Brattleboro 2026 Dog and Wolf-hybrid Licenses Available

Annual Brattleboro dog and wolf-hybrid licenses are available for the 2026 licensing period. Dog owners who applied through the online portal or who provided us with an email address will receive an email from the Town of Brattleboro that the license is due for renewal. Anyone for whom we do not have an email address will receive a reminder notice by mail with instructions for renewing by mail or for claiming the record in the online portal through the Brattleboro.gov website.


Navalny and the Message For The U.S.

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.


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

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

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.


Time for A New Strategy

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.


Leda’s Kitchen Christmas Day Menu

Hello Food Lovers,

Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on Thursdays, which is Leda’s Kitchen pickup day. I’m excited to cook for you on these holidays! The best way to get the New Year’s Day menu and menus in general is to subscribe to my newsletter at www.ledaskitchen.com

Here’s my Christmas Day menu. Early pickup will be available starting 11am.


RIP Morgan Brown, aka Norsehorse

iBrattleboro readers might know Morgan Brown from his writings as Norsehorse here on the site. Here is his obituary:

“Morgan Walker Brown died peacefully surrounded by love on Tuesday December 16th. A person of enduring determination and wise compassion, to the very end he used his prose and his voice to advocate for people in need. Morgan inspired many to follow in his example of empathy, kindness, and compassion.

Among the many hats that Morgan wore, he was primarily a writer and activist in the Montpelier community. In recent years, he even began to show up around the community in a Santa suit to bring a smile and joy to those often forgotten in his role of Wandering Santa; this role had started as a small act of love for his visiting granddaughter and blossomed into a much larger deed as he subsequently brought holiday cheer to homeless encampments during the coldest months. His poetry was read aloud in press conferences and by legislators in the State House. Most importantly he presented it as a tool to advocate for people to have shelter and housing.


A Lifeline for Difficult Times: The Taking Solace Series January’s topic: Climate and Ecological Grief: An Exploration

In the midst of multiple challenges happening in our world, living with the growing effects of climate change can be overwhelming. Feelings such as grief, sadness, fear, guilt, despair, and helplessness can be held in community as we witness the ongoing destruction of our planetary home.

Join us on January 7th at 6pm as we slow down and create a place where we can share our feelings about what we are witnessing. This is not a venue for problem solving, it’s a place to express and share our feelings about how the earth is rapidly changing.


Leda’s Kitchen Menu This Week . . . and Preview of Christmas Day Menu

Hello Food Lovers,

I wanted to give you a heads-up that I’ll be presenting a Sichuan menu for Christmas Day. The offerings will include Kung Pao Chicken, Mapo Tofu (vegan), and Red Braised Beef. You can start placing your orders on December 16 at 7 PM. Please email me at ledaskitchen@gmail.com if you’re interested in viewing the complete menu. Now, onto the menu for the upcoming week!

CHICKEN VINDALOO (GF/DF)
Free-range chicken cooked in an abundance of garlic, vinegar, and balance of chili (it’s not actually that spicy!*)
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)


Afghan and Indian Meals Delivered in Brattleboro Second and Fourth Mondays

One way to support an Afghan refugee is to subscribe twice a month (second and fourth Monday) to her great Afghan and Indian cooking which is delivered to your home, if you are a Brattleboro resident. Other folks can pick up their meal (a meat and vegetable entree plus bread or rice) at the end of their workday from a downtown location.

Leyluma’s Gourmet Dinners cost $30 for one serving or $50 for two and is made from the freshest ingredients. The menu switched back and forth between Afghan and Indian entrees. She can also make a holiday meal or catered a company lunch. Orders must be placed by end of day Friday by emailing nanci.leitch@gmail.com or texting 802-258-8348.


Disrespecting Nurses

This country has faced a critical nursing shortage for years. The situation was made worse as a result of the COVID pandemic when health care workers were burned out and left professions that already needed to increase their numbers. Now, the Trump administration has created a new threat to the nursing profession by changing its definition of a professional degree to exclude nursing.

This a gut punch to the 5.86 million nurses in this country. Of that number, 920,000 are LPNs and 5 million are RNs. These are significant numbers, and I hope that all nurses are reminded of the disrespect that this Republican administration is showing to nurses when it comes time to vote.


November 2025 Precipitation Report

November was an overall dry month but seemed wet at times.  There was measurable precipitation on 13 of the first 17 days but only in small amounts.  Less days of moisture the second half of November. The monthly total is 2.36 inches compared to the normal of 3.53″. More than an inch below the average.  Year to date with just one month to go my total is 43.42″, just a few hundreds above the NOAA normal of 43.24″.