For Winfred Hurlbut, 2010 has been a special year. He celebrated his 99th Birthday, his 50th Wedding Anniversary, and was recognized for 85 years of continuous membership and service by Winchester Grange No. 74.

Along with Winfred Hurlbut, 32 people were honored for various membership milestones by Winchester Grange at a special meeting, program and picnic on Tuesday, August 25th, with their combined years of extraordinary service totaling 1765. Over 50 members and visitors were in attendance to share in the celebration.

"It is a great testament to the hard work and dedication of the Winchester Grange membership that we are able to honor those who have served this organization," said Winchester Grange President and Deputy State Master of the Connecticut State Grange Todd Gelineau, who presented the awards. "This year's honorees stand as exemplars for those who believe in making a real difference in the lives of their local community."

Winfred, who joined Winchester Grange at the age of 14 in 1925, was not able to attend Tuesday evening to receive his award in person, but his wife Arlene and sons Wayne and Robert received the honor in his absence.

Winfred was not the only Hurlbut receiving a special honor. Larry Hurlbut, 94, joined Winchester Grange in 1935, and was honored for 75 years of membership and service. Larry was present for his award, along with his wife Jean, and son Peter. Jean was also honored, being presented her 60 year Membership seal. Larry is well known throughout the Winchester Center community, as he had been the Winchester Center Fire Chief since its founding 64 years ago, and retiring as Chief earlier this year. Jean is the organist and choir director for the Winchester Center Congregational Church.

Honored for 70 years of membership and service, Marion Beecher has been active in the Grange in many capacities and on many levels. She is Secretary Emeritus of Winchester Grange, holding the office for over 50 years, as well as Secretary Emeritus of the Connecticut State Grange, Lecturer Emeritus of Mountain County Pomona Grange, and is a Past Voting Delegate to the National Grange. She was also Secretary of the Connecticut Agricultural Fair and director of the Mountain County Choristers. Marion was also not able to be present, but her husband Ellsworth graciously accepted her award.

Also honored for 70 years of Grange membership and service were Arline Cote, Angela Bolus and Marion Hurlbut.

Katherine Morton joined Winchester Grange in 1930. Very active throughout the years, and always willing to volunteer and lend a helping hand, she was honored for 80 years of membership. While many of those honored, including Katherine, were not able to attend the meeting to receive their awards, many others were present. John "Jack" Cable made the trek from Vermont to accept his 60 year Membership Seal, and John Waterhouse came across the state from Glastonbury to receive his 50 year Golden Sheaf certificate.

Along with the awards, the program for the evening featured a guitar performance by Peter Hurlbut, a skit by members James Mele, Vinnie Mele, Victor Salazar, Todd Gelineau and Susan Addison, and a musical performance by Charlie Cooper on the piano.

Local Granges across Connecticut have been an integral part of rural and non-rural communities for over 125 years, with currently more than 60 local Grange chapters in Connecticut. Local Granges are committed to bettering their communities through service projects and family orientated activities.

Winchester Grange No. 74 was organized on January 2, 1888 with 31 charter members. Today, Winchester is the largest Grange in the state of Connecticut boasting nearly 300 members. Over the years, Winchester Grange has played an important role in the community. For years, the Grange has shared their land and building with the Winchester Center Volunteer Fire Department. Also, Grange members rallied to save the local Post Office, giving space within their building to house the facility. Members give countless hours of volunteer work and community service ranging from donating to the local food pantries to helping preserve the local historic Little Red Schoolhouse. Winchester Grange is best known for the yearly Agricultural Fair and Flea Market each August, Strawberry Festival every year on Father's Day, holiday bazaar, tag sales, concerts, programs and more.

For more information on Winchester Grange or the Granges across Connecticut, visit the Connecticut State Grange website at www.CTStateGrange.org or contact via e-mail info@ctstategrange.org.

Following is the complete list of those honored by Winchester Grange Tuesday evening:

25 Years of Membership:

Linda Devanney
John Bolus, Jr.
John Forchette
Susan Kline
Marie Kitch

50 years of Membership:

John Waterhouse
Blanche Sewell
Karen Papp
Sandra French
Virginia "Ginger" Chatfield
Edward Chatfield
Ernest Bengston
Barry Beecher
Gerald Jewiss
Joseph Canavo (was honored for both 50 and 55 years)

55 Years of Membership:

Joe Bement
Betty Bement
Gail Jewiss
Sandy Phillips
Julia Sullivan

60 Years of Membership:

John "Jack" Cable
Fran Cooper
Jean Hurlbut
Shirley Lemieux
Kitty Lou Placo

70 Years of Membership:

Arline Cote
Angela Bolus
Marion Beecher
Marion Hurlbut

75 Years of Membership:

Lawrence Hurlbut

80 Years of Membership:

Katherine Morton

85 Years of Membership:

Winfred Hurlbut