Guilford Fire Dept. buys property for station expansion
GUILFORD - On June 17, the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) purchased the Yeaw family property on Guilford Center Road, which sits adjacent to the fire station “for the purpose of expanding storage space for our growing department,” according to a news release.
William Yeaw was a lifetime GVFD member and served for many years as assistant chief.
The GVFD purchased the property with a 2010 bequest from longtime resident Marion Shores.
The GVFD Board of Trustees has been considering options for expanding equipment storage space. Options for expansion have been limited due to the footprint of the building and size of the existing lot.
The opportunity “seemed like the ideal use of Ms. Shores' bequest funds,” which have been invested for the past decade, the department wrote.
With the recent purchase of a 2019 Pierce Pumper truck, the department now has three trucks longer than 30 feet. These vehicles, along with a brush truck, utility truck, off-road rescue trailer, and water rescue trailer, have created space challenges.
“The property will eventually house new storage spaces for our growing fleet of equipment. We are truly grateful to the Yeaw family and to Ms. Marion Shores for the ability to expand and strengthen our department,” the trustees wrote.
Putney Public Library reopens for in-person visits
PUTNEY - The Putney Public Library, 55 Main St., is now open for in-person visits on Mondays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Note that masks and social distancing will still be required. All programs will take place outside through August (including the youth summer reading program). Pickup lending will still be available outside for those not interested in coming in.
The library will not be placing time limits for visits or have reduced building capacity, nor are appointments required.
Computers will be available to use indoors, and laptops will be available to borrow and use outside.
For more information, including all the latest announcements, sign up for the library's newsletter: putneylibrary.org/sign-up-for-our-email-newsletter.
Putney monthly free produce available June 24
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf will co-sponsor the next monthly drop of free produce and some nonperishables on Thursday, June 24, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., at Putney Meadows, 17 Carol Brown Way (the white building across from the Putney Food Co-op and the fire station).
This food distribution takes place on the fourth Thursday of every month. All are welcome.
Because of COVID-19, those who need food may drive up and receive bags of food from volunteers.
Manitou Project resumes healing walks
WILLIAMSVILLE - After a long break due to the pandemic, the Manitou Project will hold its inaugural healing walk of 2021 on Friday, June 25, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine, starting from the parking lot.
“This is chance to walk the Sanctuary Trail together and reflect on what it means to us to return to this healing, sacred place after such a long absence,” according to a news release.
The walk, led by Fred Taylor, will include poems or other readings, as well as chances to share about the experience.
Healing walks will be held the second and fourth Friday of each month until October.
The Manitou Project seeks to foster community with nature on its 235-acre land preserve at 300 Sunset Lake Rd. Directions: Go 1.4 miles up Sunset Lake Road from Williamsville Village; watch for sign on right. Or go approximately 5 miles over the top of Sunset Lake Road from Route 9 in West Brattleboro.
For information, contact Taylor at 802-254-2675.
Dummerston church serves up strawberry shortcake
DUMMERSTON - Strawberries with fresh, homemade, sweet whipped cream on a single biscuit or on a large shortcake serving eight will be available as a drive-by, takeout treat at Dummerston Congregational Church, 1535 Middle Rd., between 4 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, rain or shine.
For the second year in a row, the church says it has had to cancel its longstanding strawberry shortcake supper due to Covid.
“This is a way for people to enjoy the fruit of the season, while helping the church earn money to maintain our [building],” they said in a news release.
People will be available to take orders directly from drivers, take payments, and deliver either an individual biscuit serving ($7) or an entire shortcake ($45) which serves eight.
“It would be helpful if you would pre-order the large shortcake so that we can have an idea of how many to make, but last-minute customers will be welcomed,” the event organizers write.
To do so, call the church office at 802-257-0544 and leave a message until noon on June 26, or the church kitchen at 802-579-1518 after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
St. Michael's Episcopal celebrates Pride Sunday
BRATTLEBORO - St. Michael's Episcopal Church celebrates Pride Sunday on June 27 at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. services.
“All are invited to celebrate the fullness of the Family of God, focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members of that family,” according to Rector Mary Lindquist.
“The same God who called the Jews out of Egypt and into freedom is at work today calling LGBTQI sisters and brothers into full membership, not only in the Church but in all of society,” she writes.
The sermon will be offered by Darcey Mercier of Newfane, a St. Michael's parishioner sponsored by St. Michael's as a student at the Seminary of the Southwest, an Episcopal Seminary in Austin, Texas.
Both the 8 and 10:15 services will take place outside at St. Michael's Mother Church, Christ Church, on Route 5 in Guilford.
In case of bad weather, check the St. Michael's website for links to virtual services: stmichaels-vt.org.
SEVCA thrift stores get donation of hundreds of new shoes
WESTMINSTER - Southeastern Vermont Community Action's Good Buy Thrift Stores have received a donation of more than 900 pair of new men's and women's designer shoes from the owner of a recently-closed shoe store in St. Johnsbury.
SEVCA's Good Buy Thrift Stores in Bellows Falls, Springfield, and White River Junction offer home goods, clothing, and shoes at all three locations.
“The stores serve a dual purpose: they offer affordable goods for community members of all income levels and they are, as well, intended to serve as a source of income for SEVCA, an agency that provides services to alleviate the effects of poverty for those living in Windham and Windsor counties,” according to a news release.
More information can be found at sevca.org/thrift-stores/locations.