Pig roast benefits Floodbrook School activities
LONDONDERRY - The parents and teachers that make up the Floodbrook School Student Activities Committee (FBSAC) invite everyone to its ninth annual pig roast, which will be held at the West River Farmers' Market in Londonderry on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the junction of Routes 100 and 11.
Enjoy a hot pulled pork sandwich and an iced tea for a fair price at this one-day only, rain-or-shine activity, for all ages. Proceeds from this entirely volunteer-organized and operated event will benefit the students of Floodbrook School, with all the money raised going to the fund for local, national and international field trips.
Sierra Club, RFPL sponsor Fall Mountain hike
NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. - The Sierra Club and the Rockingham Free Public Library invite you to hike Fall Mountain and see Table Rock for yourself on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m.
Experience this stunning view of Bellows Falls and the adjacent Connecticut River basin plus get an historical perspective provided by Dan Axtell and Emily Zervas. The morning hike, which takes approximately one hour each way, involves walking mostly up a steep track with an altitude gain of about 500 feet.
Henry David Thoreau made this climb in early September, 157 years ago.
For directions and parking instructions, register in advance; registration is free. To register, or for more information, contact Denis Rydjeski at 802-885-4826, or Zervas at rockref@sover.net or 802-463-4270.
Pulled pork dinner served at Athens Brick Meeting House
ATHENS - On Sunday, Sept. 15, starting at 1 p.m., the Athens Historic Preservation Society will host an old-fashioned pulled pork dinner on the lawn of the Athens Brick Meeting House.
The cost is $15 per person, $7 for kids under 12, and will include coleslaw, baked beans, beverages, and a great community dessert buffet table.
This event is being sponsored by the Athens Historic Preservation Society (AHPS) as part of an effort to raise awareness and community support for efforts to preserve and restore this historic building.
The Meeting House is historically significant to this region, particularly for the 13 towns which formed a group for religious purposes including Athens, Grafton, Rockingham, Townshend, Londonderry, Weston, Chester, Acton, Springfield, Landgrove, Windham, Putney and Mount Holly.
These towns comprised the “Old Athens Circuit,” with the “Old Brick Church” being the Mother Church on this circuit through which preachers traveled to perform religious services. Quarterly meetings of members from all of these towns often lasted two days. For years after, regular religious services ceased at the Meetinghouse, the building was maintained by funds raised at summer events for speeches by various politicians and other notables.
The Brick Meeting House will be open for tours during the event. For more information about the day's event or the Athens Historic Preservation Society, call Beth Ann at 802-365-7740.
Hospice presents Death Café on Sept. 16
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice will once again host the Death Café.
Part of an international movement that started in Europe (wwwdeathcafe.com), the Death Cafe is dedicated to taking death out of the closet in order to discuss it publicly.
The free event will be held in Brattleboro on Monday, Sept. 16, 7 to 9 p.m., at The Works Bakery Café, 118 Main St.
People who came to the first Death Café in Brattleboro earlier this year said that the experience as comfortable, supporting a full range of emotions from tears to raucous laughter, easier than anticipated, energy charged, inspirational, and fun.
It's not a support group, or a counseling session, or even a workshop, but simply community members coming together in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere - sipping drinks, munching treats, and sharing respectful, engaging, thought-provoking, and life-affirming conversation.
The event and munchies are free and everyone is welcome, but RSVPs are a must. Call Cheryl Richards at Brattleboro Area Hospice at 802-257-0775 or cheryl.richards@brattleborohospice.org to RSVP or for more info.
Elysian Hills hosts Christmas Tree Association meeting
DUMMERSTON - On Saturday, Sept. 21, the New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association will hold its fall meeting at the Elysian Hills Tree Farm in Dummerston. Hosts of the meeting are Mary Lou and Bill Schmidt and Josh and Lexie Wilcox.
The association has some 200 members throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. It has been helping its members grow and sell better/quality Christmas trees, wreaths and related products since 1956, with an aim to promote the real Christmas tree industry.
The association has three meetings a year, two of which are at a member grower's farm. There, members learn about the latest techniques and equipment used in the industry and gain information on a wide variety of subjects such as weed and insect control, soils and fertilization, planting, shearing, harvesting, marketing, taxes, and more. In addition, marketing help is provided to growers.
Mary Lou Schmidt, the association's president, says that one of the subjects at this meeting will be on lessons that she and her husband have learned at Elysian Hills in 33 years of growing and selling Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery. Topics in the afternoon field sessions are shearing for proper tops and density, insect and disease management and control, and invasive plants. There will also be a session on wreaths and greens.
For more information about the association and meeting, contact Mary Lou Schmidt at 802-257-0233, or visit nh-vtchristmastree.org.
Pinnacle Association's Accessibility Day is Sept. 21
WESTMINSTER WEST - Once a year, the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association [WHPA] presents the public with the rare opportunity for a car ride to a special trail site.
This year, the drive, which goes over an often-rough road, will go to Paul's Ledges for lunch and an awesome, panoramic view to the west. For those who cannot hike to some of Vermont's hilltops, this is an easier way to enjoy wonderful fall scenery. The Association's need to provide four-wheel-drive vehicles for participants makes advance registration a must for riders; hikers do not need to pre-register.
Participants should bring water, a bag lunch, and sweater or jacket for chilly weather at the top. They should meet at the Westminster West Church to carpool.
Reference to the location of Westminster West Church may be found under directions to trailheads #5 and #6 on the downloadable WHPA Access Points Map found at www.windmillhillpinnacle.org. The website also lists information about other upcoming Pinnacle Association programs and projects.
Accessibility Day is a free program and will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. Leaders will be Tony Coven and Beverly Major. For information and registration, contact Bev Major at 802-387-5737 or beverlymajor65@gmail.com.
Senior Solutions presents caregiver rejuvenation retreat
SPRINGFIELD - A free retreat for family caregivers of elders will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Rejuvenate Yourself” is the theme of the retreat, which will be held at the Nolin-Murray Center in Springfield.
Vermont caregivers are encouraged to take a time-out to connect with other caregivers, gain valuable information, and learn how to lighten their load. New Hampshire residents who care for Vermont elders are also invited. Family caregivers include those who care for a relative, friend, or significant other.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Dennis McCullough, geriatrician at the Dartmouth Medical School and author of “My Mother, Your Mother.”
The retreat includes opportunities for massage, and door prize gift certificates including an overnight at a local inn. This event is sponsored by Senior Solutions and Springfield Adult Day Center, with a grant from the Fanny Holt Ames and Edna Louise Holt Fund. To register or get more information, call the Senior HelpLine at 800-642-5119 before Sept. 14.
Efficiency Vermont offers 'learn to weatherize' skillshop
BRATTLEBORO - Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Would you like to reduce your energy costs by making significant energy improvements? And be eligible for up to $2,600 from Efficiency Vermont?
Get started by registering to attend a weatherization skillshop at Brattleboro Union High School on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The do-it-yourself program of Efficiency Vermont enables homeowners to complete energy improvements themselves, under the guidance of a qualified contractor. Learn how the program works and what to expect. To register, or for more information, call 888-921-5990.
Community garden collaborative offers canning workshop
SAXTONS RIVER - As part of its continuing series of food security workshops, the Community Garden Collaborative will begin its new season with a hands-on, participatory canning workshop on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m., at Christ's Church on Main Street.
The workshop will be led by Athens neighbors Treah Pichette and Sherry Maher, who do extensive gardening and food preserving, often together. They will teach two different canning methods: the hot water bath canning procedure, which will be used for canning applesauce, as well as the pressure canning method, which will be used to make and then can tomato salsa.
Each participant will go home with a canning jar of salsa and apple sauce. Because this workshop is limited to 15 participants, pre-registration and pre-payment of the $6 materials fee are required. Call Tim Stevenson at 802-869-2141 to register. The workshop is otherwise free, though participants always pass the hat for the presenters. Light refreshments will be available.
Free tobacco cessation class at Grace Cottage
TOWNSHEND – Ready to quit smoking? Grace Cottage Hospital's “Your Quit. Your Way” tobacco cessation class can help you. Free nicotine replacement products are available for any Vermont resident enrolled in this program.
This free class will be held on six Tuesdays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 29, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., in the hospital's Community Wellness Center, 133 Grafton Rd. (Route 35). Diane Bousquet, Grace Cottage Hospital Occupational Therapy Assistant & Tobacco Treatment Specialist, will lead the group.
If you have tried to quit but are still smoking or chewing tobacco, you are particularly encouraged to attend this class. Call 802-365-3637 to register.