Thanksgiving Weekend

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday. The day after Thanksgiving is the official start of the Christmas shopping season and most of the shops in our area are having sales to celebrate. Shopping our local downtowns is a really nice alternative to fighting the traffic and crowds at the mall. It also supports the local community and preserves the character of our region that makes us unique.

On a personal note, if you are looking for handcrafted jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, or fine gifts, consider stopping by the Hawkins House craftsmarket in Bennington, Vermont. This second generation business was started by my parents in 1977 and is today run by my wife Elizabeth Ganger. It's a really fun store that is well liked by both locals and travelers (many come year after year). The Hawkins House is located on North Street, two blocks north of four corners in downtown Bennington.

Thanksgiving is also traditionally a popular time for hunting, so remember to wear red or orange if you are out hiking this weekend. I'm not personally a hunter, but hunting is a vital part of wildlife management and the license fees also support a wide range of non-game conservation programs.

Again, have a great holiday!