Volunteers needed for tree planting
LONDONDERRY - The Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District will be planting a streamside buffer in Londonderry on Friday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are calling for volunteers to help plant native trees, improving water quality and wildlife habitat along the West River.
No prior experience necessary! They recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothes that can get muddy. Shovels, water, and snacks will be provided.
Volunteers are welcome to join for however long they can join. To sign up for details on this planting, go to bit.ly/765-plant. For more information and questions, email sullivan.wcnrcd@gmail.com.
Fellowship hosts spring sale
WESTMINSTER - On Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Westminster First Congregational Church Women's Fellowship will hold their Spring Sale on the church lawn, 3470 US Route 5. There will be all kinds of plants for sale: annuals, perennials, bushes, and garden starts. Also for sale will be baked goods and garden crafts.
Buy a ticket for the chance raffle which will be drawn at the end of the day. There will be local gift certificates "and other cool donated items." The cookout lunch for takeout or eat-in the outdoor cafe will include hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage with peppers and onions, and chili.
Windham County Genealogy Interest Group to meet
BRATTLEBORO - The next meeting of the Windham County Genealogy Interest Group will focus on the topics "Researching a Grandparent" and "Strategies for Finding Problem Ancestors" on Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. The online meeting via Zoom is free and open to all.
Register before the meeting at bit.ly/765-WCGIG to receive a Zoom link . Pose any questions for the presenters at the time of registration.
Hinsdale Area Farmers Market opens
HINSDALE, N.H. - The Hinsdale Area Farmers Market, which operates on Main Street at the Millstream Riverfront Park each Saturday from May through October, announces the opening of the 2024 season on May 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring farmers, crafters, and food and flea market vendors.
The market continues to accept new vendors. Applications are for full season, monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly vendors and can be obtained by contacting the market manager at farmersmarketofhinsdalenh@gmail.com.
Vintage Camper BBQ Party benefits WDVFD
DUMMERSTON - The West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department will hold their second annual Vintage Camper BBQ Party, featuring barbecued chicken and pulled pork for the main course with fixings such as cornbread and coleslaw. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brattleboro North KOA on Route 5.
Visitors may check out all the fantastic vintage campers that will be on display throughout the campground. Tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for children (cash or check).
Windham Philharmonic performs at Latchis
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham Philharmonic, led by Music Director Hugh Keelan, performs Monday, May 20, at the Latchis Theatre. On the program are W. A. Mozart's Symphony No. 36 in C ("Linz") - composed in four days during a stopover in that Austrian town- and Maurice Ravel's "Rapsodie espagnole," his first orchestral work.
Ravel, whose mother grew up in Madrid, draws on his familiarity with Spanish music and traditions for his musical imagery.
The third movement, "Habanera," began as a piece for two pianos and was orchestrated later that year, adding three other movements. The fourth movement, Feria, which means "festival," concludes this work with a flourish.
The concert is at 7 p.m., and lasts approximately one hour. Admission is by donation; baked goods will be available for purchase.
Guilford Cares sponsors West River Trail senior walk
GUILFORD - On Tuesday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m., Guilford Cares invites area seniors to gather at the West River Trail in Brattleboro for a guided tour with forester Lynn Levine.
Levine has been a consulting forester, environmental educator and naturalist. She was the first woman forester in the Northeast. The one-hour guided walk will give trekkers an inside look at this historic trail, which began its life more than 130 year ago as the right-of-way for the West River Railroad. Levine will be pointing out the wide spectrum of plants, trees, rocks, and wildflowers along the trail.
The guided walk may have uneven terrain and variable ground conditions, with easy hiking. Unless there are hazardous conditions, this program will occur rain or shine. Access the trail 400 yards down from the Marina Restaurant at the kiosk next to the parking lot.
Contact Guilford Cares Executive Director Leah Gessner for more information at 802-579-1350 or guilfordcaresvt@gmail.com.
Free produce distribution
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf co-sponsor a monthly food drop of free produce and some nonperishables on the fourth Thursday of every month, from 9 to 9:45 a.m., on Alice Holway drive (in front of Putney Meadows, the white building across from the Putney Co-op and the Putney Fire Station).
All are welcome. This is a drive-up service; bags provided. The next monthly food drop is Thursday, May 23, 9 to 9:45 a.m.
Applications sought for Senior Farm Share Program
RICHMOND - The Senior Farm Share Program helps limited-income seniors living in participating housing sites to access fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables from their local farmer. Each week, a Senior Farm Share member receives a portion of the harvest from the farm.
In addition to receiving vegetables, seniors are given the opportunity to connect with other seniors within their residence through food distribution and preparation, learn ways to cook and preserve their produce, meet other community members who are associated with the farm, and develop a relationship with the farmer who grows the food they eat each week.
In 2023, there were nearly 1,000 Senior Farm Share members throughout Vermont. Local participants included Butterfield Common in West Dover, Valley Cares Independent Living in Townshend, and Westgate Housing Inc., in Brattleboro.
The 2024 application period is open through May 31. If you are a resident at a housing site that does not yet participate in the Senior Farm Share Program, and you think you may be eligible, and for more information about the program, email johanna@nofavt.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.