Weathersfield Weekly Blog July 11

I hope everyone had a very happy and safe 4th of July; with the holiday falling on Wednesday it seemed like it was a week long celebration. With a little driving you could have seen fireworks every night of the week last week. I had an interesting encounter with one of our select board members-John Arrison, Tuesday night in Brownsville. I found out he's a "lead shooter" for Northstar Fireworks and he and his crew were creating the displays for both Brownsville and Hartland this year. So I put on my reporter's hat and followed them around Wednesday night. I got a behind the scenes look at what goes into making a fireworks display happen. It's a lot of work. And with last week's heat wave, it's was brutally hot for these guys setting up the displays. But it was all worth it to them hearing the spectators applaud. Not a bad part-time job if you ask me.

Adventures and Assignments

The Brownsville Independence Celebration Tuesday night, July 3rd on Ascutney Mountain. They had food and music and Cheryl the Clown making balloons. I covered this event for the Vermont Standard.

And they had FIREWORKS

More photos: CLICK HERE

On Wednesday, the 4th of July I headed to Hartland for their parade. The heat wave didn't stop the folks from lining up sometimes 4 or 5 deep along the parade route. This year's theme: Star Wars-July the 4th Be With You! I covered this event for the Vermont Standard.

More photos: CLICK HERE

Right after the Hartland parade I drove to West Windsor for the Brownsville Parade. Their theme was "60 Years of Answering the Call" honoring the men and women of the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Department. I covered this event for the Vermont Standard.

Wednesday later in the day I spent the afternoon and evening with John Arrison-Lead Shooter for Northstar Fireworks and his crew at the Hartland Fireworks display. I got to see first hand what goes into creating the fireworks we all love at 4th of July.  Read my interview  I covered this event for the Vermont Standard.

More photos: CLICK HERE

News You Can Use

Weathersfield select board and town news: The select board minutes from the July 2 and emergency July 3 meeting were not posted at press time (Sunday night, July 8 a 10 p.m.). They have since been posted to the town website. More information about the select board and the town contact Town Manager, Ed Morris, at 802-674-2626 or townmanager@weathersfield.org.

Get Out and About Events

Tamales Cooking Class in Perkinsville, Saturday, July 21 10:30 a.m.-1p.m.. Luis and Melissa Gomez formerly of Mama Tina's in Hartland will be teaching Luis's childhood cuisine. Menu: Pulled Pork Tamales, Refried Bean & Cheese Pupusas (vegetarian), Curtido salad, Tomatillo salsa. $55 per person Limited to 12 students. Call 802-263-9217 for reservations.

5 Alarm 5 K in Perkinsville Saturday, July 28 9-11 a.m.. The West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their 5th annual 5 K race. Tent registration at the Power Dam on Maple Street opens at 8 a.m. Kids fun race is at 9 a.m. and the 5 K starts at 9:30 a.m.. A chicken BBQ follows. For more information contact Toshya at 603-322-3287. All proceeds benefit WWVFD.

Summer Evening with Friends and Neighbors in Weathersfield July 28 6-9 p.m.. The Weathersfield Proctor Library Fund raising committee will host their annual event featuring a silent auction, desserts and appetizers, and music by Jenni Johnson and the Junketeers, who specialize in jazz, blues, and classic tunes. More details to come.

Music and Performances

Inn at Weathersfield Live Music Fridays in Perkinsville 7-9 p.m.. Johnny O July 13, Erik Boedtker July 20, Ali T July 27, Steve Ellis Aug. 3..

The Engine Room in WRJ. Bow Thayer July 14 9 p.m., Funk-a-sonic Dance Party with Fu'Chunk July 27, 8 p.m., Borderstone Sept. 14, 8 p.m..

Taverne on the Square in Claremont, NH. Erik Boedtker July 12, 5:30 p.m.; Soulfix July 13, 5:30 p.m.;

Windsor Station Live Music in Windsor. The Stringfield Springers July 12, 7 p.m.; Zestrove July 13, 9:30 p.m.; Folkfaces July 14, 9:30 p.m..

Ongoing Events

Low cost spay/neuter clinics in Springfield. Springfield Humane Society is hosting low cost spay/neuter clinics in 2018: Aug. 7, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 6, Nov. 27 at the Springfield Humane Society, on Route 143. Cost is $50 for female cat and $40 for male cat. Weathersfield residents may be reimbursed up to $50 for the surgery with a limit of three pets per year. Get your SNAP form from the town office. Please call Springfield Humane Society for an appointment at 802-885-3997.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney: Free. Sponsored by RSVP. Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney. Classes are led by Sandy Lemois. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Twin State Depression Support Group in Weathersfield. Free peer-led Depression Support Groups to all, the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm, 5259 Route 5, Ascutney, VT (Martin Memorial Hall - downstairs) and the 4th Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm, 7 Morgan Street, Springfield, VT (Turning Point) Both venues are accessible. TwinStateDepressionSupportGroup.org or on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TwinStateDSG/. More information call 802-795-0098

Valley Court Diversion Programs: Volunteers are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment will require about three hours a month. Training is provided. For more information please visit our website at vcdp.org or call Maureen at 281-5213.

Weathersfield Food Shelf in Perkinsville every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. Route 106 at the old Perkinsville Elementary School.

Weathersfield Parks and Recreation Hikes: Saturday June 23 9:30 a.m. "The B-29 Crash Site"; Saturday, June 30 9:30 a.m. "The Ancient Hemlocks"; Saturday, July 21 9:30 Cathedral Rocks; Sunday, July 29 11:30 a.m. "To The Cabin"; Sunday, Sept. 2 9:30 Crown Point Road; Saturday, Sept. 15 5 p.m. Ferry Road and the Connecticut River; Saturday, Oct. 6 8 a.m. Ascutney Mountain; Saturday, Oct. 20 9:30 a.m. Cooks Pond Road; and Saturday Oct. 27 9:30 a.m. Perkinsville Lower Valley. Call Steve to sign up for a hike or to get more information at 802-263-5439 or email stevea47@tds.net.

Need to Find a Business in Weathersfield: weathersfielddirectory.org.

Have anything you want included in this news and events column? Email Nancy at photosbynanci@comcast.net two weeks prior to your event.