The same good folks who launched the “Take It Or Leave It” free farm stand in Lincoln have come up with another idea to help their neighbors: Lincoln Apple Day. Slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Burnham Hall, the event will teach local residents how to make cider, applesauce and apple pie. Participants are asked to bring their own apples; any extra food at the end of the day will be distributed to those who need it. Anyone with questions about the event should call Jim Brown 453-4563.
 
The 31st annual Ripton Ridge Run will be held this Sunday, Oct. 7; registration sign-in is from 11 a.m. to noon and all race events begin 12:30 p.m. at the Ripton Elementary School. This event allows runners of all ages to enjoy the fresh air, foliage and country roads of Ripton. Come for a 10.4-K loop run, a 5-K run and a 5-K “Fun Walk,” plus the Kids’ Race around the school. The courses begin and end at the school, with convenient parking. Lunch is included with registration and available to purchase for non-racers both during and after the races. Registration also includes a t-shirt for the first 175 entries. Festivities, a raffle and the awards ceremony will follow the races with prizes for top runners and medallions for winners in each age group. Visit riptonridgerun.org to find forms. Questions? Email [email protected], or call the school at 802-388-2208. All proceeds of this event benefit the Ripton Elementary School student community and it’s hosted by the Friends of Ripton School Inc.
 
Just a reminder that early voting for the Nov. 6 mid-term elections has begun. Registered voters can visit their town clerk’s office during business hours to cast their ballots in a variety of county, state and federal races.
 
Those who read the story in our Monday edition about the “Cocoon” storytelling event — inspired by “The Moth” — and wanted to go to the show this Friday at Middlebury College’s Mahaney Center, take note that we had the wrong time for the show. The curtain goes up at 8 p.m. — a half hour later than what we published. So you can dawdle over your dessert and still make the show.
 
The 5-Town Friends of the Arts is now accepting grant applications for its fall round of community grants. The community grants program helps fund events in the fine arts, performing arts, and other cultural experiences to enrich the lives of people living in Monkton, New Haven, Bristol, Lincoln and Starksboro. Previous recipients have included local libraries, schools seeking funding for special events or artists-in-residence, elder projects, teen projects, as well as other community groups and individuals. Preference is given to projects and events that reach as many folks as possible, with an emphasis on children. Grant applications are due on or before Oct. 15. They must be sent to 5-Town Friends of the Arts at 25 Main St., Bristol, VT 05443, or dropped off at Art on Main. Applications can be downloaded from the organization’s website.
 
The Middlebury-based Havurah Hebrew School will gladly take any unwanted stamps associated with the latest Shaw’s Supermarket promotion. Customers receive a certain amount of stamps per grocery purchase, which can then be cashed in for glass food storage containers. If you have stamps you’re willing to part with, please contact the Havurah director of education at [email protected] to arrange drop off/pick up. Havurah Hebrew School currently has around a dozen students. Containers will be used for a variety of projects, including prepping food for Charter House, bringing holiday food items to local elder care facilities, and ensuring the school can preserve any snack leftovers generously provided by New Leaf Organics.
 
The Bristol Conservation Commission is looking for two members to replace incumbents who’ve decided to step down after many years of serving the community. Anyone interested in the workings of the commission and who might be interested in serving can get a glimpse of the panel’s activities when it meets on the second Thursday of each month at the town offices, from 6 -7:30 p.m. For more information, visit bristolvt.org, which has a link to the commission web page that includes a lot of information about the panel and important issues facing the town.
 
Activities are in full swing at the Addison Central Teens (ACT) Center in Middlebury, and there’s no better way to celebrate the school year than pizza. Join ACT for a night of pizza and fun on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at American Flatbread in Middlebury. American Flatbread has agreed to donate $3 for every large flatbread and $2 for every small sold during the evening to ACT. Addison Central Teens provides a teen center (off Mary Hogan Drive) and after-school alternatives that are welcoming, safe and fun for all teenagers in the community. The teen center is open after every school day from 3-6 p.m. events like the Oct. 23 Benefit Bake allow ACT to provide programming such as cooking workshops, gaming clubs, and ice skating days, and supports healthy after-school snacks.