All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
To the editor: Vermont religious leaders call for justice for Renee Good
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8 RANDOLPH The Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ raises our prophetic voice to speak out against the escalation […]
To the editor: Chester Christmas Committee thanks community for holiday participation
The newly formed Christmas in Chester Committee would like to extend our heartfelt and sincere gratitude to everyone who helped bring the holiday spirit to Chester this season. From generous donations of time and money to encouragement, creativity, and participation, this celebration truly reflected the strength of our community. We thank the local businesses who […]
To the editor: How and what to donate to the Thrift Shop at CAFC
As we welcome the start of a new year, many of us feel the familiar pull to organize, refresh our homes and clear space for what’s next. The Chester-Andover Family Center, located at 908 VT-103 in Chester, is deeply grateful that you think of the Thrift Shop when deciding where your gently used items should […]
Op-ed: Private philanthropy is not enough to create economic opportunity
By Bill Schubart ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Is what we’re learning about healthcare and the critical role of primary care a metaphor for what we can learn about reducing poverty with equitable economic policies that create opportunity? Vermont’s current budget is $9.1 billion. For 648,500 Vermonters, that’s $14,400 each. The 2025 U.S. budget was $7.01 […]
Op-ed: Affordability permeates every issue: What to expect from the upcoming legislative session
By Sen. Joe Major As we enter the upcoming legislative session, Vermonters are sending us a clear message: Affordability must be front and center. Families, seniors, farmers and small businesses are all feeling the strain of rising costs, and they expect their elected leaders to respond with practical, responsible solutions. That is both our challenge […]
Op-ed: Does relocating Chester Festival fulfill board’s stated objectives?
By Nicholas Boke ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC I kept waiting for the part of the Dec. 11 Telegraph article Chester Festival, long held on the Green, to move to Legion field where the Chester Community Events board would describe the surveys and interviews they had garnered to make their decision. I’ve re-read the article several […]
To the editor: Family Center thanks all who helped make Empty Bowl Dinner a success
On behalf of the Chester-Andover Family Center, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Empty Bowls event in early November possible. To all our attendees, sponsors, donors, and volunteers: your generosity, time, food, auction items, gift baskets and presence are what bring this event to life year after […]
To the editor: Thanks to the ‘village,’ another successful Senior Dinner is served
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but truth be known, it also takes a small town to prepare and serve a wonderful holiday meal to a group of Chester and Andover senior citizens. Many hands make light work, for sure. Thank you to the fantastic folks that made that dinner possible. […]
Op-ed: I’ve been battling the Trump administration for 11 months; Here’s what’s next
By Charity Clark Attorney General State of Vermont Having sued the Trump administration 36 times in 11 months, I am reflecting on the wild ride of 2025 – and preparing for what’s next. President Trump began his second term with a flurry of executive orders. The first executive orders – some of which were almost […]
Op-ed: Reclaiming the spirit of Christmas
By Maya Wright Each December, America lights up – not with reverence, but with neon sales, frantic shopping, and countdowns to the next shipment from Amazon. For Generation Z especially, Christmas has increasingly drifted into a glittering spectacle of trends, wish lists, and content creation. The nativity story, the breathtaking moment when eternity stepped into […]
To the editor: Citizens must regain control of democracy
Democracy is not a self-driving car and we, as citizens, must not sit in the back seat bracing for a wreck. The majority of Americans oppose cruel policies and violent arrests of hard working immigrants and efforts to deny those most vulnerable access to healthcare, housing and food support. The majority of Americans are repulsed […]
To the editor: An Athens couple shows the world how to care for neighbors
Many initiatives, both small and large, individual and collective, ramped up across the state and the country to combat the sudden hunger crisis caused by the loss of SNAP benefits at the start of November. Here in Athens, Krista Gay and her husband Christian Rogerson, started their own Free Food Pantry at the bottom of […]
To the editor: Londonderry Rescue holds annual banquet to honor community, volunteers
The Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad was held Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Landgrove Inn. There were 60 members and family attending. Hilary Dahlstrom presented the LVRS Community Award to Neighborhood Connections. It was graciously received by Executive Director Thom Simmons. Jeff DiStasio had the privilege to present the William Cobb Sr. Award to Doug Friant […]
Op-ed: Thanksgiving and to have and have not
By Bill Schubart ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC My family’s always favored Thanksgiving over the celestial holidays like Christmas and Easter that feed a bloom of consumption. At Thanksgiving, families and friends simply gather to express gratitude, share food, and tell stories. It’s an earthbound holiday. There are exceptions. France’s Bernard Arnault (estimated net worth: $184B) […]
Op-ed: In defense of our sixth graders Moving them to the middle school will only cause problems
By Lisa D. Sanders Being a 6th grader is hard. Bodies and brains are changing rapidly and at different rates in different kiddos. Children are trying to figure out who they are. A hug or harsh word from a parent still matters, but perhaps for the first time, less than a fist bump or dis […]
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 […]
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 […]
To the editor: Stand up for the Land of the Free
Our national anthem ends with a question: “Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” Are we still the land of the free when the president can deploy federal troops to states that do not want them under the phony pretext that […]
To the editor: Pennells announce closing of Smokeshire Design, but sales and party first!
Dear friends, family and customers of Smokeshire Design, Eight years ago, on Thanksgiving weekend, Smokeshire Design opened its doors. Simon Pearce glass, Hugh Pennell furniture, Andrew Pearce bowls and many beautiful home goods, jewelry and gift items became the background for our adventure into the world of retail. Hugh and I have met so many […]