A full century of fighting fires

A full century of fighting fires

Parker Dennis (7) was all smiles as she got suited up in genuine fire fighter gear by Ben Minniges.

Photo by Partick L. Sullivan

FALLS VILLAGE — The Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department kicked off its 100th anniversary year with an open house at the Emergency Services Center Saturday, Jan. 13.

The doors were open in the bays so visitors could get a good look at the equipment.

Younger visitors were provided with red plastic fire helmets.

Tim Downs gave a little boy the rundown on the various pieces of equipment stored in one of the fire trucks, including a chain saw, fans for clearing smoke, and a suction strainer.

Bill Beebe and Carson Lotz demonstrated the proper use of an inflatable device to lift vehicles off people trapped underneath. Beebe said rescuers usually only need a few inches of lift to get someone out.

Ben Minniges got young Parker Dennis outfitted in full firefighting regalia, and showed another visitor the air dryers used to get firefighting clothing dry in a hurry.

The fire department was founded in 1924. Asked when the ambulance service was started, there was some scurrying.

Downs said, “I got it written down in that cabinet,” and disappeared.

But Michele Hansen and Andrea Downs beat him to the answer, consulting a booklet and finding the date, which is 1956.

In the meeting room, people gathered for refreshments and conversation. Jim Hutchinson from Sharon Hospital was on hand, and state Sen. Steve Harding (R-30) dropped by around 2 p.m.

Latest News

P&Z approves Wake Robin; court case still pending
Wake Robin Inn is located on Sharon Road in Lakeville.
Photo by John Coston
The legal case, if approved by the court, would nullify a 2024 zoning regulation change that allows hotels in the RR1 zone via special permit application.

LAKEVILLE — At nearly 11 p.m. on Monday night, Oct. 20, Salisbury’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to approve, with conditions, Aradev LLC’s controversial application to redevelop the Wake Robin Inn.

The decision came more than 4 hours after the meeting began at 6:30 p.m., and more than a year since Aradev submitted its first application to expand the longstanding country inn. The approved plans call for a new 2,000-square-foot cabin, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amanda Cannon
Amanda Cannon
Amanda Cannon

SALISBURY — Amanda Cannon, age 100, passed away Oct. 15, 2025, at Noble Horizons. She was the wife of the late Jeremiah Cannon.

Amanda was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York the daughter of the late Karl and Ella Husslein.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at her home. She was the beloved wife of George R. DelPrete for 62 years.

Mrs. DelPrete was born in Burlington, Iowa, on May 31, 1941, daughter of the late George and Judy Meyers. She lived in California for a time and had been a Lakeville resident for the past 55 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti

SHARON — Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti, daughter of George and Mabel (Johnson) Wilbur, the first girl born into the Wilbur family in 65 years, passed away on Oct. 5, 2025, at Noble Horizons.

Shirley was born on Aug. 19, 1948 at Sharon Hospital.

Keep ReadingShow less