Free Wi-Fi access available in downtown Chester; daffodil bulb sale to help beautify Chester

The Chester Connection, free public access to the Internet via Wi-Fi, is up and functioning in downtown Chester.   To utilize this service select The Chester Connection from the list of available Wi-Fi networks on your phone, tablet, or laptop and agree to the terms and services listed on the splash page.

The service is available on both sides of Main Street (Route 11) between Grafton and Church streets, including The Green.  The network allows you to travel down the street without losing your connection.

Usage has risen steadily and already 40 to 60 people a day access this service. Most are first-time visitors, who are encouraged to take advantage of business offerings and events in the community.

This service is a public-private collaboration spearheaded by the Chester Economic Development Corp. and the Town of Chester with the Fullerton Inn, Inn Victoria and the Whiting Library providing Internet access.  The devices to allow this access and their installation were provided by the Vermont Digital Economy Project of the Vermont Council on Rural Development.

Bill Dakin, president of the CEDC, said, “One of the primary objectives the CEDC is to promote local businesses and this was a low cost way to further that objective.”  He added his thanks to the owners of the two inns and the library’s board of trustees for making the project possible.

The Town of Chester made it clear that this project was important for the town, said Caitlin Lovegrove, Network and Outreach Coordinator for the Vermont Digital Economy Project.

Light Up Chester Campaign offers daffodil bulbs for home, public spaces

The Chester Beautification Committee’s latest project is its Light Up Chester Campaign. People are invited to order large, yellow King Alfred daffodils to plant this fall to ensure a brilliant floral display next spring.

Participants may plant bulbs on their own property, donate bulbs back to the Chester Beautification Committee to plant along the stone wall outside the cemetery opposite the Village Green, donate money to CBC for its beautification projects, or do a combination of all three.

With help from supporters, CBC is launching a multi-year plan to plant thousands of spring bulbs throughout the community.

To order bulbs, call Carol Gilbert at 802-875-1599 or Nancy Rugg at 802-875-2444.

CBC also will have a table set up in front of the Fullerton Inn, 40 the Common, in Chester, during the Fall Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21 for those that wish to purchase and donate bulbs for public planting.

Bulbs and planting instructions may be picked up at the front desk of the Fullerton Inn 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 30 through Saturday Oct. 4. A mini-bag of six bulbs is $5. A regular bag of 12 bulbs is $10. Supporters can become a 40-Watt Donor (48 bulbs for $40), a 60-Watt Donor (72 bulbs for $60) or a 100-Watt Donor (120 bulbs for $100).