October 4, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Oct. 5-6, 12-13: Duxbury Historical Society Open House weekends

The Duxbury Historical Society will host two Open House weekends at the Old Meeting Hall, formerly known as the South Duxbury Church, a historic landmark dating back to 1854 and located across from Harwood Union High School on Vermont Route 100.

Visitors will have an opportunity to explore the church's rich history and architectural features, learn about the society's plans for the property, and enjoy the fall foliage.

The building interior is still decorated with century-old wallpaper. Other features include a wood stove and an original E.P. Carpenter pump organ made in Brattleboro.

Open House hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 5-6 and 12-13.

Oct. 6: Leaf Peepers Half Marathon and 5K

*Runners in the Leaf Peepers 5K travel the final leg along the Cross-Vermont Trail through a cornfield beside the Winooski River. Photo by Gordon Miller*

Online registration closes Friday, Oct. 4, at 5 p.m. for the annual Leaf Peepers Half Marathon and 5K set for Sunday, Oct. 6.

Downtown Waterbury will be bustling Sunday morning ahead of the 9 a.m. start for the half marathon and 9:15 a.m start for the 5K along the course that stretches from the State Office Complex in Waterbury over to Duxbury’s River Road and back to the Horseshoe Drive green.

Presented by Central Vermont Runners, the race has a registration limit of 800 runners. As of Thusday night, Oct. 4, 520 were signed up, 385 for the half marathon and 135 for the 5K.

More information and registration are online at leafpeepershalfmarathon.org.

Oct. 12: Fall Household Hazardous Waste Collection

*A Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be held at Crossett Brook Middle School on Oct. 12. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

Saturday, Oct. 12, is the date for the Mad River Resource Management Alliance’s Fall Household Hazardous Waste Collection at Crossett Brook Middle School on Route 100 in Duxbury.

The collection will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for residents of the alliance communities (Waterbury, Moretown, Fayston, Waitsfield and Warren).

Residents can drop off pesticides, architectural oil and latex paint, and primary batteries at no charge. They also can turn in an additional 10 gallons of liquid or 10 pounds of solids at no additional charge. After that, there is a fee of $5 per unit.

Non-residents of the district also may participate in the collection for a $30 registration fee; the additional 10 units of waste would would also carry a fee.

Small businesses with waste to dispose of must preregister by Oct. 9 with information on the type and amount of waste so organizers may determine the cost in advance. Business waste must be dropped off between 8-8:30 a.m. To register, send an email to alliance Manager John Malter at malterport@aol.com.

This event also will accept mercury thermostats and thermometers. People will receive a card to mail for a $5 rebate per thermostat (which must include its cover). Digital thermometers will available free of charge to exchange for mercury thermometers – one digital per family.

This collection will NOT accept any compressed gases, fire extinguishers, ammunition, explosives, medical waste or radioactive waste; also no tires or electronics.

It cannot take compact fluorescent lamps or fluorescent tubes. Those may be disposed of at Bisbee’s or Kenyons in Waitsfield, Aubuchon Hardware or Waterbury True Value Hardware in Waterbury.

Direct any questions to John Malter at 802-244-7373 or malterport@aol.com.

Oct. 12: Fall Craft Sale at Waterbury Area Senior Center

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, a Fall Craft Sale benefitting the Waterbury Area Senior Center will be held at the center at 14 Stowe St. in downtown Waterbury.

Admission is free and the sale will feature both crafts and a a variety of homemade baked goods and foods including cookies, peanut butter buckeyes and pies, baked beans, jellies and jams.

Craft items will include handmade wooden items, seasonal decorations, photo cards, knitted and crocheted pieces. There will be a nail artist as well as a 50/50 raffle and a gift basket raffle. The center will have tickets for its quilt raffle fundraiser as well (winner to be drawn on Oct. 26.)

All proceeds will benefit the senior center.

Oct. 19: Grand Opening for Jack’s Alley

*At the June opening for the alley, Jack Carter's brother Jim and longtime partner Ted Schultheis enjoy the likeness of Jack in Sarah-Lee Terrat's mural along Jack's Alley. Photo by Gordon Miller*

The community is invited to the grand opening celebration of Jack’s Alley on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Work to beautify this newly revitalized public space tucked between 21 and 23 Stowe Street will be further unveiled at the event.

The formerly underused, neglected alley has been transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space through a collaboration of dedicated community members, local businesses and civic leaders, with the backing of individual and business donors, municipal funding, and state grants.

Jack’s Alley now will serve as an attractive venue for events, exhibits, and social gatherings in the heart of Waterbury’s historic downtown district. Improvements to the alley include its engraved brick walkway, in-ground plantings, comfortable seating, and integrated art installations.

The grand opening celebration will kick off with a musical performance followed by comments from community leaders and an unveiling of key features. Project leaders invite all to take in the restored Lee Jeans mural, the new Jack’s General Store mural, and new benches and screening features. There will be refreshments.

The alley is named for Jack Carter, the beloved former owner of Stowe Street Emporium who for more than 20 years dreamed of turning the alley into a special destination. Following his death in 2021, Revitalizing Waterbury rallied community support for what began as the Stowe Street Alley Project. The result pays tribute to Jack’s dream and his enduring connection to Waterbury.

Aside from the Grand Opening, a few final touches remain for the alley project such as lighting and signage. Donations are still being accepted on the project website.

Oct. 20: Ben & Jerry’s Pumpkin Giveaway & Food Drive

Brayden White helps Joe Davis at the pumpkin and ice cream giveaway at Ben & Jerry's in 2021. Photo by Gordon Miller

The 36th annual pumpkin giveaway and food drive at the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory on Vermont Route 100 will be held on Sunday morning, Oct. 20, from 8-10 a.m.

Local residents are invited to bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations for the Waterbury Common Market (formerly known as the Waterbury Area Food Shelf).

In exchange, they will receive a free pumpkin, Halloween candy for the kids, and several pints of free ice cream.

This event is organized by employees at the factory.

Oct. 23: Friends of Waterbury Reservoir annual meeting

The 2024 annual meeting of the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Blush Hill Country Club. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.

Social time begins at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 6:15 p.m.

The guest speaker for the event is Kurt J. Valenta with a presentation titled, “The Beaver – Nature's Superb Engineer.”

His talk will cover the historical significance the beaver had in the exploration and mapping of North America. According to Valenta, “Their unique adaptations allow them to survive year-round in a habitat of their own making. The ecosystem that is created supports a diversity of wildlife while also playing a major role in flood control and environmental rejuvenation.”

The talk will be accompanied by hands-on materials and photos and there will be time for questions and answers. Children are welcome to attend for this presentation.

Organization members will also share information about the Friends’ loon projects, wildlife on the reservoir and updates from the on-the-water rangers this year and on Waterbury dam repairs. The meeting also will have a raffle.

Find more information on the Friends’ website and Facebook page. Contact via Facebook Messenger or email to waterburyres@gmail.com.

October Community News Briefs