Last Chance on Auction and Other Notes

This is a reminder of the online auction to benefit the North Danville library and playground. Bidding stops at 8 P.M. tomorrow, November 30. Lots of interesting items to bid on, and it sounds like a heap of fun to participate in.  To go directly to the website and information about the auction, click AUCTION. Last chance to participate!

Today is dreary, a bit chillier than it has been, but not quite as much wind. I was expecting sunshine, but that hasn't happened yet. That's ok - we don't expect November to be sunny; it is the dreariest month of the whole year, according to meteorologists. At least, here in Vermont. 

I've been reading a very interesting little book - Personal Observations On The Republic of Vermont, by Vrest Orton, published by Academy Books, Rutland, Vermont in 1977. It has been reprinted several times, the last this year, by L. Brown & Sons. Orton was the former president of the American Association of Historic Sites Public Officials; chair of the Vermont Historic Sites Commission; and VP of the Vermont Historical Society. In this book, he takes us on an unusual journey exploring the early years of settlement in the northern region of New England that is now Vermont. This region was known earlier as the New Hampshire Grant. The sparsely settled land was for many years disputed over by New York and New Hampshire, and that caused serious problems for the early settlers. Orton explores their reasoning and the decision to declare the region the independent Republic of Vermont, and the effort and bloodshed involved to make that happen.

The book isn't very long - less than 100 pages, but it's taken me several sittings because I have been reading it in between other things - it's handy to take with me to read a few pages as I wait at appointments. Orton presents a viewpoint mostly overlooked by most historians.

It's interesting to note that Orton and his wife founded The Vermont Country Store in 1945, after he returned from working at the Pentagon during WWII. He also founded a book publishing company, and was a founder of Vermont Life magazine.

Enjoy the day - be safe and happy!