New England Year: A Journal of Vermont Farm Life

First published nearly a half-century ago and long out of print, this journal portrays the farm, family and community life of an area that changed little over the years. Rob and Muriel Follett were fifth-generation farmers in southeastern Vermont who produced maple syrup, milk, potatoes and vegetables for sale. Rob used a team of horses for plowing, even though he owned a tractor; he and son Bobby milked their cows by hand. The author cooked on a wood stove. School, church, the 4-H Club and farm-related activities were central to their lives. The author notes local damage from the devastating hurricane of 1937; folks were concerned about the political fate of Czechoslovakia, but their attention was focused on things closer to homeweather, market prices, their children. Readers will have a joyous nostalgia trip with this piece of quintessential New England. (August)