The Reading Historical Society Annual Meeting is on Saturday, February 16. It starts at 4:30 pm with a short business meeting. At 5pm, we will be holding a "Brinner" and then at 6pm, a talk by Champlain College professor Michael Lange called "The Many Meanings of Maple." "What's a brinner?" you ask. It's dinner consisting of breakfast items. The menu will include pancakes and maple syrup, of course, and also quiche, sausage, bacon, muffins, fruits and many other breakfast items. Some with maple and some without.

At 6pm, Professor Lange's discusses what sugaring really means to Vermont, based on five years of research among sugar makers all over the state. Rather than explaining the practical aspects of sugaring, such as how to tap a tree or how an evaporator works, the talk focuses on how and why maple has become so important to Vermont's identity, and how and why it helps us shape who we are as Vermonters.

The event is free, but if you want to come to the brinner, please RSVP to to Calista Brennan to let her know if you will be attending by calling 802-484-0276 or e-mail at tomcalvt@yahoo.com.