Rotary honors Cheslock; new name for Gallery 103; new assistant at VCW

 Gallery 103 now 103 Artisans Marketplace

Elise Junker and Mia at the new sign for the former Gallery 103. Photo by Cynthia Prairie

After eight years, Gallery 103 in Chester has a new name and a new sign. Owners Elise and Payne Junker decided to change the name to 103 Artisans Marketplace because “we felt it better reflected what we are offering in the store now,” says Elise Junker. She adds that she and her husband, metal artist Payne Junker of Junker Studio, originally had envisioned that the shop would be a high-end crafts and art gallery.

But over the years — and with a changing economy — they’ve changed their offerings to meet customers needs and requests. It’s now more of a gift store, Junker says. But, “we still offer quality handmade products … and original artwork … within a broad price range of $5 to $500,” she adds. “It’s artsy,original and fun and everyone comes looking for chocolate,” Junker laughs, referring to their Chocolate Room. “We have 200 artists and design companies and we work with people’s budgets.”

103 Artisans Marketplace is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Tuesday when it is closed. It is located at Route 103 South at 7 Pineview Road, about a mile south of the Chester Green. Phone is 802-875-7400.

— Cynthia Prairie

Cheslock honored for 20 years’ service

Fran Cheslock, left, receives flowers and a handmade leatherbound photo album Chester Rotary President Ron Theissen, center, and past President Malcolm Summers. Photo by Cynthia Prairie

New staffer for Vermont Commission on Women

Claire Anderson Greene has joined the Vermont Commission on Women as executive staff assistant.

Claire Anderson Green

Greene holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont in human geography and geospatial technologies.  She’s a former human rights advocate at La Fundacion Arcoiris in Ecuador through the School for International Training.   Greene has been active in advocacy for women’s rights issues, including at Women Helping Battered Women as shelter and crisis worker, with Vermont Works for Women focusing on work readiness initiatives for incarcerated women at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, and as residential counselor with the Lund Family Center, where she provided education and support to pregnant and parenting women and their children.