AROUND TOWN
Halloween downtown
MONTPELIER — Montpelier celebrates Halloween from Oct. 27 through 31 downtown, with something for all ages. Check out the list of events at montpelieralive.com/halloween. To support businesses recovering from the flood, consider making a candy donation to disburse to downtown recovering businesses to provide enough treats for all. Bring a bag(s) to the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.
Recovery centers
The Ludlow Disaster Recovery Center closed permanently at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. One other center will remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (closed Sundays) at Alumni Hall Building, Third Floor, 16 Auditorium Hill, Barre. The deadline to apply for assistance is Oct. 31. For more information, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362.
Library events
MARSHFIELD — Jaquith Public Library programs this week include:
Fall vegetable tasting, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 25, at the Marshfield Community Supper. Bring a dish featuring something you grew in your garden or orchard to share. Also bring plain samples of the fruit or vegetable for a taste test, raw for things eaten raw like carrots, peppers, garlic, etc., cooked for things usually cooked like potatoes or winter squash.
Pumpkin walk, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, on Marshfield’s recreation path along the Old Schoolhouse Common Recreation Path. Trick-or-treaters are welcome.
Fermentation workshop, 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at the library. Learn how to make sauerkraut, krautchi or kimchi, and other vegetable ferments. Bring your own vegetables, equipment and containers. Or, cabbage and containers provided if you pre-register by emailing programs.jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com or calling 802-426-3100.
MONTPELIER — Kellogg-Hubbard Library, in collaboration with Bear Pond Books, hosts a fundraising event with New York Times bestselling author Ross Gay on at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at The Savoy Theater in Montpelier. Gay is currently on tour promoting his newest collection of essays “The Book of (More) Delights.” All ticket proceeds will benefit the library’s operating costs as they work towards full recovery. Tickets are on sale now.
‘Spooky Science’
NORWICH — Montshire Museum of Science will host its annual evening Halloween event, “Spooky Science,” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. Guests are invited to come in costume and participate in a costume contest. Ticket price includes museum admission and access to all Spooky Science exhibits, activities, demonstration, and light refreshments: $11 per person for Montshire members, $15 for nonmembers, purchased in person or online at www.montshire.org. Admission is free for children under the age 2. Free event parking is available.
Fall sale
WATERBURY — The Fall Craft and Vendor Sale to benefit Waterbury Area Senior Center will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the center, 14 Stowe St. in Waterbury.
Bowlathon returns
BERLIN — The People’s Health and Wellness Clinic announced the Bowlathon fundraising event returns to support providing health care services to Vermonters without health insurance. The Bowlathon will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Twin City Family Fun Center in Berlin. To support this fundraising effort:
— Sponsor the event; PHWC is soliciting sponsors at a number of financial levels, allowing the nonprofit to offer free bowling to participants.
— Donate a prize or gift given to bowlers and other participants; area businesses are encouraged to donate prizes that range in cost from $10 to $1,000.
— Register as a player or a bowling team; registration is now open at www.phwcvt.org.
For sponsorship, volunteer inquiries, or more information, call 802-479-1229 or email daniel@phwcvt.org
AROUND VT
Fire safety
As Halloween approaches, the National Fire Protection Association reminds the public of fire safety guidelines.
Decorations: Many common decorations like cornstalks, crêpe paper and dried flowers are very flammable. Keep these and similar decorations far away from any open flames or heat sources, like candles, heaters and light bulbs.
Candles: Using candles as decoration can be risky if not done correctly. Keep them in a well-attended area out of the path of potential trick-or-treaters. Remind children of the dangers of open flames, and make sure they are always supervised when candles are lit. Always extinguish candles before leaving an area.
Jack-o-lanterns: Glow sticks or electric candles are the safest choice when it comes to lighting up your jack-o-lantern, but if you choose to use a real candle, do so with extreme caution. Light a candle inside a jack-o-lantern using long fireplace matches or a utility lighter and keep it away from other decorations.
Costumes: Avoid fabric that billows or trails behind you, as these can easily ignite. If you are making your own costume, avoid loosely woven fabrics like linen and cotton, which can be very flammable.
Visibility: Give children flashlights or glowsticks for lighting, these can even be incorporated into the costume. If your child has a mask, ensure the eyeholes are large enough for them to see clearly.
Smoke alarms: This is a great time to make sure your smoke alarms are in working order.
Exits: Exits are not an appropriate place for decorations. When decorating, ensure nothing is blocking escape routes, including doors and windows.
Invasive found
CHARLOTTE — The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the Fish and Wildlife Department have officially confirmed the first documented presence of mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) in Chittenden County. It remains uncertain whether other populations exist within Vermont. Residents are encouraged to report any sightings to anr.fprinvasiveplants@vermont.org.
The fast-growing annual vine poses a significant threat to native vegetation, young forest stands, habitats in natural areas, and agricultural industries, such as nurseries, landscaping and Christmas tree farms. This vine is identifiable by its distinctive triangular leaves and iridescent blue fruits, reproducing through seeds and spreading easily via animals, the nursery trade, and waterways. Its rapid growth, up to 6 inches per day, leads to the formation of dense mats that smother neighboring plants.
Do you have an item you would like to see in Community News? A milestone? A public announcement? A short news release about something entertaining going on in your town? Simply email the information to us at news@timesargus.com. Be sure to put For Community News in the subject line. (Note: We do reserve the right to edit for length.)
