Local lawmakers plan forums around the county
With the 2024 legislative session set to begin on Jan. 3 in Montpelier, lawmakers will be holding forums around Windham County to field questions about issues that will be addressed at the State House.
State and local lawmakers will host a forum in the top floor meeting room of the Rockingham Free Public Library in Bellows Falls on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m.
Windham County Sens. Nader Hashim and Wendy Harrison will be joined by Reps. Michelle Bos-Lun and Leslie Goldman, who jointly represent the Windham-3 district (Brookline, Rockingham, and Westminster).
Subsequent community conversations are planned at the RFPL for the third Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. during the legislative session from January through May.
In Brattleboro at Brooks Memorial Library, Harrison and Hashim will join the three Brattleboro representatives - Mollie Burke, Emilie Kornheiser, and Tristan Toleno - for a public forum on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m., in the library's third-floor meeting room to discuss their priorities for the upcoming 2024 legislative session. Coffee and tea will be provided.
Rep. Sara Coffey, who represents Guilford and Vernon, continues her "Coffee with Coffey" meetups. The next one will take place on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Broad Brook Community Center, at 3940 Guilford Center Road. Constituents can ask questions, hear legislative updates, raise concerns, and discuss the issues. Coffee, tea, and treats will be provided.
Coffee with Coffey happens on the second Saturday of every month, from 10 to 11 a.m., alternating between Broad Brook Community Center in Guilford and the Vernon Free Library. The 2024 schedule calls for meetings in Guilford on Jan. 13, March 9, and May 11, and in Vernon on Feb. 10, April 13, and June 8.
Rep. Emily Long, who represents Newfane, Townshend, and Marlboro, holds constituent meetings on third Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at Moore Free Library in Newfane. Upcoming meetings are set for Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, and June 15.
Nordic Harmoni hosts holiday concert
LONDONDERRY - Nordic Harmoni invites all to join them in bringing in the holiday season with some of the traditional Swedish and American songs on Friday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., in the Second Congregational Church, 2051 Main St. (Route 11). The evening will include traditional holiday songs, a Lucia pageant, and refreshments. Nordic Harmoni is proud to be part of the American Union of Swedish Singers and is under the direction of Lorri Bond.
Each year on Dec. 13, the people of Sweden and Swedish communities all over the world begin the festival of Sankta Lucia before dawn. Sankta Lucia celebrations light up mid-winter darkness. Representing Lucia this year will be Kamron Yuengling.
For more information: visit auss.org/nordic or their Facebook page, or contact Carl-Erik Westberg at 802-824-6578, [email protected].
Bookmaking workshop offered
BELLOWS FALLS - On Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m., the Little Art Supply Store, 3 Westminster St., will host a bookmaking workshop for teens and adults. "Making and Decorating Unique Folded Books" is a chance to create delightful small items for gifts, and to learn how to make simple but elegant small books.
Participants will work with various tools and papers to make two or three small books suitable for pocket jotters and notebooks. Basic bookmaking techniques will include working with a variety of papers folded in many ways. There will be a selection of art materials with which to decorate pages and covers.
All participants will go home with several books they have created and knowledge of how to continue making books on their own.
No prior bookmaking experience is needed for this workshop. Both beginners to bookmaking and more advanced participants are welcome and will benefit! Teens and adults are welcome. Visit littleartsupplystore.com for more information or to register.
St. Michael's Choir presents Service of Lessons and Carols
BRATTLEBORO - A Service of Lessons and Carols will be offered Sunday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m., at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, at the corner of Bradley Avenue and Putney Road.
In addition to readings for the season and congregational singing of Advent carols, St. Michael's Choir will offer a diverse set of old and new Advent anthems by Victoria, Rutter, Skempton, Vaughan Williams, and Lauridsen.
This will be the first Lessons and Carols to be directed by St. Michael's newly appointed music director, Keane Southard, who urges, "come join in this yearly tradition of scripture and music as we look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ." The event is free; the church is ADA compliant. For more information, call 802-254-6048.
Luskin hosts Writing to the Light Writing Circle
NEWFANE - On Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., at Moore Free Library, writer and educator Deborah Lee Luskin will lead the seventh annual Writing to the Light Writing Circle.
At this annual end-of-year fundraiser for Moore Free Library, writers of all kinds and all levels of experience are invited to reflect on the light in their life in a supportive writing circle. Participants will write to illuminate their inner light, honor their inner voice, and tell whatever stories arise to be told. Prompts and guidance for automatic writing will be provided, with a safe space for those who wish to read their new words.
The workshop is free. Donations to the Moore Free Library will be gratefully accepted; they can be sent electronically at moorefreelibrary.org or by mail to 23 West St., Newfane, VT 05345.
Christmas lunch served
DUMMERSTON - Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions present their second Wednesday Lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 13 with take-outs available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and in-house seating at noon. This will be their Christmas luncheon and the only meal served this month at the Grange.
The menu will be roast loin of pork, cabbage casserole, mashed potatoes with gravy, and beets, with gingerbread for dessert. The vegetarian main course option will be quiche.
Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling the Grange at 802-254-1138. Leave name, phone number, number of meals, and whether eating in or taking out. This will help them prepare enough food for everyone. A donation of $3 for those 60 and above and $4 for those under 60 is suggested. The next senior meal will be on Wednesday, Jan. 10, with a menu to be decided.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.