December 14, 2022 – At about 1 pm today, the Vermont Daily Chronicle reached 1,000,000 views in a single year for the first time ever. Thank you, reader, for helping to make that happen.

I never imagined a readership like this when in January, 2017 I started blogging about State House news for a small circle of family and friends. Back then, I just couldn’t stand how the Vermont press corps often missed what really mattered on issues like energy and drug abuse. Already the “narrative vs. news” school of journalism was in full swing.

One column a week became one column three times a week. Three times a week became every day. One column per day became several news stories every day. Beginning last January, I committed to publishing 10 news and commentary posts every day. And after considerable dithering I finally settled on a name fitting for a daily covering all kinds of Vermont news. 

The Vermont Daily Chronicle gradually stopped being one person’s pet project and became a full-time, team effort. Many reporters, commentators, and commenters contribute to a unique daily read. John Klar, Aaron Warner, John McClaughry, Don Keelan, the Newport Dispatch, the Journal-Opinion in Bradford, the Community News Service of UVM, and many, many others regularly contribute Vermont news and opinion. I am deeply grateful to all. 

Publishing a newspaper, even an online newspaper, costs money. If you have provided financial support during 2022, the rest of this message is not for you. Except to say, once again, thank you for your encouragement and generosity. 

If you haven’t financially supported VDC yet this year, I ask you to read on. 

Vermont Daily Chronicle gets no money from foundations or deep-pocketed sugar daddies. No-one writes the Big Check that underwrites our efforts. Advertising contributes a small percentage of our operating budget. 

I can’t say it more clearly: readers alone keep Vermont Daily Chronicle alive. Without supportive readers, a paper perishes. At present, only about 5% of our subscribing readers provide any financial support. 

Will you consider, today, doing your part? 

Many voluntary Subscribing Readers contribute $9/month or $108/year. Checks may be mailed to Vermont Daily Chronicle, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier, VT 05641. Or, you can contribute via PayPal on a monthly or annual basis. 

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration,

Guy Page, Publisher