Landmark College graduation Saturday
PUTNEY- Landmark College will hold commencement ceremonies for its Spring 2012 semester graduates on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. in the Click Family Sports Center.
A reception to honor the graduates will be held under the tent in front of the administration building immediately following the ceremony.
Rotary changes venue for weekly meetings
BRATTLEBORO - Beginning Thursday, May 10, Brattleboro Rotary Club's weekly meetings will shift from the VFW Post to the Brattleboro Country Club (348 Upper Dummerston Rd.) for the summer. The luncheon meetings take place on Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Upcoming programs include Bob Stevens and Craig Miskovich on “Rebuilding Brooks House” on May 17, Milton Eaton talking about “Trends in Energy” on May 24, and John Willis presenting “Pictures from Pine Ridge Reservation” on May 26.
The Brattleboro Rotary Club, founded in 1950, is an active community service club of 90 members who engage in community and human service projects locally and internationally. If you are interested in learning more about Rotary or attending a meeting, visit www.brattlebororotaryclub.org.
Ice cream social, silent auction benefits Dummerston School
DUMMERSTON - On Friday, May 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., there will be an ice cream social and silent auction at Dummerston School.
Admission is $3, and includes free seconds on ice cream. Come play on the Inflatable Twister Game from Inflatable Fun, and bid on items such as fitness memberships, a wooden bird feeder, restaurant gift certificates, maple syrup, a case of ceiling paint, an automotive basket, a bookstore gift card, and more.
Proceeds will benefit the Dummerston Class of 2013 class trip.
BF Farmers' Market opens for season on Friday
BELLOWS FALLS - The Bellows Falls Farmers' Market opens on May 11 for its ninth season of locally grown agricultural products, prepared foods, crafts, and free music. The market will run each Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 19 at the Waypoint Center on Depot Street.
This year's opening market will be home to the fourth annual No Gardener Left Behind Expo, sponsored in part by Post Oil Solutions, with exhibits and mini-workshops to inspire beginners and masters alike.
In addition to weekly live music, the Farmers' Market will host an open-mic night every fourth Friday of the month. Local handicrafts will be well represented at the market the third Friday of each month, tying in with the Bellows Falls Third Friday art walk taking place at galleries and shops downtown.
Special events this year will include a youth market, dairy day, health awareness market, and farm animals day.
The farmer's market accepts both EBT/debit cards, as well as Farm to Family coupons, a program for low-income families which allows for purchases directly from farmers.
For additional information about the Bellows Falls Farmer's Market, contact market manager Rachel Ware at bellowsfallsmarket@gmail.com or 802-463-2018, or visit www.bffarmersmarket.com.
National Train Day to be celebrated in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - National Train Day will be celebrated at the Brattleboro train station (10 Vernon St., ground floor of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center) with a free event on Saturday, May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Learn about better passenger rail service that is coming soon to Vermont, and check out historical displays, see the train station, and meet train experts. There will be food and festivities.
For more information, contact Christopher Parker, executive director of the Vermont Rail Action Network, at 802-579-3394, or visit www.railvermont.org.
Walking audit to be held in West Brattleboro
WEST BRATTLEBORO - Join a group of neighbors, parents and their children, and local leaders and officials for a walking audit on Saturday, May 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the West Brattleboro fire station, 16 South St.
Participants will gather to discuss issues for walking and bicycling and then head out to identify locations in the area to the east and west of Academy School where the pedestrian and cycling experiences are most in need of improvement.
For more information, contact the Brattleboro Planning Department at 802-251-8154 or planning@brattleboro.org. This event is co-sponsored by the town of Brattleboro, Fit & Healthy Kids Coalition, Meeting Waters YMCA, AARP, Healthy Communities Coalition of Windham County, Rescue Inc., and Safe Routes to School.
BOC to hold annual canoe and kayak sale and swap
BRATTLEBORO - On Saturday, May 12, the Brattleboro Outing Club will hold its annual spring canoe, kayak, and sailboat consignment sale/swap from noon to 2 p.m., at The Outlet Center, 580 Canal St., near Exit 1.
This is a fundraising event; proceeds are used to underwrite the summer paddling program, which is free for all. Boat owners set their own selling prices. BOC will retain a small portion of the sale price.
Boat swaps are encouraged, and donations of unwanted boats will be accepted. Sale/swap is limited to all types of canoes, kayaks, rowing shells, rowboats, paddle boards, small sailboats, and paddling accessories; no motorboats or motors.
Boats may be dropped off on Friday, May 11, from noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.; or on the day of the sale, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The sale starts promptly at noon, and the good canoes and kayaks go fast. Unsold boats must be picked up immediately after the sale/swap, until 3 p.m., or by prior arrangement.
For more information, or to arrange a drop-off at a more convenient time, contact Larry McIntosh at 802-254-3666 or Lmacyak@yahoo.com; or visit www.brattleborooutingclub.org.
Dover library presents Tasha Tudor film
DOVER - On Saturday, May 12, the Dover Free Library will host a free program, “Presenting Tasha Tudor,” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
The nonprofit Tasha Tudor Museum will show the PBS documentary Take Joy: the Magical World of Tasha Tudor, a biography of the renowned children's book author and illustrator Tasha Tudor (1915-2008), who dressed in the style of the 1830s, cooked over an open fire in her New England farmhouse, lived by the light of candles she made herself, milked her own goats, and tended a flock of chickens and a menagerie of pets.
The film will be followed by a short discussion which includes the presenters sharing their personal experiences with Tudor. The program will also include a small display with her objects and books. Books and other items will be available for sale from the Museum gift shop.
For questions, call 802-348-7488.
Broad Brook Grange hosts Mother's Day brunch
GUILFORD - Broad Brook Grange will present its 16th annual Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 13, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Grange Hall in Guilford Center. The proceeds from the event will allow for continued renovations of the historic building.
The all-you-can-eat brunch features eggs and omelets, any style, made to order. Also on the menu are pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, and home fries, with Guilford maple syrup. Other treats include home-baked coffee cakes and other baked goods, fresh fruit salad, and bread for toasting. A selection of juices will be available, along with coffee, teas, and milk.
No reservations are necessary for the meal, which is priced at $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, and $5 for ages 2-12. Kids under 2 eat free.
This event is the second brunch of 2012 and will be followed by similar events on Father's Day and during foliage season.
Broad Brook Grange is at 3940 Guilford Center Rd., 4 miles west of the Guilford Country Store. For more information, call 802-257-1961.
Legal, financial planning for Alzheimer's disease
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will host a free, two-part program, “Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer's Disease,” on Monday, May 14 and Monday, May 21.
The interactive program teaches important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put plans in place, and how to access nearby legal and financial resources.
Both sessions take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday night in the Brew Barry Conference Room at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave.
To register, contact the BMH Community Health Education office at 802-257-8877.
For more information about Alzheimer's, contact the 24/7 help line 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.
Wilfong discusses meditation in Garden Club talk
BRATTLEBORO - Author, meditation teacher, and Master Gardener Cheryl Wilfong will speak on “Meditation in the Garden” on Monday, May 14, at 6 p.m. This meeting of the Brattleboro Floral Arts and Garden Club will take place at the Green Mountain Chapel on Western Avenue.
Wilfong, the author of The Meditative Gardener, will focus on using the tools of mindfulness and kindness toward oneself to discover how to cultivate a garden and meditation practice at the same time.
Suggested donation is $5.
For more information about the event or the club, contact Ann Newsmith at 802-257-4710 or ann.newsmith@gmail.com.
'Ride of Silence' calls attention to cycling safety
BRATTLEBORO - On Wednesday, May 16, all are invited to participate in a “Ride of Silence” to remember bicyclists who have been injured or killed in crashes involving motor vehicles.
The annual Ride of Silence takes place on the same day in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Since 2007, the Ride has been organized in Montpelier by the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition (VBPC) to draw attention to the need to improve the safety of state roadways for all users.
The VBPC is also promoting the “Drive of Silence” for those who don't bicycle or who will be unable to participate in the event. All those who drive a car on May 16 are asked to turn off all electronic devices and focus simply on the act of driving. The purpose of the Drive of Silence is to draw awareness to the dangers of distracted driving.
In Brattleboro, riders will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the end of Main Street, near Plaza Park and Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Participants will ride in single file and in silence, along Main Street and Putney Road to the Roundabout and back, heading around the Town Common, out Route 30 to the Professional Center, and back to Main Street, ending at the museum and the Tap Room on Flat Street.
Before the ride, the names of pedestrians and cyclists who have been hit by automobiles, involved in accidents, killed, or injured in the last year will be read.
For more information, contact Dede Cummings at DCDesignTeamVT@gmail.com or 802-380-1121.
Red Cross presents health, safety courses in May
BRATTLEBORO - Each year, more than 5 million people learn how to save a life in American Red Cross training classes, and people in our region can join the ranks of these everyday heroes by taking a class now.
The First Aid and CPR/AED course teaches people how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED), what to do if someone is choking, and how to prevent and respond to other emergencies until advanced medical help arrives. Course participants also learn how to control bleeding as well as how to care for seizures and other sudden illnesses.
A CPR/AED course for the professional rescuer will be offered on May 15 and 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $110.
A review course in adult and pediatric first aid/CPR/AED will be held on May 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $90.
Pediatric CPR will be offered on May 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $70.
An adult CPR/AED and First Aid will be presented on June 6 and 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $90.
For those interested in learning more about Red Cross classes and to register, call 800-REDCROSS or go to www.redcross.org.
Recreation & Parks Department holds summer program sign-ups
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department will hold a summer program registration extravaganza on Thursday, May 17, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. in the gymnasium at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.
Families will be able to register for all summer programs, including Summer Day Camp, Little People's Camp, “Hoop It Up” Basketball Camp, Baseball Camp, Gymnastics Camp, Track & Field, Tennis Lessons, Golf Lessons, Art Classes, Challenger Soccer Camp, US Sports Camp, Discounted Pool Passes, Lacrosse Camp, Mad Science Camp, and more.
The 2012 Summer Brochure will be distributed at Brattleboro's elementary schools, local banks, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Gibson-Aiken Center. It is also available at www.brattleboro.org. For more information, call the Recreation & Parks Department at 802-254-5808.
Misty Valley Books offers Italian language course
CHESTER - Misty Valley Books, known for its French, Spanish, and Russian classes, will for the first time offer an Italian course beginning Thursday, May 17. The six sessions will be taught by Dr. Alvino Fantani, professor emeritus at the School For International Training in Brattleboro.
The Learn Italian course will run for six weeks, on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The course is open to students high school age and older and will meet in the bookstore. The fee for the Misty Valley Books Italian course is $100 for the six sessions. A text and audio materials will be available for $15.
Register by calling Misty Valley Books at 802-875-3400 or write billreed@vermontel.net.
Annual plant and book sale benefits Rockingham library friends
BELLOWS FALLS - Ready to dig into your garden and start dividing plants? Have your houseplants grown a bit wild over the winter? Consider donating some of your greenery to the Friends of the Rockingham Library, to sell at the annual Plant and Book Sale on Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Label plants to the best of your ability, then call Betty Haggerty at 802-463-4159 or Pat Fowler at 802-463-0690 to make arrangements to drop them off.
The Friends of the Rockingham Library members are always happy to welcome new members. To find out, call 802-463-4270 or visit to www.rockingham.lib.vt.us.
New program helps landowners plant trees
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham County Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD) has received funding for Trees for Streams (TFS), a program to assist landowners with planting vegetated buffers along Windham County rivers, streams, and brooks that were affected by Tropical Storm Irene.
The program's goal is to improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat by preventing erosion and providing shade along damaged water bodies.
Through the program, 80 percent of the costs of establishing a vegetated buffer will be covered, including site selection and design, species selection, planting, and guidance on proper maintenance.
Participating landowners must agree to contribute 20 percent of the project costs and maintain the buffer for 10 years. Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis as funding allows, and plantings will be scheduled for the fall of 2012.
For more information or to request a site evaluation, contact Dana Ruppert at the Windham County NRCD at 802-254-9766, ext. 104.
Vendors sought for library's tag sale
SOTUH LONDONDERRY - The South Londonderry Free Library will hold a tag sale, rain or shine, on May 26, Memorial Day weekend, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Each table costs $20. All fees collected will go to support the library.
For more information, stop by the library, or call 802-824-3371.