BEEC seeks salamander guides
DUMMERSTON - The Dummerston Conservation Commission will sponsor an illustrated program by naturalist Patti Smith on our local land-dwelling amphibians Thursday, April 2, at 7 p.m., at The Learning Collaborative, 471 Route 5, Dummerston.
In late March and early April, darkness and rain inspire many of them to head for the water to create a next generation. These migrations provide a rare opportunity to see the spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, and wood frogs that breed in vernal pools.
The salamanders, largely subterranean the rest of the year, are especially fun to see; they are up to eight inches long, hefty, with bright yellow polka dots on dark skin. Wood frogs are so well camouflaged they are almost invisible in the forest.
When their migration to breeding habitat forces amphibians to cross roads, high mortality can result. To remain viable they need our help. Each year, the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC) organizes many volunteers to head to known road crossings to help protect these vulnerable amphibians. And each year they find new places where volunteers are needed. If you'd like to become a crossing guard volunteer, this session is for you.
The evening will begin with a slide program on the amphibians and their extraordinary lives. Then you will learn the tricks of the trade, find out where you're needed, and receive materials that will help you help the salamanders.
If you're interested in becoming a crossing guard but can't attend this program, e-mail patti@beec.org, or call BEEC at 802- 257-5785. For further information, www.dummerstonconservation.com or www.beec.org.
Plots now available for community garden
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department is pleased to announce that they will start taking reservations for the Stockwell Drive Community Garden Site.
Returning gardeners have until April 15 to sign up for the regular fee of $25. After that date, the fee increases to $35. New gardeners can sign up beginning April 15 for $25. After April 30, it increases to $35. New gardeners will be required to pay a $25 garden plot deposit.
Space is limited to 17 100-square-foot garden plots. Reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve your garden plot, stop by the Recreation and Parks Office at 207 Main St., weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
Feel free to contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 802-254-5808 or garden overseer Peter Gaskill at 802-257-9346 or mispeat@comcast.net with any questions you may have.
Ecumenical Good Friday service to be held
BRATTLEBORO - An ecumenical community service will be held on Friday, April 3, from noon to 3 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, off Putney Road near the former Renew Salvage.
Members of the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Clergy Association will reflect on the “Seven Last Words of Christ” in 25-minute segments. Peter Amidon will conduct the choir and Marilyn Kugler will accompany the hymns. There is ample parking and the building is handicap accessible.
Worshipers are welcome to come and go during the planned intervals if unable to attend the entire service.
Participants include a Massed Choir under the direction of Peter Amidon, Guilford UCC; Pianist: Marilyn Kugler, Leyden (Mass.) United Methodist Church; Liturgists: Rev. Bert Marshall, Centre Congregational Church, UCC; Rev. Dr. Lise Sparrow, Guilford Community Church, UCC; Rev. Sandy Daly, Hallelujah Farm Retreat, Chesterfield, N.H.; Host: Rev. Cheryl Meachen, First United Methodist Church, Brattleboro and Leyden UMC;
Preachers: Pastor Jeremy Kirk, First Congregational Church, UCC; Rev. Peggy Yingst, Trinity Lutheran Church; Rev. Robert Hamm, Newfane Congregational Church, UCC; Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno, Congregational Church of Westminster West, UCC; Rev. Mary Lindquist, St. Michael's Episcopal Church; Rev. Suzanne Andrews, First Baptist Church; and Rev. Susanna Griefen, Dummerston Congregational Church, UCC.
Contact 802-254-4218 or fumcob@gmail.com for further information.
Easter Egg Hunt to be held at Memorial Park
BRATTLEBORO - The Annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department, will be held Saturday, April 4, at Living Memorial Park.
This event is for Brattleboro residents only. Children must bring a basket or container to collect eggs.
Participants will be broken down into the following age groups and times: 9:30 a.m., ages 4 and under; 9:45 a.m., ages 5 and up. There will be 6 stuffed animal prizes in each age group, and the Easter Bunny will also be there. For more information, call 802-254-5808.
Osher lectures on insects, classic movies
DUMMERSTON - The Brattleboro Chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will begin its 12th series of spring morning and afternoon lectures on April 6 with programs on the biology of the insects and movies and their audience.
In the morning series of six lectures, Bob Engel, longtime Marlboro College biologist, will discuss various aspects of the lives of insects. In the afternoon lectures, Rick Winston, an instructor and lecturer on film history, will consider movie classics, movie music, and more.
Lectures are held on six successive Mondays. Morning lectures run from 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon lectures, from 1 to 3 p.m.
All lectures will be held at the Southeastern Vermont Learning Collaborative, 471 Vermont Route 5. Parking and handicapped access are available, and light refreshments will be served at the lectures.
The lectures are produced by the Brattleboro OLLI chapter. OLLI is a nationwide membership organization sponsoring programs for people aged 50 and over who wish to continue their education without tests, papers, or grades.
Payment of full membership dues ($50) entitles members to attend all twelve lectures in the present series. Partial memberships ($30) entitle subscribers to attend six sessions in either morning or afternoon, but not both. Couples are welcome to join as full members at a discounted rate of $80 ($50 for partial membership). Lectures are also open to nonmembers for a fee of $6 per lecture.
For further information, including concerning cancellations, call 802-257-8600, or toll-free 866-889-0042.
Blood donor day is April 7
BRATTLEBORO - The monthly Blood Donor Day for April will be held on April 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Carl M Dessaint VFW Post 1034, 40 Black Mountain Road.
The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during National Volunteer Month in April and make a difference in the lives of patients in need. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions. 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).
Support for people experiencing loss offered in Grafton
GRAFTON - Grief counselor Cheryl Richards writes in a recent newsletter for the Brattleboro Area Hospice, “Moving through deep grief irrevocably changes each one of us - with or without our permission! Yet each of us moves through the pain of loss in our own unique way. Becoming aware of and choosing to trust and honor our own particular grieving rhythms are the first important steps…”
The public is invited to a program co-sponsored by Grafton Cares, the Brattleboro Area Hospice and the Grafton Public Library for people who have experienced loss.
In times of great loss, many people feel confused or hesitant about how to deal with what they are experiencing, let alone knowing how to be supportive of their grieving neighbors. Come join this discussion on ways to offer help and caring to friends, neighbors, co-workers and, perhaps most importantly, ourselves, during some of life's most challenging times.
This program will be offered twice at the library over consecutive Wednesdays, once during the day and once in the evening, in the hope that all who wish to attend will be able to find a time that works for them.
The sessions will be held on Wednesday, April 8, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., and Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cheryl Richards will lead both programs, sharing information about resources of all types and answering questions. Attendees will have time at the end of each session to give input about what sort of support they might like to see develop in the future.
'Medicare Boot Camp' to be offered in Brattleboro, Putney
Senior Solutions staff will host a “Medicare Boot Camp” to provide unbiased information about the Medicare system.
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. This is appropriate for anyone who is currently enrolled in Medicare or is planning to sign up in the near future. Family members who help elders may also find this class useful.
Classes will be held Brattleboro on Wednesday, April 8, from 1-3 p.m., at the Brooks Memorial Library meeting room, 224 Main St., and in Putney on Wednesday, April 28, from 1:15- 3:15 p.m., at the Putney Cares Activity Barn, 54 Kimball Hill.
There is no fee, but donations are appreciated. Space is limited, so call ahead to register at 800-642-5119.
RFPL gets ready for spring book sale
BELLOWS FALLS - It might be a little early to weed the garden, but it's a perfect time to weed your books. Relieve those overflowing shelves, free up some space, improve the feng shui, and support your local library.
The Rockingham Free Public Library will be hosting their annual book sale on Saturday, April 11 through Saturday, May 2. Donations are welcome now to help support the library's sale.
This year, the Friends of the Library will host a special book sale preview night on Friday, April 10, from 5 to 8 p.m., just for Friends members. Join the Friends today to get this early access to the Library book sale. The book sale will be open during Library hours. Beginning on April 20, book sale items will be 50 percent off. The Bag & Box Sale will begin on April 27, when a bag or box of books will be $3 each.
Books of all kinds are welcome, with the exception of Reader's Digest books, textbooks and musty books. DVDs and audiobooks are also welcome donations for the book sale. Donations can be made during library hours. All proceeds from the Library's book sale will benefit the Rockingham Free Public Library.
For more information visit the Rockingham Free Public Library at 65 Westminster St., call 802-463-4270, email anne@rockinghamlibrary.org, or go online to rockinghamlibrary.org.