Li Shen

How much deer browse is too much deer browse?

This was the question addressed for the benefit of conservation commission members from Thetford, Norwich, and other towns, as well as diverse landowners, on an educational woods walk organized by the Upper Valley Land Trust. The walk was led by Windsor, VT County Forester Dan Healey and Grafton, NH County

World's largest limestone mining company stores idle tanker cars on rail siding in Ely

A line of tanker cars sitting idle and empty, while not exactly beautiful, seems innocuous enough.

Anatomy of the ListServ and the push to save it

Whatever the reason, FPF has not made big inroads in the Upper Valley where towns have mostly stuck with their listservs.

Thetford perseveres with rollout of EV chargers, avoids federal funding uncertainty

On Thursday, August 13, the Thetford Energy Committee, accompanied by the Regional Planning Commission's Shared Energy Coordinator Harry Falconer, celebrated the installation, at Pompanoosuc Mills in East Thetford, of a Level 3 fast charger for electric vehicles (EVs). There were smiles all around as the group tried out

What ails the Post Office?

Its obligation to provide universal mailing services makes it central to rural economies.

National innovator in daylily breeding works quietly in Thetford

Charmaine's hard work paid off, however, and "sculpted" was accepted by ISHS as an official daylily flower form in 2010.

Assessed property values went up - but why by 70% on average?

Homeowners have 14 days to file a grievance (appeal) with the Listers' office after receiving their notice.

Are fireflies flickering out?

Let’s not lose these bioluminescent marvels.

Easy as falling off a log

Danielle Rougeau of Middlebury College introduced beach-goers to the sport of log rolling.

Chipping away at Latham Road

Expect delays in July-August.

Delivery of Social Services stymied by stubborn independence of would-be clients

A coffee klatch for caregivers of aging parents might be in the works.

It Took Four Years but Safety Wins Out Over Wakesports on Lake Fairlee

Years have elapsed since 2022, when the citizens' group Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes petitioned the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to curtail the use of wake boats on Vermont’s inland lakes and ponds. These high-powered motorboats, engineered with water-filled ballast tanks to generate massive

Beware those backyard chickens — and ducks!

Resist the temptation to cuddle and kiss your feathered friends.

Bear baiting request becomes a source of contention

Thetford — is it your turn?

Beavers on Thetford’s Godfrey Road lose again

Beavers never give up.

Spitfire Grill; theater with community roots

There is community to be built around theater.

Birdsong - more than magical

We humans reap a benefit from birdsong.

Act 181 reaction: Thetford declines Tier 1B

The selectboard decided to take a "wait and see" approach.

A Guide to the Thetford Capacity for Growth Study

To be clear, the Capacity For Growth Study is not a mandate to develop or a prescription for what people should do with their land.

Dirt roads posted — blame thixiotropy

To live on a dirt road is a choice.

Thetford Town Meeting 2026 in review

A motion was made to reaffirm the vote of 2025. It passed unanimously.

E.C. Browns’ to change hands — but almost nothing else

Hot on the heels of a landmark real estate turnover — the Village Store in Thetford Center  — comes the revelation that the local institution of E.C. Browns’ Nursery, less than half a mile up the road, has also found a new owner after being on the market for over a

Move over Act 250 - Act 181 comes to Thetford

Most Vermont residents have heard the term Act 250, even though its purpose may be hazy to them or laced with negative connotations. It may surprise some that Act 250 had its origins with Republican Governor Deane Davis in 1969, as a response to rapid, uncontrolled development of towns with

Friend or Foe? The perplexing opossum

Despite their remarkable attributes, these highly adaptable, oddball animals don't live very long, one to two years on average in the wild.

DEC’s Push for Wakesports “Compromise” on Lake Fairlee Puts Public Safety and Fair Access at Risk

The outcome for Lake Fairlee—and many other Vermont lakes—now depends on whether safety and science prevail over pressure from a narrow special interest.

Road salt: A necessary evil in short supply

Ever since the New Year's Day major ice storm followed by minor storms, Thetford residents have been calling the road foreman to ask for town roads to be better salted and sanded. Complaints centered on Rt 132, Tucker Hill Road, and Academy Road,  What people learned is that

Solar disarray: Dissatisfied customers seem out of luck

"All I wanted was to generate solar power" exclaimed Thetford resident Kate Cone in her sunlit East Thetford kitchen.

The listserv that was cloned: Thetford was the model for many others

When someone has an item to sell or give away, when one is seeking firewood or a pet that has gone missing or has an event to publicize, the first place to go is usually the community listserv. We take the listserv for granted, as something we can depend on

Apartheid-Free Community: Thetford Selectboard mulls purchasing policy and human rights

What can one small town do to support human rights?

Wildlife Road Crossing Study: life in a fractured landscape

The ability to move is increasingly important as climate change disrupts animal habitats.

The 250th Anniversary of Independence: Thetford group awarded grant to plan celebrations

In Thetford, a group of residents are keen to coordinate town-wide events.

Blown away! Thetford Selectboard addresses leafblower complaint

Arthur Kahn, who lives in the only house on Thetford Center's Buzzell Bridge Road, recently sent a letter of complaint to the Thetford Selectboard. It began thus: "Recently, a crew of town contractors spent almost an hour clearing the leaves from the small triangle of lawn where

Addressing the Loneliness Epidemic: A former church and a village store may pave the way.

Ideas abound to revitalize Thetford Center.

Fire at Pompanoosuc Mills

A heartfelt thanks to all the responders.

Art and community — a look back at the Closet Artists' Show

Set in an old one-room schoolhouse converted to a gathering space for community, the show consisted mainly of works by residents of the area around Rices Mills, with some from more distant parts of Thetford and Norwich.

As ash trees succumb to Emerald Ash Borer, look for the lingering ash

Try not to harvest ash trees before they're infested.

Hats off to the Post Mills Thetford parade!

A photoessay by Helen Carter and 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.