Seven wonders of Middlebury

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We’ve known all along that the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in Middlebury is something special, but now it’s official!

Inspired by the book , The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, seventh graders at Heritage Middle School searched Middlebury for its wonders, and they came up with a list of 91. The students then voted for the top 10. The students then voted for the top 10. Adults also had an opportunity to vote at the Middlebury Library.

The Pumpkinvine trail was in the top 10 on both lists.

The students loaded into seven busses for a tour of all seven wonders. John Stout, Middlebury Park and Recreation manager, hosted the groups for the Pumpkinvine stop.

Set in the early 1990’s the Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by children’s author Betty Birney, tells of Eben, an 11-year-old boy, who dreams of traveling the world and seeing great sights. His father challenges him to find seven wonders in his own community first.

Briney herself made a special visit to Middlebury last May and pointed out that “You can’t appreciate the wonders in the world if you can’t appreciate the wonders in your hometown.”

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is a real treasurer in the town of Middlebury and now the word is out. As the book says, “Sometimes extraordinary things begin to happen in ordinary places...”