crown Select by

A whole new line of custom built inset cabinetry with the impeccable Crown Point fit and finish Handcrafted in New Hampshire and available direct, nationwide

www.crownselect.com 603 • 542 • 3399

Beautifully designed and engineered to be budget friendly

Available only from Crown Point Cabinetry

Mountain View Publishing, LLC 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 867-9339

mountainviewpublishing.com

Publishers

Bob Frisch Cheryl Frisch Executive Editor

Deborah Thompson Associate Editor

Kristy Erickson Creative Director

Ellen Klempner-Beguin Art Director

Brad Wuorinen Ad Design

Melanie Marston Web Design

Locable Inbound Marketing Manager

Erin Frisch Advertising

Bob Frisch

KEEP US POSTED. Woodstock Magazine wants to hear from readers. Correspondence may be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Woodstock Magazine, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or email us at: dthompson@mountainviewpublishing .com. Advertising inquiries may be made by email to rcfrisch1@comcast .net. Woodstock Magazine is published quarterly by Mountain View Publishing, LLC ©2021. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. Woodstock Magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

1 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

E D I TO R ’ S N OT E

Community Unity

JACK ROWELL

It's time to reconnect

With warm weather arriving and the pandemic finally departing, we’re eager to head out and experience people, places, and fun again. It’s almost as if we didn’t know how much we needed and loved our social connections until they were taken from us. So make the most of this season and get outdoors to take in all the area has to offer.

Locally you can enjoy adorable pets at the puppy parade (page 36) or relax with the beautiful movements of ballet at Billings Farm (page 66). The parade had to take place online last year, and the Farm to Ballet Project was canceled, so you’ll want to support these events doubly this year. Bring the whole family!

We’re checking in on several other area happenings. If you like music, both Pentangle and Artistree have busy schedules of live music planned, and don’t miss out on the Taste of Woodstock event for delicious food. Travel back to a time past with Woodstock History Center’s exhibit on fans. Some are so elaborate! Imagine the hours of work that went into making them and try to picture the beautiful costumes the ladies carrying them would have worn. Exquisite!

Come along on our visit to Vermont Spirits in Quechee, the oldest distillery in Vermont (page 58), and go to our website to find cocktail recipes made with their products. We’re also dropping in on Rita Champion, her husband Andrew Plotsky, and the rest of their family at Stitchdown Farm. The flowers they grow are breathtaking!

Make the most of summer while continuing to be safe and healthy. Enjoy!

Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com

like us www.mountainviewpublishing.com/facebook S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

15

C O N T R I B U TO R S

Lisa Ballard

A full-time freelance writer and photographer, Lisa is a graduate of Dartmouth College who resided in the Upper Valley for another 25 years. She is the author of 10 books, including Best Hikes with Dogs: New Hampshire and Vermont, Hiking the White Mountains, and Hiking the Green Mountains. She covers all types of outdoor recreation, travel, and conservation topics for more than 25 magazines. www.LisaBallardOutdoors.com

Lynn is a photographer with a studio in Woodstock, where she loves to photograph and create. Her specialties are people and product, but her current passion is flowers. Among her favorite things to do are kayaking, cross-country skiing, and being the number-one groupie for her daughter’s band.

OPEN DAILY 10 AM TO 5 PM

Lynn Bohannon

NATURE CENTER

Pamela has been a journalist with Hearst Connecticut Media Group for 20 years, covering a wide spectrum of subjects, and has a monthly food column in Connecticut Magazine.

When she steps away from the computer, Pamela enjoys vacationing in Woodstock, playing tennis, gardening, reading, and spending time with her beautiful daughter, Alexis, and adorable mini Goldendoodle, Rafa.

Pamela Brown

Included with admission:

Forest Canopy Walk Live Bird Programs Exhibits & Trails

Stephen is a freelance writer living in Reading, Vermont.

His work has appeared in local publications in Boston and New York City, museum catalogs, Night Sky magazine, and weekly in the Vermont Standard. He’s always writing a novel and is working with an agent to get his first book published.

When he’s not writing, he’s knitting, gardening, baking, or struggling with his ukulele.

Stephen D’Agostino

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

We require that you reserve your tickets in advance.

vinsweb.org/visit

Cassie Horner 149 NATURES WAY / QUECHEE, VT / 802.359.5000 1 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Helping you make your home, beautiful!

14 Interchange Drive, West Lebanon, NH 03784 (603) 298-5755 www.brownfurniture.com

Serving the Upper Valley's furniture and bedding needs Since 1940.

VISIT US ONLINE @

WOODSTOCKMAGAZINE.COM ONLINE EXCLUSIVES Find additional articles online at www.woodstockmagazine.com. Go to the home page and click on the “In This Issue” button under the calendar.

Happy Bike Trails! eNEWSLETTER STAY INFORMED

SIGN UP TODAY!

Sponsored by Mascoma Bank

What does our eNewsletter include?

•A summary of our most popular articles and comments from our readers •L ocal event listings from our calendar

The Upper Valley offers a myriad of bike trails for every skill level.

Spruce Up Your Home Increase curb appeal and spray away winter's grime with pressure washing.

•S pecial offers from Woodstock Magazine and local businesses • Exclusive insights into upcoming features and articles, and much more . . .

Sign up at www.woodstockmagazine.com

July

CLICK ON OUR ONLINE CALENDAR TO SEE LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ADD YOUR OWN EVENTS.

SHOP LOCAL

www.woodstockmagazine.com is proudly brought to you by these community sponsors. Visit our website for more information.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK TO SHARE YOUR COMMENTS.

1 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Check out these local businesses in our directory.

ANNEMARIE SCHMIDT EUROPEAN FACE AND BODY STUDIO ARTISTREE/PURPLE CRAYON PRODUCTIONS BENJAMIN F. EDWARDS & CO. BLOOD’S CATERING & PARTY RENTALS BRAESIDE LODGING BROWN’S AUTO & MARINE CALDWELL LAW

CLICK ON www.woodstockmagazine.com

LOCABLE MARTHA E. DIEBOLD REAL ESTATE MASCOMA BANK MB PRO LANDSCAPE DESIGN MORNINGSIDE FLIGHT PARK MOUNTAIN VALLEY TREATMENT CENTER NATURE CALLS NEW ENGLAND BEAUTY & WELLNESS

CARPET KING & TILE

NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTRIC BOATS

DATAMANN

NEW LONDON INN & COACH

db LANDSCAPING DEAD RIVER COMPANY DONALD J. NEELY, DMD, MSD DOWDS’ COUNTRY INN DOWDS’ INN EVENTS CENTER

HOUSE RESTAURANT NORTHERN MOTORSPORT LTD OPERA NORTH QUALITY INN QUECHEE RICHARD ELECTRIC

EVERGREEN RECYCLING

RIVER ROAD VETERINARY CLINIC

FOUR SEASONS SOTHEBY’S

RODD ROOFING

INTERNATIONAL REALTY

ROGER A. PHILLIPS, DMD

GILBERTE INTERIORS

THE DORR MILL STORE

GUARALDI AGENCY

THE GRANITE GROUP, THE ULTIMATE

HANOVER EYECARE IN THE GARDEN GREENHOUSES JEFF WILMOT PAINTING & WALLPAPERING, INC.

BATH STORE THE HANOVER INN AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE TUCKERBOX

JUNCTION FRAME SHOP

VERMOD HOMES

KING ARTHUR BAKING COMPANY

WHITE RIVER FAMILY EYECARE

LATHAM HOUSE TAVERN

WOODSTOCK AREA CHAMBER

LAVALLEY BUILDING SUPPLY LITTLE ISTANBUL

T-shirts and fine wares, all designed by Vermont artists. Stop by our gallery in Woodstock Village or visit us online.

OF COMMERCE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT

For more information about how your business can get listed on our ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY or for other online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 867-9339 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net.

vteclecticco.com 12B Central Street Woodstock Village, VT

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

19

E V E RY DAY E S S E N T I A L S Tips for Healthy Living

Safe

Summer Fun

B

efore your child heads out on a bike, skateboard, or scooter, make sure they’re wearing a helmet (and always set a good example by wearing one yourself). A head injury could be a life-changing event, but wearing a helmet can reduce your child’s risk of a head injury by as much as 85 percent. If you’re wondering if your child has outgrown his or her helmet from last year, check for these things: • When your child buckles the chin strap, the helmet should fit snugly but comfortably.

• If you move the helmet from side to side or up and down, it should stay snug.

• The helmet should sit level on your child’s head and rest low on the forehead.

• The bottom edge of the helmet should be one to two finger widths above the eyebrow.

If you have any questions or need a new helmet, bike, or biking accessories for your child or yourself, the experts at Woodstock Sports can help. Visit the shop on Central Street or check out woodstocksports.org.

Skip the

Sugary Drinks

T

he rate of colon cancer among young Americans is on the rise, and a new study suggests that consuming too many sugary drinks may be to blame—at least for women. In the study of more than 95,000 women aged 25 to 42 who provided information on their diet for nearly 25 years, those who drank two or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day, such as soda, sports or energy drinks, or fruit drinks, had double the risk of developing colon cancer before they were 50 compared to women who consumed one or fewer sugar-sweetened drinks per day. But substituting sugary drinks with milk, coffee, or beverages not sweetened with sugar was associated with a 17 percent to 36 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer before age 50.

Due to the increase in colon cancer in young people, the American Cancer Society now recommends regular screening starting at age 45.

2 0 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Do a Tick Check

I

n case you haven’t heard (or noticed) it’s a bad year for ticks in Vermont and the rest of New England, and Lyme disease–carrying ticks have even made their way near beaches on the West Coast. Mild winters, warmer summers, and extended humidity make tick populations thrive, and researchers have noted an increase in Lyme disease cases. Now that COVID restrictions are being lifted and more people are getting vaccinated, it’s likely that people will be doing more hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors this summer.

“On the East Coast, it’s pretty hard to find an area that’s not got Lyme disease,” says Daniel Salkeld, a research scientist who led a recent study on ticks. “Even inner-city suburbs have woods and deer and ticks and mice. So you don’t have to be out in the country in the rural areas; even in inner suburbs that are wooded, we see lots of cases.”

If you’re heading outdoors, wear long pants, socks, and shoes, and don’t forget the insect repellent. Do a thorough tick check when you get home and remove any attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers, grasping as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

Finally, be on the lookout for a round, red rash at the site of a tick bite. Some rashes resemble a bull’s eye, but not all. If you experience a fever, chills, headache, body aches, dizziness, or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor.

Bring on the

Blueberries J

uly is National Blueberry month—prime time for these delicious and healthy little gems. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, and making blueberries a regular part of your diet is linked to better heart health, lower blood pressure, improved cognitive function, and protection from diseases, including cancer. Look for fresh, local blueberries at the Woodstock Farmers’ Market.

When shopping, choose firm berries with even coloring. Gently shake the container to make sure they’re free of mold, moisture, and damage. Once you get home, don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat them. They should last three to five days. Toss blueberries into oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, smoothies, salads, and your favorite hot grains (rice, quinoa, or couscous), or just enjoy them by the handful.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

21

E V E RY DAY E S S E N T I A L S

How Much

Water?

The N.T. Ferro Custom Design Studio

F

erro Jewelers began designing rings back in 1947 and supplied many of the finest jewel stores around the country. Over the years, Ferro custom designs have been recognized by the most prestigious and respected jewelry associations and have earned first place awards in the DeBeers Diamond Design and AGTA Spectrum contests.

Ferro Jewelers' team of skilled designers and craftsmen will work with you to take the design of your dreams and turn it into a reality - walking you through each step of the process.

We specialize in: • • • •

Custom Diamond Engagement Rings Custom Wedding Bands Custom Anniversary and Eternity Bands Custom Family Crests and Insigna

On the premises services include: • • • • • •

CAD Jewelry Design Wax Carving Casting Molding Engraving Redesign Jewelry*

* we can use your gold and gems, or you can select from our vast inventory of mountings, loose diamonds and colored gemstones in any price range.

Call us today to start your custom design!

802-457-1901 woodstock@ferrojewelers.com Woodstock, Vermont 05091

2 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

A

s the temperature starts to rise, so does the chance of becoming dehydrated. Water keeps your temperature regulated, protects sensitive tissue, and aids the elimination of waste. As a general rule, we all should be drinking about eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

But during a hot summer day, the body starts to sweat to regulate its temperature and we lose fluids more rapidly. How much water you need will depend on your activity level and how much you’re sweating. Listen to your body—thirst isn’t always a reliable indicator of your body’s need for water. Many people don’t feel thirsty until they’re already dehydrated. A headache, lightheadedness, muscle cramps, fatigue, and dark urine are all signs of dehydration. A good rule of thumb is to carry a full water bottle with you everywhere you go, and sip from it consistently throughout the day, especially when it’s hot outside.

Get Hooked on Pickleball

L

ooking for a fun way to stay active this summer and beyond? You’ve got to try pickleball! This sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong and is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

It can be played indoors or outdoors and as singles or doubles, and it can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. If you want to give it a try, check out Woodstock Recreation Center’s pickleball league, which runs from June to late October. Visit woodstockvt.myrec.com to register for a four-week session.

Professional Tree, Trail & landscaPe services for The UPPer valley ArborScape Inc. Pomfret, Vermont (802) 457-5797 arborscapevt.com S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

23

A RO U N D & A B O U T

By Cassie Horner

Music on the Hill

L

ive music is coming to Pomfret again this summer. free). Vermont State COVID-19 protocols will be in place, with Situated on the hillside behind the Artistree Compeople asked to remain six feet apart from people outside of munity Arts Center, Music on the Hill 2021 will fea- their household and to wear a mask if within six feet of others. ture a lineup for the Wednesday Summer Concert This series is augmented by two special events this summer.

Series that runs from June 16 to August 18. The season kicks The first was Jenni & the Junketeers, a group of musicians celoff with Hot Pickin’ Party, a Burlington-based bluegrass trio, ebrating divas of jazz and blues on June 12. and concludes with the Four Hoarse Men, performing a mix of The second special event is Summer Sillies with the Swing bluegrass, rock, and Americana with a smattering of Celtic.

Peepers on Saturday, July 24 at 10am. This is an activity de“We installed an outdoor venue on the hillside with a stone signed for kids and their families with Vermont-made music patio with power access,” says Marie Cross, director of marketand storytelling. The Spring Peepers is a vocal-harmony and ing and communications. “The acoustics are great! We had a multi-instrument duo performing inventive, earth-friendly, couple of outdoor concerts at the and interactive songs and stories. end of last summer that were a great Tickets are $5 per person.

“We had a couple of outdoor success and we wanted to make a Artistree offers a community more regular weekly series.” concerts at the end of last summer arts program dedicated to helpWednesday concerts will be held ing children and adults experience that were a great success and we the wonders of music, visual arts, from 6:30 to 8pm and are weather dependent. Picnicking is welcome. theater, and movement. The facility wanted to make a more regular Concertgoers can bring food, holds classes, workshops, concerts, weekly series.” beverages, chairs, and blankets to theater performances, gallery exenjoy the summer evening with hibits, and events throughout the — Marie Cross, director of marketing and family and friends. Tickets are $5 year. For more information, visit communications per person (children under five are artsitreevt.org.

Rose Hip Jam, from left: Steve Glazer, Eric Bronstein, and Kerry Rosenthal.

Photo courtesy of Kerry Rosenthal.

2 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Hot Pickin’ Party Trio, from left: Doug Perkins, Mike Santosusso, and Adam Frehm. Photo courtesy of Mike Santosusso.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

25

A RO U N D & A B O U T

Taste of Woodstock

E

lm Street, in the heart of the village, welcomes people to the annual Taste of Woodstock on August 14 from 10am to 6pm. The street is closed to vehicles from 7am to 7pm, giving visitors easy access to vendors, live music, arts and crafts, and children’s activities.

Food vendors offer a wide variety of good eats and drinks ranging from kettle corn and olive oil and spirit tastings to lunch. Billings Farm & Museum staff will be on hand to sell the farm’s cheese and other products. The Marsh-BillingsRockefeller National Historical Park

The aroma of kettle corn attracts customers.

“It’s a fun festival . People can dance, listen to live music, and enjoy adult beverages with food.”

— Beth Finlayson, Woodstock Chamber of Commerce’s executive director will be promoting what people can do at the park. Rotary Club members will be available to talk about the group’s role in the community.

Kids will be happy to take part in activities designed just for them by Purple Crayon Productions. All ages will enjoy the live music throughout the day.

2 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Taste of Woodstock was founded in 2009. COVID-19 put a stop to it last year, but it had been held every year before that. “It’s a fun festival,” says the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director Beth Finlayson. “People can dance, listen to live music, and enjoy adult beverages with food.”

Above: Attendees enjoy browsing the many tents set up for the event.

Left: Visitors view the street art.

Another popular Woodstock event, Market on the Green was held in a limited capacity last year due to the pandemic but is back in full swing this year. It began on June 2 and runs every Wednesday from 3 to 6pm through October 13. There will be many more vendors and live music.

Looking ahead to the fall, plans are in place for the annual Woodstock Art Festival on September 11 to 12 on the Green. It was held last year in a small way; this year there will be lots of artists and photographers, along with live music and wine and spirits tastings. For more information, visit woodstockvt.com.

THE

THE RANSOM TAVERN Our menu celebrates the Neapolitan tradition of antipasti, salads and pizza. Join us for dinner paired with a local craft beer, signature cocktail or a glass of wine. dinner is served Thursday- Sunday

South Woodstock Country Store

Book a stay at our historical Inn located in the heart of South Woodstock!

Rooted in a love for our community, creativity, food, and fun we aim to honor our 200-year history. Serving breakfast and lunch daily.

(802)457-1473 info@southwoodstock.com www.kedronvalleyinn.com

Monday-Saturday: 7:30AM - 5:00PM Sunday: 8:30AM - 4:00PM S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

27

A RO U N D & A B O U T

Pierced bone fan with painted paper leaf, 18th century figures, 1840–1860. Gift of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Woodstock History Center’s

Fan-tastic Exhibit

T

he history of folding fans dates back millennia to ancient China and Japan, though no one knows which country started the tradition. Ancient Egyptians used palm leaves as fans. In Europe, popes benefited from huge fans designed to keep flies away. Fans cooled people down and helped start fires. There were folding fans designed for young ladies for flirting and for widows in mourning. Fans were created to match dresses, often depicting a classical, musical, or religious theme.

This is just a snippet of the rich history of fans. To learn more, visit the Woodstock History Center’s exhibit, Fan-tastic—Fans from the Collection. Rachel Kurland, a costume designer, has created a fascinating story with 45 fans from the late 18th century to the 1920s from the WHC collection of more than 100 fans.

“There is a whole culture of fans,” Rachel says. As fashion accessories, their styles and materials evolved over time. Fan sticks, the framework of a folding fan, were made of wood, ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, or mother-of-pearl. More expensive fans might have carved sticks or sticks inset with silver. The leaf or mount of a fan might be constructed of paper, lace, silk, or other textiles. Some were hand-painted. Even the rivet that holds the fan together could be set with stones, usually made of paste.

Rachel, who has years of costume design expertise, immersed herself in learning about fans for the exhibit design. “I spent two years researching fans while preparing the exhibit and visited with curators at museums in Boston, London, Chertsey, and Greenwich as part of my fan studies,” she says. “Baker Library at Dartmouth College found me every book listed on every fan bibliography I could find, and I read them all.”

Of particular importance to Rachel’s creation of the exhibit was the generous support of members of the Fan Association of North America, including a grant. “Abbey Cash, the president of the organization, visited Woodstock to look at the collection,” Rachel says. “She offered connections to experts.” This included the opportunity to

2 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

“I spent two years researching fans while preparing the exhibit and visited with curators at museums in Boston, London, Chertsey, and Greenwich as part of my fan studies.”

— Rachel Kurland, costume designer

send the manuscript of the WHC book about its fan collection to experts in museums in Europe and the United States.

“The international fan world put this together with me. They were amazingly generous with their time.” All of this took place within the changed protocols caused by COVID-19. “Being home because of COVID-19 gave me time to read and gave the international experts free time to proof my work,” she says.

One of the most special fans in the exhibit is the double-carved Chinese brise fan, c. 1850–1870. The ivory is intricately carved with pagodas, trees and scribes on one side and fishermen and

Above: Fan-Tastic Fans exhibit, Woodstock History Center, 2021.

Below: Lacquered brisé fan with tavern scenes, 1870–1880. Gift of Mrs. Edward Wynkoop.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

29

A RO U N D & A B O U T

Wedge-shaped rattan fan, possibly West African.

birds on the other. Another fan dating to the late 19th century is varnished and beautifully painted with a scene of people at a village garden stall.

Two fans in the exhibit have direct local connections. Jane Soule of Woodstock loaned the WHC a fan with a silk leaf, French Valenciennes lace border, and painted garlands of small flowers and curlicues. It is dated to c. 1900 and believed to have been purchased by a member of the Soule family posted to the Bahamas at the beginning of the 20th century.

The second fan with ties to Woodstock is a stick fan made of paper attached to a wooden handle. It is printed on the front and back with advertisements for New Home Sewing Machines. Two children, dressed beautifully in clothes presumably made through the use of a sewing machine, decorate the front. On the back are images of two models, along with the imprint of New Home dealer W.J. Boyce & Co., whose dry goods and groceries store was located on Central Street, next door to the former Woodstock Pharmacy.

While the majority of the fans in the collection were intended for a highend market, the ethnographic examples are interesting in their own way.

Named “ethnographic” by specialists in European, Chinese, and Japanese fans because these other fans did not come from those cultures, these fans 3 0 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

made of simple materials such as rattan, banana leaf, or grasses were designed practically and inexpensively to keep people cool. Most of the ethnographic fans in the collection are

believed to have been purchased by travelers as souvenirs.

Fans, in all of their diverse, beautiful forms, celebrate artistry from other eras over hundreds of years. The collection on exhibit at WHC shines a spotlight on the fine materials and exquisite craftsmanship that went into these delicate works of art.

The WHC, which has been closed to the public due to the pandemic, plans to open the fan exhibit on July 7. Call (802) 457-1822 for more information. The book, Fan-tastic, is available at woodstockhistory center.org.

Left: Mauve mesh fan with sequin sunburst, tortoiseshell sticks, 1920s, by Duvelleroy. Gift of Mrs. Edward Wynkoop.

Top right: Opulent gold mesh fan with cartouche, horn sticks,1900–1910. Gift of Mrs. Edward Wynkoop.

Bottom right: Homemade hand screen embroidered with daisies, 1850–1880.

2 Unique Senior Communities nestled on the campus of Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital

ur fit o y d n i F

| It’s your choice | Meet you r need s LIFECARE Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health

Luxury Independent Living

www.APDLifecare.org Lebanon, New Hampshire

Independent and Assisted Living with Memory Care

Contact Peggy Cooper at 603-443-9575 or cooperm@apdmh.org S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

31

G R E AT I D E A S

Music by the River Concert Series At beautiful East End Park this year

O

By Cassie Horner

ne of the unwelcome results of the pandemic has been the rarity of live music. Last year, Pentangle Arts offered a modified summer music series, and included outdoor movies. This summer, Pentangle Arts has lined up a full schedule of musical performances in its 48th free Music By the River summer concert series, this year located at the beautiful East End Park in Woodstock. The series begins on July 2 with Americana, folk, and jazz and, through the season, takes listeners from pop/alt/rock to West African groove on August 20.

Concerts begin at 6pm and end at 7:30pm.

The 2021 season wraps up with the Community Heroes Concert on Friday, August 27 from 5 to 8pm featuring Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band. This celebratory event recognizes the many nonprofits, volunteers, and businesses that have stepped up to help in a wide variety of ways during the pandemic. They have delivered services in creative ways in tough times. The event also honors the volunteers who have worked hard to make the East End Park a reality.

Pentangle staffer Wendy Marrinan greets patrons.

Friday Evenings 6 – 7:30 pm (Lawn opens at 5:30 pm)

NEW LOCATION!

East End Park

217 Maxham Meadow Way

Paul Asbell Quartet featuring Michael Zsoldos (Americana Folk Jazz) Interplay Jazz (Cool Jazz) Ben Patton Band (Pop Alt Rock) A2VT (African/Western Hip Hop) Myra Flynn & Paul Boffa (Indie Soul) Marcie Hernandez (Latin Indie Folk) Barika (West African Groove) Jay Nash (Folk Jazz) FREE

Donations welcome

Sax players of Interplay Jazz.

3 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Pentanglearts.org 802-457-3981

Celebrating 47 Years!

July 2 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30 August 6 August 13 August 20

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Alden-Wright Foundation Fred Hunt & Mary MacVey Bill & Lauran Corson Sandy & Karen Gilmour Marne Perreault Angela Moore Woodstock Downtown Merchants

Concessions by: Conce Beer, wine, soft drinks, wood fired grill and treats.

Family and friends enjoy the Early Risers, summer 2019.

tranquil riverside

“The promises to be the perfect setting for community members and visitors of all ages to come together for joyful summer evenings of music, food, and friends.”

—Alita Wilson, executive director of Pentangle Arts

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

33

FA M I LY F U N

A Simple Test Could

Save Your Life

CANCER SCREENINGS

AT MT. ASCUTNEY HOSPITAL AND OTTAUQUECHEE HEALTH CENTER

When it comes to conquering cancer, prevention matters at every age as you move through life.

Check your calendar, and be sure to get the cancer screenings you need, in order to catch any issues early, before they become serious.

PAP TESTS & CHECK-UPS All women starting at age 21. Windsor call: (802) 674-7300; Woodstock call: (802) 457-3030 ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS All women starting at age 40. Call: (802) 674-7276 PROSTATE SCREENINGS All men starting at age 55. Windsor call: (802) 674-7300; Woodstock call: (802) 457-3030 COLON CANCER SCREENINGS All women & men, starting at age 50.

Windsor call: (802) 674-7300; Woodstock call: (802) 457-3030 * Ages shown are recommended guidelines. Talk to your Provider about your needs.

MAHHC/Windsor, VT OHC/Woodstock, VT MtAscutneyHospital.org

3 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Burlington-based band Barika, summer 2019.

They will return this year.

The East End Park is a wonderful space in Woodstock that offers access to the Ottauquechee River, including a three-mile trail along the water. It is a perfect venue for live music. Bands perform on a flat area; concertgoers bring chairs to sit in the amphitheater or on the flat section. “The tranquil riverside promises to be the perfect setting for community members and visitors of all ages to come together for joyful summer evenings of music, food, and friends,” says Alita Wilson, executive director of Pentangle Arts. “Truly a magical setting, this outdoor amphitheater showcases a view of the Ottauquechee River and the Billings Farm fields across from it.”

All of the concerts are free, with donations welcomed. Picnicking is encouraged. Worthy Kitchen will be grilling and also selling beer, wine, soft drinks, and treats. People are encouraged to carpool or walk to the park because parking is limited. Masks will be required except when eating and drinking.

For more information about the Music By the River concert series, visit pentanglearts.org.

FA M I LY F U N

Puppies and Pooches on Parade A fun event for a great cause

By Peggy Fraser | Photos by Lynn Bohannon

T

he 7th annual Puppies and Pooches on Parade will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, on the Woodstock Village Green. The show starts at 10am with participants gathering from far and wide. Entries are limited to 70 dogs of all ages and breeds in categories Most Precious Petites (up to 20 pounds), Mightiest Mid-Size (up to 50 pounds), Gentle Giants, Ms. Fashionista, and Mr. Beau Geste.

All the dogs will parade down the main path of the Green and then each group will enter by category into the ring for judging. The winners of each category will enjoy a great prize and compete for Best in Show. Spectators get to hoot, holler, and whistle at the Crowd Pleaser.

Attendees can purchase hot dogs and raffle tickets. Raffle tickets will be sold in advance in front of the Norman Williams Public Library and also at Taste of Woodstock. You do not have to be present to win a raffle prize.

Puppies and Pooches on Parade is the major fundraising event for the Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library and enables the Friends to make donations to the library for expenses not covered by the operating budget. The most recent contribution is an automated external defibrillator and for the required staff training. Among the many contributions from the Friends have been donations for helping to fund the new HVAC system; a new audio system, media room, and a digital keyboard for the Children’s Room; furnishings; annual piano tuning; and the maintenance of both the Friends’ Garden and the Children’s Garden, both at the east end of the library grounds.

For more information, visit www.puppeisandpoochesonparade. com. Developed last year when a live event couldn’t be held due to COVID, this new platform has proved to be a fun way to connect with dog lovers from not only the Woodstock community and the rest of New England but also the New York area and places as far away from Vermont as Texas, California, and even Poland. To enter your dog in Puppies and Pooches on Parade, please email Peggy Fraser, fraserusa@gmail.com.

3 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Online Extra Find more photos online at www.woodstockmagazine.com.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

37

By Anne Richter Arnold Photos by Lynn Bohannon

Stitchdown Farm Building community through the beauty of flowers

F

lowers bring joy, there is no doubt about it. For Rita Champion and her husband Andrew Plotsky, the owners of Stitchdown Farm, a diversified flower farm and floristry, bringing joy to their community through the beauty of flowers is the fulfillment of a dream.

Francis helps his mom Rita harvest flowers.

3 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

39

Above: Andrew and Rita in their farm stand.

Right: Ciel harvests Cafe Creme foxglove.

Rita and Andrew are farmers through and through. The pair were farming on different islands in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, where he was doing on-farm slaughtering and butchering and she was working at a vegetable farm. They met at a young farmers mixer, realized they had the same dreams, and fell in love.

Within a couple months they started the first iteration of Stitchdown Farm on Vashon Island, Washington, in 2012. They focused on growing vegetables for community-supported agriculture (CSA) and local restaurants. After only one season, they moved operations to Washougal, where they again raised crops for a vegetable CSA and for Portland and Vancouver area restaurants.

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS

Land in the Pacific Northwest was hard to come by, so they looked east for something more permanent that they could call their own.

4 0 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Clockwise from top: Summer stocked farm stand with customers. Freshly harvested potatoes coming out of the field. Andrew made the sign at the farm's entrance. Lisianthus in bloom.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

41

From top: Family field walk with Andrew, Francis, Rita, and their dog Magnus. Visiting draft horse Ted in the old barn paddock. Sunflowers frame this view of the farm.

Since Andrew is from Washington, DC, and his family is still located there, the couple looked all over the East Coast and found 12 different farms in 2014 that had potential to be Stitchdown Farm’s permanent home.

“We looked at so many locations, but we eventually chose Bethel, Vermont, and moved in February 2015,” says Rita. “We felt that the town had great potential and we were impressed with all the community revitalization after Tropical Storm Irene. It was exciting to both of us to be in a space where things were changing positively.

Bethel just felt like this was the place to put down our roots.”

And that they did. There was some work involved to create the new Stitchdown Farm, but Rita and Andrew were ready to finally have a place of their own and fulfill their dreams. “We had to make some changes to get the property to where we wanted it to be,” says Rita. “The farmhouse had been maintained but the land had not actually been used for farming for about 50 years. It had originally been a dairy farm in the 1800s.”

They opened a swath of land for growing food and flowers for their September wedding. “Our wedding was my first flowerarranging experience, and I fell in love with it,” remarks Rita. “I realized something at that point. There were a lot of other farms in the market growing vegetables, but no one was growing flowers at any scale. It seemed like an opportunity. There was also the possibility of arranging the flowers for weddings and events. I cultivated my arranging style and some florist friends helped me learn, and now it is my passion.”

4 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

CREATING A ONE-STOP LOCAL SHOP

In the midst of a pandemic, Stitchdown Farm was an oasis of beauty, normalcy, and sustenance. Rita and Andrew weathered 2020 well and were able to quickly adjust to market conditions. Rita explains, “Last year was challenging and we are a diversified farm, which can be an advantage. Before the pandemic, we

had many different outlets for the flowers, wholesale, weddings, and events as well as our flower CSA. One of the hardest parts was just not knowing at the beginning of the pandemic. I didn’t know where to put my efforts.”

Rita and Andrew ended up creating a balance between vegetables and flowers to better suit the market, and so that the

From left: Pink lisianthus in bloom. Rita with a farm crew family: Sophie Wood and her baby in an old farm truck. Purple lisianthus in bloom.

community could benefit from one-stop local shopping. They had built a farm stand and planned on opening it up for spring of 2020, which was a perfect outlet for their flowers and vegetables. They

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

43

Flower field in summer.

Summer of dinosaurs EXPLORE THE LIVES OF DINOSAURS , BIG AND SMALL

SPONSORED BY

MONTSHIRE.ORG \\ 802.649.2200

ART, MUSIC, THEATRE ARTS, GALLERY EXHIBITS, PERFORMANCES, & MOVEMENT

were able to source a good amount of food from local producers that rounded out their produce well as flowers, bringing in eggs, cheese, beef, and other meats from other farms.

“We were easily able to transfer our focus to the flower CSA and farm stand when events were cancelled,” says Rita. “In 2020, the community rallied and wanted to help support local farms. Business was actually quite brisk. With people being in their houses for weeks and months, they were excited about having flowers in their home, something to delight in and create joy. Our flower CSA numbers for 2020 were great, and the Woodstock Farmers’ Market and many other retail outlets bought more.”

The farm stand and flower CSA were so successful that Stitchdown Farm is running both again this year through October. Spring CSA shares sold out in just a few days, and the summer share,

Online Extra 2095 Pomfret Rd., So. Pomfret, VT | (802) 457-3500 | ARTISTREEVT.ORG 4 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Find tips for making cut flowers last longer at www.woodstockmagazine.com.

which starts in July, is proving to be just as popular.

This summer will be a busy one at Stitchdown Farm. With many 2020 events postponed to 2021, most weekends are booked with flower deliveries and arrangements at other venues.

Rita will be in her design studio, “playing with flowers,” her creative outlet.

Moving forward, Rita says she plans to do fewer and more select events and shift her focus to bringing flowers to the community, through the CSA and more interaction that brings people in to discover what makes Stitchdown Farm special.

“One thing that came out of the pandemic is we learned that we want to love and support our neighbors. Community is what kept us going in 2020 and we want that to remain the focus of what we do,” says Rita. “In growing flowers, we hope to build soil, build community, contribute to a growing local economy, and be able to share the fruit of that vision with all who are in need of nourishment.”

Stitchdown Farm 119 Bundy Road Bethel, VT stitchdownfarm.com Farm stand is open 7am–7pm daily S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

45

Unique Shopping, Dining, and Services

by Gallery on the Green at the Soulfully Good Cafe LIVE MUSIC 67 Central Street starting July 1

Soulfully Good Café 67 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7395 Soulfullygood.com Facebook & Instagram

Thu–Sun 6–9pm

Look for the Art Cafe Weekend evenings in July

The Prince and The Pauper

The Yankee Bookshop

Braeside Lodging 908 East Woodstock Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1366 www.braesidelodging.com info@braesidelodging.com

Sleep Woodstock Motel

12 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2411 www.yankeebookshop.com @yankeebookshop

Woodstock’s Budget-Friendly Motel 4324 W Woodstock Road, Woodstock, VT (802) 332-6336 www.sleepwoodstock.com reservations@sleepwoodstock.com

Cloudland Farm

Mon Vert Cafe

1101 Cloudland Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2599 www.cloudlandfarm.com

28 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7143 www.monvertcafe.com

Frameworks Studio of Woodstock

24 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1818 www.princeandpauper.com Serving Dinner 7 nights a week Reservations are required starting at 5:30pm

Farm to table dining Thu, Fri & Sat by reservation

4 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

63 Pleasant Street Barn Woodstock, VT (802) 356-5235 By chance or by appointment

In and Around Woodstock, Vermont

NT Ferro Jewelers 11 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1901 www.ferrojewelers.com Mon–Sat 10am–5pm Closed Sun

Red Wagon Toy Co.

Unicorn

41 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-9300 www.redwagontoy.com @redwagontoyco

15 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2480 www.unicornvt.com Mon–Fri 9:30am–5:30pm Sat 9:30am–6pm Sun 10:30am–5pm

Woodstock, VT W c o

ts o co

Clover Gift Shop

Woodstock Recreation Center

Collective–The Art of Craft

10 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2527 @clovergiftshop

54 River Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1502 www.woodstockrec.com

47 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1298 www.collective-theartofcraft.com Mon–Sat 10am–5pm Sun 11am–4pm

Gifts - Home Decor - Apothecary

The Woodstocker Bed & Breakfast 61 River Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3896 www.TheWoodstockerBnB.com

R.T. Home 43 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-5700 Mon–Sat 10am–5pm Sun 12–4pm

Barnard Inn Restaurant & Max’s Tavern 5518 Vermont Route 12 | Barnard, VT (802) 234-9961 www.barnardinn.com Fine Dining prix-fixe Tavern a la carte Weddings & Events S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

47

Enjoy Woodstock this Summer!

Splendid Chaos 58 Pleasant Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7084 www.splendidchaosvt.com

The Blue Horse Inn

“In the very heart of Woodstock Village”

37 Central Clothiers 37 Central Street Woodstock, VT

3 Church Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-9999 www.thebluehorseinn.com

43 South Main Street Hanover, NH

506 On The River Inn

Anything Printed

FH Gillingham & Sons

1653 West Woodstock Road 1653 West Woodstock Woodstock, VT Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-5000 (802) 457-5000 www.ontheriverwoodstock.com

2490 East Woodstock Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3414 www.anythingprinted.net

16 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2100 www.gillinghams.com

Mon–Fri 8am–5:30pm

Mon–Sat 8:30am–5pm Sun 10am–4pm

Pizza Chef

Woodstock Hops N’ Barley

Route 4 Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1444

446 Woodstock Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2472 www.woodstockhopsnbarley.com

The Vermont Horse Country Store

Open Tue–Sat

www.ontheriverwoodstock.com

Sun–Thu 11am–9pm Fri & Sat 11am–10pm

Open daily

4 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

@37centralclothiers @37central_hanover

5331 South Road, Route 106 South Woodstock, VT (802) 457-HORS (4677) TheStore@vthorseco.com www.vermonthorsecountry.com Always available. Please call (802) 356-6748 anytime.

5 0 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Matching volunteers to people who needed help removing muck from basements and other recovery tasks. Photo by Jack Rowell.

People versus Irene The

Commemorating the power of community 10 years later

O

— By Stephen D’Agostino —

n August 28, 2011, an unwelcomed visitor came to Vermont. Tropical Storm Irene was forecast to bring high winds. Instead, it brought rain—lots of rain. Woodstock recorded a deluge of over seven inches, swelling rivers, which, in turn, damaged and destroyed homes and businesses. Irene also brought out the best in people who saw their friends, neighbors, and town suffer and were determined to do something about it.

Above: Flooding in Woodstock Village.

Photo by Alison Clarkson.

Opposite: White Cottage Snack Bar leans precariously in the aftermath of Irene.

Photo by Jack Rowell.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

51

Above: Employees and friends of Woodstock Farmers' Market pitch in to clean up after the storm.

Right: The market at the height of the deluge. Photos by Cindy Carroll, courtesy of Woodstock History Center.

With Woodstock Farmers’ Market closed in anticipation of power outages, Patrick Crowl, the store’s owner, was enjoying a peaceful Sunday at home.

Late in the morning, a friend called to tell Patrick the dumpsters that were usually behind the store were afloat in the lot. He rushed to town and fought his way into the already flooded building. As the water was climbing up his legs, he grabbed the most important thing for the future of Woodstock Farmers’ Market, the hard drive that held all the business’s data. Retreating to higher ground, he watched the water burst through the doors he had locked on his way out of the building.

Next door, Phil Camp, owner of The Vermont Standard, was in the paper’s

office undertaking an effort to save things as futile as Patrick’s had been.

His wife, who was standing at the back of the building watching the river, screamed to him, “We’ve got to get out of here! You can’t keep trying to salvage things.”

SHOVELS, DUMPSTERS, VATS, AND BUCKETS

By the next day, a sunny Monday, the rivers had receded. Power was out regionwide, and the town aqueduct and the sewer system had suffered catastrophic damage, knocking out water to the village and much of the town.

Further, like many of the surrounding communities, Woodstock was isolated because the floodwaters had chewed

5 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

up the roads leading into town. But it was not all gloom.

At Woodstock Farmers’ Market, Patrick was greeted by a sight perhaps even more extraordinary than what he had witnessed the day before: people armed with shovels arriving to help him dig out.

Jed Dickinson, owner of Woodstock Recycling and Refuse, offered free use of his dumpsters. Perhaps in a state of shock, Patrick said they were fine.

They wouldn’t need any dumpsters.

Stacy, Patrick’s wife, recalls that she was standing behind Patrick as he was declining Jed’s offer and pantomimed to Jed to bring the dumpsters.

Ned Macksoud, who supplied maple syrup to Woodstock Farmers’

Top: Many homeowners faced the daunting task of removing mud from their basements. Photo by Jack Rowell.

Above: Neighbors with water helped those without. Photo by Ann Marie Bohn, courtesy of Woodstock History Center.

Left:The covered bridge in neighboring Quechee was damaged beyond repair.

Photo by Jack Rowell.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

53

Above: The damage to The Vermont Standard office shows the power of the rushing water from the Ottauquechee River. Photo by Ann Marie Bohn.

Right: Route 4 was severely damaged by the floodwaters. Photo by Cindy Carroll. Both photos courtesy of Woodstock History Center.

Market, came by with his tractor. He maneuvered the machine through the doorway and scooped up an odd mix of mud, mushrooms, and meat, silt, snacks, and squashes. Everything that had been below the high-water mark had become ingredients of this strange stew. Ned delivered each load he had backed out of the store to one of Jed’s dumpsters. When full, Jed removed the dumpster and replaced it with an empty receptacle.

That Monday, Phil Camp returned to the Standard’s office, its front pushed out from the rushing water as it exited the confines of the building. He was determined to salvage what he could.

Not long after he arrived, Phil recalls, “a beat-up car pulled up, and four cadets, all the way from West Point, climbed out and asked, ‘What can we

do to help?’” Other volunteers joined them, primarily women from town.

They went into the damaged building and “dug through the mud to salvage computers and what else they could.”

SERVING THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Townwide recovery efforts also took shape that Monday. Town Manager Phil Swanson and the town’s leaders focused on repairing the infrastructure. When then-state representative Alison Clarkson asked about the human infrastructure, Phil Swanson recruited her to help.

“He gave us a full green light to organize a volunteer response on food, clothing, shelter, and water,” Alison says.

Sally Miller, executive director of Sustainable Woodstock, and Alison met at the elementary school, the town’s

5 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

emergency shelter. In no time, people arrived with shovels asking how they could help. Volunteers joined the relief efforts and matched members of the shovel brigade with homeowners who had basements full of muck.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delivered bottled water so that people could drink and possibly cook. Without running water, though, there was no means to shower or, as a surprise to some, flush toilets.

Fortunately, there was a humanpowered solution to that. As a longtime member of the South Woodstock Fire Department, Chip Kendall knew how to respond to emergencies. And as a sugarer, he had just the tool to help.

Chip filled a vat intended to collect sap with water from his generator-powered well and drove it to the school. “The

Top: The receded flood waters expose a truck buried in silt carried by the river.

Photo by Jack Rowell.

Above: Community picnic on the Green days after the storm. Photo by Jack Rowell.

Left: Advertising help for those in the Woodstock area whose homes were without water. Photo by Ann Marie Bohn, courtesy of Woodstock History Center.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

55

Erik and Laurel Tobiason take a break from repair work at the Riverside Mobile Home Park. Photo by Alison Clarkson.

water wasn’t potable,” Chip notes, given how it was delivered, “but people could use it to flush their toilets.”

Erik Tobiason, co-owner of Colby & Tobiason, a construction company, and Erik’s wife Laurel also became shortterm water haulers, delivering buckets of water to the Homestead House and Mertens House, care facilities in town.

They then focused their attention on the Riverside Mobile Home Park, which, as its name might imply, was hit hard by the flood. Homes in which the water reached the living space were beyond repair and needed to be demolished. For those with less damage, Erik and Laurel did what they could, including replacing water-logged insulation below the structures.

Lauren Wilder spearheaded a no less memorable act of kindness. Employing skills she had honed feeding large gath-

Tropical Storm Irene and the Community Response by the Numbers 7.34—Inches of rain from the storm, as recorded in Woodstock 1,915—FEMA applications from Windsor County, the highest number in the state

1,161—Number of people who volunteered in the two weeks following the storm (a number that would rise to 1,600)

5,256—Number of hours of volunteer labor in the two weeks following the storm

20—Number of residents offering shelter to nonfamily and friends (Source: The Vermont Standard September 15, 2011, and August 30, 2012)

erings at weekly suppers called Hand in Hand at the Unitarian Universalist Church, she moved the meals to the Green and made community dinners twice in the week following the flood, using food donated by restaurants and

5 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

businesses that would have otherwise been discarded as it melted in their unpowered freezers. For those recovering from the trauma of the storm and those exhausted from helping out, a meal cooked for them and time spent

Porta Potties on the Green were available for people whose houses lost water. Photo by Ann Marie Bohn, courtesy of Woodstock History Center.

with their friends and fellow volunteers must have felt like a treat.

A RELIEF FUND TAKES SHAPE

With infrastructure needs being met, volunteers focused on helping return life to a semblance of normal. “A lot of people lost things,” says Sally Miller.

“They didn’t lose their home but lost household items. One man lost a freezer full of venison, which was his food for the winter. People lost full propane tanks. People had cars damaged. They needed money to repair or replace these things.”

Sally, along with others, created the Woodstock Vermont Area Flood Relief fund. The group enlisted Meg Seely, longtime board member of Ottauquechee Health Foundation, who was familiar with the process of providing grants to people in need.

“Within a week,” Sally recalls, “we had money going out for food, clothing, medicine, and temporary shelter.

Then we funded things like restoration and repair to pre-Irene condition of residences.” For example, some grants were used to fix driveways destroyed by the flood, a repair that, oddly, was not covered by federal relief dollars.

Some of the money from the relief fund, Sally notes, was used to secure the homes in the Riverside Mobile Home Park.

Alison and Sally note that there was

a lot of work and distribution of grants at the beginning of the relief effort, but they tailed off quickly. Repair work continued into 2012, but people could live in their homes as they restored them.

Similarly, businesses were able to operate as they worked their way back to prestorm capacity.

AN EXCITING TIME

These are just a few of the undoubtedly countless acts of heroism and selflessness exhibited by people in Woodstock and the surrounding areas following Tropical Storm Irene. Admitting how odd it is to say, Phil Camp notes that “it was still the most exciting time. To see people come together. There is something about Vermont, Vermonters, and particularly the people we live with around here that they dropped everything and came to help.”

And for Phil, he had a way to pay back those people who helped him, not only to get the paper back on its feet but for the 31 years of support of the Standard. The paper’s staff regrouped at Lincoln Corners, fashioned desks out of planks placed across two-door file cabinets, and used whatever resources they had. On Friday, September 2, 2011, they published the weekly edition with the headline “We Shall Overcome.” By that day, it was already apparent that this was a people-powered self-fulfilling prophecy.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

57

“

We’re the first Vermont distillery to be built on the history and truth of Vermont. History is important to us and people value the authenticity of our spirits and how we’re dedicated to staying true to the essence of Vermont.”

— Randy Carlson, CEO

Vermont Gold vodka is distilled from Vermont's most famous crop and the most renewable ingredient on earth—the sap of maple trees.

5 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Vermont Spirits Local distillery is keeping history alive

By Pamela Brown Photos courtesy of Vermont Spirits

V

ermont Spirits is the state’s oldest and original craft distillery, but today they’re blending more than alcohol. The distillery is uniting classic traditions with new ideas to capture the essence of the state.

“We’re the first Vermont distillery to be built on the history and truth of Vermont. History is important to us and people value the authenticity of our spirits and how we’re dedicated to staying true to the essence of Vermont,” says CEO Randy Carlson.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

59

“

We’re creating experiences and we have wonderful products to do that with. We want everyone who comes through here to feel the warmth, like it’s a second home.”

— Randy Carlson, CEO

Barrel aging in both new and used barrels transforms the “American style” Coppers Barrel gin into a whiskey-like spirit.

Online Extra Find cocktail recipes made with Vermont Spirits products at www.woodstockmagazine.com.

6 0 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

With a boom in the global small-craft market, Randy is committed to being a leader in the industry by focusing on exceptional quality products that have nothing artificial, no pesticides, and stay true to their original roots. The character of all the spirits is derived from pure local ingredients, including 100 percent natural maple sap, distilled water, handpicked juniper, and fresh local fruit.

“There’s a big demand for it. Hand crafting and small-batch distilling takes work and extra effort. It’s an expensive and intensive process,” says Randy, who is up for the challenge, noting the distillery

is experiencing tremendous growth despite the pandemic.

HIGH TECH MEETS YANKEE INGENUITY

Originally located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont Spirits moved to the Quechee Gorge Village in 2011, the same year Popular Mechanics named them one of World’s Most High-Tech Distilleries.

The full-service facility handles all production, bottling, and packaging inhouse, offering a bird’s-eye view of the process. A knowledgeable, friendly staff offers specific insight into the distillation process, while an ongoing video

Above left: Vermont's oldest distillery, rebuilt in Quechee in 2011.

Above right: Distiller Harry Gorman and CEO Randy Carlson.

Below: The Meeting House offers complimentary tastings from 10am to 6pm.

provides step-by-step information.

Harry Gorman, head distiller for the past 17 years, uses custom-built glasscolumn stills that the founder designed and commissioned many years ago.

With a focus on sustainability, Harry also repurposes age-old items such as a copper pot that was formerly used as a

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

61

chocolate kettle in Burlington, and ages the alcohol in used and new oak barrels.

“We still use that same old Yankee ingenuity and reuse and recycle approach to everything,” says Randy.

CREATING AN INVITING EXPERIENCE

Open every day, the distillery still follows strict COVID guidelines, including mask requirement, protective barriers, sanitation after every visit, and limiting the number of groups indoors. The Meeting House features a bar and tables where visitors can enjoy complimentary tastings of award-winning vodka, gin, bourbon, and whiskey. “People come here to discover something new and our purpose is to exceed expectations, surprise and delight our guests, and have them stay a bit and enjoy our hospitality,” says Randy. “We’re creating experiences and we have wonderful products to do that with. We want everyone who comes through here to feel the warmth, like it’s a second home.”

Two Quechee originals: No. 14 Bourbon in a Simon Pearce decanter.

The distillery is best known for its No. 14 Bourbon that fuses classic bourbon whiskey with a hint of pure Vermont maple syrup and is a nod to Vermont becoming the 14th state in 1791. Vermont

6 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Gold Vodka is distilled entirely from pure Vermont maple sap and is naturally gluten-free and has a clean, slightly sweet flavor. Coppers American Gin, Coppers Sugarwood Gin, and Coppers Barrel Gin, all crafted using organic botanicals and hand-picked wild Vermont juniper berries, are named for the copper coin used in the Vermont Republic before they were admitted to the union.

It also offers custom blends and limited, small-batch seasonal brandy and liquors, including the 1791 Cocktail, a Vermont variation of the classic Boulevardier cocktail featuring Massachusetts cranberries, Vermont honey, American rye whiskey, and Orleans Herbal Cider. “We like to have something different in the distillery for our guests to discover every time they stop by,” says Randy.

THE BEST OF VERMONT

A member of the Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont and the United States (Randy is on the DISCUS Craft Advisory

Council), Vermont Spirits is gaining in popularity nationwide. Not only is their product on the menu at many local restaurants in Vermont, including Simon Pearce, the Woodstock Inn & Resort, The Prince & The Pauper Restaurant, and the Norwich Inn and in select New England states, it can also be specially ordered outside of New England. “The company has weathered many seasons and changes, and not always well, but now everything is lined up divinely. Our mission is to be all over the country and all over the world and we’re in a position to achieve that while still staying authentic,” says Randy.

Randy is also committed to preserving the environment. “We’re planting a pollinator pathway garden this spring and we’re working with the Master’s in Engineering program at Dartmouth College to find more ways to reduce energy usage to become carbon negative in the next five years, which we know is attainable,” he explains. “We want to manage

An inside look at Vermont Spirits reveals a custom-made glass column and reclaimed copper pot stills, barrel aging, fermentation, and bottling by hand.

the environment, keep the mountaintops pure, and always be a good steward for Vermont. We’re proud to maintain our standards and always represent the best of Vermont.”

Vermont Spirits Distilling Company 5573 Woodstock Road White River Junction, VT (802) 281-6398 vermontspiritsdistillingco.business.site

Vermont Cabinetry has been designing and building award winning cabinets for the whole house for nearly 40 years. Whether fully custom or value engineered cabinets they are always built to your specifications. We blanket wrap them for delivery in a timely manner and on budget.

Call or email to visit our factory showroom and meet our cabinet professionals.

Live with Beauty 5 Dunning Lane | North Walpole, NH 03609 | 802-463-9930 | sales@vermontcabinetry.com www.vermontcabinetry.com S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

63

Enjoy Quechee this Summer

Public House Pub Public House Diner

Dr. Randy Schaetzke, DC, DIBAK 6985 Woodstock Road (Route 4) Quechee, VT (802) 296-6030 www.doctorrandy.com

Thu–Tue 10am–5pm

Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 295-8500 www.publichousevt.com FB: PublicHouseVT | PublicHouseDiner

Massage Eminence

Nostalgia Cafe

6985 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 249-4751 www.massageeminence.com

5945 Woodstock Road Hartford, VT (802) 281-6739

The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm

Antiques Collaborative 6931 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 296-5858 www.antiquescollaborative.com

7 days a week 9am–6pm

Open Wed–Mon 8am–2pm

Wholistic Health Services of Vermont

Restaurant and Tavern

1119 Quechee Main Street Quechee, VT (802) 295-3133 www.quecheeinn.com

Quechee Pizza Chef & Mini Golf

The Vermont Spot

Quechee Cuts

5893 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 296-6669 quecheepizzachef.com Sun–Thu 11am–9pm Fri & Sat 11am–10pm Instagram @ gethoppy802

Quechee Gorge Village Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 281-6274

6985 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 291-2648 Mon 9am–2pm Tue, Wed 9am–4pm Thu 10am–6pm, Fri 9am–4pm Sat 9am–12pm

Open daily 9:30am–5:30pm

6 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

Enjoy Quechee this Summer

Radiant Wellness Massage

Professional Therapy in a Tranquil Setting

Farmhouse Professional Building 176 Waterman Hill Road, Suite 3 (on Route 4) Quechee, VT (862) 205-1678 www.RadiantWellnessMassage.net

In the Community

Artifactory Artifactory the store will only be available online at www.Artifactoryonlinemarket. com starting May 3. Thank you so much for all your support!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND September 3–5, 2021

Five balloon ascensions throughout the weekend • Over

Perfect Fur Daycare and Salon

Quechee Home

Quechee Gorge Village, Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 369-2966 www.perfectfursalon.com

Quechee Gorge Village Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 281-6274

Visit us on Facebook

Open daily 10am–5pm

20 balloons • 2 balloon glows • Live music all weekend • More than 70 craft & commercial vendors • FREE kids’ zone • Parachute jumpers • Beer and wine garden For more info: Quecheeballoonfestival.com (802) 295-7900

Shepard Interior Selections

Quality Inn

9295 East Woodstock Road Route 4 Quechee, VT

5817 Woodstock Road Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 295-7600

For appointments call (802) 457-1116 or email Eleanor@shepardvt.com

qualityinnquecheegorge.com

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

65

W H AT ’ S N E W

6 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

The

Farm to Ballet Project Celebrating Vermont’s agricultural history and future Photos by Herb Swanson

O

n July 25, Billings Farm & Museum will host the Farm to Ballet Project, an original ballet presented by Ballet Vermont about a farm through the seasons. Dancing vegetables, familiar animals, and even the seasons themselves come to life through dance in a joyful and entertaining show. The ballet explores the relationship between farmers and land, natural food cycles, and the human role in ecosystems.

Since 2015, the Farm to Ballet Project has brought classical ballet and entertainment to rural towns throughout Vermont with a multifaceted mission: share art with the community, employ local dancers, and support a thriving food system. The original show, which features a series of ballet performances, is performed outside on farms at fun-filled events, and ticket sales are shared with the farm to support regenerative agriculture practices.

Grab the whole family and head to Billings Farm & Museum for a fun evening of music and dance. Doors open at 5:30pm, and the show is at 6:30pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit balletvermont.org.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

67

G R E AT O U T D O O R S

6 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

A Quest for

Colorado Cutthroat Trout

A rewarding—and surprising—adventure Story and photos by Lisa Ballard Opposite: An angler waits for a bite on the edge of Sloan Lake, an alpine tarn on a shoulder of Handies Peak.

Below: A cutthroat trout colored up for spawning is ready to be released back into the chilly water.

T

raveling west from Vermont to Colorado, you might not put fly-fishing and summiting a 14,000-footer together.

Dedicated anglers wade Colorado’s gold-medal waters, like the Frying Pan, Gunnison, and North Platte Rivers, in hopes of hooking 22-inch brown trout or rainbow trout.

Backpackers trek skyward to see if they can go the distance and for the jaw-dropping views at elevations more than three times as high as Mount Mansfield.

Colorado’s 58 peaks over 14,000 feet draw peak baggers from around the world, but you can also fish on certain 14-ers, such as Handies Peak (14,055 feet) near Lake City. For those so inclined, standing atop such a prominent dome and catching not rainbows or browns, but rarer cutthroat trout, are doubly satisfying rewards.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

69

G R E AT O U T D O O R S

Fish on! Alex hooks a finicky cutthroat trout in Sloan Lake.

Last July, my husband Jack and I met our friends, Bill and Alex, both avid hikers and anglers like us, in Lake City. Our plan was to camp and cast for cutthroats at Sloan Lake, an alpine tarn about 1,000 feet below the summit of Handies Peak, then try for the summit the next day.

COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT

Historically, 14 subspecies of cutthroat trout finned the western half of the continent. All of them have red slash marks on the underside of their lower jaw, hence the name “cutthroat.” Four of these subspecies were native to Colorado, including Colorado River cutthroat trout, the kind found in Sloan Lake.

Colorado River cutthroat trout evolved west of the continental divide in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

The other three subspecies found in

Colorado were yellowfin, greenback, and Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Yellowfins are extinct. Greenbacks fin the South Platte and Arkansas River drainages.

Rio Grandes are limited to the San Luis Valley. All three surviving subspecies have declined dramatically and are the focus of a multiagency team that’s working to conserve them.

Colorado River cutthroat trout are currently designated as a “species of special concern” in Colorado. With the introduction of nonnative fish, particularly rainbow trout that readily hybridize with cutthroat trout, and brook trout and brown trout that eat cutthroat fry and outcompete with cutthroats, most remaining populations survive in isolated mountain lakes and streams, like Sloan Lake. It’s legal to catch fish at Sloan Lake, but you must use artificial flies or lures (no live bait), and the fish must be quickly released back into the water. We weren’t interested in eating them. We just wanted to enjoy the challenge of catching them.

70 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

THE TREK

The hike into Sloan Lake sounded easy enough, a 1.3-mile hike up a welltrodden path at the end of a popular two-track for ATV-ing. We didn’t have an ATV, but our four-wheel-drive Ford handled the slow, rough, 20-mile drive about as well as any motorized vehicle.

After three hours of merciless bucking and jolting, I was glad to shoulder my pack.

Once on foot, no one raced up the path. The route started at 11,300 feet.

On the bright side, the views were exceptional from the get-go and just got bigger as we climbed into a massive alpine expanse known as American Basin.

A carpet of wildflowers added to the eye candy and slowed our already metered pace. I spied a checkerspot butterfly on an alpine sunflower. Indian paintbrush, Colorado columbine, and larkspur bloomed in abundance. I chuckled at the clumps of elephanthead lousewort, which looked like dozens of pink elephant heads stacked on top of

Be Prepared Whenever you head into Colorado’s high country, especially above timber line, you should bring more than food and fishing gear. Here are the basics to better prepare you for your high-elevation fishing adventure: BRING EXTRA WATER (or a way to treat water).

The elevation, exertion, and dry air dehydrates you quickly, but drinking straight from a mountain stream or lake puts you at risk of a waterborne illnesses like giardia regardless of how high or remote you are.

WEAR SUN PROTECTION. Slather on sunscreen, of course, but also wear a hat with a brim and sunglasses, and reapply lip balm frequently. With less atmosphere to penetrate, the sun is stronger the higher you hike, intensified further by the open terrain and reflection off the water.

DRESS IN LAYERS. The temperature drops about 5 degrees (F) for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It is often windy above the timber line. Remember a warm hat and gloves. It can snow at high elevations in Colorado any month of the year.

GO EARLY. Afternoon thunderstorms are the norm during the summer.

Clockwise from top: Two colors of Indian paintbrush grow side by side along the trail.

Camping beside Sloan Lake. On the trail into American Basin and Sloan Lake. A Colorado columbine, the state flower. Casting for cutthroats on a rock shelf in the lake.

WEAR APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR AND SOCKS. A good pair of hiking boots with a pair of wool or wool-blend hiking socks support your ankles, give you a sturdy platform underfoot, protect your feet from the rocks, and lessen the chance of blisters.

CHECK THE WEATHER. Pick another day if the forecast is anything but calm and sunny. If a high-pressure weather pattern approaches, fish feed closer to the surface, and it’s safer for you to be in the alpine zone.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

71

G R E AT O U T D O O R S

Bill casts, then lets his fly line rest on the glassy surface of Sloan Lake, hoping for a bite.

each other. When bluebells appeared beside a chilly creek that tumbled from the direction of Sloan Lake, we knew we were getting close.

The lake lay like an aquamarine set into a ring of rock. Talus spilled down the steep slopes on the far side of the lake, where the inlet gurgled from under a shelf of snow. Rings of a different sort, the kind left by feeding trout, randomly marred the glassy surface of this alpine gem, then disappeared. We quickly set up our tents in case an afternoon storm should blow through, then strung our rods.

THE FISHING

Alex was the first to hook a fish. After a brief tussle, he brought a fat 15-inch cutthroat to net. It looked like a tropical fish! Its normally white belly gleamed intensely scarlet. The color bled up its sides, adding a touch of crimson to its dark green back. The slash marks

under its jaw were such a deep red they seemed to pop off the fish’s chin. Its gill plate gushed dark cranberry as if the trout blushed from the embarrassment of getting caught.

Though it was mid-July, the fish in the lake were colored up for spawning.

Cutthroat trout are spring spawners, but spring is not tied to the calendar at such high elevations. It depends on ice out.

Then, as the chilly water inches up a few degrees, it triggers reproduction.

THE CLIMB

After catching several fish, a pleasing feat as spawning fish don’t feed aggressively, we feasted on wild duck from Bill’s freezer and a bottle of wine that he had graciously lugged up to the lake. We crawled into our sleeping bags shortly after dinner, to rest up for our summit attempt the next morning.

Though tired, I slept fitfully, which I chocked up to the elevation. By sunrise, my head pounded, and waves of nausea crippled my ability to even boil water, classic symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS).

“This can’t be happening,” I thought.

7 2 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

“I’m fit. I’ve spent lots of my life in the alpine zone, and I’ve climbed much higher than Sloan Lake many times without incident.” However, even the strongest, most determined mountaineers who have stood atop Everest a half-dozen times can succumb to AMS the next time. AMS is most apt to strike when a person is fatigued, dehydrated, and at elevations above 8,000 feet, much lower than Sloan Lake.

The kicker is dehydration. Staying hydrated at elevation, where simply breathing releases more water into the drier air, is a challenge. I should have paid closer attention. My Camelbak was only half drained, and my two Nalgenes were still full. I’d had perhaps a liter of water in 24 hours. The wine with dinner didn’t count.

“Jack, I need to get lower,” I said urgently, knowing AMS can progress rapidly, turning into a deadly pulmonary or cerebral edema. Jack packed up our tent and fly rods and shouldered both his load and mine. Bill and Alex were ready to go, too, but not down. They still intended to summit Handies Peak, a mile away, figuring they would be up and

From top: Larkspur along the trail. Making dinner by Sloan Lake. A checkerspot butterfly on an alpine sunflower.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

73

G R E AT O U T D O O R S

THE UPPER VALLEY’S PREMIER INCLUSIVE GOLF CLUB

down in less time than I could hobble back to the trailhead.

At first, it was all I could do to put one foot ahead of the other. Dizziness now compounded my nausea and headache. I watched with envy as Bill and Alex departed for the summit. It looked so close. I slowly made my way downward, wetting my mouth every few steps, then, as if by magic, about halfway out I felt better. Simply going lower and drinking water cured me.

Despite my bout with AMS, our quest for high-elevation cutthroat trout was a thrill. The fish we brought to net were not as big as the brown trout or rainbow trout that one might hook at lower elevations, but they were trophies just the same due to the effort it took to get to them and for their vibrant coloring. Was I disappointed to miss the summit? You bet, but it was a stark reminder about the importance of staying hydrated in the mountains. I’ll go back, for another chance to stand atop Handies Peak and to catch a few more of those gorgeous cutthroat trout.

More Reasons than Ever to Experience/Join Montcalm Golf Club • Award-winning premier golf course • Panoramic views of Killington & Mount Ascutney • State-of-the-art training and practice facility • Available for tournaments, events & corporate outings • Special Stay & Play Packages at Hanover Inn & Courtyard by Marriott Hanover Lebanon

New Home to Dartmouth Men’s & Women’s Golf Teams Dartmouth Alum welcome!

For More Information WHEN TO GO: Mid-July through early September.

Before or after this window, Sloan Lake may be frozen, and the weather may turn wintery.

MAP: National Geographic Colorado 14-ers South (Trails Illustrated) GUIDEBOOK: The Colorado 14ers: The Best Routes (Colorado Mountain Club) FISHING INFO, LICENSE: Colorado Parks & Wildlife, cpw.state. co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Fishing.aspx

7 4 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

HAPPENINGS

Summer 2021

JUNE | JULY | AUGUST

July 3–4

Old Vermont Fourth Billings Farm & Museum BILLINGSFARM.ORG

Online Exhibit: Character: Unforgettable People of Woodstock

June 28–July 2 & July 12–16 Junior Farmer Camp

July 14 Music on the Hill: Artis-Trio

An ongoing exhibit featuring some of the unforgettable people who have made Woodstock such a special place throughout its history. Several profiles are on display at the museum; we will continue to add individuals from the physical exhibit to our online version.

Woodstock History Center

Woodstock Inn & Resort

Artistree, 6:30pm

WOODSTOCKINN.COM

June 30 Wine, Wit & Wisdom: Wine & Cheese Tasting Billings Farm Barn, 3pm

WOODSTOCKHISTORYCENTER.ORG

WOODSTOCKINN.COM

Through June 30 Exhibit: Fertile Ground

June 30 Music on the Hill: Los Lorcas

Norman Williams Public Library

Artistree, 6:30pm

NORMANWILLIAMS.ORG

June 23 Music on the Hill: Nat Williams & Emily Musty Artistree, 6:30pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG

ARTISTREEVT.ORG

ARTISTREEVT.ORG

July 7 Music on the Hill: Rose Hip Jam Artistree, 6:30pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG

June 26–27 Dairy Celebration Days Billings Farm & Museum BILLINGSFARM.ORG

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

75

HAPPENINGS

Pentangle Council on the Arts 31 The Green, Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3981 WWW.PENTANGLEARTS.ORG

June 22 A Sense of Wonder Online, free screening. Register at senseofwonder.eventbrite.com.

July 2 Paul Asbell Quartet Featuring Michael Zsoldos—Music by the River East End Park, 6:30pm

July 9 Interplay Jazz—Music by the River East End Park, 6pm

July 16 Ben Patton—Music by the River

Paul Asbell Quartet July 27 Maxima Online, free screening. Register at maxima2021screening.eventbrite. com.

July 30 Myra Flynn & Paul Boffa—Music by the River East End Park, 6pm

East End Park, 6pm

July 23 A2VT—Music by the River

August 6 Marcie Hernandez—Music by the River

East End Park, 6pm

East End Park, 6pm

July 26–31 Performing Arts Camp

August 13 Barika—Music by the River

Town Hall Theatre, 9am–4pm

East End Park, 6pm

Racing Extinction

August 20 Jay Nash—Music by the River East End Park, 6pm

August 22 Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival North Universalist Chapel, 4pm

Facebook Contests, Sweepstakes & Giveaways!

Like us on Facebook for your chance to win great prizes! www.facebook.com/ mountainviewpublishing 7 6 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

August 24 Racing Extinction Online, free screening. Register at racingextinctionfilm.eventbrite.com.

August 27 Community Heroes Concert Featuring Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band East End Park, 5pm

July 15–17 The Music Man Jr. Musical Theatre Camp Performances The Grange Theatre ARTISTREEVT.ORG

July 17–August 22 35th Annual Quilt Exhibition Billings Farm & Museum BILLINGSFARM.ORG

July 18 National Ice Cream Day Billings Farm & Museum BILLINGSFARM.ORG

July 21 Music on the Hill: Laurie Goldsmith Trio Artistree, 6:30pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG

July 28 Music on the Hill: Small Change Artistree, 6:30pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG

August 1 Antique Tractor Day Billings Farm & Museum BILLINGSFARM.ORG

August 4 Music on the Hill: Brian Cook Artistree, 6:30pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG

donate. volunteer. make an impact.

The pandemic has increased hardships for many.

Your gift or your service will ensure that our neighbors can access important resources at a difficult time.

You can help create a community where people find hope and discover possibility.

uppervalleyhaven.org/donate

July 24 Summer Sillies with the Swing Peepers Artistree, 10am ARTISTREEVT.ORG

Upper Valley Haven 713 Hartford Ave., White River Jct., VT 05001 • 802-295-6500 • UpperValleyHaven.org

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

77

HAPPENINGS

July 25 The Farm to Ballet Project Billings Farm & Museum BILLINGSFARM.ORG

August 11 Music on the Hill: Jack Snyder/ Leyeux Artistree, 6:30pm ARTISTREEVT.ORG

August 14 Taste of Woodstock Elm Street WOODSTOCKVT.COM

August 18 Music on the Hill: The Four Hoarse Men

SIC ILIA

Serving our seafood lovers of the north.

N-S TYL ES EAF OOD

Artistree, 6:30pm &P AST A

The Daily Catch pays homage to the culinary brilliance, family traditions, and heritage of authentic Sicilian dining. The vibrant menu includes, sustainably sourced calamari and seafood, delicate hand-made pasta (like our famous black squid ink), robust comfort foods and a perfectly paired wine list.

THE DAILY CATCH 61 Central Street. Woodstock Vermont | 802.332.4005 | www.thedailycatch.com

7 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

ARTISTREEVT.ORG

August 28–29 Pollination Celebration Billings Farm & Museum BILLINGSFARM.ORG

Online Extra Find more events online at www.woodstockmagazine.com.

ADVERTISERS INDEX 37 Central Clothiers................................................. 48 506 on the River Inn................................................ 48 APD Lifecare............................................................ 31 Anichini...................................................................... 8 Antiques Collaborative........................................... 64 Anything Printed..................................................... 48 ArborScape.............................................................. 23 ArtCafe by Gallery on the Green............................ 46 Artifactory............................................................... 65 Artistree................................................................... 44 Barnard Inn Restaurant & Max’s Tavern................ 47 Billings Farm & Museum......................................... 30 Braeside Lodging..................................................... 46 Brown Furniture...................................................... 17 Carolyn Elegi Fine Art............................................. 11 Cloudland Farm....................................................... 46 Clover Gift Shop...................................................... 47 Collective–The Art of Craft..................................... 47 Crown Point Select.................................................. 13 Donald J. Neely, DMD, MSD................................... 77 Dr. Randy Schaetzke, DC, DIBAK............................ 64 Elevation Clothing................................................... 14 Ennis Construction.................................................. 45 FH Gillingham & Sons.............................................. 48 Farmhouse Pottery.................................................... 2 Focus–A Vermont Gallery....................................... 44 Fore U Golf.............................................................. 57 Frameworks Studio of Woodstock......................... 46 GR Porter & Sons..................................................... 77 GeoBarns.................................................... Back cover Gilberte Interiors....................................................... 7 Hartford Chamber/Quechee Balloon Festival........ 22

Hull Maynard Hersey Insurance.............................. 15 Jake’s Quechee Market........................................... 23 Jeff Wilmot Painting & Wallpapering.................... 78 Junction Fuels............................................................ 6 Kedron Valley Inn.................................................... 27 Kendal at Hanover.................................................. 45 Landshapes.............................................................. 73 LaValley Building Supply........................................ 49 Massage Eminence.................................................. 64 Mertens House........................................................ 76 Mon Vert Café......................................................... 46 Montcalm Golf Club................................................ 74 Montshire Museum................................................. 44 Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center............. 34 NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers................22 & 47 Nostalgia Café......................................................... 64 Perfect Fur Daycare and Salon............................... 65 Pizza Chef................................................................ 48 Quality Inn............................................................... 65 Quechee Cuts........................................................... 64 Quechee Home, Porch & Closet.............................. 65 Quechee Pizza Chef & Mini Golf............................ 64 R.T. Home................................................................. 47 Radiant Wellness Massage Therapy....................... 65 Red Wagon Toy Co.................................................. 47 Shepard Interior Selections..................................... 65 Sleep Woodstock Motel.......................................... 46 Snyder Donegan Real Estate Group........................Inside front cover Soulfully Good Café................................................ 46 Splendid Chaos........................................................ 48 Studio Nexus Architects + Planners........................ 34 The Blue Horse Inn.................................................. 48

The Carriage Shed................................................... 35 The Daily Catch........................................................ 78 The Gilded Edge Custom Picture Framing............. 57 The Jackson House Inn............................................ 73 The Lincoln Inn.......................................................... 5 The Prince and The Pauper..................................... 46 The Public House .................................................... 64 The Quechee Club..................................................... 1 The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm..................... 64 The Vermont Horse Country Store......................... 48 The Vermont Spot................................................... 64 The Village at White River Junction......................... 9 The Village Inn of Woodstock ............................... 43 The Woodstocker Bed & Breakfast........................ 47 The Yankee Bookshop............................................ 46 Unicorn.................................................................... 47 Upper Valley Haven................................................ 77 VINS.......................................................................... 16 Vermont Cabinetry.................................................. 63 Vermont Eclectic Co................................................ 19 Vermont Spirits.......................................................... 4 WISE......................................................................... 74 Wagner Hodgson.................................................... 62 Williamson Group...........................Inside back cover Woodstock Beverage.............................................. 78 Woodstock Chamber of Commerce....................... 16 Woodstock Country Club........................................ 30 Woodstock Farmers’ Market.................................. 14 Woodstock Hops & Barley ..................................... 48 Woodstock Inn........................................................ 30 Woodstock Recreation Center................................ 47 Woody’s Mercantile.................................................. 3

For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 643-1830 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net.

GET CONNECTED Get listed on the woodstockmagazine.com BUSINESS DIRECTORY and you will also be included on our printed list in every issue of WOODSTOCK MAGAZINE. (See page 19.)

HERE’S HOW! Email Bob Frisch at rcfrisch1@comcast.net, or call Bob at (603) 867-9339.

Find out how you can connect with our readers. It’s easy, inexpensive, and another way to reach an affluent and educated audience.

SUBSCRIBE Share the wonder of our beautiful area and the latest news all year long with a gift subscription.

Friends and family who have moved away from the area will be especially appreciative. Be sure to order a subscription for yourself too!

Send a check for $19.95 for one year (4 issues) to Woodstock Magazine, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or conveniently pay online using PayPal at www.woodstockmagazine.com.

S U M M E R 2021

|

WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

79

LAST GLANCE

Reading is a joy for my kids, and to swing in a hammock on a lazy summer day reading a good book just goes with summer.

— Marcia Gay Harden

8 0 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

ELEGANCE. STRENGTH. VERSATILITY.

Photo: Sara Eastman

COMMERCIAL VENUES | EVENT SPACES | HOMES | SHOPS | STUDIOS

geobarns.com 603.359.1912