During this contentious election season, while there is so much venomous talk from and between several of the presidential candidates, I can’t begin to say how reassuring it was to attend my local Town Meeting Day this week.

Older Couple     ©2016 Elizabeth Fram                                                       These two were paying close attention to the meeting. They were subtle, but because I was drawing them, it soon became evident which way they leaned as arguments were made re: the issue at hand.

“Uplifting” is a word that comes to mind regarding this annual forum that demonstrates democracy at its best — government by the governed. Carrying on a 200 year-old tradition practiced nowhere outside of New England, the community comes together. Opposing viewpoints are voiced with conviction, but also within an atmosphere of civility that, considering our current state of politics, appears to be a dying art.

Young Mother     ©2016 Elizabeth Fram                                                     I was lucky to catch this young woman before her children ran over to give her hugs and leave their bulky coats on her lap.

In fact, in affirmation and endorsement of such courteous behavior, Vermont Town Meetings open with a Civil Invocation.*   We are lucky across this state; Town Meeting Day is an occasion to witness and participate in the very essence of community.

Packed Bleachers     ©2016 Elizabeth Fram                                                                                   The chairs on the gym floor were filled with attentive community members, as were the bleachers that were pulled out on either side of the room.

And, not to be discounted, it also provides a wonderful opportunity to bring a sketchpad and get in some drawing practice.

Select Board     ©2016 Elizabeth Fram

*Civil Invocation: “Welcome to Town Meeting. We have come together in civil assembly, as a community, in a tradition that is older than our state itself. We come together to make decisions about our community. As we deliberate, let us advocate for our positions, but not at the expense of others. Let us remember that there is an immense gap between saying ‘I am right’ and saying ‘I believe I am right.’ And that our neighbors with whom we disagree are good people with hopes and dreams as true and as high as ours. And let us always remember that, in the end, caring for each other, in this community, is of far greater importance than any difference we may have. Welcome.”

Knitters     ©2016 Elizabeth Fram                                                             These two ladies were knitting non-stop, side-by-side as the discussions progressed.