Church hosts Christmas Bazaar
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The annual Christmas Bazaar at First Congregational Church of West Brattleboro takes place Saturday, Nov. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the church, 880 Western Ave.
Booths will feature Christmas greens and ornaments from balsam wreaths to berry bowls. Hand crafted gifts run the gamut from baskets to hats and from wool gloves to afghans.
The general store will sell fudge, sweet and savory treats, and preserves, and there will be a display of doll clothes and embroidered sundries. The baked-goods table will be brimming with fresh bread and pastries, as well as containers of chili and corn bread. A kid's corner will feature pine-cone bird feeders and wooden Christmas trees.
The West Bee Nursery will be there with handmade soaps and lotions.
A raffle will include maple syrup, quilts, homemade dolls, a rustic settee, Vermont cheeses, and gift and gas cards. The drawing will be held just before closing at 1:30 p.m.
Lunch, beginning at 11:30 a.m., will feature corn chowder and various sandwiches. Coffee and cider will be available all day.
For more information, visit firstcongregationalwb.org/bazaar.
Christmas bazaar in Westminster
WESTMINSTER - The Women's Fellowship will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the First Congregational Church, 3470 Route 5.
The Christmas Shop will be open and will include crafts, candles, gifts, handmade items, collectibles, and homemade baked goods.
At 11 a.m., Santa will visit. Children of all ages are invited to do a craft project and pose for a photo with Santa.
Also, the Christmas Café will offer coffee, tea, and treats will be available, starting at 9 a.m., and soup, chili, sandwiches, chips, and beverages will be on sale at lunchtime.
Holiday craft fair in Chesterfield
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. - The annual Chesterfield Holiday Craft Fair at the Town Hall on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, will feature more than 20 local artisans, crafters, and cooks.
A portion of the day's proceeds will benefit Operation Christmas, a local mission project of Asbury Church, a United Methodist church that serves the greater Chesterfield community.
The Christmas Cafe in the annex will present soup and chili, grilled-cheese sandwiches, and sweets and beverages prepared and served by the Women's Fellowship of the church.
The Chesterfield Town Hall is across from the Post Office on Route 63.
BF shops host open house for Thanksgiving weekend
BELLOWS FALLS - Restaurants and shops from the Bellows Falls area (including Rockingham, Saxtons River, and Westminster) will hold their annual Thanksgiving Weekend Open House from Friday, Nov. 24 to Monday, Nov. 27.
Starting with “Plaid Friday” (everyone wears plaid), many of the businesses will be having specials, classes, and events, and will be serving refreshments throughout the weekend.
Small Business Saturday, on Nov. 25, is a national holiday shopping tradition that celebrates small businesses like those in the Great Falls area. “And it wouldn't be a celebration without our loyal customers stopping by to join them,” event organizers write.
The Bellows Falls Downtown Development Alliance reminds the public that they can help get the word out and celebrate Small Business Saturday by using Facebook and other social networks.
The 2017 Shop Local cards are welcome in about 60 establishments in Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Rockingham and Westminster through the end of the year.
“You get a stamp for every $5 and $10 dollars you spend,” explains BFDDA President Kim Bovill. “When you get $100 in stamps on one card, you turn in the card with your contact information on it. They can be turned in at any of our participating businesses.”
Cardholders are then entered in a drawing for prizes. Winners will be announced after Jan. 1, and the prizes can be picked up at the Village Square Booksellers.
Details on all BFDDA events is available on the organization's Facebook page, or call 802-460-2333 for more information.
Hospice plans holiday sale at Brooks House
BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Brattleboro Area Hospice's Hospice Shop Pop Up will appear in the Brooks House atrium on Main Street.
Organizers describe the event as “a live holiday shopping extravaganza” that is “curated with an eye for gift giving.”
The shop will sell hand-crafted artisanal items, art by local artists, vintage collectibles, winter accessories, jewelry, and more. It will offer finger food and live music on Friday evening.
Call Hospice at 802-257-0775 for more information.
Santa comes to Gibson-Aiken Center
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department welcomes Santa Claus on Saturday, Dec. 2.
Santa will arrive at the Gibson-Aiken Center on Main Street at 1 p.m. on a tractor provided by the Robb Family Farm and escorted by the Brattleboro Police and Fire departments.
In this event for children of all ages, kids can visit with Frosty and Santa and his elves and have their pictures taken for a donation.
At Santa's Workshop, children will decorate Christmas cookies donated and made by the Windham Regional Career Center's Hideaway Restaurant at the Brattleboro Union High School, with frosting made by Vermont Country Deli. Also, the BUHS Band will be playing Christmas tunes.
For more information, call the Recreation and Parks office at 802-254-5808 or visit the department's Facebook page for more information.
Holiday fest, wreath workshop in Jamaica
JAMAICA - Get in the holiday spirit with the first-ever Holiday Fest and Wreath Workshop at the Town Hall on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The festival will include a myriad of activities and photo opportunities.
“Be crafty and create a holiday wreath at the workshop table, or purchase a decorated locally made artisan wreath,” event organizers write. “Sign up at the D & K store for the cookie swap with talented local bakers. Enjoy homemade refreshments, bring a new unwrapped toy to donate, and make a fun project at the kids craft area.”
The Merry Pranksters bluegrass band will perform inside and then head outside across to the town green to light the town tree at 5:30 p.m.
Local businesses have donated raffle prizes: a big fresh-cut tree, restaurant gift certificates, food, and fun holiday items.
Christmas Bazaar at Guilford Church
GUILFORD - Guilford Community Church will hold its Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Handmade crafts, decorated wreaths, holiday cookie platters, white elephants, and unique gift items will be on sale, along with homemade soups and sandwiches for lunch.
Raffle items include a handmade quilt, an American Girl doll, a Boulder Creek portable gas fire pit, and gift certificates.
All proceeds benefit the church, which actively supports numerous local programs and organizations serving the wider community.
From Interstate 91, take Exit 1 (Brattleboro), go south on Route 5 to just past the Guilford Country Store, turn left on Bee Barn Road, and left again on Church Drive.
Outdoor wreaths and greens for sale in Grafton
GRAFTON - The Grafton Historical Society will sell indoor and outdoor holiday decorations this year for the first time to help raise funds to repair the museum's basement.
The sale will take place on Dec. 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Grafton Historical Society's museum on Main Street.
Hand-decorated live evergreen wreaths, swags, and outdoor planters will be featured on the museum's lawn. Inside, small Christmas decorations, wrappings, gifts, and books will be sold.
The sale will be part of the Grafton Holiday Festival weekend, when businesses, museums, and other organizations will be open for holiday fun and events.
One-of-a-kind GHS outdoor decorations will be made from live evergreens and decorated by volunteers. Just down the street, the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department will be selling a variety of live Christmas trees.
Inside the museum, the GHS will be selling small indoor Christmas decorations and its Grafton collection of children's books.
Funds raised from this event will go to the repair of the museum's basement and operating expenses.
Craft fair in East Dover
EAST DOVER - The third annual Dover Holiday Craft Fair takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Dover Town Hall, 102 Route 100.
Fourteen local artists and crafters will feature hooked rugs, jewelry, photography, knit and fabric arts, decorative woodcrafts, handcrafted chocolates, honey, soaps and lotions, bird-seed wreaths, and much more.
Admission is free. For more information, contact Jeannette Eckert at 802-348-7910 or Linda Sherman at 802-348-6361.
Holiday of Horses parade in Townshend
TOWNSHEND - The annual Holiday of Horses Parade and Celebration will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. (weather permitting).
After the horse parade, which starts at Leland & Gray Union High School, at 2 p.m., there will be a holiday decorating Craft Hour at the Townshend Church. Then, at 3 p.m., Community Hope and Action will sponsor a community potluck at the Townshend Church.
“Bring your favorite holiday foods if possible and meet your neighbors!” event organizers write.
The West River Valley Chorus will sing a holiday medley at 4 p.m. on the Common, and all are invited to join to sing and to help light up the Common.
For more information, contact Community Hope and Action at 802-365-4700.
Christmas concert in Westminster
WESTMINSTER - On Sunday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the Westmoreland Town Band will present a Christmas Musical Extravaganza at the First Congregational Church, 3470 Route 5.
The band is known throughout New England for its excellence and will kick off its Christmas Season at the church with its performance of a selection of Christmas music upstairs.
After the concert, refreshments will be served and there will be a chance to meet Santa and the band, purchase a CD, and visit with friends and neighbors.
Jingle Bell Jog returns to Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - The fourth annual Jingle Bell Jog is Saturday, Dec. 9.
Runners will start the 5K run-and-walk road race at 9:30 a.m. at the Brooks House on Main Street, and they will run along the Whetstone Brook.
The first 100 registrants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Prizes will go to the first three men and women finishers.
Holiday-themed attire is encouraged, but not required, and jingle bells will be provided.
Race day registration at the Brooks House Atrium begins at 8:20 a.m. and closes at 9:25 a.m. The entry fee is $20.
For more information, contact the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce at info@brattleborochamber.org or 802-254-4565.
Service set for Dec. 17 at Green River Church
GUILFORD - The Green River Church in the village of Green River will hold its annual Service of Scriptures and Carols at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.
Leader Michael Mario will be joined by Martha LaMaria on the organ and a brass ensemble from Brattleboro Union High School.
Refreshments will be served in the vestibule of the church following the service.
This will be the Church's 57th annual service, its only fundraising event of the year. The service will be recorded for Christmas Eve broadcast on WTSA-FM.
In 2001, the church became a part of the Green River Village Preservation Trust, a local, nonprofit, historic preservation group.
Stone Church hosts Winter Craft Market
BRATTLEBORO - All are invited to the first Winter Craft Market in the newly renovated Stone Church, 210 Main St.
Dozens of local vendors will be on hand on Dec. 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafters will provide jewelry, pottery, cosmetics, accessories, housewares, visual art, and face painting for the kids.
The vendor roster will be different each day.
Beverages and snacks from the bar will include craft beer, holiday cocktails, coffee and tea, and Jubilee Farm maple popcorn.
To see updates and check out the full vendor list, check out the Facebook event page at bit.ly/SCWCM2017.