Carolyn Bates

A place in which to play, dream, refresh, create Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacular views across the lake. An island lighthouse, US Life-Saving Service stations, coastal villages, and picturesque farmsteads reflect the park’s rich maritime, agricultural, and recreational history. To access the general information to the park, please drive to Empire, MI on M22 and look for signs. The photos above are of Glen Lake, the … [Read more...]

On March 4th, there will be a vote in Burlington about gun safety. There will be three charter change measures that will be voted on, including keeping guns out of bars, requiring guns to be safely stored when accessible to children, and allowing the police to temporarily confiscate guns when then is a suspicion of domestic violence. We need to make it clear that the public supports gun safety measures like these. Please help us get the word out and encourage everyone you know to go to the polls. Let's send a message to our state lawmakers that gun safety needs to be a priority! Who is … [Read more...]

Take a look in the Essex Inn on the Adirondack Coast, Essex NY and get ready to be hungry.Essex Inn on the Adirondack Coast The Essex Inn on the Adirondack Coast has undergone a total renovation that has transformed this 200-year old landmark into the crown jewel of the Lake Champlain region.The Inn has eleven brand new rooms, five of which are suites. Additional accommodations are available a half block south of the Inn at 2310 Main Street. This 1600 square-foot, second-floor space offers the Lakeview Suite and the Adirondack Trail Room. The Lakeview Suite has two bedrooms, bathroom, … [Read more...]

I wanted to share this because to me it is the way to look at life. Loving someone is to accept the changes that occur in life. The National Advocate for People with Down Syndrome Since 1979 Longtime Sesame Street writer Emily Perl Kingsley has been advocating for people with disabilities since 1974, when her son, Jason (co-author of Count Us In: Growing Up With Down Syndrome), was born with Down syndrome. In 1987, she wrote Welcome To Holland, which has remained a source of comfort and inspiration ever since.  Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley I am often asked to … [Read more...]

A Snug Lakeside Cottage in Vermont With new owners, a lakeside summer cottage becomes a year-round sanctuary. By Regina Cole | Photos by Carolyn Bates | Old House Journal Nestled between the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains, this Vermont lake house is livable year-round—a reversal of its history. Built as a summer cottage in 1922, the house remained in the same family for most of the 20th century. But it was virtually abandoned for 35 years, owing to a family feud. Not until it was sold to Anne and Donald Stewart in the 1990s did the house come back to life. “We’re the first to call it … [Read more...]

In Chicago, I just has to look UP all of the time, forgetting where my feet go, thus  tripping over sidewalks and sliding down stairs. River walks are the very best, after you twirl around Gehry's performance hall's red seats and Chicago's art museum on the waterfront.  Somewhere nearby multi faceted towers within the building could contain the entire population of Vermont!   … [Read more...]

   Take a trip to holiday's past... … [Read more...]

It is a doggy doggy world! Meet Augie. Check out Augie's first feature film!   Filmmaker & Photographer: Nick Hadsel-Mares … [Read more...]

Behind the Scenes at ECHO with C Bates. Looks easy, doesn’t it?  Just arrive at party time, with sunset, and take one photo. Scene one:  June sunset, no party Scene two:  July, bar set up in front of view, two large plants in middle of people dining, bushes obscure view of party Scene three:  early Aug party is in the southern half, upstairs on second floor balcony, and not under the canopy Scene four:  three weeks later, bar in back, bushes trimmed,  trees gone,  beautiful wedding party, glorious sunset 4 hours behind camera w tripod About the … [Read more...]

NEFCU (New England Federal Credit Union) September Newsletter: New Shelburne Road Branch is Open! Same trusted service in a state-of-the-art facility With the opening of our new branch, NEFCU has redefined the in-branch banking experience. Everything about our new facility has been designed to make it easier – and more enjoyable – for you to connect with the people, information and resources you need to manage your finances. At the center of the space are member service stations where our representatives are available to answer questions and make sure you find what you’re looking for. If … [Read more...]

*** Update: AIAVT TO TRANSFORM VINTAGE AIRSTREAM INTO MOBILE EDUCATION CENTER *** Taking it to the Streets To spread their mission statewide, AIA Vermont is transforming a vintage Airstream trailer into a traveling architecture center By Nalina Moses Architecture is usually about making things that are firmly rooted in place. But AIA Vermont received one of eight component 2013 AIA National Innovation Fund grant awards with its proposal “Archistream: A Mobile Design Gallery and Education Center.” While the name for the vehicle is still under discussion, the project is well underway. The … [Read more...]

  More About Sandy LawtonSandy is the owner of ArroDesign, a local design/build firm established in 1985. Trained as an architect with over 20 years of practical construction experience, Sandy can be described as a master builder, taking a project form the design stage and seeing it all the way through the entire construction process.  He injoys exploring the many realms of his business, including concrete, metal, timberframing and new technology.Check out his blog, click here. More About Eyrich StaufferStauffer Woodworking LLC is a flexible and growing company providing services … [Read more...]

  DESIGN NEW ENGLAND Barn and Raised Not just for collecting, some antiques can be re-purposed for human habitation Written by Regina Cole • Photographed by Carolyn Bates • November/December 2013 Dan and MJ Davis live in a renovated Vermont barn, an antique structure that provides everything the couple ever wanted in a home: space, light, warmth, comfort, and a stellar view. But converting a farm building for reuse was not their original intention. “We wanted to buy a piece of property and build on it,” says MJ. “We were taken with the land and its beautiful view.” An old hay barn … [Read more...]

  Canadian Homes & Cottages Magazine Home renovations for this busy family of six were designed with storage in mind by Kristine Nyhout • Photos by Carolyn Bates A home built in the mid 19th century may have been quaint at the time, but for today’s families, it would be lacking. This was the case for the Cichetti family. With four children and an equal number of pets, the home was simply not meeting their needs. Cramped, dark and boxy, most people would assume a move would make the most sense. But not, of course, if your home is situated on rolling acres that just happen to face … [Read more...]

Tom Moore is a leading Vermont contractor specializing in remodeling and new home building. Our hallmark is elegant custom detail in new construction and remodeling projects. We combine traditional design elements with the best in new technologies, green building practices, and innovative custom cabinetry & woodworking.The Tom Moore Builder tradition of craftsmanship has its roots deep in Vermont history. Ed Moore, Tom's father, trained Tom and several other craftsmen who remain longtime employees. Ed bestowed on the family business a heritage of craft, skill, and service. Tom Moore is a … [Read more...]