Burn ban lifted in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - The state of Vermont lifted the statewide burn ban Oct. 24, and the town of Brattleboro has followed suit due to recent improvements in weather conditions.
This decision follows a period of heightened fire risk due to dry conditions. With recent rainfall and a reduction in fire danger levels, residents may now resume open burning activities in accordance with local regulations.
The town reminds all residents to continue exercising caution and follow these safety guidelines: never leave a fire unattended, 0nly natural wood material may be used (no pressure-treated lumber), keep water or fire suppression tools nearby, and make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.
To apply for a burn permit, go to brattleboro.gov/burn-permits.
Halloween celebration in West West
WESTMINSTER WEST - Westminster West Village will be prepared for trick or treating beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. The Grange welcomes trick-or-treaters to come get something a bit healthier to eat before setting out. There will be pizza, macaroni and cheese, and squash soup to eat, and butter beer, cider, and water to drink, thanks to the seventh-graders and parents.
Other activities will include a costume parade at 5 p.m. (with prizes for all), sticker decorating of small pumpkins for little kids, and a few other activities for older kids provided by The Westminster Inclusion Committee. At 6 p.m. Stephen Major will read "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service. Everyone is welcome.
Autumn pilgrimage at Rockingham Meeting House
ROCKINGHAM - Celebrate the season and this community's heritage at the Autumn Pilgrimage Open House Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic Rockingham Meeting House.
Enjoy a full day of history, learning, and fall fun. Discover plans for the Preservation Project, kicking off construction in Spring 2026, and hear the latest updates on the building's restoration plans.
At 11 a.m., there will be a "Conservation Conversation" - a lively talk and Q&A session about the future of the Meeting House and how the community can get involved.
All day long, explore exhibits and tours highlighting building and site archaeology, the history of Old Rockingham Village, and the graveyard and Old Town Tomb. Warm up with mulled cider and donuts, and enter to win door prizes. The meeting house is not heated, so bring along an extra sweater!
Admission is free and everyone is welcome to take part in this celebration of local history, community spirit, and autumn charm. For details, visit RockinghamVT.org/rmh.
Bulb planting party at Putney Library
PUTNEY - On Saturday, Nov. 1, from noon to 1 p.m., come to the Putney Public Library, 55 Main St., and help plant an array of beautiful bulbs - in the spring you can admire your handiwork when the front lawn of the library is covered in colorful flowers!
All ages are welcome. There will be trowels to borrow, but please bring one labeled with your name if you can. If there is bad weather, please check the library Facebook, website calendar, or call 802-387-4407 to check on the program.
Taizé service of remembrance at St. Michael's
BRATTLEBORO - St. Michael's Episcopal Church offers a Taizé service of remembrance Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. The candlelit service, part of St. Michael's celebration of All Saints' Day, features simple harmonious chants, short readings, poems and prayers, periods of silence, and the lighting of candles "as all gathered remember those they love but see no more," according to St. Michael's rector, the Rev. Mary Lindquist.
Taizé gets its name from the monastic community in the French village of Taizé, which was founded in 1940 and served as a shelter for political refugees fleeing persecution during World War II. Thousands of pilgrims still travel to the ecumenical, monastic community of Taizé yearly to attend teachings on trust, peace and reconciliation. All are welcome at St. Michael's Episcopal Church which is ADA compliant.
Taking Solace series begins at Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - Starting Nov. 5, Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice) and Brooks Memorial Library will begin an eight-month collaboration on the first Wednesday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Join them for a wide range of conversations on tender topics, from Death Cafés to film and discussion nights, speaker panels, a climate-grief dialogue, and more.
"Together we'll explore some of the challenges of being alive in our time," organizers said in a news release. "For instance, how might we navigate illness, caregiving, or loss? Or beyond that, face a much broader anguish for our fragile planet itself? Because we know that at least one form of solace stems from staying connected."
To quote poet David Whyte, "Solace is not meant to be an answer, but an invitation, through the door of pain and difficulty, to the depth of suffering and simultaneous beauty in the world that the strategic mind by itself cannot grasp or make sense of."
The series begins Nov. 5 with a Death Café in the Community Room. To find out about further topics, follow Center for Solace or Brooks Memorial Library on Facebook.
Fundraising party for Deerfield Valley Rescue
WILMINGTON - On Friday, No. 7, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Valley Craft Ales, 18 North Main St., there will be a fundraising party featuring the Peter Miles Band to benefit Deerfield Valley Rescue.
Organizers say Deerfield Valley Rescue was forced to take one of its ambulances out of service two years before planned, and there is no money budgeted for an immediate replacement.
For tickets to the party, or to make a donation toward the fund for the new ambulance, go to zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/party-for-deerfield-valley-rescue.
Turkey dinner in Bellows Falls
BELLOWS FALLS - The First Baptist Church of Bellows Falls, 9 Church St., will hold a free Turkey Dinner Friday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted for Westminster Cares.
The menu features roast turkey with all the fixings, potatoes, squash, rolls, dessert, and beverages.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.