Meet the candidates in Guilford
GUILFORD - Broad Brook Grange will hold its annual Pre-Town Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m., at the Broad Brook Community Center - formerly known as The Grange, 3940 Guilford Center Rd., four miles west of the Country Store.
This is the only opportunity for voters to hear details of the articles that will be presented at the Town and School District Meetings, and to meet and discuss issues with the Selectboard and School Board all in one evening, in advance of Town Meeting.
In addition, candidates for town and school board offices are urged to attend to introduce themselves to the voters. State law prevents any “campaigning” by candidates at Town Meeting, when an Australian ballot is used, as in this instance. So this is the only time before the vote for the public to meet and hear the candidates all at once.
Those interested in declaring as a write-in candidate should take this sole opportunity to appear before a group of voters. Refreshments will conclude the evening.
Town Meeting itself will be held, as usual, on the first Tuesday of March, which this year is March 5, commencing at 10 a.m. in the gym of the Central School.
Stroll presents Love Local event
BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, Feb. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Strolling of the Heifers presents Love Local - two days of food, music, art, and celebration of all things local at the River Garden, 157 Main St.
The River Garden will be transformed into an open marketplace where folks can sample the sweet and savory specialty foods of local farmers and food producers and view the work of local artists and artisans.
If you find an item that warms your heart - or your palate - vendors will also have their products for sale and artisans will be showcasing handmade wares and specialty foods. Love Local will also give neighbors the opportunity to discover the wealth of creativity and craftsmanship in their own backyards.
The Gallery at the Garden will be open as well, with an exhibit by the Brattleboro Historical Society. More information is available at www.StrollingOfTheHeifers.com or by calling 802-246-0982.
Strolling of the Heifers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the food and agriculture economy by investing the communities, businesses, farmers, and food producers that support it.
New location for BF Rotary's annual spaghetti dinner
BELLOWS FALLS - The Bellows Falls Rotary Club's annual Spaghetti Dinner is back and at a new location this year. Dinner will be served on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 37, 42 Rockingham St.
As always, the food is freshly prepared and served by the Bellows Falls Rotary Club members. On the menu is spaghetti with homemade sauce and homemade meatballs, freshly made crisp salad with a balsamic maple dressing, bread, dessert, and beverages. There is vegetarian sauce also available.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children, and kids under 5 eat free. Takeout is also available. Tickets will be sold at the door or you may ask a Rotarian. There will also be a signup sheet for delivery of a dinner to the Canal House and Riverview apartments. For more information, call 802-376-9972.
All proceeds support Rotary sponsored community projects, scholarships for graduating students, sponsorship of foreign exchange students, and specific local programs such as Our Place, Parks Place, and numerous other organizations.
Wardsboro Pathfinders plan Rescue Ride-In BBQ
STRATTON - For more than 20 years, the Wardsboro Pathfinders Snowmobile Club Rescue Ride-In BBQ has a reputation for being one of the best barbecue fund-raising events in southern Vermont.
The Ride-In will be held, snow or no, on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Stratton Rec Area, located 4 miles from Corridor 7 at junction WM 10.
For only a $10 suggested donation, attendees can enjoy burgers, hot dogs and homemade pulled pork, chili, meatballs, mac and cheese, great desserts, and hot and cold beverages. There will be raffle prizes (gas cards, winter gear, restaurant certificates, and a snowmobile trail pass for next season) as well as a 50/50 cash raffle.
Proceeds benefit Wardsboro Rescue and Rescue Inc. They are the folks who will come to your aid if you get stuck out in the cold on the trail. A portion of the proceeds will also fund Pathfinders grooming equipment.
Directions: By sled, go 4 miles down the 710 trail from Junction C7 (WM10) or, take the 710 from C7/100 (WM20) for 18 miles, if trail conditions permit. Trail status will be posted at www.WardsboroPathfinders.com. By car, take Rte 100 to Stratton-Arlington Road in West Wardsboro; turn right on West Jamaica Road for 3/4 mile. The Rec Area will be on the left.
Local food pantry will give presentation on hunger in the Deerfield Valley
WHITINGHAM - One in seven Vermonters is hungry or food-insecure, including hundreds of people right here in the Deerfield Valley. Seniors, children, working people - hunger doesn't discriminate. And as the economy in the Valley continues to seesaw, more and more locals have come to rely on the assistance provided by the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry.
The Whitingham-Halifax Lions Club will host a presentation by the Food Pantry on Monday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m., at Dumaine's House Retreat Center in Jacksonville. Come learn about a hidden problem that affects so many of our neighbors. Admission is free and open to the public.
Light refreshments will be served. For more info, call 802-368-2020.
AARP Tax Aide sites open for free tax preparation
BRATTLEBORO - Free, in-person tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low and moderate income is available from the AARP Foundation now through the middle of April. You don't need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers, trained and certified in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, will offer assistance with both federal and state personal income tax returns at three locations in Brattleboro.
• At the Community Bible Chapel on Wednesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 802-246-7773 to make an appointment.
• At the Brattleboro Senior Center on Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 802-257-7570 to make an appointment.
• At the Brattleboro VFW on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 802-451-8774 to make an appointment.
Two training opportunities offered at Brattleboro Area Hospice
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Area Hospice will be offering both its Hospice Care Training and its Bereavement Care training this spring.
The Hospice Care Training will run for 11 weeks on Wednesdays from March 20 to May 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bereavement Care Training will run for eight weeks on Mondays from April 1 to May 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. Both trainings will be held at the Hospice office at 191 Canal St.
Hospice Volunteers help and support neighbors and their families who are living with life-threatening illnesses. Bereavement Volunteers are available as a support to people who have had any kind of a death loss. Brattleboro Area Hospice serves people in Windham County and all services are free of charge.
Enrollment in trainings requires both the completion of an application and an interview, and a $40 contribution is requested. Call the Brattleboro Area Hospice office at 802-257-0775 for an application or for more information.
American Legion seeks Law Cadet Training Program applicants
MONTPELIER - The American Legion Department of Vermont will hold its Law Cadet Training Program on June 16 through June 21 at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford.
The program is co-sponsored by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, and is designed to help young people gain knowledge regarding training and responsibilities of law enforcement officers. Tuition is provided by American Legion posts throughout Vermont. Applications must be submitted to your local American Legion Post by April 15.
Enrollment is open to any high school student at least 14 years of age and currently a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school (prior to attending cadet class). Scholastic standing and/or academic achievements aren't criteria for selection, and an interest in law enforcement or a career in police work isn't a requirement.
Information on the Law Cadet Training Program has been sent to all high schools in Vermont. Students interested in more information or applications may contact the high school guidance office, any American Legion post, or The American Legion Department of Vermont Headquarters Office at 802-223-7131 or [email protected].