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A Deadly Turn

by RDavis | Activism

The day that the government shutdown of 2025 ended was the day that any hope for preserving the quality of life of millions of Americans ended. On the surface, the shutdown was presumably about extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. But there was a lot more at stake.

The Republicans had already had success in shredding the Medicaid program by making sure that millions of people will not be able to access the program. Those changes have not played out yet. When they do, there will be a new epidemic of untreated disease that will have consequences throughout the entire health care industry.

Northern Lights Last Night

by local | Nature

Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights were out bright last night. Photo from the new bridge over the river on a cold windy night with clouds blowing thru.  Flare on the lens from the strong town lights .

Leda’s Kitchen Chef-Prepared Meals, Menu for November 13

by LedaS | Food

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-ish gluten-free 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.

Health Insurance and Our Hospital

by local | Health

I am a retired 68 year old with Medicare and BCBS plan G supplemental insurance.  Was on Medicare.gov yesterday checking out the supplemental plan and my Plan D prices. Ended up calling BCBS for the correct price and of course it came in the mail today.  Relatively good news, the plan only goes up about $22 per month which is better than expected.  $257 compared to this years $235 a month.

While on Medicare.gov looked at my profile and saw that I have paid less than half of the required deductible everyone who turned 65 after 2020 is required to pay.  Believe what has been paid is from an eye exam earlier this year.  I have been to a primary care provider twice and have had blood drawn twice.  Have not received a single bill from BMH this year and the first visit was in early June.  With the hospital running out of money wondering if many are not being billed.  My insurance combination is quite good, paying most costs, but I think the deductible should have been billed.   What is your experience?

Soup Supper to Support a New Brattleboro Winter Shelter

by RobertOeser | Activism

As winter approaches, a new community-led initiative aims to ensure that there are open doors to anyone who needs a warm and welcoming overnight shelter. You are invited to a free Soup Supper on Thursday, November 6, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Beloved Community Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro.

The supper will offer a chance to hear from Steering Committee members about the project and what support is still needed from the community.

Initial setup costs for the shelter are funded by the State of Vermont’s Extreme Cold Weather Shelter Program (ECWSP). The ECWSP grant will also cover staffing and operating costs for 20 of the coldest nights this winter. However, the Beloved Shelter, named for its host site at Beloved Community Church, aims to remain open every night from December 1 to March 30. Additional funding and community support will be critical to meeting this goal.

Leda’s Kitchen Menu for November 6: Saag Paneer + more

by LedaS | Food

Hello food lovers,

This week’s menu features my most requested dish: saag paneer, along with a classic chicken curry and Mexican pork tinga. 10% off your first order with the code ibrat. Orders due Tuesday, November 4 at 7PM for pickup Thursday, November 6. Questions? Message me at ledaskitchen@gmail.com or 802-246-7592.

SAAG PANEER (GF, Vegetarian)
A saag that goes above and beyond: small-batch house-made paneer combined with organic spinach, lots of onions, ginger, and garlic, and  finished with a hint of cream to elevate the soft, earthy flavors of the dish.​
$28 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)

October 2025 Precipitation Report

by local | Nature

I believe in this part of Vermont the drought is winding down. Over the past 2 months my numbers are within 0.44″ of the averages.  For October my total is 5.10 inches of rain compared to the NOAA average of 4.77″.  Across Windham County the monthly totals range from a low of 4.09″ to 6.73″ from the 13 CoCoRaHS observers with full data. October is the wettest month of the year followed by June from the averages.

For the year to date with 2 months to go the total is 41.06″ compared to the norm of 39.71″.  More than an inch above on a dry year.  I think if you go back in time 40 years or so the yearly normal was only about 40″.  Every 10 years the NOAA normals or 30 year averages move up by 10 years and have been increasing.

Filling the SNAP Gap

by Sherry | Food

The Brattleboro Winter Farmers’ Market has an update for all of our SNAP customers at the market. While VT is providing funds for VT SNAP beneficiaries, those funds will NOT be available until later next week.

HOWEVER, NOFA-VT has informed us that we can still distribute $20 in Crop Cash PLUS coupons for market shopping this week, Saturday, Nov. 1st to SNAP shoppers with no remaining balance on their account.

In addition, through Post Oil Solutions, we are launching a local charitable fundraising effort to “Fill the SNAP Gap.” Stay tuned for details and please do share the fundraising link when it goes live.

Leda’s Kitchen Menu for 10/30: Mulligatawny Soup + More

by LedaS | Food

It’s fall, which means it’s Mulligatawny Soup season! This dish is among my most requested. Additionally, I’m excited to feature two Ethiopian meals on the menu—dishes I haven’t prepared in quite some time—along with carne adovada to make tacos with to complete this diverse selection. Orders due Tuesday, October 28 at 7PM for pickup Thursday, October 30. Questions? Message me at ledaskitchen@gmail.com or 802-246-7592.

DORO WAT (An Ethiopian-style Chicken Stew) (GF, DF by request—contains ghee)
Free-range chicken simmered in a rich onion gravy, infused with a fragrant, deep red Ethiopian berbere spice blend.
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)

No Curbside Leaf Pickup in Brattleboro this Fall, Explore Eco-Friendly Alternatives

by Not Signed In | Home & Garden

The Town of Brattleboro will not be offering curbside leaf collection during the fall 2025 season. The program was discontinued during the fiscal year 2026 budget development process. While curbside collection will no longer be available, the Town encourages the community to explore alternative, environmentally friendly methods for managing their fall leaves.

The information below draws on guidance from the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Community Horticulture programs, the Windham Solid Waste Management District, and Brattleboro’s Sustainability Coordinator.

Less of a Medicare Advantage

by RDavis | Health

Medicare Advantage (MA) was created in 1997 to move the Medicare program further into the private insurance marketplace. It was a Republican led effort to privatize Medicare by offering people cheaper premiums and enticing them with things like gym memberships and cheaper drugs.

Over the years the plan has been so successful that more than 50% of Medicare beneficiaries have moved to the plans. The federal government was paying private insurers handsomely to offer the plans and they were rolling in a new source of income. But things are changing and some insurance companies are dropping the plans because they are not continuing to make the level of profit they have become accustomed to.

Health insurance is not about health because it treats individuals as if they were profit centers. Insurers count on people not using their product too much. But when a company insures seniors they will eventually end up having too many sick people use their insurance and that is not a good thing for them.