Geek Things for July 13th

• Book Sale, 9:30AM–5:30PM, Stowe Free Library, Stowe. Free. (Books)
• Community Bike Shop, 5–8PM, Bike Recycle Vermont, Burlington. Donations accepted. (Bikes)
• Family Fun Night, 7–9PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. $6-8; preregister. (Outdoors)
• Walk Williston – Lisa Dunne leads a 1.3-mile nature hike. 5–7PM, Five Tree Hill, Williston. Free. (Outdoors)
• Green Mountain College Morning Speaker Series – “Green Science,” 9–10AM, The Station, Poultney. Free. (Talk)
• Burlington Downtown & Waterfront Plan: Developing innovative and practical solutions to transportation problems. 7–8:30PM, Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington. Free. (Transportation)
• Karen Lipinczyk & Brenda Egbert – “Labyrinths: What They Are and How to Build One,” 6:30PM, Bradford Public Library, Bradford. Free. (Labyrinths)
• Summer Speaker Series, 4PM, President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, Plymouth. $8. (Talk)
• Yestermorrow Summer Lecture Series – “Future Components: A Primer on the Impact of Digital Technology on Design/Build.” 7–9PM, Yestermorrow Design/Build School, Waitsfield. Free. (Design)
• ‘I’ll Be Back Before Midnight’, 8PM, McCarthy Arts Center, St. Michael’s College, Colchester. $29.50-38.50. (Theater)
• Readings at the Athenaeum – Katie Hays and Baron Wormser, 7:30PM, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, St. Johnsbury. Free. (Reading)
• Magic Booster Draft – $12, 6pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• Pathfinder Society, 6:30pm – 11:00pm, Game Lounge, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• Magnets, 11:00 a.m., Monshire Museum of Science, Norwich. (Kids)
• Who Sank the Boat? 3:00 p.m., Monshire Museum of Science, Norwich. (Kids)
• Learn About NOOK Color!, 6:00 PM, Barnes and Noble, South Burlington. (eReaders)
• Planetarium presentation, 11am-12pm, Fairbank Museum, St. Johnsbury. $5/person. (Astronomy)
• Red Cross Blood Drive. 12-5:30pm, Northfield High School, Northfield. (Blood Drive)
• Naruto, 4:30pm – 8:00pm, The Gamer’s Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• Wednesday Night Board gaming at Triple Play, 6:00pm – 10:30pm, Triple Play, Lebanon, New Hampshire. (Gaming)
• D&D Encounter, 6:00pm – 8:30pm, The Gamers Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• L5R Night at Triple Play, 6:30pm – 10:00pm, Triple Play, Lebanon. (Gaming)

Vermont Toy Museum

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the Vermont Toy Museum in Quechee, Vermont. Located above the Quechee Gorge Village shopping center, the museum is a small, hidden surprise for anyone who’s not actively looking for something like that. It’s a welcome surprise, because it’s a facinating half-hour of nostalgia.

Walking into the museum, the coolest thing is above your head: looking up, the designers have taken a couple of hundred board games and attached them to the ceiling. Moving forward, there’s a sort of chronology of toys: toys of every type are present, going to some of the roots of mass-commercialization from Cracker Jack boxes, toy guns, dolls, badges, and moving right up through to action fictures, lunch boxes, play sets, and quite a bit more.

There’s a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in the small space: I recognized a ton of action figures that I, or my friends played with as kids, while Megan and I spent quite a bit of time just remembering what we had played with. There’s some notable ommissions: I didn’t see any Legos or Play Mobile sets present, which seems a bit odd, and between the displays, there’s very, very little to explain to the guest what they’re looking at. It would have been cool to see something that helps tell the story of toys in America, but what we get is still quite a bit of fun to paruse.

 

Geek Things for June 6th

• Historic Tours, 9AM–5PM, Wilson Castle, Proctor. $10. (Castle)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Draw Comics!, 3–4:30PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Teens)
• Marjorie Cady Memorial Writers Group, 10AM–12PM, Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury. Free. (Writing)
• Eleanor Henderson – Ten Thousand Saints Reading. 7PM, Borders Books & Music, Burlington. Free. (Books)
• Open Cardgames!, 6pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• Monday Night Magic, 6pm – 9pm, Village Pizza, Montpelier. (Gaming)
• Mini Painting, 6:00pm – 8:30pm, The Gamers Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• Monthly Presentation-Open to the Public – History of Modern Astronomers, 7:30-9pm, Brownell Library, Essex Jct. (Astronomy)
• “Falling Skies” Screening of the upcoming TV series, http://nescifievents.org/?p=25248pm, Boston, MA. (Television)

Geek Things for June 3rd

• Historic Tours, 9AM–5PM, Wilson Castle, Proctor. $10. (Castle)
• ‘Name That Movie!’, 5–6PM, The CineClub, Savoy Theater, Montpelier. $2.50. (Movies)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Strolling of the Heifers, 4–8:30PM, Various locations, Brattleboro. Various prices; most events are free. (Cows)
• White River Indie Film Festival, 9AM–11PM, Briggs Opera House, White River Junction. $5-9 per program; $50 all-film pass; $75 all-access pass. (Movies)
• High School Book Group, 4:30–5:15PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Teens)
• Science & Stories, 11AM, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington. Regular admission, $9.50-12.50; free for kids 2 and under. (Kids)
• Daniel Mills – Historical-fiction novel Revenants signing / talk. 7PM, Brown Dog Books & Gifts, Hinesburg. Free. (Books)
• FNM – Friday Night Magic – Type 2 / Standard – $8 Entry Fee, 6pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• Friday Night Magic — Constructed, 6pm – 10pm, The Gamer’s Grotto, bennington. (Gaming)
• Beauty and the Beast and an Evening of Dance. 6pm, Dibden Center for the Arts, JSC, $18/$15 kids 12 & under, 6pm. Advance tix at 253-5151. Johnson. (Theater / Dance)
• Rice Memorial High School Bookfair!9am, Barnes & Noble, South Burlington. (Books)

Geek Things for June 2nd

• 2011 Green & Sustainable Symposium & Exhibitor Fair – “Designed in Vermont: Creating Communities That Flourish in the 21st Century.” 8:30AM–5PM, Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne. $125-175; preregister.. (Green)
• Historic Tours, 9AM–5PM, Wilson Castle, Proctor. $10. (Castle)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (BirdS)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Chess Club, 7PM, Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington. $2-3. (Chess)
• Open Computer Time, 3–4:30PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Teens)
• Red Cross Blood Drive. 12:30-5:30pm, Williamstown High School, Williamstown. (Blood Drive)
• George Houghton: VT’s Civil War Photographer – Donald Wickman, 7pm, Town Hall, FREE, 456-8108. Woodbury. (History)
• Warmachine / Hordes, 5pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games Gamespace, Burlington. (Gaming)

 

Geek Things for June 1st

And, I’m back from Belgium – it was quite the adventure, but after a couple of days of getting readjusted, we’re back with what’s going on in the state!

• Chittenden County Philatelic Club, 6:15PM, GE Healthcare Building, South Burlington. Free. (Stamps)
• Historic Tours, 9AM–5PM, Wilson Castle, Proctor. $10. (Castles)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (BirdS)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• RPG Game Club – D&D, 3–5PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Gaming – Teens)
• Magic Booster Draft – $12, 6pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• Pathfinder Society, 6:30pm – 11:00pm, Game Lounge, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• NOOK Classic (3G + Wi-Fi) Class, 6:00 PM, Barnes and Noble, South Burlington. (eReaders)
• Naruto, 4:30pm – 8:00pm, The Gamer’s Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• Wednesday Night Board gaming at Triple Play, 6:00pm – 10:30pm, Triple Play, Lebanon, New Hampshire. (Gaming)
• D&D Encounter, 6:00pm – 8:30pm, The Gamers Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• L5R Night at Triple Play, 6:30pm – 10:00pm, Triple Play, Lebanon NH. (Gaming)
• Fairbanks Community of Observers Workshop. Learn how to participate in this Fairbanks Museum citizen science program. 7pm, North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier. FREE, Info. 229-6206. (Science)

Geek Things for May 30th

• SCA – Panteria XVI, Shire of Panther Vale, Through May 30th, Camp Farnsworth, Thetford, VT. (Renfaire)
• Historic Tours, 9AM–5PM, Wilson Castle, Proctor. $10. (Castles)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (BirdS)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Ghost Walk, 11AM, Hope Cemetery, Waterbury. Free. (Ghosts)
• Marjorie Cady Memorial Writers Group, 10AM–12PM, Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury. Free. (Writing)
• Open Cardgames!, 6pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• L5R Constructed, 7pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• Monday Night Magic, 6pm – 9pm, Village Pizza, Montpelier. (Gaming)
• Mini Painting, 6:00pm – 8:30pm, The Gamers Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• Kites! 11:00 a.m., Monshire Museum of Science, Norwich. (Kids)
• Leaf Cutter Ants, 3:00 p.m., Monshire Museum of Science, Norwich. (Kids)

Geek Things for May 27th

• SCA – Panteria XVI, Shire of Panther Vale, Through May 30th, Camp Farnsworth, Thetford, VT. (Renfaire)
• Brake Night, 6–7:30PM, Onion River Sports, Montpelier. Free. (Bikes)
• Historic Tours, 9AM–5PM, Wilson Castle, Proctor. $10. (Castles)
• ‘Name That Movie!’, 5–6PM, The CineClub, Savoy Theater, Montpelier. $2.50. (Movies)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (BirdS)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• ‘Draw Comics!’, 3–4:30PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Kids)
• Science & Stories, Worms, 11AM, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington. Regular admission, $9.50-12.50; free for kids 2 and under. (Kids)
• ‘The Tempest’, 12:30PM, 7PM, Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington. Free. (Theater)
• Slam Workshop, 4:30–6PM, FlynnSpace, Burlington. Free. (Poetry)
• Spring Book & Plant Sale. 9am-5pm, Cutler Library, Info. 454-8504. Plainfield. (Books)
• FNM – Friday Night Magic – Type 2 / Standard – $8 Entry Fee, 6pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• CLiF Presentation, Barton Public Library, Barton. (Books)
• Friday Night Magic — Constructed, 6pm – 10pm, The Gamer’s Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• Public Star Gazing at the Ethan Allen Homestead, 8:00pm, Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington. (Astronomy)

Geek Things for May 26th

• Global Supply Chain Management Conference, 8AM–6PM, SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh. $199-495. (Business)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (BirdS)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Chess Club, 7PM, Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington. $2-3. (ChesS)
• Open Computer Time, 3–4:30PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Teens)
• Plant Walk, 6:30PM, Robert Frost Interpretive Trail, Ripton. Free. (Plants)
• Spring Ecology Walk, 6–7:30PM, Wisdom of the Herbs School, Woodbury. $10; no one turned away for lack of funds; preregister. (Plants)
• Lilac Walk & Talk, 5:30PM, 6:30PM, 7:30PM, UVM Horticultural Research Center, South Burlington. Free. (Plants)
• ‘The Tempest’, 12:30PM, 7PM, Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington. Free. (Theater)
• Middlesex Historical Society Meeting, 7pm, Town Hall, Middlesex. Info. 272-8074. (History)
• Warmachine / Hordes, 5pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games Gamespace, Burlington. (Gaming)

Geek Things for May 25th

• Community Bike Shop, 5–8PM, Bike Recycle Vermont, Burlington. Donations accepted. (Bikes)
• High School Book Group, 5–6PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Teens)
• Middle School Book Group, 4–5PM, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. Free. (Teens)
• Devin Colman – “Modernist Architecture in Chittenden County”. 7PM, St. Mark’s Church, Burlington. Free. (Architecture)
• Raptor Encounter, 11AM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (BirdS)
• Talk to the Trainer, 2PM, Vermont Institute of Natural Science Quechee. Regular admission, $8.50-10.50; free for kids 3 and under. (Birds)
• Magic Booster Draft – $12, 6pm – 11pm, Quarterstaff Games, Burlington. (Gaming)
• Naruto, 4:30pm – 8:00pm, The Gamer’s Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• Wednesday Night Board gaming at Triple Play, 6:00pm – 10:30pm, Triple Play, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Gaming)
• D&D Encounter, 6:00pm – 8:30pm, The Gamers Grotto, Bennington. (Gaming)
• Author Appearance: China Miéville, 7pm – 7pm, Milford, NH (Authors)