Rice’s Mills Community Center in Thetford

Kenny Shepard, of Sunapee, cuts in around a ceiling light while painting the interior of the Rice’s Mills Community Center in Thetford, Vt., on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Both Shepard’s dad and father-in-law are painters and he works independently. “It’s the family trade I guess,” he said. “It’s got its pros and cons, but it’s better than a cubicle or a factory for me.” The paint job of the 1931 schoolhouse is one of several maintenance and repair projects the Rice's Mills Community Association is undertaking in celebration of its 60th anniversary with $9,000 raised through an ongoing Go Fund Me Campaign and a $5,000 grant from the Mascoma Bank Foundation. The RMCA expects the first phase of work to be complete in the spring and is planning a grand opening celebration in summer. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Valley News — James M. Patterson