August First, Burlington Vermont

149 South Champlain St


As I have been working on a photo journal of downtown Burlington lately I have found myself walking up and down some streets that I rarely pay much notice to.  Two weeks ago I found myself staring at a large garage type building on South Champlain Street, just around the corner from the Euro Café.  Above the doors was a large new sign indicating that a bakery by the name of August First would be opening soon.  “Oh… a nice bakery close to downtown!”, I thought to myself.  “I’ll have to check that out. Yesterday, I did just that.

My Thursday lunch date and I enjoyed the brilliant weather and a peak at the Budweiser Clydesdales as we meandered down Main Street. We found the restaurant bustling with activity.  The formidable garage doors had been opened revealing an eclectic “very Burlington” alfresco dining scene. We made our way around the numerous people mingling about  to the large chalkboard menu.  The...

Autumn is heavy in the air this morning.  It always amazes me… how quickly summer turns to fall in Vermont.  Four days ago the heated embrace of summer tormented us at a wedding from morning until night and today folks strolled to work in sweaters and light jackets.


This time of the year is special to me.  I supposed it was instilled in me at a young age… the suspense of beginning a new school year with new faces and opportunity for renewal.  Many think of spring as being this time… and I suppose that with the dawn of April, I feel that way too.  Today however, autumn is my fresh start.  After the bustle of summer and din of vacations and home improvements, it is a time for reflection… a time to reconnect.


I roasted a chicken last night for the first time in many months.  We feasted on it with a salad of our own and a friend’s vegetables.  It was magnificent.  Food in the fall is best. This morning I took in the view of tomatoes from my kitchen window and...