Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

“Reproductive freedom is critical to a whole range of issues. If we can’t take charge of this most personal aspect of our lives, we can’t take care of anything. It should not be seen as a privilege or as a benefit, but a fundamental human right.”
― Faye Wattleton
American reproductive rights activist who was the first African American and the youngest president ever elected of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

     
    Friends, for the first time in 5 years, we missed a Weekly Email Update newsletter--we sincerely apologize to all our organizations and readers. This week's email is back, though, and full of ways to get involved and share your unique talents with our community. This week's new offerings include an upcoming WeCAN Wednesday "Dinner at the Long Table" event on July 27th, a trains and transportation celebration with Brenda Siegel, candidate for Governor, a peecycling party in Bellows Falls, and two Abenaki-centered events: one about art and one about cooking, amongst many others. We truly look forward to seeing you at an event or meeting soon!
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WeCAN WEDNESDAYS

     Exciting news: WeCAN is co-sponsoring a series of events this Summer with Brattleboro Democrats and Rep. Emilie Kornheiser! The series continues on July 13th, 2022 and runs through August. Join us at the Brattleboro Town Common where we will celebrate politics, get to know candidates new and old, and maybe even throw ourselves a 5 year birthday party...we can't wait to see you there!
You can find more information below in this email or go to https://www.wecantogether.net/wecan_wednesdays_2022, where these events will have a dedicated space on our website. 
Upcoming Schedule
Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 at 5pm: Meet the Candidates: Dinner at the Long Table. Please join us by clicking on this rsvp link to register. 
Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 5pm: Primary Day Celebration/ WeCAN's 5th Birthday Party! (The date on the graphic is incorrect)

If you would like to volunteer or set up a table for your organization, please use the following links:

Click here to volunteer: https://www.emiliekornheiser.org/volunteer/
Click here to sign up to table or represent a candidate: https://forms.gle/4JuNT7Uw1hwQkHGp8

If you would like to sign up to help at the WeCAN table, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you!

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Lean Left Action of the Week

New Hampshire
Let’s hit the road. Talking to real-live people in person IS how we can help Granite Staters win in November. We have several opportunities on the western side of New Hampshire where you can hop over in the morning, talk with voters, have lunch, and be home by the afternoon! Team up with other Vermonters!

• Sign up here and let us know you’re interested. We’ll get right back to you with detailed information! We also suggest taking Swing Blue Alliances' "Deep Canvassing" Training. Learn more here. 

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HAPPENING TODAY,
SUNDAY, JULY 24th, 2022

Share the Harvest Stand
brought to you by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, July 24th, 2022 at the Corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. 11am-1pm.
Questions or need a different time to drop off veggies? Email Marilyn at [email protected].
Pick up fresh, local veggies for free! 
Do you have extra veggies from your garden? Drop them off at the stand between 10:30am-11:30am to share with your community!
Vegan/GF Everyone Eats! meals will be available as well, first come, first served.

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HAPPENING OUTSIDE WINDHAM COUNTY: GREENFIELD, MA
Peaceful Protest at the Greenfield Common
Organized by Zoe Naughton-O’Connor
Sunday, July 24th, 2022 on the Greenfield Town Green (2-8 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301). 2pm.
To commemorate one month since the overturning of Roe v Wade, we will have a peaceful protest on the Greenfield Common. Please feel free to bring signs. Those who are moved to speak are encouraged to do so, in a peaceful manner.

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
MONDAY, JULY 25th, 2022-SUNDAY, JULY 31st, 2022

A Silent Vigil of Loving Kindness
Monday, July 25th, 2022 at Wells Fountain (298-250 VT-30, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 4:30pm-5:30pm.
For further information and to be on the mailing list for future vigils, please contact Tim Stevenson, [email protected].
Under a banner that reads, “Holding a Space of Loving Kindness for All Living Beings,” we conduct a silent vigil every other Monday, 4:30pm-5:30pm, at Wells Fountain across from Brooks Library and the Municipal Building, downtown Brattleboro
Our purpose is to serve as a living reminder of the inherent goodness of each of us, as well as our inextricable connection with one another.
For a few minutes or the entire hour, all are welcome to join us in extending sentiments of loving kindness to all living beings: to family and friends, neighbors and strangers, kindred spirits and adversaries, human and non-human beings, alike. And to ourselves, as well. People may choose to stand, kneel, or sit in a chair they bring, or on one of the stone benches circling the Fountain.
Tim Stevenson
Founding Director
Post Oil Solutions
www.postoilsolutions.org
802.869.2141

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WeCAN Wednesdays
sponsored by Brattleboro Democrats and WeCAN: Windham County Action Network
Every Other Wednesday Through August on the Brattleboro Town Common (Park Pl, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 5pm-7pm
Wednesday, July 27th, 2022: Sit at the Long Table. Please join us by clicking on this rsvp link to register. 
Tuesday, August 9th, 2022: Primary Celebration/WeCAN's 5th Birthday Party!

Click here to volunteer: https://www.emiliekornheiser.org/volunteer/
Click here to sign up to table or represent a candidate: https://forms.gle/4JuNT7Uw1hwQkHGp8

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Guilford Cares Food Pantry
Thursday, July 28th, 2022 at the Guilford Fairgrounds (163 Fairground Rd, Guilford, VT 05301). 3pm-4pm. 
If you have questions, concerns or would like to donate groceries or monetary gifts please contact Pat Haine 802-257-0626. For additional questions or more information call 802 579 1350 or email [email protected]. 
Guilford Cares Food Pantry has moved! The Pantry has moved to the First Aid building at the Guilford Fairgrounds. We will be fully stocked with all our usual grocery items.
The Fairgrounds are on Fairground Road, just off Weatherhead Hollow Road. From Guilford Center Road turn onto Weatherhead Hollow Road. Travel 1.7 miles down the road. The Fairgrounds are on the left and there will be a sign directing you up the hill for about .2 miles. The red building is on the left with a sign out in front. Please remain in your car; we’ll greet you,  and give you a shopping list as we have been doing for the past year.
If the Pantry will be closed for any unexpected reason, the closure will be announced on WKVT, WTSA, and Front Porch Forum.
If you cannot come to the Pantry due to illness or high risk, you can call also call Pat to arrange for food delivery by a volunteer.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy.
Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

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Trains and Transit: A Celebration with Brenda Siegel
Friday, July 29th, 2022 at Royal Oak Coffee (30 Seymour St, Middlebury, VT 05753) at 12pm.
Purchase tickets HERE.
Join Brenda Siegel, Democratic nominee for Governor, on Friday July 29th at 12 noon at Royal Oak Coffee as we celebrate the expansion of Amtrak into Burlington, Vergennes, and Middlebury! 
The Ethan Allen Express route will now connect Burlington to New York City with several stops within Vermont for the first time since 1953. This expanded service allows Vermonters to get to more areas of the state in a low-cost, environmentally friendly manner. 
Brenda has been endorsed by the leading environmental organizations in the state including Vermont Conservation Voters and the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club because of her plan for bold climate action, including the development of public transit statewide.
Pastries and coffee are included with the purchase of your ticket.

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Queeraoke Fundraiser for Wichie Artu’s Campaign
Saturday, July 30th, 2022 at The Collective Lounge & Bar (55 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7:30pm-10pm.
Tickets: In advance $15 at secure.actblue.com/donate/queeraoke
At door: $20 (Cash Only) if there is space
Karaoke | Signature Cocktail | Drag Queens
Collective Lounge and Bar in downtown Brattleboro
Details: Event is 18+, COVID vaccinations highly recommended, Drag Queen performances are tipped (Bring your $$$!), Marty's "Sassy Heat" Salsa for sale (some proceeds will go to Wichie's campaign).

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Share the Harvest Stand
brought to you by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, July 31st, 2022 at the Corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. 11am-1pm.
Questions or need a different time to drop off veggies? Email Marilyn at [email protected].
Pick up fresh, local veggies for free! 
Do you have extra veggies from your garden? Drop them off at the stand between 10:30-11:30 to share with your community!
Vegan/GF Everyone Eats! meals will be available as well, first come, first served.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Vermont Food Bank’s Veggie Van Go Upcoming Schedule
The First and Third Mondays of Every Month in the parking lot across the street from the main entrance to Brattleboro Union High School (131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Please, no early birds. 
Questions? Call 1-800-585-2265 or email [email protected]. 
Veggie Van Go is a program through the Vermont Foodbank that gives out free produce and local food for people to take home.
ATTENTION: Starting in May, the VT Foodbank asks that participants arrive at the Brattleboro Union High School no earlier than 9:45am. Cars that arrive early will be turned away until the start of the event. 
August 1st, 2022
August 15th, 2022
September 5th, 2022 (Labor Day week dates TBA)
September 19th, 2022

Important information:

• Drive through model- please stay in your vehicles
• If you are walking there: see a Vermont Foodbank associate but please make sure to stay 6 feet back.
• There are no income requirements, registration or paperwork to participate
• You do not need to be present to get food: you may ask someone to pick up on your family's behalf.

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Summer of Solidarity
Friday, August 5th, 2022 at Pliny Park (corner of High Street and Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-6pm.
Solidarity Fridays: A collective action focusing on connected global, national, and local outrages. These actions are organized by a coalition of organizations: Brattleboro Solidarity, The Root Social Justice Center, Lost River Racial Justice, Tenants Union of Brattleboro, and 350 Brattleboro. We act with these shared principles:

• Everyone should have what they need.
• People's lives must be valued over profit.
• All of our struggles are tied together.

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Peecycling Party at the Fish Ladder 
Saturday, August 6th, 2022 at 17 Bridge Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101. 11am-4pm.
The Rich Earth Institute (recently featured in the New York Times!) is launching a new urine recycling hub in Rockingham.
Human urine contains a wealth of vital plant nutrients. When we flush these precious elements downstream, they contribute to nutrient pollution, harmful algal blooms, and mass fish kills.  Instead, by collecting your urine (or liquid gold), your “waste” can become a valuable resource. With your help, Rich Earth can provide pasteurized urine as a sustainable fertilizer for local farms. 
Join Rich Earth and the Nature Museum at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder on Saturday, August 6th, 2022 from 11am - 4pm for a day of fun and learning about urine recycling - and how you can get involved!

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Water is Life: Abenaki Free Arts
co-hosted by the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association and the Abenaki Arts & Education Center and the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center
Saturday, August 6th, 2022 at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 11am-3pm.
Free.
Artmaking and Gallery Talk for families with children ages 8-12. Families are invited to learn about Abenaki tribal customs, traditions, and the intersectionality between Abenaki arts and environmental issues. This art program explores the *Nebizun: Water is Life traveling museum exhibition and the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
*Nebi is the Abenaki word for water and Nebizun means medicine.
● Children must be accompanied by adults. 
● Space is limited to first come, first served.

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Pierce’s Summer Food Pop-Ups!
hosted by the Putney Foodshelf and Food 4 Kids
Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 at Pierce’s Dance Hall (121 East Putney Falls Road, Putney, VT). (The image attached is incorrect and should read 121 East Putney Falls Road). 1pm-2:30pm.
All are welcome.
Free Summer food for all. Putney area families and individuals are encouraged to attend. Fresh produce and other groceries are available! 

*the correct address is 121 East Putney Falls Road

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Abenaki Cuisine Demonstration
hosted by Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
Thursday, August 11th, 2022, Online. 7pm
This event will take place via Zoom and Facebook Live. A recording will be made available here afterward.
ADMISSION: Free; Register online to participate via Zoom or call 802-257-0124 x101.
Chef Jessee Lawyer will present an online demonstration of Abenaki cooking. While he prepares a meal that incorporates wild game and other wild ingredients, Lawyer will discuss traditional and contemporary Abenaki cuisine.
Lawyer is the head chef at Sweetwaters in Burlington, Vermont. As a culinary artist, he creates indigenous specialties using Wabanaki ingredients. Lawyer descends from a long line of Indigenous artists. He continues his family tradition as one of the last two Native families in the Northeast that make miniature horsetail coiled baskets. He also hand-carves traditional soapstone pipes and contemporary soapstone sculptures. He draws inspiration from his father, who taught him how to carve. 
This event is presented in connection with Nebizun: Water Is Life, an exhibit of artwork by Abenaki artists of the Champlain Valley and Connecticut River Valley regions.

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New Community Food Initiatives

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens
Find a site near you! Text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 or go to www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids

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Have You Heard of Farm Stand Together?
Find more info and apply here: https://www.farmstandtogethervt.org/
Delicious Food on your Terms in your Community! From their site: 
"We believe that everyone should have access to the delicious foods Vermont farmers are growing and making. 
The Farm Stand Together mutual food aid program will be providing gift cards for use at a small selection of farm stands across Vermont. The program is in trial and access in this first round will be limited. 
Gift cards will work like regular credit cards at participating farm stands, and can be used to purchase any items at the stand. They can be spent all at once or over time."
Buy what you want and need – there are no strings attached to your gift card. Shop at the location that's most accessible to you.
Use your Farm Stand Together gift card to reduce the cost of buying local food.
Buy food grown and produced thoughtfully to provide nutritious – and delicious – food.
Keep Vermont money in the Vermont community. Shop for your groceries from farmers and producers in your own area.

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ONGOING EVENTS

Recovery Families
hosted by Turning Point
Fridays at Turning Point of Windham County Recovery Center (39 Elm Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Young children welcome!
Join other caregivers for connection and support of your own recovery journey or that of someone you love. 

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Taking Steps Brattleboro, a program of Brattleboro Area Hospice is offering Advance Care Planning Weekly Zoom Information Sessions on Wednesdays from 10am-11am.
If you are interested in attending the Zoom info session, or want more information about Advance Care Planning, please contact Ruth Nangeroni, Advance Care Planning Program Coordinator at 802-257-0775 ext 101 or [email protected].
Advance care planning ensures that your loved ones and health professionals know what you  want in a medical emergency when you are unable to speak for yourself. It’s a process of creating a written health care plan(advance directive) that tells others what you would want if you couldn’t tell them yourself.
Advance Care Planning includes discussing choices about end-of-life (EOL) care with your medical provider, family and others. It involves choosing and educating your Health Care Agent and making informed decisions to complete an Advance Directive. Join us and learn more. Find out if adding a COVID-19 or Dementia provision would be beneficial to include or add to a previously completed Advance Directive.
Brattleboro Area Hospice (BAH) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides non-medical support to dying and grieving community members and volunteer-staffed assistance with Advance Care Planning. BAH is 100% locally funded, and provides services free of charge. Services are available to anyone living in southeastern Vermont or bordering New Hampshire towns.
Advance Care Planning: It’s how people care for one another.

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

Endorse Vermont’s Reproductive Liberty Amendment
Have questions? Please contact Charlie Gliserman, Policy & Prop 5 Campaign Manager at [email protected] or (802) 338-6811.
The Reproductive Liberty Amendment, previously Prop 5, will be a ballot measure in Vermont's 2022 General Election. If passed, it would amend Vermont's constitution to protect every person's right to make their own reproductive decisions, like whether and when to become pregnant, use temporary or permanent birth control, or seek abortion care. 
An endorsement is a public statement of support for the Reproductive Liberty Amendment, which may be featured on the Vermont for Reproductive Liberty website (reprolibertyvt.org) and its campaign communications. 
An endorsement is a powerful way to show Vermont that you or your organization is proud to support the Reproductive Liberty Amendment. Join us in this campaign, powered by and for Vermonters, to protect reproductive freedom for all.
You can find the endorsement form HERE.

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The Village Closet
on the Wintson Prouty Campus (60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in Croker Hall.
Open Wednesdays from 4pm-6pm and Saturdays from 10am-12pm, or
by appointment. For more information, please email [email protected].
Your source for free baby, children, and pregnancy clothing/items. Donations of gently used items accepted. We are collecting new and "like new" children's coats and winter gear for our Kids in Coats partnership with United Way of Windham County.  If you have items to donate, please stop by today if you are able!
On Wednesdays, Everyone Eats will be distributing free dinners on campus from 3:30pm-4:30pm.

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FREE HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN WINDHAM COUNTY

Brigid’s Kitchen, St. Michael’s Church, 47 Walnut Street, Brattleboro 802-254-6800 or 802-558-6072 
Grab-and-go lunches and fruit/nuts on Mon, Weds, Thus, and Sat, 11:30am-12:20pm.

Loaves and Fishes, Centre Congregational Church 193 Main Street, Brattleboro (802) 254-4730
Grab-and-go lunches on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12pm.

VT Foodbank and Veggie Van Go will be at Brattleboro Union High School (Fairground Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the parking lot, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 10am-11am. Drive up, touchless pickup. Walkers welcome, too. Call VT 211 for more information. 

Foodworks, the food shelf program of the Groundworks Collaborative https://groundworksvt.org (802) 490-2412, [email protected] 
Foodworks has open hours for curbside pickup on Mondays 11am-4pm, Wednesdays 1pm-6pm, Fridays 12pm-4pm, last Saturday of each month from 9am-12pm. Deliveries are available onTuesdays across Windham county. Please email [email protected] or call 802-490-2412 with any questions!
Households in need of food are asked to call or email to coordinate delivery. There is an urgent need for volunteers, and Foodworks has set up protocols to keep staff, volunteers, and clients as safe as possible. Please email us at [email protected] if you are able to help.

Marlboro Community Food Share
hosted by the Marlboro Community Center
Wednesday 10am-2pm; Thursday 10am-5pm; Friday 10am-12pm; Saturday 10am-12pm at the Marlboro Community Center (524 South Road, Marlboro, VT, 05344). 
The Marlboro Community Center invites you to fill a bag with non-perishable grocery items. Food is set up in the main space and is available during our open hours. Eggs and produce on Thursdays as available. No registration or eligibility required. Deliveries can be made through Marlboro Cares for those needing assistance. Please call Marlboro Cares at 258-3030 in advance to arrange a delivery.
To donate food:
Leave non-perishable food in the donation box at the Marlboro Post Office. It will be collected on a weekly-basis. (Please note that this box previously supplied the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, which is now distributing food exclusively from VT Food Pantry) 
Gardeners and farmers are welcome to donate produce. Wear masks and wash hands when harvesting and handling food. Fresh produce can be dropped off at the Community Center on Thursday between 1pm and 4pm. (Any leftover produce will be taken to FoodWorks the following morning)

Guilford Food Pantry 
Every Thursday at the Guilford Fairgrounds. 5pm-6pm.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy. Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

Putney Foodshelf Weekly Open Hours 
Fridays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Saturdays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 9am-10:30am. (NEW HOURS!)
We also have a food drop at the Putney Meadows parking lot every 4th Thursday, from 9am-9:45am.
Message us on our FB page HERE, call 802.387.8551, or email [email protected] with questions. www.putneyfoodshelf.org
Curbside Open Hours. All are welcome - we just ask you to provide your town of residence and number in household for our data tracking purposes.
Stay in your car, please. Volunteers will take your order and bring out boxes of food, including nonperishable items, fresh produce, paper goods, meat, and dairy products.

Everyone Eats continues, including grab-and-go meals at these times and locations: 

• There is no longer an Everyone Eats distribution at Turning Point on Sundays, as Edible Brattleboro is dormant in the winter.
• The meals at Retreat Farm are stocked in their farm stand for pick up anytime, first come first serve. We are planning to stock on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Folks receiving services through Foodworks, Loaves and Fishes, and the Brattleboro Community Justice Center can obtain free meals through those organizations.
You can also order Everyone Eats! meals directly from participating restaurants using the Localvore App.

Our Place Drop-In Center at 4 Island Street, Bellows Falls, VT, 05101. Call us at 802-463-2217 for assistance. Email at [email protected]. Please wear a mask to keep our employees and yourself safe.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday: 8:30am-4pm
Thursday: 8:30am-1pm
Friday: 8:30am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Our Place Drop-In Center operates a food pantry and meal site where they serve breakfast with to-go meals that are ready for pickup by 9am. Lunch is ready by 11:30am. 
Everyone is welcome to stop by to get a meal. At this time we are allowing only employees in the building.

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ADDITIONAL COVID 19 RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT THEIR PERMANENT HOME ON OUR WEBSITE, HERE: https://www.wecantogether.net/covid19_resources

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RESOURCE FOR WeCAN

Rapid Response Text Alert System

When WeCAN began, Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 1pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM. To stream live, visit: www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353. 

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We are all in this together, Friends. Keep going. 

Your Friendly WeCAN Editor,

Joanna and Sam