Guilford church presents Sugar-on-Snow supper on March 17
GUILFORD - A spring tradition, the Sugar-on-Snow supper at Guilford Community Church, will return on Saturday, March 17.
Ham, baked beans, deviled eggs, potato salad, cole slaw, freshly baked rolls, sugar on snow, homemade doughnuts, pickles, and a beverage (coffee, tea, or milk) are on the menu.
Maple syrup will be raffled during the supper at each sitting.
All proceeds benefit the church, which actively supports more than 15 local programs that serve the community, including Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and Brigid's Kitchen.
Seatings are at 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 7 p.m. The price for adults is $10; $5 for children under age 11; and $3 for preschoolers.
For reservations, call Robin Davis at 802-257-1819.
Men's Project hosts St. Patrick's Day Spring Fling
BRATTLEBORO - A St. Patrick's Spring Fling dance party will take place on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street.
this event is for the entire community, including allies, for $5 at the door.
DJ Buck will keep everyone dancing, enhanced by the lighting of Techmaster JJ and performances by Lady Sabrina.
A cash bar will be complemented by a door prize and raffle prizes.
A collaboration of local GLBTQ organizations have sponsored the dance: Brattleboro PRIDE, Homo Promo Event Collective, Men's Program, and Queer Community Project.
All collaborators are working toward increasing community connection and social and event opportunities for LGBTQ individuals in the greater southern Vermont area, including southwestern New Hampshire and northwestern Massachusetts.
All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Men's Program's efforts to offer such events.
For more information on the St. Patrick's Day Spring Fling, or any of the sponsoring organizations, contact Alex Potter at [email protected] or 802-254-4444.
Rabies clinic planned for in West Brattleboro
WEST BRATTLEBORO - A dog licensing and pet vaccination clinic will be offered on Saturday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the West Brattleboro fire station on Western Avenue.
This clinic is open to everyone, not just Brattleboro residents. Rabies/distemper vaccinations for dogs and cats will be offered for a $10 donation. Dogs must be on leashes, and cats must be inside carriers.
For Brattleboro residents, assistant Town Clerk Jane Fletcher will be on hand to provide dog licenses.
For more information, contact Brattleboro Animal Control at 902-257-7950 or the Windham County Humane Society at 802-254-2232.
BMH stress reduction class starts March 20
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will offer a free, introductory session for its six-week course “Letting Go of Stress” on Tuesday, March 20.
The introductory session will explore how stress affects an individual's body and mind, and how one can counteract the negative impact of stress and develop “stress hardiness.”
The six-week program begins the following Tuesday, March 27 and meets weekly through May 1, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. in Brew Barry Conference Room 2.
The class will provide participants with the theory, practice, and motivation to establish and maintain an effective, lifelong stress-reduction program.
Call 802-257-8877 to register for the introductory session.
The $150 fee for the six-week class includes an audio CD and handouts. Call 802-257-0319 to register for the class.
Paneurhythmy returns on March 21
BRATTLEBORO - Paneurhythmy, a circle dance from Bulgaria, welcomes the equinox on Wednesday, March 21, at 8 a.m., weather permitting.
“Celebrate the spring at the Skating Rink parking lot at Living Memorial Park,” event organizers write of the 50-minute dance. “Honor the earth and the cosmos as the dance progresses around a circle using simple movements that invoke personal healing and transformation.”
Organizers describe the dance as “a healing for the individual, the community, all beings and the earth. The simple joy of doing this dance is right for anyone interested in opening the heart to love and wisdom.”
Now in its 17th year in Brattleboro, Paneurhythmy continues at 8 a.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays at Living Memorial Park until the fall equinox. It is taught by Rupa Cousins, who has been teaching and leading Paneurhythmy for over 17 years.
For more information, contact Cousins at 802-387-5276 or visit www.rupacousins.com.
Vernal pools workshop presented at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - Naturalist Betsy Stacey will present a free program about vernal pools on Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at the Rockingham Free Public Library.
More than just giant mud puddles, vernal pools are the hatcheries of the forest and provide an important start for many species.
These temporary pools of water are usually devoid of fish, which allows safe development of natal amphibian and insect species. Most are dry for at least part of the year, but once filled from winter rains or snow melt, they teem with life.
The most obvious inhabitants are various species of frogs, toads, and insects, but spotted salamanders might march in during that first warm rainy night in early spring.
Through a slide show and hands-on activities, participants will explore these important ecological zones and the adaptations of the many critters who live in these fleeting wet spots.
Refreshments will be served. Call 802-463-4270 for more information.
Board to hear appeals for flood-damaged property
WILMINGTON - The Board of Tax Abatement is now hearing cases for flood-damaged properties.
For more information, contact Wilmington Town Clerk Susie Haughwout at [email protected] or 802-464-5836.
Brattleboro Senior Meals again participates in Feinstein Challenge
BRATTLEBORO - Once again, Brattleboro Senior Meals has been invited to participate in the Feinstein $1 Million Challenge. Any donations that are received in March and April will get some of the Feinstein money added to it.
For the 15th year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million among hunger fighting agencies nationwide. This campaign has so far raised more than $480 million for many nonprofits such as Brattleboro Senior Meals, which provides group meals daily at the Brattleboro Senior Center as well as Meals-On-Wheels to homebound seniors in the Brattleboro area.
This year, in connection with the Feinstein Challenge, Brattleboro Senior Meals is raffling a handmade queen-sized quilt. The quilt is on display at the Brattleboro Senior Center.
To donate or purchase raffle tickets, contact Chris McAvoy at the Senior Center, or call 802-257-1236.
Host families needed for exchange students
BRATTLEBORO - The Program of Academic Exchange (PAX) is interviewing families interested in hosting international exchange students who will attend high schools in the region starting in August.
“This experience offers a great opportunity to learn first-hand about another culture and to share one's life with a student who is eager to discover life in America,” says organizer Ann Newsmith.
Since the Brattleboro Union High School deadline for exchange student applications is April 1, families who apply now will have the best selection of students, and a PAX coordinator can help match students to fit a host family's interests and lifestyle.
PAX students come from more than 70 countries, including Spain, Germany, Italy, China, Japan, and Thailand. Students are between the ages of 15 and 18 and have studied English for at least three years.
The main requirement for host families is to be warm, welcoming, and willing to share their daily life with the student. Young couples, single parents, and retirees are encouraged to apply.
Students do not need a private bedroom, and they have spending money for personal expenses, as well as medical insurance.
Families interested in knowing more about hosting can contact Newsmith at (802) 257-4710 or [email protected].
Curves stages annual food drive
BRATTLEBORO - Curves of Brattleboro, 464 Putney Road, is asking its members to donate cash or bags of non-perishable food throughout the month of March to support their local community food bank. New members who bring in a bag of non-perishable food or donate $30 to their local food bank through March 24 will have their joining fee waived.
Curves International will award cash prizes to the clubs that collect the most food, the clubs that show the greatest increase in donations over the 2011 food drive, and to two additional clubs randomly selected from all those that enter the contest.
For more information, contact Curves of Brattleboro at 802-257-1000 or [email protected].
Windham Regional Career Center offers spring programs
BRATTLEBORO - The Windham Regional Career Center at Brattleboro Union High School has developed 14 community education and training programs for the upcoming spring semester to meet the needs of area employers and their employees, as well as providing personal and professional enrichment opportunities for all community members.
Courses offered this semester include: American Red Cross LNA program; ServSafe Certification Training; Forklift: Training the Trainer; Preparing Your Motorcycle for the Riding Season; Introduction to Computer Applications; Introduction to Microsoft Excel; Intermediate Excel; Creating a Google Website; Digital Photography; Start your Own Edible Garden; Introduction to Woodworking; Thriving with Adult ADHD; Organizing 1-2-3; and Time Management 101.
The Career Center also offers more than 300 online courses available throughout the year.
For more information, visit www.wrccvt.com or call 802-451-3965 to receive detailed information about all the courses and a registration form.
Class sizes are limited, so early registration is suggested.