Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Meeting Notes April 29th, 2026
Event Announcements, Reports, and Updates
A. Trivia Night (Monday)
• Highly successful with 90 attendees, thanks to Kate Traeger (organizer) and partnership with Brattleboro Women’s Chorus.
• Positive feedback for the range and quality of questions; improved seating process suggested for large groups.
• Recognition for volunteer efforts after schedule changes and technical challenges (plumbing issue at Legion, workaround plans achieved within 8 minutes).
• Next Trivia planned for mid-May; further details will be announced.
B. Brattleboro Women’s Chorus 30th Anniversary Concert
• May 10, 2026, at Latches. Special Mother's Day concert highlighted as a community event.
C. Bingo Event - Scheduled for May 16, 2026 – reminder to membership.
D. Blood Drive - May 19, 2026, volunteer sign-up ongoing (focus: check-in and attendee management).
• Blood drive available for sign-up on Red Cross website.
E. History Walks - Special tours of downtown Brattleboro:
• Dates: June 20 & June 27, 2026, 11:00 AM to ~12:30 PM.
• Led by John and Sandy; 12 stops from Brattleboro Co-op to Brattleboro Commons.
• Donation-based ($20–$40); typically raises $200–$300.
• Informal sign-up via call/text to Sandy.
F. Retreat Farm Volunteer Day
• May 16, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM: Club volunteer day at the Retreat Farm (board member Alex Wilson).
• Activities: Building raised beds for the Hope Garden, painting sheds, stacking firewood for community wood bank.
• Refreshments and lunch provided; sign-up to be arranged.
G. The Latches Event
• May 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM.
• Movie screening about New York City (walkthrough format); potential group outing.
h. Concert Choir – Brahms’ German Requiem
• May 16 & May 17, 2026 (Sunday afternoon) at Potash Hill/Persons Auditorium, former Marlboro College.
• Over 100 community members involved.
I. Other Immediate Events
• Solar Demo at the Library: April 29, 2026, 5:30 PM, with Stephen Dodson.
• Read-Out Day: Scheduled for Saturday (May 2, 2026).
J. Community Garden Updates
• The garden is blooming and had a strong turnout last week.
• Weekly cleanups to resume following a one-week pause due to travel.
K. Green-Up Day Organization
• Organized green-up/cleanup event for Saturday, May 2, 2026.
• Volunteer meet-up: Price Chopper parking lot (exit 1), 9:00 AM (near Tesla area).
• Bags to be collected from either Subaru or Kristen; Jon to pick up bags.
• Typical 3–5 bags per person, aiming for six volunteers.
L. First Grade Personalized Book Giveaways
• Distribution planned for Brattleboro and outlying towns.
• Tentative dates: May 7 or 8, 2026 (Thursday or Friday).
• Coordination needed for volunteers to deliver books; extra sample book available for display next meeting.
K. Next Board meeting May 7, 2026.
Student Rotarian Updates
• College and field trips: Campus tours, Amherst College, Art Museum (possibly MFA), and a middle school biology walk.
• Prom: May 16, 2026, at Northfield Country Club (Casino night theme, food truck, non-cash casino games, gift card prizes).
• National Honor Society induction: 15 new sophomore inductees.
• Recent AP and SAT testing completed.
• Flower fundraiser: $25 per basket; pick-up May 7, 2026, 3:00–5:00 PM at the high school.
Birthday Song & Toast
• Kevin Yeager’s birthday (April 29).
• Nick’s birthday acknowledged (April 23).
• Well wishes and reflections on the joys and perspective of retired life.
Brags
• Josh- Kate Traeger rocks and celebrating their 23rd anniversary and Gallery Walk.
• Sandy Shriver announced the formation of the Shriver Law Group (party on June 17, 2026).
• Tristan – Justin and family supported with moving and home repair errands.
• Corp Champions Retreat (Milwaukee) highlighting business communities’ focus on sustainability and profit-with-purpose.
• Nick - Chamber’s 120th Anniversary Party at Brooks House, May 7, 2026, 5:30–7:30 PM (new ED and rebrand announce) & Sporting achievements and extracurriculars shared (e.g., Brattleboro soccer success, children’s dance involvement).
• Justin - Group coordination and fast problem-solving during last-minute event changes (plumbing emergency at Legion).
• Josh - Reminder for volunteers for Gallery Walk – first Friday of the month, requiring 40 volunteers; signups encouraged.
Guest Speaker Presentation: Friends of the West River Trail
Speakers: Malcolm and Alex
•Overview: Efforts to extend trail connectivity from the new Amtrak station (opening June 24, 2026) to an unused steel railroad bridge over the Connecticut River and onwards to a multi-state trail network.
•Goals: Develop a new mile-long Connecticut River Trail (“Fort Hill Connector Trail”) linking the train station to New Hampshire’s network (100+ miles).
•Cooperation: Working successfully with new landowners (Roberts Energy), town officials, and regional partners (incl. Southwest NH Planning Commission).
• Permitting and Planning:
• Trail on a 30-foot-wide strip of town-owned land (acquired ~15 years ago from Boston & Maine RR).
• Fencing and separation for safety from the active railroad and industrial property.
• Ongoing coordination with Roberts Energy for property easement and site modifications (e.g., replacing large liquid fuel tanks with smaller/safer propane tanks).
• Design work by Mark Westell, landscape architect.
• Awaiting DRB (Development Review Board) hearing: May 20, 2026.
Community Engagement:
• April 28, 2026: Trail workday with close to 40 volunteers (including Sunrise Rotary members).
• May 3, 2026: Follow-up workday (trash/debris removal from site).
• May 21, 2026: Celebration at Marina Restaurant to mark Fox Rock Properties’ donation of nine acres (including a six-acre island) to the Friends of West River Trail.
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Future Vision:
• Potential to connect Brattleboro to White River Junction and to create off-road cycling/hiking options parallel to Route 5.
• Decking over the Fort Hill Bridge as a major next step (pending engineering study and funding through Northern Borders Commission).
• Hope to link to New Hampshire and Massachusetts trail systems for loops and inter-state recreation.
• Plan to preserve sections of railroad track as historic features (High Line–style) within the trail.
• Q&A:
• Map availability for local trail networks discussed; future print and posting at the new train station planned.
• Timeline for bridge decking: Engineering study underway, timeline uncertain but project is moving forward rapidly if funding is secured.
• Request for community input on trail naming.
Cards – Its in the DECK!
Four Way Test