Maybe you like quieter pursuits?  The area abounds with antique shops, galleries, and book stores.  Browsing or buying, you can’t loose.

Of course, you won’t want to miss one of the Memorial Day Parades.  Take a stroll back in time and enjoy a truly American classic– marching bands, floats, and wagon rides

Just when I thought we would escape the icy blasts from the North, it comes a callin’.  Starting on New Year’s Eve the snow fell and the temperature dropped.  Now we have lots of great snow for skiing (try visiting Willard Mountain, our local ski area) and snow shoeing (just strap on a pair and go) or if winter sports are not your cup of tea, plan on a play, movie, dinner out or other happening.

To help you get started, here are some upcoming events that you might want to put on your Calendar:

On Friday, Januray 8, 2010 (that’s this Friday) I’m treating myself to a wonderful meal at the Rice Mansion Inn, prepared by Sue from Spoonful Catering. Christine promises that the food and music will flow from 6-9 pm. Think of it, a night off from cooking, cleaning, and figuring out what to eat.

Best of all, this is a LOCAL FOODS DINNER. That means that all the ingredients in Sue’s menu will come from right here in the Battenkill River Valley. It’s like your neighbors grew this food just for you.

So come on out and enjoy Music by the David Cuite Duo and a meal from Spoonful Catering.

Christine and Sue — connecting people one bite at a time
See you at the Mansion!

Sunday, January 17 from 12:00 to 2:00pm
the Pember Museum will lead a Snowshoe & Animal Tracking Hike at the Hebron Nature Preserve. Hikers will meet at the Porter Schoolhouse on Route 22. If the weather is poor, the hike will be cancelled. For hike verification on the 17th, contact Bernadette Hoffman, Museum Educator at 518-692-3129. For additional information, contact the Museum at 518-642-1515.

Capturing the beauty of the season in the Cambridge, NY

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE…
CHRISTMAS IN CAMBRIDGE CELEBRATION
The 13th annual celebration December 4, 5 & 6th.
www.cambridgenychamber.com/christmas.html

Friday, December 4th - 6:00 pm. Holiday activities in the Village of Cambridge begin.

Activities include a Lighted Parade, Santa, Tree Lighting  and caroling stroll to the Cambridge Hotel for the traditional reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by local John James.  Afterwards, please stay and explore Main Street.  The downtown merchants will be open late with refreshments, holiday specials and more. Spend $5 or more and pick up some “Chamber Christmas Cash” in denominations from $1 to $50. See stores for details.

Rice Mansion Inn: On Friday, Saturday & Sunday December 4-6, 2009

Tabletops & Collectibles a benefit for the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department will be on display and raffle tickets available.  100% of funds raised will go to these dedicated men and women who donate 9,000+ man hours annually.

Friday, 12/4/09:  6:00 – 9:00 p - Step in from the cold  and enjoy Spoonful Catering Tasting Menu w/ wine.

Sunday 12/6/09: 9:oo a – 1:00 p - Sue and her team present their Morning Sampler.

Battinkill Books: Saturday, 12/5/2009: 9 am – 5 pm
Come celebrate on Saturday with an Open House in their new location.  There will be  visits from local authors, music, free food, drinks, and gifts.

Cambridge Hotel: Complimentary Beer Tasting with Peak Organic Brewing Company on Friday Evening.  Check out their website for holiday lodging specials.
The Cambridge Hotel a lovely Victorian Train Hotel,  also serving lunch and dinner

You can cut your own tree too!

Pompanuck Farm: Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 5 from 10 – 6. Enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa and sample some of our delicious baked goods: fresh hearth baked rosemary bread, rich raisin studded babkas, Italian hazelnut biscotti, almond meringues, and our “surprise ginger snaps”. Children are invited to decorate their own gingerbread cookies, take a walking tour of the buildings and grounds or a hike in the Pompanuck woods.

MfS Listening Club Sunday, December 6th 2- 3:30pm
Against the background of Schumann’s bizarre inner world of imaginary characters, his life with Clara, and his leap into the Rhine. Listen for particulars in a live demonstration of Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro transcribed from horn to viola. Cost: $15

Cambridge Freight Yard:   Friday Evening bring the kids to the Lovejoy Building onfor cookie decorating and on

Saturday from 1-3p to decorate a Carousel Ornament.  Cambridge Farmers’ Market will be open in the Lovejoy Sunday from 10a-1p.

Nothing beats singing around the Christmas tree

GREENWICH, NY

Festival of Tree through December
Greenwich Free Library, Main St., Greenwich, NY

Schedule of Events:
December 5 Community Caroling in Mowry Park 6:00 PM
Gazebo, Mowry Park, Main St., Greenwich, NY
December 5-6 Holiday Open House at Alpacas of Easton
10 AM – 5PM 11822 St. Rte. 40, Easton, NY
December  6 Everlasting Lights 5:00 PM Town Commons
December 13 The United Church Ringers 2:00 PM at 27 Salem Street The United Church. A 10 member handbell choir will present a concert of holiday favorites www.greenwichchamber.org

SALEM, NY
Saturday & Sunday, December 5 and 6: Bring the kids to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at Gardenworks

Saturday, December 5 10AM-5PM – Spinning Glass Studio Holiday Open House 123 Gillis Hill Salem, NY
Come see the magic of glass lampworking. Glass bead making demonstrations on going though out the day.  Handmade glass earrings, pendants and other items for sale. www.spinningglassstudio.com

Saturday, December 12 5:30 PM Fort Salem Theater’s Christmas fundraising gala, Wine, Woman, and Song.

We’re just a short drive away from the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George, Vermont’s Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail.  We have a local ski mountain, Willard Mt., and are near other large ski resorts too.

Is boating what you like?  We’re right on the Battenkill River, one of America’s premire trout fishing streams.  You can canoe, kayak or tube the river, swim in one of the pristine swimming holes (complete with rope swing) or just sit an contemplate while listening to the babbling of a brook.

Come visit the Battenkill Valley and the Battenkill Buzz

Look for upcoming writings November.

Each week a new farmer, gardener, or agriculture related person will write about what they are doing and what is happening on the Agra-scene here in the Battenkill region.

Look for this feature to start sometime in November.

Halloween is fun,

Ghosts Make People Run…BOO

Ghosts and Goblins will reap havoc on the Battenkill Valley this weekend.

Come enjoy the hauntingly good fun!

The Cambridge Hotel is rumored to be haunted! Does the Lady in Red truly exist? Do Mr. and Mrs. Rice still claim the halls of the Rice Mansion Inn? Who commands the stage at Hubbard Hall in the after life? Do the Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Salem discuss battle strategies during a full moon?

To find out, come visit the Battenkill Valley.

If you dare !!!

Trash Bash at Hubbard Hall
Friday, October 30
7:30pm – 12 midnight
Admission 13.00 dollars – open to everyone ages 21 +

Featuring:

Roadside Blues Band
Fantastic munchies coordinated by Spoonful Catering
Fashion Show with Prizes in a Clutter of Trashy Categories!

Rummage through your old clothes, recyclables, discards and just plain trash to create a costume to scare, amaze, horrify and sway the judges! Make a “trashion” statement!

Who will be crowned Queen or King of Trash Glam? Only the trashed will know!
Browns Beer & Wine Available!
Pumpkin Pie Contest
Don’t forget to bring a donation for the Cambridge Food Pantry – they need the clutter!
Call 518-677-2495 for detials

Haunted Fun at the Yellow Hotel
Friday, October 30
7:00pm – you turn into a Pumpkin
“swing with spirit’s and groove with the ghost’s”
Music by the originators of Hitchhiker Girl the Blackouts

A “haunted” Halloween costume party including:

The crowning of Prince and Princess of Pie
Prizes for 1st and 2nd place winners!

COME IN COSTUME AND STAY OVERNIGHT FOR $99!!
Call For Reservations
518-677-5626

The Not so Scary Stuff:

1st Annual Salem Economic Development Summit
Tuesday, October 27,2009 at 7:30 pm – THAT”S TONIGHT!!!!
Historic Salem Courthouse Community Center East Broadway

A moderated panel of participants has been invited to discuss a variety of potential strategies for approaching sound economic development for Salem, a town of 4,500 residents in southern Washington County.

Salem, like many rural communities of its size, struggles with the local effects of global changes in economy, population and commerce. The summit is an opportunity for Salem’s leaders, merchants and residents to benefit from the knowledge of others’ perspectives and experiences. A question-and-answer session will follow the panelist presentations and discussions.

Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market

The Farmers’ Market will continue through December at its indoor home in the Lovejoy Building located in the Cambridge Freight Yard on Sundays from 10a-1p.

Loads of fresh veggies, apples, cider & cider doughnuts, hand made gifts and floral, Original cards and artwork, Maple Syrup products, soaps, Colebrook wines, homespun alpaca products, baked goods, meats, pottery, horse drawn buggy rides and live entertainment! A GREAT place to shop for Christmas gifts, as well as fresh wreaths, swags, greenery, holiday terrariums & boxwood trees.

The Battenkill River runs thru the Cambridge Valley in upstate NY

Welcome to the Battenkill Buzz Blog.  My name is Debra and I’ll be writing about life in the Battenkill Valley.  The Battenkill River is one of the finest fishing streams in the USA.  But we’re more than just a great fishing destination.  The Buzz will give you an intimate portrait of the people who live in and around this amazing region.  We have farmers, artists and artisans, small shop owners and bed & breakfast establishments.  Our roadways are perfect for biking, our hills and valleys have great hiking trails, and we are steeped in history from the French and Indian Wars, Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

The Battenkill Valley is a great place to live.  I hope you’ll visit us soon.