It looks like Spring has finally found its way to Middlebury.
Why not celebrate?
Take the family for a bike ride on the PumpkinVine Trail .
Catch up with an old friend and enjoy a gourmet coffee at Culinary Treasures.
The Cinnamon Stick and the Essenhaus Shops have all the lastest and greatest spring decor, jewelry and accessories in to cheer up your wardrobe, Including the newest styles and patterns from Vera Bradley!
Visit downtown Middlebury on the 3rd Friday of every month in 2010 for Fun!
Special Events, Sales and Good Times! Shops Open til 8pm.
Mark Your Calendar for More Fun!
APRIL: WHAT’S NEW IN MIDDLEBURY
MAY: FLOWER POWER – A THROW BACK EVENT!
JUNE: CELEBRATE AMERICA
JULY: ICE CREAM SOCIAL
AUGUST: BBQ EXTRAVAGNZA
SEPTEMBER: FALL FESTIVAL
OCTOBER: PUMPKIN FEST
NOVEMBER: ICE FESTIVAL – HOMETOWN HOLIDAY
DECEMBER: SHARING IS CARING
DrumRoll……. And the Winner is….
Crystal Valley Catering Original Chili Recipe
Winner of the 2010 Varns and Hoover Chili Cook-Off
Ingredients:
Heat a heavy pot or dutch oven over medium high heat. Brown ground beef in the pot (10-15 minutes) When the beef is nearly done, add the onion and cook for a few minutes, until the onion just begins to soften.
Stir in Remaining ingredients and simmer for 1 to 1.5hrs.
Don’t Miss ACE Hardware’s “Bag Your To-Do List”
20% off everything you can stuff in a bag Sale!
Next Saturday February 27th.
Varns & Hoover Hardware hosted their 4th Annual Chili Cook-off today with 11 entries. Interestingly, all this year’s entries were tomat0-based chilis with no “white” or “green” recipes entered for the judging and voting.
Congratulations to Jay Wilson of Crystal Valley Catering for his winning entry. Jay explained his “secret” was really no secret at all–he entered the same chili recipe he cooks up for his customers 3 days every week. Check back next week–right here–for Jay’s winning recipe [right now he only has the proportions right to make about 15 GALLONS at a time!]
Rounding out the top 5 entries were Tammy Bullock, Monica Yoder with her vegetarian chili, Randy Grewe of Old Hoosier Meats with a “smoked” recipe and Shirley Miller.
Thanks to our judges and the many folks who stopped in to give these great recipes a real taste test!
The next Fun February Friday is Feb. 19 at the Flower Petal’r with a day “Dreaming of Chocolate.”
See you there.
Thanks to Old Hoosier Meats for hosting the first Fun February Friday event of 2010! And congratulations again to Tammy Bullock whose winning Ground “Hog” recipe is listed below:
PITA POCKETS by Tammy Bullock
1 pound sausage [can substitute ground beef, chicken or turkey if desired]
1 box frozen spinach [thawed and well drained. Squeeze out liquid between paper towels.]
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms–chopped
1/2 cup onions–finely chopped
3 tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder with parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Pita pockets
Brown meat and drain fat, reserve for later. Saute’ mushrooms and onions in butter. Stir in seasonings. Add cooked meat and spinach. Fold in cheese. Warm pitas and fill with meat mixture.
A simple, but great dish. Thanks again, Tammy!
February 12-15th
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with something special from ACE Floral and Gift.
This event has always been very exciting for their staff and they anticipate another great holiday. Call 825-9146 or 825-4848 for the rose and rewards specials. Call ahead to order balloons bouquets, gifts, exquisite floral arrangements, and delicious candies.
Chalet Party Shoppe has something in store for every taste palet.
Visit during a “Tasting” to find out what treats are in store for you:
Saturday, Feb. 6 12-2pm: Big Game Cocktails (Premix); Cpt. Morgan Long Island Ice Tea, Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita, Smirnoff Mojito, Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade
Saturday Feb. 6 3-5pm, Craft & Fruit Beers; Lindemans Framboise, Lindemans Peche, Youngs Chocolate Stout, Rogue Chocolate Stout
Thursday Feb. 11 3-5pm, Valentine Wine Tasting; Serena Sweet Red, Quady White Sweet Muscat, Stump Jump Shiraz
Friday Feb. 12 4-6pm, Valentine Sparklings; Korbel & Martini & Rossi Sparklings with Chambord
Saturday Feb. 13 2-4pm, This will be a great Craft Beer tasing with Ben Amster, a Craft Brew Specialist.
New Hollands’ Black Tulip Triple, Southern Tiers’ Merle Saison – A tribute to his wife Pyramids’ Apricot New Belgiums’ Mighty Arrow – A tribute to their dog Sam Adams Noble Pils
Saturday Feb. 20 2-4pm, Captain Morgans’ Lime Bite
Friday Feb. 26 4-6pm, Absoluts’ Berry/Acai
Brrrrr! It is sure cold out today. After our brief glimpse of warm weather over the weekend, Old Man Winter has once again found his way back to Middlebury. Never fear, The Middlebury Merchants have come up with something fun to take your mind off things!
Kick those Winter Blues to the curb and head out to Fun February Fridays Beginning next weekend
February 5th: The 1st Annual Ground”Hog” Cook-Off sponsored by “Old Hoosier Meats”
February 12: Varns and Hoover’s Annual Chili Cook-Off
February 19: Flower Petal’R is hosting the Dreaming in Chocolate recipe Swap!
Visit MiddleburyCoc.com for all the latest details and times.
The Essenhaus is offering some fantastic Valentines Day specials. 
Saturday January 13th
Enjoy and Elegant dinner for 2 with the premium dinner menu, complete with a dessert buffet featuring a Chocolate Fountain. The “Mike Viszari Ensemble” will be performing for your enjoyment and each female guest will receive a rose. Enjoy a night at the Luxurious Inn and receive a special package price. Help you sweetie relax by booking her a luxurious massage.
Dinner for Two: 69.95
Dinner and a night at the Inn: $177.00
Premium guest amenity package: Add $15
1/2 Hr Massage per person: $35
1 Hr Massage Per person: $55
