WRV Weekly News | 7/18/25
Weekly Community Updates & Good News from Bethel, Royalton, and the White River Valley
Hello WRV Community!
We’re excited to bring you the third edition of the Bethel Strong newsletter, geared toward helping our community groups and leaders share and find out what’s happening! The dedication across our community this summer has been awesome to see, and we’re committed to sharing and supporting these efforts. This newsletter isn’t just a weekly update, but a reflection of what is shared by our community and your input. Keep sharing, collaborating, and contributing!
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How to submit your news for next week!
Pop-Up Community Mixers at the Bethel Bandshell
WRV This Week: Highlights from Community Organizations
What’s Ahead: Upcoming Events and Activities
Get Involved: Find Volunteer Needs and Opportunities
Got News for Next Week? Newsletter Input?
Bethel Strong’s amazing summer intern, Terra, will compile each week’s news based on what you submit. The more you share, the better it gets.
Submit next week’s news! Big or small, we’d love to share your highlights, news, events, volunteer needs, and more! Fill out this quick form by Weds. night to get in each Friday’s newsletter. Submission Form
What do you think? This is our third pilot news edition! Tell us what you like, what you want to find or share, and what would make it better. Feedback Form
Join our email list! If you’d like to receive this newsletter in your inbox, sign up here. Sign up to receive more
New! Weds. Night Pop-Up Community Mixer / Market
There’s no Bethel Farmers’ Market this year, so Bethel Strong is *also* experimenting with a pilot weekly pop-up community event in conjunction with Bethel’s weekly summer concert series. Each week, we’ll set up the Bethel Placemaking Trailer with tables, chairs, tents, lawn games and more. Everyone is invited to come mingle, chat, meet, share, discuss, sell, play, and connect. See more info and a sign up form below.
RSVP to reserve a space and/or help with setup and takedown! bethelvtstrong.org/mixer-market
Popping Up Weds. July 23
Community Leader Roundtable: Capacity and Resources. Pull up a chair and come chat about what your committee or group needs to thrive!
Bethel Rec Committee & Skatepark Merch. The Bethel Rec Committee will be back and selling t-shirts, bandanas, and stickers! Come find out more about summer events happening at the Bethel Recreation Center.
Bethel Community Forward Festival. Win raffle prizes, sign up for a space and get more information about this year's Forward Festival, scheduled for Sept 20th this year.
Everyday Counts Initiative. Focused on reducing absenteeism in Vermont schools. They will have a wheel to spin and prizes!
Bethel Arts Center Free Library. Come check out awesome free books. The Bethel Arts Center is currently looking for donations of art supplies, bring what you can!
Bethel Planning Commission. Share your ideas and concerns regarding the Bethel Town Plan.
Summer Concert: The Gully Boys. Enjoy rock music at the Bethel Council on the Arts’ weekly summer concert, 7pm.
Past Highlights from Weds. July 16
Pop-up Community Leader Roundtable. Spent time discussing our newsletter’s accessibility, how to improve it, and what’s going on in the community. Great feedback!
Kid-Run Snack Stand. Drinks and treats sold by our local young entrepreneurs.
Bethel Rec Committee & Skatepark Merch. The committee shared information about ongoing summer events at the Bethel Recreation Center such as open skate sessions and “Kids & Coffee.” Find out more.
WRVS Makerspace Pop-Up. The community tried out the WRVS Makerspace’s 3D pens, with kids making everything from rings to figurines. Contact Robbie robbiemckersie@gmail.com if you’re interested in future events, workshops, or using the makerspace.
Bethel Arts Center Library. Gave out free books and talked about the 17 SDGs.
What are SDGs: Find out more.
What can you pop up at our pop-up mixer/market?
Learn more about this event, sign up for a space, and share your ideas. We’re also looking for a few good volunteers to help us set up and take down. Ways you could tap in:
“Market” booth – sell lemonade or baked goods, give away your garden extras, or have a community display or information table. Reserve a pop-up tent or bring your own.
Conversation circle – want to have a community conversation? Pitch a topic and we’ll pull up some chairs and gather folks around.
Special offering or event? Plan a hike, play music, host a fundraiser, bring a project…
Sign up here: Bethel Weekly Pop-Up Mixer Sign up
WRV this Week
Highlights and News from Community Organizations
💵Teaching Kids Money Skills ⭐️
Aldo’s Allowance Academy is a hands-on, screen-free system that helps kids ages 6–14 build lifelong money habits, right at home. Created by a parent and longtime manager at Barnard General Store, this program grew from firsthand experience: teens were entering the workforce without basic financial skills like counting change, writing checks, or understanding taxes. So, Aldo’s Allowance Academy was built, a printable system that grows with your child, from kindergarten to their first paycheck.
Learn more: bgsvt.com/aldosallowanceacademy
🪧New Projects and Events at the Bethel Rec Center ☕️🧑🧑🧒🧒
A kiosk has been installed at the Bethel Rec Center! Stay tuned for up to date information on Bethel Trails and things to do around Bethel. This week’s Kids and Coffee event was packed with energy and community spirit! Parents enjoyed catching up over coffee while their kids played safely at the park.
Join Bethel Rec at Kids & Coffee on August 1st from 9-10am — all are welcome!
Bethel Pool Hours 6/23 - 8/8: M-F 12-5pm, F 6-8pm, Sat 2-6pm
More from the Bethel VT Recreation Center
💻Innovation with Cultivator VT 📄
Local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community members gathered over coffee to exchange ideas, ask questions, and spark meaningful conversations at Cultivator’s Monday Mix event. Cultivator is a nonprofit innovation hub based in Randolph supporting innovation and growth by providing resources and programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Randolph region. If you’re looking for a relaxed, welcoming space for connection, collaboration, and building relationships, stay tuned for Cultivator’s next Monday mix at Wit & Grit.
Learn more about Cultivator VT: Click here.
What’s Ahead
Events and Activities Coming Up
Saturday, July 19
Bethel Trails Work Day
Help us to maintain the trail system next to the Bethel Recreation Center in Bethel! Bring trimmers, loppers, strong rakes, and gloves. Many hands make light work! Please contact Chris Fors, VOREC Project Coordinator, with any questions at 1 (802) 299-9889.
When: 8am
Address: Bethel Recreation Center, 115 Pleasant St, Bethel
Community Clothing Swap!
Join us at the Bethel Arts Center from 1-4pm. Feel free to drop off or pick up some gently used clothes in good condition. All for free!
Hours: 1- 4pm
Address: 257 Main St, Bethel, VT 05032
Brookfield Flea Market
The Brookfield Flea Market will have vendors with antiques, furniture, books, crafts, and more! There will be a hot dog lunch with all the fixings as well as a bake sale with various goods!
Come enjoy the day and expect treasures both inside and outside under tents! To reserve space, contact Pat at 802-728-4515.
When: 9am-3pm
Address: Pond Village Church, corner of Ridge Road and Rte. 65, Brookfield
Monday, July 21
Mountain Music Monday
Located in the hill farm hamlet of Bethel Lympus, our historic 1840 church is proud to sponsor summer events each year. The next event is Mountain Music Monday. Take a scenic drive to the four corners of Gay Hill Rd., Lilliesville Brook Rd., Campbell Rd., and Dartt Hill Rd. to the little white church for an evening of acoustic music played in a beautiful setting. Music makers from Bethel, Hancock, Granville, Rochester, Randolph, Brookfield and Braintree will perform favorite songs. The event is free, but your generous donations will help support the Bethel Area Food Shelf.
When: Jul 21, 2025, 6:30 to 8 PM
Where: Bethel Lympus
Tuesday, July 22
Harm Reduction 101 Workshop
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. For this educational workshop, we will be joined by Kell Arbor, who is the Director of Health & Wellness programs at Pride Center of VT. Kell will talk more in depth about what Harm Reduction is and give an overview of overdose prevention techniques, address stigma, and share more resources for more support. This is the third event in an educational series by the Neighborhood Conversations initiative of the Bethel Equity & Inclusion and Town Meeting & Community Engagement Committees.
Hours: 6pm
Address: Bethel Town Hall, 318 Main St, Bethel
Saturday, July 26
Bethel Trails Work Day
Help us to maintain the trail system next to the Bethel Recreation Center in Bethel! Bring trimmers, loppers, strong rakes, and gloves. Many hands make light work! Please contact Chris Fors, VOREC Project Coordinator, with any questions at 1 (802) 299-9889.
Hours: 8am
Address: Bethel Recreation Center, 115 Pleasant St, Bethel
Monday, August 11
VCRD’s 6th Community Leadership Summit
Join hundreds of community builders from across the state to gain skills and cultivate connections for a vibrant future. This event is a chance to explore how we can work together to get things done, even when times are tough and resources are limited. Through workshops, panels, group discussions, and networking, participants will gain useful ideas, make connections, and hear inspiring success stories and tips. Register here (sliding scale).
When: 9 AM - 4 PM
Where: Vermont State University - Randolph Center
Ongoing Events!
Sharon Community Garden Open Hours
We are growing food for the community in an inclusive safe space for all. Come lend a hand and go home with fresh veggies. We also have a variety of culinary and medicinal herbs and berries planted for your learning and picking enjoyment. All Welcome.
Hours: Tuesday 1-6pm; Thursday, 2-5pm.
Address: 2564 Rt 14, Sharon VT - follow the perimeter of the field to garden
Pop-Up Office Hours at Wit & Grit with Cultivator VT
Randolph Pop-up Office Hours! Join local business owners and remote professionals at Wit & Grit for an easygoing coworking session—bring your laptop, grab a coffee and breakfast, and work alongside others in a creative, productive space. Need advice or connections? Cultivator’s Program Manager is around most weeks, and once a month, we’ll gather for an open conversation about business and local happenings.
Hours: Mondays from 9-10:30am
Address: 29 Merchants Row, Randolph, VT 05060
Bethel Council on the Arts Summer Concerts
Every Wednesday through August - Bethel Council on the Arts Summer Concert at Series at Bandshell Park.
Hours: Shows begin at 7pm
Address: 129 Church St, Bethel, VT 05032
Bethel Area Food Shelf
Hours: Mondays 12-1pm and Thursdays 5-7pm
Address: 129 Church St, Bethel
Bethel Rec Skateboarding Sessions
Hours: Thursdays 6-8pm
Address: Bethel Recreation Center, 115 Pleasant St, Bethel
Bethel Arts Center Recurring Events
Address: 257 Main St, Bethel, VT 05032
Open Studio Time
Open hours for writers, painters, drawers, knitters, crafters and artists of all skill levels. No instruction provided - this is open time to work on projects. Bring your own supplies or make use of paper, colored pencils, markers, crayons, watercolor, etc. that are available in the space. FREE.
Hours: Wednesdays & Sundays from 11-2pm
Teen Center Drop In
Open hours for young folks ages 10-18 to come hang out, snack, play games, make art, play music, and be. FREE.
Hours: Every Thursday 2-5pm
Knit Night
For experienced and new knitters alike! Come learn how to knit or bring the project you're currently working on. Needles and yarn provided for learners. FREE.
Hours: Every Thursday from 6-8pm
Comedy Night
Come laugh with local comedians on the second Friday of the month. Email bethelvtcomedy@gmail.com to sign up to perform. FREE.
Hours: 7pm, Every 2nd Friday of the month
Get Involved! Volunteer Needs and Opportunities
Bethel Area Food Shelf. BAFS runs on volunteer power! This is a great way to get involved in supporting your neighbors. New volunteers are always welcome. Contact Cindy at cindy@action-circles.com
Pop-Up Weds Event Crew. Our community Mixer / Markets need a few hands with setup/takedown each week. Bethel Weekly Pop-Up Mixer Sign up
Do you have volunteer opportunities? Big or small, we’d love to share your volunteer needs! Fill out our Submission Form.
Feedback & Contact
Thank you for taking time to catch up with us! Since this is only our third pass at our Community Newsletter, we are encouraging any feedback you can give us! We’d love your input … What else do you want to find or read in community news? What do you want to share or get out? Have feedback? Leave a suggestion.
Got news, events, and stuff to include next week? Newsletter Submission. Submission deadline: Weds. evenings. Newsletter send: Friday mornings.
Connect with Bethel Strong
Questions? Contact us! bethelvtstrong@gmail.com
Check out the Bethel Strong website for more info and a newsletter archive:
