Tag: bellows falls

Smoke-Free Zones: Rockingham Free Public Library

Posted on by scott

Announcing the launch of our latest video, which promotes the Smoke-Free Zone at the Rockingham Public Library.

Learn about the impact of the Smoke-Free Zone at the Rockingham Free Public Library. In this edition, Celina Houlne and Sam Maskell are interviewed by Greater Falls Connections’ Scott Sharland. To get your very own Smoke-Free Zone sign, contact Greater Falls Connections at scott (at) greaterfallsconnections.org or call us at 802-463-9927 x213.

Thanks to all the following businesses, schools, and public places that participated:
Greater Falls Pharmacy
Rockingham Medical Group and Squeaky Sneakers
Lisai’s Market
Shona Grill
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (WNESU)
Rockingham Parks and Recreation

Thanks to FACT TV and Alex Stradling for filming this video. Thanks to Eileen Katchen for the great photography work. Video edited by Scott Sharland and Dominic Farinoli.

Make a Fresh Start for the New Year

Posted on by scott

Smoking Quit Classes Are Coming to Bellows Falls. Just in time for those New Year’s resolutions, Greater Falls Connections (GFC) and Springfield Medical Care Systems are partnering to provide tobacco cessation classes in Bellows Falls. The program consists of 4 weekly one-hour sessions, which will cover a variety of topics related to quitting smoking. Participants will learn about:

  • How to beat the addiction to nicotine
  • Skills for coping with cravings
  • Medication and effective approaches to quitting

Participants will also receive:

  • Counseling to build problem-solving skills
  • Moral support from a VT Quit Partner
  • Access to nicotine replacement therapy

The classes will run in January at Parks Place in Bellows Falls, with date and time to be determined. Pre-registration is required. In order to register, contact Scott Sharland at 802-463-9927 ext. 213 or send an email to scott AT greaterfallsconnections.org. Please select a valid formMicrosoft Word - Jan2015 Quit Classes FACT.docx

Park-a-Palooza 3 - Thank You!

Park-a-Palooza 3 – Thank You!

Posted on by Neil Allen

Thank you for another successful Park-a-Palooza!

On Behalf of Greater Falls Connections, parent and youth organizers, we would like to share an ecstatic thank you to the many people, businesses and organizations that contributed to the Park-a-Palooza Neighborhood Block Party on Saturday, June 28th in Bellows Falls. Now in its third year, Park-a-Palooza is a completely community-driven, old school, crazy-fun block party. Festivities again took place at the Central Elementary School playground and included: A potato-sack race, jellybean contest, bicycle-powered smoothies, apple-bob contest, face painting, dodgeball, baseball bat spin-off and a water balloon “throw-down.” Plus, with a little help from our friends at the Bellows Falls Fire & Police Departments, kids and adults were able to cool off and play around a gushing fire hydrant.

WaterFun

Thanks to our two Grill Masters, Rose Smith and Marcy Fazzolare, as well as the numerous people who brought food, people were able to eat and snack all day long.

Thank you to the following local businesses, community organizations and individuals for your generous contributions and involvement that were vital to the day’s success: The Moose, Lisai’s Market, Parks Place Community Resource Center, United Natural Foods, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Youth Services, Windham Northeast Supervisory Union, Bellows Falls Community Bike Project, the Fatherhood Project, Hannaford’s, Brattleboro Food Co-Op, and the VT Liquor Store in Bellows Falls.

Through creative play using the games our parents and grandparents taught us, Park-a-Palooza is another example of community-driven change in action. Community-led activities such as this build trust and create connection. Not to mention, a whole lot of laughter.

We thank everyone involved for creating a fun, positive and meaningful day.

BikeJuicer

Roots Rules!

Posted on by Neil Allen

It’s not every day a non-profit organization gets the opportunity to enjoy a full weekend of sunshine, fabulous conversations, local food and sensational roots music. Not to mention, the chance to share our important work with everyone in attendance. Well, that’s exactly the opportunity we had during the 15th Annual Roots on the River Music Festival that took place in Rockingham June 5th through the 8th.

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Ready for conversation!

On behalf of its staff, board and members, Greater Falls Connections would like to thank the organizers of Roots for their generous and passionate support of our work. Greater Falls Connections, a local community organizing and substance prevention group, was chosen as this year’s non-profit partner. With that distinction, we were able to promote our efforts to achieve a supportive, nurturing and connected community. Additionally, through a 50/50 raffle, we were able to raise nearly $300 that will help increase our efforts to prevent substance abuse, de-stigmatize addiction and support recovery. Countless numbers of festival-goers shared their stories and their support for our work.

We would like to especially thank festival organizers Ray Massucco, Andrea Bernard and Ezra Veitch for publicizing our involvement beforehand, announcing our participation throughout the weekend and assisting with our booth, signage and the raffle on two of the busiest days. Additionally, we would like to thank them for their dedication to making the festival a smoke-free weekend.

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Greater Falls Connections is a community-driven organization and it would not exist without the support of individuals, businesses and organizations such as Vermont Festivals. We are humbled and thankful for the opportunity and support.

Cheers!
Chad
Greater Falls Connections

LYL Karaoke Party

LYL Karaoke Party

Posted on by Neil Allen

LYL Karaoke Party
Thursday, December 19. 8:00pm-11:00pm
Donovan’s
65 Rockingham St.
Bellows Falls, VT 05101

Have you LYL’d? Having a brew or two ain’t a bad thing if you’re 21+, but drinking yourself stupid makes for a bummer night. Join GFC staff as we break it down while singing really bad power ballads. PLUS, we’ll be giving away free gear including hats, koozies and…for the grand prize winners…you’re very own Alcohoot Smartphone Breathalyzer.

Join us Thursday, December 19th from 8-11pm at Donovan’s in Bellows Falls. RSVP at the Facebook event here.

Haven’t seen our LYL video yet? Check it out and share!