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.

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

The robin’s nest on the old entrance porch is in full swing, and the flowers are blooming in the beds we made around the new entrance!

Graffiti?  What graffiti?

A little paint makes a big difference…besides avoiding our building look like “a good place to put some more graffiti”, the new coat covered up the old paint patches on the concrete basement wall.   The purple spray paint at the bottom of the ADA ramp also got painted over.  Since I didn’t get any offers of help, I had to enjoy painting in the sunshine all by myself…

And Kids Trade & Play is back–Different and Yet the Same       

The kids’ clothing/games/toys/gear exchange, sponsored by the Grange is starting up again.  Grange member and organizer Erin Barry asked interested families to donate (clean and in great shape!) last Saturday, and to pre-order items that they want, for pick-up this Saturday, June 13th.  Orders were even taken for games & books as well as clothing–and even requests for a “surprise toy” from the KT&P stock.  Volunteers will do their best to match requested sizes, colors, etc., and will pack bags with “customer’s” names on them, which will be available for pick-up outside the Hall.  Only volunteers will be allowed inside the Hall–and they will be wearing masks & gloves, and following proper social distancing.  
       Erin points out “you may not love everything you get, but this is only temporary”.  Items that you don’t like can be brought back the next time this event is held.
      The Grange appreciates the hard work that Erin and her corps of volunteers does to keep this excellent event going, and making such a positive difference in the lives of families with kids!   We look forward to when the “in-person” event can resume function in the lower level of the Hall.
       For the latest news on KT&P, check out their Facebook Page.

Rural Vermont’s Policy Director

gave us the inside view of the organization, its history and its response to current situations.   Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, who has worked as an organizer for Rural VT for several years (as well as co-owning his own agricultural businesses) was introduced by Grange Lecturer Carl Etnier, who had signed him up as this month’s speaker in our series of one-hour Programs about local issues–all with larger connections.  Carl also hosts “Relocalizing Vermont” on WGDR weekly, and hosted Graham, as well as the head of the Finnish Food Safety Authority on June 4th.  The interviews with both of them are available until June 18th at https://www.wgdr.org/relocalizingvermont/

Local Agriculture: Our Current Situation and Its Roots

Graham started out with an overview of the history of Rural VT, and quickly moved on to a discussion of the differential impact of agricultural policies on small farmers–and in particular on African-American farmers.  He quoted Malcolm X on the importance of land ownership as a basis for black economic prosperity.  Instead of increasing since those days, we currently have the lowest percentage of black-owned agricultural land since the Civil War–98% is owned by white farmers.  This represents the opposite of progress. 
       Rural Vermont has always worked on being part of a national and global farming culture; it is part of the National Family Farm Coalition.  Graham attended their recent Board meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, where he learned more about the history of white supremacy in the South and in the U.S., and about the history of loss of black land ownership. 
        The organization is currently working hard to make sure that benefits from the COVID-19 assistance from the federal government are shared among farms of all types and sizes–and to make sure that the undocumented migrant farm workers who are vital to the operation of dairy farms in particular get aid in these difficult times.  Rural VT has always worked closely with Migrant Justice, the Vermont organization of those workers and their supporters.  Rural Vermont is also speaking out for all farm workers as part of the “essential workers” who keep Vermont going.
        Beyond the current preoccupation with the pandemic, Rural Vermont continues to work on its long-term projects to enhance local agriculture and connections between farmers and consumers.   One of these is improvements to the ability of farmers to slaughter meat animals on-farm, rather than having to use the limited  number of USDA-approved slaughtering facilities in VT. 
       The movement to allow direct sales from farms grew from the desire of a local pizza maker, who wanted to buy chickens from his neighbors’ farm for its pizza.  Following the forbidding of this sort of local deal by the State of Vermont, the pizza-maker, the farmer and Rural Vermont  began campaigning for changes in the laws regarding on-farm slaughter.  This culminated in the passing of the 2007 “Vermont Chicken Bill”, which allowed farmers raising less than 1,000 birds per year to sell whole birds (also including turkeys and ducks) at farmers’ markets and directly to restaurants, as well as direct from the farm.   The cap has since been raised to 5,000–or even to 20,000 per year if USDA sanitary standards are followed.
        Rural VT has also worked to promote mobile, USDA-approved slaughtering trucks, which could come to farms to process poultry even for interstate sale.  More information on all of these initiatives is available at www.ruralvermont.org  In another meat-raising campaign, they have successfully lobbied for the right of farmers to sell the meat from whole animals (including cattle, pigs and more) to a group of purchasers, rather than just one.   The difference this sort of real-world provision can make for small-scale farmers is clear.
       Other major initiatives that have led to legislative changes include the required labeling for dairy products from cows given rBST (also known as BGH), legalization of hemp cultivation, GMO labeling requirements for foods, and legalization of on-farm sales of raw milk.   Before the advent of the Coronavirus crisis, they were lobbying for classification of chicken-processing of compost as a legal option that satisfies the state requirements.  They were also working to get compensation for farmers to recognize the positive eco-system services they provide–everything from carbon sequestration to recycling of compost materials to storm-water containment.  They are part of the Ag Department working group on this issue.  At this point, Rural Vermont is a recognized major player in Vermont agricultural policy, and is often involved in drafting and testifying on farm legislation. 
       Graham also talked about larger-scale issues that impact farmers.  An excellent example of the intersection of “agricultural” policy with other issues is our U.S. health-insurance “system”.   The vast majority of farmers (in a nationwide survey) have to get health insurance through off-farm employment by themselves, or a spouse or other family member; this is because for most people, employer-provided health insurance is the only affordable option.   If we had a national health insurance system that covered everyone, not tied to employment, farmers would be freed from a major budgetary worry–as well as being more able to stay healthy!  Similarly, the difficulties of finding affordable, quality child-care is a major worry for farmers, as it is for most parents. 
       When the issue of “what can the Grange do to help farmers” came up in the discussion–some of the answers Graham gave may be obvious:  we have already been advocating for a universal health insurance program, supporting migrant workers’ rights, and promoting locally produced food through organizations like the Food Bank, the Farm-to-School program and more.   Continuing to put our energies into these causes is helpful to everyone in our mostly-rural state, definitely including farmers.  The Covid-19 pandemic has only increased some of these stresses–the state has seen around 17 dairy farms close during this period.  Graham also praised the Grange for maintaining our community Hall as a meeting place for all types of local organizations (including Rural Vermont), as well as hosting social events, everything from contra dances to baby showers. 
         For the latest info on issues that Rural Vermont is advocating on, and to find out what you can do as an individual, Graham recommended checking the Action Alerts page on the Rural VT website.   Here’s the link:  https://www.ruralvermont.org/action-alerts.  We thank Graham for joining us in our Zoom meeting–he has just come “back to work” after paternity leave, by the way!      

Grange meeting report              

Our “executive session” Zoom meeting filled the half-hour before the program described above.   After a few minutes delay due to tech issues with signing in, we started with a reading of a “Land Acknowledgement”, which Merry & I heard read at the beginning of “kneel-in” gatherings in Montpelier during the previous week, in response to the killing of George Floyd.   This Land Acknowledgement is suggested as a way to begin all meetings; I will put the text below, separately, and will be interested in feedback.
      Our short meeting discussed the rental situation, and those present approved the rules which Merry and I have agreed on for use of the Grange Hall during this beginning of Vermont “opening up”:

• Use of the upstairs “Main Hall” is limited to 12 people or less, based on the guideline of 1 person per 200 sq. ft..
• Use of cloth masks and maintaining “social distance” of at least 6 feet between people or between household groups are required.
• Users should open windows and use the ceiling fan to increase ventilation during use.
• No one who has a fever or a cough, or has been exposed to COVID-19 is to enter. 
• The lower level of the Hall (including the restrooms and the kitchen) is off limits to renters, due to the limited ventilation.  Only the upstairs restroom is to be used, to reduce the burden of disinfecting the Hall.
• Gatherings outside the Hall are limited to 25 or less; people attending outdoor gatherings must wear masks and follow the same “social distance” guidelines.

       We also looked at the Treasurer’s report for the end of May; as we expect, rental income is way down; at this point our monthly expenses are also very low.   Projected lower usage will reduce costs somewhat even into the winter, as less snow-plowing/sanding (our biggest winter expense by far) will be required; nevertheless we are expecting to show a significant loss over the foreseeable future.   We have a total of approximately $15,000 in total reserves (savings account, CD and loan to the VT Community Loan Fund), but of course we do not want to use up too much of that cushion.  Our savings are meant to back-stop us in case of major expenses to maintain the building, as well as for meeting “unforeseen circumstances” like the ones which have certainly showed up this year!
       It is certainly unclear when the social dancing which has been a mainstay of our rental market will be able to re-start.   Based on my reading of the national dance community discussions, no one has much confidence that it will be safe to do this sort of close-contact, aerobic event, with multiple partners and much sweating, until a vaccine is in wide use. 
Alison Forrest suggested one possible fund-raising rental we might try to arrange:  a private couples dance, with live music in the Grange Hall.   This would require social distance and mask-wearing for musicians, and mask-wearing for the couple(s).   If we could set this up for some couples who love the Grange Hall and waltzing together (or other couples dances–swing, Scandinavian, etc) this could work.   We would sure like some help setting events like this up!   Email Merry or Tim if you want to help out!
       We all agreed that our next meeting will not be one with a program, as summer is not a good time to get people to take part in the interesting serious discussions we like to have.  We would like to have more time to look at finances and rentals, so will plan a meeting to focus on these areas for July.   Since the first Saturday is July 4th, it seems best to plan for a 3rd Saturday/July 18th meeting–likely still by Zoom.   Carl Etnier has set up a recurring Zoom meeting, which will be available on that date.   I will get the log-in information in the Calendar listing on the Grange website well before then.
We are continuing to pay close attention to the guidance given by the VT Dept. of Health and the Governor’s weekly briefings.   While we don’t fit exactly in the buckets of “business re-start” or “retail spaces”, the general advice given is very helpful.  Our first priority must be to protect the health of everyone who uses the Grange Hall.

What is a Land Acknowledgment?

A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.  Here’s a link to more information:  https://nemanet.org/nemn/spring-2020/guide-land-acknowledgements/#.  Below is the one I read at the June 6th Zoom meeting:               Land Acknowledgement        We are on the land which has long served as a site for meeting and exchange among indigenous peoples for thousands of years, as is the home of the Western Abenaki People.  We honor, recognize and respect these peoples, especially the Abenaki, as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters on which we gather today.  In that spirit, today we will begin by acknowledging that we are guests in this land.  We need to respect and help protect the lands within our use.

The Grange Hall is great, and grated…       

Patty Giavara sent me some more photos of Kurt and I installing the grate on the accessible main entrance porch–see below.
And there is still more indoor painting to do:  we still have some trim from the renovation project which need a final paint coat, and some wall areas too, specifically the bathroom and kitchen walls.   This will put the final touches on our spruced-up look of the lower level, in preparation for its eventual opening for rentals.  I am happy to spend time doing this, but would very much like some company!  It’s especially nice to be down in the cool basement when the weather is hot and humid outside.  We can easily keep at least 6′ apart; we’ll supply rollers and brushes and paint.   Call  or email me to let me know if you can help:  802-225-8921 –Tim

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help), June 3, 2020

Local farmers, healthy communities, healthy food–fostering connections      

Rural Vermont has had these as guiding principles since dairy farmers founded the organization in 1985.   Following these principles, they have brought farmers and consumers together.  They have lobbied for better ways for consumers to purchase farm products–milk, meat and vegetables–more directly from farmers, for involvement of small farmers in the development of agricultural regulations, for GMO and rBGH labeling and much else.  You can find out more about their history and advocacy on their website:  RuralVermont.org
       On Saturday, June 6th from 5:00 to 6:00, we’ll be hosting the Policy Director of Rural Vermont, Graham Unangst-Rufenacht.  Graham will be talking about ways that the current Coronavirus Pandemic has shone a light on the weaknesses of our food system and its dependence on food from far away.    And he’ll be discussing the ways that empowering local agriculture and local consumer connections can make Vermont a stronger and more resilient community.  This discussion will build on what we discussed with David Zuckerman on May 4th.
      To join the Zoom meeting, starting at 5:00, from your computer or smart-phone, use this Zoom link.
       To join the meeting from your phone (audio only, of course!), dial this number:  646 558 8656       For either way of joining:Meeting ID: 875 0792 3076Password: 624628
        Following Graham’s presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion, as always.   We hope you will join us!  Please spread the word to others, too!  Grange Lecturer Carl Etnier arranged this program, and will be the moderator for it.
       See below for more information about our speaker:

Having grown up in East Montpelier, and currently living in Plainfield, Graham knows this part of Vermont well.   He co-owns a seasonal grass-fed and finished beef operation (Robinson Hill Beef), and also a home-to-farm scale agroecology design-build business (Walking Onion).   He works with youth in a a variety of settings and organizations in Vermont, including:  ROOTS School, Earthwalk, The Maplehill School and Community Farm, and the King Street Youth Center.   He has degrees from UVM in Religious Studies and Plant and Soil Science, has a Permaculture Design Certificate from Yestermorrow, and attended the 3-year clinical herbal training program at the VT Center for Integrative Herbalism.   

1/2 hour Grange meeting before the program             

Our “executive session” Zoom meeting will start at 4:30, to discuss the state of the Grange regarding finances, rentals, and whatever else we have time for.   Merry, our Treasurer, will present her usual monthly financial report, and we’ll discuss how the finances look in this time of extremely low cashflow.   We will also be discussing the early beginnings of rentals to some of our long-term regular renters:

• The Montpelier Church of Christ has started to hold Sunday morning services.   They came to us making a commitment to meet as safely as possible, and following safety guidelines   We appreciate their pro-active approach!
• The West African Dance class held its first class in the parking lot on Tuesday, May 26th–see the  photo below.   As they told us they would, they kept 10′ distance from each other while dancing and wore masks at breaks.
• Erin will be holding Kids Trade and Play in June–but with some differences.   Donations will be accepted only on Saturday, June 6th, in the morning, on the porch.  People can fill out an “order form” for items they want to pick up on the second Saturday, June 13th–sizes and types of clothing requested, and even books! games! and surprise toys!, which they will do their best to fill.  Orders will be placed in labeled bags on the porch for pickup on the 13th. 
• AVP Detail, our usual cleaning service, has been doing a disinfectant cleaning of door handles, railings, bathroom fixtures, water fountains, etc. once a week.   
• We are keeping the kitchen off-limits for obvious reasons; we also do not want any groups to meet downstairs, which has much less ventilation than the upstairs Hall.
• We are limiting the use of the Hall to established renters, rather than one-time events.   We want to work with the people who have been a regular part of the Grange community, with whom we share the long-term interests of keeping the Grange Hall a welcoming–but safe–space. 

We are paying close attention to the guidance given by the VT Dept. of Health and the Governor’s weekly briefings.   While we don’t fit exactly in the buckets of “business re-start” or “retail spaces”, the general advice given is very helpful.

We’ll be discussing all of these questions in our Zoom Grange meeting on June 6th, from 4:30 to 5:00.  Note–this is a separate Zoom event from the Program meeting with Rural VT.  For this one, use

Link to meeting:  https://zoom.us/j/91894580413

Meeting ID:  918 9458 0413

Call-in number for phone access to the audio:  646-558- 8656Log-in info will also be in the Grange Calendar listing for the meeting.

West African dancers, joyous in the outdoors!

The Grange is twice as grate now!

And much more graffitied…The good news:  Kurt and I installed the second grate, in the entrance porch for the ADA entrance this week.  Like the first one, installed in front of the old entrance, this will remove much of the parking lot grit which otherwise would get tracked in on people’s shoes.   We appreciate the grant from the VT Arts Council which allowed us to purchase these grates, as well as funding 1/2 of the cost of the basement renovations.  See the picture below…
The bad news:  we found new graffiti on the Grange Hall last week–the first time this has happened to us.  We know that lots of people have had extra time on their hands–and the Grange Hall has been much less busy, so easier to deface in private.  See the pictures below…
Covering up the graffiti:  in addition to asking the Berlin Police to randomly patrol the Grange Hall, I am purchasing paint to cover the graffiti on the foundation and the clapboards.   If someone wants to help me put it on (rollers on the foundation), I plan to start on Thursday afternoon.   We can easily keep at least 6′ apart; we’ll supply rollers and brushes and paint.   Call me to let me know if you can help:  802-225-8921 –Tim

Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help), May 25, 2020

Rural Vermont started as a group of dairy farmers, getting together to “amplify their voices in the face of falling prices, rising costs, and increasingly burdensome regulation”.  Since then, they have worked:

• to improve the Current Use program
• to legislate mandatory rBGH labeling
• to create the Northeast Dairy Compact
• for town resolutions against GMOs
• for allowing direct sales of milk and poultry from farmers to consumers
• for legalization of hemp cultivation
• for involvement of small farmers in development of agricultural regulations
• and many other campaigns–find out more at RuralVermont.org.  

       Starting at 5:00 on June 6th, a representative from Rural VT will be speaking with us about the organization and what the Coronavirus has shown us about the vulnerabilities of our national food supply system, and the value of being able to get produce, meat and other farm products from local producers.  We’ll hear their story, and then have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the many aspects of our food systems–local, regional and national–and how they affect our lives.
       Once we get information about the speaker, I’ll send out another Grange Notes with the information, and the Zoom meeting info you will need to watch and listen to the program.   This info will also be posted on the Grange website calendar:  here!
       Grange Lecturer Carl Etnier arranged this program, and will be the moderator for it.  

1/2 hour Grange meeting before the program              

Our “executive session” Zoom meeting will start at 4:30, to discuss the state of the Grange regarding finances, rentals, and whatever else we have time for.   Merry, our Treasurer, will present her usual monthly financial report, and we’ll discuss how the finances look in this time of extremely low cashflow.   We will also be discussing the early beginnings of rentals to some of our long-term regular renters:

• We have started allowing the Montpelier Church of Christ to hold Sunday morning services.   They came to us making a commitment to meet as safely as possible–using social distancing, wearing masks and having only a small number of people–see the photo below which they sent us.   We appreciate their pro-active approach!
• The West African Dance class will try out a class in the parking lot this Tuesday.   These dancers keep space between people (very unlike contra dancing, for example!), so we think this is a reasonable event to try outdoors, even for a sweaty activity!  
• We have asked AVP Detail, our usual cleaning service to do a disinfectant cleaning of door handles, railings, bathroom fixtures, water fountains, etc. once a week.   
• We are keeping the kitchen off-limits for obvious reasons; we also do not want groups to meet downstairs, which has much less ventilation than the upstairs Hall.
• We are limiting the use of the Hall to established renters, rather than one-time events.   We want to work with the people who have been a regular part of the Grange community, with whom we share the long-term interests of keeping the Grange Hall a welcoming–but safe–space. 

We are paying close attention to the guidance given by the VT Dept. of Health and the Governor’s weekly briefings.   While we don’t fit exactly in the buckets of “business re-start” or “retail spaces”, the general advice given is very helpful.

We’ll be discussing all of these questions in our Zoom Grange meeting on June 6th–check the Grange Calendar listing for the meeting link and log-in information to log in.  Or contact me, and I’ll send you an invitation!   Note–this is a separate Zoom event from the Program meeting with Rural VT, see the separate Calendar listing for log-in info to that event.

Montpelier Church of Christ–taking care of each other and the rest of us!

Compost program–even more information!       

On Dec. 7th of 2019, back when we could meet in person, we had an excellent presentation on the mandatory disposal requirements for food waste, which take effect on July 1st.  Two presenters from the Central VT Solid Waste Management District (CVSWMD) gave us good information about options for dealing with food waste–including composting at home.
       Last week, I was able to “attend” a longer, on-line workshop by CVSWMD on “Compost Basics”, including food waste of all types.   With more time, more specifics about the best ways to compost for garden soil enrichment and for disposal of food scraps was presented.  I learned a bunch of useful info, and I’ve been composting for years (just not very expertly, it turns out)!
       Attendees were sent a link to a recording of the Zoom presentation, and all the discussion, which I am sharing–just click this link and use the password “C0mp0st!”
       CVSWMD offers quite a few participatory, on-line, meetings using Zoom, including more Compost Basics sessions, plus workshops on how to dispose of household waste, and specific recycling guidance.   You can see the dates and register–for free!–using this link.

Wi-fi is free at the Grange Hall!      

Since 2014, we’ve offered Free Wi-fi there, and it’s available without a password outside the Hall as well as inside.  I found the best signal on the driveway on the West side of the Hall, that is the side closer to Rt. 12.  
       For Grange Notes readers in other parts of the state, the State Dept. of Public Service has posted a map of public Wi-fi hotspots all over Vermont.  You can get to it via this link:  https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/public-wifi-hotspots-vermont.  We are listed there, along with hundreds of other locations.
        If you have kids who need broadband access, or you need it for working “from home”, these are all resources that will help.
A little history:  We got our Wi-fi router installed for free, as part of the “Vermont Digital Economy Project”.  The VDEP arranged for hotspots like ours and Wi-fi zones to be installed for public use all around the state.   The intent was to help communities stay connected, especially in cases of emergencies–like our current one!–which require good communications and strong community institutions. 
       The VDEP was funded by federal grants through the VT Council on Rural Development, in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.   That statewide disaster revealed which communities recovered fastest–it was those with strong connections, strong communications and strong community institutions.   The Grange’s mission fits very well with these criteria, and the help we got through the VDEP made us a stronger community partner.   Besides the Wi-fi, we got help rebuilding our website, and were introduced to MailChimp as a tool to send these Grange Notes!  
         We greatly appreciate the help we got, and are eager to do our part to help those who need it in our current crisis.
        To learn more about the VDEP, visit https://www.vtrural.org/programs/digital-economy