Living story sections
Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice) is offering support for people living with Serious Illnesses.
Are you going through treatment? Feeling overwhelmed or scared? Living with a chronic illness or autoimmune condition? Talking with others may help.
The Serious Illness Program support groups provide a space for people to share personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies, and allow for shared learning.
Are you looking for a way to be involved in building community?
Volunteering at Center for Solace can make a direct impact on your neighbors and other local folks who need support!
Serious illness, hospice, and bereavement volunteers at Center for Solace undergo about 25 hours of training, and then work directly with clients, either one on one or facilitating support groups. You’ll learn to be a supportive presence to a person or family going through a difficult time.
It’s not the first time in the history of the world that a power-hungry deranged head of state is trying to take as much of the world as he can grab. It is the first time this type of leader is from the United States. It makes me sick, and it is not only causing Americans to be fearful in their own country, but it is also causing the rest of the world to worry if their country will be his next target.
Fear is the weapon of dictators and autocrats, and Trump is using it here to make people feel unsafe in their own country. If we really had a functional system of checks and balances the legislative branch would have the ability to be guided by a moral and ethical compass. Instead, Washington republicans are following a severely mentally ill leader in lockstep for fear of personal retribution. The lock on domestic power is almost complete.
At Leda’s Kitchen, I draw on my adventures as a private chef, cookbook author, and co-owner of Dosa Kitchen Food Truck to offer weekly heat-and-eat meals designed to awaken your senses and fit seamlessly into your schedule. My menus feature curries, stews, nourishing soups and stews inspired by diverse food traditions. I cook with high-quality ingredients including free-range meats and focus on local and organic sourcing. You decide when to eat, as all dishes are designed to reheat beautifully, maintaining or even increasing their original deliciousness. On the menu for the coming week (order by January 13/pick up January 15):
Jan. 12 Mac & Cheese
Stewed Tomatoes
Broccoli
Fruit Parfait
I was watching “live” online videos yesterday of ICE AGENTS pepper spraying citizens in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then there was the sound of shots fired.
Every city and town in Vermont needs to develop a plan so this won’t happen here.
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.
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.
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.
Jan. 5 Spaghetti w/Meatballs
Zucchini
Garlic Bread
Pears
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.
To order, just follow these three simple steps!
1. Place your order at http://ledaskitchen.com by Tuesday at 7PM.
2. Look for your confirmation email with the pickup address.
3. Collect your meals on Thursday between 4 PM to 7 PM or by special arrangement.
Dec. 29 Cheddar & Ham Quiche
Home Fries
Onions & Peppers
Fruit Parfait
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.
Is Everyone Kicked Out of the VT Sec. of State’s online office, or just me? It’s bad enough that I have been banned from most social media, but this is going too far. Banning me from the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office serves what purpose?
Are they afraid I will run for political office again?
Cris Ericson
December 22 thru December 26
Dec. 22 Kielbasa w/Sauerkraut
Boiled Potatoes
Carrots
Jell-o
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.
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.
Dec. 15 Ham Steak
Sweet Potato
Mixed Veggies
Pineapple Cake
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.
