The Hardwick Gazette had an impressive year by almost any standard; by the end of 2025 we had doubled the 16 pages that were standard when Northeast Kingdom Public Journalism (NEKPJ) became its publisher in January 2024. We now average 30 to 32 pages with an occasional outlier running to 38.
The year’s expenses of $139,992 covered producing 51 issues, plus the annual April Fool’s Day special section. The $2,692 cost for each issue now includes free copies at seven area libraries, six shops and the Hardwick Town Manager’s office.
There are now copies for sale at Buffalo Mountain Market, Willey’s in Greensboro, The Genny in Craftsbury and Cabot Village Store.
Five volunteer board members supported seven part-time paid and volunteer staff members, one staff photographer and an uncounted number of community journalists.
Community, statewide and national support came from 72 recurring monthly donors and 742 contributors, five of whom donated $5,000 or more. That support helped us end the year with $30,000 on hand to begin 2026, more even than we began the nonprofit journey with in 2024.
We published 2,144 news stories, covering 11 towns and select boards. Our 161 education stories covered 3 supervisory unions, eight school districts and 13 schools.
We shared 77 business stories, 406 sports stories about more than a dozen sports and sadly, brought you 90 obituaries about fascinating people we wish we’d known better.
Our 270 Public Safety reports covered two police departments, four sheriff departments, nine fire and rescue departments, four county courts, AWARE and Neighbor to Neighbor.
The 51 weekly calendars expanded greatly in 2025, now creating the most comprehensive calendar in our 11 town area. We published 521 community and entertainment events from organizations that include12 libraries and 25 churches.
The 54 entertainment reviews in 2025 covered music, plays and readings performed by young children and seasoned adults in venues throughout the area.
Our opinion section blossomed in 2026, with 87 letters to the editor, 380 opinion columns from five regular columnists and 59 legislative updates.
Five cartoonists contributed 105 cartoons and writers added 70 stories for our “In the Garden” series and 64 to “Outside Stories.
The “Voices of Spirit,” “Weeks Gone By” and “Our Neighborhood” columns add perspectives to share what’s important to and from people, now and in the past.
Even with all of that, there’s lots more we could be covering and we know there’s more you want to know because your calls and email tell us that.
We are continually looking for ways to bring you more area news and information with our limited resources.
We welcome your suggestions, photos and stories about the events you attend and activities you join or watch.
Thank you all for the support you’ve given us to continue The Hardwick Gazette as an essential part of the area’s community life.
It’s a pleasure to serve you.
Paul Fixx, editor
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
