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March 2026 WCVT eNewsletter
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As we inch toward mud season here in Vermont, there are a few sure signs that spring is on the horizon—longer days, warmer sunshine, our annual Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt and of course, the start of maple sugaring season. It's a great time of year to appreciate the traditions that make our communities special.
A big thank‑you to everyone who took the time to complete our annual customer survey. We truly appreciate your feedback. Your input plays a key role in shaping our services, improving your broadband experience, and helping us understand where we’re doing well and where we can improve. We take your comments seriously, and they directly influence the investments and improvements we make each year.
We're also continuing to expand our fiber network throughout our service area. Crews are busy converting more homes and businesses to fiber, and once the ground thaws, we'll be back to running underground fiber drops to get even more customers connected. These are large capital construction projects that take time, and we truly appreciate your patience. Please know—we haven't forgotten you. If you're in an area awaiting conversion, we're working our way toward you as quickly as conditions and construction schedules allow.
And for all the basketball fans out there, it's almost time to fill out those brackets! Our annual March Mania contest is back for both the men's and women's college basketball tournaments. Build your bracket, compete against your neighbors, and you could win some great local prizes. Keep an eye out for details on how to join the fun.
Here's to maple season, brighter days, and a smooth (if muddy) start to spring.
Eric Haskin
President & CEO
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom
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Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Sweet Simone's in Richmond
We're excited to offer another fantastic prize from a beloved Richmond bakery! This month, you could win a $50 gift certificate to Sweet Simone's Bakery and Café.
Located at 40 Bridge Street in Richmond, Sweet Simone's is a charming bakery café known for its freshly made pastries, cakes, and savory bites, along with excellent coffee and a warm, bustling neighborhood atmosphere.
To enter the raffle, simply click the link below and provide your name and contact information.
The drawing will take place on March 16th—don't miss your chance!
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$500 Visa Gift Card Raffle Winner Announced
Congratulations to Amy of Huntington, the lucky winner of our Annual Customer Survey Raffle! Amy's prize was a $500 Visa Gift Card.
With more than 1,500 entries this year, we're incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to complete our survey. Your valuable feedback is greatly appreciated.
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Play Our March Mania Contests for a Chance to Win Fantastic Local Prizes
March is here, and so is the Madness! We're thrilled to invite you to participate in our FREE online bracket contests. For the fourth year in a row, we'll be hosting two exciting contests: the women's and men's college basketball tournaments. No basketball knowledge is required to make your picks, so come on in and have some fun watching how your predictions fare. It's easy to enter, free to play, and you could win some fantastic prizes!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to get a head start and sign up to participate in the contests now!
Men's Contest Prizes
- 1st Place – $150.00 Gift Certificate Scrag & Roe in Waitsfield
- 2nd Place – $100.00 Gift Certificate to Backyard Bistro in Charlotte
- 3rd Place – $50.00 Gift Certificate Papa Nick's in Hinesburg
Women's Contest Prizes
- 1st Place – $150.00 Gift Certificate to Bobcat Café in Bristol
- 2nd Place – $100.00 Gift Certificate to Stone Corral in Richmond
- 3rd Place – $50.00 Gift Certificate to the Warren Store in Warren
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Your brackets will be available after Selection Sunday on March 15th, once the NCAA announces the tournament teams. Keep an eye on your inbox for the notification—that will be your cue to make your picks.
And remember, no basketball knowledge is required to join the fun!
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Lifeline Offers Phone and Internet Discounts
Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. Eligible customers will get up to $15.70 toward their bill. You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both. Only one Lifeline discount is available per household on either a wireless or wireline qualifying service. Under the Lifeline program, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. The Lifeline benefit is non-transferable.
These questions will help you determine your eligibility:
- Was your 2025 household income less than $21,546.00 for a single-person household or less than $29,214.00 for a two-person household? Add $7,668.00 for each additional person in your household.
- Did you receive Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as Food Stamps), Medicaid, Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension or Tribal Programs?
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Save the date for the Mad River Valley Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28th
Get ready for a fun-filled community tradition—the Mad River Valley Egg Hunt is almost here! This year's event will take place on Saturday, March 28th at our main business office, 3898 Main Street, across from Waitsfield Elementary School. We'll also have a special guest—come find out who it is this year!
The egg hunt begins promptly at 10:00 a.m., but we encourage you to arrive early and enjoy refreshments starting at 9:30 a.m. The best part? It's free and open to children of all ages!
We're delighted to once again partner with the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce to bring this wonderful community tradition to life.
We hope to see you at the hunt!
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Team WCVT Lends a Hand in the Sugar Bush
In late February, a group of dedicated WCVT employees spent the day volunteering at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington. With snow still blanketing the ground from recent storms, the team loaded up sleds with buckets and drills and helped tap more than 500 maple trees—all done the old‑fashioned way.
This effort reflects WCVT's strong commitment to community involvement. Each employee receives 16 hours of paid community service time annually, empowering them to participate in local projects that make a meaningful difference.
If your organization could use a helping hand, please reach out to Lorraine Keener at 802‑496‑8379 or lkeener@corp.wcvt.com. We'd love to explore opportunities to support your work and strengthen our community together. |
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Spring Maple Open House Weekends – March 21 & 22
The most anticipated time of the year, Spring Maple Open Houses, will be held over two weekends: March 22nd and 23rd. These weekends celebrate the first crop of the season as Vermont's sugar makers welcome visitors to their sugarhouses to experience the joys and traditions of pure maple syrup production. Whether it's the sight of steam rising from the sugarhouse, the enticing aroma of boiling sap, or the delectable taste of syrup enjoyed in traditional sugar-on-snow, visitors are treated to a sensory experience like no other.
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Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, March 28th
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 28th! Rain, shine, or snow (probably snow) - it's time for the annual Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt. This year's event will take place at the WCVT main business office, 3898 Main Street, across from Waitsfield Elementary School. The egg hunt begins promptly at 10:00 a.m., but participants are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy refreshments starting at 9:30 a.m. The event is free and open to children of all ages.
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Expiration Dates Explained
Every year, billions of dollars of perfectly edible food is thrown away, partly due to confusion about those dates on the package.
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A Walk Around the World
Meet Karl Bushby, a British man who decided to walk around the world using no mechanical transport. The odyssey took 27 years.
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3 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners
Sheet pans are the secret to delicious dinners for the whole family that don't dirty up too many dishes. Simply follow one of the formulas shared.
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No-Bake Cookies
Popular starting in the '60s, these cookies require only seven ingredients and no time in the oven. They cook on the stove and set up on the counter.
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Waterfall Makes Water Disappear
This little girl doesn't realize the water she's trying to grab will never reach her. Check out the clever design of this magical waterfall in China.
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How Do Birds Stay Warm?
Birds have many fascinating ways of retaining heat when temperatures are frigid, including their Counter Current Heat Exchange System.
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20 Adorable Easter DIYs
These projects are budget friendly and perfect for home decor or gifts. Many have a bunny theme, so get hopping!
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How to Repair Torn Screens
It's easy to fix a window screen or screen door in your home. This video shows what to do if there's a small hole or a large tear.
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