Monthly food distribution in Putney
PUTNEY - On Thursday Oct. 27, from 9 to 9:45 a.m., the monthly food distribution will take place at Putney Meadows on Carol Brown Way (the white building across from the Co-op and Fire Station).
The Vermont Foodbank's Direct Distribution Program, in partnership with the Putney Foodshelf, aims to provide fresh food to families in need of food assistance.
Fresh produce and healthy snacks are delivered to the Putney Meadows parking lot or commons room on the fourth Thursday of every month. Bring your own bags. For November, however, the distribution will take place on Nov. 17, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Putney Foodshelf also provides supplemental healthy food for people in need. It is open Tuesdays 6 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 to 10 a.m. at the Putney Community Center.
Guilford Cares to hold trail walk for seniors
GUILFORD - Seniors are invited to walk with Guilford Cares on the Weeks Forest Carriage Trail in Guilford on Friday, Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m. (rain date Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m.)
The trail is suitable for all who enjoy walking. It is short, smooth, and level, and there are three benches along the trail.
The trail head is on Carpenter Hill Road, across from the one-room schoolhouse a short distance past the Guilford Free Library, which is on the corner of Guilford Center and Carpenter Hill roads,
Parking will be available at the trail head or the library. Guilford Cares will provide transportation from the library to the trail head. For more information, call 802-579-1350.
Rummage sale at Centre Church
BRATTLEBORO - Centre Congreational Church, 193 Main St., will hold a rummage sale on Friday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the basement of Memorial Hall.
There will be fall and winter clothing and sporting goods, plus toys, housewares, bedding, and more. All is for sale by donation; pay what you want or what you can afford. For more information, call 802-380-2805.
Healing walk at Manitou: Honoring the Ancestors
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project will hold a special healing walk on Friday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m.. This meditative walk on Manitou's Sanctuary Trail will be guided by Fred Taylor.
Participants will celebrate those who have gone before us with poems, readings, and chances to share. For more information, contact Taylor at 802-387-2681.
Dummerston Cares update
DUMMERSTON - This month's Transition Dummerston potluck and program will be held on Friday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Dummerston Congregational Church.
The program will feature a short informational video about similar Cares groups in Windham County, followed by a discussion of services for Dummerston residents that may be continued, strengthened, or introduced to serve the health and wellness needs of all residents.
Opportunities for volunteers will be discussed. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call Bill at 802-257-1020.
Woman's Club hosts bake sale
WALPOLE, N.H. - The Bellows Falls Woman's Club will hold a food and baked goods sale on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Walpole Middle School in conjunction with the Walpole Library's annual book sale.
A variety of home-baked pies, muffins, rolls, cookies, squares, soups, preserves, and more will be available. Funds raised benefit the many outreach projects of the club, including a high school scholarship.
BFDDA, Chamber present chili and chowder cook-off
BELLOWS FALLS - The Bellows Falls Downtown Development Alliance and the Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce kick off the Shop Local program and their second annual Chili/Chowder Cook-off event on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Starting at noon, Shop Local cards may be picked up at the Windham Hotel lobby. The chowder and chili event runs from noon to 3 p.m., with music and a cash bar at the Windham Hotel from 3 to 5 p.m.
Chili and chowder tasting tickets are $5 per person; everything else is free for all. For more information, contact the Chamber at 802-463-4280 or info@gfrcc.org.
The Nature Museum honors native traditions at harvest event
GRAFTON - On Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., The Nature Museum will present “Native Ways & Giving Nature Thanks” to be held at The Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center, 783 Townshend Rd.
This program for families will explore Native peoples' traditions of living in balance with Earth and each other. Native traditions, stories, and games will be discovered. Activities will convey the philosophy of kinship with nature, showing respect for all living creatures, and how giving is the way to earn respect.
This event will be presented by Kimberly Galandak-O'Connor. Admission is by donation. RSVP is required as space is limited. Register for this program at www.nature-museum.org or by calling 802-843-2111.
Film explores what climate change can't change
BRATTLEBORO - Post Oil Solutions will screen the new documentary, “How to Let Go of the World and Love the Things That Climate Can't Change” on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m., in the Fountain Theater at the Latchis.
The event is free, but donations will be accepted to cover the cost of bringing this film to the community.
Traveling to 12 countries on 6 continents, the film by Oscar-nominated director Josh Fox acknowledges that it may be too late to stop some of the worst consequences of climate change and asks, what is it that climate change can't destroy? What is so deep within us that no calamity can take it away?
There will be a discussion following the film. Seating is limited. For further information, contact Tim Stevenson at bereal@vermontel.net or 802-869-2141.
Fall Osher lectures continue
DUMMERSTON - The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute's autumn series of morning and afternoon lectures continues on Oct. 31.
The morning lecture, examining humanism and religion, will be given by Jerry Levy. The afternoon series, presented by Felicity Ratte, will consider figurative imagery in recent Islamic art. Both presenters are on the faculty of Marlboro College.
Morning lectures run from 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon lectures, from 1 to 3 p.m. All lectures are held at the Vermont Learning Collaborative, 471 US Route 5, Dummerston. Parking and handicapped access are available, and light refreshments are served at the lectures. For further information, contact Julie Lavorgna at 802-365-7278, or julielavorgna@gmail.com.
Putney Library presents ways to stay safe online
PUTNEY - Steve West of Fearless Computing will discuss viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other electronic pests that range from merely annoying to truly dangerous on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m., at the Putney Public Library at 55 Main St.
West will also cover phone scams and simple ways to increase safety on the computer and the web, as well as healthful ergonomics and posture. There will be plenty of time for questions, which are encouraged. This program is free and open to the public.
Sunrise Rotary launches annual Dinner Raffle
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club is selling tickets for its annual Dinner Raffle to raise funds for Project Feed the Thousands and other Rotary projects.
This year's first prize is five $100 gift certificates to the following Brattleboro restaurants: Duo; Whetstone Station; Panda North; The Marina; and Peter Havens. Two second-place prizes are a $50 gift certificate to the Vermont Country Deli and a $50 gift certificate to Grafton Village Cheese.
Tickets may be purchased for $5 each or a package of five for $20, and are available through any Brattleboro Sunrise Rotarian or by contacting either Jason (802-380-0848) or Toni (802-254-0047). The raffle drawing will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Lymphedema therapy now available at Grace Cottage
TOWNSHEND - Lymphedema therapy services are now available at Grace Cottage in Townshend, as two Grace Cottage physical therapists have recently completed this training.
As many as 50 percent of patients dealing with breast cancer will develop lymphedema - which can occur when lymph nodes have been removed or are damaged by radiation - at some point after treatment, according to the National Cancer Institute. Lymphedema can also be congenital. Once it occurs, Lymphedema is permanent, but much can be done to minimize the effects, especially when caught early. If allowed to progress, it will cause significant debilitation.
Symptoms of lymphedema may include a swollen limb that feels heavy or skin that feels tight. It's important to consult a medical provider so the diagnosis will be accurate, as other conditions also cause swelling.
To learn more about the Grace Cottage Rehabilitation Department's lymphedema therapeutic services, call 802-365-3637.