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.

Arts

Lesley Heathcote’s ruby-throated hummingbird

June 20: SCAC opens solo art exhibitions

The Southern Vermont Arts Center will open a new series of solo exhibitions with a reception 2–4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20.

These shows will be on display at Yester House, the campus’ original building located off West Road at 930 SVAC Drive in Manchester.

This year, SVAC welcomes 12 member artists presenting a selection of original artworks, all available for purchase. The reception and exhibit is free and open to the public. The String Theory band will perform, refreshments will be provided, and guests will have the opportunity to meet with many of the featured artists. The show will run through Sunday, Aug. 2.

Exhibiting artists include Sabina Alcorn, Margret Carde, Douglas David, Barrack Evans, Lesley Heathcote, Keith Hoffman, Caryn King, Robert Lafond, John Olson, Tom Remp, Mark Tougias and Richard Weinstein. Their work encompasses everything from oil painting to photography, local landscapes to world culture content, and lifelike detailing to soft, impressionistic representations.

Also slated for the opening will be the formal celebration of new artworks installed at SVAC’s sculpture park — the largest sculpture park in Vermont. Artists Eben Markowski and Gerald Stoner have each brought several pieces to expand the collection of impressive outdoor artworks.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 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, and special events.

Area libraries

Book choice for this month’s Rockingham Library’s book club

June 18: Join the book discussion at Rockingham Library

On Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m., the Rockingham Library’s book club will discuss A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. The event is free and will meet at the library at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls. The book club will meet regularly on the third Thursday of each month. Attend one discussion or become a regular book club member.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is set against the volatile events of Afghanistan’s last 40 years — from the Soviet invasion, to the reign of the Taliban, to post-Taliban rebuilding — and puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate human terms. Copies of the book are available now at the library. For more information, call 802-463-4270, email anne@rockinghamlibrary.org, visit rockinghamlibrary.org or stop by the library.

June 20:  Waggin’ Tales reading with dogs

Putney Public Library presents an event for kids featuring guest dogs, a story time  and an opportunity for kids to read to dogs. At noon on Saturday, June 20, meet Gallant, Honey Loring’s beautiful and kid-friendly standard poodle at 55 Main St. in Putney. Librarian Emily Zervas will read a dog-themed story, then kids can take turns reading to Gallant. Gallant has completed rigorous obedience training and participated in numerous school programs — bring kids but leave other dogs at home. The program is free and open to the public.

Reading to dogs has been proved to help those that struggle with literacy to practice the skill of reading aloud in a non-judgmental atmosphere. Children get to practice, build self-esteem and associate reading with something pleasant. The library is pleased to host this new monthly Saturday story time and invite everyone to meet some of the wonderful dogs that live in our community. Call or email with questions: 802-387-4407 or putpub@svcable.net.

June 24: Summer reading kickoff party at Putney  Library

On Wednesday, June 24 at 11 a.m., the Putney Public Library at 55 Main St. in Putney will kick off its youth summer reading program with a musical program by former librarian Stephen Coronella. This year’s summer reading theme is “Every Hero Has A Story.” Coronella will perform The Hero’s Journey, a musical presentation for the whole family, which brings to life the likes of King Arthur, Johnny Appleseed, Robin Hood and many other heroes.

While there, kids ages 4 to14 can sign up for Putney Library’s Summer Reading Program. Prizes and summer reading certificates will be awarded at the Wrap-Up Ice Cream Social on Aug. 5. The program will include weekly special story times with local heroes from our community, including fire fighters, our local sheriff, and people who do animal rescue.

Enjoy songs, have some snacks, and sign up for a program that will keep your children engaged in literacy activities for the summer. All of events are free and open to the public. For more information call 802-387-4407.

Music

John Adler to entertain at Grounded4Life

June 19: John Adler returns to Grounded4Life

Grounded4Life is hosting an evening with John Adler and his acoustic guitar.

Adler plays music to sooth the soul and build the faith, and he  invites listeners to join in and raise their voices in song.  Grounded4LIFE is located in the coffee house at the First Baptist Church at 162 Main St., Chester.

The program is free. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. The coffee bar and refreshments will be available.

Check out the Grounded4Life Facebook page or contact John Nunnikhoven at john4ns@fastmail.fm.

Picnic in the park and enjoy music with friends and family.

July 1: Cavendish announces 2015 Summer Concert Series

Cavendish’s summer music series will begin on July 1 and continue Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. on the Proctorsville Green.

Opening the series is wide-ranging band Gypsy Reel, followed on July 8 by the popular bluesman Chris Kleeman. Then, on July 15 the multi-talented Sensible Shoes will play, on July 22 Rutland’s Voodoo Alien Blues Band. July 29 brings a newcomer to Cavendish, the Green Brothers Band, and Aug. 5 another newcomer, the “hair tossin’, cello wielding songstress” Sarah Clanton will light up the late afternoon stage. Rounding out the series on Aug. 12 is Cajun band, Yankee Chank.

The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association will again coordinate the series. All concerts are free and open to the public, bring lawn chair, picnic and cold drinks, and join friends and neighbors to enjoy plenty of good music from the gazebo. The concerts will be held unless severe weather threatens. In case of rain, alternative plans will be announced on the Cavendish Facebook page. If you would like to volunteer, and more information on the concerts, call Robin at 802-226-7736.

Charitable events

July 18: Countdown to Vermont Race for the Cure

There is still time to sign up and get involved with this year’s Komen Race for the Cure event.

The Komen Vermont Race for the Cure will be held on Saturday, July 18 at Riley Rink at Hunter Park in Manchester. There is still plenty of time to register for the 5K Walk or as a runner in either the 5K or 10K Races.

Online registration at komenvtnh.org, is open until 6 p.m. on July 16. Participants may also register in person at the race site from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday July 17, as well as on race day opening at 7 a.m. If you can’t make it to the race but would still like to participate, register online as a Virtual Runner.

Bring the whole family. Children 12-and-under can enjoy a fun and challenging Fun Run of their own, with prizes for all entrants. Many older kids register to walk or run alongside their folks.

There’ll be hundreds of items up for grabs, from local dinners-for-two to high-end sporting goods to exotic vacations, in one of the area’s greatest Silent Auctions (no registration required to browse and bid), and Sponsors’ Tables. Take time to meet the folks who help make the race happen and collect sacks of free swag along the way.

Seventy-five percent of the money raised stays local, benefitting breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in Vermont and New Hampshire. Twenty-five percent is dedicated to breast cancer research. Get more information about the race and register online at www. komenvtnh.org or call 802-362-2733.

-Compiled by Susan Lampe Wilson