GIRL*FRIENDS ENJOY A CULINARY CAPER IN & ABOUT MANCHESTER, VT

Ellen Ecker Ogden

Manchester, VT  native 

and author of four food related books 

conducted a great informative culinary caper

THe equinox kitchen

Back of the house tour with sous chef nick 

and yummy fresh hot apple cider donuts 

right out of the fryer

al ducci’s
 An Italian style deli and food market

 specializing in gourmet specialty foods

 such as Home Made fresh Mozzarella, 

spectacular breads, pizzas, salads, etc.

manchester HOT GLASS
glass blowing studio and gallery 

with andrew, Owner & artist
 Each hand blown piece is distinctive,
 unique and made right on the premise

Depot 62 and cafe

a hidden gem of a cafe Situated
smack in the middle of a furniture store
serving traditional turkish fare
with a brick oven. 
Depot 62 sells home furnishings from
Turkey and other parts of the world

THE TRACTOR FARM
The owner of this farm collects 

old antique tractors and fire trucks

jk adams kitchen store

bringing generations of new england
craftsmanship to gourmet housewares, 

J.K. Adams Company has created American 

made wooden cutting boards, wine racks, 

knife racks, wooden salad bowls, 

kitchen islands and slate serving trays

NOrcross-west marble quarry

is the oldest marble quarry 

in the us (operational 1785 - 1917) 

although on private property it is
open to the public including swimming.

Marlee farms alpacas & the little alpaca shop

sells and breeds alpacas

and retails top-of-the line alpaca yarn 

(from their own alpacas)

 and clothing accessories

roy’s egg shop

an art gallery of folk art 

created by artist Roy Egg

Consider Bardwell Farm

 is a producer of award winning 

handmade cheese from goat and cow milk.

angela miller owner of the farm 

wrote “HAY FEVER”, the story of a high powered professional’s (Angela) life-changing journey
from manhattan big cheese 

to vermont goat cheese maker

Channelling Joan this Sunday for my "Century Ride"

Tomorrow I'll be tackling my first "century ride" in Cocoa Beach.  I'm riding with the South Florida TNT Team which has raised approximately $40,000 (I personally raised $3500) for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Association.  As I trained I decide to channel "Joan" for the ride.  Joan from Mad Men??  Well, yes, and no.  As you may know, I love Mad Men and naturally Joan.  Her fierce femininity (as well as her curves) inspire me.  But in addition to "Red", it's Joan Geiger-Dow that is my true inspiration tomorrow.

Three summers ago, Joan joined her sister in law, Geri Broom Geiger on the Spinning Divas trip I annually plan.  Geri has been a friend since freshman year at Cornell.  She married Ross Geiger, Joan's brother, whom she met sophomore year.

Joan & Geri have been on three Spinning Divas trips and can now say they've "done" each of the Finger Lakes!  Little did I know that first summer, but Joan had just finished 4 years (on & off) of treatment for Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, Stage 4.  She was disease free that September '08.  Did Joan even mention it that July??  No.  Did Joan ever complain?  On the contrary. She was a "Spinning Diva" through and through.  Her personality  and sense of humor kept us all laughing and smiling, even on the hills.   From her "biker chick" jersey to all of us "autographing her leg...just for fun", Joan always kept us going!

At the end of this past summers ride, I saw another side of Joan.  We were driving to get our cars and she was very quiet, a sign that something was wrong.  I learned that she was upset that she wasn't more clear about wanting to be with the group that was going to tackle the hills.  I apologized and said I was sorry, I didn't know she wanted to ride with us.  She wasn't upset at me, she was angry at herself for not being more vocal about "hitting the hills" as she was a little wishy washy about doing so.  I could tell it was an internal struggle with her...can I do it or not?  Joan is such a strong person and rider, but she doubted her ability, which I can only assume was a result of having dealt with cancer.

JOAN GEIGER - DOW '08

I was glad to have seen this side of Joan and get a closer look into how she ticks.  The intensity and commitment to her mental as well as physical self during these rides is what I assume helped her get through what she has.  She told me that her experience with cancer has made her more compassionate and mindful of how lucky she is to be able to do and enjoy as many things as she can.  She is also grateful for all her wonderful supportive friends.  

Well, Joan, can I tell you how grateful I am for having met you and having you in my life??  Your intensity, your humor, your beauty, your support has been with me as I prepare for the ride tomorrow.  So as I channel Joan during those 100 miles, I know she will be right behind me in her blue jersey, dragonfly splattered on boobs.  She told me to "kick ass, girlie!!!"  Yes, Joan, I will do my best to kick ass as well as you have with your Lymphoma.  And if my doing this race can help with ridding Joan and many of this disease, well than KICK ASS it is!

I'm riding this ride in honor of Joan Geiger-Dow and in memory of my college friend, Marc Brett, who lost his battle.  He was diagnosed May '08 with a very rare form of T-Cell lymphoma and passed away from the disease that September.  There is an air show going on here in Cocoa Beach today & tomorrow.  So, Marc, as the planes roar above me, I know you'll be looking down on me and guiding me along.  To both of you.  K-

Marc was an avid cyclist and yogi...he is a true inspiration. 

When Harry Met Karen

This year will be my 13th Girl*friends trip...my 10th to the Equinox.  Over the years, I've worked with 4 or so Sales Manager, seen 3 or so General Managers come and go, learned of a couple of different ownerships, but one person at the Equinox remains consistent...HARRY!

Harry is the bellman of all bellmen.  When I pull up to the circle in front of the hotel, I know I'm "at home" when Harry comes out and greets me.  A wonderful Yankee (fabulous New England accent) gentleman in his 70's or so, Harry has a way of making each and every guest feel special.  He especially adores the "Girl*friends"!

Harry & his Girl*friends

In addition to Harry I also look forward to seeing Jane, a banquet waitress, that has served the Girl*friends at their Friday night reception for years! One year she worked closer to home (she commutes 30 - 40 minutes) and she was sorely missed.  In addition, Ruth, the Catering Manager, with her wonderful British accent, is a delight as well. She and I always chuckle about the time (about 12 years ago) that we were served the "display" dessert in error.  Let's just say lard is NOT tasty, but the mistake made our drink bill go away!  Astri, the concierge, is always available to assist the Girl*friends and she & I remember the year we met, when she was the personal concierge at the Charles Orvis Inn, and the Reluctant Panther, the Inn next door burnt to the ground.  That was something to witness!

Jane & Karen

So as this years trip approaches, I find myself looking forward to not only seeing Girl*friends from all over, but also seeing my "Equinox" friends, Harry, Jane, Ruth and Astri (& all the staff).  

The Man With The Voice Behind The Shades & Hat

Last evening I had a meeting at The Betsy Hotel on South Beach. Go 'n Groove's FROLIC...in Miami trip is being planned there for next March. It is a lovely small boutique hotel with a wonderful restaurant (BLT Steak), a private beach area, a quiet pool, a spectacular roof top spa and sitting areas with an amazing view of the Atlantic.

While waiting for Betzy, (yes, her real name!) the Sales Manager for the hotel, to get me some brochures, I wandered over to the restaurant which is an open area adjacent to the front desk. Standing near the host/hostess stand, I glanced about at the tables, unaware of the man who had just come in to make a reservation. I quickly took notice of him, but he was hidden behind a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap and obviously had just enjoyed time at the beach. His voice stood out to me...strong and confident. I then heard him say "yes, a table for 2 at 8pm for Tony Zazula". I immediately turned. Tony Zazula?!? He took off his glasses and said, "yes". My mouth dropped and I said, "Karen Leone"...or as you know me, "Karen Ansbro". 

I worked for Tony 30 years ago at the Tavern on the Green. It was the summer after my freshman year (Cornell Hotel School). Tony and the other manager, Drew Nieporent, were grads of the school and hired many of us for the summer. I used to be so nervous around Tony...I think at first was that commanding voice...but he was so much older (all of 6 years) and experienced.

Over the last 15 or so years, I have run into Tony at different Cornell Hotel School events and reunions at school. It has always been nice to see him, but last night was different. I think that finally, after 30 years, I didn't see Tony as "that boss that summer" or "the manager that made me nervous" or "the guy that graduated 6 or so years ahead of me". I saw Tony as a fellow graduate that just happens to be a few years older. We enjoyed a drink together and as he had never seen the rooftop I was delighted to share with him the spectacular view. We caught up, we gossiped and we enjoyed each others company.

I so look forward to my next visit to New York City when I will go see Tony at his own establishment, COMMERCE , 50 Commerce Street, Greenwich Village. After being in partnership with Drew for 23 years at Montrachet which "made" Tribeca, he is now on his own with Commerce, which represents the culmination of a lifetime of experience and a fondness for the city he loves.

I'm so glad I took a moment last night to peruse the BLT Steak restaurant, otherwise I might have missed "the man with the voice behind the shades and hat" that made me realize that, yes, I had grown up some since the summer of '80.