All Entries in the "Featured" Category
Act 250 panel gives Dollar General land-use permit
By Cynthia Prairie The District Environmental Commission on Wednesday gave the Zaremba Group the necessary land-use permit to build a 9,100-square-foot Dollar General store on 1.4 acres on Main Street in Chester. Still, the commission also placed several requirements on the developers and the store itself, including: adding a “Stop Ahead” sign on Route 103 […]
Two solar farms slated for Chester
By Karen Zuppinger Two large solar farm projects are making their way into Chester. Representatives from three of the four companies involved attended the Select Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20 to make presentations and answer questions. The biggest company, Solar Renewable Energy LLC, will locate its project near Route 103 North and Trebo Road. […]
Political newcomer challenges Select Board incumbents
On the cover: from left, Tami Ravlin, Arne Jonynas and Tom Bock. All photos by Cynthia Prairie The Chester Telegraph recently interviewed the three candidates who are vying for two seats on the Chester Select Board, incumbents Tom Bock and Arne Jonynas and political newcomer and lifelong Chester resident Tami Wilkins Ravlin. Discussions centered around […]
Everything’s coming up roses at Chester Flowers
Aflorist shop on Valentine’s Day can be a mix of artists’ studio, take-out restaurant, couples counselor and NASA mission control. Few retail settings perform such hire wire acts of timing and aesthetics. And tomorrow Diane Stocker and Cheryl LeClair of Chester Flowers will be working to make a lot of sweethearts happy. Their small shop […]
Select Board considers special town meeting to OK fire truck purchase
By Karen Zuppinger The Chester Select Board agreed last Wednesday to consider holding a special town meeting to allow voters to decide whether to allocate $250,000 for a new fire truck. The Chester Fire Department hopes to get approval for the truck now, but pay for it in 2014, thereby saving the town about $10,000. […]
With a little human intervention, an ice sculpture grows
Is it a work of art, a science demonstration or just cool? One Popple Dungeon resident has harnessed the power of gravity to raise this blue column near his home this winter. Peter Delaney, who lives two miles from the Grafton Road, said that he had seen this done before and decided to use the […]
Misty Valley’s New Voices draws 200
Two hundred people attended Misty Valley Books’ 19th Annual New Voices 2013 authors event at the First Universalist Parish in the Stone Village on Saturday, Jan. 26. Misty Valley Books co-owner Bill Reed said the discussions during and after the event were lively and the comments following the event he called “glowing.” Bruce Johnson of […]
One challenger in Select Board elections; voters face fiscal issues at Town Meeting
Just one non-incumbent is seeking a seat on the Chester Select Board, where three of the five terms are up for election: one 3-year term held by Bill Lindsay and two one-year seats held by Tom Bock and Arne Jonynas. Newcomer Tami Ravlin, a 40-year-old lifelong resident of Chester, is hoping to win a one-year […]
From the editor: Thank you for an exciting 1st year
One year ago, if you were interested in news about Chester, you might find the occasional story – fire, crime, accident or town government issue – in the Southern Vermont sections of the Rutland Herald or the Eagle Times. Or chances are, you turned to the blog at Chestervermont.org. But for the past year, The […]
New Bartonsville Covered Bridge opens
Photo Gallery by Cynthia Prairie It was a beautiful but freezing winter day that brought together many Vermonters to celebrate the opening of the new Bartonsville Covered Bridge. First, below is Susan Hammond’s famous video of the bridge collapsing. It helped bring attention to the efforts to rebuild it. Following that is the morning events […]
Chester among Windsor towns to vote on County Courthouse renovations
One issue that Chester voters will address on Tuesday, March 5 is whether to support a $2 million bond issue to upgrade the historic Windsor County Courthouse in Woodstock. Assistant Judges David Singer and Jack Anderson presented the issue before the Chester Select Board on Thursday evening, detailing the need for the renovations of the […]
Alternative plans spark strong objections from Dollar General developer, engineer
By Cynthia Prairie Speath Engineering and developer the Zaremba Group vigorously defended their site plan for a Dollar General store proposed for Main Street in Chester after the Windsor County Regional Planning Commission offered two alternatives during the continuation of the Act 250 hearing last Thursday. Click to view Alternative A and Alternative B. The […]
Life’s on track for 8-year-old racer and family
By Greg Hart Sports Editor You hold your breath as your son drives away for the first time. Excited, but anxious and nervous too, you’re happy as he takes yet another step toward independence. Your heart beats with a mixture of pride and fear as he picks up speed. It’s white knuckle time — yours […]
Act 250 hearing for Dollar General continues Thursday
Planning commission offers alternative plans The District 2 Environmental Commission has set Thursday, Jan. 17 to reconvene its Act 250 hearing on the proposed Dollar General project for a 1.37 acre parcel of land on Main Street across from the Country Girl Diner in Chester. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on the 2nd […]
Sage Jewelry teams with Polish Pottery in bigger location
It was a chilly Saturday evening with snow, salt and sand still on the ground. But the move had to be done. Sage Jewelry, which for two years has sat snuggly inside the Moon Dog Cafe, on Main Street right off the Green in Chester, needed larger digs. Jeweler and owner Michele Bargfrede was teaming […]
Tis the Season: Unusual holiday gifts for every budget and everyone
By Cynthia Prairie There are few reasons to leave Chester to shop for that very special holiday gift for that very special person. Chester abounds with interesting items in all price ranges — if you know where to look. Whether the recipient is your spouse or lover, a child, your pets or friends who love […]
Holly Jolly beginning of Christmas season
The second weekend of Overture of Christmas featured a puppet show at VTica, gingerbread house judging, caroling, storytelling and a live Nativity Scene. The 27th annual event was topped off with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus and the lighting of the Town Tree. Click on any photo below to launch the photo gallery.
Overture to Christmas kicks off with kids’ crafts and carolers
Alight snow fell over Chester on Saturday, Dec. 1, the first day of Overture to Christmas, now in its 27th year. Following an elfish breakfast at the American Legion, children and parents packed tables at Chester-Andover Elementary School to paint pottery ornaments, create lace and bead candy canes and decorate Christmas cookies. The St. Luke’s […]
Act 250 Commission hears Dollar General proposal, residents’ concerns
By Cynthia Prairie Emotion tinged the afternoon testimony of many of the 13 people who spoke against the proposed Dollar General store on Friday, Nov. 9 before an audience at Chester Town Hall that at one point numbering more than 50. One by one, Chester business owners, residents and a second homeowner — who had […]
Giving thanks … to the chef
By Becki Trudell The Thanksgiving holiday is centered around a huge meal and, of course, family. But with the big meal comes hours of preparation — and a great, big mess. Peeling potatoes, chopping onions, basting a turkey and the inevitable dirty pans and soiled tablecloths are not likely to put a damper on your […]
