Red Cross needs blood donations ‘urgently’

An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives.

The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.

“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood and platelet donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”

This need is especially critical for type O blood donors. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added about 6,500 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Concert with Ungar, Mason set in Colebrook

COLEBROOK — On July 28, at 7:00 p.m., the Colebrook Historical Society will sponsor a Jay Ungar and Molly Mason in concert.

Ungar and Mason are one of the most celebrated duos on the American acoustic music scene. They’ll present an evening of music and storytelling, with Ungar on fiddle and ason on piano and guitar.

Ungar is perhaps best known as the composer of Ashokan Farewell, the main theme of Ken Burns’ landmark PBS documentary, The Civil War. Jay’s song was nominated for an Emmy, and the soundtrack album won a Grammy. Mason is his partner both artistically and romantically – they were married in 1991. Together, they have produced some of the most memorable music of our time.

It all started with a chance meeting in the late 1970’s, when they were performing at the same club in rural New York. They played together from time to time, until Mason went to Minnesota to join the house band of Garrison Keillor’s new radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. Meanwhile, Ungar formed a group called Fiddle Fever, which produced several albums. When Fiddle Fever found itself in need of a bassist, Mason rejoined Ungar; they’ve been partnered ever since.

The couple founded the Ashokan Music and Dance Camp, located on 385 acres of the Catskills. Enthusiasts of American music and dance traditions gather there to connect with the past and hone their musical and dancing skills in the present. They have appeared on numerous radio and television shows, among them CBS’ Good Morning, The Rosie O’Donnell show, All Things Considered, and A Prairie Home Companion.

The concert will be held at the Colebrook Meeting House/Congregational Church, located at the intersection of Routes 183 & 182A in the center of Colebrook. Seating is limited; reservations are strongly recommended. To make a reservation, contact Ken Andresen at kandresen@aol.com or 860-3797786. Admission is $10 per person.

Colebrook seeks vendors for annual fair

COLEBROOK — The Town of Colebrook is seeking vendors for our 74th Annual Colebrook Fair being held Sept. 1 in the historic Colebrook Center from 9 a.m. to 3pm. A 10x12’ space is available for $25 if paid by August 1st, $35 after August 1st. Join us for a fun-filled day with a Car Show, Cardboard Boat Regatta, Children’s games, Petting zoo, and more.

For information, visit www.colebrookfair.weebly.com, check out Facebook at “Colebrook CT Fair”, or call Debi McKeon at 860-3793359 ext. 213. Space is limited so sign up now!

Litchfield hosting Bike Day July 26

LITCHFIELD — Litchfield Parks and Recreation’s Summer Camp is open to all children near and far at Community Field in Litchfield Monday through Friday from 9 a.m until 4 p.m. this summer. And there are always fun things happening. This month is the Tour De France and with that in mind, Bike Day is set for Thursday, July 26. Bicycle Tour Company Owner and Former Tour de France Mechanic Sal Lilienthal, in a two part program will review cycling safety procedures, and discuss behind the scenes bike racing for the campers.

Over the past 35 years, Sal has led tours for over 20,000 clients and traveled the world providing technical support for some of the top cyclists of his generation, including Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Axel Merckx, Phil Anderson, Sean Yates, Steve Bauer, Fabio Casartelli, and Clara Hughes.

Sal is the author of Revolutionary Battles: Experience America’s Roads to Independence; a tour book outlining 25 Battlefield Field tours from Quebec, Canada to Savannah, Georgia connecting hundreds of Revolutionary War sites. To complement the State’s “Still Revolutionary” Tourism Campaign, Sal and Central CT State University Professor, Mary Collins wrote an online tour book honoring Ethan Allen, Israel Putnam, Nathan Hale and fallen hero Benedict Arnold. Follow the tours at www.CTAmericanRevolution.com.

Call Litchfield Park and Rec for more information about summer camp. 860-567-7569 or go to our website to find the activities galore for the campers! www.townoflitchfield.org then go to departments, then to Parks and Recreation and click on the link for Summer Camp Calendar 2018.