BASIC to host second public visioning design session
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Recreation & Parks and BASIC are hosting a second public visioning session regarding the skatepark design with Stantec Action Sports, at the Gibson Aiken Senior Center on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m.
This public session presents local skaters with an opportunity to provide input into the design process, provides time for the public to discuss esthetic concerns related to skatepark design, and will serve as further input to Stantec.
For more information please contact the Recreation and Park Office at 802-254-5808.
Artists Town Meeting convenes in Bellows Falls
BELLOWS FALLS - The potluck Artists Town Meeting for September will be held on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 33 Bridge St. (home to WOOL radio and several artists' studios). Artists, artisans, and local food growers are all encouraged to attend.
The meeting agenda will include artist project updates, a debriefing of “May is Art Month” and the Open Studio tour held on Memorial Day weekend, a discussion of the Bellows Falls Third Friday Gallery Walk, and the upcoming Vermont State Craft Open Studio Tour in October.
Additionally, decisions will be made about sponsoring a Classic Movie Night film at the Bellows Falls Opera House.
These meetings are informal and open to everyone. Interested participants are asked to RSVP by emailing ramp@sover.net, or by calling 802-463-3252.
DPW to paint stripes on streets
BRATTLEBORO - The Department of Public Works' Highway Division has begun its annual fall line striping. Painting is planned for crosswalks in school zones and in the more traveled sections of town as well as the double yellow lines on the freshly paved parts of Maple Street and Hinesburg Road.
The work is expected to take about two weeks to complete, contingent on the weather.
Traffic will be restricted, and motorists should plan to use alternate routes. Signage will be in place to remind motorists of the road work.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Department of Public Works at 802-254-4255.
Senior meal in Halifax
HALIFAX - The next Halifax senior meal is Friday, Sept. 21, at noon at the West Halifax Community Hall at 20 Brook Road.
On the menu is fruit with cottage cheese, roasted pork loin, potatoes, vegetable, rolls, and pumpkin dump cake for dessert. All seniors are welcome. A donation of $3 is suggested. Call Joan at 802-368-7733 to save a seat.
Harvest Fest at the Athens Brick Meetinghouse
ATHENS - The Athens Brick Meetinghouse will be the site of a Harvest Fest on Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. After the success of the bicentennial celebration last year, organizers decided to make this barbecue and gathering an annual event.
Come to the Meetinghouse Common, starting at 2 p.m., for some fun, games, and a chance to catch up with neighbors or make new acquaintances. There will be music, horseshoes, fun activities for kids of all ages, and lots of raffle prizes.
The barbecue will be served at 3 p.m., with dessert to follow, while winners are drawn for the many items being raffled off, including two cords of firewood.
This historic landmark will be open for tours during this event. Suggested donation for the BBQ dinner is $10; kids 10 and under are free. All proceeds support ongoing work to preserve this historic landmark. For more information, contact Sherry Maher at 802-869-2141 or athensmeetinghouse1817@gmail.com.
KOA hosts vintage camper rally
DUMMERSTON - The Brattleboro North KOA Campground at 1238 US Route 5 will host its 14th Vintage Camper Rally the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22. Local residents and visitors are invited to an open house on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m.
About 45 fully restored and outfitted campers, including Airstreams, Scottys, Shastas, and tear drops will be open to walk through. Their proud owners look forward to sharing their search and restoration stories. Some will have vintage items and crafts available for sale.
There is no charge for the open house and cameras are welcome. Well-socialized and leashed canines are welcome. For further information, call 802-254-5908.
NAACP to host candidate forum at Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham County NAACP will sponsor a Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
This event is open to the public and will feature Gubernatorial candidates Christine Halquist (Democrat), Stephen Marx (Earth Rights), Emily Peyton (Liberty Union), and Trevor Barlow (independent), and lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Murray Ngoima (Liberty Union). Current Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (Progressive) will provide a pre-taped statement.
The candidates will be providing answers to questions generated by the public and Windham County and Rutland NAACP branches. The community will have the opportunity to have questions answered and concerns addressed.
If interested in volunteering or providing a question for the candidates, email info@windhamnaacp.org.
Volunteers to clean up rivers
BRATTLEBORO - The Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance will sponsor three cleanup locations in conjunction with the Source to Sea river cleanup sponsored by the Connecticut River Conservancy.
On Sept. 23, volunteers and members of Boy Scout Troop 428 will meet at Rescue Inc. in West Townshend at 10 a.m.
On Sept. 28, seventh-graders at Bellows Falls Middle School will clean up the waterfront park in Bellows Falls from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
On Sept. 29, SEVWA volunteers with meet at the West Dummerston Covered Bridge at 9 a.m. to clean a section of the West River from Dummerston to Newfane. For more information, or to participate, contact SEVWA at info@SeVWA.org or call 802-365-1064.
Asian Cultural Center celebrates Moon Festival
BRATTLEBORO - The Asian Cultural Center of Vermont presents the 20th annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (Zhongqiu Jie), which is celebrated in China, Korea, Vietnam, and other places around the world.
Celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival with crafts, songs, food, t'ai chi, paper lanterns, Chinese exercises, the Korean rope tug and more. Hear the story of The Goddess of the Moon, Chang'e; the great archer Hou-Yi; and the Elixir of Immortality. Then watch the harvest moon rise.
The celebration will start with a potluck (bring a dish to share). The Moon Festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 23, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Kiwanis Shelter atop Living Memorial Park. All ages, free to the public, rain or shine. For more information, call 802-579-9088, or visit accvt.org.
Dummerston Cares to hold annual meeting
DUMMERSTON - Dummerston Cares' annual meeting this year will be on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m., at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center.
Some volunteers, clients, and other residents will share stories of their experiences in Cares programs: rides to medical appointments and other places, friendly visits, simple home repairs and maintenance assistance, delivering and receiving of welcome and sunshine baskets, medical equipment loans, and more.
Some take-aways from the Aging Well program will also be noted. The focus will be on sharing some of what Cares is all about, looking ahead to Cares' future, and considering how Cares can make its programs and services more available to residents who can benefit from them. Everyone's thoughts and ideas are welcome.
The meeting will conclude with visiting and conversation over refreshments. Cares' 2018 annual report and other information is at www.dummerstoncares.org. For more information, call Bill at 802-258-0431.
BMH offers career exploration program
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will host a new career exploration program, Bandages and Beyond, on Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the hospital's Brew Barry Conference Center.
Bandages and Beyond is a program for high school students that provides them with the opportunity to learn about the many career paths, both medical and nonclinical, within the healthcare field.
Students will have the opportunity to speak with staff members from a variety of departments within the hospital - from Obstetrics and Orthopaedics to Finance and Human Resources.
Staff also will provide tours of the hospital for students to explore various services, including radiology equipment, a surgical robot, hyperbaric wound healing chambers, and much more.
The program is open to students in grades 9-12 in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Pre-registration is encouraged before Friday, Sept. 21. To learn more, visit www.bmhvt.org/bandages.
Climate Café hosts presentation on Vermont's wildlife
BRATTLEBORO - The September Climate Café will host Tom Rogers of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department for a presentation about Vermont's wildlife in a changing climate on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Brooks Memorial Library. Light refreshments will be available.
Through colorful photos and captivating stories, the audience will come away with a new understanding of how climate change is affecting wildlife. Rogers will talk about what people can do to help conserve biodiversity in Vermont in the face of these new threats.
Rogers is a biologist who has worked on a variety of conservation projects, researching zebras in Kenya, golden-winged warblers in New York, sage grouse and bald eagles in Wyoming, and grizzly bears in Montana. He currently works in outreach for the Fish & Wildlife Department, connecting with the public through writing, speaking, and photography.
The Climate Café is a project of Post Oil Solutions that convenes the fourth Tuesday of most months. For further information, contact Tim Stevenson at bereal@vermontel.net or 802-869-2141.
Community marijuana dialogue night
TOWNSHEND - West River Valley Thrives, in collaboration with the Windham County Prevention Partnership, is sponsoring a community information and dialogue on the topic of youth and the impact of Vermont's new marijuana law. The event will take place at the Dutton Gym, adjacent to Leland & Gray Union High School, at 2042 VT Rt. 30, on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The evening will include a panel of legislators, school staff, and representatives from law enforcement, healthcare, the Vermont Department of Health, youth-serving organizations, and prevention coalitions. The panel presentation will be followed by a moderated question and answer period.
Everyone is encouraged to come, especially those who raise and/or support youth. For more information, contact Steve Tavella at 802-365-4700 or wrvtdirector@gmail.com.
Funding available for Brattleboro-area projects
BRATTLEBORO - Funding is now available for Brattleboro-area projects and organizations through the Crosby-Gannett Fund and the Dunham-Mason Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation.
The purpose of both funds is to support endeavors that contribute to the betterment and vitality of the Brattleboro area. The funds' local advisors are interested in supporting projects that rely mainly on local financial support.
Eligible projects and organizations will focus on innovation, capital improvements, and historical renovation/preservation. Crosby-Gannett Fund grants range from $250 to $1,000; Dunham-Mason Fund grants range from $250 to $500.
The deadline for both funds for this grant round is 5 p.m. on Oct. 11. Eligible applicants may apply to either or both of the funds at the same time. Visit vermontcf.org/availablegrants to learn more.