cmcfong

What a delightful report, Daniel. You never disappoint!

Daniel_Williams

Thanks cmcfong! I really appreciate your words!

Vttraveler

I am just seeing this thread and am happy to see you talk about Standstead/Derby Line in the time of COVID. We have been thinking of trying to go up to that area before the snow flies. We are in northern VT about an hour and 15 minutes away.

We have always enjoyed visiting that area especially the Haskell Library and Opera House that straddles both sides of the international border. A few years ago we went to a concert by the VT Symphony Orchestra and my husband was really excited that he could sit half in Canada, half in the US.
Over the 30-some years we have visited, the boundary between Stanstead and Derby Line has become more and more difficult to cross. The police tape along the border in your picture is something I have not seen before. It may be due to the current closing of the border.

When we feel comfortable going to restaurants again we plan to eat at the Derby Line Village Inn which gets great reviews. It is owned by an Austrian-born chef.

It is nice you were able to arrange the visit with your friend. Let's hope we will all be able to cross the border again soon (next year?)

Daniel_Williams

Thanks for reading vttraveler--

You reminded me that it's the Haskell Library and Opera House in Derby Line. I can't imagine that building as an opera house but I maybe didn't get a full sense of its dimensions from the angle I saw the building. Sounds like a fun place to go for some classical music!

My friend really likes the Northeast Kingdom area of Vermont even though he says it's a more economically depressed area of the state, he very much appreciates the beauty and friendliness of its people. I'm lucky for that as it opened the opportunity for a visit, albeit from either side of some police tape. As Montreal goes back into a quasi-lockdown, I feel even more thankful that my friend & I managed an international get-together in 2020 despite forces working against us.

Best wishes, Daniel

PS He loved the Derby Line Village Inn, says he'd definitely stay there again!

Vttraveler

The opera house has 400 seats. There were many similar buildings in VT combining downstairs offices, libraries, etc with upstairs opera houses. Several have been restored and they make great concert venues. I don't think the Haskell Opera House has been used much in recent years but others in Plainfield and Barre near us have had regular events.

According to local lore, the Beatles considered performing at the Haskell Opera House when they could not enter the U.S. The stage is in Canada; most of the seats are on the U.S. side of the border.

I am glad to hear your friend's positive review of the Derby Line Village Inn.

annhig

<<According to local lore, the Beatles considered performing at the Haskell Opera House when they could not enter the U.S. The stage is in Canada; most of the seats are on the U.S. side of the border.>>

Love that, VT. Shame they didn't do it!

elberko

I just saw this!
Interesting and fun.

Daniel_Williams

Vttraveler—I always appreciate reading about your experience and knowledge of places I’ve visited. Thank you, you always have something interesting to add!
elberko—So happy you found our get-together interesting and fun! We were so happy to see each other.

Vttraveler

Daniel_Williams -- thanks. I enjoy your posts, too. Maybe sometime when the border re opens we can get together In QC or VT.

TDudette

It was great to see your name and read your TR, Daniel_Williams. I love the idea of the CD/USA border quirkiness. Very cool TR and shots.

Daniel_Williams

Thanks Vttraveler and TDudette!

Fra_Diavolo

I'm more accustomed to reading your reports from south of the border and beyond to Mexico -- but this was just as interesting. Thanks.

Daniel_Williams

Thanks Fra_Diavolo! I miss travelling in the US, Mexico and beyond very much, for the differences that are on offer. This said, I think being constrained to explore closer to home has not been without its benefits. Quebec is really quite a beautiful province in places. Cheers, Daniel

Vttraveler

Here is a story about a border crossing from Canada into Derby through a field
https://vtdigger.org/2020/10/27/trio...der-illegally/

Daniel_Williams

Vttraveler--Thanks for sharing this story. My friend told me similar tales of people crossing the border illegally, who apparently were unaware of the amount of surveillance that goes on.

I listened to a CBC news report about a similar place, Peace Arch Park, on the border in Washington state beside British Columbia, where US and Canadian citizens have met. Not quite the same or sure of the details as the park is fully in the US.