Archive for October, 2026
Act 170 merger study group holds first meeting
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC BELLOWS FALLS For the schools of the Group 7 merger study committee, the work mandated by the Act 170 public school transformation law began Oct. 13 at Bellows Falls High School. Representatives of the Green Mountain, Springfield, Rockingham, Bellows Falls High, Westminster and Athens/Grafton school districts were […]
No Kings/Vote Early rally brings 180+ to Chester Green
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Nearly 200 people gathered from throughout the area last Saturday afternoon for a get-out-the-vote rally on the Chester Green, just three weeks before Nov. 3 voting and amid early voting. While the fall day was brisk and breezy, bright sunshine cheered those protesting the Trump administration in […]
With razing of Mill Tavern set, a look back at the many lives of an iconic Londonderry building
By the Londonderry Arts and Historical Society ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC In the coming weeks, a familiar chapter in North Londonderry’s built landscape will draw to a close, when the massive timber-framed building at 2242 N. Main St. — known for the past half-century as The Mill Tavern — is razed. To passersby, the quiet […]
To the editor: Show up for your community at Empty Bowls on Saturday
Our community is hungry. Here in Vermont, more than 83,000 people are experiencing food insecurity. In Windsor County, approximately one in eight of our neighbors lacks reliable access to enough food. At the Chester-Andover Family Center, we provide more than 250 neighbors with supplemental food, and our numbers are climbing weekly. The rising costs of […]
Gene Palma of Weston named chair of Weston Theater Co. board
Weston Theater Company announces Gene Palma as chair of its Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. A Weston resident and Weston Theater attendee for more than 30 years, Palma brings to his new role decades of leadership experience in higher education and a strong commitment to the local community. “Gene is deeply invested in Weston […]
To the editor: Will Hoser deserves your vote
We in Vermont are struggling with the rising cost of living. Gasoline, heating fuel, groceries, housing and health insurance all put pressure on household budgets. These are not isolated local problems. They reflect national policies and global events that have be ineptly administered and executed by Republican leadership in Washington, D.C., that affect working families […]
Apple pie sale to benefit Community Cares Network
The Community Cares Network of Chester/Andover Inc. is taking orders for homemade, frozen apple pies to take and bake at home. These homemade pies are made by local volunteers from local apples. Proceeds from the pie sale benefit senior residents of the Chester-Andover area by providing rides for appointments and shopping, and pointing them to […]
Kinhaven announces free Fall Concert Series
Kinhaven Music School in Weston announces a new series of free concerts this fall. Now including Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Bennington, Landgrove, and additional dates in Manchester and Weston, Kinhaven’s second-ever fall season is more robust than ever. Kinhaven, located on a picturesque 31-acre campus in Weston, celebrates its milestone 75th anniversary in 2027, as well as […]
Springfield Rotary Penny Sale raises $15,000 for scholarships
The 72nd Annual Springfield Vermont Rotary Club Penny Sale, held on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Riverside Middle School in Springfield, raised more than $15,000, which will help fund scholarships for Springfield students heading to college. An enthusiastic crowd of about 500 attending the event, with more than 350 prizes with values from $15 to $500 […]
A walk in the Chester wood with forester Hannah Dallas
Join the Chester Conservation Commission and Hannah Dallas, town forester for southern Windsor and northern Windham counties, for a walk through the Chester Town Forest on Water Farm Road in Chester from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23. Three areas of the Town Forest that are marked for harvesting this winter will be […]
CAES to hold pancake dinner fundraiser to send kids to Keewaydin
All are invited to Chester-Andover Elementary School, 72 Main St., from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 to enjoy a wonderful meal to help the 5th and 6th grade classes to attend Keewaydin Environmental Education Center, for a week-long outdoor learning experience in May 2028. The menu consists of fluffy pancakes, maple syrup […]
Charlton, Hoser square off in Chester forum
By Nicholas Boke and Cynthia Prairie © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Around 75 people attended last Tuesday’s forum for Vermont House candidates for the Windsor-Windham District, pitting incumbent Tom Charlton, a Republican, against Democratic challenger Will Hoser. Both are Chester residents seeking to represent the towns of Athens, Chester, Grafton and Windham in the Vermont […]
Balint among dozens in Congress targeted with suspicious letters
©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC U.S. Rep. Becca Balint of Vermont was notified by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service of a suspicious letter intended for her office that is being handled by authorities. On Friday afternoon, Maryland Rep. Sarah Elfreth’s district office in Howard County “was evacuated after a suspicious letter and substance were delivered by […]
Chester Select Board agenda for Oct. 21
The Chester Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 21, 2026 at Town Hall, 556 Elm Street and remotely via Zoom. 1. Approval of Minutes of October 7, 2026 Select board Meeting 2. Citizen’s Comments 3. Old Business 4. Snowmobile Club Use of Roads Approval 5. Memo of Understanding; […]
Alan Stanley Wilder, 94, formerly of Chester
Alan “Al” Stanley Wilder, 94, of Peterborough, N.H., passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. He was predeceased by his parents, Burl Alton Wilder and Ernestine Young Wilder; his sisters Marjorie Lou Ross and Phyllis Wilson; and his wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Stiles Wilder. Al and his wife of 67 years, Betsy, lived in Chester, […]
To the editor: Charlton represents with common sense solutions
Tom Charlton is not running for a national office. He is not a torchbearer for President Trump nor is he one who would misrepresent himself by using the wrong color on his sign, as someone has accused. Our issues are severe and they are the topics on which we should focus. Is Tom a Republican? […]
To the editor: Hoser presents himself, his views with honesty
During the height of campaign season, signs are one of the best ways for a candidate to get their name in front of their community. So as you drive through Chester, Windsor, Grafton or Athens, it’s a surprise to see only blue signs. One might think, there must only be Democrats running for the House […]
To the editor: The taint of corporate involvement in politics and government
When we hear Republican candidates earnestly talking about reducing regulations, cutting government programs and lowering taxes to help ordinary Americans, we need to recognize the distinction between tactics and strategy. These proposals are tactics. The broader strategy behind them is to drastically reduce the role of government in our lives. We have watched this strategy […]
To the editor: Murray would be a bridge between Windsor and Montpelier
I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Andrea Murray in her campaign for Windsor County Senate. I have had the privilege of knowing Andrea for the past six years and, in that time, I have come to respect her immensely for her dedication, intelligence and work ethic. Andrea is a hardworking farmer from […]
To the editor: Casting my vote for Hoser
The election for our local state representative for the towns of Chester, Grafton, Windham, and Athens is coming up on November 3rd. I have attended numerous forums to hear from the candidates regarding many issues that affect us here in Vermont, our communities, and our everyday lives. I have come away from these events with […]