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

England Swings...and Stowe, too

One may think it odd that Stowe, Vermont is hosting an event that "Celebrates and Salutes the Great British Motorcar and All Manner of Other Things British". Well, we are, after all, in New England, and we do entertain a ton of visitors from the United Kingdom. It's fitting, though, that the British Invasion is said to have started over a pint of ale, because one of the organizers, innkeeper Chris Francis is a legendary Stowe Brit. Five o'clock: off to the pub! Some traditions just don't change because you relocate across the Atlantic.

We're going full-Brit as we close Main Street in Stowe Village and restricting parking to English motorcars such as the Jaguar and the Morgan, this year's featured marques (that would be "make" in Yankee-speak). Shops will be open late and decked out in British window dressing as they compete for prizes, and we'll be jumping with tent sales, food, and of course British music. Not just any music will do, and to that end our street dance will be highlighted by British Mania, the "Official Beatles Tribute Band of Liverpool Tours". From the Cavern Club to Abbey Road, they'll be playing all the Fab Four hits, with authentic costumes and instruments rocking the...ummm...street. All on Friday, September 19 at 6:30pm.

So, here's the story so that you can get into the swing (like-a-pendulum-do): Chris Francis and his lovely wife Lyn moved to Stowe from England a couple of decades ago and bought and rehabbed an inn, naming it, appropriately enough, Ye Olde England Inne. Eighteen years ago they hit upon the idea of staging a British Invasion, one which would be a lot more fun than the original one probably was. And so, they were off and running, or ambling, or strolling, as the Brits are wont to do.

The 18th Annual British Invasion, September 18-21, features a plethora of events, including Back-seat Driving and Tailgate Picnic Competitions; auto judging in the Concours d’Elegance; a British Market; pub food; scheduled driving tours through the Champlain Islands and scenic Smugglers Notch, and much more. “The Invasion”, held in the Stowe Events Field, has been honored by the Boston Sunday Globe as their “number one choice for “Best Things to Do Within a Day’s Drive of Boston”, and recognized by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as one of their Top Ten Summer Events.

"Baby, you can drive my car!" Beep beep, yeah.

September Song

The past week has been hopping in Stowe! The weather has been beyond reproach, the street outside my window in Stowe Village is bustling. Just grabbed an ice cream cone from the Depot Street Malt Shop (the day, and our boss, cried for it! And he was treating.) and they were busy as can be at 2:30 in the afternoon. Owner Rachel told us that it's the mid-afternoon/end of bike ride or hike break for families who are just chillin'. Nice.

The license plates that we see are not only our traditional "drive markets" of Montreal, Boston, and New York, but farther flung locales, too. And the welcome ring of accents from countries across the pond (whichever pond you choose, east or west) brings a refreshing diversity to our community.

This, folks, is the hum and buzz of a very popular destination for families large and small as they get in one last frolic before it's time to go...back...to...school.

And now the time of year that recharges us all. Ahhhh, September. Yep, the perfect month in Stowe. September is the buffer that Mama Nature offers up; the assuager, the peacemaker. Takes the edge off the cold nights, which are creeping in. Hotel rates become more affordable, the flora and fauna is in full swing--flower gardens glory in September! Picnics and all the outdoor activities that we love continue to be options. How about a glider or hot air balloon ride? A soothing, mellow paddle down the river via canoe or kayak? And how about it all being bundled together into a great package? Check here:
http://www.gostowe.com/lodging/specials/

And fall foliage? It's a-creepin' in. Much as we love it, we're not quite ready to say farewell to summer. I'm tempted to say, as my mother once scolded, "Now, don't you start!"

But for now: September: Gloriosky! I'm outta here and onto my spokes.

Stowe Summer Music Festival=World Class FREE Music

August 10-16 brings incomparable music to Stowe, and it's all free. The 7th annual
Stowe Summer Music Festival brings world class performances from artists who are--- and it's not a stretch to call them this--brilliant

The organizers of the festival are committed to making the performances accessible, so there is no admission charge. The concerts will be held at Topnotch Resort and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The "kick-off" celebration will be hosted at the Helen Day Art Center, on August 10th at 4:30, and features a collaborative art exhibition. The artist, Rafael Cauduro, is a highly acclaimed painter and muralist and one of Mexico's most prodigious and popular contemporary artists. Mexico's leading brass quintet, Metales 5 will make an appearance.

Metales M5 returns for a performance on Monday, August 11 at Topnotch Resort, the host property for the concerts. Highlights of a Metales M5 program range from Baroque to contemporary, from opera to pop and Mexican folk.

On Tuesday, Traditional music coupled with classical music is the hallmark of the Brasil Guitar Duo. And, theyre the VirtuososWinner of the 2006 Concert Artists Guild International Competition!

On Wednesday Spinto Tenor Jose Ortega is back by popular demand, offering a special evening of operatic arias and songs.

On Friday, Orchestre de la Francophonie Canadienne, directed by Jean-Philippe Tremblay takes the stage with some of the best and brightest young musicians from Canada, performing a program of music from classic movies.

On Saturday we're back at Helen Day Art Center for Stowe Festival 'Finale' Celebration. The Stowe Summer Music Festival will wrap up with a celebration of the Rafael Cauduro exhibition. Cauduro will be on hand to speak

Spend next week in Stowe revelling in great music--and it's all free, so you can splurge on dinner, drinks, and a great place to stay!

Rainy Days Don't Have to Get You Down! (but we can''t do much about your Mondays...)

It's no secret: Stowe and Vermont have been under seige from the Rain Gods. But while the rain can be a barrier to some activities, (but not all: I witnessed a lot of bikers outfitted for the elements and happily cycling along) I love the rain. Okay, not in overload, but here's what I love: The sound: better than counting sheep as a sleep aid; the Green Mountains of Vermont become greener than ever; the already incomparably clean air of Vermont is washed even cleaner.

And finally--the point of this blog today--there are so many indoor activities that beg your attention! Here are the high points of a rainy day in Stowe:

• Read a Book. Recall the joy of imagining as you get comfy with fiction or non, historical or modern, romance or mystery. See it in your mind's eye, and not on a screen. In Stowe we have options for accessing those reading materials. Pay a visit to Lackey's Variety Store for a selection of magazines second only to those in the big box stores. Buy the latest best-seller or children's book at Bear Pond Books on Main Street in Stowe Village. Browse the Stowe Free Library's Porch Book Sale. Or, grab a book or magazine from the library's stacks and make yourself at home. Kids love the Stowe Free Library, too, so check their website for info on programs for kids and teens. Mosey upstairs to the Helen Day Art Center for a viewing of their latest, "Without Boundaries" by Mexican artist Raphael Cauduro


• Eat. Drink. Stowe's dozens of restaurants are cozy and welcoming. Take your time, relax, savor the flavor. Take part in a wine tasting at Trapp Family Lodge. Nibble for free: cider samples at Cold Hollow Cider Mill, award-winning Cabot Cheddar Cheese at the Cabot Annex (or travel a wee bit longer to their factory tour in Cabot); chocolate at Lake Champlain Chocolates--all on Route 100 South. On the same route is Ben & Jerry's, where the tour is a couple of bucks, samples included


• Visit the Vermont Ski Museum, whose mission is to "Collect, Preserve and Celebrate Vermont's Skiing History".


• Shop without a purpose. See what great and distinctive merchandise in our shops strikes your fancy. Try on that great outfit at In Company or Well Heeled! Take the time to pour over the scores of types of penny candy at Stowe Mercantile. Check out the Flying Monkey at Shaw's General Stowe.


• Learn how to dip chocolates at Laughing Moon, blow glass at Little River Hotglass, paint pottery at the Painting Place.


• Spa it up! Luxurious destination spas Topnotch Resort & Spa and Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa are top options.


• Dinner, then a show? You have choices! Cinema or live theatre? We've got both. Stowe Cinema is now showing HANCOCK; MAMMA MIA! and the uber-est movie of all, THE DARK KNIGHT (Marvel at the acting skills of our U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy in a cameo) LIve theatre includes Stowe Theatre Guild's BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL, Waterbury Players; ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS, and Lamoille County Players' GREASE .

Just a short list. When you're in Stowe stop in to our Visitor Information Center on Main Street, and one of our info specialists can help you explore more options. And remember, you're STILL in Stowe. A pretty special place to be, rain or shine.