Higley Hill Road closed for construction
WILMINGTON - Due to road construction work, Higley Hill Road will be closed to traffic from Stonebrook Road to Atherton Road from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 10 and 11, and Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 15 and 16.
WBA meeting scheduled for Sept. 11
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) is at the New England House on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m.
After reviewing the treasury and other housekeeping items, the group will take up “Revitalizing Southern Vermont's Villages: West Brattleboro,” a report made available by the Windham Regional Commission and the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation.
The WBA will discuss the report's four key strategies: supporting community development, enhancing the streetscape, improving pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and supporting economic development.
The WBA has long advocated gains on each of these strategies, including pushing for the repaving of Route 9 and the improvement of safer bike lanes and pedestrian crosswalks. WBA President Michael Bosworth says he is particularly interested in discussing the “Actions, Time Frames, and Responsibilities” section of the report.
Brattleboro Police host 'Coffee with a Cop'
BRATTLEBORO - Residents are invited to join members of the Brattleboro Police Department for coffee and conversation on Friday, Sept. 12, from 7 to 9 a.m. at The Works on Main Street.
According to a department spokesperson, most contacts citizens have with law enforcement occur during emergencies or other emotional situations. Coffee with a Cop is intended as a unique, relaxed opportunity for community members to ask questions of officers and to learn more about the department's work in Brattleboro's neighborhoods.
For more information, contact officers Ryan Washburn and Adam Petlock at 802-257-7950.
Healing walk at Manitou
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project invites you to a healing meditation walk on Friday, Sept. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Manitou's Sanctuary Trail. Guided by Kirsten Edelglass, the walk includes poems or other readings and occasions to share about the experience.
Such walks are held on the second and fourth Friday of the month until mid October. For more information, call Edelglass at 802-579-4496.
Public invited to Trail Talk for I-91 bridge project
BRATTLEBORO - The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the next on-site “trail talk” for the public on Saturday, Sept. 12. These talks take up the status of the Interstate 91 Brattleboro Bridge Project and allow the public to ask questions.
The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the Marina. The talk is led by Caleb Linn, project manager for PCL, the lead contractor.
Participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead at 8 a.m. The talk begins at 8:15. Participants will walk the trail to the I-91 bridge site, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Youth Market Day, pig roast offered Sept. 13 at West River Farmers' Market
LONDONDERRY - On Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., local youth are invited to vend at the West River Farmers Market.
All youth with products they have grown, created, or otherwise produced are encouraged to apply. There is no fee to participate, but youth vendors must have had a primary role in the creation of their products. For applications, visit the West River Farmers' Market website or the manager's booth at the market.
Also on Sept. 13, FBSAC is holding a pig roast to raise funds for activities offered at Flood Brook School.
Registration continues for Brattleboro Women's Chorus
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Women's Chorus has openings for its 19th fall session. A new Thursday morning rehearsal time is offered to accommodate women who might not be able to participate in the evening.
Registration is open for the 2014 fall session on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at All Souls Church in West Brattleboro and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro.
Women, and girls over 10, are welcome, and there are no auditions. Songs are learned mostly by rote and by ear, and music is an eclectic mix of spirited, spiritual pieces drawn from around the world. The theme this session is travel - near, far, and staying home.
While many singers enjoy performing, some prefer to sing weekly and not participate in the concert at the end of the session. The fee is $110, there are family and student rates, and financial aid is available. For more information visit BrattleboroWomensChorus.org, write bwchorus@gmail.com, or call 802-254-8994.
Chicken pie supper served in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Evening Star Grange hosts a raffle and chicken pie supper at the Grange Hall in Dummerston Center on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The dinner features old-fashioned chicken pie with homemade biscuits, mashed potatoes, scalloped onions, corn pudding casserole, coleslaw, butternut squash, Harvard beets, and apple desserts.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Toddlers eat free.
BMH promotes free child car-seat inspection service
BRATTLEBORO – In honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week on Sept. 14-20, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is promoting a free child car-seat inspection service offered by the state of Vermont to parents and caregivers.
Before a new baby is discharged from the hospital, parents or caregivers must have the baby's car seat inspected by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA)-certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician.
The technician ensures there are no recalls or safety issues with the car seat and instructs on the proper selection, installation, and use of the car seat. The inspection, available at the fitting station at Auto Mall on Putney Road in Brattleboro, is by appointment on Mondays from 3 to 6 p.m. To reach Auto Mall, call 802-257-5100.
For more information about child passenger safety, visit www.beseatsmart.org.
Computer training available at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - Rockingham Free Public Library offers a new computer skills training program, providing individual coaching sessions, beginning Monday, Sept. 15.
Trainings are free and open to the public. No computer experience is necessary; a computer will be available for trainees' use. Each session runs approximately one hour.
Sessions are led by skilled RFPL volunteers Mary Geoffrion and Justin Garciadealba. Geoffrion is available for coaching sessions on weekday mornings and early afternoons; Garciadealba is available Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursdays from 3 to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To register, call the RFPL at 802-463-4270 or write sam@rockinghamlibrary.org.
Homeschool hawk watch at The Nature Museum
PUTNEY - On Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Nature Museum at Grafton hosts Homeschool Hawk Watch on Putney Mountain.
This interactive naturalist program is designed for homeschoolers ages 7 to 16 and their families. Join The Nature Museum's educator, Lynn Morgan, and the Putney Mountain Hawk Watch Team for an exciting day of hawk watching. Hawk watchers have been visiting this site, which features strong thermal air currents used by migrating birds of prey, for more than 40 years. Sept. 16 traditionally is the largest count day, averaging 800 birds.
Students will work with hawk experts and learn why hawk watching is important and the procedures used in collecting scientifically valuable flight numbers. This program includes interactive activities for homeschoolers of all ages. Parents are welcome to join their children on this hawking adventure. This five-hour program costs $20 per child, or $40 per family.
Meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot for the Ridge Line Trail trail head on Putney Mountain. The day includes lessons in raptor identification and ecology, binocular use, a moderate, three-quarter-mile hike to the summit, and hawk watching with experts.
For registration and complete preparation information, visit www.nature-museum.org.
Pinnacle Association's Accessibility Day program is Sept. 20
WESTMINSTER WEST - Anyone needing physical help in getting to a most spectacular view of Vermont can take advantage of the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association's Accessibility Day on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Start time is 10:45 or 11 a.m., depending on start location. The day ends at 4 p.m. This is an annual vehicle ride over rough road to Paul's Ledges.
There, participants will gather for lunch and enjoy outstanding views of the countryside. Program leaders are Tony Coven and Bev Major. The popularity of this free program and the need for several four-wheel-drive vehicles to transport participants make advance registrations a must for riders. Hikers need not pre-register.
Bring water, a bag lunch, snack, and sweater or jacket for possible chilly weather. Meet promptly at Westminster West Church at 10:45 a.m., or at the Athens Dome Trailhead on Route 35, opposite Sleepy Valley Road, at 11 a.m. to carpool.
Riding participants must register with Bev Major at 802-387-5737. For directions to the Westminster West Church, and for information about other upcoming Pinnacle programs, visit events at www.windmillhillpinnacle.org.