First-Day Breakfast, Mettawee Community School, Wednesday, August 28: The faculty of the Mettawee Community School will welcome back students and their parents during a special breakfast. Students will arrive at school at 7:40 AM for a brief flag ceremony before the meal. Principal Brooke DeBonis says, “We really encourage involvement from the community and parents during the year; it’s critical in helping the students and the school.” Other special events marking the start of the school year include a PTO picnic from 5:30-7 PM on Thursday, September 12, an open house from 6:30-8 PM on Thursday, September 19. School pictures will be taken on Monday, October 7.

West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department Auction, Thursday, August 29, West Pawlet Firehouse, Route 153, West Pawlet: The auction event begins at 6:00 PM, and it does not end until all items are gone. Auctioneer will be Chris Mars. Many bargains, including assorted antiques, tools, tables, dressers, mirrors, an old school desk, knick-knacks, glassware, toys and more, will be available to view starting at 5:00 PM before the auction bidding begins. The auction is a charity event in support of the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department.  The proceeds from donated items help the department’s general operating costs and for much-needed equipment and training programs, both for new recruits and continuing education for long-time department member volunteers. Food will be available for purchase, including grilled burgers, hot dogs and French fried potatoes, sodas and bottled water. Dave Hosley, chief of the fire department, invites all to “come and bid until it hurts.” Contact:  Dave Hosley, 645-0158 or Tom Collard, 645-0839 or email: wpvfd@yahoo.com .

Pawlet Scholarship Fund annual Art on Edie’s Green, Saturday, August 31, 10 AM to 4 PM: Edie’s field is in the center of Pawlet. Watch for signs on Route 30, between the Post Office and the concrete bridge.  Area artists will be selling art and fine crafts, including paintings, sculptures, photography,  pottery and jewelry; local food vendors will offer tasty snacks. Participating artists will donate 20 percent of their proceeds to the Pawlet Scholarship Fund, which helps recent high school graduates and other adults from Pawlet and West Pawlet in furthering their education. Enjoy the art, buy presents for yourself or others, meet the artists, and have some lunch. Contact Anita Pomerance, at skyshows@vermontel.net or 325-3786.

Pawlet Town Offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2013 in observance of Labor Day. Regular office hours will resume on September 3, 2013

Pawlet Energy Group Meets Wednesday, September 4, 12 PM, Pawlet Town Hall Conference Room

Call for fall issue of Pawlet Newsletter: Please send any material for this issue by September 9. Approximately 1,200 copies of each issue are distributed to Pawlet residents and out-of-town subscribers. News, upcoming events, announcements to: Elizabeth Gibson, egib@vermontel.net. For advertisements contact Barry  Schoenwetter, bartsky@together.net. Rates for single issue: $25 for business card size ad; $50 for double business card size ad (20% discount to advertise in 4 issues).

Property Taxes due September 10, 2013: The first property tax payment for the 2013 tax year is due to the Town Treasurer; bills were mailed at the beginning of August. Taxes not paid on or before the due date will be considered delinquent and an 8% penalty will be added. For more information contact Judy Coolidge, Treasurer, Town of Pawlet at 325-3309.

West Pawlet Farmers Market, Fridays, 4-7 Fish & Game Club Building: Menus and goods look very tempting! Come join the fun! Find “West Pawlet Fish and Game Club Building” on Facebook.

Mettawee Community School is looking for Four Winds volunteers to lead natural science workshops for children at the Mettawee Community School in West Pawlet. Four Winds is a non-profit organization advancing the understanding, appreciation and protection of the environment through community-based natural science education.  As a Four Winds volunteer, you will bring fun and engaging natural science lessons to the children at the Mettawee Community School.  Adult volunteers meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the following months: February, April, May, September, October and November. (These months vary every year). Training workshops are taught by a naturalist/educator from the Four Winds staff.  All meetings take place at Mettawee Community School, between 8:15 – 10:15 AM. For more information call the program coordinator Kimberly Perkins at 802-645-9009.

Rutland Area Visiting Nurse offers monthly community health clinics: The Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice sponsors a wide range of clinics for area residents and businesses, including health education, screening, testing, and adult immunizations. For more information visit http://www.ravnah.org/community-wellness-clinics.html to learn about their flood pressure and foot care clinics; cholesterol, diabetes and glood pressure screenings; and many other important services.

RAVNAH will also be conducting a six-session support group for those who have lost a loved one. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences of loss, as well as gain an understanding of the process of grief and its impact on life emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually. The group will meet from noon to 1:30 PM on September 12 and 19, October 10 and 24, and November 7 and 21 at RAVNAH, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland.  To register, call Ann LaRocque, at 802-770-1516.

Energy Assistance Program helps with electric bills: Green Mountain Power will give qualifying customers a 25% discount off your monthly electric bill. To be eligible, you must be a GMP customer and meet certain gross monthly income levels, depending on the number of people in your household. For more information call 1-800-775-0516 or visit online http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/eap/GMP.