[arel]

Yesterday I got back from a another trip to Brattleboro. I have some new insights.

I walked around an unfamiliar area in the town, and the houses were beautiful. There is, though, this unused old reservoir, which is fenced in. It is an eyesore, but I can imagine it being used as a pool, or even a fountain. It could be made decorative and useful. Otherwise, I think they should just fill it in. It is ugly, and potentially dangerous. I also discovered a nice lake in Wilmington, Lake Reponda. And I saw Marlboro. It is tiny, even smaller than a Brooklyn neighborhood. Back in Brattleboro, I saw the Morningside condos, although only from outside. Kind of like garden apartments or row houses. I think you can rent there and not just buy. They have a pool and a couple of tennis courts. Lots of parking. Not really pretty, but, from what I have seen online, they are nice inside. I may want to rent there for a while, before I decide to buy anything. I also read somewhere that apartments in houses are often nice, even in houses where the outside looks rundown.

Everytime I visit, Brattleboro seems more familiar and more like a new home. From reading the local paper, reading iBrattleboro online and from talking to people, I am learning more about the town's problems, concerns and general negatives, even in the face of considerable positives.

Someone told me that Brattleboro has a large Jewish influence in the local culture, due to the number of New Yorkers who have moved there over the years. Last time I was up, earlier this month, someone said that Brattleboro was like an overseas state of New York, as Reunion Island is an overseas state of France. She seemed to agree when I suggested it was like Greenwich Village in the woods.

How true is this? Maybe it means less culture shock for me, a New Yorker (and one of Jewish background) but I have been to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and it just seemed like a sixth borough of NYC, with a lot of the same accents and overbearing abrasiveness I was supposedly taking a vacation from . I did not see that abrasiveness in Brattleboro, and I did not hear the NYC accents. But I know a lot of people in Brattleboro are originally from New York.

[ontheroad]

Well, I'm just on line for a few minutes, and can't respond in full, but Brattleboro: Jewish. Yes, some Jewish influences, but in a period of one week I heard two anti-semitic remarks. Also there is no official Jewish center in the town, and a small shared center in West Brattleboro.

But as for shock for a New Yorker--no way. Of the towns, cities and villages I've visited (many) it is among the most positive grunge. But it is not and never will be New York, and what you see is what you get.. Vermonters and folks from Brattleboro are their own unique selves.

[cosmonewman]

Originally Posted by arel

I walked around an unfamiliar area in the town, and the houses were beautiful. There is, though, this unused old reservoir, which is fenced in. It is an eyesore, but I can imagine it being used as a pool, or even a fountain. It could be made decorative and useful. Otherwise, I think they should just fill it in. It is ugly, and potentially dangerous.

The frog pond up by the Retreat Tower???

[Mustard]

Brattleboro's new motto: "Greenwich Village in the woods."

Glad you had a nice visit.

[arel]

Originally Posted by cosmonewman

The frog pond up by the Retreat Tower???

I did come across it on the way back from a walk to the Retreat Tower. Maybe this is the "Frog Pond". It is in a very large common area around which there are lots of houses. The "pond" is surrounded by chicken wire. I was told it is an old reservoir. It looks like a big, in-ground pool. The water was low, and there are rocks by the water line. The rocks were the only natural feature, apart from the water, inside the cement boundary.

If this is the frog pond, and you are familiar with it, can you say anything about it? What is its history? What do they plan to do with it? Is it used for anything now? Do frogs use it? Have the frogs developed a plan for its future?

It is a very striking feature in an otherwise lovely section of town.

[cosmonewman]

Well, I call it a frog pond because I used to catch bullfrogs up there when I was a kid. I don’t know what it is or why it is there. I assume it must have something to do with the Retreat. The Retreat used to be pretty much self sufficient so maybe this was their water supply. Anyhow, it is kind of out of place in that neighborhood.

[vter]

Mustard - love your quote. The more I learn about Brattleboro, the more it makes Burlington look conservative lol.

[arel]

Originally Posted by cosmonewman

Well, I call it a frog pond because I used to catch bullfrogs up there when I was a kid. I don’t know what it is or why it is there. I assume it must have something to do with the Retreat. The Retreat used to be pretty much self sufficient so maybe this was their water supply. Anyhow, it is kind of out of place in that neighborhood.

It sure is.

This morning I asked about the reservoir on iBrattleboro.com and so far have gotten two replies. Right now the thread is on the home page, but in a few days will be in the "Questions and Answers" section.

You may want to check out the replies it you are interested. Lots of information. Someone put in links for further information but I have not had time to look them up yet.

It is the Chestnut Hill reservoir.

One of the replies mentioned a nearby frog pond, so I don't know if that is your frog pond or if you caught frogs at the reservoir.

Someone mentioned that the reservoir was built with straight sides, so that if you fell in, you would be in water above your head with no way to get out. And children do cliimb the fence.

Sounds like a potential death trap to me.

[arel]

Originally Posted by arel

Yesterday I got back from a another trip to Brattleboro. I have some new insights.

I walked around an unfamiliar area in the town, and the houses were beautiful. There is, though, this unused old reservoir, which is fenced in. It is an eyesore, but I can imagine it being used as a pool, or even a fountain. It could be made decorative and useful. Otherwise, I think they should just fill it in. It is ugly, and potentially dangerous. I also discovered a nice lake in Wilmington, Lake Reponda. And I saw Marlboro. It is tiny, even smaller than a Brooklyn neighborhood. Back in Brattleboro, I saw the Morningside condos, although only from outside. Kind of like garden apartments or row houses. I think you can rent there and not just buy. They have a pool and a couple of tennis courts. Lots of parking. Not really pretty, but, from what I have seen online, they are nice inside. I may want to rent there for a while, before I decide to buy anything. I also read somewhere that apartments in houses are often nice, even in houses where the outside looks rundown.

Everytime I visit, Brattleboro seems more familiar and more like a new home. From reading the local paper, reading iBrattleboro online and from talking to people, I am learning more about the town's problems, concerns and general negatives, even in the face of considerable positives.

Someone told me that Brattleboro has a large Jewish influence in the local culture, due to the number of New Yorkers who have moved there over the years. Last time I was up, earlier this month, someone said that Brattleboro was like an overseas state of New York, as Reunion Island is an overseas state of France. She seemed to agree when I suggested it was like Greenwich Village in the woods.

How true is this? Maybe it means less culture shock for me, a New Yorker (and one of Jewish background) but I have been to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and it just seemed like a sixth borough of NYC, with a lot of the same accents and overbearing abrasiveness I was supposedly taking a vacation from . I did not see that abrasiveness in Brattleboro, and I did not hear the NYC accents. But I know a lot of people in Brattleboro are originally from New York.

Thank you, Vter and Mustard.

[cosmonewman]

Apparently my memory isn’t as good as it used to be. The posting on ibrattleboro.com seems to be correct. I guess the pond is near the reservoir somewhere.