Calling All Orleans County Residents!
The citizens of Orleans are invited to contribute and participate in a new documentary film produced by students at Johnson State College.
"Life in Orleans County" will be the third documentary produced by students in Professor Bill Doyle's Vermont History and Government course at the college, in collaboration with videographer Vince Franke of Peregrine Productions.
The Orleans community will be featured in the 30-minute film describing life in the county during the first half of the 20th century. JSC students will interview longtime residents and use local historical photographs, with the help of the Orleans Historical Society. The film will include stories of how people lived, farmed, stored food and enjoyed themselves before electricity and modern life.
Two other similar documentaries produced during the past two years by Johnson State College students - "Life in Lamoille County" and "Life in Franklin County" - received wide critical acclaim.
To generate local interest, JSC student Matt Daubenspeck, who helped produce the first two films, will show "Life in Franklin County" at meetings of the Newport Rotary Club July 31st, and Barton Lions Club September 4.
Orleans County was named in honor of the Duke of Orleans in France because of his strong support for the American Revolution. Orleans County, where the rivers run north, is defined by agriculture (including logging, the maple industry and dairy farming); stunning scenery; deepwater, spring-fed lakes like Willoughby and Shadow Lake; mountains (including Jay Peak); and the long peaceful border with Canada, across which commerce flows over land and the waters of Lake Memphremagog. Capturing this history through history and photographs is the goal of the film project.
Professor Doyle, who is also a state senator, notes: "Students were enthusiastic about something that would provide a permanent history of the county, something that was bigger then themselves."
Bill Doyle has taught at Johnson State College for 50 years, and has been in the Vermont Senate for 40 years, representing Washington County. His knowledge of government, politics and history is legendary in Vermont.
Johnson State College academic dean Dan Regan said: "'Life in Orleans County' is part of the college's overall commitment to disseminating knowledge about our local region. All useful knowledge is local - the starting point for the largesse of mind we encourage at JSC.
Johnson State College is sponsoring the project and raising funds to hire a professional videographer to produce the film.
By mid-December, DVD and VHS copies will be for sale ($15) at bookstores in the Newport area, at the JSC Bookstore (802-635-1233), and at many town offices. For more information on where to purchase the new film, or the other two, "Life in Lamoille County" and "Life in Franklin County," contact the JSC Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 802-635-1251, or e-mail jscalum@jsc.edu, or call Bill Doyle at 802-371-7898.
You can also download a pdf version of the order form, fill it out, and mail it in. Click on the link to download the order form. (You'll need Adobe Reader to view this file. Click here to download Reader.)