Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Press Release - PA State Grange Concludes 137th Annual Session

PA STATE GRANGE
Press Release
Date: October 21, 2010
Contact: Carl Meiss
Public relations Director
Release: Immediate
RE: PA State Grange Concludes 137th Annual Session
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. [Photo attached]
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