| AUGUST 1, 2023 -- As Lecturers, we are always searching for new opportunities to engage our community Grange members. Recently, our State Grange Lecturer’s Department was awarded a $1,000 deaf awareness grant from the National Grange Foundation to collaborate with the American School for the Deaf, the oldest school of its kind serving Pre-K to Grade 12 since 1817. Currently, Judy Doyle of Riverton Grange and Carol Innes of Granby Grange are working with me on this deaf awareness initiative. We have had two planning meetings with leaders at the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in West Hartford, and we are tentatively planning a public event on Sunday, October 29, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Connecticut Lions and the United Nations Association of Connecticut have also expressed an interest in partnering with both ASD and CT State Grange on this public event. Watch for updated details in the near future!
Many Granges are planning their annual Agricultural Fairs and this is a great time for you to visit and support other community Granges. My advice is to visit as many fairs as you can, meet your fellow Lecturers, and pick up new ideas for impactful programs that you might implement at your Grange.
Speaking of impactful programs, the Connecticut State Grange Family Activities Committee (chaired by Dawn Percoski) and the Connecticut State Grange Lecturer’s Department are again co-hosting the Connecticut State Grange Family Festival on Sunday, August 13th at Hillstown Grange in East Hartford. For more information, email familyactivities@ctstategrange.org or email lecturer@ ctstategrange.org. The State Grange Lecturer’s Department will again be sponsoring our annual Photo Contest with some great prizes. The details are below and we hope that you will share this information widely with your members.
PHOTO CONTEST
This contest is open to all Grangers (Junior, Youth, 1+ and Grange). Judging will be held at the State Grange Family Festival on Sunday, August 13, at Hillstown Grange in East Hartford from 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Photos can be dropped off on Friday, August 11, Saturday, August 12, or prior to 8:30 AM on Sunday, August 13. Winning photos will be displayed at the State Grange Convention and then returned to their owners. For 2023, there are four categories: My America/Grange Activities, Animals, Old Trucks/ Barns, and Let’s Make a Snowman.
Rules:
1. Only prints accepted.
2. Participants may enter all four categories but are limited to one entry in each category.
3. Entries must have been taken by the participant since the last State Grange photo contest judging.
4. No glass or frames are allowed on photos.
5. Print may be processed commercially, but it must have been taken by the entrant.
6. Size of photo/backing (if used): No smaller than 4”x6” or larger than 11”x14”.
7. Entrant’s name, contest category, Grange name/Grange number, and phone number must be placed on the back of each entry.
On June 17th, our Department hosted our 6th Lecturers’ Roundup on
Zoom to share and connect. Over one dozen Lecturers and other Grange members participated to hear updates on “The Connecticut State Grange Plot” which was recently found in Peoples State Forest; updates on hearing awareness; details of the 2023 State Lecturer Contests; and updates from Community/Pomona Grange Lecturers. Our seventh Lecturers Roundup will be held via Zoom on Sunday, September 17, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM.
It is such an honor and privilege to serve as your Connecticut State Grange Lecturer again this year. Under the leadership of State President Rob Buck and his team, we are energizing some of our Granges and re-opening some doors! Watch this column and the State Grange website as we continue to promote programs and creative ideas for all our Granges.
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