"Vermont's Creepy Classics: Book One" by Joseph A. Citro

 I have mentioned Joeseph A. Citro here before....  this is one of my favorite "weird" authors.  His work, "Passing Strange" is an absolute classic, if you are into books about ghosts, and strange history.  He has written some fun, crazy fiction too.

Well, he is putting out a series of books, based on previous research.  I ordered the first one and wanted to mention it here.

If you have read his books, or read other stories about strangeness in Vermont, you will recognize some of these tales.

BUT, he has updated them.  He has traced the origins of some of these stories.  One of the most legendary stories literally came from a champion at "yarnin".  A story printed, mostly as a joke took on a life of its own, and became a locally accepted true story.  Citro sets the record straight.

You can't cover any part of New England without bringing up witches, and the author has you covered.  One witch story even involves a character (a real person) that has an indirect connection to the author, which causes some personal stress to him, as he finds out more details after the original publication of the story.

There are stories about frogs in an impossibly long hibernation.  There is a "Petrified Indian".  There is more.

This would be a really nice book to get for a young reader interested in folklore, but any adult who love New England legends will love it too.

"Lake Monsters" by Joseph A Citro

We were at the WONDERFUL independent bookstore, the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock Vermont.  I started talking to one of the staff there about the legendary folklore author Joe Citro.  Well, they told me that they had one of his fiction books signed!

I had to pick it up.  I was a bit hesitant though, because I like Citro's books on ghosts, aliens, and other strangeness in New England, but I figured Joe Citro wouldn't let me down.

"Lake Monsters" is a good, weird book.  I don't even know what to compare this to.  The book was classified as suspense, but it was straight up horror in my books.

It takes place in Friar's Island, which I believe is a fictitious place, though a map in the book shows it near the Grand Isle County area.

It kind of reminded me of an X-Files episode, but with more strangeness in general, and pretty much all of the loose ends are tied by the end of the book.

The book starts with a stranger moving to an area where some odd things have happened in the past.  It all goes downhill from there as he crosses paths with an attractive school teacher, a professor, a couple of good old boys, and a very creepy family.

I would not recommend this for some younger readers (lets just say there are some strange and uncomfortable romance scenes), but I think anyone who appreciates REALLY WEIRD stories will appreciate this one.

I give extra credit to Joseph A. Citro for the ending too- its absolutely not predictable and it is uncomfortable.  I really liked this one.
 

"Four Marys and a Jessie: The Story of the Lincoln Women" by C.J. King

 I picked up a signed copy of the very nicely researched book, "Four Marys and a Jessie:  The Story of the Lincoln Women" by CJ King when we visited Hildene in Manchester Vermont.  Hildene was build by Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert later in his life as a summer home.  It became the Lincoln Family home, and was occupied by a family member up until the mid 1970s.

You know I am up on my Abraham Lincoln history, but I really didn't know much about what happened to the family lineage after Robert Todd Lincoln's passing.  Well, this book lets you know what became of ALL of the Lincoln offspring.

In fact, I thought the title of the book kind of sold itself short.  CJ King really gives you the complete history of the next few generations of Lincolns... men and women.

Hildene and Manchester Vermont factor in to the story a lot too.....  and it was fascinating reading about the later Lincolns.  

I have to say that, as a fan of Honest Abe, Mary Todd, and Robert, it makes me a bit sad to know that the last of the lineage passed away in 1985.  The author of the book discusses the whole family, who they married, and how they related to each other.  Of course there is conflict and disagreements....  One of the family ends up having more than one unsuccessful marriage, and another flies airplanes!

I was very happy to pick this book up at the family house...  and I was able to read a lot of it while staying at the 1811 House in town, where Mary Lincoln Isham (Abe's Granddaughter) lived for almost 2 decades.

Woodstock Vermont September 2021

 

Simon Pearce Restaurant and Mill in Quechee Vermont September 2021

 

We had an unforgettable meal at the Simon Pearce Restaurant in Queechee Vermont!

Soldiers and Citizens Free Civil War Museum Alburgh Vermont September 2021

 

AND, just a few steps away from the previously mentioned "Room of Curiosities" at the New England Via Vermont gift shop, is the very well done "Soldiers and Citizens Free Civil War Museum" in Alburgh!

Room of Curiosities -Alburgh, Vermont September 2021

 

Check out the "Room of Curiosities" at the great little gift shop, New England Via Vermont in Alburgh Vermont!

Swanton Vermont September 2021

 AND we also drove through the cute little town of Swanton Vermont in 2021!

"The St. Albans Raid: Confederates Attack on Vermont" by Michelle Arnosky Sherburne

I had another great find at the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock Vermont, to go along with our visits to St. Albans!

"The St. Albans Raid:  Confederates Attack on Vermont" by Michelle Arnosky Sherburne gives all of the facts about the St. Albans Raid.

If you aren't familiar with it, some Confederates congregated in Canada and dropped down to St. Albans Vermont, robbing a few banks and justifying it as an act for the Confederacy.

They are chased back in to Canada by the people of St. Albans, but neutral Canadian authorities take over from there.

Some interesting legal wrangling goes on at that point.

There are some famous names mentioned in connection to the event, including Seward, Morgan, Davis, and others. 

 Interestingly, the author draws a link to John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators too.

 

St Albans Vermont September 2021

 We were able to drive through the beautiful and historic city of St Albans Vermont on our recent New England road trip!  If you are interested in the Civil War, this town is VERY significant!  

Norwich Inn Vermont September 2021

 

We were able to spend some time at the very historic Norwich Inn in Vermont in 2021!

Grand Isle Vermont September 2021

 

Here is a video about Grand Isle!  JUST when you thought Vermont could not be any more perfect!

Killington Mountain Lodge Vermont September 2021

 

While in Killington, we stayed at the Killington Mountain Lodge, which was going through some renovations.

Liquid Art Killington Vermont September 2021

 

While in the beautiful town of Killington Vermont, we had a delicious lunch at Liquid Art, a perfect little place for food and coffee!

Killington Vermont September 2021

 

We also explored another great town in Vermont, Killington!

Manchester Vermont September 2021

 

AND, going along with my previous posts on inns and Lincoln Family sites in Vermont, we enjoyed the perfect little town of Manchester.  THIS is what I think of when I think of New England!

Hildene Vermont September 2021

 

Here is a video I posted to youtube on "Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home" in Vermont.  We spent an amazing day here.

Equinox Hotel Manchester Vermont September 2021

 

The previously mentioned 1811 House is a part of the Equinox Property in Manchester Vermont.  This is a wonderful property in a wonderful town, with a very strong link to the Lincoln Family!

1811 House Manchester Vermont September 2021

 

I was THRILLED to have the opportunity to stay in the 1811 House in Manchester Vermont...  The former home of Abraham Lincoln's granddaughter!  Here is a short video about our stay.

Vermont State House September 2021

   

In 2016, we had a guided tour of the State House in Vermont.

We stopped by again for a visit this year, but, with covid and all, they were just doing self guided tours.  I still made a short video of our visit.