This week in Strafford two events shined a light on our community and warmed the hearts of those present. On Sunday, June 4, there was a Celebration of the Life of longtime Newton School Principal Robert Murray, and on Tuesday, June 6, The Preservation Trust of Vermont held a day-long event in Strafford focusing on the importance of our rural communities. Both events were inspiring. The following two speeches give a bit of a sense of both days and a feel of how and why Strafford is so special to so many.

The first is by Joey Hawkins an educator and colleague of Mr. Murray's. The second is by Sonya Schumacher who went to the Newton School worked around the country and then brought her family back to Strafford.

At 11pm on December 31st, 1999, noted theologian and Strafford resident William Sloane Coffin Jr. inspired those attending a Millenium gathering at Town House with words of inspiration.

Young and old folks in Strafford have always enjoyed having winter recreation and skiing. at the Lion's rope tow on Harrington Hill and elsewhere. Possibly the first in Strafford to really embrace the idea of skiing was Rosa Tyson. An avid outdoors person, Rosa according to her grandnephew Sherm Wilson likely took up skiing in the 1930s.

"Harlow was Strafford's first beatnik". Harlow was definitely ahead of his time. An abstract artist and back-to-the-lander in the early 50s, he was a hard worker who also knew how to have fun.