Special

Holiday happenings

Christmas Bazaar at First Congregational Church

WEST BRATTLEBORO - The 34rd Annual Christmas Bazaar at the First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave., will be held Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit church projects.

A wide variety of handcrafted and homemade items, including plain or decorated wreaths, partridge berry bowls, Christmas tree ornaments, house decorations, knitted or crocheted gloves, mittens, hats and sweaters, and doll clothing that will fit American Girl Dolls.

Fourteen items are being raffled, such as a rustic raised flower bed, quilted notions, a crocheted afghan, a painting, several table runners, two gift cards for local grocery stores, and one gift card for gasoline. The drawing is 2 p.m., and participants need not be present to win. Kids can buy inexpensive Christmas gifts at a table just for them.

The food sale will feature cookies, cakes, muffins, pies, brownies, baked beans, fudge, jams, jellies, and preserves. For lunch, consider the church's renowned corn chowder, or sandwiches, hot dogs, quiche, and beverages.

Fall Craft Festival at Dover Town Hall

EAST DOVER - A Fall Craft Festival will be held Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, at the Dover Town Hall, 189 Taft Brook Rd.

Look for a variety of vendors with jewelry, leather works, handmade quilts, wreaths and balsam products, used horse show clothing, cards and stamped gifts, refurbished furniture, painting and other art work, woodworking gifts, and more. There will be refreshments, food and homemade goodies. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Linda at 802-348-7955 or nbfd1@myfairpoint.net.

Christmas Bazaar to be held in Westminster

WESTMINSTER - The First Congregational Church is holding its annual Christmas Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Christmas Shop is open all day. It will include crafts, gifts, collectibles, handmade items, and homemade baked goods. Santa arrives at 11 a.m., and children of all ages are invited to take photos with him, and complete a craft project. Prints will be available for a donation.

A Vermont basket stuffed full of Vermont items will be raffled off at 2 p.m. The Christmas Café is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes soup, sandwiches, chips, coffee, tea, cocoa and punch, served by enthusiastic local elves.

Toastmasters open house and holiday party

BRATTLEBORO - Public speaking and potluck collide Dec. 13, when BrattleMasters, the local chapter of Toastmasters International, hosts its open house and holiday party.

The event is free, open to all, and a great chance to get a head start on your New Year's resolution to conquer fear and shyness around public speaking.

Thursday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Marlboro College Graduate Center, room 2E, 28 Vernon St.

Feel free to bring a dish to share, but it's by no means required. Families welcome.

BrattleMasters meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the same location, except for Nov. 22 and Dec. 27, when meetings are cancelled for the holidays.

Toastmasters, founded in 1924, is the premier public speaking and leadership development organization, a worldwide educational nonprofit dedicated to helping speakers at all comfort levels improve their presentation technique for any audience. No fear, no pressure, but lots of fun and expert support.

For more information, please visit brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.

Build your holiday decorations at Boyd Family Farm

WILMINGTON -The Boyd Family Farm, 125 East Dover Rd., offers two opportunities to build your own holiday decorations.

On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., is a wreath making demonstration. Stop by the barn to watch how they're made, and see how the wreaths can be decorated to fit your needs. Orders for shipping wreaths for gifts will be accepted, and fresh-cut, Vermont grown Christmas trees are available.

Swag-making demonstration is Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Holiday swags, made from woodland greenery, are used on mantels, over windows, mirrors or artwork, under windows and over doorways. They come arched or straight, one way or two way.

For more information, visit www.boydfamilyfarm.com or call 802-464-5618.

Honora Winery hosts Winter Wonderland

HALIFAX - Join Honora Winery for its fourth Annual Vermont Winter Wonderland on Saturday, Nov. 24, from noon to 5 p.m. They will have cookie decorating and crafts for the kids. Santa Claus, and his very real reindeer Prancer will be there. Have your picture taken, and be sure to let Santa know your holiday wishes. Admission is free.

Adults will enjoy wine tastings and exclusive barrel samplings in the “grown-ups' lounge,” complete with roaring fire. Hot apple cider is available for the kids.

Relax and listen to the beautiful sounds of the strolling carolers from the Brattleboro Music Center as you take in the amazing views of the mountain ranges in winter. You'll receive a certificate good for a discount at their tasting room retail store just down the mountain in Jacksonville.

The event takes place at Honora's event center on 1778 Collins Rd., West Halifax. For more information, call 802-368-2233 or visit www.honorawinery.com.

Annual Cotton Mill open studio and holiday sale set for 14th year

BRATTLEBORO -Where can you go to see blown glass, woodworking, ceramics, circus, dance, painting, music, food, film, furniture, garden sculpture, jewelry, books, bodywork, jams, candles and more, all under one roof? At the 14th Annual Cotton Mill Open Studio and Holiday Sale at the historic Cotton Mill building, 74 Cotton Mill Hill.

This year's open studio takes place on Friday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This annual celebration features the work of many artists and artisans, and promises something of interest for all ages. Meet the artisans in their studios as you find beautifully handcrafted gifts for the holiday season. Better still, there's live music, other entertainment and demonstrations. Stay for the day, food is available!

Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 802-257-7731 or visit www.thecottonmill.org.

Westmoreland Town Band hosts Christmas concert

WESTMINSTER - The Westmoreland Town Band presents a Christmas Musical Extravaganza on Sunday, Dec. 2, starting at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, Route 5.

The band is known throughout New England for its excellence, and will kick off the Christmas Season at the church with a selection of Christmas music upstairs. There will be a free-will offering for instrument repair and music purchases. Refreshments follow the concert, and visitors can meet the band, purchase a CD and visit with friends and neighbors.

Christmas bazaar at Guilford Church

GUILFORD - “Tis the season to be jolly” at the Guilford Community Church's festive annual Christmas Bazaar, to be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.

An array of handmade crafts, fragrant balsam holiday wreaths, white elephant items, stocking stuffers, and homemade jams, baked goods, and specialty cookie platters will be on sale. A variety of items such as gift baskets, an American Girl doll, and more are featured at the raffle table.

Coffee and sweets, and homemade corn chowder, chili, sandwiches, and quiches are for sale.

All proceeds from the bazaar benefit the church, which supports more than 20 local programs and organizations serving the wider community. Directions: From Interstate 91 Exit 1, go south on Route 5 to just past the Guilford Country Store, left on Bee Barn Road, and left again on Church Drive.

Friends of Wardsboro Library host holiday bazaar

WARDSBORO - Join the Friends of the Wardsboro Library for a day of family fun at the Town Hall on Main Street. The bazaar is Sunday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission and ample parking.

Santa arrives at noon and stays until 2 p.m. Each child receives a free photo with St. Nick, and will be given a small gift from his big red bag. There will be hand-crafted ornaments, wreaths, and gifts for sale. New this year: a children's book sale. Enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at the coffee shoppe with homemade cookies and baked goodies for sale. Free gift boxes for cookies by the dozen.

Friends of Brooks Seventh Annual Holiday (like new) Book Sale

BRATTLEBORO - Are you looking for some great holiday gifts or perhaps a new book for yourself? Be sure to check out the Holiday Book Sale, where you'll find many wonderful “like new” books for sale Friday, Dec 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the library main room. Remaining books will be for sale during regular library hours until December 21.

We have something for everyone on your list. If you need help with your holiday baking, there is a great new Martha Stewart Cookie Cookbook. For the crafters on your list, we have a wide variety of how-to books on pottery, embroidery, craft sewing, woodworking and more.

As always, there are many recent fiction books to choose from. Whether you're looking for a new thriller or romance novel, you'll find it at the December holiday sale.

And don't forget the kids! This year we have a lot of choices for the children in your life, from Harry Potter to a complete set of the Little House on the Prairie books. There are also some lovely hardcover children's picture books illustrated by Eric Carle, Tasha Tudor, and Barbara Cooney.

All the books have been donated and are gently used. Most books selected for this sale are suitable for gift giving because they are in like-new condition. They are still accepting book donations for this and future sales. Donations can be brought to the main circulation desk anytime the library is open.

Equilibrium launches annual Holiday Art Market

BRATTLEBORO - Join Equilibrium for our first Holiday Art Market supporting our local artists, crafters, and designers by making the commitment to shop local this holiday season. A fantastic chance to meet your wonderfully talented local artisans. Where: 114 Elm St. When: Dec. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some vendor space remains available. For more information, write eqvermont@gmail.com or visit Equilibrium.

Origami and more at Rockingham Library open house

BELLOWS FALLS - The Friends of the Rockingham Library will host a holiday open house at the library on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments available. Of note: an exhibition of children's origami artwork.

Coinciding with this event is a raffle for two tickets to the Roots on the River festival, a Panasonic Lumix digital camera, and gift certificates to local businesses. Purchase raffle tickets at the library, 65 Westminster St. Winners need not be present to win.

For more information, call the library at 802-463-4270.

Green Mountain Orchards winter holiday markets set

PUTNEY - Green Mountain Orchards will open its retail space again this year to the vendors of the Putney Farmers' Market. Three winter holiday markets are scheduled for Dec. 16 and 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They have an amazing list of vendors, too numerous to list here. You'll find everything from produce, preserves, and eggs to “winter survival” boxes to dutch oven bread to hard cider to Black Walnut ink, felted hats and stockings, heirloom preserves, photography and fiber arts and more.

For more information on the Putney Farmers' Market, write Marisa Miller at farmermarisa@gmail.com.

Rotary Christmas Tree sale begins Nov. 24

BRATTLEBORO - On Saturday, Nov. 24, the 48th Annual Brattleboro Rotary Club Christmas Tree Fundraiser officially begins.

Since 1965, the Brattleboro Rotary Club has sold Christmas trees. This year, all net proceeds will benefit Gateway Foundation and fund scholarships for local students.

Vermont-grown trees of all shapes and sizes will be sold in front of Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road. Sales will continue until the trees are gone.

The Brattleboro Rotary Club, founded in 1950, is an active community service club of 85 members who engage in community and human service projects both locally and internationally. For more information, visit www.brattlebororotaryclub.org.

Jelly Bean Tree announces expanded holiday hours

SAXTONS RIVER - The Jelly Bean Tree Artisans Cooperative announces expanded hours for holiday shopping.

The shop, normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, will be open Tuesday through Friday from noon-5 p.m. and will be open on Christmas Eve (Monday) from noon to 5 p.m., after which it will close for the winter season. Weekend hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m.on Saturdays and Sundays, but the shop will remain open until 5 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16 in conjunction with the holiday performances at Main Street Arts.

The nonprofit cooperative shop contains work of more than 40 local craftspeople who share the responsibilities of display, management, upkeep, publicity, clerking, and bookkeeping. Members pride themselves in offering quality products at very reasonable prices.

People who are mindful of the benefits of the “shop local” movement are invited to support Vermont's oldest continuously running crafts cooperative, now in its 37th year in the Main Street Arts building. Inquiries from new members are always welcome. For more information, call 802-869-2099.

'Glam Rock Christmas Carol' benefits Crosier family

WILMINGTON - On Friday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 24, at 4 p.m., the curtain will lift at Memorial Hall, on West Main Street, for a fashion show and glam rock production of Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, hosted by Twice Blessed Community Thrift Shop.

Musicians and vocalist Molly Melloan, Dan Lydon, and Chris Bakriges along with local musicians, players and models will attempt to amuse you with this unpredictable farce featuring music from Monty Python, Iggy Pop, Lady Gaga, and other recognizable tunes, adding humor to this quirky creation of a timeless tale of greed turned to generosity.

We are still looking for more models, extras, and stage hands. For information, call MJ at 802-464-2741.

On Saturday, following the afternoon performance, the Chris Bakriges Ensemble will perform live jazz for your listening or dancing pleasure from 7-9 p.m.

Wine, beer, coffee, tea, etc. with refreshments will be available, donated by friends of Twice Blessed. Admission will be by cash donation at the door. All proceeds to benefit the Croiser family, local residents of Wilmington.

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