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Seeking A Source Of Quality Nip

by Lise | Pets

Every year at Christmas I make catnip mice for all the cats of my acquaintance, or in some cases, for the cats of my acquaintances.  In any event, the nip has always worked in the past, so this year I was a little surprised when the two test mice I made for my own cats elicited no reaction whatsoever.  We had to make them take the mice.  They poked them a little and one cat endeavored to at least try to act interested, but overall, the mice were a resounding failure.  I blame the nip.

The catnip I used advertised joyous rapture for kitties on its label, but it was commercially grown nip sold in plastic bags, so I knew it wasn’t going to be great.  But judging from my cats’ less than tepid reaction, it may as well have been parsley. 

Limited Income? Increase Your Food Budget!

by SeniorSolutions | Food

With the arrival of holidays and winter, many of us who have limited income are feeling the squeeze financially. Here’s a way to stretch your budget: Get 3SquaresVT!

If you’re eligible you’ll get a payment card (it looks like a credit card) to use at grocery stores, convenience  stores, farmers markets and food co-ops. If everyone in the household is 65+, the 3SquaresVT benefits may be deposited directly into a bank account. Seniors also may use medical expenses as adjustment to income, which may help you qualify.

Festive Fruitcake

by Julia Beard | Food

This year, the Beard household is having a big, whiskey-soaked fruitcake. In years past I’ve made small fruitcakes, one pounders that were tasty and spirited, but this year it’s a bundt cake. The small loaf is gone too fast!

We were a store-bought, tea-totalling fruitcake family growing up. Nobody liked them, and nobody ate them. When I began making them my opinion of fruitcake changed. I went to all lengths, soaking brown paper and wrapping it tightly, tying in cheesecloth and keeping in a pot, baking in a Bain Marie. To my relief, I’ve found that regular baking techniques work just fine. A standard spice cake recipe with alcohol-soaked fruit bakes up perfectly. I continue “feeding” the cake every other day until serving.

Best Air Pump In Brattleboro?

by cgrotke | Questions & Answers

It’s time to put air in my tires. Since it is impractical to try them all, I thought I’d ask you for your opinions on local area air pumps.

Has any service station out there installed any new, innovative air pump machines? Have there been any technologiocal advancements in recent years? Where is the best place to fill tires? Any good deals?

Up until now I often stop in at one of the stations near Exit 3, but I don’t have to go there if there is a better option.

The BAJC “Pop-up” Gift Shop for Chanukah!

by BAJC Shir HeHarim | Spiritual

The BAJC “pop-up” gift shop will be open for several  days this week and next.  Chanukah candles are available, along with menorahs, dreidels, chocolate “gelt” and other Judaica and gift items. Although you can’t purchase anything on Shabbat,  you can select your candles and gifts next Saturday morning (12/13), and pay another day, when it’s not Shabbat. (You can send a check to BAJC.) 

The gift shop (in the BAJC office–the cottage behind the shul) will also be open on Monday 12/8 from 3:00 to 6:00, on Wednesday the 10th from 1:30 to 5:30, on Thursday the 11th from 3:00 to 8:30, and on Friday the 19th from 4:00 on.

What Is A Quaker?

by JohnWilmerding | Activism

For my friends and acquaintances, who will frequently ask me “What’s a Quaker?” “Aren’t they something like the Amish?” and especially “Why do you always seem to speak out about things that concern you?”

Nice Snow Coming Down in Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Nature

For the moment, the snow falling outside looks quite wonderful. It’s somewhat heavy looking, falling fast and straight with occasional gusts to blow it around.

I have yet to think too much about shovelling it, and can just appreciate this first covering over of autmn remnants.

Check the for the latest in forecasts, don’t drive unless you absolutely have to, and have a safe and warm Thanksgiving. 

Brattleboro Parking Ban Ticket?

by Not Signed In | Questions & Answers

When I moved in to the town of Brattleboro in April, I went to the parking enforcement office to find out about the parking rules on my street. Carol Coulombe in that office said don’t worry about unless there is snow and not mentioning the winter parking ban. Well apparently Officer Hamilton went on a ticketing spree last night and I woke to a parking ticket and not a flake of snow.

BMH Annual Meeting Features Special Guests and Key Topics

by BMH | Health

The Annual Meeting of the Southern Vermont Health Services Corporation and its subsidiary, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) held on November 14, 2014 featured special guests, key topics, and various recognitions.

Keynote speaker , Founding Member, Vermont Green Mountain Care Board and Adjunct Professor, Dept. Community & Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, discussed the evolution of the US health care delivery system and the population health approach to improving the health of communities.

Entergy Push Poll

by Not Signed In | Questions & Answers

Yesterday, I was called by “VT Opinion Survey” with what was quite obviously a push poll from Entergy, owners of Vermont Yankee. I am a sucker for polls and had a fun time scoring Entergy on topics such as “trust worthy” and “transparency.” After about 20 minutes, the caller repeated the same initial questions and asked if, as a result of the call, I had changed my mind on any of the topics.

Anyone else out there get a call?

Pharmacy Search

by KAlden | Health

I just got notice that, unfortunately Hotel Pharmacy will no longer be a part of my insurance prescription network. I’ve been a customer there for 8 years and now need to find a new pharmacy. Does anyone know if there are any other pharmacies in town that offer delivery service?

Paws for Prevention Photo Fundraiser

by BAPC | Pets

Come support Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition and Windham County Humane Society on Saturday by coming out with your two-legged and four-legged loved ones and enjoy the fun of having a professional photograph taken, by Liz LaVorgna of Core Photo, in a nostalgic winter holiday setting.

Photos will be provided in digital form to download  to a personal computer or smartphone. Prints may be ordered online and the images can be used to create unique holiday gifts such as mugs, calendars and more.

Vintage Game – Crossbows and Catapults

by KAlden | Questions & Answers

I know this is a very long shot but thought I’d give it a try. My son’s had a game in the 80s called “Crossbows and Catapults” which they loved. We were trying to find one of these for a reasonable price. EBay and Amazon have several ranging from $150 to $275 ….ridiculous.  

So, I’m wondering if somewhere in the diverse land of ibrattleboro someone might have one of these languishing in their attic? As I said, I realize the chances are slim but thought it was worth a try. I’m happy to pay a reasonable price for it. Thanks!

BMH Physician Group Adds Post-Acute Care Provider

by BMH | Health

BMH Physician Group announces the addition of Nancy J. Redfield, RN, MS, ARNP, BC to its Post-Acute Care Services.

Redfield will work with Eric Pofcher, MD to provide direct care for patients from the time of discharge from Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, or another acute care facility, to admission at a skilled nursing facility. Their duties include managing medical problems in post-acute medical episode recovery, stabilizing chronic conditions and supporting decisions for individualized end-of-life care.

Brattleboro Family Medicine Welcomes New Providers

by BMH | Health

BMH Physician Group announced that Amanda J. Hepler, MD and Jeff Meckling, PA-C, have joined and are accepting patients.

A graduate of Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Dr. Hepler served her family medicine residency at Latrobe Family Medicine in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Aphids On Your Medical Marijuana Plants? Get LadyBugs!

by CrisEricson2016 | Nature

I found a little lady bug and didn’t have the heart to put it out in the cold, what with the weather going below freezing at night. So, I looked up ladybugs on the internet and found you can keep one as a pet.  I took in a green pumpkin that had never ripened and followed instructions to care for it.  Just a paper towel around the stem, a few drops of water a day on the paper towel so the lady bug can suck the water out, and a drop of honey a day for food.  I’ve had my pet lady bug for about 10 days now, she did leave for 2 days, then returned to her green pumpkin.