January/February 2025

In this newsletter . . .

Welcome Note
Changes to Londonderry Transfer Station Payment/Punch Cards
Ski Vermont Statewide Ski Conditions Reports
Featured Properties - Two Classic New England Homes
Calendar of Upcoming Local Events

January 17, 2025

Dear Claudia:

Happy New Year! While we westerners have been celebrating the New Year for a couple of weeks now, the Chinese will celebrate the Year of the Snake and the lunar new year beginning on January 31, 2014.

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake ... and that’s me! Technically, I am in sales, so it seems weird to admit it, but I am a Snake. In ancient Chinese traditions, the snake once presented a venerated image and my somewhat biased research shows that Chinese people still believe that a snake found in their garden can bring good luck. People born in the Year of the Snake are considered rational, calm, thoughtful, and loyal to the loved ones. One the flip side, they can also be skeptical, possessive, and obstinate. I’ll take it!

It's a New Year and as I look out my office window to the snow-covered world outside, I see smoke rising from my neighbors’ chimney, the gentle twinkle of lights in the village and car after car passing with skis and snowboards on top and occupants ready to enjoy our beautiful snowy slopes. These scenes comfort me; I know that I have the incredibly good fortune to live and work in this amazing place and be a part of this wonderful community.

I look forward to another happy and successful year working with Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate’s amazing friends, especially our past and future clients. Please stay in touch and be sure to contact us for all of your Vermont real estate-related needs.

- Claudia Harris

Broker/Owner

Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate

E-Mail: Claudia Harris

Website Click Here

Office: (802)824-3176

Cell: (802)379-0347

Important Changes at Londonderry

Transfer Station

As always, annual stickers and punch cards are available at the Landgrove, Londonderry, Peru, Weston and Windham Town Offices (be sure to call or check the town's website for office hours).

New for 2025, the annual sticker price for January 1 to December 31, 2025 will be $15 for residents and $40 for businesses.

Punch cards will also be available from a vending machine at The Londonderry Village Market in the Londonderry Plaza (5700 Route 100). The vending machine will only accept credit cards for 5-Punch Cards @ $10, 10-Punch Cards @$20, and Bulk Punch Cards @ $120.

IMPORTANT: The Londonderry Hardware will no longer sell Transfer Station punch cards.

Also, as of the new year, each trip to the Recycling Center at The Londonderry Transfer Station will cost ONE (1) punch. Let the attendant know you will be recycling.

Questions? Email recycle@londonderryvt.org

Statewide Ski Reports Available

Ski Vermont has made it easy to check the conditions at ALL of Vermont’s skiing and riding destinations – all in one easy step. Bookmark the site below for frequent reference.

You can even add it to your iPhone’s home screen by following the directions here:

If you’re not using the Safari or Chrome browser, first step is to open the link using one of those two browsers on your phone.
Click the share/download icon at the bottom of your screen.
Click “Add to Home Screen”
Confirm name of link or rename.
Click “Add” at the top of the screen.

You’ll see a new icon (white snowflake on a green background) on the first available page of your home screen (but perhaps not the first page).

Ski Vermont Website

Featured Properties for Sale

Renovated Londonderry Farmhouse on 42 Acres with Dramatic Mountain Views

Address: 732 Under the Mountain Road

South Londonderry, VT

Price: $1,400,000

Lot size: 42+/- acres

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Year built: 1810

Square feet: 3516

Londonderry’s Under the Mountain Road is one of the area’s most beautiful country roads, meandering along the lower western edge of Glebe Mountain, home to Magic Mountain Ski Area and thousands of acres of conserved lands. Here you’ll find Fairmount, one of Londonderry’s cherished historical properties, featuring one of – if not THE – best view in southern Vermont, with panoramic views looking over the West River Valley to the majestic Green Mountains between Stratton and Bromley. The c.1810 farmhouse was thoroughly and thoughtfully renovated in 1987 and offers historic architectural details that are now integrated into a more contemporary layout, all with an eye to maximizing the interior spaces while enjoying outdoor areas, perennial gardens, and spectacular four-season views. Make this special spot yours!

Link to Property Information

Attractive, Well-Maintained & Comfortable Colonial

in Weston

Address: 45 Casper Lane

Weston, VT

Price: $775,000

Lot size: 2+/- acres

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Year built: 2003

Square feet: 2110

This gorgeous high quality three-bedroom house with over 2100 of finished living space is situated on two beautifully landscaped acres in the special town of Weston. As a four-season destination, Weston and the surrounding area has much to offer from skiing to hiking to fishing to golfing to swimming to "leaf peeping" and to just relaxing. A beautiful home is in a desirable location to live fulltime or enjoy as a vacation home; either way this house is a must see sooner than later. The house has a wonderful feel of relaxation and welcoming, and an impressive, heated barn/workshop that adds to the versatility of the property. Welcome to Weston and all it has to offer!

Link to Property Information

Upcoming Local Events

January 18 (and Saturdays through March)

Wine & Cheese Snowshoe Tours - Take a snowshoe tour through the beautiful Vermont landscape and then reared yourself with a glass of wine and a selection of award-winning Grafton Village cheeses. The 1 hour snowshoe tour takes in the peace and tranquility of the forests near Grafton. Afterwards relax in the Outdoor Center cabin with two glasses of wine and an assorted cheeseboard. Advanced Reservations are required and participants must be 21+. Complimentary snowshoes provided. Contact the Outdoor Centre on 802-843-2400 to make your reservation. Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center, 783 Townshend Road, Grafton VT. https://www.graftoninnvermont.com/southern-vt-trails-outdoors

Saturday, January 18

Torchlight Parade and Fireworks at Okemo - Head on over to Ludlow for a family friendly celebration and Torchlight Parade at the Okemo Base Lodge 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Sunday, February 2

Cabin Fever Soap Felting Workshop - Join in the fun and learn how to make decorative felted goat-milk soap scrubbies at Hildene Farm. Felted soap acts as both a gentle cleanser and washcloth all in one. Wool, naturally antimicrobial and soft, makes for an ideal shower scrubby. As you use it, the wool continues to shrink while the soap gradually diminishes. When the soap is gone, the shower scrubby remains. No waste! You’ll use Hildene Farm wool fiber and goat milk soap to create a sustainable, handmade gift—perhaps for your valentine! 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Program & materials fee: $35 for members/ $40 for non-members, (includes $15 materials fee which includes soap plus all fiber and tools). Space is limited. Preregistration required by Wednesday, January 29: click to email . or call 802-367-7960.

Saturday, February 8

Bird Walk - Bald Eagle - Did you know the Bald Eagle is NOT the national bird? In 1782 Congress adopted a design for the Great Seal that featured the Bald Eagle, but it has never been officially adopted as our country’s national symbol. However, on July 29, 2024, the bill S.4610 was passed by the U.S. Senate “to designate the bald eagle as the national bird.” It awaits a vote in the House. The reintroduction of the Bald Eagle in VT in 2004-6 is a great success story. There are now at least 45 territorial pairs in VT—the nearest pair in Arlington, VT who fledged two young this summer. Believe it or not, these birds are already thinking about “housekeeping” again. Meet at the Welcome Center parking lot. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails and around the main house. No registration required. Questions? Contact Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click to email. Free 9:00 to 10:30 AM, At Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home.

February 14 – 15

Valentine’s Surprises with Gypsy Layne at Bennington Theater - This Valentine’s Day weekend, indulge in the ultimate treat: Gypsy Layne, the Berkshires' beloved cabaret and burlesque troupe, returns to the Bennington Theater for two sizzling nights of exuberant entertainment! Unwrap the season’s sexiest gift with a dazzling show packed with cheeky humor, red-hot dance numbers, and Vegas-style glamour—all infused with Gypsy Layne’s signature body positivity and heart. From electrifying performances to jaw-dropping surprises, this is a Valentine’s celebration like no other. Time: 7:30 PM – Advance sale, tickets required! Bennington Theater, 331 Main Street in Bennington. https://tickets.benningtontheater.org/event/gypsy-lane-kjwdkb

February 14 – 16

Harris Hill Ski Jump - Experience the 103-year-old tradition of international ski jumping at Harris Hill Ski Jump, New England’s only Olympic-size jump. Witness jumpers aiming to break the 341-foot hill record, soaring at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. https://harrishillskijump.com/schedule-information

Saturday, February 15

FebFest @ Bromley - Join us as we light up the sky here at Bromley Mountain. Witness the Sun Deck transform into an ultimate outdoor party! Cold beer and beverages, as well as soups and chili will be served out of the Waffle Shack on the Sun Deck. The Wild Boar will be alive and thriving with a full menu all evening for aprés and music after the fireworks. Torchlight parade at 7:00 PM and fireworks at 7:30 PM. See you there! https://www.bromley.com/event/febfest/

Saturday, February 15

Chester Winter Carnival - Held during President’s Day Weekend the Chester Winter Carnival this is a chance to enjoy the winter outdoors. Sledding, ice skating, broom hockey and horse-drawn sleigh rides will all take place at the Pinnacle (off Lover’s Lane) along with kid’s snowmobile rides. Bring a headlamp or flashlight and round the day off with a guided, evening snowshoe hike, led by the Chester Conservation Committee. Contact Matt McCarthy for more information at (802) 875-2173 or recreationinchester@yahoo.com.

10am-2pm: Kids Snowmobile rides at Buttonwood Farm

12pm: Sledding and ice skating

11pm-2pm: Horse drawn sleigh rides at the Pinnacle

5pm: Guided snowshoe hike on Brookside Trail

Friday, February 28

Mom's Day Off at Bromley - Hey Moms! Treat yourself and join us for Mom's Day Off. Simply show us a picture of your child(ren) at the ticket window, and ski or ride Bromley all day for a $30 donation to the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center. 100% of the proceeds are donated! Keep it local and have fun; this is a great way to get out on the slopes and support a great cause. The Wild Boar Tavern will donate 50% of the proceeds to the cause. If inclement weather, makeup date: 3/7/2025. https://www.bromley.com/event/moms-day-off/

March 7 - March 9

The Vermont Flower Show - The Vermont Flower Show is quite unique among flower shows in the U.S. VNLA members and associates build a 15,000 square foot themed landscaped display (equal to about an acre). A committee works on the design and we receive hundreds of donations of plants, time, materials and labor. A group of volunteers then comes together for 3.5 days to build this display – quite a feat if you watch our time-lapse video. Along with the grand garden landscaped display, the show offers a wide variety of features and activities to choose from. https://vnlavt.org/event/the-vermont-flower-show/

Saturday, March 8

Bird Walk - Pine Grosbeak - Pine Grosbeaks look like large Purple Finches. About the size of a robin, they have strong, thick, aptly-named beaks and two white wing bars. The male's raspberry head, breast, and belly (top) are a contrast to the olive-green and gray female. They are most likely to be seen in roads picking up sand and salt, or in fruit or cone bearing trees and bushes. Meet at the Welcome Center parking lot. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails and around the main house. No registration required. Questions? Contact Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click to email. Free 9:00 to 10:30 AM, At Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home.

Thinking of Selling? Still on the Fence?

Inventory Is Low and Demand Remains High

Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate is seeking new residential and land listings and we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about listing your Vermont property for sale.

If you've been thinking about it, now is the time to make a move. The inventory of homes for sale is still low, demand is high, and there are buyers looking in ALL price ranges.

Please see our contact information below, or call us at the

office at (802)824-3176. Or, you can send an email here or contact one of our Sales Associates listed below.

Our Sales Associates

Kathy Snyder

(802)384-6674

Kathy's Email Address

About Kathy

Chuck Sweetman

(802)345-9054

Chuck's Email Address

About Chuck

Claudia Harris

(802)379-0347

Claudia's Email Address

About Claudia

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Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate has been working with buyers and sellers of southern Vermont real estate in the tri-mountain area between Okemo, Bromley and Stratton ski areas for more than 40 years. We are a full-service real estate brokerage firm specializing in the sale of fine homes and properties in Weston, Londonderry, Peru, Landgrove, Dorset, Manchester, Andover, Chester, Ludlow (Okemo Mountain), Mount Holly, Jamaica, Stratton, Winhall and Windham. Fully licensed in Vermont.