If I had chosen to take Randy’s last name when we got married, I would now be a Hill. McCormick is a name people take—not give away—I was told. I tend to agree. I have to admit, though, that I am excited for my future kids to take on the Hill name. Not only […]
“Vermont, beer and food… it’s what it’s all about,” said Mike Gerhart, brewmaster at Otter Creek Brewing, as he welcomed locals, regulars and a few beer fantatics from afar to Otter Creek’s very first ever beer dinner in its 24-year history in mid-February. Mike’s statement really encompassed the evening, with plenty of […]
A few weeks ago during the arctic blast that hit Vermont, we decided to venture out our back door for a sunny afternoon snowshoe. (Mistake #1.) We bundled up, ready to embrace the arctic tundra and take-in some much-needed vitamin D. We headed into the woods, planning to cross over […]
Although I travel often, I rarely stay in hotels. In fact, the only time I stay in “hotels” is on business travel when the possibility of a late arrival and anonymity are attractive to me. A recent stay at Hotel Vermont, one of the newest lodging options downtown and Burlington’s […]
What makes you happy? Not what you think makes you happy, but what makes you intrinsically happy? The moments when you smile from ear to ear, laugh until you cry? When you feel utterly content and at peace? It might seem like an easy question to answer: Your health. Family. […]
The town of Pittsfield is one of Vermont’s best-kept secrets. With one (awesome) General Store, two wedding venues, 50 miles of mountain biking trails, five inns and only 400-or-so residents, Pittsfield is a quintessential New England town, home to hearty Vermonters who value their community and the ample outdoor recreation […]
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I’ve seen an insurgence of funny Valentine’s cards, as well as events in Vermont to bring levity to a day designed for love that more often than not leaves people down or in the dumps. Cards with sayings like, “I’d Climb a Moderate Sized […]
If you asked me and Randy independently what the nicest hotel, bed and breakfast or inn we ever stayed in was, we both—unequivocally and without pause—would tell you Casa Gallina in Taos, New Mexico. Casa Gallina is an artisan inn run by Richard Spera, a Cornell University Hotel and Restaurant School […]
When I was in college, I lived full-time in Vermont and spent the summer months working at restaurants and an inn in downeast Maine (technically Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada). I spent most of my waking hours in Lubec, Maine—largely a community of fisherman—where I befriended the locals. Although Lubec is […]
I take condiments very seriously. From sauces and aiolis to spreads and chutneys, condiments can easily take a meal to the next level. As a kid, I experimented with homemade sauces on a regular basis and considered making my very own sauce cookbook (maybe someday?). On a regular basis, I still make […]
Rules are meant to be broken. You only live once. Carpe diem. When I walked into SILO Distilleryin Windsor, Vermont—the birthplace of Vermont—in the middle of “dry January,” all of these sayings came to mind as I decided to forego willpower and a month of abstention (which, let me tell you, […]
No matter where you live, the weather is always a subject for small talk. But in Vermont, the weather comes up in almost every conversation, especially when it’s mid-January and temperatures have been stuck in the bone-chilling negatives for weeks. People bitch gripe about their cars not starting. Icy […]
Eating out in Vermont is something I always look forward to… There are so many talented chefs hiding out in the Green Mountain State who are creating phenomenal dishes that rival the best of the best in New York City or San Francisco. To celebrate the new year and the ever-evolving […]
I’ve always admired family-owned businesses, as it certainly takes patience, discipline and good communication to work with family members day in and day out. In Vermont, there are an overwhelming number of family-owned-and-operated businesses from dairy farms to maple syrup operations to restaurants and country stores that have been thriving for generations. The […]
Brandon, a small Vermont town and tight-knit artistic community, is located between Rutland and Middlebury at the base of the Green Mountains and has a population that hovers around 4,000 people. The town is a quintessential Vermont village with many brick facades lining Center Street, a Greek-revival town hall and the Neshobe […]