Farming in Myanmar is topic of talk at Putney library
PUTNEY - The Putney Public Library presents Howard Prussack, who will speak on “Myanmar: People, Farms and other Treasures” Thursday, Jan. 31, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the library.
Prussack, co-owner of High Meadows Farm, will show slides and relate his experience as an agricultural expert in Myanmar, formerly Burma, in November, 2012. He toured Myanmar and worked with tomato and onion farmers, sharing ideas for development, technology, and marketing.
For more information, call 802-387-4407.
Osher hosts lectures on landscape gardening and design
DUMMERSTON - The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) announces the second in its annual midwinter series of three lectures, to be held on Monday, Feb. 4, (snow date is Feb. 18).
This winter's lectures are titled “Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love.” Julie Moir Messervy, a landscape gardener and designer in Saxtons River, and her associates Anna Johansen and Jana Bryant Wunderle, will tap images, case studies, diagrams, and plans to explain the process of turning any property into the ideal garden - a home outdoors.
Lectures will run from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Southeastern Vermont Learning Collaborative, 471 Vermont Route 5. Parking and handicapped access are available. Light refreshments will be served. There is a flat $6 per lecture fee.
For more information, call 802-257-8600 or 866-889-0042.
VCCH presents talk on upcoming health care changes
BRATTLEBORO - The Vermont Citizens Campaign for Health (VCCH) will sponsor a presentation by Peter Sterling, executive director of the Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security, on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., in the second floor conference room of the Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St.
Sterling will discuss the health care reform issues the Vermont legislature is taking up this session, what the new health care exchanges mean for ordinary people, and what's developing with Vermont's move toward a single-payer health care system.
Sterling has been a health care activist and key player in many of Vermont's health care initiatives over the past decade, and makes complex legislative and policy issues understandable to the layperson.
VCCH is a single-payer advocacy organization working since the early 1990s to establish a single-payer system in Vermont. It has worked in a unique partnership with the state of Vermont to provide outreach and advocacy for people seeking enrollment information for the state's health care programs.
There will be ample time for questions. The facility is ADA accessible. For more information, contact Richard Davis at 802-251-0915 or vcch@universalhealthvt.org.
'Water and Vermont's Changing Climate' on Feb. 7
BELLOWS FALLS - Super storms? Seasonal shifts? What's going on? Understanding our changing weather is a real challenge. On Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Rockingham Free Public Library, atmospheric scientist Alan K. Betts will explain how global climate change is modifying Vermont's water cycle and how we can move toward an adaptable and resilient future.
The public is invited to ask questions and join in the discussion at this free event, “Water and Vermont's Changing Climate.”
Dr. Betts has worked for the past three decades as an independent scientist. His work has been funded by NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation. He is a commentator for Vermont Public Radio and is a newspaper columnist.
This talk is presented by the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, the Nature Museum at Grafton, and the RFPL. The library is located at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls. Library programs are free and open to the public.
For more information, call 802-463-4270 or visit www.rockinghamlibrary.org.
Woodworking traditions celebrated
BRATTLEBORO - Are you are tired of cutting, splitting, hauling, or just looking at firewood? Then come to the Winter Farmers' Market on Saturday, Feb. 9, to see wood in a whole new way.
Works in Wood is the theme at the market that week. Visitors will see amazing woodworking artistry: traditional chairs and other pieces being carved, wood turning in action, and more. See the life and artistry hidden in a chunk of firewood, and bring home a wooden bowl, birdhouse, cutting board, wooden toy, traditional chair, wine stopper, pen, shaving brush, or other find.
Moreover, more than 20 regular market vendors are on hand to offer their wares. The Winter Farmers' Market, sponsored by Post Oil Solutions, is open Saturdays through March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden.
For more information, call 802-869-2141 or visit farmersmarket@postoilsolutions.org.
Toastmasters to meet
BRATTLEBORO - If shyness or inexperience around public speaking are holding you back, or are holding someone in your organization back, then Toastmasters is the answer.
BrattleMasters, the Brattleboro-based chapter of Toastmasters International, meets Thursday, Feb. 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Marlboro College Graduate Center, room 2E, 28 Vernon St.
On the occasion of Valentine's Day, the theme of this week's meeting is “Hot and Spicy,” by which organizers mean developing the attractive skills and confidence needed to speak to inform, persuade, entertain or inspire.
The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the same time and location. Guests are welcome and refreshments are provided. There is no pressure to speak, and members are working at their own pace and with assigned mentors to help them meet their speaking and leadership goals.
For more information, visit brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.
Neighborhood Garden hosts brunch, conversation
BELLOWS FALLS - The Atkinson Street Neighborhood Garden in Bellows Falls hosts a brunch and conversation about the garden project on Sunday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Elementary School cafeteria in Bellows Falls.
The event is free, and anyone interested in participating in, the Atkinson Street Neighborhood Garden - particularly families and children - this growing season is encouraged to attend.
Organized by the Greater Falls Community Garden Collaborative, the Atkinson Street Neighborhood Garden will consist of raised bed gardens sited at Peoples United Bank and the Meeting Waters YMCA. Participants will design their own beds and grow whatever they choose.
Financial assistance is provided. For more information, call Kari Gypson at 802-282-8669 or write kgypson@yahoo.com.
College scholarships offered for homemakers
BELLOWS FALLS - The General Federation of Women's Clubs of Vermont (GFWC-VT) announces scholarships for Vermont women who have been homemakers and who have lost their primary source of income, either through separation or divorce from their spouse or the death, disability, or long-term unemployment of their spouse.
Eligible women are in need of education or training to enter the workforce. Applicants must submit a plan for their education or training. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,500. This is the 19th year of awarding such financial aid, funded through contributions from the state federated clubs and from individuals.
The deadline for applying is March 15. Awards will be made in late April. Applications are available at the offices of Community College of Vermont and Vermont Technical School in Brattleboro, the SEVCA office in Westminster, and at Parks Place Resource Center in Bellows Falls.
For information and applications, contact Betty Haggerty at hubett@hotmail.com or 802-463-4159.
Dementia respite grants available
SPRINGFIELD - Senior Solutions (formerly the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont) offers state-funded dementia respite grants designed to help primary unpaid caregivers of elders obtain rest and relief from caregiving.
This grant requires a diagnosis of dementia and proof of income qualification. However, there are grants and resources for caregivers in a variety of situations, so all caregivers are encouraged to call the Senior HelpLine at 800-642-5119 for information.
Museum presents annual tree and shrub sale
GRAFTON - The Nature Museum at Grafton is hosting its 2013 Native Tree and Shrub Sale to benefit the museum's school and community nature programs. Native trees and shrubs provide habitat to birds, lend year-round beauty to gardens, and thrive in local climate conditions.
These trees and shrubs are perfect for your garden, and would make excellent holiday, birthday, and housewarming gifts. Gift cards and planting and care instructions are provided with the sale of gift trees.
Orders are be accepted now through March 15. Plants will arrive at The Nature Museum at Grafton for pickup in the spring.
For more details or to order trees and shrubs, call call 802-843-2111, visit www.nature-museum.org, or write info@nature-museum.org.