guests . “ I like to help people to come and renew their human spirits here . I ’ m proud of the work that we ’ re doing here on a daily basis . I believe it carries the family legacy forward in a wonderful way . I think the most fulfilling thing about it is the opportunity to help enrich people ’ s lives . Some people come here because of their fascination with The Sound of Music , and they end up learning so much more in the time that they spend with us here . Our hope is to showcase the natural beauty of our property and the state of Vermont to help promote what we firmly believe is a healthy and happy lifestyle . At the end of the day , we can honestly lay in bed at night and feel confident that we ’ re helping to make a difference .”
We ’ re conveniently located on Rt . 9 just 2 / 10 mile west of Exit 2 off I-91 GOURMET TO GO FRESH PASTRIES VERMONT PRODUCTS
432 Western Ave . • Brattleboro , VT
802-257-9254 www . vermontcountrydeli . com
A FAMILY HISTORY
When a decorated Austrian Naval Captain by the name of Baron Georg von Trapp was approached by Nazi commanders to serve in the German war machine , he denied their requests due to his deeply-held moral objections . When Hitler later attempted to book Georg ’ s talented children to perform at a political event , Georg refused to compromise on his beliefs . He declined the invitation to perform , provoking the considerable ire of the Nazi party .
One fateful morning in 1938 , the von Trapp family fled from Austria to escape the tightening grip of the Nazi regime . Following a lengthy and tumultuous emigration process , the von Trapps found permanent asylum in the United States . Once the von Trapps were established stateside , their children developed a considerable musical following through years of nationwide touring as the Trapp Family Singers . In 1941 , the family acquired a breathtaking plot of mountainside land in Stowe , Vermont . After Georg passed away in 1947 , surviving members of the von Trapp family converted the property into a charming and rustic inn that paid aesthetic tribute to their Austrian heritage . The inn was opened to the public in 1950 , and the Trapp Family Singers continued to successfully tour until their eventual disbandment in 1957 .
The von Trapp family ’ s inspiring story was subsequently immortalized in the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music . When the musical was made into an Academy-Award-winning film starring Julie Andrews in 1965 , it brought the von Trapps international fame and cemented their name in the cultural canon for generations to come .
After a tragic fire burned the Trapp Family Lodge down to the ground in 1980 , the von Trapp family was once again put in an incredibly difficult position . Unable to financially recuperate from their losses , they were entirely unsuccessful in their attempts to apply for loans . When all seemed lost , Maria von Trapp ’ s youngest son Johannes came up with a brilliant solution . He drafted a comprehensive business plan for building timeshare vacation rental properties , and presented it to the same banks who had initially denied his first loan applications . By channeling the same indefatigable spirit that had helped his father and mother navigate past challenges , Johannes was able to successfully bring the family business back from the brink of bankruptcy . The banks agreed to the loan proposal , and the von Trapps were able to rebuild their lodge bigger and better than it had ever been before .
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