Noticed Around Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Town Plan

Time again for one of our round-ups of observations of changes in the Brattleboro scene. Here are a few things I’ve noticed over the last few days, weeks, and months. What can you add?

  • The first bit of new bridge over Rt.30 is visible, showing a light-colored stone-patterned support column rising from the West River.
  • The Brattleboro History Center on Main Street has a great display of Island Park materials. Photos and artifacts relating to baseball on the island, political events, the grandstand, the pavilion, and more.
  • The candy store across from the Coop is closed.

150 Years Ago (1864 6/7 #2)

by BusyMom | History

Washington, June 7, 1864.

Dear Brother,

Mr. Baxter has just handed me a dispatch from you informing me that mother is dangerously ill. How I hope that she may recover, for I have fondly hoped that I might see you all again. I have received a letter from her and father since I have been here. It does not seem possible that I shall never see here again. I write this without waiting to get your letter, for you to assure her of that which I know she will be pleased to hear, that I am resolved to live nearer God than I have done. I cannot begin as some can, with a sudden breaking light. I have always been convinced of the true Christianity, but my vision has always been obscured and the faults of Christians have always been in my way, but I have resolved to throw all such things behind my back and not let those come between me and my duties. I regret now much that I have never prayed with my family. That is a thing I never mean to neglect, if I ever live to get home, however dark my own light may be.

150 Years Ago (1864 6/7)

by BusyMom | History

Washington, June 7, 1864.

Dearest Abiah,

Still in Washington. Shall not probably get away this week. Have no news to write. The battle still rages around Richmond, for it is an almost continued battle. There were many wounded brought in yesterday and this morning. I saw long trains of ambulances going to the wharf for wounded, but no returns are published yet, only the names of some of the officers. Lieut. Col. Henry of the 10th is wounded. I expect there will probably be a list of the wounded in the morning papers. If I see any names that I know I will send a paper. The hospitals here are getting pretty well cleaned out, some die, some go home on furloughs, some are going back to their Regiments. There are many hard cases yet in the hospitals. Mr. Loring’s son died yesterday. The diarrhoea set in, and he was so low that he sunk under it. I have not seen Mr. Loring since I wrote you last. Capt. Lillie died last night, and Capt. Hurlburt will hardly live through the day. The weather is still very favorable to the wounded. There is now a mail established to the White House. A boat leaves here every morning. It takes about 24 hours to go from here to the White House, and three boats are put on.

A Cappella à la Carte Features Three Regional Groups

by fomag | Music

GUILFORD, Vt. — Friends of Music at Guilford, now in its 48th season, presents an “A Cappella à la Carte” evening on Saturday, June 14, as the finale to its annual calendar. As usual, the evening’s three-part menu of membership meeting, all-community potluck, and a cappella concert takes place at Guilford Community Church, just a short distance from Exit 1 off Interstate 91.

The festivities begin at 6 pm with a brief and merry Friends of Music membership meeting. Folks can sign up on the spot and participate in voting for the upcoming year’s board of trustees, as well as symbolically ratify the current board’s actions in the fiscal year just ending. Preliminary plans for the 49th annual season of concerts are shared with everyone present.

150 Years Ago (1864 6/6)

by BusyMom | History

Washington, June 6th, 1864.

Dear wife,

I did not finish my letter yesterday, so will write a little more today. You ask me about the length of time I must serve. I feel a little delicacy about talking to anyone about what I have not got, but it is this way, it is for life or during good behavior, but there is no doubt but I can get out of it at any time I can give a good excuse for resigning it is the same as in the volunteer service. The government is not obliged to receive a resignation, but they do it. I should not feel like resigning during my term of service if the war lasts. If it does not last, I shall, but I must get my commission first. I think then I shall have you with me if it is a possible thing. It will depend upon where I may be, if in a fort then you can be with me, if in the field, I shall not try it.

Public Invited to ‘Trail Talk’ to be held for I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the next on-site “trail talk” for the Public on Saturday, June 14, 2014. These trail talks will discuss the status of the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project and allow the public to ask questions. The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the marina. The trail talk will be led by Caleb Linn, Project Manager for PCL (lead contractor), and Garrett Hoffman, Design Manager for FIGG (bridge designer).

Interested participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 8 a.m. and the talk will begin at 8:15 a.m. Participants will walk the trail to the I-91 bridge site, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Weekend Concert Series: Rolling Stones, Marquee Club, 1971

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Have we featured the Rolling Stones for a weekend concert series before? If not, shame on us. They are a band to study and emulate if one wants to perform on the big stage one day.

I can’t say much that hasn’t already been said about them, but can say that this show comes from one of my favorite periods of their career. I really like the Rolling Stones music of the Sticky Fingers – Exile on Main Street era. Bluesy, rough, under the influence, rocking, bad-boy, stadium-packing music that stands the test of (rock) time.

I got to see them for the Tattoo You tour (“the last time they may tour!”) in 1981. Not a great album, but a good enough excuse to go see them.

Mollie Burke To Share Information About Transportation Issues at Next WBA Meeting

by WBA | Town News

The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held at the New England House
on Thursday, June 12th at 6:00 PM. Vermont State Representative Mollie Burke will address issues pertaining to transportation as it relates to West Brattleboro at this gathering. A member of the Vermont legislature since 2008, Mollie currently serves on the Transportation Committee and successfully procured funds for the repaving of Route 9 slated now to be done ahead of the original schedule due to its bad condition. In addition, Burke will discuss pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Left Forum Conference Betrays MLKjr Ignores US-NATO Genocide

by jay janson | Op/Ed

DESCRIPTION:
Left Forum, “largest annual conference of left and progressive intellectuals, activists, academics, organizations and interested public.” This year’s theme seems to have been: MLK was Wrong!: Americans CAN make a better USA, WHILE continuing to kill the poor overseas in spite of cost in human and financial resources. Harry Belafonte, Angela Davis, Cornel West, others focused on injustice to Americans, ignored US-NATO genocide

TEXT:

Laughably Obvious Scam

by BusyMom | Sci-Tech

But I wonder how many people really get sucked into clicking the link?

The spelling and grammar alone should be a dead giveaway.

DON’T EVER CLICK ON ANYTHING LIKE THIS!!!

Anti-Free Speech Legislation in Brattleboro

by Kurt Daims | Op/Ed

Government to people: be quiet!

Over that last few years town government has voted too often against the people.  In 2010 there was a
referendum on Pay-As-You-Throw trash collection.  The police-Fire Project (PFP) and the parking garage were approved by the RTM after being rejected by the people.  In April the people rejected the 2015 budget
by referendum because of high taxes and the PFP, and on Monday (June 2) the selectboard and the RTM adopted it.  (Well, the budget had been approximately $16 million and now it’s ALMOST $16 million.)  After the budget referendum Mr. Gartenstein admitted that the referendum was largely about the PFP, but at recent hearings and at the RTM on Monday the board threatened that anyone discussing the PFP would be declared out-of-order.

150 Years Ago (1864 6/5)

by BusyMom | History

Washington, June 5, 1864.

Dearest wife,

Here I am yet. This morning received two letters from you. They come double. Was very sorry to hear that Edmond Goodwin was killed. I am going to the Columbia Hospital and Carver this afternoon. Was in to Mr. Baxter’s room this morning. Told Mrs. Baxter where I was going. Gave me a dollar and told me to buy some Strawberries for some of the boys at the Carver. She gave me their names and Wards. She spends all her time for the soldiers, goes to all the hospitals and finds the wants of the boys, If she does not have a supply, impresses some one into the service and sends them next day. She had a list of the articles that they wanted where she was going today, some Lemon pies, some Rhubarb, some dried apple turn over, some oranges and some lemons. These things she pays for with her own money.

Strolling of the Heifers Book Sale

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

The 13th edition of the Friends of Library Strolling of the Heifers Booksale will take place in the Main Room of the Library on Friday, June 6, 10 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday, June 7, 8 AM to 2 PM. The Giant June book sale is the Friends’ biggest sale of the year. There will be approximately 5,000 items for sale including hardback, paperback and coffee-table books.

Book prices will range from 25 cents to $3.00 with some special interest and coffee-table books priced higher. Titles cover a wide range of subject areas as well as a good selection of fiction. All books have been donated to the Library by community members. The books are screened for good quality and sorted by subject area by Library volunteers.

Creating the Cat Alphabet

by cgrotke | Creative

Recently, I spent some time combining two things I enjoy – pets and typography.  I know people like learning how things are made, so I thought I’d walk you through the process of creating a Cat Alphabet. Maybe you can help me profit from it. : )

The project started without much thought. I like drawing and having been using my cats as models for some time now. They are willing and able, and the bone structure of humans and other animals match up quite nicely. We all have ankles, knees, elbows, etc. You just have to get the proportions right for the animal you are drawing.

I decided to see how cats would fit into the various letters of the alphabet. I’ve been a fan of the alphabet since an early age, and started my life in graphic arts with hand-lettered posters in college.

Welch Statement on Sanders-McCain Agreement on VA Reforms

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Peter Welch made the following statement after Senators Sanders and McCain announced a bipartisan agreement for reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs:

“The cost of any war must include the cost of caring for warriors when they return home. That solemn commitment has been shaken by recent events.

Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro ADA Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 10:00am at Marlboro College Graduate Center in the VCIL conference room.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

Sanders, McCain Reach Agreement on Veterans Bill

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, June 5 – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) today reached a bipartisan agreement to improve veterans’ access to health care and address serious problems facing the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“While this is not the bill that I would have written, we have taken a significant step forward with this agreement,” said Sanders.

At a time when VA medical facilities in parts of the country have waiting lists that are too long, this legislation would give veterans access to private doctors, community health centers, Department of Defense medical facilities and facilities funded by the Indian Health Service.