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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...

Is the State abandoning its responsibility for the Post Mills landfill?

What will happen when the settlement fund is depleted?

The anti-war tradition in Thetford

Meet Mohsen Mahdawi and Thetford's Apartheid Free Community on June 22.

Not to be missed–Warren Smith and others play Thetford Hill church

With his public performances becoming rare, this will be a special opportunity to get to hear, see, and appreciate Warren Smith.

Solar project proposed for closed Post Mills landfill on life support

Testing the groundwater for contaminants known to be in the water, including PFAS, is so expensive that the project would not be viable, at least without a public subsidy.

Proposed New Local Sign Ordinance: A Solution in Search of a Problem?

Vermont is already widely recognized for its restrictive statewide approach to signage.

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"

Thetford Center Post Office suspended indefinitely due to safety concerns

"The building is not in good shape."

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.

Stained glass memories — the Timothy Frost building in Thetford Center

An ongoing series of community forums aims to envision how the Timothy Frost building might be repurposed to contribute to the revitalization of Thetford Center.

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."

Town Meeting voters rename "Lyme-East Thetford Bridge" to "East Thetford-Lyme Bridge" in bold display of local patriotism

"We grow tomatoes YEAR-ROUND!" shouted another resident, waving a fist in the air. "And we're not afraid to throw them!"

Lessons of a Volunteer Recycler

Small benefit: you get a cool reflective vest which you can keep so as not to be mistaken for some inanimate object on some dark night.

Regarding the non-binding resolution at Town Meeting

This is a Letter to the Editor from Thetford resident Duncan Nichols to explain the pledge, supported by a petition of 5 percent of voters, under Article 23 of the Town Meeting Warning. Sidenote welcomes and considers writing on any topic related to Thetford. It is time to help free

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.

Expect Thetford’s property taxes to go up–again–as households are getting priced out

Affordability in Thetford has declined by roughly 41% in just four years due to rising property taxes and interest rates.

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.

Local trails group adopts formal structure for sustainable trails management

Krista Karlson: The Union Village Dam area has an abundance of natural resources and is also highly valued as a recreational resource by the community.

Plentiful water in East Thetford, but do they drink it?

Chip Hobson: Once the upgrades and improvements are complete, the town and residents of East Thetford should welcome new opportunities to utilize this precious commodity/..

Transferring ownership of a closed landfill is a tricky business

And the end of the story hasn’t been written yet.

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.

A look at Thetford's school and municipal budgets

Thetford's education spending is down 20%, but the tax rate is up 46%. It's (very) complicated.

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.

Wing's Market gives way to Baker Grocery Store in East Thetford

One additional benefit of the new ownership: the store is now open on Sundays!

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.

New "Pocket Neighborhoods" in proposed zoning bylaws could transform Thetford

Denser housing developments could be built along any paved road regardless of zoning district, and are required to be visible from the road.

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.

Thetford education taxes could jump 26.5% before any new spending

And municipal property taxes could go up substantially as well.

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.

The life and death of the Thetford Center Village Store

Without a likely lender, the list of potential buyers seems small.

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.

Do you have photos of the flooding?

Send them to newsletter@sidenote.news

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.