Around the Towns

Brattleboro Senior Meals hosts birthday luncheon

BRATTLEBORO - Seniors with June birthdays are invited to celebrate the occasion with a special luncheon on Thursday, June 13, at 11:30 a.m., at the Senior Center in the basement of the Gibson-Aiken Center on Main Street.

The menu will include an appetizer table, punch, pulled pork, oven roasted potato, roasted Italian vegetables, and cake and ice cream. Speak with Senior Meals staff to reserve a seat at the Birthday Table.

The suggested donation for seniors over 60 is $4.50. Entertainment will be provided. Call 802-257-1236 to reserve a seat.

BMC plans memorial concert for Paul Waters

BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Music Center presents a special concert featuring Larry Allen Brown and the Acoustic Earth Orchestra, showcasing world-renowned cellist Eugene Friesen, on Sunday, June 16, at 3 p.m., in the new BMC Concert Hall on Blanche Moyse Way (across from Living Memorial Park on Guilford Street).

This is a memorial concert for Paul Waters, who died in August following a courageous battle with glioblastoma. A lifelong resident of the Brattleboro area, Waters was passionate about music and studied acoustic guitar with Brown at the BMC Music School.

Several of Waters' guitars have been donated to the BMC to create a “lending library” of guitars for students.

Brown has had a long career as lead guitarist for a variety of groups and performs throughout New England. He has taught guitar in Virginia, Alabama, Chicago, and New England for the past 35 years, and has been on the faculty at BMC for the past six years.

Friesen, the evening's special guest, is a four-time Grammy Award-winner who has worked with such diverse artists as Dave Brubeck, Martin Sexton, Toots Thielemans, Betty Buckley, Dar Williams, Will Ackerman, and Dream Theater.

Waters' wife, Dani, and other family members will join the gathering in celebration of a loving man, father, grandfather, and son. This show is also a benefit for the BMC Music School scholarship fund. For more information, call the BMC at 802-257-4523 or visit www.bmcvt.org.

Nature writing workshop at Centre Church

BRATTLEBORO - A nature writing workshop with Fred Taylor, “Writing as Witness to the Wonders of Creation in a Time of Environmental Change,” will be presented on Sunday, June 16, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Centre Congregational Church on Main Street.

As a follow-up to Centre Church's recent series on the environment, this workshop will explore connections with nature and how “gratitude for the wonders of Creation” can help inspire people to live more fully and courageously in an era of environmental and climate disruption.

Taylor will introduce writing techniques to help prime the pump of creativity and will invite participants to reflect on favorite places and outdoor experiences. The free workshop is designed to appeal to all levels of writing experience, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Plants, quilts, crafts, and more at the Athens Brick Meetinghouse

ATHENS - The Athens Brick Meetinghouse Committee in conjunction with the Athens Historic Preservation Society will host a quilt show and craft fair at the 1817 Brick Meetinghouse on Route 35.

This event will be on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. Organizers aim to fill the pews of the historic Meetinghouse with many beautiful quilts. Guests are invited to cast a vote to select the Visitors Choice quilt.

In addition to the quilt show inside the Meetinghouse, there will be a craft fair outside on the Meetinghouse Common where a variety of artists and craft vendors will be selling their wares. Hot dogs, hamburgers, cold drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase. All proceeds go to the preservation and upkeep of the Brick Meetinghouse.

Donations to the Athens Historic Preservation Society are tax deductible and will support ongoing efforts to preserve this national historic landmark. For more information, contact Sherry Maher at 802-869-2141 or [email protected], or follow Athens Meetinghouse on Facebook.

Saints & Liars to play Jamaica Town Hall on June 22

JAMAICA - The Jamaica Community Arts Council hosts their first concert of the season Saturday, June 22, with area favorites Saints & Liars.

Locals know them for a foot-stomping good time as Vermont's own Roadhouse String Band with Jed Hughes and Mike Farkas on guitar and vocals, Chris Rogerson on double bass, and Nolan Rolnick on drums.

The venue is the historic Town Hall on Route 30. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with tickets available at the door for $15.

The JCAC is a nonprofit that focuses on the arts and preservation of the town hall. Their second concert will be July 13 with The Speckers.

Vernon Cemetery Committee seeks new members

VERNON - Chair Marylynn Scherlin is looking for new members to join Vernon's Cemetery Committee.

The Cemetery Committee is in charge of overseeing the town's cemeteries and regulating sales of plots. Members walk through and monitor each cemetery to assess any work needed to maintain the cemeteries.

People interested in joining the Cemetery Committee may contact Scherlin at 802-258-3955 or [email protected].

Cusick Scholarship applications are available

VERNON - Applications for the James Cusick scholarship are available from the Vernon Town Clerk's office. The deadline is 5 p.m. on July 3.

Applications may be picked up or requested to be mailed or emailed. For more information about the scholarship, call the Town Clerk's office during business hours at 802-257-0292, ext. 11, or email [email protected].

Passport to Vermont Libraries program returns

MONTPELIER - The Vermont Library Association and the Vermont Department of Libraries are once again partnering on the Passport to Vermont Libraries program, encouraging people to visit and enjoy all of Vermont's libraries.

From now until Sept. 1, Vermont's public and academic libraries will be handing out passports in the fourth annual Passport to Vermont Libraries program, encouraging Vermonters and visitors alike to visit some of Vermont's unique, beautiful, and creative libraries.

Local libraries will stamp passports, and some offer small prizes. Four patrons statewide (adult, young adult, child, and one wild card) will receive Vermont Library Ambassador awards for visiting the most libraries.

Patrons are encouraged to post pictures and stories on the VLA's Facebook page, facebook.com/vermontpassport. More details about the program are available at vermontlibraries.org/passport.

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