Transition Town Manchester Initiative

This was the official site from 2010-2014 for the Transition Town Manchester Initiative.
The content is from the site's archived pages and other outside sources.

What is the Transition Initiative?

Transition US is a nonprofit organization that provides inspiration, encouragement, support, networking, and training for Transition Initiatives across the United States

The Transition Movement is a vibrant, grassroots movement that seeks to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. It represents one of the most promising ways of engaging people in strengthening their communities against the effects of these challenges, resulting in a life that is more abundant, fulfilling, equitable and socially connected.

Our vision is that every community in the United States has engaged its collective creativity to unleash an extraordinary and historic transition to a future beyond fossil fuels; a future that is more vibrant, abundant and resilient; one that is ultimately preferable to the present.
We believe that we can make the transition to a more sustainable world. We hope that you will join us.


About TTM

The Transition Town Manchester Initiative is a local group working to envision, create, and realize a sustainable local community in Manchester, Vermont and surrounding towns.

The Transition approach is a replicable, flexible methodology that empowers communities to squarely face the challenges of peak oil and climate change, and to unleash the collective genius of their own people to find the answers to this momentous question:

For all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how are we going to:

* drastically reduce carbon emissions (in response to climate change)
* significantly rebuild resilience (in response to peak oil)
* and greatly strengthen our local economy (in response to economic instability)

Transition Initiatives make no claim to have all the answers, but by building on the wisdom of the past and accessing the pool of ingenuity, skills and determination in our communities, the solutions can readily emerge. Now is the time for us to take stock and start re-creating our future in ways that are not based on cheap, plentiful and polluting oil but on localized food, sustainable energy sources, resilient local economies and an enlivened sense of community well-being.

 

CONTACT TRANSITION TOWN MANCHESTER

Transition Town Manchester
5145 Route 30
Dorset, VT 05251
Phone: 802-549-4430 
E-Mail: info@TransitionTownManchester.org

 

BLOG POSTS


Fruit Trees

 
TIME TO PLANT 350 TREES

Last summer and fall, Transition Town Manchester sold 350 fruit trees in support of Bill McKibben's 350.org, a day of global climate action. Now all we have to do is plant the trees!!! We will meet Wednesday, MARCH 31, at 7:00 pm for our organizational meeting, at Bill Laberge's workshop, 5145 Route 30 in Dorset, three houses North of the Mettowee Mill Nursery.

APRIL 24- MAY 2 will be planting week. We will need people, shovels, trucks, vans, energy and enthusiasm. This is a community wide planting so we are looking for organizations who want to help with community service, civic groups and any interested community members to help us make this happen. We will take our list of people who are getting trees and plot our strategy on a map so we can match our people with trees. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in helping, please contact Laura Yanne. Her e-mail is laura_yanne@yahoo.com, phone is 867-5326, or e-mail info@transitiontownmanchester.org.

Spring is here and what better way to celebrate than putting 350 fruit trees into the ground!

 

Book Club

 
Transition Town Manchester Book Club
Contact Lisa Laberge to sign up at (802) 366-8138

MEETING DATES and BOOK LIST 6:30 8 pm
2/18 Early Spring by Amy Seidl

3/18 Fruitless Fall by Rowan Jacobsen

4/15 Harvest For Hope by Jane Goodall

5/20 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

6/17 Deep Economy by Bill McKibben

7/15 Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan

8/19 World Made by Hand by James Howard Kunstler

9/16 The Great Turning by David C. Korten

10/21 The Cheese Chronicles by Liz Thorpe

11/18 Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman

12/16 END OF BOOK CLUB CELEBRATION
Location: To Be Announced

GUIDELINES
Each month a Host and Co-Host will lead the meeting by preparing questions about the selected book and steering the discussion. Meetings in private homes will be potluck with the host and co-host providing beverages, dishes and utensils. For the meetings in public spaces, the host and co-host will provide beverages and light refreshments. When possible, we encourage the use of re-usable items such as plates and non-plastic utensils. Book Club members will RSVP three days prior to the meetings to: bookclub@TransitionTownManchester.org

+++

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014

TTM Meeting - Monday October 20th at 6:30 pm

Our meeting this month will be held Monday, October 20th at 6:30 pm, potluck, at Carl Bucholt's house at 116 Sleepy Hollow Drive in Manchester (off Manchester West Road, turn up Wideawake Lane, when road turns to gravel turn right onto Sleepy Hollow Drive. House is second on the right.)  We will be discussing the film series, spring planting project, re-skilling classes and more... Hope you can make it.
POSTED BY  TRANSITION TOWN MANCHESTER 

+++

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

TAPPED at Mark Skinner Library, on Wednesday, October 15, at 7:00 pm

Transition Town Manchesters One Earth Film Series presents the movie TAPPED at Mark Skinner Library, on Wednesday, October 15, at 7:00 pm
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig's debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water.
From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become a commodity: our water.
From the plastic production to the ocean in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities which were the unwitting chipson the table. A powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry, this revelatory film features those caught at the intersection of big business and the public's right to water.
There will be a short discussion afterwards. Suggested donation is $5.00.

+++

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

Transition Town Manchester News

After taking the summer months off, we will be holding our first fall meeting of Transition Town Manchester. It will be Monday, September 15 at 6:30 pm at Bill and Lisa Laberge's house at 5145 Route 30, Dorset VT. It will be a potluck and Dan Scarnecchia will be treating us to a couple new recipes for a signature "Riverwalk" cocktail... should be a good meeting! We will be discussing a few things noted below as well as our fall film series. Hope you can make it!

+++

Peoples Climate March 

September 21 we will join a massive, history making march in New York City. We'll be in the streets together to tell world leaders to turn decades of climate talk into immediate climate action in what might be the  biggest climate march ever. Peoplesclimate.org has all of the information you need. We want this moment to be about us - the people who are standing up in our communities, to organize, to build power, to confront the power of fossil fuels, and to shift power to a just, safe, peaceful world.

To make that happen, we need everyone - so invite your friends, family, colleagues, and whoever else to come with you this September. 

If you're looking for more detailed information about the march, check out one of the links below:

To see bus, train, and housing information, click here.
To get involved in the organizing efforts, click here.
To volunteer to help out the day of the march, click here
You can also get the most up to date information about the march route by visiting the website at http://peoplesclimate.org
POSTED BY TRANSITION TOWN MANCHESTER

+++

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Wild Edible Talk and Walk - May 31st at Hildene

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE AT HILDENE
On Saturday, May 31 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm, Hildene, in collaboration with Transition Town Manchester, will host a Wild Edible Talk and Walk with author and naturalist Russ Cohen.
Cohen is an environmentalist and wild foods enthusiast and the author of Wild Plants I Have Known and Eaten, now in its fifth edition.  He has spent 40 years leading walking tours and teaching courses about wild edibles and foraging.  Led by Cohen, workshop participants will explore Hildenes varied habitats and extensive grounds identifying edible plants, learning about the conditions that each plant needs to thrive as well as safe harvesting practices.  He will also focus on how to use and prepare wild plants to make delectable wild dishes.
The Wild Edibles workshop, emphasizing the value of caring for the natural world and sustainable living, is in keeping with the missions of both Hildene and Transition Town.   Cohens book will be available for purchase and the author will be there for signing. 
Check in is at the Welcome Center where the program begins in the Beckwith Room.
Registration is required as class size is limited.  The event is $10/person ($8 for Hildene members).  Please RSVP by May 28 to Stephanie at stephanie@hildene.org or 802-367-7960.
POSTED BY >TRANSITION TOWN MANCHESTER

+++

MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014

Film: More Than Honey - May 21, 2014 at 7pm - Mark Skinner Library

On May 21, 2014 at 7 pm at the Mark Skinner Library, Transition Town Manchester will be showing the film: More Than Honey, a documentary film by Swiss filmmaker Markus Imhoof.
Over the past 15 years all over the planet billions of bees have been disappearing. In the US alone it is estimated that 1.5 million beehives in 27 states have lost their bees (in 2013). Scientists are very concerned about this phenomenon which they call colony collapse disorder since 80% of plants species, including fruits and vegetables require pollination from bees. What is to blame? Pesticides? Parasites? New viruses?
Come and see this timely documentary film to learn about some of the possible causes responsible for the weakening of the bees immune defenses. This film looks into the fascinating world of bees on small family-run beekeeping farms as well as on industrialized honey farms. You will learn about the relationship between humankind and honeybees and about the future for this symbiotic bond. More Than Honey makes it clear that stability is just as unhealthy as unlimited growth, that crises and disasters are triggering evolution and that salvation sometimes comes from a completely unexpected direction. (taken from http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/more_than_honey/)
Come join us. There will be a short discussion afterwards. Suggested donation is $5.00.
 


Trailer
 
POSTED BY TRANSITION TOWN MANCHESTER 

+++

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

Join the growth at the Manchester Community & Education Garden 2014 Season

Join the growth at the
Manchester Community & Education Garden
2014 Season
 
Want to grow your own fresh vegetables & flowers? Not enough space at home for a garden bed? Not enough sunlight? Maybe you just like being part of a supportive community and having other gardeners to offer advice? These are just some of the reasons why area folks join the Manchester Community & Educational Garden. The soil is very healthy. The people are very friendly. Community Garden members enjoy their own luscious spaces alongside the Youth Agriculture Project and MEMS Garden. Its a real community effort.
 
There is a work day scheduled Saturday, May 3 (May 10th rain date) from 9-12. Stop by and find out more about the garden!
 
We already have four new members for 2014 in addition to the 14 members from 2013, but there are more plots available. The garden is a joint effort between the Tutorial Center, Manchester Elementary and Middle School, Transition Town Manchester and the Town of Manchester.
Last year the Youth Agriculture Project cultivated a third acre of produce and flowers donating hundreds of lbs of vegetables to Meals on Wheels.
 
This spring we are also looking for high school students (who need community service credit) to work in the garden. The Youth Agriculture Project will continue this summer and will have room for five youth ages 16-21 to participate. There are prerequisites for these paid positions. Visit: http://www.tutoringvermont.org/our-services/youth-agriculture-program-2/ for more information.
 
A plot at the garden located at the Manchester Recreation Area includes a 20x20 area. The cost is minimal. If you are interested in the garden or the Youth Agriculture Project please contact:
 
Hilary Batchelor
The Manchester Community & Education Garden Coordinator
802 824 4565 or hilarybatchelor@gmail.com
POSTED BY TRANSITION TOWN MANCHESTER

+++

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

Earth Day Film Showing at the Mark Skinner Library - A Fierce Green Fire

Earth Day Film Showing at the Mark Skinner Library
 
On April 22, 2014 at 7 pm Transition Town Manchester will be showing the film: A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet in celebration of Earth Day.  Come and join us!
 
This engaging documentary profiles the evolution of environmental movements over the past five decades, from early efforts at conservation and protests against pollution to the tactics of Greenpeace and concerns over global climate change. The five sections of A Fierce Green Fire feature the battle against dams in the Grand Canyon, New Yorks Love Canal, radical efforts on behalf of whales, saving eh Amazon rainforest, and climate change. The movie features a cast of well-known actors: Robert Redford, Ashley Judd, Van Jones, Isabel Allende, and Meryl Streep. It was released in 2012.
There will be a short discussion afterwards. Suggested donation is $5.00.

 
POSTED BY TRANSITION TOWN MANCHESTER

 

TransitionTownManchester.org