Burlingtonian artist Julio Desmont’s abstract paintings burst with color, movement and bold geometry, and often bird-like figures. Born in Haiti in the town of Camp-Perrin, Julio grew up drawing inspiration from the vibrant natural world around him and from tap-taps, the brightly decorated pickup trucks and buses used as share taxis around the island. His paintings evoke both these early inspirations and later influences such as Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe, Basquiat, and Kandinsky.
Community is as important to Julio’s work as inspiration. Since moving to Vermont in 2018, he has worked with the Clemmons Family Farm as a teaching artist, offering painting workshops for the community and developing curricula with local school districts. Julio is on the core teaching artist team for the Farm’s Windows to a Multicultural World K-12 curriculum of African American and African diaspora history, art, and culture education. In 2021, Julio founded the nonprofit Draw 1 Inc. to provide arts education to children in need in Haiti.
Julio shared his thoughts on being a Vermont artist.
How has living as an artist in Vermont affected your creative process?
Northern Star by Julio Desmont.
The landscape of Vermont reminds me of a more organized and beautiful place like home. The open fields, the woods… I can stand from anywhere and see the horizon. Lake Champlain still reminds me of the crystal, sandy, blue beaches back home. The vibrant display of colorful skies on a clear day sitting in Battery Park. My mind is free from high-rises and corridors, and the overwhelming noise of rush hours, the sirens… Though I love the big cities, nothing compares to Vermont, its openness. The possibility to create space has been influential to my work. Being part of a community, and living a life of purpose play a great part in my creative process.
What is something about your art that has changed over time?
You’ll see I intend to show birds in my paintings if you look closely. Silhouettes of white birds, which I have thought of as a sign of wisdom, purity, greatness, holiness… I think over time I am embracing how to incorporate black birds into my art, too.
I’ve had one of my most eye-opening experiences with seagulls on North Beach in Burlington. It was a beautiful Sunday in summer 2015. I was relaxing with my brother and two other friends. I saw some white and grey birds trying to go through unattended beachgoers’ belongings, looking for food. Once they found something, they made that sharp, alarming sound, and all the flock came and enjoyed whatever was there to eat. People weren’t too nice to them. Nobody threw food at them, and they wanted food. So I pulled out a bag of chips and started feeding them. That was so intense. Their sound gets right into my heart. I felt so happy and united with nature. Later on when I got home, a friend called to check on my visit. I told him I was at the beach feeding birds. He was like “Birds?” I said yes, and he was like, “No, you didn’t do that.” I said why not?
He explained that if you feed those birds, they’re going to fly over the people’s heads and drop their waste. My happiness now turned into worry. I reflected, no wonder why people were looking at me in disdain.
If it had been a black bird, my reaction would have been different. I would definitely have chased them away and made sure they didn’t get near me at all. A black bird scares me because it bears the curse of death, the devil, evil spirits, negativity… All that I learned growing up as a Baptist Christian.
That experience changed my perception about the symbol of birds and their color. I am starting to look at crows and ravens.
What Are You Marching For? by Julio Desmont.
What is your vision for the next several years?
For the next several years I want to establish myself as an emerging and full-time artist. I plan to expand Draw 1, a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide access to art and education directly to one needy Haitian child at a time, fostering hope and preparing them for making better choices. We are still tiny, only a year old. The idea for Draw 1 came to me after I was thinking about solutions to the poverty in Haiti, as all I could learn of were the problems.
The I am a Vermont Artist series explores how artists’ creative expressions reflect their experiences of ethnicity, gender identity, religion, disability, or age. Covering all artistic disciplines, and a range of backgrounds—from New Americans to the state’s first residents—we hope to amplify voices that deepen our understanding of what it means to be a Vermont artist.
If you’re new to living in winter weather that can last three or four months, you might be wondering how Vermonters make the most of the season, besides all that skiing, riding, snowshoeing, and sledding. Supplement all that outdoor fun with some indoor activities, too. Joining an indoor pickleball, hockey, or tennis league, finding a winter camp where the kids can learn to make igloos or juggle, or heading to a historic theatre to take in a play, live music, or a comedy show are great ways to make the most of the winter season inside. Here’s your inside guide to things to do in Vermont this winter.
1. Visit a Museum
Vermont museums offer hands-on fun for the whole family and an opportunity to learn about the state’s natural history and conservation efforts. Whether you visit a few times a year or invest in a membership, museums are immersive places where repeat visits mean more opportunities to take it all in. More than 150 scientific exhibits await at Norwich’s Montshire Museum of Science, which uses interactive displays to teach kids about weather, astronomy, energy, and more. Trails wrap around the museum, which also holds outdoor igloo-building days during the winter. Explore natural history at the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, a Victorian-era collection of taxidermy and curiosities dating back to the 19th century, also home to the state’s only public planetarium. Sit back in comfort and warmth to immerse yourself in celestial beauty, observing and learning about the constellations visible in Vermont, or take part in the museum’s Night Owl Club, a monthly science and astronomy discussion group for skywatchers. In Burlington, the Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain houses a small aquarium, sensory-friendly experiences, including exhibits on the natural history of Lake Champlain, as well as spaces for birthday parties and hands-on STEM learning for all ages. In Quechee, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science is home to a wide range of rehabilitated raptors, wild predator birds that serve as ambassadors for their species. See them up close, explore the Forest Canopy Walk, which travels to the tops of the trees where eagles nest, soak in silence and birdsong in the songbird aviary, and explore 2.5 miles of trails connecting to nearby Quechee State Park. VINS also offers youth programming about the natural world in winter, as does Vermont Audubon. Take in the history of snow sports at Stowe’s Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, showcasing the sport’s history from fashion to gear design. In Manchester, explore American history at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, built in 1906 by Robert and Mary Lincoln, son of Pres. Abraham Lincoln. The grounds include an original Pullman trail car and a working goat dairy. Also nearby, local multicultural exhibits draw crowds at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center.
2. Focus on Health and Wellness
From walking on a rail trail to shopping at a farmers’ market, health and wellness are part of Vermont culture year-round. Find balance, calm, and community at yoga studios statewide (hot yoga sounds particularly enticing during the winter!). Vermont Salt Cave in Montgomery offers relaxing and destressing halotherapy experiences for respiratory and anti-inflammatory health and wellness. Discover local spa treatments made with maple sugar, cider, and craft beer at Vermont resorts like Topnotch Resort, the Woodstock Inn, and Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa. Sauna company SAVU offers the chance to experience a private sauna, alone or with a group, in minimalist wooden huts at remote locations statewide. Making sauna time a hallmark of winter can have both mental and physical health benefits.
3. Active Family Fun
Vermont is home to two family-friendly indoor waterparks. Jay Peak’s Pump House Waterpark features a big river with rapids, a surfing experience, hot tubs, and four waterslides, including one that drops straight down for the ultimate adrenaline rush. In St. Albans, the Hard’ack Recreation Area pool is open year-round, cozy under a protective dome, and offers both one-time entry and annual memberships, with slides and water features for kids. Both waterparks, as well as Williston’s Monkey Do indoor playground, Colchester’s Spare Time Entertainment, and Rutland’s Fortress of Fun indoor play area make for great places for kids’ birthday parties, too. Escape rooms such as Escape Room 60 in Williston, the Great Escape Room in Burlington, and Stratton Escape Room offer unique challenges, including one on Vermont history, for families or other groups to solve puzzles and work together to beat the clock. At Smugglers Notch Resort, consistently voted No. 1 resort for families in America, discover a 26,000-square-foot playground with fun for kids and adults, including laser tag, an arcade, a climbing wall, warrior courses, and more. Manchester’s Pastime Pinball is home to more than 60 vintage and new pinball machines – spend hours playing and enjoying the on-site restaurant with craft beers and local offerings. See how high your family can bounce at Get Air Trampoline Park in Williston, which also offers event and birthday party space rentals.
4. Get Hands-On
Taking a class can be an immersive way to spend time indoors honing a new skillset during the winter months, whether you choose a one-day class or a weeks-long immersive experience. Little River Hot Glass Studio in Stowe offers lessons in shaping and sculpting hot glass. Watch experienced glassblowers at work at Simon Pearce in Woodstock. Pottery lessons at Woodstock’s Farmhouse Pottery or Colchester’s Mudcraft can be an inspiring way to learn more about how clay becomes a bowl, a vase, a mug, or more. Already know your way around a pottery wheel? Renting studio space with other potters at studios like Mudcraft, Blockhouse Studio in Waitsfield, or Brattleboro’s Wheelhouse Clay Studio is a great way to stay in touch with your creative side. Introductory and advanced classes at Norwich’s King Arthur Baking meet bakers where they’re at, from kids taking their first steps in the kitchen to home bakers wanting to level up their game, offering day-long experiences to weeks-long professional courses. Build kitchen fundamentals, take your baking to the next level, and get hands-on instruction, at Vermont baking schools like Sugar Glider Kitchen in Hartford or Brot Bakehouse in Fairfax. Go behind the scenes with an award-winning bartender and learn about spirits and craft cocktail making, from classic American whiskey cocktails to rum drinks and custom workshops, at the Little House of Cocktails in Rutland. Paint-and-sip experiences throughout Vermont give you a chance to set your creativity free on canvas under the helpful eye of experienced instructors. Taking a class in improv or sketch comedy at Burlington’s Vermont Comedy Club will have your group laughing all evening – and once you’ve honed your skills, head back for open mic night. In the Northeast Kingdom, Circus Smirkus offers a winter circus camp where kids aged 6-14 can learn juggling, clowning, trapeze arts, and more. For little ones in grades 1-3, Billings Farm offers its Winter Wonders camp in February, including sledding, winter crafts, hot chocolate, and more. Vermont Audubon and Vermont Institute of Natural Science both offer youth programming about the natural world in winter.
5.Entertainment and Nightlife
Vermont’s historic theatres and stages elevate the experience of seeing a play, concert, or talk. Rutland’s 1913 Paramount Theatre, Burlington’s 1930 Flynn Theatre, the historic Vergennes Opera House, and Northern Stage are just a few stages that draw crowds with stunning architecture and design. In Brattleboro, the Old Stone Church is now a live music venue, from intimate folk gatherings to rambunctious metal shows and anything in between. In Burlington, enjoy an evening with local and nationally known comedians at Vermont Comedy Club, or head to Nectar’s or Higher Ground for live music. Take in a movie, along with a heaping helping of local food and donuts, at Waitsfield’s Big Picture Theatre, or, if you’re in the Northeast Kingdom, check out a live dance or music performance or a film screening at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury or Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro.
6. Indoor Recreation
Vermont has plenty of recreation opportunities to offer indoors, too, whether you’re looking for a single day of fun or a local league to join where you can keep active and get to know your Vermont community. Join an indoor cornhole league, play floor hockey, throw it back with an indoor flag football league, or explore the rest of Game On VT’s Chittenden County offerings. Pickleball is gaining popularity nationwide; join a league in Rutland or South Burlington. Indoor ice skating rinks offer a chance to enjoy the ice regardless of the weather, and many have indoor hockey leagues for adults and kids, like Waterbury’s Ice Center, Williston’s Full Stride Hockey, and Jay Peak Resort’s Ice Haus rink. Break a sweat playing indoor volleyball in South Burlington, Williston, and Bennington. Not into fat biking, but still want to pedal? Try indoor spinning classes at RIDE in Stowe, Alpenglow Fitness in Montpelier, or REV Indoor Cycling in Burlington. Throw axes at wood targets and channel your inner lumberjack at BurlyAxe Throwing in Burlington. Indoor climbing gyms offer an adrenaline rush and a chance to safely hone your rock climbing skills. In Waterbury, Parro’s Gun Shop is home to Vermont’s only indoor range, featuring 10 lanes, allowing shooters to practice year-round in a safe, controlled environment. Beginners will appreciate the opportunity to rent firearms and be instructed in safe use, as well as monthly and annual membership opportunities. Many towns are also home to bowling alleys with leagues of their own, like Colchester’s Spare Time Entertainment, also home to an arcade and laser tag, or Bennington Lanes, which also offers indoor golf. Rutland’s Stonehedge Indoor Golf and Gonzo’s HD Sports in Burlington offer indoor golf simulation, too. Hone your tennis game at indoor courts in Rutland, Middlebury, Stratton or more locations throughout the state.
7. Food and Beverage Experiences
Vermont’s farm-to-table dining culture nourishes the body and soul. Local foods treat your palate to substantial fare that’s Green Mountain from the ground up, like craft cider made with Vermont-grown heirloom apples. Get to know your local farmers at an indoor winter farmers’ market and signing up for a CSA both supports the local food system in your community and keeps your grocery list supplemented with fresh food grown nearby. Explore winter CSAs using the Northeast Organic Farmers Association of Vermont’s directory. Chefs at local restaurants use what’s in season to craft menus that offer a sense of place; if you’ve been outside all day, a little après is in order at a Vermont eatery.
There’s always more of Vermont to explore, even for locals. Visit every stop on the Vermont Cheese Trail, tour the state on the chocolate trail, visit a winery for a tasting, or participate in a guided brewery tour that takes the driving out of your hands so you can safely savor the experience. The Vermont Brewers Association has put together a handful of beer trails regionally, including one for dog owners. This Vermont checklist will guide you to explore more of your home state.
Like many young Vermont artists, Castleton University graduate Veronica Stevens has grown up on her community’s stages. In music, theater, and dance, she has made her creative energy known around Southern Vermont for years. She has held starring roles with the Rock River Players and headlined for the Vermont Ukulele Harvest Festival, and she is a founder of the Southern Vermont Samba band. But Veronica’s story doesn’t begin in Brattleboro or Newfane—until the age of seven, she lived in an orphanage in St. Petersburg, Russia. When she was adopted, she moved first to Virginia, and finally to Vermont at the age of ten.
Over time Veronica has shifted her focus from performance to the visual arts. Her website showcases vibrant, exquisitely detailed watercolor pencil and ink images that evoke psychedelic, otherworldly landscapes. Veronica attributes her artistic style to both her past and her present. She states her experiences at the Russian orphanage “led to her yearning for a brighter reality.” Now in the woods of Vermont, she brings her eye for the fantastic to her observations of nature.
Veronica shared her thoughts about being a Vermont artist.
How has living as an artist in Vermont affected your creative process?
Vermont’s nature scenery has had a very strong and positive influence on my artwork. My color palette has been heavily influenced by the vibrancy of everything that I see outdoors. I like to play with the juxtaposition of simplicity and exquisite detail, and the natural world provides my inspiration. I love to hike and make it a point to take in everything from the views at the top of the mountains to the intricate leaf patterns I see on the ground.
What is something about your art that has changed over time?
The interplay of reality and fantasy permeates my drawings. Utilizing every color in the rainbow, I combine real life elements with abstract and geometric shapes, thereby creating my own version of reality. Over time, my artwork has become more detailed and more vibrant. I like to make my drawings intricate enough that portions of the original can stand alone as pieces of art. Currently, my medium is watercolor pencil and ink, but I am always open to and love exploring other mediums.
What is your vision for the next several years?
I plan to continue making art. I would like to experiment with pieces utilizing a larger canvas and explore everything from working on glass to printing on fabric. I want to explore different mediums and incorporate new techniques into my artwork. I hope to collaborate with other artists and work on larger public installations. I am a musician and composer and want to create musical pieces to accompany or represent a particular work of art.
Veronica Stevens is a visual artist who draws her inspiration from her outdoor experiences and her love of nature. Combining nature scenes and her imagination, she relies on watercolor pencils and ink as her primary medium. Her use of color and scale blends aspects of reality with more abstract and dreamlike images. Veronica has been drawing and doodling since childhood. At age 17, Veronica was accepted into the Early College Program in Performing Arts at Castleton University where she is currently in her sophomore year.
The I am a Vermont Artist series explores how artists’ creative expressions reflect their experiences of ethnicity, gender identity, religion, disability, or age. Covering all artistic disciplines, and a range of backgrounds—from New Americans to the state’s first residents—we hope to amplify voices that deepen our understanding of what it means to be a Vermont artist.
In episode 10 ofVermont Made, Sed One of Montpelier–based hip hop duo Boomslang discusses two albums, therecently releasedBoomslang IIIand the upcomingBoomslang Forever, and leaving a creative legacy after the passing of his other half, JL or Johnny Morris.
Sharing the fruits of local talent from the Green Mountain State. In each episode of Vermont Made, one artist, craftsperson, designer, specialty food producer, or other Vermont creative shares the story behind one thing they’ve made. Produced by the Vermont Arts Council and hosted by Desmond Peeples.
In 2023 and 2024, Vermont Made is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.
On a June day in 1922, the month of the summer solstice, Vermont’s first poet laureate wrote “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Six months separated Robert Frost from the cold, dark days of winter, yet he immortalized the season for generations of Vermonters.
These are the days when Vermonters consider the question: What should we do when the sun sets at four o’clock in the afternoon and it’s 12 degrees outside? While it’s tempting to crawl under a blanket with a cup of cocoa and a book of poetry, it’s exhilarating to don a pair of skis or swim in an outdoor, heated pool as snowflakes fall.
Continuing a series started last year, we asked five Vermonters to share their favorite winter activities and destinations — the things they do and places they go not simply to survive winter, but to celebrate it. None of them suggested reading Frost’s poem, but bookseller Kari Meutsch said she loves “any book where winter is as much a part of the story as any human character.”
Winter weather is a central theme in Vermont for at least four months a year. Here’s hoping these suggestions from fellow Vermonters will help brighten and enliven the season.
Jonny Adler Town: Stowe Occupations: Entrepreneur; cofounder of the Skinny Pancake; founder of a base camp for bikers and skiers opening in Waitsfield in 2023 Age: 43
You’re a super experienced downhill skier. When you want to push the Alpine envelope, where do you go for backcountry skiing? Oh man, where to start?! David Goodman’s Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast is the single best resource to get into the sport, with 50 classic ski tours, almost all of which are doable as day trips from anywhere in Vermont.
To self-guide your way into the sport, I highly recommend Braintree Mountain Forest and Brandon Gap because they have fantastic terrain and they are mapped and maintained by the backcountry heroes at the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective.
For a little more help, Bolton Valley is your spot. You can get instruction and even hire a guide to tour around thousands of acres of mostly north- and east-facing terrain. For a unique adventure that’s off the beaten path and super scenic, check out the Willoughby State Forest zone maintained by the Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition.
What are your favorite winter hikes? Hiking is for summer. At the very least, don a pair of snowshoes and head to the snowshoe trails at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe or Mad River Glen in Waitsfield.
For those who love to hike, I can’t recommend enough buying a pair of skinny skis and a season pass to your local cross-country ski area. When you do, you get one free day at basically every cross-country center in the state.
What adventures do you recommend for parents of young kids? Love of winter recreation starts with sledding in the middle of a snowstorm at your nearest hill. For kids who can already ski a bit, the two standout gems are Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond and Northeast Slopes in East Corinth. Both are powered by T-bars and handle tows, both have really good pitch, and both are pure skiing the way it should be.
At Cochran’s, you can gather round a bonfire right at the base and watch the bigger kids race training. Cochran’s Friday Night Lights program offers an affordable, family-friendly dinner with a thousand other kids and super-fun night skiing for (not kidding) $5 per person.
Northeast Slopes is a true gem: 100 percent volunteer-run, 100 percent natural snow, actual glades, open faces and steep spots, and just a little shoebox at the bottom to gear up and get a burger.
After a day of playing in the snow, where do you like to go for food and drink? We live in Stowe and ski there often. On the way back down the Mountain Road, our car pretty much turns itself into the Piecasso parking lot to get a hot slice or two. If you’re heading back to Burlington, hot cider and a doughnut at Cold Hollow Cider Mill hit the spot. According to a data-driven study by my 6- and 8-year-old nephews, Lake Champlain Chocolates has the best hot cocoa around.
Marlena Tucker-Fishman Town: Waterbury Center Occupation: Entrepreneur who runs the wellness center at Zenbarn; co-owner of Zenbarn Farms Age:38 Where do you find your winter zen in Vermont? I find zen cross-country skiing in the field outside my house and through the trails on Camel’s Hump. One of my new favorite places to cross-country ski is around Blueberry Lake near Warren. I find my zen dancing to live music at Zenbarn in Waterbury Center and sitting by the firepit. As I answer this question, I realize there are, gratefully, so many places I find my zen in Vermont. I also find my zen at the Grange in Montpelier, doing West African drum and dance every Tuesday, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
It’s a surprise snow day, and you and your husband are playing hooky and spending it with your sons. Where do you go, and what do you do? Oh, I love days like this. We usually venture up to Spruce Peak Lodge in Stowe for a mini staycation and enjoy the outdoor hot tub and heated pool. If not keeping hot in water, head to Lincoln Gap; the road is closed in the wintertime. It’s a nice two-mile walk up and epic sled ride down the winding road.
For a restaurant meal not at Zenbarn, where does your family head? You can’t go wrong with Butler’s Pantry or Doc Ponds in Stowe, depending on the time of the day. For family enjoyment and great food in downtown Waterbury, the Reservoir it is! Barbara Jean’s Southern Kitchen [offering takeout in Burlington] is great soul food to break the cabin fever.
Courtney Dickerson Town: Monkton Occupation: Program manager at Catamount Trail Association Age: 30 Can you recommend three stretches of the Catamount Trail for three levels of Nordic skier: novice, some experience and hard-core skier? The Catamount Trail is divided into 31 sections based on geographic location. So, for a novice skier, I’d recommend sections 1 to 4 in southern Vermont. These sections have gentle terrain without steep inclines, following the Deerfield River and the shores of Somerset and Harriman reservoirs, making for a beautiful beginner ski.
Skiers with some experience would enjoy sections 15 and 16, which go through the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in central Vermont. These sections follow rolling backcountry terrain with various ungroomed and groomed portions, passing through both Blueberry Hill and Rikert Nordic Center.
For more hard-core skiers, I’d recommend section 22 [Bolton Valley to Trapp Family Lodge]. It’s a popular, rugged backcountry tour that has both challenging climbing and descending portions.
Where do you like to cross-country ski that’s not on the Catamount Trail? I love to ski at Sleepy Hollow Inn’s Nordic center in Huntington, which is run by a multigenerational family and has plenty of varied terrain and scenic views at Butternut Cabin. Also, you can’t go wrong spending the day at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, which has over 100 kilometers of groomed trails, great food and fantastic terrain.
It’s February, and you need a pick-me-up. What do you do to kick the winter blues? I’d head to Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, which has rustic, woodsy trails and feels like a getaway. I’d take a stop in Bristol for a pastry at Jones the Boy or Minifactory on the way up and stop in Middlebury for some Thai food on the way home.
Ari Sadri Town: Shelburne Occupation: Inn and hospitality director at Shelburne Farms Age: 55
You live on the property of Shelburne Farms year-round. What do you enjoy doing there when the inn’s season winds down? I have a very rambunctious 9-year-old golden retriever, Maisy. On any given day, she and I will walk three to five miles on the farm, just enjoying the scenery. Even on the coldest winter day, the farm is a beautiful place to spend time and explore.
When I’m not doing that, I am usually neck-deep in overly ambitious cooking projects.
Where do you take pleasure being a guest while other people run the show? I am a terrible homebody. That being said, I am very keen to try the Tillerman in Bristol. If their inn experience is as great as their dining experience, then I’m all in! Their chef, Justin Wright, does a great job.
What other dining destinations make the most of the season? This is a hard one, because we are so lucky to have great options in the area. In Burlington, I think Hen of the Wood does a wonderful job, and I particularly enjoy sitting at the counter, watching their talented staff do their thing. I love the warmth and conviviality of small, intimate places like Honey Road and Poco, both of which have awesome small-plate-focused menus.
I am an enormous fan of Pizzeria Ida. Owners Dan Pizzutillo and Erika Strand are incredibly dedicated to their craft, use amazing ingredients, and produce pizzas, salads and other items that are unlike anything else in the area. I’m particularly addicted to their square pie.
Last but certainly not least, Zabby & Elf’s Stone Soup is a personal favorite, with great baked goods and such a genuine community vibe! In my opinion, it is the epitome of what a neighborhood spot should feel like.
What are your go-to stores for winter shopping in Burlington? Patagonia has good gear with a great social and environmental mission. I also love Outdoor Gear Exchange, even though I’m not super sporty. The shop covers so many bases, is locally owned and I especially love that their consignment program helps keep used gear in action rather than fill landfills! We also do a lot of shopping at Monelle, a favorite of my two daughters’ and my go-to when I’m trying to find gifts for them.
You’re holed up in a snowstorm on a winter day. Where are you? When I heard about the impending storm, I managed to book myself a massage at the Spa at the Woodstock Inn — and while the massage is great, the real reason I’m here is the opportunity to relax in their common room afterwards. I’m curled up in a comfy chair, watching the snow through a wall of windows, wrapped in a blanket and settled in next to a woodstove, while reading whatever fun, new witchy and magical novel has caught my eye.
What are your winter traditions? I always want a bonfire around the time of solstice, but we’re often too busy with the bookstore in the lead-up to gift-giving holidays to make that happen. So in the quieter months, I try to take time to walk through the woods in the snow when I can and enjoy the quiet. Sometimes I’ll take my camera along, but it’s nice to be out there alone without distraction, too.
Do you have a favorite book or poem about winter? For me, it’s any book where winter is as much a part of the story as any human character — and there has to be magic. I have to mention The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, because although it’s set in historical Russia and chock-full of fairy tales and folklore from that space and time, you can tell that Arden resides here in Vermont. The way she describes the cold and the snow and the woods and the trees, it makes you feel like everything could be happening right now, just outside the door, in our own backyard. Plus, it’s the first in a fantastic trilogy — and it’s always nice to have a long story to dive into and carry you through the darker months.
Describe your dream day of a winter adventure. Snowshoeing on the trails at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science with friends, enjoying the quiet and beauty of the winter woods before visiting with all of the rescued birds. Then heading to the Ransom Tavern in South Woodstock for a delicious wood-fired pizza and the cozy ambience (and tasty drinks). And, of course, we’ll end the night with their Nutella pizza, because it’s absolutely the stuff of dreams.
These interviews were edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Photo credit: Backyard sledding in Jericho; Kirsten Thompson
