Meeting a Renewable Energy Investor in Vermont

When I was a little boy, I recall a conversation with my father in which he told me his impressions about the characteristics of the people who lived in a few of the states within driving distance of us in Philadelphia.  I’ll never forget this one:  “If you’re not from Vermont, they don’t really want you in Vermont.” 

I laughed when I heard that, but I got a small taste of that concept this morning when I arrived at a local diner in bucolic Windsor, about 50 miles north of the Massachusetts border.  I had made the drive up from Hartford to meet a renewable energy investor I’ve known a few years, but had never met face-to-face. I arrived early, and since the hostess/waitress didn’t recognize me, and detected a notebook in my hand, she announced with a straight face, “If you’re here for a business meeting, there’s an extra charge of $30.”  I smiled to acknowledge the joke.  “Are you with the government?”  No, I assured,” my smile widening, eager to see how far she was willing to take this.  “He’s likely IRS,” a patron joined in.  “No, I promise.” 

I sat down, ordered breakfast, and eventually the mood lightened.  But I couldn’t help think of my father’s observation.