Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) June 30, 2025
Continuing the story of our busy day:
June 7 at the Grange!
- We had a full vote on the expenditure of $3,800 for the driveway and parking lot re-grading that I reported on in the last Grange Notes, affirming the decision of the Executive Committee.
- We sent a cheer and a vote of thanks to all the volunteers who worked so hard to clean up the Grange Hall–it looks great!
- We noted that in May, our Grange had completed all payments on the mortgage loan we received from the VT State Grange in 2008, which made possible the large renovation project undertaken in that year. The ADA entrance with ramp was created, and an ADA compliant bathroom was constructed on the Main Floor–both features which all Grange Hall users take for granted now! The entire project cost about $48,500, and was the biggest change to the Grange Hall since its construction in 1953. The Grange received a grant of $20,000 from the VT Arts Council which was a huge help, and we fund-raised some funds from the Grange community, but we needed the loan from the VSG to spread the rest of the cost over time. Being able to borrow $23,500 at 3% was a great help! We’re grateful to the VSG–and pleased to be done with this loan.
- We agreed that we will do a celebratory “burning of the mortgage agreement” at the August 2nd Barbecue Potluck Picnic! We are planning to purchase beef and vegan burgers, hot-dogs, buns and ice cream for the picnic; we’ll have a couple of grills going to cook the proteins, and will ask the attendees to bring side dishes of all sorts to fill out the meal! We will hope for the very good weather we have had for the last few years for this annual outdoor feast–but we’ll have the Lower Level available if needed. Note that Just Food Hub will be there to sell fair-trade chocolate, coffee and other items–with 25% of the proceeds being donated to the Grange! More info on their website!
Singing along and having a potluck–Grange traditions!
As planned, our meeting was followed by Grange Musician Matt Nunnelly leading songs from the piano, while the rest of us chimed in. As usual, our choices were eclectic, including everything from “Happy Trails” to “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”. At the end, Grange Member Cecile Sherburn volunteered to organize the loose song-sheets that we have made up over the years, into 3-ring notebooks so that we will be able to find the songs more easily! Note: since this offer, we’ve purchased 24 binders, so we’ll be ready for the next Sing-Along.
Our monthly (except for July) Community Potluck drew a good crowd, which enjoyed a wide range of dishes, which this month included a pork roast! This had been in the freezer since it turned out to be unnecessary for the State Grange annual session, which Capital City hosted last October. Merry arranged to defrost it in plenty of time, and Afro-Caribbean dance instructor Siouxsie Cooper expertly prepared it for the oven, with potatoes, carrots and garlic. Those of us who aren’t big meat-eaters had plenty of choices as well, including marinated tofu, dal, local asparagus and other tasty treats.
We will be skipping the first-Saturday-of-July potluck, but as described above, please put the August 2nd barbecue/potluck/picnic on your calendars!