Spring 2010
Update
Moving Forward
From Christian M. Clough, Takoma Park, Md.
I was in Burlington (recently) and picked up a copy of the weekly tabloid Seven Days, which printed an article on the controversy over recent changes to Vermont Life magazine. How timely was my visit, then, as I have REALLY enjoyed the most recent two or three issues. Having visited Vermont innumerable times throughout my life — first as a child with parents, then as a grad student at Yale and more recently as a regretful exile from New England — I have always been fond of your state.
Like so many of your readers, I am sure that my views of Vermont are skewed by a degree of romanticism. Nevertheless, I have always sought out something of the "real" Vermont, and I believe that your recent changes to the magazine are, indeed, revealing more of the diversity of Vermont, including more of its treasures and challenges.
Vermont may preserve, better than many states, simpler ways of life, but it is still a state that is moving forward. Vermont's relative quiet in the latter half of the 20th century may have better prepared it for the cultural, social, economic and environmental challenges we face in the 21st, as it remained somewhat less corrupted by modernism. Vermont has wisdom to share. I commend you and your staff for using your wonderful magazine to impart some of that wisdom, as well as the delights of Vermont.
ZEAL FOR REVAMP
From Olive M. L. Burdekin, Blenheim, New Zealand
I am writing to congratulate you on the extraordinary revamp of your excellent publication.
Today, I came home from church and with my cup of coffee picked up Vermont Life for a quick look-see. I ended up reading it from cover to cover! Such beautiful pictures, such interesting stories about places dear to the hearts of Vermonters. Far from a negative change, the magazine is so, so much more attractive — a superb job! My magazine is passed on to N.Z. friends and passed on and on ... !
From Joseph M. Cuoco and Lisa R. Cuoco, New York, N.Y.
My wife and I have become avid readers of Vermont Life over the past several years and have just purchased a house in Grafton, Vt. We both have commented about the new style that the magazine has taken. We were slightly surprised about the degree of reaction that has been expressed regarding the new layout and changes that you have brought to the magazine. The new look is great, it is refreshing; we loved the fall cover with the multiple pictures and the Special Issue "The Edge of Winter." As always the articles are wonderful, and they capture what I think Vermont is all about: the people!
Keep up the good work, you have brought a fresh perspective to the magazine and change is not always good or bad, it's just change.
From Edith Gould, Birmingham, Ala.
Being a true Vermonter, I relish every issue and resent the critics ("Inbox," Winter 2009-2010). Try looking at other regional magazines filled with home decoration and food with everything geared to extreme wealth.
Far adrift in the deep South, I enjoy all of it: the people, the places, the ads for the wonderful products produced in Vermont, the pictures. Stay with it, Mary.
WINTER'S EDGE
From Ruby P. Jenness, Morgan, Vt.
"The Edge of Winter" was a stunning edition: the pictures, the stories, even the color pictures in the ads are awesome! I have skied all my life, but creek skiing — my gosh! Also: Who has heard the rush of wind (Brattleboro's "Air Force") when standing near the takeoff on Harris Hill at the moment when the ski jumpers leave the slope and fly off into space? I was there in the 1970s and felt total terror when our young son made the flight during practice jumps. Via snow machines, we check the huts ("Get Started: Ice Fishing") that dot Lake Seymour in front of our home in Morgan. I shall try the recipe for pork stew ("Get Stoked"). May this magazine never go out of production!
From Rachel Beebe, San Francisco, Calif.
Just wanted to write and say how much I enjoyed your Winter issue. I'm a native Vermonter, but haven't lived there for about 10 years now. I moved away for college in Massachusetts and then on to London, England, and now San Francisco, but I've always identified strongly as a Vermonter more than anything else, and I've enjoyed reading each new issue of Vermont Life and looking at the lovely photos that remind me of the place I still consider home.
This issue brought wintertime in Vermont alive in my memory — I could hear the crunch and squeak of snow under boots and feel the sting of cold morning air in my lungs — and I wanted to say thanks for putting together such a lovely publication. Also, as an editor myself, I know how much effort goes into making a magazine. Here's to a job well done.
From Ralph Vartuli, Hayesville, N.C.
I really enjoyed the Special Issue "The Edge of Winter." Being a former Vermont native — born in Winooski in 1934 — I have subscribed to Vermont Life for the past 20 years, and I also send subscriptions (as gifts) to East Hartford, Conn., and Fishkill, N.Y. I really enjoyed "Get Started: Ice Fishing." It brings back old memories fishing on Lake Champlain with my four sons.
Your articles are diverse, with different stories of interest, and I look forward to the next issue.
Send letters to Vermont Life, 6 Baldwin St., Montpelier, VT 05602
e-mail: editors@VtLife.com
