'Battle of Gettysburg' featured at Rotary meeting
BRATTLEBORO - Rodger Martin, Keene State College journalism professor and author of “The Battlefield Guide” (2009), is the featured speaker at the Brattleboro Rotary Club luncheon on Thursday, July 18, starting at 12:15 p.m.
He'll deliver a talk, “The Battle of Gettysburg, 150 Years: Gone But Still With Us,” at the Brattleboro Country Club, 348 Upper Dummerston Rd.
Martin is the author of three books of poetry that mine little-known locations and stories from three of the seminal battles of the Civil War to provide a unique perspective on that conflict. His work has been translated and published in China, where in the fall of 2012 he represented the United States at an international literary festival in the city of Hangzhou.
The Brattleboro Rotary Club, founded in 1950, is an active club of more than 80 members who engage in community and human service projects locally and internationally. For more information, visit www.brattlebororotaryclub.org.
First Baptist Church hosts bake, yard sale
BRATTLEBORO - First Baptist Church is hosting a yard sale and bake sale on Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 190 Main St., next to Brown & Roberts. Featured at the bakery table will be homemade baked beans, homemade donuts, fudge, pies, breads, cookie pops, and cake pops.
The yard sale offers glassware, dishes, vases, books, children's clothes, toys, bric-a-brac, perennial plants, and other surprises.
The event benefits the church's fuel fund, administration, outreach programs, and missions. For more information, call 802-254-9566.
Barbecue benefits Williamsville Hall Fund
WILLIAMSVILLE - An all-day barbecue benefit for the Williamsville Hall Fund is set for Saturday, July 20, at Williamsville Hall. Turkey wraps, hot dogs, beverages, and desserts will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A barbecue plate of chicken, pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread will be available starting at 6 p.m.
Cost is $12 for adults, $9 for kids 9 and under. Macaroni and cheese, green salads, tempeh wraps, and potato salad will be available a la carte.
South Newfane church to hold open house
SOUTH NEWFANE - South Newfane Baptist Church is hosting an open house on Saturday, July 20, starting at 9 a.m., to celebrate its colored windows from their best side, the inside, as the sun shines in.
Folks inside the church will be on hand to tell you about the rich history of the windows. All are invited.
Vermont Youth/Teen Adventure Camp July 22-26
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department is sponsoring Vermont Youth/Teen Adventure Camp July 22-26. The camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Campers will be dropped off and picked up at Living Memorial Park.
This program is an exciting opportunity for youth ages 8-12 to get outside and have fun. From the first day, when participants learn to work as a group through team-building challenges, to the final expedition of a kayak trip or day hike, the program delivers new skills that will last a lifetime.
Cost is $250 for Brattleboro residents; $265 for non-residents. Pre-registration is required at the Recreation & Parks Office at 207 Main St., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 5 p.m., or by calling the office at 802-254-5808.
Speaking to inform: Toastmasters meeting July 25
BRATTLEBORO - If fear and shyness around public speaking are holding you back, or are holding someone in your organization back, then Toastmasters is the answer. BrattleMasters, the Brattleboro-based chapter of Toastmasters International, meets Thursday, July 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Marlboro College Graduate Center, second floor, 28 Vernon St.
The theme of this meeting is “Speaking to Inform,” focusing on what it takes to communicate your ideas in clear, nontechnical language that relates the topic to your listeners' knowledge and interests. Refreshments are provided.
The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the same time and location. Guests are welcome. There is no pressure to speak, and members work at their own pace and with assigned mentors and insightful evaluators to help them meet their speaking and leadership goals.
For more information, visit brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.
Jamaica to host Old Home Day on July 27
JAMAICA - Jamaica hosts its annual Old Home Day on Saturday, July 27, beginning at 11 a.m.
There'll be a parade with floats and bands, events, races, prizes, food, music and dancing, games for kids, a magic show, a free exhibition of quilts for kids, arts and crafts, a quality flea market, traditional Abenaki singing, Vermont history and culture, vendors, exhibitions by the Green Mountain Woodcarvers, entertainers, a chili cook-off, and a chicken barbecue.
If you're not too tired, at 7 p.m., join the square dance! Music is provided by Vermont's famous Bills Band.
To join the parade or for other information, call Gene Morrison at 802-380-4508.
Marlboro Alliance to hold annual summer sale
MARLBORO - The Marlboro Alliance, a nonprofit group supporting various community endeavors and townspeople, will hold its annual summer sale on Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the town center on South Road.
You'll find beverages and home-baked goods; used clothing for kids, women, and men; furniture, books and housewares; and a silent auction on the very best items until 2 p.m.
On Sunday, July 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., everything left over from the previous day will be free for the taking.
AAUW needs books for book sale
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will hold its annual book sale on Aug. 1-3 at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St.
The book sale, a Brattleboro summer season tradition, attracts dealers and buyers from all over New England. This year, the book sale hours are Thursday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon.
All money raised will fund college scholarships for local girls and women. This year three $1,000 scholarships were given to new high school graduates, and two $500 scholarships were given to mature women continuing their education.
Donations of fiction and nonfiction in good condition will be accepted on Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at the north side door (beneath the fire escape) of Centre Church. To arrange for alternative pickup or drop off, please call 802-254-9181 or write [email protected]. Please, no Reader's Digest condensed books, textbooks, dictionaries, or musty/moldy books.
Run/walk event benefits West River Trail
BRATTLEBORO - A run/walk event to benefit the West River Trail is set for Saturday, July 27, at 9 a.m.
This mass-start, self-guided event begins at the trailhead behind the marina. Follow the trail through picturesque natural settings, which include beautiful views of the river.
Run or walk as little or as much as you like. Mile markers on the first section (3.5 miles) to Rice Farm Road will help participants measure their progress. This is a self-guided event, so participants will need to return to the start on foot or arrange for a ride at the covered bridge in West Dummerston or beyond.
A small group of runners will run all the way to Townshend Dam. A suggested donation of $20 will be collected upon sign-in at 8:30 the morning of the event. Proceeds go to the Friends of the West River Trail for trail development, enhancement and maintenance.
For more information, visit the Friends of the West River Trail at www.westrivertrail.org, or write Tim Fleming at [email protected].
Host families needed for exchange students
BRATTLEBORO - PAX, the Program of Academic Exchange, is interviewing host families for several international exchange students who will be attending BUHS and other area high schools this fall.
Among the incoming students are two girls: Melanie, 17, from Belgium, who loves acting, dance and theater; and Sofie, 16, from Denmark, who enjoys photography, running, handball, and swimming.
Representing the boys are Matteo, 17, from Ecuador, who is passionate about soccer and enjoys basketball, volleyball, and reading; and Mathis, a 15-year old boy from Germany with an allergy to cats, who enjoys playing piano, photography and magic tricks.
Host families need provide only a place for the student to sleep and study, take meals, and feel safe in a warm, supportive environment. Students have their own spending money and medical insurance. Single parents, young couples and empty-nesters are encouraged to apply.
As the students arrive in late August, interested families are asked to contact Ann Newsmith at 802-257-4710 or [email protected] as soon as possible. For more information, visit www.pax.org.
Boys & Girls Club presents annual Duck Derby
BRATTLEBORO - The Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro and the Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department remind you it's time for the annual Duck Derby.
This year's Derby is Wednesday, Aug. 7 at Living Memorial Park and all events start at 4 p.m. There will be face painting, a cardboard boat race, free swimming, music, dinner provided by the 99 Restaurant, and the Duck Pluck just before 6 p.m.
You can “adopt” your ducks at Brattleboro Savings and Loan, River Valley Credit Union, and The Boys & Girls Club on Flat Street. You can also adopt that afternoon at the park. Ducks are $5 each, five ducks for $20, or 50 ducks for $100.
For more information, call the Boys & Girls Club at 802-254-5990, ext. 4.
Bondsville Fair seeks crafters
BONDSVILLE - The Bondville Fair, Vermont's oldest fair, runs Aug. 23-25, rain or shine, on the Fairgrounds on Route 30.
The fair still has spaces open for crafters. All items must be handcrafted: No commercial items are acceptable.
Crafters' hours are from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, with setup beginning at 9 a.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to closing at 5 p.m. Each crafter will receive two free passes to the grounds. Passes will be good for all three days. Any other persons entering with the crafter, including children, will need to pay the entrance fee.
To receive an application, call Estelle at 892-297-1172 or 297-375-4831 and leave a clear message with your name, address, phone number and a short description of your craft. You may also request an application by email at [email protected]. Leave your name, address, phone number and a short description of your craft. Estelle will get back to you promptly.