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Adam Strauss Returns to Next Stage for Two Nights of Comedy and Storytelling

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

Next Stage Arts is thrilled to welcome back award-winning comedian and storyteller Adam Strauss for a special two-night engagement, featuring two of his acclaimed solo shows: The Mushroom Cure on Friday, January 9, and Before I Forget on Saturday, January 10.

Tickets are $22 in advance / $25 at the door or take advantage of a special $35 advance package for both nights. Tickets and details are available at nextstagearts.org.

Brattleboro On Parade by Kevin O’Connor

by cgrotke | Books
brattleboro parades cover

Looking for a gift for someone who loves Brattleboro? There’s a new book celebrating all the various types of parades that have marched through town.

“Brattleboro On Parade” by Kevin O’Connor, featuring photos from the Brattleboro Historical Society is now available at most bookstores in town and at the BHS offices on the third floor of the Municipal Center. It is hot off the presses.

WSESD / Senate Listening Session on Proposed Vermont Education Reform

by Not Signed In | Education

The Board of the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) invites you to an upcoming WSESD Board meeting that will include a listening session with our local senators. The purpose of the listening session will be to provide an opportunity for comments and concerns regarding changes to the education system and school district redistricting. This listening session will take place during a WSESD Board meeting:

WSESU Board Meeting Minutes Dec 3, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

The main components of the $2 million dollar increase in Special Education funding includes:

● An increase in intensive services at the elementary level including medically fragile students and the need for specialized equipment and technologies.

● An increase of $700,000 in benefits with the majority in health insurance as well as about $500,000 in contractual salary increases. It was noted that it is a new occurrence that an increase in benefits is now larger than salary. The balance of the increase is from the additional need for contracted services for evaluations and specialists such as speech language pathologist and psychologist services.

WSESD Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Dec 1, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Ruby McAdoo noted that the next step in the budget development process will be at the full WSESD Board meeting 12/16/25. Working with the Board Chair, the budget review will be earlier on the agenda to encourage public involvement. The Communications Committee will be spreading the word about this meeting.

WSESD Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Nov 24, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

Frank Rucker reviewed the proposed budget summary (linked above). The percent change is currently at a 2% change. When developing a budget, meeting student needs as well as inflation rates are heavily considered in order to put forth a fiscally responsible budget.

Nancy Wiese shared information about the budget development for WRCC. She spoke to the challenge specific to WRCC; if a position is reduced, then a program is eliminated. Using carefully designed solutions, this year she is able to present a zero increase budget. This will not be sustainable in the future, but is the case this year. Currently the culinary program is being rebuilt and will be offered again next year.

Michael Bodel on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Our local Dance Ecology is alive and well – and thriving! MICHAEL BODEL’s innovative dance projects open our minds and hearts to explore ideas, concepts and beauty in new ways through movement, sound, objects…even fragrance!

WSESU Board Meeting Minutes Nov 19, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

● WSESU’s poverty level has been decreasing over the past three years relative to the national rate. As a result, Title I funding for FY27 is projected to drop to about 80% of current levels.
● The Vermont AOE has also indicated that there is no reliable information yet about the status of any Title grants for FY27.

Next Stage Hosts Winter Solstice Celebration, Community Sing-Along, and Cookie Swap on December 20

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts invites the community to gather for an afternoon of light, music, and togetherness at its Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 20. The event features hands-on activities, a festive cookie swap, and a joyful community sing-along, all free and open to all ages.

The celebration begins from 2:00–3:00 pm with luminaria decorating, offering families and individuals a chance to create glowing artworks to brighten the darkest time of year. At the same time, community members are invited to participate in a cookie swap drop-off, bringing a batch of homemade treats to share.

Antje Duvekot and Seth Glier at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY – Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary folk singer/songwriters Antje Duvekot and Seth Glier on Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 PM at Next Stage. Together, Antje and Seth create an evening of luminous storytelling—songs of heart, conscience, and connection that illuminate both the inner and outer landscapes of our lives.

Antje Duvekot is a German-born, American-raised singer/songwriter whose work has been critically praised for its hard-won wisdom, dark-eyed realism, and street-smart romanticism. Her bicultural upbringing and relative newness to English have shaped a unique poetic voice, giving her songs a startlingly original palette. These qualities underpin the powerful, empathetic perspective that informs everything she writes. Antje has won top songwriting honors, including the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the Kerrville Folk Festival Best New Folk Award, and the Boston Music Award for Outstanding Folk Act.

Using an AI Assistant for Genealogy & Do You Know About Elephind? The Free Newspaper Search Portal

by wcgig | History

The next hybrid In-Person and Zoom meeting of the Windham County Genealogy Interest Group will focus on  “Using an AI Assistant for Genealogy & Do You Know About Elephind? The Free Newspaper Search Portal,” on  Saturday, December 13, 2025,  from 10:30 AM to 12:30PM, Zoom and at Brooks Memorial Library.   In case of inclement weather, it will be Zoom only, Free and open to all.

Deborah Luskin on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Check out this show to hear Deborah Luskin talk about her new book “Reviving Artemis – The Making of a Huntress”.  She also talks about her kinship with Vermont, the land, hiking the Long Trail, and life as a locavore. Deborah has led writing workshops, programs for the Vermont Humanities Council, been a commentator on VPR and lectured widely.