Monday, July 30

Elks hosts bingo

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Elks will host bingo. There will be a $1,000 jackpot and 31 games for $13. Food service will be available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 7 p.m. The Bennington Elks is located at 125 Washington Ave. Senior Center activities

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities today will include oil painting from 9 a.m. to noon; walking aerobics from 10 to 11 a.m.; bridge/cards from 1 to 4 p.m.; and belly dance from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Bennington Free Clinic Monday hours

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Free Clinic has added Monday hours, in addition to its Thursday schedule. It will be open from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Baptist Church, at 601 Main St. Call for an appointment, 447-3700. Drop-ins will not be seen.

Nurse First Breastfeeding Support Group

BENNINGTON/ARLINGTON -- Nurse First connects moms and moms-to-be. Those who are interested in breastfeeding, have questions about breastfeeding or would like to meet other nursing moms are invited to share experiences, find resources and make friends. Nurse First offers support, encouragement and information about all aspects of breastfeeding.

Nurse First groups meet every Monday 10:30 a.m. to noon and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church on Hillside Street in Bennington and Burdett Commons on Route 7A in Arlington. Nurse First is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Health WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program and is free and open to the entire community. Children are welcome. For more information, call 802-447-6411.

Tuesday, July 31

Senior Center activities

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities will include Bone Builders from 10 to 11:30 a.m.; the Help Weight Group weigh -in will be hel from 4:30 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. Meeting starts at 5 p.m., sharp. There will be a trip to the Colonie Mall from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Overeaters Anonymous meets

BENNINGTON -- Overeaters Anonymous will meet on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Bennington Free Library.

Families Together caregiver gathering

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Project Independence, Adult Day Service, partners with families to share information and problem solve to make caregiving for a loved one easier.

Families Together meets at BPI on the last Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public. Bennington Project Independence is located in the Dr. Richard A. Sleeman building at 614 Harwood Hill. For more information, call 802-442-8136 or info@bpiads.org.

Women’s Cancer Support Group

SHAFTSBURY -- The Northshire Women’s Cancer Support Group will meet at Lake Shaftsbury at 5:30 p.m. Members should bring their own picnic lunch and beverage. For more information, contact Sherri Alper, group facilitator, at 802-362-0994, Ext. 5.

Pownal Democratic town caucus

POWNAL -- There will be a Pownal Democratic town caucus to elect nominees to stand for election as justice of the peace on the 2012 general election ballot. The caucus will be held at Pownal Town Office on July 31 at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 1

Bennington Democrats to caucus

BENNINGTON -- The Democratic Committee of Bennington will hold a Caucus to elect nominees to stand for election as justice of the peace on the 2012 general election ballot. The caucus will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m. at the Bennington Free Library. For more information, contact Judy Murphy, Democratic town chairwoman of Bennington, at 442-8816 or at judymurphy336@comcast.net.

Battenkill Grange to host troopers and canine

ARLINGTON -- Battenkill Grange #487 will hold its agriculture program at 6:30 p.m. at the Grange pavilion, featuring Vermont State Trooper Wayne Godfrey and his canine, Tarawa. The pair are a certified drug team, and Tarawa has been trained to sniff out seven different drugs. Also, State Police Lt. Reg Trayah will speak and answer questions about protecting one’s home from intruders. Arlington Stewart’s Shop will donate "make your own sundaes." Everyone is invited, and should bring a lawn chair.

Bingo at Moose Lodge

BENNINGTON -- Bingo is hosted at the Bennington Moose Lodge every Wednesday. Doors open at 5 p.m., and food will be available. There will be a $500 "Red Special."

Senior Center activiteis

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities for Wednesday, August 1 will include Vermont Associates from 9:30 a.m. to noon; and the program "An Evening with Charlie Rose."

Thursday, Aug. 2

Bingo at Pownal Legion post

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.

Second annual Hoosick Hometown Days

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- The second annual Hoosick Hometown Days will be held at the Hoosick Falls athletic fields from noon until 10 p.m., Aug. 3-4.

The grounds will be filled with vendors, concessions by local non-profit organizations, local musicians, and a dunking booth. Amyland Amusements will set up some rides and carnival games for the weekend. Wrist bands for rides will be available for $25. St. Mary’s Academy will provide favorite carnival foods throughout the weekend. Vendors are still welcome and sponsors are needed to help offset the costs for the entertainment and fireworks. Contact Jerry McAuliffe at 518-527-6362 or e-mail jmcauliffe5@aol.com for more information.

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 St. Call 447-3700 for an appointment to be seen.

Senior Center activities

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities will include bone builders from 10 to 11:30 a.m.; quilting from 1 to 3 p.m.; and beginning belly dance from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Proactive retirement speakers series

MANCHESTER CENTER -- Three talks in August help retirees take charge of retirement living decisions.

The first one, "The Health Benefits of Community Living," with Equinox Village’s Activities/Wellness Coordinator Kylee Ryan, is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Equinox Village. Ryan will relate research and anecdotes from two years of providing community wellness support to illustrate how a community living environment can improve and maintain health. The talk is free and open to the public, although space is limited. Light refreshments will be served. Call Ashley Brenon Jowett at 802-362-4061 to R.S.V.P.

Friday, Aug. 3

Raffle tickets for ‘dinner at the top’ of the monument

BENNINGTON -- Raffle tickets for the second annual "Dinner at the Top" of the Bennington Battle Monument are available at the Monument, Beverage Den, One Hour Martinizing on Benmont Avenue, Vermont Confectionery on Route 9, the Bennington Chamber office and the Better Bennington Corp. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Four tickets are drawn; each ticket entitles the winner and three guests to a catered dinner at the top of the Monument taking place on Friday evening, Aug. 3. For more information call 802-447-0550 or 447-2610.

At the Senior Center

BENNINGTON -- Bennington Senior Center activities for Friday, Aug. 3, will include Ceramics from 9 to 11 a.m.; oil painting from 9 to 12 noon; and bingo from 1 to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 4

Pig roast benefit dinner

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- A pig roast benefit dinner for veteran and biker Don Armstrong will be held at St. Stanislaw Society in Hoosick Falls from noon to 3 p.m., with hamburgs and hot dogs.

Armstrong is fighting debilitating lymne disease and lacks insurance coverage for necessary home care and medication. Pig roast dinner to be served at 4 p.m. Live music by several local artists starting at 1 p.m. Chinese auction and 50/50 raffles will be held. Donation is $18. For information or tickets, call the Polish Hall at 518-686-7810 or Noreen Hall at 518-658-0187 or 518-322-5721.

Bingo at Masonic Lodge

BENNINGTON -- Bingo is held at the Masonic Lodge, 504 Main St., every Saturday at 6:30 p.m., except major holidays. Doors open at 5 p.m. Snacks and beverages will be available.

Annual Clam Feed

POWNAL -- The 17th annual Clam Feed will be held at American Legion Pownal Post 90 on Route 7, from noon to 6 p.m. There will be clams, chowder, chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, hot sausage and beverages.

There also will be games of chances and raffles. Tickets limited to 100 sold. No one under 21 years of age. Tickets are $30 per person. They are on sale now at Winchester’s Store, Tuesday through Sunday, on Route 7 in Pownal and Thursday evening from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Legion.

For more information and/or tickets, call 802-823-5060.

McWater’s Park Forest Garden work party

NORTH BENNINGTON -- The McWater’s Park gardeners are planning a work party from 9 a.m. to noon. Join them for fresh baked scones, peach crepes, Frisbee throwing, kite flying and broadforking.

They are preparing the ground for the first guild to be planted in North Bennington’s Edible Forest Garden. For more information, visit http://northbenningtonedibleforest.weebly.com. McWater’s Park is in North Bennington next to the Henry Bridge and across the river from the Henry House Inn.

Williamstown Farmer’s Market

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Williamstown Farmer’s Market is located in the Spring Street parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. It features a variety of food and non-food products.

Sunday, Aug. 5

Bingo at Bennington Legion post

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

Bingo in Pownal

POWNAL -- Bingo will be held at 1 p.m. by the Pownal Valley Seniors at the Pownal Center firehouse.

Bennington Battlefield: ‘The War and Women’

GRAFTON, N.Y. -- Take a trip back in time at the Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site and discover what life was like for women during the Revolutionary War. The summer program titled "The War and Women" will be held on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 2 p.m. and will take a look into women’s lives during the Revolutionary War, including learning the language of the fan and a traditional craft.

Come prepared for a hands-on experience to discover what life was like then. This is an introductory class suited for the whole family. There is a $2 program fee per person or $5 per family.

For more information and to register for "The War and Women," call and ask for Stephanie or one of the park naturalists at 518-279-1155.

Information about park events may also be found online at www.nysparks.com/parks.