Networking News
From left, Debbie Lang of the Barns at Lang Farm shows off healing jewelry from Marsya Ancker of Marsya Mind Body Spirit.

Businesses flock to chamber’s annual holiday party

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BURLINGTON — As it has for decades, KeyBank played host to the annual Holiday Party in downtown Burlington in December. The event served as a networking event of Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce (LCRCC), with Farrell Distributing, Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Cheese & Wine Traders joining as sponsors. Several local businesses celebrated both the season and strong economic years, and that included the hosts. Don Baker, Vermont market president at KeyBank, said, “We’re coming off maybe our strongest year ever. The economy is gradually getting better, and there’s lots of optimism, post-election, for growth.

Hilary McCoy poses for a photo at Blush Salon & Beauty Lounge in Rutland.
Rutland County

Hair stylist brings career home

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RUTLAND – Hilary McCoy brings lots of skill to her job as a hair stylist, but for her it’s more about the people. “It’s all about consultation,” she said, and that’s been key for the Rutland native who just moved back home. Over the years, McCoy said, “I listened, I knew my clients and I knew what they were looking for.”

After 16 years of building her career as a hair stylist in the Boston area, McCoy recently brought her talents back to her hometown of Rutland and is part of the team at Blush Salon & Beauty Lounge on Center Street. It’s a people business, and that’s what she loves most about her work. “I love interacting with different people every day,” McCoy said.

Sue Brisson teaches her granddaugher Makenna Dooley on Mitey Mite learning area at Bolton Valley.
sports

Bolton Valley hits 50-year milestone

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Most ski areas begin to wind down at 3:30 p.m. Not Bolton Valley Resort — it literally lights up and livens up. That’s because the area, which is open daily, offers extensive night skiing Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 to 10 p.m. With Bolton’s location near Burlington and Montpelier, night skiing attracts all ages: adults for league racing, kids for the after-school program, college students after classes, and others for recreation with family or friends. With its iconic Alpine Village and amenities, Bolton also entices families from out of state with convenient and affordable slopeside lodging. Sue Brisson, who first skied at Bolton Valley 45 years ago, has seen many changes, but she’s most impressed “by what hasn’t changed. It’s kept its old-Vermont flavor and friendliness.

state news
Jeff Flanders of Greg’s Auto in Rutland changes out a pair of spark plugs in the shop Tuesday afternoon.

State is tightening vehicle inspection process

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Vermonters who may have “shopped around” for a mechanic to get their vehicle to pass inspection are running out of time and luck.

The state is about to introduce a computerized vehicle inspection system, creating a database that’s designed to ensure more accurate and uniform vehicle inspections.

Called the automated vehicle inspection program, or AVIP, the new system is being rolled out in the spring to the state’s roughly 1,500 inspection stations.

Each inspection station will buy a specially designed wireless tablet that plugs into a vehicle’s onboard computer system to track emissions-related data. It also allows mechanics to enter safety inspection data and take a photo of the vehicle.

The results are then wirelessly sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“The new device will help in the electronic collection of data so we know why the majority of cars fail an inspection, something we don’t know now,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Robert Ide.

Chittenden County
Emcee and auctioneer Tim Kavanagh embraces CPSF board member Elizabeth Warren at this year's Culinary Classic.

Culinary Classic highlights a connected, caring community

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BURLINGTON — Nearly 400 people filled the event space in the Dudley H. Davis Center at the University of Vermont for the Second annual Culinary Classic to benefit the Cancer Patient Support Foundation, or CPSF. The mid-November event brought together six of the area’s top chefs to compete for the Culinary Cup and People’s Choice Awards, and also featured both silent and live auctions and a dramatic “Mission Moment” on-site donation drive that followed a moving video presentation on the impact of CPSF in people’s lives. Christian Kruse, executive chef of the Basin Harbor Club in Ferrisburgh, took home the Culinary Cup in the judged competition, and Narin Phanthakhot, executive chef at Butch + Babe’s in Burlington earned the People’s Choice award, but the real winners were those who benefit from CPSF supports. This year’s Classic raised more than $112,000 to help CPSF provide emergency assistance to cancer patients, and their families, who are experiencing financial hardship due to their illness and treatment. Elizabeth Warren, who, along with husband Todd Warren, owns Vermont Custom Closets and Otter Creek Awnings in Williston, is a member of the CPSF board and served as the committee chair for this year’s Culinary Classic.

Networking News
From left, the Vermont Lake Monsters were represented by Adam Matth, Joe Doud and Meg Patrick at the Burlington Business Association’s recent event.

BBA Winter Social helps UVM Alumni House shine

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BURLINGTON — Burlington Business Association (BBA) held its Winter Social on Dec. 1 at the new Alumni House at the University of Vermont (UVM). Farmhouse Provisions catered the event, and music from pianist Paul Webb added an additional touch of elegance. Kelly Devine, executive director at BBA, said, “Some of our events are educationally based, but every once in awhile we like to have a little fun, too. Tonight is really about getting folks together and celebrating the season.

Ilamae Lund is shown with her new book “Holy Cows” at The Eloquent Page in St. Albans.
agriculture

Author remembers Christmas on the family farm

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ST. ALBANS — Ask St. Albans author Ilamae Lund about plans for her birthday next year, or any designs she might have for a fourth book, and she laughs. Hard. “It’s a day at a time for this old kid,” Lund said on Dec. 9, during a book signing at The Eloquent Page, in St. Albans.

Employees and partnes of Lionine Public Policy work in "The Lion's Den" space within the Montpelier lobbying firm's new offices at One Blanchard Court, formerly occupied by First in Fitness. The firm, founded in 1987, has not only just moved over from its former State Street offices, it has rebranded itself as Lionine Public Affairs, doing away with its original moniker, KSE Partners.
News

After 30 years, KSE rebrands to reflect broad expertise

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MONTPELIER — After 30 years in business, a Montpelier lobbying firm is getting a makeover of sorts. KSE Partners, the firm started by Steve Kimbell and Robert Sherman, is now Leonine Public Affairs. The company is rebranding itself to better reflect its scope of expertise.

News
Skier Jill Griff in Obermeyer’s Siren parka shows a kid’s print snowpant while Dan Probst displays Chilkat Bib and jacket and a snowpant/jacket outfit with compass attached to jacket at children’s section of Okemo Snow Sports Shop.

Sport Obermeyer: Blending fashion, functionality

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Fashionista or functionalist, chances are, anyone who has taken up skiing since the 1950s has worn Obermeyer apparel at some point. That’s because Sport Obermeyer is one of the pioneering designers of skiwear and the oldest U.S. skiwear brand — other “oldie but goodies” are Bogner, a German brand dating to 1932, and Descente, a Japanese producer since 1954.

While many of the original ski clothing retailers have succumbed to today’s competition from bigger companies like LL Bean, North Face and Patagonia, family-owned and operated Sport Obermeyer continues to thrive on a formula of fashion, elegant fabrics, functional designs, technical performance and durability.

“Obermeyer is such an iconic ski-attire brand, it’s the original. I have always appreciated their skiwear design, the technical features and fabric, quality zippers and pockets, in fun classic colors,” said Heather Burke, ski journalist and editor of FamilySkiTrips.com.

This is a rendering of the new sailing center being built at Burlington’s waterfront.
Chittenden County

Construction underway on sailing center

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BURLINGTON — Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center (CSC) hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking event on Nov. 15, just north of Waterfront Park in Burlington. The site will be home to CSC’s new world-class waterfront campus and sailing education center, which are already under construction. The ceremony included the announcement of two major “anchor” gifts — of $1 million each — which went a long way toward fulfilling CSC’s $5.75 million Love Your Lake Capital Campaign. These gifts, from the Pomerleau Family Foundation and from family and friends in honor of Raymond P. Sullivan, will help create The Pomerleau Community Waterfront Campus and Raymond P. Sullivan Sailing Education Center.