Final Candidates at the Coffeehouse event on Oct. 19 in Bellows Falls
BELLOWS FALLS - The Flat Iron Cooperative, 51 The Square, hosts the last in its pre-election Candidates at the Coffeehouse series on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 10:30 a.m. Voters will have the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns before the November general election.
Legislators in attendance will include State Senator Wendy Harrison and State Representatives Michelle Bos-Lun and Leslie Goldman. Snacks will be provided as well as materials about elected officials. For more information, contact Bos-Lun at michelleforvt@gmail.com or Goldman at lesliegforwindham3@gmail.com.
Rec. Dept. hosts 'Swords and Boards'
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will offer Swords and Boards Monday evenings from Oct. 21 to April 21, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Gibson-Aiken Center on Main Street. This program is for anyone 16 years old and older who enjoys tabletop role-playing games and gaming. Please note those 17 and under must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
This ongoing weekly program is designed for teens and adults 16 years old and older. There will be short workshops covering the basics of Dungeons & Dragons 5e character creation for new players and weekly homebrew 1-shots and several session arcs for new players and seasoned adventurers alike. Participants can learn basics and enjoy delving into a world of magic, mythology, and, of course, plenty of dragons.
Attendants should be sure to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and they are welcome to bring their favorite dice or other D&D accessories. Dice will be available to borrow for anyone new to the game. Organizers say these games are LGBTQIA+ friendly and welcoming. When new players join, basics on table etiquette, consent sheets (for triggers and game themes), and basic expectations/DM style will be reviewed.
Individuals can register online at bit.ly/786-swords or in person Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Gibson-Aiken Center beginning Oct. 21. Participants can also register the night of the program with staff. If there are special needs required for this program, let staff know at least five days in advance. For more information, call the Gibson-Aiken office at 802-254-5808.
Watercolor making workshop with Caroline Ross at Putney Library
PUTNEY - Imagine a watercolor kit in which all the colors came from the plants, rocks, and clay that surround us. Join expert artist material maker Caroline Ross when she returns to Putney Public Library, 55 Main St., on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m.
Participants will learn simple methods using everyday equipment to make watercolor paints from a variety of urban, rural, and repurposed materials from our locale to make a completely idiosyncratic hyper-local paint set reflecting the history, people, land, and ecology of our area. This workshop will produce watercolor kits that will be available for checkout at the library.
Ages 12 and up are welcome to register for this free worksop at putneylibrary.org or by calling 802-387-4407. A fun part of this workshop is the gathering step, as participants need help finding a variety of materials and will send a list to those who register.
Senior lunch in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions will be making their well-known golumpki (stuffed cabbage rolls) for their next Senior Meal on Wednesday, Oct. 23. This is always a very well-attended event, so get your meal reservation made early, so they know how many golumpki to make. Call 802-254-1138 and leave name, phone number, the number of meals desired, and whether it is for in-house dining or taking home.
The menu will include traditional golumpki, or a vegetarian golumpki made with plant-based hamburger, mashed potatoes, and marinated carrots, with Lemon Breeze for dessert. Take-outs are available between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., with in-house dining starting at noon. Reservations are strongly suggested, but walk-ins will be accepted if there is enough food. A donation of $3 for those 60 and older and $4 for those 59 and under is suggested.
Guilford Cares offers workshop on guarding against online frauds, scams
GUILFORD - Guilford Cares will host Elliott Greenblott of AARP Vermont Fraud Watch for a presentation of their popular program, "Fraud, Scams and Con Artists: Coming to a Computer Near You" on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. at Broad Brook Community Center, 3940 Guilford Center Rd.
Greenblott will cover the why, how, and basic defense regarding scams perpetrated over the internet. This presentation is continuously revised to address the latest cyber threats, and it addresses how to recognize malicious emails and pop-ups as well as Wi-Fi issues arising from the increased use of tablets and smart phones. For further information, contact Guilford Cares at 802-579-1350 or guilfordcaresvt@gmail.com.
Grace Cottage to hold community forum on Oct. 24
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital invites the public to an open community forum at the Townshend Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m.
Grace Cottage CEO Olivia Sweetnam will talk about recent recommendations from the Green Mountain Care Board's consulting firm, Oliver Wyman, and answer your questions. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 802-365-9109. All are welcome, no RSVP necessary.
Monthly 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 Putney Fire Station).
All are welcome. This is a drive-up service. Bags provided. The next monthly food drop is Thursday, Oct. 24.
Leaf collection schedule announced
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro's curbside Fall Leaf Collection will take place on Fridays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. These will be the only days scheduled for curbside leaf pick-up.
All leaves and clippings must be in brown paper leaf bags and at the curb by 7 a.m. on scheduled leaf collection days. Acceptable waste includes leaves, grass, clippings, garden waste, and twigs (no branches larger than 1 inch in diameter and 2 feet long).
No other household trash is to be included. Town leaf collection is designated for single family residences or apartment buildings with 2–4 units. No plastic bag or other containers will be accepted. Brown paper leaf bags are available for purchase at local businesses.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.