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.

Just how a business survives and thrives this long is not a mystery. “We think that success is simply a dream followed by a lot of hard work, dedication and focus,” says Sheila Armen, who, along with business partner Shelly Yusko, began and still operates Strong House Spa. “One of the most difficult tasks in business is to stay focused on your mission. We’ve tried not to get side tracked into areas that do not fit our mission even though we sometimes want to,” says Sheila.

And what is that mission? “(To provide) quality therapeutic treatments in a safe and healing environment that honors the patient, practitioner and the environment,” says Sheila.

From their beginning, Sheila Armen says their success resulted both from hard work, and from the many contributions of others. “We are extremely proud of our success but we did not do it alone. We have to thank our advisors, lenders, consultants, vendors, friends, family and clients who have shared the 30 years of long hours and sacrifices to make the Strong House Spa the wellness center it is today.”

One other contributor, not always obvious to the casual observer, is the building that houses the Spa – the venerable old Jedediah Strong House. Long a landmark in the Quechee community, the building, with careful updates and renovations, has proved a valuable asset for the business. “Operating in the historic Jedediah Strong House has allowed us to expand as the years passed and the healing energy of the building has embraced our progress.”

Progress. That’s a word entrepreneurs use when they adapt, innovate, change, keep up with market trends. In the field of health related treatments and products, that willingness to adapt is crucial. It might surprise many to know, “In the beginning it was rare to find a person who had actually received a massage unless it was an athlete who used massage to treat injuries,” says Sheila. Those athletes helped shape the business’ focus early on, she adds. “Shelly’s (Yusko) education is in sports injuries and chronic pain so we decided to keep a focus on helping people who want to stay active throughout life.”

Fast forward to today, where new innovations and services continue. “We have just opened our new Wellness Lounge,” says Sheila, which features services such as an infrared sauna with light therapy and an inversion massage chair. Of course, new products continue to be offered. “We have a wellness store…that has a large variety of wellness and self care products and, over the last five years, have added a variety of CBD products most of which are local and organically grown.”

It’s not only services and products that have progressed and developed. “Both of us have grown through education, learning from our mistakes and generally keeping up with the enormous changes that happened over the years,” says Shelia of her and Shelly.

When all is said and done, a business is judged by its benefit to the community as a whole. Whether it’s we here at Greater Good Media highlighting the wonderful people, places, and organizations in towns such as Quechee, or the many businesses sponsoring events such as the upcoming Quechee Balloon Festival, our region is blessed with community-minded enterprises. The Strong House Spa is no exception, having supported an array of causes over its 30-year history.

The annual Prouty event for cancer research is just one example. “We began the post-event massage for The Prouty, and in the beginning could not beg people to get on the table, even if they were cramping up. Those days have changed and now it takes a tent full of therapists to manage the number of participants who want to get flushed out after the event,” says Sheila.

“We also began the post-event massage for the Covered Bridges Half Marathon and the Vermont 50 race but, after 25 years, we had to stop doing event work since we were so busy at the spa.”

These annual events have not been the only beneficiaries of Strong House Spa. “We have tried to be good stewards of our community by building the Ottauquechee Trail that connects one end of town to the other,” says Sheila. “We have enlisted the help of the community from many area schools, the local colleges, the garden club, the Upper Valley Trails Alliance and community members. We hope to continue to raise money and awareness for our trail system.”

Thirty years of benefiting clients, service providers, and the community at large – thanks, Sheila Armen and Shelly Yusko. Thanks from all of us, and happy anniversary.

Buying local is the premise championed by many Upper Valley residents, small businesses, and organizations. Keeping dollars close to home, knowing the people producing what one buys, and supporting those that live and work in the community are all benefits of buying local. When economic conditions are impacted as they have been over the past year by the epidemic, supporting local small enterprises is even more important for those business owners.

Local farm products are an important source of food for many area residents. Knowing that the food you are consuming was grown locally, by farmers using healthy farming practices, drives many local consumers to the many area farms and food producers found in the Upper Valley. It seems the heightened health concerns of the past year have only boosted the desire for locally grown and produced food products.

Chuck Wooster operates Sunrise Farm in Hartford. The farm grows a wide range of vegetables, and also sells locally raised meat, eggs, cheese, and other products at their farm stand. During the busy growing and harvesting season from May until October, his farm focuses on their CSA (community supported agriculture) customers, who come directly to the farm to pick their CSA shares of the produce. “We’re lucky enough to sell everything right from the farm,” says Wooster. About 75% of his sales are from CSA shares, with the remainder from direct sales from the farm stand, or sales of produce to local restaurants.

The trend of restaurants using more and more locally grown and raised food products “has been a major change over the last twenty years,” says Wooster. That trend prompted Sunrise Farm to move forward with winter growing of produce, he adds. “Winter growing is driven by restaurants.”

In marketing the farm’s products, and assisting the local farming industry, many organizations devote energies to that effort. Among those are the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA), of which Vermont has a chapter, the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, and the Vermont Farm Bureau, which primarily works with lobbying efforts in the legislature. Closer to home, Vital Communities, headquartered in WRJ, maintains a very active role in assisting local farms with marketing their products. “They do a great job,” says Wooster of the farm support offered by Vital Communities.

Beth Roy is the Food and Farm Program manager at Vital Communities. Along with assisting marketing efforts of local farms to consumers, Vital Communities’ efforts include bringing farmers and consumers together through education. Her organization works closely with area schools to enhance young people’s knowledge and appreciation of nutritious, locally produced foods. Some of these efforts include having schools’ breakfast and lunch programs buy and use foods from local farms, and encouraging outdoor classrooms, where students learn about growing and preparing produce, and care for on-site gardens.

Roy says she also works closely with the area farmers markets, to enhance the experience for both consumers and the vendors. In this effort, Vital Communities established the Upper Valley Farmers Market Collaborative, working with numerous farm market managers, including those from Lebanon and Norwich, to help grow these markets.

Of course, the response to the Covid epidemic has altered efforts in building the relationship between local farms and the community, both positively and negatively. One particularly important event hosted by Vital Communities was the Flavors of the Valley. Held annually in April, this event brought together thousands of UV residents, and dozens of area farmers and food producers. Because of the epidemic, the 2020 event was cancelled, and Roy sadly reports Flavors of the Valley will not take place this spring, either. In response, Roy says, “Our team is in discussion on what we could do to highlight all the great food producers in our region. We may do a special media campaign or possibly hold some community forums, online, to discuss local food.”

Though events that promote local farms may have stopped in the face of Covid, many farms, locally and nationwide, have reported increased interest in, and sales of their products because of the pandemic. Consumers, wary of being in busy, large grocery stores, and more health conscious than ever, find getting their produce directly from the farm an enticing alternative. Mark Robie, who operates Robie Farm in Piermont, NH, and markets their products throughout the Upper Valley and beyond, says, “The ‘buy local food’ movement has really picked up speed in the last twenty years.” Could it be this virus turns out to be the catalyst to further the movement?

Buying food products locally benefits more than just the farms. Increasing sales means Wooster buys more from area businesses, such as North Country Organics (Bradford), West Lebanon Feed and Supply, and Green Mountain Feeds (Bethel). Growing sales also means farmers can reach a wider audience. Danielle Allen, who operates Root 5 Farm of Fairlee, has established a wide range of distribution locations throughout the Upper Valley for her CSA customers, including at Jake’s Quechee Market for her Quechee area customers. Speaking of Jake’s, General Manager James Kerrigan says his busy store sources many locally produced farm products, such as jams, syrup, cheese, granola, along with seasonal produce.

Supporting local: it’s a movement that uplifts communities.

By now, you’ve heard, seen, or followed them – those heavy trucks with plows down to pavement, salt granules dispensed from the back, travelling back and forth over area roads during snow, sleet, and icing events. At times you may find them irritating, delaying your progress. Other times, the heavy plows scraping over pavement may waken you from a sound sleep. Despite these inconveniences, one thing is for sure – without them and the drivers that operate them, travel for several months of the year would be at a near standstill. The men and women that drive, maintain, and coordinate the work those trucks perform are vital to the lives and economy of our area in wintertime.

Two entities combine to keep traffic safe and moving in the Quechee area – the Town of Hartford maintains town roads, while the state provides snow removal on I-89 and Route 4. Vermont’s Agency of Transportation (AOT) has around 250 trucks available to maintain the state’s roads in wintertime. The state is divided into eight districts, with Quechee, Woodstock, Hartford, and other Upper Valley towns part of District 4, headquartered in White River Junction.

The AOT’s Trevor Starr works out of the WRJ office. He says District 4 staffs 60 maintenance employees to keep the Interstate, and the various state roads, clear. Vermont employs a snow and ice removal plan that prioritizes roadways for snow removal. Interstate highways top the list, with heavily trafficked two lane state roads, such as Route 4, next in priority.

State and town plow trucks are responsible for keeping the roads passable in inclement weather conditions. Those of us driving on the roads have a responsibility, too – maintaining safe speeds, and not interfering with the plow trucks performing the work. Most plow drivers have many stories, some veering towards the tragic, of “civilians” driving aggressively around the plows. Following a plow truck too closely, passing when it’s not safe, and driving too fast for the road conditions are common complaints plow drivers have of motorists.

Another situation that causes concerns for those clearing the roads of snow is when homeowners push snow from their driveways into or across roadways, or onto road shoulders. Inconsiderate, this activity is also illegal, and may result in a fine for the homeowner. It also results in a dangerous obstacle for motorists.

To assist motorists with winter driving safety, Trevor Starr points out Vermont’s AOT offers many services to help. These include a Plow Finder system, where motorists can discover where, and when the state plows will be on a particular roadway. Other helpful services Vermont offers drivers include highway webcams, allowing those planning a trip to get an actual look at road conditions on certain roadways, and the Vermont Alert System, which allows motorists to create an account to receive updates and warnings about all manner of road hazards and conditions. This information, plus more on winter driving safety is available on Vermont’s AOT (also known as VTrans) website.

Area motorists aren’t the only ones that benefit from the work of the town and state plow drivers. The many area businesses along Route 4, and other area roads, depend on the plow trucks to keep customers travelling to their shops, stores, and offices. James Kerrigan, who manages Jake’s Quechee Market on Route 4, says he’s been quite satisfied with the job performed by the state’s plow operators. “Over the years, the state has done a nice job keeping up with snow removal on Route 4. Like all roads in northern New England, it is sometimes treacherous, especially right around 32 degrees, but most drivers are taking it easy during those times.”

Certain stretches of road seem to cause more trouble than others for the plow drivers. Trevor Starr says that in Quechee, the bridge over the gorge is an area in which the crews need to pay special attention. Reason being, visitors still enjoy using the walkway along the bridge to view the gorge, even during inclement weather. Have you ever taken a beautiful photo of the gorge from the bridge in the winter? You most likely can thank the state winter road crew for the opportunity.

“The most challenging thing about our stretch of Route 4 through Quechee is the gorge bridge, and that is due to the sidewalks,” Starr says. “The sidewalks on the bridge are not maintained throughout the winter, and that does not stop people from using them to walk out onto the bridge. We are not equipped or staffed to maintain sidewalks, so we do our best to keep things safe by making special trips out from White River with a front end loader or road grader to keep the snow and ice from building up too high.”

As stated earlier, Quechee’s roadways are kept clear in winter through the joint work of the state, and the Town of Hartford. As sometimes the work of two different jurisdictions may become contentious, I asked Starr how the two work together in snow clearing efforts. “I would say that we have an excellent working relationship with Hartford,” he says. “Their supervisor and ours work closely to make sure that there are no conflicts with our operations, and I would say things go very smooth.”

Whether you’re visiting the area this fall, just moved here, or are an established resident, exploring the region’s historical features is high on many to-do lists. How about considering staying close to home, and exploring what’s in our own backyard? Along with the beautiful drives, the hiking, biking and shopping the Quechee area offers, are several historical points of interest to enjoy. Here are just a few to pique your interest.

Billings Farm & Woodstock

Farming was always, and remains, an important element in the Upper Valley. In the 1800s, sheep farming and wool production became an integral part of the local economy, with area mills, most notably Quechee’s Dewey’s Mills, important players in the wool products industry.

The growing economy, the new railroad, and the climate and recreational opportunities in our area attracted wealthy businessmen here in the late 19th century. Billings Farm, founded in the 1870s by Frederick Billings, a noted financier, rail magnate, and president of the newly established Woodstock Railroad, was the epitome of a state-of-the-art farming operation. Desiring to make his farm a showcase for modern farming, Billings hired George Aiken of Scotland to manage the farm. Aiken brought in and raised exceptionally fine animals, including a herd of Jersey dairy cows, and was at the forefront of establishing modern dairy farming.

Billings Farm, which had its own creamery, grew to cover nearly 1,000 acres, and was managed by Aiken from the 1880s, until his death in 1910. It continued to operate in private hands, until 1968, when it transferred ownership to The Woodstock Foundation. In 1983, the Billings Farm and Museum became operational. Today, visitors to the farm can tour the farm manager’s house, grounds and barns, and view the working livestock that populate the farm, along with discovering how farming has changed over the decades.

While visiting Billings Farm, fans of historical buildings will certainly want to stroll the streets of Woodstock. The homes, businesses and churches remind one of times past. Certainly one of the standout historic structures in town is the venerable Woodstock Inn.

In the 1890s, the Woodstock Inn opened with over 100 rooms, catering to visitors, many of whom stayed for the entire summer season. Over the years, the Woodstock Inn went through renovations and upgrades to remain a prime destination in the region.

The Quechee Gorge and Its Bridge

One of the most visited spots in the area is the Quechee Gorge. On a bright summer or fall day, throngs of people can be seen on the bridge, enjoying the view. Most, though, are not aware of the history of the gorge, and how it formed.

Running roughly one mile long, and 165 feet deep, the Quechee Gorge is known as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon.” The Quechee Gorge is a new phenomenon by comparison to many of the world’s gorges, dating back thousands of years, not millions.

Almost 20,000 years ago, as worldwide temperatures warmed, the glacial ice retreated northward. Ice turned to water, forming rivers and lakes. In New England, what is now the Connecticut River Valley was at the time a glacial lake named Lake Hitchcock. The lake stretched for about 200 miles south to north. Arms of this massive lake extended into the river valleys that feed into the present Connecticut River. The Ottauquechee River was one such river that fed into the lake.

 About 13,000 years ago, the land in present day Connecticut holding back the voluminous waters of this glacial lake broke down, causing the lake to drain, and form the Connecticut River basin. The draining of Lake Hitchcock, which took about 1,000 years, resulted in the forming of Quechee Gorge.

According to David West, professor of geology at Middlebury College, “It was a combination of things that resulted in the formation of such a deep gorge in this location. First, there were likely some zones of weakness in the bedrock prior to the formation of the gorge. The catastrophic draining of post-glacial Lake Hitchcock…likely resulted in the channelization of tremendous amounts of water which scoured out the gorge to essentially its present configuration.”

One really gets a good feel for the geological history of the gorge by hiking down the trails. As one descends into the gorge, it is not difficult to imagine torrents of rushing water from the ancient lake spilling over the bedrock found in the gorge. The power of water, carving out a deep crevice in the land is apparent, even today.

Though the gorge has existed for thousands of years, a bridge spanning it is a recent phenomenon. To connect Quechee and Woodstock with the growing rail hub in White River Jct., local business leaders planned and built the Woodstock Railway, which opened in 1875. The major engineering obstacle facing the railroad was spanning the gorge with a bridge. A prefabricated wooden trestle bridge was installed in relatively short order in the summer of 1875. The original bridge served the railroad for over 30 years. By the early 1900s, trains and equipment were upgraded to meet the needs of business clients and passengers, as was the Quechee Gorge Bridge. In 1911, the wooden trestle bridge was replaced with a steel structure, better able to handle the heavier loads now passing over the gorge. That steel bridge, which cost $26,000 to build in 1911, is still in place today as part of Route 4.

A Wealth of Historic Buildings Lost

Resorts and farming played a critical role in Woodstock’s history, while in nearby Quechee, industry, particularly surrounding production of woolen goods, was key. Several mill operations set up shop in the town.

As Quechee’s mill complexes grew, they became communities within themselves. Along with the huge factory buildings, the mill complexes had housing for workers, shops, and recreation facilities.

The boom times of the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s gave way to lost jobs and closing factories in the 1950s and ’60s. As the mill operations closed, the venerable mill buildings were deemed unsound, and slated for demolition. At the time, historic preservation efforts weren’t what they are today, so most of Quechee’s mill buildings fell to the wrecking ball.

A portion of Quechee’s manufacturing history was spared, however. The mill building owned and operated by J.C. Parker in the 19th century remains standing in Quechee’s historic Mill District, and since 1981, houses the Simon Pearce store and restaurant.

Next door to the renovated mill building stands the Parker House. Built in 1857, this example of the Second French Empire style of architecture was home to the J.C. Parker family. In early 2020, the Parker House sold to Simon Pearce, once again being paired with the nearby mill building under the same owner. Currently, the Parker House is undergoing renovation, with its ultimate function unclear at this time.

Imagine that you were a member of a wealthy family living in one of the major East Coast cities, notably New York or Boston, in the late 1800s or early 1900s. It’s summertime, and living in the city is not easy. Hot, stifling days before air conditioning, horses in the street, sewer systems that lack modern wastewater treatment applications, smoke from factories… well, eventually the heat, the smells, the brick and concrete take their toll, and you dream of mountain air, fresh breezes, and beautiful vistas. You know that a relatively easy train trip away, central Vermont holds all you dream of, and with cost not an issue, your mind is made up. Off to the Upper Connecticut River Valley it is. That was a very real scenario for many wealthy city residents in that time period, a precursor to the tourist traffic our region still enjoys today.

Getting Here

Before the middle of the 19th century, traveling to the Upper Valley was somewhat difficult. Roads existed, but travel by horse and coach was somewhat arduous. Travel up the Connecticut River was possible, with traversing various spots necessary. Around 1850 however, rail lines reached the area, with White River Jct. a key rail center. Commerce and travel picked up dramatically with the rail service.

Still, getting over to Quechee and Woodstock required the use of horse and coach on questionable roads. For that reason, area business and community leaders developed plans for a fourteen-mile long railway running from WRJ to Woodstock. After several delays, the Woodstock Railroad saw the first train complete the trip in early fall, 1875.

Two important area people were movers behind the Woodstock Railroad: A. G. Dewey of Quechee’s Dewey’s Mills, and Frederick Billings, who also developed a state-of-the-art farm in Woodstock. Their friends and business associates – many of whom were wealthy business people from the cities – visited and realized the area was a wonderful vacation destination.

Staying Here

With increasing travel resulting from the railroads, area entrepreneurs knew visitors would need places to stay. As a result, inns popped up throughout the region. One of the first of these area inns was the Junction House of WRJ. It later became the Hotel Coolidge, which, after being rebuilt from a 1924 fire, still stands today.

At the other end of the Woodstock Railroad, in Woodstock, some lodging facilities pre-dated the railroad. Historic lodging facilities such as Barker’s Hotel and the Eagle Hotel hosted visitors well before the railroad arrived. With the arrival of the railroad, and the growing tourism interest, new, modern lodging facilities became necessary. In 1890, the venerable old Eagle Hotel (which once played host to President James Monroe), was torn down, and in its place rose the Woodstock Inn. The new inn featured over 100 rooms, and a few years later, a state-of-the-art stable was built for horses and carriages.

As mentioned, nationally respected business leaders who settled in the area, such a Frederick and brother Frank Billings, helped draw wealthy friends and associates to visit. For many, one visit was all that was needed to make our area a regular destination, especially in the refreshing summertime, when the big city was least attractive for comfortable living.

Recreation, Entertainment

In 1900, one did not take a quick trip to the Upper Valley from Boston or New York, as is possible today. No, the wealthy visitors then would come for several weeks, or even for the entire summer season. For extended stays such as that, entire families would arrive, along with many household goods and comforts, and even family servants.

Arriving, and setting up a household at a lodging facility such as the Woodstock Inn was just a part of the entire summer adventure for visitors. As today, leaders developed plans for a fourteen-mile long railway running from WRJ to Woodstock. After several delays, the Woodstock Railroad saw the first train complete the trip in early fall, 1875.

Two important area people were movers behind the Woodstock Railroad: A. G. Dewey of Quechee’s Dewey’s Mills, and Frederick Billings, who also developed a state-of-the-art farm in Woodstock. Their friends and business associates – many of whom were wealthy business people from the cities – visited and realized the area was a wonderful vacation destination.

Staying Here

With increasing travel resulting from the railroads, area entrepreneurs knew visitors would need places to stay. As a result, inns popped up throughout the region. One of the first of these area inns was the Junction House of WRJ. It later became the Hotel Coolidge, which, after being rebuilt from a 1924 fire, still stands today.

At the other end of the Woodstock Railroad, in Woodstock, some lodging facilities pre-dated the railroad. Historic lodging facilities such as Barker’s Hotel and the Eagle Hotel hosted visitors well before the railroad arrived. With the arrival of the railroad, and the growing tourism interest, new, modern lodging facilities became necessary. In 1890, the venerable old Eagle Hotel (which once played host to President James Monroe), was torn down, and in its place rose the Woodstock Inn. The new inn featured over 100 rooms, and a few years later, a state-of-the-art stable was built for horses and carriages.

As mentioned, nationally respected business leaders who settled in the area, such a Frederick and brother Frank Billings, helped draw wealthy friends and associates to visit. For many, one visit was all that was needed to make our area a regular destination, especially in the refreshing summertime, when the big city was least attractive for comfortable living.

Recreation, Entertainment

In 1900, one did not take a quick trip to the Upper Valley from Boston or New York, as is possible today. No, the wealthy visitors then would come for several weeks, or even for the entire summer season. For extended stays such as that, entire families would arrive, along with many household goods and comforts, and even family servants.

Arriving, and setting up a household at a lodging facility such as the Woodstock Inn was just a part of the entire summer adventure for visitors. As today, visitors sought out recreational opportunities, and many existed. Particularly popular were horseback riding and carriage rides on the area roads. Hiking the hills and forests, and picnicking also proved popular pursuits. Today, we are very accustomed to see bicyclists traveling the roads in Quechee and Woodstock. Many may be surprised to know that bicycling was very popular back then, too. The 1890s saw a boon in the popularity of bicycling, and many visiting this area brought their bikes to ride.

Golf was another recreational pursuit growing in popularity at that time. As a result, 1895 saw the opening of the Woodstock Country Club, the first public golf course in Vermont, much to the delight of summer vacationers in Woodstock. Mineral springs around Vermont were popular with summer visitors as well.

Wealthy visitors required more than daytime diversions, and as a result, restaurants opened to cater to their needs. In 1899, Woodstock saw the opening of a music hall, designed to attract the entertainment desires of visitors and residents alike.

Eventually, the Depression and the end of the Woodstock Railway in the 1930s changed, but did not end, vacation travel to Woodstock and Quechee. The opening of the highway system opened up the area to more than just the wealthy, a welcome development to middle class visitors.

Agriculture and farming has a long tradition in the Upper Valley and throughout Vermont. Until tourism became an economic engine for the area and the state, farming was the major industry. Even in places such as Hartford, Quechee, and Woodstock – where mills, transportation, and trains drove the economy – farming played a critical role in the lives and survival of early Vermonters. Orchards, grain fields, and livestock once covered the terrain and still play a major role in the lives of the residents and visitors to the Green Mountain State.

A team of oxen was essential for tilling the rocky soil of Vermont; some farmers still use oxen today.

In his book The Natural and Political History of the State of Vermont, founding father of Vermont, Ira Allen, accurately describes the state’s people, and farmers, and their ingenuity in the following manner: “I am really at a loss in the classification of the inhabitants – they are all farmers, and again every farmer is a mechanic in some line or another, as inclination leads or necessity requires. The hand that guides the plow frequently constructs it.”

Interestingly, one of the first industries utilizing farm products to create a profitable product was the distillery business. Prior to 1800, many distilleries operated in the state, including several notable examples here in the town of Hartford. These operations produced potato
whiskey, rum, brown ale, and cider brandy. A major Hartford distillery was owned and operated by Thomas King and F. Leavitt, producing potato whiskey. This distillery reached its zenith during the War of 1812, when demand for the product soared. Unfortunately, after the war’s conclusion, the price for their distilled spirits dropped dramatically causing the distillery to fail.

Apples and cider making – much as they are today – were an important part of Vermont’s early FARMING – continued from page 1 farming history. Settlers to Vermont found apple trees in abundance and established orchards. In the late 1700s and early 1800s though, the cider itself was not often the end product – distilled products such as cider brandy filled that role. Farmers needed a higher value for their crop than the cider produced, and the distilled products made from cider fit the bill.

Eventually, societal mores put a huge dent in the distillery market. As the Temperance Movement gained momentum, the market for the hard versions of cider took a hit. The local apple growers adjusted with the times, and apples became a desired commodity for livestock feed.

Nothing is new under the sun, as the saying goes. Currently, in the wake of the craft brewing industry, small distilleries are popping up around Vermont. Two local ones following the tradition of making hard spirits are the Vermont Spirits Distilling Company of Quechee and the Silo Distillery in Windsor.

It’s hard to imagine now, but the growing of grains, particularly wheat, was once a major part of Vermont agriculture. In the early 1800s, Vermont was one of the largest wheat producers in the newly formed country. Wheat farmers in the hills and fertile river valleys such as those of the Connecticut and White Rivers supplied the large eastern cities with large amounts of the grain.

Haying in Vermont was needed to supply livestock feed, but was difficult work by hand in the 19th century.

By the 1820s however, a system of canals, primarily the Erie Canal, opened up the western farms to the eastern markets. Cheaper and easier to grow in the western fields, the Vermont wheat producers were not able to compete, and wheat farming began a decline in the area.

What was becoming popular in Vermont at the same time was the raising of livestock. Sheep farming in particular became an important part of Vermont’s agriculture economy, and had its beginnings right here in Windsor County.

In the early 1800s, area farmer William Jarvis brought a large herd of Merino sheep from Portugal to his Windsor County farm. The sheep prospered and wool from the Merino sheep became highly desirable. From 1820 to the 1840s, sheep farming grew dramatically in the state, with the estimated sheep population in Vermont increasing from roughly 500,000 to around 1.7 million head. During this time, manufacturing of wool products grew, with Quechee’s Dewey’s Mills being a major player in that industry. At one point during this era, Vermont was the second leading state in the US in wool production.

Again, as happened with the grain industry, new transportation systems led to the decline in the Vermont wool producing business. Train transport in the 1840s – which opened up the Upper Valley and particularly White River Junction to the rest of the nation – also opened up
access to the western states and territories. There, huge sheep farms producing cheaper wool, which made its way to the eastern mills, lessened the demand for Vermont wool.

It’s interesting to note that about this time, Vermont farmers attempted to produce another product used in cloth and fabric making – silk. Promoted by the state, farmers imported silkworms in an attempt to build an industry. The venture failed dramatically, as the silkworms could not adapt to the region’s climate.

As sheep production declined, beef and pork production – always a factor in the Vermont’s agricultural industry – rose in its place. Again, over time, large western producers of beef and pork transported their products eastward, driving prices down and adversely affecting Vermont farmers.

It was then, about the time of the Civil War and afterwards, that Vermont’s famed dairy industry blossomed. Cheese and butter were sought-after commodities, and dairy farmers in the area turned to production of these goods to supply hungry consumers.

A local innovation in the 1870s helped area farmers get their products to the larger markets – the building of the Woodstock Railroad running between Woodstock and White River Junction. Along with serving passengers and Quechee’s growing mills, local farmers benefited by being able to ship their products and livestock by train to the markets along the East Coast. Train transport also allowed for the shipping of livestock from other regions to the area.

The creamery at Billings Farm & Museum

Though much in demand, butter and cheese production was very labor intensive and required additional investments in equipment. Butter production, for example, required separating the cream from the milk, and the traditional methods farmers used in that process were not
efficient. New equipment such as mechanical cream separators became a necessity for farmers. Eventually a new form of business, the creamery, took hold, buying raw milk products from farmers and turning those into finished goods. A major local player in this arena was the West Hartford Creamery. Beginning in the 1890s, by 1920 the West Hartford Creamery was a thriving operation serving the region’s dairy farmers.

As other regions of the country competed with Vermont dairy farmers for the butter and cheese market, shipping raw milk to urban areas became a vital factor for the local dairy business. Fluid milk made its way from places such as the Upper Valley to the big urban centers of Boston and New York in the 1890s and afterwards.

With large herds of livestock to care for – be it beef or dairy cattle – there has always been one very important factor that farmers must consider… that being winter-feed. Cattle can graze for part of the year, but with Vermont’s tough winters, farmers must take in feed for their herds. That made hay production a critical part of farming in Vermont, past and present. A very labor-intensive chore, over the decades, equipment manufacturers have come up with many devices to assist farmers since the old days of sickles, hay forks, hand rakes, and
wagons pulled by oxen.

No discussion of historical farming in our region is complete without mentioning the Billings Farm of Woodstock. Billings Farm – founded in the 1870s by Frederick Billings, a noted financier, rail magnate, and president of the newly established Woodstock Railroad – was the epitome of a modern farming operation. Billings, incidentally, was born in Royalton, Vermont, giving evidence of his wish to return to his home state after making his name and fortune elsewhere. Desiring to make his farm state-of-the-art and a showcase for modern farming, Billings hired George Aiken of Scotland to manage the farm. Aiken brought in and raised exceptionally fine animals including a herd of Jersey dairy cows, and was at the forefront of establishing modern dairy farming.

Billings Farm, which had its own creamery, grew to cover nearly 1,000 acres, and was managed by Aiken from the 1880s until his death in 1910. It continued to operate in private hands until 1968 when it transferred ownership to The Woodstock Foundation. In 1983, the Billings Farm and Museum became operational. Today, visitors to the farm can tour the farm manager’s house, grounds, and barns, and view the working livestock that populate the farm. Additionally, museum visitors can get an up-close look and feel for what farming was like over 100 years ago in Vermont, and how it has changed over the decades.

The Prouty is billed as the largest charity challenge north of the city of Boston, and anyone in the Upper Valley witnessing the event, and the participants and volunteers taking part during The Prouty weekend in July, would not doubt that statement. Well over 3,000 bicyclists, walkers, rowers, and golfers take part in order to raise money for research, and services, for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at DHMC. One reason the event is so popular is that 90% of money raised stays local, and funds the work done at DHMC.

One of those over 3,000 participants is Quechee’s own Jenny Gelfan. In 2008, Jenny participated in her first Prouty as a bicyclist. She rode with a team called the Spinners, and found the event so inspiring, she’s ridden every year since.

One tradition of The Prouty is that riders wear, or attach to their bikes, small yellow ribbons to honor those they know with cancer, or who’ve passed away after fighting cancer. Up until last year, Jenny wore those ribbons, too. “Last year, I stopped flying ribbons because the list of family and friends who did, or did not survive cancer was just too long,” she says.

One of the great benefits participants experience taking part in The Prouty is the camaraderie they feel. Whether it’s at one of the pre-Prouty events, the actual event participation, or the party held at the Richmond School in Hanover when completing the event, participants and volunteers feel a great sense of unity. Jenny finds sharing her pre-event rides, and the ride the day of the event with other cyclists a special experience. In addition, “I love all the support along the way – the people cheering us on, the Panhandlers (a band) music on Chieftain Hill, the smiles of people…all so positive,” she says.

All of the planning, the hard work of the participants and volunteers, and the strong unity among all, results in impressive results. Each of the last two years, The Prouty raised about $3 million for cancer research and support, with a similar goal targeted for this year. If you’ve never participated, or supported a Prouty participant, there is still time. The dates for this year’s Prouty are July 12 and 13.

As Jenny Gelfan says, “The efforts of one person added to the work of many others can really have an impact.”

For most of us, our first exposure to geology in school was the study of the Grand Canyon. Awed by its immense size and varying nature, it seemed improbable that a mere river could cut such a wide, and deep swath through the earth, even with millions of years to get the task completed. At close to 300 miles long, up to 18 miles across, and a mile deep, the Grand Canyon inspires awe, with about 5 million visitors going to see this wonder each year. Even though new evidence suggests part of the canyon formed millions of years before the Colorado River existed, the power of water, and erosion are on display at this American landmark.

For those who grew up in the Upper Valley (of which I am not one), I’ll bet that alongside the study of the Grand Canyon was the study of the Quechee Gorge. Dubbed ‘Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon,’ the gorge runs a mile long, and 165 feet deep. Miniscule by comparison with the behemoth Grand Canyon – yet the largest such feature in Vermont – thousands each year visit the Quechee Gorge. Many observe it from the Route 4 bridge (which has a fascinating history itself), while others make the trek to the bottom of the gorge by accessing the trails in the Quechee Gorge State Park.

Unlike the new evidence showing the Colorado River might not be the sole contributor to creating the Grand Canyon, water – and the Ottauquechee River in particular – are responsible for the creation of the Quechee Gorge. The Quechee Gorge is a new phenomenon by comparison to many of the world’s gorges, dating back thousands of years, but not millions. Still, how the gorge happened to be is an interesting story, and one regional geologists and geology students have studied for some time.

Lake Hitchcock

As we all learned in school, thick glacial ice covered much of North America during the last ice age. Almost 20,000 years ago, as temperatures warmed, that glacial ice retreated northward. Ice turned to water, forming rivers and lakes. In New England some 14,000 years ago, what is now the Connecticut River Valley, was once a glacial lake named Lake Hitchcock.

The lake formed because of a glacial moraine (or rock and earthen dam) that formed in the area of present-day Rock Hill, Connecticut. Lake Hitchcock – named after 19th-century American geologist Edward Hitchcock – stretched for about 200 miles south to north, and up to 20 miles across, at its peak about 14,000 years ago. Arms of this massive lake extended into the river valleys that feed into the present Connecticut River. The Ottauquechee River was one such river that fed into the lake.

Lake Hitchcock existed for about four thousand years. Around 13,000 years ago, the land in present-day Connecticut holding back the voluminous waters of this glacial lake broke down, causing the lake to drain, and form the Connecticut River basin.

Forming the gorge

The draining of Lake Hitchcock resulted in the forming of the Quechee Gorge. Soft, loose, sandy soil covering the area of the gorge was one reason. Ed Meyer, research scientist and senior lecturer at Dartmouth College, says a contributing factor to the gorge creation was the fact the Ottauquechee formed a delta where it flowed into ancient Lake Hitchcock. That delta left sand and soil that quickly washed away as the lake drained. In fact, the ancient Ottauquechee took a different course before the lake drained, says Meyer. The river’s current course was established with the draining of the lake, and the creation of the gorge.

According to David West, professor of geology at Middlebury College, there were factors other than the soft delta soil that contributed to forming the gorge. “It was a combination of things that resulted in the formation of such a deep gorge in this location,” says West. “First, there were likely some zones of weakness in the bedrock prior to the formation of the gorge,” he says. “The catastrophic draining of post-glacial Lake Hitchcock… likely resulted in the channelization of tremendous amounts of water which scoured out the gorge to essentially its present configuration.”

Meyer adds that the draining of the lake was not a single event, but likely happened in stages over time. According to research scientist Matt Bigl, the actual draining of Lake Hitchcock began 13,300 years ago, with the lake lowered to near the level of the Connecticut River about 12,300 years ago; meaning a 1,000-year draining event. The forming of the gorge, from the beginning with the draining of Lake Hitchcock, to what we see today, is a very short time for the formation of such a natural occurring edifice, Meyer says.

Though the forming of the gorge happened relatively quickly with the draining of Lake Hitchcock, we all surmise that erosion continues in the present day, though at a much slower pace than we might expect. “I can’t give you an exact number on that rate; probably less than a millimeter a year,” says West. “Of course there are higher erosion rates during times of flooding, but normally erosion is occurring very slowly.”

A recent weather event that altered the gorge was Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Meyer says there were some “spectacular landslides,” in certain areas of the gorge, upriver from the bridge, as a result of Irene.

An area of study, work, and beauty

Having a deep cut into the earth such as the Quechee Gorge offers an excellent opportunity for geologists and students to study local geological conditions. “It offers good exposure to the local bedrock and schist,” says Meyer. His Dartmouth students make regular trips to the gorge in their geology studies, Meyer says. “It’s a great natural lab for students.”

Meyer notes that in most areas, the regional bedrock is covered with earth and vegetation; that’s not the case at the gorge. West concurs, saying, “Usually bedrock in a deeply eroded mountain belt like the Appalachians is mostly covered in sediment, and we only see glimpses of it at the surface, but here we have a very long and uninterrupted view of the upper part of the Earth’s crust, and that’s helpful.”

The creation of the Quechee Gorge resulted in many benefits beyond the ones enjoyed by those that study geological history. Recent history points to the establishment of mills and water powered energy sources founded along the churning waters of the Ottauquechee. Of course, it also contributes to the vital tourist industry of the area today.

Those interested in a close-up view of the rich geologic history of the gorge can explore this unique and interesting part of Vermont’s geography by taking the hiking trails to the river below.

As one descends down the hiking trails into the gorge, it is not difficult to imagine torrents of rushing water from the ancient lake spilling over the bedrock found in the gorge. The power of water, carving out a deep crevice in the land, is apparent even today. What remains from the events of the past 12,000 or so years is truly a wonder of the region.

Sooner or later, it happens to all of us. An injury changes the regular routine of life, or an illness pops up to put a severe crimp in our passions.  Possibly a life-changing disability forces us to give up a once vigorous lifestyle. These changes to our physical being, whether temporary, or permanent, cause us to re-think our activities, and adapt to a new normal.

Quechee resident Gail Seaver knows all to well how an illness can disrupt one’s life, and dramatically change a lifestyle.  A diagnosis of a rare form of cancer, followed by surgery, and chemotherapy, proved to her that life is an evolving series of unexpected occurrences. But when traditional medical procedures were not effective in eradicating the disease, Seaver chose not to merely accept her fate, but found other, emerging holistic treatments to combat the illness, help return her health, and give hope.

There are many options, and many alternatives, when attempting to recuperate from an injury or illness. One local source devoted to inspiring a holistic lifestyle, and help those dealing with physical setbacks, is the Strong House Spa in Quechee.

For over 25 years, Sheila Armen (along with co-owner Shelly Yusko) has operated Strong House, offering a wide range of health inspiring services to clients.  Dedicated to helping those with chronic pain and injury, Armen says not only do the professionals at Strong House work to correct problems, “We help to prevent injury,” she says.

Help with physical issues are far from the only form of help provided here; relaxation techniques that work to put the mind at ease, through processes such as meditation, also take place. Armen says, that stress is a major factor in both physical, and emotional problems. Referring to our seemingly easier lifestyle resulting from modern technology, Armen makes the point that “Life is hard, even when it’s easy.”

“Mental tension causes physical stress,” Armen adds.

Working to relieve stress, and find peace through mind relaxation, has proven important to Gail Seaver. Meditation, and classes stressing mindfulness, is an important component in her recovery plan, she says.

Assessing physical problems, resulting from a specific trauma, or from a chronic pain condition, is key to putting together a plan of recovery, and avoiding further injury. Quechee’s Dr. Randy Schaetzke, says it is important to go beyond merely treating a client’s symptoms. “It’s important to go after why they have the symptoms,” he says. Dr. Schaetzke, a chiropractor who incorporates many forms of wellness in treating his clients, says that a symptom such as a chronic sore back may very well result from an issue originating from another part of the body, such as the neck, or lower extremities. He relates the story of a client coming in with symptoms of painful, numb legs; yet the solution to the issue was correcting a problem with the client’s neck.

This tactic of treating the body as a whole unit, with interconnected parts working together, seems to make a great deal of sense in a recovery plan. Sheila Armen stresses the importance of skin care in one’s overall health. The skin is our largest organ, Armen says, and many negative entities can invade our body through the skin.

What we put in our bodies for sustenance is a great example of this interconnected system with which we function. Proper hydration, eating healthy, whole foods, and augmenting a diet with proper supplements can all help in recovery, and reduce the likelihood of future illness. Restoring good bacteria in the gut, and eliminating bad carbohydrates and sugar from a diet are important health considerations, says Dr. Schaetzke. “Processed white sugar is a poison,” he says.

When surgery and chemotherapy did not prove to be an option for helping Gail Seaver, she turned to local research scientist and nutritionist Dr. Laleh Talebian for help in putting together a diet and nutrition plan. Dr. Talebian is a strong advocate for illness prevention through proper eating; her mantra is “I am what I eat.”

Seaver says her nutrition plan devised by Dr. Talebian included the elimination of dairy, grain, and sugar, while relying on foods such as non-GMO, grass fed meats, vegetables, and wild-caught fish. “It was hard at first,” says Seaver of the eating plan, but the results proved impressive.  After starting the regimen, she noticed her pain diminished, and upon later medical exams, there were indicators that the tumors had stabilized, and even reduced.

As often happens, Seaver says that after a while, she strayed a bit from the new eating regimen, but noticed the results. “I didn’t feel as well.”  Realizing this strict diet was making positive changes in her overall health, she returned to following it more carefully than ever. “It’s now a lifestyle for me,” she says.

This points out to an important aspect of recovery, or rehabilitation from illness or injury; making it a full time commitment. Spending a few hours a week at a gym, or involved with treatment at a facility such as the Strong House Spa is important, but so is continuing that commitment at home, or on the job. Dr. Schaetzke says he gives his clients homework; that being following the proper dietary and exercise procedures he recommends, while at home.  Armen says that those working with the various treatment options at Strong House “leave with self care,” which extends to their daily lives.  As Gail Seaver points out, the recovery treatment process needs to become a lifestyle.

Both Sheila Armen and Dr. Randy Schaetzke say they see all manner of clients facing struggles. With an aging population, Dr. Schaetzke says many that come to him for help are dealing with injuries from years back. “Old injuries come back to haunt us,” he says.

Sheila Armen finds clients come to her facility with a variety of issues, from chronic pain, to sports injuries, to medical conditions such as MS and Parkinson’s disease. Though the wellness treatments offered through Strong House may differ from medical treatments offered by physicians at hospitals and in private practices, Armen says she and the various treatment specialists at Strong House maintain a good joint relationship with area medical professionals, who have a good deal of respect for the work done at the Strong House Spa.

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.