Local Tree Farms Mean Business When it Comes to Christmas

It’s holiday time once again in the beautiful green mountains of Vermont. Many local Christmas tree farms are beginning to gear up for the annual rush of spirited families cutting down their own Christmas trees. When visiting the Chapin Christmas Tree Farm on Chapin road in Essex, VT I was able to catch up with Sylvia Berg and discuss the annual festivities. When asked about how profitable her business was Sylvia replied that she “Made $600-$1000 an acre”, pretty good for an annual gig. The Farm itself was situated on a tract of land off of a dirt road in between the road and the wood’s edge, a truly beautiful setting.

After initially meeting with Sylvia it was decided to take a walk around the farm to get a sense of the differing types of trees they had available. There were Fir trees, Blue Spruce, and of course the ever popular Balsam Fir. Each tree unique and colorful in its own way. However, in this industry more trees means less business and more business means fewer trees. The gaps in the rows of evergreens told me that business was good. Most local Christmas tree farms provide their clients with their own hack saws and sleds with which to drag your own tree. At the Chapin farm this is no exception and it makes this traditional activity accessible to the entire family.

According to data from the National Christmas Tree Association, (NCTA) there are currently over 500,000 acres in the U.S. alone that are used for Christmas tree cultivation. These live trees can alone provide 9 million people with oxygen on a per day basis. Overgrown Christmas Trees have also been effectively used to stop erosion on the shores of the Connecticut River in Fairlee Vermont. Their utilitarian functions prove that these Christmas icons are more versatile than their annual duties make them out to be.

As I returned to the edge of the farm Sylvia discussed the importance of buying local Christmas trees. “Choosing and Cutting local Christmas trees is not only beneficial to the environment but the proceeds go to local businesses.” In general, local Christmas tree farms provide consumers with a product that even the heartiest Christmas curmudgeon can feel good about. For many consumers it is the creation and preservation of lasting, nostalgic memories that keeps them coming back year after year.

Some tree farms that want to cash in on the nostalgia of Christmas have come up with some very interesting ways to help their consumers down memory lane. One such farm in Minnesota has their customers pose for snapshots with their respective trees, and when they return the next year they can look on the wall of memories and see past photos of them with their trees. Although they do not have anything like that at the Chapin farm, what they do have is an irreplaceable Vermont landscape that many inner city people would love to be apart of this time of year. Here in New England we are the Courier and Ives Christmas and local tree farms help us to keep tradition and natural beauty together for all who are in the Christmas spirit.a

A Real World Christmas

Over the past few Christmases, have you noticed that the lights on the tree are lacking some of their luster? If so, you could be subject to a very common ailment suffered by many on a yearly basis. It’s called ACS, (Aging Christmas Syndrome) and don’t worry, you’re not alone. I remember a time when I was able to watch classic Christmas movies to get myself excited for the season, but it seems that those days are all but gone now.

The season of giving isn’t giving me much anymore, except the occasional migraine. I can’t really describe whether it is the immense pressure to buy gifts for people or the fake nature of the season in general. But what I can say is that there has been a sharp decline in my active Christmas participation over the past 5 years. The only thing that still seems to feel like it did when I was little is the delicious Christmas cookies that I seem to devour year after year. When asked about their experiences with ACS, my family members and personal friends confessed to the same types of issues. Is Christmas in need of a serious overhaul? Or, is it just for the young at heart? Unfortunately I cannot answer that question but what I can say is that since I have found out about the Santa lie, as I like to call it; my spirit during that time of year began to decline slowly.

Overall, it seems that older folks that actually do enjoy the season do so because of the younger people that they are involved with in their own lives. Is there some part of scrooge in all of us? In retrospect, Scrooge was a smart man for always keeping his finances first in his life. In the grand scheme of things, Christmas is just another day on the calendar, one that we all are a part of, whether we choose to be or not. When I was younger, everything about Christmas was more exciting. I would love to walk around my house a see all the Christmas decoration hanging. The nostalgia of Christmas was what made it so comfortable and exciting for me as a kid in retrospect.

When people grow up they are able to step outside of the young, child oriented world be a part of the real world. For kids who have no responsibility or bills to pay, Christmas is easy to enjoy. Give a kid $5,000 in credit card debt, and an outstanding DUI and then see how good his Christmas really is. The meat of the argument here is that as people age, their lives become steeped in the real world with adult problems and adult responsibilities. If anything, it is beneficial for children to enjoy that time of their lives as much as possible before they, too, have to make themselves a part of our everyday real world. This also makes one think of their children and how they will share Christmas with them when the time comes.

I find that the best thing to do is let your children figure out Christmas and they will be better for it. In the meantime if you find yourself a victim of ACS contact a local Salvation Army location immediately and give this holiday season because as inspirited as you may be there is always a chance to make someone else’s Christmas enjoyable this year.

Today's Holiday Pop Puts the "Ho Ho Ho" Into Christmas Music

The pop culture of Christmas music leaves much to desire in today’s holiday season.

Let me explain:

The soft crackle of Bing Crosby’s Christmas on vinyl fills the open room; the scent of balsam settles. Crosby’s croon wraps around you like a blanket.

“Have yourself…a merry little…Christmas…”

It fills the room with the familiar sound of holidays passed. You decide that you’re in the mood for a cold glass of eggnog and decide to take a quick trip to the grocery store for a few holiday items.

After bundling up, you get into the car, cranking the heat on high, and decide to find some holiday tunes on the radio to continue the mood, switching to a station you assume will be playing some Christmas music.

Lady Gaga’s irritatingly lusty voice fills the car.

“Light me up, put me on top/let’s fa la la la la la la.”


This can’t be happening.

“Ho ho ho, under the mistletoe/Yes, everybody knows/We will take off our clothes…”

It can’t be so. The mood is ruined.

This is the scene that comes with today’s Christmas music. What has happened to the days of simplicity? The days of classics? Where are the Sinatras? The Crosbys, the Astaires? Where is today’s Fitzgerald? Where are Clooney and Cole?

The production of Christmas Music may have always been an easy moneymaker for artists and performers—but the line is crossed at tacky. Lady Gaga’s need to show off her sexuality and rhyming skills is no excuse for defacing the very name of holiday cheer. This song cannot even be passed as a piece of holiday music.

She is not alone in her efforts of ruining the holiday season.

The bubble-gum pop whines of artists like Disney Channel’s Demi Lovato, sisters Aly&Aj, and the past releases of boy band covers, have created scrooges out of millions of people. Their renditions of the classics are enough to make the eggnog curdle.

Then there is Mariah Carey—as if she hasn’t already raped the musical world. This season she has released a new dance mix of “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” for that impromptu Christmas Eve rave all the families will decide to throw. A Christmas techno dance mix?


Mariah Carey wrote the original version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," which has been America's top selling holiday ring-tone for the past three holiday seasons. That means that this song has been let loose upon America countless times, daily, for three entire holiday seasons. It has sold over 1.5 million copies. This is commercializing Christmas at its finest—not that it needed any help.

Each of these songs, and each of these artists, goes to show a lost sense of what the holidays are about. There is no more singing about spending the holidays with the family, appreciating the wonders of nature in winter, or wishing one a Merry Christmas. Hardly any of the classics are redone, aside from a choice few.

Each of these examples also goes to show the state in which the musical world is in. It has become a slave to popularity. It has become a moneymaking venture. It is played in every mall and every shopping plaza. It’s exploiting the season of good tidings for all.

There is light at the end of the terror tunnel, however.

Zooey Deschenel has saved the Christmas season with her Judy Garland-like voice. She croons like whiskey, aside the gruff Leon Redbone, in the single “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” This is the voice we need in modern day holiday music. This is the voice that would crackle if on vinyl. This is the voice that would melt Scrooge hearts all over the world.


If you’re feeling the spirit of Christmas, if you’re walking in a winter wonderland, try out an old record. Check out Pandora.com, and make a Sinatra’s Christmas playlist. If you want somebody knew, check out Deschenel. But do not have a dance party to Mariah Carey’s Christmas dance mixes and, at all costs, avoid the radio.

Winter Holidays Around the World

Burlington, Vermont Spreads Holiday Cheer

Christmas Down Under is never white. Instead of Santa Claus, dawned in Red and trimmed in white, Australia awaits “Swag Man” who wears a brown Akubra, a blue singlet and long baggy shorts.

In Czechoslovakia, the home of Good King Wencleslaus, families cut down a branch from a cherry tree and wait for it to bloom before Christmas, for good luck and a short winter. While waiting for the branches to bloom, children think about Svaty Mikulas, the Czech Saint Nicholas.

Papai Noel bears gifts in Brazil. Brazilians celebrate through the tradition of creating a Presépio, or nativity scene, watching fireworks and lighting giant “trees” made of electric lights.

The French eat a late supper after midnight mass on Christmas Eve called Le reveillon. Children await Pere Noel and his disciplinarian Pre Fouttard, who tells Pere Noel just how each child has behaved throughout the year.

In Rome cannons are fired to announce the beginning of the holiday season.

In Mexico every town and city sets up decorated puestos, which vend crafts, food, and flowers.

A Romanian Christmas involves house-to-house caroling and poetry reciting.

Christmas in Sweden calls for the eldest daughter in each family to put on a red sash and white dress, and an evergreen wreathe with seven lighted candles on her head. This daughter carries coffee and buns to each family member. A Christmas gnome, tomte, carries gifts for all on Christmas Eve.

Christmas in Bethlehem is of most piety, as it is the town where Jesus is said to have been born. Each Christmas even hosts a dramatic procession comprised of horsemen, Arabian steeds, giant crosses and a star marking the site of Jesus’ birth.

Those in China who celebrate Christmas receive a visit from Dun Che Lao Ren, or “Christmas Old Man.” However, the main focus on the holiday season in China is that of the Chinese New Year, taking place at the end of January. This “Spring Festival” is a worship of ancestors, which is celebrated with several-course meals and firecracker displays.

Norway has a gift-bearing gnome or elf called Julebukk, who appears as something like a goat.

The Scots save merriment for New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay. It is believed that the first person to step into a household will affect the fortunes of the family. This tradition is known as “first footing.”

The Jewish festival of Hanukkah occurs around the same time as the winter solstice and is sometimes otherwise known as “The Festival of Lights.”

Kwanzaa, meaning “first fruits,” is celebrated by African-Americans to celebrate their heritage. Families exchange gifts and eat African cultural meals.

Solnal is the Korean New Year's Day. The Christians attend church on Solnal and Buddhists attend temples to honor their ancestors.

India celebrates Pongal in January; it is a harvest festival celebrating the new crop.

Christmas Markets are held in cities, towns and villages throughout Germany. These markets are historical and festive, evoking a magical atmosphere. Traditional and non-commercialized gifts, and snacks such as chestnuts, grilled sausages, and gingerbread, are sold.

The holiday spirit is abundant all around the world this time of the year.

In the States, the food shelves are stocked, the streets are decorated, and the radio stations are jingling holiday tunes.

With its first snow, Burlington, Vermont is officially a wintry wonderland.

Burlington’s holiday season offers seemingly endless events, charity opportunities, and a beautifully lit Church Street.

“The kids’ favorite is the tree-lighting ceremony,” explained Julia Wong, of South Burlington. “Every year we stroll Church Street before the lighting of the tree and finish the night with hot chocolate from Lake Champlain Chocolates. I always get the Aztec—I like the kick,” she finished with a genuine holiday smile.

Every year, on the Friday following Thanksgiving, festivities liven Church Street. A parade begins at noon, at 5:30 P.M. the Open Stage Company presents “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” and at 6:05 P.M. the city tree is lit. Merriment continues throughout the night with horse and buggy rides, visits with Santa, and a kickoff to the shopping season.

The holiday spirit is not finished at the end of this night, however. Events continue until New Years day.

The Burlington Town Center holds events for children. And the Flynn Theatre puts on holiday plays, such as “The Nutcracker,” and “A Christmas Story.”

Holiday music is played on Church Street to compliment the decorated streetlights and buildings.

Food, clothing, and gift drives are held in stores, restaurants, and shelters to spread the cheer to those who are struggling in these economic times.


“The Burlington events really get you into the giving mood,” said Patrick Danylik, a local student, carrying a box of canned goods for the food shelf. “My goal is to pass the spirit on.”

Celebrate the Holidays with LCC

Attention Burlington holiday shoppers: Still looking for last minute gift ideas? Maybe some extra stocking stuffers or Hanukkah fillers? Don't panic – Lake Champlain Chocolates has got it covered.

Rated “one of New England's best chocolatiers” by New England Travel, the variety of treats offered at Lake Champlain Chocolates during the holiday season is endless. From assortment packages to gift baskets, and hot chocolate to gelt, it is impossible to leave LCC empty-handed.

“The chocolates were without question the very best we ever had tasted,” says Paul H., Champlain Chocolate fan. “They made my lady friend very happy.”

Found on the LCC website (lakechamplainchocolates.com), a letter from a woman named Sally reads: “We were just given one of your chocolate Santas. I had to write to let you know just what a fine chocolate we thought it was. I am English and a chocolate snob. After tasting you chocolate I felt the need to write. In 20 years here, I never found an edible chocolate, no matter how fine or expensive. So congratulations.”

But it's not only customers who are noticing, and have noticed, Champlain Chocolates' quality – even the New York Times deems it as “some of the best chocolate in the country.”

As the snow slowly begins to fall, and the pressure and stress of holiday shopping increases, the people of Champlain Chocolates want to bring the most to this wonderful time of the year. With the economy exhausting everyone's mind, the Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory offers deals such as factory seconds.

“Why pay $5.00 for a chocolate bar when you can get it for one $1.75?” raves San Diego native Chi Wynn.

Factory seconds provides a comparatively inexpensive selection of Champlain Chocolate, including gold coins, truffles, and a handful of different flavored chocolate squares. These pre-packaged sweets make for terrific last minute gift ideas, and an undeniably satisfying indulgence.

After a tour of Lake Champlain's Chocolate factory, Wynn continues to say that, “reflecting on Vermont's granola roots, a lot of their chocolates are USDA organic. In fact, Lake Champlain Chocolates has its own organic chocolate line. In Vermont, a widely Eco-friendly state, this is highly valued, and acts as an incentive for business.

Some products of LCC's organic chocolate line include organic fair trade hot chocolate, holiday chocolate truffles, a chocolate bar sampler, and milk sea salt and almonds chocolate bars.

In regard to this organic line – which is made entirely in Vermont – Elizabeth E. writes to Champlain Chocolates that she “loves their Aztec spicy dark chocolate. I am crazy about it. In addition to the chocolate itself, I also love the small size it comes in.”

On chocolateobsession.com, LCC's organic fair trade hot chocolate is featured. William K. says that its “taste is nice and chocolaty and it smells darn good, too. It's nice and smooth without having a grainy mouth feel. It's quality stuff, easy to make, and comes with the added benefits of being organic and Fair Trade certified.”

Although not all of Champlain Chocolates' products are organic, almost all of them, however, are kosher. According to their website, all of LCC's items “are certified Star-D Kosher by the National Council of Young Israel in affiliation with Star-K Kosher Certification, with the exception of our hot chocolate, unsweetened cocoa, Tanzanian Chocolate Sauce.”

With a vast variety of unique and festive chocolates to choose from, Lake Champlain Chocolates is helping to make the holiday season bright. With stores on Church and Pine Street, their locality makes shopping easy and quick.

“If you're looking for a gift that's just right, you need to get yourself to Champlain Chocolates,” writes local Vermonter Myrna R. “They're certainly my idea of perfection!”

Jew-lema

A Note to All Retailers:

Although the holiday season always brings laughter and joy, it should remain just that: the holiday season. Now, I’m not here to play Scrooge, but somebody’s got a lot of chutzpah for letting Hanukkah slip through the cracks of the overwhelming quantity of said ‘holiday’ merchandise.

For all you Jews out there who can’t seem to find a wide selection of wrapping paper adorned with stars of David, menorahs, or at least something that semi-represents the Festival of Lights, don’t get all forclempt – you’re not alone.

This past Saturday, I was finishing up some holiday shopping when I stumbled into Rite Aid down on Cherry Street. Aside from its typical, chaotic, packed-as-tight-as-canned-sardines atmosphere, I found myself in shame as I made my way down the card and wrapping aisle. I saw a lousy number of about ten Hanukkah cards to choose from, nearly half of which were labeled as ‘money holders.’ (Am I sensing some stereotyping, here?) Also, the wrapping paper and gift bag display was pathetic. However, with less than half a dozen gift-wrapping option, I guess you can say that it didn’t take me all that long to choose. Oh, and by the way, did I mention the Hanukkah gelt – those little chocolate coins that everyone loves – carelessly thrown onto a random shelf? Oy vey!

Next on my shopping list was Champlain Chocolates. Call me what you will, but I decided that it would be in my best interest to visit the Champlain Chocolate factory, with the intent, you know, to save a few bucks. Now, chocolate is one thing that I hold near and dear to my heart, but even all those delectable free samples couldn’t stop me from noticing that two – yes, TWO – Jewish-oriented chocolate items were available. Again, the gelt’s shiny tin wrappers glistened, but the silver and gold ‘Winter Chocolate Coins Bag’ label toned down the fact that they had any association with Hanukkah. That, however, did not even begin to compare to the dinginess of the $8.00 box of – can you guess? – thirteen chocolate coins. Decorated with a lopsided blue menorah and a Jewish star, the box of chocolate stood out like a sore thumb, clashing with the abundance of red and green surrounding it. Beautifully packaged boxes of chocolate Christmas trees, Santas, reindeer, and wreaths shattered any hope that the little Jewish chocolate would even be noticed, let alone purchased. Oh come on now, Burlington. Shouldn’t there be more variety in such a liberal part of Vermont? And for all you marketing people, isn’t the whole idea to attract the customer?

Satisfied with chocolate – not with service or item selection – I continued my trek through the commercialized forest of festivity. Somewhere along the way, I ended up at the Church Street mall. Decorations are always a treat, but when mistletoe and flashing Merry Christmas signs are all to be seen, and “Here Comes Santa Claus” is all to be heard, they get a little old.

Again, I’m not trying to tear down the holiday spirit – to be completely honest, I can’t get enough of Christmas music! Maybe I’m a little meshugana, but, correct me if I’m wrong when I say that the holidays should be, well, the holidays.

I think I might have seen one or two menorahs in store windows in the mall, but certainly no more than that. It seemed that everywhere I turned, I was being stared at by a reindeer, or laughed at by a ho-ho-ho-ing Santa. I have to admit that he is quite the jolly fellow, but wouldn’t the world be a better place if a Santa doll was accompanied by a stuffed Jewish star, or a child-size menorah? (Retailers, take notes!)

So, yeah. It’s possible that we complain too much, shop only for bargains, and enjoy a fresh glass of Manischewitz wine now and again, but we Jews have traditions and celebrations, too. And with stores lacking in ‘Jewish sections’ of merchandise, the distance between us and the majority of this country simply increases. Take it from someone who knows how business works, retailers: The wider your audience, the more money to be made.

Snow Bunnies Lesson

It is blustery and temperatures are dropping really quick. A group of four and five year olds who look like brightly colored penguins are lining up to march across what looks like the arctic tundra. They wobble awkwardly as they walk up a small hill with planks attached to their fairly unstable feet reaching.

For most of them, this is their first ski lesson. When the little skiers reach the top of the hill, they turn, look down, and go. They are skiing. After just a few hours of instruction, they can cruise — somewhat gracefully — down the kiddy slope.
“Our main goal is to make lifetime skiers,” says Jenn Simon, programs coordinator of the Club Camp and the Ski and Snowboard School instructional programs at Mt. Snow ski area. The Ski and Snowboard is a multi-week youth development program.

Whether it is the kids’ first time on skis or not, this is a very popular program and is specially designed for children ages four to six.

Children are placed in small groups based on their age and ability levels so they will learn at the same pace as others. These groups ski together, take breaks together, and of course, have fun together.

“A lot of parents drop their kids off here — kids who have never skied before,” says Simon. “And within 10 weeks, they can ski almost the whole mountain.” The advantage of a ski lesson with a trained professional, rather than a family member or a friend, is fast progress.

“I think that me teaching her to ski was one of those dad and daughter things,” says Jeff, a local father trying to teach his 10-year-old daughter, Hannah, how to ski. “It was happening slow so I thought to try out Mountain Camp. All of a sudden when she is in another environment skiing with an instructor she doesn’t know... you can’t whine anymore. So I think the learning curve is a lot faster.”

Hannah is now in her second year of the Snow Camp program, and she has progressed five levels.

Many young learners find the same success. During this particular Saturday session, first-time snowboarders are hitting the slopes to gain skills.

“I learned how to stop when I need to and I learned how to go faster and faster and faster,” says Cameron, six, as she sipped from a cup of hot chocolate. “This is my first day ever on a board and I’m making progress.”

A statewide initiative has been started by Burton’s Chill program this winter season to bring new snow riders to the slopes. Chill is an intervention project

for at-risk inner-city kids, ages 10-18. The program puts these kids on snowboards ones a week for six weeks. Participants receive lift tickets, instructions, bus transpiration and use of gear. Reaching these kids through schools and social service agencies, Chill gets more than 2,500 youngsters involved in 14 North American cities.

One product of Chill’s amazing work is 18 year old Stephanie. She has been in foster care since age 12 and came to Chill through the Salvation Army Social Services of Greater New York.

Before Chill, Stephanie said that she “didn’t care if I existed. I believed I had nothing left to live for. I felt I was nothing, I had nothing and nothing mattered.”
Now, “I’ve learned how to dedicate myself to tasks, to organize myself and get things don,” she said. She has learned to take leadership initiative for herself and enjoys working on the school newspapers. Most impressively she plans to attend college. When asked why she is so motivated to go to The University of Vermont, she replies with a great smile, “They offer snowboarding as a gym class!”

“The goal is to create core participants,” says Amy Ohran, director of the Ski and Snowboard School and Mt Snow. She ads that Snow has a new offering this year for novice skiers and snowboarders ages 6 and older called Ski or Ride in 5. The package includes five lessons with rentals and lift tickets and a free 12-day pass or season’s pass (depending on age) if participants complete all five lessons. Ski or Ride in 5 starts Jan. 4. Participants will also get future discounts on passes.

“It’s cheaper to do the lesson package than to buy everything separately,” notes David who was working inside with some of the kids during their hot chocolate break.

Most, if not all, ski resorts operate by the same philosophy: It is better to equip beginners with the right skills rather than have them fend for themselves. That is why novice lessons are the most affordable lessons offered.

“We know from experience that it is best to get them with our instructional staff and get them off on the right foot,” says John Judy, one of the instructors. “There are a lot of people that try to come up and do it on their own and they go away hurt, and we don’t want that to happen. We want our guests to have a good time.”

“Overall, I just enjoy seeing them (novices) struggle to begin with and then that moment where they get it — that’s where the magic happens,” says Olson, 25 and a five-year snowboard coach at Snow. “You know they are going to be riding for the rest of their lives.”

~Laura Kingston