Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) March 19, 2023

A brief report on our big day!

I’m writing this description of our festivities 2 weeks after the event on March 5.   The time since has been crammed full with working on the rest of the project–more on what is still left (and an appeal for help) below.
Everyone who came really had fun!   We had lots of interesting exhibitors, games to play downstairs, dancing and music upstairs, many cookies made and eaten, rides taken on the lift, and much more than I can summarize in this email.   I will write up more of a report and post it later, after I can really get away from helping Stan to finish up the project.
Just below, you’ll see some pictures, each of which should be worth at least a thousand words, right?   Right below, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, Michelle Bailey of the VT Arts Council, Kendal Holden, Master of the VT State Grange, Patty Giavara of the FCCGH, Joe Staab of the Berlin Selectboard and I are ready to cut the ribbon.
More photos:

From the top: a sample of images

With many thanks to our two photographers, who took lots of great photos:  Jonathan Blake and Betty Copeland.
Maudean & Lewis Neill are happy to have ridden the lift down to the Lower Level!
The chess, checkers, Go and other game tables were popular all afternoon.  Kudos to Mike Stridsberg for setting these up.
Cub Scout Pack 777 had spinners to make, color and spin for anyone!
Alison Forrest rolled out and baked cookies all afternoon, using dough donated by Krin’s Bakery plus more she made.
VT State Grange Master Kendal Holden told us many nice things about the work we’ve done to improve our Hall–“the envy of every other Grange in Vermont”, he said–and we thanked the VSG for their help:  no interest construction loans for this and other major projects.

Remember:  this is just a small sample!   I can’t thank everyone who helped out in this big team effort, but I will post more information on the website in time.

Please send a card to Charles Martin!

I’m sorry to have to report that last week Charles suffered a heart attack and was taken to CVH for treatment.  He’s recovering–but it will take a while.   Charles’ partner Richard told me he should be transferred to home care soon, and will have a regular visiting nurse to help him with rehab.
Richard also told me that Charles will be happy to get cards sending him good wishes–please mail them to:

Berlin supports the Grange again!

I’m very happy to report that the voters of Berlin once again voted to extend our full exemption from property taxes once again, on March 7th.   The vote was 249 Yes to 60 No votes!   We will not have to campaign again for 5 years–and we’ll be able to keep providing free use for Berlin residents and non-profit organizations (including the Town of Berlin).   Thanks to the voters–and to the people who collected signatures too!

Current project: new doors and foyer wall

Even with the lift done, the project continues.   Stan Carlson and I have been working hard to complete the other major part:  meeting the Fire Marshal’s requirement that we replace the wall between the Old Entrance and the Main Hall with a “fire-rated” wall (5/8″ sheetrock both faces), fire-rated double doors (the old ones were plywood and pine), and even a fire-rated bathroom door.
We also have to remove all loose items from the foyer–including the folded tables that used to be stored on a small cart, trash & recycling containers, brooms and parking cones.  So we’ve designed in a storage closet–see the bottom picture.  It still needs doors, homasote “bulletin board” panels, trim and paint.
This is where you can help!  So far, I have done virtually all the painting of the lift walls, sheetrock, etc.  Stan needs to concentrate on the carpentry that remains.  If you like to paint, anytime we can arrange in the next couple of weeks, we’d love to have you!   We’ll provide brushes, paint, rollers, brush spinner, drop clothes, etc.   You provide:  old clothes to paint in, and your excitement about being part of this project!
Contact me, Tim at:  802-225-8921, or email me:  swartztim15@gmail.com to learn more and set up a time.

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

It’s time to celebrate!

Yesterday, Thursday March 2, we got the final inspection of our new wheelchair lift!   It is now open and available for use.   It’s smooth, quiet and easy to use.   We’re very excited to make all levels of the Grange Hall accessible to everyone.   Pictures below show the Stage Level and Lower Level entrances to the lift.   This lift marks a major milestone in making the Hall accessible.

Our gala celebration on Sunday afternoon, March 5 will be a lot of fun–and the price is right!

• Cookies fresh-baked at the Hall by Alison Forrest, 3 kinds:  Linzer cookies, Sugar cookies & Brownies, vegan & gluten-free!
• Come see us “cut the ribbon” to officially open the lift!
• Watch a few long-time Grange members and others take ceremonial “First Rides”!
• We’ll have remarks by a few speakers, including Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, Michele Bailey from the VT Arts Council, Berlin Select Board Member David Sawyer
• We will have exhibits from some of the organizations which use our Hall as their “home base” and other community groups, many of whom have presented programs for us in the past.  It’s a great chance to learn more about what goes on in the Hall, and in our surrounding communities.   We’re calling this part the “Info Fair”.
• Refreshments are being organized by expert baker Alison Forrest, who will be serving fresh-baked cookies, plus coffee and tea in the Lower Level.   Would you like to help her serve, and give her a break?   Get in touch with her at:  feedkidswell@gmail.com.
• In a Grange Hall where the biggest events are contra dances, we will provide “community dancing” with live music by the VT Fiddle Orchestra and calling by Luke Donforth, who knows how to help people of all ages and experience levels to have a good time!
• Mike Stridsberg, who organizes the VT Scholastic Chess tournaments at the Hall twice a year, will set up chess-boards and other games in the Lower Level for those who want a break from dancing, or just like to play games!

Join me on Saturday at the Berlin Pre-Town Meeting

If you don’t mind a little snow, feel free to join me at the Pre-Town Meeting info session, 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 4, at the Berlin Elementary school.   There, I’ll be answering questions about the Grange, and our request for a 5 year extension of our exemption from property taxes.
Berlin Town voters will be voting on the extension as Article 3 on the Town Ballot on Tuesday, March 7.   As a reader of the Grange Notes, you know that we periodically have to get the support of voters from the Town of Berlin, where we’re located, to extend the exemption from property taxes we first got in 2016.
At the informational Pre-Town Meeting, I’ll also  have some displays of pictures of some of the events that happen at our Grange Hall, and information about the 30 rent-free events which were held at the Grange Hall in 2022–well above the 2 per-month minimum that we committed to back in 2016.  We will be  happy to accommodate more, as the word continues to spread about our great Community Hall.  And the whole building is now ADA-accessible!
The ad pictured below is appearing for two weeks in a row in the “World” newspaper, which is widely distributed (for free) in the Central VT area, and is the best way to reach people in print.   This ad, which the World’s advertising people worked up along with Patty Giavara says it all!
If you are a Berlin resident, or if you know anyone in Berlin, or meet someone from the Town of Berlin before March 7, please pass on our request for support.  We keep the rents affordable by being an all volunteer organization, and by getting exemption from what would otherwise be about $7,000 in property taxes.
Please help us spread the word to Vote Yes on Article 3 on the Town Ballot on March 7!

Grange News by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help) February 24, 2023

Feb. 4th program–VT Public Assets

Before we look ahead at the March events, just a reminder of the program which our Lecturer, Carl Etnier presented as part of our February meeting.
Stephanie Yu, recently appointed as the second Executive Director of the Vermont Public Assets Institute, gave us (in person and on-line) an interesting overview of the data which the PAI has collected about the quality of life of Vermonters, how it has changed during the pandemic, and how we are recovering.  She also answered questions and discussed policy implications of the data, based on PAI’s values of using the powers of government to improve the well-being of ordinary citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
Because this wide-ranging program covered a lot of ground, and I don’t want to make this email a mile long by trying to summarize it, I strongly recommend that you view the Zoom recording of it, available by clicking on this link, and using this password:  W6t.*@mQ  (copy and paste it when asked).
Please let me know if this works for you!  And stay tuned for our next Community Program, on April 1st (no fooling)!

Celebrate with us!

• We’ll have a ceremonial “ribbon cutting” soon after the 2:00 opening, and some “first rides” by some of the people who have served the Grange for decades, and who will find it easier to get to the Stage and Lower Level with this lift.
• We are making good progress getting some “invited guests” lined up to join our celebration, including Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, Michele Bailey from the VT Arts Council, the 2 State Reps from the Berlin/Northfield district, at least one State Senator, and others!
• We will have exhibits from some of the organizations which use our Hall as their “home base” and other community groups, many of whom have presented programs for us in the past.  It’s a great chance to learn more about what goes on in the Hall, and in our surrounding communities.   We’re calling this part the “Info Fair”; see below for the long list of “exhibitors”.
• Refreshments are being organized by expert baker Alison Forrest, who will be serving fresh-baked cookies, plus coffee and tea in the Lower Level.   Would you like to help her serve, and give her a break?   Get in touch with her at:  feedkidswell@gmail.com.
• In a Grange Hall where the biggest events are contra dances, we will provide “community dancing” with live music by the VT Fiddle Orchestra and calling by Luke Donforth, who knows how to help people of all ages and experience levels to have a good time!
• Mike Stridsberg, who organizes the VT Scholastic Chess tournaments at the Hall twice a year, will set up chess-boards and other games in the Lower Level for those who want a break from dancing, or just like to play games!

Info fair participants:

Berlin Emergency Management (Fire & Fast Squad)
Berlin Historical Society
Capital City Grange
Capstone Community Action
Central Vermont Community Harvest
Cub Scout Pack #777:  bringing a craft project!
Efficiency Vermont: bringing free “Energy Savings Kits” to give away–LEDs and more!
Just Food Hub:  selling fair-trade food products to benefit non-profit organizations, including the Grange–and providing some free samples!
Kellogg-Hubbard Library
Kids Trade & Play
MadDog Chapter, Trout Unlimited
Montpelier Church of Christ
UVM Extension Service & 4H
VT AFL-CIO
VT Center for Independent Living

Lift Installation photos!

Below are several shots of the installation:
1. The crated lift came on a trailer, pulled by one of the trucks from Accessibility Systems, the Williston-based distributor/installer.  It’s backed up to the ramp entrance, which is convenient for people and deliveries!
2. Parts and pieces have been brought in and stored in front of the stage.
3.  The “mast” which houses the lift machinery and the track that guides the lift has been lowered down to the lower level floor.
4.   By the end of the first day, the lift “car” has been attached to the mast (which is now very solidly bolted to the wall of the hoistway), and is stopped at the stage floor level.  One of the technicians is making connections and adjustments.
5. Stan is standing in the lift, behind the gate which is at the Stage level.
6. The fire door is installed as the Lower Level access to the lift.   A similar door is also installed at the main floor level, in the ADA entrance foyer.
Next steps:  With sheetrock completed around the doors, gate and walls, painting & light installation are happening.  We are waiting for the installers to do final adjustments before getting the elevator inspection done!

Town of Berlin votes March 7
tell all your Berlin friends!

More construction–and your chance to help!

Reminder: time to renew your Grange membership!

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!