Fox Screams Heard on Chestnut St. Last Night

We were woken a little after midnight by a hoarse barking sound under our window. It went on at intervals of maybe 2 or 3 seconds between each bark. There was an answering bark in the middle distance as well.

The barking moved from yard to yard pretty quickly, but seemed to come back to our yard several times before moving off for good.


BMH Invites Public to Forum about VT Health Connect Exchange

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) is inviting the public to a community forum about the on November 12, 2013.

Join the conversation to learn more about the state’s new health insurance marketplace, which is designed to help you, your family or your small business find, compare and enroll in health insurance coverage.

According to the State’s Health Care Reform website at , “The Exchange is an online marketplace for health insurance products that requires all vendors (insurance carriers and state health programs) to play by the same rules. In 2011, the Vermont legislature passed Act 48 — a law that created the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. Vermonters will be able to start shopping for health plans on October 1, 2013 and the Exchange plans will kick in on January 1, 2014. The Exchange will be the only place where individuals and businesses with 50 or fewer employees can get health insurance.”


Hungry Heart Film Conversation

As a follow up to the showing of the Hungry Heart Film in Windham County, there will be a community conversation  on Wednesday, November 13, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. This event will take place at the Brattleboro Retreat Conference Center and light snacks will be served.

The Hungry Heart film explored the world of prescription drug addiction through the intimate world of Vermont Pediatrician Fred Holmes who works with patients struggling with this disease. The film provided an intimate look at the often hidden world of addiction and recovery and revealed the many challenges Dr. Holmes and his patients face in confronting a relentless and difficult disease.


TPP: What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You

The TPP is a corporate handout disguised as a trade deal. It gives multi-national corporations unprecedented rights and is being negotiated in secret.

From “Reject Fast Track for the Trans Pacific Partnership Action Page”:


Vermont Workers’ Center Joins The Root Social Justice Center

The Vermont Workers’ Center (VWC) announced this week that it will officially join the newly created Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro.  Tonight there will be an opening celebration from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. during Gallery Walk. Stop by to join the VWC and other members of The Root for an evening of celebration, refreshments and activities. The Root is located on the ground floor of the beautiful Whetstone Studio for the Arts building at 28 Williams Street in Brattleboro. The VWC’s Southern Vermont office will be based at The Root, along with other members of The Root collective: Alex Fischer of Open Bookkeeping, Mel Motel of the Just Schools Project, and Angela Berkfield of ACT for Social Justice.


Minding the Mind: Keeping Tabs on Your Changing Brain

Alexander Potter will give a presentation on our human brain’s ability to change and grow throughout its
life span on Tuesday, November 12, from 7–8:30 pm. This event, taking place at the Marlboro College Graduate School in Brattleboro, is part of the ongoing series of talks, classes, workshops, and support groups offered by the Northeast Psycho-Neuro-Immunology Institute for Healing (NEPNI).

The brain’s ability to reorganize is now often referred to as neuroplasticity.  Our brains change on a daily basis, and we play a role in directing those changes, with or without our knowledge.  You can keep tabs on how your brain is changing –and direct those changes for your benefit.


Winter Farmers’ Market Returns to the River Garden

The Winter Farmers’ Market returns to the River Garden for the eighth season of the longest running diverse indoor farmers’ market in southern Vermont. With the upcoming transfer of the River Garden property from BABB to Strolling of the Heifers, the Winter Farmers’ Market keeps it wonderful home on Main St. Fans of the famous outdoor summer farmer’s market in West Brattleboro, can simply follow many of their favorite vendors indoors starting Saturday, November 2 from 10 – 2.


Heat Pump Workshop Offered

Are you paying too much to heat your home, business, or rental property, or looking to cut your use of fossil fuels? A new generation of super-efficient electric heat pumps, suitable for northern climates, may be the answer for you. These devices provide heat and domestic hot water using 25-50% less energy than conventional systems. They are environmentally-friendly as well – 87% free of carbon emissions in Green Mountain Power territory. Heat pumps can also be combined with solar electric panels to provide 100% renewable energy.


Brattleboro Jelly Company?

This morning I was at Dental Health on Western Avenue and while I was there I saw some really interesting product labels from the Brattleboro Jelly Company. Dr. Neumeister had them mated and framed and they looked like they were probably from the early 1900’s. I looked online and I found other vintage Brattleboro Jelly Company labels for sale. Amazon.com even sells a canvas reproduction of the company’s maple syrup label. But I couldn’t find any information on the company itself.

Where was it located? Who owned it? When was the company in business? I have a feeling that there’s an interesting story behind those labels and I’m hoping that someone on ibrattleboro knows it and is willing to share.

Ken Brace


People’s United Bank Helps BMH Open “The Doorway to Exceptional Care”

Hospital officials announced today has once again stepped up in support of the greater Brattleboro community with a $75,000 pledge to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

“We are proud to support Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of the Emergency Department. The improved facility is vital to our community and to People’s United Bank’s 160 employees working in Brattleboro,” says Arne Hammarlund, Community Services Manager.


Paddlng In The Retreat Meadows

In an effort to get me to stop talking about the beach, Chris bought us a canoe this summer, well used but sturdy and appropriately green.  I’m not an expert paddler but I love to float around in boats, so I was appeased by this gesture.  Even so, it was almost September before we had mastered our knots (for tying it to the car) and assembled our gear.  But all the preparation turned out to be worthwhile once we pushed off into the Retreat Meadows.


Local Food-Wine Event – Sunday Oct 27 11-3 – Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole

Hello –

Some of you may know that I started a specialty food business last year. Part of Vermont Quince’s social mission is to reintroduce the ancient fruit to palates throughout the U.S. Toward that end, we are teaming up with our primary source of quince on “Honoring the Heirloom: A Culinary Celebration of Quince & Apples,” a food event happening this Sunday afternoon at Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole, NH. 


G.S. Precision Helps BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

is the latest business to join Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign. Hospital officials announced the Brattleboro-based company has made a $100,000 pledge to help renovate and expand the Emergency Department.

“G.S. Precision’s slogan is, ‘Quality, Efficiency and Reliability,’ and that is exactly what they are supporting with their gift to BMH,” says Steven R. Gordon, the hospital’s president and CEO. “The number of patients coming to the Emergency Department each year has more than doubled since it was built in 1982. The additional 2,500 square feet of space will enable us maintain a high standard of care while also improving speed, comfort and privacy for patients and families.”


BMH Receives Komen Grant to Purchase Specialized Mammochair

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) has received a grant from the to support access to early detection and treatment programs for disabled patients.

With the Komen grant, BMH has purchased a specialized “Mammochair” to enhance the patient experience and enable BMH technologists to maximize patient positioning and ensure better images for diagnosis. The mammography chair is maneuverable, allowing the technologist to manipulate positions without constant readjustment of the patient.


Vermont Jazz Center’s Howard Brofsky

The Vermont Jazz Center is deeply saddened to announce that our beloved president emeritus, Howard Brofsky passed away on Thursday, October 17th, 2013 at 8:08 PM. He led a life filled with passion for music of all kinds, and always made time for the people he cared for. We at the Vermont Jazz Center are grateful for his enduring support and mentorship. He has been the pillar of our legacy, gracefully upholding the tradition of our founder, Attila Zoller while providing his own insight, unerring swing and sophistication. Dr. Bebop died as he lived, with grace and humor and warmth, surrounded by people he loved. He will be dearly missed.


Brattleboro Ford Test Drive Event to Benefit BMH Emergency Department Campaign

announced it is sponsoring a “Drive 4 UR Community” event to benefit the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Emergency Department renovation and expansion project on Sunday, October 27.

From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM this Sunday, anyone with a valid driver’s license can test drive any Ford vehicle on a track set up in the BMH parking lot, located at 17 Belmont Avenue in Brattleboro, and Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign. Free coffee and donuts will be provided in the morning and complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers will be served from 12:00noon to 2:00 PM. An inflatable bouncy house and face-painters will also be on the premises to entertain children during the entire event.


Dispose of Expired/Unwanted Medications During National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This Saturday 10/26/13

Dispose of expired and excess medications at Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, October 26, 2013  10am – 2pm


Safely dispose of unwanted and expired prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26th from 10am-2pm at one of five locations in Windham County, Vermont. All types of medications will be collected including sharps, liquids, pills and patches. Safe disposal of medications during Take Back Day prevents contamination of waterways and reduces the opportunity for medications to be misused by others. 

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Locations:  


Getting Married in Brattleboro. Recommendations for Justice of the Peace or Other Officiants?

We have recently relocated to Brattleboro and are getting married! Being new to town, we are overwelmed by the choices of JPs and other officiants in the area. We have no history or familiarity with any of them. I was unable to find much online for most of the JPs in town, although for a few I did uncover some town involvement and newspaper quotes over the years.

I’d expect we aren’t alone in wondering who to call first; Brattleboro is a destination town, and  I’d imagine people visit here to get married, and have the same questions as us.


Deceased Cat Found Without ID

 Sadly a large whiteish cat was discovered last night (around 6:30 pm) hit and killed in the road, most likely by a car in front of 64 Western Ave. He or She was a large white cat with tabby type markings. The cat has been stored in a box if you are possibly the owner and care to examine please reply, but will be turned over to the town animal control officer by early tomorrow morning.Sorry for your loss if this is you. Please respond to this post for more information if you think was your cat.