.... the past ten years
The Bike Path. Where freight trains once chugged along the shore of Lake Champlain, now bikers, bladers, walkers, and runners have the right of way.

... the past twenty years
Church Street Marketplace, where you’re never more than fifty feet from a cup of coffee... and the Hot Dog Lady lives on.

.... the past twenty-thousand years
Champlain Sea recedes, enabling those without fins to stroll comfortably down College Street.

... the past 250 years
UVM. Boosters wrote in 1791: “The soil is dry and good. No place in America is accommodated with more pure andexcellent water. Nature there-fore seems to have agreed with the desires of people in rendering a proper place for a literary institution.”

Best hallway
First floor, south wing of Williams Hall, does double duty as the Williams Hall Museum of Kitsch Art, WHAMKA.

Best gothic architectural detail
The gargoyles of Williams Hall.

Best junk food, circa 1984
“Ice cream cookie sandwiches, ice cream, or milk shake from the Dairy Bar.”
— Laurie Olander ’84

Best reference to UVM in a novel
Like Lesser Gods by Mari Tomasi. English Professor Paul Eschholz recommends this1949 novel of life among the stone cutters and artisans in “Graniteville” (AKA Barre), Vermont. Two characters, Americo and Aster, have recently left to study at the university in Burlington. Tomasi describes the reaction to Aster’s first letter home:
“He took the card. Doughnut grease stained the colorful depiction of sunset over Lake Champlain. On the other side Aster had written: “Hi, Mom, I have two classes with Americo D. We’re planning to do some of our studying together if we can. My courses aren’t easy but I like studying. In fact I like everything here. Love, Aster.”
The old man’s index finger caressed his beak of a nose. “So,” he murmured softly.
“Study, study, study.” Josie gave a good-natured snort. “It don’t take much to give some people a lift.”

Best place to turn in the midst of a research paper
Information and Research Assistance desk at Bailey/Howe. By book, by Net, by CD-ROM, these librarians navigate the vast seas of information.

Best spot to nap
Billings North Lounge
Runner-up: The Green.

Best grove
The white pines of Redstone.

Best place to study on campus, circa 1966
“Billings.”
— Kathleen Nunan McGuckin ’66
Editor’s Note: From the North Lounge to the Apse, Billings is still one of the most popular spots to crack a book between classes.

Best groove
Nectar’s. No cover. Cradle for new bands. You want gravy on those fries?

Best faculty office
Professor Robert Gordon, anthropology, Williams Hall. Bricks, books, beams, and a wealth of anthropological treasures.

Best basement, circa 1950
Waterman’s bowling lanes