BRATTLEBORO-The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) invites exploration of individuals' inner animals in a mask-making workshop with Vermont sculptor Art Costa on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Inspired by many of the artworks currently on view at the museum, Costa and Kate Milliken, BMAC's manager of education programs, will provide instruction and supplies for participants to create animal masks.
The workshop is suitable for all ages and takes place at 28 Vernon St., the office building next door to BMAC.
During the workshop, Costa will provide a variety of mask templates, and participants will use recycled boxboard - light cardboard from cereal boxes or pasta boxes - to assemble a mask of their choice, which they can embellish with paint, tissue paper, and other recycled materials.
College news • Tyler Millerick of Vernon graduated magna cum laude from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, with a B.S/B.A. in general business with a minor in management. Millerick and Devin Speno of Brattleboro both were named to the spring 2024 Dean's List at WNE, while Harrison...
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is encouraging communities along the river to participate in public information sessions as part of the states' responsibility to protect water quality in the next step of the relicensing of five hydroelectric facilities. The Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon hydroelectric projects, in addition to...
The Northeast Men's Summer Chorus will perform at local churches in Keene and Acworth, New Hampshire, and in Chester, Vermont, during the Aug. 8–10 weekend. The chorus sings a variety of numbers in four-part harmony in the tradition of the Yankee Male Chorus, which sang in southern Vermont and New Hampshire for 65 years. Selections are taken from musical theater, vintage pop, rock, country, spirituals, hymns, and patriotic genres. Chorus organizers say they eagerly accept tenor, baritone, and bass singers...
PUTNEY-The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series announces the return of Slavic Soul Party! to the Bandwagon stage on Friday, Aug. 9, at The Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Rd. This event features Balkan brass, jazz, and funk, set against the backdrop of a Vermont summer evening. "Royalty of the Balkan Brass sound, we had them a few years ago with a crowd of more than 600 people showing up to dance and feel the joy of their performance, and...
BRATTLEBORO-The Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro (BGCB) welcomes a new executive director, Alyssa Hunt. She stepped into this leadership role on July 17, solidifying the club's management team, which includes Director of Operations Lilit Chilingaryan. In a news release, the BGCB board of directors said Hunt and Chilingaryan "will continue to implement unique skills-based programming for youth that supplement their school-based learning experiences.They will also work with the board of directors to create a fresh vision for the club's...
Reduced hours for Living Memorial Park pool BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department informs the public that the Living Memorial Park Pool hours of operation will be reduced this week and next week, to 1 to 6 p.m. The pool will close for the season on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. Windham County History Fair coming to Newfane NEWFANE - The Windham County History Fair returns to the village common in Newfane on Saturday, Aug. 10, from...
BRATTLEBORO-Neighborhood Schoolhouse, a small nature-based school founded in Brattleboro in 1980, welcomes Maureen Velsor to the role of program director. Velsor has been caring for children for 15 years as a babysitter, in-home nanny, teacher, and ski instructor at Stratton Mountain, which, according to the news release, she affectionately calls "daycare on ice." She first began teaching at Neighborhood Schoolhouse in the nursery classroom from 2019 to fall of 2020 through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic before taking...
GUILFORD-Musical performances featuring talented members and friends of the Guilford congregation will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m., at the Guilford Community Church sanctuary, 38 Church Drive, in a benefit variety show, the fifth performance in the 2023–2024 Concert Series. According to organizers, the singers and instrumentalists will perform vocal or instrumental solos and ensembles across many genres and time periods. Brad Amidon and Michelle Markus, two professional musicians from the Boston area, will showcase their talents...
WILLIAMSVILLE-Rock River Players present Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias on Fridays and Saturdays, Aug. 9, 10, 16, and 17, at 7 p.m. and Sundays, Aug. 11 and 18, at 2 p.m. at Williamsville Hall, 35 Dover Rd. Based on Harling's experience with his own sister's death, the 1987 play is about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The title suggests the "female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel." According to stageagent.com,
DUMMERSTON-Join the Brattleboro Music Center at Scott Farm for a summer Crêpe Night, Wednesday, Aug. 14, to enjoy local music and stunning views while supporting the Brattleboro Concert Choir (BCC). The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at Scott Farm, 707 Kipling Rd. BCC members Chelle Martinez and Oriana Barros will perform. These multi-instrumentalist singers will "accompany your dinner with shimmering harmonies as they serenade you with folk, country, Broadway, pop, and other favorite melodies." The Concert Choir, a program of...
GRAFTON-The Nature Museum is launching the Pavilion Project, a capital campaign to build an outdoor teaching space at the museum's four-acre site in Grafton. The campaign goal of $200,000 will support construction of the pavilion, accessible parking, walkways, and landscaping. The pavilion will provide essential teaching space for the museum's programs, including nature day camps for school children, workshops for all ages, and other community programming. "We love our historic building," said Executive Director Nikolas Katrick in a news release,
GUILFORD-On Monday, Aug. 12, the Springs Farm in Guilford will host "Electric Perseids," an evening of stargazing and live music at the Springs Farm, 49 Carpenter Hill Rd. (In case of rain or clouds, they will try again on Tuesday, Aug.13). The gathering starts at 8 p.m., with music at 9 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to bring snacks, blankets, flashlights, and chairs. This peak night of the 2024 Perseid Meteor Shower will be accompanied by the ambient music of...
WALPOLE, N.H.-It may be August, but get ready for A Christmas Story: The Musical. Get in the holiday spirit early by auditioning for The Walpole Players' holiday production of the musical stage version of the 1983 comedy film. Auditions will be held Sunday, Aug. 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. upstairs at the Helen Miller Theater at the Walpole Town Hall. Callbacks and additional auditions will be held on Monday, Aug.
BRATTLEBORO-Epsilon Spires presents the Folk Horror From the British Isles Film Festival in its vaulted sanctuary space on 190 Main St. on Sunday, Aug. 11, and Fridays, Aug. 16 and 23. Each evening pairs a live musical performance with a classic cult film for "an electrifying experience that will transport the audience to faraway lands with mystical happenings," say organizers in a news release. "These films are beautiful and unique - they are not traditional 'horror,' but more eerie metaphysical...
GUILFORD-The Blues Society, a new documentary by Augusta Palmer, will have its Vermont premiere on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 7:30 p.m. This is the concluding presentation of the Kopkind filmmakers' workshop and retreat in collaboration with the Center for Independent Documentary (CID). The subject of the film is the Memphis Country Blues Festival, an event described by organizers in a news release as one "blues masters and beatniks created [...] that rocked the foundations of conservative America." The screening, followed...
MARLBORO-The 2024 Marlboro Music Festival concludes this weekend with 10 ensembles performing works from four centuries, including the traditional Beethoven "Choral Fantasy" on Sunday, Aug. 11. Co-Artistic Director Mitsuko Uchida on piano, celebrates her 50th anniversary at Marlboro - she first attended Marlboro as a junior participant in 1974. Before Uchida and Marlboro's resident artists bring this year's festival to a conclusion, however, they will perform music by Boccherini, Bartók, Brahms, Britten, Schumann, and Bernard, as well as a "hypnotic,
The state primary election will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at polls throughout Windham County. The following information is provided by the elections division of the office of Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Harris. For more information, including personalized voter resources, visit sos.vermont.gov/elections. Polls at locations statewide, including the following locations, close at 7 p.m. • Athens: Athens Town Office, 25 Brookline Rd., Athens. Polls open at 10 a.m. (802-869-3370, townoffice@athensvt.gov). • Brattleboro: American Legion, 32 Linden St., Brattleboro.
WILLIAMSVILLE-Ian Goodnow is a thoughtful and compassionate young man we've known since he was a student at the University of Vermont. We are proud to call him our son-in-law. We live in Newfane, so we can't vote for Ian, but we do support his candidacy to represent District 9 in the Vermont House of Representatives. We know Ian to be a careful listener and a collaborative problem solver who has demonstrated both his commitment to Brattleboro and his leadership abilities...
-It's not just the Little League tournaments that can be grinding and unpredictable. The Vermont American Legion Baseball state tournament is even tougher to get through. Just ask Brattleboro Post 5. Facing three high stakes games over three days, Brattleboro, the Southern Division champs and last year's runner-up in the state tournament, came up short in its bid to again reach the finals. Post 5 got knocked out of the winner's bracket with a 6-4 loss to Manchester Union Underground...
BRATTLEBORO-Recently, two storms in the span of three weeks brought torrential rains and flash flooding to Vermont that made it seem as if the Northeast Kingdom were washing away down to Brattleboro. Climate change is real, and it's happening in Vermont. Who is responsible, and who will pay to repair the damage? "The Legislature has given us the authority to basically present a bill to those fossil fuel companies that are determined to have fueled the climate crisis," State Treasurer...
BRATTLEBORO-Lawmakers are responsible for making the rules to protect us all and provide the best conditions for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." David Gartenstein's experience as a prosecutor of people whose experiences in society have led them to abuse those rules has grounded him in the importance of maintaining solid structures and systems for organizing society. Being so intimately familiar with the pain and damage that results when those structures break down has given him a deep understanding...
The writer served as a state senator representing Windham County from 2003 to 2023. PUTNEY-While I am not a resident of the Windham-7 district, I had the pleasure of working with Rep. Emilie Kornheiser for the years that our paths crossed - she in the House, I in the Senate. We didn't always agree, but we listened with respect to each other. Emilie has many great qualities. She is one of the smartest people I know - she really understands...
Nancy Braus, until recently an independent bookseller, is a longtime activist who contributes often to these pages. GUILFORD-Andrew Miller, the deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli-Palestinian affairs just resigned. Yet another Biden official who likely can't look in the mirror when he sees the starving and tortured Palestinian children. Miller is the highest level Biden official to resign over this war, although he stated "family issues" as the cause. He had been critical of giving Netanyhu all the weapons...
Nancy Braus, until recently an independent bookseller, is a longtime activist who contributes often to these pages. GUILFORD-A few weeks ago, I was wallowing in pity for the 10,000th time, considering the terrible effect that yet another Trump presidency would have over the natural world, immigrants, and those who are poor, for all of us who would have to live with Project 2025 and the hideous, gloating faces of the racist right. My partner stated the truth yet again: You...
Nancy Braus, until recently an independent bookseller, is a longtime activist who contributes often to these pages. GUILFORD-Since the past half year of atrocities against the people of Gaza, the United States has behaved shamefully. The massacre of citizens of Gaza, the continued destruction of any remaining infrastructure there, and the unending and unpunished brutality of the far right settlers in the West Bank are all making the caring people of the United States rise up in rage and horror. The...
We often talk about the merits of "thinking outside the box," yet the reality is, we live within the confines of culture, experience, and tradition. And the law. David Gartenstein is one of those unique individuals who can think creatively while both recognizing those boundaries and working to change them in meaningful ways. This is particularly evident in the area where criminal justice and mental health issues intersect. In a "difficult case" of a defendant facing "more than 80 charges"
BRATTLEBORO-In-Sight Photography Project, Brattleboro's 32-year-strong photography program for youth ages 11–18, has just opened for submissions to its second annual contest designed to nurture and support young people's curiosity about and exploration into and creativity through photography, both digital and analog (film). Building on the success of last year's In-Sight Youth Photo Awards contest, which drew more than 30 young photographers from around the region submitting some 90 works, this year's event will be similar but offer a few changes.
GUILFORD-One item in this very informative article needs to be corrected: specifically, the discussion of the proposal for building an addition to the Guilford Free Library. In short, the errors appear to result from the reporter simply repeating legislative candidate Jason Herron's rather fictionalized (and often-repeated) account of these events, without apparently looking deeper into their history. 1. First, the figure of "$1.2 million" is mentioned (as it is each time Herron discusses this topic). However, this figure is, at...
BRATTLEBORO-I am a long-term Brattleboro resident who has had the great pleasure to work closely with David Gartenstein for many years. He would be an excellent state legislator for Windham-9. In his role as a deputy state's attorney, David engages with victims of crime in a compassionate and thoughtful way. He takes time to ensure victims are fully informed of their rights, the processes, and the timelines. He prioritizes the desires of victims and their families in his decisions about...
BRATTLEBORO-Each year since 2016, Compassionate Brattleboro (formerly the Brattleboro Interfaith Alliance) has recognized a person or persons who, motivated by the deepest compassion, provide quiet and unassuming service to others that is characterized by sincerity and creativity. This year's Unsung Heroes Award goes to the staff of Brooks Memorial Library. In the past, libraries were seen as places where you borrowed books and were told to be quiet. Today, Brooks Memorial Library offers not only books, but so much more,
BELLOWS FALLS-Even before summer vacation began, Bellows Falls Union High School (BFUHS) in Westminster had $9 million in major projects either already started or slated to begin during the long summer break. As we come into the final weeks of summer break, how are the projects progressing? BFUHS Principal Kelly O'Ryan and Windham Northeast Supervisory Union Superintendent Andrew Haas discussed the list of projects, starting with a full renovation of the school's science wing. The project is funded by $2...
GUILFORD-As a dedicated member of our community, Zon Eastes has consistently demonstrated his commitment to serving the needs of our towns. His experience, integrity, and vision make him the ideal candidate to represent us. While Zon has given a plethora of volunteer hours serving our community on the Guilford Selectboard, his opponent has cost our community a near immeasurable amount. Assumptions of malicious intent have cost us trust in one another. Frivolous lawsuits against the Selectboard - all of which...
CASTLETON-A sportswriter since 1973, Tom Haley can tell you every headline-grabbing thrill of covering a half-century of New England high school and college championships. But ask the 77-year-old where he draws his sweetest memories and he'll tap into his favorite off-season tradition: the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl. Growing up in Proctor, Haley promoted the annual football game between teenage all-stars from Vermont and New Hampshire long before he attended it at various twin-state stadiums. Megaphone in hand, for example, he...
BRATTLEBORO-As we are engaged with the urgency of the political drama unfolding in real time, I remember someone who was instrumental in the events that led up to an earlier Constitutional crisis a half century ago. Randy Kehler recently passed away at the age of 80 after a long illness. He was the anti-war activist who inspired Daniel Ellsberg to release the Pentagon Papers, leading to the end of the Vietnam war, and less directly to the resignation of President...
GUILFORD-I seek to represent Vernon and Guilford as the Windham-1 representative in Montpelier. I believe my broad-reaching experience uniquely qualifies me to serve our community. I have been a resident for more than 40 years. Professionally, I have served as executive director of the Brattleboro Music Center, and I've held several other leadership roles locally and statewide. Additionally, I have been a dedicated volunteer for numerous community boards, committees, and initiatives. I am honored to serve as a member of...
NEWFANE-SUSU commUNITY Farm has purchased the 37-acre farm along the West River here where the organization has been for about two years. The land buy was made possible through a collaboration with the Vermont Land Trust, which paid for half the acquisition. SUSU raised the other half through contributions and donations. "This land represents more than just a new home; it is a sacred space where our Afro-Indigenous vision of healing and connection will flourish," writes Collaborative Director Amber Skye...
WEST TOWNSHEND-After five years of fundraising and planning, the restoration of the historic Follett Stone Arch Bridge here has started. The 110-year-old bridge is one of six dry stone masonry arch bridges in Townshend - all on the National Register of Historic Places and built between 1894 and 1910 by Civil War veteran James Otis Follett. Follett served in Company D of the 16th Vermont Infantry Regiment volunteers and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war, he became...
BRATTLEBORO-I am writing to urge you to vote in the interest of our community in the Vermont primaries. I have worked with Michelle Bos-Lun for over a decade. She represents Windham-3 (Westminster, Rockingham, and Brookline) and is running for another term. I trust her implicitly to work for equity and justice, and to never back down. She is a steadfast public servant, and I encourage anyone who is on the fence to take a look at her voting record. Similarly,
PUTNEY-Julie Winchester had no desire to get involved in the restaurant business. What she did want was to bring her community together and show visitors what her town has to offer. And she had a vision that included making Exit 4 a destination - maybe even a food truck spot. After a while, since no one else was stepping up, Winchester did. Now Rod's Food Truck Park is open every Friday and Sunday, from 4 p.m. until dusk or until...
WESTMINSTER-Michelle Bos-Lun, whom I have known for many years, has been a very active representative for the past four years and should be re-elected to her third term. Her conscientious support for her constituents is important, but her unflinching support of many causes affecting Vermonters is significant. She is the real deal. J. Barton (Tony) Elliott Westminster This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons. This piece, published in print in the Voices section or as a column...
BELLOWS FALLS-I am a constituent of Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, and I have worked with her on housing advocacy and the state mushroom bill. Michelle is extremely active in community events, and her specialty is teaching and involving youth about our state government. She has made frequent visits to my child's school where she got him and other middle school students to participate in the process of giving Vermont a state mushroom. Michelle taught the children the process of creating a...
GUILFORD-Recently, I received a large glossy campaign flyer from Zon Eastes, who is running for state representative for Guilford and Vernon. The flyer and his website list one of his objectives as promoting the youth of our state and area. After reading the very one-sided article ["An unusual candidate upends the Windham-1 primary," News, July 24], I felt compelled to write and add something that was overlooked. As Mr. Eastes's tenure at Brattleboro Music Center as director and orchestra leader...
BRATTLEBORO-The education funding formula for Vermont is broken, badly broken. It's been broken for years. The most recent tinkering with the formula by the Legislature has resulted in an outrageous and unsustainable property tax increase. A tax increase brought to us by the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Emilie Kornheiser. Without action, property tax increases will only get worse, but the Legislature is proposing yet another "study" of education funding. Multiple studies have been conducted over the years...
Signing this letter: Ashlyn Bristle and Abraham McClurg, Rebop Farm; Caitlin Burlett and Jesse Kayan, Wild Carrot Farm; Rebecca Nixon and Mike Collins, Old Athens Farm; Janet and Jay Bailey, Fair Winds Farm; Gail and Dan MacArthur, Whetstone Ledges Farm; Laura Hecht and Matt Crowley, Full Plate Farm; Emily Hartz and Jonah Mossberg, Milkweed Farm; Liz and Jon Deloge, Slipstream Farm; and Lisa Holderness, Brook Meadow Farm. You might ask: What has the chair of the House Ways and Means...
BRATTLEBORO-Once again, I read comments from state representatives that are just unbelievable. Our reps in Montpelier are positioning the recent property tax increase as a tax cut. It goes like this: The initial budget they put forth would have resulted in an educational tax increase of 22%. After jockeying some things around and implementing some new taxes, they held the increase to 9%. These legislators then herald this as a 13% tax cut because they didn't go up the full...
BRATTLEBORO-We are lucky to have had Emilie Kornheiser as our representative for the last five years, and it's crucial to re-elect a representative who has had an ear for all the communities here, including older Vermonters, property owners, and renters. Emilie has an impressive track record and expansive life experiences. She is community oriented, has integrity, and is an invaluable asset to our town and county. I respect Amanda Ellis-Thurber for throwing her hat in the ring. However, I'm concerned...
The writer is a state senator from the Windham District, representing Guilford, Vernon, and 17 other Windham County towns. BRATTLEBORO-During his years of service as a member and chair of the Guilford Selectboard, Zon Eastes has demonstrated attention to detail, a calm and steady demeanor even in highly charged moments, and a genuine commitment to actions that serve the best interests of Guilford. He does not act with his own interest or the interests of only his supporters in mind.
PUTNEY-We would like to inform the voters of the Putney/Dummerston District (Windham-4) that the Putney Progressive Committee endorses Mike Mrowicki as a write-in, fusion candidate for state representative. In the Aug. 13 primary election, please consider taking a Progressive ballot and writing in Mike's name. Thank you. Putney Progressive Party Putney Anne Fines, chair This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons. This piece, published in print in the Voices section or as a column in the news...
Chip Carter, a retired television anchor, moved in 2016 to Guilford, where he volunteers with a number of community organizations and serves on the Selectboard. GUILFORD-You've heard the saying, "What have you done for me lately?" When it comes to the Vermont Legislature, it's not a question of what have they done for you. It's a question of what have they done to you - what they are repeatedly doing to you. This isn't just an indictment on the current...
BRATTLEBORO-I have known David Gartenstein since he first returned to Brattleboro after finishing law school at Columbia. We were introduced by my husband, who had worked with him in the kitchen of the Common Ground and then alongside him on the faculty of Landmark College. David's innate wisdom, knowledge, experience, insightfulness, fairmindedness, and altruism have been invaluable to me (and the community) for decades. Over the years, he has been a trusted advisor and friend, always available and accessible, always...