Wednesday, April 21, 2010

PA State Grange Legislative Day 2010

Grange Legislative Day 2010

May 4, 2010 is the date for the upcoming PA State Grange Legislative Day. Events will kick off at 10:30 a.m. at the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill, PA.

John Barley from Versant Strategies, the Grange's lobbying group, will speak to the attendees first about legislative updates. Mr. Barley will also give the Grangers tips on talking to their legislators about issues.

Sgt. Robert Krol from the Pennsylvania State Police will then give a presentation to update everyone on the new PADOT trucking regulations as they affect agriculture.

A Proclamation from Governor Ed Rendell proclaiming April as Grange Month in the Commonwealth will be presented to PA State Grange President Betsy Huber as well as House Resolution 699 which also proclaimed April as Grange Month in Pennsylvania, sponsored by Rep. Sue Helm of Dauphin County.

After lunch, a bus will then be awaiting the attendees to transport them to the Capitol for a tour and an opportunity for the Grangers to stop in at their respective legislators' offices to talk to them about some of the major legislative policy issues of the PA State Grange as well as their local Granges. The four most prominent PA State Grange legislative issues for 2010 are: Tolling of Interstate Route 80 (opposed); Dairy Pricing (reform needed to help farmers make a profit); Marcellus Shale, and; Continued Funding for the PA Department of Agriculture.

After meeting with their legislators, Senator Elder Vogel (R-47) will address attendees in the capitol rotunda on Senate Bill No. 828, a bill he has introduced which would exempt non-profit and volunteer organizations (such as the Grange) from strict food safety standards for selling home-baked goods, providing they are not potentially hazardous foods such as foods that contain ingredients that support a rapid growth of microorganisms AND that consumers are informed that such food has been prepared in a private home which is not licensed or inspected by PDA.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Pennsylvania Has Another New Grange!


Tuesday evening, April 13, 2010 saw 16 charter members sign the charter application for the newly formed Susquehanna Community Grange #2106 in Curwensville, Clearfield County. They took their name partly from a previous Grange, "Susquehanna Grange #1145" that had been located in Curwensville for 100 years but closed in 1996.

Their first order of business was to vote on a name for the new Grange. Next, they elected four new officers as follows:

Peggy Redden from Curwensville was elected as their first Master/President.

Christine "Tina" Kephart, also from Curwensville was elected to the office of Lecturer/Program Director.

Brandi Lynn from Clearfield was elected as their new Secretary and Eva Jean Komonczi from Curwensville was elected as Treasurer.

The Susquehanna Community Grange #2106 will meet the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Curwensville Community Center, 11 Stadium Drive, Curwensville, PA 16833. They are already planning an auction in the near future for their first fundraiser. The public is invited to attend any of their meetings.

Monday, April 12, 2010

** GRANGE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY **

Rededication of the National Grange Building in Washington, DC

Have you ever wanted to be part of an historic event where you will have the opportunity to help Grange members from throughout this Country? Don’t you want to be one of the select few to wear and own a Building Ambassador shirt? Would you like the opportunity to work side by side with a National Grange Officer or member of the Assembly of Demeter?
Well...do we have a deal for you. On June 26th the National Grange will be rededicating your building at 1616 H St. NW in Washington, DC. And we need your help as Building Ambassadors. When the building was first dedicated in June, 1960 the Youth from all over the country acted as Tour Guides. We want to now give you this chance because we believe you, the Youth Grangers of today, will do a great job.
It will give you not only the opportunity to interact with other Youth but also with Grange members from all across the country. You will be working alongside National Grange Officers and members of the Assembly of Demeter as we welcome our guests. You will be working with members of the National Grange Staff explaining the importance of the various rooms and offices within the building. As a Building Ambassador you will get a unique perspective of the National Grange building very few members will ever get.
This will be a very unique and once-in-a lifetime chance to be part of the history of the Grange. All that you do will be recorded for future generations of Grangers to read about. If you would like to be part of the Building Ambassador team, please contact Charlene Shupp-Espenshade, National Youth Director at Youth@nationalgrange.org for rooming/meal and tour package costs or Pete Pompper, National Grange Lecturer at njsgprez@aol.com if you have any questions about the tours or rededication ceremony.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

2010 Scholarship Applications Due May 1

May 1st is the general deadline for scholarship and grant applications through the PA State Grange.
Both the Scholarship Brochure and the Application forms can be downloaded from the website at www.pagrange.org or obtained by writing to the PA State Grange, 20 Erford Rd., Suite 216, Lemoyne, PA 17043 or calling at 800-552-3865.
The various funds include the PA State Grange Scholarship, Deaf Interpreter Scholarship, Leonard Rhone Scholarship Fund, and the Santee Student Loan Fund.
The PA Grange Foundation Scholarship was established by delegate action in 1996. Candidates must be Fourth Degree Grange members in good standing for at least one year prior to applying. They must seek higher education in any field at any institution of higher learning and be in need of financial assistance. Eligible applicants shall be entering their junior or senior year in college and may not receive the scholarship more than twice. The scholarship is a grant of $500 or $1000 with no repayment required. More than one grant may be awarded per year.
The Deaf Interpreter Scholarship is a $250 grant which shall be awarded to a student enrolled in a credible program leading to certification as a qualified interpreter for the deaf.
The Leonard Rhone Scholarship Fund was initiated in memory of Leonard Rhone, third Master of the Pennsylvania State Grange. Awarded once each year, it is a $300 grant. To be eligible, a student must pursue a four-year study in agriculture or home economics (a.k.a. Human Development and Family Services) at Penn State University. The student recipient must be a Grange member in good standing and be endorsed by the Master of his or her Subordinate Grange and Pomona Grange.
The Santee Student Loan Fund was established by the late Ellis M. Santee, a country doctor from Shickshinny and an active Grange member. This loan consists of a $500 or $1000 per year loan, interest free, to Grange members or their children. All loans are given on the basis of a written "repayment" promise. All loans must be repaid within three years of graduation or leaving school. Students receiving this loan can reapply each year they are enrolled as a full-time student, with a maximum of four loans to any one individual.
For all of these listed scholarships and loans, the deadline to apply is May 1. The Santee Loan Fund can also be applied for the spring term and that deadline is September 1.
An additional Scholarship is through The Grange Scholarship Endowment at the Pennsylvania State University. This fund shall provide recognition to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled in at least their sophomore year at any College or campus of the Pennsylvania State University who have demonstrated need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses. The Endowment provides for an annual scholarship of at least $1750. This is available to Grange members in good standing who are enrolled in at least their sophomore year, who have achieved superior academic records, and who have demonstrated financial need. Nominations shall be solicited from the PA State Grange Scholarship Committee which is the sole method of identifying students who are Grange members.
So get your applications in soon. The May 1 deadline is rapidly approaching! Don't miss out on this great opportunity!