WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Vital Communities is inviting emerging and established social enterprises to submit project proposals to The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley, a new community-based crowdfunding program.
Vital Communities is one of five sites nationwide selected to participate in the National Science Foundation grant-funded project with Wyoming-based company The Local Crowd. TLC combines a rewards-based crowdfunding platform with business and campaign technical support for social enterprise. This initiative is designed to uncover the best ways to support social enterprises and mission-driven organizations that use business principles to make their communities and the world a better place.
For this proposal cycle, TLC Upper Valley seeks Upper Valley-based projects with a budget under $10,000 and that support community goals or work toward an improvement to community members’ quality of life. All for-profit businesses, nonprofits and community initiatives meeting campaign guidelines within Vital Communities’ 69-town service area are welcome to apply; particular attention will be given to projects based in the White River Valley, Bradford/Cohase and Hanover/Lebanon areas.
TLC Upper Valley will select up to six projects to participate in this crowdfunding cohort, based on the potential of each project to positively impact their local economy and community. Accepted proposals will launch their campaigns in November, with guidance and assistance from TLC Upper Valley Advisors.
More information and the request for proposals are available online at vitalcommunities.org/tlc. All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Vermont Governor’s Marijuana Advisory Commission will host a listening tour throughout Vermont to provide residents an opportunity for public comment on the draft reports produced by the Commission’s Subcommittees on Roadway Safety, Education and Prevention and Taxation and Regulation. All three reports are available to the public online at https://marijuanacommission.vermont.gov/commissiondocuments.
A White River Junction event will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the White River Junction National Guard Armory, 240 Main St. Copies of the reports will not be provided at the event, so attendees should review them beforehand. Attendees are invited to share their thoughts, but should limit their comments to two minutes.
LEBANON — An access trail that links Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital to the Mascoma River Greenway has been completed by the Upper Valley Trails Alliance.
The 250-foot-long trail is wheelchair-accessible and was finished late last month. It connects the hospital’s parking lot to the popular multi-use recreation trail. The $10,000 project was sponsored by APD and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
The Greenway begins at the intersection of Mascoma and High streets and heads toward Glen Road in West Lebanon.
“This is one of the first official access trails to the MRG,” said Russell Hirschler, executive director of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance said in a news release. “Just gauging from interest while we were building it, I can confidently say it will be used often.”
The new trail will be celebrated from 10:45-11:30 a.m. on Thursday at APD. Representatives from APD, the trails alliance and the city of Lebanon will be attending.
“Providing safe access to free recreation and alternative means of transportation is in line with our commitment to improve the health and well-being of our community,” said APD President and CEO Sue Mooney, in a news release.
Lyme man joins Center for Preservation of Painted Walls board
LYME — Tim Cook, of Lyme, has been selected to serve on the board of directors for the Center for Painted Wall Preservation.
The nonprofit organization advocates for documenting and preserving painted plaster walls.
In 1980, Cook and his wife, Lynn, purchased what is known as the Moses Kent Farm in Lyme, according to a news release from the center. Inside the home are murals painted by Rufus Porter that the Cooks worked with restorer Will Perkins to repair and recreate.
Five years ago, the house and accompanying barn was granted a N.H. Preservation Alliance easement.
Women veterans wanted
for VA portrait project
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Women veterans of all ages, branches and eras are invited to have their portraits taken by photographer Gene Russell, Department of Veterans Affairs photographer and U.S. Army veteran.
Russell will be at the VA from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, to photograph participants.
Portraits will be on display at VA locations after the event to recognize the contributions of women veterans of Vermont and New Hampshire. All participants will receive a .jpeg of their portrait for personal use, and a virtual photo exhibit will be made available to view on the Center for Women Veterans Facebook page.
Pre-registration is appreciated, but not required. Call 802-295-9363, ext. 6134 or email sarah.bohnson@va.gov to register or for more information.
HANOVER — The town of Hanover and Dartmouth College are teaming up for the 10th year in a row to host an annual community yard sale.
The sale, which features more than 100 vendors, will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Lower Dewey Field Parking lot, located off Dewey Field Road in Hanover.
The sale is sponsored by Sustainable Hanover Recycling Sub-Committee and Dartmouth’s Sustainability Department as a way to encourage the community reduce, reuses and recycle their belongings, according to a news release from the organizations. Appliances, artwork, books, furniture, kitchenware, tools and vintage clothing will be among the items available.
For more information or to sign up to be a vendor, email sustainablehanovernh@gmail.com.
— Staff reports