Community events: Sept. 23 through Sept. 28, 2016

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.

Sept. 23: Grace Abounding at Grounded4Life

Grace Abounding entertains in Chester

Grace Abounding entertains in Chester

Grace Abounding returns to the Grounded4Life coffeehouse at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 on the lower level of the Chester Baptist Church across from the green at 162 Main St. in Chester. Free and open to the public. This young alternative rock band is based out of Bristol, Conn.

Doors open at 6:30 with food, coffee, fellowship and conversation. Check out the Grounded4Life Facebook page. Contact them through the grounded4lifevt.org website.

Sept. 23: Steampunk Festival hosts weekend of music

The second annual Springfield Steampunk Festival runs Friday to Sunday, Sept. 23 to 25 at the Hartness House Inn,30 Orchard St. in Springfield.

Ghost Signal performs on the first day of Steampunk Fest

Ghost Signal performs on the first evening of the Steampunk Fest

The weekend kicks off Friday at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour at Hartness House Inn, featuring Steampunk 101 with The Citizens of Antiford, a Steampunk community that shares a fictional world featuring cosplay, prop making, video and collaborative fiction. The musician Ghost Signal performs and food and beverages will be available for purchase.From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., the electric ensemble Tritium Well performs.

Saturday’s line-up opens with musician Kevin Colosa from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Colosa has played the Theremin for 10 years. He returns Sunday to the festival to lead a Theremin workshop in the parlor from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Also on the Saturday schedule, the Stringfield Springers performs from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the tavern. Psyche Corporation performs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. under the wedding tent. Eli August and the Abandoned Buildings follow under the wedding tent from 5 to 6 p.m.

Matthew Meserve performs from 6 to 7 p.m. Capping off Saturday’s line-up is Bella’s Bartok, taking the stage from 7 to 8 p.m.

Sunday’s list of performances opens with Venus Lens Cap from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Headlining on Sunday will be This Way to the Egress.

Proceeds benefit the Springfield Humane Society.

Sept. 24: Wilder Memorial Library launches Ask the Local Expert

A new class series Ask the Local Expert begins at Weston’s Wilder Memorial Library, 24 Lawrence Hill Road on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  Matt Sydorowich of Andover, owner of the local computer service and repair company Sydscompufix, teaches Basic Computer Skills for PC Windows users.

Ask the Local Expert programs are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Phone the library 802-824-4307 or email director@wildermemoriallibrary.org if you would like to sign up.

Programs coming soon include: learn to tie your own flies for fly fishing; everything you ever wanted to know about bees and honey; knitting and fiber arts; how to set up Internet through your smart-TV at home; how to make photo books on your computer; and what on Earth is yoga and why is everyone doing it? Visit www.wildermemoriallibrary.org for more information.

Elayne Clift

Elayne Clift

Sept. 24: Writing workshop at Rock Library

On Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., award-winning author Elayne Clift will offer her writing workshop “Making Meaning of Memory—Without Falling Down the Rabbit Hole” at Rockingham Library, 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls. Pre-registration is required. Seats are limited.

Memories provide insight into people’s lives and help them to understand who they are and how they got that way. They can offer meaningful triggers for writers in all genres, not just memoirists.

This event is free and open to the public. To register or for more information, call 802-463-4270, email programming@rockinghamlibrary.org, go online to www.rockinghamlibrary.org or stop by the library. To reach Clift directly about this workshop, call 802-869-2686 or email eclift@vermontel.net.

Sept. 24: Pinnacle Association hosts accessibility program

Once a year, those who need some physical help have an opportunity to experience the view of Paul’s Ledges in Vermont by attending the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association’s Accessibility Day, on Saturday, Sept. 24. Two separate pickup locations allow participants to choose from a 10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m. start.

Drop off will be at approximately 2 p.m. Participants take a vehicle ride via the often-rough road leading to Paul’s Ledges. At the overlook, participants gather for lunch and view of the countryside. Advance registrations are required for riders. Hikers do not need to pre-register.

Participants should bring water, a bag lunch, snack and sweater or jacket for possible chilly weather. The group meets at Westminster West Church, 44 Church St., Westminster West at 10:45 a.m. or at the Athens Dome Trailhead on Route 35, opposite Sleepy Valley Road in Athens, at 11 a.m. to carpool. Register by calling Bev Major at 802-387-5737 or Elaine Gordon at 802-369-6103. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be canceled.

See the Access Points Map on the Pinnacle website for directions to the Route 35 trailhead. Information about other upcoming Pinnacle programs may be found under Events at www.windmillhillpinnacle.org.

Sept. 24-25: Celebrate Vermont’s woodworking heritage

Shop some artisans

Shop some artisans

The annual Vermont Forest Festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25 at 5302 Old River Road in Woodstock. The Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and the Billings Farm and Museum partner to host a farm, forest and fine woodworking event that celebrates Vermont’s working lands and woodcraft.

At this family-friendly event, visitors learn how important farms and forests are to Vermont and enjoy products that come from each component of Vermont’s working landscape. Vendors, demonstrations, and activities at both locations will offer unique wood products that represent the best of Vermont, such as wood carvings, housewares, home accessories, jewelry, puzzles, handcrafted boxes, toys and games, and furniture will be for sale.

Across the road, at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, horse logging, wooden birdhouse making, junior forester programs, children’s wood crafting activities, sawmill demonstrations, forest walks, Ranger-guided programs of the Mansion, gardens, and forest. There is also an opportunity to participate in a spoon-carving workshop (fee charged, go to National Park website for more information). Take a walk in the woods with their new Windsor county forester or listen to a talk on understanding the landscape and how the woods change.

Programs and activities at the National Park are free; except where noted. The general admission fee to Billings Farm & Museum includes the Wood Festival. Free parking is available at Billings Farm, located at Route 12 and Old River Road. Visit www.vermontwoodfestival.org for a complete listing of wood artisan vendors and other event information, or call 802-457-3368, ext. 22.

Kaiilama guides students through breathing for health

Kaiilama Morris guides students through breathing for health

Sept. 24: Intro to somatic breath therapy

Immanuel Retreat Center presents Breath of the Heart, a workshop on Somatic Breath Therapy led by Kaiilama Morris, 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Currier Hall, 12 Church St. in Bellows Falls.

Somatic Breath Therapy is a conscious intentional tool that assists the body to return to an open healthy breath. Through gentle coaching the body and mind learn to relax into a connected full belly breath allowing the healing of the breath system to unfold.

The cost is $68. Register in advance at www.immanuelretreat.org or by calling 802-460-0110.

Sept. 25: BRGNS hosts Fall Rummage Sale

Black River Good Neighbor Services holds its Annual Fall Rummage Sale on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fletcher Farm, 611 Route 103 South in Ludlow.

For those who’d like to donate items, they are in need of housewares and furniture.

Proceeds from this sale benefit BRGNS’ food and financial assistance programs. The funds raised help cover the cost of utilities, heating fuel, food and rent for qualified individuals and families in Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Belmont, Proctorsville, Cavendish and Plymouth.

For further details, contact Audrey Bridge at the Black River Good Neighbor Services Thrift Store, 37B Main St., 802-228-3663, or BRGNS@tds.net.

Sept. 25: Candidates for Governor Forum on Vermont Youth

Volunteers with Windsor County Partners, which provides mentoring services to local school-aged youth, is hosting the candidates for governor in a forum on youth issues.

Volunteers with Windsor County Partners, which provides mentoring services to local school-aged youth, is hosting the candidates for governor in a forum on youth issues.

At 4–6:30 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 25, the nominees for governor of Vermont will be at Damon Hall, 1 Quechee Road in Hartland, for a forum on Youth Issues, moderated by Anne Galloway of VTDigger.

Candidates expected are Phil Scott, Republican nominee, and Sue Minter, Democratic nominee. The forum is hosted by Windsor County Partners, a non-profit organization.

The evening starts with a reception at 4 p.m., followed by the forum from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The reception is by donation to support youth mentoring (suggested donation $10). The forum is free. Both events are open to the public.

The focus of the forum will be issues related to school-aged youth and their families. Youth are welcome to attend and be a part of the state’s political process. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions to the candidates.

For more information, email WindsorCM@outlook.com, call 802-674-5101 or visit the WCP Facebook page.

Sept. 28: Explore wellness  with certified coach

Certified wellness coach Carol Jean Jones leads an interactive presentation about wellness at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Rockingham Free Public Library at 65 Westminster St in Bellows Falls. Attendees will share healthy mind, body and spiritual practices that have helped them set obtainable goals and continue to maintain them. Adults and families with children (age 7 and up) are welcome to participate.

Jones is a graduate of the Wellness Coach Training Program from Mayo Clinic. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 802-463-4270, visit rockinghamlibrary.org, or stop by the library.

— Susan Lampe-Wilson

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