RUTLAND — The Rutland Dismas House is readying for its 25th annual dinner and auction on Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. at Holiday Inn, Rutland. Tickets are $60, and reservations are required in advance for the fundraiser event. Call 802-775-5539 for tickets.
Dr. Laura Bates is keynote speaker at the dinner. Dr. Bates is an English professor at Indiana State University where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on Shakespeare. For more than 25 years she has also taught in Indiana prisons and created the first Shakespeare program in “Supermax” – a long term solitary confinement unit. From this experience, Dr. Bates wrote the book, “Shakespeare Saved My Life – Ten Years in Solitary With the Bard” published June 21, 2013. We look forward to hearing Dr. Bates share her experiences with various individuals in the world of incarceration from her perspective of viewing them not as “felons” or “prisoners” but as men and women who are intelligent, thoughtful, courageous and capable of doing so much more than their labels identify.
Honored during the evening are Joe and Carol Barbagallo. These two individuals have poured their hearts and souls into volunteer work with not only Dismas but numerous other lucky recipients of their time and attention in the Rutland community for the past 25 years.
Also being honored: The Windham Congregational Church Cooks who drive more than 80 miles every month, year after year, to faithfully deliver hot food, great conversation and uplifting spirits to the men and women at Dismas.
Receiving the Mary O Award this year is St. Peter Parish and the Back Pack Program, supplying back packs full of essentials to new residents arriving to the Dismas House.
