CRAFTSBURY – Craftsbury government and civic organizations, the Public Library, the Academy, Community Care Center, Saplings and Sterling College made for an active community in 2025. An end to Sterling’s academic programs and Antiques & Uniques will leave holes to fill in 2026.A January 16 Bread and Puppet show for all ages was entertainment at the Craftsbury Community Care Center.
The Craftsbury Public Library received a $9,130 grant to help upgrade its aging computer network. Library Director Susan O’Connell said she had been keeping public access computers purchased in 2012 running with “duct tape, luck and spare parts salvaged from parts computers stored in the basement.”
Craftsbury Schools appointed Katherine Locke as the new theater advisor for Craftsbury grades two through twelve.
Dr. Scott Brown joined the Sterling College community as the interim dean of students.
February saw chaos surrounding the federal assistance pause lead to questions from Sterling students of whether or not their federal aid would be affected.
Craftsbury Public Library partnered with the Owens-Van Akkeren homestead and Orienteering U.S.A. for the annual “Treasure the Library” snowshoe and ski adventure. From February 26 to March 4, participants could explore trails, find literary and culinary treasures and support the library.
In March, it was announced that Raz Mille, a 16-year-old Craftsbury Academy sophomore was selected as one of five students in the U.S. receiving an all expense-paid scholarship to attend the 2025 International Science School (ISS) in Australia this summer.
Nearly 200 Craftsbury residents gathered at 9 a.m. in Craftsbury Academy’s World War II Memorial Gymnasium, a healthy number that nearly filled the rows of folding chairs arranged across the gym floor, Tuesday, March 4 for town meeting day.
The town garage bridge, animal control, the neighbor-to-neighbor group, a new truck and reviewing town committee assignments took up most of the March 12 select board meeting.
Craftsbury Saplings Executive Director Melissa Jacobs told the select board at an April 1 public hearing, that her organization has signed a lease agreement with Headwaters Community Trust for the property they plan to build a new facility on. Plans are to expand the program from its current 19 students per day to accommodate 54 students.
The construction company and architect of a South Craftsbury Road home are among 13 firms honored for energy leadership at Efficiency Vermont’s annual Better Building by Design (BBD) conference, April 2 and 3.
photo by Paul Fixx
Author and historian Kevin Graffagnino gave a talk on Ira Allen at the Craftsbury Public Library April 6.
New faces stepped in to lead local high school programs this spring, with Maxfield English taking over the Hazen Union track and field team and Kyle Anderson doing the same at Craftsbury Academy (CA).
May saw The Craftsbury Public Library host free mending Mondays on the first and third Mondays of the month. This initiative is led by Lisa Santamore, who provided sewing machines and supplies each session. A plant sale was held on Craftsbury Library’s side lawn Saturday, May 24, with garden experts on hand to answer questions and offer advice.
In June, the Northeast Kingdom Death Care Community hosted Vermont doula and researcher Francesca Arnoldy at the Craftsbury Public Library for an interactive workshop. The workshop covered the language of grief, including what to say, phrases to avoid and how to offer emotional care and practical assistance to the bereaved with sensitivity, no matter the type of loss.
Craftsbury Academy students presented The Wizard of Oz on June 4 at the Highland Center for the Arts, under the direction of Kate Locke.
The Craftsbury Academy Class of 1965 gathered at the home of their classmate Jane (Paterson) Marlin on June 7 to celebrate 60 years since their graduation.
July saw Independence day festivities scheduled throughout the weekend, with the annual Craftsbury block party taking place July 3, continuing through a fireworks show at dusk.
Antiques & Uniques was held Saturday, July 12, on the Craftsbury Common. The annual sale features antiques and vintage goods, fine art, handcrafted items, local produce, flowers and specialty foods. Later in the year it was announced there are no plans being made for a 2026 Antiques and Uniques event.
The Craftsbury Energy Committee’s Community Firewood Program for income-limited households reported three cords of split firewood had been taken without permission and reported to Vermont State Police.
The Craftsbury Public Library hosted children’s book author Christy Mihaly. Milhaly read from her books July 22 . Children were invited to pick out two free books as part of asummer readers program.
In August, Craftsbury Academy (CA) announced that 22 out of 26 students earned a score of 3.0 or higher on their Advanced Placement (AP) exams last school year. The school offered praise for the students and teachers, saying, “Congratulations to these accomplished students and to the dedicated Craftsbury faculty who teach and inspire our students every day!”
“The Creative Works of Francis Colburn and Gladys LaFlamme” was the title of a talk by granddaughters Adriane Colburn and Celine Colburn given at the Craftsbury Public Library late Friday afternoon, August 1.
The Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s Green Racing Project (GRP) headed to West Windsor, N.J., weekend for the USRowing World Rowing Championships Trial on Mercer Lake, August 1 to 3. GRP racer, Olympian Jacob Plihal won the men’s single sculls final.
Craftsbury Old Home Day took place Saturday, Aug. 9, celebrating the historic properties around town.
Craftsbury Community Care Center celebrated 30 years of caring for elders in the area, August 28.
In September, it was announced that Craftsbury Academy was ranked No. 2 in the state of Vermont by U.S. News & World Report in its annual Best High Schools Rankings. “This recognition is a true testament to our commitment to rigor and inclusion of all students right through their senior year,” said Lisa McCarthy, principal. “I am beaming with pride thinking about how our small, rural school is performing at such a high level.”
Craftsbury Academy senior Owen McKibben was awarded the Green and Gold Scholars Award from The University of Vermont (UVM).
Roughly 45 people attended a community forum on Act 73 about the state redistricting plan for schools, September 10, sparking many questions about increased commute times versus the benefits of larger class sizes.
Monday, Sept. 22, marked the beginning of the annual children’s clothing swap at the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church.
In October, it was announced that Our Lady of Fatima would hold one last mass Oct. 11, a decision sparked by years of waning attendance. With the approval of the bishop, the property will be put up for sale.
The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) presented a 2025 Municipal Service Award to Farley Brown of Craftsbury.
November saw the town launch itsnew website. The site has links to select board and other meeting archives with agendas, minutes and videos.
The Craftsbury, Glover, and Greensboro Energy Committees and the Albany Planning Commission worked together with teams of volunteers from Friday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 9, to build 415 window inserts from kits provided by WindowDressers that will go to more than 60 homes in 14 towns.Twenty-six volunteers filled the Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s ski shop as they carried out the carefully designed steps to build insulating window inserts for community members in the three-corner area of Caledonia, Lamoille and Orleans Counties.
The Craftsbury Conservation Commission held a panel presentation at Sterling College Simpson Hall, November 17.
A turkey trot took place Nov. 21 on the common for students and staff of Craftsbury Schools, grades K-12.
Another re-districting conversation took place November 21.
Amber Everett was announced as the new athletic director and activities coordinator at Craftsbury Academy (CA), replacing Steve Welch after less than 18 months on the job.
Sterling College announced its degree programs will end, sparking concerns about the future of the properties and assets tied to the school’s 67 year legacy. “We understand that this news is difficult and deeply personal for every member of our community. Sterling College has always been more than a place of learning; it has been a home where curiosity, creativity, and compassion thrived,” officials wrote in the closure announcement.
A federal lawsuit was brought against the town regarding operation of its gravel pit. Plaintiffs James LaRock and Melanie MacEachern filed suit in Federal District Court, saying they own a home at 151 Gateway Drive in Craftsbury, adjacent to the gravel pit. They allege “numerous years-long violations of the federal Clean Water Act at the Town of Craftsbury’s municipal gravel mine,” which the plaintiffs are asking the court to abate.
In December, Headwaters Community Trust’s first annual membership meeting was held at East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church. Members of the trust elected Headwaters’ first board of directors at the meeting.
A community conversation about the future of Sterling College was attended by more than 100 people, with many concerns expressed by residents, who learned the school intends to sell several properties, including the president’s residence and is exploring options for collaboration with other schools.
Craftsbury students worked with music teachers Jonathan Chatfield and Jeffrey Reinhardt on choral pieces for the winter concert on the Craftsbury Common on Saturday, Dec. 13. The schedule included a spaghetti dinner fundraiser sponsored by the 8th grade class and a light parade on the Common.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
