Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) March 21, 2025

April 5:  short Grange meeting, then:  “Flora and Fauna on the Appalachian Trail”

Our free program for April will feature long-time Grange supporter and dancer Phyllis Rubenstein.   In the spring and summer of 2023, she hiked the “AT”, and she’ll share photos of spring wildflowers and wildlife taken on the hike.   One example is included below!   There will be opportunities to ask questions, too.
There will be a short Grange meeting from 4:30 to 5:00 PM, then the program with Phylis from 5:00 to 6:00.  We hope you’ll stay to join us for the Community Potluck from 6 to about 7:00– where there are always tasty dishes to share!
There will be a Zoom link available for the meeting and program, which will be on the Grange website Calendar post, for those who are unable to attend in person.   No Zoom link for the potluck, you’ll be much more satisfied coming in person to that!

Phyllis Skinner is turning 90!
Please send her a card!

On Tuesday, March 25 2025, our friend and loyal Grange member Phyllis will reach a milestone birthday!  Help her to celebrate her big day by sending a card (or dropping it off in person!).  Her address is in the Mayo home in Northfield:  610 Water St., Room 209, Northfield VT  05663.
Those of us who joined the Capital City Grange in the “big join” of 2005 got to know Phyllis well, at Grange meetings, potlucks and (some of us) in the town of Northfield.   Phyllis served as Treasurer (with help from her husband Les, who was Master of CCG at the time) and later as “Overseer” (we changed the office title to Vice President in November, 2017).
Phyllis, who worked into her 80s as an RN, was also the “Health Concerns” reporter for the Grange.  For years, she found interesting and useful health recommendations and useful info–reporting on research into best ways to maintain mobility and strength, new dietary recommendations, and quizzes to test our health care acumen.
She will enjoy hearing birthday wishes from all of you!

Coming soon, and VERY soon to the Grange!

I want to spread the word about a couple of great events for which our Grange Hall is the venue, sponsored by local non-profit organizations.   Our affordable, accessible Hall is a place where the community can enjoy events like these–and many more!

This afternoon and tonight!
Mud Season Spectacular

Since 2023, the Summit School has put on this show, which features local artists and young musicians, in honor of Pete Sutherland–a superstar of the Vermont folk scene, and someone who dedicated his life to mentoring young folks who want to carry on “home-made” music.  This season’s event features folks like Nicholas Williams & Alex Kehler, Joanne Garton, and Oliver Scanlon, all of whom have performed at the Grange–many times!  For more info check out the Summit School website!

April 12:
Your chance to channel your inner Dylan!

The poster below says it all…

By the time you see this, there will be much less mud!

Because March always reminds us that the only constant is change, this snapshot shows a muddy moment that will soon pass away.  As it probably is wherever you are reading this, the remaining snow is retreating every day…at least until the next snowstorm.  This spot is just off the driveway to the Hall. The driveway itself has remained in quite good shape–kudos once again to the repairs done by contractor Matt Dwire, last done in 2023!

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) February 21, 2025

February 1st Grange meeting

Life-saving training at the Grange!

Our Feb. 1 Grange meeting was followed by a training session in “Hands-Only CPR + AED use“, which brought in about a dozen people to take part, plus the nine Grange members who were there.  Our teacher, Nick Strance, from the American Heart Association stressed the importance of calling 9-1-1, and then being willing to start this simple process right away after cardiac arrest occurs.  He shared statistics about how using CPR  can provide vital blood circulation, and some aeration of the blood as well, and can literally keep someone alive until EMTs can arrive.  According to the statistics Nick showed us, the average wait time for an ambulance to arrive in Central VT is 15 to 20 minutes–and CPR and AED use needs to start in the first few minutes to increase the chance of survival until then.
Nick also demonstrated the AED that the Grange has, showing how it literally instructs the user how to apply the pads, tells you to allow the unit to diagnose heart rhythms, and–only if needed–how it will instruct everyone to move back while it delivers a shock that can help the heart start beating at the right rhythm.  After the shock, the AED also tells the rescuer to begin CPR again, and even provides the correct rhythm in which to do the chest compressions.  Nick demonstrated (on a manikin) how to position your weight above the chest and press down hard, and to keep up the beat to make the CPR effective.
         Then the “trainees” clustered around the eight training manikins, and took turns pushing down on their chests, hard enough to make them “click”.  You can get an idea of the effort involved in the photo to the left.   Nick played “Stayin’ Alive”, which has the correct cadence (about 100-120 beats per minute) to pump blood around the body and brain, and to bring some air into the lungs.
This simple training is designed to give us confidence to do what’s necessary to save a life.   Having the hands-on practice on a manikin is the best way to get a feel for how simple it could be to keep someone going until the EMTs arrive.
You can read more about these courses, and other information at the AHA’s handsonlycpr website.  You’ll also find a link to a Spotify playlist of songs that have the right beats per minute for CPR.   The playlist, called “Don’t Drop the Beat”, includes songs at the 100-120 beats per minute rhythm!   Everything from “Stayin’ Alive” to “Walk the Line”–check them out, too.
As at our previous training in December, several people expressed serious interest in a longer training in CPR, AED use and even First Aid training, that would supply them with certification that is needed by teachers and others.   We are pursuing setting up this sort of training session.  If you are interested, please email Tim, and I’ll put your name and email address on the list to be notified when we are able to schedule this type of training, which will require payment of a fee for certification.

FCCGH:  upgrading our air-filtering

On Feb. 18th, we took delivery of a new, commercial air-purifying unit, which was purchased for the Grange Hall by the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall.   The purpose of this addition is to provide filtration of the air in either the Main Hall or the Lower Level, at a much lower noise level than the existing “Room Air Filtration Boxes” (or RAFBs) which we built during the pandemic.
Our experience with the RAFBs is that Hall users have not been willing to turn them on, because the level of noise that they put out is enough to be disruptive for music rehearsals, quiet meetings, etc.  We believe that we need to continue to make air quality improvements, even though we don’t currently have a “pandemic” situation.   Right now, for example, there are reports of relatively high levels of influenza (“flu”), colds and other respiratory viruses in Vermont.   During the cold-weather months, it is not realistic to expect Hall users to open windows (except for the very hot contra dance crowds!).   While the Friends continue to seek grant funding to help us install outside-air ventilation with pre-heating, we will also need to continue to purify indoor air to maintain good air quality inside.
This purchase was made possible by anonymous donors to the FCCGH, which combined with finding an “demo unit” that the manufacturer was willing to sell for a well-discounted price, made it possible to purchase this Iso-Aire RSF1000.   It can put out twice as much clean air as two of the RAFBs, with about 1/2 as much noise as one RAFB makes.   Mounted on casters, it can be moved to either floor of the Grange Hall.   It has a 24″ x 24″ x 12″ HEPA 99.99% filter, plus a pre-filter, and utilizes an extremely well-designed and well-balanced fan to move air quietly.  Please come and listen to it!  And join us in thanking the generous donors who made this possible.  We will be moving it from one floor to another depending on where the biggest need is–the pictures below show the one unit in two different locations.  Note also the AED location in the Main Hall shelves!

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) January 28, 2025

February Grange Meeting–4:30 to 5:00

As usual in even-numbered months, before our Community Program, we will hold a short and informal meeting for half an hour. We’ll have reports on finances (how much are we spending on snowplowing, sanding and pellets for the furnace in these winter months?), the blood drives and CPR/AED trainings (see below!).  You’re welcome to attend in person, or via Zoom, using this link.  In case you need them, the Meeting ID is: 862 3165 3483, and the Passcode is:  986607
This link will also be posted on the Grange website Calendar listing for the meeting, as usual.
We’ll also be discussing plans for celebrating the 20-year anniversary of 70 new members joining the Grange in 2005!   That event was a milestone in preserving the Grange and our beautiful Hall as a community resource for Berlin and central Vermont–and we hope it’s a precedent for (at least) 20 more years of active involvement in the Grange here.  If you’re reading this newsletter, we know you care about what happens at the Hall, and we need you to help the small core group that keep us going!
Below is a picture from the mass induction of the members who joined in 2005:

After the Grange meeting, at 5:00
It’s time for another FREE training session:  Hands-Only CPR + AED training

Another chance to hear a “Play Every Town” concert

In 2022, the Grange was the location for concert #10 in David Feurzeig’s project to play a piano concert in every Vermont Town.   We’re pleased to publicize his next concert in his continuing quest: in the State Capitol, as part of the Farmers Night concert series, David  will play pieces ranging from Beethoven’s Sonata opus 49 no. 2 to an arrangement of Oliver Nelson’s jazz classic “Stolen Moments”, with 2 Montpelier High School students joining in.  He’ll be playing the State House’s Wurlitzer piano; the whole event is FREE.  Voluntary donations can be made to the VT Flood Response Recovery Fund.  You can learn more at the Tour Website.
Note:  David plays concerts in venues he can reach in his EV–he used to fly all over the world as a concert pianist, but he has chosen to reduce his carbon footprint.

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) January 14, 2025

Blood drive this Friday at the Grange

Our Rental Agent (and Treasurer) Merry Shernock has set up this series, the first was Nov. 1 of 2024, and now it’s time for number two!
Please sign up on the RedCrossBlood.org website, if possible, or come by from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM on Friday, Jan. 17.  They will be taking regular whole-blood donations, or “Power Red” donations of red blood cells only.   At this time, there are still quite a few times open, especially for “Power Red” appointments.   Please sign up now!
As a regular donor myself (13 gallons and counting) I can vouch for the friendly, considerate people on the blood drive crews, and the almost painless nature of the procedure.  I’ve been making “Power Red” donations for over 10 years; if you have questions, please email me.
As I’m sure you’ve heard, there is a constant need for blood at hospitals locally, around the state and the nation.   This is a great way to really make a difference!

And coming up in a couple of weeks, another FREE training session:  Hands-Only CPR + AED training

This life-saving training and presentation is our February “Community Program”.  Please come at 5:00 PM on Saturday, Feb. 1 to take part in this event.   The instructor will explain the process, and there will be an opportunity for everyone who would like to practice doing hands-only CPR on training manikins.   Even if you aren’t able to get on your hands & knees, you will still get a lot out of this presentation.  The instructor will show how communities, sports teams and schools are learning this skill–and why it’s important to take action quickly, if someone has a cardiac arrest.  Bring your family and friends if you can–this is training for everyone!
Working with the American Heart Association (AHA), we are offering this hour-long training in how to save lives by using “Hands-Only” CPR, plus basic instruction in using the Grange’s AED (Automated External Defibrillator).  This simple training can make the difference in someone surviving a heart attack, allowing time for 911 responders to arrive and provide expert care.  Doing the hands-on practice at this workshop will help increase your confidence in actually stepping forward to help to save a life, if a cardiac arrest happens where you are.   And it will let you see how simple it is to use the AED, which can diagnose if a shock is needed, and then give the correct shock safely.
You can read more about these courses, and other information at the AHA’s handsonlycpr website.  You’ll also find a link to a Spotify playlist of songs that have the right beats per minute for CPR.   This “Don’t Drop the Beat” playlist includes songs at the 100-120 beats per minute rhythm!   Everything from “Stayin’ Alive” to “Walk the Line”–check them out, too.
There are no age limits and no pre-registration required for this instruction session–please show up by 5:00 PM on Saturday, Feb. 1 to take part.

Followed by the Grange “Community Potluck”
at 6:00 PM!

You’ll be hungry after the CPR training, and you’ve got to eat dinner in any case–consider staying for our bountiful potluck dinner!  You can prepare your favorite dish to share, or pick up something on your way over, whether you come for the workshop or not.   We’ll be using the Grange’s vintage plates, bowls and silverware, so you know it will be a classy event!

January meeting:  still working on how to recruit more active Grange members

I will give a brief summary of the Grange meeting we held on Jan. 4.   The purpose of the meeting was to talk about how current and new members can get involved with Grange Hall operations and Grange leadership–both are important.   The 10 members that came had a good discussion of why we, the active core group, joined the Grange, and why we have kept coming.   Without going into a lot of personal details, a few of us joined in the early 2000s, when the previous generation of Grange members were running out of energy, and were just about ready to sell the Hall to a restaurant or funeral home (yes, really…).   The rest of the group joined because someone asked them to–and because they saw that the Grange is an important piece of “community infrastructure”.   And also because they really enjoy the sense of belonging and community, and because of the friends they have made at the Grange Hall!
Involvement can be in roles large and small, but the great need we have is for more people to get involved.  We will be reaching out to people who we know value the Grange in its many roles, and asking for help, because we know that it’s an important part of the lives of so many people.   We have lots of information if you have questions about what is needed, please feel free to reach out to us, too!

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) December 31,2024

2025 will be here very soon–help us to make our Grange even better!

• Maintaining and improving our Hall as an affordable, accessible venue for all sorts of community organizations, families and activities.  Check our our website Calendar to see the wide range of events!
• Sponsoring our own events for the public at our Hall–like Kids Trade & Play and Dance, Sing and Jump Around, as well as hosting blood drives–see the article below!
• Bringing people together to work and play strengthens trust and interpersonal ties, making for stronger, happier and more resilient communities.
• Providing free programs like the CPR & AED trainings (see below), and many more as part of Grange meetings.
• Providing free use of the Grange Hall to residents of Berlin (our home town!) for personal gatherings and celebrations.
• Overall, our Grange and its Hall is part of the “social infrastructure” of our region–supporting and creating opportunities for people to work together to make life better for everyone.

• Giving all members the chance to be leaders in the Grange, taking on projects in a supportive, friendly and encouraging organization.
• Doing volunteer work and community service adds to your happiness–there’s research confirming this!  Being involved helps you to develop friendships, social contacts and social skills, reduces depression and increases self-confidence.
• Being involved in face-to-face, in-person activities is an important part of a good life–we all learned how important when COVID kept us separate!

How can you get involved?
So many ways!

• Come to Grange meetings:  take part in our discussions of what we need to do, where our money is being spent, what else we should spend our money on, how to improve our meetings and our community service.   Only members can vote, but everyone can contribute.  4:30 to 6:00 PM, first Saturday of most months.
• Join a committee:  We are reviving the Grange Hall committee, to keep on top of routine maintenance, figure out new projects, figure out what we’ve overlooked, and more.   This committee will work outside of Grange meetings, so it will be great for folks that can’t come to our regular ones.
• Take on a regular task:  for example, I’m very pleased to report that Luke Donforth, a regular and well-liked caller at the contra dances, has taken on remote weekly setting of the WiFi thermostats!  He’s also going to help with the annual flushing of the tankless water-heater.   There are many more tasks–contact Tim to learn more.
• Tim would especially love to find a webmaster:   Among the many things I’ve learned how to do for the Grange, this is one of the ones for which I am most unsuited.   If you’ve got some web skills, we can use you!
• Notice things that need to get done, and help out!:   for example, if you come to the Hall, and snow hasn’t been shoveled off the steps, grab a snow shovel and clear them off, so it’s safe for everyone!   If we’re low on toilet paper or paper towels in a bathroom, get a roll or two from the “blue-door closet” in the kitchen!   If we’re getting low on those paper products, let Tim know to order some!

Donating financially, and joining the Grange help too!

• Donate to the FCCGH:  we are always accepting donations to our “sister” organization–the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall, which works with the CCG to plan, fund-raise and apply for grants to make major repairs and improvements to the Grange Hall.   Check out the Donate page on the website for a long list of projects the Friends have done.  And your contribution can be tax deductible!  You can also mail a check to the FCCGH at PO Box 192, Northfield Falls VT 05664.
• Renew your membership:  if you’ve been a member in the past, please send in your annual dues of $30, by sending a check made out to Capital City Grange to the PO box address in the header.  Reminder:  we have to send $24 of your dues to the State Grange, to fund them and the National Grange.
• Join the Capital City Grange:  click this link for an application form to print and mail in with a check.  If someone can easily make an online, fillable form, let me know, that would be an improvement.  Joining the Grange by paying the annual dues does show the breadth of our support, but we especially need people who can take on some kind of active role.

Re-starting the beats at the Grange Hall

About a dozen people came to our first free training in “Hands-Only” CPR, plus use of our AED, on Thursday Dec. 19.  In the picture above, you’ll see some of them working hard to give the right rhythm to the (theoretical) hearts of the training dummies.   We were taught how by Nick Strance, from the Vermont chapter of the American Heart Association, visible in the blue shirt in the background.
We learned that starting chest compressions within the first minutes of cardiac arrest dramatically increases the chance of survival.   There are just 2 simple steps:  Calling 911 is pretty easy these days, since most people have a cell phone.   Hands on training in hands-only CPR on a training dummy makes it easier to quickly take the next step, by showing you how easy it is to help save a life.   We practiced chest compressions to one of the many songs that have an appropriate beat:  the Bee-Gees classic Stayin’ Alive, which helped us to keep the rapid tempo going.   It also became obvious that having a partner to trade off with is a great help–it is a lot of effort!   If you can boogie to that beat, you can save a life.
We also got to see and hear how our own AED (purchased for the Hall by the Montpelier Contra Dance Committee) works:  voice messages tell you how to perform CPR (which is still the first step), tell you exactly how to place the electrodes on the chest of a victim, tell you when the built-in analyzing software decides a shock is necessary, tell you to stand clear, and tell you to re-start CPR after the shock, if necessary.  There is even a razor included to remove excess chest hair if necessary for the electrodes to make contact!
This same FREE training will be presented on Feb. 1, from 5 to 6 PM, as the “Program” for our February Grange meeting–no limits on how many people can take part, so spread the word!    Note that hese trainings do not provide certification.  If you would be interested in an Adult CPR/AED certification course (with a fee), please email Tim Swartz.
To see a 90-second video showing how to do hands-only CPR, go to:  heart.org/handsonlycpr.  While you are there, consider donating to the American Heart Association at heart.org–they provide these FREE training sessions!

Donate blood at the Grange, Jan. 17!

We’ve got our second blood drive scheduled, and we hope you’ll take part!   There are times available from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM.   As interested readers will remember, we are now a regular site for Montpelier area blood drives.   A few of Red Cross’s regular sites in Montpelier got flooded, and they are happy to have drives at our Grange Hall!
It’s easy to sign up for an appointment:   just click this link to their “Find a Drive” web-page, put in our 05602 zip code, and find “Capitol City Grange” in the list on the left! (yes, we know it should be “Capital”).  You can donate a single unit of whole blood every 56 days, or a “Double Red” donation every 112 days!   You can also just walk in for this drive, but you might have to wait for an opening.
The next drive scheduled for our Grange Hall will be March 12, 2025.   Our thanks go to Merry Shernock, Rental Agent and Treasurer for setting up these opportunities to donate and save lives.