Archive for 2025
Join VINE Sanctuary for ‘Very Special Halloween’
Pasture Pals presents A Very Special Halloween at the VINE Sanctuary, 201 Massey Road in Springfield, beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Space is limited, so click to grab your spot and get ready for a spook-tacularly kind celebration. Kids and families are invited to enjoy a morning of pumpkin-filled fun where creativity, […]
Londonderry cemeteries to close Nov. 1
The Cemetery Commission of the Town of Londonderry will be closing its cemeteries for the season on Saturday, Nov. 1. To allow for the observance of Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, clean-up of the cemeteries will begin on Nov. 15. The Cemetery Commission requests that all decorations that were added to the cemeteries over […]
As federal funds for food benefits shut off, state officials scramble for stopgap measures
By Theo Wells-Spackman ©2025 VTDigger.org The Vermont Department for Children and Families said Wednesday it was directed by the federal government earlier this month to pause food stamp distribution for November due to the continued shutdown in Washington, D.C. State officials said Thursday that they’re rushing to deliver stopgaps for food and heating assistance. The U.S. […]
Autumn Pilgrimage Open House at Rockingham Meeting House Nov. 1
Rockingham Meeting House, 11 Meeting House Road in Bellows Falls, is hosting a free Autumn Pilgrimage Open House from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Enjoy a full day of history, learning and fall fun. Discover plans for the Preservation Project, which will kick off construction in the spring of 2026, and […]
Cavendish board adopts five-year Capital Plan Winter event planned for Svec Green
By Lorien Strange ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC The Cavendish Select Board adopted the town’s five-year Capital Plan for fiscal 2027-2032 at its Monday, Oct. 20 meeting, following several years of development and discussion with the Mount Ascutney Regional Planning Commission. Kicking off the evening with a public hearing, the Select Board discussed the plan, which […]
MOOver announces new CEO; free microtransit service to begin in Springfield
Southern Vermont Transit Board of Directors announced that Christine Howe, MOOver general manager, will become CEO of the regional public transportation company on July 1o, 2026, following the retirement of CEO Randy Schoonmaker on June 30, 2026. He was one of four founders of MOOver in 1996. Howe started at MOOver in 2017 as Wilmington’s […]
To the editor: Education and healthcare crises are inextricably linked
We encourage all school workers, community members, parents and students to share their thoughts around school district consolidation with the Redistricting Task Force, assigned to create the new district maps per Education Reform Act 73. The Task Force recently held four public hearings that gave the opportunity to provide feedback on the creation of three […]
Op-ed: A truly scary story
By Madeline Bodin ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC When I was in sixth grade, our teacher gathered us to tell us a scary story on the school day closest to Halloween. He said that he had been a night security guard at a mansion in town. This spooky house had a mausoleum in the basement. Late […]
VSO Trio brings concert to Ludlow Nov. 2
A trio from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra comes to the Heald Auditorium in Ludlow Town Hall, 37 S. Depot St., at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2 for an afternoon of delightful chamber music from around the globe. Featuring violinists Jane Kittredge and Brooke Quiggins Saulnier and cellist John Dunlop, this time-traveling program covers all […]
Ludlow Rotary hosts another successful Chili Cook-Off
Ludlow Rotary Club’s 34th Annual Chili Cook-Off was a major success. The weather was perfect, hundreds of “taste testers” were treated to a large variety of chilis and the many chili chefs were pleased with the response to their unique brands of “real” chili. Additionally, the Ludlow Rotary gained resources to continue sponsoring local projects. […]
Isabel MacCauley, 97, of Chester
Isabel (Fielder-Miller) MacCauley, 97, passed away Oct. 14, 2025, at the Gill Odd Fellows Home after a short illness. Born on Aug. 25, 1928, in Danby, VT. She was the sixth of 10 children born to Robert and Ruby (Russett) Fielder. Her marriage to Douglas MacCauley moved her to various towns in New York. Upon his […]
Bring a mouse, watch ‘Bills Lumber,’ benefit raptor rescue on Oct. 25 in Newfane
A free benefit screening of Bills Lumber will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Williamsville Hall, 35 Dover Road in Newfane. Theresa Maggio’s documentary recounts the history and last days of the beloved antique sawmill in Wardsboro that was owned and operated by the Bills family. Earlier this year it played […]
Chester native Travis Van Alstyne wins 2025 Hathaway History Award
By Shawn Cunningham ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Chester native and filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne was awarded the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award by the Vermont Historical Society for his animated short film Love of the Land. According to a VHS press release the award was presented to Van Alstyne at the Society’s annual meeting on […]
Invasives Part 3: How to tackle those colorful invasive shrubs that still need to go
By Will Danforth ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Ffor the last in our three-part series on invasives, let’s focus on specific shrubs that turn color after our native trees and shrubs, making them easy to find. For more photos of invasives, click the Vermont invasives website. So let’s take care of our home turf! Plants pull […]
To the editor: A provocateur comes to Chester
On Saturday, Oct. 18, at the GOP counter-rally to Chester’s No Kings protest in Chester, Hank Poitras stood in front of about 60 people and did what he always does: sold himself. If you don’t know him, Poitras runs a brand called Planet Hank out of Brattleboro — part podcast, part “news” channel, part traveling […]
Whiting Library to host free astronomy and telescope how-to sessions Oct. 23 & 25
Whiting Library and members of the Southern Vermont Astronomy Group invite community members to a free two-part mini-series on the basics of astronomy and telescopes. The programs will be offered at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 25 at Whiting Library, 117 Main St. in Chester. On Thursday, Oct. 23, SoVerA members […]
Blue rally, red rally on the Chester Green Festive No Kings protest draws close to 600; more subdued GOP event follows with 80
By Shawn Cunningham and Cynthia Prairie ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC On a picture perfect October Saturday, two polarized political factions shared Chester’s Green – at different times – to hold peaceful rallies with very different vibes and vastly different numbers in attendance. The Green was already crowded by the 10:30 a.m. start time for Chester’s […]
Londonderry residents continue debate over future of Williams Dam
By Cynthia Prairie ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC For years, Londonderry residents have been arguing over the dam at the West River at Route 11, which for some is a much needed fire pond as well bucolic spot. The state, town government and other residents, however, see it as a festering problem that is best addressed […]
Springfield Rotary’s 71st annual Penny Sale set for Oct. 25
The 71st Annual Springfield Rotary Club Penny Sale returns at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Riverside Middle School, 13 Fairground Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. There are three prize series – red, white and blue – and each series boasts at least 100 prizes. Each $1 series ticket is a chance to […]
Springfield Hospital welcomes Tonia Fleming as director of Marketing & Planning
Springfield Hospital is pleased to welcome Tonia Fleming, MBA, CFRE, as director of Marketing and Planning effective Oct. 6. Fleming, a Chester resident, brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing and nonprofit management to this role, with a strong track record of organizational branding and advertising, building relationships and increasing philanthropic revenue. She […]
