Manchester Merriment holiday events schedule:
Town Tree Lighting
Nov. 26
6pm
Town Green, Depot Street
Gather one and all at the Manchester town green for a holiday tree-lighting ceremony featuring appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot drinks, music from WEQX and family fun.
Manchester Music Festival Thanksgiving Recital
Nov. 27
3pm-6pm
Snopek Residence, Stratton Mountain
Tom Snopek and Peggie Telscher will host an afternoon recital at their Stratton Mountain home. Hear young violin, viola and piano artists from Juilliard perform works by Bach, Schumann, Stravinsky, Faure and others. Refreshments will be served. More info at www.mmfvt.org.
Lighted Tractor Parade
Dec. 3
5pm-6pm
Town of Manchester
Watch antique and modern tractors as they parade from Memorial Ave. to Equinox Terrace in the heart of Manchester, Vermont. Each one is unique and lit up to celebrate the holidays.
Our House for the Holidays
Dec. 3-4
Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home
Hildene is dressed in holiday finery, and the spirit of the season abounds in the 100-year-old Carriage Barn. Enjoy apple cider, Vermont tastings, fresh cider doughnuts, the crisp fragrance of pine boughs, and the sounds of the season. 802-362-1788 or www.hildene.org
Hooked on the Holidays
Dec. 3
1pm – 4pm
The American Museum of Fly Fishing
Fly-tying class. More information at www.amff.org.
Cavalier Christmas Doggie Slumber Party
Dec. 9–11
Wilburton Inn
Wilburton Inn’s four-legged innkeeper, Jetson, welcomes all of his doggie friends and their people for a special slumber party weekend. Get in the holiday spirit with pet portraits, caroling beside the fire, no overnight pet fees, and fun with friends. A portion of stays will be donated to the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue Trust. 802-362-2500 or www.wilburtoninn.com
Local Inn Holiday Tours
Dec. 10
Walk through history and learn more about some of Southern Vermont’s most famous inns during this magical time of year. Inns throughout Manchester, Dorset, and Arlington will be open for visitors. Each location plays host in a unique way, making for a cozy and fun Saturday afternoon in the country. 12–4pm. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit The Community Food Cupboard. More Information
Manchester Lions Elf Express
Dec. 17-18
r.k. MIles Depot Station
This whimsical holiday train takes its riders on a one-hour enchanting journey through the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont. Passengers will be entertained with holiday melodies and dance routines by elves on decorated trains. Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus will also make a surprise visit. Sponsored by the Manchester Lions. www.manchesterlionselftrain.com
First Snow Painting Class
Dec. 22
7pm – 9pm
Southern Vermont Arts Center
With wine and brush in hand, you’ll follow along step-by-step in painting a snowy Vermont scene. Wine, snacks, supplies and aprons are all provided so you just need to bring yourself. Sign up at www.svac.org.
Manchester Music Festival New Year’s Eve Concert
Dec. 31
3:30pm Family Concert; 5:30pm Evening Concert
First Congregational Church
MMF’s New Year’s Eve concert is a sparkling family-friendly program with Mozart, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovksy, and much more. Hear favorites such as Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Clair de Lune and Auld Lang Syne with featured artists Adam Neiman, Ariella Mak-Neiman, baritone Randall Scarlata and the Haven String Quartet, resident string quartet at Music Haven. Tickets are $30 for adults, $13 for students. More info at www.mmfvt.org.
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-Nearly 75% of Bennington area teens are not using alcohol or marijuana. That is great news but there is much more work to be done to keep kids off of drugs and alcohol to strengthen our communities.
-Now approaching its 20thanniversary, the Alliance for Community Transformations or ACT, is a community-based, grassroots collective of people who are working together to improve the health of our communities.Their mission is to prevent first time substance abuse among youth, reduce its use across all ages and to actively contribute to promoting increased wellness and health for all across the lifespan in the “Southshire” region of Bennington County.
-ACT was built on a passionate belief that positive change can happen and that change is powered through hard work and real collaboration with our community members.
Come join us! On the web at actbennington.org on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter at actbennington.
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The Dorset Fire Department is currently seeking additional members interested in joining the fire service and serving the Dorset community. No experience necessary, but would be helpful. Training is available. If you’re looking to support your community and become a member of the department please call 802-867-5311 or on Facebook: Dorset Fire Dept. or email your inquiry to dorsetfire@comcast.net
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The Food Pantry of the Capital District
- The Food Pantries for the Capital District is a coalition of food pantries working together, in a spirit of cooperation, to do together what no one of us could do alone. Our mission is to serve hungry people in the Capital District through member food pantries. We support our pantries by purchasing, collecting and delivering food. We provide a forum for networking, coordination of services, education and training.
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- The Albany Fund for Education is a non-profit community organization that enhances opportunities for City School District of Albany students to learn, grow and succeed. It does this through grants and by linking community organizations with a mutual interest in public education.
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Albany Charity for Arts in Education
- ACAE is a not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to support fine arts, theatre and musical performance by students in the schools of the city of Albany. It is governed by a board with members drawn from the arts, academic and business communities. Board members serve without compensation.
- Members of the larger community can participate in several ways: by becoming Patrons of the organization, by contributing art for ACAE’s periodic auction events, by participating in these auctions, and by serving as members of ACAE’s board. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.
- Teachers in the Albany city schools are invited to submit grant proposals for projects in art, theatre or music.
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The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY – Learn how you can make a difference…
The mission of the Regional Food Bank is to alleviate hunger and prevent food waste. We work toward this mission by ensuring that all products available for donation reach the Food Bank and are distributed judiciously to our member agencies; by practicing responsible stewardship; and by actively participating in the community to increase awareness of hunger and poverty.
You can donate money, food or just your time, through everything from food drvies to volunteering in an emergency shelter. There’s tons of ways to get involved and help your community. Find out about what local events, and services you can find near you. Check them out at www.regionalfoodbank.net
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BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS – SOUTHERN VT
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bennington County, Vermont, is expanding. Great new mentoring programs are now available in Manchester, Dorset, East Dorset, Danby, Arlington, and Sunderland!
Get involved and have fun. Sign up to be an adult mentor. Or enroll a child ages 5-14 in the program! For just a few hours a month, mentoring gives kids the greatest advantage for a successful life—friendship with a caring adult!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bennington County is sponsored by United Counseling Service.
To donate, volunteer, or sign up a youth please contact the Northshire Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Coordinator at 802-442-5491. You’ll be glad you did.
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Make-A-Wish Foundation
Vermont chapter: (802) 864-9393
Capital District / North Country (518 area code): (518) 782-4673
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants wishes to children who are living with a life-threatening illness, to enrich the human experience with Hope, Strength and Joy!
If you know a child with a life-threatening illness , please contact us and…Share the Power of a Wish®!
The Foundation, through personal interview with the child, makes sure that it grants each child his or her special wish. In every case, the entire immediate family is included as part of the wish to help create special family memories. The purpose is to emphasize the joy of the wish fulfilled; not the illness. Neither the child nor family is ever asked to pay for any portion of a fulfilled wish.
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Muscular Dystrophy Association
More than 40 different life-threatening neuromuscular diseases exist. Tens of thousands of Americans are battling with some neuromuscular disease. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a voluntary health agency. It is a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. For more information or to donate time or money to the cause call 802-863-6434 or 518-489-5494 or visit the website at www.mdausa.org.
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Habitat for Humanity
Be constructive- build a house with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that works to build quality affordable housing in partnership with needy families. Each family works many hours of labor by helping with the construction, but they can’t do it alone. You can help by sharing your time and talent. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed at the construction site and as Habitat ambassadors in the community. You can also help by donating money, construction materials, and expertise in many different areas.
Donations are welcome, needed, and greatly appreciated. For more information on how you can help call (802) 442-3717 or visit them online.
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Aids Project of Southern Vermont
AIDS Project of Southern Vermont has an HIV rapid testing program in Southwestern Vermont. We are trying to urge all people to get tested and know their HIV status. For more information call 802-447-8007.
