The Region

News from towns around the Brattleboro area

Windham School Board Fights Back on Act 46 School Merger

by Lise | West River Valley
Windham Elementary School, Windham, VT

Although most towns across the state voted — in some cases reluctantly — to accept the forced merger of their schools as mandated under Act 46, the town of Windham did not. The Windham School Board continues to fight the merger of their elementary school into the new West River Education District, which they see as unconstitutional seizure of town property and against the best interests of their students.

On May 11, the Windham School Board took the unusual step of writing to all its neighbors in the new merged district to ask that they vote No on the latest school merger articles up for vote. The other towns in the West River district are Newfane, Townshend, Brookline, and Jamaica — all have agreed to merge their schools and have approved the merged budget.

Friends of the Moore Free Library Community Tag Sale

by Not Signed In | West River Valley

The Friends of the Moore Free Library are reserving spaces now for theirCommunity Tag Sale to take place on the Newfane Common on Saturday, June29, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

To reserve a space, please contact Julie at 802-365-7278 or julielavorgna@gmail.com or pick up a reservation form at the Library, 23 West Street, Newfane. The Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, Thursday from 2:00 to 7:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Newfane Town Meeting – Property Tax Late Charges Reduced

by cgrotke | West River Valley

I attended my first “real” Town Meeting today. It was the Newfane, VT Town Meeting, held at Williamsville Hall. Previously, I’ve been both a representative and a constituent in Brattleboro’s Representative Town Meeting system. This is the first time I could attend, or not, without needing to be elected  first.

Williamsville Hall is right down the road, so I took advantage of the sunny day and walked. Along the way a neighbor caught up with me and we arrived together, went inside and found seats.

Dummerston Community Center’s Annual Pampered Chef Fundraiser

by Dummerston Community Center | Dummerston

Dummerston Community Center’s Annual Pampered Chef event will be held Saturday, March2, from 12:55 to 2:55. Kim Martin will host the show with new Spring products, recipes, demonstrations of many cooking needs, also hands-on-cooking and tasting of spices, sauces and rubs. There will be a special drawing at 1:00 p.m. and drawings throughout the show.

Newfane History Survey

by Not Signed In | West River Valley

The Moore Free Library and Windham County Historical Society are looking into creating a program to record, preserve, and share people’s stories about Newfane.

Answering these few questions will help give us direction as we shape the project.

First Ever Artisan Market at Putney Moves!

by Not Signed In | Putney

Please join us this Saturday for our first ever Artisan Market showcasing local artisans and crafters! In an attempt to support small businesses and local artists we are transforming our yoga studio into an indoor market stocked with jewelry, leather goods, soaps, plants, 10 minute massages, gently loved yoga gear, our new apparel line, and other great holiday gifts! Raffle prize to include two yoga blocks, a new tank top and yoga mat! We are so excited to share this time off the mat with you and to give our community members an opportunity to showcase their passions!

Guilford Polling Place & Hours

by DonInGuilford | Guilford

General Elections — you’ve probably been hearing about this! — are Tuesday, Nov. 6. Guilford polling place is back at Broad Brook Community Center, formerly the Grange, polls open 10 am – 7 pm. (This year’s Phase 1 of renovations will be completed by then, so your trip to the polls can be combined with a first look at the project: New access ramp out front and entry will make wheelchair access better than ever, and restrooms are now fully accessible, among other improvements.)

You will have the opportunity to vote for Congress, Statewide offices such as Governor, County posts such as High Bailiff and State Senator, and your Windham District-1 rep to the legislature. At the town level, there is a contest for Justices of the Peace.

Benefit Rummage and Tag Sale at Dummerston Community Center

by Dummerston Community Center | Dummerston

There will be a benefit rummage and tag sale on Saturday, Oct. 20th, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dummerston Community Center, 150 West St. Items for sale include clothing, fabrics, sewing machine, sewing accessories, kitchen ware, glassware, footwear, costumes and wigs, toys and games, wedding gown, bedding and so much more, filling two rooms. Some items priced, some by donation.

Rummage and Tag Sale at the Dummerston Community Center

by Dummerston Community Center | Dummerston

There will be a benefit rummage and tag sale on Saturday, June 30th, from 9-noon at the Dummerston Community Center, located at 150 West Street. Items for sale include furniture, furnishings, kitchenware, footwear, books, toys, games, clothing and many miscellaneous items, two rooms full. Some items priced, some by donation. Money donations from the sale will benefit the Center’s operating and maintenance cost.

Vernon Launches Campaign To Save Fireworks Display

by MartinLangeveld | Vernon

Vernon needs some money to put on the traditional fireworks display after the Town Picnic on June 30, even though the Town Meeting in March voted to appropriate funding for the event.

In the past, Vermont Yankee generously paid for the annual fireworks. But with the nuclear plant shut down, Vermont Yankee and Entergy have eliminated most of their local largesse. So at the Vernon Town Meeting in March, voters approved an appropriation of $2,000 to supplement about $3,000 that had already been raised from other sources (including generous donations from Northstar, which is planning to decommission the nuclear plant, and FirstLight, which owns the Vernon Hydroelectric Dam). The total cost for fireworks is $5,000-$6,000.

Friends of the Moore Free Library Community Tag Sale

by JulieLavorgna | West River Valley

The Friends of the Moore Free Library are reserving spaces now for their Community Tag Sale to take place on the Newfane Common on Saturday, July 7, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. To reserve a space, please contact Julie at 802-365-7278 or julielavorgna@gmail.com or pick up a reservation form at the Library, 23 West Street, Newfane.

CoverageCo Cell Service Likely To Cease

by cgrotke | The Region

Vermont League of Cities and Towns says:

“Vanu CoverageCo Inc. is a company that provides small cell wireless communications in several communities throughout Vermont. On March 13, 2018, company officials notified the Department of Public Service that CoverageCo would likely cease operations in Vermont due to financial difficulties. CoverageCo was under contract with the State of Vermont to deploy small cell antennas along specific travel corridors. CoverageCo provides limited, wholesale coverage to Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular. Retail users of these services in CoverageCo’s coverage areas may experience a loss in service. Facilities owned and maintained by these retail providers and other providers will not be affected.

Dummerston Community Center’s Annual Pampered Chef March 3rd at 12:55 pm

by Dummerston Community Center | Dummerston

The Dummerston Community Center’s Annual Pampered Chef event will be held TODAY, Saturday, March 3, from 12:55 -2:55 p.m. at the Center, located at in West Dummerston. Kim Martin will host the show with new Spring products, recipes, demonstrations of many cooking needs, also hands-on cooking and the tasting of spices, sauces and rubs. There will be a special drawing at 1:00 p.m. and drawings through-out the show. Proceeds will assist in operating expenses for the Community Center. Questions, or to place an order contact:Jean 254-9212, Ann 254-2415, Kim Martin 257-8602 or

Celebrate Heirloom Apples at Scott Farm Orchard: 15th Annual Heirloom Apple Day -Sunday, October 8

by PamK | Dummerston

The 15th Annual Heirloom Apple Day at Scott Farm Orchard on Kipling Road in Dummerston, VT beckons apple lovers of all ages to celebrate this iconic fall fruit. Come visit the 571-acre historic farm and orchard that border Rudyard Kipling’s former Vermont home, Naulakha, and other historic rental properties owned and renovated by Landmark Trust USA.