Burke to speak on transportation issues at next WBA meeting
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held at the New England House on Thursday, June 12, at 6 p.m.
State Rep. Mollie Burke, P-Brattleboro, will address issues pertaining to transportation as it relates to West Brattleboro. A member of the Vermont Legislature since 2008, Burke serves on the Transportation Committee and successfully procured funds for the repaving of Route 9. Burke also will discuss pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
Also at this monthly meeting, the group will discuss the recent chicken barbecue held Memorial Day weekend, hear the treasurer's report, and get updates on projects included in the WBA's 2014 internal planning document, including the Neighborhoods Project and the village revitalizing project in conjunction with the West Brattleboro Partners.
The WBA is still planning to have signs made for entry to West Brattleboro, both from the east and west. Fundraising will be discussed.
West Townshend Farmers' Market now open
WEST TOWNSHEND - The West Townshend Farmers' Market is open for the season.
Join them on the lawn at the historic West Townshend Country Store Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., through Oct. 10, for a weekly farmers' market in the heart of the West River Valley.
Eighteen of their 2014 vendors are on hand, and new faces are joining many returning from past seasons.
In addition to the best of the season's harvest, you'll find locally raised meats, live Maine lobster, eggs, syrup, honey, jams, vinegar, pickles, kimchi, a great array of fresh baked goods, locally made candies, herbal products, soaps, body care items, hand-blown glass, ceramics, wood crafts, and more.
You'll also find great Thai food and can partake in the market's famous wood-fired, top-your-own pizzas. The market is open rain or shine. In the event of stormy weather, look for them in the church next door.
Healing walk at Manitou
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project will hold a healing walk on Friday, June 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. This meditative walk on Manitou's Sanctuary Trail is guided by Kirsten Edelglass. Includes poems or other readings and opportunities to share impressions of the experience.
Healing walks will be held every second and fourth Friday, rain or shine, until mid-October. For information, contact Kirsten at 802-579-4496.
Public invited to 'Trail Talk' for I-91 Brattleboro bridge project
BRATTLEBORO - The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the next on-site “trail talk” for the public on Saturday, June 14. These talks take up the status of the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project and allow the public to ask questions.
The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the Marina. The talk is led by Caleb Linn, project manager for PCL (the lead contractor), and Garrett Hoffman, design manager for FIGG (the bridge designer).
Interested participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead at 8 a.m. The talk begins at 8:15. Participants will walk the trail to the I-91 bridge site, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Father's Day Brunch in Guilford
GUILFORD - Broad Brook Grange presents its 18th annual Father's Day Brunch on Sunday, June 15, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grange hall in Guilford Center. Proceeds will allow for continued renovations of the historic building.
The all-you-can-eat brunch features eggs and omelets, any style, made to order. Also on the menu are pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon and home fries, with Guilford maple syrup. Other treats include home-baked coffee cakes 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 $12 for adults ($10 for seniors), and $5 for ages 2-12. Kids under 2 are free.
This is the second of two brunches for 2014, but by no means the last community event sponsored by the Grange this season. Guilford Freedom Day (a sort of early Independence Day Fest) is Saturday, June 28, and, as always, the Grange will have a food booth, a baking contest, and bingo at the Guilford Fair. Square dances and a play reading are also scheduled.
Broad Brook Grange is at 3940 Guilford Center Rd., 4 miles west of the Guilford Country Store. For more information, call 802-257-1961.
AARP Driver Safety Program offered June 17
BRATTLEBORO - The AARP Driver Safety Program, a classroom driver refresher course, leads a class on Tuesday, June 17, at 5 p.m. in the community room of Brattleboro Savings & Loan on Main Street.
The course explains changes that occur in vision, hearing, and reaction time as we age, and provides useful driving safety tip for handling these changes. The course also reviews the impact of changes in vehicles and roadways that impact driving safety. The participant fee is $20 ($15 for AARP members) and is open to all.
For more information, contact Elliott Greenblott at 802-254-4489 or [email protected].
Grafton hosts community forum on opioid abuse
GRAFTON - On Tuesday, June 17, one day after the Governor's Community Forum on Opiate Addiction, the Grafton Selectboard will host its own community forum to address the issue and the impact of substance abuse on the Grafton community.
Greater Falls Connections, a local substance prevention coalition, is coordinating the event and will lead a panel discussion and action planning session. The forum is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Grafton Elementary School, 58 School St.
The forum seeks to increase awareness about the substance abuse issues facing the Grafton community and to leave participants with with actionable steps to address the issues. In addition, the forum will provide information about what may be the signs of use and addiction and how can individuals and families respond. Everyone is welcome.
In conjunction with this forum, the Grafton Selectboard and the Windham County Sheriff's Department are sponsoring a local Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Town Hall.
Residents can turn in unused or expired medications for safe disposal, with no questions asked. Over-the-counter medications can also be returned. Participating in this drug take-back day instead of leaving medications unsecured or flushing them down the toilet will help prevent drug abuse and crime, and help protect our waterways.
AARP offers re-skilling workshop for those with declining memory
BRATTLEBORO - On Tuesday, June 17, at 1:30 p.m., the Brattleboro Area AARP chapter hosts a workshop on re-skilling techniques for those with declining memory.
Join guest speaker Mimi Yahn in a lively and fun workshop to learn and share various techniques and strategies to help us as we age gracefully but sometimes forgetfully. The workshop is held at the Brattleboro Senior Center, and is free and open to all.
Guests are always welcome at AARP chapter meetings, which are held on the third Tuesday of the month. Those over 50, having responded to AARP's invitation to join at the national level, are invited to join the Brattleboro Area chapter for $4 annual dues and becoming participants in AARP at the local level.
Grace Cottage Hospital hosts online auction
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Hospital's “Tee It Up for Health” Online Auction is now open to the public for bidding at www.gch.dojiggy.com. The auction is open until 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. All proceeds will benefit Grace Cottage Hospital's Patient Care Fund.
Among the exciting prizes available through the auction are a Zulu Nyala African photo safari, a 2014-15 Mount Snow Nor'Easter season ski pass, a day sail for four on the Mystic Whaler, a handmade quilt, artwork, jewelry, the opportunity to be named in an Archer Mayor mystery novel, and much more.
For sports enthusiasts, bids are also now open for tickets to Patriots, Red Sox, and Yankees games. Hot air balloon rides, Caribbean vacation packages, and a five-course gourmet dinner for six catered in your home (within 100 miles of Townshend) are among the other exciting items featured.
The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain is offering a one-year ski and golf membership, which includes unlimited access to the private ski area for the primary member, 100 ski passes to share, unlimited golfing for the member with complimentary rounds of golf for extended family and friends, and discounts at The Hermitage Club.
All bidding for this auction will be online, and the item winners will be those who have placed the highest registered bids, as determined by the computer at 9 p.m. on June 28. Winning bidders will be notified immediately, and payment may be made online via credit card or via check to Grace Cottage Hospital. All items may be picked up at Grace Cottage Hospital, or arrangements may be made to have them mailed. Auction registrants should read the fine print closely for restrictions before placing bids (for example, the cord of wood will not be mailed).
For more information or to donate an additional item to the auction, call Grace Cottage Foundation at 802-365-9109.