Cou ntry nt Sam mo Free p er le V r June 2017 • Statewide Calendar of Events, Map • Inns, B&B’s, Dining, Real Estate • Plenty of Good Reading! Randolph, Vermont “Th e Best Lodging & Sports in Central Vermont” Whether you are looking for a week of adventure or a weekend getaway from the city, the Th ree Stallion Inn in Randolph, Vermont, is the perfect four-season destination. - Luxuriously appointed suites with private baths and dedicated phone lines. - “Th e Sporting Life” ~ Hiking, Biking & more! Hot Tub, Sauna and Fitness Center. - Rates from $98 / night. Breakfast included. Only 3 miles from Exit 4, I-89. - Th e beautiful, 18-hole Montague Golf Club is adjacent to the Inn. “Vermont’s Favorite Country Inn” BEAUTIFUL WEDDINGS ~ FAMILY REUNIONS ~ CONFERENCES ~ CORPORATE RETREATS USB & ETHERNET JACKS ~ FREE WIFI ~ MOBILE PHONE SERVICE GOLF ~ FITNESS CENTER ~ SAUNA ~ HOT SPRING TUB ~ SWIMMING 802-728-5575 ~ www.Th reeStall ionInn.com ~ 665 Stock Farm Rd., Randolph, VT 05060 Th e Sammis Family, Owners June Journal Learning the Flowers by Bill Felker stay together ship. It does not identify plants learn the fl owers with Latin nomenclature but go light with unspoken names of delight and affection. —from Gary Snyder’s What has happened to me “For the Children” recently is that, against my Recent events have un- latent Buddhist tendencies, nerved me and pulled me just I have become attached to a little out of my cave. everything from the shunned It seems quite clear that the garlic mustard and honey- global environment, and even suckles to exotic Glen golden my environment here in this seal and wood betony. place, will be challenged in And now I care what hap- any number of ways during pens to them. I do not want the years ahead. (I realize this to see them harmed. From is nothing new. And where that perspective, matters of have I been?) saving an abstract planet I attempt to begin: I return Earth or the crusades and to Gary Snyder’s admonition prophesies of ecologists or to stay together, to learn the philosophers or academic fl owers and to go light. naturalists or liberals do not I have learned a lot of matter. fl owers in the past decades From the doorway of of my life. I start there. I see home, I stake out my land- photo by Matthew Brader that fl oral taxonomy is not scape, draw its borders and The view from the highest deck of the inn at The Fourth Corner Foundation in Windham, VT. so much a matter of botany embrace its creatures, and as it is a result of proximity, I know exactly why I do it. Windham, VT of being with, of noticing, of I learn the fl owers of this Contemporary Art Exhibit: Defi ning Ourselves Through Nature watching, of caring. place as though they were That kind of taxonomy my children, and then I begin The Fourth Corner Foundation in Windham VT is hosting library, ponds and an art gallery/conference space. Reserva- evolves through a relation- to glimpse what I might do. an opening at 5 p.m. on June 10th for a six-week contem- tions can be made throughout the summer. porary art exhibition titled Defi ning Ourselves Through One of the foundations most exciting current projects Nature. The show focuses on presenting abstract, surreal and is the Rescape project. This is a plan for transforming the expressionist works that consider the role of nature in the typical American suburban landscape that involves convert- Dutton’s human psyche through several mediums. Sculpture, painting, ing a portion of the land that is now covered in grass into photography and mixed media are represented. aesthetic, healthy landscapes of botanical and agricultural Strawberries The show includes works by several artists from Vermont, gardens, designed, maintained, and harvested by community- Pick-Your-Own New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Participat- scaled organizations for the benefi t of the homeowners and At our fi elds on Rt. 30 in Newfane, VT. ing artists include Abby Minor, Stephanie Kossman, Barbara an ecological future. Hocker, Matthew Donaldson, Robert C. Marsala, and Nanette The Rescape plan has the potential for several important Starting late June. Shapiro. Visitors are welcome to come early to experience contributions to contemporary society. Beyond the advan- Call for conditions (802) 365-4168. the manicured gardens and contemporary architecture. tages of creating a more stimulating local environment, this The Fourth Corner Foundation is a non-profi t founded by project proposes a plan that could provide the land required Already-picked will also be available at our farmstands architect Robert Foote Shannon. It is dedicated to providing to grow crops necessary to bolster farming against foresee- in Newfane, Manchester, and W. Brattleboro, VT. a physical institution where creative ideas concerning sus- able food shortages. tainable practices are paramount. The property serves as a There will be a roundtable Rescape Conference at The gathering place for interested parties to discuss ideas, design Fourth Corner Foundation on July 29-30 involving profes- projects, attend conferences and experience an inspiring sionals from several related fi elds. The goal of this gathering Teacher Treasures combination of art, architecture and gardens. will be to evaluate the logistics of the project by proposing A Teacher Resource Store & More! Two of the buildings on the property serve as an inn, predicted problems and their solutions. Scrapbooking Materials & Gently providing accommodations for both visitors to the founda- For more information and registration details contact The Used Books/Lending Library tion those interested in exploring local attractions. Facilities Foundation. Space will be available at the inn during the “A Hands-On Store” include 10 bedrooms, a lounge, spa, sauna, dipping pool, conference until fi lled. School Year Hours: 2–5 pm Tues–Fri and 10–5 on Sat The Fourth Corner Foundation is located at 578 Hitchcock (802) 365-4811 • (802) 365-4426 fax Hill in Windham, VT. (802) 875-2194. www.thefourthcorner Flames Stables foundation.org. Cynthia W. Nau • [email protected] Route 100 South, Wilmington, VT Right on Rt. 30—just north of Newfane Village (802) 464-8329 Scenic Horseback Riding Year-Round Trail Rides Strolling of the Heifers $25 for 40 Minutes A CELEBRATION OF FARMERS & FOOD Children Over 6 Can Ride Alone Vermont Country Sampler Brattleboro, Vermont - June 2-3-4 ~ By Reservation ~ June 2017, Vol. XXXIII Great Family Fun at the Lowest Prices Around! The Vermont Country Sampler is distributed free over-the-counter in and out of Vermont. Advertising rates on request. Deadline the 10th of the preceding month. Vermont Country Sampler P.O. Box 197, N. Clarendon, VT 05759 (802) 772-7463 [email protected] www.vermontcountrysampler.com CCurtis’urtis’ BBarbequearbeque Featuring BBQ Pork, THE PARADE! Ribs & Chicken, Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. Vermont’s Largest Farm Stand slow cooked over an Downtown Brattleboro outdoor open pit Bakery • Delicious Deli hardwood fi re. Corn on the cob, baked potatoes, A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATION Ice Cream • Fresh Produce baked beans, Curtis’ Street Festival/Gallery Walk • Strolling of the own unique BBQ sauce. Heifers Parade • Slow Living Expo • Famous Garden Center / Nursery Curtis Tuff, Prop We do catering. Farmers’ Breakfast • Tour de Heifer • Farm Tours “Growing Since 1956, Come enjoy our picnic tables KEY SPONSOR: Come Grow With Us” and park-like grounds. 6023 US Route 5 Westminster, VT Open for Lunch & Dinner, Thursday thru Sunday Strolling of the Heifers Open 7 days a week Mon.-Sat. 5:30am - 9:00pm, Sun. 6:30am - 9pm Rt. 5, Putney, VT (Exit 4 off I-91) www.StrollingoftheHeifers.com 802-722-3395 • www.allenbrothersfarms.com (802) 387-5474 • www.curtisbbqvt.com Page 2 Vermont Country Sampler, June 2017 Bellows Falls, VT Great River Hydro Bellows Falls Visitor Center Opens The Bellows Falls Fish Ladder Visitors Center in Bellows Falls, VT will open for the summer season on Friday, May 26. This nature education center is open each weekend Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September 3rd. The Visitor Center is home to a series of hands-on environmental programs and exhibits for local families and passing tourists. Admission and programs at the Visitor Center are always free. The Nature Museum, located in Grafton, VT, operates the Visitor Center on behalf of Great River Hydro, owner of the fi sh ladder as well as the hydroelectric facility in Bel- lows Falls. Visitors and residents are encouraged to learn more about the Connecticut River watershed, the salmon and other fi sh that use the fi sh ladder, and the river’s many plants and animals. The Nature Museum’s Jay DeGregorio, a popular naturalist and environmental educator, is on hand to answer any ques- tions and deliver free, environmental programs throughout the summer. He will present family programs each Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The family programs are recommended for children ages four and up. The health of the Connecticut River is vital to the health of our region. The Visitor Center seeks to inspire stewardship of the Connecticut River and all Vermont’s local waterways. 2017 Programming at the Great River Hydro Bellows Falls Fish Ladder Center June 9 & 10 • Amazing Adaptations Learn more about the body parts and behaviors that help native New England wildlife survive. Young naturalists will investigate animal pelts, skins, and other artifacts to learn more about the unique wildlife that call New England home. Hands-on items, tales about astonishing animals and a craft will captivate all ages. June 16 & 17 • Magnifi cent Migrations When the cold winter winds of Vermont start to blow where does our native wildlife go? Many critters, whether they have fi ns, feathers or feet migrate to fi nd warmer weather.