A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-11-03...Welcome to "Les Verts Mont"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join us as we tour
"Les Verts Mont"

What comes to mind when you think of Vermont? Great skiing? Maple syrup? Covered bridges? Maybe, if you are a history buff, Ethan Allen and the "Green Mountain Boys"? Well, Vermont is all this and much more. When I set out to discover Vermont, I realized that I knew practically nothing about this state. Now, having done some exploring during my travels to some interesting Vermont websites, I am ready to pack my bags, go for an extended visit and see this beautiful state for myself.

A bit of history.....
(the condensed version)

Vermont is the second smallest state in the Union, with fewer than 1 million people. Originally populated by various indigenous peoples of the Algonquin, Iroquois, and Abenaki nations, the land now known as Vermont was first seen by European eyes in 1609, when the French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed the lake that now bears his name. The French must have paid their visits during the warmer months, for when they gazed upon the mountains that form the spine of the state, they named them Les verts monts, 17th century French for the Green Mountains. As happens with language, Les Verts Mont became Verts Mont, which then became "Vermont". And as happened with explorers, Champlain claimed all he saw in the name of France.

In 1763, England was granted the area via the Treaty of Paris, which ended the French and Indian war. Locally, the land was at various times claimed by both New Hampshire and New York; however, Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys put an end to that, and by 1777 Vermont had achieved independence. In fact, Vermont remained an independent republic until 1791, at which point it joined the United States as that fledgling nation's fourteenth member. Nonetheless, to this day Vermonters remain fiercely independent.

State Motto: "Freedom and Unity"



So, who were the
Green Mountain Boys?

They were a citizens' militia founded in Fay's Tavern in Bennington in 1770. This militia could be called up to protect, by force if necessary, the ownership of the land in the New Hampshire Grants. Ethan Allen was its first, and by all accounts very charismatic Colonel-Commandant. Some of the methods of coercion used by the Green Mountain Boys are questionable at best, violence and intimidation often occurring as they defended their lands against the hated "Yorkers". However, this group of Yankee Vigilantes was very instrumental in resisting New York's claims to land in what is now Vermont. It is worth noting that the Green Mountain Boys took no lives.

Ethan Allen demanding the
surrender of Fort Ticonderoga


Today's "Green Mountain Boys"...

.......
the 158th Fighter Wing
of the Vermont Air National Guard.


Facts and Trivia about our fourteenth state...

Did you know that the world's largest granite quarry is located in central Vermont? It is. At the "Rock of Ages" quarry, where granite is mined and memorial stones are manufactured, sheer cliffs descend 600 feet to the quarry floor below. Tours are available during the summer months.



Also in central Vermont is what is believed to be the world's ONLY "spider web farm". No kidding. Will Knight, maker of collectibles and fine woodenware, noticed he had an abundance of spiders on his farm. Each spider wove it's own individual web design. Will began collecting these webs and making unique web items from them. He also devised an ingenious method of encouraging the spiders to weave just for him. He harvests them through a painstaking process and mounts the delicate, silk webs on wooden plaques and jewelry boxes.


Mr. Knight says, "Our spiders hunger for their work and provide us with genuine masterpieces of natural art. Enjoy the beauty of a silky spider web without the spider. Admire the precision and the perfection of the orb weaver, araneidae, preserved and protected as a work of art."

Another interesting fact ~ Robert James Waller's novel "The Bridges of Madison County" could easily have been set in Vermont rather than Iowa, with a slight name change. There is no "Madison County" in Vermont, but there are many beautifully restored covered bridges. In fact, Vermont has the largest concentration of covered bridges in the United States - a total of 114 in this tiny state, many of which are still in use.

One of the covered bridges in Vermont
and a bit of folklore surrounding.....

"Emily's Bridge"

Located in Stowe, Vermont
(John N. Smith, c.1844) (Photo © Dave MacKenzie)
Howe Truss, 50', spanning Gold Brook on Gold Brook Road.

There are at least three dramatic stories about how the name "Emily's Bridge" came about:

- In the 1800's, Emily was jilted by her fiancé and hung herself
from the rafters.

- In 1925, homely Emily fell in love with Donald, who got her pregnant. When Emily's father insisted that Donald marry Emily, Donald killed himself here. After the birth of twins, Emily followed suit.

- (Date unknown) Emily died after her horse threw her here; she was on her way to her wedding.

Whatever the truth behind the name, there are numerous "eyewitness" accounts of continued haunting of the bridge, supposedly by Emily's ghost.

Click HERE for a complete presentation of photographs
and historical information on Vermont's Covered Bridges.

Last but not least, this profile of Vermont would not be complete without mentioning their world famous maple syrup. Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S.

The first American Sugarmakers were early Native Americans of New England who called their delicious maple syrup, "sinzibukwud," which translated means, "sweet buds." The world is forever in their debt for teaching their Sugarmaking trade to the first American white settlers. Read more about it HERE.

A Vermont Maple Syrup Recipe
and Harvest-time Tradition
Sugar On Snow

-Vermont Fancy, Grade-A Light Amber Maple Syrup
-Pure white snow
-Sour Pickles
-Donuts

Boil syrup to 255 degrees Fahrenheit. Scoop snow into large bowl or pan. Drizzle hot maple syrup lightly over snow. Use forks to eat the sticky top layer. Follow with a bite of your favorite donut or a sour pickle. (I am not making this up. LOL!)

The heated syrup will form a lace-like pattern across the top of the snow and quickly harden into a delectable confection. Build a fire pit, round up a few avid maple sap gatherers and you have the makings for a.........

"SUGAR ON SNOW PARTY!"



"These Green Mountains"
Diane Martin - Composer
Rita Buglass - Arranger

These green hills and silver waters
are my home. They belong to me.
And to all of her sons and daughters
May they be strong and forever free.
Let us live to protect her beauty
And look with pride on the golden dome
They say home is where the heart is
These green mountains are my home.
These green mountains are my home.

On May 22, 2000, in a ceremony at Twinfield Union School, Governor Howard B. Dean, M.D. signed Act 99, which designated "These Green Mountains" as the new state song of Vermont.

I could not find a midi of this state song,
but I did find this: "Moonlight in Vermont".










Thank you to the following websites for information and graphics:
The Ethan Allen Homestead and Museum
Vermont, the Green Mountain State
Vermont 'Sugar Shack Facts'

Thank you for joining us on our trek through Vermont.
Have a nice FRiday and a great weekend!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 07-07-03...Military Monday 07-08-03...FRPets - iceskater's Bubba/Lucy 07-09-03...Things I've Learned in Life 07-10-03...JH2 - "Is Iraq Another Vietnam?"

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Mama_Bear]

"Moonlight in Vermont" is a far better song to listen to than our new State Song. The music for this new ditty was written by a lesbian co-worker of mine.

Really? Hmmmmmmmmm.......I knew I should have included the former state song.

I believe it was chosen, in part, for its gratuitous mention of the "golden dome," which the former Gov. Howard Dean had recently spent a bundle on.

I noticed the golden dome on pictures that I came across of your state capitol building. That was another thing I was going to include in the post but couldn't find any place to put it.

The former Vermont State Song.......

"HAIL, VERMONT!"

No. 350 of the Acts of 1937 authorized a committee to select an official
State Song.  Over one hundred songs were submitted to this committee, and on
May 12, 1938 Governor George D. Aiken was informed of the selection of "Hail,
Vermont!" by Josephine Hovey Perry of Barre.

Hail to Vermont!
Lovely Vermont!
Hail to Vermont so fearless!
Sing we a song!
Sing loud and long!
To our little state so peerless!
Green are her hills, Clear are her rills,
Fair are her lakes, and rivers and valleys;
Blue are her skies, Peaceful she lies,
But when roused to a call she speedily rallies

Hail to Vermont! Dear old Vermont!
Our love for you is so great.
We cherish your name,
We laud! We acclaim!
Our own Green Mountain State.

[Mama_Bear]

.........maybe Mama Bear will be up by the time I get back.

I'm up, are you back? LOL

(((((((((Sistah Aqua))))))))))

[Mama_Bear]

Heat Index = 104-109. Whew !!

It appears it is warming up nicely in your neck of the woods. Wouldn't a trip to Vermont be nice? It has GOT to be cooler up there!

[LadyX]

Late getting online today, but WOW !!!
You've outdone yourself with this fascinating presentation !!

Not only did we learn things we never knew or had forgotten, but you unearthed some interesting aspects, and showcased them with stunning graphics.

Take a much-deserved bow, Mama_Bear, for making us want to hurry there to see it for ourselves!

{{{ Love & Hugs, Mama }}}

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, what a gorgeous, gorgeous picture!!

I was born in Massachusetts on a crisp morning in early October. I am told that my first "outing", a week or so later, was during the peak of the autumn color. Unfortunately we left that part of the country before I was old enough to actually remember the glorious New England autumns.....although it feels like I remember it. It's there, somewhere. :-)

[LadyX]

How great to see you posting, Mrs. Mayor!

Do please join us often here in the Finest Cafe and Family Room where we share life and all its ups and downs.

We drift in and out and share the good, the bad and the ugly - laugh and cry and joke and reminisce and pray and offer support to one another - and the coffee is great - LOL

Hope you are gettting comfortably settled - again..:))

[Mama_Bear]

Wow, Mama!

Put your eyes back in your head, wolfie! Oh, it's my post you're lookin' at, not me. Well, phooey! LOL!

Great thread, fuzzy. Excellent everything! : )

Thank you. ((((((((((louiewolf))))))))))

PS I don't like Vermont syrup. : )

You are a finicky wolf! I don't know anyone who does not like maple syrup.

I'll be back later, have some things to do first.

Okay. Take it easy, don't get heatstroke back there.

Those pancakes make for whisker lickin', for sure! LOL

SNORF! Yeah, they sure do.

[Mama_Bear]

.....another perfect, error-free thread. You sure know how to spoil one's fun, LOL!

Oh, you don't know how hard I try. LOL!

Here are some interesting Vermont laws......

Are those really Vermont laws? So, that would explain all the giraffes I have seen roaming free throughout the Vermont countryside. LOL!

[Mama_Bear]

Morning, BillieBlue. Actually, I guess it is afternoon in your neighborhood. I got a late start and it has taken me awhile to work my way through the replies to get to yours. (Didn't help that I crept back into bed this morning for a couple more hours of sleep, LOL).

[LadyX]

Love your sage flying advice, Dubya !!
LOL

[Mama_Bear]

Morning, Amy! Weren't those "flying tips for student pilots" funny? I'm sure ladtx will enjoy them when he gets here. :-)

Pinging >>>>>>> mtngrl to Vermont. Last time I talked to you, you said you were interested in our "Finest States" features. Today we are touring Vermont. Please join us. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

I have to relate our Vermont experience back in the early 80s...

I love your stories, Nan! You have had such an interesting life.

[JimVT]

Welcome to Vermont...hope you enjoy your visit.

I'm reminded that 50 years ago this week I arrived in your home state for the first time...at a quaint little place called Pittsburg....home of Camp Stoneman.

On the 25th of July 1953 a bunch of us troops got on board the USS Gen. A.E. Anderson heading for Okinawa and,we thought, Korea.

Surprise, surprise after 5 days at sea, the armistice was signed.

If you get up north to Fairfield stop in to the little, I mean little, cabin of Chester Arthur.

It must have been a real tight fit for him.

[ladtx]

Thanks for the ping JustAmy.

Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.

Another list; for old Vietnam helicopter pilots.

Why:

1. Why did they call it Collective Pitch? I never collected any. Usually I ran out of it about the same time as altitude and airspeed.

2. Why didn't Ma Bell add more left pedal and aft cyclic? I always had lots of right pedal and forward cyclic. It seems like they could have reduced those and added to the ones we needed.

3. Why did they put the only radio (KY-28) that had to be recovered if you went down in the most inaccessible part of the aircraft?

4. Why did the pilots have armored seats but the Chief and Gunner didn't?

5. Why did situations that called for all the torque the engine could produce also require full use of the anti-torque pedal followed by that damn flashing red light? (Seems contradictory)

6. Why did they call them Hammerhead stalls? Maybe because only a hammer head would try one in a helicopter.

7. Why did I always get an aircraft with a major 1 to 1 when I had a hangover? (For you non-rotor heads, a "1 to 1" is a vertical vibration that pounds you into the seat and quakes through your body one time for each revolution of the main rotor - usually at a rate of app. 294-324 RPM, and the faster you fly, the harder it pounds After a while it begins to hurt, ---even if you don't have a hangover.)

8. Why didn't Ma Bell make the skin out of duct tape so it would match the patches?

9. Why did they make a main rotor system that could cut down small Sequoia trees, and a tail rotor system that self-distructed if it encountered anything bigger than a bumblebee?

10. Why were they called landing skids? Were they intended for landing or skidding?

11. Why did the amount of time I had to spend in an LZ increase exponentially with the amount of fire I was receiving?

12. Why didn't 33 beer taste any better cold than it did hot?

13. Why did the smoke from the s**t barrel always blow towards my tent/hooch?

14. Why was the PX always out of everything on my day off? And the biggest question of all.......

15. Why does a Bell helicopter have unusual noises that can only be heard at night or while in the clouds?

[LadyX]

Great story, Nan - I can just *see* the lot of you 'wolfing' all that chow down...:))

Speaking of 'wolfie' -

{{{{{ Have some hugs, wolfman !! }}}}}

[Mama_Bear]

Welcome to Vermont...hope you enjoy your visit.

I have thoroughly enjoyed 'discovering' Vermont. Who would have thought that there was so much to say about your little state. My goodness! My presentation was getting longer and longer and I still could have gone on and on. There is so much that I was not able to include.

I was born in Massachusetts, and have been to New Hampshire, but never had the pleasure of visiting Vermont. I am hoping that someday I will get there.

I've never heard of Camp Stoneman (even though Pittsburgh isn't all that far from the central valley), so I did a little Google search and found it.

Thanks so much for dropping by and for your military service. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Hiya, dansy! Hope you are having a pleasant Friday and anticipating a enjoyable weekend ahead.

((((((((((dansangle .45 Man)))))))))))))))

[LadyX]

"Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth."

Seems backward, doesn't it?
Should be against the law to be seen without 'em !!

You'd go to any length possible to please us, The Thin Man,
assembling so much background.
You're such a noble fellow.
you are our Knight in Shining Armor - --

[Mama_Bear]

WOW !!! You've outdone yourself with this fascinating presentation !!

Awwww..........thank you. It was a labor of love. What a beautiful state Vermont is! I know that all the New England states are rich in Colonial history, but I had no idea how much there is to spotlight in this state.

There was so much more I could have included about the colorful history of the Green Mountain Boys and Ethan Allen, but I just couldn't fit it all in. :-(

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for the President Coolidge Homestead link. I tried to bring the virtual tour over here, because it is so interesting, but the links don't travel well.....in fact, they don't work at all. :-(

President Calvin Coolidge Homestead
The Kitchen