FROM THE PUBLISHER
HUBERT SCHRIEBL
The seasons come,
the seasons go…
No other season signifies change as much as autumn. The
air turns cooler and drier, children return to school, and the
landscape migrates from shades of green to a kaleidoscope of
yellows, reds, and oranges.
There are fewer social movements that signify change more than
the Back-to-the-Land movement, which values abandoning the
hectic city life and embracing a calmer lifestyle incorporating the
appreciation of the outdoors, recreation, and farming—with art
and music.
Throughout this issue we connect to the Back-to-the-Land
movement during different stages in history. The Vermont
Symphony Orchestra represents one of the first. The Orchestra
began in 1934 and obtained its recognition as a result of its
appearance and performance at the 1939 New York World’s Fair
during the time the original Back-to-the-Land movement was
gaining popularity in the United States. Executive Director
Ben Cadwallader of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra notes in
the VT Voices interview with Joshua Sherman that the movement
signifies getting “back in touch with nature without sacrificing
the comforts of art, music, and beauty.”
However, Back-to-the-Land gained most of its notoriety in the
mid- to late-1960s and 1970s and is celebrated in Bennington
Museum’s exhibitions, Fields of Change and Color Fields. Of
international note is that Bob Dylan’s song “The Times They
10 STRATTON MAGAZINE | STRATTON MAGAZINE.COM
Are A-Changin” was first published in the Bennington College
magazine, SILO in 1963.
The current-day Back-to-the-Land movement continues to be
felt strongly in our area. This is exemplified by the exquisite
artistry of internationally acclaimed glassmaker extraordinaire
Robert DuGrenier showcasing his Sap-Link installation at the
Southern Vermont Arts Center, which includes a tree trunk from
his Townshend farm on a chain link that incorporates glass
depicting springtime sap bubbling forth. Chandler 4 Corners,
headquartered in Manchester, is another example of creativity
depicting and emoting a lifestyle with its collection of home
accessories. Furthermore, home improvement specialists from
around the area blend the indoor with the outdoor—a unique
part of Vermont living. And moreover, Merck Forest & Farmland
Center continues to inspire responsibility to our natural land.
And not least of all, Stratton Mountain Resort provides year-
round extraordinary outdoor recreational experiences. Join us for
the kick-off of Stratton Mountain’s Bike Park and celebrate hiking
month, the harvest festivals, and fall foliage.
And if you can’t get to us—we’ll come to you. Sign up and
subscribe for home delivery of Stratton Magazine.
–Marcia Lissak