The Vermontster Challenge

For all of our prospective wedding guests who are faced with traveling long distances to foreign lands for this once-in-a-lifetime event, I’m feeling the need to boost your spirits. So, I thought that I would share a few fun facts about The Green Mountain State to keep your level of enthusiasm high for the arduous journey that lies ahead.

Facts about Vermont, the unpublicized version ...

• Vermont has a cows-to-people ratio of 10 to 1;
• The National Rotten Sneaker Competition is held in Montpelier, Vermont;
• Vermont's Lake Champlain is rumored to be home to a sea monster named Champ;
• Killington, Vermont has twice voted to secede from Vermont and join New Hampshire; and
• Remember Howard Dean? He was our governor for 12 years.

Now, if you were on the fence about coming to the wedding before reading this … I’m certain that you are online buying your ticket as we speak!

In all sincerity, Vermont does have some wonderful and unique attributes we hope you will all take time to enjoy. At the very least, you should know that Vermont is home to both Ben & Jerry’s and Cabot Creamery, so you will find no shortage of low-fat treats during your visit. Your Vermont experience really won't be complete without a Ben & Jerry's Vermonster Sundae ... 20 scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, a banana, cookies, brownies and all your favorite toppings served up family-style in a bucket! For those of you who are lactose-inally challenged, here are some slightly less daunting recommendations for the weekend.

Manchester, Vermont
Nestled at the foot of 3,816-foot Mount Equinox, Manchester, Vermont is a shopper's paradise (you think I'm kidding, but I'm not). A trip to Vermont is never complete without our requisite stop at the outlets!

Hildene
Manchester, Vermont is home to Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln's 412-acre summer estate. Robert, the son of President and Mrs. Lincoln, first visited Manchester as a young man in the summers of 1863 and 1864 when he came to the Equinox Hotel with his mother and his brother Tad. He was so taken by the beauty of Vermont that some forty years later he returned to purchase 500 acres of land to build what he would call his ancestral home. Make sure you plan a visit to the property which has one of President Lincoln's Stove Pipe Hats on display and great views of the entire Equinox Valley.

The Orvis Company
For those fishing and hunting enthusiasts among us, make sure you stop by Orvis' new retail store. Charles Orvis founded the Orvis Company in Manchester, Vermont in 1856. The Orvis’ flagship retail store is still located here and offers a huge array the finest fly fishing equipment as well as fly fishing classes.

The Southern Vermont Arts Center
Located in Manchester, Vermont is the Southern Vermont Arts Center, a non-profit art center for visual and performing arts. The Arts Center, which exhibits both classic and contemporary art, is housed in a beautiful National Historic Trust Mansion on the slopes of Mount Equinox. A traveling exhibition featuring the work of Time Magazine photojournalist Diana Walker will be on display during the September 6th weekend. SVAC's Garden Café serves wonderful lunches as well.

Dorset, Vermont
Approximately five miles north of Manchester is the town of Dorset, a well-preserved community with a charming town green bordered by painted white-clapboard houses with green shutters. Home to the first Vermont convention in 1776, Dorset now draws visitors with its much-respected Dorset Theatre Festival, swimming areas and deluxe gourmet fare restaurants. Should you be looking for some bedtime reading visit the website of the Dorset Historical Society at www.dorsethistory.com for a nailbiting history of the Town of Dorset.

J.K Adams and Company
J.K. Adams has been designing, manufacturing and distributing wood products from Dorset, Vermont since 1944. My sister and I will attest that we never leave home without a visit to the Kitchen Store! Located on three floors, the store has a huge variety of kitchen gadgets, gourmet foods and J.K. Adams signature products.

Stay tuned for more information on great restaurants in the area and a rundown of the weekend's events. For more information on things to do during your stay, please visit www.manchestervermont.net.