Middlebury police officers’ rounds on Christmas Day included delivering gifts to 16 families in Middlebury, Bristol and Starksboro. All gifts were made possible through donations from individuals, according to one of Santa’s helpers, Middlebury Police Detective Kris Bowdish. Contributors made good use of collection boxes at the Middlebury Police Station, the town offices, and at Agway and Aubuchon Hardware. Bowdish said Agway and Aubuchon have been “amazing” supporters of the program through the years.
 
If you’re interested in serving your community on a local elected board, it’s time to start thinking about get your petitions in order. Those petitions — which must bear the signatures of at least 1 percent of the total voter checklist in the community — are due at your local town clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28. So if you’ve been thinking about getting involved in grassroots government as a selectboard member, school director or in some other capacity, now is the time to take action.
 
Area practitioners of prose: Please join The Otter Creek Poets. They meet every Thursday, from 1-3 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of Ilsley Public Library at 75 Main St., Middlebury. Writers of all ages and every level of experience are welcome. The workshop is free, open to all, and is dedicated to helping the writer make strides in any form and style, including formal poems, free verse, blank verse, prose poems, spoken word, translations, lyric and narrative. Poets often come for feedback and suggestions on their work, for fellowship with other poets, and for weekly prompts and exercises. Just show up, or if you have any questions, contact David Weinstock at 989-4314 or [email protected].
 
The Addison County Sugarmakers Association will sponsor its 2019 Addison County Maple Seminar on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Middlebury Union High School. Maple Seminar 2019 begins with registration at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m. The program includes talks aimed at beginner sugarmakers, the business aspects of producing syrup, insect threats to maple trees, and many other helpful talks. More Information for this event can be found at addisoncountymaple.org.