Downtown Alliance lights up Pliny Park
BRATTLEBORO - The Downtown Brattleboro Alliance invites everyone to the Downtown De-Lights Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities on Friday, Nov. 27, at 6 p.m.
This annual event is a fun, family-friendly way to kick off the holidays. Pliny Park and the Brooks House, along with many storefronts downtown, will display all their finery in bright white lights. It's a bit of traditional New England magic in the heart of Brattleboro.
For more on the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, and other holiday happenings in Downtown, visit brattleboro.com.
Holiday bazaar at First Congregational
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The 58th annual holiday bazaar will be held at First Congregational Church West Brattleboro, 880 Western Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Featuring hand crafted items, including table accessories, children's projects, gloves, mittens, hats. Also homemade fudge, jams, and baked goods, balsam wreaths, holiday ornaments, partridge berry bowls.
This year's raffle features a rustic settee, locally made, Vermont maple syrup, gift cards good for local businesses. West Bee Nursery School will also have hand-made soap and lotion.
Holiday fair in Chesterfield
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. - The annual Holiday Craft Fair is Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Town Hall on Route 63 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here you'll find a little bit of everything and then some -crafted and prepared by local artisans, crafters and cooks.
Enjoy the sights, scents and sounds of the season in small-town New England fashion, while visiting with friends and supporting the local economy. A portion of the day's proceeds will also benefit “Operation Christmas,” a local mission project of Asbury United Methodist Church that serves the greater Chesterfield community. Don't forget to stop by the Christmas Cafe in the annex and sample some the famous fare made by the women's fellowship of the church, including freshly made doughnuts.
Christmas bazaar in Westminster
WESTMINSTER - The Women's Fellowship of the First Congregational Church of Westminster will hold its annual Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring many hand-crafted items as well as many baked items.
Coffee, donuts and muffins will be available for purchase early and lunch will consist of ham or chicken salad, corn chowder, chili, or vegan minestrone, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Santa will make an appearance around 11 a.m. to listen to the Christmas lists of the children.
Post 5 Auxiliary presents craft fair
BRATTLEBORO - The American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary is sponsoring its 22nd annual Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Post 5 home at 32 Linden St.
Refreshments will be served and a Chinese Auction will be held. Crafters interested in displaying should contact Lori Nelson at 802-380-6179 for information.
Tubachristmas comes to Bernardston
BERNARDSTON, Mass. - The 20th annual Franklin County Tubachristmas takes place on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m., at the United Church of Bernardston, 58 Church St.
All tuba, euphonium, and baritone horn players are invited to play in this event (sorry, no trombones).
The public is encouraged to sing at this free concert. For more information, contact Steve at [email protected].
VAULT hosts holiday open house
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. - Gallery at the VAULT's Holiday Open House will be Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. Get a beautiful start to your holiday shopping. You'll find handmade ornaments, jewelry, hand-blown glass, scarves, pottery, slate, marble, wrought iron, wooden ware, baskets, felt animals, quilted wall hangings, mobiles, origami, Advent calendars, cards, photographs, fine art, and more, all in a historic 1907 bank, including a real vault.
Find something specially made by Vermont and regional artists for those on your list! Become a member and get an immediate 5 percent discount. Selected items are on sale and cookies and punch will be served.
Gallery at the VAULT, a Vermont State Craft Center, is located on 68 Main St. in Springfield. VAULT's regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will open until 7 p.m. weekdays from Dec. 8 to 23, Christmas Eve until 2. Find out more at galleryvault.org or call 802-885-7111.
Festival of wreaths and greens at All Souls
WEST BRATTLEBORO - The annual Holiday Bazaar at the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church will once again offer their unique artisan wreaths and greens on Friday, Dec. 4, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This will be the first time that the Bazaar will open its doors on Friday. Beautiful holiday handmade swags, wreaths, table arrangements made from locally cut fresh greens and natural wonders to decorate the largest and smallest of spaces will be available for sale.
Berries, cones and other natural contributions adorn the wreaths to make an artistic statement celebrating the beauty of our Vermont environment. Other handmade ornaments will be there to decorate the Christmas tree.
On Friday, the children can make graham cracker and gingerbread houses for $3.
Lunch is served on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., with a menu offering soups, bread and desserts. There will be baked goods including holiday specialties such as Stollen and fruit cake at the Bake Table.
The popular Silent Auction will be open with many gifts such as theme baskets, Maple Syrup, hand knit items, and dog sitting. On the Green Team Table, there will be homemade cloth gift bags, Fair Trade chocolate, coffee table books, and some videos and DVD movies.
All proceeds benefit the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church at West Village Meeting House on South Street, whose building is the home of the Theater Adventure Program, as well as a gathering for special occasions, community events, and conferences. For more information, call 802-365-7388.
Brattleboro-West Arts presents holiday show, sale
BRATTLEBORO - Brattleboro-West Arts presents “17 Artists 3 Days,” a holiday show and sale on Friday Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 118 Elliot, on Elliot Street across from the firehouse.
Artists whose work will be on display include Jackie Abrams, Bobbi Angell, Jason Breen, Josh Bernbaum, Maisie Crowther, Karen Kamenetzky, Ron Karpius, Chris Lann, Naomi Lindenfeld, Steve Lloyd, Kris McDermet, Sharon Myers, Gene Parulis, Janet Picard, Walter Slowinski, Matt Tell, and Jen Wiechers.
More details can found at Brattleboro-West-Arts.com.
Vernon hosts holiday craft fair
VERNON - On Friday Dec. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Vernon Elementary School at 381 Governor Hunt Road hosts the annual Home for the Holidays Craft Fair, featuring dozens of artisans, chefs, and artists.
The fair also includes the Scholastic Book Fair and dinner and lunch.
Santa comes to Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department will welcome Santa Claus and his elves to the Gibson-Aiken Center on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Santa will arrive on a tractor provided by the Robb Family Farm and be escorted by Brattleboro Police and Fire Department personnel.
Children of all ages can get their picture taken with Santa (for a donation), decorate holiday cookies, and work on various projects at “Santa's Workshop.”
For more information, contact the Recreation & Parks Department at 802-254-5808.
Christmas craft fair at Centre Church
BRATTLEBORO - Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., presents its annual holiday bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the Christmas Boutique, stroll down Cookie Walk, peek in Santa's Attic, and buy a ticket or two for the quilt raffle. Or have a plate of Belgian waffles and check out the craft vendors. There will also be entertainment for the children.
Brooks Library hosts Holiday Book Sale
BRATTLEBORO - The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library will host its annual Holiday Book Sale in the Library on Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sat., Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Gift quality books and gently used fiction, non-fiction, children's books and CDs will be on sale. There is a selection of holiday theme books and like-new children's books. Non-fiction titles include art, cooking and gardening, history, music, sports, and many more subjects. On Saturday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Friends will provide free gift-wrapping for books purchased at the sale and intended as gifts.
The Friends of the Library is also selling the very popular Book Lover's Calendar for 2016. These calendars are “a bibliophile's dream – everyday brings a spot-on recommendation.” The calendars are great holiday gift items and can be purchased at the Library Front Desk for $10 each. All proceeds go to support the Library.
Christmas bazaar at Guilford church
GUILFORD - Guilford Community Church invites everyone to their Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Handmade crafts, decorated wreaths, holiday baked goods, and many gift items will be for sale, including an array of stocking stuffers and white elephants.
The raffle table will feature a handmade quilt, American Girl doll, gift certificates, a basket of Vermont products, and much more. Luncheon will be served and coffee and homemade pastries and muffins will be available throughout the day.
All proceeds from the bazaar benefit the church, which actively supports numerous local programs and organizations serving the wider community. Directions: From Interstate 91 Exit 1 (Brattleboro), go south on Route 5 to just past the Guilford Country Store, take a left on Bee Barn Road, and a left again on Church Drive.
Peace & Goodwill Dinner in Newfane
NEWFANE - The NewBrook Fire and Rescue Department holds its 13th annual Peace & Goodwill Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the firehouse located on Route 30.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner and silent auction bidding beginning at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are: age 13 and up, $12; 6 to 12, $6; 5 and under, free. This annual event is a fundraiser for the all volunteer fire and rescue organization. The goal is to raise $5,000 to be used to purchase needed equipment.
For more information, or to arrange a pick up of a donation, contact Polly Casanova at 802-365-7149 or [email protected], Cina Friend at 802-365-4228 or [email protected], or Lauri Miner at 802-365-4194 or [email protected].
Cookie exchange in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE - The annual Jacksonville Cookie Exchange will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m., at the home of Bill and Gail Eleck on Route 8A. Bring three dozen cookies to swap, and some extras for munching. Coffee and juice will be available.
The Secret Pal party will follow at 2:30 p.m. Bring a gift for your “pal.” This will the last year for the Secret Pals.
For more information, contact Jan at 802-368-2947 or Liz at 802-368-7173.
TubaChristmas concert returns to West B
WEST BRATTLEBORO - Musicians living in and around Brattleboro who play tubas, sousaphones, and euphoniums are invited to present this year's edition of the annual TubaChristmas at the First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 13.
TubaChristmas began in 1974 to honor the late, great tubist William J. Bell, who was born Christmas Day, 1902. Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages gather to pay respect to Bell and honor their other teachers. Concerts are scheduled in more than 250 cities around the world.
The concert has been described as “Angels we have heard on low,” and the sound is not like much of the music of the season when arranged for the largest of the brass instruments.
The program will feature several different types of Christmas music, and the audience will be asked to join in song with the instruments.
Players wishing to join the ensemble are asked to register for the concert beginning at 1 p.m. Rehearsal is set for 2, and the show is at 3. The concert is free, but donations are welcome.
Dover seeks crafters
EAST DOVER - Artists, crafters and vendors are needed for a Holiday Craft Fair on Dec. 12 at the Dover Town Hall in East Dover from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact Jeannette Eckert at [email protected] or 802-348-7910, or Linda Sherman at [email protected] or 802-348-6361.
Community carol sing in Green River
GUILFORD - The Green River Church in the Green River village of Guilford will hold the annual Service of Scripture and Carols at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20.
The service will be recorded by WTSA-FM for rebroadcast on Christmas Eve. Refreshments will be served following the service in the vestibule of the church.
This will be the 55th annual service at the church, used as the only fundraising event of each year. In 2001, the church became a part of the Green River Village Preservation Trust, a local nonprofit historic preservation group.