(This story was first published in the April 25, 2013 edition of the Vermont Standard.)

By Virginia Dean
Standard Correspondent

The restaurant housing the former East Ender will be up and running again as a result of a recent purchase of the Route 4 building this week.

The selling price of $197,500 was accepted and closed upon by a Boston investor represented by three local individuals who currently own the Worthy Burger restaurant in South Royalton that opened in August 2012.

Kurt Lessard, Jason Merrill and David Brodrick — all from Barnard — will be leasing the building from the undisclosed investor and become the sole managing and operational overseers. The realtor is Robert Wallace Real Estate of Woodstock.

The new business will be called the Worthy Kitchen: A Craft Beer Diner, and it’s slated to open in late July or early August. Commercial catering will also be offered under the name Worthy Catering and will begin operations immediately in a state-of-the-art kitchen with a large, mobile, wood-fired grill in a Worthy Truck and Trailer that will also appear at various outdoor events around the state.

Bookings have begun and so far include several weddings this summer, beer festivals in Greensboro, and the Vermont Brewers Fest in mid-July. There is currently plenty of available space, Merrill said.

“We’re super excited,” said Lessard. “It will enable us to expand what we do as far as food services as well as our South Royalton business. I’m very excited. It’s great to be part of the Woodstock business community.”

Lessard is the owner and operator of Lessard Property Management. He also does accounting for several businesses in Woodstock, including restaurants. Merrill has been chef at the Jackson House in Woodstock, the Hanover Inn in Hanover, N.H., and various restaurants in Arizona. Brodrick is the current owner of a craft beer bar and restaurant called The Blind Tiger in Greenwich Village in New York City.

“We’re excited about moving into this new spot,” Merrill said. “It gives us the thing we need most: a much bigger cooking facility.”

Though the internal structure of the Worthy Kitchen is still in the process of being set up, Merrill said, its food will have a woodfired element although the smoke, he added, will be coming from their wood-burning oven.

Foods that will be offered at the restaurant will include sourdough breads for sandwiches along with a rotating list of pastas, salads, soups, fried chicken, steak and fish, with ingredients as local as possible, Merrill said.

Additional items will include prepared foods to go, including Worthy Burger kits for grilling at home. The kits will contain raw patties, buns, lettuce, onions and house-made chips for customers to take home to grill.

“I’m really excited,” Brodrick said. “The Worthy Burger has been really fun and a great experience. But we all thought about what we would do differently if we were to have another restaurant. The kitchen is tiny and we haven’t been able to do a lot of the things we have wanted. The Worthy Burger will give us a chance to cook the foods we want and connect with local farmers and distributors. The new kitchen is gigantic, and the equipment will be top of the line. It will all allow us to have affordable prices on a bigger scale and with more control.”

The oversized kitchen, Merrill added, will not only enable the managers to buy and process even more of their ingredients from their favorite farmers in the area, but also allow them to highlight a particular breed of animal from a local farm and include it in their specials.

“We’ll also be building a special walk-in refrigerator so we can expand our pickling operations,” Merrill said.

On the beverage side, the new restaurant will offer 20 artisanal beers on draught, six wines, hard cider, and kombucha — an effervescent fermentation of sweetened tea.

“We’ll also make our own sodas, lemonades and teas,” said Merrill. “On Saturdays and Sundays, our brunch will include house-made Bloody Marys.”

Worthy Kitchen will take over more and more of the food prep for Worthy Burger, Merrill noted.

“We can then grind our own burger blends, offer more specials, and further improve the efficiency of our operations,” Merrill said.

The Worthy Kitchen will accommodate 80 seats inside and 25 on the outdoor deck. There will also be room for private parties, Merrill added.

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Mundy Wilson, owner and general manager of Chippers headquartered in Woodstock, announced that the company has launched into the wholesale maple syrup production business. The move is an outgrowth of brainstorming sessions over a year and a half ago on how best to move forward toward providing more full-time employment for the Chippers “family.”
Rick Russell Photos

Three generations of the Singleton family will be on hand for the opening of their new market in Quechee on Friday, March 1. It happens to coincide with patriarch Tom Singleton’s birthday who proudly carries on the nearly 70-year tradition of the Singleton family serving the area. Tom will be joined by his wife Linn, son-in-law Gabe and wife Jessica Singleton Hathorn and child in welcoming the first patrons to the new facility.
(Business Matters – Paul Bousquet)

A portion of these photo first appeared in the February 28, 2013 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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Remodeled and Reopened!
Bentley’s Restaurant in Woodstock re-opened this weekend after undergoing some renovations. The re-opening comes just in time for the summer tourist season but locals will love the new space too!
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the May 24th, 2012 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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Chefs of the Valley
The Quechee Club in Quechee, Vermont hosted a late afternoon gala, Chef’s of the Valley, where you could sample gourmet cuisine prepared by more than 20 local chefs, taste wine & beer, enjoy live music and bid on silent auction items, to benefit Upper Valley Haven.
Rick Russell Photos

Stacey Velardi, owner of the Daily Grind and Taylor Lauren is opening up a restaurant called π Brick Oven Trattoria. In preparation for the opening, a pizza oven was brought in through a window. The window was taken out in order for a crane from Bethel Mills to deliver it to its new location on Central Street.
π Brick Oven Trattoria is projected to open on Memorial Day Weekend.

Simon Pearce Construction
Nearly nine months after the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene ravaged the lower level of the Simon Pearce flagship building in Quechee, the challenging task of rebuilding the popular glassblowing workshop is nearing completion.
Rick Russell Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the March 29, 2012 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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Standard Staff
A small farm of solar trackers has been installed on Route 12 land owned by the Woodstock Aqueduct Company, the company’s Vice-President, Eric Wegner, confirmed Wednesday.
This is the first such project within the territory of CVPS and Wegner said the project has been about two years in the planning.
For more on this story, see this week’s Vermont Standard. (March 1, 2012 edition)

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

by Paul Bousquet
Special to the Standard
AT&T Expanding Broadband Coverage At Vermont Ski Resorts
AT&T announced earlier this month that it is expanding its capacity to accommodate higher usage of its mobile broadband network in the Vermont ski towns of Ludlow, Stowe, Killington, and Wilmington.
“As part of the Vermont community, we’re always looking for new opportunities to provide an enhanced customer experience to residents and winter tourists alike, and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way we’re accomplishing that,” said Steve Krom, vice president and general manager for AT&T New England.
In the past year, AT&T added three new cell sites in Vermont. It also added higher capacity connections (4G) at over 110 cell sites while expanding its mobile broadband capacity at more than 75 cell sites.
Enhanced communications tools are considered a vital necessity in meeting the needs of the 4 million winter visitors to ski resorts. AT&T operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network.

Shumlin Named Among 12 ‘Leaders Who Get Things Done’
While right-wing Republicans gridlock Washington, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin ranks among a dozen leaders highlighted by Rolling Stone Magazine who get things accomplished.
Shumlin’s immediate response in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene in quickly restoring hundreds of miles of damaged roads to which residents in Woodstock region can attest, and landmark legislation in establishing health care reform in Vermont are among important developments cited.
The governor signed into law the nation’s first single-payer, universal health care legislation arguing that it will reduce medical costs, cut administrative waste, and end duplicate procedures. It must still receive approval of federal regulators for “Green Mountain Care” to be fully implemented, that expected no earlier than 2014. Shumlin assures the nearly 200,000 underinsured residents (nearly one-third of the state’s population) they will be covered. According to him, health care dollars will be spent to keep “Vermonters healthy, not on insurance company profits.”
Former governor Howard Dean speaks of the legislation as a possible model for the rest of the country. However, the governor and state legislature must still design, finance and implement Green Mountain Care. Dean cautions, “The really heavy lifting is ahead of us.”

Friends Gather to Celebrate Birthday of Clara Hoisington
The cold temperatures of Saturday night did not deter over 100 friends and family who gathered at the Bridgewater Grange Hall to celebrate and pay tribute to Bridgewater’s Clara Hoisington on her 90th birthday. “It’s a wish come true,” said Clara while proudly greeting friends, neighbors, and nearly 40 family members. A long buffet table with an array of delicious food provided by family and friends filled one side of the hall. With but one exception, all living members of Clara’s immediate family attended the gathering. Grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, spouses and friends made up the remainder of the gathering who came to pay their respect for Clara. Together with a beautiful corsage, new sweater, party hat, and flanked by birthday balloons, Clara sat surrounded by well-wishers during the 3 hour celebration.

A Unique Idea for Valentine’s Day
Here’s a way to put a little romance into your life: How about a singing Valentine? Dressed in tuxedos, a male quartet will deliver a love song, card, rose, candies, and a photo of the event anywhere in the Upper Valley from Woodstock to New London and Claremont to Fairlee.
The North Country Chordsmen can be reserved anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on either Sunday, February 12 or Tuesday, February 14. Call 888-293-9191 to make reservations for a singing Valentine.

Midwifery Practice at Gifford Medical Center Lauded
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has named Gifford Medical Center’s midwifery practice as “best practice” among small-size practices in the United States. The honor was based upon 2010 results collected from participating practices across the nation.
The staff at Gifford is comprised of 4 obstetric and gynecology professionals together with 6 certified nurse-midwives providing 24 hour care at its Birthing Center.

Bill Moyers and Company Return to Public Television
Bill Moyers premiered his new show last Saturday evening on Vermont Public TV. Absent from the airwaves for a considerable period of time, Moyers has returned bringing thoughtful insight into well-researched topics. The opening show explored how America’s gross income inequality is no accident, but was in fact “politically engineered.” His two qualified guests, both political scientists, explain “how politicians rewrote the rules to create a winner-take-all economy that favors the 1 percent over everyone else, putting our once and future middle class in peril.”
Topics are relevant and explained in such a way that is understandable to all of us.

The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what is happening in the business community. If you have news of a business nature, you may reach Paul Bousquet via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net or by phone at 802-457-9256.

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Eric Francis
Standard Correspondent
WOODSTOCK – Roughly one in four homeowners within the Village of Woodstock have a responsibility that they do not share with the other residences around them: namely, the obligation to shovel off any snow that falls upon the segment of the Village-owned sidewalk that traverses their property.
It’s not just a neighborly thing to do, it’s a legal obligation enshrined in a long-standing Village ordinance that even provides for a potential $75 fine if a homeowner doesn’t get their section of sidewalk cleared within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm.
Although actual instances of fining people are few and far between, “Some people are just mad that they have to do it,” noted Woodstock Village Trustees Chairman Candace Coburn, who said she “gets it” when it comes to the complaints.
“People have very valid points about why they don’t like the current system,” Coburn noted. “One person said, `We don’t mind going out the first time and we don’t mind going out the second time but when it’s like the fourth and fifth time in one storm and the street plow has just pushed it all back on the sidewalk…’”
The sidewalk ordinance is one of the reasons that business owners can be seen scurrying out en mass with shovels and brooms each time the flakes start to fall along Central and Elm Streets but these days it stands as something of an anachronism even by the idiosyncratic standards of Vermont as a whole.
“What’s interesting is that of the 42 towns we called around Vermont to see how they handle things we didn’t find any of them that does it like Woodstock does it,” said Realtor and long-time Pleasant Street resident Peter Saman, noting, “Every single one of the towns we talked to clears their sidewalks for their residents.”
How worked up residents get about the ordinance tends to rise and fall in lockstep with the annual snowfall totals but while last year’s continuous dumping of the white stuff managed to get the issue firmly before the Village trustees, the need to debate any significant outlays of money at the annual Village Meeting on March 20 means that any real changes to the current system will not take place until the winter of 2012-2013.
In the meantime, much like students tackling a complicated “story problem” in a seventh grade math class, the six-member Sidewalk Committee appointed by the Village Trustees is trying to figure out how to even go about calculating the most cost-effective ways to get the snow off the 6.25 miles of sidewalks that snake through downtown Woodstock.
“The first question is should the Village even take on this service?” Chairman Coburn explained, adding, “And then, if we do take it on, how do we handle it?”
There are actually a lot of different options but they mostly fall within two major categories: either giving the task to the Village Highway Department or paying private contactors to do the work.
“The Village Highway Department is bare bones and they are already tapped out doing the roads when we have these big storms,” Coburn said, “They are just working constantly.”
An estimate pulled together for the committee by Highway Foreman David Green pegged the cost of adding a professional sidewalk shoveling operation to the existing department’s repertoire at about $103,000 including equipment such as heavy-duty snow blowers, a used pickup truck and sidewalk plow vehicle.
“We’d also have to build a shed, probably down by the sewer department, to house the salt and sand,” Coburn said. “There’s lots of costs when you decide to really do it.”
The largest cost would be labor because it would involve another person dedicated to sidewalk clearing who wasn’t part of the regular department and it’s hard to envision a part-time employee who would be available and standing by for just those occasions when snow is falling.
“David Green pointed out that other towns which do this usually have a water and sewer department they can pull an extra person from during storms,” Coburn explained.
“We have a private water department in town and our sewer department is already run with three people when the recommendation is for four people. We don’t have any fluff to pull from.”
The Village already hires a private contractor to clear sections of Village-owned sidewalk which are not in front of private homes or businesses – and to clear sections that have not been properly cleared by individual residents for whatever reason (although, in those cases, the homeowners will eventually get a $40 an hour bill from the Village for that service, and potentially a fine) and that is the model that the Sidewalk Committee is spending most of its effort exploring at the moment.
“We’ve already sent out bids basically saying, `Okay private contractors, if you want this work, what is it going to look like?’,” Coburn said. The committee is set to review the bids, which are based on breaking the Village down into four sections and letting interested parties bid on some or all of the quadrants for the winter season, during their next meeting this coming week on January 24 at 3 p.m. at the Town Hall.
Based on what they learn about the potential costs of using private contractors, the Sidewalk Committee will then begin crafting a series of proposals with the hopes that they can be before the voters for consideration at the March 20 Village Meeting.
“We’re still looking at how it will be presented to the voters,” Coburn said, noting, “The February 14th meeting will be interesting because that’s when the recommendations from the committee will first be shown to voters and then the Village Meeting will be where it all gets hashed out.”
“I think there should be options,” Coburn continued, “This vote could start out with the biggest proposal and say, “If this passes then the others are off the table,” but if it doesn’t pass then you go to the next option, and then the next if that doesn’t pass, and so on.”
Deciding what size program would potentially make sense for Woodstock is going to be a challenge in part because the other towns across Vermont that volunteers, including Saman, polled in recent weeks are so diverse in what they do and what they pay to have it done.
Some towns shell out as little as $11 an hour, others pay $65. Some, like Hartford, have state-of-the-art Trackless plows that zoom down sidewalks in Quechee and White River Junction with articulating blades, flashing lights, and an on-board salt and sand spreader. Others, like Newbury Village, rely on a local resident with a John Deere tractor and a snowblower.
Saman said what he concluded from calling around Vermont was that village centers with between 10 and 30 miles of sidewalks to clear tended to use the more expensive, dedicated equipment and personnel while villages with less than 10 miles had a much quirkier mix of methods and options.
Saman, who gets out and shovels the 92 feet worth of Village sidewalk which runs alongside Route 4 in front of his home, said another consideration for residents like him is the legal liability that comes with being responsible for that ribbon of concrete. “A lot of us pay about $300 a year for umbrella policies to cover our sidewalk,” in case someone were to be injured upon it, Saman noted.
Having the Village take up the responsibility for plowing the sidewalks would confer “municipal immunity” upon the property owners who currently have to worry about that liability but Coburn said that one possible outcome of the Sidewalk Committee’s current push to come up with a proposal is that the voters could decide to stick with the status quo.
Part of the reason is that it’s not clear whether or not it will be possible to craft a plan that exempts business owners, such as the Woodstock Inn which currently maintains a considerable swath of sidewalks in the downtown, from the scope of any changes to the sidewalk ordinance.
Coburn said she doubted the Inn, which has it’s own staff to see to prompt sidewalk clearing would cede that to a town crew or the town’s contractors, but she said under the current proposals, “Their taxes would still be affected (and effectively) they’d be paying for plowing twice.”
There are about 127 residences in Woodstock Village that have sidewalks out front and, Coburn predicted, even as the Sidewalk Committee starts to come up with proposals in the weeks ahead, “Whatever happens someone is not going to be happy.”

This article first appeared in the January 19th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

by Paul Bousquet, Special to the Standard

Spooner’s Bar & Grille Acknowledges Ace Hardware
Throughout the month of December, Larry Perry’s unselfish effort in promoting other local businesses via the outdoor advertising sign outside his Ace Hardware business drew a great amount of positive comment. In fact, it impressed Ray Bostock of Spooner’s Bar & Grille to such an extent, he contacted Horst Drexler of Anything Printed. Horst contributed a sign that Ray hung under his Spooner’s sign which read, “If you’re shopping, don’t forget Ace Hardware.” It’s another example of the spirit of Woodstock in neighbor helping neighbor. It proves the old adage that a rising tide lifts all boats.

2011 Was Year Of Reevaluation For ShackletonThomas
It is a fundamental principle for businesses to assess the way they do business.
Thus it was for Charlie Shackleton and Miranda Thomas, the husband-wife team of artisans who have been making fine furniture and world-class pottery for the past two decades from their shops in Bridgewater to pause and reassess their position.
At the beginning of 2011, they made a conscious decision to combine their individual talents as a team rather than as individual businesses to better serve their customers. Additionally, while their retail store in Hanover was especially successful a few years ago, they more recently perceived a strong interest in customers wanting to see where and how the products were created and were willing to travel a modest distance to do that.
Charlie and Miranda turned over their retail space in Hanover to Simon Pearce to focus on their core business in Bridgewater. Shackleton made adjustments in the workplace to make furniture to harmonize with the time frame of its showroom hours to better display the fine workmanship that goes into a piece of furniture or pottery that bears the ShackletonThomas name. A new and more inviting entrance to the shop-showroom was created to better display the products. As the year progressed, a robust and consistent demand for ShackletonThomas products produced a backlog of orders.
Then, at the end of August, Tropical Storm Irene caused flooding that overwhelmed the Bridgewater Mill causing $400k in damages literally destroying their businesses.
Rather than taking on a “woes me” attitude, Charlie and Miranda seized the moment as an opportunity to improve their operations. Both Charlie and Miranda reworked their workshops and purchased new more efficient equipment to better position their businesses for the future.
Shackleton then began a quest for two-three young people who had an interest in the furniture-making business. Surprisingly, he received applications from dozens of young professionals who were reevaluating life values. They universally expressed a lack of fulfillment in being involved in simply a profit based environment. The opportunity for a better quality of life while creating things with their hands drew three outstanding young people to the ShackletonThomas team. According to Charlie, they have brought a renewed and vibrant energy to the operation with one focusing on new furniture and pottery designs and improved marketing opportunities.
In retrospect, Shackleton said, “We look at Irene as a means of cleansing the company.”
It spawned a greater sense of innovation and adaptability that is the basis for all successful companies.
Shackleton is ever mindful and grateful for the outpouring of community support as well the incredible and prompt assistance of FEMA and SBA. Shackleton explained, “We strongly feel a 6th sense of belonging.” He concluded, “We are held in the web of a great collection of experience and support.”

Bridge Open Off Old River Road
The bridge that isolated the offices of the Woodstock Foundation from Old River Road is now open. The Middlesex Corp. of Littleton, MA, the company that replaced the bridge damaged by Tropical Storm Irene, is putting the finishing touches on the 62’ bridge that spans Barnard Brook. According to Dan Nash, superintendent of the bridge work,
abutments were replaced and three 27” wide steel girders were installed forming the underpinning of the crash-tested bridge design. Beefy laminated bridge members form the sides of the bridge capped by hemlock planks cut, sawn, and delivered to the site by 91-year old Floyd VanAlstyne of East Barnard.
Once completed, Nash, a twenty year veteran with Middlesex Corp., is moving on to oversee a multi-year bridge project in Bourne, MA. Middlesex Corp is a privately held corporation established in 1972. It has extensive experience in highway and bridge work, mass transit, and marine construction projects. Depending upon the scope of its work, it employs between 250-500 employees generating between $50-100mm in annual revenues.

Vermont Farmstead Cheese Names Bollinger To Board
Dave Bollinger of Woodstock has recently been named to the Board of Directors of Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company of South Woodstock. Bollinger moved to Vermont in the mid-80s following a career at Manufacturers Hanover Trust in New York City. Shortly thereafter, he teamed with Hunter Melville to create CyberRentals.com, a vacation rental company growing it from a start-up to a national Internet company. Its success attracted the attention of HomeAway.com, a world-wide vacation rental company that subsequently purchased CyberRentals.com.
With Melville serving as treasurer of Vermont Farmstead Cheese, Bollinger has supported the company since its formation.

Bridgewater Grange To Host Party For Clara Hoisington
Several weeks ago, the Vermont Standard included a story on the remarkable life of Clara Hoisington of Bridgewater who will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Saturday, January 14.
According to her good friend Betty Putnam, the Bridgewater Grange is hosting an Open House for Clara on Saturday, January 14 from 4–7PM.
Here’s an opportunity for all those who honor and know Clara to come and say ‘hello’ to her, her family and her many friends. Few of us reach such an age; even fewer raise 8 children without the benefit of running water; fewer yet take in and nurture a foster child with disabilities for nearly 7 years of his formative life as did Clara.
There will be food and song to celebrate Clara’s life.
For those who want to wish Clara a happy birthday but are unable to attend her party, Clara’s address is 1892 Rt. 100A, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035.

The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what is happening in the business community. If you have news of a business nature, you may reach Paul Bousquet via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net or by phone at 802-457-9256.

This article first appeared in the January 12th, 2012 edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Christopher Bartlett
Special To The Standard

Chris Bartlett Photo
Chy “Sunny” Tuckerman prepares crispy ginger fish at his Angkor Wat restaurant. Chy has a loyal local clientele who he regards as family. Although people have tried to persuade him to move his business to Hanover, he says he feels connected to Woodstock. Being outside the village center, the restaurant relies on locals particularly over the winter.

Do Just One Thing…
Join the 3/50movement. Pick three local businesses you’d really miss if they were no longer in town. Then do your best to keep them here by allocating $50 of your monthly budget to spread among them.

If you have ever had doubts about the power of a good idea, here’s a story to restore your faith. And better yet, it’s an idea we can harness right here in our community.
Cast your mind back three years when the country was mired the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. It was an incredibly difficult time for everyone, but particularly for small businesses.
That’s when Minneapolis-based retail consultant Cinda Baxter had her idea. Unwilling to wait for the wheels of Washington to grind out a solution, she posted a blog titled Save the Economy …Three Stores at a Time.
The post challenged her readers to do a few simple things: think of three local businesses you would miss if they disappeared; drop by, say hello, and pick up something to buy; then commit to diverting $50 of your monthly budget to support those chosen businesses.
The idea took off, and the 3/50 Project was born. Within 12 months, almost half a million people had visited its website, and across the country, hundreds of independent local businesses had signed up.
More importantly, the movement was getting out the word that for every $100 you spend at a locally owned independent store, $68 recycles in the community. When you spend the same amount in a national chain, only $43 stays here. As for online purchases, the amount that remains local is…precisely nothing!
So what does this mean to our community? A lot of local businesses are now heading into their most difficult trading months of the year. With the peak fall tourist season behind them, they become much more reliant on town residents. And that’s especially true for new businesses and new owners.
So drop by and chat with Ron Miller, who purchased Shiretown Books earlier this year. “My vision is to make this space a real community center,” he said. “A good local bookstore can be a wonderful place for sharing ideas.”
That philosophy is evident as you wander around the store. Where else but an independent bookstore would you find a mystery section next to shelves labeled “Provocative Thinkers”? And where else would you find a knowledgeable owner willing to guide you through either section? That alone makes it a candidate for the “miss it if it disappeared” list.
Or stop in and say hello to Cary Agin, a qualified optician who recently opened Eyes on Elm. After working in optical businesses on Long Island and White River Junction, he decided to open a store in Woodstock where his wife teaches in the elementary school.
“We’re not so much a tourist business as a service to residents,” he said. “Having a local store can save people a 25 minute drive to have their eyeglass prescription filled. But you can also just drop in if you need a quick adjustment which we do without charge.” That’s the kind of attitude that quickly gets a business on the “miss it if it disappeared” list.
So take the 3/50 test. Which three businesses would you really be sad to see leave town? Isn’t it worth diverting just $50 a month to keep them here? That’s a little idea with a lot of power.

by Paul Bousquet, Business Matters
Simon Pearce Raises Over $91K For Red Cross Of Vermont
Just days after Tropical Storm Irene destroyed his production facility in Quechee, Simon Pearce called together his administrative team to determine how best to help others who were devastated by the storm even more than their own business. The idea of creating a limited edition Commemorative Barre Tealight was conceived to help raise needed funds for flood relief. A goal was set of selling 2,500 tealights in the succeeding six week period with half its $40 retail value earmarked for the American Red Cross of Vermont and the New Hampshire Valley.
The six teams (12 artisans) of glassblowers displaced by the storm damage in Quechee were temporarily relocated to the shop in Windsor with the job of creating the limited-edition tealights.
According to marketing director Ross Evans, Simon Pearce sold nearly 2,500 tealights it retailed through its eight locations and its website the very first week the commemorative tealight was introduced.
In total, nearly 4,600 tealights were sold in the 6 week period raising $91,320 to assist with Red Cross flood relief and create a model of community sheltering to the region to help meet future disaster needs.
“So many of our neighbors were forced to rebuild their homes and livelihoods in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, that we wanted to offer this opportunity to support Vermont recovery,” said Simon Pearce. “The tealight is a symbol of strength and rebirth – all characteristics that have shined through in Vermonters in the aftermath of this natural disaster. We appreciate the support of our loyal customers who helped us raise the funds for this donation.”
In accepting this major gift, Larry Crist, Regional Executive of the American Red Cross of Vermont and New Hampshire Valley said, “This gift shows incredible compassion for those impacted by Irene and the foresight to know that there are additional steps that can be taken to prepare for future disasters,” said Larry Crist, Regional Executive of the American Red Cross of Vermont & the New Hampshire Valley. 
The anchor location of Simon Pearce in Quechee is rebuilding its glassblowing operations with a target completion date of early 2012. Meanwhile, its restaurant and retail shop are open with their regularly scheduled hours of operation.
In preparing this story, Ross Evans was asked about Simon’s son Kevin Pearce who was injured in a snowboarding accident in 2009. Ross indicated that Kevin continues to make steady progress towards full recovery. To that end, he recently had eye surgery at a facility in California resulting in for the first time since his accident, Kevin no longer has double vision.

Green Mountain Digital Appoints New President And CEO
Brendan Cahill has been appointed by the Board of Directors of Green Mountain Digital (GMD) as President and CEO of the Woodstock based digital publisher of nature and wildlife apps. The appointment is effective as of January 1. Current Chairman, President and CEO, David Roberts will retain the position of Chairman and remain active in pursuing strategic opportunities. Cahill has had extensive experience in the field of publishing, most recently as Vice President and Publisher of Open Road Integrated Media based in New York City. There he was credited with leading in the acquisition of over 1,500 ebook titles. Previously, he was a strategy consultant for Boston Consultants and spent a decade as an editor with several publishers like the Penguin Group USA. In making the announcement David Roberts said, “Cahill’s appointment as president and CEO is testimony to his extraordinary record of achievement, He understands the potential of our company and what actions need to be taken every day to achieve those goals.” Roberts concluded, “The board and I are very excited that he will be totally dedicated to focusing on strong performance on behalf of our employees, our customers and our investors.”
Veteran publisher and founder of GMD, Andrew Stewart said, “The rapidly changing publishing world requires leadership with relevant experience and a keen understanding of digital publishing, content and its potential.” Stewart is proud of what has thus far been accomplished by GMD as North America’s leading digital publisher of nature and wildlife apps. He further stated, “I am tremendously enthusiastic about our future under Brendan’s leadership.”
Cahill said, “I believe that Green Mountain Digital’s innovative transmedia products are key to bringing new digital experiences to anyone who loves the outdoors.”
For more information, log onto greenmountaindigital.com or audubonguides.com.

Woodstock Farmers’ Market (WFM) Gearing Up to Full Operations
Since reopening WFM on November 19, Patrick Crowl and his dedicated team have been making steady progress toward full operations offering a broad range of perishable and non-perishable products, food preparation, bakery delicacies, as well as mail order business. According to Patrick, WFM will complete the restoration of his business after it was destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene by mid-December.

Sabra Field Opens Exhibit At Vermont Tech
Critically acclaimed printmaker, Sabra Field has opened an art exhibit of her work featuring Cosmic Geometry Suite at Vermont Tech’s Hartness Library. 
In announcing this exhibit, Dr. Philip Conroy, President of Vermont Technical College in Randolph said, “We are pleased to have such a prominent Vermont artist present an exhibit at the college. Sabra’s technique blends a textured combination of creative art and new technologies – also an integral component of Vermont Tech’s mission.” He continued, “We invite the broader Vermont community to visit the exhibit through December and January and look forward to further engaging Hartness Library for all.”  
 The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what is happening in the business community. If you have news of a business nature, you may reach Paul Bousquet via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net or by phone at 802-457-9256.
 
 This article first appeared in the December 1st edition of the Vermont Standard.

Larry Perry, chairman of the Village Business Alliance (VBA) committee of the Woodstock Chamber, announced that over 20 Village businesses will extend hours during the holiday season. They will remain open until 7 PM on Fridays and until 6 PM on Saturdays beginning November 25 through December 23.
In Larry’s continuing effort to assist in promoting local businesses just as a rising tide lifts all boats, Woodstock Home & Hardware is including the names of participating shops in its November 23 ad in the Vermont Standard. In addition, Woodstock Home & Hardware will promote those businesses open extended hours on its reader sign board, rotating the business names throughout the holiday season.
Here’s an opportunity for the entire community of businesses to maximize the holiday shopping opportunities for both residents and visitors during the busiest season of the year.

Rotary Club Kicks Off Christmas
Tree Sale Friday
This season, the Woodstock Rotary Club has purchased 250 choice Christmas trees directly from Vermont growers for its annual sale. The freshly-cut fir trees, as well as wreaths, will be available for sale in front of the Masonic Temple on Pleasant Street beginning Friday afternoon, November 25. The club is particularly pleased to be offering the best quality trees available, all grown on Vermont tree farms. Because of this, the popular tree sale is scheduled to open a week earlier than usual. Rotarians will be on hand daily until all trees are sold. An array of sizes will be available. All proceeds from the sale are distributed to local charities.

Who is Sylvia? Has New Owner
Jessica Abston, a Woodstock resident for nearly a decade who has worked at Who is Sylvia? with Janet Eller for four years, recently purchased the 216 Central Street retail store from Eller. Abston has had a lifelong interest in vintage handmade clothing and accessories. She began collecting vintage apparel during her college days at Colby.
According to Abston, Who is Sylvia? is one of the oldest shops of its type in the country featuring vintage clothing, accessories and linens. While the clothing collection is primarily aimed towards women, Abston plans to expand her collection for men.
Who is Sylvia? is joining with other businesses in Woodstock in extending hours during the holiday season. Abston says she’s excited about the prospect of collectively promoting Woodstock businesses.
Who is Sylvia? is open every day but Wednesdays from 10 AM – 5 PM.
For information, call 802-457-1110.
Home Hill Country Inn Adopts More Casual Dining Experience
Executive Chef Peter Varkonya recently announced that Plainfield, New Hampshire’s historic Home Hill Country Inn has altered the ambiance of the inn to reflect a more casual, less formal, presentation both in its restaurant as well as in its new and expanded bar. Peter, working with Innkeepers John and Mary Ruedisuek, has created a menu with greater appeal together with moderate pricing.
Chef Varkonya has had 12 years of experience working in restaurants in the United States, Mexico and in Europe as well as training at the New England Culinary Institute.
The restaurant at Home Hill Country Inn is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 – 9 PM.
For more information, call 603-675-6165.
Distilling Operations
Proceed At Vermont Spirits In Quechee
The 5,000 square foot building at the east end of Quechee Gorge Village on Rt. 4 in Quechee is the new home of Vermont Spirits. Actually, this building was originally built at its former headquarters in St. Johnsbury. It was taken down, moved, and erected by Ennis Construction of Ascutney on the Quechee Gorge Village site.
The building houses an array of tanks, pipes and condensing equipment, a more complex process used in distilling the distinctive maple flavored vodka along with the bottling, packaging and shipping operations. The 1,000 square foot front section of the building facing Rt. 4 will house the display, sampling, and retail sales of Vermont Spirits. A section of the wall separating the sales and distilling area will allow visitors to view the distilling operation. This section is currently a work in progress with a target date for completion in late December.
The founder and distiller of Vermont Spirits is Harry Gorman. He began distilling vodka in a small building in St. Johnsbury in 2004 using the rich flavor of dark Maple syrup. Vermont Spirits currently produces its signature Vermont Gold Vodka, Vermont Light made from fermented milk sugar, and Vermont Spirits Limited Release, a top of the line vodka.
Gorman is continuing to broaden the spectrum of spirits by using Vermont grown products. He currently is making preparations to make apple brandy, a process that requires aging for at least two years. Oak casks are expected to arrive shortly enabling him to begin the process.
Vermont Spirits is considered a craft distiller as its current production does not exceed 50,000 cases annually. It is distributed throughout New England and Mid-Atlantic states with a significant presence in New York City. Locally, Woodstock Beverage carries Vermont Spirits.
Quechee resident Mimi Buttenheim serves as general manager as well as sales and marketing director for Vermont Spirits, a company comprised of nearly 40 shareholders with CEO Steve Johnson of Greenwich, CT as its president. Steve is a hands-on executive who devotes considerable time at the Vermont Spirits site.
When fully operational with its retail store as well as the distillery, Vermont Spirits will employ 6 full and part-time people.
Dwight Camp Recognized By Boy Scouts Of America
At a recent Woodstock Rotary Club meeting, Dwight Camp was presented a Certificate of Merit by Boy Scouts of America. In making the presentation, Nancy Gray, a longtime committee member of the local troop and Pack 220, cited Eagle Scout and former Boy Scout Chairman Dwight Camp for his meritorious action as the first Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) commander for the National Disaster Medical System for Region One that comprise the New England states. He currently serves in the Boy Scouts as Area Commissioner for the Green Mountain Council of Boy Scouts of America as well as a member of the Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT). Dwight has been called upon in many disasters like Flight 800 off Long Island, the Twin Towers collapse, and Hurricane Katrina.
Also attending the Rotary Club meeting was local chairman and Eagle Scout Matt Maxham who presented an award to Nancy Gray for her four decades of faithful service to the local Boy Scout troop and Cub Scout pack.
The Woodstock Rotary Club was the chartering organization for the local troop and has provided funding for Boy Scout activities.
Annual Holiday Bazaar At Thompson Center
Ann Sadowski announced that the annual Holiday Bazaar will be held at the Thompson Center on Saturday, December 3 from 9 AM until 1 PM. This popular event features fresh-baked goods, holiday gifts, and handcrafted items.
King’s Daughters Continue Holiday Tradition
The King’s Daughters of Woodstock is continuing its holiday tradition of providing turkey, ham, or chicken dinners to families in need at Christmas in the Barnard, Bridgewater, Pomfret and Woodstock areas. In addition, members furnish toys for children, gifts for teens, and make home visits to area shut-ins.
The only requirement is that food boxes and toys/gifts must be reserved in advance. All items will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, December 23 between 9 AM and Noon at the Masonic Temple in Woodstock.
If you are in need, or know of someone in need, simply contact either Bev Kinne at 457-1078 or Leslie Lewis at 457-4031.
Donations to help with expenses are most welcome and appreciated. Checks can be made payable to King’s Daughters, 171 Dana Road, Woodstock, VT 05091
The King’s Daughters stand ready to help those in need at Christmas.
 The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what is happening in the business community. If you have news of a business nature, you may reach Paul Bousquet via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net or by phone at 802-457-9256.

Back Again
The Woodstock Farmers Market reopened this weekend after much work from the staff to clean out and reconstruct the building, which was badly damaged in Tropical Storm Irene three months ago.
Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Photos

A portion of these photo first appeared in the November 23rd print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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by Paul Bousquet
Special to the Standard
The announcement of the reopening of the Woodstock Inn tomorrow (Friday) is welcome news to both the business community as well as residents. It’s a towering statement that Woodstock is back on its feet and welcoming visitors at the threshold of the foliage season.
The Spa, guest rooms, the Red Rooster Restaurant, and Richardson’s Tavern are resuming a normal schedule. Staff has returned with a renewed sense of purpose in welcoming guests with the attentiveness for which the inn is known.
According to Woodstock Inn & Resort CEO Werner Graef, mechanical problems posed the biggest hurdle in reopening the inn. Lead times required for electrical panels and heating equipment, even wood products, have delayed reopening facilities untouched by the flood.
Courtney Lowe, Director of Marketing and Sales, said that restoration is continuing on the lower level comprising the conference and banquet rooms. It is expected that work will be completed on that portion of the building in early 2012. For the time being, banquet business will be accommodated on the main floor.
Both Graef and Lowe expressed gratitude for the many residents concerned about the inn. It has been a formidable challenge to open the inn as soon as possible fully realizing that the two or three-hundred guests they regularly host on a daily basis play a significant role in the welfare of the Woodstock business community.
They do not take lightly carrying on the legacy of Laurence Rockefeller in his concern for his beloved community. They continue these efforts with the same understated manner often performing acts of kindness and compassion without fanfare. For example, the inn housed and fed approximately 70 victims flooded from their homes on the night of the storm. Lack of power, water, and facilities forced the inn to close the following day.
With the country club facing extensive restoration causing the closing of the golf course for the remainder of the season, the Woodstock Inn & Resort is refunding two months of club dues. As a bonus, it is offering complimentary use of the Racquet & Fitness Club facilities through the remainder of the season (October 31). Woodstock welcomes the reopening of the venerable Woodstock Inn. Accomplishing such a massive effort in a remarkably short time is a tribute to its management, staff, contractors and suppliers.
Simon Pearce
And Bridgewater Mill Reopen
There is no more evidence of the resolute spirit of Vermont than barely a month after the unprecedented flood caused severe damage, both Simon Pearce in Quechee and tenants in the Bridgewater Mill are open and operating. Residents and foliage visitors welcome the reopening of these cherished businesses. They reinforce the vitality of businesses throughout the region confirming that Vermont is welcoming visitors to one of the most spectacular times of the year.
Woodstock Farmers’ Market Appeals for Unique Form of Help
It goes without saying the Woodstock Farmers’ Market was devastated by tropical storm Irene. In addition to the inventory, the interior and infrastructure has to be replaced all of which takes time, effort, and lots of money.
In answer to the many concerned customers who have regularly shopped at the Woodstock Farmers’ Market and asked what they could do to help, owner Patrick Crowl has created a means by which he can speed up the process of rebuilding with much-needed cash. It’s called the Irene Card. It’s a prepaid shopping card being offered in a wide range of denominations from $25 to $5,000. Purchasers will be afforded a 10% savings on future purchases up to the amount of the prepaid card. And those who purchase an Irene Card for $1,000 or more will be afforded a 15 % discount. Shoppers have until October 15 to purchase these valuable prepaid shopping cards. It’s win-win for both shopper and the Woodstock Farmers’ Market.
Irene Cards can be purchased online at www.woodstockfarmers market.com/IreneGiftCard.aspx or by phone at 802-457-3658.
River Cleanup Volunteers Needed This Weekend
The alliance of the Connecticut River Watershed Council, the Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the White River Partnership is appealing for volunteers to help in the clean-up of our rivers.
On Friday, September 30 from 8 AM – Noon, crews will assemble in Rochester at the Rochester School parking lot on Rt. 100.
On Saturday, October 1, from 9 AM – Noon, crews are to meet in the Community College of Vermont – 52 Olcott Drive, White River Junction, VT parking lot in Wilder.
Also on Saturday from 2 – 4 PM in Lebanon, volunteers will meet at the upper stretch of the Fly Fishing Only section of the Mascoma River at the Mill Road parking area across from the Rt. 4 and 4A intersection.
Trash bags/gloves will be provided, but please plan on bringing water, appropriate footwear, snack, rain gear (if needed).  Light refreshments will be available.
Ron Rhodes is available at Rhodes@sover.net to answer any questions.
State Kicks Off 5th Annual Apples to Ipods Promotion
Visitors to pick-your-own orchards throughout Vermont have a chance to win either an Ipod or Ipad. One specially marked wooden apple is hidden in an apple tree at 15 Vermont pick-your-own apple orchards. Customers who find the replica will win an Apple Ipod or Ipad.
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, in partnership with Woodchuck Cider, Small Dog Electronics, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, has been sponsoring the event since 2007.
“Vermont’s apple orchards are full of activity this time of year and in true Vermont fashion, the ‘Apples to iPods’ promotion has made the tradition even more fun,” said Megan Smith, Vermont’s Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing. “Apple picking is the perfect way to experience Vermont’s gorgeous autumn landscape and participate in a festive and tasty activity.”
This year, the Vermont Department of Tourism is also helping  the Vermont Foodbank promote Pick for Your Neighbor, where visitors to participating orchards can pick and purchase extra apples to donate to the Foodbank. These apples will then be distributed to Vermonters in need.
For a list of orchards, visit applestoipods.com.
Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company Reaches Financial Goal
The community owned Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company in South Woodstock announced last week that it had achieved its latest financial goal of raising $2.5 million through a preferred stock offering. Thus far, $3.1 million has been raised to retire the mortgage and fund expansion of its facilities.
Since it began operations a year and a half ago, its products are now sold in nearly 170 stores in 6 states. It has won numerous awards for its outstanding cheese. Vincent Galluccio, Chairman of Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, stated “Completing this round of financing is yet another in a long list of milestones we have accomplished in a very short period of time. With these secured funds we can focus on expanding our market presence and growing our revenues.”
Liberian Presidential Candidate Hosted by Quechee Residents
This past week, Dr. and Mrs. Christos Cotsakos hosted Liberian Presidential Candidate Ambassador Winston Tubman together with his brother Ambassador Robert Tubman at their Quechee residence. The Tubmans are in New England to attend a reunion at their alma mater, Harvard Law School and to discuss strategy with Dr. Cotsakos, a senior advisor to Ambassador Winston Tubman. Winston Tubman believes that the root of his country’s problems lies in divide between the ruling class of African American settlers and the indigenous tribal groups that account for more than 95% of the country’s population.
Tubman commented, “My mother has an indigenous background while my father’s background is of a settler. My brother and I are living examples of the kind of unity I hope to bring to our country.”
Compassion for Vermont Neighbors
No greater evidence of Vermont’s compassion for one another took place just a week after the storm. In a one day disaster relief effort conducted by Vermont Public Radio, record numbers of people responded to the plight of their neighbors. Over $610,000 was raised in a matter of hours. It makes us all proud to be a Vermonter.
The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what is happening in the business community. If you have news of a business nature, you may reach Paul Bousquet via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net or by phone at 802-457-9256.

This article first appeared in the September 29th print edition of the Vermont Standard.

By Eric Francis
Special To The Standard

SOUTH WOODSTOCK – Federal prosecutors are poised to seize the home of a Woodstock business man who they claim engaged in four separate schemes that allegedly defrauded investors of his companies. Federal officials say that Paul S. Hendler blatantly misused for personal gains over $300,000, part of which was used for the purchase of his house on Orchard Hill Way.
Last week a federal grand jury in Burlington handed down the 11-count fraud indictment against Hendler, the founder of now-defunct JavaPop soda company, charging that he helped himself to a $100,000 company line of credit, pocketed the money from the sale of vehicles belonging to the corporation, siphoned off a $140,000 investment made by a New York City doctor, and billed another Woodstock-based company for thousands of dollars worth of expenses that he never really incurred.
The alleged misdeeds that came to the attention of federal investigators span from 2006 to 2010 and begin at JavaPop, a soft-drink company based in an office that was above a dress shop on Central Street where Hendler and his business partners were hoping America’s love for flavored coffees would extend into the realm of carbonation.
On the first of December 2006, Bank of America made a $100,000 line of credit available to JavaPop, but the grand jury charges that less than two weeks later, without the knowledge or approval of JavaPop’s board of directors, Hendler opened a checking account in JavaPop’s name at Bank of America and put what was then his own address in Taftsville on the account information, rather than that of the company’s offices on Central Street.
A month later, Hendler opened another account in his own name at the bank and then on the same day drew down $60,000 from the line of credit into the JavaPop checking account and then immediately transferred that over to his personal account, the indictment charges, claiming, “Hendler thereafter used the (money) from the JavaPop line of credit for his own benefit and enjoyment.”
It would be less than a month before Hendler pulled all but a thousand dollars of the remainder of that credit line out and transferred it through the chain of accounts to a personal account at a bank in Vermont, according to federal prosecutors who concluded, “Hendler never paid back any portion of the $99,000 he drew against the JavaPop line of credit.”
A year later, when JavaPop found itself in a “precarious financial situation,” the board of directors instructed Hendler to sell off four Honda Elements that had been purchased the previous year for the company’s widely traveled sales representatives. In all, the feds charge, Hendler received four checks totaling over $56,000 for the vehicles, all of them made out to “JavaPop Inc.,” but none of which ended up being turned over to the company. “In fact, he transferred most of (the money) into personal accounts…in Vermont,” the affidavit alleges.
A similar fate allegedly befell what was apparently to have been a short-term loan to JavaPop put up by Dr. Paul Brown of New York City who wrote Hendler a check for $140,000 in September 2006. According to the indictment, “Hendler made materially false and fraudulent representations and promises in inducing Dr. Brown to make the investment (including saying) that his investment would be repaid, with interest by December 2006.”
Instead, the indictment charges that Hendler deposited the money directly into a personal bank account in Vermont and then used it to, among other things, make a $56,000 down payment on his current home on
Orchard Hill Way in rural South Woodstock.
The fourth and final alleged scheme involved the smallest amounts of money out of the eleven counts – a $3,000 payment and one for $2,226.81 – that were garnered during Hendlers’ turn as Chief Operating Officer for Green Mountain Digital, a post Hendler held for a year-and-a-half, listing himself as a co-founder of the successful company which continues to market a popular line of digital bird and nature guides.
Noting that Hendler paid for some company related expenses out-of-pocket and then sought reimbursement for them, the indictment charges that in 2009 and 2010 he submitted “falsified and fraudulent documentation” to Green Mountain Digital that allegedly inflated the amount of the expenses to which he was entitled resulting in substantial overpayments to him.
In addition to the possibility of substantial jail time, the federal prosecution filed a forfeiture notice along with the indictment saying that, if they succeed in convicting Hendler of the charges now pending against him, they plan to go after all “proceeds obtained directly or indirectly” as a result of the alleged fraud, including the property on Orchard Hill Way.
Federal Prosecutor Gregory Waples said Wednesday that Hendler will shortly receive a summons to appear for an arraignment at the federal courthouse in Burlington.  That hearing will likely take place in the next week or so, after which Hendler will be released pending trial.
 Waples said the case against Hendler began as a complaint filed with the Woodstock Police Department in 2009 which then expanded into a federal investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service.
“It’s been going on for awhile,” Waples said, adding that was likely to be true of the trial phase as well, “These more complicated fraud cases take a while because there is a lot of discovery in these white collar cases because there are a lot of bank records and so forth.”
Most of the fraud charges that were filed carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison; however, any actual sentence would be determined with the help of federal sentencing guidelines if Hendler were to be convicted on the individual charges.

This article first appeared in the September 29th print edition of the Vermont Standard.

by Paul Bousquet
Business Matters
Coincident with the reopening of Route 4 between Woodstock and Rutland, Killington reopened September 16 in time for the fall foliage season.
The K-1 gondola is open weekends through this coming weekend. From October 1 through October 10, it will run daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for scenic gondola rides and hiking access.
The Killington Golf Course is now open through October 10. The Clubhouse Grill will be open Friday – Sunday for the remainder of the season.
Killington Resort Lodging is again accepting reservations for arrivals beginning tomorrow, September 23
while the Pico Sports Center has already reopened.
“We are pleased to welcome our guests back to the Killington Region for the fall foliage season,” said Chris Nyberg, president and general manager for Killington Resort. “And we look forward to being one of the first resorts in the East to open for the 2011-12 winter season.”
In its effort to stimulate the sale of pre-season lift packages, Killington is offering the Killington Express Card available through October 20 for just $86. For those wanting to ski Killington four or more days this coming season, the Killington Express Card offers skiing mid-week for less than $40 per day, a 50 percent saving over mid-week, non-peak ticket rates and 25 percent off weekend and peak rates throughout the entire season. After October 20, the Killington Express Card cost increases to $99.
“Whether you ski one day or 100 days, we offer pre-sold products that will save you big bucks if you buy now,” stated Rob Megnin, director of sales, marketing and reservations for Killington Resort.
More information is available on its website, Killington.com.

CRWC Appoints Rhodes as New Steward
Andrew Fisk, Executive Director of the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC), has announced the appointment of Ron Rhodes as a new CRWC Steward. Rhodes joins David Deen as the organization’s field representatives in addressing clean water and migratory fisheries issues in Vermont and New Hampshire where the Connecticut River originates.
“Ron brings a wide range of river related experience as a licensed fishing guide and a Dartmouth Instructor of fly fishing and fly tying,” said Fisk. “He is a seasoned professional, a strong advocate, and a respected member of the community.” As former chair of the White River Partnership, Rhodes has years of field experience in river restoration work and he is a volunteer leader for river protection efforts with the Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
More than 60 percent of the entire Connecticut River watershed lies in Vermont and New Hampshire, comprising some 4.5 million acres. Large and small rivers and tributary streams in both states flow into the main stem of the Connecticut, draining more than one-third of each state’s total area.
The CRWC, founded in 1952 and headquartered in Greenfield, MA, is the primary citizen watchdog for the entire 11,000-square mile Connecticut River watershed.
In a timely effort to assist in the cleanup of the river, its tributaries and shorelines, the CRWC is holding its 15th Annual Source to the Sea Cleanup on Saturday October 1. Here’s an opportunity for friends and neighbors to help remove trash along our river shorelines.
Over the past 14 years, the CRWC has organized thousands of volunteers to help remove over 650 tons of trash from shorelines in one of the largest one-day river cleanup efforts in New England.
“We need people to step up right now,” said Jacqueline Talbot, CRWC Cleanup Coordinator. “Unprecedented floods tore out bridges and roads and destroyed homes, and many shorelines and floodplains are still strewn with debris. Communities have been working hard to pull themselves back together, but much remains to be done.”
“We want to mobilize as many volunteers and groups as possible to make our rivers safe for people and wildlife again,” Talbot continued. “It’s not just about litter this year. The long-term health of our rivers is at stake.”
To register or find an existing group in your area, individuals and groups should contact Jacqueline Talbot at cleanup@ctriver.org or 860-704-0057.
Ron Rhodes can be reached at rrhodes@ctriver.org

Milne Travel Merges With Plymouth Retail Travel Business
Scott Milne, President of Milne Travel American Express, announced that he is expanding his business by acquiring the retail travel business of Plymouth (NH) Travel owned by Rick and Wanda Bogin. While selling their retail travel business, the Bogins will continue to operate their worldwide group tour business independent of the merger.
In making the announcement, Scott Milne said, “Once we complete the integration our intent is for business and vacation clients of Plymouth Travel and other travelers in central New Hampshire to become satisfied clients of Milne Travel.”
Milne Travel began as a one-person operation in Barre 36 years ago, has expanded into the largest travel agency in northern New England employing over 100 travel professionals. Milne is American Express’ largest franchisee in the northeastern part of the United States with ten locations out of Amex’s 1700 locations worldwide.
The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what is happening in the business community. If you have news of a business nature, you may reach Paul Bousquet via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net or by phone at 802-457-9256.

This article first appeared in the September 22nd print edition of the Vermont Standard.

Staff Report
At press time, plans were being finalized by the Woodstock Village Business Association to inform markets throughout the northeast that the community is ready to welcome visitors, in spite of problems associated with Tropical Storm Irene.
In a room filled with concerned but clearly positive business people at Woodstock Home and Hardware, several ideas were presented. These ideas, when communicated to media in major markets, will spell out the many offerings still available in Woodstock and the surrounding area.
Themes such as “Celebrating Our Recovery” and “Some Things In Vermont Haven’t Changed,” were under consideration. Merchants were anxious to propose several positive messages and actions, which will shortly be woven into a campaign to be sent to media, hoping for their print and broadcast support.
One suggestion was to re-contact media who had earlier visited the area and focused on the destruction in the region, and to urge them to now do a story on the recovery and positive aspects of the community.
A special media cultivation task force, made up of local media-savvy local people is being formed who will contact media and urge them to tell the “good news we have to tell, rather than the crisis we faced,” according to VBA head, Larry Perry.
Anyone interested in learning more about the VBA plans or offering suggestions are encouraged to contact Perry at 457-3291 or Beth Finlayson at the local Chamber of Commerce at 457-3555.

Fifty thousand miles is a lot of miles. It exceeds twice circling the globe. From the age of 39, Woodstock’s Robert (Bob) Raymond, worried that his workaholic lifestyle would shorten his life, began running as a source of exercise. It was sparked by a bet Bob made with his good friend and famed Dallas developer Trammell Crow to run in all 50 states. For the next 39 years, Bob has run not only in all 50 states but in all 50 state capitals as well. Furthermore, the now retired investment portfolio manager has run in 44 different countries, including 11 marathons in five countries. His most recent marathon was in Dublin, Ireland last October. What made it especially memorable was that he ran it accompanied by his daughter and granddaughter.
Over the course of the intervening 39 years, Bob has run in the world’s most northernmost town of Longyearbyen, Norway as well as the world’s most southernmost town of Puerto Williams, Chile.
“I never ran very fast but at least that gave me a better chance to see interesting things in some pretty unusual places,” said Raymond. “It’s an interesting world,” he concluded.
On June 29, Bob Raymond completed 50,000miles of running. To celebrate the unique occasion, his daughter Elizabeth Raith and granddaughter Morgan joined with him in running his goal-setting mile. Later, joined with his wife Beverly,they presented him with a celebratory cake in honor of the achievement.
As Bob Raymond is approaching his 79th year, he plans to slow down a bit running just 2-3 times a week rather than the 4-5 times a week he maintained as a schedule for nearly 40 years. His physical bearing and stamina belie his age. Bob Raymond is an inspiration for us all.

Ski Museum Awarded Grant
Jeff Leich, curator of the New England Ski Museum (NESM) that contains elements of Woodstock’s pioneering ski history, announced a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The $86,000 grant will be used to create a permanent exhibit telling the story of the development of skiing as a sport and an economic engine of the North Country. The grant was among 160 awarded under the 2011 Museums for America program. There were over 480 applicants for the coveted grants.
“We are pleased to support museums through investments in high-priority, high value activities that benefit communities throughout the US,” said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth. “These museums, small and large, will help to educate and inspire the public for years to come.”
The New England Ski Museum creates a new exhibit each year. It also displays a mix of historic objects, artwork, and photographs that remain for longer periods. Some of the highlights of these ‘permanent’ exhibits include a selection of the Museum’s best skis showing the evolution of the ski over time, significant trophies of the sport, the National Ski Patrol parka owned by its founder ‘Minnie’ Dole, and the oldest book known to depict images of skiers, dating from 1580.

Wild Apple Graphics In Vermont
Business Magazine
Dummerston writer Joyce Marcel wrote a lengthy and thorough article about John and Laurie Chester and the creation of their art publishing business, Wild Apple Graphics located in Woodstock.
The backgrounds of this energetic and creative couple are profiled with each bringing to the table an overriding interest in art with one having considerable business acumen while the other a passion for providing art to the home decorating market.
Michael Chaimberg, president of Artisimo Designs, Inc. one of the largest manufacturers of wall décor in Canada and Wild Apple Graphic’s biggest customer has the highest regard for John and Laurie Chester. He said, “We buy from other publishers like Wild Apple, but John and Laurie are fantastic people. They’re very passionate. Laurie works with artists and develops artwork for the mid-price range. That’s not gallery-type stuff, but stuff found in volume stores like Target.” He continues, “John and Laurie have helped bring our industry to a respectable level. They have a very wonderful reputation in the industry.” Chaimberg concludes, “They’re just really good, honorable people, have great standards, are very talented and do a wonderful job.” Warren Kimble was a struggling Brandon folk artist whose work was discovered by Laurie who sought him out. He became the first artist-in-residence. The collaboration helped jump-start his art into a multi-million dollar business for him as well as Wild Apple Graphics in 1990.
John and Laurie are the sole owners of Wild Apple Graphics. They have supplied needed funds from their own pockets eschewing any bank debt. Today they employ 29 people to meet the demands of their $4 million annual business.
The story is a great case study for business schools throughout America. John and Laurie have established a successful business but it didn’t happen like a fairy tale; it was fraught with challenges. There were many crossroads in considering the potential for increased business. Some they chose without success. The critical element was that the Chesters realized this before their action threatened the very survival of their core business of postering and licensing.
Operating in a small community like Woodstock, Laurie and John find it is particularly heartbreaking to have to lay off people and down-size when business demand shrinks. In looking back at their actions over the past 22 years, they believe that they didn’t act quickly enough nor pare operations deep enough to meet the reduced demand, a valuable lesson to be learned.
With attention to detail and with an undaunted passion for their business, the Chesters have carved out an important niche in the world of art. We are all the beneficiaries of their success.

The purpose of this column is to primarily recognize what’s happening in the business community. You may reach Paul Bousquet by phoning 802-299-5265 or via e-mail at Paulbousquet@comcast.net.

This article first appeared in the August 11th print edition of the Vermont Standard.