Beginners Tai Chi series begins in Putney
PUTNEY - Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan) can be practiced for recreation and to increase strength, flexibility, and vitality well into old age. It requires a tremendous amount of mental and physical concentration and control. It is often described as a moving meditation; after practice, one feels invigorated, clear-minded, and peaceful.
This 14-week series will be held at Medicine for the People, 125 Main St. on Fridays from 9-10 a.m. The cost is $180 for the entire series or $65 per month. It is taught by Thomas Garbarino, licensed acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan and medical Qi Gong. Call for registration, and more information at 802-387-3028 or email info@medicineforthepeople.org.
Geranium Festival benefits Pratt Library
WEST DUMMERSTON - The annual Geranium Festival and Book Sale to support the Lydia Taft Pratt Library will be held Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (book sale until 4 p.m.) at the Lydia Taft Pratt Library on 150 West St. in West Dummerston village.
This fundraiser includes an opportunity to purchase geraniums generously donated by Walker Farm, a varied book sale, refreshments, a silent auction.
This year, Sandglass Theater's Inez Zeller Bass and Coni Richards will conduct a workshop in puppet making for children eight years old and above. The workshop will last two hours from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the community center. The fee, to cover expenses for materials and payable at the door, is $5 per child, while parents are free. The workshop size is limited to 20 children. Call the library to register for the workshop at 802-254-9602.
Green Mountain Camp to hold reunion
DUMMERSTON - On Saturday, May 18, from 5 to 9 p.m., Green Mountain Camp will be celebrating 96 years of memories at their reunion for friends and alumnae.
Whether you are 9 or 90, there will be pictures, songs and stories to remind you of your magical time at Green Mountain Camp. Come see what has changed at the camp and what has stayed the same. It's a time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones as you enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner, s'mores, and singing around the campfire.
During the evening, there will be guest appearances by past GMC directors. Tickets are $10 for the evening to benefit the scholarship fund. And for $25 you can have the option of staying overnight in a cabin and enjoying a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. There is limited seating and overnight lodging; reserve your spot by calling 802-257-1751.
African supper at Guilford church raises funds for tree planting in Kenya
GUILFORD - Guilford Community Church will host an African Supper on Saturday, May 18, from 5:30-7 p.m., as a fundraiser for re-forestation efforts in Kenya.
The price of the meal for adults is $10; children ages 11 and under are $5; ages 5 and under free. The maximum charge per family will be $25. The menu includes traditional meat and vegetarian dishes such as fried plantain, African roasted vegetable soup, Samosas, Chicken Tikka, beef stew, vegetable curry, spiced red beans in coconut milk and cornbread, with Maandazi, a sweet donut, served for dessert with ginger tea.
This effort is a continuation of the long-standing partnership between the Guilford Church and the Kenyan village of Kaiguchu, where a youth contingent from Brattleboro performed service projects last spring, including tree planting, with the youth of that community. It is also part of a 50-day MISSION 4-1-Earth campaign by all UCC denominations to plant 100,000 trees worldwide in a church-wide earth care initiative.
Tickets will also be available at the door until sold out. Through this initiative, even people who can't make the supper can purchase a tree to be planted in Kenya for $1 as part of the Mission 4/1 Earth goal to plant 100,000 trees worldwide. To make reservations or for more information call 802-254-9329 or email skowings@gmail.com.
Sportsmen Inc. presents annual Kids Day on May 18
GUILFORD - Sportsmen Inc., a local hunting-fishing-shooting club located at 2081 Creamery Rd., will present its annual Kids Day for all area youths 15 and under on Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m.
This event is free to the public. The pond will be stocked with trout, just bring your worms and rods. They will also offer archery, a BB gun shoot, trap shooting, and a .22 caliber rifle range. The club will provide all firearms, ammo, and coaches, so do not bring your firearms. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks will be provided.
This event is supported by the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife. For more information, call Art Greenbaum at 802-254-1580.
Free 'Circus for Survivors' workshops offered at NECCA
BRATTLEBORO - Cancer survivors and their families - including children age 9 and up - are invited to join a special “Circus for Survivors” workshop on Saturday, May 18, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) at 74 Cotton Mill Hill.
Sponsored by Forest Moon: Lighting a Path Through Cancer, the workshop is free and open to anyone living with a cancer diagnosis at any stage and their families. The program will include juggling, low balancing wires, aerial fabrics and trapezes. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Activities will be suitable for all abilities and are wheelchair accessible. Participants are encouraged to try the circus at the level of adventure and ability they choose.
Space is limited. To register, contact Pam Roberts at 413-625-2402 or pam@forestmoon.org.
Aquaponics workshop offered in Putney
PUTNEY - Around the world, people are rediscovering aquaponics, an ancient way of cultivating fruits, vegetables, and fish together in closed systems that recycle water and nutrients.
Mark Crowther, who lives in West Brattleboro, has constructed “barrelponic” systems in which he has been growing cold weather crops year-round in his home, with the help of a school of minnows.
He will share what he's learned at a workshop on Sunday, May 19, at 1 p.m. at the Putney Library.
A $50 materials fee is required if you want to make your own aquaponic system. It will provide you with everything you need to make your own aquaponics prototype to take home.
During this introductory presentation, co-sponsored by Transition Putney and Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, Crowher will talk about the history of aquaponics, the environmental benefits, and the basics of creating a system that works.
Pre-registration is required, visit beec.org for details.
Book sale at Jamaica Memorial Library is May 25
JAMAICA - Jamaica Memorial Library will hold a book sale on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Their book sale room is bursting at the seams, so everything is priced to sell.
Buy a bag (or bring your own) and, for $5, fill it with as many books as you can. They have mysteries, short stories and a plethora of children's books. There are also movies, audio books, and sets of reference books. Find that perfect book for an afternoon read on the hammock.
Jamaica Memorial Library is located at 17 Depot St, behind the church, in Jamaica Village. Library hours are Tuesdays 2-6 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call 802-874-4901 or email jamaicapl@vals.state.vt.us.
BMH New Moms Network announces programs for May and June
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Birthing Center announced the May and June program schedule for its New Moms Network, which meets every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the BMH Exercise Room.
Chris Ellis, RD, presents “Starting Solids: Making Your Own Baby Food” on May 15. Ellis is a staff nutritionist at the Brattleboro Food Coop and part of the Early Education Services organization.
On May 22, Dawn Kersula, RN, IBCLC, presents “The Advice I Would Give Someone Else About Birth.” Kersula is a perinatal specialist and lead lactation consultant at BMH. She is also president of the Vermont Lactation Association. The final Wednesday of the month, May 29, is an open session.
On June 5, New England Youth Theatre's Jess Gelter presents “Poppa Momma Drama” followed by “Planning for the What-ifs” on June 12 by financial services professional, Inga Plisz. Michelle Stephens, author of the “JuiceBox Confessional” blog, presents “Using Your Baby Carrier” on June 19. The month closes with a screening and discussion of the infant CPR film “Baby Emergency! What do I Do?” on June 26.
The New Moms Network is a free program where new mothers meet and exchange tips and information about caring for newborns. It is open to the entire community, whether or not the child was born at BMH. Fathers and babies are also welcome. For more information, contact Kersula at 802-257-8278 or check the Events Calendar page at bmhvt.org.
Strolling of the Heifers seeks volunteers
BRATTLEBORO - Strolling of the Heifers Weekend is fast approaching, and the organization is still in urgent need of volunteers to help make it happen.
Stroll Weekend was recently named one of America's “Top 10 Summer Festivals” by travel-oriented website Livability.com. As always, Stroll organizers say, it will draw tens of thousands of people from far and wide to the area during the weekend of June 7-9.
Among other things, volunteers are needed for the following tasks: assistance at the registration table and other functions at the Slow Living Summit (June 5-7), Stroll merchandise sales on Friday evening, June 7, and all day on Saturday, June 8; parade crowd and traffic control; set-up and cleanup at most events; drivers of courtesy golf carts, “Zero Waste” recycling station monitors, cheese village “ambassadors” at the Expo, and help with the Sunday, June 9 Tour de Heifer cycling event.
Interested people can call Vicki Friedman at 802-490-2265, email her at strollvolunteers@gmail.com, or register on the Stroll's website, www.strollingoftheheifers.com, using the Volunteer link in the top menu bar. Community service credit can be provided.
This year's Strolling of the Heifers parade takes place on Saturday, June 8 at 10 a.m., on Main Street in Brattleboro, followed by the all-day, 11-acre Slow Living Expo on the Brattleboro Common and Retreat grounds, with additional events on June 7 and June 9.