🌱 Why is Bennington’s Park Lawn Cemetery locking out visitors all winter?

What's up Bennington! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why is Bennington’s Park Lawn Cemetery locking out visitors all winter?
• Think your act could win Bennington County’s $1,000 talent prize?
• How Bennington teens are turning sheet metal into a flyable airplane

Also on today's calendar: Wine & Improv with Expert Stephanie Phelan and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Colder with a snow shower, with a high of 30 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Cold with clouds and sunshine, temps: high: 26, low: 16.
• Saturday: A little snow in the p.m., with a high of 30 and low of 17 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bennington cemetery closure sparks community outrage (cbs6albany.com) — Bennington residents are upset that privately run Park Lawn Cemetery has been abruptly closed to visitors for the entire winter, with a chain expected across the entrance and access blocked until April 1, 2026. The board cites financial and staffing strains but hasn’t clearly explained why winter access adds costs, leaving families worried they can’t visit loved ones’ graves for months.
   

2. Bennington County's Got Talent opens auditions for 2026 show (benningtonbanner.com) — Bennington-area performers can now submit online auditions for Bennington County’s Got Talent, with entries accepted through Jan. 31, 2026 and a live show set for Feb. 27 at the Monument Arts & Cultural Center. Contestants of all ages and acts compete for a $1,000 prize, audience voting, and a full professional stage experience produced by the Bennington Banner.
   

3. Teens in Southwest Vermont Are Building an Airplane (sevendaysvt.com) — A small group of local teens is spending afternoons in a Bennington workshop building a real two-seat airplane under the guidance of retired aerospace engineer Jim Sharkey. Through Bennington STEMworks at Southwest Tech, students from Bennington and nearby towns are learning hands-on skills like metal fabrication, blueprint reading, and electrical work, with hopes the finished plane’s sale will fund future builds.
   

4. 40 years later, man convicted in Bennington County murder, Massachusetts kidnapping cases (vtdigger.org) — A long-unsolved homicide tied to Bennington County courts has finally ended in a conviction, with David Morrison pleading guilty to murdering Vermont golf pro Sarah Hunter and receiving life without parole. Coordinated work among Vermont, Massachusetts, and California officials brought closure to both Hunter’s family and another kidnapping survivor, nearly four decades after the original crimes.
   

📸 Around Bennington

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bennington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• Vermont Vice Gala
  Bennington Museum, 75 Main St, Bennington
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Gentle Yoga for Adults
  Bennington Free Library , 101 Silver St , Bennington
  11:00 am
• ACT Teen Movie Night
  Bennington Free Library , 101 Silver St , Bennington
  6:00 pm
• Wine & Improv with Expert Stephanie Phelan
  Bennington Theater , 331 Main St , Bennington
  6:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• A Bennington Christmas Carol (Dec 20 at 2pm)
  44 Gypsy Ln , Bennington
  7:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Start Again @ Union South
  Union South Pub & Provisions , 107 South St , Bennington
  6:00 pm

📣 Bennington Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Evening Vinyasa
  818 Main Rd , Stamford
  10:30 pm

Saturday December 13

• Riverwalk - Unsung Heroes
  Bennington Skatepark , 133 River St , Bennington
  10:00 am

Monday December 15

• Gentle Movement for Seniors
  McKay's Family Farm , 87 County Rd , Stamford
  11:00 am

Tuesday December 16

• Unwind Yoga
  818 Main Rd , Stamford
  10:30 pm
• Beginner Vinyasa Flow
  818 Main Rd , Stamford
  10:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Gentle Yoga for Adults
  Bennington Free Library , 101 Silver St , Bennington
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Merchandising Sales Associate in Bennington. Apply here.
• Town Fair Tire posted a job opening for Driver - Store / Wholesale in Bennington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bennington here.

Ok Bennington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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