We had a fun time studying about Vermont. Even though I have never been there I feel connected with the state in some ways because I have had several friends that have lived there and I have heard a lot about it. It seems to me that most people who have lived there look back on their time there very fondly. I think I would like it too. It seems in many ways like MN and the addition of mountains would be a nice one.It was very appropriate that we studied about Vermont while we were in the middle of Maple syruping. Above is a picture of some of the Maple Syrup that I canned that week. Producing Maple syrup is something that Vermont has long been famous for. Cheddar cheese is another of their specialties (though they actually produce more Mozzarella). Also in the food line is Ben and Jerry's Ice cream. Ben and Jerry are from Vermont and they started their ice cream making by taking a $5 correspondence course. (Ken wonders how well it works to take a correspondence course for making ice cream? I guess for them it worked fine.)
The state fruit is an apple and they seem to enjoy lots of baked goods with apples in them. Something we enjoyed was apple muffins.
We also tried and enjoyed Green Mountain Corn Chowder. There are lots of other Vermont Recipes at this site that also look yummy. At the Vermont Specialty Foods Association you can find a lot more recipes.
Some of the things we found interesting about Vermont were:
- No Billboards are allowed.
- They were the last state to allow Wal-mart to have a store there.
- The kids found the pictures of a granite quarry very fascinating. It looks dangerous but interesting. They also have marble quarries.
- They have a lot (maybe the most?) or covered bridges.
- Vermont was the state that the Von Trapp family located in when they came to the U.S.
- Vermont became a State on March 4, 1791. The 14th state and the first one that wasn't one of the original colonies.
Vermont is a state that is known for it's beautiful fall leaves, pretty old fashioned towns and getting a lot of snow (like MN). I think I could feel pretty at home there.
What do you like about Vermont? By the way we are studying Ohio this week and would love it if you would share any information about that state. Thanks!!
