vermont

Brattleboro October Precipitation

by local | Nature

Continued dry with only 2 rain events during the month totaling 1.38″.  Normal rain for October is 4.77″. For the calendar year the total is now 38.67″ compared to the NOAA average of 39.71″.  At the end of August the calendar year total was a +5.37″ and now we are over an inch below normal.  It has been enjoyable weather.

Across Windham County, CoCoRaHs stations reported a high of 2.71″ and a low of 0.73″ for the month of October.  I did see a few snowflakes in the air one day this month.  All my numbers are from a rain gauge located in the S.E. corner of Brattleboro.

September Precipitation

by local | Nature

A dry month with rain on only 4 days at my location totaling 1.19″.  The NOAA average for September is 4.21″. This also marks the end of the Water year or hydrologic year that runs Oct 1 – Sept. 30.  My total for this period is 51.32″ compared to the normal of 47.54″.

Talked to a Town employee last week and the town reservoir (Pleasant Valley) was only down 8 inches at the time so no water shortage.  I can remember the reservoir being down 6 or more feet with the old road across showing.  This is opinion that I try to stay away from, but I enjoyed this past month with drier than normal weather and temps not too hot or too cold on average.

Donate to the Amazing Hospice Hunt!

by giddyitup | Culture

The Hospice Amazing Hunt is happening again this Saturday, September 28 to support Brattleboro Area Hospice. This is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year and we could use more donations! Teams of four will be racing around downtown Brattleboro, searching for clues in unexpected places around town.

If you are able, please donate to the team of your choice here! All proceeds go to Brattleboro Area Hospice’s multitude of free programs supporting those who are dealing with serious illnesses, at the end of their life, and grieving loved ones. For more information about their programs, visit: https://brattleborohospice.org/

Last Brattleboro Walking History Tours of the Season!

by giddyitup | History

Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary continues their walking history tour of Brattleboro, Vermont, leading participants on a journey through time while supporting a worthy cause. The final dates for this unique fundraiser are on Saturdays, September 28, and October 26 at 11 am.

Led by knowledgeable local Rotarian guides, attendees will spend 90 minutes walking up Brattleboro’s Main Street, delving into its fascinating history from its early beginnings to its present-day charm. 

Tours walk from one end of Main Street to the other (approximately 7/10 of a mile) with about 10 stops explaining Brattleboro’s history and culture. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours and will go from Plaza Park (across from the Co-op) to the Brattleboro Common. Older kids are welcome, but the tour is designed for adults.

August Precipitation

by local | Nature

A wetter month with 5.28″ of rainfall compared to the average of 4.32″.  There was measurable rain on 10 of the first 11 days and on 20 of August’s 31 days.  For the calendar year 36.10″ compared to the NOAA average of 30.73″. Across Windham County I see monthly totals as high as 7.59″ in Marlboro and a low of 3.75″ in Rockingham.  My numbers are from the South east corner of Brattleboro.  For more information visit CoCoRaHS.org

July Rainfall

by local | Nature

For my location a dry month with 2.27″ measured compared to the NOAA normal of 4.28″.  The moisture we did receive was evenly spread across the month with 4 being the most completely dry days in a row.  You can see the effects of less rain with lawns starting to turn brown in sunny areas.  Within the CoCoRaHs network my location is the driest in the state for July. 

In Windham County there are a couple of stations reporting over 4″ for the month so many locations are not as dry.  Up north it is a different story with near record rainfall.  A station in St. Johnsbury has measured 17.73″ for the month. 

June Precipitation

by local | Nature

June rainfall of 4.23″ compared to a NOAA average of 4.52″.  Just a little below normal.  The first 20 days of the month were quite dry then several days of heavier rainfall brought us to near normal.  For the calendar year still well above at 28.55″ compared to the NOAA average of 22.13″.  Any rainfall we were to receive today would be recorded/reported tomorrow at 7am, the start of a new month.  All numbers are from my location in the SE corner of Brattleboro.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – March 5, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard has decided to have a tiny meeting on Vermont’s Town Meeting Day. While everyone else will be looking over vote totals and analyzing candidate and issue wins and losses, the board will discuss upcoming legislation at the state level this season, public safety, and committees.  They will likely squeeze in reactions to local election news as well. 

You can bring up other items, if this Chair allows, during Public Participation.

Evie Kiehle on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Books

“Where Are the Women?” is a new book just published by EVIE KIEHLE, a BUHS senior. She looks at the lack of women in American Politics and has written a guide to the ways we can change this. Evie also talks about growing up in Brattleboro, and the people and activities that influence her.

Wyn Cooper on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

One of our finest poets, WYN COOPER has had some remarkable serendipity over the years (Joni, Madonna, Sheryl), and written some wondrous poems and lyrics that he creates by sound – harmonies of depth, irony and pure pleasure.

Surviving in the Rough Handbook (a work-in-progress)

by Norsehorse | Activism

Surviving in the Rough Handbook:

For those living unhoused in Vermont who either have been or are due to evicted from the motel/hotel program or have otherwise have already been abandoned to the streets, woods or elsewhere with nowhere else to call home.

A living, work-in-progress, document anonymously co-written by various peers (those with lived experience, knowledge and insights, because we have been there and have done that).

In solidarity. Don’t give up!!!

Author Matt Whalan Presenting On Homelessness

by Norsehorse | Activism

For those who were not already aware of it, Brattleboro resident and author Matt Whalan will be among two speakers at an event on homelessness held at Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier this evening at 6:30 PM and aired live by ORCA Media (via YouTube):

icymi: Commentary of Mine in the VT Legislative Record

by Norsehorse | Activism

Although I have since discontinued engaging in activism and advocacy (save for continuing to focus on access to public restrooms and related matters for a few more months or so), in case you missed it and it is of interest, I just stumbled upon this commentary of mine that is in the legislative record concerning attitudes regarding people living houseless (i.e., unhoused aka homeless), fyi:

Book Recommendation: Homeless Anything Helps

by Norsehorse | Books

In case you have not already come across it yet, a book on the subject of homelessness to consider obtaining and reading is:

“Homeless Anything Helps” by Vermont author Matthew Vernon Whalan; An Oral History (2021; Hard Times Review Press; paperback):