Greetings from Burke, VT

November 2021

Stick Season

It's a quiet time of year in these parts which can also be the perfect time to get away for a country retreat before the holiday chaos arrives. If you prefer to visit when there's snow to play in, it's also the perfect time to get a jumpstart on winter vacation plans. Book early, tune up the skis, dust off the fat bikes and bring the snowmobiles out of the garage. Winter is on the way! Bring it on, Mother Nature!

Things to do

While outdoor activities are limited right now, there are lots of ways to stay in shape. Have you been waiting for a Pilates option in the area? Well, the wait is over! Centerpoint Pilates offers private and duet lessons plus weekly classes including some designed for bikers or runners. Classes are at CrossCycle Fitness which also offers Bodycamp and Strength classes as well as personal training. Kilos Performance and Fitness offers semi-private training programs and group conditioning classes.

You don't even have to live here to enjoy local classes! XIP Training offers online training videos as well as a range of in person bootcamps for various age groups. Just in time for the holidays, Sweetwater Studios has a virtual Meditation and Mindfulness class. And for something completely different, Alia Thabil offers online, weekly belly dance classes!

Events happening this month include:

November 2nd - Shake & Holla

November 6th - Chili Cook-Off

November 8th - 15th - SOLO Wilderness First Responder Course

November 13th & 14th - Craft Fair and Specialty Food Show

November 19th - Warren Miller's 72nd Film - "Winter Starts Now"

November 20th & 21st - SOLO Wilderness First Aid & CPR Course

MORE EVENTS...

Deal of the Month

Who doesn't like a good contest? From now until Christmas, Community National Bank is giving back to the community and supporting local businesses in the area.

The What Community Truly Means Holiday Campaign is a free contest. Just enter your email address and you'll be entered to win a $100 - $200 gift certificate to a local business of your choice.

No gimmicks involved!

Each week offers the chance to win a different type of gift certificate for various business sectors including:

Vehicle Maintenance

Groceries

Retail

Salon, Spa and Barbershop

Dining/Take Out

Two winners will be picked each week and you can enter once per week.

You do not need to be a customer of Community National Bank to enter, but you do have to be over 18 and live in a select VT or NH county including anywhere in the Northeast Kingdom.

It's a fun and easy way to help you out with needs of the season whether you're getting snow tires put on or are shopping for gifts. It's also a great way to support businesses and Shop Local this holiday season.

Unpack & Unwind

Whether you're visiting this month or planning for winter, there's a home away from home just waiting for you.

Enjoy old school style ski house charm and 1,800 square feet of space at East Burke House. The four bedroom home sleeps up to ten and offers amazing views from the huge windows. After a day on the slopes, you can come home and warm up by the huge stone fireplace.

Caledonia Cottage offers a great location tucked away on a quiet road, but still minutes to the slopes and VAST trails. The three bedroom farmhouse has laundry facilities and a barn for gear storage.

Stay walking distance to the village while still being hidden away on a back road at Burke Sugar Shack. There's room for 6 and a great view of Burke Mountain from the private backyard. Skiing, fat-biking, and Nordic treks are just minutes away.

Enjoy 13 acres to call your own at Play Hard Mountain Sports. The beautiful post and beam home has 3 bedrooms, a loft area and room for up to ten people. Cook up a feast in the high grade kitchen and enjoy amazing sunset views.

Enjoy a rustic retreat with loads of amenities including WiFi, gear storage, full kitchens, washer/dryer and direct VAST trail access at GNS Properties. 7 Cabins are available that sleep from 4-19 people.

MORE LODGING...

Shop Early & Local

Supply chain issues, holidays on the way .....hmmm...some things that are definitely NOT sitting on cargo ships are local products made from local hands and from local farms. If ever there was a time to shop early and shop local, it's now!

Sign up now for Thanksgiving Shares from Burke Area Farmers including locally grown squash, carrots, turnips and other veggies. Shares also include eggs, farm raised meats and even focaccia from Trenchers Farmhouse. Products from Firefly Farm will also be included and you can also shop the farmstand on November 20th and 21st for Thanksgiving feast needs.

Whether you live here or not, the best way to add some Vermont to the table or under the tree is with Maple Syrup. You'll find that along with Maple Peanut Butter Cream, Maple Crunch and other items online at Burke Mountain Maple Company.

Cross some folks off your holiday list with one-of-a-kind items including hand-turned wooden bowls and pens from Sanderson's Wooden Bowls, available for purchase online and at their East Burke studio.

Wonderfully unique gifts for someone special are made by hand at High Beams LIghting. Each item is custom made and includes brass and copper lamps as well as mica or fabric lampshades infused with real leaves and flower petals. You can find their work at local galleries or contact them directly for purchases.

MORE LOCAL SHOPPING CHOICES...