Vermont Business Magazine This Saturday, April 9 at the Doubletree (former Sheraton by Exit 14), Saint Michael’s Fire & Rescue simultaneously will be celebrating its 50th, 51st and 52nd annual banquets starting at 6 p.m. SMFR Fire Chief John Keating '17 explains that because of the pandemic, both the planned major 50th anniversary banquet scheduled for two years ago, and the following years had to be canceled, so organizers are rolling them all into one this year.
Keating expects between 250 and 300 Fire & Rescue alumni to attend (500-plus people at the banquet with guests) from all eras, going back to the organization’s founding, now 52 years ago). Another likely attendee will be SMFR founder Don “Pappy” Sutton, now in his 90s.
Also present will be the recently restored original fire truck from SMFR’s first years (top photos). John said the banquet facility allows them to bring the truck right into the banquet space for the occasion, indoors through a garage bay, so that should be a highlight. SMFR members will drive it over to the banquet venue some time Saturday morning from the Sutton Firehouse headquarters by the St. Mike’s campus where it currently sits in its shiny glory (right-hand photo above).
John imagines alumni might be stopping by the headquarters Friday informally to see the truck and the organization’s present facilities/equipment as well.
Also this week, Mike Donoghue (longtime former St. Mike's journalism adjunct who runs the Vermont Press Association from his campus office) has a story in the Islander where he is a contributor about an SMFR alumnus, Chris Treece '89 and his new book about his experiences. (Scroll to Page 8 of the Islander edition at the link below).
Source: Saint Michael’s. Colchester