Twin City Subaru Blog!

Subaru Wants to Hear Your First Car Story, and You Want to Win a New Impreza, Right?

2012-02-25T12:59:00.001-08:00

Subaru of America just opened a new website designed for people and fans to go on and recreate their first car. When you first reach the website, you're greeted by a homepage with different types of animated cars and colors you can choose from in order to mimic your first car as much as possible (see photo).

Once the car is created, the next page brings you to an area where you can tell the story of that car, tag your friends (via Facebook) and even record a personal voice message or music. After you're done, you can view other people's stories too.

I've saved the best part for last - you can enter to win an all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza.

Everyone has fond memories about their first cars, and Subaru has of course come up with another way to make people even happier about being Subaru fans. So head over to the site and tell your story! And if you're just entering to win, click the picture of the 2012 Impreza on the lower-right hand corner.

Trying to move on from your first car, or just ready for another? Stop by Twin City Subaru or head to our website to check out our new and used inventory today.

Image 1 via firstcarstory.com
Image 2 via jdpower.com

The Snow Version of Crop Circles

2012-02-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

Check out this amazing snow art done by Simon Beck. He says that he walks in snowshoes to complete his art. How he has such spacial talent? I don't know. But they're beautiful nonetheless.

I wonder if he has those snowshoe/skis...

Click to see Simon's Facebook Page for more photos, or click here to view the full article.

Want to make your own snow art? We all know that Subarus make art of their own in the snow. Check out our new and used inventory online, or stop by today!

All images via Simon Beck's Facebook

Snowshoe Up, Ski Down (Without Switching Equipment)

2012-02-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

Introducing the hybrid Hive snowshoe; the next generation. They still have a wide area for the feet to spread weight around, just like any other snowshoe - but unlike its peers, the Hive converts into skis.

"A set of spikes on the underside coupled with a fanged metal crampon provide the traction you'll need whether in deep powder or slick ice," says the article. Then those crampons are retracted when the bindings are locked down, while the underside spikes are attached to a plate that folds up, creating a smooth skiing surface.

To see the full article, click here.
To go to the Hive site to get yourself a pair, click here.
Image via Hive

"Born to Rally in the Snow"

2012-02-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

Subaru of Canada recently held a deviant art contest featuring rally racing. The first place winner "Born to Rally in the Snow" is above, with a grand prize of $2,500. All of the artwork is currently being showcased at the "space-defying gallery" at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.

To view a slideshow of all the artwork, click here.
Image via autoevolution.

Subaru Claims Four of Top Five Rally Spots

2012-02-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

Eight Subaru vehicles placed in the top ten at the Rallye Perce Neige this past weekend. Way to go Subaru! The next event will be held May 25-26 - The Rocky Mountain Rally in Calgary.

Check out the full press release on Digital Journal.

Here's a list of the top ten finishers:

Antoine L'Estage - Nathalie Richard - two hours, 45 minutes, 18.8 seconds
Leo Urlichich - Carl Williamson - 2:53:56.0
Sylvain Vincent - Simon Vincent - 2:59:11.5
Mathieu Dube - Eric Losier - 3:01:01.2
Simon Losier - Brian Maxwell - 3:02:43.7
Joel Levac - Stephanie Lewis - 3:02:58.8
Steeve Hobbs - Jean-Mathieu Tremblay - 3:03:38.9
Bruno Carre - Yvan Joyal - 3:04:17.2
Warren Haywood - John Hall - 3:15:07.9
Maxime Rochefort-Laframboise - Jereme Milette - 3:17:47.0

All information, including the photo, courtesy of Digital Journal.

$14 Solar-Powered Battery Charger

2012-02-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

Factor in expensive battery prices, and this $14 charger is not too shabby. It only takes a couple of hours, you just put a AA battery in the back slot, put it out in the sun and there you have it. It's recommended to have direct sunlight, but don't worry Vermonters - this one's weatherproof.

Want one? Click here.
Or check out the full article here.
Image via kinghubby

2012 Subaru Game Day Walk

2012-02-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Take the pledge (click here) by walking your best, four-legged friend for the Subaru Game Day Walk on Feb. 5. This is the second annual Subaru Game Day Walk and is in continuance with Subaru's famous Dog Tested Dog Approved slogan alongside their continuous efforts to engage our furry friends in their marketing program. Last year's dog walk had more than 88,000 pledges.

(This is Rusko, my own furry best friend loving a Subaru)

"'Dogs have always been a large part of Subaru culture; we also know that dogs play a significant role in the lives of our owners," said Alan Bethke, director, marketing communications, Subaru of America. "The Subaru Game Day Dog Walk and new social apps are a natural extension of our brand's active culture and further allow dogs to be our owners' social lifestyle partners.'"

Yet another initiative Subaru has taken was with the MapMyDOGWALK in conjunction with MapMyFITNESS. An app where the user can plan routes (the app features millions of routes around the world), network with other dog lovers/owners, track their fitness and see local dog-approved events.

(MapMyDOGWALK)

Dogbook on Facebook is now partnered with Subaru, which now features a Dog Years Calculator and Life Story, among other awesome features focused towards on four-legged pals.

"The [Dog Tested Dog Approved] campaign is designed to resonate with Subaru owners and like-minded consumers. Subaru drivers are two times more likely than the average car owner to have a pet. In fact, seven out of ten Subaru drivers have a pet, and Subaru owners are also more likely to engage in skiing, camping, boating and other sporting activities," according to the press release.

They seem to have left out that they're also more likely to be from Vermont. So head online and pledge on Facebook! And celebrate this year's Superbowl with your dog, cat, bird, chicken or any other animal that you love (it is what makes a Subaru, a Subaru after all).

To see the full press release, click here.

Supercharge your Creativity

2012-02-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

Just by changing what you do in the morning, very slightly. Often times we hit snooze on our alarms over and over again until we're down to the wire and have to rush around to get to work in time. Then we just have that exhausted drive to work until we can get our hands on a cup of coffee...

Here's a blog post that Lifehacker posted this morning about how changing your morning routine, just by waking up a few minutes earlier can completely change how your day goes. You have a few more minutes to lay in bed and think, space out while thinking in the shower instead of going over your more pressing tasks for the day, and be more relaxed on the commute.

Annie Murphy Paul from Time magazine suggests putting on a funny video as the first thing you watch when you get to the office.

So give it a try! And see if your creativity boosts during your first few days of waking up just a little bit earlier.

via Lifehacker.com

Enter VT State Parks' Cabin Naming Contest & Enter to Win a Free Stay

2012-02-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Woodford State Park is building four new campground cabins that will be ready to use by this spring, but two of them are nameless, and they're idealess - so they're asking you! All you have to do is send in a name and your reason for choosing it; the one condition is that it has to be the name of a Vermont wildflower. The other two are already named Gentian and Trillium so those are taken, but the rest is up to your creative discretion.

If you win, they'll offer you a free two-night stay in the cabin you've named, and you'll have your photo taken to be posted in a frame in the cabin all season. Not to mention that your picture and chosen name will go down in State Park history!

Directions for submissions:
Send your entry to: parks@state.vt.us with “Cabin naming contest” in the subject. In the email include your name, address, and your names and explanations by March 1, 2012. You can also mail entries to us at 103 South Main Street, 10 South, Waterbury, VT 05671.

Photo courtesy of Vermont State Parks' blog, information regarding the contest courtesy of vtdigger.org.

Ground Hog Day Explained

2012-01-31T12:38:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day, and if you're like me and have no idea how Ground Hog Day really works - check out this video. This is by the same guy who debunked the 10 common misconceptions. He's actually making me much wiser.

Subaru Saves Another Life

2012-01-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

I just found this post from Brown Manassas Subaru; the author of their blog's good friend got into an accident and says it's because of his Subaru that he and his two dogs got away with only minor injuries. Subaru is still the only vehicle with a five star safety rating on each of its models.

To see the rest of the pictures and check out the original blog post, click here.

Want to feel safer in your vehicle? Click here to view our new and used online inventory.

Improve your focus and creativity

2012-01-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

Lifehacker just posted an article on how to improve your focus and creativity just by thinking positively. This is because negative emotions cause our brain to be disorganized, making it harder to solve problems and avoid distractions. Positive emotions improve the brain's executive function.

The article says you can help balance your emotions by meditating, getting more sleep and exercising. But you can also simply pay more attention to what seems to bother you throughout the day and try to focus on getting past it.

Check out the full article from Harvard Business Review, or click here for the one from Lifehacker.

10 Common Misconceptions Debunked

2012-01-25T11:16:00.000-08:00

Here is a video I found on Gizmodo this morning that shows you 10 common misconceptions that we have as people, and why they're false. Check out the list below to see what the misconceptions are and watch the video to see the reasons why our misconceptions are untrue.

Teaser and Warning: If you're afraid of spiders, do not watch No. 10. I've been plagued with thoughts of spiders since 8 o'clock this morning.

10. The Great Wall of China is the only man-made object visible from space.
9. Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.
8. People only use 10 percent of their brain.
7. Eskimos have hundreds of words for snow.
6. You need eight glasses of water a day.
5. Tap water is bad, but bottled water is good.
4. Gum takes seven years to pass through your digestive system.
3. Blood in your veins is blue.
2. Fan death.
1. People swallow eight spiders a year while sleeping.

The Subaru Road Racing Team (SRRT) announced drivers for the 2012 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge

2012-01-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

Subaru has announced that factory drivers Andrew Aquilante and Bret Spaude will represent Subaru in the Grand Sport class of the 2012 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge according to The Mercury.

The first round will be held Jan. 27 at Daytona, with both Aquilante and Spaude racing a Subaru WRX STi. Motorsport Marketing Manager for Subaru of America, Inc. James Han says “the Subaru WRX STI lends itself as a credible performance platform from its symmetrical all-wheel drive system to its Subaru BOXER engine. The team is looking to build upon our experience from last year’s campaign and convert our solid qualifying efforts to podium results.”

Check out the full article at The Mercury, or check out the Subaru Global Motorsport site.

Create a meal based on the science of flavoring, and not just another recipe

2012-01-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

Lifehacker just posted an article about a site called Foodpairing, an interactive webapp that shows you what foods to pair with other specific foods, based on the science of flavors. According to their website, "Foodpairing is not based on intuition or existing recipes, but on science, providing an objective overview of possible pairings."

It's not the easiest to explain, or figure out - but basically, you enter in an ingredient and Foodpairing gives you a web (they call it a tree) of various other ingredients you could pair with it based on a scientific flavor analysis. The different pairings are categorized into sub divisions such as dairy, meat, etc. You pick one, and the Foodpairing masterminds supply you with recipes they've created, which even include brands if you have specific favorites.

The people behind Foodpairing say they have been doing research since 2005, and the reason to choose Foodpairing is because they will inspire you with recipes and combinations that you've never seen before - that are derived by the science of flavors, and not preexisting recipes.

This idea sounds extremely weird - but also awesome. I'd love to see what pairs they put together. It seems as though this would be an amazing app for a restaurant or bar (which they do say on the site) that's looking to expand their horizons and branch in new directions. Or even someone at home who's looking to do the same.

And of course what you've been waiting for - the price. It's not really too steep or too cheap. It's 15 Euro per month or 129 Euro for a year (equaling to 19 dollars per month and 166 per year for us), or you can get the free version, which offers 100 combinations instead of the paid-for 1,000+.

Either way, it's such a cool idea and it's worth checking out - click below to see more!

Click here for the science behind Foodpairing

Click here for the article from Lifehacker

All information courtesy of both Lifehacker and Foodpairing, and photos courtesy of Foodpairing.

Year-round farmers market in Montpelier

2012-01-20T06:51:00.000-08:00

Jan. 21 (tomorrow) is the next date date to check out the year-round Capital City farmers market on College Street in Montpelier. And it's meat day! But it's also the last date to check it out before Feb. 11, so if you love farmers markets - get down to Montpelier tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vermont College of Fine Arts gym.

They'll have tons of vendors selling the freshest meat, produce, cheese and dairy. Among other vendors selling baked goods and crafts. For more information, visit their website!

All information, including the photo, courtesy of the Montpelier Farmers Market.

How to: Conserve your phone's battery life, and save money by effortlessly using less heat and electricity

2012-01-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

It's starting to get much colder outside, so among other things that usually cost us money, heat prices are beginning to do their annual skyrocket. Check out this episode posted by Lifehacker on effective ways to conserve heat while protecting your wallet. This video also shows ways to save money on electricity by using inexpensive tools and gadgets, and also features ways to keep your smart phone's battery running for longer.

This video is a little on the long side, but just watch until minute six to get the important stuff (the rest is about stopping Carrier IQ, so if you're not having a problem with that just watch the first six minutes!). Lifehacker shows some really good ways to save money; a few of the gadgets they show of course cost you something initially, but it looks like they'd be real lifesavers in the long run (most of the products are still only between 10 and 50 dollars).

Ronald Reagan: A Subaru Test Driver?

2012-01-18T12:15:00.000-08:00

It's true! He was in a way. This article from Jalopnik shows an interesting perspective on the early Subaru BRAT. It turns out when Reagan was the Governor of California he had one of these funky old Subarus at his ranch. According to Richard V. Allen (Reagan's short-term national security adviser), Reagan loved the car, but as it was unwise to be seen driving a Japanese-manufactured vehicle at the time - you'll never find a picture of him in it.

According to the article, Reagan was granted a BRAT on the terms that he would send reports back to Subaru every six months on the BRAT's performance. So technically, he was a test driver of sorts.

It seems amazing that just over 30 years ago Americans (especially Vermonters!) were boycotting Subarus. Allen says in the article that "members of Congress were putting Japanese cars on the steps of the Capitol and smashing them with sledgehammers."

At least we know today that we can keep our beloved Subarus safe, and we know they'll return the favor.

Check out the full article, How Ronald Reagan Became a Secret Subaru Test Driver.

All information for this post including photo, courtesy of jalopnik.com

Facebook is everywhere, including your car.

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Mercedes has just announced that their 2013 models will have the unthinkable - Facebook. This feature will be standard on all of their 2013 models and will be incorporated into the already-included navigation screen.

Sorry Subaru fans, Subaru won't be including this "app" on their 2013 models - but if you drive a Subaru, you don't really need Facebook in your car, do you?

Check out the full article on gizmodo.com

How to: Enjoy a full meal worthy of Enticement Alley

2011-12-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

We've talked about Enticement Alley, we've covered a few recipes, but have we put them both together? What could possibly be better than making delicious food with ingredients our state is proud to make? I stole a few recipes from my favorite VT manufacturers and put them together into a meal that you can enjoy right at home.

These recipes are made with ingredients from Enticement Alley, but don't require a trek there to make them. All of the supplies can be found in the grocery store. Enjoy the meal! I would recommend adding some veggies or a side dish to the entree, so it's up to your creative will to come up with what you think would go best. And again, please send me your favorite recipes! I'll be sending out a recipe book to our fantastic Subaru fans once enough entries have been submitted. My email address is Madeleine_Cave@vtcars.com.

Bon Appetit!

Cabot Cheddar Cream Biscuits
(courtesy of the Cabot Cheese website)

2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
4 ounces Cabot Sharp Cheddar, finely diced (roughly 1 cup)
1 ½ cups heavy cream

Place rack in upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Butter a baking sheet and set aside.

Into a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in cheese. With a fork, stir in cream a little at a time until do dry buts remain and dough has formed. The recipe calls for 1 ½ cups, but you may not need all of it.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface and knead about six times. Roll of press dough into ¾ inch think circle. Cut out rounds with a floured 2 ½ inch cutter or inverted glass, pressing scraps together to cut additional biscuits.

Place biscuits one inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cider-glazed chicken sausages
(recipe and photo courtesy of the Noble Pig)

1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, cut into 1 inch wedges
1 pound chicken sausages
7 fresh sage leaves
3 cups apple cider (Cold Hollow)
Coarse salt and ground pepper

In a large skillet or shallow heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sausages and cook until sausages are a deep golden brown (usually about six minutes), turning sausages and stirring onion halfway through.

Add sage and cider, season with salt and pepper and bring to a rapid simmer.

Cook until cider is syrupy and coats the back of a spoon (about 30 minutes).

Lake Champlain Hot Fudge
(courtesy of Lake Champlain Chocolates)

1/2 cup sifted LCC Unsweetened Cocoa
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons sweet butter, cut into small pieces
1 pinch of salt

In a saucepan, stir the cream and butter over medium heat until the cream just comes to a boil. Add both sugars and stir until dissolved. Reduce heat and add the salt and cocoa. Stir briskly with a whisk until smooth. Remove from heat. Serve immediately or reheat slowly, stirring frequently in the top of a double boiler over hot water, or in a saucepan over very low heat.

What to put the fudge on? Anything you'd like. But this is after all an Enticement Alley meal, so why not one of these?

Thanksgiving Recipes from Twin City Subaru!

2011-11-22T07:10:00.000-08:00

It’s the week of Thanksgiving (finally!), which can only mean one thing – just a few days until we can enjoy amazing food with our wonderful families – and be thankful for doing so. We’ve compiled a few recipes that some of us enjoy at our own Thanksgiving dinners, we didn’t coerce the secret family ones out of our staff, but these ones are still ultimately delicious. So a very Happy Thanksgiving to our fans and Subaru lovers throughout Vermont, we hope you enjoy these tasty recipes before, on, and after the Holiday.

Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese Bake

The moment I read this recipe a Subaru coworker and I went to the grocery store, bought the ingredients and made it at home after work. Even though we ate most of it in one sitting, we’re glad we did – it is mouth-wateringly delicious.

½ cup mayo
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, chopped
6 Ritz crackers, crushed
8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ cup pepper jelly (any kind is fine – we tried it with Cabot’s chipotle pepper jelly and it was amazing!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix mayo, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and onions then empty mixture onto a greased 8x8 inch pan.
Top with crackers and bake for 15 minutes.
Top with bacon and pepper jelly, and service with crackers or pretzels.

Lobster (or turkey or chicken or crab or anything) Dip

I grew up on the coast of Maine, so my family has always had something lobster-related at Thanksgiving. This is the all-time favorite. It’s always a hit, and it’s absolutely to die for. Not a lobster fan? Try using leftover turkey, canned chicken or crabmeat instead.

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayo
1 tsp horseradish
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Large handful grated mozzarella cheese
Large handful grated parmesan cheese
¼ lb lobster meat (this can be bought as is in the store, frozen is fine as long as you thaw it beforehand. If you’re going to pick your own lobster meat, one 1 ¼ lb lobster is fine, two is better, but the more meat the merrier!

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (if you’re already cooking something that’s 375-425 that’s fine! Just take it out a few minutes earlier)
Mix the cream cheese, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and lobster all together in an oven-safe dish.
Top the mixture with the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until cheese on top is bubbly.

Blue cheese & Pear Tartlets

A perfect bite-sized treat. These are better as an appetizer than a dessert because they’re more salty than sweet, but if you’re a honey fan drizzle some on top for a sweeter taste.

4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
1 ripe pear – peeled, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons black pepper – to taste
1 (2.1 oz) package mini phyllo tart shells
Prebake phyllo shells according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

Mix together blue cheese, pear and cream.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Pumpkin Pie Cake Squares

These mini cakes are the perfect combination of pumpkin pie and vanilla cake tastes. This is such a great and easy recipe for Thanksgiving, and it spices up the original pumpkin pie!

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
1 (12 fl oz) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 (18.25 oz) package yellow cake mix
1 cup butter, melted
1 ½ cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, sugar and spice. Mix well and pour into the pan.
Sprinkle dry cake mix over the top, then drizzle with melted butter. Top with walnuts.
Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour (to tell that they’re finished, insert a knife near the center and if it comes out clean, they’re ready!)

Pumpkin Pie Roll

Another dessert I commonly have at my own Thanksgiving. As you can see, we’ve gotten really cream cheese happy here at Subaru. This recipe really speaks for itself and is a must-have this Holiday!

¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch cookie sheet.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread evenly.
Bake for 15 minutes.

Here’s where it gets a little tricky!

Lay a damp linen towel on the counter, sprinkle it with confectioner’s sugar, and turn the cake onto the towel. Carefully roll the towel up (lengthwise) with the cake in it. Place the cake/towel combo on a cooling rack and let it cool for 20 minutes.

For the icing, use a medium bowl; blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla and sugar with a wooden spoon or electric mixer.

When the cake has cooled for 20 minutes, unroll it and spread icing onto it. Immediately re-roll, without the towel, and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep the cake refrigerated or freeze it for up to two weeks in aluminum foil. Cut into slices just before serving.

We hope you enjoy our recipes this Thanksgiving, or any time! Don’t worry – the pumpkin desserts aren’t redundant, just equally amazing in different ways. We’ll be hosting a contest during the holidays for our Christmas recipe blog, so take pictures of your meals this Thanksgiving so we can post them in December! We’d also like to create a recipe book to send out to our wonderful customers and readers at the end of the winter Holidays, if you have a recipe you’d like to share, please post it on our Facebook walls or shoot me an email and we’ll feature it here and add it to our recipe book. Happy Thanksgiving all and safe travels!

Love,

Twin City Subaru

Subaru of New England Donates $100,000 to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund

2011-10-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

The following is the Press Release from Subaru New England:

ERNIE BOCH JR, PRESIDENT & CEO OF SUBARU OF NEW ENGLAND, DONATES $100,000.00 DOLLARS TO THE VERMONT DISASTER RELIEF FUND ON BEHALF OF
SUBARU OF NEW ENGLAND

GOVERNOR SHUMLIN THANKS ‘CORPORATE ANGELS’ FOR THEIR
IRENE RECOVERY DONATIONS

(NORWOOD, MA) “Subaru of New England has proudly been doing business in Vermont for over forty years. It breaks my heart that this is happening to the State I love, that due to the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene so many homeowners, businesses, and the infrastructure of Vermont’s beautiful roads have been destroyed. Today I have joined forces with Governor Shumlin and become one of his ‘Corporate Angels’ in the Irene recovery efforts. On behalf of the entire Subaru of New England family, I am donating a check for $100,000.00 dollars to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund, stated Ernie Boch Jr,” President & CEO of Subaru of New England.

Donations received from ‘Corporate Angels’ around the country provide housing, food assistance and case management, along with a full-range of resources for people who were impacted by Tropical Storm Irene. “These donors have stepped forward to provide well over one million dollars towards Vermont’s recovery,” said Governor Shumlin. “This assistance will provide both short and long term recovery opportunities to Vermonters who need help getting back on their feet.”

People who are still interested in donating to assist in Tropical Storm Irene recovery efforts can call 1-800-VERMONT to donate to either the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund or the Vermont – New Hampshire Red Cross Chapter.

Vermont to the Core

2011-10-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one of the many attractions in Enticement Alley, alongside being the top New England producer of apple cider. The cider pressed at the mill is spectacular, using 12 pounds of Vermont apples in just one (yes, one!) gallon of apple cider, and oh does it pay off.

But that’s not all they have to offer.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill has shelves upon shelves of cider jelly, maple syrup, cider barbeque sauce, cider vinaigrette and more stacked everywhere you can see. The best part, however, is the samples. Indulge in the sweet taste of fresh Vermont fall by tasting their delicious cider jellies in a variety of flavors, or head over and watch the amazing Cold Hollow employees make cider donuts right in front of your eyes.

Check out the Apple Core Gift Shop right across the parking lot, where they make their fudge and offer tastings of Vermont-made wines and hard apple cider. You can even order their products online – fudge, donuts, maple butter, maple shortbread, maple granola and syrup – but the scenery blended with the enticing smell are enough to want to visit the place in person.

We don’t need to give you the whole 4-1-1 on how they make their homemade treats (especially the cider, which the apples it’s made from get pressed before your eyes in the 1920’s vintage press) because they can show you that. We will tell you though that they use tree-picked, hand-selected apples that are inspected for perfection bin by bin. But check it out for yourself. You can go almost any time; they have self-led tours open to the public where you can explore and enjoy the alluring aroma that encompasses the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.

Their old fashioned, all-natural method creates the best tasting cider in New England (or ever!), and as Vermonters, we love the tangy taste of those juicy apples that come right from our own soil. So go on and enjoy a little bit of fall with a whole lot of yummy tastes. Grab a cider donut and hot cup of cider to take on the road in your Subaru. Roll down your windows, enjoy the taste, enjoy the views, and enjoy the ride.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is located at 3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center Vt. They are open seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (7 p.m. in the summer), and closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The rest of our photos from the Cold Hollow Cider Mill can be viewed on Twin City Subaru's Flikr.

Jessica Owens: Her First Subaru

2011-09-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

" I always wanted a Subaru but when you're 16 well, my parents needed to sign for a loan. When I first started dating my now husband in 2004 he had a 2000 Impreza RS 2 door coupe. That was a hot little number I tell you! I wanted to drive that car so bad that he handed me a book; Bob Bondurants High Performance Driving." He said I couldn't drive it until I read the book. Needless to say I read the book, and learned stick on my bf's Subaru. I loved his car so much that I immediately sold my old Chevy for my own 2000 Subaru Impreza Rs 2 door coupe in white. Since then Jonathan and I have been a Subaru only family. We both owned a pair of Rs's and also a pair of WRX's (I have the wagon, he had the sedan). Today I still own the WRX Wagon with 120k on it and Jonathan has a Baja Turbo. We love Subaru so much that we even had Subaru decor and designated Subaru parking at our wedding!
Love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru, and in our case Subaru and Love found common ground :) "

Where-to in your Subaru: Enticement Alley

2011-09-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year where the leaves change colors and Vermonters start to bundle up. Fall – a beautiful season here in the mountains where we can relax with a cup of hot cider, take a hike with stunning views, and of course, enjoy a beautiful drive in our Subaru.

For this month’s Where-to in your Subaru, we’re featuring Enticement Alley. The stretch of highway off of exit 10 on 89 that includes Ben & Jerry’s, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Cabot Cheese and Lake Champlain Chocolates, among many others.

We’ll feature the big guns first. Then we’ll take you through an online tour of our personal, more hidden favorites. So take a day, or even an hour and visit one of these amazing Vermont spots in your Subaru. And as always, we hope you enjoy the ride.

Where-to in your Subaru

2011-07-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. At Twin City Subaru, we’re proud to be Vermonters and in turn have taken advantage of many of the natural and human-created perks that our amazing state has to offer. In your Subaru you have endless possibilities of where you can go - whether it’s the back roads of a mountain trail, a hidden swimming hole, a drive up the state or your favorite Vermont Brewery. The opportunities are endless.

In order to give you some ideas of what you as a Vermonter or a visitor can take advantage of in the Green Mountain State, we’ve created a list. We’ll update one “Where-to in your Subaru” on our list weekly to this blog. We’ll let you know what’s there, how to get there and why to go – and you can let us know where you’d like to go in turn. If there’s somewhere in Vermont or another state that you’d like to travel to – send us a message on Facebook or Twitter (Facebook: Twin City Subaru, Twitter: TCSubaru) and we’ll research it for you and give you some ideas.

If you love Vermont and you love your Subaru – give it a shot. Drive to these destinations and discover if you love them as much as we do. Feedback is always welcome, and we hope you enjoy the ride.

Twin City Subaru Presents: Dave Mirra's Rally Car!

2011-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dave Mirra's Subaru STI Rally Car has been on display at Twin City Subaru over the last week. We've given away posters and memorabilia... but the big day is tomorrow!

Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Twin City will have Mirra's car on display outside for everyone to come see! Visitors are welcome to get inside and have their picture taken, and we'll have memorabilia available as well.

802Subaru will be joining us for a big BBQ lunch and fun at 11 a.m., but the most important part of the day is the Breast Cancer Fundraiser. This will be held all day!

Come on down for some food, fundraisers and fun at Twin City Subaru. 142 Berlin Mall Road, Berlin, Vt. 05602!

Meet the Sales Team!

2011-01-24T10:33:00.000-08:00

Chandler Clemons / Subaru Sales Manager

chandler_clemons@vtcars.com

(802) 224-7217

Chandler is a Subaru Certified Pre-Owned and a Subaru Finance Certified salesman. He's been living in Vermont for 30 plus years, and he believes Subaru is awesome because it has "all-wheel drive all the time, great handling and performance, comfort, reliability, it's fun to drive and you can buy a great certified pre-owned." His favorite used car to sell is the Subaru Outback, and the first vehicle he owned was a 1986 Subaru GL. A graduate of the University of Montano, Chandler believes that "Twin City Subaru offers a huge range of new Subarus, pre-owned Subarus and certified pre-owned Subarus. If you want straight answers about your next Subaru, ask Twin City." Read more about Subaru Guru Chandler.

Chris Davis / Subaru Business Mngr.

chris_davis@vtcars.com

(802) 224-7214

Chris is a 38-year Vermont resident and currently lives in Montpelier. He doesn't have a favorite Subaru to sell; he loves to sell all of them. "It's a Subaru! It has all-wheel drive, it's safe. For the money it's the best value on the market - it's also the most award-winning company back-to-back! And it's the unofficial car of Vermont." Chris has three children - Nicole, 17; Melody, 13 and Kyler, 12. His first car was a Jeep and his hobbies include boating, motorcycles and his kids. Why does Chris think you should buy from Twin City Subaru? "To be honest it doesn't matter what I say, you as a customer have heard it before. I can tell you that our goal is to make sure your car-buying experience is an enjoyable one, but you have to judge that for yourself." Read more about Subaru Guru Chris.

Doug Smith / Subaru Sales & Leasing / Used Car Sales

doug_smith@vtcars.com

(802) 224-7219

Doug Smith has worked with Twin City Subaru for a hair over five years and in that time has earned the honor of being named a Subaru Peak Performer, placing in the Top 120 out of 3,800. Doug is a conducer of gourmet cuisine, Belgium Ales and enjoys playing golf and visiting the Shelburne Museum. A world traveler, Mr. Smith has spent time in Spain, Japan, Scotland, and attended Nijenrode Utrecht University in Holland. Read more about Subaru Guru Doug.

Jim Glassford / Subaru Sales & Leasing / Used Car Sales

jim_glassford@vtcars.com

(802) 224-7215

A graduate of Champlain College, Jim is a Subaru-Certified sales consultant and a 2009 Master Peak Performer. He's a current resident of South Barre, Vt., and has lived in the state of Vermont for 23 years. Jim's favorite car to sell is the Outback, and he believes that Subarus are the perfect car for this area because they're reliable, comfortable and great in the snow. Why buy from Jim at Twin City? "I have proven that I will be there for you after the sale, and I also treat others how I would like to be treated." Read more about Subaru Guru Jim.

Joe Sweeney / Subaru Sales & Leasing / Used Cars Sales

joe_sweeney@vtcars.com

(802) 224-7212

A father of three, a graduate of Trinity College, and a life-time Vermont resident, Joe Sweeney believes that a "Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) should be the guiding principle in life." And his customers agree, stating: "Go see Joe Sweeney at Twin City Subaru! He will treat you right and find you the perfect car. The experience will be positive and you will leave happy and satisfied." Read more about Subaru Guru Joe.

Marissa Brown / Subaru Sales & Leasing / Used Car Sales

marissa_brown@vtcars.com

(802) 224-7221

Marissa is a Subaru-Certified sales consultant and currently resides in Essex Junction, Vt. She's lived in Vermont her entire life and attended Lyndon State and MCLA for college. Her favorite used vehicle to sell is the Subaru Outback and believes that love is what makes Subaru so awesome. She says you should buy from Twin City Subaru because they have great staff, everyone is friendly and laid back, and there's a low-pressure atmosphere. "If you want to have a great car-buying experience and have a little fun while doing it, come see me!" Read more about Subaru Guru Marissa.

Jeff Cirignano / Subaru Sales & Leasing / Used Car Sales

jeff_cirignano@vtcars.com

(802) 223-5232

Jeff Cirignano is in his first year at Twin City Subaru. As a New Jersey native, Jeff has lived in Vermont for nearly two decades, and lives with an eclectic mix of pets including seven ferrets and a bird. He believes Subarus were specifically made for Vermont's weather and roads. Why should you buy from Twin City Subaru? "Our dealership believes in a low-pressure and straightforward approach to dealing with customers. We maintain a family and pet-friendly place to buy and service your vehicle now and for years to come. I will work to earn your business today, and keep it tomorrow!" Read more about Subaru Guru Jeff.

Meet the Service Team!

2010-12-22T09:47:00.001-08:00

Meet the team

142 Berlin Mall Rd. Berlin, Vt.

(802) 224-7220 * (800) 555-7550

Hours Mon.- Fri. 8 AM – 7 PM Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM

Closed Sundays

Alan Stoddard

Alan Stoddard has been with the Subaru Service Team since July of 2009 and has worked in the automotive industry for 26 years. Alan is ASE certified and enjoys deer hunting, dogs, and cars.

Mark Troughton

Mark Troughton has been with the Subaru Service Team for 22 years and in the automotive industry for 25 years. With a wealth of parts knowledge under his belt, Mark is the man to answer your questions. On his days off, Mark enjoys taking long trips on his prized Harley.

Mike Bishop

Mike Bishop has been with the Subaru Service Team for almost 18 years and in the industry for 28 years, in which time he has acquired a “hands on” automotive education. Mike is a man of many hats and in his free time enjoys playing drums with The House Rockers and cooking up yummy sausage with his mobile “Papa Sausage” kitchen.

Eric Chase

Eric Chase is a proud husband and father who enjoys country music and racing. As the company’s shuttle driver, Eric is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable ride to the customers of Twin City Subaru. When he’s not working, Mr. Chase enjoys spending his time camping and fishing.

April Knight

April Knight is one of the newest members of the Twin City Subaru Parts Team. As a lifetime Vermont resident, April attended Johnson State College. She enjoys listening to big band and swing music, and spends her free time reading Stephen King novels and watching classic sci-fi trilogies. Ms. Knight is also an avid knitter and crotchetier!

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