Deal or No Deal?

By Millicent K. Brody

After a ten-day stay, it was had to leave Stratton Mountain. Even though we ended up traipsing around in the pouring rain for four days, I still loved it there.

Now that I’m back, I must comment on the question I’m most frequently asked: “So, what were the outlets like?”

I think it’s fair to say we all love a bargain; however, please don’t visit Manchester, Vermont for the outlets. There are no bargains. Most of whatever you’re looking for can be purchased at your favorite local department store or specialty shop for a lot less money. But if you love browsing country roads filled with barns and shops overflowing with antiques and bibelots, go ahead and plan an excursion.

I will admit, I’m a sucker for the Vermont Country Store. You really can’t visit Vermont without stopping and browsing the shelves, bins, nooks and crannies at Vermont’s “Voice of the Mountain”. But don’t expect to find any great deals there, either.

I was—and still am—searching for a red-and-white check cotton tablecloth. My first thought was, “What better place to find it than the Vermont Country Store?” No such luck.

What they did have (and please don’t laugh) was a “Genuine Oilcloth: Wipe-Clean, Real, Fabric Cloth, That Won’t Peel or Crack”.

How many of you remember your grandmother’s “Genuine Oilcloth Tablecloth” that was like a part of her kitchen table?

At first I thought, "Go for it. It's probably the closest thing to what you’re really looking for,” but then I lifted the size 60 x 84 cloth ($59.95), and thought, “NO!” Aside from the fact that it weighed a ton, I could not stop seeing my late mother’s face. She’d never approve of inviting friends to dinner and serving them on oilcloth, genuine or otherwise.

Then, because I had orders for several long, colorful rain slickers, I headed over to that department. Again, no such luck. However, the very kind salesperson gave me the address of a shop in Maine that would happily welcome my online order.

If you find yourself in Vermont and hankering for a bit of shopping, definitely visit the historic village of Grafton. Stop by My Mind’s Eye for a chat with proprietor and craftsman Jason Ballard. Watch as he creates everything from wooden bowls to furniture to wine stoppers, all right in his studio/showroom. (55 Bell Rd., Grafton,Vt., mymindsdesign.com). Also on Main Street is the Hunter Gallery of Fine Art, which offers blown glass, pastels, watercolors, and sculptures.

Don’t leave without a visit to the Grafton Cooperative Cheese Company. (533 Townshend Road, Grafton). Founded in 1892, Grafton Cheese is crafted from hormone-free cow milk gathered from family farms across the state. Aged from one to four years, Grafton Cheese was named among the top 100 cheeses in the world by Wine Spectator Magazine. Enjoy generous samples, a grand assortment of crackers, and the chance to purchase a fine selection of cheddar cheese.

Of course, it’s virtually impossible to drop everything and run to Vermont, but if you’d like to enjoy the leaves and music, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Made in Vermont Music Festival’ takes place Wednesday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets: $22 adults: $18 seniors 65 and over; $12 students: Flynn Tix at 802.86-FLYNN and at wso.org)

Even Without Snow, Stratton, VT is the Place to Go

By Millicent K. Brody

While the traffic inched its way toward the Jersey shore, we chuckled as we cruised to the village of Stratton, Vermont. Once there, I was totally mesmerized.

Stratton is, essentially, a bit of Switzerland a mere five hours from my Westfield doorstep. Located in the heart of the Green Mountains of Vermont, Stratton is ready to provide whatever Vermont has to offer.

From Thanksgiving to Easter, the area is perfect for skiing. If you’re more of a fan of warm-weather pursuits, head up there during the summer months for golf, tennis, swimming, hiking, canoeing, biking, kayaking, or even a game of paintball. For golf and tennis enthusiasts who want to take their game to the next level, there’s Stratton’s renowned Golf University or the Cliff Drysdale Tennis School. And for those of us non-sporting types, there are plenty of shops to peruse, local theatrical productions to check out, and, of course, pastoral landscapes wherever you turn.

A favorite summer pastime is a gondola ride to Stratton’s summit, then a climb to the top of the fire tower for 360 degree views of the White and Green Mountains, the Berkshires, and the Adirondacks. And while you may not be up to hiking all 270 miles of the Long Trail, (the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States), you are welcome to join other hikers and explore the spine of the Green Mountains.

Lucky for us, friends have been visiting the area for more than twelve years, so we were in good hands from the moment we arrived.

Cynthia Knowles, a local rental manager, was able to book a two bedroom/two bath condo replete with lovely furnishings, and a delightful deck for two weeks in August. However, I’ve subsequently learned that for as little as $69 per night, you can stay at the Inn at Stratton Mountain and walk to nearly everything the resort has to offer. You can also create your own home-away-from home at the Long Trail House where premium one-bedroom accommodations, including a kitchen, deck, outdoor pool, and hot tub, start at $130 per night. And if you want to spread out in style, three-bedroom condos with chef’s kitchens at the Hearthstone Lodge, on the Common, start at $249 per night. There you can soak in the Jacuzzi hot tub, or take in the scenery from your own private deck.

If you visit, you really must take time to enjoy your favorite flavor of ice cream at Silver Springs Scoops, in Manchester. I’ve got to confess, as an ice cream enthusiast, I was a constant consumer.

Not to worry about meals. Restaurants at Stratton Mountain Village welcome families and are priced to suit your budget. Try Mulberry Street Pasta and Pizza, which offers two-for-one pizzas on Wednesday, or Mulligan’s, where lobster specials reign on Monday and prime rib on Sunday. For breakfast, swing by Partridge in a Pantry deli, where folks congregate for bagels. Afterward, you may consider a day trip to the Saratoga Race Track and other exciting local attractions.

Forget that it’s all about snow and winter: Consider Vermont for your next summer getaway.

FYI:

the Inn at Stratton Mountain: Call: 1.800.STRATTON

Visit: stratton.com/summer

For Rental Reservations:

Cynthia Knowles: 802.297.4572

Patty Hernandez: 802.297.4571

Shop 'Til You Drop

By Brianne Harrison

It’s no secret that the economy is hitting businesses hard, and small and independent businesses are being hit the hardest. Those trying to make their living in fashion are being dealt a particularly difficult hand: even in the best of times, fashion is one of the most difficult industries to succeed in.

There’s strength in numbers, though, as well as an excellent opportunity for shoppers, and 25 independent and emerging designers from New York and New Jersey are gathering at Creative Conspiracy, a temporary retail space in Montclair, to introduce their collections.

For four days, shoppers can browse men’s and women’s clothes, jewelry, and accessories while also taking advantage of the entertainment and free services being offered. Sip a free mocktail while you shop and enjoy a discounted makeover, a free chair massage, or a free hair styling courtesy of Bangz Salon and Wellness Spa when you get tired.

Creative Conspiracy is a great place to find a perfect Mother’s Day gift or to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Best of all, you’ll walk away with beautiful items and the satisfaction of knowing you helped a deserving designer who might otherwise not be able to keep doing what they love and do best.

Participating designers include J.B Born, B. Artise Originals, Sandra Baquero, Atlantis Jewelry, Marcelle Decaille, Vernakular, Devils May Care, Issy Salomon, Butter by Keba, A Seat at the Table, Pinnington Bags, Sierra Rising, Guerrilla Soul, Must-Have Accessories, Rhizome Design Concepts, Sohung Designs, Vanessa Ro Designs, Z Chocolate Candy, Amparo3, Park It Guides, NTR Designs, and Gail Toma. The event kicks off with a VIP opening on Thursday, April 16 and runs through Sunday, April 19 at 10 South Park St. in Montclair. To see a preview of the wares being offered, click here. For more information, visit creativeconspiracybyb.com.

Wine on a Dime

By Maureen C. Petrosky

Last Saturday night, after an early mass, my in-laws picked up a bottle of wine and headed out for a dinner date. After hearing “We’re booked solid”, “We can seat you at 10pm”, and “There’s at least an hour wait to be seated” from three separate restaurants, defeated, they headed home for leftovers.

This was not New York City; in fact they were right in Union County, NJ. Needless to say, it left them shaking their heads and wondering about this “terrible economy”. You may have seen the New York Times food page with Mario Batali, Sirio Maccioni, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten sporting sandwich boards advertising sales and open tables. Yet try for a table (at a reasonable time) on the highly coveted Friday/ Saturday night slot and you’ll still be lucky to score.

On the flip side, we attended a wedding recently and a friend slid in the pew next to me, with the air that he’d already been celebrating. In response to the typical How are you, he spat, “I got laid off this afternoon”. It’s brutal. Whether you’re looking for work, just trying to enjoy a hard-earned retirement, attempting to buy your first house, or struggling to sell the one you seem to be stuck with, our present economy, or just talk of it, is depressing. The silver lining here: there’s good news in wine, in that there are plenty of great affordable wine to help you get through these times. The number of great wines to be had for under $20 is astounding, and there’re even some gems for $10 and under.

Here’re a sassy red and a lovely bubbly that will turn that pocketbook’s frown upside down.

Borsao Crianza, 2006, $15 This rich red hails from Spain’s Campo de Borja region. The wine smells fabulous, with a nose full of ripe fruit that explodes in your mouth. Great tannin structure, with hints of vanilla and lots of spice make this is a memorable wine. If you only want a sip- no worries, it’s even better on the second day!

La Marca Prosecco Di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene $12.99 Let this bubbly help you ring in spring. One of the best Proseccos out there. It’s medium- bodied, with fun flirty citrus flavors and great minerality for a clean crisp finish.

Both of these bottles can be found at Joe Canal’s, where a free membership gets you an even further discount: this month bringing the Borsao to $12. At Joe Canal’s if you buy a case of mixed wine you save 10% anytime and they email members each week with all of their sale items.

For more wine on a dime, you can find my picks of ten wines under $20 worth a whirl on fineliving.com

For more great wines under $20, see the April issue of New Jersey Life, on newsstands March 31 and online March 18