Repairs to begin on Western Avenue
BRATTLEBORO - On Wednesday, Feb. 28, and Thursday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Department of Public Works crews will work on Western Avenue to repair potholes.
On Wednesday, the crews will work on the eastbound lane between Academy School and the Interstate 91 overpass. On Thursday, the crews will work on the westbound lane between the I-91 overpass and Academy School.
There will be several crews and large equipment in the roadway and police officers will be in the area for traffic control. The public should expect delays and avoid the area during those dates and times if possible. For questions, contact Director of Public Works Steve Barrett at 802-254-4255.
New website for River Valleys School District
The Board of the River Valleys Unified School District, the transition board for the unification of the governance of the school systems in Dover and Wardsboro, has launched a new and easier way for the citizens of both towns to find information about the board's work with the new, easy to remember URL - rvusd.net.
There is no sign-up, or sign-in, or registration required to read all the information and updates posted on the Board's webpages, including dates of open public meetings, minutes and BCTV videos of past meetings, proposed and accepted school policies, and more.
Also, by going to rvusd.net, the citizens of Dover and Wardsboro are able to take a micro-survey to share their thoughts about the unification process by answering a few questions.
The questionnaire, linked to Survey Monkey, takes less than one minute, and again, there is no sign-in required. The deadline is March 6, Town Meeting Day. At the school meetings and town meetings in both towns, printed paper copies of the one-page survey will be available as well.
Board members say they are eager to gather input on their work to date and on their upcoming tasks as the unification process continues. The new Board will assume full governance of the school systems on July 1, 2019, so there is still a long road ahead for planning and shaping policies for the schools.
Ski for Hunger in Putney
PUTNEY - The Grammar School will hold its inaugural Ski For Hunger, Thursday, March 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the school. The event will benefit The Putney Foodshelf.
“Cross country skiing is an integral part of the TGS experience since our founding,” said Head of School Nick Perry. “We see this as an ideal way to combine our love of the outdoors with our commitment to helping the Food Shelf address food scarcity in our community. “
All skiers who participate will set a distance goal and obtain monetary pledges for that designated distance, having the option of skiing laps around a 400-meter or a 1-kilometer track. These proceeds will be collected and donated to The Putney Foodshelf.
Throughout the school year, The Grammar School supports The Putney Foodshelf in a variety of ways. Each month, a designated class spearheads food collection from the school. In addition, special food drives happen in September, when the school fills their school bus with donations for the Top the Truck drive; during the holiday season; and at the school's spring musical event.
If the event is successful, The Grammar School hopes to make it a community-wide event in subsequent years. For more information, contact Justin Altman at [email protected].
Rec. Dept. offers new season of chess classes
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will offer a new session of chess classes, starting March 1. The cost of the eight-week program is $35 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.
The intermediate class will be held on Fridays at the Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St., from 3:30-4:45 p.m; the beginner class will be held Fridays from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.; and the advanced class will be held on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Chess helps children develop their problem-solving skills and increase their attention spans. Instruction will introduce basic principles of chess to participants, along with simple strategies and tactics, and provide a venue for them to play practice games.
Eric Strickland will be the class instructor. For further information, call the Recreation & Parks Office at 802-254-5808, weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m.
Stroll presents 'A Country Wedding and Prom Expo'
BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, March 2, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., Strolling of the Heifers presents “A Country Wedding and Prom Expo” at the River Garden during March's Gallery Walk, featuring venues, florists, caterers, and bands for Vermont weddings, as well as unique prom outfits and accessories.
“Our area has so much to offer anyone planning a wedding or event,” Orly Munzing, Strolling of the Heifers' executive director, said in a news release. “Beautiful locations, fabulous musicians, flowers, and food. Your rings could even be made locally. You could have a locavore wedding!”
“Prom season is right around the corner,” added Vicki Friedman, River Garden coordinator, “students planning their prom night can check out formal wear, limo rental, flowers and even custom jewelry.”
More than two dozen vendors will participate. For more information about the Country Wedding and Prom Expo, contact Friedman at 802-246-0982 or [email protected].
Strolling of the Heifers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the food and agriculture economy by investing in the communities, businesses, farmers, and food producers that support it. For more information, visit strollingoftheheifers.com.
Pet vaccination clinic in East Dover
EAST DOVER - The East Dover Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a pet vaccination clinic at the firehouse in East Dover on Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Dr. Miles A. Powers will vaccinate both dogs and cats. This clinic is open to anyone. Fees will be $15 for rabies and $25 for a distemper-complex vaccine for either a dog or cat, or $35 for both vaccinations. Dogs should be on a leash and cats in a carrier. The Town Clerk will also be present to issue licenses. For further information or specific requests, call 802-348-7918.
Sugar on Snow supper served in Guilford
GUILFORD - Broad Brook Grange's annual Sugar on Snow Supper will be held Saturday, March 3, at the Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford.
The meal features ham, baked beans, deviled eggs, cole slaw, rolls, homemade donuts, and Guilford maple sugar on Guilford snow. New this year are scalloped potatoes. And the pickles accompanying the sugar on snow are now Guilford-made.
There will be three seatings: at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. At each seating, a half-gallon of Guilford maple syrup will be raffled.
This longtime annual fundraiser helps support the many activities of the Grange.
Tickets for the supper are: $12 for adults; $5 for children ages 5-12, and $2 for kids age 4 and under. Reservations for a particular seating are recommended, as the earlier seatings often sell out in advance.
A waiting list also will be kept, and those with reservations who cannot make it are asked to phone in their cancellation. There are usually a few unreserved seats left for the 7 p.m. seating, for those who show up without a reservation. Reservations may be made by contacting Thayer at 802-257-5359 or by e-mail at [email protected]. You will get a confirmation reply.
Grace Cottage offers new 'chair yoga' class
TOWNSHEND- In addition to its popular Tuesday/Friday yoga classes, Grace Cottage is offering a 'chair yoga' class on Wednesdays from 1 to 1:45 p.m., March 7 to April 11.
Beginners to yoga are welcome, as is anyone with limited flexibility or an inability to practice on the floor. Participants will flow through an eclectic blend of seated and standing poses while incorporating breathing techniques into their movements.
In this class, you will open your hips, move your shoulders and neck, and find length in your spine. A goal is to experience peaceful relaxation as well as gentle invigoration.
Grace Cottage's ongoing yoga classes, taught in the Viniyoga tradition, are Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. and Fridays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Both the new six-week chair class and the Viniyoga classes are taught by Crystal Mansfield.
The cost for any weekly yoga class is just $25 for six weeks, or $5 per class. All classes are held in the Grace Cottage Community Wellness Center, Heins Building, 133 Grafton Road (Route 35) Townshend. Prior to attending a first class, please call 802-365-3649.