Ah Shucks!

Local News: This week, we've upholstered our generous benches for a scoosh more comfort. Thanks to the skills and dedication of Linda Fox and a little ingenuity and research of our own, our benches are padded with wool batting from Neil and Kristin Urie at Bonnieview Farm and covered with recycled, biodegradable fabric made utilizing a low energy process consuming only 0.1% of solvent.

Local Food: Arriving from a family oyster farm in Maine, the celebrated Glidden Point Oysters have debuted on our menu, shucked to order so they are as fresh as possible. Raised using low impact handling, these plump oysters yield sweet and briny meat for seafood lovers to savor. For that touch of Hardwick, Steven serves the oysters with lemon thyme and horseradish straight from his own garden. He tops them with an herbed butter with roasted garlic, rosemary and thyme, adding a dash of bread crumbs and bits of crispy bacon. Gratinéed to lightly toast them and add crunchy texture to the oysters, the plate arrives at your table with a salad of Napa cabbage from Pete's Greens and pea sprouts from Peace of Earth Farm. Try the Oysters with a glass Shelburne Vineyards sweet riesling or Vidal Blanc Ice Wine.

Around the Galaxy:The bookshelves are practically sagging with the weight of the season's crop of cookbooks. Always a great time for new titles, this fall has brought an especially delicious selection. On Saturday, December 4th, Galaxy celebrates 22 years in business with a Sirius Reader party, cookbook signing and recipe tasting. Come by between 11 and 1 to meet Andrea Chesman, author of Recipes from the Root Cellar, and Tracey Madeiros. Tracey is the author of Galaxy bestseller Dishing Up Vermont.

Music Notes: We will be closed this Thursday for Thanksgiving. Join us next week for Katie Trautz, Noah Hahn and Jay Ekis.

Local Events: Meet the creator of basketball, James Naismith, in a living history presentation at the Jeudevine Library on Tuesday, November 30 at 7 pm. See Robert Cheney, author of Basketball's Origins, become Dr. Naismith. For more information contact the library at 472-5948

Getting Ready for the Holidays: Buy a gift certificate now through the new year and we will donate 10% of sales to NOFA-VT's Farm Share Program.

Book a Holiday Party at Claire's now and you'll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate. For groups of six or more we will offer a $25 prix fixe menu.

We will be closed Thursday, November 25 as well as December 24 and 25 so our staff can celebrate the holidays with their families and friends. Our annual closing will be after "blunch" service on January 2, reopening Monday, January 17.

Reminders: We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. Claire's is closed every Wednesday.

We appreciate it when you reserve a table with us, as it helps us plan a relaxed and hospitable experience for you and all our guests. To show our appreciation, when you call, email, or stop by to make a reservation, you will be entered into our weekly drawing for a $20 gift card for your next visit.