It will only be a matter of time before someone gets shot..
Posted at 2008-08-25 15:38:58 [PermaLink]Wow. I know Derby Line well. On the other side of the border is Stanstead, where my grandparents lived. In fact, going by memory, there's a minor conurbation including Rock Island and Beebe.
I remember my grandfather having me stand at a marker, with one foot in Canada, the other in the US.
There's a highway (143, just checked) that takes you a few yards into the US before you swing around, wave at Customs, and proceed on your way to Stanstead. Or that's the way it was.
It was pretty open border then between Quebec and Vermont; some customs stations had office hours! No doubt there was a certain traffic that took advantage back then.
I find this very moving, on a personal level, Mark. Thanks for pointing this out. How bloody sad.
PS:
The "old factory" in the article belonged to my late uncle. It produced work clothes under the "Goodhue" label, but production was relocated to Sherbrooke in the mid-sixties. I'm amazed the old place is still standing.
PPS:
I hope later editions refer to the "northern" border of the US, not the "southern" one.
Yeah, this is sad.
Not long ago they arrested and jailed a canadian guy for crossing the street to the american side for a gas fill up.
I thought that when free trade came in 20 years ago the border crossings would be virtually eliminated.
I used to go to Vermont all the time, but don't any more because of potential hassles at the border.
The last time I went I was stopped and questioned with the whole process taking over half an hour... very nerve wracking
What was virtually an open border just 20 years ago is slowly turing into the berlin wall.
I remember similar events on the Prairies as you could inadvertently drive/walk into the States or Canada. Indeed some farms spanned both countries you started in Can. and before you turned you were in U.S to come back.
Posted at 2008-08-26 10:34:24 [PermaLink]