Monthly group for parents, caregivers of LGBTQ youth
BRATTLEBORO - Youth Services is launching a support group for parents and caregivers of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Windham County region, on Thursday, Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in collaboration with Green Mountain Crossroads, a local nonprofit dedicated to connecting rural LGBTQ people.
The first meeting of Joining Our Youth (JOY) group, will be at Youth Services at 32 Walnut St.
Free and open to the public, the group's mission is to build community while offering support and resources. For more information about this initial or subsequent meetings, contact Rosie Nevins-Alderfer of Youth Services at 802-257-0361 or email info@youthservicesinc.org.
AARP Driver Safety classes offered
The AARP will present the AARP Driver Safety Program, a classroom driver refresher course, in three locations in Windham County: the Brattleboro Senior Center on Feb. 1, at 9:30 a.m.; Brattleboro Memorial Hospital on Feb. 6, at 9:30 a.m.; and at the Grace Cottage Wellness Building in Townshend on Feb. 13, at 9 a.m.
The program is a course for mature drivers that addresses changes that occur in vision, hearing, and reaction time as one ages. It provides driving safety tips for handling these changes. The course also reviews the impact of changes in vehicles and roadways that impact driving safety.
Those wishing to take the class at BMH are asked to call 802-251- 8604; for the Grace Cottage class, call 802-365-3649; and for the Brattleboro Senior Center class, call 802-254-4489. They may also contact the course instructor, Elliott Greenblott, to register or for inquiries at 802-254-4489 or egreenblott@me.com.
KidsPLAYce presents paper airplane tournament
BRATTLEBORO - A paper airplane tournament will be held at KidsPLAYce on Elliot Street in downtown Brattleboro on Friday, Feb. 5, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Entry fees on the day of the contest are $8 for children ages 5 to 12, and $10 for children and adults 12 . Families are $20. Those interested may register ahead of time anytime during regular Kids PLAYce open hours throughout the month of January for the reduced cost of $5. The fee includes hot dogs, chips, ribbons for all, and trophies.
Trophies will be awarded for Best Flyer, Distance and Accuracy, Most Complicated, Most Beautiful, and Best Name. Winners will be announced at 6:15. For tournament information, call Michelle Mahin at 802-254-5212.
Grafton Rescue offers fall prevention training
GRAFTON - One in 3 adults aged 65 and older falls every year. Falls can be devastating, leading to life-altering injury, loss of independence, or even death. However, falls are not an inevitable part of aging and there are simple things that can be done to avoid falling.
The Grafton Rescue Squad has teamed up with the Vermont Department of Health and Senior Solutions to present a new falls-prevention program, called FallScape, as part of a nationwide community health initiative to promote wellness, independent living, and preventive medicine.
Grafton Rescue recently conducted a CPR program in the community and is hoping people will also see how they can benefit from preventing falls through FallScape.
Cathy Siano Goodwin, an Advanced EMT with Grafton Rescue, will meet personally with each participant to evaluate and explore their potential risks and how to reduce the possibility of falls. She will also provide follow up in order to maintain awareness of fall risks.
Anyone in Grafton, Rockingham, Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, or Athens who has fallen or has concerns about falling is eligible for this free program. Siano Goodwin can be contacted by leaving a message at Grafton Fire and Rescue (843-2401), and she will follow up with you.
Brattleboro Area Hospice offers Grief Support Group
BRATTLEBORO - A new seven-week Bereavement Support Group for adults begins on Feb. 10 and will meet each Wednesday, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., ending March 23. The group is free of charge and open to anyone in the community grieving the death loss of a loved one, no matter when or where the loss occurred.
Bereavement Support Groups offer a safe, mutually supportive environment for sharing experiences through discussion, readings, simple activities, and suggestions for moving through grief. This group is sponsored by Brattleboro Area Hospice and will meet at the Hospice office at 191 Canal St. No prior connection with hospice is necessary in order to participate.
Connie Baxter will be the facilitator. The group size is limited to eight people. Those interested may call 802-257-0775, ext. 104 by Feb. 4 for a pre-group appointment.
Tai Chi classes at Gibson-Aiken
Steve Green will once again offer Tai Chi classes on Wednesdays at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main Street, Brattleboro. This is a 7-week session, Feb. 10 to March 23. These classes, from 10 to 11 a.m., are part of the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department's long running program in Tai Chi. The cost is $80 for non-residents and $55 for residents. Individual classes can be taken for $10/$12. Participants must register at the Gibson-Aiken Center office on the first floor. Green is certified by the Arthritis Foundation in the instruction of Tai Chi for health and arthritis. Tai Chi is a powerful tool in healing and strengthening the body, mind and spirit. Flowing movements improve balance, increase flexibility and joint mobility and reduce stress. For information or to register for the class please call 802-258-4833 or email srgreen2012@gmail.com.
NAMI Vermont presents free mental illness and recovery workshop
BRATTLEBORO - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Vermont will offer a free workshop open to the public entitled “Mental Illness and Recovery” at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Conference Room 2 of BMH.
This opportunity is open to peers, family members, friends and any community members interested in learning more about mental illness.
The workshop includes information about the incidence of mental illnesses worldwide; diagnosis, treatment, and recovery for bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, dual diagnosis, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder; as well as resources and treatment services available in Vermont. Registrations are encouraged but walk-ins are also welcome.
For more information or to register, call NAMI Vermont at 802-876-7949 or visit www.namivt.org.