George Spaulding, now in his seventies, was born on the Royalton, Vermont, farm where he and his wife Agnes still milk cows. Time is measured here at Lone Oak Farm by cycles of sun and moon over the hills that hug the White River valley here, and by the slower turning of the great wheel of seasons.

Spring is generally a time of preparation for farmers—of fence mending and planting. The great maples of these hillsides insure, however, that this is also a time of rich harvest, just as it has been for centuries. Cabot Co-operative farmers, George and Agnes love dairy, but come spring there is no finer place to be than in the sugarhouse as sap boils and neighbors gather. George had a rough winter, health-wise, but nothing could keep him from this treasured sugaring time with family and friends.


By Bob Eddy
Cabot/Agrimark

A feature layout of 8 images, accompanied by this short story, appeared in the Herald of Randolph on April 6, 2006. You can see this publication, with one of the images in color, by going to the link below:


http://www.rherald.com/news/2006/0406/Community_News/com02.html