QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q. What do you suggest for summery and enjoyable things to do
for my husband and I and our two teen-agers? We're coming to Manchester
for a wedding in late August and will be adding some vacation time to
our visit. I like art, my husband is athletic and likes the outdoors.
The kids enjoy anything that isn't "stuffy." We'll also have
other family members along so we're looking for well-rounded ideas.
A. There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in the summer.
Why not rent bikes and enjoy a family foursome ride on our local back
roads. Battenkill Sports Bicycle Shop (802.362.2734) rents bikes
and safety gear and can outfit everyone. A different way to see the area
is to take a horse and buggy ride with Petticoat Junction (802.362.3885).
Make a reservation for this fun excursion! All ages will enjoy a visit
to the AlpacArt Studio (802.325.2000)-a live alpaca farm with lots
of baby alpacas and a retail shop with a wide variety of alpaca products.
Try testing your skills with a stop at the Country Pursuits Centre
at the Equinox (802.362.7873). Here you can book time at the Land
Rover Driving School, the British School of Falconry, and the Fly Fishing
School for three different experiences of our great outdoors. And lastly,
a visit to the Thrill Zone at Bromley Mountain (802.824.5522) is
a summer must do! There's the country's longest Alpine slide, miniature
golf, the trampoline thing, a 24' climbing wall, kiddie bumper boats,
and D»valKarts. For an awesome aerial view, take a ride on the
the scenic chairlift. Plan on enjoying a colorful art exhibit at the new
Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum at the Southern Vermont Arts Center.
Starting August 25th, Wolf Kahn's vibrant landscapes will be on exhibit.
His works, full of intense color, will appeal to all ages. Enjoy a lovely
lunch at The Garden Caf» just opposite the museum. Another
museum experience is the Norman Rockwell Museum nearby in Arlington
where your hosts are actual former Rockwell models.
Q. We're going to be house guests of a couple who have just moved
into a new home in the area and are decorating from scratch. We'd like
to buy them a gift from a local shop. Which shops specialize in fine gifts
and home accents?
A. There are so many fine choices! Now & Forever, Union
Street Mercantile, and The Drawing Room each have a wonderfully
unique and broad selection of hand-selected accessories and accent pieces.
The Bird Place has outdoor accents so you can help decorate the
yard and garden too. For traditional, French country, colorful,
or contemporary table linens, visit Yves DeLorme ~ Palais Royal,
the Scandinavian Gift Shop, Susan Sargent Designs Company Store,
and the French Country Home Store by Rose Ann Humphrey. A special
suggestion would be a gift certificate for an interior design consultation
from Keen & Venable Ltd. It's a different idea that's sure
to be appreciated. For distinctive display ideas and unusual finds, visit
the showroom at Bogossian & Weil Interiors.
Q. If we can convince our friends to join us for some sports but
they don't have their gear with them, where can we go to get them outfitted?
A. The Women's Golf Catalog store says it all. For equipment,
go to the Golfer's Edge for everything related to golf. Manchester
Sports Shop is an eclectic sports emporium with everything you'll
need for tennis, running, or swimming.
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Q. When we travel, we like to buy a special one-of-a-kind,
locally made, display piece. What special places do you recommend?
A. A short ride to Pawlet will reveal two unique area artisans.
Lake's Lampshades features Judy Lake's one-of-a-kind hand-crafted
works made from vintage fabrics. The Pawlet Potter, Marion Waldo McChesney,
has the ultimate in conversation pieces-pottery with impressions of frogs,
starfish, lizards, and the like.
Q. We're getting married in Vermont and would like some special
Vermont-made gifts for those in our wedding party. Any creative ideas
for something hand-crafted?
A. Drew Ann Dunigan recently opened her Jewelry Studio
in Dorset. She creates delicate and beautiful jewelry and has recently
added home accessory pieces including elegant napkin rings. She welcomes
custom orders.
Q. We're new to the area and would like to furnish our home as
much as possible with Vermont-made products. What quality places do you
suggest?
A. Vermont Made Furniture, William Laberge, and
Dan Mosheim all create the finest quality furniture. You can choose
from their existing pieces or they can create custom pieces just for you.
Brooke Grove Lighting offers hand-crafted reproductions of elegant
lighting fixtures. Frog Hollow has glassware, vases, and accent
pieces all made by Vermont artisans. And for a distinctive address sign,
visit Wooden Rooster Carved Signs for a style to blend perfectly
with your home.
Q. I'm redecorating my husband's home office and he would like
affordable art for the walls. Where can I shop in Manchester?
A. Barleycorn Gallery opened in June offering affordable
unframed and framed, ready-to-hang prints and posters in a variety of
country themes and sports scenes that will add a relaxing touch to a home
office. Vermont Presence has a large collection of contemporary folk art,
still life, and country prints. Long Ago and Far Away specializes
in Native American art and crafts. The owners have a selection of hand-picked
art from their extensive travels.
Q. The Christmas shops where I live don't have hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind
Santas. Where can I shop for special Santas and unusual ornaments to bring
back home?
A. We are fortunate to have three shops-each with a wonderful
selection. Visit Christmas Days, The Magic Sleigh, and Quiet
Horizons. We know you'll be in holiday heaven!
Q. My daughter and son-in-law just bought a small second home
in Vermont. They're looking for country-style furniture at a good value.
Any suggestions?
A. Bennington Furniture should be the perfect place to
look. They have large pieces and small accents for one-stop shopping.
Editor's Note: If, like many other visitors to the area, you've taken
advantage of our wonderful shopping opportunities and find your car short
on space for all your packages, Manchester has two specialized shipping
services. Choose The Shipping Center or Mail Boxes, Etc. to pack up your
purchases-including furniture and framed art-and ship them home for you.
Happy Shopping!-KMV
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