THE AIR CRACKLES AND STINGS.
BUT NO MATTER THE WEATHER, LIFE IN BENNINGTON, VERMONT, NO PROBLEM.
PERCHED AWAY ON THE BORDER WITH NEW YORK, BENNINGTON HAS LONG BEEN OFF THE BEATEN PATH FOR A LOT OF NEW ENGLANDERS.
WITH COLLEGES, CULTURE, GOOD FOOD AND COLORFUL HISTORY, IT IS A THRIVING COMMUNITY ALL YEAR ROUND, EVEN ON DAYS WHEN IT IS EIGHT DEGREES BELOW.
NO WIND.
THAT IS A PLUS.
>> IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE A PLACE IN VERMONT THAT IS MORE HISTORIC THAN BENNINGTON.
>> THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS LARGE HOUSES FROM THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES.
RESIDENT DON MILLER REVEALS A POINT OF INTEREST UNDERNEATH THIS WHITE CARPET.
>> LET’S SEE IF WE CAN UNCOVER.
>> THE POET ROBERT FROST IS BURIED HERE.
THE CEMETERY IN THE OLD FIRST CHURCH.
>> IT SAYS HE HAD A LOVERS QUARREL WITH THE WORLD.
>> THE CHURCH ITSELF IS A VERY PHOTOGRAPHED ATTRACTION.
IT WAS COMPLETED IN 1805 AND THE OLD FIRST CHURCH HAS -- IS ADMIRED THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND.
>> THE RESULT IS A SIMPLE AND ELEGANT EXAMPLE OF THE TIME.
>> THE COLUMNS ARE MADE FROM ENTIRE TRUNKS OF PINE TREES.
>> IT IS THE SPACIOUSNESS ENDS -- AND SIMPLICITY OF THE LINES.
THIS WAS BEFORE ELECTRICITY SO THEY NEEDED TO LET THE LIGHT IN.
>> TRIBUTES TO HISTORIC FIGURES ARE SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT TOWN.
THE LARGEST CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES.
THE 306 FOOT TALL BATTLE MONUMENT.
IT COMMEMORATES THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON IN 1777 WHICH LED TO A BRITISH GENERAL’S DEFEAT IN NEW YORK.
>> THIS BATTLE IS SOMETIMES CONSIDERED THE TURNING POINT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
THE MORALE WAS FOR THE PATRIOTS.
BEFORE THAT, THEY HAD NOT BEEN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE.
>> BENNINGTON ALSO HONED -- WAS ALSO HOME TO BENNINGTON COLLEGE.
THEY’D ENJOY DOWNTOWN EATERIES AND SHOPS AND LANDMARKS NATURAL AND MAN-MADE.
YOU CANNOT VISIT BENNINGTON, VERMONT WITHOUT STOPPING AT BLUE AND.
-- BLUE BEND.
SINCE 1948, THIS CLASSIC RAILCAR DINER HAS BEEN FROZEN IN TIME.
IT HAS MILD HIGH PIE AND TABLE TALK -- TABLETOP JUKEBOXES.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING HERE?
>> THE PEOPLE.
>> YOU HAVE WORKED OR FOR 36 YEARS?
>> YES.
I LOOK -- I WORKED WITH MY DAD IN NORTH BENNINGTON AND THE MILKING DOWN.
CAME OUT FOR LUNCH ONE DAY -- AND THE MILL CLOSED DOWN.
I CAME IN FOR LUNCH ONE DAY.
>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?
>> 22 YEARS.
>> DID CALL IS A LOCAL CUSTOMER.
DO YOU GET MOST OF YOUR MEALS HERE -- DICK HALL IS A LOCAL CUSTOMER.
DO YOU GET MOST OF YOUR MEALS HERE?
>> YES.
>> THEY ARE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK IN THE MENU IS OSTRACIZED.
-- THE MENU IS MONSTER-SIZED.
>> I HAVE NEVER HAD A GRILLED DOUGHNUT.
GENERALLY A DOUGHNUT BY ITSELF IS ENOUGH.
>> THE QUESTION IS, HOW CAN YOU EAT THE WHOLE THING?
IT IS SO RICH.
>> WE FINISHED WITH A CUP OF COFFEE AND ELLA ON THE JUKEBOX