Hats off to the Post Mills Thetford parade!
A photoessay by Helen Carter and Li Shen
Li Shen
Roadside trees and right-of-way management
Do residents care enough to speak for the trees?
Wakeboats — the final episode?
If approved by LCAR the new rule will come into effect in time for the 2026 boating season.
Thetford 4-H - revived out of concern for the young and more relevant than ever
Sarah hopes that more kids will get away from screens and enroll in the 4-H program.
Thetford Center pollinator garden a success — plant it and they will come
All the effort of cutting and rolling up the turf, the layering of newspaper and spreading of several inches of wood chip mulch to kill the grass had paid off handsomely.
Mowing and the invasive plants conundrum
And so the conversation continues.
Spat between EC Fiber and its Service Provider GWI takes a new twist - letter writing
"Exactly what transpires over the next months is uncertain... As for fear or doubt, we have none."
A "Demonstration Forest" in the making — hunters welcome
In time this will become a Northern Hardwood forest and, if there is no destruction by future generations, perhaps a demonstration example of old-growth forest.
Marking the Country's 250th Anniversary with — Samplers
There is not much in the way of surviving evidence of how girls were educated during the pre- and post-Revolutionary period. However...
Thetford Hill turns Medieval for a day - a photo essay
The aim of the festival is to bring "the sights and sounds of a Medieval Village" to the Thetford Hill Green, as portrayed in the enclosed photographs.
A better way of death; Thetford accommodates green burials
At Pleasant View in North Thetford, a 4 ft by 10 ft green burial plot costs $1,500.
Thetford to host COVER's first Whole House Repair project - calling volunteers
"... the community at large feels more connected and builds closer ties along the way"
Why is a Black Hawk helicopter circling Thetford?
Helicopters are ideal for medical evacuation, search and rescue, and law enforcement. And, perhaps, for sightseeing over Thetford Center.
It's road grading season!
Correct grading, water drainage, shoulderwork and ditching - and a skilled grader operator - are more important than ever.
Caution! Amphibians in road - and people too!
... they crawl on their bellies and can look like a stick in the road.
Where have all the grosbeaks gone?
Sometimes our choices can make a positive difference, like selecting recycled paper for as many uses as possible.
The Town buys a new truck
That total comes to $307,738.
Protest on Thetford Hill on the Occasion of the State of the Union Address
"Get out and protest. It doesn't matter if it is being heard or not."
It's Town Meeting time again
Expect a lively debate on this one.
Thetford Center's "ingenious and ambitious" Sayre Bridge
We should be grateful to the unknown builder whose ingenuity, and perhaps ambition, have bestowed on us this unique reminder of our cultural and engineering heritage.
Keeping community in changing times: the Thetford Center Community Association
It takes a community to run a Community Association building.
The true grit of a self-taught writer
Cynthia, the author of five novels, does not consider herself to be a "typical" writer.
Weathering the storm - GMP's Zero Outage Initiative coming to Thetford
For Thetford, that means more power lines will be buried underground.
Fresco Flowers meets Friday Pizza — a two-for-one in East Thetford
When asked to describe his favorite pizza topping, Glen quickly replied, "pesto with fresh mozzarella."
Conservation District seeks Supervisor and offers once-in-a-lifetime landowner funding
Any landowner may apply for Ompompanoosuc River watershed funding for a project that falls under one or more of these categories:
Lake Fairlee seeks wakesports exemption
"The presence of five summer camps and all the children learning to enjoy normal uses on the lake make Lake Fairlee especially vulnerable to safety issues created by the powerful and dangerous wakes central to wakesports."
What's with the stone-lined ditches?
Anybody want to host a rock pile?
Getting to know the soil sponge
The USDA has approved the opportunity for $1 million in federal funds to be divided across two Local Funding Pools for the White River and Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation Districts in 2025.
Cemeteries, then and now
The Town acquires ownership of Evergreen Cemetery. Many of the small cemeteries probably started as family plots.
Thetford contracts for a Social Services Coordinator
The Town has negotiated a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the White River Council on Aging.
How do we grow? Thetford kicks off the Capacity for Growth Study
Following a review of the five villages, three villages will be studied in depth,
Disasters and emergencies — are we prepared?
Perhaps the new community can rekindle a common sense of purpose when it comes to watching out for each other in this new era of climate change.
Emerald ash borer strikes in Thetford
The state of Vermont is tracking the progress of the ash borer. If you think you have an infested tree, please report it.
Changes to Act 250 and what it means in Thetford
Vermont’s natural surroundings are still beautiful and remarkably intact.
Save the Tree ... seeds
This program, the only one of its kind in the US, is forging ahead and hoping for assistance from Conservation Commissions and citizens.
Real Organic tomatoes from a state-of-the-art greenhouse in Thetford
Vines can easily reach 50 ft in length.
Heed the lifeguard please
A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and roughly 30,000 Amps.
Covered bridges - at what price?
The Town has spent $52,845.00 on covered bridge repairs in just 4 years.
Ongoing restoration of the East Thetford - Lyme Bridge; a year in photos
The bridge is still on track to reopen in October 2024. Stay tuned!
Forest health and deer — Bambi has to go
Deer are over-grazing forests in the Northeast, including Vermont... and Thetford.
Does Thetford have the capacity, and the will, for housing growth?
As the town experienced, public approval — or opposition — is key to allowing change.
Automatic mailing of the Town Report to cease
Many other Vermont towns are using this option.
Multiflora rose - it's pretty .... invasive
At least in Thetford, we do not yet have monocultures of multiflora rose. But the time to control it is now.
The Village Store will rise again
The new owner envisions that this is "for the community" and, as such, is open to input.
The anatomy of the Post Mills Landfill
"The unique situation of the Landfill,... presents a threat ..." What happens next is the subject of ongoing discussions.
Many inputs make a Forest and Land Management Plan
The Town Plan begins with a Declaration of Climate Emergency including the wording "Town government must work with the citizens and organizations of the town, as well as regional and state organizations, to cut CO2 by 45% by 2030."
Race against extinction - the Homegrown National Park
Cedar Circle recently received a grant to convert a portion of the organic cut flower garden to native perennial plants, develop educational materials, and host workshops over the next two years.
Natural Resource Conservation Districts deserve more attention
And so do Chestnut, Persimmon, Yellowbud Hickory, Shellbark Hickory, Honey Locust, Hazel, Black Walnut, and Oak.
What’s eating the organic label? Thetford farmer organizes symposium on the Chickenization of Organic
The food industry has some 1200 lobbyists on Capitol Hill and spends about $350 million a year on shaping opinion in Washington.
The little-noticed job of Town Tree Warden
Thetford will soon appoint a new Tree Warden. With 49 miles of roads to inventory, it appears their work is already cut out for them.
The musical “Something Rotten” springs to life with skills of Thetford residents
“Something Rotten” opens on Friday, April 5th, at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction.
It takes a village to run a food shelf
The Food Shelf is open from 10 am till noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Yellowbud hickory, the olive oil of the North?
It turns out that the kernel of the nut has a high oil content – 75 to 80%.
A passion becomes a Thetford Center business — The Gun Room
Hunters spend more than $292 million in Vermont annually and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.
Fox Hollow Antiques, a new destination in North Thetford?
Antique collectors are renowned for taking the road less traveled.
Thetford Elementary Solar Expansion is approved and will provide discounted power to residents, one detail still contested
Contact the Joint Energy Committee if you're interested in learning more.
Thetford carpenter may have crafted the first skis made in the US
In 1979, William’s pair of brown ash skis were presented to the Thetford Historical Society.
A Stewardship Plan for Treasure Island
By identifying Management Units that have different focus areas we can begin to balance competing uses for the property.
Wake boats - proposed ruling still allows them on Lake Fairlee
If this rule is approved, wake boats will continue to use Lake Fairlee.
Tires are unfortunately anything but benign
As an auto mechanic who is exposed to tire out-gassing and dust all the time, Mike Watson is happy to supply Nokian tires.
The practical side of property reassessment
It will take two years to complete.
Lest we fall…
Thetford’s tireless Community Nurse, Sunny Martinson, invited the physical therapist and falls prevention specialist Dawna Pidgeon to give a presentation.
Decorative wreaths of — human hair
Victorian-era hair wreaths are on display at the Thetford Historical Society.
As our climate heads south, trees can’t move north fast enough
A growing number of foresters and ecologists think that “forest assisted migration” can play a role.
Bats, our iconic Halloween creatures, are in trouble
They are neither evil nor spooky.
A bicycle corridor along Route 5?
The Federal Rails to Trails program is interested in connecting a bicycle corridor along Route 5 to the rail trail between Concord and Lebanon
What should we do about water?
There are many decisions to be made about water.
Fallout from the delay of Thetford Elementary School ’s solar expansion by the VT Public Utilities Commission
“The State of Vermont and the Legislature have made it clear that Vermont’s energy future relies on renewable energy. Yet the PUC seems to be putting up every obstacle to encouraging renewable energy projects.”
You can build back, but not better, through FEMA
"There was not a hydrological study done for that location, and in my experience they will not accept our recommended solution without a recent study."
Delays, detours and … what’s behind the concrete barrier?
Town highways are forever a work in progress.
Is it time for a Town Social Worker?
Brattleboro and Burlington offer similar services.
EVENT: Going out with a bang; Last free “Porch Concert” features noted percussionist
Free - Thetford Hill Congregational Church, Saturday August 19th at 1:00 pm.
Teamwork takes down TCCA’s tricky tree
This remarkably generous deed was performed as a contribution to the TCCA by Ellis and Steve at their own expense.
A bustling beginning for the new Town Manager
The Town is fortunate to have hired a new manager who is familiar with how things work in Vermont.
Town-wide reassessment of property value is not to be feared
It does not necessarily mean that property taxes will go up.
There was flood damage, but Thetford dodged a major bullet
At its height, the water behind Union Village dam was at 97.07 feet.
Church musician moves on to work on human potential
While she loved her job at the church, the urgency of our times has inspired her to help people “become their best selves.”
Is it risky to build “upwards not outwards”?
Thetford could experiment with allowing three- or four-story buildings in village centers by changing their zoning bylaws.
Event: Front Porch improvised jazz concerts migrate to Thetford Hill Church with an impressive line-up
On Saturday, July 1st, 2023 at 1pm, and it's free.
Event: Here comes Riverfolk Festival 2023
While there is a superabundance of music on the internet, the Riverfolk team believe there is a place, a desire even, for people getting together to enjoy live music events.
The future (and past) of oaks
The evolution of oaks is complex, but in a nutshell (no pun intended), the data shows they existed over 56 million years ago.
Agricultural Tax Stabilization, finally
A measure proposed as pandemic relief by then-Selectboard Chair Nick Clark.
June 11th: Celebrate community with the renaissance of the Rice’s Mills Schoolhouse
The pandemic starkly highlighted that peoples’ overall well-being is bolstered by social and community connections.
A new tick on the block
As the climate warms, southern species that were formerly deterred by long cold winters are making their way north.
Trails and natural resources, what’s next?
The trails in the Army Corps of Engineers flood control area have been open to the public for decades. Unfortunately, unauthorized trail building became a problem.
Solar saga at Thetford Elementary
It appears that the solar expansion at Thetford Elementary will likely proceed, although its excess electricity will be eligible for just the current net metering rate.
“Turf Wars” — No Mow May or a nuanced approach?
At this point, nature needs all the help it can get.
Comings and goings in Thetford
The gas tanks were removed from the Village Store, while Baker's reopened with new offerings.
Big Night - salamander casualties despite some human intervention
Wetland conservation and vernal pool mapping have helped protect amphibians’ sensitive breeding areas. Unfortunately, the migratory paths leading to these breeding habitats are little-studied and completely unprotected.
Planning for revitalization - Town Plan, budgeting and Capital Program
Long story short, a Capital Program is just the start of a ten-year process that outlives the Town Plan from which it came.
Easing up on ADUs in Thetford
The demand for affordable housing is unlikely to abate anytime soon, so the odds are high that this bylaw will become permanent.
Humans and salamanders gearing up for the Big Night
Let’s hope the volunteers don’t get discouraged, because the salamanders are not. They surely will have their Big Night before May is here.
PFAS everywhere always
The true scale of contamination is likely much greater, because PFAS have been around for almost 80 years.
The huge development that wasn’t
The land was purchased sometime in the late 1980s, and subdivision designs were crafted.
Watershed Action Plan; Halting Lake Fairlee pollution requires cooperation of many
Once projects are identified, conceptual designs will be made and a draft Lake Watershed Action Plan will be released.
Why have a Town Manager
The recent resignation of Thetford’s town manager has left some residents scratching their heads and wondering if town manager governance is what we really need in Thetford.
Dollars and sense; spending the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds
Any money remaining by December 31, 2026 shall be returned to the U.S. Treasury.
Setting limits on wake boats - an economic analysis
The rule-making process now moves on one more step — a public comment meeting.
Introducing the new owner of the North Thetford Church
We welcome this new energy and vision of community.
The Town Accountant; new position, familiar face
We are lucky indeed to have such skilled and dedicated staff.