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. Notices must be received by noon on Fridays to be eligible for publication the following week.

Art

Illustrator Cyndy Szekeres’ work is on display at Putney Library.

Putney Library exhibits works of Cyndy Szekeres

Putney Public Library’s August art exhibit will feature the work of Cyndy Szekeres—original art of children’s picture book illustrations, posters and pencil sketches. The theme is MICE…Hugs, Kisses, and Happy Times. The exhibit will be up through September. Putney Library is located at 55 Main St. in Putney and open Monday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Classes

Aug. 12: Learn to can raspberry jam

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m., Neighborhood Connections will host a class on canning raspberry jam at the Meeting Place at 5700 Mountain Marketplace, Londonderry. During the hands-on lesson attendees will learn the difference between jams, jellies and preserves.

Led by Cathy Aragi, participants can find out how to can raspberry jam during a hour-long workshop. She’ll also answer your questions about preserving fruit. Attendees will go home with a half-pint of raspberry jam. This workshop is offered at no charge, but space is limited, so call 802-824-4343 to reserve a seat.

Neighborhood Connections is a community-based non-profit social services agency serving individuals and families in the area mountain towns of south-central Vermont. Visit their website at www.neighborhoodconnectionsvt.org.

Fundraisers

August: Good Neighbor Services back to school  program under way

Black River Good Neighbor Services knows that back to school time can put a strain on many already stretched budgets. BRGNS provides school supplies to children who might not otherwise be able to afford them. The group is looking for donations of school supplies including new clothes, shoes, backpacks, paper, notebooks, pens and pencils. Bring donations to the Thrift Store at 37B Main St. in Ludlow.

If you know of a child who needs supplies, call Audrey at 802-228-3663 or stop by the store to let her know.

Aug. 16: 4th Annual Southern Vermont Hot Dog Cook-Off

The fourth annual Southern Vermont Hot Dog Cook-Off will be held on the lawn behind the Stone Hearth Inn on Route 11 West, Chester from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.

This event is to benefit the Chester-Andover Family Center and the Green Mountain Union High School Booster Club. Besides the creative preparations of hot dogs by professional and amateur chefs, Thom Huntington will provide music and there will be a silent auction.

Admission: $15; children 5 to 12: $5; children under 5: free. The admission includes all the hot dogs you can eat. Vote on “Top Dog” and “Best in Show”. The cook-off will be held rain or shine.

Enjoy music, food storytelling, a crafts showcase and more at Andover Day.

Aug. 22: 2nd Annual Andover Day

The  2nd Annual Andover Day at the Andover Town Hall grounds will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day, which features the music of John and Ida Mae Specker on fiddle, will showcase local artisans, great food, fun for all ages, storytelling by Jon Bliss, a K-9 demonstration by the Vermont State Police, Fish and Wildlife display, and a kissing booth from the Humane Society. There is no admission fee for event and all are welcome. Proceeds benefit the Andover Scholarship Fund. For information, call Jean Peters at 802-875-1564.

Literary

Add your thoughts to Putney Library’s interactive collaboration focused on the Connecticut River.

Aug. 19: Power of Water/Power of Words at Putney Library

Join the Putney Library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19 for an innovative, collaborative art-making and story-gathering event at 55 Main St. in Putney. The project seeks to gather stories and reflections about the Connecticut River.

The Connecticut River Watershed Council and Art for Water are building a public participation art installation that will influence how five hydropower projects affecting 200 miles of the Connecticut River will operate for the next 40 to 50 years.

All ages are welcome to participate, learning about the issues around hydroelectric power and contributing their story to the growing river of words.

This event is free and open to the public. Call 802-387-4407 with questions.

Aug. 20: Rock Library Book Club pairs high tea with local crime scene

On Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m., Rockingham Library’s Book Club will celebrate two mysteries: Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs and Bellows Falls by Archer Mayor at a secret location.

In the style of Childs’ tea shop cozy mysteries, the staff from the Inn Victoria of Chester will serve the group a variety of teas and scones on fine china. Then it’s just a short walk to the scene of a crime, fresh off the pages of Mayor’s Bellows Falls.

Stop by the library at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls to pick up a copy of one or both books and inquire about the Book Club’s secret rendezvous location for this special evening. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 802-463-4270, email anne@rockinghamlibrary.org, go to rockinghamlibrary.org or stop by the library.

Music

The Chris Kleeman Band will be on hand to wrap up the outdoor concerts in Chester.

Aug. 13: Chris Kleeman Band wraps up Chester  Summer Concert Series

On Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6:30–8 p.m. Chris Kleeman and his band will wrap up this year’s summer concert series on the lawn of the Academy building in downtown Chester. Newsbank sponsors this final concert. Kleeman and his band perform some of Kleeman’s own tunes, old traditional and Chicago style blues.

Bring blankets and lawn chairs and sit back and listen to music on a summer night in downtown Chester or have dinner at one of the restaurants on the Green while listening to the concert. In case of inclement weather, concerts will move to MacLaomainn’s Scottish Pub’s event space, 52 South Main St., Chester. For information, call Lynne Reed at 802-875-3400.

Grounded band inspires at Grounded4Life.

Aug. 14: Grounded returns to Chester coffeehouse

Grounded4Life’s house band, Grounded, brings its musical talents along for an evening of praise and worship at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14. The band consists of Andy leading with electric and acoustic guitars, Julie on vocals, Beth on keyboard, Mark on electric guitar, C.T. on bass guitar and Ron on drums.

Grounded4Life, is a coffee house located in the lower level of the Chester Baptist Church, 162 Main St., Chester. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with food, coffee, fellowship and conversation. Free admission.

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

3 to the-Bar rounds out Cavendish’s concert series with a performance that will keep you dancing through the winter.

Aug. 19: Cavendish Concerts ends series with 3 to the Bar

The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association and the Town of Cavendish have announced the final 2015 summer concert will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19 on the Proctorsville Green. Starting time is half an hour earlier than usual since darkness comes earlier after mid-August. This last concert will feature the sounds of 3 to the Bar.

3 to the Bar will focus on original songs, traditional material and classics from the likes of John Prine, Tom Waits, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and Bruce Springsteen. The concert will feature special appearances by Reagh Greenleaf on vocals and bodhran, and Robin Timko on whistle. This music is a mix of American, Celtic and coffee house standards that most of the audience will know.
CCCA encourages all area residents and visitors to join their friends and neighbors in front of the gazebo on the Green. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair, have a picnic or lay back and relax on the grass.

The concerts are free and open to all. Rain dates are reported on the Cavendish Facebook page. For more information please call Robin at 802-226-7736.

—compiled and edited by Susan Lampe-Wilson