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
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.
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 is our February “Community Program”, so 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!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–just show up by 5:00 PM on Saturday, Feb. 1 to take part.
at 6:00 PM!
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.