Sour Grapes? Make a Graple Collins

Local Food: Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard, a local treasure just outside Hardwick, grows hardy and unusual fruit and nut trees and vines, including the Arctic Kiwi, Autumn Olive, Black Walnut and over 10 varieties of grape. We like the plump, purple King of the North grape to infuse Green Mountain Organic Vodka for a tart, fresh sweetness. We add Caledonia Farm maple syrup to balance the flavors and add some depth, and a splash of Green Mountain Organic Maple Liquor. And there you have our Graple Collins, served on the rocks and topped with soda water. This refreshing fall cocktail is a delicious way to toast Vermont's enticing agricultural landscape.

At the Bar: Come in to enjoy our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, October 23 we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek Oktoberfest, a $4 glass of East Shore Vineyard Traminette or Cabernet Franc. Claire's Cosmo, with Green Mountain Organic Vodka and Vermont Cranberry Company Cranberry juice, is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: On Tuesday, the 18th, Galaxy welcomes Willard Sterne Randall reading from Ethan Allen: His Life and Times. And then tag, you're it - on October 25th Archer Mayor introduces his 22nd Gunther mystery at 7PM.

Music Notes: Singer/Songwriter Paul Cataldo joins us this Thursday, October 20 at 7:30. Don't miss him belting out original songs about mountains, rivers and roads.

Local Events: Visit Caledonia Spirits & Winery at their Open House this Saturday, October 22 from 10-6. See where Barr Hill Gin and Vodka, Caledonia Mead and Dunc's Mill Rum are being made, at 46 Buffalo Mt. Commons Drive (through Lamoille Valley Ford) in Hardwick.

This Saturday, October 22 at 6:00 is the Indian Dinner and Live Dance performance to benefit Child Haven International at Hazen Union. Check out the Sari Fashion Show, live music and dance performance. Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and under. Volunteers are needed- call Rachel at 472-5755 to sign up, or stop by the Buffalo Mountain Coop.

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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Is it Chili Yet?

Local Food: With Vermont in the midst of a Mexican food renaissance, Steven puts a Green Mountain spin on a favorite from the city of Puebla, the chile relleno. He stuffs a sweet Carmen chili pepper from Pete's with Maplebrook's mozzarella and ricotta as well as Grafton cheddar cheese, adding a mix of cilantro and red onions from Riverside Farm with garlic from Sandiwood Farm. The stuffed sweet chili is battered and fried, resulting in a crispy chili with a melty cheese inside. In keeping with traditional flavors, Steven makes a slightly sweet and tart salsa verde of tomatillos, also from Sandiwood Farm. A light salad of fennel, Valentine radishes and sunflower sprouts from Peace of Earth Farm balances the richness and adds a bite of spice to the mild relleno.

At the Bar: Come in to enjoy our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, October 16 we offer a $2.50 pint of Trout River Rainbow Red, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Riverbend Red. The Cantaloupe Cocktail with Green Mountain Organic Gin, melon and ginger ale is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Willard Sterne Randall will come to Galaxy to discuss his book Ethan Allen: His Life and Times. This event was originally scheduled in August and cancelled in the wake of Irene. Come to Galaxy to welcome Mr. Randall, Distinguished Scholar in History at Champlain College and Pulitzer nominee, Tuesday October 18th at 7PM.

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

Music Notes: Bluegrass trio Freddy & The Weeds join us this Thursday, October 13 at 7:30. Their non-traditional jams mixed with old favorites are not to be missed!

Local Events: Enjoy a magical walk through the Hardwick Trails lit by hundreds of pumpkins. Cider, donuts and a very friendly story-telling witch can be found at a bonfire gathering at the half-way point. The Pumpkin Walk begins at 6:00 on Sunday, October 16.

On Saturday, Vermont Vaudeville brings When It Rains It Pours to the Hardwick Town House at 7:30P.M. The show is for all ages and features the world's only Toilet Paper Tightrope! Get the details 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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Get Shorty!

Local Food: Beef short ribs so tender they melt. Starting from Snug Valley Farm, the ribs are brought to our kitchen where they are rubbed with cinnamon and fennel, then grilled to bring out the smokey rich goodness of the meat. Steven braises the rib with Champlain Orchards apple cider and Otter Creek Oktoberfest. Aromatics like onions from Riverside Farm, garlic from Pete's and celery leaves from Sandiwood Farm add a fresh depth to this fall flavored plate of yummy. The season's start is official with the arrival of root veggies to accompany the short rib, including roasted rutabaga and turnips, as well as fingerling potatoes. Steven's answer to the short rib challenge is perfectly complemented with a glass of Shelburne Vineyard's newest variety, New World Red, made exclusively with Vermont grapes.

At the Bar: Come in to enjoy our Sunday and Monday drink specials. This Sunday, October 9 we offer a $2.50 pint of Wolaver's Brown Ale, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Riverbend Red. The Cranberry Crush with Vermont Cranberry Company cranberry juice, spiced rum and ginger ale is offered for $5.

Around the Galaxy: Willard Sterne Randall will come to Galaxy to discuss his book Ethan Allen: His Life and Times. This event was originally scheduled in August and cancelled in the wake of Irene. Come to Galaxy to welcome Mr. Randall, Distinguished Scholar in History at Champlain College and Pulitzer nominee, Tuesday October 18th at 7PM. Also, Galaxy will be at The Lakeview Inn on Sunday, October 9th for the book signing following a panel discussion and dessert with Marialisa Calta, Marian Burros, Judith Jones, Jeff Roberts and Bronwyn Dunne. The topic will be Home Cooking & the Development of America's Culinary Landscape. For reservations contact Bronwyn Dunne at 802-860-5022.

Music Notes: Art Edelstein and Mike Fullerton are the Borealis Guitar Duo, joining us Thursday, October 6 at 7:30. Don't miss their music from the Celtic Lands with forays into American, Scandinavian and Klezmer music.

Shake it Like a Leaf: Celebrate the harvest and shake off all the hard work of 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: Dine with us this Thursday, October 6 to help support NOFA-VT's 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.

Vermont Vaudeville presents "When it Rains it Pours" on Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 at the Hardwick Town House. Be sure to catch their all-ages show overflowing with comedy and music, and featuring the world's only toilet paper tightrope!

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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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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