Bridge Street to close on Sunday for rail repairs
BRATTLEBORO - Due to railroad track replacement, Bridge Street (Route 119) between Main Street and the Hinsdale Bridge, will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Sunday, July 8, at 5 a.m. until Monday, July 9 at 6 a.m.
On Monday, July 9, beginning at 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., one lane of Bridge Street will be opened to alternating traffic.
This upgrade is a part of a larger project upgrading rail crossing in the state of Vermont. The new rails will enable faster train speeds as well as increase freight loads. Amtrak will be running its normal schedule on both Sunday and Monday, but there will be no parking near the station.
People should expect delays on both July 8 and 9 when traveling in the construction area and may wish to seek alternative routes. Riders of the Beeline Bus should expect delays on Monday, July 9. For more information, call the Town Manager's Office at 802-251-8100.
Rockingham seeks to fill ZBA/PC vacancy
ROCKINGHAM - The town of Rockingham is seeking to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission. The appointment would be for the remainder of a term which expires in April 2013.
Those interested in consideration for appointment may submit letters of interest to the Town of Rockingham, Planning-Zoning Office, P.O. Box 370, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, no later than July 18.
Interested individuals should be willing to participate in subcommittees and work groups, and to vote impartially on all applications. Duties include review of conditional use applications, site plan reviews, subdivision reviews, and Town Plan preparation. The ZBA -PC meets approximately every three weeks on Wednesday evenings at the Town Hall.
Horse show benefits NewBrook Fire Department
BROOKLINE - The 71st annual NewBrook Horse Show, for the benefit of the NewBrook Volunteer Fire Department, will be held Saturday, July 7.
The horse show, a rain-or-shine event, begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be on the grounds of West River Stables at Meadowbrook Farm, located at 102 Hill Rd.
A long-standing tradition, the horse show draws exhibitors from southern Vermont and beyond. There will be classes in both the English and Western disciplines, as well as in hand and driving classes. In addition, the show will feature the George C. Ware Trail Horse class, a Mogan Hunter Pleasure Open class, a Gaited Horse class, Hunter over fences, and the West River Mini-Medal class. Championships will be awarded in six divisions.
To get to the show, turn off Route 30 at the Newfane Flea Market onto Radway Hill Road. Cross the Iron Bridge and turn left onto Hill Road. The show site is the second farm on the right. For more information call West River Stables at 802-365-7668.
Free class offered in July at Brattleboro Area Hospice
BRATTLEBORO - This July, Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer a four-week class for those wishing to explore issues connected to death and dying.
Led by Bettina Berg, the Volunteer and Education Coordinator at Brattleboro Area Hospice, the curriculum will include material used in the training of hospice and bereavement volunteers who serve families in the community facing terminal illness and death. The class will provide opportunities to explore ones own attitudes and feelings about death and dying, as well as to learn about how one might support a friend or neighbor during a time of loss.
The class will meet on four Tuesday mornings: July 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 9:30 a.m.-noon at BAH, 191 Canal St. There is no charge for this class, but class size is limited and registration is required. For questions or to register, call Berg at 802-257-0775, ext. 102.
'Catch a Dream' at Moore Free Library
NEWFANE - Moore Free Library will begin sign-ups for the summer reading program “Dream Big - Read” from Saturday, July 7 through Saturday, July 14. Time Logs will be available for readers to take home and fill in after setting their own goals for books read this summer.
On Saturday, July 14, the Dream Big kickoff begins at 10 a.m. with Caryn King and Kim Colligan leading a workshop for all ages on making “Dream Catchers.” All materials will be provided for this free program.
The summer reading program will run through Saturday, Aug. 25 when participants will receive reading certificates and celebrate reading achievements with a special family program at 1 p.m., featuring “Music from Trash To Tunes” with Dennis Waring.
For more information call librarian Meris Morrison at 802-365-7948 or visit moorefreelibrary.org.
New series of Bone Builders classes to begin at BMH
BRATTLEBORO - Two new RSVP Bone Builders classes have started at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. The classes are free and open to all.
Bone Builders, sponsored by Green Mountain RSVP and Volunteer Center, is a strength training and balance exercise program designed to slow and reverse the effects of osteoporosis, the age-related loss in bone density that can lead to skeletal decline and fractures.
Studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that senior women who participated in a weight-training program for a year gained an average of one per cent in bone density, while a control group lost 2-2.5 percent over the same period. Participants reported increased strength, better balance, more energy and a sense of well-being.
Both women and men can benefit from the RSVP Bone Builders program, which is led by trained volunteers. The new classes at Brattleboro Memorial hospital are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m., and on Mondays and Thursdays at 4 p,m. The classes run about an hour.
For more information or to register, call Green Mountain RSVP and Volunteer Center at 802-254-7515. There are Bone Builders classes at a number of locations in Windham County. If your community, senior center or church or social group would like information about starting an RSVP Bone Builders class, call the same number.
BMH offers moderate sedation for MRI patients
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is now offering patients who need Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services the option for moderate sedation during the procedure.
The new service is a collaboration between the Departments of Radiology and Anesthesiology, and allows patients who might be in pain or feel claustrophobic to have imaging studies that assist with diagnosis and treatment.
Patients interested in utilizing moderate sedation during MRI should speak with their physician, says Marcy Rushford, Director of the Radiology and Cardiology Unit at BMH, as a doctor's order is required.
Restorative justice training to be held July 23, 24
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Community Justice Center (BCJC) will hold a restorative justice training session on July 23 and 24, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Attendance at both sessions required.
In this training, participants will learn about the principles of restorative justice and the practice of it, as delivered by the panels. Participants will also practice communication skills, review a case study and role play reparative panel sessions.
Members of reparative panels work with individuals who have been referred by the court and who have been convicted of non-violent crimes. Panelists engage with offenders to help them think about and address the effects of their crime and discuss ways in which amends can be made.
A reparative panel is a group of four or five trained volunteers who meet with an offender, and victims when possible, once a month for four months. During this period, the board works with the offender to develop and oversee the completion of mutually agreed upon activities with the goals of taking responsibility and making amends. The program also provides a safe environment for victims and affected parties to share how they have been affected by a crime.
Preparation for the training is highly recommended and involves observing current panels. RSVP by July 13 by contacting Eliza Baker at 802-251-8143 or eliza.bcjc@gmail.com.