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I received the following from Brian McCrae who was a high school friend back in the 70′s at North Country Union. His dad, Norm McCrae was one of the best teachers at the school (and he didn’t put up with any of the bs that your’s truly delighted in back in those days). I also heard from his dad who is now retired and living in Florida. If anyone would like to email Brian he can be reached at bridimccrae@earthlink.net

Comments from a Vermonter in Colorado: Brian McCrae

I enjoyed the article on Chamberlain Birch. I remember skiing with Doug Rooney & John Hanley (or “le Castor” as we called him before he got braces) and also the Poutre girls, as well as about every other kid in Newport.
It was so cheap everyone could afford to go. It was the perfect place to hang out with friends during the weekends. It got us outside and kept us fit too.
I remember we took lessons there from Reg Fortin, the French teacher up at North Country Junior High School. It only cost (as John mentioned in the article) 50¢ a day, although that went up to 75¢ when we were in high
school. During the late 60s Frank Britch who later became at 6th grade teacher with my mom at the Hillside school, worked in the “warm-up” shack where they sold candy bars and hot chocolate for a dime. When we were
in high school we used to go there on Thursday nights. I remember Richard Hamilton operated the lift. Some nights there were only half a dozen or so of us there so we created a new trail called “the Honkenheimer” which was basically just turning around at the top of the lift and skiing back down making everbody ditch the lift line!

Growing up in Newport was really great. You had Chambo in the winter and in the summer there was Prouty beach. I also remember the Poutre girls there! Especially Karen in her Orange bikini and Martha in her bright Green bikini, they used to get nice tans in the summer whereas I with my pasty white Scottish complexion would just turn red and peel (my skin curling up like Vermont cob smoked bacon!).

I’ve got to let you know I share your passion for Vermont and its culture. Our family has been in the state since before the Revolution and during the days it was its own Republic. One of my Dad’s ancestors built the 1st house
in St. Johnsbury and Mom’s family settled in Barnet from Scotland in 1775. Its funny but nobody can really do the Vermont accent unless you’re from there. I had a friend out here from St. Jay for a while when I first moved 11 years ago. We were speaking in our woodchuck english on the way back from binging in Denver and the taxi driver thought we were from Mars.

As far as Vermont culture goes, I’m sure you’ve seen the photography books by Richard Brown. He lives in Peacham where my Grandmother grew up and most of his famous work is from the 70′s when I was going to church a lot in Barnet. Most of his portrait subjects are dead now but I remember them well and visiting with them after church and at all the church suppers. The photos and short captions in his books really capture the feel and ideology of that culture. Hard working farmers with marvelously dry senses of humor.
Although he was originally a flatlander Brown has adopted the area as his own and has become an unlikely anthropologist for the Upper-Connecticut River Valley way of life. Another guy you might want to read is Scott
Hastings. He was a teacher with Dad when he worked in Hartford, VT from 1960-65. He wrote at least a couple books I know of “Goodbye Highland Yankee” and “The Last Yankees” about the people and technology developed by the people in the area.

My parents were in their first year of retirement and had a barn that Dad converted into a pretty nice little
summer home in Barnet Center on land that once belonged to my grandfather. One morning early at about 3:30 (even before my parents normally wake up,) my mom woke with a start to the sound of one of the neighbor’s Jersey heifers licking the screen of the bedroom window (and makin’ a horrible racket at that hour!) They woke up to find 13 of them in thier garden eating what was left of the really modest amount of vegetables that were left
there. Dad got on the phone and called down to the neighbors. He said he thought his 13 heifers were in the garden and maybe the neighbor had better come and get them. First the neighbor said: “No they ain’t, there right
out in the pasture where I put ‘em last night!” Then after looking out the window he realized a moose had broken down the fence to get after those heifers, and was standing right out in the middle of the field!
Apparently this had happened before. “Darn it.” He said: “You’re right, its that darn moose again!” “How many d’you say there was?” “13″ dad said. “Well there was 14 of ‘em last night. I wonder where the last of ‘ems got to.” Dad said “Well I’d start by checking under that moose!”

I actually have a few of good humorous Vermont stories to relate. One from a family reunion in Barnet back in ’74. I guess the theme here would be good old Vermont thrift:

My Great Uncle Glen showed up with the passenger side door of his pickup completely smashed in so that his wife, Aunt Dorothy had to scoot all the way over to the driver’s side to get out. My Dad asked him if he’d had it
“seen to,” and Glen said: “Ayuh, OI went ovah t’that autobody place in SaintJonsbry. The fellah went ’round addin’ up $50 dolluhs fuh this paaht, $75 dolluhs fuh that. And of co-us, ’round $200 dolluhs fuh labuh. He
sez ‘twould cost ’bout $600 dolluhs, so OI sez no it wunt. OI sez the mo-ah you kept addin,’ the mo-ah I staahted loikin’ the dent!”

The other two other stories are about Thelma Smith. I don’t know if you remember her but she was a teacher at North Country too. She was a good friend of the family and had a great sense of humor. She told me these stories but there are hudreds more I wish I’d remembered.

Thelma used to spend the Summers in her family home in Island Pond where she grew up. Her two older brothers lived there too, Ron who was in his 80s and John who was mostly quiet exept for a few choice words and was in his early 90s. John was into woodworking and had a shop in the house. He made the easel I still paint on to this day. Anyhow, at one time he made a dresser that sat in the hall outside the bedrooms. It was beautifully made and he’d left it unfinished. One day when we were over for a visit John was shuffling down the hall and Thelma said to John: “John, do you ever plan on staining that dresser?” John shuffles on and answers matter of factly: “She don’t need no stainin,’ she’ll daahken deown ovuh toime.”

Another time Thelma called me when I was home in the summer in Newport during college to relay a “fresh” anecdote. Apparently she had a nosey neighbor accross the street, an elderly French Canadian woman. One day
when Thelma was walking home and getting ready to cross the street in front of this woman’s house she said: “Mrs. Smit, you’re a Mrs., watever ‘appen to your ‘usband?” Thelma just glanced back and said curtly: “I’d rather
not talk about it.” Then she continued on. As she was crossing the street the woman yells: “‘e fool around?” Still Thelma walks not looking back. She goes up on to the porch through the screen door and is opening up the door to her apartment when she hears a louder yell: “‘e drink, eh?”

- Brian McCrae

The first signs of autumn and fall foliage are just around the corner. We’ve already seen some colorful leaves in Shelburne and the recent cooler weather serves as a forecast of what looks to be a delightful Vermont foliage season. In the meantime, enjoy the following article. Fall colors coming soon…

Fall Foliage Scenic Drive in Vermont – Central Area
by Cliff Calderwood

This fall foliage scenic drive in Central Vermont is a loop tour of about 150 miles. Although it’s possible to do the drive in one day and bypass many of the attractions and rambles suggested, I’d recommend you carve out a weekend to do it justice.

The drive offers some of the best views in the Green Mountain National Forest, which in the fall is dramatic and stunning.

The scenic drive follows mostly Route 12 south from Montpelier to Woodstock, before heading north on Route 100 and 100B back to Montpelier. You’ll discover plenty of surprises on the way, but it’s no surprise you’ll experience some magnificent fall foliage views all along the way.

Okay, start the ignition and let’s get going…

Our journey begins in Montpelier, the smallest state capital city in America. Montpelier is on the northern fringe of central Vermont, and is 182 miles from Boston and 198 miles from Hartford. It can be easily reached from Interstate 89.

Take Route 12 out of Montpelier and head south to Northfield Falls. Vermont has many fine examples of covered bridges, but two of them in Northfield Falls can be seen at once, as you look through one to other. This is unique in New England and definitely worth taking the camera out to capture.

Continue on Route 12 making your way to Bethel.

Bethel is one of those Vermont towns that’s a natural part of the scenery. Could this be why it’s home to the White River National Fish Hatchery? The hatchery focuses on restoring Atlantic Salmon to the Connecticut River. It’s open 8:00am – 3:00pm daily.

From Bethel you’ll continue on the final leg of the southern route to Woodstock.

The Woodstock area offers a number of attractions, including Billings Farm and Museum, and Quechee Gorge. Woodstock itself is one of those picture-perfect Vermont villages that’s fun just to stroll around checking out the boutiques and restaurants.

The Billings Farm and Museum was established in 1871, and today it’s a working farm, and a museum depicting farm life in the late 1800s. Depending on the time you visit the museum has seasonal activities so check ahead to see what’s going on the day you plan to arrive.

Quechee Gorge is Vermont’s little Grand Canyon. Not quite as big a crack in the ground as in Arizona, but at a mile long and plenty of hiking and walking trails on offer, it’s a chance to admire the scenery and stretch the legs. Be sure to walk to the picnic area overlooking the falls for a Kodak moment.

The next 20 miles of the scenic drive takes you cross-country on Route 4 to Killington. Killington is a world famous ski area that covers six mountains. At over 4,200′ it offers spectacular views from the summit. There’s very few better places to appreciate the fall foliage than at the top of Killington Peak. If it’s running take the K1-Gondola from base. You can ride the Gondola daily from late September – early October. Call ahead for schedule or visit their web site at www.killington.com.

Killington is about the halfway point in this tour, and if you decide to linger overnight in the area then the beautiful town of Rutland is close-by with plenty of lodging. Just be sure to make reservations during the heavy visited peak fall foliage season.

The next section of the tour follows Route 100 as it borders the Green Mountain National Forest. You’ll pass through the towns of Pittsfield, Hancock, Granville, and Waitsfield as you tour perhaps the most scenic areas and diverse terrain you’ll see on this drive.

Just North of Hancock and close to Route100 on Route 125 is Texas Falls. The trail to the falls is an easy hike and offers marvelous views anytime of the year, but especially during fall foliage season when the colors dazzle.

The larger Moss Glen Falls is just north of Granville a few miles up from Hancock. The drive from Hancock towards the falls is a two-lane winding road that passes through a seven-mile stretch of rough wilderness, and worth taking at a slow and easy pace.

The final leg of this central Vermont scenic drive from Granville to Middlesex and back to Montpelier continues to provide startling scenery and great photo opportunities. Route 100B connects with Route 100 just south of Moretown village, and you’ll take 100B north to Middlesex and then join Interstate 89 for the quick hop back into Montpelier.

This fall foliage scenic drive offers oodles of opportunities for detours and backroad excursions. My advice is to give yourself the time to get distracted and follow a few inviting roads leading away from busy highways, and become a Vermonter for a few days. You’ll appreciate a fall Vermont and understand why the people that live here wouldn’t trade it for any other place in the world.

Vermonters quip the state really has five seasons – spring, summer, fall, winter, and the famous mud season. But my personal favorite in Vermont is the fall. Take this tour and you’ll understand why.

About The Author:

For more details on these and other Vermont scenic drives and to pick up your free travel reports go to Cliff’s New England Vacations site at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/

This past Saturday was Shelburne Day on the village green in the town of Shelburne. Throughout most of the day, Route 7 was a slow line of traffic, passing by Shelburne Museum, that finally cleared out in the early afternoon.

The Farmers Market is usually a big draw with lots of locally grown fruit and vegetables but was busy times 3 this Saturday. The Maritime Festival was taking place just a few miles up the road at the Burlington waterfront which surely accounted for the increase in traffic. Yep, fall is coming! The brisk, cool breeze had many running for sweaters and long pants but it was an absolutely gorgeous weekend.

We have just added a new Vermont For Sale By Owner real estate section to Vermonter.com. Last year, we sold our home in Westford within just a couple months. Now, we have decided to assist others selling their homes FSBO style! We’re already well positioned on the first page of Yahoo and the second page of Google based on a search of “Vermont For Sale By Owner”. Once we get the ball rolling with a totally new section and some ads, we expect to jump up a few more notches! Get started now while rates are low during our start-up phase. Visit MyVermontFSBO.com.

Vermont Teddy Bears can now be ordered through Vermonter.com, which only makes sense because they are just a mile up the road from our offices. When you’re visiting the Shelburne, Vermont area make sure to stop by the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory for a tour. Make a weekend of it by visiting the Shelburne Museum and the Morgan Horse Museum which are also nearby.

Order a 15″ Classic Teddy Bear and more!

Vermont is now officially one of the most expensive places to live in the USA with the highest taxes of all. Even more frustrating is the fact that despite paying all of these taxes, many scenic and recreational activities in Vermont, charge admission. Not so with Mills Riverside Park near the Jericho-Underhill town line. When I lived in Jericho, I used to take a half-hour during my work day to go for a walk in the park and clear my mind. In the winter, it was easy to throw on a pair of snowshoes and go for a quick hike. At the time, it was pretty easy to take it for granted.

These days, I am fortunate enough to live close enough to Shelburne Museum and walk the grounds any time I wish (we have a family membership). Although it’s a nice little oasis away from the ultra-busy Route 7, I had forgotten how wonderful Mills Riverside Park was. This weekend, I was driving through Underhill and thought I’d take a short hike through the park. Like an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile, it was very refreshing. Lots of wide, open spaces and just a few people out walking their dogs. The only sounds to be heard were crickets and an occasional car from Rte. 15. The wildflowers were in hearty abundance and Mt. Mansfield loomed in the distance, capped by puffy, white clouds. I love Shelburne Museum grounds but Mills Riverside Park is even more special.

The Jericho Underhill Land trust is best known for its establishment of the Mills Riverside Park in 1999. The Park is centrally located, behind two schools and the town library, and is comprised of 216 acres, including 83 acres of open meadowland and 133 acres of forested hillside terrain that provides both wildlife habitat and a wonderful vista of Mt. Mansfield. Today the Park is home to a weekly farmer’s market, music and sports events, and educational projects, as well as serving as a quiet retreat. The Mills Riverside Park is owned and managed by the Jericho Underhill Park District.

Every night we hear about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan on the news. Probably so much so that no one is paying attention anymore. Sort of like those car alarms that no one pays any attention to anymore. However, I’m sure that soldier’s families are paying attention. It’s too bad that many of us are not. Recently, on WCAX, there was a story about how interest has waned for involvement in the “Adopt A Soldier” program.

America seems to be more preoccupied with the plight of celebrity pop-tarts such as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and who wins American Idol. Pretty sad, when almost every day, average Americans are being injured and killed overseas. The issue isn’t whether you are for or against the war. Are you for or against our American soldiers? If you aren’t for their best interests maybe you should move to another country and complain there. Good luck!

After 9/11, America was all fired up for a year or so. Now, that all seems to be a distant memory as most people seem to have forgotten. We have people who are in this country illegally who should not be here. We have dangerous people in the USA plotting to kill Americans. What the hell? When will someone wake up to reality? We have a government and media that hides photos and videos of atrocities afflicted upon our American soldiers. Yet, there are always plenty of gory scenes of damages inflicted to the enemy. Fair and balanced? I think not!

Soldiers coming back from the war with serious injuries are having problems getting medical care and their families are facing other problems that should not be so. Meanwhile, Paris Hilton commits a crime, spends time in jail and it’s a national issue. Is it for this that brave Americans are defending our country? A bigger shame is that there are things that can be done to help our soldiers but our armed forces are mired in outdated technology for our our troops on the ground. Many in the public sector are very active protesting and voicing opinions but not willing to do something constructive to at least help protect our soldiers.

American Agility is a project that is trying to make a difference, but needs your support. If you’re concerned enough about our guys & gals safety overseas, take a moment and visit http://www.americanagility.com and find out how you can help. If you can’t be bothered, go back to your family picnic and forget about it. Maybe your interest level will move up a notch after it’s too late. When terrorists infiltrate a complacent USA and blow up the car or bus that takes you to work in the morning.