Worn Again Thrift Shop holds $3 Bag Sale
SAXTONS RIVER - The Worn Again Thrift Shop on Main Street in Saxtons River is having a $3 Bag Sale, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Wednesday Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 21, and and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The Bag Sale will be for all clothing including sweaters, blouses, skirts, men's pants, jackets, coats and footwear, hats, underwear and gloves. Jewelry is not included in the bag sale.
For those wishing to donate items, the shop is in need of infant's and children's clothing, Queen- and King-sized sheets, and Ladies and Men's jeans, and cold weather clothing. The thrift shop also accepts donations of shoes, boots, kitchen utensils, small appliances, blankets, towels and knickknacks. Donations may be dropped off during store hours.
The Worn Again Thrift Shop is run by volunteers and is sponsored by the West River Missions with local catholic churches in Putney, Townshend and on Stratton Mountain ski area.
Rockingham brooks and trails highlighted at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - On Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m., Peter Bergstrom of the Rockingham Conservation Commission will discuss the brooks and hiking trails of the town of Rockingham at the Rockingham Free Public Library.
Mike Ghia, chair of the Rockingham Conservation Commission who has worked on local trails, will also be present to answer questions.
Some area brooks and waterfalls have no names on published maps. Sometimes, old maps or “old timers” know names for them, however. If no historic names can be found, new ones can be proposed by the public. Bergstrom will describe the process of getting local, state and, finally, federal recognition for each new name, and making sure the names get used.
Local hiking trails are a way for people to appreciate our natural beauty while getting exercise. Bergstrom will describe existing hiking trails in Rockingham, such as the ones around Minards Pond, and also describe some other trails in and near Rockingham.
For more information, call 802-463-4270 or go online to www.rockinghamlibrary.org, or stop by the Rockingham Library at 65 Westminster St.
Open house for tax program volunteers
BRATTLEBORO - Do you get a good feeling from helping others? Do you have good customer service skills? Are you willing to spend just a few hours per week learning something new and challenging?
The United Way of Windham County is seeking volunteer tax preparers, appointment schedulers and greeters for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). No previous experience is required and free training is provided.
The VITA program seeks to help families keep more of their earned income through free tax return preparation.
The program begins in February 2015 and continues weekly through April in Brattleboro, with daytime, evening, and Saturday volunteer shifts available. Last year, 14 volunteers provided 662 total hours of service to prepare more than 300 tax returns, equaling $14,332 in donated volunteer time.
To learn more, come to the VITA Volunteer Open House on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the United Way office, 1 Holstein Place. Meet experienced VITA tax volunteers, learn about the training options offered, and get your questions about the program answered.
To RSVP or if you are interested in becoming a VITA volunteer, but cannot attend the Open House, contact Kate John at the United Way office at 802-257-4011, ext. 114, or [email protected].
Keystone XL protest rally at Brattleboro TD Bank
BRATTLEBORO - Area citizens concerned about climate change and TD Bank's significant investment in the Keystone XL pipeline, as well as the State of Vermont's financial involvement with TD, will gather outside the Main Street branch from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 for a peaceful protest rally.
The event is sponsored by the Climate Change Café project of Post Oil Solutions. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly, and bring their own signs, stating their sentiments.
Organizers say this is an educational event, one designed to raise people's awareness around this very important climate issue. They will pass out flyers to and engage in conversations with interested parties, but will otherwise not create any disturbance.
For further information: [email protected] or 802-869-2141.
'Active Hope' discussed at Transition Dummerston potluck
DUMMERSTON - Transition Dummerston will hold its monthly potluck on Friday, Nov. 21, from 6-9 p.m., at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center.
This month's program, focused on the theme of “Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're In Without Going Crazy,” takes its inspiration from the recent book of that name by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone.
The program will include conversation, activities, and a viewing of the recent award-winning film, “Joanna Macy and the Great Turning.”
The evening is an opportunity to explore Macy's powerful “Work that Reconnects,” discover inner resources for outer change, and affirm the power of community. The potluck begins at 6 p.m., with local food encouraged, and the program runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Christmas Bazaar, Breakfast with Santa to be held at St. Charles Parish
BELLOWS FALLS - St. Charles Parish will hold it's annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Sacred Heart/St. Charles parish hall, 39 Green St.
There will be a cookie walk with assorted cookies and other goodies, new ornaments, special homemade food items and more. There will also be gift basket raffles and a quilt raffle. Tickets for the raffle are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. Lunch will also be available from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m.
St. Charles will also have Breakfast with Santa again this year. On Saturday, Dec. 6th, from 9 to 11 a.m. Santa will be sitting down with kids at breakfast at the Sacred Heart/St. Charles parish hall. Children 5 and under are free, kids 6-12 are $3, and adults are $5.
There will be a free Christmas gift basket raffle for kids 12 and under. Everyone is welcome at both events.
WKVT holds Thanksgiving food drive
BRATTLEBORO - At a time when many people are planning delicious Thanksgiving feasts for their loved ones, WKVT Radio will once again ask members of the community to remember those who might be unable to provide enough food to feed their families.
Every Thanksgiving eve since 1983, WKVT staff have set up outside an area grocery store and asked for donations of canned goods or cash to help food insecure families. Wednesday, Nov. 26 will be the 19th consecutive year for the food drive, which will take place outside Price Chopper supermarket, 499 Canal St.
WKVT salespeople and on-air personalities will take different shifts in the store's main entranceway between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. All food and monetary donations benefit Project Feed The Thousands. For more information, visit www.wkvt.com.
NewBrook auction seeks items
NEWFANE - For the 12th annual Peace & Goodwill Dinner and Silent Auction, to be held at the NewBrook firehouse on Route 30 on Friday, December 5, the auction committee is seeking donations in the form of gift certificates, handcrafted items, antiques and furniture, household items, holiday items, gift items, baskets, and tools.
Anybody having suitable items to be picked up for the auction contact Polly Casanova (802-365-7149, [email protected]) or Cina Friend (365-4228, [email protected]). Items for auction cannot be accepted after Nov. 25.
Hike to Vermont's Champion White Ash on Dec. 6
WESTMINSTER - By popular request, there will be another hike to the largest White Ash in Vermont on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. The tree is located on Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association property off Headwaters Trail in Westminster.
Since the tree is not that easy to find – unless one has been there before – a guided hike by Forester Arthur Westing will lead hikers right to it.
During this free program, Westing will discuss the characteristics of a Vermont forest and the factors that affect the health of this truly remarkable specimen. Without leaves on the tree, its size and structure should be very obvious and most impressive.
Re-verified at the beginning of 2014 by Windham County Forester Bill Guenther, the tree grew in the 10 years since its last measurement and charted a circumference of 205.2 inches and a height of 113 feet, thereby beating out two other Westminster giants for the honor of being the largest White Ash in Vermont.
Participants should dress warmly, wear hiking shoes, bring water, and meet at the Holden Trail kiosk. Visit www.windmillhillpinnacle.org for a map indicating trailheads, as well as other information. Contact Arthur Westing at 802-387-2152 for further directions and registration.