Upcoming events: Hawk viewing for homeschoolers; cold weather clothes at Family Center; Most Interesting Man speaks; Whiting holds StoryWalk; Fall Festival in Chester; children’s author at Rock Library; Art on Hill returns to SVAC campus; Pinnacle groups holds Accessibility Day; Shelburne Museum hosts American art symposium; St. Luke’s opens doors; happiness discussion in NYC; Race for Cure at Hildene; ALS walk in Burlington; and Bread & Puppet Vietnam film

For more upcoming events, click here for The Chester Telegraph calendar. To be included in our Upcoming events briefs, email Susan Lampe-Wilson at calendar@www.chestertelegraph.org. Photos welcome. No PDFs, please.

Sept. 16: Homeschool Hawk Watch at Nature Museum

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Nature Museum at Grafton will host Homeschool Hawk Watch on Putney Mountain. This interactive naturalist program is designed for homeschoolers ages 7 to 16 and their families. Join the Nature Museum’s educator, Lynn Morgan, and the Putney Mountain Hawk Watch Team for a day of hawk watching.

Students learn why hawk watching is important and the procedures used in collecting scientifically valuable flight numbers. The day’s schedule includes lessons in raptor identification and ecology, binocular use, a moderate, ¾-mile hike to the summit and hawk watching. Parents are welcome to join this hawking adventure. This five-hour program costs $20 per child, with a maximum of $40 per family.

Meet at the parking lot for the Ridge Line Trail trailhead on Putney Mountain Road in Putney at 9 a.m.

Visit www.nature-museum.org to register and to view a detailed schedule, a packing list, rain dates and directions to the trailhead.

Sept. 16: Fall/winter clothing is now available at CAFC

Even though there is just a hint of fall in the air, the Chester-Andover Family Center Thrift Shop will be officially changed over to fall and winter clothing on Tuesday, Sept. 16. In addition, the shop has an assortment of accessories such as jewelry, shoes and purses as well as kitchenware, linens and decorative items.

The CAFC thanks the Vermont Country Store and the Williams River House for hosting its Volunteer Recognition Barbeque last month for the center’s volunteers.

The CAFC is raffling a 3 x 4 foot braided wool rug created by board member and volunteer, Edie Brown. Tickets are available at the Thrift Shop during regular hours. The rug will be on display through October at People’s United Bank, 57 S. Main St., Chester, and at the CAFC Election Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 upstairs at Chester Town Hall. Funds raised will support the center’s mission of “Providing a helping hand to persons and families in need.”

Thrift Shop hours are: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The center is located at 908 VT Route 103 S., in Chester. Phone: 802-875-3236, email: cafc302@gmail.com, and website www.chester-andoverfamilycenter.org  For updates visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/chesterandoverfamilycenter.

Sept. 17: Most Interesting Man speaks in Rutland

Jonathan Goldsmith, the actor who portrays the Most Interesting Man in the World in the popular Dos Equis commercials, will speak at College of St. Joseph at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Tuttle Hall Theater, 71 Clement Road, Rutland.

“Hollywood Tales with Jonathan Goldsmith” features Goldsmith recounting anecdotes about his career in Hollywood and commenting on some of his film credits. There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

The cost is $10 for general admission. Tickets are available at www.csj.edu/goldsmith. Proceeds from the event will benefit CSJ’s Provider Scholarship Program and Hunger Free Vermont.

Goldsmith also supports and is involved with various charities, including The Morris Animal Foundation and the Mines Advisory Group.

Hunger Free Vermont, formerly the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, is an education and advocacy organization with the mission to end hunger and malnutrition for all Vermonters.

The Provider Scholarship Program addresses national concern over the rising cost of higher education. The scholarship for full-time undergraduate students, worth more than $60,000 over four years, incorporates a commitment to academic excellence, personal and professional growth, and community service.

Sept 19: Whiting Library introduces StoryWalk

The Whiting Library invites the public to visit its StoryWalk, an initiative that combines a children’s story with a popular walking route. StoryWalk was developed in September 2007 by Anne Ferguson, a volunteer with the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition in conjunction with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Friday through Monday, Sept. 19 to Sept. 22, the library will be displaying South by Patrick McDonnell, located on the library grounds at 117 Main St., Chester. StoryWalk is free and open to the public.

Ferguson selects a children’s book, separates the pages, then, attaches them to stakes along paths so participants follow the story as they walk the route. StoryWalk helps build children’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy outdoor activity for both adults and children.

Join the  Annual Komen Vermont Race for the Cure at Hildene Meadows

Join the Annual Komen Vermont Race for the Cure at Hildene Meadows

Sept. 20: VT Race for the Cure at Hildene

Procrastinators and fence sitters take note: If you haven’t yet registered for this Saturday Sept. 2o’s Annual Komen Vermont Race for the Cure at Hildene Meadows, on River Road, in Manchester now’s the time.

Online registration for either the 5K or 10K Races and the 5K Walk at komenvtnh.org, is open until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18. In-person Race Site registration opens at noon on Friday Sept. 19, and race day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. If you can’t make it to the race but would like to make a difference, register online as a Virtual Runner.

The Race for the Cure is a family event with kids’ activities and a children’s race. There will be a silent auction, free bagels and coffee, free gifts from sponsors’ booths and raffle prizes.

Seventy-five percent of the money raised stays local, benefiting breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in Vermont and New Hampshire. Twenty-five percent is dedicated to breast cancer research.

More information is online at www.komenvtnh.org or by calling 802-362-2733

Sept. 20: Annual Fall Festival to take over Chester’s Green

Artisans, crafters, artists and food vendors will descend on Chester’s Green later this week for the annual Chester Fall Festival.  In addition to more than 60 booths selling works including jewelry, glass, baskets, photos, paintings, fiber art, woodworking and quilts, several artisans will demonstrate their work. There will be demonstrations of basketmaking by Meg Kupiec, woodworking by Wayne Miller and quilting by Sue Ashe.

Visitors can grab a bite to eat from one of the Festival’s food vendors or one of Chester’s restaurants. Local and studios and shops will be open for browsing as well.

The Chester Fall Festival will take place on the Green from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday September 20 & 21. For more information visit www.chesterfallfestival.org or call Nancy Rugg at 875-2444. The Chester Fall Festival is sponsored by the Chester Rotary Club.

Sept. 20: St. Luke’s Episcopal opens doors during Fall Festival

As a feature of Saturday, Sept. 20’s Chester’s Fall Festival on the Green, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 313 Main St. in Chester, will celebrate Open Doors Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be seating in the shade, free cold bottled water and popcorn, access to a handicap bathroom and sanctuary tours.

Sept. 20: Shelburne Museum presents symposium on American paintings

The symposium, American Eye: Exploring and Celebrating American Art, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Shelburne Museum, 600 Shelburne Road in Shelburne.

The museum will highlight its acclaimed collection of American paintings with tours of the its installation of American paintings, discussions and lectures. Noted scholars participating in the day’s discussions and gallery tours include Carol Troyen, the Kristin and Roger Servison Curator Emerita of American Paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; independent art historian Marc Simpson; Ellery Foutch, assistant professor of American Studies at Middlebury College; and Shelburne Museum director Thomas Denenberg.

American paintings were the last collection assembled by Shelburne Museum founder Electra Havemeyer Webb (1888–1960) in the late 1950s. In May, the museum reopened its Webb Gallery after months of renovation.

The American Eye will focus attention on American artists, their artistic inspirations and the importance of American art in the shaping of a national identity. Symposium tickets are $75 or $65 for museum members and $25 for current college students. A limited number of symposium scholarships are available. Visit the museum’s website at http://shelburnemuseum.org/, call802-85-3346 x3381 or email symposia@shelburnemuseum.org for more information or to register.

Sept. 20: Pinnacle Association holds Accessibility Day

Physically handicapped people can take advantage of a once-a-year opportunity at Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association’s Accessibility Day event on Saturday, Sept 20.

Scheduled from 10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m. (depending on starting point) to 4 p.m., the association will supply a vehicle ride via the often-rough road leading to Paul’s Ledges. Participants will gather for lunch and an outstanding view of the countryside. Program leaders will be Tony Coven and Bev Major. Bring water, a bag lunch, snack, a sweater or jacket and meet promptly at Westminster West Church, 44 Church St., Westminster West at 10:45 a.m. or at the Athens Dome Trailhead on 28 Route 35, Athens, at 11 a.m. to carpool.

Advance registration is necessary for those riding and may be made by calling Bev Major at 802-387-5737. Directions to the Westminster West Church and information about other upcoming Pinnacle programs may be found under events at www.windmillhillpinnacle.org.

Sept. 20: Vermont author illustrator at Rockingham Library

Vermont author and illustrator Shirley King-Hanna will present a book reading and signing 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Rockingham Free Public Library, 65 Westminster St., Bellows Falls. She will be reading from her four recently released children’s’ books: Where the Sun Sets and the Fire Man Rises Part One and Part Two the Conclusion, Kita the Lion Cub and Groundhog Phil Goes to College. All the books will be available for purchase after the presentation.

For more information, call the library at 802-463-4270 or email sam@rockinghamlibrary.org.

Sept. 20: Art on the Hill returns to SVAC campus

The Southern Vermont Arts Center’s free, annual, outdoors family fun day, Art on the Hill, returns to the campus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. The SVAC is located off West Road (930 SVAC Drive) in Manchester.

The Junk Man

The Junk Man

Along with arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, face painting, plein-air painting instruction, button making and more, this year marks the return of Stacy Gates as SVAC’s Children’s Education Coordinator, and the Arts Center debut of Donald Knaack, aka, The Junk Man, a Grammy nominated composer and percussionist who plays solely on found and recycled objects. He will be performing hourly interactive performances, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. See and hear more at junkmusic.org. Also, Kelli Humphrey, of Tails in the Tub, a mobile dog grooming service, will demonstrate the dos and don’ts of dog grooming.

Art on the Hill is one of a series of high-quality, free-to-the-community, family events.

The SVAC Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 362-1405 or email info@svac.org. Visit any time at svac.org.

Multi-talented Andy Gross

Multi-talented Andy Gross

Also on Sept. 20 the Southern Vermont Arts Center will host Andy Gross at 3:30 p.m. at the Arkell Pavilion on West Road. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children 16 and younger; children of SVAC members are free with paying adult.

“The show I’m doing is called ‘Mind Boggling,’ ” said Gross, who’ll be making the trip to Manchester from his home in Los Angeles. “It’s an all-ages, family-friendly show with lots of comedy, lots of magic, lots of ventriloquism, and lots of audience participation. It’s the perfect show for the Arts Center … because it’s broad and wacky enough so the kids will love it, and sophisticated enough for the adults to love it.”
Tickets are available online at svac.org, by phone at 802-367-1302, or at the Arkell Pavilion Box Office the day of the show.

Sept. 20: Marlboro College presents Genealogy of Happiness

Marlboro College professor William Edelglass will discuss the origin and contemporary science of happiness at New York’s Grolier Club at 47 E 60th St., New York, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m.

Sponsored by Marlboro College trustee Ted Wendell, the event is free and open to the public, followed by discussion and a reception with cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

“As any other idea, happiness has a history, a genealogy that informs the ways we think about it today,” said Edelglass, a professor of philosophy and environmental studies at Marlboro. Charting the history of happiness from the Greek and early Christian notion of conforming to nature, reason  and the divine to the more modern idea of happiness as the satisfaction of desires, Edelglass will then shift to the new science of happiness. “We’ll talk about how happiness is measured, and explore some of the interesting findings and questions raised by positive psychology.”

The event also includes the opportunity to converse with leaders of the college including President McCulloch-Lovell, Brigid Lawler, dean of admissions, and Sean Conley, associate dean of graduate and professional studies. There is no charge for attendance, however registration is requested. Any questions, please email Kathy Waters at kwaters@marlboro.edu, or call her at 802-451-7145.

Register for “Marlboro on the Road” online: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/marlboro-college-on-the-road-tickets-12435977343

Sept. 21: 2014 Walk to Defeat ALS

The ALS Association, Northern New England Chapter welcomes family, friends, colleagues, caregivers, sponsors and people with ALS to the 2014 Walk to Defeat ALS, Sunday, Sept. 21 at Dorset Park located at the South Burlington Recreation Park (Carnes Arena) on the corner of Dorset and Swift Street. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. before the 3-mile walk kicks off at 11:30 a.m. Donated breakfast items as well as pizza, ice cream and plenty of water will be provided for walkers.

ALS  walk kicks off at South Burlington Recreation Park

ALS walk kicks off at South Burlington Recreation Park

ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a terminal, neurodegenerative disease affecting at least 30,000 people in America at any given time. It attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord leading to loss of motor function, paralysis, and eventually death. There is no known cause, cure, or effective treatment.

This year’s event will be hosted by returning emcee and Ice Bucket contender Tony Adams and feature warm-ups led by the Heidi Smith and the Burlington Boot Campers. Other highlights include live music, team photos, Vermont Ice Storm mascot Stormy, the Jim’s House information booth, tribute tent to honor those with ALS and those lost to the disease.

Volunteers are still needed for the Spartan Race in Killington. On Saturday, Sept. 20, Spartan Racers to Conquer ALS competitors take on an obstacle course to raise money for the ALS Association of Northern New England. Visit The Spartan Racers for further information.

To register, volunteer for, or to sponsor the Walk to Defeat ALS please contact Fundraising and Community Relations Director Amy Coyne at: 603-969-3004 or‎acoyne@alsanne.org, or Deb Wehrlin at: 802-862-0389 or dwehrlin@yahoo.com or visit www.walktodefeatals.org.

Anti-war presentation, "The Bird Catcher in Hell" to be screened in Glover.

Anti-war presentation, “The Bird Catcher in Hell” to be screened in Glover.

Sept. 21: Bread & Puppet presents  Birdcatcher in Hell

The Bread & Puppet Theater presents the premiere screening of its 2014 production, The Birdcatcher in Hell, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Bread and Puppet farm in Route 122, Glover. The presentation may not be appropriate for young children.

In 1971, the Vietnam War still had four more years to run. Americans were outraged when President Richard Nixon gave Lt. William Calley a full pardon after Calley had been convicted by court martial of carrying out the 1968 My Lai Massacre.

The Bread & Puppet Theater’s response to those incidents was the creation of The Birdcatcher in Hell, based on a Japanese Kyogen, a comic interlude between acts of the classical Noh drama. The staging, a spectacle of red, implies the blood of war and rage. Yama, the King of Hell, is presented as a giant mask with multiple sculpted and painted faces. The dialogue includes quotes from both Presidents Nixon and Obama.

This version of The Birdcatcher is the revival of the 1971 original. The new version comes during Bread & Puppet’s 50th anniversary year.

For more information contact Susan Bettmann, White Rock Productions, 148 North Bear Swamp Road, North Middlesex, 05682, email info@susanbettmann.com or Erin Bell, Bread & Puppet Theater, Route 122, Glover,  05839, 802-525-3031 or breadandpuppet.org.

— Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson

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Filed Under: Community & Arts in BriefCommunity and Arts Life

About the Author: This item was edited from one or more press releases submitted to The Chester Telegraph.

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