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InTouch, from
North Chapel
The weekly newsletter from North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock, Vermont
Our Mission
Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, the North Chapel aspires to be a congregation that nurtures the growth and supports the needs of its members, sustains a strong spiritual life within a loving church community, and seeks to have a positive impact on the world around us.
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Sunday, September 8, 2024
Reflection by Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley
“The Importance of the Truth”
How important is it for us to be honest with those we dearly love? How important is it to be honest with other people? Most importantly, how important is it for us to be honest with ourselves? In a world that struggles with the tensions between facts and alternative facts, between truth and alternative truths, between news that is real and news that is fake, how important is it to be honest?
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The Annual Red Flannel Hash Dinner - Pickles
The Hash Dash will be on Saturday, November 2nd
Ann Wynia is collecting large, overgrown, yellow or green cucumbers to make the pickles.
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Wanted! Volunteers to Help with our Annual Wreath Sale
We have a September 30th deadline for our order.
Do you have time to make a few phone calls or visit a local business to ask if they would like to place an order? We would welcome your help! We have information sheets for you to use. Are you friends with a business owner? Would you be willing to contact him or her? Wreaths will be delivered before Thanksgiving. Please email Mary Blanton if you are willing to help.
We will be taking individual orders starting the week of September 16th.
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Covenant Group News
Greetings NUCS community!
I am excited to announce that an attempt is being made to restart the Covenant Group program this year. However, to make it possible, I am in need of more wonderful people who are willing to lead a group. If you have been in a Covenant Group in the past and think you might like to try being a leader, please let me know. If you have any questions before taking that step I’d be happy to answer them. I hope we can make this work.
Be well, Megan Lancaster
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A gentle reminder and discount code alert!
The Second Annual Imagine Zero Music Festival!
THIS Saturday, September 7th at Fable Farm in Barnard
Imagine Zero is an aspiring zero waste and zero carbon emissions music
festival. It's an all-day, kid friendly festival. North Chapel members
Kate & Cliff Johnson and Ben Kogan, musician and music teacher at
North Chapel are the organizers. Rev. Leon Dunkley and Michael Zsoldos
will be playing with the Ben Kogan Band.
Click below to get your tickets and use code FRIENDS&FAMILY ($35 ticket price vs. $50)
http://www.imaginezerofestival.com
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They've got a great line-up of local, regional, and international talent:
Lakou Mizik (Barnard/Haiti)
The Wolff Sisters (Boston)
Billy Wylder (Burlington)
Chad Hollister Trio (Montpelier)
Ben Kogan Band (Woodstock/Barnard)
Saints and Liars (Ludlow area)
Beecharmer (White River Junction)
Seth Glier (Northampton, MA)
Path of Totality (Local Kids' Rock Band featuring Charles Park from Barnard, VT, Amelia from Grantham, NH and Aria & Oliver from Sharon, VT)
http://www.imaginezerofestival.com
*Fable Farm is the site of Feast and Field, 1525 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, Vermont
IMPORTANT
Lowering Emissions from Audience Travel
Audience travel is 33% of the carbon emissions of a music festival. Carpooling or taking the shuttle bus is key to tackling this! So, we’re making it easy on you. Anyone who carpools (3+) to a car and anyone who takes the shuttle bus gets entered into a raffle where then can win tons of prizes from local vendors here are just a few:
Raffle Prizes
- 1 piano bass or guitar Lesson from co-founder Ben Kogan
- Bottle of wine from Fable Farm
- An excursion from VT Bike and Brew
- $15-$25 Gift certificates to local businesses like: Yankee Bookshop, The Village Butcher, Echo Market, Woodstock Scoops, Woodstock Farmers Market, Vermont Eclectic, Woody's Mercantile
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2 nights stay at any of the Ohana Inn locations: Woodstock, VT (Sleep Woodstock), Trenton Maine (near Acadia National Park), Stonington Maine, Manchester VT
We are distributing by the carload. Let’s say Joey comes with 4 people in his car and he wins the raffle. All 5 (Joey + 4) each get a gift certificate or prize.
Ideas for carpooling:
Are you having trouble finding someone to carpool with? We recommend using the following to find people to carpool with or to offer rides:
Local Listservs (click here for a video tutorial about posting here) i.e: Woodstock Listserv/Crier, Barnard Listserv, or Upper Valley Listserv.This is a great option if you live in Woodstock, Bridgewater, Barnard, Lebanon or anywhere in the Upper Valley.
Go! Vermont.They have a great network especially if you’re coming from a major population center like Burlington or Montpelier.
Front Porch Forum (click here for a video tutorial about posting here)
Shuttle Bus Info
Runs every 1 hour and 30 mins starting at 1030am.
Shuttle bus riders are eligible for the raffle ONLY if they RSVP.
The link to RSVP with the shuttle bus times is here..
The shuttle bus schedule is as follows:
Stop 1 Woodstock Union High School (100 Amsden Way, Woodstock, VT 05091)
Stop 2 Norman Williams Library (next to the M&T Bank) (2 The Grn, Woodstock, VT 05091)
Stop 3 Fable Farm (Fable Farm, 22 Orchard Hill Rd, Barnard, VT 05031)
The downtown Woodstock stop is in front of the Norman Williams Library and the M&T Bank.
It will be run by Butler Bus Company.
The link to RSVP with the shuttle bus times is here..
These are departure times, please arrive 10 minutes before as to not hold up the bus. Thanks!
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The Justice Project Meeting
This Sunday, September 8th after the service in the parlor.
Please contact Joelle Seavey if you have any questions.
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Seeking Vocally-Inclined People
We have bikers and hikers and watchers of sunsets. Poets and linguists and students who dog sit. Listeners and talkers and strong Mt Tom walkers. Gardeners and dancers and those with the answers. Look no further for interesting friends while making pretty darned good music.
JOIN THE NORTH CHAPEL CHOIR! You will wonder why you waited!
Rehearsals start Thursday, September 5th at 4pm in the back parlor.
Contact Diane Mellinger, North Chapel Music Director, for more information at vermontdianem@aol.com or text/call 802-356-2285.
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September Book Club
September 12th at 7pm on Zoom
Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls is a novella told in an allegory form that has a woman in a loveless marriage falling in love with a frogman (Shakespeare's Caliban from "The Tempest") from a nearby institute. There will be lots of discussion in this intriguing tale.
Contact Sherry Belisle for the Zoom link and more information.
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The Sustainable Woodstock Window Dressers event is back!
SIGN UP NOW!
Help Your Neighbors Stay Warm this Winter!
September 12th -19th in the Social Hall
Come join us in building insulating window inserts for our community. Each simple job is taught, and all tools and materials are provided. No experience necessary. Thank you!
Sign up to volunteer at: https://signup.com/go/LkxELuj
We need your help to build interior storm window inserts for our community members in Woodstock and surrounding towns. All skill levels are welcome and our experienced Build Supervisors will train volunteers during our barn-raising-style Community Build days.
Not able to build inserts but still want to help? Each build day has a community potluck and we are looking for volunteers to provide food and supervise the potlucks. Many hands working together will make our communities more comfortable this winter!
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The 2024 Chamber Music Concert Series Returns
Sunday, September 15th in the Sanctuary
The first concert of the fall is on Sunday, September 15, at 2pm in the Sanctuary.
Violinist Liana Branscome and pianist Victor Rosenbaum will be performing sonatas for violin and piano by Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven.
Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
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John Atwood to Speak in Bridgewater
Sunday September 29th, 2:00 pm
The Bridgewater Historical Society presents; 19th Century Vermont Pipe Organs
by John Atwood on Sunday September 29th, 2:00 pm at the Bridgewater Grange Hall on 129 RT 100A, Bridgewater Corners, VT.
John Atwood will discuss early pipe organs in Vermont from 1814 to 1900 and their development.
The presentation will also include the differences between the pipe organ and a reed organ.
This program is free and open to the public,accessible to those with disabilities.
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New Notice - Save the Date
Civil Conversations Across The Political Divide
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 5-8:30 pm
Kilton Library, 80 Main St, West Lebanon, NH
Learn about the BRAVER ANGELS approach to civil conversation and disagreement. Attend a DEPOLARIZING WORKSHOP to understand your “inner polarizer” and learn and practice listening and speaking skills for civil disagreement.
5-5:45 – Potluck supper (We welcome you to come early and join a potluck supper and meet other participants. Please bring a dish of your choice to share.)
6-8:30 – Workshop
REGISTER at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/depolarizing-within-multi-state-registration-996180983137?aff=oddtdtcreator&discount=BRAVER
BRAVER ANGELS (https://braverangels.org/) is a cross-partisan, volunteer-led, national group working “to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic”. Learn more about the Braver Angels history and approach at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIxXAsubQt4 (10 min).
Please share the poster below.
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Oneness Meditation
Every Thursday at 6 pm in the Meditation Chapel
Please join us for a transformative Oneness meditation experience every Thursday. Oneness teaching, breathwork, meditation and gentle yoga will be included in this spiritual awakening. This is a chance to find peace and inner calm in an ever more chaotic environment. We all need this, no exceptions. Come join a friendly group of folks who just need a little more peace in their life.
In the Meditation Chapel, 6 - 7:15 pm. Please come early to get settled.
Parking behind the Church. Come in through the door on the right at the lower level.
I hope to see YOU on Thursdays. Blessings, Anne Dean
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Summertime - Lemonade After the Services
Please join us on Sundays after the service on the front porch as long as it is warm enough outside.
As it gets cooler, we will have coffee hour in the social hall.
For the month of September the Finance Committee will be providing the refreshments.
Meet the committee members and learn their role at North Chapel.
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Worship Theme for the Month of September
Coming Down to Earth Faithfully
September is a good time for grounding ourselves, for getting down to earth about our lives. It’s a good time for getting back to basics. It’s a good time for going back to school. In September, the season changes. We turn from the end of the summer to the beginning of the fall. Autumn slowly arrives with colorful wonders. It has already started. The leaves are changing. Soon, they’ll be falling so gently to the ground. They’ll fall on our shoulders. They’ll fall on our heads. When we’re lucky, they’ll fall into the palms of our hands. It is a time for getting grounded. It is a time for getting serious as we move compassionately into the days that are before us - sure-footed, stable and rooted in the world in which we live.
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Monthly Articles
Previous special monthly articles are accessible from the link above and the links below.
Schedule
1st Thursday: Worship Theme for the Month
2nd Thursday: Letter from the Board
3rd Thursday: Spirit Page
4th Thursday: Arts Corner & Photos Page
Articles and contributions will be due by noon on WEDNESDAYS on the week of publication. Some weeks they are left out. Some months they are out of order.
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Our Church Calendar
Please check the calendar on the link above before scheduling a meeting or event at North Chapel. For more information and to reserve space, email Administrative Assistant Joanne Boyle at the office or call or text 802-369-9838.
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Donate to the School for the Deaf in Mexico
On Sunday, August 4th we enjoyed the reflection by Rev. Tom Rosiello called, "Partnering for Justice". He hopes that some of us from the North Universalist Chapel Society will partner with his UU congregation in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, on their social justice initiatives. He suggested that we could do it together as a congregation or individually, sponsoring some of the poorest children in their city who are deaf, with scholarships for their tuition to the school for the deaf in their neighborhood.
If you missed the service, the video is posted on the "Previous Services" page of our website.
Below you will find more information about Rev. Tom and how you can make a donation to the work that his church is doing in Mexico.
The Reverend Tom Rosiello is the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico and minister emeritus of the First Parish of Stow and Acton in Massachusetts where he previously served as senior minister for 16 years. Social justice has been a large part of his ministry.
Tom is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. He enjoys teaching and has served on the faculty of Clark University in Worcester, and as a field education supervisor for Harvard Divinity School. Prior to ministry, Tom was a trial lawyer, first as an Assistant District Attorney for Worcester County, and later in private practice. A lover of music, he has served on numerous musical organization boards both in the U.S. and Mexico. He is a frequent guest preacher who brings his wide range of experience and learning to support people and their journey and help them put their faith into action. He and his partner Malcolm Halliday and their two wonderful dogs live in San Miguel de Allende Mexico and Ashburnham MA.
Here is a link to a page about the program: https://www.eeesma.com/
This links to the website of the congregation in Mexico: https://www.uufsma.org/
This final video was shown at the UUA: https://youtu.be/Jf_yAIvMnhs
It's absolutely wonderful!
How to Donate to the UUFSMA Social Justice Foundation
For over 30 years the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende, MX, has prioritized a commitment to social action in the San Miguel community and its surrounding villages. The educational, health and living condition needs of Central Mexico’s marginalized people cannot be overstated. Many children in poor villages do not attend school past the 6th grade, do not have safe water to drink, and have no access to medical or dental care.
To donate by check: Send a check payable to the UUFSMA Social Justice Foundation to our U.S. bank. Please include your name and address (if not printed on the check), your home congregation and the designated charity (if applicable).
Fayette Savings Bank, P.O. Box M, LaGrange, TX 78945 Phone: 1-979-968-9511
Electronic transfer: Please note in the memo line your address, home congregation, and designated charity (if applicable). From your U.S. Bank, set up a one-time or automatic recurring Bill Pay to: Fayette Savings Bank Routing No. 313173792P.O. Box, LaGrange, TX 78945 Account No. 01-561252337, Phone: 1-979-968-9511 UUFSMA (Texas), EIN No. 85-1413347
PayPal: Send money via PayPal to uufsma.sjf.treasurer@gmail.com. There is a 3% fee for this service. Please consider adding the fee to your donation. Include your home address, home congregation and identify the designated charity (if applicable).
Your donation can change lives, and you can trust that your tax deductible gift will be 100% allocated to those most in need through a partner NGO.
Muchas Gracias! Learn more here: https://www.uufsma.org/
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Rental Spaces Available At North Chapel
Please share this information with friends and business associates who may be interested in holding meetings and events at North Chapel.
Sanctuary - Social Hall - Kitchen - Parlor - Library - Meditation Chapel
The Back Lawn "Riverside Garden" and the Pizza Oven
We welcome you to inquire about holding conferences, meetings, classes or events in any of the spaces at North Chapel.
Look on our website here or contact the office for a rate sheet and more information.
In a town known for historic and beautiful buildings, the North Chapel Unitarian Universalist Church stands out. We are proud to have preserved and enhanced our facility to offer a spiritual gathering place, community resource, and historic treasure for Woodstock area residents and visitors. Our beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces were renovated in 2009-2010 and are ADA compliant/accessible.
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See NEW Photos, Floor Plans, and a Drone Video Here:
Thanks to Laird Bradly and his
connections for providing these images that will assist in the rental of our spaces.
Click on the link below to take a tour of the interior of our beautiful church.
North Chapel now has a new Matterport 3D Virtual Tour of the North Chapel!
Our Church in 3D
Walk through the light-filled Sanctuary then continue through the door on the back left. Turn left and down a few steps to see the first floor Parlor and Library. Head down the large staircase on the right to view the ground floor Social Hall and Kitchen. Step outside and to the left through the side entrance to see our Meditation Chapel.
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Leon's Open Office Hours
Tuesdays from 3 to 5 pm and Wednesdays from 12 to 2 pm.
Please text or call or text him at 802-369-5104 to be sure his schedule has not changed.
Joanne's Church Office Hours
Administrative Assistant Joanne Boyle is usually in the church office on Monday and Friday from 1-3 and on Wednesday and Thursday from 11-6.
She also works from home.
Please call or text her at 802-369-9838 before visiting.
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North Chapel Photo Scavenger Hunt
Created by Linda Galvao
This is a challenge for old and new members and friends of North Chapel. We hope you will enjoy searching for the locations of the 44 images taken in public areas inside and outside the church during the Spring of 2023. You can bring the images up on your phone or get a hard copy from the office.
Click HERE for a PDF to download and open on your phone.
This may be a fun activity to do after the service some Sunday - Have fun hunting!
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Do You Want a Name Tag?
At the Sunday services, you may have noticed many of us have hand made name tags that we wear on a string around our necks. They are stored on a board in the entry to the sanctuary. Want one? If you’re new, we would love to learn your name.
If you have been a member or friend of North Chapel for a while, you may have lost yours. Here's an opportunity to replace it.
Just look for Ann Wynia on Sundays. She usually sits in the back row near the guest book table. She will be happy to take your name and create one for you.
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The minutes of the Annual Meeting are now available.
Here is the link:
The North Universalist Chapel Society
Annual Meeting, January 28, 2024, Woodstock, VT
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The 2024 North Chapel Directory is Updated Monthly
If you would like a PDF of the newest directory sent to you
or would like a copy printed for you contact the office.
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Other Activities at North Chapel | |
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Third Act Actions
We Can All Take!
Bill McKibben came to speak to us in mid-March and since then a group of us have been thinking about a small way that we could be involved in this important organization. We have decided to focus our energy on getting people to sign-up with an eco-friendly credit card company. Most of us have cards held by one of the 4 major credit card holders: JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America.
These companies are major financiers of oil and gas exploration and infrastructure and are among the top 15 fossil fuel financiers in the world. Barklays, TD Bank, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are also in the top 15.
Look at your cards carefully.
Even if it is not provided directly by one of these banks, look at the names on the back of the card to make sure your bank's credit card is not issued by one of these major fossil fuel lending institutions. For example, the Amazon/ Whole Foods credit cards are issued by Chase and L.L.Bean by Citibank.
Here is a website that will show you if your bank is a fossil fuel funder. https://bank.green If it is a small local bank, like Bar Harbor, it probably won’t be listed. Mascoma Bank gets a positive review.
The following two websites will give you information about the most sustainable and eco-friendly cards. The applications online are easy to complete. I have gotten both a Sunrise Banks Visa Platinum card and an Amalgamated Bank Maximum Rewards World Mastercard.
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/eco-friendly/
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-finance/ethical-credit-cards/
Check out the Third Act website - https://thirdact.org
If you sign up to move your money, they have informational webinars that you can watch. - https://thirdact.org/act/move-your-money/
Once you have gotten an eco-friendly credit card, we are encouraged to write to one of the big 4 credit card holders and let them know why we have gotten rid of their card. We may do this as a group.
Good luck! Please email Mary Blanton if you have any questions and feel free to pass this information on to friends and family members.
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Bill McKibben on Climate Change
Is there anything you can do about it? The answer is yes!
For those who did not get the opportunity to attend Bill McKibben's talk at North Chapel on Sunday, March 17th, you can see it on our website here: https://www.northchapelvt.org/socialjustice
Bill gives us effective things that we can DO to slow the onslaught of climate chaos.
Please watch the half-hour talk, even if you would rather not! And finally, please send the link to your family, friends, acquaintances and to your social media.
Find it here: youtube.com/watch?v=l2NvNnMsgXk
Thank you! Anne Macksoud
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Piano, Bass (Upright and Electric) and Guitar Lessons with Ben Kogan
Hello! I'm here to let you know I'm accepting new students for the Spring and Summer.
I teach many students in the Woodstock and Upper Valley area and have room for a few more. If you've been teaching yourself from the internet and want to be held accountable, are an experienced player looking to better understand your instrument or a parent of a child that has expressed some interest in playing an instrument get in touch! A bit about my teaching below:
- I teach all levels and most styles.
- Ages 8 to 88
- Bluegrass, Jazz, Rock, Classical, Blues, Pop and Boogie Woogie(piano only)
- By ear or written music
- Convenient Woodstock Vermont Village Location
- Custom lessons. I like to teach songs you want to learn and sneak in the theory and technique. I call this tricking people into learning. Depending on the level, I'll suggest some songs then once a certain amount is achieved we can move on to songs you pick.
- I run a weekly bluegrass etc... Jam Session every other Monday night (May 6, 20, June 3, 17) at the Ottauquechee Yacht Club from 630-9 if you want to come by and say hi.
Feel free to call or email if you'd like to sign up! I only have 3 spots left.
Lessons are held at North Chapel, 7 Church Street, Woodstock, VT 05091
Ben Kogan bkogan2@gmail.com 305-495-9962
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Do you know a UU who went to college in the Boston area?
Sanctuary Boston is a UU community supporting UU college students in the Boston area. We're building the largest campus ministry program in Unitarian Universalism and we need your help to do it!
If you're a UU who went to college in the Boston area, please fill out this form to connect with us and support UU student leaders: bit.ly/uualumn
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Empower UP! Mentoring Program
Do you have life experience, a supportive attitude, and a willingness to be a consistent presence in a young person's life for at least a school year?
Empower UP! Mentoring program needs mentors! We have two 2nd grade boys at Killington Elementary School and Barnard Academy, and two middle school and high school girls looking for mentors. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email mentoring@mtnviews.org for more information!
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Transportation Service
Rideshare service available for the Woodstock/Quechee area and surrounding towns. You can call or text to arrange a ride, and at that time I will quote the fare. Available 7 days a week. I travel often to: Dartmouth Coach, Lebanon Airport, Manchester Airport, Rutland Amtrak, Burlington Airport, Bradley International and Boston Logan. Please note my vehicle is nothing fancy, just a practical multi-use vehicle.
(Tacoma Double-Cab). Cash or Venmo preferred. Looking forward to sharing a ride with you!
Jane Warren - Rideshare Service - 603-486-8778
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