Brattleboro, WSESD absentee ballots available
BRATTLEBORO - Absentee ballots for the Brattleboro Annual Town Meeting and Windham Southeast School District vote, to be held Tuesday, March 2, are now available.
Due to the pandemic, the doors to the Municipal Center are locked to the public, and no in-person early voting takes place this year.
Absentee ballots for these two elections must be requested.
Anyone wishing to vote absentee may apply for a ballot until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 1, although the town clerk's office recommends doing so as soon as possible to take mail delivery time into account.
Absentee ballots may be mailed to the voter by the clerk's office, picked up by the voter, or it can be delivered outside the voter's residence by two justices of the peace.
All voted ballots must be received by the town clerk before the polls close on Election Day in order to be counted.
For more information or to request an absentee ballot, call 802-251-8157.
Sample ballots and meeting warnings can be found on the website (brattleboro.org) under “Elections.”
Vermont has same-day voter registration. However, to save time on Election Day, the town clerk's office advises prospective voters to register at olvr.vermont.gov or to contact the office in advance to arrange a time to get all registration forms.
You can also update your voter information or request a ballot at mvp.vermont.gov.
Voting takes place on March 2 at American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St., from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bos-Lun, Mrowicki host online community conversation
PUTNEY - State Reps. Michelle Bos-Lun and Michael Mrowicki will host a community conversation for the Windham-4 towns of Westminster, Putney and Dummerston on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m.
This online meeting will update constituents and answer questions about goals, challenges, and bill proposals for the current legislative session.
Updates from the Climate Solutions, Women's, Rural Economic Development, Workers', and Social Equity caucuses will be included.
State Rep.Carolyn Partridge, D-Windham, chair of the Agriculture Committee, will be a guest speaker, discussing farming and forestry, which comprises 30 percent of the state's economy and serves as a foundation for the fabric of Vermont life.
Partridge will offer an update on the latest on how state government seeks to help Vermont's agricultural community endure the pandemic, and she will outline the large role that farming and forestry have in addressing climate change.
Bring any comments, questions, or concerns you have about legislation that may affect you and your community. Contact Mrowicki (mmrowicki@leg.state.vt.us) or Bos-Lun (mboslun@leg.state.vt.us) for the meeting link.
Senior meals served in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions present their Fourth Wednesday takeout-only “Senior” Lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 24, with pickup time between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Grange Hall, 1008 East-West Rd., in Dummerston Center.
Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 802-254-1138 and leaving your name, the number of meals that you would like, and a phone number.
The menu features pulled pork on a bun, baked beans, and coleslaw, with bread pudding for dessert. Tortellini with cheese sauce and vegetarian baked beans will also be available.
A donation of $3 for those 60 and older, or $4 for those younger than 60, is suggested.
Remain in your car if space is available, and someone will come out with your food. Or you can wear your mask, stay 6 feet from one another, and come pick your meal at the doorway on the south side of the building.
RFPL offers wellness classes
BELLOWS FALLS - Now that the holidays are over, the Rockingham Free Public Library offers a chance to reconnect with Certified Wellness Coach Carol Jones from the comfort of home.
Explore ways to embrace and maintain wellness during the winter months on Fridays throughout February and March from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., via Zoom or phone.
Jones is a graduate of the Wellness Coach Training Program at the Mayo Clinic. She has been working with clients around multiple aspects of their health since 2014 and collaborates with individuals in transforming their values and desires into action and lasting change over time.
To sign up for a Zoom invitation, contact programming@rockinghamlibrary.org or call the library at 802-463-4270. These free, public discussions are sponsored by the library.
Rec. Dept. programs promote philosophy for all
BRATTLEBORO - Everywhere Philosophy is on a mission to bring philosophy to children, teens, and adults in interactive public and virtual spaces. Join “Dr. Mike” (Michael Ferrera) virtually in one of the following family programs under the auspices of the Recreation & Parks Department.
• Great Big Ideas: Even Kindergarteners can do philosophy. If you or your child has ever asked, “Why?,” then you are ready for this program. This section is for those ages 5 and up. Great Big Ideas will be held on Tuesdays at 4 p.m., beginning March 2 and ending March 23.
• Philosophy Story Hour: Philosophy is everywhere. It is in beloved fairy tales and stories for the young and young at heart. Join in for live readings that weave storytelling and philosophy into one event for the whole family. This section is for ages 5 and up. This class will be held on Wednesdays at 4 p.m., beginning March 3 and ending March 24.
• Concept Chaos: An introduction to the tools of philosophy for eager learners. Concept Chaos offers learners a fun and safe opportunity to practice imaginative concept analysis and thought experimentation. This section is for ages 10 and up and is offered Thursdays at 4 p.m., beginning March 4 and ending March 25.
All three classes are held online, and a link will be sent to all participants prior to the start of the class.
The fee for this program is $25 per resident household and $40 per non-Brattleboro household.
Complete the fillable registration form at Brattleboro.org, then email it to recreation@brattleboro.org or print it and mail it to Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department, Attn.: Registration, P.O. Box 513, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
For more information, call the Gibson-Aiken Center office at 802-254-5808.
Extra 3SquaresVT food benefits coming in February, March
WATERBURY - The Department for Children and Families (DCF) says many 3SquaresVT households will continue to receive a higher benefit in February and March.
This extra help is part of the federal Coronavirus Relief Bill. It will not permanently change a household's monthly benefit. It is a temporary increase to help during the health crisis.
Households already receiving the maximum 3SquaresVT benefit, or a zero benefit, will not receive an additional benefit. Everyone else will receive additional benefits that bring them to the maximum benefit for their household size.
These maximum benefit amounts have increased by 15 percent, thanks to the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December.
3SquaresVT households don't need to do anything to receive this increased benefit. If eligible, they'll automatically receive it as they receive their benefits now: on an EBT card, through direct deposit, or by check.
Learn more at dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT.
Silent auction benefits Senior Solutions' Home Visitor programs
SPRINGFIELD - Senior Solutions is hosting a silent auction to raise funds to support its Home Visitor programs.
Participating volunteers support older citizens in southeast Vermont by doing tasks like shopping, picking up groceries, or making friendly phone calls to help reduce the feeling of isolation and loneliness.
You can help support these programs by donating an item, a gift certificate, or a service to the silent auction planned for April. Businesses that donate will receive publicity on the auction website, as well as in submissions to newspapers promoting the fundraiser.
All they will need is a brief description of the donation, its value, and where organizers can pick jt up.
The auction will run throughout April. Winners will be announced in May.
To make donations or learn more info about the auction, contact Tracy Blanchard at 802-885-2664 or tblanchard@seniorsolutionsvt.org.