There are many ways that Shelburne News readers may already know long-time Shelburne resident Beth Alpert. Some will recognize her from her days as an afterschool program and substitute teacher; some from her family; gardens; others will know her from her non-medical eldercare business, Help at Hand; yet others through Pandora, her black standard poodle and therapy dog; and hungry readers  will know her from her yummy Red Maple Granola at the farmers market  and Shelburne Supermarket. Here is a mini synopsis of Beth's life as a native Vermonter and of her one short foray out of state and back. 

Beth moved back to Shelburne 19-20 years ago. Born in South Burlington, her family moved to Shelburne when she was 10 years old and in the fourth grade. She attended Shelburne Middle School and graduated from CVU. 

Beth's parents still live nearby and she has an older sister who lives in Connecticut. Beth is married to another Vermont native Jeff Alpert, formerly of Burlington, who works at Coffee Enterprises. the couple has two children, Sam, 21 years old and  a geology major at Case Western University, and a daughter Rebecca, 18 and a freshman at Sarah Lawrence College. 

Beth is a graduate of UVM and received a degree in special education, grades K-6. After graduation however, she and a friend had slightly "itchy feet" and wanted to leave Vermont to explore life outside of their home state, and chose a place east of Boston," close, but far enough away to feel independant." She first worked at the Boston Children's Museum and as she was new to that area, aunties, mothers, and family friends suggested that she call a fellow young Burlington area transplanted Vermonter - "Call Jeff, he went to BU and lives in Boston. He'll show you around." The two ex-pats first hung out as friends and later became a couple. They married in 1987. They moved back to Vermont together when their son Sam was a little over one year old. 

"I worked part-time while raising my children, mostly afterschool programs, such as the Live Y'ers and some substitute teaching. Later, I began my 1:1 non-medical elder care business, Help at Hand, which I have done for some time now. 

In anticipation of my youngest child's departure for college, I knew that I'd want to do more to keep busy to fill that void, and so I started baking Red Maple Granola, and launched it in 2010 at the SBPA's Shelburne Day. It was a perfect way to introduce my brand new product and company. I love to bake for my family and nothing gives me more pleasure than to hear 'What were you baking last night; it smelled so good.' "

 Hobbies: Kayaking, baking, landscape gardening and "I'm also dog crazy: walking my dog Pandora, taking her to visit people at the Arbors, and working with therapy dogs of Vermont. I've been a volunteer with that organization for 13 years." 

Favorite Food: Anything spicy, particularly Thai

Favorite Book: Most recent favorite is "Cutting for Stone"

First Concert: VSO concerts and the Mozart Festival with my parents at Shelburne Farms