BMH Auxiliary hosts annual Celebration of Lights
BRATTLEBORO - Continuing a 29-year holiday tradition, the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will hold its annual "Celebration of Lights" fundraiser now throughout the month of December.
Employees and patients of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH), as well as members of the public, are invited to participate. Donations are just $10 per light, and can be made in memory of, or in honor of, any individual (or individuals) of the donor's choosing.
Donors will also have the option to publicly dedicate the lights they purchase by asking to have their honoree(s) included on a list of names that will be displayed in the lobby of BMH's main hospital entrance lobby. If requested, a postcard will also be mailed to the honoree(s) or their families.
Lights will appear on a holiday tree that will be on display in the wooden gazebo located in front of the hospital's Ronald Read Pavilion. Funds raised through the Celebration of Lights will be used to benefit various projects at BMH. Donation forms can be obtained by emailing JoAnne Rogers at jrogers@bmhvt.org.
The BMH Auxiliary is a group of women and men who support the hospital's mission to provide quality, community-based health services delivered with compassion and respect.
Elks host holiday shopping fair
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Elks present their holiday shopping fair Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Elks Home, 59 Putney Rd.
There will be artisan gifts and decor, a bake sale, and raffles. Proceeds will benefit Silver Towers, the Elks' summer camp in Ripton for people with disabilities.
Santa visits Londonderry on Dec. 5
LONDONDERRY - Santa is coming to Neighborhood Connections' offices in the Mountain Marketplace, 5700 Route 100, Friday, Dec. 5.
There will be a tractor parade and tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., followed by "Santa's Open House" at 6 p.m. with hot chocolate and goodies for all, as well as games and craft tables for elves of all ages. Dress warmly and be prepared to have a great time welcoming in the holidays.
Festival of Trees in Vernon
VERNON - The Governor Hunt House Community Center, 322 Governor Hunt Road, presents its annual "Festival of Trees" Dec. 5–7. This fundraiser for the Community Center is sure to delight, with something for everyone.
Come see the decorated historic Hunt House, an exhibit from the Vernon Historians, decorated trees, raffles for tree decorations and prizes, and special events for all children, from toddlers to grandparents. Admission is $10 with candy cane and coffee/hot cocoa included. Numerous trees have been sponsored by local businesses and decorated with gift cards and gifts. Ornament making is offered ($5) and there is a Pickle Hunt with prizes for the kids.
Special events start with a town-wide light display Friday at 4 p.m. On Saturday, there will be "Storytime with Santa" at noon, and cookie decorating with Mama T of Mama T's Sweet Spot at 1 p.m. Snowmobile rides will be offered on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All proceeds from the Festival of Trees go to support the community building efforts of the Friends of Vernon Center.
Holiday bazaar at Centre Church
BRATTLEBORO - Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., invites you to a Holiday Bazaar Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy homemade soup on Friday and breakfast waffles or a light lunch on Saturday. Both days feature a holiday festival of music, a cookie table, a children's craft table, and a selection of quilts and needlework, wreaths and swags, decorative crafts, artisan greeting cards and jewelry, books, and artwork.
Free kids holiday bazaar at Whitingham Library
JACKSONVILLE - On Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Whitingham Free Public Library presents a free kids' holiday shopping bazaar at the library on Route 100. All ages are welcome.
There will be crafts and snacks as children decorate gift bags and shop for gifts for their family and friends. Shopping is free, with all items donated by the community. Adult supervision is required for young shoppers. Call the library at 802-368-7506 to make an appointment.
Holiday bazaar at All Souls Church
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The annual "All Souls Unitarian Universalist Holiday Bazaar" will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the West Village Meeting House in West Brattleboro.
The bazaar will feature artisan wreaths and ornaments, handmade and decorated, as well as traditional holiday baked goods, including gluten-free; and other edibles, such as jams, jellies, chocolates, and baking mixes.
Also planned are a gift emporium featuring handcrafted items and a raffle of gift baskets. A silent auction includes a hand-crafted cherry table by woodworker Bruce Berg and a weekend getaway in Maine. A holiday brunch of quiche, fruit, and pastries will also be available.
The bazaar will include an Art Gift Sale, with paintings and photographs by local artists, all reasonably priced for holiday gift-giving. Calendars and greeting cards featuring these artists' works will also be available. For more information, call 802-254-9377 or visit ascvt.org.
Grafton Library hosts Gingerbread House Extravaganza
GRAFTON - The "Gingerbread House Extravaganza" returns to the Grafton Public Library Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as part of the village-wide "Grafton Winter Festival."
The library is seeking gingerbread makers, expert and beginner alike. Whether to show off culinary skills or for a fun family project, the library says it would be delighted to display all creations.
For more information about submitting a gingerbread house, visit graftonpubliclibrary.org, email librarian@graftonpubliclibrary.org, or stop by the library at 204 Main St. Submission forms are available on-line. Send them by Nov. 29, so the library will know how many houses to expect. Finished houses may be dropped off the week of Dec. 1, in preparation for the big day.
Gingerbread houses will be on public display from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 6, with a silent auction of the gingerbread creations to benefit the library held during the event.
Holiday craft fair in Wardsboro
WARDSBORO - On Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wardsboro Town Hall on Main Street, there will be a holiday craft fair.
Local vendors will have handmade items, including jams and jellies, Maybelle Farms woolen items, crocheted hats, jewelry, potholders, and aprons, along with baked goods and handmade wreaths by Scout Troop 428. There will also be a raffle to win an item donated by the vendors.
Santa will be coming to the Wardsboro Library at noon. Bring the kids and remember to stop by the fair either before or after. Visit bit.ly/842-wards for more information.
Putney Central School hosts winter craft fair, bake sale
PUTNEY - The halls of Putney Central School, 182 Westminster West Rd., will be filled with holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 6, as the school hosts its "Winter Craft Fair and Bake Sale" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the school gymnasium.
The event brings together local artists, crafters, and neighbors for a day of shopping, food, and community connection. Visitors can browse handmade crafts and gifts, eat hot soup, chili, and other homemade dishes, and support meaningful programs that make a difference for students.
The Putney Central Intensive Services (I.S.) Program will also host a bake sale during the event, with all proceeds going toward materials that support its life skills curriculum. The I.S. Program helps students with specialized needs learn essential everyday skills - like self-care, communication, and independence - while fostering inclusion in the wider school community.
Together, the Craft Fair, Raffle, and Bake Sale raise funds to support both the Winter Sports Program and the I.S. Program, helping ensure that every student can grow. For more information or to sign up as a vendor, contact Kevin Hadsel at khadsel@wsesdvt.org.
Winter craft market and café in Guilford
GUILFORD - The Broad Brook Community Center (BBCC) invites everyone to join them for a festive celebration of local art, creativity, and community at their annual Winter Craft Market & Café Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Center.
Upstairs, one can explore an array of handcrafted works by local artists and crafters. Downstairs, the Broad Brook Café, hosted by Mary Wallace Collins, will offer lattes, cappuccinos, homemade soups, fresh-baked bread, and an assortment of sweet treats, with all proceeds benefiting BBCC.
There will also be a silent auction for one of their historic four-seater wooden benches. Don't miss the chance to take home a piece of Guilford history! All proceeds from the auction support BBCC.
Gingerbread house decorating party
WEST DUMMERSTON - Get into the holiday spirit at our annual gingerbread house decorating event at the Dummerston Community Center, 150 West St., on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m.
This year's event will benefit Lydia's Friends - the supporters of the Lydia Taft Pratt Library. This festive gathering is fun for the whole family. Cost is $20 per house. Space is limited, so call or text 802-380-7935 to reserve your house.
Holiday market in Jamaica
JAMAICA - One of Jamaica's favorite winter traditions - the "Jamaica Holiday Market" - is set for Saturday, Dec 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Town Hall on Route 30.
Town Hall will be filled with the scent of fresh baked goods, and tables will be lined with the work of local craftspeople who have spent all year creating something special for this market. Visitors will find original paintings and artwork, fiber arts, pottery, jewelry, local herbal treasures, candles, baked treats, felted art, and other treasures and gifts.
This year, there will be a Hot Cocoa Bar, complete with marshmallows, whipped cream, and other seasonal toppings. Proceeds will benefit the Jamaica-Wardsboro Food Pantry. For more information, visit bit.ly/842-jam.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.