Grange Work

PA and MD State Granges worked together on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 to "Grow the Grange" in both states.

PA State Grange Membership Director Carl Meiss and State Deputy Lorena Baughman met with an individual at the Hyndman #1954 Grange hall south of Hyndman, Bedford County to discuss re-organizing the Hyndman Grange. Carl provided this individual with brochures and flyers promoting the Grange and expects a call within a week or two to go back out to host a re-organization meeting.

Later in the afternoon, Meiss and Baughman headed south into Maryland and scouted the area of Flintstone, MD and the surrounding countryside. An individual from Flintstone had contacted the National Grange office about the possibility of doing something to get a community center in the Flintstone area.

At 4:00 p.m. Meiss and Baughman met with Nancy Wolfe (MD State Grange co-membership director) and Alton Hoopengardner, Master of nearby Hancock Grange, along with the interested individual and his wife at the LaVale Library. Meiss explained the history of the Grange and what the Grange is today and what it can do for a community. After numerous questions and answers, the individuals left the 2 hour meeting with as much Grange information as they could carry and comprehend, with the intention of going back to the Flintstone area to recruit others in their quest.

There is a very high probability that both Maryland and Pennsylvania could "Grow the Grange" in these areas in the near future.

New York State Grange Offering First Five Degrees

The New York State Grange is offering the First Five Degrees on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Bath Grange Hall, Bath, N.Y. This is open to any Grangers from New York or Pennsylvania. (See above attached JPG of the notice).

The Truth about PA DOT Farm Equipment Regulations

If you want the absolute truth on the newly revised Farm Equipment Regulations of the PA DOT Highway Safety Regulations, check out this video of Sgt. Robert Krol, Pennsylvania State Police and Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Manager Kevin Stewart, as they explain the federally mandated changes to Grange members on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TBczoYWIGo

Grange Pie Day

Yesterday's PA State Grange Legislative Day and "Pie Day" at the Pennsylvania Capitol was a huge success. The day begin with about 55 Grange members from across the Commonwealth at the Radisson with Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Robert Krol and Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Manager Kevin Stewart explaining the federally mandated changes to PA DOT Highway Regulations as they pertain to agricultural equipment. John Barley from Versant Strategies then updated the attendees on some of the legislative items of importance. After lunch, the members boarded a bus for the capitol in Harrisburg where they took pies, cookies and other "home-baked" items to their legislators to promote SB828 which was introduced by Sen. Vogel and would allow non-profit and fraternal organizations to sell "home-baked" items, not made in a "certified" kitchen, to be sold in conjunction with fundraisers. Grange members had the opportunity to stop in at their Senator and Representative's offices to introduce themselves and the Grange as well as ask for their support on SB828. A press conference was held in the capitol rotunda (see video @ http://www.youtube.com/user/carlmeiss#p/a/u/0/5WaYioo-Z-E). SB 828 had already passed the Senate and passed in the House yesterday by a 189-0 vote with amendments.
It was a very successful day for Grange members.
(photo of Grange members assembled on the capitol rotunda steps after the press conference)

2010 May/June Advocate

The 2010 May/June issue of The Advocate (The Grange Advocate for Rural Pennsylvania) is on line at www.pagrange.org/Advocate_May_june_2010.pdf