Article Title: Vermont Through Southern Eyes - Reflections of Vermont

Edition: August 2000
Category: General Interest
Author: Sigrid Lumbra
Article:

Editor's note: Sigrid Lumbra, who grew up in Orlando, Fla., and most recently lived in Birmingham Ala., passed through Vermont this summer. She stopped in at The Bridge office and asked if she could help. We got talking about the South and Vermont. As Yankees we found it challenging and refreshing to hear about ourselves from a woman who hails from Dixie. Sigrid, who has since left Vermont, shares some of her observations here. (end of editor's note)

As the old saying goes, "ILOVERMONT (I Love Vermont)." I do indeed. I even married a Vermont boy (composition 3/4 woodchuck, 1/4 hippie). But Im from another planet. Instead of maple creemees, we eat banana pudding. Instead of debating gay rights, we debate civil rights. My planet is called "The South."

The Bridge asked me to take an outsiders look at Vermont. I soon discovered that I am schizophrenic about the state. There are things about Vermont that I love, in fact find amazing. But there are also local quirks that are hard to reconcile with my upbringing in a large southern city.

I could make a list twice as long about the things I love and dont love about the South. But for fun, lets look at some of Vermonts good and bad points from a different perspective . . .

1. I love that everybody seems to know everybody else. I tried to rent a video at a small general store. The owner refused my offer to secure it with a credit card. The only information he needed was that my mother-in-law had purchased the barn down the road. But I dont love the lack of big city anonymity. In that same general store you have to ask the clerk for certain personal items which he keeps behind the counter.

2. I love learning about some traditional Vermont activities, like sugaring and stone cutting. But I dont love the traditional Vermont obsession with things like tires, chains, car parts, chainsaws, doodlebugs, or log skidders. I never mowed a lawn or changed a tire until I married my Vermonter, and frankly Id be happy never to do either again.

3. I love the beautiful old buildings downtown and the beautiful farms in the country. But I dont love the hoards of plywood and TyVek structures that have probably been in a state of "almost finished" for years.

4. I love the lack of sentimentality of the dyed-in-the-wool Vermonters. But I dont love the lack of southern graciousness. Occasionally its nice to hear a "yes maam" or "be careful" or "I appreciate you" even if they are just social formalities.

5. I love the civil unions bill. But I dont love the way it was passed, sort of like winning a championship ball game because of a controversial call by a referee.

6. I love the laid back attitude about marijuana. It should be legalized. But I dont love that some people lack restraint in that area. Where Im from there are things you just dont do. One is smoke pot with your kids.

7. I love the serenity of Vermont. But I dont like the isolation and the feeling of being disconnected from the rest of the world.

8. I love the emphasis on freedom to worship whatever god or goddess you choose. But I dont love the assumption that wearing Patchouli (scent) or not shaving your armpits earns you a link to the goddess. Some of us in hairspray and makeup might have a direct link. In fact, one of us might be the goddess.

9. I love the names of local crossroads like Gospel Hollow or Maple Corners. But I dont love how French names are butchered. How you YOU pronounce Calais? How do YOU pronounce Bombardier?

10. I love the feistiness of a Vermonter. But I dont love being called "flatlander" in the same tone someone would use to say "child molester."

11. I love that the corporate rat race does not rule your lives. But I dont love what seems to be a hardscrabble existence of being underemployed, underpaid and undervalued.

12. I love walking across the Montpelier bridges that span the North Branch. But I dont like driving across the Granite Street Bridge when a huge truck is coming the other way.

13. I love cruising the dirt roads in the country. But I dont love the cost of the new shocks Ill need because of it.

14. I love my encounters with wildlife like foxes, ducks, and deer. But I dont love my encounters with wildlife like black flies and helicopter-sized mosquitoes.

15. I love the beautiful change in season that helps the maple syrup industry. But I dont love the taste of real maple syrup. Give me Mrs. Butterworth every time.

16. I love that I had my first real moose encounter in the woods of Calais. But I dont love being invited over to my in-laws house to view the moose droppings in the yard.

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