Kleeman trio tops Chester Music Series; historian Coffin at BRAM; and library offers state park passes

Chester’s Chris Kleeman returns for the final concert of the 2013 Chester Summer Music Series 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 on the lawn of the Academy Building across from the Green.

Chris Kleeman, right, will be playing with his trio in the last of the Chester Music Series.

Performing traditional and Chicago-style blues as well asa original compositions, Kleeman with his 12-string and slide guitars are joined by Bobby G. of Springfield on drums and Brian Hobbs of Pittsford on bass and harmonica.

In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Stone Hearth Inn, Route 11 West in Chester. All concerts are free and for all ages. For more information call 875-3400.

Coffin to speak on Civil War

Howard Coffin, author and authority on Vermont and the Civil War, will speak on the effects of the Civil War on Vermonters from Cedar Creek to Gettysburg, 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Black River Academy Museum at 14 High St., Ludlow.

Sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council, the program is free and open to the public. The museum is fully accessible for the disabled.

The museum’s current exhibit is on the Civil War showing the war as seen from the Southern point of view using satirical prints/cartoons. It is curated by museum member John Stewart, from his personal collection, the Amity Art Foundation.

For more information on the event or the museums other programs, call 802-228-5050 or email glbrehm@tds.net.

The Amity Art Foundation is an agency dedicated to promoting, encouraging and supporting the inclusive, accessible and social nature of traditional printmaking.

Rockingham library offers free museum, park passes

The Rockingham Free Public Library offers patrons free passes to some museums and more than 35 Vermont State Parks. With these passes, library cardholders may camp, hike and swim, take workshops or visit historic sites, including battle monuments and homes of former U.S. presidents. Passes may be used by individuals or families and reserved in advance for for specific dates.

The complete list of passes available:

• Vermont State Parks
• The VT Institute for Natural Science
• The Nature Museum at Grafton
• Vermont State Historic Sites
• Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center
• Vermont’s History Museum
• Billing’s Farm and Museum
• The Fort at No. 4

Call RFPL for more details at 802-463-4270 or stop by the Library at their temporary location at 41 The Square in Bellows Falls.
— compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson