Holstein Association Helps BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced today that Holstein Association USA, Inc. has made a significant pledge to “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

The world’s largest dairy cattle breed organization joins a growing number of area businesses helping BMH raise $3.5 million in public donations for the renovation and expansion of its Emergency Department. CEO John M. Meyer states, “BMH is one of Brattleboro’s most treasured assets. On behalf of our wonderful employees, we are pleased to contribute to The Doorway to Exceptional Care Campaign to ensure that BMH remains a strong, vibrant hospital well into the future.” More than $3.2 million has been contributed by businesses and individuals in the community thus far, including area physicians and hospital employees.


Scriptural Assistance

Anybody know the source of this quote?

“Behold! the angel said: O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him: his name will be Christ, Jesus, son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of [the company of] those nearest to God.”


Project Feed the Thousands 19th Annual Fundraising Kick-Off November 15, 2013

Brattleboro, Vermont – On Friday morning November 15th, Project Feed the Thousands will kick off its 19th annual food drive. The launch will take place at the Price Chopper Supermarket on Canal Street in Brattleboro, with a live broadcast hosted by long time media supporter, WTSA 96.7 FM.

The community goal this year is to raise $100,000 in cash and to collect enough provisions for 200,000 meals. The Project Feed the Thousands Team will collect non-perishable food, personal care items and cash donations on behalf of the thousands of people who face hunger each and every day throughout southeastern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire.


Smoke-Free Zone: BUHS Students Clear the Air in Downtown Brattleboro

Have you seen the blue and orange Smoke-Free Zone stencils on the streets of downtown Brattleboro? Are you wondering how they got there? Check out this video and find out more:  

During the November Gallery Walk, BUHS students used non-toxic spray chalk to create Smoke-Free Zone stencils on the sidewalks in front of supporting Brattleboro businesses.

Downtown Brattleboro businesses who supported the project and allowed Smoke-Free Zone stencils in front of their business include Amy’s Bakery, Boys and Girls Club of Brattleboro, Brattleboro Bike Shop, Brooks Memorial Library, Burrows Specialized Sports, Candle In the Night, Everyone’s Books, Experienced Goods, Gallery in the Woods, Hotel Pharmacy, In the Moment Records, Insight Photography, Latchis Hotel & Theatre, Life’s Little Luxuries, Mystery on Main, Peter Havens, Renaissance Fine Jewelry, The River Garden, Silver Moon Adornments, Taylor for Flowers, Vermont Artisans Gallery and Windham Flowers.


Open House at GMCFit 11/9 9am-noon Free Classes! Come See What We’re All About!

OPEN HOUSE! Saturday, November 9 from 9am-12pm! We will start the party at 9am with a community photograph of past, present, and future clients courtesy of David Shaw to show that fitness is for everyone regardless of age, gender,or present state of health and fitness.

20 minute free trainings will be offered all morning so that anyone can sample everything we offer…9:30 Boot Camp w/Lacy, 10am MMA Style Kickboxing w/Joe, 10:30am P90X w/Trisha, 11am Zumba w/Ami. Amanda Upton will be offering yoga from 11:30 to 12:00 to get the weekend started off right.


Fox Screams Heard on Chestnut St. Last Night

We were woken a little after midnight by a hoarse barking sound under our window. It went on at intervals of maybe 2 or 3 seconds between each bark. There was an answering bark in the middle distance as well.

The barking moved from yard to yard pretty quickly, but seemed to come back to our yard several times before moving off for good.


BMH Invites Public to Forum about VT Health Connect Exchange

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) is inviting the public to a community forum about the on November 12, 2013.

Join the conversation to learn more about the state’s new health insurance marketplace, which is designed to help you, your family or your small business find, compare and enroll in health insurance coverage.

According to the State’s Health Care Reform website at , “The Exchange is an online marketplace for health insurance products that requires all vendors (insurance carriers and state health programs) to play by the same rules. In 2011, the Vermont legislature passed Act 48 — a law that created the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. Vermonters will be able to start shopping for health plans on October 1, 2013 and the Exchange plans will kick in on January 1, 2014. The Exchange will be the only place where individuals and businesses with 50 or fewer employees can get health insurance.”


Hungry Heart Film Conversation

As a follow up to the showing of the Hungry Heart Film in Windham County, there will be a community conversation  on Wednesday, November 13, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. This event will take place at the Brattleboro Retreat Conference Center and light snacks will be served.

The Hungry Heart film explored the world of prescription drug addiction through the intimate world of Vermont Pediatrician Fred Holmes who works with patients struggling with this disease. The film provided an intimate look at the often hidden world of addiction and recovery and revealed the many challenges Dr. Holmes and his patients face in confronting a relentless and difficult disease.


TPP: What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You

The TPP is a corporate handout disguised as a trade deal. It gives multi-national corporations unprecedented rights and is being negotiated in secret.

From “Reject Fast Track for the Trans Pacific Partnership Action Page”:


Vermont Workers’ Center Joins The Root Social Justice Center

The Vermont Workers’ Center (VWC) announced this week that it will officially join the newly created Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro.  Tonight there will be an opening celebration from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. during Gallery Walk. Stop by to join the VWC and other members of The Root for an evening of celebration, refreshments and activities. The Root is located on the ground floor of the beautiful Whetstone Studio for the Arts building at 28 Williams Street in Brattleboro. The VWC’s Southern Vermont office will be based at The Root, along with other members of The Root collective: Alex Fischer of Open Bookkeeping, Mel Motel of the Just Schools Project, and Angela Berkfield of ACT for Social Justice.


Minding the Mind: Keeping Tabs on Your Changing Brain

Alexander Potter will give a presentation on our human brain’s ability to change and grow throughout its
life span on Tuesday, November 12, from 7–8:30 pm. This event, taking place at the Marlboro College Graduate School in Brattleboro, is part of the ongoing series of talks, classes, workshops, and support groups offered by the Northeast Psycho-Neuro-Immunology Institute for Healing (NEPNI).

The brain’s ability to reorganize is now often referred to as neuroplasticity.  Our brains change on a daily basis, and we play a role in directing those changes, with or without our knowledge.  You can keep tabs on how your brain is changing –and direct those changes for your benefit.


Winter Farmers’ Market Returns to the River Garden

The Winter Farmers’ Market returns to the River Garden for the eighth season of the longest running diverse indoor farmers’ market in southern Vermont. With the upcoming transfer of the River Garden property from BABB to Strolling of the Heifers, the Winter Farmers’ Market keeps it wonderful home on Main St. Fans of the famous outdoor summer farmer’s market in West Brattleboro, can simply follow many of their favorite vendors indoors starting Saturday, November 2 from 10 – 2.


Heat Pump Workshop Offered

Are you paying too much to heat your home, business, or rental property, or looking to cut your use of fossil fuels? A new generation of super-efficient electric heat pumps, suitable for northern climates, may be the answer for you. These devices provide heat and domestic hot water using 25-50% less energy than conventional systems. They are environmentally-friendly as well – 87% free of carbon emissions in Green Mountain Power territory. Heat pumps can also be combined with solar electric panels to provide 100% renewable energy.


Brattleboro Jelly Company?

This morning I was at Dental Health on Western Avenue and while I was there I saw some really interesting product labels from the Brattleboro Jelly Company. Dr. Neumeister had them mated and framed and they looked like they were probably from the early 1900’s. I looked online and I found other vintage Brattleboro Jelly Company labels for sale. Amazon.com even sells a canvas reproduction of the company’s maple syrup label. But I couldn’t find any information on the company itself.

Where was it located? Who owned it? When was the company in business? I have a feeling that there’s an interesting story behind those labels and I’m hoping that someone on ibrattleboro knows it and is willing to share.

Ken Brace


People’s United Bank Helps BMH Open “The Doorway to Exceptional Care”

Hospital officials announced today has once again stepped up in support of the greater Brattleboro community with a $75,000 pledge to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

“We are proud to support Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of the Emergency Department. The improved facility is vital to our community and to People’s United Bank’s 160 employees working in Brattleboro,” says Arne Hammarlund, Community Services Manager.


Paddlng In The Retreat Meadows

In an effort to get me to stop talking about the beach, Chris bought us a canoe this summer, well used but sturdy and appropriately green.  I’m not an expert paddler but I love to float around in boats, so I was appeased by this gesture.  Even so, it was almost September before we had mastered our knots (for tying it to the car) and assembled our gear.  But all the preparation turned out to be worthwhile once we pushed off into the Retreat Meadows.


Local Food-Wine Event – Sunday Oct 27 11-3 – Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole

Hello –

Some of you may know that I started a specialty food business last year. Part of Vermont Quince’s social mission is to reintroduce the ancient fruit to palates throughout the U.S. Toward that end, we are teaming up with our primary source of quince on “Honoring the Heirloom: A Culinary Celebration of Quince & Apples,” a food event happening this Sunday afternoon at Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole, NH.