Charter Presentation

Last night, April 12, 2011, was a great night for the Pennsylvania State Grange.

With the help of Deputy Lorena Baughman, I had the opportunity to present my first charter as President of the PA State Grange to members of Hyndman Grange #1954 in Bedford County. What a way to celebrate Grange Month!

Hyndman Grange was officially closed in March 2009 but the building was never sold. During 2010 then President Betsy Huber had contact with long-time Grange member Calvin Cook about opening a new Grange in the building. With Calvin's help in the area, he got the word out to people that we were working to organize a new Grange in the Hyndman area. When we met for our first organizational meeting in November 2010, the people attending were rallying around a local issue...the school district was considering closing the local elementary school which would necessitate busing the children 20+ miles to Bedford. With this issue in mind, those first attendees were able to recruit more people and they had their official organizational meeting on January 11, 2011. It was decided to keep the old Grange name of Hyndman Grange #1954 because the deed for the building and property was still in that name.

Since that time, they have done a total remake of their Grange hall. They have repainted and wallpapered the entire main hall area and totally cleaned up the basement. They were able to get two refrigerators, a stove/oven, a microwave oven and a large coffee maker all DONATED! They already have a number of hall rentals set up and will hold their first event, a Zumba class, this Sunday.

This is a fantastic group of new Grangers on the move!

PA State Grange Planning Meeting

I am extremely proud of the PA State Grange Officers, Exec. Committee, Committee Directors and Committee Members for their hard work this past weekend during the 2011 PA State Grange Planning meeting in State College.

The Executive Committee met during the day on Friday and then the Officers and Executive Committee members went right to work in the evening and met my challenge to create a Mission Statement for the PA State Grange. Work on this had begun years ago under Past President Betsy Huber and it was completed this week.

PA State Grange Mission Statement: "The PA State Grange supports the local Granges to help members grow as individuals, unify their communities and create opportunity through legislation and service."

The group also set up a tentative schedule for Family Festival (July 14-17, 2011) as well as for State Session (October 15-17, 2011).

The Committees all worked on their respective camps and projects for the year as well as finalizing their contests and programs for the new 2011-2012 Guide to Contests and Programs.

Carl Meiss
President

Mission Statement of the PA State Grange

The PA State Grange Officers have created a Mission Statement for the PA State Grange:

"The PA State Grange supports the local Granges to help members grow as individuals, unify their communities and create opportunity through legislation and service."

Great Christmas Gift Idea - 2010 PA State Grange Cookbook

Here is a great Christmas gift idea - a brand new 2010 PA State Grange Cookbook! Over 1,500 recipes from Grange members and friends throughout Pennsylvania covering Appetizers & Snacks, Beverages, Breads, Casseroles, Desserts, Diabetic & Low Calorie, Jams & Jellies, Main Dishes, Pickles, Salads, Soups & Stews, This n' That and Vegetables.

Only $18.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling.

Buy on line at http://www.pagrange.org/cookbooks.htm

PA Grange Turnout at National Grange Convention

National Grange Convention Opened Tuesday, November 9, 201 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hilton University in Charlotte, N.C. Newly elected PA State Grange President Carl Meiss and past President Betsy Huber are representing PA Grangers as their delegates.

Tuesday morning began with a tour for the delegates to the Rev. Billy Graham Library, a very interesting and moving experience. Opening was at 2:00 and at 2:30 the National Master Ed Luttrell gave his address followed by his internal report. Committees then began their reports and business was begun on resolutions from all the State Granges.

Wednesday morning began promptly at 8:00 a.m. with a "Salute to Agriculture" breakfast with Johnny Wynne, Dean of NC State College of Agriculture. Session then opened at 10:30 with more work on resolutions. "E-Membership" was approved and should go on line at www.nationalgrange.org very shorty. Luncheon speaker, Kathleen Franco, Executive Director, Public Policy, AT&T was very interesting..."Broadband Access for Rural America". Session re-opened at 2:30 and recessed at 4:30. The Idea Fair & Best of Show was open for touring from 4:30-5:30. Session reconvened at 7:30 with a roll call of states and all Grange members attending being recognized, then we had a fantastic Agriculture Advocate, Amanda Nolz, Contributing Editor, BEEF News, speak, followed by more business on resolutions. Session closed at 9:30.

The Youth have a Get-Acquainted Party scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night followed by Youth Officer Practice.

Thursday Session will open at 8:30 a.m. with committee reports and work on resolutions continuing. The Youth tour to the Graham Library begins at 9:00 along with the Idea Fair and Best of Show. There will be a special service for the veterans in the morning and a memorial service for Grange members in the afternoon.

More to come...

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.