'Lost Nation' screening in Marlboro
MARLBORO - For five decades, Jay Craven has written, produced, and directed character-driven films rooted in Vermont and New England, including five films based on the works of Howard Frank Mosher.
His latest film, Lost Nation, which digs into the parallel stories of Ethan Allen and the pioneering Black Guilford poet Lucy Terry Prince, will be shown on Thursday, July 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Whittemore Theater, Potash Hill Campus, 2582 South Rd.
A discussion of the film will follow. This talk is free and accessible to those with disabilities. For more information, contact Donald Sherefkin at 802-380-6662 or sherefkin@gmail.com. This is a Vermont Humanities program hosted by Marlboro Historical Society.
Senior meal in Halifax
HALIFAX - On Friday, July 18, at noon, volunteers will serve the monthly Senior Meal at the Halifax Community Hall. It will be picnic time, with a menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, cole slaw, tossed salad, and dessert. A suggested $4 donation ($5 for those younger than 60 years old) will help to support this monthly event.
The historic Hall, located at 20 Brook Road in West Halifax, is wheelchair-accessible, including its bathroom. If you have questions or if a large group plans to attend, call 802-368-7797.
Free concert on West B Green
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The Zara Bode Little Big Band will be in concert on Friday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. on the West Brattleboro Green - the treed, grassy area between the Fire Station and the First Congregational Church on Western Avenue. Listeners can bring a chair or blanket for their comfort.
This is a free concert celebrating the 255th anniversary of the founding of First Congregational Church of West Brattleboro. All are welcome. Donations welcomed. Light refreshments available.
Zara Bode's Little Big Band, a group of local musicians, "will treat listeners to a delightful evening of music with a wonderful style of music creating a toe tapping experience for everyone," said organizers in a news release.
Summer book sale at Moore Free Library
NEWFANE - The Friends of the Moore Free Library will hold their summer book sale Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library, 23 West St.
The sale, which will be held rain or shine, features more than 30 categories of fiction, nonfiction, and young people's books, offered at bargain prices. Buy a Moore Free Library tote bag for $20 or fill it with books for $25. Payment with cash or check only. For more information, call 802-365-7948.
Newfane seeks input on Town Plan update
WILLIAMSVILLE - On Saturday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at Williamsville Hall, the Newfane Planning Commission will hold a community meeting on the update of the Newfane Town Plan.
The commission is seeking Newfane residents' input at community meetings and via a survey that will soon be available on the town's website. The July 19 meeting will focus on topics related to community and town life, including housing, economic development, community facilities and resources, and land use.
Community members are also welcome to attend the Planning Commission's regular meetings, which are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Newfane Town Office (and by Zoom). The Town Plan will remain on their agenda through this year. Meetings are always open to the public.
Two additional community meetings on the Town Plan are scheduled for Sept. 26 and Oct. 23. Watch for updates and a link for the town survey at newfanevt.com/newfane-planning-commission.
Learn how to stay safe on the internet
GUILFORD - DVFiber and AARP presents "Staying Safe on the Internet," on Saturday, July 19, at 1 p.m. at the Broad Brook Community Center, 3940 Guilford Center Rd. The program is free, making it accessible to all community members.
"In today's digital age, understanding how to protect yourself online is more important than ever," organizers wrote in a news release. "During this informative session, attendees will learn critical strategies to safeguard their personal information from scams and fraud."
Alan Baker, AARP representative and former member of the DVFiber Governing Board, will cover three key areas:
• Privacy, security, and identity theft: Attendees will learn how legitimate companies and criminal organizations collect, share, and exploit personal information. Participants will hear practical advice on minimizing risks and avoiding identity theft.
• Scammers' methods: This segment will delve into the tactics employed by scammers who attempt to defraud individuals through phone calls, messages, websites, and social media. Participants will gain valuable insights into recognizing and countering these deceptive practices.
• Safeguarding your online credentials: Baker will share best practices for creating, storing, and securely entering online credentials to prevent unauthorized access to personal accounts.
Community-wide yard sale planned in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - On Saturday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., a community-wide yard sale to benefit the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department will be held at the Scott Farm, 707 Kipling Rd. Spots are $10 (pre-registration), and $15 on the day of the event.
Call or text 802-490-6893 to reserve your spot. Vendors will need to provide their own tables and chairs. Concessions will be available for purchase. All are invited to browse and support these volunteer firefighters, even if they are not selling items.
A look at local nature through the legacy lens of Bill Pool
WILMINGTON - On Saturday, July 19, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Memorial Hall on West Main Street, the Vermont Museum of Natural History will present an exploration of the Marlboro and Deerfield Valley regions as they existed in the 1950s and 1960s, seen through the historic wildlife photos of Bill Pool.
Some of the museum's live animals, as well as representatives from local groups that made this program possible, will be on-hand as the changes in the landscape and in photographic technology are discussed.
Special guests will be on hand to recall their time with Bill and his wife Janet as well as their own photographic journeys. Anyone who knew the Pools, is invited to come by and share their stories. For more information, visit vermontmuseum.org.
Center for Solace forms new chronic illness support group
BRATTLEBORO - The Center for Solace, formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice, wants those living with an autoimmune condition or diagnosed with a rheumatic disease, long Lyme disease, long COVID, fibromyalgia, IBS, or another chronic condition to know they are not alone.
This summer, the Center for Solace is forming a support group designed to offer connection, encouragement, and community for those facing the challenges of chronic health conditions.
This group will meet every other week (exact day, time, and location to be determined), in person as well as online via Zoom. The goal, organizers said, is to create "a safe and supportive environment where you can connect with others who genuinely understand what you're going through. By sharing experiences, gaining support, and building friendships, a peer support group can create a strong community that empowers each other through the ups and downs of living with chronic illness."
For more information and to register for the support group, contact Eileen J. Glover, RN, the serious illness program coordinator at Center for Solace, at 802-257-0775, ext. 106, or eileen.glover@cfsolace.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.