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| 2011 news releases | |
| The 33rd Annual Putney Craft Tour Contact: Lynn Barrett, 802-258-3992, prime@svcable.net For Immediate Release Vermont at Thanksgiving A Perfect Time to Visit 10 Reasons to Visit Putney, Vermont This Thanksgiving “The World’s Best Known Small Town” The 33rd Annual Putney Craft Tour—A Backroads Trail of Fine Art and Crafts With an extraordinary collection of talent, the Putney Craft Tour stands out among art excursions, and this year’s open studio tour is no different. Bursting with an eclectic variety of artists and craftspeople nestled among the hills and valleys of this charming Vermont town, the 33rd annual Putney Craft Tour, a prototype for open studios around the country, held during the long Thanksgiving weekend, gives shoppers, visitors and collectors another reason to be thankful. Many of the studios are off the beaten path and on dirt roads affording a great opportunity to enjoy Southern Vermont’s natural beauty that inspires these artisans. Blacksmiths, glass blowers, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers – even artisan cheesemakers –invite visitors to come in, discover, ask questions, sip hot cider and find that one-of-a-kind gift, for themselves or others. Part of the fun is meandering the back roads, following the map to find these prominent craftspeople and view the works where they are conceived and created; in some cases, the settings showcase how to incorporate original pieces into a home. http://www.putneycrafts.com Putney General Store —Rises from the Ashes For over 210 years, a general merchandise store existed at the corner of Route 5 and Kimball Hill in Putney. On May 3, 2008, a fire severely damaged the building. The Putney Historical Society, following the apparently unanimous support of over 150 people at an annual meeting, took on the task of rebuilding the historic business. PHS successfully raised over two-thirds (700K) of the roughly 900K and a goal of reopening the store on May 3, 2010—the second anniversary of the first fire. On November 1, 2009, an arsonist burned the oldest general store in Vermont to the ground. The community vowed to rebuild... and have. A trip to the Putney General Store is a visit in history. Vermont Shepherd "One of the country's best cheeses" - The New York Times "One of the world's best" - Gourmet "My favorite Vermont cheese" - Food and Wine "Show Stoppingly Fragrant and full-bodied" - Town and Country Experience where one of the finest cheeses in the country is made. Visitors can taste and purchase Vermont Shepherd cheeses and other products at the Vermont Shepherd Farm Store located on the road into the farm, 9am-5pm, 7 days a week, year round. The cheese is hand made during the spring and summer months and then ages for 4 to 8 months. Vermont Shepherd is available from late August until the year's supply runs out in the spring. Vermont Shepherd Cheese can also be found in fine food stores nationwide. Putney Mountain Winery -- "Charles Dodge's handmade apple bubbly [is] extraordinary" - Stephen Meuse, Boston Globe Putney Mountain Winery, recently judged producer of "Best Fruit Wine" in the Northeast at the 2010 Northeastern States Big E Wine Competition, has been producing award-winning, artisanal fruit wine since 1998. The winery thrives on the age-old wisdom that the finest wines come from the finest fruits. The wines exemplify the richness and variety of fruits that have been raised for generations in the Connecticut River Valley. The Winery offers an array of sparkling, still and dessert wines made from fresh, local fruit including heirloom apples, pears, rhubarb, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. They hand-crush, press and craft the wines as soon as the fruit is harvested. Many of the wines have won regional and international awards. Tastings and sales take place at Putney Mountain Winery (where all of the wines are made), 8 Bellows Falls Road, Route 5 in the Basketville store in Putney. 11-5 daily. The Putney Food Coop The Putney Food Co-op is one of the oldest Co-ops in the country. It was founded in 1941, when fuel shortages due to WWII made it hard to obtain certain grocery items. To get needed supplies, a group of Putney residents led by Carol Brown formed the Putney Co-op according to the Co-operative Principles. Cash raised from selling member shares was used to rent a storefront (purchased in 1944), obtain goods and hire staff. To accommodate the growing needs of the community, the Co-op membership voted in 1992 to move the co-op from its original site on Kimball Hill to its present site on Carol Brown Way and Route 5. Today the co-op is a community marketplace and deli offering a diverse selection of quality products with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Next Stage Arts Project Next Stage, Putney’s performing arts venue, is located in a beautiful, historic 1841 building right in the village center. Next Stage has a full schedule of events including classical music concerts in partnership with the Yellow Barn Music Festival and folk/rock events with Twilight Music. Next Stage Arts Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and operation of the 160-seat Next Stage theater performing arts facility. For events taking place during Thanksgiving weekend, email nextstagearts@gmail.com Santa’s Land Santa's Land is a safe, friendly park designed for family fun! Located in the beautiful foothills of Southern Vermont, Santa's Land has been a popular New England travel destination for over 50 years! It will be open on Thanksgiving weekend from 10-5pm. The Front Porch Café for breakfast/brunch and lunch. Wonderful Sunday brunch. Outdoor seating, Special occasions. Great food and good value. 133 Main Street, Putney, VT 05346 802-387-2200 JD McCliments Pub – a Scottish Pub, full bar with friendly, intimate atmosphere and pub fare. Shopping: Penelope Wurr Contemporary Glass Retail Shop w. local and European gifts ; Offerings Jewelry specializing in handmade and original jewelry designs; Morning Glorious Vintage; Basketville Landmark store full of handwoven baskets from around the world ...and more. IF YOU GO: The Putney Inn (for special Tour Package, click here) is a charmingly unique blend of Bed & Breakfast, historic small country inn, and graciously appointed motel. A hearty Vermont farmer’s breakfast is included with each stay. The Putney Inn welcomes all members of the family including pets, and provides pet-friendly accommodations. The Putney Inn’s casual dining room offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with children’s menu. The Inn’s lovely grounds provide a beautiful setting for outdoor receptions. The Putney Inn features Vermont cheeses and other locally grown products. (See website for special Putney Craft Tour package and www.vermontvacation.com) Hickory Ridge House (for special Tour Package, click here) 53 Hickory Ridge Road South Putney, VT 05346 Ph: 802 387 5709 Toll-free: 800 380 9218 Email: mail@hickoryridgehouse.com Innkeeper: Gillian and Dennis Pettit On site dogs: Jack and Gracie About the inn: Hickory Ridge House is a gracious federal style farmhouse completed in 1808 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful example of American architecture boasts a total of eight spacious guest rooms, all with private bathrooms and each with the elegance and charm of a bygone era. Surrounded by peaceful gardens in the spring and summer, breathtaking foliage in the fall and a network of groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter; Hickory Ridge House offers the perfect escape from today’s hectic lifestyle. The Ranney- Crawford House The Ranney-Crawford House is a two centuries old brick Federal manor house built by Elijah Ranney and his wife Lydia Crawford Ranney on land purchased in 1786 from James Crawford to replace the wooden farmhouse that first stood on the property. Although lovingly restored, it retains much of its early 19th century charm and elegance. The Bed and Breakfast offers elegant accommodations and lodging. Guests wake up to a three-course gourmet breakfast. Diane and Arnie Glim are your hosts. Arnie is a retired physics and mathematics teacher with a doctorate in developmental psychology. Besides cycling he enjoys woodworking and furniture making, and has made much of the furniture at the bed and breakfast. Diane, a retired school counselor, is an expert quilter, primitive art painter, hand bag designer and gourmet cook. Most of the bed and breakfast's bedding and window treatments were designed by Diane. Putney notables: George Aiken, senator and governor of Vermont. Fernando Gerassi, painter. William Haile, merchant, manufacturer and politician. Carmelita Hinton, progressive educator and founder of The Putney School. Manon Kahle, actress. Melissa Leo, actress. John Humphrey Noyes, American utopian socialist. Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. John Henry Williams, only son of baseball legend Ted Williams. Peter Shumlin, current governor of Vermont. Charles Ginnever, Sculptor Kevin Connors, Champion speed walker. Hiking, biking, golfing, skiing, petting farms, covered bridges, museums, historic cultural villages, shopping, and arts abound, all within easy distances of Putney, Vermont. Brattleboro is only 20 minutes away as are the picturesque towns of Grafton and Saxtons River. |
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