Kathryn Czaplinski
/ Categories: NEWS, 2024

'Sasquatch Search' comes to Bennington Oct. 12

For Immediate Release:

BENNINGTON, VT—September 17, 2024—The Bennington Sasquatch Search, a fun, free, (and furry) family event, is coming to Bennington on Saturday, Oct. 12, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Stark Street Playground.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, has partnered with other community organizations and businesses to launch the Bennington Sasquatch Search. The event encourages kids and families to play outside and explore the mysteries of Sasquatch. Otherwise known as Bigfoot, Sasquatch is a mythical biped who holds a special place in Vermont folklore and pop culture.

The event will explore several questions about how Sasquatch eats, lives and stays clean. Guests can take a walk through Bennington’s wooded trails to look for Sasquatch clues, and learn about the plants and animals that are part of the Vermont outdoors.

Some of the businesses and organizations participating in the day include: Dion Snowshoes, Lake Paran, Children’s Integrative Services, Bennington Women Infants and Children, Head Start/Early Head Start. Sasquatch-themed snacks will be provided by Shire Cottage Bakery and Bennington Community Market.

Attendees can enter a free raffle to win an event t-shirt featuring the infamous Bennington Sasquatch strolling across Vermont State.

SVMC Director of Planning James Trimarchi explained that the event is one way SVMC is supporting the well-being of community families.

“Sasquatch has healthy habits we can learn from, like eating fruits and veggies and doing lots of walking,” said Trimarchi. “Sasquatch sets a good example and gives us an excuse to have fun outdoors.”

The event has been organized by Faye MacDonald, a Volunteer In Service to America (VISTA) at SVMC. VISTA is an AmeriCorps program that provides needed resources to nonprofits through a year-long fellowship. Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Grant is also supporting the launch of the event.

“Outdoor play is essential for kids’ health. Having families enjoy time together outside exploring is one of our goals,” said MacDonald. “We’re thrilled that local businesses and organizations are excited to be part of the Bennington Sasquatch Search.”

If your organization or business wants to participate, please email: vista.svhealthcare@gmail.com.

This free, family-friendly Bennington Sasquatch Search will have something for everyone. To follow event updates, please check facebook.com/svmedicalcenter.

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About SVMC:

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVMC includes the Dartmouth Cancer Center at SVMC, the SVHC Foundation, as well as 25 primary and specialty care practices. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. In addition, SVMC is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. SVMC provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.

Contact: Kate Czaplinski with additional questions or media inquiries.

 

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COVID and Kids

When I first heard the news about COVID-19, I was relieved as both a parent and pediatrician that it seemed unlikely to seriously affect children. However, more recently in both the literature and amongst colleagues, I began hearing about an uncommon but serious inflammatory disorder affecting some children with COVID-19. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control are calling this “Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children” or MIS-C.

My goal in writing today is to dispel myths about this new manifestation of the illness, provide helpful steps families can take to protect their kids from COVID-19, and assure that medical providers are aware of this new subset of COVID-19 and taking appropriate steps to keep your children safe.

Symptoms of MIS-C include inflammation in the skin and eyes, irritability and sluggishness, along with fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and abdominal pain. The symptoms are similar to a rare childhood illness called Kawasaki disease, which causes inflammation of the blood vessels and primarily affects children under 5 years of age.

There is very little known about MIS-C due to the small number of cases around the country. However, the medical community is monitoring this new syndrome very closely to learn all they can about it. I would like to emphasize that this condition is very rare and occurs a few weeks after a child has already recovered from COVID-19 infection.

As we have throughout the pandemic, pediatricians are urging families to take precautions to prevent their exposure to COVID-19. This includes reducing close contact with others by staying home as much as possible and avoiding congregating in groups. Anyone over the age of two should wear a mask when outside of the home.

Wash your hands and your child’s with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and sanitize frequently touched surfaces at least twice per day. Avoid touching your face and teach children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or their elbow. Aim to wash and dry plush toys about once a week.

There are special precautions to take if someone in your household is ill. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html for details.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends creating a healthy routine for your children that includes balanced meals, learning at home, exercise, social connection (Facetime, videochat, and in person with household), and adequate rest. This will help your children remain both physically and mentally healthy during this stressful time. Continue to reassure your children that the medical community is working hard to keep them safe during this time. Be sure to monitor their media consumption, watch for signs of anxiety, and be a good role model in regards to COVID-19 safety measures.

Call your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your children’s health, including symptoms of COVID-19 or MIS-C listed above. There are still important reasons to bring your child physically into the office such as immunizations, developmental checks, and growth monitoring. We would like to reassure you that we are taking proper steps to allow your children to safely receive care at our offices.

More detailed information about keeping your child healthy is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children.html. For information about obtaining healthy food or other basic needs for your family, dial 2-1-1.

Dr. Meghan Gunn is the medical director of SVMC Pediatrics.

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