Jan. 2: Children’s story hour 10:30 a.m.-noon, Bixby Memorial Library.
Jan. 3: First Friday movie, “Downton Abbey,” 6:30 p.m., Bixby Memorial Library.
 Jan. 4 and 18: Ferrisburgh Grange King Pede card parties 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 and 21: Ferrisburgh selectboard meetings, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 14: Vergennes Booster Club, 7:00 p.m., VUHS.
Jan. 15: Plan Your Future Night for VUHS Juniors, 6 p.m., VUHS.
Jan. 16: Circus student performance for FCS families: 6 p.m., VUHS.
Jan. 27: Commodore Parent Teacher Group, 6:30 p.m., VUHS Library.
FERRISBURGH — The new year is beginning with lots of action at Ferrisburgh Central School. The school is hosting artist-in-residence Troy Wunderle for two weeks in January. Wunderle will introduce students to a variety of circus performance techniques and skills. Students will be able to present their “clowning around” and other talents at a circus-themed production at the VUHS Middle School gym on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. 
There is also a lot going on at the Vergennes Union Middle and High Schools. The Fusion Expanded Learning After School activity sign-ups are open for Session 3 (Jan. 6-Feb. 14.) There are a wide variety of activities available for all students in grades 7-12, including Jr. Iron Chef, non-boring Board Games, Vermont History Day, e-sports teams, American sign language, and catch up on homework. Questions can be directed to Fusion Coordinator, Asia Kruse ([email protected]).
A “Plan Your Future” night will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m., in the VUHS Library. VUHS School Counselors will host juniors and their parents. Representatives from Vermont Student Assistance Corp., Community College of VT, Hannaford Career Center, VT Department of Labor, VT Army National Guard, and others will be on hand with information booths followed by a question and answer session with VUHS School Counselors. Also, don’t forget that organizations such as the Ferrisburgh PTO and the Commodore Boosters always welcome parent and community involvement. For more information on all these goings-on, visit Ferrisburgh Central School at ferrisburghcentral.org. and Vergennes Union Middle/High School at vuhs.org.
The Ferrisburgh Grange King Pede card parties are scheduled for the Saturdays of Jan. 4 and 18. All are invited to participate in these get-togethers at the Ferrisburgh Town Hall and Community Center. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a sandwich supper and then on to the games. King Pede is a unique game that involves “trick-taking” techniques such as in Hearts and Spades or Pitch. This is a game of fun and skill so come prepared to use your strategic thinking.
Bixby Library continues to offer their many events over the winter months. The next children’s story hour will be on Thursday, Jan. 2, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Bixby story hours are designed for preschool age children and explore songs and stories. Over time, families get to know one another, and the children delight in making friends from many of the area towns. These sessions foster preschool literacy, which creates a foundation of curiosity and desire for reading.
Also check out the Bixby Movie nights. On Friday, Jan. 3, the movie will be “Downton Abbey” The story centers on the Crawley family’s preparation for an official royal visit to their family house in Yorkshire in 1927. They experience physical, social, and psychological upheavals as King George V, Queen Mary, and their royal entourage descend on the eponymous mansion. For more information on all the Bixby’s events, visit bixbylibrary.org. 
The Ferrisburgh Skating Rink is now open and will be available to Ferrisburgh residents as long as the weather cooperates. There are several stacked crates for the youngest beginner skaters. And, as always, please stay off the ice when it is soft, and remove any equipment you use or bring with you (such as goals.) For updates on hours and ice conditions, follow the announcements in the Ferrisburgh Front Porch Forum, the Ferrisburgh Skating Rink Facebook page, or email to Martha Davis at [email protected].
NOTE: We are always interested in including a variety of Ferrisburgh-related news in this column, so if you have news that would be of interest, contact Sally Kerschner at [email protected]. You are able to access these columns and other information about Ferrisburgh news and events by viewing the Ferrisburgh Town Website at ferrisburghvt.org.