Town seeks to fill vacancies on committees
BRATTLEBORO - The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards: Agricultural Advisory Board; BASIC (Brattleboro Area Skatepark is Coming – must be a Brattleboro resident); Conservation Commission; Development Review Board; Development Review Board alternate; Energy Committee; Fence Viewer (by statute, must be a legal voter of the town); Honor Roll Committee; Inspector, Lumber Shingles, and Wood; Planning Commission; Recreation and Parks Board; Senior Solutions representative; and SEVCA representative.
For applications and more information, visit www.brattleboro.org or call the Town Manager's office at 802-251-8151.
If you are interested in serving on a Brattleboro committee or board, submit your application online at 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, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. The Selectboard will make appointments at its meeting on Feb. 3.
Putney Co-op board plans work session
PUTNEY - The board of the Putney Food Co-op has scheduled a work session to discuss potential bylaws revisions with interested members.
This forum will be held at the Putney Public Library from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15.
The session will begin a thorough review of the proposed bylaws revisions, evaluating the changes and soliciting specific comments and recommendations. Co-op members are invited to attend.
Historical Society holds annual meeting
DUMMERSTON - The annual meeting of the Dummerston Historical Society is on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Historical Society Schoolhouse on Middle Road in Dummerston Center.
The 7 p.m. business meeting will include the election of officers and adoption of the 2015 budget.
At 7:30 p.m., “Green Mountain Lands” will be shown, courtesy of Allan and Sally Seymour. This 1950s film highlights life on the farm in Dummerston and features a square dance sequence with Ted Glabach as caller/narrator. A number of other Dummerston residents are also in the film.
The Historical Society welcomes visitors; programs are free and handicapped accessible.
Two Czech artists open exhibit at Putney School
PUTNEY - Two artists from the Czech Republic, Viktor Valášek and Conrad Armstrong, will open a joint show entitled “Artifice and Wilderness” at The Putney School gallery in the Michael S. Currier Center on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. The show runs through March 15.
In their work, both Valášek and Armstrong are interested in the line between narrative and reality. Using a variety of approaches, they look to history, to landscape, and to society for subjects that stand out as emblems of time, place, and mindset.
Tim Eriksen, who enjoys popularity in the Czech Republic, will offer musical entertainment during the opening.
Woodland Owners Association hosts Timber Frame Tour
WALPOLE, N.H. - On Friday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Windham Regional Woodlands Association presents a tour led by Trustee and Consulting Forester Hayden Lake of two woodworking shops specializing in designing and building post-and-beam style timber frame structures.
The first visit is to Bensonwood Homes in Walpole, which was founded by Tedd Benson in the 1970s. It has evolved to become a state-of-the-art timber frame company, employing 65 people and raising frames all over the United States.
The second visit is just up the hill, also in Walpole, to the workshop of Tom Page. Here, participants will learn more about timber-framing from a two-to-three person operation using more traditional methods and local woods.
Both tour locations are in heated shops. Dogs are not allowed. Carpooling is a plus. Prepare to stand on hard surfaces for a few hours.
Directions: From Route 5 at Westminster Station, take Route 123 across the Connecticut River into Walpole. Turn right on Route 12 South and go approximately five miles. Blackjack Crossing and a sign for Bensonwood will be on the left. Meet in Bensonwood Homes parking lot, 6 Blackjack Crossing, a few minutes before 10 a.m. Contact Hayden Lake at 802-376-5984 or cohoshforestry@gmail.com.
Roast pork supper served at Methodist Church
BRATTLEBORO - The First United Methodist Church hosts a roast pork supper on Friday, Jan. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu is roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, applesauce, homemade sauerkraut, corn, rolls, butter, coffee, tea, milk, and homemade cookies.
Takeouts are available. The meal is $11 for adults, $5 for children 8-12, and free for those under 8. Proceeds benefit the church, which is at 18 Town Crier Dr., across from Cota & Cota. (Handicapped accessible, ample parking.) For more information contact the church at fumcob@gmail.com or call 802-254-4218.
Marlboro Alliance presents annual Book Swap
MARLBORO - The Marlboro Alliance presents the 14th annual January Thaw Book Swap on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Town House in Marlboro Center.
Bring books to share, and browse and take home any books you like. Free. You may leave the remainder of your books or pick them up by noon.
Tea and baked treats are also offered for free, although donations are welcome.
Community forum to be held in Townshend
TOWNSHEND - “Peace, Love, and Community” is the theme for an open meeting on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. at Townshend Church on the Common.
The conversation continues the momentum generated by concerned residents attempting to respond to the recent Townshend tragedies. Everyone is invited, especially people in the 10-town area served by Leland & Gray Union High School.
Since November, representatives from all parts of the community have been getting together to find ways to support each other. Their mission is to bring people together to create belonging, interconnectedness, recovery, hope, and violence prevention.
Events for all ages, with music and food, are being planned.
Workshop seeks to help commercial property owners with grants, incentives
WILMINGTON - A special informational workshop for Southern Vermont commercial property owners and economic development staff will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Town Office Meeting Room. Light refreshments will be served.
The workshop agenda is as follows:
• Gary Holloway, Downtown Program coordinator, will provide an overview and benefits of the Downtown & Village Centers Programs.
• Caitlin Corkins, Tax Credits & Grants coordinator at the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development, will speak about the Historic Tax Credits program, including the mechanics and eligibility, how to apply, understanding the scoring criteria, and creating a strong application.
• Paul Bruhn, executive director of Preservation Trust of Vermont, will provide examples of Community Supported Enterprises and how they function. He also will speak about how a field representative can assist in a historic building restoration project.
• Susan McMahon, associate director of Windham Regional Commission, will speak about redevelopment resources and brownfield information.
The event is sponsored by Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development, Windham Regional Commission, Preservation Trust of Vermont, Wilmington Works, and the Town of Wilmington.
To RSVP, or for more information, contact Gretchen Havreluk at 802-464-8591, ext 117 or ghavreluk@wilmingtonvt.us.
Senior Companion program to hold info meeting
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Senior Center and Senior Solutions present Abby Eldridge, a case manager with Senior Solutions, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11:30 a.m. at the Brattleboro Senior Center, 207 Main St., to describe the Senior Companion program.
Senior companions are volunteers aged 55 and over who receive a stipend for providing much-needed support to frail and home-bound elders trying to remain at home safely.
Companions can assist with light housekeeping, grocery shopping, reminding to take medications, reading to someone, or helping prepare letters. This volunteer service can provide respite support for family caregivers. Companions say they enjoy sharing conversations, playing cards, and developing friendships. For more information, call the Senior Helpline at 800-642-5119 or the Senior Center at 802-257-7570.
Westminster Cares hosts open house
WESTMINSTER - The community is invited to an open house in Westminster Cares' new office in the Westminster Institute, 3534 Route 5, on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Donna Dawson, director of Westminster Cares, and members of the board of directors will be there to meet guests. Share coffee, cocoa, cider, cake, and cookies with the organization's representatives, and take a look around at the new space.
The Institute is at 3534 Route 5, in Westminster Village. From the front lobby of the Institute, turn left and go down the stairs. The office is on the left at the bottom of the stairs. From the back entrance of the Institute, go straight down the hall to the end, make a right and a quick left past the kitchen. This entrance is handicapped accessible.
For more information, contact Donna Dawson at 802-722-3607 or wcares@sover.net. Stop by during office hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, or Fridays by appointment.