WSESU offers publicly-funded Pre-K education with private partners
BRATTLEBORO - Windham Southeast Supervisory Union announces that the towns of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney, and Vernon will offer funding for 10 hours per week of Pre-Kindergarten education for 3-5 year olds in private preschools that contract with their local school districts.
The Pre-K education is designed to provide young children with developmentally appropriate early learning experiences based on Vermont's Early Learning Standards.
In the 2018-19 school year, 245 children in the WSESD towns used public Pre-K funding to attend 18 different preschools that have partnership contracts with a WSESD school district.
Applications for this opportunity are available at area preschools, on the WSESD website, www.wsesu.org, and by calling Janice Stockman at 254-3755.
Memorial Day closures
BRATTLEBORO - In observance of Memorial Day, all Brattleboro town offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, with the exception of emergency services.
Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27. All other violations will be enforced.
Brooks Memorial Library will be closed on May 26 and 27.
Trash, recycling, and curbside compost will not be picked up on May 27. All collections for the week will be delayed by one day.
WWAC presents talk on Kyrgyzstan
BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, May 24, Windham World Affairs Council will continue the journey through Central Asia, which it began on May 10 with the talk on “The Uyghurs of Xinjaing.”
In this week's talk, the audience will visit Xinjiang's neighbor to the west, Kyrgyzstan, a small, post-Soviet republic at the complex crossroads of tradition and modernity, with New York University faculty member Christopher Edling as guide.
In his talk, Edling will discuss what he learned about the life and culture of Kyrgyzstan during his time as a Fulbright researcher there and will also talk about his study of bride kidnapping.
The talk, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the parlor of the Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St. There will be coffee, tea, and conversation starting at 7 p.m., and the talk will begin at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by a question-and-answer session.
Kyrgyzstan is a rugged Central Asian country along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. Mountains total 93 percent of the republic's territory. The Tian Shan mountains (“Celestial Mountains” in Chinese) surround the old caravan route and dominate the country.
Although geographically isolated by its mountainous location, Kyrgyzstan had an important role as part of the historical Silk Road trade route.
Over its 2,000 year history, it was invaded and conquered many times by different empires, including the Uyghurs, the Mongols, and finally, in 1876, the Russian Empire. It became part of the Soviet Union after the Russian Revolution, remaining in the USSR as the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic until it declared independence from Moscow in 1991.
Half-price sale at the Chester-Andover Family Center
CHESTER - During Memorial Day weekend, everything in the Chester-Andover Family Center Thrift Shop on Route 103 will be half-price.
They have a large variety of summer clothing for men, women, and children, as well as kitchen items and linens for your summer camp. New items will go out on the racks every day of the sale.
The sale will be Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds from this sale will help keep the CAFC Food Shelf stocked and provide financial assistance to Chester and Andover residents experiencing financial difficulties.
WBA chicken barbecue and dessert sale is set for May 25
WEST BRATTLEBORO - On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 25, the West Brattleboro Association will put on its annual chicken barbecue.
In conjunction with this, First Congregational Church will hold a dessert sale. Both will take place in front of the church in the center of historic West Brattleboro village on Route 9. The baked goods from the Church will be available by 10:30 a.m., and the half-chickens, baked beans, and coleslaw from the WBA will be ready by 11 at the latest.
Joe Jewett and his crew will once again get the coals going early in the day for the chicken itself. The birds are being supplied by the Tessitores (Marc and Susan), proprietors of the Guilford Country Store and West Brattleboro village residents. Master bean chef Helen Robb will once again be slowly cooking the baked beans, and the McDermet household, Kris and Stewart, will be providing the coleslaw.
The full meal is available for $10, or $7 for just the half-chicken. Get there early as all this delicious food goes fast. Barbecue proceeds will help fund the WBA's community activities and initiatives, and moneys from the bake sale will support the Church's programs.
Tag sale at The Root helps support racial justice
BRATTLEBORO - A tag sale to raise funds for the Black, Indigenous, People of Color Caucus, a program hosted by The Root Social Justice Center, will be take place at The Root, 28 Williams St., on May 25 and 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Members of the BIPOC Caucus define themselves as “a network of People of Color coming together to sustain our communities and organize collectively to build relationships, power and systemic change for lives of POCs.”
In addition to coming out and supporting BIPOC Caucus by buying stuff, all are welcome to bring items to donate to the tag sale for others to buy (please, only items in good condition). Drop-off times at The Root are May 24, 5 to 7 p.m., and May 25, 9 a.m. to noon (ish). All drop-offs will be at The Root.
For more information, visit www.therootsjc.org, visit their Facebook page, or call 802-380-5152.
Guilford church presents homemade pie sale
GUILFORD - A spring tradition, the Memorial Day Weekend Pie Sale of the Guilford Community Church, will be held on Saturday morning, May 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the corner of Route 5 and Guilford Center Road.
In addition to homemade apple, strawberry rhubarb, raspberry, pecan, pumpkin and specialty pies, the church's famous baked beans and potato salad will be sold, a great addition to any holiday barbecue or picnic.
All proceeds benefit the church, which actively supports over 15 local programs that serve the community including Hospice and Meals on Wheels.
Putney Farmers' Market celebrates 10 years
PUTNEY - The Putney Farmers' Market will celebrate its 10th season on opening day, May 26. Activities for the whole family include creating a collaborative community art project, traditional Celtic tunes by Gowan Brae, birthday cake provided by the Putney Food Co-op, and more.
The market features an array of local farmers and artisans offering a variety of fresh produce, mushrooms, pastured meats, grass-fed dairy (including ice cream), preserves, prepared foods, herbal remedies and body care products as well as jewelry, cut flowers, pottery, handmade toys, clothing, shoes, and more.
To help the Farmers' Market celebrate 10 years of growth, bring a nonperishable food item, to be donated to the Putney Food Shelf. The market takes place Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., from May 26 to Oct. 13, on the green between the Putney Food Co-op and the Community Garden.
Community meal to be served in Putney
PUTNEY - The next Putney Community Cares luncheon will be served on Tuesday, May 28, at noon, at the Laura Heller Barn, 54 Kimball Hill.
The menu will include baked chicken, oven roasted potatoes, green bean salad, rolls with butter, and gingerbread cake for dessert.
Suggested donation is $3.50. Call 802-387-5593 or email coordinator@putneycommunitycares.org to reserve your seat by May 27. Help is also welcome with clean up after the meal. This event is co-sponsored with Senior Solutions.