News, Notes & Announcements for the Springfield Region

Elks Host Annual Hoop Shoot - Results

On Jan. 16, the Vermont Elks Association held their annual Southern District Hoop Shoot in Bellows Falls. In all there were six Lodges competing.

Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 sent six contestants to the Hoop Shoot and came home with four trophys. One 1st place and two seconds and two third place finishers.

In the girls 8 and 9 year old group Ashley Quelch took first place honors and Shawn Desmarais placed third. The 10 and 11 year old group, saw Hana Caloras place 2nd and Matt Tyler placed third. In the 12 and 13 year old group, Maygan Daly finished 2nd with Nick Diak finishing 5th.

Quelch will now compete in the Vermont Elks State Hoop Shoot competition on Jan. 30, in Barre.

Elk Father Initiates Son

Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 held a special new member initiation on Sunday the 17th of January.

Jim Kirkwood a past Exalted Ruler of Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 was allowed to initiate his son Samuel Lee Kirkwood into their Lodge. Samuel is a student at Paul Smith's College in New York state.

This was the third time that Kirkwood has initiated a member of his family into Springfield Elks Lodge as his wife Terry and son Zachary also were initiated while Jim was Exalted Ruler.

Habitat Seeking Donations for Haiti

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, destroying thousands of buildings and homes. Over a million people have been affected by this devastating catastrophe. Habitat has worked with Haiti for over 26 years and will continue to serve the people there by helping to rebuild.

Please make your tax-deductible donation today to support the survivors of the disaster to: GSVAHFH P. O. Box 143 Springfield, VT 05156- 0143

Greater Springfield VT Area Habitat For Humanity (GSVAHFH) will match every dollar donated, up to $100 per person. Our match limit is $3000.

Astronomy Program at the Library

The Nature Museum at Grafton will present "Astronomy: Our Changing Moon" at the Springfield Town Library on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m. This program, is suitable for kids ages 5 and up, is supported by the Friends of the Springfield Town Library. For more information, call 885-3108.

Showing of Food Movie Fresh

Saturday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. there will be a movie showing of Fresh, followed by a discussion and presentation of local food hub initiatives. Pot-luck meal about 5:30. All welcome to any part of the event at Springfield Unitarian Universalist Church on Fairground Road.

Fresh celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

Call 885-3376 for more information.

Make Valentines at Springfield Library

On Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m.-noon, make an Old Fashioned Valentine at the Springfield Town Library. Drop in any time between and fashion a Valentine for yourself, a neighbor, or someone special. All materials for this program have been donated by the Friends of the Springfield Town Library. For more information call 885-3108 or visit www.springfieldtownlibrary.org.

Contra Dance Program at Reading Library

Reading Public Library will host Sprightly Steps: Vermont's Contra & Square Dancing Tradition at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6. The library is located at 717 Rte. 106. The program is a talk, with live fiddle-playing, by Adam Boyce about the Green Mountain tradition of dancing and music at fancy balls or cotillions and at kitchen junkets or tunks. Q&A and refreshments after. Adam is a former Vermont division champion of the NE Fiddlers Contest, and has participated as judge and piano backup in other fiddling contests.

This free program is co-sponsored by the VT Humanities Council. Call 484-5588 for more information.

Free Community Dinner

A free Community dinner will be hosted by the North Springfield Baptist Church on Friday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. This is a pot luck style dinner that includes casseroles, baked beans, salads, desserts and beverages. Take out is available. The church is located at 69 Main Street in North Springfield.

For more information call 886-8107.

Free H1N1Clinic at SMCS

Springfield Medical Care Systems is offering a free H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccination clinic on Thursday, Jan. 28 in the Springfield Hospital Library from noon to 2 p.m.

This clinic is FREE and offered to any adult, 18 years or older, that needs this vaccine. No appointment is necessary. Nursing staff from SMCS will administer the vaccine.

Springfield Medical Care Systems is a not-for-profit, community-based health care system based in Springfield that operates a network of eight community health center locations and Springfield Hospital. SMCS provides an integrated system of care that is patient-centered and emphasizes quality, access, and affordability for all, regardless of ability to pay. More information can be found at www.springfieldmed.org.

To learn more about H1N1, visit www.flu.gov, the Vermont 2-1-1 website, or call 2-1-1.

For more information about the free H1N1 clinic offered by SMCS, please contact Linda Hurley, MS, RN, at 885-7684 or email lhurley@springfieldmed.org.