Wildflower walk on Hogback Mountain
MARLBORO - On Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, medicinal plant expert Allison Turner will lead a wildflower walk at the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area on Route 9.
Turner will take hikers on a tour of the glorious mid-summer flowers and share her deep knowledge of how these plants were used by early settlers and how they can still be used today for medicinal and other purposes.
This is an easy ramble, with lots of stopping to enjoy the blossoms, but it may wander off-trail here and there, so long pants are recommended. Meet in the field behind the white distillery building on the south side of Route 9 just west of the gift shop. Questions? Email hmca@hogbackvt.org.
Windham hosts annual chicken barbecue
WINDHAM - The Windham Community Organization's annual Chicken BBQ and Raffle is Saturday, July 13, starting at 5 p.m., at the historic Windham Meeting House, 26 Harrington Road, on the corner of Windham Hill Road.
They will be serving up Walter Woodruff's own “Special Recipe” barbecued chicken cooked “to perfection” over a wood fire, according to a news release.
Baked beans, potato salad, green salad, homemade sweet breads, corn bread, and homemade strawberry shortcake (gluten-free upon request) topped with fresh whipped cream for dessert, are all included for the price of $10 per adult, $5 per child or $25 per family.
Arrive early and try your luck on their raffle of crafts created by talented Windham artisans, and enjoy music by Windham musicians. Look for the big tent outside the Windham Congregational Church/Meeting House. All proceeds benefit Windham-area residents through Windham Community Organization.
Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association presents healing walk
WESTMINSTER - The Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association will offer a healing walk on Sunday, July 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. Meet at the Dunn Nature Sanctuary, 1522 Bemis Hill Rd.
John Foster of Vermont Healing, a WHPA Trustee, will lead a meditative walk on Dunn Nature Trail. The reflective walk will include poems or other readings and opportunities for both contemplation and sharing.
To register, contact Foster at John@vermonthealing.com or 802-451-6277. The Living Earth Action Group is the co-sponsor. For more information on Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association and coming events, visit www.windmillhillpinnacle.org.
RFPL begins weekly 'senior safe' tai chi classes
BELLOWS FALLS - The Rockingham Free Public Library will offer Senior Safe Tai Chi on Tuesdays, beginning July 16 at 11 a.m., in the Top Floor Meeting Room.
Instructor Leslie Lassetter will teach this gentle movement form from an ancient Eastern tradition. Better balance, mindful movement, and fall prevention are just a few of tai chi's benefits. Others include improvement in arthritis pain and blood pressure.
This program is free and open to the public. The RFPL is located at 65 Westminster St. and is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 802-463-4270, email programming@rockinghamlibrary.org or visit rockinghamlibrary.org.
'Debating Our Rights' series takes on Second and Third Amendments
BRATTLEBORO - On Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m., Brooks Memorial Library will host the second in a series of discussions about the Bill of Rights in the Main Reading Room, 224 Main St.
The focus will be on the Second and Third Amendments, two freedoms that address the role of the military in our constitutional democracy.
Although the Second Amendment is currently the source of heated disagreements, for most of its life it was known as a sleepy Amendment. Understood as a bulwark against a national standing army, the Second Amendment remained largely undebated. Nowadays, each clause is parsed in a hyper-partisan climate. Debating Our Rights provides participants with an opportunity to hear the various interpretations, not to change minds, but to better understand the debate.
Marlboro College Professor Meg Mott uses historical arguments and legal reasoning to set the stage for a robust debate.
First she lays out the various 18th century reasons for the Amendment, such as why an armed population is so crucial to a new republic. Then she explains the arguments on both sides of recent Supreme Court rulings.
“The point of debating our rights,” explains Mott, “is to see how reasonable people disagree about the scope and intention of each Amendment. In a constitutional democracy, even fundamental rights are open to debate.”
Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library, the Debating Our Rights series is free and open to the public. For more information, call 802-254-5290 or visit www.brookslibraryvt.org.
Nominations open for 2019 A.C.E. Award
BELLOWS FALLS - Greater Falls Connections invites community members to nominate an unsung hero for the annual Active Community Engagement or A.C.E. Award.
This award recognizes a local individual active in community engagement in the Greater Falls area, working tirelessly to make a difference. Such an individual might coach teams, organize fundraisers, or volunteer at local hospitals, schools, churches or other organizations. Whatever their contribution, they selflessly devote their time and efforts, going above and beyond without thought of reward or recognition.
To help Greater Falls Connections recognize an unsung hero, stop by Parks Place or the Rockingham Free Public Library to pick up a paper nomination form, or go to the Greater Falls Connections Facebook page at www.facebook.com/greaterfallsconnections to fill out the online form. Forms should be submitted by July 29.
The 2019 A.C.E. Award winner will be announced during the annual Greater Falls Connections Barbecue on July 31 at the Rockingham Recreation Center.
Valley Cares raffles quilt to benefit Activities Program
TOWNSHEND - Valley Cares Inc. has launched its annual quilt raffle to benefit the Activities Program at West River Valley Assisted Living. Tickets are $2 each or $5 for 3. The drawing will be held on Labor Day, Sept. 2.
Valley Cares is in its fifth year of holding this raffle thanks to the generosity and skilled creativity of Helen Short, who has created and donated the quilts. Each year, the raffle brings in hundreds of dollars toward activity programming. Funds raised have gone toward bringing in more musicians for live performances, entertainment equipment upgrades, and special presentations.
Measuring approximately 72 inches by 89 inches, this year's quilt is entitled “On Ringo Lake” and is made of bright and cheery shades of coral, turquoise, white, and brown. To get your chance at this year's quilt, contact Dawn Slade at 802-365-7190, ext.107.
Vendors wanted for Jacksonville Blueberry Festival street market
JACKSONVILLE - The Whitingham Free Public Library is hosting a street market for the Blueberry Festival in Jacksonville Village on Aug. 2 from 4 to 7 p.m.
They are searching for farmers, crafters, artisans, bakers, antique dealers, and others to participate in the street market. Vendor spaces are free but limited. Call 802-368-7506 or whitinghamvtlibrary@hotmail.com to reserve your space.
Other events in the village include an antique car show, live music from The Jacksonville Blues Band, and a dinner at the Whitingham Municipal Center.