Repairs to Green Street scheduled
BRATTLEBORO - Starting on Wednesday, July 24, the Highway Division will install new drainage on Green Street from the intersection of School Street to 120 Green St. and from the top of Church Street to the west side of the intersection with Bullock Street.
During this work, sections of Green Street will be closed from approximately 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At times, Bullock Street will also be closed at the intersection with Green Street.
This project is expected to take seven to 10 working days, weather permitting, and is being done in preparation for paving a section of Green Street. For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at 802-254-4255.
Property tax schedule announced
BRATTLEBORO - Real estate and personal property taxes assessed upon the Grand List of 2019 are now due and payable to the town treasurer at the Treasurer's Office in the Brattleboro Municipal Center, 230 Main St., Suite 111.
They are payable in four equal installments: first due Aug. 15; second due Nov. 15; third due Feb. 18, 2020; and the fourth due May 15, 2020.
Real estate and personal property tax will be charged interest at 1 percent per month on any overdue payment of tax installment, together with any other charges provided by law. Any real estate and personal property tax remaining unpaid on May 15, 2020 at 5 p.m. will be charged an 8-percent penalty, plus any other charges provided by law.
In the event of a default in the payment of any one installment, the entire amount then is due immediately, and a tax lien may be filed with the town clerk against any personal property upon which there are overdue taxes unpaid in whole or in part.
Portable planetarium comes to Brooks library
BRATTLEBORO - Come learn how to locate key stars, constellations, and visible planets with the Montshire Museum of Sciences' astronomer-in-residence when the StarLab portable planetarium visits Brooks Memorial Library on Saturday, July 27.
Each of the four 45-minute sessions can accommodate 25 people. The first three sessions, at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m., are for children 7 and up and their adults. Session 4, at 2 p.m., is reserved for adults and teens.
Space is limited. Please contact the Children's Room to sign up for a slot at 802-254-5290 ext. 1210 or [email protected].
Summer sale benefits Marlboro Alliance
MARLBORO - The Marlboro Alliance will hold its 62nd annual Summer Benefit Sale on Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Town Center, 510 South Rd.
Good used clothing will be sold from the historic Meeting House, now also home to the Marlboro Community Center and Library. Baked goods, snacks, and beverages will be available on the lawn. Treasures, books, and toys will be sold from the 1822 Town House.
All sales are by donation. On Sunday, July 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. all remaining items are free, but donations are still appreciated.
Those who wish to contribute clean, usable clothing or housewares may drop off items on Friday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will screen donations. Those who wish to contribute their time and energy, especially for clean-up on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m., may do so at signupgenius.com/go/20f044da9ad2aabf58-summer.
The Marlboro Alliance is an all-volunteer charitable nonprofit organization. All funds it receives support its many community initiatives. Find out more at marlboroalliance.com.
Deer Run Nature Preserve hiking trail unveiled
DUMMERSTON - The Green Mountain Conservancy invites the public to a guided hike at the Deer Run Nature Preserve on Sunday, July 28, at 2:30 p.m. The hike will follow the new gradual gradient trail through the future Deer Run Nature Preserve. It will be led by Roger Haydock and other GMC board members.
Everyone is welcome regardless of ability. The full hike is 2.2 miles and takes approximately three hours. However, leaders will be available to take hikers on shorter lengths of the trail. As everywhere, there may be ticks so dress appropriately and bring water. Refreshments and more information about the Deer Run Nature Preserve will be available. Donations are appreciated.
To get to the trailhead from the Covered Bridge in West Dummerston, follow Camp Arden Road for almost 2 miles. The trailhead will be on your right and marked with a sign. Volunteers will assist with parking. For more information call 802-257-0012, e-mail [email protected] or visit greenmountainconservancy.org.
Storyteller to visit Putney school
PUTNEY - Storyteller Marv Klassen-Landis will come to Putney for a children's program courtesy of the Children's Literacy Foundation's Summer Readers Grant. CLiF presenters tell stories, read aloud from books, and share their love of words, reading, and writing.
Every child who participates chooses two books to keep from a wide selection of brand-new children's books. The event will be presented in the Putney Central School Gym on Monday, July 29, at 1 p.m.
Participants should expect the event - appropriate for all ages - to last about 45 minutes. This event is presented as part of the library's summer reading program.
RFPL hosts Poetry Open Mic
BELLOWS FALLS - The Rockingham Free Public Library's Poetry Open Mic night is Monday, July 29, at 7 p.m. Readers should come prepared to read up to five poems.
To begin, each person will read one poem. Depending on the number of participants, a second, third, fourth, and even fifth round of reading will follow.
For more information, go to rockinghamlibrary.org, call 802-463-4270, email [email protected] or stop by the Library at 65 Westminster St.
VA hosts vets' forum in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - Top staffers from the White River Junction VA Medical Center will host a Veterans Town Hall on Wednesday, July 31, from 1 to 2 p.m., at Elks Lodge #1499, 75 Putney Rd.
This open forum provides an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback, ideas, or suggestions with VA leadership.
This event welcomes veterans, their families, and the public to gather for open dialogue and to learn more about what's happening at Northern New England's regional VA Medical Center.
The event is free. No signup or pre-registration is required. Parking is available on site. For more information, call 802-295-9363, ext. 5880.
Chesterfield Historical Society explores the legend of Madame Sherri
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. - On Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m., at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 532 NH Route 63, Lynne Borofsky, a local authority on Madame Sherri, will share some recently discovered material about the famous, or infamous, resident.
The material was buried in archival material of the Brattleboro Historical Society and at the home of the late Ann Stokes, purchaser of the Castle property and forest. A film documenting the Castle will end the program.
This Chesterfield Historical Society program is free to all. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Donna Roscoe at 603-256-8530.
Mentors needed in West River Valley
NEWFANE - 3 Generations Collaboration is recruiting mentors to be matched with young students in Newfane and Townshend.
A mentor is matched with a student to meet once a week throughout the school year. Activities may include reading, drawing, or painting together, help with homework, sharing hobbies, or other activities, depending on the interests of the participants.
Mentoring gives kids a leg up, and helps build caring connections across the generations. Older adults and those with ties to the West River Valley are especially encouraged to apply. Mentor preparation and training happens in the summer, so contact 3GC soon for more information at 802-428-4333 or [email protected].
Hospice volunteer training offered this fall
BRATTLEBORO - This fall, Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer its Hospice Care Volunteer Training. Beginning Sept. 5 and running through Nov. 14, classes will meet once a week on Thursdays from 5:50 to 8:30 p.m.
Hospice volunteers help and support neighbors and their families who are living with life-threatening illnesses throughout Windham County. Help may range from errands and gardening to emotional and physical support. Volunteers report that the work is challenging and very rewarding.
Training topics include Hospice philosophy, nuts and bolts of volunteering, ethical issues, personal attitudes toward death and dying, and grief issues, among others. Presenters include professionals from the community as well as Hospice staff and volunteers.
Class size is limited to 12. To request an application for this 11-week training, which takes place at the Hospice office at 191 Canal St., call 802-257-0775 or this fall's facilitator, Bettina Berg, at 802-387-2723, by Friday, Aug. 16.
West River Valley schools to see more dental care
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. - Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center announces grant funding by the Stratton Foundation to the Rural Oral Health Access Initiative for the 2019-2020 school year.
The funding will benefit Wardsboro Elementary, Windham Elementary, NewBrook School, Leland & Gray, Townshend Elementary, and the Jamaica Village School.
Licensed Dental Hygienist Barb Hodgkins will return. She has served more than 130 students on site at these rural elementary schools.
Parents need to complete permission slips to allow their children to participate.
In addition to basic preventive services, Hodgkins provides parents with follow-up information regarding their child's dental health and any recommendations for further dental care.
ROHA's members represent Springfield Medical Care Systems, Grace Cottage Hospital, Stratton Mountain Foundation, the Vermont Department of Health, and Southern Vermont AHEC. ROHA strives to support in-school dental hygiene services and dental care referrals and to keep abreast of the successes and challenges of this region-wide effort.
For more information about ROHA, contact Marty Hammond, SVTAHEC oral health project coordinator, at 802-233-3840.
Preparations begin for annual 22 Mile March
BRATTLEBORO - On Saturday, Nov. 9, Lauren Mabie, a native of town, will lead the fourth annual 22 Mile March, which brings light to troubling statistics on veteran suicide and is intended to help bridge the civil-military divide.
Last year, representatives from the Uniformed Services Program at the Brattleboro Retreat and the Warrior Connection supported and sponsored the march. Both organizations serve veterans who need help and promote physical and psychological healing.
The march will start at Brattleboro Union High School; participants are asked to arrive at 8 a.m. The event begins promptly at 8:30 a.m., when participants will set off to march 11 miles to the Putney Food Co-op before returning along the same route.
Participants are welcome to walk shorter distances. Bottled water and snacks will be provided every 3 to 4 miles for all participants.
As they did in previous years, marchers will honor veterans who committed suicide. If you or anyone you know has been personally affected by this issue and would like a veteran to be remembered, contact Mabie at [email protected], or at 802-338-6580.