It's a special occasion when the Brandon Artist Guild (the BAG) has the opportunity to showcase the artwork of one of its founding members. The event is all the more timely due to last year's honor: Warren Kimble was the recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. Kimble is Brandon's best known town booster/activist and resident artist. With his usual passionate approach and hard work, he has invested a major portion of his creative time into the Brandon Artists Guild since its beginnings in 1999.

The upcoming show, House of Cards, features Kimble at his playful best, with a comical and artfully handsome collection of wooden assemblages - a takeoff on kings and queens and playing cards. The sculptures utilize bits and pieces of antique wood, antique factory molds, antiquated kitchen implements, along with old playing cards -- sometimes in shadow boxes. When Kimble browses antique shops and auctions, his knowledge and love of old artifacts enables him to identify the perfect item for each fresh creation.

Whereas Kimble followed-up his folk art fame with contemporary issues-driven artwork, in the upcoming September/October House of Cards, the viewer will find a waggish collection of pieces, sometimes quietly droll, sometimes broad with slapstick, all connecting to an ordinary pack of playing cards - and each a work of art. A miniature, Ladys in Waiting, shows a row of tiny wooden shoe/leg forms, in attendance, we presume. It's Not Good to Be a Queen, made of an ancient-looking farm item, refers to the fate of Queen Marie Antoinette at the guillotine. Some other titles: All the King's Men, The Royal Flush, The Royal Guard, The Queen Mother, The Palace, The King's Knave.

Kimble's art has been the subject of one-person gallery shows in New York and Boston. He remains involved in his alma mater, Syracuse University, where his work was shown most recently in 2008, and he still serves on the Board of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse.

"Contemporary Folk Artist" is how Kimble has been known in the past, however since about 2004 Kimble has branched out into other territories, most notably a series titled "Widows of War," which was seen at Vermont's Shelburne Museum during his retrospective there in in 2008. As Warren Kimble approaches his 80^th birthday, he still works every day with joyful creativity and - oblivious of his role as mentor to many -- spreading his enthusiasm to the rest of Brandon's art community and throughout the State of Vermont.

Sharon Stearns- CPA,PLLC

Sharon has opened a public accounting firm providing accounting, bookkeeping, tax, and consulting services to individuals and small businesses. Services include weekly, monthly or quarterly accounting and bookkeeping, tax returns and tax planning, accounting training, and consulting on your accounting software or other accounting need.

A little background on my company: Hibu is a top 50 digital company and one of only nineteen companies in the world that have a "premier" partnership with Google.

A little background on myself: My name is Jillian Vitagliano. I'm a native Vermonter. Although I left for a period of time to work at Monster.com and the Boston Globe, I'm back and living in Rutland. I previously ran the Killington Chamber of Commerce as their Director for a short period of time. I drive through Brandon often during the week;  it's really changed and I love it. I want to help market the businesses. Hibu has given me an opportunity to offer an amazing deal to past clients and new clients.

Whether businesses decide to work with me or not, at least their eyes will be open to the reality of what the internet is and what it means to growing their business.

Click here for more info-  Hibu invitation

You can respond to Jill or email me your response for attendance at info@brandon.org

Another way your Chamber is working to help you build your business.

The Inside Scoop and Antiques By The Falls porch is FULL.  We are now holding a 25% Off Everything Outside Sale. Furniture, shelving, chairs, collectibles, home decor, kitchenware, miscellaneous, fun and funky! Even the Flamingoes! Stop on by and check out what we have. New items being added daily. Open 10 am - 9 pm daily (inside antique shop closes at 5 pm daily) but outside items can be purchased until 9 pm, as well as yummy ice cream and candy treats.

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Check out their full schedule here- Town Hall Schedule

Their repertoire includes French dance tunes such as the Mazurka and Bourree, as well as jigs and reels from the British Isles.  The duo's original tunes reflect these influences, but also North American Roots music, including Appalachian, Cajun and Quebecois dance tunes.

Accordionist and pianist Jeremiah McLane plays a mix of musical styles.  WCAX refers to him as "the master of all things accordion".  He has appeared at numerous festivals in the U.S. and in Europe including the Royal Festival Hall in London, England, the Picolo Spoleto Festival, the St. Chartiers Festival (France), and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.  He has composed numerous pieces for film and theatre and has received N.P.R's "Favorite Picks" award for his second solo recording, Smile When You're Ready.  McLane also received the French music magazine Trad Mag "Bravo" award for his fifth release, Hummingbird. 

Monkton-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Timothy Cummings shares an uncommon hybrid of traditional folk styles - primarily Scottish and Appalachian.  Cummings has been a member of the highly competitive Manawatu Pipe Band (New Zealand) and also served as Artist in Residence at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts (PEI, Canada).  He is an experienced performer, teacher, and workshop leader and frequently combines music, humor, and informative talks to enliven and educate his audiences about the refreshingly odd world of bagpiping.  His first solo album, 'The Piper in the Holler: Tunes from Appalachia' met with much success.  Cummings will play a mix of Irish whistles and 'indoor' Scottish-style pipes.

Tickets for the concert are $15.00. A pre-concert dinner is available for an additional $20.00. Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 465-4071 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or information.  Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd., Brandon, VT 05733. www.brandon-music.net

Bourbon has performed and studied all over the world; he has crafted an unbelievable fusion of classical and jazz, with ethereal Eastern influences, Spanish and Latin elements with strains of Western folk.  Now based in the UK, some of Bourbon's influences allow fascinating insight into this remarkable musician: Paco De Lucia, Deep Purple's Richie Blackmore, Joaquin Rodrigo, J.J. Cale, Monty Python, J.S. Bach, and Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks.

The BBC says, "This accomplished artist offers tender, compelling performance through highly developed precision.  His sound instantly creates ambience - from haunting Spanish moods to lyrical, romantic jazz, Claude Bourbon provides both a rich evening of music for lovers, and a real treat for music lovers".

Tickets are $15. Reservations are recommended. Venue is BYOB. Please note dinner will not be available at this concert. Call (802) 465-4071 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net  for reservations or more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733. http://www.claudebourbon.org

Otter Valley's Walking Stick Theatre Group has been invited to attend the world renowned Fringe Arts Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August of 2015. They are one of 40 schools nationally to be selected to perform there. This selection is a tremendous honor for our school and the theatre department, however now they have to get there.  

Donations to support this wonderful educational opportunity can be made online at http://www.gofundme.com/OtterValleytoFringeFest. Any contribution will be appreciated. The total cost of the trip is over $60,000.

 Multiple fundraisers will also be taking place throughout the school year, including a bottle drive on Saturday, September 6^th  from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Bottles can be dropped off at the Otter Valley parking lot during this time or arrangements can be made in advance to have them picked up by contacting lynnbminer@gmail.com or calling 802-247-6034.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Featuring works by:  Jeremy Ayers - Ben Barlow - Torrey Carroll Smith - Melanie Considine - Wendy Copp - MaryKay Dempewolffe - Diane Gabriel - Marilyn Maddison - Cristina Pellechio - Frieda Post - Susan Raber Bray - John Rivers - Janet Van Fleet - Stephanie Whitney-Payne - Mim Zelis

Why do we choose to reside here, play here, vacation here? Vermont is singular. It is known for its quality of life and diverse activities, but it is also known for its artists - and being surrounded by beautiful, engaging, hand-crafted works of art and the minds of those who created them, in turn add to that quality of life.  Vermont attracts artists who take note and respect the smallest things around us but also think big with thought-provoking works of art!

This multi-media, group exhibit celebrates the remarkable diversity of creativity throughout Vermont with work by artists in the contemporary, artisanal, and fine art fields. ArtFULL Vermont opens September 5^th and runs through November 2^nd.

Meet the artists at the opening reception on Friday, September 12^th, from 5-8pm and enjoy another art form which Vermont is known for: music! Isabel Oliart on fiddle and McKinley James on cello, winners of the Young Tradition Weekend Contest will give a performance at 6:15. Both classically trained, they will perform a mixture of New England style and Celtic music. Oliart and James are members of Young Tradition Vermont which provides opportunities for young people to learn and present traditional tunes, songs and dance, and supports families with life-threatening illnesses.

"Vermont is unique among the States in first abolishing slavery; illustrative of her gentle and palpable independence which holds true to this day. My exploration of Vermont continues every time I plant a seed or take a picture trying to capture her fleeting beauty." Diane Gabriel is a photographer who, when she chose to move to Vermont, began investigating her new State using her camera.

Janet Van Fleet's two- and three- dimensional work represents all the things we find around us - from rocks underfoot, wood from plant life, through to human life and its tools - that help to animate and inform life in our state. Similarly, the act of gathering and recycling is central to Wendy Copp's process, and for her, connects the work to a locale, resulting in "textiles" that create snapshots of a region's vegetation and wildlife.  Fashioned into articles of clothing, they stand in for the human relationship to natural processes as well as symbolize the character of the unseen wearer.

Susan Raber Bray's work in the exhibit "connects her to source". After all, clay is earth with the barest of refinements-dust that holds form.  She says, "clay is always elemental, in all shapes and firings, and I have used that rooted quality to anchor my light hearted creations of birds and goats. Both these animals have been fellow travelers in my life, spirits I've shared my home with."

Three of the artists exhibiting represent their view of Vermont in very different ways and for very different reasons.  John Rivers paints the Vermont landscape being mindful of the mystery and elegance of nature, using the older style of tonalist painting, a technique that emphasizes light, shadow and subtle use of color. Conversely, through the use of repetitive patterns, lush color, and surface design in her ceramic sculptures, Cristina Pellechio strives to capture the detail, serenity and magnificence of the physical environments she lives in. For Marilyn Maddison, she says, "photographing is like a meditation for me in which everything is about the present moment of seeing and capturing. In that focusing everything else seems to fall away.  I come away from my explorations feeling renewed and lighter in spirit."

The detailed and accurate renderings of botanical paintings are how Stephanie Whitney-Payne reflect the small things, often so familiar to us, that we no longer see how extraordinarily beautiful they are.  Likewise, Torrey Carroll Smith's acrylic paintings reflect the beauty inherent in everyday life and even mundane Vermont moments. Her work reminds the viewer of the joy found in being more receptive to the world around us and taking notice of the little things. Does this sound familiar? Vermonters choose not to miss out on the finer points; we transform the commonplace into the extraordinary.

Further enhancing ArtFull Vermont is Jeremy Ayers with his elegant, yet functional pottery, while Melanie Considine will show her dramatic hand-colored black and white photographs, and Ben Barlow exhibits his distinctive wooden bowls crafted from locally found tree burls. In addition, MaryKay Dempewolffe presents her lovingly hand-crafted Fall clothing, while Mim Zelis showcases her characterful sculpted dolls and animals, and Frieda Post exhibits her vibrant contemporary paintings.

The Compass Music and Arts Center is open seven days a week from 10-5pm and is located in Park Village at 333 Jones Dr. Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of downtown Brandon off of Arnold District Rd.) . www.cmacvt.org

Brandon Music is ushering in the fall music scene with a performance by Vermont's favorite, Woodchuck's Revenge.  Join us on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30pm for Woodchuck's traditional and contemporary folksongs. Their repertoire, which has been described as encyclopedic, ranges from New England fiddle tunes to modern cowboy songs; from Irish ballads to folk, blues and bluegrass.  Songs about Vermont Mountains and life in New England are staples of the group's performances, along with a healthy dose of humor and a growing number of original songs.

Woodchuck's Revenge was "born" in 1990 when Peter and Kristina Cady and their friend Sandy Morse decided that after playing together for years, it was time to "take it on the road."  In 2010, Mike Lussen, who played with the Woods Tea Company, joined the group to make an even four.  Peter plays guitar, and, infrequently bass, while Kristina also plays the bass, plus the fiddle.  Morse is on the guitar, mandolin, and banjo as Lussen plays banjo, tenor and six-string guitar, bouzouki, ukulele, and bohdran.  All four members of the group sing leads and harmonies.

A busy schedule finds the group performing all over New England, Wyoming and Montana, plus performing on Public Radio in Vermont and New York, as well as local access television. They are also regulars at colleges and community events, coffeehouses, summer concert series, as well as in festivals such as the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) and the Northeast Music, Arts and Dance Festival (NOMAD).

Tickets for the concert are $15.00. A pre-concert dinner is available for an additional $20.00. Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 465-4071 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or information.  Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd., Brandon, VT 05733

The Compass Music and Arts Center is currently accepting work for their "Art of Giving - : -  The Giving of Art" holiday show, to be held from November 7, 2014 through January 11, 2015.

 The Holiday season is around the corner and everyone will be out looking for that perfect gift. We're looking for decorative, functional, festive, and/or simply attractive works of art, accessories, holiday ornaments and other fun gifts. Everything from tree ornaments, holiday decorations, small works of art, jewelry, scarves and more can be exhibited.

All work is accepted if it fits the following criteria: 

• All work must be for sale and is not to exceed the price tag of $100.

• 2D works must be framed and wired, ready to hang and come with labels stating the Artist, Title, Medium and Price. All display accessories (tables, pedestals, cabinets, racks, etc) for 3D works must be supplied by the artist. Each piece must be labeled with the artist's Name, Title (if appropriate), Medium and Price.  

For all 2D and 3D works in all media, there is an entry fee of $5 per piece submitted with a minimum requirement of 3 pieces in order to best show your work.

 For ornaments, there is a $10 fee for up to 30 ornaments. At least half the ornaments entered will be on  display at any one time. Display space in the form of a tree or other, will be provided for each contributing artist.Ornaments must be ready to hang with appropriate wire, hook, or ribbon with a price tag on each.  

 Please contact us if you wish to discuss an alternate arrangement which better suits your type of work.

 The commission rate on sold work is 35%.

 Space is limited. Your intention to participate must be made by October 6 with the submission form and materials submitted, at the very latest by, October 20. Artwork is to be delivered by November 3. Submission forms are available online at www.cmacvt.org. Contact us at 802-247-4295 or info@cmacvt.org for more information or to state your intention to participate.

The Compass Music and Arts Center is open seven days a week from 10-5pm and is located in Park Village at 333 Jones Dr. Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of downtown Brandon off of Arnold District Rd.) .

An evening of finger-strumming, toe-tapping, good old-fashioned folk music is promised on September 20, at 7:30pm when Rick Ceballos and Matt Witten perform at Brandon Music.

Together, Ceballos and Witten provide a wide range of folk music traditions.  From early African banjo blues to their own modern compositions with Irish, French, Galician and whatever else moves them at the moment.  Their music is played on a variety of banjos, squeezeboxes and rhythm instruments, all presented in a highly entertaining style.

Ceballos is no stranger to Vermont audiences.  Born in Pennsylvania, musically raised in Maine and seasoned in Vermont, Ceballos has been entertaining audiences for over forty years.  Known mainly for his wide array of banjos and banjo styles, Ceballos is also an accomplished accordion and concertina player as well as a fine songwriter.  Ceballos has served as Artistic Director of the Champlain Valley Folk Festival and Artistic Director of Best Night, Bristol Vermont's New Year's Eve celebration.

Matt Witten, also known as the Champlain Troubadour, will accompany Ceballos on piano, guitar, percussion and vocals.  Well known as a singer/songwriter, Witten is one half of the very popular children's duo, the Swing Peepers.

Tickets are $15.00 with a pre-concert dinner available for $20.00.  Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 465-4071 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or more information.  Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733.  www.brandon-music.net 

Caitlin Canty will perform at the Compass Music and Arts Center on Saturday, September 27^th at 7:30pm. Her Americana music is at the intersection of folk, blues and country. She will be joined by Charlie Rose on pedal steel, guitar and banjo.

Canty has previously performed at Brandon Music, run by the same owners as Compass; however, the larger venue of Compass is expected to suit her fan base much better.

The singer-songwriter paints the line between joy and pathos with uncanny precision and power. When she sings, she becomes a part of the natural world the song inhabits, in an elegant and lucid poetry. Both on the road and on her unreleased new album, Canty teams with some of the finest musicians in the world - including members of Morphine, Booker T, Cold Satellite, and Ray LaMontagne's Pariah Dogs - to create a sound that harnesses the grit and spark at the very heart of American music, and tempers it with a voice at once so haunting and distinct that it's instantly memorable, instantly classic.

A constant collaborator, Canty writes and performs with several bands, including Down Like Silver - her ongoing duo project with Nashville's Peter Bradley Adams - and the Massachusetts-based indie-folk quartet Darlingside. She has released two full-length albums under her own name, most recently GOLDEN HOUR, a gently produced and Western-tinged album tracked live in Maine in the winter of 2012.

Tickets are $15.00. A pre-concert dinner is available for an additional $20. Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Dinner is BYOB. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@cmacvt.org for reservations or more information.  Compass is located in Park Village at 333 Jones Dr. Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of downtown Brandon off of Arnold District Rd.). www.cmacvt.org | www.caitlincanty.com