September 2010
Volume 23, Number 4
About The North Star Monthly
Who We Are
The North Star was first established in 1807 by an expatriate from Connecticut. Ebenezer Eaton arrived in northern Vermont
by ox sled, bringing his family and a printing press to Danville, the newly settled seat of Caledonia County. The North Star emerged as a four-page
weekly covering local, national and international news. In 1881, the business was sold out of the Eaton family, and, on May 9, 1889, a devastating fire
destroyed the press, the town hall and 36 buildings on and near the Danville
green.
One hundred years later, The North Star was re-established as a monthly community magazine, and its pages were devoted
to the "reinforcement of the value of community" by publishing stories from a wide range of interests and writers.
The North Star Monthly has been honored by the Vermont Press Association with awards for feature writing and photography, and
Tom Slayton, editor of Vermont Life Magazine, read one of our favorites, a front page story about a heartwarming 1928 Christmas
experience, on Vermont Public Radio. In January 2007, we published a special bicentennial edition, including a reproduction of
Vol. 1 No. 1 dated January 8, 1807
What We Do
Justin and Ginni Lavely took the paper over in July 2008 and are likewise committed to the people, places and
institutions that for many of us make small towns home. Feature stories and human interest articles describe the Northeast Kingdom of
Vermont and often reach beyond into northern New Hampshire and the rest of Vermont.
Above all, The North Star offers the stories we all have to tell. These are real people telling real stories. The common thread that binds them seems to be
excellence in its many definitions.
The Lavely Family
What Our Readers Say
"Surely The North Star presents the best of Vermont life. Each issue provides a treasury of fascinating glimpses into the past and
accounts of current events in the area. The unique combination makes pleasant reading"
M.I., St Johnsbury, VT
"It makes me think of the small town I never had the chance to live in."
R.B., Acton, MA
"The North Star improves with every issue - if that's possible. It seems perfect already"
M.C., Barnet, VT
"Just what the doctor ordered for Vermont lovers."
E.L., Pound Ridge, NY
"The paper continues to look great! I think of The North Star as the "good news" paper and obviously you folks must too. Keep
up the good work."
Lisa Barrett, Town of Lyndon, VT