Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) February 3, 2023

We know it’s a Vermont cold snap!

The only good news is that it will be warmer Saturday than it is today.  We’re congratulating ourselves on all the insulation work we have done on the Hall over the years, which have made it much more feasible to keep out the cold.  This was tested when the power was off for over 24 hours back in January, and the building never got below 50 with no heat at all!  Today, with outside temperature about 11 below, the furnace is keeping the Hall at 63.  Tomorrow it will be about 18 degrees warmer outside, and the Hall will be comfortable at our normal temperature of 65.
We hope you will join us for the Grange meeting and Community Program, details below:

Feb. 4th, 4:30 to 5:00:  Grange meeting

As usual, our pre-program Grange meeting will be brief.  We’ll look at our financials (as the snow has started to fall, plowing bills are coming in–and rentals are also up!), and we’ll report on the advertising campaign for the March 7th Berlin Town Ballot vote on extending our property tax exemption for 5 more years, plus schedule for completing the lift and the foyer-wall rebuilding.   Join us in person or via Zoom–the link for the latter is:

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74075742561?pwd=Lm100cSvORi27zG5VeLebKjOWHmg0y.1

Meeting ID:  740 7574 2561

Passcode:  6u9QRw

Join by phone:  646 876 9923

As always, the same link is also posted on the Grange website listing for the meeting:  HERE.
Note:  because I am in the final stages of recovering (quite well) from my 2nd bout with COVID, neither I nor Merry will be able to come in person, but we’ll be there by Zoom!

Stephanie Yu speaks on the
“State of Working Vermont 2022”

Our February 4th Community Program is your chance to hear directly about the work of the Public Assets Institute from its Executive Director.   Steph Yu will join us via Zoom to discuss the data and trends in Vermont’s economy and social structures, and to answer questions about they can inform our political choices, as the legislature is already in budget discussions.
The PAI was formed in 2003 to research relevant facts about the State of Vermont, and to use this research to draft policies that can provide actual results that benefit all Vermont’s residents, including the most vulnerable.   Their yearly “State of Working Vermont” reports show ongoing real-world trends over the past years, using well-designed graphs and clear explanations.  Working from the data, they help to identify where real needs exist, and where solutions might be found.  This feeds into their strong recommendation to start the legislative budget process with establishing needs, and then figuring out how to meet them, rather than using an existing budget and trying to shoe-horn it to satisfy some of the needs.  After Steph’s presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion, as usual.
More information about the Public Assets Institute is available on their website:  www.publicassets.org.   You can find the State of Working VT report to view or download it–free–by clicking this link.
We’ll be happy to have you at the Grange in person for this presentation and discussion.  We’ll also welcome you via Zoom if you prefer.   The link to click for the Zoom connection is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81756029099?pwd=STdjdkNGbS9DS2tWRyt6RXpkaUVMZz09

Meeting ID: 817 5602 9099
Passcode: 880223

Join by phone:  646 876 9923

This link is also posted on the Grange website posting for this month’s Program.

As I noted above, as I’m still in final stages of COVID recovery, I won’t be at the Program in person, but will be there via Zoom.  As usual, Carl Etnier will be emcee for the program.

After the program:  it’s potluck time!

From 6:00 to about 7:00, we’ll have our monthly Community Potluck Dinner, where we socialize over tasty dishes contributed by Grange members and other good cooks.   Generally we chew over the ideas we’ve discussed in the meeting and program, as well as good food.    We hope you will join us for the dinner, whether you make it to the meeting or not!  Please bring whatever you cook or can scrounge up that can be shared–beverages, cheese ‘n’ crackers, desserts, main dishes, soups, side dishes, salads…we all need to eat, so why not share food in good company?

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) January 27, 2023

Looking down at Project Uplift

The hoistway for our wheelchair platform lift is completely framed, and was approved by the Fire Marshal.   In this picture, taken from the Stage level, you can see the doorway opening into the ADA foyer just below on the right, and then down to the concrete floor of the Lower level, with a doorway on the left.   There will be stops at all 3 levels!
Next steps will include getting electrical wiring roughed-in, followed by sheetrocking of the shaft–and installation of the lift!  We are still looking for volunteers to paint the sheetrocked walls–please contact Tim if you want to be part of this project.

Looking for some exercise?
How about Tuesday!

We are expecting a delivery of sheetrock to clad the hoistway and the new closet walls, on Tuesday “after 9 AM”.   If you’ve been looking for a way to help out on this project, and you can help carry 5/8″ sheetrock panels (around 54 lbs. each), we can use you!   Stan and I will get a more precise time on that morning, if you want to get a call to come over and help Stan carry panels into the Hall, please contact Tim:  swartztim15@gmail.com.   I’m no longer up to that sort of carrying, unfortunately!

January meeting pools experiences, opinions and questions about options for our siding/paint woes

Patty Giavara, Chair of the FCCGH led the meeting, starting with a PowerPoint presentation listing the options the Friends and some other Grange members have been looking into.   As seen in the screenshot below, these range widely in cost, and in the pros and cons associated with them.  The discussion in the meeting included many questions and opinions; I strongly recommend viewing and listening to the Zoom video, which is posted here to get the full sense of the discussion.
I’m going to summarize what seemed to be the areas of agreement from the discussion:

• The vinyl siding option was very unpopular, due to concerns about a “cheap” look, environmental impact and aging causing visual degradation.
• Having the existing paint (which has underlayers of lead paint)  scraped, prepped and painted professionally is a good option to pursue.  The possibility of a grant for 50% of the cost, up to $10,000 could make this a lower-initial investment option.   Concern remains about long-term maintenance costs–will we need equally expensive professional scraping and prep in the future, and how often?  Could volunteers do painting after the professional prep work?  More questions are being discussed with painting contractors and consultants.
• The FCCGH has submitted a “Letter of Intent” for a grant from the Preservation Trust of VT/1772 Foundation that could potentially provide the $10K grant mentioned above.  We will hear in early February whether we are invited to apply.
• Covering over the existing siding with new wood siding, which would permanently cover the peeling lead paint is also worth considering.  Questions include how long the paint or stain would last on the new siding, how the contractor would deal with the trim and whether that would need to continue to be scraped and painted.  This approach could provide a real moisture-break between the sometimes moist air in the Hall and the siding, which could increase the life of the paint.
• The LP Smartside and Fiber Cement new siding options were not popular, due to environmental concerns.   However, the cost of LP Smartside would be just a bit more than new wood clapboards, and the long warranty might imply lower costs over the longer term.
• We also discussed the possibility of adding dense-pack cellulose insulation to the side-walls of the building.   Besides increasing R-value, this can reduce moisture transfer from inside to outside, as well as increasing air-sealing of the Hall.   More research needs to be done to confirm the benefits.  We also noted that the basement drainage work and insulation, plus the dehumidifier installed as part of the 2020 renovation project greatly reduced moisture coming from within the building.
• Several people advocated for applying stain rather than paint, if we decided to go with new wood siding.   The stain option is not suitable for application over the existing painted/scraped siding, but would reduce the amount of scraping and prep work used over new siding.
• The general conclusion of the meeting was that if we receive the possible grant from the PVT/1772 Foundation, we should proceed with scraping and painting in 2023.   If we do not receive the grant then we should consider re-siding with wood clapboards ($30K) or LP Smartside ($32K).   Re-siding would not happen until 2024 due to fundraising requirements.

Feb. 4th, 4:30 to 5:00:  Grange meeting

As usual, our pre-program Grange meeting will be brief.  We’ll look at our financials (as the snow has started to fall, plowing bills are coming in–and rentals are also up!), and we’ll plan for an advertising campaign for the March 7th Berlin Town Ballot vote on extending our property tax exemption for 5 more years.   Join us in person or via Zoom–the link for the latter is on the Grange website listing for the meeting:  HERE.

Feb. 4th, 5 to 6:00, meet Stephanie Yu, new Executive Director of the Public Assets Institute!

Grange Lecturer Carl Etnier has invited Steph Yu to speak as part of our free Community Program series.   She will describe the opportunities to use the legislative budgeting process to advance social, racial and economic equality.  The talk will be based on PAI’s “State of Working Vermont 2022” report, issued in December of ’22.  The report also describes how to build on the spirit of solidarity awakened by the pandemic, when many people came to understand that economic and social needs are shared–and deserving of collective attention and action, both by communities and government.
The PAI was formed in 2003, to conduct research, perform fiscal analysis, disseminate information and develop policies that apply the powers of government to improve the well-being of ordinary citizens, especially the most vulnerable.  More information is available on their website:  www.publicassets.org.   Please join us to hear Steph’s presentation, and to take part in questions and discussion!
Steph will be at the Grange to present this program, and you are welcome to join us there.   We’ll also welcome you via Zoom if you prefer.   The link for the Zoom connection is posted on the Grange website post for this program.

After the program:  it’s potluck time!

From 6:00 to about 7:00, we’ll have our monthly Community Potluck Dinner, where we socialize over tasty dishes contributed by Grange members and other good cooks.   Generally we chew over the ideas we’ve discussed in the meeting and program, as well as good food.    We hope you will join us for the dinner, whether you make it to the meeting or not!  Please bring whatever you cook or can scrounge up that can be shared–beverages, cheese ‘n’ crackers, desserts, main dishes, soups, side dishes, salads…we all need to eat, so why not share food in good company?

Besides the lift, we’re also going to rebuild the foyer wall

As part of getting the building permit for the lift, the Fire Marshal is also requiring us to make changes to the wall and doors between the Main Hall and the Old Entrance foyer.  Due to Fire Code safety requirements, those will be rebuilt, to provide 1-hour fire-rated separation between those spaces.  We are also being required to remove all loose items in the foyer space, so storage space for the folding tables and the parking cones will be provided as part of the wall construction–see the plan view above.  We will be switching to wall-hung trash and recycling bins in the Main Hall, replacing the large receptacles now in the foyer.
Stan has also added new, grasp-able handrails to the entrance steps (see photo below).  He will also be adding extensions to the porch railings, as those are required to be 42″ high.   A mockup on one side has been there for at least a month–design is not final, comments welcome!

       A working group from the Friends and the Grange are planning a gala celebration, from 2:00 to 5:00.   We’ll have cookies!   Also beverages, displays by Grange Hall users about their rehearsals/classes/services/etc., and….ceremonial “first rides” on the new lift, for selected Grange members and Hall users!  Also….
A Community Dance!   With live music by the VT Fiddle Orchestra, and dance calling by Luke Donforth, this will be a way for people of all ages to celebrate together, from 3:00 to 4:30.
We’re particularly hoping to get more folks from Berlin and other local communities to join us for this fun, free event, so please spread the word to folks you know nearby.   Berlin holds its Town Ballot on March 7, a couple of days afterward, and we’d love to show off the improvements and all that the Grange Hall has to offer, to encourage people to vote Yes to extending the property tax exemption for our all-volunteer-run Community Hall.

Camp Scholarships–from Dance, Sing & Jump Around!

Our DS&JA series for kids and their families has been very popular since re-starting in December.  We’ve had over 50 people of all ages dancing, singing and definitely jumping around!   Here’s the “press release” from founder and main organizer Liz Benjamin:
DANCE, SING & JUMP AROUND is happy and proud to announce that it will give a $100 scholarship to each of 3 young musicians wishing to attend either the Young Traditions Vermont week-long camp or the Summit School Traditional Weekend Camp in 2023.   Any interested person under the age of eighteen is encouraged to apply and should submit a written request, including their name, age and a description of their musical journey by March 31, 2023.   Awards will be announced on April 16, 2023.    The winners may be invited to play for DS&JA during the 2023-2024 season.   Please submit applications to:  lizbenjamin64@gmail.com.

“It sounded great with the acoustic panels!”

That’s the message we received recently from the VT Philharmonic Orchestra, which held a rehearsal at the Grange Hall.   It’s great to be reminded that the volunteer-made and volunteer-installed panels which were done in 2019 are still making a difference!   We’ve heard similar messages from contra-dance sound techs and others.  We always enjoy hearing kudos from people who recognize the work that many people have put in to make our Hall better.

It’s 2023, and time to renew your Grange membership!

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) January 6, 2023

Saturday:  Grange and FCCGH joint meeting–public invited!

Now that we have the lift project underway, we are thinking ahead to the next project.   As everyone who looks at the exterior of the Grange Hall can see, the paint is in very sad shape.   80 years of painting, scraping, adding layers of paint, some over inadequately cleaned surfaces, with different paint chemistry have led to a lot of peeling.   Like all buildings this old, the inner layers are lead paint, which must be scraped off by a qualified, licensed contractor and properly disposed of.  Because of all these factors, re-painting is not cheap!   And, if we want to get this done this year, we need to get on contractors’ lists soon.
To help us figure this out, Patty Giavara (Chair of the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall) and I have decided to hold a joint meeting of the Grange and the FCCGH tomorrow, Jan. 7, 4:30 to 6:00 PM to begin a broader discussion of these questions.  Patty has put together a presentation about the “rough order of magnitude” estimates we’ve gotten, funding possibilities, and the decision factors we need to consider.
This meeting will invite input on our next steps to give the Grange Hall a “facelift”, in addition to “Project UpLift”, described above.   Please join us in person or via Zoom.   The Zoom link is available on the Calendar listing for the meeting–click HERE to go to that listing.
Patty has compiled some basic info on the choices we’re considering, which she and I will be sending out to Grange members, and board members of the FCCGH on Friday.   If you plan to come to the meeting, or just want to learn more, please reply to this email and we’ll email the info packet to you as well.   We really hope you will come and take part in the discussion–either in person or via Zoom.

After the meeting:  it’s potluck time!

From 6:00 to about 7:00, we’ll have our monthly Community Potluck Dinner, where we socialize over tasty dishes contributed by Grange members and other good cooks.   Generally we chew over the ideas we’ve discussed in the meeting, as well.    We hope you will join us for the dinner, whether you make it to the meeting or not!  Please bring whatever you want or can scrounge up that can be shared–beverages, cheese ‘n’ crackers, desserts, main dishes, soups, side dishes, salads…we all need to eat, so why not share food in good company?

Starting to give the Hall a lift

As we’ve planned, the construction of the “hoistway” for the wheelchair/platform lift has started this week.  Our main contractor, Stan Carlson has laid out the footprint, removed the closet for the Church of Christ from the stage, and is getting ready to cut holes in the stage and the main floor  (and yes, he’ll be blocking off the holes when he’s done working, to make it safe for evening and weekend Hall users).  In the photo above, he’s completing the framing of the hoistway in the lower level, which will also support the upper floor around the hole he’ll be cutting in it.
We can’t yet predict just when the lift will be delivered and put in place by the installers; the first step is to get the hoistway walls framed, and to get them inspected by the Fire Marshal before sheetrocking.   We’ll also be getting our electrical contractor, ARJ Electric, back to rough-in the wiring.   After the sheetrocking is done, the installers from Accessibility Systems will deliver the support track, the mechanical/electrical parts, the platform and doors.   Then they will lower them into the hoistway, and bolt them into place.  After that, there will be more sheetrock installed around the doors.  We’ll  have painting to be done on all the sheetrock and trim–we’ll be happy to have some volunteer help to do the painting!
In addition to the lift, Stan will be taking out the wall between the main Hall and the foyer, and rebuilding it as a fire-rated wall, with door closers, panic-bar hardware–and also a closet for storing the tables we now have stacked in the foyer.    The Fire Marshal has told us we will not be allowed to store anything in the foyer–no tables, brooms, snow shovels, trash or recycling containers, or traffic cones.   The new storage closet for the tables will open into the main Hall.  We’re still figuring out what to do with other items we’ve been used to storing there.
The good news is that the foyer will be much “cleaner” looking.   I will post drawings soon showing what the plan view will look like.  More details to come!

Dance, Sing and Jump Around–this Sunday!

The “2nd Sunday” comes early this month, so Sunday, Jan. 8th will be the next event in the Grange-sponsored series of “family dances” which Liz Benjamin, Merry Shernock and their band of volunteers started several years ago.   We had a great turnout for the December event, and hope for equally good numbers this time.
What is it? From 3:00 to 4:30 PM on Sunday, Liz, plus Stan Carlson (yes, the same one building the lift hoistway) will teach and lead combination of simple dances, play-party games and songs.  We’ll have a “big band” to provide live music, because we’re combining Joanne Garton’s fiddle students with musicians from the Northeast Fiddler’s Jam.   It will be exciting!
These dances are particularly designed for kids in about the 3- to 8-year old range, but everyone is invited!   There will be some snacks (healthy and  tasty) available, plus paper to draw and color on for kids that want to take a break from dancing.  We ask for a $5.00 donation for everyone except the kids, who get in free!   No one is ever turned away.   We usually have a combination of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who come along with kids.  And you get the chance to be silly with kids, something most of us don’t get enough opportunity to do!
Find a kid you can bring along (with permission of their parents/guardians!) and join us on Sunday afternoon.  For more information, check out the DS&JA website!

Just Food Hub announces: new vendors for January!

What could sound more enticing than the Cross Atlantic Chocolate Collective?
If you’ve been reading about the Just Food Hub, in the Grange Notes or elsewhere, you already know that this non-profit group sells delicious items, and donates the amount that could be profit to non-profit groups–including the Grange.
But besides being such a virtuous place to buy from, check out the chocolate!   Just go to the special JFH Grange fundraising page, click on “Shop Chocolate”, and you will find many choices–including the products which are new this January, from chocolate farmers who not only grow the cacao, but take part in all stages of the production of the bars and drinking chocolates sold on the site.
Did you know that commercial chocolate only uses beans from 3 of the hundreds of varieties of cacao bean?
Did you know that every purchase from the JFH page linked above gives a donation to the Grange?  Now you do!

It’s 2023, and donations to the Friends are still coming in!

We continue to be grateful to the many supporters who have contributed to the Fall Appeal of the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall–at least 66 thus far.  These generous folks have donated to help the Friends make major improvements to the Grange, including the  just-started lift project and the upcoming exterior painting project described in this newsletter.   We can’t say thanks too many times.
If you can help the FCCGH to help the Grange Hall, we’ll use the money wisely!  To see the Fall Appeal letter sent out by the Friends, click here.   It also describes “Project Uplift” to install a wheelchair/platform lift in the Hall–its beginnings are pictured above.  We appreciate any gift, of whatever size fits your budget!   And donations to the FCCGH, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law; you’ll receive a thank-you and a record for your contribution.  You can see descriptions of previous FCCGH projects, and donate via Paypal on the Donate page of the Grange website.
Thanks to everyone who is helping us out–last year, this year and on into the future.

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) December 8, 2022

As the signs say…we’re back to presenting two big events for families

Sorry for the slightly blurry picture, but evening comes early these days.    We’ve been impressed at how Erin Barry has kept Kids Trade & Play going and growing through the pandemic years, and we’re excited to also be able to host Dance Sing and Jump Around once again!

KT&P, the clothing exchange for kids and families, has been happening on 2nd Saturdays of virtually every month for almost 7 years!  Erin and her crew of volunteers put out an amazing spread of clothes for kids from infant sizes to Junior 12, plus some maternity clothes and some games and toys, from 9:30 to 11:30.   We are getting around 100 kids, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles picking up clothes and other items, and more donations keep coming in, for the volunteers to inspect, sort by size, and put out!
This weekend, Dec. 10, Erin has a special treat planned:

This month we are hoping to provide families with new or like new toys, games, and items that they can regift and share the joy of light and love. We will have a table hosted by a local elf with new items to give away. If you have more we could add to this table, please bring the items by on Friday, 3-5pm (Or make special arrangements for earlier…), or Saturday during the event 9:30-11:30.

Can you give us a lift?
Help needed!   Friday afternoon, 3-5 PM
Moving shelves

The picture to the left shows the storage shelves for Kids Trade & Play being re-assembled after our last big project, the basement renovation in early 2020.   We’re starting to prep for our next improvement:  a lift for wheelchairs!  After the bins of clothes are removed from the storage shelves, and set out on the cafeteria tables for Saturday’s KT&P clothing exchange, we need help to dis-assemble the shelves, and move them out of the way, to make room for the bottom of the “hoistway” for the lift.   Stan Carlson will start building the special shaft right after New Year’s day!
If you can help on Friday afternoon, please contact me, Tim:  swartztim15@gmail.com, or 802-225-8921.  We’ll also be looking for help to re-set the shelves after construction is done, perhaps in February, stay tuned!

Brief Grange meeting report:

We had our brief Grange meeting last Saturday, Dec. 3rd, where we went over finances, discussed progress on the petition drive (see below), and talked about the planned installation of the wheelchair/platform lift starting in January–as mentioned above.
The Grange meeting was followed by a spirited program on VT union organizing, presented by VT Labor Council head Liz Medina.   At least 15 Vermont union members joined us.  Liz talked briefly about the legacy of union history, and then told us more about current trends and Vermont initiatives to help workers organize.  I haven’t had time to write up my notes yet, but will include them in a future Grange Notes.  Carl Etnier recorded most of the presentation by Liz and the subsequent discussion, and the recording will be posted on the Grange website Calendar event listing for the Dec. 3rd Program soon as well.
We were also pleased that quite a few of the union members (including Liz) stayed for the potluck dinner after the program, and many also took part in the (separate admission) Montpelier Contra Dance afterward, and were observed having a great time!

Still seeking Berlin signatures

We are getting close to getting enough signatures from Berlin voters to get our request for a 5 year extension of our property tax exemption onto the ballot for Berlin’s March Town Meeting.  I and other Grange members (we particularly want to thank Patty Giavara and Fran Mallery) have been going door-to-door in a variety of parts of the wide-spread Town of Berlin to get people to sign the petition.   Almost everyone I have spoken with has been happy to sign.   It has also been a good opportunity to spread the word that we offer free use of the Hall by Berlin residents (for times not already committed to other renters, of course).   We are happy to increase the visibility of our Grange and its Hall, and to increase its use by the local community.
There’s still time to help us by getting more signatures, and speaking with more Berlin folks about what goes on at the Grange.  We’d like to get them before the weather gets really frigid.   You can see the petition wording  on the Grange website at this link:  Grange Petition for 2023.  You can download a copy by clicking on the link, and print your own.   If that doesn’t work, get in touch and I’ll be happy to print some for you, and to get them to you:  swartztim15@gmail.com, or 802-225-8921.   Contact me also to arrange pickup after you get however many signatures you can!  Even a few from a number of people will add up, don’t feel you have to get all 20 lines on the form filled up!

End of the year donations:  don’t forget the Grange!

Many of us send out charitable donations to organizations we support as the end of the calendar year grows close.   Please remember that you can really help the Grange by donating to the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall, as we make the final push in our end-of-year campaign for contributions.
Most of you already know about the “Friends”, which works closely with the Grange to plan, fund-raise for and project-manage improvements to the Grange Hall.   A list of the big projects the FCCGH has already done is posted on the Donate page on the Grange website! There, you will also see a convenient “Donate” button to give a donation using Paypal.
If you can help the FCCGH to help the Grange Hall, we’ll use the money wisely!  To see the Fall Appeal letter sent out by the Friends, click here.   It also describes our project to install a wheelchair/platform lift in the Hall, as I mentioned above.  We appreciate any gift, of whatever size fits your budget!   And donations to the FCCGH, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law; you’ll receive a thank-you and a record for your contribution.