VOL. 7 NO. 12
March 27, 2013 Inside This Issue ...
Grange is . . .
Middlefield Village Pages 10-11
“Out ‘N’ About” Pages 14 -15 Cakewalkers at the Huntsburg Chili Cook-Off sponsored by the local Grange
By Jennifer Lanstrum
Easter Services Page 24
Vote for Your Favorite Recipe in Plain Country
Monday of the month at the Huntsburg Town Hall, Hambden – which meets every third Monday of the month at the Hambden Grange Hall, and Ledge - which meets every second and fourth Sunday of the month. Each subordinate Grange has its own meetings, officers and fundraisers, like the recent Huntsburg Chili Cook-Off. Next up the chain of command is the county or Pomona level. You probably remember Pomona Grange from the diner at the fair. Pomona Grange meets the third Saturday of every month at the Huntsburg Town Hall. Then we have the state Granges, that’s where most of the contests come from. Finally at the top is the national level. The Grange at all levels supports various community service projects throughout the year. On the local level they built the bandstand in Huntsburg. They help with community picnics and gatherings, sponsor Continued on page 2
Getting Your Home Ready for Spring By Christina Grand Porter
PreSort Std U.S. Postage PAID Middlefield, OH 44062 Permit No. 77
Postal Customer Local / ECRWSS
B OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Middlefield Post P.O. Box 626 Middlefield, OH 44062
G
range is an old organization, the first family fraternity founded in the U.S. That doesn’t make us stagnant, or stuck in the past, but it does give us a rich history. The Grange was created during the Reconstruction era as a support group or union for farmers. It protected their interest on the state and national levels. But Grange is more than that. Today Grange is an opportunity, for people from ages 5 to 105. We offer families something to do together. Here in Ohio, we offer something for everyone. We have talent contest, arts and crafts, contests, public speaking competition, signlanguage contests, scholarships, camps and conferences, and above all, we have fun. The structure of the grange is based on community. The lowest level of the grange is the community or subordinate level; in Geauga County we have three subordinate Granges: Huntsburg – which meets every second
y tackling just a few small outdoor tasks, you can make a big impact and give your home a well-deserved mini facelift. Change outdoor bulbs. Clean all light fixtures and replace burnt-out bulbs with energy-saving CFL bulbs. A bulb shines much brighter through clean glass, so get all that winter muck off your fixtures. Give your door some attention. It’s the portal to your home through which all your guests will enter; yet we tend to give it little thought. Restore the luster of your door by polishing the hinges and knobs and don’t forget to clean off the doorknocker if you have one. Paint or stain the door with a color that stands out, yet also complements the trim and siding. Put out a clean, new welcome mat -- and make sure the doorbell works. Repair the walkway. Snow and cold can wreak havoc on your walkway. Use these beautiful spring days to patch cracks and replace loose bricks and pavers. Rent a power washer or purchase a treatment to clean up embedded stains in concrete, stone or asphalt.
Plant new foliage and shrubbery and replace unhealthy plants. Strategically placed plants can conceal unattractive aspects of your house or yard. Place large pots or hanging baskets around the stoop or porch. Bushes or hedges can hide air-conditioning units or propane tanks, and flowerbeds and window boxes will stylize a stark facade. Think of planting vegetables in containers if you don’t have room for a garden. Many are just as attractive and aromatic as decorative plants, and they will save you money on your grocery bill. It’s delightful to be able to open the kitchen window and harvest leaves from a window box herb garden. Prune and mulch. Prune dead branches, trim back overgrown shrubbery and remove any obstructive plantings. Spread mulch or bark around trees, shrubs and flowers for a weed-free, well kept look. Freshen up your outdoor furniture. Spray a fresh coat of paint on furniture and replace the cushions. Fill an empty spot on the porch or stoop with a modern bench or porch swing. Remember, you are also getting your outdoor space ready for summer, so Continued on page 2