The annual Ride of Silence Kelly Boe Memorial Bike Ride will take place this Friday afternoon, beginning at 4 p.m. at Middlebury Union High School. This is a slow-paced bike ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roads, including Kelly Boe in 2015. Raise awareness that we all share the road. Those who wish to may ride in silence in memory of those killed. Assemble at the MUHS entrance by 3:30 pm. Helmet and waiver of liability signature required. Police and cyclist escorts will guide us on a short loop (about 8 miles) through Weybridge. The ride will take place if there is gentle rain, but cancel if it’s heavy rain, thunder or lighting. Donations toward improved bike parking and road safety can be made by check payable to Town of Middlebury with “Middlebury Safe Routes” written on the memo line. Donations to the Kelly Boe Scholarship can be made by check payable to the “Kelly Boe Memorial Scholarship Fund.”
 
A free workshop to sew reusable shopping bags will take place this Thursday, May 16, from 5-9 p.m., at the Makery in the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center off Charles Avenue in Middlebury. The bags are colorful, sturdy and are made for — and by — community members. You can make one (or more) of the bags as well. All materials and sewing equipment provided. Don’t know how to use a sewing machine? No problem. Ask at desk in career center lobby to sign up for “Sewing for Change” in the sewing lab. For questions or more information, e-mail [email protected].
 
St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes reopened its “Closet” on May 16. The Closet has very nice clothes for the whole family. It will be staffed on Thursdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
 
The weather is looking good for New Haven’s annual Town-wide Lawn & Garage Sale, to take place this Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maps are available showing locations of sale sites. Pick one up at the New Haven Town Office, New Haven Community Library, the Village Green Market, the Jiffy Mart at the junction of Routes 7 & 17, or at the New Haven Maplefields on Route 7. This is a free town event for residents to “clean out and cash in,” and perhaps meet some great neighbors, too. For more information, contact Suzy Roorda at 453-3516 Ext. 12, 453-5978, or email [email protected].
 
The Addison County Solid Waste Management District is hosting a free hazardous waste collection event for residents of three communities on Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the new Starksboro Town Garage. This event is for Starksboro, Lincoln and Monkton residents only. What is hazardous waste? Any unused product that is poisonous, reactive, corrosive or flammable. Common items include pesticides, gasoline, motor oil, paint products, cleaning products, automotive chemicals, pool chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs and batteries. Household waste only — no business waste will be accepted. Motor oil will be limited to 10 gallons per household. Items that won’t be accepted include lab chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fireworks, flares, explosives, ammunition, radioactive waste. For those who can’t make the event or others like it in the county, the HazWaste Center at the ACSWMD transfer station off Route 7 South in Middlebury accepts household hazardous waste year-round and is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
Doesn’t this sound delicious? The 2nd Annual Race for Sundaes, which will benefit several local nonprofits, is scheduled for Sunday, June 9. The races and celebration will take place from the Battell Woods parking off Route 7, across from Denecker Chevrolet in Middlebury. The trail “fun run” and bike race start at 8:30 a.m.; the 5K starts at 9:15 a.m. Racers of all ages receive a free race bib, donated by Middlebury Fitness. All proceeds from the event benefit four local non-profits: Middlebury Area Land Trust, the Better Middlebury Partnership, Addison Community Athletics Foundation, and the Addison County Bike Club. Free ice cream sundaes, music, games, and raffle prizes will be available at the finish line. The entry fee is $8 for adults, $5 for kids and a maximum of $26 for a family. Day-of registration and check-in begin at 8 a.m.