Archive for 2025
Op-ed: Reclaiming the spirit of Christmas
By Maya Wright Each December, America lights up – not with reverence, but with neon sales, frantic shopping, and countdowns to the next shipment from Amazon. For Generation Z especially, Christmas has increasingly drifted into a glittering spectacle of trends, wish lists, and content creation. The nativity story, the breathtaking moment when eternity stepped into […]
Santa lights up the Chester Green
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Carolers, bundled up against the chill, gathered around a blazing firepit on the Chester Green last Saturday afternoon singing songs of Christmas while across Main Street, Laurie and Samantha Vertefeuille were putting the finishing touches on Santa’s house. Cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate were ready. All […]
Chester Board hears local option tax concerns, picks new moderator Frank Kelley to replace longtime Moderator Bill Dakin at 2026 Town Meeting
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC For several meetings, the Chester Select Board has discussed putting on the Town Meeting Day ballot a 1 percent local option sales tax on rooms and meals, which would include short-term rentals and alcohol served at restaurants. The tax, which would be paid for by each establishment’s […]
State offering low-interest loans to loggers to purchase low-impact equipment
The Vermont Economic Development Authority and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation are announcing a new initiative that will save Vermont loggers money by allowing them to obtain a loan with an interest rate of 2.5% to 3% when they buy qualifying low-impact logging equipment, which is better for the watershed, the forest and […]
Kids invited to create apple head St. Nick dolls
Art teacher Casey Junker Bailey invites children of all ages to create presents for holiday giving at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Wilder Library’s temporary location in The Old Parish Church, 100 Main St. in Weston. Children will make old-fashioned apple head St. Nicholas dolls wearing red robes and carrying bags full of […]
League of Women Voters lecture series on voting rights continues Dec. 10
The League of Women Voters of Vermont, in partnership with Kellogg-Hubbard Library, presents the second in its 2025-2026 lecture series on Voting Rights and Access to the Ballot at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Professor Alec Ewald, who teaches constitutional law and U.S. politics at the Department of Political Science at UVM, will present […]
FOLA holiday program ‘A Christmas Wassail’ with Gypsy Reel
In anticipation of Christmas, Friends of Ludlow Auditorium will present a special program to highlight both the festive and spiritual meaning of Christmas at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Heald Auditorium of Ludlow Town Hall, 37 S. Depot St. The program, titled A Christmas Wassail, will involve Gypsy Reel and author Jon Clinch […]
The Dance Factory dazzles with holiday favorite, ‘The Nutcracker’
Join Clara on her magical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets in the Dance Factory’s 34th annual The Nutcracker, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Springfield High School, 303 South St. in Springfield. A delight for audiences of all ages, The Nutcracker is set […]
VSO spreads holiday cheer with Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus Tour
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra invites audiences across the state to celebrate the holiday season with its beloved annual Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus holiday concert tour, visiting Warren, Newport, Grafton and Manchester Dec. 11 through 14. Conducted by Nathaniel G. Lew, this cherished VSO tradition brings together festive brass and choral music in a joyful […]
SoVerA presents ‘Capturing the Night Sky’ Dec. 9 Monthly meeting at Vermont Academy
The Southern Vermont Astronomy group will host Dorian Sanders, who will be presenting his astrophotography at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Vermont Academy, Horowitz Hall, 23 Leavitt Lane in Saxtons River or virtually on Zoom. Sanders, a professional photographer, instructor and national tour guide, uses digital equipment to capture photos of distant […]
Chester Dems to hold monthly meeting Dec. 11
The Chester Town Democratic Committee will hold its December monthly meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11 in the lower conference room at the Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St. All Democrats and those who share their values are invited to attend. If you have questions contact the committee at: chesterdemocratsvt@gmail.com.
Andover Select Board agenda for Dec. 8
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday Dec. 8 at the Town Office 953 Weston-Andover Road Below is the board’s agenda: 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Act on Agenda. 3. Act on Minutes of November 24th meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per visitor, 10 […]
Jozsef Piri’s 2nd degree murder case inches toward trial Judge reconsiders but lets earlier decision stand
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC A little more than six years ago, Vermont State Police were called to Route 103 in Rockingham, just south of Lower Bartonsville Road for a welfare check. There they found a produce truck belonging to a company out of Boston. The driver – Roberto Fonseca-Rivera – was […]
Nordic Harmoni Holiday Program Dec. 6 Part of Weston's daylong Christmas celebration
Nordic Harmoni invites everyone to bring in the holiday season with some traditional Swedish and American songs and Lucia pageant at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 in the Old Parish Church, 144 Main St. in Weston. This is part of the day-long Christmas in Weston celebration; admission is free. Each year, on Dec. 13, […]
United Church of Ludlow raises $3K to combat hunger
United Church of Ludlow’s recent “Stuffed Shells to Stuff Hungry Bellies” dinner raised more than $3,000 to fight hunger around the globe and locally. Held in cooperation with Ludlow Rotary Club, Okemo Valley Women’s Club and Black River Good Neighbors, diners feasted on stuffed shells, salad, bread and dessert, with in-person dining and take-out options. […]
To the editor: Citizens must regain control of democracy
Democracy is not a self-driving car and we, as citizens, must not sit in the back seat bracing for a wreck. The majority of Americans oppose cruel policies and violent arrests of hard working immigrants and efforts to deny those most vulnerable access to healthcare, housing and food support. The majority of Americans are repulsed […]
Henry Homeyer: A gardener’s holiday gift guide
By Henry Homeyer ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC New England skies in winter are often cloudy and dark, accompanied by sleet, slush, rain or snow. The sun sleeps late and goes to bed early. Gardeners sometimes give up and go to Florida. Not me, but there is much I do to make the holidays cheerful. I […]
Holiday events throughout the region Tree sales and lightings, music, visits with Santa, scavenger hunt
By Stacia Spaulding ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Do you need a Christmas tree or other holiday decorations? Are the kids excited to meet Santa? How about a relaxing evening filled with holiday music? The Telegraph has brought all of the holiday events in the region together in one place. Our Calendar of Events contains […]
Springfield Hospital’s 2025 Hearts of Hope campaign under way
Springfield Hospital and its volunteers announce the launch of the Hearts of Hope campaign for 2025. For a donation of $20 or more, you can recognize loved ones, friends and coworkers with a handmade heart ornament personalized with the name of your honoree. All donations support Springfield Hospital services. The tree dedication ceremony will take […]
Snowy morning crash blocks Rt. 103N in Chester Car-tractor trailer collision sends two to hospital
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Tuesday’s snow storm was four hours old when it caused a two-vehicle crash that shut down Route 103 north in Chester into mid-afternoon. Both drivers suffered injuries and were transported to Springfield Hospital. There were no passengers in either vehicle. At just before 11 a.m. Chester Police […]
