Upcoming event: Encore presentation of ‘Anonymous People;’ update on ministry in Czech Republic at Grounded4Life; BRAT hosts stormwater expo; spring book sale to benefit Rock Library; Vermont novelist brings 5th work to MVB; Senior Citizens Club holds luncheon; editing workshop in Bellows Falls; and SVAC issues call for artists

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.

April 16: Addiction recovery film at GMUHS

An encore presentation of “The Anonymous People,” concerning the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery and the emerging public recovery movement, will be shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 at Green Mountain Union High School Auditorium, 716 Route 103 South in Chester.

The film features interviews with more than 30 people in long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction who are making a courageous decision to speak out publicly. The film questions why the United States has criminalized and too often given superficial treatment to this chronic illness.

“This film is not your tired old addiction story often seen on reality television or in the news,” said the film’s producer, Greg Williams. “We set out to find the answer to one very fundamental question: Why don’t we treat addiction in this country like any other health issue?”

“The Anonymous People” also shines a light on prominent people who are living publicly as people in long-term recovery themselves. They have chosen to come out with their recovery in an effort to counter the existing public perception of other people just like them.

For more information about the movie a trailer can be viewed at http://www.theanonymouspeople.com or contact Cortney Slobodnjak at (802) 875-2146 ext. 276 or at cortney.slobodnjak@trsu.org.

Miroslav Klepáček will perform and discuss the youth ministry in the Czech Republic at G4L.

April 17: Music, update on ministry in Czech Republic

Miroslav Klepáček will lead an evening of guitar music and a discussion of what’s been happening at the youth ministry in the Czech Republic beginning at 7 p.m. at Grounded4Life, downstairs at the First Baptist Church at 162 Main St. in Chester.

This is Klepáček’s second appearance at the coffee bar and one that marks a milestone: He was Grounded4Life’s inaugural evening performer in 2013.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available. The program is free. Check out Grounded4Life’s Facebook page or contact John Nunnikhoven at john4ns@fastmail.fm.

April 18: BRAT hosts Storm Water Expo

The Black River Action Team hosts a Storm Water Expo from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 18 at the Health Care And Rehabilitation, 390 River St. in Springfield.

There will be information, demonstrations, networking and a stream flow demonstration table, courtesy of Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation District. Learn about the projects, partners, and products available to help rainfall and snowmelt soak in and what can be done to minimize damage by as well as improve your lawn.

A $15 registration fee covers all expo materials, refreshments and a chance at a door prize. Pre-registration is recommended. Download a form here. Fill out and mail with a check made out to ONRCD to Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation District, 28 Farmvu Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001. Note “BRAT” in the check’s memo line. For more information or to register by email, contact BRAT director Kelly Stettner at blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com or (802) 885-1533.

April 18: Rock Library holding spring book sale

The Rockingham Free Public Library’s annual book sale continues through Saturday, May 2 at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls. Plenty of good quality hardcover and paperback books for adults will be on sale. Take this opportunity to purchase lightly used DVDs, CDs and children’s books as well. The book sale will be open during library hours until Saturday, May 2.

Beginning on Monday, April 20, book sale items will be 50 percent off. The Bag and Box Sale will begin on Monday, April 27, when a bag or box of books will be $3 each.

Library hours are Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. All proceeds from the book sale will benefit the library. For more information, visit the Rockingham Free Public Library, call 802-463-4270, email anne@rockinghamlibrary.org, or go online to rockinghamlibrary.org.

This week at Misty Valley Books: Author Jeffrey Lent

April 19: Novelist Lent brings 5th work to Misty Valley Books

Novelist Jeffrey Lent, returns to Misty Valley books with his fifth book, A Slant of Light, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. The bookstore is located on The Green in Chester.

A Slant of Light tells the story of weary Civil War veteran Malcolm Hopeton who returns home to find his wife and hired man missing and his farm in disrepair. A double murder ensues, the repercussions of which ripple through a community with spiritual roots in the Second Great Awakening. This is a novel of earthly pleasure and deep love, of loss and war, of prophets and followers, of theft and revenge.

Lent lives with his wife and two daughters in central Vermont. He studied literature and psychology at Franconia College and SUNY Purchase. His first novel was a national bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book for 2000. He was a New Voice at Misty Valley Books in 2000 and a Misty Valley Books Vermont Voice in 2007.

A book signing and reception will follow Lent’s presentation, which is free and open to the public. For more information call Misty Valley Books at (802) 875-3400 or visit www.mvbooks.com.

April 21: Chester Senior Citizens Club holds luncheon

Join the Chester Senior Citizens Club for its monthly luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 21, at the Chester First Baptist Church at 162 Main St. and enjoy food and fellowship. This month’s program will be a line dancing demonstration. Bring a place setting and a friend. If you need a ride, call 802-875-6242.

April 23: Learn how to edit your own writing at Rock Library

On Thursday, April 23 from 4:30–6 p.m., Jeff Potter, editor of The Commons newspaper discusses how to edit one’s own writing at Rockingham Public Library, 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls.

Potter will give practical tips and techniques for looking at your words and putting yourself into the shoes of your reader. This event is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, call 802-246-6397 or email jeff@commonsnews.org.

Print of The Yester House

April 24: Call for Artists for 65th Anniversary Exhibition at SVAC

T he Southern Vermont Arts Center has announced a call for artists for its annual spring juried exhibition. This year the theme is honoring the anniversary of the property’s purchase.

The exhibit is titled In Essence: Celebrating 65 Years of Art. The show will run from May 9 through June 14 located off West Road at 930 SVAC Drive in Manchester. The deadline for submissions is Friday April 24 at 3:30 p.m.

The group welcomes artworks of all media relating to the general themes of SVAC’s heritage and mission. Some subject matter may include Vermont landscapes, local sites, traditions, and techniques, regional lifestyles, and their long-term investment in fostering of artists. For a full prospectus visit www.svac.org.

The Southern Vermont Arts Center gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. For more information call 802-362-1405 or email info@svac.org. Visit SVAC’s website, svac.org, for updates on exhibitions, workshops, special events and more.

— Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson