Pownal grant
POWNAL – The Turrell Fund of Montclair, N.J., recently awarded Oak Hill Children’s Center $78,000 for program and capital support.
“Turrell’s partnership has assisted the center in fulfilling our mission,†said Laura Rosse-Niles, director of development for Oak Hill. “They have been part of Oak Hill’s operating support for many years, and we appreciate their continued commitment to Pownal’s families.â€
In April 2003 Oak Hill Children’s Center purchased the former Storey Communications building in Pownal Center from Martha and John Storey of Williamstown, Mass. Renovations immediately followed, transforming the first floor into a childcare facility. The “new†Oak Hill opened in September 2003.
The center is strategically located adjacent to the Pownal Elementary School and the Pownal Satellite of Head Start. It allows children easier transitions and permits easier collaborations between the three facilities.
The $50,000 capital support portion of the grant will be used to begin renovating the second floor of Oak Hill’s 5,200-square-foot facility. Oak Hill Children’s Center is also working to secure other grants, as well as individual donations to help meet the $200,000 capital goal.
“Our center has been very fortunate to have such a broad base of support. Our first floor capital campaign raised almost $55,000 from individuals and businesses,†said Rosse-Niles.
“The $28,000 in program support will allow Oak Hill to maintain teaching and administrative support and enhance our newest programs: infant/toddler, school age,†said Diane Wiles, Oak Hill’s program director. “This grant will also allow training opportunities and release time for teachers and assistants by providing compensation for additional hours working with the accreditation process.â€
The center is working towards accreditation from NAEYC, a national accreditation system for the care and education of young children.
Oak Hill Children's Center is the only licensed, not-for-profit childcare center in Pownal. The center serves 40 children from six weeks to 12 years old. It is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors which meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Information: 802-823-1527.
Searsburg debate
BENNINGTON — A public meeting about wind energy in Vermont and whether the Searsburg wind farm, 13 miles east of Bennington, should be allowed to expand from the current 11 wind towers to 32 taller and more efficient turbines, will be held on Monday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at Temple Bethel 225 North St.
The program will begin with a video, “Vermont Wind: A Look at our Energy Future.†Recently produced by the trade association Renewable Energy Vermont, it premiered on Vermont Educational TV on Feb. 19, followed by a panel discussion of energy experts.
Discussion will follow about the proposed Searsburg expansion, dealing with the potential benefits of the project as well as questions and concerns of area residents. John Berkowitz, director of the 1,000-member organization Southern Vermonters for a Fair Economy and Environmental Protection will moderate.
The last half-hour will focus on a discussion of the possible purchase of the two hydroelectric dams and generating stations in Whitingham and Wilmington, along with six others on the Connecticut river, by the state of Vermont in partnership with a private company.
The event is sponsored by SVFEEP, the Bennington Peace Resource Center and the Bennington County Democratic Committee. Information: SVFEEP, 802-442-4361, or svfeep@sover.net.
Pownal meeting
POWNAL — The Pownal Recreation Implementation Committee will hold a public meeting in the Town Office 6 p.m on Monday, March 15, to continue review of the draft Woodlands Management Plan that was developed by planning contractor LandWorks of Middlebury and was the subject of a February public hearing.
The woodland area associated with the plan is about 750 acres acquired by the town as part of the 2002 Pownal Tannery land purchase. The current version of the document, dated March 2004, is available for public review at the Pownal Town Office. The public, interested groups and individuals have previously been invited to review, comment on and suggest changes to the Woodlands Management Plan.
It is the intent of the committee to hold final discussion on the plan at the March meeting, to attach any submitted written comments on the current version and to recommend approval of the plan to Pownal Board of Selectmen.
At the meeting, the committee will also conduct routine business which may include discussion of grant application efforts, reuse of the warehouse area and the lagoon area, which is now being worked on by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the future of the dam on the Hoosic River and buildings associated with the tannery site.
For minutes of the meetings, agendas of planned meetings or to make contact with the committee outside of the scheduled meetings, contact the town office.
French conversation
BENNINGTON, Vt. — Francophones (French-speaking people) are invited to gather on Sunday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bennington Elks Club.
All levels of proficiency are invited for informal language practice and the sharing of culture. The group will meet at the same time and place on March 28 and April 18. The club is at the corner of Elm and Washington streets, one block west and one block south of the center of Bennington (parking and entrance at the back).
Information: Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, 802-442-3204
Caporizzo speaks
BENNINGTON, Vt. — Meteorologist Steve Caporizzo will speak at Second Chance Animal Center’s 43rd annual meeting of the membership on Saturday, March 20, at the Second Congregational Church, Hillside Drive, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The public is invited. Caporizzo is WBTN meteorologist, host of “Pet Connection†and a long-time advocate of Second Chance and its work. Complementary desserts and coffee will be served.
Ballroom dancing
BENNINGTON, Vt. — The Bennington Ballroom’s next event will be a St. Patrick’s Party on Saturday, March 20, at the Bennington Club.
There will be a corn beef dinner, and music will be provided by Champagne Jam. Celia Twomey will sing Irish tunes. Barbara Roan and Danny Michaelson will teach the steps. Dinner starts at 6 p.m., dancing at 8.
Dinner and Dancing for club members is $15, for non-members $25. Just dancing is $15 per person. Club membership is $30 a year. Reservations: 802-442-3091. Dinner reservations should be made by March 16.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center.
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents.
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager.
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event.
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Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
