January 25th, 2011
 Dick Peabody's large evergreen on Vermont Inn property along Route 4 Thank you to everyone who responded to our trivia question a few weeks ago. I apologize for the delay in following up with the correct answer. The trivia contest ended on the 15th of January and unfortunately no one answered it correctly. The answer to the question: Who named The Vermont Inn is Dick and Shirley Peabody. Dick and Shirley renamed the Inn from Sunnycroft Lodge in 1962 to The Vermont Inn. Dick and Shirley Peabody were the first Innkeepers of The Vermont Inn and successfully ran the Inn from 1962-1977. Shirley chose a great name! Shirley Peabody visited us in the fall of 2009. Dick Peabody passed away just two years ago and right around the same time a large evergreen tree and focal point for the property line along Route 4 died.
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January 5th, 2011
 The Vermont Inn in the winter Happy New Year to everyone! We hope 2011 is even better than 2010.
The craziness of the holidays coupled with a fully booked Inn and restaurant week kept us hopping for the last two weeks or more but to welcome in 2011 we have a new Vermont Inn Trivia question that could make someone(s) lucky winners of a dinner for two at The Vermont Inn Restaurant. Each person that answers the question correctly by January 15th will have their name entered into a drawing to win a four couse dinner for two.
The Vermont Inn as you know has been a Country Inn for many years. However, the building was not always named The Vermont Inn.
There have been five Innkeepers of The Vermont Inn including the Duffys. Who can tell me which Innkeeper couple or family gave the Inn the actual name The Vermont Inn?
As a bonus to include a choice of a house wine with dinner: Who knows what the name of the building was before it was named The Vermont Inn?
Lucky winners will win a four course dinner for two. Submit your answers by January 15th
Tags: The Vermont Inn
Posted in Killington Vermont | 2 Comments »
December 14th, 2010
 Jennifer trying out her "new" knee
This picture is from Mitchell & Jennifer’s first ski outing of the year. It was a great day albeit a bit cold, but I guess we should expect cold in December in Vermont. There were only about 23 trails open last week and a couple of lifts, but things are looking even better now. Killington is now reporting 38 trails and 9 lifts and are working hard to open Skye Peak and Bear Mountain very soon. The 6-8″ of snow we received last night, temps in the 20’s for the foreseeable future, and lots more snow in the forecast should make more ropes fall and more trails open every day.
 New snow fall December 14, 2010
Here is a new picture of The Vermont Inn with a nice blanket of 6-8″ of snow. There is lots more on the ways too! Time to dust off the skis, snow shoes, snowmobiles, and all that stuff.
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December 6th, 2010
“It’s beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas…. Everywhere You Go…” at The Vermont Inn
 The Vermont Inn, December 6, 2010 Our first real snow fall was today! Yeah! Although it is not being measured in feet yet,we’ll take it nonetheless. Alex just measured the snow-fall with a ruler and she has us at 5″ at about 7pm and it is still snowing. She is really is good at math so I’m going with her calculation. Anyway, it is the real thing: it is white, it is pretty, it is calming and serence, and it is our first real sign that winter has arrived to Central Vermont.
Tomorrow I’ll post pictures from Killington Resort. Mitch and I hope to get out to ski for the first time for a few hours at Killington to test my new bionic (kidding) knee on the slopes. (I’ll report back Dr. Boynton.) After ski season last year, I had knee surgery to remove a lump that I’ve had since I was young and that was really interfering with my skiing and other recreation in my older age of fortysome. Tomorrow will be my first day on skis since the surgery. So for the rest of you…Get those skis tuned, waxed and get up or down here to Vermont to join me on the slopes this weekend or before.
Besides the new snow fall as a reason to head north or south to Vermont, the annual Killington Vermont Holiday Festival is this weekend. This is a great family holiday event complete with a Santa workshop, a visit from Santa, holiday carols from local school bands and choirs, and more. Join us to ski this weekend on this new snow and while here visit us at the Vermont Holiday Festival being held Thursday through Saturday nights at the Snowshed Base Lodge. While up at the festival, check out The Vermont Inn tree, carefully decorated by the Duffy family with over 100 pieces of candy and named “Sweet Christmas”. Drop your raffle tickets in your favorite tree and you may go home from Vermont with a real Vermont cut tree that is all decorated for the holidays.
Tags: Christmas in Vermont, Killington Holiday Festival, Vermont Inn First Snow
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December 3rd, 2010
Did you know that The Vermont Inn has not always been The Vermont Inn?
My mother-in-law, Sandy Duffy, was visiting for a few days a few weeks ago while we were away and she used that time and her knowledge of geneology to research the cemetery up the road. She walked up Cream Hill Road with our dog, Sassy, a few times that week in early November. It was hard not to notice the cemetery on the road. Thus, the reseach began and Sandy got to work.
The Vermont Inn back in the 1840s was a dairy farm and farm house in rural Mendon Vermont. The family that owned the original house of the now Inn back in the 1840s was Eggleston. There is a small Eggleston fam ily cemetery up the road on Cream Hill Road on the left hand side to confirm this. When the leaves are down and the grass is low it is easy to see this cemetery. Every time I walk that road up-hill to the end, I can’t help but to glance over at that cemetery and appreciate what we have here on our Cream Hill Road. I have to wonder what times were like back then, how much acreage the family must have owned back then, how big this extended family was that once owned all this land, and whether they ever thought that their small family cemetery would still be there on Cream Hill Road, untouched and being kept up, despite the additional dozen homes and land subdivisions that have occurred over the years.
The Weeks family of Mendon and Rutland Vermont married into the Eggleston Family in the late 1800s. Lyle Weeks, son of Chauncy and Elsie Weeks, was born in the original farmhouse that is now The Vermont Inn in 1920. He lived in Rutland, Vermont until he passed away just this year in February 2010. His father is one of the original Weeks to live on the land and in the farm house of the Vermont Inn. Mitch and I had the privilege of meeting Lyle Weeks in the fall of 2006 right after we bought the Vermont Inn. Lyle popped in to visit after hearing about the transfer of sale and showed up one day to introduce himself and to present an original black and white picture of the house with his father in the picture. It was amazing to see what the Inn and people looked like back then. We couldn’t have been more grateful for that visit. Lyle loaned us the picture and we reproduced this very large print and framed and hung it in the pub area of the Inn. Every time we or a guest looks at that print we remember Lyle. He was a very nice and friendly man. We are so glad we met him.
The next time you are visiting The Vermont Inn, please take note of this black and white late 1800s print of the Weeks and Eggleston Families and as you are driving up slowly on Cream Hill Road, or preferably walking up Cream Hill Road, don’t forget to take note of the small Eggleston family cemetary on the left. We wouldn’t be here today without them!
Tags: Eggleston Family Histor, Vermont Inn history, Weeks Family History
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December 1st, 2010
Thank you everyone that responded to our Blog post last week and to our Vermont Inn Thanksgiving Day Greeting Card e-mail blast with an answer to our Thanksgiving Trivia Question.: How many Thanksgiving Dinners has Executive Chef Stephen Hatch prepared at The Vermont Inn? We had probably a dozen or so responses with answers ranging from 15 years to 26 years. The correct answer is 23 years. After speaking with Stephen again on this matter and to make sure I have dates correct, he has confirmed that he started here in 1987 at The Vermont Inn. He moved to Vermont a few years prior and worked at Hemmingways Restaurant in Killington for a year plus before accepting a job with Alan Carmasin (then owner and Innkeeper) at The Vermont Inn in 1987.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Conoyer for answering correctly. She was one of 5 people that answered correctly and her name was drawn today by my daughter,Alex Duffy, from the bag of names.
On December 25th (Christmas Day) we will post another Vermont Inn trivia Question and again the winner from the names of people that answer the question correctly will win dinner for two at The Vermont Inn. So check back again soon on our Blog for that Trivia Question and for snow updates and more.
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November 25th, 2010
Today is Thanksgiving. Today and every day we thank you and appreciate all of you. We wish all of our family,  friends, customers, staff, business vendors, and the many professionals we rely on daily, a Happy Thanksgiving. Without all of you, we would not be here today.
Have a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving!
The Vermont Inn Restaurant will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner from 3-7 pm today. We have two to three possible reservations open at this point. As of 9:21 am we have 96 guests scheduled for dinner today. The entire Duffy Family, Executive Chef Stephen Hatch, Patti, Nikki, Brenda, Jordan, and Pete are Ready.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Mitchell, Jennifer, Alex & Shannon Duffy
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November 23rd, 2010
The Vermont Inn has quite a history here in Mendon Vermont. My mother-in-law, Sandy Duffy, did some research for us on the families that have lived here in the Inn when it was just a farm house, the use of the land and the land surrounding the Inn, while visiting with us last week. The information is very interesting to us and I thought possibly to those Central Vermont and Mendon Vermont history buffs out there. The next few posts I will share with you some historial information on the building, the land that it sits on as well as current day information on the Inn.
Since Thanksgiving is just two days away I thought I would start with some current day with some history as well:
Who can tell me how many Thanksgiving dinners Executive Chef  Stephen Hatch has prepared for our community at The Vermont Inn Restaurant?
Is it 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, or 23 Thanksgiving Days at The Vermont Inn? Guess right and you will be entered into a drawing on December 1st to win dinner for two. Just comment on this Post with your answer.
Tags: Mendon Vermont History, Thanksgiving, Vermont Inn
Posted in Vermont Inn history | 9 Comments »
November 22nd, 2010
Make time to take time to plan a ski vacation in Central Vermont!
 The Vermont Inn The temps here in the Killington and Rutland regions of Vermont have dropped quite a bit. Snow is blowing on all of the mountains, ski shops and rental shops are all up and running, and the lodging facilities are taking holiday and vacation bookings like crazy. We know there is So much to think about and so little time to think about where to ski when you are in the hustle of Thanksgiving, Hannukah and Christmas holiday prepartion.
Below are some facts and the latest on THREE great ski resorts located all within 30 minutes of one another and located right here in Central Vermont.
Each of these three resorts have something unique and special for the Ski Around Central Vermont Experience:
Pico – family mountain charm with 50 trails on 3,967′ elevation on 214 skiable acres. Pico offfers beginner to advanced terrain serviced by 6 lifts and one rope tow, and a large full service base lodge.
Okemo – larger family mountain with a 3344′ elevation. Okemo offers beginner to advanced skiing with the addition of separate terrain parks, three lodges, beginner to advanced terrain on 119 trails and 632 acres. The mountain is serviced by 19 lifts. Okemo is well known for its grooming machines and courdouroy trails. New to Okemo winter 2010 – Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster ride – a nearly year-round thrill ride roller coaster
Killington Resort – “The Beast of the East” – Six mountains with 4,241′ elevation with Six full service base lodges, 140 trails on 752 acres on 71 miles with the best snow making on the east coast of the USA.
You choose; You won’t be disappointed in any of them. My family and I have skied them all countless times and we recommend each of them and depending on what experience you are looking for, there is one resort or more likely even more than one, that will make a memorable holiday experience for you and your family. See you on the slopes in Vermont.
Jennifer
Tags: Killington ski Vacation, Okemo Ski Vacation, Pico Mountain Ski Vacation, Vermont Ski Vacation
Posted in Skiing Central Vermont | No Comments »
November 21st, 2010
I’m a supporter of this little community event held here in the Town of Killington Vermont.  If you live here in the Rutland Country area or if you are simply visiting the area that weekend, you must stop by Thursday, Friday or Saturday night with or without the kids. There is no better way to get you into the holiday spirit. There is something for everyone. 100 real Christmas trees will fill the room and they are all individually decorated with themes and character represting the business or individual in the area that worked hard to put it together. Like one tree a whole bunch – Well then take it home with you by winning the raffle! Besides the tree viewing and bidding, there will be holiday cheer with several local school choirs singing and young bands playing holiday tunes. Not to mention Santa himself will be there along with his elves. Santa will have a small workshop on site and the young or young-at-heart, can make a holiday craft or toy with the elves. Look closely and you may even recognize one or several of the elves the night you are there. Read on for more details……
December 9th – December 11th at Killington Resort Snowshed Base Lodge
The Vermont Holiday Festival was named a Top Ten Winter Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Take in the smell of fresh balsam and create special memories with family and friends. Experience holiday magic at the Vermont Holiday festival featuring more than 100 individually decorated trees on display in the Snowshed Base Lodge. Enter to win your favorite tree to take home, including all of the trimmings! You’ll find live holiday music performances, horse-drawn sleigh rides, complete with jingle bells, and beverages to warm the spirit. Children will love Santa’s Workshop and enjoy a one-hour story telling and toy-making session with Santa’s elves, including a visit from Santa’s himself!
The Vermont Holiday Festival will be held December 9-11th at the Snowshed Base Lodge at Killington Mountain Resort. A portion of the proceeds from the Festival will help to make the holidays more joyful for local needy families.
Tags: Holiday Festival, Killington Holiday Festival, Vermont Holiday Festival
Posted in Killington Vermont | No Comments »
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