Death, Dying, Danishes (Rutland)
2025-12-19 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 05701, United States
The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Mary Pleasant at 802.442.0540 or by emailing at mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Thrift Shop Saturdays
2025-12-20 10:00 - 14:00 | The Thrift Shop, 5468 Main Street, Manchester, 05255, United States
The Thrift Shop offers high-quality merchandise at low prices. The Thrift Shop is open weekly, Monday through Friday, from 11am until 3pm. It is also open for the third Saturday of every month now, from 10am until 2pm.

Living With Loss - Free, Weekly Bereavement Support (Manchester)
2026-01-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-14 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-28 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-18 13:00 - 14:00 | VNA & Hospice – Manchester, VT, 5468 Main Street, Manchester Center, VT, 05255, United States
Join us for a free bereavement support group facilitated by Jamie Losikoff-Kent, LCSW Bereavement Coordinator, at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.

Bereavement Support groups offer participants a space to process their grief, share and receive helpful coping strategies and create a community with others walking a similar path.

Free and available to the community.

To pre-register, call: 802-779-5061

Living With Loss - Free, Weekly Bereavement Support (Bennington)
2026-01-13 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-20 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-27 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-10 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-17 16:00 - 17:00 | VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region – Bennington, Putnam Block, 335 Main St., Office C, Bennington, VT, 05201, United States

Death, Dying, Danishes (Bennington)
2026-01-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Bennington Community Market, 239 Main Street, Bennington, VT, 05201, United States
The VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) offers a discussion group designed to address a topic many have difficulty talking about: death and dying.
Led by Hospice volunteers, the objective of Death, Dying, & Danishes is to increase awareness of death and to encourage people to make the most of their lives. Sharing food creates a relaxed and nurturing environment where the group can join open, honest conversations to explore the questions about life, dying and grief. People of all ages are encouraged to bring their questions, experiences, and thoughts to the gathering. The goal is simply to provide a forum for community members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee, tea, and goodies to share thought-provoking and life-affirming conversation.
The event is free and open to the public, but purchases are encouraged for host sites.
Those looking for more information prior to attending can contact Ed Keating: 802-445-5520 or ed.keating@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Death, Dying, Danishes (Manchester)
2026-01-20 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-02-17 17:00 - 18:30 | Manchester Community Library, 138 Cemetery Avenue, Manchester Center, VT, 05255, United States

Hospice Volunteer Training (St. Albans)
2026-01-24 08:00 - 16:00 | VNAHSR — St. Albans, 8 N. Main Street, St. Albans, VT, 05751, United States
VNAHSR provides training for those interested in becoming hospice volunteers.
Training is free and open to individuals 16 years of age and older. Volunteers need to pass a background check. No previous hospice and health care experience is required. Pre-registration is required.
At the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR), volunteers play a critical role in enhancing the end-of-life experiences of people facing serious illness and their families. Volunteers represent all life experiences and are drawn to hospice for a variety of reasons, but the defining characteristics that unite them are compassion and the desire to help others. Their many skills are matched to important tasks within our mission.
Once training is complete, assignments and schedules are tailored to the volunteer’s geographic and time commitment preferences.
Training Topics include:• Understanding the Hospice philosophy of care• Knowing boundaries when interacting with patients and families• Communicating with patients and families• Understanding basic health and safety precautions• Understanding patient confidentiality
The Benefit of Becoming a Hospice VolunteerWhile our volunteers make a tremendous impact on the lives of our patients, families and staff, we hear time and again that they, too, benefit from their hospice experiences. Among the things they mention are:• Increased appreciation for living life in the moment and defining what is really important• Greater knowledge and more inner peace about the end-of-life experience• Greater insight about diversity and the different perspectives among cultures• Heightened sense of fulfillment and pride because of their contributions to patients and families and to the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.
For more information or to register call Mary at 802.442.0540 or email at mary.pleasant@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Advance Directive Workshop (Rutland)
2026-01-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, 05701, United States
What is it?
A workshop focusing on answering questions about the Vermont Ethics Network’s Advance Directive Short Form. If the form is completed during the workshop, participants may upload the form to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry for review and acceptance.

To review the form before the workshop go to www.vtethicsnetwork.org/forms.

Space is limited, advanced registration is required.

Who facilitates it? Nicole DeNoyers

Contact Nicole DeNoyers to sign up: 802.369.9440 | nicole.denoyers@vnahsr.org

Franklin County Heart Strings Choir Rehearsal
2026-01-29 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-05 17:30 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church, 27 Church St, St. Albans, VT, 05478, United States
Singing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of volunteering, but joining a Hospice Choir can be a very rewarding and meaningful way to give back. Hospice Choirs offer song of healing and comfort at the bedside of hospice patients as a loving gift to those who need support at their most vulnerable time.
For more information, please contact Mary Pleasant, Hospice Volunteer Services Coordinator: mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org or 802-442-0540

Advance Directive Workshop (Franklin)
2026-02-02 11:30 - 13:30 | Haston Library, 5167 Main Street, Franklin, VT, 05457, United States
What is it?
To assist community members in completing their advanced directives. Sharing tips, answering questions and stimulating conversations.
Who facilitates it?
Nicole DeNoyers
RSVP here.
802.369.9440
nicole.denoyers@vermontvisitingnurses.org

Advance Directive Workshop (Franklin)
2026-02-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Bent Northrop Memorial Library, 164 Park Street, Fairfield, Vermont

Advance Directive Workshop Series - Bennington Senior Center
2026-02-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Bennington Senior Center – Bennington, VT, 124 Pleasant Street #3, Bennington, Vermont, 05201, United States
Simple, Step-by-Step Planning for Your Health Care Wishes
This community workshop series walks through the VT Ethics Network Short Form Advance Directive one section at a time. Each session focuses on a single topic, allowing participants to learn at a comfortable pace, ask questions, and reflect on what matters most to them. You may attend one workshop or the full series. No medical or legal background is required.
Location: Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St #3, Bennington, VT 05201
Facilitators: Ed Keating, Kathy Clark, and Carol Steinmetz (Volunteers – VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region)
Workshop 1: Getting Started – Thinking About Your Health Care Wishes
An introduction to advance care planning, personal values, and what to prepare before completing an advance directive.
Sponsored by: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Bennington, VT
For more information or to register: Ed Keating
Email: Ed.Keating@vnahsr.org | Phone: 802-445-5520

Franklin County HeartSing Choir Rehearsal
2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church, 27 Church St, St. Albans, VT, 05478, United States

Rutland Bereavement Group
2026-02-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Casella Conference Room, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT, 05701
Join us for a free bereavement support group facilitated by Braden Etcheson, Hospice Chaplin, at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.

Bereavement Support groups offer participants a space to process their grief, share and receive helpful coping strategies and create a community with others walking a similar path.

Free and available to the community.

We also offer individual bereavement counseling, please contact Braden:
braden.etcheson@vnahsr.org | 802-855-4453

Puzzle Palooza
2026-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street, Rutland, VT, 05701, United States
Compete in teams of 2–4 to finish a 500-piece puzzle the fastest. This event combines teamwork, strategy, and fun for puzzle lovers of all ages. Bring your A-game for the chance to win prizes!

Who It’s For: Adults, teens, and seniors
How to Register/RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/puzzle-palooza-godnick…
Must Register Team By February 20th
Location: Godnick Center, 1 Deer St, Rutland, VT 05701
Cost: Free
