Upcoming events: ‘Tosca’ preludes, poets at Misty Valley Books; ‘Magic’ tourney at Rock Library; wellness classes begin; Apple Blossom Cotillion coming up; Springfield chorus performances set; Rock Library grand re-opening; Glow-in-the-dark charity run

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.

Tosca course runs through May 8; Chester performance May 11.

April 24: Prelude to ‘Tosca’ at Misty Valley

The Windham Orchestra and PanOpera, in collaboration with Misty Valley Books, will present three more Thursdays of “Tosca: A Chester Prelude” at Misty Valley Book, on the Green, Chester. The course, which began on April 17, will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. April 24, May 1 and May 8, and culminate in a live performance of selections from “Tosca” at the Stone Church in Chester’s Stone Village at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11.

Led by Dr. Luci Fortunato, retired professor of Italian history who has taught and done research in Puccini’s hometown of Lucca, and by Hugh Keelan, conductor of PanOpera and the Windham Orchestra, the course will consider the history, settings, language, music, composition, and human drama of Giacomo Puccini’s opera.

A full semi-staged production of “Tosca” will be given in Brattleboro at the Latchis Theater, 48 Main St. at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. It will also be performed in Northampton, Mass., at the Academy of Music, 274 Main St., at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, June 5.

 The Windham Orchestra and PanOpera will be joined by international opera star and Chester resident Stan Norsworthy, who sings the role of Scarpia.

To enroll in the Tosca course call Misty Valley Books at 802-875-3400. A freewill donation will be requested at each class.
For more information call Misty Valley Books at 875-3400 or visit www.mvbooks.com.

April 26: Gathering Tournament at Rock Library

The Rockingham Library is holding a tournament for players of the card game “Magic: The Gathering” beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26. There’s no entry fee or ante, but there will be prizes for first, second and third place. Local tournament organizers will serve as judges and initiates for players who are new to tournament play. Sign-ups are encouraged but players may join on the day of the tournament. Players should bring their own deck with a list of what it includes.

Information about tournament rules and registration is posted on the library’s website at rockinghamlibrary.org/magic.html. Call 802-463-4270 with questions or to register or email sam@rockinghamlibrary.org.

Leland Kinsey, left, and Lee Bramble.

April 27: Two Vermont poets at MVB

Two Vermont poets, Leland Kinsey and Lee Bramble, will present their works at Misty Valley Books, at 4 p.m.  Sunday, April 27, in observance of National Poetry Month. The presentation will be held at the bookstore, on the Green in Chester. It is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing will immediately follow.

Kinsey is the author of six collections of poetry. Kinsey’s latest book, “Winter Ready,”evokes natural history, flora and fauna. He was born and raised on a farm in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, where his ancestors settled in the early 1800s.

Lee Bramble is the pen name of Tom Ragle. He lives in Guilford in the 1780 farmhouse in which his wife and their children were raised. He is the author of “Take This Song, Poems in Pursuit of Meaning.”

For information call Misty Valley Books at 875-3400 or visit www.mvbooks.com.

April 28: Wellness classes begin in Bellows Falls, Springfield

Springfield Medical Care Systems is offering free wellness classes beginning the last week in April through May. The first session, “Learning to Live Well With Diabetes” begins 5:30–7 p.m., Monday April 28, at the Rockingham Medical Group, 1 Hospital Court, Bellows Falls. It continues on three consecutive Mondays, May 5, 12, 19.

The free four-week program led by a certified diabetes educator provides an opportunity for those newly diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes to learn about the best strategies to manage it successfully. This program also serves as a refresher for those that have been previously diagnosed with diabetes. The class curriculum includes, an introduction to and use of goal setting, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, blood sugar monitoring, medications and managing and preventing risk of complications..

“Eating Well” is a free program, designed to be a weight loss group that combines education, sharing and support. It will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on consecutive Wednesdays April 30, May 7, 14, 21 and 28  at Springfield Health Center, 100 River St., Springfield.

Topics will include: eating for optimal health; improving blood sugar regulation, cholesterol, and blood pressure through healthy nutrition guidelines; shopping for economical healthy foods; stress management; incorporating regular exercise; and managing emotional overeating.

To register for either class, contact the Springfield Medical Care Systems community health team at 802-886-8946 or email cht@springfieldmed.org

May 2 & 3: Springfield Hospital’s Apple Blossom Cotillion

The Apple Blossom Cotillion, presented by Springfield Hospital, is a community tradition, a rite of passage for high school senior girls, and the area’s largest single event. All proceeds from the cotillion are used for the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health Career Award and to support the services of the hospital.

This year, 28 high school and 40 elementary school area students will sing and dance to music in the “A Thriller Night Cotillion Style” theme. Tickets for the Friday, May 2 performance (Opening Night) are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Tickets for Saturday, May 3 (Crowning of the Queen) are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. at Dressel Gym in Riverside School on 13 Fairground Road, Springfield.

Tickets may be purchased at Tina’s Hallmark Store in the Springfield Plaza, Boccaccio’s salons in Springfield or Bellows Falls, or the Springfield Hospital registration office.

For information, call Larry Kraft, 885-7644 or lkraft@springfieldmed.org.

The Springfield Community Chorus

May 3 & 4: Springfield Chorus presents Songs of Hope and Freedom

The Springfield Community Chorus will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3 the Grafton Church, 55 Main St. in Grafton, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at the First Congregational Church, 77 Main St. in Springfield. Directed by Ken Olsson, with accompanist Ashley Paine, the community chorus will present Songs of Inspiration, Hope and Freedom.

May 8-10: Rockingham Library re-opens with celebration

The Rockingham Free Public Library staff, trustees and the Friends of the Library invite the community to the library’s Grand Re-Opening Celebration May 8 through May 10 with programs, activities and events for all ages to mark the completion of the library’s renovation.

Rockingham Public Library in 1909

The celebration begins 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 with an exhibition of local photographer Alan Fowler’s images documenting the library’s renovation. Following, at 7 p.m., preservationist and photographer Bill Hosley will present “More Than Books: Libraries, Community and Historic Preservation,” a slide-show and discussion about 200 years of American library service.

At 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, the library will present a free screening of the film “The Book Thief,” rated PG-13. The film is an adaption of the book by Marcus Zusak, which tells the story of a young girl named Liesel who finds solace from the horrors of WWII by stealing books and sharing them with others.

Rockingham Public Library in 2014

Saturday, May 10 will feature activities beginning at 10 a.m. with live music and art and photo and historical collection displays. The official ribbon cutting will take place at noon accompanied by speeches from community leaders and a celebratory cake.
Activities for families and youth will also be taking place over the three-day celebration including a Thursday storytime at 10:30 a.m.; a 4:30 p.m. Friday “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” event with the library’s Teen Advisory Council; a special Saturday storytime at 11 a.m., and face-painting, Lego building and Mother’s Day craft activities happening throughout the day.

The Rockingham Free Public Library has had an important role in the community for over 200 years. The Fitchburg, Mass., firm of Francis and Son designed the library in the Classical Revival style; it became one of four libraries in Vermont to be built with Carnegie funds.
In the fall of 2012, the library underwent a complete renovation of all three floors, which took a year to complete. The renovation increased space for library services, including a community meeting room on the top floor, a dedicated youth program and improved access by expanding elevator service to all three floors. For more information, contact the library at 802-463-4270.

May 10: Glow in the Dark 5K run/walk

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. with a start time of 7 p.m., Saturday, May 10 for the Down Syndrome Research & Treatment Center and the Black River Valente Scholarship funds’ 5K glow-in-the-dark walk/run at the Ludlow Community Center at 37 Main St., Ludlow. Registrants will receive a glow in the dark shirt decoration.

Participants are encouraged to bring headlamps and reflective gear. For safety reasons, the group asks that there be no strollers or dogs.

Registration fees are as follows: Child (ages 6-13): $15; Adult (ages 14-50): $25; Senior (ages 51 and up): $20. For more information or to volunteer, contact Katie: 802-770-0308.

– Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson