DOWNTOWN a first-year's guide to the town of Middlebury Forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go

Author: Tamara Hilmes

So you have finally managed to navigate Milliken, and you now recognize the distinction between Battell North and South. You have shelled out entirely too much money on your textbooks and you have even survived your first few days of classes. You can even open your mailbox on the first try. Congratulations≠ - give yourself a pat on the back. By now you know that it takes approximately 15 minutes to walk from Atwater to the Center for the Arts, you have eaten at each of the three dining halls and perhaps you and your friends have even discovered the fine cuisine served up at the Grille. So now that you have gotten a feel for the lay of land on campus, you are all set, right? Wrong. What you may not have realized after completing orientation is that a world does, in fact, exist beyond Twilight Hall.

Remember the cute, white church you passed with your parents as they drove you to school? How about the rows of old brick buildings and the waterfall? There is an entire town out there, full of cool shops, tasty restaurants and quirky hangouts just itching to welcome your eager, young faces. To help you break out of the Middlebury bubble, The Campus has thoughtfully provided you with a guide to introduce you to the vibrant little village that is Middlebury, Vt.

Shopping

You may have realized that you won't find a Wal-Mart or Target tucked between Middlebury's centuries-old buildings - but don't worry. Middlebury hosts an abundance of tiny stores full to the brim with any clothing, school supplies or groceries that you might need and cannot find at Midd Xpress. Although you will not be able to run into just one store and find everything you need, by visiting a few of the local shops, you will find plenty to fill your shopping bags and lighten your wallet. Ben Franklin, conveniently located on Main Street, boasts a decent selection of school, craft and decorative supplies, not to mention an entire basement of toys and other novelties. The Stationary Store, also on Main Street, provides an abundance of office and art supplies. Out of deodorant or toothpaste? Want to bake a cake for one of your hallmates? A trip to Shaw's just up the street from the Middlebury Inn should suit your needs. Hannaford provides a slightly larger selection, but make sure your friends who own cars are not too busy and can give you a ride should you choose to give them your business. Into buying local? Check out the Middlebury Co-op across from Shaw's for locally-grown and organic fare.

Come November, should you realize that you did not bring near enough jeans and sweaters from home, hit up the various retail stores including Glass Bead Game and the Alpine Shop. Can't afford high fashion on your student-sized budget? Try visiting Neat Repeats in the alley past Ben Franklin, or stop in at Urban Exchange for some second-hand clothing at first-rate prices. Or bother your car-owning friends once again and get them to drive you to TJ Maxx, located next to Hannaford on Court Street.

Entertainment

Looking for a something else to do besides attending the MCAB movie or playing pool at the Grille on a Friday night? Wander into town for an evening of excitement. While Middlebury may not boast flashy neon lights and nightclubs, the town does provide a couple of options for first-year fun. Sit back and relax at a movie at the theater, or rent one to watch in your dorm from Video King by Shaw's, Movie Gallery on Court Street or Waterfront Video in Marble Works. Are you itching for some live entertainment? Enjoy live music at Carol's Hungry Mind CafÈ along with your latte, or bring your guitar and perform at Open Mic Night once a month. Not in a singing mood? Check out the performance schedule for the Town Hall Theater where various instrumental, vocal and theatrical events take place every year. Want to enrich your mind instead of killing brain cells on the weekend? Make a visit to the Henry Sheldon Museum, the Vermont Folk Life Center or Ilsley Library to learn more about Vermont and meet some interesting locals. If being stuck inside a museum does not suit your fancy, do something equally good for yourself and go for a hike in the Green Mountains or follow the Trail Around Middlebury.

Dining

Although right now Atwater, Proctor and Ross seem like the epitome of college cuisine with their abundance of choices and the promise of french fries at least once a day, the magic will wear off sooner than you think. When you do finally tire of Atwater's grilled chicken and when the charm of pizza for every meal at Ross begins to fade, try venturing into town where you can taste a variety of local fare. For a classic Middlebury flavor, try American Flatbread located in Marble Works or Neil and Otto's, just past the Alpine Shop downtown. For something a little more upscale, try The Storm CafÈ or make a reservation at one of the many restaurants located inside Middlebury's many inns. If you and your friends are sick of shouting over hundreds of young voices while conversing over dinner and if you are up for a walk, Green Peppers and Middlebury Bagel and Delicatessen, located across from Shaw's on Washington Street, provide a relatively student-free atmosphere. Do your taste buds fancy a meal with an exotic flair not satisfied by vegetarian egg rolls? If so, venture to Taste of India, located in the alley just past Ben Franklin, or The China House on Seymour Street near Route 7.

Though balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars and college in general may seem like more than enough to keep you busy and satisfied this year, think again. The community surrounding the college campus has amazing things to offer you if you'll only step out of the classroom or the dorm long enough to discover them. We have only skimmed the surface in this tiny and concise guide, but we here at The Campus will continue to provide you with insight and, more importantly, the incentive to explore the wonderful world of Vermont.