The Lamoille Valley Pregnancy Center in Morrisville will host its first annual fundraising banquet Saturday evening, April 20. The doors open at 5:30 pm, and the banquet begins at 6 pm. Although seating is limited, there are still a few seats available if you would like to attend.

The evening will include a free dinner and dessert, a guest speaker, and an appeal for donations to support LVPRC.

To reserve a seat, an RSVP is required. Please reach out by email or phone to: lamoillevalleyprc@gmail.com, or call (802) 302-5022.

Guest speaker Mike G. Williams is a nationally known comedian and writer who has a passion for life. He is heard daily on the SiriusXM’s Laugh USA. He has recorded numerous comedy projects and written fourteen books. Included in those books are Men Moved to Mars When Women Started Killing the Ones on Venus and Love Is NOT A Three-Letter Word (A new look at Abstinence).

LVPRC will also be hosting an open house at our new location, 65 Portland Street in Morrisville, on Friday evening, May 3, from 5:30-8:30 pm. Please come join us to celebrate, take a tour of our center, and learn about volunteer opportunities and ways you can be involved with and help support the pro-love, pro-grace, and pro-abundant life mission of LVPRC.

Subaru sales exec backs music in schools – Gov. Phil Scott and Ernie Boch Jr., Subaru sales executive, announced the launch of a new grant program aimed at supporting music programs in Vermont schools. The program will be run in coordination with Mr. Boch’s foundation, Music Drives Us. Since 2006, Music Drives Us has donated millions in grants to hundreds of individuals, organizations, and schools throughout New England – empowering them to better teach the next generation of musicians.

“After last year’s challenges from the flooding, the need is greater than ever to refresh the music programs in your schools,” Boch said. “This donation will allow young Vermonters to continue their artistic passions and spread a little happiness in the classroom, in their homes and across the great Green Mountain State.”

Following last summer’s floods in Vermont, Boch donated $250,000 to support flood recovery. At the fall press conference announcing the donation, Boch also announced he would make an additional contribution of $100,000 to support music in Vermont schools.

Students or music classes are encouraged to get creative with their applications, talk about their needs and how grant funding would impact their program or initiative. Creating videos is encouraged.

“Music is a powerful way to foster students’ creativity,” said Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. “Music builds skills and ways of thinking that students bring to their learning in academics, the arts and beyond. These grants will help strengthen and grow valuable music programs for our students.”

The program will offer grants up to $10,000. The application will close Monday, May 13. Award recipients will be announced by the end of the school year. Click here to learn more and apply for the grant.

More horses in Willoughby State Forest – The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment of the Willoughby State Forest Long Range Management Plan. The amendment aims to allow for expanded equestrian use within Willoughby State Forest.

Developed collaboratively with the Vermont Horse Council, the proposed amendment seeks to enhance equestrian opportunities while ensuring sustainable land management practices. It includes plans to open approximately 14.5 miles of existing roads and trails for equestrian use and establish a new overnight parking area in the southern portion of Willoughby State Forest.

Stakeholders are invited to attend the public meeting on April 30 from 6-8 pm at the Sutton Village School.