Emergency Winter Shelter training offered for new and current volunteers
BRATTLEBORO - On Sunday Feb. 15, the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center will host a training for volunteers who help manage and maintain the Emergency Winter Shelter. This training will begin at 1:30 p.m. at downtown Brattleboro's First Baptist Church, 190 Main St.
This training will be attended by both new and current volunteers. The agenda includes a meet-and-greet, an overview of volunteer responsibilities, and time for current volunteers to share best practices with all of the participants in the training. Complimentary snacks and coffee will be provided to the volunteers who attend the training.
The shelter provides a safe, warm place to stay as well as a dinner meal for the individuals and families in our region who face situations of homelessness. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join our team of Emergency Winter Shelter Volunteers. Two shifts of volunteers operate the shelter each night, one from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and another from 1 to 7 a.m.
If you wish to be involved with the shelter as a volunteer, contact the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center at 802-257-5415 or overflow.bratt@gmail.com.
Brattleboro Senior Meals hosts birthday luncheon, Valentine's celebration
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Senior Center and The Brattleboro Senior Meals Program will host its February Birthday Luncheon and Valentine's Celebration on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 11:30 a.m., at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.
Join us for a meal of appetizers, punch, herbed roast beef, baked potatoes, cauliflower and red peppers, and a Valentine cake with mangoes and ice cream. Those with birthdays in the month of February are invited to celebrate the occasion by sitting at the birthday table. The donation for birthday diners is waived for the day. They may invite one guest to sit with them; however that guest is encouraged to make the regular donation.
The suggested donation for seniors 60 years of age and over is $4 and $6 for all others. Entertainment will be provided. Reservations may be made at 802-257-1236 or 802-257-7570, and state whether you are celebrating a birthday and how many spots you wish to reserve at the Birthday table.
Putney Co-op plans work session on by-laws
PUTNEY - The board of the Putney Food Co-op has scheduled a second work session at the Putney Public Library from 7 to 9 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Participants will discuss potential by-laws revisions with interested members. The work session will continue with a thorough review of the proposed bylaws revisions, evaluating the changes and soliciting specific comments and recommendations. All co-op members are invited to attend.
Rescheduled Osher lecture on American democracy
DUMMERSTON-The third and final Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Midwinter lecture, postponed from Feb. 2, will be presented on Monday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. (This is a change from the announced date of Feb. 9.)
This winter's lectures are collectively titled “Is the U.S. a Democracy?” The series asks whether our government is democratically responsive to the people, or has become predominantly a government favoring the rich and powerful?
The lecturer is Michael Krasner of Westminster, a member of the political science faculty at Queens College, SUNY, and an experienced Osher presenter.
The lecture will take place at the Southeastern Vermont Learning Collaborative, 471 Vermont Route 5. (Snow date: Feb. 17.) Parking and handicapped access are available. Light refreshments will be served. The fee for OLLI members and nonmembers both is $6. For more information, call 802-257-8600 or toll-free 866-889-0042.
AARP chapter presents Valentine's lunch
BRATTLEBORO - Join AARP Chapter 763 for their Valentine's Luncheon at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street.
On the menu is baked ham, broccoli, glazed potatoes, and tossed green salad, with ice cream topped with Crème de Menthe sauce for dessert. A vegetarian meal will be available. Wayne Billiard will provide musical entertainment. The cost is $7 per person.
For reservations, send your check of $7 per person payable to AARP Chapter 763 and mail it to Mrs. Edna Fletcher, 525 Sunset Lake Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301-0527, or phone 802-254-2583. Reservations are appreciated.
Medicare Boot Camp offered in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD - Senior Solutions staff will be at the Meeting House at Springfield Hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 1-3 p.m., to provide an unbiased overview of the Medicare system. The class will be offered again on the afternoon of March 11. Space is limited, so call ahead to register.
Medicare Boot Camp is appropriate for anyone currently enrolled in Medicare, as well as those who will sign up in the near future. Family members who help elders may also find this class useful.
Medicare has strict enrollment periods, and this session will help participants make timely decisions about drug plans and supplemental plans as well as many other issues.
There is no fee, but donations are appreciated. RSVP early if you are a caregiver and want help getting respite care for your elder so you can attend this event. For registration, directions or other details, call the Senior HelpLine at 800-642-5119.
Senior meal served in Halifax
HALIFAX - The monthly Halifax senior meal will be served at noon on Friday, Feb. 20, at the community hall located at the intersection of Brook and Branch roads in West Halifax.
On the menu is shepherds pie, fruit salad, carrot salad, rolls, and dessert. All seniors are welcome. Reservations are appreciated; call Joan at 802-368-7733. Sponsored by Senior Solutions.
Free early literacy program for families returns to Bellows Falls
BELLOWS FALLS - The Rockingham Free Public Library and the WNESU Early Education Center are teaming up to present “Little Lit: More Than Feelings,” a free, fun evening with books, activities, early literacy and the social-emotional development of children on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m., at the WNESU building located at Cherry Hill.
Families with children age 5 and under are welcome to take part in this free program. Each family will receive free books and lots of practical, every-day activities to help their children develop healthy social-emotional and early literacy skills. Free dinner and childcare will also be available during the program; families that need childcare should call in advance.
For more information and to arrange childcare, call the Library at 802-463-4270, email sam@rockinghamlibrary.org, or visit rockinghamlibrary.org/littlelit.html.
Woodlands Association presents winter tree identification walk, potluck lunch
HALIFAX - Windham Regional Woodlands Association presents a winter tree identification snowshoe walk led by Windham County Forester Bill Guenther on Ballou Mountain in Halifax, on Saturday, Feb. 21, starting at 10 a.m.
The walk will take place in the woodlands of Everett Wilson and Linda Lyon, a Windham Regional Woodlands Association trustee. Ballou Mountain, the second highest hill in Halifax, has a special richness of hardwoods and conifers. The walk will be followed by a potluck lunch. For those who may not be up for snowshoeing, you are welcome to come and sip hot cider and talk about trees while the others are on the walk. Well-mannered dogs are welcome to participate in this event.
Parking is limited, so carpool if you can. You likely will need four-wheel drive to get up the driveway. If necessary, we may be able to arrange for some parking at the neighbors' for those who can make the walk trough the woods to Ev and Linda's house. If you plan to join us, please contact Linda (LindaALyon@gmail.com or 802-368-2211) for directions.
This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Bring snowshoes if you plan to participate in the walk, and bring a potluck dish to share with the group.
Lunar New Year celebration at River Garden
BRATTLEBORO - Asian Cultural Center of Vermont (ACCVT) presents Lunar New Year of China, Korea and Vietnam on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the River Garden, 157 Main St.
It's the 11th annual celebration of its kind in southeastern Vermont. It's a potluck. Dance with the Dragon, do group calligraphy, get into a Korean tug-of-war, make a paper lantern or some origami, and sing a New Year's song from East Asia. You don't have to be Asian or know anything about Asia to usher in the year of the Green Wood Sheep, a year of peace, harmony, generosity and contemplation.
Don't miss the chance to dance with the 30-foot Vietnamese dragon. It will arrive around 2:15 p.m., and the parade down Main Street will bring everyone luck for the coming year. According to Chinese folklore, this enormous marionette, requiring at least nine people to hold, is forever chasing the “heavenly pearl” in its pursuit of wisdom. For more information, contact ACCVT Executive Director Adam Silver at 802-579-9008 or visit accvt.org.
Clinic provides free legal advice for seniors
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Senior Center and Vermont Legal Aid will present a free Legal Aid Clinic for area seniors on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.
An attorney from the Senior Citizens Law Project of Vermont Legal Aid will offer a free 20-minute consultation. beginning at 9 a.m. Call the Senior Center at 802-257-7570 to schedule your appointment.
Examples of the types of problems that the attorney will be able to give you advice on includes wills, powers of attorney, landlord-tenant issues, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, SSI, other public benefits, debt collection, small claims, and other civil legal matters. However, criminal matters are not discussed and the concern must be one that relates to yourself and not a friend or family member.