Dessert fundraiser celebrates National Library Week
BRATTLEBORO - The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library will celebrate National Library Week (April 8 to 14) with a dessert fundraiser and “Friendraiser” on Friday, April 13, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Brooks Memorial Library.
The Friends will offer a selection of desserts, as well as tea and coffee. Various prizes, many handcrafted by area artists, will be raffled off.
The cost is $10 per person and includes dessert and coffee as well as three raffle tickets. Extra tickets may be purchased at three for $5. The Friends will also hold a separate raffle for one of their Little Free Libraries. These raffle tickets may be purchased for $5 each.
Workers' Center hosts health fair, meeting on healthcare issues
BRATTLEBORO - On April 13, the Vermont Workers' Center will host a health fair and community meeting on health care issues accompanied by a free community meal. This event will take place from 5:15 to 8 p.m. at the Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St.
Blood pressure and blood glucose screenings by registered nurses will be available, as well as other mutual aid and healthcare resources.
Having trouble getting the care you need? Concerned about cuts in services? Questions about healthcare? This meeting will include information and an opportunity to connect with others about the turmoil in our healthcare system and discuss how we can make a difference.
Rides, childcare, and ASL interpretation available upon request. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
For more information contact the Vermont Workers' Center at 802-257-4436 or windham@workerscenter.org.
Book clubs at Village Square Booksellers
BELLOWS FALLS - Village Square Booksellers in Bellows Falls has several book clubs led by Myles Mickle and Pat Fowler. Different topics and meeting at different times of the day enables customers to pick and choose which discussion group to attend.
Mickle has chosen a nonfiction book, All The President's Men, in which Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the Washington Post reporters whose Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation smashed the Watergate scandal wide open, tell the behind-the-scenes drama the way it really happened. The discussion will be held on Friday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Fowler has chosen Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. Picoult is known for presenting a moral dilemma in each of her books. Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than 20 years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient.
The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African-American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene? Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. The Evening Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Classics Quarterly will meet on Wednesday, April 25, from 4 to 6 p.m., to discuss Moby Dick by Herman Melville, led by Myles. Moby Dick is a tale of obsession and vengeance, but also contains surprising commentary on storytelling, race, sexuality, philosophy, industry and much more.
Books are available at the store and receive a 20 percent discount for the in-house book clubs. Pick up copies of books at the bookstore and sign up to attend at the store or by calling 802-463-9404. Light refreshments will be served at all sessions.
Osher lectures continue
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute announces the third in its Spring series of lectures, to be held on Monday, April 16. The lectures' general subject is “Reading the Quran with Rumi.”
Jalaluddin Rumi, the 13th-century Muslim contemplative who is today one of the best-selling poets in the U.S., considers the Quran a map of the self and the Quranic stories to contain wisdom that can lead to a life of happiness and flourishing.
In the April 16 lecture, Amer Latif, a professor of religious studies at Marlboro College, will examine Rumi's understanding of the story of creation and the loss of paradise.
The Osher lectures are held from 10 a.m. to noon at the New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St., Brattleboro. 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.
Grace Cottage hosts free workshop on addictive eating disorders
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Hospital is offering a free support group for the community called “Overcoming Addictive Food Behavior,” starting Wednesaday, April 18, and meeting for 11 weeks. Pre-registration is required.
Compulsive overeating is a complex and pervasive problem. A one-dimensional approach to weight loss has rarely worked because different people are overweight for different reasons, and most people have several factors feeding their obesity problems.
This course will follow the program offered in the best-selling “Love Hunger Weight-Loss Workbook.” The multi-faceted approach, based on the 12 Step recovery program, has helped countless people develop lifelong lifestyle changes for lasting weight loss and better health.
The group will be facilitated by Behavioral Health Specialist Caroline Chase and Health Coach Liz Harrison. It will meet weekly from April 18 to June 27, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., in the Grace Cottage Community Wellness Center (Heins Building), 133 Grafton Rd. A $5.50 workbook fee is due prior to the first class. To register, call 802-365-3765 or 802-365-3766.
United Way presents Mother's Day rose sale
BRATTLEBORO - Thanks to their friends at UPS, ordering roses for Mother's Day (or just because) will benefit United Way of Windham County, which will receive 50 percent of the proceeds.
Roses are $20 per dozen. Orders of five or more dozen will be delivered within Windham County.
All other orders will be available for pick up at the UWWC Office on Friday, May 11. Orders must be placed by April 20. Per UPS, this deadline won't be extended. For more information about the Rose Sale, contact the United Way office at 802-257-4011.
Leaf collection schedule announced
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro's curbside Spring Leaf Collection will take place on Friday, April 20, and Friday, May 4.
All leaves and clippings must be in brown paper leaf bags and at the curb by 7 a.m. on scheduled leaf collection days. Acceptable waste includes leaves, grass, clippings, garden waste, twigs, and branches no larger than 1 inch in diameter and 2 feet long. No other household trash is to be included.
No plastic bags or other containers will be accepted, as the materials collected will be used for compost. Brown paper leaf bags are available for purchase at local businesses. These will be the only days scheduled for curbside leaf pick up. There will be no Saturday pickup.
Laura Wetzler to perform at Moore Free Library
NEWFANE - Laura Wetzler returns to Moore Free Library on Friday, April 20, at 7 p.m., with more great folk, traditional, and original music.
A singer, songwriter, recording artist, and ethnic folklorist, Wetzler tours internationally with more than 100 concerts and lectures each year. She sings original story songs, rollicking celebrations of The Great American Songbook, as well as worldbeat music from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
General admission is $12, $10 for seniors/students. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Moore Free Library. For more information, contact the library at 802-365-7948 or moorefreelibrary@gmail.com.
Community Hope and Action hosts talent show
TOWNSHEND - Got talent? The Townshend-based Community Hope and Action group needs you.
They will be putting on their annual talent show on Saturday, April 21, and participant registration is now open. Do you like to sing, dance, tell jokes, or act? Do you have another talent to share? Sign up today!
Contact Nick to sign up, or if you have any questions, at 802-365-4700 or wrvthrives@gmail.com. The talent show will include a free dinner from 5 to 6 p.m., and the performances will take place from 6 to 8 .pm.
This is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event, so performances must be appropriate for all ages. Dinner will be provided, but if you wish, you can bring a favorite dish, side, or dessert to share with friends and neighbors.
Workshop teaches active parenting strategies
BELLOWS FALLS - Greater Falls Connections presents Active Parenting of Teens, an engaging, skills-based workshop that empowers parents and caregivers to face the changes, choices, and challenges that arise throughout the teen years.
The workshop will meet each Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m., from April 26 through May 31. It offers the opportunity to increase understanding of how to stay connected and how to communicate respectfully during conflict. Learn how to support your child in balancing stress and responsibilities. Come prepared to talk to your tween or teen about sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence, and set clear expectations.
Facilitators Don Tretler and Nancy Panelle will lead the workshop. Quality childcare and dinner will be provided for each session. To sign up, contact Deb Witkus at 802-463-9927, ext. 212, or deb@greaterfallsconnections.org, or register in person at Parks Place, 44 School St., Bellows Falls.
Adult Dental Care Day is May 5
BRATTLEBORO - United Way of Windham County, together with Delta Dental and Brattleboro Orthodontic Specialists, present Windham County Smiles, the annual free Adult Dental Care Day. on Saturday, May 5, at Brattleboro Elks Lodge #1499, 75 Putney Rd.
Windham County residents age 18 or older (no children, please) will receive fillings and extractions (no wisdom teeth). The services are free (with suggested donation of $20) and will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration starts at the Elks' Lodge at 7:30 a.m. Transportation from the Elks to the dental practice is provided if needed. Call Vermont 2-1-1 for more details.