Archive for the 'Community' Category

Just in time for Wassail Weekend in Woodstock, a Nor’easter, has swept across Northern New England, laying down a mix of snow and slushy mix. Over the years, Wassail Weekend in Woodstock has become a major Christmas Holiday tradition. We have had very snowy events and we have had very warm weather events. But always it has attracted a wonderful group of revelers, both locals and those from afar.

The events are varied and a complete list of activities and times can be located at the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce website. There are events for all ages and interests. Perhaps the most famous of events is the Wassail Parade of Horses and Riders at 2PM on Saturday, 12/13. Equestrians from all over New England turn out in full regalia to the delight of the spectators. So many varied breeds of horses and brightly decorated carriages make for quite a spectacle.

Traditionally and historically, Wassailing, is the act of going door to door singing Christmas carols. In general it is associated with merriment and spirited celebration of the Christmas season. Occurring just a little less than two weeks before Christmas, it is also a wakeup call for those like myself that need to tune into the Christmas season.

If you have an opportunity to be near Woodstock this weekend be sure to come by for a grand celebration.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway

No matter how many years you have lived in Vermont, the sight of Fall Foliage is still an utterly humbling experience. And residency is certainly not a requirement to view this seasonal spectacle. Visitors will note as well that each year is different in terms of brillancy and duration. It is always a debate leading up to foliage season whether it be a brilliant year or not. Factors such as amount of rain through the summer season, temperatures and even amount of sunlight enter the debate.

The best place to get answers to the questions of what creates foliage season and reports as to how the season is progressing is Vermont Foliage Information. This is a website hosted by the State of Vermont to keep everyone informed as to the progress of foliage season, and to guide you as to the best locations and drives to take for best viewing.

Foliage by its very nature is not as prone to weather interference as other activities. A planned trip to the beach can be spoiled by a forecast of rain and storms. However, foliage is often better viewed in rainy overcast weather. The brilliance of the colors is further enhanced by the overcast skies. The only detriment can occur late in the foliage season. Almost without fail, we will get a heavy rain or high wind event that overnight can change the landscape from fully foliated deciduous trees to  trees devoid of leaves. So,  no matter what the weather, get out and experience one of natures great shows. This year is proving itself to be one of the best years we’ve had in quite some time.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway

Vermont seems to have a proliferation of “coffee table books” that graphically illustrate the exceptional beauty of Vermont. A trip to any bookstore in Vermont usually includes at least a perusal of that section devoted to books specifically about Vermont. Just as it is important to get to know regions, towns and communities in Vermont before purchasing real estate, it is also helpful to have a bit of a background into what events forged the Vermont we know and love today. Although my list of favorite books about Vermont is long, there are two that I feel are the most relevant in terms of getting to know the true spirit and character of Vermont.

The first is “Hands on The Land” by Jan Albers. Published for the Orton Foundation by The MIT Press in 2000, this work is a must read for all who wish to better understand Vermont. A richly illustrated and profoundly written work, Jan Albers has done a masterful job at translating and analyzing the true spirit of Vermont.       “Albers shows that, like any landscape, Vermont’s is the sum total of human decisions that have been made about it. And she reveals how, as community strengthens, so does responsible stewardship of the land.”

The second book that I highly recommend is “Freedom and Unity, A History of Vermont” by Michael Sherman, Gene Sessions and P. Feffrey Potash, published by the Vermont Historical Society in 2004. This is a very comprehensive history of Vermont that skillfully integrates the past with a perspective on how it has molded present day thinking. This is one of those works that will be held as the standard for many years to come.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway

It’s always interesting to get peoples reaction and impression of Vermont. Whether their image of Vermont was formed by a visit here or by way of media input, everyone has an impression of Vermont that includes rich green rolling hills, mountains and fields, blue skies with white fluffy clouds and our iconic farmsteads. A quick glance through Vermont Life Magazine or spending time on the Internet tends to produce the same bucolic image of our wonderful state. And its really true, Vermont is a state of uncommonly beautiful vistas and scenery. However, to those who only visit a specific area of Vermont and to those especially surfing the web, you are not really getting the total picture of our state. Vermont has tremendous diversity in terms of geographic terrain, climate and culture. The Champlain Valley on the Western side of the state is influenced climatically by Lake Champlain. The largest concentration of farms is located in the Champlain Valley. The Northest Kingdom is made up almost entirely of small Villages and Hamlets that are scattered throughout the rolling hills. The vegetation and forests of the southern regions of the State are made up of species that are not readily found in the rest of Vermont. Just as diverse and different are real estate values. All too often we hear stories from people who have bought the ideal Vermont property, an old farmstead of 100 acres at the end of a town road with traditional farmhouse and outbuildings for a very low price only to discover that the closest restaurant of quality is an hour away or a decent bottle of wine can only be bought 35 miles away.

We all come to Vermont with images and expectations of what we want our Vermont experience to be. But use caution, Vermont is so beautiful and alluring in all regions. It is wise to spend some time traveling to different areas of the state. Check out what activities and recreation are most appealing to you. What types of cultural events are important to you. Vermont is so diverse, there is a community and town to suit most every interest and taste. Just make sure the one you choose is the one for you. Helping you make the right choice is within the scope of services of a well rounded state wide real estate broker.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway

Vermont has had the good fortune of being home to many individuals who guided by great foresight have given back tremendously to their homeland. One of these individuals has left a legacy that continues through his son and his grandsons. That man is Vrest Orton. Vrest was a native Vermonter having been born in Hardwick, VT. After traveling extensively and establishing a career in journalism, he returned to his native Vermont in the Town of Weston. There he started the Vermont Country Store which in short order reached out the rest of the country through its folksy catalog, Voice of the Mountains. Through the Vermont Country Store, he strove to preserve and publicise the traditional values of Vermont. Vrest authored several books, was a very strong factor in the restoration and preservation of Weston and  was one of the founders of Vermont Life Magazine, www.vtlife.com. Vermont Country Store, www.vermontcountrystore.com  is a very strong attraction to those coming to Vermont in its two locations, Weston and Rockingham. Vrest’s  son, Lyman, has carried on the family tradition and leadership of the Store along with his three sons. By following the vision and dedication to public service, Lyman and his sons have established the Orton Foundation, www.orton.org. Based in Vermont and Colorado, the foundation is dedicated to helping communities throughout the country plan their future through discovery of what they term the heart and soul of the community. I have been to a couple of seminars that they have conducted and found them to be extremely knowledgable and fiercely dedicated to helping communities understand, develope and nurture their strengths. The Orton family is not only giving back to Vermont but to the entire country through their very generous, unselfish vision of a society built on the strengths of character.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway

As we bask in the delight of summer in Vermont, we are also very much aware of the impending winter heating season. Now is the time that most fuel oil and propane dealers send out letters with details of pre buy programs for the upcoming winter. Just as the price of gasoline at the pump is shocking us, no less shocking is the dramatic increase in  fuel oil and propane prices from last years heating season. As a hedge against substantial increases during the heating season, most companies offer pre buy options that allow customers to lock into prices now for a predetermined amount of oil or propane that you anticipate using. This helps relieve a bit of anxiety during the winter months. But is clearly is only one small option of how to cope with higher energy costs. The real solution for not only heating energy, but also for gasoline consumption and electrical use is conservation and incorporating some type of alternative energy. The inclusion of some form of alternative energy can substantially help your household budget and certainly help to conserve our natural resources. Given the time and conditions we are in, this years Solarfest 2008 should prove to be very well attended. Solarfest 2008 in Tinmouth, Vermont is billed as “The New England Renewable Energy Festival”. This year will be its 14th year and is July 11-12-13. Solarfest is powered by renewable energy and features three days of speakers, workshops, exhibitions and live music. It is rated one of the Top Ten Summer Events by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, www.vtchamber.com. This year should be particularly poignant and timely given the current state of energy needs. Visit their website and get the full schedule at www.solarfest.org.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway

As Vermont is roughly eigthty percent forested, it is a safe bet that if you are purchasing a rural property with any amount of acreage, you will have some forested land. The stewardship of that forest land is a very interesting and very rewarding benefit of ownership. For many buyers of property in Vermont, being an owner of forest land is a new concept. The education of proper stewardship can come in many forms. If a forest component is 25 acres or more, the property can qualify for Vermont’s Current Use Program. This is a program that can dramatically reduce property taxes while at the same time improve the quality of the forest. A forester must be engaged who will evaluate the condition and makeup of the forest and develop a Forestry Plan with the owner. This plan is then authorized by a county forester. More often than not, the plan focuses on timberstand improvement which in turn can make the land more valuable in the future. A great resource for better understanding forest lands is Northern Woodlands magazine, www.northernwoodlands.org. It has a great layout with very relevant articles and resources to better understand our forests.

Of course, another great benefit of proper forest management is wildlife habitat improvement.  Vermont Coverts, www.vtcoverts.org, is a very special group dedicated to helping the landowner recognize the significance of their landholding beyond the property boundaries and how it effects the ecosystem of an entire area. This relates to both the timberland and the widelife habitat. They actually offer a Forest Landowner Training course in September. Better understanding of what you own can bring great enjoyment of our precious natural resources.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway