Newfane Garden Club to meet
NEWFANE - The September meeting of the Newfane Garden Club will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Meet at the Newfane Congregational church at 9:30 a.m. to carpool to the charming village of Shelburne Falls, Mass., to admire the plantings on the famous Bridge of Flowers. Bring your own bag lunch or enjoy lunch at one of the many small cafes and restaurants in town.
Healing Walk at Manitou
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project will hold a Healing Walk on Friday, Sept. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m.
This meditative walk on Manitou's Sanctuary Trail will be led by Fred Taylor, and will include poems or other readings, and chances to share about the experience. Rain or shine.
Healing walks will be held every second and fourth Friday of each month until October. For information, contact Taylor at 802-387-2681
Thrift shop to hold bag sale
WEST TOWNSHEND - On Saturday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 10, the Thrift Shop at the West Townshend Country Store will hold a special end-of-summer sale. Customers can fill up bags with items of their choice for $5 per bag.
Items include clothing and shoes for men, women, and children as well as household items and baby equipment.
Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit West River Community Project. The Thrift Shop is located on the second floor of the West Townshend Country Store at the intersection of Route 30 and Windham Hill Road.
Hogback wildlife/ski workday on Sept. 10
MARLBORO - This fall, the Hogback Mountain Conservation Association begins Phase 3 of the 10-year plan to re-open the five major ski slopes at Hogback, one every two years.
As the slopes regrow, they will provide dense cover and valuable foods for a variety of birds, mammals, and other wildlife. For the first year or two, the slope will be open and the skiing will be great. When the shrubbery gets dense, the skiers can move on to the next slope, and the wildlife will move in.
If you can wield loppers or haul brush, the Association can use your help. Chain sawyers are particularly welcome. Meet on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m., in the parking lot near the white distillery building on Route 9 in Marlboro near the 100-mile view. From there, it's an easy 3-minute hike to the work site.
Bring your own favorite tool or borrow one of theirs. Work will wrap up around noon. Questions? Email [email protected] or check www.hogbackvt.org.
St. Michaels to hold Sunday School open house
BRATTLEBORO - On Sunday, Sept. 10, St. Michael's Episcopal Church begins the program year with a Sunday School Open House on the church lawn from 9:15 to 10 a.m. for kids, parents, and all who are interested.
Visitors can check out St. Michael's opportunities for kids - Godly Play, Workshop Rotation, Youth Forum, Choir School, and more. There will be food, play, a bouncy house, and balloons.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church is at the corner of Putney Road and Bradley Avenue in Brattleboro. More information is available at the church office, 802-254-6048, or at www.stmichaelsvermont.org.
Post Oil Solutions hosts a community rights awareness workshop
BRATTLEBORO - Post Oil Solutions (POS) is hosting a Community Rights Awareness Workshop in the community room of the Brattleboro Food Co-op on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., that will be presented by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF).
The workshop, co-sponsored by Rights & Democracy and New Hampshire Community Rights Network will be led by Michelle Sanborn of CELDF and the N.H. Community Rights Network.
The event is free, and light refreshments will be available. Registration is required, however. Contact Tim Stevenson of Post Oil Solutions at [email protected]. Use the Canal Street entrance of the Co-op building to get the workshop.
In this workshop, participants will examine what the systemic barriers are to Vermont residents stopping unsustainable corporate activities, and why sustainability is illegal.
An in-depth look will be taken at how political and legal structures have been set up to protect the interests of an elite wealthy minority, at the expense of the majority of people and community self-government, and how corporations have received more rights and protections than people living in communities.
The event will also look at how communities have pushed back against these structures to reclaim democratic self-government in their communities, and at the state level, with a proposed Community Rights Amendment.
Participants will explore how communities across the U.S. are using community rights to challenge and change those barriers to create the sustainable communities they envision, and how citizens are joining together across states to advance democratic and environmental rights, building the next people's movement through community rights.
Post Oil is sponsoring this workshop with Rights & Democracy to begin to explore what local citizens can do together to help advance these rights in our towns and state.
Vernon Town Bus schedule
VERNON - The Vernon Town Bus will be out-and-about this month. Times are pickup times unless otherwise noted. Pickup is at your home, except at Town Office where noted:
Monday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. at Town Office - Senior Potluck (noon); Wednesday, Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m. - Dummerston Lunch, $3; Thursday, Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m. - Newfane Lunch $3.50; 2 p.m. - Transportation meeting at Town Offices; Friday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m. - Guilford Lunch, $3.50; Tuesday, Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m. - The Big E in West Springfield, Mass.; Thursday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. - Holyoke Mall; Friday, Sept. 22, 8:30 a.m. - Joseph Smith Memorial; Saturday, Sept. 23, 8 a.m. - Winchester (N.H.) Pickle Fest; Monday, Sept. 25, noon - Senior Birthday Social; Wednesday. Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m. - Dummerston Lunch, $3; Thursday. Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. - Williamsville Lunch, $3.50.
You can get a copy of the monthly Town Bus Schedule at the Town Office Building, the Post Office, Vernon Green Nursing Home and Vernon Hall, and also at the Birches and Huckle Hill Apartments. If school is cancelled on the day of a scheduled town bus trip, the bus trip also will be cancelled.
Buy bus passes at the offices of the Town Clerk or the Town Treasurer ($10 per pass, which is good for five out-of-town trips). Out of town trips will cost 1 punch each, unless otherwise stated. Sign up for rides by calling Reita at 802-254-2694.
Woodworking classes for women this fall
WESTMINSTER WEST - Twin Birch Woodworking owner Gail Grycel will be offering fall woodworking classes for women starting the week of Sept. 11.
The Beginning Woodworking for Women class is designed for those who have little or no experience working with tools and wood. While learning in a supportive environment, women will have a chance to explore their practical, problem-solving sides and learn some skills that can be transferred to other projects after the class is over.
Basic machines such as the table saw, jointer, planer, drill press and miter saw will be covered as well as some hand tools, design and safety. Participants will design and make a small project of their choosing. The eight-week beginning class will be held at the TBWW studio in Westminster West, during either Wednesday or Thursday evenings sessions. An afternoon class might be possible if at least three women are interested.
Open Studio sessions continue for those with some experience and will be scheduled by appointment. All classes are limited to four participants each. Grycel has been teaching women for over 23 years. For more information, visit www.twinbirchwoodworking.com.
Express Fluency offers new French, Spanish classes, free introductory class
BRATTLEBORO - Express Fluency is kicking off a new series of French and Spanish classes by offering a free Spanish class at its classroom at 8 Flat St.
On Sept. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m., Elissa McLean will teach Spanish using Comprehensible Input - an approach that encourages students to relax and enjoy themselves as they learn a new language through class-created stories as well as pictures, short videos, music, and an assortment of props to bring the language to life.
A 10-week series of Intermediate French classes begins on Monday, Sept. 11. The class, taught by Maggie Cassidy, will run from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.. Starting Monday, Sept. 18, Maggie Smith will teach an Advanced-Beginner French class from 6:15 to 8:15.
Beginner and Intermediate Spanish classes start on Tuesday, Sept. 19, Intermediate from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and Beginner from 6:00 to 8:00. Advanced Beginner Spanish starts on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. McLean, the founder and director of Express Fluency, will teach the classes.
Republican Town Caucuses to be held in Windham County
Republican voters will hold town caucuses on Wednesday, Sept. 13, as noted below in accordance with 17 V.S.A. & 2303:
• Brattleboro, 7 p.m., Brattleboro Savings & Loan meeting room (221 Main St.)
• Rockingham, 5:30 p.m., Rockingham Free Public Library (65 Westminster St., Bellows Falls).
• Westminster, 6 p.m., Westminster Institute (Butterfield Library, 3435 Route 5)
For other towns' GOP caucuses in Windham County, see the public notices posted at your town clerk's office.
Senior Lunch in Chesterfield
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. - The monthly Chesterfield Senior Lunch will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 12:30 p.m., in the Chesterfield Town Hall on Route 63.
A ham-and-baked beans dinner will be served. Suggested donation is $5. For reservations, call Joanne at 603-363-8348. The HCS nurse will be available before lunch to take blood pressures.
SEVCA offers 'financial fitness' classes
BRATTLEBORO - Southeastern Vermont Comminity Action (SEVCA) is inviting participants to register for its upcoming “Financial Fitness” workshop series, to be held in Brattleboro starting Sept. 13. This seven-part workshop series will help participants improve their relationship with money, develop strong financial habits, and take steps toward prosperity.
SEVCA's instructors will utilize tools from the acclaimed Your Money Your Goals curriculum developed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Topics covered include: saving, spending, credit, home buying, insurance, purchasing a car, and saving for college. The instructor will also provide individualized financial coaching, as needed, to help participants and their families become more financially secure.
The workshop series is free and open to the public. It will be held at Marlboro College Grad Center, 28 Vernon St., from 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sept. 13 through Oct. 25. Pre-registration is required. Call to register at 802-722-4575, ext. 151, or email [email protected].
Go mad at the Marlboro Fair
MARLBORO - The 35th Annual Marlboro Fair will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's theme is the “Mad Hatter's Tea Party.”
Wear your maddest hat to the fair, gather with friends both old and new, and revel in the talents of the community. The Fair is held at the Muster Field on Ames Hill Road (just follow the signs from West Brattleboro or Marlboro to Ames Hill Road). Admission is $5 per person or $20 for a family.
Throughout the day, listen to live music, play games, or purchase gifts from local artisans and organic farmers. A variety of food is available throughout the day including breakfast, lunch, a corn roast, ice cream, and their famous Tea Tent with tea and scones.
King Arthur Flour is awarding prizes for the best baked goods. Bring your baked goods before 9:45 a.m. to enter the contest. All baked goods go on sale after the prizes are announced so everyone can share in sweet delights.
Entry forms for the Agricultural tent and Baking Contest can be found outside the Marlboro Town Office or Marlboro Post Office. You can also get forms and the Fair schedule online at marlborovt.us/marlboro-fair. For questions, contact [email protected].
The Grammar School Preschool Achieves 4 STARS
PUTNEY - The Grammar School's Preschool program in Putney was recently awarded a fourth STAR by Vermont's STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS). Preschools who participate in STARS receive recognition for instituting practices that demonstrate quality of programming that exceed state licensing requirements.
Programs are recognized for achievement in five areas: compliance with licensing regulations; qualifications and training of program staff; the program's connections with families and community; the practices of the program and its strategies for improvement; and the strength of the program's operating policies and business practices. Awards for achievements in these areas begin at one STAR and increase up to five STARS.
Children at The Grammar School Preschool experience learning through play and exploration with a particular focus on daily outdoor discovery in the school's forest. The program emphasizes exceptional student-teacher relationships, gentle guidance in building social skills, and opportunities for confidence building.
The Grammar School is accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year. For more information about The Grammar School or to schedule a visit, contact Director of Admissions Justin Altman at 802-387-5364 or visit www.thegrammarschool.org.
Art Guild seeks exhibitors
SAXTONS RIVER - The Saxtons River Art Guild is looking for fine art photographers and artists to participate in their annual Fall Arts Festival. This year's event will take place Oct. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Walpole (N.H.) Town Hall.
Cost of an 8 x 10 space will be $25 for both days. Exhibitors must provide their own displays and stands. To sign up or get more information, contact Donna Lund at 603-835-2387.
The Saxtons River Art Guild is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote and encourage the advancement of fine arts. The group has membership throughout the Connecticut River Valley.
Crafters wanted in Wilmington
WILMINGTON - The sixth annual Bright Lights Craft Fair is being planned for Dec. 9 at Historic Memorial Hall in Wilmington. The previous shows were huge successes and organizers hope this year it will be better than ever.
If you are an artist or crafter who produces quality, handcrafted items and would like to apply for a booth at this craft fair, contact Ellie Roden at [email protected] for an application. Booth fees are $35. The deadline for applications is Sept. 15.