Workshop focuses on spring trees and spring signs
DUMMERSTON - Join Lynn Levine for a workshop sponsored by the Vermont Woodlands Association on (VWA) Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Dummerston.
In March, it can be difficult to “name” trees. Using a key that Levine created, particpants will explore the ways one can identify trees before the leaves are out. She will be telling stories about this dearly loved plant form.
In March, signs of mammal activity continue to be found everywhere. Participants will study what evidence can be discovered, and what can be learned from these common signs. Discussion and preview of her scat and fur collection will begin indoors at her home. Depending on conditions outdoors, the program will continue outside in her woods.
For the last 38 years, Lynn Levine has been an environmental educator, tracker and a consulting forester. Lynn has taken thousands of people into the forest. All workshop participants will be provided with their own copy of Lynn's book, Mammal Tracks and Scat: Life-Size Pocket Guide.
Pre-registration with $20 payment is required. This workshop is limited to 15 participants. Call the VWA office at 802-747-7900 to learn how to register on-line or email info@vermontwoodlands.org with any questions. Directions will be sent to you upon registering.
Rabies clinic in Wilmington
WILMINGTON - On Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Wilmington Fire House at corner of Beaver and Church streets, the town will hold its annual pet vaccination clinic.
Dr. Miles A. Powers of East Dover will be vaccinating both dogs and cats. This clinic is open to anyone.
Fees will be $10 for rabies, $20 for a distemper complex vaccine for either a dog or cat, or $25 for both vaccinations. Dogs must be leashed; cats must be crated. Dog licensing for Wilmington residents will be available.
For further information or questions about additional vaccines, call 802-348-7918.
Learn about salamander migration with program, hike
GRAFTON- During the first warm rainy night of spring, spotted salamanders by the hundreds crawl out of the woods and over to vernal pools to breed and lay their eggs.
Join Environmental Educator Lynn Morgan on Saturday, March 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Nature Museum for a half-hour indoor lesson on salamanders and what nature enthusiasts term their “big night.”
The class will be followed by an hour-long moderate hike to the forests and vernal pools around the museum. The hike is appropriate for all ages and will take place rain or shine.
Throughout New England, people help salamanders and other amphibians cross roads during their respective spring migrations.
The program is free, but donations are appreciated. Please dress appropriately for the day's weather and wear shoes suitable for the trail. Please bring a hearty snack and a water bottle.
Walk-ins are welcome, but advance registration is always appreciated. In addition to the program, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. until noon.
For more information about the museum, at 186 Townshend Rd., visit naturemuseum.org.
Easter sunrise service in Marlboro
MARLBORO – Marlboro Meeting House is holding an Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, March 27 at 6:30 a.m. Reverend Amanda Swoyer will lead the service. Amy Cann will play the organ. After the service, a light breakfast will be shared on the first floor.
Everyone is welcome to attend. The church is located on South Road one-half mile from Route 9.
Senior Meals to host fundraiser
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Senior Meals will hold a special “Guest Chef” luncheon on Thursday, March 31, at the Brattleboro Senior Center.
The featured chef this month is Shana McConnell from Vermont Country Deli. The menu will be Tuscan chicken, tomato parmesan risotto, grilled asparagus and a Vermont Country Deli signature cookie.
The luncheon will start at noon. Entertainment will be provided by Peter and Phil on guitar and saxophone featuring many selections including Broadway show tunes. The suggested donation for all seniors is $5. The cost for those under 60 years of age is $15.
Reservations for this event will be taken in person at the Senior Center or by phone until Friday March 25th at 1 p.m.. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 802-257-1236. The proceeds from this meal will go to support the senior meals programs.
Lost River Racial Justice hosts first open community meeting
BRATTLEBORO - On March 31, from 6:30-8 p.m., at The Root Social Justice Center, 28 Williams St., Lost River Racial Justice is having its first open community meeting for those interested in getting more involved with racial justice organizing in the tri-state area.
Meet with members of Lost River Racial Justice (LRRJ), a chapter of the national organization Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), to learn about the work being done in Windham County, Franklin County in Massachusetts and Cheshire County in New Hampshire. After a brief update on current projects, the rest of the meeting will be spent plugging people into existing working groups and listening to what people want to do. Current working groups include: Film Committee, Ready Response Team, SURJ Liaisons, and Media/Website/Communications.
For the past six months, LRRJ has hosted film nights, a rural racial justice study group, and attended actions and events that they say “uplift the voices and experiences of communities of color.”
LRRJ's core organizing team operates as a closed collective of women and/or queer and/or transfolks, all of whom currently identify as white. Their organizational vision is to create a committed multi-racial closed collective that operates as a steering committee to hold the vision and unity of the larger group. Contact them at LostRiverRJ@gmail.com for more information.
Annual Williamsville/Newfane Talent Show welcomes new acts
WILLIAMSVILLE - Spring will be welcomed in Williamsville this year with the annual Williamsville/Newfane Talent Show on Saturday, April 2, at 7 p.m., in the Williamsville Hall.
A decades-old tradition in the small village off Route 30, eight miles north of Brattleboro, the show will feature a range of talented area performers, young and older. Many delightful area performers have already signed up, but there is certainly room for more.
Want to sing? Act? Dance? Juggle? Tame lions? Contact Annie Landenberger at verbatim@svcable.net.
Admission is by suggested donation of $5/$15 per family and refreshments will be available, also by donation. Proceeds will benefit both the Leland & Gray Players and the Williamsville Hall. The Williamsville Hall is on Dover Road in Williamsville.
Free computer classes for seniors in Putney
PUTNEY - Putney Cares and Landmark College will co-present a three-class series of workshops hosted by the Putney Public Library to help Putney area seniors navigate the myriad of electronic devices, social media and the internet.
Back by popular demand, “Tablets, Computers & Smart Phones, Oh My!” will be held on three Thursday mornings - April 7, 14, and 28 - at the Putney Public Library, 55 Main St.
The classes will provide one-on-one instruction to help seniors with computers or with an electronic device they may want to bring. Each of the four classes will offer assistance with a wide range of topics, including using a browser, using electronic calendars and other organizational tools, how to conduct research online, how to avoid bad places and scams online, how to deal with error messages, how to use email programs, how to use social media sites, and how to navigate the web safely.
The classes are free and open to any Putney area senior, but space is limited, so reservations are required to attend any of the classes. Please RSVP by stopping by the library or calling Library Director Emily Zervas at 802-387-4407.
NewBrook Kindergarten registration
NEWFANE - NewBrook Elementary School will hold its Kindergarten registration on Monday, April 11, from 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., by appointment. These appointments are about 20 minutes long and provide a chance to get to know a little more about the program.
They ask that your child does attend to participate in a brief screening while you get to see the school and meet some of the staff. If you have a child who will be attending Kindergarten at NewBrook next year, call Sarah at 802-365-7536 to book an appointment today.