On the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Irene, you’ll be able to see — and participate in — many of the actions, emergency services and restoration activities that took place on or after that day in 2011. On Sun., August 28 (the actual anniversary) from 9 AM-3 PM, the South Royalton Green is the site for the kind of community building that was generated under the incredible duress of a great emergency. This time, it will be more about demonstrations, practice and knowledge for the next emergency. The Towns of Tunbridge, Bethel, Sharon and Royalton come together for this family event that features: a 5K (and 1 mile) fun run (and walk); volunteer work (within walking distance to the green) to clean up the streambank or help with landscaping at the library (both in the morning); emergency vehicles of every kind to explore (Green Mountain Power, fire and rescue trucks, Red Cross), more kids activities including a sand bag filling contest, demonstrations by the Swift Water Rescue Team, a “flume” table, live music, food vendors, and a display of photos from the 1913, 1927 and 2011 floods. Here’s your chance to build community, but not under the terrible stress of a devastating flood. Race entrants and those bringing food shelf donations gain a free raffle ticket!  Rain venue is the So Ro School. Sponsored by Community Resilience Organizations (CROs), GW Plastics, Mascoma Bank, Green Mountain Power, BALE (Building A Local Economy), White River Partnership, Bethel C+ and South Royalton Fire and Rescue. For more info, click HERE.

Rochester Recognizes Irene’s 5^th!!
The towns of Hancock, Rochester, Stockbridge, Pittsfield and Granville come together to recognize and remember Hurricane Irene five years ago. The date is Sun., Aug 28 from 11:30 AM-6:00 PM. Activities includes a pig roast, community music jam, beer garden, dedication of the new sculpture park and a huge potluck picnic at the Rochester Town Park. For more info, click HERE.

Aquatic Resources Public Field Visit Itinerary August 31, 2016; 900am to 200pm

Robinson Integrated Resource Project – Green Mountain National Forest

Objective: Learn about opportunities and share ideas regarding stream and riparian restoration as part of the Robinson Integrated Resource Project

Please meet at the Rochester Ranger Station located at 99 Ranger Road, Rochester, VT 05767 (about 2 miles north of Rochester Village on VT 100). We will plan to caravan to each stop using a combination of government and private vehicles depending on how many people participate.

Note: We can remain flexible with our itinerary depending on what participants want to focus on during our discussions even if it results in returning to the Rochester Ranger Station at 2:30 or 3:00 pm.

What to wear: Sturdy foot apparel, long pants, long shirt, sunhat

Wat to bring: water, bag lunch or snacks, sunscreen, bug repellent

For more information contact: Jay Strand at (802)767-4261 x522 (phone); or [email protected] (email).

The Ottauquechee River Group is looking for volunteers to help with some water quality monitoring. Please contact Chris directly with any questions.

Ottauquechee Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Recruitment

Sampling will take place on every other Thursday in the morning (times may be variable, but generally before 9:30 AM). The specific monitoring dates include: June 23, July 7; July 21; August 4; August 18; September 1

• Ottauquechee Main Stem – Bridgewater – At Route 100A Bridge

• Kedron Brook – Woodstock – Downstream from the Green Mountain Horse Association
• Kedron Brook – Woodstock – Below WWTF
• Kedron Brook – Woodstock – Above WWTF behind the Fire Department
• Kedron Brook – Woodstock – Upstream of the Green Mountain Horse Association
• North Branch Ottauquechee – Bridgewater – Just upstream of confluence with main stem Ottauquechee
• Roaring Brook – Killington – Just upsteam of confluence w/ Main Stem Ottauquechee
• Roaring Brook – Killington – above WWTF

HELP STAGECOACH STUFF-THE-BUS
When You Give Food You Give Hope
Randolph, Vermont….. On Saturday, September 3rd, Stagecoach will host its 2nd Annual Stuff-the-Bus event to raise awareness and collect donations for local food shelves. Stagecoach buses will be parked at Shaw’s in Randolph and Hannaford’s in Bradford from 10:00am to 7:00pm to collect donations of food, which will then be delivered to food shelves in Randolph, Bethel, Rochester, Bradford, Wells River and Fairlee. Last year, the Bradford area event collected more than 1,300 pounds of food items.
In this region, one out of every four people is at risk of stuck at home without access to transportation or food. Stagecoach leaders decided to create the Stuff the Bus event to further assist community members most in need. Community Relations Manager, Laura Perez said, “Many of our riders have limited incomes. While we are proud to help them by providing low-cost transportation, we recognized there were other ways we could help, too. Stuff the Bus is part of our effort to improve the health of the community by supporting our partners at the food shelves.”
Please join Stagecoach in making the community a safer, healthier, and happier place to live, play and work.
Ways to Help Stagecoach Stuff-the-Bus:
 Organize a food drive at your organization and bring friends to load it on the bus
 Volunteer to help accept donations on Saturday 9/3
 Volunteer to help distribute donations to the food shelves on Sunday 9/4
 Volunteer to spread the word about the event- pass out flyers, post in church bulletin, talk to friends, post on Facebook
 Have a “giving party”- instead of gifts, ask friends to bring a non-perishable food item to donate
Want to volunteer? Call or email Laura Perez and let her know! 802-728-3773 or [email protected].
Stagecoach improves the economic, social, and environmental health of the region by providing safe and accessible community transportation services for everyone. For more information, please contact us at 802-728-3773 or on the web at www.stagecoach-rides.org.

Pizza dinner will be provided

Techniques to Flood Proof Buidlings

This workship will review the risks, regulations and insurance requirements for buildings in flood prone areas. Engineering strategies for protecting existing historic structures will be presented as well as several case studies. In addition, take away practical tips for flood proofing you building that won’t break the bank.

Who Should Come?

Building contractors, engineers, business owners, commercial and residential building owners, and homeowners that are interested in better protecting their buildings from flood hazards should come to this workshop.

RSVP by Sept. 1, 2016

Want to set a financial goal and ACCOMPLISH that goal?

Are you MOTIVATED to understand where your money goes?

Are you CURIOUS about your credit score?

Five Thursday Afternoons Sept. 8-October 6, 2016

1-2:30 p.m.

Capstone Community Action, Barre

Show up, or register at:

802-477-5116

[email protected]