Guilford Center Stage Announces 2026 Season

by DonInGuilford | Arts

Guilford Center Stage enters its second decade with the traditional spring and fall productions at Broad Brook Community Center.

The 2026 season opens the first weekend in May with “Shorts,” a program of small plays. Stage manager is Sue Kelly. Several works by regional playwrights are already in the lineup, and the group still welcomes script submissions by a January 23 deadline. Plays of about 8-10 pages are ideal, and a maximum of 12 minutes running time is suggested. Authors may submit pdf or word documents to producer Don McLean at don.inscape@gmail. com (or use the address to arrange to deliver a hard copy.)

Open auditions for actors for “Shorts” will be held in two sessions: Thursday, February 5 , from 5 to 7 pm, and Saturday, February 7, from 11 until 1:00 pm. No appointment is needed. Auditioners may come unprepared, or have a short monologue ready, and scenes from the short plays will be available for an impromptu reading. Auditions take place in the fully accessible upstairs theater room of the Broad Brook Community Center at 3940 Guilford Center Road, about 4 miles west of the Country Store.

Navalny and the Message For The U.S.

by RDavis | Activism

I have been reading Russian dissident Alexei Navalny’s memoir and the similarities between Russian and American politics are frightening. It’s no surprise to anyone in this country that we are living under a repressive regime that disrespects free speech and the rule of law. That is the case in many countries around the world today, but I believe most Americans never thought it could get this bad here.

As Navalny outlines political events during his short life, it becomes clear that Putin and Trump have a lot in common. They both are intolerant of any viewpoint not supporting them and they both will do anything to hold on to and increase the power and wealth they have.

When egomaniacal oligarchs assume power they are not satisfied simply bending their own people to their will. Their disease compels them to move to the next level. That means trying to take over countries beyond their borders and starting wars for no other reason than to give them more personal power.

Beat the Winter Blues with Cereal & K-Pop at Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

If winter cabin fever has your household climbing the walls, Next Stage Arts has the perfect cure. On Saturday, Jan. 24 at 10:00 AM, families are invited to a lively, low-pressure morning event in Putney: Cereal & K-Pop: Cabin Fever Cure!

Held in the Next Stage Arts Community Room (15 Kimball Hill, Putney), this family-friendly gathering is designed to get kids—and adults—out of the house and having fun together. The morning kicks off with a build-your-own cereal bar, followed by about 30 minutes of classic indoor fun: board games, card games, and even Twister to shake off those winter cobwebs.

Leda’s Kitchen 1 Year Anniversary! Take $5 off your order this week.

by LedaS | Food

Dear Food Lovers,

Thank you for the incredible support you’ve shown me as Leda’s Kitchen celebrates its first anniversary. Since launching the business a year ago and working ten out of the twelve months, I’ve completed nearly a thousand orders, serving close to three thousand dishes! I’ve met lots of new people on Front Porch Forum!

To celebrate, take $5 off your order next week with the code iBratt5. Railways Chicken Curry, Paneer Butter Masala, and Pork Chili Colorado are on the menu.

December 2025 and Year End Precipitation Report

by local | Nature

December was another drier than average month with 3.24″ measured, compared to the NOAA average of 4.30″.  Precipitation was well distributed thru the month but the 2 largest storms were both rain.

My 2025 end of year total is 46.66″, slightly lower than the NOAA average of 47.54″. Without the over 10″ rain in the month of May we would have been much lower overall.

Brooks Memorial Library Director Starr LaTronica to Retire in Spring 2026

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro and the Board of Trustees of Brooks Memorial Library today announced the retirement of Brooks Memorial Library Director Starr LaTronica following a decade of transformative service to Brattleboro. LaTronica plans to step down from her position on April 25, 2026.

“Starr’s commitment to community connection and innovation in Brattleboro has firmly established the library as a centerpiece of our town,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “We are immensely grateful for her leadership and wish her a wonderful, book- filled retirement.”

LaTronica has had a distinguished career in library service. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1980, she worked as a children’s librarian at the Berkeley Public Library before relocating to upstate New York, where she held a prominent role as the Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator for the Four County Library System. She was also president of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and has served as a member of numerous book award committees.

Kora Skeele on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Media

A dynamic community advocate and organizer, Kora Skeele inspires and supports by her example. In 2024, she received the Emerging Leader Award from SVT & Shires Young Professionals and Vermont Business Magazine’s Rising Star Award. Kora is currently the buzz behind BEE, a new discovery tool that connects folks with local activities and volunteer opportunities. Tune in to get stung in a very good way!

Brattleboro Apartment Fire at 107 Elliot Street

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

At approximately 1:42 p.m., the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to a fire alarm activation at 107 Elliot Street. Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire contained to a single apartment on the 6th floor within the building. The building’s sprinkler system activated as designed, successfully suppressing the fire. However, the sprinkler activation caused significant water damage to 17 additional apartments.

Two individuals sustained minor injuries during the incident. Both were evaluated at the scene and transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for further medical assessment.

Brattleboro Planning Commission Meeting: January 5, 2026

by planning | Town Plan

6:05 – 6:35 Public/Community Health in the Town Plan – Guests: Cassandra Holloway, Building a Positive Community and Shyla Foss, VT Department of Health
Presentation for the Town Plan about substance misuse prevention, and, more broadly, public health and community-wide strategies. Discuss possibly adding a Community Health chapter to the Town Plan.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting – Charter Petitions Public Hearing

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street, Room 212) and over Zoom.  The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  Closed captioning will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.  

Brattleboro Parking Enforcement Office Closed, Will Reopen at Transportation Center on Dec. 29

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Parking Enforcement Office will be closed the week of Dec. 22, 2025, and will reopen at its new location at the ground level of the Transportation Center on Monday, Dec. 29.

During the parking office’s temporary closure, the public will not be able to make transactions at the window. Online payment for parking fees will still be available at Brattleboro.gov/parking.

Brattleboro Holiday Closures

by Not Signed In | Town News

Municipal Center will be open for regular hours on December 31st, 2025 (New Year’s Eve). The Town Clerk’s Office will be open until 5:00pm. The Town Manager’s office will be open until 12:00pm (noon) on December 31, 2025. The Finance offices will be closed on December 31st, 2025.

Time for A New Strategy

by RDavis | Activism

When fighting an unconventional war you have to think out of the box and develop new strategies to defeat the enemy. The war that is being waged in this country by Trump and his people defies logic, morality, ethics and common sense. But he has the ultimate power and, so far, he has been able to do whatever he wants. The only sensible counterattack requires new strategies.

One of the impediments to having a government that should be fair and just for the majority is the two-party system.

The world is hardly black and white, yet we expect our country to operate within an unrealistic system that only offers binary choices. Life is not like that.