Letter from Vermont

Twice in November, Veterans Day played a part in our lives.  The Churchill House participated in a nationwide program called “BnBs for Vets” through which we joined several hundred other inns and bed and breakfasts across the country (and eventually, beyond) to give away bed and breakfast stays to veterans of the armed forces in thanks for their service to our country.  We do count ourselves blessed to live in the United States and to have experienced the protection of our servicemen and servicewomen.  Our first feature in the local newspaper was a front-page story detailing our participation – we were the first inn in Vermont to sign up (and for a long time, we were the only inn in Vermont).  We offered up the entire inn, all rooms, and eventually hosted six couples/families for the occasion, from as nearby as Vermont and as far away as Texas.

The second appearance in the paper was of our daughter Renata, all bundled up as she attended her first Veterans Day observance at the monument at the center of the village.  Klara and Agatha, for their part, were each given a spent shell from members of the firing squad of the American Legion.

December has been snowy and rather cold.  A very Norman Rockwell look for Christmas.  Our first inn to inn skiers arrived and successfully made their way to Blueberry Hill from Churchill House through the Green Mountain National Forest.  Right now we’re at home enjoying a little bit of Siberia in Vermont – a real Russian New Year Party.  :)  What makes a New Year party particularly Russian?  Some other time, perhaps.