(Note: If you know of a community event that you would like included in this calendar, please submit the information to Claudia Harris (click link here) no later than the 10th of the preceding month.)

Friday, January 28

The Vermont Department of Humanities is sponsoring “From Homebrew to the House of Fermentology” – a presentation with Bill Mares (author, homebrewer and pub-owner). 6:30 on Zoom. Pre-registration required: https://blakememorial.org/from-homebrew-to-the-house-of-fermentology-beer-presentation-with-bill-mares-author-homebrewer-and-pub-owner-friday-january-28th-630-in-person-or-zoom-you-choose/ 

Saturday, January 29

Tracking Hike for Amateur Naturalists (Merck Forest) - This tracking workshop is geared toward amateur naturalists who want to learn about the wildlife that is active during winter. Hike starts at 10:00am but arrive early for the 2 hour trail exploration. Pre-registration required! $10 per person, Merck Forest & Farmland 3270 Route 315, Rupert, Vermont https://www.merckforest.org/event/tracking-hike-for-amateur-naturalists/

Saturday, January 29 AND Saturday February 19

Book Donation Days - In preparation for this summer’s Green Mountain Book Sale and Festival (June 10-12, 2022), the Manchester Community Library will be taking book donations OFF-SITE on two upcoming Saturdays! MCL will be accepting new and used books in good to great condition at: 254 Taconic Business Park Rd, Manchester, VT (road next to Aubuchon Hardware) Look for the Lux Brush building (gray with red roof) and drive around to the back. There is a 2 box limit per household. MCL CANNOT accept the following: dictionaries, encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest, phone books, travel guides (pre-2019), text books, magazines, moldy, stained or damaged books. Donations will not be taken at the Library. https://mclvt.org/2022/01/book-donation-day/

Wednesday, February 2

Sermon From the Studio: Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On - Fifty years after its release, vocalist/composer Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, an extended work addressing societal (and personal) challenges, has grown more pertinent and haunting with age. Jazz archivist and poet Reuben Jackson shares tracks from and discusses this riveting recording. Online, free at 7 PM. https://www.vermonthumanities.org/event/sermon-from-the-studio-marvin-gayes-whats-going-on/

Friday, February 4

Mom’s Day Off at Bromley Mountain - 100% of ticket sales benefit women’s breast cancer care at the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center. Tickets are $25 for Moms (Reg. $89) and available at Bromley on Feb. 4 by showing a photo of your child, pet, or honorary child. Warm up in the Wild Boar Tavern for a $12 burger and beer special. https://www.bromley.com/event/momsdayoff2022/

Saturday, February 12

Family Owl Workshop (Merck Forest) - Kids (ages 5 and up) will learn about owls and their special adaptations through hands-on exploration: you will start indoors with a short story about owl life, then hike through the woods to listen for owls calling. You’ll wrap up inside, dissecting owl pellets to discover what they eat, and explore what makes an owl an owl. Pre-registration is required, $10 per person, info at https://www.merckforest.org/event/family-owl-workshop/.

February 12 and 13

Southern Vermont Primitive Biathlon - A primitive biathlon is a fun and challenging wilderness competition of target shooting and snowshoeing. The event is open to all muzzleloading firearm enthusiast, regardless of their skill level or athletic ability. Spectators are welcomed and encouraged to view portions of the course. Other black powder shooting events are held throughout the weekend. To date, this event has contributed $3400 to Green Mountain Conservation Camps and $30,000 to the Manchester Rod and Gun Club's Green Mountain Conservation Camps Scholarship Fund. http://www.svtpb.org/?fbclid=IwAR2Gb2X7NL-BtrRtD1ChMQ7jXVvss2u13ahWX1u7sXG8jZ8hBBrY8BRLUYI

Saturday, February 19

Febfest and Fireworks at Bromley -  Games, Fireworks, & more! Join us as they light up the sky at Bromley Mountain. https://www.bromley.com/event/febfest/

Saturday, February 19

Stratton Mountain President’s Weekend Fireworks Hike - Celebrate the long weekend from mid-mountain to take in the best views of a spectacular firework display. The hike will meet in the Courtyard at 7pm. The hike starts promptly at 7:30pm, as the fireworks are planned to hit the sky at 8:30pm. This is a moderate exertion exercise; kids must be at least 12 yrs old and prepared to hike to mid mountain in cold temperatures. After the fireworks display, the group will descend the mountain and finish the evening in the Courtyard with a fire and hot chocolate. This is a memorable way to take in fireworks from a new perspective. An experience you will never forget! Event and safety information https://www.stratton.com/things-to-do/events/presidents-week-fireworks-hike

Saturday, February 26

36th Kare Anderson Telemark Festival - The Tele tradition is strong at Bromley and they want to share it with you! Join expert tele skiers and enjoy clinics all weekend for all skill levels whether you're a beginner or advanced. Cap off the weekend with a race to test your skills! https://www.bromley.com/event/telemarkfestival/

Wednesday, March 2

Rebel Music: Afro-Caribbean Music and Political Thought - Middlebury College professor Kemi Fuentes-George traces the development of pan-African political theory in the early 20th century and discusses how Afro Caribbean “rebel music” helped these ideas challenge established assumptions about nonwhite people and global relations. Hosted by the Manchester Community Library. Online, free with advance registration required this event. Register for this free online talk. https://www.vermonthumanities.org/event/digital-rebel-music-afro-caribbean-music-and-political-thought/

Tuesday, March 8

The Red Bull Slide-In Tour is making its way to Stratton on March 8th. Keep an eye out for Red Bull athletes and 2020 X Games Knuckle Huck Gold Medalist, Zeb Powell. Join the pro’s as they rip laps in the park and then hang out at Grizzly’s for an après-ski party hosted by Red Bull. Free. Information at https://www.stratton.com/things-to-do/events/red-bull-slide-in-tour.

March 12-13

Vermont Open at Stratton - This year's Vermont Open will be a two-day banked slalom event open to 300 riders split into seven age divisions. Free to watch from below, or slopeside with a ski ticket/pass. Reg fees to participate. https://www.stratton.com/things-to-do/events/the-vermont-open

Saturday, March 19

Spring Fling at Bromley - Grab the sunblock because spring is almost here! Come enjoy some springtime action at Bromley Mountain. https://www.bromley.com/event/springfling/

Sunday, March 20

"1800 and Froze to Death" – In case you missed the lecture offered this past fall, here is a repeat: 1816 has long been known as the year without summer. Vermonters still call it “1800 and Froze to Death,” a year of frosts every month, dark skies, and mysterious lights that caused a widespread belief that a higher power was displeased. This talk includes scores of anecdotes about the dark year of failed crops, scarce food, and religious revival. The horrible weather also came in the aftermath of the War of 1812, which produced shortages and an economic crisis. Enjoy this fascinating lecture a lecture with Howard Coffin. No charge. https://benningtonmuseum.org/event/bhs2022march/