What makes a perfect gift that shares the spirit of Vermont? Vermont Edition is showcasing the handiwork of the Green Mountain State with a show dedicated to "Made in Vermont" gifts.What art, toys, clothing or other items do you think best capture our state? Do you know of the perfect food or beverage that displays the work of local farmers and producers? What unique products or items are being made by your neighbors or in your community?
Guests
Some Vermont makers and artists featured on the show include:
- Nicole Golette, owner and artist with the Vermont Holiday Craft Shop
- Hardwick blacksmith Lucian Avery
- Snowshoe maker Marie Boutin with Boutin Snowshoes
- Chef and Seven Days food writer Suzanne Podhaizer
- Peter Jillson with Silo Distillery
- Patrick Slater with the Vermont Wooden Toy Factory
- Jennifer Hale, the owner of Bear Pond Books in Stowe
Food
Hungry for some Vermont-made food and drinks? Here are some suggestions from callers, listeners and others who reached out with their suggestions for...
Cheese:
- Amanda suggests: "Champlain Valley Creamery in Middlebury makes artisan organic cheeses- what’s more Vermont than that? Their Champlain Valley Triple Creme is a brie-like rich holiday treat."
- And cheese recommendations from Facebook: Cabot cheese, Grafton Village cheese, Shelburne Farms cheese, Vermont Creamery goat cheese, Jasper Hill cheeses including their cave-aged cheddar, Sweet Rowen Farmstead cheeses, and products from cheese makers in southern Vermont including Spoonwood Cabin Creamery, Livewater Farm and Dairy, and Parish Hill Creamery.
Maple:
- Curt with Runamok Maple emailed: "What's more Vermont than maple syrup? At Runamok Maple in Cambridge, we are changing the people use and think about maple syrup with an innovative line of barrel-aged, smoked and infused maple syrups designed to be used as a culinary ingredient in everything from cocktails and desserts, to glazes and salad dressings."
- Molly at Everett Springs Farm emailed in: "We are a local family farm located in Kirby, Vermont, a small town east of St. Johnsbury. We make maple syrup, which we think is the quintessential Made-in-Vermont gift. We have a beautiful hand made box gift set of quarts of maple syrup."
- A couple suggestions via Facebook: Dutton Berry Farm's maple syrup, and "syrup and pancake mix from Highland Sugarworks,"
And more:
- Derek emailed: "Love my Luce Farm Hemp Honey!"
- Wendy in Springfield emailed: "The sourdough rye bread made by Baba A Louis Bakery in Chester. My mother used to travel a long way to buy this bread before the bakery moved to Chester. It's still my favorite bread of all time. It's a Vermont treasure!"
- Laura with Green Mountain Girls Farm shared: "Thanks for focusing on all of the lovely products made here in Vermont! It is so often a double or triple win when folks gift Vermont-made products. It makes for happy receivers, supports local farms and small businesses, and sends a needed jolt into our local economy. As gifters, we love to give local food products like Lightfoot Farms' Maple fruit jams, Brigham Farms' Maple popcorn, and any of Sobremesa's great krauts and other ferments."
- Janet with Kingdom Provisions shared: "Kingdom Provisions is Vermont’s only meal-kit delivery service that sources local and regional farm fresh ingredients so customers can prepare priced- right, hearty homemade dinners. We package local and regionally crafted specialty foods so fans of local food can enjoy the highest form of comfort at the end of the day."
- Bobbie in West Halifax shared: "I love the True North Granola made in Brattleboro, a small business begun by former educators. The maple syrup that sweetens it is from Vermont too. Yum!"
- Keara emailed: "We have decided to give our family and friends lamb cuts and lamb or pork sausage products from Stark Hollow Farms in Danville. Not only do they taste divine but the compassion and knowledge farmers Laura and 'V' put into raising these heritage breeds is faultless!"
- Other food suggestions from Facebook: Chocolate and granola from Nutty Steph's, Vermont Amber Organic Toffee, Harrington ham, Moonlight Vermont Cookies, Yoder Farm apple cider vinegar"
Drinks
Or perhaps thirsty for some Vermont-made drinks? Here are some suggestions from callers, listeners and others who reached out with their suggestions:
- Doug with Montpelier Vineyards emailed in: "Montpelier Vineyards started selling wine today! All of our wines are organic with no sulfites added. For the last ten years, our farming and growing principles have followed 100-percent organic principles. Going forward with our 2017 harvest, all vintages will be labeled with a certified organic label."
- Jen with Green Mountain Distillers emailed in: "Green Mountain Distillers' Organic Maple Liqueur is made with local Vermont Organic Maple Syrup. It makes fabulous Maple Manhattans and Old Fashioneds and is great in hot chocolate, too!"
- Some libation creations recommended on Facebook: Tom Cat gin and Bar Hill gin from Caldonia Spirits, cider from the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, sapling liqueur, Barr Hill gin, beers from Hill Farmstead Brewery and Switchback Brewing Co.
And Even More...
And the list goes on! Here are some other Vermont-made recommendations from our email, listeners and the web:
- Nate emailed: "We love Andrew Pearce Bowls. Finely crafted bowls, cutting boards and plates. Andrew is Simon Pearce's son."
- Bo Muller-Moore with EatMoreKale.com emailed: "My micro-business is still thriving because of Vermonters. Nothing says "A Gift from Vermont" better than an Eat More Kale t-shirt and other items on my website!"
- Sarah and Martin emailed in: "We may be a little biased, but we think that our lawn game, V:King, is the perfect Vermont gift. V:King is based on a centuries old Swedish Viking game that combines all of your favorite aspects of bocce, cornhole and horseshoes into a beautifully designed wooden yard game. We handcraft each set from northern hardwoods in our Shelburne workshop."
- Laura emailed: The perfect spirit of Vermont gift is right on Church Street in Burlington, across from the entrance of the Burlington Town Center! My parents have a local, family-owned jewelry store, Designers’ Circle & Vintage Jewelers, that showcases jewelry made by Vermont artists and designers from across the country."
- George shared: I live in Woodbury and I am a second-generation Windsor chair maker. My father, David Sawyer, is recognized as an influential teacher and artisan of traditional Windsor chair making. I make all of our chairs by hand, using traditional hand tools and joinery, using mostly hardwoods off our family land. To me, making these chairs and building them to last for generations is what Vermont is about.
- India with Yarn Dance in Westford emailed in: "My temari balls (decorative objects, not food) and handknits are absolutely made (by me) in Vermont!"
Check out the comments on this VPR Facebook post for more suggestions (or add yours!):
And yes, the list continues:
- Hannah emailed in: "Here's a plug for my made in Vermont fine craft product, Sky Like Snow, my one-of-a-kind 'art hats' made from a local alpaca and wool blend. They're not only made by me in Vermont, but the materials are from the Vermont landscape. I use natural dyes that I grow and forage, and fiber purchased from Vermont sheep and alpaca farms."
- Dale in East Dorest emailed in: "So many talented artists and craftspeople tucked in the hills. A few of the products I’ve bought for Christmas gifts this year are a carved house sign from Wood and Signs in East Dorset. Cool green patina Fern earrings from Weavingwinds, and some Darn Tough socks designed by Poppy Gall in Stowe. And my cards and prints at Glad Dog Cards on Etsy. I am totally influenced by the fox family and various wildlife."
- Marianna shared: "A great little place tucked away in Hinesburg is the studio of the Holzer Hand Book Bindery. You can find hand bound journals and photo albums, or bring in a favorite book, like a children’s book or your grandmother’s cookbook or an old family Bible, and have it restored."
- Alice emailed in: One great place to buy original artwork is The Front Gallery at 6 Barre Street in Montpelier. It's a collective of sixteen local artists who make work ranging from painting to sculpture to ceramics and photography."
- A quick list of suggestions from Facebook: Tom O'Brien's "The Wallet Pen" in Charlotte; personalized knitted Christmas stockings from Specialties in Wool, pottery from favorite local artists including Laura Zindel and Maya Zelkin; Danmade mugs by Dan Siegel, Jen Kahn Jewelry "for very special people, glass from the Vermont Glass Workshop; flannel pajamas from The Vermont Flannel Company; a Vermont Life calendar; music from musicians "Banjo" Dan Lindner.
Check out the comments on this Vermont Edition Facebook post for more suggestions (or add yours!):
Broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 12, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
