Brattleboro Senior Meals May 5 thru May 9
May 5 Swedish Meatballs w/Pasta
Zucchini
Summer Squash
Peaches
WSESU Sends Letter Supporting Inclusive Representation on HHB Prevention Advisory Council
The Board of Directors of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union sent the attached letter dated April 22, 2025 to Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders, CMP Assistant Director Tracy Watterson and Rebecca McBroom, Chair of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council Vermont-NEA as an urgent call for inclusive representation on the HHB Prevention Advisory Council.
In 2019 There Were Three Pink Seesaws Across the Mexican Border Wall
In 2019 for a brief moment in time there were 3 pink seasaws across the Mexican border wall for kids to play on with each other, across the international divide.
Rain On His Parade
The time has come for the protesters of the current administration to take it to the next level. There have been marches on Washington over the years and they have had some degree of effect, while sending messages that need to be heard from loud voices.
The difference in 2025 is that there is more at stake than ever before. Trump is quickly transforming our democracy into an oligarchy that will eventually become a dictatorship if there is no massive pushback. It is worth repeating that not enough legislators in congress are willing to fight against the new king. If they don’t kiss his ring they are subject to vindictive retribution.
Reflections on the “White Christian Nationalism” Event at Putney Meeting House
*A Letter from the Heart to Mike Mrowicki, Rev. Sparrow, and the Interfaith Community*
An interfaith initiative titled “White Christian Nationalism” recently circulated in Vermont, culminating in a gathering at the Putney Meeting House, led by Representative Mike Mrowicki and Reverend Sparrow. Everyone was friendly, and I believe well-intentioned. But the initiative, sadly, fell into the same trap we’ve seen repeated again and again: othering. Not just in whispers, but woven into the framing itself — casting Christian conservatives as the threat, and “tolerant liberals” as the solution.
Québécois Powerhouse Genticorum Brings High-Energy Folk to Putney’s Next Stage Arts – June 6
PUTNEY — One of Canada’s most celebrated folk trios, Genticorum, is set to bring their internationally renowned blend of traditional Québécois music to Next Stage Arts in Putney on Friday, June 6 at 7:30 pm.
With a sound that’s both deeply rooted and refreshingly contemporary, Genticorum has been captivating audiences for over 20 years. Known for their infectious energy, intricate arrangements, and joyful performances, the trio has graced stages from Scotland’s Celtic Connections to Australia’s National Folk Festival, and even the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia. Now, they’ll share their music with southern Vermont audiences in the intimate setting of Next Stage.
Book Launch & Reading in Putney: Tim Weed’s The Afterlife Project
Join acclaimed local author Tim Weed for the launch of his highly anticipated novel, The Afterlife Project, with a reading and celebration on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:00 pm at Next Stage Arts in Putney.
A finalist for the 2023 Prism Prize for Climate Literature, The Afterlife Project is a gripping and poetic work of literary speculative fiction. The story follows microbiologist Nicholas Hindman, who is launched 10,000 years into Earth’s future using experimental time-travel technology originally designed for deep-space exploration. In a haunting, uninhabited wilderness, Hindman searches desperately for evidence of the human race. Meanwhile, in the year 2068, the scientists who sent him on this mission are on a perilous journey of their own—a voyage by sailboat to a volcanic island off Sicily in search of another test subject, and perhaps, a future for humanity.
Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music Presents Geneviève Racette with Hilary & G at Next Stage – May 30
Putney, VT – Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music continue their 2025 concert season with a double bill of heartfelt folk-pop and boundary-pushing acoustic traditions on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. The evening features acclaimed Québec singer-songwriter Geneviève Racette, joined by genre-blending folk duo Hilary & G. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, or $10 for a livestream, available at nextstagearts.org.
Geneviève Racette has been turning heads across Canada and beyond with her emotive songwriting and ethereal voice. Since her 2014 debut, she’s built a bilingual following in both French- and English-speaking communities, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone, CBC, Exclaim!, and the Americana Music Association. Her 2022 album Satellite—highlighted by a duet with City and Colour’s Dallas Green—explores love, reflection, and resilience with rare emotional depth. Racette’s music has earned her a Canadian Folk Music Award, performances at top festivals, and radio play across North America.
Bandwagon Summer Series Kicks Off with High-Energy Global Grooves from Shokazoba and Zikina – May 24 at Putney Inn Field
PUTNEY, VT — The Bandwagon Summer Series returns with a powerful opening night on Saturday, May 24 at 6:00pm at the scenic Putney Inn Field (57 Putney Landing Road), featuring two powerhouse bands that promise to get audiences dancing, connecting, and celebrating: Shokazoba and Zikina.
Presented by Next Stage Arts, the Bandwagon Series brings music and community together all summer long at outdoor venues across southern Vermont. This year’s season launches with a global, groove-rich evening that blends afrobeat, funk, East African rhythms, and soul-lifting dance music.
NXT Gallery Presents “Art Array”: Paintings by Vermont Artist Ricky McEachern
The NXT Gallery at Next Stage Arts welcomes a new exhibition, Art Array, featuring the evocative work of Vermont-based artist Ricky McEachern. The show opens with a public reception on Thursday, May 29, from 6 to 8pm, and will remain on view through August 11.
A recent transplant from Boston, McEachern is no stranger to the visual richness of New England. His oil paintings, many based on his own photographs, reflect a deep connection to the region’s layered history and striking diversity—ranging from gritty urban centers to tranquil shorelines, forgotten mills to majestic mountains.
Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – May 2025
It’s the May 2025 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them. Numbers are low, but not zero. Scroll down the new comments for the latest.
Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – May 2, 2025
It has been a while, but the Brattleboro Selectboard will again hold a regular meeting to discuss items other than the FY26 budget. Instead they will examine more changes to the parking system, new murals and events, get an update on the Housing Plan, and hire a financial services company for a year to help ill in for the Finance Director.
The board will also have a discussion about the old bridges sitting in the Connecticut River and come up with a list of requests for the state of New Hampshire to consider. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
Brattleboro Finance Committee Meeting Agendas
The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.
The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.
Selectboard Meeting Notes – Chair Encourages Civility For Herself; Loses It Over Rescue Comment; Budget Passes
The Brattleboro Selectboard held a May Day meeting to discuss and pass their new budget, which takes the overall municipal tax increase down from 12.1% to 10.8%, shaving 1.3% from the budget rejected by Representative Town Meeting.
The public, those allowed to speak, weren’t very impressed.
Chair McLoughlin began by apologizing for being rude to young people at the previous board meeting. Later on, she shut down the meeting with gavel banging and demands for an adult to stop speaking about something she said could not be tolerated- a discussion of Rescue Inc correcting the record.
April 2025 Precipitation Report
A little wetter than average April with cool weather in the first half but warmer days in the second half. Measured 4.62″ this month with measurable moisture on 17 of 30 days compared to the normal of 3.85″. For the calendar year my number is 14.54″ compared to the NOAA average of 13.97″.
Also recorded 2.7″ of snow, bringing the season total to 54.5″. My snow average is 62.6″ per season. All numbers are from my location in the SE corner of Brattleboro and do vary with location.
Brattleboro’s New Draft FY26 Budget Up For Discussion
Town Manager John Potter did what the Brattleboro Selectboard asked and has revised the FY26 budget with an additional $317k in savings. Here’s his memo to the board explaining the cuts he made on their behalf.
And yes, there are un-chill cuts to the Library.
Rescue Asks Selectboard To Use Correct Numbers
Rescue Inc sent a letter to the Brattleboro Selectboard asking them to use correct numbers when discussing their services. In it, they calculate that the net cost to the town for FY26 EMS services would have been $255,846.00.
Full letter below:
Brattleboro Planning Commission: May 5, 2025 Meeting Agenda
7:00 – 7:30 Town Plan 2026
• Town Plan Survey – Review responses collected.
• Community Conversations – Identify targeted demographics we want represented in discussions. Identify potential organizations to reach out and arrange conversation with.
• Community workshop – Discuss community land use workshop, agree on a potential date, and discuss the need for any additional workshops
Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Policy and Amendment Committee Meeting Minutes
Gender Freedom in Schools
At the last meeting, the committee reviewed Pietro’s remarks on the draft policy. After that session, SK and AH met with stakeholders to further discuss legal’s response. Today, SK and AH when through Pietro’s comments point by point and shared potential revisions
Page 1, Philosophy, second paragraph. Remove reference to Title IX and strike through footnotes 1 and 2.
WSESD Board Meeting Minutes April 22, 2025
Summary
● A statement was read into the minutes shared by the Dummerston LC related to their commitment to DEI.
● The Finance Committee updated the Board about their regular meeting time: second Monday of the month at 5 pm. Location to be determined.
● The Board moved to approve a reimbursement of up to $100.00 per annum per Board Member to purchase publications for professional development as deemed pertinent to their work on the Board.
● A draft was approved regarding the composition of the Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Advisory Committee that will be sent to Secretary Saunders, Ms. Watterson, and Chair McBroom.
● A presentation was made related to the Education Quality Standards (EQS) and District Quality Standards (DQS) which will go into effect on 7/1/25.
● Two hires and three resignations were approved
● The Board entered an Executive Session resulting in an action.
