'Solarize Dummerston' is topic at Transition Dummerston potluck
DUMMERSTON - Transition Dummerston will hold its monthly potluck and program on Friday, June 27, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Dummerston Community Center - 150 West St., West Dummerston (behind the library).
The theme for this month's program will be “Getting Ready to Solarize Dummerston.”
“Solarize” is a program to make solar photovoltaic systems (individual and community) more affordable – while increasing renewable energy town by town! Many towns in Vermont (including Putney) and Western Massachusetts have launched Solarize programs. Dummerston is in the early phase of setting up its own program.
Come learn about Solarize from solar installers and Dummerston Energy Committee members, who will present a number of options for interested people to become a part of this exciting project, including options for affordable financing. Find out how you can help shape a future powered by the sun!
The potluck supper will begin at 6 p.m., with people encouraged to include local food in their dishes. The program will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Susal at 802-275-7449 or Fred at 802-387-2681.
Strawberry supper served in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Dummerston Congregational Church presents its annual old-fashioned strawberry shortcake supper on Saturday, June 28, at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center.
The dinner features family sized, all you can eat, double-layered shortcakes made with local fresh strawberries and real whipped cream. The menu also includes ham, baked beans, homemade breads and salads (potato and tuna-macaroni), coleslaw, and beverages.
It will all be served family style, from 5 to 7 p.m., with continuous seatings, no reservations needed. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger. For take outs, call 802-254-1138 on Saturday.
Shear Designs hosts 14th annual Locks of Love Cut-a-Thon
BRATTLEBORO - Join Shear Designs Hair Studio on Saturday June 28, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., as they join with Locks of Love for their 14th annual Cut-a-Thon.
Shear Designs will be offering $10 haircuts when you donate at least 10 inches of hair and will also be accepting financial donations. They will be offering a day full of fun, prizes, refreshments and raffles. All proceeds will go directly to Locks of Love, and your donation will help disadvantaged children in need, ages 21 and under, by supplying them with a high quality, vacuum fitted hair prosthetic.
To make an appointment, stop by 735 Putney Rd., or call 802-257-5030. Walk-ins are always welcome. Check out their Facebook page (Facebook.com/ShearDesignsHairStudio) and sign up for their newsletter for additional news and specials.
Home energy audit open house presented in Putney
PUTNEY - Putney Cares Inc. and the NeighborWorks H.E.A.T Squad will host a home energy audit open house on Saturday, June 28, from 2 to 5 p.m., at 54 Kimball Hill Rd.
Come learn about home energy audits, Solarize Putney, and cold climate heat pumps and hybrid heat pump water heaters so you can save money and be more comfortable all year round.
Mike Raymond will walk participants through an energy audit of the Putney Cares Activities Barn, including live blower door testing and infra-red imaging. He will also discuss how homeowners can save money and be healthier and more comfortable once improvements are made.
Putney Energy Coordinator Daniel Hoviss will discuss Solarize Putney and how homeowners can save money with photovoltaic panels and solar hot water heaters through the community Solarize campaign.
Bob LaCoy will discuss heat pump technology and how it is being used to supplement heating systems and provide hot water for significant savings.
Bruce Whitney, HEAT Squad Outreach Coordinator, will be on hand to discuss the HEAT Squad's one-stop-shop services including independent energy advisors and affordable financing.
Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Whitney at [email protected] or 802-246-2111.
Grace Cottage Hospital offers Strong Bones classes
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Hospital has room for new participants in one of its popular Strong Bones classes, a strength and balance exercise program for older adults. Space is available in the Tuesday/Thursday class, which meets from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The Strong Bones Program is appropriate for both sedentary and active individuals. Research has shown that strength and balance training can help older adults to live healthier, happier and more independent lives. This class is led by specially-trained members of the Grace Cottage Hospital Rehabilitation Department staff.
Grace Cottage's Community Wellness Center, located at 133 Grafton Rd., offers a warm, bright, and inspiring setting for these classes. The cost is $3 per session. For information and to pre-register, call 802-365-3649.
Local VA clinic plans open house
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 71 GSP Drive, is hosting an open house and information fair on Wednesday, July 2, from 3 to 6 p.m.
If you served in the Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge, you may qualify for health care benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA staff will be available to answer questions and assist veterans with completing their VA health care application. Veterans and their family members can also visit information tables to learn more about VA compensation benefits and available health care services.
Veterans are encouraged to apply for health care with the VA Health Care System. Veterans interested in applying for VA health care during the event should bring a copy of their discharge paperwork (Form DD 214), a photo ID and financial information from the previous calendar year.
Veterans may complete the application right there or they can expedite the process by accessing the application for health benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) on the VA Health Care System webpage at www.whiteriver.va.gov. Just click on “Become a Patient” to begin completing the VA health care application, and bring a printed copy of the form.
For more information about this free event for Veterans, call Naaman Horn or Wendy DeCoff at 802-295-9363, ext. 5889.
RFPL chess club seeks new members
BELLOWS FALLS - The Rockingham Free Public Library Chess Club is inviting new members to join this summer. The club meets every Thursday from 2-4 p.m. Join long-time recreational chess player David DeRusha for fun, drop-in games. Players of all levels are welcome; learn the basics or enjoy a challenging game as players will be matched to others of their skill level.
While chess might seem an old-fashioned relic of a game that's been replaced by Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, you might be surprised to learn that chess is a surprisingly exciting game with a long history.
The history of chess spans more than 1,500 years. Part of its longevity lies in the fact that chess is not a game of chance. Consider that after just four moves, there are over 288 billion possible positions. Chess can't be won or lost by the random roll of a dice, the whim of the wind, because your equipment broke, or because the ref missed a foul.
Youth are also welcome to join the Chess Club. In addition to being fun, learning to play chess helps develop some important skills including leadership, decision-making, strategic planning, logical thinking, and responsibility.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at 802-463-4270, email [email protected], or go online to rockinghamlibrary.org.
Rec. Dept. offers discounted theme park tickets
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will again offer discounted tickets on sale to Six Flags/New England, located in Agawam, Mass., The Great Escape/Splashwater Kingdom in Lake George, N.Y., and Bromley's Adventure Park, located in Peru.
Just 45 minutes away, Six Flags offers fun for all ages. For the ticket price of $38, you can enjoy access to all rides and attractions, including shows, street action, animations, plus the Hurricane Harbor Water Park, and park facilities. Children under 2 are free. On-site parking is available for $20 per day. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/newengland.
The Great Escape/Splashwater Kingdom is only three hours from Brattleboro. Tickets are $35 for all ages. Children age 2 & under are free. The ticket will admit you to all rides and water fun at the park. On-site parking passes are available in advance for $15, a savings of $5. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatescape.
Bromley's Adventure Park is located six miles east of Manchester, and an all-day pass is $28. For more information, visit www.summer.bromley.com or call 802-824-5522.
If you are planning a summer outing to any of these attractions, buying ahead saves money and helps avoid the long lines. Purchase your discount tickets at the Recreation & Parks Office, 207 Main St., Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Only cash or money orders will accepted as payment.