While brainstorming things someone would have to do before becoming an official Vermonter, my list kept stopping after #1: Possess a Vermont Birth Certificate. But one item doesn’t exactly make a list. That’s right, if you weren’t born in Vermont you’ll always be considered a Flatlander. There’s no two ways about it. However, it’s inevitable that people will move in and out of the Green Mountain State, and there are certain things that should be experienced before Vermont truly becomes home. Let’s take a look at a few rites of passage, shall we?
- Survive a winter with wood as your only source of heat.
Flickr/Dan Phiffer Easier said than done, but if you do it, you just may make it in Vermont.
- Believe in Champ.
Flickr/Jenni Konrad No matter what anyone says, you will always have hope that you’ll spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster of Lake Champlain.
- Wear plaid.
Flickr/Jared and Corin At some point, at least one article of clothing you own will be plaid.
- Bid at a country auction.
Bonus points if the item is a mystery junk box.
- Drive a tractor.
Flickr/Storm In this case, size does matter.
- Start a snowblower.
Flickr/Tim Carter While most Vermonters are still partial to the shovel, we can at least figure out how to start a snowblower (a.k.a. winter lawnmower).
- That moment when you realize that the Fall daylight savings is the most depressing day of the year.
Flickr/Denise Mattox Sure, everyone likes to get that extra hour of sleep, but when it’s dark at 4:30? Ugh.
- Buy something on the honor system.
Flickr/Matthew Oliphant From farm stands to camping sites, you wouldn’t even consider not paying for something under the honor system.
- Put your high heels away for the winter.
Flickr/Kate Raynes-Goldie You have appropriate footware in Vermont. Many put their heels away for life.
- Go sledding.
Flickr/meg hourihan No matter if you call it sledding or sliding, you’ve raced down the hill at record speed at least once.
- Have a favorite winter sport.
Flickr/Karen Neoh Winter sports don’t have to be extreme, but you do have something you enjoy doing outside in the cold weather.
- Enjoy an outdoor hot tub in the middle of winter.
Flickr/Tom Hilton Don’t knock it before you try it - it’s delightful!
- Pick a favorite swimming hole.
Flickr/Radka Hlisnikovska Even better - you’ve swam in a waterfall swimming hole!
- Participate at Town Meeting Day.
Flickr/Jared and Corin Nothing gives you a sense of community like piling into the school gymnasium and voting on local matters.
- Attend a big fair.
Flickr/Lee Wright You go to both the Tunbridge World’s Fair and the Champlain Valley Fair every year and you love it!
- Visit the Shelburne Museum.
Flickr/Jalan’s Place No matter how many times you’ve been, there is always something new to find.
- Help out on Green Up day.
Flickr/JB Banks It takes a village, but we love our litter-free surroundings.
- Head to the dump.
Flickr/Lew (tomswift) Holzman You’ve also been to a transfer station.
- Help someone get their car out of the snow (or mud).
Flickr/dennis crowley Many hands make light work.
- Recycle!
Flickr/Doc Searls If you don’t recycle, please leave.
- And compost, too.
Flickr/kitty meets goat It’s better for the earth.
- Know where the typical speed traps are located.
Flickr/mgpenguin86 Both in town and on the highway.
What things do you think makes a person an honorary Vermonter?
Flickr/Dan Phiffer
Easier said than done, but if you do it, you just may make it in Vermont.
Flickr/Jenni Konrad
No matter what anyone says, you will always have hope that you’ll spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster of Lake Champlain.
Flickr/Jared and Corin
At some point, at least one article of clothing you own will be plaid.
Bonus points if the item is a mystery junk box.
Flickr/Storm
In this case, size does matter.
Flickr/Tim Carter
While most Vermonters are still partial to the shovel, we can at least figure out how to start a snowblower (a.k.a. winter lawnmower).
Flickr/Denise Mattox
Sure, everyone likes to get that extra hour of sleep, but when it’s dark at 4:30? Ugh.
Flickr/Matthew Oliphant
From farm stands to camping sites, you wouldn’t even consider not paying for something under the honor system.
Flickr/Kate Raynes-Goldie
You have appropriate footware in Vermont. Many put their heels away for life.
Flickr/meg hourihan
No matter if you call it sledding or sliding, you’ve raced down the hill at record speed at least once.
Flickr/Karen Neoh
Winter sports don’t have to be extreme, but you do have something you enjoy doing outside in the cold weather.
Flickr/Tom Hilton
Don’t knock it before you try it - it’s delightful!
Flickr/Radka Hlisnikovska
Even better - you’ve swam in a waterfall swimming hole!
Nothing gives you a sense of community like piling into the school gymnasium and voting on local matters.
Flickr/Lee Wright
You go to both the Tunbridge World’s Fair and the Champlain Valley Fair every year and you love it!
Flickr/Jalan’s Place
No matter how many times you’ve been, there is always something new to find.
Flickr/JB Banks
It takes a village, but we love our litter-free surroundings.
Flickr/Lew (tomswift) Holzman
You’ve also been to a transfer station.
Flickr/dennis crowley
Many hands make light work.
Flickr/Doc Searls
If you don’t recycle, please leave.
Flickr/kitty meets goat
It’s better for the earth.
Flickr/mgpenguin86
Both in town and on the highway.
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