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Celebrating Rural Life With Charlie And Deanna Shapiro

photo by Photo Provided

photo by Charlie Shapiro Whether it is sitting in the corn crib, riding around town, eating award winning pies or enjoying the company of others, the Shapiros and the Ferrisburgh Day committee welcomed all to the town and celebrated things Vermont!

Tuesday October 28, 2014

By Cookie Steponaitis

The town of Ferrisburgh celebrated Ferrisburgh Day on September 20, 2014 with more than one hundred people in attendance and it was more than just a remembrance of the settlement of the region. It was a celebration of what makes rural Vermont so appealing and at the heart of the celebration were Charlie and Deanna Shapiro who served on the committee and welcomed people to their barn and to the festivities.
    “There are many things we think are unique and special about Vermont,” shared Charlie and Deanna.  “It’s physical beauty, greenery and pastoral setting and it’s quality of life; the quiet, rural, sense of community, its agriculture, the integrity of locals, local energy and activities and its livability index with amenities within easy reach. All of these things fit our temperament and lifestyle.” The Shapiros moved to Vermont in 1997 from Croton on Hudson, New York located about forty miles north of New York City. Charlie was raised in the Catskill Mountain region of New York State and Deanna was raised in New York City. Deanna spent her summers in the Catskills and both grew up with a love of what rural life offers.
    While every region of the nation has a unique heritage and feel of its own, the Shapiro’s are attached to the Champlain Valley not only for the amount of things to do but the depth of the history that is linked to what the couple calls timeless values. “People might be surprised by the vast menu of options to get involved in, it’s incredible greenery, that it is a vacationland in all seasons, its special place in American history and that you can choose a lifestyle that suits you and live it well.” The Shapiros were involved with the planning of the Ferrisburgh celebration and the committee deliberately included events that celebrate not only local history but agriculture as well. The committee added to the mix horse drawn wagon rides, horse shoe pitching, corn cribs for the children, old fashioned pie contest, pot luck dinner and local entertainment featuring fiddles, accordions and ukuleles.
    Ferrisburgh Day 2015 is already on the drawing board and the committee is coming up with plans and ideas to make the event even more heavily attended than in the past. “A sterling committee held weekly meetings and paid great attention to every detail for this past Ferrisburgh Day,” shared the Shapiros. “Special kudos to Gloria Warden our new town clerk, for spearheading this event. There were rolling activities for every age group that filled the time. Feedback was that it was a most enjoyed event.”
    Identifying timeless themes of agriculture, life on Lake Champlain, hard work, family values and rural activities of work and play are a starting point and the Shapiros are delighted that Vermont has become their retirement home. They concluded that, “Our lives here have been fulfilled by the ambience, agriculture and arts offered in Vermont.” The Valley Voice salutes the Shapiros, the members of the Ferrisburgh Day Committees and all those who take time to organize, celebrate and treasure what makes the Champlain Valley a unique spot in America where the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and generations of determined and strong families settling the region continue to come together, spanning time and celebrating timeless values of rural life in Vermont.

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