Attention, theater enthusiasts: The Middlebury Community Players’ “Company Be” is sponsoring the reading of a new play, “Hetty,” this Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Vermont Coffee Company Playhouse, at 1197 Exchange St., in Middlebury. There is no admission charge, and no reservations are required. The play is about Hetty Green (1834-1916). Known as the “Witch of Wall Street,” she was the wealthiest woman in the world during America’s Gilded Age. She was also one of the cheapest, living a miserly existence that made her the object of scorn and ridicule. History hasn’t been very kind to Hetty, but is the disrespect deserved? Or has her memory been tarred because she beat a male-dominated society at their own game? Hetty gives the audience all the facts and asks them to return a verdict. There will be a meeting with playwright Richard Wien after the reading. Anyone who’s interested in theater or Vermont history is encouraged to attend.
The Middlebury College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is sponsoring a food drive this Friday and Saturday to benefit HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects) of Addison County. Tables will be set up in the squash lobby near Kohn Field as well as outside Kenyon Arena (which is hosting the winter season’s first men’s hockey games) and Pepin Gym (where the Panther men’s basketball team is playing) on both days. Non-perishable items and cash donations will be accepted. HOPE currently has needs for canned green beans/corn/pasta, gravy, piecrust mixes, cereals, pasta and sticks of butter and margarine. Panther field hockey and women’s soccer teams will be hosting NCAA Regionals, and the college swim teams will also be in action over the weekend.
“The Emerald Ash Borer, what it is, what can be done about it?” will be the topic of the New Haven Conservation Commission’s Armchair Naturalist series on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the New Haven town offices. Presenters include Chris Olson, Addison County Forester, and David Brynn of Vermont Family Forests and the University of Vermont. Olson recently walked many of the town-owned parcels and will be able to share what he has learned. All are welcome.
The Lincoln Library will host a donation box for winter work clothing for Addison County farm workers during the month of November. The box is on the library porch. In particular need are vests and jackets of sturdy insulated fabric (such as Carhartt or Dickies), hooded sweatshirts (especially thick or insulated), thermal shirts or underwear, down vests or jackets, warm hats, gloves and socks. No scarves please. Donations in men’s sizes medium, small or extra small are especially needed and some “large boys” sizes would also be helpful.
Help spread warmth this season with a donation to the Residence at Otter Creek’s Mitten Tree. New or handmade mittens, gloves, scarves and hats in both adult and children’s sizes are gratefully accepted, through Nov. 29, at the front desk at the Residence at Otter Creek at 350 Lodge Road in Middlebury. The warm clothing will be turned over to the nonprofit Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects organization, which will distribute it to people in need.
The Good Food Foundation recently announced the 307 companies in the running for a 2020 Good Food Award, including 12 Vermont food companies — four of which are based in Addison County. The Good Food Awards celebrate tasty, authentic and responsible products in in 17 categories: beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, cider, coffee, confections, elixirs, fish, grains, honey, oils, pantry, pickles, preserves, snacks and spirits. The Good Food Awards Seal, found on winning products, assures consumers they have found something exceptionally delicious that also supports sustainability and social good. The four Addison County companies in contention include Shoreham’s Champlain Orchards for its Redfield-Estate and Honeycrisp apples, Bristol’s Savouré Soda for its Celery-Lovage-Cardamom Soda, New Haven’s V Smiley Preserves for its Raspberry Redcurrant Geranium Honey Jam, and Middlebury’s Stonecutter Spirits for its Heritage Cask Whiskey.
The Vermont Women’s Fund, a component of the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF), is welcoming three new members to its statewide council, including Vergennes resident Zoe Kaslow, who is a philanthropy officer for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. The three-person council will advise the Vermont Women’s Fund and participate in its grant making, strategic planning, and leadership work. Based in Middlebury, the VCF provides advice, investment vehicles, and expertise to help people support charitable causes in Vermont.
Vermont hunters who want to make the most from deer taken this hunting season can learn meat processing techniques through three online videos offered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Finding the videos is easy on the Fish and Wildlife website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on “Hunt” and then “From Field to Freezer.” The educational videos are titled “Field Dressing Your Deer,” “Skinning a Deer” and “Butchering a Deer.”