Upcoming events: Botanicals exhibit; Saturday story hour at Whiting; Springfield Rotary sale; Good Neighbors funder; & NECA murder mystery

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.

Through Dec. 1: Local artists in botanicals exhibit at Montshire

Botanical by Chester artist Stephanie Whitney-Payne. Her work is included in an exhibit at the Montshire Museum in Norwich.

The Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich is exhibiting more than 60 botanicals of native New England plants illustrated by artists from the New England Society of Botanical Artists, including works by Chester artist Stephanie Whitney-Payne and Brattleboro artist Bobbi Angel.
The exhibit, From the Mountains to the Sea: Plants, Trees, and Shrubs of New England, runs through Dec. 1.

This juried exhibition of more than 60 plant portraits is designed to promote public appreciation of the art and science of botanical art and illustration and to celebrate the diversity and beauty of plants from New England, which is home to more than 3,500 species of plants. Today, some 400-plus species are listed as rare or endangered.
“Botanical illustrations have a long and valued history in the world of science,” said Bob Raiselis, Montshire’s exhibits director. “A photograph can only show one example of a plant; an illustration by a skilled botanical illustrator can bring out the key characteristics of an entire species in their work, creating an iconic image of that plant and showing what differentiates that plant species from every other.”

Botanical art has documented the plant species of New England for centuries. Some species have disappeared, while others have moved recently into the region, following ever-shifting climates.

The Montshire Museum is located at 1 Montshire Road in Norwich. More information is available at 802-649-2200.

Saturdays: New story hour at the Whiting

The Whiting Library in Chester is presenting Storytelling Hour each Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages are invited to come and enjoy stories, games, songs and crafts.

Parents, grandparents and other caregivers are asked to stay with their child/children during the hour. Coffee will be available for the adults. Adults may find time to connect with familiar faces and talk a bit while the child is involved or join in the fun.

For further information call the Whiting Library at 875-2277 or visit its website.

Oct. 26: $5,000 grand prize winner to be drawn at Rotary Penny Sale

The Springfield Rotary Club’s 61st Annual Penny Sale will take place Saturday, Oct. 26 at Riverside Middle School, Route 11 in Springfield with more than 300 prizes with values of $15 to $250, each costing a penny per chance to win. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m.

A $5,000 grand prize drawing will take place at the end of the event. Grand prize tickets are available now from any Springfield Rotarian for $2 each or 3 for $5.

There will be an additional drawing for a $500 door prize. Selected from grand prize entries, the door prize winner must be present at the drawing.

For more information on the event or the SVRC, call Bob Flint at 802-885-3061 or email BobF@springfielddevelopment.org.

Nov. 2: Good Neighbors’  Stick Season fundraising social

Black River Good Neighbor Services is holding its fourth annual Stick Season Social at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 in Sam’s Steakhouse, 91 Route 103 North in Ludlow.

“Stick season is that season when there is not much to do, so it’s a great time to party,” said Peter LaBelle, president of BRGNS.

“This social is our major fund raiser for the year,” said Audrey Bridge, executive director. The evening includes a cash bar, silent auction and raffle items. Sam’s has planned a buffet followed by desserts.

Some of the silent auction items include: your name as a character in Archer Mayor’s next novel; 50-minute relaxation massage; handcrafted wooden Shaker box; 100 gallons fuel oil; restaurant, merchandise and service gift certificates; paintings; a carriage ride with a picnic for four; bed and breakfast stays; handmade quilts, shawls and drying rack; yoga class; gold spa memberships; fall cleanup packages; children’s books; skiwear.

Limited to 125, tickets are $50 per person and includes dinner, gratuities and tax and must be purchased in advance. Purchase tickets at BRGNS Thrift Store, 37B Main St.; Peoples United Bank; The Book Nook; and The Wine & Cheese Depot, all located in Ludlow, or online at www.brgn.org.

Call 802-228-3663 with any questions or items you would like to donate for the event. BRGNS is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Nov. 15–16: New England Classical Academy presents a murder mystery dinner

Rehearsals are in full swing at the New England Classical Academy for its first production of the school year. The dinner theater performance is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, and marks the NECA’s fifth. But it is the first to be staged at the newly renovated Charlestown Town Hall, 26 Railroad St., Charlestown, NH.

Written by Billy St. John, The Act of Murder incorporates the audience in a play within a play. Directed by NECA Professor Heidi Fagan, the cast of 7th to 12th grade students is involved in all aspects of the show through acting, costuming, set design and prop development.

The evening will include the performance and a three-course dinner. Admission is $30 per person; tables of eight are available for reservation. Tickets can ordered through Nov. 8 by calling NECA at (603) 542-6341.

NECA is an independent, coeducational Catholic day school for PreK through grade 12 located in historic Claremont, New Hampshire, near the Vermont border. New England Classical Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For information visit www.newenglandclassicalacademy.com.

— Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson