All Entries in the "In the Community" Category
Whiting Library introduces new director
David Lord, acting chair of Whiting Library Board of Trustees, announces the hiring of Chester resident Deirdre Doran as the library’s new director. Doran assumed her new position April 1. Most recently, Doran was the evening librarian at The Putney School in Putney. She also has worked in the digital archives at the John F. […]
BRGNS offers financial assistance to those in need
Black River Good Neighbors would like to remind everyone that while it is mainly known for its food shelf, it also provides financial assistance for those in need. “One of Black River Good Neighbors’ main services is assistance with rent, utilities and heat when a family faces an emergency,” says its executive director, Audrey Bridge. […]
Cavendish Community Fund extends deadline for grant applications
Since most activities have been put on hold during the pandemic, the Cavendish Community Fund is extending the deadline for accepting grant applications for spring 2020 awards from April 25 until the end of June. Applications can be made by letter that describes the organization that is applying, the project proposed and the overall budget, […]
Food, funds available through Black River Good Neighbors
As the Covid-19 crisis deepens and the economy worsens, the staff at Black River Good Neighbor Services in Ludlow continues to help the community with food and financial assistance. “We’ve closed the store, but the food shelf is operating to help anyone in need,” said Krey Kellington, Food Program director. “Several people have contacted the […]
Signs of the Times: A trip through Chester
© 2020 Telegraph Publishing LLC During the last week of March, Cynthia Prairie and Shawn Cunningham of The Chester Telegraph took a drive around Chester taking photos of signs posted by various businesses and organizations. As of this writing, several of the signs are certainly outdated, since Gov. Phil Scott has ordered continued shutdowns of […]
The women behind the masks Three businesswomen sew kindness into every face mask
By Cynthia Prairie ©2020 Telegraph Publishing Three businesswomen have turned their sewing expertise into an act of kindness by creating washable, reusable face masks for friends, family and medical personnel throughout the region to help slow Covid-19 infections in Vermont. They are part of a force of individuals who have stepped up to fill a […]
Neighborly Advice: Maintain health, sanity and safety in the time of Covid-19
Our readers stepped up with suggestions to help each other manage our lives, maintain a modicum of normalcy, boost our morale, help our children and at times exceed our own expectations during the Covid-19 shutdowns. Thanks to all who shared their tips and photos. Maintain your health & sanity Amanda Stearns, Andover: Shopping is a […]
Businesses feel strain, adapt to Covid-19
By Cynthia Prairie ©2020 Telegraph Publishing LLC Throughout our Southern Vermont communities, many retail and tourist-dependent businesses began planning several weeks ago for the annual mudseason slowdown. At that time, word was just beginning to spread about the coronavirus that was wreaking havoc in China, and just barely touching Italy . Now that Covid-19 is […]
Free Range to offer free to-go family dinners Donations of produce, money sought to bolster effort
By Cynthia Prairie ©2020 Telegraph Publishing LLC Jason Tostrup, chef and owner of the Free Range restaurant in Chester, and Andover resident Chris Meyer are teaming up to ensure that Chester and Andover families — especially those with school children — are provided with some dinners over the next eight weeks of the Covid-19 crisis. […]
Cavendish Library adds, extends services in response to COVID-19
The Cavendish Fletcher Community Library is adding and extending services to help reduce the spread of viruses during this extraordinary season of cold, flu and the coronavirus that causes an illness called COVID-19. According to Library Director Kata Welch, the library is sanitizing all items that come into and go out of the library, and […]
Retiring Chester town manager honored at luncheon; Cavendish fund seeks grant applicants
Chester Town Manager Pisha retires Chester Town Manager David Pisha was honored at a luncheon at Town Hall on Friday as he prepared to embark on his retirement. Numerous town employees, officials and local residents stopped by to wish the best for Pisha, who served as Chester’s town manager for 11 years, and his wife […]
Ash tree ID training to be held March 10 to prep for emerald ash borer beetle infestation
From 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, a forestry representative from the state will be training people on how to take an inventory of ash trees in preparation for the infestation of the emerald ash borer beetle, which has already been found in Londonderry. The training will be held in the conference room […]
19th century comes to Taylor Farm; early registration open for Chester LEGO contest
Chester LEGO Contest seeks early entrants The 2020 LEGO Contest will take place on Saturday, March 14, with organizers urging early registration by Friday March 6 to qualify for the discount entry fee of $15. The entry fee afterward is $20. Click here to download the registration form. Printed forms are available at the […]
Derry rescue squad seeks one-day volunteers
The Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad needs volunteers to help label and stuff 6,000 letters for the rescue squad’s annual benefit and fundraiser. Come for an hour or two, or plan to stay for lunch. Lunch, snacks and good company will be provided. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. The envelope stuffing will take place from […]
Chester Rescue Squad holds holiday party for local kids
Chester Volunteer Rescue Squad, the local Dollar General and generous shoppers teamed up to help area families with gifts for the holidays. Leading up to the holidays, the Dollar General gathered the names of families in need. Then shoppers would buy gifts at the Dollar General and donate them in a box at the store. […]
Whiting Library to unveil new trove of children’s books
The Whiting Library, 117 Main St. in Chester, is inviting the public to attend the unveiling of a new collection of 95 children’s books at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The collection is made possible by a grant from the Children’s Book Project, awarded by the Pilcrow Foundation, which supports rural public libraries and […]
Cookie Tour presents $800 to Family Center
The 2019 Chester Holiday Cookie Tour presented a check for $800 on Friday, Dec. 21, to the Chester-Andover Family Center to help them in their mission of aiding local individuals and families in need. Present for the occasion was organizer Cynthia Prairie, Family Center past President Nena Nanfeldt and several of the nine families who […]
Chester Elementary collects gifts, food for area families
The students and staff of Chester-Andover Elementary School collected gifts and bags of food for Chester and Andover families for the holiday season. Every year, the school sets up a Mitten Tree, where students can pick a mitten with a gift idea for a specific child. This year, children from 25 families will receive those […]
Stone Village on display in Holiday Cookie Tour
© 2019 Telegraph Publishing LLC Ringing in the festive holiday season, from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, visitors will have the chance to tour eight decorated homes and the Stone Church in Chester’s historic Stone Village, enjoying homemade cookies and good company. Now in its third year, the Chester Holiday Cookie Tour invites […]
Christmas trees arrive for Chester Fire Dept. sale
By Shawn Cunningham © 2019 Telegraph Publishing LLC Just before 8 a.m. on Black Friday, the scanner crackled to life with a loud piercing tone. “Chester Fire, Administrative tone. The truck with the trees has arrived. All available personnel to the field to unload.” And with that, a Chester holiday season tradition and a major […]
