Thanksgiving holiday town closures in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all Brattleboro town offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, with the exception of emergency services.
Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Nov. 26 and 27. Parking will resume regular enforcement hours on Saturday, Nov. 28. All other violations, including extended parking, will be enforced.
Brooks Memorial Library will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and will be closed on Nov. 26. It will be open for regular hours on Nov. 27 and 28.
Trash, recycling and composting will not be picked up on Nov. 26. Trash, recycling, and composting normally picked up on Thursday will be picked up on Nov. 27.
The Town Bus will not run on Nov. 26. It will resume its normal schedule on Nov. 27.
Annual Thanksgiving dinner to be served at River Garden
BRATTLEBORO - The 43rd annual Brattleboro Community Thanksgiving Dinner will hold its 11th annual celebration at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden at 157 Main St. on Thursday, Nov. 26, from noon to 5 p.m.
This dinner - free for the whole community - will be served buffet-style, with turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. Much of the food comes from area farms and kitchens.
Free delivery of meals is available for those who can't get to the River Garden. Call Peter at 802-254-4687.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Community Dinner. To help at the River Garden on Thanksgiving morning, either setting up, serving, or cleaning up afterwards, email [email protected] or call Alyse Landis at 802-380-1369.
Hogback ski slope work party
MARLBORO - On Friday, Nov. 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., help is needed to get the backcountry ski slopes in the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area ready for winter.
While this former ski area went out of business in 1986 and is now conservation land, several of the former slopes have been designated as open for backcountry skiing/boarding. On this work day, volunteers will be checking several trails for blowdowns and cutting back some intrusive growth here and there. Meet in the big parking lot north of Route 9, just west of the gift shop.
AAUW sponsors raffle
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is raising funds for scholarships for high school graduates and mature women for the year 2016.
One of their fundraisers is the sale of raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautiful original watercolor print, beautifully framed, of the famed “Old Newfane Inn” by Sandra Giangiulio. Come see the framed print and purchase your raffle tickets in the loggia of the Brattleboro Food Co-op on Saturday, Nov. 28, between 1 and 4 p.m.
The drawing of the winning ticket will be held at the Sunday, Dec. 6 meeting of the AAUW and the winner will be notified.
World AIDS Day observed in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - On Tuesday, Dec. 1, from noon to 1 p.m., the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont will commemorate World AIDS Day at the River Garden on Main Street.
The event will open with a 10-minute candlelight vigil on the sidewalk, followed by a short program of local and international speakers. Music will be provided by the Brattleboro Women's Chorus. Light snacks will be available.
The entire community is invited to honor those affected by HIV/AIDS and those who work to combat AIDS worldwide. For more information, call 802-254-4444.
Red Cross plans blood drives in BF, Brattleboro
BURLINGTON - The American Red Cross encourages individuals to give something that means something this winter by making a lifesaving blood donation.
On Tuesday, Dec. 1, there will be blood drives in Bellows Falls and Brattleboro.
The Brattleboro drive takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carl M Dessaint VFW Post 1034, 40 Black Mountain Rd., while the Bellows Falls drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the United Church, 8 School St.
Blood donations often decline between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, when holiday festivities pull people away from their donation appointments. Seasonal illnesses, such as colds and the flu, can also have a serious impact on blood donations.
Despite the busy holiday season and threat of extreme freezing weather, the need for blood remains steady. Organizations can help by hosting a blood drive during the winter months, and eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.
For more information, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
School food pantry at Career Center
BRATTLEBORO - The Vermont Foodbank is providing a mobile produce pantry at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro on the first and third Mondays of each month, from 10 to 11 a.m., during the school year.
Parents and guardians of Windham Southeast students are invited to help themselves to the fresh food, such as cabbage, potatoes, carrots, apples, squash, celery, sweet potatoes, and greens. Visit www.VTFoodbank.org or contact your child's school for more information.
Medicare Open Enrollment ends Dec. 7
SPRINGFIELD - The open enrollment period, when everyone enrolled in Medicare is allowed to review and change their Medicare prescription plan (Part D) and Advantage Plan, ends on Dec. 7.
Beneficiaries are strongly advised to compare their Medicare plan choices at this time, and to check if their current medications are still in the formulary of their current drug plan.
Many people are able to save money or get better coverage by changing plans during open enrollment. It is best to start the process early so that, if any questions come up, there is enough time to get more information.
Insurance companies will often contact beneficiaries at open enrollment time, but for unbiased information the best source is the Medicare and You 2016 handbook. This book contains the current drug and advantage plan choices and costs, and is mailed by the government to all beneficiaries every fall.
A digital version of the handbook is available at www.medicare.gov, as well as a personalized plan comparison tool that helps identify which plans are best for specific needs.
Vermonters and their caregivers who need more help understanding Medicare options may visit www.SeniorSolutionsVT.org or call the Senior HelpLine at 800-642-5119.
Tai Chi/Qigong offered at Grace Cottage
TOWNSHEND - The Grace Cottage Community Wellness Center will host a Tai Chi/Qigong class in December.
The class will be held on three Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Dec. 3, Dec. 10, and Dec. 17. The fee is $5 per class. The class may continue in January if participants are interested.
Tai Chi and Qigong began as martial arts, but they have evolved into graceful forms of exercise that help to reduce stress and promote serenity. Come for moving meditation. Learn to be present in the moment, and calm your stress in body and mind. This class is appropriate for all experience and fitness levels.
The instructor will be Jason Sperling, an area educator who has studied Tai Chi, Qigong and meditation practices for years. Class size is limited; register by calling the Grace Cottage Wellness Line at 802-365-3649.
First aid for small animals class offered
BRATTLEBORO - A small animal basic first aid course will be given at Brattleboro Agway, 119 Putney Rd., on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m.
Dr. Jerilyn Jacobs, from the Vermont-New Hampshire Veternary Clinic in Dummerston, will discuss basic first aid for small animals. This is a timely event, going into the busy holiday season, where food, guests, and stress will be plentiful. She will also discuss how to make a first aid kit at home, and how to properly use each item.
This is a free community education presentation, and the first 20 people to sign up get a free stethoscope. RSVP to Kelly at 802-254-5422, as space is limited.
Brooks Memorial Library offers free online music, art lessons
BRATTLEBORO - The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library is supporting a new online learning source for all BML card holders called ArtistWorks.
ArtistWorks provides patrons with world-class art, voice, and instrumental instruction through self-paced video lessons from industry and Grammy Award-winning music professionals.
ArtistWorks for Libraries offers 24 instrumental, voice and fine arts classes providing patrons with everything they need, from the basics of an instrument through intermediate instruction to advanced playing. Patrons can also enjoy on-the-go learning without needing an app since ArtistWorks for Libraries is browser enabled for both desktop and mobile devices.
If you are an IndieFlix user (also supported by the Friends of the Library) you may use the same login to access ArtistWorks. For more information, contact the Reference Department at 802-254-5290, ext. 109, or [email protected].