Connecticut River Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter to meet
WESTMINSTER - The Connecticut River Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter meeting will be held Thursday, June 7, at 7 p.m. at the Westminster Fire Station.
The chapter will hear from Ken Cox, a fisheries biologist from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. He will present a slide show about post-Irene stream conditions, including pre- and post-storm wild trout populations, the effects of the storm itself and the pros and cons of various repair efforts around the state. He'll also share some encouraging information about numbers and size of trout captured this spring.
People are encouraged to attend a fly-tying demonstration before the start of that meeting, which will get underway by 6:30. David Deen will bring his portable tying table and anyone else who would like to bring equipment and participate is invited to please do so.
Members of the public who are not TU members are invited to come to the meeting and hear Cox's presentation and, if they so choose, to become members of Trout Unlimited.
For more information, contact Jim Matteau ([email protected]) or David Deen ([email protected]).
Vermont Days offer free fishing, free access to state parks and historic sites
MONTPELIER - Vermonters and visitors can enjoy a free sample of Vermont's fishing, state parks, and historic sites, including the new interactive exhibit at the President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site, during the annual Vermont Days weekend celebration June 9-10.
All Vermont State Park day areas, state-owned historic sites and the Vermont History Museum will be open at no charge all weekend. Saturday, June 9 is free fishing day - the one day of the year when residents and non-residents may fish without a license. For more information, visit www.vermontdays.com.
Work party planned for Black Mountain trails
DUMMERSTON - Friends of Black Mountain is sponsoring a trail clean-up day and hike on Sunday, June 10. Meet at the Nature Conservancy trailhead on Rice Farm Road at 1 p.m. Bring water and a snack. Some tools will be provided, but you may want to bring a rake, clippers, or loppers if you have them. No special skills required.
Friends of Black Mountain works with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which owns and manages nearly 500 acres on Black Mountain. TNC relies on the help of local volunteers to maintain the hiking trails there.
Wild Carrot Farm raffle benefits low-income CSA members
BROOKLINE - When they started Wild Carrot Farm two years ago, farmers Jesse Kayan, Caitlin Burlett and Max Madalinski decided they weren't willing to let their small scale or organic practices get in the way of providing food to all their neighbors, regardless of income level.
Since then, they have used a variety of tactics to challenge the notion that local food is inaccessible. Last year, they sold more than a third of their food to low-income customers.
Wild Carrot Farm helps organize the Neighborhood Market on Elliot Street, which sells fresh produce at wholesale prices to people of all income levels using food stamps and payment plans. They also offer the use of food stamps for their community supported agriculture shares, allowing members to buy a share of the farm's produce for a season with their food stamps. And now the farm is fundraising to support a scholarship fund which will provide discounted food to its CSA members.
A group of farm supporters have been soliciting donations through a mailing, the farm has been raising money on its website and, this week, it will raffle off a half share of vegetables in support of the fund. So far, the farm has been able to provide six scholarships for a full season's worth of food to needy consumers. Before the start of the season on June 12, the farm hopes to double that number.
A $5 raffle ticket offers a chance to win 20 weeks of organically grown vegetables this season. For more information about food affordability, to purchase a raffle ticket, or to apply for a scholarship, contact Wild Carrot Farm at 802-365-4075, email [email protected], or visit www.wildcarrotfarm.net.
Conservation Commission presents Japanese knotweed workshop
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Conservation Commission will present a Japanese knotweed workshop on Tuesday, June 12, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Brattleboro Farmers' Market on Western Avenue.
There will be a hands-on demonstration with Bruce Colleran, the state Japanese knotweed coordinator. Questions regarding this invasive plant species, and how Tropical Storm Irene helped spread it, will be answered. For more information, contact Colleran at 802-595-1255 or [email protected].
Program shows how the BF fish ladder works
BELLOWS FALLS - Ever wondered how fish can climb a ladder? On Tuesday, June 12, at 3:30 p.m., Matthew Cole will present a fish ladder walk and talk at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder Visitor Center.
Cole, an expert on the Bellows Falls hydroelectric facility and the fish ladder, will explain what it takes to get fish up a river with a dam in the way. Participants will have ample time for questions.
Participants will meet at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder Visitor Center on Bridge Street, next to the Bellows Falls post office. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Contact the Rockingham Free Public Library at (802) 463-4270 with any questions., or visit www.nature-museum.org/Fish-Ladder.html.
Transition Dummerston hosts monthly potluck supper
DUMMERSTON - Transition Dummerston will hold its monthly potluck on Friday, June 15, from 6-8:30 p.m., at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center, with a screening of In Transition 2.0.
In Transition 2.0, just released, is an inspirational immersion in the Transition movement, gathering stories from around the world of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. You'll hear about communities printing their own money, growing food, localizing their economies and setting up community power stations.
Dinner will begin at 6; the film will be shown at 7, with a short discussion following the film. For the Potluck, dishes using local food are encouraged, but not required. Bring enough for about six people. For more information, contact Susal (802-275-7449 or [email protected]) or Fred (802-287-2681 or [email protected]).
Grafton Expo/Musicfest seeks artists, crafters
GRAFTON - The Grafton Valley Arts Guild cordially invites all fine artists, craftspersons and makers of Vermont products to exhibit at the first annual Grafton Expo, the kick off event for this year's Musicfest celebration (www.musicfest.org) which is scheduled for Saturday, June 30 from 10 a.m. until dusk.
Participants in this juried event can expect a huge public turnout for whom you may exhibit, sell, demonstrate your work or vend your products. This event offers something for all ages. Art, craft, collectibles, children's activities, festival foods and more.
For an application please email Adam Howard, president of Grafton Valley Arts Guild, at [email protected], or call 802-843-1029. Spaces still are available.
BMH launches social media campaign to help Vermont Foodbank
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Memorial Hospital has launched a new social media campaign to help raise awareness about the connection between food insecurity and health, and combat hunger in southern Vermont.
During the month of June, BMH will donate a canned item to the Vermont Foodbank for every new “Like” the hospital's Facebook page receives. People who are already connected to the page can “Share” the special “Clicks for Foodbank” post on their wall, and the hospital will donate another canned item.
All items will go to the Brattleboro distribution center of the Vermont Foodbank, which serves populations in Windham County and Bennington County, as well as parts of Windsor County.
BMH Communication Specialist Nicole Zinn says the idea for the campaign came as a result of a 50 percent increase in diabetic patients seen at the hospital in the past year who were food insecure, and the increasing number of patients being referred to local food programs.
BMH's Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/BMHVT.