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More than a newspaper

The Commons is the public face of a larger nonprofit organization, Vermont Independent Media, Inc.

We came to life from the ground up in 2004, as members of the community became increasingly concerned about the consequences of absent corporate ownership of the daily newspaper in town and the need for local people to have access to the skills to create their own grassroots media.

VIM came to life lovingly and carefully thanks to indefatigable volunteers. The first public programs of the Media Mentoring Project began in 2005, and the first issue of The Commons was published in 2006. The newspaper was published monthly until 2010, when we began a weekly schedule. We are published on Wednesdays 51 times a year.

View our bylaws here.

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Recognizing that a vigorous exchange of ideas and information allows democracy to function and is the lifeblood of a community, Vermont Independent Media:

• creates a forum for community participation,

• promotes local independent journalism,

• fosters civic engagement by building media skills

through publication of The Commons and commonsnews.org, and through the Media Mentoring Project.

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We're at 139 Main St., Brattleboro, Vermont (the Hooker-Dunham Building).

Office #601A: Newsroom

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The Commons
P.O. Box 1212
Brattleboro, VT 05302

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Recent PDFs

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We maintain files of a limited number of back issues in our office. Please email info@commonsnews.org, and we will make them available if we can.

Issue #699

Jan 25, 2023

Issue #698

Jan 18, 2023

Issue #697

Jan 11, 2023

Issue #696

Jan 04, 2023

TODAY’S FEATURE/NEWS

‘I had nothing left’

The closing of Hotel Pharmacy marks the end of family-run drugstores in Brattleboro — thanks, its owner says, to insurance and pharmaceutical industry pricing practices that made it impossible not to lose money

BRATTLEBORO—The closing of the 83-year-old Hotel Pharmacy on Elliot Street on Jan. 17 marked the end of so many eras like a Shakespearian tragedy without the poetry.

Much sadness. Many tears. Emptying shelves. Emptying space. A sense of emptying lives.

The end of family-run pharmacies in Brattleboro. The end of owner Mary Giamartino’s long-held desire to help people. The end of 20 important, well-paying jobs.... Continue reading story

TODAY’S FEATURE/NEWS

‘I had nothing left’

The closing of Hotel Pharmacy marks the end of family-run drugstores in Brattleboro — thanks, its owner says, to insurance and pharmaceutical industry pricing practices that made it impossible not to lose money

BRATTLEBORO—The closing of the 83-year-old Hotel Pharmacy on Elliot Street on Jan. 17 marked the end of so many eras like a Shakespearian tragedy without the poetry.

Much sadness. Many tears. Emptying shelves. Emptying space. A sense of emptying lives.

The end of family-run pharmacies in Brattleboro. The end of owner Mary Giamartino’s long-held desire to help people. The end of 20 important, well-paying jobs.... Continue reading story

CALENDAR

NEWS

BRATTLEBORO

Brattleboro Retreat to ramp up inpatient care and transport capacity

Hospital adds more beds, signs contract with Rescue Inc. to provide patient transport

Legislature extends towns’ flexibility for Town Meetings

If signed by governor, bill would continue with pandemic-inspired measures like ballots and online information sessions

ROCKINGHAM

A ‘magical hub’ emerges in Rockingham

In a sprawling former inn, a new nonprofit offers artistic education and community, with dance and performance at its heart

BRATTLEBORO

‘I had nothing left’

The closing of Hotel Pharmacy marks the end of family-run drugstores in Brattleboro — thanks, its owner says, to insurance and pharmaceutical industry pricing practices that made it impossible not to lose money

BRATTLEBORO

What is the government we need, and how do we pay for it?

Brattleboro representative savors new role as chair of Ways and Means, the committee that asks the big questions about state government and how to fund it
Browse News stories through the archives

TOWN & VILLAGE

• Around the Towns

• DVFiber connects first customers in Readsboro: Halifax, Marlboro, Stamford, and Whitingham are next on the list

• Free Tax-Aide service begins on Feb. 2

• Scholarships available for older students

Browse Town & Village stories through the archives

MILESTONES

• Milestones

Browse Milestones stories through the archives

SPORTS

• BUHS defeats Harwood for third straight win

Browse Sports stories through the archives

VOICES

BRATTLEBORO

Biden administration puts asylum seekers in harm’s way

We work with 20 people seeking safety here in Brattleboro — people facing torture, government persecution, gang violence, or rape in their countries of origin. Under new rules, three quarters of them would not have been permitted to do so. VIEWPOINT by Kate Paarlberg-Kvam

CHESTER

We need zoning for the Vermont that we are

Our look should be protected — but so should the possibility of at least being able to rent, if not buy, a place to live VIEWPOINT by Nicholas Boke

BELLOWS FALLS

‘He touched a lot of lives. He changed mine.’

Gary Smith ‘was smarter, funnier, and more talented at almost everything than pretty much everybody, but he never held that over anybody’s head’ MEMORIAM by Mark Piepkorn

BRATTLEBORO

Brattleboro Selectboard: Reconsider making Representative Town Meeting in-person only

LETTERS FROM READERS by Eli Coughlin-Galbraith

LETTERS FROM READERS • Emergency housing in RVs: a good, simple plan

LETTERS FROM READERS • ELL teachers supported Afghan family’s children educationally, culturally, and personally

LETTERS FROM READERS • No legitimate argument in favor of trapping

Browse Voices stories through the archives

ARTS

COLUMN • Art comes to life: Artists Judy Hawkins, Carol Keiser, and MC Noyes, whose work is exhibited in ‘Life,’ discuss their creative process and inspirations

• Storytelling returns to Main Street Arts

• Marco Yunga Tacuri to speak at VCP

• Hayward to discuss art, gardening

• Auditions planned for Ten Minute Play Festival at Actors Theatre Playhouse

• Canal Street Art Gallery presents ‘Heroes & Villains’ art show

• Northern Roots Festival is back — live and in-person for first time since 2020 : Concert, pub sing, and full slate of workshops planned for Jan. 28, 29

• Artists appearing at this year’s festival

• Life, death, and cake: Preparing for a good death

• Epsilon Spires presents free organ concert in its Lunchtime Pipe Organ Series

• Latchis Arts announces return of Movies for Kids series

• Brooks Memorial Library celebrates GennaRose Nethercott’s debut novel

Browse Arts stories through the archives

We love and appreciate our advertisers!

... and we hope you do, too. This week’s Commons is made possible by ad support from:

Efficiency Vermont
Vermont Electric Power Company
Rite Aid/Quad Media Solutions
Guilford Sound
BCTV
The Commons advertising
A.R. Sandri, Inc.
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust
Trust Company of Vermont
Bellville Realty
Berkley & Veller
Brattleboro Tire
Burton Car Wash
Grace Cottage Foundation
EJLMC
Julian Gerstin
River Gallery School
Cersosimo Lumber Company
Dakin & Benelli, P.C.
Aqua Aid Systems, Inc.
Peter Havens
Houghton Sanitary Service
Hub Crosswords
Dicks Lock Repair
Antique & Vintage Oriental Rugs
Members 1st Credit Union
Latchis Corp.
Twice Upon A Time
Jewett Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Steves Septic Service
Brattleboro Time Trade
Walpole Village Salon
Vernon Self Storage
Elizabeth Julia Stoumen
Gouin Services
Inner Bridges Counseling
The Shoe Tree
Post Oil Solutions
Brattleboro Music Center
Durling Cleaning
Gallery In The Woods
Chartwells
WW Building Supply & Home Center

Check out their ads in this week’s newspaper or on this website.

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Help us thrive!

Basic deadline information

Let’s talk advertising

Regular ad features

More than a newspaper

Our mission

Nonprofit IRS filings

Office hours

Directions to the office

Mailing address:

Phone/email

Recent PDFs

Search The Commons from 2010 to present

TODAY’S FEATURE/NEWS

‘I had nothing left’

The closing of Hotel Pharmacy marks the end of family-run drugstores in Brattleboro — thanks, its owner says, to insurance and pharmaceutical industry pricing practices that made it impossible not to lose money

TODAY’S FEATURE/NEWS

‘I had nothing left’

The closing of Hotel Pharmacy marks the end of family-run drugstores in Brattleboro — thanks, its owner says, to insurance and pharmaceutical industry pricing practices that made it impossible not to lose money

CALENDAR

CALENDAR

NEWS

BRATTLEBORO

Hospital adds more beds, signs contract with Rescue Inc. to provide patient transport

If signed by governor, bill would continue with pandemic-inspired measures like ballots and online information sessions

ROCKINGHAM

In a sprawling former inn, a new nonprofit offers artistic education and community, with dance and performance at its heart

BRATTLEBORO

The closing of Hotel Pharmacy marks the end of family-run drugstores in Brattleboro — thanks, its owner says, to insurance and pharmaceutical industry pricing practices that made it impossible not to lose money

BRATTLEBORO

Brattleboro representative savors new role as chair of Ways and Means, the committee that asks the big questions about state government and how to fund itBrowse News stories through the archives

TOWN & VILLAGE

MILESTONES

SPORTS

VOICES

BRATTLEBORO

We work with 20 people seeking safety here in Brattleboro — people facing torture, government persecution, gang violence, or rape in their countries of origin. Under new rules, three quarters of them would not have been permitted to do so. VIEWPOINT by Kate Paarlberg-Kvam

CHESTER

Our look should be protected — but so should the possibility of at least being able to rent, if not buy, a place to live VIEWPOINT by Nicholas Boke

BELLOWS FALLS

Gary Smith ‘was smarter, funnier, and more talented at almost everything than pretty much everybody, but he never held that over anybody’s head’ MEMORIAM by Mark Piepkorn

BRATTLEBORO

ARTS

We love and appreciate our advertisers!

Brattleboro representative savors new role as chair of Ways and Means, the committee that asks the big questions about state government and how to fund it
Browse News stories through the archives