Celebrate Summer in Stowe

For those of you who are young at heart or have children of your own, Stowe has plenty to offer to make your stay as memorable as possible. Take your little daredevils down the Stowe Mountain Resort’s Alpine Slide or have a relaxing day in the sun, bathing by one of our several great swimming lakes.

For you adventure buffs, come up to Stowe this summer for the 23rd Annual Balloon Festival and while you’re up here, check out the miles and miles of endless breathtaking hiking and biking trails at your disposal.

If you are looking for a relaxing getaway, have a picnic by our weekly gazebo concert performances and take in the sights and sounds of this historic New England town. If that isn’t what you’re looking for you could check out one of our many festivals in the area or if you want to speed things up a bit, come see one of our many classic antique car shows; and if there is still time, try something new and take up fly fishing lessons with one of our many expert level instructors.

Whatever you may be looking for this summer, Stowe has got you covered. Whether it be adventure, relaxation or just a fun retreat from the hassles and aggravation from the real world, come to Stowe this summer and let us make Stowe your home away from home.

Ski n Stay Under $100 per person Stowe promotion is Extended!

In Stowe avid skiers/riders think of their sport as practically a birthright. So, we've made it just a bit easier to get up on the hill. I blogged a few weeks ago about our Ski n' Stay for Under $100 Per Person, and we're thrilled to tell you that it's been extended to the end of the ski season (actually March 31st). Basically, you get a valuable Stowe Card (scroll to the bottom of the page if you click), which gets you some awesome perks, including $59 lift tix. Add that to our affordable Stowe lodging, and you've got yourself a ski vacay.

(New England Booth at the Manchester Holiday Show)

And, speaking of travel as a basic right, we could take a page from the books of our friends across the pond. In January I was in Manchester UK and Dublin, Ireland for their respective Holiday Shows. Travel is a serious business over there--of course, they do get up to 6 weeks of holiday time. So, they do their research, attending these shows, which are enormously popular. Once they've gone home and distilled the info that we've bombarded them with, they either head to their favorite tour operator/travel agent or go online, research some more, and book. After nearly a dozen years of attending these shows, it's so gratifying to hear our British and Irish friends' affection for Stowe and for New England. Even though the Pound Sterling and Euro are struggling, as are most currencies (although stronger against the $), these intrepid travelers are still coming. They're looking for value like everyone else, but they lay claim to their right to be on the move and experience the joy and discovery of trotting the globe.

Intrepid and bodacious may also describe participants in the 64th Annual Stowe Derby, presented on February 22 by the Mt Mansfield Ski Club. Actually, the race is only as hard as you decide to make it, as they have four divisions: the Long Course both freestyle and classical; the Short Course, and the Derby Meister.
The Derby was started in 1945 as a personal challenge between Stowe Ski School founder Sepp Ruschp and Erling Strom, world famous mountaineer from Norway. The race remains unchanged from that day: race from the top of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak to Stowe Village. The catch....... only one pair of skis could be used for the varied terrain. The combination of downhill and cross-country skiing was (and still is) considered the ultimate test of a skiers ability.

Stowe Gets The Dump!

Yep, Stowe got hammered. Over a foot of snow on the mountain, and the forecast for weekend skiing is FANTASTIC. The season will be over before you know it, and regrets will not keep your winter inner-child happy and fulfilled. With some great Ski n Stay bargains, and Stowe Mountain Resort's Vacation Rewards Program, there's no reason to delay. And perfect temps make it even better: Roger Hill , Vermont weather guru says "WINTER COLD has Peaked!"

And if the snow on Mt Mansfield (Vermont's highest peak, in case you missed that fact) is hardcore, off-mountain activities are flying high right now, too. You can take a day of rest, well, resting (as in spa) or strolling (as in snowshoeing) or with Man's Best Friend (mush!) Stowe appears along with some pretty grand company, listed as one of the best ski resorts in the world. Articlebase.com, an online source for supplying websites, newsletters and publications with content, states that Stowe regularly makes it into Top Ten lists along with Aspen, Mont-Tremblant, Zermatt, et al. Just had to brag...

Annnnd...speaking of the world: It was my pleasure to spend the last couple of weeks in Manchester, UK and Dublin, attending the holiday shows there, expounding on the virtues of my home town. Despite the economy, these intrepid travelers are still excited about visiting our little mountain village. Bless 'em.

You Can Afford to Ski in Stowe!

Stowe seems to be settling into the New Year with some nice snowy conditions and voila, snow as I write!

January brings a slower tempo...kind of like September after the summer's busyness and before the fall color frenzy begins. January is nicely sandwiched between the hectic holidays and February's next onslaught of vacationers during Presidents' Week (that week can vary around the country, so to be clear, the week here in Stowe is 2/14-2/22)

You may have shot your holiday budget and you may think "that's it, no skiing for me now!". But uh-uh. We're not letting you off that easy, when you know you deserve a nice post-holiday get-away just for you, and besides, we miss you. To that end, Stowe and Stowe Mountain Resort have joined together to offer a great ski & stay deal. Midweek between January 4 and February 12 you can get a free Stowe Points Card (scroll waaay down on this page when you click on this link) when you book your room--and that's a free card for each member of your party! What does this card do, you ask? Gives you a $59 adult lift ticket each time you ski at Stowe--plus tote up points for free skiing.
The Stowe Points Card, which is worth $75 each, is great for not only discounted skiing, but for summer and fall activities too--like golf!
Again, all the details and booking info is here: http://www.gostowe.com/lodging/specials/

Happy New Year... see you slope- side.
Remember, the word of 2009: OPTIMISM

(photo compliments of Stowe Mountain Resort)

Drive Slow and Don't Hit the Brakes

It's 9 degrees fahrenheit, and I can see snow in Stowe Village outside my window, with snow predicted to keeping coming right up through Christmas. It's snowing in Boston, in New York, and very possibly where you are. Which means that you're of one of two minds: You're really not happy, because you're cold, the roads are snowy, the walk needs shoveling, the windshield needs scraping.





















Or you may be of Mind #2. Snow is softly falling, it's peaceful and magical as Christmas approaches. A walk along Main Street in our village brings an encounter with someone you don't even know, but there's eye contact and recognition that this is a good thing, a lovely moment.

For those of Mind #1, we can help:

• The cold: Here in Winter Playland, we layer. Everything from those itchy, wooly, drop-seat long johns to silky, barely-there undies. Any of Stowe's outdoor shops can help you stay warm. Or sit in front of one of the dozens of fireplaces that our lodges feature. And lots of these fireplaces can be in your room. With you, drink in hand, lolling in front of it. Or, do as we do: Play in the snow! Make friends with winter by skiing, riding, snowshoeing, mushing with dogs, riding a horse. Try extreme sledding in Smuggler's Notch!
  
• Snowy Roads: Road crews in a resort town know which side their bread is buttered on, and boy are they diligent in keeping the roads plowed, sanded, salted. (one of my fantasy jobs is driving a plow truck--all cozy, music cranked, steamy cuppa joe in the cupholder, saving the day...) The best advice was imparted to me when I moved here years ago: Drive Slow and Don't Hit the Brakes. T'was told to me by the guy who is now the chief of the Stowe Fire Department, so I trust 'im.
  
• Shoveling Snow: Hire a kid, or shovel yourself and call it "cardio", or buy a snowblower. Or stay with us for awhile, and you won't even have to worry about it. Someone else can do it!
  
• Scraping Ice: No one likes this, there are no easy solutions (although there is a can of something in my car that I've never used, s'posed to work, maybe I should try it), you're on your own.

With all apologies to those of you in tropic climes (I lived in the Virgin Islands for 3 years, and at Christmas we cranked the AC to 55 and huddled around the absurdly-priced tannenbaum, singing songs of the season to get in the mood), Christmas is meant to be white! Everyone from Bing Crosby to Audrey Landers (Afton Cooper on DALLAS!) and Twisted Sister to John Schneider (Clark Kent's Pa and pilot of Duke of Hazzard's GENERAL LEE!) have sung that they dream of it, just like the ones they used to know, so it must be true. And looks like we'll have it.
A White Christmas.

The Snow Gods Awake!

(Photos: Main Street, Stowe Village, 10am December 12)

The Snow Gods conspired and concocted, and this morning Stowe awoke to nearly a foot of new snow. And it's still snowing, hard.


Oddly enough I get pretty psyched to get outside and clean off my car (the adult version of putting on your snowsuit, and just getting out there), and this morning required the use of The Snow Broom. Don't know where it disappeared to; maybe it was tired from a summer of sweeping pine needles off the deck, so I used the current household broom, which ended up looking like a frazzled kitchen witch. This exercise is all part and parcel of living in snow country, and today finds Stowe folks dancing like hamsters and high stepping like those nine- ladies-dancing that will be referenced this time of year ad nauseum.

The news that we want you ALL to know is: Stowe is snowy and up and running. And with the 10-day forecast heralding colder temps and snow, we're in great shape for that Currier & Ives holiday. That term is so overused, but it's accurately descriptive. You'll see.

Stowe Mountain Resort is open for awesome skiing and riding. Gondola opens this weekend on Mt Mansfield, and Sunny Spruce and Sensation Quad on Spruce Peak, too. And the brand-spanking-new Spruce Camp base lodge, which is, no joke, jaw-droppingly fabulous, is warm and will welcome you with open arms. My friend & associate at SMR, Jeff Wise reports that they expect six more inches from this storm, and anticipate 57 trails open tomorrow, with all three peaks open for business.

Dogsledding, xc skiing, snowmobiling (or 'chining, as in snowmachine...take your pleasure with either term) snowshoeing, extreme sledding, romantic sleigh rides--you can revel in it all now, as the snow keeps falling.

Take a shopping break and come see a few of my friends and I carol (yes!! 12 Days of Christmas is one of our greatest hits!) at Stowe Mercantile in the village. We're there on Sunday from 2-4pm. Kids can visit Santa there on Saturday, too, from 12-2, and they donate $10 to the food shelf for every child who visits Santa. Scads of holiday events are underway now, too, including our Shop Savor Sip Ski

New Stowe Dining & Shopping Guide!

Thanksgiving means, obviously, giving thanks--for family, friends and for our own individual list of personal blessings.

Thanksgiving also means food , and on that note we'd like to draw your attention to Stowe's brand new Winter/Spring Dining & Shopping Guide. When you're in Stowe, stop in to our Visitor Information Center and pick one up. They're distributed all over town, too, so look for one at your hotel.




Thanksgiving also means spending time with the people that you truly care about, and this year StoryCorps, an independent nonprofit that has helped more than 40,000 Americans record their personal stories, is advocating the day after Thanksgiving as National Day of Listening. As one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, StoryCorps's mission is to help people honor and celebrate one another's lives through listening. The day after Thanksgiving is also National Day of Shopping, but you could put that off until Saturday or Sunday and avoid the considerable crush. (but don't forget our once-a-year, awesome Stowe shopping promotion,
Shop Savor Sip & Ski-great ski benefits!) Choose someone in your life to tell their story. StoryCorps suggests some questions to get you started:
What was the happiest moment of your life?
What are you most proud of?
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
What is your earliest memory?
How would you like to be remembered?

It stands to reason that we can be transformed by choosing to be grateful for the people in our lives--whether it's the loves of our lives, our family and friends, or the people that pass through our lives every day by chance.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Conditions to be Grateful For

Guns are firing on Mt Mansfield! Snow guns, guys. Stowe Mountain Resort's enormously prolific snow-making is readying for opening day of skiing and riding, TOMORROW! Snow reports from the hill put the snow-making trails average base depth at 24-54 inches. The quad lift is on track to be open, with 8 trails accessible. Weather guru (no kidding, he really is!) Roger Hill predicts dribs and drabs of snow for the next couple of days, and pre-Thanksgiving the clouds will be giving it up with accumulations of "several inches possible". Rumor has it that we're in a cold cycle that will guarantee the guns will be working overtime, piling up the good stuff. Rumor also has it that Spruce Peak will be open by Thanksgiving, and the Gondi by December 6.

A colleague paid a visit to the new and soon-to-open, state-of-the-art luxury Spruce Camp base lodge last week and reported it was "jaw-dropping". Services include a bar, indoor & outdoor fireplaces, restaurants, shops, rental shop, tickets, ski school and public lounge areas. With the new Over Easy inter-mountain transfer gondola, new trails, a new beginner area, new high-speed detachable quads and that amazing and fully-automated snow-making, Stowe is in grand shape this ski season.

And, not to be outdone: This just in from the Sultan of Snow-making, Nordic Style, Sam von Trapp, VP of Special Projects for Trapp Family Lodge. Sam is making good use of their brand new (last year) snowmaking guns, and says, "We plan to open with limited (very limited at the moment) XC skiing for Thanksgiving Day. Trail will be very short, but better than not skiing. Day passes will be at reduced rate."

The chatter right now is "how will the economy affect skiing?". We're pretty optimistic. Stowe is not only the premier ski destination in the East, but easily drive able for tens of millions of travelers: 3.5 hours from Boston, 6 hours NYC, a deuce from Montreal. Then there's the train! Wouldn't it be great to bring back the old Ski Trains? If you've got an extra day or two (high-speed rail remains a fantasy...) it's a super way to decompress while you roll along passing time with a good book or a movie on your laptop. Bonus? Amtrak powers through when the airlines are still contemplating take-off, especially in snowy weather.

Another tick in the affordability column: Stowe Mountain Resort offers discounts on lift tickets all season long, including holidays. Buy multi-day (from 2 days to 7 days) tickets at least 7 days in advance and you'll get 15% off, holidays included. Stowe's Vacation Rewards Program combines lift tickets with other on-mountain services and many Stowe area lodges package it with rooms. One stop shopping. And another budget-friendly tip: Shop Savor Sip Ski promotion nets discounted lift tix. See last week's blog for info.

Thanksgiving Day looms near. Stowe restaurants have some nifty specials for those who choose not to cook (me, me, me!) Drive safely, whether inbound to Stowe or outbound to family/friends. Think Thankful Thoughts.

How to Shop, Savor, Sip and Ski in Stowe

The term Black Friday seems to have originated in Philadelphia in 1975. This term for the purported biggest shopping day of the year, which is the day after Thanksgiving, is the day that merchants can make up lost financial ground and put their ledgers "in the Black". If you happen to be a fan of standing in line at 5am for a $5 DVD player that will conk out around the time the Christmas goose emerges from the oven, then I'm probably not speaking to you. However, if you're looking for fun, stress-FREE congenial shopping that reaps some pretty great rewards--like lower-priced and even free skiing-- then here's the Stowe Shop Savor Sip Ski skinny.

Spend at least $75 at any combination of participating shops from November 28 (yep, BLACK FRIDAY!) through January 4, 2009, and receive a Stowe Points Card offering discounted lift tickets all season long at “The Ski Capital of the East”, Stowe Mountain Resort. Plus, any purchases made at Stowe Mountain Resort earn points, and when you reach 450 you'll get a free unrestricted ski voucher. Earn points on lessons, merch, eats, rentals and more, plus the card comes with 75 points to get you started! The card also delivers year-round, on-mountain rewards, like golf and summer attractions, so you can earn even more points. (Stowe Points Cards can make great stocking stuffers, too)

During Shop Savor Sip Ski, holiday shoppers will also get coupons for free chocolate or candy cane at Laughing Moon Chocolates (the SAVOR!) and a free coffee drink (the SIP, obviously) at the Green Mountain Coffee Visitors Center & Cafe.

Adding to the shopping fun is the Golden Candy Cane Quest: find the Golden Candy Cane hidden in a participating shop and win prizes, like a one-night's stay in Stowe or other goodies!
And it gets better: each $75 spent is an entry in the Shop, Savor, Sip & Ski Grand Prize Sweepstakes (more winning!). You could spend three nights in a two-bedroom Stowe condo, and get one-day lift tickets for two adults and two kids. Plus, a Keurig coffee maker (more sipping!) and a year’s supply of chocolates (more savoring!)

Pretty good deal...cheaper lift tix and even free skiing plus lots of other perks, and holiday shopping that pays you back!

And with Stowe's nearly 70 unique and locally owned shops you can be sure that you’ll find the perfect gift for everyone this holiday season. And in the process discover the Art of Shopping. 'Cause after all, art is an expression of who you are...

Stuck in Stick Season Doesn't Mean the End of the World

Okay, I'm stuck. Stick Season is nothing to crow about, although if there is such a thing as an "off" season, I'd rather be in Stowe than anywhere else. We're quiet right now (a friend calls this the "serene season"), and a bit gray, although warm. Many visitors during this time of year love the tranquility, and the possibility that it could snow at any time (check out my blog of 10/29)--or that you can still jump on your bike and ride for miles, setting your mind free.

Hotel rates are at their lowest, so a weekend getaway from the big city is a distinct possibility. To be seriously considered and very much in order would be a day at the spa. We've got some great ones! Gas prices have plunged, and an audiobook makes your trip fly by. If you're from the Boston area, that's only 200 miles or so; NYC only about 300, and Montreal even closer.

A few of our scores of restaurants are closed for vacation/deep cleaning/regrouping before the holiday onslaught, but many of those open have great specials going on, and always a warm, welcoming ambiance. We're still all the things you love about Stowe, no matter what the season.


Election Day 2008 dawned unseasonably warm and bright earlier this week, and the atmosphere was positively Rockwellian. From my office I look down on the Town Hall polling place in the village, and it was hard to tear myself away from the window. I voted early this year, and then kicked myself for forgoing the warmth of community that pervades when voting in a small town. Even so, I moseyed over to visit with the pollsters and the voters, using the excuse that because I voted early I didn't get my "I Voted" sticker. Cliff Johnson, our recently retired Public Works Director was volunteering his time for sticker-duty and was happy to lay one on me: I VOTED!

The Queen Has Spoken

Susan Rousselle, our Sales Manager, and more importantly--at least this time of year--our Queen Leaf Peeper, has decreed that Thursday, October 2 at 5:17pm was absolute Peak Foliage Color this year. Notably, this is nearly two weeks earlier than last year, when Peak was October 14. The Queen states, "My AHA! moment was on Stagecoach Road. I was driving north, the lighting was spectacular. It honestly looked like a painting instead of real life; the color was brilliant. It's the moment when you know nothing could look prettier."

And so, we close the Stowe book on fall, and proceed to lifting the cover on Winter. To continue the metaphor (please bear with me, it's Friday...), the first page in this book is snow-covered. As of this writing, there are FOURTEEN inches of snow at Stowe Mountain Resort. Now that I write that, it seems rather paltry when I realize that HUNDREDS of inches fall in the heart of winter, but we're pretty psyched to have fourteen before the onset of November. Intrepid (and very fit...) skiers/riders are hiking up and sliding down. See some cool photos and be inspired! The Mountain opens on November 22.

LET IT SNOW - LET IT SNOW!

Yup. Snow in Stowe. Stowe Mountain Resort. And it's still coming at 2:30pm on Wednesday. Two words: WOO and HOO! We're off!

Remember: SMR kicks off the season on November 22.

Spooky, Snowy Stowe

Stowe has gone from Fire on the Mountain to Snow on the Mountain in pretty short order, folks. Wednesday morning found enough snowfall on Mt Mansfield to whet the appetite of winter sports buffs. Skiing/riding at Stowe Mountain Resort opens in just a few short weeks, on November 22nd. Starting November 1st, snowmaking will begin, adding to Mother Nature's lode. But the stuff--known as White Gold around these parts--has begun its descent. Last winter was epic in the amount of snowiness, and winter sports boomed. Snowshoers plodded happily along, dogsledders mushed at a rapid clip, snowmachines roared through the glades, skiers-- both Nordic and Alpine--swooshed. I think we deserve two great snow years in a row...we begin praying right about.....now.

However, should you have a hankering for fall color, it can still be found..but hurry. Some color is apparent in the hollows deep in the forest, and some on the hillsides. But officially, we're in Stick Season. Soon those sticks will be frosty and white, but for now they're rightfully recovering from their summer and fall glory. Well done, leaves!

Hallowe'en is what we're focusing on now. Stowe can be a pretty spooky place, if you look in the right places! We've got Emily's Haunted Bridge, Stowe at Night Lantern Tours, and a steady stream of wee characters roaming the streets in search of sugar-laden treats. Actually, Hallowe'en is a pretty cool day for kids. It starts with the Stowe Elementary School Ghost Parade on Main Street in Stowe Village. (FYI: the guy with the pumpkin on his head is Mr. Smiles, the principal...yes, our principal's name is Smiles, and he wears a pumpkin on his head every year). Our offices at the Stowe Visitor Info Center are right in the line of fire, so we load up on candy and put ourselves at the mercy of passing ghouls, goblins, skeletons, and more topical and timely costumed characters (let's bet on how many Sarah Palin/Tina Feys we see this year! Do I hear Heath Ledger/Joker?) We're alerted to the impending invasion by the sounds of the local radio station, WDEV-AM playing "Monster Mash", which resonates as a music worm in my head for many hours. Then kids go home and rest up for the Big Event: Trick or Treating on Main Street and the big party at the elementary school, all in the village.

Many years ago the idea was hatched that in order to have a safe place for sugar-solicitation, the cops would block off Main Street, the Boy Scouts would ask for candy donations and the candy would be distributed to the households that would be descended upon for trick or treat. From 4:30 to 6pm the elementary school Parent Teachers Organization hold the perfect Hallowe'en party. With games, food and free Glo Stick Necklaces from the Stowe PD, you can't go wrong. Having nurtured a Shy Little Kitten, a Killer Whale (I was up all night for that one), Calvin (w/ Hobbs), Waldo (as in "Where's ...?" --my total favorite) and countless others, I have a pretty good idea of how special Hallowe'en can be in Stowe.

Kids are ready to hit the hay by 7pm. Bring in the babysitter and Hallowe'en-oephile grownups can don their costumes and head out to revel the night away. It's a FRIDAY!

Bless You, Farmer Sue

Last Sunday, I stopped at the Stowe Farmer's Market, as I always do after my morning spin class. It's a great place to meander, mulling over whether to buy the tomatillos, and what the heck would I do with them. Truth-be-told, my sole purpose was to beeline for the late-season blueberries (4 bucks a pint, and so darned sweet), pick up a JinJi potsticker to sustain me post-workout, chat a few minutes with JinJi about our singing careers, grab some cilantro and move on out.

There are many times, especially when I have guests or am with a friend, that I'll mosey through, more of a "shopping" experience. But this time was not one of those.

I stopped for my cilantro at the last booth (or first, depending on whether you're coming or going...). This was Farmer Sue's booth. Since this was the second-t0-last Stowe Farmer's Market of the season, I asked her how business has been. Great, she said. She harvests acres of lettuce, garlic, peas and beans and beets of all kinds, zukes and cukes and broccoli and its cousin rabe, makes jelly and she pickles a bunch of the aforementioned veggies. She works 7 days a week, and gets help from her husband on Sundays. And, her week is made up of traveling to markets in South Hero (Wednesdays) , Jericho (Thursdays), Shelburne (Saturdays) and Stowe on Sundays.

I'm telling this tale to honor the work of these farmers. They are the backbone of Vermont. Stop and see them at the Stowe Farmer's Market and chat awhile. One last market coming up this Sunday, then they're done until May. Savor a real-life rural experience.

After you've stocked up on pumpkins, pickles and potatoes, keep moving up Mountain Road to the 26th Annual Stowe Foliage Art & Craft Festival in Topnotch Field. These guys have been putting this fest on for a long time, and they've got it just right. Two hundred artists and artisans will "represent the pinnacle of artistic quality in the region". Camelot-style tents are heated, just in case...And OH, wow, new this year: Vermont Cheese, Beer and Sausage Tent! With a picture-postcard-perfect fall vista as the background, you can shop, sup, listen to live music and shop yet again. Choose from elegant pottery, glimmering blown glass, fantastic furniture, svelte clothing, wondrous weavings, luxurious leather, original art, and fabulous photography. These are some of the finest crafts that you'll find in New England, all under one (or two) tents.

More and more and more great stuff in Stowe this weekend, too. Great Pumpkin? Boy, do we have it, smack in front of Town Hall on Main Street. Enter the Pumpkin Weight Guessing Contest here at the Stowe Visitor Center. If you can ascertain the weight of Jabba the Hut, you're in the ballpark. Corn Maze? Get here soon, 'cause the harvest is coming!

PS. Foliage is still brilliant, but visit this weekend for the best of the remaining color. Truly, some of the finest I've seen in a decade. If the finery of fall translates into white gold for winter, we're looking at another fine, fine winter sports season.

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!