Brothers and Sisters, I can’t believe it’s October already and we are just days away from our State Session.  Who would have ever thought we would be holding our 136th Annual Session virtually?  The Connecticut State Grange’s one-day session on October 17th will be new to all of us.  So bear with us and we will get through it one way or another.  On September 13th we held our second virtual meeting for officers and delegates.  We had 32 delegates attend the virtual meeting in which we discussed the voting process and other issues.  We had an eight minute video put together by Stephanie Wilkins from National Grange on how to use the Zoom features.  I thought it was very useful and I hope that you did as well.  Terri Fassio will be recording the State Session and will edit and play it back at a later date so our Grange members can enjoy it.  Terri is also setting up State Grange Social Hours every Thursday night from 7-8 P.M. between now and State Session.

By the time you read this article, I hope that you all have voted for the slate of officers that has been sent out at the beginning of September.  If you have not voted, please send them in as soon as possible in the self-addressed/stamped envelope given to you.

As the colder weather is approaching us and many Granges have not been able to put on their fundraisers this year, it is time to think about maybe winterizing your Grange Halls.  Turning off the furnace for the colder months.  If you’re only meeting once a month; it might be cost-effective just to close it up for 4 months.  You should find an alternative meeting place or consider a virtual meeting for these cool months.  Especially with this COVID-19 still active in our State, you might want to consider virtual meetings through the winter months.

As I was putting together this month’s article, I sadly informed of the passing of our Pomona Deputy Cynthia Charbonneau, the wife of Robert Charbonneau.  Cindy is a member of Meriden Grange #29 in which she has held many offices over the years and has been a Connecticut State Grange Pomona Deputy for the past two years.  She will certainly be missed.

As I end this month’s report, this year’s State Session is altogether different than we have ever done in the past, so please have patience with us and we will do the best we can to get through these trying times.  So... stay safe and healthy and we will get through this like good and faithful Grangers.