Library dance parties in Guilford
GUILFORD — The Guilford Free Library invites the community to three upcoming Thursday dance parties at the library on June 4, July 2, and Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m. with local and internationally known musician Luke Concannon.
The dance parties at the library, 4024 Guilford Center Rd., will be outside if weather permits. Participants may bring their own picnic and blanket or enjoy sitting at the picnic tables behind the library. All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call librarian Amber Hunt at 802-257-4603.
First Friday Picnic at Centre Church
BRATTLEBORO — Stop by the front lawn of Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., Friday, June 5, from 5 to 7 p.m., for their First Friday Picnic.
Enjoy some almost-summer fun on the lawn, with a picnic supper of hamburgers or hot dogs, chips, and water ($6) and strawberry shortcake ($10) while being entertained by Rev. Yolanda’s songs and storytelling and Doug the Devil Stick Man. Face painting, a sidewalk chalk art contest, art display, and craft vendors round out this kid- and senior-friendly Gallery Walk event.
Kirtan chanting with Anna Sobel
WEST BRATTLEBORO — Shemot Shelah, a Jewish kirtan band, led by musician-storyteller Anna Sobel, will offer Hebrew call-and-response chanting on Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m.
Kirtan is “a devotional practice that uses feminine and nonbinary names for the Divine,” said organizers in a news release. “It opens the heart and paves the way for states of bliss and peace.” Storytelling will play a part in the event, as Sobel brings to light “historical women’s practices that relate to this form of chanting.” A catered dinner will follow.
The event is co-hosted by the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community and All Souls Church. It will take place at the West Village Meeting House, 29 South St. There is a suggested donation of $15–$25. Register at bit.ly/868-kirtan.
Herb class in Dummerston
WEST DUMMERSTON — Celebrate late spring at the Dummerston Community Center & Library, 150 West St., with an herb class about violets Saturday, June 6, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The presenter will be Dianne Clouet, a community and clinical herbalist who resides in Brattleboro.
Clouet says she loves growing medicinal herbs, wild-harvesting locally abundant plants, and sharing herbal plant knowledge with others. A 2022 graduate of Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, she sees clients through her herb practice Feather and Bone Herbals, featherandboneherbals.com, and is an herbalist with the Peoples Medicine Project in Massachusetts.
This workshop is free, open to all, and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the library at 802-258-9878 or dummerstonvtlibrary@gmail.com.
Arlo Monroe art exhibit in Newfane
NEWFANE — The Historical Society of Windham County will be hosting a reception on Sunday, June 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Historical Society’s Research Center in Newfane (formerly the Society’s Museum). The occasion will open a guest exhibit featuring the art of Arlo Monroe from the collection of Charles Marchant.
Monroe was a well-known Windham County artist who taught art and social studies and served as the headmaster of Leland & Gray Seminary in Townshend for many years, where Marchant taught for years as well. Marchant will share memories of his former colleague at this special opening.
This guest exhibit will be on display throughout the upcoming season, available for viewing on weekdays until mid-October whenever the Center’s Open flag is up, as well as by special arrangement. Admission is free to this event, with donations much appreciated. See historicalsocietyofwindhamcounty.org for the latest updates and schedule of events.
Vernon museum opens for summer season
VERNON — On Sunday, June 7, the Vernon Historical Museum at 4201 Fort Bridgman Road (Route 142) will open for the summer season. The museum will be open to the public on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. (other times by appointment) throughout the summer, from June 8 through Sept. 13. It will be closed Mondays, July 5, July 19, and Sept. 6.
The main building was formerly Vernon’s District Schoolhouse #4. Built in 1825 with locally made bricks, the schoolhouse has interesting architectural features and an original slate roof. Inside, the museum houses a large archival collection.
To celebrate the June 7 opening, there will be an ice cream social with free ice cream and a variety of toppings and a one-day exhibit of several historic vehicles. Guests are asked to bring a lawn chair, friends, and family. For further information, contact the Vernon Historians at vernonvermonthistorians@gmail.com or 802-258-2841.
Senior lunch in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON — Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions will serve their next Senior Lunch Wednesday, June 10, at the Grange Hall in Dummerston Center, with take-outs available between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 pm and an in-house meal served at noon. On the menu are baked ham, baked beans (vegetarian available), macaroni and cheese, and mixed broccoli and cauliflower with butter. Dessert is gingerbread with whipped topping.
Reservations are highly suggested and can be made by calling the hall at 802-254-1138. Leave name, phone number, number of meals desired, and whether for eating in or taking out. There is a suggested donation of $4 for those age 60 and above eating inside, and $5 for those age 59 and under and all take-outs.
Workshop covers ecological forest stewardship
WEST DUMMERSTON — The Dummerston Conservation Commission and Windham Woodlands (formerly Windham Regional Woodlands Association) are sponsoring a presentation by Paul Catanzaro Wednesday, June 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Dummerston Community Center and Library, 150 West St.
Cantanzaro’s talk will be based on the new book he co-authored with Anthony “Tony” D’Amato, who holds a doctorate in forest resources, called Tending Your Forest: A Guide to Ecological Forest Stewardship in the Eastern and Central United States. Catanzaro serves as the Massachusetts state extension forester, co-directs the Family Forest Research Center, and teaches Forest Ecology and Conservation at the University of Massachusetts. D’Amato is a professor in silviculture and forest ecology at the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.
With chapters dedicated to climate, old growth forests, wildlife resilience, economics, and more, their book is a guide to help get woodland owners more deeply connected and engaged with caring for their land to create healthier forests. This presentation is meant for woodland owners and everyone else in the community who cares about ecological forest management. The program is free. Donations are appreciated.
Crêpe Night benefits Putney Library
DUMMERSTON — Putney Library and Scott Farm partner for a Crêpe Night fundraiser Wednesday, June 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Scott Farm, 707 Kipling Rd.
Crêpe Nights are family-friendly gatherings held regularly at Scott Farm during the summer months. They are times “to celebrate the harvest, good simple food, and community in a stunning setting—picnic style,” wrote organizers in a news release.
The Early Risers, library enthusiasts Ashley Storrow and Putnam Smith, will provide music during the event. Outdoor and indoor tables and chairs are provided as well as a grassy hillside “ripe for picnic blankets, folding lawn chairs, and bare feet.”
Tickets are $20 for adults or $12 for children under 12. Each ticket comes with a savory supper crêpe (galette), sweet dessert crêpe, and side salad. Drinks are available for purchase. Support the library while enjoying a beautiful Vermont evening. Tickets are limited and advanced purchase is required. Additional information and tickets are available at scottfarmvermont.com/crepe-night.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.