| APRIL 25, 2011 -- "Vibrant communities go hand in hand with strong community-based efforts. The Grange as an organization sees this as a responsibility," said Todd Gelineau. Gelineau is President of both Winchester Grange, and Mountain County Pomona Grange. "That's why each Community Grange plays an important and necessary role in the communities served, and takes pride in their achievements."
From family activities, fairs and community service projects to agricultural and legislative initiatives, Granges have made a positive impact on the areas they serve for over 120 years. Since 1888, the organization has been a vital part of the towns in northwestern Connecticut. The Grange was started after the civil war as a voice for farmers, to help rebuild rural communities nationwide.
The northwest corner of Connecticut is home to seven Community Granges -- Whigville No. 48 (Whigville section of Bristol), Eureka No. 62 (New Hartford), Winchester No. 74 (Winchester Center), Taghhannuck No. 100 (Sharon/Cornwall), Litchfield No. 107 (Litchfield), Beacon No. 118 (Northfield), and Riverton No. 169 (Riverton). These Community Granges also belong to a County-wide Grange named Mountain County Pomona, as well as being a part of the State and National Granges.
The month of April has been declared Grange Month by the National Grange, with the theme "Connecting Communities Through Service." While Granges often hold special events to commemorate the celebration, their on-going efforts benefit communities year-round.
Connecticut State Grange President Jody Cameron explains. "Local Granges each serve a specific purpose in their communities, are relevant to their communities, and are a necessity in their communities. Our Granges exhibit these qualities every day. It is nice to have this time - Grange Month - to truly spotlight and highlight the incredible work and efforts of our Granges."
Local Granges have made an impact. Winchester Grange saved its local Post Office from closing, and houses the Volunteer Fire Department. Riverton Grange regularly collects non-perishable items for the local food banks and soup kitchens. Whigville Grange is active with the local scout troops. Litchfield Grange awards camperships for local children to attend Camp Berger Summer Camp, which is operated by the Connecticut State Grange. Taghhannuck Grange hosts family-fun community events such as contra dancing and rummage sales. Many local Granges award scholarships, and donate dictionaries to third graders as part of the "Word for Thirds" project. The list goes on and on.
"The local Granges have evolved along with their communities while keeping with their core mission," said Gelineau. "Granges are proud to make community service a priority, along with taking a grass-roots approach to legislative initiatives and presenting the opportunity for fun and fellowship in a family-friendly environment."
Upcoming local Grange activities include: Taghhannuck Grange is hosting an Open House with musical entertainment on April 28, and will be awarding their Community Citizen of the Year award in May. Winchester Grange is initiating new members in April, as well as hosting a presentation on Vegetable Gardening with Master Gardener Sherri LeBlanc, and preparing for their popular Super Prize Party held annually in May. Riverton Grange is also initiating new members in April, and preparing for a special program with the Cherry Brook Chimes Bell Choir in May. Litchfield Grange is presenting their Citizen of the Year award on April 28th. Whigville Grange is having a program on "Weather" with a guest speaker, while Eureka Grange is hosting two Potluck Suppers. Beacon Grange also has an upcoming Potluck Supper with a special community-interest program.
"The Granges in the northwest corner of Connecticut are making a difference. The members of these Granges have donated approximately 100,000 hours of community service in the past year," Cameron said, noting the numerous projects and activities of each Community Grange.
"Membership in the Grange is an excellent opportunity to serve the community, as well as develop and exhibit leadership skills and personal growth," Cameron continued. "People enjoy participating in an organization that treats its members like family, sharing in the giving as well as garnering support and encouragement from each other. The communities benefit from the Granges, but each Grange member also benefits personally."
The Connecticut State Grange and its local Granges are an integral part of rural and non-rural communities across the state, with currently nearly 60 local Grange chapters in Connecticut.
For more information, as well as list of local events for the Connecticut State Grange and the Community Granges in Connecticut, please visit www.CTStateGrange.org.
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Founded in 1867 to help farmers recover from the ravages of the Civil War, the National Grange is the oldest US rural community-service, family-oriented organization with a special interest in agriculture. Over the years, the Grange has evolved to incorporate the interests of farm and non-farm families in rural, suburban and urban communities. Agricultural and legislative initiatives, rural health care, education and communications access are just a few of the Grange's current areas of involvement. The organization has approximately 240,000 members in nearly 3000 local and state chapters across 40 states. |
