Holiday News

As you read this, a 60-foot lawn ornament is gracing the grounds of the U.S. Capitol: A Christmas tree grown in Somerset, Vermont! With a price tag of $125,000, the tree has been primed and pampered for decades en route to becoming one of the world's most photographed trees. Read all about it in "Deck the Halls... Of Power" and then watch a video of the heart-warming cutting ceremony, complete with a guest appearance by Hannah Teter, Vermont's own snowboarding gold medalist!

Listen Up!
Dedicated to the sounds of her Franco-American roots,
Michèle Choinière was one of two recipients of this year's Governor's Heritage Award for her contribution to preserving Vermont's traditional culture.
Listen to a track from her CD
"Coeur Fragile."

Fit for a Queen
Burlington entrepreneur John Perry has been translating photographic images into dazzling, three-dimensional holograms for over 20 years. In "The Illusionist," read about how this melding of science and art has made him one of the world's leading producers of large-scale holography, even in the eyes of the Queen of England...
Read more...

Come Play!
The Mountain Top Inn provides guests with luxuriously cozy accommodations and an extensive selection of winter activities including 80 kilometers of snowshoeing trials and moonlit snowmobile tours. Plus, the promise of a warm seat by the fire...
Read more...

Just Out!
Vermont Life Editor Emeritus Tom Slayton has just published an engaging series of essays retracing naturalist Henry David Thoreau's journeys through New England 150 years ago. "Searching for Thoreau" is a wonderful gift for both Thoreau lovers and nature lovers in general!
Read more...

14 Writers Explain Why They Call Vermont Home
by Philip Baruth
For centuries, Vermont has attracted creative souls who have found inspiration in the state's landscape, people and spirit. Award-winning and bestselling writers, including Chris Bohjalian, Julia Alvarez and Katherine Paterson share their thoughts — in 200 words or less — on why they call Vermont home.
Read more...

Recipe of the Month
from Marie Boutin, owner of Vermont-based Boutin's snowshoes*
As a special Holiday treat, here's a recipe just for newsletter subscribers.

MAPLE BOUTIN PECAN PIE

9 in. unbaked pie crust
3 eggs
¾ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups maple syrup
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
whipped cream

Prepare pie shell, refrigerate until ready to fill.

Preheat oven to 375°.

In medium bowl, beat eggs slightly with rotary beater. Add sugar, flour, syrup and butter; beat until well blended. Stir in chopped pecans. Turn into unbaked pie shell, bake 40-45 min. or just until filling is set in the center. (Shake pie gently, center should be firm.) Let cool on wire rack. Serve with whipped cream.

* Watch a video of Marie Boutin making
  traditional wooden snowshoes.

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