This past spring, the Quechee Lakes Real Estate Center changed hands, and became the Brick & Barn Real Estate Group. Herb Hart and Scott Rome now own the business, which offers professional real estate services for buyers and sellers. Former owner Charlie Bacon, who ran the Quechee Lakes Real Estate center since 1995, is staying on with Brick & Barn during the transition period, as is longtime agent, Carol Dewey Davidson whose Quechee roots span generations (Dewey’s Mills) and whose former husband was the original visionary/developer of Quechee Lakes, L. John Davidson.

New owner Herb Hart has spent 14 years working in the Quechee area real estate market, most recently with Quechee Lakes Rentals. Hart continues his involvement with that company, while helping run Brick & Barn. Hart says he and Rome were exploring other potential real estate ventures in the area, when Bacon approached them about buying the business. Saying they were “very interested” in the offer, Hart and Rome carefully looked at the possibility, and decided to go forward with the purchase. The pair bought the business, and the building on Murphy Road that houses the real estate business.

Co-owner Scott Rome says the reason they changed the name was to reflect the fact that the new business represents buyers and sellers beyond the immediate Quechee area. Brick & Barn works with buyers and sellers in other Upper Valley towns, including Norwich, Lebanon and Woodstock. It also has a presence in New Hampshire’s seacoast region; Rome has a home in Portsmouth, NH (as well as in Quechee), and is establishing an office and agents in that city. He adds that just in the past few months, his new company closed on four different properties in the Quechee area, sold to buyers from the Portsmouth vicinity.

Despite expanding the area served by their new business, Rome wants folks in Quechee to know this is still an important area for Brick & Barn. “Our commitment to servicing Quechee was never stronger,” says Rome, adding “I’m excited about what is happening in Quechee.”

Hart agrees Quechee remains an integral part of their real estate enterprise. “The market in Quechee is on the upswing,” says Hart.

Rome says his skills complement those of his partner quite well. Where Hart has plenty of experience in the local real estate market, Rome’s experience is in the areas of media and software technology. “I have a long career in sales and marketing,” he says. Rome hopes the new business offers a “fresh perspective” to the market.

Along with expanding the scope of their business, Hart and Rome made some needed changes to the building that houses the business on Murphy Road. That building, a farmhouse built around 1850, served as the original sales office for Quechee Lakes, says Rome. Since buying the business, and the building, the new owners renovated much of the structure, paying careful attention to retaining the historic nature of the building. Rome says the old farmhouse is now a “beautiful showpiece,” and he invites Quechee residents to stop in and visit the historic structure, long a part of the community.

They say you can tell a lot about a person by watching the behavior of their pets. On that basis, you’d expect Deb and Randy Ries to be sociable and easy to connect with, an expectation that is borne out in conversation in their cozy living room, with cats and beagles begging for a belly rub. (The humans confined their sociability to telling stories.)

The humans are also way more hardworking than the pets. Deb and Randy run Upper Valley Critter Sitters, a business that goes 24/7, 365 days a year (plus one for leap year). The couple, with some assistance from two regular and several fill-in helpers, provide extensive pet care, as well as house sitting and checking, in Quechee and beyond. “I was born in Connecticut and moved up here when I was 12. I spent a lot of time in the foster care system,” says Deb. “Because of the way my parents treated me, I wanted to protect. When I was seven, I would dream of rescuing beagles from laboratories. I was always really drawn to animals – it’s just who I am.”

Deb got an associates degree in social services but decided that “earning $8 an hour for changing diapers” was not appealing. She worked in a feline hospital in northwest Vermont and then as a vet tech for a Norwich practice.

Supporting the rescue of feral dogs in Romania

Deb’s concern for animals has led her to international rescues of feral dogs in Romania. The problem dates back to the mid-1980s, when former president Nicolae Ceauescu had much of the center of the capital, Bucharest, bulldozed to construct grander buildings. Many displaced residents moved to apartments that didn’t permit dogs. Abandoned dogs reproduced, and their numbers grew as people starved in the wake of his leadership. Early this decade the situation made headlines as a four-year-old and several foreigners died of dog bites. Tightening an already tight belt, Critter Sitters donated substantial funds to build a shelter, and in May 2012, visited Romania, touring shelters. They found dedicated people working to save and sterilize dogs, but also cultural attitudes obstructing this effort. “You’d get looks of hatred for feeding strays,” Deb says, and she saw young children beating dogs. Even though the dogs are pests, there is little support for spay/neuter programs.

Of course, she came back with a dog, Ayla. “She was the one who looked like she was going to die,” Deb says. “She was emaciated, about half the size she should have been.” Deb already had two adopted beagles at home.

Adventures in dog sitting closer to home

Over the years there have been many adventures. Some follow classic outlines, like the time Deb arrived at a house in Norwich to take care of three large dogs. “I saw a naked porcupine – no quills – at the bottom of the road,” she recalls. And sure enough, the persistent (if not terribly intelligent) dogs had filled their mouths and faces with hundreds of quills.

Randy with Holly

Randy reminds Deb of an unusual incident: when she got locked in a chicken coop. The keys were in the door while she worked inside, and the wind slammed the door shut, locking it. Frustrated, she could hear her cell phone ringing repeatedly as Randy tried to check on her. Finally, he drove over. “It was 9:45 at night,” he remembers. “I started walking up to the house. It was wide open, and my mind started to race.” And then he heard a voice from the chicken coop.

Their schedule renders many impossible things that some people would find difficult to give up. When a relative or close friend has a milestone event like a wedding or a graduation, only one of them can attend. “One of us stays here,” says Deb. During vacations, their weekly client base of about 40 may swell to 150. They’d like to add a kennel to their operation, but the low margin in the business makes it hard to find an interested bank.

Randy joined Deb full time in 2009 during the recession. “I was already doing this nights and weekends, but then I heard Debra turning business away,” he recalls. He likes being self-employed, so he can improve systems and develop efficiencies without someone saying, “We always do it this way.” The pair has territories, so that they are not, as formerly they were, passing each other on the road. They each have eight to 14 stops a day, and their two employees do between five to eight stops as well.

“Each of our routes seems to attract different characters,” says Randy. An elderly woman whose dog he was walking asked, “Do you walk people too?” With a can-do spirit, he replied, “Heck, yes!” and before long his assistance was “less walking and more social.” Willingness and hard work are Deb and Randy’s trademarks. Stir in their love of animals, and it’s easy to see why they have built such a thriving business.

Sitting alone in his wheelchair at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VA) in White River Junction, a Vietnam veteran watched the visiting dog and panicked shouting, “I’m terrified of dogs!” Somehow, by the end of the visit he was smiling and Regan, the therapy dog, was in his lap.

Quechee resident Patt Taylor and Regan – his 4-year-old Golden Retriever who is a therapy dog – visit the VA weekly. In preparation, Patt did a lot of research into therapy dogs, he and Regan took obedience classes and went through a rigorous evaluation process for Regan’s accreditation through Therapy Dog International. As Patt explains, they both find working with the vets to be “extremely rewarding.” Patt has tied this experience to the work of the Friends of Veterans; the group is linking service dogs with military veterans.

Friends of Veterans

The Friends Of Veterans is a non-profit all-volunteer organization of about 15 individuals – many of whom are veterans – dedicated to preventing homelessness in the veteran population in Vermont and New Hampshire. For almost 30 years, Friends of Veterans has helped veterans in Vermont and New Hampshire get and keep a place to live, working closely with the Veteran’s Administrations in White River Junction, VT, and Manchester, NH, as well of other agencies. About 70% of the Friends Of Veteran’s funds go toward rental and mortgage assistance. Other areas of support might include home repairs to ensure livability, fuel assistance, or car repairs to support a veteran’s ability to work and pay housing expenses.

Within the past three years, several Quechee residents have joined Friends Of Veterans and brought some new skills and energy. In addition to Patt are Gary Davis, Pat Davis, John Ferney, Bob Hayden, Paul Marinelli, Dave Morris, Ed Smoragiewicz, Brian Tart and Eileen Von Gal. They – along with the other volunteers – staff an office in the Gilman Office Center in White River Junction where the intake/case work and agency coordination takes place. Bob Hayden describes his experience with Friends Of Veterans with enthusiasm, “We are passionate about helping. When you have a vet who is living in a truck with his family with small kids, and we can help find them a place to live, work with the landlord and get a down payment made, it is a big deal – we are an advocate for the vet. Eileen Von Gal is a “bird dog” when it comes to finding funds, and it shows. In 2016, we had contact with 250 vets and were able to help over 100 of them with funding of over $90.000. That compares to total funds distributed in 2012 of $28,000.”

Expanding the availability of service dogs

So what does Regan have to do with all this? Last year, Friends Of Veterans started to think about what else they could do to combat homelessness and decided to look into supporting the use of service dogs. Patt tells me that studies have shown a strong correlation between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and homelessness. There is also research suggesting that the presence of a service dog improves function in people living with PTSD. The Friends Of Veterans is now working with several service dog organizations – primarily America’s VetDogs – to help veterans with PTSD get and support a service dog.

PTSD is a condition that may occur in response to a traumatic, life-threatening event – such as military combat. PTSD often involves great distress and difficulty handling normal daily activities. Symptoms include reliving the traumatic event (nightmares and flashbacks), avoiding situations that are reminders of the event, negative beliefs and feelings and feeling “keyed up” (hyperarousal). Each person experiences these symptoms in their own way. Coincidentally, the VA in White River is home to the National Center for PTSD.

Of course, the service dog who can assist a person experiencing PTSD must be well trained and certified. “Much of the training is done in prisons by inmates who are trained by master service dog trainers. The dog begins training at six weeks old – staying at the prison during the week – and has to learn more than 100 commands. It can take up to 18 months to train a dog,” says Patt. According to the America’s VetDogs website, it costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place a dog.

Although the VA covers some of the expense of using a service dog for physical disabilities, there is no coverage for veterans with PTSD. So other funding is required, and the Friends Of Veterans is helping to coordinate and meet that need. They hold an annual golf fundraiser at Baker Hill in Newbury, NH. In addition to the support of businesses, individuals and charitable organizations, a major donor to the Friends Of Veterans is the Red River Charitable Foundation in Claremont, NH, whose mission includes support for U.S. military vets transitioning to civilian life. Working together, the Friends of Veterans and the Red River Charitable Foundation recently provided $7,000 to America’s VetDogs. The Red River golf tournament held on July 13 at The Quechee Club supported the service dog and other veterans programs including a heating assistance fund.

In 2009, Congress passed the Franken-Isakson Service Dogs for Veterans Act, which established a program to study the benefits to veterans – particularly those with PTSD – of service dogs. The inspiration for this Act was Luis Carlos Montalvan, a former Army captain in Iraq. His book, Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever who Saved Him, tells the story of his struggle with PTSD and how his service dog, Tuesday, helped him cope. This is recommended reading!

The latest service dog placement for the Friends Of Veterans was announced in August. The Red River Charitable Foundation and Friends of Veterans agreed to jointly fund the final phase of training for a service dog for a New Hampshire veteran severely injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Iraq who is confined to a wheelchair. They are involved in coordination of the unique training needs of the vet, his combat casualty nurse, and the White Mountain College for Pets. Very exciting!

As members of the National Guard Reserve continue to be called to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Friends of Veterans expects to see a continuing need for the service dog program – both Vermont and New Hampshire have very active National Guards, and there is a large veteran population in both states.

We salute Tuesday and Regan, our Quechee neighbors and all those who work in support of our military veterans at home. And thank our veterans for their service wherever they are.

By the way, the Friends Of Veterans is always looking for volunteer help. As Bob says, “Many hands make for light work.” If you are interested in volunteering – you don’t have to be a vet –visit the website at www.fovvtnh.org or contact Bob Hayden at 802-299-1354 or Patt Taylor at 802-236-0042.

What’s better than driving up on a Thursday or Friday evening and arriving in Quechee, says Chris Bunnell one sunny summer morning as he and his wife, Liz, and three sons were about to embark on an adventure to the top of Killington via the gondola for lunch. Chris certainly knew what he was doing when he bought his home on Wheelock Road. His parents Mary and Paul “PD” live right next door. Since his parents bought their vacation home in 2006, Chris, Liz, and siblings have enjoyed many good times in Quechee, and visited as often as they could.

The senior Bunnells moved to Quechee full-time after selling their home in Massachusetts this year. It was a gradual process for Chris and Liz to purchase a home here. Marriage, then children, mixed with full-time careers, and then says Chris, “An opportunity presented itself,” so the young Bunnells bought their own Wheelock Road haven in 2014, “and never looked back.”

Chris and Liz with their three sons, Topher, George, and Ford

When Chris realized what a great value ownership in Quechee was, the path was clear. The beauty, the amenities and the abundance of things to do were a draw always, plus the advantage of being near his parents. Chris and Liz are ambassadors for this Quechee life. Chris calls it “brand advocates.” They now have several friends and families who have bought homes in Quechee. And a few more they have influenced to rent. That means a bit more social life including “adults” only time.

To get that adults only time, the Bunnells have found Quechee Club staff to help with childcare. “It’s easy as we use the pool and other programs, and the staff get to know us. I feel like it’s safe for our children because of this,” he said, and “everyone is so friendly and helpful.” The senior Bunnells certainly are a great support for the young family next door. Chris’s sister, Sarah Baptie, lives in Bethel, VT, with her husband and toddler. They are often in Quechee and Chris says, “It’s just a matter of time before they buy here.” It’s hard not to share “the good life.”

Chris says that his parents knew that if they lived in a place that was attractive and fun for their offspring, they would be assured to see their children and children’s spouses and grandchildren way more than they might otherwise. Chris’s brother, William lives in West Roxbury, MA, with his wife who is expecting their first child

Last winter, at three-years-old Topher, Chris and Liz’s eldest child, could ski the whole Quechee Hill. He even has miniature golf clubs. George, at almost three, is right behind. Chris often practices with Topher and occasionally gets out on the links on his own.

Their full-time residence is in Weston, MA, and as Chris explains the neighboring clubs in the Boston area have high initiation fees and annual dues with only one real season to enjoy the amenities. “The reason Quechee has such a great value to us as a family is the fact that it offers four seasons of activities,” he says.

Once you drive into Vermont there are no traffic lights, no horn honking, no traffic and it’s a real change of pace from this family’s busy, involved and energetic week. Both Chris and Liz work full-time. Liz is Vice President of Marketing for Wolverine Worldwide – a publicly traded company that manages multiple shoe brands such as Sperry, Stride Rite, Saucony, and Merrell, as well as innovative apparel. Chris is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Both have to travel and their schedules require some clever planning; their youngest is just 3 months. One habit they maintain is that they leave their cell phones at the front door at the end of a workday for undistracted time with their boys.

Both University of Vermont graduates Chris and Liz have a strong connection to Vermont. Chris continued his education by earning a Master in Business Administration (Finance) degree from Boston University. Liz, who was born in Milton, MA, completed her Masters in Business Administration at Northeastern University in Boston.

Taking advantage of what Quechee has to offer

Skiing is the major winter sport for the Bunnells, and Chris serves on the Winter Sports Committee. The new Quechee Club pools are a huge asset for the Bunnells. Topher and George take swimming lessons from the recreation staff. Chris is also on the Fitness Committee and works with them to evaluate and improve programs and explore other services.

PD, William, Sarah, Chris, and Mary

Club events and programs for the younger set such as Ultimate Frisbee and Laser tag will attract the Bunnell boys very soon. They love other Quechee Club events such as the Cardboard Box Derby, Easter Egg Hunt and Après Ski gatherings. Fireworks are a big hit. “An expensive club expense, but worth it,” Chris says, and adds, “The new Après Ski arrangement (kids in the main dining room with their own food and entertainment) works like a charm. The kids are entertained while parents listen to the music and socialize with their friends in the Dewey’s deck area.

Chris put his name in the hat to sit on Quechee Lakes Landowners Association Board of Trustees. He did not win the seat in this July election in 2017, yet he knows he has many years ahead and will seek the next available opportunity to be a trustee on the club board. In the meantime, Chris continues to serve as a volunteer. He was active on the search committee for the new general manager.

He also contributes his time and talents to The Quechee Lakes Landowners Association Charities Board. In June, he could be found driving a golf cart around the courses for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHAD) Golf fundraiser organizing rides and cover for the various stations.

Another happy family who are delighted with their membership in the Quechee Club and all that comes with it.

Scots like to compete, explains Lezlie Webster, founder of Scottish Arts and organizer of the Quechee Highland Games, formerly known as the Quechee Scottish Festival. This year’s Games will be on Saturday, August 26 at the Quechee Polo Field on Dewey’s Mills Road. Hardcore aficionados should know that solo pipers begin playing for judges at 8am, athletic competitions start at 9, with massed bands playing and parading at noon.

A highlight of the weekend is Highland dancing

The event will include food provided by Salt Hill Pub – it’s a great opportunity to munch meat pies and stock up on shortbread – and musical entertainment by two different bands, not even counting the bagpiping. “Quechee is such a beautiful site [for this event],” Lezlie says.

“There’s such camaraderie,” says Lezlie. “People who follow the circuit are competing every couple of weeks, but it’s not just competing, it’s bettering yourself each time. You compete against different people at each time, and you learn from the other competitors, and you get feedback from different judges.”

When you listen to a band, the more the bagpipes sound like one instrument, the better, and the same goes for the drums. When you hear a solo bagpiper, listen for embellishments. Since the bag sends a continuous air supply to the pipes, repeated notes are impossible. A tune like “Row, row, row [your boat]” requires an embellishment – a quick extra note – to make each repeated note stand out. Expert pipers can make those extras so quick you hardly hear them, or they might add a complicated multi-note decoration.

St. Andrews Pipeband of Vermont.

The Highland dancers shine by having good turnout (the outward rotation of a dancer’s leg) and hitting the different positions correctly. Each dancer should exhibit high elevation and a tight precision (touching their toe to the back of their calf). Their back should be straight and vertical at all times.

Vendors at the Highland Games

Pat Edwards, another organizer of the Games, notes that the camaraderie of the event also works between audience and performers, who are happy to answer questions. There are kids’ versions of the athletic contests, and the opportunity to try chanters (the fingered part of the bagpipes) and drums. “People like bagpipes!” she exclaims, “Well, some do, and some don’t.” For those who get the bug, the pipes are compelling. “Back when 9/11 occurred, my son was about nine, and he heard the bagpipe bands at some funerals. He told me, ‘I want to play bagpipes and play for all the heroes.’” Before long he had a practice chanter, and soon after that was competing.

From left to right: Katie McNally, Frost and Fire, Highland dance competition

The event also includes a Clan Village, where representatives of many of Scotland’s famed clans can help visitors trace their lineage to a branch of a clan. “It’s fun getting back to your roots,” says Lezlie. “It’s for people who have – or want to have – Scottish heritage. Pat Edwards agrees the festival is for all. “You don’t have to be Scottish to have a great time at the Games!”

Visit www.quecheegames.com/index.php/scottish-games-schedule for a complete schedule.