The Sugar Shack, Arlington Vermont, October 23, 2017.
If you have been following this series of articles you know I spent several wonderful days in Acadia National Park. On my way home I did some exploring in western Vermont. I stopped at the Sugar Shack in need of a rest break. Once I got inside I was hooked. They sell incredible Vermont maple syrup that is made on-site. It comes in several flavor strengths. The strongest flavor, which is my favorite, will curl your toenails. If you are at the Sugar Shack you can sample the different flavor grades and see what you like. You can order from their online store (link below) in several different sizes.
But that’s not all.
Half of the Sugar Shack is a Norman Rockwell exhibit devoted to his Vermont years. Michelle and Kim, the two nice young women who run the place, told me Rockwell had lived not far from there. That was a happy surprise. I had no idea I was in Rockwell country. They gave me directions to his former home.
“Breaking Home Ties, 1954”. Saturday Evening Post, September 25, 1954.
I was looking at the wall of Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers (he did over 300 covers for the Post) when Kim and Michelle came to get me. The were excited and they said they wanted me to meet someone who had just walked in the door. It was Don Fisher. As a young man Don posed for Rockwell’s painting “Breaking Home Ties”, which eventually became a 1954 Post Cover. It also became one of Rockwell’s two most popular paintings. A father and son are at the train station and the son is leaving for college. The son seems eager. The dad seems to be having a hard time.
In his studio Rockwell had several photo studies done of Fisher, a local farmer who portrayed the dad, a dog, and several other people. Rockwell created the painting, picking and choosing who he would use from the photo studies he had made.
Don Fisher, one of the models in Norman Rockwell’s painting “Breaking Home Ties, 1954”
Don posed for me next to “his” faded Saturday Evening Post cover.
Don Fisher signing a print of Norman Rockwell’s painting “Breaking Home Ties”.
I bought a print of the painting and Don signed it. I couldn’t believe it. He was a young man when he posed for Rockwell in 1954 and I am meeting him in 2017.
Norman Rockwell’s painting “Breaking Home Ties, 1954”.
It was such a happy coincidence to meet him! Or maybe it wasn’t a coincidence.
About 200 of Rockwell’s Vermont neighbors posed for his paintings, and many of them are still alive. About 30 of them had a reunion a few years ago. Don is in his 80s.
I thanked the nice ladies profusely, and left the Sugar Shack to find Rockwell’s home.
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