Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) April 14, 2022

Springtime brings new life–including a revived contra dance series

We’re pleased to report that the Montpelier Contra Dance series which has been happening at the Grange since about 1983 will be holding its first dance since March 7, 2020 on this Saturday, April 16th, from 8 to 11:00 PM!
With the close contact, aerobic exercise and continual exposure to new people that are part of this social dance, the Montpelier Contra Dance organizing committee has wanted to feel confident that it will be relatively safe to bring people back together.   In the words of the official announcement:  “Contra dancing is joyful and community oriented — and it always involves some risk. We are requiring that all dancers wear masks and be fully vaccinated to help keep our dance safer while COVID is still afoot. We ask for your help and cooperation with these extra safety measures.”
Those who plan to come are asked to pre-register online, using a simple form at:  forms.gle/W5psYUwPBCrjXLsHA.  This will allow a photo of your vaccine card to be uploaded, and will collect a phone number or email address to allow contact-tracing.   You can see all the information about the dance, how to pre-register and what to expect at:  https://capitalcitygrange.org/dancing/contradancing/.  Walk-ins will be welcome too, but it will be faster if you pre-register.
Calling and music will be provided by a sampling of Vermont’s many talented people:
Calling:  Mary Wesley, Adina Gordon, Luke Donforth, Will Mentor and Don Stratton!
Musicians:  Pete Sutherland, Oliver Scanlon and Friends, including Cedar Stanistreet, Tom Mackenzie, Rose Jackson and part of the Young Tradition VT touring group!
Sound by:  Oliver Scanlon and Cedar Stanistreet!
More dances are planned for May 7, May 21, June 4 and June 18.   The organizing committee will be evaluating how things went, and the public  health situation as time goes on, so please keep in touch via the contra dancing page linked above, and the Montpelier Contra Dance Facebook page.  I don’t usually announce the dance series in this newsletter; if you want regular reminders, please send an email to:  cdu.tim@gmail.com.

Prepping for the pellet bin!

Creating a flat spot for the outdoor pellet bin turned out to be a bit of a project. As seen in the pictures below, the flower bed to the left of the original entrance was too small, so I built a retaining wall with landscape timbers, and with the help of a couple of volunteers, filled it with sand and gravel from the piles scraped up by the snowplow, tamping it down between layers.

Spring is also bringing a new furnace to the Grange Hall!

Just as they promised, the crew from Bourne’s Energy began installation on Monday, April 11th.   As I write this on April 14th, the pellet bin is being assembled outside, and the furnace ductwork is being assembled inside.   Our old furnace and the emptied oil tank have been removed.  A new stainless steel chimney liner is about to be installed, and pellets are supposed to be delivered tomorrow morning.  See below for a few in-process pictures.
We understand clearly that the lack of a heating system other than half a dozen electric heaters has been hard on Hall users since the furnace was shut down on March 2nd.  We greatly appreciate the understanding shown by the people who use the Hall during this ordeal.   We look forward to getting past this difficult time, getting everyone used to being warm in the Grange Hall–and not getting any more $600 electric bills like the one we received recently.

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) March 30, 2022

We’re getting off fossil-fuel heating! Installation starts April 11th!

With great help from very low-interest financing offered by the VT State Grange, we have been able to place our order for an “Auto Pellet Air furnace”, distributed by Maine Energy Systems, and sold by Bourne’s Energy.
This advanced pellet-burning furnace will be quite different from pellet stoves that many people have.    Unlike them, no one will  have to lug bags of pellets to dump into the furnace.  Nor will anyone have to scrape out the ashes.   Pellets will be delivered by a bulk truck (like the one shown above).   Pellets will be blown into an outdoor bin, like the one in the top right photo above.   They will be fed automatically from the bin to the furnace (like the one in the top left photo) in the basement using airflow also.   And the ashes get pushed out of the bottom of the combustion chamber into the box at the lower right of the furnace.   It’s easy to dump the cold ashes into a trash bag for disposal every few weeks, with amazingly little dust.
The reason I can speak with some authority about the operation of the pellet furnace is that Merry and I have used one for heating our house for the last 9 years, and have found it very reliable, and requiring minimal care.
The pellet bin will be installed on pre-cast concrete pads, in the flower-bed to the left of the old entrance.   We are also having a stainless steel liner installed in the existing chimney, as required for this heating system.  The furnace will connect to the existing duct work, operating a 2-zone system for the two floors, similar to our existing system.  The same WiFi thermostats will control the system, too.
The earliest date we could get for Bourne’s to start the installation is April 11th.   We have had great understanding from the many folks who rent the Grange Hall for rehearsals, celebrations, meetings and more during this time with no heating system; only a few have canceled their events during this time.   We will be asking them to endure a little longer as we get the system installed.  But we can now expect our new heating system to last for decades!
We see many positives from this decision:

• Reducing our carbon-dioxide footprint, by heating with a renewable fuel.
• Purchasing a locally-grown product, rather than one imported from thousands of miles away.  Pellet production and transportation provides jobs for people in this region, too!
• Having a secure supply source, not affected by international disputes.
• Cheaper, and more stable fuel prices.  Wood pellets do not fluctuate in sync with oil prices.   Merry’s and my pellet costs have risen by only 18% since 2013, a lot less than oil!   The Grange expects to save at least $800 per year, based on the current price differential.
• And we will be getting a $6,000 rebate from Efficiency Vermont!

Next meeting April 2

Our meeting on April 2nd will be short–just from 4:30 to 5:00 PM.  I’m sure we’ll have quite a bit of discussion of the new system, the loan from the State Grange, plus plans for FCCGH projects coming up.  If you’re attending by Zoom, you’ll find the link on the Grange Calendar listing for this meeting at:  https://bit.ly/3Lu5rSU.  Note that this will be a different link than the one for our Program about Community Radio, from 5:00 to 6:00.
We do ask that any unvaccinated people that join us in person for the meeting or Program wear a well-fitting mask.   COVID numbers in Washington County are, unfortunately, rising these days.  We look forward to when we can open windows and have more fresh air!  For this meeting, we’ll be warming up the lower level with the electric heaters, but we suggest wearing an extra layer to the meeting.
Besides the meeting itself, we’ll have time to talk more at the Community Potluck Dinner which we’ll have following the program.   See below for a few details on the potluck!

Potluck time again! Join us at 6 PM on April 2nd.

We’ll have another Community Potluck dinner together in the lower level, following the Grange meeting and the Program.   As usual, we’ll have no idea what to expect for food–but as usual, we are confident we will have a variety of main courses, salads, soups, breads, beverages, desserts, and much more!  The 30 or so people who came to our March potluck shared lots of great food, so come and see what’s on the counters!
We do ask that only people who are vaccinated join us for this event, as we continue to be conservative about our group events–especially when we know we won’t be able to wear masks.

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) March 26, 2022

April Program at the Grange!
Central Vermont Community Radio–the story of starting a brand-new, 49-year old radio station

For almost 50 years, these stations were Goddard College Radio–until last year.   The curious chicken (see below) has adorned their schedules and fundraising “merch”.  The staff (also pictured below) has been an eclectic mix of community members for years, with nearly 30 volunteer programmers producing the extremely diverse mix of free-form music shows and locally made program on local, national and international topics, combined with “curated national programming” like “Democracy Now”.   You can check out the whole schedule on their website:  WGDR Schedule.
At our program on Saturday April 2nd, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, we’ll hear from Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, station manager since fall of 2021.   Community ownership has meant dealing with all the issues of a start-up non-profit, while maintaining a nearly 50-year old radio station.
Llu joined WGDR/WGDH during the community ownership transition, becoming station manager in the fall of 2021.    During their talk at the Grange, Lllu will share:   how the station has turned a number of challenges into celebrations, explain how community radio is more important than ever for our communities, and provide a larger context on the state of this vital media format here in Vermont.
Llu started in community radio with their own WGDR show at the age of 13, co-founded a low-power community radio station in Burlington (99.3 FM, WBTV-LP), and has been a weekly programmer on WRUV, the UVM college/community station since 2004.   With over 20 years of non-profit and public sector leadership, Llu brings a great mix of perspective and experience to CVCR as they embark on this important next step for the station.

All Grange programs are free and open to the public!
Zoom link information:

To join the Zoom meeting starting at 5:00 from your computer or smart-phone, use this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87507923076?pwd=Wi94N29LY25hVFdIZjZ4Nmxwd2htdz09

To join the meeting, audio only from your phone, dial this number:  646 558 8656

Furnaces aren’t supposed to be cool…

But ours is, right now.   Regular readers will remember that when our annual furnace service happened on March 2nd, the heat exchanger was found to have holes in it.   This shut it down, of course–neither we, nor our oil burner service company will mess around with the chance of carbon monoxide getting into  our Hall.  Since our furnace is probably 50 years old, there are no parts available to repair the heat exchanger.
Our renters have been extremely understanding during this somewhat chilly time.   The 6 electric heaters which we got from the service company have been deployed upstairs or in the lower level, to take the chill off.  We’ve encouraged groups to meet downstairs, if possible, to take advantage of the great insulation we installed in our big 2020 project–we’ve been extra glad to have that!
Meanwhile, we (primarily me, Patty and Kurt Giavara) started doing some fast, but thorough research into our choices for a new heating system.  We did not assume that we would just install another oil furnace.   We decided that we would check out all the options, but would make our decision based on both the installed costs and long-term fuel cost  We also wanted to consider ways to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions.   We expect the next furnace to last for decades, so we have to think long-term.
We ended up getting quotes for:  regular oil furnaces, propane furnaces, electric heat pumps, oil furnaces that burn B99 bio-fuel, and wood-pellet furnaces.  We spoke with Efficiency Vermont engineers, and found out what rebates are available for energy-efficient heating systems.   We did calculations for the heating load of our building, as it is now insulated.  We are speaking with the VT State Grange, to find out if they can help us out with this major purchase.  We’ve spoken with a good number of our Capital City Grange members, to make sure that we have consensus on our choices.
By the time we meet on April 2nd, we expect to have placed an order for a heating system–because we’re waiting for some final information about how we can finance the purchase.   I’m reluctant to promise something before I’m sure that we can deliver it!
Our meeting on April 2nd will be short–just from 4:30 to 5:00 PM.  Besides the meeting itself, we’ll have time to talk more at the Community Potluck Dinner which we’ll have following the program.   See below for a few details on the potluck!

Potluck time again! Join us at 6 PM on April 2nd.

We’ll have another Community Potluck dinner together in the lower level, following the Grange meeting and the Program.   As usual, we’ll have no idea what to expect for food–but as usual, we are confident we will have a variety of main courses, salads, soups, breads, beverages, desserts, and much more!  The 30 or so people who came to our March potluck shared lots of great food, so come and see what’s on the counters!
We do ask that only people who are vaccinated join us for this event, as we continue to be conservative about our group events–especially when we know we won’t be able to wear masks.

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) March 1, 2022

Join us at the Hall by Zoom…or in “real life” on March 5th

If you can, please come to the Hall to renew our ties as a social organization in person.   Our judgement call is that the COVID risk is much reduced, with the great decline in Omicron variant cases which VT has seen.   We all hope that it will continue!
We will ask that only people who are fully vaccinated come to the meeting in person.   For those who aren’t, or don’t want to travel, or personal preference, we’ll also be happy to welcome you via Zoom!  The updated Zoom link is in the event listing on the Grange Calendar for March 5, find it at:   www.capitalcitygrange.org/events.
We’ll follow up this meeting, at 6:00 with a potluck dinner on the lower level, something else we’ve missed!
Both upstairs and downstairs, we’ll be using the Room Air Filter Boxes which have been helping to remove particles including any COVID aerosols.  See below of a graph demonstrating their effect!

RAFBs in action!

The graph to the left shows the particle counts in the Main Hall.  The blue line is the “small” particles, about the size of the “aerosol” particles that could carry COVID virus.   That doesn’t mean they do, just that they are the right size.   They are likely all dust particles.
The particle count starts to go down in the early morning, when the furnace comes on to start warming up the Hall for renters to use.   We have a MERV 13 filter cleaning the return air, before it goes through the furnace and back into the Hall.   This brings the particle counts down from about 95,000 Per Cubic Foot (PCF) to about 45,000 PCF.
A few hours later, the renters come in (causing a slight upward turn), then turn on the Room Air Filter Boxes (RAFBs).  The count starts to go down much faster, down to around 8,000 PCF.   This is an impressive demonstration of the effectiveness of the RAFBs!
The drawback to these RAFBs is that their noise bothers some Hall users.   People with hearing aids say that it is very difficult for them to hear when the fans are on.   This will be an important factor in our discussion of ventilation needs.  Come to the meeting to hear more!

March meeting–Berlin voting results, ventilation updates, looking ahead to spring events.

We’ll be getting the results of the Berlin vote on extending our full tax exemption for another year following the March 1st vote-counting, so we’ll certainly be talking about those.  This exemption is critical for keeping our rental rates affordable for the local, non-profit and family groups that we serve.   It also allows us to give free “rentals” to Berlin residents and non-profit organizations.
We will also be talking about the ventilation project that the FCCGH has been working on planning. We are exploring options which are more affordable, and getting close to starting to write grant applications.   We are also looking at other needs, notably a lift for better access to the stage and lower level, and dealing with the peeling paint on the siding of the Hall.   Our door improvements have made that problem stand out even more.
I would also like to plan when we could have an official “welcoming” ceremony for the several new members who have joined the Grange in the last couple of years, when we haven’t been having meeting time available.  This is a brief ceremony, which I think is a good introduction to some Grange ritual.  I would be happy to send out a copy of the version of the Obligation ceremony we use to anyone who’s interested.
Also, the National Grange is promoting an “Heirloom Program” to re-introduce the Grange’s rituals to members and promote discussion of them.   Our Grange has done very little ritual work for quite a few years, but those of us who took part in the “Four Degrees” put on at our Hall by the State Grange when 70 people joined the CCG in 2005 found the ceremonies quite beautiful.  Here is a link to the National Grange’s website page about it:  https://www.nationalgrange.org/heirloom-program/.   I’d like to know if anyone else is interested in pursuing this–please come to the meeting (in person or via Zoom!) if you’d like to discuss it more.
I hope that we can get back to having a Baking Contest this spring, now that we have a good chance of having more in-person meetings.  At this meeting we’ll discuss timing, type of recipe, etc.
We’ll also have our usual reports on our finances, and on the increasing numbers of rentals (including more free “rentals” for Berlin folks) we are seeing as the pandemic’s burden gets lighter.
Remember, come in person if you can, and if you’re vaccinated; or come via Zoom–the link is on the Grange Calendar listing for the meeting.

Remember potluck dinners?  They’re BACK!

Following the Grange meeting, we welcome all vaccinated folks who want to join us for a Community Potluck dinner downstairs!   We are so glad that the Omicron COVID infection rates are down much lower, and hospitalizations too.   We hope we’ll be celebrating a positive vote by Berlin voters, too!   So bring your favorite foods to share, everything from main dishes to appetizers to soups to salads to breads to desserts is welcome!   Starting at 6:00 PM, and stay as long as we want to socialize and catch up in person!   We’ll be running the 4 RAFBs in the lower level to keep the air cleaned.

February 5th program recorded:   How can Vermonters work to keep our republic democratic?

The program about attempts to restrict voting, and other threats to our democratic (with a small “d”) system of government by the people was well attended by Zoom.   Our speakers had interesting things to say about the trends in some states, and ways to oppose voting restrictions and get more people involved in the political process.  Attendees provided a lot of interesting questions for discussion as well.
The recording of the presentations and the discussion are now available as 2 video/audio files on the Grange Calendar listing for the Feb. 5th date:  https://capitalcitygrange.org/event/grange-program-series-500-to-600-2022-02-05/.   Please take a listen, and tell your friends!    One note–the recording of the program started a couple of minutes late, so please pardon a little bit of confusion at the beginning.
Our next Grange Program will take place on April 2nd, from 5 to 6:00 PM as usual.   Watch the Grange Calendar listings, and look for info in a future Grange Notes edition.

Have you re-enlisted in the Grange?

You can still send in your check for a year of Grange membership.  The amount remains $30 for 2022.   Please send checks to:

Charles Martin, Secretary
Capital City Grange
639 Minister Brook Rd.
Worcester, VT  05682

While we are happy to welcome anyone to be part of our meetings and activities, becoming a member shows a greater commitment to supporting the Grange in its activities.  Members are also allowed to vote on Grange policies.   We encourage all members to attend meetings (live or via Zoom) and help us figure out the best ways to be a Grange in the 21st century!
Speaking of the 21st century….if there is someone out there who could help us set up a Venmo or Paypal link to receive membership dues and other payments, please get in touch!
For more info, please feel free to call me, Tim Swartz at:  802-225-8921, or email me at:  swartztim15@gmail.com.

Order from Just Food Hub to get fair-trade organic food and support the Grange!

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) January 27, 2022

Berlin votes on full tax exemption on March 1st

At our January meeting–held on the 15th, as the first Saturday matched up with New Years’ Day–we had a good discussion of the prospects for campaigning to get Berlin voters to support full property tax exemption for the Grange.
Since then, we’ve found out that the Berlin Selectboard has decided it will not be safe enough, given that the ongoing high COVID infection rates, to hold an in-person Town Meeting this year–for the 2nd year in a row.  Town Warrant Articles, including our tax exemption will instead be voted on by “Australian Ballot” on March 1, following an informational town meeting, held via Zoom, on Feb. 21st.  Furthermore, they have decided that because there can’t be live discussion of our tax exemption, they are limiting the length of our exemption request to one year, instead of the 5 years we planned for.
While we wish that we did not have to campaign every year, we hope and expect that Berlin voters will support us again this year.  I will be taking part in the informational meeting on 2/21.  At our January meeting, we discussed other ways to make sure that voters appreciate the benefits that the Grange brings to the town.   Now that we know that we won’t have the opportunity to speak directly to voters at a live Town Meeting, it will be even more important to reach out beforehand.  Here are some of the ideas:

• Finding Berlin residents to write letters to the editor of the Times-Argus–following a “template” we can provide.
• Getting an article into the Washington World.
• Putting ads on WDEV, a widely-heard station n Central VT.
• Postings in the Berlin Front Porch Forum (the Grange has an account).
• Posting on the Berlin Facebook page–an unofficial page maintained by Corinne Cooper.
• Gathering testimonials from Berlin residents who have used the “Free Rentals for Berlin residents” we offer.

Other highlights from the January meeting

In my “promo” email for this meeting, I asked readers to think about “Resolutions” that our Grange might like to support as VT State Grange policy.   Each year, Community Granges like ours suggest policies that they think would benefit the state, or even the country as a whole.   These get discussed and voted on at the VT State Grange annual session in October.
Sue Morris came up with one which stimulated good discussions at our meeting.   She proposes one which calls for government-funded programs to help farmers convert to organic farming methods, through financial incentives and hands-on assistance.   The reasons to support this include:

• Reducing pollution impacts on the Vermont environment.
• Helping to mitigate climate change.
• Improving the health of people and wildlife, including bees and other pollinators.

Those of us at the meeting were very supportive of this idea, and talked about ways to make the resolution more focused.  These included:

• Looking into what UVM Ag Extension already offers to support organic agriculture.
• Are there existing financial aid/grants/low interest loan programs to help farms transition to organic?
• Are there education programs about the financial aspects of getting certified?
• Are there existing programs about marketing aids to help with entering organic markets?
• Based on what we find out, we could provide specific programs that deserve added support, in the Resolution.

February 5th program:   How can Vermonters work to keep our republic democratic?

Based on the attempts to create a controversy about the 2020 presidential election results, some state legislatures have been changing election laws in ways that seem designed to disenfranchise some groups of voters, and result in partisan advantage in upcoming elections.  What can we do in this state to protect democracy nationally?  Carl Etnier, our Grange Lecturer, has found two speakers to answer that question:

• Ben Horton is a lawyer at Free Speech for People, and a Harvard Public Service Venture Fund Fellow.   Prior to law school, Mr. Horton worked in secondary higher education in the Boston area.  Free speech for People is engaging in a campaign to bar members of Congress who participated in the January 6 insurrection from running in 2022, and to prevent Donald Trump from running in 2024, using the 14th Amendment’s ban on insurrectionists holding office.
• Ginny Sassaman lives in Calais, and is a founder and facilitator for Indivisible Calais, formed in the week after the November 2016 U.S. Election.   They have been busy attending rallies, making phone calls and writing postcards for progressive candidates, organizing fundraisers for progressive causes, and building community.

      As usual with Grange programs, we’ll have time for questions and discussion of these issues.   Like Grange meetings, the programs are always free and open to all.   Also like recent Grange meetings, we will be holding this via Zoom, rather than gathering in person.  Here is the Zoom link info:To join the Zoom meeting starting at 5:00 from your computer or smart-phone, use this link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87507923076?pwd=Wi94N29LY25hVFdIZjZ4Nmxwd2htdz09To join the meeting, audio only from your phone, dial this number:  646 558 8656

For either way of joining:

Meeting ID: 875 0792 3076

Password: 624628

Grange meeting from 4:30 to 5:00 on February 5th

Once again, we will be meeting by Zoom only.  COVID rates of infection, hospitalizations, etc. are expected to continue high past the date of our February meeting.    Even though projections indicate a significant reduction in case counts soon, we don’t feel that it will be soon enough to ask people to gather in person, unfortunately.
Because of these factors, our Grange meeting will be held solely on Zoom.   Here’s the Zoom info:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87344175524?pwd=YWNFZ0VuckNkZ2lwK3BNOVpKc0FSdz09

To join the meeting, audio only from your phone, dial this number:  646 558 8656

For either way of joining:  Meeting ID: 873 4417 5524
Passcode: 527016

As always, this Zoom info is also posted on the Grange website Calendar listing for this meeting, which will be from 4:30 to 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 5th.
I’m sure you won’t be surprised that we also won’t have a potluck dinner this month.   As usual, I will also remind you that the Grange (from National to State to Capital City Grange) supports and encourages vaccination for all people who are eligible–let’s all keep working together to get past the domination of COVID.

So what we will be talking about this month?

First of all, we need to remind all Grange members (and all those that would like to be!) that annual dues are now….due.    The amount remains $30 for 2022 membership.   Please send checks to:

Charles Martin, Secretary
Capital City Grange
639 Minister Brook Rd.
Worcester, VT  05682

While we are happy to welcome anyone to be part of our meetings and activities, becoming a member shows a greater commitment to supporting the Grange in its activities.  Members are also allowed to vote on Grange policies.   We encourage all members to attend meetings (live or via Zoom) and help us figure out the best ways to be a Grange in the 21st century!
Speaking of the 21st century….if there is someone out there who could help us set up a Venmo or Paypal link to receive membership dues and other payments, please get in touch!
For more info, please feel free to call me, Tim Swartz at:  802-225-8921, or email me at:  swartztim15@gmail.com.
We’ll also be checking on our finances, as usual, as the snow-plow bills have started to pile up with the recent large storm.   And we’ll get an update on our contacts with HVAC contractors, Efficiency Vermont and the VT Arts Council about ways to provide ventilation to our Grange Hall during the cold months–possibly combined with upgrades to our heating system.   Our time will be limited in this half-hour meeting format, so all will be done expeditiously!

Snow, snow at the Grange…

…where the entrances don’t shovel themselves!   The plow trucks that clear our driveway and parking lot can’t help us with clearing the emergency exit, or the stairs at the entrances, or the ramp.
So I really appreciate the person or persons who cleared those areas after the big snow on Jan. 18th!   Often I’ve shoveled these out myself–but I’d really like to find someone who could help out when snowstorms happen.   Not all of our renters are capable or have time to shovel.   If you live near the Hall, and would like to help out, please contact me at:  swartztim15@gmail.com.

Order from Just Food Hub to get fair-trade organic food and support the Grange!

Just Food Hub is a Marshfield-based volunteer organization promoting access to authentically fair-traded organic food, and to raise funds for local nonprofit community groups. Check out the website they made for us: capitalcitygrange.justfoodhub.us.

They work with Equal Exchange and other organizations distributing ethically-sourced organic food products. They also give all profits to community groups: 30% of all sales. Just Food Hub believes in investing back into our community. This fundraiser could be a really significant contribution to the projects at the Grange and support general site maintenance too.

       By eating well and supporting organic, sustainable, and cooperatively farmed organic food from the Global South, you can help reduce climate change, improve working conditions for farmers, and contribute to the Grange at the same time. It’s a win/win for all and the planet!

The original plan was to set up food pick-ups at the Grange. Due to Covid, this plan has changed to Just Food Hub mailing or delivering food to you and your loved ones (mailing charges apply). You can place your order for February at:   https://capitalcitygrange.justfoodhub.us.

Green Mountain Youth Symphony
Strings rehearsal

With masks, social distancing and the Room Air Filter Boxes running, the string sections of the GMYS have been rehearsing in our Main Hall for several weeks, on Saturday mornings. We appreciate their adhering to the safety guidelines we set, and they appreciate our open spaces and RAFBs!