Good Day! Volume 8, Issue 2

Good DAY!™

What’s Inside?

This issue features information on National Grange contests, ideas that Granges can use for programming, and two new quarterly features. Also inside:

• Addressing Obesity

• Member Satisfaction Survey

• Winner of the Ernie Keiser Scholarship

• Celebrate Junior Grange Month

• Recipes & safety for summer picnics

On the cover: The Homestead Festival was recently held in Columbia, Tennessee. This one-room schoolhouse, built in 2017, educates children on more than just book learning, including plenty of outdoor time. Read about Amanda’s time at the Festival in The Last Word (p.81).

Photo by Amanda Brozana

The National Grange was founded as a fraternal organization for farm families in 1867 – opening its doors to men and women equally from the start.

From rural free delivery of mail to the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, Grange has influenced many aspects of American life and culture.

Today, we continue to advocate for rural Americans and those interested in all areas of agriculture – including those who just like to eat – and our local Granges provide millions of dollars and hours of service to their neighbors annually.

Each Grange operates as a grassroots unit, taking on projects most appropriate for their communities and advocating based on their members’ beliefs.

Learn more at www.nationalgrange.org.

Officers

Christine E. Hamp, WA, President champ@nationalgrange.org

John Benedik, NJ, Vice President jbenedik@grange.org

Lynette Schaeffer, IL, Executive Committee Chair lschaeffer@grange.org

Susan Noah, OR Executive Committee Member snoah@grange.org

Leroy Watson, NH Executive Committee Member & Grange Advocacy Board Chair leroyawatson@nationalgrange.org

William “Buddy” Overstreet, TX, Executive Committee Member boverstreet@grange.org

Tom Gwin, WA, National Lecturer lecturer@nationalgrange.org

Christine E. Hamp, Publisher National Grange President President, Grange Foundation President, Grange Advocacy champ@nationalgrange.org

Philip J. Vonada, Editor Communications Director pvonada@nationalgrange.org

Stephanie Wilkins, Subscriptions Manager IT Director swilkins@nationalgrange.org

Burton Eller, Advertising Partner Legislative Director Executive Director, Grange Advocacy beller@nationalgrange.org

WHAT’S THE GRANGE? Staff OUR OUR

Christopher Johnston, MI, National Steward

Walter Hartley, RI, National Assistant Steward

Kathy Gibson, MA, National Lady Assistant Steward

Kay Hoffman Stiles, MD, National Chaplain

Joe Goodrich, VT, National Treasurer

Debbie Campbell, PA, National Secretary

David Allen, NC, National Gatekeeper

Cindy Greer, CO, National Ceres

Barbara Foster, WV, National Pomona

Welina Shufeldt, OK, National Flora

Amanda Leigh Brozana Membership & Leadership Development Director & Grange Foundation Associate abrozana@nationalgrange.org

Loretta Washington Sales, Benefits, Programs & Membership Recognition Director lwashington@nationalgrange.org

www.nationalgrange.org

Christine E. Hamp PRESIDENTIAL Perspective

My vision for the Grange is one of dynamic growth, fostering new partnerships, and building strong, resilient communities. I am committed to expanding our reach, collaborating with diverse organizations, and empowering our members to create positive, lasting impacts in their communities. Together, we must strive to uphold our foundation and the principles of the Grange while embracing innovation and inclusivity, ensuring a prosperous future for all.

The Grange has always been a cornerstone of community strength, resilience, and progress. As we look toward the future, it is essential that every local community Grange ensures they have a seat at the table when decisions about the future of our communities, towns, and neighborhoods are being made.

I urge you to actively engage with local leaders, attend community meetings, and form partnerships with other organizations. Your voices, your experiences, and your commitment to our shared values are invaluable assets that can shape the direction and prosperity of our communities. Additionally, your participation is crucial in advocating for the needs and interests of your members and ensuring that the legacy of the Grange continues to thrive in a changing world.

By being present and proactive, you can help create a future that reflects the values of cooperation, resilience, and community spirit that define the Grange. Together, we can make a significant difference and build stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come.

Let’s make sure every Grange has a voice in shaping the future.

• Advocate for Community Needs: By being present at community meetings and discussions, you can represent the unique needs and interests of your members and ensure they are addressed.

• Foster Collaboration: Building partnerships with local leaders and organizations strengthens our collective ability to effect positive change and secure resources for community development.

• Preserve Our Legacy: The values and traditions of the Grange have stood the test of time. Actively participating in community planning helps preserve this legacy for future generations while adapting to modern challenges.

• Ensure Growth and Relevance: Engaging in community dialogue keeps the Grange relevant and visible, attracting new members and supporters who share our vision of growth, partnership, and strong communities.

As we reflect on the rich history and enduring principles of the Grange, it is clear that our Founders envisioned an organization capable of evolving with the times while steadfastly upholding its core values.

In today’s rapidly changing world, it is essential that we honor their legacy by adapting to our current reality and leveraging our principles to forge a bright and sustainable future. I am convinced that our Founders would want us to:

• Embrace Change: Just as the Grange was established to address the challenges of its time, we must be willing to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of today’s communities.

• Stay True to Our Values: The principles of family, service, cooperation, and advocacy are as relevant now as they were in the past. These values should guide our actions as we navigate new challenges and opportunities.

• Foster Inclusivity and Growth: By welcoming new members and forging diverse partnerships, we can expand our reach and impact, ensuring that the Grange remains a vibrant and influential force in every community.

• Leverage Technology and Innovation: Utilizing modern tools and technologies can enhance our efforts in community building, communication, and advocacy, making our work more effective and far-reaching.

• Be Proactive and Visionary: Anticipating future trends and needs allows us to proactively address issues before they become problems, positioning the Grange as a leader in community development.

Let us move forward with the same pioneering spirit that inspired our Founders, committed to adapting and thriving in our current reality. By staying true to our principles and embracing the future, we can continue to make meaningful contributions to our communities and ensure the lasting legacy of the Grange.

Together, we can honor the past, engage the present, and build a brighter future.

Grange Strong!

ADVERTISE WITH US

Our quarterly publication welcomes advertisers. Up to a 20% discount may be offered to Grange members on their ad purchases. All rates shown are for pre-designed content submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of press date for an issue. You may request rates for ads to be designed by our staff.

GOOD DAY!™ 2024-25 PRESS DATES

Issue Due Date Hits Mailboxes

V8, I3 August 31 October 2024

V8, I4 November 30 January 2025

V9, I1 February 28 April 2025

V9, I2 May 31 July 2025

Classified ads are also welcomed at $0.50 per word up to 25 words, $1 thereafter; $2.50 per website, email, or other link regardless of word count; $5 per photo (will appear no larger than 1.5”x1”). Special requests (bold design, font increase) available for extra charge. All copy should be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the due date.

National Grange assumes no responsibility for that which is advertised in Good Day!™ and reserves the right to reject ads deemed offensive or irrelevant.

Please contact Philip Vonada by email at pvonada@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (814) 404-7985 for details.

WRITE FOR US

This is your chance! This is your magazine. Submissions may be made by any Grange member in good standing, especially including Junior and Youth members, and must be your own original work.

For Juniors, you may get your parent, guardian or another mentor or adult’s assistance to write or draw the piece, but we expect all those who assist to adhere to high ethical standards and allow the Junior’s work to be reflected without influence by the adult/ older assistant.

All work must be in good taste and appropriate for our audience. The National Grange reserves the right to reject any submissions.

Guidelines & The Fine Print

Entries may include: photo essay (at least three photos that together tell a story with captions identifying the people in the photo if applicable and what is happening in the scene); short story (max. 1,500 words); poem; essay/article (maximum 1,500 words and must include at least two relevant photographs with captions); skit (no more than six speaking characters; should not take more than 10 minutes to perform and should not require an elaborate set); D-I-Y (do-it-yourself) project with supply list, step-by-step instructions and photos of each step; or open category (examples include but are not limited to a coloring book page related to Grange or agriculture; comic strip or box; recipes, etc.).

Each entry must be submitted digitally and include name, address, phone number, email (if applicable) and Grange details (name, number and state of Subordinate Grange and office held). Junior 1+ members can list the Subordinate or State Grange they are affiliated with. E-members can list National Grange E-member.

Submission is acknowledgment that publication is authorized. In the case of Junior submissions, this is acknowledgment of right to publish by both Junior and their parent/ guardian.

All submissions must be made via email to pvonada@nationalgrange.org.

From the desk of the Editor

PHILIP J. VONADA

In an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting societal norms, local Granges have a unique opportunity to adapt to current trends and become more relevant to today’s families and rural communities. By embracing innovation and addressing contemporary issues, Granges can strengthen their roles as community pillars, fostering a sense of unity and progress.

Leveraging Technology for Greater Engagement

One of the most significant trends impacting communities today is the rise of digital technology. Granges can harness this power to enhance communication, outreach, and engagement. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer tools for reaching a broader audience, including younger generations who might not be familiar with the Grange’s traditional methods. By creating vibrant, engaging content and regularly updating their online presence, Granges can attract new members and keep current ones informed and involved.

Video conferencing tools like Zoom can facilitate virtual meetings and events, making it easier for members to participate regardless of geographical barriers. These tools are especially beneficial in rural areas where travel can be challenging. Online workshops, webinars, and digital newsletters can provide valuable resources and education to members, enhancing their skills and knowledge without the need for physical gatherings. Hybrid events that allow in-person and virtual participation can further increase accessibility.

Promoting Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is a growing concern worldwide, and rural communities are no exception. Granges can take the lead in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental stewardship. By organizing workshops on topics like organic farming, renewable energy, and water conservation, Granges can empower local farmers and residents to adopt eco-friendly methods. Collaborating with environmental organizations and government agencies can provide additional resources and expertise, reinforcing the Grange’s role as a leader in sustainability.

Events like community gardens and farmers’ markets supported by the Grange can promote local produce and reduce carbon footprints associated with long-distance food transportation. These initiatives support sustainability and foster a sense of community and mutual support among local residents.

Focusing on Health and Wellness

Health and wellness are increasingly important to today’s families. Granges can adapt by offering programs and resources that promote physical and mental well-being. Fitness classes, nutritional workshops, and mental health seminars can address the holistic needs of community members. By partnering with local health professionals and organizations, Granges can provide valuable services that enhance the quality of life in rural areas.

Mental health support is also crucial, particularly in rural communities where access to services is frequently limited. Establishing peer support groups, hosting mental health awareness events, and providing resources for coping with stress and anxiety can make a significant impact.

Supporting Economic Development

Economic stability is a cornerstone of thriving communities. Granges can support local economic development by providing resources and training for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Hosting business development workshops, offering mentorship programs, and creating networking opportunities can help local businesses grow and succeed.

Granges can also advocate for improved infrastructure and services that benefit the entire community, such as high-speed internet access, which is essential for modern businesses and education. By supporting initiatives that enhance local economies, Granges can ensure their communities remain vibrant and resilient.

Fostering Inclusivity and Diversity

Today’s society values inclusivity and diversity more than ever. Granges must strive to be welcoming spaces for all community members, regardless of age, gender, race, or background. This can be achieved by actively reaching out to underrepresented groups and creating programs that reflect the community’s diverse interests and needs.

Inclusive practices involve hosting cultural events, celebrating various traditions, and providing platforms for different voices to participate. By fostering an environment of respect and openness, Granges can build stronger, more cohesive communities.

Enhancing Educational Opportunities

Education is a powerful tool for community development. Granges can adapt to current trends by offering various educational opportunities, from agricultural training to digital literacy. Collaborating with local schools and academic institutions can expand these offerings and provide additional support to students and educators.

By embracing technology, promoting sustainability, focusing on health and wellness, supporting economic development, fostering inclusivity, and enhancing educational opportunities, Granges can adapt to current trends and become more relevant to today’s families and rural communities. These efforts will strengthen the Grange as an organization and enrich the lives of its members and the broader community.

How will you help your Grange become a stronger and more relevant part of your community today? One small step, one small action can help increase the visibility and effectiveness of your Grange programming.

National Grange launches podcast focused on members’ stories

by Philip J Vonada National Grange Communications Director

“The Grange Hall” podcast has launched!

Announced during the National Grange Convention in Niagara Falls, New York, this exciting new podcast is conveniently available in most places where you might already listen to podcasts or other audio content.

Join hosts Meagan McDonald (WA) and Philip Vonada (PA) as they interview Grange members from around the country about their Grange story, history, and where they see the Grange going in the future—and anywhere else the conversation flows.

“The Grange Hall” is a platform that celebrates the diversity within the Grange community. It shines a spotlight on local members who are making a difference, have innovative ideas, or are passionate about the Grange’s identity and potential.

This podcast is for more than just current Grangers! We encourage you to share this podcast with friends, family, and others who may be interested in or curious about the Grange. We hope members and non-members alike

will listen to “The Grange Hall,” finding inspiration and excitement for the Grange’s present and future.

New episodes drop biweekly on Wednesdays. Already released episodes include:

• Episode 0 - “Welcome to the Hall” with Meagan & Phil

• Episode 1 - National Grange President Christine Hamp

• Episode 2 - Jessica Horton (NC)

• Episode 3 - Victor Jamiel (WA)

• Episode 4 - Richard Stonebraker (MD)

• Episode 5 - Aili McKeen (CT)

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio. You can also find the podcast on PodBean, the National Grange website ( http://www.nationalgrange.org/grangehallpod ), or video episodes are available on the National Grange’s YouTube channel.

If you aren’t sure that audio podcasts are for you, a video version of each podcast is available on the National Grange YouTube channel. In this image: Hosts Meagan McDonald and Philip Vonada and guest Jessica Horton (clockwise from top left). Screenshot from National Grange YouTube

Follow the QR code below to reach our Podbean page, where you can access all distribution locations.

If you know a Grange member who has a unique story or is doing great things in their Grange and community and who you think should be featured on the podcast, please email grangehallpod@gmail.com

“Meet us at the River” for the 2024 National Grange Convention

In just a few months, the Midwest Host Region is looking forward to welcoming everyone right on the banks of the Mississippi River for the 158th Annual National Grange Convention!

Grangers from all over the country will be flying, driving, and arriving by train into Bettendorf, one of the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois, for a week of fellowship, educational and entertaining programs, and completing the work of the National Grange.

“Everybody is welcome – our members as well as all those interested in the work of the Grange,” said National Grange President Christine Hamp. “It’s exciting to see our annual convention growing in scope and relevance with a robust schedule of informative and interactive workshops, more options for tours and activities, as well as increased time for fellowship, building friendships, and having fun.”

Last year as National Vice President, Hamp served as the chairwoman of the National Convention Advisory Work Group which had the charge to identify ways to make our conventions more inviting and interesting to all members and not just focused on the work of the Delegates, “I am thrilled with the overwhelming positive response to our updates and changes and look forward to being a part of this continued growth now and into the foreseeable future.”

This year, tours focus on local experiences, including Lagmarcino’s Confectionery - a local chocolate and ice cream store with over a hundred years of history, the Rock Island Arsenal, the Figge Art Museum, John Deere

Since 1908, Lagomarcino’s has been making the “best sweets in Iowa,” including chocolate and ice cream. Join the tour at on November 12 at this year’s convention. Photo via Google Local

Davenport Works and John Deere Pavilion, the Davenport Distillery, Cinnamon Ridge Farms, and, for Junior Grange members, the Putnam Museum & Science Center, plus a quilt shop hop for those interested.

“We really want to focus on highlighting the best of the Quad Cities and giving a taste of our local flavor and flair,” said Karie Blasingame, the Host Committee’s tour chairperson. “There’s truly something for everyone on our list, and even more to see and do that we can’t provide tours to, but we hope members will take advantage of.”

Community Service Project

Each year, the host region also selects a local organization to highlight for community service. This year, the Midwest Host Region selected Wreaths Across America as our project.

Every December, Wreaths Across America honors all fallen heroes with placing a wreath at their markers. This endeavor started out small in 1992 when Worcester Wreath Company found themselves with a surplus of wreaths. The company was able to place them on markers in one of the older sections of Arlington. It became an annual event and has now grown to placing 2.7 million sponsored wreaths at 3,702 locations in 2022.

Michigan State Grange President Christopher Johnston and his son, Marc, lay wreaths in Great Lakes National Cemetery in 2022.

Photo by Connie Johnston

“Of course, this is no easy feat, as cost and labor

Convention highlights will include:

• Host Banquet^ aboard the Celebration Belle riverboat - Monday, 11:30 a.m.

• Welcome Reception^ - all are invited! - Monday, 5:30 p.m.

• Opening of 158th Annual Convention*, with the President’s Addresses - Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.

• Advocacy Lunch^ - Tuesday,12:15 p.m.

• National Grange Story Slam - Tuesday, 9:00 p.m.

• Salute to Agriculture Lunch^ - Wednesday, 12:15 p.m.

• Quilts of Valor presentation, Celebration of Remembrance, and Grange Hall of Fame - Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

• Youth party - Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

• Session Opening by Youth Officers - Friday, 8:30 a.m.

• Sign-a-Song & Public Speaking Contest - Friday, 2:00 p.m.

have an impact each year,” says Connie Johnston, chair of the community service project. “We would like to be a part of the 2.70 million sponsored wreath placements this year, and this is where you can help.” Each wreath costs $17.00 to sponsor. The host committee is encouraging Granges to make a donation in any amount to go toward one (or more) wreath. A donation form is located on page 11.

The 2024 National Wreaths Across America Day is December 14, with the theme “Live with Purpose.” Besides sponsoring a wreath, Grange members can join the service project by helping to lay wreaths at any of the participating locations. “To follow the mission statement, as you place the wreath, you will say their name to remember them so they are never forgotten, honor them for their service and sacrifice, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

• GROW Club Social^ - Friday, 5:30 p.m.

• National Grange recognition night - Friday, 7:30 p.m.

• Ice Cream Social^ - Friday, 9:45 p.m.

• Sixth Degree Conferral^ - Saturday, 10:00 a.m.

• Junior Grange Activities Day - Saturday, 11:00 a.m.

• Seventh Degree Conferral+ - Saturday, 1:00 p.m.

• Grange Strong Banquet^ - Saturday, 6:00 p.m.

• Trivia Contest - Saturday, 7:45 p.m.

* Opening of Session only open to Seventh Degree members, all others will be admitted before the Addresses.

^ Ticketed Event

+ The Seventh Degree Conferral is open for any member to watch. Those obtaining their Degree should pre-register.

Additionally, during the National Grange convention, attendees can learn more about the program by visiting their table in the Showcase or attending their workshop session. Learn more at wreathsacrossamerica.org

Hotel information

This year’s host hotel is the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf. Right on the bank of the Mississippi River, the hotel features plenty of amenities, room for fellowship, and is also just steps away from some fantastic casino action.

For just $109 per night (plus tax), make your reservations using Group Code NGC24, either online or by calling 1-800-843-4753. A direct link to book is available on the National Grange’s website at: http://www.nationalgrange. org/158thconvention.

Registration Information

Early Bird Registration ($32) is open until July 31, 2024

General Registration ($37) will be open from August 1 through September 30, 2024

Late Registration ($42) closes for meal options on November 1, 2024

Registration on Site will be available at the late registration cost, but you will not be able to obtain tickets to any meals

Register at https://www.nationalgrange.org/158thConvention or scan the QR code

On the bank of the Mississippi River, the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf will be this year’s convention location. Photo provided

Wreaths

SPONSOR A WREATH

$17.00

Idaho State Grange

finds focus - meeting diaper needs through service, advocacy, and education

by Amanda Brozana National Grange Membership & Leadership Development Director

Think of every baby you passed by at the mall, grocery store, or community event this week. Statistically, one-half of those families struggle to afford diapers for their children, and half of those babies often do not have enough clean diapers to meet their basic needs. Idaho State Grange hopes to change that for many children in their state this year and has focused attention on education, advocacy and, of course, giving to the Idaho Diaper Bank.

State Grange President Eileen Javaux credited her daughter’s involvement in starting a diaper bank in South Carolina for inspiring the initiative.

“When our daughter Anna first started her diaper bank in 2016, I learned that diaper banks are a need,”

Javaux said. “In many conversations with Anna, I asked her what the Idaho State Grange could do to support the diaper need.”

One fact Javaux learned and shares with others comes from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, which says the poorest 20% of people in the U.S. who purchase diapers spend 14% of their net income on this product alone.

What also caught Javaux’s attention, and that of her daughter, is that no federal programs, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly known as food stamps) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), provide funding to help families purchase diapers.

The National Diaper Bank Network argues this is the right course.

“These nutrition-based programs should not be expanded to include

diapers or other non-food material basic necessities. Doing so would force more families to make impossible choices between buying diapers and buying groceries, or paying the electric bill, or filling a prescription,” the organization says on its website.

However, Javaux said her daughter urged the family and State Grange to look at two legislative measures – bills in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, each focused on ending diaper need by creating a $200 million fund focused on a solution – and offer their support. Javaux did just that and a resolution written locally passed at the State and at the National Grange in 2023 in support of the bills.

In Grange fashion, the state also took on the service project, placing the Graces - Ceres, Pomona, and Flora - at the helm, rallying community Granges to host diaper and fund drives.

"I think this project can be mutually beneficial. It's a great way to get the Grange's name out by doing the service project and a great way for us to raise awareness about the need for a diaper bank or partners in the north end of the state to participate with the Idaho Diaper Bank to meet the needs up here," said Jeannie Billmire, who holds the office of State Pomona.

Javaux said at least three Granges and a Pomona Grange have collected diapers or cash, and many more plan to do so, including some in September for National Diaper Need Awareness Week from the 23rd to the 28th.

Idaho Diaper Bank Executive Director Traci Loftus said she is grateful for the support of the Idaho State Grange, local Granges, and organizations like ours.

Diaper drives, she said, are especially good not just for gathering

Idaho State Grange President Eileen Javaux, left, presents diapers and wipes to Idaho Diaper Bank Executive Director Traci Loftus, center, on May 1. They were joined by Western Region SHIPmate Scott Lyle, Washington.

Photo by Amanda Brozana

some supplies that can be donated to the bank, but also raise awareness of the pressing basic need.

However, Loftus said that while diaper drives are an essential method for spreading the word, they are not the most effective at getting diapers into the hands of those families that need them.

“Cash. Monetary donations actually go further than

product,” Loftus said. That is because she can purchase pallets of diapers directly from manufacturers rather than individual packs in stores, often saving at least a third of the cost incurred by consumers and providing greater stability in the supply she has on hand.

“With donations, I can make sure we have the supplies we need, no matter the month or how many individuals or organizations have dropped off diapers and wipes,” she said.

This is true, she said, of all diaper banks around the country. She would never discourage diaper drives, though.

“Individuals and organizations who hold diaper drives are not just gathering supplies, but also informing and hopefully helping to increase our network of advocates and donors,” Loftus said.

National Grange Community Service Working Group Chairwoman Bonnie Mitson said the effort in Idaho is one example of how together and with the breadth of Grange expertise, we can make a difference.

“State Granges can make a great impact if they can find projects that each Grange can take part in, integrating service, education and advocacy,” Mitson said. “From this project, we not only learned how great the need is for diapers, but we also learned the difference in resources between areas of our state and as Grange, we can work on all these levels - education, outreach, advocacy - to fix the issue while still being charitable.”

Diaper Insecurity among U.S. Children and Families

A nationally representative study commissioned by the National Diaper Bank Network was released June 15, 2023, with these major findings:

• Diaper need has increased sharply.

• 47% (almost half) of families reported diaper need in 2023. In the first diaper need investigation in 2010 and in several subsequent studies, approximately 33% or 1/3 of families reported diaper need.

• Diaper need forces families to cut back on other essentials.

• 46% of families reported reducing other expenditures to afford diapers, with most of those households cutting back in multiple areas. The most common cutback was entertainment outside the home (56%). Other common areas for cutbacks included food (35%) and utilities (19%).

• Diaper need is associated with stress and worry.

• 70% of the respondents reporting diaper need said that they were stressed or anxious about their responsibilities as a parent or caregiver. 53% said they felt judged as a bad parent/caregiver because they could not afford diapers.

• Diaper need is widespread and cuts across income levels.

• Among families with diaper need, 66% were categorized as low income, 28% as middle income, and 6% as high income.

• Diaper need impacts daily life.

• Families with diaper need reported more instances of unmet health needs; stress and anxiety; limitations on free time and social contact; and barriers to work.

• Diaper need intersects with food insecurity.

• More than a quarter of respondents (28%) who reported diaper need said that they skipped meals so that they could afford more diapers.

• Diaper need results in parents missing work and losing wages.

• 1 in 4 (25%) of parents and caregivers with diaper need reported having to miss work or school because they did not have enough diapers to drop their child off at childcare, and reported missing, on average, 5.1 workdays in the past 30 days. This represents a loss of $296 per month for a parent earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Data sourced from National Diaper Bank Network website

A Look Back: The Beauty of Grange Ritualism

by Charles M. Gardner

High Priest of Demeter (1913-1947)

Reprinted in 1952

There are so many sides to the Grange that frequent enumeration is beneficial and possibly the number of Patrons is few who realize through what a variety of directions its beneficent principles are expressed. The Founders were wise in their determination to make their new-born fraternity serve rural people in every possible way. They were mindful of the needs of agriculture in 1867, prostrate after the tragedy of the Civil War; they understood the isolation of the farm home and its lack of comforts and conveniences; they glimpsed the handicaps of young men and young women on the farm, denied the educational privileges which were the common lot of city cousins; they visualized partially at least the opportunities of a nation-wide rural fraternity, and the structure which they began to rear sought to embody all these things.

Therefore we find – and we ought to think about it more often than we do – that back of all the material accomplishments, about which the Founders dreamed for their Grange, they prepared a fraternal ritual based upon the sequence of the seasons, applied its significance to everyday human life and required its frequent exemplification in all the units of the organization to create a background , without which Grange success in other directions seemed to them unlikely.

Ritualism (in every fraternity) is designed to bring out the finer side of life and to elevate the thoughts and practices of the membership. Out of hearts come action and the fact that Grange action is in evidence in all parts of the nation is a silent tribute to the

strong binding tie which holds together in 37 states nearly 900,000 earnest men and women seeking to promote a universal program.

One of the purposes of Grange ritualism is to touch the hearts of members, and this is every bit as legitimate a goal as to touch their pocketbooks through material Grange benefits.

The member from Maine finds the Grange door in Oregon opening as readily to his signal as in his home Grange 3,000 miles away; while the California visitor in North Carolina is obliged to speak the same words of admission to any Grange he may visit, as would be true on the Pacific Coast. Were it not for this universal tie, a national organization would soon deteriorate into state or locality groups, and the strong adhesive power of the Grange would be broken. Remember, it is through our ritualism that these universal features are preserved. Community service efforts may vary in different parts of the country; cooperative undertakings are naturally attuned to the needs of various localities; but the ritualistic features of our Fraternity are exactly the same from coast to coast.

Grange history shows conclusively that where the ritual is best observed there Grange progress is most in evidence. The fact, in the case of several states, Grange work, once apparently on the downgrade, has been turned into upward trends by pressing ritualistic work to the fore and building anew upon that substantial basis.

The fact can hardly escape attention that the largest attendance of the year in most Granges is registered on degree nights and at the annual installation of officers – both significant ritualistic events. It may be true in a few Granges that people complain of too much

This new column take a look at some historic documents from leaders of the Grange, or Grange publications, then adding annotation from current Grange leaders with how it can be applied to our current lives in the Grange.

degree work and voice objections to so much us of the ritual, but effective answer can be immediately found in two very definite directions:

(1) That Grange Degrees are conferred too many times during the year; or

(2) They are put on an in attractive fashion with the result that members are prejudiced against Degree work rather than inspired by it. Most Granges confer degrees, but others still work them – there is a big difference.

The Seventh Degree

In the National Grange, a mighty effort has been made during the last quarter century and more to build up a Seventh Degree that shall win universal recognition. To this end musical and pictorial features have been added: The degree has been considerably lengthened and impressive features introduced, calculated to inspire recipients of the degree with the beauty of Grange ritualism and the value of its lofty teachings. Moreover, those in charge of the Seventh Degree presentation have longed to see, as one result, initiates going back to the home Grange determined to make their own degree work more effective than ever before. When it is realized that nearly 190,000 Patrons have been initiated into the Seventh Degree, its influence upon Grange ritualism across the continent must be apparent; and this responsibility is fully sensed each year by all participants in the Seventh Degree rendition.

As many State Grange sessions, now in progress and continuing until the new

year, and even beyond, will present the floral beauty of the Sixth Degree and at the annual meeting in the Seventh Degree will be witnessed by thousands of Patrons, the crowning glory of Grange ritualism, it is not inappropriate to drive home to the consideration of Patrons everywhere that with Grange ritualism eliminated from our Fraternity the Order would certainly be doomed to decay; by its effective rendition there is almost no limit to the inspiration which may be aroused and beneficent results within possible reach.

Such are the lessons which Grange history reaches, and in consequence ours is not “just another farm organization,” but an actual Fraternity, whose members are indeed possessors “of a ceremony of initiation, which binds us in mutual fraternity as with a band of iron; but although its influence is so powerful, its application is as gentle as the often silken thread that binds a wreath of flowers.”

Moreover, Grange ritualism permits setting at work thousands of Patrons who participate in Grange degree teams, drills and tableau groups, etc often holding their interest in the order which might not have been true if they had not been given such parts to perform.

The constant Grange need is for the maintenance of a good balance among its several outstanding features and perhaps the setup of a well-balanced Grange can be thus concisely defined:

1. Defend the interest of agriculture.

2. Encourage rural cooperation.

3. Develop community service.

4. Utilize Grange ritualism as the mainspring in a great and growing fraternity.

There have always been those from the very beginning of the Grange who sought to discount the value of the ritual – some even eager to eliminate it altogether. Fortunately, however, Grange leaders for the most part have

Some thoughts on Gardner’s writing

seen the value of the ritual as a means of creating and holding interest; and have therefore insisted on maintaining it at high levels. It can be set down as a fact that when a Grange – Subordinate, Pomona, or State – neglects its ritual, disintegration invariably follows.

Those Grange leaders best serve the Order who rightly estimate the value of the ritual and insist upon its faithful adherence by all branches of the Fraternity. Upon such as a basis, an even grander and loftier structure for the future can be reared than has yet appeared in Grange history; and as its beauty and value are constantly extending, we can truthfully maintain the belief that the dream of the Founders is being actually realized, and their wisdom, even in the struggling days of beginning, is being fully vindicated.

from Lynette Schaeffer, President of Illinois State Grange & Chair, National Grange Board of Directors

I recently found this article in my mom’s (Lucille Lang) papers. She recently passed away and we are starting to go through her papers. Yes, she was of the generation without internet, so if they wanted to remember something they clipped the article and put it in a box. Well, the title of this article was worth the stop and read to me.

I love the ritual of the Grange and have often read the manuals just to clear my mind. Although this reprint was in 1952 - before I was born - I find the information relevant now, some 70-plus-years later. The Granges in Illinois that I see thriving are those that practice the ritual opening and closing each meeting. And, yes, though some have “tweaked” the process a little it still has the same meaning. Something that can exist for 157 years with only minor adjustments is astonishing.

I hope that all Granges will continue to perform the ritual procedures for each meeting and try hard to have Degree and Installation performances on an annual basis. As with all performances, there are lines to learn and inflections and timing to control, so the more time the “actors” spend practicing, the better the “show” will be, and the more that candidates and new and old members alike will understand the meaning. The Degree and Installation time can be fulfilled with other Granges making it a fun event. I have fond memories of participating in four Granges in our county being installed all at one time. It was a little challenging for the marshals, regalia and emblem bearers but the installing officer appreciated that they only had to say the words once.

Keep the Ritual of the Grange Alive in your Grange to keep your Grange Alive.

Why Public-Private Partnerships?

Provider builds, operates, and refreshes network technology.

Providers have been in the broadband industry for decades. We specialize in building quality, reliable and secure networks.

Governments would rely on taxpayer dollars to finance network expenses.

Governments, especially in rural areas, lack in-house technical expertise to build and maintain networks.

Improvements in internet speed and coverage are attributed to private sector experience. Since 1996, high-speed internet providers have invested more than $1.8 trillion in network infrastructure.

Sources: http://comms.nyls.edu/ACLP/ACLP-Government-Owned-Broadband-Networks-FINAL-June-2014.pdf https://www.ustelecom.org

Government-Owned Networks often struggle to compete with the private sector due to financial pressures and lack of experience.

The Grange Foundation: Preserving the past… preparing for the future

by John Benedik National Grange Vice President Treasurer, Grange Foundation

What do you really know about the

National Grange Foundation?

The Grange Foundation was formed in 1964 to aid in furthering the ability of the National Grange to provide opportunities to our next generation of leaders and instill agricultural interest, rural issues and community service issues and career opportunity and community service as a way of life.

Our mission statement: The Grange Foundation supports youth development, promotes agriculture education and research, improves communities, and fosters culture, heritage, citizenship and charitable activities.

The Grange Foundation supports these programs through several different dedicated funds: Deaf Awareness, Endowment Fund, Junior Grange Fund, Youth Leadership Fund, G.R.O.W. (Go Right On Working) Fund, American Arts and Culture Fund, Community and Leadership Fund, Communication Fellows Fund, SHIPmates Fund.

Deaf Awareness Fund

This fund endows an internship with Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Gallaudet, founded in 1864, is one of the only universities specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing students. The fund assists interns with living expenses including housing and meals.

The Deaf Awareness Fund also sponsors the Deaf Awareness Grant Program. Any State Grange may apply for assistance through this program for a special project to benefit the deaf community.

Junior Grange Fund

If you are like me, you probably were a Junior Grange member as a child. The Junior Grange was adopted as a division of the Grange in 1888 and since then, Junior Granges have provided opportunities for young members to take on leadership roles as they learn about parliamentary procedures and public speaking. Junior Grange members perform community service and have fun! Funds donated to the Junior Grange Fund are used exclusively to support programs within the Junior Grange on all levels. I would not be the leader in the Grange I am today without the foundation the Junior Grange instilled in me.

Youth Leadership

The Youth program continues the personal development began in the Junior Grange. We need to develop the leadership skills of our youth to continue the work of the Grange. Having served on the New Jersey Youth Committee many (many, many) years ago, the skills I learned are invaluable to me today. Not only in the Grange but in my professional career. And four of my closest friends today were on the Youth Committee with me all those years ago.

G.R.O.W. Club Fund

Go Right on Working – this is an elite club within the Grange structure. This is a group of Grange members who have participated in the National Grange Prince, Princess, Young Couple, Young Patron, Ambassador or Horizon Leadership programs. In essence, it is a “Booster Club” for the Youth Leadership Fund. The G.R.O.W. Club has scholarships to assist with funding transportation and lodging costs at National Grange for participants in the various Ambassador programs.

American Arts and Culture Fund

Created in 2012, this fund supports initiatives related to American handicraft and folk art. This includes historical preservation and enactment, such as the conferral of the original 1873 Degrees at the Kelley Farm in 2013 and cultural displays and performances that showcase artistic talent, Grange heritage and American historical movements in rural areas.

Community and Leadership Fund

Also founded in 2012, this fund supports efforts by Granges across the country and the National Grange that have an impact on communities in which Granges are located and the personal growth of Grange members. This will fund initiatives such as scholarships to attend leadership training, community service projects that impact rural areas and more. The fund also helps the Grange, on all levels, fulfill our mission of educating large and small communities about agriculture, civic engagement, voting and advocacy, conservation, life skills and many other areas of interest.

Communication Fellows Fund

The Communication Fellows program celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. Communication Fellows create digital and print media content during the annual National Grange convention. But their work is not only during convention - training runs throughout the year! They learn aspects of

communications including writing press releases, interacting with the media, livestreaming and more. They (along with the National Grange staff) are the unsung heroes of our annual National Grange convention.

SHIPmates Fund

Created in 2023, the SHIPmates Training Program focuses on membership and leadership development. With representation from each of the regions, this program offers participants professional level training on various leadership topics and a deep dive into Grange rules and traditions as well as organizational procedures and much more. Like the Communication Fellows, much of their work is done during the National Convention but they work in their assigned region all year long helping strengthen the Granges and look for opportunities for the Grange to grow and thrive for many years to come.

1 in 1,000 Club

The 1 in 1,000 Club is, in my opinion, the most unique fund of all of the Foundations funds. There will only be 1,000 members of this club. A $1,000 donation to the Grange Foundation (paid monthly, quarterly or in one payment) helps to preserve the future of the Grange Foundation. Members of this elite club are invited to invitation only events throughout the year and during the National Grange Convention.

One of the projects recently supported by the 1 in 1,000 Club was the digitization of the original charter applications for all Subordinate/Community Granges since 1867. To receive a dispensation from the National Grange and a charter, an application has to be made and submitted listing information about the new Grange as well as a listing of the charter members. It was very thrilling for me to research the charter applications for the 225 Granges formed in New Jersey over the past 150 years. My great-grandparents were charter members of Whitehouse Grange #159 in 1905 and I can’t put into words what it meant to me to see their names on the charter application. As I researched the other Granges in New Jersey, I saw names of members that I remember interacting with as a child. This is a very important part of our history and I am thrilled that the project has been undertaken.

The Grange Foundation is much more than the funds that I have summarized. We have been an annual sponsor of the National Agriculture in the Classroom which celebrates the best in agricultural literacy efforts.

One of our newest projects is the Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship. Ernestine “Ernie” Keiser was a charter member of Beach Community Grange #958 in Virginia in 1959. She was very active in the Grange on all

levels. She was very supportive of the Youth program and a firm believer in the importance of education. The Grange Foundation is very honored to have a significant donation made in her memory to establish a scholarship in her name to be awarded annually.

What does the future hold for the Grange Foundation?

The Board of Directors of the Grange Foundation is committed and dedicated to increasing the visibility of the Grange Foundation. We are looking for new ways to raise funds to help support not only the many projects and programs mentioned in this article but new ways to spread the word about the Grange across America.

But we can’t do it alone! We need your support. Please consider making a donation to the Grange Foundation. We have set a goal to raise $20,000 this year to support the programs of the Foundation.

No donation is too small! Donations can be earmarked for a specific fund. If no designation is indicated, funds will be deposited in the General Fund.

We will be sponsoring an online auction in conjunction with 32 Auctions beginning in November. We are in the process of lining up some very special gifts and experiences. Watch the Grange Today! newsletter, the next issue of Good Day! and your State Grange publication for more information. If you would like to donate an item to the auction, please reach out to Amanda Brozana at the National Grange.

The Grange Foundation is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity. Your donation may be tax deductible but please consult with your accountant or tax preparer.

More information about the programs of the Grange Foundation is available on our website: GrangeFoundation. org as well as the National Grange website: NationalGrange. org.

Questions can be directed to the Board members who are listed on the Foundation website.

In my years as a Delegate to National Grange, I never fully understood what the Foundation was or what we did. Having been appointed to the Board of Directors, I now have a much better understanding and am proud to be part of such a great Foundation.

Won’t you join us and support the Grange Foundation in some small way?

NC Youth named first recipient of the Ernestine “Ernie” Keiser Memorial Scholarship

by Amanda Brozana Grange Foundation Associate

During Grange Month, the Grange Foundation announced the inaugural winner of the newly established Ernestine “Ernie” Keiser Memorial Scholarship Award.

Asheton Medlin, of Roxboro, North Carolina, is a member of Bushy Fork Grange #1073 and attends the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Medlin is a junior, majoring in biology with her sights on veterinary school. Valedictorian of her high school graduating class, Medlin has academic honors and accolades, but it was the narrative of her application essay that committee members cited when discussing the selection.

“She is a powerful writer and you can feel her passion for the Grange [in her essay],” said Grange Foundation Chairwoman Joan C. Smith.

“I am so grateful to be the first recipient of this scholarship. It means so much to me to know that this organization that I have given my heart to is here to support me and help me further my future,” Medlin said.

“I wouldn’t be able to attend the university I do without scholarships. They allow me to focus more on my schoolwork without being stressed over paying for it. To receive an award that you worked so hard for is an honor and further motivation to strive towards my future.”

The gift that made the scholarship possible was named in memory of Keiser, a charter Grange member of Beach Community Grange in Virginia, and a fervent supporter of youth programming and leadership development.

“Ernie had always been a great supporter of National Grange Youth department. Whether it was judging the ‘Prince and Princess’ contest… or driving 10-plus hours with a station wagon full of kids from Virginia to Florida

for a Southeastern Youth Conference, she promoted Youth learning and involvement in Grange activities,” Keiser’s nephew, Virginia State Grange President Jimmy Taylor said.

He noted this was not the first time his aunt generously provided financial resources for Grange members.

“Some people may not know, Ernie would have Grange members stay with her in Fairfax if they needed to do things at the National Grange building. She quietly provided funds for some contests in the Youth Department,” he said.

Education was a deep passion for Keiser.

“Ernie was a life-long learner, whether it was formal classes and college or life experience and travel. She encouraged others to pursue goals and dreams through education and experience,” Taylor said, noting that Keiser and Helen Fortner established a scholarship fund at Beach Community Grange #958 in Chesterfield, Virginia, where Keiser was a charter member and active until her passing.

Medlin is currently serving as National Grange Youth Ambassador, but Grange Foundation Board member and scholarship committee chair Anna May Nauss made a point to say Medlin’s application spoke for itself, or more “to her growth because of the Grange and how much she values being a member,” she said.

Nauss said 19 people applied representing 11 states, something she said she was very proud of for the first year of the scholarship.

Smith said she was proud to see the variety in educational pursuits from a certificate program to doctoral students as part of the pool of applicants.

Read an excerpt from Asheton’s essay, which was a part of her application, on the next page.

Asheton Medlin, recipient of the Ernie Keiser Memorial Scholarship.

Photo provided

online for 2025 at https://grangefoundation.org/ernestine-memorial-scholarship/

Dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class therapies that advance patient care

“The need for broadband continues to grow. In today’s world, it is as important as our basic utilities. In Alaska, we have many communities that are unserved. Guided by our mission to change lives through technology, we’re working diligently with our partners to bridge the digital divide.”

MATT MCCONNELL, PRESIDENT & CEO, ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS

CONNECTING AMERICA’S HEARTLAND

For more than 120 years, Alaska Communications has worked tirelessly to advance the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase the capability, security, and reliability of its network. Alaska is a critical location for our nation’s resource development, military defense, arctic research and global logistics, all industries that rely on broadband.

Among these investments is its stateof-the-art fiber to the home network, which currently delivers the fastest upload speeds in Alaska. In the last two years, Alaska Communications deployed fiber to the home to about 10,000 locations. This commitment ensures Alaskans stay connected to the people and places that matter the most. Learn more at alaskacommunications.com.

USTelecom.org

A Pilot Program in Rural Vermont Hopes to Build a Blueprint for Substance Abuse Recovery

In the first of its kind collaboration in Vermont, a recovery group and an EMS team work together to help those with alcohol and substance abuse disorders find the long-term care.

By Caitlin Randall

Originally published in The Daily Yonder

Tucked away on a quiet side street in downtown Bennington, Vermont, is the public library. It’s an imposing brick building, remodeled in the 1930s to mirror a 19th century courthouse with huge arched windows that bathe the interior in natural light, even in the gloom of Vermont’s long winter days. Recently, it’s been troubled by a very 21st century problem.

The police arrived first, responding to a 911 call from library staff. A man lay unconscious in a bathroom stall, still and unresponsive. With the cubicle locked, an officer squeezed under the metal door enough to drag the 45-year-old, who by then had turned deathly purple, onto the bathroom floor. It was the second library overdose in six months.

Within seconds, an officer had forced naloxone nasal spray, an opioid overdose treatment often known by its brand name Narcan, into the victim’s nose. As his color returned, his eyes shot open. Agitated but revived, he nervously admitted to injecting fentanyl but refused an ambulance to the local hospital.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are familiar with the response, knowing that most substance abusers are ashamed or frightened — deterred by the stigma attached to drug use and terrified they might not get their next dose soon enough to endure withdrawal.

In most places, the drama would end here. But in Bennington, a new collaborative program is being tested, targeting alcohol and substance abusers who have fallen through the cracks. The pilot program partners the Bennington Rescue Squad with the peer recovery organization Turning Point Center of Bennington (TPCB) in what the Vermont Office of Emergency Medical Services calls the first collaboration of its kind in the state. Organizers hope it will offer a blueprint for other rural communities as well.

Bennington lies in the southwestern corner of Vermont, one of the most rural states in the nation based on the size of its towns and cities. It’s the biggest of 17 towns in Bennington County, an area of 678 square miles with a total population of 37,183. The rural character of the county, with its population spread over a wide swath of mountainous terrain, creates challenges for EMTs, who serve a much larger area than their urban counterparts.

But Bennington’s smaller scale as a city of about 15,000 has also helped align non-profit organizations, rescue workers, and the police in their efforts to combat the town’s snowballing drug and alcohol crisis.

Bill Camarda has been executive director of the Rescue Squad for a year, capping a 27-year career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in New Jersey and Vermont.

“Because we do have that small town, close-knit community, it makes collaboration easier than in an urban environment,” Camarda said. “I think about my experience in New Jersey and know partnering there would have been difficult. Certainly it would have been harder to identify the right person or group to work with.”

In recent years, Camarda has seen his crew of 28 respond again and again to overdose cases, pumping a patient full of Narcan, only to find they’ve overdosed a second, even a third time, weeks, sometimes days, later.

“The program [with TPCB] came about because we’re seeing a lot of overdose or substance abuse related cases and it felt kind of like insanity. We kept doing the same things over and over again with the same failed result,” said Camarda, noting that unlike other emergencies, the team’s response often felt like they were just delaying death.

But since September, the Rescue Squad’s partnership with Turning Point has offered these individuals a chance at recovery. For Margae Diamond, TPCB’s executive director, collaboration with the EMS allows her organization to identify people in need of help with precision, rather than a scattershot approach that can at best only target at-risk communities.

Anne Devlin, an emergency medical technician with the Bennington, Vt., Rescue Squad, radios the local hospital while responding to a service call. The squad refers patients with substance abuse problems to the Turning Point Recovery Center.

Photo by Peter Crabtree

In practice the tag-team approach means that when Rescue Squad EMTs encounter what they think could be an addiction case, they include details in their daily log that could help the squad director make a determination. His referral list is then emailed securely to Turning Point — a weekly average of 10 potential clients to visit within 72 hours after the referral.

Signs like liquor bottles or hypodermic needles scattered in the house, track marks on a patient’s arm, a fall that is clearly linked to alcohol abuse and, importantly, the number of times the squad has visited the same patient, are telling evidence, Camarda explained.

Patient confidentiality was initially a stumbling block. But following protocol already established with the local hospital, Turning Point coaches have been granted access to certain information by joining the EMS as volunteers in a nonclinical role, according to Camarda.

“We’re targeting a very specific list of people that refuse transport to the hospital after having been seen by the Rescue Squad for a substance use

disorder. That means literally reaching out to an identified individual, instead of forcing them to find us to get help, which can seem insurmountable to them,” said Diamond.

Both Camarda and Diamond are quick to note a big part of that weekly list is related to alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol is the biggest substance abused in our community, especially with older adults,” said Camarda. “About two-thirds of the cases we encounter or refer are related to alcohol and about two-thirds of all substance abuse disorder are older adults over the age of 49 or higher.”

“Slowly Forging a Relationship”

The aluminum storm door opens a crack, just enough for Dylan Johnson, Turning Point’s outreach coordinator, to be heard. He runs through the broad strokes of TPCB’s partnership with the EMS, explaining he’s following up on last night’s emergency call.

Plainspoken with a gentle manner, Dylan hands the householder a black nylon harm- reduction bag containing two doses of Narcan nasal spray and several fentanyl and xylazine drugtesting strips. The man, unshaven in a worn T-shirt, is wary but willing to listen. The outreach call ends in rejection — “Not interested, thanks”— but as Dylan says, each return visit builds on the first, slowly forging a relationship.

“So much of this is trust. We don’t ever dictate, especially with a new client,” said Dylan. He understands the push and pull addicts can feel about recovery. They long to sober up, but the physical and psychological lure of drugs and alcohol traps them in a terrifying cycle. A former heroin addict himself, with five years of sobriety under his belt, Dylan knows from experience that it often takes a long time for an addict to summon the courage to walk into the refurbished mill that houses Turning Point’s offices.

“There was a time when I lied and

Jeffrey Dartt, 62, is a regular at the Harvest House soup kitchen in Bennington, Vermont. The kitchen’s clients are among those served by the Turning Point Recovery Center.

Photo by Peter Crabtree

Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is a key component of the “21st century first aid kits” distributed by the Turning Point Recovery Center in Bennington, Vermont

Photo by Peter Crabtree

cheated and stole from people who loved me,” he said. “How can I judge these people? But putting ourselves out there, meeting them, treating them like human beings means that when they are in crisis or ready to face their addiction, they will come to us.”

Rescue Squad Director Camarda put it differently:

“I sometimes feel disappointed that [our success rate] is only 1 out of 7 [who seek help], but when I bring that number

up to [professionals in the recovery field], they see it as huge, and it is huge when you consider we’re talking about hundreds of encounters, which translates into dozens of referrals that otherwise would never be entering peer recovery or treatment options.”

At another time in her life TPCB’s Diamond worked as a vice president for the financial service company Charles Schwab. Patience is not in her DNA. But working at the center has taught her that progress in the recovery business is about playing the long game.

“Our mission is about helping people find their own path to recovery, whatever that looks like, and supporting them through it,” she said. “We never give up. Period.”

In Bennington, people who deal directly with drug and alcohol abuse are increasingly convinced that, in the long term, working in tandem as a community on the myriad of problems, from housing to domestic violence, that underpin addiction is the only way forward.

Turning Point and the Bennington Rescue Squad see their partnership as the beginning of that bigger, more collaborative approach to addressing the drug and alcohol abuse.

As Diamond puts it: “Substance use disorder is the driver of a lot of the harm in this community … we need to come together, all of us, to solve the problem.”

Turning Point Recovery Center staff member Jessica Daley prepares “harm reduction kits” and bags of toiletries for distribution at a Bennington food shelf.

Photo by Peter Crabtree

Powering emergency communications all across the nation

By Jim Bugel President – FirstNet, AT&T

FirstNet ®, Built with AT&T

In May, we celebrated first responders – including our law enforcement, firefighters and EMS personnel. These brave individuals, as well as the entire extended public safety community, show up for us time and time again, no matter the danger, so that we can have peace of mind knowing they will answer the call.

In a crisis situation, that reliability is critical. Whether it’s in the event of a medical emergency, crowded event or inclement weather, it comes as a relief to know that help is on the way. That trust cannot be underscored enough.

As that reliability is a crucial piece for us, it’s equally important to them. First responders need to be confident they have the resources and tools they need to be able to react to an emergency effectively and efficiently. With an estimated 240 million calls placed to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year,1 first responder’s ability to swiftly coordinate incident responses and access information across departments, agencies, and jurisdictions is essential.

That’s where FirstNet comes in. FirstNet, Built with AT&T , is the only communications network built with and for first responders and those who support them. In addition to reliable and highly secure connectivity, this nationwide, highspeed wireless broadband network

provides innovative tools to meet the unique needs of first responders.

Looking Back

The 9/11 terrorist attacks revealed an important vulnerability in emergency response efforts. While public safety heroically responded to calls for help, response efforts were hampered by the inability to communicate across agencies and jurisdictions, due to radio networks that were inoperable and commercial cellular networks that were congested by the surge in calls. These communication failures had tragic consequences.

To ensure we are never in that same position again, the 9/11 Commission recommended establishing a single, nationwide, interoperable network for first responders. In 2012, Congress passed legislation to create the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet Authority , and charged them with the responsibility for establishing the nationwide

Did you know: Spectrum refers to the invisible radio frequencies that wireless signals travel over. These airwaves enable wireless technologies like mobile calls, emails, and satellite communications.

public safety broadband network. The measure also set aside a band of spectrum for the network to dedicate to public safety when they needed it.

The FirstNet Authority was licensed Band 14 spectrum to give public safety FirstNet subscribers priority access to the network during emergencies. This exclusive “lane” of spectrum can be cleared and locked for first responders and provides them always-on priority and preemption to protect their communications from congestion.

The FirstNet Authority then consulted with the public safety community, states and other stakeholders to determine how best

to shape their network. In 2017, the federal government tapped AT&T to bring the network to life through a 25year public-private partnership.

Since then, we have used our nearly 150 years of expertise developing industry-leading solutions to build, operate and evolve FirstNet as a secure and trusted solution for first responders and the public safety community that supports them.

FirstNet Today

Today, about 28,000 agencies and organizations –accounting for nearly 5.9 million connections nationwide – subscribe to FirstNet, 2 including first responders in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and the five territories.

Earlier this year, the FirstNet Authority announced it plans to invest $6.3 billion through its network contract with AT&T and anticipates an additional $2 billion for ongoing investments in coverage enhancements for public safety, which is currently under discussion by the parties.

These strategic investments will expand and evolve FirstNet so public safety stays at the forefront of innovative, lifesaving technologies.

Why FirstNet Matters

Emergencies and other disasters are unpredictable. Public safety’s communications systems should not be. FirstNet is helping improve emergency response – so that the last thing first responders need is a stronger connection.

One of our primary focuses is expanding coverage to hard-to-reach parts of the nation. That includes extending the FirstNet network to rural areas and communities. The rural communities and naturally wild areas that make our nation so beautiful, unfortunately can make it harder to communicate efficiently in emergency situations. Whether it’s covering wider distances, or traversing a difficult geography, we’re incorporating feedback from public safety officials and local stakeholders to ensure FirstNet is meeting the needs of rural first responders so they can connect to the information they need, at the moment they need it.

FirstNet in Action

In addition to the FirstNet network, first responders also have access to innovative tools and a dedicated fleet of 180+ deployable network assets. For no additional charge, public safety can request deployable assets – like FirstNet SatCOLTs (Satellite Cell on Light Trucks) and

FirstNet CRDs (Compact Rapid Deployables) – to further boost FirstNet coverage and network capacity during planned or emergency events.

• Wayne County, North Carolina – Oftentimes, rural firefighters simply lack the communications infrastructure they need to address emergencies. This was the case for Wayne County, but not anymore. We expanded FirstNet coverage to first responders in Wayne County into areas that used to be “communication deserts” with new purpose-built cell sites.

Across the country, more than 1,000 new, purposebuilt FirstNet cell sites have been launched where public safety identified a coverage need. The vast majority of these sites are extending coverage in rural, remote and tribal areas.

• Happy Camp, Californi a – When a fire threatened Happy Camp in July 2022, the region’s steep mountain terrain caused evacuation routes to change by the minute, meaning response teams needed updates in near real-time. The FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) deployed 2 FirstNet Compact Rapid Deployables (CRDs) and a Satellite Cell on Light Truck (SatCOLT) to support first responders on the ground. These assets can be driven right up to command centers, disaster areas, and other critical locations to provide a much-needed connection.

CRDs and SatCOLTs function as portable FirstNet cell towers. They link to FirstNet via satellite and do not rely on commercial power availability, making them ideal in rural and remote areas, and where communications may be limited

First responders battle the Happy Camp fire in California in 2022. Photo courtesy of PCP Fire

• North Slope Borough, Alaska – Last year, when an undersea cable located roughly 30 miles off the northernmost point of Alaska was cut by sea ice, a community of more than 10,000 Alaskans and FirstNet subscribed agencies lost cellular service. The FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) sprang into action immediately.

Prioritizing critical locations such as hospitals, air ambulance hangers, fire stations and dispatch facilities to ensure first responders could communicate with one another, ROG took immediate action to ensure that the heroes who support emergencies for towns like Utqiagvik (formally known as Barrow), Wainwright and Point Hope had the dedicated connectivity they needed to stay mission ready.

What’s Next for FirstNet

Beyond enhancing emergency communications, FirstNet has served as a catalyst for technology and innovation for public safety. And as we’ve worked to support first responders over the years, the digital landscape and technology has transformed for the better. Network updates and advancements have helped connectivity become more reliable and resilient.

As the industry landscape has evolved, modern broadband and wireless networks are becoming increasingly reliable and resilient. Increased network capacity and reach is reinventing how we communicate in a crisis. For example, new technologies can help communities share evacuation orders and other emergency preparedness more efficiently than traditional landline alerts. What’s more, wireless technologies are reimagining how individuals alert 9-1-1 centers, allowing for the integration of location-based routing, voice,

photos, videos and public text messages.

We look forward to continuing this momentum to help public safety work faster, safer and more efficiently.

As we look for more ways to enhance our network and tools to best serve the public safety community, we are excited about the collective push from the public and all levels of government to enhance connectivity and expand internet access for more Americans. We know that this not only improves public safety, but can also transform the lives of individuals, families and communities in nonemergency situations.

Serving public safety is always our number one priority. In the years ahead, we will continue to work alongside public safety agencies to ensure they have the reliable connectivity required so they can be best prepared for the next challenge.

We are grateful to our first responders for their bravery and selflessness and are honored to provide them with the critical communications to help keep our friends, families and communities safe. We know strong, reliable connectivity is crucial for first responders and the community members they support and look forward to continuing to provide FirstNet across rural America and beyond.

Learn more at www.FirstNet.com.

FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

1 9-1-1 Statistics | NENA: The 9-1-1 Association ( https:// www.nena.org/page/911Statistics )

2 As of Q1 2024.

2024 National Grang

August 1

Distinguished Grange - State & Subordinate (Programs/Membership)

September 1

Ag Awareness Award Submissions (Juniors)

Cape of Honor (Juniors)

Creative Art Contest (Juniors)

Creative Writing Contest (Juniors)

Design-a-Program Contest (Lecturer)

Distinguished Youth Program (Youth)

Garden Design Contest (Lecturer)

G.R.A.N.G.E. Youth Pillar Project (Youth)

Grange in Action (Programs/Membership)

Grassroots Advocacy in Action Award (Legislative)

Grange Legacy Family (Programs/Membership)

Heirloom Program Contest (Membership)

John Trimble Youth Legislative Experience Applications (Youth)

Junior Mentor Award (Juniors/Youth)

National Junior Grange Ambassador Applications (Juniors)

Publicity Item (Communications)

Quilt Block Contest (Lecturer)

State Junior Director Reports (Juniors)

TikTok/Reels Contest (Communications/Membership/Youth/Junior/Lecturer)

Virtual Photo Contest (Juniors/Lecturer)

Weather Watcher Challenge (Lecturer)

ge Contest Deadlines

September 1 (cont.)

Wib & June Justi Youth Community Service Award (Youth)

Youth & Young Adult Ambassador Program Applications (Youth)

Youth Membership Recruitment Award (Youth/Membership)

Youth Officer Council (Youth)

Youth Officer T-Shirt Design (Youth)

O ctober 1

Firefighter/EMT/LEO/Teacher of the Year Nominations (Community Service)

State Cultivator of the Year (Membership)

O ctober 20

GROW Club Travel Scholarship Applications (Youth)

November 1

Grange Baseball (Juniors & Youth^)

Grange Ritual Contest (Youth)

Parliamentary Procedure (Youth)

Public Speaking (Juniors & Youth^)

Sign-a-Song (Juniors & Youth^)

^Winners advance from State competitions. Notify the National Junior or Youth Teams, if you plan to compete at National Convention by November 1.

November 11

Junior Grange Community Service (Juniors/Community Service)

State Community Service Book Winners (Community Service)

*these are due to the Community Service Team by Monday morning at the National Grange Convention.

Learn more about contests and programs on the National Grange website, or in the National Grange Guide to Contests & Programs at http://grange.biz/NGcontestguide

Combatting loneliness in older adults

Courtesy of Family Features

The bonds found in friendships and other relationships are an important factor in health and wellness - even science says so.

According to the American Psychological Association, forming and maintaining social connections at any age is one of the most reliable predictors of a healthy, happy and long life. Studies show having strong and supportive friendships can fend off depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rates in stressful situations and change the way people perceive daunting tasks.

However, statistics show approximately half of U.S. adults lack companionship and feel socially disconnected, according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. In fact, 12% don’t have anyone they consider a close friend, per the Survey Center on American Life. This “epidemic of loneliness,” as coined by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, can take a severe toll on mental and physical health.

As people age, the risks of isolation increase. With America’s older population growing rapidly - the 65 and older population reached more than 55 million in 2020 - discussing how older adults can combat loneliness is relevant to public health and individual well-being.

Consider volunteering, which is one of the best and most rewarding ways to combat loneliness.

Volunteering Combats Loneliness

People often volunteer to find a sense of purpose, learn new skills, improve their communities or establish new routines after retiring or becoming empty nesters. For many, making friends through volunteer work is a welcome bonus. The act of volunteering provides proven benefits for older adults.

Forming connections can make all the difference in a person’s volunteer experience and sense of well-being. People who meet through volunteer work inherently share a common interest and something to bond over. These friendships can carry over outside of volunteer work and lead to bonding over other hobbies and interests.

Connection-Focused Volunteer Opportunities

In addition to making friends with fellow volunteers, many older adults also form relationships with the people they’re serving, especially if those recipients are their peers.

For example, AmeriCorps Seniors is the national service and volunteerism program in the federal agency of AmeriCorps that connects adults aged 55 and up to local service opportunities that match their interests. Its Senior Companion Program pairs volunteers with other older adults or those with disabilities who need companionship or assistance. Volunteers may help with tasks such as paying bills, shopping or getting companions to appointments. In some cases, volunteers may also provide support and respite for family members caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses.

“We often think of volunteering as ‘giving back,’ but we’ve seen firsthand that it often becomes so much more than that,” said Atalaya Sergi, director of AmeriCorps Seniors. “By spending a few hours each week with another older adult in need of support, our volunteers are not only giving back to others, but they’re adding meaning to their own lives and establishing new connections. They’re helping to fight the loneliness epidemic one visit at a time.”

Photo courtesy of AmeriCorps Seniors

Growing older can come with challenges, but some of those can be minimized with a positive mindset and commitment to remaining connected and engaged - whether with friends, relatives or fellow community members. Fostering relationships is a key ingredient to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

For more information and to find volunteer opportunities near you, visit http://AmeriCorps.gov/YourMoment

Meet Friends Who Connected Through Service

Ray Maestas felt unfulfilled post-retirement and began volunteering with the AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program. He was connected with Bob Finnerty, a man with blindness looking for assistance a few days each week. They quickly struck up a routine of errands, reading and conversation that’s since become a friendship they both cherish.

“The Senior Companion Program has provided an avenue to enrich the lives of not only the participants but the people who are volunteering,” Maestas said. “Bob and I have gotten to the point where he’s a very important part of my life.”

Finnerty echoed those sentiments and shared his own appreciation for Maestas’ friendship.

“I’ve always relished my independence and I feel Ray is not just a person who reads for me - he’s a friend,” Finnerty said.

In the last few years, Maestas moved and now serves with a different chapter of the Senior Companion Program. He and Finnerty keep in touch. Maestas said they talk about every third day.

Bob Finnerty (left) and Ray Maestes connected through the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer program.

Photo courtesy of AmeriCorps Seniors

and costly obesity crisis.

Obesity has a 1.2x higher prevalence in rural America than in urban America. 1

Rural residents are 1.5x more likely to depend on Medicare for health coverage. 2

Percentage of individuals living with obesity, U.S , 2016

on Medicare, U.S , 2021

Rural Americans living with obesity are not receiving Medicare coverage for effective treatment of obesity.

Clinical guidelines recommend a continuum of care to treat obesity. Gaps in that care continuum can result in poorer outcomes for people living with obesity.

We encourage everyone to reach out to their legislators to urge them to support Medicare coverage for the full range of treatment options for the chronic disease of obesity.

Visit the June 28, 2024 issue of Grange Today! at nationalgrange.org/news/newsletter for suggested language.

Obesity Care in Rural America: Insights from Dr. Jason Lofton Obesityis achronic disease.Yourmedical providercanhelp,

By Jennifer L. Pettis, MS, RN, CNE Director of Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America

In my January column in Good Day! magazine, I shared some strategies and resources to support people, particularly older adults, living with obesity who want to begin a weight management journey.

Additionally, it is important to note that the National Grange actively advocates for rural Americans to have access to a full range of obesity care options – including access to behavioral counseling, nutritional guidance and support, physical activity options that work for them, and FDA-approved antiobesity medications and surgical obesity care when appropriate. If you live with obesity and want help addressing your body size and overall health, you may wonder what options are available to and best suited for you. Your primary care provider can help you to determine your options and, together with your provider, you can determine your overall health goals and how to best attain them.

Dr. Jason Lofton is a primary care physician in De Queen, Arkansas. At Lofton Family Clinic and Wellness, Dr. Lofton and his staff have cared for their neighbors since 2007, and they have helped numerous people manage their body size and get healthier.

He is the ideal person to provide insight on obesity care by primary care physicians in rural America. In the remainder of this article, I share my conversation with him. I think you’ll find him as inspiring as I do!

Jen Pettis: Dr. Lofton, why is it so important for adults, including older adults, who have obesity to seek care for their condition?

Dr. Lofton: It is important for adults with obesity to seek

no matterwhereyoulive.

care because obesity impacts so many areas of one’s life, but one of the most important areas is one’s quality of life. When I see a patient who has a knee problem who wants to know when they need to have knee surgery to address their condition, I tell them that it is time for surgery when medications no longer relieve their symptoms, and their condition impacts their ability to do things they want to do. I apply this same line of thinking to adults with obesity. If obesity limits one’s ability to live how they want to live, perhaps because of pain, challenges with mobility, or difficulty breathing, it is time to seek help.

Jen Pettis: So often, people take medications or receive other treatments for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. How can treating obesity influence these conditions?

Dr. Lofton: We need a shift in how we see obesity as a society. We need to look at and treat obesity as a chronic disease the same way we treat high blood pressure and diabetes. Thankfully, we have new medications that are helping us treat adults with obesity in a big way. Obesity is linked to many chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and is often the starting point for many of these conditions. If we treat obesity, we often see high blood pressure and diabetes improve. It’s also important to remember that treating obesity can prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Jen Pettis: Is there a connection between obesity and mental health?

Dr. Lofton: There is a connection between obesity and mental health. Adults with obesity often feel depressed or anxious about their weight and how it impacts their interactions in society. People with obesity are often negatively impacted when they realize they can’t do an activity due to their body size that they once could do. If living with obesity limits a person’s ability to perform any task due to pain or difficulty breathing, this can have a negative impact on their mental health. Having to wear plus-size clothing or sit in a seat that might not be big enough can impact one’s mental health. More and more people are dealing with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety due to their obesity.

Dr. Jason Lofton is a primary care physician at Lofton Family Clinic and Wellness in De Queen, Arkansas.

Photo provided

Additionally, it is important to remember that certain mental health conditions increase the likelihood of someone having obesity. For example, people with mood disorders, past trauma, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to live with obesity than people without these conditions.

Finally, I’ll mention that certain medications to treat mental health conditions can also cause weight gain, very significant weight gain in some cases. Mental health is an important component of overall health, and I always encourage people to seek help for mental health concerns.

Jen Pettis: When one of your patients wants to address their body size, how do you work with them to set goals?

Dr. Lofton: I start by asking them to identify one thing they want to do that they are unable to do because of their weight or body size. I had a patient who wanted to go skydiving but was unable to because of a weight restriction. Each time this patient came to the office for a checkup, I reminded this person they were one step closer to their goal (and they are now under the weight limit to skydive!). While this may be a more extreme example, I help people set realistic short-term goals, such as a five-pound weight loss in one to two months, while keeping a long-term goal in mind. If someone doesn’t have a goal, we will have a discussion to help them dream a little.

Jen Pettis: What lifestyle and medical options do you offer patients who want to address their body size?

Dr. Lofton: I try to help find something that works. I always encourage

lifestyle modification with respect to diet and exercise. I try to help patients find a diet that works for them so that they can stick with it, and we work to identify exercise options they can enjoy and continue throughout their lifetime.

I offer the newer GLP-1 medications as well, but patients need to understand that these medications are adjunctive therapy to diet and exercise. A person’s success on these medications depends on their willingness to commit to lifestyle changes for the long term.

We do not have a lot of access to dieticians in our rural community. However, if a patient’s insurance plan covers visits with a dietician or nutritionist, I encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity to see them. Some insurance plans may also offer telehealth services for consultation with interprofessional team members like dieticians or psychologists

who can help people on a weight management journey.

Jen Pettis: Finally, Dr. Lofton, I’d like to ask if you have suggestions for resources – either in the community or online – for rural Americans who want to address their body size.

Dr. Lofton: I think there are an abundance of online resources to help rural Americans with their body size. Our country is full of individuals who have come up with answers to solve problems, which is one of the things that makes America so great. I don’t think anyone should journey alone and having an accountability partner or friend can often be the one thing that makes the difference in exercising on a day someone feels tired or not picking up the donut that they want to eat.

I encourage patients to keep track of their calories – we often underestimate how many calories we eat. If one doesn’t have access to a gym, they find bodyweight

Editorial Image: A doctor discusses goals and a treatment plan with a patient who has wants to address their body size. Photo licensed through AdobeStock

exercises right online that they can do at home. A couple of great online resources for older adults are the National Institute on Aging’s Get Fit For Life: Exercise & Physical Activity for Healthy Aging (https://order.nia. nih.gov/publication/get-fit-for-life-exercise-physicalactivity-for-healthy-aging) and the American Physical Therapy Association’s Maintaining Health and Fitness: Tips and Exercises for Older Adults (https://www. choosept.com/health-tips/maintaining-health-fitnesstips-exercises-older-adults).

The main thing I tell my patients is to “never stop moving.” I advise them to take one day at a time and never quit just because they have a bad day or what they view as a “failure.” I tell them to take the next right step and keep on with their journey. This is not a sprint; it is more of a marathon, so people need to pace themselves, set realistic expectations, and always ask for help when they feel stuck.

Novo Nordisk provides GSA with support for The GSA KAER Toolkit for the Management of Obesity in Older Adults

About the Gerontological Society of America: GSA is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. GSA’s principal mission — and that of our 5,500 members — is to promote the study of aging and disseminate information to scientists, decision makers, and the general public.

Founded in 1945, GSA is the driving force behind advancing innovation in aging — both domestically and internationally. Our members come from more than 50 countries.

The Vision of GSA is Meaningful Lives as we Age. Learn more at www.geron.org

Legislative Action Alert

Obesity is a major issue in many rural areas, and access to proper healthcare, or lack thereof, is just enhancing the problem.

Below are some talking points and action items for YOU to get involved in advocating for better healthcare in rural America.

• Obesity is a public health crisis in the US, and particularly in rural America

• Per capita obesity rates are higher in rural settings

• Rural residents depend more on federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid for their insurance coverage

• Currently, Medicare does not cover the full continuum of obesity care — because statutory language prohibits Medicare from covering FDA-approved medications for weight loss

• Only a handful of Medicaid programs cover the full continuum of obesity care

• Covering obesity medications could save Medicare $175 billion over the first 10 years according to a study from the USC Schaeffer Center

• Tell your member of Congress to take action to assure that rural Americans have access to FDA-approved medications to treat obesity

• Find your members of Congress by visiting https://www.congress.gov/members/find-yourmember

• We encourage everyone to reach out to their legislators to urge them to support Medicare coverage for the full range of treatment options for the chronic disease of obesity. Follow this link to the June 28, 2024 issue of Grange Today! for suggested language: http://www. nationalgrange.org/news/newsletter

Learn more about the Grange’s support of access to FDA-approved medications here: https://www. nationalgrange.org/grange-supports-legislation-tofight-obesity/

Walk Your Way to Better Health

Courtesy of Family Features

A walk is not just good for your body, it’s also good for your soul. Physical activity, like walking, is one of the best ways to reduce stress and boost your mood. However, reports show walking rates are declining steadily in the United States.

On average, 1 out of every 4 U.S. adults sits for longer than eight hours each day, per research from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which can have negative consequences on physical and mental health. Regular exercise improves mood, boosts energy and can even help you sleep better. Staying active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy.

Consider this advice from the American Heart Association, which has worked for decades to promote policies and strategies that make it easier for communities to get and stay active. One example is National Walking Day, established by the organization to encourage people to move more throughout the day so they can feel, think, sleep and live better. Indeed, adding more movement can benefit your body and mind in numerous ways, such as:

• Lowering disease risk. Getting the recommended amount of physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate, 75 minutes of vigorous or a combination of those activities per week) is linked to lower risk of diseases, stronger bones and muscles, improved mental health and cognitive function and lower risk of depression, according to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.

• Increasing sunlight exposure. Outdoor exercise is an easy way to get moving and take in the sunlight, which can improve mood, boost immunity and help you get some vitamin D. Spending time outdoors is a no-cost option and has been shown to reduce stress, promote a sense of belonging and improve mood.

• Improving cognitive and mental function. Physical activity keeps your mind sharp now and later. Studies show higher fitness levels are linked to better attention, learning, working memory and problem solving. What’s more, a study published in the “British Journal of Sports Medicine” shows people who get the recommended amount of physical activity are less likely to develop depression.

• Living longer. Healthy life expectancy can be positively impacted by increasing activity. According to research published in the “American Journal of Epidemiology,” swapping just 30 minutes of sitting with low-intensity physical activity reduced risk of death by 17%.

Get moving to reduce your stress and step into better health. Learn more at http://heart.org/movemore

Get Inspired to Get Moving

A little creativity can go a long way to make your walk more fun. You might think of walking as a solo activity, but a companion makes it even more enjoyable. Ask colleagues, friends or family to join you.

A walk is a perfect excuse to take a break from a long day at your desk. If you work remotely, take a conference call on the go or plan your walk as a reward for completing a project.

Use your walk as a guilt-free opportunity to listen to a new audiobook or create a walking soundtrack of your favorite upbeat music.

Mix up your scenery. Taking new routes keeps your walks interesting and helps prevent boredom from traveling the same predictable path.

If you need an extra nudge to get moving, a pet may help you get fit. Dog parents are more likely to reach their fitness goals than those without canine companions. In fact, according to the “Journal of Physical Activity & Health,” dog parents are 34% more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking a week than nondog owners. Pets can also help lower stress, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar and boost your overall happiness and well-being.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Confused by Nutrition Labels? You’re not alone

Courtesy of StatePoint

Shopping for groceries can be like navigating a maze: so many choices in every aisle, food packages covered in marketing claims and little direction on what is truly healthy and what isn’t. People want to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, but how can they when the information available to them can be so overwhelming?

For years, the Nutrition Facts label on the back of food packages has provided important nutrition information, such as the amount of calories, fat, sodium, sugar, protein and vitamins and minerals. But all the numbers can be confusing, and they’re not readily visible. Given America’s high rates of diet-related disease and illness, advocates say that more must be done to make sure consumers have the information they need to make healthy choices.

That’s why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which sets standards for nutrition labeling, is developing a new labeling system that would appear on the front of food and beverage products, offering clear and concise information to help people quickly and easily identify healthier foods. Research from other countries shows that front-of-pack labeling helps consumers make healthier purchases and even gets manufacturers to make healthier products.

What could a front-of-pack label look like? More than 40 countries already require it. Some countries use stoplight colors like red, yellow and green, or a grading system like a report card — A, B, C, D, E — to indicate how healthy a product is. Other countries use a warning system that indicates whether products include high amounts of added sugars, saturated fat or sodium. Approaches like these make it easy for consumers to understand with a quick glance what’s healthy and what’s not.

The success of front-of-pack labeling in other countries suggests it will help people in the United States make healthier choices that can improve well-being and reduce high rates of diet-related diseases, including some forms of heart disease and cancer. In fact, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) recommended such a system more than 10 years ago, and national polls show most Americans support it.

The FDA plans to release a proposal for a front-of-pack food labeling system in the United States that can get everyone out of the food shopping maze. To stay informed and learn more, visit http://yourethecure.org/FOP

“Clear, concise front-of-pack nutrition labeling is the answer. After all, grocery shopping shouldn’t require a degree in nutrition,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association.

Two symbols used abroad and an example of what a U.S. system could look like. Editorial graphic provided

JEWELRY

New 1-inch pins!

Junior Grange pin - $5 4th Degree pin - $10

Member recognition pins are available in 5-year increments from 5 years through 80 years

All Past Office (Master, Lecturer, Secretary, and Past Junior Master) pins, and various Degree charms and ties bars are on sale!

Prices vary.

Own a part of history commemorating the National Grange’s Headquarters in Washington, DC

These limited-edition pins are sure to be collector items! Each pin includes a card with details about the Grange Building. Available in bulk at major discounts!

Lapel / Grange Officer sash pins

Buy 3 or more for a discounted price.

Available: E, F, H, L, M, O, P, S

Vintage Hall Dedication Plaques

Designed in 1947, these wooden hand-carved plaques have felt backing. 11.5”x13”, with space to add an engraving for your Grange. Limited number available. Sold as-is. $25 each, including shipping.

Sesquicentennial Challenge Coin 150th Anniversary 2.25” diameter coin, emblazoned with the “esto perpetua” logo. Was $25, now $15 plus shipping.

People, Pride, and Progress by David M. Howard

This history book chronicles the impact of the Grange over the first 125 years of the organization. Was $12.00, now discounted to $6.00.

Kelley Farm Challenge Coin

Celebrating the 2013 exemplification of the 1873 Degrees at the Kelley Farm. 2.25” brushed nickel coin. On sale: $15.00 + shipping

Belt Buckle

Solid pewter with antique finish, fits most standard belts. Buy 3 or more to receive a discount.

10” Grange Decal Sticker

This shiny and reflective sticker is sure to make your display or sign a stand-out!

Just $3.50 each

Grange Member Satisfaction Survey

National Grange President Christine Hamp has announced the following goal for the National Grange: Increase overall member satisfaction by 20% within the next year, as measured by an annual member feedback survey, through the implementation of targeted initiatives and improvements aimed at adding value to our members’ experience, addressing member needs and preferences, and preparing the Grange for 2025 and beyond.

Amanda Brozana, 1509 Red Dale Road, Orwigsburg, PA 17961 – you may include additional pages if necessary Or complete online at

(circle one)

Always Sometimes Often Rarely Never

T h i n k i n g o f y o u r G r a n g e e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e p a s t y e a r, h o w s a t i s f i e d a re y o u w i t h e a c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g :

Place an X in the corresponding column for each row

Ve r y S a t i s f i e d S o m e w h a t S a t i s f i e d N e u t r a l S o m e w h a t D i s s a t i s f i e d N o t a t a l l S a t i s f i e d

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Va l u e f o r D u e s P a i d

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Place an X in the corresponding column for each row

Ve r y I mp o r t a n t S o m e w h a t I mp o r t a n t

N e u t r a l N o t Ve r y I mp o r t a n t N o t a t a l l I mp o r t a n t

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I n m y C o m m u n i t y G r a n g e , I f e e l t h a t … (circle one for each line)

T h e Gr a n g e i s w e l c o m i n g Yes

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Me e t i n g s a re h i g h - q u a l i t y a n d w o r t h t h e t i me Yes

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Place an X in the corresponding column for each row

N a t i o n a l G r a n g e e - N e w s l e t t e r s

S t a t e G r a n g e E ma i l s / N e w s l e t t e r s

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N a t i o n a l G r a n g e Z o o m e v e n t s

R e g i o n a l o r N a t i o n a l i n- p e r s o n e v e n t s (i.e. Conventions, Regional Conferences)

Sometimes Not Really

Sometimes Not Really

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P l e a s e p ro v i d e a n y a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r ma t i o n a b o u t y o u r e x p e r i e n c e w i t h t h e G r a n g e t h a t y o u w o u l d l i k e t o s h a re :

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Definitely Will Probably Will Unsure Probably Will Not Definitely Will Not

Yo u a re i n v i t e d t o s h a re y o u r n a me , a d d re s s , e ma i l a d d re s s o r o t h e r i d e n t i f y i n g i n f o r ma t i o n i f y o u c h o o s e , w h i c h ma y b e u s e d t o f o l l o w u p w i t h y o u f o r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s o r f u t u re i n q u i r i e s (optional) C M Y CM MY CY

Small businesses are the backbone of local economies across the country, capturing the spirit of American entrepreneurship and work ethic. It’s one of the many reasons Charter has worked throughout our 41-state footprint to support them.

This work is about more than just expanding access to connectivity. It's also about helping small and rural business owners and their customers benefit from our state-of-the-art products and services.

Learn more at policy.charter.com

L egacy Honoring

THE BUILDERS

OF OUR

GRANGE MILESTONES

150 YEARS CONTINUOUS SERVICE

• Bethlehem Grange #137 (NY)

• Colon Grange #215 (MI)

®

• Corfu Grange #412 (NY)

• Darrow Street Grange #751 (OH)

• Progress Grange #96 (PA)

• Tigard Grange #148 (OR)

• Turkey Hill Grange #1375 (IL)

MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARIES

85 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP

Pennsylvania

• Emily Way, Halfmoon #290

80 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP

New York

• Alice Britenbaker, Veteran #1108

• Carolyn Cookingham, Pleasant Valley #882

• R. William Plass, Pleasant Valley #882

• Pauline VanEtten, Ravena #1457

Pennsylvania

• Paul J. Miller, Virginville #1832

• Feryl Treichler, Virginville #1832

• Jean Wetzel, Virginville #1832

Vermont

• Marion Porter, Riverside #455

100 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE

• Upper Big Wood River #192 (ID)

75 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP

Connecticut

• Alfreda Stevenson, Senexet #40

• Richard E. White, North Stonington #138

Illinois

• David Donley, Turkey Hill #1370

• Floyd Schlueter, Turkey Hill #1370

Kansas

• Delvis Steffy, Pleasant View #1450

Maine

• Jean Benson, Excelsior #5

• Sylvia Young, Mt. Etna #147

Maryland

• Rodman Myers, Thrumon #409

Nebraska

• Jean Burg, Waverly #369

New Hampshire

• Rhoda Hardy, Concord #322

• Donald Hartshorn, Concord #322

Anniversaries listed on these pages are collected from certificates requested by local and State Granges. If you want to ensure your members are recognized for their continued service, you can send in their anniversaries to Philip Vonada at pvonada@nationalgrange.org.

We also highly suggest that local Granges request anniversary certificates, Silver Star and Golden Sheaf recognitions, or commendation letters from the National Grange. If you have questions about how to do so, contact Loretta Washington at lwashington@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (202) 628-3507 x109.

New Jersey

• Mervin Shivers, Hamilton #79

New York

• Carolynn Cookingham, Pleasant Valley #838

• Donald Hewlett, Stone Church #1561

• Irmabelle Sheldon, Butternut #1533

• Calvin Smith, Pleasant Valley #838

• Joan Smith, Pleasant Valley *38

California

• Yvette Adams, Loma Rica #802

• Lillian Booth, Chico #486

• Linda Lewis, Alpine #665

• Randall Lewis, Alpine #665

• Phyllis Sinn, Loma Rica #802

Connecticut

• Carol Brooks, Beacon Valley #103

• Edward Mobsby, Cheshire #23

Idaho

• Susan Houk, Mica Flats #436

Illinois

• Amy Bouvet, Turkey Hill #1370

• Kathy Lickenbrock, Turkey Hill #1370

• LaVonne Wundrow, Leroy Community #1873

• Leslie Wundrow, Leroy Community #1873

Maine

• Scott Benson, Excelsior #5

• Shirley Hamlin, Bingham #237

• Sally Merry, Fairview #342

• Warren Parsons, Bangor #372

• Lee Anne Tulley, Mt. Etna #147

Maryland

• Cheryl Lenhart, Thurmont #409

• Roger Troxell, Thurmont #409

Massachusetts

• Ellis Bateman, Dudley #163

• Sylvia Bates, Dudley #163

• Roland Giguere, Shelburne #68

• Wayne Skinner, Easton #196

Pennsylvania

• Owen Brackman, Windfall #257

• Ruth Garner, Lincoln #914

• Ernest O. Miller, Virginville #1832

• Marilyn M. Miller, Virginville #1832

• Gerald Pratt, Windfall #257

• Betty Spotts, Russellville #91

• Hugh Wilson, Halfmoon #290

Vermont

• Vivian Butler, Riverside #455

New Hampshire

• Judy Bailey, Rochester #86

• Daniel P. Bascom, Rochester #86

• Esther Herrick, Concord #322

New York

• Peter Carlson, Pleasant Valley #838

• Gary K. Cooper, Stanford #808

• Jean M. Jicha, Stanford #808

• Harriet Mark, Pleasant Valley #838

• Irene G. Mortensen, Stanford #808

• Diane C. Mueller, Stanford #808

• Rebecca O’Donnell, Corfu #142

• S. Michael Warner, Fairport #467

Ohio

• Michael Bolton, Collinsville #2264

Oregon

• Christy Flowers, Midland #781

• Sarah J. Moffett, Long Tom #866

Pennsylvania

• James P. Adam, Virginville #1832

• Dawn Dietrich, Virginville #1832

• Kirk Dreibelbis, Virginville #1832

• Rodney Dreibelbis, Virginville #1832

• David Kauffman, Virginville #1832

• Cynthia L. Keith, Lincoln #914

• Randie Kensinger, Lincoln #914

• Dorothy Kerschner, Virginville #1832

• Leroy Kerschner, Virginville #1832

• Eileen Krill, Ontelaunee #1617

• Jack Lindsey, Rusellville #91

• Janet Lundy, Wysauking-Sheshequin #58

• Richard Mengel, Virginville #1832

• Steven Mohn, Virginville #1832

• Eugene Schlosser, Hayfield #800

• Dorothy Shaffer, Lincoln #914

• Shirley Tallman, Virginville #1832

• Cyndi Wetzel, Virginville #1832

Rhode Island

• Cheryl McCray, Slocum #36

• Maureen Roselli, Slocum #36

• Celeste Spencer, Exeter #12

Washington

• Ronald Banka, Diamond Lake #506

• Jim Beerbower, Sharon #800

• Gladys Burns, Columbia Valley #938

• Patricia Cosner, Centerville #81

• Alan Doubravsky, Goldendale #49

• Dan Eagle, Diamond Lake #506

• Betty Fahlenkamp, Goldendale #49

• Walter Fahlenkamp, Goldendale #49

• Debra Hill, Sharon #800

• Charolete Houghtlen, Rose Valley #953

• David A. Johnson, Fords Prairie #33

• Beverly Juris, Alder Creek #890

• Larry E. Kelley, Alder Creek #890

• James Lester, Fargher Lake #853

• Wanda Louder, Columbia Valley #938

• Jim Lyle, Pine Grove #115

• Kathryn A. Morris, Alder Creek #890

• Lola Rickey, Diamond Lake #506

• Bill Schoelkopf, Fords Prairie #33

• Donald W. Slater, Alder Creek #890

• Judy Van Hollebeke, Columbia Valley #938

• Christine Whitmore, Alder Creek #890

• Jack Whitmore, Alder Creek #890

• Linda Williams, Goldendale #49

Welcome New Members TO THE Grange Family

Abernethy #346 (OR)

Levi Anzaldua

Addy #603 (WA)

Tabitha Baugh

Kacey Bolvin

Tristan Bolvin

Isaac Chapman

Gracie Doering

JoAnn Doering

Christy Eck

Elizabeth Eck

Miki Hellie

Keisha Keith

Jasmine Keith

Hallee Kroiss

Renee Kroiss

River Martell

Annabelle Massengill

Teresa Moore

Amanda Robinson

Carissa Schmid

Tucker Syjut

Kirsten Williams

Addy Junior #390 (WA)

36 Junior members

Albright #440 (NY)

Angela Perry

Altona #127 (CO)

Sabrina Gerringer

Animas Valley #194 (CO)

Gray Leslie

Lana Leslie

Azalea #786 (OR)

Dale Johnson

Diana Johnson

Kandi Lewis

Rick Phillips

Brenda Pinkston

Baileyville #1991 (PA)

Katie Zimmerman

Mary Zimmerman

Bainbridge Island #1051 (WA)

Lee Harper

Erin Smith

Barberton #571 (WA)

Cory Thomas

Michele Thomas and 3 Junior members

Bauneg Beg #382 (ME)

Pam Gerry

Beach Community #958 (VA)

Carmen Baker

Dean Baker

Hayden Campbell

Bellgrove #369 (ID)

Dalen Gunn

Mary Gunn

Jai Nelson

Bellview #759 (OR)

Michele Kyle

Avry Miller

Bernville #1887 (PA)

Penny Cushing

Bethel #404 (WA)

Christy Schiffler

Bethlehem #137 (NY)

Judy Juene

Big Knob #2008 (PA)

Wyatt Burry

John DeCoursey

Harper Lewis

Cindi McNear

Brock Meryman

Zoe Norwood

Dalton Rambo

Chloe Rizzo

Julia Wright

Black Lake #861 (WA)

Christina (Tina) Powers

Blanchard #440 (ID)

Bill Heston

Kevin Huff

Vicki Huff

Dorothy Tompkins

Holly Stewart

Mike Stewart

Broadway #645 (WA)

Gavin Loudon

Julia Loudon

Noel Manderville

Robert Manderville

Brogden #967 (NC)

Scott Gurley

Stephanie Stallings

Buell #637 (OR)

Janice Stapleton

Buena #836 (WA)

Carolynn Elliott

Martha Matthews

Adolfo Melengrez

Burr Oak #1350 (MI)

Bill Yoder

Bushy Fork #1073 (NC)

Adam Oakley

Chelsea Oakley

Cache La Poudre #456 (CO)

Brigitte Dempsey

Patsy Lusk

Deanna Kay Swetzig

Carol Tunner

Cadmus #350 (KS)

Annaliessa Baird

Paul Baird

Marcie Caldwell

Matt Caldwell

Kristie Clearwater

Pam Clinton

Debbie King

Kim Peterson

Jamie Schomaker

Calispel #500 (WA)

Brittany Hedrick

Kory Hedrick

Justin Whitmire

Kammie Whitmire and 6 Junior members

Cambridge Valley #582 (ME)

Gail A. Watson

Camden #687 (WA)

Carrie Beck

Nancy Hartley

Cape Fear #1296 (NC)

Matthew DeNoble

Ellzette DeNoble

Bryan Roach

Katie Ann Roach

Steve Rhodes

Capitol #989 (NC)

Lisa Barrie

Lynda Chambers

Hannah Hawley

Shu Palmer

James Riley

Maria Williford

Alan Winstead

Colleen Yeager

Cedar Valley #306 (WA)

Vicki Lieski

Annie Wright

Chestnut Ridge #1133 (PA)

Albert Conner

Rita Conner

Monica Day

Rosella Ealy

Michelle Leasure

Thomas Leasure

Linda Puskarich

Chimacum #681 (WA)

Kelsey Helson

Pete Leenhouts

Chris Miller

Nial Motson

Earl Randall

Sierra Young and 1 Junior member

Clallam County Junior #408 (WA)

5 Junior members

Clarkes #261 (OR)

Greg Kupillas

Malia Kupillas

Melanie Woolcock

Steve Woolcock

College #1872 (OH)

Sherry Akers Valley

John Akers Valley

Collins #893 (WA)

April Smith

Columbia #267 (OR)

Renee Dennis

Welcome New Granges!

The following Granges were newly-chartered or reorganized since our last issue.

JoCo #1304 (NC)

Kikemuit-Portsmouth #24 (RI)

Manchester #676 (CA)

Riverdale Rural #868 (CA)

Columbia Valley #938 (WA)

Marchelle Burnham

Jacob Lyle

Copake #935 (NY)

Dana Coleman

Rebecca Gadzuk

Joe Iacovelli

Janine Purinton

Carol Singer

Larry Singer

Steve Ziass

Corriher #627 (NC)

Michael Ambrose

Matthew Geelen

Pratt Karriker

Shaster Karriker

Mike Irvin

Cove Spring #2414 (OH)

Tony Manfredi

David Swigart

Sandy Swigart

Crescent #1123 (WA)

India K. Burke

Dan Peacock

Linda Peacock

Phillys Bernard May

Dann May

Creswell #496 (OR)

Carri Bender

Ellie Deklerk

Kathryn Hopson

Monica Knight

Dawn Rossman

Natalie Ryan

Nichelle Ryan

Shawn Ryan

Sydney Ryan

Tiffany St. Clair

Cuyler #449 (NY)

Karen Dodge

Elise Robinson

Deer Creek #371 (OR)

Colleen Carroll

Deer Island #947 (OR)

Rhiyo Brooks

Polly Brown

Eagle Point #664 (OR)

Taylor Jacobs

East Chatham #1066 (NY)

Jeanne Viellette-Bowerman

Elizabethtown #2076 (PA)

Amy Bryant

Ben Emerick

Rob Fulton

Charley Kramer

Elk Plain #782 (WA)

Anthony Barbera

Aryanna Cerar

Cohen Chinneth

Enterprise #489 (OR)

Pam Badel

Kevin King

Lacey King

Entiat #1014 (WA)

Kevin Arnold

Michelle Arnold

Bailey Ward

Erika Ward

Mark Ward and 4 Junior members

Eureka #46 (NY)

Brennan Dailey

Fairview #342 (ME)

Mika Levitt

Nicole Vera

Fairview #1351 (PA)

Jericho Duzan

Bob Knallay

Sue Knallay

Fargher Lake #853 (WA)

Renee Winters and 2 Junior members

Fassett #1567 (PA)

Eddie Divel

Ferguson #809 (NC)

Keith Huffman

Paul McCabe

Fleetwood #1839 (PA)

James Meals

Florida #306 (CO)

Daniel Craig

Annika Fae

Angela Fosco

Zac Fosco

Britny Hanson

Florissant #420 (CO)

Patti Deutsch

Fords Prairie #33 (WA)

Danny L. Draper

Jeryne Draper

Thomas “Ronnie” Evans

Betty Gibson

David Merrill

Fort Colville #533 (WA)

Andrea Jones

Paxton Jones

Josh Wolf

Melissa Wolf

Millie Wolf and 2 Junior members

Fort Rock #758 (OR)

Jenny Bedinger

Fredonia #1 (NY)

Clara Wilder

Jeff Winton

Freedom Plains #857 (NY)

Richard Sassi III

Fruitdale #379 (OR)

Sandra Antich

Carol Bunn

Karen Colburn

Lance COlburn

Susan Feehan

Jennifer Gibson

Zane Gibson

Rogue Valley Kennel Club

Susan Silva

Terri Wiley

Fruitvale #348 (WA)

Karen Derrey

Garden City #280 (WA)

Deborah Casteel

Brandon John

Tammy Maes

Anna McDonald

Diana McDonald

Robert McDonald

Andrew Teesdale

David Teesdale

Elizabeth Teesdale

Kristy Teesdale

William Teesdale and 1 Junior member

Garfield #317 (OR)

Reva Lamb

Juli Soots

Ginger Hill #1549 (PA)

Jerie Drupp

Golden Gate #451 (CO)

Maya Bachman

Marilyn Day

Lynette Gary

Tom Gary

Chip (George) Hambro

Courtney Hambro

Olivia Lacelle

Linda Sullivan

Patrick Sullivan

Goldendale #49 (WA)

James Ogden

Goodwill #959 (VA)

Traci Hitchcox

John Rodgers

Joann Severt

Chris Sullivan

Grantham #968 (NC)

Chad Davis

Jenny Davison

Green Bluff #300 (WA)

Annie Brown

Greenfield #807 (NY)

Dan Crumb

Jean Crumb

Cody Sargen

Katerie Sargen

Ryan Veitch

Greenwood Park #590 (WA)

Rylie McQuirie

Gresham #270 (OR)

Chris Kelley

Simon Starlena

Guilford Grange #1036 (NC)

Cynthia Smith

Hamburg #2103 (PA)

Linda Prutzman

Happy Valley #322 (WA)

Anna Ritzhaupt

Harrison #422 (ID)

Donna Evans

Mark Greenwood

Debbie Gregoire

Chelsea Hall

Michael Stroh

Kayleen Walker

Lee Walker

Harmony #1201 (PA)

Colleen Bakaysa

Loren Heinz

Marsha Huey

Macy Hughes

Hickory #1285 (PA)

Joanne Anderson

Jacqueline Coble

Carrie Courson

Ruskin Dressler

Geri Duttry

Shawn Ebbert

Pamela Hollowbaugh

Margaret Jackowski

Terry Kline

Alice Pirraglia

Bob Rudolph

Kim Rudolph

Heather Shirey

Frank Snook

Joanne Snook

Shawn Volpe

Richard Wennin

Humptulips #730 (WA)

Jonathan Miles

Christina Rogers

Humptulips Junior #376 (WA)

7 Junior members

Jefferson #1373 (PA)

Evelyn McMarlin

Joseph O’Neil

Jeremiah Smith #161 (NH)

Charles Cox

Dorn Cox

Laurel Cox

Sarah Cox

Illinois Valley #370 (OR)

George Shook

Irving #377 (OR)

Susan Vitus

JoCo #1304 (NC)

Annette Adams

Eve Barkley

Matt Barkley

Caroline Boyette

Mitch Boyette

Tim Britton

Danny Brown - 5B Farms

Heidi Chriscoe

Chris Coates

Coco Daughtry

Karen Davis

Janice Gregory

Joseph Gregory

Dewitt Hardee

Jonathan Hardee

Melanie Hardee

Kevin Hardison

Lynn Hardee

Kendall Hocutt

Ivey Johnson

Payton Lane

Derrick Lewis

Taylor Rhodes Hill

Bryant Spivey

Grace Spivey

Karen Spivey

Katie Spivey

Greg Walker

Terry Washam

Nicole Youngblood

Jonesboro #357 (ME)

Janice Philbrook

Junction City #744 (OR)

Michael Anderson

Robert Bearden

Wendy Bearden

Jim Grisham

Chris Hoover

Quincy Hoover

Maomi McCoy

Cindy Montgomery

John Montgomery

Montgomery Heating

Stephanie Pepperling

Jeffery Peterson

Jessica Peterson

Jolene Peterson

Barabra Talley and 5 Junior members

King Hill #162 (ID)

Cheryl Haskins

Tawni Liab

Carl Serle

Kinton #562 (OR)

Ned Loos

Kirkland #684 (NY)

Wade Walts

Lake Creek #697 (OR)

Carol Patrick

Russ Simmons

Lake Vista #336 (CO)

Jeff Brown

Tulli Kerstetter

Joyce Lawrence

Julia Page

Lambert #439 (CO)

Stephan Gaudin

Pam Jackson

Brenda Jensen

Linda McVehil

Sarah Perez-Sadler

Vicente Perez-Sadler

Andrea Rice

Mike Straub

Left Hand #9 (CO)

Andy Mann

Lewis #406 (CO)

Bernie Hafnes

Wolfgang Ziun

Liberty #1780 (PA)

James Schmitt

Little Deschutes #939 (OR)

Danda Winford

Little Mountain #601 (NC)

Shane Hinson

Tammy Morris

Terry Morris

Live Oak #655 (OR)

Delanie Copley

Lynette Gonzales

Beth Martinez

Robert Martinez

Logan #109 (PA)

Vickie Barnett

Logan Hill #1086 (WA)

Karen Von Seggern

London #937 (OR)

Chrisy Peone

Long Beach #667 (WA)

Michael Dubois

Joan Guercia

Rudolph Guercia

Long Branch Community #2072 (PA)

Lawrence Beck

Lookingglass #927 (OR)

James Moulton

Laurie Oates

Luz Zapata

Lorane #54 (OR)

Jonathan Jude

Linda Jude

Andrew Rector

Ladene Scott

Louden Center #2276 (OH)

Crystal Conley

David Conley

Lowell #745 (OR)

Lyn Alexander

Lower Naches #296 (WA)

Patricia Monoian

HAS YOUR GRANGE RECENTLY WELCOMED A NEW MEMBER?

Make sure they are recognized!

Anyone may submit the names of new members so they can be recognized in Good Day! by emailing Philip Vonada at pvonada@nationalgrange.org or by calling (814) 404-7985.

NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2024 ®

Manchester #676 (CA)

Morgan Baynham

David Branesky

Deanna Branesky

Carly Daniel

Kelan Daniel

Sophie Earll

Susan Engwall

Dylan Flynn

Rufus Friedman

Lisa Giacomini

Kat Gleason

Rebecca Hale

Jesse Hana

Justin Hammerly

Don Harwood

Jerry Henry

Katrina Hoffman

Melanie Honda

DW Kramer

Keith Leeson

Miranda Mabery

Amanda Grace Mahaffy

Ashlee May

Roza Molloy

Raine Mortimer

Alan Sjolund

Gerald Trujillo

Venita Wells

Therese Marie Zettler

Manor #1101 (WA)

Bianca Angelo

Manson #976 (WA)

Steven Balloun

Tiffaney Balloun

Rene Commons

Brenda Gelwicks

Angel Grosvenor

Katie Grosvenor

Maggie Grosvenor

Dallas Lewman

Josh Little

Kathy Meyer

David Pletsch

Denali Pletsch

Alaric Pratt

Brittney Taylor

Shawn Taylor

Terry Taymor

Susan Templeton

Diane Tsao and 9 Junior members

Maple Leaf #940 (MI)

Connie Fisher

Polly Huff

Richard Huff

Gordon Mahieu

Marion #276 (WA)

Joanie Davey

Scott Merritt

Landen Messer

Jarilyn Sawyer

Jacqulyn Sosbee

Scott Sosbee and 2 Junior members

Matlock #357 (WA)

Derek Anderson

Hannah Binder

Makenzie Dean

Kellsie Geoff

Kristyn Krumland

Sam Luedtke

Summer Luedtke

Amanda Oliva

Brandon Pepin

Vince Simoneau

Preston Vogland

Tiffany Vogland and 18 Junior members

Marys River #685 (OR)

Abbie Bitney

Estella Bitney

Laura Estruda

Kellie McClelland

Sharon Thornberry

Jamie Vorce

Matrimony #771 (NC)

Catye Gould

Gretchen Huysman

Jessica James

Mason James

Pearl Joyner

Becca Kallam

Randy Kallam

Robert Knight

Olivia Knight

Jimmy Martin

Tania Martin

Darien Norman

Nona Rhondes

Tom Swank

Yolanda Swank

McLane #383 (WA)

Steven Ro. Johnson

McMinnville (OR)

Heidi Barlow

Teresa Brown

Joyce Burkhart

Carol Gallagher

Bobby Johnson

Sally Kottek

George Myers

Robert Myers

Alexander Patrushina

Surgey Patrushina

Tatiana Patrushina

Ted Sahifeld

Mahlen Winter

Medford #188 (MD)

Victor Barreto Rios

Elsie McKenzie

Allison Wagner

Jolene Wagner

Meridian #265 (WA)

Guyla Fitch

Merriconeag #425 (ME)

Jim Alexander

Jan Davis

Abigail Hight

Will Hight

Elizabeth Manning

Mica Flats #436 (ID)

Cindy Mowery

Peter Mowery

Jessie Russell

Peter Zao

Middlebury #192 (OH)

Trevor Smith

Middletown #684 (PA)

Edye Agrista

Stephen Agrista

Charlie Bollinger

Craig Bollinger

Sheila Bollinger

Don Slowicki

James Wertman

Mason Wertman

Stacy Wertman

Mifflin #1725 (PA)

Dontae Chambers

Blake Clouse

Milton #685 (NY)

Mary Anasasio

Ben Badaszewski

Susanne Ciani

Faith Deutsch

Ginger Knight

Mingo #1084 (NC)

Chandler Blanchard

Jennifer Naylor

Charlene Tarbif

James Tarbif

Mohawk #35 (NH)

Eva Guy

Mohawk-McKenzie #747 (OR)

Eric Jensen

Katherine Jensen

Moosup Valley #26 (RI)

Molly Sheehan

Morning Star #311 (OR)

Carlos A. Acosta

James (Jim) Beck

Jason A. DeStefano

Denise Emery

Kassidy A. Mote

Kenneth W. Rowe

David N. Soloman

Moses Lake #1151 (WA)

Amy Beliz

Kevin Calderon-Rojas

Miranda Lanning

Paxton Lanning

Eliza Larsen

Kevin Larsen

Pam Lewison

Erik Neff and 8 Junior members

Mosier #234 (OR)

Faith Cushman

Robert Cushman

Greg Dearhold

Mount Allison #308 (CO)

Cindy Marten

Mount Lookout #339 (CO)

Greg Stacy

Mount Pleasant #349 (NY)

Bill Dexter

Charles Hewlett

Carolyn Root

Terry Vezzose

Mountain Home #285 (ID)

Nicole Hahn

Netel #410 (OR)

Daniel Clark

Erica Clark

Fisher Clark

Hazel Clark

Beth Kandoll

Randy Puseman

Stacia Walter

Zachary Walter

New Bridge #789 (OR)

Julie Selves

New Market #362 (MD)

Christina Lockett

Newark #366 (NY)

James Wilck

North Carolina State Grange

Associate Members

Crustal Abee

Russell Angell

Arthur Bellamy

Milton Bellamy

Marsha Benton

Barbara Britt

David Correll

Ronnie Cox

Charles Deal

Patricia Deal

Charlie Dixon

Jean Dixon

Tara Edwards

Tyler Forrest

Darlene Futral

Joshua Futral

Sara Futral

Susan Hageman

Dwight Hedrick

Nicole Helman

Robert Jenkins

James Kelley

Jane LaRue

Samantha Ledford

Elaine Moore

Patricia Palmer

Anna Raper

Adam Ross

Albert Shaw

Wynette Shaw

Frederick Small

Brent Smathers

Jack Walker

North Jay #10 (ME)

Angelia Courchesney

North River #946 (WA)

Ginger Carter

Amy Keenan

Norway #45 (ME)

Dennis Feeney

Jeffrey K. Windom

Oliver #1069 (PA)

Heather Atland

Ontelaunee #1617

Eric Blatt

Larry Geiger

Chris Reed

Stephen Row

Charlotte Wallace

Scot Wallace

Orcas Island #964 (WA)

Lisa Dawn-Fisher

Heidi Laurson

Tom McDonough

Oroville #985 (WA)

Steven Brand

Annastasha Cantrell

Valerie Coollidge

Kent Dillard

Tove Dillard

Susan Marie Glaser

Adam Mendoza

Paradise Valley #389 (ID)

Joseph Knight

Cheryl Myers

Pete Zalabak

Patterson #616 (NC)

Guy Freeman

Slade Hodges

Meredith Jones

Kristie Wells

Ron Wells

Phoenix #779 (OR)

Jeanne Bianca

Gordon Enns

Brandy Walter

Jessie Walter

Pikes Peak #163 (CO)

Veronica Berry

Rose Long

Jerry Rains

Diane Roth

Jeffrey Roth

Manan Woodward

Plattekill #932 (NY)

Teresa Cea Adduce

Chuck Conors

Debbie Deegan

Helene Dembrowski

Mark Gibian

Ann Gutowski

Kristianne Klag

Emily Martin

Renae Martin

Dorcas Roehrs

Pleasant Park #156 (CO)

Peter Barkman

Cori Charvat

Kate Charvat

Thomas Hunter

Pleasant Ridge #135 (ID)

George Bowen

Poland Center #2746 (OH)

Jay Miller

Progress #96 (PA)

Janda Hankinson

Raymond Hankinson

Prospect Point #1067 (WA)

Savanna Greenhaigh

Spencer Kelty

Dalton Owens

Phyllis Owens and 5 Junior members

Prosperity #315 (WA)

Shelby King

Putnam Valley #841 (NY)

Brian Beaton

Tom Deacon

Rathdrum #351 (ID)

Amanda Payton

Jeff Payton

Sherry Payton

Red Lion #1781 (PA)

Scott Barr

Doug Hoke

Redland #796 (OR)

Alma Cawley

Annalynn Drudis-Swanson

Terri Halverson

Becky Jarnagin

John Molis

Diane Sorenson

Cindi Vickbeaudin and 2 Junior members

Redlands Mesa #487 (CO)

John Burritt

Randy Danneman

Greg Kerbel

Scot Locke

Tammy Perry

Redwood #760 (OR)

Stan Dexter

Kristine Eldridge

Vegi Hoyt

Rexville #815 (WA)

Tim Goodman

Larry McCormick

Don Robinson

Judy Robinson

Barbara Summers

Rhinebeck #896 (NY)

Nicholas P. Sussillo

Ricard #993 (NY)

Holly Cook

Rimrock #941 (WA)

Arthur Blauert

Christine “Tina” Wells

Riverdale Rural #868 (CA)

James L. Bass

Logan A. Bass

Tana B. Bass

Eli Clark

Isaac Clark

Rosa Flores

Samuel Flores

Daphne Shay Lane

Brooke Lopez

Callen Lopez

Martin Lopez

Dylan Morgan

Nicholas Morgan

Tracy Morgan

Linda Maria Robinson

Emily Samaniego

Ignacio Samaniego

Sophie Samaniego

John B. Squire

Kirk W. Squire

Sue Taylor

Janice Walters

Cheryl Work

Jared Work

Madison Work

Matthew Work

Rebecca Work and 2 Junior members

Rockford #501 (OR)

Natalie Imboden

Kieva Kashuba

Joe McKernan

Cyrus Talmage

Taylor Talmage

Madalyn Wright

Rockingham #292 (NH)

Robin Brisco

David Eldredge

Ibby Mead

Mark Weaver

Rockwall #679 (OR)

Rhonda Cissna

Mary Peterson

Kimberly Rose

Rome #226 (WA)

Bruce Maurier

Roseville #1290 (PA)

Ken Burkett

Shirley Rhodes

Kathy Shaffer

Rose Valley #953 (WA)

Kathy McGowan

Row River #835 (OR)

Shelby Bartram

Nicki Kilday

Ryan O’Connor Walik

Stacee Williams

Yvonne Wolf

Roy #702 (WA)

Danielle Carter

Jeannie Dougherty

Bridget Fosse

Harvey Gilchrist

Bobbie Green

Brandi Ockenfels

Jennifer Ockenfels

Jeff Oxborough

Mary Ellen Roy

BellaJoy Verbal

Tareka-Allyn Verbal

Lacie Ward

Tharin Ward

Janice Wharton

Russellville #91 (PA)

Jesse Holmes

Lacey Holmes

Saco #53 (ME)

Pamely Beckey

Saint Andrews #832 (WA)

Ruth Walker

Seth Walker

Salmon River #516 (OR)

John Collier

Peggyanne Heyne

Carey Norton

Harold Snider

Susan Snider

San Poil #684 (WA)

Hannah Midkiff

Jaedren Midkff

Jonathan Midkiff

Kalven Midkiff

Lauren Midkiff

Skye Midkiff and 3 Junior members

Sand Lake #546 (OR)

David Strassburg

Schley #710 (NC)

Vicki Hill

Kate Millard

Margaret Millard

Scholls #338 (OR)

Mike Carey

Robbi Porter Carey

Amanda Stanaway

Scrubgrass #1705 (PA)

J Jack

Vieve Jack

Sequim Prairie #1108 (WA)

Judy Garling

Kayla Hagberg

Gay Rutter

Sharon #800 (WA)

Vicki Applegarth

Janet Krack

Siletz Valley #558 (OR)

Gina Cavanaugh

Sixes #856 (OR)

Sondra Dame

Skokomish #379 (WA)

Gary Sytsma

Kirsten Sytsma

Skyline #894 (OR)

Jenna Andersen

Pierson Bialkiewicz

Swavek Bialkiewicz

Kaitlyn Bourne

Diane Dield

Marvin Hautala

Izzy Jacinto

Kurt Kimsey

Tyler Lawrence

Anne Rattan

Brent Walker and 2 Junior members

Smithville Valley #1397 (NY)

Debra Turner

South Sangerville #335 (ME)

Warren Nuite

Spencer Creek #855 (OR)

Laura Lay

Madison Lay

Markus Lay

Megan Lay

Iris Lorelle and 1 Junior member

Spray #940 (OR)

Sarah Waters

Spring Hill #909 (WA)

Doug Foster

Karen Foster

Stelvideo #295 (OH)

Marah Davis

Stillaguamish #1058 (WA)

Carrie Paulson

Stranger Creek Junior #412 (WA)

5 Junior members

Summit #432 (OR)

Tarillis Adams

Karen Black

Randal Brown

Carol Cronin

Michael Gaskill

Ken Ramage

Bob Shade

Sunflower #162 (CO)

Bob Bushmen

Gary Heferle

Don Richards

Sunnyside #842 (OR)

Marla Resnick

Swauk Teanaway #984 (WA)

Jane Bator

Michael Richard

Tara Steverson

Wendy Willsie

Terrace Heights #586 (WA)

Richard Jones

Terrapin Neck #932 (VA)

Tammy Bishop

Tigard #148 (OR)

Alice Fosse

Tioga #1223 (PA)

Lori Baxter

Kate Blackwell

Willis Blackwell

Alyssa Bower

Robin Caffey

Melissa Cody

Shelley D’Haene

Scott Gleason

Shelly Krellner

John LaVancher

Katrina Morse

Kathy Pilling-Whitney

Martin Price

Crystal Stage

Marisa Townsend

Mark Whitney

Zachary Whitney

Tranquility #344 (ME)

Diane Berenzy

Lee Cronin

Dwight Emerson

Wade Graham

Elizabeth Hand

Jany Hardy

Stephen Hardy

DeAnna Hartel

Alan Larson

Sandy Lehman

Diane O’Brien

Robert Olsen

Pat Shannon

Jack Silverio

Susan Silverio

Cyrene Slegona

Cheryl Wienges

Karen Womer

Trenton #550 (ME)

Robert Allison

Greg Askires

Joanna Dotts

Lynn Gregonei

Bing Miller

Macy Miller

Teryn Miller

Mary Turner

Cecila Zaveskotis

Tri Community #1108 (WA)

Christie Fields

Carol Gwynne Jeffries

Turbett #781 (PA)

Jill Fry

Dino Gigliotti

Melissa Gigliotti

Gabriel Heckert

Heather Heckert

Aleina Rapp

Tyler #610 (WA)

Cassandra Walker

Jerry Walker

Union Harvest #591 (ME)

Deborah Bailey

Beatrice Martin

Jeffrey Todd

Union Hill #728 (OR)

Al Near

Robin Near

Becky Rasca

Carol Smith

Unity #1761 (OH)

Kathy Riggle

Jeff Sheets

Upper Big Wood River #192 (ID)

Katie Zubia

Valley #1360 (PA)

Jeff Gillis

Kay Knepp

John C Schlaline

Veronia #305 (OR)

Jason Martin

Rose Sunshine and 2 Junior members

Victor #49 (ME)

Margaret Blair

William Blair

Donald Green

Joyce Green

Samuel Green

Adam Lerette

Joe Robles

Lisa Robles

Richard Tompkins

Sherry Tompkins

Mark Williamson

Sabrina Williamson

Victor #159 (PA)

Kevin Kellerman

Virginville #1832 (PA)

Zachary Gougler

Benjamin Sekella

Jane Werley

MEMORIAL NOTICES

Walker #786 (PA)

Sol Sath

Walker #2007 (PA)

Donald Hosterman

Waller Road #1111 (WA)

Esther Rang

Cameron Severns

Jennifer Strickling

Waterford #321 (OH)

Terri Carpenter

Westbrook #1016 (NC)

Willa Smith

Whelan Ewartsville #114 (WA)

Aari Colwell

Marie Dymkoski

Sarah Hamilton

White Clover #784 (OR)

Janine Sadler

Gail Stephens

White Trail #1143 (WA)

Madalyn Deale

Alexis Lerma

Alyssa Lerma

MYRTLE “JEANNE” KENDRICK CLOUSE

Past First Lady, California State Grange (1993-1997)

Sister Jeanne Clouse passed from this earth on May 7, 2024. Sister Jeanne served as the First Lady of the California State Grange from 1993 to 1997, supporting her husband Bob during his tenure as President of the California State Grange. Jeanne was a member of Fair Oaks Grange and recently Orangevale Grange. She was born on March 11th, 1943. Jeanne leaves behind her husband Robert (Bob) Clouse, son Robert (Bobby) Roth, sister Lois Girdlestone and step-children Christina Manion, Corey Clouse, Melanie Rainey and Mitch Clouse. Jeanne was

Michael Shay

Rebecca Shay

Melissa S wanson

Willamette #52 (OR)

Karen-Jean Canan

Robin Reuter

Williams #399 (OR)

Jullette Hedgecock

Hannah Mikkonen

Kyle Shinners

Israel Soares

Abigail Wilensky

Winthrop #209 (ME)

Robert Faucher

Wolf Creek #596 (OR)

Myron Olsen

Nancy Simonis

Woodburn #79 (OR)

David Milton

Yankton #301 (OR)

Amy Trull

Becky Zienty

Mike Zienty

a grandmother of 14 and greatgrandmother of 9.

A special thank you to the Carlton Senior Living Center and Suncrest Hospice.

Jeanne lived an eventful life filled with bowling, softball, Kings games, camping, family and casinos.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 22nd at the Orangevale Grange.

Condolences may be sent to:

Jeanne Clouse Family

c/o California State Grange

3830 U St. Sacramento, CA 95817

FRANCIS GROVE MILLER

Past President, Maryland State Grange (1965-1969)

Francis Grove Miller, Jr., 96 of North East, Maryland, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024 at Christiana Care, Union Hospital, Elkton.

Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on October 25, 1927, he was the son of the late Francis Grove Miller, Sr. and Elizabeth (McCool) Miller. He was the husband of the late Arlene Kell Miller who passed on May 5, 2021.

He served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy as a medic during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

Grove was a well-respected farmer in Cecil County. He also was President of Farmers and Mechanics Insurance, Zion, Maryland.

He was extremely involved in the community, volunteering unlimited hours especially to his passion: agriculture.

He was a member of the Board of Regents for the University of Maryland, the State of Maryland 4-H Board and State of Maryland Land Preservation Board. He served as Maryland State Fair Board Chairman for 41 years, was a member of Maryland Farm Bureau, serving as president for 4 years, a charter member of Calvert Grange, a founding member of the Cecil County Fair Board in 1954, Cecil County Department of Social Services Board, Union Hospital Board, Fair Hill Races Board, also serving as Chairman and Fair Hill Department of Natural Resources Long Range Plan Chairman.

Grove served as President of the Maryland State Grange from 19651969.

For his many years of service to the agricultural community, Grove was inducted into the Maryland Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was also on the board for County Bank and

Trust/PNC Bank and the Bainbridge Museum Board.

Survivors include his children: Kenneth S. Miller (Kay) of Milton, Delaware, Dianne E. Russell (Bill) of North East, Maryland, Alfred “Al” G. Miller (Karen) of North East, Maryland; 8 grandchildren: Kiersten Sponaugle (Paul), Korin Parks (Chris), Brian Russell (Cheryl), Nicki Eyman (Brad), Katie Hayden (Lonnie), Mike Miller (Emily), Robbie Miller (Christy), Laura Moss (Kurt); and 21 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and his beloved wife, he was preceded in death by his brother: John “Jack” Charles Miller.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 18, 2024 at the Crouch Funeral Home in North East, Maryland. He was interred with military honors at Rose Bank Cemetery in Rising Sun, Maryland.

Contributions may be made to Tunnel for Towers or to the F. Grove Miller Scholarship for the Maryland State Fair, both in care of the funeral home.

WILFRED “BILL” RAY JOHNSON

Past First Gentleman, Montana State Grange (1995-2001, 2015-2023)

The chains of confusion, pain, and physical limitations were finally broken, and Bill was released into the loving arms of God on Saturday, June 1, 2024. He was in his heavenly seat to view the beautiful wedding of his youngest grandson on the same day.

Wilfred R. “Bill” Johnson, age 83, was born on Oct. 27, 1940, in Kalispell, to Wilfred E. Johnson and Emma Jean (Elsass) Johnson. He was raised on the 69 Ranch in Eureka, now the beautiful Indian Springs Golf community. The family later moved to the Valley Creek area in Arlee before returning to Eureka.

He attended Roosevelt Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1959. He attended Montana State College (University) in Bozeman graduating with an Agricultural Business degree in 1965. Bill enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1966, serving his full term in Vietnam being honorably discharged in 1969.

Hard work and agriculture brought him to work in that field his entire life. After his military service, he was employed at Peavey Company, Kona Ranch in Missoula and Equity Supply and Cenex Harvest States in Kalispell. He loved interaction with all the farmers, ranchers and daily

customers. They all became part of his large “agriculture family.” He retired from Cenex Harvest States in 2004 after more than 30 years of service.

Bill met the love of his life on a “blind date” and later married Marilyn Farris on Jan. 9, 1971. From those fifty-three years of marriage, they raised two children, Lisa and Kevin.

Bill served on the West Valley School Board, was president of Stillwater Grange, and state treasurer, executive committeeman, and first “dude” of Montana State Grange. He was a member of the West Valley Fire Department and past president of the Montana State FFA Alumni Association.

Surviving is wife, Marilyn; his daughter, Lisa Johnson of Kalispell; and grandchildren, Kadin Johnson (Blayke), Alivia Johnson, and Caleb (Aly) Johnson, all of Kalispell; and one great-grandson, Jace Robert Johnson.

He’s also survived by special brother-in-law, Harold (JoAnn) Farris; sister-in-law, Roberta Figgins; and their families along with the family of deceased sister-in-law, Pat Bjornstad.

Also surviving are Bill’s siblings, George (Lauraine) of Camas Prairie; Bob of Lubbock, Texas; Don (Ruth) of

Greenough; Sally Johnson and Mary Ann (Glen) Morin of Seeley Lake. Many nieces, nephews and cousins survive to remember Bill.

Greeting Bill with open heavenly arms are grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, in-laws, Forest and Margaret Farris; sister-in-law, Pat Bjornstad; and son, Kevin Scott Johnson; and nephew, Brian Figgins.

A celebration of life for Bill will be held at 2 p.m. on July 27, at the Hampton Inn, Kalispell.

Condolences can be sent to:

Marilyn Johnson PO Box 7244 Kalispell, MT 59904

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Celebrate Junior Grange Month! 7 Fun Ideas for Members

By Philip J Vonada National Grange Communications Director & Pennsylvania State Junior Grange Director

July is a special month for the Junior Grange!

As we celebrate Junior Grange Month, it’s the perfect time to engage young members and families in activities that highlight the values the Junior Grange teaches.

Here are eight ideas to make this month memorable and impactful for all Junior Grange members and their communities:

1. Community Service Projects

One of the core values of the Grange is community service. Organize a service project where Junior Grangers can make a difference in their local area. This could include a neighborhood clean-up, planting a community garden, or creating care packages for local shelters. Not only will this teach them the importance of giving back, but it will also instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Additionally, any time you can engage Junior members in their community will increase the visibility of the Grange - and build excitement and enthusiasm.

2. Leadership Workshops

Host workshops that focus on developing leadership skills. Invite local leaders or older Grange members to share their experiences and insights. Activities can include teambuilding exercises, public speaking practice, and leadership role-playing scenarios. These workshops will help Junior Grangers build confidence and prepare them for future leadership roles within the Grange and beyond.

3. Manners and Etiquette Classes

Teaching manners and etiquette is essential for fostering respect and civility among young members. Arrange fun and interactive classes where children can learn table manners, proper greetings, and polite conversation skills. Incorporate games and role-playing to make learning enjoyable and memorable.

Once your Junior Grangers feel comfortable with these skills - best used in more formal settings - they could even use this to lead a program in their Community or Pomona Grange.

4. Cultural Exchange Programs

Encourage Junior Grangers to learn about different cultures and traditions. This could be through virtual exchange programs with Junior Granges from other parts of their state, or even other states altogether.

Activities might include sharing cultural stories, cooking traditional foods, or creating cultural crafts. This not only broadens their horizons but also promotes understanding and appreciation of diversity.

This could be a great way to utilize the National Junior Grange Passport program while learning about other states.

5. Outdoor Adventure Day

Plan a day full of outdoor activities to help Junior Grangers connect with nature and each other. Organize hikes, nature scavenger hunts, or a day at a local park with games and a picnic. These activities promote physical fitness, teamwork, and an appreciation for the environment.

This is a great way to demonstrate learning through fun and activity. And since we’re in the heat of summer, finishing with an ice cream party might be the perfect ending.

6. Creative Arts and Crafts

Creativity is an essential part of personal development. Host arts and crafts sessions where Junior Grangers can express themselves through painting, drawing, or crafting. Consider projects that can be displayed at a community center or local fair, giving them a sense of achievement and pride in their work.

7. Family Fun Day

Organize a Family Fun Day where Junior Grangers can invite their families and friends to join in on the celebrations. Activities can include games, a barbecue, and a talent show where Junior members can showcase their skills and talents. This not only strengthens family bonds but also allows parents to see the positive impact of the Junior Grange on their children. It’s also another great way to introduce the Junior Grange to your community.

Celebrating Junior Grange Month in July provides an excellent opportunity to highlight the values and mission of the Junior Grange. By engaging in these activities, young members can develop essential life skills, build lasting friendships, and foster a sense of community and responsibility. These experiences not only enrich their lives but also lay a strong foundation for their future roles as leaders and responsible citizens. Let’s make this July a month of growth, fun, and memorable experiences for all Junior Grange members!

N a m e o f J u n i o r I c o m p l e t e d t h i s p a s s p o r t o n . M y J u n i o r l e a d e r , , o f

d a t e s t a t e s t a t e n a m e o f l e a d e r / m e n t o r

s m u s t b e c o m p l e t e d b u t n e e d n o t b e d o n e i n o r d e r .

I n t e r n e t a c c e s s , p r i n t e r a n d p r i n t e r p a p e r , k i t c h e n a n d c o o k i n g

G r a n g e r s a b o u t a

T h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s p a s s p o r t i s t o e d u c a t e J u n i o r

c a r e e r a s a c h e f , c o o k i n g , b a k i n g , m e a l p l a n n i n g , a n d n u t r i t i o n .

U p o n c o m p l e t i o n , J u n i o r G r a n g e r s w i l l b e a b l e t o :

U s e c r e a t i v i t y t o e n g a g e w i t h t h e t o p i c

U n d e r s t a n d t h e f i v e m a j o r f o o d g r o u p s

L e a r n m e a l p l a n n i n g

D e v e l o p t a b l e m a n n e r s

L e a r n b a s i c k i t c h e n s a f e t y P r a c t i c e c o o k i n g a n d b a k i n g s k i l l s

P r a c t i c e i n t e r v i e w s k i l l s

d a t e

J u n i o r G r a n g e # i n , ( o r , i f a 1 + J u n i o r m e m b e r , m y m e n t o r i s a m e m b e r o f G r a n g e # i n ) a p p r o v e d m y s t a m p o n .

J u n i o r L e a d e r S i g n a t u r e

s u p p l i e s N O

D a t e

i n g r e d i e n t s o n y o u r S h o p p i n g L i s t

S t e p 5 . G o g r o c e r y s h o p p i n g w i t h a n a d u l t a n d f i n d a l l t h e

D a t e C o m p l e t e d :

S h o p p i n g L i s t o n p a g e 5 . C a t e g o r i z e t h e m b y t h e i r f o o d g r o u p .

C h e c k t h o s e o f f , a n d a d d t h e i n g r e d i e n t s y o u d o n ' t h a v e t o t h e

N e e d e d l i s t . F i n d a l l t h e i n g r e d i e n t s y o u a l r e a d y h a v e i n y o u r k i t c h e n .

S t e p 4 . U s i n g p a g e 3 f r o m t h e w o r k s h e e t , l o o k a t y o u r I n g r e d i e n t s

D a t e C o m p l e t e d :

b a l a n c e d m e a l ! F i l l o u t p a g e s 3 a n d 4 o n t h e w o r k s h e e t :

f a m i l y / f r i e n d s . T r y t o u s e w h a t y o u l e a r n e d i n s t e p 2 t o m a k e a

r e c i p e s t o m a k e f o r a 3c o u r s e m e a l t o s e r v e t o y o u r

S t e p 3 . M a k e a m e a l p l a n . F i n d a c o o k b o o k o r g o o n l i n e , a n d p i c k

D a t e C o m p l e t e d :

h t t p s : / / w w w . h e a l t h y e a t i n g . o r g / p r o d u c t sa n da c t i v i t i e s / g a m e sa c t i v i t i e s / m y p l a t e

S t e p 2 . L e a r n a b o u t h e a l t h y e a t i n g ! A s a c h e f , y o u s h o u l d k n o w h o w t o m a k e f o o d t h a t k e e p s y o u r c u s t o m e r s ( a n d y o u r s e l f ! ) h e a l t h y . W a t c h t h i s v i d e o a n d p l a y t h i s g a m e . h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = L 9 y m k J K 2 Q C U

S t e p 1 . D e s i g n y o u r f u t u r e r e s t a u r a n t o n p a g e s 1 a n d 2 o f t h e C h e f C a r e e r P a s s p o r t W o r k s h e e t D a t e C o m p l e t e d :

C o m pl e t e d : S t e p

D a t e

C o m p l e t e d :

S t e p 9 . Q u i z y o u r s e l f a n d r e f l e c t o n y o u r c h e f e x p e r i e n c e b y f i l l i n g o u t p a g e s 91 2 o n t h e w o r k s h e e t .

D a t e C o m p l e t e d : G u e s t s i n t e r v i e w e d :

d i n n e r g u e s t s w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n s f r o m p a g e s 68 a n d r e c o r d t h e i r a n s w e r s .

S t e p 8 . G e t y o u r m e a l c r i t i q u e d b y f o o d c r i t i c s . I n t e r v i e w y o u r

D a t e C o m p l e t e d : S t e p 7 . M a k e y o u r m e a l ! W i t h a n a d u l t , c o o k y o u r m e a l , s e t t h e t a b l e , s e r v e y o u r g u e s t s , a n d e a t y o u r m a s t e r p i e c e ! A f t e r y o u e a t , c l e a r t h e t a b l e a n d c l e a n t h e k i t c h e n . D a t e C o m p l e t e d :

T a b l e m a n n e r s : h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = S E h T 6 H Q 2 H j U

H o w t o s e t t h e t a b l e : h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = l A F x D o 2 1 E b s

v i d e o s :K i t c h e n s a f e t y : h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = K L 9 r 9 q 9 n 2 0 A

6 . L e a r n h o w t o p r e p a r e a n d e a t y o u r m e a l . W a t c h t h e s e

Playgrounds and Pools and Parks, Oh My! Staying Safe this Summer

By Cleo Stamatos Consumer & Legislative Outreach Manager, American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Summer is a great time to go outside—especially for children. Kids benefit from unstructured playtime, and summer is the perfect time to enjoy pools, parks, and playgrounds with family and friends. Experts agree that outdoor play is important for children’s development— and it’s also important that these activities are done in a safe environment. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) encourages consumers to make sure that consumer products they use have met voluntary and mandated safety standards to reduce risks while embracing the great outdoors.

Playgrounds: Every parent wants to be assured that the playground equipment their children use is safe and secure. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are over 200,000 annual injuries on public playgrounds— and this only includes injuries that resulted in trips to the emergency room. The most common contribution to these injuries, accounting for three-fourths of documented circumstances, is falls. Additional hazards derive from impact by swings, crush or shear points, contact with protrusions, and sharp edges.

Standards exist to help counter these risks. Standards developing organizations have published several standards that provide safety specifications for playground equipment, to limit the likelihood of these life-threatening or debilitating injuries, offering specifications for equipment used by children ages two through 12. You can read more about these playground standards on ANSI’s blog: https://blog.ansi.org/astmf1487-21-public-playground-equipment-standard.

Pools: Pools are as synonymous with summer as the beach, barbecues, vacation, and the hot sun. Swimming pools are venues for recreation, but their installation and maintenance are subject to an assortment of codes, regulations, and standards that strive to assure reliability and limit hazards from their components and systems. Pool and spa standards define safety specifications for everything pool related – pool alarms, vacuum release systems, safety covers, suction vent systems, and drowning prevention. ANSI’s blog features many different pool standards: https://blog.ansi.org/tag/swimming-pools/

Standards for pool equipment are one critical element for water safety, and education on how to prevent drowning and water injury is another. According to the CPSC, there was an average of 358 pool or spa-related drownings involving children younger than 15 years old each year from 2019-2021; 75% of those reported fatalities involved children under the age of five. Nonfatal drowning injuries are a risk, as well: from 2021 to 2023, there was an average of 6,500 pool or spa-related emergency department-treated submersion injuries per year for children younger than 15.

The CPSC created a national public education campaign called Pool Safely (www.poolsafely.gov) to counter these risks. Through this program, the CPSC works with partners around the country in an effort to reduce child drownings, near-drowning submersions, and entrapment incidents in swimming pools and spas through educational resources, grants, and public awareness campaigns. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the USA Swimming Foundation have also partnered with the Pool Safely Campaign in order to teach children how to swim, and educate parents and communities about the importance of learning to swim. Learn more in the CPSC’s Pool Safely flyer: (www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/360.pdf).

To learn how you can add your voice to the development of voluntary safety standards, contact consumers@ansi.org

Keeping children and teenagers safe on playgrounds and in and around pools is imperative to having an enjoyable summer. Editorial Photo via AdobeStock

“Taking a Peek at My Shelves”

By Chea Parton Founder, Literacy in Place and Reading Rural YAL

This year has been a doozy of a year. I recently took a middle school teaching job at a Montessori school with a working farm while still finishing out my other university teaching contract and taking classes to become secondary Montessori certified.

So, I haven’t been able to do as much reading as I usually do, and I’ve had less bandwidth to come up with a clever theme-connected piece for this feature. Instead, I thought I would let you take a peek at my shelves which are full-tobursting with great books I’ve read, I’m currently reading, and contain spaces for books I’ve pre-ordered because I’m looking forward to their publication so much.

Recently Finished

Jeff Zentner is an autoorder author for me. His first book The Serpent King was one of the first books I had ever read that featured rural people in a complex and nuanced way. The Serpent King was followed by a number of other fabulous young adult (YA) books that featured both rural and nonrural places including his most recent YA publication In the Wild Light. When I found out he was coming out with an adult book, I marked the publication date in my calendar and pre-ordered it. I’m so glad I did!

The book follows Colton Gentry, a former small-town kid from Venice, KY who has a second chance to make it big as a country musician but blows it spectacularly by denouncing assault rifles very publicly on stage. After being dropped by his label and his famous musician wife, he moves back to his parents’ house in his home town to try to make something of himself. It has everything – love, loss, struggle, success, and a really cute dog that Zentner is very kind to let us know will not die in the book.

Zentner is a master at capturing the complexities of rural people and their culture. Colton’s experiences showcase some of the diversity of thought and experience that exist

for rural people and in rural places. Zentner deftly dances in the gray that exists for rural people – the desire to leave and never return, the having to return and trying to make the best of it, trying to find a place for your authentic self in a culture that is often painted as a giant monolith.

All of that in itself is impressive, but the thing that I was most impressed by is Zentner’s ability to capture rural and Southern speech in a way that isn’t caricature. It’s really hard to do and Zentner makes it look easy. A musician and rural-connected person himself, Zentner hears and is able to capture the musicality, cadence, and art of rural speech in a way that few authors I’ve read have been able to. I highly recommend this adult debut.

Current Read

When I can find the time, I’m currently reading Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow. The writing is as beautiful as the cover. It is easy to see why Gather was a National Book Award Finalist and a Printz Honor Book. I don’t want to put it down, and when I have to, the story still lives with me and I find myself thinking about it all the time.

Gather follows Ian Gray, a

The Pasture at Oak Farm Montessori School.

Photo by Chea Parton

kind and generous boy, who isn’t supposed to have a dog, but ends up with one anyway. In Ian’s experience a lot of things that shouldn’t happen still do, and so this is just par for the course.

Gather, Ian’s adopted pup, is good company, bringing him comfort, now that he’s to quit the basketball team, find a job, and take care of his mom as she tries to overcome her opioid addiction. Despite the obstacles thrown their way, Ian is determined to keep his family afloat no matter what it takes. So far, this book does a great job at showing some of the difficulties that can and do exist for folks in rural places and the fighting nature that keeps us alive. Despite his wry and tender voice, Ian is a tough young man with the grit to keep going.

Cadow also does a wonderful job at capturing the complexities and nuances in rural living and culture, including speech. His debut brings an emotional and (I’m hoping) hopeful story of a young rural kid’s bravery and perseverance in the face of hardship. I’m looking forward to being able to dive back in and finish this one!

Much Anticipated Pre-Order

I am a forever Sarah Smarsh fan, and she is another one of my auto-orders. Heartland and She Come By It Natural are two books that changed my life in major ways. As a workingclass rural kid, I felt like I never really saw my lived experiences in the books that I read for school and felt like there was something wrong with me.

I didn’t interact in social settings the same way everyone else did, and I had particular hang-ups that very few of my friends seemed to have. Reading her essays and thinking about her own Midwestern, rural, working-class experience, I was finally able to understand and put language to some of the things I didn’t understand about myself and how I related to the outside world. I am beyond excited for this new essay collection!

In Bone of the Bone, Smarsh brings her rural and working-class perspective to her graceful storytelling and incisive critique of some of the major challenges of our time—class division, political fissures, gender inequality, environmental crisis, media bias, the rural-urban gulf, and more. Smarsh, a journalist who grew up on a wheat farm in Kansas and was a first-generation college graduate, has long focused her story-telling and reporting efforts on cultural dissonance that many in the publishing and news media industries have neglected and/or misunderstood. This collection of more than thirty of her thought-provoking, previously published essays from the past decade (2013–2024) features everything from personal narrative to news commentary and demonstrates a life and a career shaped by the issues that affect our collective future.

Smarsh’s reportage and more poetic reflections in Bone of the Bone form a singular work focused on one of the most tumultuous decades of the recent past. Filled with insightful observations, and a pleasure to read, Smarsh’s essays offer both rural and nonrural people, both workingclass and non-working-class people, opportunities to engage with the various lived experiences of rural people and the political and economic structures that shape them. And I can’t wait to read it.

IT’S HOW YOU INTERNET

Community Voices

Who was a farmer in the Bible & from the farmer, what can we learn of Faith?

This piece was presented as the morning chapel service during the 2024 Western Regional Leaders’ Conference by Washington State Grange Chaplain Carolyn Hojem.

Much of the “meditation” was gleaned from the work of Christine Hoover, the author of numerous books, including Searching for Spring: How God Makes All Things Beautiful in Time. The full article, “Three Lessons from the Farmer about Faith,” can be found at https://www.therooseveltreview.com/three-lessons-fromthe-farmer-about-faith/ and is reprinted as presented by Hojem with permission from Hoover.

Let’s go all the way back to the Garden of Eden. As we know, God created that garden. Afterward, He created Adam and told him to tend the garden, care for all its animals and plants, and protect it. That means that God created him as a farmer.

Another farmer was Amos, a farmer with a great sense of humility and a heart that listened to God. Amos was a simple man, a farmer, uniquely called to ministry. He was not a priest, a Levite, or a professional pastor, but just among the sheep breeders of Tekoa.

God has said in Isaiah 30:23, “He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. On that day, your cattle will graze in broad meadows.”

A person who works in agriculture may have religious beliefs and practices considered part of their faith.

Farmers may practice a particular religion or spiritual tradition and may integrate their faith into their everyday work on the farm, depending on their cultural and personal backgrounds.

Are you an author, poet, or illustrator? Be a part of Community Voices! Would you like to share what you have to say with Good Day! readers? Email your submissions to pvonada@nationalgrange.org with the subject “Community Voices” to be considered! Note: Submissions to not have to be Grange-related.

purpose and meaning in their job alongside their religious beliefs.

Additionally, it might affect how they farm, for example, by encouraging them to use sustainable or ecologically friendly methods.

Agriculture and religious and spiritual traditions have long been connected, as farming is frequently considered a strongly related way of life.

MEDITATION

Meditating on God’s Word, His character, and His actions involves spending time with Him. While we can do that anytime, anywhere, most of us can focus better on God when we plan intentional times alone with Him without distractions.

Meditation, as used in the Bible, is like “chewing” on the truths in God’s Word, much like a cow chewing on its cud. While eating, a cow literally regurgitates its food, then chews that food again before digesting it and allowing it to nourish its body and produce the milk we drink.

That’s what we are to do when we meditate on God and His Word. We spend quiet moments reading His truths, thinking about them, “swallowing” their goodness. Then, we apply those truths to our lives, maybe even praying them back to God as we digest them. When we do that, God’s Word nourishes and strengthens our souls and draws us even closer to Him.

As the farmer meditates on the past summer harvest, the remnants of harvested crops to the soil in his hands when spring arrives to take center stage, he, along with his farmerfather and his farmer-uncles, has already turned, tilled, leveled, and molded the soil into neat rows and borders, preparing ready receptacles for seeds. The soil is ready for fertilizing — acres and acres must be covered, then planted with various species of seeds: corn, wheat, vegetables, or hops.

Some farmers may experience a sense of connection to the land and the natural world and a sense of

Their work — the daily wrestling with the soil — is circadian and perennial yet has only ever just begun. After planting, they will scrupulously monitor the soil, coaxing it with aeration, searching it for even the smallest weeds, and scrutinizing it for signs of pests or worms. Then, they wait, giving time and space for the sun and the rain and the mysterious and miraculous work of seeds becoming sprouts becoming stalks.

A farmer, perhaps more than most, knows something about faith.

It’s no wonder that Scripture encourages us to look to the farmer as an example. When Paul tells Timothy to be

strong in the grace of Christ, he points specifically toward the hard-working farmer (2 Timothy 2:6).

At times, we all feel trapped by the everydayness of life and the amount of work there is yet to do. How do we continue in all God has called us to do without growing weary, especially when the work is demanding and the harvest appears so far into the future? I look to the farmer for answers.

Farming is a way of life, a lifelong commitment. It’s not a typical job where you can give two weeks’ notice and walk away. When you farm, you’re connected to a specific land, invested in expensive equipment, a community, and, often to generations of your family who have farmed before you. In other words, a deep-roots, big-picture perspective is required. The big picture is this: The farmer is covenanted to his work for a lifetime and works his land with the yearly harvest ever before him. Every investment in equipment, every decision regarding the precise planting time, every weed uprooted — all of it is done with the harvest in mind. This holds true for all of us; we can all relate to the farmer.

We are all called to a lifelong commitment to the harvest, and this lifelong commitment plays out in everyday small acts of devotion. A lifelong commitment entails unrelenting hard work with brief moments of harvest. Farmers know that short-term hard work will produce an unending harvest. Scripture never portrays a faith in God this way. Commitment to a deep-roots, big picture where instant growth, instant fruit, and instant reward can never be the goal, but rather a steady pace over the long haul.

Farming is backbreaking work, dirty work, detailed work, and, most of all, it is risky work. There aren’t any guarantees. What is the point? Why would we invest everything in a risky venture? We might ask this, thinking of our own lives and efforts to produce a spiritual harvest; we have seemingly harvested nothing or been wiped out entirely.

The farmer sees his failed crop as a tangible reminder that the harvest inevitably belongs to the Lord. The farmer must be faithful to lay the groundwork for the harvest, but the harvest cannot be forced; it can only happen through the Lord’s providence.

It’s like parenting. In parenting your children over a long period of time, there are little moments that show you may be on the right track, but you know you won’t see the full reward until the end. Even then, you may not see the reward you wanted or hoped for.

As in farming, however, you must faithfully take steps to get to the harvest. There are things that pop up in the growing season that aren’t helpful or what you want to see. You may get rain that you don’t want on the crops. Most learn not to go look at the crops on the day it rains because that’s when it looks the worst. It’s never as bad as we thought after we come through it, though, and even what doesn’t look good is working toward the end goal of the harvest. In the end, no matter what the crop looks like, we must trust God and know that he will take care of us.

Focusing on fruitfulness is a frustrating endeavor; working in faith is all we are asked to do. And it’s really all we can do. Our lives, like those of farmers, are ongoing, and there are various exercises in learning to trust God despite what we can see today.

You’ve made it another year; you’ve

grown another crop. It’s financially rewarding, but it’s also the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve put it into the ground, and you’ve harvested it.

The reward is always in sight. There is joy in the harvest, and the greatest satisfaction belongs to the one who carefully cultivated it all along the way. The hard-working farmer, as Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:6, is the one “who ought to have the first share of the crops.” I’ve taken that to mean that the farmer eats of his labor, but I see that it means so much more.

Joy results from our long-term faithfulness. Content in our work and in seeing what has been produced over the years. The secret joy of trusting in God’s providence and experiencing his constant goodness. But there is also joy in what cannot be seen, how one tiny seed becomes a huge plant that produces a thousandfold of seeds. The harvest multiplies itself and goes out into the world in a way that the farmer will never see with his own eyes. But because he can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

In our work and our weariness, let us look to the farmer. Let us keep the deep-roots, big picture in mind. If we don’t give up, one day, we will enjoy the final harvest and its bountiful rewards. Unlike our farming friends, this harvest, one cultivated by faith, is absolutely guaranteed.

AGRITOURISM FEATURE

Agritourism around the Great Lakes

By Elizabeth Hiner Senior Communication Fellow

For this part of our journey across the United States, we are hitting the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan - the Great Lakes states.

These states are known for corn, soybeans, and swine in Illinois and Indiana, along with other fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, peppermint, and spearmint. Ohio, where 90 percent of the farms are run by families or individuals, is a top producer of Swiss cheese but is also a large producer of eggs, tomatoes, pumpkins, and bell peppers. And finally, Michigan - with 17,767 women-run farms - where the top product is tart cherries (I know where to go to get cherries for my cherry cobbler), and you can also find plenty of asparagus and squash.

For this tour, we will start off in Illinois, with our first stop at the Reindeer Ranch, open from September through December.

The Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch started in Rantoul in 1995 when the Hardy family purchased their first two reindeer to help sell the Christmas trees raised on their farm. The ranch has grown and now has sixteen reindeer and five acres of Christmas trees, along with a gift shop in the barn and a western-style banquet hall for all your event needs. The hall rental is available yearround. In 1997, the Hardys proved that reindeer could fly when they purchased thirteen of their animals in Alaska and had them flown to Illinois in special crates aboard a 747. It’s not quite how Santa’s reindeer fly, but it’s close.

They set up the tourist end of the ranch with the motor coach industry in mind, offering large and small group tours. The

Reindeer aren’t just for Christmas, and the herd keeps growing at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch. Visit their Facebook page to see the newest reindeer calves born this spring.

Disclaimer: All of the locations and attractions written about in this column are open at the time of print. I have noticed recently that due to COVID and its repercussions, some of the places previously suggested may no longer be in operation. As a rule of thumb, please verify before you plan your vacation around one of these activities.

Hardys offer tours around the tree farm and a reindeer tour where guests can feed the animals and give a reindeer a kiss if they are brave enough. They also offer a corn maze in the fall, set up like a treasure hunt with eight stops you must find before you find your way out of the maze. Weather permitting, your group can go on a tractor-driven buggy ride through the farm.

Then, around Christmas, you can cut your own tree from their 5-acre farm or purchase a pre-cut tree from North Carolina, a Michigan Fraser Fir, or from Indiana, a Douglas Fir, Scotch, or White Pine.

Now we are off to Gail’s Pumpkin Patch in Beason. It started in 2006 when David and Gail, a fourth-generation farmer, wanted to share the farm experience with others. Thus, the patch was born. It was seen as a challenge to grow pumpkins amid the corn and soybeans already being grown on the farm, but the venture has grown over the years to include honeybees and baked goods along with all the fun you can have at the patch.

The farm is only open to the public from September tenth through October thirty-first and closed on Tuesdays. This is a u-pick pumpkin farm that raises sixty varieties of pumpkins and gourds. On September 15, Gail’s offers a Fall Fun Day, noon5:00pm; the admission is free, along with free pumpkin wagon rides. This is fun for the whole family.

In the general store, you can pick up cinnamon rolls, cider, honey products, and much more. One of the interesting items I found was the popcorn-on-the-cob you can make in your microwave - sounds fun! On their website, you can find recipes; the from-scratch pumpkin pie looked delicious. From scratch, in this instance, is from pumpkin in the field to the pie.

The fun part of the farm is the u-pick-your-own pumpkin and gourds, the popcorn wagon, and the tunnel corn maze. You will also find oversized games that include checkers, along with potato sack jump, a toddler corner, rope the bull, and many more. The tractor dig and Chinese checkers are new this year, and the adult tricycles are back.

The next stop on our travels in Illinois is to Harvard at the Royal Oak Farm. The farm was started in 1992 by the Bianchini family as part of the retirement plan from the construction business. In 2003, their daughter and her husband sold their

Photo via Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch on Facebook

business to help run the orchard. She took on the market and bakery while he took on the programs, information technology, pest management, and other of the orchard responsibilities. This orchard is 160 acres with four separate orchards and grows 20,000 trees producing 30 of the over 2,500 varieties of apples that are grown in the US each year. They also grow pumpkins and gourds, which are available to purchase.

Among the amenities they offer are a petting zoo, the Royal Oak Express Train, and Barrel Train, along with hayrides and bonfires. You can also check out the bakery and country kitchen for a quick meal after picking apples. Be sure to check out the carousel and the maze. They also offer adult tours, school tours, and much more.

There is no admission fee to the orchard, but you will need to purchase bags for each person over the age of three for the apples you pick.

Our final stop in Illinois before heading to Indiana is Farmers Rising, which is not a typical agritourism venue but an educational farm. Opened 25 years ago as Angelic Organic Learning Center, they rebranded to “Farmers Rising” at the end of 2023. “Farmers Rising is a name and a call to action. It’s a chance for all of us who care about climate change, food sovereignty, and fresh food grown by local farmers to bolster our food system for the benefit of our future and our communities,” says their website.

Their commitment is to give existing and new farmers a space to learn from one another, which harkens back to the Grange’s roots. They offer educational programs at the two learning centers in Caledonia and Rockford, along with online content. They have access to a plethora of information that is useful to beginning farmers and seasoned farmers alike.

Farmers Rising offers several day programs or weeklong

Education is at the heart of Farmers Rising’s mission, including demonstrating how to boil down maple syrup, as seen at the Maple Syrup Hike and Breakfast in March.

via Farmers Rising on Facebook

programs for adults, kids, and families. Some of the camps include Refrigerator Pickling (for your favorite pickle), the FreeRange Farm Kids Day (6–12-year-olds), the June Local Food Crawl, and the Alfalfa Music Festival. These programs run from June through August. You can also find online cooking howtos, such as roasting vegetables or pickling onions.

You can also book an overnight stay at the Lodge campus or host an event, like a birthday party or a retreat. The Lodge campus can accommodate thirty people, while the rooms feature bunk beds. The Lodge also has meeting spaces with fireplaces and outdoor spaces with a large firepit, a garden, and a hiking trail. If you are a bit more adventurous and prefer rustic, the Workshop campus offers a campground with a picnic shelter, campfire rings, a cob oven, and gardens.

Well, now off to Indiana, where our first stop is the Cornucopia Farm in the town of Scottsburg. Advertised as southern Indiana’s “premier family fun farm,” you can find something for everyone, depending on their interests. The farm has not released its 2024 schedule of events yet, as the season runs from September through October; it should be available online soon.

Last year’s special events were the Mum Mania weekend, Butterfly Release, Senior Citizens Day, September Glow Maze, Kids Pumpkin Hunt, and Puzzle Night, to name a few.

The Kids Pumpkin Hunt is for kids under the age of twelve, where they get to hunt pumpkins like an Easter Egg hunt. At the end of the hunt, they can keep a select number of pumpkins or trade them in for prizes.

Trivia Night was brand new in 2023; it’s a competition between teams that can be made up of two to four players. This is an adult function and is held outdoors under the shelter house or in the pumpkin shed if there is inclement weather. Also added last year was a puzzle night for teams of two given two hours to complete the puzzle – and each team gets to keep the puzzle, too.

Senior Citizens’ Day is for those of us who have a few decades behind us, and is exclusive. You can go on wagon rides, visit the petting zoo, try out the barnyard basketball, pick your own bouquet or pumpkins, or shop in the market.

The other sights to see are the mazes - the farm features a corn and a soybean maze. You can stop by the petting farm, which has goats, sheep, calves, pigs, and chickens, plus all the other creatures that live on the farm. Be a later visitor, and you might get to bottle-feed one of the baby calves. They also have many other activities, including a corn cannon, rubber duck races, giant connect four, and so much more.

They have a picnic area and a café, only open at weekends, for your enjoyment. They also offer school field trips, birthday party venues, and group tours/venues.

Now that we have worn ourselves out, we are on to Battle Ground, Indiana, to visit The Farm at Prophetstown. A living history working farm, they are open daily from 10am-5pm.

Photo

They are thrilled to offer a look at a 1920s farmstead with a replica Sears, Roebuck, & Co. catalog farmhouse kitchen common to that era and the authentic period-specific Tenant House.

The farm raises livestock and crops used to feed the livestock year-round. The farming is done in partnership with some of the local farmers who assist with planting and growing harvest grains, hay, and straw for the animals. Their goal is to serve as a home for animal breeds that were commonly found in the 1920s, such as standard breed horses, miniature horses, and heritage and endangered chickens, as well as Herefords (cows), Oxford/Suffolk sheep, and Berkshire hogs.

The farm practices sustainable agriculture, gardening, and canning and offers educational opportunities in farm-to-table cooking, blacksmithing,

and homesteading. Most programs are free, being included in the entrance fee to the state park. Along with the educational programs, they offer farm-to-table dinners, one per month in April and May, and meat, eggs, and produce for sale.

An online brochure lists events offered throughout the year. Here are few highlights from each month: June - Volunteer Workday, and Family Day; July - Vintage baseball, and Concert and Barn dance; August – Ice Cream Social; September – County Fair; December – Make and take a popcorn garland, and Christmas on the farm. Check out their website for more information.

the pumpkin patch, where you can pick from the twenty varieties of pumpkins they grow. Be sure to check out the other activities like the cow train, trike racetrack, wagon rides, as well as the farm animal corral, play areas, and farm buildings. School field trips are welcome.

Our last stop before heading to Ohio is the Bonneyville Mill in Elkhart County. The mill is the oldest continuously operating

Now, we are headed north to the KnollBrook Farm in Goshen. This has been a family-run farm since 1986, when John and Cynthia moved there right after marrying. They started off with four cows and a dream, where both had to work off the farm to finance their dream. Now, five children later, the farm has grown to 400 acres with 130 Holsteins and Jersey cows.

In addition to the dairy, the family has built a scavenger hunt corn maze that is laid out on twelve acres, plus an additional ten acres in the pumpkin patch. The corn maze has more than five miles of pathways, and each year has a different theme. The 2023 theme was “all things agriculture,” with trivia questions to help you find the way out – “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” type questions). Of course, there is

grist mill in Indiana, established in 1837, and is now an Indiana State Historical Site.

Visitors to the mill can see how flour is made using the mill’s two grinding stones. They produce flour from wheat and buckwheat and turn corn into corn meal. The mill is powered by the river’s mill race (the channel carrying a swift current of water that drives a mill wheel).

The mill is a destination that attracts photographers and visitors from all across the world. Is is a nice restful spot to stop – and maybe explore the seven miles of hiking trails or the waterfalls in the park - before we move on to the two remaining states on this adventure.

Our first stop in Ohio is the Barn-nBunk Farm Market in Trenton. The Market is a family-owned farm, established in 1992 and built on land that has been in the family since 1930. Open from Mid-

The Bonneyville Mill near Bristol, Indiana, is recognized as the oldest continuously operating grist mill in the state, and is now a tourist attraction and its own county park. Photo courtesy of Elkhart County Parks

The Berkshire hogs at The Farm at Prophetstown are exhausted just thinking about all there is to do on this agritourism trip! Photo via The Farm at Prophetstown

A look at the Sears, Roebuck, & Co. kitchen in the original I. Floyd Garrott Tenant House, built in 1921. Photo courtesy of The Farm at Prophetstown

March through December 23rd, the Barn-n-Bunk is unique in the array of items they have available to their visitors. They offer many events during the year, including the County CruiseIn once a month April through September. Bring your favorite ride for a day of fun and music. The Fall Festival is held the last two weekends in September and through the last weekend in October. Each has a different theme. Check out their calendar online.

For everyday adventure, check out the barns. The main barn is original to the farm and dates to the early 1900s. This barn consists of the main level and three lofts and is used to sell their produce. The items you can find are fresh produce, including bananas, melons, peaches, potatoes, onions, and much more. You will also find jams, jellies, local raw honey, and local baked goods. If you are looking for pickled items, you will find pickled asparagus, eggs, watermelon rinds, and much more. There are specialty mixes for soup, dips and desserts, prepackaged snacks, candy, soda, and specialty candles and melts along with local arts and crafts. Amish meats and cheeses are available also.

Be sure to check out the sandwiches from the Ice Cream and Deli Barn. This is a relocated 1900s pegged barn that was used for special craft shows, a wedding venue, and more before it became the Ice Cream and Candy Shop in 2001, with the Deli added in 2005.

The last barn is a relocated 1893 pegged barn and moved to the farm in 2002.

The Barn-n-Bunk offers school tours, one in spring, summer, and fall, each with a different focus; check online for more information. They also welcome motor coaches, offering a variety of tours depending on what you would like to do. They have a grist mill where you can grind your own flour, or you can spend the time making centerpieces.

Now that we have had a busy visit to the Barn-n-Bunk, we are off to Wheeler Farms, a multi-purpose venue in Whitehouse, Ohio. The stables and the wine room are used for weddings and family events. This farm also offers a butterfly house, open from May 2nd to July 28th this year, where you see the butterflies in all stages of their life cycle. You will find the butterfly house right next to the corn maze and the stables. Last year’s corn maze was dinosaur-themed, featuring the T-Rex, my favorite, the Triceratops, the Stegosaurus, and others. They have 24 checkpoints and five miles of walking paths in the maze. Open Friday to Sunday starting in September.

The Christmas Tree Farm, which opens in November, is where you can go pick your own tree, which they will cut down for you. Along with selling Christmas trees, they participate in a program called Trees for Troops. This program has provided more than 293,392 real Christmas Trees to military families since 2005. 15,391 trees were delivered to seventy-nine military bases. Tree growers across the nation participate in this program. Wheeler Farms/Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm

sent trees to the Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina last year. Please check their site if you would like to donate to help with the costs of shipping the trees.

Our next stop is the Marion Popcorn Festival, located in Marion County, Ohio – one of the top popcorn-growing areas in the United States and home to Wyandot, one of the world’s largest popcorn exporters.

This event is held the first weekend after Labor Day. Marion has hosted this Festival since 1981, named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association. Attracting crowds of more than 250,000 people annually, they offer free live music and a county fair atmosphere with vendors of all sorts, from individual to commercial. To add to the fun, you can go to the Popcorn parade. This is good family fun.

Our last stop in Ohio, The Mohicans Treehouse Resort in Glenmont, is not necessarily an agritourism spot. Rather, it started out as a small brewery, the Little Red Treehouse, which was featured in an episode of Treehouse Masters in 2013. Since then, it morphed into a resort and wedding venue with nine treehouses and four cabins, perfect for a weekend getaway or a different type of venue for a wedding. I am afraid of heights, but I think it would be fun and relaxing to spend some time in the wild but not have to rough it anymore.

Now that we are all rested up, we are off to Michigan, starting

Poppy, the mascot of the Marion Popcorn Festival, welcomes attendees to the 2022 event.

Photo via Marion Popcorn Festival on Facebook

in the north and working our way south.

Our first stop is in Houghton at the northern end of the Upper Peninsula. If you want an off-the-grid experience, Apple Acres Farm is the place to visit.

This small-scale farm is inspired by a regenerative permaculture design for resiliency and sustainability encompassing the local lifestyle. They offer tours/workshops, seasonal produce, and farm stays. All tours/workshops and farm stays must be booked online.

Apple Acres offers several tours that cover topics like beekeeping, which is a workshop on keeping a smallscale apiary. This covers the basics of honeybees and their colony, the type of equipment you will need, and the safety requirements for keeping and working with bees. After the workshop, you will get to visit the apiary. The tour can be tailored to your interests in beekeeping.

Another tour is wild mushroom foraging, where you will learn the basics of identifying mushrooms in the outdoor classroom. A certified wild mushroom

expert leads you into the forest to collect your own mushrooms.

If these are not of interest to you, there is a workshop on regenerative farming and off-the-grid living, and a couple of fun tours with the goats - you can go hiking with them or go to goat happy hour.

The farm stay can also be tailored to your interests, as a place to just come and relax or enjoy all the things the farm has to offer, taking one of the tours, feeding the chickens or just hanging out on the deck.

Our next stop is just to the south at the Partridge Creek Farm in Ishpeming. This is a 3.75acre farm site, part of a non-profit organization that manages five community garden sites along with the farm to provide food access locally and education in food security. Some of the educational workshops offered include Foraging 101, Skill Share (learning a new skill related to health and well-being), and Healthy Cooking with Kids. They

also have a weekly volunteer day where you can help at one of the gardens. This runs from July – October

Now, we are off to Hillman to visit the Thunder Bay Resort and check out the elk. The resort offers an elk viewing in a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh ride (depending on the time of the year) on a journey through the woods to the Elk Preserve, where you can check out the Rocky Mountain elk herd in their natural habitat. This tour includes a fivecourse gourmet dinner and wine tasting. Please reserve online - accommodation is not included. However, if doing the one-night package (mid-week), the elk viewing ride, gourmet dinner, wine tasting, lodging, and breakfast are all included.

In Thompsonville, we will visit the Cotton Creek Farms, a Huacaya Alpaca farm. The farm is open for visitors from April through December. They are a working farm that offers sales, boarding, breeding, and mentoring. You will also find a farm store, and they offer guided alpaca tours.

The alpacas are a mix of Alpaca Owners Association registered, 4-H, hobby, pet, and show quality animals. You can meet and feed the female alpacas when you visit the Farm Market; the feed is purchased at the market. To view the male alpacas requires a reservation for the interactive tour or a school field trip.

Niko and Nibler, two Nigerian dwarf goats, will be your tour guides through the woods at Apple Acres Farm. You may even find some delicious mushrooms on the way.

Photo via Apple Acres Farm

View a herd of Rocky Mountain Elk in their natural habitat while on a draft horsedrawn carriage ride at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, Michigan.

Photo viaThunder Bay Resort on Facebook

The market supplies alpaca products for children and adults, from sweaters to socks and much more. There is yarn for the crafter, horse saddle pads for the rider, and toys for the kids. You can get all your winter gear here also, from hats and mittens to leg warmers and scarves. Cotton Creek also offers support services to new alpaca owners, such as 4-H participants, or new farm owners with education, support, and mentoring.

The Weiss Centennial Farm in Frankenmuth is basically just for school field trips but is available to the public by reservation on weekdays. A 150-year-old (plus!) family-owned dairy farm, they offer educational opportunities and are committed to preserving and sharing Michigan’s agricultural heritage.

They are open from September to June to coincide with the school year, offering four different tours: the Tasty Treat, The Dairy Farm Visit, the Culinary Farm to Table Adventure, and The Playground.

They also offer four special events: the Autumn Adventure with a corn maze that is open from September 16-November 20, 2024. Guests can make corn muffins and butter in their heritage kitchen and learn how foods in the old and new worlds have influenced how we cook. The second event is November

18-December 20, 2024, and is all about Christmas, having cookies and milk, and learning all about spices from around the world. Third is the Pretzel Party, where you can learn how to make German-style pretzels from January 20 to April 25, 2025, and the final event, “Spring has Sprung,” runs from April 28 to June 20, 2025, where kids can make their own Michigan fruit crisp, and watch the trees bud, bloom, and fill with baby fruit.

Our final stop on this tour of the Great Lakes States is at Corn Fun Family Farm in Casco, which is open in September and October. They offer 13 acres of fun for the whole family, featuring a challenging corn maze with checkpoint challenges, a courtyard maze, a rope maze ideal for small kids, and four miles of hiking trails. The farm also boasts a petting zoo.

For fun and games, Corn Fun offers a variety of games for young and old, from the bounce pad to the tire climb. Like carnival games? Check out their game tent. Then it is off to the races, the rat race in a barrel race, duck races, and the gocart track. On the weekends, you can also go for hayrides. For relaxing, they have a picnic area with concessions, cider and donuts, and bonfires to keep warm.

In September, they host the Sunflower Festival, where you will have access to all the courtyard activities and mazes, the sunflower fields and zinnias with great photo opportunities, unlimited hayrides to the sunflower patch, and one free sunflower to take home, with more available with purchase. You can also check out the three pumpkin patches to find that perfect pumpkin for Halloween or pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

So, we are done with this trip around the Great Lakes. On our next adventure, we will visit the Mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Then, we will finish this series in the New England States after that.

Happy Traveling!

Support some of the locations mentioned in this article:

• Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch - reindeerranch.com

• Gail’s Pumpkin Patch - gailspumpkinpatch.com

• Royal Oak Farm Orchardroyaloakfarmorchard.com

• Farmers Rising - farmersrising.org

• Cornucopia Farm - cornucopiafarm.com

• The Farm at Prophetstownprophetstown.org

• Knollbrook Farm - knollbrookfarm.com

• Bonneyville Mill- bonneyvillemill.com

• Barn-n-Bunk Farm Market - barnnbunk.com

• Wheeler Farms - wheelerfarms.com

• Marion Popcorn Festival - popcornfestival.com

• Apple Acres Farm - appleacres.farm

• Partridge Creek Farm - partridgecreekfarm.org

• Cotton Creek Farms - cottoncreekfarms.com

• Weiss Centennial Farmfacebook.com/WeissCentennialFarm

• Corn Fun Family Farm - cornfun.com

The fur from these Huyaca alpacas will certainly keep you warm - just like each of them during a snowstorm last winter.

Photo via Cotton Creek Farms on Facebook

NOTES FROM A SMALL TOWN

A Small-town school and a Big-town school

By Christopher Dean Massachusetts Grange Member

One thing about small towns: their schools aren’t usually very good. They try to do well by their children, but there’s only so much they can do when it comes to paying the bills for buildings and teachers’ salaries.

I started my school career when I went to a nursery school called Surf Song in Rockport’s Pigeon Cove section. It was a private school, not fancy, but my parents had to pay for me to go there. All the children I went to nursery school with also went on to the public school in the middle of town or the old Pigeon Cove elementary school, only a few blocks away from Surf Song.

The nursery school was run by Aline Moginot, and she focused on folk music, art, singing, and free play. She taught all the kids how to skip and I mastered it, then had to learn in kindergarten that boys DO NOT SKIP, so the lesson was, ultimately, wasted on me in the end. It was a pretty happy place, as I remember it, though I remember very little of it beyond a few small impressions of the classroom with a huge picture window overlooking an inlet in the granite shore below: bright white sunlight poured into the room and I would sit and look at picture books on the built-in window seat, the rocky shore and waves behind me. Warmth and sunlight were the main takeaways from that place.

After nursery school, I started going to the public school in town, the George Tarr School. It was a big granite building on School Street which had at one time been a woolens mill that suffered a severe fire that burned down the eastern end of the building, leaving the west end machine shop standing. After eighteen years as a boarded-up ruin right in the middle of town, the useable blocks were repurposed to create the eastern wall of the building. There was one classroom for each grade, kindergarten through sixth grade, though. An odd fact is that 1960 was the third-highest year for births in American history, and the town needed two classrooms for my year, meaning that there was a large bunny-bump in the snake as 1960 moved through the school system in town.

The education I got there turned out to be pretty minimal by the standards of the schools I went to afterward. We were taught basic arithmetic, we read Dick and Jane books, we were taught to recite the 107th Psalm (the part about “Down to the sea in ships” up to just before the part about “staggering back

and forth like a drunken man”… I can still recite it to this day), the Pledge of Allegiance (which no-one bothered to translate down to a child’s level, leaving us wondering what “allegents” were). And we had duck-and-cover drills in the off chance that the Soviet Union dropped an atomic bomb on Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Midway through my third grade year, our mother moved my brother and me to the town of Brookline, a close-in suburb of Boston, because the schools were said to be good, and she wanted us to have a good education. And Brookline really did have astounding schools. At the time there were rent control laws throughout the state, and any town that wanted socialclass diversity could have it. We were middle class and could afford to live in a town like Brookline solely because of rent control.

The George Tarr School building in Rockport still stands, but became the Rockport Public Library after closing. Photos accompanying this article by Christopher Dean

An engraving reading “Education is the true safeguard of democracy” remains on the side of the old George Tarr School in Rockport.

The world opened to me. We had Cuisenaire blocks to help us learn to count; we were taught to borrow from the tens column; they started us on multiplication tables and long division. We had chapter books to read, and reading was encouraged at home, the school system had a bookmobile, and every school had a library. The differences were amazing. I was so far behind when I got to Brookline that my mother was afraid that my brother and I would have to have remedial tutoring, but we managed to catch up in a matter of months. By the time I finished third grade, I was reading and doing math at my level, though my math sort of stalled when I got into higher grades, not because of teaching but because math just wasn’t my “thing”; I preferred reading and writing and still do, to this day.

Rockport was a small town and it had small-town aspirations for its students; Brookline taught us that the sky was the limit. It offered us possibilities that were unimaginable in a small town: visits to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, field trips to Cape Cod. I went to high school with the children of the director of the MFA, my friends’ parents were doctors, musicians with the Boston Symphony, architects, school administrators. We were exposed to much that we’d never have experienced if we’d stayed in Rockport, and for that I’m very grateful.

Now that I’ve moved back, I’ve come to see that, of the thirty-five or so kids I went to school with in Rockport, only a handful have stayed in town. The rest left for other places, moving all over the New England region while friends I went to school with in Brookline ended up all over the country and the world. We’d been told that the world was our oyster, and we believed them, not even considering that things might’ve turned out differently. My high school friends become actors, TV directors, executives, architects, and writers. Are their lives better? Materially, yes.

Rockport children also experienced something that Brookline children didn’t: the lack of affordable housing in town has forced them out of Rockport. When state-wide rent control was voted out by a referendum in 1994, those of lesser means were the worst affected.

Landlords paid for a very dishonest campaign that spread hysterical tales about how rent control was ruining them. Many people who didn’t live in towns with rent control believed the stories and voted for the referendum, condemning renters to uncontrolled rent raises that have hurt every renter for the last thirty years. Those who had been educated in lower-quality schools had fewer options and thus began the great diaspora of people out of state. Brookline people, better educated and making more money, were less affected. Higher rents were an inconvenience for them, but they didn’t lose out.

What’s saddest to me is that Rockport is a wonderful place to live. I think that pretty much anyone would want to live here. Most of the people who have had to leave Rockport were those who didn’t inherit homes here. There’s almost no other way to get a home in this town unless you’re rich or very, very lucky. (We were lucky, there’s no other reason).

Rockport is impossibly charming, manageably small, walkable, everything a town should be. I often walk around and run into people that I know, it’s friendly. Visitors come here and fall in love with it. It’s hard not to. I left and dreamed about returning for years until I finally did it, but I was educated in a place that taught me to aim for the sky, not a place that held me back, however well-intentioned it was.

Small-town schools have some appeal and charm, but is education something that larger towns and areas do better?

Summer Fun!

By Ann Olson Bercher President, State Grange of Minnesota Certified Culinary Specialist

The family reunion was fabulous!

It was so much fun reconnecting with all the cousins and their kids. The volleyball tournament was spectacular. Uncle George outdid himself with his slam right into the net! Cornhole is always a favorite, even if no one really knows the rules. The lake water was warm and great for swimming. Even a few fish were caught and released; most were too small to keep anyway.

And the food! All of those lovely salads. Kate brought her mustard potato salad and Julie brought her creamy Italian pasta salad. Aunt Irene brought her famous Jello with shredded carrots topped with Miracle Whip, which got a little soupy by the end of the day. Bart and Joey were in charge of the grill and provided crispy, charred hot dogs and hamburgers. All of the fixin’s helped cover up the charred flavor. There was plenty of sour cream, mayonnaise, onions, pickles, mustard and catsup. The lemonade and iced tea were welcome additions to the regular soft drinks and beer. It was a glorious day.

That night, Uncle George wasn’t feeling too good. Bart and Joey weren’t feeling very good the next day. It turns out, several attendees were quite “under the weather” for a few days. Was it all the activity? Did they simply “over-do?”

Or, was it something they ate?

Summer picnics are great! There’s something magical about eating outdoors with friends and family. But, whether making the whole menu yourself or holding it a potluck, there

is always the chance that food could accidentally get crosscontaminated or left out too long and get too warm.

According to the CDC1, one in six Americans get sick from a foodborne pathogen each year. Everyone knows the feeling. Stomach cramps start and may be followed by bloating and eventually diarrhea and maybe vomiting. Ugh! What a way to end a great summer outing! But the culprit in many cases is food that gets contaminated by bacteria that our systems just don’t like. And our gut will profoundly let us know that it is unhappy!

Some easy ways to prevent food-borne illnesses at your picnics are as follows:

1. Wash your hands! Frequently. Wash your hands before cooking, after handling raw meat, and before eating or serving food. Bring hand sanitizer if there is no running water at your picnic site, and rub it all over your hands, including between fingers and around nails.

2. Start with a clean and sanitized cooler. Be sure all containers are sealed. Keep raw meat separate from fruits and vegetables. You might want to consider a separate cooler for your meats. Wash all fruits and vegetables before putting them in your cooler, even if you plan to peel them later. Keep ice for beverages separate from the ice used to cool your food and beverages.

3. Use clean utensils. If you can’t wash utensils at your picnic area, bring extra so there is no chance of using a utensil on raw meat and then using it for something else. Don’t put cooked meat on the plate that held raw meat. It sounds obvious, but in the sometimes rush of grilling up food, combined with

the fun and laughter, accidents can and do happen. Have plenty of plates.

4. Bring an instantread thermometer. Hamburgers should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F. Chicken breasts and legs must be cooked to at least 165°F. Hot dogs are best when cooked to an internal temp between 150 and 160°F. If these foods aren’t eaten right away, they must be kept warm at a minimum of 140°F.

a timer or use your cell phone timer to remind you when to put food away. All perishable food, especially egg, potato, and tuna salads made with mayonnaise or dairy-based dressings, need careful monitoring.

8. Create your menu carefully. Try recipes that don’t require cooking at the picnic site. Choose items that can be prepared at home, wrapped and chilled, then packed into a cooler to transport to the picnic. Avoid recipes with mayonnaise or creamy dressings.

5. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Cooked meat should be kept above 140°F. To keep foods cold, below 40°F, bring plenty of ice. Food shouldn’t sit out for longer than two hours. If it is over 90 degrees, don’t let it sit longer than one hour. Bring

6. Keep foods covered. Insects can also cause crosscontamination and transport bacteria.

7. Think ahead. Just like we prepare our bodies for summer fun by remembering to apply the sunscreen and bring the shade gear, we need to prepare for our food-related outings. It isn’t just the food servers and preparers that need to be aware. Dishing up a plate full of delicious foods from the potluck line and sharing utensils means that everyone eating should have washed their hands, too. Again, bring lots of hand sanitizer if washing facilities aren’t available.

The recipes on the following pages are some suggestions for some easy picnic items to make ahead of time and safely transport to your next picnic. Make sure the memories of your family outing, reunion or day at the lake are of the fun you had together and not the aftermath of an upset and angry digestive system!

1 Burden of Foodborne Illness Findings: https://www.cdc.gov/foodborneburden/2011foodborne-estimates.html

Chicken Salad

Serves 4

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Salt and pepper to taste

Olive oil

1/2 cup rice vinegar

4 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

2 Tbsp honey

Wraps

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tsp red pepper flakes

8 ounces mixed lettuce leaves

6 carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks or shredded

2 roasted red bell peppers

1. Place chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound flat.

2. Heat a skillet to medium with 1 Tbsp olive oil.

3. Season chicken lightly and sear in skillet, covered, for 5 minutes. Flip and cook until no longer pink in the center. And the juices run clear. Instant read thermometer should read at least 165 degrees.

4. In a small bowl, combine rice vinegar, honey, lime juice and red pepper flakes.

5. Cut chicken into strips and toss into the dressing.

6. Lay a bed of lettuce on each tortilla. Add carrots and roasted red pepper. Top with chicken strips with dressing.

7. Wrap tortilla around filling.

President’s Recipe

shared by President Christine Hamp

Serves 4

In my lifetime I cannot remember a picnic that did not have mom’s beans – a great addition to any picnic, barbeque, or camping trip. They are easy to prepare in a slow cooker, in a deep casserole dish in the oven, or in a Dutch oven.

Mom’s Beans - “Best Beans Ever!”

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef, browned

½ lb. bacon, diced and cooked

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup ketchup

¼ cup molasses

½ teaspoon oregano

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

¾ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Pepper, to taste

1-2 cans pork and beans, drained

1 can dark red kidney beans, drained

1 can/pint green beans, drained

1 can butter beans, drained

Cover and bake at 350o F for an hour. If you are serving these beans as a side to large portions of protein you can leave out the ground beef.

courtesy of Margaret

Making your Thai Chicken Salad Wraps in advance? Wrap them tightly in cling wrap before packing your picnic basket to ensure they’ll stay fresh!

All photos by Ann Bercher

Recipe

Ohlsen, Tualco Grange #284 (WA); the current First Mom

Hummus

Hummus

1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed

3 Tbsp tahini

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

¼ cup water (or juice from garbanzo beans)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

½ tsp cumin (optional)

1. Place garbanzo beans, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and cumin into a food processor bowl and process until smooth.

and Pita Pocket

½ cup olive oil

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 tsp honey

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 shallot, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt and pepper, to taste

8 Tbsp hummus (see below)

4 large tortillas

Sandwiches

Serves 4

1 cup torn mixed greens

½ cup sweet onion, finely chopped

½ cup cucumber, finely chopped

½ cup alfalfa sprouts

½ cup shredded carrot

1. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic and salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine.

2. Spread hummus inside pita pockets.

3. Layer with salad greens, onion, cucumber, sprouts and carrot.

4. Drizzle with vinaigrette and roll up tightly.

Crostini

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees

2 baguettes, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick slices

Olive oil

2. Place slices on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush with olive oil

3. Toast until golden about 5-7 minutes.

Basic 4 ripe avocados

Guacamole

Juice of one lime

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Serves 8

Optional add-ins: hot sauce, chopped tomato, finely chopped cilantro, finely chopped jalapeno pepper, minced red onion, minced garlic

1. Cut each of the avocados in half, remove the pit.

2. Using a large spoon, scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl.

3. Season with lime, salt, and optional add-ins, if desired.

4. Mash ingredients gently with a fork or potato masher; serve immediately.

Above: Watermelon gazpacho, served with a crostini

Below: Serve your guacamole (pg. 78) with tortilla chips

Fruit

Lemonade

Watermelon

Gazpacho

1 red onion, ½ cup roughly chopped, ½ cup finely chopped

1-2 red bell peppers, 1 cup roughly chopped, ¾ cup finely chopped

1-2 peeled and seeded cucumbers, 1 cup roughly chopped, 1 cup finely chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, 1 Tbsp roughly chopped, 1 Tbsp finely chopped (more or less to taste)

2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped

6-7 cups chopped seedless watermelon

¼ cup chopped cilantro or basil

¼ - ½ cup red wine vinegar, more of less to taste depending on sweetness of watermelon

1 Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp olive oil

1. Place roughly chopped onion, bell pepper, cucumber, jalapeno and cilantro in food processor and puree.

2. Add tomatoes and pulse until pureed.

3. Add watermelon and process until smooth.

4. Pour into a large bowl.

5. Add vinegar, beginning with ¼ cup, tasting to balance the sweetness of the watermelon and tomatoes.

6. Whisk in the salt and olive oil.

7. Stir in the finely chopped vegetables and chill for an hour.

Garnish with cilantro or basil and serve with crostini (see previous page)

Makes 2 quarts

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, peaches, strawberries, blackberries, or a tropical mix

2 cups water

1 cup sugar

1 cup fresh lemon juice

3-4 cups water

Ice (at least 2 cups)

Sliced lemon or additional fruit for serving.

1. In a medium saucepan, combine fresh fruit, water, and sugar. Heat over medium high until sugar is dissolved, stirring often. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer 3 – 6 minutes until the fruit is soft.

2. Remove from heat and use a potato masher to crush the fruit. Let fruit stand for 10 minutes.

3. Set a fine mesh strainer over a medium-sized bowl and strain fruit. Press on fruit to remove all of the syrup. Discard solids.

4. Chill syrup in refrigerator.

5. In a large pitcher, add fruit syrup, lemon juice, and water. Stir to combine. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon or fruit.

Mint Chocolate

2

1 cup chocolate chips or

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until well blended.

4. Beat in eggs and peppermint extract.

5. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat until well blended.

6. Stir in chocolate chips.

7. Form dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Flatten balls slightly.

8. Bake until cookie edges begin to firm, but centers are still soft, about 9 minutes.

9. Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

THE LAST Word

By Amanda Brozana

National Grange Membership & Leadership Development Director

Many of our grandparents called it “surviving.”

Today, a new generation of people are coming to the table with homegrown, canned and preserved food as part of a movement that smoldered before the COVID-19 pandemic but during and right after has caught fire. That is – “homesteading.”

Recently, I was able to roam around the third annual Homestead Festival in Tennessee, held at the farm of Rory Feek, of the famous Rory and Joey country music duo. Thousands of people flocked to the fields, barn and simple schoolhouse on the property to hear speakers, check out new tools and items that celebrate and enhance the homesteading experience and fellowship.

That event proved again why the Grange is important and relevant. Everywhere I looked, excitement about agriculture, home, crafts, education and a certain calling in life was evident. What wasn’t? Some of the things we do best: an organization bonding these like-minded individuals, a space physical or virtual for them to learn how to be advocates for the food system and a life they are chasing, and various leadership training.

This was the discussion I had with several vendors, individuals involved in various organizations focused on the homesteading and homeschooling communities, speakers, participants and organizers. Some had heard of the Grange before. A few had relatives that had been members. Others became familiar and by day two of the event, were commenting on things they found profound in our Declaration of Purposes or Heirloom Program posts stemming from that document as well as our degree work, as well as our installation, opening and closing ceremonies.

The Grange has all the right words to connect and be the place for this new cross-section of individuals and families. The question is are we willing to assess and consider how it’s our roots that we may have to return to in order to fill

today’s calling. We are not a nation coming directly off a civil war, but we are a nation torn nonetheless. And like people in 1867, there is a deep calling in many of our souls to find common ground, and that movement may again be starting from the ground up.

As you prepare for a summer filled with hope, it is my hope you’ll hold conversations – possibly not during your regular business meetings, but instead over a special potluck – to figure out what it is that your Grange may be able to offer individuals who have begun exploring or have fully jumped into the homesteading movement. Bring along your Declaration of Purposes, your Subordinate/Community Grange Manual and your own Grange’s minutes from decades past when homesteading wasn’t a trend but a way of life.

At the National Grange level, we are going to continue conversations we have started with people in this community, organizers, founders, leaders and experts in the homesteading and homeschooling communities, to talk about how Grange can be a partner – but it will take each individual Grange to build a bridge and welcome this group to become so much more: a part of the family.

BENEFITS Grange Membership

Below is an overview of some of the benefits that are available to Grange members across the country A full, detailed list can be viewed on the National Grange’s website: www.nationalgrange.org/benefits

SHOP

We have partnered with MemberDeals, ODP Business Solutions, Lenovo, and UPS Savings.When you shop at these locations or use these services, you are giving back to the National Grange and receiving special deals in the process.

FINANCE

TRAVEL

The National Grange has partnered with TSYS Merchant Solutions, which has been serving merchants for more than 30 years and offers a payment processing program tailored to your business needs. If you have a small business, this advantage could help you.

With discounts from Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels, Worldwide Hotel, and Avis and Budget rental car services, as well as RV accommodations with Harvest Hosts, these exclusive Grange benefits are sure to help you when planning your next vacation.

HEALTH

Our partnerships with Life Line, Hear in America, Start Hearing, Comfort Keepers, and eHealth Medicare are sure to give you peace of mind about your health.

PHARMACY

INSURANCE

We have multiple partnerships to help Grange members obtain discount pharmacy cards. CVS Caremark offers the RxSavings Plus Card. The U.S. Pharmacy Card is a free discount prescription card available to Grangers. Last offer excludes members in NC.

We have partnerships with American Income Life, Member Options, United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, AFLAC, Farmers Insurance, and pet insurance through Nationwide to give our members discounts on insurance rates and deals. Clouse Insurance Agency can help find the coverage you need to protect your Grange Halls. State-based and property-based restrictions apply. Contact agency directly. Excludes Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and North Carolina.

... and many more plus new ones added regularly. Check our website for all active benefits. www.nationalgrange.org/benefits