Free playgroups available in area
Playgroups for parents and their children up to five years of age are offered weekly for any family in Windham County. The free groups are offered in Brattleboro, Whitingham, and Townshend.
The 90-minute playgroups offer opportunities for children to play with other infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and for parents to meet other parents as well. Each group is facilitated by a coordinator who provides a light snack and depending on the interests of the group, an activity or art project.
The groups will meet Tuesdays at the Townshend Library from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Tuesdays at the Whitingham Free Public Library at the Jacksonville Municipal Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and Fridays at Early Education Services, 130 Birge St. in Brattleboro, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. For more information, contact Sara Webb at 802-365-0032.
Newfane Garden Club to meet
NEWFANE - The October meeting of the Newfane Garden club will take place on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m., at the Newfane Congregational Church.
The program will consist of a presentation by three of the club's Master Gardeners - Hollis Melton, Laura Taylor, and Somara Zwick. They will share their knowledge and explain how to become a Master Gardener.
In addition, Rosalind Fritz will give us a few pointers on how to save time on the fall clean up of our gardens. Hostesses will be Kim Eng Yeo and Norma Shakun. Guests are always welcome.
Trinity Lutheran serves Oktoberfest dinner
BRATTLEBORO - The community is invited to an Oktoberfest-style German dinner on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 361 Western Ave.
The meal will include knockwurst, bratwurst, sauerkraut, potatoes, a vegetable, applesauce, bread, beverages, and German chocolate cake for dessert. There will be two seatings available, at 5:30 and 7 p.m. The suggested donation is $9, the proceeds of which will help to fund Trinity's work in this community and beyond.
Required reservations can be made by calling 802 254-4220. Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 161 Western Ave., across from the Holton Home, in Brattleboro. Take-out will be available. Everyone is welcome.
Grafton Cornet Band plans outdoor concert
GRAFTON - On Saturday, Oct. 3, at 2:30 p.m., the Grafton Cornet Band will play a concert on the library lawn on Main Street (Route 121).
In case of rain, the concert will be in the White Church. The concert will be an informal, hour-long mix of familiar and upbeat music for the whole family. Free admission, but donations welcome. Bring chairs or a blanket and maybe a picnic.
Free flu shots offered in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - As flu season quickly approaches, ClearChoiceMD is serving its community by offering free flu vaccinations to the public. The urgent care center, located at 1154 Putney Rd., will host a free flu clinic for ages 6 months and older from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 4 - no appointments needed.
“It's important to get your flu vaccination before winter begins so your body has enough time to develop the antibodies that protect against influenza,” said Dr. Thomas H. Scott, director of clinical operations, in a news release. “Early fall is the best time to get your flu shot.”
Good health habits, combined with a flu vaccination, is the best way to avoid contracting or spreading the flu. Such habits include washing your hands frequently, disinfecting surfaces, covering your mouth and nose, getting enough sleep, a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, and staying home if you are sick.
All flu vaccinations on Oct. 3 and 4 will be free of charge and insurance will not be billed. Patients are asked to bring a photo ID, and encouraged to bring friends and family.
Community potluck supper planned in Vernon
VERNON - There will be a community potluck dinner in Vernon on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Vernon Fire Station.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m. The price of admission is a main dish, salad, or dessert to share. Cutlery, plates, cups, water, and coffee will be provided.
The Vernon community potluck dinner is sponsored by the Vernon Voters Alliance and the men and women of the Vernon Fire Department. Contact Rita Mudd at 802-258-7305 or Bronna Zlochiver at 802-579-1567 to let them know what dish you plan to bring and if you will help set up or clean up.
Flu shots available at Grace Cottage
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Family Health will be offering a flu shot clinic on Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No advance appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome.
Flu shots are also available weekdays by appointment by calling 802-365-4331. Grace Cottage Family Health is located at 185 Grafton Road (Route 35).
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chance that you will get the flu and that you will spread it to others. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine. People over age 65 or those with any chronic disease, such as diabetes or asthma, have a higher risk of contracting the flu and are especially urged to get the shot. The flu shot cannot be given to anyone with an allergy to eggs. Those with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should consult with a physician before getting a flu shot.
Grace Cottage will be administering the quad flu shot, which protects against four strains of the flu virus. The cost will be covered by insurance. For adult patients who do not have insurance, the cost is $71.22. For children (age 18 and under) without insurance, the cost is $21.22 (the shot itself is free, but an administration fee is required).
Comic book workshop at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - The Rockingham Free Public Library will be offering an after-school comic book workshop every Monday afternoon, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m, from Oct. 5 through Nov. 23.
The workshop is a fun, weekly group for children age 10 and older that will focus on telling stories through art. The group will work on illustration techniques used in comic strips and manga (Japanese comic art) and produce new creative work. There will also be weekly workshops, where participants can share each other's work and offer helpful suggestions and ways to improve.
Local young adult author and picture book writer Megan Applegate will be leading the Comic Book Workshop. “You don't have to already be an amazing artist to join,” she says. “We'll have lots and lots of practice with all sorts of illustration methods and we'll even do live chats (through Skype) with real, live working comic book and manga artists.”
Participation in the workshop is free, but registration is required. To register, call the RFPL at 802-463-4270, email sam@rockinghamlibrary, or stop by the library at 65 Westminster St. Students are welcome to bring their own pencils and sketchbook, however, the library will provide some supplies each week.
Osher lectures on Africa, water, and the world
DUMMERSTON - The Brattleboro Chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) announces its 13th series of fall lectures, to begin on Oct. 5. Morning and afternoon lectures will treat modern Africa and the complex importance of water in human societies, respectively.
In the morning series of six lectures, Tom Toleno will look at Africa today. Toleno, of the Marlboro College faculty, has lived, traveled, and worked extensively in Africa, particularly in the Republic of Malawi.
In the afternoon lectures, six presenters will separately discuss various aspects of water and its essential role in life on earth. The first lecture will be by Madeline Gotkowitz, a research hydrologist at the University of Wisconsin.
Lectures are held on six successive Mondays. Morning lectures run from 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon lectures, from 1 to 3 p.m.
All lectures will be held at the Vermont Learning Collaborative, 471 US Route 5. Parking and handicapped access are available, and light refreshments will be served at the lectures.
The lectures are produced by the Brattleboro OLLI chapter. OLLI is a nationwide membership organization sponsoring programs for people aged fifty and over who wish to continue their education without tests, papers, or grades.
Payment of full membership dues ($50) entitles members to attend all 12 lectures in the present series. Partial memberships ($30) entitle subscribers to attend six sessions in either morning or afternoon, but not both. Couples are welcome to join as full members at a discounted rate of $80 ($50 for partial membership). Lectures are also open to nonmembers for a fee of $6 per lecture.
For further information, call 802-257-8600 or toll-free 866-889-0042; or go to www.learningcollaborative.org.
BMH launches “Mindful Eating For Weight Loss” workshop series
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's Community Health Team will present a free four-part workshop series focused on the role of mindful eating for those seeking to lose weight.
Presented by Peg Canal MS, RD, CDE Nutritionist/ Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator, Carrie Quimby MS, RD Nutritionist/ Registered Dietitian and Nancy Schaefer, BS Health Coach, the workshop series will help participants identify triggers that contribute to unhealthy eating and learn to develop mindful eating practices.
All series events will be held in BMH's Brew Barry Conference Room 1 on four consecutive Tuesdays, Oct. 6 to 27, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Participants will also gain knowledge on food preparation for optimal nutrition and have the opportunity to prepare and taste delicious healthy food.
The workshop is free and open to the public, but registration is strongly suggested. Those with questions or wishing to register should call 802-257-8877.
Whitingham library seeks donations for annual book sale
JACKSONVILLE - The Whitingham Free Public Library is now accepting donations for its annual book sale, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The library accepts hardcover and paperback books in good condition, as well as DVDs and CDs, during operational hours only. Organizers will not accept encyclopedias, textbooks, or VHS and cassette tapes.
The Whitingham Free Public Library is located in the Whitingham Municipal Center, in the Village of Jacksonville. For more information, call 802-368-7506.