Around the Towns

Scrabble at Brooks Library

BRATTLEBORO - A weekly drop-in Scrabble night will be offered at Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., beginning Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.

Drop-in Scrabble will continue weekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Local History Room, except on First Wednesdays. Contact the library at [email protected] or 802-254-5290 for more information.

Legal help offered at Senior Center

BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Senior Center and Vermont Legal Aid will host a free Legal Aid Clinic for area seniors on Friday, Dec. 16, at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St.

An attorney from the Senior Citizens Law Project of Vermont Legal Aid will offer a free 20-minute consult beginning at 9 a.m. Examples of the types of problems that the attorney will be able to give you advice on include wills, powers of attorney, landlord-tenant issues, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, SSI, other public benefits, debt collection, small claims, and other civil legal matters.

However, criminal matters aren't discussed and the concern must be one that relates to yourself and not to a friend or family member. Call the Senior Center at 802-257-7570 to schedule an appointment.

West River Radio Club offers license testing

TOWNSHEND - The West River Radio Club is offering another opportunity for people to earn ham-radio licenses on Saturday, Dec. 17.

The testing will be done at Grace Cottage Hospital on Route 35 in the Heins Building, starting at 9:30 a.m. Pre-register with Mary Peterson at [email protected].

Main Street Arts offers holiday happening

SAXTONS RIVER - Main Street Arts is offering its annual seasonal celebration for and by the community on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.

Holidays at MSA will feature a mix of all ages in songs, reading, skits, and more. The event is free to the public, with donations appreciated.

Performers include Julie Olsson, Allie McGahie, Libby McCawley, and Victor Brandt, with special participation by the MSA homeschoolers group. David Stern will offer a Hanukkah blessing and reading, and Dempster Leech will read A Child's Christmas in Wales, with help from a granddaughter.

For more information, contact MSA at (802) 869-2960 or [email protected], or visit them at www.mainstreetarts.org or on Facebook.

Community holiday dinner in Bellows Falls

BELLOWS FALLS - All are invited to a community dinner at The Stone Church (Immanuel Episcopal) on School Street in Bellows Falls on Monday, Dec. 19, at 5 p.m.

Greater Falls Connections and Friends For Change present this event in association with the Greater Falls United Network. If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, contact Scott Sharland at 802-463-9927, ext. 213. or [email protected].

Climate Change Café discusses 'economics of happiness'

BRATTLEBORO - The Climate Change Café will screen the film, The Economics of Happiness, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m., at Brooks Memorial Library.

Note that the December Café is being held on the third, rather than the usual fourth, Tuesday of the month. As always, the event is free, and light refreshments will be available.

The featured film reveals how globalization is accelerating climate change and fraying the fabric of communities - and presents the localization movement as a systematic alternative to corporate globalization and a strategy that brings community and meaning to our lives.

A discussion will follow. For more information, contact Tim Stevenson at [email protected] or 802-869-2141.

Winter solstice service in Dummerston

DUMMERSTON - Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center will sponsor a winter solstice program, “Into the Silence: Contemplative Music for Christmas and the Solstice,” on Wednesday, Dec. 21, beginning at 7 p.m.

On this night, the longest of the year, all are invited to this annual program of music and contemplative silence featuring medieval, Celtic and original music by Coracle (Cynthia Hughes, Celtic harp; John Crockett, cello and whistles).

American Legion Concert Band hosts annual Christmas Concert

BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro American Legion Concert Band's 27th annual Christmas Concert will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at the Post 5 home on Linden Street. This is a free concert open to the general public.

This year's performance features well-known Christmas music presented in a wide range of musical styles, from a beautifully arranged setting of two traditional melodies - “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” - to music from the movies How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express.

As always, the audience will be called upon to join in an old fashioned Christmas sing-a-long.

More information available on Act 46 and the West River Valley

TOWNSHEND - The committee members of the Act 46 Leland & Gray Towns Study Committee invite any local group, club, or organization in Brookline, Jamaica, Newfane, Townshend, or Windham to host a short, informative presentation about the Report and Articles of Agreement.

The presentation is informal, and people may ask questions about the Report, the Articles of Agreement, and the ballot they will see in March 2017 at Town Meeting Day, and also discuss the impact on their towns if voters choose Yes or No in the vote on the consolidation of school governance.

Contact [email protected] to schedule a presentation, or get in touch with any of the committee members in person. The full Report and Articles of Agreement are posted at wcsu-lgtowns.blogspot.com. Copies also are available to read at town schools.

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly updates