Gov. Phil Scott recently announced appointments to a variety of state boards and commissions. Addison County appointees included Jessica Danyow of Middlebury to the Animal Cruelty Investigation Board; Kevin Bourdon of Vergennes to the Electricians’ Licensing Board; and Eric Clifford of Starksboro to the Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s Office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the governor’s website at governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

The 2021 Monkton Annual Town Wide Yard Sale is happening on this Saturday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be nearly 15 yard sales all within a 15-minute radius. You can pick up your Monkton Town Wide Yard Sale printed map copy on Monkton Ridge, off Silver Street by the Russell Memorial Library. Look for the colorful signs that say “Monkton Town Wide Yard Sale.” You can also download a Google map version here: tinyurl.com/xv7yhczf. Organization for this event has been provided by the BSA Monkton Scout Troop 802.

Attention, everyone who’s been partaking in the Brandon-area Everyone Eats Program. It had previously been offered at the Brandon American Legion, but has now moved to the Neshobe School. It will take place the same days as previously at the Legion post — Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 5 p.m. until the free food is gone. If you have any questions, please call Fred Pockette at 802-282-5423.  Everyone Eats has been giving out hundreds of meals at the Legion, so the demand for the program remains robust.

The Bristol Trail Network (BTN) is excited to announce a collaboration this summer with the Lawrence Memorial Library. University of Vermont Intern Jenny Sogin will be preparing and leading StoryWalks on the BTN. Every other week, she will post a picture book along a segment of the BTN so that families can enjoy a nature story in the woods. Each book will be posted for two weeks, and during that time Sogin will have two scheduled walks during which she will lead the StoryWalk and read the story to families and children who want to do the walk together. The remainder of the time the story will remain posted for families to enjoy on their own. The first StoryWalk will be posted June 21-July 5 along the Business Park Loop. This story is geared toward younger children (preschool age), but all ages are welcome. Parking is available in spaces labeled for visitors behind the Bristol Firehouse. Additional parking is across the street at the Rec Park. Future StoryWalks will be on different sections of the trail: Mondays at 10:30 a.m. on July 5, July 19, and Aug. 2; and Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on July 14, July 28, and Aug. 11.

Speaking of story walks, the Salisbury Conservation Commission and the Salisbury Town Library invite you to take your kids to the Pitch Pine Trail in Salisbury to read the new book that’s up. The new book is “Over in the Forest: Come Take a Peek.” Story walks feature a children’s book spread out page by laminated page on a series of signs along a trail. This book is on signs over the first 0.7 mile ending at the first Halnon Brook overlook. The book is written at a preK to first-grade level. This portion of the trail is level and dry with logs for sitting. The kiosk and parking area for the trail can be found just a quarter-mile east of Route 7 on Plains Road. Please remember that there are no dogs allowed on this trail.

Vergennes American Legion Post 14 will hold a Chicken Barbecue on Friday, July 3, from noon to 2 p.m., featuring both drive-up and dine-in service. The meal will cost $13 and include a barbecued chicken half, potato salad, dill pickle and a roll. At the same time, Post 14 will host an open house in the lower buffet room. There will be staff to direct traffic, and cash or checks are accepted. Also, on July 3, Post 14 and Addison County Eagles Aerie #3801 will co-sponsor the annual fireworks display from the back fields of Vergennes Union High School. As is tradition, fireworks will start at dark. Details will be available on the American Legion Post 14 Facebook page.

Addison County Solid Waste Management District (ACSWMD) officials are concerned about the sad fact that trash gets dumped in spaces that should be left untouched and wild in our community. You can report an illegal burning or dumping site on the ACSWMD webpage, tinyurl.com/fnvxx5a8. Complaints may be made anonymously. The report will be submitted to the Addison County Sheriff’s Department, which will result in further investigation. Illegal burning and dumping not only diminish the environment, they are also against our district’s ordinance and in violation of state law.