Brattleboro Police to host 'Coffee with a Cop'
BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, Dec. 18, officers from the Brattleboro Police Department and community members will once again come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.
All community members are invited to attend. The event will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Restless Rooster (formerly the Elliot Street Cafe) at 134 Elliot St.
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department's work in Brattleboro's neighborhoods. Contact Detective Ryan Washburn or Officer Adam Petlock with questions at 802-257-7950.
Library to honor Carbone at open house
BRATTLEBORO - The public is invited to an open house at the Brooks Memorial Library on Friday, Dec. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m., to celebrate Jerry Carbone's work for and at the library.
Carbone has been a leader in Vermont public libraries for 37 years. Under his leadership, Brooks Memorial Library broadened and deepened its mission to become a community hub, a resource for lifelong learning, and a center for multimedia literacy for the 21st century.
In his 23 years as director, Carbone worked to sustain public and private library funding and inspired a major bequest that will help ensure the library's continued role as a model for public library service in Vermont. He started working at Brooks in 1978, as a reference librarian and became library director in 1993.
Chris Bakriges and his trio will provide music. Light refreshments will be served.
Enchanted Christmas presented by the BFUHS Performing Arts
WESTMINSTER - The Bellows Falls Union High School performing arts and family and consumer science department present an Enchanted Christmas for children and families on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Bellows Falls Union High School.
There will be cookie and ornament decorating, games and refreshments, plus pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. At 2:45 p.m., students will present The Polar Express in the auditorium.
Admission for this fundraising event is $5 per person, free for children less than one year. This event will help fund the group's trip to New York City in the spring.
Townshend hosts community concert
TOWNSHEND - The Community Hope and Action group of Townshend will be putting on a free supper and concert on Saturday Dec. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Townshend Town Hall.
Local band The Bondville Boys will be performing. This is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event with child-care provided.
The Community Hope and Action group created this series of monthly events to bring people together for food and fun. The vision of the group is to create “a community where people work together to experience and celebrate life to the fullest.”
This month's event will also include a silent auction to benefit the Campaign for Kids, which supports healthy meals and enrichment programs for kids in the summer and after-school all along the West River Valley.
Festival of Lights, Longest Night services at St. Michael's
BRATTLEBORO - On Saturday, Dec. 19, at 4 pm, the children of The Choir School of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro will present The Festival of Lights.
The Choir School, led by St. Michael's Director of Music Susan Dedell, includes children ages 8 to 14 from throughout the region who love singing and want to develop musical skills.
This event, in which the children do all the reading and singing, is a version of the service of Lessons & Carols. All from the community are invited to attend this service in the church, which is decorated with greens for the season.
On Sunday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m., St. Michael's Episcopal Church will hold the second annual Longest Night Service. For those who find the Christmas Season a tough one, the holiday season can magnify what is going on in our lives, including pain and loss.
“Peace on earth,” or even peace in our hearts, may seem an impossible dream, according to a news release. “Sadness and memories may seem overwhelming at a time when joy and celebration are expected. The Longest Night is a service of hope for all who carry sorrow of any kind,” the release noted.
All are invited to join in this service with music, readings, candles, and chants.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church is fully accessible and parking for those with impaired mobility is available on Bradley Avenue and in the parking lot entered from Putney Road. Contact the church office at 802-254-6048 with any questions.
Free fresh produce at Grace Cottage on Dec. 22
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Hospital will host the Vermont Foodbank's free Mobile Food Pantry the fourth week of every month for those in need.
Food items available may include squash, potatoes, carrots, and kale. The next distribution date is Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Pallets of fresh and frozen food will be unloaded in the ambulance garage behind Grace Cottage Hospital, 185 Grafton Rd..
Participants are asked to take only what they need for their own household and to bring reusable shopping bags or a cardboard box, as plastic bags may not be available. For more information, call 802-365-9109.
Christmas Carol Program at West Dummerston Baptist Church
WEST DUMMERSTON - The annual Christmas Carol Program will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m., at the West Dummerston Baptist Church in the village of West Dummerston.
Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome. The church is located approximately 7 miles north of Brattleboro on Route 30, take turn for West Street. Call 802-258-9044 for further information.
Our Place to serve holiday dinner
BELLOWS FALLS - Our Place Drop-in Center, 4 Island St., will serve a free holiday dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 22, beginning at 11:30 a.m. All members of the community are welcome.
Chef Matt Gowell and his crew will serve turkey and all the fixings, complemented by an array of homemade desserts.
Further information is available by contacting Our Place at 802-463-2217 or on its Facebook page.