As you may know by now, we have a newsletter that we send out sporadically, and we have partnered with the local icon, Andy Mitchell, who is a co-sponsor ( how lucky are we?!)
Andy sent this editorial recently and we laughed out loud. Hope you enjoy his salty humor as much as we do!
Hi, my name is Andy, and I’m a Jersey driver.
While I make every effort outside the car to be calm and courteous, with varying success – behind the wheel I can’t outrun my roots. I drive like an asshole. I admit it and bear the shame. Yes, I’m a flatlander. One of those people from New Jersey, ruining Vermont. I went to college here, have lived here for 20 years, raised kids here, and have no plans of ever leaving, but I’ll never be a real Vermonter. Will my grandkids?
There is an argument that one’s chosen home should count for something. Roughly 4 in 10 people leave their home state for some reason or another. 6% of college grads go to NYC. Apparently if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. A solid percent of more vintage people move south – presumably for the weather? Texas, Arizona – the Carolinas are all in the top 10. People move to Alaska if they’re running from something, (kidding, sort of). And, of course… Florida.
People are drawn to Vermont for something different, probably not the weather. CNBC ranked Vermont #1 in “quality of life” in 2025. Now I’ll admit I have no idea what that actually means, but like it anyway. Vermont has its own certain special something… and for the most part, we do tend to attract specific kinds of people. Thoughtful, creative, open-minded, compassionate, positive people.
I recently had the honor of meeting two of our newer, fellow flatlanders, Mark Pruhenski, Middlebury’s Town Manager as of Jan ‘25; and Ian B. Baucom, the new President of Middlebury College. I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of our little shire.
Even with all the real world conundrums they must deal with every day, Mark and his team, Dave and Crystal, still get excited about creative, innovative ideas. And yes, money is tight, but if you can find the funds, they don’t have an anti-change, “this is the way it’s always been” mentality. They seem genuinely open to exploring outside the box.
Dr. Ian B. Baucom is a distinguished scholar and author, whose tenure as EVP and Provost of UVA – among many other things – culminated in his appointment as the 18th president of Middlebury College. I’ve rarely met a person in his position who listens and engages like he does. Brainstorming ways to make the college – and the town, even better. Ian, I doubt you’re reading this, but if you are, Sterkte!
Enough flattery. My bottom line – even though these people have more “tangible” things to worry about than “art”… they still believe creativity is necessary. Imagination is not a luxury. So all you closet creatives out there – right now might be the time to do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Take that chance you’ve been waiting to take. The stars are aligning – and all signs point to Yes.
Oh… and if I ever cut you off in the Shaw’s parking lot, or give you the finger at the Co-Op, remember it’s nothing personal. I’m simply embracing my Jersey heritage.