GMC hosts Shagbark Trail walk
DUMMERSTON - The Green Mountain Conservancy (GMC) presents Roger Haydock at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 (rain date Oct. 12), leading a hike along the Deer Run Nature Preserve's Shagbark Trail.
The trail was completed last year and has recently been upgraded. While hikers gather, Haydock will talk about the geology of the area. He will also share anecdotes about his trail building and highlight features of the trail along the way.
The Shagbark Trail features a hemlock grove, a rare and dramatic dry oak-hickory-hophornbeam savannah, a rich forest hardwood grove with both bitternut and shagbark hickories, plus maidenhair ferns, many species of sedge covering the forest floor (giving it a park-like appearance), and a dramatic cliff.
The entire hike is 3.4 miles round trip. The Shagbark Trail diverges from the main Deer Run Trail, 0.8 of a mile from the Deer Run parking lot at 940 Camp Arden Rd. in Dummerston. Cider, water, and apples will be provided at the trailhead, and hikers can expect to be back at the parking lot by 1 p.m. For more information, visit greenmountainconservancy.org.
Open Sew and Craft Workshop, fabric sale at Centre Congregational Church
BRATTLEBORO - Enjoy sewing in good company? Searching for a bargain on fabric? The next two sessions of the Open Sew and Craft Workshop will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 11 and 25.
Whether you're quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, or mending, organizers say, you'll find support and hospitality, and fabrics priced at $2 per yard. Participants meet the second and fourth Saturday of every month at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St. Donations welcome. Questions? Call Anne at 802-490-2075.
Design-a-Plate event at Brooks Memorial Library
BRATTLEBORO - The 44th annual Design-a-Plate workshop at Brooks Memorial Library has begun. Participants can capture their family's memories in a creative way. "Design-a-Plate is great for all ages - even grownups," said organizers.
Design-a-Plate packets may be picked up at the Brooks Memorial Library Children's Room. Drawings are created at home, then the completed packet should be returned to the library by 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. Participants can choose an 8-inch or 10-inch melamine plate or 12-ounce melamine bowl.
The price is $9 per item. Payment must be included when the completed drawings are dropped off at the Library. Cash and checks, made out to Brooks Memorial Library, are accepted.
Plates and bowls will be ready for pickup around Thanksgiving, just in time for gift giving at the holidays. The Children's Room is located on the top floor of Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St. For more information, call 802-254-5290, ext. 1210, or visit brookslibraryvt.org/kids/DAP.
New food shelf hours at Chester-Andover Family Center
CHESTER - Chester-Andover Family Center, 908 VT-103, has expanded its food shelf hours.
"We listened to our community and are adding evening hours to make shopping easier for our busiest of individuals and families," organizers said in a news release. "These extended times are designed to improve access for those balancing work, school schedules, or those just needing more flexibility. This also opens up new opportunities for volunteers to join us."
New hours for the food shelf are Thursdays, 1 to 7 p.m. and Fridays, 10 a.m to 2 p.m. For more information, visit chester-andoverfamilycenter.org or call 802-875-3236.
Winter weather observer training offered
LONDONDERRY - This past spring, a dozen Mountain Town residents became part of the "CoCoRaHS" (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network) by receiving training at Neighborhood Connections, a nonprofit organization offering preventative health care, health education, and social services. Since then, they have faithfully reported on the area's rainfall (or lack thereof), assisting the National Weather Service and others.
On Friday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., Neighborhood Connections will host another training session, this time focusing on snowfall, snowfall water content, and snowpack. As always, they will be happy to have new observers join their ranks, and they will review the rainfall basics.
"While we have 12 observers in Peru, Rawsonville, Londonderry, Windham, Landgrove, Chester, Weston, Andover, and Bondville, we are particularly short on volunteers in Townshend, Jamaica, and Wardsboro," organizers said in a news release. "If you love following the weather, join us!"
For more information, call 802-824-4343.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.