Plan Your Garden With
Help From Elmore

There's tremendous beauty and benefit to living in a true four-season state. One trade-off, however, is a short growing season. But that hasn't stopped us from growing plums, pears, plenty of berries and many more fruits. Our ability to do so is thanks to ingenious Vermonters like David Fried of Elmore Roots Nursery. He has developed cold-hearty varietals that produce fruit during our succinct summer and also make it through our cold winters. As his motto says, "If it grows in Elmore, it will grow where you are." As you plan your garden this year, take a look at Dirk Van Susteren's piece about Fried and the contributions he has made to our edible landscape and learn about the surprisingly large variety of food-producing plants you can add to your backyard.

Are We Alright?

Our Spring issue is in your hands by now, and we've received some wonderful e-mails about the stories and photographs. One subject that we've received a lot of correspondence about is our cover line, "The Kids Are Alright." Many of you wrote to say that you prefer to see "alright" as two words: "all right." We thought we'd let you in on our thinking -- we were quoting The Who's song by the same name; "The Kids Are Alright." Merriam-Webster says either spelling is OK, so we went with this cultural reference. So we weren't asleep at the wheel, though we appreciate that so many of you are such careful readers!

News From Vermont

Soon, all things Coolidge will be under one roof. A new President Calvin Coolidge Museum and Education Center is under construction in Plymouth. Easier access to archives, better study space, a great room for programs and receptions and a larger gift shop are just some of the improvements being made to the former president's homestead. You are cordially invited to the grand opening and dedication ceremony on Aug. 7 -- so start making your plans to visit Vermont this summer for this very special event. Click here for visitor information and here for project details.

Take 5

Vyto Starinskas photographed two stories in our Spring issue: Full Circle and The Science of Fun.

1. Did you enjoy shooting the Path of Life Garden assignment?
VS: That assignment was a challenge because I am a photojournalist who primarily photographs people. This assignment was about mood, light and the spirits. I was there at 5 a.m. one day and at sunset another day. In the morning, the fog was beautiful and the weather cold and stark. The grass and sculptures were covered with dew. Everything was gray due to the fog. My sunset was also hazy, but the skies cleared revealing the bright moon. The time I spent alone there was the most fun. The bright sun kind of ruins the mood there, but it's a great time to bring kids there to explore the different paths of life.

2. How would you compare shooting that assignment to shooting the Montshire Museum story?
VS: The museum is full of life and movement: machines, bubbles and rolling balls stretch childrens' imaginations. Bells, chimes and clunks fill the building with sound. Outside children run after tiny sailboats, grab at fleeing butterflies or run down wooded paths. There is movement everywhere.

3. Do you prefer shooting inside or outside?
VS: I think most photographers would prefer photographing outside. I guess the important thing is to tell a story no matter where it happens. Then deal with the technical problems of the assignment. Outside assignments offer less technical problems such as lighting and color. Also, we live in Vermont. Outdoor pictures are going to be more spectacular.

4. How do you typically spend your free time?
VS: Working. I am the chief photographer at the Rutland Herald, teach photojournalism classes at Castleton State College and the College of St. Joseph, photograph weddings and do freelance for magazines. I have two teenage sons, so that's even more work. I do ski and golf a lot, but I also work a lot to be able to live in Vermont and raise kids here.

5. What are your favorite places to ski?
VS: Killington, Jay Peak, Stratton, Sugarbush, Stowe, Pico, Middlebury ...

To Do List for March

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb ... sometimes. You never know what kind of weather this month will bring. Why not come find out for yourself?

Get into the spring spirit by joining master craftsman Geoffrey Burke of Chocorua Boatworks for a paddle-making workshop. March 7 at Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee. Preregistration required, 333-3405.

Learn about land and trail conservation at the Green Mountain Horse Association's Trails Summit. Landowners, equestrians, snowmobilers, mountain bikers, hikers and skiers are welcome to learn more about the land. 8:30 a.m. on March 13 at the GMHA Youth Center, South Woodstock. 457-1509.

On March 20, enter the Vermont Antique Ski Race at Suicide Six. It's a chance to test out those old wooden skis in the garage, plus it's a fundraiser for the Vermont Ski Museum. Three categories include Wood, Metal/Fiberglass and Strictly Vintage. 253-9911, ext. 202.

Through April 25, catch the Andy Warhol exhibit at the University of Vermont's Fleming Museum in Burlington. Represented in the exhibition are Polaroid photographs of such fashion icons as Halston, Carolina Herrera, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein and Diane von Furstenberg. 656-0750.

— Sky Barsch Gleiner, Events Editor

All area codes are (802) unless otherwise noted. Some events require tickets and admission, so please call ahead.

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