Archive for 2025
McKibben to speak on climate crisis Sat. Feb. 8
Nationally known climate activist and Vermont environmentalist Bill McKibben will speak on climate change and how we can play a part in minimizing the damage of a warming planet in his presentation Back to the Wall, Face to the Sun. The talk, hosted by the Londonderry Conservation Commission, will be held at 4 p.m. on […]
News Analysis: What’s the future for the commission on the Future of Public Education?
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Last Wednesday, the Scott administration unveiled its plan – at least a rough sketch of a plan – for fixing all the problems of Vermont’s education system with a 45 minute slideshow by Agency of Education Secretary Zoie Saunders. And, depending on who you’re listening to, it […]
Meals & Wheels needs drivers, donations
If you can spare two hours a week on a Monday, Wednesday or a Friday, Meals and Wheels of Greater Springfield can use your help. Meals and Wheels of Greater Springfield, in partnership with Senior Solutions, needs drivers to deliver nutritional meals to the homes of eligible seniors and disabled adults in Springfield and the […]
College News
Madison Wilson of Chester has graduated from Vermont State University as a member of the university’s December 2024 graduating class. The following local students earned Vermont State University President’s List recognition for the fall 2024 semester. To qualify for this highest academic honor, students must maintain full-time status and a semester grade point average of […]
League of Women Voters offering three $2,000 scholarships
The Vermont Education Fund of the League of Women Voters is now accepting applications for its Winona Smith Scholarship program. Created in 1998 to honor the legacy of League leader Winona Smith, the scholarship is awarded annually to Vermont high school seniors who embody the characteristics and qualities Smith displayed of civic participation and community […]
Kids Valentine art program at S. Derry Library Feb. 8
The South Londonderry Free Library, 15 Old School Road, invites children of all ages to a special Valentine art program with Casey Junker Bailey at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8. Hand-dyed and decorated papers, ribbons and lace will be used to create beautiful gallery style valentines. Each family will also receive a copy of […]
Vermont Academy names new Head of School
The Vermont Academy Board of Trustees announces the appointment of Michael Peller as the school’s next Head of School, effective July 1. Peller brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of independent education and an entrepreneurial spirit to the Saxtons River private school. He will replace Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara, who announced last August […]
Talk on Cavendish abolitionist Peter Tumbo Feb. 5
In honor of Black History Month, Cavendish Historical Society will present a talk at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library, 573 Main St. in Proctorsville. Several newspapers, including Vermont Watchman and State Gazette and The Liberator, reported that Peter Tumbo, a “colored man,” died at age 106 in […]
Komen ‘Snowshoe for Hope’ Feb. 9 in Grafton
Andie Fusco of Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty in Bondville has created the Snowshoe for Hope Vermont fundraiser to benefit the Susan G. Komen breast cancer charity. It will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, 783 Townshend Road in Grafton. Interested snowshoers can sign up as […]
Leona Hazen, 93, of Chester
It is with great sadness, the family of Leona Mary (Grignon) Hazen, announces her peaceful passing on Jan. 19, 2025 at the age of 93, at the Gill Home in Ludlow. She was born Feb. 6, 1931 in North Walpole, N.H., the daughter of Atwell Joseph and Catherine Mary (Reardon) Grignon. She grew up in […]
36-year-old Windsor man gets prison for unlawful firearms possession in Chester
Ryan Buckley, 36, of Windsor, was sentenced on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in U.S. District Court to 46 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release in relation to his arrest in Chester by Chester Police in June 2023. Buckley, formerly from New Hampshire, had pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm after previously […]
Chester board to re-approve budget after spreadsheet glitch
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC A programming glitch in Chester government Excel spreadsheets detailing the proposed 2025-26 operating budget is forcing the Select Board to revote that proposed budget this morning. The new budget will be slightly higher — about $50,000 — than the one that the board earlier approved to send […]
To the editor: Chester zoning law still allows extraction too close for comfort
We were glad to see the article in The Chester Telegraph reporting on Chester’s rezoning issues. (Chester board OKs rural zoning changes, Jan. 7, 2025) While much of the talk was centered on setbacks, extraction with a 100-foot setback remains in the newly named Rural-3, which is approximately 60% of Chester. From speaking with friends […]
College News
Southern New Hampshire University of Manchester, N.H., congratulates the following students on being named to the fall 2024 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. They are: Cathryn Feickert of Springfield Hayley Russell of Springfield Southern […]
Andover Select Board agenda for Jan. 27
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday Jan. 27 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 January 13th meeting. 4. Public Comment (Time allowance: Five minutes per visitor, 10 […]
Law firm opens in former Chester Masonic Lodge
After 18 months of rehabbing the old Masonic Lodge at 20 The Common on the Green in Chester the law office of Chadwick Spensley & Fox announces that the general practice branch is officially open for business. “It’s been a labor of love,” said senior partner Evan Chadwick. “The support we have gotten from the […]
Housing Trust receives high scores in two audits
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, which aids southern Vermonters in creating and find secure affordable housing, recently underwent two extensive third-party audits of its operations and, in both instances, achieved the highest possible scores. This accomplishment underscores WWHT’s commitment to excellence in all areas of compliance, accountability and fiscal responsibility. The Housing Trust has untaken […]
To the editor: Chester Democratic Committee played no part in recent dust up
The Chester Telegraph’s editorial about local Democrats “kicking up dust over a MAGA event” was surprising to members of the Chester Democratic Committee. (Dems kick up some dust over a MAGA event, Jan. 10, 2025) The editorial mentions “a local Democratic social media site.” The Chester Democratic Committee, however, has no social media site of […]
Gathering to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 20
The Declaration of Inclusion Implementation Committee presents an MLK Day Gathering from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20 at the Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St. This free event will celebrate the enduring legacy and words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Readings and audio of his powerful speeches and writings, highlighting his […]
9% jump in GM District school budget proposed; elementary school restructuring plans firmed up
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Monday night’s special meeting of the board of the Green Mountain Unified School District had just two agenda items. The main reason for the meeting was to review the 2025-26 budget proposal ahead of the board’s regular meeting on Thursday, since the board needs to approve a […]
