Community events: May 19 through May 25, 2016

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.

May 19: Book discussion on ‘Guernsey Literary’ at Rock Library

On Thursday, May 19 at 6 p.m., join Rockingham Library’s book club discussion of New York Times bestseller The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The group will meet at the library located at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls. Attendees can pick up a copy of the book ahead of the event at the library’s front desk.

In January of 1946, London is emerging from the shadow of WWII and writer Juliet Ashton begins a remarkable correspondence with members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

The Guernsey society was born as a spur-of–the–moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the occupying Germans. Captivated by their stories, Juliet sails to Guernsey and what she finds changes her life forever.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 802-463-4270, visit rockinghamlibrary.org or stop by the library.

May 20: BRGNS holds weekend Spring Rummage Sale

Black River Good Neighbor Services will hold its annual Spring Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms, 611 Route 103 S. in Ludlow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21 and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday May 22.

The sale features clothing, housewares, books, linens, furniture and all manner of goods. Shoppers are advised to bring plenty of small bills as purchases are made in each department.

Proceeds will be used to purchase food for the food shelf or for financial assistance programs in the community. BRGNS also runs a thrift store at 37B Main St. in Ludlow—behind the Ludlow Community Center. Its programs serve Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth.

For more information or to volunteer, call Audrey at 802-228-3663.

May 20: Special art exhibit opening at Grounded4Life

Come to the Table is a special art exhibit featuring artists who draw inspiration from the key meals in the biblical texts.

The exhibit begins Friday, May 20 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Grounded4Life on the lower level of the Chester Baptist Church, 162 Main St. in Chester.

In addition, director of  art Suzanne Nielsen and Pastor Tom Charlton will address “Fine Arts and the 21st-Century Church—Why?” and “What do You See? Decoding the Visual Message.”

The exhibit is open to the public on Fridays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Groups of any size are welcome during the week by arrangement.

Check out the Grounded4Life Facebook page or contact John Nunnikhoven at john4ns@fastmail.fm for more information.

May 20: Cancer support group meets at Neighborhood Connections

A Cancer Support Group will meet at noon on Friday, May 20 at the Meeting Place at Neighborhood Connections at 5700 Mountain Marketplace in Londonderry. Its aim is to provide a safe place to discuss the physical and emotional issues surrounding a cancer diagnosis; to share fears and goals about the future; to learn about practical ways to regain control. The objective is to meet once a month and eventually include speakers and educational programs. No registration needed. Bring a lunch and join others who know what it is to get a diagnosis of cancer.

May 21: Name that tune with Nature Museum

When you hear a bird sing, ever wonder which bird is trilling the tune? On Saturday, May 21, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Bob Engel, former biology and environmental science, will lead an intimate nature walk during the height of spring migration, helping everyone from beginners to experienced committed bird-watchers deepen their enjoyment of birds through song and sight identification.

Those who would like to carpool meet at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 21 at The Nature Museum at 186 Townshend Road in Grafton. From there the group will drive to a remote nearby private property. Directions will be mailed once registration is received. This experience is geared to adults and beginners welcome to join the group. Limited to 10 participants, pre-registration is essential.

The price is $20. In the event of severe weather, the walk will take place May 22. Participants should be prepared for slightly hilly terrain at a slow pace and should bring a water bottle and binoculars.

May 21: Come Spring Wildcrafting: Medicinal Mushrooms and Greens

Join The Nature Museum at 186 Townshend Road in Grafton, on a spring mushrooming and wild edible adventure: “Spring Wildcrafting: Medicinal Mushrooms and Greens”. There will be two opportunities to take advantage of this program: the first from 9:30 a.m. to noon and the second 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Co-founder of The Mushroom Forager, Ari Rockland-Miller will give a presentation to introduce the group to foraging safety, strategy, and ethics. Then attendees will caravan to a guided foray into the nearby woods conserved by the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association. Explorations will focus on the medicinal and edible treasures of springtime.

Ticket price is $30. To register, go to www.nature-museum.org/programs/adults. Contact Carrie King, Executive Director, for more information. Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets early.

May 22: Yankee Magazine’s Edie Clark at Misty Valley Books

Edie Clark, longtime columnist in Yankee Magazine, will be at Misty Valley Books, at 4 p.m., on Sunday, May 22 on the Green in Chester to talk about “As Simple As That,” a collection of the best of her 25 years of essays in the magazine.

The event is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow Clark’s remarks. For more information, contact Misty Valley Books at 802-875-3400 or visit www.mvbooks.com.

May 24: Beavers in Vermont

The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association hosts a presentation on “Beavers and Trapping in Vermont” with Fish and Wildlife expert Chris Bernier, head of the fur-bearer project, and James Stewart, longtime trapper. The discussion is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24 at the Cavendish Town Office meeting room, 126 High St. in Cavendish.

Speakers will address topics and issues in the context of best management practices for dealing with human-beaver relationships in Vermont.

This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. Bring questions and personal stories about the beavers in your backyard. For more information, contact Robin Timko at 802-226-7736.

May 24: Support for parents of tweens and teens

A 6-week Active Parenting Of Teens workshop takes place from 5:30–7:30 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays from May 24 to June 28 at Windham Northeast Supervisory Union, 25 Cherry St. in Bellows Falls. Greater Falls Connections and Windham County Partnership for Success are offering this workshop free for parents or caregivers of children ages 10–19.

This video and discussion program is geared to teen parents and caregivers. The curriculum includes understanding parenting styles, eliminating power struggles, building a child’s self-esteem, and reducing the likelihood of risky behaviors. It also guides parents in dealing with sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality and violence.

Michelle Sacco and Don Tretler, experienced parents and well-seasoned professionals, will lead the program. They have worked diligently to serve and empower both teens and parents. Quality childcare will be provided with advanced notice. Dinner will be provided.

Sign up by calling Deb Witkus at 802-463-9927 x212, or emailing deb@greaterfallsconnections.org. Find out more about the work of GFC at www.greaterfallsconnections.org.

May 25: Master gardener speaks at Whiting

Chester’s Whiting Library at 117 Main St. hosts master gardener Cheryl Wilfong at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25 to talk about gardening. Wilfong, also a master composter, will share her expertise with a talk on “The Well-Controlled Garden. Not!”

She is the author of The Real Dirt on Composting and The Meditative Gardener: Cultivating Mindfulness of Body, Feelings, and Mind and Following the Nez Perce Trail, a guide to the Nez Perce National Historic Trail in Idaho and Montana. Her blog is www.themeditativegardener.blogspot.com.

The library is handicap-accessible, and hearing loop equipped. Hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Monday and Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. on Wednesday, and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information call 802-875-2277, visit its facebook page, email whitinglibrary@yahoo.com and or the website at whitinglibrary.org.

— Susan Lampe-Wilson