Donations accepted for Marlboro fire victim
MARLBORO - Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) is coordinating monetary donations from the community to assist Nancy Muller Milligan, recently the victim of a fire in her Marlboro home.
Milligan, 74, lost her two adult daughters in the blaze, which occurred on the afternoon of March 7, and her home was completely destroyed. She now needs assistance with permanent housing, furniture, and other household items. Marlboro Cares, a local community service organization that has been helping Milligan with various basic needs since the fire, has requested that all donations be sent to SEVCA.
Members of the public who wish to donate should send checks to SEVCA, Attn: Marlboro Fire, 91 Buck Drive, Westminster, VT 05158. Alternatively, donations can be made online using the Donate button on SEVCA's website, www.sevca.org; include a note indicating the donation is for “Marlboro Fire.”
Any questions should be directed to Pat Burke, Director of Family Services, at 802-722-4575.
Vacancy needs filling on Police & Fire Facility Committee
BRATTLEBORO - On April 5, the Selectboard reconstituted the Police-Fire Facilities Building Committee and announced a vacancy on the committee.
If you are interested in serving on the committee, submit your application on-line at brattleboro.org, or send an e-mail to the Town Manager's office - [email protected], or mail or deliver the application to: Brattleboro Town Manager's Office, Attn: Police-Fire Committee, 230 Main St., Suite 208, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. An appointment to the committee will be made at the May 3 Selectboard meeting.
Village Dance Series in Dummerston Center on April 16
DUMMERSTON - An evening of community contra and square dances will take place at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center on Saturday, April 16, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Calling the dance will be Louisa Engle of Brattleboro. The music will feature Andy Davis on accordion and Larry Siegel on piano.
The Village Dance Series, now in its 25th season, provides an opportunity for families and friends to come together to enjoy one of New England's revered traditional pastimes. Prior dance experience is not necessary, as all the dances are taught. All ages and abilities are welcome. There will be a potluck supper before the dance at 5:30 p.m.
The program includes traditional New England contra dances, square dances, circle mixers, and couple dances. Admission is $4 for children, $7 for Adults and $20 for a family. For more information or directions, contact Andy Davis at 802-257-1819, or [email protected].
Guilford Historical Society looks at Vermont's Underground Railroad
GUILFORD - In the period before the Civil War, slaves seeking freedom often traveled northward in this quest. Many traveled through Vermont on their way to Canada on the “Underground Railroad.”
On Sunday, April 17, the Guilford Historical Society will present an illustrated lecture on this by Jane Williamson, Director of the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburg. The museum is located in what was one of the “safe houses” which sheltered the slaves overnight. The lecture will start at 2 p.m. at Broad Brook Grange, 2890 Guilford Center Rd.
Williamson will discuss the movement to help these people seeking freedom and the roles that Vermonters played in helping them. Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Nancy Evans at 802-254-8082.
Osher lectures on addiction, Civil War continue
DUMMERSTON - The Brattleboro Chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will present the third in its current series of morning and afternoon lectures, to be held on April 18.
The morning lecture, by Meg Mott of Marlboro College, will discuss the consequences of the Reagan era's drug policies. The afternoon lecture, by local historian Joe Rivers, will examine Brattleboro in the Civil War.
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, Dummerston. Parking and handicapped access are available, and light refreshments will be served. For further information, contact Julie Lavorgna at 802-365-7278 or [email protected].
Republican Town Caucuses planned in Windham County
Republican voters will hold town GOP caucuses as noted below in accordance with 17 V.S.A. & 2303:
• Brattleboro: Tuesday, April 19, 7 p.m., at Brattleboro Savings & Loan(221 Main St.)
• Rockingham: Monday, April 18, 6:30 p.m., at Rockingham Free Public Library (65 Westminster St., Bellows Falls)
• Westminster,Thursday, April 21, 6 p.m., at Westminster Institute (Butterfield Library, 3435 Route 5)
For other town GOP caucuses in Windham County, check the public notices posted at your town clerk's office.
Hospice looks at funerals, traditional and alternative
BRATTLEBORO - On Monday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., Brattleboro Area Hospice will host “Funerals: Traditional and Alternative. What Is Possible?” The event will take place at Brew Barry Conference Room at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
People spend a great deal of time planning for life's big events such as births and weddings. We consider our options and make choices for ceremonies based on what best suits our beliefs and values. Why shouldn't we also give time to the planning of funerals? Come with your questions and stories.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Patty Dunn, Hospice Program Coordinator at 802-257-0775, ext. 102, or [email protected].
Low Vision Support Group meets in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - Poetry and memory are the subjects of this month's Low Vision Support Group which meets on Tuesday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, in the community room, 4th floor of Holton Hall, 130 Austine Way.
The group meets regularly on the third Tuesday of the month as part of the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) program. It is an opportunity for those living with low vision, as well as friends and family who are affected, to share experiences, challenges, and successes. Occasionally, there are speakers on topics such as technology and independent living skills.
Memory skills are important for those who are aging, but even more important for those living with low vision. During this month's support group, participants will learn and share some tactics for developing and strengthening memory. April is also National Poetry Month so they'll celebrate by sharing some favorite poems as well as the use of poetry to improve memory.
Dan Norris, Supervisor of Adult Services for the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, will also speak. If you or a loved one lives with low vision, you are welcome to attend. For more information, call Melinda Underwood at CVRT at 877-350-8840.
Leaf collection schedule announced
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro's curbside Spring Leaf Collection will take place on Friday, April 22, and Friday, May 6.
All leaves and clippings must be in brown paper leaf bags and at the curb by 7 a.m. on scheduled leaf collection days. Acceptable waste includes leaves, grass, clippings, garden waste, twigs, and branches no larger than 1 inch in diameter and 2 feet long. No other household trash is to be included.
No plastic bags or other containers will be accepted, as the materials collected will be used for compost. Brown paper leaf bags are available for purchase at local businesses.
These will be the only days scheduled for curbside leaf pick up. There will be no Saturday pickup.
Putney Public Library seeks book, plant donations
PUTNEY - While it might still be a little early to weed your garden, it's a perfect time to weed your books. Do your spring cleaning and support the library with a donation to the Library Book and Plant Sale.
The Putney Public Library seeks book donations to support its annual Book and Plant Sale, which will take place on Saturday, May 28.
Books of all kinds are welcome, with the exception of encyclopedia sets, magazines, textbooks, Reader's Digest condensed books, and anything that is musty, moldy, or in poor condition. DVDs and audiobooks are also welcome donations for the book sale. Bring donations during library hours only: Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, visit the Putney Public Library at 55 Main St., or call 802-387-4407.