Get NEKed VT

A Fresh Look for Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:47:07 GMT

Embracing the NEK's regional identity with a visual refresh

If you've explored northeastkingdom.com before for travel inspiration, CowMoo's photo contests, the holiday shopping guide, or just to prove that we really do call soft serve 'creemee', you may look around and notice the website has undergone some recent changes.

The Northeast Kingdom has always had a strong sense of place- well, at least since former Governor of Vermont George D. Aiken's historic 1949 speech coined the term 'Northeast Kingdom'. Sarah Waring, the Executive Director of the Northern Border Regional Commission, reflected on the NEK's distinctive identity at 2025's NEK Together, "...this strong sense of identity is not only a source of pride, but the connective force that underpins the region’s resilience and collective strength."

With this transition away from #getNEKed and fully embracing “Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom” and “Vermont’s NEK,” our regional voice becomes clearer, more recognizable, and easier for both visitors and locals to connect with- whether you're discovering the region for the first time, returning year after year, or a 4th generation Vermonter living here in the Kingdom.

This evolution is also about simplicity and honest reflection. The NEK experience is unique and authentic, we're not known for unnecessary flash! Moving away from “GetNEKed” allows the focus to shift fully onto the place, the people, the stories, and the experiences. It’s not just a visual refresh, but a step toward a more cohesive and timeless presence that better serves travelers, local businesses, and the broader Vermont community.

Don't worry! You can still #getNEKed , but we just can't deny that the Northeast Kingdom already embraces a uniquely strong regional identity- we're the NEK.

northeastkingdom.com before

northeastkingdom.com after

Gift Guide 2025

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:00:14 GMT

This holiday season, give the gift of the Northeast Kingdom by supporting one (or some) of these local vendors.

get NEK ed? give NEK ed!

Food & Beverage

Burke Mountain Confectionery specializes in gift chocolates that are made with simple, pure ingredients that are delicious and unique to Vermont.

Burke mountain confectionery

Wildly fresh. Small-batch roasted. Handcrafted in Vermont.

Kingdom Coffee Roasters

Rooted deep in Vermont tradition, Cary & Main’s organic Maple Syrup & Crème is a celebration of purity, flavor, and legacy. Sourced from old-growth sugar maple trees first tapped by The Maple King, George Cary, in the early 1900s, our single-source syrup carries a heritage as rich as its taste.

Cary & Main Co.

lifestyle & Apparel

Ysbrydoliaeth specializes in home fragrance, comestibles and future treasured heirlooms all the while selling to you with a conscience. Most of our product lines come from companies that make their names by doing social action and justice work to make the world a better place.

ysbrydoliaeth

curiosity shop

In person at:

71 Eastern Avenue

St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Dog Mountain is set on 150 acres on a private mountaintop spot in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The unspoiled haven is covered with hiking trails and dog ponds. Shop art and gifts for you and your furry friends alike!

Dog Mountain

Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery

The world's most mysterious print shop!

Ever since the year 2015, we have been living out our dream, working with amazing people, hand printing everything using REAL hands and creating and selling priceless works of art from the wild and beautiful Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

Magic Wolf Co

In person at:

190 EASTERN AVE, STE. 6, ST.JOHNSBURY, VT, USA, EARTH

Whistle Emporium is stocked with clever cards, timeless toys, pretty puzzles, creative crafts, delightful dishes, tantalizing treats and gifts galore that will surprise and delight everyone.

Whistle Emporium

In person at:

41 South Main St., #4

Hardwick, VT 05843

From hand drawn pen and ink illustrations to digital media travel posters, all of the pieces are unique, human created visual delights.

Fox & Raven Studio

Unique gifts that celebrate innovative designers, artists, and local makers.

Art & Joy

In person at:
379 Railroad Street, St Johnsbury

Thoughtfully created specialty gift baskets, wedding favors, intentional giving, natural candles, herbals sachets and so much more, hand crafted in Northern Vermont.

Belle Savon Vermont

skin care & beauty

Personal care products crafted with care in Walden, Vermont

Northwoods soap works

Created on a dairy farm during a cold Vermont winter, Bag Balm has been soothing dry and distressed skin from head to toe since 1899. From our time-tested original balm to our moisturizing soap and lotion, Bag Balm products are formulated using proven, simple ingredients. When nothing else works, Bag Balm works wonders.

Bag balm

experiences & Outdoor Rec

In this second edition of the Northeast Kingdom Mountain Trail Guide , NorthWoods introduces 12 new mountain trail descriptions including hikes in the Groton State Forest and the recently completed long-distance Kingdom Heritage Trail, as well as updates to existing trail entries and new maps and photos.

Northwoods Stewardship Center

100+ miles of non-motorized, multi-use trails for all seasons and abilities. Grab an annual membership, gear, and more!

Kingdom Trails

Home of the only real live reindeer in Vermont! Farm visits by appointment only.

Vermont Reindeer Farm

Trail2Wellness Spa, located in Lyndonville, is dedicated to helping its clients become stronger and healthier through the benefits of massage therapy, facials and skincare, waxing, tinting, and chemical peels.

Trail 2 Wellness Spa

In person at:

102 Depot St, Lyndonville, VT 05851

Big city spas focus on the aesthetic: a little pull, a big lift, a glossy makeover. At Jay Peak’s Taiga Spa, we focus on looking and feeling better. It might mean facials, manicures and pedicures, but it will almost definitely include the hands-on massage treatment that cures the little reminders of your day’s adventures.

Taiga Spa

Located on the second floor of the Tram Haus Lodge.

830 Jay Peak Rd, Jay, VT 05859-7046

submit your gift to be featured

Winter Holiday Guide 2025

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:55:06 GMT

❄️ Can't-miss holiday fun throughout the Northeast kingdom

Winters in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom are as idyllic as they come. Against the backdrop of snow-capped rolling hills you'll find streets filled with holiday fun! From concerts, choruses & karaokes to films, festivals, and feasts - this guide will connect you to it all!

Use the links below to view events week by week and be sure to check back in regularly as we continue to update this page.

Jump to Week of December 1st through December 6th

Jump to Week of December 7th through December 13th

Jump to Week of December 14th through December 20th

Jump to Week of December 21st through December 27th

Jump to Week of December 28th through January 3rd

Week of December 1st through December 6th

Danville Holiday Stroll

Friday, December 5th 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Danville Village, US-2 & Peacham Rd, Danville, VT 05828, USA

Come celebrate the holidays with our local businesses and community organizations while you enjoy holiday treats, caroling, business open houses, pics with Santa, crafts and the Tree Lighting at the gazebo.

Starting at 5pm, join us at the Town Green Gazebo for carolers and our tree/gazebo lighting! Afterwards, be sure to check out all the stops along the stroll for crafts, food, drinks and fun.

North Country Chorus Holiday Concert - MESSIAH

Friday, December 5th 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Wells River Congregational Church, 76 Main Street North, Wells River, VT 05081, USA

The North Country Chorus sings Handel’s Messiah in their annual holiday concert. Accompanied by a chamber ensemble, the 80 voices in the North Country Chorus are directed by Alan Rowe. Admission by donation.

Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, Messiah is one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. It was first performed in Dublin in April the following year and received its London premiere a year later. The North Country Chorus has sung Messiah periodically in its 78-year history, the last performance being six years ago.

Full Christmas Breakfast

Saturday, December 6th 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Island Pond Country Market & Deli, 99 Cross Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA

Fuel up for a magical weekend! The Island Pond Country Market & Deli is offering a full Christmas breakfast on Saturday, December 6 from 8:00am - 10:00am. Enjoy eggs, meat, toast, potato, and beverage for just $9.99.

North Country Chorus Holiday Concert - MESSIAH

Saturday, December 6th 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

United Community Church, 1325 Main Street, St Johnsbury, VT 05819, USA

Annual Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 6th 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Main Street, Brighton, VT 05846, USA

Experience Holiday Magic at the annual Island Pond Tree Lighting! Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, provided by Brighton Recreation, the GIANT stocking give-away, donated by Gervais ACE, sugar cookie-decorating and cocoa, courtesy of the Island Pond Country Inn, and a good ol' fashioned singalong in the warmth of firepits. Santa will be catching a ride with Brighton Fire Department, just in time to light the tree.

Holiday Lighted Wine Bottle Paint & Sip

Saturday, December 6th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

American Legion Brighton Post 80 Auxiliary, 60 Railroad Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA

American Legion Brighton Post 80 Auxiliary is excited to host a holiday paint & sip ! Come paint a snowman or gnome lighted wine bottle. $35 per person, includes one wine bottle, lighted cork, and painting and sealing supplies with light instruction. Must reserve your seat with Betsy Choquette in Facebook Messenger or text 802-673-9899. PayPal or Venmo accepted to hold your spot! Appetizers provided by the Auxiliary, donations accepted. Cash bar for purchasing wine, beer, or cocktails.

Ugly Sweater Karaoke

Saturday, December 6th 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Essex House & Tavern, 138 Cross Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA

Time to dig out your ugliest sweater and tune up your pipes. Ugly Sweater Karaoke is back at the Essex House & Tavern! Join the fun on Saturday, December 6, starting at 7:30pm. The annual contest for Ugliest Sweater, Best Performance, and the Grand Prize - Best Performance IN an Ugly Sweater - starts at 9:00pm. The event is open to all ages. Let's show the new owners of the Essex House how merry and cheery ugly can be!

Week of December 7th through December 13th

North Country Chorus Holiday Concert - MESSIAH

Sunday, December 7th 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Peacham Congregational Church, 56 Church St, Peacham, VT 05862, USA

‘Tis the Season—Music and Readings with Kingdom Mountain Dulcimers

Wednesday, December 10th 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main St.

Join us for music and poetry for the holiday season. The Kingdom Mountain Dulcimers play seasonal music including sing-along carols, and Reeve Lindbergh and Dakota Butterfield read poetry by Susan Cooper, Robert Frost, and Glover poet Burt Porter. The Friends of the Athenaeum will provide refreshments. This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

VT Symphony Brass Quintet & Counterpoint Chorus

Friday, December 12th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

United Church of Newport, 63 3rd Street, Newport, VT 05855, USA

VT Symphony’s annual tour of festive brass and vocal music with Counterpoint Chorus returns to Newport for the holiday season. The evening includes carols such as Silent Night, Deck the Halls and The First Nowell, and a focus on compositions by Vermont composer Erik Nielsen alongside works of Moses Hogan, and a world premiere by Music-COMP Vermont high school student. The Halcyon Choral of St. Johnsbury joins in as special guest performers!

St. J Sparkles! Holiday Weekend

Friday, December 12th 5:00 PM - Saturday, December 13th 2:00 PM

St. Johnsbury Welcome Center & All Around Town, 51 Depot Square, St Johnsbury, VT 05819, USA

Experience St. Johnsbury sparkle and shine during the holidays with seasonal fun on the evening of Friday, December 12 and all day long on Saturday, December 13.

Featured activities include horse drawn wagon rides, giveaways and shop local promotions, hot cocoa, kids crafts & activities, holiday performances, toy & food drives, and more all throughout the event.

Friday night don't miss the Sparkle Outfit Competition at 7:30pm, and Northstar Fireworks display at 8pm.

Saturday features family-friendly activities at the Welcome Center from 10am - 2pm, and lots more all around town, including visits from Santa!

Make sure to check the event website for the full lineup of activities: www.discoverstjohnsbury.com/stjsparkles

Holiday Family Fun & Movie Night

Saturday, December 13th 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Danville School Gym, 148 Peacham Road, Danville, VT 05828, USA

Sponsored by the Danville PTG this Holiday Family Fun and Movie Night is sure to delight! The event is free to attend but the PTG will be accepting donations. FREE admission, popcorn and hot chocolate. Located in the Danville School Gym at 148 Peacham Road.

3-5pm: Bounce house, holiday games (bowling, bean bag toss, holiday twister and others), crafts, face painting, and more! Dinner will be available for purchase from Lady Shaye including her famous Mac & cheese.

5-7pm: Featured film is The Grinch.

Handel’s Messiah at the Haskell Opera House

Saturday, December 13th 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Haskell Opera House, 93 Caswell Avenue, Derby, VT 05830, USA

Burlington Baroque presents the oratorio MESSIAH, Georg Frideric Handel’s timeless baroque masterpiece for the holiday season at the historic Haskell Opera House in Derby, Vermont.

In an extraordinary collaboration of professional performers from both sides of the border, the Burlington Baroque Festival singers will be joined by Montréal’s two-time Juno Award-winning period-instrument orchestra L’Harmonie des saisons, and internationally acclaimed vocal soloists.

The audience is offered the rare opportunity to experience MESSIAH as it was first conceived by Handel and heard in the 18th century. The Haskell Opera House offers the acoustically perfect, intimate venue for this revelatory performance.

Week of December 14th through December 20th

Holiday Centerpiece Workshop

Sunday, December 14th 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Essex House and Tavern, 138 Cross Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA

It's time to start thinking about our Holiday tables! Join Brighton Recreation, 802 Wreaths, and the Essex House and Tavern for a fun-filled afternoon assembling your holiday centerpiece. Price ($38) includes materials and instructions. Beverages and food purchases are separate. Limit 25 participants - so sign up now at https://brightonrecreationvt.org/holiday/

Week of December 21st through December 27th

Not So New Year's Bash at Burke

Saturday, December 27th 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Burke Mountain Resort Hotel, 2559 Mountain Road East Burke, VT 05832

Enjoy a Not So New Year’s Bash for the entire family at Burke Mountain Hotel featuring DJ 220. His breakout hit ‘Don’t Need Love’ with Gracey reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart, while his chart-topping remix of Nathan Evans’ ‘Wellerman’ with Billen Ted hit #1. The party runs from 6-9 pm and will have all ages dancing under the lights. Food and drink specials are available during the show. A free event and fun for all.

Week of December 28th through January 3rd

First Night North

Wednesday, December 31st 4:00 PM - Thursday, January 1st, 2026 12:00 AM

St Johnsbury Main Street District

Trying to decide whether to go dancing, do some karaoke, see a concert, or cuddle up in front of a movie this New Year’s Eve? Do it all, and bring the whole family, at First Night North St. Johnsbury, Vermont’s longest continually running New Year’s Eve performing arts festival! Early bird admission buttons are on sale through December 24th (and make great holiday gifts). Thanks to generous community support, including the purchase of specially priced sponsor buttons, all students under the age of 18 attend First Night North free of charge (adult supervision required)!

CowMoo’s Summer Photo Contest

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:40:00 GMT

It’s summertime and the living’s easy in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom! Whether you’re paddling lakes and rivers, hiking up mountain peaks, sipping a cold beer or indulging in an ice cream cone, there’s nothing like the magical months of summer in the NEK. How to enter? It’s simple! Submit a photo(s) that captures what makes […]

2025 Summer Bucket List – VT Northeast Kingdom

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Make the most of summertime in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom with the help of CowMoo’s Summer Bucket List. Savor fresh summer flavor, embark on an outdoor adventure, listen to live music, and take in the thriving arts and culture scene. Check our event calendar for a more complete list of upcoming events. Explore Fresh Summer Flavor […]

Find Ice Cream in the NEK and Brave the Brain Freeze!

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 16:09:00 GMT

There’s no shortage of scoops in the NEK! From the famous Maple Creemees at April’s Maple in Canaan to Tim & Doug’s “bang for your buck” sundaes in Newport, sweet treats can be found all throughout the Kingdom. Wondering just where to get your licks in this summer? Here’s a selection of ice cream stops […]

Get Hooked On Fishing in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

Thu, 15 May 2025 13:16:00 GMT

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-timer, Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is an ideal region for both traditional fishing and fly fishing, with hundreds of lakes, ponds and rivers to explore. In the NEK, you will find a variety of local species including bass, perch, pickerel and trout. Head out on your own fishing adventure […]

Rock Climbing Adventures in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

Thu, 15 May 2025 13:08:00 GMT

If you are new to climbing or looking to take your skills to the next level, we recommend looking into a guide service that can provide you with the knowledge and resources necessary while climbing in the Kingdom. Please do your research before heading out for a climb and note that some areas are on […]

CowMoo’s Vermont Winter Bucket List

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 17:41:00 GMT

Experience Vermont's Northeast Kingdom this winter with CowMoo as your guide.

VT Northeast Kingdom Holiday Gift Guide – 2024

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 20:45:00 GMT

Shop small and support local businesses in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom this holiday season!

Experience Fall in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom – 2024

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 14:29:00 GMT

Picture perfect foliage. Quintessential New England charm. Annual fall festivals. Tasty local bites & brews. It’s hard to describe fall in the NEK – it’s more about looking around and soaking it all in. Vibrant hues of red, orange, yellow, and gold. Local folks selling pumpkins and apples on countryside roads. Breweries crafting up a […]

CowMoo’s Summer Bingo: Tour Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

Tue, 14 May 2024 17:23:00 GMT

It’s summertime and the living is easy – especially when you’re in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. CowMoo has come up with some of his favorite ways to get out and experience the Kingdom this season – and turned them into a game! Join along in the fun and play CowMoo’s Summer Bingo. Throughout the season, we’ll […]

2024 VT Maple Open House Weekend in the Northeast Kingdom

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:26:00 GMT

Vermont leads the nation in maple syrup production, reporting over 2 million gallons of pure VT maple syrup produced in 2023. Cold nights and warm days are the ideal weather conditions to get sap flowing from maple trees. Syrup season is already underway here in Vermont, and it’s looking like another great year. Tap into […]

CowMoo’s Northeast Kingdom Summer Bucket List

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:23:00 GMT

The Kingdom is Open for Business! Many people have been impacted by the flooding in Vermont and while challenging times may still be ahead, we appreciate your visitation and business! If you are interested in donating to support recovery efforts in Vermont, please consider the Vermont Main Street Recovery Fund supporting small businesses and the […]

Northeast Kingdom Winter Events

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:04:00 GMT

Embrace winter in Vermont! Whether you’re looking for timeless winter traditions or something a little out of the box, join us in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom this winter. Photo Courtesy Kingdom Trails, Winterbike Torchlit Trail Experience – Burke February 11, 5:00 – 7:00pm Gaze at the stars, hear stories and roast a marshmallow during Kingdom Trails’ […]

Labor Day Weekend in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 18:59:00 GMT

It’s Labor Day weekend in the Kingdom and you’re in for some fun! Enjoy live music at great outdoor venues, races, tournaments and community celebrations throughout the region. Explore the list below for what’s happening during Labor Day weekend or browse our website and start planning a trip. Not sure where to start? Take our […]

You’re A Leisure Traveler

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 22:01:00 GMT

This journal entry was part of the NEK Getaway Quiz, a contest we ran in Summer 2022. While you can’t take the quiz anymore, you can still reap the benefits and uncover the NEKed adventures waiting for Leisure Travelers. You’re a Leisure Traveler, which means you’re up for whatever comes your way. You love having a […]

You’re A Weekend Warrior

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 21:09:00 GMT

This journal entry was part of the NEK Getaway Quiz, a contest we ran in Summer 2022. While you can’t take the quiz anymore, you can still reap the benefits! Use this journal entry for inspiration to create your own Weekend Warrior checklist. A Weekend Warrior looks to make the most of every moment of […]

Celebrate Vermont Open Farm Week in the Northeast Kingdom

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 18:50:00 GMT

Dig in and experience the authentic flavors of the Kingdom during Vermont Open Farm Week from August 7-14, 2022. From behind-the-scenes tours to free tastings, hands-on experiences, and plenty of local shopping, this agricultural adventure will leave you hungry for more. In its 8th year, this week-long, statewide celebration shines a spotlight on the farmers, […]

Memorial Day Weekend in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

Mon, 23 May 2022 18:11:00 GMT

It’s the unofficial start to the summer season and time to plan a trip to enjoy Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Within the Kingdom, there are three destination areas to explore: Eastern Trek, Farm & Field, and Mountain & Lake Getaway. Each of these regions is distinct with its own set of adventures, restaurants, and lodging establishments. […]

NEKed Light

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 12:14:00 GMT

Been getting sleepy earlier than usual? It might have something to do with the sun hitting its lowest points of the year right now. If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to miss seeing it altogether. But, with the holidays upon us, there are other sources of light. And plenty of them in one corner […]

Live NEKed

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 13:30:00 GMT

What is NEKed living? Well…for a few hundred years it was all about living off the land. Forestry. Agriculture. Hunting and fishing. Those were the cornerstones of life in what some would call the most “remote” part of Vermont. And they still are. But the Kingdom isn’t as remote as it might once have been […]

A Recipe For Perfection

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 16:08:00 GMT

A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE. A DASH OF PLACE. MIX. It’s a simple recipe: Mix People with Place. Bake as desired. Get Experience. But as simple as it seems, varying the concentrations of those three elements will bring varied results to the desired end. In the case of the Kingdom, you already have the perfect blend […]

Active Adventures Await

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 06:18:00 GMT

ARE YOU READY? It’s fair (if not an understatement) to say that Vermont’s an active state. Yes, it is true that there are those who prefer to paint the mountains and stroll along the streams; their ruminations turned into works that hang in places like Greensboro’s Highland Center for the Arts, or in between pages […]

Wander

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 16:58:00 GMT

Wandering is in our DNA. Wandering is in our DNA. “Back in the day,” a few thousand years ago or so, it’s how we found things. Food. Friendship. Love. Today? Well, today you can find all of those things from whatever device you’re reading these words on. There are a few things though that will […]

Get Close. Get NEKed.

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 22:33:00 GMT

We’ve been living with an odd sense of space the last 400+ days. Six feet of it became the minimum to see friends and loved ones. And then it had to be outside. And then not with anyone outside your own household let alone having someone visit from out of state. Hugs and handshakes became […]

NEKed Bridges

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 13:58:00 GMT

UNCOVER THE COVERED TREASURES OF THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM

It’s fun to travel back in time.

Movies are the easiest way. With the push of a button, you can fly back as far as any Discovery Channel show will take you. Books can do it, too, but there is more imagination required. But if you really want to work for it, you can drive back in time. And Vermont’s covered bridges provide that portal.

Close to 1,300 covered bridges were built in Vermont between the early 1800s and 1900s. They were covered with roofs to protect the wooden truss work from the weather and the rot it would bring. But rot was the least of anyone’s worry when the Great Flood of 1927 poured into the state. Over two days in November of that year, north of 1,200 of the iconic structures were swept away. There are little more than 100 left standing today.

That number got even lighter in February. The River Road Bridge in the NEK town of Troy burned when a snowmobile crossing it caught fire, its flames leaping onto the bridge’s timbers. Within minutes, the bridge was fully engulfed, eventually collapsing into the Missisquoi River. It was 111 years old.

When it was built in 1910, people in town were still getting around on horseback. The newly formed Green Mountain Club had just started to cut what would become the Long Trail. And down the road in St. Johnsbury, 10,000 people showed up at the Caledonia County Fair to watch the first airplane flight in Vermont.

The town of Troy didn’t just lose a bridge. It lost a part of history.

There is, however, still plenty of history to be had.

There are eight covered bridges still standing in the NEK. Not only do they offer the opportunity to travel as far back as 1878 (the Millers Run bridge in Lyndon,) visiting them takes you off the beaten path and into the soul of the Kingdom. And if that’s not enough of a reason to jump in the car, we now have a NEKed Covered Bridges Adventure for you. (So, now you’ll come away rich with shwag as well as historical knowledge.)

The new Adventure will take you to a town or two you have probably never heard of. (Lemington, anyone?) You might even find yourself in New Hampshire. And as an added perk, routes along the NEKed Bridges Adventure just happen to intersect with a few destinations from the Naturally NEKed Adventure , doubling your chances to earn some sweet getNEKedVT shwag.

The warm season is coming NEK fans. It’s time to take a drive.

Love is in the NEKed air

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 22:49:00 GMT

Your Guide to Experiences and Gifts in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom this Valentine’s Day.

Where to Walk

Highland Center for the Arts’ Open Air Art Exhibit

This 1.8 mile snowshoe and XC ski trail is showcasing pieces from 11 different Vermont-based artists. The trail is free from dawn to dusk with the four-legged companions required to stay at home for this one. HCA comes equipped with a gear library and a small café on the weekends for fueling and outfitting needs.

Snowshoe the Night Away

Hosted by the Northwoods Stewardship Center, their Valentine’s Day Candlelit Snowshoe is a ‘shoo-in’ for a best date night. From 5:30-8:30 PM singles ($15) and couples ($25) can take a stroll through candlelit forest and enjoy a socially distanced cup of hot cocoa.

Braaaap

If you’re looking for a higher-octane adventure, consider taking your honey on a scenic tour through the Kingdom’s immense network of snowmobile trails. NEK Adventures offers full service tour and rental packages for sleds ranging from novice to expert.

Aroma Therapy Holiday

There’s just something about lavender. It smells good, tastes good, and is all around a surefire great gift for anyone. And Lavender Essentials of Vermont has your home-grown gift, just waiting to be sent to your door!

At Home Viewing

For those looking to stay close to home, consider Vermont Art’s online visual exhibits . With showcases from across the state including a few from the Kingdom like the Catamount Arts Center, Fairbanks Museum, and Highland Center for the Arts, local art has never been more accessible.

Pedal Into Paradise

Celebrating its 10th annual anniversary, Winterbike held by Kingdom Trails will be a little more elongated from it’s normal one-day celebration to over a month. For $50, each participant receives:

Paddle With Your Partner

Winter blues have you thinking warmer/summer thoughts? Pick up a map from the Northern Forest Canoe Trail to spend your Valentine’s evening trip planning for a paddling adventure through the Northeast Kingdom section of their route. This map includes the 62- mile section from Lake Memphremagog to the Connecticut River.

Stories from the Heart

In its sixth year, the Northeast Storytellers are sharing poems, narratives, and folk lore honoring St. Valentine and the topic of love. This event will take place on Zoom on February 14 and is entirely free!

Professionally NEKed

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 20:55:00 GMT

Checking in with the Northeast Kingdom’s Young Professionals Network

A riddle: How do you make one of Vermont’s largest and most “remote” areas appealing to a young professional?

Throw in the fact that Vermont, like all of northern New England, has a higher median age than the rest of the country, and the riddle turns into more of a Gordian Knot. Well, if you’re Maire Folan, the answer is simple: flip negative perceptions to positive appeals.

The 30-something-year old Folan is the current chairperson of the NEK’s chapter of the Young Professionals Network and she doesn’t necessarily see big and remote as bad things.

Young Professionals Networks (YPNs) can be found nationwide and are typically organized in local chapters. Some may be specific to a certain industry, such as real estate, but the underlying goal of all is to provide ways for young professionals to make business connections.

Folan and her board of six other volunteers are continuing a mission originally undertaken by Hannah Manley. Manley established the Kingdom’s YPN chapter back in 2011 when she was president of the board of the NEK Chamber of Commerce, the goal of the chapter being to create networking opportunities for the Kingdom’s nascent young professional community. Geoffrey Sewake took over the reigns in 2016 and infused additional energy into the organization by creating a partnership with the Northern Community Investment Corporation , the St. Johnsbury Chamber and others, which helped the YPN create a foundation for the group. Folan was tapped to lead the chapter in 2018.

After spending some time living in Washington, Folan returned to her native New Hampshire. She was looking at job opportunities in Boston and Vermont when she was offered a position in 2014 at Green Mountain Farm-to-School in Newport. Folan says the nature of the job and the beauty of the Kingdom made the decision to move to the area an easy one, but that it took her two years to feel a part of the community. It was that sense of lack of connection that helped lead her to the YPN.

Folan and her team have worked hard to spread the YPN’s mission hosting monthly social events for members and non-members alike in order to facilitate the exchange of ideas, and access to local business leaders. They also help put on and promote professional development seminars like the recent Apple Tree Workshop hosted by Eden Specialty Ciders and the NorthWoods Stewardship Center where participants learned about what it takes to care for and maintain an apple orchard. It’s events like this that help to differentiate the Kingdom’s YPN chapter.

Folan says the NEK’s deep ties to agriculture and unrivaled recreational offerings provide unique business opportunities not found elsewhere in Vermont. One only has to look at events like the New England Mountain Bike Festival that sees thousands of athletes descend on East Burke, or the global beer phenomenon that is Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend to know what she’s talking about. And while broadband access is still a consistent topic of discussion at meetings, the current pandemic has highlighted the ability of many professionals to work from their homes in the NEK.

When asked if the combination of connectivity, massive mountain playgrounds and organizations like the YPN helps with the pitch to bring in young professionals from other states, Folan says her chapter is focused on the needs of its members and expanding member services. But she says they have partnered with the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project (VWWP)–an organization with the goal of, among others, creating new Vermonters in order to continue to foster economic vibrancy.

Membership in the Northeast Kingdom chapter of the YPN is free. Click here for the latest news on events and how to join.

Arts Without Walls

Thu, 21 May 2020 04:55:00 GMT

Getting creative while staying distant

Art builds community.

Especially in the Northeast Kingdom, where creativity is central to so much of what happens. Our shared experience, expressed in music, poetry, dance, paint, or other forms helps us recognize common themes and celebrate what unites us.

Dancing to music on the shore of Island Pond. Joining friends for a movie at Catamount Arts. Taking the kids to a museum. Feeling the joy in a crowd of hundreds during a standing ovation for a great performance. The arts bring people together.

What’s to be done when those together experiences are out of reach? It’s a question the people responsible for the Northeast Kingdom’s arts and cultural attractions are wrestling with right now. There’s no getting around the fact that a lot of NEK arts events aren’t going to happen this summer, and that hurts. But who better than creative types to get creative in a time like this?

Here’s a sampling of how some of the NEK’s creative destinations are reaching beyond their physical walls to provide artistic and cultural nourishment even as doors remain closed.

Old Stone House Museum, Brownington

While its buildings remain closed, the museum campus opened May 13. Its collection and resources are available through virtual tours , online classes and workshops. Gardening, woodcarving, rug hooking, and knitting are among the offerings planned. Kids’ Fridays will continue with to-go activity kits available each Friday of the summer, including lunches in collaboration with Green Mountain Farm to School. And in July, the Museum will begin construction on a one-mile trail around the nearly 60 acres of rolling pasture and woodland that surround the historic village.

Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury

Catamount serves as a hub for dozens of artistic ventures and events around the Kingdom, and has taken that online. Their weekly video series CATAMOMENTS takes you behind the scenes with artist interviews, cool stuff to do, and peeks towards the future. They’ve launched a Virtual Cinema where you can rent independent and foreign films from your home. Catamount is also curating Kingdom COVID Chronicles —a community-wide art project chronicling the experiences of NEK residents during the pandemic.

Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, St. Johnsbury

While the Museum’s galleries, planetarium, classrooms, and offices are dark, its staff is busier than ever. Museum educators are producing about three hours of original content each weekday .

You can join them for a Wildflower Walk , build your own ECO critter collection, and learn the science behind the weather from Eye on the Sky meteorologist Mark Breen. If you’ve got nature-loving kids at home, or want to expand your own natural horizons, make a virtual visit.

Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro

The Show Must Go On(line)! HCA is keeping us connected online through a series of artist interviews, studio visits, creativity prompts and a crowd-sourced online Gallery, Pigment & Paper, to keep us all engaged. Perfecting your musical chops during Stay at Home? Toss in your talent to HCA’s Battle of the Bandwidth , for a chance to win a concert on their Main Stage.

Step in to the virtual walls of these places, enjoy these resources, and support these institutions financially if you can. Now more than ever we appreciate how the arts feed our souls.

NEKed Cocktails

Thu, 21 May 2020 04:54:00 GMT

Saint Johnsbury, VT

Episode 2 | Essex House & Tavern

Island Pond, VT

Being NEKed

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 19:10:00 GMT

It’s fair to say that we know storms.

We live and play in the mountains. They’re a staple dish up here that we actually crave, depending on the season.

Some we can see days out. Some catch us unaware, exposed on a ridgeline and suddenly consumed by abject fear. Whether you call Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom home, or just visit a few times a year, there’s a good chance you’ve had to fight your way through one.

We’re in one hell of a storm right now; the caught-on-the-ridgeline-unaware kind. And there is plenty of fear to go around. But fear gets a bad rap. Yes, at its worst it can be paralyzing. But if recognized and managed, it can be used as a tool. A tool to bring focus to what we care about most. A tool that forges an unbreakable camaraderie with our communities and neighbors. And a tool that allows us to build a map we can use to navigate future tempests.

Storms blow over. Pandemics end. Fear recedes. And what’s left in its wake tells us who we are as neighbors and friends. As people. How we manage our fear and act towards one another during this time has a great chance of influencing how we feel about ourselves for a long…long time.

getNEKedVT.com was created to showcase the people, places and events that make this part of the world so unique; to act as an invitation to explore and become a part of its communities. That’s off the table for now. Everyone’s been asked to stay home and stay safe. So please do.

But it doesn’t mean we can’t share the giving spirit of the Kingdom.

We’ve temporarily re-tooled the site to reflect this time. For now, we want to showcase stories, yours and ours. Send us images of what your daily life looks like now; words that tell us how you’re feeling. Maybe even the occasional video of how you’re making the best of our new Stay-at-Home world. And we’ll do the same. Because this is a storm we will navigate together. We’ll fight through it together. And together we’ll bask in the sun on the other side of it.

Reach out to info@getnekedvt.info or on Facebook to share any thoughts.

Stay safe,

The getNEKedVT crew

Meet John Predom

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 04:01:00 GMT

In Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, snow is part of the winter air we breathe, and we’re serious about making magic when the white fluff comes our way. Snowfall here is gorgeous on its own, yet with a little ingenuity, some perspective, and a touch of technology it transforms into something more. It’s the Kingdom’s perspective that makes a difference – the wide-open fields and expansive vistas invite big ideas.

John Predom lives in Island Pond, deep in the heart of the NEK. From his deck, he takes in a view of Gore and the Bluff Mountain Ridgeline. And it’s from this vantage point that he saw a big, open canvas covered with snow in his backyard.

With snowshoes strapped on and string in hand, he stepped into his vision and kept on walking. “My field is about 15 acres,” he says. “I head to the field with an iron pole and a roll of string. I stick the pole in the ground, tie the string to it, and then backtrack my steps until I have unrolled the length that I want and make a circle. From there anything can happen.“

What emerges is “snowshoe art,” thousands of steps that merge into abstract, geometric shapes in the otherwise untouched expanse of white. Starting with a circle in the snow, Predom makes turns based on what comes to him in the moment.

When he’s done, Predom sends up DJI Phantom 4 Pro Drone to video his snow canvas from above. “I never know how things have turned out until I am done and fly the drone.”

There’s freedom in that inspiration and a connection to something bigger. From the ground, Predom’s footprints are human-sized, and from the air, his creations call out to be seen by birds , pilots, and thousands of YouTube viewers . There’s a sense of wonder in the perfection of snow and the infinite ways we can create something beautiful.

“I made two creations last year and will make two or three this year,” Predom says. His designs are spontaneous, but he holds out that he may map them in advance at some point. “I do it for fun and it gets me outside.” Want to give snowshoe art a try? Start with a pole and some string, make a circle and go from there. Let your imagination rule.

Predom hopes you’ll be inspired. “When we were kids, we used to play a game that was a circle in the snow with straight lines leading to the middle. It was like tag except you could not leave the tracked area. It’s a start to great things. I used to have a Super Spirograph when I was young. I tell my friends that is my inspiration.”

In a fun Northeast Kingdom arc, Predom is not the first Vermonter to play with the geometric beauty of snow. Vermonter Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley took to the snowy hills to capture individual ice crystals on film in the early 1900s, the first to recognize the intricate designs of snowflakes. You’ll find original Snowflake Bentley photographs at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury .

Check out Predom’s creations for yourself on his facebook page .