I've seen Northwest Airlines planes for many years but I never noticed something peculiar about them until it was pointed out to me a couple of weeks ago. The logo is obviously a compass marker pointing in the northwest direction when you view the plane from the port (left) side. But if you view the airplane from the starboard side, the logo is suddenly pointing northeast!Northwest is northwest no matter where it is viewed from. And it is so marked on every compass in the world. Why Northwe... Read Full Story

Barre Blizzard snow sculptureWe're in the midst of winter carnival season here in Vermont. Here are four more coming soon from far northern VT to southern VT and in between: Winter Carnival, Island Pond VT, February 6-8, 2009Snow sculpture competition, ice skating, bonfire, children’s fishing derby, snowshoeing, horse-drawn rides, torchlight parade, sled racing and more. See the Island Pond Chamber of Commerce website for details.Blizzard Blast (my choice for best carnival name) Barr... Read Full Story

The Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce (Waitsfield and Warren VT) is sponsoring a drawing for an incredible grand prize. Some very lucky winner of the Ultimate Ski Vacation will get: - Cat skiing at Sugarbush- a ride in a luxury cabin Snow Cat to have first tracks in the best terrain before the lifts start running.- Seven nights lodging in a slope side luxury condo with two outdoor hot tubs, heated outdoor pool, fitness center, game room- Six day "Ski the Valley" pass good at Ma... Read Full Story

Cabot Coop is a group of Vermont dairy farmers that was founded in 1919. They have a very good blog with lots of helpful information including recipes.The blog just posted some Super Bowl Recipes I think you will find useful. They certainly sound delicious: Point SpreadCheese and Bean Quesadillas ("Sudden Turnovers")Habanero Cheddar and Black Bean SpreadHot as a Torch! Jalapeno PoppersBaked Jalapeno PoppersHot Broccoli-Cheddar Dip Pizza"Pig Skins "Hero SandwichesNachosThe... Read Full Story

Limited edition note cards and posters with this special Nordic relay artwork are available on the American Cancer Society website While we are on the topic of fundraiser to help battle cancer (see Tubbs Romp to Stomp article below), there is an all night relay on Mach 7 at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. The only event of its type in the country, the 2009 Nordic Style Relay For Life starts at 6:00 pm on March 7 and runs until 8:00 am the next morning. Participants can use cross country skis, ... Read Full Story

For the past six years, the Tubbs Snowshoe Company has been holding a series of snowshoe walks and races to raise funds for the Susan G Komen for the Cure organization.Last year, Tubb's Romp to Stomp was held in five US cities, had 3,800 participants and raised about $250,000 for the Komen foundation. Vermont's 2009 Romp to Stomp will be held January 31 at the Stratton Nordic Center. There will be three events: a 3K fun run, a 3K walk, and a 5K walk. Representatives from Tubbs wi... Read Full Story

(c) Bolton Valley ResortBolton Valley Resort and the Catamount Trail Association are presenting a Backcountry Ski Festival tomorrow, January 25 starting at 10:00 am. There will be equipment reps available to answer questions. Instructors will be on hand to help new and intermediate skiers and there will be a guided tour of Bolton's well know back country terrain which is a great way to learn the territory without the worry of getting lost - it's a very large and remote area.If you don't ha... Read Full Story

There are all manner of things to do in the winter and if you are looking for something different to try, consider ice climbing. It's basically mountain climbing on large, frozen waterfalls. Sunrise Adventures Climbing School here in Vermont is offering an ice climbing school at the end of this month at Smuggler's Notch near Jeffersonville. Sunrise is based at Triple Diamond Ski and Sports on Route 108 a couple of hundred yards from the Smugglers Notch Ski Resort. There will be equip... Read Full Story

Stowe Winter Carnival Snowshoe TrekStowe VT celebrates its 35th Winter Carnival with the theme this year of "Stowe Away Your Blues." Visitors and locals can spend a few days setting aside the economic travails of these times and enjoy some inexpensive fun.There are ten major activities planned for both adults and kids including an ice carving competition, snow volleyball tournament, snow golf tournament at the local country club, youth hockey tournament, super G race, movies, kids... Read Full Story

Big Time NY Times Wanders Into the Backwoods To See What the Woodchucks Are Eating These DaysMark Bittman, a writer for the Dining section of the NY Times Dining, must spend a good amount of time around the Waterbury VT area - he certainly knows the restaurants here, a couple of them off the beaten path for most visitors and even some locals. As his December 28, 2008 review shows, he is very impressed with Hen of the Wood restaurant, a quality restaurant that was opened by a pair of chefs ... Read Full Story