Green Mountain graduates 47 as thunderstorms avoid Chester
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC The possibility of rain passed by mid-afternoon Friday and the sun was shining through high clouds as 44 members of the Class of 2026 marched out to Pomp and Circumstance and took their seats set up on the lawn of the high school. A little over an […]
News Analysis: Transforming Vermont’s education system, again
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC As this article is being written, H. 955 is still just a bill. Before it can begin “transforming Vermont’s education system,” it must be checked and double checked for typos and other errors before being sent on to Gov. Phil Scott. His staff will also give it […]
GMUSD board wrestles with bullying and governance
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Last Thursday’s Green Mountain Unified School District Board meeting took up the second half of the behemoth agenda that the board started the week before. Before beginning the meeting, board chair Lisa Sanders of Cavendish asked that only one person speak at a time, with no side […]
GMUSD board hears of bullying, threats to inclusion at high school
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC While new GMUSD board chair Lisa Sanders played catch-up on a backlog of work by splitting the agenda and scheduling an additional meeting for May, the board got an earful from the public and continued its combative internal dynamic at its May 21 confab. The board will […]
Chester begins Town Plan update; ‘all boards’ public meeting on June 9 to coordinate effort
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC In a couple of weeks, Chester will hold an “all boards” meeting, bringing together many of the boards, committees and commissions that work on issues facing the town. That Tuesday, June 9 public meeting will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Hall and remotely […]
Chester board hears that audits will show no deficits, reservoir dam recommendations
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC At last Wednesday’s meeting, the Chester Select Board got a bit of good news when Town Manager Julie Hance announced that there was no negative fund balance or deficit for 2024 or 2025. Back in January, Hance said that although the town received a clean audit for […]
Latest News
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Chester boards meet to kick off Town Plan revisions Planners want public input early and often
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC With work on a new Town Plan -
Green Mountain graduates 47 as thunderstorms avoid Chester Photo gallery of an evening to remember
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC The possibility of rain passed by mid-afternoon -
Chester Economic Development Commission agenda for June 24
The Chester Economic Development Commission will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday -
Chester Dems to meet June 25 to nominate JPs
The Chester Town Democratic Committee will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25 -
Andover Select Board agenda for June 22
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday June -
REVISED: Chester Select Board/Water Commissioners meeting agenda for June 17
The Chester Select Board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June -
Cavendish sets sewer rates, addresses Greven Field work and tax grievance process
By Lorien Strange ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC This month’s Cavendish Select Board meeting was short -
News Analysis: Transforming Vermont’s education system, again As House bill 955 enters the final stretch, here's what's coming at us
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC As this article is being written, H. - More News
Community & Arts Life
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Springfield celebrates ‘Make Music Vermont’ with free concert and open mic June 21
Music lovers of all ages are invited to gather at The Commons, 50 Summer Hill -
Springfield Garden Club receives 4 first-place awards from Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont
The Springfield Garden Club won four first-pace awards and three merit awards at this years -
Free art workshops for adults June 22 & 29 in Derry
Art teacher Casey Junker Bailey will share the joy of creative bookmaking at two free -
Caribbean Night fundraiser for Neighborhood Connections June 26
Neighborhood Connections is holding a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday June 26 -
Springfield Community Band presents ‘Disney’ concert June 23 Concerts continue on Tuesday evenings throughout summer
The Springfield Community Band presents its Disney concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 -
Mountain Valley Health Center celebrates 50 years on June 20
To honor five decades of providing dedicated health care services to Londonderry and surrounding towns, -
Search for the ghosts of Cavendish June 20
The Cavendish Historical Society will host the Cavendish Village Ghost Walk at 8 p.m. on -
Flag Day talk on Betsy Ross June 14 in Cavendish
Because there is not any evidence of a “first” flag, the claim that Betsy Ross - More in Community & Arts Life
Business & Personal Finance
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Bennington distillery wins at spirits competition
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition has announced its winners for 2026. Bennington’s Village Garage -
Mountain Valley Health Center celebrates 50 years on June 20
To honor five decades of providing dedicated health care services to Londonderry and surrounding towns, -
Wunderle highlights Chester beautification efforts in Boston presentation
On May 1, at the Boston Society of Landscape Architecture Fieldday 2026 at Harvard University -
Sage Jewelry takes root in new Chester location
By Cynthia Prairie ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Michele Colby has finally found the storefront she - More in Business & Personal Finance
Commentary
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To the editor: It’s time to transform or trash the Democratic Party
Despite its imperfections and frustrations, the two-party system has worked in the United States for -
To the editor: Vermont’s citizen legislature, a place where most citizens cannot afford to serve
To the relief of many, the Vermont Legislature has adjourned. Once again, school reform consumed -
To the editor: We must make Vermont survivable for our youth, families
I am a proud mom of four — and all of my children have left -
Op-ed: When leaders listen to their constituents
By Nicholas Boke ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Where are the leaders who listen? The Educational - More Commentaries
Education News & High School Sports
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Green Mountain graduates 47 as thunderstorms avoid Chester Photo gallery of an evening to remember
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC The possibility of rain passed by mid-afternoon -
Two graduate from Expeditionary School
The Expeditionary School at Black River celebrated the graduation of the class of 2026 on -
Ludlow Rotary announces scholarship awardees
This year, the Ludlow Rotary Club is awarding $14,000 in scholarships, including the Martin Nitka -
News Analysis: Transforming Vermont’s education system, again As House bill 955 enters the final stretch, here's what's coming at us
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC As this article is being written, H. - More in Education
Obituaries
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Joan ‘Joni’ Wacker, 79, of Chester
Joan Sarah “Joni” Wacker (née Bell), 79, of Chester, passed away peacefully on May 31, -
June Swomley, 92, of Connecticut and Chester
June Kutchera Swomley, of Bloomfield, Conn., died on Monday, April 13, at the age of -
Jerry Friant, 94, of Shelburne, formerly of Landgrove
Ray J. (Jerry) Friant, of Shelburne, suddenly and unexpectedly entered eternity on Jan. 30, 2026, -
Kendall ‘Ken’ Crocker, 79, of Chester, Springfield and Florida
Kendall “Ken” B. Crocker Jr. set sail on his final voyage at home in Sebastian, - More Obituaries
Other Recent Articles
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College News
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, located in Worcester, Mass., celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 during its 157th Commencement exercises. The following students earned their bachelor’s degree: Everett Mosher of Chester, who majored in Civil Engineering, and Kimberly Cummings of Chester, who majored in Computer Science. Devon Sinclair of Springfield graduated from Millersville University of […]
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GM outlines $3 million PCB remediation this summer
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC It was June 2023 when the Green Mountain Unified School District board heard that its high school was contaminated with Polychlorinated Biphenyls or PCBs. “Unfortunately, this will dominate our conversation for the foreseeable future, ” Facilities Director Todd Parah said at that time. Fast forward to a […]
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GM grad receives Massachusetts regional Excellence in Teaching Award
On May 6, Angelae Wunderle of Chester was awarded a 2026 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award as an Outstanding Educator in the Hampshire Regional School District in Massachusetts. Sponsored by The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation and The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, the award recognizes exceptional public and parochial school teachers in […]
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Rockingham Meeting House now open for the season
The Rockingham Meeting House, a National Historic Landmark located at 11 Meeting House Road in Bellows Falls, opened for the 2026 visitor season over Memorial Day weekend. Based on docent availability, the Meeting House will be open for guided tours seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Halloween. A meeting house […]
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‘Tracking and the Art of Seeing’ June 13 in Cavendish
The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association presents the latest installment in its Walk and Talk series at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13. Meet at the Hardy Hill trailhead on Susannah Johnson Lane in Cavendish and join naturalist and wildlife tracker Rose Richter for a walk into the landscape of the tracker. Begin to look […]
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GM school bus runs into ditch, jostling students on route to Cavendish
By Shawn Cunningham © 2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC A Green Mountain School District bus driver, heading north from Chester, pulled over to settle down some rambunctious students just after 3 this Friday afternoon but ended up in the ditch on Route 103 in the Proctorsville Gulf, jostling the passengers as he came to a stop. […]
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Henry Homeyer: June ushers in blooming season
By Henry Homeyer ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC I’ve heard it said that June is the most common month for weddings. I’m not sure why, but my theory is that June, despite black flies and noxious ticks, is a great month to be outside for wedding receptions. Roses are in bloom, as are peonies, irises and […]
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Andover Select Board agenda for June 8
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday June 8 at the 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 May 11th meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per visitor, 10 […]
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College News
Grace Tyrrell of Cavendish received a Bachelor of Arts degree at the 75th Commencement of Stonehill College, in Easton, Mass., on Sunday, May 17. Grayson Frazer of Springfield has earned a degree in Exercise Science from Trine University in Angola, Ind. The following full-time undergraduate students have earned placement on the spring 2026 President’s List […]
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Chester ‘All boards/committees’ meeting agenda for June 9
The Chester Select Board will hold an “All Boards” meeting as the town begins to work on the next iteration of its town plan. The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 at Town Hall, 556 Elm St. and remotely via Zoom. Aside from the Select Board, the meeting […]
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Chester’s 79th Annual Alumni Parade kicks off Saturday
Excitement is building as Chester gears up for the 79th Annual Alumni Parade, stepping off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. This year’s parade brings a cinematic twist, with floats inspired by movie themes spanning from the 1970s to today, offering a fun blend of nostalgia, adventure and creativity for all ages. The parade […]
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Community Croquet returns to St. Luke’s June 4
Once again, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 313 Main St. in Chester, will be holding free Community Croquet on its back lawn every Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 4 through July 30. Cornhole and badminton will also be available. All outdoor activities are offered to adults and to children 10 years and older […]
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United Church of Ludlow to celebrate restored bell
United Church of Ludlow is throwing a “Ring Out Love” Community Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. on the lawn at 48 Pleasant St. on Sunday, June 7 to thank the community for supporting the newly restored, historic church bell. Local favorite Sammy Blanchette will provide music. There will also be family-friendly games and an […]
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Grafton man sentenced to six years in jail on drug, firearm charges
©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Terry Russ, 43, of Grafton, was sentenced on Wednesday, May 27, in U.S. District Court in Rutland to 72 months’ in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and possessing a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking […]
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Local author Ralph Pace publishes novel
Ralph Pace, a Rutland resident and formerly of Ludlow, has published a novel titled Chronicles of a Grumpy Old Man. The book is about a man in his 90s who suddenly rediscovers himself and love, but only after experiencing a number of personal challenges and renewal of memories that shaped him into who he was. […]
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Windsor Dems hold lt. governor candidate forum
Windsor County Democratic Committee is hosting a public candidate forum featuring Democratic contenders for the 2026 Vermont lieutenant governor’s race on Saturday, May 30 at Heald Auditorium, located upstairs in Ludlow Town Hall, 37 S. Depot St. Seating is available on a first-come first-served basis. Attendees are asked to be seated by 1:55 p.m. for […]
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