Volunteers sought for town committees
BRATTLEBORO - The town of Brattleboro is looking for residents to serve on the following committees and boards: Agricultural Advisory Board, Arts Committee, BASIC (Brattleboro Area Skatepark is Coming), CPCC (Citizen Police Communications Committee), Development Review Board Alternate, Fence Viewer, Honor Roll Committee, Inspector of Lumber, Shingles & Wood, Senior Solutions Representative, SEVCA Representative. Skating Rink Committee (do not have to be a resident), Town Service Officer, and the Tree Advisory Committee.
The newly formed ad hoc Skating Rink Committee was formed by the Selectboard on July 16 with the mission to review options available to the Town to replace and/or repair the aging components of the Nelson Withington Skating Rink and to consider the following matters: costs, types of refrigerant, energy efficiencies, current and future operating costs, seasonal use of the facility, and financial burdens on the town and facility users.
Applications and more information about various committees and boards can be found on the Brattleboro website, www.brattleboro.org, or by calling the Town Manager's office (802-251-8151).
If you are a Brattleboro resident and interested in serving on a Brattleboro committee or board, submit your application on-line, or send an e-mail to the Town Manager's office – tmsecretary@brattleboro.org - or mail or deliver the application to: Brattleboro Town Manager's Office, Attn: Committee Vacancy, 230 Main St., Suite 208, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. The Selectboard will make appointments at its Aug. 20 meeting.
Townshend Dam Road closure extended
TOWNSHEND - Due to unseen needs, the inspection and maintenance work on the Townshend Dam Road Bridge will be delayed.
The bridge will now be closed through Friday, Aug. 30. State Forest Road remains the detour.
National Farmers' Market Week to be celebrated in BF
BELLOWS FALLS - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed Aug. 4-10 as National Farmers' Market Week.
In celebration, the Bellows Falls Farmers Market will present a petting zoo at the Aug. 9 market. Come and visit goat kids, ducklings, chickens, rabbits, and more. They will also have a variety of children's craft and activities, as well as live music.
Since 2000, the number of farmers markets has grown 150 percent, from 2,863 markets to 7,175 in 2011. These numbers continue to rise as farmers markets become fresh food mainstays for shoppers across all socio-economic, political, and ethnic ranges. Farmers' markets bolster local economies, improve community health, and bring diverse groups of people together through a shared social space.
The Bellows Falls Farmers Market, which began in 2004, and currently has 18 farmers selling a wide variety of products, including fresh organic vegetables, beef, pork, chicken, cheese, fresh breads, maple syrup, canned goodies, prepared foods, crafts, and more.
The market is held every Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Waypoint Center. EBT/Debit cards, and Farm to Family and Harvest Health Coupons are accepted. For additional information, contact market manager Rachel Ware at bellowsfallsmarket@gmail.com or 802-463-2018.
Healing walk at Manitou
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project will hold a healing walk on Friday, Aug. 9, from 4-6 p.m. This meditative walk on Manitou's Sanctuary Trail will be guided by Kirsten Edelglass, and includes poems and other readings, and chances to share about the experience.
Healing walks will be held every second and fourth Friday until the middle of October. For information, contact Edelglass at 802-579-4496.
Dummerston Community Center to hold tag sale
DUMMERSTON - The Dummerston Community Center will hold a tag sale on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. until noon. Items for sale include clothing, furniture, games, books, toys, kitchenware, and much more. Coffee and Lester's doughnuts will also be served.
The sale will benefit the Dummerston Community Center's operating and maintenance costs. For more information, call Jean at 802-254-9212 or Ann at 802-254-2415.
Methodists host Blueberry Fest on Aug. 10
BRATTLEBORO - The First United Methodist Church will hold its annual Blueberry Festival, rain or shine, on Saturday, Aug. 10.
Festivities will begin at 7 a.m. with a family-style blueberry pancake breakfast until 10:30 a.m. The cost is $7. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served for lunch at $5/$6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event continues through 2:30 p.m. Featured outside will be crafts of jewelry, homemade chocolates, baby items, wood items, gift baskets, and cloth items. Fresh blueberries, baked blueberry goods, pies, and ice cream may be purchased at the Blueberry Pavilion.
Other festivities include a silent auction and a cruise night featuring the Now and Then Car Club of Southern Vermont, and musical guest Sandra Croce.
The church is located at 18 Town Crier Drive, off Putney Road. There is ample parking and the entry way is handicapped accessible. For further information, visit gbgm-umc.org/Brattleboro or contact fumc@sover.net or 892-254-4218.
Pool closes for season on Aug. 11
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department announces that the swimming pool at Living Memorial Park will close for the season on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m.
RFPL has free museum, state park passes
ROCKINGHAM - The Rockingham Free Public Library would like to help you take a Vermont mini-vacation this summer. It offers patrons passes to many of the Green Mountain State's fascinating, gorgeous, and fun places, all at no charge.
Enjoy camping, hiking, and swimming with a pass that can take you to more than 35 Vermont State Parks. See birds up close and personal, take workshops, see exhibits, go to camp at the Vermont Institute for Natural Science (VINS) and The Nature Museum at Grafton (which also has cool events like Local Fairy House Tours). Or visit history where it happened - from Battle Monuments to the homes of former U.S. Presidents - with a Vermont State Historic Sites pass.
All passes are free to RFPL cardholders; they can be reserved for specific dates, and are great for individuals and families. Call RFPL for more details 802-463-4270 or stop by the Library, now open in a temporary location at 41 The Square in Bellows Falls.
The complete list of passes available: Vermont State Parks, Vermont Institute for Natural Science, The Nature Museum at Grafton, Vermont State Historic Sites, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington, the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier, Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, and The Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown, N.H.
Lead paint certification courses offered
BRATTEBORO - Lead Safe and Healthy Homes, in collaboration with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, will host free lead paint safety courses for those interested in learning more about Vermont's Lead Law.
Vermont's Essential Maintenance Practices (EMP) classes will take place on Tuesdays; Aug. 20 and Oct. 22, at the Howard Dean Education Center in Springfield and Sept. 17 and Nov. 19 at the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust's Daly Shoe Building in Brattleboro, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Vermont Law requires that all landlords, contractors, and daycare facility owners disturbing more than 1 sq. ft. of paint in a rental property or child occupied facility built before 1978 be EMP certified.
Lead Safe and Healthy Homes is also hosting EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) classes on Tuesdays; Aug. 27 and Oct. 29 at the Springfield Fire Station and Sept. 24 and Nov. 26 at the Daly Shoe Building in Brattleboro, from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. These federal certification classes are $150 to register.
All landlords and contractors that disturb more than 6 sq. ft. of paint are required to obtain EPA certification or be supervised by a certified renovator.
At these trainings participants will learn about the requirements of Vermont's lead paint law and related federal regulations, the health effects of lead in children and adults, and lead-safe work practices. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Contact Lead Safe and Healthy Homes at 802-463-9927, ext. 208 or ext. 207 with any questions or to register.
AARP Safe Driving Class offered on Aug. 24
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and AARP are co-sponsoring a Driver Safety program on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Brew Barry Conference Room.
This driver's refresher course is for people ages 55 and over and is designed to provide awareness of aging as it affects driving. The class covers normal physical changes associated with aging, provides practical techniques to compensate, and review “rules of the road” with an emphasis on defensive driving practices.
Space is limited to 20 participants. The cost is $12 for AARP members with a membership card and $14 for non-AARP members. Call 802-251-8425 to register in advance. Fee covers materials only. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch.
Motorcycle ride benefits food pantry
WEST DOVER - The third annual Deerfield Valley Food Pantry Benefit Motorcycle Ride will be held Saturday, Aug. 24. The self-guided, 100-plus mile ride will take riders through Southern Vermont and Massachusetts. A $20 donation per participant includes the ride, an event t-shirt and a barbecue meal.
Registration takes place from 9-10 a.m., and the after-ride party will be 3:30-5:30 p.m., both at Valley View Saloon, 131 VT Route 100. Vendors will be at Valley View Saloon all day, and a photographer will be at Mt. Greylock 10 a.m.-noon, taking pictures of the riders. Raffle tickets will be sold and the prizes drawn at the party.
All proceeds benefit the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry. This event is sponsored by Entergy Vermont Yankee, Valley View Saloon,and Valley Tees. For more information, contact bikeride@deerfieldvalleyfoodpantry.com.
Hospice offers volunteer training this fall
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer its fall volunteer training on Thursdays beginning Sept. 12 and continuing until Nov. 21. The trainings run from 1 to 4 p.m. and are held at BAH, 191 Canal Street, Brattleboro. Applications are due Aug. 21.
Hospice volunteers help and support neighbors and their families who are living with life-threatening illnesses throughout Windham County. Help may range from errands and gardening to emotional and physical support. Volunteers report the work is challenging and very rewarding.
Training topics include Hospice philosophy, nuts and bolts of volunteering, ethical issues, personal attitudes toward death and dying, and grief issues among others. Presenters include professionals from the community as well as Hospice staff and volunteers. Call the Hospice office for an application at 802-257-0775. A $40 contribution for the course is requested.