JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT MIXER

hosted and sponsored by VERMONT REFLEXOLOGY
Ayrshire Building, downtown Brandon  

"Reflexology For The Sole is open for business! I love my new office. If you notice people walking around Brandon totally relaxed, they probably have just had a reflexology session. In the words of one of my clients after they woke up, "everybody needs to try this." Call Lindy for an appointment at 282-3538."

Wednesday, May 11 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm  

Appetizers and Hors'douvres
Complimentary Bar

Help Welcome Lindy to Downtown Brandon!
Entrance is on Union St. opposite the
Hannaford parking lot (side door) 

BRANDON MUSEUM AT DOUGLAS BIRTHPLACE OPENING FOR THE SEASON

The Brandon Museum at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace is opening to the public on Monday, May 16 for the season. The Museum is scheduled to be open daily from 11 am - 4 pm.  It is free to the public and is handicapped accessible. The Stephen A Douglas Birthplace also houses the Brandon Visitor Center and a municipal restroom, which are open daily 8 am - 6 pm 365 days a year.

The Brandon Museum details the town's early history including industry, business, architecture, tourism, and immigration. In addition, the Museum takes a comprehensive look at the anti-slavery movement and how it grew in the town, the story of Stephen A. Douglas, and the impact of the Civil War on Brandon and her people. There are hundreds of old Brandon photos as well as some items manufactured in 19th and 20th century Brandon. The Museum is a collection of stories reflecting the lives and thoughts of some of Brandon's earliest residents.

The Douglas Birthplace is located on Route 7, just north of downtown Brandon. The street address is 4 Grove St., next to the Brandon Baptist Church at the corner of Routes 7 and 73 West. For more information, call 802-247-6401 or visit www.brandon.org

CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP IN BRANDON MUSEUM

SUPPORT BRANDON'S HISTORY

 The Brandon Museum has a growing list of members -- community folks who love the building, the mission of the Museum, and Brandon history. We thank them for helping keep the building open and viable as a true community landmark. 2010 was  a great year for the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace organization. Here are statistics and accomplishments: 

In 2010:

• More than 1250 visitors visited the Brandon Museum and Visitor Center between mid-May and mid-October.
• The Museum was open every single day from 11:00 am - 4 pm during that time.
• 23 volunteers kept the Museum open for 632 hours and John Dilts, Museum Steward, worked approximately 400 hours throughout the season.
• Visitors were from many parts of the U.S. and a number of foreign countries.
• Many local folks stopped by to learn more about Brandon history, view the hundreds of photos in the database, and tell stories of "the good 'ol days."
• Students from local schools as young as first graders and up to 10th grade came with teachers who incorporated the Museum into their curriculum.
• A number of organized groups visited the Museum including: a local Sierra Club and senior field trips.
• The meeting room, now named The Cliver Room in honor of Blaine and Mary's contributions to the building, is used by a number of community organizations and local boards including: Brandon Planning Commission, Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, Brandon-Leicester-Salisbury Insect Control Board, Hawk Hill committee, Brandon Economic Development committee, Brandon Rotary Club, and a local support group.
• A Civil War history event was held in June 2010 featuring reenactors and historic lectures.
• Members of the Vermont Attractions Association which entitles us to be featured on the Official State of Vermont map, distribution 1.2 million annually. This organization recognizes us in the same league as 70 of Vermont's top tourist attractions.

Plans for 2011 include:

• We will add recording equipment to our computer so we can record visitor's memories "on the spot."           
• We are producing a digital rendition of our Anti-Slavery museum panels.
• We are planning another Civil War Days event, June 18, 2011, which will include reenactor enlisting activites, a historic house tour, and talks featuring professor Dr. Kevin Thornton and author Howard Coffin.

The Board of Directors of the organization are very proud of the Museum's first full year in operation. The building use and museum visitations surpassed expectations. The Board hopes you will consider membership in the organization. At this point in time, they are trying to retire a small debt left-over from the construction project.

Click here for a Membership Application. 

Thanks to everyone who came out for Love-A-Park on April 30 and helped clean up a number of Brandon's parks and green spaces. There will be another opportunity in the near future for volunteers to come out and help with plantings. Love-A-Park is sponsored by the Downtown Brandon Alliance.  

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES:

In their own words:

 GALLERY-IN-THE-FIELD 

We are pleased to announce that in May of 2011, Gallery in-the-Field will once more open its doors to the public for an encore season of fascinating exhibitions and musical events. While our wonderful building and surrounding lands are on the market and we seek the perfect buyer, we will fill the gallery with a stunning roster of exhibitions and concerts by distinguished artists and musicians. We look forward to seeing your shining faces and welcoming you again to our events. 

BILL RAMAGE

A CENTRIPETAL PHOTO PROJECT: AN INSTALLATION

The GITF Piece, The Men's Group  ~  MAY 5 - JUNE 20 

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BRANDON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

Brandon Congregational Church will be holding a Chicken 'n Biscuits Supper at Fellowship Hall (next to the church) on Route 7 in Brandon on Saturday, May 21st from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Menu: Chicken 'n Biscuits, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, brownie with ice cream, and beverages. Cost: $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 5-12, under 5 will be our guests. Reservations not needed.  Take-outs available

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BRANDON FARMER'S MARKET

Friday's May 27 - October 7from 9am to 2 pm located in Brandon's Central Park. Seasonal Vegetables and Plants-Honey-Vermont Maple Syrup. Handcrafted Jewelry-Local mohair and Alpaca Products-Hand Knit and crocheted items- Baked Goods-Jams -Jellies-Local Meats-Much More.For Information & Vendor Space Contact Wendy Cijka at 273-2655

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TOWN HALL READY FOR ANOTHER GREAT SEASON!

The Brandon Town Hall is ready to open for another exciting season on May 1^st. Three events are already scheduled beginning with an incredible adult comedy show. On Friday, May 13^th, "The Vermont Comedy Crew" will present a benefit performance for the Town Hall. This stand up comedy troupe is geared toward 16+ patrons with some mature themes. Local comic Tony Bates will Emcee this show featuring six of Vermont's Hottest Standup Comedians from Burlington and around the State. Tony's cutting edge material has been showcased at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, The Monkey House in Winooski, The Killarney in Ludlow, the Stand Up, Sit Down and Laugh series at FlynnSpace in Burlington and the Higher Ground Comedy Battle in South Burlington. Performers include Colin Ryan, Denise McCarty, Umberto Garofano, Carmen Lagala, Brian Clifford, Pat Lynch and Tony. Admission is $8.00 at the door, refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase from the FOTH concession area. Doors will open at 7:30 pm with the show starting at 8:00 pm. For more info call 247-5420

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ST. THOMAS CHURCH ORGAN CONCERT        

Featuring GEORGE MATHEWS of Brandon playing on the 1885 PIPE ORGAN (among others playing will be Betsy Kilbrar on flute, Helen Wright - violin and Aileen Durkee on the organ)                                                                                           

JUNE 4, 2011 at 7:00 pm   

Free Will Donation accepted  

(for more info contact 247-6759)

The Brandon Museum at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace is looking for volunteers. The Museum will be opening to the public on Monday, May 16 and will be staffed by Museum Steward John Dilts along with community volunteers.

Extensive knowledge of history and / or Brandon is not required, but a positive attitude and a love of people are essential. Volunteer shifts will be 2-1/2 hours a week although there is also a need for substitutes and people who can help on a less regular schedule. This is a fun and exciting attraction in Brandon and a great place for community members and history lovers to get involved. Contact John Dilts at johnd@brandon.org or call 247-3006 (leave a message).

Its Not To Early To Think About Your Yard Sale - AUGUST 6

• Click here for a Yard Sale Registration form. 
• Make sure you get on the Official Map.
• New Enhanced Listing opportunity this year.

The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce administers a low-interest revolving loan fund available to businesses for an approved building improvement project. The loan fund was originally established as a way to recognize that each and every improvement to Brandon's built community is important to a revitalized town. This loan has been lent several times in the past and there is $2500 available to be lent at the current time. Please contact the Chamber if you would like more information about this little pot of gold!

Free Wireless Internet DSL is being provided at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace, Brandon Museum, and Visitor Center by FairPoint Communications.  

www.brandon.org

Please take the time to link our website:

www.brandon.org to your website. It will help with search engine optimization for both your business and the Chamber.