Three forums scheduled for Windham-4 candidates
On July 5 and 10 the Town Democratic Committees of Dummerston and Westminster, respectively, will sponsor forums with the three candidates who will face off in the August 14 Democratic Primary for the two House seats in the Windham-4 district.
Incumbent Mike Mrowicki of Putney and newcomers Nader Hashim and Cindy Jerome, both of Dummerston, are running to fill the two slots allowed for Democrats on the November election ballot. The senior House incumbent from Windham-4, David Deen, recently announced his retirement after more than two decades of service.
These two events will follow the kick-off forum with the three candidates on June 27, at 6 p.m., at Putney Meadows, 17 Carol Brown Way, sponsored by The Putney Huddle, ACLU People Power, and Rights & Democracy-VT, and moderated by Julia Ronconi of Brattleboro.
The July 5 forum in Dummerston is co-sponsored by the Evening Star Grange and will be held at the Grange Hall in Dummerston Center. Steven John of Marlboro will be the moderator. Attendees will be asked to submit written questions for the candidates at the Hall.
Come at 6:30 p.m. for light refreshments; the forum is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m., and will be followed by an informal reception with the candidates. Call 802-257-1020 for more information.
The third forum will take place at Westminster West Congregational Church on July 10 at 7 p.m. Call 802-722-3173 for further information.
Action Festival celebrates the first day of primary voting
BRATTLEBORO - The Committee to Elect Emilie Kornheiser, a candidate for the Vermont House from Windham 2-1, will sponsor an Action Festival on the Brattleboro Common on Friday, June 29, the first day of voting in the primary election.
The festival, a celebration of democracy, takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. and will include music, food, activities for kids, and opportunities to take action on community and national issues.
Peter Siegel and Friends, Moxie, and other bands will provide music, food trucks will supply food, and political parties and activist organizations will have information on how to step up and take action. Participants are invited to vote at the Town Clerk's office (before 5 p.m.), then stroll up Main Street to the Common for the party.
Westminster Center School hosts plant sale
WESTMINSTER - On Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Westminster P.T.O. will offer a wide array of perennials at attractive prices. The sale is coordinated with the first day of Westminster Cares' Garden Tour, and will include a “café” where everyone can enjoy a variety of beverages and goodies.
Drop by the Westminster Center School and have a look at this year's selection. Plant and food contributions are requested by the P.T.O. and can be delivered after 9 a.m. on the morning of the event.
Summer services return to Guilford
GUILFORD - St. Michael's Episcopal Church of Brattleboro is happy to again have several summer services at Christ Church this season after not being able to use the church during last year's bridge construction on Route 5.
The 8 a.m. services on the first Sundays of July, August, and September will be at Christ Church, instead of at St. Michael's. The first service is this Sunday, July 1. The 10:15 a.m. services will remain at St. Michael's.
Evening Prayer services will also be held at Christ Church on Sunday, July 8, and Sunday, Aug. 12. The short chanted service begins at 5 p.m. and lasts about 30 minutes. The service, which follows Rite II in the Hymnal and the Book of Common Prayer, will be led by Valerie Abrahamsen.
Christ Church, the Mother Church of St. Michael's and the first Episcopal Church in Vermont, is on Melendy Hill, just off Route 5. Christ Church does have several steps which aren't accessible for some people with mobility limitations. Contact the church office at 802-254-6048 or Jeanie@stmichaelsvermont.org with any questions.
Historic Frederick Douglass speech to be read in Wilmington
WILMINGTON - At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, Pettee Memorial Library in Wilmington will host a communal reading of Frederick Douglass's 1852 speech, “What to a Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
A 35-minute abridgement of this speech will be distributed, and the shared reading will be followed by discussion and refreshments. All are invited to take a turn reading, or just to listen.
On July 5, 1852, Douglass, a leading abolitionist and former slave, delivered a brilliant and provocative oration at an event in Rochester, N.Y., commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“Fellow-citizens,” he began, “why am I called upon to speak here today? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day? What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?”
By hosting such events during the celebration of independence, the library invites thought and discussion about race and citizenship now, more than a century and a half later.
Pettee Memorial Library joins the Vermont Humanities Council and Community Change Inc. in this statewide effort. The text of this speech and accompanying materials are available at www.vermonthumanities.org.
Volunteers needed to build 'Major Pavilion'
WESTMINSTER WEST - Construction of a 16-by-16 open-air learning pavilion will take place this summer to promote nature-based learning at Westminster's Studio Y program, centered at the Westminster West Schoolhouse.
Volunteers are needed for the assembly of the lower frame, as well as the landscaping to be completed this summer. A formal dedication to Bev Major, as a token of Westminster's appreciation, will take place at the beginning of the new school year.
Funding and construction of the Major Pavilion has been done with volunteer community resources which are gratefully accepted. Those interested in making any type of contribution can write to westminstercommunitygroup@gmail.com.
Decorate your bikes for July 4 parade
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department will again host its annual 4th of July bike decorating event.
Kids may bring their bikes and helmets to the Vermont Inn Pizza parking lot on Canal Street at 9 a.m. Join Rec & Parks staff as they get festive with a variety of decorations and walk in the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. They will provide the decorations, tattoos, face painting, and ribbons for the participants, free of charge.
Children ages 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the parade. Parents of children over the age of 5 can meet us at the Common at the end of the parade. This event will run rain or shine. For more information regarding this event, or if any special needs are required, call the Recreation & Parks Department at 802-254-5808.
Spaces still available for Newfane tag sale
NEWFANE - Spaces are still available for the Community Tag Sale sponsored by The Friends of the Moore Free Library on the Newfane Common on Saturday, July 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fee for a space is $20, and the sale will be held rain or shine.
To reserve a space, contact Julie at 802-365-7278 or julielavorgna@gmail.com, or pick up a reservation form at the Library, 23 West St., Newfane.
Wantastiquet Rotary awards seven scholarships
LONDONDERRY - The Dick Foley Scholarship Fund distributed individual scholarships to seven worthy graduating seniors, who desired to further their education.
The Wantastiquet Rotary of Londonderry distributed scholarships to six students from Burr & Burton Academy and one from Leland & Gray Union High School. The recipients were Rebecca Williams, Nicholas Plants, Thea Steeves-Boey, Sophia Neihold, Jay McCoy, Rachel Wood, and Emily Blum.
The scholarships are funded by community support of Rotary projects in the Londonderry area.