by Silverback Bill (Hinesburg SBs) (A driver navigates ruts on Texas Hill Road in Hinesburg March 21, 2022. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger) It’s only January and the annual back-roads slalom season has begun – where even the most abstemious seem to be driving under the influence. Some experienced back-roads slalom drivers appear like recent arrivals... Continue Reading →
Joy Rides … Close to Home
Joy Rides is how we sightsee during a pandemic. We pack a picture and head off to explore our beautiful region in a day trip.
Turkey Trot
The long haul: Gilbert on turkey drives By Peter Gilbert | May 27, 2009 [There's a tiny hamlet just outside of Chelsea, Vermont called Goose Green that is so named, because that's where surrounding farmers would gather their geese before marching them to market in Boston. Thanks to Silverback Bill (Hinesburg SBs) for reminding us of this chapter... Continue Reading →
Home Demonstration Clubs of Vermont
by Silverbelle Margaret (Ridge Road SBs) A cookbook in the pantry caught my eye recently. It has been a long time since I've visited the contents of this old book. Bound together by two metal rings, it’s dressed with a simple cover made from vintage, mottled-gray shelving plastic. Sandwiched between the front and back cover... Continue Reading →
The Great Zucchini Controversy of 2002
[Whoops! This was supposed to be yesterday's post. Instead you got Neanderthals. Pretend the Tunbridge Fair has been extended by one day. SB SM] The colors on the ribbon may have faded, but not the memories. The Tunbridge World's Fair is a stage, and all the men and women of Central Vermont have their moments... Continue Reading →
The West Brookfield Classic
Like all great ideas, The Classic was conceived on a cold winter’s night when summer seemed a thousand … a million years away. It was at the McKeon’s house. Someone (Greg Schipa? John McKeon?) said “Wouldn’t it be incredible if next summer we could get in good enough shape to run all the way around... Continue Reading →
Eat a Peach
Pho Hong ... best Vietnamese in Vermont We were having lunch at Pho Hong, our favorite restaurant in Burlington, when Silverbelle Sandy said "Something I really want to do before the summer is over is to pick peaches in Addison County. "Vermont's not exactly known for its peaches," I said. "But if you're serious, you... Continue Reading →
DON’T MAKE WAVES
[This is an article from my wise-guy days when I thought I was Vermont's answer to Dave Barry. Didn't work out that way, but that's ok. I've left in all the dated references, because the subject is timeless. SB SM] One of the nice things about Vermont, especially outside the Chittenden Metro Belt, is that... Continue Reading →
In praise of Carl Russell
[Gilead Brook Road lost one of its premier Silverbacks recently with the passing of Carl Russell. Carl was a husband, a father, a farmer, a selectman, a friend ... the list goes on ... a teamster, a leader, a steward, and a poet. I don't know anyone who appreciated his place on the planet as... Continue Reading →
We’ve Lost a Beloved Silverback
A loved, respected, admired, gentle, kind, and all-around awesome Silverback has left us for that greater Jungle in the sky. SB Derrick (Gilead SBs) was both the ultimate SB, but also the quintessential Vermonter. What makes a quintessential Vermonter? Well, he has to be a dairy farmer. And he has to prefer Jerseys over those... Continue Reading →