Wednesday Evening Conversations begin at St. Michael's Episcopal Church
BRATTLEBORO - “Speaking of Faith: Stories of Christ-Centered Practice,” a series of Wednesday evening conversations, will be offered at St. Michael's Episcopal Church beginning on Feb. 25 and continuing through March 25.
Five individuals from the community will share stories about their life, their faith, how these intersect, and the particular spiritual practice in which they engage.
On Feb. 25, Iconographer Zachary Roesemann will speak about “Prayer through Art and Iconography.” On March 4, Karen Guthrie will speak about “Praying for Others (Intercessory Prayer).” On March 11, Karin Bleecker will speak about “Mindfulness in Daily Life.” On March 18, Cary Gaunt will speak about “Spirituality and Sustainability.” And on March 25, Christopher Wesolowski will speak about “Prayer through Service and Social Justice.”
St. Michael's Episcopal Church's Wednesday evening series is free and open to the public. The program will begin at 6 p.m. and end by 7:15 p.m. in the church. St. Michael's is fully accessible and is located at 16 Bradley Ave. in Brattleboro. Visit www.stmichaelsvermont.org for more information.
Greater Falls Connections to host monthly coalition meeting
BELLOWS FALLS - Join Greater Falls Connections for the monthly coalition meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at Parks Place.
They will discuss the effects of marijuana on the teen brain. Updates on the work of the coalition will also be shared. Feel free to bring a brown bag lunch. Light refreshments will be provided. Find out more about the work of GFC at www.greaterfallsconnections.org.
AARP Driver Safety class offered
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Savings & Loan will host an AARP Driver Safety Program on Thursday, Feb. 26, beginning at 5 p.m.
The program is a refresher course for mature drivers, addressing changes that may occur in vision, hearing, and reaction time due to aging, and providing useful driving safety tips for handling these changes. The program also reviews the impact of changes in vehicles, including new technology, and new roadway features such as roundabouts that may impact driving safety.
AARP membership is not required before taking the course. A $20 fee covers the cost of materials ($15 for AARP members). The program will be held in the BS&L community room and those attending may wish to bring a “bag supper” as the program extends over the dinner hour.
To learn more about the program, contact program leader Elliott Greenblott at 802-254-4489 or egreenblott@gmail.com
Transition Dummerston presents potluck program
DUMMERSTON - Transition Dummerston will hold its monthly potluck on Friday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Dummerston Congregational Church.
This month's program will be “Stories and Visions of Transition,” with sharing of stories of experiences with Transition in Dummerston since 2011. Looking forward, participants will envision how to build even stronger community and live well while responding effectively to climate change, energy needs and new possibilities for a resilient, sustainable future in Dummerston,
The potluck begins at 6 p.m., with local food encouraged, and the program runs from 7 to 9 p.m. For further information, call Bill at 802-257-1020 or Susal at 802-275-5098.
RFPL hosts genealogy research workshop
BELLOWS FALLS - On Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Rockingham Free Public Library will offer a genealogy research workshop.
The RFPL subscribes to several internet databases to help people research their family history. To help get started with your own search, bring your laptop computer or tablet and join Wayne Blanchard for a hands on session to learn how to use these valuable tools.
If you don't have a computer, come anyway to see the demonstration, and then you will be better able to use the library's computers to do your search.
Blanchard is not a professional genealogist, but has done extensive research on his own family tree, and has participated in workshops offered by the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston. As a result he has spent many hours using the genealogy databases at Ancestry, American Ancestors, and Heritage Quest. He can help you get started with your own search, no matter what time period your ancestors came to America.
Register for this free workshop by calling 802-463-4270, emailing anne@rockinghamlibrary.org or stop by the library at 65 Westminster St.
'Mudfling' benefits Meeting House School
MARLBORO -On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Meeting House School will hold its annual Mudfling event from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Meeting House in Marlboro Center.
The Meeting House School is a preschool for three-to-five-year-olds in Marlboro. As part of the school's fundraising events, the parents host a Silent Auction and Coffee House every February during mud season.
It's an adults-only evening, and for a $10 donation at the door, folks can indulge in all the coffee, tea, and gourmet desserts they like while listening to live music (bring your dancing shoes).
Whetstone Cider Works will be serving a cash bar,with all proceeds benefiting the preschool. Donated silent auction items are from local businesses and area artists. Contact Gemma Ingalls at gemma@ingallsphoto.com for more information.
Spaghetti dinner fundraiser in Grafton
GRAFTON - On Sunday, March 1, there will be a spaghetti dinner at the Grafton Chapel. Dinner will include spaghetti, bread and salad.
The money raised will help two local youths show their stuff at a four-day state horse show to be held in July. They'll be competing against kids of all ages from all over Vermont. They'll also be doing other fundraisers to help with the costs.
There will be dinner servings from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for kids age 10 and under, and kids under five eat for free. A family ticket (five or more) is $30. For more information, call Rebecca at 802-843-3566.
Blood donor day is March 3
BRATTLEBORO - The monthly Blood Donor Day for March will be held on March 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Carl M Dessaint VFW Post 1034, 40 Black Mountain Road.
The need for blood is constant. The Red Cross depends on blood donors in communities across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Donors with all blood types are needed, particularly those with types O negative, A negative, and B negative.
A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
Save the date: Westminster Cares annual Garden Tour is July 11, 12
WESTMINSTER - Westminster Cares will hold its 14th annual Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12.
This year's event will be a mid-summer tour; come see the gardens of Mary and Gordon Hayward, nationally known garden designers, writers and lecturers, in all their July glory. Four other noteworthy Westminster gardens are also on the tour.
The tour will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Admission for one or both days is $15; two for $25. Discounted tickets can be purchased online.
For more information on the tour, visit www.westminstercares.org. Proceeds from the tour support the services and programs of Westminster Cares, a volunteer organization whose mission is to create opportunities for seniors and disabled adults to live with independence and dignity in the community.