PA State Grange Elects New Slate of Officers

West Middlesex, PA - On Monday, October 18, 2010, PA State Grange delegates attending the 138th Annual PA State Grange Session, elected a new slate of officers for 2010-2012.

Carl Meiss was elected as the President of the PA State Grange for a two year term. Carl is a member of Valley Grange #1360 and York/Adams Pomona Grange #40 in York County. He has served the PA State Grange as its Public Relations and Membership Director as well as Editor of their newspaper, The Advocate, for the past 8 years. Carl is a retired police lieutenant from the Lower Allen Township Police Department, Cumberland County, where he served 27 years. He lives in Newberry Township, York County with his wife Judy.

Other officers elected were:

Vice President: Richard Mangel, Butler County
Program Director: Lorena Baughman, Blair County
Steward: Leonard Heim, Lehigh County
Assistant Steward: Derek Schroeder, Berks County
Lady Assistant Steward: Miranda Irons, Warren County
Chaplain: Jennifer Nauss, York County
Treasurer: Henry Seidel, Berks County
Secretary: Sandra Witmer, Lancaster County
Greeter: Andrew Kieffer, Berks County
Ceres: Marjorie Brown, Tioga County
Pomona: Ashley Bird, Centre County
Flora: Jodi Keith, Huntingdon County
Executive Committee: Nettie Kauffman, Berks County

The 138th Annual PA State Grange Session saw 218 delegates from Community and Pomona Granges and 215 guests attend. The delegates represent the nearly 260 Community Granges and 50 Pomona (County) Granges throughout the Commonwealth.

The Grange is a family, fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of the American way of life through community service, education, legislation and fellowship. It is the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization in the United States. The Grange was originally formed nationally in 1867 and was chartered in Pennsylvania in 1873.

138th Annual PA State Grange Session in West Middlesex

Lemoyne - The PA State Grange will be holding its 138th annual State Session at the Radisson Hotel, 3377 New Castle Road, West Middlesex, PA from Friday, October 15, 2010 through Monday, October 18, 2010. Butler, Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango will be this year's hosting counties.

Friday's activities will be limited to committee meetings, set up of contests and displays and rehearsals for Saturday's Opening.

The Official Opening of the 138th Annual Session is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. in the ballroom of the hotel. PA State Grange President Betsy Huber will then introduce the National Grange President Ed Luttrell and his wife Celia from Washington State, as honored guests.

Following President Luttrell's welcome, the PA State Grange will begin its business meeting. The annual State Session is attended by delegates from the nearly 260 local, Community Granges from throughout the Commonwealth. Much of the Grange business will entail discussion and voting upon 57 different resolutions proposed by members of the Community Granges. The resolutions enacted at the annual session determine the legislative policies of the PA State Grange for the coming year.

Saturday afternoon will see the Conferral of the Sixth Degree of the Grange with suggestions for officers before the meeting is closed for the day by the Youth Officers. One of the highlights of the entire weekend will be held Saturday evening...the annual Talent Contests, for both adults and Juniors (ages 5-14), followed by a Youth Party.

Sunday morning will begin with a Worship Service held at a local church followed by exhibits and workshops. The Public Speaking and Sign-A-Song contests will be held at 1:30 and the day will end with the annual "All Granger Banquet" where numerous awards will be given out.

Monday will continue the business of the Grange and discussions on resolutions with election of all of the PA State Grange officers just before lunch. The announcement of the newly elected officers will be followed by installation of officers at 1:30, following any other business.

The PA State Grange is proud to welcome AT&T, Karasik & Carrio and Gunn Mowery as sponsors of various portions of this year's State Session.