Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library name new leaders

WOODSTOCK — Jarret Adams, of Woodstock, is the new president and Jennifer Baxter is the new vice president of the Friends of the Norman Williams Public Library, which raises money for the Woodstock-based library.

Adams, of Woodstock, succeeds Peggy Fraser and Baxter succeeds Jennifer Falvey, according to a news release. As past president, Fraser will still serve on the executive committee.

Adams has recently returned to New England with his wife, Heather, after years of living near Washington, D.C. and abroad. The couple own The Village Inn of Woodstock.  

Baxter, of Woodstock, grew up in North Brunswick, N.J., and moved to Vermont with her family in 2006. She was recently employed as director of finance and human resources for Advance Transit.

Upper Valley Educators Institute names literacy educators program coordinator

LEBANON — Kristen Liu has joined the Upper Valley Educators Institute (UVEI) as the literacy educators program coordinator.

Liu, who most recently was employed as a special education teacher at Bradford Elementary School in Bradford, Vt., will also serve as a faculty member, according to a news release from the Lebanon-based nonprofit organization. Among her responsibilities will be coordinating literay training for experienced teachers looking to expand their skill set.

“I am excited to continue to build meaningful relationships with educators and support them as they either begin their practice in classrooms or develop into master literacy teachers,” Liu said in the release.

Liu taught for 10 years as an early childhood and elementary schools educator. She is the former special education coordinator and IEP Teacher at Sojourner Truth School in Harlem, N.Y. and also taught education at the Hunter College School of Education. Liu graduated from Dartmouth College with a bachelor’s degree in geography and a minor in education policy. She earned a master’s degree in education from Hunter College School of Education in Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families.

AVA Gallery seeks storytellers for Mudroom event

LEBANON — AVA Gallery is looking for people to share stories on the theme “I Didn’t See That Coming!” for a Mudroom storytelling event that will be held outside the art center Thursday, Sept. 9.

Masks will be required for those who aren’t vaccinated. 

The first-hand stories must be under 10 minutes long, true and told from memory, not read or memorized and recited. Essays, poems, folktales, speeches, stand-up routines or songs will not be accepted. Applicants can submit stories by recording a short video pitching their story or write a summary in fewer than 300 words by Aug. 20 to mudroom@avagallery.org. Include a brief biography of fewer than 100 words. Submissions are open to people of all ages.

Five or six stories will be selected by Aug. 24. Storytellers must attend a rehearsal at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.

Red Cross announces Upper Valley blood drives

The American Red Cross will hold numerous blood drives throughout the Upper Valley in August. There is a severe blood and platelet shortage across the country due to an increase demand this summer, according to a news release from the nonprofit organization. Type O is needed more than any other blood type.

People who wish to donate are encouraged to make an appointment at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.

Aug. 4: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Springfield Elks, 49 Park St., Springfield, Vt.

Aug. 7:  9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 35 Labombard Road, Lebanon.

Aug. 9: Noon to 5 p.m., Aug. 9, St. Mary’s Church, 1157 Route 4, Canaan.

Aug. 10: 12:30 to 5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 485 Hotel Drive, Brownsville.

Aug. 10: Noon to 5:30 p.m., Woodstock Union Arena, 496 Woodstock Road, Woodstock.

Aug. 11: Noon to 5 p.m., American Legion Post 22, 189 Mechanic St., Lebanon.

Aug. 12: Noon to 5 p.m., Sugar River Bank, 10 N. Main St., Newport, N.H.

Aug. 13: 1 to 6 p.m., Our Lady of Fatima Church, 724 Main St., New London.

Aug. 13: Noon to 5:30 p.m., Bethel White Church, 129 Church St., Bethel. 

Tours of USS Vermont available in Connecticut

GROTON, Conn. — People can sign up to take a tour of the USS Vermont on Aug. 26 at 27 at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

Tours will be given by the ship’s crew. There will be a commissioning ceremony for the USS Vermont on Aug. 28. Sign up at signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daea92ba5f9c25-ussvermont. For more information, email Bill Mattoon at cmattoon@vermontel.net.                            — Staff reports

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