Open gym for little tots begins Thursday in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department’s seasonal Parent–Tot Open Gym will start Thursday, Nov. 5. The informal, unstructured playgroup will meet every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. through April 22, 2027.
Held on the third floor of the Gibson-Aiken Center at 207 Main St., the program is for children 5 and younger, who must be supervised by their parents or caregivers.
Equipment includes playhouses, cars, a tunnel, a play kitchen, and big rubber balls.
The fee is $1 per child per day. For more information, call the Gibson-Aiken office at 802-254-5808.
‘State of Farming’ film reveals rural realities of daring to dairy
BELLOWS FALLS — State Representative Michelle Bos-Lun, Democrat of Windham-3, will host a free screening of State of Farming Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rockingham Free Public Library, 65 Westminster St.
The episodic film “explores the realities, challenges, and heritage of agriculture in Vermont,” organizers said in a news release. Following the screening, four local farmers will “share and reflect on their farming experiences over decades,” the release said.
The film was produced by Monument Farms in association with the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council and the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance.
Listen to your heart at free health screenings in Putney
PUTNEY — Nurses from Dartmouth Health’s Heart and Vascular Center will offer free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings Friday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Putney Community Cares, 54 Kimball Hill.
In addition to the screenings, participants can receive “education, meaningful conversation, and guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” organizers said in a news release, adding that education and resources would be personalized for each person seeking preventive care.
Early Thanksgiving feast to feed fuel-assistance program
BELLOWS FALLS — The First Baptist Church of Bellows Falls, 9 Church St., will hold its annual Thanksgiving Dinner fundraiser Friday, Nov. 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The menu includes turkey and all the trimmings.
“As we prepare for winter, we know that rising costs, especially home heating costs, will put a real strain on many individuals and families in our community,” reads a post on the church’s Facebook page. “We want to do what we can to help.”
Dinner is free, with a suggested donation of $9 to benefit the Crisis Fuel Assistance program administered through Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA).
Square dance will do a good turn for Windham residents in need
WINDHAM — The Windham Community Organization (WCO) will host its annual Harvest Gathering fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. at the former Windham Elementary School, 5940 Windham Hill Road.
The event will include square dancing called by Sally Newton, with music to begin at 6:45. Participants can keep their energy high with seasonal desserts, popcorn, apple cider, and other snacks.
Admission is free, but donations “will go toward the WCO’s efforts to aid Windham residents in need, organize community events, and support local food shelves and social service agencies,” organizers said in a news release.
The organization will also be collecting donations for local food pantries, such as non-perishable pantry staples, kid-friendly snacks, personal hygiene items, and pet food.
Sorry, Monopoly; this game day in Chester is free
CHESTER — St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will host a free event, “Board Games Mania,” for people 13 and up Sunday, Nov. 8, from 3 to 5 p.m. Card tables will be set up in Willard Hall, behind and below the church, which is located at 313 Main St.
Provided games will include Qwirkle, Monopoly, Rummikub, Cribbage, and Sorry, and organizers in a news release encouraged participants to “bring their own favorite games, find new partners, and make new friends.”
Refreshments will be served, and reservations are not required. Visit stlukesepiscopalvt.org/specialevents for more information.
BMC to honor legacy of musical humanist Pablo Casals
BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Music Center (BMC) continues a series of special events honoring cellist Pablo Casals (1876–1973) Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. at 72 Blanche Moyse Way.
Bernard Meillat, musical advisor for the Pau Casals Foundation, will converse with BMC Artistic Advisor Jaime Laredo about Casals, who was also a “conductor, composer, humanist, and staunch fighter for freedom and democracy,” organizers said in a news release.
A Catalan who fled Spain when fascist dictator Francisco Franco came to power, Casals received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 and the U.N. Peace Medal in 1971.
Admission is by donation, and refreshments will be served. To reserve a space, contact the BMC at 802-257-4523 or info@bmcvt.org.
Guilford potluck will have Day of the Dead theme
GUILFORD — The Broad Brook Community Center at 3940 Guilford Center Road will host seasonal monthly community potlucks starting Nov. 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The November supper will observe All Souls’ Day and Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). Participants may bring photos of a deceased person or animal to place on a community altar, which will be decorated with marigolds and votive candles.
“Bring a dish to share, perhaps one of your relative’s favorite foods,” organizers said in a news release.
For more information, visit broadbrookcommunitycenter.org.
Build skills for restorative communication, facilitation
NEWFANE — Restorative Community Practice of Vermont will offer an online course in restorative facilitation practices and nonviolent communication Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Sessions begin Nov. 12.
The course, “Developing a Heartset for Restorative Circle Conference Facilitation” teaches practical communication and facilitation skills.
Participants will first delve into nonviolent communication, including “the arts and practices of attunement, deep listening, resonance, and meaningful dialogue,” organizers say on the registration page.
The second part of the training will teach skills for facilitating “the restorative circle conferencing process,” the page says, to help trainees “create spaces where people can be heard, relationships can be attended to, and the impacts of harm can be explored with care and accountability.”
The course fee is on a sliding scale starting at $30.
For more information or to register, go to bit.ly/restorative-course or call Dan DeWalt at 802-348-7701.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.