Until recently, if you asked someone what they knew about Robert Frost, they might describe seeing him on television, his white hair ruffled by the wind at JFK's inauguration. Or they might recall a poem of his they had learned in school. And to Middlebury professor of English John Elder, that's a good indication of Frost's legacy.

Frost's poems appear simple and accessible through his use of natural imagery and every-day speech. But, they are complex in both structure and meaning. Likewise, Frost's life - on the surface - appeared to be that of a fairly simple man. in fact, his life - as a poet, farmer and teacher - was full of conflict and contradiction.

Inspired by his mother's innovative ideas about education, and to augment his meager income as a poet, Robert Frost turned to teaching. Author Natalie Bober observes, his methods were unconventional.

Robert Frost's poetry is all about sense of place. He spent five years and many summers in Franconia, New Hampshire. It's one place where the poet's family, including his wife Elinor, was entirely happy, and that helped create a fruitful period.

One of Robert Frost's books of poetry is titled North of Boston. And just as his poetry is full of references to the region, so too is the region full of reminders of his life here. Author Natalie Bober and Frost's grandaughter Robin Fraser Hudnut talk of his family life in New England.

We learn more about Robert Frost's life and writings in Vermont and New Hampshire. Then we visit with bestselling Barre author Jennifer McMahon, and we travel to Greensboro, where writer Wallace Stegner summered for more than 50 years.

This morning, writer, storyteller and commentator Willem Lange has a few thoughts about walls.

It’s the time of year for hoeing one’s garden. Commentator and Executive Director of the Vermont Humanities Council Peter Gilbert tells us about a Robert Frost poem that seems to be about hoeing a garden and a roadside visit with a friend. But it may, in fact, set forth the terms of a poetic rivalry between two literary titans.

Robert Frost, the Vermont poet known worldwide, has been dead more than 40 years. But scholars recently found some fascinating lectures and discussions Frost had with Dartmouth students. Commentator Tom Slayton, veteran journalist and editor-emeritus of Vermont Life magazine, was especially interested, and has some reflections of his own on the Frost legacy.

There's been much discussion in Vermont about the possible effects of global warming on Vermont's forests - dulling our brilliant autumn colors and harming or destroying the maple syrup industry. As Executive Director of the Vermont Humanities Council, commentator Peter Gilbert often finds in literature and history connections that resonate with current concerns. Recently he read in a poem by Robert Frost about another risk of warmer winters.

With spring more or less at hand, commentator Peter Gilbert has been thinking of Robert Frost's poem "A Prayer in Spring", which, he says, is about one of those beautiful spring days that doesn't just give you spring fever; it touches your heart and soul at the deepest level.

Across Vermont thousands of people have been buying Christmas trees - or cutting their own. Commentator Peter Gilbert tells us about a Robert Frost poem in which the narrator struggles to feel the holiday spirit toward a neighbor who's cut a Christmas tree on his land without asking.

Many of us have a favorite season in Vermont. Commentator Peter Gilbert's favorite may surprise you.

Commentator Willem Lange has been mowing his lawn, and finding it a hazardous exercise.

It's that time of year when fireflies come out at dusk. Commentator Peter Gilbert recalls treasured childhood memories of trying to catch fireflies and wonders what makes them so special.

Once again the news was grim this week, and commentator Willem Lange is looking forward to getting away to a place that feels far from the trouble.

With summer and most of autumn now behind us and one half or the other of the electorate about to be disappointed by the presidential election's results, poet Robert Frost and commentator Peter Gilbert consider how to deal with loss.

A report issued recently by the Vermont Council on Culture and Innovation makes the connection between historic preservation and a community's economic life. Commentator Peter Gilbert has been thinking about how hard - but how important - it is to preserve what's special about rural village life.

What do mud season and finding balance in one's life have in common? Commentator Peter Gilbert explains.

Commentator Willem Lange has noticed recently that his closest companion is aging seven times faster than he.