Being content in Bennington

Driving into town in the evening, you are struck by the quiet dignity of a place far older than you or I. Passing by a grand church with a high steeple and expansive graveyard, I felt the stress from home slip away as I settled into being in Vermont.

Bennington is a town for regular folks, not too fancy but with lots of charm.

I favor the Blue Benn Diner when I'm in town and a stop at the Salvation Army for extra sweaters and ski pants is a must.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Having a car is ideal

We arrived in town around 9 pm, which is basically the middle of the night in Vermont, without any accommodations. We drove around town and looked over a few places. Darling Kelly''s is a little bit further down Route 7 but it was set back off the road and looked well kept.

A kindly old gent got us settled into our $47 room with the help of Bear, the family dog. When we opened the door, a fresh and clean smell wafted out. The room was a good size with two full size beds. Knotty pine paneling made the room feel rustic in a good way-not the I just woke up in my grandparents rumpus room way. The linens were immaculate. There was even a little throw pillow on each bed. Compared to the other beds we slept on during this trip, this one was the bed that blew them all away. (and my friend is picky about her mattresses, let me tell ya) They were nice and firm.

After a great night''s sleep we headed back to the office for free coffee and tea before starting our day. A little gift area includes postcards, maple syrup and other mementos.

Amenities include free HBO, A/C, outdoor pool, phones.

I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert, coming from the state that built so many of them, New Jersey. Sonny's Blue Benn Diner in Vermont is in my top three. If I lived in Vermont it would be number one on my list. It's a classic prefabricated diner built in the 1940's in Paterson, NJ. Inside the teensy building it's cozy with six booths and a counter. The walls are tiled and windows abound so you don't feel claustrophobic. You will probably have to wait in the lobby for a while before you are seated, but it's worth the wait. Once seated, the sizeable menu has to be reckoned with. Look above the counter for signs that advertise all sorts of goodies that may not be on the menu. Blue Benn has a large vegetarian menu that will tempt even the most devout carnivores.

For breakfast, my friend and I ordered Sausage Gravy and Biscuits to share. It comes with home fries ($3.95), a Sir Benn Omelette with chicken breast, broccoli, mushrooms, Vermont Cheddar topped with Hollandaise sauce ($5.95)and pancakes to die for that come in flavors like banana walnut, rasberry and granola and range in price from $3.95 to $4.50. We suggest springing for the Vermont maple syrup on the side to enhance the full pancake experience. We couldn't resist liberating a homemade cinnamon sugar donut from it's mates on the counter for an afternoon snack (75 cents). One of the best damn donuts I've sampled outside of the Daily Dozen in Seattle.

Their extensive menu included vegetarian fare like scrambled tofu, soy bacon and a tofu roast. A Grilled Havarti or Vermont Cheddar sandwich sounds tempting. All of the deserts are homemade and include a Chocolate Confusion Cake, apple and blueberry crisps. Seasonal desserts offered during out visit were pumpkin bread and Indian pudding.

While you're waiting for your food, slip a quarter in the jukebox and pick anything from the Glenn Miller Orchestra to N'Sync.

Hours of operation: Open daily at 6 am, Sunday at 7 am. Closing on Mon-Tues at 5pm, Wed-Fri at 8 pm and sat-Sun at 4 pm.

Hawkins House is a reputable craftsmarket specializing in jewelry, pottery, wood, leather, fiber and art. The two story store is filled with well chosen items made by craftsmen that are local and from abroad. Upstairs, look for prints and photography. Downstairs, they have a selection of fine jewelry that is well priced.

I was impressed with handmade wooden boxes, slippers, and glass pieces. It's not my favorite Vermont craft's market but it's worth a stop when in town. Open seven days a week.

It doesn't matter where I am, I brake for Salvation Army stores. I never know what I'm going to find and I never have too many clothes. I've visited the Bennington Salvation Army twice. On both occasions, the store was neat and orderly. In fact, the clothes are organized by color. Need a red shirt? No problem.

Thift stores are especially useful if you need to pick up extra sweaters or ski gear. Expect to pay $2-4 for a sweater, ski pants $5, most coats are under $15. They had a selection of ski boots near the front of the store as well as skis and golf clubs.

The help is a little abrupt, but who cares when you're shelling out $10 for four items of clothing? They do have a dressing room, which not all Salvation Army stores offer. Every day, a different colored price ticket is half-priced.