Town and Village

Around the Towns

Wardsboro Yoked Parish moves worship services to West Wardsboro

WARDSBORO - Worship services of the Wardsboro Yoked Parish have moved to the historic Baptist Church on Cross Road in West Wardsboro as of March 3. Service each Sunday starts at 9 a.m., and will continue through May 26. Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month and a coffee hour is provided on the last Sunday of each month. All are welcome.

Rec. Dept. hosts chess tournament

BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will hold its 15th annual Youth Chess Tournament at the Gibson-Aiken Center Senior Center on Saturday, March 9, from 1 to 4 p.m.

This program is for those in kindergarten through eighth-grade. All skill levels are welcome. The cost of this tournament is $5. Eric Strickland will be running the tournament. Depending on the number of entrants, contestants may be divided into sections according grade level. This is a Swiss System event, which means that no players are ever eliminated. Chess sets will be provided.

Sugar on Snow supper in West B

WEST BRATTLEBORO - First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave., is holding its 71st annual Sugar on Snow Supper on Saturday, March 9. The traditional menu of ham, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, deviled eggs, homemade rolls, and maple syrup on snow with homemade doughnuts (and, of course, sour pickles) will be served.

There will be two seatings: 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for ages 6–12, $3 for ages 3–5, and free for those under age 3. There will be an auction at each seating for locally produced maple syrup. Reservations for either eat in or takeout meals may be made by calling 802-257-7557.

Lost River Racial Justice holds monthly meeting

BRATTLEBORO - Lost River Racial Justice (LRRJ) is a currently majority-white racial justice organization. According to organizers, it is "a chapter of showing up for racial justice (SURJ) that works in close accountability with the Root Social Justice Center. LRRJ supports white people in the learning, healing, and actions necessary to dismantle white supremacy."

LRRJ is based in Brattleboro and draws its name from the Abenaki name for these lands where we live and work. Their monthly working meetings are "a time for white-identified people to gather and deepen our racial justice work together," according to organizers. "Though the meetings are mainly intended to bring white people into the struggle for racial justice, anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of racial identity."

Meetings are held on Zoom on the second Monday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Go to lostriverracialjustice.org to sign up for LRRJ's mailing list where the Zoom link is sent out.

Talk looks at Pagan, Jewish, and Christian women in the Roman Empire

BRATTLEBORO - Celebrate Women's History Month with a slide presentation and exploration of women in antiquity, using literary and archaeological evidence, by Dr. Valerie A. Abrahamsen on Monday, March 11, at 7 p.m. in the Main Reading Room of Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St.

Recent scholarly research clearly shows that women had much larger roles in the early Roman Empire than previously acknowledged. "Women in Graeco-Roman cults, Judaism, and the early Jesus groups served as priestesses, synagogue leaders, missionaries, apostles, and possibly even bishops," according to a news release.

Participants will see how ancient texts have been misinterpreted for centuries and how archaeology can expand our knowledge of the ancient world and also help promote justice and equality in today's society.

Abrahamsen holds a master's degree in Theological Studies and doctorate of Theology in New Testament and Early Christian Origins from Harvard Divinity School. She is the author of more than 100 articles, reviews, and book chapters in New Testament archaeology, early church history, women in antiquity, and ancient goddess religion.

She has published two books in these fields: Women and Worship at Philippi (1995) and Goddess and God: A Holy Tension in the First Christian Centuries (2006). As part of her research, she has photographed over two dozen archaeological sites throughout Europe, and she uses those photos to illustrate her talks. The program is free and is accessible to people in wheelchairs. For more information, visit brookslibraryvt.org or call 802-254-5290.

Landmark College Speaker Series explores connection between belonging and success

PUTNEY - The Spring 2024 Landmark College Academic Speakers Series welcomes Katherine Aquino, Ph.D., for a presentation entitled "Feeling Included: The Role and Importance of Sense of Belonging on Student Success" on Wednesday, March 13, at 5 p.m. in the Brooks M. O'Brien Auditorium/Lewis Academic Building.

This one-hour interactive presentation integrates research, theory, and audience engagement to discuss the importance of one's sense of belonging within higher education and how each campus community stakeholder has a unique responsibility in creating a supportive and inclusive institutional environment.

Dr. Aquino is an assistant professor in the Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership for the School of Education at St. John's University. Her work has been published in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, the Journal of College Student Development, and the Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, among others.

This event is free. For additional information or questions about venue accessibility, contact Justine Gaskamp at [email protected]. Driving directions, a campus map, and more information about the Landmark College Academic Speaker Series are available at landmark.edu.

RFPL hosts Selectboard candidate forum

BELLOWS FALLS - Meet and hear from the candidates for Town of Rockingham Selectboard seats on Wednesday, March 13, at 7 p.m., at the Rockingham Free Public Library.

Five of the candidates are running for the two one-year terms on the Selectboard. They are Jamey Berrick, John Dunbar, Bonnie North, Stan Talstra, and Deborah Wright. One of these, North is an incumbent on the Selectboard with her current term expiring. Another Selectboard incumbent is Rick Cowan, who is running unopposed for a three-year term.

This Candidates Forum is expected to last about 90 minutes. The candidates will each introduce themselves and answer questions about local issues. There will be some time allowed for questions from the audience. FACT TV will be recording the event.

The date for electing these (and other) Rockingham candidates has been moved to Tuesday, April 2. Voting on that date will be by Australian ballot and will take place at the Masonic Temple in Bellows Falls. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Open hours on Fridays at Hunt House

VERNON - The Governor Hunt House Community Center, 322 Governor Hunt Rd., is now open to the Vernon community on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Enjoy free Wi-Fi, play a board game, work on a puzzle, or visit with friends. Coffee, tea, and treats are available by donation. For more information, visit governorhunt.org.

Applications sought for Brattleboro Area Farmers Market

BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Area Farmers Market is currently accepting applications for the 2024 season. The market encourages farmers, craftspeople, bakers, prepared, or specialty food applicants to apply.

For more information, call 802-490-4371 or email [email protected].

This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.

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