Bates elevated to Eagle

SALEM N.Y. — Boy Scout Troop 61 of Salem, recently held a Court of Honor at which Noah Thomas Bates of Cambridge received the rank of Eagle Scout.

To complete the rank of Eagle, a Scout must complete more than 300 individual requirements. During his time in the troop Bates has earned 35 merit badges, performed more than 100 hours of community service and was elected and served in many leadership positions. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, a Scouting service organization whose members are elected by their fellow scouts.

Bates is the son of David and Laurie Bates of Cambridge and is currently a senior at Cambridge Central School. He is the grandson of Joan and the late Francis Douglass of Bennington, Vt. and of Ruth and Henry Bates of Cambridge.

Red Cross blood drive

BENNINGTON — The American Red Cross plans a blood drive at the Bennington Armory, Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The drive includes a Red Sox ticket promotion. Would-be donors should bring a donor card, photo identification, or two forms of identification.

Local soldier promoted

EAGLE BRIDGE, N.Y. — Spc. John E. Bromirski was promoted to Sergeant in February

2008. Bromirski, an Army MP and a Purple Heart recipient, is stationed in Iraq where he has been since May of 2007 with the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart-Hunter in Georgia. This is his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Bromirski graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School in 2003. He is the son of Richard A. and Mary Margaret Bromirski of Eagle Bridge, and the brother of Kristine Bromirski. He is the grandson of the late Edward and Harriet Bromirski of North Hoosick, and the late John and Margaret Kennedy of Hoosick Falls.

Library offers workshop for home caregivers

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Free Library and the Bennington County Caregiver's Coalition are pleased to announce a new workshop in the Home Caregivers' series.

The May 22 workshop, Practical Tips for Home Caregivers, will offer hands-on strategies for providing for the comfort and safety of home care recipients.

Featured speaker will be Eva Zivitz, the Palliative Care Program Coordinator at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, which she founded in 2005. Eva has clinical experience in pain and symptom management and complementary therapies, including massage, aromatherapy, Reiki and guided imagery.

The program is free and open to the public, with advance registration recommended. A light supper will be served. Call the library at (802) 442-9051 for reservations or information.

Exhibit will track local Catholic education

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Historical Society is designing a visual exhibit reflecting the history of Roman Catholic Education in Bennington.

The exhibit will be mounted on a wall in the Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Parish Center as a permanent display. Because Catholic education in Bennington dates back to the first school, established by the Sisters of St. Joseph (1876-1898), to the present Sacred Heart School, the Society feels it is important to preserve this essential part of Town history.

In order to begin work on this "history wall" the Bennington Historical Society needs donations of memorabilia that former students or teachers may have from St. Francis de Sales Academy, Sacred Heart School, Bennington Catholic High School and St. Joseph's Business College. The following items are needed: old class photos, diplomas, awards or trophies, programs from plays, concerts, graduations or dances. Keepsakes such as ticket studs, athletic letters, class rings, or school banners are also desired. Donations may be left at the Parish Center on West Main Street. Any questions should be directed to Beverley Petrelis at 442-6203.

Lemonade stand will benefit Relay for Life

BENNINGTON — Shawn Devlin's Lemonade Stand for Relay For Life will reopen for the season May 10 from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

The stand is across from Willy's Variety, at the corner of Park and Gage streets.

The stand will also be open on Saturday, May 17, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the same location.

The stand, which offers fresh-squeezed lemonade, is in support of the "Missy's Wild Ones" team. last year, Devlin raised $1,000, and this year's goal is to double that.

Donations may also be left at Willy's, or mailed as checks, payable to American Cancer Society-Relay for Life, to Shawn Devlin, 5 Hamlin Ave., Bennington, VT 05201.

Basket party supports scholarship fund

JAMAICA — The Order of the Eastern Star in Jamaica will hold a basket party Saturday, May 17 to raise money for its scholarship fund.

This social event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Masonic Hall on Route 30 next to the Jamaica Cemetery. The admission ticket pays for lunch and the first 10 tickets on the lovely themed baskets of goodies. Call Marilyn at 874-4453 or Kate at 297-1994 for more information.

Shaftsbury plans Memorial Day parade

SHAFTSBURY — The Shaftsbury Veterans Committee and the Shaftsbury Fire Company will hold the Norshaft Memorial Day Parade on May 26.

The public is invited to participate in the parade. Individuals on bikes, carrying flags, marching, dressed as clowns, patriotic themes, whatever people would like to do to honor all who have given so much to our country.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. Line-up starts at 8:30 a.m. The parade will end at approximately 10 a.m. The route will start at the Town Offices (Cole Hall) with the laying of wreaths to honor all those who have given their lives for freedom. Following the parade, refireshments will be served at the fire house.

People who want to participate should notify Jim Meskun at 442-2224, no later than May 22.

Veterans' benefits meetings scheduled

BRATTLEBORO — Sam Haskins, Senator Bernie Sanders' veterans outreach representative, will hold informational meetings in Bennington County on May 27, 28 and 29 to explain how to enroll for VA health care.

With the new VA health clinic on North Street in Bennington, Haskins will describe the services available there and how to access them.

These informal meetings are free and open to Vermont veterans, spouses, dependents, widows and widowers.

If attendees are able to bring a copy of their Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) form, income documents for their household from all sources for 2007, along with medical expense documents for themselves and their spouse during 2007, they will be able to apply for VA Health Care at the meeting.

Meetings will take place as follows:

May 27: Manchester Center, VFW Post 6471, 181 Depot St., 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Arlington, Legion Post 69, 54 Legion Rd., from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

May 28: Wilmington, Fire Station, 18 Beaver St., 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Pownal, Legion Post 90, 5970 US Route 7, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

May 29: Bennington, VFW Post 1332, 137 North St., 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Bennington, Legion Post 13, 225 Northside Drive, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Bennington Rotary will grant seven scholarships

BENNINGTON — The Bennington Rotary Club will be awarding seven $1,000 scholarships. These financial awards are given to deserving young men and women who desire to continue their education beyond high school.

Any graduating senior whose primary residence is the Bennington Rotary Club's Service area (Bennington, Woodford, Pownal, Shaftsbury) is eligible, whether the senior attended a public or private high school or was homeschooled. Students can be attending a trade school, two year college or four year college.

Selection criteria will include volunteering to the community and school, satisfactory academic record and financial need.

To pick up an application students can go to their Guidance Department, or call Lindy Lynch 442-2865 for further information.

Applications must be postmarked by May 19, 2008.

Scholarship application deadline is June 3

NORTH BENNINGTON — The deadline for completion of the application for a Catherine Corcoran Scholarship Award which is given at the annual meeting of the North Bennington High School Alumni Association is rapidly approaching.

The post mark deadline for an application is June 3. Applications may be obtained at the Mt. Anthony Union High School guidance office or by calling Frieda Pello Sears at 442-4327 or Faye Hardy at 442-4075.

Qualified applicants must be a direct or legally adopted descendant of a North Bennington High School alumnus who will be pursuing a post-secondary education at a trade school, junior college or college. Other qualifications for the awards shall include financial need, academic achievement, effort and community involvement. Students who are continuing their education may re-apply each year for one of these awards.

The decision as to the recipients of each annual award shall be made by a majority of the Catherine Corcoran Scholarship standing committee.

Donations to the fund may be sent to NBHS Alumni Assoc., Catherine Corcoran Scholarship Fund, P.0. Box 162, N. Bennington, VT 05257.