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Chester planners consider bylaw change to allow LED sign for GM, but zoning glitch may preclude it

By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing On Monday evening, Chester’s Planning Commission got down to work on an issue that’s been on its radar for a while. That being “electric message display” signs or EMDs. The idea of such a sign for Green Mountain Union High School has been raised at past planning meetings […]

Chester board talks optional sales tax, Class 4 roads and 40-year-old money

By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Last Wednesday’s Select Board meeting agenda was heavy with discussion and pretty light on action items. And for long-time Chester board watchers it was like old times with multiple comments from former members Derek Suursoo and Bill Lindsay. Three agenda items came in for substantial discussion: a 1 […]

‘Workers over Billionaires’ at Chester rally on Labor Day

 Drone video by Scott Wunderle By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC More than 200 people turned out on the Chester Green on Labor Day for a rally for workers’ rights and in opposition to the policies of the Trump administration. As a continuous stream of upbeat songs played on a large sound […]

The Ultimate Guide to the 2025 Chester Festival!

© 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Welcome to the 51st Chester Festival on Green, a weekend filled with friendly faces, fine crafts, wonderful arts, great food and superb music and entertainment for the whole family. Editor’s Note: Please return often to check for updates to music,  events and vendors. The Festival this year will be held […]

In densely busy meeting Chester board picks sidewalk design

By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC With the Chester Select Board meeting once a month – rather than twice – during the summer, meeting agendas can grow and sometimes bring together large and complex issues. Last Wednesday was a perfect example. The board held a two hearings, discussed and approved a zoning change […]

Area firefighters repurpose FEMA houses for skill building

By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Last Tuesday, two houses near the Williams River along Route 11 in Chester were put to one final use before they are to be demolished as part of a FEMA buyout. Dozens of firefighters from West Weatherfield, Ascutney, Proctorsville, Winhall and Chester took part in a hands-on […]

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  • Fall Festival Open House at Derry Library Sept. 13

    Fall Festival Open House at Derry Library Sept. 13

    The South Londonderry Free Library, 15 Old School Road, invites kids of all ages (and grown-ups too) to attend its Fall Festival Open House from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. There will be food, a scavenger hunt, library tours, music by local musicians and the opportunity to learn about Tommyfest, an […]

  • RAIN UPDATE: Music in the Meadow returns to Chester Sept. 6; Will be held at Green Mountain Union High

    RAIN UPDATE: Music in the Meadow returns to Chester Sept. 6; Will be held at Green Mountain Union High

    The 21st Music in the Meadow fundraising concert to benefit Susan G. Komen’s Fight Against Breast Cancer will be held from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Motel in the Meadow, 936 Route 11 West  Because rain is being forecast, the entire event is moving to Green Mountain Union High, 716 […]

  • Green Mountain Church to hold first worship service Sept. 7

    Green Mountain Church to hold first worship service Sept. 7

    After five years without regular services, the church formerly known as the Congregational Church of Chester, 469 Main St., will open again for Sunday morning worship under a new name: Green Mountain Church. The first service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7. “Though the name is new, our mission remains the […]

  • Henry Homeyer: On lilac fungus, bolted lettuce and giving Monarchs a beautiful fall boost

    Henry Homeyer: On lilac fungus, bolted lettuce and giving Monarchs a beautiful fall boost

    By Henry Homeyer ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC I’ve seen the big yellow buses meandering down the road, lines of impatient drivers behind them, noisy kids inside. That tells me, temperatures notwithstanding, that fall has arrived, or will soon. The most common question I am fielding is about lilacs: Why have so many had their leaves […]

  • LEGO Robotics Community Day events Sept. 6 and 7

    LEGO Robotics Community Day events Sept. 6 and 7

    Calling all curious creators, future engineers and LEGO lovers. Students in grades 4 through 8 and their families are invited to a free hands-on LEGO Robotics Community Day from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Bellows Falls Waypoint Center, 17 Depot St. Participants will explore LEGO SPIKE Prime and Essential […]

  • S. Derry resident James Wilbur honored by Wharton alums for volunteerism

    S. Derry resident James Wilbur honored by Wharton alums for volunteerism

    James Wilbur of South Londonderry recently was awarded a Crandall Challenge Citation at the Wharton School in Pennsylvania. The award recognizes those serving the public as a volunteer with the goal of making a difference. Leaders of the Wharton Graduate Society, a group of about 10,000 who graduated at least  45 years ago from the […]

  • Two Lake Rescue homeowners work to make properties 'lake friendly'

    Two Lake Rescue homeowners work to make properties ‘lake friendly’

    Vermont’s Lake Wise Program is a voluntary and free opportunity for lakeshore landowners to have their property assessed and scored, and potentially qualify for a “Lake Wise Award” sign that can be proudly displayed. Recently, two neighbors on Lake Rescue in Ludlow began the process of earning the Lake Wise Award. Both owners worked with […]

  • Ludlow Rotary Duck Race raises funds for Mt. Holly Fire Dept.

    Ludlow Rotary Duck Race raises funds for Mt. Holly Fire Dept.

    More than 650 rubber ducks recently raced from the Depot Street bridge to Walker Bridge as the Ludlow Rotary Club conducted its 26th annual race down the Black River. The winning ducks belonged to: First place: Anonymous, $200 Second place: Theresa Southworth, $100 Third place: Suzanne Theroux, $50 Last place: Virginia Ward, $25 Corporate Duck […]

  • 'Gardening for Baby Boomers' in Derry Sept. 8

    ‘Gardening for Baby Boomers’ in Derry Sept. 8

    The Green Mountain Gardeners is hosting a talk titled “Gardening for Baby Boomers: Ten Ways to Garden Smarter and Live Longer” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 at the Londonderry Rescue Squad, 6068 VT Route 100. This popular presentation by Chris Ferrero, Cornell Master Gardener, promises to be lively and informative. Ambitious […]

  • Take a walk on the wild mushroom side with noted forager Sept. 6

    Take a walk on the wild mushroom side with noted forager Sept. 6

    Are you intrigued by wild mushroom hunting? Ari Rockland-Miller of The Mushroom Forager LLC will lead a guided tour of late summer gourmet and medicinal wild mushrooms from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. Participants should meet at the Hardy Hill Trail entrance on Susannah Johnson Road in Cavendish. Attendees will be introduced […]

  • Chester Select Board agenda for Sept. 3

    Chester Select Board agenda for Sept. 3

    The Chester Select Board will meet following the Water & Sewer Commissioners meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The meetings will be held at Town Hall, 556 Elm St., and via Zoom by clicking here. Below are their agendas Water & Sewer Commissioners 1. Citizen’s Comments 2. Findings of No Significant […]

  • Wilder Library to seek new director, provides construction update

    Wilder Library to seek new director, provides construction update

    The Board of Trustees of the Wilder Memorial Library in Weston announces that library director Jessica Clapp will reduce her role over the next several months and eventually step down from her position. She plans to stay in Weston and will work with the board through the transition period. The process to select a new […]

  • Volunteers needed for BRAT's 26th Annual RiverSweep on Sept. 6

    Volunteers needed for BRAT’s 26th Annual RiverSweep on Sept. 6

    For 25 years, the all-volunteer Black River Action Team has been removing trash from the bed and banks of the river in Windsor County. In collaboration with the Connecticut River Conservancy, the group will be at it again from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Sept. 6. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are encouraged […]

  • Info session on Medicare Open Enrollment Sept. 4 in Derry

    Info session on Medicare Open Enrollment Sept. 4 in Derry

    Neighborhood Connections, located in the Mountain Marketplace, 5700 VT Route 100 in Londonderry, is hosting an informative session about Medicare Open Enrollment from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4. Tirah Brothers, State Health Insurance Assistance Program coordinator from Senior Solutions, the Area Agency on Aging for Southeastern Vermont, will cover everything you need […]

  • Public invited to Legislative Forum in Ludlow

    Public invited to Legislative Forum in Ludlow

    The Ludlow Republican Committee and the Chester Town Republican Committee are inviting the public to attend a Public Legislative Forum with Vermont Republican leadership and local Statehouse representatives from Chester, Weathersfield and Ludlow districts:  Reps. Tom Charlton, Kevin Winter and VL Coffin. The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 at […]

  • Chester to test pedestrian solutions for the Green

    Chester to test pedestrian solutions for the Green

    Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Starting this week there will be some strange looking construction around the Chester Green as the town tries out some ideas for solving a few traffic problems in an attempt to make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists. From Thursday, Aug. 28 to Thursday, Sept. 11, Local […]

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