Celebrating the lift, and finishing up the project

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!

The photo above shows me and Charles, enjoying sitting down in the Lower Level, during the Lift Celebration. Charles, who is in his late 80s, was able to enjoy using the new lift for the first time.

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:

Charles Martin
639 Minister Brook Rd.
Worcester, VT 05682

Charles was the Secretary of our Grange since the early 1990s until last fall. He has always been one of the Grange members from that era that really welcomed the “new Grangers” from the groups that rent space in the Hall, when I joined in 1999 and many more in 2005. He’s also been Master of the North Branch Grange in Worcester, was the VT State Grange Trustee for the Grange building at the Big E, and was head of the Home Ec department for the VT State Grange for decades as well. We’re lucky to have him as a friend, a Grange mentor and a constant, cheerful presence. Hope you can help us keep up his spirits as he recovers!

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.