Spring 2010
Inside VL
Counter Culture
Our managing editor, Bill Anderson, often stops at the Jericho Center Country Store on his way home from work. The creak of the wooden floors, the vintage potbelly stove and the bank of old brass mailboxes make it the quintessential Vermont general store. In fact, the Jericho Center store is Vermont's longest continuously running — now 203 years old and counting.
The age of the building stands in stark contrast to the 21st-century teens who run it. Like many other such businesses around the state, the store is often in the hands of these young people, who work the counter, make the sandwiches, stock the shelves, mop the floors and, perhaps most important, make the store a friendly, upbeat place rather than a dusty anachronism.
Anderson suggested that we do a story on these hard-working kids. At a time when teens are often portrayed as capable of interacting only in a virtual world, photographer Daria Bishop found quite the opposite. "The kids were engaging and loved the social aspect of the job," says Bishop. "They seemed to really appreciate the chance to be an important part of their communities." (See "Minding the Store," page 40.)
It turns out that working at the local general store is a highly sought-after position among teens. The short commute — rare in rural communities — and the chance to work in a lively environment where friends stop in makes it more appealing than flipping burgers at a faraway fast-food franchise. "I like seeing people from school," says Darren Kennedy, 18, who works at the store. "Everyone comes in on their way home."
Each of the stores also seems to operate like a close-knit family, with teamwork, trust and mutual admiration, says Bishop. "I was so impressed with the teenagers' sense of responsibility to their stores. And more than once, I heard the kids say, "I love my bosses," she says.
"I tell them we can't pay them $20 an hour, but we'll have fun, and I'll show them respect," says Jon St. Amour, one of the owners of the Jericho store. "I try not to be the evil boss because I remember what it's like to be that kid with their first job. Working at the store teaches kids responsibility and helps them to open up. We teach them how to work, and that's the bottom line."
Also in this issue:
We bring you spring! Matt Crawford visits the Willoughby River for opening day of trout season (page 32), when anglers shake free of winter's grip and snap off their first casts of the year. And Dirk Van Susteren splashes around Elmore Roots (page 36) as it bubbles to life with the melt of six streams. This northern orchard specializes in hardy heirloom varietals. We also explore great places to grab a bite to eat along Middlebury's Otter Creek (page 22) as winter's runoff swells the river and provides spectacular views while dining.
Enjoy.
Mary Hegarty Nowlan, Editor
mary.nowlan@state.vt.us
