Roads less taken fill Chester board’s agenda as MacGinnis sues town
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC It’s looking like Class 4 roads will fill Chester government’s horizon for months – if not longer – as the Chester Select Board once again devoted a large portion of its Nov. 19 meeting to the topic. During last Wednesday’s meeting, Wyman’s Falls Road property owner Kirk […]
Childcare, livestock and paper preservation round out businesses moving into Chester
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Editor’s Note: In the past two weeks The Chester Telegraph has looked at what seems to be an uptick in Chester business activity through the lens of the hospitality sector – namely restaurants and the retail marketplace. In this final installment we look at several new developments […]
Chester icons under the aurora borealis
©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Chester resident Bruce Johnson sent over a few photos he shot during Tuesday night’s aurora borealis, a spectacular atmospheric display that Vermonters — and much of the northern hemisphere — were graced with on Tuesday night. Johnson used his cellphone to take the shots around 8:30 p.m. They show the aurora […]
Chester board wrestles with Class 4 road issues
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC There was no calm before the storm at the Nov. 5 Chester Select Board meeting with property owner Kirk MacGinnis forcefully making demands of the chair even before the minutes from the Oct. 1 meeting could be reviewed. In a confrontational style that includes handouts listing statute […]
A new year and new businesses coming to the Green, and more
Editor’s Note: Last week The Chester Telegraph took a look at what seems to be an uptick in Chester business activity through the lens of the hospitality sector – namely restaurants. This week’s focus is on what’s happening in the retail marketplace beginning with movement on the Green. By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing […]
With Create Together, Fletcher Farm turns the page toward a new community artistic vision
By Lorien Strange ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Locals think they know what’s going on here,” says Kathryn Svec as she leans against a cabinet in a recently refurbished pottery studio. Outside the long, low building just north of Cavendish, everything is puddles and gray. But that’s not dampening the quiet enthusiasm of Create Together’s new […]
Latest News
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Santa lights up the Chester Green
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Carolers, bundled up against the chill, gathered -
Chester Board hears local option tax concerns, picks new moderator Frank Kelley to replace longtime Moderator Bill Dakin at 2026 Town Meeting
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC For several meetings, the Chester Select Board -
State offering low-interest loans to loggers to purchase low-impact equipment
The Vermont Economic Development Authority and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation are announcing -
League of Women Voters lecture series on voting rights continues Dec. 10
The League of Women Voters of Vermont, in partnership with Kellogg-Hubbard Library, presents the second -
VSO spreads holiday cheer with Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus Tour
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra invites audiences across the state to celebrate the holiday season with -
Chester Dems to hold monthly meeting Dec. 11
The Chester Town Democratic Committee will hold its December monthly meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, -
Andover Select Board agenda for Dec. 8
The Andover Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday Dec. -
Jozsef Piri’s 2nd degree murder case inches toward trial Judge reconsiders but lets earlier decision stand
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC A little more than six years ago, - More News
Community & Arts Life
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Santa lights up the Chester Green
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Carolers, bundled up against the chill, gathered -
Kids invited to create apple head St. Nick dolls
Art teacher Casey Junker Bailey invites children of all ages to create presents for holiday -
FOLA holiday program ‘A Christmas Wassail’ with Gypsy Reel
In anticipation of Christmas, Friends of Ludlow Auditorium will present a special program to highlight -
The Dance Factory dazzles with holiday favorite, ‘The Nutcracker’
Join Clara on her magical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets in the Dance -
VSO spreads holiday cheer with Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus Tour
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra invites audiences across the state to celebrate the holiday season with -
SoVerA presents ‘Capturing the Night Sky’ Dec. 9 Monthly meeting at Vermont Academy
The Southern Vermont Astronomy group will host Dorian Sanders, who will be presenting his astrophotography -
Nordic Harmoni Holiday Program Dec. 6 Part of Weston's daylong Christmas celebration
Nordic Harmoni invites everyone to bring in the holiday season with some traditional Swedish and -
United Church of Ludlow raises $3K to combat hunger
United Church of Ludlow’s recent “Stuffed Shells to Stuff Hungry Bellies” dinner raised more than - More in Community & Arts Life
Business & Personal Finance
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State offering low-interest loans to loggers to purchase low-impact equipment
The Vermont Economic Development Authority and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation are announcing -
Childcare, livestock and paper preservation round out businesses moving into Chester Chester's Rising Business Scene: Part 3 of 3
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Editor’s Note: In the past two weeks -
Vermont Labor Dept. to hold job fairs for seasonal and part-time workers Nov. 19
The Vermont Department of Labor is holding the “Work Your Way” Job Fair Series, a -
A new year and new businesses coming to the Green, and more
Editor’s Note: Last week The Chester Telegraph took a look at what seems to be - More in Business & Personal Finance
Commentary
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Op-ed: Reclaiming the spirit of Christmas
By Maya Wright Each December, America lights up – not with reverence, but with neon -
To the editor: Citizens must regain control of democracy
Democracy is not a self-driving car and we, as citizens, must not sit in the -
To the editor: An Athens couple shows the world how to care for neighbors
Many initiatives, both small and large, individual and collective, ramped up across the state and -
To the editor: Londonderry Rescue holds annual banquet to honor community, volunteers
The Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad was held Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Landgrove Inn. There - More Commentaries
Education News & High School Sports
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Springfield Rotary donates books to CAES kids
Through the Rotary Ideals Literacy Project, Springfield Rotary Club members have donated a set of two -
Expeditionary School seeks donations for annual Giving Tuesday/End-of-Year Campaign 2025
Please consider supporting Expeditionary School at Black River during its annual Giving Tuesday/End-of-Year Campaign 2025. -
Secretary of State announces Highgate pupil as Vermont’s 2026 Kid Governor-elect
After tallying up more than 1,000 votes from fifth graders across the state, Vermont Secretary -
GM Middle School Honor Roll for 1st Quarter
Green Mountain Union Middle School has reinstated the Honor Roll. For the first quarter, awardees - More in Education
Obituaries
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John Adler, 64, of Chester
John Adler, 64, of Chester, passed away unexpectedly at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Mass., -
Isabel MacCauley, 97, of Chester
Isabel (Fielder-Miller) MacCauley, 97, passed away Oct. 14, 2025, at the Gill Odd Fellows Home -
Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Wilder, 89, formerly of Chester
Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilder, of Peterborough, N.H., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 after -
Karen Parker, 61, of Chester
Karen Parker of Chester passed away on Sept. 3, 2025. She was born on June - More Obituaries
Other Recent Articles
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Henry Homeyer: A gardener’s holiday gift guide
By Henry Homeyer ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC New England skies in winter are often cloudy and dark, accompanied by sleet, slush, rain or snow. The sun sleeps late and goes to bed early. Gardeners sometimes give up and go to Florida. Not me, but there is much I do to make the holidays cheerful. I […]
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Holiday events throughout the region
By Stacia Spaulding ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Do you need a Christmas tree or other holiday decorations? Are the kids excited to meet Santa? How about a relaxing evening filled with holiday music? The Telegraph has brought all of the holiday events in the region together in one place. Our Calendar of Events contains […]
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Springfield Hospital’s 2025 Hearts of Hope campaign under way
Springfield Hospital and its volunteers announce the launch of the Hearts of Hope campaign for 2025. For a donation of $20 or more, you can recognize loved ones, friends and coworkers with a handmade heart ornament personalized with the name of your honoree. All donations support Springfield Hospital services. The tree dedication ceremony will take […]
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Snowy morning crash blocks Rt. 103N in Chester
By Shawn Cunningham © 2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC Tuesday’s snow storm was four hours old when it caused a two-vehicle crash that shut down Route 103 north in Chester into mid-afternoon. Both drivers suffered injuries and were transported to Springfield Hospital. There were no passengers in either vehicle. At just before 11 a.m. Chester Police […]
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Mel Allen shares 48 years of ‘Yankee’ magazine stories Dec. 6 in Weston
Longtime Yankee magazine editor and writer, Mel Allen will present his new book Here in New England: Unforgettable Stories of People, Places, and Memories That Connect Us All at the Vermont Country Store, 657 Main St. in Weston, from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. This is part of the day-long Christmas in […]
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Springfield Holiday Downtown Program Dec. 5
Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce and Springfield on the Move are teaming up to bring an evening of family fun and cheer to the community on Friday, Dec. 5 with the Annual Downtown Holiday Program. 4 p.m., Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, 56 Main St.: Festivities will kick off with Springfield on the Move’s Sticker […]
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Londonderry Christmas Bazaar returns on Dec. 6
The annual Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Second Congregational Church, 2051 N. Main St. (Route 11) in Londonderry. Handmade wreaths, as well as crafts and gift items, will be available to purchase, and lunch will be served. A “cookie walk” will also be featured. […]
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Gingerbread House Extravaganza at Grafton Public Library Dec. 6
The Gingerbread House Extravaganza returns to the Grafton Public Library, 204 Main St. in Grafton on Saturday, Dec. 6. This is part of the Grafton Village Holiday Festival. The library is seeking beginner and expert gingerbread makers to participate in the Gingerbread House Extravaganza. Whether you want to show off your culinary skills or are […]
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Londonderry Tractor Parade, Santa visit Dec. 5
Londonderry’s annual holiday festivities kick off with a Tractor Parade at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Mountain Marketplace, 5700 Route 100. Any vehicle with wheels is welcome to take part in the parade and should meet behind the plaza at 5 p.m. Contact Susie Wyman at 802-236-0879 to confirm your participation or […]
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Chester Select Board agenda for Dec. 3
The Chester Select Board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at Town Hall, 556 Elm St. To join the meeting click here. Below is the board’s agenda: 1. Approval of Minutes from the Selectboard Meeting dated Nov. 17, 2025 2. Citizen’s Comments 3. Old Business 4. Discussion regarding Local […]
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Op-ed: Thanksgiving and to have and have not
By Bill Schubart ©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC My family’s always favored Thanksgiving over the celestial holidays like Christmas and Easter that feed a bloom of consumption. At Thanksgiving, families and friends simply gather to express gratitude, share food, and tell stories. It’s an earthbound holiday. There are exceptions. France’s Bernard Arnault (estimated net worth: $184B) […]
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Wilder Memorial Library hires new director
The Board of Trustees of Wilder Memorial Library announces the appointment of Faye Conte Mack as its new director, effective immediately. Conte Mack will oversee all library operations, including programs, collections and community partnerships. She will also lead efforts to expand the library’s role as a vibrant hub for lifelong learning and engagement for the […]
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Telegraph among 16 Vermont news outlets honored with inaugural Civic Journalism grant
©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC MONTPELIER The Chester Telegraph is among 16 Vermont news organizations to be honored with the Local Civic Journalism Awards, a new program designed to steer state and philanthropic dollars to news outlets that inform Vermonters and foster civic engagement. The recipients represent a broad cross-section of local and regional news organizations […]
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Take action to quit smoking, share your success stories for a chance to win a grocery card
Although the Great American Smoke-Out, hosted annually by the American Cancer Society, officially took place on Nov. 20, it is never too late to take steps toward achieving a smoke-free life. Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men and women in the U.S. The state of Vermont offers many valuable and free […]
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Grace Cottage Hospital seeks security upgrade from Giving Tuesday donations
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday comes Giving Tuesday, a worldwide day of philanthropy during the season of gratitude, which falls on Dec. 2 this year. To aid in its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional care, Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital is seeking Giving Tuesday donations to upgrade security in its Emergency Department. Upgrades […]
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Home repair grant program expands support for mountain towns
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust’s Green Mountain Home Repair program has launched a special initiative in cooperation with The Collaborative and Neighborhood Connections to support homeowners in the mountain towns of Andover, Jamaica, Londonderry, Weston and Windham. Eligible homeowners in these communities can access grants of up to $25,000 to complete essential health and safety […]
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