Woodstock Magazine - Winter 2012

WINTER 2012-2013

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Winter Wishes

The Vermont Standard

Special Olympics Vermont

Latest Developments in Ski Equipment

CONTENTS

50 Features 34 Meet Jennifer Belton

by Amanda Paquette

Norman Williams Public Library welcomes a new director.

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The Vermont Standard

by Nancy Humphrey Case Secrets of a newspaper’s success.

50 Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games

by David Cogger

Community and volunteers make it happen.

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CONTENTS

58 In Every Issue

Departments

13 Editor’s Note 14 Contributors 16 Online Exclusives 81 Happenings 88 Last Glance

18 Bright Ideas

Gift ideas from practical to luxurious.

20 Party Time

Try a new festive cocktail.

22 Around & About

by Cassie Horner

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Wine Wisdom

by Linda Thompson-Ditch Vermont holiday spirits.

58 What’s New

by Cindy Parker

Mollie’s Mercantile.

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65 65 Local Flavors

by Meg Brazill

The Downtown Grocery.

72 Great Outdoors

by Mark Aiken

New technology in ski equipment.

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Gifts & More Shop in the area and keep it local!

Mountain View Publishing, LLC 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 643-1830

mountainviewpublishing.com Publishers

Bob Frisch Cheryl Frisch Executive Editor

Deborah Thompson Associate Editor

Kristy Erickson Copy Editor

Elaine Ambrose Creative Director

Ellen Klempner-Beguin Art Director

Brad Wuorinen Ad Design

Hutchens Media, LLC Web Design

Ryan 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 e-mail us at: dthompson@mountainviewpublishing. biz. Advertising inquiries may be made by e-mail to rcfrisch1@comcast.net.

Woodstock Magazine is published quarterly by Mountain View Publishing, LLC Š2012. All rights reserved.

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

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E D I TO R ’ S N OT E

IAN RAYMOND

Winter Wishes As New England prepares for another season of snow and ice, we’re heading outdoors with Special Olympics Vermont as the organization prepares for the Winter Games (page 50). These events would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of volunteers, businesses, and sponsors in the community, and we think you’ll be inspired to learn how everything comes together to benefit a special cause and to celebrate the athletes who participate.

If you’re thinking it’s about time for a new pair of skis, you don’t want to miss Mark Aiken’s story about the latest developments in ski equipment (page 72). New technology isn’t just for computers, smartphones, and tablets!

After a day on the slopes, head indoors for a great dinner at The Downtown Grocery in Ludlow (page 65). Chef Roland and Abby Lechthaler have cooked up many unique and delectable choices to please any taste and tame any appetite, so drop in to see them soon.

We’re also paying a visit to publisher Phil Camp and his staff at The Vermont Standard, the state’s oldest weekly (page 40). In certain businesses, continuity matters, and Phil has guaranteed the excellence of his product since he first began working there as a high school student. Talk about dedication! Find out how this remarkable publication has endured while other much larger and more famous papers have folded.

We’re also getting to know Jennifer Belton, the new director of the Norman Williams Public Library, a little better (page 34). You’ll be as impressed with her accomplishments as we are, and we can all look forward to the great things she’ll bring to this beloved local institution.

If you’re searching for a present that keeps on giving all year long, think about purchasing a Woodstock Magazine gift subscription. Our beautiful magazine will be delivered to your special someone’s mailbox each quarter, so it’s like getting four gifts in one! See page 87 for details, or go online to www.mountainviewpublishing.com to order.

However you spend your time during this special season, we hope you’ll take a little time to read about the special people and places highlighted on our pages. The rest of the staff and I wish you and your family a joyous holiday season. Enjoy!

Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.biz W I N T E R 2012-2013

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C O N T R I B U TO R S

Mark, who covers new developments in ski equipment in this issue, knows a thing or two about seasonal work.

A ski instructor himself, Mark has balanced his interests with his work for 20 years, including his current work as a freelance writer. His work has appeared in the New York Times, 32 Degrees, and EatingWell.

Mark Aiken

Lynn Bohannon is a photographer with a studio in Woodstock, where she loves to photograph and create. Her specialties are people and products, 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.

Lynn Bohannon

Meg Brazill is a regular contributor to regional New England magazines and teaches at the Writer’s Center in White River Junction, Vermont. A recovering punk rocker and performance artist, she lives with her daughter in South Woodstock. She is currently working on a book of short fiction when she’s not too busy living it.

Meg Brazill

Cassie is a writer, editor, and publisher, and author of the 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 minidachshund.

Cassie Horner

Amanda is a new contributor to Woodstock Magazine. A former English teacher at Woodstock Union High School, she is now a Technology Integration Specialist for the Hartford School District. Amanda enjoys running in and supporting ultra runs like the VT 50 and VT 100 endurance runs.

Amanda lives in Brownsville with her family on their small farm.

Amanda Paquette

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Food has been a central part of Linda’s life since she watched her grandmother create magical dishes in her Missouri farmhouse kitchen. As a freelance writer focusing on food and wine, her work has appeared in the Boston Globe, Dallas Morning News, Concord Monitor, Hippo, Better Nutrition, Great Life, and Let’s Live.

Linda Thompson-Ditch

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of interesting an informative ideas.

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Essential Apps We’ve waded through the abundance of smartphone apps and chosen our favorites to help you stay organized, healthy, happy, and connected to friends and family. The best part?

They’re all free!

ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Check out our Online Business Directory to see the latest listings for fine products and services in the Connecticut River Valley.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT For more information on local businesses, visit our website and don’t forget to shop local.

GLENN MOODY PHOTOGRAPHY

Featured This Quarter:

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Chippers

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For more information on how your business can get listed on our ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY or for other online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 643-1830 or e-mail rcfrisch1@comcast.net.

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BRIGHT IDEAS

The

Best Gifts

Ever!

Topping the list of luxury items is this distinctive watch by Swiss maker Tag Heuer. The Mikrograph style in anthracite is also available in brown.

The automatic chronograph means 360,000 beats per hour.

➽ Price upon request from the manufacturer. Item CAR5041.

FC8178, www.tagheuer.com.

Treat your friends and family to practical, thoughtful gifts—and maybe even an outrageously luxurious one.

Slip your feet into L.L. Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins. Not only are they deliciously comfortable and cozy, but they also have sturdy rubber soles to keep you from slipping. Available for men and women.

➽ $69, Item TA264593, www.llbean.com.

Vermont Evergreen Trees by Simon Pearce are the perfect gift or holiday keepsake. The beautiful handmade blown glass trees are available in four sizes.

➽ Priced from $100–$300, www.simonpearce.com.

The Kindle Fire HD features a 7-inch HD display, Dolby audio, and Wi-Fi and is available in 16GB or 32GB. This gadget weighs less than 6 ounces, making it easy for you to take anywhere. Prices for other Kindle models start at $79.

➽ Model shown: $199, www.amazon.com.

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Victorinox Swiss Champ Pocketknife is 33 tools in one, including screwdriver, bottle opener, corkscrew, wire stripper, tweezers, and lots more. Made of high-quality stainless steel.

âž˝ $85, Item TA279888, www.llbean.com.

Treat your favorite sports nut to a Boston Celtics Sweatshirt.

There are plenty of styles to keep you warm all through basketball season.

âž˝ $54.95, Item 366253, www.celticsstore.com.

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PA RT Y T I M E

a holiday

toast

Celebrate in style with this festive beverage

POMEGRANATECHAMPAGNE PUNCH Serves 6

1½ cups pomegranate juice 1 cup pear nectar

Âź cup orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier 1 bottle (750 ml) Champagne or other sparkling white wine, such as Prosecco Garnish: fresh cranberries In a large pitcher, combine pomegranate juice, pear nectar, and orange-flavored liqueur. Slowly add Champagne. Serve over ice.

Garnish each glass with cranberries on a skewer or long toothpick.

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A RO U N D & A B O U T

By Cassie Horner

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Get into the holiday spirit with events scheduled for December 7, 8, and 9.

Wassail Weekend Woodstock’s best holiday season tradition will be marking its 29th year!

Wassail Weekend Celebration, set for December 7, 8, and 9, brightens the village with three days of festive events at a variety of venues. The highlight of the weekend, the Horse Parade around the Green, is celebrating its 28th anniversary.

“Wassail Weekend is a signature event, and we’re proud of it,” says Beth Finlayson, the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce’s executive director. New for 2012 is the event sponsor, Dead River Company.

New also is a glass ornament handmade in Jamaica, Vermont, especially for Woodstock Wassail. The ornaments will be sold on the Green.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, December 7, with Christmas at Billings Farm & Museum activities that continue through Sunday. Also on Friday, at 4pm the Elementary School Choral Sing takes place on the steps of the Woodstock Public Library. In the evening, enjoy a Wassail reception at the Woodstock Historical Society from 5 to 7pm.

After the devastation from Tropical Storm Irene that fl ooded the Little Theatre last year, the good news is that this building has been restored. It is once again the wonderful setting on Friday night and on Saturday from 2:30 to 4:30pm of A Child’s Magical Wonderland. Spend time with Mrs. Claus, make crafts with the elves, and enjoy a visit from Santa himself.

Saturday, December 8, offers a wide range of activities, highlighted by the Horse Parade at 2pm with dozens of beautiful horses, carriages, and riders all festively attired. Another highlight of the day is the annual Holiday House Tour, a Pentangle Arts Council fundraiser that invites people to visit some of the village’s historic homes.

The craft show at the Masonic Hall starts on Saturday morning and runs through Sunday.

Don’t miss the Yoh Theatre Players’ production of “A New England 1919 Snow-Covered Holiday Vaudeville” Friday and Sunday at Woodstock Union High School. They will also be performing Saturday evening as part of the Wassail Feast at the Woodstock Inn & Resort.

This is only a sampling of all that the weekend holds in store. For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.woodstockvt.com or call (802) 457-3555.

Photos courtesy of Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce

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A RO U N D & A B O U T Right: Benchley.

NWPL 2013

Dog Calendar made the only challenge figuring out how to fit them all into 12 months. A small sampling includes a pair of poodles with the literary names Voltaire and Colette. There are also Roger, a German short-haired pointer; Pedro, a chocolate lab; and Shiloh and Shady, brindle and brown mutts, respectively.

Canine companions have been captured in their visits to the library, in their home environments, and at rest or play. The calendar will be produced in full color and is expected to be popular with patrons and visitors alike. It will be available for sale at the NWPL. Maybe a dog or two will even pawtograph a copy for you! For more information, call NWPL at (802) 457-2295.

Not only do people patronize the Ăźber-friendly Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, but their dogs feel welcome too. In fact, so

many library regulars bring along their canine companions for an occasional visit that Jan Weiner, research librarian and dog lover, came up with the idea of creating a calendar with images of local pooches.

Weiner started by spreading the word among patrons to submit a photo or two. To say she got a good response is an understatement, and she also took photos herself of many dogs who have visited the library. It has been a common sight over the past several months to see a four-legged patron being photographed at the desk or on the front steps.

The end result—over 30 photogenic canines— Above: Penelope.

Right: Isaac.

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caption

Jingles.

Maxine.

Nisha.

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A RO U N D & A B O U T

“Another big response came when people saw the White Cottage that was devastated and restored.

When they saw the restored photo, they started clapping. It resonated with people.�

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The White Cottage on Route 4.

Photo by Ann Marie Bohn.

Irene

Ottauquechee River in the village. Photo by Becky Talcott.

Then and Now Tropical Storm Irene carved a wide swath of destruction through Vermont, including Woodstock.

In addition to all the damage she left behind, there are indelible memories.

The Woodstock Historical Society’s job is to preserve a record of the past, so “We came up with the idea to do something on the anniversary of Irene,”

says Jennie Shurtleff, education director and assistant director. “People from all over town have donated photos.”

Shurtleff sorted through hundreds of images evoking the dramatic events of the August 28, 2011 flood and its aftermath, and she created a DVD, Irene Then and Now—Woodstock’s Flood of 2011.

With videos and more than 150 photos,

the DVD tells the story of an unforgettable time in local history. It shows the event while it was happening, the immediate aftermath, and days and weeks later, as volunteers and work crews began the task of cleanup and restoration.

Then it transitions to some of the same scenes a year later.

“This ties in perfectly with our mis-

GMHA stables in South Woodstock. Photo by Gwyn and Code Taylor.

Footprints in the silt deposit. Photo by Ann Marie Bohn.

Dead River Company in West Woodstock. Photo by Jack Anderson.

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A RO U N D & A B O U T

The flooded parking lot of The Woodstock Inn administrative building. Photo by Alison Clarkson.

sion of preserving Woodstock’s history,” Shurtleff says. “We hope to eventually take oral histories.”

The slideshow that preceded the DVD was shown in the Town Hall Theatre following a huge community dinner on the village green in August 2012. It got a great response. “People laughed at the image of Vail Field with its two longnecked dinosaurs looking like Loch Ness monsters with their heads sticking out of the water,” Shurtleff recalls. “Another big response came when people saw the White Cottage that was devastated and restored. When they saw the restored photo, they started clapping. It resonated with people.”

The DVD is available from the Woodstock Historical Society for $10. The Society also has the entire collection of photos. For information about seeing the collection or to purchase a DVD, call (802) 457-1822.

The corner of Golf Avenue and Cross Street. Photo by Larry Hazen.

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WINE WISDOM

Vermont

Holiday Spirits Local wines, liquors, and craft beers make unique gifts

By Linda A. Thompson-Ditch

’Tis the season to enjoy festive holiday spirits . . . of the drinking kind.

Wines, liquors, and beers make both lovely gifts and delicious additions to any celebration. This year Woodstock Beverage owner Mike McCarthy suggests selecting Vermont-made libations for the holidays. Many of his customers like the idea of supporting local wineries, breweries, and distilleries when they purchase a gift. Âť

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WINE WISDOM

Pop the Cork

Mulled Wine Just as sangria becomes popular in summertime, the cooler weather of winter turns wine lovers toward mulled wine. Woodstock Beverage sells some kits for making mulled wine, or you can try it from scratch. A batch of this warm, spicy, wine-based beverage is perfect for holiday parties and family celebrations.

Santa may also appreciate a mug full to take the chill off his long night of travel.

Serves 8 2 clementines, peeled and juiced (or 1 large orange); save all the citrus peels 1 cup sugar 2 bottles dry red wine 1 lemon, peeled 1 lime, peeled 4 cinnamon sticks 12 whole cloves 1 whole vanilla bean, halved lengthwise ¼ cup brandy (optional) In a large pot, add the clementine juice, sugar, and just enough wine to cover the sugar. Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar is dissolved, add the lemon, lime, and clementine peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla bean, optional brandy, and the rest of the wine. Simmer for 20 minutes, but be sure not to allow the mixture to boil or you will cook off the alcohol. Serve warm in mugs garnished with cinnamon sticks.

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Vermont wines are popular gifts for McCarthy’s customers. He notes the current stars of the state’s wine offerings are Lincoln Peak Vineyard’s aromatic, fruity La Crescent white and hearty, dry Marquette red. Both are priced in the $14 to $17 range. Recently he served both wines at a charity dinner party he hosted in his home.

“People couldn’t believe the quality of these wines, and these are serious wine drinkers who favor California and French varieties,” McCarthy says. “Vermont wines don’t take a back seat to anyone.”

Other Vermont wineries that offer a wide selection include: • East Shore Vineyard, which is located in Grand Isle on Lake Champlain.

• Shelburne Vineyard, also located on Lake Champlain in Shelburne.

• Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero, which is on an island in the middle of Lake Champlain.

• Eden Ice Cider Company in West Charleston, which makes ice ciders, which are similar to an ice wine, from locally grown apples.

Pop the Top Vermonters also love craft beers, and the state makes some good ones. McCarthy recommends: • The Shed Brewery, which was started in Stowe but is now a part of Otter Creek Brewing in Middlebury. The brewery produces a Mountain Ale and an India Pale Ale. • Switchback Brewing Company in Burlington, which produces a variety of ales as well as a porter.

McCarthy sells both of these brands in small pony kegs, which hold

key, which is aged for at least 10 years in oak barrels before being bottled and sold. The other is the maple-flavored rum from Dunc’s Mill, which also makes elderflower-flavored rum.

Whatever spirit you choose for the holidays, McCarthy notes they can gift wrap your selection so it’s ready to place under the tree or take to a gathering.

The shop also sells items such as corkscrews, wine glasses, and wine stoppers to add to your favorite bottle for an extra special gift.

about five gallons of beer and are a good size for parties. (The store provides the tap.) The Shed beers are also available in six-packs ($9), and Switchback just became available in 22-ounce bottles.

(For a list of Vermont breweries, visit the Vermont Brewers Association website at brewersvt.com.)

Shaken, not Stirred A special bottle of liquor can make a lovely holiday gift. McCarthy notes a new wave of Vermont liquors have heated up the marketplace. “There are a lot of cocktails being made with these new brands,” he says. The selection includes:

• Barr Hill Vodka and Gin from Caledonia Spirits. Both are made with Vermont honey ($15 to $30).

• Caledonia Spirits Elderberry Cordial (around $25).

• Sapling Vermont Maple Liqueur ($19 to $30).

• Smugglers’ Notch Distillery Vodka, Rum, and Gin ($27 to $30).

• Vermont Spirits produces Gold vodka made from maple sap and White vodka made from milk sugar ($30 to $40).

In addition, McCarthy continues to recommend a couple of old favorites from last year. One is WhistlePig’s 100-proof, 100-percent straight rye whis-

Woodstock Beverage 440 Woodstock Road (Route 4 E) Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1326

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Meet

Jennifer Belton Norman Williams Public Library welcomes a new director

By Amanda Paquette Photos by Lynn Bohannon

If you ask Jennifer Belton what her dream job is, she’ll tell you that she’s doing it right now as the executive director of the Norman Williams Public Library. Jennifer brings with her to Woodstock an extensive history of library and information services experience. »

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the sense of community it offers, the architecture, the extensive collection, the staff, or the variety of programs offered. If you ask Jennifer Belton the same question, she would enthusiastically agree with all those answers, and she would add, “It is fundamental to the town that the library encourages creativity and multiple learning opportunities.”

For the new director of the Norman Williams Public Library, it is all those things that enable Belton to fulfill her longdeferred dream of working at a small library in a New England town.

Bringing the Community Together

“It is fundamental to the town that the library encourages creativity and multiple learning opportunities.”

During her career, she has established the first White House Library for a sitting President of the United States, provided research to the White House and Executive Office of the President, was responsible for the first White House Law Library, directed the National Journal Library, a magazine devoted to public policy and politics, was the creator and director for 15 years of the Washington Post News Research Center, and created a 100-year online archive of Post stories from 1877-1977, which are just a few of her many accomplishments.

Jennifer Belton certainly deserved a move to a small town in Vermont and a more relaxed lifestyle after the demands of her work in Washington, DC. And that’s what she and her family decided on when they chose Woodstock. Jennifer had long dreamed of the life of a li36

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Now that she’s found her way to Woodstock and the Norman Williams, she has been hard at work continuing to promote and expand library programs such

brarian in a small, close-knit community, and when she saw the ad for the executive director position at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, she couldn’t resist.

Enthusiasm & Pride Talking with Belton, you can’t help but get carried away by her enthusiasm for books, the library, and the community.

The first thing she wants to point out are the carefully crafted scarecrows that local children helped assemble and decorate during a recent library event.

It’s events like this and the interest and pride that Jennifer brings to them that have helped ensure the strong connection between the town and its library.

If you ask people around Woodstock what makes their library special, they might point to its location on the green,

as “What’s on Your Nightstand” poetry readings, author talks, early literacy programs, and—my personal favorite—the Downton Abbey Support Group, plus many more programs designed to engage intergenerational audiences of all kinds.

For Belton and all the staff at the library,

the goal is to create and host events that attract the community. “The mission of the library is to enrich the town’s intellectual and cultural life, provide free access to literature and information, encourage reading, foster the exchange of ideas, and to promote lifelong learning,” Jennifer says.

Jennifer is interested in creating an environment that draws people to the library as a community resource. In addition, all of the library staff are invested in helping to shine a spotlight on local talent through programs like Music @ The Mezz, where the local high school jazz band has been featured, and programs where children create illustrations of their favorite book, chapter, or character, which are then compiled into

a book and serve as a guide for reading by the children of the library who will each have author entries in the library catalog.

Such programs affirm the creativity of our community, notes Belton. The staff members at the Norman Williams Library have developed programs to engage and educate local students and their families and have partnered with local organizations including the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation and the Woodstock History Center to present an election program, Meet Abe Lincoln, on November 4 at the library. With The Vermont Standard, they are encouraging student creativity through word, photo, or video to be given public recognition through the print and online editions of The Vermont Standard.

Belton’s passion for learning and libraries has taken her across the country and around the globe. On those ventures, she always visits the local library. When asked about her favorite, her answer conveys her passion for exploration.

Some of those she noted: the Library of Congress; Dumbarton Oaks Research Library in Washington, DC; the National Library in Madrid, Spain; the Nantucket Athenaeum; the Boston Athenaeum; and the New York Public Library. And while each has an extraordinary collection and historical significance, it is lucky for us that Jennifer Belton agrees that the Norman Williams Public Library is special enough to be called home.

Get Involved!

T

o learn more about the programs offered at the Norman Williams Public Library, you can visit in person Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm at 10 The Green. Or take a virtual tour at www.normanwilliams.org, where you’ll find a complete list of programs, classes, and links to resources such as ListenUp! Vermont, a downloadable audio book program. Consider volunteering too; it is a lively environment and your contribution would be greatly appreciated!

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

For fine shopping, art, jewelry, food, and gifts shop in the area and keep it local!

Antiques Collaborative Antiques Collaborative is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an array of exciting gift ideas on sale for the holidays. Our 30 showrooms display American paintings, silver, jewelry, period furniture, books, rugs, quilts, and decorative accessories.

6931 Woodstock Road Waterman Place Quechee, VT (802) 296-5858 www.antiquescollaborative.com Open daily 10am–5pm

Sheena & Company Salon We have a lot to offer! Our services and products include Paul Mitchell, Awapuhi Wild Ginger, the new MITCH, Shellac, and additional salon services along with many other treats. Come in and take a look—we know you will love it!

5573 Woodstock Road Quechee Gorge Village Quechee, VT (802) 698-8720 www.sheenacosalon.com Tue–Sat open at 8am

Collective - The Art of Craft Meet the makers at Collective, a 12-member cooperative craft gallery owned and operated by artisans, featuring locally and regionally handmade functional, decorative, and wearable objects since 2006. From our studios to our cooperative gallery, for your pleasure. On any given day, you can meet a potter, jeweler, weaver, woodworker, glassblower, fiber and leather artist, photographer, or lamp smith.

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

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Unicorn Intense Australian opal jewelry, pocket knives, watches, wine tools, and fantastic glowing Cyberfire footballs. Whether sublime, ingenious, or ridiculous, UNICORN has it all. Since 1978 UNICORN has presented the most eclectic collection of jewelry, craft, gadgetry, and toys to be found, well, anywhere! For an unusually fun shopping experience, there’s no place like UNICORN! 15 Central Street Woodstock, VT (802) 457-2480 www.unicornvt.com Mon–Fri 9:30am–5pm; Sat 9:30am–5:30pm; Sun 10:30am–4:30pm

Amber Arpaia’s Bakery Visit us at Amber Arpaia’s Bakery for your holiday dessert needs.

We have cheesecakes, cakes, cookies, and so much more.

Come on by and see what we can do for you.

1 Main Street Quechee, VT (603) 667-6547 Wed–Sat 10am–4pm

Taylor Lauren Designer Consignment We strive to bring you the finest merchandise from the country’s top designers. The store is under new ownership and we take great pride in customer service. Come visit our newest addition, “The Loft.” New merchandise arriving daily.

Come see what is missing from your closet.

One The Green Woodstock, VT (802) 457-9797 Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 11am–4pm; or by appointment.

Closed Tuesday

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THE

VERMONT STANDARD Secrets of a newspaper’s success

By Nancy Humphrey Case Photos courtesy of The Vermont Standard

T

he decline of newspapers in the 21st century is no secret. Struggling to stay in print, most papers have downsized dramatically, reduced staff, or given up local ownership, becoming part of a chain owned by an entity out of touch with local readers. Many newspapers have gone out of business entirely.

The Vermont Standard, Standard published in Woodstock, stands out in sharp contrast to this sorry scenario. Âť

Vermont Standard staff pose in front of their new offices after Tropical Storm Irene.

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Publisher Phil Camp in his new office, which also serves as a communications training facility for area nonprofits.

Founded in 1853 by Dr. Thomas E. Powers, architect of the state’s capitol building as well as the Woodstock Inn, the publication is Vermont’s oldest weekly. Each week the presses churn out an edition of 48 pages

Curiosity Launches a Career Phil’s association with The Vermont Standard began in 1952, when as a boy he did something he was told never to do. His grandfather, Willard Cabot,

“Sit down, kid,” Dr yden said. Phil dropped into an oak chair next to the publisher’s rolltop desk. “ Tell me what you think of The Vermont Standard.” Phil gave a polite answer. or more read by over 14,000 people. It has turned a profit every year for the past 29 years, and its revenues continue to grow.

Why? Phil Camp, publisher of The Vermont Standard since 1980, has answers, but perhaps even Phil himself doesn’t realize how much the paper’s success relates to his own life story.

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owned a funeral parlor located over the original offices of the newspaper. The old hottype machinery made a lot of noise, and the stairs shook “like an earthquake” when the presses were running, Phil recalls. Whenever a funeral was about to begin, Cabot would open the back door, right next to the desk of Benton Dryden, then publisher of the paper, and call out, “Hey, Bent, time to shut

“ The day this company makes a profit, I’m going to share it with you.” Phil kept his word, and not surprisingly, there has been ver y little turnover in the newspaper’s staff. ’em off.” And the presses would come to a halt until Cabot gave the go-ahead.

One day, 16-year-old Phil’s curiosity got the better of him, and he peeked in on Dryden uninvited. He was smoking a cigar and typing away with two fingers. “Sit down, kid,” Dryden said. Phil dropped into an oak chair next to the publisher’s roll-top desk. “Tell me what you think of The Vermont Standard.” Phil gave a polite answer.

“No, no, kid, tell me what you really think. What could we do better?” Phil noted that his high school’s outstanding athletic teams had rarely been mentioned in the paper. “All right, kid, how’d you like to be the sports editor of the paper?” Dryden asked. Phil took the

job and stayed with it until he graduated from high school. He planned to go into the Army, but Dryden wouldn’t hear of it. He had his wife drive Phil to Dartmouth to take the “college boards,” and when Phil failed to finish the difficult exams, Dryden called colleges all over New England and finally got Boston University Junior College to accept him on the condition that he go to summer school and earn at least two C’s.

Phil squeaked by that summer, but during his first semester at BU, the guidance counselor, Dr. Glands, called him into his office. “I see you’re not doing too well,” he said. “Have you considered going back home and becoming an apprentice in the funeral business?”

Some of The Standard staff and family members take a break after spending the day sifting through mud and water inside their building that was destroyed by floodwater.

Phil applied himself directly and made Dean’s List for four solid years.

After college Phil launched into a career in marketing the burgeoning ski industry in America. But in 1980, when he’d had enough of the fast pace of that job, he made a bid to become the next publisher of The Vermont Standard. He got four friends to partner with him, chipping in $25,000 each. (He bought them out later.)

“The paper was deeply in the red,” Phil recalls. “I walked in the door the first day of work, sat the staff down— some of them had been there when I was sports editor—and I said, ‘Look, it’s no secret your paychecks have been bouncing down the road. They’ll never

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The front corner of The Vermont Standard building stands bowed out from where the pressure from five feet of water and silt burst through the walls of the building during the flood.

bounce again. Second, I know you have no benefits. I’m going to get a mortgage on my house and give you medical insurance. Third, I’ll never criticize you in public. And furthermore, the day this company makes a profit,

ripped through the offices of The Vermont Standard, five feet high. “The flood wiped us out,” Phil says. “We were in crisis.” But wading through the muck, he realized the staff had a mission: to not break the paper’s

“ We laid pages out on the floor,” Phil recalls.

“People offered to help other departments that were in trouble. We were a real team.”

I’m going to share it with you.’” Phil kept his word, and not surprisingly, there has been very little turnover in the newspaper’s staff.

Of today’s eight employees, four have been there more than 20 years.

A Voice for the Community Phil credits his employees with the paper’s success. “They are why we’ve survived,” he says. His favorite example is what happened when Tropical Storm Irene’s floodwaters

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perfect record—158 years of uninterrupted weekly editions. This realization galvanized him—and his staff. Phil located temporary space about a mile away, and staff came back to work even before the offices had water and electricity. “We laid pages out on the floor,” Phil recalls.

“People offered to help other departments that were in trouble. We were a real team.” Five days after the flood, The Vermont Standard put out a full-size edi-

Next to The Standard office building stand the remnants of Dead River Company’s offices.

tion (printed off-site) with the headline, “We Shall Overcome.”

Besides not wanting to break the paper’s record, Phil knew people in the 10 towns served by the paper needed local news more than ever. This commitment is another of Phil’s answers to why the newspaper continues to thrive.

“We don’t have an agenda,” he says.

“We just have a passion for providing information people want, need, and deserve, written in an unbiased, accurate, forgiving way.” This includes stories other newspapers may overlook. “We publish a lot of stuff that doesn’t make any money,” Phil adds. “We believe the little things and ordinary people are just as important as big things and important people.” The Vermont Standard solicits copy from 35 correspondents, who work “for almost nothing” but like to have others know what’s going on in their backyards, Phil says. A fall photo contest he ran gave ordinary citizens a

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“ We publish a lot of stuff that doesn’t make any money,” Phil adds. “ We believe the little things and ordinar y people are just as important as big things and important people.” chance to see their photos in print and feel a part of The Vermont Standard. A new project will give voice to the ideas and art of elementary schoolchildren in the paper’s 10 towns—kids who deserve recognition for hard work, Phil believes.

The paper doesn’t take political sides—a choice influenced by Phil’s father. When his first, 12-page edition came out in 1980, he took a copy, drove to his parents’ home in Barnard, and plopped it down on the kitchen table. His father looked it over and remarked, “Well, son, just remember this—nobody 46

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Community leaders and staff celebrate the new offices of The Standard with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left, Beth Finlayson, Woodstock Chamber of Commerce executive director; Phil Swanson, town manager; Alison Clarkson, Vermont State Representative; Governor Peter Shumlin; State Senator Dick McCormack; and publisher Phil Camp.

died and left you in charge of how the community should think or act.”

The Vermont Standard may not tell people how to think or act, but it does act as a cheerleader for ventures Phil deems worthy and beneficial to the communities it serves. For example, when the Barnard General Store closed in May, Phil ran stories about it every week, wrote editorials, and coached the small band of citizens trying to reopen it. “Our newspaper has thrown its shoulder to the wheel on this matter— against all odds,” Phil says. “Our general stores are dying, and with them go part of Vermont. We can’t let the Barnard store fail.” » W I N T E R 2012-2013

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Heidi Guyette, friend of The Standard staff, helps clean out the office building after the flood.

“ This level of investment in community is unique among weeklies,” says Jon Estey, who has been with the paper for 20 years.

Phil also holds free regular classes for staff of area nonprofits in his spacious office, teaching them how to effectively get their message to the outside world.

“They call it ‘Phil’s one-room schoolhouse,’” he says.

“This level of investment in community is unique among weeklies,” says Jon Estey, who has been with the paper for 20 years and is now its general manager.

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per. There’s a lot of humanity here.”

To help people get the local news they need—and quickly—the paper has launched both an e-edition that duplicates the print version, and a website that posts breaking news between print editions, another proof that the newspaper is riding the currents of the 21st century in style.

So will The Vermont Standard survive Phil Camp (now in his 70s but still vigorous and active)? “I’m hopeful I’ll find another person who will someday sustain my passion,” Phil says. “I’m not looking for someone with a big check but someone with the spirit of community.” Given that The Vermont Standard has fostered this spirit so well, maybe he will.

The Vermont Standard 43 Lincoln Corner Way Woodstock, VT (802) 457-1313 www.thevermontstandard.com

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Special SpecialOlympics Olympics Vermont Winter Games Dedicated community members and volunteers give back

By David Cogger

E

very March for the past five years, a host of athletes and their families have descended on Woodstock Village for the Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games. While the athletes take to the slopes and other winter sport venues at

Suicide Six to compete in a three-day extravaganza that includes competitions in snowboarding, snowshoeing, and Nordic and Alpine skiing, a group of fundraisers, volunteers, the Woodstock Rotary club, and the staffs at The Woodstock Inn and Resort and Suicide Six clock countless hours An athlete competes in the crosscountry ski event.

and donate thousands of dollars to help make the event possible. Âť

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“It’s the nicest weekend of the year for families and parents . . . It’s a chance to get together and reminisce while the athletes are competing.”

—Allen Hall

Governor Peter Shumlin with athletes at the Governor’s Reception. Photo courtesy of The Vermont Standard.

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Racing to the finish in the snowshoe competition.

“We [the staff] bend over backwards to make things happen, including special grooming for the cross-country and snowshoeing events.”

—Chuck Vanderstreet, manager of Suicide Six

It Takes a Community Three years ago a few Woodstock Rotarians—Allen Hall and his brother Charlie Hall, co-owners of Gateway Motors Inc.; Frank Leibly of Alcon Partners; and Jim Godfrey, a partner in the CPA fi rm of Tyler, Simms, and St. Sauveur—wanted to raise additional monies for Special Olympics Vermont.

Since there was some free time before the Friday night Opening Ceremonies, the group decided to host a Governor’s 52

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Reception at The Woodstock Inn. The concept was simple: Sell tickets to the reception; serve fine wines and beer and ale made by artisan brewers (along with excellent appetizers); invite the governor to attend to meet his fellow Vermonters; fi nd an underwriter to help defray the cost of food and beverages; and conduct a live auction with various sports packages and weekend getaways, also donated.

The result was an immediate success.

Ticket sales were excellent, the governor attended, Mascoma Savings Bank served as the gracious underwriter, and attendees eagerly bid on auction items, adding up to a donation of $8,000 to Special Olympics Vermont. In year two, $13,000 was raised, and last year’s Governor’s Reception brought in $18,000.

This year the organizers hope to break the $20,000 mark.

The group of volunteers refuses to take any credit for the success of the

Athletes receive their awards on the podium.

Games. Everyone agrees that the event would not be possible without the help of major supporters including Mascoma Savings Bank, the Woodstock Rotary Club, and especially The Woodstock Inn and Resort and its crew, who work hand in hand with volunteers to help make the weekend go smoothly.

“Everybody who works on this is great,” enthuses Allen Hall. “It’s the nicest weekend of the year for families and parents, who have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the lounge at Suicide Six while the athletes are out on the moun-

tain with their teammates. It’s a chance to get together and reminisce while the athletes are competing.”

He says Woodstock is the perfect venue for the Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games because of its central location and the wonderful accommodations provided by The Woodstock Inn. “Parents and families can walk downtown and enjoy the shops and restaurants,” says Hall. “And the people at The Inn are outstanding. That combined with super volunteers make the event a success.” »

Schedule of Events

T

he 2013 Governor’s Reception at The Woodstock Inn and Resort is Friday, March 8, 2013, from 5 to 7pm. Please contact any one of the organizers named on page 52 at their respective businesses to purchase tickets, which are $250 per couple. Since the cost of this event has been graciously underwritten by Mascoma Savings Bank, all proceeds will help fund the Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games, and the entire amount of your contribution is tax deductible.

The Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games Opening Ceremonies kick off on Friday, March 8, 2013, at 7:30pm, with all the athletes, parents, coaches, and volunteers attending on the Woodstock Green in front of The Woodstock Inn and Resort. Bob Hager, Woodstock native and former NBC network newsman, will emcee the ceremonies. Governor Shumlin will be on hand to address the athletes and attendees. The Annual Awards Banquet, which will take place on Saturday night, includes a dinner and a dance for the athletes.

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On the cross-country ski trail.

An Extended Family Special Olympics Vermont volunteers are critical. One is Missie Rodriguez of Canaan, New Hampshire, a full-time schoolteacher in the Hanover schools and a fixture at the Winter Games; she coaches the Upper Valley Hawks, a Special Olympics Vermont team made up of 50 athletes from age 8 to 68 who compete in Alpine and other snow sports.

Rodriguez has been volunteering with the Special Olympics since 1996, combining her training as a physical education teacher with a passion for winter sports and the athletes, whom she considers her “extended family.”

For her dedication to the Special Olympics, Rodriguez has been chosen to represent Team USA as a snowshoeing coach at the 2013 Winter World Games in South Korea in January. Rodriguez 54

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was one of 80 applicants for 20 coaching positions. She will represent Vermont, but will coach athletes from several other US states. Rodriguez believes one of the goals of Special Olympics is to help mainstream or integrate athletes with intellectual disabilities with their peers.

For its part, The Woodstock Inn and Resort provides discounted room rates for the athletes and their families, as well as deals on food and the use of the ski area. “We [the staff ] bend over backwards to make things happen, including special grooming for the cross-country and snowshoeing events,” says Chuck Vanderstreet, manager of Suicide Six. “It’s one of the reasons they like coming here.”

Vanderstreet says the sponsors who provide gifts and support also go a long way toward making the event a success. »

Riding the chairlift at Suicide Six for an Alpine competition.

Unified skier competition.

A racer on the giant slalom course.

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Chuck Vanderstreet, left, manager of Suicide Six, chats with people at the reception. Photo courtesy of The Vermont Standard.

“The Special Olympics is an enjoyable organization to work with. Their staff is outstanding, and they have a passion for what they do.”

“There is an obvious connection between the community and the event. It seeps into all aspects of the community,” says Lisa DeNatale, president and CEO of Special Olympics Vermont.

The Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games kick off on Friday March 8, with its School Unified Sports snowshoeing competition. On Friday evening at 7:30 at the Opening Ceremonies, Governor Peter Shumlin will address the participants. On Saturday night, the Annual Awards Banquet will recognize individuals and organizations with awards for their 2011 efforts.

For more information, please visit the Special Olympics Vermont website at www.specialolympicsvermont.org.

Charlie Hall assists auctioneer Norm Frates.

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Mollie’s Mercantile “Luxurious necessities” in a general store

By Cindy Parker Photos by Greg Bruce Hubbard Items perch on tables and shelves, dangle from wooden ladders, and peek from cabinets and baskets around Mollie’s Mercantile, an eclectic new shop in the center of Woodstock Village. Wander through the store and feel the fine textures of cashmere, silk, and linen and smell the tart-sweet scent of lemon verbena. The store’s owner, Tammy Thompson, describes her wares as “luxurious necessities”—bright tableware and colorful linens, sparkling red jams and maple syrup, thick towels, and fragrant soaps and candles. »

Above: Kim Mitchie yoga bag and unique pillows.

Right: Bridal gifts and women’s pima cotton lingerie.

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Lemon Verbena products.

The latest from Mangiacotti.

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The organized jumble of goods recalls the old-fashioned “mercantile” or general store. Mollie’s is located at the site of an old Woodstock landmark, the White Cupboard Inn, and it seems possible that guests from the building’s past would enjoy browsing through the warm and graceful present-day shop.

“I’ve met wonderful people during this first year,” Tammy says. She had an unusual and touching encounter with an older woman who walked into the store with tears in her eyes. The woman explained that her grandmother had been the pastry chef at the White Cupboard Inn when she was a little girl.

After school she would come in and spend time with her grandmother while she was baking. She hadn’t been back to visit Woodstock for 20 years and was astounded to find a business in this spot called Mollie’s—Molly had been her grandmother’s name.

From Bustling Atlanta to Idyllic Woodstock The story of Tammy’s new venture begins in Atlanta, Georgia, where the busy apartment developer lived until three years ago with her husband Linwood and her two high-school-aged sons.

They had never been to Vermont, so

Plush towels, potpourri, linen sprays, and scented drawer liners keep company with Moulin Roty animals.

Tammy joined her husband on a business trip to Woodstock, eager to “poke around and look at old things, especially iconic New England barns.” Before the weekend was over, the couple had decided to pull up roots and move to the Green Mountain State.

Linwood’s dream was to build a house, and Tammy was ready to retire, relax, and enjoy time with her boys. Tammy did “retire” briefly while building and settling into their new home. But soon she was restless to do something creative. Her boys were growing up, and the energetic go-getter needed a project. “I wrote a prayer in my journal wondering what my purpose should be, and two visions popped into my mind,” she says. “I imagined somehow working in a third-world country or running a corner flower shop.”

In the process of moving into their new home, another idea took hold when Tammy found something lacking in Woodstock Village. “There was no place

Antique Italian twin beds and fine bed linens.

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Mollie’s is for men too, with Art of Shaving products, robes, and slippers.

in town to buy bath mats and shower curtains,” Tammy says. And so the idea for her dream was born.

A shower curtain may seem mundane, but at Mollie’s you can select one that will be the focal point of the bathroom. You can also find unique furniture, antiques, lingerie, linens, glassware, locally made preserves, syrup, and other goodies, and an array of unique items to decorate or spruce up any space in the home.

A Simple Retail Philosophy Whimsical aprons and kitchen linens.

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Mollie’s Mercantile came into being much as its namesake came into the Thompsons’ life. Mollie is Tammy’s res-

cue dog, who “found” Tammy just before they moved to Vermont. “It was just as unlikely that I would get a dog as open this shop,” laughs Tammy. “I saw her picture at the vet’s office when my other two dogs went in for their checkups. I brought her home that day.” Similarly, once the dream of her new shop began to take form, it was just a matter of time and logistics to build her inventory, arrange her space, and begin offering her goods to an appreciative clientele. Local residents, second-home owners, visitors, and seasonal tourists alike find treasures at Mollie’s Mercantile. “Tourists want to leave town with something in hand,”

Antique cupboard from Ireland.

says Tammy. One woman was determined to take a fragile wreath home with her, and Tammy made it happen, packaging it carefully so the customer could bring her purchase on the tour bus.

Tammy’s retail philosophy is simple: “If the customer isn’t happy, it doesn’t work for either of us.” A customer deliberating over a lamp may take the lamp home and see if it works in her room. If it doesn’t, she is welcome to return it.

This system engenders trust and the development of a continuing relationship.

Tammy’s talent is helping customers go with their instincts. “They talk to me, but they are really talking to themselves,” she says. The key is sharing a vision with each client.

Tammy always had a knack for finding and arranging beautiful things at home, for friends, and in her work, but never followed a traditional or obvious route. Land planners and architects who worked with her always said, “Don’t ever draw a straight sidewalk for Tammy.” »

Handmade jams, jellies, and salsas.

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New and vintage garden tools, watering cans, and garden pots.

With its central corner location, Mollie’s is a focal point of the community.

It’s one of the closest shops to the tourist bus unloading area near the library.

“Sometimes I feel like a concierge for the village,” says Tammy. “People ask me about local history and want restaurant recommendations.” Learning about the local merchants and what they sell is important so Tammy can send customers to other stores if she doesn’t have what they are looking for. It’s important to her to have a give and take relationship with other shop owners. “We’re all in this together,” she smiles.

Tammy’s vision for the future of her shop is a boutique mercantile and resource center. She imagines offering crafts, bolts of fabric, and handmade rugs. She currently “selectively consigns” with a few local artisans to offer paintings, woodworking, textiles, and other items, and Tammy hopes to offer more creations by local artisans and locally sourced products. “I want folks to come to me for ideas, and let me help them realize their dreams.”

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L O C A L F L AVO R S

The

Downtown Grocery North and South meet at TDG to foodies’ delight

By Meg Brazill Photos by Ben Nachlas and Mallory Peterson From the first sound of the opening screen door, The Downtown Grocery feels like home. Co-owner Abby Lechthaler greets us with a big smile and a southern accent that charms us throughout the evening. She’s from Mississippi. Her husband, Chef Rogan Lechthaler, is from Vermont. Together they own and operate The Downtown Grocery restaurant (TDG) in Ludlow, Vermont.

Opposites Attract Abby and Rogan’s combination of brains and business savvy, creativity and hospitality, combined with an innovative, eclectic menu of farm-to-table food

Chef Rogan and Abby Lechthaler.

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The Downtown Grocery’s main dining room is bright and cheerful.

has captured the attention of foodies in Vermont—and word has spread farther afield. But TDG attracts more than hardcore food enthusiasts. On a recent night, lots of locals and regulars arrived, including a family that spanned three generations from toddler to grandparents. A few grizzled Yankee-types made familiar repartee with Abby when they arrived, and a young couple out for a romantic evening was beaming. By the look of it, they were all more than satisfied with their meals. The food is prepared in combinations new and familiar, bold and tempting. The adventurous and the traditional diner will both find a memorable meal here.

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The food is prepared in combinations new and familiar, bold and tempting. The adventurous and the traditional diner will both find a memorable meal here. our interest and appetites. The menu changes frequently in response to local producers who bring cheeses, mushrooms, greens, vegetables, eggs, beef, pork, poultry, and game to the restaurant’s door. Their relationship with local purveyors drives creativity in TDG’s kitchen. In fact, the extensive (but not overwhelming) list of blackboard specials changes daily.

The blackboards themselves (the

old-fashioned, black slate kind) are a focal point in the restaurant. Before the evening gets underway, Abby talks her servers through the day’s specials.

Tableside service, however, is anything but a recitation of the menu. The servers have a conversational command of the details, from how the braised Vermont lamb is combined with sage milk, local arugula, and lamb au jus to create tender handmade pasta, to how the Fisher Farm

Wagyu Beef Bresaola is house-cured.

From a neighboring table, phrases waft over like an aural appetizer—“. . . roasted oysters with the house prosciutto . . . flatbread with a pork topping . . . chicken from the Plew Farm in Mt. Holly.”

From the Outside In The Downtown Grocery’s charming two-story building was originally Charlie’s Market. The restaurant’s name is a nod to its origins and to the Deep South tradition of grocery stores that served meals to make ends meet. Located on Depot Street, TDG is just south of the traffic light in the center of Ludlow.

Tables in the front windows look out on the lovely small-town scene, picturesque no matter what time of year.

Just inside the entrance, a handcrafted wooden coatrack makes use of old sterling silver forks fashioned into coat hooks. Overhead, lamps hang from short lengths of birch logs suspended from the ceiling; underfoot, wide floorboards are made of reclaimed wood with a light finish. Along with the white linen tablecloths topped by crisp white paper, the room is homey with a simple contemporary elegance.

Tempting cocktails from the “List o’ Libations.”

The Downtown Grocery restaurant is housed in a former neighborhood grocery store.

The restaurant is divided into two small rooms. In the first, bartender Matthew Farkas serves from his “List o’ Libations” as well as a small but well-stocked beer and wine list. Some customers preferred cocktails at the bar before dinner, and a few settled in to dine there, no doubt desiring a longer

conversation with the congenial Mr. Farkas. The southern influence that shows up in the Bourbon Old-Fashioned gets “Yankee-fied” with organic bitters from Burlington’s own Urban Moonshine and house-made bourbon-soaked cherries.

The Tequila Mockingbird—with Hornitos, Aperol, house-squeezed grapefruit

Chef Rogan’s inventive housemade ice creams with pastry are indescribably delicious.

Mussels and Frites.

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L O C A L F L AVO R S

They came for cocktails at the bar and stayed for dinner.

juice, and elderflower syrup—is pure Southern literary inspiration.

The wine list nicely reflects seasonal changes in the menu and recommendations for wine and food pairings were spot on. Abby says she enjoys choosing wines for the restaurant. “I try to pick under-appreciated grapes or varietals,” she says, “and I enjoy being able to educate customers if they’re interested.” She looks for subtle distinctions that will enhance seasonal changes in the food menu. “It brings out the teacher in me, which I’ve aspired to since I was little,” she adds, laughing. Maybe that’s why she likes writing on the blackboards too.

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mont with a degree in small business.

His interest in food started during his year as a ski bum in Colorado, where he worked in kitchens to pursue his passion for downhill. In 1999, Rogan began his culinary career at the Ritz Carlton in Boston and later at Mistral in Boston’s South End. The couple met in Colorado where Abby was pursuing a degree at the University of Colorado. While Rogan was working on his culinary chops, Abby was completing her degree in journalism.

Their courtship took them from an old-fashioned pig roast in Vermont to picnics on the lawn of William Faulkner’s famous home in Oxford, Mississippi. Abby’s hometown of Oxford also turned out to be the right place for Rogan to immerse himself in the great traditions of curing meat and the art of butchering at L&M’s Salumeria. In 2007,

the couple moved back to Vermont, this time to Stratton Mountain where Rogan was head chef at Verdé. Here he developed a well-deserved reputation for cured meats and for working with an entire animal, using every part for different recipes. In November 2010, Rogan and his (now) wife, Abby, bought The Downtown Grocery and they opened a month later in December 2010. This year TDG is celebrating its second anniversary.

Bringing Home the Bacon, and the Veggies Too Rogan does his own butchering, and that gives him enormous flexibility with what TDG can offer its customers. Their chickens, for example, from Kevin and Patti Plew’s farm, “are processed and brought to us the next morning,” Rogan says. “We’ll use the whole chicken—a main dish, something for the flatbread, W I N T E R 2012-2013

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A big blackboard with the day’s specials commands attention in each dining room.

and chicken stock for vegetables.” The freshness and preparation of the poultry turn this mainstay food into something special. Vegans and vegetarians should take note that TDG can also prepare vegan/vegetarian dishes, and the vegetable dishes we ate were stellar.

The night we stopped by TDG, I wanted to try food I don’t usually order, dishes I couldn’t cook or would never attempt myself. We began with the delicate and delicious house-made gnocchi.

I could have gone home happy after that, but the evening was young. I’d never tried roasted marrowbones, and the dish sounded far too intriguing to pass up. It’s a sort of primal appetizer where you pull the warm marrow out of the bone and spread it on a toasted baguette.

The flavor is enlivened with lemon and herbs. The bresaola was a standout too, followed by fresh salad greens sprinkled with Boucher blue cheese. We took turns sharing and exclaiming over the Cavendish game bird pheasant cassoulet, and the swordfish with prosciutto. The portions were right-sized, but after such perfection, I was hesitant to try dessert.

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When I saw “Late Night Breakfast” on the menu, however, my reluctance evaporated. TDG’s signature dessert is a single piece of crispy French toast, topped with house-made buttermilkbacon ice cream, and a single strip of maple-cured bacon balanced on top, and then finished with a generous drizzle of grade B maple syrup. I’d never had anything like it. Rogan’s inventive and fun combinations with ice cream are marvelous. “Late Night Breakfast is my mama’s favorite,” Abby tells me. Now it’s mine too.

The Downtown Grocery 41 South Depot Street Ludlow, VT (802) 228-7566 info@thedowntowngrocery.com (Reservation requests should be made by phone) www.thedowntowngrocery.com • Dinner from 5:30pm • Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays • Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day If you like what you see, buy the kitchen a round of ponys for $6. You’ll hear a bell ring out in the kitchen and an appreciative clink of glasses.

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

New Technology

in Equipment

An industry in motion

By Mark Aiken Photos courtesy of Rossignol

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PHOTO BY BLAKE JORGENSON.

Most ski magazines dedicate entire issues to gear, calling them the “Buyer’s Guide” or the “Gear Issue.”

There are literally hundreds of skis and snowboards out there, all vying to be the lucky equipment you bring home. Visiting a gear shop is like going to the animal shelter. You want all of them, but you have only enough time and space—and funds—for one. » W WIIN NTTEERR 2012-2013 2012-2013

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If only skis could talk. That way, instead of just looking at you longingly like puppies, they could tell you how they were made, in what conditions they ski best, and what separates them from the rest of the equipment in the shop. Because every ski, snowboard, boot, and binding is different. Lucky for you, however, it’s not necessary to read entire issues of magazines; rather, this one article will introduce you to what’s new in snow sports technology and construction—and what these changes mean to you.

Smile for the Camber In order to best understand the latest changes in ski technology, it helps to know a little history. For example, the invention of metal edges gave skiers of the 1930s (not to mention us) a huge advantage. Imagine our predecessors slipping and skidding all over mountainsides on edgeless wooden planks!

Then in the 1990s, the introduction of the sidecut—that is, the shaping of those formerly straight metal edges—promoted turning and carving.

The latest changes in skis relate mostly to camber, the natural upward curvature built into a ski. If the term “camber” is Greek to you, have no fear. Place a ski flat on the ground. You will find that the ski is not flat; rather, a traditionally cambered ski has two points of contact with the ground not far from the tip and the tail. Between these points, the body of the ski curves upward, away from the ground. This curvature gives traditionally cambered skis a certain amount of bounce or pop when a skier makes turns.

If you are a skiing neophyte and you want to sound cool, walk into your lo-

Left: Photo by Blake Jorgenson.

Opposite: Photo by Christian Arnal.

Opposite, below: Photo by Stef Cande, StefCande.com.

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cal shop and mention “rocker.” The new rage in ski design is an experiment with reverse camber (or rocker)—the opposite of traditional camber. Usually on wider skis (skis with a waist width of 100mm or more), the tip and tail of a rockered ski curve skyward like a spoon. Designed for off-piste skiing, full rocker technology makes skiing in deep snow easier. “The rockered design allows you to stand in the middle of powder boards like on race skis, except that you’re in soft snow,” says PJ Dewey, owner of Race Stock Sports in Waterbury. “There’s a lot less fatigue because of that,” he says.

Full-rockered, reverse-cambered skis like Rossignol’s Smash 7 or the Volkl Katana make skiing in ungroomed conditions easier because they have a tendency to float. But isn’t this cheating?

Using an unfair advantage? “People called mine training wheels when I first got them,” Dewey says. “And I just said, ‘Okay, see you at the bottom!’”

All-Mountain, All-Condition Skis Great, you say. Let’s all go out and get full-rockered skis. Slow down, Ghost Rider! Full-rockered skis are great in deep powder W I N T E R 2012-2013

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snow, but on hardpacked groomers, windswept faces, and manmade cruisers, they lack edge-grip and pop. New England skiers may need a more versatile ski.

“Front-rise skis with regular camber construction are the perfect East Coast ski,” Dewey says. The ski he describes combines front rise (also known as early rise) ski tips with traditional camber underfoot. To “un-tech” this ski design, think of a handlebar mustache—the tip and tail rise off the ground like the ends of the ’stache as does the ski’s middle (or waist). The idea of this construction— for example, the Dynastar Cham or the Rossignol Experience—was that the early-rise tips wouldn’t sink in powder, but the bouncy flex of their traditional camber would still give skiers the pop they want on groomed terrain. “Skis have become specialized and avid skiers may have a quiver, or collection,” Dewey says. “But an early-rise, cambered ski is the closest thing you’ll find to an allmountain, all-condition ski.”

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Photos top left and top right by Stef Cande. Left: Photo by Christian Arnal.

According to Dewey, skis with an 85 mm to 95 mm waist do well in most conditions. Wider skis perform well offpiste but decline on hardpack. Likewise, narrower ski widths are great on groomers, but sink in natural or deep snow conditions. Another point for a midwidth ski with handlebar mustache construction: its early rise at the tip makes initiating a turn easier because, with less edge-to-snow contact, the ski pivots.

Snowboards and AT Gear Alpine skis are not the only show on the road; recent snowboards and alpine touring gear feature similar innovations. “Snowboarding and skiing have always had a back and forth in terms of technology,” says Mike Toohey, manager of Darkside Snowboard Shop in Stowe.

For example, says Toohey, ski manufac-

Front-rise skis with regular camber construction are the perfect East Coast ski.

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

Mountain View Publishing

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turers started making wider skis when If you leave the ski lifts behind, they saw how effortlessly snowboarders though, you have to be able to ski uphill.

VISIT @mountainviewpublishing.com cruisedUS through powder. Now, snowAnd for this, skiers need a binding with board companies are playing with “zero- a releasable heel. Telemark bindings • Coupons(which are also lighter and more supYOU’LL FIND: is, snowboards camber” boards—that Featured Real • Weekly Blog Articles that, except for the very tip and•tail, are portive—check out Black Diamond’s 01 Estate Listings • Local Spotlight on not traditionally cambered or rockered. or T3’s Enzo) have served this purpose, Community Businesses • Local Recipes...

Rather, they are flat. “The zero-camber but many Alpine skiers feel uncomfortand more!

• Events Calendar boards turn into your most versatile able making difficult telemark turns, board,” Toohey says.

Good in powder especially in deep, ungroomed snow LIKE US (although not as good as reverse camwith rocks and trees everywhere. Alwww.mountainviewpublishing.com/facebook ber) but still good at high speeds in hard pine touring bindings are nothing new; snow, a flat snowboard like Rome Snow- what’s new is that modern AT bindings, board’s Garage Rocker also rides well on like the Marker Duke and Dynafit’s tourrails and boxes in snowboard parks. ing line, are lighter, easier to use, and Although smaller by volume than skinearly as supportive as Alpine bindings. ing and snowboarding, Alpine touring “They move easily going uphill,” says (or AT) has been the fastest-growing Spike Clayton, owner of The Skirack sector in snow sports equipment in rein Burlington. “And they give you great cent years. More and more people are control going down.” Meanwhile, light leaving lift-served areas for the solitude backcountry skis, like Alpine skis and and adventure of the backcountry and snowboards, use a spectrum of camber side country. and rocker designs.

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Photo by Blake Jorgenson.

I’m not going to lie. You can’t learn all there is to know about ski and snowboard equipment from one little article.

But now that you have some understanding of different camber constructions and rocker designs, go to your local shop. Hold some boards in your hands and talk to the staff. Better yet, when you see manufacturers setting up free demo booths at your local resort, try a set—even if your 10-year-old skis are still getting you down the hill. After all, old technology isn’t obsolete; we’re still dealing with the same force—gravity. Still, if you check out what’s new, you can decide for yourself whether the hype is for real. And when you see new gear staring at you from the shop rack with big puppy eyes, you’ll know if it’s the right equipment for you.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

trend watch COMPILED BY MARY GOW

BUILD, REMODEL & DECORATE

www.mountainviewpublishing.com •

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S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

“People want to be efficient with the space they have, whether it is a large house or a small one.”

Susan Fuller, David Anderson Hill, Inc.

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s our lives become more hectic, our homes are our sanctuaries—our space to enjoy family, friends, and sometimes solitude. Savoring that space, our connections between indoors and outdoors are closer than ever. In new homes and renovations, in town and in the country, designs increasingly integrate home and landscape.

Along with connecting to the

environment, we are also choosing to care for it—with style. Energy efficient designs and products are attractive and affordable, and they have become the norm.

Come along as we tour the latest home designs, discover the best new materials, and share tips and advice from local professionals on every aspect of creating a comfortable, welcoming home.

hether it’s a weeknight dinner with your family or a holiday open house, everyone knows that people love to gather in the kitchen. Make it marvelous with a beautiful design and the highest quality materials and appliances your budget will allow.

“We are selling more painted cabinets with a multitude of colors, primarily whites and creams,” says Jonathan E. Blodgett of Blodgett’s Sash & Door in Lebanon. “Barn Red has been a popular color also, along with natural finishes in maple, cherry, and red birch. The Shaker-style door is definitely the most popular at this time.”

GRANBY HOME COURTESY OF DAVID ANDERSON HILL

HARTLAND HILL CAPE COURTESY OF DAVID ANDERSON HILL

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S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

KITCHENS

TIPS FROM LOCAL EXPERTS

BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS

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SPRING 2012

www.mountainviewpublishing.com •

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SPRING 2012

HAPPENINGS: WINTER 2012-2013 DECEMBER | JANUARY | FEBRUARY

January 19–21

Sleigh Ride Weekend Info: (802) 457-2355, www.billingsfarm.org Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–3:30pm

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HAPPENINGS

Pentangle Council on the Arts 31 The Green Woodstock, VT (802) 457-3981 www.pentanglearts.org

DECEMBER 7 | Wassail Weekend Feature! The Campbell Brothers: Gospel Holiday Celebration The Campbell Brothers return to Woodstock for an uplifting holiday gospel celebration!

Soul stirring, inspirational, and pitch perfect for the season.

Woodstock Town Hall, 7:30pm

8 | 11th Annual Holiday House Tour Experience the warm hospitality of old New England when Woodstock’s most charming homes deck their halls and open their doors for what has become a quintessential holiday tradition. Horse-drawn wagon rides and live musicians accompany visitors along the way.

Starts at Woodstock Town Hall, 9am–2pm

9 | Annual Messiah Sing A Wassail Weekend tradition, presented by Pentangle! The Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah, featuring four world-class soloists.

The audience joins in for the choruses, so bring your libretto!

Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 4pm

JANUARY 12–13 | Kuniko Yamamoto: Magical Mask, Mime, and Music of Japan During this two-day Woodstock residency, Kuniko enchants audiences of every age with dramatic storytelling using myths and fables from ancient and modern Japan, spiced with revelations to educate and amuse.

18 | John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) with Alpin Hong This is a classic performance of violin versus fiddle, bluegrass and Beethoven, and two generations coming together. An unforgettable evening with a musical legend and a hot rising star!

Woodstock Town Hall, 7:30pm

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January 17 Alpin Hong: Movies to Games, Classically Trained In this presentation, critically acclaimed pianist Alpin Hong uses humor, musical virtuosity, and current pop culture references to connect students of all ages to classical music and illustrate its ongoing vitality and relevance.

FEBRUARY 9 | Guitar Master Class with John Jorgenson Learn from a master! Improve your technique during a special, small-group class with one of the world’s greatest guitarists.

Woodstock Town Hall, 3pm

9 | John Jorgenson Quintet Walk the streets of Paris, be transported to Greece, Latin America, Kentucky, and Los Angeles—all in one evening! Grammy winner John Jorgenson and his Quintet enthrall audiences with original and classic “gypsy jazz.”

Woodstock Town Hall, 7:30pm

15–17 | The Vermont Flurry: Woodstock Snow Sculpture Festival Cheer on professional snow-sculpting teams as they compete to create large, stunning sculptures, and be amazed as these works of art come to life over a three-day period.

The atmosphere is complemented by toasty, warming fires and tasty refreshments provided by local organizations. All events are free of charge.

The Green

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HAPPENINGS

December 8 28th Annual Wassail Parade Center of Woodstock Village, 2pm

DECEMBER 7 | Wassail Weekend Open House Come see the 1807 Dana House decorated for the holidays while you enjoy hot cider, seasonal treats, and stories for the young at heart.

Info: (802) 457-1822, www.woodstock historical.org Woodstock History Center, 5–7pm

7–9 | Wassail Weekend You’ll be welcomed to tour the festively decorated 1890 Farm House and make a historic ornament as a memento of your visit. Sunday enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh or wagon ride.

Info: (802) 457-2355, www.billingsfarm. org Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–3:30pm

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8 | Reading: A Child’s Christmas in Wales Info: (802) 457-2295, www.norman williams.lib.vt.us Norman Williams Public Library, 10am

8 | Wassail Tea After the Holiday House Tour, enjoy an elegant, traditional English tea complete with scones, sandwiches, tea cakes, and a special Wassail tea blend.

St. James Church Great Hall, 2:30 & 4:15pm

8 | Carols and Cocktails on the Green Info: (802) 457-5868, www.zacksplacevt. org 18 The Green, 5:30–7:30pm

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8 | Yule Log and Memory Tree Lighting The Green, 2:30pm

8 | Lighting of the Luminaries The Green, 4pm

8 | The Ten This acapella group of gentlemen sings contemporary, spiritual, traditional, and secular music.

Congregational Church, 3 & 4:30pm

8–9 | Woodstock Wassail Holiday Craft Fair Masonic Hall, 30 Pleasant Street, 10am– 4pm Sat; 10am–2pm Sun

9 | 28th Annual Messiah Sing Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 4pm

11 | What’s on Your Nightstand?

A monthly chat about the books you’re reading, the books you’ve loved, and the favorites of others.

Info: (802) 457-2295, www. normanwilliams.lib.vt.us Norman Williams Public Library, 10–11am

11–12 | Christmas Visions Come join us and work alongside the elves in Santa’s workshop to make your own gifts for your family. Stop by the kitchen for holiday treats and a visit with Santa.

The Little Theater, 11, 5–7pm; 12, 2:30– 4:30pm

February 16–24 | Sleigh Ride Week Info: (802) 457-2355, www.billingsfarm.org Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–3:30pm

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12 & 19 | Fall Movie Matinee for Kids Call the library for the title. We supply the popcorn!

Info: (802) 457-2295, www. normanwilliams.lib.vt.us Norman Williams Public Library, 3–5pm

16 | If You Ever Leave Me . . . I’m Going With You Town Hall Theater, 3pm

19 | Zappollo 15 to the Moon! A Zack’s Place Musical Woodstock Union High School, 5:15pm

JANUARY 23 | Evening of Poetry Hosted by local poets Partridge Boswell, Ann Perbohner, and Pam Ahlen.

Info: (802) 457-2295, www. normanwilliams.lib.vt.us Norman Williams Public Library, 7–9pm

December weekends & December 22–January 1 (excluding Christmas Day) Christmas at the Farm Learn how Christmas was celebrated in late 19th century Woodstock in the farmhouse and linger in the cozy kitchen as treats are baked in the woodstove.

Info: (802) 457-2355, www.billingsfarm.org Billings Farm & Museum, 10am–3:30pm

GET CONNECTED Get listed on the mountainviewpublishing.com BUSINESS DIRECTORY and you will also be included on our printed list in every issue of WOODSTOCK MAGAZINE (see page 17).

GET CONNECTED NOW! E-mail Bob Frisch at rcfrisch1@comcast.net, or call Bob at (603) 643-1830.

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.mountainviewpublishing.com.

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LAST GLANCE

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. —William Blake

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