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Who doesn’t enjoy a good farmers market? I love going to different town’s farmers markets because they are all different and offer a variety of products. What I enjoy most is the fresh local fruits and vegetables. I like eating what’s in season and I especially like the fruit that’s in season. Right now, is blueberry season which is by far my favorite, but as summer comes to an end so does berry season. As a treat, I also got some maple kettle corn at the farmers market. I would recommend the popcorn to people that like maple and want a more natural option to caramel corn.

I look forward to fall because of apple season. I love baking all year round, but fall baking is by far my favorite. From apple crisp, apple pie, pumpkin pie, to all things maple! These flavors really remind me of home and bring back memories of baking with my family. My family is always up for trying new recipes and they are always requesting their favorites. One recipe I have memorized is my family’s and specifically my dad’s favorite thing I make is my peanut butter no bake cookies.  Anything chocolate peanut butter is a great hit with my family and friends. Below, are some Reese’s Pieces and peanut butter cup cookies I made for the Super Bowl this year. They were so soft and super delicious!

2019 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition + OFF-ROAD Package in Midnight Black Metallic

At Handy Toyota we receive all types of requests for vehicles with unique upgrades & packages. We know the customer is always right! To separate ourselves from the competition & give you as many options as possible; we custom order most of our inventory! What does this mean exactly? It enables our customers the option to purchase vehicles like our Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition in a Midnight Black (pictured above) or Barcelona Red! These trucks also come with the Off-Road upgrade! Old man winter is right around the corner, treat yourself to something with 4-Wheel Drive! Give us a call or come in today to build your own vehicle package:

Sales #: 866-203-2374

701 Highgate Road, Saint Albans, VT 05478

Right off of Exit 20 on I-89!

Jamie Blanchard

Used Car Service Manager

October’s employee spotlight focuses on Used Car Service Manager Jamie Blanchard! Jamie has worked for Handy’s for almost five years and started in a reconditioning position. She was an assistant manager for eight months leading up to her current position. We asked Jamie what her dream vehicles are, and she says, “a 4Runner, Sequoia, or Land Cruiser, and a Subaru WRX STI” During her free time, you can find Jamie doing anything from hunting and fishing, to going hiking and kayaking. Plus, she loves car shows! As a big fan of movies, she had a hard time picking her favorite but narrowed it down to all Disney movies and The Conjuring series. Her goals in life are to be happy and retire early! When asked to summarize herself, Jamies states, “I was born in a small town, and I’ve worked hard for everything I have.” Our last question for Jamie was, “What do you like about working at Handy’s?” and she told us it’s working alongside some of her friends.

For any inquiries contact Jamie Blanchard at jblanchard@handycars.com or (802) 528-2242

37th Annual Stowe Foliage Arts Festival

Date: Friday-Sunday, October 11th-13th

Time: 10 am – 5 pm

Location: Topnotch Field, 3420 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Website: http://craftproducers.com/festivals/35th-annual-stowe-foliage-arts-festival/

Event Description:

Stowe, Vermont, is the place to experience the classic New England Autumn, and the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival is the perfect destination. Surround yourself with Autumnal perfection – the Festival takes place at the height of the fall foliage season – and enjoy exquisite Art and fine Craftwork from over 150 juried Fine Artists and Artisans. There will be live music and other entertainment, great food, draft beer, wine, and demonstrations of traditional craftwork. Sample and purchase specialty food products such as maple syrup, gourmet chocolate, craft distilled spirits, and more! Make time to enjoy the great outdoors this Autumn, and visit the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival.

Fees/Admission:

Adult daily admission $10, adult weekend admission $12, kids free, and free parking.

Nightmare Vermont

Date: Thursday – Saturday, October 17-19, 24-26

Time: 7 pm – 10 pm (Thursdays and Fridays), 6 pm – 11 pm (Saturdays)

Location: Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction, VT 05452

Website: https://nightmarevermont.org/\

Event Description:

Nightmare Vermont is a unique, all-volunteer, charity Halloween event in the U.S., combining live stage combat, original immersive theater, and all the best in interactive scares and special effects. The event has run in underground spaces and as part of other community events since 2004.  Thousands of people enjoy the show every year and we’re looking forward to scaring your socks off in 2019.

Nightmare Vermont 2019 features two attractions: an immersive theater event and a scare maze. Your timed ticket will get you into a high school prom gone horribly wrong. Natural disasters are not so natural, panic makes people dangerous, and someone is sending you threatening messages.

Fees/Admission:

$13 in advance, $15 starting October 13th.

http://tickets.nightmarevermont.org/

Northwest Nightmares Film Festival

Date: Monday & Tuesday, October 28th & 29th

Time: Doors – 6:30 pm, Show – 7 pm

Location: The Welden Theatre, Main Street, downtown St. Albans

Website: https://nwnightmares.com/

Event Description:

Create an original horror film rated PG-13 and under 10 minutes in length. It’ll be screened inside St. Albans, Vermont’s Welden Theatre to a full house of horror film fans. Prizes and awards await the winners. What horrors lurk among us in the northwestern corner of Vermont? For six years we’ve screened over sixty spooky stories conjured up by dozens of local filmmakers, showcasing the immense amount of creative talent and macabre imagination present in Franklin County, Vermont.

Fees/Admission:

Tickets are $10, and the entry fee is $40

How did the Toyota Supra come to be one of the most sought after sports cars?

The Toyota Supra was one of the most influential cars that Toyota would make! They began to pump out the first generation of the legend between 1978 to 2002. The Supra was first made on the same platform as the Toyota Celica of 1997. Eventually, the two cars split from each other. Finally allowing the Supra to become what most car enthusiasts dreamed about. During the Supras almost two-decade hiatus in the United States Toyota was busy designing the all-new generation of the Supra.

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The Supra is on its fifth generation with the debut of the 2020 model year. I believe the fourth generation, 1993-2002, was the most coveted car Toyota ever created. Due to its ability to be tailored to the owner, the extraordinary handling, and the outside looks and curves. Inside of the fourth generation, the cock-pit was driver-centric. Meaning all the buttons, the dash, and driving position were designed specifically for an exhilarating ride.

The 2020 Toyota Supra is fully redesigned is sleeker, sexier, and much improved on the inside and out. The 2020 Supra does not feel like a dream of a teenager anymore. Instead, it has been elevated to a new standard for Toyota. Some enthusiasts will always prefer the nostalgia of the fourth generation Supra but the 2020 Supra is going to be one for the records books as well!

Are you ready to gear up for the hockey season? Handycars.com is!

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The Handy Cars Family of Dealerships once again supports the University of Vermont’s Ice Hockey program. Join UVM hockey all year long for specials from handycars.com like a chance to win tickets, free t-shirts and many other great prizes. Stay tuned for more information regarding this upcoming season.

In addition to being the main sponsor for the Cats hockey teams, handycars.com, along with UVM, will sponsor great local events in our own community of St. Albans including skating programs with the UVM hockey players and other events with the Catamounts mascot Rally. Short on time? Shop online! And GO CATS GO!

Route 30 – Middlebury to Poultney

Route 30 is one of the most underrated scenic roads in Vermont –, especially in Addison and Rutland counties. Route 30 starts near the Massachusetts border in Brattleboro and extends to Middlebury. While Middlebury is always a fun destination, make time to see the tiny towns of Cornwall, Whiting, and Sudbury, all located south of the classic New England college town.

Region: Lake Champlain Valley (Addison and Rutland counties)

Getting there: From Route 7 in Middlebury, follow signs for Route 30 south.

Miles: Middlebury to Poultney is 39 miles (one way)

Places of Interest: Middlebury College, Sudbury Congregational Church and Meeting House, Half Moon State Park (open through Columbus Day Weekend), historic Castleton (on Route 4A) and the Poultney Green (on Route 140).

Routes 2 to 114 – Montpelier to Island Pond

It’s hard to go wrong when you’re driving to the Northeast Kingdom in the fall. One of my favorite fall drives is from Montpelier to the northern reaches of Vermont’s most rural region. Foliage arrives a little early in the Northeast Kingdom (the area identified as Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties), so plan on exploring around Oct. 1 to see the brightest colors.

Region: Central and Northern Vermont (Washington/Caledonia/Essex counties)

Getting there: Take Exit 8 off Interstate 89 toward Montpelier. Head east on Route 2 to Danville to Route 5 in St. Johnsbury. Take Route 5 north to Route 114 in Lyndonville.

Miles: Montpelier to Island Pond is 69 miles (one way)

Places of Interest: The Vermont State House, Marshfield Reservoir, Joe’s Pond, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Burke Mountain and Island Pond.

Route 313 in West Arlington to Sandgate Road

Whenever I’m in Manchester, my childhood home, I usually end up spending time in towns along the spine of the Green Mountains – Peru, Londonderry, Weston, and Stratton. But one of the areas I’m most excited to visit again this fall is the western part of Bennington County along the Battenkill River. We used to drive this route to New York State when I was growing up, and it still looks exactly the same as it did 40 years ago.

While you’re on Route 313, head north on Sandgate Road, which takes you around the back of Equinox Mountain and offers a completely new and beautiful perspective.

Region: Southern Vermont/Bennington County

Getting there: Take Route 7A to Arlington and travel west on Route 313. Sandgate Road will be on your right as you’re heading west.

Miles: Route 313 and Sandgate Road are a total of about 14 miles (one way)

Places of interest: West Arlington Covered Bridge, the Battenkill River and the Wayside Country Store.

Route 58 through Hazen’s Notch

Not far from Jay Peak is Route 58, which climbs to the east and changes to dirt through Hazen’s Notch in Westfield. Closed in the winter to traffic, Hazen’s Notch is not only beautiful and remote, it’s also an historic route. The notch was named after Moses Hazen — commissioned by George Washington — and his American Revolutionary forces in an attempt to reach St. John.

Region: Northern Vermont (Franklin/Orleans counties)

Getting there: Take Route 118 through Montgomery to Route 58

Miles: Route 58 through Hazens Notch is 10 miles (one way)

Places of Interest: Montgomery covered bridges, Jay Peak and The Long Trail

Chelsea Mountain Road to Route 110 in Tunbridge

Chelsea Mountain Road is a meandering dirt road that takes you from East Randolph to Route 110. The mountain road is quiet and steep in places, but less rugged and not as remote as some other highland roads in Vermont.

Once you’re on Route 110, visit Tunbridge’s covered bridges – the Flint Bridge (1845), Larkin Bridge (1902), Mill Bridge (1883; replaced in 2000), Cilley Bridge (1883), and Howe Bridge (1872).

Region: Central Vermont (Orange County)

Getting there: Take Exit 4 off Interstate 89 in Randolph and follow Route 66 east to Route 14 south. Take a left on scenic Chelsea Mountain Road in East Randolph to Route 110.

Miles: Chelsea Mountain Road is 7 miles (one way)

Places of Interest: Floyd’s General Store in Randolph Center, Tunbridge covered bridges and Tunbridge Fairgrounds

Route 131 in Cavendish

Windsor County is home to some of the prettiest towns in Vermont – Woodstock, Weston, Plymouth Notch and Chester. Route 100 is also a popular route through this region. But if you’re looking for something different, try Cavendish.

Region: Southern Vermont (Windsor County)

Getting there: Take Exit 8 off Interstate 91 and travel west onto Route 131 through Weathersfield and onto Cavendish and then Ludlow.

Miles: Route 131 from Interstate 91 to Route 103 in Ludlow is 34 miles

Places of Interest: Cavendish Stone Church, Downers Covered Bridge and Okemo Mountain Resort.

Route 121 in Saxtons River to Grafton to North Windham

I have a soft spot for the tiny village of Saxtons River in the town of Rockingham. The Saxtons River Inn, a vintage 1903 inn with a distinctive square, five-story tower, is a local landmark that’s worth visiting or photographing while you’re in town.

Head west on Route 121 through Grafton – one of Vermont’s most beautiful towns – and you’ll eventually find yourself on a dirt road that leads to North Windham. This is a gorgeous Vermont drive that is not to be missed.

Region: Southern Vermont (Windham County)

Getting there: Take Exit 6 off Interstate 89 in Bellows Falls and follow signs to Route 121 in Saxtons River.

Miles: Route 121 is 27 miles from Saxtons River to North Windham (one way)

Places of Interest: Flat Iron Exchange coffee house in Bellows Falls, Saxtons River Inn, Grafton Inn, Grafton Village Cheese and Kidder Covered Bridge

Huntington Road

By the time fall arrives, I’m usually planning most of my fall trips outside of the Burlington area. But there are plenty of beautiful, rural roads to check out during the fall season. One of my favorites is Huntington Road. As you head south from Richmond, you’ll see beautiful views of Camels Hump along the way.

Region: Lake Champlain Valley (Chittenden County)

Getting there: Take Exit 11 off Interstate 89 and take Route 2 east toward Richmond. Take a right onto Bridge Street, and then another right onto Huntington Road. Huntington Road turns into Main Road a few miles south of Richmond. The road becomes Gore Road as you get closer to Route 17.

Miles: Huntington Road/Main Road/Gore Road from Richmond to just north of Route 17 is 15 miles (one way)

Places of Interest: Old Round Church, Green Mountain Audubon and Camels Hump State Park

West Shore Road in the Champlain Islands

The nice thing about the Champlain Islands is that it’s one of the last places in Vermont for the leaves to turn, so you can enjoy fall colors well into late October. West Shore Drive in South Hero and Grand Isle hugs the shoreline of Lake Champlain and offers beautiful views of both the Adirondacks and Green Mountains.

Region: Northwest Vermont (Grand Isle County)

Getting there: Take Exit 17 off Interstate 89 and travel on Route 2 west toward the

Champlain Islands. Turn left on South Street followed by a right on West Shore Drive.

Miles: West Shore Drive is 9 miles (one way)

Places of Interest: Snow Farm Winery, Hero’s Welcome General Store and St. Anne’s Shrine

1. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, Manchester

The flowers are blooming in the stunning gardens at Hildene. A gorgeous setting for a picnic, as well as interesting and historical tours of the buildings and grounds!

2. Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe

Go and see why the “hills are alive with the sound of music” at this scenic spot!

3. Mount Philo State Park, Charlotte

The view of the Champlain Valley with the Adirondacks in the distance is one of the most spectacular in Vermont. The 968-foot mountaintop picnic area at the top offers stunning views, a big reward for the modest 1-mile hike.

4. Oakledge Park, Burlington

Enjoy the breathtaking sunsets and even a treehouse at this waterfront location.

5. Averill Mountain, Averill

This beginners hike is 3/4-mile and the view is definitely worth the climb. At the top it levels out on a large rock and overlooks Big Averill Lake and its neighboring mountain, Brousseau. The rock at the top is large and flat enough for a good size group to have a nice picnic.

6. Lake Willoughby Beach, Westmore

The iconic north beach is one of the most photographed places in Vermont. There are public beaches on both the north and south shores of the lake, with ample space to have a nice picnic. North beach has public bath facilities, and south beach is bathing suit optional, so choose your spot wisely!

7. Craftsbury Common, Craftsbury

With a lovely town green surrounded by white clapboard houses, picket fences, a tiny library, a faded cemetery and stirring views to the east and west, you’ll love being immersed in this quintessential town. It even has a country store down the road where you can get your picnic lunch!

8. Texas Falls Recreation Area, Hancock

An easy trail leads to one of Vermont’s prettiest cascades and best picnic spots. A must visit in Vermont.

Toyota has just unveiled the 2020 Supra at the North American International Auto Show and it’s a stunner — both visually and what’s inside. The 2020 Toyota Supra puts the Japanese automaker back in the sports car business after a 20-year hiatus.
Toyota repeated what it did with Subaru for the 86, working with BMW to make the new Supra a reality. It uses the same drivetrain and platform hardware as the 2019 Z4, but unlike the Subaru BRZ and 86 clones, the Supra has its own distinct look and performance tuning by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsports division.

Fittingly, BMW brought inline six-cylinder know-how to the collaboration, which is what powered all previous Supras. In the new car, a turbocharged 3.0-liter with 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque drives the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. It’ll hit 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Helping the 3,397-pound Supra handle are 50:50 distribution and lower center of gravity compared to the 86. The double-joint front strut and the multilink rear suspension features standard adaptive dampers, aluminum control arms which shave unsprung weight and Brembo four-piston front brake calipers. All Supras also get a torque vectoring rear differential and ride on staggered 19-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (255/35 front, 275/35 rear) wrapped around forged wheels.

Infotainment equipment consists of a 6.5-inch center display and a console rotary controller shared with BMW’s iDrive interface. Base cars can have navigation and a 12-speaker JBL audio system equipped for an additional $2,460. An upgraded 8.8-inch touchscreen comes on 3.0 Premium cars with navigation, JBL sound, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless phone charging pad. As in BMW products, Android Auto isn’t supported.

On the safety tech front, all Supras get forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and road sign assist. The 3.0 Premium also receives a head-up display. For an additional $1,195, a Driver Assist Package adds adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors to both trim levels.

The 2020 Toyota Supra goes on sale this summer with a base price of $50,920, including $930 for destination. The 3.0 Premium begins at $54,920, while the first 1,500 units built for the US will be Launch Edition cars with special design touches and numbered carbon fiber dash plaques. The Supra Launch Edition wears a $56,180 price tag.

The Great Race & Bay Day

Date: July 6th, 2019

Time: 9 am – 1 pm

Location: St. Albans Bay, VT

Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatRaceVT

Event Description:

Franklin County’s annual triathlon tradition continues. Run 3 miles, bike 12 miles and paddle 3 miles. Afternoon activities, games, food and live music bring Bay Day into the evening, capped by fireworks at dusk.

Fees/Admission:

Registration required for the Great Race. Bay Day is free and open to the public.

Swanton Car Show

Date: July 27th, 2019

Time: 9 am – 2:30 pm

Location: Village Green Park
Grand Avenue
Swanton, VT 05488 

Website: http://www.swantonchamber.com/

Event Description:

NEW: Super Wheels Qualifier show! Favorite 50 Judged by Show Committee – Engine Blow Contest – 50/50 Raffle – Farmer’s Market and… After the show stay around for a Fire Dept BBQ starting at 6:00 pm and a free concert in the park from 6-9 pm. Food Available in the Park! Live DJ! Raffles!

Fees/Admission:

Free – Food available for purchase in the park

Jig in the Valley

Date: July 28th, 2019

Time: 12 pm – 9 pm

Location: On the green in East Fairfield, Rain or Shine

Event Description:

Live music, food tent and pie table, wood fired pizza, kids activities, 50/50 raffle, flea market and more.

Fees/Admission:

Admission: $10 per person; $25 per family