Toastmasters to meet
BRATTLEBORO - BrattleMasters, the Brattleboro-based chapter of Toastmasters International, meets Thursday, March 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Marlboro College Graduate Center, room 2E, 28 Vernon St.
The theme of this week's meeting is “Speak Up to Win,” focusing on what it takes to advocate for oneself on the job and for a more prosperous career. Four new member inductions are also scheduled. Refreshments are provided.
The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the same time and location. Guests are welcome. For more information, visit brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.
NAMI Vermont hosts Family-to-Family Education Program
BELLOWS FALLS - NAMI Vermont, the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will sponsor the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program for families of persons diagnosed with mental health challenges.
The 12-week series of classes starts on March 14 and meets once a week during the early evening hours.
The course covers information about schizophrenia; the mood disorders bipolar disorder and major depression; borderline personality disorder; panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder; coping skills such as handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medications; listening and communication techniques; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and self care around worry and stress.
The curriculum was written by an experienced family member mental health professional and the course will be taught by NAMI Vermont family member volunteers who have taken intensive training as course instructors. For more information or to register, call Laurie Emerson, NAMI Vermont program director, at 800-639-6480, ext. 102, or write program@namivt.org.
Halifax Senior Meal served on March 15
HALIFAX - The monthly Halifax Senior Meal is Friday, March 15, at noon, at the Community Hall at the intersection of Brook and Branch roads in West Halifax.
On the menu is New England boiled dinner, with corn bread, rolls, and a dessert. All seniors are welcome. Sponsored by Senior Solutions. Reservations are appreciated; call Joan Courser at 802-368-7733.
BF Winter Farmers' Market wraps up season
BELLOWS FALLS - The last Bellows Falls Winter Farmers' Market of the season is Friday, March 15, from 4-7 p.m., inside the Train Station.
The Farmers' Market, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in May, is accepting applications now for the 2013 summer season. The market is always looking for farmers, crafters, and prepared food vendors to join. Visit www.bffarmersmarket.com for details and application.
The market still has plenty of Harvest Health Coupons to give away. Just swipe your EBT card at the manager's booth, and the market will match your purchase dollar for dollar (maximum $10 per visit). The farmer's market accepts both EBT/debit as well as Farm to Family and Harvest Health coupons. For additional information, contact market manager Rachel Ware at bellowsfallsmarket@gmail.com or 802-463-2018.
Wilmington offers rabies clinic
WILMINGTON - There will be a rabies clinic at the Wilmington Fire House on Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Veterinarian Miles Powers will be in attendance to administer vaccinations, and licensing will be available to Wilmington dog owners.
For questions, call the Wilmington Town Clerk's office at 802-464-5836.
Potluck, dance a double Putney fundraiser
PUTNEY - On Saturday, March 16, the Putney Community Center will host a potluck dinner and dance fundraiser for Putney Cares and the Putney Community Center from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Suggested donation for the “Big Bash Potluck & Dance Double Fundraiser” is $5 to $10.
Folks are invited to bring their favorite dish and/or a beverage for the potluck feast (no alcoholic beverages, please). The DJ'ed music will be an eclectic mix of danceable tunes.
The Putney Community Center, located at 10 Christian Square, a block off Main Street, has provided a range of educational, cultural, recreational, and social services for the community since 1925. The historic, wheelchair accessible building has hosted a wide range of activities, including community events, benefits, movies and dances, summer school programs, and is currently the home of the Putney Food Shelf.
Putney Cares supports the needs of elders in the community so that they can remain independent for as long as possible. The range of services and programs they provide includes transportation for seniors to medical appointments, lending medical equipment, Meals on Wheels, monthly lunches, the Artist in Each of Us, Gentle Yoga, Living Strong, Folk Dancing, and the monthly foot clinic. Putney Cares also maintains the Noyes House, a home for shared living for seniors in Putney.
Tree pruning workshop on March 17
WESTMINSTER WEST - A fruit tree pruning workshop takes place Sunday, March 17, from 10 a.m.-noon, at the Westminster West School, 3724 Westminster West Rd.
The demonstration workshop, sponsored by the Windham County Extension Master Gardener program, will be hosted by Gay Foster of Hollyhock Farm in Putney. Foster has had many years experience working for Green Mountain Orchard, as well as maintaining clients of her own, and will demonstrate how to prune fruit trees.
This is a hands-on workshop, so feel free to bring your own pruning tools. RSVP via email to windhamcountyemg@gmail.com. Donations gratefully accepted.
AARP Chapter to meet March 19
BRATTLEBORO - Members of Brattleboro AARP Chapter #763 and friends are invited to attend the chapter's monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 19, at 2 p.m., at the Brattleboro Senior Center.
The program for this month will be “The Road For Investing and Estate Planning,” presented by Thomas McRae of Edward Jones.
Tax help available at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - Tax forms from the Internal Revenue Service and the Vermont Department of Taxes are no longer being mailed directly to homes, and fewer forms are to be found in familiar places like post offices and libraries.
The Rockingham Free Public Library has a limited supply of common tax forms, and printing available for additional forms and instructions. To order forms and instructions in the mail, call 800-TAX-FORM, or 866-828-2865.
For people needing help preparing their taxes, the RFPL has a limited number of appointments available on March 19 and 21 with AARP Tax Help volunteers from the Bellows Falls Senior Center. Call 802-463-4279 for more information. Alternately, people can call 211 to connect with SEVCA's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Vermont 211 is a service of the United Way connecting Vermonters to community services.
More tax information is available at rockinghamlibrary.org/taxinfo.html.
Guilford Church Sugar-on-Snow supper March 16
GUILFORD - The Sugar-on-Snow Supper at Guilford Community Church will be held on Saturday, March 16.
There are three seatings: 4:30, 5:45, and 7 p.m. Prices are $10 adults, $5 children age 11 and under, and $3 for preschoolers. For reservations, call 802-254-9562 or email guilfordchurchsupper@gmail.com.
The menu features ham, baked beans, deviled eggs, potato salad, coleslaw, freshly baked rolls, sugar on snow, homemade doughnuts, pickles, and coffee, tea or milk. Maple syrup will be raffled off during each seating. All proceeds benefit the church, which actively supports more than 15 local programs that serve the community, including Brattleboro Area Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and Brigid's Kitchen.
From Interstate 91 Exit 1 in Brattleboro, go south on Route 5 just past Guilford Country Store, left on Bee Barn Road, then left again on Church Drive.
Bereaved Parents Support Group forms
BRATTLEBORO - A new eight-week Bereaved Parents Support Group for parents who are mourning the death of their teenage or young adult child will begin at Brattleboro Area Hospice on April 1.
The group will meet Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m. Lynn Martin will be the facilitator.
The death of a child can be one of the most devastating of losses. Sharing with other grieving parents is often a powerful component in the healing process. Brattleboro Area Hospice also offers other bereavement support groups. These groups are free of charge, and it is not necessary to have a prior connection with Hospice to participate.
Call Cheryl Richards at 802-257-0775, ext. 108, by March 20 to register.
BMH Doula Program seeks volunteers
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Doula Program is seeking new volunteers. The training starts in late March.
A doula is a person who supports women in childbirth. Any woman who is planning on having a baby at BMH is eligible to have a doula attend her birth at no cost to the mother. Research shows that doulas present at birth can lead to decreased rates of caesarian sections, decreased requests for pain medications, shortened labors, and increased maternal satisfaction.
The doula training starts March 27, during World Doula Week, and runs for six weeks on Wednesday evenings. A $75 fee includes books. Anyone interested should contact Carol Schnabel at cschnabel@bmhvt.org or 802-257-1894.
Dummerston Kindergarten registration
DUMMERSTON - Kindergarten registration will be held on Tuesday, March 26 at Dummerston School on Schoolhouse Road.
Call the school at 802-254-2733 to make an appointment if you have a child, or know of a child, that will be five before Sept. 1, 2013.
Arch Bridge Society to meet March 27
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. - The Chesterfield Arch Bridge Society will hold its first meeting of 2013 on Wednesday, March 27, at 7 p.m., at the Riverview Motel in West Chesterfield.
The society was formed in 2009 by a group of concerned citizens to preserve and enhance the Justice Harlan Fiske Stone pedestrian bridge over the Connecticut River. It is the society's hope that with the increased use of the bridge for cultural and artistic events, it will become a popular tourist destination.
All are welcome to their events. Visit www.hfsarchbridge.com for more information.
Moore Free Library offers scholarships
NEWFANE - Generously funded by the family of the late Robert L. Crowell, the Moore Free Library is again offering a total of $12,000 in scholarships.
These awards are open to students residing in Newfane, Williamsville, South Newfane, and Brookline who will be entering their first year of college this fall. The scholarship committee will consider academics, contributions to the community, and financial need. The number of scholarships awarded and the award amounts will be determined by the applications received.
Applications should include a brief autobiography (including plans for continued study and the name of the school to which you have been accepted), high school transcript, and a letter of reference. Completed applications should be submitted by May 1 to Board of Trustees, Moore Free Library, P.O. Box 208, Newfane, VT 05345.
RVTC seeks students for 2013-14
SPRINGFIELD - The River Valley Technical Center (RVTC) is now accepting applications for the 2013-14 school year.
RVTC offers programs in carpentry, industrial trades, mechanical design innovation, business and financial services, culinary arts, human services, criminal justice, horticulture and natural resources, tech essentials, hands-on computers, audio and video production, and health careers.
The Center also offers ninth- and 10th-graders the opportunity to explore all program areas through enrollment in the pre-technical studies program. Their cooperative education program offers job shadows, internships and cooperative work opportunities for all students. Many programs provide college credit.
RVTC serves Bellows Falls Union High School, Black River High School, Fall Mountain Regional High School, Green Mountain Union High School, and Springfield High School, as well as non-traditional students. Download an enrollment application at RVTC.org or call the guidance office at 802-885-8305.
Sign-ups for Little League in Brattleboro begin
BRATTLEBORO - Sign-ups for the 2013 season of the Brattleboro Little League will be held on Tuesday, March 19 and 26, from 4:30-6 p.m., at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street.
Any boy or girl, ages 9-12, who intends to try out for a Little League team must sign up at either of these times. Children who live in Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Vernon, Marlboro, Halifax. Newfane, or Putney are eligible to play in the league. Returning players should also sign up as well. A fee of $50 will be collected, and raffle tickets distributed at this time. New players must bring a birth certificate or passport to sign-ups.
Tryouts for Little League will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the BUHS gym, with 11- and 12-year-olds trying out at 9 a.m., and 9- and 10-year-olds trying out at 9:30 a.m. Coaches will hold a draft on April 2 to select those who tried on March 30.
Coaches and adult volunteers are asked to meet at the Little League field on South Main Street on Saturday, April 13, at 9 a.m., for the annual spring clean-up and grounds maintenance. Any questions? Call David Cyr at 802-254-2470.