Jeannie Drinkwater, a spirited lady who was unable to leave her home, started the National Shut-In Society in 1885. There have been members in Vermont since 1941. In 1998, the name was changed to Vermont Sunshine Society at the suggestion of the present director, Bev Grimes of Bradford.
Vermont Sunshine Society is a non-profit organization, staffed entirely by volunteers and funded by donations. They send out a monthly newsletter, "The Gristmill", to bring cheer to the lives of their 400 members. They create and send birthday cards, letters and inspirational messages to people who are in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or isolated in their own homes.
To find out more, come to the Center on Thursday, May 15th when Bea McCullough of the VT Sunshine Society will be our featured speaker after lunch.

Sun protection at any age is important to prevent short-term and long-term damaging effects of sunlight. Sunscreens are an important part of a sun protection regime and should be used in conjunction with other sun safety steps for optimal sun protection.
Overexposure to sunlight can result in painful, red sunburned skin. A bad burn can cause serious consequences like skin cancer later in life. Long-term overexposure can cause wrinkles, freckles, age spots, dilated blood vessels, changes in the texture of the skin that make skin look older, and skin cancers.
The sun produces both visible and invisible rays. The invisible rays, known as ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB), cause most of the problems. Both cause suntan, sunburn, and sun damage. There is no "safe" UV light, so there is no such thing as a safe tan.
Newer broad-spectrum sunscreens contain products to block UVA. These must be reapplied every 1 1/2 hours to keep working. Because some ultraviolet light gets through sunscreens, they should not be used as a way of prolonging sun exposure--only to avoid sunburn.
Individuals should protect themselves against long-term ill effects of sunlight, such as skin cancer, by following all of the American Academy of Dermatology tips for sun protection:

• A broad-spectrum

sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on all exposed skin, including lips, even on cloudy days.

• If exposed to water, either through swimming or sweating, a water-resistant sunscreen should be used.
  
• Reapply sunscreen frequently--every 1 1/2 hours, more often if sunny or heavily perspiring.
  
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
  
• Seek shade whenever possible.
  
• Wear protective, tightly-woven clothing.
  
• Plan outdoor activities early or late in the day to avoid peak sunlight hours between 10 AM and 4 PM.