BASIC to host second community forum with skatepark architect
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Recreation & Parks and BASIC will host a second public design workshop about the skatepark design with Mike Mclntyre, Skatepark Architect from Action Sport Design (ASD), now with Stantec, at Crowell Playground Park on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m., with public workshop to follow at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.
This public forum presents local skaters an opportunity to provide input into the design process, provides time for the public to discuss esthetic concerns relating to skatepark design, and will serve as further input to ASD+Stantec (www.ActionSportDesign.com) from the first public meeting in September.
For more information, contact the Recreation & Parks Office at 802-254-5808.
Greater Falls Warming Shelter to hold open house
BELLOWS FALLS – The Greater Falls Warming Shelter will hold an open house at its facility at 23 Church Street in North Walpole, N.H., on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The public is invited to tour the shelter, meet the board and staff, and learn about volunteer opportunities.
Refreshments will be served.
The shelter plans to open Nov. 1, and will remain open every night until April. The capacity is 10 people per night, with two shifts of volunteers from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. and 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. Volunteers are also needed to bring in evening meals.
The shelter maintains a Facebook page at Greater Falls Warming Shelter and can be reached at bfwarmingshelter@yahoo.com.
Ham and bean supper benefits Dummerston fuel fund
DUMMERSTON - A baked bean and ham supper will be served on Saturday, Oct 27, from 5-7 p.m., at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center,
Sponsored by Dummerston Cares, Dummerston Congregational Church, and Evening Star Grange, the supper will raise funds for fuel assistance so that no neighbor is without heat.
The menu will include baked beans, baked ham, scalloped potatoes, cole slaw, corn pudding, applesauce and rolls, with ice cream and homemade chocolate chip cookies topped with homemade hot fudge sauce for dessert.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-12 years old. Take-out is available by calling 802-254-1138.
To volunteer, contact the Rev. Susanna Griefen at 802-275-5095, Sallie May at 802-257-0387, or Jean Momaney at 802-254-9212.
For fuel aid for Dummerston residents in need, call the Helpline at 802-257-5800 or the Dummerston Town Office at 802-257-1496. Donation checks can be mailed to Dummerston Cares, 1324 Rice Farm Rd., Dummerston, VT 05301.
Friends of Schell Bridge host auction
NORTHFIELD, Mass. - On Saturday, Oct. 27, Friends of Schell Bridge will host a fall auction showcasing goods and services from local businesses, while also raising money to be used toward efforts to rehabilitate the historic Schell Bridge.
The auction venue at Green Trees Gallery, 105 Main St, will be filled with community spirit, home-cooked food, and good humor. The evening begins at 6 p.m., with a $10 soup supper. Diners will choose from a variety of homemade soups, breads, salad and desserts.
Auction bidding starts at 7 p.m.with Michael Humphries as auctioneer and comic entertainer. Local merchants, businesses, artisans, and friends have donated over 60 items for a fun-filled evening of good food and local shopping in the Yankee tradition.
Beer and wine will be available throughout the evening. Everyone is invited for the fun. For further information or to donate an item to be auctioned, contact Barbara Richardson at 413-498-5931 or email her at brichardson0928@comcast.net.
Hospice starts new bereavement support group
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice announces a new bereavement support group, “Loss and Transitions,” open to anyone in the community grieving the loss of a loved one. This group will meet Mondays 10:30 a.m. until noon starting Oct. 29 and ending Dec. 10 (no meeting on Nov. 19), at Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St.
Bereavement Care Counselor Cheryl Richards is the facilitator.
For people who are grieving the death of a loved one, the waning light, approach of winter and seasonal holidays can be especially challenging times. No matter where you are on your grieving journey, consider joining this group for six weeks of exploration on getting through this transitional season in one piece with your sanity intact and self care in place.
Brattleboro Area Hospice also offers several other on-going bereavement support groups. Support groups are free of charge, provide support to individuals grieving any death loss, from any time in the past, and individuals do not need to have a prior connection with Brattleboro Area Hospice in order to participate.
The “Loss and Transitions” group is limited to 10 people, so call Cheryl Richards at 802-257-0775, ext. 108, early to find out about joining this, or an on-going group.
OLLI lectures continue
DUMMERSTON - The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) presents the fourth in this fall's six-week series of lectures on Monday, Oct. 29.
In the morning program, Meg Mott examines W.E.B. DuBois's observations on the downside of progress as it involves food production. She teaches political theory at Marlboro College and is a popular OLLI lecturer.
In the afternoon lectures, Bob Engel, also of the Marlboro faculty and also an experienced leader of past OLLI programs, will discuss how the body obtains, uses, and conserves water.
The morning program begins at 10 a.m. and runs until noon. The afternoon program runs from 1 to 3 p.m. All lectures take place at the Southeast Vermont Learning Collaborative, 471 Vermont Route 5. Parking and handicapped access are available. Light refreshments are served at all lectures.
The OLLI lectures are produced by the local chapter of The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, now in its ninth year in Brattleboro. The Institute is a nationwide membership organization sponsoring programs for people aged fifty and over who wish to continue their education without tests, papers, or grades.
Payment of full dues ($50) entitles members to attend all 12 lectures in the present series. Lectures are also open to non-members of OLLI for a fee of $5 per lecture. For more information, call 802-257-8600 or toll-free 866-889-0042.
Religious groups to gather in West Brattleboro
WEST BRATTLEBORO - Who is my neighbor and what do religious groups have to say about neighbors and neighborliness in 2012? This will be the focus of a gathering of religious groups located in West Brattleboro.
As a follow-up to a similar gathering in May, the West Brattleboro Association is partnering with Healing Grace Ministries of West Brattleboro to host this event on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Healing Grace Worship Center, 55 Marlboro Road (behind Central Appliance).
The public is invited to explore this topic and how religious groups can contribute to a healthier community. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Doug Cox at 802-257-1024 or dcox@sover.net.
Brattleboro hosts annual Horribles Parade
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department presents the annual Horribles Parade, which will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m.
All ghosts, goblins, witches, scarecrows, and what-have-yous should meet down in the Brattleboro Food Co-op Parking lot at 5:30 p.m. to kick off the event with Halloween-themed snacks and sensory boxes. At 6 p.m., the parade will begin, and go up Main Street to the Gibson-Aiken Center for costume judging, prizes, goodie bags, and more.
This event is co-sponsored by the Brattleboro Police Department and the Brattleboro Food Co-op. For more information regarding this event, or if any special needs are required, call the Recreation and Parks Department at 802-254-5808.
Halloween safe house to open in Putney
PUTNEY - This Halloween, Putney Cares board members invite Putney's Trick-or-Treaters to stop by the Putney Cares activities barn on Kimball Hill Road, right next to the Noyes House.
They will be open from 5:30-7 p.m. on Oct. 31 offering a warm, well-lighted room for those who are out trick-or-treating. Come and enjoy some warm beverages and a place to warm up. Putney Cares encourages families to consider using the barn as a designated meeting place if needed.
Volunteers needed for Drive Through Nativity
BRATTLEBORO - First United Methodist Church of Brattleboro at 18 Town Crier Drive is planning to hold its annual Drive Through Nativity this year on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.
They have costumes, props and lighting so participants can portray characters from nine scenes leading to the nativity as hundreds of people drive through to witness this inspiring living diorama central to our faith story.
Teams trade shifts - outside for 20 minutes and then inside sharing warm refreshments and fellowship over the course of three hours. Observers are invited to bring canned food or cash donations to benefit the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center.
Call 802-254-4218 or email fumcob@gmail.com to indicate your enthusiasm and willingness to participate by Oct. 31. A meeting will be held in November to show newcomers the ropes.
Compass School to host open house
WESTMINSTER - Compass School will hold an open house on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 6-8 p.m.. The open house is hosted by current students, staff, and parents and includes a tour of the school, homemade dinner, and a presentation from Director Rick Gordon. This is an informative and fun way to get to know the school and the Compass community.
Compass School opened its doors in 1999, serving up to 100 students in grades 7-12. Compass offers a purposeful and focused learning environment with opportunity for hands-on and community based learning.
The school is committed to supporting academic excellence through personalized learning; learning through a project based curriculum; connecting school to the real world and the natural environment; and being a community where all voices are heard and all students are known well. Compass School aims to help each student develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to succeed in college, enter the work force or pursue their dreams.
The graduating classes have an excellent record of acceptances to a wide range of colleges including the University of Vermont, the School of Visual Arts, Hampshire College, New York University, Brown University, and the University of Chicago. For a full list of college acceptances and to learn more about the school, visit www.compass-school.org.
The school is approved by the state of Vermont and is a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools. Contact Betsy Jaffe, Director of Admissions and Development, for further information, driving directions, or to arrange a visit at 802-463-2517. The school is located on Route 5, just south of Bellows Falls.