Celebrate Earth Day with a free energy savings kit
WINOOSKI - Earth Day is a celebration, and also the perfect time to think about practical actions Vermonters can take to keep our planet healthy and habitable. Efficiency Vermont says that's why it is offering free Energy Savings Kits.
The kits contain easy-to-install energy saving measures like LEDs and water saving devices, plus, they'll be shipped with a special Earth Day wildflower seed packet from American Meadows that supports Vermont's pollinator habitat.
The free kits have a retail value of about $47, and when installed will generate roughly equal amount in annual energy cost savings. The kits include: 10 LED bulbs (40/60/75-watt equivalents), one smart bulb, one low-flow showerhead, and two faucet aerators. Sign up to receive a free Energy Savings Kit at efficiencyvermont.com/kits.
WinDART hosts pet food drive
WILMINGTON - The Windham Disaster Animal Response Team (WinDART) will host a spring pet food drive at Shaw's supermarket in Wilmington on Saturday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WinDART is accepting donations of dry and canned dog and cat food, along with cat litter, which will be donated to the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry to help keep pets together with their families during difficult times. For more information, contact team leader Joanne Bourbeau at [email protected] or go to VermontDART.org/donate.
'Fearless Futures' summit introduces students to post-grad options
WHITINGHAM - Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.'s (BDCC) Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) will present two separate events this spring to help students explore post-secondary opportunities.
The first event is the Twin Valley Middle-High School Fearless Futures Summit on Tuesday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the TVMHS gymnasium, presented in partnership with HireAbility Vermont. Students from Twin Valley and Leland & Gray are invited to attend.
The second event is the Bellows Falls Union High School Fearless Futures Summit on Tuesday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the BFHUS gymnasium. Students from BFUHS, Bellows Falls Middle School, Brattleboro Union High School, and the Windham Regional Career Center are invited to attend.
The Fearless Futures Summit is more than a traditional career or college fair. Presenters will offer interactive stations to showcase the myriad opportunities at their organization and pathways to success students might not be aware of.
Riparian buffers to be discussed at RFPL
BELLOWS FALLS - On Tuesday, May 2, at 7 p.m., at the Rockingham Free Public Library, join Cory Ross, District Manager for the Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District, for a presentation on riparian buffers, their conservation values, and how to establish them along Westminster's waters.
Vegetated buffers along shorelines are the simplest and most effective way to improve water quality, enhance and protect wildlife, and the value of rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. Cory will provide information on funding opportunities to help landowners plant buffers on their property at little or no cost.
This presentation is sponsored by the Westminster Conservation Commission. For more information, contact Alma Beals at 802-722-3355 or Sarah Waldo at 802-387-6036.
Brooks Memorial Library, Vermont Humanities present 'We Are All Fast Food Workers Now'
BRATTLEBORO - Vermont Humanities 2022–23 season of First Wednesdays in Brattleboro will conclude at Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., on May 3 at 7 p.m.
Labor historian Annelise Orleck provides a close look at globalization and its costs from the perspective of low-wage workers themselves - berry pickers, fast food servers, garment workers, cashiers, hotel housekeepers, home health care aides, and even adjunct professors - who are fighting for respect, safety, and a living wage.
Orleck is professor of history at Dartmouth College and the author of five books on the history of U.S. women, politics, immigration, and activism, including Storming Caesars Palace: How Black Mothers Fought Their Own War on Poverty.
The venue is accessible to people who use wheelchairs. For more information, brookslibraryvt.org or call 802-254-5290.
Author John Elder Robison discusses neurodiversity at Landmark College
PUTNEY - Landmark College will host a free public talk by author John Elder Robison on Wednesday, May 3, at 7 p.m., in the Brooks M. O'Brien Auditorium, located in the Lewis Academic Building.
Robison's talk will address the socio-historical factors that led to neurodivergent people being classified as disordered, and why that might or might not be accurate. He will also make the case that these individuals have played a key role in the advance of civilization, and how adopting a mindset that embraces neurodiversity benefits all of humanity. He will share some of his own experiences as a proud, neurodiverse individual.
Robison is a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and advocate for autistic people. He is the author of several books on autism spectrum disorder, including Switched On: A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening and Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's. Since 2018, he has also been an adviser to the Landmark College Center for Neurodiversity. RSVP at landmark.edu/JERobison to help with planning light refreshments.
All Souls Church welcomes spring with crafts fair
WEST BRATTLEBORO - “Welcome Spring!” a craft fair featuring works by the gifted crafters of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, will be held outdoors on Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.
Reflecting the UU principles of respecting the environment and adopting a green lifestyle, organizers for this fundraiser have selected many recycled and up-cycled materials to repurpose - some fun and whimsical, others decorative, or downright useful.
Among the items for sale are totes of various size, flowered wreaths, fairy houses, fabric flower brooches, decorative table mats, as well as many baked goods, jams, and plants for inside and out. Materials will also be available so that both adults and kids can create a fabric garden flag or a floral crown.
All Souls Church is located in the West Village Meeting House, 29 South Street. For more information, call 802-254-9377.
Scott Farm hosts annual fruit tree, perennials sale
DUMMERSTON - Scott Farm invites the community to experience the joy of gardening and fruit cultivation at its annual Tree Sale on the weekend of May 6 and 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 60 varieties of bare root trees and perennial plants will be available for purchase, including 30 apple varieties, a dozen additional fruits, and 25 different perennials.
Members of the public can place their orders online in advance for quick pick-up the weekend of the sale or make purchases directly at the farm. Along with the farm's signature apple trees, blueberries, cherries, pears, plums, peaches, lavender, peonies, asters, and many others will be also available for purchase. For more information and to place advance orders, visit scottfarmvermont.com/tree-sale.
Book donations sought for Putney Library's Garden Fundraiser
PUTNEY - While it might still be a little early to weed your garden, it's a perfect time to weed your books! Do your spring cleaning and support the library's new tree and garden planting with a donation to the Garden Fundraiser Book Sale.
The Putney Public Library seeks book donations to support our Garden Fundraiser Book Sale, which will take place on Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Books of all kinds are welcome, except for encyclopedia sets, magazines, textbooks, Reader's Digest condensed books, DVDs and CDs, and anything that is musty or moldy. Donations of these kinds will be sent back with you.
Donations cannot be left outside the library after hours. Instead, bring donations only during library hours: Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information call 802-387-4407 or email [email protected].
Dummerston Energy Committee seeks EV ambassadors
DUMMERSTON - The Dummerston Energy Committee (DEC) is considering developing an Electric Vehicle and Equipment Ambassador Program, and they would like to gauge town interest.
The idea is to gather a list of residents who own and have experience with electric-powered devices and are willing to answer questions and provide guidance to those looking to electrify. This includes everything from EVs and bikes to heat pumps and yard equipment.
In addition, DEC is looking for new community members to add to their team. Those who have interest in helping Dummerston and its residents reduce energy consumption and use all forms of energy as wisely as possible should reach out and let them know. Contact them anytime at [email protected].