Calendar

At the Museums

Bennington Center for the Arts

44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington
10am to 5pm, Tues-Sun. (Closed Mondays)
benningtoncenterforthearts.org. 802 442-7158

Thru Dec 19: Small Works Show, figurative, landscape, still lifes and city-scapes. Thru Sept 6: Inspired by Nature, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Vermont chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Thru Dec 19: The Laumeister Fine Art Competition, featuring artists from around the country. Sept 11-Nov 28: Impressions of New England, 75 works of art of seashores, foliage and wildlife.

Bennington Museum

75 Main Street, Rte. 9, Bennington
10am to 5pm (Closed Wednesdays)
benningtonmuseum.org, 802 477-1571

Thru Oct 31: State of Craft. This landmark exhibition examines the evolution of the contemporary studio craft movement in Vermont, featuring more than 125 objects by 86 Vermont craftspeople. Sept 25: Farm to Table Dinner: An evening celebrating local farming. Elegant, yet casual seven course tasting dinner prepared by local chefs from southern Vermont and the Berkshires. Oct. 2: Fourth Annual Southern Vermont Home Brew Festival, 12-5pm. Tickets include unlimited tastings, a commemorative tasting glass, ‘snacks’ from Madison Brewing—Brew Pub & Restaurant, live music, voting chip, brewing demonstrations, and medieval tournaments. Nov 27: Festival of Trees, with children’s activities, visits to Santa, gifts, shop discounts and more, 10am-5pm. Dec 4: Winter Wonderland Gala with live music, great food, silent and live auctions and more, 7-11pm. Dec 17: Holiday fun from 8-midnight with cocktails, great music and more.

Brattleboro Museum & Art Center

10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro

11am to 5pm (Closed Tuesdays)
brattleboromuseum.org, 802 257-0124

Thru Oct 24: Reshaping Reality, featuring works by 11 artists associated with the Boston Sculptors Gallery. Thru Oct 24: O. Winston Link: Steam & Steel, photo exhibit devoted to capturing images of the trains, workers, and communities that were rapidly changing as steam engines gave way to diesel. Thru Oct 24: River Stories, the Connecticut River captured in words, images and gathered samples of water, sediment and rock. Thru Oct 24: Brattleboro Riverfront Project, interactive exhibit focusing on possibilities for future development. Thru Oct 24: Lumberland, picnic table exhibit created specifically for BMAC.

The Clark

225 South Street, Williamstown, Mass
10am to 5pm Tuesday through Sunday
clarkart.edu, 413 458.2303

Thru Nov 30: Constable and After: Sir Edwin Manton and the British Landscape. Thru Sept 12: Picasso Looks at Dagas. Thru Oct 17: Juan Muñoz.

Estey Organ Museum

108 Birge St., Brattleboro
esteyorganmuseum.org, 802 246-8366

Ongoing: The Estey Organ Museum features exhibits on the Estey Organ Company chronology, their reed organs, pipe organs, and electronic organs, Estey tools, advertising, catalogs. Closes Oct 11 for the winter.

Hildene Estate

Route 7A, Manchester, hildene.org, 802 362-1788

Sept 18, Oct 9, Nov 20, Dec 18: Bird walks, 8am. Sept 25: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day 2010. Sept 25: Birds of the Wetlands, discovery hike about importance of wetland habitats. Oct 1-3: Foliage Art and Craft Festival, 10am-5pm Fri and Sun, 10am-6pm Sat, 802 425-3399. Ongoing: The American Ideal: Abraham Lincoln and the Second Inaugural. This exhibit attempts to illuminate some of the personal qualities that made Abraham Lincoln the indelible part of the American psyche he remains today.

Robert Frost Stone House Museum

121 Rte. 7A, South Shaftsbury
frostfriends.org, 802 447-6200

Sept 19: “My Friend, Robert Frost,” afternoon chat with Dr. Jack Hagstrom, M.D., who was a personal friend of Frost’s, 2pm at Little Red Barn. Ongoing: Robert Frost: The Poetry of Agriculture. Explores Frost’s love of rural life. He always said his poems were based on real people and real experiences.

Smith College Museum of Art

Elm St at Bedford Terrace,
Northampton, Mass.
10am to 4pm Tues-Sat, 12pm to 4pm Sun.
smith.edu/artmuseum/, 413 585-2760

Thru Nov 28: Framework VI: Restoring the Boundaries. Showcasing this year’s results from the Museum’s frame conservation apprenticeship program. Through Sept 5: Ruby and Yellow Neon: A New Acquisition by Stephen Antonakos. Through Oct 24: Luscious: Paintings by Emily Eveleth. Still life, landscape, portraiture and more.

Southern Vermont Arts Center, Yester House Gallery

West Road, Manchester
10am to 5pm, Tues-Sat, 12pm to 5pm, Sun
svac.org, 802 362-2522, 362-1405

Thru Sept 12: Bobby, Martin & John: Once Upon an American Dream, featuring photographs from the archives of LOOK magazine photographer Stanley Tretick. Thru Sept 12: Joseph Chirchirillo: Wild and Water. Machinery, architecture and inspiration from nature, as a vehicle for conservation and living more harmoniously. Oct 1: Conversation with Artists, 3pm, free panel discussion by Gerald Auten, guest curator and juror. Oct 2-3: True Colors: A Celebration of the Arts. A special outdoor exhibition in Manchester, the perfect place to experience Vermont’s true colors.

Vermont Folklife Center

88 Main Street, Middlebury
10am to 5pm Tues-Sat
vermontfolklifecenter.org, 802 388-7090

Vermont Museum of Mining and Minerals

55 Pleasant Street, Grafton
vtmmm.org, 802-875-3562

Ongoing: Learn about Vermont’s rich mining and mineral industries through displays on talc, soapstone, and the world-famous Vermont marble, granite and slate.

Gallery Openings

Ann Coleman Gallery

23 West Main St, Wilmington 10am-5pm daily
artistanncoleman.com, 802 379-4305, 802 368-7090

Sept 1-31: Autumn Splendor, from mums at Boyd’s Farm to the multicolored leaves. Oct 1-31: Remembering the Seasons.

Asian Cultural Center of Vermont and C.X. Silver Gallery

814 Western Ave., Brattleboro
802 257-7898, ext. 1, asianculturalcentervt.org

Sept 22: Autumn Moon Festival of China, Korea and Vietnam, 5:30-8pm at Kiwanis Pavilion at the top of Memorial Park, Brattleboro. Sept 30: Multicultural Celebration of the life and ideas of Jalal ud-Din Rume, 13th Century poet and Sufi Mystic, 6pm. Oct and Nov: Sonam Dolma: Exploring the Inner Mountain, contemporary Tibetan Abstraction and Installations exhibit. Oct 23-24: The 3rd Annual Vermont Samurai Kaiju Film Festival, at Latchis Theatre, Brattleboro. Celebrating Japanese film through two genres—Samurai films and the original Godzilla movies. Dec: Sacred Art East and West: Contemporary Icons in Russian, Syrian, and Coptic styles and Tibetan Thangka Scroll Paintings.

Chaffee Art Center

16 South Main Street, Rutland
chaffeeartcenter.org, 802 775-0356

Sept 10-Oct 3: Annual Full House Exhibit.

Oct 9-10: Art in the Park. Oct 8-Nov 20: Hand to Hand—An Artist Collaboration Documenting events of the Iraq War. Nov 26: Winter Members Show opens.

Gallery at the VAULT

68 Main Street, Springfield, Vermont
802 885-7111 galleryvault.org

Wed, Sept 1–Sun, Oct 31: State of Craft special exhibition, “The Land The Art The Artist”. Thurs, Sept 2, opening talks with potter Susan Leader and fiber artist Cheryl Flett.

Gallery in the Woods

145 Main Street, Brattleboro
Open daily 11am-5:30pm, Sunday 12-5
galleryinthewoods.com, 802 257-4777

Sept. thru November: Fall celebration of longtime gallery artists in all media.

Gallery North Star

151 Townshend Road, Grafton
10am-5pm daily (Tuesday by chance)
gnsgrafton.com, 802 843-2465

Thru Sept 10: Exhibition at Grafton, a select juried art show of more than 50 original artists from the East Coast. Artwork in oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media, sculptures and more. Featured artist in the Fall: James Urbaska, known for his subtle interplay of shadow and light.

Hunter Gallery of Fine Art and Hunter Artworks

74 Main St and 56 Townshend Road, Grafton
hunterartworks.com, 802 843-1440

Sept. 25: Artist Reception for William Barton, oils in realism. Oct. 30: Halloween Costume Party, 7pm. Must be in costume to enter.

Spiral Press Café at the Northshire Bookstore

4869 Main Street, Manchester Center
10am–9pm Tues-Sat, 10am-7pm Sun-Mon
802 362-9944

Thru Sept: Nature of Awe: Two Photographic Perspectives. Christine Glade and Tom Reed exhibiting stunning photography in the natural world.

Vermont Center for Photography

49 Flat Street, Brattleboro
2pm–7pm, Fri; 12–5pm, Sat-Sun
vcphoto.org, 802 251-6051

Sept 3-26: Jim Schlessinger “Roadside Attractions.” Photographs with a blend of landscape and abstraction. Oct 1-31: Annual In-Sight Photography Silent Auction, benefit for student programs. Opening Oct. 1 at 5:30pm. Silent bidding throughout the month. Nov 5-28: Geoff and Phil Van Kirk: Seeing Double, a Twin Perspective. Opening Nov 5, 5:30pm. December: Opening reception for VCP Members Exhibition: Annual Holiday Small Works Show and Sale.

The Village Green Gallery

661 Main Street, Weston, daily 9am-5pm802 824-3669 thevillagegreengallery.com
Check website for special holiday events.

Bennington Center for the Arts

44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington10am-5pm, Tues-Sun (Closed Mondays)
benningtoncenterforthearts.org 802 442-7158

Sept 10: Alan Greenleaf and the Doctor from Northern Vermont, songs about life on the farm and the people and countryside in the American tradition, 7pm. Proceeds benefit United Counseling Service. Sept 17: Trio ’86, featuring a distinctive group of instruments. Oct 3: Manchester Chamber Concert, featuring Adam Neiman, 3pm.

Brattleboro Music Center

38 Walnut Street, Brattleboro
bmcvt.org, 802 257-4523

Oct 9: The Met: Live in HD, performance of the Metropolitan Opera: Live in High Definition, 1pm. Oct 30: Sophie Shao and Friends, 7:30pm. Nov 5: Johannes Quartet, 7:30pm. Nov 19 and 21: Windham Orchestra, 7:30pm. Dec 10 and 12: Blanche Moyse Chorale: Holiday Concert, 8pm Friday, 4pm Sunday

Hooker Dunham Theater & Gallery

139 Main Street, Brattleboro
hookerdunham.org, 802 254-9276

Sept 3: The Stockwell Brothers, newgrass and contemporary folk, 6:30pm. Sept 10: Winterpills, indie pop folk, with Clayton Sabine, 8pm. Sept 17: Cantrip, high energy Scottish music, 8pm. Sept 25: Al Berard Cajun Combo, 8pm.

Latchis Hotel

50 Main Street, Brattleboro
http://www.latchis.com, 802-254-6300

Sept 4: Beantown Swing comes to the Main Stage, 7:30pm. Sept 11: Stop Making Sense, dir. Jonathan Demmo, 7pm. Sept 18-26: Puppets in the Green Mountains. Sept 24: Jonathan Edwards Quartet & James Montgomery with Bruce Marshall Duo and Lydia Warren, 8pm. Oct 8: An evening with Ken Burns, “The Tenth Inning” for TGS’ 50th Year, 7pm. Oct 9-10: The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD presents Wagner’s Das Rheingold, 1pm, Sat; 11am, Sun. Oct 16: The Capital Steps return for a Windham Housing Trust benefit, 7pm. Oct 28: Rocky Horror Picture Show, 10pm. Nov 5: EmBody Art Auction, 5:30pm. Nov 13: Strolling of the Heifers presents Richie Havens, 7:30pm. Nov 21: Windham Orchestra, 3pm. Dec 2: Childsplay, 7:30pm. Dec 13: Nowell Sing We Clear, 7:30.

New England Center for the Circus Arts

76 Cotton Mill Hill #300, Brattleboro
necenterforcircusarts.org, 802 254-9780

Sept 5-6: Performances and the Guilford Fair. Sept 17-19: American Youth Circus Organization Educators’ Conference. Oct 3: Flying Trapeze Show at Sunrise Farm in Guilford, 4pm. Nov 12-14: Circus Workshop Weekend. Holiday Circus Show

Dec 17, 7:30pm; Dec 18, 3pm and 7pm; Dec 19, 3pm and 5pm.

New England Youth Theater

100 Flat Street, Brattleboro
neyt.org, 802 246-NEYT (6398)

Oct 1: Mentor Cabaret. Oct 15-24: The Crucible, Fri and Sat 7pm, Sat and Sun 2pm. Nov 3: Theater Adventure Youth Troupe show. Nov 12-14 & 19-21: Restorative Justice Program, directed by Rebecca Waxman, Fri and Sat 7pm, Sat and Sun 2pm. Dec 9-12 & 16-19: Fiddler on the Roof, Sat 7pm, Sat and Sun 2pm.

Sandglass Theater

17 Kimball Hill, Putney
sandglasstheater.org, 802 387-4051

Sept 18-26: Puppets in the Green Mountains.

Stone Church Arts

20 Church Street, Bellows Falls
immanuelepiscopal.org/StoneChurchArts,
802 463-3100

Sept 4: Andreas Kapsalis and Goran Inanovic Jazz Guitar Duo, 7:30pm. Sept 18: Woods Tea Company, Celtic tunes, 7:30pm. Oct 8: Bernal/Eckroth/Ennis, Latin Jazz Trio, 7:30pm. Oct 23: House Blend, choral music from all over, 7:30pm. Nov 13: Aine Minogue, Celtic harp and vocals, 7:30pm. Dec 11: Jacqueline Schwab, pianist, 7:30pm. Jan 14: Long Time Courting, Celtic quartet, 7:30pm.

Southern Vermont Arts Center

Arkell Pavilion at West Road, Manchester
svac.org, 802 362-1405

Oct 9: The Platters, leading R&B group from the 1950s, 7:30pm.

Vermont Jazz Center

72 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro
vtjazz.org, 802-254-9088
Performances at 8pm

Every Wednesday: Jam sessions at the Vermont Jazz Center, 8-10pm. Sept 25: Robert Glasper Experiment, blue note recording artist whose vision spans the gap between hip-hop and jazz. Oct 9: Dave Liebman Quartet, among one of the most important saxophonists in contemporary music. Nov 13: Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers, pioneers of Latin Boogaloo. Dec 3: VJC Big Band, big band swing classsics by the Vermont Jazz Center’s own 17-piece ensemble. Jan 15: Gary Smulyan Trio.

Day-to-Day Calendar

September:

Sept 1: The Land, The Art, The Artist: Exhibit Opening, State of Crafts—Gallery at the Vault, Springfield. Sept 2: Braintree, Summer Lawn Performance in Plymouth, Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort. Sept 2, 9, 16, 24: Nature hikes and other free programs, meet at Red Gate at Equinox Preserve, 9am, Manchester, equinoxpreservationtrust.org. Sept 3-6: Food, Wine & Rejuvenation Retreat at Good Commons, Plymouth. Sept 3: Jackson Gore Music Series presents United States Air Force Band of Liberty, Ludlow. Sept 4: Chester Fireworks & Old Home Day, fun, fireworks, rides, clowns, music, food and more, 1pm, Chester. Sept 4: Community Day of Caring, United Way of Windham County’s annual event for volunteers and public resources, Brattleboro, 8am, unitedwaywindham.org, 802 257-4011.

Sept 4: 5K Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament, West Dover, 802 464-8092. Sept 4-5: 15th

Annual Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival, with everything garlic, located on

Rte 9 west of Bennington, bennington.com, 802 447-3311. Sept 4-5: 16th Annual Mount Snow Brewers Festival, two days of fresh brew tasting, Mount Snow, West Dover, mountsnow.com, 802 464-4174. Sept 4-5: Plymouth Folk & Blues Concerts, stars from Vermont and nationally known musicians, Plymouth Notch. Sept 5: Sundays on the Hill Concerts presents A Far Cry, un-conducted chamber orchestra from Boston, Weston.

Sept 5: The Perry/Baksys Duo (classical cello and piano) at the Old Tavern at Grafton, 8pm, Grafton, oldtavern.com, 802 843-2231.

Sept 10-12: First Annual Mini Cooper Rally through Okemo, have fun as you travel through Vermont towns like Ludlow, Weston, Chester, Cavendish, Plymouth and Mount Holly. Sept 10: Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem in concert at the New England Youth Theater, Brattleboro, 8pm, 802 257-1571. Sept 11: Taste of the Deerfield Valley, 5th annual, taste specialty items from restaurants, vote for favorites, 9am-5pm, base of Mount Snow, West Dover, mountsnow.com. Sept 11: Maple Leaf half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk, 9am, Manchester, manchestervtmapleleaf.com. Sept 11: Harvest Ball, elegant eventing of fine dining and dancing, at 1768 Hubbell Homestead at Colgate Park, bennington, svhealthcare.org/support-us/charitableevents. Sept 15: Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Tournament 2010, Okemo Valley Golf Club. Sept. 17-18: Murder at the Disco—murder

mystery dinner performed by the Vermont Theatre Company, Brattleboro, 6pm, vermonthteatrecompany.com, 802 258-1344. Sept 17-19: 44th Annual Bennington Antique & Classic Car Show, events all day, Bennington, bennington.com, 800 2290252. Sept 18: Presentation in wood working by David and Michelle Holzapfel, Bennington Museum, Bennington, 2pm, free, benningtonmuseum.org. Sept 18-19: Bennington Quilt Fest, 16th annual, now at MAU Middle School, Bennington, benningtonquiltfest.com. Sept 18-19: Chester’s Fall Craft Festival on the Green, with more than 60 Vermont and New England crafters and artisans. Sept 19: Plymouth Cheese & Harvest Festival, celebrating the bounties of the harvest with award-winning cheese, Plymouth. Sept 22: 2nd Annual Okemo Valley Business Showcase, meet the businessmen that make up the valley, Ludlow. Sept 24-26: 3rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival, in downtown Wilmington and at Mount Snow in West Dover, weekend showcasing Vermont wines, specialty foods and artisans of all types, thevermontfestival.com, 802 464-8092. Sept 25-26: Brattleboro West Arts Studio Tour, visit more than 20 artists living and working in the Whetstone Brook Watershed, West Brattleboro, Brattleboro-west-arts.com. Sept 25-26: 7th Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival, premiere woodworking event in Woodstock, 10am-5pm, vermontwoodfestival.org, 802 747-7900. Sept 25: Autumnal Equinox: an Everything Local Celebration, local farmers’ markets, cider pressing, honey making, and more, Chester. Sept 27-Oct 3: Big Buzz Chainsaw Carving Festival, with carvers from around the country, including auction, Chester. Sept 30: Gala Preview Antique Show and Sale, Weston.

October:

Oct 1-2: 50th Weston Antiques Show, featuring renowned dealers from across the country, 10am-5pm, Weston, westonantiquesshow.org, 802 824-5307. Oct 1-3: Town of Dover’s Bicentennial Celebration, including fireworks, parade, a play about Dover’s history and more, doververmont.com, 802 348-7720. Oct 1-3: 18th Annual Hildene Fall Arts & Crafts Festival, with 200 jury selected artists and artisans, at Hildene Meadow, Manchester, craftproducers.com, 802 425-3399. Oct 1-3: Fall Rummage Sale, Black River Good Neighbor Services, Fletcher Farm Barn, Ludlow. Oct 1-2: 16th Annual Okemo Antiques Show, Ludlow. Wine and hors d’oeuvres 3-6pm Friday, show is 10am-4pm Saturday. Oct 2: The 4th annual Southern Vermont Home Brew Festival, Old Bennington Brush Company Factory, downtown Bennington, benningtonmuseum.org/brew-fest. Oct 2-3: Pumpkin & Apply Celebration at Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock. Apple tasting, trivia, cider, pumpkin ice cream and horse drawn wagon rides, Woodstock. Oct 2-3: 24th International Timeline Event, an opportunity to look at the progression of history, Matterhorn Inn, West Dover, celebratethevalley.com, 802 380-8297. Oct 8-9: Mount Snow Oktoberfest & Harvest Art & Craft Show, with German music, beer, food, games and plenty of crafts, noon-5pm each day, mountsnow.com, 802 464-3333. Oct 8-10: Weston Craft Fair, 25th annual, in Weston Playhouse on the Green, 10am-5pm, westoncraftshow.com, 802 824-8170. Oct 8-11: Octoberfest at Good Commons & Salt Ash Inn, Plymouth. Oct 9: Honora’s Second Annual Grape Stomp, live music, food, wine, hot apple cider and grape stomping, honorawinery.com, 802 368-2226. Oct 9: Best Seat in Vermont Gala Auction, at the Grand Summit Resort, West Dover, vermontseat.com, 802 464-8092. Oct 9-10: Ethan Allen Colonial Fair, focusing on Vermont’s history in the Revolutionary War period, from 1761-1800, Colgate Park, Bennington, ethanallencolonialfair.com. Oct 9: 4th Annual Parrothead Party at Jackson Gore, Ludlow. Okemo Mountain Resort becomes Margaritaville for a few days. Oct 9-10: Oktoberfest and Craft Show at Mount Snow, German beer, food, music and games, along with New England artisans, 9am-5pm, mountsnow.com. Oct 9-10: Cider Days Celebration of the Fall at Belmont in Mount Holly. Oct 9-10: Harvest Weekend at Billings Farm & Museum, a Top 10 Fall Event, Woodstock. Oct 15-16: The Logger at the Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon, N.H., 7pm, lebanonoperahouse.org. Oct 16-17: Wagon Ride Weekend at Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock. Oct 17: Pumpkin Carving Festival, with games for kids, craft market, baked gods, vendors and much more, 10am-8pm, vermontpumpkin.com, 802 362-2610. Oct 21: Meet the watercolor artist Robert O’Brien from 2-4pm at Misty Valley Books, Chester, mvbooks.com, 802 875-3400. Oct 24: Ameranouche (gypsy jazz) at the Old Tavern at Grafton, 8pm, Grafton, oldtavern.com, 802 843-2231. Oct 24: Bridal Show at Jackson Gore Inn, Ludlow. Oct 28-31: Quilter’s Workshops and Retreats, Weston. Oct 29-31: Murder Mystery Weekend at Inn Victoria in Chester. Oct 30: Family Halloween at Billings Farm & Museum, a not-so-scary celebration designed for younger children. Costume parades at noon and 2pm. Oct 30: Bennington’s Halloween Festival, bennington.com.

November:

Nov 6: Empty Bowls, Keene, N.H. 11:30am-2:30pm. Nov 7: Vermont Voices with Archer Mayor at Misty Valley Books, Chester, mvbooks.com, 802 875-3400.

Nov 11: Veteran’s Day Parade in downtown Bennington, bennington.com. Nov 14: Vermont Voices with Creston Lea at Misty Valley Books, Chester, mvbooks.com, 802 875-3400. Nov 19-21: Okemo Mountain annual Ski and Snowboard Swap, Ludlow, okemo.com. Nov 21: Vermont Voices with David Carkeet at Misty Valley Books, Chester, mvbooks.com, 802 875-3400. Nov 26-28: Thanksgiving Celebration at Billings Farm & Museum, costumed guides demonstrate the preparation of a traditional late 19th century Thanksgiving meal in the farmhouse. Nov 26-28: 32nd Annual Putney Craft Tour, featuring 26 craftspeople, Putney, 802 387-4032, putneycrafts.com. Nov 26-27: Holiday Craft Bazaar, locally handcrafted gifts, Weston. Nov 27: Wine Tasting at Pleasant Valley Foods, preview December offerings, Proctorsville. Nov 28: Vermont Voices with Jon Clinch at Misty Valley Books, Chester, mvbooks.com, 802 875-3400.

December:

Dec 4: Holiday Auction benefit for Community Kitchen, Keene, 8am Preview; 9am Bidding starts.Dec 4: An Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival, special holiday season in the old-fashioned village of Weston, home of the Vermont Country Store. Dec 5: A Family Christmas with Santa, gift wrapping and more, downtown Bennington 10am-4pm, bennington.com. Dec 5, 12: 10th Annual Holiday Open House Tour, visit eight different properties known for their holiday décor, 1-5pm, manchestervermont.net. Dec 10-11: 10th Annual BRAM Open House, Black River Academy, Ludlow. Dec 10-12: Wassail Weekend at Billings Farm & Museum, tour the 1890 farmhouse authentically decorated for the season, Woodstock. Dec 11: 2010 Downtown Holiday Celebration, Bennington, bennington.com. Dec 11: Overture to Christmas, family time to be in old-fashioned, relaxed, picturesque village of Chester. Dec 11: Coolidge Holiday Open House, Plymouth. Dec 17-19: Jane Austen’s Birth Party weekend at Inn Victoria, Main Street, Chester. Dec 24: Christmas Dinner at Inn Victoria, Chester.