Woodstock Magazine - Summer 2023

Sweet, Sunny Summer

MEET FRIENDS AT OUTDOOR CONCERTS

NEIGHBORS UNITE TO IMPROVE VAIL FIELD

ADVENTURES IN BROWSING AT VERMONT ANTIQUE MALL

MOUNTAIN VIEW PUBLISHING, LLC

135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 867-9339

greateruppervalley.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 Newton

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 ©2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. Woodstock Magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

Fun in the Sun

Now that summer’s nally here, take in as many of your favorite activities as you can. Swimming, hiking, and biking are fun and provide healthy exercise in the great outdoors. When it’s time to relax, kick back at some of the wonderful concerts being o ered around the area or go browsing at the Vermont Antique Mall and the Quechee General Store (page 44).

What would summer be without baseball? To make playing ball more enjoyable for local kids, a group of Woodstock area residents have been getting to work to improve Vail Field. Volunteers have pitched in to build new dugouts, bleachers, fences, and backstops, and local businesses have assisted with materials needed for the e ort. Read our story beginning on page 36 and discover some of the good neighbors that make Woodstock such a special place to live. Have a great summer and enjoy this issue!

On another note, I’m taking some space to brag about our recent award.

CONGRATULATIONS TO US!

Our sta here at Mountain View Publishing is very excited to announce that we’ve been awarded the Upper Valley Business Alliance Leadership Award for Small Business of the Year. e Leadership Awards recognize nine businesses or organizations who demonstrate extraordinary business practices or leadership in the community.

“Our award recipients and nominees are truly re ective of the Upper Valley communities,” says Tracy Hutchins, executive director of the Upper Valley Business Alliance. UVBA’s membership is comprised of businesses and organizations from all over the Upper Valley region—both large and small—as well as many nonpro t organizations.

Bob Frisch, owner of Mountain View Publishing, Small Business of the Year Award winner, says, “We feel very fortunate to have been in business in the Upper Valley since 1989. From radio to publishing, it’s been a great run and a pleasure being a part of our vibrant community.” For more information, contact the Upper Valley Business Alliance at (603) 448-1203 or uvba@ uppervalleybusinessalliance.com.

Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com

Leadership Awards

More than 950 people voted for the 2023 award recipients.

• Innovator of the Year: Joe Clifford, Executive Director, Lebanon Opera House

•Large Business of the Year: Geokon

• Small Business of the Year: Mountain View Publishing

•Young Professional of the Year: Dawn Archambeault, Co-Op Food Stores

•Retail/Hospitality Business of the Year: Stateline Sports

•Products/Services Business of the Year: Goss Logan Insurance

• Healthcare/Wellness Business of the Year: Visiting Nurse & Hospice of VT & NH, a member of the Dartmouth Health system

• Nonprofit of the Year: Cover Home Repair

•Volunteer of the Year: Nickolas Newsome, volunteer for LISTEN Community Services

JACK ROWELL

CONTRIBUTORS

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 began her photographic career in Boston, studying at New England School of Photography, assisting commercial photographers and custom color printing. Originally from West Virginia, she made her way north, finally landing in the hills of Vermont, where she has been photographing for over 30 years. Her current assignments include photographing people, architecture, and art.

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.

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.

Maria serves as managing editor of Edible Vermont magazine and writes for numerous publications. She spent her first career as a boarding school teacher and then became a writer, farmer, and cook when she grew up. Maria divides time among her family homes in southern Vermont, the Hudson Valley, and Martha’s Vineyard.

Lisa Ballard

Maria Buteux Reade

Lynn Bohannon

Pamela Brown

Cassie Horner

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Meet LISTEN’s New Executive Director 

In March, Rob McGregor began his role as executive director of LISTEN, which has been providing food, heating, and housing assistance to the Upper Valley community since 1972.

 Visit The Sweet Spot Candy Shoppe in Quechee to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Whether you’re looking for fudge, gummy worms, lollipops, or a Harry Potter-themed treat, the Sweet Spot Candy Shoppe has lots of options for you.

 Learn About Kid + Parent Music Classes at the Upper Valley Music Center

The early childhood music department o ers Rhythm Kids to help youngsters build rhythmic skills through drumming, movement, song, and games.

ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Check out these local businesses in our directory.

ALIGN INN VERMONT

AMERICAN PRECISION MUSEUM

ANNEMARIE SCHMIDT EUROPEAN

FACE AND BODY STUDIO

BETTER HOMES/THE MASIELLO GROUP

CALDWELL LAW

COLBY INSURANCE GROUP

COPELAND FURNITURE

CROSSROADS ACADEMY

DATAMANN

DB LANDSCAPING

DEAD RIVER COMPANY

DOWDS’ COUNTRY INN

DOWDS’ INN EVENTS CENTER

DR. NEELY–HANOVER

ORTHODONTICS

EVERGREEN RECYCLING

FORE U GOLF

GILBERTE INTERIORS

HANOVER EYECARE

JEFF WILMOT PAINTING & WALLPAPERING, INC.

JUNCTION FRAME SHOP

KING ARTHUR BAKING COMPANY

LATHAM HOUSE TAVERN

LITTLE ISTANBUL

WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM

LOCABLE

MARTHA E. DIEBOLD REAL ESTATE

MB PRO LANDSCAPE DESIGN

MORNINGSIDE FLIGHT PARK

MOUNTAIN VALLEY TREATMENT CENTER

MVP MARINE

NEWPORT GOLF CLUB

N.T. FERRO ESTATE AND CUSTOM

JEWELERS

OPERA NORTH

RICHARD ELECTRIC

RIVER ROAD VETERINARY CLINIC

RODD ROOFING

THE DORR MILL STORE

THE HANOVER INN AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

THE JACKSON HOUSE INN

THE OM FESTIVAL

TUCKERBOX

VALLEY REGIONAL HOSPITAL

WHITE RIVER FAMILY EYECARE

WISE

WOODSTOCK AREA CHAMBER 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.

By Cassie Horner

The Sounds of Summer

Summer in Woodstock is concert season, a fun time anticipated by locals and visitors. Summer 2023 o ers a wide variety of musical events designed for the entertainment of all ages.

MUSIC BY THE RIVER

e exciting season of Pentangle’s Music by the River at East End Park begins on Friday, July 7 with Prydein, a popular bagpipe rock group founded in Burlington, Vermont. e concerts continue on Fridays through August 25. e series of concerts is held on the lawn by the Ottauquechee River—a beautiful outdoor setting with plenty of space for kids to play and people to enjoy picnics and live music. e lawn opens at 5:30pm, with the music going from 6 to 7:30pm. Concerts are free, and donations are welcome. Every concert features a ra e of items donated by area businesses. e rain location is the Woodstock Town Hall eatre.

A hallmark of the Music by the River series is the enticing variety of genres. is year’s schedule features classic rock, folk, blues, bomba, jazz, Haitian rara and Afrobeat, swing, and Americana folk rock.

East End Park is the beautiful setting for Music by the River.

Volunteers help visitors register to win ra e gi ts from local businesses.

Above: Music by the River is fun for young ones who enjoy frolicking around the labyrinth.

Le t: Acclaimed artists from across the region perform a wide mix of jazz, hip-hop, blues, and big-band music.

e season will conclude on Friday, August 25 with country artist Houston Bernard, whose latest album debuted in May. His country roots include a family tree rich with songwriters, touring musicians, and even an outlaw gun ghter who was the inspiration for a song by the Eagles on the album Desperado. is concert will also include line dancing. For a complete schedule of Music by the River, visit pentanglearts.org.

MUSIC ON THE HILL

Another fun venue for summer music in Woodstock is Music on the Hill in South Pomfret, sponsored by Artistree Community Arts Center, eatre & Gallery. People are invited to bring chairs and a picnic for a wonderful outdoor activity with the whole family. is popular series begins on Wednesday, June 21 at 6pm with the 4 Hoarse Men, an old-time bluegrass quartet.

Top: Concert goers spread out on the hillside at Artistree’s Music on the Hill. Le t: Newmont Military Band.

Other highlights of Music on the Hill include a steel drum band, a jazz trio, and a group playing folk, country, and Delta blues, and singer/songwriter George Nostrand from Rutland.

e season concludes on Wednesday, August 23.

e concerts are weather dependent. Tickets are $10 per person and children 17 and under are free. For information about the full schedule, visit artistreevt.org.

GREEN MOUNTAIN PERKINS ACADEMY

Green Mountain Perkins Academy (GMPA) in South Woodstock kicks o its opening season on Saturday, June 24 at 2pm. e highlight of the day is a concert by the famed Newmont Military Band beginning at 4pm. is group, based in the Upper Valley, wows the audience with its 20-plus members creating an old-time sound. e concert is a perfect t for celebrating the old Academy days at the impressive three-story building that operated as a school from 1848 to 1898. e band is a replica of the bands popular in the 1890s, complete with authentic out ts, antique instruments, and late 19th century period music. Members come from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

People are welcome to bring drinks or a picnic to enjoy during the concert. Strawberry shortcake will be served. e opening day also features old-fashioned games sure to appeal to the kids. For more information about GMPA, visit greenmountainperkins academy.org.

MUSIC BY THE RIVER PENTANGLE ARTS

pentanglearts.org

MUSIC ON THE HILL ARTISTREE artistreevt.org

GREEN MOUNTAIN PERKINS ACADEMY

greenmountainperkinsacademy.org

caption

Global Campuses Foundation’s Hannah Forbes

Access to college in countries around the world depends on a variety of factors, ranging from economics to social issues such as gender equality and physical disabilities that impact entry to classrooms, labs, libraries, cafeterias, and dorms. Global Campuses Foundation (GCF) based in Randolph, Vermont, was founded in 2001 by educators James and Sheryl Tewksbury with the mission of empowering adults who experience disabilities to pursue higher education.

In 2023, Hannah Forbes, president of the GCF board and parish administrator at St. James Episcopal Church in Woodstock, traveled to ailand under the auspices of the nonpro t. e city Chiang Mai, founded in the 13th century, is located in northern ailand. She and other GCF colleagues met with the president of Chiang Mai University (CMU), Professor Dr. Pongruk, and his

team. e visit to CMU celebrated the 20th anniversary of Global Campuses in ailand. In addition to meeting the president, the visiting group met students who are future leaders in the disability community. Hannah’s visit as the Global Campuses board president gave students the opportunity to tell their stories to her.

“ e university is a beautiful campus,” says Hannah. GCF and Global Campus Chiang Mai (GCC) are very proud to have their o ce and campus center at CMU. “ e president and his team were

so enthusiastic about their work and the connections to Global Campus Chiang Mai and long-standing collaborative arrangement with Global Campuses Foundation.”

GCC is the “hub” campus for a liated campuses in Northern ailand.

e GCF model is a process where the participants, all who experience disability, create and operate their campuses. Over 20 years, hundreds of people with disabilities have been involved with the nonpro t’s initiatives in that country.

“They demonstrate how they can have a full, enriching life. They encourage people in a culture of lifelong learning.”

— Hannah Forbes, president of the GCF board

Site visit to the Nan Campus during Hannah's internship in 2014.

Global Campus Chiang Mai also o ers seminars, workshops, and full-day conferences designed for non-disabled people to learn about disability culture and disability issues.

e leadership directors of Global Campus Chiang Mai are Ka (her full name is Kachakorn aveesri) and Non (his full name is Yutthaphon Damrongchuensakun).

“ ey are super smart, talented, kind, and warm individuals. An important part of their role is telling their stories as individuals with ‘lived experience’ and encouraging others to tell their own stories and discover their abilities. Ka and Non help to inspire people and show them that they do not need to be isolated. ey demonstrate how they can have a full, enriching life. ey encourage people in a culture of lifelong learning.”

Hannah was in ailand nine years ago as part of her gap year between high school and college. She did a yearlong internship with Global Campuses,

traveling to di erent campuses locally in Vermont and spending two months in ailand to visit the campuses there. She is a graduate of Evergreen College in Washington State, with a degree in sustainable design and development with a focus on interior design. “I am interested in becoming more involved in the architectural side of disability culture,” she says. “I care about people with disabilities having the opportunity to feel like the built environment is just as much for them as it is for anyone else. Seeing the shift toward that in ailand is encouraging and I would like to be part of it.”

Hannah hopes to return to ailand in the near future. “It was surreal to be there and be part of the amazing work there,” she says. “I fell in love with ailand and its people all over again.”

Top: The GCC team meets HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, showcasing the work of GCC at an expo on disability culture during Hannah's internship in 2014.

Above: A group dinner with the founders and Dr. Annop and Yupa Pongwat, celebrating the 20th anniversary of GCC.

Taste of Woodstock

The village becomes all about food and fun on Saturday, August 13 from 10am to 6pm for the daylong 13th Annual Taste of Woodstock. It is the de nition of a street festival with hundreds of people enjoying the beauty of the downtown outdoors in summer. Elm Street, from the intersection of Central Street to the intersection of Pleasant Street, is closed to vehicles and taken over by a gala spirit with vendors showcasing food, drinks, arts, and crafts and a kids’ activity tent. ere will be local specialty foods and wine, beer, and spirit tastings.

Regional businesses take the opportunity to showcase their products. A short list of vendors includes Naga

Bakehouse, Wild Hart Distillery, Jeezum Crow! Smoked Foods, Howlin Good Kettle Corn, and Mettawee Valley Maple.

A popular element of the day is the live music. is year features an allday repertoire of bands beginning at 10am with Lily Welch, a soulful singer/ songwriter. Other groups include Senayit and Rambler and Co., along with several other music entertainers. Party Crashers, a fun local group, brings the festivities to a close starting at 4:30pm. is highenergy dance band has been active in New England for 20 years.

Other activities make the day special for kids. Artistree, “a nonpro t committed to making creative expression and its

Above: Tents are set up on Elm Street for tasting Vermont-made spirits.

Below: A variety of art, food, and spirits will be available at the tents from 10am to 6pm.

appreciation accessible to the community,” sets up an activity tent sure to engage the younger folks. Chalk drawing on the road is always a big hit.

All of this and more create a culinary landscape of local products, food, activities, and music in the beautiful setting of Woodstock Village. Palates will be satis ed, and there will be creative o erings for purchase and entertainment for families and visitors of all ages.

Taste of Woodstock is sponsored by Snyder Donegan Real Estate Group, the Woodstock Inn & Resort, and the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit woodstockvt.com.

WOODSTOCK AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE woodstockvt.com

A chalk drawing competition on Elm Street is sponsored by Artistree.

Summer Reading

Reading is shown to decrease blood pressure, lower heart rate, keep your brain sharp, and even help prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease. Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity—in fact, there are even more benefits to joining a book club. A study in the British Medical Journal found that belonging to a book club or similar social club that meets regularly can even reduce the risk of premature death a ter retirement! Discussing books with others helps boost creativity, build connections, and foster new friendships.

If you enjoy discussing fiction, Norman Williams Public Library invites you to Read Between the Lines, which meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6pm. Join in person or via Zoom. Newcomers are always welcome! An added perk? The Yankee Bookshop o ers the reading group a discount. For more information, visit normanwilliams.org.

NORMAN WILLIAMS PUBLIC LIBRARY

normanwilliams.org

Start with a clean grill!

Be a Grill Master

One of the best things about summer is cooking easy meals on the grill. Burgers, chicken, seafood, vegetables, and fruit are all delicious when grilled, and a few tips can make your meals even tastier. First, start with a clean grill. Use a sturdy metal brush to clean the grates between uses. Avoid putting cold foods straight on the grill; letting meat come to temperature on the counter for 30 minutes will help it cook more evenly. Don’t move the food around—in general, the fewer times you flip something, the better. Let meat rest for 5 to 15 minutes a ter grilling to allow the juices the redistribute. Finally, keep safety in mind: start with clean hands, wash fruits and veggies thoroughly, and keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from everything else—and the tongs used to place raw burgers on the grill shouldn’t be used to pull the fully cooked burgers o the grill.

Stay Healthy While Traveling

Whether you’re heading to the beach, taking a cross-country road trip, hopping on a plane, or heading to one of the Woodstock area’s many camping spots, it’s important to stay healthy during your summer adventures. These tips can help keep you from missing out on the fun:

Plan ahead and pack your own snacks. Granola bars, apples, and nuts are filling and nutritious and you’ll be less tempted to grab convenient junk foods. Digestion can get out of whack while traveling, so choose fiber-rich foods to stay regular.

Stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to everything from headaches, fatigue, and dizziness to digestive distress and heatstroke. If you’re flying, pack reusable bottles to fill once you’re past the security checkpoints.

Use a wheeled suitcase or bag. To li t your luggage, bend at the knees, brace your core, and use your legs to stand. Carry your bag close to your body and try not to twist while carrying your luggage.

Keep moving. Research your destination ahead of time to find great places to go for walks and hikes, go swimming, rent a bike, or even check out a new gym.

Be prepared and pack a travel health kit including first-aid items, insect repellent, sunscreen, aloe, alcoholbased hand sanitizer, and your health insurance card.

Know Your Shades

Polarized, UV protection, rose tinted—which sunglasses are best? The most important factor is 100 percent UVA and UVB protection to shield your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. Polarized lenses filter horizontal glare (the light that typically causes the most discomfort) from reflective surfaces like the road, water, buildings, or vehicles. They enhance contrast so you can see clearly and comfortably. Mirrored lenses use a fully reflective coating to o er protection from the sun’s rays. Tinted lenses filter light away from your eyes in di erent ways. Gray is excellent for all weather conditions and everyday use. Amber and brown lenses reduce glare and enhance contrast, perfect for bright, sunny days (but not best for cloudy days). Green lenses maintain color accuracy and are good for cloudy or sunny days. Pink lenses are e ective at keeping the eyes comfortable in bright conditions and they increase your depth of field (which is great for skiing), while yellow lenses provide powerful contrast and are best for low-light conditions.

Kids and Blood Pressure

Even a few extra pounds put kids at risk for high blood pressure. Hypertension during childhood tracks into adulthood and is associated with heart and vascular damage that can be irreversible, making it critical for kids to maintain a healthy weight. In a study of children ages 3 to 17, youths at the high end of the average weight range were at a 26 percent higher risk of developing high blood pressure within five years. “Obesity may be the most important risk factor for hypertension during childhood,” says study author Dr. Poornima Kunani, and she urges parents to talk to their pediatrician to see if their child is at risk.

Vitamin C for a Summer Cold

Sni ing, sneezing, and coughing are unwelcome during the winter months, but catching a cold seems particularly unfair when it’s gorgeous outside. Colds can be caused by more than 200 di erent viruses, and some bugs occur more frequently in the summer. The best prevention is to wash your hands o ten and with soap. Keep your immune system strong by staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, and eating a nutrient-rich diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Cut out sugar, which weakens immunity. A high-quality multivitamin will provide a good foundation, and extra vitamin C will help keep your immune system strong and ready to defend against viruses.

Clockwise from le t: Guests learn to make butter. A group plays historic lawn games. Sharing a laugh with friends. Cheers to the moos and a lovely evening!

Moos & Brews & Cocktails Too!

Find out what the cows do after hours on the farm at Moos & Brews & Cocktails Too! at Billings Farm & Museum. On Friday, July 28 from 5 to 7:30pm, get to know the famous Jersey Moos and enjoy local Vermont beer and craft spirits by Vermont Spirits Distilling Co., Upper Pass Beer Company, Rutland Beer Works, SILO Distillery, and more. With a drink in hand, guests 21-plus can stroll the Farmstead Gardens, enjoy the beautiful site after hours, and get a sneak peek into the Sun ower House as the rst blooms of the season emerge. Guests can meet an adorable calf, hang with the heifers along the fence line, and receive plenty of loving cow kisses. Farm Educators are happy to share fun facts about the Jersey cows’ personalities and how these sweet gals are cared for. Guests can even try their hand at brushing a cow. ere will be a chance to play historic (and modern) lawn games, churn cream into butter, make giant bubbles, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the pastures.

e festivities also include live music by acoustic duo Jes + Jacob of Beecharmer, a fusion of old-time jazz and pop complemented by award-winning songwriting. e Wicked Awesome BBQ Food Truck will be serving up delicious traditional American barbecue for purchase. ere will be tasty treats available for purchase at the Farmhouse Scoop Shop with Vermont-made ice cream, fresh-spun maple cotton candy, and other savory snack items.

Tickets are $25 per person, $20 per member. is includes one free beer with a Moos & Brews & Cocktails Too! signature glass. Additional libations will be available for purchase. All guests must be at least 21 years old. Please bring a valid photo ID to enter the event. IDs will be checked at the Visitor Center entrance. Infants and children will not be admitted.

billingsfarm.org/moos-brews-cocktails-too

With a drink in hand, guests meet a calf and learn about the farm.

Photos courtesy of Billings Farm & Museum

Batter Up!

Revitalization breathes new life into Vail Field

By Pamela Brown | Photography by Herb Swanson

Kevin Costner may have transformed a corn eld into a baseball eld, but Patrick Crowl and John Malcolm, both coaches for Woodstock’s Cal Ripken baseball program, saw their own eld of dreams in the rundown Vail Field, knowing they could help make it a scenic hub of activity. “It was in such shambles for a town like Woodstock, one of the prettiest little villages in the country. Baseball was limping along, and we decided to do something about it,” says Patrick. “We’re two dads interested in improving the facilities and the youth baseball program and making the community eld look nice and keep it going for kids and adults.”

Liam Crowl practices hitting o the tee at Vail Field.

Volunteers help construct the dugout. From le t to right: John Malcolm, Mike Perkins, Matt Velky, Patrick Crowl, Lukas Coogan, and Brian Moe.

CREATING A BETTER BASEBALL EXPERIENCE

In 2022, Patrick and John founded Woodstock Area Youth Baseball and Sports (WAYBS), a nonpro t whose mission is to teach, mentor, and provide facilities for amateur youth baseball in the greater Woodstock area. Partnering with the Woodstock Recreation Center, WAYBS provides events for Cal Ripken baseball and Babe Ruth programming and tournament play. e organization spearheaded the rehabilitation of Vail Field. “Both our kids are into baseball, and we personally love baseball,” says John. “Once we started playing a bit more competitive baseball we’d go around to other towns and saw their nicer facilities. We thought, if we could build a great facility, hopefully that can spark more interest in baseball and give the kids a better playing experience and make it more exciting and fun for everyone in Woodstock,” says John. Facility improvements were funded from various sources. Patrick notes, “ e funding mechanisms established last year were one-third from the EDC, one-third from the Rec Center, and one-third from the community. In late spring of 2021, the basketball courts and tennis courts were renovated, funded by taxpayer dollars.”

“

Once we started playing a bit more competitive baseball we’d go around to other towns and saw their nicer facilities.

We thought, if we could build a great facility, hopefully that can spark more interest in baseball and give the kids a better playing experience and make it more exciting and fun for everyone in Woodstock.”

— John Malcolm, Woodstock Area Youth Baseball and Sports (WAYBS)

Brian Moe and Mike Perkins lay out timbers for the dugout frame.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Patrick continues, “What’s been really cool is that the Vermont Lake Monsters baseball team has stepped up to become a real community partner in the baseball eld.” e Lake Monsters are a competitive summer collegiate baseball team out of Burl-

ington and play at Centennial Field.

So far, the eld was refurbished with a new laser-graded in eld; new landscaping, fencing, and backstop areas; concrete dugouts; a portable mound; and a redesigned walking/bike path. e Lake Monsters also donated two sets of bleachers.

John notes, “It’s taken a village with local businesses contributing in-kind or at a discounted rate. It’s been miraculous. For example, Ken Vikse, owner of KMI Concrete, donated the concrete work; Dick Schulz, owner of Schulz Excavation, provided the excavation work at a discount; Je Sailer, owner of Sailer Construction, excavated the newly designed walking path,

Above: Lukas Coogan, John Malcolm, and Mike Perkins determine the height and slope of dugout roof.

Le t: The team worked o plans designed by by Laura Channell of Stone Wall Interiors from Reading, Vermont.

which was rerouted to allow for construction of the dugouts; and Chippers provided tree work and limbing back trees from the area. is year, our fundraising continues for a concession stand, a storage shed, and other baseball-related equipment.”

According to Joel Carey, assistant director of the Woodstock Recreation Center, Patrick and John were the catalysts for the renovation. “It takes people who are committed and have the time and passion for it. Both of them have kids going through our program and have been at the eld at its worst time, and their kids will be involved in it for years to come so they have a vested interest in it,” says Joel.

e eld is garnering tremendous interest. “It’s absolutely amazing. It’s going to be an amazing baseball eld when they’re done. People who don’t even live in town come here. On any given day, there’s 100 to 200 people who walk through Vail,” says Joel. “Our goal is to have multiple teams and organizations using the eld. is is going to be one of the better elds in a 30-mile radius. A lot of e ort and a lot of time from

One of the fully framed dugouts with its roof on. Next up will be shiplap siding and benches/storage inside the dugouts.

“

This is going to be one of the better elds in a 30-mile radius. A lot of effort and a lot of time from these two individuals has gone into making it this nice and they wanted to keep to the standard of Woodstock that t the aesthetics of the entire town.”

— Joel Carey, Woodstock Recreation Center assistant director

these two individuals has gone into making it this nice and they wanted to keep to the standard of Woodstock that t the aesthetics of the entire town.”

CONTINUING A LEGACY

Vail Field traces its history to the 1900s when it was the home to the Woodstock Invincibles, a semiprofessional integrated baseball team led by Eugene Taylor, an African-American manager. “Baseball used to be a big deal here. It must have been pretty amazing to see this facility with its enormous grandstand,” says Patrick. John was excited to learn about the eld in its heyday. “It’s a neat story. Our longtime vision is to highlight that story and carry on the legacy,” says John. Going forward, they intend to commemorate the Invincibles with a plaque and a garden.

e town’s middle school baseball program and games will be moving back to Vail Field along with Woodstock Recreation Center’s summer Babe Ruth baseball. “ is whole e ort for a better baseball eld trickles down to a better baseball program. I couldn’t do it without all the parents showing up and volunteering. ere’s an infusion of energy that comes along with this—the practices and the coaching have improved, and the

Above: A welcome banner on the new backstop fence thanks sponsors and the community for their support.

Le t: Patrick Crowl and John Malcolm, cofounders of WAYBS (Woodstock Area Youth Baseball and Sports).

kids are more energetic,” says Patrick. In 2024, WAYBS is planning a throwback exhibition summer game between the Lake Monsters and another opponent with the Lake Monsters wearing commemorative Woodstock Invincibles uniforms. Both Patrick and John are humbled by the support they’ve received. “ is is my community. I want people to use Vail Field and be proud of it,” says Patrick. “It will be fun to see this place on a Saturday morning in the summertime—a baseball practice going, older folks playing pickleball, young kids playing basketball. It’s vibrant. Vail Field is a green space, a big playground for all ages to come here and hang out, and that’s what we’re trying to preserve,” he says. John is equally excited. “We’ve had a lot of support from the town, the Rec Center, the donors, parents, and even folks who live nearby. It’s incredible to see where it was to where it is now. It’s great to nally see the nish line.” For more information, visit www.woodstockvtbaseball.com.

woodstockvtbaseball.com

“

This is my community. I want people to use Vail Field and be proud of it. It will be fun to see this place on a Saturday morning in the summertime—a baseball practice going, older folks playing pickleball, young kids playing basketball.”

WOODSTOCK AREA YOUTH BASEBALL AND SPORTS (WAYBS)

— Patrick Crowl, Woodstock Area Youth Baseball and Sports (WAYBS)

A look from the backstop at Vail with the new first base side dugout framed in.

Clockwise from top: VAM owner Cindy Walker welcomes visitors with an ever-changing product mix. QGS co-owner Angela Moore has created the store’s own collections of delicious foods and home accents. Vintage Pyrex is a sought-a ter collectible.

Great Places to Browse and Shop

Visit the Vermont Antique Mall and the Quechee General Store

By Maria Buteux Reade

Stacks of colorful Pyrex bowls and baking dishes. Perfectly reconditioned cast-iron skillets. Racks of vintage dresses, pants, jackets, and handbags. Antique yet functional shop tools.

Tools to tableware. Life magazines to license plates. Cast iron to crystal. Bottles, baubles, bangles, and beads. e Vermont Antique Mall, located in Quechee Gorge Village just minutes

from Woodstock, has become a destination for millennials and meanderers, browsers and serious buyers seeking an eclectic array of antiques, vintage goods, and collectibles. “We get a lot of wedding planners, interior designers, and people who create stage sets for movies. ey’ll comb the booths for treasures and perfect accents,” says Cindy Walker, who owns the extensive twooor shop with her husband Mark.

Photography by Lynn Bohannon

EXPANDING THEIR OFFERINGS

e Vermont Antique Mall (VAM) opened in 1983. Cindy and Mark took over the business in 2016 as only the third owners of this beloved haven. e couple widened the aisles, brightened and lightened the space, and created a clean, pleasant atmosphere for shoppers. In the subsequent years, Cindy expanded the business from 40 to more than 135 dealers, operating 200 well-organized, attractive, carefully curated booths. ere’s now a waiting list of more than 100 additional vendors eager to secure a coveted space with VAM. “We know our dealers and give them the attention they need and deserve,” she explains. “Our dealers are very creative and have a keen eye for quality merchandise and attractive displays.”

e 10 shops that comprise the Quechee Gorge Village are connected with interior doors that link contiguous businesses; shoppers can pass from one store to the next without exiting the building, a boon in extreme weather. Cabot Creamery operated a retail cheese store adjacent to the VAM, but in 2019, the company decided to reduce their retail footprint. Cabot approached Cindy and o ered her the opportunity to become the rst independently owned Cabot a liate store in the country.

Top: Shoppers browse aisles filled with items from over 135 dealers.

Above: Hand-hewn bowls represent Vermont’s talented cra tsmen.

Below le t: The cast-iron collection is among the best in the country.

Below right: Heirloom china and all types of art adorn the walls.

Clockwise from above: Eclectic vintage items and antiques are popular with collectors furnishing first and second homes. The Estate Room features an ever-changing mix of high-end furniture and home accents. Highly collectible Polish pottery.

Clockwise from top: Co-owners Angela Moore and Cindy Walker blend corporate backgrounds with entrepreneurial spirit. QGS features artisanal cheeses from local farms, including Plymouth, Blue Ledge, Lazy Lady, and Vermont Creamery. QGS o ers the area’s most complete Cabot collection. Award-winning Blake Hill jams.

While considering the o er, she reached out to Angela Moore, one of her dealers at VAM. Cindy had been impressed with Angela’s marketing savvy, and Angela had volunteered to assist Cindy with social media and special events planning for VAM.

“I asked Angela if she wanted to partner with me and acquire the business next door,” Cindy recalls. “We both saw the potential in that space and went for it.” e friends-now-business-partners closed the deal in the second week of March 2020, just as COVID shuttered the world.

OLD-SCHOOL STORE, NEW-WORLD VIBE

Optimistic and pragmatic by nature, the intrepid entrepreneurs spent the next three months converting the space into the new Quechee General Store. ey widened the aisles, rejiggered the interior, and started to order inventory that meshed with their commitment to small-batch, local (Vermont and New England), top-quality products. “Our goal is to celebrate Vermont artisanal goods,” Angela Moore says. “We see ourselves as an old-school general store with a new-world vibe.” Quechee General Store (QGS) opened softly in June 2020 and has been going strong ever since. “We o er some of the lowest prices in the area, and that brings in locals as well

QGS all-natural fruit spreads have a devoted following.

“It’s all about creating a welcoming and engaging experience for people to enjoy. In both places, you never know what you may find, and new products arrive all the time. That keeps it fun for everyone!”

— Cindy Walker, co-owner

as tourists,” Angela notes. “People really appreciate the selection, price, and value. We’re a one-stop shopping destination!”

In addition to the full lineup of mouthwatering Cabot cheeses, butter, spreads, and dips, QGS carries artisanal cheese from Vermont’s acclaimed fromagers. e store has quickly become a local food lovers’ paradise, shelves stocked with maple syrups, honey, jams, hot sauces, cocoas, pancake and mu n mixes, crackers and popcorn, and pickled goods from Vermont’s top producers. “We do a lot of private-label house products, including our QGS co ee that comes from Abracadabra in Pomfret,” Angela explains. And since one cannot live exclusively on cheese and crackers, QGS o ers a rotating mix of seasonal Vermont craft beer, hard cider, and wines. Putney Winery maintains a small tasting booth adjacent to the entrance where visitors can enjoy free samples. On selected Saturday afternoons this summer, QGS will o er tastings of maple syrup, cheese, jams, and popcorn.

Above: Carefully curated displays make browsing fun. Opposite: Maquam and Shelburne Vineyards are among the featured Vermont wineries.

roughout the spacious store, Angela has added Mary Meyer stu ed animals, White Mountain jigsaw puzzles, clothing and accessories, and home accents including colorful dish towels, whimsical cookie cutters by Vermont artist Ann Clark, and handsome polished granite cutting boards from Barre. “Every week, we have farmers, small-batch producers, and craftspeople deliver goods directly to the store,” Angela says. “It’s fun for us to meet them and for them to see how their goods are displayed.”

A BIT OF BACKSTORY

Both Cindy and Angela come from corporate backgrounds. Cindy managed telecommunication rms in New England while Angela had extensive experience in marketing, design, and retail management. Angela also created her eponymous collection of handpainted jewelry, resort fashions, and home accents. Both loved Vermont and threw themselves wholeheartedly into running the contiguous businesses. “With both of us coming from corporate backgrounds, we understood the importance of roles and goals,” Angela explains. “So we decided that Cindy would order and oversee the Cabot col-

lection, and I would manage the other artisanal cheeses and additional products in the store. Cindy handles the operational side of QGS, and I manage the purchasing, merchandising, website, special events, and sta . I cross over to VAM to help with special-event planning, marketing, and eblasts. We both love this integrated approach to operating these two businesses.”

Cindy adds, “I love the dichotomy of running a funky antique mall and a traditional retail establishment. e two places couldn’t be more di erent, but Angela and I enjoy developing relationships with our vendors, dealers, and customers. It’s all about creating a welcoming and engaging experience for people to enjoy. In both places, you never know what you may nd, and new products arrive all the time. at keeps it fun for everyone!”

From eclectic eccentricities at the Vermont Antique Mall to tasty treats in the Quechee General Store, visitors will enjoy immersing themselves in these two women-owned enterprises. With a little searching, you just might leave with a cheerful vintage Pyrex bowl and a bag of mu n mix, or an antique stein waiting for a fresh can of Vermont IPA.

VERMONT ANTIQUE MALL (802) 281-4147

vermontantiquemall.com

QUECHEE GENERAL STORE (802) 295-1180

quecheegeneralstore.com

QUECHEE GORGE VILLAGE 5573 WOODSTOCK ROAD, ROUTE 4 QUECHEE, VT

QGS features a wide range of award-winning Plymouth cheeses.

Unique Shopping, Dining, and Services

Au Comptoir Village Bar

4 Mechanic Street Woodstock, VT (802) 299-5435

www.aucomptoirvt.com

Wed–Mon 3–10pm

Splendid Bakes

4 e Green Woodstock, VT (781) 267-5015

Mon–Sat 11am–5pm

Frameworks Studio of Woodstock

63 Pleasant Street Barn Woodstock, VT (802) 356-5235

Open Tue–Sat

Celebrating 15 years!

Sleep Woodstock Motel

Woodstock’s Unexpected Motel 4324 W Woodstock Road, Woodstock, VT (802) 332-6336

www.sleepwoodstock.com

reservations@sleepwoodstock.com

e Prince and e Pauper Restaurant

24 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1818

www.princeandpauper.com

Cheers to 50 years! Open for Dinner Tue–Sat

Actively purchasing Rolex and other high grade watches.

Red Wagon Toy Co.

41 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-9300

www.redwagontoy.com @redwagontoyco

e Woodstocker

Bed & Breakfast

61 River Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3896

www. eWoodstockerBnB.com

NT Ferro Jewelers

11 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1901

www.ferrojewelers.com

Mon–Sat 10am–4:30pm Closed Sun

506 On e River Inn

1653 West Woodstock Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-5000

www.ontheriverwoodstock.com

1653 West Woodstock Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-5000

www.ontheriverwoodstock.com

In and Ar nd Woodstock, Verm t

R.T. Home

43 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-5700

Mon–Sat 10am–5pm Sun 12–4pm

e Blue Horse Inn

Bed & Breakfast

“In the very heart of Woodstock Village”

3 Church Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-9999

www.thebluehorseinn.com

Unicorn

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

37 Central Clothiers

Splendid Chaos

58 Pleasant Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7084

www.splendidchaosvt.com

Open Tue–Sat

e Village Inn of Woodstock & e Vic Tavern

“We’re the pink one!”

41 Pleasant Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1255

www.villageinnofwoodstock.com

Mon, Tue, u, Fri 5–8pm

Woodstock Scoops

Maple Creemees

Locally made ice cream, shakes, sundaes & more! 20 Central Street Woodstock, VT woodstockscoops.com

Barnard Inn Restaurant

Restaurant - Wedding/EventChef Will Dodson 24 years owner/operated

5518 Vermont Route 12 Barnard, VT (802) 234-9961

www.barnardinn.com

Soulfully Good Café

67 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7395

Soulfullygood.com

Enjoy Woodstock this Summer

FH Gillingham & Sons

16 Elm Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2100

www.gillinghams.com

Mon–Sat 8:30am–5pm Sun 10am–4pm

Woodstock Wheels

E-bike Rental Service

54 River Street Woodstock, VT (802) 281-9012

www.woodstockwheels.com

woodstockwheelsvt@gmail.com

Mon Vert Cafe

28 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-7143

www.monvertcafe.com

Pizza Chef Route 4 Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1444

Sun– u 11am–9pm Fri & Sat 11am–10pm

Woodstock Recreation Center

54 River Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1502

www.woodstockrec.com

e Vermont Horse Country Store

5331 South Road, Route 106 South Woodstock, VT (802) 457-HORS (4677)

eStore@vthorseco.com

www.vermonthorsecountry.com

Always available. Please call (802) 356-6748 anytime.

e Yankee Bookshop

12 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2411

www.yankeebookshop.com

@yankeebookshop

Collective– e Art of Cra 47 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1298

www.collective-theartofcra .com

Mon–Sat 10am–5pm Sun 11am–4pm

H azzah!

Stepping Back in Time at a Renaissance Festival

n the rare occasion that I put on a costume, I’m a pirate. It’s a mail-order out t that I bought several years ago when my children’s book, Gasparilla, A Pirate’s Tale, was released. I especially loved putting on my pirate hat, black boots, ru ed shirt, and gold-buttoned overcoat to read the story at schools. “Anyone expecting a pirate today?” a school secretary once announced over the PA system, which made me chuckle.

Dressing up was fun! It captured the imagination of both kids and adults, engaging them in the story and encouraging them to ask lots of questions. However, like most books, after a year or two, Gasparilla sailed onto my publisher’s backlist and my pirate costume migrated to the back of my closet—that is, until last summer, when I discovered Renaissance festivals.

A king and queen exchange niceties with an "iron maiden."

Story and photography by Lisa Ballard

The good knight and the evil knight show o their riding and hoop-catching skills before the jousting begins.

ndeed, a guy who looked just like William Shakespeare bade Zoe and me a cheerful “Hazzah!” as he walked by, waving his hand with a dramatic flourish. “Hazzah,” I waved back. “Hazzah?” repeated Zoe, quizzically, after the Bard had passed. “Who am I to question the way Shakespeare greets us?” I replied.

It happened by chance in Red Lodge, Montana, when my stepdaughter Zoe and I went for a walk, aiming to check out the rodeo grounds. However, instead of cowboys on bucking broncos we found jousting knights, promenading kings and queens, itting fairies, and swashbuckling pirates! Renaissance Faire had taken over for the weekend.

e fair was a delightful surprise, a celebration of all things medieval and Renaissance, both real and fanciful. Talk about elaborate getups! As we approached the main stadium, Robin Hood and Maid Marion sauntered past us in the other direction. A Viking rushed by us. Christopher Columbus sat on a lawn chair talking to Leonardo da Vinci while a minstrel practiced a madrigal on a mandolin. It seemed we had walked through a time warp into a mixedup medieval fantasy.

THE REAL RENAISSANCE

e word renaissance means rebirth. e Renaissance—from the 1300s through the 1600s—actually came after seven centuries known as the medieval era, also called the Middle

Above: Trained performers, one a good knight and the other an evil knight, demonstrate sword fighting for the crowd. Right: Fair-goers promenade around a maypole.

RENAISSANCE FAIRS IN NEW ENGLAND

he first Renaissance fair was organized by a schoolteacher named Phyllis Patterson in Los Angeles, California, in 1962. In partnership with a local radio station, she and her husband created the festival to demonstrate to her students and others in the community what a medieval market was really like. Instead of a few hundred people, 8,000 attended.

Today, 200,000 costumed revelers attend that original event, which is now called the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. There are more than 200 Renaissance festivals throughout the year around the United States, as well as Canada, Europe, and Australia. Some last only a weekend. Others last multiple weeks at dedicated fairgrounds.

Here are the closest ones to Woodstock:

• VERMONT RENAISSANCE FAIRE, STOWE, VT

• OPEN FIELDS MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL, THETFORD, VT

•FAIRY HOUSE FESTIVAL, GRAFTON, VT

• VERMONT WINTER RENAISSANCE FAIRE, ESSEX JUNCTION, VT

• NEW HAMPSHIRE RENAISSANCE FAIRE, FREMONT, NH

• MUTTON AND MEAD, MONTAGUE, MA

• BERKSHIRE MOUNTAINS FAERIE FESTIVAL, ADAMS, MA

For a list of Renaissance festivals around the United States, go to www.therenlist.com/all-fairs.

Ages or Dark Ages. e Renaissance was a time of global exploration, introducing Europeans to new lands and thus new plants, animals, and cultures. During the Renaissance, Europe also embraced literature, art, science, and other societal enrichments that lay largely dormant during the military con icts, political upheaval, and plagues that de ned the Dark Ages.

Indeed, a guy who looked just like William Shakespeare bade Zoe and me a cheerful “Hazzah!” as he walked by, waving his hand with a dramatic ourish. “Hazzah,” I waved back. “Hazzah?” repeated Zoe, quizzically, after the Bard had passed. “Who am I to question the way Shakespeare greets us?” I replied. Zoe rolled her eyes.

COSTUMES AND CHARACTERS

Everyone else played the part in which they were dressed too, as if the Renaissance fair had unleashed some inner desire to be a wench, wizard, or whatever persona one fantasized about, as long as it was a medieval or Renaissance character.

We wandered past an assortment of royal courtiers and a gal with a blue face who looked like one of those cute miniature trolls I collected when I was in grade school. At the Renaissance fair, the people watching alone was worth the price of admission.

Around the outer wall of the rodeo stadium, dozens of artists and craftspeople dressed in a myriad of medieval attire manned vendor booths. One stand sold beautiful handmade cutting boards shaped like the heads of battle axes. Another booth o ered “medieval cell phone cases” carved out of stone.

After lunching on a plate of roast pig and sharing a mug of mead, we wandered over to a row of bull’s-eye targets. At one end, Friar Tuck showed a school-aged princess and Superman (any costume was better than no costume) how to draw a long bow. In the middle of the row, a stable hand showed a gaggle of giggling belly dancers how to throw spears. And at the far end, a peasant woman tossed axes with impressive accuracy.

Around the next corner, we spotted two women with bangles dangling from their arms and jangling around their bare tummies. One had a boa constrictor draped around her

Top: A woman dressed as a horned blue troll at the fair.

Above: Medieval cell phone cases carved out of stone for sale.

The emcee of the jousting contest, a kind witch, hands the prize, a golden horse, to a girl in the audience for safekeeping.

neck, and the other had a python, both alive and curious about anyone who approached.

“Can I touch it?” asked a small boy to the woman with the boa. She nodded yes, but it took the boy several minutes to get up the nerve. In the meantime, the snake slowly slithered its way down her cleavage then around her waist then back up to her shoulders in a fascinating yet creepy caress of her body. Eventually, Zoe and I petted the snake,too. It felt oddly cool and dry though it looked shiny in the sunshine.

Ironically, a mountain man stood a few yards away demonstrating how to skin a snake. A large crowd gathered around him to watch, while a blacksmith pounded out nails across the lane. Further still, a women plucked a psaltery, a handheld stringed instrument that was a predecessor of the harpsichord, as several adults and children danced around a maypole. ere was so much to see!

e most impressive costume was worn by a woman dressed as a satyr, a mythical creature that’s half goat and half human, though the massive, curving horns growing from the sides of her head looked more like those of bighorn sheep. Her thick blue mane draped over her back and shoulders under which her torso was clad in leather straps reminiscent of a medieval mercenary. Her legs looked more like the hindquarters of a horse than a goat, but it was her footwear that set her costume apart—hooves on which she skillfully balanced while chatting with passersby.

JOUSTING

“Jousting starts in 10 minutes,” announced the PA system while we admired the satyr. With that, both visitors and vendors, including the satyr, made their way to the jousting arena. Zoe and I followed, excited to see the show. It proved an adrenaline- lled grand nale to our rst Renaissance fair.

As the emcee, who looked like a cross between a witch and a fairy, cajoled the crowd, the good knight and the evil knight raced toward each other, lances forward, on their burly steeds. e crowd cheered wildly. It took a few tries, but the good knight eventually knocked the evil one o his horse.

As the good knight took in the applause, the evil knight snuck up behind him and pulled him from his saddle. ey drew swords and began to ght. Other knights joined the fray. Swords clashed. Daggers ew. In the end, the good guys won, but everyone else at the fair did too.

For anyone with an appreciation of European history who loves medieval fantasy, or who simply likes to put on a costume, attending a Renaissance fair is a must. Next time, I’ll be the one in the pirate costume. Hazzah!

Above: Jousting is a standard show at a Renaissance fair and a can't-miss moment.

Right: A boy pets a snake slithering around a Romani woman's body.

A Glimpse of Childhood from Times Past

A Child’s Life at the Woodstock History Center

By Cassie Horner

courtesy of the Woodstock History Center

Each generation has its own views of children and the approach to how to raise them right. Studying the elements of childrearing in New England through the centuries is an enlightening and sometimes sobering experience. Children grew up re ecting the ways they were shaped by economics, responsibilities, and family values. e attitudes toward children changed dramatically as the United States developed and changed.

In June, a new exhibit, A Child’s Life, opens at the Woodstock History Center

with the goal of bringing visitors into the world of children from times past. e opening of the exhibit is Friday, June 23 at 4pm with an open house. e exhibit will be up for three years.

“A Child’s Life encompasses the early 1800s until World War II; however, there are parts of the exhibit that extend beyond that,” says Executive Director Matthew Powers. “It includes three generations of the Dana family that lived here, as well as a focus on children’s lives in northern New England. e whole house is part of the exhibit. Every

Photos

Top: Richard Dana Marble.

Above: Francis Spear (le t) plays croquet with friends.

“It includes three generations of the Dana family that lived here, as well as a focus on children’s lives in northern New England. The whole house is part of the exhibit. Every room has a nod to the life and experience of a child in that space.”

— Matthew Powers, Woodstock History Center executive director

room has a nod to the life and experience of a child in that space.” e exhibit highlights birth, clothing, the history of play, education, chores and work, and mortality. ere is also a portrait gallery showcasing local children. Visitors move through the house following the lives of children and adults. e goal of the exhibit is that it is child-friendly with hands-on components.

THE WORLD OF WORK AND PLAY

A sampling of what the rooms feature includes the playroom that draws on the Woodstock History Center’s extensive collection of toys and books. e world of play o ered kids a variety of experiences. ey had dolls, dollhouses, miniature soldiers and vehicles, and other wooden, paper, and metal toys and games. ey also learned life lessons

Clockwise from le t: Class of 1908. The boys from the third generation of the family to live at the Dana House. Tyrolian embroidered cap.

Addie Card working at a cotton mill. Library of Congress.

from toys, with girls playing with tea sets and caring for dolls, and boys playing with tool kits. One surprising toy is a small sword complete with a somewhat pointed blade and a scabbard. e history center has teamed up with Norman Williams Public Library to showcase a broad range of children’s literature and educational materials.

On the other side of play is the relationship of children to work and chores—an important indicator of societal change over the centuries. In the early 1800s, children were often apprenticed to a skilled tradesman. Many families relied on their children for help with farmwork and other chores related to running a household. In the case of the Dana children, whose father owned a store, they were expected to help in the business, do gardening, and haul wood, to mention a few tasks. Between 1890 and 1910, about 18 percent of children

Between

Above: Frontispiece from Ehrick Billings' book The Child's Pastime, 1879. Right: Blue woolen dress, 1880s.

1890 and 1910, about 18 percent of children ages 10 to 15 worked. This fact motivated reformers and labor organizers in the 19th century and later to strive to limit child labor and improve their work conditions.

ages 10 to 15 worked. is fact motivated reformers and labor organizers in the 19th century and later to strive to limit child labor and improve their work conditions.

INFANCY AND BEYOND

Another room in the house shines a spotlight on birth and infant rearing, with a connecting door to a nursery with cradles, cribs, and a playpen. A baby book

from c.1900 chronicles the early life of Hadley Spear, who lived on River Street and was related to the Dana family.

Across the hall is a room dedicated to the beautiful clothing children wore through the decades. e collection ranges from delicate christening gowns worn by boys and girls to dresses, hats, and shoes.

A Child’s Life is complemented by other activities. e outdoor ArtShare box displays a focus on children’s literature.

e Market on the Woodstock Green on Wednesdays will be the site for free children’s activities based on the exhibit.

For more information about A Child’s Life, visit woodstockhistorycenter.org.

e website o ers an in-depth exploration of children’s experiences.

WOODSTOCK HSTORY CENTER

woodstockhistorycenter.org

The Marble family.

Shop, Dine, and Explore Quechee this Summer

Whisper Hill Bath and Body 5967 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 296-SOAP(7627)

www.whisperhill.com

Open daily 10:30am–4:30pm Closed Wed

Sugarbush Farm 591 Sugarbush Farm Road Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1757

www.sugarbushfarm.com

contact@sugarbushfarm.com

Open daily 9am–5pm

Vermont Antique Mall

Quechee Gorge Village, Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 281-4147

Open daily 10am–5pm Free Parking

The Vermont Spot

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

Open daily 9:30am–5:30pm

WhistlePig Whiskey Parlour 1792 Quechee Main Street Quechee, VT (802) 771-4058

WhistlePIgWhiskey.com

Tasting Room and Retail Shop

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

www.aligninnvermont.com

reservations@aligninn.com

Antiques Collaborative

6931 Woodstock Rd. Quechee, VT (802) 296-5858

www.antiquescollaborative.com

Thu–Tue 10am–5pm

Public House Pub Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 295-8500

www.publichousevt.com

FB: PublicHouseVT

Shepard Interior Selections 115 Town Line Road Route 4 Quechee, VT

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

Shop, Dine, and Explore Quechee this Summer

The Sweet Spot Candy Shoppe

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

7 days a week 10am–5pm

Massage Eminence

6985 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 249-4751

www.massageeminence.com

Quechee Cuts

6985 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 291-2648

Mon 9am–2pm Tue, Wed 9am–4pm Thu 10am–6pm, Fri 9am–4pm Sat 9am–12pm

Quechee Pizza Chef & Mini Golf

5893 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 296-6669

quecheepizzachef.com

Sun–Thu 11am–9pm

Fri & Sat 11am–10pm

Instagram @ gethoppy802

Quechee Home

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

Open daily 10am–5pm

The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm Restaurant and Tavern 1119 Quechee Main Street Quechee, VT (802) 295-3133

www.quecheeinn.com

Wholistic Health Services of Vermont

6985 Woodstock Road (Route 4) Quechee, VT (802) 296-6030

www.doctorrandy.com

Perfect Fur Salon

Dog and Cat Grooming

Quechee Gorge Village, Route 4 Quechee, VT & 676 Hartford Avenue, Hartford, VT (802) 369-2966

www.perfectfursalon.com

Mon–Sat 9am–4pm

Quechee General Store

Quechee Gorge Village, Route 4 Quechee, VT (802) 295-1180

www.quecheegeneralstore.com

Open daily 10am–5pm Free Parking

Dr. Randy Schaetzke, DC, DIBAK

Ottauquechee Health Foundation Serving communities in need

By Dian Parker

Many residents of Vermont are having a hard time getting their basic needs met. With the rising cost of food as well as rent increases, many people are barely able to live from paycheck to paycheck. Vermont has an aging population, with people 65 and older comprising 20 percent of the population. People with disabilities under the age of 65 is over 10 percent, and veterans comprise 5 percent of Vermont’s current population.

ankfully there is Ottauquechee Health Foundation (OHF) to help these and other Vermonters in their catchment area who are in need. rough nancial assistance, community partnerships, and wellness initiatives as well as education opportunities, OHF has assisted in health care needs for the last 27 years. e core towns they work with are Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartland, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Quechee, Reading, and Woodstock.

Photography by Lynn Bohannon

Street view of Simmons House at 30 Pleasant Street, Woodstock, home of OHF.

Clockwise from top: Hali Robinson, executive director; Bruce Seely, grandson of Gertrude Mertens; Meg Seely, his wife; and Beth Robinson, grants coordinator. Beth assists a good neighbor grant applicant. OHF's welcoming reception area with posted o ce hours.

PROVIDING ACCESS TO WELLNESS FUNDING

OHF was created in 1996 seeded by the estate of Gertrude Mertens to carry out her wish to ensure that all community members continue to receive health care in the community. She was driven by a strong conviction that community matters, neighbors should look after one another, and those who have the means should share. Because of Mrs. Mertens and her family’s legacy, OHF has granted millions of dollars for health care in their catchment area.

Many service providers for these communities work alongside OHF to o er discounts to grant applicants. OHF grants of $225,000 enabled access to over $302,000 in health and wellness services in 2022. e health care providers and organizations o er help with obtaining hearing aids, new glasses, mental health support, prescription drugs, and dental work.

Around 70 percent of the population served by OHF is under 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). If a household of one is within 200 percent of FPL or

$29,160 annual income, you can imagine how great an impact it would be if that individual receives a grant, for an example, to help pay for hearing aids that can cost $5,000 to $7,000. Grants from OHF can also help pay for dental work, optometry, and elder care. ey have home-care grants for up to $3,000 that can help pay caregivers. (To understand the guidelines on the federal poverty level, visit aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/ poverty-guidelines.)

AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY

Hali Robinson has been the new director of OHF since February 2023. “We are a privately funded nonpro t organization and want to serve the needs of individuals in their catchment area,” Hali says. “OHF is involved in two di erent work groups that arose from the 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment performed by Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center. We are involved with the Food Security work group and the Strengthening

Glad Rags committee members utilize OHF's spacious conference room for their post-spring sale meeting. OHF's conference room is available for Simmons House tenants and nonprofit organizations.

“I grew up in Woodstock with a strong sense of community. I like helping people and love being a part of an organization that helps people in need.”

— Hali Robinson, director of OHF

Community Grants Funded to Date in 2023

•Barnard Academy

Helmets for sledding and skating

•Upper Valley Haven

Dental supplies for individuals from our catchment area

•Thompson Senior Center

Author travel expenses for "Alzheimer's Canyon" presentation

•The Nest

Postpartum support group held at Artistree

•Mindful Connections

Yoga and art for local middle school students

•Jess Kimball Wellness

Home visit support for pre- and postnatal periods

•Summer SOAK

Scholarships for four students from our catchment area

•Second Growth

Summer enrichment program for local middle school students

•The Ottauquechee School

Midday snacks to address food insecurity

•Sensory Pathways

Visual instruction for guided movements to help with motor skills, balance, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness in five area elementary schools

•MAHHC Primary Care Clinic

Bike helmets - UVM "Protect Your Head at All Times"

Families work group. I act as representative for our community in these work groups.”

As a young mother with an eight-month-old son, Hali understands how di cult it might be for postpartum mothers.

“OHF is here to help by providing community grants to doulas: one provides home visits and another facilitates a postpartum support group. We have provided community grants for midday snacks at a local elementary school to address food insecurity, we have provided a grant for an author to visit ompson Senior Center, and many more. I grew up in Woodstock with a

Above: Folks are o ten greeted by Chance, Beth’s friendly o ce dog. Le t: Street view of Simmons House, home to OHF and their many tenants.

Giving From the Heart

By Bruce and Meg Seely (Gertrude’s grandson and his wife)

To better understand OHF, one needs to appreciate Woodstock of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s when some of the people who were drawn to the region to live permanently shaped the Woodstock of today. People who remember those times will recall a few visionary philanthropists who settled here from New York, Boston, and other metropolitan areas to live a more rural and bucolic life.

While Laurance Rockefeller buried Woodstock’s power lines and provided the village a central hub to draw employment opportunities and attract tourists, there was another breed of generosity that made contributions that had lasting impact. One such example of this generosity was Gertrude Mertens.

In 1958 the citizens of Woodstock and surrounding communities raised funds to acquire Simmons House, purchase medical equipment, and hire medical sta , including a physician, a dentist, and nurses. Woodstock is unique in that the residents of the community created its own health center. Most health centers have been created by government, business, or medical organizations. In 1973 the then state-of-the-art OHC was built behind Simmons House and was outfitted with up-to-date equipment. It was initially governed by a board comprised of a cross-section of the community.

In 1993, Gertrude Mertens died. As her estate was being settled, it was becoming impossible to operate a freestanding clinic, so in 1996 an agreement was reached with Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to take over the management of the health center. This le t many engaged citizens concerned about the loss of local control. It also raised concerns about a ordability and diminished local access to care.

OHF was created in 1996, seeded by the estate of Gertrude Mertens, to carry out her wishes to ensure that all community members continue to receive health care in the community. Over the course of the last 30 years, OHF has granted millions of dollars for health care to the people of the region.

What motivated Gertrude and others to give back so generously to the region? Each would undoubtedly o er their own rationale, probably understated and humble. But what a di erence they have made. Gertrude and her family’s legacy include but are not limited to:

•The Woodstock Learning Clinic (co-founder, major contributor)

•Pivotal Steps (quietly meets the needs of the most vulnerable)

•Union Arena (major contributor)

•Ottauquechee Health Foundation (visionary and seeded fund)

•Planned Parenthood of Vermont (instrumental in establishing)

•Mertens House (14-bed long-term nursing care facility)

As captured in a book entitled Generosity, A Family Story presented to Peter and Jennifer Brock in gratitude for the Mertens Family’s 75 years of support: Philanthropy comes from the heart, and where a person chooses to give a glimpse into what she or he holds dear.

While Gertrude Mertens was a staunch supporter of universal causes such as equal rights for women and minorities, access to health care and education, funding for the arts, reproductive freedom, and sustaining a healthy environment, few things were as dear to her as her community.

strong sense of community. I like helping people and love being a part of an organization that helps people in need.”

Beth Robinson (not related to Hali) has been OHF’s grants coordinator for the last seven years. Beth worked in a private dental practice for 25 years before coming to OHF. “I came to the foundation to see how they could help me navigate medical bills and the high cost of prescriptions after my husband was diagnosed with cancer. ey were so wonderful, kind, helpful, and supportive during that time.” Soon after her husband passed away, Beth stopped by OHF to thank the foundation for all the support they had given. Ironically, that same day, the current grants coordinator was leaving the foundation and Beth was o ered a job.

Both Hali and Beth are deeply committed to o ering services to those in need. ey want people to know OHF is here and that they have an open-door policy during o ce hours. People can come to the o ce for information and to get an application to apply for assistance. ey will make time outside of o ce hours if need be.

HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY

rough word of mouth from schools, nurses, social workers, senior centers, and food shelves, OHF strives to get the word out that they are here for the

community. ey are updating their website and will have a room in the Pleasant Street building for laptop use to sign up for resources and to ll out applications or attend telehealth appointments.

OHF has a grants committee that is made up of three to ve of the ten board members. ere are 500 members of OHF that act as advocates for the foundation. ey are the voice of the community and vote on the bylaws, attend the annual meeting, and vote on new board members.

Hali and Beth’s energetic commitment and passion are evident in all they do at Ottauquechee Health Foundation. Hali says, “I want to thank all our donors, members, and the board for all the work they do. We are always looking for new members and volunteers and donors to help us keep OHF alive for another 27 years.”

OTTAUQUECHEE HEALTH FOUNDATION

30 Pleasant Street Woodstock, VT

(802) 457-4188

ohfvt.org

Hali checks her email.

A Taste of the Mediterranean

Add a little Greek flare to your summer picnic

By Susan Nye

While we all love a traditional Fourth of July cookout with burgers and dogs, potato salad and coleslaw, there are times when we’d like to step it up. A Greek picnic is the perfect solution on a hot night. Do all your cooking in the morning while it’s still cool and enjoy the rest of the day in and by the water.

Start by exploring the wonderful world of meze. Translated, meze means a taste or a bite. A beautiful meze platter combines some favorite summer ingredients—fresh vegetables and fruit, cheeses, nuts, and olives and a delicious dip or two. A homemade dip, while appreciated, is not required as you can nd hummus, tapenade, and even taramasalata in your favorite grocery or specialty store. Enjoy

Greek Meze

SERVES 8

a glass of ouzo on ice with your meze. Move on to a classic Greek salad. By de nition, there should be no lettuce in that salad. Nothing could be more Mediterranean than grilled seafood, and shrimp are the perfect complement to the salad. No need to lug a grill to the beach; cook the shrimp at home and bring it along. If you are picnicking in the backyard, no problem to grill the shrimp then and there. Pair your main course with retsina . . . or a pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc.

Fruit is the favorite nish to any Greek meal. You can take it easy and serve a big bowl of strawberries or take it up a notch with a fruit and yogurt parfait. Stick with local, just-picked fruit for a truly authentic Greek dessert. Yamas and kalí óreksi! Happy summer!

Fresh vegetables: sliced zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, pea pods, green beans—whatever’s in season

Fresh fruit: grapes, cherries, berries, peaches, melon—whatever’s in season

A favorite dip or two—try baba ganoush or hummus, tzatziki, taramasalata, or roasted red pepper dip

2–4 wedges of your favorite cheeses

A little honey, fig jam, and/or mustard

Roasted almonds and/or pistachios

A variety of your favorite olives

Flatbread crackers and pita bread

Artfully arrange the ingredients on 1 or 2 large platters. Place the crackers and bread in a basket. Set out some small plates and invite your friends and family help themselves.

Grilled Shrimp

SERVES 8

8 wooden skewers

¼cup dry white wine

¼cup olive oil

Grated zest and juice of ½ lemon

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp or to taste sriracha

½tsp dried oregano or 1 tsp dried Italian herbs

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

2½–3 lb extra-jumbo (16–20 per lb) or larger raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

1Soak the skewers in water for about an hour. Preheat the grill to high. Put the white wine and olive oil in a large bowl, add the lemon zest and juice, garlic, and sriracha, sprinkle with the herbs, season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine. Add the shrimp and toss to combine. Tossing 2 to 3 times, marinate the shrimp for about 15 minutes.

2Thread the shrimp onto the skewers and grill, turning once, until just opaque, about 2 minutes per side.

3To serve: Remove the shrimp from the skewers and transfer to a larger serving platter or individual plates. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Can be grilled early in the day, cooled to room temperature, covered, and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Baba Ganoush

SERVES 8

½small onion, cut in half

2 cloves garlic

Olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly pepper to taste

2–3 small eggplants (about 2 lb total), cut in half lengthwise

¼cup tahini

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

¼cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

¼tsp paprika

1Preheat the grill to high. Put the onion and garlic on a square of aluminum foil and turn up the edges to make a tray. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and stir to coat. Place on the grill and, stirring from time to time, cook on high until so t.

2Remove the onion and garlic from the grill and cool to room temperature. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor and pulse to chop and combine.

3Meanwhile, brush the eggplant halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the eggplant on the grill, cut side down, for 3 to 5 minutes or until nicely browned. Turn the eggplant, reduce the heat to low or place on a cool spot on the grill, and continue cooking until the eggplant is tender, an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the grill and cool to room temperature.

4Scoop the eggplant out of the skin and add it to the onion and garlic in the food processor. Add the tahini, lemon juice, parsley, and paprika, season with salt and pepper, and pulse to mash and combine. Transfer to a serving bowl.

5Can be made ahead, covered, and refrigerated. Serve at room temperature.

Greenless Greek Salad

SERVES 8

4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 small red onion, cut in half horizontally and then into thin wedges

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼tsp dried oregano or ½ tsp dried Italian herbs

2 lb heirloom tomatoes—a mix of large, small, and cherry tomatoes in di erent shapes and colors

1–1½ European cucumbers

8 oz feta, cut into ½-inch cubes

16–20 Kalamata or a mix of your favorite Greek olives, pitted and halved

1Put the oil and vinegar in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine. Add the onion and garlic, sprinkle with the herbs, and toss to combine. Tossing occasionally, let everything mix and meld for 30 minutes at room temperature or longer in the refrigerator.

2To serve: Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, cut the larger tomatoes into wedges. Peel and seed the cucumbers and cut into chunks. Add the tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and olives to the bowl with the oil and vinegar and gently toss to combine.

Summer Fruit with Yogurt Cream

SERVES 8

6 cups nonfat plain yogurt

¼–½ cup (to taste) brown sugar plus more for the fruit

¼tsp salt

1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

Grated zest of 1 orange

1½ cups or to taste half & half

4 cups your favorite fruit(s): chopped strawberries, peaches, plums, melon, or apricots or whole raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries

Juice of ½ orange

1–2 Tbsp Grand Marnier

1Make the Yogurt Cream: Put the yogurt in a colander or sieve lined with a clean dish towel, cheese cloth, or a co ee filter and drain for several hours or overnight. You should end up with about 3 cups of yogurt cheese.

2Put the yogurt cheese, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, and orange zest in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add about ½ cup half & half and whisk until smooth. Whisking constantly, slowly add the remaining half & half until well combined and smooth.

3Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble the parfaits. The yogurt cream can be prepared up to a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the parfaits.

4Put the fruit in a bowl and gently toss with the orange juice, Grand Marnier, and brown sugar to taste. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before assembling the parfaits.

5To serve: Spoon half of the fruit into small dessert glasses or bowls and top with a generous dollop of Yogurt Cream and a second layer of fruit.

JUNE 24–25

Youth Invitational Dairy Show

With its 150-year tradition of agricultural excellence, Billings Farm & Museum pays tribute to the next generation of dairy farmers by hosting the Youth Invitational Dairy Show. Get a peek behind the scenes at the care and grooming of cattle before exhibitors show o their cows and their hard work.

Billings Farm & Museum

billingsfarm.org

June is National Dairy Month!

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST

Baby Story Time Tuesday

Noman Williams Public Library, 10:30am normanwilliams.org

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST

Toddler Story Time Thursday

Noman Williams Public Library, 10:30am normanwilliams.org

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST

Knitters Meet Up, Thursdays

Norman Williams Public Library, 2pm normanwilliams.org

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST

Qigong Friday with Gerry Sandweiss—Online

Norman Williams Public Library, 8:30am normanwilliams.org

THROUGH NOVEMBER

Exhibit: Susan Rothenberg

Hall Art Foundation hallartfoundation.org

THROUGH NOVEMBER

Exhibit: Ron Gorchov

Hall Art Foundation hallartfoundation.org

THROUGH NOVEMBER

Exhibit: Andy Warhol: Small Is Beautiful

Hall Art Foundation hallartfoundation.org

PENTANGLE ARTS

31 The Green Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3981 pentanglearts.org

JUNE 19–23 Newtok

Water will erase Newtok, Alaska. Built on a delta at the edge of the Bering Sea, the tiny Yup’ik village has been dealing with melting permafrost, river erosion, and decaying infrastructure for decades. To keep their culture and community intact, the 360 Yup’ik residents must relocate their entire village to stable ground upriver while facing a federal government that has failed to take appropriate action to combat climate change. Free virtual screening. Visit newtok. eventbrite.com to register. In-person screening June 22.

Town Hall Theatre, 6pm

JUNE 24

Speech Thomas Documentary

The 2023 Bookstock Festival of Words features the theme Voices On the Village Green and includes a three-day festival featuring free public conversations on key issues with renowned authors, poets, and storytellers. Town Hall Theatre, 7pm

JULY 7

Music by the River: Prydein East End Park, 6pm

JULY 14

Music by the River: Empty Pockets ► East End Park, 6pm

JULY 21

Music by the River: The Tricksters

East End Park, 6pm

JULY 28

Music by the River: Bombajazzeand

East End Park, 6pm

JULY 31–AUGUST 4

Performing Arts

Camp

Town Hall Theatre, 9am

AUGUST 4

Music by the River: Wesli

East End Park, 6pm

AUGUST 11

Music by the River: The Freese Brothers Big Band with Sabrina Brown

East End Park, 6pm

AUGUST 13

Central Vermont Chamber Orchestra—Encore Performance

North Universalist Chapel, 4pm

AUGUST 18

JUNE 30

TD Bank VSO Summer Festival

Guest trumpeter and jazz legend Ray Vega joins the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and Argentinian/Italian conductor Michelle di Russo in a concert of swing, jazz, spirituals, and marches.

Saskadena Six, 7:30pm

Music by the River: Jay Nash & Friends

East End Park, 6pm

AUGUST 25

Music by the River: Houston Bernard

East End Park, 6pm

HAPPENINGS

JUNE 23–25

Bookstock

Once again Woodstock showcases the best creativity, thoughts, diversity, and ideas of our times in and around the Village Green. Featuring 50-plus speakers, live music, workshops, exhibits, shopping, special events, and an amazing book sale with 10,000 to 14,000 used and rare books!

Woodstock History Center woodstockhistorycenter.org

THROUGH JULY 23

37th Annual Quilt Exhibition

Billings Farm & Museum billingsfarm.org

JUNE 13, 20, 27, JULY 4

Fleece to Yarn: A Four-Part Series

Billings Farm & Museum, 5:30pm billingsfarm.org

JUNE 14–AUGUST 16, WEDNESDAYS

Children’s Activity Tent: Market on the Green

The Green, 3pm woodstockhistorycenter.org

JUNE 15

Feast & Field Music Series: Beecharmer

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JUNE 15, 29, JULY 13, 27, AUGUST 10, 24

Open Mic Night

Artistree, 7pm artistreevt.org

JUNE 16–AUGUST 31, FRIDAYS

Family Sensory Tour

Woodstock Inn & Resort, 3pm woodstockinn.com

JUNE 16

Juan Nieves & Legado’s Orquestra Artistree, 7pm artistreevt.org

JUNE 18

Father’s Day at the Farm Billings Farm & Museum billingsfarm.org

JUNE 21–AUGUST 30, WEDNESDAYS

Can You Dig It?

This agriculture pun tour of Kelly Way Gardens is a fun way to explore and learn more about gardening!

Woodstock Inn & Resort, 3pm woodstockinn.com

JUNE 21

Summer Concert Series: The 4 Hoarse Men

Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

JUNE 22

Feast & Field Music Series: Ladles

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JUNE 24

Green Mountain Perkins Academy

Opening Day

Strawberry shortcake will be served at 3:30 and the Newmont Military Band will play at 4pm. Green Mountain Perkins Academy woodstockhistorycenter.org

JUNE 25

Bloom-Funkhouser Duo Artistree, 4pm artistreevt.org

JUNE 28

Summer Concert Series: Michele Fay Band

Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

JUNE 29

Feast & Field Music Series: Cachitas Now!

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JULY 4

4th on the Farm

Billings Farm & Museum billingsfarm.org

JULY 4

Fourth of July

From traditional fireworks shows and barbecues to historic activities and games, come see how Woodstock celebrates Independence Day. woodstockvt.com

JULY 5

Summer Concert Series: Scott Forrest

Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

JULY 6

Feast & Field Music Series:

Joe K. Walsh, Grant Gordy & Ben Krakauer

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

HAPPENINGS

JULY 8

Farm to Ballet

Billings Farm & Museum, 5:30pm billingsfarm.org

JULY 12

Summer Concert Series: Beecharmer

Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

JULY 13

Feast & Field Music Series: Sabouyouma

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JULY 16–AUGUST 6

Summer Youth Theater Camp

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JULY 20

Feast & Field Music Series: Nomfusi

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JULY 20, AUGUST 17

A ter Hours at the Fly-Fishing Shop

Woodstock Inn & Resort, 5:30pm woodstockinn.com

JULY 26

Summer Concert Series: Artistrio Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

JULY 27

Feast & Field Music Series: Tommy Crawford & Friends

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JULY 29

Sunflower House Opens

Billings Farm & Museum billingsfarm.org

AUGUST 2

Summer Concert Series: Nat Williams & Emily Musty

Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

AUGUST 3

Feast & Field Music Series: Bandits on the Run

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

AUGUST 4–6

Summer Youth Theater Camp

Performance: Newsies

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

AUGUST 6

Antique Tractor Day

Billings Farm & Museum billingsfarm.org

AUGUST 9

Summer Concert Series: Rose Hip Jam

Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

AUGUST 10

Feast & Field Music Series: Miss Tess

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

JULY 19

Summer Concert Series: The Panhandlers

Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

HAPPENINGS

AUGUST 12

13th Annual Taste of Woodstock

More than 50 vendors fill the center of Woodstock Village with favorite Vermont provisions, wine, beer, spirits, music, entertainment, arts, cra ts, and a kids’ activity tent. woodstockvt.com

AUGUST 16

Summer Concert Series: George Nostrand Artistree, 6pm artistreevt.org

AUGUST 17

Feast & Field Music Series: Fabiola Mendez

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

AUGUST 24

Why Waltz When You Can Salsa?

Have fun making one of summer’s tastiest sides using fresh garden produce right where it’s grown! Woodstock Inn & Resort, 1pm woodstockinn.com

AUGUST 24

Feast & Field Music Series: Pointe Noir Cajun Band

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

AUGUST 31

Feast & Field Music Series: Billy Wylder

BarnArts Center for the Arts barnarts.org

FIND

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Align Inn Vermont.........................................................................68

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Summertime is always the best of what might be.

— Charles Bowden