Editing Plainfield, Vermont (section)

==Culture==

Although Plainfield is similar to many other rural [[New England]] towns by the numbers (size, population, etc.), it has a distinct flair which sets it apart from most surrounding communities. [[Goddard College]] attracts a [[Liberalism|liberal]], educated population that at one time made up a significant portion of the townspeople. Goddard alumni include [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]], members of the band [[Phish]], [[David Mamet]], [[Piers Anthony]], Mary Edwards, onetime State historian H. Allen Soule Jr., and abstract artists including [[Robert M. Fisher]] and [[James Gahagan]]. Plainfield was home to noted composer and builder of the first American village style [[gamelan]], [[Dennis Murphy (musician)|Dennis Murphy]]. J.Willis Pratt is still alive.

The town currently has two restaurants; one located in the village center with New York-style pizza,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.positivepie.com/plainfield/home.php|title=POSITIVE PIE {{!}} PLAINFIELD, VT|website=www.positivepie.com|access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.liveworkdream.com/2007/09/25/living-by-instinct-discovering-plainfield-vermont/|title=Living by Instinct: A Small Town Contender in Plainfield, Vermont|last=Rene|date=September 25, 2007|work=live. work. dream.|access-date=March 20, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> and the other a cafe on [[US Route 2]]. The village also has a community [[food cooperative|food co-op]] and community center open to non-members and featuring local products,<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plainfieldcoop.com/|title=Plainfield Co-op|website=www.plainfieldcoop.com|access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref> a used bookshop,<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thecountrybookshop.com/|title=The Country Bookshop|last=Bookshop|first=The Country|website=thecountrybookshop.com|access-date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> and a community maintained flower garden, all within several hundred feet of each other.  The town has a unique public library, the Cutler Memorial Library,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cutlerlibrary.org/|title=Cutler Memorial Library|website=www.cutlerlibrary.org|access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref> and is home to an environmentally progressive biodiesel station.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/a-biodiesel-business-is-opening-in-plainfield/Content?oid=2398455|title=A Biodiesel Business is Opening in Plainfield|last=Flagg|first=Kathryn|date=July 9, 2014|work=Seven Days|access-date=March 20, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackbearbiodiesel.com|title=BLACK BEAR BIODIESEL {{!}} OFFICIAL WEBSITE {{!}} VERMONTS PLACE FOR BIODIESEL|website=www.blackbearbiodiesel.com|access-date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> Plainfield is also home to the historic [[Allenwood Farm]].

Plainfield's atmosphere is distinct from popular tourist destinations in Vermont such as [[Stowe, Vermont|Stowe]], and [[Woodstock, Vermont|Woodstock]] in that its commercial activity is generated primarily by local residents. There are a number of active local groups such as the Plainfield Historical Society<ref name=":0" /> and the Plainfield Area Community Association, which sponsor community activities, like the annual Old Home Days.

Plainfield, like a number of Vermont towns, retains the influence of the [[back-to-the-land movement]] of the 1960s. A number of people came to stay for good and continue to run organic farms. This older generation has now joined with the newer, younger sustainable agriculture movement and the food renaissance in Vermont. While the college, Goddard, has suffered a decline in recent years, the town nevertheless retains an ethos of activism, community and solidarity (except on [[Town meeting|Town Meeting day]] when everyone voices their opinion loudly). Community spirit and solidarity was demonstrated in 2013, when the town raised the most money per capita for [[Vermont Public Radio]] and thus earned an Ice Cream Social from [[Ben and Jerry's]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/vprnet/sets/72157635806984493/|title=Plainfield Ice Cream Social|work=Vermont Public Radio - Flickr|access-date=January 26, 2018|language=en-us}}</ref> The radio station housed at Goddard College, [[WGDR]], continues to serve as a community voice and link for area residents. The newly renovated Plainfield Town Hall Opera House ({{circa|1841}}) boasts a footprint of 55' 9" along the eaves, 42' 4" across the gables, and is a popular destination for local concerts and performances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.plainfieldoperahousevt.org/|title=Plainfield Town Hall Opera House|website=Plainfield Town Hall Opera House|language=en|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesargus.com/articles/the-lowe-down-concert-proves-plainfield-opera-houses-promise/|title=The Lowe Down: Concert proves Plainfield opera house's promise {{!}} Times Argus|last=Lowe|first=Jim|date=February 17, 2018|work=Times Argus|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2018/03/demystifying-macbeth-with-the-plainfield-little-theatre/|title=Demystifying Macbeth with the Plainfield Little Theatre|date=March 1, 2018|work=The Bridge|access-date=March 16, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.caledonianrecord.com/features/entertainment/plainfield-opera-house-to-host-classical-pianist-and-composer-diane/article_70ccf19e-987a-5d9a-8829-d1bafb8f800a.html|title=Plainfield Opera House To Host Classical pianist And Composer Diane Huling Reed|date=May 19, 2017|work=The Caledonian Record|access-date=March 16, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesargus.com/articles/plainfield-oks-land-purchase/|title=Plainfield OKs land purchase {{!}} Times Argus|last=Blaisdell|first=Eric|date=January 13, 2018|work=Times Argus|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref>