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DEAF COMMITTEE REPORT By Fern Sonon (610-562-4009) I was requested to let fellow Berks County Grangers know about Deaf Activities. So, this is what Virginville Grange does: We sponsor the Pennsylvania State Grange 2007 Poster and Essay contests. The contests are open to any child in 4th, 5th and 6th grade. Jane Reppert and I go to the Hamburg Area Schools. We try to get the rules to these children prior to the Christmas break. We then go back to the schools the first week in February to collect the entries. This gives us time to judge the posters and essays so the three winners can be mailed to Lois Steele, State Director, by March 20, 2007. Virginville Grange gives money for first, second and third place winners in each category. Our Grange also donates money to the State Deaf committee. We have a Deaf program at a May meeting. A report is also sent of the things that our Grange does for the Deaf by August 1, 2007. You can check for other things to do for the Deaf in your Grange Advocate. Get your Grange involved in supporting Deaf activities. You can sponsor the poster/essay contest at any school. If you need help to get started, please feel to contact me. |
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SENIOR GRANGER HIGHLIGHTED Instead of highlighting a Pomona Officer, we will start highlighting a “senior” Granger. The first senior Granger is R. Deborah Althouse of Ontelaunee Grange #1617. She is 102 years young and has been a Grange member for 80 years! When she joined the Grange, junior grange did not exist. How did you get to be a Grange member? The Grange met on Saturday nights in those days. My girlfriends all went out with their boyfriends and my boyfriend, Harry Althouse, was at Grange two Saturdays. So, I told him I wanted to get into the Grange. (Even these days, we have many couples who started dating through the grange and eventually got married—so it was with Debbie and Harry!) Offices held: All of the graces in Ontelaunee; LAS in Pomona at one time. Participated in which Grange activities: Homemaker activities with the extension service, meetings, picnics, meals, fairs, and square dancing sometimes. Activities were a very important part of my life for many years—I miss that now. Grange Accomplishment: Helped to organize the Juvenile Grange at Ontelaunee sometime in the 50’s. Hobbies: watching TV soaps, knitting baby sweaters and crocheting What is the Grange? The Grange, in my mind, is a farm organization where people could get together and discuss things. The whole family is included and years ago most organizations were just for men. Children: 2 sons—Brooke and Dan; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren Grange Memory: The Grange was always important to me but one thing I always remember was before Harry and I were married, after a meeting, they had a bridal shower for us. They wrapped us up with a clothesline and we had to stand there while they presented us with other gifts. I was very shy. One of the gifts was an ironing board—that I still have. This was about 1926. NOTE: Debbie is still in good shape. She’s living in personal care at Quincy Retirement Community. She is still able to get around with her walker and go places if someone takes her. |
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Attention Youth By Derek Schroeder The Legislative Banquet will be served again by the Youth this year. I am looking for Youth of any age interested in serving this banquet, (and getting a free meal). Anyone who would like to help please let Derek Schroeder know a.s.a.p. at 610-698-3999 or by email. PLEASE NOTE: Many youth will be attending the Eastern Regional Youth Conference this same weekend. *********** Eastern Regional Youth Conference Well we’re headed South again, just not that far. This years ERYC will be hosted by Maryland. Held in Jefferson, MD, the youth will enjoy a weekend of fun and activities that include the Drill Competition, Knowledge Bowl contest, Public Speaking and Sign-a-Song. The cost for the weekend will be $80 and applications need to be sent in by March 28th. More information can be found on the National Grange website, www.nationalgrange.org |
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