Thanksgiving closings in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all town offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, with the exception of emergency services.
Brooks Memorial Library does not allow in-person visits at this time, but curbside and online services are available. The library will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and will reopen for curbside pick-up on Nov. 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Nov. 26 and 27. Regular enforcement hours will resume on Saturday, Nov. 28. All other violations will be enforced.
Trash, recyclables, and compost will not be picked up on Nov. 26. All usual Thursday collections will be picked up on Nov. 27.
Any questions about in-town bus service should be directed to Southeast Vermont Transit (The MOO-ver) at 802-460-7433.
Christian Science Church invites community to online Thanksgiving service
BRATTLEBORO - The local congregation of First Church of Christ, Scientist invites community members to join in a virtual Thanksgiving Day service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26.
The service will include Vermont Gov. Phil Scott's Thanksgiving proclamation; readings from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy; music appropriate for the occasion; and an opportunity for attendees to share words of gratitude.
Although the physical building at 57 Putney Rd. is closed due to the state's response to the pandemic, Sunday services are held at 10:30 a.m., and a Wednesday evening testimony meeting is held at 7:30 p.m. weekly, both on Zoom.
See the church's website, csbrattleboro.org, for a link to the service.
Winter Farmers' Market suspends in-person shopping
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Winter Farmers' Market, held every Saturday at the C.F. Church Building, 80 Flat St., will no longer be open for in-person shopping as of Saturday, Nov. 26, due to the increased risks associated with COVID-19.
The market will, however, continue with a curbside pick-up model at least through the holidays. Masks are required, and COVID-19 social distancing directives will be observed during pickup.
At the start of the New Year, organizers will assess the possibility of re-opening the market with a “shop and go” model.
The order cycle opens each week at 8 a.m. on the Tuesday before a market and closes at 8 p.m. on Thursdays “so vendors can pick, pack, bake, and make what you are looking for,” writes Market Manager Sherry Maher in a news release. Orders will be ready for pick up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will be a $1 fee added for processing debit or credit cards.
For the most up-to-date information on current market practices or other information, visit brattleborowinterfarmersmarket.org.
RFPL suspends in-person visits
BELLOWS FALLS - The Rockingham Free Public Library is suspending in-person visits until further notice.
With the announcement of renewed restrictions and the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Vermont, the RFPL has returned to providing curbside service only.
This measure will allow patrons to access most library services safely and help keep the community and staff as safe as possible and will contribute to slowing the curve of rising cases, library staff write in a news release.
Library cardholders can continue to place holds on materials through their online library accounts, or they can call and talk to one of the librarians, who can help select books, movies, audios, and magazines or help with access to many library digital services and online databases.
Virtual programs will continue, and the book drop box is open for returns.
Curbside hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
For more information, visit rockinghamlibrary.org, call 802-463-4270, or email reference@rockinghamlibrary.org.
Windham County Genealogy Interest Group plans virtual meeting
BRATTLEBORO - The next meeting of the Windham County Genealogical Interest Group (WCGIG) will be held via Zoom on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m to noon. The topics for the meeting include publishing a family genealogy online using The Next Generation (TNG) and researching ancestors using Find a Grave.
Those who do a lot of genealogy research on their family eventually reach a point when they wonder, “What am I going to do with all this stuff?” One way to share family history and collaborate with like-minded cousins is to create a website. New tools simplify building a genealogy website and give the creator total control over what it includes.
The Next Generation (TNG) of genealogy-site building is one such tool. WCGIG member Bill Clark will introduce the features in this software. He has used TNG to create his own site, the Clark-Hart Pages, which includes multiple ways to search and display the genealogy.
Cemeteries often provide helpful information about ancestors, and one of the largest online collections is the website Find a Grave. Wayne Blanchard will lead a tour of the site and show different ways to search the site, whose online community has added more than 190 million memorials since 1995.
Anyone can join for free and add memorials. Some people “adopt” a cemetery and add all the gravestones in a location to the site, while others add photos and information only about their own family.
The free program will be limited to the first 30 people to register, which one can do at bit.ly/windhamgen4.
Part of the session will be devoted to sharing genealogical research questions and planning topics for the next meeting.
For more information, contact windhamcountygig@gmail.com.
Dummerston 2021 calendars now available
DUMMERSTON - The 2021 Scenes of Dummerston calendars are now available. Proceeds from sales, still $10, benefit the Historical Society.
The historical society also sells $20 black T-shirts (sizes S-XL), with the West Dummerston Covered Bridge depicted on the front.
You may purchase items at the Town Office, or by contacting Muriel Taylor (802-257-9358); Gail Sorenson (802-254-9311), or Jody Normandeau (802-254-9037).
Moore Library hosts writing circle
NEWFANE - Deborah Lee Luskin will offer a free writing circle on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. via Zoom, to benefit the Moore Free Library. Writers of all kinds and all levels of experience are invited to step away from the holiday frenzy for an afternoon of supported writing.
“As the light fades and the world tilts away from the sun, we will write to illuminate our inner light, honor our inner voice, and tell whatever stories rise to be told,” Luskin wrote in a news release. “Prompts and guidance for automatic writing will be provided. We will collectively create a safe space for those who wish to read their new words.”
Advanced registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Enrollment is limited to 20 people. Register at deborahleeluskin.com/contact. The writing circle is free; donations to Moore Free Library are gratefully accepted via moorefreelibrary.org or by mail at 23 West St., Newfane, VT 05345.
Moore Free Library has two tablets and two laptops available for workshop participants to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the library directly to arrange in advance to pick up equipment on Saturday, Dec. 12 before 2 p.m., and plan to return equipment on Tuesday, Dec. 15 by 1:30 p.m. The library also has high speed Internet.
The building is not open on Sundays.