Local Food: With the autumnal equinox behind us and the weather cooling down, baking and roasting season comes into full swing. Hazendale, Riverside and Mystic Morning Farm grow winter squash, the thicker skinned and cold stored cousin to summer squash like zucchini. When roasted, winter squash like the acorn, butternut, pumpkin, hubbard and delicata (or sweet potato) sweeten and brighten, lending an earthy and bright flavor along with intense color. With just a pinch of salt, the squash speaks for itself when added to the crab cake and scallops. Butternut squash adds creaminess to the baby spinach salad with red onions, Bayley Hazen blue cheese, spiced walnuts and maple balsamic vinegar. Steven halves roasted pumpkins from Riverside Farm, and fills them with crunchy wheatberries and oats from Butterworks Farm and other fall flavors like onions, apples, kale and Constant Bliss cheese and tofu from Vermont Soy.

At the Bar: Come in to enjoy our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, October 2 we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Riverbend Red. The Apple Cider Car, with Champlain Orchards cider, Flag Hill Farm Pomme de Vie apple brandy and vodka is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: This is Banned Books Week and Galaxy is celebrating the freedom to read. Find a great link to challenged books here. Also, start getting some extra sleep now - the 4th Annual Read-a-Thon to benefit Hardwick Head Start begins on September 30th. Stop by Galaxy, look here or call 472-5533 for details.

Music Notes: Rustbucket Brothers return this Thursday, September 30 at 7:30. Support local music and get down with their rootsy Americana rock and country with a helping of Green Mountain soul.

Shake it Like a Leaf: Celebrate the harvest and all of your hard work this summer with a dance party at Claire's! Get your groove on with DJ Nukem on Friday, October 14 from 10pm-2am. Bring your ID and dancing shoes! 21 and over only please.

Local Events: The premiere Fall Open Studio Weekend is October 1 and 2. Support local art and get a view of Vermont's early foliage. Bring us a receipt from a participating open studio, and we'll buy you dessert!

Saturday, October 1 is Hill Farmstead Brewery's 2011 Harvest Festival, celebrating the season. From 12-5 you can sample amazing beer, local food and live music. $10 covers admission and two tasting tickets.

The final Center for an Agricultural Economy farm tour of the season is Thursday, October 20. The tour starts promptly at 10 and will visit area farms and agri-businesses. Please register at least seven days before the tour. Contact Elena with questions at 802-472-5840 ext. 2 or elena@hardwickagriculture.org.

Remember to mark your calendars for October 6, NOFA-VT's upcoming Share the Harvest annual event that benefits their Farm Share program. The Farm Share program is a great way that limited-income Vermonters can afford to purchase CSA shares of fresh produce from their local farmers. Dine with us on the 6th and help us donate a portion of our sales to the program.

Rosh Hashanah begins Thursday, September 29. Best wishes for a good and sweet new year. L'shanah tovah!

Reminders: Beginning in October, we will return to our fall schedule and close on Wednesdays.

We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Steven and the Technicolor Dream Bowl

Local Food: Despite the ubiquity of its pale cousin, cauliflower in truth is never afraid of color. And neither is Steven. This week, he embraces purple, gold, and a green that dazzles with its spikey, spiral form, along with the more humble white. They are all varieties of cauliflower, including the daring green Romanesco, from Pete's, dished up by Steven in a traditional gratin. The cauliflower soaks up a creamy sauce of Grafton cheddar, Sweet Rowen milk from West Glover, and citrusy Hill Farmstead Brewery Double Citra. Ham adds a smokey taste and a different texture (we can hold the ham if you'd like). The bowl is topped with an herbacious blend of breadcrumbs, and then put under the broiler to crisp up and brown. The end result is a creamy, crunchy, comforting gratin.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, September 25 we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek Oktoberfest, a $4 glass of Shelburne Vineyard Whimsey Meadow Rosé or East Shore Vineyard Traminette. The Watermelon Agua Fresca is offered for $5, made with watermelon from Pete's and tequila.

Music Notes: Laslo Cameo join us Thursday, September 22 at 7:30, playing their unique blend of world cultures. Our neighbors Leslie Campos and Randy Bulpin, with their shared desire to play groove-oriented and roots based material are sure to put on a show that is not to be missed!

Around the Galaxy: This Tuesday, September 20th, Beth Kanell will discuss her newest book for teens, The Secret Room. The book is a Vermont adventure set in a fictionalized version of North Danville. Come to the Galaxy to meet Beth and hear her read beginning at 7PM. And start getting some extra sleep now - the 4th Annual Read-a-Thon to benefit Hardwick Head Start begins on September 30th. Stop by Galaxy, look here or call 472-5533 for details.

Local Events: The Buffalo Mountain Co-op's Fifth Annual Harvest Celebration and Clothing Swap is this Friday, September 23 from 3-6 at the Hardwick Farmer's Market. Your second chance to swap is Saturday morning from 9-11. Clothing can be dropped off at Atkins Field after 1:00 on Friday, or on the porch at 144 W Church St. on Thursday evening or Friday morning.

On Saturday, September 24, Moving Planet, a coalition of businesses, non-profits, colleges, universities and individuals concerned about global warming will gather on the statehouse lawn in Montpelier for the largest climate action event ever held in Vermont. Buses will depart from Hazen Union School promptly at 1:00.

Mark your calendars for October 6, NOFA-VT's upcoming Share the Harvest annual event that benefits their Farm Share program. The Farm Share program is a great way that limited-income Vermonters can afford to purchase CSA shares of fresh produce from their local farmers. Dine with us on the 6th and help us donate a portion of our sales to the program.

The Hangman Frame Shop and Gallery will host an exhibit of watercolors by Greensboro artist Wayne Lind from September 24- October 31. A reception will be held Saturday, September 24 from 2-4. For more information, call 525-4405.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Bar Bite

Local Food: Embracing the best flavors of Fall, this week's bar bite, offered exclusively at the bar, is a rich and earthy chicken liver and apple wrapped in bacon. Steven slowly cooks spicy red onions from Riverside Farm to bring out all their natural sugars, adds a few drops of Dunc's Mill maple rum, and with a bit of time creates a sweet onion jam. A wedge of crispy Duchess apple from Josh Karp in Greensboro is sautéed along with a chicken liver from Pete in Craftsbury. Crispy bacon from Winding Brook Farm wraps the duo, which is perched on Matzoh from Charlie at Patchwork Farm. The onion jam provides just the right amount of sweetness to round out this one bite wonder.

At the Bar: Stop by for our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, September 18 we offer a $2.50 pint of Long Trail Harvest Ale, a $4 glass of East Shore Vineyard Traminette or Cabernet Franc. The Berry Melontini is offered for $5, made with melon from Pete's, strawberries from Hazendale and Green Mountain Organic Vodka.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday, September 20th, Beth Kanell will discuss her newest book for teens, The Secret Room. The book is a Vermont adventure set in a fictionalized version of North Danville. Come to the Galaxy to meet Beth and hear her read beginning at 7PM.

Music Notes: Flat Top Trio joins us this Thursday, September 15 at 7:30. Be sure to catch this Bluegrass/Americana group- you might even end up with a free cd!

Local Art: Visit with Montpelier artist Maggie Neale and explore her color musings at Claire's on Monday, September 19 from 4-6. Whether with hand painted silk scarves, large silk hangings, hand woven chenille scarves or oil paintings, Maggie allows color to rule, to flow, and to transform.

Local Events: Bring Vermont history alive with Linda Radtke at the Hardwick Town House on Friday, September 16 at 7:00. Singer and researcher Radtke will be joined by pianist Arthur Zorn to sing the songs that grew up with Vermont from the Vermont Historical Society's collection of sheet music. Call the Jeudevine Library for more information at 472-5948.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Sweet Charentais

Local Libations: Charentais melons are true cantaloupes, different from the more common muskmelon. The Charentais come from Pete, and are sweeter and smaller. Our melons make their way to the bar this week, where they are puréed and added to silky smooth and crisp Green Mountain Organic Vodka. We add frozen strawberries from Hazendale Farm for another dimension of sweetness and a punch of bright red color. A splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur and egg whites from Windhorse Farm are the final touch and add a light and fluffy consistency to the cocktail. Served up in an ice cold glass, this sweet and delicate cocktail is the perfect way to send off summer.

At the Bar: Stop by for our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, September 11 we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's IPA, a $5 glass of Shelburne Riesling or award winning Marquette. The Sazerac, a quintessential New Orleans cocktail from the 1800s made with whiskey and absinthe, is $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Saturday, September 10th at 3PM Galaxy offers a writing workshop. Midge Raymond and Wendy Call present "Global Perspectives, Local Stories." Raymond is the author of a short story collection, Forgetting English and Call is the author of No Words for Welcome: The Mexican Village Faces the Global Economy. The workshop is free at Galaxy from 3-5 on Saturday.

Music Notes: Lewis Franco and Dono Schnaber join us Thursday, September 8 at 7:30. Robert Resnik of Vermont Public Radio calls Franco "a brilliant songwriter- one of our very finest." Franco has been a fixture on the Vermont acoustic music scene for many years, entertaining audiences of all ages with clever and occasionally profound lyrics, delightfully tuneful melodies and a fun-loving presence.

Local Events: Highfields Center for Composting is holding an On-Farm Composting 101 Workshop on Wednesday, September 14. This workshop is designed for farmers, their employees and professional agricultural service providers interested in implementing composting practices at their farms or the farms they advise. Registration begins at 8:30, and the workshop goes from 9:00 to 3:30. For more information, contact Tyler at 472-5238 ext. 202 or info@highfieldscomposting.org.

After the Flood: The Vermont Farm Fund is accepting donations to help farmers affected by the flood. Please donate if you can. Stop by Claire's with your donations for our friends at Riverside Farm in East Hardwick, who lost $25,000- $35,000 worth of produce, including carrots, radishes and beets.

For photos of Hardwick during the flood, click here.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Yes We Can

Local Food: While there's nothing like a tomato pulled right from the vine at the peak of summer, canning draws out the subtle flavors of the fruit with a unique complexity provided in the preparation. Steven starts with Roma tomatoes, which he gets from Pete, because they are an especially good canning tomato due to the small amount of seeds. He roasts them along with canola oil from Maine Natural Oils. The oil is made exclusively from Maine crops, and is added to the tomatoes to keep them moist and provide a bit of flavor. A touch of thyme is also included. Come winter, these tomatoes will provide a welcome burst of flavor in soups and sauces.

We are thankful we made it through Sunday's storm unscathed, and send good thoughts to our friends working to put things back together.

At the Bar: Stop by for our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, September 4 we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek Black IPA, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Blackberry Gimlet is $5.

Around the Galaxy:Willard Sterne Randall, Distinguished Scholar in History at Champlain College and Pulitzer Nominee, presents his new biography of Ethan Allen at 6PM on Tuesday. Please note the earlier time and join us at Galaxy for a new look at the life and times of a Vermont legend.

Music Notes:Bluegrass/country band Honest Thieves join us Thursday, September 1 at 7:30. Come out and support Vermont music!

Local Events: Mark your calendar for the Fermentation Festival on Sunday, September 11 at Wheelock Mountain Farm in Greensboro from 10-4. Workshops will focus on the fantastic foods that can be created and preserved through the art of fermentation. Learn how to make pickles, kimchi, yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut and more. For more information call the Swap Sisters at 533-2296 or email swapsisters@gmail.com.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

Prickly Summer Visitor

Local Food: Native to Mediterranean climates, the artichoke has a tough time growing in Vermont. But thanks to farmers like Bill Half at Harvest Hill, we are able to enjoy this elusive and sharp edged summer visitor for a few short weeks. Underneath its defensive exterior is a tender heart, and peeling back the leaves reveals soft fleshy pockets of earthy flavor. Artichokes can be steamed and served with butter or mayonnaise, but Steven prefers a stuffed artichoke, cut in half and filled with smooth and tangy ricotta cheese from Maplebrook Farm, and an herbaceous pistou. Each half is topped with crunchy breadcrumbs, and baked to soften the artichoke and meld the flavors. A sauce of grilled peppers from Pete's and tomatoes from Riverside Farm accompanies the artichoke, making a smokey and earthy complement for your dipping delight.

At the Bar: Stop by for our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, August 28 we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's IPA, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Blackberry Sage Martini is offered for $5, made with blackberries from Provender Farm in Cabot.

Around the Galaxy: Galaxy welcomes David Budbill on Tuesday at 7PM. David's new book Happy Life is cause for celebration, so come out for a lively evening of poetry. Next week Galaxy hosts Willard Sterne Randall, author of a new biography of Ethan Allen. This event begins an hour earlier than usual, at 6PM.

Music Notes: Blue Fox returns this Thursday, August 25. Don't miss who the Times Argus Newspaper calls "one of the few authentic blues musicians in Vermont- well worth the listen."

Local Events: Bruce Buckley, Charles McAteer and Lilah Shreeve star in Greensboro Arts Alliance & Residency's take on the Clifford Odets play Golden Boy at the Lakeview Inn. Make a dinner reservation at Claire's and catch the show at 7:30 on Wednesday and Thursday, August 24 and 25.

Remember the Hardwick Farmers' Market every Friday through October from 3-6. You'll find baked goods, honey, soy, plants, crafts and much more, including live music every week.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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Cornography

Local Food: Is there anything better than corn on the cob, pulled right from the stalk and cooked just for a moment so the butter will melt? You've probably already taken a few bites of the sweet and succulent kernels. Steven takes this basic goodness and amps up the volume. The corn comes to us from Riverside Farm, and each cob is roasted and then grilled whole to add a touch of the open fire. Garlicky aioli, with garlic from Rebel Pine Farm, adds a zip, along with a sprinkling of cilantro from Riverside and parsley and sage from Provender Farm. Coomersdale cheese from Bonnieview Farm (recent award winners at the American Cheese Society Competition for their Ben Nevis) is shaved on top of the corn cob, giving you the first sharp kick and a hint of nuttiness.

At the Bar: Stop by for our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, August 21 we offer a $2.50 pint of Rock Art Whitetail Ale, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Berry Bellini is offered for $5, made with sparkling wine and blueberries from Agape Hill Farm.

Around the Galaxy: Galaxy is gearing up for David Budbill who will appear on Tuesday, August 23rd to read poems from his new book Happy Life. The celebration begins at 7PM and is free and open to all.

Music Notes: Cosa Buena make their long awaited return this Thursday, August 18 at 7:30. Enjoy their acoustic music with a gentle Latin-jazz feel.

Local Events: Kingdom Farm and Food Days, a celebration of Vermont food and agriculture, is this weekend, August 20 and 21. Events include a bike tour of area farms with the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, a pig roast dinner on Saturday at Pete's Greens, a tour of the High Mowing Seeds trials garden, a tasting of some of Vermont's finest produce prepared by the New England Culinary Institute on Sunday, and much more. This community-wide and family-friendly event is free, with suggested donations or small fees to some of the exclusive events.

Reminders: We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up.

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