[middtube envs0350a-f08 mp3:leastman_melendy’s_102908]
Luke Eastman
Interview with Marylin and Lum Melendy
Jersualem, VT
10/29/08
Marylin and Lum Melendy are an elderly couple living in Jerusalem. They’ve been in VT for longer, but moved to Jim Dwire Road in 1985. Lum runs a chainsaw shop right near the house and they own a campground (I didn’t get to see either because it was nighttime). They describe a very positive experience in town, but also the sentiment that they don’t have much to do with Starksboro itself.
This interview ran for about an hour and a half (hence the copious timestamps), and was unfocused at times. Some good historical tidbits and stories are in this interview, though.
1:00 – 2:20 Marylin – Born in VA, 1930, lived in VT since 17, Lum – Born in St. Johnsbury, 1926, lived in Jeffersonville, South Burlington with wife until 1985.
2:20 – 4:20 The couple had $100, bought 4 acres of land in Jerusalem, built a camp. Funny story about the bridge, how it was tough to navigate
4:30 – 7:30 Positive comments on neighborhood security. Story about fire next to Jane Cooper’s house. Details of the Ladies’ Home Circle that Marylin is in (active since 1920’s) – they cook for the victims of the fire.
7:30 – 11:20 Memories of a schoolhouse teacher they knew (did not attend it). “it’s our community building.” Details of Halloween party there recently. Road history of the area.
11:25 – 14:15 Describing what the Ladies’ Home Circle did (She has notes going back from 1921….sewed, put on plays, made meals) and what they do now (don’t sew, cook).
14:50 – 16:30 Reasons for coming (originally built camp in 1959). Was a getaway when they lived in south Burlington. Son uses it with family.
16:30 – 18:50 and 21:00 – 28:15 Sugaring in Jerusalem (Lum’s experience of 14 years, stopped 4 years ago; and some history of other sugarers)
28:20 – 36:00 Lum’s career in selling chainsaws – started shop in South Burlington, then moved it to Jerusalem right at his house for reasons of “downsizing” the business. Describes his customers (all sorts of people use chainsaws in VT), and changes in business.
36:45 – 40:40 Marylin describing son’s education in VT, is now a forester at Johnson lumber. They have 3 sons and a daughter. – in Hinesburg, Middlebury, Huntingdon, Berry.
42:50 – 45:50 Cool stories from Lum about his Dad’s police job during Prohibition chasing down gangsters smuggling alcohol through from Canada.
45:50 – 46:15 Harry Truman’s grandson lives in Starksboro.
46:20 – 48:25 – Short bit on Lum’s WWII experience
49:30 – 51:15 ; 52:50 – 55:30 “No, we’d rather not sometimes [have anything to do with Starksboro]” They definitely think that Jerusalem is quite separate. They don’t really do too much in Starksboro at all. “Well there’s nothing to do!” [in Starksboro].
55:10 – 57:30 Telling me about Bertha Hansen’s book about Starksboro history.
57:40 – 1:00:25 Talking about Stony Mason.
1:01:30 – 1:04:35 Jerusalem used to be called Orvisville. People who went to the schoolhouse: Greg Orvis, Gary Orvis, Cathy Bushy, Linda Barnard, Bruce Rublee(sp?).
1:04:45 – 1:09:00 No real disappointments about their experience in Starksboro. Kind of resent the necessity for transportation. General satisfaction.
1:14:30 – Marylin tells funny story about founding of Jerusalem (she misquoted it).
1:18:00 – “when you’re talking to people around here you wanna pay attention.”
1:23:00 – Had an easy time connecting to people when they moved in because of the shop and the people they met.
1:34:00 – Story about how Rodney Orvis helped their son decide what to do.