Downtown Bennington, May 2010

Time to get out your magnifying lens and your deer-stalker cap — Bennington will host a Season of Mystery from April to October 2010.

It is a season filled with exciting events and oppor-tunities to enjoy theater productions, book discus-sions, radio plays, outdoor movies, treasure hunts, a special conference on Sherlock Holmes, “The Hunt for the Missing Baby Moose,” and an original murder mystery in an historic house and much, much more.

Local restaurants will have mystery-related theme menus. Residents and visitors alike will find themselves

drawn to multiple events, all guaranteed to provide fun, surprises and interesting experiences for everyone.

Once you’re in the mood for mystery, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to play the sleuth and enjoy the fun.

It’s Mystery Time in Southern Vermont

Crazy Russian Girls Bakery– Telly Halkias This winter, local gal Natasha Garder announced she was partnering to

open Crazy Russian Girls Bakery on Main Street in Bennington.There has been much public clamoring for a bakery since Krijnen’s closed

several years ago. In a culture that relies on the supermarket for affordable and convenient ways to fill its subsistence needs, baking can be a tough sell - even though it’s difficult to find a person who doesn’t like the product.

Garder has been doing it that way for years, as witnessed by the popular-ity of her roadside stand, and her presence at Walloomsac Farmers’ Market. While churning out an extensive variety of pastries, as well as selling whole-sale, Garder has stayed true to the roots of baking by offering freshly baked bread daily until demand for it builds for greater production.

Garder has done much right in opening her first shop. First, she partnered with experienced professional baker Matt Littrell of Lake George, N.Y., who

Photo Courtesy of Crazy Russian Girls Bakery

A view of the pastries of the day at Crazy Russian Girls Bakery in Bennington.

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Local Farmersʼ Market Opens page 7

Summer 2010

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2 Downtown Bennington Summer 2010

has extensive commercial experi-ence. Next, she is baking on the premises, something Sorrento’s, at the same location, didn’t try. Garder realizes that there are long hours ahead, so is branding her business as “local” as possible.

Finally, Garder has the right atti-tude and is going in eyes wide open. The daughter of immigrants, she is well attuned to the overseas tradi-tion of the neighborhood bakery as a daily stop and community mag-net. Garder is also aware, however, that it takes time to build a regular following that can ensure the finan-cial health of a bakery, especially with our small population base.

Nevertheless, Crazy Russian Girls is a welcome downtown sight at a time when small businesses everywhere are struggling with the demands of our wobbly economy. How well Garder does is important; but probably not as vital as the fact that she is giving it a go in the first place.

Crazy Russian Girls Bakery is locat-ed at 415 Main St. in Bennington. For more information, call 802-681-3983

Telly Halkias is a freelance writer and editor. E-mail: [email protected]

...Crazy Russian Girls Bakery contin-ued from front cover...

– Telly Halkias Hawkins House in Bennington is a jewelry store, a

clothing store, a gallery, a gift shop... all rolled into one. Located in two historic buildings joined with a modern expansion, it is a magnet for browsers.

“We try to have something for everyone,” owner Elizabeth Ganger said with a smile. “Most importantly, we are a fun place to shop!”

Featuring a selection of handcrafted jewelry, the Hawkins House also carries wedding and engagement rings, wooden ware and cutting boards, hand blown glass, pottery, clothing, accessories, bags, books, cards, and a children’s toy department. There are also jewelry boxes, artwork, prints, and always: chocolates and maple syrup.

The shop exhibits and sells the work of many Vermont artists, as well as other American and overseas artisans.

“Our focus is handcrafted work, but we also carry many items that are manufactured both in the U.S. and abroad,” said Elizabeth’s husband, Jonah Spivak. “We only sell products that we feel really good about, and that we think our customers will like.”

Doing the right thing is important to both the owners and that carries over to their business philosophy.

“The time and money we invest back into our com-

munity is significant, but well worth it,” said Spivak, who grew up in nearby Shaftsbury.

Hawkins House also runs on “Cow Power” and was a featured business by the Central Vermont Public Service utility. As a second generation locally owned business, it has become a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

“Some of our customers make annual ‘pilgrimages’ to our store,” Ganger said. “Many come from hours away just to visit our store because they love it — and we love our customers!”

Much has changed in three decades since Hawkins House opened its doors, but one thing is constant: a commitment to providing quality jewelry, crafts, and gifts.

Hawkins House is located at 262 North St. in Bennington. For more information, call 802-447-0488 or visit www.hawkinshouse.net

Telly Halkias is a freelance writer and editor. E-mail: [email protected]

Hawkins House

The Bennington Bookshop– Tara Maroney

In 2009, Rick and Ellen Havlak celebrated 30 years as owners of The Bennington Bookshop, after purchasing the store in November 1979. The oldest independent bookstore in Vermont, The Bennington Bookshop was established in 1928. The couple bought the bookshop while living just outside Rick’s hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although Ellen is a native Vermonter, nei-ther she nor Rick had visited Bennington before coming to see the store. After evaluating other businesses in New England, the two decided that the bookshop best fit with their expertise. Ellen had knowledge of books from her work in libraries and Rick had an understanding of accounting and business

Since purchasing the Bennington Bookshop, they have focused on their mission of providing a wide section of books for any reader. The knowledgeable staff is eager to help customers and talking to different people every day is Ellen’s favorite part of the job.

Rick and Ellen say that while the focus of the store hasn’t changed, technology has improved many facets of their business. Most recently, the two launched a Facebook page to help build an online community with their customers. There, people can find information about the store and learn about new books as they arrive including reviews of the store’s three bestselling books for 2010, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett, and Steig Larsson’s “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “The Girl Who Played With Fire.”

The store is located at 467 Main Street in Bennington and is open 7 days a week. They can also be reached at 802-447-5059.

Photo Courtesy of Hawkins House

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A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication

Melissa Miller, page design

Tri-State Pennysaver News109 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201

802-447-3381Renee Tassone, General Manager

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Summer 2010 Downtown Bennington 3

Downtown– Christie Harris

“When you’re alone and life is making you lonelyYou can always go, downtownWhen you’ve got worries all the noise and the hurrySeems to help I know, downtown”

Petula Clark’s song depicts downtown as a place that pushes loneli-ness to the shadows and replaces it with a sense of belonging. “Downtown” is an American term, which was gradually adopted dur-ing the 19th century. By the early 20th century, “down-town” was clearly estab-lished as the descriptor for

a city or town’s central business district.Often geographically located at the center of a city or town, downtowns

were built to meet the needs of a community. Historical downtowns were typically a blend of industry, commercial and service businesses. This was the core of many communities up until the 1950s and 60s. As new transpor-tation infrastructure allowed for the movement of goods and people away from downtown centers, those areas suffered residential and commercial collapse.

The good news is that people still care about their central community core. Many downtown areas have organizations focused on recruiting new business and revitalization projects. The Better Bennington Corporation is such a group, with a mission “To Build, Improve, and Support a Vital Downtown That Benefits Our Entire Community.” True to the charge, there is always something going on in Bennington - parades, parties, restora-tions, music, arts, crafts, floral displays, and walking tours. Downtown is a balanced tapestry of restaurants, galleries, retail stores, florists, museums, lodging, service businesses and light industry, with a smattering of historical

markers and monuments. From Manhattan with the neon lights of Times Square, to Bennington

with its architectural charm and famous artistic residents, downtowns come in all sizes. But no matter the size or the state, downtowns give people a sense of place.

“So goDowntown, things will be great when you’reDowntown, no finer place for sure Downtown, every thing’s waiting for you”

www.betterbennington.com

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Eat Smart, Buy Local– Kate O. Sullivan

You’ve heard it over and over again: Buy local! Local, it seems, is the new organic. But why buy local? And what is local, anyway?

The definition of local food varies depending on who you ask, although most agree that “local” food is grown within about 250 miles of where it’s purchased. There are a number of benefits to this closeness. First, food is fresher, often picked within 24 hours of making it to the market, unlike standard supermarket foods, which may have spent days or weeks on a truck or in a bin. Nutrients don’t have time to degrade, and you’ll be eating your produce at its peak of ripeness. Buying local foods also reduces your carbon footprint, the impact your food has on the environment. While local foods might not be organic, they’re often better for the environment anyway, because they don’t have to be shipped thousands of miles in trac-tor-trailers or by boat or plane.

Local foods also support local farmers. According to Stewart Smith from the University of Maine, in 1900, 40 cents of every dollar a consumer spent on food went to the farmer. Today, only 7 cents goes to the farmer; the rest is spent on storage, packaging, marketing, and shipping. Buying local keeps your food dollars in the community, and supports the hard-working farm-ers who might be your neighbors. Studies have shown that a dollar spent on local goods keeps twice as much money in the local economy as a dollar spent with a national chain—money spent here stays here, benefiting every-one in the community.

But the biggest reason to buy local is taste and variety. Small farmers are more likely to grow unusual or heritage crops—things like delectable Brandywine tomatoes or leafy Japanese komatsuna greens. Even if com-mercial farms offered these in grocery stores, you’d pay a premium. Buying from a local farm gives you the opportunity to experiment with new tastes and textures, and to experience tomatoes, apples, and more the way our grandparents did, before industrial farms took over.

So give buying local a try! Stop by your town’s farmers’ market — there are a number in the region, including the twice-weekly Walloomsac Farmers’ Market in Bennington, which opens for the season on May 8. Or pick up locally grown goods at a specialty shop like Spice & Nice on South Street in Bennington or Wild Oats in Williamstown. Join the food revolution, and taste the benefits of local!

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Water is Not the ‘Infinite’ Resource Many Believe

(ARA) - Do you ever think about how the water coming out of your faucet makes its way into your home? Or look out at the river as you’re driving to work and expect it will always look the same? Though water is often perceived as an infinite resource that can’t become endangered, by 2015, a majority of U.S. states may face water shortages. Some of those places may be right there in your backyard, and the loss of these ecosys-tems could affect your daily life.

Luckily, there are organizations that work to protect the water and the land around the world. The Nature Conservancy - a worldwide leader in freshwater protection - currently has hundreds of river and lake projects underway throughout the United States, positively impacting many of the areas where we live.

Freshwater conservation is important because, in addition to being the water we drink, it’s used to water our crops, gives us fish to eat, powers our factories, lights our homes, transports goods and carries people back home. Freshwater conservation is an investment in our future.

The Nature Conservancy toils diligently to keep rivers and lakes that provide drinking water clean and healthy, but needs funds and volun-teers for its efforts. That’s why Crystal Light is collaborating with the Conservancy to support five local river and lake projects to help protect key sources of clean, fresh drinking water. For more information on the collaboration, visit the Crystal Light Facebook fan page at www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight. The site will be updated frequently to track the progress of the five projects Crystal Light is supporting around the United States:

Colorado RiverThe river is the lifeblood of the intermountain West and touches seven

states. It has been impacted by rapid population growth in the west.

Great Lakes BasinThe Great Lakes Basin holds a fifth of the fresh surface water on Earth

and impacts millions of Americans living along its shores. Even here, freshwater resources are in trouble as a result of climate change, water

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LIL’ BRITAIN116 North Street, Bennington, VT 05201

802.442.2447 - www.lilbritain.com - Eat-In or Take-Out

Fish & Chip ShopMAIN Small Large

Fish & Chips + Side $7.75 $10.00Britain’s most popular -cooked in our own batter.

Shrimp & Chips + Side $7.75 $10.00Jumbo shrimp cooked in our own batter – served with tartar or cocktail sauce.

Scallops & Chips + Side $7.75 $10.00Fresh scallops cooked in our own batter – served with tartar or cocktail sauce.

Chicken Tenders & Chips + Side $6.00 $7.50An American favorite – breaded – served with your choice of dipping sauce.

Clam Strips & Chips + Side $7.75Tender breaded strips of clam.

Fish Sandwich & Chips + Side $8.25Our freshly battered fish on a soft white roll.

Fish Combo & Chips + Side $11.00A mouthwatering combo of fish, shrimp & scallops.

Bangers & Chips + Side $7.50Traditional English sausage – mild in flavor – jolly good!

Bangers & Mash $7.50Traditional English sausage with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.

PIESBaked ‘in-house’ to traditional family recipes. Pies, sausage rolls and bangers take 15-25 minutes to prepare.If you’re in a hurry – feel free to call ahead.

Steak, Steak & Potato or Chicken & Mushroom $5.50.Sausage Roll $4.50

Add Chips or Mashed Potatoes to any of the above for $2.50

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE 9% VT STATE SALES TAX

BURGER shackJuicy, seasoned, FRESH 100% Angus Beef cooked to order with your choice of toppings. Available with chips ORcoleslaw. Lettuce, Tomato, Onions and Pickles per your request. Served on our famous rolls – taste the difference!

Hamburger $6.001/3lb. fresh angus beef w/ chips OR slaw.

Cheeseburger $6.251/3lb. fresh angus beef with American OR Cheddar cheese served w/ chips OR slaw.

Bacon-Cheeseburger $6.751/3lb. fresh angus beef with bacon and American OR Cheddar cheese served w/ chips OR slaw.

mA.g Burger $7.251/3lb. fresh angus beef with bacon, American OR Cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and coleslaw served w/chips OR slaw.

Sarah’s Burger $7.251/3lb. fresh angus beef with sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, American OR Cheddar cheese served w/ chips ORslaw.

Brian’s Firehouse Burger $7.751/3lb. fresh angus beef with sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, Cheddar cheese, bacon, fried egg and HP steaksauce served w/ chips OR slaw.

OR BUILD YOUR OWN!Burgers are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays ONLY!!

Open Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat 11:30am to 8:00pm

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development and use.

Meramec River (Mississippi)The Meramec River, part of the Mississippi River, supplies drinking

water to more than 15 million people and serves as a habitat for thou-sands of fish, birds and other wildlife. Over time, it has been threatened by excessive use, and is one of the Conservancy’s highest priorities.

Potomac RiverThe Potomac River provides drinking water to 4.3 million people liv-

ing in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. It is being impacted by rapid population growth and land use change in the basin.

Southern RiversSouthern rivers and streams, such as the Pascagoula River in Mississippi

and the Flint River in Georgia, span all 15 southern states. Recent droughts and increasing water demands have threatened these important bodies of water.

To learn more about the work The Nature Conservancy is doing across the country, visit its Web site, www.nature.org. To learn about how Crystal Light is supporting this important issue, visit www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

...Water Resources continued from page 5... Reception and Exhibit of Local Artists’ Works at the Bennington Free Library

The Bennington Free Library’s first installation of Wallworks: Art at the Library, will open with an artists’ reception on Sunday, May 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Library. Planned as an ever-changing exhibit, WallWorks will provide an opportunity for patrons to view and enjoy art and other media while visiting the library, and to learn more about the many talented artists who live and work in our community.

The WallWorks inaugural exhibit features the landscape and still life paint-ings of Berta Burr. The daughter of an enthusiastic amateur painter, Berta Burr was raised in a household where art materials were never in short sup-ply. Saturday classes at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York and a general atmosphere of encouragement informed her youth.

Berta’s first realization that she might have a career in art came from her collaboration with her husband, Walter Burr, a harpsichord maker. Harpsichords of the 17th and 18th century were often outstanding works of visual art with lid interiors painted by major artists. The opportunity to decorate harpsichords as a professional painter while still in her early twenties provided a unique and formative experience. By following the approach Walter used to build harpsichords using traditional methods and materials, she was able to teach herself to paint from the bottom up - progressing from finishing and gilding, to decoration, and finally the painting she does today.

Walter and Berta have made harpsichords in Hoosick, New York for over thirty years. Their instruments have been used in countless concerts and recordings in both the United States and Europe. Walter’s attention has turned to restoration in recent years and an Italian harpsichord from 1610, one of the instruments that Walter and Berta restored for Vassar College, is among the most notable examples. A 1539 Italian harpsichord that is thought to be the oldest harpsichord in playing condition is another very important restoration by the Burrs.

Join us for a unique opportunity to meet a talented area artist and view her work in an informal setting. The exhibit will remain on display in the Reference area through August, 2010, and will include works available for purchase. The Library is located at 101 Silver Street, Bennington, VT, and is handicapped accessible. Call 802-442-9051 for more information.

Baptist Church to Host Pancake Breakfast at Mayfest

Bennington – The First Baptist Church of Bennington, Vermont, invites you to a

Mayfest Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 29 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The church is located at 601 Main Street in downtown Bennington.

Come join us for breakfast before enjoying MayFest, which starts at 10 a.m. on Main Street outside the pancake breakfast.

Breakfast is $6 for adults, $4 for children, or $20 for the whole family. Tickets are available at the door or in advance from the First Baptist office (802-442-2105).

All funds raised at this event benefit facility upgrades at First Baptist to fulfill its mission to be “a place for healing, community involvement, and spiritual ground-ing.” Your patronage of the pancake breakfast helps First Baptist in the effort to provide accessible and convenient space in downtown Bennington for non-profit organizations to help our community meet basic human needs: healthcare access, disability advocacy, support of families, and various other community and interfaith collaborative efforts.

For more information about First Baptist, visit www.fbcbennington.org

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JUST FLAUNT IT.

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Enjoy a Day With Mom at the Walloomsac Farmers’ Market

Summer Season Opener

Bennington, VT - Celebrate Mother’s Day early and spend a great morn-ing with mom strolling through the Walloomsac Farmers’ Market first out-door market. The Walloomsac Farmers’ Market summer season kicks off on Saturday, May 8 continuing through October 31, operating Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., and Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 - 5:30. The market sets up along the riverwalk on the banks of the Walloomsac River behind the Bennington Station on the corner of Depot and River Streets in downtown Bennington, Vermont. This popular event is a community destination offering Vermont-fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, flowers, garden transplants, prepared foods, eggs, cheese and delicious baked goods. Visitors will also enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music by local musicians and performers on Saturdays.

Walloomsac Farmers’ Market Board of Directors president, Steven Trubitt, (also a vendor) encourages the community to “come and enjoy a fantastic shopping experience at our market. The Walloomsac Farmers’ Market provides foods picked at their peak of flavor and nutrition, with a real person you can trust providing it. Local food is good for the local economy, as the monies spent are subsequently respent in the community. Plus, supporting local agriculture keeps our local landscape open. Who doesn’t like looking at farmland as they tour about? It’s also a great way to draw people into downtown Bennington so it contributes to the growth of downtown businesses when people stay to shop after visiting the market.”

Market manager Katherine Keys added, “the market is a great place to meet friends and neighbors while shopping for the freshest food around. The Market is an essential resource for helping to create community awareness of the many benefits of buying locally grown or produced foods and farm products.”

Trubitt offered this invitation, “Bring Mom to the market this Saturday for a great morning getting to know our vendors and listening to some terrific music by local musicians!”

Local Businessman Teams With Jamaica Cottage Shop to Shape Downtown Village

Bennington, VT – The lot in downtown Bennington, considered “the green,” has been known by locals in recent years for its Christmas lights, sum-mer concerts, and annual MayFest. The property was once the site of the Harte Theater which burned down in the late 80s and has been vacant ever since. When Duane Greenawalt purchased the Harte Lot a few years ago, he had ideas of what he wanted to do with the land but no concrete plan. That is, until recently when he made a call to Jamaica Cottage Shop to discuss the possibility of installing small cottages and sheds for local artists, craftsmen, and tradesmen to display and sell their wares.

Established in 1995 and celebrating its 15th year, Jamaica Cottage Shop, a Vermont post and beam company, uses native hemlock and kiln-dried eastern white pine lumber to build cottages, garden sheds, storage sheds, livestock shelters, and woodbins. JCS is proud to support local land owners, foresters, loggers and sawmills. The unique storage and garden shed designs are original creations, all of which are manufactured at the factory in South Londonderry, Vermont.

Alan Harwood, delivery driver for JCS recalls, “I used to come see movies at the old Harte Theater when I was a teenager. It’s great to see the space being utilized for the community in such a positive way.”

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Downtown Bennington, May 2010