Vermont
Vermont sugar makers report hit or miss season
RICHMOND, Vt. (WCAX) – Official numbers for this spring’s maple syrup season aren’t expected until next month, but farmers so far have been reporting a mixed bag.
Andy Aldrich has turned his attention to surveying Christmas tree damage following the recent cold snap, but maple is still fresh on his mind after a sweet spring. “This was my best year,” said Aldrich, the owner of Aldrich Maple & Christmas Tree Farm in Richmond.
He says he produced almost 1,400 gallons of syrup from his 2,700 taps. But he says not everyone was so lucky. “My closest neighbors just said their sap really never got going and they’re a mile from here,” he said.
Aldrich has no explanation for the varying conditions but has heard from another producer in Essex Junction that it extends beyond his road in Richmond. “He’s got good orientation, he’s modern, and there is a good fair equal comparison between how the two places are run, and you can’t say why,” Aldrich said.
He says there are too many variables in sugaring to single out one reason as the culprit for the odd year but industry officials agree it was a mixed bag. “It’s just a little bit of everything,” said Allison Hope with the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association. In general, She says southern Vermont appeared to have faired better than northern areas. But head into the higher elevation areas in Windsor or Bennington Counties and Hope says their results were uneven. “There are so many variables.”
Along with the orientation of the sugarbush, elevation, and temperature variables, this winter also brought two major winter storms that damaged sugarbushes and hoses. Hope says the saving grace was a high sugar content. “Even in areas where sap flow wasn’t as good as they maybe wanted, because the sugar content was as high as it was in the sap, it wasn’t as bad of a year as it could have been,” she said.
Hope says the varying results present a good opportunity for farmers to refocus on things they can control. Aldrich adds it also serves as a great reminder of the variables they can’t control. “Whatever it is, Mother Nature is in control,” he said.
Copyright 2023 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Vt. author releases book on dealing with betrayal
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont author has released a new book to help people trying to recover from betrayal.
Bruce Chalmer is a psychologist and couples counselor. He says he wrote “Betrayal and Forgiveness: How to Navigate the Turmoil and Learn to Trust Again” because he found many of his clients were dealing with some kind of betrayal by someone they trusted.
Chalmer says the couples he has worked with who are able to find the meaning in it are the ones who can heal.
“When I say heal, they don’t always stay together. You can heal and not stay together, heal and stay together. But especially the ones that heal and are able to stay together. I find it very inspiring, and I wanted to write a book that talked about what it was about those couples that made it possible for them to heal in that way.”
Watch the video to see our Cat Viglienzoni’s full conversation with Chalmer.
Click here for more on “Betrayal and Forgiveness: How to Navigate the Turmoil and Learn to Trust Again” and where to buy it.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Two sought in Starksboro kidnapping, assault – Newport Dispatch
NEWPORT — On June 12, Vermont State Police responded to a reported kidnapping and assault stemming from an incident that took place on June 8 on Vermont Route 116 in Starksboro.
Authorities have identified the suspects as Anthony Seagroves, 32, from Hinesburg, and Katelynn Cannon, 28, from Essex.
The investigation alleges that Seagroves, armed with a baseball bat, coerced an adult household member into a vehicle and inflicted bodily harm while restraining the individual.
Cannon is accused of aiding Seagroves and assaulting the victim, attempting to cause serious injury.
Efforts to apprehend Seagroves on June 13 led to a pursuit when he fled in a gray Honda CR-V, with Vermont plates CRW914, believed to be driven by Cannon.
The current location of Seagroves and Cannon is unknown, and the public is urged not to approach them but to contact New Haven Barracks at 802-388-4919 or provide information anonymously at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The Burlington, Essex, Hinesburg, Shelburne, and University of Vermont police departments assisted the state troopers.
No further details have been released, but updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
Vermont
2024's 7 Most Adorable Small Towns in Vermont
Vermont, one of the New England states, is small both in population (49th of 50) and land area (45th). Yet the “Green Mountain State” packs plenty of natural beauty and small-town charm into a small package! Without any big cities, Vermont truly is a place defined by its small towns, which are full of history and populated by welcoming and proud locals. Among Vermont’s dozens of postcard-pretty small towns, check out our list of seven of the most adorable.
Brattleboro
Brattleboro is a popular day-trip destination for visitors from Vermont as well as New Hampshire, which is just across the Connecticut River, and Massachusetts, which is only a few miles away. This community of 12,000 has a classic downtown area, lined with red-brick buildings housing a nice range of shops and eateries. Your walking tour also has to include Brattleboro’s Municipal Center, housed in the Gothic-style former high school. Visit in summer to enjoy great kayaking on the river, or come in wintertime to hit the ski slopes on nearby Mount Snow. If you enjoy quirky musical instrument museums, check out the Estey Organ Museum.
Grafton
From its spot in the Green Mountains, Grafton has been an important stagecoach stop, a soapstone mining center, and a home to textile mills along the Saxtons River. Several historic buildings, most notably the 1801 Grafton Inn, have witnessed Grafton’s past and now serve its present as a tourist destination. This town of only 600 also has two great museums, the Grafton Historical Society Museum, and the Grafton Nature Museum. Be sure to take a photo at the classic McWilliam Covered Bridge, then sample the wares of the nearby Grafton Village Cheese Company.
Manchester
Manchester has become a popular regional shopping destination because of the Manchester Designer Outlets, but you will enjoy visiting the town even if you are not looking for name-brand deals. The downtown area offers local boutique shopping and three historic districts, and Manchester’s architectural highlights include the 1905 Hildene House, a luxurious former summer home with fantastic gardens. If you prefer a bigger challenge than a garden stroll, try hiking the trails up Mount Equinox to enjoy stunning views of the Green Mountains to the East and the Taconic Mountains to the West.
Montpelier
Montpelier, with only about 8,000 residents, is the smallest state capital in the nation, giving it a unique combination of small-town charm and capital-city amenities. The Vermont State House, Vermont History Museum, and other state-affiliated institutions give visitors plenty to explore, yet you can also enjoy a quiet stroll down Montpelier’s quaint State Street business corridor. Surprisingly enough, though, many locals think the best walking spot in Montpelier is Green Mount Cemetery, which pairs ornate funerary architecture with lush rolling hills. The Winooski River, which unfortunately causes occasional flooding issues, also offers opportunities for boating and kayaking.
Shelburne
The town of Shelburne might occupy the ideal location in Vermont—alongside Lake Champlain, fewer than ten miles from Burlington, and within sight of the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. No matter the time of year, but most especially when the fall colors are at their peak, Shelburne is perfect for a nature walk along the glistening lakeshore. Shelburne also has a nice collection of visitor attractions, including the Shelburne Museum (home to the steamboat SS Ticonderoga), the Vermont Teddy Bear Company factory, and Shelburne Farms (a sustainable agriculture educational nonprofit).
Stowe
Skiers know Stowe, home to Stowe Mountain Resort, as one of the premier ski spots in the eastern United States. Meanwhile, lovers of classic films may recognize Stowe as home to the Trapp Family Lodge, founded by the singing von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame in the 1940s. Artists also have an affection for Stowe, which is a haven for painters and home to renowned galleries like the Helen Day Art Center and Northwood Gallery. And, if you still have not found a reason to visit, Stowe has a picture-perfect New England downtown and is considered one of the best fall foliage viewing areas in the region!
Woodstock
In the era before electricity, the town of Woodstock grew wealthy by harnessing the flow of the Ottauquechee River to power numerous wool and textile mills. While the mills have long since shuttered, several of the finest homes from that era were preserved, with some now serving as charming bed-and-breakfasts. Woodstock still looks and feels like a classic New England town, with a covered bridge, a weekly farmer’s market, and a “town crier” message board in the heart of downtown. This town of 3,000 also hosts several fun community events, including the annual Harvest Weekend in October and Wassail Weekend each December.
Plan Your Vermont Adventure Today!
Vermonters are overwhelmingly proud of their unique little state, including its many classic small towns. While famous for their independent spirit, nearly all the residents of these communities are also extremely welcoming to visitors who want to experience small-town life in the Green Mountain State. So do not delay in making your 2024 Vermont travel plans—no matter the time of year, you will have a fantastic experience exploring its adorable small towns!
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