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Winner of the Annual Write Action Flash Fiction Contest: Anna Blackburn

by Rolf | Culture

Anna Blackburn’s story, “Visiting Hours”, was selected as the 1st prize winner of this year’s winner of the Write Action contest. She is invited to read this story at the Write Action Local Author Showcase, during the Literary Festival on Saturday, Oct 5, 2014. 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden

There were so many excellent stories that it was a prolonged descion.

We hope you can come to the Showcase to hear local authors read some of their work.

On Exhibit: A World Illuminated by Imagination

by Brooks Memorial Library | Arts

Namaya and his B4Peace Team will be hosted by the Brooks Memorial Library in a multifaceted exhibit called “A World Illuminated by Imagination” to celebrate the library, the enchantment of books, and how they enrich lives and communities. Main Floor Panels & Mezzanine Wall, through October 2014

The Brooks Memorial Library houses an extensive permanent art collection, including works by Daniel Chester French, Larkin Mead, and William Morris Hunt, among others. There are also artifacts from history and pre-history: come see the mammoth tusk! Visitors are invited to take the self-guided fine arts walking tour. Tour pamphlets are available on both floors. 

Brattleboro Union High School Board Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Education

BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD
53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wssu.k12.vt.us

NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The BUHS #6 Teacher Curriculum Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6 (6:00 BUHS Gymnasium / 6:30 BUHS Room 239).

The BUHS #6 Finance Committee will meet at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8 in the WSESU James E. Kane Conference Room, 53 Green Street.

NOTICE OF MEETING

The BUHS #6 Board of Directors will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room.

Let’s Go To Valley Fair, 1893

by cgrotke | History

For many decades, Brattleboro was home to the annual Valley Fair at this time of year. It was a two day, town-wide celebration of livestock, farming, craftsmanship, sport, and entertainment. Brattleboro literally shut down so that everyone could participate. Imagine the Stroll merged with the Guilford Fair, on steroids.

The newspapers would hype the event for months, giving details of various fair committees and their decisions. After the fair, they would run multi-page accounts with full details, and pages with lists of every winner of every competition – from best pumpkin pie to the cow that can produce the most milk.

Let’s go to Valley Fair, 1893!  I’ve combed through the reports to recreate a visit for us.

CCV to Receive $2.4 Million for Job Training

by Not Signed In | Education

BURLINGTON, VT– Vermont’s Congressional Delegation and Governor Peter Shumlin today announced a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) award of $2.4 million to the Community College of Vermont in Waterbury for job training.

The funds are a part of a $2 billion DOL program investing in job training at community colleges around the country.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 9/29/14

by BCTVProg | Media

Monday, September 29, 2014

12:00 am  Green Mtn Vets for Peace: Ep 136: Soldiers of Conscience Pt.1

1:00 am  What Magic Is – Flying Sports in New England.

1:41 am  TED Talks: David Christian: Big history

2:00 am  FSTV Overnight

4:00 am  Envisioning the Future of VT’s Digital Economy

4:30 am  For the Animals: Grey Bear Designs

First Wednesday: Reading for the Life of the World

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Award-winning Vermont author Katherine Paterson will consider the importance and many benefits of reading in a talk at Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro on October 1 at 7:00 pm. Her talk, “Reading for the Life of the World,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free and open to the public. 

Paterson has twice won both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award. She received the 1998 Hans Christian Andersen Medal as well as the 2006 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for her work. Her books include Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob I Have Loved, The Great Gilly Hopkins, and The Day of the Pelican. An active promoter of reading and literacy, Paterson lives in Barre, Vermont.

Train Your Brain to Retain: Sat. Oct 25: A Day-Long Memory Workout, Shared With Others

by northeastpni | Education

The Northeast PsychoNeuroImmunology Institute for Healing presents “Train Your Brain to Retain,” a one-day program bringing people together to improve their mental acuity. On Saturday, October 25th, we will gather in a relaxed, private home setting to learn memory strengthening techniques, to support one another on our memory journeys, to eat food that’s good for the brain (and the soul!), and to have a good time.

Participants will learn how to give their memories a workout by using tools proven through neuro-science. Advances in neuroplasticity show us that the brain can actually increase its capacity to learn and remember. This is a class for people who know their minds are still capable, but who have noticed declines in their sharpness.

150 Years Ago (1864 9/27)

by BusyMom | History

(Post marked Martinsburg, W. Va. Oct. 1, 1864)

 6th Vt. Vols. Spt. 27, 1864.

Madam –

 It is with very sad heart that I inform you of the death of your husband. He was killed in action Sept. 19th, at the battle of Winchester during the last charge made by our Regt; A canister shot passing through his breast. His last words were, “I am a dead man.” We were in a great hurry at the time and I did not see him fall and did not learn of it until after the excitement was over. His things were all lost much to my sorrow.

Weekend Concert Series: Styx 1982 Live at Budokan

by cgrotke | Entertainment

Ahh, Styx. Make me think of my high school neighbor, Jack. He and I used to have arguments over the best bands. I tended toward Beatles and Stones. He insisted Kiss and Van Halen were the true rulers of rock. We’d each take turns playing songs for each other in an attempt to convince the other.

Jack liked Styx while they were rocking hard with albums such as Cornerstone, Pieces of Eight, and Grand Illusion. He wasn’t so sure about Paradise Theater, their 1981 release. It was a rock opera and a new direction. Still, it was Styx and it eventually won him over.

We Would Like To Apologize For That Failed Launch

by Rolf | Creative

Recently, The University of Brattleboro made two failed attempts at foisting hoaxes on the public.

The first was a spectacular failure. We attempted the largest UFAUX launch in the history of the University. Sadly, the result, while large in scale, fell far short of our hopes. The result was news stories such as the following. . .

Patty Larkin at Next Stage on Saturday, September 27

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary folk singer/songwriter Patty Larkin at Next Stage on Saturday, September 27 at 7:30pm.

Patty Larkin is a true phenomenon among singer/songwriters in the American folk music scene today. She has been described as “riveting” by the Chicago Tribune, “hypnotic” by Entertainment Weekly and a “drop dead brilliant performer” by Performing Songwriter.

Free Screwball Comedy Film at Brooks Library

by Brooks Memorial Library | Entertainment

Please join us for a free Screwball Comedy Film Series at Brooks Library. On Wednesday September 24th at 2 pm, come and see Paramount’s first collaboration between director Mitchell Leisen and screenwriting duo Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder.

The film merges Brackett and Wilder’s early emphasis on repartee and masquerade with ex-costume designer Leisen’s flair for high style and sophistication. Continuing through November 12th, (on select Wednesdays) the Brattleboro Film Festival and Brooks Memorial Library will present FREE afternoon screenings of nine Hollywood classic screwball comedies from Tinseltown’s Golden Era. Brattleboro Film Festival Advisory Board member Tim Metcalfe and journalist Tom Bedell will host post-screening discussions in the library’s Meeting Room covering a wide range of topics related to the screwball comedy era, filmmaking and Hollywood trivia in general.

The Second Annual T. P. James Write Like the Dickens Faux Seance and Real Writing Contest

by Rolf | Creative

In 1873, T. P. James persuaded many people that he was the “spirit pen” of Charles Dicken’s ghost. If you believed him, or if you were just curious, he would be glad to sell you a copy of his book.

As part of the Brattleboro Literary Festival, contestants will gather at the Brooks Memorial Library meeting room on Oct 4, at 10 AM. The room will be refitted as a seance parlor. The Seance could be described as “faux”, but we are looking for serious attempts to complete his novel,”The Life and Adventures of Bockley Wickleheap” one chapter at a time.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 9/22/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 8 schedule for the week of 9/22/14

Monday, September 22, 2014

12:00 am For the Animals: Love is Ageless

12:30 am Will McFarlane at the Rivergarden – Aug 9, 2014

2:00 am FSTV Overnight

4:00 am Former Vermont Governor Douglas – New Way Book Launch

5:00 am Green Mtn Vets for Peace: Ep 136: Soldiers of Conscience Pt.1

Opening Reception, New Exhibition: Gordon Jones’ Landscapes at CX Silver Gallery Sunday Afternoon

by CXSilverGallery | Arts

CX Silver Gallery presents Gordon Jones’ landscapes in a show entitled ‘Souvenirs’ (http://cxsilvergallery.com/gordon-jones) opening Sunday September 21 and running until next March together with a catalog available at the Gallery and online (, gray preview button located just under book cover image).

All welcome to the exhibition opening reception, Sunday September 21, 1-4pm at 814 Western Avenue. Gallery hours, otherwise, are by appointment, (802) 257-7898 ext. 2 or (802) 579-9088.

Weekend Concert Series: Talking Heads, Austin TX, 1979

by cgrotke | Entertainment

We’ve featured them before, but why not take another look at the Talking Heads? Here they are performing at Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin Texas on September 15, 1979.

Fear of Music was the 1979 album from the band, their second with Brain Eno and third overall. It was released in August, just prior to this show.

150 Years Ago (1864 9/19)

by BusyMom | History

The Battle of Winchester (aka The Battle of Opequan Creek) 9/19/1864

Blake, Charles, credited to, Charleston, VT, age 43, substitute – enlisted 8/27/63, mustered in 8/27/63, Private, Co. D, 6th Vermont Volunteer infantry, killed in action, Winchester, 9/19/64

http://www.ranger95.com/civil_war_us/vermont/infantry/rosters/6th_inf_rgt_rost_d.htm

Mansur, Zophar Mack, credited to, Charleston, VT, age 19, enlisted 8/11/62, mustered in 9/1/62, Corporal, Co. K, 10th Vermont Volunteer infantry, wounded, Winchester, 9/19/64, discharged because of wounds 8/31/65

150 Years Ago (1864 9/18)

by BusyMom | History

Clifton Farm, Va.

Sept. 18th, 1864.

Dearest Wife,

The mail has come in rather unexpectedly, and will soon go out again. The mail that has arrived has not been distributed, so I know not whether there are any letters from you or not. I got one Thursday. I have nothing new to write.

Guilford to Celebrate Dylan Thomas Centenary

by DonInGuilford | Arts

October 2014 marks the centenary of Welsh author Dylan Thomas, known to an unusually wide audience for a poet, this despite his early death at age 39.  

The town of Guilford  will host three commemorative Dylan Thomas events, each sponsored by a different non-profit organization, in October and December.  Guilford is known for its unique celebrations, such as our year-long 250th Town anniversary in 2011, so a few of us got the idea that if anyone was going to present this commemoration it would probably be our town.