Calendar Thursday, July 5

Battenkill Grange picnic

ARLINGTON -- Battenkill Grange will hold its annual picnic and community citizen award night at 6 p.m. Bring a friend and a dish to share. The Grange will furnish the hot dogs. Pownal road closure

POWNAL -- South Stream Road (near the Vt. Fish & Game South Stream access) will be closed to all traffic on Thursday, July 5 ,from 9 a.m. to noon for culvert replacement. Plan accordingly.

Bingo at Pownal Legion

POWNAL -- Pownal American Legion Post No. 90 offers bingo every Thursday evening. Doors and concession open at 5 p.m. There will be 30 games, including three progressive jackpots., door prizes, raffles, and family fun.

At the Senior Center

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities will include bone builders from 10 to 11:30 a.m.; quilting from 1 to 3 p.m., and beginnning belly dance from 5 to 7:30 p.m. There will be a trip to the Berkshire Maill from 9: 30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bennington Free Clinic

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Free Clinic is held each Thursday starting at 6 p.m. This clinic is for uninsured people 18 years of age or older, who would otherwise fall through the cracks of our fractured health care system. It is located in the First Baptist Church at 601 Main Street. Call 447-3700 for an appointment to be seen.

Manchester Farmers Market

MANCHESTER -- Get your eggs and veggies, fresh from the farm; as well as grass-fed beef and chicken. Want more? We also have locally prepared foods and baked goods to complete your meal; a variety of artisans with unique gifts; art-farm for the kids; and as always, great live and local music.

Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. at Adams Park at the junction of Route 7A and Center Hill, Manchester Center. For more information or directions contact: mfmvt@yahoo.com

Friday, July 6

Benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters

BENNINGTON -- The first Funtastic Fridays evening event at the Villiage Chocolate Shoppe, 471 Main St., will be a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bennington County. Come and make a dragon out of puffy marshmallow and chocolate. All proceeds to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bennington County.

Downtown music event

BENNINGTON -- Mount Anthony Union High School students and Lynn Sweet, MAU music director, will perform for downtown Bennington crowds on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. from the front porch of the town offices on South Street. All are invited to enjoy the music.

Senior Center activities

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities for Friday will include ceramics from 9 to 11 a.m.; oil painting from 9 a.m. to noon; and bingo from 1 to 3 p.m.

Art opening and exhibition

SALEM, N.Y. -- A solo exhibition of the work of Jason Blue Lake Hawk Martinez will run at Salem Art Works from July 6 to 30. The artist reception will be held on Saturday, July 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Cary House Gallery at Salem Art Works.

Saturday, July 7

Posh Pups Parade in Manchester

MANCHESTER -- Dogs and their owners will don their finest fashions and compete for prizes at the Posh Pups Summer Parade presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, beginning at 4 p.m. at the corner of Routes 7A and 11/30.

Contestants are required to pay a $10 parade participation fee with 100 percent of proceeds donated to the Manchester Food Cupboard, http://communityfoodcupboard.org, a non-profit organization providing food to those in need. For more information and to register in advance visit http://www.manchesterdesigneroutlets.com, or contact lana@manchesterdesigneroutlets.com. Event day registration is available at 3:15 p.m. on July 7.

Sunday, July 8

New Bingo hours

BENNINGTON -- American Legion Post 13, 225 Northside Drive, will host bingo. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. No one under 14 will be admitted.

Meetings   Thursday, July 5

Hoosick Falls Central School

Board of Education

Reorganization meeting

High School Cafeteria, 7p.m.

Announcements

An evening by the lake

BENNINGTON -- Imagine a relaxing summer evening unwinding on the shore of a gem-colored lake with the stunning sunset brilliantly lighting up the sky. Throw in a little music and rhythm and a dash of family and friends.

You’ve already pictured "An Evening by the Lake," a rare opportunity to decompress from the week and enjoy life.

On Friday, July 13 at Lake Paran, United Counseling Service will present this event, featuring music by Bring It to the Fire, a local group with special guests Jared Essaff, John Andrews and Chuckleberry Finn.

"Admission is free and it will be fun for families and people of all ages," said United Counseling Service Director of Children’s Services Lorna Mattern.

The festivities kickoff at 5 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Donations will be gratefully accepted to benefit the UCS programs for children and the highly popular Teens for Change program, which helps teens find responsible roles in the community.

Visit www.ucsvt.org to find out more.