Fantini to speak on SIT's past, present, and future
DUMMERSTON - Alvino Fantini will speak on “The School for International Training: Past, Present and Future,” at the Dummerston Historical Society quarterly meeting on Thursday, April 25, at the society's schoolhouse in Dummerston Center.
The business meeting will be held at 7 p.m., with the program to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Fantini, a senior faculty member of SIT since 1964, was instrumental in the evolution of the Sandanona estate on Black Mountain into the present SIT Graduate Institute. Fantini says the future of SIT looks most promising, both in Brattleboro, where the college's administration remains, and abroad, where students now study.
This meeting will be dedicated to the memories of two major figures of the Historical Society: Tom Johnson, one of the organization's founders, who spent many years on the board, and Jonathan Flaccus, who was instrumental in the management of the Bunker collection, which ultimately enabled the construction of the Bunker Room addition.
Programs are free to all, and the building is accessible. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 802-254-9311.
Town water quality report is now available
BRATTLEBORO - The Water Department's annual Consumer Confidence Report/Water Quality Report for 2018 is now available.
The report can be viewed at brattleboro.org/ccreport. Copies are available at the Municipal Center in the Town Manager's office and in the first floor hallway near the Town Clerk's office.
The Water Quality Report can also be obtained at the Brooks Memorial Library, the Department of Public Works, and at the Guilford Country Store.
Any questions can be addressed to the DPW at 802-254-4255.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 27
NEWFANE - The Windham County Sheriff's Office, working with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, urges the community to participate in Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 27, by clearing medicine cabinets of all unnecessary prescription medication.
Many drugs are addictive or can adversely affect someone for whom the drug was not prescribed. Proper disposal can help keep drugs out of kids' hands and prevent water pollution.
Permanent drop box locations are at the Windham County Sheriff's Office in Newfane, and at the Brattleboro, Dover, Wilmington, and Bellows Falls police departments.
For more information, contact Lt. Jessica Fellows at 802-365-4942 or jfellows@windhamcountyvt.gov.
Quilt, textile show in Guilford
GUILFORD - The Historical Society is sponsoring a quilt and textile show on Saturday, April 27, from 2 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Guilford Meetinghouse, beside the Guilford Free Library, on Guilford Center Road.
The show includes quilts and textiles from the Historical Society collection as well as quilts from private homes around Windham County. Elizabeth Rossi Levock will discuss the significance of dress fabrics and styles in 19th-century social life.
On Saturday at 4 p.m., the Guilford Central School fourth graders will display a quilt they made to symbolize local working life, inspired by students' interviews with townspeople. Poet Verandah Porche will read work inspired by these interviews. Suggested donation: $5. Refreshments will be offered.
Pinnacle Association plans vernal pool walk
WESTMINSTER WEST - Becky Chalmers, a wetland ecologist for the Agency of Natural Resources, will lead a family-oriented walking program on Saturday, April 27, to examine vernal pools and the creatures that depend upon them for survival and reproduction.
She will talk about these species and Vermont's rules to protect them and their special places. All ages are welcome, and participants are asked to wear waterproof boots and to meet at the Congregational Church of Westminster West at 9:30 a.m. to carpool to the site. Participants who wish to handle any of the creatures found should not wear bug repellent.
Register by calling 802-869-1166 or emailing chalmersbecky@yahoo.com or wilsonupaul@gmail.com. Check windmillhillpinnacle.org, Facebook, or with the event leaders closer to the event to confirm details.
Annual book sale in Guilford
GUILFORD - The Guilford Community Church, UCC, will hold its annual Book Sale on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, offering an extensive selection of current books.
This fundraiser aids the church, at 38 Church Drive, in supporting many human service organizations, both locally and globally.
For more information, contact Pat Haine at 802-257-0626 or pth1946@yahoo.com.
'Coming Home' explores restorative justice
BRATTLEBORO - On April 27 at 6 p.m., the Brattleboro Community Justice Center and Community Bible Chapel will screen Coming Home, a documentary following the lives of five Vermonters as they are released from prison and enter CoSA - Community of Support and Accountability.
The free 90-minute film will be shown at the Community Bible Chapel, 107 Atwood St., and light refreshments will be served. To register and for more information, contact the church at cbchapel@comcast.net or 802-254-2910.
Community invited to Lions' open house and dinner
WEST DOVER - The Deerfield Valley Lions Club invites the community to an open house and Italian dinner on Monday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gathering Place at 3 Mountain Park Plaza.
Meet with club members and learn more about how Lions serve the Deerfield Valley. If you like what you hear, information will be provided on how become a member.
The event and dinner are free, but guests must register with Wanda Walkowiak at 802-368-2020.
Hands-only CPR class offered in Grafton
GRAFTON - A simple Bystander CPR class, covering adult hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator will be offered free at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, at the Grafton School.
Survival rates for cardiac-arrest patients continue to be as low as 10 percent, primarily because no one around at the time of the incident administers CPR.
According to the class organizers, the survival rate can be doubled and even tripled when CPR is begun at once. Waiting for an emergency medical services responder to arrive costs time that often can't be overcome, even with all the specialized training and equipment that first responders have.
The most important aspect of CPR is to keep the patient's blood flowing, which can be done by administering chest compressions, which must be done while waiting for EMS. Breaths will be administered by EMS when they arrive on scene.
Because of this, a type of CPR has been developed called “hands-only,” or Bystander CPR, that can be easily learned in this one short lesson.
The Grafton Rescue Squad will provide training. Advance registration is required at graftonrescue@vermontel.net or 802-843-2401. Check Grafton Fire and Rescue on Facebook for updates on this and other activities.
Pancake breakfast in Halifax
HALIFAX - A pancake breakfast is planned for Saturday, May 4, at Halifax Community Hall, 20 Brook Road, West Halifax, from 7 to 10 a.m.
On the menu are pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, hash brown casserole, and fruit, with juices and coffee to wash it all down. The cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger.