Last Thursday evening’s Woodstock Selectboard Meeting could be described as democracy in action — as 60-100 residents gathered at Town Hall to attend the meeting, with an additional 60 or more connections joining via Zoom. The turnout came after Woodstock resident Alison Taylor encouraged her fellow residents to attend the meeting and make their voices heard.

At the outset of the meeting, chair Susan Ford reacted to the crowd, saying, “We usually speak to three people, so this is great. It’s going to take a little adjusting for us to get used to it, so bear with us.”

In an email correspondence with the Standard this week, Taylor explained why she felt the need to issue this call-to-action. She said, “I felt compelled to ask residents to attend the meeting because I had heard that the selectboard thought the number of people dissatisfied with our municipal governance was extremely small because no one ever comes to meetings. 

“It seemed as though residents’ continual efforts to speak out about recent events were being dismissed and ignored due to the selectboard’s impression that this was a very small number/handful of vocal people repeatedly posting on the listserv,” she said. “My personal experience indicated otherwise, and I thought it was important for the selectboard to understand the breadth and depth of concern, frustration, and anger that exists in the community.”

Ford told the Standard, “I was given a heads up. I believe there was an outreach to try to get as many people [at the meeting] as possible who are not happy with what they perceive to be happening in the town. For many [attendees], it was the first time we’ve seen them in a meeting so I was thrilled they came and I was thrilled that a lot stayed beyond the citizens’ comments. I’m hopeful that they saw that we do have full agendas and we are actually working on matters for the town.”

Selectboard vice chair Laura Powell added in an email to the Standard, “It is always a win for Woodstock when many community members show up to a meeting. That level of participation is important for local government. What was clear to me from the members of the public that spoke is their desire for more transparency. I hope the community sees our board working hard to answer questions and concerns and that they keep attending our meetings.”

Many townspeople expressed frustration during and after the meeting, specifically about the lack of clear communication and transparency coming from the board. Woodstock resident Bonnie Clement told the Standard, “I have been paying attention for quite a long time. Now, questions are asked daily of the selectboard and the trustees and of [municipal manager] Eric Duffy, and no one gets answers. I said [at Thursday’s meeting], ‘At what point will people start getting answers? When will you answer these questions about Eric’s raise and about how it’s possible that he makes more money than the governor of New Hampshire?’”

“They couldn’t answer that because [residents] can’t ask a question at a selectboard meeting and get a response unless it is on the agenda, which I feel is the most ludicrous thing. You can’t go to a meeting during citizen comment-and-question time and receive an answer. That feels pretty unfriendly, especially when you know they have the answers. I don’t believe any of these questions are caught off guard; they are questions that keep being asked over and over and over again.”

For the full story, please see our March 26 edition of the Vermont Standard.

Last Friday, the state of Vermont’s Land Use Review Board visited West Windsor, as the town’s newly formed housing committee and the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) work to expedite their housing initiative.

Al Keiller and Jill Appel, founding members of the West Windsor Housing Committee, have been working to bring affordable housing to their community. The committee partnered with Jason Rasmussen, executive director of the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission to help create a map that, if approved by the state, could exempt areas of West Windsor from needing to obtain Act 250 permits. They say this would allow builders and contractors to move forward in a quicker and more affordable fashion.

Keiller told the Standard this week, “The [Vermont State] legislature in 2024 came up with Act 181, which made changes to the long-standing Act 250 Land Use Act that went into place back in the ‘70s. Act 250 has been very successful in keeping Vermont beautiful, but it has also contributed to a lot of frustration around development.”

“Act 250,” Keiller continued, “Is designed purposefully to keep the environment safe and to not have unnecessary sprawl and so forth. However, the legislature and the governor recognized that [Act 250] actually has inhibited a sufficient amount of infrastructural development and growth. So, they put into place Act 181 in 2024, and that put several things into motion.”

Keiller went on to explain that one of the effects of Act 181 was the creation of the Vermont Land Use Review Board, the very group that visited West Windsor last week. “Act 181 also requires that the state have what is called a ‘land use map,’” Keiller added. The land use map will eventually be instituted across the state and will categorize designated areas into “Tiers,” Keiller explained. “If your land is designated as a Tier 1A or a Tier 1B for development, the land does not have to go through all the rigorous Act 250 requirements,” Keiller said.

Rasmussen’s team has worked with the housing commission to develop a map for West Windsor that extends their Tier 1B designation, which would mean fewer Act 250 requirements within the village area, extending all the way to the Ascutney Resort as well as properties along Route 44, Keiller told the Standard.

For more on this, please see our March 25 edition of the Vermont Standard. 

At its meeting last week, the Pomfret Selectboard took steps to begin the process of rebuilding the infrastructure of Pomfret Road.

Selectboard chair Benjamin Brickner told the Standard, “Last night the board approved an RFP for Road Reclamation Engineering Services. Despite its prosaic name, this will be an extraordinary project. The road has been maintained through regular pavement overlays for decades, but that strategy has reached its limit — the underlying infrastructure now needs to be rebuilt. This is the first step toward that work, likely to begin in 2027.”

In regards to why the traditional paving methods are no longer sustainable, Brickner said, “The geotechnical report found 8 to 12 inches of accumulated asphalt on this road — the result of successive overlays dating back decades. The problem is that additional pavement over an inadequate base just fails in the same patterns as the pavement before it. At some point, you have to address the foundation, and that’s where we are now.”

Pomfret is now asking for bids from companies to engage this project in three phases, as outlined in the RFP. “Phase one is preparation of detailed specifications, including options for treatment, reclamation, upgrades — basically, taking the geotechnical information, doing site visits, and proposing to the town what needs to be done,” said Brickner.

For more on this, please see our March 26 edition of the Vermont Standard. 

On Monday, the District 3 Environmental Commission announced its decision to deny the Woodstock Resort Corporation’s application to demolish the historic 14 and 16 South Street properties.

At a public hearing held on Dec. 16, the Act 250 District 3 Environmental Commission heard from Benjamin Pauly, director of property operations and design at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, Phil Neuberg, chair of the now disbanded Woodstock Village Design Review Board, and several other interested parties from the town. After deliberations, the hearing was officially adjourned earlier this week on March 21, once all additional information and responses were considered. Two days later, the commission completed its deliberations and ruled against the resort.

After reviewing the resort’s application, the findings said that the commission determined that the resort’s request did not adhere to Act 250 Rule 34 (E), citing the key question in Rule 34 (E) is whether a condition was imposed in a previous permit to resolve an issue critical to the issuance of that permit.

The Standard spoke with Neuberg about the decision. “I was pleasantly surprised,” he said. “I think the commission’s decision to deny the demolition application was accurately based on the Woodstock Inn & Resort’s failure to meet the historic preservation requirements that were outlined way back in 2009.

In its decision, the commission stated, “We acknowledge that the Inn maintains a high standard of quality in its buildings and grounds, but we conclude that more affordable options likely exist to make beneficial use of the buildings. We also note that although we agree that the Applicant made the minimum repairs to the buildings since 2009, there was nothing stopping the Applicant from making other repairs that would have paid off with savings now had it simply elected to do so. Again, this is not intended to be a criticism. It is rather an acknowledgement that the Applicant’s own decisions since 2009 contributed to the increase in costs it may incur to rehabilitate the buildings now. Thus, we conclude that this factor weighs in favor of finality.”

Pauly replied to the Standard via email, saying, “While the news of the Act 250 decision is fresh and we are taking time to digest the district commission’s decision, we appreciated the opportunity to work with local and state officials and experts in our pursuits to move our business and community forward.”

According to a release provided by The Mountain View Supervisory Union (MVSU), on Tuesday, March 24, the Superintendent of Schools Sherry Sousa released a letter which urges both taxpayers and the Vermont State Legislators who represent them to hit the “pause button” on a controversial education reform bill– Senate Bill 220 (S.220). Instead, in the letter, Sousa urges the General Assembly to “adopt a more gradual approach to the excess spending penalty and to affirm its commitment to addressing underlying cost drivers” that are starkly beyond MVSU’s or its taxpayers power to control.

According to the realse, as currently framed, S.220 would negatively impact many school districts, including MVSU. For example, it would lower the excess spending thresholds calculation for MVSU and all schools statewide from 118% to 112% of the average per-pupil spend.

Based on the current, voter-approved MVSU budget, such a reduction would translate into an additional $2.5 million that the district’s seven towns would owe to the State — unless they decide to drastically reduce both staff and programs to compensate for this adjustment.

Increasing the urgency behind the Superintendent’s message, S.220 is expected to pass out of the Senate on Tuesday, March 24. It will next be considered by the State’s House Ways and Means Committee as early as this Thursday.

The full content of Superintendent Sousa’s letter follows:

Dear MVSU Families, I have remained silent until now regarding the work of our Legislature to “transform” Vermont Public Education this session. I know how committed our communities are to providing high quality learning for our students. At this critical time, I want to share my concerns regarding a piece of legislation being discussed in the Legislature that would have a significant impact on our schools.

Senate Bill 220 (S.220) would lower the excess spending thresholds calculation from 118% to 112% of the average of the Per Pupil Spend. This reduction of the threshold, based on the current voter-approved budget, would mean that our seven MVSU towns would either have to send an additional $2.5 million to Montpelier based on this year’s voter-approved budget or would need to reduce staff and programs (12 to 15 staff members) to compensate for this adjustment.

S.220 would also exclude all voter-approved bond payments toward principal and interest from education spending for the purpose of calculating excess spending. This is the “decoupling” legislation for which the district has been advocating. S220 would lower the excess spending threshold starting in fiscal year 2028. More school districts would then need to adjust their budgets to account for the lower excess spending adjustment, either by reducing education spending or by paying a double tax on the portion that exceeds the threshold.

The bill is expected to pass out of the Senate today. As voters, we will have important opportunities to influence S.220 in the House. The House Ways and Means Committee’s agenda indicates the Committee will begin taking up the bill this week – on Thursday.

Here’s a summary of the bill’s benefits and challenges:

Benefits of S220:

• Moves away from hard caps that would have imposed rigid constraints that did not adequately account for the rising costs of Public Education.

• Removes the inclusion of school construction bonds in excess spending calculations.

Concerns regarding S220:

• Significant and rapid reductions in educational opportunities

• Policy does not address the primary drivers of rising costs, which remain outside of local control.

These include

o Health insurance premiums, which have increased by 35% over the past three years.

o Existing collective bargaining agreements that cannot be adjusted to absorb new penalties.

o The increasing responsibility of schools themselves for providing mental health services.

o Construction costs, which have gone largely unsupported by the state for nearly two decades.

o Current funding formula weights that do not fully align with research-based recommendations.

For these reasons, I would ask that you urge the General Assembly to adopt a more gradual approach to the excess spending penalty and to affirm its commitment to addressing underlying cost drivers. I provide this summary so that you can offer your own personal perspective on this legislation and share it with your local Senators and Representatives.

Sherry Sousa Your MVSU Superintendent

During last Thursday evening’s Woodstock Selectboard meeting, Chamber of Commerce director Jim Kelly announced that the annual food festival, Taste of Woodstock, will not be happening this year. In an interview afterward with the Standard, Kelly said, “Taste of Woodstock appeared to be successful because a lot of people showed up for it. Obviously, the vendors are very upset that we’re not doing it, because they make a good amount of money from it. But from The Chamber’s standpoint, the event lost all semblance of ‘Woodstock,’ given that only two or three of the businesses participating were actually from our community. The event became more of a street fair.”

“In the future,” Kelly added, “we will have a great, well-organized event where people can come and actually taste things from Woodstock. We hope to create a Taste of Woodstock that not only benefits The Chamber, but also perhaps benefits local non-profit and for-profit businesses as well.”

Kelly assured the Standard that Taste of Woodstock will only be cancelled for 2026. The Chamber plans on bringing the event back next year.

Robert Kimmerle, financial manager for Artistree, was a man in desperate need of a kidney. After seeking a match for years, Kimmerle confided in his co-workers, and one happened to not only qualify, but she was a perfect match. Lisa Kaija, art educator for Artistree, made the decision to donate her kidney, and last November, both employees underwent surgery. Now, five months later, both Kimmerle and Kaija are recovered, back to work, and ready to share their story.

“I have suffered from congenital, chronic kidney disease for a number of years,” Kimmerle told the Standard. “I knew that it was going to progress to the point where I would someday either need a transplant or dialysis or both.” Kimmerle became eligible for a transplant three years ago and quickly began looking for a donor. “Waiting for a deceased donor could take years, so I started instead looking for a living donor who would be a good match. None of my family were eligible, and so eventually, I announced to the folks I work with at Artistree that I am in need of a kidney. A few people actually came forward to see if they would be a match.”

There are a number of requirements someone must meet in order to qualify as a kidney donor, Kimmerle explained. “Lisa was one of the people who stepped up, and it turned out that not only did she qualify as a donor, but she was actually a perfect match for me, which was just astonishing,” he said. “Then, most importantly, she was willing to go through this surgery. We settled on November as the time both of us would go through this procedure.”

For more on this story, please see our March 26 edition of the Vermont Standard.

Robert Kimmerle, left, financial manager for Artistree, was in desperate need of a kidney transplant after suffering from congenital, chronic kidney disease for a number of years. Lisa Kaija, right, art educator for Artistree, donated her kidney to Kimmerle in November. Photos Provided

Shaker Bridge Theatre presents its new production, “Seminar,” written by Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Theresa Rebeck at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction starting this weekend.

This provocative comedy follows four aspiring young novelists in New York City who sign up to take a private class with a renowned literary figure named Leonard. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox tutelage, some of these young writers find their voice and flourish, while others falter beneath his scrutiny. Alliances are made and broken, relationships are strained, and language becomes the ultimate weapon to use against the unsuspecting psyche. In this witty and biting comedy, audience members are likely to laugh, cry, and feel confronted by the arts and all they offer.

“This is a play that takes place mostly in one setting — a New York City apartment,” director Kent Burnham said. “Four emerging writers step into the presence of a legend in the field, and from the first few minutes, ‘Seminar’ sets out to challenge the characters, the actors, and perhaps most of all, the audience. This play challenges our assumptions about art, asking, ‘What is the purpose of art? When do we need to be criticized or encouraged as artists? What does it mean to be an artist? When do we need to hear the truth about our art?’”

For actor Tim Rush, who will play the role of Leonard — the mentor and teacher sitting at the head of this play’s conflict — stepping into this role was a return to his passion for writing. “During COVID, when all the theaters were closed, I turned to screenwriting. I’ve experienced hard criticism with my work. I’ve been able to understand the feeling of writing, of flowing through a story in a different way than acting. But playing Leonard has introduced me to a whole new world of literature. I have tried to read the authors he loved so much, read of the places he traveled to, and become completely immersed in the artistic world of this character.”

“It’s a confrontational play, but one that bodes fruitful for actor and audience alike,” Rush told the Standard.

“I hope audience members come with the idea of not knowing a lot about the play, and then slowly form an attachment to each character by analyzing and perhaps eventually understanding their choices — even ones as divisive as the choices Leonard makes,” Burnham concluded.

“Seminar” opens at the Briggs Opera House on Thursday, March 26, and will run through Sunday, April 12. 

For more on this, please see our March 26 edition of the Vermont Standard. 

By Tyler Maheu, Staff Sportswriter

The Woodstock Wasps capped off a dominant season on the slopes with a team state title in snowboarding, along with a share of the best overall individual championship.

The team began the season with high expectations, having won the state’s slopestyle event in 2024-2025, while bringing back all but one of the riders from that team. Coach Johno Mitchell knew the team had a good shot from the start. “We’ve got a lot of returning riders,” he said in the preseason. “Along with a lot of talent coming up from the middle school, so I think we’re set to have an impressive season.”

They kicked things off well at Bromley Mountain on Jan. 21, earning six of the top 11 finishes in slope style led by seniors Bonnie Kranz (second), Lia Gugliotta (third), and Sierra Bystrak (fourth). The dominance bled into the day’s rail jam event, where Kranz won the competition, followed closely by Gugliotta in third.

“Our enthusiasm,” said Bystrak, on what made this team so special. “We cheer each other on, we’re always the loudest team.” The team’s togetherness was viewed as a strength by most of the riders. “We are very bonded as a team, everyone is always supportive,” said senior Marlena Farinas.

Three weeks later, the team trekked to Jay Peak for the second time and showed why they were the squad to beat. There, Kranz grabbed first place in both slope style and rail jam, showing an increased skillset including a frontside 270 to frontside disaster boardslide, which Mitchell praised as a “serious trick.” Never too far behind her was Gugliotta, who finished second in rail jam and third in slopestyle.

This trip to Jay Peak was remembered fondly by riders not only for their successful runs down the mountain, but for an unfortunate pizza mishap. “At Jay Peak, we misordered a bunch of pizzas,” recalled Bystrak with a big smile. “We ended up with 11 pies for 13 kids. Everyone got their own.” Freshman Violet Kranz added, “The pizza one will be one of my favorite memories.”

The final event of the year came on March 4, once again at Jay Peak, this time for the state championship. In slopestyle, coach Kimberly Kranz said the team faced an advanced-level course with several rails and boxes followed by three large jumps. These features proved to be no problem for Bonnie Kranz, who took first overall. Gugliotta finished in second. The two seniors both earned top fives in giant slalom as well, with Gugliotta in fourth and Bonnie Kranz in fifth. These finishes were enough to earn a tie for first place Overall Female Individual. “We won my 10th grade year and felt very accomplished,” recalled Bonnie Kranz. “I was really motivated this year, gave it my all, and Leah did the exact same thing. To tie with one of my closest friends was a perfect moment.”

Solid performances from the team’s other riders were enough to earn a share of the team state championship with Mount Mansfield, their third in four years. “It was very emotional,” said Bystrak, who finished 16th in the giant slalom. “It was a culmination and very rewarding.”

“I’m so happy,” said Farinas. “Bonnie, Sierra, and I have been snowboarding since elementary school. It’s awesome to end it on a good note, a happy ending.” Her top performance of the day came in slopestyle, where she finished 11th.

Kimberly Kranz felt extra pride, both as a coach and mother to three of the athletes. “Being a mom, to see them all celebrate was very wholesome, very fulfilling.” She continued, “I’m so proud. All of these kids invested in the program, some since sixth grade, and have just been chasing progression, pushing each other, showing a lot of grit.”

While a tie in other sports may be viewed as a disappointment, Mitchell thought it was perfect for the supportive nature of competitive snowboarding. “Ties end up working out,” he said. “It’s kind of a part of the culture.”

Bystrak also spoke to the sport’s inherent culture of supporting your fellow rider. “Only two states have high school snowboarding,” she said. “It is such an inclusive environment. You don’t feel like one person called out for your mistakes, only your accomplishments. Coaches remember you, say positive things, and cheer when you’ve improved.”

While the tight-knit group of four seniors may not see competitive snowboarding in their futures, they believe the sport will stay with them forever. “I’m going to keep snowboarding wherever I go,” said Bonnie Kranz. “I’ll always keep snowboarding with my friends,” said Farinas. “No matter where I go, I’m going to make friends that ride,” said Bystrak.

By Tyler Maheu, Staff Sportswriter

Spring sports season kicked off in earnest this week, with pitchers and catchers reporting to the gym at Woodstock Union High School for the first baseball and softball practices of the year. 

The two teams come into the year with differing expectations and definitions of success, with a hefty experience gap between the team’s coaches and players.

Head coach Jason Tarleton has returned for his 26th year at the helm of Woodstock’s baseball program. The class of 1990 alumni brings with him two seasoned assistant coaches in Patrick Crowl and Dick Watson, as well as an experienced squad of players.

The Wasps return most of their squad from last year’s 11-5 season, led by senior captains Aksel Oates and Ryan O’Neill. Oates believes the team is ready for a great year, and has a chip on their shoulder. 

“We are bitter about last year,” he said. “We went into BFA (Bellows Free Academy) thinking we were the better team, and left thinking we were the better team, but we lost. We are bringing a lot of guys back, and we’re carrying that.”

According to O’Neill, the team’s chemistry is starting to build already. “It’s a really good group, fun to be around,” he said.

Junior Reece Osgood fields a bunt while assistant coach Annie Luke looks on. Tyler Maheu Photo

Tarleton said that while he has seen ebbs and flows in the strength of the program through the years, he believes they’re in peak form. “We’re on a strong run, having finished top four each of the last three years,” he said. “Every season is the same expectations wise, we want to be the last team standing.”

Tarleton said the team aims to be outside very soon, needing the temperature to warm about five to ten degrees. The longtime skipper thinks this team could be special.

“I’m excited about the group,” he said. “They’re goal oriented and really see the big picture. They have a lot of grit. It’s a real luxury to have guys you don’t need to motivate, they’re self motivated.”

The Wasps are tentatively scheduled to kick off the 2026 campaign on Friday, April 17, at 4:30 PM against Springfield.

On the other end of the experience spectrum is the softball team, now led by first year head coach Bitty Alexander. Alexander was a standout catcher in high school for the Wasps, being named to multiple all-state teams, before her graduation in 2020.

She joined the team last season as a volunteer assistant, in hopes of becoming more income in the community and to teach the next generation of catchers.

Now, she’s taken the head gig, and is assisted by Annie Luke in her fourth year with the team. “It’s very exciting,” said Alexander. “Knowing the girls from last year helps, and I’m looking forward to building on those relationships.”

According to Alexander, Woodstock graduated almost all of last season’s infield, and will be fielding a young squad. “This provides an opportunity to adapt, and opens the door for a lot of girls who haven’t played much or at all,” she said.

Stepping into this leadership gap are juniors Abby Eaglestone and Reece Osgood. “I’m super excited,” said Osgood. “This is the year of not many seniors, and I’m a year older and can take charge.”

Eaglestone hopes her experience can help guide the younger crew of players. “It’s just about staying calm and learning from your mistakes,” she said, explaining what she will tell younger teammates. “My dad told me to lead by example, so I’m going to do that.”

Alexander said last year’s team relied a lot on individual talent, and not as much on teamwork, something she is hoping to turn around. 

While her team may be young and inexperienced, Alexander does not want this season to be defined as a rebuilding year. “Softball is always framed as rebuilding,” she said. “Knowing my girls, they are looking to be very competitive. The girls care, and with my energy, I think we have a foundation to build on that.”

She thinks the season should be defined by more than just the win-loss column. “Winning is great, but it’s better when the girls gain confidence, and play better. I’m hoping the team can look at this season not just with satisfaction, but see their improved confidence.” 

Alexander praised last year’s fundraising efforts, which has led to the team being able to afford new bats, gear and helmets. “The community really showed up for the fundraising last year,” she said. “I’m excited to push it to another level. New gear is important. It might sound silly, but when you feel slick in your gear, you often play way better.”

The Wasps are currently set to open the season at Long Trail on Monday, April 13, at 4:15 p.m.

Youth Hockey’s 2026 “Pot O’ Gold” tournament took place at Union Arena and Barwood Arena last weekend, with Woodstock’s teams winning the 10U and 14U divisions. On Friday, March 20, the 10U team notched a 5-2 win against the Rutland Spartans at Union Arena.

Pamela R. White Photo

Leslie (Deedee) Riffle-Van Alstyne, age 65, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at her sister’s home in Quechee, Vermont. 

Deedee was born on March 6, 1961, to Peter Roland and Carol Virgina Van Alstyne (nee Carlson). Deedee grew up in Wilton, Conn. and graduated from Wilton High School in 1979. Following high school, she attended Keene State College and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree majoring in Art History and Archeology in 1983. 

Deedee’s love for art and museums persisted throughout her life. Whenever she visited a new town, her top priority was to visit a new art gallery or museum. She worked at a number of museums directing the gift shops and coordinating visitor experiences. She brought that love of art to her home as well. While Deedee moved frequently, she was always able to make a space uniquely her own by decorating with vintage knick-knacks, antiques, and well-curated art with each item carrying a special story. Deedee’s eye for style translated to her wardrobe as well where she was always able to pull together funky outfits with bright colors, scarves, and distinctive jewelry.

Along with her passion for the arts, Deedee loved to listen and dance to good music. At a young age, she enjoyed spending hours listening to new vinyls and traveling into New York City to see her favorite bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Whether she was in a large crowd, a small show, or just with family and friends, Deedee always was able to let loose and start the dance floor. 

A signature of Deedee’s presence was her humor and distinct laugh. Sometimes you could even hear her speak long monologues of French, only to reveal later it was completely fake and she never said a real word. She was open to adventure and unapologetically herself, traits that often created strong new relationships often and a wake of friendships wherever she had been.

Deedee married her former husband Bryan Riffle in 1988 and had two sons, Adam and Toby in 1990 and 1997, respectively. She was a devoted mother that sacrificed everything to give her children every opportunity. She taught them to persevere through life’s hardships, find humor in anything, laugh with friends, and dance like no one was watching. 

Deedee is survived by her son Adam and his wife Sarah Dymecki, and her son Toby and his partner Emily Johnson, her sister, Susan Van Alstyne and husband David Lechner, her sister Kristen Lessard and husband Brian, her brother, Peter C. Van Alstyne and wife Rosemary Halligan, her nieces, Cailin Lechner and husband Bryan, Kate Lessard, Jane and Natalie Van Alstyne, her nephews, Sam Lessard and his wife Liz, and Evan Lechner, along with numerous close friends. 

During her childhood, Deedee spent many happy times at her family’s second home in Vermont and summers in her beloved Martha’s Vineyard. She spent her final five years in Woodstock.

Deedee’s family is planning a celebration of life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 at the North Universalist Chapel Society with a private reception to follow.

An online guestbook can be found at cabotfh.com.

John Joseph Wiegand, Sr., of Quechee, died at home on March 21 from complications related to skin cancer. He was 98.

Mr. Wiegand is survived by his five children: Claudia Wiegand of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Linda Wiegand Packard of Quechee; Donna Wiegand-Bicknell (Raymond) of Beebe Plain, Vt.; John Wiegand, Jr. (Cindy), also of Quechee; and Michael Wiegand (Ghaddra Gonzalez) of Mercer Island, Wash. He is also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Ruth; his brother, George; and his sister, Frances.

Born in the Bronx, N.Y., and raised in Flushing, Queens, Mr. Wiegand was a member of a generation shaped by duty, discipline, and perseverance. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and went on to attend Adelphi College and Hofstra University.

He and Ruth later settled on Long Island, where he began his career in industrial engineering at Fairchild Aviation. That role marked the beginning of a long and accomplished international career with HB Maynard Management Consulting, Indian Head Plywood, and Columbia Plywood. His work with Indian Head brought him and his family to Vermont, where they purchased their home in Quechee in 1964 — a place that remained central to his life for decades.

Mr. Wiegand concluded his career at Robert F. Lewis, Inc. of Woodstock. He was known for his strong work ethic, sound judgment, and steady leadership.

In retirement, he and Ruth traveled extensively and spent winters in Placida, Fla. He remained active in the game of golf and devoted many years of service to the Vermont Golf Association and the New England Golf Association, where he held leadership roles and supported the growth of the game for younger generations.

 Above all, he was devoted to his family and took great pride in their accomplishments. His life reflected a deep sense of responsibility, loyalty, and quiet strength.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Woodstock on Saturday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s name to the Quechee Library (quecheeandwilderlibraries.com) or the Vermont Golf Association Junior Golf Scholarship Fund (vgasf.org).

Arrangements are by Cabot Funeral Home, Woodstock, Vt. An online guestbook may be found at cabotfh.com.

Nancy Corwith Hamill Winter, a visionary conservationist, passionate equestrian, and student of the world, died peacefully on February 27, 2026, while spending time with her beloved horses and friends in Aiken, S.C. She was 83. Based in Woodstock, Nancy was a proud native of Illinois, where her family had deep roots. Nancy leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity, and collaborative leadership in numerous organizations and in communities across the country.

Born on March 9, 1942, Nancy spent her childhood in Wayne, Ill., exploring local fields and forests with her family and cadre of close friends involved in the Wayne-DuPage Pony Club. She attended the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, Skidmore College, Bennett College, and George Washington University where she studied Asian language and cultures. In the early 1960’s, Nancy taught English in post-war Japan, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to cross-cultural understanding. Nancy went on to a distinguished career as an equestrian competitor, coach, and breeder, coming within reach of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Equestrian team. Nancy was also deeply invested in the emerging field of therapeutic riding as well as supporting young competitive riders and a next generation of elite equestrian eventers. One of her proudest accomplishments was owning and breeding the 2025 Connemara Sport Horse of the Year, No May Moon, trained and ridden by long-time equestrian partner Allison Springer.

Nancy traveled the world and embraced every journey with extraordinary preparation, an open heart, and an adventurous spirit that was infectious to all. She found humor and awe in her travels, making authentic connections and lifelong friendships with those she met along her way. Nancy held her most special places close to her heart: the remnant native prairies and burr oak savannas of Illinois, the rolling fields of Virginia in fall riding season, snowy peaks in the Rockies, Alps, and Himalayas, and her favorite trout streams. A tireless and conscientious traveler, she felt equally at home exploring exotic markets and visiting ancient sacred sites around the world.

Witnessing the loss of cherished natural areas and ongoing environmental degradation spurred a lifetime of activism and strategic action to conserve farmland and wildlife habitat. Nancy held significant leadership roles and was an active supporter of The Nature Conservancy (Illinois Chapter), Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Equine Land Conservation Resource, Teton Regional Land Trust, Bhutan Foundation, and other organizations. She applied a keen intellect, gave generously, and honed deep collaboration skills to advance environmental stewardship, equestrian causes, and democracy at the local and national levels. Nancy was an enthusiastic yet patient bridge-builder with allies dedicated to honoring and protecting nature. In her last decade, Nancy developed meaningful relationships with leaders of the Ho-Chunk Nation and other Native Americans who shared her land ethic.

Nothing brought Nancy greater joy than spending time with family, especially her children and grandchildren. “Nana” loved imparting her wisdom, humor, and lived experience, and she reveled in showing up for their special moments. Nancy treasured times when all her grandchildren were gathered under one roof celebrating a house full of laughter and commotion.

Nancy will be deeply missed by her loving family, legions of dear friends, and diverse collaborators whose lives she graced in so many ways. Survivors include Nancy’s two children: Ethan Hamill (Anne) Winter, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Sylvia Corwith Winter (Aaron) Baggish of Woodstock and Buchillon, Switzerland; brother Jonathan Corwith (Nancy) Hamill, of Barrington, Ill.; sister Elizabeth “Betsy” Corwith (James) Bramsen, of Barrington, Ill.; six adoring grandchildren: Owen, Savannah and Kendall Winter, and Izzabella, Emmitt and Flynn Baggish; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and god-children with whom she maintained loving connections throughout her life. She is also survived by her former husband, Wallace Winter of Grayslake, Ill. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Corwith “Corky” Hamill and Joan Birnie Smith Hamill of Wayne, Ill.

Nancy was always and to the end exactly what she believed the world needed more of: a compassionate ally who made herself present, asked hard questions, shared generously, and trusted that the land and the people who loved it would carry the work forward. She was a special flower and her considerable contributions will stand for generations to come.

A celebration of Nancy’s life is planned in the Chicago area in June for family, friends, and partners who wish to join in remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Woodstock Community Trust. 

Please email remember-nancy@winterworks.org for information.

Sign the guest book at legacy.suntimes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit https://www.legacy.com.

Robert “Bob” Merriam, age 90 has passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2026, after a brief fight against cancer. He was born July 12, 1935, the son of Harold and Earline Merriam of Bridgewater.

Following high school in Woodstock, Bob attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and graduated in 1955 with an engineering degree. He resided in Ludlow, Vt. for over four decades, enjoying hunting, fly fishing, hiking (completing Long Trail End to End), gardening, and playing Double King Pead with family and friends at the family deer camp in Plymouth. He spent his working life, primarily at Jones and Lamson in Springfield, Vt. as a machine tools engineer during the industry’s heyday. He also had military service, being drafted into the Army Reserve in 1957, where he qualified as Expert Rifleman with a perfect score.

Bob married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Perkins in 1956, and together had four children, Michael, Stephen, Deborah and James. She preceded him in death in 1989.

Bob remarried in 1990 to JoAnn Thomas and shortly thereafter, they retired to Florida for the next 15 years, where they basked in the warm weather and enjoyed the excellent fishing and a vast expanse of friends and neighbors. Only Hurricane Ian in 2022 could change their retirement plans; they rode out being in the eye of the storm track with visiting daughter Deborah and it was a once in a lifetime experience! Shortly thereafter, they moved to Cavendish, Vt.

Bob is survived by sons, Michael, Stephen and James of Maine, Montana and Vermont respectively; daughter Deborah of Alaska; stepdaughter Jill Thomas of Henderson, Nev.; and adopted daughter Kathleen Ehlers of Ludlow, Vt.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In remembering Bob, we know we “hit the lottery” to have him as a father and husband and learned the right way to live our lives through the standards of character, decency and humility he personified.

Bob wished for no service and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bridgewater Congregational Church, PO Box 4, Bridgewater, Vermont 05034. A Celebration of Life will take place at a future date.

Edward B. Corliss “Ed,” age 86, of Woodstock, formerly of Ticonderoga, N.Y.,  passed away peacefully on Feb. 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on March 15, 1939, in Bristol Vt., Ed carried with him the values of hard work and devotion to his family.

He built his life in Ticonderoga, N.Y., where he raised his family and became a steady, dependable presence in his community. 

Ed was blessed with a loving marriage of 63 years to his wife, Kathleen (Kit) Corliss.  Together they nurtured a home filled with warmth, shared laughter, and adventure.

An avid outdoors enthusiast, Ed loved skiing with family, fishing in Lake George, hunting, and playing golf with his many friends.  

Ed’s greatest joy was the people he loved, and his life was defined by his deep commitment to his family, his quiet strength, and his unwavering kindness. Whether through his guidance, his steady support, or simply his presence, he left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

For more than 30 years, Ed dedicated himself to his career at International Paper, where he was respected for his strong work ethic, reliability, and quiet integrity.

In later years, he returned to Vermont, when he and Kit moved to Woodstock to be close to their family, especially their wonderful grandchildren.  

Ed was predeceased by his parents and his four siblings.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kit, whose partnership and love were the cornerstone of his life. Ed is also survived by his three children Kimberly (Scott) Smith of Woodstock, Alan (Cathy) Corliss of Canoa Ecuador, and Patricia (Jared) Eames of Woodstock; his seven grandchildren, whom he adored, Britni, Kyrstin, and Cooper Corliss, Allison and Spencer Smith, Caitlin and Hannah Eames; as well as three great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense pride and happiness.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses of Mount Ascutney Hospital for their compassionate care and kindness, especially the nurses who provided such comfort during his time in hospice care.

A memorial service to celebrate Ed’s life will be held in June in Ticonderoga, N.Y. to honor his years there and allow family and friends to gather in remembrance. 

An online guestbook can be found at cabotfh.com.

By Dan Cotter, Publisher 

Well, my friends, this is my fourth and final article of our 2025 annual appeal. 

Once again, this year, it’s been a privilege to talk directly with you about the mission we’re on at the Vermont Standard and the difficult challenges we face — to ask if you’ll please consider donating to the Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation in support of our efforts to connect our community and keep you informed on issues of public importance.

Today, the main thing I want you to know is that we are proud to work for you.

We know you’re counting on us to be your eyes and ears — filling you in about local government actions that affect you, about local crime, about court cases playing out here, about notable news items and occurrences, the accomplishments of our neighbors and local youth, about developments at our schools, churches, businesses, and charitable or civic organizations, about the happenings and things to do in the local area, and lots more. 

We are the one and only news source that’s entirely focused on our area; reporting news that’s primarily of interest right here. Our work — week in and week out — is entirely dedicated to the welfare of this community. 

That’s the way it’s been here for 172 years. And Phil Camp and I and our small team are now trying to produce a 2025 version of the Vermont Standard that’s the best it has ever been in the paper’s long history.

The Standard is for you. It exists simply to benefit you and your neighbors. We regard this responsibility and the trust you place in us as a badge of honor. We pledge to give it our best. All we’ve got.

As I’ve explained before, the financial pressures we face are intense. And, tragically, various powers that be are trying to exert additional pressure in a sad attempt to undermine the press. By extension, their actions undermine you, the public. That’s nothing new, really, but it’s pretty acute right now. Shame on them.

However, with your donations to keep us afloat, we’re hanging in there, staying strong and getting stronger. We are continuing to work, not only on improving this week’s Vermont Standard, but next month’s and next year’s too, as we attempt to set things up so we can produce high-quality local journalism for the long term. 

We’ll make sure your gift is put to good use as a worthwhile investment in one of the key components of the critical infrastructure that underpins this community.

As a citizen, it’s essential for you to be well-informed. That’s the only way we can have a functioning local democracy and a lively, connected community. As your eyes and ears, we’ll continue to follow the news closely and report it to you in new, better, and more engaging ways as time goes on. 

We hope to make you proud as we strive to do the best community journalism in the country. We believe that’s a realistic goal. This weekend — for the ninth time in the last twelve years — the Standard will once again be a finalist for the honor of being named New England Weekly Newspaper of the Year.

When it comes to journalism, we believe you deserve the absolute best.

We are deeply appreciative of any financial help you can offer in this year’s 2025 annual appeal. In fact, if you’re interested, Phil Camp and I would be very grateful for an opportunity to meet with you in person to talk more about what’s needed and our plans. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at dcotter@thevermontstandard.com or 802-457-1313.

Also — very importantly — if you have a family foundation, please consider adding the Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation (EIN: 93-3287932) to the worthwhile causes you regularly support. We’ll be deeply indebted to you.

The Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation is a public charity, so your gift will be fully tax-deductible. 

If you’re willing to make a tax-deductible donation to our 2025 Annual Appeal, please send a check to PO Box 88, Woodstock, VT 05091, or go to our Vermont Standard THIS WEEK website at thevermontstandard.com to make a contribution with your credit card. Be sure to make your check out to the “Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation.” 

By Dan Cotter, Publisher 

Lord knows, there are lots of fascinating people in our community.

At times, it seems as if every person you meet here in the course of a day is even more interesting than the last one. Sometimes, I marvel at how in the world all these wonderful and impressive folks are either from here or ended up here, in this little corner of Vermont.

Of course, I’m lucky. I get to participate in our story planning meetings at the Standard each week to decide who and what we’re going to write about next. Beyond the breaking news, what feature stories should we write – about which people, which organizations, which businesses?

It’s a joy.

There are always plenty of nominations. And then, even though you think you pretty well know who someone is or what an organization does and stands for, our reporter does a deep dive and provides new insight about them or their work or their cause in an account that’s simply breathtaking. Who knew? Right here among us! 

I often refer to the Vermont Standard as a kind of “glue” for our community. It’s a paper everyone can turn to in order to stay informed about the local news — the goings-on, the things to do. Something to look forward to each week to catch up on the latest. A common experience shared by those who live here or care about this place.

But maybe the best part about the Standard is the way it enables us to connect as a community. The way it helps us get to know each other better by introducing us to that really interesting person who lives next door (sometimes literally). And I’ve found that typically the more impressive people are, the less likely they are to talk about themselves. They’re too modest. So, it takes a nosy reporter to get them to tell their full story.

And the same goes for some of the incredible organizations in the area, including charities, nonprofits, schools, churches, arts organizations, libraries, history centers, and many more. They aren’t always focused on touting or telling their story – about what they do, who they help, what they accomplish. Often, they toil away under the radar. But the Standard is eager to bring their story to the public’s attention. We want to shine a spotlight, applaud their work, and make the folks who might decide to join or support them aware of them.

Soon, we’ll be bringing you those kinds of stories on video too, as we roll out our Headliners and Inside Scoop programs this fall.

The bottom line is that living in a community is much more fulfilling for most of us when we get to know more about the ordinary people among us, who are doing some pretty extraordinary things. Reading about them and their aspirations and accomplishments in the Standard is fun, and, on occasion, when those stories also explain their struggles and failures, their resilience and ultimate triumphs, it can be touching to read, inspiring even. 

These stories help us all feel a deeper sense of kinship with the people and organizations in our midst. They connect us and make us feel that we all truly belong to this beautiful community.

As I said, being this glue that strengthens our connection? It’s a joy.

We are deeply appreciative of any financial help you can offer in this year’s 2025 annual appeal. Our effort to preserve quality journalism for our community is quite urgent, my friends. And Phil Camp and I would be very grateful for an opportunity to meet with you to talk more about what’s needed and our plans. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at dcotter@thevermontstandard.com or (802) 457-1313.

Also, if you have a family foundation, please consider adding the Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation (EIN: 93-3287932) to the worthwhile causes you regularly support.

The Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation is a public charity so your gift will be fully tax-deductible. 

Your donation will be utilized in the form of project grants to support the Vermont Standard’s mission to inform, connect, and educate our community on issues of public importance. 

If you’re willing to make a tax-deductible donation to our 2025 Annual Appeal, please send a check to PO Box 88, Woodstock, VT 05091, or go to our Vermont Standard THIS WEEK website at www.thevermontstandard.com to make a contribution with your credit card. Be sure to make your check out to the “Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation.” 

By Dan Cotter, Publisher

For the past 15-20 years, most local newspapers have been trying to “do more with less” in an effort to survive. And, of course, since that’s not a good long-term strategy, it has put our industry into a slow death spiral.

America has lost 3,200 of its newspapers in that same period of time, and currently, an average of more than two per week go out of business. Hundreds more papers are on life support, as they try to hang on by cutting staff, cutting pages, cutting the frequency of their publishing days, and eliminating their print editions. In their resulting emaciated state, those papers certainly can’t serve the need for local news and information in their communities.

Those withered newspapers are called “ghost papers,” because they are hollowed out shells of their former selves. Technically, they still exist. They continue to survive. But the communities counting on them? Well, they can no longer really count on them.

The handful of hedge funds and corporate raiders that bought up so many of our nation’s newspapers and ruined them wrote the playbook. In their effort to “rightsize” (meaning to dramatically downsize…) their papers in the face of diminishing advertising revenue, they chopped the expenses. Severely.

For newspapers, the primary expense is paying the people who work there. After many rounds of staff cuts, those papers barely cover any news at all, because they no longer have enough people to do it.

And as many of the small independent papers – like the Standard – encountered those same advertising revenue headwinds, lacking a better plan, they began following the same playbook. Consequently, in their efforts to survive, they now f ind themselves in that same never-ending spiral of cost-cutting.

Also, newspapers in that ragged state aren’t able to do the type of development work required to create a sustainable path for the future. In order to survive beyond just this week or this year, news organizations must create new services and revenue streams that will support them long-term. To do that takes time, thought, experimentation, risk-taking, and perseverance.

The beleaguered staff that’s left at most newspapers today simply lacks the energy for that.

“Doing more with less” (and less, and less…) was originally supposed to be a stopgap measure to buy time for newspapers to get their feet under them so they could forge a path to sustainability. Sadly, though, for most, it’s simply become standard operating procedure.

Fortunately, for our community here, the Vermont Standard has not followed that all too popular “survivor” playbook. We’ve never wanted to preside over a slow death march, just to be able to say we’re still publishing, but, in fact, failing to serve the very real need for local news, information, and connection in this community.

Thanks to your financial support, we’ve been able to go another way. Instead of doing more with less, we realize that we – and all local news organizations, especially in today’s political climate – just need to do more. Much more. And while doing that, we also need to create a sustainable path forward so we can live on to serve this community in even better ways for many more years.

Our efforts to survive are actually just the first step towards our real intention, which is to thrive.

In fact, with your help, we’ve upgraded our staff and improved our publication in recent years. The team we have reporting local news is now stronger than ever. They have a good deal of talent and a whole lot of heart, working for ridiculously low wages at this frugal newspaper, yet fueled by such a worthy mission. At the Standard, we haven’t forgotten why we exist in the first place. We are striving to provide wall-to-wall coverage of a steady stream of complex stories that are of great interest and importance to this community we serve.

We’ve also enhanced the look, feel, and utility of our publications.

And we’ve expanded our digital news and information products – we are doing more and more online programming with them. This fall, we are introducing our new series of “Headliners” interviews with local newsmakers that you’ll be able to view on our Vermont Standard THIS WEEK website. Also, we’re introducing a new show called “Inside Scoop”, which will give you an in-depth, insider look at the goings-on at many of the businesses and organizations that make our community so special.

At the Standard, we are trying to save a real newspaper that offers the powerful local journalism our community needs to function properly. Not a ghost paper. The Standard has to be good enough to get the job done now and survive in the long run. “Right-sizing” here does not mean a diminished publication that’s essentially worthless, as it does in so many communities throughout our nation. Here, it means being just big enough to provide the essential local journalism that contributes mightily to the quality of life in our community, and break even.

That’s the kind of Vermont Standard we are trying so hard to preserve, while setting things up so we can provide the quality local journalism our community needs well into the future.

I sincerely hope you’ll join us on this very important mission.

As we begin this year’s 2025 annual appeal, we are deeply appreciative of any financial help you can give us. Our mission is quite urgent, of course, and Phil Camp and I would be very grateful for an opportunity to meet with you to talk more about what’s needed and our plans. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at dcotter@thevermontstandard.com or (802) 457-1313.

Also, if you have a family foundation, please consider adding the Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation (EIN: 933287932) to the worthwhile causes you regularly support.

The Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation is a public charity so your gift will be fully tax-deductible.

Your donation will be utilized in the form of project grants to support the Vermont Standard’s mission to inform, connect, and educate our community on issues of public importance.

If you’re willing to make a tax-deductible donation to our 2025 Annual Appeal, please send a check to PO Box 88, Woodstock, VT 05091, or go to our Vermont Standard THIS WEEK website at thevermontstandard.com to make a contribution with your credit card. Be sure to make your check out to the “Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation.”

By Dan Cotter, publisher

It’s been said that there are very few things in life that you can always count on. But there are indeed a few, and I believe you’re holding one of them in your hands right now (or perhaps reading it on a screen).

For 172 years, the people of Woodstock, Hartland, Pomfret, Barnard, Bridgewater, Reading, West Windsor, Quechee, Plymouth, and the surrounding towns have counted on the Vermont Standard to keep watch on things in order to keep them informed, empowered, and connected. Our columnist, Dave Doubleday, replays some of the top stories of the day that took place 10, 20, 50, 75, or 100 years ago in each installment of his brilliant “Olde Woodstock” feature. It’s amazing and quite reassuring that people here were reading this same paper all those years ago simply to find out what’s happening.

Just as you are today.

All this time, citizens – informed by the Standard — were able to fully participate in their local democracy as our area progressed to the state it’s in today. What a huge responsibility it must have been, and still is today, to produce this newspaper each week. To prepare a quality news report to help readers experience and enjoy day-to-day life here and make good decisions for their community.

It’s the honor of a lifetime to be entrusted with this responsibility. The Standard has a small crew of talented, fair-minded, and underpaid journalists doggedly pursuing their mission week in and week out — trying to produce an interesting local news report that will inform, educate, and entertain the people who live here. It’s a “weekly miracle.” We start with a blank page each Wednesday afternoon, and we work tirelessly to pursue stories and produce the very best finished publication we can by the following Wednesday, so that it will be in your mailbox or at the store for you on Thursday.

In the century and a three-quarters that this paper has existed, this is our time, and our team is attempting to make a proud contribution to its legacy.

Ours certainly isn’t the easiest time to be a journalist in the Standard’s and our community’s history. This is a time of transition, when traditional forms of funding for local journalism have waned. Now, we have not only to strive to produce an excellent news report each week, but we also have to hold our breath that we’ll even be able to stay afloat.

An average of more than two newspapers fold in the U.S. each week (3,200 have vanished in the past twenty years!), leaving their communities without this kind of “glue” – without the common experience of reading in print or online about issues that affect them and their neighbors and a comprehensive set of facts for all to know about what’s happening in their local area each week.

Making matters worse, hundreds of other towns throughout the nation now only have a “ghost newspaper” that is so financially compromised it can barely cover any local news in its meager news product.

Some people – perhaps taking a page from the playbook being used at the national level – might prefer that ours was a weaker, sleepier paper and that they could exert some kind of pressure to compromise the Standard’s coverage.

But they’re mistaken. It hasn’t worked in 172 years, and we won’t let it happen now. Count on it.

We’ve had many complex (and interesting!) local stories to cover just in this past year — news that people here are counting on us to follow and explain. From the Woodstock Foundation lawsuit, to school policy, budget and reorganization issues, to Peace Field Farm, to the water company purchase, to short-term rental ordinances, to the police chief demotion, to the proposed cell phone tower and farm outlet store in Hartland, to the ECFiber case, to the ongoing housing and child care shortages, to the impact of federal funding cuts on local organizations. And we’ve had many milestones and achievements to celebrate, from our football state championship team, to our local priest’s 50^th anniversary of his ordination, to the resurgence of Bookstock, to local artists and authors who released their latest works, to this year’s graduates, to a pair of brothers who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, to the dedication and resilience shown by those remarkable protesters in Woodstock. Even the announcement of plans for a new performing arts center, and the sighting of low-flying military planes over Woodstock. Those stories aren’t easy or inexpensive to cover, but like the journalists at the Standard who were our predecessors throughout those many, many years, it’s our solemn responsibility to inform the public about the public’s business, the very best we can.

Indeed, we can, primarily because we now have the support of hundreds of residents and readers who truly understand and value what quality local journalism does — and has always done — for our community here. They respond to our annual appeal each year. They keep us afloat. They keep us encouraged. They harden our resolve to try ever harder to serve this community and this local democracy. We count on all of you.

Oftentimes, I’ve asked individual donors, “What can we possibly do to thank you for your generosity?” And, to a person, they always say, “Just keep putting out a darn good newspaper.”

In appreciation for you, our friends, the Standard has only one single objective and guiding light going forward: to keep trying to put out a better and better paper each week in service to this community.

You can count on us.

As we begin this year’s annual appeal, we are deeply appreciative of any financial help you can give us. Our mission is quite urgent, of course, and Phil Camp and I would be very grateful for an opportunity to meet with you to talk more about what’s needed and our plans. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at dcotter@thevermontstandard.com or (802) 457-1313.

We sincerely hope you’ll join us in our mission by contributing to this year’s 2025 annual appeal.

Also, if you have a family foundation, please consider adding the Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation (EIN: 93-3287932) to the worthwhile causes you regularly support.

The Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation is a public charity so your gift will be fully tax-deductible.

Your donation will be utilized in the form of project grants to support the Vermont Standard’s mission to inform, connect, and educate our community on issues of public importance.

If you’re willing to make a tax-deductible donation to our 2025 Annual Appeal, please send a check to PO Box 88, Woodstock, VT 05091, or go to our Vermont Standard THIS WEEK website at www.thevermontstandard.com to make a contribution with your credit card. Be sure to make your check out to the “Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation.”

By Dan Cotter, publisher

A huge sigh of relief and a fist pump were my first reactions, as well as a gaze skyward as I mouthed the words “thank you!” The tears welling up in my older friend’s eyes were his response when I told him.

Then we shared a long, hard hug.

After lots of research and preparation, and then six months of waiting for the application to be processed, Phil Camp and I recently learned that the IRS has approved the Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation’s application for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) and deemed the Foundation to be a public charity.

The approval wasn’t in much doubt, really. But now it’s official.

The Foundation was established last August and it is primarily dedicated to preserving the Vermont Standard and its role in informing citizens and supporting democracy in our area well into the future. The Foundation has a board made up of local residents who care deeply about our community and the value local journalism provides. Phil and I are on the board too. Together, we’re working to keep the 171-year-old Vermont Standard going while taking steps to position the paper’s print and digital journalism for long-term sustainability.

Recognizing the critical role the Standard plays in informing and connecting our community, this Foundation wants to avoid letting our area become a “news desert,” as has happened in hundreds of other places throughout the US in recent years. Newspapers like the Standard are currently dying off at a pace of 2.5 per week. Nor do we want to end up like the hundreds of cities and towns where profit-seeking corporations that have no devotion to the public welfare have acquired their local paper and stripped it of its resources, to the point that it is only a pathetic shadow of its former self and incapable of doing its job.

Providing accurate, credible, reliable news and information to its audience is a local news organization’s primary role. A functioning democracy requires an informed, engaged public. The Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation’s board members, advisors and friends will help Phil and I in our mission to raise enough money to keep quality journalism flowing here.

So, I’m glad to report that any donation you’ve made to the Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation to support the Standard’s mission to inform, connect, and educate our community on issues of public importance is indeed tax-deductible dating back to the inception of the Foundation in late August 2023, as all donations will be going forward.

At 88 years old, Phil feels a real sense of urgency about making sure that our community will always have local journalism – especially given the 40+ years he’s dedicated to leading the paper and his unrivaled love for Woodstock and its surrounding towns. We know we’re in a race against the clock. But now, with the Foundation’s charity status and your tax deduction confirmed, we hope there will be even more support from donors and family foundations that will help us accomplish this very important mission.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your encouragement and generosity. If you would like to contribute to our Annual Appeal, please send us a check at PO Box 88, Woodstock, VT 05091, or go to our Vermont Standard THIS WEEK website at https://thevermontstandard.com/annual-appeal/ to make a contribution with your credit card. Please be sure to make your check out to the “Woodstock Region Journalism Foundation.”

“View From Here”

By Sandy Gilmour, Woodstock resident

If you are reading this column right now, that’s good news for the community. It means you probably paid for this paper, hard copy or online, maybe even made a donation to it, and value its contribution to our lives in Woodstock and surrounding areas. We are so fortunate to have the Vermont Standard week in and week out. For years, small-town dailies and weeklies have been closing their doors, leaving communities without a soul. Papers like the Standard are dying off at the rate of two per week across America. 

Such towns are called “news deserts.” Imagine weeks, months and years going by with no professional reporting on selectboards, trustees, school boards, taxes and roads. Zero stories about public school events, sports, student accomplishments, obituaries, gardening tips, neighborly cooking advice, local history, and no reports from towns from Brownsville to Pomfret. 

We would know next to nothing about the interminable Peace Field Farm restaurant delay, the Ottauquechee Trail head fiasco, the high-stakes Woodstock Foundation controversy and the fatal shooting off Central Street, including the bravery of Woodstock Police Sgt. Joe Swanson. In my view, these stories have been really well reported. 

To not get these stories delivered to us every week would be a news desert right in verdant Woodstock, for sure, a gaping hole left to be filled by rumor and mis- and dis-information, the precursors of community dissolution. So we are blessed indeed to have had the Vermont Standard around — nonstop — since 1853, and owned by beloved Woodstocker Phil Camp, now 87, since 1981. 

But as Mr. Camp has pointed out many times over the years, the paper’s solvency hangs on a thread and now more than ever. In hundreds of towns across America, owners, beleaguered by losing subscribers and advertising to social media, simply folded or sold out to hedge funds and private equity firms, whose investors are bereft of community values. Not Phil Camp. He has always said, “I never sold out. I’m never giving up.” He made up for past deficits (difference between expenses, like staff, and income from subscriptions and ads) out of company savings from better times, week after week. He stayed with it after being flooded out by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and being burned out by the Central Street fire of 2018 (taking out his camera and snapping photos of the flames and rubble).

The paper was in dire straits when COVID hit, saved by the forgiven federal PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans through 2021, when the largesse ended. Then beginning in January 2022, the community stepped up, responding to a fundraising appeal. I was rather stunned to learn from the Standard’s publisher, Dan Cotter, that the paper’s annual shortfall of $150,000-$200,000 is being covered by donations from local Woodstock residents. There are many (and appreciated) donations in the $50-$100-$200 range, but really heavy lifting is being done by donors of means who, Mr. Cotter says, highly value the contribution local journalism makes to communities. Several of these more-than-generous and anonymous donors contribute $20-25,000 and more — each — and, Mr. Cotter says, without any hint of trying to influence coverage. Without them, surely there would be no Vermont Standard in the mailbox or online, just the unreliable grapevine. At the same time, the paper is moving to create other revenue streams, including an online advertising app for Woodstock happenings and a magazine, in addition to improving thevermontstandard.com website for go-to news. 

Still, the operation is bare bones. It seems to me a miracle the paper “hits the streets” without fail every Thursday with some pretty good and important stories that we need to know about, and many features that are good to know about. And there are just two, count them, two, full-time staffers who report stories: the seasoned and prolific Tom Ayres, and Tess Hunter, who is also the managing editor. Ms. Hunter says reporter staffing is the big issue; she has on hand freelance contract reporters that can be assigned to stories if they are available and if they want to spend the evening at yet another unexciting if important selectboard meeting. “It’s a constant juggling act,” Ms. Hunter told me, “between finding the right person for the story and just getting people to say ‘yes.’” Still, she is committed, saying, “Without us making the attempt, there would be no common base of understanding and little sense of the community spirit of the area or the hard news happening within it.”

Volunteer contributors are crucial; regular community writers like Jennifer Falvey (insightful musings on life) and Kurt Stauder (pointed political observations) are popular. Mary Lee Camp’s business column is relentlessly informative. 

Other key staff are listed in the box below — lean and spare!

Publisher and editorial content director Dan Cotter, 64, hired by Mr. Camp in 2018 after years of informal consulting for the Standard, is not a household name in Woodstock, though he is hands-on every issue. He owns a condo in the area and is here about half the month, returning to his home and wife in Chicago for the remainder. He has decades in the industry as an executive and consultant, was head of the New England Newspaper and Press Association, and takes a no-nonsense hard line on newspaper independence and objectivity. It’s an unusual situation but Mr. Camp, still the president of the company, has total confidence in Mr. Cotter and has turned over the Vermont Standard, its operation, assets and its future, to his close friend. Mr. Camp has indeed not “given up,” but hopes to ensure his dear newspaper’s future with this arrangement. 

So where does the Standard go now? Around the country, journalists are reinventing newspapers and online reporting. The most promising seems to be the non-profit model, where deductible contributions from community-minded supporters can be made even as the publication accepts subscription fees and what advertising there is left. There are indications that the Standard is moving in this direction, and the sooner the better, in my view. When I pressed Publisher Cotter on the issue, he responded with this very encouraging comment: 

“In the past couple of years, members of the community have literally kept the Standard alive with their donations — and a handful of them have given very substantial sums, even without the benefit of a tax break. That’s how much they value the role our local journalism plays in the quality of life in our area. We are working now to put the paper on a path to where donors could indeed have a tax benefit. For it is essential to our democracy and our own survival that we have the financial support we need from the community to maintain a news organization — modest as it is — that’s capable of producing good local journalism that adequately informs our citizens.”

I can’t imagine Woodstock without the Vermont Standard. The new business model provides great hope the paper will not only survive but as a Woodstock-based non-profit, continue to expand coverage to benefit all of us in this great community. 

Note: This (unpaid) column originated with me alone! 

Sandy Gilmour is a retired NBC News correspondent who lives in Woodstock.

Throughout the country newspapers are in a fight for their lives.          Here too.

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