Medicare Boot Camp in Townshend, Brattleboro
Senior Solutions staff provides unbiased information about the Medicare system at Medicare Boot Camp. In May this free class will be held in two Windham County locations: in Townshend on Thursday, May 19, 1 to 3 p.m., and in Brattleboro on Thursday, May 26, 1 to 3 p.m.
The class is for Vermonters who are new to Medicare. Family members who help these beneficiaries may also find it useful. Medicare has strict enrollment periods, and Medicare Boot Camp prepares participants make timely decisions about drug plans and supplemental plans as well as many other issues.
There is no fee, but donations are appreciated. Space is limited, so call in advance to the Senior HelpLine for registration and detailed location information at 800-642-5119.
Senior meal served in Halifax
HALIFAX - On Friday, May 20, the next Halifax senior meal will be served at noon at the Halifax Community Hall, located at 20 Brook Rd. in West Halifax.
This month's menu features fruit with cottage cheese as an appetizer and sweet sausage stroganoff (sweet sausage, celery soup, veggies, and mild seasonings) as the entree, with hot rolls, and cake and ice cream for dessert. All seniors are welcome.
Dover Library closed for one week
DOVER - The Dover Free Library will be closed from May 20 to May 26 for carpet installation.
The library will resume normal business hours on Friday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Spring rummage sale in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Community Church will hold its annual Spring Rummage, Tag, & Bake Sale on Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, at 96 VT Route 112.
On sale will be ladies, mens, and kids' clothing, plus blankets, sheets, curtains, and pillows. There will be huge indoor tag sale with lots of household items, as well as toys, games, books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, and lots of tasty baked goods.
Transition Dummerston to discuss gardening to grow more food locally
DUMMERSTON - This month's Transition Dummerston potluck and program will be held on Friday, May 20, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Southeast Vermont Learning Collaborative, at 471 Putney Rd., in Dummerston.
This month's program is “Gardening to Grow More Food Locally,” and will include a showing of parts of the award-wining documentary, “Symphony of the Soil."
In addition to the film and discussion of the film, there will be a chance to exchange ideas for creating and expanding your summer garden. There will also be updates on progress on Transition Dummerston's recent initiatives around Permaculture and Dummerston Cares. And be sure to bring your extra plants and seeds for a plant/seed swap.
The program is free and open to the public, and people from surrounding towns are encouraged to come and join in the conversation. Potluck at 6 p.m. (local food encouraged) followed by the film and discussion from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Bill at 802-257-1020 or Ken at 802-387-5288.
Centre Church presents Spring Jumble Sale
BRATTLEBORO - A Spring Jumble Sale will be held in Memorial Hall at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., on Friday, May 20, 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spring and summer clothing and accessories, toys, books, household items, games and sporting equipment will be available. All items by donation, no price tags. For more information, call 802-254-4730.
Historical Society hosts Plant & Bake Sale
GUILFORD - The Guilford Historical Society will hold its annual Plant & Bake Sale on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., rain or shine, at Richmond's Auto Repair at the corner of Route 5 (the Coolidge Highway) and Guilford Center Road, one mile south of Exit 1 of Interstate 91 and opposite the Guilford Country Store.
The sale will feature plants that are all moderately priced and that have been locally raised, as well as a variety of baked goods from some of the finest cooks in the Guilford area. Pies, cookies, and other delicacies will be offered.
The sale will benefit the society's work in maintaining the 1822 Guilford Historical Museum, the 1837 Guilford Center Meeting House, and the 1797 Brick One Room School House. The society also offers programs to the public on issues related to the town's history.
Persons willing to donate their plants to the sale are asked to pot them in advance of the sale and then to bring them to Richmond's Garage between 8 and 9 a.m. on May 21. Baked goods should also be brought at that time. If donors of plant or baked goods have questions, they may call Mary Sargent at 802-257-0004 or Shirley Squires at 802-254-2468.
Garden Club hosts plant sale
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Floral Arts and Garden Club will hold its annual spring plant sale on Saturday, May 21, starting at 9 a.. The sale will take place in the Green Mountain Chapel parking lot on Western Ave, next to the Creamery Bridge.
Available for purchase are hardy perennials, herbs, and annuals that are well-suited for spring planting. They are all grown locally by members of the Garden Club and are reasonably priced to support community members who are creating or expanding their gardens.
The event will take place rain or shine. Come early for the best selection and preview the plants starting at 8:30 am. For more information about the event or about the Brattleboro Garden Club, contact Ann Newsmith, 802-257-4710 or [email protected].
Peace pole to be dedicated in Putney
PUTNEY - On Saturday, May 21, at 2:30 p.m, the Putney Cares Board invites the community to join them in dedicating a Peace Pole. It was donated with generous community contributions spearheaded by Eva Mondon. They have asked her to speak and hope people can take a break from their busy afternoon to come and reflect on the importance of peaceful and caring community for the benefit of all its members, young and old.
All are invited to share. The planting will take place by the old Ash House in front of the Putney Activities Barn located at 54 Kimball Hill Rd.. Call Putney Cares at 802-387-5593 if you have further questions or would like more information.
Estey Organ Museum now open for the season
BRATTLEBORO - The Estey Organ Museum is now open for the season. Located at 108 Birge St., the museum celebrates the organs which were made over a period of 110 years. During that time, the company manufactured some 530,000 reed organs, 3,200 pipe organs, as well as electronic organs. Estey reed organs were shipped all around the world, while the pipe organs were mostly delivered to places in the United States (though some did go overseas).
The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 2-4 p.m., from May through Oct. 16. Other times can be arranged by appointment.
It was formed in 2002 to provide a place for the collection, restoration, display and performance of Estey and other organs. Goals include preservation, research, interpretation and dissemination of historical information about the company, its products and manufacturing practices, its owners, employees, markets, customers and competitors, and its effect in the context of Brattleboro and American history over time.
Admission to the museum is by donation, and the building is handicapped accessible.
Hike to Vermont's Champion White Ash on May 21
WESTMINSTER - By popular request, there will be a springtime hike to the largest White Ash in Vermont on Saturday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, May 22. The tree is located on Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association property off Headwaters Trail in Westminster.
Since the tree is not easy to find - unless one has been there before - forester Arthur Westing will lead hikers right to it. During this free program, Westing will discuss the characteristics of a Vermont forest and the factors that affect the health of this truly remarkable specimen, which should be on display in all its leafy glory.
Re-verified at the beginning of 2014 by Windham County Forester Bill Guenther of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, the tree grew in the 10 years since its last measurement and charted a circumference of 205.2 inches and a height of 113 feet, thereby beating out two other Westminster giants for the honor of being the largest White Ash in Vermont.
Participants should wear hiking shoes, bring water, and meet at the Westminster West Church to carpool to the trailhead. Please visit www.windmillhillpinnacle.org for directions to the church and information about other upcoming Pinnacle programs. Contact Arthur Westing at 802-387-2152 or [email protected] for further details and registration.
BAJC hosts antiques and collectibles appraisal day
WEST BRATTLEBORO - Find out what your keepsakes are worth at the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community's own mini-version of “Antiques Roadshow” at their synagogue on 151 Greenleaf St., Sunday, May 22, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Five experienced appraisers will be present to evaluate and assess antiques and collectibles, except for weapons or ammunition and large rugs or bulky furniture.
The appraisers are knowledgeable in their respective fields and will offer an accurate valuation of your personal keepsakes based on current trends and market value.
There is no admission charge; you can come to the synagogue any time between 1 and 5 p.m. The cost for each item to be appraised is $5 (cash or check made out to BAJC), with a limit of six items per person. For more information, call 802-257-1959 or email [email protected].
Workshop offers support for parents of tweens and teens
BELLOWS FALLS - The 6-week Active Parenting Of Teens workshop will begin on Tuesday, May 24, at Cherry Hill from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Greater Falls Connections and Windham County Partnership for Success are offering this workshop for free for parents or caregivers of children ages 10-19.
Active Parenting of Teens is a six-week curriculum to help parents and caregivers meet the challenges and savor the joys of their children's teen years.
This includes understanding one's parenting style, eliminating power struggles, and helping teens with responsibility and problem solving, disciplining effectively, building your child's self-esteem, and reducing the likelihood of risky behaviors. It also guides parents in dealing with sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality and violence.
This video and discussion program will be held on Tuesdays from May 24 to June 28 at 25 Cherry St (WNESU) in Bellows Falls, VT. Michelle Sacco and Don Tretler, experienced parents and well-seasoned professionals, will lead the program. Quality childcare will be provided with advanced notice. Dinner will be provided.
Sign up by contacting Deb Witkus at 802-463-9927, ext. 212 or [email protected].
Seminar on heat pump water heaters
BRATTLEBORO - Did you know that water heaters consume nearly 17 percent of a home's energy use? Now there are state-of-the-art, high efficiency heat pump water heaters that save money and decrease reliance on fossil fuel.
These heat pump water heaters work like a refrigerator in reverse and can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters.
The Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON) and the Brattleboro Climate Protection invite all to attend a seminar on heat pump water heaters on Wednesday, May 25, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St, Brattleboro.
Given the limited seating capacity, advanced registration is encouraged with a $5.00 fee at the door to cover costs. To register,or for further information, email [email protected] .
Greater Falls Connections hosts nature walk
ROCKINGHAM - Join Greater Falls Connections for a community walk along Minard's Pond on Wednesday, May 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
This is a continuation of their community dialogue nights and will feature a discussion on “natural highs” with naturalist Kim Galandak-O'Conner, who will lead a nature walk at the pond. To join the walk, meet at the pump house at Minards Pond at 6 p.m., just north of Bellows Falls, off Route 5 on Pond Road.
The walk will be held rain or shine, so dress for the weather and put on your bug spray before arriving. Food will be provided. For more information, www.greaterfallsconnections.org.