Thousands of miles away and over a quarter century ago, my journey to the US started. Reflecting on that journey fills me with fond memories. After graduating from Damascus University in Syria with a Master’s in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, I decided to follow my siblings’ footsteps and move to the US to pursue a postgraduate degree, and fulfill my dream of curing cancer, the disease that killed my father.

I was not sure when I left Damascus in November 1994 that my stay in the US would be permanent; and I could not have imagined my homeland would be devastated with an endless war and civil unrest.… Read More

When Alex and Cristy Beram lived around the corner from each other on Willard Street in Burlington, they lived different lives and never met. Cristy was busy finishing her degree in sociology and Italian studies at UVM and Alex was making his name in the local music scene. Years down the line they would be set up on a blind date in their respective new homes in Charlestown, Boston, and twenty years later they would return to Vermont together, a married couple with two small children.

Not long after the two were married sometime after that fortuitous blind date in Boston, Cristy brought Alex on a trip with her brother to the Quechee-Woodstock area where she and her family used to come regularly as children.… Read More

It was the sheer beauty and tranquility of the Quechee landscape that brought New York resident Rich Mauch here over 46 years ago. In fact, as he noted in a recent interview, his blood pressure and stress level took (and continues to take) a significant drop as soon as he exited the highway and entered the picturesque and historic village.

“I’m not sure there are many places like Quechee in the country,” Mauch said. “It is truly a massive playground for “big kids” and little kids with so many things to do for everyone. I often tell friends that the best days are when I complete what I call the Quechee Triathlon, taking part in three activities like downhill skiing, cross country skiing, paddle tennis, golf, tennis or swimming in Lake Pinneo.”… Read More

When a business starts, and flourishes over many years, it provides benefits in several ways. Certainly, it benefits the entrepreneurs who had the vision to start the enterprise, and the various people employed there. Further, it benefits the clients and customers who’ve used the products and services provided. Still, other not-so-apparent beneficiaries may include the community as a whole, organizations that depend on that business in their works, and even other enterprises, which are bolstered by the clientele and goodwill generated. All of these are examples of the good works generated by Quechee’s Strong House Spa, celebrating 30 years in operation this year.… Read More