150 Years Ago (1864 2/9)

by BusyMom | History

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Feb. 9,
1864.

Dearest wife, –

Here I am well and hearty, not very hearty though, for I have not done duty enough since I came back to
give me a good appetite. I believe that I had rather do duty than not. I feel so uneasy, think of home every minute, think of you all the time. How I wish I was at home tonight, but here I am eating Uncle Sam’s bread and cheese and doing nothing. Did I say bread and cheese? No not by a long shot. There is no cheese in the scrape without buying it. They have almost all gone.

Every Sunday: Daughter’s Enduring Connection

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Join author Donna Dearborn on Wednesday, February 12, at 7 PM, (Snowdate, Monday, March 5, 7 PM) for a talk on her book about her father, Frank Dearborn, who was Brattleboro’s Department of Parks and Recreation Director for 33 years. 

Every Sunday–A Daughter’s Enduring Connection is a tribute to her father, the story of a man who lived life with extraordinary kindness and humility. Frank Dearborn was the much-loved Recreation Director and fitness role model for the Town of Brattleboro for 33 years, active in biking, skiing, tennis, and an End-to-End hiker of Vermont’s Long Trail.

The Vermont Jazz Center Presents: The Jensen Sisters

by Not Signed In | Music

The Vermont Jazz Center will present the Jensen Sisters featuring Ben Monder in concert on Saturday, February 15th at 8:00 PM. New York-based Ingrid Jensen is a trumpeter known for her original work as a composer, bandleader and distinguished member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra. She has been hailed by jazz great, Marian McPartland for her ability to play “with all the fire and brilliance of a virtuoso.” Montreal-based Christine Jensen has been described as, “one of Canada’s most compelling composers.” She is a saxophonist known for her multifaceted compositions and orchestrations and has won Juno and Opus Awards in recognition of her work. They will be joined by guitarist Ben Monder, one of the most versatile and interesting colorists on his instrument. The quintet will be rounded out by acoustic bassist Matt Clohesy and Jon Wikan on drums.

Matinee Film Noir at Brooks Memorial Library

by Brooks Memorial Library | Entertainment

Escape the cold with a Classic Matinee Film Noir Series at Brooks Memorial Library. Wednesday Feb 12 at 2 pm we are screening a film about a juicy double murder in a jealous pique. 

What is film noir? Literally it means “black film” and it is a Hollywood genre of crime movie of the 1940’s and 50’s that developed mostly out of the Great Depression crime fiction.

After the film stick around for a little discussion lead by cinephiles Tom Bedell, golf/beer journalist and lover of film; and Tim Metcalfe, veteran Hollywood screenwriter and Brattleboro Film Festival Advisory Board member.

Half-Day Kindergarten Returns to Local School

by Not Signed In | Education

Neighborhood Schoolhouse revives “kinder” program for ages 4-1/2 to 6

Brattleboro, Vt.—When education pioneer Friedrich Fröbel invented the nurturing “garden of children” we now call kindergarten, he never dreamed that rigid literacy training, minimal recess, and a controversial “Common Core” curriculum would one day bear its name.

Kindergarten just isn’t what it used to be—many educators recommend starting at age six because the school day is so demanding—and some parents are seeking alternatives.

Brattleboro Time Trade Listings – Week of Feb. 8th

by Brattleboro Time Trade | Activism

The Brattleboro Time Trade and iBrattleboro are exploring ways to advertise BTT members’ services & goods regularly on the iBratt website. We will start by simply submitting recent offers & requests as a story, and see what other mechanisms unfold or get developed.

RECENT OFFERS:
Pickup truck for moving or errands
Eco Toilet Tours
One ticket to a VJC concert
Complimentary Adult Lift Ticket to Mount Snow
Graphic Design
Repair Lamps/Appliances
Solar Energy Site Evaluation

Summer Ski Jump?

by cgrotke | Questions & Answers

The advance weather forecasts for the mid-February ski jump look good. More snow, perhaps, comes later in the week.

I was reading minutes of old Selectboard meetings from the 1950’s and noticed a mention of permission being granted for a banner to be hung advertising the Summer Ski Jump.

What was the Summer Ski Jump and why don’t we do it nowadays?

Winter Farmers’ Market Happenings

by Sherry | Food

Stop by the Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market Saturday! 

Lots of familiar faces, as well as some new ones for the late winter season.  Back for their second Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market visit is Bee Field Farms of Wilton, NH with honey, herbs, teas and more! Vermont Quince continues to dazzle folks with all the possibilities presented by the humble quince! Green Mountain Flour is serving up smiling pancakes with sweet maple syrup.  Or take home a fabulous quiche or some hummus to enjoy during the week from  Clay Hill Corners Blueberry Farm and CSA. There are still fresh organic apples from Dwight Miller Orchards, and fresh spinach has appeared from Deep Meadow Farm.

Brattleboro Early/Absentee Ballots, Voter Registration And Town Clerk Hours

by Not Signed In | Politics

Early/absentee ballots for Annual Town and Town School District election to be held on March 4, are now available in the Brattleboro town clerk’s office. Anyone wishing to vote prior to March 4, may apply for an early/absentee ballot until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 3.

Early/absentee ballots may be voted in person in the clerk’s office, mailed to the voter by the clerk’s office, picked up by the voter or delivered to the voter’s residence by two justices of the peace. All voted ballots must be received by the clerk before the polls close on election day in order to be counted. Early/absentee ballots remain sealed until election day. Absentee ballot envelopes are opened at the polling place and ballots are processed through vote tabulators in the same manner as those voted in person that day. For more information or to request an early/absentee ballot call 251-8157.

Weekend Concert Series: Bad Brains Live at CBGB

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Okay, punks. Ready to stage dive? Let’s hit rewind on the time machine and head back to 1982 to see Washington, DC’s Bad Brains take to the stage at the legendary CBGB club in NYC.

Bad Brains are a weird and pleasant mic of reggae, funk, rock, and hardcore punk all mixed up together. Wikipedia says they started as a fusion jazz group, which makes a bit of sense. Bad Brains were musical in their madness.

They didn’t have it easy, though. Many DC clubs banned them around 1979. One might guess that the owners of the clubs were more worried about the customers than the band, judging by the CBGB crowd. Bad Brains did what any self-respecting punk band would do. They wrote a sing called Banned in DC and moved to New York.

National Geographic Channel “Building Wild” In Brattleboro!

by BuildingWildTV | Media

“Building Wild” is a fun, rugged new cabin-building series currently airing on National Geographic Channel Tuesdays at 9pm. The entire first season was filmed in the Bennington area, and features Paul DiMeo of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Hoosick Falls native Pat “Tuffy” Bakatis.  

NOW, the series is looking for new build challenges in the Brattleboro area! In each episode of the show, Paulie and Tuffy – The Cabin Kings – meet a client who has a big, rugged piece of land and a dream of putting a cabin on that property.

Sanders Congratulates Vermont Olympians

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) congratulated Vermonters who are among the world’s top athletes competing in the Winter Olympics that formally open today in Sochi, Russia.

“Vermont has a long tradition of excellence in winter sports that we owe partly to our state’s cold climate and mountainous terrain, but also to an outdoor spirit that dates back generations. I would like to acknowledge these athletes individually and wish them the best of luck in pursuing the gold,” Sanders said in the statement printed in today’s Congressional Record.

New Head of Chamber Guest at West Brattleboro Association Monthly Meeting

by WBA | Town News

On Thursday, February 13, 6:00-7:30 pm, the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will hold its monthly meeting at The New England House, 254 Marlboro Road. Michael Bosworth, president of the Association, will share discussion by the trustees at a meeting in January as to plans for the WBA this year. There will also be a report of the treasury.

The group will have a quick review of the various projects undertaken by the WBA including traffic safety, the Neighborhoods Project, signage, police/fire facilities, and the status of Brattleboro West Arts and West Brattleboro Partners efforts.

When Religion Is Politics – Prof Dan Miller

by Not Signed In | Spiritual

Recent decades have witnessed the emergence “political religion,” that is, social groups of global significance who define their political identities in explicitly religious terms. Examples of this phenomenon are numerous, and include global Islamism, Hindu nationalism, and the American Religious Right. This talk explores the significance of these movements for Western social and political thought and suggests how we need to reconsider our understanding of the social in light of them.

Healing Meditation Class

by MFTP | News & Information

New Healing Meditation Class
Starts February 6th, 6:45-8pm
Cost is a suggested donation of $5-$10 

Experience the depth of your healing potential.
Feel supported by guided meditations.

Awaken the joy within your heart.

No previous experience necessary

I-91 Reopened

by Not Signed In | Town News

Interstate 91 Southbound between Exits 2 and 3 and the Exit 3 on ramps have been reopened.

Cindy Cook
Public Relations Officer
Brattleboro Bridge Replacement Project