BrattleMasters are moving to the Winston Prouty Center
BRATTLEBORO - Michelle O'Hearn-Deblois of Wilmington will run the 6 p.m. Toastmasters meeting on Thursday, Oct. 11, at a new location: the Winston Prouty Center, 209 Austine Drive (formerly the Austine School).
This week, BrattleMasters meet in the library in the back of Crocker Hall. Look for a sign marked “Garland School” and other signs for Toastmasters.
The meeting will include speeches up to seven minutes in length, speech evaluations, and reports from the grammarian, timer, and “ah” counter. In addition, an exercise in extemporaneous speaking called table topics will be held for all members and any guests in attendance. Volunteers will be asked a question and will have up to two minutes to give their answer.
There is no charge for guests to attend and observe how members help each other become better speakers, communicators, and leaders. For information about the local club, visit brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.
DCF Award book group forms at Putney Library
PUTNEY - A book group focusing on books on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award list is forming at the Putney Public Library for older elementary and middle school age kids.
The group will meet the second Wednesday of every month in the Library's youth department from 4 to 5 p.m. Most books on this list are aimed at children 10-14, though some are most appropriate for middle grades due to subject matter.
Amber Paris will facilitate and asks that participants (or their parents) RSVP to her by email at amberlparis@gmail.com.
Historical Society looks at old-time sugar-making
JACKSONVILLE - The Whitingham Historical Society and the Whitingham Free Public Library invite everyone to join them on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m., to welcome Hale Mattoon, a sixth-generation Vermonter and author from Chelsea who has been sugaring for over 60 years.
Hale began collecting tools of the trade when he was just a boy, and it soon became a life-long passion - especially for spouts. Mattoon will discuss his second edition of Maple Spouts, Spiles Taps & Tools and the development of sugar-making equipment throughout the years.
This program takes place at the Municipal Center on Route 100 in Jacksonville, and is free, open to the public, and handicapped accessible. Refreshments will be served.
Walk to the Windmill on Oct. 13
WESTMINSTER WEST - On Saturday, Oct. 13, leaders from the Putney Mountain Association and Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association will guide hikers from different starting points, via different routes, to converge upon the site of the ancient windmill that inspired the names for Windmill Mountain, Windmill Hill, and Windmill Ridge.
This free, coordinated hike will begin at either 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., and end around 2 p.m. The start times depend upon the routes taken.
Because of necessary carpooling to and from different trailheads, advance registration is required so that detailed directions and information about the routes may be given and the groups can be relatively even in size. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 14.
The plan is for participants to meet at noon at the site of the ancient windmill, located at the junction of five different hiking trails, for a celebration of shared history and conservation past and present by the two volunteer organizations that made these protected lands and their trails possible.
At the celebration, hikers will learn about the Five Corners, the early ridge-line settlement there, and the history of the ridge and its conservation by the Putney Mountain Association and the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association. A picnic lunch will follow.
Participants should bring water, a bag lunch, insect repellant, and perhaps a walking stick. All trail routes are rated medium, but several have steep sections. The five starting/parking points are the trailheads at Putney Mountain, Grassy Brook, and Holden Trail; plus private houses on Banning Road and Windmill Hill Road South. Trails taken will traverse parts of Putney, Brookline, and Westminster.
For information and required registration, contact Elizabeth Bissell at ehfbissell@gmail.com or 802-387-4587. A map showing the different routes and giving information about their rate of difficulty and their start times and locations may be found at www.putneymountain.org or www.windmillhillpinnacle.org. The Pinnacle Association is also on Facebook.
Fall crockpot supper in Westminster
WESTMINSTER - The First Congregational Church on Route 5 will hold a fall crockpot church supper on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.. Dinner will be buffet style with many different entrees kept hot in crockpots.
There will be something for everyone - from meatballs to chili to vegetarian dishes. Dinner will be accompanied by bread, tossed salad, coffee, tea, milk, and dessert. This fundraiser supper will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. Those under 5 eat free. All are welcome.
Photography of Bob Cohen at MSA
SAXTONS RIVER - An exhibit of the photography of Robert Cohen will be on display at Main Street Arts through Nov. 12.
Cohen describes his photographic journey as beginning in elementary school with an Ansco box camera. He says his eye has evolved considerably since then, along with his choice of cameras.
An inveterate traveler, he photographs what appeals to his eye and the moment, from whimsy to abstraction to light to nature. His subjects range from abandoned buildings in the Southwest to a foggy day in Venice to abstractions of common objects and the natural world of New England.
Further information about the show and Main Street Arts can be found at www.mainstreetarts.org or by contacting MSA at info@mainstreetarts.org or 802-869-2960 and on Facebook.
Crime victims, community invited to speak out
BRATTLEBORO - The Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services is hosting a series of listening forums around Vermont this fall to give victims and survivors of crime, including business owners and family members, a chance to speak out about their experiences in the criminal justice system.
One of these forums will be held on Monday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Brattleboro Union High School.
Whatever your experience, positive or negative, the Center wants to hear about it. Local stakeholders and service providers will be on hand to listen and provide support.
If you can't attend the forums, or are shy about sharing your story in public, you can participate by sending stories and comments to victimfeedback@ccvs.vermont.gov.
The Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services, established in 1992, administers the Vermont Victims Compensation Program, the Vermont Restitution Unit, the Vermont Victim Assistance Program, and the Vermont Victim Assistance Academy, as well as several state and federal grant programs that benefit Vermont's crime victims.
CCVS joins with victims, survivors, and those who interact with victims and offenders to provide, sustain, and support a collaborative system of direct services across Vermont that is comprehensive, victim-centered, trauma-informed, and accessible to diverse populations. Visit www.ccvs.vermont.gov for more details.
AARP chapter to meet
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Area Chapter 763 of AARP will meet for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 p.m. at the Brattleboro Senior Center.
The guest speaker will be Margaret Evans, who will talk about “Growing up in England during World War II.” All seniors are welcome to come, have a cup of coffee, and hear about a young girl's experiences at this historic time.
Candidate forum in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - A candidate forum will be held at Green Mountain Chapel on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m., at 480 Western Ave, near Exit 2 of Interstate 91.
The church's pastor, Bill Steele, will host and moderate the event. Candidates from all parties for all statewide offices have been invited, as well as candidates for Windham County races.
Each candidate will have an opportunity to address and seek support from the gathering, which is expected to last about 90 minutes. Questions can be directed to Pastor Steele at 802-254-5258.
Oct. 20 is World Singing Day
BRATTLEBORO - Saturday, Oct. 20, is World Singing Day, a global sing-along held annually on the third Saturday in October. The event celebrates our common humanity, using the power of singing together to connect people and communities around the world.
That day, singing events of all sizes and types will be held all over the globe. The local World Singing Day will be celebrated on Oct. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St. The event is free, open to the public, and accessible to people with disabilities.
There will be a songbook of well-known songs from many traditions and we will take turns choosing what to sing. Lyrics will also be projected on a screen for all to see. There will be guitar accompaniment and song leaders to help guide the music. For more information, contact Rich Grumbine at richgrumbine1@gmail.com.