Calendar

Saturday, Aug. 18

Battle Day events

BENNINGTON -- The weekend celebration of the Battle of Bennington begins today with the annual 5K road race, sponsored by the Friends of the Monument. Registration at 8 a.m., race begins at 9:30 a.m. starting and finishing at the Monument with cannon fire.

Following the 5k will be a half-mile fun race for children. Registration forms are available at the Monument gift shop.

Today and tomorrow a living history encampment will take place on the grounds of the Monument. Drill presentations, musket and artillery demonstrations, educational exhibits, and activities for children will be ongoing hourly.

Authentic cannons will be on display and fired periodically during the day Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The annual Battle Day parade kicks off from Main Street at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, with a reviewing stand at the Four Corners. Battle of Bennington book signing at the Monument

BENNINGTON -- Historian Michael P. Gabriel will be at the Bennington Battle Monument from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. to sign his book "The Battle of Bennington - Soldiers & Civilians." Gabriel has collected over 50 first hand accounts from the people who experienced this engagement, including veterans from both sides and women and children who witnessed the horrors of the battle.

The 306-foot Monument, a Vermont State Owned Historic Site, first opened to the public in 1891, to commemorate the August 16, 1777 Revolutionary War battle fought over the military storehouse located on the site where the Monument now stands.

Tag sale benefit for Natalie Rupprecht

BENNINGTON -- A tag sale will be held for Natalie Rupprecht, 3, of Bennington, who has been disgonised with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She is receiving treatments at Albany Medical Center. The tag sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 66 Bell St. All checks should be made out to Natalie Rupprecht. Leukemia ribbons and bracelets will be available.

Lake Paran Dessert Cabaret

NORTH BENNINGTON -- The fifth annual Dessert Cabaret at Lake Paran will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. The event features a wide variety of desserts donated from more than a dozen local restaurants and members of the lake association.

For $8, attendees can sample all the desserts they wish, with all proceeds benefiting Paran Recreations. There is also a fashion show with local schoolchildren from North Bennington Graded School who will be modeling scarves. Lake manager Marlene Driscoll said the cabaret is always a successful fundraiser where people can have a good time and enjoy their desserts lakeside.

Last year, the cabaret drew about 175 people and raised approximately $1,500.

'Gulliver's Flowers' miniature flower show

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Garden Club will present "Gulliver's Flowers," a miniature flower show, at the Dollhouse and Toy Museum, 212 Union St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Dollhouse and Toy Museum is a collection of dollhouses, dolls, toys and miniature items all displayed in a 19th century house.

The dollhouses are all made by Jackie Marro, who maintains the museum and lovely garden outside. Classes of miniature arrangements will be on display throughout the museum. Admission is free.

The Bennington Garden Club is dedicated to promoting and supporting horticulture, conservation, civic beautification and education in Southern Vermont.

Williamstown Farmers Market on Spring Street

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Williamstown Farmers Market is now in its 28th season. It features local, homegrown produce, fruit and vegetables and country baked goods and other farm-related products and crafts. It is held in the Spring Street parking lot (across from Tunnel City Coffee) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MAU Class of 1977 Reunion

BENNINGTON -- Mount Anthony Union High School's Class of 1977 will hold its 35th reunion at the Bennington Station from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. There will be a DJ for dancing, a buffet, hors d'oeuvres and a fun silent auction.

The cost is $35 per person.

"Blueprints to Wellbeing"

0MANCHESTER CENTER -- Equinox Healing Therapies is pleased to announce the first in a series of presentations/workshops on holistic health and wellness today.

"Blueprints to Wellbeing" begins at 9:30 a.m. with the Rev. Claire North, MSS, MFA, guiding "Our Life Adventures: Conscious Creation of our Ceremonies"; then Janette Conlon, NCTMB/Psychosynthesis, leads "Authentic Choices: Connecting to Your True Self" at 11; followed by "What's Stress Got to Do With It?" with Kathy Williams, CBS, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.

A three-session pass is available for $30 or choose a single session for $15; tickets available in advance or at the door.

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.

Sunday, Aug. 19

Bingo at Bennington Legion

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.

Bennington Battle Day Parade coverage live on cable access

BENNINGTON -- Catamount Access Television Corporation will cover the Bennington Battle Day Parade beginning at 12:30 p.m., with a simulcast on Greater Northshire Access Television in the Manchester area.

The entire CAT-TV staff, including two trainees and a large group of volunteers, will cover the parade with three cameras and two on-the-street commentators, John Shannahan of the Better Bennington Corporation and Judy Ziller, former CAT-TV staff member and former board member.

CAT-TV will be showing replays of the parade beginning on Aug. 20. For more information, contact CAT-TV at 802-442-8868 or GNAT at 802-362-7070.