Yeah, I'm jumping on the band wagon-so ask away.




Cat

What state are you in? ;) ;D



I KNEW you were going to ask that. The State of Confussion.  :D :D ;D ;D





Cat

You ever been to the actual Inn used on Newhart?

[quote author=wһіѕ

What are some of your favorite local, exclusively in Vermont stores/restaurants/etc.?

What are some of your favorite local, exclusively in Vermont stores/restaurants/etc.?



We had a store here in town called Vermont Secrets that sold a lot of Vermont products but they closed  :\'(. I used to do a lot of Christmas shopping in there. I do love to get people Vermont products if they don't live in the state. There is the "infamous" Vermont Country Store which believe it or not, I have never been to.

FYI: A Vermont "secret". When buying REAL maple syrup-the grade B is the best. People think that Grade A is the best but we say that is for the tourists.  ;D



Cat

Are there a lot of scenes that are Currier & Ives like in Vermont during winter time?

No, but I have been by it. It is called the Waybury Inn in Middlebury which is about 45 minutes from here.




Cat


and speaking of Newhart, are the people of Vermont really like it was depicted on that show?  Are there any Larry and the Daryl's around? :D

Are there a lot of scenes that are Currier & Ives like in Vermont during winter time?


I think so but I have yet to see a horse drawn sleigh. Usually it is snowmobles.



[quote author=wһіѕ

Well, I liked the results for DC, so...

What's your favorite four letter word that can be made using the letters VERMONT?

Well, I liked the results for DC, so...

What's your favorite four letter word that can be made using the letters VERMONT?



Hmmmm, that is a tough one. If we were still landlords I would say RENT but since we are not, maybe TONE or NOTE, Ya know what I mean, VERN?  ;)




Cat

i loooooooooove maple candy.
who makes the best?

i loooooooooove maple candy.
who makes the best?



I really can't say. Haven't had it in a long time. I would advise to read the label and if it says "Made in Vermont" it should be good.  ;) ;D




Cat

Are there hicks in Vermont? If so, describe them to me.

I recently read an article about Vermont and the fact they've lost more soldiers in the National Guard per capita than any other state.  In that article, they lead off calling it a libertarian state, and then halfway through call it the Blue-est of the Blue states (Howard Dean, votes for impeachment of Bush), very liberal, but yet not hardcore Democrats.

So what is the prevailing political bent of the state?  is it Libertarian, Liberal or Democrat?

Are there hicks in Vermont? If so, describe them to me.



Of course there are. Look at the hicks you know that they is what they are like here-only speaking with a "Vemont" accent. In my many travels, I have learned that a hick is a hick is a hick and it doesn't matter where they are.




Cat

I recently read an article about Vermont and the fact they've lost more soldiers in the National Guard per capita than any other state.  In that article, they lead off calling it a libertarian state, and then halfway through call it the Blue-est of the Blue states (Howard Dean, votes for impeachment of Bush), very liberal, but yet not hardcore Democrats.

So what is the prevailing political bent of the state?  is it Libertarian, Liberal or Democrat?



Good question. The funny thing is, Vermont has a history of being the most Republican state in the union. Back in 1930s Vermont was the only state that didn't carry FDR and the state declared war on Germany before the U.S. did. Today, the political scene is a bit different. In the last 50 years or so, Vermont has had a turnover of people. Many people move out of the state for two main reasons, 1. they don't like the winters 2. not too many good jobs.  We have a lot of "flatlanders" mostly from NY and NJ but also from other states, too. They come up here to "get back to nature" so to speak. Yeah, some of those are the leftover hippies from the 60s. In fact, in the 60s, there were many communes up here. So those people tend to be on the liberal side. The native or "woodchucks" tend to be more conservitive or Republicans because that is what their families were for many generations. Both the State Senate and House are Democrat at the moment (the Republicans held the Senate after the Civil Unions bill was passed until the last election). We also have a lot of Independents (our lone congressperson Bernie Sanders is the only Independent in the U.S. House-at least until next year when he will be the only Independent in the Senate after taking over for the lone Independent Jim Jeffords). I would say that Vermont is more liberal with the motto "We don't care what you do as long as you don't do it in the streets and scare the horses."

Yes, Vermont has lost more National Guard people per capita than any other state. The head of the Guard (Martha Rainville) is running for Congress as a Republican. I don't think she has a chance.

I hope this answers your question.


Cat

a friend of mine claims vermont doesn't really exist, that it's all an elaborate hoax. what do you say to this?

a friend of mine claims vermont doesn't really exist, that it's all an elaborate hoax. what do you say to this?



A hoax? Really? You mean that I have been dupe all this time? I'll have to do some research on this one.  ;)



Cat

A hoax? Really? You mean that I have been dupe all this time? I'll have to do some research on this one.  ;)



Cat
anytime someone claims to be from vermont, she looks at them suspicioously and says, "vermont? likely story."

anytime someone claims to be from vermont, she looks at them suspicioously and says, "vermont? likely story."



I always thought the response to some saying they were from Vermont was, "What state is that in?"

Funny story: One time on our way across country, the car died just outside of Indianapolis. So we got to a local shop. One guy looked at the car's plate and said, "Vermont? Isn't that one of those small states?" Then he asked, "Is that anywhere near Virgina?" I said, "In the dictionary, maybe".  :D ;D ;D  Carlos told him that if you flatten out the state it would be bigger than Texas.





Cat

Why is it that when I meet someone from the Northeast Kingdom they seem to be real tight around the tush snobs, and keep stressing that they are from the Northeast Kingdom.  For all those who don't know the northeastern corner of Vermont is referred to as the Northeast Kingdom.

Why is it that when I meet someone from the Northeast Kingdom they seem to be real tight around the tush snobs, and keep stressing that they are from the Northeast Kingdom.  For all those who don't know the northeastern corner of Vermont is referred to as the Northeast Kingdom.



Your guess is as good as mine. I guess they think that they think that their "stuff" doesn't stink because it is so cold up there and it freezes.  ;D ;D ;D



Cat

Cold, snowy, green forests, fresh air, lakes, little pollution, hunting, sking, skating, amiright? Crime is everywhere, but seldom hear Vermont mentioned on the news. So what are some of the big cities, are there problems with teen gangs and drugs?

Cold, snowy, green forests, fresh air, lakes, little pollution, hunting, sking, skating, amiright? Crime is everywhere, but seldom hear Vermont mentioned on the news. So what are some of the big cities, are there problems with teen gangs and drugs?




Yeah, we have those problems here. Our big cities are Burlington, Rutland, Montpelier (the capital), Brattleboro, and Bennington. This is a very agracultural society so many people know how to grow a certain herb.  ;) There was some talk about gangs moving in from Conn. a few years back but I haven't heard anything about them lately. There is also talk in the legistation about getting meth clinics in for addicts. And yes, we do have murders here-but usually for the whole state, the number is usually in the double digits for the year.  We had a kid kill just two doors away from us by some guy who sent him a bomb via UPS-the guy was from Indiana (?) We were home when the bomb went off and felt it. We thought it was a truck backfiring. So yeah, we do have our share but it is not as frequent. In fact, most people don't even bother to lock their doors.




Cat

In the Boston Globe Magazine on Sunday there was an article about a woman from Massachusetts who embezzled up to 9 million dollars from her boss. One of the things she bought was an estate in West Haven Vermont. Isn't that where you are?  The womans name is Angela Platt(husband Kevin)and the place is a 100 acre spread on top of a hill woth all the acoutrements.  Do you know them or the place.  The man she embezzled from was able to take possession and now he owns it, his name is John Ferreira.  He built a landscaping business from scratch and trusted her with all his financials.  He'll never do that again    :o

www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/09/17/the_inside_job/

In the Boston Globe Magazine on Sunday there was an article about a woman from Massachusetts who embezzled up to 9 million dollars from her boss. One of the things she bought was an estate in West Haven Vermont. Isn't that where you are?  The womans name is Angela Platt(husband Kevin)and the place is a 100 acre spread on top of a hill woth all the acoutrements.  Do you know them or the place.  The man she embezzled from was able to take possession and now he owns it, his name is John Ferreira.  He built a landscaping business from scratch and trusted her with all his financials.  He'll never do that again    :o

www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/09/17/the_inside_job/


Wow, I'm surprised someone brought up one of the two threads I have in this section.  :o :o :o


West Haven is a hop, skip, and a jump from here-maybe about 5 miles down the road. But the funny thing is, we go by it all the time on our way to the marina but I have NEVER been there-it is only a tiny little town. Population about 5.  :D :D  (ok, maybe a bit more  ;) ) This story has been in the local papers. I don't know any of the people involve but I think I may know the place. A few years back, we were thinking of selling this house and buying a different one. I was doing some searches on-line and found a BEAUTIFUL house in West Haven-of course they wanted mega-bucks for it. I wouldn't be bit surprised if this wasn't the same house.



Cat

Wow, I'm surprised someone brought up one of the two threads I have in this section.  :o :o :o


West Haven is a hop, skip, and a jump from here-maybe about 5 miles down the road. But the funny thing is, we go by it all the time on our way to the marina but I have NEVER been there-it is only a tiny little town. Population about 5.  :D :D  (ok, maybe a bit more  ;) ) This story has been in the local papers. I don't know any of the people involve but I think I may know the place. A few years back, we were thinking of selling this house and buying a different one. I was doing some searches on-line and found a BEAUTIFUL house in West Haven-of course they wanted mega-bucks for it. I wouldn't be bit surprised if this wasn't the same house.



Cat


Well maybe the new owner would consider.  It is on the top of a hill with a huge swimming pool and a poolside fireplace.  I can move in on a moments notice  ;) :D

Well maybe the new owner would consider.  It is on the top of a hill with a huge swimming pool and a poolside fireplace.  I can move in on a moments notice  ;) :D



I must admit when I wrote my last post, I hadn't read the article. I now have and I was confusing that story with another one that was in the paper. This guy (who was in jail) swindled $$$$ out of this old lady. She didn't live in West Haven, but the next town over-that was why I was confused. This story, however, I hadn't heard before. I'm not too sure if it was the same house I was looking at. The one I was looking at had something like 2-3 fireplaces and I don't recall a pool-but it might have. The only thing I did recognized in the article was when they said the neighbor quitting his job at Sam's U-Save. Sam is known as "Sleazy Sam" so I'm not surprised at the guy's willingness to quit a job like that-probably making minimum wage for a job that makes over $800 a week.  :o  Even I might continplate taking a job like that.  ;)  What really gets me about the article was it said  that Angela and Kevin would pay for everyone's meals when they went to local restaurants. How come they were never there when I was there-and pay for my dinner?  :\'(  I am friendly with some of the waitresses at a local restaurant. The next time I see them, I will ask if they were the recipients of that $300 tip.



Cat

I have two questions: How is Vermont different from New Hampshire? And how strong is the French influence on regional culture?

I have two questions: How is Vermont different from New Hampshire? And how strong is the French influence on regional culture?



It depends of what you mean by "different". In terms of climate, landscape, etc. they are pretty much the same. In terms of the "attitude" and such, very different. Vermont is more liberal than NH. There is a saying, "Just don't do it in the streets and scare the horses". Politically we have open primaries-meaning that anyone can vote for whatever party they wish to. You don't have to be a registered member of any party to vote in a primary. The one person who was crying fowl about that law was someone who lost a primary by a LANDSLIDE a few years back to an old dairy farmer who said that if he won the primary, he was going to vote for his opponent-and did.  :D ;D ;D ;D  (That was truly a funny story)

Vermont prides itself as having a "rural" atmostphere. Billboards are not allowed in the state and we try to keep urban sprawl from getting too much out of control. We have laws that if you are going to build-you have to have a permit and you can't build if anyone has a complaint about it-without settling the matter first. A few years back, we replaced our old shed that was falling apart. We had to get a permit-stick it up on the front of the house and wait for a week or 2 just to make sure that neighbors didn't have a problem with it. Of course there are some people who have a problem with this law.

What I know about NH is that they don't have state taxes (not too sure how they pay for things) and I know they get a lot of people who live there, work in Boston. So, I'm sure they have a lot of Mass. influcences. And of course NH has the media circus every four years with their primary for pres.

As for the French influence, there is some but it is more noticable along the Canadan border than here (we are in the center of the state). And the further north you go, you see some road signs in both English and French.  In terms of the folk art/music there is some.




Cat

Approximately how many miles is it from the northern border of Vermont to the southern border?

Approximately how many miles is it from the northern border of Vermont to the southern border?




160 miles.




Cat

When I was a kid, I remember seeing something on TV about some kind of large sea creature that has been sighted in Lake Champlain (which lies between Vermont and upstate NY). Apparently this creature is reported to be similar in appearance to the Loch Ness Monster.
    Have there been recent sightings? Have you or anyone you know actually seen it?

When I was a kid, I remember seeing something on TV about some kind of large sea creature that has been sighted in Lake Champlain (which lies between Vermont and upstate NY). Apparently this creature is reported to be similar in appearance to the Loch Ness Monster.
    Have there been recent sightings? Have you or anyone you know actually seen it?



You are talking about Champ. Yes, Champ is very much like Nessie meaning, there is no proof whether he actually exists or not. However, both NY state and Vermont have declaired Champ an endangered species (just in case). We sail on Lake Champlain all the time. Carlos likes to tell a tale about seeing evidence Champ and when he is done with the story, he has a straight face and slowly you see the corners of his mouth curl up into a smile to tell you that he is B.S.ing. Actually, he did see a bunch of fish jumping out of the water-probably being chased by a BIG fish-but probably not Champ.

I can't say whether I believe Champ exists or not. Seeing is believe and so far, I have not seen. But, I don't rule out the posibility. Some parts of the lake are over 300 feet deep (maybe more). We usually sail in the southern part where it is much shallower so we don't usually get a chance to be in an area that Champ could possibilly be.


BTW, the similaries between Champ & Nessie are uncanny. Loch Ness & Champlain are basically on the same latitude, made by glacers, and both have access to the ocean. I have heard that there is another lake and another "lake monster" located somewhere in Canada along the same latitude. I can't remember all the details to that one.



Cat

How much snow could you get in Vermont?

How much snow could you get in Vermont?



As Carlos says, more than enough. However, the annual average snowfall is normally between 65

Does snow ever melt or Is it cold all year round?

Does snow ever melt or Is it cold all year round?



Our climate is not much different from yours. We have our heatwaves in summer and our cold spells in winter.




Cat

This isn't really a question, but a comment.  I went up to Vermont this summer.  My favorite thing about Vermont is the air quality.  I could actually breath!!!  The folks up there are very nice.  I like it much better than PA.  Besides the Republicans up there act like the Democrats down here,  I think I saw two or three Bush stickers.  (Compared to the 700000 I see down here) :)

Our climate is not much different from yours. We have our heatwaves in summer and our cold spells in winter.




Cat



Oh,So The snow DOES melt?

This isn't really a question, but a comment.  I went up to Vermont this summer.  My favorite thing about Vermont is the air quality.  I could actually breath!!!  The folks up there are very nice.  I like it much better than PA.  Besides the Republicans up there act like the Democrats down here,  I think I saw two or three Bush stickers.  (Compared to the 700000 I see down here) :)



The air quality, for the most is good but we do have our problems. We have a problem with acid rain because of plants in the midwest. Right now, there is a battle going on because Ticonderoga Paper Mill which is located on the New York side of Lake Champlain wants to start burning tires. Vermont is fighting this because the toxins from that will come directly to Vermont. When we are out on Champlain, and if the wind is blowing the right way, you can smell that mill and man, does it stink!  >:(

The political scene here is very interesting. At one point, Vermont was the most Republican state in the nation (the only state that didn't carry FDR). However, things changed when the Republican party changed. Even our Senator Jim Jeffords (who was once a Republican) became an Independent. As of the moment, we are the only state with an Independent in the House and the Senate. Yeah, we do have die-heart Republicans but I would say the majority of the state identifies themselves as Independents (including Carlos and myself).




Oh,So The snow DOES melt?



Yes, Howard. The snow does melt-usually by late March-but we do get an occasional snowfall in April and sometimes May.  :o



Cat

Have you ever been stuck in a blizzard up there?

Have you ever been stuck in a blizzard up there?



Nope. We have snowplows.




Cat

Nope. We have snowplows.




Cat



And that takes care of the heavy snow?

And that takes care of the heavy snow?



Yup.




Cat

Yup.




Cat



How much snow does it push away?

How much snow does it push away?



It pushes away all the snow that is on the road.



Cat

It pushes away all the snow that is on the road.



Cat



Like 2 feet worth of snow?

Like 2 feet worth of snow?




Sometimes more.



Cat

Sometimes more.



Cat



And I bet you're buried "balls deep"(pardon the expression) in snow?  :o

How are the autumn leaves this year? 

How are the autumn leaves this year? 



It is peak right now-and we seem to be having a good season (not as good as some but much better than others). I have seen it where it wasn't that great and others that were just spectacular.  I favorite has to be the sugar maples that become crimson. Every year I am still in awe of the beauty. It never gets old.



Cat

It is peak right now-and we seem to be having a good season (not as good as some but much better than others). I have seen it where it wasn't that great and others that were just spectacular.  I favorite has to be the sugar maples that become crimson. Every year I am still in awe of the beauty. It never gets old.



Cat


One of my dream vacations is to visit New England in the fall.  One of these days I'll get there!

One of my dream vacations is to visit New England in the fall.  One of these days I'll get there!



A few things to think about, we, up here in Vermont, reach peak later than in southern N.E. Also, a lot depends of what kind of weather we have. A dry fall and the colors won't be as spectular but wet fall, the leave drop before they reach peak. So, it is very hard to get the ideal for maxium color.




Cat

I thought i asked for maple candy like...pages ago!
:)

How's the temperature there now?

How's the temperature there now?



It's in the 50s.

I thought i asked for maple candy like...pages ago!
:)



You did? If you are real nice, I'll bring some to Philly in June.



Cat

What's your favorite season in Vermont, and when is the best time to visit?  I've never been there myself...I've only been to Massachusetts.

Have you ever been to Fort Ticonderoga?

What's your favorite season in Vermont, and when is the best time to visit?  I've never been there myself...I've only been to Massachusetts.



I'm sorry Quirk, I don't know how I missed your question so long ago.  :-
Have you ever been to Fort Ticonderoga?



Actually, I haven't but we usually anchor our boat just off the Fort in Lake Champlain and we often hear the drums and other noises from the Fort. I have seen the Fort so many times from the lake but never from the inside.  But I have been to the Mount Independence which is on the Vermont side of the lake. There used to be a foot bridge connecting the two during the Revolution. (The pilings are still at the bottom of the lake and the fishies love it-great fishing right over those pilings. ;D )


Cat

Why did Vermont break away from New York?

Why did Vermont break away from New York?



Wouldn't you?  :D ;D ;D


Actually, Vermont was part of New York, New Hampshire & (as Chucky pointed out to me), Mass.  Mass. lost the land they claimed early on. There was a dispute over the land & taxes between NY & NH & NH was granted much of the land by King George III. Then when the Revolution broke out, Vermonters decided to declare their own independence-not just from England but also from NY & NH as well. The Republic of Vermont was born Jan. of 1777. It wasn't until 1791 that Vermont became part of the Union as the 14th state.



Cat

Wouldn't you?  :D ;D ;D


Actually, Vermont was part of New York, New Hampshire & (as Chucky pointed out to me), Mass.  Mass. lost the land they claimed early on. There was a dispute over the land & taxes between NY & NH & NH was granted much of the land by King George III. Then when the Revolution broke out, Vermonters decided to declare their own independence-not just from England but also from NY & NH as well. The Republic of Vermont was born Jan. of 1777. It wasn't until 1791 that Vermont became part of the Union as the 14th state.



Cat


In 2004, 8% of Vermonters supported seccession from the United States. In 2005 the number jumped to 13%, in just one year. Do you think this trend will continue? Why or why not? Do you feel sympathetic to this movement?

In 2004, 8% of Vermonters supported seccession from the United States. In 2005 the number jumped to 13%, in just one year. Do you think this trend will continue? Why or why not? Do you feel sympathetic to this movement?



I admit that in 2004, the idea sounded good to me.  ;) But, I don't think it is going to fly. Vermont wouldn't be able to support itself. People already complain about taxes being too high and if we did away with the $$$$$$ we get from the Federal Government, we would be hurting. There is a movement to have Vermont join Canada which would make better sense than to become an independent nation, however, I think there are too many people here who are loyal to the U.S. Personally, I'm not too sure how I would feel about Vermont becoming part of Canada. I love Canada and think it is a great nation but I get my income from the U.S. Government and I'm not too sure how that would play out. And I'm sure there are other vets in the same situation I am in here in the state.



Cat

I admit that in 2004, the idea sounded good to me.  ;) But, I don't think it is going to fly. Vermont wouldn't be able to support itself. People already complain about taxes being too high and if we did away with the $$$$$$ we get from the Federal Government, we would be hurting. There is a movement to have Vermont join Canada which would make better sense than to become an independent nation, however, I think there are too many people here who are loyal to the U.S. Personally, I'm not too sure how I would feel about Vermont becoming part of Canada. I love Canada and think it is a great nation but I get my income from the U.S. Government and I'm not too sure how that would play out. And I'm sure there are other vets in the same situation I am in here in the state.

Cat


I think you're right. But you know, Vermont could easily have been part of Canada. During the time between Vermont's independence from New Hampshire and New York and their entry into the United States (a 14 year period I believe), Ethan Allen met with the Governer of Canada to discuss union with British North America because he wanted VT to have military protection. Obviously this didn't pan out. But I think Vermont is the coolest state by far. So much culture and history. And the Maple syrup ain't too bad either. Although I'd have to call it 2nd best  ;).

I think you're right. But you know, Vermont could easily have been part of Canada. During the time between Vermont's independence from New Hampshire and New York and their entry into the United States (a 14 year period I believe), Ethan Allen met with the Governer of Canada to discuss union with British North America because he wanted VT to have military protection. Obviously this didn't pan out. But I think Vermont is the coolest state by far. So much culture and history. And the Maple syrup ain't too bad either. Although I'd have to call it 2nd best  ;).



My ancestors originally settled in Canada-or so they thought. There was a border dispute between Canada & Vermont and they wound up being Vermonters by default (and didn't have to move). That was in the St. Aubins area.



Cat

Cat, I once heard you didn't have to have car insurance up in Vermont -- is that so?

Cat, I once heard you didn't have to have car insurance up in Vermont -- is that so?



I'm not too sure where you heard that but it is not true. That may have been true a while ago but insurance has been required since I moved here back in 1990.

Check this out. http://www.iii.org/individuals/auto/a/stateautolaws/  You can see that Vermont requires more insurance than many other states do.


Cat

I'm not too sure where you heard that but it is not true. That may have been true a while ago but insurance has been required since I moved here back in 1990.

Check this out. http://www.iii.org/individuals/auto/a/stateautolaws/  You can see that Vermont requires more insurance than many other states do.


Cat


I heard it sometime in the 90's.  Obviously it's not so anymore.

That was an interesting chart you posted.  Many of the posted fines in NY, tho, carry like a 100% surcharge -- at least in the city.