Capital City Grange

More than just a drop in the bucket–the Grange runs along during the summer heat.

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Grange Notes for August 4, 2018 by Time Swartz, President (with everyone’s help)

Playing in the dirt–getting ready for the septic tank clean-out

 

  

We decided that since the last time the septic tank was pumped out was in 1994, it was probably time to get it checked and pumped again.  Please note–we have had no problems with the toilet or sink drains, and didn’t want to wait until we did.
We had good measurements (see the top left photo) for the location of the clean-out hatch, thanks to former Grange Master Les Skinner.   On Sunday, July 29th, I dug down the foot or so of very hard-packed dirt to find the access hatch–only to find that it had a piece broken off.   I found out that Hartigan’s septic service would not pump the tank unless we got a replacement ready to put in place, and was lucky to find one in stock at S.D. Ireland, near the Montpelier train station.  Kurt Giavara helped me get it out of my hatchback, with the aid of ancient technology–the inclined plane.  Thanks also to Merry who suggested it!
By Thursday, Aug. 2nd, we were ready for the Hartigan’s truck to come.   While I waited, I made a grid of pressure-treated lumber to bridge over the lid, to better support the weight of the cars, snow-plows and sand trucks that will roll over this access hatch.
The best news is that when Hartigan’s truck came, the 1,000 gallon tank was pumped out with no problem.   The driver told me we should get it pumped a little sooner–maybe in 5 years instead of 24!

  

And in other news about a hatch…the robins have produced a 2nd set of chicks!

People who have come to the Grange Hall for years will not be surprised to hear that “our” robins have been busy on their nest–and now busy feeding bugs and worms the “flock” of 4 being raised, on the roof framing of the “old/dancers” entry porch.
Working near the porch has given me a chance to check in on them–and to be subject to a lot of robin insults, as I disturbed their obsessive feeding of the insatiable offspring!
 

The plumbing inside will get upgraded, too!

The Grange also decided that the electric, storage-type water heater, installed in 1991 (!) was probably ready for replacement as well.   I consulted with a couple of plumbing contractors, and with Efficiency VT, all of whom agreed we should replace it with a “tankless” or “on-demand” type heater.  Efficiency VT figures that we may save $250 per year on water-heating expenses.  We don’t qualify for a rebate, since our hot water needs are low–but we won’t be keeping a tank of water hot, with the thermostat set at 45 degrees when no one is using the Hall.  The top right picture (below) shows the Rinnai heater we will have installed–it’s only about as big as a suitcase.
While we have the plumber at work, we will also have a frost-proof faucet installed on the outside of the Grange, so we can finally water plantings, clean paintbrushes, etc. without carrying buckets up the stairs, or running a hose through a window.  We will also have a couple of sprinkler heads installed over the furnace, as has been strongly suggested by the State Fire Marshal.  As we have worked with him on Grange Hall improvements, he has made it clear that this is an important step to protect the people in the building, and the Hall itself from major damage if anything happened to cause a fire in our furnace/water heater/electrical service entrance room.
 
 

Spicy, sweet and full of flavor–the Grange covers the range

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Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, President (with everyone’s help) for June 7, 2018

A kitchen-full of enthusiastic cooks 

We were happy to have a full house on Saturday, June 2nd, as our 2nd cooking workshop of the year drew 15 people, eager to sharpen their skills in making Indian dishes.   Delna Boyce, our volunteer teacher, kept everyone involved and active, and enjoying the results, too.   There’s a larger set of photographs in a new “Gallery” on the Grange website, click here to see more of them.
The dishes Delna demonstrated, and helped participants to make, are visible in the picture above, as some of the cooks start loading their plates:   Mango Lassi (mango + yogurt “smoothie”), Parathas (dry-fried flatbread), Pakoras (vegetables, chickpea flour & spices, fried), Green Herb Chutney (cilantro, mint, chilies & more), Aloo Gobi (curried potatoes & cauliflower), Basmati rice and Dal with Greens (legumes & vegetables).
Besides purchasing the ingredients (paid for by donations from the participants), Delna provided basic recipes and instructions for all the dishes, pre-cut a number of ingredients, and then helped everyone to get their hands on the mixing, blending, spicing, frying and boiling.  She explained ways to use more whole grains in Indian cooking, some gluten-free alternatives, and the difference between curry powder bought in little jars in the supermarket, and fresher, bulk herbs from the Hunger Mountain Co-op.  She encouraged everyone to adjust spiciness to their own preferences, and described the characteristics of various peppers, herbs and other spices.
All in all, it was a complete meal workshop, and both the people who cooked it, and the lucky Grange Potluck attendees got to enjoy the dishes they made.  Over the meals, there was much talk of future workshops–Delna may do an “advanced” Indian one, and participants talked about sharing French-Canadian dishes, pie-making and many other ideas.   If there is something you would like to share, from your own culinary heritage, or that you have learned from You-Tube, contact me or Merry, and we’ll try to make it happen.
The Grange is happy to see our facilities used to share skills, stories, traditions and flavors among the varied communities here in Central Vermont.

Singing new anthems

One of our decisions at our May meeting was that we would like to try some new songs–adding to our expanding repertoire.
We started singing alternatives to the Star-Spangled Banner in June, starting with “America the Beautiful”; we’ll sing alternates in even-numbered months, and the regular anthem in the odd-numbered ones.
We’ll also be saying the Pledge of Allegiance in the even-numbered months, and skipping it in the odd-numbered ones, following the guidelines of the Grange for opening meetings.
If you have another suggestion for an “alternate anthem”, please join us and bring the words and the tune, and we’ll join in!  Most Grange members love the singing we do, and we think there are more singers out there.
Reminder–we do skip the monthly business meetings and potluck dinners in July and August, when people are busy doing other things, but we’ll pick back up in September!
And during the summer, our Hall and our members and friends will be busy with events, improvements, plantings and more–I’ll be sending out Grange Notes to keep you up to date.   Please write in with suggestions or your own articles to be included!

Maple Syrup labeling–“added sugars”?

Many of you may have heard about the proposal by the FDA to require that maple syrup (and honey, cane sugar and some cranberry products) be labeled as having “added sugars”.   The Vermont maple industry and many others have reacted very negatively to this proposed regulation, believing that consumers will be confused and misled.   We all know that Vermont maple syrup cannot be sold with any additives at all!
If you want to have some influence on the FDA’s plans, anyone can make a public comment on the “regulations.gov” website, which will be considered as long as it is received by June 15th–only 8 days from now.  The Master of the VT State Grange (Brenda Rousselle) is encouraging us all to do that, and sent out directions on how to do it.
I found reading some of the existing comments was informative and helped me understand the issue, and helped me to leave a more persuasive comment (at least, I think it is!).

1.  Go to   https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FDA-2018-D-0075, click on the first item in the list.  This is the version with the June 15, 2018deadline.  You can click on the regulation itself and read the text and other information.
2.   Then, you can click on the  Comment Now! button.  A page will come up with an area where a comment can be written.  You can even attach documents!
3.   Below the comment section, you can enter your name, or not (it will be labeled as “anonymous”).
4.  You can also choose to “Submit on behalf of” an association or organization.   If you check that box, you will be required to enter the name of an organization, like Capital City Grange #469.
5. And finally, you are required to identify yourself as part of a category–Individual consumer, or Association, or Animal Feed Industry, or many other choices.  Then you can click the “Submit” button, and your comment will be posted and considered as the FDA evaluates the need for revising the proposed rule.
OR:  you can submit a written comment to:

Dockets Managements Staff (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061
Rockville, MD   20852

For written comments–BE SURE TO PUT IN THE LETTER:       Docket Number:   FDA-2018-D-0075

Let your voice be heard, whatever your opinion is!   The Grange always encourages members and other community members to have their say, on matters of policy and public interest.   We’re not partisan–but we are certainly not silent!

Indian food you can make at home, updating our anthems, bringing in new members and…disposing of butts.

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Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, President (with everyone’s help) for May 24, 2018

Flavors from the other side of the world, with ingredients from nearby

Farmers’ Market ingredients, and how to transform them

At the Baking Workshop in March, we were lucky to attract a local with experience in a different kind of cooking–Delna Boyce is an accomplished cook from India, who has worked as a caterer–and even better, she wanted to teach others  how to do it!
We signed her up for a workshop as soon as we could–and it’s coming up Saturday, June 2nd, from 1:00 to 4:00.  We have room for 10 people–so sign up soon, or ask any questions by emailing: merrykaysings@gmail.com, or leaving a message at:  802-229-9425.
Delna will be teaching Indian recipes and how to cook them, including how to find the ingredients.  This won’t require you to send away for a lot of strange-sounding spices, legumes or greens, but rather to use locally available ones.  I’m sure we’ll also learn about ways to explore further, too!   This is a rare opportunity to learn from someone who grew up with the many flavors of Indian cooking.
We aren’t charging an admission fee for this–but we hope you will make a donation to cover the costs of the ingredients Delna is purchasing for this class!

By the way…can you name the dishes above?
Your Instagram images of the tasty items Delna will make may vary…but these are representative images, from the top left of:
  • Mango Lassi
  • Chutneys
  • Aloo Gobi
  • Chapati and Paratha
  • Dal with greens

Singing new anthems

One of our decisions at our May meeting was that we would like to try some new songs–adding to our expanding repertoire.  Specifically, we will alternate singing a new “anthemic” song instead of the National Anthem as part of the meeting-opening.  Suggestions so far have included:
  • Lift Every Voice and Sing
  • America the Beautiful
  • These Green Mountains Are My Home
If you have another nominee, please join us and bring the words and the tune, and we’ll join in!  Most Grange members love the singing we do, and we think there are more singers out there.

Bringing in new members

Instead of bringing in an outside speaker for our June meeting program, we will be “initiating” new or new-ish members of the Grange.  We’ll use the Obligation ceremony–a short welcoming ritual which introduces new members formally.  We found that our Musician, Mat Nunnelly had slipped through the net after he joined, so plan to make his inclusion official, and also hope to welcome in Sascha Gershfeld, the winner of our Baking Contest in April.
We would be happy to have you join us, at the Grange on June 2nd, if you’ve been thinking about becoming a part of the Grange community, and helping us keep this volunteer organization and its Hall going, this would be a great time!

What do people do at the Grange Hall, and where should they do it?

Well, sometimes they smoke.  We don’t allow smoking–or vaping–in the building or on the porches, but we have plenty of evidence that people don’t always read the signs.  There are plenty of butts in the buckets of sand we have to help with wintertime traction–and those are easier to pick up than the ones on the ground.
We’d like to provide an “official ashtray” like the one below, where smokers could congregate away from the doorways, and have a place to put their cigarette butts.  One proposal is to put it at the bottom of the ADA ramp, under the roof and away from the entrances and windows.  The problem would be that it would make the ramp entrance uninviting for people to use.  But if not there, where?  Help us come up with the best solution we can find, at our meeting on June 2nd.

And after the meeting–it’s the monthly Community Potluck. 

Join your friends bring your neighbors–there is always good food!  All are welcome, whether you are a member or not.   Bring something to share–amain dish, a side dish, meat, vegetables, a dessert, some chips, somebread, some cheese, some juice–we will eat (almost) anything!  We start about 6:00, and will need to make space for the soundcheck for the contra dance band which will be playing for the CDU dance at 8:00.  Please stay for that as well, if you’d like–there will be an admission fee.  On this night, the caller will be Dave Eisenstadter, and the band will be Pete’s Posse.  A great time will be had by all!  There’s a newcomer’s workshop at 7:30 if you’d like to try it out.

Digesting at the Grange–first muffins, now Blockchain?

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Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, President (with everyone’s help) for May 2, 2018

Our annual Baking Contest brings out the good stuff.

A wide variety challenged our judges

Entrants in our 2018 Grange Baking Contest presented our judges with many choices, in a wide range of muffin types and tastes.  Entries included muffins with toppings, muffins with glazes, muffins with spices, muffins with applesauce, muffins with yeast and various combinations of them!  It was a clinic in the variety adventurous  bakers can create, when given “use your own apple muffin recipe” as the only guideline.
Our panel of judges was smaller than we expected, pairing Lynn Spencer, the Berlin Elementary Art teacher who judged cinnamon rolls for us last year, and last-minute “pinch eater” Viveka Fox, who has often enlivened our stage as a fiddler and bodhran musician with Atlantic Crossing and Frost and Fire.    She came to dance on April 7th, but was quite willing to judge muffins!   Lynn & Viveka developed a testing protocol, did some careful division of muffins, and…came up with winners!
Blue Ribbon went to Sascha Gerschfeld, who came to the Grange meeting for the first time, and went home with prizes…and a membership to our Grange!
Red Ribbon went to Erin Barry, organizer of the popular Kids Trade ‘n’ Play monthly clothing and toy exchange at our Hall.
Green Ribbon went to our Vice President, Phyllis Skinner, who brings delicious desserts to our potluck dinners, as well as educating us on health issues at every meeting.
Congratulations to Sascha, who will repeat her winning recipe at the Grange Center in June, competing for the Vermont State Grange championship, and to Erin & Phyllis.  Thanks to our judges, and to the potluck dinner attendees who selflessly disposed of the remaining muffins.

Blockchain:  a beginner’s guide at our May meeting

Speaking for myself, I had only heard of “Blockchain technology” in connection with Bitcoin, one of those financial/computer ideas that has popped up in the news occasionally over the last several years.   As a conservative in my finances, I have never been tempted by investment fads and bubbles, so I haven’t paid much attention.
Imagine my surprise when I heard that the VT Legislature passed a law in 2017 recognizing Blockchain technology as a way to “authenticate artwork and precious stones”, and that a bill is being considered this year to use the same technology to protect state and private data.
Since the CCG is encouraging civic involvement in the communities of which we are a part, we have asked Jeremy Hansen, who is a professor of computer science at Norwich University, as well as being a Berlin Selectboard member and the organizer of Central VT Internet, to give us a brief and non-technical introduction.
Join us about 5:30 PM on this coming Saturday, May 5th, to learn more about how this seemingly esoteric technology could help Vermont to safeguard data and increase confidence in electronic transactions.
Remember, you can chew these ideas over at the Community Potluck right after the program!

And after the meeting–it’s the monthly Community Potluck. 

Join your friends bring your neighbors–there is always good food!  All are welcome, whether you are a member or not.   Bring something to share–amain dish, a side dish, meat, vegetables, a dessert, some chips, somebread, some cheese, some juice–we will eat (almost) anything!  We start about 6:00, and will need to make space for the soundcheck for the contra dance band which will be playing for the CDU dance at 8:00.  Please stay for that as well, if you’d like–there will be an admission fee.  On this night, the caller will be Sue Rosen, and the band will be Ethan Hazard-Watkins & Bob Rosen.   A great time will be had by all!  There’s a newcomer’s workshop at 7:30 if you’d like to try it out.

Neills celebrate a long-lasting partnership

Many of those who read the Grange Notes will recognize these familiar figures–Lewis and Maudean Neill have been part of the Grange community for a loooooooong time!   Part of the backbone of the Montpelier Church of Christ which has met at the Grange Hall for decades, the Neills have worked closely with the Grange for years as well.  Lewis set up ladders and scaffolding when the Contra Dance Umbrella organized painting of the Grange Hall in the late 1990s, mowed the edges of the parking lot for years, put in the “new” culvert under the driveway (by himself!), installed LED emergency lights…the list goes on.   Maudean, who sends out the Church bulletin every week, has put in time on the Grange flower beds, and along with Lewis is a mainstay of the Berlin Historical Society.   In 1989, she researched and wrote a book about the KKK’s activities in Vermont–check this VT Digger article for more info!
The Neills invited their many friends and family to their home on Wednesday, April 25th for a 65th wedding anniversary get-together.   Merry and I were honored to be invited, and enjoyed meeting many children, grand-children and great-grandchildren, as well as acquaintances and friends.   Congratulations on a long, warm, giving and productive partnership!

Grange votes to support the Mess Hall to Dining Hall project

Also at the April 7th meeting, the Grange members voted unanimously to pledge a $5,000 contribution to the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall, to support the next upcoming major project at the Hall.    The basement renovations are designed to save us money on heating, make the walls and ceiling brighter, protect us against water leakage and make the floor warmer and more comfortable.
This support by the Grange is part of the Grant Application which was submitted Sunday April 29th, by the team from the FCCGH–many thanks to Nancy Turner, Patty Giavara, Joanne Garton (and yours truly), who put together the research, plans, quotes, budgets, support letters, and much more to allow us to apply.   The Vermont Arts Council administers the “Facilities Improvements” grant program, which gives matching funds to non-profit organizations like ours, which provide performance/display/creation spaces, and promote the arts in Vermont.   We won’t hear until August 1st whether the Friends get the approval.
Many thanks also to the many Grange members and friends who have contributed their knowledge, opinions and money to the FCCGH–we have to raise half of the project cost (estimated to be about $55,000) ourselves, to match the 50% of that which the Arts Council grant could potentially provide.
People who have given donations to the Friends and the Grange over the years have helped to fund over $102,000 of improvements to the Grange Hall, including the new entrance and ADA bathroom in 2008, before the Friends were incorporated!
The Friends will need to ask for more financial help to get this project done, even if we get the grant, but the Grange and the Friends are confident that we can make this next investment happen, and that it will pay off.
If you want to make a tax-deductible contribution, just click theDONATE button on the Grange website.

Property Lines–moving forward on an agreement

Also at our meeting in April, we heard from the “new neighbor”, Greg Western, who purchased the property behind the Grange Hall last year.   In the process of doing a survey of the property lines for the purchase, the surveyor found that the back line of the Grange’s lot actually cuts off part of the parking lot–see the map below.
Luckily, Greg has no desire to stop using part of our parking area.  At the meeting, he explained his proposal to have his lawyer draw up “quitclaim” deeds, which would be signed by both him and the Grange, to do two things:
  • acknowledge the legal property line as matching the surveyed ones.
  • agree that the Grange can continue to use the parking area as long as the property is owned by the Grange or a non-profit community successor organization.
The Grange members at the meeting agreed unanimously that we should proceed with this process, and agree to it if the documents are correctly drawn up.  I expect to hear from Greg’s lawyer soon, and will have the deeds to check over, show to legal advisers, and sign if all seems in order.

Coming in June:  an Indian cooking workshop!

One of the people who attended the (delicious) baking workshop in March was Delna Boyce, a Northfield resident.  As an accomplished cook, she immediately saw the opportunity to use the Grange’s facilities as a way to share her knowledge of Indian food with Grange & community members.   Merry has been working with her to set up the workshop described in the poster below.  Save the date!

Checking the history….archives available

Just in case you want to re-read any of the information in these Grange Notes, or if you want to check the predictions I may have made against the realities–these Notes are archived on the Grange website:  click the Grange Notes button at the top of the page.   Many thanks to dedicated Grange volunteer Tova Cohen, who makes sure this happens every time.
Remember, you can comment on the website as well–and I’ll be happy to get articles contributed to the Notes–I know there are other ideas and viewpoints out there!
–Tim Swartz, President (with everyone’s help)
Capital City Grange #469
president@capitalcitygrange.org

Bakers: get your ovens ready, countdown to the baking contest–this Saturday! Plus decisions on the Basement project & property lines.

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Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, President (with everyone’s help) for April 5, 2018

Weather you’re ready or not–we have a substitute judge to evaluate the muffins
Merry had to scramble to find a “relief eater” for our judging panel for the “Apple Muffins–your own recipe” contest.  Anne Donahue had to withdraw–with regret–due to a family commitment, so we we will be in the capable hands of forecaster Roger Hill, along with our other local celebrities.   They will be tasting the variety of muffins we expect–see the “rules” section below for how to prepare your tasty treats for judging, and the official criteria.
Our other judges:
Lynn Spencer–Berlin elementary art teacher, and curator of our Kids’ Art show displayed on the walls of our Hall.  Also a baker, including apple pies sold at Ellie’s Farm Stand farther south on Rt. 12.
Jeremy Hansen–Berlin Selectboard member, and organizer of Central VT Internet.

The pressure will be intense…see how they manage!

Rules for Baking Contest

DATE:  April 7, 2018;  4 pm

APPLE MUFFINS – use your favorite recipe!  We welcome interesting variations–perhaps you know how to make delicious muffins that avoid an allergen like wheat, or eggs, or dairy?   Do you like to include whole grains, unusual sweeteners, nuts, spices?    We want to taste your creativity!

PRESENTATION:

6 muffins on a paper plate, with a  3X5 card taped to the bottom.

ON THE CARD SHOWING:  recipe used

On REVERSE SIDE OF CARD (not showing):  name + contact information

REMEMBER:  You NEED NOT BE A GRANGE MEMBER to participate in the 2018 Baking Contest at CCG# 469.

PRIZES (in addition to bragging rights!)

FIRST:  full 1 yr membership in CCG#469 + choice of utensils from King Arthur + bag of party favors
SECOND:  choice of utensils + bag of party favors

THIRD:  utensil remaining + bag of party favors

Official judging criteria:
Appearance……………….20 points
Color…………………….….20 points
Texture…………………....20 points
Taste…………………….….40 points

Time to vote on supporting the Mess Hall to Dining Hall project
The Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall are preparing to submit the grant application, to get funding for the basement improvements which you have heard about.   At the Friends’ fundraiser last Labor Day Weekend, a good number of votes supported the choice of this project as the next priority for the FCCGH, which is our fundraising/project planning organization.   We’ve decided that it is time to repair the water-leakage problems we sometimes have, to insulate the bare concrete walls to make them much comfortable and energy-efficient, and to provide new, clean and cleanable wall, floor and ceiling surfaces.
Since last fall, the FCCGH has been consulting with Grange members with expertise, plus contractors and energy consultants to figure out the best way to accomplish these goals.   It looks as if the project will cost between $40,000 and $50,000, half of which could be provided by the VT Arts Council Facilities Improvement grant for which we are applying.
The FCCGH has been advised that they are more likely to get the grant if the Grange (for whose benefit these improvements are to be made) is willing to invest in the project, and has asked if we will pledge $5,000 to it.    The Grange members will need to vote on this at our April 7th meeting.  Please join us for this decision!
Another decision to make:   property lines
At our last meeting, I introduced the subject of the property line survey, which our “new” neighbor, Greg Western discussed with me.   The surveyor found that while the physical boundary markers and the deed don’t agree completely, it seems clear that the line cuts across one corner of our parking area–see the drawing below.  Luckily, Greg has no interest in parking any cars or equipment there!   He has proposed that we agree on and sign a quitclaim deed, which would acknowledge the survey line, and allow the Grange or a successor non-profit organization to use the area for parking.  We’ll go over this again at the meeting, and Greg will be there to answer any questions.
And after the meeting and the baking contest–it’s the monthly Community Potluck. 
Join your friends bring your neighbors–there is always good food, and if we’re lucky there will be leftover muffins!   All are welcome, whether you are a member or not.   Bring something to share–a main dish, a side dish,meat, vegetables, a dessert, some chips, some bread, some cheese–we will eat (almost) anything!  We start about 6:00, and will need to make space for the soundcheck for the contra dance band which will be playing for the CDU dance at 8:00.  Please stay for that as well, if you’d like–there will be an admission fee.  On this night, the caller will be Bob Isaacs, and the band will include Ryan McKassan, Eric McDonald & Jeremiah McClane.   A great time will be had by all!

Contact Us

Tim Swartz, President
802-225-8921 (cell)
grangepresident@capitalcitygrange.org

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