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There’s nothing quite like the thrill of getting behind the wheel of a sports car. And when that car is a redesigned 2019 Camaro — from the athletic LS to the track-ready ZL1 — that feeling reaches legendary levels thanks to bold new looks, renowned performance and enhanced technology.

The Chevrolet Camaro was launched in 1966 with an available two-speed automatic transmission. By 1969, the Camaro got two different three-speed options. Fast-forward 50 years and five generations, and you can spec a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS with 10 forward gears.

There was nothing particularly wrong with the eight-speed automatic available in the pre-refresh SS (which is why it’s still offered on turbo-four and V-6 trims), but with a 10-speed automatic co-developed with Ford at its disposal, GM saw fit to spread the gearbox that debuted in the ZL1 to more models in the Camaro lineup. The 10-speed is a $1,595 option on the SS.

Of course, the 2019 Camaro’s refresh involves much more than the automatic’s increased gear count. The updated pony car adds forward collision warning as an option and also gets a new infotainment system with available 8.0-inch touchscreen. Then, of course, there’s the exterior face-lift, which has been controversial to say the least. The headlights have been redesigned with new LED accents that flow into the grille, and the taillights return to the classic quad round lamp arrangement. More differentiation exists between the trim levels, and the SS’ new look has been by far the most derided.

But enough about how it looks. How does it drive? Just as before, the Camaro SS is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT1 V-8 good for 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with the 10-speed auto, the SS is easy to drive around town. Some high-cog-count transmissions get confused at slow speeds, but I didn’t feel any jerky shifts with this unit, and gear hunting wasn’t an issue. The transmission hustles through the first five or so gears quickly to get you into an ideal cruising ratio, but a little application of the throttle is all it takes to kick down several gears and let the drivetrain know you want to have some fun.

In acceleration testing, the SS automatic performed well. The Camaro posted a 4.1-second 0-60 mph time, matching the result of a 2018 Camaro SS 1LE with a six-speed manual. It was also slightly quicker in the quarter mile at 12.4 seconds at 115.8 mph versus 12.5 seconds at 115.2 mph for the 2018 manual. Road test editor Erick Ayapana praised the transmission for its “nice crisp shifts” during the run down the dragstrip. The Camaro also performed well in braking tests, stopping from 60 to 0 mph in 103 feet, which is on par with pre-refresh sixth-gen Camaro SS models. “Solid brake feel, good bite,” reported Ayapana. “No signs of fade after six runs.”

We expect to see much more of these on our lot soon! So come on down to Handy Chevrolet, where you can buy a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro today.

53rd Annual Vermont Maple Festival

Date: April 26th, 2019 – April 28th, 2019

Time: Friday: Beginning at noon, Saturday & Sunday: Beginning at 10:00am

Location: Held in various locations throughout the City and Town of St. Albans, VT

Website: https://www.vermontmaplefestival.com/

Event Description:

The 53rd Vermont Maple Festival is a food and arts celebration held at St. Albans in the state of Vermont. The festival is a three-day event held annually over the last weekend in April. During the event, there are exhibits and demonstrations, entertainment, and a craft & antiques show all dedicated to maple syrup.

Fees/Admissions:

Free Admission to Maple Exhibit Hall, Craft & Specialty Food Show, Antique Show, Taylor Park Tent Shows, Sugar House Tours, Main Street Entertainment & Kids Center

Admission Fees to Maple Barbecue Buffet, Maple Beverage Tasting, Pancake Breakfast, Fiddlers Variety Show, Carnival Rides & St. Albans Museum

Run for Jim

Date: May 5th, 2019

Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm, Kids race starts at 8:30am; Adult race starts at 9:30am

Location: Collins Perley Sports Complex, St. Albans, VT

Website: http://www.runforjimbashaw.com/

Event Description:

An annual 5K walk/run in honor of Jim Bashaw. All proceeds donated directly to residents of Franklin and Grand Isle counties suffering with cancer and catastrophic illness.

Fees/Admission:

Advance Registration:  Kids – $15; Adults – $35

Race registration forms available at the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce office.  Online registration at the link above.

Ken’s Rode, Ride of Hope

Date: May 11th, 2019

Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Location: Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail between St. Albans (US 7/Main St. at Rewes Dr) and the Sheldon Bridge in Sheldon, VT.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/619388768500244/?ti=ia

Event Description:

This event celebrates the life of Ken Appel, a passionate cyclist who passed away from neurodegenerative brain diseases Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Ken’s Ride ride will honor his wish that a cure be found for these Prime of Life Brain Diseases that consume a person, slowly attacking their physical, mental, independence, mobility, and communication. There is no cure or effective treatment at this time for these diseases. The Ride also is his expression of appreciation to caregivers and for the care he received. The event will occur rain or shine on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail between St. Albans and the Sheldon Bridge in Sheldon, VT. Ride as far as you wish – have fun, enjoy the scenery, smell the flowers or ride as Ken did, as fast and as hard as you can. The proceeds of the event will be shared between CurePSP, a national organization that helps supports research efforts to find a cure and treatment for Prime of Life Brain Diseases (PSP, FTD, CBD, MSA, ALS) and a local agency, Franklin County Home Health, that provides palliative and end of life care for patients with progressive neurodegenerative diseases and offered amazing support to Ken and his family.

Fees/Admisission:

Registration required. Registration begins at 8:00am on-site. Range: $25-$35.

A Few Reasons Why Vermont Is Hands-Down The Best State In The Northeast!

If you live here, you already know that VT is the best state in the Northeast. From charming towns to extraordinary people, this little state sure has it all. Check out some of the reasons why we love it and be sure to add your own in the comments.

Low crime rates

Safety first! When you look at reports like this one in the Burlington Free Press about safety, Vermont usually tops the list among all other states.

Wide open spaces

If you’re not one for crowds, then Vermont is the place for you. We have the second lowest population in the country, and even the state capital of Montpelier has less than 8,000 residents! 

Location, location, location!

If you’re looking for a city fix, New York, Boston and Montreal are all within driving distance.

Year-round outdoor activities

If you love to embrace the outdoors, skiing, hiking, biking, swimming and more await! Not to mention stunning scenery while you do it!

Community matters

From helping neighbors to our annual Green Up Day, Vermont communities are always ready to lend a helping hand.

Fresh Foods

Vermont has always been a leader in the farm to table movement, and fresh foods are available to everyone at the local shops and farmers markets. 

Naturally fun

Vermont is full of great swimming holes which are a natural – and free – way to cool down on a hot day.

Endless hiking

You can always find a hiking trail nearby, no matter where you are in the Green Mountain State. Fresh air? No problem!

World famous foliage

Hands down, Vermont has the best foliage not in just the Northeast, but in the world. Yes, the world!

Museums

You’ll find museums that embrace the outdoors and some of the most remarkable and unique exhibits here.

Vermont Maple Syrup

Vermont Maple Syrup is incredible and we use it on just about anything. After all, life is sweeter here!

With Colorado ZR2, the more bumps in the road the better! Featuring segment exclusives like Multimatic^™ shocks and an available Duramax^® 2.8L Turbo-Diesel engine, this capable midsize truck was built for the road less traveled.

Colorado ZR2 is engineered to climb above the competition thanks to a standard 3.6L V6 engine with best-in-class horsepower, hard-core gear and segment-exclusive components. An available GM-exclusive Duramax^® 2.8L Turbo-Diesel engine delivers impressive power, including best-in-class torque, to help give you the push you need to take on steep challenges.

When you make an off-road truck of this caliber, it tends to look the part. ZR2 is no different. It offers up to 48mm more factory-installed lift than Colorado, and its 17-inch wheels are wrapped in beefy 31-inch Goodyear^® tires for an imposing stance.

When you’re off the grid, Colorado ZR2 can help you stay as connected as you’d like with the new Chevrolet Infotainment System.^†

• 8-inch diagonal color display
• Apple CarPlay^® compatibility
• Android Auto^™ compatibility
• Built-in available 4G LTE Wi-Fi^®  Hotspot
• Wireless charging

ZR2 Midnight and Dusk Editions help you explore your darker side with black 17-inch 5-spoke wheels, and the ZR2 logo sport bar with off-road LED lighting.

So come on down to Handy Chevrolet and take a look at our Colorado Inventory!

Christina Hubbard

Sales & Leasing Consultant

March’s employee spotlight focuses on sales and leasing consultant, Christina Hubbard! Christina has worked with the company for three months and started as a shuttle driver. She tells us she is a local, having lived in Vermont for 38 years! When asked what her dream car would be, Christina says she doesn’t have one in particular, but she would love to buy a Chevy Colorado. During her free time, you can find Christina spending time with her family and renovating her home. She has a long list of favorite books, TV shows, and movies, but she loves anything to do with comedy and horror. Christina loves to go kayaking, camping, and to plan parties and game nights. She says that her goals in life are, “to be successful in a career I love and to show my children anything is possible if you keep pushing forward.”

For any inquiries contact Christina Hubbard at chubbard@handycars.com or (802) 528-2132

It’s hard to believe we survived another winter in Vermont. Before we know it, the first signs of new life are popping up and bringing color back into our landscape. Spring in Vermont is often overshadowed, if you think of it: the foliage of fall, the epic powder days of winter, and the bluebird skies of summer days on Lake Champlain. Sure, spring in Vermont is muddy, soggy, rainy, and not truly green until early May. But, there are many spring activities to make the most of the season in Vermont.

1. Tour Billings Farm Museum & Visit with Baby Animals

Located in Woodstock, Billings Farm and Museum is an outdoor museum and fully-operating Jersey cow dairy farm, dating back to 1871. Woodstock is worth a day trip in any season (don’t miss Worthy Kitchen, Farmhouse Pottery and FH Gillingham & Sons General Store), but Billings Farm Museum is especially fun in the spring with their baby animals. Visit the restored 1890 farmhouse, the animals on the property (including 70 Jersey cows, six draft horses, a flock of southdown sheep, chicks, rabbits, steers, etc.), and ensure you get a bite of their cheddar. Keep an eye on their events calendar; you might spot unique events like sheep shearing, cheese celebrations, quilt exhibitions, and more.

2. Watch 20+ Hot Air Balloons Soar Over Vermont as Part of the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival

Quechees’s 38th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival is a sight to see in Vermont. For 2017, it’s happening the weekend of Father’s Day: June 16 – 18. It’s the longest running balloon, craft, and music festival in the Northeast. There are five different flights scheduled throughout the festival, so if you’re in the vicinity of Quechee or the Upper Valley that weekend, chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of the colorful sky. You can also take part in the soaring yourself! There are tethered rides, where a hot air balloon is tied down by rope and only floats 50 feet above the ground. There are also more traditional ascension rides, which are 30-40 minutes of soaring. If you’ve never been in a hot air balloon, do it! The spring landscape in Vermont is simply stunning from the air.

3. Peep the Peonies and Take in Some Vermont History at Hildene in Manchester

Hildene, also known as the Lincoln Family Home, is the former summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln. It’s a beautiful and historic stop just outside of Manchester Center in Southern Vermont. Take your time with your visit and get to know the grounds, extensive gardens, and the estate, as well as the 1,000 pipe Aeolian organ. Even the gift shop on site is beautiful. You can walk through the exquisite home on a self-guided tour or take a guided tour at 11am or 1pm every day from June through September. In mid to late June, the peony gardens are in full bloom, which makes for a stunning site against the grandness of the estate’s facade. Can’t make it in the spring? Visit in the winter when you can cross-country ski or snowshoe on the grounds for a memorable cold-weather excursion.
 

4. Take a Leisurely Stroll Through the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail in Ripton

Located off Route 125 in Ripton, Vermont, is the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail. Ripton is home to The Robert Frost Farm, now a National Historic Landmark, where Frost lived and wrote for 44 years. It’s less than a mile of nearly flat trail with poetry from Robert Frost along the way – serene and stunning in every season. The trail is especially beautiful in the spring as you begin to see the greenery come back to life as a snow-covered winter in the Green Mountains. It’s also a great spot for swimming and picnicking in the warmer months. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including unique birds. You may even see a moose!

5. Taste the Sweetness of Pure Maple Syrup at The Vermont Maple Festival

2017 marks the 51st Annual Vermont Maple Festival held in St. Albans, Vermont, April 28-30. The family-friendly events includes a maple store (including maple donuts and maple creemees), maple contests, a pancake breakfast, sugarhouse tours, puppet shows, an antique show, and even a Vermont maple beverage tasting, hosted by 14th Star Brewing Co. To burn off the sweets, there’s the Annual Sap run, which is an 8.5-mile course from Swanton to St. Albans. Love the maple syrup-making process? In early spring (typically late March in Vermont) is the Maple Open House Weekend, where you can visit sugar shacks across the state to see the boiling in action.

Jim Bashaw Bowlathon

Date: April 6th, 2019 – April 7th, 2019

Time: 11:00am or 2:00pm

Location: Dairy Center Bowling Alley, Enosburg

Website: https://www.fcrccvt.com/events/details/jim-bashaw-bowlathon-6858

Event Description:

Teams of 6 people, $50 minimum donation, includes shoes, two games, refreshments and prizes. Proceeds go directly to Franklin and Grand Isle residents struggling with cancer or a catastrophic illness.

Fees/Admissions:

Register by calling (802) 524-8467

St. Albans Easter Egg Hunt

Date: April 20th, 2019

Time: 10:00am – 11:00am

Location: Taylor Park, downtown St. Albans

Website:https://stalbansvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29846#0_145933

Event Description:

Hunt for eggs in Taylor Park! Three separate sections divided by age group to make this event fun and safe for kids of all ages. Please remember that this event is only for the kids! Thank you in advance.

Fees/Admissions:

Free to the public!

53rd Annual Vermont Maple Festival

Date: April 26th, 2019 – April 28th, 2019

Time: Friday: Beginning at noon, Saturday & Sunday: Beginning at 10:00am

Location: Held in various locations throughout the City and Town of St. Albans, VT

Website: https://www.vermontmaplefestival.com/

Event Description:

The 53rd Vermont Maple Festival is a food and arts celebration held at St. Albans in the state of Vermont. The festival is a three-day event held annually over the last weekend in April. During the event, there are exhibits and demonstrations, entertainment, and a craft & antiques show all dedicated to maple syrup.

Fees/Admissions:

Free Admission to Maple Exhibit Hall, Craft & Specialty Food Show, Antique Show, Taylor Park Tent Shows, Sugar House Tours, Main Street Entertainment & Kids Center

Admission Fees to Maple Barbecue Buffet, Maple Beverage Tasting, Pancake Breakfast, Fiddlers Variety Show, Carnival Rides & St. Albans Museum

Stuck in a Blizzard with nothing to do? Here are 9 great activities for you and the kids to keep busy during a snowstorm. From arts and crafts to truth or dare to making a meal with the family there’s something here for everyone!

1. Do Arts and Crafts: OK, we might not be in first grade, but that doesn’t mean arts and crafts aren’t fun anymore. Try making something to decorate your dorm room (like paper snowflakes in honor of the blizzard!) or print out “grown-up coloring books” and color them in.

2. Dance:It’s a good way of exercising and bonding, and since it’s in the comfort of your own dorm room, it really doesn’t matter how stupid you look, which is always a plus. If you don’t like dancing on your own, try YouTubing Just Dance videos and battling your friends!

3. Play Hide and Seek: Set some ground rules and be reasonable so you don’t get expelled, of course

4. Play Truth or Dare: Tried and true. If you get sick of normal Truth or Dare, try Paranoia or Never Have I Ever.

5. Try Cooking: Attempt to use what you already have in your dorm room, and put your microwave to good use! Here are some mug cake recipes, although you might not have the ingredients with you already.

6. Pilates/Yoga: My roommate made me do this yesterday and it still feels like I’ve been shot in the back of the legs. This is a great way to make yourself cry/exercise in substitution for running outside in the blizzard.

7. Meditating:Sit in a comfortable position, and try to clear your mind.

8. Make up Your Own Game: My friends and I once came up with “blind hide and seek tag,” where we crawled along the ground at each other (in a fairly open space) and tried to tag each other. Make up an equally stupid game, but don’t be too stupid (just a little stupid).

9. Rearrange Your Room: This one might take a fair amount of commitment, but if you’ve really run out of other things to do, this could be fun.

Rotary Home & Recreation Expo

Date: March 15th, 2019 – March 17th, 2019

Times: Friday: 2pm – 7pm, Saturday: 9am – 5pm, Sunday: 10am – 3pm

Location: Collins Perley Sports Complex

Website: https://www.fcrccvt.com/events/details/rotary-home-recreation-expo-6869

Event Description:

Over 150 booths, Vermont made products, wine, food and spirits. Free admission, compliments of Handy Cars.

Fees/Admissions:

Absolutely Free!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festivities

Date: March 16th, 2019

Time: 5:00pm

Location: Begins at the Court House Parking Lot on Lake Street

Webstie: https://www.fcrccvt.com/events/details/st-patrick-s-day-parade-festivities-6825

Event Description:

Parade! A spirited parade winding through the downtown corridor, beginning at the Court House on Lake Street and ending at St. Albans City Hall. Post-parade party at City Hall with live music by the Dale & Darcy Band, green punch, face painting, refreshments and a cash bar.

Fees/Admissions:

Free and open to the public, cash bar at the post-parade party.

Casino Night

Date: March 29th, 2019

Time: 6pm – 10pm

Location: American Legion Post 42 108 Depot St. Enosburg Falls, VT 05450

Website: https://www.fcrccvt.com/events/details/casino-night-6874

Event Description:

Try your luck with the Black Jack tables, Roulette Wheel, Wheel of Fortune and Poker. Admission includes play money, appetizers, and door prize entry. Cash bar Live auction to follow! Joint fundraiser for The Friends of the Opera House and the American Legion.

Fees/Admissions:

Tickets: $40 per couple; $25 per individual. Tickets on sale NOW at Post 42 and The Mighty Oak.