Exit 3 on-ramps to be closed next three Sundays
BRATTLEBORO - To help reduce congestion on Interstate 91 during high traffic periods, the Vermont Agency of Transportation will close both the Exit 3 on-ramps on the next three Sundays, Aug. 9, 16, and 23, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Southbound traffic will be routed to Exit 1 via Putney Road and Canal Street, while northbound traffic attempting to use the Exit 3 on-ramp will be detoured north of the roundabout on Route 5 to Exit 4.
Officers will be on hand to control traffic. Interstate-91 will remain open to through traffic all three Sundays.
Woodland walking tour offered in Vernon
VERNON - On Friday, Aug, 7, Windham Regional Woodlands Association presents a walking tour, led by County Forester Bill Guenther, of the famous black gum swamps located on J. Maynard Miller Memorial Town Forest in Vernon.
This unique forest supports an extensive system of swamps that include black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). This species is not rare 400 miles to the south of New England, but in Vermont it is a survivor from the past when the climate was warmer.
There are some trees here that are believed to be more than 400 years old. Hikers will walk a fairly easy loop trail around the main swamp and explore the unique ecology that this forest offers. The walk will be held rain or shine. In fact, this one is almost better in the rain, organizers say, as the forest has what Guenther has always said to be a primeval quality.
Maynard Miller, a local dairy farmer for whom the forest is named, convinced the town in the early 1970s of the importance of this tract, and persuaded the town to buy it to ensure its permanent protection. Until his death in the late 1990s, he usually accompanied groups touring his beloved forest.
Hikers should meet at 5:30 p.m. at the cul-de-sac parking at Miller Forest. Departure is at 5:40 sharp. To get there, travel south on Rt. 142 from Brattleboro, going past Vernon Village. After going a bit more than a mile past the village, make a right turn onto Pond Road and go under the train overpass. Travel down Pond Road to Huckle Hill Road (town swimming pool is on your left) and make a right onto Huckle Hill Road. When you come to a fork, go right onto Basin Road and go to its terminus at the paved parking lot.
While the trail is a fairly easy walk, organizers encourage participants to wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. The walk should be finished around 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Guenther at 257-7967, ext. 305, or by email at bill.guenther@state.vt.us.
Tanabata-Obon Japanese Festival celebrated in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - Asian Cultural Center of Vermont (ACCVT) presents the 2015 Tanabata-Obon Festival of Brattleboro on Friday, August 7, from 5-8 p.m., in Pliny Park, corner of High and Main streets, during Gallery Walk.
This festival of Japan, in downtown Brattleboro, celebrates two Japanese traditions – a double summer festival – in a single evening observance. Obon is a celebration of ancestors and remembrance of loved ones and the departed. Tanabata is a star festival for communities to make wishes for the future (happening each year when the paths of two of the brightest stars, Vega and Altair, meet in the sky).
The public is invited to walk a lantern-lit path to the Table of Remembrance. There will also be origami crane-making. Bon odori, Bon dancing, will be starting at 6:30 p.m. People of all ages are welcome.
There is also an ongoing exhibit at the Gallery in West Brattleboro of kiri-e fabric collage pictures created by young women survivors of Hiroshima in the 1940s. This month is the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
For further information on these and other Asian culture events in southern Vermont, visit accvt.org or contact ACCVT Executive Director Adam Silver at 802-579-9088.
Thrift shop presents bag sale
TOWNSHEND - On Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, the Thrift Shop at the West Townshend Country Store will be holding a special end-of-summer sale. Customers can fill up bags with items of their choice for 5 dollars per bag.
Items include clothing and shoes for men, women, and children as well as household items. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds from sales benefit the nonprofit West River Community Project. The thrift shop is located on the second floor of the West Townshend Country Store at the intersection of Route 30 and Windham Hill Road in West Townshend.
Tom Wessels to discuss 'Reading the Forested Landscape'
WILMINGTON - On Sunday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.m., at Memorial Hall, 14 West Main St, Hogback Mountain Conservation Association's Summer Meeting will feature well-known author and naturalist Tom Wessels presenting a slide show illustrating the concepts in his book, Reading the Forested Landscape.
The public is invited to this free event.
Wessels is described as not only a keenly insightful naturalist, but a wonderful storyteller. He says the forest speaks to him, telling him its history via clues that most of us don't realize are there. In the slide show, he will share how to see these messages. He'll also be available to sign copies of his books.
Westmoreland Town Band to play concert at Bradley House
BRATTLEBORO - The Westmoreland Town Band will play a free concert at The Bradley House, 65 Harris Ave., on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m.
The band will play for about an hour and the staff of The Bradley House (formerly Hilltop House) are inviting residents from other resident care facilities and the community to join them.
The Bradley House is a nonprofit level 3 residential care facility. For more information, call 802-254-5524.