Archive for October, 2025
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 […]
Nordic Harmoni to hold benefit concert for Neighbors Pantry Oct. 24
Nordic Harmoni invites everyone to a concert at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 at the Second Congregational Church, 2051 N. Main St. in Londonderry. Most of the profits from the free-will offering will be donated to The Neighbors Pantry in Londonderry. A recent memo from The Neighbors Pantry outlined that the non-profit food shelf, […]
Winter weather observer training Oct. 24 in Londonderry
In the spring, a dozen Mountain Town residents received training to become part of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network. Since then, they have faithfully reported on the area’s rainfall (or lack thereof), assisting meteorologists, the National Weather Service, broadcasters and others. Another training session, focusing on snowfall, snowfall water content and snowpack, […]
Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Wilder, 89, formerly of Chester
Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilder, of Peterborough, N.H., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 after an extended illness. She was born on Dec. 9, 1936 and died at age 89. She is predeceased by her parents Elbert Stiles and Gertrude Harrison Stiles and her brother Lawrence W. Stiles (Gina Stiles of Phoenix, Ariz.). She and […]
Karen Parker, 61, of Chester
Karen Parker of Chester passed away on Sept. 3, 2025. She was born on June 9, 1964 in Springfield to Everett and Jeannie Jewell. Karen graduated from Green Mountain Union High School in 1983. She is survived by her husband Leon Parker, her daughter Krystle Parker and her son Leon (Lee) Parker and his partner […]
Tempest in a coffee cup? Area micro-roasters face harsh brew of tariffs, other price increases Earlier price hike, bulk buying spares customers for now
By Lorien Strange ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC You may have noticed that your bag of fresh roasted coffee has been taking a bigger chunk out of your wallet lately. Or you may just be wondering just when those tariff-induced price hikes are going to kick in. The good news is that four local coffee micro-roasters […]
Windsor GOP elects Spaulding of Chester as chair; Saturday event on Green features four speakers
The Windsor County GOP elected Chester resident Roy Spaulding its chairman during its reorganizational meeting, held on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Windsor Welcome Center. According to a press release, it was a standing room only crowd, and also in attendance were Vermont Republican Party chair Paul Dame as well as Rachel Burgin, regional director […]
Free Pop-Up Health Screenings in Derry Oct. 21
Neighborhood Connections, in the Mountain Marketplace at 5700 VT Route 100 in Londonderry, is hosting NorthStar Health’s Delores Barbeau Mobile Van from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Stop by for a free basic health screening and learn about community resources, such as housing, dental, vision and other support services. Healthcare professionals […]
Last chance to buy raffle tickets to help restore two Rockingham historic murals
Time is running out to purchase raffle tickets for the Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission’s fundraiser to support the restoration of two historic murals with deep local roots. The fundraiser features a stunning handmade lap quilt titled “Burgoyne Surrounded” that was pieced by Karen Engdahl of Springfield, quilted by Linda Diak of Chester and donated by […]
Free showing of award-winning documentary ‘Artist & Astronaut’ Oct. 19 in Londonderry
The Tri-Mountain Area Lions Club is sponsoring a free viewing of the film The Artist & the Astronaut at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Neighborhood Connections in the Mountain Marketplace, 5700 Vermont Route 100, Londonderry. The event is open to the public but seating is limited. Call Neighborhood Connections at 802-824-4343 to reserve […]
