MAGAZINE
IN THIS ISSUE House Renovations Housing Trust of Rutland County The Stone Legacy The Knob House
Spring 2019 Volume 12, Issue 3
Spring 2019
1
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MAGAZINE
IN THIS ISSUE House Renovations Housing Trust of Rutland County The Stone Legacy The Knob House
Spring 2019 Volume 12, Issue 3
Spring 2019
Spring 2019 2-6.indd 1
2
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FROM THE COVER Spring in Bloom photo cassie horner
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HOME SWEET HOME WE BEGAN OUR HISTORY AS A COUPLE AT CASSIE’S FAMILY’S CAMP and what was to be our future home. We had met when Tim was an intern from New England Culinary Institute, working at the Woodstock Inn. Cassie worked at the Inn in the gift shop and we first encountered each other in a lower hallway where there was entry to the lower kitchen and the storeroom for the gift shop. Our first date was for a swim on a hot August day. She told Tim, “I have a nice spot.” She sure did. The camp had become a special spot for Cassie from childhood on and she was happy Tim loved it so much and she was happy to share it. When we married two years
The front of the camp before the renovation began. Cassie and Tim are proud of the house with its new shingles and windows. 4
Rutland Magazine
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later, our wedding was held there. Then we spent future vacations and long weekends there. Now fast forward to 1989-90. We were married and wanted to buy a house, but could not afford one at the time. Finally we realized we could renovate and live at the Plymouth camp. We found a builder who was sensitive to Cassie’s wanting to preserve the character of the place and he guided us in ways we could save money on the job. Her late mother, Doodie, watched our progress with pride. Our labor of love progressed through the next seven years with the addition of propane heat, a well, septic system and complete plumbing of the house. We have raised eight dogs here, entertained friends and family and made many of our own traditions. We continue to enjoy our beautiful lake and the surrounding mountains where we snowshoe all winter. One of Tim’s favorite stories involves a bathtub. He brought home a new Kohler tub from a plumbing supply store in Rutland during our stage of renovations. Being in his younger
The old camp, complete with fieldstone chimney was built in 1910 by Cyrille Lussier, Cassie's great grandfather. In the renovation process, Tim and Cassie tore off the room with the chimney and the adjacent wood shed, then hired a contractor to build an addition with a kitchen and dining area. 6
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The north side of the house was insulated, shingled and re-roofed. Tim later shingled the porch.
Volume 12 Issue 3 • Spring 2019
years, he managed to get the tub down the path to the front door but it was more than he could do to get it in the front door. Our neighbor Al was here with friends from New York City and Cassie suggested Tim ask for help. One of our neighbor’s guests was glad to come over and between him and Tim, they wrestled the tub into the house. We learned later that the person who helped us out was the actor Earl Hindman who played Wilson, on Tim Allen’s Home Improvement. Like anyone, there are things 8
we wish we could have done to the house, things we would change, and things we probably could and will do in the future. We enjoy what we have; it is in our life and blood. We have a rich collection of memories we will enjoy for the rest of our lives, on how we lived, and what we worked for and created here. Cassie Horner and Tim Sink
Published by Mad Dog Ink, L.L.C. www.rutlandmagazineonline.com PO Box 264 Woodstock Vermont 05091 802-672-2411 Publishers: Cassie Horner and Tim Sink Editor: Cassie Horner e-mail: rutlandmag@vermontel.net Advertising: Tim Sink e-mail: rutlandmagads@vermontel.net Layout: Jenny Buono e-mail: jenny.buono@gmail.com Rutland Magazine is a quarterly publication of Mad Dog Ink L.L.C. Both Rutland Magazine and Mad Dog Ink L.L.C. are registered trade marks. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. Rutland Magazine and Mad Dog Ink L.L.C. assume no liability for any unsolicited material including but not limited to: manuscripts, photographs, artwork or historical documents. Rutland Magazine
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From This Side of the Mountain
THE KNOB
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CREATIVE FLAIR BY CASSIE HORNER
PICTURE A SUNNY, MILD DAY IN VERMONT. MAYBE IT’S A January thaw, an explosion of greenery in May or a lazy day in summer. Whatever the specifics, it’s time to head outdoors, dogs in tow, a picnic lunch and a book in hand for a mini vacation. John McNeil of Mendon can take advantage of such a day without even leaving his property. All he has to do is walk a short distance up the hill to The Knob House. This fanciful creation welcomes him in style with
top The light of a warm afternoon makes The Knob House an inviting place to sit. bottom A view of the side shows the clever use of recycled doors.
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Rutland Magazine
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The Knob House is 90 percent recycled material
its design made of recycled doors and windows, door knobs, a cupola and even a church pew. “I wanted to recycle and re-use,” John says. “The Knob House is 90 percent recycled material. My wife Ann Marie and I go there and it is another world almost. Home is home but this is like a vacation spot.” The idea for The Knob House started with the landing made by the property’s previous owners to store a camper in winter. “My first idea was a potting shed for Ann Marie and her flower garden design business,” John says. “But the site is too far from the driveway to haul things back and forth.” He had such a collection of materials, though, that he felt compelled to create something from top Note the drawer inserted below the roof line. bottom Screen doors allow for summer breezes. 12
Rutland Magazine
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above An antique knob and keyhole add artistry to the structure. right French double doors look stylish.
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them. With the imagination and building skills of his friend Paul, the one-of-a-kind Knob House came to be in 2018. John knows the origins of every piece of the structure. The Frenchstyle front doors are from Middletown Springs. The back door is from a house his sister and brother-in-law owned. The cupola, purchased by his brother, came from a garage sale in Ferrisburg. The church pew was found by his nephew in an antique shop in Shelburne. Windows and shutters were from John’s current house. All of these pieces bring character to the finished product. Everything except the trim boards are recycled. The Knob House is light and airy. The French doors are backed by screen doors. Inside are the church pew and a small table and chairs. He can hook up a hammock to the rafters for some peaceful and quiet relaxation. “We have early morning coffee and breakfast there,” John says.” We have dinner by the light of an oil lamp. We feel like we’re going back in time.” The Knob House looks like it belongs on the site. “When it was going up, my wife didn’t know what to think of it,” John says. “Now she loves it.” Rutland Magazine
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HOUSE RENOVATIONS U N L O C K I N G
T H E
P O T E N T I A L
BY CASSIE HORNER
Mountain View Home photo brian mo’e origami visual arts 16
Rutland Magazine
M O U N TA I N V I E W H O M E
Mountain View Home before and after. photo brian mo’e origami visual arts
HOUSES REFLECT THE MANY NUANCES OF OUR LIVES. AS WE CHANGE, we often look for changes in our home. Maybe we want a master bedroom on the main floor or an updated kitchen and bigger dining room. Maybe we want to get rid of high utility costs in a drafty house by improving the insulation and heating and cooling systems. The reasons for wanting changes are as varied and personal as every individual homeowner. One common solution that solves many issues is to renovate.
Winter 2018
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Slopeside Home before and after. photo brian mo’e origami visual arts
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Rutland Magazine
SLOPESIDE HOME
Daniel Pratt and Steve Fenn of Robert Carl Williams Associates are experts at guiding people through the architectural elements of additions and renovations. Some of the benefits of renovating, they point out, include less permitting, usually faster completion compared to building a new structure, and familiarity with a neighborhood as often location is an important factor. “People already in a building may want to add a garage or porch or a master bedroom,” says Pratt. “And a selling point for someone coming to Vermont and buying an existing home is that things such as a septic system, utilities and a driveway are already in place. Then they can renovate the house the way they want it.” Before starting a design we always run a zoning and code review, verify setback requirements and locate existing utilities. It’s important to review the existing floor plan for overall perspective, listen to the client, look for and retain the good things and create a design that works well without overbuilding. Good design and planning is not a luxury. It’s necessary for successful renovations. 1. MOUNTAIN VIEW HOME A recent project for RCWA is an older ski house in Killington built in the ‘80s and the owner had lived in the house for a long time. “They knew the house had problems and it was time to upgrade,” says Fenn. “The windows and exterior siding were in terrible shape and the home had no curb appeal. The insulation was not up to snuff and ice dams were the norm. We improved the layout by expanding the master bedroom and dining room on the side of the house with the view. A small change that made a huge improvement to the visual exterior appeal of the home was the addition of a covered timber frame entry deck. Now there is a real
Spring 2019
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entry that is a focal point and the Owners no longer have to climb over a huge snow bank and shovel their way to the front door when they arrive.” The new entry included expanding the existing mudroom that now gracefully accommodates the storage of skis, coats and gear. A modest 3-story addition or “bumpout” was made on the view side of the house, improving the function of the dining room and kitchen space. The home now has an open living plan that focuses on the mountain views and living room fireplace. The addition also allowed for a proper master bedroom w/ private bathroom and a new deck on the upper level with a great view of the mountains and an exercise room on the lower level. Siding, windows, roofing, insulation and the heating system were all upgraded. “We didn’t add a lot of square footage —about 500 to 600 square feet — but it made all the difference. It looks like a new home,” Fenn says. “The owner came to us knowing it was time to make upgrades and fix problems with the house. He had a basic idea of what he wanted and we took the list, improved and refined it to come up with the finished project.” Michael Algren of Algren Design & Building was the contractor for the project. “It was a great project,” he says. “It was a nice design with RCWA. I worked closely with Steve. The design changed the rooflines and added more functionality to the interior.” One of the challenges of renovating 20
Slopeside Home photo brian mo’e origami visual arts
a house comes from the unknown. “There are always challenges with remodeling,” Algren says. “In this house, one example was that the siding on the existing house was diagonal so there was a lot of rot — an unexpected finding.” A key part of the project was improving the energy efficiency of the house. Sealing air leaks with insulation created a tighter envelope. Windows were replaced with new Pella Pro Line Series windows. “Another thing we did was use low-maintenance materials, which was what the client wanted,” Algren says. “We used DuraLife decking and railings that will need no paint or stain for years. We used LP SmartSide siding that has a 25-year warranty.” Nest thermostats have an eco setting that allows the homeowner to regulate the boilers for greater fuel efficiency. “That, coupled with the improved insulation factor, makes for a much more energy-efficient house. It is very comfortable inside,” Algren says. “There is no sense of air moving.” Algren observes that every reno-
vation is unique and specific, and depends on the year the house was built and how that dictates certain problems. “You can’t spend enough time on planning,” he says. “Steve works hard to head off problems from the start. I tell people to have some extra money to cover surprises in case it’s needed. You may uncover things you have no idea are there. It can be a guessing game. You need patience, planning and a buffer in your bank account to get the project done the way you want.” A house is the biggest investment of most people’s lives so Algren discourages them from cutting corners to save money when renovating. “It’s a quality of life issue vs just dollar signs,” he says. “Make it how you want it. I like to work with clients and figure out how to meet their needs.” 2. SLOPE SIDE HOME The new owners bought this older ski house knowing it needed updates. There was not much of an entry and the house from the street was massive and unimpressive. Inside, the big, high-ceilinged living area took up a lot Rutland Magazine
We have been providing master planning and architecture for fine homes, additions, renovations, commercial, resort and municipal facilities, historic preservation and restoration, ADA and aging-in-place design. We do small projects too: cabins, garages, carports and more. Visit our website. “We look forward to serving you.�
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Spring 2019
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D E N TA L O F F I C E
Dental Office PHOTO DONALD GLENDENNING
of space and the interiors were dated and well used. “Every property has potential,” Fenn says. “It is a matter of going in and discovering it. And it doesn’t have to be big, grand things. There are always opportunities with older houses.” You don’t always need more square footage to solve design problems and sometimes working with and reimagining the space you have can be the answer. This was a case of making a few special moves with the layout that completely transformed the look and feel of the house. The old entry was very flat. The redesign features an eye-catching two-bay carport with a covered entry approach that gracefully manages the snow. Insulation problems were fixed, new siding and windows were installed and the interior finishes
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were redone. In this case more square footage was found by repurposing the high cathedral ceiling in the living room. The design created a comfortable master bedroom suite using this wasted space and still maintained a high ceiling in the living room. An existing bedroom on the slope side of the home was converted into a much-needed mudroom with ski and gear storage right where it’s needed after a day on the slopes. “The client wanted to be on a ski trail so the family could get on and off the slopes when they wanted,” says Rick Moore of Moore Construction. The land to build what the client wanted wasn’t available so the decision was made to go with an existing house. “They found a house on a ski trail,” Moore says. “The house was built in the 1980s but a lot was wrong with it so we took the house apart to the inside of the studs. Basically, he bought a property with a shell on it.” “At first, the customer was trying to do the planning himself,” Moore says. “I stressed the role of every player in the project. I went to Steve and Dan as qualified architects who listen and produce something outstanding time and time again. As part of the "team approach", Excel Plumbing provided the design and installation of the HVAC system and John Sienkiewitc of AM Electric installed the electric, lighting, sound and programmable interface with First Line Security to provide complete control over the home's various Rutland Magazine
Dental Office PHOTO DONALD GLENDENNING
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Nothing goes with concert black like pearly whites. David A. Baasch, DDS Comprehensive family dentistry for 35 years CEREC - one visit crowns Cosmetic dentistry Compassionate, honest, and respectful care systems. Many other subcontractors were involved throughout the project. Bob Fox from LaValley Kitchens designed all of the cabinetry. The house was the size the client wanted so there was no need for foundation work but gutting the interior meant everything new, from siding, roofing, lighting, plumbing and heating to new Andersen windows, cabinetry and foam insulation. A hot tub was installed under a post and beam roof shelter on the back of the house. A heated concrete slab allows people to step from the hot tub onto a dry, warm space. A fire pit was also added on the back. Moore, with his many years of construction experience, offers some Spring 2019
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guidelines for people considering a renovation project. Renovations are more than taking something old and giving things a simple facelift. Every project brings their own set of unique challenges and it’s important to have an experienced team on board with the expertise to solve problems, make the best use of their budget and keep the project on track, “Sometimes going back to the shell makes the most sense and allows the opportunity to bring the structure up to current standards. You have the opportunity and responsibility to do it right and then enjoy the benefits long term,” he says. “ The Slope Side House renovation met the needs and expectations of the client. “He loves the renovated house,” Moore says. “The family can go off skiing and return whenever they want. And people go by the property and admire the project.” 3. DENTAL OFFICE IN WALLINGFORD From North Main Street, the Dr. David Baasch dental office in Wallingford looks like a traditional 19th-century village home. Step into the driveway to see an addition that allowed for a smooth transition into larger, new space with the dental practice only closed a couple of weeks. Pratt lives in an old farmhouse he renovated in West Rutland. “I have a lot of experience breathing life into old buildings,” he says. “About 50 percent of our work at RWCA is renovations and additions. Going through the cobwebs in an old building doesn’t deter us. We like to give a renovation the best value possible. Sometimes the idea is for it to look as much like the old as possible and sometimes for it to look different.” In the case of the dental office, the design was based on the owner’s goal of expanding the size and efficiency Rutland Magazine
!
Spring 2019
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Algren Design & Building is a full service general contractor. We take a client-centered approach to understand building needs, expectations, and budgets. Extra care is taken during the planning phase to ensure that the building process is as smooth and efficient as possible. We offer creative solutions to meet our client’s individual needs and are committed to a quality product.
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of his office. “Contractor Don Glendenning reached out to us. Contractors contact us all the time. We’re here to provide them with a service,� Pratt says. “We measured the building and got site information from Don. The master plan was for a sizeable addition, made to look like an old reverse dormer barn. This brought light into the center of the addition without a massive center floor.� One challenge of the project was that the site had a slope. One goal was that the main level had to be ADA compliant. “The residence was built in the early 1800s,� says Glendenning. “It housed everything from a butcher shop to a bank.� Dr. Baasch bought it in the early 1980s and converted it to a dental office. “The practice outgrew the building. The old stone foundation had minimal insulation. There was always a struggle with frozen pipes.� The owner considered a number of options, ranging from building a new structure on a new site to tearing down the existing structure and rebuilding. The first option required significant infrastructure costs. The second would have meant closing down the practice for five to six months to build new. “I said why not add to the old building,� Glendenning says. “I reached out to Dan Pratt. It was a sensitive project because of its proximity to the historic downtown.� The construction started in November 2009 and was completed in April 2010. Dental patients could watch the work on the addition from the windows of the old building. When the addition was ready, complete with site-specific infrastructure for new dental equipment, the practice closed for less than two weeks to make the move from the old office. Then work
Dental Office PHOTO DONALD GLENDENNING
began on that phase of the project, including connecting the two buildings. The project was awarded an Excellence in Housing Award for a commercial addition-renovation by the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Southern Vermont. Renovating residential or commercial property requires a lot of energy and commitment from owners. It is important for them to remember that they are not alone in the process. A few suggestions from RCWA will help keep the project running smoothly. Take an active role in the planning process. Make timely decisions. Ask questions. Deal with problems as they arise. Be sure the architect and contractor work together throughout the project. Relying on the architects and contractors will make the project’s high points higher and get everyone over the unplanned-for surprises. Everyone involved is looking for the same result of an aesthetic, super-functional, energy-efficient renovation. Rutland Magazine
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Rutland Magazine
S tewart M aple
The operation consists of about 40,000 taps on 1,200 acres...
Working with the land BY CASSIE HORNER • PHOTOS BY TIM SINK
Spring 2019
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left Elliott Stewart checks one of the sap lines. right Mark Stewart works at the evaporator. As syrup comes off the evaporator, Mark Stewart stirs in the filter aid.
THE ATV CRAWLED EFFICIENTLY UP THE trail, with Elliott Stewart navigating the rough terrain of exposed rock and ice patches. The goal was the top regions of Hateful Hill, appropriately named for its steep slopes. It was early April, and maple sugaring season was in full swing. The blue plastic lines of the vacuum tubing system were collecting sap from the taps, to the tune of about 400
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main lines, each with about 100 taps. The math reveals about 40,000 taps, on 1,200 acres mainly in Cuttingsville, with some from East Wallingford and Mt. Holly and reaching to the border of Clarendon. All of the lines and taps have to be checked regularly so the adventure of traveling as many as eight miles a day along sap lines through the woods is familiar to Elliott and his brother Tanner. The
Rutland Magazine
end result is maple syrup in 55-gallon drums wholesaled to Butternut Mountain Farm. This year in March, the family is opening a retail location on the site of the former Olde Barn Country Store in Cuttingsville, that was owned and operated by their grandfather BJ (Bernard) Stewart. Stewart Maple is a family affair, with the two brothers, their parents Mark and Gina Stewart, and Elliott’s fiancée
Spring 2019
Alyssa Turgeon, who will run the retail store. The business started ten years ago when Elliott and Tanner were in high school and middle school respectively. “My brother and I grew up sugaring at the Ridlon Farm. We would get off the bus and go to collect buckets every spring,” Elliott recalls. “We enjoyed it a lot and wanted to do more so we tapped some trees behind our house in Cuttingsville. As we
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walked the woods, we thought, ‘Oh boy, we could do this ourselves.’ We jumped right into it. At the time, the wholesale price of syrup was high. The market continues to grow.” As the business grew from the initial 2,000 taps, the family leased adjacent land. The first piece, belonging to Barbara Hoffman, is very steep and had never been utilized for much. After successfully tapping trees there, and generating revenue, the Stewarts leased more land. It is a win-win for the business, the neighbors and the land. What started out as a part-time business grew into full time four years ago. “It is no longer a hobby for us,” Elliott says. In 2016, they built the current facility in Cuttingsville where the sugaring operation is headquartered. The process of turning sap into syrup at Stewart Maple embraces modern technology. “We always used reverse osmosis from day one,” says Elliott. “Technology continues to improve. The efficiency of reverse osmosis and the evaporator grows.” Choosing reverse osmosis over the old-style boiling allows them to tap more trees and manage more land. It makes syrup production more cost-effective. Reverse osmosis takes water out of the sap. When tapped, sap is only two percent sugar. Reverse osmosis takes a high percentage of water out of the sap so it requires less boiling to make syrup. Syrup is 66 percent sugar. Early in the season, there is typically a lot of light grade syrup because of the fast processing that means the sap doesn’t sit long. In the old days of using buckets to collect sap, it sat longer before it was processed. The dark grades come as the season progresses. Making maple syrup has highs clockwise from top: An ATV is essential for traveling the backwoods to manage 400 main sap lines and about 40,000 taps; Mark Stewart checks the density of the syrup; Modern technology has improved the efficiency of making maple syrup. 34
Rutland Magazine
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and lows of activity. “We drill the trees around the first of the year,” Elliott says. “If the temperatures are above freezing we are ready to make syrup even during a January thaw. The season goes until the sap doesn’t process well as the warm temperatures increase in mid to late April.” Maintaining the maple operation is a year-round job. A sampling of tasks includes cleaning sap lines, cutting trees after storms, and insuring the vacuum is tight with no leaks. “With
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“ I feel he is going to be a very strong leader not only for the hospital, but also the greater Rutland community.” —Joe Kraus, vice-president of Rutland Regional Medical Center's Board of Directors
Rutland Regional Medical Center’s New President & CEO
C L A U D I O F O RT BY KIM J. GIFFORD • PHOTOS BY TIM SINK CLAUDIO FORT IS THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO OF RUTLAND Regional Medical Center, appointed to replace Tom Huebner after his retirement. Fort is already making his mark, bringing 30 years of experience in healthcare to his new position. “I think he’s made great strides in building bridges with the community, which is something that doesn’t surprise us given his many personal attributes: good listener, thoughtful, inspirational, approachable, and honest,” says Joe Kraus, vice-president of Rutland Regional’s board. “You don’t have to guess what he’s thinking. He treats everyone the same regardless of who they are.” Kraus’s assessment is echoed again and again. Brian Kerns, Rutland Regional’s vicepresident of human resources, says, “In addition to being a seasoned hospital CEO familiar with the Vermont healthcare landscape, Claudio is a very kind and compassionate
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leader, who easily makes personal connections with all levels of staff as he becomes oriented to the organization. Through his servant leadership style, it is clear that Claudio highly values the employees of Rutland Regional and the work they perform in serving the community and making Rutland Regional a great place to work and receive care.” Fort came on board this past spring, following Huebner’s retirement. Interestingly, the two knew each other. “Tom Huebner was actually one of my mentors in Vermont,” says Fort, who before coming to Rutland Regional, served for nine-and-a-half years as CEO of North Country Health System (NCHS) in Newport, Vermont. “Tom called me up one day and said, ‘Hey, Claudio, I just want you to know that I put your name into the hat for my job.’ And, I was a little taken aback and then I was just honored that he thought of me as a possible successor.” Fort grew up in southern New Hampshire and received his undergraduate degree at the University of New Hampshire. He also has a Master’s in Business Administration from New Hampshire College. Following college, Fort began working as a nursing home administrator. “It was a great introduction to healthcare because it worked as an apprenticeship program where I learned on the job and studied for a national exam,” he says. “I worked in every single department, shadowing LNAs and working in maintenance. I got to see how incredibly dedicated the people are who work in this field.” Fort was soon working at a nursing home that was part of a small hospital, where he began learning “the hospital side of things.” He eventually took a CEO position in Illinois for five
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years before returning to the northeast, where he and his wife’s families continued to reside. His wife, Brenda, is an elementary school teacher at West Rutland School in West Rutland. Rutland. He has two college-aged children, daughter Gabriella, a senior at Middlebury College, and son, Camden, a sophomore at St. Lawrence University. At first, the idea of Newport seemed “too small and too remote,” said Fort, but after driving up and seeing the hospital, he was impressed. As with each of his new positions, Fort says,” I was fortunate to get the job.” Fort sees many similarities between the Northeast Kingdom and Orleans County, where NCHS is located, and Rutland County. Both are independent hospitals equidistant between two tertiary care hospitals—UVM Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He also found the communities to be somewhat similar in their socioeconomic challenges. He brings to his new endeavor an understanding of the “social determinants of health,” he says. Because he was CEO at Newport before the Green Mountain Care Board developed, he also had the opportunity to see how that came about and gain some understanding of the regulatory system in the state as well as bringing a unique perspective on the culture of Vermont. Fort notes that his thinking has evolved over time. Starting out, his focus was within “the four walls of the hospital,” he says, but his time in Newport caused him to look outside and “be more proactive” in trying to keep people healthy. He also looked at economic initiatives that weren’t directly tied to healthcare, such as becoming involved in the Newport City Renais-
sance Corporation to enhance the downtown and distributing automatic external defibrillators to golf courses and community businesses. Fort already sees Rutland as ahead of the game in this area with Rutland Regional serving as one of the leading organizations in partnering with the community. Russ Marsan, owner of Carpenter and Costin, says, “Claudio is very community-minded. Our organization has partnered with the hospital on a lot of different community initiatives. I can see that anytime these events are happening, Claudio is never too far away. You can see the enthusiasm and level of excitement that he has to get out and connect with people in the community.” Fort’s philosophy is that of “a servant leader,” he says. “There are 1,700 people that are employed here at the hospital. I don’t see them as reporting to me. I see me as reporting to them. My role is to look at a situation and find the answers out there. The real secret is finding leaders that are very capable and empowered.” Fort considers himself fortunate to be able to step into an organization that is already functioning so well, but still acknowledges the many challenges facing healthcare today such as its high cost and the lack of nurses. Mike Solimano, chairman of the Rutland Regional board of directors, says, “It is my belief that a CEO’s main job is creating and pushing the culture of an organization as well as setting the strategic vision. Claudio has so much experience in the healthcare field and has great business sense, so we knew he would be able to not just maintain what the hospital has accomplished, but to continue to push the organization forward. Healthcare in Vermont is going through substan-
Rutland Magazine
tial changes and Claudio is the right person for Rutland Regional to move from a pay-for-service model to a population health system where we need to care for the entire community and focus on reducing the need for hospital services as well as reducing overall healthcare costs.” “Every community has challenges,” agrees Fort. “I don’t think ours are any greater than the average community that I’ve been in. I think the biggest challenges are the cost to health care, how we bring resources here, and obviously, the economy.” Fort notes Rutland’s aging population and the need to retain or attract a younger population and workforce. He acknowledges the many other organizations and initiatives in Rutland, such as the Rutland Young Professionals, who are already working on addressing these issues. “What surprised me was how engaged the community is and how positive it is. And, the other thing is that there are such non-traditional people taking real leadership roles in the community.” While Fort praises the community and leaders around him, many will continue to look to him to set an example. “I feel he is going to be a very strong leader not only for the hospital, but also the greater Rutland community,” says Kraus. “He has already set himself up as a good leader, ready to face the challenges in the years to come.” Kim J. Gifford is a writer, teacher, artist and photographer. She lives in Bethel, VT with her grumble of pugs (yes, that is indeed what a group of pugs is called) Alfie, Waffles and Amore. To view her work and hear their stories visit www. pugsandpics.com.
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THE HOUSING TRUST OF RUTLAND COUNTY
Rutland's Best-Kept Secret BY KIM J. GIFFORD • PHOTOS BY CALEB KENNA IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE BEING CONSIDERED A SECRET WHEN you manage a portfolio of 49 real estate sites valued at approximately $40 million dollars, have provided housing for almost 360 households, and will be rehabbing 40 more homes this winter with the acquisition of Appletree Apartments in Fairhaven, but that’s exactly what the Housing Trust of Rutland County often feels, says executive director Elisabeth Kulas, who has been with the organization 25 out of its 26 years. “We call ourselves, Rutland’s best-kept secret. People who know us, know us,” she says, “but, my approach has always been nose to the grindstone, do the work and it’ll speak for itself. And, it really does. But it’s time for the rest of the world to hear about us.” The Housing Trust of Rutland County is a real estate development and property management non profit focused on providing affordable homes to people in Rutland County. “It often struggles to talk about what it does because, depending on our audience, folks are
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Rutland Magazine
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The Housing Trust of Rutland County would not be the organization it is without transforming both buildings and the lives of people and strengthening the region’s sense of community in the process.
Spring 2019
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Joe, Kathy Taylor RN, Emily DeLong SASH Coordinator
either really interested in the facility part of it—the buildings and all the wonderful stories that we uncover with historic properties, for example— while other people are really focused on the people part of it, the lives we impact,” says Kulas. In essence, however, the Housing Trust of Rutland County, under the tutelage of Kulas, would not be the organization it is without transforming both buildings and the lives of people and strengthening the region’s sense of community in the process. THE ORIGINS The Housing Trust of Rutland County (HTRC) originated with a group of private citizens in Rutland County who were concerned that average, hard-working people were being priced out of the housing market during the economic boom of the late 1980s. The creation of the Vermont Housing Conservation Board and its annual allocation of state resources, made the creation of the HTRC possible. In 1991, HTRC moved forward with its first rental housing acquisition. “We started in response to the local economy pricing people out of homes. The idea being that when the real 44
estate market is hot, prices go up,” says Kulas. “It’s actually the value of land that's increasing and the community land trust model secures land with buildings to take it out of the real estate market. When we purchase a piece of real estate, we commit to owning it forever and we commit to keeping it affordable forever...We call that stewardship.” HTRC’s operations are largely funded through fees for service and private contributions. “Every development that we do functions as a stand-alone, and in fact, many of them are actually owned by separate, limited partnerships,” says Kulas. The funding to purchase, renovate or construct comes from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, which handles both federal and state funds. HTRC also relies on a number of other programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service, and works closely with the Vermont Housing Finance Agency for both tax exempt financing and tax credits. HTRC also uses the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, and sometimes the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program and also has “a tremendous track record” working directly with banks such as People’s United Rutland Magazine
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and Merchants Bank as investors,” says Kulas. Most recently HTRC introduced its first, highly successful Flannel Formal fundraiser, in which donors and other participants dressed to the nines in flannel. On December 21, 2018, Kulas celebrated 25 years at the helm of the organization. She came onboard shortly after college, having graduated in 1990 with a degree in economics and “no game plan,” she says. It was the recession and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but was fortunate to receive “some great guidance from people who cared a lot about me,” she says. Through their advice, she realized that her desires were not so much financial, but rather to make an impact with her work. The affordable housing industry in Vermont was in its infancy, and she went to work as the assistant director of the Rockingham Area Community Land trust, overseeing the Bellows Falls and Springfield/ Chester area. She was hired by “a very dynamic, overworked executive director who provided a great learning environment.” She would follow him around, learning every aspect of the job. After two-and-a-half years of learning all she could, she began “to feel the limits of having someone above her,” and applied as a director to three different organizations. She felt her present position most closely matched her vision and she eventually accepted the job. “I’ve seen the organization through many growth cycles and I feel like my generalist quality has kept me relevant to the needs of the organization. I still grow every day and am challenged in new ways,” she says. The Work In many ways it is hard to separate Kulas from the work that she has done at HTRC. “We have grown tremendously under Elisabeth’s leadership, both in the size of our portfolio and the contributions to the community,” says Lynne Klamm, president Rutland Magazine
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of HTRC’s 15-member board. Gustave Seelig, executive director of the Vermont Housing Conservation Board, feels Kulas has led the organization in doing several things that he classifies as “really significant.” First and foremost, she has taken historic properties that were down on their luck and has rehabilitated them as “beautiful homes for people of modest means, also strengthening the vibrancy of our village centers,” says Seelig. Kulas cites the Adams House, which sits prominently on the green in Fairhaven, as one such example. Almost 20 years ago, HTRC, took this building, built in 1863, and renovated it into senior housing with subsidies, allowing 13 senior households to live there. Other such projects include the Watkins School in Rutland and the Tuttle Block. Seelig also notes the Erastus Thayer House in Brandon as another such project. “When they took the aluminum siding off, they found all this historic detail that they then restored, so there’s been that track record over the years of helping communities transform these white elephants,” Seelig says.
In addition, HTRC and Kulas have been equally focused on people who may be having a hard time in life, whether it is economic or some other issue. Kulas notes that these can be anyone from grocery store clerks, aides in nursing homes and retail workers to people with disabilities and older folks, “I mean everybody,” she says. Each one of these individuals has come to a point in their lives where affordable housing is “absolutely necessary,” she says. “The Trust has done a really good job of being attuned to our most vulnerable citizens,” says Seelig. Some of HTRC’s more recent acquisitions have been projects involving Section 8 housing from the late seventies and early eighties. “[HTRC] has taken them over and reinvested in them and brought them up to today’s energy standards, giving these buildings new life, while preserving subsidies for the elderly who might otherwise have lost them if they were displaced,” Seelig says. Kulas points to Heritage Court Apartments in Poultney as one such example. Residents were at first apprehensive, but as they were introduced to HTRC’s staff, the builders, Naylor & Breen, and saw the results of the half-million dollars in renovations, Kulas notes that they witnessed “a new sense of community birthed right in front of our eyes.” HTRC’s third contribution, according to Seelig, has been taking infill sites and transforming them. “We’ll actually go through a neighborhood that needs some investment and purchase key properties and either renovate or demolish and replace them, while preserving their residential use,” explained Kulas. She points to a project on School Street in Rutland, an older Italian neighborhood historically consisting of working-class homeowners. In the middle of what was a single-
family neighborhood, Pepsi had built a facility. HTRC took this over, proposing 10 apartments, and, at first, facing opposition. “While it was challenging, we knew that we were helping mobilize a neighborhood dynamic,” says Kulas. “It took a couple of years for us to get our permitting, but when the dust settled and the construction was almost over, one couple came out on their porch, called me over, and said, ‘if we had known it was going to look this good, we would never have fought you.’” Today, Seelig says, “When I visit Rutland, I feel people now hold [HTRC] in high regard, which in the early days, was not always the case. They now view the Trust as a party that can help with difficult real estate problems.” While Kulas has many other stories to tell of HTRC’s accomplishments, she still sees new issues to take on, not the least of which is homelessness in the region. She admits that over the course of her 25 years at HTRC, she has seen “hard times and had to make some hard decisions. I feel what intrigues me the most is learning how to run a business right—a sizeable business. On any given annual basis, we spend $4 to 5 million just on our operations. I’ve had to learn how to lead through change, hire well, and work collaboratively.” One need only look at the many buildings and people in Rutland County that Kulas and the Housing Trust of Rutland County have impacted, to decide that it is no secret that they have done their job well and will only continue to do so in the future. Kim J. Gifford is a writer, teacher, artist and photographer. She lives in Bethel, VT with her grumble of pugs (yes, that is indeed what a group of pugs is called) Alfie, Waffles and Amore. To view her work and hear their stories visit www. pugsandpics.com.
Shirley and Brownie 50
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1987 JOHN W. CIOFFREDI PARK – OFF TEMPLE STREET This park, which consists of two softball fields, was named in honor of John W. Cioffredi who was superintendent of Rutland City Recreation and Parks from 1960 until his retirement in 1994. He passed away in 2004.
PINE HILL PARK A WISH IN 1894 - A REALITY IN 1921 As far back as 1894 the City of Rutland made known its wishes for a public park in the area of Pine Hill. That wish came true on May 2, 1921 when Henry O. Carpenter gave 273 acres of land to the City with a clause in the deed that the land be used “for recreational purposes by the public”. The 1931 City report refers to the work that began to create a park by widening and grading roads and making places where cars could park. The report states that the intent was for people to “roam around the cleared trails on foot, build fires for cooking meals in rock fireplaces and
WHEN RUTLAND BECAME A CITY in 1892 the population was increasing at the rate of 100 families per year. It soon became apparent that a place for recreation was needed. Let’s take a look at the parks as they developed.
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enjoy the rustic surroundings”. The next stage of park development included a public swimming and beach area at Rocky Pond, which opened to the public in 1954. The pond, back then as well as today, is on land owned by the Rutland Country Club. Cars were allowed to drive up to the pond using Pond Road as it is called on today’s Pine Hill Park trail map. Unfortunately, this swimming area was short-lived due to vandalism and closed in 1957. Acquisition of adjoining land occurred in 1971 when 40 acres were given to the City thanks to the efforts of John Giorgetti, who was a member of the State of Vermont Land Committee. A trail to Rocky and Muddy Ponds was laid out and marked in a portion of this newly acquired section. Conservation days were held to teach students about forest ecology and wildlife. In 2003 the park became a 16-mile marked trail system complete with maps. It is used by hikers, runners Rutland Magazine
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ROTARY FIELD PARK – 1929 AND 1946 The Rutland Rotary Club is connected to two different stages of development of Rotary Field Park. The first one appears in the 1929 City of Rutland Report which reads as follows: “The Rotary Club deeded about an acre of land on the west side of Main Street near Tenney Brook.” The city began construction of a pool on this site on July 1 and it opened to the public in 1930. The second connection of the Rotary Club to the park appears in the 1944 City report, which states: “An option was obtained on Rotary Field and it is the intention to purchase this property and enlarge playground activities.” The City acquired the property in July of 1946. The Rotary Field House, which was already onsite, became a place for learning crafts, square dancing and Spring 2019
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holding meetings. The Rotary Field House building, which had gone into a state of disrepair over the years, was torn down in 2015. Outdoor uses of this area include tennis courts, a skating rink, a ball field and a playground.
has offered a place to play basketball and softball, ice skate, enjoy the playground equipment and cool off in a wading pool. When a pavilion building was added along with picnic tables, it became a great family place.
playground equipment at White’s. The volunteerism of the community helped this endeavor to succeed. In 2018, both a competition pool and family pool opened much to the delight of area residents.
1950 – MEADOW STREET PARK – 1976 – RENAMED MONSIGNOR THOMAS CONNOR MEMORIAL PARK A trend toward neighborhood parks resulted in the creation of Meadow Street Park in 1950. The Streets Division of the Department of Public Works helped in its establishment. In 1973 the City took ownership of the property from Vermont Catholic Charities for $35,000. In 1976 it was renamed The Monsignor Thomas Connor Memorial Park in honor of the late Roman Catholic priest who was known for his compassion and kindness. Over the years the park
WHITE MEMORIAL PARK – AVENUE B – 1956 Thanks to a generous gift of $124,094 from the Frances E. White Estate in 1956 the city was able to purchase land at the end of Avenue B for $19,150. Grading of the area started in the spring of 1957 and most items in the original plan came to fruition. Over the years the property has offered a skating rink, tennis courts, paddle tennis and a softball field. In 1970, a swimming pool opened and was used until 2014 when it closed due to deterioration. In 2014, children got to enjoy new
MADISON STREET PARK – JULY 17, 1970 - RENAMED IN 1998 - THE JUSTIN THOMAS MEMORIAL PARK The mini park on Madison Street has a two-part history. This location housed a school building, which was later turned into a city recreation building. After being torn down it became a park in 1970 that was designed for children up to eight years of age. Creative playground sessions were held there from the 1970s through the 90s. These programs attracted up to 50 participants per session. In May of 1998 the park became known as The Justin Thomas Memo-
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rial Park. Justin, the son of Roy and Michelle Thomas, died in 1997 at age 2 from bacterial meningitis. His parents spearheaded an effort to raise funds and recruit volunteers to completely redesign the park. This resulted in new playground equipment, a memorial sidewalk, a gazebo and new landscaping. There is a shelter space in the park along with picnic tables, making it a fun spot for young children and their families. 1974 – RIVER AND MEADOW STREET MINI PARK In 1974, the City purchased a double lot on the corner of River and Meadow Streets. The equipment for Rutland’s second mini park arrived in 1975. The official opening was in July 1977. It was designed for children ages 7 and under. The park received a complete facelift in 2010 with new playground equipment, new grass and pruned trees. 1976 - GIORGETTI ATHLETIC COMPLEX The athletic complex is on a portion of the 40 acres of land mentioned above that was acquired in 1971. The 1976 City report mentions plans for the Giorgetti Complex with grant money of $187,500, State money of $131,250 and City money of $56,250. It was formally dedicated to John J Giorgetti on May 13, 1976. Among the activities offered over the years are ice skating, basketball, paddleball, summer day camps, baseball, hockey, nature camps, in-line skating, VSO Pops Concert with picnicking, The Zero Gravity Skate Park and The Flip Side Skate Park. Winter Fest has been held at Giorgetti for 16 years and offers a variety of fun activities. In 1996, thanks to a gift of $185,000 from the estate of John Giorgetti and his widow, Mary, the rink was greatly improved with a new ice resurfacing machine. In 2007 the rink was refrigerated and closed in. In 2011 portable indoor turf was inSpring 2019
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stalled which allows additional indoor activities during March and April. 1980 – CENTER STREET ALLEY Work began on this park in June of 1980. After obtaining leases from abutting property owners and obtaining a federal grant of $480,000 and the City’s matching fund amount of $120,000 the project was underway. Over the years, noon time and evening concerts were held there as well as productions by Vermont Comedy Works. Working people often ate their lunch on the benches as they enjoyed the fresh air. Because the park’s location is tucked away from the public eye it became an easy target for vandalism. Eventually the alley fell into disrepair and was no longer used as a park. In 2009 Senator Patrick Leahy obtained a grant that secured $974,000 for improvements. The design phase 58
began in 2011. Ground was broken in 2015 and the park actually opened in 2018. In addition to Leahy’s grant, a little over $400,000 was needed from other organizations to bring the park to fruition. There are future plans to rent out spaces and hold movie nights. Entry to the park will be secured to prevent vandalism. 1990 – WATER STREET PARK - 1991 RENAMED ALEXANDER KEEFE MEMORIAL PARK When this park was created in 1990 it was referred to as Water Street Park. In 1991, it was renamed Alexander Keefe Memorial Park. Known to everyone as “Bud”, Keefe was a 16year member of the Vermont House of Representatives. Because he died in office after serving for 16 years, the City felt it would be appropriate to name the park in his honor.
2016 BAXTER STREET PARK The newest City park came into existence in 2016. It is located where an abandoned and blighted house once stood. NeighborWorks of Western Vermont and the City of Rutland Recreation Department worked together in this endeavor. A fundraising drive, in-kind donations and a State grant provided the money needed to create this great place where neighbors can gather and children can play safely. The park offers play equipment, a bocce court and a shelter with a picnic table. Note: Visit the Rutland Recreation Department website for current offerings at all city parks. Mary Ellen Shaw is a graduate of Trinity College. She is the author of the book, "Kittenhood 101," and is also a freelance writer for several publications. Rutland Magazine
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TIME TRAVELS BY SANDRA STILLMAN GARTNER PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER WHEN STEVE COSTELLO AND HIS WIFE JANE were vacationing in Rapid City, South Dakota hiking the mountains and visiting Mount Rushmore, they decided to visit the downtown area. After lunch and shopping, the couple took a walking tour of the city. A trail map led them to bronze statues of all the American presidents. “Rapid City used public art to beautify their downtown and draw thousands of tourists,” Green Mountain Power (GMP) vice president Steve Costello said. “What impressed me most about the subjects was the intimacy each statue portrayed along with telling a story. One was a statue of JFK playing with his son, John, and a toy airplane, shortly before the president died.” Upon returning to Vermont, Costello shared his enthusiasm for a similar project in Rutland with Carol Driscoll, executive director of the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center in West Rutland and Mark Foley, Jr. of MKF Properties. “All of us were thinking of public art independently,” Driscoll said. “When we started talking, the plans for adding to the revitalization of
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The project is part of an ongoing effort to install at least ten marble sculptures in downtown Rutland, highlighting local and regional history, and inspiring pride in the community.
Spring 2019
Rutland easily fell into place.” The project is part of an ongoing effort to install at least ten marble sculptures in downtown Rutland, highlighting local and regional history, and creating community pride. The effort is a collaboration of GMP, MFK Properties, the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center and Vermont Quarries Corporation. In the fall of 2017, the first sculpture was unveiled in front of the Phoenix Bookstore on Center Street. “The Jungle Book” statue honors the writing of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, which was produced between 1893-1894, while he lived in Vermont. The sculpture is a work by Barre artist Sean Williams, who was excited to create his piece at the Carving Studio. Over the next four years, the majority of the marble sculptures in downtown Rutland will be unveiled. The total cost for the five completed sculptures to date is around $200,000. Contributors in the community who are interested in a specific subject or event in Rutland’s history have helped secure provide the funding. “My extended family and I decided to underwrite the Ann Story sculpture, which was unveiled in the fall of 2018,” Costello explained. “Ann Story was a widowed woman during the Revolutionary War, with a life and challenges similar to our grandmother and greatgrandmother Evelyn Gammons Costello.” The seven-foot-tall marble sculpture of Ann Story and her son Solomon was unveiled on a sunny fall day on the corner of West and Cottage Streets. The sculpture was designed by Amanda Sisk and carved 61
above Sculptors work on the Andrea Mead Lawrence sculpture. below A sculpture is eased into place. 62
by Evan Morse and Taylor Apostol. Ann Story, with the help of her son Solomon, spied for Ethan Allen during the Revolutionary War. After her husband died, Story raised her children alone. She also offered food and lodging to the Green Mountain Boys and stared down the gun of Tory spy Ezekiel Jenny in order to protect the men. Barney Barry Costello, Gammons Costello’s first grandchild, said sponsoring the piece was a natural for her descendants. “Gram was the epitome of grace, strength and courage, and modeled commitment to family and community and a love for Rutland. The parallels with Ann Story struck a chord, and the opportunity to honor Gram through the sculpture, while giving back to Rutland,. was inspiring.” Mark Foley, Jr. is Gammons Costello’s great-grandson. “In many ways, the entire series sprang forth from our family roots,” Foley said. “Steve (Costello) and I are both committed to Rutland’s re-birth and had independently thought about how public art could play a role. Within days of comparing notes, we agreed to work with the Carving Studio to make these projects happen.” “Stone Legacy”, a tribute to the region’s stone industry funded by GMP and MKF Properties, stands in the Center Street Marketplace. Internationally known artist Steve Shaheen designed the sculpture. Italian artists who carved the “Stone Legacy” joined him at the Carving Studio. The ongoing project has set a goal to focus on historic figures, such as Rutland’s John Deere, Vermonter Norman Rockwell and Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys. Other possible subjects include Rutland residents and Civil War figures Edward and William Ripley. In October 2018, the marble sculpture commemorating Olympic medalist and ski racing legend Andrea Mead Lawrence was unveiled on Rutland Magazine
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The marble sculpture of Revolutionary War heroine Ann Story and her son, Solomon, honors this brave woman's aid to Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys.
Merchants Row. Two of her children were in attendance at the unveiling, Matthew Lawrence and Quentin Andrea Lawrence. Their mother was famous for winning two gold medals at age 19 at the 1952 Olympic games, a feat that has never been repeated at any subsequent Olympic Game. Lawrence was born into the Mead family, who founded the Pico Mountain Ski Area. Her parents were inducted into the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum for their lasting contributions last fall. The sculpture of Lawrence was carved by Italian sculptors under the direction of Shaheen. John and Sue Casella were the sponsors for the marble piece. Casella said at the unveiling, “Sue and I have six children 64
and all of them learned to ski at Pico. It’s a wonderful spirit they will carry with them forever. We have Pico and Andrea Mead Lawrence to thank for the inspiration.” At the base of the marble sculpture is a quote from Lawrence that reads, “There are few times in our lives when we become the thing we are doing.” Her son, Matthew, said that was the way his mother lived her life. “Everything she achieved was filled with that same kind of spirit.” Following her athletic career, Lawrence moved out west with her family and became an environmental conservationist. The next piece to join the Downtown Rutland Sculpture Trail is a monumental relief carved by Don Ramey, honoring the African-Amer-
ican Vermonters who served in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment during the Civil War. “These men of the 54th Rregiment fought down in Florida. Their primary duty was to carry the wounded off of the battlefield while the fighting was still going on,” Driscoll explained. The sculpture is complete and was will be installed in the spring of 2019. Mayor David Allaire accepted the gifts on behalf of the City of Rutland. “The planning, skill and quality of all of these stone carvings have been Rutland Magazine
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impressive,” he said. “I look forward to the rest of the series and establishing a world-class trail of marble sculptures in downtown Rutland. We are indebted to all who have made this happen for our residents and visitors.” A former editorial assistant at Glamour Magazine, Sandra Stillman Gartner's articles have been published in such periodicals as Lady's Circle and Yankee. She is a published poet and screenplay writer, and is one of three producing directors of Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre and performs on stage, television and in film. Spring 2019
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spotlight on business
The slate quarry industry in Vermont has a long history. This photo is from the E.J. Johnson Quarrying Company in Poultney,.
CAMARA SLATE A Family Story BY PAUL POST PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAMARA SLATE
WITH A FRIENDLY SMILE, SHAWN CAMARA READILY ADMITS THAT HE DOES 70 PERCENT of the speaking in most conversations. But he’s also a good listener, especially when his father, Dave Camara Sr., is the one doing the talking.
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" Camara and his sons express a strong pride in their products. Their attention to detail and concern for quality and reputation is remarkable." —Joseph Jenkins,
author of
The Slate Roof Bible
left Hathaway Farm barn slate roof in Rutland Town right St Mary’s Church in Middlebury slate roof
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“My father’s principles that helped build this company, he passed on to me. Dad said, ‘Shawn, quality is the most important thing. If we have the best quality, the product will sell itself,” Shawn Camara said. That simple but sound lesson has turned Fair Haven-based Camara Slate into a $12 million-per-year enterprise with sales from Moscow to Japan and throughout the U.S. Dave Sr., 75, is still involved with the company he founded, but has turned over daily operations to his four sons. Shawn manages the office with Mike, Dan runs the McGreevy Quarry in Poultney, while Dave Jr. supervises overall quarry production. The roughly 24-mile long, 6-mile wide Slate Valley along the Vermont-New York border is one of the world’s richest slate deposits, supporting an industry that dates back to the mid-19th century when Welsh immigrants began quarrying it. Vermont slate comes in a variety of colors — gray, green, purple and various shades in between — and is extremely hard, which allows it to stand up to the elements over time. “Back at the turn of the 20th century there were roughly 7,500 workers in the industry here in Vermont,” Shawn said. “Quarries ran north and south from around Rupert up to Castleton. Big tall poles called derricks lined with cables ran down into the quarry. All the quarrying was done by hand. They’d blow the whistle and bring slate up Spring 2019
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Shawn Camara teaches people how to split slate in Poultney. 70
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with horses or steam engines. It’s very hard for me to imagine it. But that’s the way it was done years ago.” Dave Camara Sr. broke into the business as a matter of necessity, in 1963. He was brought up on his parents’ small dairy farm, but it wasn’t big enough to support two families when Dave Sr. reached adulthood and got married. So his father suggested he give the slate business a try. Dave Sr. started out by loading up his truck with a small load of slate, purchased from other local companies, and heading to Boston where he hoped to sell it to landscape and building firms. After two weeks without any luck, a family friend, Nelson Hopper, put him in touch with some people in the stone business, in Boston. “They’re all Italian and they all stick together,” Hopper said. “Your last name is Camara. You’re Portuguese, but go down there and tell them you’re Italian.” Before long, friendships were solidified over a few glasses of vino, and Dave Sr. sold his first three pallets of slate. From there, he quickly found customers throughout New York state and traveled all the way to Detroit, where many large new homes owned by auto workers were springing up, as this industry was still thriving at the time. “Dad was a hard charger,” Shawn said. “People still tell me about his hard work and determination to get this business off the ground. Within two minutes they can tell the old man has no gray areas. It’s black or white with him.” When Dave Sr. promised a superior product, people got it. At first, much of the slate he sold was used as floor tiling or flagstone for patios, landscape projects and handsome walkways. But that began to change with a home building boom in the early 1980s. Spring 2019
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Dave Sr.’s biggest break came during a delivery to Louisiana, where a buyer asked him for supplies of weathered barn slate that could be used to preserve the character of old buildings in the New Orleans historic district. “In 1980, the first year, he sold one load, in 1981 three loads at $5,000 per load,” Shawn said. “In the third year he sold 17 loads and 43 in the fourth year.” By 1984, Dave Sr. had enough working capital to purchase his first quarry, in Castleton. In 1986, he bought a couple more and Camara Slate now owns 36 quarries, of which four are currently active. “Before this, dad bought from a lot of existing quarries,” Shawn said. “He would buy it from them, put thin margins on it and sell it, just to get a market. He would only do A grade slate, which he made a lot less on. But then down the road he’d have a future customer.” The 1990s tech boom generated a great deal of new wealth across America, which gave new home buyers the money to purchase more expensive building materials. “All of a sudden there were thousands of small quarries — granite, limestone, bluestone, sandstone — all over the country, springing up everywhere,” Shawn said. This era is also when the Internet and social media came on the scene, giving every business, including Camara Slate, a worldwide platform to market their products. The turning point in the business was in 1996 / 1997 when the slate industry restarted the National Slate Association. At the start-up meeting held in Saratoga, New York, there was a lot of talk of poor quality slate products and roofers were complaining about products. Shawn then explained that issues with the quality came from producers cutting corners by drilling the nail holes (in stacks of slates), instead of hand-punching 72
each slate. Through the process of punching, bad slates weed themselves out by not withstanding the process. The end result is less waste at the job site when producers take the extra time to punch each slate. After this meeting, more roofers came to Camara Slate for the quality. One of those roofers was Joe Jenkins, one of the slate industry’s most respected and influential voices, who
Roofing Magazine. In a glowing account in 2014, Jenkins shone the spotlight on Dave Sr. and the business he built, quite literally from the ground up. “Camara and his sons express a strong pride in their products,” Jenkins wrote. “Their attention to detail and concern for quality and reputation is remarkable. They’re certainly worth a look when considering the purchase of virtually any slate
Dave Jr shows a group of local students the quarry operations.
wrote The Slate Roof Bible. When the Slate Roofing Contractors Association honored Dave Sr. with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, it was Jenkins who presented the award. (There are currently two national associations: National Slate Association and the Slate Roofing Contractors Association. Locally there is a Vermont Slate Quarry Association. ) Jenkins also publishes Traditional
product.” Already strong sales skyrocketed from $2 million in 2002 to $12 million today. Now, about 90 percent of the firm’s business is roofing tile, for both new and existing construction. Slate lasts about 100 to 125 years. Many privateand government-owned structures built around 1900, from Ivy League colleges to U.S Post Office buildings, need slate replacements now. A few years ago, Camara Slate Rutland Magazine
provided much of the material for the massive clubhouse and grandstand roof at the historic Saratoga Race Course, America’s oldest sporting venue. But slate is also the material of choice for many high-end new home builders in cities such as Dallas and Los Angeles. “Slate countertops have become pretty popular, too,” Shawn said. “It doesn’t get real shiny like
granite or limestone. It’s a matte finish and has the rustic look people want, to go with hand-hewn beams and old brick. They want to make everything look old.” Camara Slate has overcome many challenges in its more than half-century of doing business. At one point, new state environmental regulations threatened to hinder operations in Vermont. But local companies organized a Spring 2019
Vermont Slate Quarry Association and named Shawn its president. The group, with help from area state and Rutland County legislators, was able to successfully lobby Vermont leaders into easing some of the proposed new rules, which would have restricted quarry operations. Now another inevitable situation is casting a shadow over the slate industry’s long-term future in Vermont as supplies, quite simply, aren’t unlimited. With a brief geology lesson, Shawn explained that slate veins run at a 45-degree angle into the earth. Most of the slate already quarried has been relatively near the surface. Comparing the industry to a ballgame, Shawn said, “I think we’re in the eighth inning. If we want to continue finding that stone we have to go deeper and take out the other stuff on top.” However, this would involve a much more expensive process at a time when production costs keep escalating for everything from blasting powder to health insurance. For companies to survive, consumers would have to support a significant price increase for slate. Shawn said it’s quite possible that only a handful of the roughly 15 area firms might still be operating a couple of decades from now. “This book does end,” he said. But Camara Slate has written one of the most fascinating chapters in Vermont slate industry history. Many years from now, regardless of its future, this company’s slate will still be enjoyed by people around the world, as it protects their homes with some of strongest, most beautiful material on the planet. TO LEARN MORE: * The Slate Valley Museum in Granville, New York. has permanent collections, exhibits and a driving tour that explain the entire history of the slate industry along the Vermont-
New York border. For information go to slatevalleymuseum.org * The Slate Quarry Park Group, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization made up of business leaders and community members whose mission is to create a privately funded public park for the community of Poultney. For information go to slatequarrypark.org. *The Slate Roof Bible: Everything You Need to Know About the World’s Finest Roof by Joseph Jenkins has won national awards. He has been called the foremost expert on slate roofs in the U.S. The book is available online from amazon.com. Paul Post is a reporter for The Saratogian newspaper in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. where his work has been recognized in many state and nationwide contests. He also does extensive freelance writing for a variety of sports, business, regional and agricultural publications and he has written three books.
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Kitchen to Table
AN EGG IS AN EGG IS AN EGG
OR IS IT?
BY SUSAN ORZELL-RANTANEN PHOTO BY TIM SINK
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THIS THOUGHT-PROVOKING MODERN RIDDLE IS AIMED AT GOURMANDS AND SURVIVALISTS ALIKE: WHAT ANIMAL DO WE EAT BEFORE IT IS BORN AND AFTER IT IS DEAD? IT'S THE CHICKEN, FROM THE JUST-LAID EGG STAGE AND ONWARD. As such, an egg is not an egg is not an egg: there are arguably two types. One type, strictly regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is found at supermarkets. These eggs are produced at “factory farms” where thousands of hens are confined to small cages. The USDA demands that the egg cartons include a “sell by” code so that the eggs are sold within 30 days of when they are packed. It is simple enough; it is the day of the year. For example, January 31 reads 31, February 28 reads 59, and December 31 reads 365. The other type is the subject of this article. These eggs come from small free-range flocks kept on diversified homesteads or even in urban backyards. The hens are kept to provide eggs for family consumption and, in some cases, to supply private customers, local restaurants, and farmers’ markets. The eggs are considered good for up to 66 days...although they are eaten long before that. As a side note to readers who gasp at that fact, people in European countries don't even refrigerate eggs. A hen finishes an egg with a protective coating just before it leaves her system through her vent to enter the world. This seals the egg while she sits on it for 21 days to hatch it. Her body doesn't know that the egg will be taken from her for human consumption. For that matter, the egg itself isn't fertile unless the hen has been keeping company with a rooster. She will lay eggs regardless of whether or not a rooster is around, but those eggs will not contain all of the ingredients to start a chick. Fertile or non fertile, there is no difference in taste or nutritional value. What does impact the taste and Spring 2019
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nutritional value is what the hen herself eats. Free-range hens have access to insects and plants and dirt, which caged hens do not. That said, it is possible at the factory farm level to tweak the diet of the hen. According to sources not validated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but accepted by much of the public is the claim that eggs from free-range hens on natural diets (not factory farm rations) have twice as much omega 3 fatty acids, three times as much Vitamin E, one-third less cholesterol and one-fourth less saturated fat. They also taste better. Trish Lewis, who lives on the small homestead Phoenix Farm in Pittsford, maintains 27 chickens in various stages of maturity, including roosters. In peak season she gathers about a dozen eggs a day, enough for family and three loyal customers. “I have a flock to please my eyes, with many feathers and body types,” Lewis notes, listing Welsummers, Orpingtons, Easter Eggers and Americaunas. “If you have time [to care for a flock], your own hens will not only give you vibrant fresh eggs...they will eat the bug pests from your flowers and veggies.” Georgette Haviland, who keeps about a dozen laying hens of various breeds in her backyard in Rutland, concurs, and tells about her pet, a 6-year-old Leghorn named Grumpy. “Grumpy does gardening work with me. When I weed my gardens, she follows me around and further tills.” The food waste from Haviland's household is given to her hens which recycle it into fresh eggs. “I have noticed that the yolks are more golden in color, likely because of their enriched diet of scrap food.” She adds that her favorite method of using her fresh eggs is “to scramble them with milk and top them with fresh roasted tomatoes that my mother cans from her garden.” What does a consumer look for when buying fresh eggs? Most are marketed by trusted local producers,
so quality is rarely of concern. Here are some tips: the laying hens should have access to clean nests, resulting in stain-free eggs. If there is doubt about the age of the produce, put the egg in a tall glass of water. If it sinks like a stone, it's older. The yolk should be orange, not pale yellow, due to the hen's natural diet. The color of an egg's shell is determined by the breed of the hen which laid it. Most commercial eggs are white because they are laid by Leghorns, a small breed well adapted to factory farming. Brown shells are also common, usually produced by smaller operations with more room for alternative breeds. A short list here matches breeds to egg colors and is limited to common breeds found locally, which tolerate harsher climates. Brown eggs are laid by Rhode Island Reds, Orpingtons, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes and Cochins. Chocolate brown eggs are laid by Marans and Welsummers. Here's where it gets interesting. Blue eggs are laid by Ameraucanas. Blue, green or pink eggs are laid by Easter Eggers, which are a hybrid between Ameraucanas and any other breed. (The gene for colored eggs is dominant.) Most of the above colors can be speckled. Speaking of color brings me to our ending thought. What is my favorite use of eggs from my own motley flock? I love to have an audience of children around, with eggs of various colors placed on the kitchen counter. We break the eggs into one big bowl, then try to tell which egg came from which shell. It's impossible. Why? Because inside they're all the same. The lesson here? So are we. Susan Orzell-Rantanen has worked as an editor and freelance writer in the Rutland area for the past 31 years. A seventh generation Vermonter, she holds degrees in animal husbandry and journalism. She lives in Rutland with her husband, two badly spoiled dogs and an opinionated cat.
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A FRIEND, DIANA BROWN, WHO WRITES A COLUMN IN A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER, described last May her wonder at “the spectacular bursting forth of all shades of green possible. Shad and squirrel teeth, Solomon’s Seal, dandelions, wild horseradish and many early perennials are leading me out into the yard and beyond many times a day.” Her words made me think of my own list of spring plants that lead me outside. I had to look up squirrel teeth (apparently another name for a relative of Dutchman’s Britches and often referred to as Squirrel Corn because its root tubers look like corn kernels) and didn’t know what horseradish looked like, but Solomon’s Seal made me think of my mother and her knowledge of wildflowers that she passed on to me. I remember her pointing the flower out to me, a memory that brings to mind the mysteriously named False Solomon’s Seal. Which was which, and where did the name Solomon’s Seal originate? At first glance, the two plants are similar. Both have a long stem that bends gracefully, with its tapered oval leaves hanging down. But Solomon’s Seal has a series of bell-shaped pale flowers hanging off the stem. False Solomon Seal’s flowers are feathery clusters of tiny blossoms at the end of the stem. Both plants are members of the lily family. The berries are also markedly different. Solomon’s Seal sports dark blue, almost black, berries while False Solomon’s Seal has green berries speckled with red that gradually turn all red. The name Solomon's Seal is intriguing. King Solomon was a rich, wise king of Israel whose reign is commonly designated as 970-931 BCE. He was a figure of great renown and power in his time. The rootstalk of Solomon’s Seal has joints. When the leaf stalk is broken off it, a scar is left that is said to look like the official seal of King Solomon. False Solomon’s Seal, on the other hand, has no such mark. There are a number of other varieties of the “true” Solomon’s Seal, including the Hairy, which differs from the Solomon’s Seal because of tiny hairs along the veins on the underside of the leaves. Great Solomon’s Seal is, you guessed it, distinguished by larger flowers and greater height. With spring coming, it’s fun to think of your own list of wildflowers special to you and what new ones you want to look for on your walks in the Vermont woods.
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school news
“The assumption we learned to work from is that only with knowing the truth, can you reliably build a plan for success. Success in this course takes a willingness to be vulnerable, introspective, and to receive feedback from others.”
MATTHEW PROUTY IS A DEDICATED lifelong student of leadership skills because, given the choice, he wants those under his direction to do things willingly, not because they have to. Prouty, a Rutland Police Department commander, and 12 other people from fields such as healthcare, business and education, are the first-ever graduates of a new course, called Leadership Project Rutland, whose ultimate goal is making the city a more vibrant, successful community heading toward the mid-21st century and beyond. “This course was purposefully put out to a diverse group of leaders,” Prouty said. “I personally learned a lot from spending time with managers who work in a completely different environment than I do.” left to right Hilary McCoy, Katie Brady, Amanda Wood, Mary-Rachel Keyser, Shannon Poole, Christine Messer, David LaChance, April Cioffi, Matthew Prouty, Sarah Traverse, Joe Fusco, and Laura Pierce
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photo provided by leadership project rultnad
THE LEADERSHIP PROJECT RUTLAND
GUIDING THE COMMUNITY INTO THE FUTURE BY PAUL POST
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photo by tim sink
photo by tim sink
Mountain Power. Like every other city, Rutland is a much different place than it was a half century ago and even more fast-paced, rapid change is inevitable as the future unfolds. “The world Rutland thrived in 50 years ago is not the same as it is now,” Fusco said. “Economic development, medicine, government, all of these things are really systems, so they require connecting people from different parts of the community. How are we going to live, learn and grow in the next 100 years? It will take an immense amount of leadership at all domains and all levels of the community.” Sponsored by Rutland Young Professionals, the Leadership Project is designed to make this quality a sustainable part of the city’s socio-economic fabric. “It’s about building leadership capacity in a group of people interconnected by professional positions that goes beyond the dayto-day demands of their jobs,” Fusco said. The initiative was spearheaded by Meghan Chambers, account manager for Efficiency Vermont and by Sara Gilbert, human resources manager for Mendon-based Casella Construction Inc. They’d both taken similar courses, but none were based in or specifically geared toward Rutland. They and Prouty were part of a planning committee that also included Joe Fusco of Green Mountain Power, Mary Cohen of Rutland
above Matt Prouty and David LaChance Rutland Police Department below Christine Messer and Shannon Poole Heritage Family Credit Union
Day-long monthly classes, held at the Green Mountain Power Post Road location, lasted almost a year. The instructor was Joseph Fusco, vice president of Rutland-based Casella Waste Management, who also instructs an MBA-level personal and organization82
al leadership course at the University of Vermont. Graduation ceremonies were held last fall during the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. Sponsors of the project were Rutland Young Professionals, Castleton University and Green
Rutland Magazine
Region Chamber of Commerce and Shana Louiselle of VELCO. “It’s a great opportunity for working professionals in our area to deepen their engagement with community leadership, and also work on their ability to solve problems collaboratively in an interdisciplinary way, and with some deep reflection about their impact on both their business and the community,” Gilbert said. “We are not just offering a set of tools and leaving students to apply them or not in their business or community context. Our class is a place where people can reflect on what it means to be a leader, and most importantly, get curious about what their actual impact as leaders is. It’s not just to have another workshop, but really to provide a training program that’s going to create dramatic transformation in the lives of people who participate, and therefore in their businesses and our community at large.” In addition to Prouty of the Rutland Police Department, inaugural class members are Katie Brady of RNL & Associates; April Cioffi of Rutland Recreation & Parks Department; Sarah Furman, Christine Messer and Shannon Poole of Heritage Family Credit Union; Mary-Rachel Keyser of Keyser Energy; David LaChance of Rutland City Police Department; Hilary McCoy of Blush Salon & Beauty Lounge; Steve Peters of Downtown Rutland Partnership; Aida Volpone of Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs; and Laura Pierce and Amanda Wood of Rutland Regional Medical Center. Upon completion of the course, each student received a credit-bearing certificate from the University of Castleton. “You can’t afford not to take this course if you’re in the community and have a large span of responsibility,” Pierce said, “especially as it relates to the management or influSpring 2019
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ence of other people, and are open to personal challenge.” “The core of this program is a focus on knowing the truth — the truth about yourself and your leadership style, the people you work with, and the business, project or other situation in front of you,” she said. “The assumption we learned to work from is that only with knowing the truth, can you reliably build a plan for success. Success in this course takes a willingness to be vulnerable, introspective, and to receive feedback from others.” As a member of the medical field, Pierce found working with people from other walks of life highly valuable. “We all become so entrenched in the culture and norms of our respective organizations and professions, that I really looked forward to having the opportunity to share and learn
802-773-9111 Rutland Magazine
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from other leaders who brought a diversity of experience to the table,” she said. Prouty is the police department’s commander of outreach services and is also executive director of the department’s Project VISION, a grassroots public-private partnership founded by former Chief James Baker that addresses building community, community health and public safety. But he said Leadership Project lessons can also be applied to work, home and personal life. “Each student puts together their own leadership plan about what they want to achieve as a leader. We list what our ‘impacts’ are. It forces the individual to list the positive and negative impacts they’re having, things they should do more or less often, and possible consequences if changes aren’t made, and possible rewards for your efforts. The best
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part is having a leadership partner that holds the leader accountable to the plan.” Prouty said developing a personal leadership plan was the most difficult part of the course. “But in the end, and I have said this to many people, that document alone was worth the cost of tuition,” he said. “I go over my plan every Monday. It keeps me focused on the things I have committed to change in my life and also to be a lifelong student of leadership. I have a special section of my plan that focuses on my work-life balance.” The $1,800 course fee includes materials and meals (breakfast, lunch) during day-long classes, held on weekdays. “We are so appreciative of businesses and other employers for giving up valuable employees one day per month for almost a full year, to take this course,” Chambers said. Rutland Young Professionals offers scholarships for participants in need of financial assistance. The six core leadership mastery modules Fusco taught are: 1) “Impact” -- The Foundations of Personal & Organizational Leadership, 2) The Strategic and Systems Leader, 3) The Entrepreneur Leader, 4) The Community Leader, 5) The Organizational Leader and 6) The Innovation Leader. “This course is not a magic wand, where upon completion, you are a certified awesome leader in all areas of your life,” Prouty said. “It’s about learning a lot about yourself so that you can work on problem areas of your life and improve the impact that you have as an individual in your community, home and work place.” For information go to the website: rutlandyoungprofessionals.org or email: leadershipprojectrutland@ gmail.com.
Rutland Magazine
She was a hardscrabble New England farmer. She went from poverty to property. Along the way she had 5 husbands, including an arsonist.
Road To Victory
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Spring 2019
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a l l a b o u t the arts
DONNA WILKINS PHOTOGRAPHER Inviting People into the Picture BY SANDRA STILLMAN GARTNER • ART AND PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DONNA WILKINS
HAROLD “HUNKY” WILKINS AND HIS WIFE, PHOTOGRAPHER DONNA WILKINS, were on a day shopping trip, following a festive party two days earlier, held in Hunky’s honor that over 400 people attended. Driving back home, Hunky asked Donna to pull the car over and said to her, “No matter what happens to me, I want you to promise that you won’t cancel any of your projects and will stick to your schedule of sessions and weddings.” She promised, “Yes,” holding back her tears but said, “Nothing is going to happen to you.” That night, her husband collapsed on the floor of their home and Donna brought him back to the oncology unit at Rutland Regional Medical Center, where Hunky passed away two days later. Hunky had been diagnosed with cancer just seven months prior. He had just turned 58 and they were coming up on their 37th wed88
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During her travels throughout Vermont, Wilkins makes notes of areas she would like to shoot, but sometimes in a different season. “I don’t automatically pull out my camera when I’m intrigued by a scene. A summer view might be more exciting in the winter or at night. So I come back to the special location to shoot it at another time.”
ding anniversary. Wilkins was devastated. He was her best friend from the time she was 14 years old and they were inseparable. The day after her husband passed, Wilkins shot a six-hour wedding in Bennington, because she wouldn’t break her promise to her husband. Her youngest daughter came along to help with the assignment. The next day, Wilkins shot a Relay For Life Car Show event that was already on her schedule. Wilkins ran into the Bennington newlywed at a summer Relay for Life event a few weeks later. “The young woman loved the wedding photographs and I was happy for that. But I didn’t remember anything about the day, because I had been in a state of shock,” she said. “When I told her my story, the bride said they would have understood if I couldn’t have photographed the wedding. But I explained that I had made a promise to my husband.” After completing the two photo as90
signments, Wilkins didn’t really touch a camera for sessions or art photography for about three months. Then she thought about how much Hunky wanted her to continue her work as a professional photographer and the promise. She picked up the camera again and hasn’t put it down since. "My husband was my biggest supporter and fan. He was always telling me that he was proud of me. He was a beautiful person and I miss him so much." Wilkins said, “I love shooting outdoor photos and the quality natural light brings to a subject. When I photograph portrait sessions, I ask people to pick a place they want as a backdrop. Most people choose something outdoors. I love portrait sessions.” Donna received her first camera at age 13 when the popular choice was a Kodak 125. In her teenage years, she graduated to a Polaroid Instamatic with the pull out photos. The qualities of her cameras have changed
since then. For portraiture, she uses a Sony A7RII and a SONY A7R3 and for landscape Wilkins shoots with a NIKON D810. All of them are digital full-frame cameras. The artist said, “People tell me that my point of view is what makes my photos unique. I enjoy shooting landscape scenes in the nighttime. People who have seen my collection say they feel like they’re right in the picture.” Primarily, Wilkins shoots her photographs in the New England area. One of her favorite subjects is trains. “I believe it’s from growing up in Rutland,” she said. “The sound of a train whistle brings me back to when I was a child hearing them in the night. There is something very nostalgic to me when it comes to trains.” Her inspiration comes from an inner passion for photography. As a youngster, she was attracted to taking pictures of people in their natural environment. “I immersed myself in the act of taking the photographs. However, Rutland Magazine
the anticipation of seeing the finished project was very cool.” Wilkins also enjoyed going through photographs of her mother that were taken before she, Donna, was born. “I truly believe this is another reason I was inspired to become a photographer. It was fascinating for me to see the person I grew up with in a very different time and place.” Prior to beginning her photography career full time in 2006, Wilkins worked as a meat cutter at the Wallingford Locker for over 20 years. When the brothers she worked for Spring 2019
decided to retire and sell the business, she was encouraged by her husband to pursue her passion and Donna Wilkins Photography was born. She had always taken photos at parties and family gatherings. What had started out as a hobby became a thriving business. During her travels throughout Vermont, Wilkins makes notes of areas she would like to shoot, but sometimes in a different season. “I don’t automatically pull out my camera when I’m intrigued by a scene. A summer view might be more exciting in the winter or at night. So 91
I come back to the special location to shoot it at another time.” Her family has been situated in the Green Mountain State for generations. Wilkins continues to share the wonder and beauty of her family’s love of Vermont through her photography. Wilkins has two daughters, Tara and Ashley, their husbands Nathan and Kris, and five grandchildren who are pros when they see "Grammie" coming with her camera. She has done some whimsical sessions with her grandchildren, and they love the results of them. Those sessions took about two hours of editing per photo, to get them the way she thought they would like them. "I always bring along my camera wherever we go." Besides Vermont, Wilkins spends time by the ocean in Maine with family, where she has taken many photos. The other aspect of photography that Wilkins enjoys is the editing process. “It’s a wonderful feeling to capture the images in my camera. Once back home, I’m intrigued by the editing process. If a certain area or subject stands out in the photo, I will enhance the image to bring it to the forefront. I love editing.” The photographer offers outdoor portrait sessions (or in a person’s home), real estate photography, party photography, and photo art. Contact information, a list of many photo
galleries, and prices are available at donnawilkinsphotography.com or by calling (802) 770-9037. Wilkins also does wedding photography, and the cost is arranged per event hours. She is hoping to open a studio at her home in Clarendon in the near future. That way people will have the option of coming to her studio or meeting Wilkins at their favorite outdoor setting. A studio would be great for newborn sessions, Wilkins said. One of her clients wrote about Wilkin’s photography, “Congratulations on your beautiful scenic art. I still think you should publish a book
of your works…it would give all those that love Vermont the chance to see it through your eyes. Thanks for the memories.” A former editorial assistant at Glamour Magazine, Sandra Stillman Gartner's articles have been published in such periodicals as Lady's Circle and Yankee. She is a published poet and screenplay writer, and is one of three producing directors of Vermont Actors' Repertory Theatre and performs on stage, television and in film.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING BY SUSAN ORZELL-RANTANEN
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RUTLAND COUNTY FARMERS MARKET The Rutland County Farmers Market moves from their winter digs to the outdoor venue of Depot Park in the heart of downtown. The outdoor season traditionally begins the Saturday before Mother's Day; in 2019 moving day for the market falls on May 11. The market will continue in this location until the last Saturday in October, which this year falls on October 26. The hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. All of the products are sold by the people that produce them. Shop for everything from produce to specialty and prepared foods to baked goods to cheeses. Plants are also available. This direct communication between consumers and producers is crucial to the ever-growing localvore movement throughout the Rutland area and the State of Vermont. For more information visit rcfmvt.org. THE VERMONT FARMERS MARKET The Vermont Farmers Market resumes for the warm-weather months on the Saturday after Mother's Day; in 2019 the market reopens on May 18. The operating hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Along with agricultural and food products this market features handproduced crafts and health/beauty items. For more information visit vermontfarmersmarket.org. FAIR HAVEN FARMERS MARKET The Fair Haven Market sets up on Thursday, from June through October in the centrally located Fair Haven Park. The hours are from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. PARAMOUNT THEATRE SPRING VENUE The 2019 season marks the 106th anniversary of downtown Rutland's Paramount Theatre, which started welcoming audiences in 1913 as the Spring 2019
Playhouse. Located at 30 Center Street in downtown, this venerable brick building is the venue for a variety of celebrated musical and theatrical acts again this spring. For more information about the line up, ticket prices and availability of seating for any of these Spring, 2019 acts, call (802)775-0570 or visit ParamountVT.org. RUTLAND FREE LIBRARY SPRING BOOK SALES This Spring, the Rutland Free Library at 10 Court Street is the site of several book sales in the basement of the building. The sales are organized by the Friends of the Rutland Library and the proceeds help support the library's collections and activities. The March sale is held on Friday, March 1st and Saturday, March 2nd . The April sale is held on Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th. The May sale is scheduled for Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th. The times of all of the sales are consistently set for from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information call (802) 7731860 or visit www.rutlandfree.org. MARCH THE POULTNEY MAPLEFEST CELEBRATION 2019 On Saturday, March 23rd, the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Poultney Maplefest Celebration, with the entire town as the venue. The collective schedule of events which features businesses, crafters, non-profits, civic groups and others continues to grow. The Maplefest 2019 schedule includes a craft fair, a pancake breakfast, story hour at the Poultney Public Library, horse-drawn wagon rides through downtown, maple-related contests and raffles, a Maplefest dinner, tree tapping on the Green Mountain College lawn, crowning of the maple prince and princess, and more for adults and children. Although there are no Poultney Cham-
ber of Commerce-sponsored events on Sunday, March 24th, the Maplefest segues with the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend (organized by the Vermont Sugarmakers Association) on that day as local sugarhouses open their operations for tours, with treats available including maple fried dough, sugar on snow, maple candy and maple cotton candy. For more information visit www.poultneyareachamber.com. APRIL RUTLAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER BUSINESS SHOW The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce presents the Rutland Regional Medical Center Business Show 2019 on April 9th from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. The Holiday Inn on Route 7 South is the location for this networking and marketing opportunity. More than 90 vendors exhibit goods and services in this traditionally well-attended expo. There are door prizes and raffles. There is an entry fee of $5 per person. For more information visit www. rutlandvermont.com. VERMONT MAPLE FESTIVAL The 53rd annual Vermont Maple Festival, the now traditional spring event that is held in St. Albans but which draws visitors from not only throughout Vermont but across the United States and Canada, is held on Friday, April 26, Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. The event, honoring “all things maple� is a three-day celebration which features a wide variety of entertainment and activities. Antiques and craft shows, a Vermont maple store, a specialty foods show, contests and demonstrations for maple syrup and value-added products, a photography contest, a maple cooking contest, a downtown merchants window-dressing contest, and musical events as well as comedy and youth talent shows are part of the fun. Other events include a Sap Run foot race and a two-hour parade up Lake 95
Street and across Main Street with floats, bands, and costumed characters. Venues for the celebration throughout St. Albans include City Hall, Taylor Park, Bellows Free Academy, the Town Educational Center on South Main Street, the City Elementary School and St. Mary's Hall. For more information call (802) 524-5800 or visit www. VTMapleFestival.org. MAY LADIES’ NIGHT OUT WOMEN’S CHORUS SPRING 2019 The chorus presents “Female Empowerment- She Sings Knowing She Hath Wings” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1 Hillside Rd in Rutland, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 2 Duane Ct in Middlebury. Conductor Lucy Tenenbaum leads 17 women singers from Rutland, Windham and Addison Counties, accompanied by Dr. Charles Madsen, piano, from Castleton University; freelance Bassist Glendon Ingalls; and Michael and Kathy Luzader on percussion. The exciting program includes contemporary composers Gwyneth Walker, Elizabeth Alexander, Eugene Butler, Rosephanye Powell, Amanda McBroom, Abbie Betinis, Zebulon Highben, and Z. Randall Stroop. A 16th Century Madrigal by William Latham rounds out the program. A $10 donation is requested. Contact Lucy at (802) 342-8348 or lucytunes@me.com for more info. Both venues are handicap accessible. THE RUTLAND GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE The Rutland Garden Club annual plant sale, a fundraiser for the active organization, is slated for Saturday, May 18th from 9:00 a.m. until all of the plants are sold. It is held at the corner of Center and Main Streets in Rutland, in front of the Hull Maynard Hersey Insurance Agency at 105 Center Street. A wide variety of assorted perennials and hostas appropriate for Zone 4 planting are on hand. The Club earmarks the profits for the maintenance of 20 public gardens throughout the city. For more information call Margery Salmon at (802) 492-3315. 96
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