Pretty in pink!
BARRE — In a show of solidarity and support for the American Cancer Society’s “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, several members of the City Council dressed the part Tuesday night.
Mayor Lucas Herring said he grabbed the next to last pink dress shirt available at the JCPenney store in Berlin and credited Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles for swooping in and scooping up the other one.
Councilors Michael Boutin and Rich Morey were more subtle. Both wore plaid shirts that featured but weren’t dominated by pink.
Then there was Councilor John LePage, who didn’t go shopping for a pink shirt, didn’t have one in his wardrobe and didn’t let that stop him from making a bold fashion statement.
LePage borrowed instead of bought and arrived at Tuesday’s council meeting dressed from his neck to his ankles in a pale pink beekeeping suit, complete with a mesh veil he briefly pulled over his head.
LePage said he could have gone tie-dye, in the same way Boutin and Morey went plaid, but didn’t want other colors to distract from the one he was wearing.
“I’m proud to be all pink this evening,” he said, kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in style.
Boo! Who?
MONTPELIER — With Halloween approaching “what, where and when” are all bigger questions than “who” in the Capital City.
The good news?
We have the answers.
We’ll start with “what?”
And the answer is — the “Enchanted Forest.”
A perennial favorite in Montpelier the annual event provides participants with an opportunity to explore the mystery of nature with theater, storytelling, wagon rides, candlelight trails and more.
Where?
Good question.
The answer (as always) is Hubbard Park — a venue that features a made-to-order enchanted forest that no doubt inspired the name.
When?
This is the important part, because this this year’s edition of the pre-Halloween event is set from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
There will be a bake sale and a PinBox3000 game opportunity at the park entrance for paying customers (it’s $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 per families). Tickets are available at Montpelier Senior Activity Center on Barre Street, or at the Montpelier Farmers’ Market on Saturday.
If you’re interested in the guide gig just call 223-7335, or email Parks Director Alec Ellsworth at aellsworth@montpelier-vt.org.
Folks willing to donate pumpkins or lend pumpkin-carving tools, should drop them off at the Hubbard Park office before Friday.
Say cheese
EAST MONTPELIER — Pat John made the magic happen for a couple of hours at Fairmont Farm last Sunday, though his role in a grilled-cheese operation was more accidental than intentional.
“He showed up at the right time,” Bonnie Hall said of John, who deftly wielded a spatula over a portable grill and tried not to burn any of the sandwiches that were the “brainstorm” of Bridget Coburn.
Coburn gets credit for swiftly assembling the sandwiches — 200 of them — and for passing them out to those who attended swung by Fairmont Farm, which was one of 23 participants in Cabot Creamery’s fifth annual Open Farm Sunday.
With plenty of cheese from Cabot, Coburn decided to create a treat on a chilly autumn day.
“It seemed like a good idea,” she said.
Making memories
BARRE — A monthly community program for residents with memory loss and their care partners will celebrate its one-year anniversary next Wednesday.
Thanks to the Central Vermont Council on Aging and the state’s ABLE Library the “Memorable Times Café” was worth remembering once a month since it was launched last year and organizers say it will be worth celebrating next week.
Part of an international “Memory Café” movement the local gatherings, which are held on the third Wednesday of the month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the community room at the Vermont History Center are an important support individuals with early to middle-stage memory loss.
The 90-minute sessions are social gatherings that feature opportunities to share and enjoy stories, memories, music and community in a dementia-friendly setting that is therapeutic for those afflicted with memory loss, as well as their often isolated family caregivers.
The council on aging’s partnership with the ABLE (an acronym for audio, Braille, large-print and electronic books) Library provides a variety of resources for program participants designed to benefit participants and enhance the program.
So far, so good.
In its first year the Memorable Times Café served 36 participants from nine communities with the help of 16 volunteers and staff members from the council on aging, the ABLE Library and the history center.
Refreshments are always provided and seasonal treats, as well as music and stories, will be featured during next Wednesday’s first anniversary café, which is set for 1 p.m. at the history center.
If you’d like more information about the cafés, or are interested in volunteering, email Barb Asen, the council on aging’s family caregiver support director, at basen@cvcoa.org or call 476-2681.
Walk on!
MONTPELIER — A twice a month series of fall weekend walks will resume in the Capital City on Saturday.
Folks interested in leaf-peeping on upper Berlin Street should gather at the corner of Hebert Road and Berlin Street for the first of two 90-minute walks this month.
In keeping with a second and fourth Saturday schedule a 9 a.m. walk on lower- and mid-College Street is set for Oct. 26. Walkers will gather at the entrance to College Hall on the Vermont College of Fine Arts campus if you’re interested in marking your calendar.
Locations for the season-ending November walks have yet to be announced, but, as always, walkers are encouraged to RSVP by calling the Montpelier Senior Activity Center at 223-2518.
Family friendly
MONTPELIER — The Family Center of Washington County has given a shout-out to Lawson’s Finest Liquids for offering donations to its programs that support families’ nutritional and basic needs and works with families that are struggling with homelessness.
The Waitsfield brewer, taproom and retail store that opened last October supports local charitable endeavors through its Social Impact Program and the Family Center will be this month’s beneficiary.
There is no tip obligation in the company’s taproom, so between Oct. 16-31, patrons are encouraged to make donations to FCWC, which supports 3,000 individuals and families a year.
For more information, or to donate, call Claire Kendall at the Family Center at 262-3292, email familycenter@fcwcvt.org or visit www.fcwcvt.org.
Forum for all
BARRE — Housing will be the subject of a forum that will be held a week from tonight at the Barre Elks Lodge.
Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman will be among those in attendance at the 6 p.m. forum organized by Mayor Lucas Herring and council members Teddy Waszazak and Rich Morey.
Property managers, landlords, tenants, home owners, and community advocates are expected to attend. Some will speak and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
All are encouraged to attend.
Do-si-do?
MONTPELIER — So you think you can square dance?
If you do, or would like to give it a whirl, there’s a square-dance interactive workshop — complete with live fiddle music — set for a week from Sunday at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center.
The Oct. 20 workshop will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and is aimed at people 13 and older
The community square dance will feature local caller and musician Robin Russell and live fiddle music by Susan Reid.
This one is open to all, but it isn’t free. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. If you think you’ll be dancing, you can pre-register at the senior center on Barre Street or by calling 223-2518, or visiting www.montpeliervt.org/msac
