| OCTOBER 30, 2011 -- The National Grange Nationwide Gathering Celebration came and went on July 16 and many Grangers used it as an excuse to enjoy good eats and sunshine.
The national event was conceptualized by Peter Pompper as a way to foster involvement between Granges.
Pompper said the day was a success, bringing Grangers together across the nation in fellowship.
Community picnics were a particularly popular event for inaugural celebration.
Granger’s from Connecticut and Rhode Island joined together for an Old-Fashioned Grange Picnic as part of the Nationwide Gathering Celebration.
More than 150 picnic goers enjoyed a casual day of good food, fun and fellowship at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Richmond, R.I.
The highlight of the day was entertainment by the Four Tune Seekers, a barbershop quartet, from Manchester, Conn.
Other activities were picnic favorites such as water balloon toss, egg toss, face painting, and crafts such as jewelry making.
Sticking with the picnic theme, the Ontario County Grangers held a tri-county picnic at Farmbrook Park near Canandaigua, N.Y.
Participating Granges included Clifton Springs, Farmington and Victor in Ontario County; Fairport and Greece in Monroe County; and Newark and Eureka (Lyons) in Wayne County.
Bruce Coucher, President of Ontario Pomona County Grange, welcomed those to the gathering.
The picnickers enjoyed juicy burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill, while exchanging stories about their local granges.
A good time was had by all in attendance and they look forward to the second annual Grange Gathering Day. |
