Southern Vermont Overview
Travel along the Molly Stark Byway, the corridor that runs along Route 9 from Bennington, VT to Brattleboro, VT. This area is beloved by those who love outdoor recreation, and is a popular spot for “leaf-peeping” during the fall.
There is, however, a lot more to this region than maple syrup and fall foliage. A region with great history, southern Vermont has hosted revolutionary war battles, enjoyed economic boom times during the industrial revolution, and is now looking for its place in the 21st century.
Connecting Point executive producer Tony Dunne and videographer Mark Langevin bring us an overview of the people and issues that drive the rural communities and urban centers which make up this picturesque region, to find out what life is like in this part of the Green Mountain state.
Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce
From manufacturing to beer, and from to tourism to the circus, thousands flock to Southern Vermont each year, but the region also has a diverse economy beyond travel and tourism. Carolee McGrath sat down with Kate O’Connor, the Executive Director of the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce, to learn more.
Brattleboro Police Department
The small Southern Vermont city of Brattleboro has a population of about 12,000 people, but it is not immune to the big city problem of drugs. It’s right off of interstate 91 – what many people call the heroin highway. Carolee McGrath sat down with Brattleboro Police Officer Adam Petlock to find out how the department and wider community is dealing with the crisis.
Grafton Village Cheese
Cheese making has long been a part of Vermont life. In 1892, the Grafton Cooperative Cheese Company was founded by dairy farmers who would turn their surplus milk into cheese. After fire destroyed the facility in 1912, the Windham Foundation restored the company and the fine art of cheese making continues to this day in Grafton. Connecting Point Producer Dave Fraser visited the company at its Brattleboro facility and shares this story.
Latchis Theater
Jon Potter, the Executive Director of Latchis Arts, takes us through the history of the Latchis Theater, the efforts to save it and the American Dream that saw it through.
