Welcome to THE COMMONS -- News and Views for Windham County, Vermont

2022-06-15 13:56:47 By : Ms. Tina Tang

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The Commons is the public face of a larger nonprofit organization, Vermont Independent Media, Inc.

We came to life from the ground up in 2004, as members of the community became increasingly concerned about the consequences of absent corporate ownership of the daily newspaper in town and the need for local people to have access to the skills to create their own grassroots media.

VIM came to life lovingly and carefully thanks to indefatigable volunteers. The first public programs of the Media Mentoring Project began in 2005, and the first issue of The Commons was published in 2006. The newspaper was published monthly until 2010, when we began a weekly schedule. We are published on Wednesdays 51 times a year.

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By /Special to The Commons

Senior meal served in Dummerston

DUMMERSTON — Senior Solutions and Evening Star Grange will present a meal of “comfort food” on Wednesday, June 22, at the Grange hall in Dummerston Center. Take-outs are available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and in-house seating/serving available at noon.

The menu will consist of meatloaf (plant-based meatloaf is also available), mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Reservations are requested and can be made by calling the Grange hall at 802-254-1138 by June 21. Leave your name, telephone number and the number of meals you would like, and whether you will be eating in. A donation of $3 for those 60 and above and $4 for the younger folk is suggested.

PUTNEY — The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf will co-sponsor the next monthly drop of free produce and some nonperishables on Thursday, June 23, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Putney Meadows, 17 Carol Brown Way (the white building across from the Putney Food Co-op and the fire station).

All are welcome. Because of COVID-19, remain in your car at pickup, and volunteers will bring out bags.

TOWNSHEND — The West River Radio Club is pleased to announce that they will offer an FCC licensing and ARRL certification testing session for all levels and upgrades on Saturday, June 25, at 12:30 p.m., at the home of Andy Higgins at 2099 Simpson Brook Rd. They will place directional signs along the way.

Bring two forms of identification (one picture), any prior radio license, a pencil, calculator (not on your phone), and $15 cash or check. Most importantly, secure an FRN number from the FCC before you arrive, as the club is no longer permitted to test unless you provide your unique number. It can be found at bit.ly/668-ham.

All are invited to stay after the testing session to operate radios and enjoy a pot luck luncheon. RSVP to Mary Peterson at vtdoves@gmail.com or 802-258-3921.

GUILFORD — On Friday mornings at 10:30, join Guilford Cares in the walks at the Playscape, a delightful little park with a babbling brook and a gravel walking path around its perimeter. This activity is ideal for all fitness levels.

The path is flat, and walkers can choose to do one lap, then relax at picnic tables, or do as many laps as desired. The Playscape is a short distance up Carpenter Hill Road. From Guilford Center Road, turn right at the Guilford Free Library, go around the bend and look for the park immediately on your right.

Contact Guilford Cares at 802-579-1350 or guilfordcaresvt@gmail.com for more information or to request a ride.

DUMMERSTON — This summer, Green Mountain Conservancy (GMC) is raising $15,000 to build a much-needed trail bridge at Deer Run Nature Preserve.

For hikers, particularly those with balance issues and disabilities, the new trail bridge will provide safe passage over an increasingly precarious stream crossing located a short distance from the trailhead. Once safely across, hikers will be able to continue on their adventure and enjoy the rest of Deer Run’s magnificent and still-growing trail system.

Bridge construction is scheduled to begin in July.

Deer Run Nature Preserve spans the towns of Dummerston, Newfane, and Brookline and is one of the few remaining unfragmented large parcels in Southern Vermont. It currently offers 4.8 miles of out-and-back trails, with a third trail to open later this fall.

To support GMC’s effort to keep Deer Run’s trails widely accessible, you can make your tax deductible donation by visiting the donation page on our website: greenmountainconservancy.org, or by sending a check to GMC, P.O. Box 301, Dummerston, VT 05301.

Another way to support GMC’s bridge project is offered at the Brattleboro Food Co-op check-out. In June, shoppers who opt in to their Round Up can donate to support the trail bridge building project.

PUTNEY — The Putney Farmers’ Market is currently seeking produce vendors. Do you work a small farm? Would you like to find an outlet for your produce? You need not have a wide array nor a large quantity of any one type.

The market is open Sundays until Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., across from the Putney Food Co-op, next to the Putney Community Gardens. Vendors can be full season, half-season, every other week, or just once in a while. The market is very flexible and can accommodate your schedule. Contact the market manager at putneyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

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Originally published in The Commons issue #668 (Wednesday, June 15, 2022). This story appeared on page C3.