Nomination papers due Jan. 24
BRATTLEBORO - If you wish to run for local elective office this year, time is running out to get on the ballot.
Nominating petitions for town and school offices are now available at your local town clerk's office. The deadline to turn them in is Monday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m.
According to the Vermont Secretary of State's office, nominating petitions must be signed by at least 30 persons, or 1 percent of the town's legal voters, whichever is less.
Feb. 23 is the last day to register to vote for Town Meeting Day, which is March 1 this year. The absentee ballot deadline in Monday, Feb. 28, for towns that will hold Australian Ballot voting on March 1.
Gatherings to discuss middle school renovation
BELLOWS FALLS - On Friday, Jan. 21, from 5:30-7 p.m., the Rockingham Arts and Museum Project (RAMP), 9 Canal St., will host the Bellows Falls Middle School Renovation Committee in the first of a series of informational gatherings to be hosted in a variety of locations around the town.
The group will give a brief history of the middle school, the work of the committee, the proposed renovations, and the financial implications.
The public is encouraged to share comments, questions and suggestions. The Rockingham School Board will be asking voters to approve the $10.5 million bond project at this year's town meeting. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas at 802-463-4366 or Robert McBride at RAMP 802-463-3252.
Senior meal Friday in Halifax
HALIFAX - The monthly Halifax senior meal will be served Friday, Jan. 21, at noon, at the West Halifax Community Hall.
On the menu is tossed salad, corn chowder with ham, johnny cake, rolls, and dessert. All are welcome, with a suggested donation of $3 for those over 60 and $4 for those under 60. Reservations are appreciated, call Joan at 802-368-7733.
Transfer station permits, dog licenses now available
WILMINGTON - The 2011 Transfer Station permits are now for sale in the Town Administration offices on the second floor, or at the Transfer Station.
Also. 2011 Dog Licenses and renewals are now available at the Town Clerk's office. A dog must have had a rabies inoculation not more than 36 months prior to the date of licensing for older dogs, and not more than 12 months for puppies.
For more information, contact Town Clerk Susie Haughwout at 802-464-5836.
Supper benefits emergency heat fund
DUMMERSTON - Dummerston Cares is a nonprofit town organization serving seniors and others in need with emergency fuel assistance as donated money allows.
A baked ham and bean dinner to benefit Dummerston Cares will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22, from 5-7 p.m., at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center. Tickets are $10 for adults or $5 for children 5-12 years old.
To donate or volunteer, contact the Rev. Susanna Griefen, 802-275-5095. Donations may also be sent to Dummerston Cares, 1324 Rice Farm Rd. Dummerston, VT 05301.
For fuel aid for Dummerston residents in need, call the Helpline phone at 802-257-5800.
Snowshoe tracking for families offered
WILMINGTON - On Saturday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. naturalist Michael Clough will be at Boyd Family Farm, 125 East Dover Rd., to lead a group in some of the techniques and skills of tracking and searching out signs of local wildlife.
Pre-registration is recommended. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 3-13. Call Rockhopper Outdoor Education for more information at 802-368-7203.
Meet fiber artists in Wardsboro on Saturday
WARDSBORO - On Saturday, Jan. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wardsboro Town Hall on Main Street, there will be a fiber event to benefit the Wardsboro Library.
Watch demonstrations of weaving, spinning, felting, braiding, and rug hooking, and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase beautiful hand-made items.
The funds raised from donations at this event will benefit the Red Barn Renovation Project, allowing for the winterization of the community space at Wardsboro Public Library. The Vermont Arts Council has awarded the Friends of the Wardsboro Library a 50/50 matching grant, and funds are needed to be raised to meet the requirement of the grant. Call 802-896-6988 for more information.
Post Oil Solutions hosts cold frame workshop
BRATTLEBORO - Post Oil Solutions will host its very popular cold frame workshop, led by master gardener Robert King, on Sunday, Jan. 23, from 1-3 p.m., at the Rotch Building, School for International Learning on Kipling Road.
The fee is a sliding scale $10/$70, with no one refused for lack of funds. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required, however: the workshop will be cancelled if there are insufficient registrants. Call 877-886-7397 to register. Payment at the door is $20, if there is room.
The simple glass covered wooden frame was a state of the art growing device 100 years ago. It can be used throughout the four seasons and provides a simple alternative to a free-standing greenhouse. Through slides and discussion, the basics of cold frame operation will be presented as a way to extend the season both in spring and fall. A modern evolution of the old frame made from aluminum hoops and greenhouse grade plastic will be shown.
For further information about Post Oil's “(Re)learning to Feed Ourselves” workshop series, visit www.postoilsolutions.org.
Ham and bean supper at First United Methodist
BRATTLEBORO - The Men's Group will host a baked beans and baked ham supper on Sunday, Jan. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, off Putney Road.
The menu will consist of baked beans, baked ham, homemade cole slaw, rolls, chocolate cake and assorted beverages. The cost will be $9 adults, and free for children 12 and under if accompanied by an adult. Take-outs will be available.
Proceeds benefit Men's Group projects. Contact the church at 802-254-4218 or [email protected] for more information.
Estey Organ Museum to present Victorian Ladies Tea
BRATTLEBORO - Join interesting and elegant women of all ages for an afternoon of warmth, friendship, and music at the first annual Victorian Ladies Tea to be held at the Masonic Center on Main Street on Jan. 30.
The event begins at 2 p.m. with festive hat decorating. Bring along a favorite hat to adorn, or take advantage of the hats available at the event. While there is no formal contest, everyone will be looking to see who has the fanciest hat of all. There is a $30 donation to make hats, and then participants may stay for the tea and entertainment.
At 3 p.m., seating will begin for the Victorian Ladies Tea. Assorted teas from around the world will be available, as will coffee. Finger sandwiches and delicious deserts will provide nourishment while socializing. There is a $20 donation for the tea to support the museum.
“These have been very popular and successful gatherings in other towns,” says organizing volunteer Susan Rosano. “It seems natural to bring this event to Brattleboro as a fun way to raise funds for the Estey Organ Museum."
In addition to pleasant conversation, the Masonic Hall will be filled with the happy sounds of Estey's Muse, featuring local musicans Ned Phoenix, Dennis Waring, Marvin Bentley, and Marvin Bentley II playing a variety of instruments including the Estey reed organ and piano on the stage.
A demonstration of the 2nd floor Estey Pipe Organ is also planned. (Note: the Masonic Center does not have an elevator.)
Fancy hats and dress are encouraged. You can attend the hat-making, the tea, or both events. For more information, or to reserve your table, call 802-246-8366 or visit www.esteyorganmuseum.org.
Restorative Circles presentation at the Brattleboro Community Justice Center
BRATTLEBORO - On Thursday, Jan. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Brattleboro Community Justice Center (located in the Municipal Building at 230 Main St., in Suite 302), trained facilitators Cara Benedetto and Wendy Webber will give a free presentation entitled, “Introduction to Restorative Circles within Restorative Systems.”
Restorative Circles (RC) is a process for individuals and communities to address conflict in ways that restore connections on profound levels. It is a community process for supporting those in conflict that brings together the three parties to a conflict – those who have acted, those directly impacted and the wider community – within an intentional context, to dialogue as equals.
Participants invite each other and attend voluntarily. The dialogue process used is shared openly with all participants, and is guided by a community member. As a circle form, Restorative Circles invite shared power, mutual understanding, self-responsibility and effective action.
This introductory presentation offers an experiential educational forum for the fundamentals of Restorative Circles. Space is limited. RSVP to Cara Benedetto at 802-254-8582 or [email protected].
Tai Chi Chuan class offered in Putney
PUTNEY - Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan, otherwise known as Supreme Ultimate Boxing), is an ancient form of martial art that has been practiced for recreation and to increase strength, flexibility, and vitality well into old age.
Tai Chi Chuan is not performed in the same manner as most Western calisthenics or sports. It requires a tremendous amount of mental and physical concentration and control. It is often described as a “moving meditation,” where one feels invigorated, clear-minded, and peaceful afterwards.
Medicine for the People will be offering an on-going Tai Chi Chuan class meeting twice a week. The class is designed so every participant will receive personal instruction as well as group form practice. Each participant will learn the Yang family 22 movement “medium frame” form and Yang family Qigong exercises (center harmony qigong and three circle exercises).
The class will be held at 133 Main St., and will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-6:30 p.m. The cost is $65 per month or $15 per class. Classes will be taught by Thomas Garbarino, licensed acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan and medical qigong. Call 802-387-3028, ext. 1, for registration, directions, or further questions or visit www.medicineforthepeople.org.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network to meet
BRATTLEBORO- The Vermont chapter of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) meets on the first Monday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St., in Conference Room 3C, located in the suite across from the elevator on the third floor. The next meeting is Monday, Feb. 7.
ASAN-Vermont is an organization of individuals on the autism spectrum. Meetings include the discussion of chapter activities, brainstorming for future social events, and discussions of various issues relevant to autistic individuals. General discussion is welcome. The meetings are open to all autistic adults, 18 years or older, whether you self-identify as autistic or are officially diagnosed.
ASAN-Vermont is working to promote civil rights, support, education, public understanding, and acceptance of neurodiversity. For more information, contact Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg at [email protected].