Grange Notes by Tim Swartz for January 20, 2016
David Kaynor calls with the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra, balloons are twisted into amazing shapes, crafts, face painting, and then we all eat! Join us 3:00 to 6:00 on Sunday Jan. 24th!
Schedule of fun:
3:00 to 3:30: Balloon Artistry!
3:00 to 4:00: Crafts!
3:30 to 5:00: Family dancing with the VFO & David Kaynor!
5:00 to 6:00: Mac ‘n’Cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, beet salad, carrots sticks, cookies!
5:30 to 6:00: cartoons for kids!
$5.00 per person, max. $20 per family, under 4 years old–free!
Behind-the-scenes fun available: we still need a few volunteers!
Assembling mac ‘n’ cheese, and preparing the food takes some hands-on work, under the guiding hands of our experienced chefs, Alison Forrest and Gail England. Can you help out in the kitchen from 2:00 to 3:30 with food prep? or from 5:00 to 7:00 with serving and clean-up?
A convivial time will be had by all of us who work to make these Grange and Friends’ events work. Come and join us! Contact me (see the bottom of this email) or Alison: feedkidswell@hotmail.com so we know to expect you!
A convivial time will be had by all of us who work to make these Grange and Friends’ events work. Come and join us! Contact me (see the bottom of this email) or Alison: feedkidswell@hotmail.com so we know to expect you!
Should we be the “Berlin Community Grange”? Discussion and consensus at the meeting
We began a major discussion about changing our name at our meeting last Saturday, Jan. 16th, but came to a consensus that it was too complicated to decide in one meeting. Our conversations brought up a number of issues we need to consider–one of the values of having a group process.
As I said in the Grange Notes sent out last week, a few Berlin residents have questioned why we should be given property tax-exemption, if we are so Montpelier focused that our name is still “Capital City”, after being part of Berlin since 1952. The VT State Grange indicated to Patty Giavara and me,when we met with them in December that we could choose to take on a new name–they are very supportive of our efforts to remove the burden of the $7200 in property taxes we are paying to Berlin this year.
As we prepare to campaign for the exemption vote on Mar. 1st, Town Meeting Day, we want to emphasize our potential to be a community hall for Berlin, along with the many events we already host (see below for a recent selection). We have offered free use of the Hall for Berlin events–doing more for our host town is right in line with the community service purpose of the whole Grange organization. That was the genesis of the idea of changing our name to include “Berlin”. Adding “Community” to our name seems like an obvious idea, emphasizing our mission of building connections by working and playing together.
Our discussion at the Grange meeting touched on this possible change–but questioned whether we want our name to focus so exclusively on our (prospective) Berlin connections. In reality, we serve a regional population of dancers that extends even to neighboring states, as well as events for local institutions like schools and cultural groups, frequent meetings of the VT State Grange’s committees, regular church meetings, weddings and baby showers and much more. We are not limited in our “service area”–and our strategic location is part of our value. We are near the middle of Vermont, easy to get to on major roads that bring visitors and locals to our doors.
So our meeting considered other names we could choose: Capital Area Grange? Central VT Grange? Would name choices like those better indicate our real identity? There may be other possibilities as well. It is certainly true that we are not only a Montpelier institution, as well as not being solely a Berlin one, now and in the future.
Another reason to not change the name too quickly is that it is part of publicity for events already planned and listed by performers and organizers. If we do change our name, we will need a transition period, and a plan to communicate the new name.
We also need to be concentrating on our tax relief plan between now and Berlin’s Town Meeting–it will be fine to be able to tell voters as you talk to them that we are not wedded to the name we have now–and to solicit their input on the name question.
So that is the plan for now–I’ve gotten a lot of reactions from others besides the Grange members at the meeting, and we’ll be happy to get more input–what do you think we should do about our name? Come to the meetings and be part of the process. Our next meeting will be on Feb. 6th, starting at 4:30–and it will be followed by the usual tasty and social potluck dinner.
As I said in the Grange Notes sent out last week, a few Berlin residents have questioned why we should be given property tax-exemption, if we are so Montpelier focused that our name is still “Capital City”, after being part of Berlin since 1952. The VT State Grange indicated to Patty Giavara and me,when we met with them in December that we could choose to take on a new name–they are very supportive of our efforts to remove the burden of the $7200 in property taxes we are paying to Berlin this year.
As we prepare to campaign for the exemption vote on Mar. 1st, Town Meeting Day, we want to emphasize our potential to be a community hall for Berlin, along with the many events we already host (see below for a recent selection). We have offered free use of the Hall for Berlin events–doing more for our host town is right in line with the community service purpose of the whole Grange organization. That was the genesis of the idea of changing our name to include “Berlin”. Adding “Community” to our name seems like an obvious idea, emphasizing our mission of building connections by working and playing together.
Our discussion at the Grange meeting touched on this possible change–but questioned whether we want our name to focus so exclusively on our (prospective) Berlin connections. In reality, we serve a regional population of dancers that extends even to neighboring states, as well as events for local institutions like schools and cultural groups, frequent meetings of the VT State Grange’s committees, regular church meetings, weddings and baby showers and much more. We are not limited in our “service area”–and our strategic location is part of our value. We are near the middle of Vermont, easy to get to on major roads that bring visitors and locals to our doors.
So our meeting considered other names we could choose: Capital Area Grange? Central VT Grange? Would name choices like those better indicate our real identity? There may be other possibilities as well. It is certainly true that we are not only a Montpelier institution, as well as not being solely a Berlin one, now and in the future.
Another reason to not change the name too quickly is that it is part of publicity for events already planned and listed by performers and organizers. If we do change our name, we will need a transition period, and a plan to communicate the new name.
We also need to be concentrating on our tax relief plan between now and Berlin’s Town Meeting–it will be fine to be able to tell voters as you talk to them that we are not wedded to the name we have now–and to solicit their input on the name question.
So that is the plan for now–I’ve gotten a lot of reactions from others besides the Grange members at the meeting, and we’ll be happy to get more input–what do you think we should do about our name? Come to the meetings and be part of the process. Our next meeting will be on Feb. 6th, starting at 4:30–and it will be followed by the usual tasty and social potluck dinner.
Kids Trade ‘n’ Play! Grange to host a new event, 2nd Saturday mornings
As promised, new member Erin Barry joined our Grange meeting on Saturday, and proposed using our Hall as the site for a well-managed clothing exchange. She described how she co-produced a similar recurring event in Santa Cruz, including moving to a very welcoming Grange Hall there. That event grew from about 5 families to around 100 families participating! Now that Erin and her family has moved to Central VT, Erin wants to develop a clothing exchange here, as a way to provide a community service, and to build social bonds among families with kids.
This exchange will happen in the lower level of the Hall, so shoes will not have to be changed, or the dance floor protected. Based on her experience, she will use bins to organize the clothing, and will clean them up at the end of each session. There will be a play area with rugs in the “niche” behind the kitchen. Erin has a couple of other parents lined up to work with her on set-up, clean-up and monitoring the exchange.
There will be a small fee (amount TBD) to cover heating the Grange, set-up costs, etc., but all clothing and toys will be otherwise free to those who need them. Participants are encouraged to bring outgrown, but clean and un-ripped kids clothes from newborn to 3T sizes to pass on, and to leave with clothes that fit the growing bodies better!
The Grange members present were impressed with her track record and her commitment to making the service a positive experience, and voted unanimously to make this a Grange-sponsored event.
She plans to hold the exchange on the 2nd Saturday of each month, starting on Feb. 13th, from 9:30 to 11:30. She would be happy to hear from others who want to help out–contact her at: birthsinnerlight@yahoo.com for more information.
This exchange will happen in the lower level of the Hall, so shoes will not have to be changed, or the dance floor protected. Based on her experience, she will use bins to organize the clothing, and will clean them up at the end of each session. There will be a play area with rugs in the “niche” behind the kitchen. Erin has a couple of other parents lined up to work with her on set-up, clean-up and monitoring the exchange.
There will be a small fee (amount TBD) to cover heating the Grange, set-up costs, etc., but all clothing and toys will be otherwise free to those who need them. Participants are encouraged to bring outgrown, but clean and un-ripped kids clothes from newborn to 3T sizes to pass on, and to leave with clothes that fit the growing bodies better!
The Grange members present were impressed with her track record and her commitment to making the service a positive experience, and voted unanimously to make this a Grange-sponsored event.
She plans to hold the exchange on the 2nd Saturday of each month, starting on Feb. 13th, from 9:30 to 11:30. She would be happy to hear from others who want to help out–contact her at: birthsinnerlight@yahoo.com for more information.
A sampling of recent events at the Grange Hall
Merry Shernock, our hard-working volunteer rental agent put together this list of the diverse events that have been staged at our Hall in just the last few weeks–spread the word about all that can be done here, and contact Merry to arrange the rental!
Top left: CCG#469 sponsored trained ‘navigators’ from People’s Health and Wellness Clinic In the Main Hall on Jan. 13th, to help people sign up for Health Access (a.k.a ObamaCare). Taxpayers have until Jan. 29th to sign up, to avoid paying tax penalties! Call PH&W (479-1229) for further help.
Top right: These mysterious glowing numbers show how many plastic water bottles have been saved by our water fountain/bottle filler in the foyer! Bring your bottle to fill!
Middle: When The Irregulars played for dancing on Jan. 2nd, we had over 200 people dancing! Nils Fredland called the figures and kept order. The event was sponsored by the Contra Dance Umbrella.
Bottom: Our historic building was the setting for a Yule Ball enjoyed by Medieval Reenactors (Society for Creative Anachronism) on 01/09/2016. Luke Donforth called the historically accurate figures to the historically accurate music of Cardinal Direction. A potluck in a cafeteria decorated with tapestries and tablecloths followed the dancing, and the costumed crew was entertained by historically accurate recorder music and singing!
Top right: These mysterious glowing numbers show how many plastic water bottles have been saved by our water fountain/bottle filler in the foyer! Bring your bottle to fill!
Middle: When The Irregulars played for dancing on Jan. 2nd, we had over 200 people dancing! Nils Fredland called the figures and kept order. The event was sponsored by the Contra Dance Umbrella.
Bottom: Our historic building was the setting for a Yule Ball enjoyed by Medieval Reenactors (Society for Creative Anachronism) on 01/09/2016. Luke Donforth called the historically accurate figures to the historically accurate music of Cardinal Direction. A potluck in a cafeteria decorated with tapestries and tablecloths followed the dancing, and the costumed crew was entertained by historically accurate recorder music and singing!
Grange dues are….due!
The first meeting of the new year of 2016 brings with it the need for payment of our annual dues. This year, the cost is $30 per member. Some of this money goes to our own Community Grange (whatever its name!), some to support the VT State and National Granges. Paying your dues gives you the right to vote on Grange decisions! Please make checks payable to “Capital City Grange”, and bring them to our next meeting on Saturday, Feb. 6th, or mail them to:
Charles Martin, Secretary
639 Minister Brook Rd.
Worcester VT 05682
Charles Martin, Secretary
639 Minister Brook Rd.
Worcester VT 05682
Our dining room is “in the pink”…
..with the new thermostat just installed by Bill Chidsey. This unit, which is essentially identical to the one in the main Hall, is much easier to adjust and operate, compared to the cheaper but less versatile thermostat we put in earlier this year. We found that was all too easy to set on “Hold”–and that meant that instead of reverting to the low “base” temperature we planned on, to save heating oil, the heat got left up until someone went in the Hall and found it extra warm. This better version can be adjusted up–but will revert to the energy saving setting after 3 hours. This will help us avoid wasting heat when the lower level is empty.
Like the unit upstairs, this can be set remotely, using the Wi-Fi connection in the Hall, so Bill can set the temperature settings based on what the Grange website Calendar shows for each upcoming week.
Bill would like to train another Grange volunteer to monitor the heat settings–no one person should be responsible and not have a back-up! Anyone with an Internet connection, and a conscientious desire to help the Grange save energy while satisfying our renters can handle this–contact me, or Bill directly: billsgreenhouse@gmail.com.
Like the unit upstairs, this can be set remotely, using the Wi-Fi connection in the Hall, so Bill can set the temperature settings based on what the Grange website Calendar shows for each upcoming week.
Bill would like to train another Grange volunteer to monitor the heat settings–no one person should be responsible and not have a back-up! Anyone with an Internet connection, and a conscientious desire to help the Grange save energy while satisfying our renters can handle this–contact me, or Bill directly: billsgreenhouse@gmail.com.
