There are many white people in VT and we do not tend to be intrusively religious. We also have a high cost of living, increasing drug problems and the violence that goes with it and the only people who would welcome your attitude would be other bigots. As a whole, I would say that Vermonters are welcoming the increasing number of non-white and non-straight folks that are moving here.

I didn’t see any yellow or gold, but the sun was very bright. They were large for finches. After online reading my wife thinks it may be a flock of Pine Grossbeak. I hope they stick around, they were lovely.

I’m really not sure! They were fairly big birds - a little larger than a robin. They were cutely round, but it was very cold. The main color seemed to be the same gray as a pigeon. They seemed to have long tails for their shape and size. The tails seemed to be forked, with longer feathers on the outsides, making a v shape. They made cute, contented bird noises, but no distinctive calls. About half of them had rosy breasts and heads (sex differentiation maybe?). They all had white lines on their wings.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get a very clear picture or video because of distance, the contrast between the bright sun and the darker thickets and the age of my phone camera.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before, but came home from errands today and had a flock of at least 40 eating sumac pods on my back hill. birds

Baby! Top breed is unquestionably babydog.

He’s very pretty! And look! He has a cute puppy.

No doubt at all!

Also, apart from what other people have answered, Vermont has always had the reputation of being a pure and agricultural land that is unsullied by the nastiness of industry and the sins of cities. In the 1880s, there was an influx of wealthy industrialists wanting to make homes in a better area for their families. In a lot of ways, Vermont was seen as the pinnacle of wholesomeness.

So, you have barons of industry moving to Vermont, buying land and building mansions. They imported specialist labor like Italian stoneworkers for their specialties. There were architects such as Brattleboro Native Richard Morris Hunt that specialized in designing these estates for the very rich.

Also, it was very common at the time for rich people to fund projects for the public good such a libraries, churches, hospitals, schools etc. for various reasons from keeping a good name in the community to building a family legacy. Vermonter Lambert Packard designed a bunch of beautiful buildings during this time period - churches, office blocks, banks, schools and museums.

If you've heard of the Orvis company, it actually started in Manchester Vermont. They offer tours/guides/clinics and they also have recommendations.

No to both. The weather is actually warmer than usual and you can really jack up your car if you hit a snow-hidden pothole.

Absolutely. My local Shaws carries ground venison that is farmed in Australia. Unfortunately, I think it's only sold ground. You can call your local, ask for the meat department and see what they carry and what they could order for you.

Well, that's frightening and disturbing.

Adding my voice to the ice stabilizers. Be aware that they will absolutely DESTROY floors so take your boots off inside when possible.