BF Rotary hosts annual Penny Sale
BELLOWS FALLS - The Bellows Falls Rotary Club will host its annual Penny Sale on Saturday, May 7, at the Bellows Falls Union High School auditorium in Westminster.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. start of the first of the Penny Sale's three action-packed series. Refreshments will be provided by the Bellows Falls Union High School Booster Club.
The Penny Sale is the Rotary Club's major fundraiser with proceeds used for community projects and programs such Our Place Drop-In Center, Parks Place, and the Warming Shelter. Additionally, scholarships are provided for graduating students, as well as support for both the inbound and outbound foreign-exchange-student program.
More than 300 prizes have been donated by area businesses - from toys, cash, and tools to local gift certificates for many restaurants and services. A cash raffle tops off the evening's events.
Ravine Trail hike at Manitou
WILLIAMSVILLE - Come and meet Manitou, one of southern Vermont's best kept secrets. Mary Stowe is your guide on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Hike from the High Place over the Ravine (Yellow) Trail on colonial farm roads. If there's time, visit exquisite old stone walls off the Red Trail. Bring lunch if you wish.
The Ravine Trail is steep in at least one place, so suitable footwear is recommended. Free and open to the public. Call 802-246-1152 if you have any questions. The rain date is Sunday, May 8, at 10 a.m.
Mother's Day brunch in Guilford
GUILFORD - Broad Brook Grange will present its 20th annual Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Grange hall in Guilford Center. Proceeds support maintenance of the historic building.
The all-you-can-eat brunch features eggs and omelettes, 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 $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for ages 2-12. Kids under 2 are free. Broad Brook Grange is at 3940 Guilford Center Road, 4 miles west of the Guilford Country Store. For more information, call 802-257-1961.
Brattleboro Garden Club hosts May events
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Floral Arts and Garden Club's May meeting will feature gardener Doug Switzer, who will share his knowledge of azaleas and his experiences growing them locally. The event is scheduled for Monday, May 9, at 6 p.m., at the Green Mountain Chapel on Western Avenue in Brattleboro. The event is free and open to the public.
On Thursday, May 19, at 6 p.m., the club will host a fundraising event. At this “Paint Party,” Keene artist Kristina Wentzell will guide participants through the process of creating a painting of poppies to take home. No previous experience is required, and materials and refreshments will be provided. The event also takes place at the Green Mountain Chapel. The cost is $50, and pre-registration is required. To register, visit www.monadnockart.com.
The Garden Club will also host its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m., at the same location, rain or shine. Members will be offering high-quality, locally grown, and reasonably priced perennials, annuals, herbs, shrubs, and more. Preview plants at 8:30 a.m.
For more information on these events, contact Ann Newsmith at 802-257-4710 or [email protected].
AIDS Project invites public to Walk for Life May 14
BRATTLEBORO - The AIDS Project of Southern Vermont is inviting the public to help raise money and awareness Saturday, May 14, at its 29th annual Walk for Life.
The event, set for 10 a.m. to noon at the River Garden on Main Street, will spotlight community efforts not only to support local people living with HIV/AIDS but also to reduce the risk of transmission to others.
The Walk for Life will feature speakers, songs by the student cast of the Brattleboro Union High School production of the musical “Rent,” a brief period of remembrance, and a light lunch.
The AIDS Project, established in 1988, is encouraging individuals, businesses, churches, schools, and community groups to form teams to seek contributions for its work with clients in Windham, Bennington, and southern Windsor counties.
Walkers will join perennial fundraiser Shirley Squires, the 85-year-old Guilford great-great-grandmother who has collected more than $250,000 in pledges since she began walking in memory of her son, the late Democratic Rep. Ronald Squires, after he lost his life to AIDS in 1993.
For more information, contact Karen Peterson at 802-254-4444 or [email protected], or log onto www.firstgiving.com/AIDSProject.
Westminster West School hosts plant sale
WESTMINSTER WEST - Westminster West School invites everyone to its annual spring plant sale on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3724 Westminster West Rd.
Come early for the best selection, including a wide variety of annuals, perennials, and vegetable starts from some of the area's finest gardeners and farmers. All proceeds support Westminster West School and the Westminster West Public Library. Rain date is Sunday, May 15.
Bids sought for Athens Brick Meetinghouse Project
ATHENS - Bids are being sought for Stabilization/rehabilitation work on the 1817 Brick Meetinghouse in Athens.
This is a historic preservation project funded in part through a matching grant from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, along with grants from the Windham Foundation and the Crosby-Gannett Fund, and support from the taxpayers of Athens.
All work must meet The Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Bid documents will be made available to pre-qualified bidders only. A pre-bid date is set for Thursday, May 12, at 10 a.m. Bids are due Tuesday, May 24, by 1 p.m.
Contractors seeking more information should contact Cole Company Inc. at 802-362-0096 or [email protected]. Anyone wishing to help support this and future restoration work on the building can send a tax deductible donation noting Meetinghouse Project to the Athens Historic Preservation Society, PO Box 336, Townshend, VT 05353.