People in the 5-Town area (Bristol and environs) have a new outlet for any surplus vegetables that their gardens might yield this summer and fall. The Feed My Sheep ministry of the United Church of Lincoln has established a produce stand at its 23 Quaker St. property. If you have any extra veggies from your garden, simply drop them off in one of the baskets in the stand. If there’s a veggie you don’t have, take what you need. If you know of a neighbor in need of good food, pick some up and take it to them. Anyone needing some good nutrition is encouraged to take what they need for a good meal or two. Financial contributions are welcomed; checks should be made payable to UCOL with “FMS” on the memo line. Any questions about the program should be directed to Jim at 349-0545.
 
Homeward Bound in Middlebury is offering some extra peace of mind to pet owners concerned about their beloved pet getting lost. The nonprofit organization will offer a microchip clinic on Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at 236 Boardman St. The clinic is open to both dogs and cats. The $35 fee covers the microchip implant and initial registration. Micro-chipping substantially increases the likelihood of a pet returning home by offering secure, reliable and permanent identification. Statistics show that one in three pets will become lost at some point during their life. Registered microchips give lost pets a better chance of returning home. Homeward Bound staff ask that all dogs be on leash and cats be in carriers. Call 388-1100 to pre-register.
 
Vermont Fish & Wildlife officials are encouraging aspiring hunters to take their mandatory education course this summer, because fewer courses will be available later in the year. Nicole Meier, a Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s Hunter Education Program official, explained more courses are available now because many of the certified volunteer instructors have more time to give the courses before the fall hunting seasons begin. Completion of a free course is required prior to purchasing an initial Vermont hunting, bow hunting or trapping license. Upcoming courses and information are listed on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website (vtfishandwildlife.com). For more information about hunter education in Vermont, call 802-828-1193.  
 
The Addison Central Teens organization has been chosen by the Hannaford Supermarket in Middlebury as the latest beneficiary of the “fresh Cookbook” fundraiser. This means ACT will net $5 for every time a fresh Cookbook (with recipes gleaned from the magazine called “fresh”) is sold at the Middlebury Hannaford location during the months of July and August. In addition to helping ACT, each cookbook purchase generates more than 20 nutritious meals for children in families struggling with food insecurity.
 
Get ready to help Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater (THT) celebrate its tenth birthday on Tuesday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. The thriving THT on Merchants Row opened in 2008 following a major fundraising campaign to purchase the former Knights of Columbus Hall and transform it into a performing arts center. Have some cake with the THT crew, take a walk down memory lane and catch some live entertainment at the July 31 celebration.