Should you decide to spend your next international vacation ‘giving back’ or helping others, it will change not only someone else’s life, but also YOUR life.

My personal journey into international volunteerism started 10 years ago as a ‘Trip of a Lifetime.’ I celebrated my friend’s 50th birthday by joining her on an adventure with Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a deserving family in Botswana, Africa. After that trip to Botswana, I quickly became ‘Hooked on Habitat’ and, yes, I believe I am now addicted to this type of vacation.

On the surface it looks like an international volunteer is making a grand gesture of selflessness – giving up valuable time and hard-earned money to help others.… Read More

The theme of this year’s annual Mud Ball is NEON. Seeking to out-do itself, the Mud Ball, one of the Upper Valley Haven’s celebratory fundraisers, is seeking maximum contrast to spring mud with bright lights and Day-Glo cocktails. Scheduled for Saturday, March 23, from 7pm to 11pm at The Quechee Club, the Ball attracts a crowd of people whose enjoyment of a good party is enhanced by awareness of supporting a worthwhile cause.

This year’s entertainment is Conniption Fits, a high-energy modern rock trio known for getting the crowd up and dancing. They maintain a highly booked schedule touring New England, and are familiar to – and popular with – many who have heard them locally in Hartford and Lebanon.… Read More

Nordic adventures — on snowshoes or cross country skis — are a wonderful, invigorating way to explore and fully appreciate the great outdoors during winter in Quechee.

In the words of one smiling skier, “It is so picturesque with the water flowing and only the sounds of nature can be heard. The setting is spectacular: the connection to nature, the quality of trails, the experience of fueling your soul and heart with great Vermont fresh air.”

The Quechee Club manages miles of trails on the dormant golf course, groomed for both skate and classic skiing; a couple of trails meander along the shores of Lake Pinneo.… Read More

Prior to my excursion with Braeburn Siberians of Windsor, the only dog-sledding experience I had was when my brothers and I would hitch up our Collie to a plastic sled and attempt to entice him to ‘mush’ down the driveway. This ‘mushing’ would only occur if one of us ran in front of the dog with half a bologna sandwich. If the dog caught you, the sandwich was quickly gone and the ride was over. We always used our younger brother as a pseudo ‘lead dog’ since he was very fast and often wouldn’t be caught for a whole minute. When my wife, Kim, informed me that she had booked a two-hour sled trip for the family I thought, “I’m not really in that kind of shape anymore.”… Read More

…and the Way It Still Is for Some

There is a romantic feel for many today when talk turns to how farming once was. That feeling is accentuated by visiting places such as Billings Farm in Woodstock, where visitors learn about farms and farming techniques from years back. One aspect of New England farm lore of particular interest to many is the art of maple sugaring.

Today, most often in the early spring, Upper Valley residents and visitors have the opportunity to visit working maple sugaring operations and see how maple syrup and candy is made today. Many are also intrigued by the old fashioned methods of tapping trees and making syrup.… Read More

Lynn Luczkowski and I recently sat down to talk about her new role as a member of the Quechee Lakes Landowners’ Association (QLLA) Board of Trustees on a beautiful Quechee morning. She mentioned how one of our long-time members asked her, “How are things going with your new responsibilities?” Her answer, “Things are great, but I thought living here year-round and being an actively involved member gave me a decent perspective of the operations. Now I’m beginning to really understand what is involved in making QLLA’s operation tick.”

Lynn shared how the new Trustees recently had a “behind the scenes tour, via a whirlwind golf car ride” of the Quechee campus.… Read More

Jane Meunier-Powell and Pat Dwyer

Volunteers are the magic here, says Sara Kobylenski, the outgoing executive director of the Upper Valley Haven, Hartford, Vermont’s multifaceted community safety net. More than a food shelf, more than a shelter, the Haven provides these emergency services and many more to those in need. Some other programs include financial and life skill training for adults, and after-school and summer programs for kids. “The folks in the community who come in and make this place work are the best,” continues Sara. Two prize volunteers are Quechee residents’ Pat Dwyer and Jane Meunier-Powell.

Pat Dwyer

Pat has volunteered with the Haven for seven years and counting.… Read More

In 1972, Jeffrey Kahn moved from Pennsylvania to Vermont with 30 friends and formed a commune in Sharon. After leaving and moving to Woodstock, he tried carpentry and an herbal toothpaste business, but nothing felt right until he had the idea to open what is now one of the best-known stores in Woodstock. Unicorn, located on Main Street, opened in December 1978 and has been splendidly eclectic from the start. This year, Unicorn is celebrating its 40-year anniversary, and Jeffrey is thrilled.

Jeffrey had one main focus when he opened the store: everything from the “sublime to the ridiculous” must be included.… Read More

Despite the influx of businesses and organizations devoted to the arts, the prevalence of good restaurants, and the interesting happenings occurring in the town, White River Junction, Vermont, was first a major railroad center for Northern New England. After the Civil War, when the growing dependence on railroads spurred a rail boom around the nation, White River Junction emerged as an important rail hub. Several rail lines, and rail companies found the town a critical junction for their services. Many of these rail lines extended hundreds of miles in all directions from White River Junction making it a connector to the major cities in the region.… Read More

This past year the Ottauquechee School raised money to undertake a cutting-edge learning program for their students. With donations from the annual Scholastic Book Fair and a Donors Choose Campaign (donorschoose.org), Rebecca Whitney, the school’s library media specialist and Principal Cathy Newton managed to create “STEAM Time” to focus on: science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Working in collaboration with the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education at the University of Vermont, dedicated STEAM learning time found its way into the little big school in Quechee.

The general idea of the program is to create the time and space for students to learn how to approach these subjects, how to work together as a group to focus on an issue, and to collaborate on ideas and resolutions.… Read More