Vermont

Made in Vermont: Offbeat Creemee

Published

1 year ago

September 2, 2024

WINOOSKI, Vt. (WCAX) – Sandwiched between a park and a pool, there’s an ice cream shop in Winooski that does things a little differently.

“We got to end on it, it’s not just for the top,” said Offbeat Creemee owner Aisha Bassett, dumping sprinkles into the bottom of an ice cream cone, before layering creemee and more sprinkles on top. But, the layers of sprinkles aren’t what sets this treat apart — it’s the lack of dairy, eggs and other allergens. Before she brought dietary deliciousness to the Onion City, Bassett perfected making regular ice cream. That is until the world froze in its tracks.

“During COVID we saw a lot of restaurants have their own ice cream, and we decided we needed to change directions, pivot, have something different that is not in the area,” explained Bassett. “Started to experiment for a couple months, trying to make the perfect ice cream.”

After 12 iterations of dairy-free ice cream, and almost two months of trial and error, Aisha and her lactose-intolerant husband, Dan, nailed down the recipe. The vegan mixture is made of coconut and oat milks and is crafted in a kitchen in Burlington.

“It took a lot of ugly ice cream to get what we have now,” she laughed. “Looked at a lot of university studies and a lot of ice cream studies and tried to find the cleanest and simplest formula.”

In 2020, the duo opened up their creemee window at Myers Memorial Pool in Winooski. To say they were well received would be an understatement.

“I was amazed at how successful we were. The lines were down to the sidewalk and I was working by myself back there and I immediately had to recruit some people,” Aisha Bassett said. “The response was amazing and really blew me away.”

They’ve been busy ever since. The window is ending summer hours on Labor Day weekend. They’ll reopen in late September until the end of October, slinging creemees and hard ice cream.

“Blueberry shortcake, I love brownie batter,” said Bassett, donning ice cream cone earrings. “Berry cheesecake is like one of my favorite desserts.”

The window also offers milkshakes and decadent sundaes, like the pretzel brownie sundae — a brownie batter ice cream base, house-made fudge, house-made caramel, and pretzel pieces triple layered. For those who prefer savory or trendy treats, they even offer an olive oil ice cream sundae.

“Totally my vibe, it’s very… especially Graza olive oil,” said Bassett. “It’s very botanical, very olive-y. And the sea salt just brings it out a little bit more… good balance.”

“I see the people in line, like they’re the reason why I’m so successful, I can’t really take too much credit,” she said, while also expressing admiration for her staff. “I’m gonna cry, stop!”

You can find these sweet treats at their window at 62 Pine St. in Winooski, or you can buy pints from either City Market location and Leo & Co in Essex.

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Related Topics:aisha allergen bassett Business cream creemee dairy egg Featured food free gluten ice made news no allergens offbeat treats vermont WCAX Winooski

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Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

7 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

How to see a reindeer in Vermont

Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.

Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?

While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.

Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.

Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink

This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe

Ice Haus Arena

Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.

General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.

When: Online schedule updated daily

Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay

C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena

This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.

Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..

Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington

Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort

Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.

Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday

Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain

Riley Rink at Hunter Park

A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.

When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates

Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center

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Vermont

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Published

19 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

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Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.