Crepe Night
These seasonal monthly gatherings, held each month at Scott Farm from May through September, are times to celebrate the harvest, good simple food, and community in a stunning setting - picnic style. Outdoor and indoor tables and chairs are provided as well as a sprawling grassy hillside ripe for picnic blankets, folding lawn chairs, and bare feet. Each month is co-hosted by a different local non-profit who benefits from the evening's proceeds. Local music adds to the ambiance. This month supports Vermont Insight Meditation Center.
Wednesday, July 10
5:30-7:30pm...
WEST CHESTERFIELD, N.H.-The Actors Theatre Playhouse (ATP) presents a Staged Reading of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion on Saturdays, June 29 and July 6, at 7:30 p.m. Shaw's Pygmalion is regarded by many as his most famous and beloved creation. It has been adapted many times, most notably as the...
BRATTLEBORO-The 51st annual "By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth" Independence Day celebration is set for Thursday, July 4, with a morning parade downtown and an afternoon and evening program of family activities and fireworks at Living Memorial Park. Marching units - including the local American Legion and Brattleboro Union...
BRATTLEBORO-StoryCorps, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, comes to Harmony Lot downtown to record in-person and virtual interviews as part of its Mobile Tour. StoryCorps will host an open house on Friday, July 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to tour the mobile recording unit and meet local StoryCorps facilitators. Reservations to record are open now and can be made by calling StoryCorps' 24-hour toll-free reservation...
GUILFORD-After a hiatus of several years, the village of Guilford Center will revive its Fourth of July tradition, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the Broad Brook Grange, established in 1874. The community is invited to join in the festivities on Thursday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for a community picnic, reminiscent of early Grange gatherings and sponsored by the Broad Brook Grange. The day kicks off at 11 a.m. at the recently restored Guilford Center Meeting...
BRATTLEBORO-p>"Do Say Gay" is this year's theme of CineSlam, Kopkind's annual Pride month film fest. The screening of LGBTQ+ short films will take place on Saturday, June 29, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Latchis Theatre on Main Street. The event's organizers see it as both a community celebration - there will be a reception with Pride cake - and a political intervention. "Film festivals, posters, and other forms of public art have played an important part in the community's...
BRATTLEBORO-A reminder to readers that The Commons will not publish an issue on Wednesday, July 3. Any urgent news and updates will be published on the newspaper's website. The newspaper will resume publication on Wednesday, July 12, with the deadline for submissions of news and advertising on Friday, July 5. This News item was submitted to The Commons.
PUTNEY-Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of Celtic music by bagpipes/fiddle/guitar quartet Cantrip at Next Stage on Friday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. From the strong base of its Celtic roots, Cantrip branches out into the music of other European cultures. With border pipes, fiddle, guitar, and three voices, Dan Houghton, Jon Bews, Eric McDonald, and Alasdair White take audiences on what organizers call "a cultural journey," putting their own spin on each musical style. Known...
BRATTLEBORO-The Rich Earth Palooza, a free celebration of Brattleboro's local food cycles, will be held on Saturday, July 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Winston Prouty campus, 209 Austine Drive. The Palooza will be an afternoon filled with fun and learning about how food is grown, composted, and recycled. Attendees can engage with local organizations who advance creative approaches to sustainable and just food systems, with exhibits and activity stations hosted by Grateful Greens microgreens, Food Cycle Coalition,
GRAFTON-Back by popular demand, Texas singer-songwriter Al Staehely will appear for one night only at the Grafton Community Church, 55 Main St., on Saturday, June 29, beginning at 7 p.m. In his only Vermont appearance, Staehely will perform original songs from his latest album, (1)Somewhere In West Texas and other compositions. He appeared in Grafton at the Community Church last fall in a benefit concert for the church. Staehely's musical career began in his native Austin, Texas, in the late...
PUTNEY-The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Maine-based multicultural collaboration Bondeko, on Saturday, July 6, at 6 p.m., at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Rd. Bondeko is the unlikely collaboration of neighbors in Portland, Maine's migrant community: Ylli Brekofca, an Albanian crooner; Namory Keita, a Guinean drummer; Orson Horchler, a French singer-songwriter; and Ray Saperstein, a Latin musician from Texas. The result is a mix of Roma melodies, Cumbia rhythms, Malenke singalongs, and Balkan tempos, peppered with waltzes and maybe...
TOWNSHEND-The board of directors of Valley Cares, a housing nonprofit, voted in April to adopt a new name - Valley Village - with the tagline "Care. Compassion. Community." Since 2007, the organization has provided affordable assisted living and independent living for seniors. As described by a news release, "the community is unique in combining a model of subsidized affordable housing with a continuum of supportive health care services to help people age in place with others." The decision to change...
College news • Tyler Millerick, a general business major from Vernon, was recently welcomed into Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society at the Western New England University chapter's annual induction ceremony. It recognizes collegiate student-athletes who are significant contributors to their team and display leadership while maintaining a 3.4 or higher grade point average through their junior and/or senior years. Additionally, candidates must have an endorsement from their head coach and be of good moral character. • William Frank of...
PUTNEY-Yellow Barn's June series continues with Young Artists Program concerts on Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28, including two daytime performances. All June concerts are free in the Big Barn. These performances include masterpieces plus eight premiere performances of new works by young composers for their performer colleagues. These three concerts (June 27 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.; June 28 at 11 a.m.) are the culmination of a three-week intensive program for musicians ages 14–20 who travel to Putney...
SAXTONS RIVER-The village's annual Fourth of July celebration, centered on Main Street, is a tradition that has been going strong for more than seven decades. The day begins with the pie baking contest, to which bakers can submit entries in one or more of three categories: sweet, savory, and gluten-free. Pies are to be dropped off at Main Street Arts at 8:30 a.m. Pie will be sold after the judging, with prizes awarded at noon. The Firecracker 5K Road Race...
WARDSBORO-The longest continuous running Fourth of July parade and celebration in the state will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. Organizers say that this year's 75th celebration of the Fourth in Wardsboro "promises spectacular events such as the usual colorful floats, vintage cars from around the region, creative vendors who will line Main Street, our famous Strawberry Shortcake, the Chicken Barbecue with all the fixins', homemade pies, the hamburger/hot dog stand, a lemonade stand, face painting, a quilt show, kids'
NEWFANE-Members of Rescue Inc's swiftwater rescue team have received the prestigious Higgins and Langley award for their work during the 2023 flooding events that did tremendous damage throughout Vermont. The members of the swiftwater rescue team received these internationally recognized awards in South Bend, Indiana on June 16. In all, seven members of the swiftwater rescue team were honored: Drew Hazelton, Eric Wilson, Mike Mather, Victoria Gassett, Travis Perez, Tyler Boucher, and David Coppock. Included in the award was Phil...
BRATTLEBORO-Police said Friday afternoon they had arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with a fatal stabbing in front of the Brattleboro Transportation Center late Thursday. Lavadus J. Williams, of Brattleboro, was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge later Friday in Windham County Superior criminal court in Brattleboro in the death of 25-year-old Aaron J. Colburn, according to charging documents. He pleaded not guilty to the charge during that arraignment and was ordered held without bail, Windham County State's Attorney Tracy...
Heather Chase (D-Chester), a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, serves the Windham-Windsor district, which includes the Windham County towns of Athens, Chester, Grafton, and Windham. CHESTER-As your state representative, I am proud to have participated in the democratic process of legislating this month. On June 17, the Legislature reconvened at the State House to vote to override the governor's veto of six bills of importance to Vermont residents, taxpayers, and public school students. * * * • Yield...
BRATTLEBORO-I urge voters in Brattleboro District 7 to nominate Emilie Kornheiser for their Representative to the Vermont Legislature in the Democratic Primary on August 13. Although I am not in the district, I have come to know Emilie through my interfaith organizing work around affordable housing and homelessness. My admiration of her has increased as I have watched her work in many settings. She is smart, articulate, knowledgeable, conscientious, and creative. She is able to explain complex issues in everyday...
Shelby Brimmer is the owner, with Paul Martocci, of Martocci's Restaurant on Elliot Street in downtown Brattleboro. BRATTLEBORO-I was sitting on the roof the other day, enjoying my morning coffee, soaking up the sun and the sounds of downtown - the industrious hum of vehicles, the persistent chirping of birds, the hammering of power tools atop the parking garage, and the morning conversations of passersby. Many people arrive downtown on foot. Some are bustling to get their first cup o'
BELLOWS FALLS-Fellow citizens, I write to you with a request founded in feelings of love, concern, sorrow, and horror. I ask you to please take the time to watch the film The Night Won't End: Biden's War on Gaza. Whether or not you have been taking in world news, you are probably aware of the tragedy that continues to be wreaked upon the people of Palestine. Among the people I know and love, some of you take refuge in your...
-The final numbers for the 2023-24 ski season came out earlier this month. The statewide industry association Ski Vermont said that alpine ski areas reported 4.1 million skier and rider visits, down 0.5% from the prior season. That is a smaller dip than seen in the rest of the Northeast region and the country. As was the case in the 2022-23 season, the heaviest snow came in March, the time when ski season is usually winding down. Snowmaking saved the...
Nancy Braus, until recently an independent bookseller, is a longtime activist who contributes often to these pages. GUILFORD-Millions of Americans are aware and trying to do the small and large things we can to try to preserve life on Earth in the face of a bullet train of terrible news about our climate and the natural world. Some of us bike instead of drive when we can; millions of homes and businesses have installed solar panels; many of us try...
LONDONDERRY-A 218-page proposed zoning bylaw document - the subject of recent controversy over the extent and nature of the proposed regulations - has been sent back to the Planning Commission for revision. That action followed a June 17 hearing, after which the Selectboard voted 3–1 to reject the draft. The document, on which the Planning Commission worked for six years, was given to the board on May 1 of this year. The revision was prompted by the 2017 Town Plan...
NEWFANE-Rev. Matthew Deen, settled pastor at Newfane Congregational Church, has been ordained by the Windham-Union Association of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Deen has been the licensed pastor here since 2022. His installation took place on Sunday, May 26. On Sunday, June 30, parishioners will celebrate the church's 250th anniversary with an outdoor service and celebration on Newfane Hill - or Fane Hill, as it was called on June 30, 1774, the date the congregation...
NEWFANE-Primary season is upon us. But how many people know what it takes to put their name out there on a lawn sign? It might surprise some to know that recruiting candidates for the House of Representatives is part of the job of the House majority and minority leaders. Rep. Emily Long, of Newfane, the House Majority Leader, is leading the effort to introduce Democrats into the state political pipeline. Her Republican counterpart, House Minority Leader Patricia McCoy, of Poultney,
BRATTLEBORO-Selectboard members have decided to raise parking rates to achieve full recovery for the town parking fund and cover capital needs. The board voted on June 18 to raise the rates and add a charge for Sunday parking. Board members Peter Case, Daniel Quipp, Elizabeth McLoughlin, and Richard Davis voted to adopt the plan; Franz Reichsman abstained. Expenses for fiscal year 2025 are anticipated to be $1,015,866, and a budget had to be determined by July 1. Ultimately, the board...
HINSDALE, N.H.-The LGBTQ organization Out in the Open expresses support for legalizing sex work (prostitution) and safe spaces for people to access/use drugs. Would they support safe spaces for people to use alcohol and become intoxicated? How about a place for people to access and smoke cigarettes (or vape)? Additionally, they support the plight of people in Gaza, while hopefully remembering that in most of the Middle East, LGBTQ people are abused and even executed just for being who they...
WINCHESTER, N.H.-I just read your editorial and wanted to thank you for this piece. After reading it, I took a deep breath and then wept. The sentiment expressed is helpful and could actually be healing in some ways, if our community will allow for that. Our neighbor over here in Winchester, N.H., recently hung a Trump flag, and the neighborhood is reeling because we were unsuspecting of this person's support of this candidate for president. I have a large peace...
GUILFORD-Scientists agree that fossil fuels are wreaking havoc on our planet. Environmental activist and writer Jonathan Mingle can tell you of many ways those fuels cause harm. Yet in his latest book, Gaslight, he tells a story in which common people stand together and shut down the development of a major fossil fuel freeway: the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America's Energy Future describes the coalition of rural Virginians who fought for six...
Emilie Kornheiser, state representative for Windham-7, is chair of House Ways and Means, is a parent, and lives on a dirt road in West Brattleboro. You can find her at emiliekornheiser.org. BRATTLEBORO-I've been talking with folks about property taxes a lot lately. We've also been talking about our schools, our kids, our strong and struggling communities, and the future. We are in a difficult moment - a moment with no perfect path forward. I want Vermont, and Brattleboro, to work...
NEWFANE-The Crowell Art Gallery at Moore Free Library, 23 West Street, will present a variety of paintings by the Monadnock Area Artists Association. The show will be taking place from July 2 to July 2 with a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. at the gallery on Saturday, July 6. Association members Gill Truslow, Ruth Sterling, Kris Stewart, Liz Winchester-Larson, Carol Corliss, Kate Beetle, Sue Beetle, Gail Shelley, Kathleen Kennedy, Kevin Whitfield, Marianne Stillwagon, Mary Iselin, and Amy Owens will...
DEERFIELD, MASS.-Two years later, Democrats are still furious over Roe v. Wade being overturned. But I'm not. And thank you, President Trump. Nancy Braus (who's 100% pro-abortion) claims that "Planned Parenthood offers a full array of reproductive care - so much that the Trumpers would love to shut it all down and leave poor women with no care at all." First of all, abortion is not "care." It is the brutal murder of a defenseless human being. And as far...
BRATTLEBORO-At its annual Farm Festival on June 15, the Retreat Farm unveiled its new North Barn and Retreat Farm Market - two additions to the agricultural complex designed to foster economic and community growth by offering platforms for local businesses, entertainment, and community-centered programming throughout the year. The Farm Market building, funded by a $3 million Senate appropriation secured by retired Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, involved acquiring and renovating the former Grafton Village Cheese Company facility. The 2,300-square-foot market space...
BRATTLEBORO-I've been a supporter of Emilie Kornheiser since she first ran for Legislature. Now, however, I find I can no longer support her. She and her colleagues in Montpelier are leaving ordinary working people, families, and seniors on the sidelines. This latest property tax of 14% is a perfect example of this imbalance. Sure, some of this exorbitant tax increase will go to schools - at least that's what Emilie promises. But no doubt, much of it will go to...