Happy New Year to all the officers and members of the Connecticut State Grange! Let’s all hope that 2021 will be a better year for our Granges here in Connecticut and across the country. I am hopeful we can get back to meeting in person and carrying on with our fundraisers and going forth into this New Year.

Over the last six months we had two Granges turn in their charters, two more that have merged with neighboring Granges and a fifth one that is in the process of turning in their charter.  This is far too many Granges that we have lost in six months. With this pandemic still with us, let’s hope that the vaccination process will put an end to this terrible disease. I am hoping the remaining Granges can hold fast and ride out the storm. It’s going to be very hard with no income coming in and you have to keep these halls up through the winter. Take a good look at your hall and see if there’s any way you can save energy for these next three or four months.

This is the time of year that all of the Granges should be working on their Executive Committee reports, if they haven’t already been completed. You can send your Executive Committee Report to the State Master or General Deputy.  It is also a good time to check your paperwork at the banks to make sure you have to co-signers on your checking accounts, savings accounts, CD’s etc. This is very important if something happens to the Treasurer, you still have a member that can get to these accounts. We really need to be diligent and keep this paperwork up-to-date.

As I am writing this article; the vaccine has become available here in Connecticut and they have started to vaccinate emergency personnel. Let’s hope by Spring the vaccine will be available to the general public and the vaccination will be successful in bring this terrible disease to an end.

So, in closing, let’s continue to wear our masks, be mindful of social distancing and stay healthy and safe until we can once again meet in person. I wish that all of you have a happy and healthy 2021! I hope to see you soon.