FERRISBURGH — Our schools are winding down from this very unusual and demanding school year. We salute our teachers and staff, students and families who have worked hard to create a meaningful learning experience while dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic in Vermont. And with the increasing numbers of Vermonters getting vaccinated, we hope for a safer summer and a fall school opening that looks much more normal.

Please refer to the schools’ websites and other social media for updates on the end of school year activities. A few key dates are the last day of school, which will be a half-day on Tuesday, June 15. The Baccalaureate for our graduating Vergennes Union High School seniors is being hosted by area churches and will be held at the Vergennes Opera House on Sunday, June 6. The Eighth Grade Step-Up Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 15, from 9:30–11:15 a.m. The event will take place outside (rain or shine).

Educators across Vermont have recognized the stress that this year has brought to our children and youth and families. In order to offset the negative effects of this stress and support family resiliency, there has been a statewide effort to create a wide variety of summer enrichment programs as organized on the Vermont Afterschool website: vermontafterschool.org/summermatters/programs. It is not too late for families to find local programs for children of all ages at the site’s Summer Matters interactive map. These summer enrichment programs will offer physical activities, emotional support, nutritious meals, career exploration, and a time to just play and have fun. Families should check out the opportunities as listed on Vermont Afterschool and also many the summer offerings offered by our area schools, Rokeby, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and the Bixby Library.

Travelers through the Ferrisburgh Hollow may have noticed the eye-catching flower display on the Hollow Bridge over Lewis Creek. These flowers are a beautiful addition to the Ferrisburgh Hollow community. They have been placed on the bridge railing in an effort by the local residents and are part of the overall community planning to beautify the Hollow neighborhood and to add measures to make the Hollow Road safer for pedestrian and motor traffic. Many thanks to the North Ferrisburgh Village Association for this eighth year of beautifying our area.

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is excited to announce that they are able to eliminate museum admission fees for the 2021 season, making it free for everyone to visit. The museum is open May 22–Oct. 17, seven days a week from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. To ensure easy access and safety for all, the museum experience will be entirely outside with self-guided tour options for guests to explore the three-acre campus. The indoor galleries will remain closed for this season. The LCMM’s summer camps will be “pay what you can” in order to support all families who want their children to participate in the museum’s day camps and overnight on-water expeditions. Teen expeditions include a 15-day kayaking expedition, eight day rowing trek, and an eight-day sailing adventure for teens 13 to 16 years old. Day camps for children and youth in grades 2 through 12 include favorites such as The One and Only Fish Camp and Heavy Metal Mania, as well as new camps like Kayak Building Camp and Underwater Archaeology Camp. Visit lcmm.org for more information on these exciting opportunities.

Rokeby is also open for the season so visitors can now explore the grounds, hiking trails and the permanent exhibition of “Free and Safe: The Underground Railroad in Vermont.” The Rokeby’s exhibits, nine historic farm outbuildings, and trails are open daily from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., from mid-May to late October. In addition, Rokeby will hold several ongoing special museum days. On Saturday, June 19, there will free museum admission to commemorate Juneteenth and the historic event of the emaciation of slaves after the American Civil War. Also, every Tuesday after 1 p.m. will be pay-what-you-can for admission.

Rokeby Museum’s 2021 season exhibit explores the career of Rachel Robinson Elmer (1878–1919) and her early 20th-century success as a professional illustrator.

Exhibiting artistic talent at an early age, she was at first trained by her parents and then, as a teenager, enrolled in a correspondence course to further her skills. She later studied at Goddard College and the Art Students League of New York. During that time, she began her career as an illustrator, producing drawings for her father’s books and works for periodicals such as Forest and Stream and The Youth Companion. From the turn of the 20th century until her death in 1919, Rachael built a career producing commercial art for major publishers across the United States. From children’s books and advertisements to her popular postcard series, Rachael Robinson Elmer was a modern artist navigating the expanding profession of commercial art.

Rokeby invites us to join avid birder Ruth Brooks and Rokeby Board Member Dean Leary this Saturday for a guided bird walk that explores migrating birds and other wildlife that inhabit our area. Throughout the walk, participants will experience first-hand the landscape that inspired the writings of Rowland Evans Robinson. The walk will take place at a nearby wildlife management area, once part of the Robinson farm. This event will be on Saturday, June 5, 7–9:30 a.m.; members: $5, non-members $10.

To register, visit Rokeby Museum during museum hours or email [email protected]. The group (limited to 15 people) will meet at Rokeby and caravan to the starting point.

On Sunday, June 13, at 1 p.m., join Rokeby staff for a virtual discussion of “The Hate U Give,” Angie Thomas’s bestselling young adult novel and Vermont Reads 2020 book selection. A heart-wrenching barometer of our times, set against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement, a young teen experiences the killing of her friend at the hands of a police officer. The only witness, Starr, finds herself caught between her community, the police and the protest movement. Thomas’s beautiful novel sparks room for discussion around race, class and power divisions in the United States, and finds new meaning in the wake of the police officer Derek Chauvin’s conviction in the murder of George Floyd. Call the museum to register (877-3406) or email [email protected]. This event is taking place thanks to the 2020 Vermont Reads Program through the Vermont Humanities Council.

On Tuesday, June 15, 3:30–4:30 p.m., in collaboration with the Bixby Library in Vergennes, Rokeby Museum is offering a storytime and activity at the museum on Route 7. Selected books will be geared to elementary-age children but all are welcome to join. Weather permitting, the stories will be read outside among the historic farm buildings. It is suggested that families bring blankets and/or chairs. No pre-registration is required.

Rokeby invites us to gather with intention for a gentle walk on the Rokeby Trails. Clear the mind and enrich your senses and with guided meditations and excerpts from the work of Rowland Evans Robinson. This is a non-strenuous hike of 1.2 miles round trip. Family friendly ages 8 years and up, no previous meditation experience required. Meet at Rokeby on Sunday, June 27, 10 a.m.–noon. There is a fee of $5 (can be redeemed towards admission purchase) and please BYO water and blanket or mat.

The Bixby Library reopened to the public on May 18 and is ready to provide a full range of services for our community. We thank the Bixby staff and volunteers for their dedication and hard work to ensure programming during this long year of pandemic. A great way to celebrate the Bixby will be through their Gala “Here Comes the Sun” event on Friday, June 18, 7–11 p.m. The tickets for this fundraising benefit are $75. This evening of fun and support for the Bixby will feature the band “The Grift,” live and silent auctions, appetizers and desserts by local restaurants, and much more for a time of fun after a long period of restrictions due to the pandemic. Also, please visit the Bixby website to learn of the many other June events such as book clubs for adults and the children’s story times: bixbylibrary.org.

NOTE: We are always interested in including a variety of Ferrisburgh-related news in this column, so if you have events that would be of interest, contact Sally Kerschner at [email protected]. You are also able to access these columns and other information about Ferrisburgh news and events by viewing the Ferrisburgh Town website at ferrisburghvt.org.