SEPTEMBER 2008 --
In a copy of the National Grange Monthly for May 1924, in the Connecticut Grange News, theheadline “Broke All Records” caught my eye. “Big meeting of Quinebaug Pomona at Abington.”
“Quinebaug Pomona tried an innovation in its meeting in Abington, April 26th with Wolf Den Grange, when dinner was served from 5 to 7 P.M., the 5th Degree followed and ten a Lecture Hour program. The result was the largest degree class in its history (80 candidates) and one of the greatest crowds the Pomona has ever brought together. The Wolf Den Grange hall would not house half of them and it was necessary to adjourn to a big carnival hall in the village, fortunately available, where the enthusiastic crowd of fully 300 fifth degree members enjoyed a program of more than two hours duration.”
“Enjoyable entertainment features were given, including whistling solos by L.G. Tolles of Southington, Steward of the State Grange. Charles M. Gardner, of Springfield was speaker on the topic “Interpreting the Grange”... Many Patrons drove long distances by machine, but Mr. & Mrs. Tolles and Mr. & Mrs. Marsh headed the list, the former being 70 miles from home and the latter over 60 miles. It was a great occasion.”
(Today 60 and 70 miles may not seem like much, but consider the roads in 1924!)
