Wardsboro Disaster Recovery Center relocates to Ludlow
WILLISTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center in Wardsboro ceased operations on Sept. 18, and was relocated to the Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St.
It will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, and continue with regular hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It will be closed on Sundays. The center serves Windham and Windsor counties.
For the latest information on Vermont's recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4720. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion1, the FEMA Facebook page at facebook.com/FEMA, or Vermont Emergency Management Agency on Twitter at twitter.com/vemvt and on Facebook at facebook.com/VermontEmergencyManagement.
Author, podcaster Vicki Robin speaks on 'What Could Actually Go Right?'
BRATTLEBORO - In the face of disruptive climate change, rising authoritarianism, and extreme inequality, Vicki Robin will talk about the cracks in the system, the inspiring organizing, and the emergent possibilities on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m., at 118 Elliot St.
"Vicki Robin is a sparkling thinker, cultural scout and all-around delightful human being," said Chuck Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies in a news release. "She is on a rare East Coast trip, and we are thrilled to host her in Brattleboro."
Robin is host of the celebrated podcast, What Could Possibly Go Right? inviting cultural scouts to shine a light on what's emerging as the pandemic, climate, economy, and polarization unravel the old normal. She is also co-author of the bestselling book that transformed millions of lives: Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence. First published in 1992, it has been updated in subsequent editions and translated into 12 languages.
Called by The New York Times, the "prophet of consumption down-sizers," Robin has lectured widely, has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows, and has been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.
Robin lives on Whidbey Island in Washington State. Robin is also author of the 2014 book, Blessing the Hands that Feed Us: Lessons from a 10-mile diet, recounting her adventures in hyper-local eating and what she learned about food and farming as well as belonging and hope.
The event is co-hosted by 118 Elliot, the Springs Farm, and the Institute for Policy Studies. Reserve a seat at bit.ly/732-robin.
Bellows Falls Pride hosts community dance
BELLOWS FALLS - Bellows Falls Pride presents a free community dance on Friday, Sept. 22, at the Bellows Falls Moose Lodge, 59 Westminster St.
DJ Uncle Thicc returns for a family-friendly night of dancing tunes. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic or order in. A full bar will be available.
There will also be a special meet-and-greet with athlete Roger Barraby, who will be running for Pride at the November 2023 Gay Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and bringing his story for all to hear. Barraby's appearance is sponsored by the LGBT National Help Center. For more information, visit bellowsfallspride.com.
Ensemble Amphion Baroque presents benefit concert
BRATTLEBORO - The Ensemble Amphion Baroque will present "A Musical Journey Through 17th- and 18th-Century Europe" at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
Ensemble Amphion Baroque is a group consisting of Jesse Lepkoff on baroque flute and recorder, Owen Watkins on baroque oboe and recorder, Allen Hamrick on baroque bassoon, and Frances Fitch on harpsichord. All performers specialize in "capturing the essential passion and style of baroque music" through historical instruments and techniques, according to organizers.
The concert offers an opportunity to hear music of Vivaldi, Corelli, Purcell, Telemann, Merula, Boismortier and Corrette played on period instruments in the lovely acoustics of Centre Church.
Admission is by free will offering and will benefit the Luz Del Mundo Scholarship Fund for Centre Church's sister parish in Cabanitas, El Salvador. For more information, call 802-254-2273.
Take a trip down the Connecticut River at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - On Sunday, Sept. 24, at 1 p.m., at the Rockingham Free Public Library (RFPL), New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias offers a narrated slide presentation about the rich history of New England's longest river. He takes the viewer down the entire 410 miles of the river, discussing history from the days of loggers, Indian Wars, steamships, and canals. Suggestions for day trips and weekend outings are included.
Tougias is a graduate of St. Michael's College and has received several awards for his writing, including the Editor's Choice Award from the American Library Association for his book about a sea rescue in the Blizzard of 1978 titled Ten Hours Until Dawn. His book There's A Porcupine In My Outhouse: The Vermont Misadventures of a Mountain Man Wannabe won the Best Nature Book of the Year from the Independent Publishers. Tougias is a frequent guest on national TV and radio programs.
This program is accessible to those with disabilities and is free. For more information, contact programming@rockinghamlibrary.org, 802-463-4270, rockinghamlibrary.org, or stop by the RFPL at 65 Westminster St.
Noontime breakfast served in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions will serve a "Breakfast at High Noon" Senior Lunch on Wednesday, Sept. 27, with take-out meals available from 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and the in-house meal served at noon.
On the menu will be blueberry or plain pancakes with real maple syrup, sausages, and egg strata, with an applesauce dessert. Gluten-free pancakes will be available, as will as a vegetarian sausage substitute.
Reservations are strongly suggested so they know how much food to make, but walk-ins are welcome. Reservations can be made at 802-254-1138, and callers should leave a name, phone number, the number and type (blueberry or plain pancakes) of meals requested, and whether the meals are for eating in or taking out. A donation of $3 for those 60 and over and $4 for the younger set is suggested.
Grace Cottage outlines new clinic plans in Wardsboro presentation
WARDSBORO - A public forum to unveil plans for a new primary care clinic building at Grace Cottage will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m., at Wardsboro Town Hall, 71 Main St. Attendees will learn how Grace Cottage is planning for the future of primary care in southeastern Vermont.
The current clinic operates out of two adjoining houses built in the 1840s. With more than 31,000 patient visits annually (up from 20,000 in 2018), it is essential that Grace Cottage move forward with this project, in order to meet the access needs of the community. The new 23,000 sq-ft. building will be adjacent to the existing clinic building, connecting to the hospital building.
Grace Cottage has submitted a Certificate of Need application to the Green Mountain Care Board, Vermont's healthcare regulatory body, and is preparing to apply for an Act 250 permit. It is embarking on a capital campaign for the construction of this new clinic building. This project, fulfilling a long-held dream, has been initiated by generous donors who have pledged $5 million.
Final exterior and interior designs have been completed for this new building, and these will be shared with community members at the Sept. 27 event. For more information about the new clinic and the forum, call 802-365-9109 or visit gracecottage.org/future.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.