1. Toys for Kids

Toys for Kids is a volunteer program sponsored by Vermont Marine Corps League. They collect toys for kids in need and have numerous drop off locations right in Grand Isle County. Some of these locations include our Coldwell Banker Islands Realty office, Keeler Bay Variety, Emmons Supermarket, Hero’s Welcome, Harborside Market, and the Isle La Motte Town Office. You can also donate through a virtual toy barrel and order items to be shipped to JeriHill Hardware. Donate here

Image source: Toys for Kids

 

 

2.  Voices Against Violence - Laurie’s House

Voices Against Violence serves Franklin and Grand Isle County and as many of us know domestic violence is on the rise due to the pandemic. This organization would greatly appreciate any help to continue their work educating and providing safe housing for members of our community. They are currently looking for items such as disposable razors, cleaning supplies, baby monitors and many more items. Donate here

Image source: Voices Against Violence

 

3. South Hero Land Trust

Join South Hero Land Trust in their Grow for a Neighbor campaign! You can volunteer as a gardener or donate to buy seedlings. The produce yielded will be donated to a local food shelf and the seedlings are bought from local farms and will be used for the volunteer gardeners and to create potted plant packets for families at risk. Donate here.

Image source: South Hero Land Trust

4. C.I.D.E.R.

Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources provide services with older sults and persons with disabilities. Their Neighborhood Meals program delivers an average of 650 meals a month to around 45-50 recipients. They bring "home-cooked" meals to residents of Grand Isle County with a team of volunteers. They would greatly appreciate any involvement whether it is volunteering or donating! Donate here

Image Source: Annie Gardiner 

5. Donate to a Local Food Pantry 

Food pantries accept dry and canned food donations, so nonperishable items that might be in your pantry. They often are looking for goods such as peanut butter, canned soup, whole grain pasta, and canned beans. Grand Isle County has a number of food pantries; such as the Saint Joseph’s Church in Grand Isle and the United Methodist Church of North Hero. For more information call them today at 802-372-4092 or (802) 372-6638.

Image Source: United Methodist Church

Have any other donation recommendations? Comment below!

                

This holiday season, impress your guests with a charcuterie board! Carefully crafted and presented quite elegantly, a charcuterie board is essentially a fancy title for a meat and cheese board. Here are five easy steps to help you prepare the perfect appetizer!

1. Select Your Provisions.

Having a medley of diverse cured meats is the first step to create your cheese board. Aim for thinly sliced provisions such as prosciutto or peppered salami. Then try rolling the slices or layering them on your board. Typically these meats can be found at local food stores including Keeler Bay Variety, Healthy Living, and City Market. 

Photo Source: FN Sharp

2. Choose Your Cheese.

The next step is choosing your fromage. While it's hard to go wrong in this department, incorporating multiple contrasting textures will keep your board fun and interesting! Include artisanal cheeses like Isle La Motte’s Happy Bird Poultry Farm’s Smoked Seriously Sharp Cheddar slices and then mix in a softer cheese like Vermont Creamery’s  herb goat cheese. For one stop shopping, check out Arbor Farm Market or Cheese and Wine Traders for a wide selection of local Vermont products.

Photo source:  Happy Bird Poultry

3. Incorporate Fruit And Nuts.

Adding fruit to your board provides a pop of color and also creates a sweet mixture of flavors. Select fruit that goes with your cheeses of choice. Include an assortment of fresh and dried fruit then try to add a fruit spread or chutney! Test out My Kid's Kitchen's excellent selection of fruit preserves. Plus,  don’t forget to add a mix of nuts in there...Do we dare suggest candied walnuts?  

Photo source:  Arbor Farmstead

4. Add Crackers and Bread

When making your decision on what crackers to incorporate, think about the type of cheese and meats you’ve selected. Vermont’s Castleton’s Crackers complement nicely with harder cheeses while hand crafted bread such as a seeded baguette from Wally's Place would be ideal to pair with your spreads or dips. 

Photo source: Wally's Place

5. Assemble the Board

Firstly, we recommend using your largest cutting board or a sizable serving platter. Then, layer the cheese and meats on top of each other and sprinkle the fruit and nuts in where you see fit. Additionally, you can use a small bowl for creamy dip or olives. Include any necessary utensils such as cheese knives and garnish with an herb like rosemary or thyme for a pleasant aroma!

Photo source: A Dash of Megnut 

Now pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back, marvel at your board, and dive in! Whether you're gathering with family at the holidays or going to housewarming parties charcuterie boards will be sure to amaze your company and their taste buds!

Photo source: Edyta via Eating European

See the latest Northwestern Vermont real estate market report presented by NVBR below.

The Northwestern Vermont Board of REALTORS® (NVBR) has released its market statistics for October 2020. The information is derived from data contained in the New England Real Estate Network and covers Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

October continued to be busier than the calendar normally suggests. Buyer activity remains higher than normal for this time of year, while in many segments of the market housing supply remains much lower than one year ago. Multiple offers remain a common occurrence in many areas, keeping housing hot while the temperatures continue to fall.

New Listings decreased 0.9 percent for single-family homes and 25.6 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales increased 15.7 percent for single-family homes but decreased 4.4 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 47.5 percent for single-family homes and 51.1 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 18.5 percent to $339,500 for single-family homes and 0.2 percent to $277,500 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market decreased 34.4 percent for single-family homes and 47.8 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 48.8 percent for single-family homes and 54.5 percent for townhouse-condo
properties.

Mortgage rates dropped to new record lows again in October, helping to offset the monthly mortgage payment increases caused by the rise in home prices seen in many segments of the market across the country. While prices often dip a bit in the winter months, continued buyer demand may temper any price retreats this year.

While this home isn't for sale it's still fun to look! This dream property is secluded in Northern Grand Isle's Point Farm West. It includes breathtaking views of Lake Champlain and even an indoor swimming pool check out the video below to see more!

  What other types of homes would you like to see featured? Comment below!

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Conversations with CIDER

The town of South Hero has seen several developments in the last five years from the Community Health Center, Wally’s Place, Worthen Library, Champlain Islands Candy Lab, Viva Marketplace and more to come. The next big thing to come to South Hero will be an affordable senior housing facility. CIDER (Champlain Islands Developing Essential Resources) has partnered with Cathedral Square (a leading creator of affordable housing with services for older adults and people with special needs) to bring this multi million dollar project to the Champlain Islands.

Over the last 15 years CIDER and Cathedral Square have been working hard to come up with an affordable senior housing solution for the Grand Isle County community. Introducing Bayview Crossing. It will house 30 apartments for older adults, a variety of amenities and services for residents, and an office space for CIDER. It is planned to be a mixed-income community, with apartments at both market-rate and subsidized rents. 

After years of searching for a site, septic tests, and archaeological studies, they have settled on a site behind the Community Health Center and plan to break ground in late 2021. One of the main criteria for creating this development was to be close to services. This location is within walking distance to the Community Health Center, the Worthen Library and local eateries making it an ideal location. 

Grand Isle County is the oldest county in the state of Vermont and one of the only counties without any type of senior housing. This makes it difficult for residents who need care and most end up leaving the Champlain Islands to find services. Since the early 90’s there has been an expressed need for senior housing in our area.

 

Cathedral Square is a local nonprofit and they have 25 affordable housing communities in Vermont but none in an area quite like the Champlain Islands. Due to Grand Isle County’s unique demographic makeup, it is a great opportunity for Cathedral Square to bring affordable senior housing to this rural area. They are currently in the fundraising phase of the project. If you or someone you know is interested in more information about donating visit their website.

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Learn more about CIDER

The mission of CIDER is to help people with special needs continue to live independently at home. This non-profit is run by executive director, Robin Way, as well as their team of staff, board of directors, and their dedicated army volunteers (they have between 100-150 volunteers in a year!). 

Their services range from ride services, meal programs, community events and classes, wheelchair ramp construction, medical equipment and so much more. All of these resources are free and they depend on their members and fundraisers to continue to provide these services.

“We see more kindness and generosity in any given day. People stepping up to help out each other. Neighbors helping neighbors. That's what it takes.” 

- Robin Way, CIDER Executive Director

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In our December Issue...

Keep an eye out for a local gift guide that will help you get your holiday shopping done this season without having to leave the Champlain Islands!

 

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