Railroad, County museums open for season
NEWFANE - The Windham County Museum and the West River Railroad Museum are now open for the season through Columbus Day weekend in October.
The Newfane Railroad Station has recently been restored as the West River Railroad Museum. It comprises the old Depot and Water Tank House, both of which were built in 1880. The museum houses a large collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs documenting the railroad's impact over its 50 years of operation in the West River Valley.
The Railroad Museum (on Cemetery Hill Road) is a short walk from the Historical Society of Windham County's Museum on Main Street (Route 30). It is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment.
The County Museum was built in 1936 as a showcase for the Historical Society's extensive collection. Two floors of exhibition space display impressive examples of early Vermont furniture, folk art, Civil War artifacts, clothing, toys, and tools, all telling stories of Windham County's history.
The Historical Society of Windham County was founded in 1927 to preserve the history of Windham County. Its archives include early documents, records, and photographs spanning three centuries of history. Its hours are Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m., and also by appointment.
Both museums are located in historic Newfane Village, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is always free and school group visits are encouraged. For more information, visit www.historicalsocietyofwindhamcounty.org.
All Souls Church to hold tag sale
WEST BRATTLEBORO - All Souls Church Unitarian Universalist will hold its annual Tag Sale on Friday, May 31, from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This popular sale will feature clothing for women, men, and children, household items, books, toys, jewelry, and more. The proceeds will support special projects at the church. All Souls Church is located at 29 South St., up the driveway from the West Brattleboro Fire Station.
A 'Whitman Sampler' at Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - “To have great poets, there must be great audiences.” So said one of America's greatest poets, Walt Whitman.
The public is cordially invited to join the audience celebrating Walt Whitman's 200th birthday. Vermont Poet Laureate Chard deNiord will host a special evening reading of Whitman's poetry at Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m.
Those presenting Whitman's words will include poets Tim Mayo, Veranda Porche, Tom Ragle, and Diana Whitney, and writer and VPR commentator Stephanie Greene.
Come to listen, and stay for cake. The event is free, open to the public, and accessible to people in wheelchairs. For more information, call 802-254-5290 or visit www.brookslibraryvt.org.
Whitingham Library hosts plant swap
JACKSONVILLE - On Saturday, June 1, the Whitingham Free Public Library will host its annual Plant Swap at the Whitingham Municipal Center on Route 100 in the village of Jacksonville, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring a plant, bring a seedling, or even seeds to share, and take a plant or two. It is not necessary to bring a plant, but donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, call 802-368-7506.
Hospice plans Memorial Planting Service
BRATTLEBORO - The 21st annual Memorial Planting Service sponsored by Brattleboro Area Hospice will be Sunday, June 2, at 4 p.m., at the Brattleboro Area Hospice Memorial Garden at Living Memorial Park on Guilford Street.
Come to plant flowers, create memorial messages on stones to be placed in the garden or taken home, read names of those who have died in the past year, and listen to beautiful music, all to honor and remember loved ones who have died.
Everyone is invited. This service can be an especially meaningful experience for children. Flowers and materials for memorial stones will be provided. Light refreshments will be served. The garden is accessible via a gravel path. A few chairs will be available for those who need to sit.
The service will be held even if there's light rain. In the event of heavy rain, the service will be postponed until Tuesday, June 4, at 5 p.m. If in doubt about whether the service is taking place because of rain, call 802-257-0775 after 2 p.m. on June 2, and press “4” for a special message.
Dummerston Historical Society opens for season
DUMMERSTON - The Dummerston Historical Society will open on Sunday afternoons, starting June 2, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visitors can explore genealogies, review photographs of past exhibits, search scrapbooks, and discover the many artifacts in the Society's collection.
Albums featuring Houses of Dummerston, Slab Hollow, Dummerston Center, West Dummerston Village, Artists of Dummerston, Authors of Dummerston, and many others will be available for viewing.
The society is handicapped-accessible and free of charge. For more information, call 802-254-9311 or 802-257-9358.
Hinsdale presents Art in the Park Festival
HINSDALE, N.H. - Starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 2, the Hinsdale Beautification Committee and the Hinsdale Farmers' Market bring a celebration of the arts to Hinsdale, ending at 2 p.m. It is being held at the River Park in downtown Hinsdale and the Millstream Community Center.
There will be live music, various area vendors selling and/or demonstrating different types of art, John Steven Gurney with caricatures, free participation in a community art project, sidewalk art, raffles, a make-your-own flowerpot wreath, food, and sand art.
Organizers are still looking for a few artists for demonstrations (weaving, painting, etc.). To learn more about this event, email atkins78@live.com.
Senior center hosts free blood pressure clinic
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Senior Center will join Rescue Inc. to hold a free blood pressure clinic for those 55 years old and older on the first Tuesday of each month.
Rescue Inc. will be at the Senior Center, located at 207 Main St., on June 4 at 11 a.m. For more information, call the Senior Center at 802-257-7570.
Pratt Library offers anti-fraud workshop
WEST DUMMERSTON - AARP Vermont, in collaboration with the Lydia Taft Pratt Library and the Dummerston Community Center, presents “Identity Theft: Steal Your Name, Steal Your Life” on Tuesday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m., at tbe Dummerston Community Center, 156 West St.
This workshop looks at how identity theft occurs, protective steps for self-defense, and necessary steps to take if you are a victim. Identity theft is the fastest growing category of fraud in the U.S., as someone's identity is stolen every two seconds.
Elliott Greenblott, AARP Vermont Fraud Watch Coordinator, will serve as guide on this journey into the world of scams and cons. This program is free, open to the public, and appropriate for audiences of all ages. The library can be contacted at 802-258-9878.
Spring Book Sale kicks off June 6 at Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library will hold its spring/summer Book Sale on June 6-8, the weekend of the Strolling of the Heifers.
On Thursday and Friday, the sale will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please note the early opening on Saturday. This allows patrons time to browse and buy before they settle in to their preferred spot to watch the parade. (The Friends can hold purchased books while patrons watch the parade.) The parade usually passes by the library between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Titles will cover a wide range of subjects, both fiction and nonfiction, as well as a selection of children's books, audio books, CDs, DVDs, and puzzles.
The books have been donated to the library by community members and then sorted for quality and by subject matter by Library volunteers. Prices will range from 50 cents to $2, with special interest and coffee table books priced higher.
Proceeds from the book sale help the Friends purchase materials, present programs, and provide services that help enhance the mission of the library.
Still time to reserve a spot for Newfane community tag sale
NEWFANE - The Friends of the Moore Free Library are reserving spaces now for their Community Tag Sale to take place on the Newfane Common on Saturday, June 29, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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. The library is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Friends of the Moore Free Library raise funds to help support the functions and activities of the Library, a private institution that serves as a public library but without benefit of federal, state, or town money.