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Check out our Facebook page for featured November recipe submissions!
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December Features-
Winter Gear Gift Certificate
Winter in VT - Activities for December
Snow Safety Tips - Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowmobiling
Top Tech Toys - 5 Geek Gift Ideas
Contact Us
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Newsletter - December 2011
Winter is Upon Us - Be Prepared!
In celebration of the season, this month we're giving away a gift certificate to help you 'gear' up for the winter activities you love. You choose the store, you choose the gear - it's that simple!
 On December 19th, we'll pick two winners who will receive a $50 gift certificate to any local sports or outdoor enthusiast retailer. View some of our favorites on our B2B (business-to-business) page.
To enter, just subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Already signed up? We've got your back - existing subscribers are automatically entered! Drawing Dec. 19th. |
Winter in Vermont - Local Events 
Get out and enjoy state-wide events this month!
Dec. 8th-11th - White Christmas - Hyde Park
Dec. 8th-29th - Holiday Miniature Show - Burlington
Dec. 9th - 2nd Annual Holiday Party - Berlin (Tasting Room)
Dec. 10th - East Coast Snocross Series - East Burke
Dec. 10th - Sancta Lucia - Swedish Festival of Lights - Jericho
Dec. 10th - Touch of Vermont Holiday Gift Market- Montpelier
Dec. 10th - Flood Relief Concert Series - Plainfield
Dec. 10th-18th - Snowboard Celebration Week - Stratton Mountain
Dec. 11th - A Christmas Carol - Burlington
Dec. 11th - Winter Farmers' Market- Putney
Dec. 12th - Pump House Indoor Waterpark Opening - Jay Peak
Dec. 16th - Scott Alarik at Village Square Booksellers - Bellows Falls
Dec. 17th - Kingdom Animal Shelter Fundraiser - St. Johnsbury
Dec. 20th - Science and Stories: Winter Solstice- Burlington
Dec. 29th - Unplugged Broadway Series - Stowe
Dec. 31st - First Night Burlington - Burlington
Dec. 31st - First Night St. Johnsbury - St. Johnsbury
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Snow Safety Tips -
Skiing, Snowboarding, & Snowmobiling
As the temperatures drop, so does the snow, which means it's time to dust off the ski poles or snowboarding boots, tune up the snowmobile, and get ready for winter fun! To truly enjoy the season of snow, observe the following general safety guidelines, courtesy of the National Ski Areas Association:
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid alcohol consumption which thins blood.
- Wear sun protection. The sun reflects off the snow and is stronger than you think, even on cloudy days!
- Dress in layers to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature. Polypropylene underwear (top and bottoms) feels good next to the skin, dries quickly, absorbs sweat, and keeps you warm.
- Always wear eye protection. Have sunglasses and goggles with you.
When on the slopes, always remember the seven rules of the "Skiing Responsibility Code":
- Always stay in control.
- People ahead of you have the right of way.
- Stop in a safe place for you and others.
- Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
- Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
- Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
- Know how to use the lifts safely.
 Snowmobile season starts December 16th (weather permitting). Prepare ahead for a safe season!
- Register. All snowmobiles operated in the state must be registered in Vermont.
- Safety First. All snowmobilers must take a 6 hour safety course. VAST Course Schedule
- Get a Pass. To snowmobile in Vermont you must have a TMA (Trail Maintenance Assessment) which serves as a trail pass. Different clubs issue TMAs, with packages available for every level of use.
- Insurance. Snowmobiles must be insured. Need updated insurance cards? Want to add a policy for your new snowmobile? Request it on our mobile site or give us a call: 800-900-0121.
- It's all about the trails. Whether you're planning your next route or checking to see if your favorite is open after that snowstorm, VAST's guide to trails and trail conditions will help get you on the snow faster.
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Top Tech Toys - 5 Geek Gift Ideas
 Kindle Fire - $199 (other models available for less): Tablets are all the rage this year. Like last year, the iPad still corners the market, but as far as alternatives go the Kindle Fire's 7" screen has the most to offer. The tie-in with Amazon's collection of digital music, video, magazine, and book services provides the advantage, especially if you're a big Amazon customer. Browse the web, check your e-mail, put it in your purse and go! Pictured on the right.
AppleTV - $99: Seamless sharing with the whole family is here. This inexpensive beauty lets you mirror your iPhone/iPad to your TV, stream Netflix, listen to internet radio, watch YouTube, purchase movies from iTunes, share media on home computers, plus lots more. The perfect add-on to your entertainment system.
ChromeBooks - $299 and up: This is the simple laptop that gets you online. Get right to work on the web with a boot time of 8 seconds! No Windows programs, but no Windows viruses either! Speed, simplicity, and security are key with a ChromeBook loaded with background updates. A great gift idea for someone who needs the internet without the full power of Windows.
MacBook Air - $999 and up: Look for many PC "UltraBooks" to come in 2012. For now, though, Apple has the thinnest laptops in town using the latest Intel processors. With solid-state flash drives and a weight of under 3 lbs, these babies boot up quickly without holding you down. Plan for some extra costs, though: these thin laptops stay that way by leaving out the optical (CD/DVD) drive.
Lytro Camera - $399 and up: It's pricey for sure, but if you're looking for that unique gift, this one just might do it. Unlike a conventional camera that captures a single plane of light, the Lytro camera captures the entire light field, which is all the light traveling in every direction in every point in space. The result is photos that "focus after the fact". A unique gift for the photo-hound in your family. |
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Contact Us
Hickok & Boardman Insurance / Denis, Ricker & Brown Insurance
"Here when you need us!"
(Hickok & Boardman and Denis, Ricker & Brown are members of the Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group). |
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