Film Brings Out the Young and not so Young and Everybody in Between

By Scott Wheeler

Richard and Susan Nelson and their daughter, Sydney, attended the showing of the film. Members of a prominent farm family, the film gave the Derby family the chance to watch the backbreaking work that went into farming in an earlier time. There is no doubt that they appreciate the modern technology found on today’s farms. Sydney also took a break from the film for a short nap.

The film, “Life in Orleans County”, has played several times throughout the Northeast Kingdom during the last couple months, and it has aired on Vermont Public Television. Hundreds of people have viewed it, transporting them to an earlier time in the history of Orleans County.
A small but enthusiastic group of folks turned out Sunday for yet another showing of the film, this time at IROC in Derby. It was hosted by the Derby Historical Society.
The film was produced by students in Professor Bill Doyle's Vermont History and Government course at Johnson State College, in collaboration with videographer Vince Franke of Peregrine Productions. Must of the film focuses on this region’s proud agricultural past and community life.
Students in Professor Doyle’s class tracked down and interviewed one person in most of the Orleans County communities, many who have memories of that particularly community that span far back into the first half of the 20th. The 30-minute film was enhanced by the wide-array of historical photos of Orleans.

For Wesley Bailey of Derby, watching the film took him back to his youth. Now 91-years-old, Bailey grew up on a farm in Craftsbury long before the days of modern technology.

The showings have brought out a vast array of people, ranging from recent arrivals to the region, to decedents of some of the earliest settlers. For some people it is a time to relive their youth, while for others it is a time to learn about the county’s history.
This is the first of a series of events that the Derby Historical Society hopes to host this year. Although relatively dormant for several years, the historical society, which has a museum on the south end of Derby’s Main Street, a small group of Derby residents are working to bring new life to the society. New members are greatly welcome.
People interested in learning more about the historical society can contact any of the three people: Bill Gardyne at (802) 766-5324, Scott Wheeler at (802) 334-5920, or Allen Yale at (802) 766-5159.