Summer sales in Grafton this weekend
GRAFTON - Enjoy an authentic colonial setting, a festive village atmosphere, and the home-made goods of town residents at Grafton's Summer Street Sales Day on Sept. 1. The event is open to the public and takes place on the Main Street of Grafton in the morning and early afternoon.
Two nonprofit organizations have combined their annual fund-raising efforts to create a festive outdoor event to raise money for each of their groups, The Grafton Public Library and the Grafton Historical Society.
The Grafton Historical Society will have myriad items for sale, raffle, and auction on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in front of its museum. At the same time, the Grafton Public Library will be selling its collection of used books on its library lawn near the bridge on Main Street from 9 a.m. to noon.
At the museum, early birds can get the best selection of baked goods. Coffee, tea and doughnuts also will be sold for morning shoppers. Lunch will be offered beginning at about 11 a.m. at the museum, featuring homemade chili, hot dogs, and sodas.
As part of the Historical Society sale, large and small pots of Asters and Mums will be sold in various fall colors, as well as an assortment of collectible items from the museum's collection and those of its members.
A silent auction and raffle are scheduled featuring such popular items as Metropolitan Opera tickets, a handmade quilt, a handcrafted Adirondack chair and table, a Grafton Village Cheese basket, area maple syrup, and gift certificates. The raffle and silent auction close at 3 p.m. Sale of antique and collectible items won't begin until 9 a.m.
The society will open its museum for those who would like to see its historical art exhibition. This display features the artists who lived in Grafton and those who visited it and painted its surrounding landscape and village architecture.
Funds that are raised from each event will go for the operations of the Public Library and the Grafton Historical Society museum. For information about the library sales, call Michelle Dufort at 802-843-2404. For further information about the other sales, contact Maureen Fletcher at 802-843-2485 or [email protected].
Halifax Union Society concludes summer services
HALIFAX - The Halifax Union Society concludes its 2018 season this Sunday, Sept. 2, with a potluck picnic starting at 4:30 p.m. and a worship service at 6 p.m.
The Rev. Marcia Dorey will lead the service and organist Merrillyn Courser will play hymns by request on the old Carpenter reed organ. The picnic will take place on the front lawn of the church (or inside if it rains) at 44 Stowe Mountain Rd., near the crossroads in Halifax Center. All are invited to attend.
Input sought from BF seniors on transportation issues
BELLOWS FALLS - Take a stand for the right of seniors to get out and about for health services, shopping, and just having fun.
Many Bellows Falls seniors who can no longer drive currently have difficulty accessing transportation services. Those who would like to help can leave contact information with resource coordinator Megan Applegate at Parks Place at 802-463-9927, ext. 109.
Respondents will be notified of the next public meeting addressing the transportation needs of seniors without cars.
Guilford plans community forum on Act 46
GUILFORD - Guilford residents are encouraged to attend a Community Forum on Act 46, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m., at Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Drive. The event is sponsored by Broad Brook Grange, but is being held at the church due to renovations at the former Grange hall.
Public school districts throughout Vermont have been participating in a years-long process to comply with Act 46, which was adopted by the Vermont Legislature in 2015.
This fall, the State Board of Education will conclude deliberations and issue their final plans for school districts, including Guilford, which don't yet have a school consolidation plan or an approved alternative.
In the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, of which Guilford is a member, there are two proposals from the district now before the State Board.
One plan calls for a merger of the town school districts into a single, unified district. The other plan proposes an alternative structure that retains the individual districts, with mechanisms for increased collaboration.
The Sept. 5 forum will open with presenters outlining both proposals, as well as an explanation of the Act 46 process. A major portion of the evening will be available for townspeople to ask questions about the proposals and the next steps in the process.
Presenters for the evening will include current and former Guilford School Board members along with state Sen. Becca Balint, D-Windham. Refreshments will be served. The event will be recorded and broadcast on BCTV.
Classic photos of Latchis building and theater sought
BRATTLEBORO - Latchis Arts will present an exhibit celebrating the history of the Latchis Memorial Building in conjunction with the Latchis' 80th birthday celebration this September, and is looking for some photos.
Latchis Arts is particularly interested in photos of the Latchis Memorial Building and the theater from the 1950s and 1960s. If you have photos, let Latchis Arts know by e-mailing [email protected].
Latchis Arts will scan the photos and return them to the owners as soon as possible. The exhibit of images from the Latchis Memorial Building's history will be featured in an exhibit in the Latchis Gallery on Main Street to the left of the theater entrance in September and October.
The exhibit is being planned in conjunction with the celebration of the 80th birthday of the Latchis Memorial Building on Saturday, Sept. 22. Events on Sept. 22 are sponsored by The Richards Group and Mark and Liz Richards.
Rock Voices begins new season in Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - Rock Voices, the community chorus that performs only rock and roll, invites anyone interested in joining the chorus to the first rehearsal on Sept. 10, with a new-member orientation beginning at 6 p.m. There are no auditions, and participants don't need to know how to read music (although it helps if they can carry a tune).
This fall, the choir's songs will include music by Aretha Franklin, Jefferson Airplane, Pat Benatar, Marvin Gaye, Adele, Guster, Three Dog Night, and many others, with the final performance on Friday, Jan. 4.
Brattleboro rehearsals are Monday nights, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Vermont Jazz Center (in the Cotton Mill building). Visit www.RockVoices.com for more information.
Ham radio testing offered in Townshend
TOWNSHEND - The West River Radio Club is pleased to announce that they will offer an FCC licensing and ARRL certification testing session for all levels and upgrades on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, at the Heins Building of Grace Cottage Hospital, 133 Grafton Rd. (Route 35), Townshend, at 5:30 p.m.
Please bring two forms of identification (one picture), any prior radio license, a pencil, calculator, and $15 cash or check. All are invited to stay for the monthly meeting and visitations. Reserve a testing slot by contacting Mary Peterson at [email protected] or 802-258-3921.
River Valley Kids Fair turns 20
BRATTLEBORO - Saturday, Sept. 15, marks the 20th year of River Valley Credit Union's annual River Valley Kids Fair. It commences at 11 a.m. on the Brattleboro Common, and runs until 3 p.m., with free admission, free entertainment, and a free barbecue.
The Kid's Fair is the kick-off event for the credit union's School Savings Program, available in 20 Windham and Windsor county schools. In 2000, the Kid's Fair and School Savings Program won the National Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award.
The one-day event is free to all and attracts several thousand attendees over the course of four fun-filled hours. Area nonprofits wishing to participate are given free space under the big tent where they each provide a children's activity. Mad Science does all-day demonstrations, the New England Center for Circus Arts puts on their aerial show, and a free barbecue is cooked up by the Brattleboro Fire Department.
River Valley staffers hand out free popcorn and cotton candy, strolling performers like Ringling Brothers/ Barnum and Bailey's Clown Manager Troy Wunderle entertain, and lines of youngsters have a ball in inflatable creations provided by Inflatable Fun. Professional entertainers this year include The Olde Tyme Magic Showe and Boston's Alexander the Jester.