Brattleboro releases annual water quality report
BRATTLEBORO - The Town of Brattleboro Water Department's annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2023 is available and can be viewed online at Brattleboro.gov under "Water Supply."
Printed copies are available at the Department of Public Works, the Tri-Park Co-op Office, Guilford Country Store, the Brattleboro Town Clerk's office and Treasurer's office (both located in the Brattleboro Municipal Center), and at the Vermont Welcome Center in Guilford.
Questions about this report can be addressed to the Department of Public Works' Water Treatment Division at 802-257-2320.
Guilford Cares adds new Tai Chi for Fall Prevention class
GUILFORD - Guilford Cares is adding a new Tai Chi for Fall Prevention class; a great opportunity for total beginners or those who would like to build on previous experience with this fall prevention practice.
The classes meet Wednesday mornings, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., at Guilford Community Church on Church Drive (near the Guilford Country Store). Leah Gessner, a certified Fall Prevention Tai Chi instructor, leads the class. There is no charge or age requirement, but donations are welcome. For more information, contact Guilford Cares at [email protected] or 802-579-1350.
Hospice program looks at VSED for terminally ill patients
BRATTLEBORO - On Thursday, April 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room, 224 Main St., Brattleboro Area Hospice will be showing a video of a three-person panel presentation on VSED (voluntary stopping of eating and drinking) as an alternative choice for terminally ill, mentally competent patients to hasten the end of life.
The panel, presented at the Hemlock Society of San Diego in March 2023, features Kate Christie, author of The VSED Handbook; Andrea Fenwick, a death doula from VSED Resources Northwest; and Dr. Donald J. Moore Jr., a hospice and palliative care physician in San Diego.
This event is free. RSVP by emailing [email protected] or by calling 802-257-0775 as space is limited.
Freed Yorick Theatre Ensemble to hold auditions for 'Our Town'
WILMINGTON - Freed Yorick Theatre Ensemble will hold auditions for the Friends of Historic Memorial Hall presentation of Thornton Wilder's Our Town in the music room of the Old School Enrichment Center, 1 School St., on Friday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 3 p.m.
All ages are welcome; there's no need for those auditioning to prepare a reading unless they wish to. Scripts will be available during auditions. Rehearsals will begin June 25; performance dates are Thursday through Saturday, July 18–20. Performances will be at Memorial Hall in Wilmington.
Earth Day and beyond at Brooks Library
BRATTLEBORO - Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., will host two panel discussions to observe Earth Day and spotlight sustainability efforts statewide and on a local level. Discussion will include whether it makes sense to buy an electric car, the latest on rebates and charging stations, how to buy into a community solar project to reduce electric bills, and what Brattleboro has been doing in the past year to reduce its carbon footprint.
On Monday, April 22, state legislators Mollie Burke, Emilie Kornheiser, and Nader Hashim will discuss environmental legislation that has been passed at the state level in the current session and legislation that is still pending. They will be joined by John Woodland of Third Act Vermont, an organization of seniors, started by Bill McKibben, to promote environmental stewardship and address climate change.
Then, on Tuesday, April 30, Brattleboro's Sustainability Coordinator, Stephen Dotson, will facilitate a panel of leaders from community environmental groups to highlight local efforts that address climate change and resilience, and learn of actions residents can take to improve the town's overall sustainability.
The panel will be composed of Marilyn Chiarello, Edible Brattleboro; Django Grace, Brattleboro Energy Committee; Dave Cohen, VBike and Brattleboro Coalition for Active Transport; Alex Wilson, Building Green Inc. and the Resilient Design Institute; and Jamina Shupack, Rich Earth Institute.
Both events begin at 7 p.m. and are free. For more information, contact the library at 802-254-5290 or visit brookslibraryvt.org.
Economic, social impact of the arts in Vermont examined at forum
BRATTLEBORO - On April 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Stone Church on Main Street, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) and The Stone Church will provide networking, food, and drinks as participants engage in discussion about the far-reaching economic and social impact of the arts in Vermont.
This free event is also accessible online; register at bit.ly/761-arts.
Organizers said in a news release that "The arts are the glue for our tight-knit communities, a platform for social justice, and also a powerful driving force in Vermont's economy. Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 - an economic and social impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts and culture industry - found that the Vermont arts industry 'generated $158.6 million in economic activity during 2022,' which supported '2,712 jobs, provided $112.8 million in personal income to residents, and generated $34.8 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments.'"
The panel on Tuesday, April 23, will include Robin Johnson, owner of The Stone Church and member of National Independent Venue Association; Danny Lichtenfeld, executive director of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center; and Kate Trzaskos, executive director of the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance.
Organizers said the panelists "will reflect on the waves of economic impact generated by Vermont's arts, their experiences with building community through art, the ties between art and tourism, and how our state is uniquely positioned to be a leader in art."
Senior lunch in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions will present their next Senior Lunch at Evening Star Grange, 1008 East West Road, on Wednesday, April 24, with take-outs available between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and an in-house meal served at noon.
On the menu are baked beans (vegetarian or nonvegetarian), baked ham, and macaroni and cheese with broccoli, with carrot cake for dessert. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling the Grange Hall at 802-254-1138. Leave name, phone number, number of meals desired, and whether they are for eating in or taking away. A donation of $3 for those 60 and above and $4 for the younger folks is suggested.
Moore Free Library offers Robert L. Crowell Scholarship
NEWFANE - Moore Free Library is offering a total of $12,000 in scholarships funded by the family of the late Robert L. Crowell. These awards are open to all residents of Newfane and Brookline who are graduating high school seniors at any high school or who are GED recipients, and who will be entering their first year of college, community college, trade, or vocational post-secondary education in the fall of 2024.
Complete applications must be received by May 10. For more information and to apply, visit the Moore Free Library's website scholarship page at moorefreelibrary.org/scholarships.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.