Green Mountain Power (GMP) is warning customers about a rise in scam calls. The scammers are claiming to be from GMP and threatening to cut off power within just 30 minutes if you don’t pay immediately. GMP officials stress if you receive such a call, just hang up. These calls are not from GMP. Don’t provide payment or personal information, don’t engage with the caller, and don’t call them back. Call GMP Customer Service, toll-free, at 888-835-4672 to report a scam call and any details about it, such as the number it came from, the caller’s name, and what the caller said. Customers are also encouraged to report this scam to the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program at 800-649-2424.
People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, recently announced a combined total of $128,000 in grant awards to Vermont nonprofits, including three Addison County organizations. Vergennes-based John Graham Housing & Services received $5,000, while the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Vergennes and Middlebury-based Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects each got $2,500. The foundation allocated a total of 19 grants to causes including ending homelessness and domestic violence, increasing food security, and supporting small business initiatives.
Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer experience? WomenSafe, an Addison County nonprofit organization, works to prevent, address and end dating, domestic and sexual violence and stalking, and the agency is now accepting applications for its Annual Volunteer Training. This comprehensive and dynamic training will start on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Participants will acquire all the tools needed to serve people through WomenSafe’s 24-hour hotline, at court hearings, and in the office; coordinate public awareness and community outreach events; and provide childcare or perform administrative assistance tasks. Space is limited. For more information or an application packet please contact WomenSafe at 388-9180 or [email protected] or visit womensafe.net.
Middlebury’s town green will again this year be the site of an early-evening Labor Day Celebration featuring music, food and social justice speakers. Those speakers are slated to include Lt. Gov. Dave Zuckerman; Rep. Mari Cordes, D-Lincoln; Tabitha Moore; Maeve McBride and many more. Entertainment will be provided by the Tom Caswell Blues Band and Milk House Heaters. The event is being sponsored by Right and Democracy, Vermont NEA, AFT-Vermont, and Vermont AFL-CIO. For more information contact Dan Fingas at [email protected].
In a recent report to the Middlebury selectboard, Town Manager Kathleen Ramsay noted life-long resident Walter Calhoun died on July 27 at the age of 92. Ramsay recognized Calhoun’s many contributions to the local community, including his service as a member of the Addison County Court Diversion Review Board, town agent since 1991, on the Board of Civil Authority, and a justice of the peace.
With the passage of the “Legion Act,” the eligibility requirements to join the American Legion have changed. Any member of the military from December 7, 1941, to date, with an honorable discharge and at least one day on Federal Orders (Title 10), is now eligible to join. All Addison County veterans are encouraged to contact their local Legion and apply for membership. Applicants should provide a copy of their DD-214 so eligibility can be verified. The Addison County posts are Post 14 in Vergennes, Post 19 in Bristol and Post 27 in Middlebury.