From the Editor - Across the Transom

Every once and awhile something comes in across the transom (that’s editor-talk for stories / letters / articles that arrive at our door unbidden). This comes to us from a new friend, Peter MacFarlane. I want to share it with you because it reminded me of what wonderful folks we have living here… And also how gratifying my job is.
In the summer of 1999, I was hired to be the new fourth grade teacher at Maple Street School, a private elementary school in Manchester Center. As part of the fourth grade curriculum at Maple Street, I was given the assignment of teaching the students about mountain ecosystems. In search of a field trip to compliment this unit, I happened upon a copy of the summer issue of Stratton Magazine. In this issue was an article written about Hugh and Jeanne Joudry, caretakers for the Green Mountain Club, and inhabitants of a small cabin on top of Stratton Mountain during the spring, summer and early fall months of the year. I knew right away that taking my fourth graders up to meet the Joudrys would be the perfect extension to our study of mountain ecosystems. So I contacted the Green Mountain Club to arrange our field trip.  
I remember it was a beautiful, sunny morning on the day we met Hugh Joudry at the gondola platform.  I was immediately struck by how warm and gracious he was with the children.  The mile hike from the gondola to the Joudrys’ cabin was filled with teachable moments, as Hugh would stop and explain unique aspects of mountain ecosystems, in addition to pinpointing animal tracks along the trail.  I sensed that at one time in his life Hugh was also a teacher.Jeanne Joudry was there to meet us upon our arrival at the trail’s end with a welcoming smile.  After a brief snack at the base of the fire tower, the children were ready to ask the Joudrys about their experiences living on top of Stratton Mountain. Through a series of questions asked by each of the children, we learned some interesting things about these two very fascinating people. We learned that Hugh and Jeanne’s days are busy ones doing trail work, greeting “through hikers” on the Appalachian/Long Trail that passes just a short distance from their cabin door, and climbing the fire tower to scout the surrounding area for fires during the dry months of the year. We learned that they have been working for the Green Mountain Club as caretakers on the top of Stratton Mountain for forty years.  We also leaned that they have been married for the same amount of time. We learned the one thing that the Joudrys miss the most of all when they are living on top of the mountain is chocolate.  And when asked if they were happy living with no electricity and running water in a little one-room cabin, both Hugh and Jeanne said that it is the happiest time in their lives.  After a quick tour of the Joudrys eleven by fourteen cabin, and a trip up the fire tower for a spectacular view of the Green Mountains, we headed back on the trail to the gondola. I remember during the hike back more than one of the students saying to me, “Those people were nice.”  “Yes,” I replied, “they were very nice.”
For the five years that I worked at Maple Street School, I always looked forward to making an annual field trip to visit Hugh and Jeanne with my students. And in time, the Joudrys and I became good friends. I visit them now occasionally in the summers with my family—always remembering to bring along some chocolate.
So, thank you, Stratton Magazine, for introducing me to Hugh and Jeanne Joudry, and for helping me teach my students that nice people can be found just about anywhere in the world—even on the top of a mountain.
We have more tales of interesting people in this issue—one about an Australian who has sent hundreds of roses overseas to grace the grounds of North Bennington’s Park McCullough house. And Geoffrey Norman reports about the doctors at Grace Cottage Hospital. The horse show is in town and that’s always good summer fun, and Kathleen James tells us how to keep cool on these sultry summer days. Enjoy.