Showing of “Life In Orleans County” a Huge Success

Bill Doyle, a professor at Johnson State College and longtime state senator, was on hand at the film to answer questions. Students in his history class made the film.

If the large turn out at the showing of the film, “Life in Orleans County”, that was shown at the Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport on Saturday, is an indicator about the peoples’ interest in this region’s history, it speaks volumes.
An overflow crowd turned out for the film that was made by Professor Bill Doyle’s history class at Johnson State College. The class was assisted by Vince Franke of Peregrine Productions. This showing of the film was hosted by Scott Wheeler, the publisher of Vermont’s Northland Journal.

The showing of the film brought out an overflow crowd.

To make the 30 minute film students tracked down and interviewed a person from many of the Orleans County communities, many who have memories of that particularly community that go far back into the first half of the 20th. Those interviewed include: Chester Carpenter, Bob Clark, Richard Colburn, Yves Daigle, Ruth Damon, Paul Daniels, George Douglas, Emeline Harmon, Evelyn Page, Andy Pepin, John Miller, Horace Strong, Ralph Swett, and Eugene Webster.

There is no doubt that the spectators liked the end result of the students’ work. The film kept the crowd laughing and reminiscing.
Because of the huge success of this showing, and the fact that there wasn’t enough room for everybody to attend this showing, at the request of the staff at the Goodrich, Mr. Wheeler has agreed to host another showing of the film along with members of the Old Stone House Museum. This showing is planned for Saturday, February 2, at 1 p.m. at the Goodrich. The showing is free and open to the public.

Some of the many people who took part in the showing: Professor Bill Doyle of Johnson State College; Peggy Day Gibson, director of the Old Stone House; Scott Wheeler, the publisher of Vermont’s Northland Journal, and Vince Franke of Peregrine Productions.

Copies of the film will be on sale at the showing. People can also buy copies of the film at the Old Stone House Museum in Brownington, and in stores throughout the county. Of the $15 sale price, the Old Stone House receives $7. People with questions about the movie, including about where it is sold, can call (802) 754-2022.

People with questions about this event can contact Scott Wheeler at (802) 334-5920 or by email at northlandjournal@gmail.com