This is a very special edition of The Octagon, bringing you the wild story of Buster Brown, the now famous beagle. On a cold February day, Buster went missing into the woods of Stowe while on a routine walk in Kirschner Woods with his owner Erin Daly. As the days went by, the search for Buster broadened. People across Stowe were searching sheds, crawl spaces, garages - and much of the searching was being led by remote viewing specialist Cris Pryce - who described possible locations of Buster with incredible details. Finally after 24 long, cold and snowy days in the woods- Buster was spotted and reunited with his owners. 

This episode will take you on the sometimes heartbreaking but  inspiring journey of Buster Brown. It's the feel good story of the year here in Stowe!

Kim Brown is a well-known figure in Stowe, Vermont's skiing community, recognized for his extensive contributions as a columnist, historian, and avid skier. Since making his first turns at Stowe in 1952, Brown has become a fixture on the slopes, sharing his experiences and insights through his long-running column, "Ski Bum Corner," in the Stowe Reporter and Kim knows the off trail map woods trails around Mt Mansfield as well as anyone

In addition to his journalism, Brown is an architectural designer and one of Stowe's preeminent Ski historians. His deep knowledge of the area's ski culture and history has made him a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of skiing in Stowe

This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Dustin Martin. Dustin was born and raised in Stowe and operates ARFA Property Management with his father Mike and has been a coach at Mount Mansfield Academy for 11 years. Dustin is an accomplished ski racer and raced at the college level at St. Lawrence University and has an impressive tally of victories at the Stowe Ski Bum races. When not working Dustin can be found tracking the elusive whitetail deer deep in the Mansfield back country and is the co-founder of Northwoods Whitetails. On top of all that Dustin just completed the 80th Stowe Derby on alpine skis!

Hockey in Stowe isn’t just a game—it’s a tradition, a community, and a way of life for many. Few people know that better than Mike Priestley. A longtime player, Mike has witnessed the evolution of the sport here, from the old Jackson Arena to the new rink. He has participated in many Hyde Cup tournaments and was a member of the premier VT team-  The Stowe Slugs. But Mike is also a renaissance man, authoring 3 novels and has had a long career writing educational textbooks, magazine articles, book reviews and crossword puzzles for the New York Times. You can also find Mike in the summer out on the local courses playing golf.

This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with Matt Testa aka “Mansfield Matty”. When not pumping out daily snow reports Matt can be found charging hidden lines deep in the Mansfield back country. Matt has become proficient in filming his ski adventures and providing viewers with enjoyable shots of fresh powder lines and the beauty of the Green Mountain Wilderness. Matt is considered a new age ski bum here in Stowe and logs over 130 days on the hill every season.  Matt's passion for all things Stowe is infectious. This episode will get you more excited than ever to head up to the hill!

In this episode of The Octagon Podcast, we dive deep into the history and strategy of the legendary Stowe Derby with longtime competitor and local icon Cap Chenoweth. From its origins in 1945 to its status as one of the most unique and challenging ski races in North America, Cap shares firsthand stories, expert insights, and tips for tackling the 12.5-mile descent from the top of Mount Mansfield to Stowe Village. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a first-time participant, this conversation offers a fascinating look at what makes the Stowe Derby a true Vermont classic. Tune in for a mix of history, strategy, and classic Stowe spirit!

To ring in our 15th episode at The Octagon Podcast we sat down with Co-Owner of Edelweiss Mountain Deli Jeff Clarke. Jeff provides us with an in depth look at what it takes to run a small business in Stowe and the challenges and rewards that have accompanied this venture. We explore how he has revamped this iconic Stowe institution into a premiere provider of high quality scratch prepared farm to table dishes and co-host Mike Carey’s favorite Sweet Sensation Bar.

We also dive into Jeff’s career as the former Director of Development for the US Cross Country Ski Team. From building local club programs to coaching elite Olympic athletes he has been integral to the growth of cross country skiing in the United States. 

Whether you want to take your Nordic skills to the next level or hear tales of how a business can pump out 500 sandwiches in a day this episode has something for everyone!

Have you ever wondered what really goes into the daily Stowe Snow Report that we enjoy everyday from the comfort of our homes on our iPhone? Well wait no more as this week we have the Godfather of the Stowe Snow Report Andre Blais!

Join us for an exhilarating and informative chat with Andre as he runs us through the ins and outs of what it takes to create this product we have all come to appreciate so much. From 5 foot storm cycles, after hours mountain operation tales and Charlie Lord's first snow report at Stowe you do not want to miss this episode. 

Join us on a thrilling and fascinating interview with longtime Stowe resident Jan Reynolds. Jan is a world record setting climber and skier, Olympic athlete, award winning author and photographer known for her ability to capture extraordinary imagery and stories while climbing and skiing in extremely high-risk environments and expeditions. She has spent over 30 years traveling to some of the most isolated parts of the globe, capturing the lives and landscapes of people often untouched by modern society. Reynolds is particularly known for her work in the Arctic, Himalayas, and other high-altitude regions, where she has often focused on environmental and cultural preservation.

In addition to her adventurous spirit, she is passionate about humanitarian issues, including education and empowerment for marginalized communities. Through her photography, writing, and speaking, Reynolds brings attention to the stories of the people she meets during her travels, highlighting their challenges and resilience.

With 2024 coming to a close we created a year in review and Octagon “Behind the Scenes” episode. 

We explore the highlights from the past three months in Stowe, including epic weather, a killer start to ski season, and some jaw-dropping local athletes.

 Our own Stowe stories—how we got here, what keeps us hooked, and what makes this community so special.

 Why we decided to start this podcast and what we’ve learned about sharing Stowe’s history, characters, and buzz.

Think of this as a chairlift chat with a couple of locals who love this town as much as you do. So grab your favorite holiday drink, tune in, and let’s talk Stowe!