Hoisington Realty Blog

I’ve learned so much about Bennington’s Recreation Center through the participation of family and colleagues that use the facilities.

First, the magnificent heated 25 yard, 6-lane swimming pool was a center of therapy and social interaction for my husband Jerry, a retired professor.  As the years increased, so did Jerry’s limitation of physical activity and he sorely missed his jogging routine.  I greatly admired that although swimming was the one thing Jerry had always hated  (he never learned how) he made his way to the Richard Sleeman Memorial Pool and bravely signed up for water walking to ease his arthritis and stenosis.  Little did he realize when he began this journey that he would meet people from all walks of life that were interesting to talk to and friendships developed over the years that were very important to him.  I love it that “the ladies group” included an invitation to him to go to Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee afterwards and he accepted!  He also went with another member to a Giants practice game in Albany and bonded with the children and grandchildren of other members who were attending college and wanted academic advice.  He was very proud of his friendship with the athletic guys who were marathoners….and he was often referred to as The Philosopher in the locker room.  Special thanks to Carrie Fabricious for diving in and saving Jerry at least twice that I know of … Jerry loved Carrie!

My grandchildren have attended the summer Day Camp for years at both Stark Street and Gage Street and this is the most phenomenal value for working parents.  My granddaughter Faith still attends and worked last year as a Junior Counsellor and dreams of the day when she becomes  a full time Senior Counsellor that gets paid!

Last but not least my wonderful Office Manager, Vicki Wilson, decided several years ago to really get fit and she started hitting the weight room during her lunch hour.  Wow! She totally changed her build and is more attractive than ever.  To this day, Vicki keeps up this schedule and brings others from the office into her group whenever she can.

More about Willow Park, coming soon!

I moved to Bennington in November of 1952 and one of the first things I had to do was get a haircut.  I lived on School Street at the time so I just walked toward Main Street.  The YMCA was on the corner of School and Main and just before that on the right, directly across from the Second Congregational Church Parsonage was the tonsorial establishment of Slick the Barber (there is a barber there to this day).  So I went in and got my first Bennington haircut from Slick the Barber.

Slick’s real name was Roland Nesbigle.  He was a card carrying character and loved to talk, alot.  As I got into the big leather and chrome chair Slick immediately, realizing I was new in town or at least to his chair, started telling me of all the famous people he knew.  Every few minutes Slick would leave the room where he was cutting my hair and go into another room in the back.  He was only gone for a moment but when he came back to resume cutting my hair he had very distinctive breath.  I was only 12 years old but I knew booze when I smelled it.

When he finished cutting my hair I paid him and left, feeling that I had been in the presence of a Very Important Person.  I had just met the man who had taught Ted Williams how to hit a baseball and Johnny Weismuller how to swim!

As I got to know Bennington, I discovered other barbershops in the downtown area.  At 520 Main Street, right next to Peter’s Ice Cream Shop, there was Toomey’s Barber Shop, owned and operated by one Bill Toomey.  R.T. Martins Real Estate is presently located at this spot.  Toomey’s had three chairs and many local barbers who would someday go out on their own worked there.  Barbers like Roger Rowe and Andy Mattison.  Roger Rowe took over Slick’s spot on School Street after Slick had gone on to that great barbershop in the sky.  And later, Any Mattison established his own shop on the second floor of what is now Hoisington Realty.

I liked Toomey’s because of the distinctive barber shop smell of witch hazel and Barbasol.  That and the chatter of the customers with the barbers when they were waiting to be served on a busy Saturday morning.

Another popular barber shop was on the other end of town in the Putnam Hotel Block.  It was located at 357 West Main Street and was the shop of Bob Cummings.  Bob’s son (also Bob) is a longtime practicing attorney here in Bennington.  This shop is presently operated by Gary Jones.  Being the Hotel block was important to business because customers could walk from the lobby of the hotel (right past the Western Union desk) to Bob’s shop.  In those days Bob would stay open until 11:00 on a Saturday night to serve his customers.  Bob took over the shop in 1922 when it was in the American Hotel down on North Street.  And Gary Jones, who started working for Bob in 1971, took over ownership of the shop in 1978.  At one time, this shop had five chairs.

Other barber shops in downtown Bennington in the 1950s were Ray Crosier’s at 110 North Street; Pearly Gates at 731 East Main Street (at the corner of Morgan Street); Ernie’s (Rousseau) at 133 North Street and Ketchum’s at 620 Main Street.  Also over Pleasant Street in the Leader Block was the shop of George Foucher.  George (who I have also heard referred to as “Georgie Hogan”) was, as far as I know, the only barber who made house calls.  You could see him walking along the streets of Bennington with his little black bag in one hand and a stool in the other hand.  The stool was necessary because George was quite short.  Also, there was Merrill Pleasant who was located on School Street and Union Street over the years.

And now, you can count the Barber Shops of Bennington on one hand.  Times have changed.

I wish to thank Gary Jones for his input for this article.

Grab your sweetheart and stop by one of our Open Houses this Sunday!

 5 Stonehedge Drive, Bennington:  This elegant home is a rare find as featured in Taste of Home magazine.  Offering every convenience and comfort, you will be charmed by the large, bright kitchen, formal dining room, living room with gas fireplace, main level master bedroom and more!  Click here for more information.

Directions:  In Bennington from South Street/Route 7 South, turn west onto Elm Street then turn left onto Jefferson Avenue.  Continue up the hill where Jefferson becomes Stonehedge Drive.  Look for Open House sign on the right.

13 Greenview Drive, Bennington:  This great family home is located on a dead end street and features 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, spacious living room with brick hearth and woodstove, large back deck and more!  Click here for more information.

Directions:  From South Street/Route 7 South in Bennington turn west onto Weeks Street then turn onto Jefferson Heights.  Take a left onto Greenview Drive and look for Open House sign.

We would like to announce that David Beach of our Commercial Real Estate division is now also an Auctioneer/Realtor.  We will be experimenting with our first Auction on a magnificent historic Bennington home on November 22, 2009 at 1:00 pm.  The difference in our auction will be an attempt to present a home that has a very motivated seller who will do everything possible to sell before winter sets in but this is definitely NOT A DISTRESSED SALE and the owner will have the option to refuse all offers.

Just last Sunday we hosted an Open House/Auction Preview and despite the grey and gloomy day here in Bennington, we lit every light in the house, threw open the doors and set an all time record attendance for any open house that we have had in the forty year history of Hoisington Realty.

Sure, there were curious lookers who have always admired this home as well as a few interested buyers, too….it was a wonderful opportunity to renew contacts with old customers and clients and to meet several new people.

We are still finding our that properties in our upper price ranges are challenged and thought we would try this new marketing plan…Stay tuned and please come for the Auction and see a wonderful property located at 210 Elm Street, Bennington, Vermont. This property has already been reduced from $595,000 and is now listed for $395,000.  Click here for additional information about this property.

This Sunday, October 18th take the opportunity to view up to seven of our residential listings!  We will be hosting Open Houses in Bennington at the following properties from 12:00 to 2:00 pm.  Click on the photos of each property for additional information.

210 Elm Street, Bennington VT  $395,000; Listing Agent: Kathleen Hoisington

Directions:  From South Street/Route 7 South turn west onto Elm Street; look for Open House sign on the left. 

5 Stonehedge Drive, Bennington VT $299,000; Listing Agent:  Dorothy Halvorsen

Directions:  In Bennington from South Street/Route 7 South turn west onto Elm Street; from Elm turn left onto Jefferson Avenue and continue up the hill where Jefferson becomes Stonehedge Drive.  Look for Open House sign on the right.

1518 Route 7 South, Bennington VT $359,900; Listing Agent: Suzy Yucht

Directions:  In Bennington approximately one mile south of Bennington Four Corners on Route 7 South; look for Open House sign on the east side of the road.

206 Weeks Street, Bennington VT $189,900; Listing Agent:  Kelley McCarthy

Directions:  In Bennington from South Street/Route 7 South, turn west onto Weeks Street; look for Open House sign on right.

 223 Maple Street, Bennington VT $139,000; Listing Agent:  Timothy Corcoran II

 Directions: In Bennington from North Street/Route 7 North turn east onto Gage Street; then turn left onto Maple Street.  Look for Open House sign on the right.

From 2:15 to 4:15 the following properties will be hosting Open Houses:

320 Safford Street, Bennington $149,000; Listing Agent:  Suzy Yucht

Directions:  In Bennington from North Street/Route 7 North turn east onto County Street; turn right onto Safford Street.  Look for Open House sign on the right.

 712 Rocky Lane, Bennington VT $299,000; Listing Agent:  Dorothy Halvorsen

 Directions: From Bennington take East Road north for approximately one mile past Houghton Lane.  Turn left onto Rocky Lane and continue 0.9 mile; look for Open House sign on the left.

Please join us after work this Wednesday evening between 5:00 and 7:00 pm at one or more of the following properties!   Click on the addresses below for additional information on each property.

7 Woodland Drive, Bennington VT – Colonial in a desirable neighborhood! $289,000

Directions:  In Bennington take West Main Street to Convent Avenue; proceed 0.3 mile to Birch Drive then turn right and follow curve to Woodland Drive.  Look for Open House sign.

1381 Morgan Street, Bennington VT – Spacious One Level Living  $219,000

Directions:  From Route 9 East/East Main Street turn onto Morgan Street then follow Morgan Street Extension for approximately 1.5 miles; look for Open House sign on the right.

212 Autumn Acres, Bennington VT – Neat as a Pin Split Ranch  $199,000

Directions:  In Bennington take East Road north; turn left onto Houghton Lane then right onto Autumn Acres.  Last house on left.

73 Skytop Drive, Bennington VT – Tastefully Renovated Bungalow!  $83,000

Directions: In Bennington take Northside Drive to Harwood Hill/Route 7A.  Travel up hill; look for Open House sign on the right just past Houghton Lane.

1189 Morgan Street, Bennington VT – Charming Home is a MUST SEE  $184,900

Directions: In Bennington take Route 9 East/East Main Street to Morgan Street; continue on Morgan Street for 1.2 miles.  Look for Open House sign on the right.

138 Pine Circle, Bennington VT – Stunningly Beautiful, Best of Kind! $289,000

Directions:  From Route 7 South/South Street turn west onto Crescent Boulevard.  Take second right onto Pine Circle; look for Open House sign on the right.

224 Bradford Street, Bennington VT - Charmingly Renovated In-Town Home $167,900

Directions: From East Main Street turn north onto Bradford Street; look for Open House sign on the left.

521 South Street, Bennington VT – Pride of Ownership Throughout $215,000

Directions: Located on South Street/Route 7 South across from Crescent Boulevard.  Look for Open House sign.

We were very pleased this Spring when John Cilla of hte Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity contacted our office to see if we would be willing to lend a hand with their most recent project on Asa’s Way in North Bennington.  Hoisington Realty sent a group of four volunteers in May when the project was just getting under way and another group of volunteers in August.  As one of our agents remarked “We not only sell houses, we help build them!”  Many folks from near and far have pitched in to make the dream of home ownership come true for a local Bennington area family and we here at Hoisington Realty are honored to be among them!

Hiland Hall, Trenor Park  and John McCullough were the patriarchs of the enormously philanthropic Park-McCullough family of North Bennington, Vermont but don’t discount the women!  Hiland’s wife, Dolly, endured a trip around the Horn, losing their first born son on the journey to San Francisco and then returned gamely to the Hall Farm where she efficiently and without complaint ran the family farm during her husband’s long absence. Their daughter, Laura, who married the entrepreneurial attorney Trenor Park, courageously joined her husband in his ventures in California despite her father’s misgivings.  She shared in her husbands losses and gains, culminating with their successful return to New York City and North Bennington.  Upon their return in 1865 they purchased 200 acres of the Hall Farm saving Hiland and Dolly from serious debt and in one year built the splendid Park-McCullough Estate.  In 1871 their daughter Lizzie married John McCullough, former Attorney General for California who later became Governor of Vermont.  She remained a resident of the Great House until her death in 1930.  Future generations of the family have been instrumental in providing North Bennington with its public library, train station (which has been converted to Town offices) and finally with the gift of the Park McCullough Mansion, now home to a non-profit organization that is the center piece of the cultural life in North Bennington to this day.

Read our next installment on what is happening at present day Hiland Hall.

North Bennington is a picture perfect New England village with cupolas and church steeples dotting the quaint and historic rooftops.  It is the home, past and present, of well-known authors, musicians of national note and poets of international reputation as well as home to Bennington College.   Main Street in its entirety is on the National Historic Register and many of the homes have been lovingly restored by families who appreciate the special quality that this village offers to their children.  North Bennington retains its separate village autonomy and the North Bennington Graded School is one of high parental involvement.   Where else can your children ride their bikes to a small, pristine lake that is maintained by a volunteer board?

If you are looking for a special place to raise a family or to enjoy your retirement - or any stage in between – please click here to see the listings currently available in this very special community.

Your home represents an important financial asset.  When it’s time to sell, put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.  He’s in the same financial boat and will want the most house he can get for the money. The stakes are too high to play the do-it-yourself game in this monetary arena.  The best advice is – let an expert from Hoisington Realty work with you to sell it.

“Why a Realtor, when I can sell it myself and save the commission?” you may ask. “Right?”….WRONG!

The average buyer is far from naive.  Before you even start serious negotiations, he’ll expect you to deduct the Broker’s commission for HIS benefit.  Then you’re on your own in the critical areas of financing, mortgages, contracts and deeds, etc. Your home will be exposed to any and all unaccompanied strangers who knock on your door.

An agent from Hoisington Realty can help save you from these headaches and dangers.  He or she will protect your interest and assist in selling your Bennington area real estate at the best price.  To learn more about our agents, click here.