PUTNEY FOOD SHELF 

Hop's seventh grade class is collecting donations for the Putney Food Shelf during the month of January. Contributions of non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, and diapers will be gladly accepted. Help yourself through this coldest time of the year by giving a little warmth to someone else. Drop boxes are in the upper school and outside of Tammy's office. Thank you!

SAVE THE DATE! 55TH LIBRARY BIRTHDAY PARTY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11!

Last week a birthday party invitation was sent home with students announcing this fun occasion where reading and the library are celebrated. If you missed seeing the invitation, please visit the Library page for information about the party and to view the library wish list. For your convenience, the Village Bookseller in Bellows Falls has a collection of the books at the store and online at  http://www.villagesquarebooks.com/wishlist/5

Thank you, Ponnie   

FLETCHER FAMILY AND BOB EVERINGHAM WIN FORESTRY AWARDS 

The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program was pleased to present the Fletcher family with the Volunteer Group Tree Steward Award at a ceremony at the Vermont Statehouse, December 17th, 2014. The Fletcher family, Jordan, Sheryl, Liam, and Aiden, were awarded for their longstanding volunteer efforts that help protect and appreciate Vermont's landscape. Referred to as the "Fletcher Clan", the family has been exceedingly generous with their time and energy in a variety of volunteer projects. Of note, however, is the family's involvement in the Cerceris wasp biosurveillance program, which uses a native wasp to monitor for the emerald ash borer. The Fletcher's have been a part of this initiative since its beginning, and have thus far completed their work in three Vermont communities.  The Fletcher family deserves a Vermont Steward award for their dedicated, meaningful volunteer work, and for their readiness to lend a helping hand.
P.S. - On January 3, 2015, Sheryl lost in her brave struggle against cancer surrounded by her family.   

The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program was pleased to present the Bob Everingham with the Practitioner Tree Steward Award at a ceremony at the Vermont Statehouse, December 17th, 2014. Bob Everingham is an eager, passionate, and effective forest pest first detector. Not only did Bob's valuable vision and insight lead him to report the first discovery of the elongate hemlock scale in southern Vermont, he also effectively tracks Vermont's the hemlock woolly adelgid infestation.   Bob's contribution as a forest pest first detector, however, goes beyond the standard protocol. As seen through his work at the annual Strolling of the Heifers event in Brattleboro, VT, Bob has also taken initiative in invasive pest outreach. For years Bob has organized and staffed a public information display about invasive forest pests at the event, and all attendees agree that his enthusiasm is contagious. Bob seizes every opportunity possible to ensure the health and longevity of Vermont's trees. Relentless in his desire to minimize threats of invasive tree pests, Bob took the initiative and appeared before the Brattleboro Select board to encourage the need for municipal EAB planning. With their blessing, Bob spearheaded the planning effort and has now presented the plan to the town. Bob's professionalism, enthusiasm and willingness to be involved earned him the Practitioner Tree Steward Award.