Free summer lunches return to Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - Brooks Memorial Library is once again offering a grab-and-go lunch on weekdays from noon to 1 p.m., in the library's community room, through Aug. 5.
Food is bagged and will contain both lunch and breakfast items. It is free is to anybody younger than 18 to either eat at the library or take it with you.
Sign-ups are not required, but doing so will help ensure that the food you need will be available and will advise organizers if you need vegan/vegetarian, lactose-free, gluten-free, pork-free, or Halal meals. Go to bit.ly/671-meals to sign up.
Meals will also be available this summer at the Putney Public Library (55 Main St., 10:30 to 11 a.m.), the Vernon Rec Department (381 Governor Hunt Rd., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.), and Brattleboro Area Middle School (209 Sunny Acres, at the kitchen entrance, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.)
Volunteers are needed at Brooks Memorial Library to help with food distribution between 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. You must be able to set up and take down folding tables, hand small bags of food to people, and sweep up.
Individual shifts are available, and no long term commitment is necessary. Contact chloe@brookslibraryvt.org if you are interested. Community service credit is available for students.
Author to speak about Connecticut River
VERNON - The Vernon Historians will host a presentation by author, photographer, and historian Adair Mulligan at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 10. The program explores the natural beauty and history of the Connecticut River, which has profoundly influenced the people and communities along its shores throughout its history.
Originating from ponds near the Canadian border, the river travels over 400 miles through four states, falling 2,670 feet to the sea. Mulligan is the executive director of the Hanover Conservancy and served for 20 years as conservation director of the Connecticut River Joint Commissions.
The free event will take place at the Governor Hunt House & Community Center, 322 Governor Hunt Rd., and immediately follows a brief 2 p.m. business meeting of the membership. It is accessible to those with disabilities, and refreshments will be served.
Limited parking is available at the Governor Hunt House & Community Center for those with mobility issues. Additional parking is available in the Vernon School parking lot across the street.
Senior meal served in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Senior Solutions and Evening Star Grange will present their first July Senior Lunch on Wednesday, July 13, at the Grange Hall in Dummerston Center.
This meal will be served both as a take-out or eat in. Takeout lunches may be picked up between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; the buffet sit-down meal will be served at noon. The menu will be either meat-filled or vegetable lasagna, confetti corn salad, and garlic bread, with lemon breeze for dessert.
Reservations are needed and can be made by calling 802-254-1138 by July 12 and leaving your name, telephone number, number of meals, and which lasagna you wish. A donation of $3 for seniors 60 and older and $4 for those younger than 60 is suggested.
Rec. Dept. hosts luau pool party at Living Memorial Park
BRATTLEBORO - The Recreation & Parks Department invites everyone to the department's annual pool party on Wednesday, July 13, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Living Memorial Park Pool.
The $6-per-person fee and covers swimming, as well as a picnic-style dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, salads, ice cream, and more.
This year's party theme is luau, with water games and races to enjoy as well as music, face painting, prizes, and more.
If there are special needs required for this event, the department must be notified at least five days in advance.
For more information, call the Gibson-Aiken Center office at 802-254-5808 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
History of Civilian Conservation Corps explored in RFPL talk
BELLOWS FALLS - On Saturday, July 16 at 1 p.m., historian and author Marty Podskoch will give a free talk at the Rockingham Free Public Library about Vermont's 30 Civilian Conservation Corps Camps, including the one in Bellows Falls on CCC Road.
The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) began in 1933 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal to relieve the poverty and unemployment of the Great Depression.
CCC camps were set up in many Vermont towns, state parks, and forests. Workers built trails, roads, campsites, and dams; stocked fish; built and maintained fire tower observer's cabins and telephone lines; fought fires; and planted millions of trees. The CCC disbanded in 1942 due to the need for men in World War II.
Podskoch, a retired teacher, has written 11 books whose topics include the CCC camps of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the Adirondacks. He is keenly interested in meeting individuals who might have Vermont CCC stories and photos to contribute to the book he is currently working on.
Those who have information may contact him at 860-267-2442 or podskoch@comcast.net.
For more information, email programming@rockinghamlibrary.org, call 802-463-4270, or stop by the Rockingham Free Public Library at 65 Westminster St.
Nominations now open for Greater Falls Connections' ACE Awards
BELLOWS FALLS - Greater Falls Connections (GFC) invites community members to make nominations for the 2022 Active Community Engagement (ACE) Awards, which recognize the diligent and deserving unsung heroes who quietly affect positive change.
“These true-life heroes can be found throughout the community and are wonderful examples of making a difference,” organizers said in a news release. “The ACE Awards recognize an individual or organizations and a local youth who is active in community engagement who work tirelessly to make a difference.”
Submit your nomination to Deb Witkus at deb@greaterfallsconnections.org; or pick up or drop off a form at Parks Place, 44 School St., in Bellows Falls; or mail it to GFC at 44 School St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101. You can also find the form on the organization's Facebook page or at greaterfallsconnections.org/activities/ace-awards. Nominations should be made by Wednesday, July 20, at 5 p.m.
The 2022 ACE Awards presentation will take place at the GFC annual meeting and summer BBQ at the Rockingham Recreation Center on Wednesday, July 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Nordic Harmoni needs singers
LONDONDERRY - Nordic Harmoni chorus is back with rehearsals most Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Second Congregational Church on Main Street (Route 11).
Nordic Harmoni is the only Swedish-American chorus in southern Vermont, and they enjoy sharing Scandinavian heritage and traditions. They welcome all interested singers and sing both in English (70 percent) and Swedish (30 percent). You do not need to know Swedish to join, they'll help all with pronunciations. Singers are welcome to be masked and to spread out within the church.
Christopher (Mowgli) Giannitti is the new director of the chorus, who is described in a news release as being “energetic, patient, and knowledgeable in working with amateurs like us.” You can find Giannitti and Nordic Harmoni on Facebook and YouTube to find more about the chorus, visit www.auss.org/nordic, or call Carl-Erik Westberg at 802-824-6578.