Community events: Local authors celebrate Halloween; River Artisans celebrates 40 years; fund-raisers for Humane Society, Rotary and Rock Library; and ancestry workshop

For more upcoming events, click here for The Chester Telegraph calendar. To be included in our Upcoming events briefs, email Susan Lampe-Wilson at calendar@www.chestertelegraph.org. Photos welcome. No PDFs, please. Notices must be received by noon on Fridays to be eligible for publication the following week.

Oct. 22: Vermont authors mark Halloween season

The Book Nook, at 136 Main St. in Ludlow, will mark the Halloween season with readings from three Vermont authors on Thursday, Oct. 22. The three authors will sign their books from 6 to 7 p.m., after which they will read from their works.

Springfield author Stephen Seitz reads from Sherlock Holmes and the House of Pain, in which Sherlock Holmes crosses swords with H.G. Wells’ infamous Dr. Moreau and the mysterious giant rat of Sumatra.

Brattleboro author Matt Spencer will read from his novel, The Night and the Land. The book is the first in a projected trilogy. In this part, a young woman falls in love with a young man with a murky, alien past, and there are deadly consequences of their relationship.

J.S. Moses kicks off a series of novels called The Halfbreed Chronicles with The Rod of Astagoth, in which a young nomad and his companion battle evil forces that threaten to tear their ancestral home apart.

Call Scott Stearns for more information at 802-228-3238.

Oct. 24: Dogs walk their humans in shelter fundraiser

You and your dog will have the opportunity to bring attention to the plight of homeless animals by walking an easy route in Springfield in the company of other dog lovers and collecting contributions.

Oct. 24: River Artisans Cooperative celebrates 40 years

On Saturday, Oct. 24 the River Artisans Cooperative is hosting a 40th Anniversary Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join Vermont’s oldest artist cooperative in celebrating. There will be crafting demonstrations and refreshments served.

RAC opened in 1975 in what was then the Odd Fellows building on Main Street in Saxtons River and moved to its current location on 26B Main Street two years ago. The gallery has always been staffed with member/volunteers. For more information on the event or to join the cooperative, call 802-869-2099 or visit www.riverartisans.com.

On Saturday, Oct. 24 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 25), the Springfield Humane Society will host its annual dog walk to raise money. The Howl O’ Ween Dog Walk and costume contest’s theme is Halloween.

Dress your pet in a costume to be considered for a prize. The walk starts at the head of the Toonerville Trail near Nortrax on 300 Clinton St., Springfield. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. The walk will go up to the bridge and back, or however far you decide to go. Dogs should be registered and vaccinated.

Fundraisers are the chief source of revenue for Springfield Humane. The funds allow the shelter to take in strays, pay vet bills, run spay/neuter clinics and find forever homes for all the animals that desperately need them. Collect pledges and help Springfield Humane  Society.

The first 25 people who donate at least $50 will be eligible for a T-shirt designed by local artist Dan O’Donnell. Pledge sheets can be found at the shelter or on their website: www.spfldhumane.org.

Any questions: call the Springfield Humane Society at 802-885-3997.

Oct. 24: Popular Rotary Penny Sale returns with 300 prizes

More than 300 prizes are ready to go for Springfield Rotary Club’s 63rd Annual Penny Sale. The sale takes place on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Riverside Middle School, 13 Fairground Road in Springfield.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the sale begins at 7 p.m. The evening culminates in a grand prize cash drawing of $5,000.

The grand prize drawing is at the end of the penny sale. Buy grand prize tickets now from any Springfield Rotarian for $2/each or 3 for $5. In addition to the Grand Prize, there will a $500 Door Prize, which will be awarded to one of Grand Prize ticketholders. The Door Prize winner must be present at the drawing.

The items cost a penny per chance to win. The prizes range in value from $15 to $250 and are donated by area businesses. All proceeds of the event are given back to the community. Over $510,000 has been raised to benefit area organizations and residents through the Springfield Rotary’s penny sales.

Oct. 25: Form a team for Books, Beers & Brains

Join trivia fans from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Rockingham Free Public Library, 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls for the first Friends of the Library Pub Trivia Night: Books, Beers & Brains.

Coordinating the competition will be masters of ceremony John Bohannon and Karen Fischer, two of the library trustees. The event  will help raise funds for programming for the Rockingham Library.

Team tables may be reserved for $75 (up to six) or come on your own to join a “pick up team” for $10 a ticket. Donovan’s will provide a cash bar, serving soft drinks, beer and wine. The Friends will provide complimentary sweets and savory treats. Teams will compete in 10 to 12 rounds of 10 questions in various categories.

To form a team, contact programming@rockinghamlibrary.org, call 802-463-4270 or stop by the library.

Oct. 29: Find New England ancestors at Rock Library

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Thursday Oct. 29, Wayne Blanchard leads a “Finding New England Ancestors” workshop at the Rockingham Library, at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls.

Blanchard will demonstrate how early birth, marriage and death records from many New England towns can be accessed free at the library. He’ll also discuss how joining lineage societies can further advance your family history research. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Bring your own laptop or tablet, or call ahead to reserve one of the library’s tablets. If you are unfamiliar with computers, a librarian will walk you through the research process. For more information about this workshop,contact programming@rockinghamlibrary.org, call 802-463-4270 or stop by the library.

— Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson