| December 5, 2015 -- The 149th Annual Session of the National Grange, in Lincoln, Nebraska, is in the rear view mirror. What a great place and people from the Plains Region. The food was great, the Cornhusker Hotel was gracious, the events exciting and the weather almost perfect. A new National Master was elected, Sister Betsy Huber of Pennsylvania, is in charge after four rounds of voting. A new National Lecturer, Amanda Brozana (formerly the Communications Director), were the only new officers to the National Grange. Brother Phil Prelli retained his place on the Executive Committee for another three years. Thank you, Phil. The resolutions presented at this year’s session has the National Grange leaning to the right in our policy statements, though we believe in State rights, and smaller government, we must be open minded and hospitable to people, our neighbors or potential members. The other phrase we heard was “The National Grange has no money,” while we are winning in the California litigation and closing in on the end of the Trademark litigation it must come to a conclusion soon or we will be broke.
Congratulations to Ekonk Community Grange for receiving the 2014-2015 Distinguished Grange Award for the 4th year in a row. This year’s community service award went to Little Compton Grange in Rhode Island.
The National Junior Grange is having new programs this year and one is using jump ropes, so find those old ropes in the closets and the bottom drawers and start practicing now. Hank had a grand time and picked up some new red sneakers from the Montana Junior Grange. This year, many animals were rustled with Willy the Sheep being held for $1,000.00 ransom. It is sad that these things happen even if you think you’re safe… thieves strike. Hank was well guarded.
Next year’s convention will be the 150th in the Washington, D.C. area, November 15-19, 2016. Many exciting tours are being planned for the special event. So mark your calendars.
This year’s events for the Connecticut State Grange are being worked out now and meetings are being set up for our Pink Sash family.
New England Leaders’ Conference will be January 1 5 - 1 7 in Milford , M A . Stephanie Tiller, National Grange Operations Officer, will be there to discuss the 2018 Convention to be held somewhere in the Northeast Region.
As we come into this Holiday Season, our Grangers should be commended for the extra work they do, by food donations, Christmas gifts for shut-ins, crafts and baked goods that they sell, to tree lightings and caroling events. You all do great work and I thank you for your energy, courage and spunk to get the job done. By us being visual in the public let’s not forget to ask people to join us, membership should always be in our minds, “Just ask to join” should be our motto for the upcoming year.
To all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! |
