With the Reading Fall Fair just 16 days away, you’d think I’d devote my entire column to it. I’m not. At least not all of it.
First, though, this column is going to get trashy. You can bring your household hazardous waste to the Springfield Transfer Station from 2pm to 6pm on Wednesday, September 18. This chance to do some fall cleaning (and why not?) is sponsored by the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District and the host town. If you want more information, you can call 802-674-9235. You can also visit vtsolidwastedistrict.org for a list of what hazardous waste you can dispose of and what you cannot.
While on the topic of disposal and transfer stations, don't forget you need a sticker on your car to do your usual (as in non-hazardous materials) dump run at the Weathersfield Transfer Station. If you are not sure you have the right sticker, check yours. The 2019-2020 sticker is green, and it is available at the Town Clerk’s office. The first sticker for homeowners is free, but if your household needs a second sticker, the cost is $5. Renters in Reading need to pay $5 for their sticker.
Punch cards are available at the Town Clerk's office. The cost is $17.50 for a 5-punch card and $35 for a 10-punch card.
Will I talk about the Reading Fall Fair now?
No. First, a reminder that tonight at Puddledock Park, we'll be having an '80s dance party. I love music from that decade, especially the early part, and I think it will be a lot of fun.
The theme for the following week is Open Mic. However, we did not complete are Art in the Park project from last week, despite the efforts of a dozen-or-so artists of all ages and skills. We plan to work on it some more on September 19. We'll still Open Mic if people have things they want to present.
Puddledock Park Parties happen every Thursday in September. They start at 6pm. Remember, to bring bug spray! The only thing that outnumbered the artists hard at work on our project at the last party was the bugs—tiny little things drove us crazy with their nasty little bites.
Now, I’m going to talk about the Reading Fall Fair, which, as you know, is sponsored by the Reading Recreation Commission. It happens on September 28, from 10am to 2pm at the grounds of Reading Elementary School.
Food available for purchase will be provided by the Reading Fire and Rescue Squad. They will also provide at least two of their fire trucks for touch-a-truck. Thank you so much to these great men and women! You made me very happy with the enthusiasm you showed when we talked about the Reading Fall Fair.
Yes, kids love big trucks. I'm pretty sure they love animals. So, once they're done exploring the rigs, they can hop over to the petting zoo. From there, they can try the maple jug challenge or the carnival games. Adults, in the meantime, can relax listening to live music from Rose Hip Jam. They’re the trio that entertained us a few weeks ago at Puddledock Park. Finally, everyone is invited to take part in the build-a-scarecrow contest.
Of course, don’t forget the Ducky Derby! We’re still collecting prizes, but here’s a sample of what you could win if you sponsor a duck on its trip down the river: a 1-night stay at the Woodstock Inn, a preserves sampler from Blake Hill Preserves, a selection of books from Yankee Bookshop, a cheese stone from Farmhouse Pottery, a cutting board from Creative Woodworking, gift cards from King Arthur Flour, Woodstock Farmers’ Market, Green Mountain Smokehouse, the Weathersfield Inn, Reading Greenhouse, and more! To see the ever-growing list of prizes, visit facebook.com/readingparks.
Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25. You can get them at Reading Greenhouse, Town Hall, Watroba’s, one of the remaining Puddledock Park Parties, or by contacting one of the Reading Recreation Commissioners. They are Gerry Marletta (gmarlettaiii@gmai.com), Kelsey Coyle (kels32884@aol.com), Lisa Kaija (lqkaija@gmail.com), Lisa Morrison (morrlisa@gmail.com), and me. My information is below.
The Reading Fall Fair can’t happen without volunteers. The five Recreation Commissioners are working hard on this event, but we can't do it alone. We are grateful for the four folks besides the Reading Fire & Rescue who have committed to helping us. In addition, farms in Reading have donated hay for the build-a-scarecrow contest. We can always use more people, more hay, more help. If you can give some time on the day of the fair or with the logistics leading up it, please contact me. We'll have something for you to do!
Happy birthday to Lilly Macri (September 13), Adam Ameele (September 14), and Paul Seaver (September 15)
That’s the news from Reading! See you next week!
This column originally appeared in The Vermont Standard on September 12, 2019.