Hey Dads,

Fall in Vermont is here, and I hope that you are all getting outside to enjoy the beauty all around us. In recent years, I've noticed just how short this time of year can seem, and I've gotten caught up in the "oh man, winter is almost here...drats!" mindset. This year, I'm really trying to remain as present as possible, and taking in each day as it passes. I often forget that many people travel from hours away just to catch a glimpse of the leaves on trees I see on the regular.

This month, we'll be hosting our first in-person event since the start of the pandemic back in March. You'll notice it's outside, and a fair drive away from Burlington. But it should be a beautiful drive, and your kids will have a chance to get up closer and personal with the oldest registered herd of Scottish Highland cows in the United States. Read more about it below!

We're also asking for your recipes this month, so please submit any info you may have as we look to create the first ever "Dad Guild Family Friendly Cookbook" in the coming month or two. We want to hear what your go-to's are, so please share!

And just a friendly reminder, we set the clocks back an hour on November 1st, so get ready for that one!

-Keegan

If you're having trouble viewing the calendar in this email, please click here to view a larger image.

All virtual events are being hosted by Dad Guild on Zoom. Same link. Same password. Every time.

Link: https://zoom.us/j/142812659?pwd=MDRwQXE2MEhiRVVjaE5hUFRYOE91Zz09

Password: 614565

Having difficulty setting up Zoom? Lacking access to reliable technology that allows you to connect with us? Reach out to us and we'll see how we can help.

Family, Fun, & Foliage at the Farm!

Join us for Dad Guild's 1st Annual Family Foliage Farm Picnic (socially distanced, of course) on October 10th from 10:00-12:30. Witness the beautiful western view of the Champlain River valley and the oldest registered herd of Scottish Highland cows in the United States.

Dress for outside, bring a picnic blanket, and snacks. Bathroom on site. Please bring a mask!

Please RSVP with Marlon Fisher via email marlon@dadguild.org or (646) 685-3474 ahead of time so we have an idea of how many people to expect.

Location: 487 Gray Road, Plainfield, VT 05667

Coming Soon: Dad Guild Cookbook! Submit Your Recipes Today!

So a common theme that has been coming up over the past few months is dads looking to add more recipes to their culinary repertoires. In particular, meals that are fairly easy, fairly quick, and popular with their children. So we're looking to compile your favorite go-to recipes, and create a PDF Dad Guild cookbook that will go up on our website. Please use this Google Form to fill out your favorite recipe (or two or three), and if you feel comfortable, submit a photo as well. The more recipes, the merrier!

Vermont 2-1-1

Have you ever heard of Vermont 2-1-1? If you ever have any questions around any type of support, ranging from homelessness to utility bill assistance to substance abuse, 2-1-1 is a service that helps you get connected with the information and resources you need. It's a great starting point to talk to someone about anything you may need help with, and their support is super helpful. I've known a lot of guys who have gotten their needs met just by making one phone call. Call 2-1-1 if you're looking for any kind of assistance, or visit their website today.

Getting Outdoors with Kids: North Beach in Burlington

For most people, trips to North Beach come to a halt at the end of the summer. However, the fall at North Beach combined with low water levels is proving to be a beautiful spot to visit this time of year. I've been there a handful of times in recent weeks, and there have been so few people, along with ample space to physically distance yourselves from others. If you decide run around barefoot, just be aware of broken glass in some spots, as I've come across a couple of pieces. Otherwise, the sand is packed down pretty hard by the water and you can run up and down the beach. The gate at the entrance is closed for the season, so you'll need to access via the bike path, or park your car up by Burlington High School and walk in.

The Games Continue: Among Us

This month, we'll be trying out the game Among Us for our Dads' Night In: Games Night. Never played? It's similar to The Resistance, where a team of people are trying to complete specific tasks, with an impostor hidden in plain sight. It's kind of like being stuck in an Agatha Christie book. Among Us can be played across platforms, so you can play on your computer or smartphone and still be connected to the same game. If you don't have the game, it is free on mobile devices, but costs $5 on the computer. We'll be playing on Tuesday, October 27th from 8:00-10:00pm, and will have Zoom running at the same time so folks can accuse and argue with one another with ease. We'll also be keeping the Rose, Bud, Thorn tradition alive. Be in touch with any questions!

Weekly Wednesday Check-Ins

As always, our Dads' Night In Weekly Hump Day Check-Ins continue! Every Wednesday night from 8:45 - 10:00pm, our Zoom Meeting is open to all, and folks can jump in for 5 minutes, or stay the whole time. Conversations range from funny personal experiences, to feelings about Bill & Ted 3, to having a place to talk about the challenges of juggling all the things right now. It's also just a good place to go if you have questions around parenting topics such as sleep training, potty training, etc. as there's usually a handful of dads there ready to offer their perspectives. Hope to see you out there!