Christian Science Thanksgiving Day church service
BRATTLEBORO - The community is invited to the annual Thanksgiving Day service at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 57 Putney Rd. across from the town common. All are welcome.
The hour-long service starts at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, and includes readings from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, plus hymns and a time for Thanksgiving testimonies. The service will also be available via a Zoom link at csbrattleboro.org.
Annual book sale and gift basket raffle at Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - Brooks Memorial Library's annual holiday book sale takes place Friday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shoppers will find cookbooks, children's books, history books, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, coffee table art books, and much more. Most books are $2 or less. There will also be a raffle for gift baskets with a variety of themes. Raffle ticket prices are 1 ticket for $2 and 3 tickets for $5. The book sale will continue through the end of the year during regular library hours.
This annual sale is sponsored by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library and all proceeds go to support library programs including the teen program, summer reading programs, many of the evening talks, the Library of Things, and museum passes. Proceeds also support online programs, including language learning programs, movie streaming, access to newspapers and magazines, and much more. For more information, call 802-254-5290 or visit brookslibraryvt.org.
Black Friday Trail Day at Vermont Museum of Natural History
MARLBORO - Volunteers will be conducting a few hours of Black Friday (light) trail work, on Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Vermont Museum of Natural History, 117 Adams Crossroad. Organizers suggest this could be the perfect andidote to standing in lines and stressing out for the sake of consumer culture!
The plan is to finish up the Beaver Loop and do a little landscaping around the accessible trail. Hand tools (especially rakes, clippers, or loppers) and a pair of gloves are all that's needed. They'll supply additional tools, warm drinks, and snacks. Find out more at Facebook "Black Friday Volunteer Trail Day" or contact Michael Clough at Michael.Clough@vermontmuseum.org.
Taking Solace series looks at dealing with holiday grief
BRATTLEBORO - This month, Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice) and Brooks Memorial Library began the "Taking Solace" series, a collaboration on the first Wednesday of each month in the library's Community Room, from 6 to 8 p.m.
On Dec. 2, the topic will be "Navigating Grief During Holidays." Participants will explore this universal topic: whatever one may celebrate, losing or missing a loved one at holidays (or birthdays and other milestones) can certainly compound one's grief. How do we hold space for that added emotion, as well as honor the lives of those we've lost?
No RSVP required, join us in the Community Room upstairs at Brooks Memorial Library. To find out about further topics, follow Center for Solace or Brooks Memorial Library on Facebook, or go to centerforsolace.org or brookslibraryvt.org.
West River Radio Club hosts ham radio license testing
TOWNSHEND - The West River Radio Club will offer testing opportunities for those who are ready to obtain or upgrade their FCC license Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m., in the Wolf Building at the Grace Cottage Hospital complex, 185 Grafton Rd.
Persons wishing to take any exam need to RSVP and bring the following: the FRN number obtained prior to the exam at bit.ly/842-radio, two pieces of identification (one with a photo), pencils and calculator (not on a cellphone), any prior radio license, and $15 (cash or check).
After testing will be the club's holiday potluck luncheon. For more information and/or to RSVP, contact Mary Peterson at 802-258-3921.
Dummerston Cares offers smoke, carbon monoxide detectors for homes
DUMMERSTON - Once again, residents have an opportunity to keep themselves and their families safe from house fires. Dummerston Cares is continuing to accept requests for its "Raise the Alarm" program, through a partnership with the Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department (DVFD).
If you're a Dummerston resident living in an owner-occupied, single-family home, you are eligible to receive smoke alarms (with 10-year batteries) and carbon monoxide detectors. These safety devices and the installation by trained DVFD firefighters are free.
Sign-up for upgrading current devices or installing first devices can be arranged by leaving name and phone number on the Cares Message Line at 802-257-5800. A Cares volunteer will be in touch to complete the application. Installations take place on Saturdays between 9 a.m and noon and usually take less than 30 minutes.
State warns of scammers targeting 3SquaresVT recipients
WATERBURY - The Vermont Agency of Human Services' Department for Children and Families (DCF) has issued a warning that there are scammers calling and messaging some recipients of 3SquaresVT food assistance, telling them that their EBT Cards are "locked" and asking them to call a number to verify eligibility.
DCF's Economic Services Department (ESD), the administrators of the 3SquaresVT program, said in a news release they "will never text or call people with this message." They advise to hang up on suspicious calls and contact ESD at 800-479-6151 to verify your account. EBT cardholders can check their balance at ebtedge.com or by calling 1-800-914-8605.
If anyone has been a victim of this scam, they should contact ESD at 800-479-6151 or call 2-1-1 and ask for their local Community Action Agency. Older adults can call The Helpline at 800-642-5119.
Farm Pets of Windham County calendar now on sale
BRATTLEBORO - Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District's "Farm Pets of Windham County" calendars are now for sale. Each month showcases a farm in Windham County, notes important dates, and provides a cute pet photo.
Calendars are available at Everyone's Books and online at bit.ly/842-cal. Online orders need to be in by Sunday, Dec. 14, to ensure calendars will be sent out the week of Dec. 15.
Our Place seeks donations for its Holiday Basket Program
BELLOWS FALLS - Our Place calls this "basket season," because they prepare the ingredients for a complete holiday meal to be shared with those in need. While some items in the baskets are donated, Our Place says they spend thousands of dollars to round out the ingredients making each meal complete.
To give the gift of a holiday meal to a deserving family, contributions can be made online at ourplacedropincenter-bloom.kindful.com. While they are asking for gifts of $100 to fund each basket, they say any amount is appreciated and helpful.
SEVCA launches end-of-year appeal
WESTMINSTER - Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) is launching its annual year-end appeal that is an integral part of funding for the organization that allows them to support individuals and families across Windham and Windsor counties.
As rising housing costs, higher utility bills, and food insecurity continue to strain Vermonters. SEVCA remains a trusted anchor organization - providing a range of support from emergency help when the ground shifts to long-term support that helps people build stability.
"This fall, we've seen how quickly stability can crack - one unexpected bill, one lost paycheck, and the ground shifts beneath an individual or family's feet," Executive Director Joshua Davis said in a news release. "In moments like these, having somewhere steady to turn makes all the difference."
For this year's appeal, SEVCA said it has received a $25,000 challenge grant from the Thomas Thompson Trust (thomasthompsontrust.org). The grant unlocks once SEVCA raises $50,000 in community support. For a safe and secure way to contribute, visit sevca.org/donate.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.