Vermont - Reading, Sugar House

Vermont
"Changing Seasons". Sugar House
Reading, Vermont

Photo: Paul Montecalvo
2010

Vermont - Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, Vermont

A aerial view of the home of Ben & Jerry's Vermont's Finest ice cream and frozen yogurt.  See how ice cream is made in our fun factory tour.  The tour, scoop shop, gift shop and grounds are open year round.

Photo: John Goodman
2010

the sender writes:
This tour was short, but worth the trip.  They have a cemetery for retired ice cream flavors.

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In 1977 lifelong friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield completed a correspondence course on ice cream making from the Pennsylvania State University. On May 5, 1978, with a $12,000 investment the pair opened an ice cream parlor in a renovated gas station in downtown Burlington, Vermont. In 1979, they marked their anniversary by holding the first-ever free cone day, now a nationwide annual celebration.

In 1980, Ben and Jerry rented space in an old spool and bobbin mill on South Champlain Street in Burlington and began packing their ice cream in pints. In 1981, the first Ben & Jerry’s franchise opened on Route 7 in Shelburne, Vermont. In 1983, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was used to build “the world’s largest ice cream sundae” in St. Albans (city), Vermont; the sundae weighed 27,102 pounds. 

Vermont - Historic Barns of Vermont

Historic Barns of Vermont

Top> Robillard Flats Barn, Irasburg. Hay Barn, Vergennes. Robinson Barn, W. Woodstock.
Bottom> Monitor Barn, Greensboro. Round Barn Farm, Morrisville.  Ranz barn, Breensboro.

Photo: Alois Mayer
2010

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From Historic Vermont (dot) org:

BARN GRANTS

Vermont's agricultural buildings are an important part of our working landscape. The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation has had a 50/50 matching grants program to assist owners of historic agricultural buildings (barns, corn cribs, sheds, grist mills, etc.) since 1991. These can be in private ownership. Up to $10,000 can be awarded to assist the restoration and repair of these endangered buildings. This program encourages the continued use of farm buildings for agricultural use. Eligible work includes restoration and repair of roofs, structure, windows, foundations and other important components of historic agricultural buildings.

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How wonderful!  I think it is great that these old barns are kept up and restored instead of being torn down.  Bravo to the state of Vermont!

Vermont - A State I Love, by President Calvin Coolidge

The President Calvin Coolidge Homestead, at Plymouth Notch, Vermont

Vermont is a State I Love
From a speech by President Calvin Coolidge, delivered at Bennington, Vermont,, September 21, 1928

I could not look upon the peaks of Ascutney, Killington, Mansfield and Equinox without being moved in a way that no other scene could move me.

It was here that I first saw the light of day; here I received by bride; here my dead lie pillowed on the loving breast of our everlasting hills.  I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all, because of her indomitable people.  They are a race of pioneers who have almost beggared themselves to serve others.  If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the union and support of our institutions should languish it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.

Vermont - Calvin Coolidge with Church and School

Calvin Coolidge, Born July 4th 1872, Plymouth, Vermont

Church at Plymouth, Vermont
attended by Coolidge Family

School attended by Calvin Coolidge

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John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. (July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933) was the 30th President of the United States (1923–1929). A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state. His conduct during the Boston Police Strike of 1919 thrust him into the national spotlight and gave him a reputation as a man of decisive action. Soon after, he was elected as the 29th Vice President in 1920 and succeeded to the Presidency upon the sudden death of Warren G. Harding in 1923. Elected in his own right in 1924, he gained a reputation as a small-government conservative.