Vermont Chapel for Dogs

I’m not a big dog lover but this story I found rather interesting and I may have to consider a trip here when visiting the Northern Kingdom.
After a new death experience this Vermont artist, Stephen Huneck, had a vision to build of all things a dog chapel. It would be a place “you could go to communicate with God about your dog” stated the artist. Not just for mourning the loss of man’s best friend but this artist hopes visitors will also contemplate and commemorate our unique human to canine relationship. So what’s different about this house of worship? Staying within the traditional 19th-century church Vermont country decor with two doors, one for women and one for men, but with his the artist added a dedicated dog door by the lower center portal. Decorated with matching raised panels and carved fan above the steeple with one of his “angel dogs”—a full-bodied sculpture, winged and gilded, of his Labrador retriever Sally.
This dog chapel is a must see for the a true dog lover as the funding to build it was from the sales of his art, and time to dedicate was between commissions. “I took any downtime I had and put it into that chapel,” he confesses. It opened in 2000 and now never closes. So if you are in the Saint Johnsbury Vermont area be sure to check out the chapel and his art gallery.

Vermont craftspeople display their arts and crafts in Open Studio Weekend 2009

Vermont Crafts Council hosts the Open Studio Weekend 2009

May 23 & 24, 2009

Back in September, the Vermont Crafts Council organizes directions and maps to all the sites of the Vermont craftspeople whom work in studios located in or close to their residences. Throughout the Winter, they continue accepting applications of sites and develop directions. Around the first week of April, it all comes together to make The Open Studio Weekend, named one of the Top Ten Summer Events in a Vermont Chamber of Commerce competition in 1997. On this event, you will be able to see for yourself the production of many finished works of art, the atmosphere of their workplace, and even talk with the artist them self all in the place of the artists’ workplace. You’ll see the swatches that have not been chosen for the quilt or the work that is experimental or not serious enough for the gallery. As you can see on the map below, it will be almost impossible to run out of places to visit on this exciting weekend. Thinking about attending both days of the Open Studio Weekend? The Distinctive Inns of New England can help you find the right place to stay in Vermont to make your weekend just a bit better with luxurious accommodations.

Going from idea to reality: Placing studios on the map.

Rabbit Hill Inn’s fresh, healthy cuisine from local Vermont farmers markets

The season has begun for you to enjoy only the freshest farm produce of the year. What’s better than a relaxing weekend getaway and knowing you’ll be eating the freshest produce around. Chef Matt, from the Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont, highlights their menu with foods that come less than 60 miles away every day. This includes dairy, produce, herbs, poultry, and meats and their seafood the premium catch from the Main coast. This dedicated locavore Chef visits select farms and farmers markets daily for product harvested just a few hours before. As a result, this Four Diamond cuisine is truly extraordinary and refreshing. During your next visit, be sure to stop by the local farms for the freshest ingredients and plenty more delicious goodies such as locally roasted coffee, artisan cheese, chocolates, jarred and canned treats, flower, plants, and fine crafts. This could be why Vermont is one of the Top 3 Healthiest States in the USA!

The Perfect Weekend Getaway with the Rabbit Hill Inn, Vermont

Take this advice from an experienced couple who had a “New England getaway done perfectly”. This is the Rabbit Hill Inn’s story about two people looking for the best New England vacation.

Thanksgiving in Vermont

Thanksgiving at Billings Farm & Museum
Woodstock, VT

Come celebrate Thanksgiving and Billings Farm & Museum’s 25th Anniversary. Grab everybody in the family for a Wagon Ride pulled by the Percheron teams through the farm. It’s running every Saturday and Sunday in November from 10am-4pm. In the last week of November you can learn about the Thanksgiving traditions in the Victorian Parlor during the holiday weekend. Just to top off the spirit, feast to a wonderful 19th century Thanksgiving meal prepared by costumed guides.

Read more »

7 Attractions to Visit in Vermont

1. Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour

There is no way a true New Englander can visit Vermont without exploring the place that makes cold and delicious joy in a cup or cone. That’s right… Ben & Jerry’s. Now you can witness first hand where all the magic happens on the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour. Start with a “moovie” about the success of Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, watch the live action of the ice cream making process, and lastly try ice cream and check out cool stuff at the gift shop. Tours start and end every half hour and reservations are recommended for parties of 10 or more. This summer Ben & Jerry’s Factory hosted a free outdoor movie festival every saturday night. As the nights are getting colder, the last showing will be August 23rd with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Ben & Jerry’s Factory – 1281 Waterbury/Stowe Road (Route 100) – Waterbury, VT – (802) 882-1240

2. Vermont Teddy Bear Company

Hop on a 30 minute Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tour and see firsthand how those fuzzy and cute little bears are made. Throughout the year, between their location in Newport and this Shelburne Factory they will make 430,000 bears. On the tour, you’ll understand how they do it and learn their tricks and tips. The Hungry Bear Cafe serves up breakfast, lunch, and snacks and in the summer days ice cream is there to cool you off. Check out the store at the factory or online and get some great ideas for birthday and christmas presents. You can customize any bear to whatever your recipient likes and stitch their name in the bear too! All bears are sent as a Bear-Gram which comes with gourmet caramels, a friendly colorful note written by you, and a fun box with air holes to ensure the bear gets nice fresh air.

Factory – 6655 Shelburne Rd – St. George, VT – (802) 985-3001

Read more »