Early voting for Vt. primaries begins June 24
MONTPELIER - Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced that early voting in the Aug. 9 state party primary elections will officially open on Friday, June 24.
Beginning Friday, any registered voter will be able to request a ballot from their town clerk by phone, mail, or online and cast their vote for the Aug. 9 election.
Those who would like to request a ballot and vote early can contact their local town clerk or visit the Secretary of State's website at www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/voters/absentee-voting.aspx.
Ballots will be available until the close of their town clerk's office the day before the election. Ballots must be completed and returned to the appropriate town clerk by the close of polls on Aug. 9.
Only registered voters can request a ballot. For voters who are not yet registered, they can go online to complete their registration at www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/voters/registration.aspx. Voters must register by Aug. 3 to be eligible to vote in the Aug. 9 primary.
Police host free community lunch cookout
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Police, in conjunction with the Women's Freedom Center, will host a free community lunch cookout on Friday, June 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Whetstone Walkway next to the Brattleboro Food Co-op.
Stop by for a hamburger or hot dog and visit with members of the police department.
Halifax senior meal served June 24
HALIFAX - The June Halifax senior meal is Friday, June 24, at noon, at the Halifax Community Hall, located at 20 Brook Rd. in West Halifax.
This month's menu is barbecued meatballs, potatoes, veggies, rolls, and dessert. All seniors are welcome. A call to Joan is appreciated at 802-368-7733.
Healing Walk at Manitou
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project will hold a Healing Walk on Friday, June 24, from 4 to 6 p.m.
This meditative walk on Manitou's Sanctuary Trail will be led by Mary Stowe, and will include poems or other readings, and chances to share about the experience. Rain or shine. Meet at the parking lot at 4 p.m. For information, contact Mary at 802-246-1152.
Transition Dummerston hosts community picnic at Dutton Pines
DUMMERSTON - Transition Dummerston invites one and all to come discover and enjoy the newly-revived Dutton Pines State Park, and gather with neighbors for food, fellowship and song on Friday, June 24.
Arrive early to hike the Myron Dutton Memorial Trail, a pleasant 20 minute stroll through the pines. The picnic begins at 6 p.m. Bring a dish for the potluck - local foods encouraged.
From 7 to 7:30 p.m., they'll have an update and planning for ongoing and new Transition Dummerston programs: the annual SOS - “Share our (Garden) Surplus,” their Permaculture project, and their collaborative venture with Dummerston Cares.
From 7:30 p.m. to dusk, there will be songs around the campfire, led by Fred Taylor and others. Bring your instruments and favorite songs to share. The makings for s'mores will also be on hand. In case of rain, the meeting will convene under the picnic shelter. Bring your camp chair or picnic blanket. For more information, contact Bill at 802-257-1020 or Fred at 802-387-2681.
Friends of Moore Free Library host tag sale
NEWFANE - The Friends of the Moore Free Library are sponsoring a Community Tag Sale to take place on the Newfane Common on Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 30 sellers have already reserved spaces. NewfaneAnew will be offering baked goods for sale, and nearby neighbors in the village will be holding tag sales as well.
It's not too late to reserve a space. Contact Julie at 902-365-7278 or julielav@sover.net or pick up a reservation form at the Library at 23 West St. Newfane. If the library is closed, you may pick up a form from the envelope tacked to the bulletin board on the front porch.
The Friends of the Moore Free Library raise funds to help support the functions and activities of the Library, a private institution that serves as a public library but without benefit of federal, state, or town money.
Interfaith Pride Service to be held in West B
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The second annual Interfaith Pride Service will take place on Sunday, June 26, at 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of West Brattleboro, 880 Western Ave.
The collection will benefit Green Mountain Crossroads, a local organization that connects rural LGBTQ people to build community, visibility, knowledge, and power. For more information, email fccwb1770@gmail.com.
Pinnacle Association presents Over the Hill Hike
WESTMINSTER WEST - The Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association will offer a favorite free, guided hike on Sunday June 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Led by Pinnacle Board Member Tony Coven, the hike will follow the wilder route to lesser-known Latham Trail, go over the ridge and past an abandoned beaver pond, then briefly linger at the Pinnacle Cabin with its magnificent western view, before proceeding via more familiar Holden Trail to its kiosk and parking area for a return ride back to the original meeting place.
Hikers should call Tony Coven at 802-387-6650 to register or receive additional information. Participants should meet promptly at 9:30 a.m. at Westminster West Church to split cars and carpools between the start at Latham Trail and finish at the Holden Trail kiosk. Bring water, lunch, snacks, insect repellent, and sunscreen.
Visit www.windmillhillpinnacle.org for directions to the church, along with information about other upcoming Pinnacle Association programs.
West B Baptist Church hosts free chicken BBQ
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The West Brattleboro Baptist Church, 979 Western Ave., will serve a free community chicken barbecue on Sunday, June 26, from noon to 1:45 p.m.
On the menu is barbecue chicken, homemade potato salad, watermelon, Italian bread, dessert, and beverages. All are welcome.
Chamber of Commerce to host gubernatorial candidates forum
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Vermont gubernatorial candidates forum on Tuesday, June 28, from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m., at American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St.
The forum will include Democratic Party candidates Matt Dunne, Peter Galbraith and Sue Minter, along with Republican Party candidates Bruce Lisman and Lt. Gov. Phil Scott.
The forum will be moderated by Chris Graff. Currently vice president of corporate communications and community relations for National Life, Graff had a career in journalism that spanned 30 years, most of which was spent with The Associated Press. For 15 years, Graff also hosted Vermont This Week on Vermont Public Television. He is the author of Dateline Vermont, a history of modern politics in Vermont.
This is an opportunity for the public to hear from the candidates prior to the Aug. 9 primary election. The event is open to the public. Admission is $12 and includes a full buffet breakfast. RSVP is required. Contact the Chamber at info@BrattleboroChamber.org or 802-254-4565.
June Climate Change Café to discuss felt needs and the climate crises
BRATTLEBORO - The Climate Change Café will host a discussion at its fourth Tuesday of the month gathering in June around the felt needs of people in the midst of the growing climate crises.
This event will take place on Tuesday, June 28, at 6 p.m., at the Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room. As always, the Café is free, and light refreshments will be available.
Historically, there have been two approaches that climate activists have taken. Some have focused on building resilient, sustainable communities in which people prepare to transition to a post-fossil fuel world, while others have engaged in acts of resistance aimed at the fossil fuel industry.
But some believe that the felt needs of people within the context of global warming and climate change have been overlooked. This edition of the Café will explore what those needs are right now. What are their concerns and those of their families, friends and their community? Is global warming part of what concerns them?
Special guests at this Café gathering will be members of the locally-based 99th Monkey Affinity Group, who have been grappling with some of these questions in defining their own mission. For further information, contact Tim Stevenson at bereal@vermontel.net or 802-869-2141.
Host families still needed for Spanish teens
BRATTLEBORO - Host families are urgently needed for a group of Spanish students who will be spending 3 1/2 weeks in New England this summer to improve their English and experience American family life. These boys and girls, who range in age from 14 to 17, arrive Saturday, June 25 and depart on Wednesday, July 20.
The students are all from the Basque region of Spain and must have excellent grades, attendance, and behavior in school and also pass an English conversational interview to be accepted into the program.
Host families are asked to provide a warm and safe home environment for the student, as well as meals and transportation to a meeting spot on the days students have field trips. It's fine for a student to share a room with a host sibling. The students have their own spending money, phone cards, and medical insurance.
Families who could welcome a student either for the full program or for part of the time are encouraged to call Ann Newsmith at 802-257-4710 or email exchangevt@gmail.com. A small stipend is available.