Weston library gets high-speed broadband; food baskets offered; FOLA raffles films

Weston’s Wilder Memorial Library’s high-speed broadband Internet connection has gone live. Wilder is one of more than 40 public libraries inVermont to receive a broadband Internet connection through Vermont FiberConnect.
Network speed tests before hooking up the new connection showed a download speed of 8 megabits per second and an upload speed of 4 mbps. After going live, speed tests showed a wired download speed of 193 mbps and an upload speed of 136 mbps.
Wilder library is inviting the public to bring laptops, tablets, smartphones and other Wi-Fi enabled devices to download digital audiobooks through its new Listen Up Vermont service that includes music, movies and more. The Wilder Wi-Fi is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from outside the library.
Library hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. For additional information about library events, programs and services, or to share ideas on how to capitalize on the library’s new broadband Internet connection, please call 802-824-4307, email wilderweston@gmail.com, or visit www.wildermemoriallibrary.org, its Facebook page or follow it on Twitter @wilderweston.

Food baskets for needy available

The Black River Good Neighbor Services is accepting applications for the 2013 Holiday Food Basket Program. Executive Director Audrey Bridge and her staff are eager to see that no person or family goes without food, and no child goes without a gift to unwrap during the holidays.
Residents of Ludlow, Proctorsville, Cavendish, Mount Holly, Belmont and Plymouth who believe they qualify should stop by Black River Good Neighbor’s Food Shelf and Thrift Store at 37B Main St. in Ludlow to pick up an application. Applicants may also download the application on-line from the BRGNS website, www.brgn.org. Individuals who have received holiday baskets in the past are welcome to reapply. Deadline for application is Dec. 1.
Those who are unable to get to the store may call Bridge at 228-3663 for assistance.

FOLA raffles off movie collection

Friends of Ludlow Auditorium will raffle its collection of 24 classic movies. The set includes The Life of Pi, West Side Story, Chicago and Casablanca. The proceeds of this raffle will go toward FOLA’s Reseating the Auditorium project aimed at replacing the existing seats in the auditorium with more comfortable seating.
Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 and may be purchased at their web site, www.fola.us. Raffle ticket numbers will be emailed to bidders. The winner will be notified by Jan. 1, 2014. Note: A shipping charge of $12 will be charged to the winner.

— Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson