LOCAL HAPPENINGS

APRIL 14-28

 

ROCKINGHAM LIBRARY’S SPRING BOOK SALE:The Rockingham Free Public Library will be hosting their annual book sale on Saturday, April 14 through Saturday, April 28 and donations are welcome now. The Friends of the Library will be hosting a special Book Sale from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, April 13 just for Friends’ members. Join the Friends to get early access to the Library book sale.Donations can be made during Library hours. Books of all kinds are welcome, with the exception of encyclopedias, textbooks and musty books. DVDs and audiobooks are also welcome. All proceeds from the book sale will benefit the Rockingham Free Public Library.

For more information, call the Library at(802) 463-4270, visitrockinghamlibrary.orgor stop by the Library at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls.

 

 

APRIL 26

 

AUTHOR KATHY LEO AND HALLOWELL READ— Join Kathy Leo at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 at the Putney Library as she and other members of Hallowell, the Brattleboro Area Hospice choir, read from her new book,On the Breath of Song: The Practice of Bedside Singing for the Dying.The group will also sing from their repertoire, share stories, and answer questions. Kathy hopes that this gathering and other planned area readings will “inspire some interesting community conversation and sharing—another way for Hallowell to ‘hold sacred space’ in this time of so much uncertainty.”

Putney Public Library is located at 55 Main St in Putney, VT. This event is free and open to the public.

APRIL 27

 

TIM KREIDER READS— Essayist and cartoonist Tim Kreider will visit Putney Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 27 to read from his new book,I Wrote This Book Because I Love You.This collection of essays focuses on Kreider’s relationships with women throughout his life, from his students, to his friends, to his girlfriends, to his cat of 19 years (his most enduring relationship).

 

 

 

APRIL 28

 

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY— West River Valley Thrives invites community member to take advantage of Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 28th, and take some time to clean out medicine cabinets of all extra unused prescription medication. To dispose of your medication safely, drop them off at one of the local permanent drop box locations at: Windham County Sheriff’s Office in Newfane, and Brattleboro, Winhall, Wilmington, and Bellows Falls Police Departments.

APRIL 29

 

APARTHEID FROM GAZA TO THE RESERVATION—Brattleboro Common Sense presents a discussion with Middle Eastern Scholar Norman Finkelstein and Lakota Sioux Elder Alex White Plume at 2 p.m..on Sunday, April 29 at the First Baptist Church, located at 190 Main Street in Brattleboro, Vermont. The discussion will focus on the parallels between the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and Native Americans here at home. BCS founder Kurt Daims will serve as moderator for the talk. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and can be purchased by mailing payment to Brattleboro Common Sense, 16 Washington Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. For further information please call Mia Feroleto at (802) 952-6217.

APRIL 30

Dementia Conversations —From 12 noon – 1 p.m. on Monday, April 30 at the River Garden, Brattleboro Area Hospice will host Dementia Conversations. This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. This program will offer tips on how to have honest and caring conversations with family members living with dementia about going to the doctor, deciding when to stop driving, and making legal and financial plans. Brown Bag Lunch at the River Garden, 157 Main St.,

Registration is not required. For more information contact Patty Dunn, Hospice Program Coordinator at Brattleboro Area Hospice at (802) 257-0775 ext. 102 or email [email protected]

May 3, 7, & 22

LABOR AND UNION SONGS DISCUSSION— This May, celebrate Labor History Month by taking part in Putney’s VT Reads programs, focusing on the themes of this year’s community read:Bread and Roses, Tooby Katherine Paterson. Paterson’s book tells the story of the 1912 “Bread and Roses” strike in the Lawrence, Massachusetts textile mills through the eyes of an Italian-American girl and a runaway boy. The novel follows Rosa, Jake and other children, who are sent temporarily out of harm’s way to foster families in Barre, Vermont, as children actually were during the strike.Stop by the library to pick up your copy!

The Putney School and Putney Public Library are both hosting events in observance of VT Reads and Labor History Month this May:

Solidarity Forever: Song of Unions and Labor with educator, writer, musician, and media

producer, Mark Greenberg at Putney Public Library– 55 Main St. Putney at 7 p.m. on Thursday May 3.

Labor and Union Songs Community Singat The Putney School Currier Center – Calder Hall, 418 Houghton Brook Rd at 10 a.m. Monday, May 7.

Community members and local schools are invited to participate in The Putney School’s long tradition of singing labor and union songs together. Lead by Putney School Music Director, Cailin Manson.

Bread and Roses, Tooall-ages discussion facilitated by Kristen Dawley at the Putney Public Library at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22.

These events are all free and open to the public.

MAY 9

 

End-of-Life-Care — Brattleboro Area Hospice will partner with Putney Cares to host a free community screening of the documentary “Being Mortal” from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on May 9, at the Putney Public Library at 55 Main St. in Putney, Vt. After the screening, audience members can participate in a facilitated conversation about the film, including a focus on the importance of talking about and planning your healthcare wishes throughout one’s lifespan. The program will include a panel of experts who will participate in the conversation.

 

MAY 13

 

BEEKEEPING WORKSHOP— Charles Andros, former NH/VT Apiary Inspector, will hold a beekeeping workshop from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, at18 MacLean Road, Alstead, NH 03602. Look for the “BEE” sign on the south side of Walpole Valley Road. Topics of discussion: finding queens, requeening and 2-queen colonies, pollen collection, swarm control, supering, and bee venom therapy. Bring a veil, if you have one, as we shall be opening some colonies. We’ll be inside if it is a rainy day. Registration required. email: [email protected], or call 603-756-9056.

UNTIL JUNE

SAXTONS RIVER ART GUILD EXHIBITS CHANGE— Janet Moore, of West Chesterfield NH will exhibit of her water-color and oil paintings at the People’s United Bank in Chester, VT. The exhibit is free of charge and may be seen during regular business hours.

Vermont artist, Carolyn Allbee will have an exhibit of her paintings at the River Valley Credit Union in Townsend, Vermont. The show is free of charge. Members of the Saxtons River Art Guild will change their ongoing group exhibit at Rockingham Medical Group in Bellows Falls, VT and Ramuntos in Brattleboro, VT to welcome the coming of Spring! The Saxtons River Art Guild is a non-profit devoted to the advancement and encouragement of the fine arts. The group includes members throughout the Conn. River Valley.

 

 

ONGOING EVENTS

ROCKINGHAM

FREE TECHNOLOGY HELP— Putney Public Library is offering free technology help sessions for tablet, phone, or laptop, or to connect to the library’s free downloadable e-book or audiobooks. Two one-on-one appointment times available Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-noon or noon-1 p.m., with library volunteer Ray Hussey. Librarian Emily Zervas is also available noon-1 p.m. on Fridays for help. The technology assistance program is free and open to anyone, regardless of residence, at the library at 55 Main St. in Putney. To make an appointment, call (802) 387-4407 or email [email protected].

GENEALOGY PROGRAM —Join genealogy enthusiast Wayne Blanchard on a quest to discover your family roots on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Rockingham Library. If you own a laptop, please bring it along. Many free databases available at the library. Beginners and seasoned genealogists are welcome. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (802) 463-4270, email [email protected] or visitwww.rockinghamlibrary.org.

KNITTING CIRCLE —Wardsboro. The Weekly Knitting Circle reunites at the Wardsboro Public Library, 2:30-4 p.m. every Wednesday afternoon, weekly until springtime, weather permitting (library is closed on school snow days and major holidays). Ideas, materials, and help available. Or bring other needlework projects. All are welcome; no fee. The library is at 170 Main St. For information, visit www.wardsboropubliclibrary.com, email [email protected] or call (802) 896-6988.

MEN’S COFFEE CLUB —Men of all ages are invited to Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital for coffee and a series of casual conversations, Wednesday mornings, 8 to 9 a.m. through March 28, in the Grace Cottage Community Wellness Center (Heins Building), 133 Grafton Road, Townshend. Each week’s gathering will have a health-related theme with presentations, short videos, and time for discussion. Coffee, snacks provided. Program is free. To register or for information, call Community Health Team Outreach Coordinator Bill Monahan, (802) 365-3762.

OVEREATERS ANON —Overeaters Anonymous is a 12-step recovery program that offers fellowship and hope to those who are suffering from overeating, obesity, bulimia and anorexia. There are no fees. OA meetings are 7 p.m. Monday evenings at Parks Place, at 44 School St. in Bellows Falls. For more information, call Kathy at (802) 376-4322.

SECRETS OF HEALTHY AGING GROUP —Westminster. Group luncheon/discussion group. “Secrets of Healthy Aging” group is held every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the Westminster Fire Station on Grout Avenue. The gathering starts at 11:30 a.m.; first hour is a conversation led by a trained facilitator; second hour is a potluck lunch. Anyone over the age of 60 from surrounding communities is welcome to join.

SENIOR CENTER MEALS —Bellows Falls Area Senior Center offers lunches for seniors from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Suggested $3.50 donation for seniors over age 60. The center is at 18 Tuttle St. in Bellows Falls. Wheelchair/walker accessible with plenty of parking. For more information, call (802) 463-3907.

TOPS MTG— Bellows Falls. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit, non-commercial, weight loss support group, holds weekly meeting with interesting programs that touch on topics that help all in the quest for weight loss. The group shares healthy recipes for main meals and snacks. TOPS Vermont Chapter 12 meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart Social Center, 39 Green St. in Bellows Falls. First meeting is free. Bring a friend. For more information, visit [email protected].

WESTMINSTER FIRE & RESCUE MTGS —Meets 7 p.m. first Tuesday of every month. A combined drill is on the third Tuesday of every month; rescue training is the second Tuesday of the month.Always looking for new members. To volunteer, contact Chief Cole Streeter at 722-3178 or stop by the Firehouse any Sunday morning for an application.

AL-ANON —Does someone else’s drinking bother you? Al-Anon Family Groups for family and friends of alcoholics can help. Local weekly meeting is Wednesday, 7 p.m. – Putney, Friends Meeting House, Rte. 5 North of Basketville, next to the cemetery. For additional information, call (866) 972-5266 or visit www.vermontalanonalateen.org.

Please email calendar items [email protected]. Deadline for submissions is Friday at noon.