Public invited to participate in community meetings about health care in southern Vermont
MONTPELIER - The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) invites members of the public to participate in a series of virtual community meetings about the future of health care in southern Vermont.
During these community conversations, organizers said that meeting attendees will have a chance "to share their first-hand experiences with navigating the health care system - what is going well, what do you want to see more of, what changes could make it easier to get the care you need at an affordable price?"
Meetings will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m., for Grace Cottage Health Care in Townshend; Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m., for Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington; and Thursday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m., for Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Full information on these meetings and how to sign-up to reserve your spot can be found at bit.ly/3QoINRb.
The GMCB says these meetings "are part of a broad, state-wide community engagement effort to improve the sustainability of Vermont's health care system, starting with the experiences and priorities of local residents." More information about the GMCB can be found at gmcboard.vermont.gov.
Monthly produce distribution
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf co-sponsor a monthly food drop of free produce and some nonperishables on the fourth Thursday of every month from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Alice Holway Drive (in front of Putney Meadows, the white building across from the Putney Co-op and Putney Fire Station).
All are welcome. This is a drive-up service. Bags provided. The next monthly food drop is Thursday, Oct. 26.
RFPL hosts genealogical workshop
BELLOWS FALLS - Come to the Rockingham Free Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for a scavenger hunt workshop to test your genealogical skills, as well as learn some new ones.
Experienced genealogists and newcomers alike are welcome to bring their laptops and join Genealogist Wayne Blanchard and Reference and Historical Collections librarian Pamela Johnson-Spurlock for this workshop as participants will take basic pieces of information and work together to help create a short biographical sketch of a person's life.
This is a free program open to the public and accessible to those with disabilities. For more information, call 802-463-4270, email [email protected] or stop by the library at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls.
Windham Philharmonic presents Halloween concert
BRATTLEBORO - A fun, family-friendly Halloween concert is next for the Windham Philharmonic on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Latchis Theatre.
The orchestra, under the direction of Hugh Keelan, brings back Jerod Tate's striking Coyote excerpt from their recent performance of Spirit Chief Names the Animal People, with bassoon, piccolo, and percussion showing Coyote's tricky nature. The hall will ring with the dancing rhythms of Mexican composer Moncayo's Huapango, the sweeping runs of Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, and a "macabre" duet sung by sopranos Elizabeth Wohl and Jenna Rae. Halloween treats and maybe a trick or two make a lively hour-long program.
This concert benefits their concert partner, Groundworks Collaborative, who are working with people and systems focused on creating solutions to end hunger and homelessness for all people in the region. Admission is by donation and costumes are encouraged! Mouth-watering baked treats will be available for donation. For more information, visit www.windhamphilharmonic.org.
Changing art exhibits at West Village Meeting House
WEST BRATTLEBORO - "Collaborations," the current art exhibit at All Souls Church in West Brattleboro, will be on view through Saturday, Nov. 4. A closing reception for Stuart Copans and his many artistic collaborators will be held that day from 3 to 5 p.m.
For November and December, the church's gallery spaces will be offer small art works - some framed, some not - as well as artist-made gift items. All are reasonably priced, affordable, creative selections to take home in time for unique holiday gift-giving. The Art Gift Sale will take place on Sundays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and by appointment.
All Souls Church is located in the West Village Meeting House at 29 South St. in West Brattleboro, up the hill from the fire station. For more information, visit ascvt.org or email [email protected].
Leaf collection schedule announced
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro's curbside Fall Leaf Collection will take place on Friday, Nov. 3 and 17. These will be the only days scheduled for curbside leaf pick-up.
All leaves and clippings must be in brown paper leaf bags and at the curb by 7 a.m. on scheduled leaf collection days. Acceptable waste includes leaves, grass, clippings, garden waste, and twigs (no branches larger than 1 inch in diameter and 2 feet long).
No other household trash is to be included. Town leaf collection is designated for single family residences or apartment buildings with 2-4 units. No plastic bag or other containers will be accepted. Brown paper leaf bags are available for purchase at local businesses.
Grace Cottage hosts flu shot clinic
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Family Health will hold a Saturday flu vaccine clinic on Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is recommended (802-365-4331); walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
During the flu clinic, Grace Cottage will also host a food drive for the Townshend Food Shelf. If you can, please bring a non-perishable food item. You do not need to be an established patient at Grace Cottage to get a flu shot at this clinic. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Most insurance covers this preventive health measure; bring your ID and insurance card with you. If you are not insured, payment for your flu shot is expected at the time of service.
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to avoid getting the flu and spreading it to others. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination. Two different flu shots are being offered this year, one for those age six months to 64, and another for those who are 65 and older.
Flu shots are also available at Grace Cottage weekdays by appointment. Call 802-365-4331. Grace Cottage Family Health is located at 185 Grafton Road (Route 35).
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.