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PA State Grange Concludes 137th Annual Session
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JOHNSTOWN. PA - The PA State Grange concluded its 137th Annual Session on Monday, October 19, 2009. The Conference was held at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in Johnstown, PA. and was hosted by Community Granges from Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana and Somerset Counties.
A total of 212 delegates were registered, representing 77 Community and 40 Pomona Granges from around the Commonwealth. The delegates dealt with 60 resolutions to set the organizational and legislative policy of the PA State Grange for the coming year. Resolutions were introduced which dealt with agricultural, environmental, family, governmental and organizational issues.
Session was officially opened Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. by PA State Grange President Betsy Huber. Special guests included Joe and Tammy Fryman from Nebraska. Joe, the National Grange Treasurer, along with his wife Tammy, were the National Grange Representatives. Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding spoke to the delegates telling them, "We need you," in the afternoon. Session was closed for the day by the PA State Grange Youth. The "All Granger Banquet" was held Saturday evening and saw the announcement of the "Granger of the Year," Margaret Storm from Cambria County and the "Grange Family of the Year," the Anstadt Family from Lycoming County. The evening closed with a PA State Grange Youth Party.
No Session "business" was conducted Sunday but that didn't mean a day of rest. PA State Grange Chaplain Judy Pressler led a church and memorial service held at the Johnstown First United Methodist Church. After church, the PA Junior Grange held their meeting and degree work in the morning while Community and Pomona Grange Masters (Presidents) participated in a workshop on "Conducting Efficient and Fun Meetings." The PA State Grange Youth held their annual luncheon and honored PA State Grange Public Relations/Membership Director Carl Meiss, with their "Friend of the Youth" award.
The afternoon saw the Sign-A-Song, Public Speaking and Talent contests held for members of all ages. This year's winners of "Best in Show" were Ashley Mohn from Berks County for Junior Talent and Jenny Taylor from Butler County in the Adult Talent contest. The PA State Grange conferrfal of the 6th Degree (State Level) was held Sunday evening with 28 members receiving the 6th Degree. The Degree conferral was held in the conference center and was immediately followed by a reception.
The Family Activity Committee hosted their annual Breakfast first thing Monday morning and presented awards for Pomona Chairperson of the Year to Virginia Mangel of Butler County and Community Chairperson of the Year to Caroline Reilly of Blair County. Session opened at 8:30 a.m. and delegates immediately got down to work on the remaining resolutions. Election of one member to the Executive Committee was held and Barbara Gross from Venango County was re-elected and installed. Session was officially closed at 4:00 p.m. with an invitation to the 138th Annual PA State Grange Session to be held in Sharon, PA, Mercer County.
Following the close of Session, PA State Grange President Betsy Huber and Chaplain Judy Pressler took the PA State Grange floral Memorial Cross across Napolean Avenue and placed it at the Cambrian County Veteran's Memorial. |
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Wisconsin State Grange Elects New Master/President
It is with great pleasure that we announce the election of Duane Scott as the new Wisconsin State Grange Master/President. Duane was elected by the delegates at the Wisconsin State Grange Session on September 26th.
Duane has been a life long member of the La Prairie Grange where he started as a Junior Granger at the age of 5. He has held many offices at the local and State Grange level. Duane was Master of the Wisconsin State Grange from 1997 to 2006 and was National Steward in 2001.
Duane and his wife Kymm live in the country outside of Fort Atkinson Wisconsin with their 20-year-old daughter Amber.
Duane works for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department as the Administrative Captain. He supervises the Deputies assigned to the Support Services division, the Detective Bureau and Drug Task Force. He is also responsible for oversight of the hiring process and maintaining the departments training records. Duane has worked for the Sheriff's Department for the past 23 years. He has also worked in the Jail as both a Deputy and Sergeant, and was the Jail Administrator from 2004 until 2008. He was involved in Crime Prevention and Traffic Safety as a Patrol Deputy and taught the D.A.R.E. program for 4 years. |
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Artists are painting at the Kelley Farm, September 26, 2009
Seven artists are painting scenes of the Oliver Kelley Farm with the intention of selling them and donating a portion of the proceeds to improve the farm.
The date of the sale coinciding with the annual making of sorghum molasses at the farm will be Sept.26 from noon to 5 p.m.
The original oil paintings will be available for sale to the public, with 40 percent going to support the farm.
This project is sponsored by the Friends of the Kelley Farm who promote and help fund the farm, which has scaled down its staff due to fewer state dollars.
The seven artists are: Shirley Hove, St. Cloud; Sue Wipf, Rogers; Roxanne Current, Dayton; Joan Ruprecht, Rogers; Mary Jo Burk, Zimmerman and Nancy Gongoll and Mark Haglund of Elk River. They are all members of the Elk River Arts Alliance.
The Kelley Farm, which is a national historic site, is an interactive living history farm restored to the 1850-1876 era, and is one of the historic sites of the Minnesota Historical Society.
For more information call: Haglund at 763-856-5092; Robert Quist at 612-725-3501.
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| Web Expansion Program Update Last November, the National Grange was excited to share with all of you in our article “If You Build It, They Will Come” the details of our Web Expansion Program. This project would modernize the National Grange website, while providing all State, Pomona, and Subordinate Granges free websites. Those websites would be capable of customization through optional modules that are available for small monthly fees. All of the websites would be connected to a news hierarchy that would improve communication within all levels of our organization.
The National Grange partnered with a Grange member and his company to develop the software that would create these websites. This process is being done from scratch so that Grange members can get the best web experience. It is being custom designed so that members with absolutely no web skills can update their very own websites.
When the article was published, a timeline had been established based on the work that was being done, and a deadline for January 2009 was set. Since that time, as it is with all new technologies, other methods have been brought to the table that would make the Web Expansion Program even better than originally imagined. National Grange could have launched the program as is; we simply wanted the most superior software available for our members so that they will have the best experience possible.
Progress is being made as we speak to bring this program to completion. With all new types of software, there are glitches that need to be fixed, and that takes time. Once this program is launched, it will mean great things for the Grange and it’s members. We appreciate your patience while we build a strong technological foundation for our future.
The National Grange would like to keep you updated on this program. Please email jdugent@nationalgrange.org to be added to a contact list for updates. |
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National Grange Family of the Year Award Application deadline approaching soon!
Family of the Year Award applications are due by September 11th. The application can be downloaded from the National Grange website for the applications.
http://www.nationalgrange.org/departments/2009FamilyApplication.pdf
The National Grange “Family of the Year” Award is designed to identify and recognize outstanding Grange families. The Award is intended to acknowledge the accomplishments and achievements of a family in their local community and Grange. If your family has done something outstanding and has made a difference in your Grange or community, let us know. We want to celebrate your accomplishments and successes!
Winners will be announced at this year’s National Grange Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
If you have any questions or need additional copies of the application, please do not hesitate to contact Samantha Johnson at sjohnson@nationalgrange.org 888-447-2643 ext. 109. |
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| Participate in a Grange Photo Shoot at National Session Calling all Grange Members! Are you going to be at the 143rd National Grange Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan? If so, the National Grange needs your help! We are looking for Grange Members of all ages—that includes Juniors and Youth—to pose for photographs that will be used in Grange promotional materials. We have been using stock photography for too long… it is time that our members take center stage! Models will be scheduled for a photo session that will take place onsite at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel during the National Grange Convention. Photo Sessions will last no longer than two hours and will be carefully scheduled so that models will not miss any of the Convention fun! Subjects include: family, Youth having fun together, Grangers working with Juniors, Juniors playing, etc.
If anyone is interested in being a “Grange model”, please fill out the application, including the photo release form, and send it to the National Grange with a snapshot of yourself by October 12th. For applications and more informtion visit http://www.nationalgrange.org/departments/models.htm Minors must have their release form signed by a parent. All that apply will get the opportunity to be Grange models; we only need your photo for planning purposes. Entire families are encouraged to apply as well (including babies!) Models will be notified of photo session time before Convention.
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Grange Members write about "Why every community needs a Grange TODAY"
In honor of Grange Month 2009, the National Grange offered a Grange Essay Contest that was open to all current Grange members. The subject of the essay was “Why every community needs a Grange TODAY.” Sara Beth A.R. Kohut (PA) is the 1st place winner, and will receive a plaque and 2 tickets to the Celebration Banquet at the 2009 National Grange Convention in Grand Rapids, MI. Walter Boomsma (ME) came in 2nd Place, and Diane Bassette Nelson (NY) came in 3rd. Mary West (NH) and Hannah West (NH) both received honorable mentions. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place essays were printed in the May/June issue of The New Grange. Sara Beth's winning essay is below. Thanks to all who participated! CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ESSAY
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PA Grange Names 2009-2010 Youth Ambassadors
Article and Photo by Carl Meiss, Pennsylvania State Grange
HALIFAX, PA - Jennifer Nauss and Michael Snyder, cousins from Valley Grange #1360 in York County, have been named the 2009-2010 Pennsylvania State Grange Youth Ambassadors at the Youth Winter Retreat.
 These young Grange members are chosen from Retreat participants through a competitive judging process which includes a Grange Knowledge Test, poise before the three judges in a personal interview and their response to an impromptu question. The announcement was made on March 21.
The Youth Ambassadors are charged with the responsibility to promote the Grange and its Youth around the Commonwealth at various events and meetings to include: Farm Show; State Grange Family Festival; Ag Progress Days; and the annual State Grange Session held in October, to name a few.
The Pennsylvania State Grange Winter Youth Retreat was held last weekend at Camp Hebron in Halifax. Pennsylvania State Grange Youth Director Martha Ebersole decided to create a new Youth Winter Retreat, replacing the Young Couple/ Young Adult Conference. The State Grange Young Couple/Young Adult weekend will be at the Family Festival this summer July 17-19.
Jennifer Nauss is presently a sophomore and on the dean's list at Penn State's main campus where she is majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in special education - human development and family studies. She is a lifelong member of Valley Grange #1360 in York County. Jennifer is also a charter member of the Penn State Grange #2105 where she holds the office of president. Jennifer is also the musician for Valley Grange #1360, York/Adams Pomona Grange #40 and the 2008 National Grange Youth Officers' Team. Jenn is the daughter of Bradley and Anna May Nauss of Mechanicsburg.
Michael Snyder is from Boiling Springs, Cumberland County, where he is a ninth grader at Boiling Springs High School. He too, has been a lifelong member of Valley Grange #1360, first joining their Junior Grange at age 5. Mike's parents are Jim "Bud" and Sue Snyder. Michael likes to play baseball and football and enjoys filling vacant officers' chairs at Grange meetings as well as helping with the many community service activities that Valley Grange #1360 is involved in. He hopes to attend Penn State after he graduates from high school.
Michael and Jennifer are cousins and are continuing a multigenerational Grange tradition. Their late grandfather, J. Luther Snyder, held numerous offices with both the Pennsylvania State Grange and the National Grange, including Pennsylvania State Grange Master (President) from 1974 - 1979 (when he resigned to accept an appointment as deputy secretary in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Priest Annalist of the Assembly of Demeter of the National Grange. Their grandmother, Fae Snyder, held the office of Priestess Annalist of the Assembly of Demeter of the National Grange for many years and is the Lady Assistant Steward at Valley Grange #1360..
Many of the Fae and Luther Snyder's children, followed in the footsteps of their parents. Anna May Nauss, Jennifer's mother, served as the Pennsylvania State Grange Youth Princess in 1976-1977 and National Grange Youth Princess in 1977-1978. Michael's father, Bud Snyder, and Lou Ann Snyder served together as the Pennsylvania State Grange Youth Prince and Princess in 1979-1980. Both Bud and Anna May have served as the Master (President) of Valley Grange #1360...and Jenn's brother Andrew is presently the Gatekeeper (Greeter) at Valley Grange #1360.
The runner-up for this year's Youth Ambassador competition was Desira Kunkle. Desira is a 10th grader at Hamburg Area High School and serves as the Master (President) of the Shartlesville Grange #1512 in Berks County. She lives on the family beef farm and is the daughter of Dennis and Donna Kunkle and has a brother Dustin. Desira enjoys singing, dancing, twirling, reading, writing and Latin. She hopes to someday become a veterinarian.
Due to the change in the schedule of events for the Grange Youth this year, Michael and Jennifer will share the duties as State Grange Youth Ambassadors with the present Ambassadors, Brittany Hetzell and Braden Gourley through this year's Family Festival to be held the third weekend in July, when Brittany and Braden will step down. Michael and Jennifer will then continue to serve until the 2010-2011 Ambassadors are chosen at next year's Winter Youth Retreat.
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Tyson Foods Withdraws Filing to Use Grange Name - Trademark Protection an Ongoing Effort
Tyson Foods last week withdrew its filing to register and trademark the term “Grange and Grassland” on a new line of natural meat products. The world’s largest meat packer filed an “Express Abandonment” with the U.S Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, thus ending more than a year of administrative actions and negotiations with the National Grange, which holds the trademark rights to the term “Grange.” According to legal sources, Tyson Foods is now precluded from registering the same or substantially identical mark in the future.
The National Grange challenged Tyson’s use of the mark on the basis that its loss to the food company would hamper the many grassroots educational and community services programs put on by approximately 2,700 local Granges across the United States , of which food is a crucial part. The National Grange gathered evidence on literally thousands of Grange sponsored community events to support their position. The parties were unable to come to any kind of licensing agreement.
National Grange President Ed Luttrell stated, “We appreciate Tyson Foods’ recognition of the importance and value of this mark to the National Grange and especially to our grass-roots based community Granges that use it in conjunction with their many educational and community service projects.” Luttrell went on to point out that if the Grange does not defend its trademarks, it can lose them to other organizations and companies. “If we had lost the name “Grange” to Tyson Foods, local Granges were concerned that they might have had to get permission to use the term on their fund raiser breakfasts, dinners and pot luck suppers. Can you imagine that?”
While the term “Grange” can mean an old English farm, dictionaries also recognize it as the title for our national, state and local organizations. To many the term means an organization dedicated to the betterment of local communities through public service projects, rural advocacy, scholarship funds and other positive activities. Grange leaders are well aware of the meaning and importance of the mark and, over the years, have defended it against numerous infringements ranging from restaurants to housing developments and even to a line of imported cigarettes.
“Trademark defense is an ongoing effort,” Luttrell stated. “Next we have to deal with a large European-owned supermarket chain that is using the term “Granger” on a line of meat, a dairy producer that wants to market milk under the mark DE LA GRANJA which means “from the Grange, and a winery that wants to label its product LA GRANJA which means The Grange. He expressed his thanks to the many community Granges that supplied examples of how they used the term “Grange” in their fund raising activities. “These literally thousands of examples played an important part in resolving the conflict with Tyson Foods. We appreciated the support from our grassroots-based community Granges, and many thanks to Tyson Foods for their decision,” he concluded.
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The Inauguration of President Obama
 As Americans around the country gathered around their television sets on January 20th to witness history in the making, the National Grange Headquarters and staff had a front row seat to the action leading up to that historic day.
Leading up to the Inaugural
When the Obama Family took temporary residence at the Hay Adams Hotel, which is a block away from the National Grange Headquarters, changes around H Street and Pennsylvania Avenue started to take shape. Construction of the Presidential Viewing Stand and bleachers for the Inaugural Parade began, so Lafayette Park and Pennsylvania Ave. were shut down to pedestrians. Due to the very special guests staying at the Hay Adams Hotel, H Street was shut down to vehicles and security was increased. Grange staff with vehicles had to check in with security officials so that they could get to work. Receiving deliveries was a challenge also, since all trucks had to be cleared in order to drive to the National Grange Headquarters.
Not all of the staff found the road closures to be an inconvenience. “I actually liked the fact that H Street was closed!” laughs Sales, Benefits, and Programs Manager Samantha Johnson. “I didn’t have to worry about getting hit by cars walking from the metro during rush hour. We could just walk across worry-free!”
Despite the inconveniences caused by our new neighbors, everyone was in very good spirits. Flags were put up around the city, and the days leading up to President-Elect Obama’s Inauguration were spent transforming the city into a place of goodwill and hope.
Welcome Mr. President!
 With the National Grange headquarters overlooking the White House and the upcoming festivities, it was only natural that such a patriotic organization like the Grange would contribute to the Inaugural celebrations. On January 15 th, the National Grange hung a 39-foot long banner outside its 11 th floor offices facing the White House. “Welcome to Washington D.C. President & Mrs. Obama!” was the message that could be read from blocks away, and seen from the Presidential Viewing Stand during the parade. The National Grange logo was also prominently displayed.
For your own piece of Grange history, contact Samantha Johnson to receive your 12-inch square piece of the Grange’s Inaugural Banner! It will come complete with photographs showing the banner hanging on the Grange Building, plus the view President Obama had of it from the viewing stand. We are offering this FREE to Grange members, with $5.00 shipping and handling. Place your order by emailing sjohnson@nationalgrange.org or calling 1-888-4-GRANGE, ext 109. Only one square per member will be granted. Order quickly as there are only 100 available.
Shut Down
Being the only privately owned building in Executive Square does have its advantages. It also has its disadvantages. At the request of the Secret Service, the National Grange Building had to be shut down the day of the Inauguration. No staff or other tenants were allowed inside. Tenants were informed ahead of time of the closure so that they could plan accordingly. “This is the sixth time that I have experienced the building being closed for Inaugurations,” explained Legislative Director Leroy Watson. “It lends itself to the whole Washington, D.C. experience.”
One in a million (or two)
While many staff members decided to stay at home and watch the festivities from the comforts of their home, others decided to brave the crowds and cold weather. Programs Assistant Molly Thompson watched the parade from a rooftop overlooking Pennsylvania Ave. “I got to see Obama walk the parade route, which was exciting,” Molly said. “I also ran into CNN’s Anderson Cooper at the concert on Sunday!”
Marketing Coordinator Beverly Mitchell stood on the Mall with friends during the swearing in ceremony and then went to a neighborhood party to watch the parade. “It was nice to feel a part of it and the party afterwards gave us an opportunity to relax afterwards!” Beverly said.
I was fortunate enough to receive tickets to the swearing in. The crowds were very jovial and everyone was in good spirits despite the cold temperatures. After hours of waiting to be let through security, we were finally able to get in four minutes before the ceremony began! I would say the best thing about being there in front of the Capitol Building that you couldn’t experience anywhere else was the energy. As the new President spoke, you could hear the roar of applause carry on across the reflecting pool. It would be silent once again in front of the podium, but you could still hear the resonating cheers from miles away. Hearing those millions of people gave me chills. That is something I will remember forever.
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Attention All Grange Writers!
In honor of Grange Month 2009, the National Grange is offering a Grange Essay Contest! This contest is open to all current Grange members (except for staff.) The subject of the essay is “Why every community needs a Grange TODAY.” President Ed Luttrell, with the help of the Communications Department, will select the winning essays. The top three essays will be printed in an issue of The New Grange. The 1st place winner will also receive a plaque and 2 tickets to the Celebration Banquet at the 2009 National Grange Convention in Grand Rapids, MI.
| How to Enter: |
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Mail a hard copy of your essay to:
Grange Month Essay Contest
Attn: Communication Dept.
1616 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006 |
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Please include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and name of Grange. Essays must be NO MORE than 500 words.
All essays must be postmarked or e-mailed by March 1, 2009 for consideration.
**All participants of the Grange Month 2009 Essay Contest give the National Grange full permission to reproduce their work. |
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Donna Champion Appointed New Minnesota State Grange Master
The National Grange is pleased to announce the appointment of Donna Champion as the new Minnesota State Grange Master.
Sister Champion grew up on a dairy farm in central MN and joined the Grange at the age of 14. After graduating from high school, she went to the St. Cloud Vocational College where she received a Junior Accountant Certificate. She has worked at General Mills Inc. Headquarters in Golden Valley, MN for over 36 years, and her current position is Bid Representative for the Foodservice Division. This position is responsible for winning the k-12 School breakfast and lunch food business at the schools.
Sister Champion’s Grange opportunities have been many. She is currently the Secretary of Sunbeam Grange, which meets at the Kelley Farm, and is also on the Board of Directors for the “Friends of the Kelley Farm”. She is optimistic about her move from Minnesota State Grange Overseer to State Master. “I look forward to this new challenge as the Master of the Minnesota State Grange.”
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learn more about these stories, please contact the National Grange at info@nationalgrange.org,
call 1-888-447-2643 |
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