| July 5, 2019 -- As I am writing this column in the middle of June, the temperature this morning was 49˚! Pretty cool morning for the middle of June. Hopefully by the time you read this article in July we will have some summer-type weather and maybe some dry weather to go along with it.
In July the Connecticut State Grange will be hosting the Northeast Youth Conference which will be held on July 12-14 at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Dawn Anstett, Youth Director, is putting the final touches on this conference.
Sharon and I will be attending the Northeast Lecturer’s Conference at the Devens Common Center in Devens, MA on Aug. 5-7 hosted by the Massachusetts State Grange. The theme of this year’s conference is “Down on the Farm.” Sharon and I will be putting on a skit for Connecticut as part of the program. We will also be attending workshops and a tour of Jordan Dairy Farm in Rutland. These are a couple of events that I will be attending this summer.
Todd Gelineau, State Secretary, has sent out the material for the committees (formerly called the Blue Book). Among the materials is the Honor Community Grange Report form. The report is the same as it has been in the last several years. It continues to have three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The Granges that qualify will receive their certificates at the annual session in October. You may want to look them over now and see which category your Grange falls into and if you need to do a couple of things on the list to qualify. You will also see in this packet the Agriculture Committee contest, the Junior Grange contest is Seed Painting and for Community Grange members, Seasonal Harvest Centerpiece. The committee is also looking for nominees for Outstanding Agricultural Young Professional, Outstanding Agricultural Professional and new this year the Outstanding Agricultural Promoter. The committee is looking for these nominees to be submitted by September 1.
Noel & Marcia Miller, State Community Service Chairpersons are looking for nominees for Outstanding Firefighter, Educator and Law Enforcement Officer. These applications can be found on the National Grange website under Community Service. Last year the Northeast Outstanding Firefighter was Mr. Skip Beebe from Lyme Grange. The winners will be announced at the banquet at State Session and sent on to the Northeast Connection for judging. The community service report forms are also in that packet along with the Community Service grant program. The other committee contests are also in the packet, so ask your secretary if you can see the contests that are offered this year.
I am still looking for volunteers to help in the New England Grange Building on September 26 and 27 at the Big E. The times are 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. or 3 P.M. to 9 P.M. Please call or email me if you are interested. Let’s hope there will be good weather for the fair this year.
I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July and if you buy fireworks, don’t buy them from Jeff Barnes!
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