Adult Spelling Bee to benefit BF Rotary
BELLOWS FALLS — The Bellows Falls Rotary presents an evening of “clever competition and community spirit” as local teams prepare to face off in a high-energy Adult Spelling Bee Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge on Westminster Street. This will feature 10 teams battling through rounds of increasingly challenging words, quick thinking, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring cash to enjoy refreshments and take part in one of the night’s most popular twists: “bribes.” During the first two rounds, teams can be saved from elimination after a misspelled word thanks to audience support, with bribes available for purchase at $10 each or three for $25. Once the final elimination round begins, however, it’s all up to spelling skill alone.
Proceeds from the evening will support the Bellows Falls Rotary and its ongoing work to strengthen and serve the local community through a variety of programs and initiatives. For more information, contact Sam Howard at saamjm@gmail.com or 802-376-9983.
Community plant and seed swap in Guilford
GUILFORD — Celebrate spring at the annual spring Community Plant Swap Saturday, May 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Guilford Community Park, 24 Church Dr. Exchange extra seeds, plant starts, houseplants, and perennial divisions to get ready for the new gardening season.
One does not need to arrive with plants to swap. There’ll be plenty of plants for everyone. Swapping begins at 10 a.m. sharp; participants should arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to set up. The Guilford Recreation Commission will also be running yard games during the swap. No registration required for this free community event. For more information, visit neighborhoodroots.org/events.
End-of-life discussion at Whitingham Library
JACKSONVILLE — “Life’s Final Chapter: A Conversation About End-of-Life,” will take place on the second Saturday of the month, starting on May 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Whitingham Free Public Library on Route 100.
This is an open and supportive community conversation about death, dying, and end-of-life care. Learn about free hospice, green burial, advance directives, financial planning, and other topics. Attendees ask questions and share stories in a caring and supportive environment. Hospice volunteers will be present to provide information about free services in our area.
Whitingham resident Katherine MacLean will help guide a thoughtful and compassionate conversation. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit bit.ly/864-final.
Mother’s Day brunch in Guilford
GUILFORD — Broad Brook Grange will present its 26th annual Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 10, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Broad Brook Community Center, 3940 Guilford Center Rd.
The all-you-can-eat brunch features eggs and the signature item: omelettes — any style, made to order. Also on the menu are pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, and roast potatoes, with Guilford maple syrup. Other treats include home-baked coffee cakes, cupcakes, quiche, muffins, gluten-free goodies, and other baked goods, fresh fruit salad, and bread for toasting. A selection of juices will be available, along with coffee, teas, and milk.
No reservations are necessary for the meal, which is priced at $15 for adults; $12 for seniors, and $5 for ages 2–12. Kids under two eat free. Payments can be made with cash or checks payable to Broad Brook Grange. Venmo and PayPal are accepted with a small extra fee. For more information, call 802-257-1961.
Guilford Cares Senior Walk in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON — On Tuesday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m., the Guilford Cares Senior Walk will gather at Elysian Hills tree farm in Dummerston to view three spectacular stone trees and a circular stone wall embracing a unique cemetery. The stone trees and cemetery are an easy one-third mile walk from the parking area. The walk goes past a pond and the farmstead to the circular stone cemetery, opposite which is the trail to the three stone trees.
The walk will be led by Bill Schmidt, former long-time steward and owner of Elysian Hills with his late wife Mary Lou. Bill will share stories about the stone trees and cemetery’s construction and, time permitting, of the amazing stories of the five dogs buried in the cemetery. For further information, contact Guilford Cares at 802-579-1350 or guilfordcaresvt@gmail.com.
Senior meal in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON — Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions will serve their next Senior Lunch on Wednesday, May 13, at the Grange Hall in Dummerston Center, with take-outs available between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the in-house meal served at noon.
The menu for May 13 is meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green bean casserole. The vegetarian option is Vegetarian meatloaf (using a plant-based “meat”). A gluten-free option is also available. Dessert is multi-fruit cobbler.
Reservations are highly suggested and can be made by calling the hall at 802-254-1138. Please leave name, phone number, the number of meals desired, and whether meals are for eating in or taking away. The suggested donation is $4 for those age 60 and above eating inside. For those age 59 and under and all take-outs, the suggested donation is $5.
Book donations sought for Putney Library fundraiser
PUTNEY — Individuals may do a little spring cleaning and support the Putney Public Library’s programs and services by donating books to the library’s Book Sale fundraiser, which will take place Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library will close at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 15, to set up for the book sale.
While they welcome books of all kinds, library staff say they are unable to accept encyclopedia sets, magazines, textbooks, Reader’s Digest condensed books, VHS, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, or anything that is musty or moldy. They can only accept two boxes of books per household. Bring donations only during library hours: Monday–Friday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WSWMD access stickers now on sale
BRATTLEBORO — Full-year access stickers for the Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD) transfer station on Old Ferry Road are now on sale for $60, the same price as last year. Access stickers are required to drop off trash, recycling, and food scraps/organics.
This is an opportunity for first-time transfer station users to grab their sticker early on and essentially get two months free. Those already in the program choose whether to get their new sticker early or wait until June 30 to renew and have continuous support for trash, recycling, and composting needs. Whether access stickers are bought now or July 1, the sticker numbers will be valid until June 30, 2027.
Visit windhamsolidwaste.org/transfer-station/disposal-and-recycling-fees to see what WSWMD accepts, whether an access sticker is needed, and the current price listings. A number of services do not require an access sticker to use, such as disposal of liquid paint in cans, electronics, batteries, and more.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.