Ermont business magazine This Saturday, April 9 at the Doubletree (former Sheraton by exit 14), Saint Michael’s Fire & Rescue will simultaneously celebrate its 50th, 51st, and 52nd annual banquets beginning at 6 p.m. SMFR Fire Chief John Keating ’17 explains that due to the pandemic, both the grand 50th anniversary banquet scheduled two years ago and subsequent years had to be canceled, so organizers are combining them all in one this year.
Keating expects between 250 and 300 Fire & Rescue alumni (over 500 people at the banquet with guests) from all eras, dating back to the organization’s founding 52 years ago) . Another likely participant will be SMFR founder Don “Pappy” Sutton, now 90.
Also on display will be the recently restored original fire truck from the early years of the SMFR (top photos). John said the banquet hall allows them to bring the truck directly into the banquet space for the occasion, inside via a garage bay, so that should be a highlight. SMFR members will drive him to the banquet venue sometime Saturday morning from the Sutton Firehouse headquarters near St. Mike’s campus where he currently sits in his splendor (pictured right above).
John imagines the alumni could stop by the headquarters on Friday informally to view the truck as well as the organization’s current facilities/equipment.
Also this week, Mike Donoghue (a longtime former St. Mike journalism assistant who runs the Vermont Press Association from his campus office) has a story in the Islander where he contributes SMFR alumnus Chris Sariego (aka Treece) ’89 and his new book about his experiences. (Scroll down to page 8 of the Islander edition on the link below).
Source: Saint Michael. Colchester
