Out With the Brits; In with Deutschland!

Last weekend's British Invasion complete with British Block Party on Main Street and Beatles tribute band British Mania (how many times can you say "British" in one sentence??) was a huuuuuuge success, but the Brits have exited left and the Germans have entered right. (that may not be politically correct, but I'm a little weary of politics).

Stowe's Oktoberfest kicks off tomorrow and is the place to be in Stowe. Beer, 'wurst, oompah bands, dancing and "prousting!"and all for a great cause: Stowe Rotary. If you are a Rotarian, if you know a Rotarian, if you've ever benefited from the philanthropy of Rotary, you should be there. That would be most of the planet, btw. And if that guilt trip didn't get ya, this might. Desserts are provided by Trapp Family Lodge's esteemed pastry chef Marshall Faye. LINZERTORTE!

On a completely unrelated note--well, not really, 'cause you can't hoist the stein ad finitum:
I saw Stowe Theatre Guild's PRONOUNCING GLENN opening night, and laughed out loud a ridiculous number of times. In fact I guffawed and was completely entertained by this enormously gifted cast. This is a comedy (obviously…) written and directed by Carole Vasta Folley, who is originally from Hyde Park, VT and cut her teeth on the stage at the Hyde Park Opera House for the Lamoille County Players. (This 50-or so year-old community theatre organizationis presenting, appropriately enough in this election year, the musical 1776). Carole, who has directed and performed at the Stowe Town Hall Theatre, also acts in PRONOUNCING GLENN. This is an astonishing accomplishment for an artist, worthy of the support of all of us who support the performing arts. If you don't hoot, check your pulse. We all need a belly laugh these days…

(PRONOUNCING GLENN Photo above courtesy of Andrea Wolga Freeman)

Leaf Peepers Get in the Game

Stowe begins hosting our affectionately-dubbed Leaf Peepers from all over the world in earnest as we head toward the end of September. The question that we get most often this time of year is, of course "when is peak foliage??" Well, Stowe-ites have a good time guessing the exact time of this epic event, and to honor this tradition our staff is keeping their peepers open to determine just when that peak will be. And, we've decided to repeat the fun we had doing this last year, so viola! Contest time! Come into our Stowe Visitor Info Center on Main Street, fill out one of our really cool Leafy Entry Forms with your guess of the EXACT time and date of absolute/can't-get- any-better/reached our pinnacle/WOW-is-that-mind-blowing peak and you could win a Stowe Stay. Contest starts on September 19 and ends on October 19. How is peak determined, you ask?? By our own Queen Leaf Peeper, Susan Rousselle! Her Peak Prowess is legendary, and her resume in this area extensive. But seriously, there is a contest, and you could win a Stowe Stay.
For more Foliage Fun take guided scenic tours which offer journeys of a full day or just a few hours. Cruise back roads, passing through the haunted Emily’s Bridge (called thus due to star-crossed love, natch) one of a number of covered bridges. Stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for free sips of good old-fashioned apple cider. Or take the only Vermont scenic drive selected by Yankee Magazine's fall foliage website, the 10-mile stretch of Route 108 connecting Stowe and Jeffersonville via Smugglers' Notch. Take the time to ride the Stowe Gondola to the top of Mount Mansfield to check out the view!
Visit during Stowe Oktoberfest this weekend, or the 26th Annual Stowe Foliage Arts Festival, October 10-12, the perfect place to do some early holiday shopping. Shopping, dining and fair weather outdoor activities will keep ya busy while you gaze.

Last week, on September 11, 2008, on a chilly New England morning we rang the bells of Stowe Village. As in many towns around the world, we stop what we're doing and become still, and some of us listen to the bells and some of us ring them. But we're still. In Stowe, our iconic Stowe Community Church, the Stowe Free Library/Helen Day Art Center and the Vermont Ski Museum join in harmony (I like that word), tolling away. We've done if for 7 years, and as we draw farther and farther away chronologically from the time of the horrific events, we may remember a bit less of what we felt on that morning, but still, we ring, and we contemplate.

Onward: In our town we're dolling up for Autumn. Little peeks of color are starting, the coaches of peepers are descending. Every day I walk to the post office in the village, and pass these visitors. It's such fun to answer their questions about where to eat lunch, where's the quilting shop, where to pick up some maple syrup. It reminds me in such a good way of how fortunate I am to live here and to be able to answer their questions. In the next few weeks our streets will get a little more bustling as we sweep into fall frenzy. Events and activities abound in the coming weeks. First up is the British Invasion and Village Block Party, referenced in my last blog. The village is dressing up for the window dressing competition, too. Our offices in the Stowe Visitor Info Center are going strawberry mad...as in Strawberry Fields, but hopefully not forever.

And why not fill up on all-things-British one day (9/19-21) and then skip a few gorgeous miles north for the Boyden Valley Winery Celebration of the Vine, September 20 & 21. The Stowe Oktoberfest is up the next weekend, and we top off leaf-season 2008 on October 10,11,& 12 with the 26th Annual Stowe Foliage Art & Craft Festival. As fall continues, the days shorten, temps drop, and our "serene season" kicks in. Until the snow flies, and considering that we're the Ski Capital of the East, that's an upcoming story!

For all of these groovy events in Stowe, just click away: EVENTS