Around the Towns

Auditors' reports available at town clerk's office

BRATTLEBORO - The town and 2019 town school district auditors' reports for fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 are available upon request and may be picked up at the town clerk's office at the Municipal Center, 230 Main St.

The auditors' reports will also be available as part of the town annual report, which will be available there by Feb. 21.

Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the reports should contact the town clerk at 802-251-8157. Copies of the reports are also available at brattleboro.org.

Words Book Project plans book sale

BRATTLEBORO - On Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Words Book Project is sponsoring a giant book sale at 118 Elliot, at that address.

The proceeds will support the publication of a book about the town's more-than-250-year printing and publishing history.

With grant support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and many local contributors, the Book Project has overseen the project's writing, design, and editing.

The book is being written by local authors and designed and edited locally. It tells the fascinating story of the people, places, and businesses that collectively made Brattleboro known as a “print town.”

The book will be the culmination of People, Places & History of Words in Brattleboro, Vermont, a multi-year program celebrating the relationship of the town and the written legacy of its history. For more information, visit brattleborowords.org.

Lunar New Year celebrated on Jan. 26

BRATTLEBORO - Asian Cultural Center of Vermont celebrates the Lunar New Year of China, Korea, and Vietnam on Sunday, Jan. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. “You don't have to be Asian or know anything about Asia to participate,” organizers write.

Come to the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 10 Vernon St., to usher in the year of the White Metal Rat. The Rat is the first sign in the Chinese zodiac, and it marks new beginnings, fresh hope, and rising excitement.

The celebration begins with a potluck and a performance by the Longshanks stilt walkers. “One of many legends about stilt walkers tells of a flood that threatened villages with destruction until 12 spirits floating on clouds blocked the path of the waters. The stilt walkers represent these spirits and bring good luck,” the organizers explain.

Then join in a traditional Chinese Dance with Wang Jin-Feng, Tai Chi with Joey Carroll, a Korean tug-of-war, and traditional New Year songs and crafts. The celebration wraps up with a dragon parade from the museum toward Main Street “to bring us luck for the coming year.”

For more information, visit accvt.org, or call 802-257-7898 Ext. 3. On the day of event, call the museum at 802-579-9088.

Transition Towns reading, discussion group forms

PUTNEY - Author Rob Hopkins is the founder of the international Transition Towns movement from which the vital community group Transition Putney emerged.

Hopkins' new book, From What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want, asks why true creative, positive thinking is in decline. He asserts that it's more important now than ever and suggests ways our communities can revive and reclaim it.

Simon Renault and Paul Levasseur will discuss the theories and stories of the book, with participants sharing their ideas and feelings.

The group will gather at the Putney Public Library, 55 Main St., on Tuesdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Copies of the book have been both donated to the library and made available to participants for purchase from the organizers at cost by Chelsea Green Publishing.

AARP Tax-Aide sites open for free tax preparation

BRATTLEBORO - Free in-person tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low and moderate income is available from the AARP Foundation from early February through the middle of April. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers, trained and certified in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, will offer assistance with both federal and state personal income tax returns at three locations in town.

• At the Community Bible Chapel (107 Atwood St.) on Wednesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 802-275-2822 to make an appointment. The first day for appointments will be Wednesday, Feb. 5.

• At the Brattleboro Senior Center (Gibson-Aiken building, 207 Main St.) on Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 802-257-7570 to make an appointment. The first day for appointments will be Thursday, Feb. 6.

• At the VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 (40 Black Mountain Rd.) on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 802-689-6128 to make an appointment. The first day for appointments will be Monday, Feb. 3.

Musings and memorabilia at Brooks library

BRATTLEBORO - An intimate group, with three to five individuals, is forming at Brooks Memorial Library to explore memorabilia - such as photos, old letters, and other nostalgic items - and the stories behind them.

Participants should be prepared to bring in their albums and memorabilia to the gatherings, which will take place on Mondays, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the library's mezzanine.

Call 802-254-2450 to register.

Hospice offers volunteer training

BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice will offer its spring volunteer training in town on Tuesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. beginning March 17 and continuing through May 26.

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 staff and volunteers.

Call the office for an application at 802-257-0775. A $40 contribution is requested to help defray the cost of training materials. Information is also available at brattleborohospice.org.

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