(I have written a column for the Northfield News, a weekly published in Northfield, Vermont since 2015. Below is column number 475. It will be the last one published in the current version of the News as the paper has been sold. It will continue as a monthly with the first edition due in July of 2024. I plan to post a weekly version of my column here and write a monthly one for the new Northfield News.
Hello Folks. Welcome to May 30, 2024. Did you have a pleasant Memorial Day weekend? Did you fire up the barbie and enjoy some classic American hot dogs? According to Wallethub.com, an astonishing 818 hot dogs are consumed every second from Memorial Day through Labor Day— that’s a staggering seven billion in total! But who’s counting? If you enjoy a huge amount of salt, fat, nitrates, sugar and a whole host of other additives that are difficult to pronounce then that’s a good choice. BTW, they’re washed down with tons of cold brewskies as it is the second largest beer drinking day of the year, second only to the Fourth of July. (Labor Day comes in third.)
But Memorial Day is more than grilling and gatherings. It’s a day of solemn reflection. A day of remembrance. A time to honor the sacrifices of U.S. veterans who laid down their lives for our freedoms.
Wallethub.com shares sobering statistics: 657,000 American soldiers have died in combat, with 260,000 resting at Arlington National Cemetery, where each grave is adorned with an American flag on this day of remembrance. And if my memory is correct, Northfield does the same for its veterans. And that is good.
I hope the vocal minority that love to protest and denigrate the US; who feel that our country is Satan in disguise; who believe that our fallen heroes are not to be honored had a miserable rainy and dreary weekend and that hail did a number on their rides.
Moving on to a personal note, I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my classmate and friend, Lucille Bell Campbell—or Lucy, as we all knew her—on April 24, 2024. Lucy’s vibrant personality, her infectious giggle, and her unwavering spirit acted as a likability magnet. Resistance was futile.
We River Rats (on the west side of the Dog) started first grade together in 1949 under the watchful eye of Miss Grace, and many of us graduated together in 1961—a class truly touched by the stars, with Lucy shining amongst the brightest. You get to know your fellow students quite well when you spend 12 years of schooling together. And through those 12 years (and thereafter) Lucy was a beacon of life. Thank you Lucy for being you.
Lucille Bell Campbell (1943-2024) NHS Class of 1961. No one could resist that smile.
Lucy and Bill Moynihan. Best Dancers of the NHS Class of 1961 and boy could she dance.
It’s time for another titter, giggle or groan. This one is from Mrs. Dot Alexander who resides in North Port, Florida. She is not a subscriber but picked up a copy of the News at a meeting of the active “802” club in Venice, Florida. A sizable collection of Vermonters winter and live in Sarasota County where Venice is located. Her submission passed the strenuous requirements of the “I Remember” staff. You too can become famous if your titter. giggle or groan is also published. Submit here: vtpeteryoung@gmail.com
“Kate, while making dinner for her boyfriend Buck, told him timidly there was a bun in the oven.”
Shifting gears. Our town on the Dog has produced over the years a number of notable Northfielders which held national and worldwide reputations. Some were born here and others adopted Northfield as their home. A prime example of both were attorneys Frank Plumley (born in Edan, Vermont on December 17 1844 who moved to Northfield in 1868) and his son Charles Plumley (born in Northfield on April 14, 1875). Both represented Vermont in the United States Congress. Frank from 1906 to 1912 and his son Charles, 1932 through 1952. They were well known and respected lawyers as well. Frank was also an esteemed global jurist having umpired two international tribunals that decided claims by the nations of France, Netherlands and England against Venezuela. Son Charles was a Norwich university president, General counsel for the Firestone Rubber Company and one of Vermont’s longest sitting congressmen. All this firepower from a little town that could, named after a field and a direction.
Don’t forget Northfield native William Hasset (1880-1965) who served Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S, Truman as their correspondence and occasionally as their press secretary. Hasset’s pen chronicled some of the most pivotal moments of the Great Depression and WWII. He continued in that role for HST after the unexpected death of FDR on April 12, 1945. Mr. Hasset was with President Roosevelt when he died in Warm Springs, Georgia and had the sad duty to announce the death to the world. He returned to his South Main Street home after he retired in 1952 and became once again just an ordinary Vermonter who loved his hometown.
Then there was the world renowned Colonel Frank Tompkins (1868-1954) who chased the notorious bandit, Poncho Villa, hither and yon around the Mexican state of Chihuahua in 1916. He earned a couple of purple hearts while on the chase in what was known as the “Punitive Mexican Expedition.” His commander, General John (Black Jack) Pershing recommended him for the Medal of Honor for his heroics during that event. The Grand Poobahs decided to award him the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for military valor. US opinion thought he earned the higher honor. So be it.
Colonel Thompkins made Northfield his home in 1910 when he served his first of three stints at Norwich University as professor of military science and commandant of cadets, (1910 to 1913, 1916–1917, and 1919–1923) He was severely wounded and temporarily blinded during WWI at the battle of Baslieux-lès-Fismes on September 6, 1918 in a mustard gas attack and retired from front-line duty. He and his family returned to their adopted town after his recovery. The colonel spent the next 30 years until his death in 1954 as a civic minded Northfielder and a trustee of the college on the hill. And get this. His son, Colonel Frank Tompkins, also retired to our town after WWII with his new wife, Lenora (Nona) who was a former English Duchess and a princess of the island nation of Sarawak. How about that?
Time to go. I wonder who will be the next internationally known citizen that calls Northfield home. Do we have one in waiting? If so, let me know. Thank you. vtpeteryoung@gmail.com
Four prominent Northfielders who were well known nationally as well as internationally. Left to right top row: Colonel Frank Tompkins (1868-1954) and William D. Hassett (1880-1965) Bottom row left to right Frank Plumley (1844-1924) and son, Charles Plumley (1875-1964)
Need to get out of the sun? Grab a local book from the Northfield Pharmacy and settle onto your porch rocking chair and have a good read. Some examples. The thriller, “One Hundred Years of It.” where you can relive several of the famous trials that Northfield’s renowned barrister, Frank Plumley, tried as both prosecutor and defense counsel, in the last half of the 1800s and early 20th century. Riveting stuff. And don’t forget “Tales from the Dog” or that national 2016 Feathered Quill Book Awards silver medal winner (in the humor category) “Flatlander and the Rise and Fall of Mike and the Ravens.” All the above are available along with the Roger Little’s and yours truly recent endeavor, “When Basketball was King in Vermont-Northfield High School Basketball-Class of 1957 Style” on line (think Amazon) and at the peoples’ choice apothecary, the Northfield Pharmacy. Sanitize your hands and enter an emporium full of items not found anywhere else on this earth or in the universe and even Vermont. You can also find a copy at the most famous snip, snip joint on the Common, Northfield Barber shop manned by rambling Randy Peace, master of the cut. (No appointment necessary!)