New novelist at Misty Valley; Ambulance Service quilt raffle; Birdsong at Rotary

Ludlow native debuts novel at Misty Valley

Debut author and Ludlow native Rachel Carter will be featured at Misty Valley Books at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, to discuss her new novel “So Close to You.” Published by HarperCollins, the book is written with young adults in mind but is a page-turner for older readers, too.

Carter graduated from the University of Vermont and Columbia University, where she recently received her MFA in nonfiction writing. She has been a teacher, a nanny, a caterer and a bellhop and is currently working on her second book in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she now lives.

“So Close to You” tells the story of Lydia Bentley, who grew up hearing about the Montauk Project from her beloved grandfather, stories about the government experiments that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who’ve disappeared over the years, including her great grandfather. When she stumbles into a hidden bunker and finds herself in a vessel that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, Lydia realizes that everything she’s heard about the Montauk Project is true— and that she’s in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside Wes, a darkly mysterious boy whom she is wary of trusting, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices. And if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them … and herself.

A reception and book signing will follow Carter’s remarks.

For more information stop by Misty Valley Books, call the bookstore at 802-875-3400 or visit www.mvbooks.com or Facebook.

Tickets available for Chester Ambulance Quilt Raffle

The Chester Rescue Squad, part of Chester Ambulance, is selling tickets for 60-inch by 60-inch quilt, which will be raffled off during the Fall Festival on the Green in Chester on Sunday, Sept. 23.

Tickets are $1 or 6 for $5 and may be purchased from any Chester Ambulance personnel, including Debbie Aldrich at the Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St. Tickets are also available at Mountain Leather Design on the Green and from Laurie Cloud by email at ml2cloud@vermontel.net and Meghan Austin by phone at 802-376-8737.

Suzanne Ashe, owner of Country Treasures quilting shop, located on the Green in Chester, donated the material and Marie Tyrrell, also a member of the Chester Ambulance, designed and made the quilt, which is on display during August in the window of The Message for the Week.

For more information, click www.chesterambulanceservice.org.

Birdsong at the Chester Rotary

The Chester Rotary Club welcomes Russ and Gail Kruetzman to its Thursday, Aug. 9th breakfast, where they will speak about “Birding with Your Eyes Closed,” the joy of listening to bird songs as a way to identify birds rather than trekking through hill and dale with binoculars.

Cost for breakfast is $9 and the meeting runs from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Fullerton Inn, 40 The Common, on the Green in Chester.

An Evening Grosbeak

Birding with Your Eyes Closed is ideal for couch potatoes as well as those who simply enjoy watching birds from their patios. It can also be challenging to music lovers.

The Kruetzmans, who have homes in both Andover and Florida, have been volunteer guides with Audubon Societies. Periodically, they lead walks for Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society at Springweather Nature Area. Their Andover garden is filled with plants that attract butterflies and birds, making for an active patio life. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, the Kruetzmans will open their garden for a Birding and Butterfly Tour. A raindate is set for Sunday, Aug. 19. For information, email gailjacksn@yahoo.com or call 802-875-1282

Chester Rotary meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome.