Living

Living story sections

Beware of Medicare Advantage

by RDavis | Health

Anyone who is 65 years or older is most likely receiving notices about changing their Medicare plan by postal mail, e-mail or through a variety of other media. Medicare open enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7 and anyone enrolled in either traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan can switch coverage. New coverage would begin on January 1, 2020.

It is important to understand the history of the Medicare Advantage program. In 2003 President Bush signed into law changes to the Medicare program that included the creation of Part D Medicare which turned out to be a financial bonus for American pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Free Talk and Open House at Our Energy Efficient Straw Bale Home on Saturday

by Chad Mathrani | Home & Garden

Over the last five years or so – through open houses, tours, and educational events – hundreds of members of the Brattleboro Community have visited our home under construction in West Brattleboro. We are once again opening it to the public in hopes of sharing our journey, learning from visitors and sharing what we know about local and natural materials, energy-efficient building practices, and working in the building field.

VFW $6.50 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 10-21 to 10-25

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6.50 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-043

Is There Anything More Important?

by RDavis | Living

While there may be many items currently on the federal legislative agenda, there is nothing more important than impeachment that results in removing Trump from office. It should be clear, to what I believe is a majority of Americans and world citizens, that the U.S. president is displaying an escalating level of mental health instability putting this country and the world at risk for catastrophic consequences. The erratic swings in the U.S. stock market often reflect the damage Trump causes by his impulsive actions.

Moose Sighting in Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Nature

On Friday October 11, 2019 I encountered a bull moose off the beaten trail of some woods in Brattleboro.  Earlier in the week on Monday, I had seen the same moose, or perhaps a different one, in the exact same location.  Before I saw the moose, I had encountered a pile of his fresh poop, and marveled over how each piece was the size of an acorn! 

VFW $6.50 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 10-14 to 10-18

by Not Signed In | Health

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6.50 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-043

Hoping For A Camaraderie of Justice

by RDavis | Activism

There is a new kind of camaraderie that has developed among people who feel that standards of justice, morality and fair play have been lowered to an unconscionable level by Donald Trump. Those lower standards have not only affected Americans but they have colored political activity throughout the world. Hopefully, once Trump is out of power, those standards will be somewhat restored.

The new comrades of the 21st century have created something akin to a massive support group because they feel the need to share their pain. Many have resorted to professional therapists, and if anecdotal evidence is close to statistical fact, the number of people who have sought therapy since Trump was elected has risen significantly.

People’s Forum on Healthcare

by ESchwartz | Activism

Do you and your family rely on Medicaid (Green Mountain Care) or Dr. Dynasaur? Do you have to buy private insurance, and worry about the rising costs? Do you have health insurance but avoid getting care because your deductible is too high? Are you dealing with medical debt? Do you have difficulty finding a primary care doctor?

Join others from the community at a public forum on the fight to protect Medicaid, keep local hospitals and clinics open, and fulfill the promise of universal health care in Vermont.

VFW $6.50 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 10-7 to 10-11

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6.50 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-0438

Mon – chicken broccoli casserole w/ salad

Stents, and Bernie

by tomaidh | Health

About a dozen years ago, I was having heart problems. I couldn’t walk more than a block without needing to stop and catch my breath.

The docs said I had a blocked coronary artery (just like Bernie) and recommended a stent.

I went over to Keene to get it done.

A Tale of Two Cities

by RDavis | Activism

The southeast corner of Vermont, that includes Brattleboro and Windham County, is a unique place. There is an abundance of people whose sense of fair play compels them to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to commitment to social, political and economic issues.

Although there are what some might consider too many non-profit organizations, local people are generous and give time and money freely when they see a need. Windham County has a reputation of being a very liberal area and that has most people characterizing it as a harbor for activists who consider themselves far to the left on the political spectrum.

Breakfast at the Brattleboro VFW Saturday Oct. 5th – Public Welcome

by Not Signed In | Food

The VFW will be having a breakfast Saturday Oct. 5th from 8 am – 10:30 am. This is not a buffet, but you may choose to purchase eggs made to order, sausage, bacon, tater tots, toast, homemade sausage gravy over biscuits, and pancakes or French toast with real maple syrup. This will be on the canteen side, not the hall side.

Autumn Crickets — Singing Their Way Back Home

by Lise | Books, Nature
Mr Cricket In Cup

At first, I thought our cat was bringing them in.  There seemed to be a cricket in every corner — crickets behind the bookcase, crickets in the sink, crickets behind the refrigerator, all chirping away.  As fast as we could catch them and put them back outside, more would arrive.  One cricket even had the temerity to hop back in the moment his feet hit the welcome mat on the other side of the door.  What was up with the crickets?

VFW $6 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 9-30 to 10-4

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6.50 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-0438
Sept. 30th – Oct. 4th

Mon – meatloaf, mashed potato, gravy, & veg

The Dismantling of American Health Insurance

by RDavis | Health

Instead of repealing the Affordable Care Act Republicans have found other ways to erode access to health care for more Americans. Policy changes, budget cuts and the elimination of programs have made it harder for moderate and low income Americans to access Medicaid, family planning services and a host of smaller programs.

These moves don’t make headlines and the people who are hurt by the changes may not even realize that they have lost something until they need a service. They also may not know that they lost coverage they may have had because they never tried to access the kind of care they had not needed.