Robert F. Smith
Window into a Colonial community
ROCKINGHAM-The Vermont History Museum in Montpelier is hosting a special exhibit, "Rockingham's Acropolis: A Look at the Rockingham Meeting House in History."
Started in 1787 and completed in 1801, the building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000. It is considered an exceptionally well-preserved example of Colonial architecture. Meetings began to be held there in 1792, years before the building was completed.
Results hold for Rockingham School District race
Kibbe retains his 3-vote margin over Lambert after recount; one vote goes to Donald Duck
BELLOWS FALLS-A recount of ballots for the Rockingham School District three-year seat added one more vote for each of the candidates, but the results remained: Write-in candidate Christopher Kibbe beat Priscilla Lambert by three votes. A committee of seven citizens performed the recount March 10 in the Rockingham Town...
A spark that ignited a revolution
On one night in Westminster, 250 years ago, violence broke out at a protest, resulting in the American Revolution’s first two deaths
WESTMINSTER-It's not a generally known fact of history unless you happen to be from southeastern Vermont, but a strong case can be made that the first armed conflict of the Revolutionary War did not take place at Lexington or Concord in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. That first armed...
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Rockingham OKs fire/EMS plan, funds for depot renovations
BELLOWS FALLS-The town's first-ever weekend Annual Town Meeting on March 1 brought an unusually large crowd to consider two hot-button articles - consolidating the Rockingham, Bellows Falls, and Saxtons River fire departments, and providing additional funding to renovate the Bellows Falls train station. While the two articles were debated at length, and some amendments to them were offered and discussed, in the end both articles passed as written. The lines of voters waiting to get into the Bellows Falls Middle...
Pride versus precedent
ROCKINGHAM-Town and village officials have tabled a request to display a rainbow pride flag on town property near a site of deep significance to the local LGBTQ+ community. Rockingham Selectboard Clerk Elijah Zimmer's motion to the Jan. 28 tri-board meeting - which comprises the Rockingham Selectboard, and the Saxtons River and Bellows Falls Trustees - has stirred discussion, and some controversy, among residents and leaders. At the Feb. 4 Selectboard meeting, Zimmer's motions were discussed in detail then, but they...
Concern in the air on Bellows Falls depot project
BELLOWS FALLS-A complex ownership situation involving two state agencies could derail Rockingham's plans to purchase and restore the Bellows Falls train depot, but Development Director Gary Fox said these issues can be resolved in time for the town to meet the April 1 deadline for buying the building. To that end, the town has sent a letter to Gov. Phil Scott seeking cooperation from two state agencies to move the project forward, and the state has affirmed its willingness to...
Mr. Rumrill’s opus
ROCKINGHAM-Longtime Bellows Falls Middle School (BFMS) music teacher Stanley Rumrill Jr. has been named the Vermont Music Educator of the Year by the Vermont Music Educators Association (VMEA). Last spring, Rumrill was named the Vermont District 6 Music Educator of the Year and, this fall, he was chosen from that group of district awardees for the statewide recognition. All music educators in grades K–12 qualify to be nominated. "I'm humbled by this," Rumrill said. "It's great, and I really appreciate...
Rockingham scientist honored for bird studies
ROCKINGHAM-With his recognition as a fellow by the American Ornithological Society (AOS), Stephen Brown joins an elite group of 581 current AOS fellows, the highest level of achievement in ornithology. Brown has a doctorate in natural resources from Cornell University, an master's degree in natural resources from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Hampshire College. He serves as vice president of science at Manomet Conservation Sciences, headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Manomet spokesperson Dorie Klissas...