GUILFORD — As one of its final projects, the Guilford 250th Anniversary Committee has issued a memento of Vermont's only year-long semiquincentennial celebration in the form of a 2-disc DVD set.
Michael Hanish of Guilford, who also shot some of the video footage, began editing shortly after the last event on New Year's Eve, and finished production earlier this month. The set, priced at $20, is on sale at the Guilford Town Office.
The 50 or so events, which took place throughout the 12 months of 2011, have been distilled into six hours of video. Sources included a dozen video short features edited by Evelyn McLean, several BCTV programs by Theresa Maggio, a short feature by videographer Heather Maulucci, and video taken by Richard Davis and Catherine Wilken.
The finale New Years Eve event was shot by Hanish and filmmaker Chuck Light.
Still photos by a dozen Guilford citizen photographers are also blended into the action, along with audio recorded by Julian McBrowne. Accompanying the video is commentary by event co-chairs Addie Minott and Don McLean, as well as comments from Nancy Evans, Verandah Porche, and Wilken.
Longer segments are devoted to the Parade in August, Friends of Music at Guilford's Civil War program, Elisha Jaqueth Goes to War, and other concerts.
Highlights are a video feature on the Sweet Pond Day in July and the Guilford Art Show in October. Many of the 12 monthly dances - ranging from Strauss Waltzes in February to contra, square and folk dances, the October sock hop, and the Rich Blazej memorial dance are included.
Neighborhood days, notably the West Guilford schoolhouse reunion, are included, along with the 5-K road race, kids' activities, and cemetery tours.
The discs have chapters, so the viewer can select a favorite event or may play the whole series from the bell ringing on January 1, 2011, to Auld Lang Syne a year later.
The Guilford Town Office is on School Road, off Guilford Center Road; call 802-254-6857 for hours.