Author Archive for The Chester Telegraph
Candlelight vigil for Phin Tillman of Grafton to be held at 5 p.m. today, Jan. 17
Phineas “Phin” Harvey Alexander Tillman of Grafton passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Walpole, N.H., at the age of 24. Phineas is survived by his mother Pamela Johnson-Spurlock, stepfather Patrick Spurlock, and sisters Helen and Madeleine Spurlock of Grafton; his father Mitchell Tillman, stepmother Joy, and brothers Braedon and Hudson Tillman of […]
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 […]
Area Dems to hold fundraiser for Family Center’s home heating program
In collaboration with the Chester-Andover Family Center and the Andover Democratic Town Committee, the Chester Town Democratic Committee will hold its annual Share Heat Fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1 at VT Vines Vineyard and Winery, 275 Williams Road in Rockingham. The committees will provide appetizers, and a cash bar will […]
College News
Southern New Hampshire University, in Manchester, N.H., congratulates the following students on being named to the fall 2025 President’s List. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week […]
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 […]
Body of man believed to be Phineas Tillman, 24, of Grafton recovered
The body of a man, believed to be 24-year-old Phineas Tillman of Grafton, was found in the Connecticut River around 1 p.m. Monday by search teams in Walpole, N.H. Vermont State Police had begun searching for Tillman on Sunday evening when they received a call that Tillman had departed his Grafton home and the caller […]
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 […]
Andover Select Board agenda for Jan. 12
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday Jan. 12 at the Andover Town Office 953 Weston-Andover Road. Below is the board’s agenda: 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Act on Agenda. 3. Act on Minutes of December 22nd meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per visitor, […]
College News
Grayson Frazer of Springfield was named to the President’s List for the fall 2025 semester at Trine University in Angola, Ind. Frazer is majoring in Exercise Science. To earn President’s List honors, Trine University students must complete a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average of 3.750-4.000. Kelli Prosser of Springfield has been […]
Chester Select Board agenda for Jan. 7
The Chester Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2026 at Town Hall, 556 Elm St. and online via Zoom. Below is the board’s agenda. 1. Zoning Bylaw Amendment re: Signs; Public Hearing 2. Approval of Minutes from the Select Board Meeting dated Dec. 17, 2025 3. Citizen’s […]
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 […]
Ellen M. McCullough, 80, of Chester
Ellen Marian McCullough (Levinson), of Chester, passed away at the age of 80 at Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y., on Dec. 26, 2025. Born on Feb. 14, 1945, in Detroit, Mich., Ellen lived a life full of warmth, curiosity and connection. Vivacious and feisty, she was endlessly chatty and deeply loving — a woman […]
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 […]
Learn ice fishing techniques from an expert
Have you ever wanted to learn how to ice fish or do you just need to brush up on your knowledge? Learn from Jim Fischer, Vermont Let’s Go Fishing certified chief instructor and a Chester resident, from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Knapp Pond #2, 1426 Knapp Pond Road in Cavendish. […]
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. […]
Andover Select Board agenda for Dec. 22
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday December 22 at the Andover Town Office, 953 Weston Andover Road. Below is the board’s agenda 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Act on Agenda. 3. Act on Minutes of December 8th meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per […]
Agendas for Dec. 17 Chester Select Board and Water/Sewer Commission meetings
The Chester Select Board will hold its regular meeting following their meeting as the Town’s Water and Sewer Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at Town Hall, 556 Elm Street and via Zoom. Below are their agendas. Water and Sewer Commissioners Meeting 1. Citizen’s Comments 2. 2026 Budget Discussion – Water Department […]
Mary Elizabeth Nutting Bigelow, 88, of Landgrove
Mary Elizabeth Nutting Bigelow passed away Dec. 8, 2025, in Landgrove, Vermont. May was a beloved figure in the mountain towns of southern Vermont, known for her gregarious, fun-loving, and nurturing personality. She was born in Lebanon, Penn., on Feb. 20, 1937, to Marion Heminway and Harry Otis Nutting II. Her early childhood in Lebanon […]