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Blue rally, red rally on the Chester Green

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 […]

Tempest in a coffee cup? Area micro-roasters face harsh brew of tariffs, other price increases

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 […]

Chester solons get Class 4 earful

By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC As the Chester Select Board wordsmithed a final version of its policy on the maintenance and use of Class 4 highways at its Oct. 1 meeting, two landowners addressed objections – not to the policy in general – but to how it impacts their properties specifically. Board […]

Act 181 is coming: How will it affect your property?

By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC In 2024, the Vermont Legislature passed Act 181 that makes a number of changes to the state’s laws on land use with special attention to encouraging new housing in downtowns. But there may also be changes to the way rural land is treated and landowners should pay […]

Is Chester’s long-delayed sidewalk project in the Depot finally a go?

By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Children in second grade at Chester-Andover Elementary today had not been born when the Town received an $800,000 grant to build a sidewalk from Bargefrede Road at the lower portion of Depot Street to Town Hall. But after an eight-year delay that doubled the project’s cost, the […]

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  • Travis Van Alstyne accepting the Hathaway Award at the History Center in Barre last week. Photo provided

    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

    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 […]

  • Whiting Library to host free astronomy and telescope how-to sessions Oct. 23 & 25

    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 […]

  • Springfield Rotary’s 71st annual Penny Sale set for Oct. 25

    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 […]

  • Nordic Harmoni to hold benefit concert for Neighbors Pantry Oct. 24

    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

    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, […]

  • Free Pop-Up Health Screenings in Derry Oct. 21

    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

    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

    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 […]

  • Big Woods Voices in concert Oct. 19 in Chester

    Big Woods Voices in concert Oct. 19 in Chester

    First Universalist Parish of Chester, 211 North St. in the Stone Village, presents Big Woods Voices in concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19. From heart-stopping to foot-stomping, prayerful to fun-filled, dissonant to dulcet, Big Woods Voices brings the spirit of southern Vermont to life through rich a cappella harmonies and soulful interpretations. Big […]

  • VINS 'Magnificent Migration' program Oct. 15 in Proctorsville

    VINS ‘Magnificent Migration’ program Oct. 15 in Proctorsville

    Vermont Institute of Natural Science will present Magnificent Migration, a free, family-friendly bird-demonstration event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, 573 Main St. in Proctorsville. The talk is sponsored by the library and the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association. We all know why birds fly south for the […]

  • Make glowing Spooky Lanterns at Derry Library Oct. 18

    Make glowing Spooky Lanterns at Derry Library Oct. 18

    Goblins of all ages are invited to make glowing Spooky Lanterns with art teacher Casey Junker Bailey at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the South Londonderry Free Library, 15 Old School Road. The program is free. Each family will receive a copy of The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything […]

  • State Area Agencies on Aging expect spike in Medicare counseling need due to Advantage cancellations

    State Area Agencies on Aging expect spike in Medicare counseling need due to Advantage cancellations

    Many Vermonters with Medicare Advantage Plans received cancellation notices effective at the end of 2025. Affected persons should carefully review and save their cancellation letter, which provides information on how and when to enroll in a new plan. Vermont’s five Area Agencies on Aging administer the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, offering free, unbiased and […]

  • Introduction to Chair Yoga Oct. 15 and 22 in Londonderry

    Introduction to Chair Yoga Oct. 15 and 22 in Londonderry

    Join Bidi Dworkin for free introductory Chair Yoga workshops to be held from 2 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Neighborhood Connections in the Mountain Marketplace, 5700 VT Route 100 in Londonderry. This pilot program is being used to gauge how much interest there would be in offering this […]

  • Henry Homeyer: Bulb-planting and garden cleanup for winter

    Henry Homeyer: Bulb-planting and garden cleanup for winter

    By Henry Homeyer ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC After a hot, dry summer – with a drought in most parts of New England – we had a very early frost this year, Sept. 20. Not enough to kill our late potato vines, but enough to kill squash and dahlias. I was caught off guard. I am […]

  • CAFC's 7th Annual Empty Bowl fund-raising dinner set for Nov. 8

    CAFC’s 7th Annual Empty Bowl fund-raising dinner set for Nov. 8

    The Chester-Andover Family Center announces the return of its 7th Annual Empty Bowl Dinner, a cherished community tradition and vital fundraiser supporting local families. The event will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the American Legion Post 67, 51 Legion Way off VT Route 103 South in Chester. Guests […]

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