 |
 If you ever wanted to dip your toe into the Battenkill Valley then take this weekend - May 5-6 - to drive up to the Washington County Fairgrounds just east of Schuylerville (up the hill) on Rt. 29 and come to the big Antique Fair.
"We're looking at the largest show we've ever had," said Michael Green of Fairground Shows, NY. "We already have 225 dealers and more are calling everyday." Gates open at 8am and tickets - good for the whole weekend - are only $3. Sr.s just $2 and kids under 14, free. In addition to antiques for sale, several dealers will also provide appraisals for customer's antiques, so bring your stuff along and see what it's worth. That old piece of junk collecting dust could be worth a mint! See you there!
 It's the 20th annual Washington County Fiber Tour April 28 and 29 from 10a to 4p...a FREE event that takes you over hill and dale through some of the most scenic farms you'll ever see. Bring the kids, pack a lunch and visit alpacas, bunnies, goats, sheep and lambs, llamas, and more - on the farm - and meet the farmers and their families.
 Free events. Watch
spinning, knitting, weaving and felting demonstrations. Learn about
raising the livestock and pets that we cherish.
Drive from farm to farm
through scenic Washington County in the Battenkill Valley. Shop for handspun and
dyed yarns, unique woven and knitted items, high quality fleeces, cuts
of lamb, and more.
For more info go to www.washingtoncountyfibertour.org. With 13 farms participating this year, there's plenty to see, touch, feel and taste!
The 2012 Tour Of The Battenkill - America's largest one-day Pro/Am cycling race - is back in the Battenkill Valley April 13-15! The official word: "Racers compete over 62
miles of rolling terrain on both dirt and paved roads as they travel
through the world famous Battenkill Valley. Set in early spring, the
race starts and finishes in the scenic village of Cambridge, New York
and courses through covered bridges, family farms, and rural villages
along the many challenging backcountry roads that traverse Southern
Washington County, New York."
So just how big is big? The 2011 race played host to over
2,500 amateur and professional cyclists from throughout North America
and dozens of nations worldwide. This year there will be an appearance by 3-time Tour De France Champion Greg LeMond, who will be doing a book signing at Battenkill Books (appropriately) on Friday. There are races throughout the weekend and a real carnival atmosphere throughout the village of Cambridge (and beyond) so most anytime you come you're bound to see some exciting happenings. Hey, it's the biggest and the best and it's happening in the Battenkill Valley. What more do you need to know? See you there!
Hey, are you up for an adventure? Skip the Waffle House next weekend and come to the Battenkill Valley for Maple Sugar Weekend - March 16-18 and 23-25 - and enjoy a pancake breakfast at any number of maple sugar producers. (You'll find them at www.upperhudsonmaple.com) Here is your excuse for touring through the you'll-never-forget-it beautiful Battenkill countryside, exploring back lanes, soaking in views...marinating in Springtime! You'll taste maple syrup the way it's supposed to taste: fresh and served warm. You'll learn all about maple syrup varieties (there are several, you know). And you'll have as much fun as this child is having, guaranteed.
 EXCITING NEWS for those who missed out on Suvir Saran's Country Marsala class. He has been generous enough to offer another
class Sunday, Feb. 26th from 11AM-3PM at the Battenkill Kitchen in Salem (behind the Courthouse). Suvir has traveled the world finding inspiration and sharing his great knowledge of fine Indian cuisine, which he showcases at his restaurant in NYC. But where does he chose to live? Why, the Battenkill Valley, of course! This is a great opportunity for you to meet a world famous chef and actually learn from him hands-on, and to see the Battenkill Kitchen, which is FDA certified and available to anyone with a penchant for mass-producing their original salsa recipe or a favorite family recipe handed down through the ages. Participation is limited to just 10 so as soon as you get to the end of this article contact BKI at 518-854-3032 or by email at
manager@battenkillkitchen.org. THANK YOU SUVIR!!!!!! An informative and fun time will be had by all who attend!
 I can't believe it! My good friends John and Tina Imhof are hosting that notoriously brash British chef Gordon Ramsay's television show, "Hotel Hell". That's right. Ramsay is bringing his show to the historic Cambridge Hotel in
Cambridge, Washington County, later this month to make over the inn. If you hurry, you can get in on it! Shooting at the Cambridge Hotel is scheduled for Jan. 25 to 28.
To be considered for a stay in the hotel or for a dining reservation during filming, email cambridgehotelshow@gmail.com.
Hotel guests will stay for free, but diners will be responsible for all
food and drink charges, a production representative tells me. You know this show - it's even been spoofed in a car ad this holiday season - wherein Ramsay storms into the selected restaurant and bullies the owners into becoming better restaurateurs. Or, as the show's official resume puts it: In "Hotel Hell" Ramsay will "help fix struggling, privately owned
hotels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts in destination towns across the
U.S." Naturally, I'm concerned for my friends...
"I fully expect Gordon Ramsay and his crew will look at me and say,
'What were you thinking that you thought you could run a hotel and
restaurant with no experience?'" hotel owner John Imhof, a Cambridge
attorney, said. Well, I guess we'll see if that old adage "any publicity is good publicity" holds true. Good luck gang!
 If you're beginning to panic about what to get whom, where and for how much, I've got a few ideas that just may save you. The Battenkill Valley is filled with hidden little gems like the little lantern shop on Rt. 313 on your way to Arlington, VT. Real, working hand-crafted copper lanterns are just the beginning of a unique array of country gift items you'll find there and nowhere else. Just up the road is another adventure at Battenkill Valley Outdoors (gotta love that name!). There, Lisa and Don can outfit the outdoors adventurer in your life with anything from kayaks to kerchiefs, hiding gear and flies tied by local Tom Miller. It's definitely worth a look and fun to explore. And how about art work? Salem and Cambridge both have art galleries that are filled with beautiful works that are as unique as they are inspiring. And no trip to Salem is complete without popping in to McCartee's Barn (right next to the school). There seems to be no end to the art, antiques and unique finds you'll find in the niches and crannies of this historic barn. So don't panic. Come to the Battenkill Valley and make your last minute shopping fun and inspiring!
 Why settle for just another haunted house when you can experience an entire haunted COURThouse?! Fear This brings its terrifying tale back to Salem again this year to the old Salem Courthouse, where something has apparently gone horribly wrong! It seems that the tail end of Hurrican Irene swelled the White Creek, flooding the entire basement of the Courthouse and Jail. The high water damaged the electrical system, leaving certain cellblocks unlocked. Now it is unclear whether the guards or the prisoners are in control of the premises. Whoever is in charge is meting out some harsh justice based on the horrifying sounds coming out of there, but you'll just have to come and witness what's going on for yourself. Tour the different levels of the Courthouse - including (if you dare) the old jail - then head outside through the maze and then down into the depths of the labyrinth under the Courthouse itself.
Tours run between 6pm and 9:30pm Oct. 14 & 15, 21 & 22, and 28, 29 and 30. Admission benefits the Courthouse Community Center. $10 adults, $5 kids 13 and under, $5 volunteer fire/rescue personnel with ID, or $25 for families.
 If the Battenkill Valley is the ideal harvest time location, Gardenworks is the ideal destination. No if's, and's or but's about it! Gardenworks almost defies description. It's a berry farm, a gourmet food emporium, a pumpkin patch, an art gallery, a bakery, a craft shop, a work shop...and if you haven't been to Gardenworks yet, go now, because you'll not only get in on a host of cool things from the harvest but you'll also know the ropes come Christmas time (I guarantee you'll want to return!).
Gardenworks will host its annual
Harvest celebration on Columbus Day Weekend, October 8-10.
Fresh from Gardenwork's kitchen sample delicious
recipes highlighting fall produce, from squash soup to cheesecake. Learn about
the different fall squashes and how to prepare them. Take home free recipes
for great winter meals. All samples are free and available from 10:00-4:00
each day.
Visit the Barn Gallery for "What Came First, the Chicken or the
Egg," an exhibit featuring artists Roy Egg and Leah McCloskey and their
whimsical images of chickens. Children are invited to paint pumpkins while all
are welcome to peruse the glorious fall produce on sale at Gardenworks. In October that means mounds of
pumpkins, squashes, apples, cider, organic vegetables and gourds. The
Gardenworks barn is also stocked with colorful fall decorations for your home
like chrysanthemums, dried flowers, Chinese lanterns and Indian corn.
Gardenworks' raspberry fields will be open for picking. Take
advantage of the October Raspberry Rewards program. Beginning October 1, leave
half of your u-pick raspberries at Gardenworks and take home the other half for
free. The berry fields will be open for the pick and share program until the
temperature drops to 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Call Gardenworks for picking
conditions. You can also pick and keep all your raspberries for $2.50/pound.
Directions to Gardenworks: From the traffic light on Route 22 in Salem, follow the foliage heading west on Route
30 (also West Broadway). Gardenworks is five miles from the traffic light.
 Why is this cow smiling? It's the fourth annual Salem Area Chamber of Commerce HarvestFest! Come to the strange and wonderful world of Salem Art Works (SAW) Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10am and get ready to party. There's an all-day craft fair (with special children's area for fun activities), local produce and goodies , art activities and live demonstrations like glassblowing and blacksmithing. Then, at 6pm there's the " farm to fork" dinner with - and people, we've been over this - the finest, freshest food on the planet. This is Washington County, after all. Al and Kathy Bain will be providing the entertainment (back by popular demand) and then there's the barn dance and...oh, just trust me. It's a lot of fun and tickets are going fast, so pick them up at most any business in Salem or try your luck and just come out and see what all the fuss is about. Ticket prices are - get this - $20 for adults and $6 for kids under 10. Tickets to the barn dance only are $10 per person or $15 per couple. And did I mention the silent auction? See you there! 
|
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
Al Budde
Recent Comments