Community Calendar This Week

Monday, May 5

Senior luncheon

NORTH BENNINGTON — The Young at Heart Seniors of North Bennington invite all area seniors to their senior luncheon the first Monday of each month at Kevin's, with 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. seatings. Reservations are required; call Gail Boutin at 447-6210.

Al-Anon meeting

BENNINGTON — Al-Anon meets at 7 p.m. at Turning Point, 465 Main St. Al-Anon is for families affected by someone else's drinking.

Eagles Auxiliary vote

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Eagles Auxiliary will be voting for their president today, from 2 to 7 p.m.

Weaving garden supports

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. — Hubbard Hall Projects will offer the next in its series of gardening forums facilitated by Bliss McIntosh and Sean McEntee. This third forum will be an opportunity to share gardening expertise, questions and experiences. The program will include a workshop on weaving garden supports from willow and grapevine. All levels of knowledge from the rank beginner to the seasoned professional are welcome to attend at 7 p.m. in the Beacon Feed Building behind Hubbard Hall, which is located at 25 East Main St. For more information

on this and all Hubbard Hall programs, visit www.hubbardhall.org or call (518) 677-2495.

Senior line dancing

BENNINGTON — Line dancing with Sue Hoag will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St. For more information, call 442-1052.

Tuesday, May 6

Senior bingo

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Club, on Route 7 in South Bennington, hosts bingo every Tuesday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; games start at 7 p.m., sharp. The jackpot is progressive and kitchen service is available.

Music parents meet

BENNINGTON — The Mount Anthony Music Parents Association will meet at 7 p.m. in the chorus room at MAUHS. All interested in supporting the music department at MAUHS, especially parents of incoming freshmen who will be participating in the music program, are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 447-7511.

Overeaters Anonymous

BENNINGTON — Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. at Turning Point, 465 Main St.

Story hours

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Free Library holds two story hours geared towards children on Tuesdays. "Baby Rhyme Tyme" for infants 4 months to 18 months will be held upstairs in the BankNorth Room from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Use the night entrance next to the book drop. "Story Rhythms," an active story hour for children 18 months to 36 months, will also be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. upstairs in the Rotary meeting room. For more information, call Linda or Chris at 442-9051.

Lions monthly meeting

BENNINGTON — The Norshaft Lions Club will hold their monthly meeting at the American Legion Post 13 on Northside Drive at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be Betty Gregory of The Chocolate Barn in Shaftsbury.

Volunteers needed

SHAFTSBURY — Community volunteers, in cooperation with the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging, are about to begin a survey of elders (age 60 and above) in Shaftsbury. In an effort to broaden opportunities for seniors in the Shaftsbury area, organizers need to know what would be most useful to those in this age group. The goal is to support older people to lead independent, active and meaningful lives. It's an effort to see what is on a 'wish list' for Shaftsbury seniors.

Community volunteers are needed and the help is important and appreciated. Survey meetings will be held on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. at the Shaftsbury Methodist Church. All Shaftsbury seniors are welcome.

Senior activities

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Senior Center, at 124 Pleasant St., will ride the bus to the Clifton Park Mall. For more information, call 442-1052. Also, from 10 to 11 a.m., easy exercise with RSVP Bone Builders will be held.

Wednesday, May 7

Kindergarten registration

DORSET — Dorset School Kindergarten registration and screening will take place. Call 362-2606 to make an appointment to register one's child. Children entering Kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year must be five years old by Sept. 1. Bring your child's immunization records and birth certificate.

Transition night

BENNINGTON — At 6:30 p.m. there will be a transition night for all parents of rising 9th graders presented by Mount Anthony Union High School guidance counselors. It will take place in the Middle School cafeteria. School personnel will guide parents through requirements and give them tips for success over the next four years. Refreshments will be served.

Pre-school story hour

BENNINGTON — A pre-school story hour will be held from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. for children 3 to 5 upstairs at Bennington Free Library. Children will explore the world of literature through stories, songs, movement and art. For more information, call Linda or Chris at 442-9051.

Walking around town

BENNINGTON — Meet at the Bennington Senior Center at 10 a.m. to walk around town with companions until 11 a.m. Also, from 1 to 3 p.m. there will be an afternoon movie at the center. Refreshments will be served. Call the center for more information at 442-1052.

Thursday, May 8

Moose Lodge hosts bingo

BENNINGTON — The Moose Lodge will host bingo, with the doors opening at 5 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Food is available. No one under 18 will be admitted.

Bennington playgroup

BENNINGTON — Success by Six sponsors a free playgroup for children ages birth to 6 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Willowbrook Community Room, on Willow Road. Enjoy a wide variety of age-appropriate play materials, a craft, snack, stories and songs. No pre-registration is necessary. This is an opportunity for children and caregivers to socialize and network. For more information, call 447-2887 or stop in any Thursday morning. The playgroup follows the SVSU calendar.

Bennington AARP meets

BENNINGTON — AARP Bennington Chapter No. 269 will hold its monthly meeting at the Elks Club, on Washington Avenue, at 1 p.m. Dana Coleman of the Second Chance Animal Center, Shaftsbury, will be the speaker. Members and guests are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Remember to bring food for BROC.

Northshire AARP meets

MANCHESTER — The next meeting of the Northshire Chapter of the AARP will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the Manchester Town Hall. All are invited to bring a brown bag lunch to the meeting. A 50/50 raffle will be held at the end of the meeting. The guest speaker will be local accountant Steve Misasi, who will talk about issues relating to the 2009 income tax.

Legion hosts bingo

POWNAL — Bingo is held every Thursday at Pownal American Legion Post No. 90. The doors and concession open at 5 p.m. Various games, door prizes, raffles are offered.

Transition fair

BENNINGTON — A transition fair will be held after school between 3 and 7 p.m. at the CDC and MAU. The fair is for all students over 16 years old and their parents or guardians. The purpose of the fair is to better prepare students and answer their questions about life after high school.

Topics will include money management, employment, educational and training opportunities, health, interpersonal relationships, housing, nutrition, social services, recreation and transportation.

For more information, call Craig P. Palmer, Mount Anthony Union High School, at 447-7511, ext. 436; or Laura Gatewood, Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union, at 362-2452.

Senior activities

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St., will hold easy exercise with RSVP Bone Builders from 10 to 11 a.m. Also from 1 to 3 p.m. there will be a trip to the Boston Seafood Restaurant in North Adams, Mass. This restaurant offers not just fish but sandwiches and burgers. Ride the bus for $7. For more information call 442-1052.

Friday, May 9

Provider appreciation day

BENNINGTON —May 9 is Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. Parents with children in childcare are encouraged to show their child care provider how much they appreciate them. This can be done by making a card with your child for the provider, giving a tip, donating new toys to the program or bringing the provider and the children lunch one day. For more ideas, contact the Bennington County Child Care Association, the local child care resource and referral agency, at 447-3778.

Pownal playgroup

POWNAL — Free of charge Success by Six sponsors a free playgroup for children aged birth to 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Pownal Valley Firehouse, on Route 7. This is Vermont's only side-by-side playgroup featuring two rooms divided into age-appropriate activities for children ages birth to 3 and 3 to 6. This is an opportunity for children and caregivers to socialize and network. No pre-registration is necessary. Enjoy a wide variety of age-appropriate play materials, a craft, snack, stories and songs. For more information, call 447-2887 or drop in any Friday morning. The playgroup follows the SVSU calendar.

Artist reception

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. — There is still time to reserve discounted advance tickets to the Artist Reception for the 2008 Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival. Artist Evan Wilson of Hoosick will be honored at the event at the West Village Market. The doors open at 6 p.m. The official unveiling will occur around 7 p.m.

This reception is the annual kick-off event for the Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival, set for June 6 to 8. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, but they usually sell out. Call 677-0887 by May 5 to be placed on the advance ticket list.

Saturday, May 10

Plant sale

BENNINGTON — The Bennington American Legion Auxiliary is holding a plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be perennials, annuals, shrubs and houseplants for sale. The sale is being held at the Legion post and is open to the public.

Food drive

BENNINGTON — Bennington residents are asked to fill a bag with non-perishable groceries and leave it by their mailboxes on Saturday. Their letter carriers will pick up the filled bags during the day and deliver them to local food shelves so these agencies can help hungry people. The post offices in Bennington, North Bennington, Manchester Center, Shaftsbury, Arlington, Pownal and North Pownal will participate.

Needed are non-perishable food items such as tuna fish, peanut butter, unsweetened cereal and juice, healthy soups, pasta, rice, beans, vegetables and fruits. Cleaning supplies and paper goods are also welcome. For more information, call Elizabeth Eddy at 665-1732.

Safety check

BENNINGTON — A free car seat and booster seat safety check will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine at Nemer Auto. Certified technicians will be on site. For more information, call 1-888-TOT-SEAT. This event is sponsored locally by Nemer Auto and Success by Six of Bennington.

Defensive driving course

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. — The Northeast New York Safety and Health Council will sponsor the defensive driving course at the Hoosick Falls Health Center, on Danforth Street, beginning at 8:30 a.m., promptly.

Successful completion of this class allows for 10 percent insurance reduction on collision and liability for three years, as well as reduce four points from one's license on points acquired in the last 18 months. For any questions, or to register, call Marla Nowak at (518) 686-4854. The course fills up quickly, so register early.

Walk for Water Africa Day

MANCHESTER — Burr and Burton Academy is sponsoring a Walk for Water Africa Day for everyone in the community.

Individuals and teams will walk to the Equinox Pond and back carrying a jerry can of water, simulating the walk many African families must do every day to get water.

Teams can also sign up for the Amazing Race Relay on the BBA field that will involve the completion of African "challenges." Prizes for both races will be awarded for fastest team, best costume, slowest team and others. The event will also feature an African marketplace with information about other African projects, African food, drumming, film, dance and music.

For more information, contact Lani Lovisa at llovisa@burrburton.org or 549-8275. The rain date is Sunday, May 11.

Annual bird walk

SHUSHAN, N.Y. — On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., bird enthusiast Nat Parke with again lead a bird walk at Dionondehowa Wildlife Sanctuary. He will identify by sight and by sound the many species that are returning to or migrating through the region.

For more information, for directions and to register, call (518) 854-7764. A donation is requested to support the projects of Dionondehowa Wildlife Sanctuary.

Pancake breakfast

ARLINGTON — Trout Unlimited hosts its annual pancake breakfast, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the American Legion Hall. The cost of the breakfast is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger.

Proceeds from the breakfast benefit the Trout in the Classroom educational programs at Fisher Elementary School and Mettawee Community School.

For more information about the breakfast, or to purchase raffle tickets prior to the breakfast, contact Fisher Elementary teacher Valerie Oakland at oaklandv@bvsu.org or 375-6409.

Poetry reading

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. — Celebrate motherhood at a dynamic poetry reading with two seasoned poets (and mothers), Barbara Ungar and Nancy White. For more information, contact Battenkill Books at (518) 677-2208.

Sunday, May 11

Bingo at legion

BENNINGTON — American Legion Post 13 hosts bingo, with the doors opening at 5 p.m. and bingo starting at 6:30 p.m., sharp. No one under 14 is admitted.