The Cotton Mill is an old mill in Brattleboro, Vermont that has been converted into studio space for artist and performers. The first weekend in December the Cotton Mill opens to the public with demonstrations and art for sale, just in time to pick up some great holiday gifts. Since the space is not usually open to the public, many of the pieces of art you see in this video can be purchased at the shops downtown including Gallery in the Woods and The Artisan Design.

If you would like to contact these artist directly please find their information below:

Natalie Blake Studios
802-254-9761

T. Breeze Verdant
Marquetry & Inlay
802-258-9820

Solinglass
802-251-0389

If you would like to contact any of the performers in this video please find their information below:

Luminz Dance Studio
802-254-9200

John Hughes Music

And for information on Brattleboro and the surrounding area, please keep an eye on our website InnBrattleboro.com or spend some time with us at our inn, Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast here in Brattleboro Vermont. Thanks for watching!

Owning a Bed and Breakfast in Brattleboro, Vermont is so much fun.  One of the questions we are often asked by our guests is “why did you choose Brattleboro?”   So here is a quick list (in no particular order) of reasons why Brattleboro, Vermont is an awesome place to stay, play and live.

1. Great downtown – stroll through our active downtown with all of its big city amenities
2. Live theater – 3 Theaters for live performances downtown (Hooker Dunham Theater, Latchis Theater, New England Youth Theater)
3. Caffeine – 3 Independent Coffee Shops (Mocha Joe’s, Coffee Country & Cafe Lotus)
4. Food – 30+ Restaurants to choose from
5. Pizza – 8 Pizza Shops (what can I say we like pizza around here)
6. Sushi – 3 restaurants to get great Sushi
7. Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
8. Martinis – on the deck at Alici’s Bistro in the summer
9. Vermont Jazz Center
10. Galleries – Gallery in the Woods, Artisan Design, Gallery 215, Artist Loft Gallery…just to name a few
11. Architecture – Beautiful historic architecture
12. Beer – McNeil’s Brewery in the historic fire house
13. More beer – 40 Tap Handles at Flat Street Pub
14. Cheap beer – $2.75 Draft Beer on the Fridays on the roof top deck at the Riverview Cafe in the summer
15. Movies – Check out the Art Deco Latchis Movie Theater
16. Only a 2 hour drive from Boston, MA
17. Only a 3 hour drive from New York City, NY
18. Only a 5 hour drive from Philadelphia, PA
19. The Vermonter - Amtrak service from Washington D.C., Philadelphia and NYC to Brattleboro Vermont!
20. Small town – only 12,000 residents
21. How Tom at Peter Haven\’s Restaurant met me once and remembered my name 2 years later
22. Countless Boutiques – Beadnicks, Altiplano, Blue Moose, Knit or Dye, Distinctive Decor…just to name a few
23. So many books – 5 Book stores downtown (Baskets Paperbacks, Book Cellar, Brattleboro Books, Everyone’s Books, & Mystery on Main)
24. Community Appreciation Day – free lunch served by the Brattleboro Savings and Loan
25. Brattleboro Food Coop – local and fresh food!
26. The Hospital – yes, best experience I ever had at a hospital (kind, courteous and only waited 5 minutes to be seen)
27. Our Local Butcher Shop – North End Butchers
28. Gallery Walk – 1st Friday of every month – over 40 galleries, shops and restaurants displaying local art
29. Local newspaper daily – all the news I need in the Brattleboro Reformer
30. Drive in Movies -  Northfield drive-in theater
31. Wantastiquet – great hike with an odd name
32. Chesterfield Gorge
33. The Retreat Trails – hike them right from our backyard
34. Mount Monadock - sure it’s not in Brattleboro, but it’s close and awesome
35. Picking Berries – love Dutton Farm
36. Road Biking along the West River
37. Strolling of the Heifers (ever seen cows strolling down main street before, well see it here)
38. Spofford Lake
39. Mountain Biking
40. Tubing down the West River
41. Swimming holes on the West River
42. Kayaking on the Connecticut River
43. Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary
44. Canoeing in the Retreat Meadows
45. The Treasured Tree Tour – including our enormous Japanese Maple Tree – you have to see it to believe it!
46. Golfing at the Brattleboro Country Club
47. Hogback Mountain Scenic Overlook
48. Fishing
49. Fall Foliage
50. Corn Mazes – including the Gaines Farms’ giant cow
51. It’s haunted… The Spooky Side of Brattleboro (Madame Sharri\’s Castle and the Retreat Tower)
52. Shelburne Falls – Pot Holes and Bridge of Flowers
53. Picking Apples  – love Scott Farm
54. Cider – Donuts & Fresh Apple Cider from Green Mountain Orchards
55. Snow
56. Ski Jumping – Harris Hill Ski Jump
57. Ice Fishing on the Retreat Meadows (I love watching them from our 2nd Floor Sun Porch, like a Norman Rockwell painting)
58. Snow Shoeing
59. Cross Country Skiing at the Brattleboro Country Club
60. Down Hill Skiing at Mount Snow (just a short 20 minute drive)
61. Diversity
62. The Circus is always in town at the Nimble Arts Circus School
63. School for International Training
64. Protests – who doesn’t dig a good peaceful protest
65. The smelly hippies
66. Bartering – check out Boomerang, Turn it Up, and other shops
67. Vermont Fresh Network – restaurants, growers and producers working together
68. Free Wi-Fi – not just at our inn, but throughout downtown!
69. A Bush and Cheney free zone
70. First Home Depot in the US to close – citing local competition-Brown & Roberts Hardware rules!
71. Supporting local businesses
72. Keeping Walmart out
73. Sustainability – Check out the store called Save the Corporations From Themselves
74. Easy to be Gluten Free
75. Easy to be a Vegetarian
76. Easy to be a Vegan
77. Cheese – Grafton Cheese Company (watch them make cheese, visit their country store or pet the animals at the farm)
78. Weddings – in the apple orchards at Scott Farm
79. Sugaring – see them make the Maple Syrup at Harlow’s Sugar House
80. Candy – Tom and Sally\’s Handmade Chocolates (something for the kids and something for the adults as well)
81. The Brattleboro area Farmer\’s Market (year round)
82. Thai food – Anon’s Thia food at the Farmer’s Market and Thai Bamboo – both rock
83. The Awesome 80’s hour on WTSA 96.7 FM (while I iron the sheets)
84. Walking our dog and feeding the ducks in the Retreat Meadow (one for them, one for her)
85. 175 years of history at the Brattleboro Retreat
86. Antiquing on Route 30
87. Irish Sessions on Wednesday nights at JD McCliment’s Pub in nearby Putney
88. Live music at the Weathervane
89. Summer Concerts in the Park
90. Brattstock – local music festival in August
91. Renew Building Supply – plenty of reclaimed parts for your (and our) old house
92. Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters  – the biggest little store you have ever seen!
93. Chelsea Royal Diner – try their ice cream
94. Wine – great local shops (Windham Wines) and producers (Honora)
95. Basketville
96. Our Downtown Waterfall – how many towns have one of those!
97. Fish Market
98. Festivals (Keene Pumpkin Festival, Marlboro Music Festival, Yellow Barn Music Festival, Dummerston Apple Festival, Newfane Heritage Festival, Brattleboro Literary Festival…just to name a few)
99. Newfane Flea Market
100. Covered bridges
101. And of course, Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast!

Did we miss anything?  What are your favorite Brattleboro things?  Please share your favorites in the comments!

There is a movement across America to begin purchasing products that are made locally.  Whole Foods, food cooperatives and local grocers have gained serious popularity in the last few years.

I think people are moving this direction for several reasons.  One reason is certainly the recent contamination scares from imported produce.  This year it was salmonella in tomatoes (but really they meant peppers) and don’t forget that last year it was scallions.  Of course, I also think Americans are more health conscious then ever before and they are looking for organic choices for their families.  I am reminded of the line in the Counting Crows song:

Farmer, farmer, put away your DDT, I don’t care about spots on my apples leave me the birds and the bees…please.

Of course for me personally, it is mostly about supporting my small commuity and the people in it.

Here in Brattleboro (and I would venture to say most of Vermont) there is a strong showing of support for the fellow “little guy”.  It’s awesome to be able to support the local economy and eat wonderful locally produced produce – and the easiest way to do both is at the Brattleboro Farmers Market.

The market is held every Saturday between 9am – 2pm (there’s a smaller version on Wednesdays as well).   Set outdoors on a great sliver of land with a covered bridge in the distance and next to the oldest house in Brattleboro, the Brattleboro Farmers Market is a must see for anyone visitng the area.

Some of my favorite vendors include True North Granola (which we offer here at Forty Putney Road B&B), Pottery Works (where my sister got her wedding china), and Dutton Farm.  I just can not get enough of Dutton Farms herbs, flowers and fresh produce.  You can also find hand made jewelry, homemade jams, breads, and pastries.  Be sure to save room for lunch as you will find stand after stand of Thai, Mexican, Indian, South African and more.  We are huge Anon’s Thai fans and find that the farmers market is the ideal setting to enjoy their great Thai food.  Of course its all topped off with occasional live music, great people and some pretty killer lemonade…

If you are looking to visit the farmers market, it is located near the Creamery Bridge in Brattleboro Vermont.  It’s open from 9am – 2pm on Saturdays from May through October.  Wednesdays they move a small version of the market into the Brattleboro Food Co-Op parking lot as well, for the same hours.

Of course, the farmers market is just one of the great things to do around Brattleboro.  We hope that you will spend a night or two at our beautiful Vermont Inn and we will be glad to share some more of Brattleboro’s treasures with you.

Dutton Berry Farm has three locations in Southern Vermont.  They sell a wide variety of wonderful fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade fudge and jams.  Some even have a full bakery with homemade soups.  Last year we even get our Inns Christmas Tree there.

Of course, Dutton Berry Farm still has plenty of berry’s – which of course are where it all started.  The owner Paul grew up in Southern Vermont on a Dairy Farm.  He pursued his education in Agriculture and gained hands-on training in Michigan while working on some berry farms.  In the early 1980’s he moved back to Vermont, married his wife Wendy, and they opened their first farm stand.  In the mid to late 1980’s they purchased their first “Duttton Berry Farm” and stand in Newfane, VT (still open today).    By the early 1990’s they purchased their second location an orchard in West Brattleboro and then yet another farm stand in Manchester, VT.  Just this past year they built a brand (and quite beautiful if I may say) new farm stand at their West Brattleboro location.

Don’t want someone else selecting your berries for you?  Picking your own fruit is a great way to spend a summer day here in Vermont.  Dutton Berry Farm offers Strawberry and Raspberry picking seasonally from 7am – 7pm.  Strawberry season runs from about June 15 – July 15 and Raspberry season runs from mid July through early September.  Berry picking is one of my personal favorite summer time activities.  I love using the fresh picked berries in our scrumptious breakfasts like my Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast.

Dutton Berry Farm stands are located on Route 30 in Newfane, Route 9 in West Brattleboro, and in Manchester, VT.  Hours vary seasonally.   Dutton Berry Farm products can also be found at the Brattleboro Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Saturday from May – October.

Many folks do not think of Vermont as a spring destination, but it is actually a great time of year to visit Brattleboro.  Brattleboro kicks off the Spring season right with Gallery Walk, Sidewalk Sales, Farmers Market, Live Music, Live Entertainment and don’t forget all of the beautiful flowers in bloom! Check out our list of great events below and come stay with us at Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast this spring!

Brattleboro Sidewalk Sale will be held in downtown Brattleboro on May 1st, 2nd, & 3rd 2009, organized by Build a Better Brattleboro.  Downtown Brattleboro is home to many outdoor events, join local businesses as they kick off the spring season right with deals and discounts.

Gallery Walk, on Friday night will follow the sidewalk sale.   All of the Galleries, many restaurants and shops will open up to display a variety of art work, sculptures and paintings.

River Garden Event also in downtown Brattleboro, on Saturday, May 2nd,  from 10am – 4pm will host a pottery exhibit and sale complete with food and live entertainment by Brattleboro Music Center’s Music School  join them for there Performathon.  Music School students perform recitals all day to raise money for the student scholarship fund. Public invited free.

Brattleboro Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 2nd from 9am – 2pm.  Enjoy local grown flowers, herbs, produce and locally made Vermont products along with live entertainment.

Brattleboro Museum and Art Center presents Charmed by Audrey: Life on the Set of Sabrina at 2 pm on Sunday, May 3rd at 2pm. Located in downtown Brattleboro at 10 Vernon St, tickets are $6. Join the BMAC as they celebrate Audrey Hepburn’s 80th birthday with a screening of the 1954 film Sabrina starring Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden. Following the film , photographer and author Juliet Cuming of Dummerston, Vt., will sign copies of her new book, Charmed by Audrey: Life on the set of Sabrina, which features photographs by Cuming’s father-in-law, famed fashion and celebrity photographer Mark Shaw.

The Race for a Reason is an annual fundraiser hosted by the SIT Graduate Institute Chapter of Net Impact. This event will begin at 10am, on Saturday, May 2nd, with the customary 5/10k run/walk, and continue the festivities with games, food, live music, and entertainment. There will be also be a silent auction with a selection of wonderful items generously donated by Brattleboro businesses. Net proceeds will benefit our ‘Reason’, Morningside Shelter, which is the only homeless shelter in southern Vermont. Join them in celebrating spring and give your support to a fantastic local cause!  For more details contact Sara LeHoullier (919)257-0057

For continued updates on what is going on around Brattleboro, follow us on twitter or sign up for email alerts on our blog, innbrattleboro.com.

It is that time of year once again, that’s right, the Strolling of the Heifers here in Brattleboro. You may be thinking why or who would possibly want to see a bunch of cows walk down Main Street? It is pretty clear by last year’s photos as to who would attend such an event, everyone! So here are my top 3 reasons this is the biggest event in Brattleboro, and a must attend.

#3 Cows are cute!

Who can resist the cute face of a cow. Not only will you see their cute faces you will see them all dressed up for the event. We are not just talking about live cows either. We are talking about paper machete cows on floats, stuffed cows on the side of the road, cow aprons, cow T-shirts, balloon cows, people dressed up like cows and finally cow scarecrows (with a political message of course…this is Brattleboro, VT after all).

#2 Not just cows?

That is correct this parade is not all about cows it is about a community joining together to celebrate and do what we love to do here in Brattleboro… that is to parade down Main Street. According to local historians the town of Brattleboro has been parading down Main Street since the 1800’s. You will find more than just cows parading down Main Street, you will also see the kind of parade you may remember as a child. That’s right this parade has marching bands, unicyclists, stilt walkers, clubs, local businesses, men and women driving historic tractors and little cars. That’s not all…don’t forget about the circus. The local circus school will be in the parade and performing afterward.

#1 Free Ice Cream and Cheese!

After the parade we stroll just a few blocks to the Brattleboro Retreat where tent after tent is set up. Each tent is serving locally made dairy products including milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. The best part is it is all free…that’s right free!

Clear your schedule on June 5th and 6th (2009), book a room at Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast and join the festivities. This is sure to be worth the trip!