Brattleboro to resume parking enforcement on July 1
BRATTLEBORO - The town has announced that it will resume parking enforcement operations on Wednesday, July 1.
Parking meters and kiosks will once again require payment for parking downtown. This includes all regulated surface parking lots and all on-street metered parking spaces.
Parking enforcement had been halted on March 17 in response to COVID-19.
To protect public health, the town said that all meter and kiosk push buttons will receive a regular wipe-down two times each day, Monday through Saturday, to disinfect the frequently touched surfaces.
Permits purchased for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 (April-May-June) will be honored for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 (July-August-September).
The Parking Enforcement Office at 77 Flat St. will reopen and begin addressing individual concerns starting June 29. Questions should be directed to Parking Enforcement Coordinator Carol Coulombe at 802-257-2305.
Volunteers needed for summer food distribution
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham Southeast School District seeks volunteers for its summer food program. The district and Fresh Picks are continuing to provide free meals to children, with the summer program starting this week, with many open shifts to be filled.
The district is continuing to feed all children for free. This was possible during the school year in large part thanks to the school staff all pitching in. Now, with most of the staff taking a break, the district is looking for additional help from the community.
Volunteer shifts are short, with the meal station times ranging from 30 minutes to an hour. The van routes are longer.
Questions about volunteering can be directed to Ali West at awest@wsesdvt.org.
Twin Valley School District offers summer meals
WHITINGHAM - The Twin Valley School District will offer free two-day grab-and-go summer meals for students of all ages on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at these locations:
• Readsboro: Bandstand and Halifax School, 11 to 11:20 a.m.
• Stamford School, Searsburg Town Office, Whitingham Post Office, Whitingham Free Public Library in Jacksonville, the old Wilmington High School, and Deerfield Valley Elementary in Wilmington, 11:40 a.m. to noon.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making summer meals in Vermont free to all children. Windham Southeast, Windham Northeast, and the Springfield School District are all continuing their programs this summer as well.
For more information, contact Twin Valley Food Service Director Lonny Paige at lpaige@tvhs.k12.vt.us.
Lydia Taft Pratt Library reopens
WEST DUMMERSTON - The Lydia Taft Pratt Library has reopened.
According to a news release, several operational changes have been enacted at the library in response to the COVID-19 crisis to make the library safer:
• A hand sanitizing station has been set up for people entering and leaving the library.
• Everyone older than 5 years old is expected to wear a mask or face covering while in the building.
• Only four people (including library staff) will be permitted in the library at any time. Family units and/or households quarantining together will also be permitted. Library users will be limited to no more than 30 minutes in the building.
• High-touch areas will be cleaned and sanitized regularly, and returned library materials will be quarantined and in some cases sanitized before being returned to shelves.
Established 1914, the Lydia Taft Pratt Library is located in the Dummerston Community Center at 150 West St. The library is open Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m. The library will not be open on Saturdays throughout the summer, and possibly into the fall.
Interlibrary loan services have resumed, and people may return their books to the outdoor book drop, on the porch outside the Community Center.
Curbside delivery of library materials will continue to be an option for vulnerable people as well as home delivery of materials to home-bound individuals.
For more information, call the library at 802-258-9878 or email dummerstonvtlibrary@gmail.com.
Crowell Gallery presents photo exhibit
NEWFANE - Married duo Tiffany Soukup and Chris Brader present “A Walk in the Park - A look at Vermont's natural beauty,” an exhibit of their photography, at the Crowell Gallery at the Moore Free Library, 23 West St., through July 28.
For more than a decade, Soukup and Brader have worked in Vermont state parks. Wildlife and nature photography is one of their passions, and they take pride in having an active role in helping care for our state parks.
They often spend their winters traveling abroad to photograph wildlife. Most recently, the pair spent two months in Brazil photographing wild jaguars, giant anteaters, and the maned wolf, among other animals. You can see more of their work at vagabondway.net or follow their social media feeds.
The gallery is open during library hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Church hosts strawberry shortcake take-out fundraiser
DUMMERSTON CENTER - For more than 50 years, on the last Saturday in June, Dummerston Congregational Church has served up dinner, with huge strawberry shortcakes for dessert at the Evening Star Grange across the street.
This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers said they realized that the customary dinner was unfeasible, and the idea of having a dessert-only fundraiser was adopted.
On Saturday, June 27, individual biscuits with lots of local strawberries and real whipped cream will be available, as well as the old-fashioned 10-inch shortcake, which serves eight and is topped with whipped cream and berries.
Pick-up time is between 4 and 6 p.m. Folks are asked to enter the town parking lot from the Middle Road and pull up at the end of the lower church driveway. You will be served by a smiling (behind the mask) churchgoer, your money will be taken, and you can exit out the second driveway back onto Middle Road. No seating will be available for outdoor eating.
The cost is $7 for an individual serving and $45 for the full eight-piece shortcake.
If you have questions or wish to pre-order a full shortcake, call the church office at 802-257-0544.
Prouty Center plans mini-disc-golf fundraiser
BRATTLEBORO - Par for the Cause, Winston Prouty Center's indoor mini-golf benefit originally slated for March, has been redesigned as a “mini-disc-golf” challenge and rescheduled to Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.
Community members are invited to play a family-friendly game of disc golf on the Prouty Campus trails and fields. The games will include disc golf holes “created with the whimsy of classic mini-golf that will be fun for all ages and skill levels,” as described in a news release.
Some themes are: construction zone, “Where the Wild Things Are,” pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and teddy bear picnic.
Groups of up to five people can sign up for their own tee time at 15-minute intervals to ensure players maintain required physical distance from one another.
Each $20 group fee includes one ticket to a raffle for a $100 gift card to the Whetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery and a $25 gift certificate to Bella Notte restaurant at the Brattleboro Country Club.
At the end of the course, a free farthest-throw challenge will offer prizes for different age groups.
In connection with the event, the center is holding an online auction for themed raffle baskets with goods and services donated from local businesses and individuals.
To learn more about the event and auction, call 802-257-7852 or visit winstonprouty.org.
Ham radio testing offered in Newfane
NEWFANE - The West River Radio Club will offer an FCC licensing and ARRL certification testing session for all levels and upgrades on Sunday, June 28, at 4:30 p.m., at the NewBrook Volunteer Fire Department, 698 Vermont Route 30.
Bring two forms of identification (one with photo), any prior radio license, a pencil, calculator, and $15 cash or check. Social distancing will be enforced for all. Please wear a face mask and bring hand sanitizer.
Please respond to Mary Peterson at vtdoves@gmail.com or 802-258-3921.
Turning Point seeks cell phone donations for clients
BRATTLEBORO - Although the Turning Point of Windham County recovery center is temporarily closed as a gathering place due to COVID-19, the nonprofit is offering remote support via meetings and individual connections.
But not everyone has a working phone on which to access online and phone recovery supports. A donation of an unused cell phone or smart phone can help those who don't have one.
Thanks to the Brattleboro Area Mutual Aid Tech team and the help of Steve West, Turning Point of Windham County plans to provide refurbished cell phones for as many participants as possible.
Bring your used, but still functional, phones to the main entrance of Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main St.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Remember to disinfect and factory reset any phone before donating.
For more information on remote services offered by Turning Point of Windham County, visit the organization's Facebook page or call 802-257-5600.
Brooks library offers book deliveries
BRATTLEBORO - Brooks Memorial Library is providing limited delivery service of materials to residents who are unable to come in person.
Deliveries can be scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from noon until 1 p.m.
Email circulation@brookslibraryvt.org or call 802-254-5290, ext. 1206. Specify that delivery service is required in the subject line or phone message. Patrons may request up to five items and will be contacted to verify delivery day and time.
Because delivery capacity is limited, the staff requests patience. It may take several days to fulfill an order.
When items are ready for return, contact the library by email or phone as above to schedule a pick-up.
Also, the library continues to provide limited outdoor tables and chairs for wireless internet access along the Main Street area of the library (weather permitting).
Tables will be positioned in accordance with social distancing requirements for café seating. All users are requested to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and notify staff upon leaving so that the furniture can be disinfected.
For more information, visit www.brookslibraryvt.org, or call 802-254-5290, ext. 0.
Grace Cottage seeks donations for virtual Hospital Fair Day
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Hospital's 70th annual Hospital Fair Day is going virtual this year, and your help is needed to raise $34,800 for technologically advanced hospital beds that will provide increased comfort and safety for patients and nurses.
Books (hardcover only, to be sold for an art installation) are being accepted in Townshend by appointment only. Call Book Booth Chair Ann Allbee at 802-365-7213 to schedule an appointment for donation drop-off.
Donations of new or used items of high value, including jewelry, cars, trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, motorcycles, and boats (these donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law) are greatly appreciated; call Andrea, C.J., or Charma at 802-365-9109. Selected items will be auctioned off at 32auctions.com/FairDay2020.
Any area artists and craftspeople who would like to donate their works in support of Grace Cottage are encouraged to call Art Show Chair Lauri Miner at 802-365-4194.
For more information about Hospital Fair Day, go to gracecottage.org/events, or call Fair Day Chair Eileen Fahey at 802-365-4030.