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Williamsville/Newfane Talent Show March 29

WILLIAMSVILLE - Spring is welcomed here this year with the return of the annual Williamsville/Newfane Talent Show, Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m. in the Williamsville Hall.

A decades-old tradition in the village, the show features a range of talented area performers young and old. Among the many acts are the Spicer family, Johanna Gardner, Gary Keiser and Bahman Mahdavi, Annie Landenberger, Carter Falk, Nastia and Veronica Stevens, Ralph Sherman, Alice Coyne, and Arik Clark.

Admission is by suggested donation of $5/$15 per family. Refreshments are available by donation as well. Proceeds benefit the Leland & Gray Players and Williamsville Hall, which is on Dover Road in Williamsville.

Route 30 set to close April 7 for I-91 bridge work

BRATTLEBORO - After several weather delays, a date has been set for closing Route 30 to complete demolition of the northbound span of West River Bridge on Interstate 91.

According to project contractor PCL, Route 30 will be closed for up to six days beginning Sunday night, April 4, and continuing through Friday afternoon, April 11.

Actual closure dates and start time will be confirmed at least 72 hours in advance. Contractors must first confirm the weather is favorable for work to proceed.

Once the closure begins, no through traffic will be permitted on Route 30 through the Interstate 91 right of way. Local traffic will be detoured on Upper Dummerston Road during that period.

For continuous project status, visit www.i91brattleborobridge.com.

Emerald Ash Borer talk and walk at RFPL

BELLOWS FALLS - State forester Jim Esden presents a program on the Emerald Ash Borer at the Rockingham Free Public Library on Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. with an ash tree-identifying walk at 2.

This program and walk will lead to “Save Our Ashes,” an ash tree awareness week, from Sunday, April 27, to Saturday, May 3.

The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic, wood-boring insect from Asia that attacks and kills all native ash species and is responsible for widespread ash tree decline. Ash is one of the 10 most common trees in Vermont. Learn how the Vermont Division of Forests, Parks, and Recreation is working to keep this insect from establishing itself in Vermont - and how you can help.

For more information, write Alma Beals at [email protected].

Grafton Cornet Band to hold open rehearsal

GRAFTON - The Grafton Cornet Band welcomes band players near and far to the first pre-season rehearsal on Sunday, March 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments are provided.

This traditional community band keeps its historic, 147-year-old name, although all band instruments are now welcome, not just cornets. There are no dues, auditions, or minimum time required - just a desire to make music and continue the grand tradition of music in Grafton.

Bruce Corwin and Sue Lemei return as directors. The rehearsal hall is upstairs in the Old Fire Station, 217 Main St. For more information, including weather cancellations, visit graftonband.org or call Dan Axtell (802-387-4145) or Dick Desrochers (802-843-2301).

Winter Farmers' Market ends eighth season with CSA Fair

BRATTLEBORO - Saturday, March 29, marks the final week for the eighth season of the Winter Farmers' Market at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden, 153 Main St.

It is also the seventh annual CSA Fair hosted at Post Oil Solutions' Winter Farmers' Market. At least a dozen CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) will be represented, along with the regular market lineup to offer information about farming operations and CSA share options. In addition to the CSA Fair, live music by Daniel Hartigan is yours in the café from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Market managers urge 3SquaresVT customers make use of their Market Match Coupons and wooden market tokens before the season ends. Market Match Coupons expire March 29.

The market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 802-869-2141 or write [email protected].

Shakun to give talk on problem solving

BRATTLEBORO - On Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m., at the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community synagogue (BAJC), Melvin F. Shakun will discuss problem solving and decision making.

His talk, “Adaptive Problem Solving: Group decision, negotiation, leadership and spirituality,” will develop the connectedness decision framework, a systems approach to problem solving drawing on spirituality. Application of the framework to various problems will be considered. Audience participation is encouraged.

Shakun is professor emeritus at the Stern School of Business at New York University, and editor-in-chief of the international journal, Group Decision and Negotiation.

BAJC is at 151 Greenleaf St., West Brattleboro.

Free parenting workshop offered in West River Valley

TOWNSHEND - West River Valley Thrives offers a “Guiding Good Choices” parenting workshop on Wednesdays at the Townshend Church from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for five weeks, April 2 through May 7. There is no class on April 16 due to school vacation.

This fun and dynamic workshop boosts skills for parents and caregivers of kids aged 8 to 13. In focus: setting boundaries, monitoring, communication, and managing conflict.

Childcare and light refreshments provided. Free admission. Participants could win a gas card worth up to $50. Space is limited to 14; preregistration required. Contact Jennifer Esposito at West River Valley Thrives at 802-365-1597 or [email protected].

Newfane Garden Club to meet

NEWFANE - The Newfane Garden Club holds its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 3, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Newfane Congregational Church. Following the business meeting, members will learn how to access the Newfane Garden Club website, where they can create and join discussions and add photos.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop computer or other mobile device if they would like to practice during the instruction. Guests welcome. Hostesses are Janice Guminak and Helen Prescott.

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