Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help), September 18, 2020

September meeting:  Lots to discuss!

We’re doing our monthly meeting on the 3rd Saturday, as we usually do in September (because Labor Day Weekend is not a good time for many of us), so we hope you will join us tomorrow, Sept. 19th, from 4:30 to 6:00.   We will have a small gathering in person, but welcome anyone who prefers to join via Zoom as well!   The Zoom link for the meeting is in the Grange website Calendar listing–just click the link there!
One of the main events will be the Grange ceremony to honor both Les Skinner and Marj Power, “Draping the Charter”, designed to mark the passing of Grange members.  The Grange has many ways to mark significant moments in the lives of members–and to make them memorable.  This will provide us a formal opportunity for reminiscing about Les & Marj and their (substantial) contributions to our Grange.  Many of us have strong memories of both of them, and we look forward to sharing some of those, as well as having the ritual observances.  Grange Musician Mat Nunnelly will provide some music, including singing some songs in honor of our late members–unfortunately, group singing is another activity that is prohibited to avoid chances of spreading infection.
       We will also be able to celebrate together another successful fundraiser to support the Grange in these perilous times–the CDU translated their usual early fall fundraiser to be an online concert featuring Pete’s Posse, instead of the usual series of exuberant dances, and supporters responded, easily passing the $4,000 goal.  We had publicized the expected loss in rental income, and the need for help from Grange community members, and we’re touched–and inspired–by the response from people who love the Grange and the Grange Hall.  Many thanks to the CDU, to Pete’s Posse, and to the many donors!
As usual, there is no shortage of ways we can use the money raised.  Besides paying the bills and avoiding draining our savings during this low-income period, we are also looking into options to increase ventilation of both the basement and the upstairs Hall, as part of mitigating risk of COVID-19 transmission.   I hope to have some preliminary “budget” information about options we could pursue, from at least one of the HVAC contractors who toured the Hall with me in the past few weeks.   We will also discuss the possibility of finding some grant money to help us improve the health and safety of Grange rentals, and what policies to implement to make sure event at our Hall are as low-risk as possible.
Related to that discussion, we’ll look forward to the VT State Grange “Annual State Session”, normally held at the Capitol Plaza hotel on the 3rd Saturday in October.   This year, the State Grange asked us a few months ago if we could host an abbreviated event at our Grange Hall, and plans are underway for that meeting, on Oct. 17th.   I have met with the State Grange Executive Committee (via Zoom), and discussed ways to limit attendance, and risks.   The expectation is that the maximum number of people will be around 50, all to be “socially distanced” and wearing masks; there will be no shared snacks or meals–all will be asked to bring “bag lunches”–and there will be big reduction in the ritual and marching which is traditional at these meetings.  All attendees will be asked screening questions, will get temperature checks (non-contact thermometers are being acquired) and will give contact information on entry.  If the weather is at all cooperative, we will open windows in the Hall, and turn up the heat if necessary to increase ventilation while maintaining comfort.  The VSG has been very cooperative in these discussions, and all agreed that health and safety will be the highest priority.  It is only because Vermonters have done such a good job following public health recommendations that this sort of meeting is possible at all.
We’ll also take a look at the “Resolutions” which will be voted on at the State Session–these are posted on our website at:  VT State Grange Resolutions; I’ll bring a few copies to the meeting as well.   We will also discuss who will be our Delegate(s)–which leads me to:
Grange Elections:  in even numbered years, we need to elect officers for our Community Grange (it’s required for all Granges, including State officers).  We are very open to anyone who would like to run for one of the officers’ chairs; the offices include Gatekeeper, Steward, Assistant Steward, Lady Assistant Steward, Lecturer, Chaplain, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, President, Musician, Pomona, Ceres, Flora plus 3 Executive Committee members–please contact me for more information on the specific duties!   If no one else sticks up their hands, the odds are good that the incumbents will serve another 2 years…
We wish we could segue to a Community Potluck after this meeting, but of course that is not possible under the current health and safety guidelines, so keep practicing your recipes at home, because we’ll all be hungry for them when we can finally get back together!

I’m re-including this somewhat grainy picture of Marj & Les, on Jan. 15, 2005, when she got him to join her in the first dance called by David Kaynor, following the mass initiation of about 70 new members for the Grange.
       I’m also very pleased to pass on that David has just been announced as the recipient of the 2021 “Lifetime Contribution Award” by the Country Dance & Song Society!   This is a well-deserved honor.  Here’s the text of the CDSS announcement:

David was selected in recognition of more than 50 years of performing and teaching at camps and festivals across the U.S., humbly mentoring an entire generation of contra dance musicians, tirelessly serving as a leader in dance and music communities of Western Massachusetts, generously sharing tune compositions and writings about dance calling, and supporting generations of musicians and dancers in creating warm, inviting, and welcoming communities though music and dance.

       Besides these contributions to the dance community, Dave also was one of the leaders in involving contra dancers in the Granges where dances are so frequently held.  He served as Grange Master at both the Guiding Star and Montague Granges in Massachusetts, and shared support and advice with me and others getting involved in Capital City Grange, encouraging us to become part of this well-established community service organization.  He was thrilled to be part of the 2005 ceremony–the picture below shows him on our dance floor, teaching the circle dance for which Marj and Les were lining up.

Auction action:  Keeping Marj’s skirts dancing!

       As promised, the online auction of Marj’s skirts, T-shirts, bandannas, handkerchiefs, a couple of pairs of dance shoes, and even a crock-pot set and a camisole and shawls started last Sunday–so we are about halfway through it!   Have you been putting off checking out the items at  https://www.32auctions.com/contradance?  Then now is the time to start!   There are pictures and descriptions of all the items posted there, with minimum bids for each–starting low, like $10 for beautiful dance skirts–with a great history and experience!  You can browse as much as you want, and will need to register to bid (it’s easy, quick and safe), and then you can keep track of how the bidding is going–and keep raising your bid to make sure you get that special item!  Online payment is easy, of course!
In addition to the dance-related items, the Old Socialist Labor Hall, which Marj also loved and helped to rehabilitate is offering T-shirts, sweatshirts, history books and other items.   Proceeds of this auction will be split between the two community organizations.
The auction will run until Sept. 30th; items you’ve won will be available for pickup at the Grange Hall on Saturday, Oct. 3rd, from 3-6:00 PM.   Or we can mail them to you for an additional $12.00.
We encourage you to bid early and often, in memory of Marj, and to support these 2 community organizations that she loved so much.   We certainly look forward to seeing Marj’s skirts, shirts, etc. on the Grange Hall dance floor….someday lots of us will be back there!
Many thanks to Elizabeth Templeton, from the dance community and the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall, and to Ruth Ruttenberg, President of the Labor Hall for their work organizing the auction and uploading all the photos and information!

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help), August 30, 2020

Saying goodby to Les Skinner

As seen on the streets of Montpelier…and on your Zoom screen!

July 3rd of last year, we could crowd together and dance with Pete’s Posse, in the parade.  And many of us have danced to them on the stage at the Grange.  Here’s some good news:  The Posse has agreed to play for an on-line concert as a fundraiser for the Capital City Grange, on Saturday, Sept. 12th at 8:00 PM!  The Contra Dance Umbrella has arranged this with Pete and the Posse, in lieu of the regular, exciting fundraiser that the CDU has sponsored for years.
Pete’s Posse will play their usual broad repertoire of originals and traditional tunes, and will no doubt include some that will get you dancing in your living room!   Their website, www.petesposse.com points out that they have toured over 140,000 miles since 2014.  Since the Coronavirus shutdown, they have been doing live-streamed concerts like this one–and we’re honored that they were eager to play for us!   They have often said that playing for dances at the Grange is one of their favorite gigs, and they’ve been one of the favorite dance bands for contra dances since their inception.
As in other CDU-sponsored fundraisers, a core group of Grange supporters with deep-ish pockets are donating a “Challenge” amount for the dance and Grange communities to match.  The CDU will be paying the Posse for their time–supporting the artists that bring the music to the dances is one of their missions.   During the concert, Pete, Oliver and Tristan will solicit donations for the Grange–to a Paypal connection.   There is no “admission” charge for this benefit, but we will welcome any amount you can donate!
Given the Grange’s financial straits, this year the money will be going to support the ongoing expenses of running the Hall, rather than being earmarked for another big project–it may help pay for some ventilation improvements that will make our Hall safer for rental groups (see below).

The Zoom link for the concert is: tiny.cc/PosseZoom and here’s the calendar listing: https://capitalcitygrange.org/event/online-concert-petes-posse/

USE PAYPAL TO DONATE TO THE CAPITAL CITY GRANGE

Keeping Marj’s skirts dancing!–and supporting the Grange at the same time

In the last Grange Notes I sent out, I shared some memories and photos of Marj Power, long-time dancer, Grange supporter, and much more.  We are blessed to be able to offer Marj’s friends, dancing partners and admirers a chance to keep one (or more!) of her skirts on the move, on the dance floor.   Marj’s kids, Rebecca (aka Pinky) and Ben have donated 45 dance skirts (also including a few scarves and other garment types) to be auctioned off, to benefit the Grange and the Socialist Labor Hall in Barre–the other non-profit community Hall that Marj helped to keep going.
An ad hoc group of us got together to photograph all the skirts and other items, on a sunny day on the Grange’s dancer-entrance porch.  Below are a few of the skirts; the numbers correspond to descriptions of the size, material, etc. which will be included on the auction website.
Elizabeth Templeton, a member of the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall, and Ruth Ruttenberg, President of the Old Socialist Labor Hall have been putting the auction together–and will be making the auction live on Saturday, Sept. 12th–the same day as our Pete’s Posse concert/fundraiser!  Stay tuned for your chance to bid!
The auction and the link will be shared on the CDU Facebook page, our website, and the Labor Hall website, so everyone can find it.  Please spread the word to everyone you know–locally, regionally or nationally–who would like to take these skirts to their next dances!

September meeting:  3rd Saturday = 9/19

As usual–the first Saturday of September comes on Labor Day Weekend–even this year, we expect that people will have other things on their minds besides Grange meetings, so we’ll move the meeting to the 3rd Saturday, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM.  We’ll do another combination of in-person and Zoom meeting

Another improvement–because we know that winter will come!

Kurt Giavara and I took on another small project this month, replacing the too-small roof (see the top left photo below the top one) that was over the fire-exit with one large enough to cover the concrete pad in front of the door.
In the past, snow from the roof has fallen down on the pad (see the top photo), so close to the building that the fire door wasn’t able to open fully–obviously not a good thing if we really needed to be able to get people out!   I have chopped away the very dense snow piles on occasion, but will be happy not to do it.  The new roof will keep snow coming down off the pad, and will encourage it to go farther out.
Kurt bought all the lumber, donating it BTW, and cut all the parts to size; I primed and painted all the parts before we put them up.  This made the installation process pretty fast–and it was enjoyable to not work in 90 degree heat!
It doesn’t feel much like winter now, but as Vermonters we know that doesn’t mean it won’t come.

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help), July 30, 2020
  

Back to the Grange Hall–as well as Zooming in

We held our first Grange meeting in-person since March, on July 18th–at least partially in-person!   With fans turned on, some windows open, masks on everyone and with at least 6′ spacing between us all, 6 Grange members showed up in the Hall, with another 5 or 6 showing up on Zoom.   I had the usual technical difficulties figuring out how to combine the Zoom with the projector, but we all managed.  Carl Etnier was our Zoom-meister, a great help to have!
We started the meeting with a song, led by Matt Nunnelly from the piano:  Blue Skies in honor of summer.   We asked Zoomers to mute themselves, as we learned in a previous meeting that everyone’s audio comes in at a slightly different time, so doing a true sing-along over it doesn’t work well.   Carl put the lyrics on the projector screen.
Next, we did a brief “check-in” with everyone, getting a sense of how everyone is surviving.  Those in the Hall took turns in front of the camera while speaking; those virtually present spoke from their homes, of course.  We heard about a wide variety of activities–kayaking, bike-riding, composing music, “podding-up” with trusted kids and grand-kids, or others who share the household.  Patty Giavara is still working at VMEC (remotely), Alison Forrest is working all summer sending out food to parents and kids in Huntington from the school (where she’s been in charge of food for 30 years!); Matt Nunnelly is getting lots of work repairing and installing hot-tubs and spas with so many folks staying home–he works for Allen’s Pools & Spas.   Carl Etnier is in charge campus services for Goddard College’s “Distance Learning” programs, which have had to adapt to the pandemic restrictions of course.  He also works at WGDR, the Goddard community radio station.
At the meeting, we also shared news and stories about Marj Power, who was in the hospice facility at the time–see above for more details.
We also discussed the financial and rental situation of the Grange.   As I think we all know, the Grange has been pretty empty since the Coronavirus restrictions came into play.   Of our regular renters, the Montpelier Church of Christ began meeting again–with masks, physical distancing and fans, and only about 12 attendees–when restrictions started being lifted; the West African dancer class has held sessions outside, in the Grange parking lot.  The Resident Owners’ Co-op of the Weston Mobile Home park has met upstairs (also with masks, physical distancing and fans) a few times.  The Contra Dance Umbrella has chosen to make a small payment for the Saturday contra dances which are not being held, to support the Grange and the Hall–the CDU has been a supportive partner for decades, as I think most folks know.  We have kept the (newly renovated) lower level closed to renters due to the restricted ventilation there.
We have, consequently, had very little rental income since mid-March, and are not expecting a major increase in the foreseeable future.   Merry and I have made some choices to reduce expenses, based on the low usage of the Hall.  We have cut back on cleaning costs, arranging only for a disinfectant cleaning of high-touch surfaces like door knobs, railings, etc.  We will be able to cut back considerably on snow-plowing and sanding during the coming winter, but will still need to have some done to maintain access to the Hall.   We have done some projections of our financial situation, based on these assumptions.  We have sent information to a friend who  has worked as a business manager for school systems, David Larcombe, who has helped us put the projections in a spreadsheet form.  The bottom line is a loss of almost $4,000 over the next year or so.   While this is not in any way a guaranteed prediction of how things will go, it really helps us focus our minds on what we can do to improve our balance sheet, and helped to stimulate useful discussion at our meeting.  David was present via Zoom and
The group came up with some “palliative” measures we could take–like emptying and shutting off the kitchen refrigerator and considering volunteer disinfecting cleanings instead of paying for professionals (since usage is so low).  We decided we will need to take a look at the costs vs. income we get from wintertime rentals–if snowplowing and sanding need to be done, it can cost us close to $200 for one “regular” storm.   We will need to look into the cost for a more limited plowed/sanded area of the parking lot.
We’ll keep talking and planning about finances as this strange year continues.   There will certainly be some fund-raising requests coming your way.   We have some savings, but we don’t want to scrape the bottom of that barrel–especially when we don’t yet know the full extent of the downturn in rentals.   Anyone who is moved to contribute can send checks to the PO Box 208, Northfield Falls, VT  05663 address listed above.  Watch these Notes for info about how to donate on-line, as well.   And if you have ideas about ways to pitch in–help with disinfecting for example–please contact me: grangenotes@capitalcitygrange.org, or swartztim15@gmail.com.

We Say Farewell to Marjorie Power

Marj Power passed away on Saturday, July 25th, from the acute myeloid leukemia with which she was diagnosed just a  couple of weeks ago.    Along with her son Ben and daughter Rebecca (Pinky) Power, Marj had decided to suspend chemotherapy, after consultation with UVM Medical Center physicians and oncologists from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.  She spent her last days being cared for at the McClure-Miller Respite house, getting hospice care.  Marj was 78 years old–hard for us all to believe, who have known her level of activity for so long!
Besides the activities in the photo below, Marj was on the City Council of Montpelier in the 90s, a stalwart of the Progressive party in VT (including running for Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State), a leader of the Vermont Older Women’s League (OWLs), a long-time volunteer reader to school kids for Everybody Wins Vermont, an organizer for Vermont Health Care for All, a board member for the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall, Treasurer and Webmaster (and much else) for the Socialist Labor Party Hall in Barre, was the Lecturer for this Grange from 2006 to 2019, won many prizes for knitting in the Grange needlework contests, and (I’m sure) had her finger in many other activist pies as well.  Speaking of food, her soups and baked chicken dishes have been mainstays of Grange potluck dinners.   Always welcoming, she was a leader in getting new folks dancing at many contra dances, including those at this Grange Hall.   She is well-known throughout New England contra dancing scene, at festivals and community dances–and has also danced in many other states on her travels.  Let me know what I’ve missed, and share your Marj stories with us!
Besides her formal duties as Grange Lecturer, bringing interesting and engaging speakers for Grange meeting Programs to us, Marj was always an active participant in meetings, sharing her knowledge about politics (she was a frequent lobbyist at the VT State House), running a non-profit Hall, and a thousand and one other topics on which she was well-informed and opinionated!  She loved to join in the Grange sing-alongs, to welcome new people to meetings and potlucks and projects–she leaves big shoes for us all to try to fill.
As far as I know, there is not yet a plan for a memorial gathering for Marj–she would be the first to upbraid us if someone organized a physical gathering which could risk the health of those attending!   We will pass along news of any plans.   The best way (IMHO) to honor Marj’s memory is to get involved with the world and whatever causes you believe in, as she did.
Cards and letters of remembrance can be sent to Marj’s family at Marj’s address, where they are able to get mail:
Ben and Pinky Power
67 Independence Green
Montpelier, VT  05602

The excellent picture below, showing Marj doing a few of of her favorite things–knitting, teaching and being with kids–came from a newsletter from Queen City Contras about Marj’s illness.

More memories of Marj

2008:  Marj opens the doors for the new, accessible entrance to our Grange Hall!  Marj was one of the sparkplugs that got us going on this major project, the first of several.

2014:  Marj takes pictures at the “World’s Longest Contra Dance Line Attempt” in Rutland, wearing her “official judge” T-shirt.

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help), July 12, 2020

On May 29th the robins had eggs in this nest…by June 23rd the fledglings were about ready to fly!

Remember when we used to have Grange Meetings?   In the Grange Hall?      

Now that we are allowing other Hall users to meet in the Hall, and as Vermont continues to do a very good job following health guidelines and keeping COVID infections low, it seems like it’s time to try out meeting (safely) in person. 
On July 18th, this coming Saturday, at 4:30, all those who want to can join us for a socially-distanced, masked meeting.   Anyone who prefers to stay at home is welcome to join us via Zoom–we’ll project the Zoom meeting on the screen in the Hall, and see how a “hybrid meeting” works.  No one should feel pressure to attend in person–the safety of everyone is our first concern!
       In addition to requiring masks and social distancing, we’ll have the ceiling fan on, and the windows open to keep fresh air moving, in accordance with the best advice on reducing risks of transmission.
       We won’t have a speaker or program, but will spend time catching up with how we are all faring during this strange and difficult part of our lives, and will also be looking at the finances & rental policies of the Grange as we navigate this slow time.  This meeting will not be a formal Grange meeting using the usual ritual; we will concentrate on communicating safely and personally–without physical contact, but renewing our friendships mask-to-mask!
We won’t be able to have a potluck dinner….but whoever wants to bring a picnic dinner for themselves can do so.  We’ll see how to best set up to enjoy eating together, with sufficient distance between family groups. 
       Hope you can join us!    You need not be a Grange member to attend! 

Finishing the painting, with Tim and the Ellens!      

Alert readers will remember that I asked for (socially distant) help to complete the painting of the lower level.  I was able to get that help from not one, but 2 Ellens!  
       Ellen Marsden and I put the first coat of the new paint color on the bathroom, kitchen and fire-stair walls; Ellen Holmes-Henry helped me put on the 2nd coat to get good coverage.  I finished touch-up painting on the new trim, and re-painted the older trim with a new coat of the same white, semi-gloss.   It looks pretty good–if you come for the meeting you can check out the lower level! 
       We are not allowing Grange renters to use the lower level yet, due to the difficulty of providing good ventilation, nor are we allowing use of the kitchen, but we will have a great meeting/eating/celebrating facility when we are able to open it up.

Basement window trim–upgrade!     

Kurt Giavara offered to purchase new, plastic lumber for exterior trim on the 6 windows on the East side–facing the parking lot–and to help to install it!   He said the sad condition of the old wood trim was ugly and depressing…as you can see in the upper photo below.   Below that, you will see Kurt trimming off one of the rotting sills with his wonderful flush-cutting Fein tool, the windows stripped of all their trim, and two of the newly-trimmed windows.   We also foamed the spaces around the old frames, and caulked and sealed the new trim in place.   No painting will be needed!
       This will be another area of improvement to admire, if you can come to the Hall for the Saturday meeting–or just stop by if you’re nearby, of course.