Seasonal magic, local adventures, and connections between community and canopy.

I had been doing a monthly calendar, listing all of the local activities and linking them.  This was pretty labor intensive, and I'm not sure anyone was even looking at them, so I've decided to change the format and make this more like a monthly journal, looking at what's on my calendar, the seasonal changes, the work that's happening on the property, and events in the community. This format feels more my style! If you're looking for more activities, you will find links to other local/Vermont calendars toward the bottom, as well as some special days to recognize during the month.  I will also share some information in a similar way to my previous format - you will get a whole lot of good info every month!  (Or I'll try to get to it every month!  I am so busy outside on the property right now, it's hard to get to the writing now!)

Don’t let our winding dirt roads fool you — this little corner of Vermont knows how to have a good time! Whether you’re craving live tunes, tasty treats, or small-town charm, there’s plenty to explore this month. Check out what’s happening right here in our neck of the woods, and make it part of an unforgettable stay at the treehouse! Don't forget to make the most of your stay by enjoying your complimentary sauna at the Forest Spa and our Add-on's!   Community members can book a two-hour Streamside Sauna Session here!

Last month my kiddos and I got out for some hiking and some yummy food at Doc Ponds in Stowe for Mother's Day.  What a treat it was!  With both of my kiddos in their 20's now, it's fun connecting with them as adults.  I can't help but parenting them a lot, but things have shifted some and it's great to enjoy them as the people they are - are they are great people <3   

Other fun last month was Green Up Day (a stretch of the word fun :), going to Colorado for my sister's wedding, the annual Spring Festival Memorial Day weekend parade in Hardwick, and a roller skating barn party in Waitsfield!

Well, looking at my calendar for June, the big thing on the calendar is my push for Stone City to win the Seven Daysies "Best Place to Camp" in Vermont!  Voting is from now until June 15th, so you will likely be hearing from me a few times in the next week. (Please bear with me, as it will be more than is typical!)  And please take a moment to vote for us!!!

On the property, besides maintaining the landscaping and the buildings, my main focus this month is building fencing: privacy fencing for the tent, creating a private yard for the tenants in the house, and some fencing around the orchard.  I am using all sorts of materials including locally milled boards, some scrap boards from milling for the most rustic fencing, and also building a wattle fence with materials from around the property and willow. 

With the Forest Spa, my son (who is an electrician) and I added some nice lighting, and next I plan to get some electricity out there so I can move the two-person hot tub from the house to the Forest Spa, adding another great option for all of our guests.  I think everyone will love that!  I plan to get my friend Patrick Ducharme on-site to dig that ditch, do a little site work in that area, and build the walking path around the property I've been wanting.  I always have ambitious plans and while it may not happen in the timeline I'd like, it does eventually happen!

While May starts out with the Spring Ephemerals, June begins with a lot of green!  It is also the month of the Pink Lady Slipper in our woods.  The beautiful sounds of the Loons, Barred Owls, and Hermit Thrush fill the forest.

Other things going on in my world in June are a local school play, an astrology reading, a massage, a ladies night in the Pebble Tent, a sweat lodge, and regular saunas in the Forest Spa, a Women with Chainsaws class, seeing friends play music with my daughter at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, attending the Lamoille Housing Summit, seeing Paul Simon play in NH, a mammogram and health screening, going to the Hardwick Farmers' Market on Fridays from 3-6pm, and Margarita/Taco night at Highland Lodge. 

It's a busy month, but I think I'm doing a better job balancing work, fun, and rest than I used to.  It's heaven here in Vermont during summer (the best weather, usually!) and we need to make the most of it before we start needing to hibernate again!  I am grateful every day to have more balance in my life than I did for a long time.  I hope you get to get out there and have a lot of fun this summer!

Here are some ongoing events and calendars:

The Civic Standard in Hardwick has a steady stream of both ongoing activities and special events - check out their entire calendar here!

The Den at Harry's Hardware in Cabot (NEW ENGLAND’S ONLY BAR IN A HARDWARE STORE)valso has an ongoing stream of great music and fun community events!

The Open Space in Hardwick  has ongoing yoga, qigong, and other healthy activities! The Open Space Studio is a fully equipped movement studio located inside of Wellness 101 in Hardwick, Vermont. With an emphasis on breath work and meditation, the Open Space promotes thoughtful and accessible yoga to promote both physical and mental well-being.

The Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro is a local community arts center that believes the arts inspire joy, contemplation, and conversation through distinctive performances, exhibitions, and events. The Highland Center for the Arts offers a home for artistic expression, shared experience, and a sense of belonging. Check out their ongoing events in the link!

Tara at Vermont Explored put together this Massive Vermont Bucket List - Worth checking out - all of Vermont's best!

Vermont Vacation Statewide Events Calendar  - Gather together to watch as live music lights up historic downtowns and waterfronts, treat the whole family to a Vermont fair or festival as foliage bursts forth, or get outside in the winter for carnival activities like ice carving and snow volleyball. An event in the Green Mountains is an experience worth planning your trip around.

Vermont's Northeast Kingdom Events Calendar  - Check out what's going on in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom!

JUNE 2026 VT DHR Connect Cultural Spotlight

In the United States, there are a number of celebrations held each month to acknowledge various historic events and figures from ethnic and marginalized groups. These celebrations serve as an opportunity to educate each other on the contributions of various individuals and communities to U.S. History. 

Nina Simone: "Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking."

June is African American Music Month (often called Black Music Month). For those interested, check out this trailer for “Summer of Soul” – a powerful documentary made by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson about an epic event that celebrated Black music, history, culture, and fashion.

The observances highlighted each month in this Cultural Spotlight are selected to promote cultural awareness, inclusion, and learning across a broad range of communities and traditions. Because of space and capacity limitations, not every observance can be featured, and selections may rotate from year to year or month to month. Inclusion or omission should not be interpreted as a statement about the importance or value of any community, culture, religion, or identity. We welcome suggestions and corrections as part of our ongoing review process. With that in mind, in addition to many other things, June is a month in which we can celebrate or recognize: 

Month-long:

African-American Music Month, USA

PRIDE Month, USA

• June 8: Race Unity Day (International) - The day was started by the Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly in the United States in 1957, but it was known as Race Amity Day until 1965. The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of racial harmony and understanding. 
• June 11: Kamehameha Day (USA) -  Kamehameha the Great was the monarch of Hawaii between 1782 and 1819. He is well-known and respected for uniting and establishing the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. Kamehameha Day is held in his honor on June 11 each year. Kamehameha Day is a state holiday in Hawaii.
• June 12: Loving Day - Loving Day is celebrated annually on the anniversary of the 1967 decision Loving v. Virginia, outlawing bans on interracial marriage.
• June 19: Juneteenth (USA) - This federal holiday marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas and Louisiana finally were told they had been emancipated, two months after the end of the Civil War. June 19, therefore, became the day of emancipation for hundreds of thousands of African-Americans. It was officially proclaimed a national holiday in 2021. However, the day's official status and how it is celebrated differs from state to state.
• June 20: World Refugee Day - an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home countries to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives. Refugees bring more than they carry.
• June 21: Summer Solstice - This solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The Summer Solstice marks the day with the longest period of daylight and the shortest night of the year, due to the tilt of the earth, and it is the Astronomical First day of Summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the beginning of winter.