Rockingham seeks applicants for ZBA/Planning Board
ROCKINGHAM - The town seeks interested individuals to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission (ZBA/PC). The appointment would be until 2014.
Interested individuals should be willing to participate in subcommittees and work groups, and to vote impartially on all applications.
Duties include review of conditional use applications, site plan reviews, subdivision reviews, and Town Plan preparation. The ZBA/PC meets approximately every three weeks on Wednesday evenings at the Town Hall.
Letters of interest may be sent to the Town of Rockingham, Planning-Zoning Office, P.O. Box 370, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, no later than Dec. 16.
Health care reform info session Nov. 29
BRATTLEBORO - The state Agency of Administration will a listening session on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 7-9 p.m., at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St., to help inform the design of future health care reform financing plans.
This session will include a presentation on the challenges facing the state's health care system, how health care is financed currently in the state, and an overview of Vermont's revenue system.
Participants will use these informational presentations and their own experiences to offer input on the potential impact of various financing sources on Vermont businesses and on the state's economy and economic climate.
Staff from the Agency of Administration - including the secretary of administration, tax commissioner, director of health care reform, and the secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development - are expected to attend.
The sessions are designed for both professionals in the field and the general public.
For more information, contact Michael Costa, special counsel for the Vermont Department of Taxes, at 802-828-0141 or via email.
Rescue recognizes Teich for 30 years of service
BRATTLEBORO - A number of volunteer and paid staff providers were recognized for their contributions at the recent annual membership meeting of Rescue Inc.
Lew Teich, a volunteer and resident of Brattleboro, received a 30-year service award. His long-term commitment to Rescue includes volunteering for several 12-hour shifts per month as an emergency medical technician and actively participating as a member of Rescue's Technical Rescue Team.
Service awards also went to volunteer Ron Nichols for 10 years of service and paid staff Billy Straus (10 years), Drew Hazelton (10 years), and Joe Domenick, Mike McLeroy, David Palmer, and Eric Pouliot (5 years).
Annually, the membership votes to award special recognition to providers and family members.
This year's awards went to Jen Richardson (Spouse of the Year), Rachel Laliberte (Most Improved Volunteer), Greg Seymour-Miller and Hope Dorsey (Most Improved Paid Staff Members), Keith Hermiz (Volunteer of the Year and the Lawrie Brown Award), and Brian Richardson (Paid Staff Member of the Year).
BMH participates in Donate Life Vermont Register Rally
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is taking part in the Donate Life Vermont Register Rally, which seeks to register 5,000 Vermonters as organ and tissue donors from Nov. 21 through Dec. 21.
The friendly competition among Vermont hospitals seeks to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation by increasing the number of registrants in the state.
Less than 1 percent of the Vermont population is officially registered on the state's organ and tissue donor registry.
Ellen Smith, executive director of development and community relations at BMH, says the hospital will support the rally by reaching out to the public through its website and Facebook page, as well as information tables in high-traffic areas of the hospital and public events.
BMH Birthing Center offers volunteer doula services to pregnant moms
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is now providing doula services for pregnant moms through its Birthing Center.
Doulas have received training in providing emotional and informational support to women during the delivery of a child and just after they have given birth.
Scientific trials have shown remarkably improved birth outcomes with the presence of a doula. They also show a decreased amount of intervention and a higher number of mothers viewing their birth as a positive experience.
BMH program coordinator Carol Schnabel says the Birthing Center has 14 women with doula training who have volunteered to be available 24 hours a day, year-round.
Families interested in learning more about using this service should contact Schnabel at 802-257-1894 or via email.
Masons hold raffle for Patriots tickets
BRATTLEBORO - As a major fundraiser, the 32 Degree Masons of Brattleboro will hold a raffle for a pair of New England Patriots game tickets for the Jan. 1 game at Gillette Stadium against the Buffalo Bills.
Second prize is a $50 gas card.
Winning tickets will be drawn Dec 12, and all selections will be final with the winners notified by telephone.
Raffle tickets cost $5, $25 for six; or $50 for 15.
All proceeds of the raffle will benefit 32 Degree Mason's projects. Email for an entry form.
ReNew needs volunteers
BRATTLEBORO - ReNew Building Materials and Salvage is looking for volunteers to help pick up donations, keep the store creatively organized, and help in the lumber yard.
For anyone who supports the nonprofit's environmental and education and training programs, but is not able to do physical labor, office help is also needed with filing, organizing, computer work, website design, and marketing activities.
Call (802-246-2400) or email.
Wilmington Baptist Church raffles painting for church repairs
WILMINGTON - The Wilmington Baptist Church is raffling off a painting of Dot's Restaurant by Searsburg native John Rice.
All proceeds will go to rebuilding the church's Community Fellowship Hall, severely damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene.
The drawing will be held Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at the People's United Bank in Wilmington, where the painting is now on display.
Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the People's United Bank in Wilmington, online, or by sending a check along with name, address, and telephone number to the Wilmington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 847, Wilmington, VT 05363, attn.: Raffle.
Mooring spots available on Lake Whitingham
WHITINGHAM - The Windham Sailing Club is accepting applications for a limited number of mooring spots available for small sailboats at Ward's Cove on Lake Whitingham. The lake is owned by TransCanada, and all users are expected to comply with all written rules and regulations.
The WSC is managed with the help of all members, a requirement of membership. A moderate fee is also assessed to cover associated costs.
If interested, please send a business-size, self-addressed envelope with 64 cents postage to Windham Sailing Club, P.O. Box 636, Jacksonville, VT 05342.
BF Student Council donates food to Our Place
BELLOWS FALLS - The Bellows Falls Union High School Student Council recently held a food drive to benefit families in the community who were affected by Tropical Storm Irene.
On Nov. 11, 1,235 items was brought to Our Place in Bellows Falls.
The food drive, which started on Oct. 17, encouraged all high school students to participate by donating non-perishable food items and personal care items.
'Scenes of Dummerston' calendar now on sale
DUMMERSTON - The Historical Society's “Scenes of Dummerston” calendar for 2012 is now available.
Eight local photographers have contributed photos of scenes from Putney Road to Stickney Brook.
The calendars are $10 and are available at the Town Office and the Historical Society Building in Dummerston Center, or by calling Muriel Taylor at 802-257-9358.