Route 30 to be closed on July 13, 14
BRATTLEBORO - Route 30 will be closed on July 13 and 14, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., near the construction site of the new Interstate 91 bridge over the West River. Traffic will be detoured over Upper Dummerston Road on both days.
PCL Civil Constructors, the main contractor on the bridge project, said in a news release that work is continuing on the new span.
The new bridge deck over Upper Dummerston Road is complete, and crews are backfilling and finishing the approaches to the bridge.
Work continues on the new roadway alignment on Interstate 91, as well as the segmental contruction of the bridge deck at the north pier of the span.
The West River Trail remains open, but as overhead work approaches the trail, PCL will be putting up a scaffold protection system to protect trail users from falling debris.
If there are questions about the bridge project, they should be directed to public relations officer Bonnie Clark at 802-251-0709 or [email protected]. More information is also available at www.i91brattleborobridge.com.
Newfane Garden Club to meet
NEWFANE - The Newfane Garden Club will visit Bob Forte's gardens on the Top of the Hill off Stowe Hill in Wilmington on Thursday, July 14.
Meet at 9:45 a.m. After viewing the gardens, enjoy lunch at Sue Reynen's house. Bring a bag lunch, beverage and dessert will be provided. Guests are welcome. Due to the senior luncheon at the Newfane Church, parking will be difficult. so make arrangements for carpooling.
AARP Fraud Watch workshop offered in Wilmington
WILMINGTON - Wilmington Aging in Place, in cooperation with AARP Vermont's Fraud Watch Network, will host a timely presentation, “Scams, Fraud, and Con Artists: Coming to a Computer Near You,” on Thursday, July 14, at 3 p.m., at Memorial Hall.
The free program, presented by Elliott Greenblott, Vermont Fraud Watch Network Coordinator, will identify the current scams and tactics being used today to commit fraud over the internet and provide helpful tips on staying out of the grip of con artists.
The presentation provides clear examples and concrete action steps for all ages. For more information, contact Greenblot at 413-219-9778 or [email protected].
Marlboro Historical Society hosts annual meeting
MARLBORO - The Marlboro Historical Society welcomes all comers to their annual meeting on Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m., in the Town House in Marlboro Center.
They will have a short meeting followed by a talk given by Deborah Lee Luskin entitled “1964: A Watershed Year in Vermont's Political (and Cultural) History.” Refreshments will be served. The Town House is fully accessible. For more information, contact Forrest Holzapfel at [email protected] or 802-258-2568.
WBA to meet at Westgate Housing
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held on Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m., in the Community Room at Westgate Housing on Westgate Drive. Park on Westgate Drive if there is no room in the lot.
After a review of the treasury report and addressing the issue of directors and officers insurance, there will be an update on the spring plantings and the upcoming BizUp event.
Among other pending issues to be addressed are the result (if any) of the Thompson Trust application for the Neighborhoods Fund and an update on West B neighborhoods and drugs.
Another item on the agenda is a discussion of ways to attract commercial tenants for West B vacant buildings and spaces. The group will also further discuss the Planning Services Department response to the group's letter regarding notification of hearings to abutters about public hearings when the abutting property is owned by a co-operative or collective.
WBA monthly meetings are open to all residents and business owners, and anyone else interested in West B.
Hospice presents 'Second Thursdays in the Memorial Garden'
BRATTLEBORO - A brief community memorial service will take place on Thursday, July 14, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., at the Hospice Memorial Garden located at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro.
The short program will consist of readings of inspirational poems and brief reflections on grief and loss, an opportunity to decorate a memorial stone to place in the garden or take home, and some quiet time to enjoy the beauty of the garden.
Everyone is invited to this free event. This new offering from Brattleboro Area Hospice is called “Second Thursdays in the Memorial Garden,” and it will be repeated on Aug. 11 and Sept. 8. The facilitator is Bereavement Care Coordinator Connie Baxter.
The garden is located on Guilford Street, on the hillside adjacent to the road, directly across from 150 Guilford St. If you're uncertain if the event is taking place because of weather, call the office at 802-257-0775.
Windham County Democrats to meet
WILMINGTON - The Windham County Democratic Party Committee will meet on Monday, July 18, at 7 p.m., at Memorial Hall. All are invited to attend.
On July 1, the Windham County Democrats opened their campaign office at the C.F. Church Building at 80 Flat St. in Brattleboro. For more information, contact Committee Chair Brandon Batham at [email protected] or Field Organizer Grace Blackburn at [email protected].
Public invited to learn how to prevent tickborne diseases
BRATTLEBORO - A growing number of people in Vermont are becoming ill with diseases spread by ticks, such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. The good news is these illnesses are preventable. To help you be tick smart, the Vermont Department of Health's Brattleboro District Office is holding a series of presentations about the simple actions you can take to avoid tickborne diseases.
The presentations will be held Thursday, July 14, from noon to 1 p.m., at the Deerfield Valley Health Center Community Meeting Room in Wilmington and Wednesday, July 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in the Heins Building, Holt Conference room, at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.
Public Health Nurse Megan Lynde will explain the causes, symptoms, and new trends of tickborne illness, as well as ways to protect against ticks and prevent infection. For information, call the Brattleboro District Health Office at 802-257-2880. Learn more about tick and preventing tickborne diseases at healthvermont.gov/prevent/zoonotic/tickborne/Tickborne_diseases.aspx.
Living Alone Support Group forms at Grace Cottage
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage is hosting a Living Alone Support Group, meeting the third Wednesday of the month, starting July 20.
Support group meetings will include an informal group discussion on the challenges of living alone. Topics may include cooking and shopping for one, finding people to help with chores around the house or yard, how to meet others with similar interests, and other topics of interest to the group. Whether you have been living alone for years, or are new to living alone, this group welcomes you and your input.
The group meets from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Grace Cottage Wellness Center, 133 Grafton Rd. (Route 35). The facilitator is Alicia Moyer, the Support and Services at Home (SASH) local coordinator. There is no charge to attend. Call 802-365-3753 to sign up.
July Climate Change Café set for July 19
BRATTLEBORO - The Climate Change Café will continue in July the lively and informative discussion begun at last month's Café on the connection between the everyday needs of people and the growing climate crises.
Note that the July Café will be on the third Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m., at the Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room. As always, the Cafe is free, and light refreshments will be available
Even if you were not present for the June Café, all are welcome to join and become part of the conversation.
The Climate Change Café is a project of Post Oil Solutions, and is intended to engage citizens around the climate crisis. For further information, contact Tim Stevenson at [email protected] or 802-869-2141.
Greater Falls Connections hosts annual barbecue
BELLOWS FALLS - On Thursday, July 21, for 5 to 7 p.m., at the Rockingham Rec Center, Greater Falls Connections presents its annual July barbecue.
This fun summer potluck celebrates inspiration, community and prevention. This year's ACE (Active Community Engagement) Award winner will be announced. Bring a dish to share, they will will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs.
For more information, contact Scott Sharland at [email protected], or 802-463-9927, ext. 213, for more information.
Parks and museum passes available at Putney Library
PUTNEY - The Putney Public Library has a great way to help make your summer vacation even more fun.
The library's Park and Museum Pass Program lets you check out a pass for free or discounted admission to Vermont State Parks and Historic Sites, The Fort at No. 4, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, MassMOCA, Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, Billings Farm and Museum, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Garden, and the Montshire Museum.
Passes check out for two days and are circulated on a first come, first served basis. Many passes are for free admission for one family, but call the library or ask at the front desk for details on each pass. This new program is made possible by the Library Board's Book and Plant Sale fundraiser. Please call, email, or visit for details: 802-387-4407 or [email protected].
Robert L. Crowell Scholarship recipients announced
NEWFANE - The Board of Trustees of the Moore Free Library in Newfane have announced this year's recipients of a Robert L. Crowell Scholarship.
These yearly awards total $12,000 and are made to qualified students residing in Newfane, Williamsville, South Newfane and Brookline who will be entering their first year of college, trade or vocational school.
The students, along with the college they will be attending this fall, are: Skyler Nupp, Hartford School of Art; Evan Daigneault, Johnson State College; Caitlin Garry, Albany College of Pharmacy; and Max Cramp, Curry College.
Townshend Pumpkin Festival crafters needed
TOWNSHEND - The Townshend Pumpkin Festival has vendor spaces available for the Craft Fair at the 34th Annual Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, Oct. 15, on the Common from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For crafters interested in a space or having questions, contact Kevin Burke at 802-380-1875 or Walter Meyer at 802-365-4246. Vendors may also find an application form at townshendvermont.org.
For the past 34 years, the Townshend Business Association has sponsored the Pumpkin Festival with many activities and a very well-attended craft fair. This fair gives craft vendors an opportunity to sell their many products. Last year, more than 70 vendors offered their many different arts and crafts.
This is a fun-filled day for the youngsters, with a pumpkin decorating contest followed by a Halloween costume parade and free pony rides for kids. Admission and parking are free.