Senior Center hosts Thanksgiving luncheon
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Senior Center and Brattleboro Senior Meals will host their annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 16. The menu will include appetizers, roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, butternut squash, and assorted breads and pies.
Appetizers will be served at 11:30 a.m. Suggested donation is $4.50 for seniors over 60 and $7 for all others. For reservations, call 802-257-1236 or 802-257-7570.
Volunteers still needed for community Thanksgiving
BRATTLEBORO - Volunteers are still needed for the 45th annual Brattleboro Community Thanksgiving. The event takes place on Thursday, Nov. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at St. Michael's School on Walnut Street.
Volunteers are needed for shifts starting Tuesday, Nov. 21, for food prep, baking, and other duties. There are many slots available on Thanksgiving Day to clear tables and clean up. Drivers also are needed to deliver meals to homes.
This is an all-volunteer event open to everyone in the community at no cost. Each year, about 500 attend. Local businesses donate food and supplies, and volunteers supply the labor. To sign up, visit volunteersignup.org/LPFAP.
Techies to meet on cybersecurity
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Area Tech group will host a conversation about Cybersecurity on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Hooker-Dunham Building at 139 Main St., Suite 603.
The discussion will be led by Charles F. Gibson, MSIA, owner and president of Codestar Cybersecurity. Topics will include password management, Vermont state privacy and breach laws, and any other I.T. security topics raised by attendees.
This event is free and open to the public. Anyone who works with technology in the Brattleboro area - programmers, designers, and makers - are encouraged to attend this free opportunity to learn and network.
Senior meal in Halifax
HALIFAX - This month's senior meal is Friday, Nov. 17, at noon at the community hall located at 20 Brook Rd. in West Halifax.
On the menu: peaches with cottage cheese; chicken pot pie made with chicken, potatoes, veggies, gravy, and a pastry crust; coleslaw; and rolls with pumpkin pie for dessert. All seniors are welcome. A call to Joan is appreciated at 802-368-7733. Sponsored by Senior Solutions.
'How to grow goodness' is topic at next GFC meeting
BELLOWS FALLS - How do you grow the goodness of a community? Greater Falls Connections will discuss this topic at their monthly coalition meeting on Friday, Nov. 17, from noon to 1 p.m., at Parks Place Community Center, 44 School St.
The discussion will focus on Positive Culture Framework, the theme of a recent training attended by Greater Falls Connections staff.
Positive Culture Framework is an evidence-informed practice that uses positive characteristics to build a safe and healthy community. Every individual, community, or organization has opportunities to increase the positives. The focus is on growing what one wants to see, instead of merely focusing on what should be eliminated.
Lunch will be provided at the meeting. Learn more at www.greaterfallsconnections.org.
China is subject of WWAC discussion
BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m., at the Marlboro College Grad Center, 28 Vernon St., Windham World Affairs Council presents “One Belt, One Road: Why Is China Rebuilding The Silk Road and Reclaiming the 'Mandate of Heaven'?”
The program will be presented by Jim Freedman.
With the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and its real and virtual wall-building approach to global affairs, is it affecting the position of the U.S. as a geo-political global leader? While the U.S. is building walls, the People's Republic of China is building roads - in fact, three Silk Roads: The Overland Silk Road, The Maritime Silk Road, and the virtual Cyber Silk Road.
Freedman, a global leadership consultant with extensive business experience in Korea, China, and the Philippines, will discuss the global strategy undertaken by China to build and finance The Silk Roads to secure its leadership in the Asia-Pacific region, and to increase its influence on Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian sub-continent.
Freedman will discuss the One Belt, One Road's impact on international trade and geo-political affairs if the Trump administration continues its insular political strategy.
Coffee, tea, and conversation precede the talk at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.windhamworldaffairscouncil.org.
'Mistletoe Mart' in Walpole
WALPOLE, N.H. - The annual Mistletoe Mart takes place on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at First Congregational Church on the town common.
Crafts, gifts, plants, Christmas greens, and more will be for sale. Coffee, candy, and baked goods will also be available, with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Mart has been around for more than six decades, with groups of dedicated people meeting each week to work on projects to provide the best possible array of holiday gifts and treasures.
Chili Cook-off, community gathering in Townshend
TOWNSHEND - The annual Chili Cook-off, presented by the Community Hope and Action Committee, will be Nov. 18, at the Townshend Town Hall on Route 30. Contact Rebecca at 802-365-4700 to participate in the cook-off. Cornbread and salad will be provided, but all are welcome to bring a side dish or dessert.
The cook-off takes place at 5 p.m., with board games and merriment from 6 to 8 p.m. This will be an opportunity to make new friendships and reinvigorate old ones. For more information, visit wrvthrives.com.
Bingo benefits Firefighters Benefit Association
BRATTLEBORO - On Sunday, Nov. 19, VFW Post 1034 on Black Mountain Road will host a Bingo fundraiser for the Brattleboro Firefighters Benefit Association. Doors open at 11 a.m., and games start at 1 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed, but food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Admission at the door is $40 ($35 in advance), which includes regular games of 14 faces, one each of the specials, and one “u pick 'em.” Jackpot game bought separately. Regular game payouts are $75 and $100 to a single winner. Register for pre-buy by calling the VFW at 802-257-0438.
The Brattleboro Firefighters Benefit Association is a nonprofit organization made up of members of the Brattleboro Fire Department, both the career and volunteer staffs, as well as past employees and members. Its purpose is to support and assist members in a time of illness or other misfortune, as well as support both department- and community-based activities that aren't funded in the municipal budget.
BMH volunteer Russ Stephens wins award
BRATTLEBORO - The New Hampshire Association of Hospital Auxiliaries recently awarded Brattleboro Memorial Hospital volunteer Russ Stephens the 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award.
Stephens began volunteering at BMH in 1993, after retiring as a Vice President from the former Vermont National Bank.
“Over two decades and 10,000 hours of service, Russ has listened to the fears and concerns of thousands of patients and he has become a great advocate for both patients and families. Russ has a huge heart, a kind smile, and an encouraging word for everyone he encounters,” BMH Volunteer Coordinator JoAnne Rogers said in a news release.