All Entries in the "Community and Arts Life" Category

Vegetables elevate chipped beef on toast
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Growing up under the wings of a Navy man for a father, I enjoyed chipped beef on toast without vegetables. But now as a chef, I realize that even though this old-time Navy breakfast is great as is, the Army had its own rendition that included a variety of vegetables. Peas, […]

A Yankee solution to those leftover whipped sweet potatoes
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com H ere is a recipe that has its roots in “the county.” Aroostook County, Maine, has long been the hub of potato growing in Maine, and much of New England. Potato bread was first made in this cold climate of Maine, so it is fitting that sweet potatoes find their way […]

Annual Christmas dinner serves up good food, cheer to more than 100 seniors
Photo gallery is below the article More than 100 senior citizens from Chester and the surrounding towns sat down to a festive and hot Christmas meal on Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Chester Andover Elementary School cafeteria. Tables were set with bright green and red tablecloths, bowls of cranberry sauce, baskets of rolls and gift-basket […]

German stollen for a traditional Christmas treat
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Originally called Dresden stollen in the 15th century, this bread was made to immortalize the infant Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothing. Made during the advent, the beginning recipes used only flour, a leaven, olive oil and water, pretty tasteless but true to form for the fasting time held by […]

St. Luke’s welcomes new musician; new art space opens in Chester
Jacob S. McLaughlin joins St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 313 Main St. in Chester, as its liturgical musician. He will play the organ and keyboard as well as lead the choir. McLaughlin, who grew up in Chester, began his music training at age 8 with the late Helen Donnis at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chester. […]
2014 Rockingham Library calendars now available
Rockingham Free Public Library’s 2014 calendar features historical Bellows Falls postcards from the Rockingham Library’s postcard collection. The calendar highlights the bustling vibrancy of the town as well as its beautiful bucolic setting on the Connecticut River. Calendars are available at the library at 65 Westminster St., Bellows Falls for $12 each. All proceeds will […]

A holly, jolly Overture to Christmas
Photos and text by Cynthia Prairie Saturday’s Parade of Packages, part of Chester’s annual Overture to Christmas events, was interrupted when emergency vehicles had to pull out of the procession to respond to a single-car accident in Andover. (There were no injuries reported.) But that didn’t dampen the day as more than 20 kids […]

Friends, family rally to keep artist’s memory alive with GMUHS scholarship
By Cynthia Prairie Friends and family of the late Heath Gordon are establishing a memorial scholarship fund for Green Mountain Union High School seniors who are pursuing higher education in either art or music. Gordon, who grew up in Chester with his older sister Wendy and younger brother Sam, was a musician and artist […]

Weston Playhouse expansion site plan gets OK with conditions
By Cynthia Prairie Site plans for the new cultural arts facility of the Weston Playhouse Theatre Co. have been given the go-ahead by the Weston Planning Commission with seven minor conditions for use and one conclusion of law that could force the playhouse to speed up its capital fund-raising campaign. The decision was sent […]

Crunchy crust, timeless taste in a Christmas pie
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com I couldn’t fit any more comfort flavor in this inviting dessert if I tried. I have incorporated the timeless taste of rum-raisin with the forgotten taste of seasonal fruit cake and combined it with feel-good warm apples. One taste of this comfort-food pie and you won’t care what kind of […]

Time to Shop: It’s the 2nd annual Shop Local holiday gift guide (Part 1)
By Cynthia Prairie For the second year in a row, The Chester Telegraph has traveled around the region to window shop for you, looking for interesting and beautiful gifts to give this holiday season. We’ve tried to cover everyone on your list. This week, in Part 1, we concentrate on housewares, stocking stuffers and […]

A chestnut of a recipe for a Christmas oyster stew
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Oysters have been part of our Yankee holiday custom for centuries. Oysters were plentiful here on our shores and have been used in stuffing since the Puritan era. Did you know that oyster stuffing (as well as other types) was originally stuffed between the skin and meat of the turkey? For […]

For sharing and giving: Christmas traditions, joy abound in holiday books
By John Hoover As Christmas rolls around, we at Misty Valley Books tend to revert to our much younger selves and experience again the excitement of the approaching holiday. This month’s recommendations will not only make great gifts, but they will add to the joys of the season and your holiday traditions. Lynne recommends […]

Using their noodles: Spaghetti dinner helps Keewaydin camp effort
The 70 or so 5th and 6th graders from Chester-Andover Elementary School are deliciously closer to going to Keewaydin Environmental Education camp in May 2014 thanks to the volunteer parents, teachers and pupils who served up a spaghetti dinner to more than 100 hungry folks last Thursday night, Nov. 21, 2013. The dinner — […]

Preparing for Overture; Children’s book raises funds for farmer relief effort
Decking the halls Children’s book raises funds for farmer relief effort Vermont children’s book publishing company, Radiant Hen in Coventry, has published a children’s picture book to benefit the Vermont Farmer Emergency Relief Fund, organized by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. The book, titled Higher Ground is about Tropical Storm Irene and its […]

A colorful side dish with Cape Cod carrots
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com The taste of cranberries bringing orange orbs of carrots together in a great, tangy side dish works equally as well with pork, ham or turkey. For those who are enjoying Tofurkey or other vegetarian dishes, well … this is a perfect accompaniment as well. Here’s a bit of food history: Why […]
Good Neighbors offers donation holiday cards
This year, Black River Good Neighbor Services will offer cards that you can personalize in return for a cash donation to its food shelf program and to its financial services program. This is a gift that keeps on giving, both to your loved one and to more vulnerable members of your community. You can send […]

Eggnog pudding a holiday dessert for everyone
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Whether you have this recipe during Thanksgiving or Christmas, this homemade pudding is a sure treat for everyone in the family. Although it contains the flavor of rum, the children will be safe eating this adult-tasting dessert with a couple of cookies nestled on the side for dipping. The word eggnog […]

Oven-fresh holiday pot breads for dinner, for gifts
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com What a great idea for the Holiday dinner tables. Tie a ribbon around each and place in front of each setting at the table. Not only will it garner attention and gratitude, but your guests will have a keepsake to take home. 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 envelope dry […]

Comedic ‘Shakespeare on the Green’ at GMUHS this weekend
The Green Mountain Union High School Drama Department will present Shakespeare on the Green at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 in the GMUHS auditorium, 716 VT Rt. 103 S. in Chester. Shakespeare on the Green, written by Amanda Petefish-Schrag and Ben Schrag, includes portions of five of Shakespeare’s most […]