June 16 Forum to Promote New No- or Low-Interest Financing for Energy Improvement Projects

Two great low or no-interest financing options are now available to help Vermonters make energy improvements in their homes: PACE financing and the Heat Saver Loan.

A public informational forum on these energy financing options will be held on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 pm at the Marlboro College Graduate School, 28 Vernon Street in downtown Brattleboro. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Space is limited – to register, contact Paul Cameron at 251-8135 or pcameron@brattleboro.org.


Pet Rabbit Found on Cedar St

A stray pet rabbit (gray, lion’s head) has been found on Cedar St. near Myrtle.  Would like to re-unite it with its owner.  E-mail sprocter@sover.net or call 802-490-4983.


Missing Cat – Oak Street Area

My beloved Maine Coon cat, Sava, and has been missing from my Oak Street apartment since Wednesday evening. Thought he was just hiding- he was stressed out from a vet visit. We have torn the house, attic and neighboring yards apart with no sight of him.

He is big- 19 lbs. Grey, black and tan. He has a “lion cut”. Not an outdoor cat so he will be terrified and possibly aggressive.

If you see him – alive or not- please call me at 802- 258 8581. We are heartbroken. Thank you.

Kris Alden


Got Noise?

Do you experience noise disturbance from DMI Paving on Brook/Birge Street or from Cersosimo Kiln Dry on Frost Street between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. If so, please write to us at and share your stories. Thanks! Rabiah


BMH Announces 2015 Employees of the Year

To cap off a week’s worth of employee recognition events in celebration of National Hospital Week, Steve Gordon, President and CEO of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital invited all hospital staff to join him for an ice cream social where he announced BMH’s 2015 Employees of the Year.

Departing from BMH’s tradition of naming one employee for the honor each year, two employees were named for 2015. According to Gordon, “Their nominations from colleagues described qualities we all appreciate in our co-workers and to which we should aspire ourselves,”

Described as “positive, helpful, knowledgeable, dedicated, caring and skilled,” the two award winners were celebrated for their commitment to patient care and exceptional standards of professionalism.


VFW Annual Family Outing

The Brattleboro VFW Post #1034 will be hosting their annual family outing Sunday, July 26th. A $25 ticket will enter you for a chance to win money, with a grand prize of $1000. The meal will be grilled steak, baked potato, corn on the cob, and a roll. The $25 cost will also cover entry to the dance featuring the Colt 45 Band.

For $12, you get a meal and entry to the dance. A $5 charge will be offered for those wanting to enter the dance only. Burgers and hot dogs will also be for sale.


Fortune Telling For Children

Moved by the rapid loss of species, extinction prospects, an affinity with nature, I made this oracle that draws its messages and counsel from the animal kingdom. It somehow felt more universal, less judgmental than other models. First responses from the test team were very positive. People found it inspiring, thought provoking. All well and good until it got into the hands of a six year old. He was baffled by ‘the game’. “How do you win?” he demanded to know. I wrestled with an answer for him, in the end decided on something resembling the truth.

“It’s not a game, it’s a device for advice. The way it works is that there’s a number of possible animals that can turn up when you throw the dice, but when you do throw down, there’ll be just two. Two of twenty-four. Why those two? Nobody can say. And nobody can predict. File it under synchronicity. Mysteries of the universe. The hand of a random phantom turning up something just for you.” “But how does it work?” he insisted. If he couldn’t get the manual, he at least wanted the point. “I really can’t say why this works as it does, but it does work, and a big part of how it does is up to you.”


Plastic Bottles

Plastic bottles were first used commercially in 1947. They quickly became popular with both manufacturers and customers due to their lightweight nature and relatively low production and transportation costs compared with glass bottles. However, the biggest advantage plastic bottles have over glass, is their superior resistance to breakage, in both production and transportation. Except for wine and beer, the food industry has almost completely replaced glass with plastic bottles. (Wikipedia)


PACE and Heat Saver Loan Forum June 16

Two great low or no-interest financing options are now available to help Vermonters make energy improvements in their homes: PACE financing and the Heat Saver Loan.

A public informational forum on these energy financing options will be held on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 pm at the Marlboro College Graduate School, 28 Vernon Street in downtown Brattleboro. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Space is limited – to register, contact Paul Cameron at 251-8135 or pcameron@brattleboro.org.


Amy’s Closing

I just found out that Amy’s Bakery and Cafe will be closing their doors in early June. This will be a huge blow to Main Street and one less reason to visit downtown. Amy’s has been kind of a linchpin for Main Street. How many of us have made plans to ” meet at Amy’s”?  I wonder how much longer the rest of the long time businesses will be able to survive in an environment that is not kind to small businesses. I wonder if we will even be able to recognize Main Street in 5 or 6 years. This is a shame and this wonderful little cafe will be greatly missed.


Guiding Good Choices Parenting Series in Bellows Falls

Guiding Good Choices Parenting Series

for parents/caregivers of children ages 9-19  offered in Bellows Falls

Bellows Falls- Are you a parent or caregiver of an older youth or teen? You are invited to upcoming parenting classes – Guiding Good Choices (4th to 8th grade) for parents and caregivers FREE of cost. 


Brattleboro Area Hospice Invites All to Annual Memorial Planting Service

On Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 4:00 pm, Brattleboro Area Hospice will host its 18th Annual Memorial Planting Service. The event will take place at the Hospice Memorial Garden located at Living Memorial Park on Guilford Street in Brattleboro. The public is encouraged to attend.

The community is invited to join together to honor and remember loved ones who have died by planting flowers, painting memorial messages on stones to be placed in the garden, and by listening to the music of the Hallowell singers.


Bear Spotted in the Retreat Woods, 5/17, Evening

FYI, be aware that a bear was sighted this evening, 5/17, between around 7 and 7:30 pm in the Retreat Woods. It was a full-grown adult, and ran away from my dog and me when we surprised it. Location: between the “Just for Fun” trail and the highway, relatively close to Greenhill Parkway and Western Avenue. No cubs were seen.

Ralph Meima


Howling Dog

Large dog Enzo is all alone down in his apartment and has been howling and barking since 9 AM. His owner, our tenant, hung up on me when I called her at work. The neighbor who lives upstairs from Enzo is on a work related phone conference call until 1pm and the noise makes it very difficult for him to do his work. The dog warden doesn’t work today.

Suggestions?