Posts Tagged ‘Vermont’

July 4th Weekend 2011 in Warren Vermont

Saturday, June 11th, 2011
Vermont Symphony 2011 Summer Tour Banner

Vermont Symphony 2011 Summer Tour

The holiday weekend in Warren is chock full of excitement this year, starting on Friday July 1st and running through to Monday July 4th. Plan to stay at West Hill House for all four nights and we will make all the arrangements you need to enjoy your visit at an all inclusive price!

July 1st. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra offers “Symphony Royale” with Anthony Princiotti, conducting music fit for a king…or a summer evening in Vermont! Handel’s fireworks begin the program and Northstar’s fireworks conclude it, in this musical homage to royalty. The noble procession includes Scheherazade’s Kalendar Prince, the King and Queen of Troy, and the King of Siam. In honor of Independence Day, we celebrate our freedom from monarchical rule with America’s own version of royalty, Duke Ellington! The performance will be crowned, as always, by the majestic 1812 Overture and selections from Sousa, the March King. The performance is being hosted at Sugarbush.
The gates open at 5:00 PM for an included barbecue dinner and the concert begins at 7:30 PM.

Waitsfield Farmers' Market

Waitsfield Farmers' Market

George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw

July 2nd. The renowned Waitsfield Farmers’ Market will be open from 9AM till 1PM. You will find fresh produce, flowers, seedlings, honey, wool, eggs, meat, cheese and other farm products. In addition you will find crafts made in Vermont, baked goods, and prepared food. There will also be live entertainment provided by local musicians. You will also find community groups such as the Vermont Festival of the Arts, Localvores, local libraries and fire departments.

Dinner on Saturday evening will be your choice from the many excellent nearby restaurants.

Still on July 2nd enjoy a performance by the excellent Valley Players of the classic George Bernard Shaw’s play “Arms and the Man”.
The play is set during the four-month-long Serbo-Bulgarian War that occurred between November 1885 and March 1886, this play is a satire on the absurdity of glorifying war, as well as a satire on the foolishness of basing your affections on idealistic notions of love. These themes brought reality and a timeless lesson to the comic stage. Consequently, once Shaw’s genius was recognized, Arms and the Man became one of Shaw’s most popular plays and has remained a classic ever since. The Performance starts at 7:30PM.

On Sunday July 3rd enjoy the Stars and Stripes Charity Airshow at Warren-Sugarbush airport featuring bi-plane aerobatics and other great stunts. This year there will be a model airplane demo, glider aerobatics and with both vintage plans and classic motorcycles on display. Check the video to see what you will be in for! Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and show starts at 1:00 p.m.  All proceeds to benefit the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization which serves to meet the emergency financial needs of the men and women of the Vermont National Guard and their families.

The Common Man Restaurant

The Common Man

On Sunday evening we will make reservations for you at The Common Man Restaurant, in our view the best restaurant in the area. (It will be open specially for the Sunday of the holiday weekend.)

Over 150 years old, the soaring hand hewn rafters of the timbered interior are lit by crystal chandeliers, soft candlelight, and a huge open-hearth manor fireplace in season. (See the photo alongside.) Dining is elegantly casual and casually elegant, definitely romantic, and is applauded by Vermonters and visitors alike. The restaurant has earned scores of prestigious awards.

Then the pièce de resistance on Monday, the 63rd consecutive Warren 4th of July Parade.

The event celebrates independence with a wild, wacky, and wickedly fun parade, street dance, and family festivities! The theme is “ACT LIKE A LOCAL:_________” (blank to be filled in by the participants!). This is always an “interesting” event with political correctness being left at home as floats assembled by area denizens broadcast their point of view to visitors from far and wide! The Parade starts at 10AM. Live Music will begin following the parade with Jimmy Yozell at the Warren Store porch for the big street dance and Mad Mountain Scramblers at Brooks Field (elementary school), a short walk from the village.

The video was compiled by Sugarbush from last year’s parade.

On Monday evening West Hill House will provide an alfresco dinner sitting out on our Garden Terrace overlooking our gardens. Then in the evening about 9:45PM you can watch an amazing Fireworks display at Sugarbush.

Enjoy this exciting and unique long weekend with an all inclusive price from West Hill House, with four night packages starting at $999 per couple. The price includes tickets for all the events and meals described above, one of our beautiful well appointed en-suite queen-bedded guest rooms for four nights, and breakfast each morning of course. (Only extras are lunches, dinner at your choice of restaurant on Saturday evening and any alcoholic drinks.)  We will also be happy to customize the weekend package to your preferences. Tickets for the various events are subject to availability.

Small Weddings: Budget & Family Friendly

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Family join Jennifer and Mark for their December 2010 wedding.

Your wedding should be a very special day which expresses your style and personality, even if you are working with a small wedding budget. Small weddings are the trend these days as couples are opting for a more personal occasion with just family and close friends. Small and intimate weddings provide an opportunity for the couple to visit with each guest, to relax and enjoy the occasion, to really put their personal touches on the celebration, and for the families to get to know each other in a comfortable setting. To say nothing of saving money to put towards a wonderful honeymoon, a house down-payment or even towards paying off student loans.

If you have an intimate wedding in mind why not consider a B&B venue? Such a location can provide a dramatic backdrop for your own special touches. Whether an elegant country estate, an urban city-scape, or like ours, a mountain setting with meadows, gazebo, handsome red barn, ponds and gardens, there is a B&B sure to suit your taste.

You can have the memorable, intimate wedding of your dreams with memories to last a life time, without breaking the bank. Small is beautiful!

At West Hill House B&B we work with highly qualified, local wedding professionals to help you plan a stress free occasion. We have facilities for weddings from 2 to 80 people and we still have a few June and July 2011 dates available for wedding bookings. We pride ourselves in providing you and your guests with personal attention and excellent service, all in a restful country setting near Sugarbush in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont.

Une visite de France

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Three cousins visiting from France delighted us with this guest blog about their visit to the Mad River Valley. Nous disons, “Merci, Fanny, Audrey, et Valerie pour votre visite.”

Nous avons passé quelques jours au West Hill House chez Susan et Peter en août 2010. Et quel séjour au coeur des Green Mountains, dans le Vermont. Les hôtes sont charmants et très accueillants, heureux de nous faire partager leur passion pour leur magnifique région. La maison est très jolie et confortable, rappelant les maisons Américaines (exterieur), Canadiennes et Ecossaises (intérieur). Quant aux petits déjeuners de Susan : exquis !! Et en tant que Français, tout le monde sait à quel point nous aimons les mets de qualité!

Et pour finir deux grands chats adorables : Smoky et Snowball!

La région du Vermont vaut le détour : de belles randonnées dans les Green Montains, des baignades dans la rivière, beaucoup d’expositions d’artistes et artisans d’art, The Warren store à voir absolument (Magasin qui rappelle le magasin de Mr Olson dans la petite maison dans la prairie!!), vous pourrez y déguster de délicieux petits plats et trouver des objets insolites, The Store à Waitsfield (petite ville à quelque kilometres de Warren) où l’on vous accueille avec une tasse de thé ou de café, vous y trouverez tout le necessaire pour cuisiner : des ustensiles aux condiments. Cette région regorge de “red barn” = fermes typiques rouges, de ponts couverts, et de restaurants où nous avons toujours très bien mangé.

Bref, je gardais du Vermont un souvenir exceptionnel, 15 ans après mon premier voyage, j’ai retrouvé la même authenticité et le même accueil chaleureux.

N’hésitez plus, West Hill House et le Vermont sont des lieux que l’on n’oublie pas ! Pour ma part, je reviendrai en automne ou en hiver, cela doit être magique!

Welcome Home Vermont Guard!

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
Welcome Home Vermont Guard - special B&B stay offer

Welcome Home Vermont Guard

The West Hill House and 17 other Vermont Select Registry Inns are offering complimentary stays for any Vermont Guard member at one of the participating Inns. These outstanding citizen soldiers have made tremendous sacrifices for us. Thank you Vermont Guard! If you are a Vermont Guard member call us or any of the Vermont Select Registry Inns for a reservation.

At West Hill House B&B we are offering a free two-night stay to any returning Guard member and significant other during the months of January, February and March 2011 (except Presidents Week from February 20th to 24th). The offer applies to stays on Sunday through Thursday nights. Discounted ski passes are also available.

PLEASE become a fan of the Face Book fan page Welcome Home Vermont Guard. Details of the program can be found on the fan page and at this special web page.

Small Wedding Ideas

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Wedding planning means attending to a myriad details: choosing invitations, the perfect dress, bridesmaids dresses, rings, honeymoon location, guest list, venue, caterer, menu … the list is long and may seem overwhelming. TV programs feature big budget destination weddings with all the trimmings- beautiful beaches, glitzy hotel ball rooms, lavish country clubs.  

Thank you from Steve & Skott

The perfect wedding weekend

With the tight economic times many couples are planning weddings ranging from elopements with Just-the-Two-of-Us to small wedding with often no more than 30 family members and friends. Small intimate destination weddings planned on a carefully managed budget and can be just a beautiful and just as memorable. Whether you invite 5, 50 or 250, chances are you can find a B&B that is just right for you.

You may be surprised to learn that many smaller towns have a good number of highly skilled wedding professionals who will help you plan your perfect day. In the Mad River Valley for example we have internationally renowned photographers, award winning florists, amazing chefs and caterers using local ingredients with exceeding flair, skilled hairdressers and make up artists, excellent musicians, and numerous B&Bs whose owners offer a range of wedding package.

Like many B&B owners, here at West Hill House we are happy to help you plan and co-ordinate all your local wedding needs. Our wedding couples appreciate the fact that we take a personal interest in their wedding plans, no cookie cutter weddings here! We were delighted to help Steve and Skott plan their October wedding which took place under our beautiful maple trees and was attended by 20 family and friends.

Whatever your budget, what ever your venue, what every your guest count,  your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and requires a good deal of planning. At West Hill House we love to host small intimate, budget friendly weddings with up to 80 guests. We know our local wedding professionals as friends and neighbors and would be delighted to help plan your wedding so you may have memories to last a life time.

SIPtemberfest 2010

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Lawson's Finest Liquids Warren VTSIPtemberfest 2010 brings back the tradition of a fall brew fest to the Mad River Valley!

SIPtemberfest will take place at Mad River Glen on Saturday, September 25 from 12 pm to 5 pm. Featuring specialty brews from some of Vermont’s premier breweries including Warren’s own Lawson’s Finest Liquids, paired with foliage rides on the fabled Single Chair, awesome local food and the spectacular fall foliage backdrop of the Green Mountains. Many of the brews are not available in stores and/or of limited nature.

There will also be live music with the Gordon Stone Band and Abby Jenne and The Enablers.

If you enjoy fine beers and beautiful fall colors, this is the event to come to West Hill House for.

Tickets are $25 and include 10 tastings and a souvenir glass. Check with us for details.

The Long Trail’s 100th Birthday – and cake!

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Long Trail 100th birthday cake provided by West Hill House B&B

Long Trail 100th birthday cake

Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border as it crosses Vermont’s highest peaks. It was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail, which coincides with it for one hundred miles in the southern third of the state.

To Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of the building of the trail, a month long Relay Hike up the entire Long Trail started on Saturday, July 17, 2010 with day hikes led by GMC Sections, board members, and local volunteers.

To ensure this is an end-to-end event, Prickles the Porcupine, the Trail Mascot, will be carried along each section and then handed off to be carried section by section all the way along the trail.

To mark the arrival of the Relay at the Lincoln Gap on August 2nd, West Hill House baked a cake. The arriving hikers enjoyed it along with water and soft drinks. Prickles of course had a photo op!

Featuring a Vermont Winery

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

We are now featuring 3 wines from Vermont’s East Shore Vineyard in our honor bar at West Hill House.

East Shore Vineyardis located in Grand Isle, Vermont on East Shore North overlooking Lake Champlain. In addition to creating a breathtaking backdrop to their vineyard, Lake Champlain helps make ESV an excellent place for growing grapes.

Grapes at East Shore Vineyard Vermont

Grapes at East Shore Vineyard

The deep lake waters provide them with a micro climate favorable for growing winter hardy cultivars capable of producing world class wines.

The wines:

  • Frontenac Rosé features deep mahogany hues and cherry aromas. On the palate, this wine is lively, flavorful, and balances a crisp acidity with just a touch of sweetness – making it semi-dry. Notable are its dark cherry and spice flavors followed by its balanced and refreshing finish.
  • Traminette is quickly becoming a favorite for all those lucky enough to have discovered it. A slightly spicy, off-dry white wine that harkens back to its Gewürztraminer and Seyval Blanc roots; very floral on the nose, slightly fruity on the palette finishing with a brisk, very clean acidity.
  • Cabernet Franc is a staple for wine bars and bistros throughout France, symbolizes a signature varietal from France’s Loire Valley. Our Cab is a medium-bodied, highly aromatic red, with a plum cherry start, and smooth tobacco finish that has a distinctive, tangy “old world” feel.

Their Traminette won a double gold medal in 2009 Tasters Guild International Wine Judging Event and the Cabernet Franc won a bronze medal.

For more information on Vermont Wines check out the VermontWine.com website.

Celebrate July 4th weekend in Warren

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

We have two great events over the July 4th weekend for our guests to enjoy.

Stars & Stripes Airshow, Warren VT 3rd July 2010

Stars & Stripes Airshow

On Saturday July 3rd enjoy the Stars and Stripes Charity Airshow featuring bi-plane aerobatics and other great stunts. All proceeds to benefit the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization which serves to meet the emergency financial needs of the men and women of the Vermont National Guard and their families. Tickets are complimentary for our guests – advance booking is highly recommended. Starts at 1PM – don’t be late!

Warren, VT 4th of July

Warren 4th of July Parade

Then on Sunday July 4th we have the famous Warren July 4th parade. For the 62nd consecutive year, Warren will celebrate its independence with a wild, wacky, and wickedly fun parade, street dance, and family festivities! Parade starts at 10 AM.

These events are always unique, with little deference to political correctness. This year’s theme is “Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Healthiness”. The parade typically proceeds down Main Street, then takes the right on Brook Road – floats pull off the road, or continue up to Brooks Field parking lot…where, after the parade, fun & festivities abound on the field until mid-afternoon. Included in the afternoon fun will be a Scottish Highland Games demonstration at Brooks Field. Now THAT is fun!

Vermont Festival of the Arts

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

The Vermont Festival of the Artsis a month long celebration of the arts, including demonstrations and workshops in fields such as painting, cooking (& eating!), photography, poetry, meditation, gardening and many  more.

Capturing Vermont on Canvas

Charles Pruitt our Artist-in-Residence

Here at West Hill House we are delighted to be hosting artist Charles N. Pruitt, a West Texas native, born in 1941 near the small farming and ranching community of Colorado City, Texas. An award winning artist, Charles enjoys painting primarily landscapes of the Southwest however from  August 24-26, 2010 he will once again be turning his brush and oil paints to the wonderful Vermont scenery in the Green Mountains.

As our Artist-in-Residence Charles will be conducting plein air workshops and demonstrations as well as providing individual guidance to both novice and experienced oil painters. The location will be the beautiful gardens of West Hill House.

We are fortunate to have several of his paintings currently on loan and gracing the walls of the B&B giving guests a glimpse of  the special treat we have in store this August. Even if you are not staying with us you are welcome to come and view his paintings – please call to confirm a time.

Workshop Dates: August 24, 25 & 26, 2010

      Time: 11 till 3 each day

 

    Prices:

  • $60 per day (including lunch)
  • $150 for all 3 days (including lunch)Special: $50 for all 3 days with a 3-night stay

Please call to book: 802-496-7162.          Spaces are limited.

Participants should bring your own easel, canvas, paints, brushes etc. and a stool.