Calendar Saturday, Sept. 8

Defensive driving course

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- The Northeast New York Safety & 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 reduces four points from one's driver's license on points acquired in the prior 18 months. The course fills up quickly, so register early by calling 518-686-4854. Tri-tip steak barbecue

BUSKIRK, N.Y. -- The Eagle Bridge Methodist Church will hold a tri tip steak barbecue at the Flea Market at Strawberry Acres, beginning at 11 a.m. The menu will include steak barbecue, baked potatoes, copper pennies, rolls, dessert. Eat in or take out. Price $10. For reservations call 518-686-9845 or 518-677-3945.

Gem and minerals show

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The 49th annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show, sponsored by the Northern Berkshire Mineral Club will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #130, 515 Curran Highway. This is one-half mile north of Walmart on Route 8.

The show will feature choice minerals, gems, jewelry, gifts, activities for children, door prizes and refreshments. Admission is $4 and children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. For more details, contact Larry Michon, show chairman, at P.O. Box 297, North Adams, MA 01247. Phone 413-663-8430.

McCullough Library Book and Bake Sale

NORTH BENNINGTON -- On Saturday, Sept. 8, and Sunday, Sept. 9, the John G. McCullough Free Library will hold its annual Book and Bake Sale at the library. Area residents have been donating books, DVDs/videos, LP records, CD's and audio-books to the library and the Friends of the Library have been sorting and boxing the materials for the past 2 months.

The book and bake sale will be held rain or shine in a tent at the back of the library from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday the 8, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday the 9. There will be no early bird sales; the sale starts promptly at 9 on Saturday.

This is an annual event undertaken by the Friends of the McCullough Library to serve the community by raising money to expand its collections, and otherwise support the library and its activities.

Texas Hold'em Tournament

STEPHENTOWN, N.Y. -- The Veterans of Stephentown will hold a Texas Hold'em Tournament in the Stephentown Fire Hall, located at 35 Grange Road. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and close at 6 p.m. Play begins at 6:15 p.m. sharp.

A free buffet will be served at the first break. No advance registration is required, and a donation of $35 per player will be accepted. Players can make an additional $10 donation at the door for 1,000 extra chips. This tournament will pay one place for every ten players with a minimum of four places and a maximum of nine places.

For more information, call Tom McVeigh at 518-658-2448.

Cavallari art exhibit at Milne Library

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- An exhibit of oil paintings by Marilyn Cavallari will be on display during September at the David and Joyce Milne Public Library. She will host an artist's reception from 2 to 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

For more information or to reserve exhibit space, contact Pat McLeod, library director, at 413-458-5369 or pmcleod@williamstown.net

Park hosts ‘Pets in the Park Day'

GRAFTON, N.Y. -- Grafton Lakes State Park will host the first-ever "Pets in the Park Day." This event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your pet to Grafton Lakes State Park at the Deerfield picnic area. The event is free with park admission.

For more information on "Pets in the Park Day," call assistant park naturalist Jean Gijanto at 518-279-1155. Information about park events may also be found online at www.nysparks.com/parks.

Ethan Allen Heritage Festival

BURLINGTON -- From 1 to 5 p.m. to the first annual Heritage Celebration at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum will be held. This will be a festival of arts and crafts from the 18th century including demonstrations of cooking and crafts as well as performances by folk singers, a fife and drum corps, and a performance by the Vermont National Guard's Woodwind Quintet. Admission is free of charge. For full details including a schedule of events, visit www.ethanallenhomestead.org or call 802-865-4556.

Sunday, Sept. 9

Rescheduled bingo in Pownal

POWNAL --Rescheduled because of the Labor Day holiday, bingo will be hosted at 1 p.m. by the Pownal Valley Seniors at the Pownal Center firehouse.

Take-out barbecue at Lodge

BENNINGTON -- Giffy's Barbecue will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge at 504 Main St. Take out only. Get tickets ahead to reserve your dinner at $10 each, for a half-chicken dinner. Sponsored by Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America, Airoc Court #42, of Rutland. Brighten a child's life. Call to reserve your tickets, 518-265-6187 or 518-598-4010.

Grand opening of Pownal Library's reading room

POWNAL -- Solomon Wright Public Library invites the public to attend a grand opening celebration for the Lucy Wright Case Reading Room from 2 to 4 p.m.

The grand opening celebration is open to all and refreshments will be served. The Solomon Wright Public Library is located at 97 Main Street, Pownal, VT 05261. For more information, call 802-823-5400.

Elisabeth Von Trapp concert

EAST ARLINGTON -- At 4 p.m. Elisabeth von Trapp will be performing at the Federated Church of East Arlington, on Ice Pond Road.

Von Trapp, who was born and raised in Vermont, is the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp, whose story inspired "The Sound of Music." She has released five self-produced albums and has performed throughout the world.

A free-will offering will be collected and von Trapp will donate back a portion of the offering to the hosting church. CDs will also be sold following the performance.

For more information, call the church office at 375-2548.

To send a press release to the Banner, e-mail to dantognioni@benningtonbanner.com, or call 447-7567, ext. 117.

To check on an arts/entertainment release or notice, write knorris@benningtonbanner.com, or call 447-7567, ext. 111. To check on a religion or business release, write to mrondeau@benningtonbanner.com, 447-7567, ext. 113.

In general, notices should be sent at least seven days in advance of an event. Community news appears as space in the newspaper allows. Social news pages appear periodically. Additional listings and announcements are at benningtonbanner.com.