How to Choose the Right Shape Dining Table

February 9, 2016February 9, 2016 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

Round, Rectangle, Oval or Square? We have some tips on choosing the table that’s right for you.

A dining table may just be the most important piece of furniture in your home. It sees family meals, celebrations, game nights and homework sessions. It’s where you laugh, bond and share memories. It will probably be the one piece of furniture that doesn’t change when it’s time to renovate.

Knowing that it’s a lasting investment and place that will function in multiple ways, it’s important to understand the different shapes of tabletops you can get, what each shape accomplishes and which one is right for you.

Rectangular- Easily the most popular and frequently chosen design, a rectangular table often symmetrically compliments the shape of a room. It gives a sense of structure and tradition. Long rectangular tables can help break up a large space while still remaining functional. And, knowing that rectangular tables are quite common, (not that it’s a bad thing!) the chairs and decor you choose to place around it are even more important.

Round- Often seen in dinette sets, round dining tables are a nice alternative to a rectangular table. Round tables send a message of openness and inclusion. They can easily accommodate extra guests and as long as the chair size is taken into consideration, they are just as spacious as a rectangular table.

Oval- A combination of both round and rectangular tables, an oval table can be both casual and sophisticated. Having rounded corners an oval table gives a sense of inclusion, similar to a round table, but its sleek, straight side edges lend itself to fine dining.

Square- A less common shape for a dining table, it can be either a small two person table or large enough to fit a holiday feast. A small square dining table is perfect for limited space or as a breakfast nook. A large square table, while less common, can be used to take up a large space. A square table can make reaching for food complicated at times and with everyone so spread out, can make it hard to hear everyone. But, we like square tables for their symmetry and modern twist on dining spaces.

Some other important factors to think about are:

-How often will you be using your dining table? Every meal? Only special occasions?

If it’s going to see a lot of wear and tear, it’s good to look for high quality and durable tables, whereas if it’s going to used seldomly, like formal events, a more ornate design may be appropriate.

-How many people will be sitting at it regularly? What about for special occasions?

This is where the size of your room, the table and the design of your dining chairs come into play. If you’re regularly hosting large gatherings a rectangle or oval shaped table may be more appropriate. If you’re room’s dimensions are more square in shape, a round table may fit in nicely.

-What about extension tops and drop-leaf tops?

Short on space? This type of top may be the best fit for you. It will allow you to save space on a regular basis, but will also allow you to host larger parties when you want.

No matter the theme of your dining space, we recommend considering functionality first. Look into what shapes and sizes will fit best in your dining space. Then move to size once you’ve determined how often and how many people will typically be hosted. After landing on the right table, we recommend moving to chairs. You don’t want choose a chair that ends up being too bulky around your table!

If you have any questions or other ideas we’d love to hear them! Add your comment below!

Interested in talking with someone? Our friendly and knowledgeable sales team is always here to answer any questions you may have at (888) 390-5571. If you’re in the Vernon, VT area or passing through, we’d love to see you at our Stonehurst Showroom, open seven days week!

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This blog is written by your friends at Vermont Woods Studios. Check out our Vermont made furniture and home decor online and visit our showroom and art gallery at Stonehurst, the newly restored 1800s farmhouse nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains.

Helping Our Furry Friends

February 5, 2016February 5, 2016 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

With a staff full of animal lovers, when we heard the Humane Society was in need of food, donating was a no brainer.

According to the American Humane Association, every year about 3.7 million animals are euthanized and the ASPCA says that 5 in 10 dogs and 7 in 10 cats in shelters are euthanized because there is no one to adopt them.

So, the other day when we saw a post on Facebook from our local Humane Society (Windham County Humane Society) asking for donations of dog and cat food we knew we needed to help out.

We took a trip to the store, hunted down the animal food section and filled a cart overflowing with food. When we brought it all by the humane society, the look on the staffer’s face was priceless. We even got a chance to meet some of the cats looking for new homes.

While we’re unable to adopt a mascot for Vermont Woods Studios, we hope the donation will help the society be able to focus on helping even more animals in need of a loving home.

If you’re looking to add a new furry friend to your family, we recommend, (after careful consideration that you’ll be able to care for the animal its whole life) stopping by your local humane society to adopt.

I’ve included a few helpful links if you’re looking to adopt:

http://www.humanesociety.org/

https://www.aspca.org/

https://www.petfinder.com/

Here at Vermont Woods Studios, we are committed to staying active within the community around us. That is why each year we volunteer and donate as much as possible to organizations local to the Vernon, VT area.

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4 Dining Room Pieces You Didn’t Realize You Were Missing

February 2, 2016 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

decorating your dining room — Our Modern Shaker Wall Mirror in Cherry and Walnut

Why let the table and chairs have all the attention? We think what you put around them is just as important!

You’ve just invested a lot of time and money into your new dining table and chairs. The furniture has arrived and is set up in your dining room. Now what? You have the main attraction, so what you choose to decorate the rest of the room with should be selected with care. You wouldn’t buy a nice suit or dress and pair it with low-quality accessories, would you?

I chose four pieces that should be next on your list.

Dining Bench- It’s nice alternative seating and can be multi-functional if you decide down the road you’d like more chairs. What I like the most about benches is that they give the illusion of fitting more people. And I love the idea of having a lot of people around the table enjoying a meal together.
Sideboard or Hunt Board- More than just a storage space, these pieces can complement or accent your dining table and chairs. A sideboard, traditionally has more cabinet space and a hunt board you’ll notice is more table like with longer legs and usually offers less storage space. They’re great for hiding less commonly used china, silverware and other glassware. And, they act as extra surface space for large meals and decorations.
Mirror- I’m not sure where this idea came from, but I love when dining rooms have a large mirror in them. It gives the illusion of more space, it can take up a lot of wall space if needed to complement the size of your furniture and can be used for practical purposes as well.
Statement Chandelier- There’s nothing I like less than a missed opportunity and I think lighting (which is important for the ambiance of a room) is often one of them. A chandelier is like the icing on the cake. It completes the room. You can have one that’s simple or ornate in design but most importantly it should match the style/theme of your room. You don’t want to go overboard and end up with an eye sore.

If you’re unsure of where to start, I’d choose a piece that you know you need. Do you need more storage and surface space, is your dining room small, does it need better lighting, etc. and go from there.

Let us know what you’d get next for your dining space in the comments section below! And remember, now through February 11th you can save up to 20% off your dining furniture purchase during our Winter Dining Furniture Sale.

Questions? Our sales team is always available and eager to answer any questions you may have about our furniture and can be reached at (888) 390-5571 or you can stop in our Vernon, VT Showroom open seven days a week.

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Decorating Dilemmas Solved

January 26, 2016January 27, 2016 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

accent tables — American Mission Coffee Table and End Table both in Cherry

Liven Up Your Living Room

With the long New England Winter in full force, I’ve been spending more and more time in my family’s living room. Easily the warmest in the house, we all cuddle around in it reading, watching a movie or coloring in our favorite new adult coloring books.

I’ve noticed recently though that while the couch and love-seat match, the rest of the furniture doesn’t. The end table is all that’s left of a living room set my parents got when my sister and I were children, the coffee table is a (very) small wooden chest and the TV console is a hand-me-down from my grandmother (so probably bought at a big-box store) that now has a couple corners nibbled out from our always hungry black lab.

Needless to say, our living room is in desperate need of an upgrade. If you’re living room is well loved like my family’s and has seen better days or if you’re looking to update to it, then why not think about the occasional tables? (Assuming your couch isn’t in need of replacing)

The most used and most visible table is the coffee table, and I’d start there. Sometimes you can get away with a unique coffee table that you found antiquing or re-purpose an old trunk but you want to be careful and make sure it blends with the theme of your room.

Knowing my mom has a penchant for Old New England style furniture, I would choose the Classic Shaker Flare Oval Coffee Table. The flared legs elevate the tables look and give it an air of sophistication, while the sleek lines and simple design will never go out of trend. The round design also gives off a feeling a openness and inclusion.

Once settled on a coffee table, I would move next to the end tables. To match the coffee table, I would choose our Classic Shaker Flare Leg Round End Table. I would get two, one for each side of the couch. What I like about this table in particular is its size. The table top is just big enough for a table lamp and maybe your remotes…it doesn’t allow for clutter to accumulate.

Lastly, I would get the Classic Shaker Flare Leg Sofa Table to complete the set. The great thing about sofa tables is their versatility. I wouldn’t use it in the traditional way you’d think to use a sofa table. I would use it as a side table to complement a large black and white picture of the Chrysler Tower hanging on one wall in our living room.

Just as a piece of jewelry or an accessory can make or break an outfit, your accent tables can do the same for your room. Right now my family’s living room is a hodge podge of pieces that don’t really work cohesively. We need to scrap the mismatched furniture and start over.

If you’re feeling the same way about your living room, then maybe it is time to get new accent tables. All of our occasional tables are available in Cherry, Maple, Oak or Walnut woods and are handmade by local craftspeople. Dress your room in the finest wood furniture Vermont has to offer.

Our knowledgeable and friendly sales team is always here to answer any questions you may have about our furniture. You can contact us toll free at (888) 390-5571 or by visiting our historic Showroom in Vernon, Vermont.

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Bedroom Sets: Setting You Up For Success

January 22, 2016February 24, 2019 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

Last updated on February 24th, 2019 at 05:12 pm

Our Handpicked Bedroom Sets Are Now 25% Off-ALWAYS!

The other day as I was driving home, I decided to listen to the regular old FM radio instead of my usual selection of Pandora, Spotify and NPR Podcasts. Something I noticed after a little while was how often I was hearing furniture store commercials. And it wasn’t just the usual big box stores I was hearing the ads from–they were coming from locally owned stores, too. I heard everything from win tickets to see the Red Sox to visit our new IMAX screen. I wondered to myself, what are they actually selling?

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You, Me & 100 Million Monarch Butterflies

January 19, 2016May 4, 2018 Peggy Farabaugh

Last updated on May 4th, 2018 at 10:05 am

Monarch Butterflies in Michoacan, Mexico. 2016 tours are still available through Spirit of Butterflies Tours in coordination with Forests for Monarchs founder Jose Luis Alvarez. Photo courtesy of Homero Gomez Gonzalez.

One of Earth’s Greatest Natural Wonders

Right now at this very moment, one of earth’s most amazing natural wonders is taking place in Mexico. Nearly 100 million monarch butterflies from all over the USA and Canada have migrated south to the mountains of Central Mexico where they are over-wintering prior to their return flight this Spring. We’ve described the Monarch migration in previous blogs– it’s the most complex migration pattern of any known species on earth.

A Monarch butterfly we reared in Vermont — A Monarch butterfly we reared at Stonehurst, here in Vermont. She could well be one of those in the photo above after making a 3000 mile migration from VT to Mexico last Fall.

Monarch Butterflies Are on the Brink of Extinction

Over the past 20 years the monarch population has declined by 90 percent. During the winter of 1996-1997, scientists estimated there were a billion monarchs over-wintering in Mexico. An estimate from last year found only about 35 million, a number so low that several environmental organizations are petitioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to classify monarch butterflies as “threatened” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Reforestation of Monarch Habitat by LCHPP — Reforestation of the Monarch Habitat in Michoacan, Mexico is being led by Jose Luis Alvarez of the La Cruz Habitat Protection program LCHPP (aka Forests for Monarchs). I’m heading to Mexico in late February to work with Jose Luis. You should join us!

You Can Help Save Them

Love nature? Here are a couple ways you can help save the amazing Monarch butterfly from extinction:

Help Restore Monarch Habitat in the USA and Canada

Monarchs need milkweed and nectar plants to survive and thrive during the summer months they spend in the US and Southern Canada. We’ve written many blogs about how to plant milkweed and we even have milkweed seeds we’ll be happy to send you if you’d like to get involved.

Help Restore Monarch Habitat in Mexico

At Vermont Woods Studios we’ve allied with the La Cruz Habitat Protection Program LCHPP in an effort to Plant a Million Trees every year in the Monarch’s overwintering area in Michoacan, Mexico. I’ll be writing more about LCHPP, a leading organization in the race to save the Monarch, but for a glimpse of their work check out this video.

Spirit of Butterflies Tour

For the adventurous nature lover, here’s another way to help save the Monarchs. Contact Maraleen Manos-Jones who works with LCHPP and sign up for the trip of a lifetime: a tour of the Monarch butterflies over-wintering forest habitat in Michoacan, Mexico. Leading the tour will be Jose Luis Alvarez, co-founder of LCHPP and renowned expert on Monarchs and reforestation of their habitat. I’m taking the tour at the end of February… why don’t you join me? I’ll provide details in my next blog but in the meantime, you can check out what other travelers have said about visiting monarch over-wintering sites on TripAdvisor.

I took this photo 15 years ago when we were rearing wild monarchs in Vermont. — I took the photo of Kendall 15 years ago when we were rearing wild monarchs in Vermont. Now there are none to be found. Check out the link to National Geographic’s film about the monarch story.

Why Does A Furniture Company Care?

Vermont Woods Studios was founded on a mission of forest conservation. From the beginning we set out not only to provide our customers with the best value & quality for Vermont made wood furniture but also to conserve the forests that provide wood for furniture. That mission of forest conservation coupled with my history of studying Monarchs with Kendall and Riley when they were little, made this project with LCHPP and Spirit of Butterflies a perfect fit. I hope you’ll join us as we work to help bring this iconic species back and conserve them for future generations.

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Introducing The Copeland Canto Collection

January 11, 2016October 12, 2022 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

Last updated on October 12th, 2022 at 09:28 pm

Hairpin Legs Never Looked So Good

Editor’s Note: The Copeland Canto Collection has been discontinued

I think it’s safe to say every generation is influenced by its predecessor one way or another. I like to think that it’s always for the better, because each generation learns how to improve upon the work of those before them. And with that in mind, I’ve noticed that now more than ever we’re seeing a strong desire for retro inspired products.

Unless you never go out, you can’t avoid running into vintage style ads, soda cans, game boards, fashion trends and furniture designs. There’s hardly an industry that hasn’t been impacted by this demand for retro inspired products. Our newest furniture, Copeland’s Canto Collection is just that, a retro inspired modern take on a classic 1940’s design: hairpin style legs.

Hairpin legs, originally designed by Henry P. Glass in 1941 as part of an outdoor furniture collection used less metal (you can assume to accommodate metal rationing during WWII) all while keeping the strength of traditional legs. Once released, the design quickly rose to popularity and influenced furniture inside the home, from dining chairs to ottomans.

Today you’ll see this back in style design everywhere from Target to One Kings Lane, West Elm and everywhere in-between. If you love the retro look of the hairpin legs and you want it attached to high-quality solid wood bedroom furniture, look no further. Our Copeland Canto Collection, handmade in Vermont, combines the captivating leg design with solid walnut wood for a look that is truly unique.

The Canto Bed is designed with two hairpin legs at the foot of the bed and two solid walnut tapered legs at the head of the bed. The headboard is framed in walnut wood and comes upholstered in a variety of Microsuede and colorful fabrics. The bed is available in Queen and both King and California King sizes.

Pair the Canto Bed with the Canto Walnut 3, 4 or 5-Drawer Chests, 1-Drawer Nightstand and Canto 6 or 8-Drawer Dressers.

Relax in mid century modern style with this one-of-a-kind collection now available at Vermont Woods Studios.

If you have any questions about this new collection or any of our other furniture, don’t hesitate to live chat or call (888-390-5571) our friendly sales team! Shop safely and conveniently from the comfort of your home with our easy to use website and online store.

Sources:

Mad for Mid Century Blog

Modern Legs

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Dreaming of Don Draper?

January 5, 2016October 4, 2022 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

Last updated on October 4th, 2022 at 09:36 am

mid century modern bedroom furniture — Our Copeland Catalina Bedroom set in Walnut.

Mad Men may be over, but mid century modern furniture is still widely popular.

From fashion to furniture and everything in-between there’s no denying the influence AMC’s hit show Mad Men had on the American people. Whether you liked or loathed Don Draper, rooted for Peggy Olson or had a love/hate relationship with Pete Campbell I bet the show either brought you back to those times or suddenly had you wishing everyone still dressed that way.

While I certainly wouldn’t want culture to go back to the 1960s, I’ve found that I do have an affinity for mid century modern inspired furniture and design. What exactly is mid century modern you ask? According to a Curbed feature story, mid century modern describes architecture, furniture and graphic design from the middle of the 20th century (arguably the time between 1947-1957).

When I first started going through our bedroom collections, I was instantly drawn to our Copeland Catalina Modern Bedroom Furniture. With mid century influence and walnut wood, I felt like the Catalina Platform Bed was calling my name. It has clean and sleek lines, a low profile and minimalist style. Perfect for someone looking for something both contemporary and “mod”.

I would complement the bed with a Catalina Nightstand, 6 Drawer Dresser, 3 Drawer Chest & TV Organizer and two of Copeland’s Walnut Framed Wall Mirrors to hang over the Dresser.

Not a fan of dark wood? Not to worry. The Catalina Collection comes in Cherry wood and both wood types offer two nightstand designs, and seven different style chests and dressers.

Are you craving some Mad Men now? Envisioning the opening credits and playing back all the Don Draper drama from Betty to Megan?

While I can’t help you with that (Netflix can though!), I can help with the furniture. The Copeland Catalina Collection also has a line of dining and office furniture. Really immerse yourself in the Mad Men era from the comfort of your new bed!

If you have any questions about this collection or any other pieces, our friendly and knowledgeable sales team is only a phone call away at (888) 390-5571. You can shop conveniently and securely from the comfort of your home or stop on into our Vernon, Vermont Showroom.

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We’re On a Mission

December 30, 2015August 14, 2018 Peggy Farabaugh 2 Comments

Last updated on August 14th, 2018 at 02:37 pm

2015 Accomplishments

Ken and I started this Vermont furniture store 10 years ago with the belief that businesses have a responsibility to make the world a better place. In developing a company that sells handcrafted wooden furniture we wanted to raise awareness about forest conservation and persuade customers to purchase furniture made from sustainably harvested, North American wood. A decade later, we’re not naive enough to think we’ve changed the world but perhaps we’ve changed a tiny part of it and that feels good. Here are some highlights of what our team accomplished this year in support of our local community and our environmental mission:

Plant a Billion Trees Project

Vermont Furniture Store environmental mission: conservation — Vermont Woods Studios was founded on the mission of forest conservation and since the beginning, we’ve partnered with The Nature Conservancy to plant a tree for each order we take. This year it was well over 1000 trees.

Monarch Habitat Restoration Project

Vermont Furniture Store environmental mission: habitat restoration — Nina, Peggy and other team members planted native milkweed seeds for a project that’s restoring habitat for monarch butterflies in Southeastern Vermont.

Vernon’s Giving Tree

Vermont Furniture Store environmental mission: giving back — Megan and other team members worked with officials from the Town of Vernon to provide Christmas gifts to local families in need.

Connecticut River Clean-up

Vermont Furniture Store environmental mission: river clean up — Ken, Sean and a bunch more team members participated in the Connecticut River Watershed Council’s (CRWC) yearly “Source to Sea” trash cleanup of the Connecticut River. Afterwards we cooled off at Nesbitt’s Portside Tavern 🙂

Meals on Wheels

Vermont Food Bank Thanksgiving Project

Salamander Conservation

River Arts Gallery Auction

river-gallery-fundraiser — We donated a handmade wooden bed to the annual River Gallery Arts fundraiser in Brattleboro.

Wags to Riches Auction

wags-riches — Vermont Woods Studios donated a 3-Day weekend stay at Stratton Mountain Resort and a beautiful POLYWOOD Adirondack chair to the annual Wags to Riches fundraiser for the Windham County Humane Society.

Environmental Education at Vernon Elementary School

sponsored BEEC’s Aquatic Field Trip, where Vernon Elementary School students got the opportunity to explore a pond ecosystem and observe a variety of aquatic organisms — We sponsored an Aquatic Field Trip, where local students got the opportunity to explore a pond ecosystem.

Rainforest Conservation

Providing Toys & Food for Kids in the Amazon Rainforest

Vermont Furniture Store environmental mission: rainforest conservation — We donated over $200 to bring Christmas gifts and food to children in the Amazon through Marco’s Holiday Giving Project. Thanks to Riley for setting this up!

As we close out 2015, I extend my thanks to the customers, staff members, furniture makers, family, friends, neighbors and business partners whose support made the accomplishments of this small Vermont furniture store possible. Here’s to your health and happiness in 2016!

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5 Wood Nightstands to Declutter Your Bedroom

December 29, 2015March 13, 2019 Megan Fulton Leave a comment

Last updated on March 13th, 2019 at 01:39 pm

Don’t let a mess ruin your sleep! Stay organized with one of our handmade nightstands!

The other day I was reorganizing my bedroom when I noticed something about myself. I love to collect books, especially it appeared, on the floor around my bed. I had about half a dozen books on the floor near my nightstand, and probably another half dozen or so split between the small shelf and tabletop of my nightstand. So much space was covered in books and other small trinkets that I had barely enough space for a glass of water, my phone and glasses.

As I cleaned, finding books I forgot I had started reading in the first place, it got me thinking how much I’d love a nightstand with a drawer to hide my knick-knacks and a real shelf to house my book collection…or at least the few I’m determined to finish this year!

If you’re a hoarder of books like me, you may be looking for a versatile nightstand that offers both functionality and some storage. If you’re in search of more space for your accessories, maybe you’re looking for a nightstand that acts as an extension of your dresser or maybe you’re looking for a nightstand simply to house a lamp, book and alarm clock.

We have many nightstands to choose from, but I’ve dug through our inventory and found some that I think highlight the unique styles we offer and compliment our handmade beds.

1. Vermont Shaker Bedside Table: This nightstand offers one drawer and is styled with 4-sided tapered legs in a simple, yet modern Shaker design. It’s great for the minimalist at heart. while still providing storage space. It’s available in Cherry, Maple and Walnut woods and is 19” wide x 26” high x 19” deep.

2. Sarah 1 Drawer Nightstand with Shelf: With an open design, this nightstand features a single drawer and a handy bottom shelf. It’s available in 2 heights in natural Cherry or Maple and 12 stain colors. The shelf can double as either a place to display a collection and/or artifact or can offer additional storage–add a basket for flair to collect socks and scarves! This nightstand is 22” wide x 24” or 28” high x 22” deep.

3. American Shaker Nightstand: Featuring both a single drawer and shelf, this nightstand offers a less open design, helpful for storage. You could put a small basket in the cubby space or line up some of your favorite nighttime reads. This nightstand is available in Cherry, Maple or Walnut woods and can be designed to fit your needs with options for it’s design. It measures 22” wide x 28” high x 17” deep.

4. Cherry Moon 1-Drawer Night Stand With Door: This nightstand features the signature Cherry Moon reverse tapered legs and gentle arching curve on the bottom. This design offers both a single drawer and shelf with a door to keep your belongings hidden. This is great for someone in need of extra storage space. It’s available in Cherry, Maple and Walnut woods with Walnut knobs and measures 23” wide x 26” high x 17” deep.

5. Green Mountain 3-Drawer Nightstand: The contemporary style of the Green Mountain Nightstand showcases flared legs and a slightly concave design. Featuring three drawers, this nightstand is perfect for someone who needs a little extra storage space for accessories…think socks, belts, scarves. It’s available in Cherry, Maple, Oak and Walnut with Brushed Nickel or Black knobs and measures 22” wide x 25” high x 18.5” deep.

So, whether you’re like me and need more storage space to keep your bedside organized or you’re just looking for a nightstand to keep a lamp and alarm clock on, we’ve got you covered.

Our friendly team is always available for any questions you may have about our furniture, contact us toll free at 888-390-5571. Shop for your nightstand and bedroom furniture securely and conveniently from our online store, order by phone or stop into our Stonehurst Showroom today!

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Peggy Farabaugh	Kelsey Eaton
Riley Farabaugh	Megan Fulton
Marina McCoy	Alexandra Thompson
Dennis Shanoff	Loryn Dion
Katrina Moore	Michelle Rooks
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