West River Education District hosts forums on proposed elementary school merger
The West River Education District (WRED) will host three community forums during September about a forthcoming proposal in which all of the WRED students in kindergarten through grade 5 would be combined into a new, single elementary campus, to be located at what is currently NewBrook Elementary School in Newfane.
"Over the past year, the WRED board went through a long-term planning process, and believe that the proposal would provide more opportunities for students at a reduced cost to our taxpayers," the board said in a news release.
The forums will be held at 7 p.m. at WRED's three current elementary schools: Wednesday, Sept. 18, Townshend Elementary School; Thursday, Sept. 26, Jamaica Village School; and Monday, Sept. 30, NewBrook Elementary School.
For more information, visit bit.ly/782-wred.
Age Successfully Fair returns to Bellows Falls
BELLOWS FALLS - Senior Solutions, Area Agency on Aging for Southeastern Vermont in partnership with Our Place Drop-In Center, Parks Place Community Resource Center, and the Bellows Falls Senior Center, will host Age Successfully: A Health & Benefits Fair on Friday, Sept. 20.
The free fair and barbecue at the Waypoint Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is billed as an opportunity for older Vermonters to learn about and sign up for wellness-based benefits and services from more than 30 exhibitors.
Nearly 200 area seniors have come to previous fairs to learn about the goods and services available in the community.
Older Vermonters and their caregivers in our community often are unaware of all the opportunities that are available to them. This fair offers a one-stop shop to find the services best suited for their needs.
The fair will also feature a free Bone Builders class demonstration presented by Green Mountain RSVP and a Tai Chi class demonstration that people are welcome to participate in.
For more information, visit seniorsolutionsvt.org.
Fundraiser supports conservation of Marlboro Town Trail
WEST BRATTLEBORO - All are invited to a special event at Lilac Ridge Farm, 264 Ames Hill Rd., on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. in support of the Green Mountain Conservancy's efforts to acquire 197 acres in Marlboro as the Old Oak Headwaters Preserve.
The conservancy, based in Dummerston, needs to raise $147,000 by Oct. 31.
A significant portion of the Marlboro Town Trail between the Potash Hill campus (the former Marlboro College campus) and Marlboro Town Center would be in this preserve.
This family friendly event includes music, maps, information, cider making (bring your own containers), and Lilac Ridge creemees.
A portion of all creemee sales will benefit the project.
For more information call 802-257-0012 and leave a message or email [email protected].
Senior lunch in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON -Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions will present their second senior meal for September on Wednesday, Sept. 25, with takeouts available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an in-house sit-down meal served at noon.
The menu includes roast pork with mashed potatoes and gravy (with a vegetarian and gluten-free option) and cabbage casserole, with apple crisp for dessert.
Reservations are strongly suggested but not mandatory. Call the Grange at 802-254-1138 and leave your name, the number of meals you want, and whether you will be eating in or taking your food home.
A donation of $3 for those 60 and older, or $4 for younger folks, is suggested.
Food drop in Putney
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf co-sponsor a monthly food drop of free produce and some non-perishables on the fourth Thursday of every month, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Alice Holway Drive (in front of Putney Meadows).
All are welcome. This is a drive-up service. Bags will be provided.
The next monthly food drop will take place Thursday, Sept. 26, from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
Explore the great outdoors with guided nature excursions
BRATTLEBORO - Families are invited to embark on outdoor explorations with Hike & Seek: Family Adventures, a series of free guided excursions designed to inspire fun and learning in nature.
Presented by the Brattleboro Environmental Education Center (BEEC) and The Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro (BGCB), these adventures will take place on various Saturdays from September through June, from 10 a.m. to noon, with the first dates set for Sept. 28 (Paddle Safari), Oct. 5 (Nature Art), and Oct. 19 (Tiny Travelers).
Families will be able to connect with nature while enjoying the company of naturalists and educators from BEEC and BGCB. Each outing is designed to be educational and entertaining.
This free program is tailored for children ages 5 to 11 and their caregivers, though participants of all ages are welcome.
In addition to exploring nature, participants will learn about basic trail safety. A snack will be provided. Transportation and some outdoor gear are available upon request.
For more information and to register, visit beec.org.
Fairy House Festival returns Sept. 28, 29
GRAFTON - The Nature Museum in Grafton will host the 15th annual Fairy House Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Guests of all ages will walk the fairy house trails and discover a magical village of fairy castles, treehouses, mushroom gardens, libraries, and more. This family-friendly annual tradition is possible because of the strong community support from fairy house builders and volunteers.
Each year, more than 60 volunteer builders create a fairyland of small structures built out of natural materials, opening a portal to the incredible world through observation of nature's details. The creativity of the builders is the heart of this festival, which is The Nature Museum's biggest fundraiser of the year.
All proceeds support year-round programming, which includes free programming for kids through the summer, immersive experiences in nature for kids and adults, and opportunities for teachers and schools to learn about the region's environment.
The museum is also undertaking a multi-year outdoor expansion project, including the restoration of a wetland, an expanded Magic Forest Playscape, and a new outdoor teaching pavillion.
Visit nature-museum.org to purchase tickets ($15 for adults, $5 for children over age 3). Kids age 2 and younger can participate for free.
Free workshops offered for new careers in health care
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) will offer a free workshop, "Healthcare Careers for Adults," to help people take the first step toward a rewarding new career in health care.
Over four sessions from Oct. 19 through Nov. 8, participants will learn about job opportunities and explore options for training and education, job site tours, employer connections, and career coaching.
Classes will be held at the new Southern Vermont Workforce Center of Excellence on 8 Flat St.
Space in this workshop is limited; those who are interested should sign up early.
Not sure if this free workshop is right for you? Learn more either at a Zoom info session on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. or in person on Friday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m., at the Workforce Center of Excellence.
To obtain the Zoom link or for more details about the in-person session, contact Workforce Education Specialist Jack Spanierman at [email protected] or 802-257-7731 ext. 223.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.