Disaster Recovery Center now open in Jamaica
WILLISTON - A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Jamaica to help Windham County residents affected by the July severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
The joint recovery center, a temporary facility established in partnership between the town, the state of Vermont, and FEMA, will help survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents and answer questions in person. It is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at the Jamaica Fire Department, 4017 VT-30.
FEMA locates DRCs based on where they are needed most and works closely with state and municipal partners in determining those sites. Once a location begins to see a significant drop in registration visits, FEMA and the state coordinate new locations where the center may receive more traffic from those in need of assistance.
All centers are accessible to people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Centers are equipped with assistive technology equipment. For reasonable accommodations or sign language interpreter, call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).
Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be at the center to explain how to apply for SBA's low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits, and provide information about rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.
Visiting a DRC in person is not required to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, or download the FEMA App. For those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service, or others, be sure to give FEMA that number in the application. The deadline to apply for federal assistance is Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
In-person caregivers support group begins at Brattleboro Area Hospice
BRATTLEBORO - On the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Brattleboro Area Hospice will host an in-person caregivers support group. This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 802-257-0775, ext. 102, or email [email protected].
Brattleboro Area Hospice provides a broad range of services for living and dying well, focusing on end-of-life, bereavement, and advance care planning. All services are offered free of charge and are available to anyone living in southeastern Vermont or bordering New Hampshire towns. To learn more or contact staff, call 802-257-0775 or go online to brattleborohospice.org.
Raptors visit Moore Free Library
NEWFANE - Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) presents "Raptors: Inspiring Conservation" at the Moore Free Library, 23 West St., on Friday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m.
For hundreds of years, humans didn't understand the vital role that raptors play in our ecosystem. Some of our most charismatic birds, including the (1)bald eagle and peregrine falcon, are or have been on the list of animals named in the Endangered Species Act, and today we know that a majority of bird species are in decline.
Come learn how people banded together to save these magnificent animals, and meet some live birds who will help tell these inspiring conservation stories. Best of all, learn what you can still do to help them thrive in the wild. For more information, email [email protected] or call 802-365-7948.
Evening Star Grange presents peach shortcake supper
DUMMERSTON - On Saturday, Aug. 19, the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center will hold their annual Peach Shortcake Supper, featuring homemade biscuits with fresh peaches and real whipped cream.
They will be serving both in-house meals and take-outs. The menu includes baked ham, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, Harvard beets, and summer squash. Reservations are strongly suggested so that they can plan how much food to make.
Call the Grange at 802-254-1138 and leave name, telephone number, how many meals, and whether the order is for eating in or taking out.
Meals will be available between 4:30 and 6 p.m. The cost of the meal is $15 for adults, $7 for children between 5 and 12 years of age, and free for children 4 and under. For questions or more information, call the Grange and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Village Square Booksellers presents 'Charlotte's Web' at BF Opera House
BELLOWS FALLS - Village Square Booksellers presents the movie Charlotte's Web as part of the Wednesday Classics at the Bellows Falls Opera House on Wednesday Aug. 23, at 7 p.m.
Based on the book by E.B. White, it is a tale of Wilbur, the pig, who is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner, until his spider friend, Charlotte decides to help him. Charlotte weaves messages into her web in an effort to save her friend from slaughter.
The movie came out in December 2006, and is a favorite with audiences with young Dakota Fanning in a starring role and many well-known actors performing the voices for the animal characters at the farm. Tickets are $6. Books are available at the bookstore and will be sold at the event.
Monthly breakfast at Williamsville Hall
WILLIAMSVILLE - The monthly breakfast at Williamsville Hall takes place on Thursday, Aug. 24, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. This breakfast is complimentary (donations for the Hall are appreciated) and open to everyone.
Enjoy homemade pastries, tea, coffee, and orange juice. If the weather is good, seating will be outside; if the weather is poor, seating will be inside. The hall, which is ADA compliant, is located at 35 Dover Rd. For more information, email [email protected] or visit williamsvillehall.org.
Monthly produce distribution in Putney
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf co-sponsor a monthly food drop of free produce and some nonperishables on the fourth Thursday of every month from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Alice Holway Drive (in front of Putney Meadows, the white building across from the Putney Coop and Putney Fire Station).
All are welcome. This is a drive-up service. Bags provided. The next monthly food drop is Thursday, Aug. 24.
T-shirt, hoodie sale benefits WRCP
WEST TOWNSHEND - The West River Community Project (WRCP) is hosting a T-shirt and hoodie fundraiser. All profits go directly toward helping the nonprofit community center fulfill its mission of providing donation-based meals, supporting local agriculture, and fostering social activities.
T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts are available in adult sizes from XS to 4XL and youth sizes from XS to XL. They can be bought online from now through Aug. 23 at bit.ly/727-wrcp. All shirts will ship once the campaign is over, with a rough delivery estimate of Sept. 13. For more information, contact WRCP at westtownshend.org.
New book discussion group forms at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - Pick up a copy of the novel Anxious People by Fredrick Backman at Rockingham Free Public Library's front desk today. Then join the discussion on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m., on the library's main floor.
The scene: A robber takes a group of strangers hostage at an apartment open house. Each person carries a lifetime of secrets, passions, hurts and grievances that are about to boil over. And all of them - including the robber - desperately crave some sort of rescue. People describes it as "wry, wise and often laugh-out-loud funny, it's a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure."
One does not need to be a patron of the Rockingham Library in order to borrow a copy of Anxious People. The book discussion is free and open to the public. For more information, visit rockinghamlibrary.org, email [email protected], call the Library at 802-463-4270 or stop by the library at 65 Westminster St.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.