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150 Years Ago (1863 10/24)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, Oct. 24th, 1863

Dear wife –

I received your most welcome letter last night, and night before last I received Mr. Martin’s letter. It is strange that letters are so much delayed on the way. I have not much time tonight, but I will improve the time I have in writing to you. I do not mean to let you get the start of me. I am on guard tomorrow. I shall come off Sunday morning at nine o’clock and shall then try and get a pass to go over and see Susan and Mary Ann. I had a letter from Mary Ann tonight. Susan’s youngest child is very sick with the dysentery. I will enclose Mary Ann’s letter and let her tell her own story. I guess that she is homesick, she felt very well when I was over there.

Weekend Spanish Immersion Course in Brattleboro November 9th-10th

by Not Signed In | Education

Escuelita Spanish School is offering a weekend Spanish Immersion Course November 9th-10th at Hilltop Montessori School in Brattleboro. These courses make learning Spanish feel effortless, fun, and truly effective. Many of us have had frustrating experiences learning a second language. The way we were taught in school might have taught us the rules of the language but, in most cases, we did not learn how to speak the language.

Escuelita’s approach is based on brain and language acquisition research and it gets students understanding and speaking the language quickly and with a lot of laughter and fun along the way. After our weekend immersion course last June, one of our students wrote:

Free Brattleboro Film Festival Daytime Screenings and Discussion at Brooks Memorial Library

by Brooks Memorial Library | Arts

This year, the Brattleboro Film Festival has chosen two examples of film-noir that explore greed and the psychology of dependency in abusive relationships for free daytime screenings and discussions presented in collaboration with and at Brooks Memorial Library: 
On Monday, November 4, beginning at 3 PM, “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers” (US, 1946, 116 minutes) directed by Lewis Milestone will be screened.

Green Mountain Mummers Perform In Their 39th Year

by noe-hays | Entertainment

The Green Mountain Mummers, Windham County’s men’s sword dance troupe, will be performing on Halloween weekend for the 39th consecutive year! On Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, the group will present its symbolic death-and-resurrection “street theater” rain or shine in seven locations in Windham County, Vermont (see full schedule below).

The group of 12 men (mostly Windham County residents) is the oldest continuing sword dance and mumming troupe in the United States. Founded in 1975 and with only one of the original members still performing, the group has added many younger members over the last several years. However, it still operates in the manner of the traditional English morris and sword dancers from which the dances were originally collected: they meet to practice and perform only once a year. A favorite every year at election season is the group’s mummers play which has been characterized as a “live political cartoon,” drawing on current events and providing social commentary through humor.

Dummerston Emergency Fuel Fund Supper Fundraiser

by Dummerston Community Center | Dummerston

A Baked Bean & Ham supper will be held on Saturday Oct. 26th from 5-7p.m. at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center.
Delicious baked beans, baked ham, (hot dogs if preferred) with tasty scalloped potatoes, coleslaw, marinated carrots, and rolls. Yummy gingerbread with real whipped cream for dessert.

Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 5-12 years old.
Take-out is available. Call 254-1138 between 5-7 p.m. on the 26th to order.

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at Next Stage on Saturday, October 26

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present roots music quartet Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at Next Stage on Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 pm.

One of “America’s most inventive string bands” (The Boston Herald), Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem mix traditional, original and contemporary sounds on fiddle, guitar, bass and recycled percussion, and top that with joyous harmonies from four skilled lead singers. Hailed as “one of the most song- and arrangement-oriented bands in a field overgrown with pyrotechnic, jam- and solo-conscious virtuosos” (San Francisco Guardian), the band tackles the human condition with playfulness, courage and heart.

BMH Receives Komen Grant to Purchase Specialized Mammochair

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) has received a grant from the to support access to early detection and treatment programs for disabled patients.

With the Komen grant, BMH has purchased a specialized “Mammochair” to enhance the patient experience and enable BMH technologists to maximize patient positioning and ensure better images for diagnosis. The mammography chair is maneuverable, allowing the technologist to manipulate positions without constant readjustment of the patient.

Award-Winning Game Designer Comes to Southern Vermont

by Not Signed In | Other

Kathryn Blume, co-founder and Executive Director of Vermontivate!, an award-winning sustainability game, will be coming to Brattleboro on Wednesday, November 6th hosted by the Brattleboro Energy Committee. She’ll be sharing the story of creating a frolicsome on-line/real-world competition which infuses joy and creativity into the serious and important work of tackling the global climate crisis.

Launched in May 2012, Vermontivate! has had players from towns all over the state racking up points for everything from changing lightbulbs and starting compost piles to writing energy-related poetry, decorating bicycles and reaching out to people around the world who’ve been affected by climate change.

School Board Gets An Earful From Teachers, Parents

by Lise | Education

Over 30 people crammed into a tiny conference room at the Brattleboro Food Co-op Tuesday night with another 25 or so out in the hall outside to participate in a School Board planning session for future “public outreach” meetings that the board plans to hold. The meeting began with an hour long open session during which people were allowed to speak for two minutes each.

A number of parents and teachers spoke with criticism of the schools including over-reliance on data and standardized tests, changes in teaching methods and management style, treatment of experienced teachers, and other issues.

Is There a Skatepark in Brattleboro’s Future?

by AHubbard | Opinion

It should never have come to this.

A skatepark at Crowell Lot was about a safe place for kids to roll around on their bikes, scooters and skateboards, a wonderful plaza. It’s not a hog farm or a strip club.

Skating is a rare and magical sport, where athleticism and art come together. It’s a way to get your heart racing, to challenge yourself, to express yourself. It’s largely free and gets kids outdoors and unplugged. It fills an important void for kids that do not play team sports or competitive sports. Skating creates amazing social bonds for kids of different ages and economic backgrounds. There is nothing like it.

Sandglass Theater’s Voices of Community Presents Lenelle Moïse, Nov 2-3

by SandglassTheater | Entertainment

Lenelle Moïse in Womb-Words, Thirsting

November 2-3, 7:30pm

$16 General, $13 students and seniors

For reservations email info@sandglasstheater.org or call (802)387-4051

Sandglass Theater’s Voices of Community Series kicks off on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd, with poet/theater artist Lenelle Moïse and her one-woman show Womb-Words, Thirsting at Sandglass Theater in Putney, VT.

DHS Buildup

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

Reports are that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is engaged in a massive, military buildup.

An article by the Associated Press () confirmed an open purchase order by DHS for 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition.  

This has been confirmed elsewhere by (a private marketing news service).

TELL Vermont Results Vary for Brattleboro Schools

by cgrotke | Education

 is an anonymous statewide survey of licensed school-based educators. This includes full and part-time teachers, administrators, media coordinators, counselors, classroom assistants, and clerical support staff. Sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont NEA, the goal is to assess teaching conditions at the school, district and state level.

The 2013 survey was taken in March and April. A VEA representative in each school was to receive instructions to work with administrators to set up a faculty meeting to distribute letters with anonymous survey access codes. Teachers were allowed to switch letters in the same school to further randomize their response codes. Anyone not in attendance was to have been met with personally to explain the process.

Kurn Hattin Homes for Children to Host 22nd Annual Mental Health Conference

by KurnHattin | Education

On Friday, October 25th, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children will hold its 22nd Annual Mental Health Conference, Treating Trauma and Attachment Issues in Children and Families. This full-day workshop offers support, practical training, and continuing education credits for counselors and therapists, social workers, educators, medical and legal professionals, caregivers, therapeutic parents, and anyone involved in the field of child welfare or family services.

Vermont Jazz Center’s Howard Brofsky

by Not Signed In | Obituaries

The Vermont Jazz Center is deeply saddened to announce that our beloved president emeritus, Howard Brofsky passed away on Thursday, October 17th, 2013 at 8:08 PM. He led a life filled with passion for music of all kinds, and always made time for the people he cared for. We at the Vermont Jazz Center are grateful for his enduring support and mentorship. He has been the pillar of our legacy, gracefully upholding the tradition of our founder, Attila Zoller while providing his own insight, unerring swing and sophistication. Dr. Bebop died as he lived, with grace and humor and warmth, surrounded by people he loved. He will be dearly missed.

Brattleboro Ford Test Drive Event to Benefit BMH Emergency Department Campaign

by BMH | Health

announced it is sponsoring a “Drive 4 UR Community” event to benefit the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Emergency Department renovation and expansion project on Sunday, October 27.

From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM this Sunday, anyone with a valid driver’s license can test drive any Ford vehicle on a track set up in the BMH parking lot, located at 17 Belmont Avenue in Brattleboro, and Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign. Free coffee and donuts will be provided in the morning and complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers will be served from 12:00noon to 2:00 PM. An inflatable bouncy house and face-painters will also be on the premises to entertain children during the entire event.

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee is Accepting Applications

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee is accepting applications for FY15 Human Services Funding. The Application, as well as Instructions and Guidelines, are on the Brattleboro website – www.brattleboro.org. The Human Services Review Committee Informational Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center. The deadline to submit applications to the Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office is Monday, November 18, 2013 at 4:00pm. For information regarding the application process, contact Jan Anderson in the Brattleboro Town Manager’s at 802-251-8151

More Than A Few West River Beaver Killed

by Not Signed In | Op/Ed

This is a response to the letter in the Oct, 12th Reformer in regards to the demise of the wild beaver in the West River next to the corn field. Mr. Hamilton refers to killing a “few” beaver when in actuality a whole community was annihilated . Mr. Hamilton refers to killing scavengers such as coyotes, and vermin such as rats, Beaver are neither.

Upcoming Windham Regional Plan Public Forums: We’ve Got Questions

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) is approximately halfway through the two-year update process for the 2014 Windham Regional Plan. The Plan reflects shared values and concerns of the people who live in the 27-towns and discusses current and future issues facing the Region. The Windham Region consists of the 23 towns of Windham County, Readsboro, Searsburg and Winhall in Bennington County, and Weston in Windsor County. The Windham Regional Plan is updated on an eight year cycle during which the information and statistics presented in the Plan, the Plan text which describes both historical and developing trends and values, and the resulting Plan policies will be reviewed and updated based on current information and conditions.

Dispose of Expired/Unwanted Medications During National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This Saturday 10/26/13

by BAPC | Health

Dispose of expired and excess medications at Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, October 26, 2013  10am – 2pm

Safely dispose of unwanted and expired prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26th from 10am-2pm at one of five locations in Windham County, Vermont. All types of medications will be collected including sharps, liquids, pills and patches. Safe disposal of medications during Take Back Day prevents contamination of waterways and reduces the opportunity for medications to be misused by others. 

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Locations: