Stegner “Sense of Place” Weekend Guest Speakers

Our weekend guests include Northeast Kingdom native Natalie Kinsey Warnock, whose young adult and picture books tell the stories of growing up and coming of age in the Northeast Kingdom, from the earliest settler days to today. She has published 20 books, including her first book, an ALA Notable book, The Canada Geese Quilt. Her book , As Long as There are Mountains was selected by the Vermont Humanities Council as a state-wide Vermont Reads story in 2006. Natalie regularly presents to school groups about the importance of capturing stories; she is an inspiration to all who hear her.

Leland Kinsey, Natalie’s brother, also joins us. Author of six books of poetry, Lee’s brilliant, evocative poems powerfully reflect his experience growing up on a family farm here, where h is ancestors settled in the early 1800s. His poetry transcends singular experience to reflect the universal experiences of love, loss, and living. Several of his poems have been featured on National Public Radio’s “Writer’s Almanac” with Garrison Keillor. Most recently, Leland gave the commencement address at Sterling College in May, where he was awarded an honorary degree. He has conducted writing workshops for the Vermont Arts Council and the Children’s Literacy Foundation at over 100 schools in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Charlie Morrissey, oral history expert, editor, and writer joins us also. Former director of the Vermont Historical Society, and author of Vermont: A History, a book in the States and the Nation series. Charlie is an authoritative voice on living and writing in Vermont. With his weekly radio broadcast, “Life in Vermont,” on Vermont’s WDEV, he continuously engages listeners with our fascinating history.

Jay Craven, award-winning film director, screen writer, and producer is also a professor of film studies at Marlboro College. For decades he has served our region as impresario of the arts. In 1981 he founded regional arts organization Catamount Arts. With his company Kingdom County Productions, co-founded with partner Bess O’ Brien, Jay has made seven feature films; three of these are of NEK author Howard Frank Mosher’s novels. His work is the ultimate “sense of place” mission—to capture the characters, lives and spirit of the people in our region and to bridge community and culture with the arts here, where we live.
During our weekend, artist Deborah Holmes’ gorgeous water colors will adorn our walls. After several years of feeling at home in the Kingdom, Deborah has relocated here and continues to paint landscapes and intimate glimpses of life in northern Vermont. Her art gives us a window into the many moods and seasons of our beautiful region.

Suggested “Sense of Place” reading for our weekend: Natalie Kinsey Warnock’s As Long as There are Mountains, and From Dawn to Dusk; Leland Kinsey’s Family Drives and Northern Almanac; Charlie Morrisey’s Vermont: A History, Lynn Stegner’s Pipers at the Gates of Dawn; Wallace Stegner’s Crossing to Safety, his Collected Stories, and his article in Country Journal, August 1979 “Northeast Kingdom;” Jay Craven’s commentaries on working with Howard Frank Mosher and Kris Kristofferson(see www.fledgling films.com)

As we enjoy the lingering warmth of summer, we're starting to think about foliage just around the corner. Come enjoy it here in Greensboro with the help of a few great late-summer deals. Read our Summer Newsletter to find out more!

Our calendar of summer events at the lodge is now online over at Google! Click here for a full list of events, and simply hover your mouse over any event to see the details.

We're fast approaching summer and our June 18th opening dinner, but just in case you missed it, here's a link to our Spring Newsletter. Check out our early summer specials before they're gone!

The sign may say "closed" but we won't be for long!

We are getting ready to open for our 2010 Summer Season in just one week on May 28th at dinner time!

Come celebrate our opening dinner and help welcome our new executive chef Michael Werneke to the Highland Lodge Restaurant. Michael will be emphasizing the lodge's long-standing tradition of using local ingredients in delicious ways. Check this space and "Posts from our Chef" (also available from the menu at right) for the latest on dinners at the Highland Lodge. His first post, talking about how he came to the lodge is up now.

After Memorial Day Weekend lunch on May 31st, the restaurant will once again be closed until dinner on June 18. From June 18th on, we'll be open until the end of the season on October 11.

Also, if you haven't seen them already, check out our early summer specials here.

Come and enjoy the spring breeze with porch dining.

Stay at Highland Lodge, dine at Highland Lodge.

Relax, Reconnect, and Recharge at the Highland Lodge!

The Blue Bicycling & Lake Package

Welcome to the third of four April Coupon Giveaways! (If you missed the first two, there are links at the bottom of this mail) Each week, we'll be sending out brand new coupons that can be used at different times during the coming year. Check the deals and the dates and plan your stay today!

Self-Guided Bicycle Routes Package, from $275night for two: 3 night minimum, includes full breakfast, full dinner, accommodations with private bath, lodge amenities including private beach on Caspian Lake, tennis, and service charge. State tax additional. Available May 28^th to May 30^th or June 18^th to June 30th, reserve by May 1st. (Optional: dine at Claire's Restaurant in Hardwick one night).

Highland Lodge is in the center of some of Vermont's most beautiful bike country! Stay with us 3 nights and take your own self-directed bike tour (we'll provide maps for short and long-distance routes and places to visit for 3 days' worth of biking). Think of it: each morning you'll start out with a sumptuous breakfast, head out with your map in hand, enjoy the scenery and sites of the Northeast Kingdom, and return to the Lodge each afternoon for a refreshing swim in Caspian Lake, a "recovery" time with book and beverage on our Queen Anne Porch, or maybe a nap in your cozy room or cottage. Each night you stay with us you'll have a fantastic homemade dinner featuring the best locally raised ingredients. Treat yourself and get away. We can even arrange a massage to get you ready for the next day. For a surcharge, you can choose to dine at Claire's Restaurant in Hardwick one night.

Greensboro is located in the foothills of the Green Mountains, where gorgeous back roads, lakes, and small villages abound! The bike routes on this tour are moderate to challenging terrain, and include shorter and longer route options through beautiful rural villages, with lake views and suggested charming stops along the way.

This package is intended for experienced bicyclists who are comfortable biking on their own and do not need support services.

From $275/night/couple. Includes full dinner nightly, full breakfast daily, accommodations in inn room, and use of Highland Lodge amenities including private beach with pedal boats, canoes and kayaks. We provide the maps and the route/places to visit, but we do not provide any bicycles or bicycle support services. 3-night Minimum. Cannot be combined with other discounts, state tax additional.

We'll see you next week with another coupon special!

Click here for the first Purple Lupines Special
Click here for the second Early Summer Greensboro Special

June 15^th-18^th (Tues-Fri)
Critters and Communities Camp for 3-4 year-olds.

Join us for a fun introductory camp where we discover 4 natural communities at Highland Lodge, following clues left for us each day! Sensory exploration of nature, puppets, songs, and daily craft activities are part of each day. From 9-11:30 AM.

Tuition: $100 ($75 for registrations received by May 1)

June 21^th-24^th (Mon-Thurs)

Nature in a Nutshell for 4-6 year-olds.

A “sampler” with hands-on learning about animals, plants, and homes and using crafts, puppetry, and sensory skills! We’ll use what we learn to guide us on the last day’s magical discovery tour! From 9 to 11:30 AM.

Tuition: $100 ($75 for registrations received by May 1)

June 28^th-July 2^nd (Mon-Fri)

Earthkeepers ^TM Level II Camp for 10-12 year-olds.

EK II builds on the innovative & exciting Earthkeepers program; both are taught internationally. Our Earth Keeper keys and fantastic staff from around the U.S. illuminate how life on planet earth works! Based on the Sunship Earth program, this exciting week includes a visit to Mr. Sun's restaurant, explorations as Artists and Scientists, a visit inside a leaf, fun Earthwalk activities, Magic Spots, daily games, overnight campout, more! Please note: You do not have to have completed EK Level 1 to register for this camp! Schedule: Mon-Weds, 9 AM to 4 PM; Thurs meet at 1 PM for overnight campout. Camp and campout end at 4 PM on Friday.

Tuition: $185-200 sliding scale available until May 1, thereafter $225

July 6^th-9^th (Tues-Fri)

Habitat Camp for 5-8 year-olds.

In this camp we’ll meet animal puppets daily and explore different types of homes made and used by animals, and the natural settings in which they’re found. Daily games, songs, and crafting with nests, lodges, and shelters. From 9-11:30 AM.

Tuition: $100 ($75 for registrations received by May 1)

July 6^th-9^th (Tues-Fri)

Plants in Particular Camp for 5-9 year-olds.

Games, crafts, puppetry and a marvelous mysterious plant tour all help us understand the truly amazing food factory functions of the green friends all around us! From 1 to 4:30 PM.

Tuition: $125 ($100 for registrations received by May 1)

July 12^th-16^th (Mon-Fri)

All About Animals Camp for 5-9 year olds.

Come explore the world of birds, insects, mammals, herps, and fish! Puppets and some live critters make this camp extra exciting!

From 9-11:30 AM.

Tuition $115 ($90 for registrations received by May 1)

July 19^th-23^rd (Mon-Fri)

Nature Adventure for 7-10 year-olds.

This week of Adventure includes excursions & stream exploration, a Nature Questing challenge, making & testing a wetland model, crafts & group games! From 9 to noon.

Tuition: $125 ($100 for registrations received by May 1)

July 19^th-23^rd (Mon-Fri)

Nature Art* for 7-11 year-olds.

Campers make their own nature journal or sketchbook for daily excursions,  fairy and woolly creatures, collage, rubbings, pressed flowers, and natural compositions in the woods and meadows. From 1:30-4:30.

Tuition: $125 ($100 for registrations received by May 1)

July 26^th-30^th (Mon-Fri)

Food Chain Frolics for 7-10 year-olds.

Focusing on food chains and the energy source for all life on earth (the sun!) this camp includes puppet shows, games, fun crafts, and a festive Food Chain Feast! From 9 to noon.

Tuition: $125 ($100 for registrations received by May 1)

July 26^th-30^th (Mon-Fri)
Nature Art & Theater Camp* for 8-12 year-olds.
Mask-making, wand-making, theater games, creating a simple set and backdrop are all part of this fun week, leading to a performance of a short nature-inspired play on our last day. From 1:30-4:30.
Tuition: $125 ($100 for registrations received by May 1)

*These two camps are a collaboration of PBEC and The Art House on Craftsbury Common. Camps will take place at PBEC.

To register for camps call Anne Hanson at 586-8065 or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Lower tuition rates are available until May 1. (Sorry, no extensions!) Checks can be made to PBEC.