Read, learn, and play during International Games Day at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS – The Rockingham Free Public Library (RFPL) will join hundreds of libraries throughout the world on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., to celebrate International Games Day. The library will offer gaming for people of all ages including Nintendo, Wii, and console games, board games, modern table-top games, role-playing games, card games, and more.
“Libraries are family destinations that continuously offer new formats and innovative programs and services that educate, entertain, and expand interaction with their users,” said Sam Maskell, Youth Services Librarian. “Gaming is yet another example of how libraries are becoming more than just educational resources for the communities that they serve. They are also places where users of all ages are welcome to have fun together.”
Again this year, RFPL will be participating in the National Super Smash Bros Brawl tournament. Register to participate before 11 a.m. on Nov. 3. Beginning at 11, those who have signed up will begin a local Super Smash Bros competition leading up to the national event at 1 p.m. Last year, Rockingham gamers “pwned” New York Public Library, according to participants.
In addition to the Super Smash Bros Brawl tournament, games available for people of all ages include Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot, Munchkin, Dominion, Cosmic Encounters, Settlers of Catan, Wits & Wagers, Pictureeka, Say Anything, Farkle, Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Chess, Checkers, Monopoly, Go, Scrabble and Nintendo Wii.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 802-463-4270, email [email protected], go online to rockinghamlibrary.org, or stop by the library.
Corn chowder luncheon served in BF
BELLOWS FALLS - The Women's Fellowship of the United Church of Bellows Falls will hold its annual corn chowder luncheon and sale on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the church on School Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon will be served from 11 to 1 and includes chowder, choice of sandwiches, apple crisp, and beverages. The cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for children ages 10 and under. Take out will be available.
The sale includes baked goods and a raffle of an apple-themed basket, a certificate for a turkey from Lisai's, and a gift certificate to Halladay's. There will be a silent auction of goods and services provided by church members.
Fifteenth annual Empty Bowl dinner benefits Our Place
BELLOWS FALLS - Our Place Drop-in Center is collecting bowls and auction items for its fifteenth annual benefit Empty Bowl dinner and auctions Sunday, Nov. 4, at Alyson's Orchard in Walpole, N.H.
“Gather and Share” is the theme of this year's soup supper event that begins at 5 p.m. with an auction preview and social hour. A highlight of the event is each attendee's selection of a handmade bowl to take home as a reminder of those who struggle to put food on the family table.
Proceeds of the dinner go towards supporting the food programs of Our Place, which include a food pantry, a daily breakfast and lunch, and nutrition education.
The oldest such event in the area, the Our Place Empty Bowl has been a major fundraiser for the food pantry and daytime shelter. Potters from all over the state have donated handmade bowls, and local restaurants and other food preparers have prepared soups and other food items for the event. In addition, local businesses and individuals donated items and services for both silent and live auctions.
The Empty Bowl is part of an international effort that began in 1990 to raise money for food programs. What started as a local effort in a Michigan high school has grown into a worldwide program that has raised more than a million dollars to help fight hunger.
Tickets for the Empty Bowl are $30 and are available at Village Square Booksellers in Bellows Falls, Real to Reel Video in Walpole or by calling Our Place at 463-2217.
The goal of Our Place is to offer help with food and other essential needs in a non-judgmental, safe, and respectful atmosphere. It serves families in the greater Rockingham area, as well as Walpole and North Walpole, N.H. Information is available at 802-463-2217, at www.ourplacevt.org, on Facebook, or by e-mailing [email protected].
OLLI lectures on the land ethic, nervous system
DUMMERSTON-The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) presents the fourth in this fall's six-week series of lectures on Monday, Nov. 5.
In the morning program, Meg Mott discusses Aldo Leopold's land ethic as it applies to loss of wildlife and related issues. Mott teaches political theory at Marlboro College and is a popular OLLI lecturer.
In the afternoon lecture, Bob Engel, also of the Marlboro faculty and also an experienced leader of past OLLI programs, examines nerve cells, their communication, and their assembly in the brain.
The morning program begins at 10 a.m. and runs until noon. The afternoon program runs from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. All lectures take place at the Southeast Vermont Learning Collaborative, 471 Vermont Route 5, in Dummerston. Parking and handicapped access are available. Light refreshments are served at all lectures.
The OLLI lectures are produced by the local chapter of The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, now in its ninth year in Brattleboro. The Institute is a nationwide membership organization sponsoring programs for people aged fifty and over who wish to continue their education without tests, papers, or grades. Payment of full dues ($50) entitles members to attend all 12 lectures in the present series. Lectures are also open to non-members of OLLI for a fee of $5 per lecture.
For more information, call 802-257-8600 or toll-free 866-889-0042.
Marlboro residents to discuss opening a community store
MARLBORO - A group of citizens in Marlboro has organized a public meeting to discuss the possibility of the community buying and operating the recently vacated store “Sweeties” on Route 9.
The store has served as a general store in Marlboro since 1950, providing the town with gas, general groceries, and an important community meeting place. Representatives from other towns that have created community stores will be at the meeting to share their experience and know-how.
Paul Bruhn from the Preservation Trust of Vermont will also be present to provide information about resources that are available for community store projects. The meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m., at the Outback building at Marlboro Elementary School. The public is invited to bring both their questions and their ideas.
For more information, contact Gail MacArthur at 802-257-7328.
Dummerston holds Election Day pie sale
DUMMERSTON - There will be apple pies on sale in the church kitchen in Dummerston during Election Day on Nov. 6.
Whole frozen pies are $13, and warm, by the piece, pie is $3, cheese extra, to be eaten there or taken out. In addition, there will be warm doughnuts, coffee, and block cheese for sale.
Marine Corps Ball set for Nov. 10
BRATTLEBORO - The Marine Corps League, Detachment 798, is inviting members of the public to join them in celebrating the 237th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps Ball will be held at the Brattleboro American Legion on Saturday, Nov. 10.
Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner (choice of prime rib of beef or baked stuffed chicken) will be served promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and must be reserved by Nov. 5. Send check, with choice of entree to Joe Garofalo, 261 Dover Hill Road, East Dover VT 05341.
Following dinner and reading of the Commandant's message, there will be a traditional cake cutting ceremony followed by guest speaker, Dr. Rob Simpson, president and CEO of the Brattleboro Retreat. Dancing with music provided by the “Solid “OLD” Cadillacs” concludes the affair.
The membership of the Marine Corps League is comprised of those who served in the Corps, as well as medical personnel of the U.S. Navy who served with the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). Members include residents of southeastern Vermont, southwestern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.
VSAC offers 'Paying for College' presentation
WESTMINSTER - The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), in collaboration with Bellows Falls Union High School, has scheduled a Paying for College presentation at the school on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m.
The session is free and open to the public. The presentation, which normally runs about 90 minutes to two hours, provides students and their parents with information on financial aid and other resources available to pay for college. Time is allotted for questions.
Among the topics covered are types of financial aid, ways to apply, how family contribution is calculated, how financial aid is awarded, student and parent loans, and alternative payment options.
New holistic health center in Putney expands
PUTNEY - Medicine for the People (MFTP), a holistic health clinic, has recently expanded and moved their practice. Now home to seven practitioners, MFTP offers care in acupuncture, shiatsu, Thai and Swedish massage, home or birth center midwifery, nutrition, Chinese and Western herbs, and more.
Part of the mission of the Medicine for the People is to redefine “medicine” as a collaborative and educative endeavor between health care providers, individuals, and communities. Their spacious new classroom features courses in Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, chanting, and meditation, as well as free talks that are open to the public. Each month MFTP will offer a low-cost community clinic.
The newly renovated and fully accessible space at 125 Main St., in the Carriage House behind Town Hall, is part of a joint effort between owners of Medicine for the People and Deb Shumlin. With this expansion, MFTP will serve Putney and the surrounding communities in Southern Vermont and other states.
A gala grand opening will be held on Saturday Nov. 17, from 4-9 pm. There will be a smoothie and kefir bar, DJ, dancing, and other merriment! For more information see www.medicineforthepeople.com, or contact them at 802-387-3028 or [email protected].
Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary kicks off annual raffle
BRATTLEBORO – The Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club kicked off its annual dinner raffle to raise funds for various club projects, including Project Feed the Thousands.
First prize will be five $100 gift certificates to area restaurants, including Peter Havens, The Putney Inn, The Marina, New England House and Panda North. Second prize is a Gift Certificate from Windham Wines and third prize is a gift certificate from North End Butchers.
A limited number of tickets are available and can be purchased for $5 each or six for $25 through any Sunrise Rotarian, or by calling Jason at 802-380-0848. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
Hospice announces new bereavement staff
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice is pleased to announce two new staff changes to its Bereavement Care Program, which offers free confidential support to anyone in our area who is grieving the loss of someone they love.
Connie Baxter has joined the staff as the new Bereavement Care Coordinator. She took the hospice volunteer training in 2006 and served on the Brattleboro Area Hospice board for the past six years. Her background is in social service to children who have experienced trauma and abuse, as well as working with women in prison. Most recently, she was the director of Safe Place Child Advocacy Center.
Cheryl Richards, who is currently a part-time Hospice Care Coordinator at the organization, has expanded her role to include the newly created part-time position of Bereavement Care Counselor. She has over 25 years of experience in the hospice and bereavement fields, and has worked for Brattleboro Area Hospice in a number of capacities on and off since 1996.
Both are available to meet with anyone in the community regardless of how or when a loved one died. Brattleboro Area Hospice offers a wide range of bereavement support services available free of charge, including support groups and individual support with volunteers and staff.
If you or someone you know is grieving the death of a loved one, call 802-257-0775 to talk with bereavement staff, or visit www.brattleborohospice.org.