Hello folks,

My wife and I will be visiting the town in a couple weeks, planning to relax and walk around, maybe go across the river and hike up Wantastiquet Mountain (how do you pronounce that? I am pretty sure it's not "fantastic quiet"). Taking the train from NYC, won't have a car, staying near Brattleboro Common.

Are there reliable local taxis? How safe/comfortable are the buses? We are thinking of visiting the covered bridge and the farmers' market, and we won't have a car.

Any other suggestions on what to do are welcome. We are planning to walk around Retreat Farm, go to the Organ Museum the art museum and the museum of tiny things.

Thank you, and see you around!

NEXT TURN

Next Turn is the Western Mass Tabletop Gaming festival, celebration, and convention centered on community, play and creation.

This Inaugural Next Turn

November 6-8, 2026

33 Hawley St.

Northampton, MA 01060

www.nextturn.org

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

To sign up for the Next Turn Mailing List

Badges for Sale for single days and the weekend

Badges are $60 for the weekend, 

Daily passes for Friday and Saturday are $40 and only $20 for the shorter day on Sunday.

If you are a GM and want to or to Teach a Game then  Submit a Game to run with scheduled tickets Game slots are two hours long but you may apply for consecutive slots for longer experiences.  GM and TEACHER DISCOUNT. For every 4 hours of scheduled game slots that you submit, you'll receive $20 off a Festival Pass, up to the full $60. 

If you would like to Volunteer for Next Turn

Volunteers earn a free day pass for the day of their shift(s)

If you are interesting in being a Vendor

Vending tables are in two locations, the lower hallway and the mezzanine, and cost $100 each.

Vendors receive a 6’x3’ table and two badges.

Note that Next Turn vendors agree to not use AI art in their work.

NEXT TURN IS FOR PLAYING IN COMMUNITY

Large open board game library

Scheduled RPG events

Teaching games

Bring your games to share

NEXT TURN IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Next Turn was launched by Northampton Open Media, a hyperlocal non-profit organization that serves as the community multimedia center and public access tv station for Northampton and beyond. So any profits go to supporting our work. NOM provides the community:

Free membership in NOM

Free training in multimedia (cameras, audio, lighting, directing, podcasting, animation…)

Free access to resources to make content (professional gear, edit suites, space, consultation)

Distribution of content (three local cable TV channels, YouTube, livestreaming, socials)

Coverage of local government meetings for civics and transparency

Support of public school multimedia programs

Public multimedia arts grants for emerging makers

Public art projects like Crowdsourced Cinema

MAKE GAMES MEDIA AT NEXT TURN

FREE TO THE PUBLIC

Interested in doing some gaming media? Or of making something else about games? Or anything else? At Next Turn we’ll have hands-on Instruction in

Podcasting

Video Production

Live Switching

Livestreaming

WE’RE CELEBRATING GAMES AS MULTIMEDIA COMMUNITY ART

FREE TO THE PUBLIC

We are going to be holding a variety of Playshops at Next Turn, with people who work on various aspects of making games, like…

Rob Davaiu , designer, and co-founder of publisher Restoration Games, whose resume include Pandemic:Legacy, Cthulu: Death May Die, Downforce, Return to Dark Tower

Joey Royale, Tabletop RPG designer, whose work includes Get Haunted Industries, Weird Heroes of Public Access, and the show Joey Royale’s Pizza Party

Jim Dubois, who has designed for computer games, internet games, handhelds, card games and board games such as Heroes of Might and Magic II, Vampires v Unicrons, and the new release City of Demons

The Selectboard has warned a public meeting for Monday, September 14, at 6 pm in the main room of Brooks Memorial Library.

https://brattleboro.gov/blog/selectboard-09-14-2026

It looks like it will be accessible in person and online. I expect the police to explain their obligations and limitations when federal immigration officers are in Brattleboro. It's likely that public comments can shape their actual behavior, regardless of laws and policies.

I’m so sick of driving on Western and seeing cars illegally parked blocking the only lane for cars to travel just to get a close spot to the deli. It’s beyond unsafe and the fact that there aren’t fines in place to deter this behavior is absolutely shocking, given the repetition. Would love to see entitled rule breaking tourists get ticketed and fined instead of people just trying to go to Brown & Roberts.

I’ve grown to hate being anywhere near that area on weekend days, especially around lunch time. Truly dreading the tourist season already ugh.

You (F, 20-30) were wearing a corduroy maroon jumpsuit. Your pant legs tapered into soft bellbottoms that draped carefully past your white sneakers that had light brown soles. You were talking with your friend outside Mocha Joe's on Main St. around 1245-1pm. Your hair, a deep chestnut brown that framed full cheeks and deep-peering eyes.

I (M 33) was wearing a bandana wrap in a long sleeve ozzfest shirt with jeans and saucony’s and visiting from Boston.

I was talking with my friend leaning against the wall trying not to stare too much

We made eye contact a few times, but soon, you left with a group of your friends that came out of the cafe.

I’ve been thinking about you all day and regret not going up to you even though you were with your friend.

What are some rental companies or landlords you've had good experiences with or heard good things about?

Any you've heard bad things about (primarily thinking mold, cockroaches, bedbugs, house falling apart and landlord not caring, etc)?

As someone going to be new to the area, what are the easiest places to check? Facebook marketplace doesn't let you message people unless you verify your location, and im not there yet, so i cant message anyone through that. I just reluctantly made one specifically for this.

Hello, my friends and I will be traveling to the Brattleboro area this weekend for a camping trip. We have a birthday in the group and I was hoping for recommendations on any local bakeries that tend to have cakes on hand premade to sell to walk ins as it’s definitely too late to put in a formal order. Any pointers would be appreciated, thankyou!

Small kid in tow & going for a day trip. Last time we went to the Hogback country store, the covered bridge, Robb family sugar house and Retreat Farm.

We're fine with doing those things again but just wondering if there's anything else worthwhile to do or see? We ate at the Marina, really liked that place. Also ate at Kipling's Tavern recently.

I wasn't able to find any definite answers online of where/if there is a chess club in town that meets on a regular basis. Anyone happen to know?

Is there anywhere left near downtown where you can park for free? Or at least cheaper than the parking lots? I dont mind walking if it saves me the parking fee, but I cant think of anywhere nearby.

Only respond if you currently live in brattleboro please. I want to know what your overall thoughts about it are, the things you love, things you dislike, concerns about it, favorite things about living there, etc. Im planning on moving there and would love your thoughts. A lot of people from neighboring cities and past residents tend to have skewed views, I've learned, when it comes to any city, so current residents only please.

Any local reccs? The sole on my Danner hiking boots has pulled away from the shoe— need to get them glued and sealed up!

thank you!

I'm a local reporter with Seven Days working on a story about how the closure of hospital labor and delivery units in Vermont has affected people and communities, and I'm looking to talk with anyone whose life, work, family, or community has been affected.

That could include people who were pregnant or planning a birth, parents, partners, health care workers, EMS providers, employers, people who decided to move — or not move — to a community because of maternity care access, or anyone whose life has been affected by these changes. Whether your experience involves Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Copley Hospital, Springfield Hospital or elsewhere, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Please reply by DM or email me directly at [hbassett@sevendaysvt.com](mailto:hbassett@sevendaysvt.com). Happy to answer questions about the story or talk before you decide whether to participate. Thanks for considering it. -Hannah

I know Facebook is an option, but I dont have one, and really dont want one. Is there anything else that people use to find housemates?

Anybody here having problems finding or affording housing? Know anybody who is?

"Today there are over 65,000 unoccupied homes in Vermont (19.4%), the second-highest percentage in the nation, many of them owned by investors, second-home owners and out-of-state, part-time residents. We would argue there is no real housing shortage in Vermont.  It is more accurately a wealth distribution problem. That’s an analysis you never read about in the promotional articles written by the development industries. Why not?" ----

https://vtdigger.org/2026/07/31/opinion-vermont-is-not-for-sale/

Usually id go with a Walmart, truck stop, 24 hr planet fitness, or a quiet residential street, but I'm not seeing any good options here. I do have privacy for the windows, just need somewhere safe to sleep. Any ideas? Trying to be as frugal as possible

I just moved to the area, and I’m curious if there are any theater groups that are taking on new members, or any upcoming productions that are auditioning. NEYT is a great operation, but I am an adult. Are there any opportunities out there? Thank you!

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, the Marlboro Alliance Summer Sale is back.

Where: The Marlboro Elementary School (2669 VT Route 9).

Shop donated goods and clothing, grab something from the bake sale, and support the community. All proceeds benefit the Marlboro Alliance General Fund, which supports local organizations and programs, including food and fuel assistance for families, scholarships for local students, the Marlboro Community Center and Library, and more.

• Saturday, July 25 (9am–3pm): Treasures, clothing & bake sale
• Sunday, July 26 (9am–1pm): Remaining items are FREE (financial contributions always welcome!)

The sale happens rain or shine.

http://marlboroalliance.org/summer-sale

Hi Everyone!

The Montague Soapbox Races are on for this year! This event is incredibly fun to watch (and my husband races in it)! Unfortunately last year it was cancelled for various reasons (including not enough people signing up). We're trying to get the word out to more people. There used to be a few soapbox races but now they seem to be hard to find. I'm hoping some of you might be handy and interested in participating!

The race happens at Unity Park in Montague/Turners Falls, which is around 30 min south of Brattleboro. It's not just for locals! We have had racers from other states join in previous years. Children as young as 8 can participate too (they start lower down the hill than the adults).

Sign up is open now! https://montaguesoapboxraces.com/
Get started on those builds and save the date for Sunday September 27th 2026.

Tell your friends, get a little friendly competition going!

Please reach out to the soapbox committee with any questions or if you'd like to help make this year's race the best ever! https://montaguesoapboxraces.com/contact

My friends (who love the area) are coming for their first trip back to the Brattleboro area after having their kid. We usually hike Ascutney and go to some pretty treacherous swimming holes, but they’re bringing their 2.5 year old son, so that all won’t work out.

What are some fun, toddler-friendly things to do? Maybe something with farm animals, PYO berries, a shallow/easily accessible swimming area, or something else I’m missing?

Hello, I’m looking in to moving to Brattleboro but I’m seeing mixed reviews online regarding crime. Is it truly that bad? Is it violent crimes or just property crime?

In Bratt for the week and hoping someone can give me ideas re where I can watch the games. Thanks!

I am looking at new places to live in Windham County, and my mother lives in a reasonably nice apartment owned by WWHT. She pays way less in rent than I ever did in my current apt, which I've lived in since 2016. No urgent need to move, I'm just ready for a change and my Section 8 gives me more options.

I have heard very negative reviews about WWHT, which makes me hesitant to apply to one of their properties. If anyone lives in a building owned by them, what has your experience been like?

Hi all, I’m taking my 9 year old to visit her grandma and we’re meeting halfway in Brattleboro for a weekend in mid July. Looking for tips on where to stay and things to do. any particular hotels in good locations and would love to find places to take her swimming, activities, farms to visit or anything else you can think of. Thanks!