Craft and learn about healthy watersheds with WCNRCD
BRATTLEBORO — Join Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District (WCNRCD) and Bobbin & Skein, 51 Main St., on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., for hands-on crafting workshop themed around healthy watersheds.
Starting at 5 p.m., a representative from WCNRCD will talk about the importance of healthy waterways and positive impacts everyone can have on local watersheds. After this overview, participants will create water-themed crafts at three different stations. Crafting stations will be able to accommodate pre-kindergarten through adult crafters.
RSVP at bit.ly/844-waterways. For questions about accessibility, email sullivan.wcnrcd@gmail.com, and connect with Windham County NRCD at windhamcountynrcd.org.
‘Soups-giving’ event at Moose Family Center
BELLOWS FALLS — To share their love of community, organizers Deborah Wright and Jennifer McCormack Wirta have put together “Soups-giving,” an event they say is focused on “warming hearts, minds, and tummies; sharing soup from those who can, and wish to make it, with those who cannot, but may need it most.”
This event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Loyal Order of Moose Family Center, 59 Westminster St. Bring a soup to share, if you are able, and a bowl and spoon. Extra bowls and utensils will be provided as well.
“Bring your appetite and your friendship and love for community,” Wright and Wirta said in a news release. “Soup warms the body and the spirit! This is our first — hopefully of many — gatherings of hearts and minds around delicious bowls of soup.”
They are also collecting donations, both financial and nonperishable food items, to benefit Our Place. Boxes for both will be available inside and outside the Moose Dining Hall. This event will coincide with the Bellows Falls Parade of Lights starting at 5 p.m. Attendees can drop off donations, then watch the Parade of Lights and come back in to warm up with soup and company. There will be beverages as well.
Cookie sale at Newfane Church
NEWFANE — Newfane Congregational Church’s annual Cookie Sale is back, Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. The whole community is invited to join this holiday tradition.
Every year, the Ladies Aid transforms the church’s Fellowship Hall into a wonderland of homemade treats and plates of hand-decorated cookies, old-fashioned family favorites, and creative new bites perfect for gifting, entertaining, or simply enjoying with a mug of something warm.
Cookies will be sold by the pound, making it easy to mix, match, and build the perfect holiday assortment. Longtime locals know: Arrive early for the best selection. This festive fundraiser supports the ongoing work of the Ladies Aid of Newfane Congregational Church, whose generosity helps sustain many of the church’s community-minded ministries throughout the year.
Craft Fair in West Halifax
WEST HALIFAX — On Saturday, Dec. 13, there will be a Holiday Craft Fair at the Halifax School, 246 Branch Rd., from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The fair will provide an opportunity to shop locally for gifts, wooden crafts, ornaments, baked goods, seasonal greenery, and more. Lunch will be available. For more information, contact Tina at TBlaiser2@gmail.com.
Downtown Wilmington lights up Dec. 13
WILMINGTON — Come welcome winter at “Lights in the Park!” Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Buzzy Towne Park in downtown Wilmington, across from 19 South Main St.
There will be a lantern walk, s’mores, hot chocolate, a small fire, stargazing with telescopes on this peak asteroid-watching night, and glow-in-the-dark games. Start your afternoon with an astronomer discussion at Pettee Memorial Library at 3:15 to prepare for watching the night sky. For more information, visit bit.ly/844-lights.
Marlboro Alliance expands its emergency funds
MARLBORO — The Marlboro Alliance has expanded its Emergency Fund categories to help Marlboro residents with more than emergencies such as fire or flood. Residents may apply for up to $200 per month to help meet basic needs such as food, prescriptions, paying rent or mortgage, and utility bills.
They will help residents as long as there is a need or as long as funds last. Residents will need to apply monthly either by filling out a form at bit.ly/844-funds, emailing marlboroalliance@gmail.com with “Emergency Fund Request” in the subject line, or calling Marlboro Cares at 802-258-3030.
They also have Emergency Funds under the umbrella of the Marlboro Alliance for one-time emergency events with a cap of $500 per event. Examples of emergency events include (but are not exclusive to): house fires, natural disasters, or medical or family crises. Requests for one-time emergency funds should be directed to marlboroalliance@gmail.com with “Emergency Fund Request” in the subject line.
The Emergency Committee will make a determination on the request based on the event and available monies. Applicants’ names and personal information will remain confidential within the Emergency Response Committee.
Food drop in Putney
PUTNEY — The year-end holiday schedule will have the next Putney food drop on Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The Vermont Food Bank and Putney Foodshelf co-sponsor this free service to all, offering a selection of produce and assorted foods.
Putney Food Drop is located at 78 River Road, Putney. More details, including a map, can be found at putneyfoodshelf.org/food-drop.
Rec. Dept. presents Winter Mini Camp
BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will offer a Winter Mini Camp from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Dec. 26, 29, and 30, and Jan. 2.
Recreation & Parks Staff will lead a morning of games, sports, activities, arts, crafts, and more. A snack will be provided, but participants should bring a drink and lunch. Pre-registration is required by Saturday, Dec. 20, and no over-the-phone registration will be accepted.
This program will take place at the Gibson-Aiken Center and is for children 5–11 years old. They require a minimum of six participants to run the program, with a maximum of 20 kids. The fee for Brattleboro residents is $15 per day, and $18 per day for non-Brattleboro residents. Note that on Monday, Dec. 29, campers will meet at the Nelson Withington Skating Facility. Bring skates (if you have them), a sled, and warm clothes.
For more information, call the Gibson-Aiken Office at 802-254-5808 Monday–Friday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m, and follow the Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department on Facebook or Instagram.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.