Rutland Daily Herald from Rutland, Vermont • B4

B4 The Rutland Daily Herald State Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Caregiver puzzle series on Tuesdays Today, I want to tell you about an important upcoming workshop series for family caregivers. The Rutland Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging Rudand Area Visiting Nurse Association Hospice Rutland County Caregiver Coalition, a dedicated group of health and human service professionals who work to improve support and education for the caregivers of our community is sponsoring a free "Caregiver Puzzle Series" to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning April 10 and ending May 1 at the Regional Medical Center Rutland Health and Rehab At Home Senior Care InterAge Adult Day Program PACE Vermont, Inc. Vermont Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Blueprint for Health, tionships change and exploring issues of decision making and Advance Directives. April 17 Part II: Tools and Tricks We will learn how to evaluate what kinds of care, services and equipment are needed to make sure the home environment and supports are safe and effective.

We will also review the kinds of medical equipment that are commonly available and how to access and use them. April 24 Part III: Grief, Hope Spirituality We will be discussing how grief affects our ability to cope with care-giving, how to maintain hope through difficult times. May 1 Part IV: Resources Supports We will identify services and resources in this community, and discuss ways for making the most of what is available. A light dinner will be served. To register, please call Kelly Giancola at 786-5990 by April 6.

If you need someone to stay with your loved one in order to attend the series, please speak with Kelly for information about respite care assistance. On another note today, the annual Triad Senior Seminar will be held on April 4, at the Godnick Adult Center in Rutland. As always, the event will feature informational and entertaining presentations as well as a traditional turkey luncheon. The Proctor Jazz Band will perform for your listening pleasure. Space is limited, and reservations will taken on a first come, first served basis.

Call Lori at the Godnick Adult Center, 775-1853, for more information and to make a reservation. Barbara Hanson is assistant executive directordirector of community resource development for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging. For information about senior services, call the Senior Helpline at 800-642-5119 or 786-5991 or visit www.svcoa.org. Meals on Wheels Today: Chicken parmesan, linguine, Brussel sprouts, Italian bread, fruit cocktail. Wednesday: Turkey loaf with vegetable gravy, mashed potatoes, California blend vegetables, dinner roll, oatmeal raisin cookie.

Thursday: Chicken vegetable soup, chicken salad with tomatoes and lettuce, hamburger roll, crackers, chocolate chip cookies. Friday: Cavatappi and cheese, mixed vegetables, muffin, and melon. Barbara Hanson Elder Connection Castleton Community Center, 2108 Main St. in Casdeton. Members of the Rutland County Caregiver Coalition include: Here's the schedule: April 10 Part Refraining the Puzzle We will be defining what caregiving is, discussing how roles and rela- Bulletin Board In Brief Maitland case marks 8 years MONTGOMERY Vermont State Police are still investigating active leads in the case of a Sheldon teenager who disappeared eight years ago.

Monday marks the anniversary of the disappearance of 17-year-old Brianna Maitland, who was last when she got off work at the Black Lantern Inn in Montgomery on March 19, 2004. The next day her car was found about a mile away near an abandoned barn. Police believe she was a victim of foul play. Police, along with the Maitland family, are stressing the importance of anyone coming forward with information. The family continues to offer $10,000 for anyone who can help investigators find her and a separate $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for her disappearance.

State police are offering a $5,000 reward. Rutland AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, will offer help with personal income tax returns at 110 Merchants Row (go in ATM door). Taxes will be done by appointment only; call 773-8931 for appointments. Tax service is also available for homebound individuals through Southwest Vermont Council on Aging by calling 786-5991. ORGANIZATIONS GE Retirees The Green Mountain Chapter of General Electric Retirees will meet at noon Wednesday at the Franklin Center.

A short business meeting will follow the lunch. BIRTHS Jessica M. Poczobut A daughter, Jessica McKenna, was born Feb. 9, 2012, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, to Kimberlee and Jeff Poczobut of Ira. Grandparents are Chuck and Cheryl Harriman, Millie Roy Smead and Ted Poczobut.

Nova R. Woodard A daughter, Nova Rain, was born Feb. 23, 2012, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, to Mary McDonald and Brett Woodard of Rutland. Maternal grandparents are Geral-dine and Stanley McDonald. Paternal grandparents are Robert Ogus and Aileen Woodard.

Leah S. Duchesne A daughter, Leah Skye, was born Feb. 27, 2012, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., to Amanda and Jeffrey Duchesne of Proctor. Lee X. Alarie A son, Lee Xavier, was born Feb.

29, 2012, to Melissa and Joseph Alarie of Rutland City. Maternal grandparents are Francis Gilman Jr. and Laurel Gil-man. Paternal grandparents are William Alarie and Jackie Alarie. AlyssaJ.

Frederick A daughter, Alyssa June, was born March 2, 2012, at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury to Tim Frederick and Jessica Foley of Rutland. Aiden H. Gibbud-LaFlam A son, Aiden Hawley, was born March 2, 2012, at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury to John Gibbud and Jennifer LaFlam of Salisbury. Ayda Bernhard A daughter, Ayda, was born March 3, 2012, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, to Danielle Bishop and Christian Bernhard of Rutland Town. Maternal grandparents are David and Jan Bishop.

Paternal grandparents are Heidi Bernhard and Joerg Bernhard. STREET TALK The Rutland Herald's reporters take to the street each Friday to ask Vermonters their opinions on topics of the day. See Saturday's Herald for the answers. ANNOUNCEMENTS Treeplant sale Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District will offer a spring planting program fundraiser. All stock is bare root.

Balsam fir, Fraser fir, blue spruce, white spruce, white pine, red oak, red maple, sugar maple, birch, elderberry, cranberry, lilac, nan-nyberry, hazelnut, for-sythia, dogwood, apple and pear trees, as well as strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and asparagus plants and day lillies are available. Orders will be taken until April 12, or until supplies last. For more information or an order form, call 775-8034, ext. 17, or visit http: www. vacd.org red.

Free tax prep Free tax preparation for middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those 60 and older, will be available through April 18. Principal named to state board BURLINGTON The principal of the Edmunds Middle School in Burlington will join the Vermont State Board of Education. Gov. Peter Shumlin appointed Bonnie Johnson-Aten to the board on Friday. She will replace Fayneese Miller of South Burlington whose term ended on Friday.

Shumlin saidjohnson-Aten of Montpelier has years of on-the-ground experience in Vermont's public school system, working with students from rural communities like Calais and East Montpelier, and currently in the Burlington district. She also has worked as house director at Cham-plain Valley High School, assistant principal and dean of students at U-32 in Washington County and as a policy analyst for former Gov. Howard Dean. Staff reports Think Think 8J tm Jewelry Ed Levin Jewelry makes great gifts. Jewelers and Goldsmiths 59 Center Street, Downtown, Rutland 773-3377 timcojewelers.com.