On Christmas Day in 1984, we woke in our home in Hartland to no water. We had planned to have breakfast and then head south with our two-month-old baby for his first family gatherings.
Instead, we hit the road directly and by Brattleboro were moaning for bathrooms, food and coffee. Pulling off Interstate 91 at Exit 3, we were directed by volunteers in a closed restaurant parking lot to a “free breakfast”! We were a bit uncertain, but they seemed nice and we were hopeful.
It must have been this community breakfast, begun in 1982. It was a genuinely warm and lovely experience, with great energy and food, all sorts of people eating and serving, and everyone fussing over our baby.
Forty-five minutes later, in much better condition and much better spirits, we were able to get back on the road. We retell this Christmas magic story every year in our family.
Sara Kobylenski
Hartland
