VSO TONIGHT!

I remember clearly, the moment I learned about the VSO coming to Okemo. I was talking with Coleman Brook Tavern Manager (and Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series "Producer") Marc Miller and he was so excited about the news. "We're getting the VSO," he shouted. Being relatively new to Vermont and knowing that Marc is also in charge of Coleman Brook Tavern's Lobby Bar, I thought he was getting all pumped up about selling cognac and forgetting to add the "P" to V.S.O.P. I was trying to react to the news with an equal amount of enthusiasm while thinking to myself, what the heck is the big deal about serving congnac at a nice restaurant? My mother always warned me against playing poker because everyone can see what I'm thinking by the look on my face. It didn't take Marc long to pick up on my bewilderment and, as he looked at me over the eyeglasses slipped down on his nose said, "you DO know what the VSO is ... right?"
"Sure," I said. "I've been in the hospitality field for years. I know about champagne cognac. So what's it going to be - Remy Martin?"

Now, for the benefit of you non-Vermonters who are not currently rolling your eyes and having a good chuckle at my expense, the VSO is the Vermont Symphony Orchestra ... and apparently, everyone knows that!

So the point of this diatribe is that tonight is the night ... the night that the Vermont Symphony Orchestra will make an appearance at Okemo Mountain Resort as part of their summer tour. The highlight of the show will be the symphony's traditional playing of the 1812 Overture accompanied by fireworks. Tickets are still available and may be purchased at the gate.

Hope to see you there. I'll be the one enjoying the VSO with a fine V.S.O.P. in my snifter.
Cheers.

Independence Day Eve

With the Fourth of July falling on a Wednesday, it seems like the celebrations and patriotic hooplah are lasting all week long this year. I have friends for whom July Fourth is the biggest holiday of the year - more important than Christmas, the big one with my family. For me, Independence Day is a placemarker - reminding me that summer is fully underway and that it will be gone in a blink if I don't make a point of enjoying the season. In my line of work, I'm always looking a couple of seasons ahead and it's so easy to let summer slip through my fingers with my work-life focus on winter and the ski season ahead. My friends like to rib me about my "list," but it's the one thing I do every year to ensure that there will be no regrets come Labor Day Weekend. My list contains all sorts of seasonal goals and I make a point of checking things off as I progress through the summer. Some to-do items make the list annually, like the line that reads, "go to the ocean." For me, it just isn't summer without the salty spay of seawater in my face and wet sand between my toes. I usually combine that with, "eat a lobster" or "take a ferry ride to an island." Some items on my list are more task oriented: "read three books" or "teach Nelson (my Airedale) to swim" or "beat Judy at golf" (that one took all summer last year, but I finally checked it off the list in September - take that, Judy!). Being relatively new to the Okemo Valley area, I'm finding that this summer's list is taking on a local theme. There are so many Green Mountain activities and events I haven't had a chance to enjoy yet. If I put them on my list, I may just get to know Vermont a little better. Some of the items on this summer's list are: "try a new Okemo Valley restaurant," "see a production at the Weston Playhouse," "hike to the Okemo Mountain fire tower," "attend a local fine art and crafts show (we're not talking crocheted toilet paper covers that look like poodles, here)," go swimming at Buttermilk Falls," spend a rainy day shopping in Ludlow," "play a round of golf at Okemo Valley and Tater Hill (ordinarily not a tall order, but with an on-the-mend broken thumb, I might be able to check those items off by September)," see the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Jackson Gore on July 6."

So what's on your list? How about a long weekend at the Jackson Gore Inn or a Jackson Gore Friday night Outdoor Music Series concert or Lobster Night at Coleman Brook Tavern?

In closing, here's a holiday-appropriate quote, written on July 3, 1776, for you to consider ...

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. "

-John Adams


This prophetic statement was included in a letter John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, just after the Continental Congress proclaimed the American colonies independent of England, and before the final approval of the amended Declaration on the fourth.

It's Too Darn Hot!

How do you expect to make snow when it's 90 degrees outside and the humidity is at 90 percent? Well.....

OK, so I finally admitted defeat and put summer wax on my skis and put them upstairs in the garage. But I will not take the snowtires off my truck....no way.

So, anyways. I did take out my road bike last week and joined some friends for a ride from Ludlow up to the Plymouth General Store. It's a nice cruising ride, some hills (I prefer the down part) and some nice cool spots next to the lakes and streams. If you're in the area this summer try the ride....it's about 18+ miles round trip.

I was reading those other posts and I like the sounds of that snowmaking system that makes snow during the summer.....I ventured over to NH when they attempted it a few summers ago...sadly it didn't take off. However, it might possibly be the world's largest Frozen Margarita machine. Okemo could use it at those summer concerts. Good luck keeping the kids off that big pile of margarita slush.

Did any of you see the snow report from Portillo, Chile? They have a base depth of over 13 feet....lucky dogs. Me....I'm stuck doing summer house chores like moving 8 yards of new topsoil in my back yard. I have considered making a small ski hill at home, but I can't afford the cost of diesel for the rope tow. Perhaps I'll build a luge track for next winter.

Have you started getting in shape for next season? Remember, great turns don't just happen....you need to own them. I've been running this spring....about 15-20 miles per week, with the occasional bike ride, plus many summer chores to work the upper body. Upper body you say? Yes, as much as you need strong legs, your upper body helps when you are making turns. Here's a fun leg exercise while you are mowing the lawn. BTW, this requires a push-mower. Lunge Walking. As you walk behind your mower, lengthen your stance and allow your fowrad foot to be a bit farther forward and flex down until your upper and lower leg create a 90 degree angle, then rise up and step forward onto your other foot and repeat the process as you mow. FYI: your neighbor's might think you are a bit nuts, so confirm they worst fears and wear your ski helmet or a winter hat while mowing the yard. If it's really warm I suggest a baseball cap with goggles. Try these for even just part of your yard and you'll feel the burn. By the end of summer, you'll be in much better shape. Plus, these are really good if you are considering trying Telemark skiing this winter.

Gotta run.....

-Dex

Chicks Dig Us!

We received word a few weeeks ago, but I'm a firm believer in not counting chickens before they're hatched. So now it's official ... and speaking of chicks, it appears they really dig us - not the hatching kind - the ones of the female persuasion. Yup, "Golf For Women" magazine picked Okemo Valley Golf Club as one of the Top 50 Courses for Women. Be sure to pick up the July/August issue, on newstands now.

And speaking of Okemo Valley Golf Club, Willie Dunn's is now serving dinner ... and chicks dig that too (or at least I did). I dined there Saturday night with 13 of my closest friends and had a wonderful meal. Chef Craig Cornell and the staff at Willie's did a fantastic job and all 14 of us thoroughly enjoyed our dinners. I highly recommend the sauteed scallops with beurre blanc sauce. The jasmine rice was so flavorful and the grilled asparagus and summer squash reminded me that it really is summer. I also tried a couple bites of the roasted duck with Chambord glaze (I had to sacrifice a scallop in trade - but it was worth it!). The hand-cut, all natural Angus steaks were a popular choice at our table (prepared two ways that evening) and the two who ordered the Ahi Tuna ate every bite. The toughest choice came at dessert time: chocolate ganache, NY cheesecake (with three topping choices), lemon tart, creme brulee with fresh fruit ... I couldn't decide, so I opted for a cup of coffee and the enjoyment of watching everyone else gobble up their sweet delights. Check out the full dinner menu online.

With summer officially underway, it's a great time to play a late afternoon round of golf with your girlfriends and plan to stay for dinner afterward. The clubhouse patio is calling to me again already! Cheers!

Quick JG Photo Update

Lots of questions lately on progress at Jackson Gore.

I threw together a quick photo gallery with the shots I took late last week, enjoy!

The Sound of Music

Vermont is just beautiful right now. The temperatures are stuck in the mid 70's, there is a nice breeze, and everything around is so green! The operations crews here at Okemo have been busy this spring, planting new trees, grass, flowers, and making Okemo look amazing. This has led to the success of the Jackson Gore Music Series. We've had a great crowd every Friday night. Spiritual Rez got the crowd on their feet dancing to the reggae/funk beats from Boston, and last week The Jumpoff performed on a perfect evening in the courtyard. The word is spreading and the few hundred people who show up each week are really enjoying the live music.

Tomorrow we've got The Chris Kleeman Band. Chris is, to put it bluntly, amazing. You can listen to some of his music at okemo.com or on his website. In the winter when Chris isn't playing here for our apres ski parties you'll find him on the slopes running the Inn Keepers races - so Chris knows his way around the mountain. Join me, and the two hundred others who have found the best live music in Vermont each Friday night, and get outside to enjoy some of this fantastic weather. I think I might just have to go eat lunch at Willie Dunn's over at the golf course.... tasty and the best view around!

p.s. - feel free to have your high school sitter bring the kids to the concerts! The kids will have a blast, and the parents can enjoy some great food and a beer from the BBQ. It will help them to have that memorable summer that will be stuck in their minds forever.

If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

Sometimes change is good. Sometimes it isn't necessary. In our case, it wasn't necessary. Here's a quick rundown of our Okemo's season pass values, which remain at pre-season rates through October 8th.

The Ultra Pass - 7 days a week unrestricted at 4 mountains including Okemo (of course), Sunapee, Stratton and Crested Butte CO!

The Peak Pass - 7 days a week non-holiday at Okemo and Sunapee. 30% off at Crested Butte.

The Value Pass Plus - as the name implies a great value to ski and ride non-holiday at 3 great mountains, with benefits at Crested Butte. Just $649 through October 8th!

The Midweek Pass - come spread out midweek at Okemo, Sunapee and Crested Butte from just $329!

Now that's value. And guess what... opening day is only about 150 days away.

Cheers!