Brattleboro Rotary Club holds 47th annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser
BRATTLEBORO - On Nov. 26, the 47th annual Brattleboro Rotary Club Christmas Tree Fundraiser began.
Since 1965, the Brattleboro Rotary Club has sold Christmas trees as a fundraiser for local community service projects. Vermont-grown trees of all shapes and sizes will be sold 1-7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in front of Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road. Sales will continue until the trees are gone.
For more information, visit www.brattlebororotaryclub.org.
Ski swap, holiday craft fair on Dec. 3 at BFMS
BELLOWS FALLS - There will be a ski swap and sports equipment sale and a holiday craft fair at Bellows Falls Middle School on Dec. 3.
The ski swap and sports equipment sale takes place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Hundreds of skis and boots priced to sell at $10 and up. Ski clothing, ski poles, snowboards, snowboard boots, and more will be displayed in the gymnasium lobby at the middle school. Come early for best selection. To swap or consign items, stop by the middle school on Dec. 2 from 4-5 p.m.
Also going on at BFMS is a holiday craft fair from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with art, crafters, product vendors and plenty of food and baked goods. This event is a fundraiser for the middle school band, which is raising money for their trip to New York City this spring.
Centre Congregational hosts holiday fair
BRATTLEBORO - Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., invites everyone to its Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fifteen vendors will be present with food and crafts, and attractions include the Sugar Plum Cafe, a Cookie Walk, the Gingerbread Shop and the Crystal Cave. Enjoy homemade chili or hot dogs for lunch. For more information, call the church office at 802-254-4730.
First Baptist presents Christmas bazaar, luncheon, and bake sale
BRATTLEBORO - First Baptist Church, 190 Main St., hosts its annual Christmas bazaar, luncheon, and bake sale on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be a raffle for a homemade afghan at 2 p.m. A corn chowder luncheon, with assorted sandwiches, pies, and baked goods, will be ready at 11 a.m. The bakery table will feature baked beans, homemade doughnuts, fudge, and Christmas cookies.
Attic treasures, Christmas greens and decorations, and a cookie decoration table for the kids are all part of this fundraiser for the church's fuel and utilities fund. Proceeds help cover the cost of hosting the Overflow Shelter at the church, which opened for the season on Nov. 27.
For more information, call First Baptist at 802-254-9566.
Santa comes to Brattleboro on Dec. 3
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department welcomes Santa Claus Visit to the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m.
All children, teens, adults and grandparents are welcome to attend and everybody is invited. Santa, his Elves and Frosty the Snowman will ride down Main Street on a tractor provided by The Robb Farm, and escorted by the police and fire department. The Brattleboro Union High School Band will also be performing.
Afterward, help decorate cookies with a variety of delicious toppings, or sit and/or take pictures with Santa in his workshop. For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at 802-254-5808.
Trinity Lutheran presents fair trade craft sale
BRATTLEBORO - There will be a fair-trade craft sale at Trinity Lutheran Church, 161 Western Ave., on Dec. 2 and 3.
Also, as part of the December Gallery Walk, the church will host an exhibit with photos by Tim Long, pottery by Pastor Peggy Yingst, paintings by Joan Pouliot and prints by Grace Therrien.
The craft sale includes fair-trade items from countries like India, Vietnam, Bengladesh, Haiti, Peru and others. On Friday, the sale is open from 5-9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Also available are Swedish breads, jams, and salsa by Annie Boemig.
All Souls hosts holiday bazzar
BRATTLEBORO - The annual Holiday Bazaar at the All Souls Unitarian-Universalist Church will once again offer unique artisan wreaths and greens from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Handmade swags, wreaths, table arrangements made from locally cut fresh greens, and natural wonders to decorate the largest and smallest of spaces will be available for sale. Berries, cones and other natural contributions adorn the wreaths to make an artistic statement celebrating the beauty of our Vermont environment. Poinsettias will also be for sale.
Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., with a menu offering soups, bread and desserts. There will be baked goods including traditional holiday pastries and breads, cakes, cookies, and candies.
Children can make their own natural wonders for gifts at the Elves' Workshop for Kids, and enjoy a visit from Santa at noon.
All proceeds benefit the All Souls Church Unitarian-Universalist at West Village Meeting House, whose building is also used for the Garland School and as a gathering for special occasions, community events, and conferences. For more information, call 802-254-9377.
Friends of Brooks Library host Holiday Book Sale
BRATTLEBORO - The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library sixth annual Holiday Book Sale is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
All books have been donated and are gently used. Most books selected for this sale are suitable for gift giving since they are in “like-new” condition. Books unsold will remain on sale through Saturday, Dec. 17, during regular library hours.
A complete (22 volume) autographed set of Archer Mayor books in very good to new condition will be auctioned. The winning bid also gets breakfast with Archer. All 22 volumes, except Open Season, are first editions. The bidding deadline is 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17.
There will also be a raffle for soup and dessert by local caterer Kristine Alden, owner/operator of Someone's in the Kitchen.
The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library was organized in 1990 to support the Library in providing the highest quality library service to the community by means of advocacy, public relations, and fundraising.
Lions Club, credit union team up for food shelf
TOWNSHEND - The Valley Lions Club and the Townshend branch of the River Valley Credit Union are teaming up again to help the Townshend Food Shelf.
Every cash donation to the food shelf will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Lions and the credit union up to $500. A goal of $1,000 has been set, to be reached by Christmas.
Donations may be dropped off at the credit union on Route 30, where a donation jar has been set up. Or, mail your check to Valley Lions Club, P.O. Box 153, Newfane, VT 05345.
Warm Hands, Warm Heart campaign begins
BRATTLEBORO - The seventh annual Warm Hands, Warm Heart campaign, which collects and distributes winter clothing to local families in need, has begun.
Again, Warm Hands is partnering with Melinda Bussino of Brattleboro Area Cares and Lisa Sparrow, Pastor of Guilford Community Church. They are in desperate need of all manner of winter clothing for adults, children and infants. Blankets are also in very short supply.
Each year, the campaign collects more than 1,000 articles of clothing, in cooperation with local businesses, churches and aid organizations.
Collection sites are the Brattleboro Masonic Lodge and First Baptist Church, both on Main Street in Brattleboro, and Guilford Community Church.
For more information, or to make a monetary donation, contact Warm Hand chair Robert Fagge at rfagge@sover.net.