Those who missed the bike swap and electric vehicle demonstration this past Friday and Saturday in downtown Middlebury might still be in luck. Frog Hollow Bikes on Main Street, which hosted the swap, has a few leftover used bikes for those who might still be interested after the event moved about 50 bikes that were either donated or sold on consignment. Proceeds went to Middlebury Safe Routes to support its efforts. The event also demonstrated Nissan Leaf and Tesla EVs and electric assist adaptive bikes. Organizers noted electric assist bikes are always available for testing or rental at Frog Hollow Bikes, as are other rentals. Folks can also rent one for a day, plus an assortment of other types of bikes. Information is available at froghollowbikes.com/rentals.
 
Speaking of bikes, please remember to walk bikes on downtown Middlebury sidewalks during business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Biking on sidewalks is not allowed on Main Street sidewalks between Cross Street by the Ilsley Library and Printer’s Alley by the National Bank of Middlebury, where shops and pedestrians are concentrated.
 
Yes, Middlebury is going to get a train station someday. Middlebury recently became one of eight Vermont towns to receive Quality of Life and Clean Water grants totaling $600,000 from the Vermont Downtown Development Board. Middlebury’s grant of $100,000 will go toward parking amenities for the planned Amtrak rail station on Seymour Street.
 
This tax season, RSVP of Addison County partnered with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program to offer free, individualized tax preparation for low-to moderate-income taxpayers. During the course of the season, the team provided tax assistance to over 500 area residents. RSVP would like to acknowledge AARP tax preparers Dinah Bain, Sandi Bauer, Mary Conlon, Kathy Duclos, Marshall Eddy, Gisela Palmer, Tom Spencer, Kathy Starr, and Joyce Stephens, as well as tax scheduler Janice Whittemore for their support and dedication to the program. RSVP would also like to thank the Bixby Memorial Library, the Bristol Rescue Squad and Middlebury Regional Emergency & Medical Services for serving as host sites.
 
May is National Foster Care Month. The Vermont Department for Children and Families notes Vermont is lucky to have more than 1,300 foster and kinship foster families. According to DCF, those providers offer safety, stability and love for children while they can’t be at home, and the agency could not do its work without them. DCF honors and thanks them and the many businesses and nonprofits that donate resources for all they do.
According to DCF, the more foster families there are in communities, the easier it is to keep children in their own hometowns and schools. Studies show that children lose between four to six months of educational progress when they change schools.
DCF notes there remains a need for more families, especially those willing and able to care for children of all ages, from infants to teens; sibling groups; LGBTQ youth; and children with complex medical needs or developmental disabilities. Those who provide foster care can be single, married, living with a partner or joined through a civil union; straight or gay, young or old; or a stay-at-home parent or one that works. Those who wish to learn more may visit dcf.vermont.gov/foster or complete a short inquiry form at dcf.vermont.gov/foster-care-inquiry.