After a muddy day in the woods, the Boston Bruins canceled practice on Saturday and went on a different kind of excursion.

The team - reportedly at the suggestion of goalie Tim Thomas, who played for the University of Vermont - went out to the Rusty Nail nightclub in Stowe.

Fans got a chance to rub shoulders with their favorite players and the Bruins looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and the band, Last Kid Picked.

Ken Walters, general manager of the Rusty Nail, has recently finished overseeing refurbishment of the restaurant.

We were amazed at the new space. Beautiful leather club chairs and larger tables add to the ambiance throughout the restaurant. A warm fire glows in the fireplace on the indoor porch, making guests welcome. The bar seems larger, especially with the new Ice Cobra frozen taps - 40 of them, the largest draft-beer system in Vermont.

Proceeds from the race went to the Laraway House. Laraway provides an alternative education program and a therapeutic foster care program to support discouraged youth who are experiencing severe emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges.

Now that it's Winter Carnival time in Stowe, a great place to enjoy the excitement is the Rusty Nail Bar and Grill. If you haven't been there, or have gone only for the entertainment, you should know that it is a must for the food created by Chef Matt Reeve. We went recently for dinner with friends and were more than pleased by the extensive menu and intriguing, delicious items.

When reggae legend Frederick "Toots" Hibbert came to Vermont a couple of years ago to record a song with resident guitar star Trey Anastasio at the former Phish member's renowned recording studio in Westford, he felt right at home.